Costa de Almeria• Issue No. 2003 • 23 - 29 November 2023
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ILMAINEN
GRATIS
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FREI
DISNEY DAY
THE town of Mojacar will once again experience ‘The Magic Of Disney’, an allday event for the whole family, where all one’s dreams may come true. Since it has been discovered that the master of magical characters, Walt Disney, prob ably came from Mojacar, the town has jumped on the Dis ney train in a bid to show how proud they are of the famous creator. Alongside painted public murals and special Dis ney book readings, Mojacar have also in recent years cele brated their very own ‘Disney Day’. For another year the Mojacar Council has prepared
ALL-DAY EVENT: For the whole family.
this Disney Day for all to enjoy with the whole family. This magical event is free for all to enter and come to enjoy the delight of Disney spirit, so don
your favourite Disney cos tume and join the party that will be spread throughout the entire town of Mojacar! Euro Weekly News spoke to Mo
jacar resident and mother of three Sam Kay who said her family “could not wait” for this year’s celebration. Available to experience will be: children’s games and workshops, making things like masks, personalised badges, temporary tattoos and draw ings. There will also be pa rades, a family character party, a Lion King inspired African dance workshop, face painting and last but not least, free paella! This enchanting event will be held on Sunday, November 26 from 11.30am until 6.30pm in the centre of Mojacar.
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LOCAL NEWS
Shops for Albox
TWO new wellknown supermarkets are soon to open in Albox. Between the last week of November and the first week of December, the municipality of Albox will be treated to two
new supermarkets: Mer cadona and Aldi. The new Mercadona will be located next to the Albox Sports Pavil ion, and although it was scheduled to open on the final day of Novem
History class ON the morning of Friday November 17, the five yearold students of the Antas School made an im portant visit to the historic Argaric houses accom panied by the Culture councillors María Jesus Aznar and Francisco Galera. Learning does not always have to be sat listening in a classroom, and this local school found a way to make history class very exciting and immersive for these young students. There they received a great surprise and were able to talk with a typical woman of the town in that age, who by chance had not gone hunting that day. They received the great honour of being wel comed by the ‘Argaric queen’, and listened careful ly and intently to the explanations of the guide Juan Gabriel. Without a doubt a visit in which they learned a lot about life in the historic El Argar!
ber, the works have ad vanced at a rapid pace so that the opening can be brought forward three days to November 27. In addition, another wellknown supermarket will also land in Albox in the coming weeks, it is the multinational food company, ALDI. The ALDI Supermarket plans to open on Decem ber 4 and will be located in the current Angel Oller facilities, opposite its great competitor, the already existing food su permarket Lidl. Both LIDL and ALDI, will be located on Aveni da 28 de Febrero, one of the accesses to the mu nicipality that allows these supermarkets to be very well connected with the rest of the towns in the region, turning Albox into a hap py hub for the food pur chases from the Alman zora Valley.
LOCAL NEWS
NIBS EXTRA Car Show THE 950 Classic and Performance Car show 2023 will be held at 10am on Sunday November 26 at Scotty’s El Tropico Bar, Mojacar playa. There will be classic cars, performance cars, 4x4s and motorcycles. All vehicles are welcome. For more information contact 950 391 412.
Clean streets ‘HEY, pick up my poop!’ is HuercalOvera’s new campaign against animal faeces being left on the street. The town is promoting cleanliness and respect with the installation of new signage in squares, parks and areas frequented by dog owners. Failure to comply will result in fines of up to €300.
Literary works THE writers Lorenzo Silva and Noemí Trujillo presented their works ‘Pua’ and ‘Maternity was that’ in the cultural area, ‘Mojacar literary space’, that is promoted by the council. It was a wonderful evening where everyone present enjoyed the culture and the dialogue alongside the authors.
Super street THE renovation of the street ‘la rambla’ in Albox is continuing at lightning speed. The council continue to share updates of the progress on social media and residents have been quick to comment on how fantastic the work is looking. One wrote “every day I drive past it looks better and better, great work!”
Save lives A NEW free lifeguard course aimed at young people between 16 and 29 years old who are unemployed has been organised by the Albox Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Albox Town Council. The start date is February 14, 2024. For more information and reservations call 664 356 843.
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YOUR EWN HAS
Pea Soup Paseo 119
ALMERIA has had its fair share of weird weather re cently. From earthquakes to violent storms, then boiling hot weather in November and most re cently, heavy, dense fog. Pictures from local resi dents of Mojacar, a town that was particularly af fected by the fog, have emerged on social media, with one resident, Brad Swift, cleverly naming this photo the ‘Pea Soup Paseo’. The weather for this coming week in Mojacar
STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
Shelter success
Credit: Brad Swift on Facebook
WEIRD WEATHER: Most recently Almeria experienced heavy, dense fog.
and many other towns in Almeria looks as though this fog will clear and the beating sun will be back on form. As the run up to Christ mas draws ever closer,
Stately home A HISTORIC stately home is on sale in Alpujarra for only €20,000. The resi dence dates back to the 19th century, it has three floors and 459 square metres of surface area. An announcement was recently pub lished on Facebook regarding the news of the sale of an old stately home locat ed in the Alpujarra. The house dates back from the end of the 19th century and is located in the centre of the town, in the middle of Calle Real de Alcolea, an Almeria municipality of 830 inhabitants. The historic house has several bed rooms, a large kitchen, a bathroom, a commercial space, small terrace at the back and a small adjacent orchard that surrounds half of the building, among other rooms. Idyllic! It also boasts high ceilings with a wooden structure, a large fireplace and a door with a stunning stainedglass arch.
one may say it feels slight ly strange to be able to sunbathe on the beach in late November, with some complaining that it is killing the Christmas spirit. However, as frequent Mo
jacar holidaymaker Nicola Hemsworth simply put it in her Facebook comment on the photo, “I’d still rather be there than in cold, wet Essex!” Does she have a point?
Super cine! IS it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s the mayor of Vera and several councillors from the government sur rounded by superheroes! The legendary Cine Re gio de Vera has been showing the film ‘The Mar vels’ during the past week and many have shown up in suitable super costumes to honour the event! The inauguration of the cinema on Friday Novem ber 17 saw the town’s own homegrown come along for the occasion, along with other councillors from Vera. They took pictures with
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Vera
Saving the day! The mayor and some MARVELlous fans.
the many Marvel fans that came in their costumes and to add to their super hero status, the Vera City
Fair of the future ON Friday December 17 the Malva sia Festival: action for climate and a sustainable future was held in Vera. Present at the ‘fair of the future’ was the councillor for Education and Environment, Irene Vazquez. She accompanied the members of the Let’s Save the Salar de los Canos Association in the develop ment of the different workshops and activities of this fantastic fair, where all who attended had an in credible and informative experi
ence. Numerous families visited with children of all ages, and even some groups of teenagers, could be found enjoying the many activities that were on offer. It was all fun and games, howev er the message behind the festivi ties was not forgotten, as many talks were held about personal re sponsibility for the climate and small changes that can be made from adults and children alike to help our world.
Council even gave out free jelly beans to everyone in attendance. Super cute!
A BOOK fair to raise money for animals in need held by Mojacar animal shelter PAWS PATAS, enjoyed a recordbreaking morn ing of sales and dona tions. The sale of the books raised a total of €356.51 and the charity further received some gener ous coin/cash donations of €157.46. They were also handed €100 for the many different chil dren’s books which were auctioned on the Facebook Mojacar Fo rum. PAWS PATAS publicly thanked everyone who was involved for their generosity and collabo ration. They stated that this amount translates to 10 more female cats neutered as they now carry on with their muchneeded work to help animals. What a community!
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LOCAL NEWS
THE council of Turre have re leased a statement regarding the fact that several residents requested the council to clean the reeds of the ‘Ram bla Añaflix’ which appear above the El Pago bridge and were posing a possible dan ger in the event of a flood. Firstly, the council wanted to thank these observant resi dents and have publicly an nounced that this work has been carried out. On their social media they also wrote that “following
this suggestion, we have trav elled the Rambla from the Camino de la Nava to its mouth in the Rio Aguas and we have been able to verify the amount of rubbish, be longings and construction de bris that are found through out its channel in general and in the Camino de la Nava pass in particular. “We would like to remind all the residents of Turre that items can be left next to the containers on the 6th and 21st days of each month.”
Alison Radley FRAN FAJARDO is the owner and founder of ‘My Name Is Fran’, his one-man bespoke mural and canvas company located in Albox, Mojacar and surrounding areas in Almeria. Euro Weekly News caught up with the inspiring local artist, whose mural work was previously covered, to talk to him about it further and the stories behind it. Fran explained to us that he has been painting since he was a small child, working in vari-
PROVERB OF THE WEEK “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” This proverb, that encourages a positive attitude in the face of adversity, is a paraphrase of a 1909 quote by the Christian anarchist writer, Elbert Hubbard: “A genius is a man who takes the lemons that Fate hands him and starts a lemonade-stand with them.”
Credit: My Name Is Fran Facebook
Trash of Turre Meet Fran
MY NAME IS FRAN: An inspiring local artist.
ous artistic jobs throughout his life and living in many different places, 21 different areas in the last 10 years to be exact! The artist told EWN that since moving to Albox in Almeria he has finally found a place that he can live, to do the job he loves and live his life in the way that he wishes. When asked where his inspiration comes from, Fran replied “I love unique places, when I see the landscape of
somewhere new.” He also added that “music is also part of it, unique music, unique places, unique situations is what I learn from, and then this reflects in my work.” He said that his ideal mural to paint would be that of a local landscape that has a “touch of magic to it” adding that he would delight in painting the whole of Mojacar, Albox and other towns with his creations Fran left us with the words
of an artist, “my heart is in the landscape, to paint beautiful views, and this is what I will always continue to do.”
Brandnew bug Jennifer Popplewell A BRANDNEW bug has been identified by scien tists in Tabernas, Alme ria. A new species of black fly has been discovered by a team led by the Biomedical Research Centre of La Rioja (CIBIR), with the partici pation of the Higher Council for Scientific Re search (CSIC). They have identified for the first time the species of black fly Simulium mellah in Europe, specifically in the Campo de Tabernas area in Almeria. Ignacio RuizArrondo, lead author of the study and CIBIR researcher stated that “the discov ery of this species, in temporary water cours es in arid areas, high lights the need to carry out more studies of macroinvertebrates in poorly studied habitats, to learn more about their ecology and to bet ter evaluate the poten tial risks they entail. for public health.”
1 in 400 trill. The chance of being born, considering the combination of factors that lead to a unique individual.
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Trex in Turre THE Trex Andalucia Animal Sanctuary are fully embrac ing the Christmas spirit of giv ing by holding a charity Christmas fair this weekend on Sunday November 26 in their centre in Turre. This festive event will be gin at 11am and last through out the day until around 4pm. There will be food, drink, games, raffles, tombo la and more than 30 stalls with handmade items for lo cal vendors and unique Christmas trinkets. Visitors will also be able to enjoy live entertainment by many performers from the province as they spread their funfilled cheer through mu sic, dance and children’s ani mation. All this Christmas cheer is in aid of the animals who are in the care of the Trex An dalucia Sanctuary and des perately need community support. At the Trex Sanctuary Christmas fair attendees can embrace the true magic of Christmas, which is the magic of love and care.
Generous donation Jennifer Popplewell THE Mojacar Royal British Legion has received a gener ous donation of €500 last Thursday, November 16. The Poppy Appeal bene fited from a lunch and quiz on Remembrance Day host ed by Tony Matthews the Quizmaster and took place at Shea’s kitchen on Mo jacar Playa. The appeal made €143 from the quiz and raffle. The previous week there was a Poppy Appeal Lunch at Miraflores which raised a fantastic €446. To cap it all
Credit: Nick Allbeury
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Nick Allbeury, the Mojacar Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Organiser, receiving donation from the Bar Simon quiz.
the Quizzers at Bar Simon in Los Gallardos raised €500 over their quiz season which they presented on
Thursday November 16 to the Mojacar RBL coordina tor, Chris Hart, and the Mo jacar Poppy Appeal organis
er, Nick Allbeury. The Royal British Legion a leading Armed Forces Chari ty that participates in social, fundraising and welfare ac tivities. They also provide lifelong support to serving and exserving personnel and their families. The Mojacar Branch of The RBL usually meets at 11.00am on the first and third Thursday of each month at The Cokkia Restaurant on Mojacar playa opposite the Neptuno Restaurant. Membership is open to everyone.
Almeria Province Day SUNDAY November 19 was celebrated here as the Day of the Province of Almeria. Almeria is an extremely culturally diverse province, steeped in history with decadent buildings as well as beautiful beaches and nature reserves. Many people from all over the world now call Almeria their home, and this day was a day to honour it.
The celebration was held on Sunday morning in Pulpi, where mayors and repre sentatives from many towns in Almeria were present at the event, representing their people. Medals of the Province 2023 were also awarded. The winners were: Gold Medal of the Province: for the three former presidents of the Almeria Provincial
Council: Luis Rogelio Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Usero and Gabriel Amat. Social Medal: Little Sisters of the Helpless Elderly Medal for Culture: To the museums of Terque Sports Medal: MAAVi Foundation. Congratulations to all.
LOCAL NEWS
Footbal faux Tom Hague A MAN has been arrested in Almeria for falsifying 330 medical certificates of professional footballers. The Guardia Civil has ar rested a man and is cur rently investigating three other presidents of An dalucian football clubs for falsifying more than 330 medical certificates of footballers in Almeria. These certificates are a re quirement to federate and play in the league. The investigation began in September when the Guardia Civil received a complaint that an Almeria football team had pre sented nearly 150 medical certificates of football players by falsifying the signature and seal of the medical staff. Investigators have since identified the person re sponsible for presenting these certificates and found out he had commit ted similar crimes.
LOCAL NEWS
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Cuevas del culture Ancient artifacts.
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Cuevas del Almanzora
CUEVAS DEL ALMANZORA have participated in the 20th anniversary of the Phoenician Route that was held in Madrid. The Cuevas del Almanzora Town Council participated in the 20th anniversary of the Phoenician Route (Cultural Itinerary of the Council of Europe) which was held yesterday at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid. The councillor for Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Juana Haro, and the municipal archaeologist, Laura Larios, attended this event on behalf of Cuevas del Almanzora which has belonged to the Spanish Network of the Phoenician Route since 2017. It is one of the most important European cultural itineraries. As the Cuevas mayor highlighted, “with more than 30 archaeological sites in Cuevas and 15 continuous centuries of occupation in Villaricos, the town enjoys peculiarities of great value, such as having historical jewels from the Argaric, Phoenician and Roman times, among others.” Cuevas del Almanzora is a municipality with archaeological sites documented from the Paleolithic, Copper Age, Bronze Age, Argaric, Iberian, Phoenician, Roman, Arab, Visigoth and Byzantine.
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Memorable afternoon A FABULOUS flamenco show, art and fashion, on a memorable afternoon. This is what went by at the cultural cen tre of Garrucha on Thursday November 16 at the local International Flamenco Festival of 2023. Flamenco is a universal art, indis putably. This is attested by UNESCO in its universal declaration of such. Its ori gin is in the very essence and philoso phy of life that is characteristic to Spain and its inhabitants. In celebration of this art on Interna Ivy Cheetham A DANGEROUS driver in Vera has been caught doing nearly 180 on a 90 km/h road. Officers from the Vera Traffic Department have been investigating a resident of eastern Almeria as the al leged perpetrator of an ex tremely dangerous driving offence, for driving a motor vehicle exceeding the legally established speed limits while travelling on the A332 highway. The silly speeder was trav elling at a speed of just over 179 km/h with the road be
tional Flamenco Day was this show in the exhibition hall of the Garrucha Cul tural Centre. Audience applause and art in abun dance was circulating in the environ ment, as María Jimenez and Juani Visiedo delighted the audience with performances that excite and made res idents present feel proud to be ‘gar rucheros’ and, therefore, of being lovers of an art that delves into the deepest feelings of our beloved Andalucia. It was a time of discernment to enjoy
and to occupy valuable cultural ele ments that were also accompanied by a wonderful exhibition of gypsy cos tumes. The council of Garrucha publicly thanked Maria Carmela from Moda Fla menca and Lita Paredes, for their distin guished collaboration, as they exhibited highquality fashion and packaging. They also expressed gratitude to the two immeasurable dancers: Maria Jimenez and Juani Visiedo, for their art and collaboration.
Stop speeding ing limited to 90 km/h. Excessive speed is one of the main risk factors on the road and generates highrisk situations. For this reason, the Guardia Civil have fo cused on monitoring compli ance with speed limits as well as through the specific campaigns established by the General Directorate of Traffic. This driver could now face a prison sentence of three to six months, a fine or commu
nity service of 31 to 90 days. Alongside the deprivation of
the right to drive motor vehi cles for a period of one to four years. Slow and steady wins the race.
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LOCAL NEWS
School of Rock Stanley Hall MORE than 1,500 school children enjoyed the show ‘Rock sneaks into the school’ at the Ciudad de Adra Auditorium. This educational musical show served as learning and fun for the children of Adra’s schools. The show, ‘El Rock se Cuela en la Escuela’ which translates to ‘Rock sneaks into the school’ is a rock music show that, through learning and fun, helps children enjoy themselves whilst they internalise the basic concepts of music. Several schools in the ur ban centre of Abderita and its neighbourhoods at tended this ‘musical edu cational show’ which has brought together more than 1,500 boys and girls who were divided up into three separate sessions on both days. During the more than hour and a half show,
Credit: Ayuntamiento De Adra
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THE ROCK BAND: Helping children learn and have fun.
these boys and girls, ac companied by their teachers, were able to work on the expressive resources of their voice, explore the qualities of sound with various in struments, recognise sound qualities such as duration, pitch, timbre and intensity and enjoy an experience that in volves active participa tion and reproducing
choreographies of differ ent musical themes with the body through move ment. Throughout the show the young audience could be heard singing, dancing and shouting along at var ious moments, encour aged by this exceptional band which performed for them some of the most heard songs in rock music.
FEATURE
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As we say goodbye to one UK pension allowance, two new ones replace it The pensions Lifetime Allowance and resulting tax charges was abolished under the UK’s 2023 spring budget. But life is never simple with UK pensions and new tax-free limits are set to replace it.
2) The Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA) will apply to lump sums paid on death and is £1,073,100 (the same as the old lifetime allowance).
The budget only reduced the Lifetime Allowance charge to nil from 6 April 2023. HM Revenue & Customs has now published the draft legislation to fully abolish it, and this legislation also sets out how lump sums will be treated from April 2024. The details may change before the legislation is finalised but, given the short time frame before implementation, it is worth seeking clarification on how the proposed rules could impact your planning, in case you wish to take action. With effect from 6th April 2024, two new allowances will test lump sums and lump sum death benefits against a limit.
Under current rules, if you die before age 75, subject to meeting the designated to drawdown rules, your beneficiaries do not pay tax on the death benefits they receive. From April 2024, the age of death is no longer relevant. In all cases, lump sum death benefits paid from uncrystallised or crystallised benefits will only be tax-free if below the deceased’s remaining LSDBA. When a lump sum is paid above these limits, the excess is taxed at the recipient’s marginal rate of income tax.
1) The Lump Sum Allowance (LSA) will apply to payments made during your lifetime and be set at £268,275 (25% of the old lifetime al-
By Jon Pemberton, Partner, Blevins Franks
lowance). This covers pension commencement lump sums (PCLS), uncrystallised pensions and trivial commutation lump sums, and winding-up lump sums (but not transfers to QROPS). Currently, you can take 25% of your pension (the PCLS) tax free. Under the new rules, you will need to have sufficient LSA for it all to be tax free.
No planned inflation increases The draft legislation contains no mechanism for increasing these allowances. It is therefore likely that, over time, the spending value of the tax-free proportion of your pension fund will be eroded by inflation and investment
growth. Lifetime allowance protection The above limits apply to those without Lifetime Allowance protection. If you have taken out protection, this is carried over. Your new Lump Sum Allowance and Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance will be based on your protected Lifetime Allowance. Looking ahead The new rules could be changed or be overturned by a future government. When the Lifetime Allowance was abolished in March, the Labour Party were quick to pledge to reinstate it. With the polls looking encouraging for the Labour Party and the elections having to be held by January 2025, it may not be long before the UK has a new government. There may be limited opportunity to transfer your pension out of the UK and avoid any future lifetime allowance charges. This is a good time to consider how you may use your pension benefits in future and how any balance will be
passed onto your family. Can you take steps now to protect or improve your pensions? Pensions are personal. Your decisions should be based on your circumstances, objectives, risk tolerance and tax implications in the UK and Spain. Taking the wrong approach could have unwelcome consequences, so take specialist cross-border advice covering pensions and taxation. This is a brief summary of complex draft legislation. Seek clarification on how the rules would affect your pensions. Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual should take personalised advice.
Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.
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FEATURE
Advertising Feature
Create your dream home Revolutionise Your Living Space with Abodes and Sleepcentre’s Expertise! Nestled in the picturesque settings of Almeria are two businesses that have become synonymous with trans forming houses into dream homes. Abodes and Sleepcentre, each with their unique flair and specialisation, have been elevating home living ex periences for years. Their commit ment to quality, customer satisfac tion, and a diverse range of products sets them apart in the home improve ment landscape of this beautiful re gion. Abodes: A Beacon of Home Decor and Design In July 2023, Abodes welcomed the community to its new, larger location in Mojacar Playa, near the Parque Commercial roundabout. This expan sion is not just about space but also about the enhanced range of products and services that Abodes offers. From exquisite decorative pieces to essen tial home items and furniture for ev ery room, Abodes ensures that there’s something for every budget and taste.
tresses, and bedding options for over 15 years. They specialise in UK bed frames, offering styles ranging from sleek metals to luxurious fabrics and solid wood in both traditional and modern designs. The personalised service and deep product knowledge of Ruth, Jade, Bev, Julie, and Karen at Sleepcentre set them apart. They stock exclusive brands like Sealy, Spezia, and Fleytec, and their inhouse team ensures free delivery and assembly, along with the removal of old beds and mattresses, making the customer experience seamless and hasslefree.
SLEEPCENTRE: Everything for the perfect night’s sleep.
The team at Abodes, consisting of Andy, Carolyn, Grace, Dawn, Marilyn, and Victoria, brings a wealth of exper tise and multilingual capabilities, catering to a diverse clientele. Over the past five years, they have not only transformed numerous properties with complete interior makeovers, but have also offered a total design service, which is vividly showcased on their Facebook page. Their customer reviews are a testament to their ex ceptional service and dedication to creating dream homes for their clients. Sleepcentre: Ensuring Sweet Dreams Every Night Since 2007, Sleepcentre, located on Calle Malaga in Albox, has been the goto destination for those seeking a perfect night’s sleep. Just two streets from Mercadona, the Sleepcentre team, including Ruth, Jade, Bev, Julie, and Karen, has been offering an ex tensive range of bed frames, mat
A Collective Vision for Better Homes Both Abodes and Sleepcentre share a common vision to enhance the liv ing experience of their customers. Whether it’s through stylish home furnishings or the perfect bed for a restful sleep, these businesses are dedicated to quality, comfort, and style. Their presence in Almeria has not only improved the aesthetic ap peal of numerous homes, but also provided a level of comfort and luxury that is unparalleled. Season’s Greetings from Abodes and Sleepcentre As the festive season approaches, Abodes and Sleepcentre would like to extend their warmest wishes to all their customers, both old and new. “A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” from our families to yours. May this season bring joy, comfort, and cherished moments in your beau tifully furnished homes.
ABODES: Something to suit every budget and everyone’s taste.
Residents of Almeria and visitors alike are invited to explore the offer ings of both Abodes and Sleepcentre. Be it to refurbish a room with elegant furniture or to find the bed that promises sweet dreams, these estab lishments promise a journey towards creating your dream home. Visit Abodes on Mojacar Playa and Sleep centre on Calle Malaga, Albox, and ex perience firsthand their commitment to transforming your living spaces.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, FOLLOW THEIR JOURNEYS AND OFFERINGS ON FACEBOOK AND VISIT SLEEPCENTRESPAIN.COM FOR SLEEPCENTRE’S LATEST OFFERINGS. TRANSFORM YOUR HOME INTO A HAVEN OF COMFORT AND STYLE WITH ABODES AND SLEEPCENTRE – WHERE EVERY PRODUCT TELLS A STORY OF QUALITY, COMFORT, AND ELEGANCE.
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Mini Mundo, which is a soft play park on Calle Mayor. They also offer special themed days and many promotions which you can find on their Facebook page and website. Alternatively, there is Cahoots, an art and jew elry specialist company located on Mojacar playa that do specialty crafting for kid’s work shops. Follow them on social media to keep up to date with their dates and timings.
TWO towns from Almeria went hurtling back into the Stone Age recently as the unthinkable hap pened, an internet black out! Our modern technologi cal advances mean that in a mere matter of years we have forgotten what the world was like before these efficient wonders, especially the big one, the internet. Many adolescents now spend around 60 per cent of their free time on the internet according to studies and most adults would find it impossible to work and go about their daily lives without it
Maybe it’s time to bring the Nokia brick back.
also. However, in two towns in Almeria a mod ern tragedy struck on Wednesday November 8 as the municipalities of Sorbas and Lucainena de las Torres suffered a fibre optic ‘blackout’ that last
ed for five whole days! Can one even imagine that if we look at the real ity of our lives and our re liance on the internet? The mayor of Sorbas, Juan Francisco Gonzalez, explained that “it has af fected us on a daily basis within the digitised world, especially in ad ministrations, banks, health centres, people who telework from home...” The issue has now been fixed, but the cause of the blackout is still unknown, and many Almeria resi dents now wait with bat ed breath for another connection cut.
Informative talks WORLD Alcohol Free Day is a global celebration of the alcoholfree way of life in all its shapes and forms. It is a day to share sober in
spiration and celebrate sober choices. One day to portray the diversity of the people going alcoholfree and their perspectives. One day to bring people togeth er around alcohol freedom. On the morning of Thurs day November 16, on the occasion of the celebration of World Alcohol Free Day, the town of Turre held a talk with the students of the school Maria Cacho
Castrillo about prevention, risks of alcohol and how to act in emergency cases in this regard. The council of Turre pub licly gave thanks to the pre vention technique, Encarni; to the family and emergen cy doctor, Ana, and to the management and teaching staff of the school for their involvement and collabora tion in this important cause. Credit: Ayuntamiento de Vera
RAINY DAYS: What do you with kids?
Connection cut Credit: Wikipedia
Alison Radley THE weather in Almeria at the moment still feels quite like summer, however with colder days to come, many mothers will be dreading those ter rible ‘rainy days’ where the kids are bouncing off the walls and those same walls may feel like they are closing in on poor old mum. However, Euro Weekly News did some inves tigating and asked some local Almeria mothers where the best places were to take children on a miserable day, when the beach and park are off the cards. PJ’s Cafeteria on the paseo on Mojacar Playa is a cute cafe with divine coffee that provides chil dren with indoor soft play and entertainment whilst mothers relax. Extra points are the fact that many of their quiches and desserts are homemade and the cafe offers a lovely sea view! In Vera there is also an establishment called
Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Chilly children
LOCAL NEWS
Mayor Alfonso Garcia cutting the ribbon.
Cultural classroom Stanley Hall THE mayor of Vera, Alfonso Garcia, announced that the Municipal Auditorium will be renamed ‘Antonio de Torres’. On Friday November 17 the mayor of Vera cut the rib bon at the opening ceremo ny of the new Cultural Class room, which is located in the Ciudad de Vera Auditorium. It included the presentation ‘Antonio de Torres, the enig
ma of a guitar creator’ by the researcher Maria del Mar Poyatos Andujar along with a concert by the Almeria gui tarist Guillermo Fernandez. The inauguration of the new space, dedicated to the illustrious man from Veracruz who revolutionised the de sign of the Spanish guitar, serves to commemorate the anniversary of his death on November 19, 1892.
LOCAL NEWS
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ALMERIA is set to switch from summer to winter in a mere matter of hours this week in a sudden temperature drop. Summer has been especial ly long this year in Almeria, however, the province is set to go directly into winter due to a powerful mass of maritime polar air that will affect the en tire country and, this time, Almeria will not be granted a lucky escape. The result of this ‘cold intru sion’ will be a sharp drop in
Credit: Martin Will/Dreamstime.com
Seasonal switch
Sudden temperature drop.
temperatures that will begin
ALBOX has announced an open call for the ‘Martin Garcia Ramos’ International Young Poetry Prize at the PrimaveraAlbox Na tional Art Festival in 2024. The Albox Town Council is pleased to an nounce the opening of the call for this pres tigious recognition, dedicated to promoting and highlighting emerging talent in poetry. It has now become an international bench mark in the field of literature. To take part participants must complete the registration form available on the web site www.mundoarti.com and then send an original and unpublished collection of poems. The collections of poems must be sub
at the start of the week and according to forecasts from the Meteored Climate Net work, in just 48 hours temper atures in Almeria could face a sharp drop by up to 10 de grees. So for all those complaining that it does not feel ‘wintery’ enough, get ready to be satis fied! For everyone else, get your coats and boots at the ready! For the first time in a while, it might be time to turn the heating on!
Young poets mitted in digital format at www.mundoar ti.com. The deadline for submission of poems is February 5, 2024 and authors must be un der 29 years of age. The prizes are: international recognition, publication of the winning poetry collec tion as well as a cash prize. The winner of the Martín Garcia Ramos International Young Poetry Prize will be an nounced during the award ceremony which will take place in Albox, on April 20, 2024.
Fully equipped p open p p plan kitchen working well withhe rest of the house.
14 EWN 23 - 29 November 2023
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Here are the prizes that lucky winners could get their paws on: 1. A two night stay in the lovely Cortijo Mariposa 2. A gift voucher from Alison B ramwell (hopefully she’ll be on the beach again for the pre dip warm next year) 3. A €20 voucher from the Bride of Clucky (the best chicken around) 4. A voucher for sewing lessons with Alexis Shillinglaw 5. A month’s free membership from the brilliant Platino Gym 6. A 55-inch J ohnson smart T V from DCM 7. A gift voucher for €100 for
Credit: Paws Patas Facebook
LOCAL Mojacar businesses and individuals are being extremely generous in donating to this year’s P AW S P AT A S New Year’s Dip raffle. Tickets are available from local residents Mr and Mrs Jones on Mojacar Playa next to Price Brown and the Imperial Chinese restaurant. Ann will also have tickets in the P AW S corner shop on Mojácar Playa every Wednesday morning.
Good Golf!
Credit: Wikipedia
Ruff ruff raffle
LOCAL NEWS
PAWS PATAS: Join in the super raffle.
Abodes donated by Jo Jo Mitchell 8. A two-hour cruise for two or a Sundowner cruise for two with S unshine C harters on their fabulous boat out of Garrucha port. 9. A €50 gift voucher from Mr and M rs J ones, house and home shop. This is a fabulous start to what is sure to be a super raffle if not the best ever. PAWS PATAS have given their public thanks to all these generous offerings and the continued support of the community.
Golf tourism.
ALMERIA intends to ‘hit the ground running’ as an international golf tourist destination. Golf is a sport that attracts many tourists to Europe every year and Almeria is now set to be part of the action. On average Almeria enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, with an annual temperature average of 18ºC. It boasts brilliant beaches and has its secret weapon, the El Toyo 18-hole golf course. The modern El Toyo course, was designed by the prestigious golf architect Jose Ramon Espinosa, and offers an 18-hole Championship ‘Par 72’ course, 6,278 metres long
with a wide track of practices and different training areas. “In order to be able to see first-hand the facilities that Almeria has in the field of golf, as well as the ideal characteristics for practising this sport, the services of a tourist intermediation agency specialised in the management and organisation of a familiarisation trip (Fam Trip) with international tour operators to enhance Almeria as a golf destination,” explained a report by the municipal technicians. The Fam Trip will last for four days and international tour operators, who are golf club professionals, will have
the opportunity to learn about some of the tourist packages that combine golf with accommodation. They will also practise the sport, allowing those in charge of the international golf clubs to personally experience the unique golf course, and therefore being able to recommend their associates to travel to Almeria.
Cemetery update THE town council of Aguilas has finalised the work for the digitalisation of the Municipal Cemetery. With this new digitalisation system, residents can be provided with the exact location where all the tombstones are located, to be able to quickly locate a grave and, on the other hand, serve as a source of information for municipal workers. In addition, expansion work has already begun that will increase the cemetery by more than 7,000 square metres. To conclude, the mayor highlighted that “the cemetery is something that this government team takes care of all year round because we know how important this place is for the citizens of Aguilas.”
LOCAL NEWS
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23 - 29 November 2023
BELOVED member of the community and Mojacar resident Margaret Moyle has sadly passed away. Margaret, or ‘Maggie’ as many knew her, was born on August 20, 1968, and passed away on November 14. Margaret was a much-loved lady and it was said that everyone who met her, loved her. Many of her friends and family have taken to social media to
Credit: Facebook
In Memory of Margaret
Margaret and her family.
honour her memory, reminiscing on what a lovely person she was.
Albox alight ALBOX has renewed its public lighting to improve the efficiency of the municipality. This act will not only benefit the residents of Albox but will also achieve greater energy savings. It has an investment of more than one and a half million euros and represents a reduction in consumption, in addition to improving the municipal lighting system in general. Deputy for Development, Infrastructure, Territorial Structure and Water, Antonio J Rodriguez stated that, “these actions are fundamental for the municipalities and their day-to-day lives, because in addition to improving the electricity supply, they represent a great savings to municipal accounts and also to the environment, since it contributes to being more sustainable with the environment.”
Siobhan Herity, previously a resident in Spain wrote that Maggie was “one of the great characters I remember from my years in Spain and what an interesting life she had. Rest in peace Maggie.” Another friend, Sheila reminisced by saying “Maggie I wonder if you are telling your stories and having a good laugh up there, I’m sure they will love you the way we all did when you were here, love Sheila xx keep dancing and enjoy being with loved ones.” Margaret Moyle has clearly left her mark in Mojacar and many other places in her lifetime. Her good humour, fun stories and lovely nature will forever live on in the memories of those who knew her.
EWN 15
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LOCAL NEWS
CHRISTMAS has come to Mojacar and it seems that it will be shining particu larly bright this year. The local council has scheduled a Christmas cal endar that is full of magi cal activities for friends and families of all ages. This ‘Christmas Calendar’ will start on December 1 and continue until January 6, Three Magic Kings Day. These funfilled festivi ties will include work shops, musical perfor mances, street artists, a circus, magic shows, pa rades and special guests such as Disney characters, along with a few special surprises. There will also be a cute Christmas market which will begin on Wednesday December 6, and the fa mous nativity scene, SPAIN is famous for its castles, especially in Andalucia, where a rich history lurks around ev ery corner. Here is a list of lesser known castles in Almeria that are worth a visit this season: 1. Castillo De Villaricos Also called the glass tower, it was built by Carlos III to de fend the coast of the Kingdom of Granada from Berber at tacks. It used fires to alert when strange movements were detected.
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Mojacar
Mojacar magic
Council members with the Ferrero Rocher Award.
which will be in the Plaza del Parterre, with the in auguration of this taking place on Saturday Decem ber 2, complete with a heartwarming hot choco late! Many light bulbs were obtained last year thanks to the Ferrero Rocher competition, which the Mojacar Council will now install to complete the decoration of the old
town, turning Mojacar in to the most illuminated and most sparkling locality of the whole province. The official turning on of the lights will be on Friday December 8, with a spe cial inaugural gala, Ferrero Rocher gala and flamenco carol concert with the Raya Real group. It looks to be a magical Christmas season for Mo jacar.
Almeria Castles 2. Torre De Los Alumbres Built in 1510 to defend the Rodalquilar valley from at tacks by Barbary pirates, it failed, and in 1520 pirates de stroyed the town and cap tured all its inhabitants. 3. Alcazaba Of Fiñana There are hardly any ele ments of the walls and three towers left, but there are spectacular views of the en
tire town. It is also worth visit ing the cistern, which is well preserved. 4. Castillo De Macenas Located on the beach of the same name in Mojacar, it is part of the defensive system of the coast of the 18th centu ry. In 1774 it was built on the Rambla de los Moros, on top of a previous tower. 5. Castillo De Sierro Sierro is a small town with only 384 inhabitants and crowning it is the Castillo de Sierro, one of the littleknown jewels of the province; a me diaeval castlefortress of Berber Islamic style in a semi ruined state. 6. Torre De Cantor Located about three kilome tres from the centre of Canto ria. It is one of the most impor tant vestiges of the Muslim era in the municipality. 7. Torre De Mesa Roldan Until a few years ago, the tower went almost unnoticed by tourists. But since it ap peared in the series ‘Game of Thrones’ in June 2016, its fame has skyrocketed. Its ori gins go back to the ninth cen tury. Enjoy! Just watch out for the dragons…
18 EWN 23 - 29 November 2023
Fizz or fizzle The pivotal question re mains: Will this potential price hike render CocaCola a covet ed luxury item? The answer lies in the hands of distributors, whose margin decisions can swing the pricing pendulum any where from 10 per cent to a staggering 50 per cent. In this economic tussle, the beverage finds itself in a com manding position, making it difficult for supermarkets to resist the allure of this ever popular soda, even amid the tumultuous inflation crisis.
According to François Gay Bellile, CocaCola’s financial health appears robust, boast ing a commendable +12.5 per cent turnover. The brand has not only se cured its market share but has also made unexpected in roads into new territories, in cluding the realm of alcoholic beverages. In the face of infla tion and unsettling news, ‘pleasure’ products, notably CocaCola, have emerged as resilient survivors of the crisis, attracting a wave of new, dis cerning consumers.
Ban on the bang IT has been made official that 16 Dutch munici palities will completely ban consumer fire works this New Year’s Eve, with an additional three who also plan to ban fireworks from 2024/25. The municipalities of Tilburg, Arnhem, Amersfoort, and Eindhoven are banning fire works in the entire municipality for the first time this year whilst Ede, Zwolle, and Zupthen plan to do so next year. However, most places with firework bans are organising central fire
works shows for all to watch and bring in the New Year. Of the 342 municipalities that have decided not to ban fireworks on December 31, many of them explained that local bans were too diffi cult to enforce. Others said they don’t need a ban because fireworks either don’t cause prob lems at all in the municipality or the problems are mainly caused by illegal fireworks that are already banned. Some stated their local resi dents were firmly against a ban.
NEWS
Artful deception Anna Ellis IN a tale that blends in trigue and remorse, a 30 yearold man has narrow ly avoided a severe sentence, landing 21 months of suspended prison time from a Ger man court. The twist? This former employee of the es teemed Deutsches Muse um in Munich orchestrat ed an audacious art heist, leaving the cultural institu tion and the art world in shock. The daring escapade in volved the theft of several artworks, with the perpe trator going so far as to re place one masterpiece, Franz von Stuck’s ‘The Tale of the Frog Prince’, with a cunningly crafted fake. The stolen painting was then surreptitiously sold at auction under false pre tences, with the man fab
Image: Deutsches Museum in Munich / Facebook
AMIDST the relentless march of inflation casting its shadow over consumer goods, a sur prising twist emerges in the world of beverages. The CEO of CocaCola Eu ropacific Partners (CCEP) France, François GayBellile, recently made waves by an nouncing a bold move, seek ing a 7 per cent price increase across a range of beloved products including Fanta, Sprite, and the iconic CocaCo la itself. As negotiations unfold be tween distributors and the beverage giant, it’s clear that CocaCola is flexing its muscles in this highstakes game.
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ART HEIST: Deutsches Museum in Munich.
ricating a tale of familial inheritance to disguise the illicit origins. The ruse proved suc cessful, netting him a sub stantial sum of nearly €50,000. But the audacity didn’t stop there. The daring thief also negotiated the theft of two additional paintings by Eduard von Grützner and Franz von Defregger directly from the museum’s warehouse. The illgotten gains were used to fund a lavish
lifestyle, including the ac quisition of luxury watch es and even a RollsRoyce. Astonishingly, the auc tion house responsible for selling the pilfered paint ings claimed an inability to identify them as stolen property. In addition to the sus pended prison sentence, the remorseful former employee faces a hefty fi nancial consequence, be ing obligated to reimburse the museum over €60,600.
NEWS
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23 - 29 November 2023
Swede scammed A SWEDISH woman fell foul of a scam after she was fooled into believing she was having an online rela tionship with the Hollywood actor, Keanu Reeves. As a result, the Oskar shamn resident lost around SEK 200,000 (approx €17,500). Initially, she received sev eral friend requests from ‘Keanu’ on social media. The pair subsequently started chatting and the ‘actor’
agreed to travel to Oskar shamn to meet his intended victim. However, he informed the woman thought to be in her 60s that his bank ac count had been frozen so she agreed to fund his trip to Kalmar County and also paid for his Covid certificate. ‘Keanu'’ then got ‘kid napped’ when he went to the airport and asked the woman if she could pay the ransom to get him released.
Unwittingly, the woman transferred the aforemen tioned sum of money only to eventually realise that she had been duped. Police spokesperson Robert Loeffel said: “Our ad vice is to never accept friend requests on social media from people you don’t know, whether they are celebrities or not. They are extremely skilful and manip ulative. It is a great offence to the person affected.”
Immigrant tests A NEW proposal could result in new ar rivals and asylum seekers having to un dergo mandatory tests in Sweden. According to Johan Pehrson, the Inte gration Minister, tests about Swedish society and Swedish values will be nec essary in order to receive government grants and compensation. “This is not just an offer, it should be a requirement. It ends with an exam
and you must pass it,” he said. The minister explained that an inde pendent assessment will soon be car ried out to establish exactly how this new system should be designed. It is believed that issues including children’s rights, freedom of expres sion, the principles of the rule of law, and gender equality will be among those included.
EWN 19
Dirty toilets
WITH ‘World Toilet Day’ taking place on Sunday, November 19, the British bathroom specialist com pany Showers to You de cided to conduct a study to establish which destina tions had the cleanest and dirtiest public toilets. Public toilets - which are They analysed more the cleanest or dirtiest. than 8,000 negative Google reviews related the list of cleanliness. to public toilets in each Valletta in Malta occu city, and noting how pied third position in the many times words syn list, with a cleanliness onymous with ‘dirty’ Credit: nito/Shutterstock.com score of just 4.47. As many were used they formed as one in nine reviewers a pointsbased scoring sys public toilet reviews in (11.32 per cent) insinuat tem. cluded words synony ed that Valletta’s public Their study was carried mous with ‘dirty’. toilets were ‘dirty’. out after a recent survey Madrid was second on Malta has a very dry cli suggested that more than the list, with the Spanish mate where water conser three quarters of people capital having a cleanli vation is high on the agen would only use public toi ness score of 4.23. One in da. As a result, many lets if it was absolutely eight reviews (12 per cent) toilets are equipped with necessary. contained words synony dualflush systems to save According to the results mous with ‘dirty’. water. of the study, Riga in Latvia The city’s public conve At the other end of the was the European city niences also scored an av scale, public toilets in Ro with the worst public toi erage rating of just 3.09 mania’s Bucharest were lets. A cleanliness score of out of 5. It was outranked found to be those with 3.44 out of 10 was estab in the top 10 only by War the best overall cleanli lished. Almost one in five saw in Poland (3.08 out of ness, scoring 8.70 out of (18.75 per cent) of Riga’s 5), which also came fifth in 10.
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IS it ever too early to em brace the festive spirit of Christmas? Dublin Airport certainly doesn’t think so. The managers at Dublin Airport have recently faced criticism after they an nounced they were putting up Yuletide decorations, in the middle of November. Dublin Airport responded to comments it was far too early for Christmas lights and decorations, as evi denced by their humorous comeback to criticism on the social media platform X/Twitter. At 10pm on Thursday, November 15, the airport re vealed on social media that their terminals were already getting a holiday makeover, which was followed by cries of ‘too early’, from some members of the public In response their tweet read, ‘Crikey. All we said was that the Christmas dec orations have started going up in the terminals…,’ which
Credit: Dublin Airport/X/Twitter.com
Too early for Xmas?
DUBLIN AIRPORT: Recently faced criticism.
was accompanied by a screenshot of an unrelated Instagram comment from Selena Gomez stating, ‘I’m taking a break and deleting my Instagram. I’m done.’ The lighthearted com ments continued with pas sengers sharing their views on the appropriate time for Christmas decorations. ‘Hit us full blast with Christmas decorations, songs and cele brations from December 1,’ wrote one person with a clearly defined Christmas schedule.
Another person com mented, ‘I might have to agree, it’s only acceptable to start celebrating after November 20,’ to which Dublin Airport humorously replied, ‘Oh… you might want to avoid The Loop so!’ One man humorously posted: ‘Premature Decora tion is a common problem, your doctor will be able to help you’, which was fol lowed by an equally naughty reply: ‘We’re an airport Adri an. Ensuring things go up in the air is what we do best.’
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NEWSDESK
NEWS ACROSS THE REGIONS FROM THE PEOPLE'S PAPER COSTA BLANCA NORTH
COSTA DEL SOL
AXARQUIA
Photo: Shutterstock
ON LOCATION MALAGA BREAKS RECORDS ARTICHOKES IN NERJA
AND BEER
BENIDORM came alive on November 18 as the city em braced one of its most cher ished traditions, the Festival of the Artichoke. Held annually on the third Saturday of November in the historic Plaza de la Constitu cion, this lively event drew lo cals and visitors alike into a whirlwind of music and gas tronomic delights. Following a mass, the aro ma of sardines wafted through the air in the Plaza de la Constitucion, enticing atten dees to indulge in this seaside delicacy. As the afternoon sun shone, the action shifted to Calle Trinidad, where enthusiasts engaged in a spirited game of raspall. A thrilling variant of Valencian pilota, raspall echoed through the streets. As evening descended, a DJ took centre stage and the live ly atmosphere reached its crescendo with the highly an ticipated beerdrinking con test, a raucous affair that brought cheers and laughter to the Plaza. The revelry continued well into the night.
MALAGA AIRPORT: Has broken the 20 million passenger barrier for the first time ever.
MALAGA Airport has broken the barrier of 20 million passengers annually for the first time ever after 104 years of history. The airport had already been on the verge of reaching that milestone in 2019, the year of its cente nary, when it operated 145,000 flights and came within 140,000 passengers of the record. But Covid changed everything.
Since the beginning of the year, Malaga has been breaking the airport’s records including in July, when it recorded the highest traffic in its history so far with 2,432,411 passengers and 17,320 flights. And, Sunday July 30 also saw the highest daily peak in its history, the maximum number of passen gers served in a single day was
beaten: 86,396. Representatives of the entire airport community joined in the celebrations last week and, to gether with travellers who hap pened to be passing through the airport at the time, everyone en joyed some specially made ‘tor tas locas’ or crazy cakes, a sweet treat famous in Malaga since the 1950s.
THE American director and producer Tosca Musk has started shooting her latest film in Nerja. Titled ‘Wallbanger’, the movie is based on the Alice Clayton novel of the same name. In the storyline, the ac tion begins in the cities of San Francisco and Atlanta but then the two main characters, Caro line and Simon played by Kelli Berglund and Amadeus Serfini decide to go on a romantic getaway and end up in Nerja. Among the locations that will be used during filming are the Balcon de Europa and the beautiful Playa de Calahonda with its famous descent to the beach area. Tosca Musk fell in love with Nerja during a visit to the town last summer which resulted in the younger sister of Elon Musk deciding to include some of her discoveries in this film. Officials from Nerja Town Hall paid a visit to the set and thanked the 49yearold film maker for choosing Nerja as her film’s location and for ulti mately bringing the town to a worldwide audience. In response, Musk thanked the town hall for its collabora tion.
COSTA CALIDA
COSTA BLANCA SOUTH
MALLORCA
THE year 2023 has proven to be a historic milestone in the Region of Murcia, marked by soaring temperatures that have surpassed records dating back to 1961. According to meteorological data, the average temperature from January to October has soared to 18.9ºC, surpassing the usual norms by over a degree. This unprecedented warmth signifies a concerning trend in global climate patterns. Murcia, known for its climatic stability, now faces the stark reality of climate change. The impact of rising temperatures extends beyond discomfort; it poses significant risks to agriculture, water re sources, and the delicate balance of ecosystems. Efforts to mitigate these alarming changes must be accel erated. Adopting sustainable practices, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting environmentally friendly policies are critical steps toward safeguarding our planet’s future. It’s imperative for both local authorities and communities to collaborate and prioritise environmental consciousness.
EMBARK on a captivating journey through time in Santa Pola, where a remarkable replica of the Nao Victoria, the legendary ship of Magellan and Elcano, has dropped anchor in the port. This extraordinary vessel, spanning 26 metres in length was meticulously crafted for the Sevilla Expo in 1992. Until November 26, visitors have the rare opportunity to tra verse six centuries and immerse themselves in the seafaring tales of the first circumnavigation of the world undertaken between 1519 and 1522. As this historical gem graces the Santa Pola port, its imposing presence stands in stark contrast to the everyday sights of tobac coladen boats and fishing vessels that dot the maritime landscape of this quaint fishing village. The Nao Victoria’s grandeur transforms it into a magnet for tourists, drawing admirers who marvel at its size and historical al lure. The Nao Victoria Foundation, entrusted with the care and management of this and other historic vessels, offers guided tours.
IT was in 1969 that Margaret (MilesBramwell) Whittaker OBE founded Slimming World in the UK after struggling with her own weight problems since childhood. Now, more than 50 years later, the Mallorca resident is still very much at the helm of what has become a hugely successful multi million pound company and continues to receive industry and personal accolades. On November 15, she attended the National Business Wom en’s 2023 awards where she had a number of nominations and not only was she the winner in the large business category (for companies with a turnover in excess of £25 million) she was also named overall Business Woman of the Year. The awards were created to recognise women who’ve achieved significant accomplishments in their career, honouring inspiring innovators and visionaries which certainly applies to this successful entrepreneur. On accepting the award, she said: “I’m immensely proud to have been recognised with this award.”
A RECORD YEAR
SAIL THROUGH TIME
BUSINESS WOMAN
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DENMARK Royal silence CROWN PRINCE FREDERIK of Denmark, married since 2004 to Australian Mary Donaldson, with whom he has four children, was seen in Madrid recently with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova. The royal household issued a statement maintaining that it “did not comment on rumours or insinuations” without referring to Casanova, who insisted the allegations were “malicious” and “false”.
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EURO PRESS NORWAY
Photo credit: Arctic World Archive
Park life
African presence DENMARK has reversed plans to close its embassy in Tanzania after announcing in 2021 that the government intended to phase out the mutual development plan between both countries. Tanzania’s Foreign minister January Makamba revealed on November that the decision to remain was the outcome of “a very fruitful” meeting in Algiers with Danish officials last October.
SWEDEN
Independence and historic documents. Cold, dry and without natural light, the disasterproof Arctic World Archive was created to store physical and digital artifacts from all over the world for future generations.
NORWAY: Visitors to the Arctic World Archive.
Safe and sound A DISUSED mine 300 metres below ground on an island in the Svalbard archipelago has since 2017 housed the original Mexican flag, together with the 1821 Declaration of
GERMANY
AFTER 11 years of delays, political infighting and hostility from sheep farmers concerned about wolves, Oslo will have a national park in the Ostmarka area popular with skiers and hikers. The 53.9-square kilometre park, smaller than originally planned, would be “good for nature, good for people and good for public health,” Environment minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen said.
FRANCE
EUROPEAN PRESS
IRELAND Bank glitch BANK OF IRELAND customers complained on November 15 of problems with the online service, with the bank recognising that there had been issues when logging into accounts. The technical hitch was one of several so far the bank has suffered this year, including last August when the bank’s chief executive Myles O’Grady apologised for a “significant technology outage.”
Surf’s up MULLAGHMORE HEAD (County Sligo) on the Atlantic coast attracts surfers from Hawaii and Australia in search of some of the heaviest waves found anywhere in the world. “People spend time in Ireland to brave the elements and hopefully get these waves once or twice a winter,” said Conor Maguire, renowned for catching Ireland’s biggest wave in 2020.
PORTUGAL
Going nuclear
Drunk in charge
Pedal power
Home sweet home
THE Swedish government announced on November 16 plans to construct two new conventional nuclear reactors by 2035 to meet the growing demands of industry and transport for clean power, while meeting some of the cost. By 2045 the government intends to have built 10 new reactors, some of which are likely to be small modular reactors (SMRs).
GERMANY’S maritime police revealed that the woman who was steering a freight barge which rammed and destroyed a lock on the Rhine near Iffezheim on November 11 was "very intoxicated" at the time. She is now under investigation, police said, for endangering shipping and causing damage costing €1.5 million in repairs that could take a year to complete.
NEXT year’s Tour de France commences in Florence (Italy) on June 19 although for the first time ever it will end in Nice, not Paris, due to the 2024 Olympic Games held in the French capital. The organisers have now revealed that the 2025 race will set out from Lille in northern France as it did in 1960 as well as 1994, with the date to be announced on November 30.
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S future neighbours in Cascais are complaining about noise and disruption during construction of his mansion, which at $22 million (€20.6 million) will be one of Portugal’s most expensive properties. Due to be finished by June 2024, the player is not expected to occupy the four-storey luxury home until his Al Nassr contract ends in June 2025.
Ferry nice
Not for sale
Spike charge
Make a move
A SILENT electric ferry presented in Stockholm recently hovers one metre above the water and saves energy obtained by going airborne on foils, which give the speed and range needed for functioning on batteries. At 56 kilometres per hour it is faster than other passenger ferries as it leaves no wake, which exempts it from the usual 22 kilometre per hour speed limit.
OLAF SCHOLZ, Germany’s chancellor, called for further legal restrictions on sex work, adding that the sale of sex “was not acceptable” and should not be normalised. During a question-andanswer session in the German parliament, he maintained on November 15 that it was not right for men to purchase women. “It is something that has always morally angered me," he said.
FRENCH senator Joel Guerriau, aged 66, was charged on November 16 with spiking MP Sandrine Josso’s drink, intending to assault her while possessing and using substances classed as drugs, police said. Josso said that she began to feel unwell after accepting a drink on November 14 at the home of the senator, with whom she was not in an intimate relationship.
PORTUGAL’S government revealed that it plans to extend its Non-habitual Resident Scheme (RNH) providing tax advantages for foreign residents by a year. Insiders said this is clearly meant as an invitation to investors disenchanted with the re-election of Spain’s Pedro Sanchez who has already announced that the rich would now pay more tax than in the past.
FINLAND
BELGIUM
ITALY The real deal ITALY’S parliament voted in favour of banning the production, sale or importation of cultivated meat or animal feed, in a session preceded by rallies for and against the veto and scuffles between farmers and MPs. Infringing the law will bring a €60,000 fine, although to date only Singapore and the United States have approved lab-grown meat for human consumption.
Poverty grows CATHOLIC charity Caritas said in its annual report on poverty and social exclusion, published on November 17, that poverty was “deeply embedded in Italy”, with more than 5.6 million people living below the poverty line, compared with 357,000 in 2021. A further 14.3 million, 24.4 per cent of Italy’s population, were at risk from poverty and social exclusion, Caritas said.
THE NETHERLANDS
Stay-at-home dads
Drug restricted
A DUTCH trawler whose three crew members sent out a distress signal off the African coast on November 5 was located and towed to port by the Nigerian navy on November 17. The local authorities are in touch with the Dutch police but nothing is yet known about what happened or why it took 12 days to find the boat which had bought by a Congo church community.
FINLAND’S Family Reform recently gave the parents of newborns individual entitlements of 160 weekdays of leave, with the option of transferring up to 63 days to the other parent. By late September, fathers were taking more time off than in 2022 although official figures showed that most were generally transferring their leave allocation to the mother.
BELGIUM’S Federal Medication and Health Products Agency (FAMHP) ordered doctors and pharmacists to prescribe Ozempic solely for patients who have Type 2 diabetes, after announcing a ban that continues until June next year. Owing to growing demand there is now a shortage of the drug, which is increasingly used to treat obesity and assist weight loss.
Slight increase
Hands tied
Horse loose
AT present prisoners in Finland cannot be handcuffed during transport unless there is a risk of violence or escape, although police hope for a change in the law which would permit the use of cuffs or cable ties. Problems often arose when groups of up to 10 prisoners were driven from jail to appear in court, said Kari Tolvanen, an MP with a police background.
A LIEGE-BOUND 747 cargo jet had to turn round in mid-flight and return to New York after its pilot informed air traffic control that a horse had escaped from its stall in the hold, 30 minutes after take-off. The aircraft was then given permission to make a U-turn off the Boston coast, after first dumping 20 tons of fuel to ensure it could make a safe landing in New York.
Boat mystery
NETHERLANDS unemployment rose from 3.5 to 3.6 per cent in 2023’s third quarter although it still has one of the EU’s lowest rates. Most of the 16,000 people now jobless worked in healthcare, business and trade, the National Statistics office said, while the 18-25 age group was the most affected, with the previous quarter’s 8.2 per cent unemployed rising to 8.7 per cent.
FEATURE
euroweeklynews.com
23 - 29 November 2023
Being gaslighted LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT THIS week’s blurb has been partially drawn from the input provided by a member of my ever welcome band of faithful contributors to whom I shall be eternally grateful. It is for those of us consistently bamboozled by the pure guff put out by some of our main media outlets; those large numbers of reports that we know have almost no resem blance to actual events. Have no fear, you are not going crazy you are being ‘Gaslighted’! Gaslighting is a form of brainwashing, aimed at con trolling people by altering reality to a point where those targeted begin to doubt their own sanity. The term comes from a 1930s play, where the main char acter drives his wife insane by slowly dimming the gas powered lights. When she notices the lights are dimming, he not only denies it, but convinces her it is her imagination to a point where she questions her own sanity.
We are constantly being told by the media of situations which are at com plete odds with what we are seeing with our own eyes. We witness disruption and rioting and are told it is peaceful protesting, We see murderers running amok, chanting their beliefs while killing innocent people and are advised they are not terrorist related. We are in formed that integration and diversity is working, yet perceive whole areas being taken over by foreign cultures. We observe neighbourhoods of our cities being terrorised by ethnic teenage gangs and are advised that it is the fault of the police. You spend your life trying to treat all individuals as equals and ab hor racism, but are accused of being a privileged racist purely because of the colour of your skin. You know you are not and that the accusation in itself is racist, but when you try to defend your self, it is declared that your defence is proof of your racism. You are told you live in an environ ment of true freedom of speech, yet when you speak out you are accused of bigotry and discrimination. Worry not. You are not losing your minds. Crazy
people don’t question their sanity. These media perpetrators deal in lies and psychological coercion. What their ultimate aims are is utterly beyond my comprehension. What I do know how ever is that we have to believe the evi dence of our own eyes. Trust your own observations; believe what you perceive as the truth. You’re not crazy. You’re be ing Gaslighted. Good luck everyone! Many thanks to the readers who have written to express their concerns over the onslaught of laws and regulations regarding the idiot ic introduction of electric cars. Facts show, that although the local woke brigade will be preening over the reduc tion of carbon monoxide being pro duced by the UK , the actual production of many electric vehicle components, particularly the batteries, will cause oth er countries carbon emissions to rise (and profit) dramatically. I dunno, just what are this woke brigade actually up to? The gas lit mind truly does boggle. 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.
EWN 27
Lion escapes By Kevin Fraser Park “HELP, a lion has escaped from the circus.” It sounded like a joke, one of those in bad taste that run on social media. But no, a lion had re ally escaped from the circus and was calmly strolling through the streets of Ladis poli near Rome. And for a whole day, he had the po lice, circus organisers, zoo guards, volunteers, the fire brigade, even a police heli copter involved in his recap ture. The mayor warned: “Don’t leave home. Please pay the utmost attention and avoid going out until further notice.” The es capee was reported around 3pm on Saturday Novem ber 11 by the Rony Roller Circus. Unsuccessful searches took place in the afternoon, before darkness fell. A heli copter, using infrared de vices, managed to locate the animal in a reed bed near the railway and
Photos: Facebook / Shutterstock
Lion strolled the streets.
around 8pm the lion was shot with a sedative from a rifle, but it seemed to not take effect and the animal once more fled. It was final ly tracked down at 10pm after seven hours on the loose. Meanwhile, controversy broke out. “The episode,” wrote the International Or ganisation for the Protec tion of Animals, “highlights the danger of circuses with animals from the point of view of public safety and above all the discomfort of the animals.” The organisa tion added, “We hope to see the introduction of a law to ban the use of ani mals in circus shows.”
FINANCE THE Avon cosmetics company announced that it would open shops in the UK for the first time in 137 years. The compa ny had to change its selling strategy, Avon’s chief execu tive Angela Cretu said, now that there are fewer stayat home wives and mothers, with most women working outside the home.
Going down FOR the first time in 18 months, Spain’s yearonyear food inflation dropped below 10 per cent in October to 9.5 per cent although olive oil rose by 74 per cent. Lower prices helped the Consumer Price In dex to remain at 3.5 per cent, unchanged from September’s figure, Spain’s National Statis tics Institute (INI) said.
Don’t do it PURCHASE scams are responsi ble for the majority of banking sector fraud cases, said online bank Monzo. “Unless you pick up the goods at the same time, don’t even think about it if a seller on Facebook Market place or a similar website in sists on a bank transfer, how ever plausible it sounds,” Monzo said.
Not so good BETWEEN April 1 and Septem ber 30, Vodafone España’s rev enue fell 1.8 per cent to €1.93 billion, owing to lower earn ings for serviceproviding which fell 2.8 per cent to €1.7 billion. Pretax profits for the company, which was recently acquired by Zegona, dropped 11.16 per cent to €394 million.
Cold comfort ICELAND FOODS paid an ‘un precedented’ £94 million (€107.6 million) increase in en ergy last year, as Russia’s inva sion of Ukraine affected prof its. As a result, the company’s adjusted earnings before inter est, taxes, depreciation and amortisation for the year end ing March fell by 17 per cent to £105.8 million (€121 million).
STAT OF WEEK
paid by Inditex founder Amancio Ortega’s investment company Pontegadea for the purchase of a 49 per cent stake in Repsol’s Spanish windfarms and solar power plants.
€490 million
UK inflation satisfaction Linda Hall THE UK’s annual inflation rate for October dropped from September’s 6.7 per cent to 4.6 per cent. Cheaper gas and elec tricity were responsible for the biggest fall in more than three decades, sur passing the 4.8 per cent figure that had been pre dicted by a poll of economists carried out for Reuters. The announcement of the October figures also prompted an immediate 1.1 per cent surge in the FTSE 100 stock index. Al though the encouraging inflation figures did not in dicate that prices fell in Oc
Photo credit: Rishi Sunak
Ding-dong gone
euroweeklynews.com • 23 - 29 November 2023
RISHI SUNAK: Prime Minister delivered on inflation pledge.
tober, it meant they rose more slowly than forecast, boosting hopes that the Bank of England could cut the interest rate next year. Core inflation, which ex cludes energy and food amongst other volatile el ements, also fell more
Linda Hall GERMANY’S government announced a €15 billion rescue package including €7.5 billion in state guarantees for wind farm manufacturer Siemens Energy. The company employs around 26,000 people inside the country and al though the ailing company has €110 bil lion in orders it needs help to sustain them. The move also affects Spain as Siemens Energy’s subsidiary, Siemens Gamesa, is one of the world’s leading wind turbine makers. Headquartered in Zamudia (Vizcaya), the company has nine factories that provide jobs for 4,600 people.
than analysts expected but still remained high at 5.7 per cent after slipping from 6.1 per cent, short of the 5.8 per cent predicted by the Bank of England and the City. Food price inflation is now at its lowest since
2021 following last month’s fall to 10.1 per cent in the annual increase rate. This was down from 12.2 per cent in Septem ber and last March’s high of 19.2 per cent, the high est annual rate in more than 45 years, the Office for National Statistics re vealed. “In January I made halv ing inflation this year my top priority,” Sunak said on November 15. “I did that because it is, without a doubt, the best way to ease the cost of liv ing and give families finan cial security. Today, we have delivered on that pledge.”
The subsidiary, which has large oper ations in Denmark as well as Spain, has had major problems with some of the
turbines it supplies, involving failures in the enormous blades that have led to high repair costs. Siemens Gamesa has also been ham pered by deals agreed in the past at prices that were subsequently affected by galloping inflation. Siemens Energy took over Gamesa in December last year after acquiring the remaining third of the company’s shares which it did not already control. Spain’s Industry, Commerce and Tourism ministry announced on November 14 that the government was also working on a possible series of guarantees for new international con tracts.
Pfizer loses its fizz
Of great interest
Down the drain
PFIZER intends to cut 500 jobs at its Sandwich (Kent) laboratories to reduce costs by £2.8 billion (€3.2 billion). As demand falls for its Covid drugs, the US pharmaceutical gi ant plans to cease its Pharmaceuti cal Sciences Small Molecule (PSSM) operations where re searchers turn experimental molecules into medicines for clini cal trials. Pfizer said the decision to halt PSSM work at Sandwich followed discouraging sales of Covid treat ments, with the company now ex pecting fullyear revenues of be tween $58 billion (€53.47 billion) and $61 billion (€57.7 billion). It previously predicted of revenues of between $67 billion (€63.26 bil lion) and $70 billion (€65.5 billion).
WITH interest rates in the UK at their highest in 15 years, people are increas ingly anxious to learn about potential changes. Figures released by analysts at L&C Mortgages revealed that Google searches asking, “When will interest rates change?” have now reached a 58,000 monthly average. “Ultimately, there is no way of know ing when interest rates will fall or change,” L&C Mortgages said. “Usually, rates change every six weeks. However, the Bank of England has kept the rate at 5.25 per cent for a second month. This is done to tackle re cent high inflation figures, a significant problem in the UK. “Rates could increase by a further 0.25 per cent or 0.50 per cent, potentially peaking at 5.75 per cent and then falling over the next five years as inflation eas es.”
ROCA lost almost €120 million following the February 2022 Ukraine invasion. Although Russia accounted for 7 per cent of Roca’s total revenues, with a 2021 turnover of €141 million and profits of €19.5 million, it was one of the first companies to leave, selling up to its four Russian sub sidiaries in June 2022 for €169.3 million. In late 2022 these were val ued at €154.1 million, bringing €12.5 million in capital gains al though this was swallowed up by the depreciation of the rou ble against the euro, resulting in losses of €84.3 million which, added to a further €35.5 mil lion in impairments, finally cost Roca €119.9 million.
Rescue for Siemens Photo credit: Siemens-Gamesa
BUSINESS EXTRA
28
SIEMENS GAMESA: Manufactures wind turbine blades.
Royal Mail fail COMMUNICATIONS watchdog Ofcom has fined Royal Mail for not achieving first and second class delivery targets over the last financial year. The UK’s postal service, now owned by International Distribu tion Services, must pay £5.6 mil lion (€6.4 million) for failing to meet goals. Royal Mail should complete 99.9 per cent of daily delivery routes on the required day, but last year delivered only 73.7 per cent of firstclass mail and 90.7 per cent of secondclass mail on time. Complaints of late and irregular deliveries continued to grow and Ofcom suggested that the service had not yet recovered from inter ruptions during the pandemic.
Shares rise TELEFONICA BRASIL accounts for 56 per cent of parent compa ny Telefonica’s capitalisation. Shares are now worth 50.6 reales (€9.45), up 32 per cent since the beginning of the year, compared with Telefonica’s 10 per cent. That gives the sub sidiary a total worth of 84 billion reales (approximately €16 bil lion). When added to Telefonica Deutschland’s €5 billion, this means that between them the two subsidiaries account for practically 80 per cent of Tele fonica’s capital. In contrast, Spain, the UK (Virgin Media 02) and Latin America’s Hispam contribute just 20 per cent.
Parents’ help HELPFUL over50s in the UK have handed £98 billion (€112.4 billion) to their chil dren over the last five years. A study carried out for the SunLife financial services company found that parents had spent £36.5 billion (€41.8 billion) on helping off spring to buy a property, while giving £2 billion (€2.3 billion towards paying basic household bills. Other contributions were for school fees or to buy a car, although in some cases parents said that they gave money to their children “be cause they could afford to.”
FINANCE
30 EWN 23 - 29 November 2023
euroweeklynews.com
LONDON - FTSE 100
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page
CLOSING PRICES 20 NOVEMBER
COMPANY
PRICE(P)
CHANGE(P)
% CHG.
NET VOL
COMPANY
PRICE(P)
CHANGE(P)
% CHG.
3I Group
2.158,00
-12,00
-0,55%
129,77K
Abrdn
171,65
-0,55
-0,32%
573,35K
Admiral Group
2.621,0
+22,0
+0,85%
Anglo American
2.237,5
+3,5
+0,16%
Antofagasta
1.394,00
+15,00
+1,09%
159,48K
Ashtead Group
4.615,0
-629,0
-11,99%
Associated British Foods
2.346,0
-34,0
AstraZeneca
10.096,0
-164,0
NET VOL
InterContinental
6.122,0
+26,0
+0,43%
31,16K
Intermediate Capital
1.516,00
+8,00
+0,53%
289,20K
53,35K
Intertek
3.827,0
+18,0
+0,47%
32,86K
271,41K
ITV
61,74
-0,18
-0,29%
764,79K
J Sainsbury
266,90
+0,70
+0,26%
414,48K
1,21M
Johnson Matthey
1.518,0
-6,0
-0,39%
128,86K
-1,43%
189,19K
Land Securities
654,40
+1,20
+0,18%
143,23K
-1,60%
225,58K
Legal & General
230,80
+1,00
+0,44%
1,75M
43,17
-0,20
-0,46%
13,32M
8.584,0
+34,0
+0,40%
80,89K
1.14245
0.87615
Units per €
US dollar (USD) ........................................1.0926 Japan yen (JPY)........................................162.05 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................0.9652 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4558 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................11.737
Auto Trader Group Plc
710,60
+3,80
+0,54%
265,96K
Lloyds Banking
Aviva
421,90
-0,40
-0,10%
774,06K
London Stock Exchange
B&M European Value Retail SA538,20
+0,80
+0,15%
86,88K
Melrose Industries
522,92
+1,00
+0,19%
475,66K
currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914
BAE Systems
1.064,00
+9,00
+0,85%
2,85M
Mondi
1.394,00
+3,00
+0,22%
189,07K
THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER
Barclays
142,44
-0,36
-0,25%
4,85M
National Grid
1.024,50
+8,50
+0,84%
937,53K
Barratt Developments
486,10
+2,10
+0,43%
267,20K
NatWest Group
207,90
+0,10
+0,05%
2,03M
7.740,0
+26,0
+0,34%
28,59K
+30,40
+5,42%
749,46K
Berkeley
4.537,0
+16,0
+0,35%
9,21K
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BHP Group Ltd
2.462,50
+20,50
+0,84%
81,08K
Ocado
591,75
BP
479,85
+2,15
+0,45%
4,09M
Persimmon
1.241,0
-2,0
-0,16%
72,75K
278,36K
Phoenix
491,20
+0,70
+0,14%
245,64K
Prudential
937,06
-8,00
-0,85%
360,77K
British American Tobacco 2.533,5
+12,0
+0,48%
British Land Company
368,17
+1,00
+0,27%
514,57K
BT Group
119,44
+0,55
+0,46%
1,63M
Bunzl Burberry Group Carnival
2.934,0 1.600,5 1.044,5
-11,0 +36,0 -5,5
-0,37% +2,30% -0,52%
55,22K 169,03K 58,42K
Centrica
151,90
+0,20
+0,13%
1,78M
Coca Cola HBC AG
2.108,0
-9,0
-0,42%
42,22K
Compass
2.003,00
-89,00
-4,25%
1,25M
CRH
4.802,0
-18,0
-0,37%
107,00K
Croda Intl
4.590,0
-8,0
-0,17%
55,48K
DCC
5.284,0
-64,0
-1,20%
18,35K
Diageo
2.830,5
+21,0
+0,75%
338,11K
DS Smith
288,33
+0,30
+0,10%
289,47K
EasyJet
434,90
-0,80
-0,18%
430,61K
Experian
2.951,0
+18,0
+0,61%
163,90K
Ferguson
13.225,0
-145,0
-1,08%
13,76K
Flutter Entertainment
12.845,0
+150,0
+1,18%
43,85K
Fresnillo
548,40
+4,00
+0,73%
88,84K
Glencore
462,73
-5,00
-1,07%
5,57M
GSK plc
1.408,48
-2,40
-0,17%
467,83K
Halma
2.097,0
+44,0
+2,14%
117,22K
Reckitt Benckiser
5.402,8
+6,0
+0,11%
134,54K
Relx
2.989,00
+5,00
+0,17%
391,45K
Rentokil
469,00
+5,30
+1,14%
330,65K
Rightmove
502,80
-0,40
-0,08%
347,24K
Rio Tinto PLC
5.460,0
+14,0
+0,26%
306,61K
Rolls-Royce Holdings
246,11
+2,10
+0,86%
3,50M
Sage
984,20
-0,20
-0,02%
237,23K
Samsung Electronics DRC 1.402,00
+16,00
+1,15%
2,16K
Schroders
404,4
-2,7
-0,66%
110,86K
Scottish Mortgage
718,60
+4,20
+0,59%
440,48K
Segro
827,15
+4,60
+0,56%
171,99K
Severn Trent
2.699,0
+2,0
+0,07%
36,97K
Shell
2.629,5
+21,0
+0,81%
881,12K
Smith & Nephew
1.023,50
-1,00
-0,10%
128,93K
Smiths Group
1.652,18
-0,50
-0,03%
29,62K
Spirax-Sarco Engineering 9.166,0
+226,0
+2,53%
22,23K
SSE
1.802,87
+7,50
+0,42%
203,19K
St. James’s Place
682,00
-5,40
-0,79%
223,16K
Standard Chartered
664,80
+4,80
+0,73%
912,89K
Taylor Wimpey
126,17
+0,50
+0,40%
1,50M
Tesco
276,30
+0,30
+0,11%
982,26K
Tui
514,50
+13,40
+2,68%
227,64K
Unilever
3.820,5
+4,5
+0,12%
500,07K
1.089,00
+5,00
+0,46%
138,62K
Hargreaves Lansdown
720,40
-5,40
-0,74%
173,97K
Hikma Pharma
1.762,00
+2,50
+0,14%
43,18K
HSBC
614,95
-0,30
-0,05%
3,60M
United Utilities
IAG
163,55
+0,85
+0,52%
2,47M
Vodafone Group PLC
75,01
-0,04
-0,05%
5,84M
Imperial Brands
1.845,00
-7,00
-0,38%
200,23K
Whitbread
3.345,0
+3,0
+0,09%
29,59K
Informa
752,00
+3,00
+0,40%
240,02K
WPP
708,20
-4,80
-0,67%
184,43K
DOW JONES CLOSING PRICES 20 NOVEMBER
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
95,34 162,56 265,39 189,69 208,04 253,07 144,46 47,76 57,26 51,70 339,19 307,27 191,21 152,89 43,81 149,79 152,82 275,75 101,75 369,85 105,96 151,07 221,22 171,82 536,29 36,23 249,56 21,22 155,35 94,15
-0,37 +3,51 -3,61 -0,02 +1,44 +4,86 +2,69 -0,29 +0,11 +0,26 +2,52 +0,83 +0,50 -0,17 +0,46 -0,31 +1,37 -0,37 -0,24 -6,32 -1,65 -1,76 -0,23 +0,13 -3,53 +0,05 +0,99 +0,47 -0,69 -0,36
-0,39% 2,54M +2,21% 2,97M -1,34% 2,62M -0,01% 49,41M +0,70% 3,53M +1,96% 2,78M +1,90% 10,85M -0,59% 32,57M +0,19% 14,36M +0,51% 3,29M +0,75% 1,38M +0,27% 2,62M +0,26% 2,16M -0,11% 4,42M +1,06% 49,60M -0,21% 6,76M +0,90% 7,68M -0,13% 2,59M -0,24% 6,76M -1,68% 39,45M -1,53% 6,06M -1,15% 8,43M -0,10% 3,60M +0,08% 857,89K -0,65% 2,66M +0,14% 19,09M +0,40% 7,23M +2,27% 11,91M -0,44% 14,09M -0,38% 12,16M M - MILLION DOLLARS
NASDAQ CLOSING PRICES 20 NOVEMBER
COMPANY Most Advanced The Gap, Inc. CRISPR Therapeutics AG Structure Therapeutics Inc. Globant S.A. Sigma Lithium Corporation Beam Therapeutics Inc. Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. Fastly, Inc. Tenet Healthcare Corporation Venture Corporation Limited Qifu Technology, Inc.
CHANGE NET / %
VOLUME
+30.58% +14.64% +12.14% +11.85% +11.56% +10.81% +10.67% +10.58% +9.63% +9.03% +8.91%
69.085M 6.546M 1.06M 1.244M 2.107M 2.617M 8.646M 3.445M 4.097M 22,500 1.314M
-11.81% -7.06% -6.74% -6.20% -5.91% -5.78% -4.81% -4.67% -4.58% -4.02% -3.99%
3.211M 1.699M 774,753 9.197M 3.316M 5.564M 5.254M 40,739 828,100 18.92M 30,331
Most Declined Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Haemonetics Corporation ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. VinFast Auto Ltd. Advance Auto Parts, Inc. BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. Vodacom Group Limited Banco do Brasil S.A. Applied Materials, Inc. Prosus N.V.
‘
euroweeklynews.com
BUSINESS EXTRA Train gain THE value of Talgo shares shot up to €4.53 on November 16 after a Hun garian business group made a preliminary public offer to acquire all of the Spanish train manufactur er’s shares. The group, which Talgo declined to name, would pay €5 per share, a 28 per cent pre mium on the November 15 closing price.
On spec UK shoppers sent back more than £4.1 billion (€4.68 billion) of clothing bought online last year, said GlobalData, predict ing a 16.7 per cent in crease before 2027. Or dering several items and returning some after mak ing a choice has risen 46 per cent compared with 33 per cent in 2021, ac cording to returns logistics company ZigZag.
23 - 29 November 2023
More woes for Britishvolt Linda Hall RECHARGE INDUSTRIES, Britishvolt’s new owner, could face legal proceedings over an exemployee’s unpaid wages. According to the Financial Times (FT), the Australian com pany, which acquired British volt last January, was served with a statutory demand to pay the wages. If Recharge In dustries does not settle within three weeks, the former em ployee can take further legal action and launch bankruptcy proceedings against the com pany, the FT said.
Photo credit: British Volt
FINANCE
BRITISHVOLT: Taken over by Recharge Industries in February.
Making headway LOWCOST telecoms firm Digi out stripped its rivals during the first nine months of 2023. Turnover for Telefonica, Orange, Vodafone and MasMovil grew slowly or languished, while the Romaniahead quartered company reported a record €466 million. This was 30.5 per cent more than dur ing the same period last year and in line with the €166 million recorded in this
year’s third quarter, 29.9 per cent up on 2022. Uncomplicated cheap offers, no ‘small print’ and personalised attention for clients, a service that other opera tors generally outsource, are key to Di gi’s success, analysts said. Meanwhile, the company is waiting to learn if it will be chosen to acquire assets sold off within the framework of the OrangeMasmovil merger.
Staff members had not been paid for months, another employee said. Britishvolt, now headed by Australian businessman David Collard, was founded four years ago and planned a £3.8 billion (€4.35 billion) gigafacto ry in Blyth (Northumberland) to supply batteries for UKbuilt electric vehicles. The company could have counted on £100 million (€114.5 million) in conditional funding from the UK govern ment but went into adminis tration after running out of cash. Most of its 300 staff were made redundant. Recharge Industries bought Britishvolt for £8.6 (€9.8m) in February, making an initial payment of £6.1m (€6.98m). In August, Britishvolt’s ad ministrators EY announced the final payment was ‘unpaid and overdue’, with Recharge In dustries in default of the busi ness sale agreement. Scale Facilitation, the New Yorkbased parent company of Recharge Industries, denied defaulting on the deal.
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Sweet treat USBASED confectionery com pany Mars is buying Hotel Chocolat in a £534 million (€609.5 million) agreement that will help the UK chocolati er expand internationally, both companies said. Mars, which paid 375p (€42.80) per share on November 16, 170 per cent more than the previous night’s 139p (€15.87) closing price, said the deal brought “a much loved brand into its portfolio.”
New era UNICAJA shareholders ratified a new board of directors and the appointment of Isidro Ru biales as new chief executive at an extraordinary general meeting in Malaga on November 14. Their approval completed the renovation of Unicaja’s board following the 2021 Liberbank merger and brought to an end former dis agreements on both sides that resulted in a wave of res ignations.
32 EWN 23 - 29 November 2023
euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
Advertising Feature
Curry Palace: A culinary naven in the heart of Turre TURRE, welcomes a culi nary sensation with the unveiling of Curry Palace, an authentic Indian restau rant that promises a sym phony of flavours and a warm dining experience. Located at Avda. Almeria, 84, Curry Palace is quickly establishing itself as a go to destination for those seeking a taste of India in the heart of Spain. Curry Palace prides it self on a diverse menu that showcases the rich
tapestry of Indian cuisine. From traditional curries that enchant with aro matic spices to tandoori specialties cooked to per fection, every dish re flects the culinary her itage of India. The restaurant is the brain child of a seasoned chef with 12 years of experi ence in the art of crafting authentic Indian curries. What sets Curry Palace apart is not just its delectable menu but also
CURRY PALACE: A warm dining experience.
its commitment to treat ing patrons like family. The atmosphere is consis tently friendly, creating a dining experience that goes beyond mere con sumption it’s a celebra tion of food, culture, and camaraderie. For those looking to savour the flavours with out breaking the bank, Curry Palace offers a tempting Menu del Dia starting at just €13.95 during lunch hours. To stay updated on promo tions and connect with Curry Palace, follow them on Facebook (Curry Palace) and Instagram (currypalace22). Open seven days a week, from 12.00pm to 4.00pm and 6.00pm to 11.30pm, Curry Palace in vites you to embark on a culinary journey through India’s diverse flavours. For more information and reservations, contact them on 950 968 702, 602 331 231, or via email at currypalace22@gmail.co m. Explore the world of Indian cuisine at Curry Palace a taste of India in the heart of Turre.
O
34 EWN 23 - 29 November 2023
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
Benefits of Yoga and Pilates I N our fastpaced lives, finding a balance be tween physical and men tal wellbeing is crucial. Yoga and Pilates offer a holistic approach, pro
moting flexibility, strength, and tranquility. Yoga, rooted in ancient practices, focuses on mindful movements and breath control. It en
Nutty beginnings REVITALISE your morning routine by swapping your usual eggcentric breakfast for a nutrientpacked alternative nuts. While eggs are a breakfast staple, nuts bring a delightful crunch and a host of health benefits to the table. Why Nuts? Nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, are rich in hearthealthy fats, protein, and essential vitamins. They provide sustained energy throughout the morning, keeping you fuelled and focused. Nutrient Powerhouse: Unlike eggs, nuts are a great source of antioxidants, aiding in cell repair and immune function. They also contribute to better cholesterol levels and im proved heart health. Versatility in Variety: From a handful of mixed nuts to a nut ty granola parfait, the options are endless. Create a satisfying breakfast bowl with yoghurt, fruits, and a sprinkle of your favourite nuts for a tasty and fulfilling start to your day. Make a positive change to your morning routine by em bracing the wholesome goodness of nuts, elevating your breakfast experience and promoting a balanced, nutritious lifestyle.
hances flexibility, tones muscles, and reduces stress. Pilates, a modern exer cise system, emphasises core strength and stabili ty. By targeting specific muscle groups, it im proves posture and over all body awareness. Both disciplines con tribute to stress reduc
tion, fostering mental clarity and emotional bal ance. They are adaptable for all fitness levels, making them accessible to every one. Incorporating Yoga and Pilates into your rou tine can lead to improved physical health, increased energy, and a more cen
tered, peaceful mind. Embrace the trans formative benefits of these practices and embark on a journey towards a healthier, b a l a n c e d lifestyle.
Promoting flexibility.
AS winter brings its chilly em brace, your beauty routine may need a seasonal adjust ment to combat the harsh ef fects of the cold. Here are top tips for indulging in beauty treatments that will keep your skin radiant and healthy throughout the winter months. 1. Hydration is Key: Combat winter dryness by staying hy drated from the inside out. In crease your water intake and incorporate moisturising
Winter beauty bliss beauty products to maintain supple skin. 2. Gentle Exfoliation: In clude a gentle exfoliation rou tine to slough off dry, dead skin cells. This helps your skin absorb moisturisers more ef fectively, leaving you with a luminous complexion. 3. Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise: Invest in a rich, hy
drating moisturiser to replen ish lost moisture. Pay extra at tention to areas prone to dry ness, such as elbows, knees, and hands. 4. Protective Skincare: Shield your skin from the ele ments with protective skin care. Use a broadspectrum sunscreen to guard against harmful UV rays, even on
cloudy days. 5. Hair Care TLC: Nourish your hair with deepcondi tioning treatments. Winter air can be harsh on your locks, so indulge in weekly treatments to maintain shine and prevent breakage. Embrace these winter beauty tips, and let your radi ance shine through the frost. Your skin will thank you for the extra care during the cold er months.
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IN a clash of tradition versus environmental consciousness, French cheesemakers are leading a charge against a pro posed EU recycling law that they argue jeopardises one of France’s culinary gems. The contentious draft law aims to eliminate singleuse packaging in favour of recy cled materials, a move that has ignited concerns among cheese producers, particularly those using iconic packaging like Camembert’s distinctive wooden box. The French media has ea gerly embraced the cheese mongers’ cause, accusing the EU of endangering France’s ‘gastronomic treasures’.
Paws & relax Image: Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) / Facebook.
Anna Ellis IN the bustling halls of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in Germany, an unconven tional trio Benny the dachshund, Emi the black Labrador, and Pepper the terrier embarks on a daily mission to bring solace to anxious travellers, especially during the hustle and bustle of holiday departures. These canine ambas sadors, with their wagging tails and affectionate de meanour, have become a heartwarming fixture at BER, offering a welcome distraction for passengers navigating the stresses of travel. Their presence is particu larly soothing during peak holiday seasons when the terminals are brimming with eager travellers. Since the launch of this in novative pilot programme coinciding with the autumn holidays in Germany, Ben ny, Emi, and Pepper have played a pivotal role in transforming the airport ex perience. This initiative, though un
NEWS
BERLIN AIRPORT: Bringing solace to anxious travellers.
conventional, marks a de lightful departure from the norm, showcasing BER’s commitment to fostering a travellerfriendly environ ment. For an airport that has weathered its fair share of challenges, being dubbed a ‘cursed’ airport by German media, this innovative ap proach provides a hearten ing counterpoint. BER, which faced a nine year delay in its opening due to technical difficulties
and corruption suspicions, and exceeded its expected cost by three times, is turn ing a new leaf with the in troduction of these canine comfort ambassadors. In the midst of BER’s evolving narrative, Benny, Emi, and Pepper symbolise not just a charming diver sion for travellers, but also a testament to the airport’s dedication to creating a more welcoming and re laxed atmosphere, one wagging tail at a time.
Cheese wars Adding her voice to the out cry, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Laurence Boone cautioned Brussels about the potential for a pub lic relations catastrophe mere months before the European elections. “If we want to caricature Eu rope before the elections, let’s bother Camembert producers and their wooden packaging,” Boone remarked, emphasising the public’s emotional connec tion to culinary traditions. In response to the mounting criticism, a European Commis sion spokesperson reassured
that the law doesn’t outright ban wooden packaging, but may necessitate improve ments in recycling or reusing these materials. This state ment, however, hasn’t as suaged the fears of cheese pro ducers, who argue that implementing a recycling sys tem for wood would be pro hibitively expensive. This battle over cheese packaging echoes past PR challenges for Brussels, harkening back to the notori ous ‘bendy banana’ saga that haunted the EU in the leadup to the Brexit referendum.
Growing old disgracefully Michael Cano COMING within a few days of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, one not so young lady who herself personifies girl power celebrates her 70th birth day on December 19. Minnie the Minx is the third oldest character in children’s comic The Beano and she was in troduced to show that not just boys could be naughty but girls could as well.
For many children, their weekly dose of the somewhat anarchic and mainly workingclass characters of the Beano and Dandy was how they first learnt to read. The French loved Asterix, Babar the Elephant and Cool Hand Luke, whilst Belgium exported the somewhat racist at times Tin Tin, Finland was more laid back with the Moomims whilst children in The Netherlands enjoyed The Smurfs.
FEATURE/NEWS
euroweeklynews.com
23 - 29 November 2023
THE strict 90day rule that has affected British people who own second homes in Schengen Area countries could soon be relaxed in France. Since Brexit, stays by British passport holders have been restricted to 90 days in any 180day period. Anybody wishing to extend their stay must apply for a temporary longstay visa of up to six months. Visa processing centres have reportedly suffered a huge increase in waiting times due to the large num ber of applications made by British citizens. After receiving numerous complaints from Brits who own second homes in the Savoie region that she rep resents in the southern Au vergneRhôneAlpes, Mar tine Berthet, a French senator, decided to take ac tion. She tabled a motion re questing a change to the law, which was subsequent ly voted through by the Sen
Credit: KaiKemmann/Shutterstock.com
France vote on 90-day rule
A holiday home in Seignosse Océan, Les Landes, France.
ate. It must still go in front of the country’s lower house later this year for debate. The politician said: “The Britons I have spoken to say that the current system is longwinded, difficult and full of pitfalls.” Berthet highlighted the growing number of proper ties that have become va cant in popular tourist re gions of France. There is no guarantee that France’s National Assembly will vote in favour of the change, but: “This is at the very least an important first
step,” the senator said. Speaking last week, Philippe Bas, a senator and departmental councillor of Manche, claimed that the UK’s decision to quit the UK had ‘punished’ second homeowners who maybe never even voted to leave in the first place. President Emmanuel Macron has already made it clear that his government will not support any change to the law. However, his party does not have a ma jority in the French parlia ment.
INTERVIEW
“Spain is a land of opportunity” AS part of our ongoing conversations with Europeans who have chosen to settle in Spain, it is the turn of Swedish national Niklas Söderström who moved to the Costa del Sol in 2014. UP until then, he had run a building company in Sweden, but was effectively head hunted by a real estate company based on the Golden Mile in Marbella. It took Niklas a full seven days to decide to accept the offer and having landed in Spain nine years ago, he literally hasn’t looked back. “I love it here as compared to Sweden not only is the weather and lifestyle so much better, it really has been for me, a land of opportunity,” he explained. Adding “Apart of course from family there is really very little that I miss about Sweden and I have made my life here and I am enjoying it.” Now very competent in Spanish, Niklas revealed his secret, first he found out the Spanish name for everything in his apartment and stuck post-it notes on each item so that he would remember the words. Next step (which wasn’t just to learn the language) was to find a Spanish girlfriend and his vocabulary expanded considerably. “Once I had some idea of what I was saying, I decided that I would have to have the guts to just go out, speak my version of
Niklas Söderström loves it here.
Spanish and not be afraid to make a fool of myself and it worked, as because I tried, people helped me to get better.” The only slight negative (which many people find) is bureaucracy but Niklas shrugged and said “you learn to live with it.” Now living in La Cala having moved from Marbella, he finds it quieter but more real and has made a number of friends, mainly English and Spanish as well as some Swedes and would recommend any compatriot considering moving here from Sweden to do so.
Linda Hall A GERMAN ecoactivist from the Wild Carpathians Initiative group had to be airlifted to hospital after he was badly mauled by a bear. He had travelled with another member of the group to the Carpathian Mountains in Poland to check on a lair which they were convinced had been abandoned owing to log ging operations. Instead, the bear was still in residence and, once dis turbed, pursued the ac tivists through the woods. One stumbled and was
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The bear facts
mauled after falling to the ground. Footage of the emerging bear was caught on a camera set up to moni tor the lair and shared on line by Michał Gzowski from Poland’s Forestry Ser vice, who described the episode as ironic. “Pseudoecologists attack foresters, mountain rescue and policemen, now these people are saving their lives,” he said later. Al though a forester had been attacked by a bear in the
IN a groundbreaking discovery near the coast of southwestern Norway in Selje sanden lies a stonelined tomb dating back 4,000 years, offering a glimpse into the lives of the region’s earliest farmers. Unearthed by researchers from the University Museum of Bergen during a preconstruction excava tion, this tomb spans 10 feet in length and five feet in width, featuring two chambers. Within its ancient confines, archaeologists identified the remains of an elderly man, a toddler, and a young woman. Additional bones suggest the possibility of two more in dividuals interred at an earlier period. Be
same place last year, the forestry service had failed to prevent further defor estation. Marek Jozefiak, an envi ronmental policy officer from Greenpeace, agreed officials were doing too little to halt the destruction of the forest. “Poland is protecting the Carpathian Mountains poorly. Only 3 per cent of the forest is really protect ed, the rest is being logged or built on,” he said.
Ancient tomb yond human remains, the site revealed rem nants of dwellings, discarded animal bones, shell beads, and a stone blade sickle poten tially used for harvesting grain. This monumental discovery provides a window into ancient agricultural practices and prompts further exploration into the lifestyles and lineage of Norway’s early in habitants. Such revelations pave the way for a deeper understanding of the region’s rich and diverse history.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM
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FEATURE
COMMUNITY
COMMENTS
AS France debates the possibility of granting second home owners who hold non-EU passports the right to a special visa allowing them to spend 180 days continuously in France, second home owners in Spain are taking heart from a report that the Spanish caretaker Minister of Tourism favours something similar. In an article on the Euro Weekly News website which has received 10s of thousands of views, the concept of what is being considered is explained and a condensed version also appeared in edition 2002 of the paper editions. https://euroweeklynews.com/2023/11/12/can-spain-changeVisit schengen-rules/ to view the full story and see below some of the many comments, which have been received.
“
Absolutely that or not charge us local taxes for the months we are not allowed to be there - can’t have it both ways!!! Toni Eastwood Obe
Allowing second home owners to spend six months at a time would be a benefit to all. People would be more likely to buy property to winter in if they could do so unrestricted. It’s not really a change in the amount of time they could spend here, just a movement of when. It would still be six months a year as it is now.
Stays over 90 days are outside the purview of the Schengen Agreement. It is up to each Schengen member state to decide whom to allow to stay for over 90 days on the basis of their national law. Nothing in the Schengen Agreement forbids France and Spain to allow British citizens to stay longer than 90 days. Spain could, for example, create a simplified procedure for British citizens to get a Spanish national visa which would allow them to stay for over 90 days in Spain. Jan Kowalski
Spain is in a right sad and sorry state. High unemployment, especially mega high youth unemployment of about 25 per cent and wages are notoriously low. Cobblers to them, they are causing their own problems, it’s hilarious.
Second home owners have invested in the country and even while they are not in their second home using resources, they continue to pay - council tax, imputed tax (on imputed income should you rent your home even if you don’t), standing charges on utilities which are not being consumed, service charges on any urbanisation or resort the second home might happen to be located on. lt is outrageous to lump second home owners in with tourists and l hope the Spanish government/EU sees sense soon!!
Joe Ace
Margaret Atkins
Well , that’s Brexit . You voted out , but still want to be in ?
Unfortunately many people in the UK wanted to exit the EU. They were fed misleading information about many aspects of this. I agree with the idea to change to 180 days but at the same time it smacks of that ‘special treatment’ that the UK seemed to be constantly pushing for when they were members of the EU. One hundred and eighty days, yes, after that don’t try for anything more is my view. The UK left and it has to get over many things that will change over time.
Andy Solomons
I suggest it may be illegal to be charged for services you are not legally allowed to use. Bryan Colling
Vera Nilsson
Ninety day rule is killing Brit tourism, people now going to other destinations as getting complicated here in Spain, I’ve been here 35 years in business, I couldn’t believe Brexit, the damage it’s done and doing, the vote was a disgrace as Brits were totally misinformed and now paying the price of freedom, a majority vote would have been more realistic for such an important decision. I would love to see a re-vote as out of interest all the tourists I’ve asked would definitely vote different. Spanish economic dependence is hugely affected by tourism, someone get their act together. Kevin Burns
Keith Lott
This is an ok idea for the retired … People who work don’t come anywhere near the 90 day rule … Who has 90 days holiday anyway ?? Liam
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.
FEATURE/NEWS POLICE in The Netherlands have unbelievably raided the wrong house, leaving the family living at the home in shock. Imagine sitting down to eat tea on a peaceful Sat urday night, only to have a swarm of armed police suddenly break down the door and run into the house. Well, this is exactly
euroweeklynews.com
23 - 29 November 2023
Wrong house raid! what happened to one un suspecting family in the Netherlands recently. On the evening of Satur day November 11, the po lice in Schijndel performed a raid on the wrong house in search of a suspect. A
family with three young children were present in their home at the time of the raid. As a result, they were understandably all very shocked. According to the Nether lands police, due to the
fact that the search was aimed at a person whose arrest would entail poten tial safety risks, it was car ried out by the armed po lice unit. They broke down the front door at around 8.30pm, “however, it soon
turned out that we had made a mistake,” stated the police force. A formal statement re leased stated that the armed unit ‘deeply regret the incident’, adding that they ‘of course’ apolo gised. The authorities have further said that “we are also in close contact with them about how to
EWN 41
proceed. How it was possi ble that the wrong home was entered is of course being investigated fur ther.” Further information about the intended arrest suspect has not yet been released, however it has been reported that they are not in police custody at this time.
Kraków Christmas market Pioneer surgery THE flavours and tastes of Christmas are best experi enced in the Christmas mar kets. CNN describes the Christmas fair in Kraków, Poland, as one of the most interesting in the world and one of the largest in Europe. Beginning on November 24, it will enchant you with its unique atmosphere. The Christmas fair in Kraków was praised, among other things, for its festive at mosphere. The unique archi tecture of the city, regional traditions and performances by folk groups with live music make the greatest impres sion on visitors.
CHRISTMAS FAIR: One of the largest in Europe.
Stalls of local and foreign merchants and artisans pro mote Christmas shopping and the discovery of new fla vors. Vendors offer a wide range of products, including handpainted baubles, Christ mas tree decorations, deco rative items and Christmas ornaments, ceramics, wood
en products, textiles, artistic glassware, jewellery, sou venirs, postcards and calen dars. Also merchants from Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovakia and Hungary are present, selling, among other things, cold cuts, cheese and sausages, bread, jewellery
Advertising Feature Voss Homes
made of fabric and wood, linen and wool craft items, souvenirs, ceramics, etc. Last year, the Christmas fair in Kraków was praised by a British newspaper, which in cluded it among the 24 best Christmas markets in Europe. This year’s edition will be held from November 24 to January 1. Also on the CNN list is the Christmas market in Barcelona. Dating back to 1786, Fira de Santa Llucia has grown from a oneday event to commemorate the feast day of Santa Llucia, which falls on December 13, to a threeweek fair.
THE Coimbra Hospital and University Centre (CHUC) in Portu gal recently performed its first spinal surgery using biportal endoscopy, successfully treating a case of lumbar disc hernia tion. As the CHUC explained in a statement to Lusa: “This is a complex surgical procedure that is performed through inci sions measuring less than one centimetre, using a highdefini tion camera and a working channel, enabling the extraction of extruded disc fragments or widening of the spinal canal.” Fernando Fonseca, the Portuguese facility’s director of Or thopaedics Service highlighted that this therapeutic approach was previously prepared and trained for by a team to intro duce this new technique. “Spine surgery has seen important developments in recent years, allowing it to be performed using minimally invasive methods, as well as faster recovery, with the same safety standards,” Fonseca continued. New techniques, such as endoscopic surgery, also allow the patient to return home in less than 24 hours, usually on the day of surgery the specialist added.
Property of the week
Ref. VH2265
Cortijo Adentro near Huercal-Overa NEW & EXCLUSIVE LISTING TO VOSS HOMES A full of character, lovingly renovated country house of approx 300m2 with a main house with five bedrooms and two bathrooms plus an attached one bed, one bath self contained apart ment. The property has mains and solar electricity, central heating throughout, garage, workshop, 8m x 4m swimming pool and fantastic views on approx 15,000m2 of land. Ten/15 mins drive to the market towns of HuercalOvera and Puer to Lumbreras town, 40 to 45 mins drive to the coast at San Juan de Los Terreros, Mojacar and Aguilas. The towns of Puerto Lumbreras and HuercalOvera both have many cafes, restaurants, banks, shops, street markets, schools, sports and leisure facilities, medical centres etc. Lorca which is almost a city is 20 mins drive away. Cortijo Adentro is a rural but not
€265,000 euros
CORTIJO ADENTRO: A lovingly renovated country house with beautiful views and a raised swimming pool to the rear of the property.
remote country house walking dis tance into the village of Goñar. Ide al as a large family house and great if you like to entertain lots of guests. An income from a rental apartment is a real bonus. The last approx 400 metres to the house is on a good country lane. Some of the furniture is also for sale. The main house consists of an entrance hall / dining room. To the left is an adjoining internal patio and door to the workshop. Next to
the entrance hall / dining room is the large cottage style kitchen with log burning fire. Off the kitchen is a walk in larder / storage room. Also off the kitchen is the large main double bedroom with en suite bathroom with jacuzzi type bath with terrace with stunning open country views. From the living room is the large living room with wooden beamed ceilings, log burning fire and coun try views.
A hallway leads to four bed rooms, impressive shower room with a glazed door on to a terrace. One of the bedrooms is on the first floor. There is also a laundry room and a Florida style meshed enclo sure with country views. A door leads out to the front gar den and then to attached apart ment with fitted dining kitchen, liv ing room, double bedroom, shower room and its own Florida style meshed enclosure.
Immediately around the house is approx 1,700m2 of garden, patio and parking areas. The 8m x 4m swimming pool is to the side and rear of the house in raised position. There is also single garage, laun dry room / outside toilet, further storage room and outside oven. Voss Homes is a British family run business with offices in the nearby thriving, market town of HuercalOvera and La Alfoqiuia vil lage.
For more information and to arrange a viewing of VH2265 please contact Voss Homes on 0034 950 616 827 or email us on enquiries@vosshomesspain.com.
42 EWN 23 - 29 November 2023
euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
Ref. PZPD1S Property of the week Dreams for Sale: Where every corner tells a story €145.000 euros
Advertising Feature Grupo Platinum
LOVELY ground floor apartment for sale just steps from the beach! Located in the beach front village of Pozo del Esparto, just minutes from the larger town of San Juan de los Terreros. An ex tremely spacious property in perfect condi tion, fully furnished and equipped! Upon en tering, a few steps up from the street, a cosy terrace to enjoy the sea breeze and outside dining. Large living dining room, leads to the spacious modern kitchen very well equipped with plenty of work and storage space. There are three very spacious bed rooms, two bathrooms, two storage rooms, a rear courtyard, a lovely place for relaxing, and enjoying to outside, a large and very inti mate terrace. There is an underground park ing space allocated to this property. The com munity fee is very small. Call the estate agent Grupo Platinum Estates to organise a viewing on 950 466 112. Pozo del Esparto is a seafront town with two bars and a bakery, it is really well located just 10 minutes drive from Cuevas del Alman zora and five minutes from San Juan de los Terreros. It is easy to walk along the seafront to the local commercial centre offering bars
LOVELY APARTMENT: Very spacious and in perfect condition.
and shops. More about the area: With a love ly microclimate, a place where the sun shines almost all year round, with good tempera tures. Stunning scenery, contrasting moun
tains against the green fields and sandy beaches. You will find a whole host of beach es, Mar Serena, Mar Rabiosa, Calipso, Blue flag beaches, as well as the coves, safe for the
whole family and with disabled access. Offer ing snorkelling and diving to enjoy under the sea as well as above it. Golf courses Aguilón Golf is just 3km away from the complex, while Desert Springs, Marina de la Torre and Valle de Este Golf can all be found not too far away. Amenities numerous bars and beach front bars, chiringuitos, and a new commer cial centre offering, bars, restaurants, shops, super market and gym facilities, classes of pi late, body fitness, running club and more. Open all year round, San Juan de los Terreros has facilities covering all the basic daily needs including a Medical Centre and Pharmacy. Finally, a short drive you will find; Pulpi and also Aguilas, with its diverse commercial cen tres and range of services associated with a much larger town is a short car journey away. Trains run locally making the area ac cessible to all without the need for a car. One hour from Almeria airport, 45 minutes from Murcia airport and 1.5 hours from Alicante. In addition a new highway connects directly with Cartagena and La Manga del Mar Menor.
An Exclusive Offer at an irresistible price. Contact us now to register for your visit. **950 466 112 or **info@grupoplatinum.com
www.euroweeklynews.com • 23 - 29 November 2023
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PETS
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Spanish dog breeds SPAIN, a land of diverse land scapes and vibrant culture, has contributed several unique and remarkable dog breeds to the world. These breeds em body the rich history and var ied environments of the Iberi an Peninsula. 1. Spanish Water Dog: Origi nally bred as a herding and water dog, this versatile breed boasts a curly or wavy coat, making it wellsuited for vari ous terrains. Known for intelli gence and agility, the Spanish Water Dog thrives in both ru ral and urban settings. 2. Ibizan Hound: This ele gant and athletic hound is renowned for its striking ap pearance and exceptional hunting skills. With a slender build and large ears, the Ibizan Hound has been a favourite among Spanish hunters for centuries. 3. Galgo Español: The Galgo Español, or Spanish Grey hound, is a sighthound known for its grace and speed. Histori cally used for hunting, it has a sleek, muscular physique and a gentle temperament, mak ing it an excellent companion. 4. Perro de Presa Canario: A robust and powerful breed, the Perro de Presa Canario was originally developed for working with live stock. This Molosser type dog is known for its protective instincts and loyalty to its fam ily. Celebrating the di versity of Spain, these dog breeds not only reflect the country’s rich history, but also showcase the unique qualities that make them cher ished compan ions worldwide.
A dog-sitter playmate when you’re away RECENTLY one of our dogsitters Robin moved in to care for Blair and Lean for five weeks in the owner’s home. The pets were re laxed and entertained in their own home, and all was well until the owners returned after their holiday. We help to match petsitters with the pet owners for free safe pet care in the pet’s own home, for free! If you’re planning a trip in 2024 register now to find petsitters in time. Earlier is better than later. Whether your trip is short or long, get organised ahead of time. All pets benefit from staying at home, so they can follow their routines undisturbed. Join our pet and housesitting network, and the sitters come for free! Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take:
Meet Blair and Lean who love their HouseSit Match dog-
1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com 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. Sit ters apply and you choose.
How does it work? HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our net work for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House sitters see your advert, they re spond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets. Trustpilot Testimonials 4.9 / 5 Excellent Pure Joy I have completed two housesits so far, so early days. Both sits have been well suited to me and my dog. Thoroughly enjoyable experi ences with beautiful homes and wellrounded animals. I’m looking for more! Lisa Stimpson, Petsitter from the UK How do you join? Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com
Need a pet or house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN – Reader exclusive offer. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com
The Spanish Water Dog is a versatile breed.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS POLICE/FIRE/AMBULANCE: 112 24 HOUR PHARMACY FERNANDEZ ORTEGA ANGELES - MOJACAR 950 469 082 24 HOUR VETS CLINICAL VETERINARIA - MOJACAR 950 472 252
Harmful ENSURING your dog’s health and wellbeing involves not only providing proper nutrition but also being aware of foods that can be harmful. Some hu man foods, no matter how tempting, should never be fed to your pet. 1. Chocolate: Containing theobromine, chocolate can be toxic to dogs, leading to vomiting and diarrhoea. 2. Grapes and Raisins: These seemingly harmless snacks can cause kidney failure in dogs. 3. Onions and Garlic: Mem bers of the allium family, these can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anaemia and other health complications. 4. Xylitol: Found in sugar free gum and some peanut butter, xylitol can cause insulin release, resulting in liver failure. 5. Alcohol: Even small amounts can cause intoxica tion, leading to coordination is sues and respiratory failure. Exercise caution and stick to a balanced canine diet to en sure your pet’s safety.
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CARAVANS MOBILE homes & static caravans bought, sold and transported. +34 630 055 418 or elsyd7@hotmail.com
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CHURCHES Local Anglican (CofE) Church Services take place at Mojacar and Llanos del Peral (Zurgena) churches every Sunday 11am and at Aljambra Chapel (Albox) monthly. Dates and details of
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our services, including directions and contact details, can be found at www.almeria-an glican.com. Here you can also find information about funerals, baptisms and wedding blessings. We are an inclusive church. (10002)
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STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbey gateinsure.com
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ELECTRICAL ABBOTT ELECTRICS. From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (304222)
ESTATE AGENT VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the HuercalOvera, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (283824)
FOR SALE WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)
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FOR SALE WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)
THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €7.75, medium dogs €8.50, big dogs €9.25, cats from €7.00 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotel turre@gmail.com fiveboneho tel.com (303395)
PLUMBERS KNOWLES PLUMBING No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (303577)
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INSURANCE MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)
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SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria.com (303112)
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TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 617 914 156 (10021) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Why not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishle gion.org.uk/counties/ spain-north ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at La Parrilla Hotel Albox, for further details please email zur genarblchairman@gmail.com - (253989)
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46 EWN 23 - 29 November 2023
BROKEN DOWN: Apart from emergency triangles, reflective vests should also be worn.
Reflective vest law A REFLECTIVE vest is an essential item that must always be carried in a vehicle when driving on the Spanish road network. However, confusion could arise about the exact number of these reflective vests that must be carried in a vehicle as to whether they relate to the total number of passen gers or not. Article 11/8 of the General Driv ing Regulations specifies that: ‘Drivers of pas senger cars must wear a highvisibility reflective waistcoat, certified in accordance with Royal Decree 1407/1992, of November 20, which is one of the compulsory items of equipment required to be worn when they leave the vehicle and occupy the road or the hard shoulder of interurban roads’.
Therefore, based on the Regulation and the clarifications made by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) it appears to only be necessary for the driver to wear a vest. In the case of passengers, it is advisable for them to also wear one if extra vests are available inside the vehicle. The use of a vest is specified in a situation that results from a breakdown in which the driver has to get out of their vehicle on an in terurban road, which may be a motorway or a conventional road. In such cases, it is mandatory to indicate the position of the car while stopped on the shoulder with the V16 emergency light or with traditional emergency triangles.
48 EWN 23 - 29 November 2023
Djokovic’s seventh ATP title SERBIAN tennis superstar Novak Djokovic claimed a sev enth ATP Finals title in Turin on Sunday, November 19. In a dominant display of nearperfect tennis, he took one hour and 44 minutes to beat Italy’s Jannik Sinner in straight sets, 63 63. The 22yearold Worldranked No 7 was simply no match for the Serb, who is 14 years his senior. Sinner was the first Italian tennis player to ever reach the ATP Finals and had defeated Sunday’s opponent in their group match earlier in the week. Speaking with Amazon Prime after his win, the champ described this year as: “One of the best seasons I’ve had in my life, no doubt. It’s very special. To crown it against a hometown hero in Jannik this week is phe nomenal. Tactically I played differently today than in the group stage against Jannik. Overall, a phenomenal week.” As a result of Sunday’s victory, he broke his deadlock with Switzerland’s nowretired Roger Federer, who had won the title on six occasions previously. Next up for him is the International Tennis Federation (ITF) 2023 Davis Cup Final. The tournament is being played at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in Malaga from Tuesday November 21 until Sunday, Thursday 26. Serbia face England in their first match today, Thurs day November 23, with the winners advancing to play the victors of the match between Italy and the Nether lands. That could see Djokovic meeting Sinner again.
euroweeklynews.com REAL MADRID golden boy, Jude Bellingham is literally that after he secured the pres tigious 2023 ‘Golden Boy Award’. Jude Bellingham, the 20 yearold English football sen sation, has been honoured with the 2023 Golden Boy award. This prestigious recog nition, granted by the Italian sports journal Tuttosport, cele brates the most exceptional young talent in European foot ball under the age of 21. The Italian magazine en thused: “When an interna tional jury made up of 50 au thoritative journalists from the most prestigious European newspapers awards a 20 yearold 485 points out of a maximum of 500, you just have to take your hat off.” The accolade recognises Bellingham’s outstanding con tributions to England, Borussia Dortmund, and Real Madrid. Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, acclaimed Belling ham’s influence, and stated that he was, “the player who’s making the difference.” Tuttosport expanded on Bellingham’s remarkable achievement. The magazine explained that in 2017, when
SPORT
Madrid’s Golden Boy Credit: charnsitr/Shutterstock.com
REAL MADRID: Celebrating exceptional young talent.
Mbappe was declared Golden Boy, he too grabbed 97 per cent of the votes, the identical percentage obtained by Bellingham. At the time there were only 30 jurors, not the 50 that they have today. For this reason, they said the English midfield er is the ‘king of kings’ of the Golden Boy trophy. His remarkable form, high lighted by scoring 13 goals in
his first 13 games for Los Blan cos has elevated him above his peers, including Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde. The Golden Boy title signi fies a bright future in football for Bellingham. It aligns him with past winners like Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi, indicating his po tential to reach similar heights. The Golden Boy award will be
presented at a gala in Turin on December 4. His recent Kopa Trophy vic tory at the Ballon d’Or awards as the best under21 player re inforces his emerging status in world football. Despite facing challenges, including a shoulder injury that caused him to miss Madrid’s 51 triumph over Va lencia and withdrawal from the England squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers, Bellingham’s persistence and talent shine. His ability to overcome these setbacks exemplifies the re solve and dedication charac teristic of elite athletes. Bellingham’s achievements at such a young age are not just personal triumphs, but al so a source of inspiration. His journey, marked by resilience and exceptional skill, sets a benchmark for aspiring foot ballers worldwide. His Golden Boy award not only highlights his current prowess but also points to wards a promising and im pactful career in the sport.
WITH preparation for the Las Vegas Grand Prix underway, Carlos Sainz’s first practice ses sion ended up going down the drain. In a significant setback, the first practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix was aban doned. The reason behind the incident has meant a consider able amount of embarrass ment for Formula One man agement. The disruption occurred un der the dazzling lights of the Las Vegas strip. Spanish For mula One driver, Carlos Sainz encountered a mechanical fail ure in his Ferrari, causing the session’s suspension with just eight minutes having elapsed. Sainz’s Ferrari came to a halt due to an unforeseen issue.
Credit: cristiano barni/Shutterstock.com
Incident halts F1 practice France run riot
MAJOR SETBACK: Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
After a wait of 11 minutes, it was declared that the session wouldn’t continue. The cause of the stoppage was later identified as a dislodged man hole cover. Sainz was clearly seen being jolted as the cover struck his vehicle with speeds approach ing 200mph on the Las Vegas Boulevard. In what many see as an un
duly harsh sanction, a news source reported that Sainz was subsequently given a 10 place grid penalty by F1 stew ards following the incident. Ferrari’s mechanics replaced the chassis and the engine, something that according to the letter of the law is not al lowed in such circumstances. The incident had a ripple ef fect, with, French driver, Este
ban Ocon colliding into the scattered debris. The collision which took place amidst the iconic Caesars Palace, Bellagio, and Venetian hotels, and re sulted in considerable damage to his Alpine car. Ferrari re ported ‘extensive’ damage to Sainz’s car, and Alpine an nounced the need for a new chassis for Ocon. Frederic Masseur, Ferrari’s team principal, expressed his dismay, stating, “He (Sainz) said ‘I hit something on track’, and he didn’t know what it was. It is just unacceptable for F1.” Meanwhile, an FIA spokesperson revealed, “Fol lowing an inspection, a con crete frame around a manhole cover has failed. We now need to check all of the other manhole covers which will take some time.” The incident underscored the unpredictable nature of street circuits, especially in a highstakes environment like Formula One. Sainz is currently lying sixth in the overall drivers championship.
FRANCE racked up their biggestever win on Satur day, November 18 after they thrashed Gibraltar 140 in their Group B Euro 2024 qualifying match at the Al lianz Riviera Stadium in Nice. The score also eclipsed the previous highest score recorded in the European Championships set in 2006 when Germany destroyed San Marino 130. A cross from Jonathan Clauss was put into his own net by Gibraltar defender Ethan Santos after only three minutes. The lead was dou bled by Marcus Thuram one minute later. PSG’s Warren ZaireEmery, making his debut aged 17 years, eight months and 11 days, became the youngest player to represent his coun try since 1914. He crowned his historical moment by bag ging the third goal of the match. Things went from back to worse for Santos when he was shown a red card in the
18th minute. Kylian Mbappe then got his first of the evening as he tucked a penal ty home in the 30th minute. Clauss hit a fourth for the French four minutes later, with Kingsley Coman and Youssouf Fofana both on tar get to send the hosts in 70 ahead at the break. A goal from Adrien Rabiot started the second wave af ter 63 minutes. Coman notched his second of the match before Ousmane Dembele equalled France’s previous biggest ever win of 100 against Azerbaijan in 1995. Mbappe broke that record by rounding off his hat trick. Spotting goalkeeper Dayle Coleing off his line, the French superstar proceeded to score a stunner from all of 40 yards. Olivier Giroud scored twice in the dying minutes, making it 140, with the French rack ing up a massive 38 shots on goal compared to none by Gibraltar.