Costa Blanca • Issue No. 2005 • 7 - 13 December 2023
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ILMAINEN
GRATIS
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AMONG the constellation of soughtafter destina tions to celebrate the New Year, Benidorm shines like a star, promising a New Year’s Eve extravaganza that elevates the city’s al lure to peakseason heights. A glimpse into the city’s New Year’s Eve fervour re veals a surge in hotel reser vations, already reaching an impressive 86 per cent, as reported by Hosbec. With a little less than a month remaining until the clock strikes midnight on December 31, this statistic is poised to ascend to what can only be described as ‘technical full’ capacity.
Image: VCoscaron / Shutterstock.com
NEW YEAR ALLURE Celebrate the New Year.
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7 - 13 December 2023
30 Year tradition
AS the festive season un folds, Benidorm is gearing up for its cherished tradi tion, the Christmas Win dow Dressing Contest, a glittering spectacle that has graced the city for three decades. The muchanticipated event has kicked off mark ing the commencement of registrations for establish ments eager to showcase
their holiday spirit through captivating dis plays. This year, the contest embraces modernity by offering almost €8,000 in prizes, strategically de signed to encourage the digital transformation of businesses. In a nod to the digital age, the councillor for Commerce Javier Jordá
Altea awards
IN a celebration of literature, the organisers of the Al tea Awards have proudly launched its eighth event. Aspiring authors have until January 31, 2024, to sub mit their original works, with the muchanticipated Awards Gala scheduled for March 23 at Palau Altea. Altea confirmed the significance of these awards by highlighting the substantial cash prizes: €3,000 for the Francesc Martinez I Martinez Essay and Research Award, €4,000 for the Altea Prize for Children and Youth Literature, and €5,000 for the Carmelina SanchezCutillas Prize for Novel and Creative Prose. Authors eager to participate can submit their works in PDF format through the digital form available on the website: www.alteacultural.com/premisaltea.
emphasised: “The criteria for evaluating the partici pants will take into ac count the creativity of the decoration, its originality, the thematic setting, aes thetics, and advertising on social networks.” Entrants are required to tag the Benidorm City Council in their social me dia posts and include the hashtag #Benidorm nadal2023. To facilitate registra tions, a QR code has been provided, directing inter ested participants to the rules and registration form. This code is available on the AICO website and contestrelated posters. Alternatively, applicants can reach out via email to benidormnadal2023@ben idorm.org. The registration win dow closes on December 11, with the decorated displays expected to re main visible until January 8.
BENIDORM has a reputation for discovering real charac ters and one of those was the sexy magic show per former known as Sticky Vicky. Victoria María Aragüés Gadea was born in Tenerife in 1943 and moved to Barcelona, training as a bal let dancer but the death of Franco and the relaxation of censorship pointed her to a new direction. Having been persuaded to call herself Vicky Leyton by one of her management, she created a magic show where she performed in the nude and initially removed handkerchiefs from her v****a. In the early 80s she moved to Benidorm, sup posedly to take a break but discovered that there was a real demand from tourists for her risqué performances and having adopted the stage name of Sticky Vicky she expanded her role con siderably. The items that she man aged to make appear during her act ranged from eggs to
LOCAL NEWS
R.I.P. Sticky Vicky Credit: Maria Gadea Aragüés Facebook
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Maria with her mother Victoria.
ping pong balls, to razor blades, sausages and even a lit lightbulb. She became a legend in Benidorm and worked through until in 2015 her ca reer was brought to an end by a hip operation and then she was diagnosed with can cer and she decided it was time to retire and spend time with friends and family.
On November 29, her daughter Maria Gadea Aragüés said her mother had died. “I regret writing these words, my mother Sticky Vicky passed away to day at 6am, I can’t believe it she has gone surrounded by her family with all our love. I thank God for being able to always be by her side. I am left with a broken heart.”
NIBS EXTRA Alicante AI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) is infiltrating Alicante classrooms as educational in stitutions integrate it into curricula, equipping students for responsible AI utilisation. Teachers are now under pressure to grapple with the task of mastering, compre hending, and innovating teaching methods amidst the expanding influence of this technology.
Disability Day THE Association of the Dis abled of Benidorm, Asmibe, set up its 23rd traditional sol idarity market at the conflu ence of Calles Gambo and Martínez Alejos. The event took place on December 3 on the occasion of the cele bration of the International and European Day of People with Disabilities.
Great success THE Furyo Sports Club is ex periencing a 2023 to frame. The La Nucia entity, which this year celebrates its 38th anniversary, had never reached the levels of sport ing excellence of this season, in which it has achieved a multitude of successes and medals at an individual and collective level.
As a precaution GUARDIA CIVIL officers ar rested two people and dis mantled a marihuana plan tation in a rural area of the municipality after receiving an anonymous tip. The two detainees, both of Dutch na tionality and without crimi nal records, were released with precautionary mea sures after being brought to justice in La Villajoyosa.
AIDS Day THE Plaça Major of Gandia celebrated the reading of a manifesto on the occasion of World AIDS Day at 12.30pm on December 1. The data was created by the WHO in 1988 and was intended to donate support to people suffering from the virus and to donate resources that can help fight the virus.
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Paying in instalments RENFE, Spain’s public train operator, is rolling out a gamechanger for travellers, instalment payments for train tickets. In a strategic partnership with Aplazame, a platform under the WiZink umbrella, Renfe is breaking new ground by allowing ticket purchases exceeding €150 to be split into four manage able payments, completely interestfree and without any additional charges. According to Renfe, the driving force behind this ini tiative is to ‘optimise the cus tomer experience through the best solutions to enjoy
Image: Renfe / Facebook
LOCAL NEWS
TRAIN TICKETS: Purchase can be split into four payments.
comfort both when travel ling and when paying’. For customers eager to
embrace this hasslefree fi nancing, the process is re markably straightforward.
After selecting their tick ets, they can simply choose the ‘four months interest free’ payment option. As they proceed to the pay ment gateway, a convenient ‘send me’ option will pop up, requiring nothing more than an email address, a valid ID, and a bank card to unlock this stressfree payment plan. Beyond this customer centric approach, Renfe has put its money where its tracks are, investing a sub stantial €164 million in re vamping and modernising its ticket sales and reservation system.
Opening soon Community spirit EXCITEMENT is building in Calpe as the municipal swim ming pool, a hub of aquatic activities and community gathering, is on the cusp of reopening. The recent sealing off of the facilities and a change in locks mark the initial steps taken by the Calpe Council to streamline the reopening process. Ximo Perles, the councillor for Sports, shed light on the forthcoming procedures. He outlined that the new contract for the lifeguard service is in the works and, once awarded, will pave the way for the facilities to reopen the pool. The lifeguard service contract is anticipated to be fi nalised shortly, with a supersimplified contract model selected to expedite the process. Ximo Perles urged residents to exercise patience dur ing this transitional phase. If all progresses according to plan, the council antici pates the pool reopening for free swimming throughout January. IN the realm of medical excellence, two exceptional doctors from Ali cante, Dr Enrique de Madaria, a spe cialist in the Digestive System, and Dr Pedro Gutiérrez Carbonell, a dis tinguished child traumatologist, have rightfully claimed their spots among the top 50 in Spain. This prestigious acknowledgement comes courtesy of Top Doctors, a leading technology group spearhead ing the digital transformation of the health sector, which has meticulous ly curated this esteemed list for the past decade. The selection process is no small feat, it involves continuous yearly
THE ‘Bilingual El Campello’ collective, a diverse assem bly of both foreign and Spanish residents united by their passion for lan guage exchange, made a meaningful contribution to the community. Representatives of the collective have handed over a substantial dona tion of food, hygiene prod ucts, milk, oil, and other essentials to the caring in dividuals at Cáritas and the Santa Teresa Church. The intention is to facili tate the distribution of these provisions to families
Top fifty evaluation by the medical communi ty and specialists in various fields. Out of the five shining stars hailing from the Valencian Community, the duo from Alicante, Dr De Madaria and Dr Gutiérrez, share the spotlight with three other outstanding profes sionals: Dr Francisco Ripoll Orts in General Surgery and Digestive Sys tem, Dr Sabrina Kindem Gómez in Dermatology, and Dr Agustín Serra no Durbá in Children’s Urology, all representing the province of Valen cia.
facing economic hardship in the municipality. This act of social commit ment has become an annu al tradition for the group, a poignant expression of gratitude toward the town that has offered so much to its members on both a collective and individual level. The ‘Bilingual El Campel lo’ collective exemplifies the strength that emerges when a community comes together, transcending lin guistic and cultural bound aries to make a positive impact.
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Festive extravaganza AS the yuletide season unfolds, Gandia is decking the halls with over 70 festive activi ties, transforming the city into a winter won derland. Running until Three Kings’ Day, residents of all ages can revel in a diverse programme that promises to spread joy and holiday spirit. Adding to the festive ambience, the city’s Christmas lights will shine even brighter with the introduction of new illuminated signs adorned with characteristic Christ mas words. Mayor, Jose Prieto expressed his hope that these additions will not only captivate the public’s attention but also become cher ished elements in the photographic memo ries of Gandia’s resi dents.
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SCAN: Cava and canapes evening Image: Ayuntamiento de Finestrat
Finestrat lights up ON the first day of December, Finestrat welcomed the fes tive season with a vibrant Christmas tree lighting cere mony held at Plaça del Poble. Hundreds of people gath ered at this iconic square in the historic centre to witness the illumination of Christmas lights and the majestic Christ mas tree. Attendees enjoyed a warm treat of chocolate and chur ros. Plaça del Poble has be come a mustvisit location during the holiday season, with its beautifully adorned Christmas tree and festive decorations. The Christmas route through the town’s streets of fers residents and visitors the opportunity to capture the magic of the season at vari ous scenic spots, including La Fonteta intersection and the representation of the Nativity scene. Mayor Juanfran Pérez Llor ca, along with members of
LOCAL NEWS
Christmas tree ceremony.
the council, graced the occa sion, expressing the signifi cance of the event. He mentioned that Fines trat is now adorned in festive attire, inviting everyone to join the upcoming Christmas Market on December 15, 16, and 17. The lighting ceremony served as a delightful prelude to the festive activities that the town has in store for the holiday season.
SCAN, Society for the Care of Animals in Need, the local animal charity in El Verger arranged an evening of sophistication and good music on Satur day November 25, when they arranged a cava and canapes evening at the Casa Cultura in El Verger, with entertainment pro vided by the Marina Al ta’s The Entertainers. Af ter their cava and canapes the audience gathered in the beautiful auditorium ready for an evening of fantastic song and dance, and the Entertainers set the evening off with Proud Mary, their tribute to the great Tina Turner. The Entertainers wel comed back Jerry, who had recovered sufficiently from his back operation, and looked set for an evening of fun and super performance, with the se quins flashing and the tas
PROVERB OF THE WEEK “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” This proverb is from Japan and teaches us that perseverance is one of the most important virtues. Whatever happens - keep on keeping on!
The Entertainers performing Another Brick in the Wall.
sels swinging, and that was only the men!!! But fun it was, and their infec tious enjoyment in their songs quickly spread to the audience and soon they were regaled with songs from the Mamas & Papas, Lady Gaga and for me a very poignant Run from Josh Groban. The first set ended with the ever popular Another Brick in the Wall, which truly set them up for their second set which burst in to life with three Abba songs, including Does
1.4 billion The number of insects per person.
Your Mother Know, and the hits kept coming with Ring of Fire, Disco Inferno and Its Raining Men being highlights.
Chris and Adele Fel lows, SCAN Events Man agers, thanked the Enter tainers for a wonderful evening and for their ef forts throughout the year in helping local charities raise money. They as sured the audience that every euro raised would be put to good use help ing animals in need to find new and caring homes. For further information see SCAN Shelter on Face book.
Most chosen ACCORDING to data from the Hosbec Hotel Associ ation, the hotels in Benidorm are gearing up for an impressive 81.4 per cent occupancy during the bank holiday weekend starting December 8. Zooming out to capture the broader canvas of the Valencian Community, the hospitality industry is brimming with optimism. The reservation systems of hotels across the re gion boast an average booking volume of 70 per cent for the December long weekend. This stellar figure owes much of its success to the robust performance of Benidorm, which has consistently surpassed the 81 per cent occupancy mark. Notably, the tourist capital is keeping 86 per cent of its hotel facilities operational throughout the fall and winter, solidifying its status as a year round destination. Moving along the scenic Costa Blanca, reserva tions are holding strong at 62.2 per cent among establishments affiliated with the hotel associa tion. Alicante city anticipates a vibrant 59.4 per cent occupancy, while other picturesque locales like Calpe, l’Alfas del Pi, and Altea showcase planned occupancies ranging from 61.5 per cent to 72.1 per cent, according to the same sources.
Right to dream A YEAR ago, Finestrat resi dents Miguel Sellés and Pablo Martín embarked on a mission to Turkey to bring joy to refugee chil dren. Their Christmas ini tiative involved distribut ing toys to over 600 boys and girls in need. Now, Pablo Martín has produced a documentary titled ‘Right to Dream’, capturing the essence of their humanitarian pro ject. The documentary showcases the ‘Right to Dream’ initiative, focusing on the Christmas distribu tion of toys and the collab orative efforts with the Turkish association ‘Any thing for a Smile’. This association works to support young cancer patients from Syria. The audiovisual work provides a glimpse into the 30 hours of recording during Miguel and Pablo’s experience in Adana, Turkey, and the subse quent five to six months of editing. Nati Algado, the coun cillor for Culture, ex pressed pride in having such supportive neigh bours. She commended the two young men for choos ing to spend their Christ mas in Turkey.
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Fully booked A FESTIVE buzz is sweeping through Alicante as restau rants witness a surge in reservations for Christmas Day, some with prices reach ing up to €80. Diners looking to savour the holiday spirit without the kitchen hustle have swiftly secured tables at var ious city establishments. The hospitality sector is brimming with optimism, anticipating a robust cam paign reminiscent of the previous year, thanks to a substantial influx of reserva tions from eager customers. Industry insiders observe a trend where patrons pri oritise the experience of din ing out, showing a willing ness to place experience over price considerations. The Christmas lunch and dinner campaign unfolds throughout December, and
Image: telesniuk / Shutterstock.com
LOCAL NEWS
CHRISTMAS DAY: There has been a surge in bookings.
in recent years, it has even kicked off towards the end of November for early fes tive gatherings with friends and colleagues. Key industry players high light December 25 as a piv otal day, cautioning that those without secured reser vations may face challenges finding an available table. Regarding prices, restau
ALICANTE’S councillor for Tourism, Ana Poquet, and Fermín Crespo, the General Director of the Society of Projects for Digital Transformation recently convened to explore collaborative op portunities and strategise joint promotional ac tions. The focus of their discussions centred on leveraging the insights derived from the studies titled ‘From the City of Light to Alicante’. Ana Poquet underscored the significance of collaborative efforts between local and regional institutions to elevate Alicante’s profile within the film industry. The aim is to not only promote Alicante as a cinematic destination but also to catalyse eco nomic development within the hotel and hos
rant professionals indicate that there hasn’t been a sig nificant change compared to the previous year, with menus experiencing an ap proximate 7 per cent in crease. The price range for Christ mas Day meals varies among establishments but typically falls within the €40 to €80.
Cinematic allure
pitality sectors. The collaborative initiatives aim to position Alicante as an attractive location for audiovisual productions, emphasising the city’s appeal for both tourism promotion and economic growth. Alicante aspires to position itself as a dynam ic and enticing destination for the film industry, capitalising on its unique charm and diverse landscapes to attract a spectrum of audiovisual productions. The intersection of tourism promotion and economic development forms the cornerstone of these efforts, fostering a synergy that bene fits both the city and the film industry.
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Gift ideas IN a move to bolster local trade, Altea has unveiled a dynamic campaign under the banner ‘Regalo Altea’. This initiative, championed by the Altea Commerce Asso ciation (ALCEA) and support
ed by the council, empowers shoppers to purchase and gift a unique shopping card re deemable at participating lo cal businesses. Jose Maria Borja, the may or of Commerce, enthusiasti
Shining star
Boosting trade.
cally introduced the cam paign, stating, “We present a new ALCEA campaign that the council supports, aiming to offer a gift card with values of €10, €30, and €50, allowing anyone to share the joy of lo cal commerce.” Highlighting the thoughtful presentation of the cards, Borja emphasised their aes thetic appeal, enclosed in an envelope that itself is a work of art, showcasing the beauty of Altea’s brand and promot ing local businesses.
This strategic move not only serves as a gift but also encourages spending within the Altea community, fos tering a positive economic cycle. Crucially, the initiative is not confined to the festive season, as Borja pointed out, marking it as a longterm campaign designed to contin uously support and boost lo cal businesses. The aim is to create a sus tained impact that transcends seasonal boundaries.
LOCAL NEWS
Image: Zsu Badak / Shutterstock.com
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Image: Ayuntamiento de Altea
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Michelin star.
UNDER the gastronomic di rection of Paolo Casagrande, Orobianco restaurant in Calpe has once again been awarded a Michelin star for the 2024 Guide. This recognition high lights the restaurant’s com mitment to haute Mediter ranean cuisine with a strong Italian influence. Orobianco stands out not only for its culinary excel lence but also for its impec cable service, innovative cocktails, and breathtaking views of Calpe. The announcement was made during the Michelin Guide 2024 event at the Auditori Fòrum in Barcelona. Orobianco’s star reaf firms its position as a culi nary gem in the Communi ty, regaining the prestigious
distinction it had earned in the past. Paolo Casagrande, the Italian chef behind Orobian co, has been making waves in the culinary world. He already holds the maximum threestar rating for his work at the Lasarte restaurant in Barcelona. With Orobianco, Casagrande brings his ex pertise to Calpe, offering a unique blend of Italian haute cuisine in the heart of the Mediterranean. The Michelin star is a tes tament to Orobianco’s commitment to culinary ex cellence and innovation. The restaurant not only delights diners with its care fully crafted dishes but also provides a memorable din ing experience in a stunning setting overlooking the pic turesque town of Calpe.
LOCAL NEWS
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Bob Marquess AS Benidorm recovers from the revelries of the festivals, dedicated work ers are on a mission to cleanse and rejuvenate the surroundings of the Castell cliffs. The intensive cleaning initiative marks the begin ning of a meticulous pro cess aimed at restoring the area’s pristine charm. But the commitment to environmental steward ship doesn’t stop there. The councillor for Beach es and the Environment, Mónica Gómez, revealed the city’s holistic approach, stating, “Next week, the team of operators spe
cialised in vertical work will travel to Tossal de la Cala, the other large urban area of cliffs that sees a huge in flux of people every day.” Tossal de la Cala, much like Castell, stands as a tes tament to Benidorm’s nat ural beauty and draws visi tors from far and wide. In emphasising the signif icance of these initiatives, the councillor highlighted, “We are talking about two of the most visited tourist enclaves in Benidorm, and that is why the city council carries out the actions with in our reach to keep it in the best condition in terms of image and from an envi ronmental point of view.”
Compelling call IN a compelling call to the public, the El Campello Local Police Headquarters is urging residents to re flect on the devastating consequences of driving under the influence of al cohol and other sub stances. The gravity of the situa tion has been under scored by the National In stitute of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, which recently released its report for 2022. The findings are noth
ing short of alarming, re vealing that over half of the 854 drivers who lost their lives had alcohol (35 per cent), drugs (20 per cent), or psychotropic drugs (14 per cent) in their systems. Even more concerning is the fact that in onethird of these cases, individuals had consumed a danger ous cocktail of two or more of these substances, with the alcoholdrug combination emerging as the most prevalent.
George Cunningham ON the evening of December 2, El Campello ignited the Christmas spirit with a spec tacular celebration of lights, music, and the unexpected delight of snow. The Plaza de la Constitución came alive at 7.00pm, draw ing in hundreds of eager souls ready to embark on a festive journey. This marked the beginning of a vibrant programme set to unfold until January 7, promis ing 50 events that span the realms of concerts, theatre, a craft market, mascletá, sports competitions, training and en tertainment workshops, fami ly gatherings, a visit from the cheerful Santa Claus and the Royal Postman, and the grand parade of the Three Kings. As the clock struck 7.00pm, entire families gathered to witness the magic unfold. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and the Plaza de la Constitución trans formed into a winter wonder land. Then, the machines whirred to life, releasing a cas cade of snowflakes that danced and twirled, trans
34% Percentage of adults that sleep with a stuffed animal or comfort object.
forming the square into a snowy haven For a town where snow is a rarity, December 2 became a day when dreams of a white Christmas came true in El Campello.
Image: Ayuntamiento de El Campello
Charming Let it snow
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UNEXPECTED DELIGHT: A winter wonderland.
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George Cunningham GET ready for a day of excitement, fun, and surprises as Calpe Council plans a special visit to EXPONADAL in Alicante on December 28. To make the experience even more accessi ble, the council is offering a free bus ride for participants. All you need to do is purchase your Exponadal ticket in advance and secure your spot on the bus. To registser for the free bus ride, registra
Bus trip
tion is need and places are limited, call (+34) 610 661 135 or (+34) 664 281 810. Attendees aged 14 and above do not re quire accompanying persons but must pro vide the necessary authorisation. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy a day filled with entertainment and laughter.
LOCAL NEWS
Human calendar
Anna Ellis IN a tradition that has garnered re sounding success in previous years, the third edition of the ‘Teulada Moraira 2023 Advent Calendar’ is set to enchant the community once again. This unique ‘Advent Calendar of Wish es’ unveils the dreams and aspirations of residents, turning the balconies of Teula da and Moraira into a festive display of hope and joy. Featuring 24 new participants, careful ly selected to represent the town, this initiative is a standout in the Christmas Campaign organised by Teulada. Until December 24, the balconies along Avenida Santa Catalina Avenue in Teulada and Calle Doctor Calatayud in Moraira will transform into a living ad vent calendar, each day revealing a new canvas adorned with the image and wish of a resident. As the days unfold, familiar faces from the municipality will take centre stage, each sharing their heartfelt wish for the
season. The anticipation builds as each canvas is revealed, creating a daily spectacle that adds a touch of magic to Teulada Moraira. Once all 24 protagonists and their wishes have been unveiled, their images will continue to grace the balconies, cre ating a lasting display of community spirit that extends beyond the holiday season.
George Cunningham THE Fiddler Pub in Moraira enjoyed a very successful charity event on November 26 in aid of the El Preventoria da Gandia Chil dren’s Home. From midday onwards, the pub came alive with people eager to contribute to the noble cause. The highlight of the day was an unexpect ed visit from none other than Elvis himself, injecting an extra dose of energy into the festivities. The Fiddler Pub expressed immense grat itude to the Keys petanque and paddle groups, Loops hairdressers, the Beauty Suite, Las Dose Perlas, and the Teaquila walking group for their thoughtful gift dona tions.
The collective effort of everyone in volved, along with the support of the com munity, resulted in an astounding €2,330 raised during the day. Monica, representing the Preventoria da Gandia children’s home, was visibly moved and overwhelmed when presented with this substantial donation for the children. Tim O’Brien, the landlord of The Fiddler, took a moment to praise the staff, musi cians, and every individual who played a role in making the day a splendid success. The event was particularly meaningful, held in memory of his late wife Lisa, who had founded the support fund for the chil dren’s home.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Teulada Moraira
CALENDAR: Set to enchant the community.
Fiddler fun
FEATURE
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UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement on 22 November. For UK residents the good news was the cuts in National Insurance Contribitions, though income tax thresholds remain frozen. It was also confirmed that three new pension allowances will be introduced. National Insurance contributions cuts Now that UK inflation has halved and the economic recovery is swifter than expected, there was room for tax cuts. Effective 6 January 2024, the main rate of Class 1 employee National Insurance contributions (NICs) will be reduced from 12% to 10%, while for Class 4 self-employed people the rate decreases from 9% to 8% from 6 April 2024. Tax allowances remain frozen The National Insurance cuts are welcome, but only partially offset the fiscal drag created by the frozen income tax thresholds. The budget did not include any plans to remove the freeze, scheduled until 2028. Often referred to as ‘tax by stealth’, freezing thresholds and allowances results in many taxpayers paying more tax over time. The pension triple lock rise The government confirmed its commitment to the pensions triple lock, where the state pension is augmented by
7 - 13 December 2023
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UK Autumn Budget and new pensions allowances By Brett Hanson, Senior Partner, Blevins Franks
the highest of three metrics: average earnings growth, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation, or a minimum of 2.5%. The State Pension therefore rises by 8.5% from next April, in line with earnings. New pension allowances Legislation proposed in the Autumn
Finance Bill 2023 eliminates the Lifetime Allowance and introduces three allowances in its place. Two were anticipated, but official documents published the same day as the Autumn Statement also revealed a new ‘Overseas Transfer Allowance’. Lump Sum Allowance The Lump Sum Allowance (LSA) applies to payments made during the pension scheme member's lifetime. It will be set at a fixed limit of £268,275. It encompasses tax-free cash from Pension Commencement Lump Sums and Uncrystallised Funds Pension Lump Sums. Notably, it also includes trivial commutation lump sums, small lump sums and winding-up lump sums with uncrystallised rights. The Lump Sum Death Benefits Allowance The Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA) will have a fixed limit of £1,073,100 and be applicable to death lump sum payments.
When the death benefit is paid as a lump sum, it will only be tax-free if it falls below the deceased's remaining LSDBA. Any excess will be taxable at the beneficiary’s marginal rate of income tax. This applies regardless of the member’s age when they die. If the pension fund is designated to drawdown within two years of the death, and the benefit is taken as pension income, the age of death remains relevant. If the death occurs before age 75, the payment will be tax free. If after 75, the recipient will pay income tax. The Overseas Transfer Allowance Also starting next April, the Overseas Transfer Allowance (OTA) will apply to transfers of registered pension schemes out of the UK into Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pensions Schemes (QROPS). It will also be set at £1,073,100. From the information released so far – the proposed law is yet to receive royal assent– one could conclude that the
Overseas Transfer Allowance metaphorically replaces the Lifetime Allowance for overseas transfers. While transfers into QROPS were tested against the Lifetime Allowance until April 2023, from 2024 they will be tested against Overseas Transfer Allowance. Any excess will now be subject to the Overseas Transfer Charge of 25%. These reforms make an already complex regime even more of a minefield, particularly for expatriates, so it is important to take personalised, regulated cross-border advice. The 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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Nora Shephard NAVIGATING the unpre dictable terrain of earthquakes is a chal lenge that demands more than just re silience, it requires fore sight. Imagine having the ability to foresee an im pending earthquake, even if just for a few precious seconds. Those seconds could be the fine line between a momentary scare and a fullblown catastro phe. Enter the ground breaking research spearheaded by the Uni versity of Alicante, where seismic sensors have been strategically positioned across Ori huela. The mission? To un cover whether the sub tle whispers of the Earth can tip us off to an im
Image: R R / Shuttertstock.com
Shaky ground
George Cunningham IN an unexpected twist, what many perceive as a danger is emerging as a unique invest ment opportunity in the Ali cante Province. The sale of squatted homes has wit nessed a significant surge in recent months, attracting those seeking highvalue properties at a fraction of their original price. While this opportunity comes with the caveat of assuming the costs and time associated with the judicial process, it has gar nered attention as an intrigu ing prospect.
LOCAL NEWS
Opportunity knocks Web portals have become filled with advertisements featuring a distinctive warn ing: ‘Attention, squatted housing!’ Contrary to initial perceptions, this message is becoming an enticing draw for individuals on the lookout for investment opportunities. Marifé Esteso, the presi dent of the Association of Re al Estate Agents of Alicante, notes a substantial increase in the availability of such real es tate products in the past eight
to 10 months. Contrary to common as sumptions about squatted homes being predominantly located in lowincome areas, these properties are now be ing offered in some of the most soughtafter neighbour hoods, including Playa de San Juan and Albufereta. This shift in perception and the growing interest in squat ted homes underscore the dy namic nature of the real es tate market in Alicante.
EARTHQUAKES: Can we anticipate seismic activity?
pending quake. Sergio Molina Palacios a professor in the realm of Earth Physics at the University of Alicante, is steering the ship with the FastImpact project. Palacios envisions a seismic forecast akin to the weather predictions we’ve grown accus tomed to. While it won’t magi cally unveil the precise moment an earthquake
will strike, it could be the warning sign of seis mic activity. Speaking from the 13th International Congress on Seismic Risk where the smartest minds from Japan, Mexi co, Italy, and beyond have converged, Palacios has shed light on their mission and Alicante, nestled in an area prone to seismic activity, serves as their testing ground.
A NEW era is dawning for the Collegiate Church of Gandia’s Bell Tower as plans for its restora tion are unveiled, bringing with it the promise of breathtaking views and a deeper connection to the city’s rich history. Architect Jesús Roche, the mind behind the restoration studies, shares insights into the tower’s past, present, and the exciting future it holds as a potential tourism attraction. Dating back to the 13th century, the Bell Tower has stood as a silent witness to Gandia’s evolution. Once considered a possible watch tower for 40 years, the tower has always been intricately linked to the Collegiate Church and the city itself. The artchitect notes the urgency of the
Unlocking history restoration, lamenting the neglect the Bell Tower has suffered, both externally and inter nally, since a restoration study was mandated by the Ministry in 1993. Three decades later, the comprehensive restoration aims to address this oversight. The plan encompasses cleaning inappropri ate elements, refurbishing coverings, and reor ganising the interior for public visitation. Archaeological studies precede the restora tion, revealing hidden treasures like exterior paintings, 15thcentury worker ‘graffiti’, and even eight concealed arches that may serve as windows, promising further discoveries.
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7 - 13 December 2023
Bob Marques THE Nativity Crib Scene Asso ciation of El Campello with 16 dedicated artisans is once again mesmerising audiences with the exceptional crafts manship. President Francisco Climent commended the association’s unwavering dedication, stat ing, “We approach this work with great enthusiasm, intro ducing new elements each year to make the Nativity Scene truly oneofakind.” This year’s crib unfolds in two distinct stages: Bethle hem and Egypt. From bustling markets to Nora Shephard HAVE you ever heard of a flowering plant under the sea? Well, brace yourself for a captivating natural event un folding along the coasts of the Spanish Mediterranean. Meet Posidonia oceanica, not your ordinary algae but a majestic flowering plant with a secret to share.
Image: Ayuntamiento de El Campello
Campello craftmanship
NATIVITY SCENE: The display is steeped in tradition.
local vegetation, inns, and the iconic Nativity Scene, the dis play is steeped in tradition. The journey spans from the desert to the Nile, featuring Herod’s castle, the illustrious
Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Palace of Isis, islands, sailing boats, fishing villages, and even mischievous mice tucked away in corners. And, adding a touch of hu
mour to the elaborate specta cle, the traditional Spanish ‘ca ganer’ makes a whimsical ap pearance. The caganer is a typical Christmas figure characterised by its cheeky position in the nativity scene. Amid this tradition, we usu ally spot a crouched man more or less hidden answer ing the call of nature out doors. It is said that not exhibiting him in a nativity scene brings misfortune since his faeces fertilise the ground and also bring luck and happiness for the year ahead.
Blooming wonders According to the biologist Juan Antonio Pujol, Posidonia oceanica, commonly known as Posidonia, is currently stealing the spotlight with a grand syn chronised flowering. What’s causing this extraor
dinary phenomenon? Blame it on the rising temperatures of the Mediterranean Sea. Recent years have seen a surge in heat, subjecting Posi donia to environmental stress. This stress, in turn, seems to be
the driving force behind these massive and increasingly fre quent blooms. The coastal waters of Ali cante, for instance, experi enced a temperature surge, soaring to 30 degrees.
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Vertical Kilometre Anna Ellis THE Vertical Kilometre event in Finestrat is set to become the FEMECV (Valencian Com munity Mountain Sports Fed eration) Regional Champi onship and will be integrated into the VK OPEN Interna tional Circuit of the ISF (Inter national Skyrunning Federa tion). The race is scheduled for April 28, 2024, adding anoth er significant event to the mountain racing calendar. Beatriz Quintillán, the councillor for Sports, ex pressed her delight at this de velopment, emphasising the town council’s longstanding commitment to hosting such sporting events. Finestrat has become a trail running hub, attracting enthusiasts to its challenging terrains, exempli fied by the recent Costa Blan ca Trails event that saw over 1,600 participants. The Vertical Kilometre, with its legendary ascent, is set to be the Autonomous
Image: Ayuntamiento de Finestrat
LOCAL NEWS
Race will be in April.
Championship of the Federa tion and will serve as the Spanish leg of the VK OPEN International Circuit. The VK OPEN features races in eight countries across two continents, including Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Andorra, Bulgaria, Austria, and Colombia. The popularity of the event has surged, as demonstrated by the significant increase in participation in the 2023 edi tion, drawing over 400 ath letes from 29 countries. The upcoming 2024 edition on April 28 promises to be a highlight on the international trail running calendar.
12 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023 Bob Marquess THE Italian city of Alba recently played host to a dazzling culinary event, a dinner infused with cre ativity and starred excellence, led by none other than Chef Alberto Ferruz from Denia, boasting two Michelin stars. This gastronomic gathering served as the focal point for a meeting of five UNESCO Creative Cities, laying the groundwork for strengthened ties among Euro pean cities of Gastronomy. Dubbed ‘Creative Moments’, the event was orchestrated by the host city, Alba, featuring a gala ceremony where five accom plished chefs from UNESCO Cre ative Cities of Gastronomy show cased the distinctive products and dishes of their respective ter
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Creative moments Image: Ayuntamiento de Denia
A dazzling culinary event.
ritories. Collaborating chefs hailed from the cities of Rouen (France), San
ta Maria da Feira (Portugal), Zahle (Lebanon), Denia, and Alba itself. Each chef brought to the table the unique flavours and culinary heritage of their region, ensuring a symphony of tastes that cele brated the diversity and richness of European gastronomy. Situated in the Piedmont re gion of Italy, Alba holds the dis tinction of being the capital of the globally acclaimed white truf fle. The city hosts four annual events dedicated to this gastro nomic treasure, drawing enthusi asts from around the world.
Bob Marquess IN its ongoing commitment to sustainabili ty, Finestrat Town Council has installed two additional electric vehicle charging points in the municipal car park. These 22 KW double charging points, categorised as semifast charging, were ful ly funded through a subsidy of €14,638.77 from the Alicante Provincial Council. These charging points are part of the broader strategy to promote electric mo
LOCAL NEWS
Coastal demarcation George Cunningham THE proposed coastal demar cation has stirred concerns among numerous property owners along the coast of De nia. The delineation, as it stands, encompasses 3,600 homes within an easement zone, with the land of 135 properties tran sitioning directly into the public domain. But why is this happening? The primary objective be hind establishing a coastal boundary is to create a protec tive zone against the potential impact of occasional or perma nent sea level rises and waves. This zone extends between 20 and 100 metres from the
Fully charged bility and provide ecofriendly alternatives for residents and visitors. Users can access the charging service through the Iberdrola Public Recharge App, allowing them to geolocate, reserve, and make payments for recharges via mo bile phone. The councillor for the Environment, Es
shoreline, incorporating the beach and dunes. The coastal demarcation designates the seashore, en tering the public maritimeter restrial domain, with the scope varying depending on the na ture of the land at the time the law was enacted. In essence, this includes the beach and adjacent areas. However, when the beach is no longer present, as observed in the northern region of De nia, the adjacent land takes its place. Regardless of the specific land use, an area of public do main must be established, ex tending into what is now part of the first line of housing.
tela Álvarez, emphasised the town’s com mitment to sustainability, stating that “Finestrat now boasts four semifast charging spaces for electric vehicles in the municipal car park, enhancing the network of charging points available in the town. “With approximately 10,000 inhabi tants, we are among the towns in the province of Alicante with the most charg ing points.” The new charging points are expected to be operational shortly.
14 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
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FEATURE
It’s official. Farewell to the Inheritance and Gift Tax in the Valencian Region. 99% tax relief. Parents. Children. Spouses. Legal advice. WE anticipated it a few weeks ago and it is now official. On November 23, 2023, Law 6/2023 which modifies the In heritance and Gift Tax in the Va lencian Region came into force. In this week’s article we analyse
the small print of the new law. Main changes and novelties. And how it will affect the taxes to be paid by anyone who re ceives an inheritance or a gift from now on. Changes in the Gift Tax
Until now, gifts between par ents and children; and between grandparents and grandchildren (when the parents who acted as a link between the two had passed away) were eligible for a kinship reduction of €100,000 (up to €156,000 when the recipi ent of the gift was under 21 years of age). However, this re duction could only be applied when the recipient of the dona tion (donee) had an estate equal to or less than €600,000. With the change in the law: The requirement for the donee to have an estate equal to less than €600,000 is eliminat ed. The donor’s spouse can also benefit from this kinship reduc tion. This kinship reduction can now be applied to direct dona tions between grandparents and grandchildren (without the need for the link between the two father or mother to be de ceased). The limitation that prevent ed making use of the reduction for kinship when the donor or
donee had already applied this in the previous 10 years has been removed. However, the most impor tant change is undoubtedly the 99 per cent rebate for spouses, parents, adoptive parents, chil dren, adopted children, grand children and grandparents of the donor. This rebate will also be applicable to individuals with a physical or sensory disability of more than 65 per cent, or a mental disability of more than 33 per cent. Novelties in Inheritance Tax Inheritance tax also presents important changes. The main deductions (€100,000 for kin ship, up to €150,000 for the pur chase of the main residence, etc) remain unchanged. Howev
er, the tax reliefs have been sub stantially modified. The kinship tax rebate is in creased to 99 per cent for: Descendants or adopted children, spouses, ascendants and adoptive parents. People with a physical or sensory disability of over 65 per cent, or a mental disability of over 33 per cent. How does this change in the law affect me? Practical exam ple After the death of his father, Peter (only child) inherits his fa ther’s main residence (€200,000), a holiday apartment (€300,000) and a bank account (€50,000). Before this change in the law was passed, Peter would have paid approximately
Carlos Baos (Lawyer) - White&Baos - Tel: +34 966 426 185 info@white-baos.com White & Baos 2023 All Rights Reserved.
€27,000 in inheritance tax. After the passing of the law, the amount to be paid by him will be around €600. When do these changes in the Inheritance and Gift Tax law come into force? The effects of this modifica tion will apply retroactively to gifts and deaths that took place after 28.05.23. If you have paid Inheritance or Gift Tax on a do nation or inheritance after this date, you are entitled to get your money back. Our office can help you. Conclusions The modification of the Inher itance and Gift Tax is a radical change in the tax landscape of the Valencian Region. At White Baos Lawyer we are experts in Inheritance Law and Inheritance Tax. Do not hesitate to contact us. We will study your case and offer you expert legal advice to recover your money. The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys information relating to legal is sues.
16 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
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DENIA and Verger are em barking on an exciting venture to reshape the landscape of the old Safari Park plot. Spanning an area of 319,212 m2, the Safari Park plot is a treasure trove nestled be tween the two municipalities.
Some 102,044 m2 of the plot is within Denia, an area designated as nondevel opable land with the unique status of being a natural pro tection wet area. The remain ing 217,168 m2, situated in El Verger, beckons to be mould
ed into a space that not only meets the needs of the com munity but also pays homage to the environmental legacy of the Safari Park plot. The challenge lies in orches trating a harmonious blend between the two.
Magic of Christmas Nora Shephard THE magic of Christmas comes alive in the heart of Alicante as the Municipal Nativity Scene takes centre stage in the town hall hallway. Under the theme ‘Birth on the Other Side of the Sea’, this nativity scene is a testament to the rich traditions of the region. With over 30 meticulously crafted figures, the nativity scene captures the essence of an Alicantestyle Christmas. The main figures, standing at 19 centime tres, take centre stage, while those in the background, measuring 14 centimetres, complete the picturesque display. Sourced from renowned nativity scene makers Ángeles Cámara in Callosa de Segura and Artesanía Mayo in Madrid, the figures are true works of art. The scene unfolds on the island of Tabar ca, providing a unique twist to the timeless story. Nestled in one of the beach bars along the
Image: Lukrecja / Shutterstock.com
Reshaping landscapes
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NATIVITY SCENE: To take centre stage.
shore, the nativity scene showcases a group of fishermen receiving the Angel’s an nouncement of the birth of Jesus. The island’s streets come alive with the procession of the Three Wise Men, adding a touch of authenticity to the depiction. The nativity is open to viewing from Mon day to Sunday 9.30am until 12.30pm. After noon viewings are available from Tuesday to Friday 4.30pm until 7.30pm.
Cultural exchange Bob Marquess IN a spirit of cultural exchange and European cooperation, a delegation from Calpe, coordi nated by the twinning department, embarked on a visit to Sant Laurent du Var in France and Oppenheim in Germany. The aim of this journey was to rejuvenate and bolster the cultural and social ties that exist between Calpe and its twinned municipalities. The delegation engaged in fruitful discus sions with representatives from Sant Laurent du Var and Oppenheim to outline plans for var ious activities in the years ahead. The visit served as a pivotal moment in the consolidation of the twinning project with Sant
Laurent du Var, and it marked a reconnection with Oppenheim, a German city that has been twinned with Calpe for over two decades. Silke Rautenberg, the mayor of Oppenheim, took the opportunity to announce that the German city would celebrate its eighth cente nary in 2025. She expressed the city’s intent to include Calpe in the commemorative events, solidify ing the longstanding bond between the two municipalities. In a parallel development, Joseph Segura, the mayor of Sant Lauren Du Var, revealed plans to formalise the twinning charter with Calpe in 2024.
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7 - 13 December 2023
THE Euro Weekly News has teamed up with Age in Spain to uncover some of the great things happening around the country. We want to find those un sung heroes who deserve to be thanked for what they’re doing. Dinner for two, a cer tificate for framing, and con gratulations from the UK Am bassador to Spain await the winner. Has someone done you a good turn? Nominating them for the Good Neighbour Award is a great way to say thank you. The outright winner last year was Lucia Miguel Bores from Carrion de los Condes, in Spain’s meseta. The lan guage school she founded has become a portal for new comers to Spain, not only to learn language skills but through which people get help to deal with the chal lenges of life in a new coun try. Grateful students nomi nated Lucia for the award.
Credit: Holger Kraft/Pixabay
Good neighbour 2023
Does someone help you with the shopping?
There was a special com mendation for Kay Rowbot tom in Mojacar who, during lockdown, set up an online support group for women who felt isolated or vulnera ble. Also, Kay Frances Sturdy girlsRus, beginning as a local group for Spanish women and incomers, it now has more than 1,500 members throughout the world. With her late husband, Peter, Pat Love from the Loja area of Granada won special commendation for starting a
group for Englishspeaking migrants to Spain. Pat coor dinated with UK Consular services in Granada and Malaga to help newcomers find their feet in their adopt ed country. It takes two minutes to nominate someone (that person must live in Spain) and everyone nominated will receive congratulations from Age in Spain. Go to www.ageinspain. org/goodneighbouraward to say thank you to that special person who’s helped you.
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18 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
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NEWS
By John Ensor IS the future of young drivers’ mobility about to change? The Ministry of the Interior, as part of its ‘Road Safety Strategy 2023′ plan, unveiled a new driving permit that could rede fine vehicular access for the youth. The scheme, which was an nounced in the previous leg islative session, the B1 licence remains a key agenda and is expected to come into force in 2024. The introduction of the B1 li cence was announced as a sig nificant development in the realm of road safety and elec tric mobility. This initiative aims to provide young individ uals, starting at 16, with a more gradual and responsible path to car driving. The B1 licence, deriving from the existing type B li cence, has already seen suc cessful implementation in countries like the United King dom, Italy, and Portugal. The B1 licence facilitates en hanced mobility for young drivers and contributes to the
Credit: BestPhotoSudio/Shutterstock.com
Green light to B1 Licence
YOUNG DRIVERS: A more responsible path to car driving.
broader goals of road safety and sustainable transporta tion. It recognises the growing in terest among the youth in electric vehicles and aims to in tegrate them into the trans portation system safely and re sponsibly. The B1 licence stands out with its eligibility age set at 16, a notable shift from the cur rent options limited to motor cycles and mopeds. This new category enables youngsters to operate motorised quadri cycles, tricycles, quads, and light quadricycles. These vehi cles can weigh up to 400 kilo
grams (excluding battery weight for electric models) and have a maximum power of 15 kW. Particularly, it applies to L7e classified vehicles, pre dominantly electric, with pow er not exceeding 15kW. Validity of the B1 licence ex tends up to three years, post which holders can upgrade to the standard B licence upon reaching adulthood. To obtain the B1 licence, applicants must clear both theoretical and practical examinations. The launch of this licence, initially scheduled for this year, was postponed due to political delays.
20 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023 NEXT month the UK will deploy seven Royal Navy vessels as part of a European Joint Expedi tionary Force (JEF) to safeguard critical undersea infrastructure. In a remarkable defensive ini tiative, the UK will launch a naval task force comprising seven Roy al Navy vessels and a Royal Air Force aircraft and will join forces with nine other European coun tries as part of JEF. On Tuesday, November 28, de fence ministers from the 10 Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations reached a unanimous decision. They agreed to launch a firstof itskind operation, deploying a task force comprising two frigates, two offshore patrol ves sels, mine countermeasures ves sels, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary land ing ship, and a RAF P8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
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Undersea defence
The task force is scheduled to set sail in early December, join ing forces with ships and aircraft from other JEF nations. This col lective effort aims to patrol a vast area stretching from the En glish Channel to the Baltic Sea. This operation underscores the seamless interoperability be tween JEF nations across mar itime and air domains. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps stated, “This historic and unprecedented agreement will see a Royal Navy task force of seven ships, supported by the RAF, join allies from across northern Europe as part of a
Naval task force.
AFTER the Danish realestate chain EDC refused to pay a very large ransom, a Russian hacker group published the personal information of over 1,000 clients online. It included copies of about 1,300 passports, driving li cences, and health insurance certificates that were stolen by the proRussian ran somware group Black Basta on November 1. Contact information such as telephone numbers, e mail addresses and address es including secret address es and almost 100,000 social security numbers are also said to have been freely distributed. The action was confirmed
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joint operation to defend our shared critical infrastructure against potential threats.” He emphasised the commitment to defending mutual interests and upholding the rulesbased inter national order. This deployment will intensify surveillance around offshore as sets and facilitate intelligence sharing among JEF nations. It builds on NATO’s recent Vigi lance Activity in the Baltic Sea re gion. This collaboration repre sents a significant step in defending offshore critical infras tructure, which has recently seen a surge in threats and attacks. The JEF, comprising Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK, focuses on security in the High North, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea regions.
Real-estate hack by EDC’s information man ager, Jan Nordmann. “It is correct. It is, as far as we know, a Russian group that cofinances war activities. We don’t want to support that, and we don’t think our customers will either,” he stated. Black Basta specifically stole approximately 2.5 ter abytes of data from the company after allegedly ac cessing a backup file that had been created by human error, according to EDC. The Russian hackers did not gain entry to EDC’s main server though.
EDC has tried to contact everyone whose informa tion has now been pub lished. “We sent out many hundreds of thousands of emails to those whose con tact details we have, but I can’t say that we have man aged to get hold of them all. We have done what we could,” Nordmann added. In an effort to strengthen its defences against similar attacks, EDC has increased its defences. “Our security level was high before, it is ex tremely high now,” revealed the company’s information manager.
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TESLA filed a lawsuit against the Swedish Transport Agency on Monday, November 27, at Norrköping District Court, in the region where the Agency is based. Similarly, Elon Musk’s electric vehicle manufacturer filed a case against the Nordic postal service Postnord, this time at Solna District Court. The purpose of the lawsuits is to gain access to number plates for its vehicles that strik
7 - 13 December 2023
Tesla sues
ing workers in Sweden have halted. “This behaviour consti tutes a targeted, baseless and discriminatory attack on Tesla, its employees and customers,” said Tesla. A court order was also made, requesting a socalled interim safety measure that
the number plates can be col lected directly from the plate manufacturer while the legal process is ongoing. This re quest was duly approved by Norrköping District Court. The district court’s decision read: ‘The Swedish Transport Agency is ordered to agree, at
Wilders setback GEERT WILDERS suffered a major setback in his hope of forming a governing coalition when a potential key partner ruled itself out on Wednes day, November 29. The former Christian Democrat MP, Pieter Omtzigt, won 20 seats in last week’s election with new party Nieuw Sociaal Contract. His support was considered to be crucial in helping the new PVV leader to form a coalition gov ernment. Ronald Plasterk, the former Labour party minister, re placed Gom van Strien as the man tasked with identifying potential coalition partners. For a working majority, Wilders needs the backing of 76 MPs in the 150seat parlia ment. Omtzigt however reported ly informed Plasterk that he was not ready to discuss forming either a majority or a minority cabinet. “All in all, the NSC faction
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does not now see any basis to start talks with the PVV about a majority or a minority gov ernment,” he said in a letter to the ‘scout’.
He added that he believed the PVV manifesto: “contains views which in our judgement go against the constitution... here we draw a hard line.”
the latest within seven days of notification of the district court’s decision at the risk of a fine of SEK 1,000,000, that Tesla can pick up licence plates for the vehicles that Tesla owns.
Credit: Holger.Ellgaard/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
The Tesla factory in Segeltorp, Sweden.
22 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
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14-day government Credit: Giorgi Abdaladze/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
A GOVERNMENT that is ex pected to last no longer than 14 days was sworn in on Mon day, November 27, by Polish President Andrzej Duda. The move is seen as a tacti cal manoeuvre that will allow the conservative Law and Justice party to stay in power a little longer and give them time to make more appoint ments in their government agencies. Following the national elections held in October, Duda swore in Prime Minis ter Mateusz Morawiecki, who had already been in of fice since the end of 2017. According to the Polish constitution, Morawiecki and his cabinet now have 14 days to submit to parliament for a vote of confidence.
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Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Due to the fact that Morawiecki has no coalition after his Law and Justice par
ty lost its parliamentary ma jority and no other party wants to be part of the gov
ernment, they will almost certainly lose the vote, with the PM recently estimating his chances to be ‘10 per cent or even less’. Critics of Morawiecki and Duda have condemned the decision to form a govern ment that clearly has no chance of gaining the sup port of parliament, consider ing it a hopeless act of politi cal theatre, said a news outlet. After eight years in power, Law and Justice won the most votes in the elections, but lost its parliamentary majority and won only 194 seats in the 460seat Sejm.
Controversial guru arrested A TOTAL of 41 people were arrested during police raids conducted in France on Tuesday, November 28. According to judicial sources close to the investigation, the detainees were suspected of being linked to an international sect ac cused of numerous abuses under the cover of the practice of yoga. Among those arrested was 71yearold Gregorian Bivolaru, the Romanian spiritual guru and founder of this controversial inter national yoga movement, the source re vealed. Other alleged ‘important leaders’ of the sect were also arrested, the source said. The arrests took place in the Paris region and in the AlpesMaritimes, according to the source. Some 175 police officers were de ployed in a largescale operation, coordinat ed by the OCRVP (Central Office for the Re pression of Violence against Persons). During
the arrests, 26 women, several of whom were under influence, were released. Known as the Movement for Spiritual Inte gration towards the Absolute (Misa), the sect has many yoga schools and other branches across France, the source reported. “It is difficult to quantify the number of fol lowers,” they said, but suggested that it to talled: “several hundred people.” A judicial investigation was opened by the Paris prosecutor’s office in July 2023, for abuse of weakness, kidnapping by an organ ised gang, rape and human trafficking. At the end of July 2022, Miviludes (Inter ministerial Mission for Vigilance and the Fight against Sectarian Abuses) sent a report to the public prosecutor after being informed by the Human Rights League (LDH) of 12 reports from former members of the Misa move ment, a judicial source told the media.
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CC - Marcus Lynam
Shane McGowan passes
THE legendary Pogues front man has died, with tributes from politicians, fellow celebri ties and fans pouring in. On Thursday, November 30, the world lost Shane Mc Gowan, one of Ireland’s most iconic singers, following a long fought battle against viral en cephalitis. Shane, aged 65, was re leased from hospital only last week, but his wife Victoria Mary Clarke posted a message on Instagram to confirm on Thursday afternoon he had sadly passed away and paid her own heartfelt respects: “I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures.” Taoiseach Leo Varadkar posted: “Sorry to hear that Shane McGowan has passed. He was an amazing musician and artist. His songs beautiful ly captured the Irish experi ence, especially the experi ence of being Irish abroad:
SHANE MCGOWAN: One of Ireland’s most iconic singers.
Shane MacGowan, Fairytale of New York singer, dies aged 65.” Ireland’s President Higgins issued a statement in tribute: “Shane will be remembered as one of music’s greatest lyri cists. So many of his songs would be perfectly crafted po ems, if that would not have deprived us of the opportunity to hear him sing them. “It was a great honour for me, as President of Ireland, to present Shane with a lifetime achievement award in the Na
tional Concert Hall in January 2018 as we marked his 60th birthday. “A richly deserved honour,” he concluded before offering his deepest condolences to Shane’s family. Shane’s sister, Siobhan sim ply quoted the lyrics from one of Pogues many memorable songs: ‘So I walked as day was dawning, as small birds sang and leaves were falling, where we once watched the row boats landing on the Broad Majestic Shannon’.
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Festive splendour ON December 6, the Christ mas market in Denia will un fold its festive splendour, cast ing a magical atmosphere across the Plaça del Consell, the Racó de la Infanta Mar garita, and the Plaça de la Constitució. The market promises a de lightful experience for visitors, creating a winter wonderland filled with local crafts, arti sanal treasures, and seasonal delights. Running from 10.00am un til 2.00pm and then from 5.00pm until 9.00pm, the Christmas market will capti
vate visitors until December 10. Local merchants will show case an array of items, from handmade crafts and gifts to ornate decorations. The market will also be a haven for those seeking tra ditional gastronomic de lights, featuring turrons, chocolates, marzipans, and powders that define the fes tive season. Beyond the shopping al lure, the Denia Christmas Market promises an array of lively animations and activi ties for all ages.
Time to glide THE holiday season in Alicante just got a frosty upgrade with the triumphant return of the Ice Rink at the Bullring. Open until January 7, the Ice Rink beckons adventureseekers and merrymakers alike during the following hours: Monday to Friday: from 4pm until 10pm. Weekends and Holidays from midday to 10pm and from December 22 to January 7, the rink is open from midday to 10pm. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just starting, the Bullring’s Ice Rink is a haven for all.
7 - 13 December 2023
Anna Ellis UNTIL December 10, the charming streets of Calpe’s old town come alive with the festive spirit as the Christmas fair takes centre stage. Winding through Calle Libertad, Calle Justicia, Mayor, Plaza de Es paña, Plaza de la Villa, Plaza del Mestre Llopis, Plaza Beato Francisco Sendra, and Calle Cervantes, the fair creates a vibrant tapestry of festive cheer. Approximately 40 stalls, represent ing local companies and associations, will line the streets, offering an array of delights. From typical dishes and crafts to Nora Shephard THE Casa de Cultura in Al fas del Pi is set to host a special concert named ‘A Christmas Festival’ with the aim of raising funds for the local food bank on Wednesday, December 13, starting at 7.30pm. Presented in collabora tion with the Alfas del Pi Town Hall, the concert will feature a performance by the international choir Can to Mundial. The stage will be imbued with the spirit of Christmas
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Calpe Christmas Image: Ayumtamiento de Calpe
SOCIAL SCENE
Christmas fair will take centre stage.
traditional sweets, jewellery, herbal products, and Christmas items, the fair promises a diverse shopping ex
perience. Beyond the shopping extravagan za, the Christmas fair in Calpe serves as a platform for the community to come together, enjoy the holiday at mosphere, and contribute to charita ble causes. Visitors can explore local stalls of fering a range of treats, including typical Christmas sweets, tapas, and signature Calpe dishes such as stew with balls, paella, and stewed octo pus.
A special concert joy as the choir presents a diverse repertoire of sea sonal music, classical tunes, and pop classics. Given the group’s multi cultural composition, ex pect songs in various lan guages, including English, Spanish, and Latin.
Crafted by Canto Mundi al’s Musical Director, Philip Ashley, the programme promises a delightful and entertaining experience, aiming to fill the theatre with the warmth of Christ mas cheer. This event serves as an
ideal kickoff to your Christ mas celebrations while making a meaningful con tribution to families in need. The choir kindly requests a donation of €7 per per son, which will be directed to the Alfas del Pi food bank, supporting their ef forts throughout the fes tive season. Tickets for this event can be obtained from choir members, the Casa de Cul tura, or by calling (+34) 965 581 483.
26 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
NUTCRACKER EXHIBITION: A unique experience.
SOCIAL SCENE
It’s magical Double the fun George Cunningham UNTIL January 7, the Espacio Seneca in Alicante is im mersed in the enchanting world of ‘The Magic of the Nutcracker’ exhibition. This captivating showcase brings to life the illustrations of Valeria Docampo, a distin guished artist in the realm of children’s illustration. Valeria Docampo, originally from Buenos Aires, Argenti na, has dedicated herself to children’s illustration since 2006. Her journey in the world of arts began with a focus on Fine Arts, and she later earned a degree in Graphic Design and Visual Communi cation from the University of Buenos Aires. Valeria’s works, including ‘La Grande Fabrique de Mots’, have garnered inter national acclaim, with trans lations in over 30 languages. Currently residing in Lyon, France, she continues to pub lish her illustrated books across Europe, the United
States, and Latin American countries, earning recognition on all five continents. The exhibition not only of fers a visual journey through Valeria’s Nutcrackerthemed illustrations but also features an immersive audio experi ence. Visitors can enjoy the adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet by the Municipal Symphonic Band of Alicante. The enchanting melodies of the Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a are made accessible through QR codes, allowing visitors to appreciate the symphonic rendition while exploring the exhibition. Nayma Beldjilali, the coun cillor for Culture, highlighted the exhibition’s unique char acter, specifically curated and produced for Alicante. She emphasised the city’s commitment to catering to diverse audiences, offering an opportunity for the general public to delve into the Nutcracker’s artistic evolution over more than 250 years.
Anna Ellis BENITACHELL is gearing up to welcome the magic of Christ mas. The legendary Christmas Market, is scheduled for Sun day, December 17. The market will transform the streets, featuring a lively batucada, delectable Christ mas food stands, festive dec orations, artisan products, children’s entertainment, and the heartwarming pres ence of a donkey, a true sym bol of Christmas for the town. Residents and visitors alike can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere from 10.00am to 2.00pm along Calle Mercado, Calle Mayor, and Calle La Pau. It’s an opportunity for the community to come togeth er, revel in the holiday spirit, and perhaps find the perfect Christmas treasures from the stalls. Adding to the list of new events this year is the I San Silvestre organised by the Benitachell Multisport Club
Image: Ayuntamiento de Benitatxell
Image: Ilyas Kalimullin / Shutterstock.com
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The magic of Christmas.
on Saturday, December 23. Kicking off at 5.30pm in the Plaza de les Pesqueres, the event promises an afternoon of fun for all ages. The festivities begin with a race for boys and girls, fol lowed by the main adult race at 6.00pm. Participants can look for ward to exciting prizes for the top three finishers in both male and female cate gories, a lively costume con test with awards for the best group and individual cos tumes, all accompanied by the lively spirit of the Festers 2024.
SOCIAL SCENE
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Lion’s Christmas
George Cunningham THE Christmas Fair at the Calpe and Benissa Lion’s on Shop, located at No. 15, Calle Pintor Sorolla, Calpe, is set to take place on Saturday, De cember 16. This special event serves as a day of gratitude to all the customers who have sup ported the shop throughout 2023. The fair will feature main stalls, including an engaging
Tombola, and everyone at tending will be treated to mulled wine and mince pies. The Lion's on Shop extends heartfelt thanks to its dedi cated volunteers for their hard work throughout the year. They also extend warm wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2024 to both volun teers and customers alike. As a reminder, the Lion’s
on Shop is continually on the lookout for volunteers and new members, and they wel come donations. If you’re interested or would like more information, reach out to Carole on (+34) 639 637 520 or via email at calcalpe@gmail.com. Your support and partici pation contribute to the suc cess of their initiatives and the positive impact they make in the community.
The Entertainers
Anna Ellis THE Entertainers are currently immersed in rehearsals as they prepare for their up coming preChristmas shows, all dedicated to supporting local charities. To join in the fun head to Carols in the Square at Jalon on Tuesday December 12 at 6.00pm. Alternatively, you can catch them in Alcalali on December 14 and at Benidoleig Town Hall on December 17 at 6.00pm. In an exciting development, The Enter tainers are considering the addition of two
more towns to their festive lineup, al though the details are still being finalised. For the latest updates, be sure to keep a close eye on their Facebook page, The En tertainers Marina Alta. Adding to the holiday spirit, The Enter tainers will also be spreading cheer and celebrating Christmas at Chicos in Sanet y Negrals during the lunchtime festivities on Christmas Day. Consider joining them for a joyous cele bration and sidestep the hassle of postcel ebration dish duty!
7 - 13 December 2023
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28 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
euroweeklynews.com Bob Marquess ON Sunday, December 10, The English Choir is set to lend its support to the Lions Club in Moraira during another en gaging outdoor event in the Church Square, commencing at 6.00pm. This charitable gathering will feature various local groups and artists, with the
English Choir added comfort of a mulled wine stall to stave off the win ter chill. Transitioning to Tuesday, December 12, the Choir will continue spreading festive joy throughout Moraira with their nowestablished ‘Christ mas Singalong’ at Saxo’s. The festivities kick off at 4.00pm, promising a delight ful blend of Christmas songs, carols, audience participation, and the enthusiastic backing of the Saxo Bar and its staff.
Attendees are encouraged to join in, savour a mulled wine, and even hit the dance floor. With supporters generous ly contributing to the cause by ‘shaking the buckets’, this free event has successfully raised substantial funds over the past two years, becoming a cherished highlight on the lo cal calendar. Bringing the season to a harmonious close, The Choir’s final event is the Christmas
Motown Anna Ellis STEP into the enchanting world of Motown with ‘Just My Imagination’, a celebra tion of the legendary Temp tations, hailed by Billboard Magazine as ‘The Number 1 Group In The History Of Rhythm And Blues!’ Benidorm Palace invites you to this musical journey on March 10 at 8.30pm which pays homage to the iconic Motown group, spanning over 50 years and 24 Temptations. From the soulful begin nings with ‘The Way You Do The Things You Do’ in 1964 to the careerdefining moments with classics like ‘My Girl’, ‘Ain’t Too Proud’, ‘Get Ready’, ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’, and ‘Just My
Imagination’, the Tempta tions’ influence on rhythm and blues is unparalleled. Get ready for a magical journey filled with sing alongs, dancealongs, and the timeless magic of Mo town as this tribute takes theatres across the UK and Europe by storm! Don’t miss your chance to witness this extraordi nary musical journey at the renowned Benidorm Palace, located at Avenida Dr Severo Ochoa, 13, 03503. For more information and ticket details, reach out via email to info@ benidormpalace.com or give them a call on (+34) 965 851 660 or (+34) 965 851 661.
SOCIAL SCENE Concert, scheduled to take place in Benitachell Church on Saturday, December 16, at 5.30pm. This traditionalstyle con cert, featuring choir classics and beloved carols, draws a supportive audience. Tickets will soon be avail able at www.theenglishchoir teulada.com or at the door, priced at €10. For those considering join ing a choir, The English Choir extends a warm invitation. Explore on Facebook, or the website, or WhatsApp (+34) 603 842 693.
British rock ROCK legends are set to unite as The Foundations and Her mans Hermits will electrify the Benidorm Palace. Get ready for a night of time less rock as Benidorm Palace proudly presents a spectacular performance on February 11 at 8.30pm. Brace yourself for the leg endary sounds of British rock, as two iconic bands take the stage: The Foundations with founding member Alan Warn er and Hermans Hermits with founding member Barry Whit man. This event takes place at Benidorm Palace, located at Avenida Dr Severo Ochoa, 13, 03503. For more information and ticket details, reach out via email to info@benidorm palace.com or give them a call on (+34) 965 851 660 or (+34) 965 851 661.
30 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
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NEWSDESK
NEWS ACROSS THE REGIONS FROM THE PEOPLE'S PAPER MOST SOUGHTAFTER
NOT everyone welcomes rain, but the absence of it, while potentially detrimen tal, has proven advanta geous for some. This holds particularly true for campsites along the Cos ta Blanca, which emerged as the most soughtafter desti nation in Spain in October, according to data just re leased by the National Insti tute of Statistics. Emerging as Spain’s top destination, the Costa Blan ca led significantly with 521,021 overnight stays. The Costa Blanca’s appeal is notably driven by interna tional campers, with Ali cante hosting 420,000 for eign guests, in stark contrast to the previous winner of Tarragona, who had 168,000. This statistical revelation highlights the region’s en during popularity among campers, especially from abroad, showcasing its re silience despite weather challenges.
COSTA DEL SOL
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Photo: Marbella Town Hall
COSTA BLANCA SOUTH
CUDECA: Provides care for people with cancer and other advanced diseases.
ÁNGELES MUÑOZ, mayor of Mar bella, has spoken about the, “es sential work” carried out by Cari tas, during the inauguration of its 18th Solidarity Christmas Bazaar, which brought together more than 100 stalls at the Adolfo Suárez Trade Fair and Congress Centre last weekend, with a complemen tary programme of activities in cluding book presentations, con
certs and children’s workshops. “The city council is very proud to be able to contribute to this event taking place every year,” said the mayor, who pointed out that, “practically everything that is raised in this initiative goes direct ly into the organisation’s coffers.” The mayor was accompanied by the president of the bazaar, Anto nio Belón, and the general coordi
nator of the initiative, Alberto Gar cía, who explained that, “the con figuration of the stalls was changed this year to gain more space, to attract more people and for them to spend more time here with their families and friends.” All funds raised at the bazaar have gone to help the work of Car itas Marbella caring for people in need.
AXARQUIA
MAGICAL TOWNS THE final stretch of 2023 brought excellent news to the tourism sector in the Axarquia region as Canillas de Aceituno was awarded the prestigious 2024 Active Tourism Award by the Network of Spainis Magi cal Towns. Recognising the municipalityis dedication to promoting active tourism, the award highlights its exception al natural environment and commitment to sustainability, notably its renowned El Saltillo bridge. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and offering a wide array of outdoor activities, this charming magical town has become a mustvisit for nature enthusiasts and seekers of au thentic experiences. Serving as the lively gateway to the Sierra Tejeda, Alhama, and Almijara Natural Park, it proudly hosts the highest peak, La Maroma, as praised by Spain’s Magical Towns rep resentatives an initiative driv en by the Institute of Local De velopment and Social Studies, encompassing over 120 locali ties nationwide. Spain’s Magical Towns Awards, symbolised by a bronze artwork crafted by the Moreno Brothers Sculpture Workshop (Granada), repre sent honour and recognition.
COSTA CALIDA
COSTA ALMERIA
MALLORCA
THE world’s most expensive extra virgin olive oil is made in the Region of Murcia. Nestled between Lorca and Caravaca de la Cruz, an extraordinary organic extra virgin olive oil of natural origin, derived from acebuchina (wild olive), is meticulously crafted. Produced by retired Guardia Civil Colonel, Tomás Navarro, near the San José Church in Coy’s highlands, this liq uid gold fetches approximately €50 per litre. This unique oil, extracted from acebuchina, an olive variant smaller and less fleshy than conventional olives, yields a mere six litres per hundred kilograms compared to the 25 litres from regular olives. Despite being economically unviable, its rarity makes it unparalleled globally. Acebuchina, nearly five times more concentrated than olives, boasts 18 per cent more polyphenols. Scientifically proven to stimulate the immune system and deter the onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, di abetes, and cardiovascular ailments.
CHRISTMAS is a magical time, not only because of the twinkling lights and family fun, but also because this festive period often brings out the spirit of giving in many. One such person, who decided to make a difference with her generosity this Christmas, is Annie Holley from Almeria. Back in October, she came up with the idea of making soft toys and do nating them to children, who perhaps otherwise would not be waking up to any toys this Christmas. Euro Weekly News spoke to Annie, who actually revealed that her inspiration first came from reading our article ‘Give a Gift in Albox this Christmas’, “it was meant to be!” she laughed. Howev er, her plan was to donate around 20 soft toys, so she under stood she needed a little help. Annie told Euro Weekly News that “that’s when I put the post up on Facebook, with not much expectation, but then all these incredible ladies got in touch.” The result was a total of 67 toys! An amount that far exceeded Annie’s initial goal.
THERE is almost as much excitement in the outlet that sold a winning lottery ticket in Spain as there is from the lucky owner and also the Spanish Tax Authority. We all know that the Spanish love lotteries and al though a lot of money is being targeted towards El Gor do the Christmas lottery, there are still plenty of others with much larger prizes and Euro Millions continues to be drawn every Tuesday and Friday. Gamblers in Mallorca seem to be quite lucky and af ter the €26 million (less the tax man’s 20 per cent) win in Lloset last October, one lucky player won €1 million in the Friday December 1 draw with a ticket purchased in Can Pastilla, Palma. This is one prize only in El Millón which is basically a free raffle with one potential winner if they have the correct lottery ticket number and this time it was Mal lorca where that number was held.
LIQUID GOLD
A BEARY MERRY CHRISTMAS
EL MILLÓN WINNER
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NEWS/FEATURE
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7 - 13 December 2023
Sizzling showdown Anna Ellis HOLD on to your taste buds, because the gastro nomic battleground is set and the flavours are about to explode as Spain’s culi nary titans battle for the 2024 Gastronomic Crown. Spain’s Capital of Gas tronomy (CEG) is back with a vengeance, and the final showdown promises an epic clash between four culinary heavyweights: Ali cante, Antequera, Castel lon, and Oviedo. Buckle up for a roller coaster ride through Spain’s culinary landscape as these cities vie for the prestigious title. In a world where every bite is a piece of art, Ali cante stands tall with over 1,700 registered gastro nomic havens, creating a symphony of flavours that resonates far beyond its shores. Down south in Andalucia, Antequera emerges as a culinary maestro with a his
Image: stockcreations / Shutterstock.com
GASTRONOMY: That will leave taste buds in awe.
tory as rich as its pastries. The secret weapon? Local olive oil. Castellon, a coastal gem in Valencia, lures you into a seafood paradise. The city’s fame extends to a mouth watering seafood paella, where every bite transports you to the sunkissed shores of the Mediter ranean. Oviedo, a relentless con tender, enters the ring for the third time, armed with a gastronomic arsenal that leaves taste buds in awe. From the hearty embrace of fabada (bean stew) to the crisp kick of cider, the
tender allure of cachopo (veal), and the artisanal dance of cheeses and seafood, it’s a sensory jour ney that beckons for a gas tronomic coronation. As the curtain rises, the city crowned Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy won’t just savour victory; it will host a yearlong competition that unites food lovers from ev ery corner of the globe. Who will emerge tri umphant in this culinary clash of titans? The answer lies in the simmering pots and sizzling pans of these four excep tional cities.
INTERVIEW
Catch up with Jesse Meester WHAT does one do when they see a famous face casually walking across the street from them? Shout their name loudly at them of course (as if they didn’t already know it) and take a selfie to post on Instagram to prove it to your friends! THAT was the story of how this good ‘tapear’. Next question, Euro Weekly News reporter do you prefer swimming in first met actor Jesse Meester, the pool or the sea? who is originally from the I am a sea kind of guy. Netherlands. He explained The salt is great for the at the time that he had reskin too. Even now, in cently moved to the sunshine the winter, it’s an unCredit: Jesse Meester coast and purchased a propermatched feeling of freeJesse in Estepona. ty in Estepona. One year later dom in swimming in the vast EWN caught up with Jesse again to sea. Like a wild merman with no see how the move from Amsterdam to limits! Cute. So aside from the all year Marbella is unfolding for him. round swimming weather, what is the main Hello again Jesse! So, what attracted you difference between the Netherlands and specifically to the Costa Del Sol? Spain? Climate, culture, pace of life, and even Marbella is quite unique in its fusion of lux- the architecture are starkly different. ury and culture. Its stunning coastline, vibrant The Netherlands might be more known for lifestyle, golf courses and historical charm its bicycle-friendly cities (oh boy I miss that), make it the place to be. Now Malaga just while Spain has a deeply ingrained laid-back turned out to be the best city to live in, in the culture with a love for fiestas and leisurely world that is, did you know? siestas - haha. Got to love the siestas! So We did see that actually! So, what is your Jesse, lastly, but definitely not least(ly), Dutch opinion on Spanish food? girls or Spanish girls? Spanish cuisine is amazing! From paella to Well, both are wonderful in their own tapas, the rich flavours and fresh ingredients ways. Dutch girls might be more straightformake dining an absolute delight. I love eating ward and open, while Spanish girls are light in the evening with just a few tapas. known for their passion and warmth. Beauty Yes, we agree with you there, EWN loves a truly lies in the eye of the beholder, doesn’t it?
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32 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
NORWAY Fuel duel GREENPEACE and Friends of the Earth’s Norwegian branch launched a lawsuit challenging the government permission to open three new offshore oil and gas fields. Norway should leave the oil "where it is," they maintained, and accused the government of using petrol to extinguish the “climate crisis fire.”
In the dark A SPECIALIST firm was chosen to design minimal lighting for comfort stop toilets along the Hardanger section of the 18 roads included in the Norwegian Scenic Routes. The public loos designed by architect studio Code needed a ‘sensitive lighting scheme’ that would not stop visitors from appreciating the spectacular landscape.
SWEDEN
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EURO PRESS THE NETHERLANDS
Ottoman gift A HANDMADE carpet given to the Peace Palace in The Hague by the Ottoman sultan, Abdulhamid II in 1907, has been sent for restoration to Aksaray (Turkey). Twenty-five people will work for a year on the carpet before it is returned to the Peace Place, which now houses the International Court of Justice.
IRELAND Hygiene poverty A SMALL-SCALE survey carried out by Trinity College Dublin found that 65 per cent of respondents went without basic toiletries or hygiene items this year because they could not afford them. Sixty-nine per cent admitted feeling ‘embarrassed or ashamed’, while 61.2 per cent reported increased stress.
Charge it
NETHERLANDS: Turkey carpet will take a year to restore. Photo credit: hurimg/i/hurriyet.com
GERMANY
EUROPEAN PRESS
FRANCE
EIGHTY-FIVE per cent of drivers with electric vehicles (EVs) in Ireland said they found running costs were lower than their previous petrol or diesel car. A further 62 per cent of motorists who currently drive an EV said that they would happily buy another when choosing their next vehicle.
PORTUGAL
Fine example
Lucky star
Chanel myth
Fair shares
WHILE Tesla battles Sweden’s IF Metall for refusing to sign a collective agreement, the union’s lawyer, Darko Davidovic, has played a leading role in negotiations. Despite his criticism of the carmaker's stance, insiders revealed that Davidovic’s family currently uses a Tesla Model Y, while he drove a Model S in the past.
WHEN Lucy, a three-year-old tabby disappeared from her Wallensen (Hanover) home in November 2022, her family thought the worst until she turned up 60 kilometres away in Garbesen a year later. A cat lover took her in and, since Lucky was luckily chipped, she was immediately reunited with her family.
HISTORIAN Guillaume Pollack questioned the authenticity of new documents suggesting that Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel was a member of the Resistance as well as a Nazi informant during the Second World War. Chanel possibly used the documents to restore her reputation after the war, Pollack said.
ONE-HUNDRED teachers demonstrated in front of the Portuguese parliament, calling for the government to allocate at least 6 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product on education. The teachers claimed that with tax revenue increased by €2 billion, it was a missed opportunity not to invest in state schools.
Cheaper coffee
Direct route
Metro hike
New foods
COFFEE prices dropped by around 6 Krona (€0.53) a kilo as prices stabilised following a steep rise in 2021 owing to poor crops in Brazil and higher shipping prices during the pandemic. With the prospect of an abundant 2024 harvest, prices are now falling the Matpriskollen food price comparison website, said.
PART of German Rail’s future 150-kilometre line between Dresden and the Czech capital, Prague, will include the country’s longest tunnel. This will enable passengers to travel between the two cities in 60 minutes at a speed of 200 kilometres per hour once the line is completed in the mid2040s.
PARIS metro tickets will practically double in price between July and September next year to help meet the cost of expanding the city’s transport network for the 2024 Olympic Games. Millions of people are expected to flock to the capital when the Games are held from July 26 until August 11.
MICROHARVEST, a German biotechnology company producing sustainable proteins through microbial fermentation has opened a pilot plant in Lisbon where it intends to speed up marketing of its single-cell protein additive. This has many uses, the company said, including environmentally-friendly aquafeed for fish farms.
DENMARK
FINLAND
BELGIUM
ITALY Fast fashion LUCA CIUFFREDA, director of Primark Italy, announced €50 million plans for five new stores, bringing a total of 20 nationwide. Ciuffreda, who joined the fast fashion chain when it opened in Italy in 2016, revealed that the new shops would be inspired by the latest retail innovations and ‘Italian style and architecture’.
Expo letdown ROME lost out to Saudi Arabia which has been chosen to host the 2030 World Expo that hopes to attract millions of visitors. Members of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris awarded runner-up Rome 17 of a possible 165 votes, with 119 going instead to Riyadh despite its human rights failings.
Epidemic level
Good dog
Mussel power
DENMARK’S State Serum Institute (SSI), responsible for the prevention of infectious diseases, prevention reported that atypical pneumonia cases had reached epidemic level, particularly amongst the six-to-12 age group. The Institute’s Hanne-Dorthe Emborg said that a “significantly” higher number of cases were prevalent across the country.
PEPI, a sniffer dog that works with Customs officers in Turku, has been named Customs Dog of the Year. The labrador-retriever was responsible for locating several consignments of amphetamines as well as a stash of ecstasy that was hidden in children’s toys imported from the Netherlands.
BELGIAN scientists and mussel growers are collaborating on an experiment off the La Panne beach to prevent erosion. They have applied for a government grant to install mussel reefs between the shallow coastal waters and the North Sea to halt the powerful currents that strip sand from the beaches.
Getting colder SOME parts of Denmark experienced the coldest November night of the century as temperatures plunged to double digits below zero. Copenhagen’s Roskilde Airport’s weather station registered 15 degrees below freezing, while 7.7 degrees below zero in the city's Frederiksberg district was the lowest since 1919.
Post early FINLAND’S principal postal service, Posti, handled around 1.4 million parcels during Black Friday week, which also coincided with the beginning of the Christmas period. Posti has now opened 37 temporary pickup points and begun Saturday parcels’ deliveries in major cities to guarantee coverage over the holiday season.
Cut the cackle A NEW dating app called Breeze is unlike all others, as it provides no chat function but asks users who match if they are available for a date, which can they confirm for a €9 fee. “Singles no longer want to chat superficially and endlessly online,” co-owner Marco van der Woude said.
NEWS
euroweeklynews.com
7 - 13 December 2023
SPAIN has become home to many nationalities from around the world, but there is one municipality that has an overwhelming number of foreigners, where nine out of every 10 inhabitants come from another country. Have you ever wondered which Spanish village has the most international popula tion? And where are they from? The answer lies in Torre del Burgo, a small but remarkable municipality in Guadalajara. In the second quarter of 2023, as revealed by the Con tinuous Population Statistics conducted by Spain’s Nation al Institute of Statistics, the Spanish population reached a record 48,345,223. This signif icant growth is attributed largely to the influx of foreign nationals, impacting not just Torre del Burgo, but the en tire country. Spain has witnessed a widespread increase in its for eign population, with signifi cant rises in regions such as the Balearic Islands, the Va lencian Community, and the
Credit: Emilio J. Rodriguez Posada
Most international village
INTERNATIONAL: Torre del Burgo, in Guadalajara.
Community of Madrid. As of July 1, 2023, out of Spain’s total population, 42,009,804 are Spanish na tionals, and 6,335,419 are for eign residents. This surge is reshaping the demographic landscape of the country. In most provincial capitals, foreign nationals make up less than 12 per cent of the population. However, cities like Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona exceed this average, with Almeria lead ing at 28 per cent. Towns such as Partaloa, Arboleas, and Bedar have even more foreign than national resi dents. Torre del Burgo, spanning 4.91 square kilometres and
primarily driven by agricul ture, stands out with an as tonishing 87.13 per cent for eign population, which translates to 413 out of its 474 inhabitants. Predominantly from Bul garia, but also including Pol ish, Romanian, and Moroc can nationals, the village’s unique demographic compo sition offers a glimpse into a diverse cultural landscape. In this unique setting, a Bul garian greeting, ‘Zdravey, kak si?’ might be more common than the traditional Spanish ‘Hola, ¿como estas?’. This re flects the profound impact of the foreign population on the local culture and social inter actions in Torre del Burgo.
A RECENT study published by Idealista has unveiled in triguing trends in the Span ish property market. According to the study, the supply of homes for sale in Spain has experienced a 4 per cent decrease during the third quarter of 2023 com pared to the same period last year, indicating shifts in the country’s real estate landscape. The majority of Spanish provincial capitals have wit nessed a decline in the avail ability of homes for sale, with notable reductions in Cuenca (34 per cent) and Avila (30 per cent). Other cities experiencing significant decreases include Huelva, Santander, Valencia, Toledo, Soria, and Tarrago na. However, nine provincial capitals have bucked this trend, with increases in housing supply. Notable cities include Cor doba and Pamplona (10 per cent increase), followed by
Image: ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
Spain’s housing market sizzles: Supply shrinks by 4% in a year
HOUSING STOCK: There has been a distinct decline.
Huesca (9 per cent), San Se bastian (8 per cent), Zaragoza (5 per cent), Cadiz (5 per cent), and Badajoz (3 per cent). Vitoria has maintained a stable housing stock over the past year. With varied dynamics among the major markets, several cities have wit nessed a reduction in hous ing supply, such as Alicante (15 per cent), Palma (11 per cent), Barcelona (10 per cent), Malaga (3 per cent), and Madrid (1 per cent). Conversely, Bilbao and Sevilla have experienced
slight increases of 2 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. At the provincial level, the situation mirrors the dy namics observed in provin cial capitals. Cuenca tops the list with an 18 per cent reduction in housing supply, followed by Santa Cruz de Tenerife (17 per cent), A Coruña (16 per cent), and Avila (15 per cent). Notable decreases are al so observed in Soria, Lugo, Cantabria, Segovia, Valen cia, Teruel, Zamora, and Huelva (13 per cent in each case).
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FINANCE DOUG PUTMAN, owner of HMV who hoped to rescue Wilko which collapsed into ad ministration with debts of £625 million (€723 million), said the failed retailer’s suppli ers and landlords were ‘super inflexible’. They did not think of the 12,000plus jobs that would have been saved, Put man claimed.
Helping out YOUNG Spanish wageearners are now earning less in real terms than their parents did at the same age, a BBVAfinanced survey revealed. It also found that 37 per cent of the over 60s had helped their children over the last year to buy the weekly shop or to pay their electricity or water bills.
Big bills AROUND seven million square feet (650,321 square metres) of Canary Wharf office space does not comply with environ mental property standards, as the UK government imple ments its green agenda. Dock lands landlords will now have to spend £300 (€347) per square foot to convert proper ties and remain within the law.
EV delay SEAT’S Martorell (Barcelona) plant will start building electric vehicles in 2026, instead of mid2024 as originally planned. The delay is linked to doubts as to whether the batteries for the cars will come from the gi gafactory currently under con struction in Sagunto (Valencia) or the Salzgitter plant in Ger many.
Looking ahead ROLLSROYCE chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic plans to in crease mediumterm annual operating profits to £2.8 billion (€3.2 billion) measured against the £1.4 billion (€1.6 billion) forecast for 2023. The Rolls Royce chief also wants to see a free cash flow of £2.8 billion (€3.2 billion) and £3.1 billion (€3.6 billion).
was spent on soft drinks in Spain last year, with sales that STAT OF were 15 per cent more than in 2021 and exceeded preWEEK €4.3 billion Covid figures for the first time.
Ferrovial leaves Heathrow SPANISH multinational Fer rovial is selling its 25 per stake in Heathrow airport for £2.4 billion (€2.7 billion). Ten per cent will go to Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund run by the Sau di crown prince, Mo hammed bin Salman, and 15 per cent to the French private equity firm Ardian. The sale must first obtain regulatory clearance and it is also dependent on the rights of other shareholders in FGP Topco, Heathrow’s parent company. These in clude the Qatar Investment Authority and the Aus tralian Retirement Trust. Ferrovial began trimming down its 56 per cent stake
Photo credit: CC/Orderinchaos
Too late
euroweeklynews.com • 7 - 13 December 2023
HEATHROW AIRPORT: Ferrovial sells its 25 per cent stake.
in Heathrow in 2012 and has held an unchanging 25 per cent since 2013. Heathrow is currently running at a loss but the shortfall began to contract this year as passenger num bers returned to 2019 lev
IBERDROLA, Europe’s biggest electrici ty company and the secondlargest globally, intends to invest £12 billion (€13.9 billion) in the UK between 2024 and 2028. The company’s executive chairman Ignacio Sanchez Galan explained Iber drola’s plans to the British PM, Rishi Sunak, and Defence secretary Grant Shapps during the recent UK Global Investment Summit. Galan stressed that thanks to the UK’s stable and predictable regulatory frameworks Iberdrola was “more committed than ever” to continuing to invest in its networks and renew ables. The company had invested approxi mately £30 billion (€34.7 billion) over
Chipping in AMERICAN companies are in terested in opening semicon ductor factories in Spain, re vealed Mark Gitenstein, the US ambassador to the EU. Gitenstein said during a re cent visit to Madrid that there was growing interest thanks to the Spanish government’s €12.25 billion PERTE chip pro gramme. “I know of at least two American companies consider ing Spain for this type of ven ture,” the ambassador said. Semiconductor giant Broad com announced plans to build an electronic chip plant here last July, suggesting that an other manufacturer is also eyeing Spain for future invest ment.
els, following the pandemic restrictions which at one stage grounded practically all air traffic worldwide. The airport received 59.4 million passengers between January 1 and September 30, a 34.4 per cent increase
Iberdrola’s UK projects Photo credit: hbpl.co.uk
BUSINESS EXTRA
34
UK COMMITMENT: Rishi Sunak, Grant Shapps and Ignacio Galan.
the past 15 years in the UK’s electrici ty grid and renewable generation ca
Float for buoyant Puig CATALAN fragrance, cosmetics and fashion company Puig is planning a stock exchange float for early 2024. Amongst other brands, Puig owns Charlotte Tilbury, Carolina Herrera, Pa co Rabanne, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nina Ricci and Penhaligon’s. Initial market valuations put a figure of around €10 billion on a future list ing but sources quoted in the financial daily Cinco Dias emphasised that the company’s plans are still at an early stage. JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs and STJ Advisors as well as the Linklaters and Cuatrecasas law firms were all named as consultants in the operation. Puig reported revenues of €3.6 bil lion last year and €400 million in prof its, which was well ahead of its three year plan announced in 2022 that foresaw a turnover of €3 billion by 2023 and €4.5 billion in 2025.
on the same nine months in 2022. Ferrovial, which has a 50 per cent holding in Ab erdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports and owns 49 per cent of Termi nal One at New York City’s JFK, remains ‘fully commit ted’ to carry on investing in its airport interests, Luke Bugeja, Ferrovial Airports’ chief executive said. When markets opened on November 29, Ferrovial shares rose 2.5 per cent while Banco Sabadell ana lysts were quoted in the me dia as saying that the compa ny would now invest in projects “with more attrac tive returns than Heathrow.”
pacity, he added. Meanwhile, ScottishPower was the UK’s first utility to generate 100 per cent green electricity. Around twothirds of Iberdrola’s 202428 investments will focus on transmission and distribution electrici ty networks, with projects including the £2.7 billion (€3.1 billion) Eastern Green Link 1 undersea transmission cable, which received the goahead in November this year. Construction is due to begin in early 2024 and, once completed, will trans port enough clean, green, renewable energy to supply up to two million homes while increasing the resilience of the UK’s transmission grid, Galan announced.
Metro rescue METRO BANK shareholders have approved a £925 million (€1.07 billion) rescue deal. A refinancing proposal re ceived ‘very strong support’ as more than 90 per cent of Metro shareholders voted for ‘all resolu tions’, the bank revealed on November 27. Metro announced last month that it had negotiated a £925 mil lion package consisting of £325 million (€376 million) in new capi tal plus £600 million (€694 mil lion) of debt. The bank’s largest shareholder, Spaldy Investments owned by Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilin ski Bacal, increased its stake from 9 per cent to 53 per cent by con tributing £102 million (€118 mil lion) of the new capital.
Slow to grow BANK OF ENGLAND governor An drew Bailey voiced concerns re garding the UK’s future growth prospects at the end of last month. Days after the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) reduced its growth predictions for the next two years, Bailey told a Newcastle newspaper that the “supply side” of the economy had slowed. “If you look at what I call the po tential growth rates of the econo my, there’s no doubt it’s lower than it has been in much of my working life,” he said. Asked about interest rates, the Bank of England government an swered that they were unlikely to be cut “for the foreseeable future.”
Telefonica redundancies BETWEEN 2,500 and 3,000 of Tele fonica’s 17,000 employees are to be made redundant. The company, which has not yet announced specific numbers, dis cussed the redundancies with union leaders on November 27, the Union General de Traba jadores (UGT) confirmed after a meeting to negotiate the collective bargaining agreement. This was an unexpected move on Telefonica’s part, following last October’s rumours of early retire ment and ‘incentivised departures’ for 5,000 staff members. Negotiating tables to discuss the collective bargaining agreement and the redundancies would be set up in early December, with an official statement regarding the number of workers affected.
Telegraph worries A GROUP of MPs asked minis ters to investigate a deal that would give control of the Tele graph to a United Arab Emi ratesbacked consortium. The call from MPs, who in cluded the former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith, asked ministers to use national security legislation to investi gate the Barclay family’s pro posed deal with RedBird IMI. The Abu Dhabibacked joint venture is preparing to deliver a letter to the UK’s Culture sec retary, giving her 48 hours’ no tice that the Barclays’ £1.16 bil lion (€1.34 billion) debt with Lloyds Bank is ready for repay ment.
FINANCE
36 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
euroweeklynews.com
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CLOSING PRICES 4 DECEMBER
PRICE(P)
CHANGE(P)
% CHG.
NET VOL
InterContinental
6.336,0
+32,0
+0,51%
6,08K
Intermediate Capital
1.591,92
+6,00
+0,38%
6,28K
18,31K
Intertek
4.049,0
+15,0
+0,37%
7,77K
-2,36%
296,76K
ITV
60,94
+1,02
+1,71%
1,05M
-15,00
-1,00%
53,20K
J Sainsbury
284,60
+0,10
+0,04%
57,90K
4.903,0
+1,0
+0,02%
21,93K
Johnson Matthey
1.560,5
-11,5
-0,73%
12,16K
Associated British Foods
2.396,0
+9,0
+0,38%
53,30K
Land Securities
638,60
+5,00
+0,79%
125,49K
AstraZeneca
10.198,0
0,0
0,00%
32,28K
Legal & General
228,00
+0,50
+0,22%
431,06K
13,69K
Lloyds Banking
44,95
+0,46
+1,03%
11,31M
204,54K
London Stock Exchange
8.984,1
-10,0
-0,11%
8,39K
COMPANY
PRICE(P)
CHANGE(P)
% CHG.
3I Group
2.257,00
+9,00
+0,40%
56,80K
Abrdn
166,70
+2,55
+1,55%
104,24K
Admiral Group
2.695,7
-9,0
-0,33%
Anglo American
2.256,5
-54,5
Antofagasta
1.480,50
Ashtead Group
Auto Trader Group Plc Aviva
724,40 418,20
+3,00
+0,42%
NET VOL
COMPANY
1.16541
0.85804
Units per €
US dollar (USD) ........................................1.0817 Japan yen (JPY)........................................159.71 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................0.9493 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4557 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................11.651
-1,60
-0,38%
B&M European Value Retail SA593,60
+4,60
+0,78%
81,56K
Melrose Industries
540,40
+6,60
+1,24%
126,73K
currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072
BAE Systems
1.050,91
-8,50
-0,80%
252,27K
Mondi
1.438,50
-4,50
-0,31%
73,90K
THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER
Barclays
142,82
+0,46
+0,32%
1,70M
National Grid
1.034,00
+1,00
+0,10%
134,71K
Barratt Developments
522,40
+2,60
+0,50%
138,26K
NatWest Group
213,60
+2,40
+1,14%
792,32K
8.082,0
+40,0
+0,50%
11,57K
+19,80
+3,33%
141,23K
Berkeley
4.739,0
+27,0
+0,57%
3,36K
Next
BHP Group Ltd
2.443,00
-31,50
-1,27%
42,83K
Ocado
614,48
BP
468,35
-10,05
-2,10%
2,28M
Persimmon
1.287,0
+4,5
+0,35%
24,65K
98,47K
Phoenix
471,62
+1,70
+0,36%
69,61K
Prudential
868,00
-0,80
-0,09%
147,77K
British American Tobacco 2.520,0
+12,0
+0,48%
British Land Company
363,20
+2,30
+0,64%
52,82K
BT Group
124,20
+0,55
+0,45%
744,56K
Bunzl
2.984,9
-11,0
-0,37%
2,89K
Burberry Group
1.511,0
+12,5
+0,83%
87,25K
Carnival
1.110,9
+30,0
+2,77%
22,34K
Centrica
151,75
-0,80
-0,52%
410,42K
Coca Cola HBC AG
2.220,0
+1,0
+0,04%
48,84K
Reckitt Benckiser
5.424,0
+8,0
+0,15%
34,80K
Relx
3.040,00
-10,00
-0,33%
135,18K
Rentokil
431,00
+2,90
+0,68%
170,62K
Rightmove
560,20
+8,00
+1,45%
59,28K
Rio Tinto PLC
5.454,0
-145,0
-2,59%
165,92K
Rolls-Royce Holdings
286,75
+10,00
+3,61%
4,23M
Sage
1.153,00
+4,00
+0,35%
76,84K
Samsung Electronics DRC 1.385,00
+7,00
+0,51%
0,69K
Schroders
407,3
+0,9
+0,22%
154,93K
Scottish Mortgage
721,90
+2,40
+0,33%
115,69K
Segro
827,80
+4,40
+0,53%
88,14K
Severn Trent
2.607,5
-9,0
-0,34%
67,25K
Shell
2.524,5
-43,5
-1,69%
568,43K
Smith & Nephew
1.038,73
+2,50
+0,24%
86,02K
Smiths Group
1.652,50
-7,00
-0,42%
23,88K
Spirax-Sarco Engineering 9.298,0
+20,0
+0,22%
3,01K
SSE
1.852,00
+7,00
+0,38%
74,73K
St. James’s Place
665,80
+7,60
+1,16%
63,43K
Standard Chartered
653,40
+0,80
+0,12%
161,60K
Taylor Wimpey
132,05
+0,90
+0,69%
465,78K
Tesco
281,01
+1,40
+0,50%
509,02K
Tui
501,50
+12,00
+2,46%
63,04K
Unilever
3.791,5
+11,0
+0,29%
114,15K 472,37K
Compass
2.035,00
+9,00
+0,44%
84,92K
CRH
5.058,0
+18,0
+0,36%
30,58K
Croda Intl
4.501,7
+23,0
+0,51%
5,19K
DCC
5.500,0
+14,0
+0,26%
3,20K
Diageo
2.816,0
0,0
0,00%
112,99K
DS Smith
302,84
+6,50
+2,19%
593,14K
EasyJet
478,00
+5,80
+1,23%
477,22K
Experian
2.928,0
+4,0
+0,14%
30,23K
Ferguson
13.320,0
-235,0
-1,73%
10,02K
Flutter Entertainment
12.240,0
-355,0
-2,82%
71,72K
Fresnillo
588,47
-3,80
-0,64%
46,20K
Glencore
447,05
-10,65
-2,33%
1,73M
GSK plc
1.454,20
+18,20
+1,27%
167,13K
Halma
2.144,0
+11,0
+0,52%
71,57K
Hargreaves Lansdown
716,00
+3,80
+0,53%
30,23K
Hikma Pharma
1.749,50
-8,50
-0,48%
13,03K
HSBC
603,40
-0,70
-0,12%
880,74K
United Utilities
1.081,00
-11,00
-1,01%
IAG
158,88
+2,38
+1,52%
926,60K
Vodafone Group PLC
71,56
-0,11
-0,15%
2,72M
Imperial Brands
1.876,50
+18,00
+0,97%
75,28K
Whitbread
3.194,0
+12,0
+0,38%
14,47K
Informa
763,00
+6,00
+0,79%
66,63K
WPP
720,80
+10,00
+1,41%
101,54K
DOW JONES CLOSING PRICES 4 DECEMBER
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
99,85 173,75 272,45 191,24 233,85 256,76 144,81 48,47 58,63 52,30 348,59 319,68 197,78 160,57 43,74 158,38 156,93 285,92 103,44 374,51 113,48 152,67 259,99 182,01 547,01 38,57 257,05 20,79 154,35 92,55
+0,78 +2,98 +2,81 +1,29 +2,22 +6,04 +1,21 +0,09 +0,19 +0,55 +7,05 +6,19 +1,86 +2,01 -0,96 +3,72 +0,85 +4,08 +0,96 -4,40 +3,58 -0,85 +8,09 +1,39 -4,08 +0,24 +0,37 +0,85 -1,34 -0,14
+0,79% 2,70M +1,75% 2,91M +1,04% 2,02M +0,68% 40,06M +0,96% 6,44M +2,41% 3,03M +0,84% 11,09M +0,19% 18,00M +0,33% 13,74M +1,06% 3,32M +2,06% 1,88M +1,97% 3,23M +0,95% 2,81M +1,27% 4,78M -2,15% 39,51M +2,41% 8,59M +0,54% 8,49M +1,45% 2,90M +0,94% 6,52M -1,16% 29,21M +3,26% 7,69M -0,55% 5,29M +3,21% 14,23M +0,77% 1,16M -0,74% 3,31M +0,63% 17,89M +0,14% 3,78M +4,26% 12,12M -0,86% 11,20M -0,15% 9,96M M - MILLION DOLLARS
NASDAQ CLOSING PRICES 4 DECEMBER
COMPANY Most Advanced Elastic N.V. UiPath Inc. Samsara Inc. Upstart Holdings, Inc. Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc. Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Vornado Realty Trust Carvana Co. HashiCorp, Inc. Lyft, Inc. Enovix Corporation
CHANGE NET / %
VOLUME
+37.13% +26.72% +25.60% +20.96% +14.45% +14.31% +13.68% +12.39% +12.14% +12.02% +11.92%
12.197M 53.009M 16.514M 17.616M 57.061M 5.431M 5.428M 12.032M 4.504M 32.276M 5.271M
-34.54% -7.27% -7.22% -6.56% -6.22% -5.26% -5.24% -5.19% -5.12% -4.66% -4.34%
159,078 8.582M 5.529M 836,350 42,995 25.376M 12.614M 14.19M 103.187M 1.485M 95,570
Most Declined Incannex Healthcare Inc. Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. VinFast Auto Ltd. Central Puerto S.A. Pacific Gas and Electric Company Marvell Technology, Inc. XPeng Inc. Dell Technologies Inc. Pfizer Inc. LifeStance Health Group, Inc. BOC Aviation Limited
‘
FINANCE
euroweeklynews.com
ASK THE EXPERT Peter Loveday
Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com
• Euro EUR/GBP: Down from £0.87 to £0.86 EUR/USD: Up from $1.05 to $1.09 The euro closed October on the back foot as the European Central Bank (ECB) ended 15 months of consecutive interest rate hikes by leaving its monetary policy unchanged at its latest policy meeting. Weak Eurozone data and a cooling of inflation placed further pressure on the euro, before the single currency bounced back as we entered November, underpinned by its strong negative correlation with the US dollar. Further support came from the release of stronger-than-expected German factory orders, while risk-off flows also buoyed EUR exchange rates. The euro then faced resistance in the middle of the month. While Germany reported a stronger-thanexpected rebound in economic sentiment, demand for the safe-haven currency was stymied by a sharp upswing in market risk appetite.
7 - 13 December 2023
US DOLLAR NOSEDIVES ON DISAPPOINTING DATA, POUND BOLSTERED BY HAWKISH BOE EUR exchange rates then struggled to find support in the second half of November, partly due to a warning from the ECB regarding the risks posed by weak growth and high interest rates to the Eurozone’s financial stability. Looking ahead, the immediate focus for EUR investors is likely to be the latest Eurozone consumer price index. Another cooling of inflation could push the ECB to begin discussing interest rate cuts when it holds it final policy meeting. • Pound GBP/EUR: Unchanged at €1.14 GBP/USD: Up from $1.21 to $1.25 The pound traded in a wide range over the last month in response to mixed data and uncertainty over Bank of England (BoE) monetary policy. After stumbling at the end of October amid UK recession fears, Sterling was rocked by the BoE’s latest interest rate decision. While the BoE left rates on hold, a surprisingly hawkish split within the Monetary Policy Committee, infused volatility into GBP exchange rates.
CURRENCY OUTLOOK: The pound could end the year on a high.
Dovish comments from BoE Chief Economist Huw Pill, then pulled the pound lower again as he hinted at possible rate cuts by the bank by the end of 2024. Movement in Sterling then grew even more volatile in light of some mixed UK data releases. While GBP exchange rates were supported by surprisingly positive GDP and employment data. Cooler-than-expected inflation and an unexpected contraction in retail sales countered these releases. The pound then rocked towards
the end of November. After initially finding support from some hawkish BoE commentary, Sterling sentiment faltered amid an underwhelming response to UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement. The BoE is scheduled to hold one more policy meeting before the end of 2023. If the bank continues to strike a broadly hawkish tone this could see the pound end the year on a high. • US Dollar USD/GBP: Down from $0.82 to
EWN 37
$0.79 USD/EUR: Down from €0.94 to €0.91 The US dollar has fallen off a cliff over the past four weeks, with the currency sliding to new multi-month lows against the pound and the euro. The collapse of USD comes as some high-impact US data missed the mark, which triggered a sharp pullback in Federal Reserve rate hike bets. This was initially linked to the latest US non-farm payrolls data, after October’s figures printed well below expectations and shone a spotlight on the slowing US labour market. An even sharper USD selloff was then witnessed following the publication of the latest US CPI figures. With both headline and core inflation cooling more than expected last month. This not only cemented expectations the Fed has reached the end of its hiking cycle, but also began to stoke rate cut speculation. Looking ahead, the Fed is set to hold this year’s final policy meeting in December. No policy changes are expected next month, but the US central bank is likely to give a rough outline of its policy plans for 2024. Could hints of a rate cut see the US dollar test new lows?
Visit us at our Spanish offices in Costa del Sol, Costa Almeria, North Costa Blanca and South Costa Blanca. Telephone UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 Spain +34 950 478 914 • Email euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com • www.currenciesdirect.com.
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT IS there such a thing as a diversity biscuit? If so the deluge of TV com mercial, Christmastide presenta tions truly does take the full tin. A whole conglomeration of adverts has been sanitised by political correct ness, dissected with diversity, mugged by multiculturist and treat ed to a positive blizzard of ‘snow flaking’ that is utterly mind boggling. Mixed marriages and relationships abound. Bunches of people in cars, restau rants and crowd locations, all contain the ‘correct’ number of white and ethnic minorities. Happy families, of carefully selected denominations, gather around tables groaning with Christmas fare; and all is well with the world on the birthday of Our Lord. Unfortunately, this socalled ‘merry’ conception is in no way a true reflection of the main bulk of British society. The great cities and communities of the UK are more seg regated than ever. Whole boroughs are dedicated to one particular race or religion. Growing numbers of British citizens don’t even celebrate
euroweeklynews.com
Mind boggling Christmas. Diversity is not working. Last December, on a short UK visit, I telephoned the Salvation Army, en quiring as to why I had noticed their Christmas Carol street appearances seemed to be missing in certain (of ten unlikely) shopping areas; they in formed me that they were very care ful to now only present the Christian Army Bands where they would be acknowledged! Until we face up to the truth, we will NEVER find the ShangriLa of existence so desperate ly depicted by these sadly delusional ostriches who are in utter denial of the true state of affairs and seem to worm their way into every nook and cranny of our beleaguered social ex istence. It did strike me that the gatherings of those responsible for these ads must produce some of the most racial riddled confusing mish mash of problems imaginable. Terrified of being declared nonPC, the selection committees, or casting agents, are no longer torn between those who may have more talent and be better qualified for the gig, but more importantly are judged by
their ethnic background and appear ance. The young Lady causing all the dissent on ‘I’m a Celebrity’ (some thing she most certainly is not!) is a prime example. Thousands of letters and comments on social media are voicing their dissatisfaction over her inclusion and attitude. The whole thing has become utterly ridiculous. Nothing more than a pathetic at tempt to fool the viewing public that good old diversity is truly working and we are all living the paradise of good will and human understanding. Well I’m sorry, I maintain that truth in these matters, however hard it is to bear, is the only real pathway to the peaceful resolution most of us truly do crave. And for those who would rather not hear the truth, I leave you with an ominous reflection of the great George Orwell, who wrote. ‘The further society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it’! And ain’t that the truth. Keep the Faith. Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com
Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
FEATURE
Bank telephone scam
TAKE HEED: Don’t discuss personal matters.
A SOCIAL media alert from a resident in Spain about a recent phone call from someone claiming to be from their bank set off alarm bells. In this case, the call dis play made it actually ap pear that it had come from a bank and the person call ing said that they had de tected an attempt to with draw money from a cash machine using the individu al’s details. The whole point of the exercise was to obtain con fidential information which will allow them to access your account and of course if you have given this volun tarily there is a chance that your bank will decline to re fund any money stolen, so
Image: Atlantic Wreck Divers / Facebook
38 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
take heed. A British based organisa tion UK Finance confirms that individuals may receive an automated call claiming a suspicious transaction has occurred on their account. The consumer is then in vited to press a number on their phone to go through to a supposed agent who is in fact a fraudster. The fact is that no bank will ever contact you asking for your online banking password, your four digit pin number or insist you transfer money to a new account to avoid fraud. The best advice is to sim ply refuse to discuss person al matters with anyone who might call you unex pectedly and hang up.
40 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
euroweeklynews.com
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Dry shampoo Nature’s healing power DRY shampoo has become a popular hair care product for its convenience and timesav ing benefits. It’s a quick fix for absorbing excess oil, reducing greasiness, and refreshing hair between washes. But is it good to use? The Benefits: Dry shampoo is excellent for those onthe go days. It can extend the life of a hairstyle, preserve hair colour by reducing the fre quency of washes, and is a lifesaver for people with limit ed mobility. The Limitations: However, it’s not a complete substitute for washing hair with water
and regular shampoo. Overuse can lead to buildup on the scalp, causing irrita tion, dandruff, or even hair loss. It doesn’t remove dirt and sweat; it merely masks them. The Verdict: While dry shampoo is a convenient op tion for occasional use, it should not replace regular hair washing. It’s best used sparingly to keep hair looking fresh for a short period or in situations where a traditional wash isn’t possible. For opti mal scalp health, nothing beats the traditional method of cleansing.
IN the hustle of modern life, the healing power of nature often goes unno ticed. However, recent studies reveal how time spent outdoors signifi cantly benefits our cogni tive functions, particular ly memory, imagination, and logical thinking. • Memory Enhance ment Natural environments have a restorative effect on memory. The serene backdrop of nature, free from the distractions of urban settings, allows our minds to relax and reju venate. This tranquility aids in better memory re tention and recall. • Imagination Boost Nature’s boundless and everchanging scenery stimulates our imagina tion. The diverse land scapes and wildlife en courage creative thinking
NATURAL SCENERY: Can stimulate our imagination.
and inspire artistic ex pression, broadening the horizons of our imagina
tive faculties. • Logical Thinking Engaging with nature
Finland embraces green Finland's beauty and per sonal care market is wit nessing a significant shift towards sustainability. Finnish consumers, known for their environmental consciousness, are increas ingly seeking natural and ecofriendly products. This change reflects Finland’s deeprooted commitment
to ecological responsibility. The Green Shift: Finnish brands are responding by developing products that use organic, locally sourced ingredients and ecofriend ly packaging. This approach aligns with the country's ethos of living in harmony with nature. Global Implica tions: Finland's move to
wards sustainable beauty is not just a local trend; it sets an example for the global market. By prioritizing the envi ronment, Finland’s beauty industry underscores the importance of sustainabili ty in consumer choices, in fluencing trends world wide.
also sharpens our logic. Navigating through natu ral terrains, observing patterns in flora and fau na, and understanding the ecosystem’s dynamics enhances our problem solving skills and logical reasoning. In conclusion, the natu ral world is not just a backdrop to our lives; it’s a vital contributor to our cognitive wellbeing. Em bracing the outdoors could be the key to un locking a sharper, more imaginative, and logically sound mind.
42 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
The road to recovery Fibre bonding for By Karan Sud Dental
AS the weekend approaches, many of us look forward to letting loose and enjoying some welldeserved down time. However, it’s essential to understand the toll that a full weekend of drinking can take on our bodies and the misconception that a cup of coffee can magically speed up the recovery process. After a weekend of indul gence, your body needs time to return to its normal state. The liver, responsible for metabolising alcohol, works at its own pace, breaking down approximately one standard drink per hour. So, if you’ve had several drinks over the weekend, it might take several hours for your body to process and eliminate the alcohol. Contrary to popular belief, reaching for that strong cup of coffee won’t accelerate the recovery process. While caf feine can help alleviate the grogginess associated with a hangover, it doesn’t eliminate the alcohol from your system
mobile teeth
DESERVED DOWNTIME: But give your body time to recover.
any faster. The only effective way to recover is to give your body the time it needs and stay hydrated. In conclusion, moderation is key to a healthier weekend. Understanding the body’s
natural timeline for process ing alcohol and avoiding re liance on quick fixes like cof fee can contribute to a more mindful and balanced ap proach to enjoying leisure time.
Having a healthy set of teeth is crucial for maintaining good oral health. Mobile teeth, also known as loose teeth, can be a common problem that many individuals face. Howev er, with the advancement in dental technolo gy, fibre bonding splinting has emerged as an effective solution to stabilize and retain mo bile teeth. Fibre bonding splinting involves using a glass reinforced fibre that bonds to the loose tooth or teeth to its neighboring teeth, pro viding stability and support There are other tooth replacement op tions that may have been recommended to you, like implants, which can prove very ex pensive and with gum disease it's not a great option . The splint allows you to keep your natural teeth intact. Preserving your natural teeth means you maintain the overall struc ture and alignment of your jaw. There is nothing better than holding onto your own teeth. So how do I care for the splint?
It's very important to maintain a very good oral hygiene regime after the splint is in place. We have to remember why we have loose teeth in the first place. It is due to periodontal disease or gum disease as more commonly known. The gums are the foundations of our teeth and unfortunately if we dont look after them our teeth become loose. So having dental check ups, along with regular cleaning appointments with our hy gienist and a very good oral hygiene routine at home is imperative , to be honest it's what you do at home that counts the most. Our hygienist will give you a routine to follow ev eryday and night , with recommendations of what toothpaste and mouthwash to use. So there is no better replacement for teeth than having your own, Dr Karan Sud works very conservatively as is the only fibredontist in the area.. If you feel you have a similar is sue please don't hesitate to call 603296687 for more information or you can book online at www.ksuddental.com
www.ksuddental.com / ksuddental@gmail.com / 603 296 687
HEALTH & BEAUTY IN the realm of daily personal care, encompassing soaps, lo tions, and cosmetics, emerg ing reports highlight concerns over potentially harmful chemicals. Mercury in skin lightening creams, carcinogens in hair products, and fragrances linked to fertility issues raise alarms. Despite known expo sure to hazardous sub stances in their products, cosmetics and personal care items still remain no tably underregulated, with labels boasting terms like ‘naturally derived’ often serving as nothing more than marketing ploys rather than indicators of safety. Negotiating this landscape proves challenging for consumers, compounded by limited testing for individu al exposure levels. Experts advocate for in formed choices, recommend ing scrutiny of product ingre dients and minimising overall toxin exposure. Common chemicals of concern in per sonal care products include butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), found in lipsticks and moisturisers, linked to stom
euroweeklynews.com
Beauty at a price
HARMFUL CHEMICALS. Check the contents carefully.
ach cancer and repro ductive issues; coal tar dyes (m, o, and p phenylenediamine) in hair dyes, associated with skin irri tation and increased cancer risk; diethanolamine (DEA) in shampoos, forming carcino genic nitrosamines; formalde hydereleasers (DMDM hy dantoin, diazolidinyl urea) in cosmetics, with potential links to nose and throat cancers;
fragrance, concealing various undisclosed chemicals, some disrupting hormonal function; parabens in waterbased products, linked to estrogen mimicking effects and breast cancer; and phthalates in vinyl plastics, affecting hor mones and fertility. Awareness of these sub stances empowers con sumers to make informed choices.
7 - 13 December 2023
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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
THIS past week, food has caught the imagination of readers of Euro Weekly News and the two hot topics were the launch of the new M&S Spanish Chorizo Paella Croquetas and the love that readers seem to have for Spanish Christmas favourite Roscón de Reyes. Some of the comments on the croquetas veered back to Jamie Oliver and his proposed use of chorizo in paella and the outcry from Spanish food writers decrying it and a selection follows;
“
Oh yes they are right up my street!! Samantha Idle
Firstly there is no potato in a croquette. It's just a bechamel, thick and creamy. All M&S are doing is making a chorizo croqueta (not uncommon these days in modern bars) more cheaply by padding it out with rice. I won't be rushing to try it.
I've never heard of, or seen or tasted this concocted dish in Spain. But if people buy it and like it, then good luck to them. What's the Spanish equivalent of Delhi Belly? Kevin Barber
Chorizo Paella what is that?? Can't beat a proper Paella, I will not forsake my home country's national dish Kathy Hyett
Liz Kirkham
Looks good to me. Teresa Tracy Ramsey
Well. The jury is out here. Not sure of the combination, but I love paella and I love croquetas. But it does feel a bit disrespectful. Still Fusion food is a thing. Roisin Maire Stephenson
I t's really a simple wording mistake by them. Don't write Spanish on them. They don't make that flavour here, so it's not Spanish. Maybe it's Spanish ingredients.
Paella can have anything in it, it is a working man's dish, made with whatever is to hand. Sometimes just vegetables, just fish, in the hills they use squirrel, up until about 25 years ago they sold skinned rats in some carniceros, for paella. Rabbit is also very common... there is more than one recipe. Alex Murdoch
What on earth is a chorizo paella anyway. A complete mystery here in Mallorca. No doubt the same in Spain. Ridiculous! Charmaine Mockett
Hand made in Spain? Where in Spain would they make this rubbish.
Let’s be honest, most Spanish food is not that great. I truly believe it too highly overrated and I genuinely mean that. So I will try the M&S dish because it cannot be worse than I get in some local restaurants around the Orihuela Costa.
Doug Haynes
Mike George
Gordon O'Keeffe
Sounds good to me. Sue Peers
What a load of crap! That is not Spanish cuisine just another abuse of traditional food from another country that's full of crap! Why don't they promote healthy food? And the benefits of the Mediterranean diet! Christina Ford
Thirty plus years in Spain, eaten with numerous Spanish families and never had paella that includes chorizo. First time I saw paella con chorizo was the food mishandler, Jamie Oliver. No. Alan
Turning to the Christmas delicacy, readers seemed to be in almost complete agreement; I loved both Christmas, and the cake. Heath Savage
Don't worry Spain, it shall not pass my lips! Stevie Rayner
I'm definitely the grinch, I hate Christmas Nigel Springall
As an ex M&S man, now living in Mojacar, I think they look brilliant. Gerry Diamond
Love it. Always go to our Spanish neighbours. Hopefully I get the king. Not the bean! Lol. Sheila Hounslow
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
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7 - 13 December 2023
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Advertising Feature
ALL OUR CHRISTMAS SERVICES “GOD rest yea merry gentlemen” and ladies in fact everyone this Christmas. Christmas Day this year falls on a Monday and the eight places of worship of the Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy will hold a Christmas Day service to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Sunday service will take place at the normal time on Christmas Eve. Before the 25th there will be a number of Carol services which are always good fun as there is nothing like a good singsong to get you in the mood for some mince pies and mulled wine afterwards. Purely medicinal of course to warm the inner person and perhaps to inspire you to sing some more. Everyone is welcome at any of our ser vices so please feel free to join us and meet some new people as believe it or not we are not a bad bunch. Calpe. La Merced Church. Av.Jaime 1 El Conqueridor 03710. Carols on December 19 with the Cantamos Choir at 6.30pm. Fol lowed by mince pies and mulled wine at the La Merced campsite. Christmas Day service 10.30am. Albir. Carols on the beach by Albir Anchor
Get yourself in the mood.
at 11.00am followed by Carols in the Nor wegian Seafarers Church. Calle de Marte, 8 Albir 03581. At 4.00pm. Christmas Day service in the Norwegian Church at 10.30am. Javea. Ctra. De Jesus Pobre, 160, Javea 03737. December 15. Joy by Cantamos choir at 4.00pm. This is a ticket event please call 965 581 483. Christmas Day service at 09.45am. La Fustera. Avinguda Fustera, 3339 Benis sa 03720. Carols December 13 at 3.30pm. Followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Christmas Day service at 12.15pm. Denia. Ermita Los Rotas Ctra. Provincial del Barranc del Monyo, 39 Denia 03700. Carols December 8at 4.00pm followed by mince pies and mulled wine. Christmas Day service 12.00pm.
www.costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org
Advertising Feature
Neater Heaters - a model that will suit anyone OVER many years Neater Heaters have be come the first choice of many expats living in Spain. Behind our stylish Scandinavian designs are a modern stateoftheart convector heater that can match any on the market for economy and efficiency, and beats all the serious competition hands down on price. The real secret of these heaters is the computerage technology in the form of extruded aluminium in the construction of the heating element. This material and the design creates a huge surface area for heat transfer, which means more air can be heated for less cost. Neater Heaters use convection princi pals and are designed so that the electrici ty you put into the heater is converted to heat as cheaply as possible. When you turn on the heater the element warms up rapidly and heats the air around it, this air rises and draws more cold air into the heater. Because the element is extremely efficient and is de signed to have a huge surface area a large
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NEATER HEATER DISTRIBUTORS: COSTA BLANCA NORTH MORAIRA: S&W, The Tool Bar. Tel. 965 745 805. ALTEA: Leo’s Superstore. Tel. 965 844 848 Heaters also available for purchase at our online shop with free home delivery. WWW.NEATERHEATER.ES or Tel. 634 312 171 (WhatsApp available)
www.euroweeklynews.com • 7 - 13 December 2023
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PETS
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Love signs CATS, often perceived as mys terious and aloof, actually have their unique ways of showing affection. Here are some signs: 1. Purring: Is a sign of con tentment and affection. 2. HeadButting: Cats share their scent as a mark of trust and love. 3. Following You Around: A sign they enjoy your compa ny. 4. Bringing Gifts: Is a sign of affection and showing off their hunting skills. 5. Slow Blinking: The cat equivalent of a kiss. It shows they feel safe and fond of you. 6. Sleeping on You: Means they trust you and feel safest in your presence. 7. Showing Their Belly: Their most vulnerable spot. It’s a sign of trust. 8. Grooming You: If your cat licks you, it’s a sign of deep af fection. 9. Kneading: Kneading with their paws on you is a com forting behaviour that origi nates from kittenhood.
Jake loves a dog-sitter playmate for free THERE are some dogs who, no matter how old they get, love to play and play and play. Meet Jake, he is one such dog and despite his 12 years he needs and loves a playmate. All the fun and frolics keep his owners fit. And when they travel on holiday they find dog sitters on HouseSitMatch. But they must be fit and active to keep up with Jake! The petsitters come for free! If you’re planning a trip in 2024 regis ter 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 sit ters come for free! Choose Housesitmatch. com for affordable trav el, home and pet care. These are the steps to take: 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. Sitters apply and you choose.
Jake is a mature mutt who loves a dog-sitter playmate.
How does it work? HouseSit Match can help you find suit able sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. Housesitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets. Trustpilot Testimonials 4.9 / 5 Ex cellent 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.
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Pets are living longer THE longevity of our beloved pets has significantly in creased over recent years. Various factors contribute to this trend, ensuring a longer and healthier life for our ani mal companions. 1. Advanced Veterinary Care: Veterinary medicine has made leaps in progress, offering treatments for ail ments that were once con sidered fatal. Preventive care, including vaccinations and regular health checks, plays a crucial role in extend ing pet lifespans. 2. Improved Nutrition: The quality of pet food has drasti cally improved. Now, pet foods are specially formulat ed to meet nutritional needs
VETERINARY CARE: Plays a crucial role in extending lifespans.
at different life stages, con tributing to overall health and longevity. 3. Awareness of Pet Health: Pet owners are now more knowledgeable about their pets’ health needs. This increased awareness leads to
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timely medical intervention and better care at home. 4. Indoor Living: More pets, especially cats, are liv ing indoors, protecting them from external threats like traffic, predators, and dis eases. 5. Spaying and Neutering: These procedures can pre vent diseases such as uterine infections and certain types of cancer, contributing to longer lifespans. 6. Emphasis on Exercise: Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining a pet’s health. It prevents obesity, which is linked to numerous health problems.
Dog finds happy home IN a surprising turn of events, a dog who unwit tingly became embroiled in a major drug smuggling op eration has found a new lease of life. In May of this year, Camila, a twoyearold dog, arrived at Heathrow Air port from Mexico with her Mexican owner. Staff at the Animal Air care Reception Centre grew suspicious when they noticed how Camila’s crate was excessively heavy and had unusual dimensions, along with a strong odour of paint stripper. Their investigation re vealed 10 onekilo blocks of cocaine cunningly con cealed within a false base of the crate. This discovery led to the involvement of Border Force and the Na tional Crime Agency (NCA). The owner was appre hended when he came to collect Camila. He initially claimed to have adopted the dog from a Mexican rescue centre. However, the NCA’s in vestigation uncovered glar ing inconsistencies in his story, including over £3,000 spent on shipping the dog without booking a return trip. He later confessed to importing class A drugs, worth £800,000 into the UK, and was sent to prison. Since her arrival, Camila has been under the care of the reception centre’s staff. Darren Barr, NCA senior manager, said: ‘This story now has a happier ending for Camila, who will spend the rest of her life in a hap py home.” The head of Animal Wel fare at LHR, Jake Holliday, said: “We decided to foster Camila while the NCA in vestigation was ongoing to ensure she was given the love she deserved. It be came apparent she was a friendly, affectionate girl. Now it’s been confirmed Camila can go home with one of our animal welfare officers, who she adores.’”
49 EWN 7 - 13 December 2023
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ROAD TEST by Mark Slack I’M frequently told that all cars look alike nowadays, the only differentiator being the badge on the bonnet. Well there’s no mistaking Hyundai’s Tucson SUV. It has an imposing front, that reminds me a little of the 1960s Dodge Charger RT, and the company’s standout styling has made it many friends in the show room. The front lights of the Tuc son are shielded at the outer edge of the dominant front grille and provide an excellent level of light in terms of both spread and distance. It’s a neat styling touch that certainly makes drivers do a double take in their rear view mirror. This current generation was launched back in 2020 and it’s still turning heads. My test model was the Pre mium full hybrid version priced at €44,538/£38,140 and powered by a petrol 1.6litre engine bolstered by a 44kw electric motor to produce 230 PS. Standard equipment
MOTORING
Hyundai Tucson - ticking
HYUNDAI TUCSON: A family and work machine capable of everything from the school run to chauffering.
across the board includes heated front seats and steer ing wheel, climate, automatic lights and wipers, LED lights, cruise control, heated and powered folding door mirrors, automatic dimming rear view mirror, parking sensors with rear camera, keyless entry and start, navigation, Bluetooth and wireless charging. It’s an impressive list. Thankfully in an age of digi tal mania Hyundai have sensi bly maintained some buttons rather than burying every thing in the digital menu of the large touchscreen. The safety
features such as lanekeep are relatively unobtrusive al though a bit of a faff to switch off should you wish. Seating is very comfortable with multi ple adjustment and no one will complain about a lack of space as there is plenty of room for all along with their luggage. On the road the Tucson has plenty of power from its 1.6 litre engine and is both smooth and refined, although it’s never going to set your driving pulses alight there’s a very respectable eight seconds to reach the benchmark 100
kph/62 mph. It isn’t meant to be a drivers’ car, this is a family and work machine capable of everything from the school run to chauffeuring for a black tie dinner. There’s an upmarket and special feel to the interior, not always a given these days and once you’ve mastered the push buttons for the automat ic transmission it’s a genuine delight to drive. Having recent ly sampled the allelectric Ion iq 6 the Tucson may be more conventional in some aspects but it’s a very big tick in the box for the Hyundai!
MOTORING
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ARE you inadvertently break ing traffic laws while driving in Spain? Many drivers are, risk ing fines and points on their driving licences without realis ing it. A surprising number of drivers get fined for inappro priate use of the car horn. In curring an €80 penalty, using the horn should only be re served for situations of ex treme need to prevent unnec essary noise and maintain safety. Eating behind the wheel, a seemingly harmless act, is ac tually a punishable offence. This common habit often done on long journeys to save time, can lead to distractions, posing a danger to road safety. An obvious one, but a sur prisingly common offence is throwing any item from a vehi cle, including cigarette butts, is illegal and environmentally harmful. Such actions also in crease the risk of fires and at
12 years the average lifespan of a car.
7 - 13 December 2023
Traffic violations
tract substantial fines. Driving without appropriate clothing, like being shirtless or barefoot, is not only unsafe but also subject to penalties. Proper dress and footwear en hance comfort and safety at the wheel. In some localities, exceeding specified parking durations can lead to fines. Although not
punishable by the DGT, munic ipal ordinances enforce these limits to manage public space availability effectively. At petrol stations, it’s imper ative to turn off the engine and not using a mobile phone. Ne glecting these safety measures can result in a fine of up to €90. Allowing pets to roam freely inside the vehicle is not only a
distraction but also a fineable offence. The DGT imposes fines ranging from €80 to €200 for such violations, escalating to €500 in more severe cases. It is essential for drivers in Spain to familiarise themselves with all traffic regulations, not just the obvious ones. Staying informed and adhering to these lesserknown rules will not only save you from unex pected fines but contribute to safer roads for everyone.
Mobile ITV devices
MOTORISTS in Spain who might attempt to drive their vehicle without a valid ITV certifi cate now face a new measure implemented by the DGT. In its continual efforts to ensure safety on the Spanish road system, the General Direc torate of Traffic (DGT) has now provided the Guardia Civil’s Traffic Department with mo bile ITV devices that can carry out checks at the roadside. Specifically, traffic cops have been armed already for several months with an instru ment that can make a better inspection of a vehicle than they could do with the naked eye. Obviously, this device will not have the same comprehensive inspection capabilities that the machines used in physical ITV sta tions possess.
The mobile ITV will focus mainly on a vehi cle’s headlights, steering, suspension, win dows and windscreen wipers, plus its tyres. These devices should also not be confused with those used by some ITV stations in rural areas of Spain. In those cases, the ITV ma chines are taken in a van to conduct a full in spection on vehicles that cannot travel long distances from home. They include mopeds, tractors and agricul tural machinery, and special vehicles intend ed for heavy industrial works and services, such as excavators. Drivers contemplating using their vehicles even with an expired ITV should be aware that the DGT is very clear in this regard. Even if an appointment is made after the expiration date, it is still a traffic offence to drive the vehicle to the testing station.
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Classic cycling Image: Ayuntamiento de La Nucia
LA NUCIA is set to host the starting point of the ‘Classic Valencian Community 1969’ cycling race on Saturday, Jan uary 20, 2024, at noon. The event, a 200 km one day race, marks the opening of the UCI road cycling calen dar in Europe and will draw national and international teams, including some from the highest category (World Tour). The race, which returned in 2021 after a 16year hia tus. In 2023, La Nucia hosted the finish line, where the young Belgian cyclist Arnaud De Lie (LottoDstny) secured victory in a tight sprint. For the upcoming 2024 edition, La Nucia will be the starting point, with the race kicking off from the avenue in front of the Estadi Olímpic Camilo Cano at noon.
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A 200 km race.
The race will commence from La Nucia towards Cal
losa and Coll de Rates, facing the first mountain pass of the
MADRID witnessed the official presentation of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm Costa Blanca, which has been organised for an electrifying spectacle on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at El Moralet and Foietes Parks in Benidorm. With promises of a starstudded lineup, a massive audience, and an unparalleled fes tive atmosphere, the event is set to captivate cycling enthusiasts and tourists alike. The event boasts the presence of three cy clocross luminaries Mathieu Van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Tom Pidcock. These giants of the sport have eagerly in cluded the Benidorm race in their calendars, ensuring a showdown that promises to ele
race, with the finish line set in Valencia.
World Cup vate the excitement for fans. Not to be outdone, the Elite women’s event will feature toptier competitors, build ing on the triumph of Fem van Empel in the previous edition. The public response has been nothing short of overwhelming, with over 3,000 spec tators already securing their tickets. Just 50 days before the event, the buzz is growing, setting the stage for a significant in flux of tourism to Benidorm and the Costa Blanca a trend reminiscent of the success of the inaugural edition.
SPORT
Winter Olympics THE French Alps and Salt Lake City in the US were confirmed respectively on Wednesday, November 29, as the sole candidates for the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games. Karl Stoss, the head of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) future host commission, said Olympic chiefs would now move into ‘targeted dia logue’ with the two candi dates. ‘The IOC will now start more detailed discussions with the Preferred Hosts, led by their National Olympic Committees (NOCs), with the aim of awarding both editions at the 142nd IOC Session in July in Paris,’ the IOC said in a statement. Wednesday’s decision was announced at the ex pense of Sweden and Switzerland, the two other candidates. Salt Lake City was the only candidate to launch a bid to host the 2034 Games.
Last month, the IOC said that it was aiming to make a double award by picking the 2030 and 2034 hosts together in July when about 100 members meet in Paris on the eve of the 2024 Summer Games. That plan could now change to avoid a conflict for IOC members to have to vote for a French bid in its capital city. France has hosted the Winter Games on three previous occasions. Cha monix was the location in 1924, Grenoble in 1968, and Albertville in 1992. Salt Lake City previously hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. The French bid for the 2030 Games is based around the resorts of Meribel, Courchevel and Val d’Isere for alpine skiing while La Clusaz would host the Nordic events. Skating events would take place in the Mediterranean city of Nice, which would also act as the Olympic Village.