Costa Calida 4 – 10 January 2024 Issue 2009

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AS the world eagerly awaited the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, the streets of Cartagena witnessed a lively prelude to the grand celebration, with thousands gathering in the Plaza del Rey on December 30 for the ‘Las Preuvas’ (pre-grapes). This event took place against the backdrop of the Arsenal clock, drawing in partygoers from cities as distant as Cadiz and Barcelona. The chilly night was warmed by the festivity’s vibrant atmosphere, complete with lively music and sparkling decorations fitting for the year-end fun.

This tradition began with Josefa Muñoz, fondly known as ‘Pepita,’ the concept of ‘Las Preuvas’ was inspired by Madrid’s traditional New Year’s Eve bell rehearsals in Puerta del Sol. The event has since transformed into a big deal for Cartagena, dubbed ‘Las Preuvas de Pepita.’ This year, the collaboration with prominent media outlets like radio station Los 40 Principales and Cadena SER added an extra sparkle to the festivities. Nazaret Navarro steered the event as the master of ceremonies, accompanied by DJ David Álvarez’s beats and a spirited performance by the Renacer dance group.

With the aid of Implica2 volunteers, the Youth Council distributed 2,000 bags of party favours (cotillón) to attendees. The partying continued well past midnight, finishing around 1.30am.

The Murcia region has witnessed the emergence of another new trend called ‘Tardevieja,’( New Year’s evening) a celebration where locals gather to

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New Year Dip

Image: Cartagena Image: Cartagena.es town hall

PRE-NEW YEAR FUN

GRATUITO

Image: Age Concern Costa Calida

Costa Calida • Issue No. 2009 • 4 - 10 January 2024

AGE CONCERN: A chilly dip for a good cause.

Image kids: San Ped

ro del Pinatar town

CELEBRATIONS: New Year fun across the region.

have lunch and then enjoy a few drinks in the evening, celebrate until late, and then decide whether to continue the party or head home to count down for the New Year. This evolving trend represents a shift from the traditional late-night festivities and follows the rise of ‘tardeo’ (socialising after lunch throughout the evening).

Many towns across the

Region of Murcia also celebrated mini-New Year celebrations at noon which were organised specifically for the children of Murcia.

With sweets, shows, and cotillón (party favours) the kids enjoyed a wonderful end-of-year party also. Happy New Year, may 2024 bring you happiness, health, and prosperity.

hall.

IN a heartwarming display of solidarity and community spirit, Age Concern Costa Calida began the New Year with its much-anticipated annual New Year’s Day Swim at Playa De Bahia in Mazarron.

The event, a tradition cherished by many, drew enthusiastic participants, dedicated supporters, and gracious contributors, including Costa Calida International Radio Station, the Hotel Bahía, and a host of tireless volunteers.

Despite the bracing chill of the sea, the cheerful ambiance remained undampened, buoyed by the sheer determination and jubilant camaraderie of the swimmers and attendees. “What a blast we had today at our annual New Year’s Day Age Concern New Year’s Day Swim at Playa De Bahia - Mazarron,” exclaimed the organisers, elated by the turnout.

Blissful weather graced the occasion, providing a picturesque backdrop for this charitable event.

Participants, undeterred by the chilly waters, embraced the invigorating plunge, all in support of Age Concern Costa Calida’s noble cause.

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4 - 10 January 2024

PEDRO and María were announced as the first bundles of joy to be born in Murcia in 2024, marking a heartwarming start to the new year.

Pedro, the firstborn, made his entrance into the world at precisely 3.36am on Monday, January 1 at the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital in Murcia. Weighing in at a healthy three kilograms, he brings immense joy to his family.

Following closely behind, just four minutes later at 3.40am, María made her debut at the Santa Lucía Hospital in Cartagena.

Born to proud parents Sebastián and Conchi, María tipped the scales at 3.180 kilograms and measured 48 centimetres at birth.

It seems María was in a hurry to embrace the world, unexpectedly arriving well before her expected due date of January 5 the eve of the Three Kings!

Last year Jimena became the first baby of 2023 in the Murcia Region.

Born at 00.10 hours at the

First born

Murcia’s first babies 2024.

Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital in El Palmar, Jimena weighed two kilograms and 830 grams, marking a bright start to the preceding year.

Pedro and María now hold the honour of being the first newborns of 2024 in the Murcia Region, bringing hope, joy, and renewed optimism to their families and the community as they begin their life’s journey.

THE Carrera de San Silvestre in Spain is a popular running event held annually on December 31, New Year’s Eve. It’s part of a tradition that takes place in various Spanish cities and towns.

The race is usually a festive and light-hearted event, where participants - often dressed in costumes or fun attire - run through the streets, to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one.

A whopping 3,216 Cartagenians took to the streets to participate in the annual San Silvestre race, marking it as

THE Cabo de Palos Lighthouse, perched on its rocky elevation, is on its way to becoming a ‘Bien de Interés Cultural’ (BIC) a designated cultural heritage site, granting legal protection and conservation measures.

Dating back to 1862, when it replaced a Renaissance tower, this structure has historical, scientific, and technical significance as a pivotal part of Spain’s heritage.

The recent initiation by the Directorate General of Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts for its designation as a monument, detailed in the Official State Gazette, highlights its importance. From its origins to housing a Ligh-

Annual race the most substantial turnout in the city’s history. The main race covered a distance of 5.8 kilometres, winding through the streets of Cartagena.

The participants donned a variety of costumes, from Christmas-themed outfits to a salad!

Javier Ruzafa and Eva Sánchez emerged victorious as champions of the San Silvestre de Cartagena, the oldest race of its kind in the region.

The day also featured va-

rious children’s races across different age categories, held in the vicinity of the starting point located at Paseo Alfonso XII. Beyond Cartagena, similar scenes unfolded across various towns in the Murcia region, showcasing the enthusiasm and spirit of the San Silvestre tradition. In Murcia city itself, the San Silvestre 2023 La Verdad de Murcia saw a remarkable success with over 5,000 runners.

Beaming honour Image: Shutterstock/ Sarnia

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Image: Shutterstock/Ratchat

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Shining a light on heritage.

thouse Keepers’ School and being a beacon in a maritime triangle, it has played a crucial role.

Despite its solid external appearance, the lighthouse faces interior challenges due to humidity, particularly affecting the area housing its optic.

However, efforts are underway to preserve this historical site.

The resolution, as per Cartagena’s Municipal Group (MC), is the result of everyone working together since 2021. They credit the unity of multiple heritage defenders and unanimous municipal support for this significant milestone, ensuring the lighthouse’s overdue recognition and protection.

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NIBS EXTRA Charity fun

Kind support

IN a heartwarming gesture, Aguas de Lorca’s team contributed €1,000 to the Cruz Roja Lorca for their toy drive. This generous donation ensures that around 100 children, from struggling families, can receive toys during this festive season.

Egypt tribute

LORCA Council honours Egypt with the ‘Treasures of Egypt’ Exhibition’. The MASS-Blue Museum hosts 100+ scaled recreations from eminent museums like the Louvre, British Museum, and Cairo Museum.

Running Jan 2 to Jun 30, it showcases burials, expeditions, funerary items, Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus, and much more.

Grand opening

LA Manga del Mar Menor unveiled its revamped Mistral Park, along with an outdoor sports area and a delightful children’s play zone. Celebrations ensued with children’s workshops and the adornment of Christmas decorations, adding cheer to this community space.

Riverside blaze

A LATE-night fire ravaged a section of the Malecón de Murcia’s garden, scorching three cars and swathes of greenery along the Segura River. Around 1.30pm on Friday, December 29, the city’s firefighters swiftly responded, dousing the flames that engulfed multiple palm trees.

IN a bid to offer a memorable experience, Age Concern presents another interesting day trip to Lorca Market and Parque Almenara, blending cultural exploration and retail therapy.

Priced affordably at €18 per person, this excursion promises an immersive adventure.

Lorca Market, known for its diverse offerings of local crafts and fresh produce, will captivate visitors with its vibrant ambiance and cultural treasures.

Attendees can explore stalls brimming with unique finds, immersing themselves in the rich heritage of the region.

Transitioning to the renowned Parque Almenara in the afternoon,

Port progress gc_godrednu /kcotsrettuhS :egamI

ZARZADILLA DE TOTANA will host the annual Three Kings’ show on January 6, starring 20 locals and with new backdrops made by students from the Municipal School of Arts. The event begins at 11.00am in the Botanical Garden, followed by an evening charity auction dance at the parish hall, supporting the Spanish Association Against Cancer.

IN the coming year, Cartagena Port and its partners plan a €75 million investment. This includes a new €9.44 million administrative building at Santa Lucía, focusing on efficiency and freeing up space for a pedestrianfriendly environment.

Around 30 per cent of this funding, €24 million, comes from private companies like Ership and Enagás. The Port Authority itself will contribute over 65 per cent. These investments will target various projects. Private entities aim to build storage facilities, conveyor belts, and even a Livestock

4 - 10 January 2024

Cartagena Port’s bold investment journey.

Terminal. There’s a push for sustainable energy like

Day trip participants can indulge in shopping at newly opened stores like Leroy Merlin and Primark.

With something for every taste, from fashion to home decor and technology, the shopping centre ensures an enjoyable retail experience.

Scheduled for Thursday, January 11, 2024, this day trip includes round-trip coach transportation, guaranteeing a hassle-free outing. Limited seats are available. Contact Age Concern via Facebook or at 634 344 589 to secure your spot and partake in this remarkable journey of discovery and shopping delight!

Green Hydrogen Biofuels, aligning

and with

Air quality

MURCIA is facing a concerning air quality issue, surpassing safe PM10 particle levels for five consecutive days, triggering a level 3 pollution alert.

In response, the city council enacted stringent measures, banning heavy trucks and suspending dusty construction projects. Weather patterns, notably the absence of wind and rain, alongside thermal inversion, have exacerbated the problem by trapping pollutants.

Mayor José Ballesta revealed plans for a comprehensive ‘aerobiological network’ with 13 monitoring stations across Murcia, set to launch in 2024. This collaboration with local universities aims to accurately measure air quality and pollen levels.

Despite the urgency, Ballesta urged calm, emphasising Murcia’s distinct atmospheric conditions.

Murcia City has already implemented plans to introduce reducing air pollution like free transportation, parking facilities, and free bike services to combat pollution’s impact. The proactive approach seeks to address the immediate pollution concerns while laying the groundwork for a cleaner, healthier Murcia in the future

Flu epidemic THE Murcia Region faces a healthcare crisis as the flu A epidemic surges, inundating hospitals and overwhelming primary care. Emergency rooms are inundated, with some receiving 49 per cent more patients than usual. The General and Materno Infantil hospitals attended nearly 800 people on December 26, a 32 per cent increase. Respiratory infections, notably the flu A, have risen by 120 per cent, signalling an escalating epidemic curve.

Hospitals cope by opening pre-admission units and reducing non-urgent surgeries.

Enagás’ ambition to be Europe’s gas gateway.

Future plans revolve around integrating the port seamlessly with the city, highlighted by the Plaza Mayor’s expansion and a revitalised Santa Lucía. These initiatives signify the commitment to forging a modern, sustainable, and interconnected port-city landscape, that will deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Despite the strain, contingency plans manage escalating needs. However, primary care centres struggle, with appointments booked solid into midJanuary. Short-staffed due to illnesses and vacations, doctors handle over 40 patients daily.

Jesús Abenza, from the Murcian Society of Family and Community Medicine, acknowledges the impact of flu and respiratory viruses on soaring primary care visits. The region’s healthcare system faces immense strain, balancing emergency care demands and overwhelmed primary care.

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STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Urgent appeal THE Regional Blood Donation Centre in Murcia urgently calls upon the community to donate blood, specifically targeting A- and O- blood types due to critically low reserves in local hospitals. Emphasising the scarcity of O- blood, the Centre urges immediate donations of this blood type.

Eligibility criteria include being between 18 and 65 years old, weighing over 50 kilograms, residing in Spain, and maintaining good health. Interested individuals can donate at established centres: the Regional Blood Donation Centre at Garay Avenue, 2, in Murcia, until 8.30pm, and at Santa María del Rosell Hospital in Cartagena until 2pm.

The need for A- and O- blood types is critical, and donors are encouraged to support the local hospitals.

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

Even better, our news online and in print is FREE and we promise to always keep it that way.

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THE installation of a comprehensive piezometric control network (a system that measures the pressure of groundwater) along the Mar Menor coastline marks a groundbreaking step in understanding and safeguarding this unique ecosystem.

Comprising 19 strategically placed piezometers, this initiative by the Community aims to monitor groundwater levels, predict potential adversities, and analyse the aquifer’s evolution.

This undertaking not only offers crucial insights into the region’s hydrological dynamics but also presents a pioneering opportunity. For the first time, it allows for a comprehensive reconstruction of the Mar Menor’s geological profile, shedding light on its connectivity with the aquifer and unveiling the intricate relationship between underground water systems and the sea.

Moreover, the collection of 630 borehole core samples from the aquifer’s contact zone promises invaluable information on geological materials and the

Image: carm.es

Water watch Unravelling Mar Menor’s subsurface mysteries.

filtration of water and nutrients into the Mar Menor. This wealth of data will refine predictions, improve ecosystem management, and aid decision-making processes concerning the conservation and preservation of the Mar Menor, elevating scientific understanding and ensuring a more sustainable future for this cherished coastal lagoon.

THE Ministry of Transport has announced a notable increase in toll charges on Spanish motorways, set to take effect on January 1, marking the most significant hike since the toll system’s inception two decades ago. Starting January 1, toll rates on Spanish motorways will increase by 5 per cent to 6.6 per cent, as confirmed by the Ministry of Transport this Saturday, December 30. This increase surpasses the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to which hikes were traditionally tied. The aim is to offset last year’s imposed cap of 4 per cent, preventing an 8.3 per cent increase mirroring the inflation rate.

This limitation aimed to soften what would have been the steepest hike in toll charges in history - an unmanageable cost for users amid an inflationary crisis. However, it was

Toll hike

agreed to compensate concessionaires until 2026 for the shortfall. Essentially, the unpaid tolls from the previous year will be recovered from users in subsequent years. Moreover, a financing line of €23.3 million was established.

The tariff update will affect the 11 toll roads starting Monday, January 1: AP-51, AP-61, AP-6, AP-53, AP-66, AP-7 Alicante-Cartagena, AP-7 Malaga-Guadiaro, AP-68, AP-71, AP-9, and AP-46.

Image: Shutterstock/ page frederique

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Ministry raises tolls on Spanish roads.

Vultures soar THE Murcia Region has witnessed a remarkable increase in its Griffon Vulture population, now reaching nearly 300 breeding pairs, it has quadrupled over the past decade.

President for the Murcia Region Pedro López Miras highlighted this growth while releasing two specimens rehabilitated at the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre. Extensive efforts by the regional government and dedicated professionals have fostered a thriving vulture population, with 2023 recording 292 breeding pairs compared to 78 in 2014.

The release of these vultures in the Mojantes de Caravaca de la Cruz mountains, designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds, underscores Murcia’s commitment to environmental preservation. López Miras expressed gratitude to El Valle’s exceptional professionals who’ve cared for thousands of animals this year.

The government’s allocated budget of €1,416,000 for 2024 emphasises their dedication to conserving threatened fauna.

The released vultures, recovered from severe malnutrition, received identification rings for future monitoring. This success story illustrates how conservation efforts and the region’s natural landscapes have contributed to the Griffon Vulture’s resurgence in Murcia.

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Port hype THE recent release of the Economic and Financial Feasibility Study for the Puerto Menor de La Manga, detailed in the Official Gazette of the Region of Murcia, signifies a pivotal step towards the anticipated rejuvenation of this marina, often referred to as Tomás Maestre.

With the council’s aim to invigorate the port’s functionality through a 30year private management concession, crucial upgrades are on the horizon.

The initial occupation fee of €328,307 annually, projected to decrease to €213,399 post-investment, indicates a commitment to enhancing services.

Moreover, commercial activities are set to contribute significantly, with estimates of nearly €26 million from berth concessions and a substantial €90 million from rentals.

This transformation spells promising prospects for Puerto Menor. The planned investments and restructured management aim to improve infrastructure, elevate user experiences, and foster economic growth. The allocation of 50 per cent of berth space for concession and the remainder for rent reflects a balanced approach.

Ultimately, this sets the stage for Puerto Menor de La Manga to emerge as a vibrant, modernised marina.

THE organ donation programme in the Murcia Region achieved remarkable milestones, ending 2023 with its highest-ever figures. With 110 donors, it marks a significant increase, the highest since its inception 39 years ago. This was 13 donors more than the previous record set in 2017, which stood at 97 donors.

Juan José Pedreño, the Health counsillor, disclosed these figures during a meeting with the regional transplant coordinator, Dr Ricardo Robles, and hospital programme heads. Pedreño hailed Murcia as one of Spain’s most charitable communities and emphasised the crucial role of healthcare professionals in encouraging donations, especially amid the distress of losing a family member.

The Virgen de la Arrixaca hospital leads the regional tally with 92 out of the 110 donors recorded in 2023. Pedreño expressed gratitude to families for their generosity, attributing the programme’s success to their willingness.

Notably, Murcia’s current family refusal rate stands at 14 per cent, three points below the national average.

Record donors

This lower refusal rate led to a record-breaking 100+ kidney transplants in 2023 since the programme’s initiation, including nine from living donors. Over 1,059 potential

bone marrow donors registered during this campaign also, demonstrating a strong community commitment, second only to La Rioja.

Since its launch in 1984

BRINGING warmth and smiles to Cartagena, the City Council’s ‘Juguetea’ (toy drive) solidarity campaign has achieved a remarkable feat by collecting gifts for 1,500 children, ensuring no child is left without a present this holiday season. The touching conclusion of this initiative took place on December 22 at Plaza Luis Ruipérez, next to the Palacio de Deportes.

Mayor Noelia Arroyo attended the event, extending heartfelt thanks to the community, organisations, businesses, and sports clubs whose combined efforts amassed an incredible 3,200 toys. From dolls and footballs to bicycles, board games, remote-controlled cars, dartboards, and puzzles, an array of gifts for all ages were contributed. Expressing her gratitude, Mayor Noelia Arroyo said, “Cartagena is fortunate to receive support from nearly 50 associations, groups, entities, businesses, the Armed Forces, and sports clubs for this annual toy drive. It helps fulfill the dreams of many children who eagerly write their letters to the Three Kings.”

The campaign’s success was bolstered by the logistical support of the Spanish Navy and the Artillery Regiment 73 of Tentegorra, providing

at the Virgen de la Arrixaca hospital, nearly 6,000 people have received transplants in the Murcia Region, showcasing the programme’s enduring impact on saving lives.

Toy drive success Image: Cartagena town hall

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No child without a toy.

vehicles for transporting the gifts. Add i t i o n a l l y, the Cartagena Moto Club added festive cheer, donning Santa Claus costumes and spreading joy throughout the day while delivering the toys.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

Gladiator gold Image: Cartagena.es

CARTAGENA’s Roman Amphitheatre excavations have unveiled a fascinating discovery: the ‘fossa bestiaria,’ an underground pit for wild animals and gladiators. Set to be open to tourists this summer, the pit beneath the arena served as a cage for beasts and an entry point for gladiators.

Mayor Noelia Arroyo announced the integration of this finding into tours, offering insight into the ancient spectacles held 2,000 years ago in Carthago Nova. The pit’s layout, access stairs, and traces of the wooden boards used atop the sand-covered arena were revealed during the dig.

The team plans to pro-

4 - 10 January 2024

FASCINATING: Secrets of Gladiators unearthed.

tect this section during further excavation, contributing to the 30 per cent of the amphitheatre already unearthed.

These ongoing exca-

THE Regional Assembly of Murcia recently passed a significant budget of €6.526 billion, marking a historic milestone with a strong focus on social welfare. President López Miras highlighted the government’s commitment to having Murcia’s accounts approved before January 1, 2024, ensuring vital support for the region.

These budgets prioritise healthcare, education, and social policies, promising approximately €14.5 million per day for these critical sec-

vations, funded by the Ministry, aim to reveal archaeological treasures and highlight diverse architectural styles that define Cartagena’s Roman heritage.

Historic budget tors. Beyond social welfare, they emphasise support for municipalities, fostering business, and modernising industries. Additionally, they underscore the regional government’s dedication to digitalisation for efficient public service.

President López Miras praised the Finance Minister and the government for their dedicated work, despite time constraints and delayed information from the Ministry of Finance.

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4 - 10 January 2024

Credit: Matias Zavia/Gliff

Viral AI photo British couple die in fire MALAGA BEACH: The viral photo that tricks the eye!

ONE thing that exploded into everyday life during 2023 is Artificial Intelligence.

From university students hiring robots to write their dissertations, to the world going crazy over turning our favourite photos into flattering cartoons, slowly this new technology is becoming a part of our everyday lives.

One such AI tool, Gliff, works by placing hidden words inside an image. This mobile phone app is what Malaga journalist, Matias Zavia, used to create this

photo that immediately went viral last September, 2023.

The creation gained more than four million hits online, with people from all over the world raving at the talent shown. Comments including “the photographer is a genius”, and “absolutely incredible, tricked me!” were posted by people under the image.

However, as explained by the creator himself, it was mostly the work of the artificial intelligence available on

the app. It is actually pretty simple to use, users just instruct the tool with what they want to write, in what font size and within a stated context, and the image will be generated, artificially! This viral image was a result of Matias requesting the word ‘Malaga’ and asking that it be in a beach setting.

‘The Malaga photo’ as it became known, was downloaded so many times that the app surprisingly crashed on the first days of its launch.

IN a tragic incident, a British couple, aged 84 and 78 whose identities were known locally, lost their lives in a house fire near Benidorm.

The fatal fire occurred at their residence in the Denia area of Costa Blanca, close to Benidorm.

The incident, which is believed to have taken place several days before the discovery, was reported by a neighbour on Friday, December 29, shortly before 11.00am.

Emergency services, including firefighters, rushed to the scene at the Urbanizacion Betlems residential estate which lies next to the iconic Montgo Mountain, after being alerted by the concerned neighbour.

Despite their prompt response, there was nothing they could do to save the couple.

Spain’s National Police are now

spearheading the investigation into the fire’s origins.

The neighbour who was instrumental in alerting the authorities, reported no visible flames but was alarmed by the blackened interior of the property’s windows.

The evidence suggests that the fire might have been smouldering undetected for an extended period.

Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the blaze.

However, preliminary reports and local speculations hint at an accidental start, possibly due to a carelessly discarded cigarette butt.

The exact duration of the fire before its discovery remains unclear, but speculations suggest it could have been days.

As the community reels from the shock, the investigation continues underway.

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4 - 10 January 2024

LAST year, Spain experienced one of its most severe droughts, the ninth most expensive climate disaster in the world per capita in 2023, it cost €45.5 per Spaniard This environmental tragedy incurred a staggering total expense exceeding €2.1 billion. The annual report by Christian Aid, an international development organisation, highlights this.

It emphasises the grave, direct impact of climate change on populations, detailing the financial strain of the top 20 climate catastrophes globally, including cyclones, floods, and fires.

Christian Aid typically computes costs by dividing the damage from disasters like fires, floods, and droughts by the population in the impacted areas.

However, some events defy calculation. The September floods in Libya, for instance, claimed about 11,000 lives in Derna and resulted in ‘incalculable’ damage. Here, the cost was

Credit: Quintanilla/Shutterstock.com

2023 Cost of Spanish drought

CLIMATE DISASTER: Extreme drought in Spain.

estimated at €95.6 per person, considering the required humanitarian aid.

The focus on Spain’s drought, uniquely categorised in the report, reveals the regional variations of this crisis. Although the report is specific to April in Catalonia, where consumption restrictions were imposed in 22 localities, the calculation encompasses all Spaniards.

Throughout 2023, Spain grappled with high temperatures and water scarcity, such as unusually high temperatures that caused 38.8 degrees to be recorded at the Cordoba airport on April 26. The lack of water generally affected agricul-

tural production, the olive harvest for example and an even bigger impact to wheat and rye.

The government’s response involved a €2.1 billion aid package for water supply and farming support, equating to a per capita cost of around €45.5.

Spain’s drought stands out in a list led by Hawaii’s August fires, which cost Hawaiians €3,700 per person. This comparison underscores the varied impact of climate disasters around the world.

Spain’s position in the list is a shocking reminder of the escalating economic toll of climate change.

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IRELAND Less friendly IRELAND’S Advertising Standards Authority (ASAI) asked the National Dairy Council to withdraw an advertisement which maintained that the country’s milk was the ‘most climate-friendly in the world’. The request was the result of a complaint which said the claim was based on statistics from 13 years ago.

Happy event THE Fota Wildlife Park in Carrigtwohill announced that a rare and endangered François langur monkey was born there in November. The baby’s mother and a younger sibling arrived at the Fota park from the UK’s Twycross Zoo in September 2022 under the European Endangered Breeding Programme (EEP).

SWEDEN

euroweeklynews.com II EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPRESS NORWAY Slight rise THE Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) announced a rise in the volume of oil production in November 2023 when compared to October or during the same period last year. Although this was 3.1 per cent lower than NPD predictions, total gas sales of 10.9 billion cubic metres were higher than expected.

NORWEGIAN OIL: Modest production increase in November.

GERMANY

BELGIUM Midnight dip LOUIS VERBEECK, a priest driving home after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, inexplicably ended up in an Antwerp canal despite being familiar with the route. Passersby went to his aid and although unhurt he was taken to hospital with mild hypothermia and discharged in time for that morning’s 11am Mass.

Not funny

Photo credit: CC/Tommy Ellingsen

FRANCE

BY late December, the Net Brussel refuse collection service had dealt with 60 tons of laughing gas canisters, all of which needed to be separated from the other rubbish.

Inevitably, some were not spotted, causing explosions which Net Brussel said resulted in shutting down an incinerator “on a weekly basis.”

DENMARK

Chipping in

Very merry

Go fish

Race date

AROUND 440,000 of Sweden’s 1.4 million cats have been chipped and registered in line with a law passed in 2022. The country’s Agriculture ministry said it was satisfied with the progress made, which was aimed at making it easier to trace a lost pet, raise their status and reduce the number of strays.

A DRUNK driver dressed as Father Christmas who was taking presents home on Christmas Eve, came off the road in Unstruttal and crashed into another car as well as a house front, which was badly damaged. Although nobody was harmed the 54-year-old was clearly unfit to drive and his licence confiscated after a breath-test.

THE port of Lorient hopes via Keroman, a company which is partly publicly-owned, to develop a 250-hectare, €280 million fishing hub in Oman which will fly in annual 200,000 tons of fish to the Brittany town.

Many locals, especially environmentalists, are questioning the project’s effects on local life.

DENMARK, a country of cycling enthusiasts and home to several champions including Jonas Vingegaard who won the last two Tours de France, is to host a World Tour race. Scheduled for 2025, 2026 and 2027, the 250-kilometre route will set out from Roskilde and finish in Copenhagen.

Less high

Hot stuff

Red tape cut

MORTGAGE rates would fall slightly in 2024 from the current 5 per cent, economists from mortgage providers told the TT news agency. Nordnet’s Frida Bratt said home-owners or prospective buyers hoping for a return to 1 or 1.5 per cent would be disappointed, but rates would be “somewhat lower.”

WITH an average 10.6-degree annual temperature, 2023 was likely to be the warmest year since records began in 1881, Germany’s Meteorological Office (DWD) said. This figure surpasses 2022’s annual temperature of 10.5 degrees, the country’s warmest year until 2018, making the past two years the two hottest on record.

FRENCH pupils and those from EU countries on exchange visits to Britain will have less paperwork now that a change in UK regulations allows them to enter the county on an identity card. Non-EU nationals at French schools still need a passport but will not have to pay for a £115 (€132.25) visa.

ITALY

THE NETHERLANDS

FINLAND

Organic choice DENMARK buys more organic food than any other EU countries including France, Germany or Italy, the country’s Association of Organic Farms, Growers and Consumers.

Exactly 99.7 per cent of the population told the association that they bought organic produce each day, principally fruit and vegetables.

PORTUGAL

Not amused

Turtle rescued

Flash cash

Rolling away

A NATIVITY scene in a Capocastello di Mercogliano church showing the Infant Jesus with two mothers instead of the usual Mary and Joseph, was criticised by conservative Catholics and politicians. In contrast, the parish priest defended the tableau, saying that modern families “were no longer like traditional ones.”

A LOGGERHEAD turtle washed up on the coast at the end of December was the sixth to be found since October. The latest was young and too weak to remove the large number of mussels on its shell, explained biologists at Rotterdam’s Blijdorp zoo where it is recovering with the other rescued turtles.

ONLY 6 per cent of Finns use cash, the latest figures show, although a Bank of Finland official said that people should have some cash at home to pay for food, medications and fuel in an emergency. “A disruption to card payment systems could complicate their lives,” Paivi Heikkinen warned.

THE Rolling Loud, the summer hip-hop festival held in Praia da Rocha (Portimão) in 2022 and 2023, would not take place in Portugal in 2024. The organisers failed to explain the decision, although town local sources quoted in the Portuguese media said that 2023 ticket sales had dropped “significantly.”

Not so many

Getting bigger

Rent hike

THE 49,600 refugees and close family members who reached the Netherlands by December 2023 suggested that the annual total would be under 50,000. This was well below the government’s earlier estimate of 76,000, although slightly higher than in 2022 when a total of 48,600 people sought refugee status.

HELSINKI city hall’s latest population forecast said this would grow from its 2022 count of 664,028 to more than 700,000 people in 2027 and 722,000 by 2040. The city expects to gain an extra 8,200 residents in 2024 and to continue growing at an annual rate of approximately 7,000 from 2025 onwards.

NEW rental contracts were 10.5 per cent higher during the third quarter of 2023, according to National Statistics Institute (INE) figures. Nevertheless, the national average of with a national average of €7.25 euros per square metre was 0.3 per cent lower than during the previous quarter, INE said.

Star puzzle A MAP of the night sky etched on a large stone excavated an ancient fort in northeastern Italy is more than 2,400 years old, astronomers said. The 29 engravings on the map were not random, as all but one aligned closely with visible stars, with the exception of one which experts believe was a supernova.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

4 - 10 January 2024

Unique cow poop lottery HAVE you ever heard of a lottery where cow dung determines the winner?

In the Galician council of A Mezquita, this peculiar event is a reality.

With most of Spain focused on the El Gordo lottery draw recently, Galicia once again demonstrated its unique sense of humour by holding a lottery with a difference.

Organised by the Ourense Council, this unique raffle took place again this year, drawing crowds and sparking interest.

Participants eagerly anticipate this annual event, much like the excitement surrounding the Extraordinary Christmas Lottery Draw.

This year’s edition marked the fifth edition of this unusual contest, aimed at promoting local businesses. Rafael Perez, the town’s mayor, described the event as ‘a different and attractive raffle’, which has certainly lived

Credit: lunamarina/Shutterstock.com

COWS: Rectangles decide on the winner.

up to its expectations by generating significant buzz.

The process is simple yet highly unusual. The organisers mark out a grid on a large flat area of ground in which numbered and lettered rectangles are drawn.

Cows are then released into the area, and the lucky €1,000 winner is determined by which rectangle a cow decides to deliver its cowpat upon.

In this year’s draw, the prize was awarded to the rectangle marked with the

number 103 and the letter C. Famous cows like Macarena and Paradela have previously participated, and this year, a calf named Ayuso made its debut, promptly delivering the ‘jackpot’.

Raffle tickets are distributed free of charge by local businesses, including shops, restaurants, taxis, and supermarkets. The success of the event has been so overwhelming that the organisers are considering doubling the prize money to €2,000 for the 2024 edition.

EWN 11

FINANCE SHOPLIFTING cost the retail industry £1 billion in 2024 and people increasingly buy black market shoplifted food as prices soar, the British Independent Retailers Association said. Meat, cheese and confectionery are amongst the items most-often stolen in large quantities from shops and lorries, they said.

Cutting losses

SPAIN’S ‘bad bank’ Sareb set up 11 years ago during the financial crisis, plans to sell on €850 million in unpaid loans and defaulted mortgages. To help it do so, the bank has put out to tender a €375,100 contract for a financial consultant to carry out ‘one or several’ operations in 2024.

Brand scheme

SUPERDRY is negotiating to sell its brand rights in the US and Middle East to underpin the clothing company’s finances. The announcement follows last October’s agreement with India and Sri Lanka which raised £30 million (€34.57 million) in a deal with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Brands.

Fewer layoffs

THE UGT union ratified the agreement that the CC OO and Sumados Fetico unions had previously reached with Telefonica. The working week has been reduced to 36 hours and instead of the multinational company’s plans for 5,124 redundancies, these have been reduced and now affect 3,421 employees.

Plucked Rose

ALISON ROSE, NatWest’s former chief executive, will have her name removed from the Rose Review, an official report on women entrepreneurs that bore her name. Rose had to resign following the debanking debacle when Nigel Farage’s Coutts account was allegedly closed owing to his political views.

STAT OF WEEK

€112 billion

paid in Income Tax (IRPF) alone to Spain’s tax authority Hacienda during the first 11 months of 2023, a record sum that topped the total received in 2022.

Hollywood in Sunderland FILM producer Leo Pearlman hopes to create one of Europe’s biggest film and television studios in Sunderland.

Talking to the Guardian in late December, Pearlman, whose productions have won Emmys, Grammys, National Film Awards and Brit Awards, insisted there was nothing to stop Sunderland from becoming the new Hollywood.

He is a managing partner at Fulwell 73, a company with offices in Los Angeles, London and Sunderland that was founded by Pearlman and a group of friends who include James Corden.

LEO PEARLMAN: Producer plans to open studios in Sunderland.

“There’s no point in having dreams unless they are wild,” Pearlman declared.

Plans for the £450 million (€518.3 million) film studios located at the Crown Works, where cranes were built in the past, were submitted for planning permission in November.

The site where 20 sound stages will one day occupy a 1.68-million square foot (1.56-million square metre) has enormous potential, Pearlman said, with the future studios creating more than 8,000 jobs and contributing £334 million (€384.7 million) to the local economy each year.

But Hollywood will come to Sunderland only if the UK government invests in the project, he continued.

“We are looking for the government to put in less than £20 million (€23 million) a year over 10 years, against an annual GVA (gross value added) of £350 million (€403 million) to the region.”

It looks as though this could be forthcoming. Last November, Jeremy Hunt mentioned during a visit to Sunderland, that the 2023 blockbuster Barbie was shot in Hertfordshire.

“Next time, let’s have a Sunderland Barbie,” the Chancellor said.

Instability boosts arms exports SPAIN’S arms exports have soared as conflict increased globally.

In 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, Spanish companies exported materiel worth €4.09 billion.

This was 24.3 per cent up on 2021 and exceeded only by 2017’s total of €4.34 billion, according to official figures submitted to Spain’s central parliament.

In all likelihood 2023 will set another record, as arms exports had already reached €1.75 billion by the end of the first half of the year, 35.5 per cent more than during the same period in 2022.

Pre-election tax cuts ACCORDING to the UK media, Downing Street is deliberating whether to scrap inheritance tax.

Although this affects only 4 per cent of British families, axing it in next March’s Budget is viewed as a pre-election sweetener to enhance Rishi Sunak’s chances of victory.

It would be just one of several tax cuts under discussion by senior government figures. This is in line with Sunak’s orders for a visible shift on taxes, after having prioritised a reduction in inflation over reducing the tax burden when he took over as prime minister.

Photo credit: CC/Zarateman

Black market

euroweeklynews.com • 4 - 10 January 2024

Photo credit: Sunderland Culture

BUSINESS EXTRA

12

ARMS INDUSTRY: Indra is a leading Spanish manufacturer.

Military aircraft, including cargo planes and Airbus tanker jets for refuelling in mid-air, accounted for 63

per cent of Spain’s defence exports in 2022, and 53 per cent during the first six months of 2023.

The same parliamentary report revealed that Spain approved arms’ sales to Ukraine amounting to €515.8 million over the last 18 months. Of this, €134 million had been supplied by last July.

Poland sold more materiel to Kyiv in 2023 than any other European country, followed by France, Czechia, Netherlands, Lithuania and Spain. This list did not include Germany which has not submitted figures, according to a report compiled by Brussels.

IVA changes THE Spanish government is increasing the 5 per cent value-added IVA tax on electricity to 10 per cent.

This reduction from 21 to 5 per cent, introduced to tackle inflation and spiralling energy costs following the Ukraine invasion, was due to end on December 31.

It is now scheduled to continue throughout 2024, although IVA on other fuel prices will rise progressively, with gas at 10 per cent until the end of 2024’s first quarter, after which it will gradually return to 21 per cent.

Basic foodstuffs like milk, bread, eggs, cheese, pulses and vegetables will remain IVA-free, with the current 5 per cent for cooking oils and pasta unchanged.

Public transport subsidies will continue, with free Renfe local and regional trains available under the same conditions as at present.

No closures HSBC pledged that there would be no new branch closures in 2024.

The bank has closed 736 branches in Britain since 2015 although data from the Which? consumer group showed that NatWest and Barclays had shut more.

In his festive message to customers, Jose Carvalho, HSBC’s Wealth and Personal Banking chief in the UK, said the bank would “expand community locations up and down the country” by introducing pop-up branches and banking hubs.

Carvalho also thanked HSBC customers for “trusting the bank with their money” while admitting that there had been times in 2023 “when we could have done better.”

Win & lose some DIGI’S good results continued to impact on Spain’s other telecoms companies last year.

The Romania-based company came out tops in portability in 2023, acquiring 766,000 mobile and landline customers from rivals, mostly Vodafone España.

Instead of the hoped-for recovery following its €5 billion purchase by Zegona in September, Vodafone lost 598,000 mobile lines.

Movistar lost 273,000 and Orange 185,000 while MasMovil - which has 15.8 million lines and still awaits its Orange merger - gained 50,000 mobile lines and 7,000 mobile lines.

Telefonica lost 216,500 landlines and 56,500 mobile lines but is concentrating on its high-value clients while promoting the Movistar Plus digital television platform.

Not rubbish FCC Environmental Services won a $575 million (€525.3 million) waste management contract in Florida.

The company, a subsidiary of FCC Servicios Medio Ambiente, will collect rubbish from 111,000 homes in St Johns County (Florida) once contracts with the two companies currently providing the service expire in July 2024.

The local authorities in St Johns County explained that FCC Environmental Services’ offer was “significantly lower” than the other companies’, although these later questioned how FCC could put in such a low bid.

The Spanish company is already responsible for collecting rubbish from 500,000 Florida homes.

Cash injection US-BASED investment firm Stonepeak will invest £450 million (€518.3 million) into the AA breakdown service.

City sources quoted by Sky News in late December said Stonepeak’s 15 per cent AA stake was due to be announced “very shortly.”

Towerbrook and Warburg Pincus will retain their positions as majority shareholders after the consortium purchased the then-struggling AA for £219 million (€252.3 million) in 2021.

As a result of the sale, the AA was de-listed from the London Stock Exchange where it was active for seven years.

14 EWN 4 - 10 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 2 January

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.431,50.............. -6,00.............-0,25%............ 4,55K

InterContinental..........................7.110,0...............+18,0............ +0,25%........... 1,29K

Abrdn.......................................... 179,95................+0,40............ +0,22%.......... 17,04K

Intermediate Capital...................1.682,00..............+3,50............ +0,21%........... 4,03K

Admiral Group.............................2.705,0................ -1,0..............-0,04%............ 2,98K

Intertek........................................4.280,0...............+19,0............ +0,45%........... 2,16K

Anglo American...........................1.999,4...............+14,6............ +0,74%.......... 59,65K

ITV............................................... 63,06................. -0,28.............-0,44%........... 54,08K

Antofagasta................................1.701,00.............. -6,50.............-0,38%........... 58,48K

J Sainsbury................................. 299,40................+0,10............ +0,03%........... 7,23K

Ashtead Group............................5.472,0...............+22,0............ +0,40%........... 3,62K

Johnson Matthey........................1.716,5................+7,0............. +0,41%........... 1,51K

Associated British Foods.............2.372,0................+3,0............. +0,13%........... 7,30K

Land Securities........................... 712,80................ -3,60.............-0,50%........... 17,16K

AstraZeneca...............................10.534,0.............. -40,0.............-0,38%........... 11,68K

Legal & General.......................... 251,10................ -0,20.............-0,08%.......... 136,48K

Auto Trader Group Plc................ 718,80................+0,80............ +0,11%.......... 10,03K Aviva........................................... 432,80................ -0,30.............-0,07%........... 33,49K B&M European Value Retail SA... 559,20................ -2,80.............-0,50%........... 19,79K BAE Systems..............................1.103,00..............+2,00............ +0,18%.......... 49,20K Barclays...................................... 153,14................ -0,32.............-0,21%.......... 209,49K Barratt Developments................. 562,40.................0,00.............. 0,00%........... 11,30K Berkeley......................................4.728,0................ -9,0..............-0,19%............ 2,55K BHP Group Ltd...........................2.698,00...............0,00.............. 0,00%........... 10,76K BP............................................... 461,45................ -3,75.............-0,81%.......... 397,35K British American Tobacco...........2.285,0................+2,5............. +0,11%.......... 33,06K British Land Company................. 402,30................ -3,50.............-0,86%........... 23,91K BT Group.................................... 122,65................ -0,30.............-0,24%........... 89,71K Bunzl...........................................3.202,0................+4,0............. +0,12%........... 2,00K Burberry Group...........................1.421,0................+8,0............. +0,57%.......... 10,38K Carnival.......................................1.320,5................+3,0............. +0,23%........... 4,44K Centrica....................................... 141,40................ -0,15.............-0,11%........... 89,11K Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.295,0................+8,0............. +0,35%........... 1,14K Compass....................................2.148,00..............+4,00............ +0,19%.......... 19,04K CRH............................................5.392,0................ -2,0..............-0,04%............ 3,96K Croda Intl....................................5.074,0.................0,0............... 0,00%............ 2,17K DCC.............................................5.800,0...............+46,0............ +0,80%........... 0,69K Diageo.........................................2.855,0................+6,5............. +0,23%.......... 43,26K DS Smith.................................... 310,70................+0,90............ +0,29%.......... 19,29K EasyJet........................................ 509,80................ -1,00.............-0,20%........... 14,64K Experian......................................3.217,0................+9,0............. +0,28%.......... 11,08K Ferguson....................................15.105,0.............. -10,0.............-0,07%............ 0,73K

Lloyds Banking............................ 47,76................. -0,20.............-0,43%............1,74M London Stock Exchange..............9.284,0............... -10,0.............-0,11%............ 8,24K Melrose Industries...................... 569,60................ -1,00.............-0,17%............ 8,34K Mondi.........................................1.548,00.............. -3,00.............-0,19%............ 9,88K National Grid..............................1.063,56..............+5,50............ +0,52%.......... 57,29K NatWest Group........................... 218,00................ -0,30.............-0,14%.......... 236,10K Next............................................8.132,0............... -14,0.............-0,17%............ 1,19K Ocado.......................................... 748,20................ -2,80.............-0,37%........... 11,34K Persimmon.................................1.380,0................ -3,0..............-0,22%............ 3,51K Phoenix....................................... 533,20................ -0,40.............-0,07%........... 15,55K Prudential.................................... 878,40................+0,20............ +0,02%.......... 62,88K Reckitt Benckiser........................5.442,0................ -6,0..............-0,11%........... 12,85K Relx............................................3.117,00.............+24,00........... +0,78%.......... 17,78K Rentokil....................................... 446,40................+2,80............ +0,63%.......... 55,78K Rightmove.................................. 577,00................+2,60............ +0,45%........... 7,00K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.861,0................+1,0............. +0,02%.......... 17,20K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 298,00................ -0,10.............-0,03%.......... 203,43K Sage...........................................1.182,00..............+0,50............ +0,04%.......... 51,21K Samsung Electronics DRC.........1.492,00............. -14,00............-0,93%............ 2,87K Schroders.................................... 435,8.................. -0,8..............-0,18%........... 12,40K Scottish Mortgage....................... 807,26................+1,60............ +0,20%.......... 38,22K Segro.......................................... 893,80................ -3,00.............-0,33%........... 13,35K Severn Trent...............................2.606,0...............+13,0............ +0,50%........... 4,03K Shell............................................2.547,5................ -1,5..............-0,06%.......... 129,09K Smith & Nephew........................1.077,39..............+1,00............ +0,09%........... 7,99K Smiths Group.............................1.767,50..............+4,50............ +0,26%........... 2,09K Spirax-Sarco Engineering..........10.535,0..............+25,0............ +0,24%........... 0,37K

Flutter Entertainment..................13.891,6..............+55,0............ +0,40%........... 7,06K

SSE............................................1.867,00.............+10,50........... +0,57%.......... 14,30K

Fresnillo...................................... 590,40................+0,20............ +0,03%.......... 14,05K

St. James’s Place........................ 679,67................ -1,40.............-0,21%............ 6,52K

Glencore...................................... 472,30................+2,25............ +0,48%......... 381,44K

Standard Chartered..................... 657,80................+2,60............ +0,40%.......... 20,36K

GSK plc......................................1.452,20.............. -9,00.............-0,62%........... 35,28K

Taylor Wimpey............................ 144,80................ -0,15.............-0,10%........... 65,29K

Halma..........................................2.300,0................+5,0............. +0,22%........... 5,79K

Tesco.......................................... 290,00................+1,00............ +0,35%......... 214,06K

Hargreaves Lansdown................. 722,40................ -1,40.............-0,19%............ 5,13K

Tui............................................... 618,70................ -2,50.............-0,40%........... 27,72K

Hikma Pharma...........................1.761,00.............. -3,50.............-0,20%............ 0,64K

Unilever.......................................3.811,0................ -1,5..............-0,04%........... 27,09K

HSBC.......................................... 632,60................+1,00............ +0,16%......... 304,22K

United Utilities............................1.067,00..............+6,50............ +0,61%.......... 13,41K

IAG.............................................. 156,16................ -0,30.............-0,19%........... 77,67K

Vodafone Group PLC.................. 68,320............... -0,030............-0,04%.......... 329,75K

Imperial Brands..........................1.799,00..............+1,00............ +0,06%.......... 25,29K

Whitbread...................................3.630,9...............+12,0............ +0,33%........... 5,07K

Informa....................................... 776,20................+1,60............ +0,21%.......... 19,03K

WPP............................................ 750,40................ -1,60.............-0,21%........... 26,08K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.86811

1.15185

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.1074 Japan yen (JPY)...................................156.61 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9311 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4530 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.282 currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Closing Prices 2 January 3M.............................................. 109,71................+0,97............ +0,89%...........2,35M American Express....................... 187,86................+0,80............ +0,43%...........1,45M Amgen........................................ 288,46................+1,93............ +0,67%...........1,21M Apple........................................... 193,58................+0,43............ +0,22%..........33,79M Boeing......................................... 260,42................ -1,68.............-0,64%............4,95M Caterpillar.................................... 296,76................ -1,36.............-0,46%............2,23M Chevron...................................... 149,80................ -2,11.............-1,39%............7,31M Cisco............................................ 50,48.................+0,04............ +0,08%...........8,51M Coca-Cola..................................... 58,76.................+0,05............ +0,09%...........8,13M Dow............................................. 55,23................. -0,48.............-0,86%............2,12M Goldman Sachs........................... 386,56................+2,08............ +0,54%...........1,01M Home Depot................................ 347,36................ -1,17.............-0,34%............2,81M Honeywell................................... 209,17................+0,15............ +0,07%...........1,64M IBM............................................. 163,77................+0,31............ +0,19%...........1,68M Intel.............................................. 50,39................. -0,37.............-0,73%...........27,21M J&J............................................. 156,61................+0,26............ +0,17%...........3,38M JPMorgan................................... 170,30................+0,90............ +0,53%...........5,83M McDonald’s................................. 295,92................+1,37............ +0,47%...........1,86M Merck&Co................................... 108,82................+0,84............ +0,78%...........5,21M Microsoft.................................... 375,28................+1,21............ +0,32%..........14,18M Nike............................................. 108,84................+1,71............ +1,60%...........9,11M Procter&Gamble......................... 145,75................ -0,31.............-0,21%............4,78M Salesforce Inc............................. 265,63................ -1,09.............-0,41%............2,67M The Travelers.............................. 189,31................+0,69............ +0,37%......... 562,04K UnitedHealth............................... 525,00................+2,21............ +0,42%...........1,46M Verizon......................................... 37,51.................+0,20............ +0,54%..........14,32M Visa A.......................................... 260,32................+1,39............ +0,54%...........2,36M Walgreens Boots.......................... 26,60................. -0,04.............-0,15%............7,89M Walmart...................................... 157,65................ -0,23.............-0,15%............5,40M Walt Disney.................................. 90,42.................+0,04............ +0,04%...........7,52M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 2 January

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc............................+18.67%........................18.003M China Resources Beer Company Lmtd..............+6.90%.......................... 27,196 DISH Network Corporation................................+6.79%.........................16.948M Bilibili Inc..........................................................+6.47%..........................11.57M PENN Entertainment, Inc...................................+6.36%..........................6.935M Geely Automobile Holdings Limited..................+6.05%.......................... 35,637 Luckin Coffee Inc..............................................+5.80%..........................2.399M Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.........................+5.46%......................... 773,142 Ping An Insurance Company of China, Ltd........+5.18%......................... 474,594 Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.........................+5.00%......................... 938,525 M - Million Dollars

Most Declined NeoGenomics, Inc...............................................-3.71...........................-18.10% Galaxy Digital Holdings Ltd.................................-1.07...........................-11.54% Gold Fields Limited.............................................-1.73...........................-10.72% Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc............................-2.96............................-9.53% Grand Canyon Education, Inc..............................-9.00............................-6.36% Upstart Holdings, Inc..........................................-2.76............................-5.88% Riot Platforms, Inc..............................................-1.02............................-5.48% LiveWire Group, Inc............................................-0.64............................-5.37% Anglo American Platinum Limited.......................-0.46............................-5.21% Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.............................-2.56............................-5.16% Axsome Therapeutics, Inc...................................-3.99............................-4.77% M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com ASK THE EXPERT PETER LOVEDAY Peter Loveday Contact me at euroweekly@currenciesdirect.com Contact me at

Euro EUR/GBP: Down from £0.87 to £0.86 EUR/USD: Unchanged at $1.09 The euro traded in a wide range over the past month, in response to fluctuating expectations for European Central Bank (ECB) monetary policy in 2024.

As we transitioned into December, a weaker-than-expected Eurozone inflation print sparked speculation that the ECB may start cutting interest rates early next year, which dragged on EUR exchange rates.

Underwhelming German data stoked fears that the Eurozone’s largest economy may slip into a recession, which acted as a headwind for the single currency through the first half of December.

The euro then rebounded in the middle of the month as the ECB kept interest rates on hold and ECB President Christine Lagarde dismissed speculation that the bank was discussing rate cuts.

The single currency maintained

4 - 10 January 2024

EURO BOLSTERED BY HAWKISH ECB, US DOLLAR SLUMPS ON FED RATE CUT BETS this positive trajectory in the runup to Christmas following hawkish speeches from several ECB policymakers which saw them also push back on rate cut speculation.

As we enter 2024, EUR investors will be keeping a close eye on key Eurozone data releases for December, with the bloc’s latest inflation and PMI figures likely to inform ECB monetary policy at the bank’s January meeting.

Pound GBP/EUR: Up from €1.14 to €1.15 GBP/USD: Up from $1.24 to $1.26 The pound raced higher as November ended following a series of hawkish remarks from Bank of England (BoE) policymakers.

This upside in Sterling was reinforced by some surprisingly upbeat UK PMI releases, which helped to ease fears of a winter recession.

Limited UK data then left the pound directionless through the first half of December, while a dovish tilt to a speech from BoE Governor Andrew Bailey also limited GBP demand.

NEW YEAR: Investors will be keeping a close eye on Eurozone data.

A mixed UK jobs report, coupled with a surprise contraction in UK GDP in October, exerted some pressure on Sterling in mid-December, before GBP exchange rates soared on the back of the BoE’s final policy decision of the year.

While the BoE left rates on hold as expected, the pound rallied as the bank sought to firmly dispel rate cut speculation.

However, a much sharper-than-expected cooling of inflation weakened BoE expectations and slashed Sterling’s gains.

Sterling may maintain a similarly positive trajectory in January, assu-

ming that BoE officials continue to push back on rate cut speculation.

Although underwhelming UK data may continue to limit the pound’s potential.

US Dollar USD/GBP: Down from $0.80 to $0.78 USD/EUR: Unchanged at €0.91 Trade in the US dollar has been notably volatile over the past month amid fluctuating expectations for when the Federal Reserve will begin cutting interest rates.

At the end of November, we saw USD exchange rates falter as mixed US PMIs bolstered Fed rate cut spe-

EWN 15

culation.

But the US dollar was quick to recover at the start of December as stronger-than-expected US GDP and signs of sticky inflation helped to deter rate cut bets.

The ‘greenback’ found further support from the latest US non-farm payrolls report, as a larger-than-expected increase in US job creation also saw investors rein in rate cut expectations.

However, USD then plunged to multi-month lows in the wake of the Fed’s final interest rate decision of the year due to notably dovish comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

While Fed policymakers have sought to push back against rate cut speculation, the odds of a March rate cut now sit at around 75%.

Unless something changes this narrative, this could see the US dollar remain on the back foot through January.

Currencies Direct have helped over 430,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996.

Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your currency transfers.

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euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

Good luck young man!

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT I’VE always been partial to a game of darts. Mind you my skill in the ‘little arrows’ (har har) department, does leave a great deal to be desired. In fact this particular sport was actually the initiator of one of my biggest embarrassments ever.

Back in ’69 we had been booked for a tour of Southern Ireland. Not being one of the pop singing fraternities who travelled to venues by private jet or Rolls Royce, I happily joined the band in the far more exhilarating ‘on the road’ atmosphere of the group’s transit van, which subsequently found us all heading across Wales to join the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry. As it didn’t embark till the following morning we duly checked into a local hotel.

That evening we decided to have a few jars in the bar and It was packed.

Apparently it was also the location for the area darts team and a very popular venue for residents. After a few beers and friendly introductions, the

team captain invited me to take part in a game of ‘Round the Board’ with the locals. Happily satiated with the brandy, I accepted the offer and joined a line of some 20 players to take a turn.

Now, it is a somewhat unfamiliar occurrence, but to those who can sup a jar or two, just occasionally a real skin full can somehow heighten the senses and at times even rivet the mind to an almost remarkable degree of concentration - and that’s precisely what enveloped the ol boy.

Experiencing a dart board now looking the size of Big Ben, I simply couldn’t miss. With a final flourish of a double, a treble and a bullseye I somewhat remarkably emerged the ultimate winner. Receiving some quite unexpected applause from the customers, I was subsequently approached by the team captain. In a state of almost awed wonderment he informed me that my game was the greatest they had ever experienced in the bar and would I please accept his personal set of tungsten darts to remember the occasion by?

I just couldn’t believe it. Somewhat

reluctantly I accepted his truly generous offer and the rest of the evening of course disintegrated into a complete memory loss occasion and we all retired in a haze of good wishes and luck for the future. Some six months later we were rebooked for another Irish tour. Somewhat against my self-assurance, this found us checking in to the same hotel of the previous trip. Unfortunately, with the space left the ol boy can’t reveal the outcome of this visit, but it will possibly involve a very satisfying peruse next week. Just desserts? Probably!

This does however give me the opportunity to congratulate the young 16-year-old Luke Littler, who at the time of writing has reached the quarter finals of the world pro dart championships. This young lad has simply brushed aside a number of top players and by the time you read this could actually be overall champion.

Good luck young man, just go easy on the drinks that’s all.

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.

Chef receives death threats

HE was treated to an avalanche of insults and Chef, Luca Cesari said: “They wished me dead.”

His crime? He used Swiss Gruyere cheese in the classic Italian dish of pasta carbonara.

The preparation of carbonara has always been a delicate subject.

There are contrasting opinions on the subject: some use only guanciale (lard), others use bacon, and so on. Luca Cesari, a gastronomy historian, wanted to experiment with an old recipe for the famous dish, which dates back to 1954, and which uses garlic, Gruyere and bacon.

As reported by an Italian newspaper, people had an extreme reaction, even going so far as to threaten the cook.

The respected chef said, “They wished me dead or to go to jail.” I simply dared to do something that seemed trivial to me: to take the

Photo: Facebook / Luca Cesari

16 EWN 4 - 10 January 2024

Using Gruyere cheese?

first recipe for carbonara published in Italy, which appeared in the magazine La Cucina Italiana in 1954, and make it today.

But since there is bacon, garlic and Gruyere cheese in this recipe, this made people a little crazy.”

Luca Cesari was shocked after reading the comments of some on social media: “When they used words like ‘die’ to me, well, I honestly didn’t expect it,” he said. In Italy there are rules about food and you break them at your peril.

Maybe then it’s best not to get into the pineapple on pizza argument!

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

Paying it forward MIJAS residents Alan and Jenny Boardman decided this Christmas that they would gift an El Corte Inglés hamper to Michel and Steven Euesden, the owners of Euro Weekly News.

This gesture was partly as a token of their friendship and partly because of the publicity their newspaper has consistently given to Mijas Walking Tours for Charity which has raised over €16,000 for Costa del Sol charities in the last three years.

Michel and Steven decided that, rather than keep the hamper for themselves or try to divide up the contents fairly (not an easy task) they would instead raffle it among the staff of Euro Weekly News in their Fuengirola head office and in return, the kind staff there raised a total of €100.

Alan raises funds for a different Costa del Sol charity every two months through his Walking Tours of Mijas and other events, so Michel and Steven promptly donated the €100 to his latest nominated charity, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group based in Calahonda.

The paying it forward didn’t stop there though. The winner of the hamper, Naz (pictured with Alan) went home, and knocked on the door of his neighbour Raquel who is a member of the Association ‘El Vuelo De Las Libélulas’ which collaborates with families covering their basic needs and donated the hamper to that charity.

Naz and Alan at the Euro Weekly News office.

This story really embodies the spirit of Christmas and shows what positive things can happen through the power of human kindness.

It also ties in nicely with Michel’s comments only last week in this newspaper about how we can all help anyone we know who is lonely and/or in need.

It doesn’t have to involve buying an El Corte Inglés hamper of course but as the saying goes, “it’s the thought that counts.”

4 - 10 January 2024

EWN 17

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23

20 EWN 4 - 10 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

COMMUNITY

COMMENTS

ON December 31, 2023, we suggested that water will be the most precious asset in 2024 (visit the Euro Weekly News website to read the story) and this attracted a large number of reader’s comments.

Many believe that the main reason is the amount of development that has taken place over the past 20 years and as soon as there is a shortage of rain, the reservoirs simply can’t cope.

Others suggest that the growing number of golf courses sees even more water being used in order to ensure that the courses stay green and this encourages more tourists.

“

Andalucia’s population has grown hugely since 1961 and they are still encouraging tourists even though they are suffering a significant shortage of water. Surely if the area is running out of water they should be discouraging people from visiting the place at present.

Sheree Ruiz

Sheree Ruiz and build more storage facilities.

Michael Lindsay

And not to forget all the new developments that are being built !!!

Surely if there was a problem with supply that should reflect in the planning permissions given to developers in my opinion.

Glenn Aland

Glenn Aland duh, that’s too sensible!!

Nigel Baker

Because of all the new building an easy option would be to increase the size of the reservoirs where possible, a few days with a JCB, not expensive.

Jenny Church

For sure it will be.

Trisha Rodgers

Water has always been the most precious asset and there’s still people irrigating their gardens with potable water whilst mine looks half dead due to lack of rainfall. And I expect golf courses are still being irrigated, though allegedly 80 per cent use recycled water.

What about the other 20 per cent?

Brenda Jones

Water, or the lack of it in the right places, will destroy the world .

Norman Waterhouse

Never seen so little rain in 10 years of living in Spain. There’s definitely a big problem. Particularly for farmers.

But maybe they are to blame in the first place.

There were rivers in this area before intensive farming and ploughing dust.

Ruby’s Kennels

Agenda 30!

Amanda Isbitt

Can someone tell me why there’s millions of litres of clean water running in to the sea at Kalafto every day for years?

Donald Delanougerede

Our town near Martos had overnight cuts for weeks. A week ago the cuts have started again this time earlier than midnight. Told not to empty swimming pools or if empty not to fill them. Tonight for New Year the water is not rationed.

Tim McMahon

Tim McMahon but it does fall mainly on the plain.

Andrew Field

Andrew Field, how musical a reply but it’s a drought everywhere. Affecting everything, agriculture and house supplies. We should be singing ‘Singing in the Rain’ but not any for months.

Tim McMahon

Maybe golf courses can spare some of the water they use to keep their greens so green.

Michael Hannis

Michael Hannis most golf courses use re-sanitised water not clean water.

Lisa Blyth

Lisa Blyth you don’t think that water would be better used on food crops?

Michael Hannis

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

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

FEATURE/NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

4 - 10 January 2024

EWN 21

VENICE has a population of around 50,000 but is invaded each year by millions of tourists.

Overtourism there has reached the point where Unesco was expected to add the city to its World Heritage in Danger list last September. Instead, the World Heritage Committee stated that Venice faced “major challenges” and called on Italy to continue safeguarding Venice.

This was the second time that Venice’s status was at stake, averted in 2021 by restricting cruise ships with a certain size, weight or pollution levels from using the Giudecca Canal.

New protection measures include a €5 tourist tax for day-trippers over the age of 14 who enter the Old City on 29 peak days, including weekends, between April and mid-July. City hall emphasised that this was “not a tool for making

Photo credit: CC/JeanPol GRANDMONT

most majestic tree Venice halts overtourism Spain’s crowned In Andalucia

GUIDECCA CANAL: Large cruise ships may no longer use it.

cash” but was directed at regulating crowds, encouraging longer visits and improving the quality of life for Venice residents.

Echoing the decision taken by Athens to cap the number of people visiting the Acropolis, Venice will also limit groups in some areas in a move

to ease the pressure of overtourism.

Coming into effect in June 2024, groups visiting the Old City will be limited to 25, approximately half the number of passengers on an average tourist bus.

Loudspeakers “which can generate confusion and disturbances” used

INTERVIEW

Karolina from Lithuania Every year more and more people from all over Europe move to the sunny coast of Spain, one of those travelling souls is Lithuanian born, Karolina Da. EURO WEEKLY NEWS caught loves “Spanish culture and the up with Karolina, to ask attitude towards children.” her about her move When we inquired as here over seven years to her least favourite ago. part she paused befoShe told us that re answering, finally she “always had a admitting that it was nice feeling about “probably the legal Spain, but Marbella I system,” explaining heard was a very costhat “sometimes you mopolitan city, clean, adhave to wait a long time to vanced and beautiful, that get an appointment.”

Loves the mountains. was the reason why I chose The biggest difference Marbella.” between her hometown in Lithuania and When asked what her first impression here in Marbella is “the weather of courwas, she responded, “I loved the moun- se! Because of this, in my hometown all tains and sea view straight away. I could the action happens indoors, while here feel the salty air that reminded me of ho- everything is mostly outdoors.” lidays.” Smiling that, “well life is like a holiFinally, we asked Karolina after seven day here if you get too lazy!” years where her favourite spot on the EWN asked Karolina what has changed coast is, to which she told us it was defihere in the years since she first arrived. nitely “Marbella old town.” We agree that “Firstly the population has changed remar- the beauty of Casco Antiguo is magnifikably for sure. Summers are busier and the cent! winters are busy as well, which wasn’t so Karolina plans to continue her life here seven years ago.” for the foreseeable future, with her two Her favourite thing about the coast is “of handsome sons and British husband, Nacourse the climate,” adding that she also vid.

by tour guides will be banned, announced the Venice city hall’s Public Safety official Elisabetta Pesce.

This would improve the transit of groups through Venice’s historic centre as well as the much-visited islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello, Pesce said.

HAVE you ever encountered a natural wonder that takes your breath away? In the heart of Coripe, Sevilla, stands a tree that has done just that, earning the title of Spain’s most beautiful tree.

This remarkable tree, known as ‘El Chaparro de la Vega’, was honoured as a Natural Monument on November 23, 2001, by the Junta de Andalucia.

Towering at 30 metres in height and spanning 13 metres in diameter, it’s not just its size that captivates onlookers.

The tree has become an integral part of the local community, a symbol of endurance and beauty, having thrived for over 400 years.

A Symbol Of Community And Heritage ‘El Chaparro de la Vega’ isn’t just a majestic sight; it’s a focal point for local festivities and environmental education. The tree’s shadow hosts numerous activities, including the notable Pilgrimage of Fatima in May. The tree’s uniqueness also lends itself to activities focusing on environmental learning. The surrounding landscape, with its rolling hills and limestone slopes, provides a picturesque backdrop for these gatherings.

Pioneering Recognition For Natural Monuments The Tree and Forest of the Year contest, initiated in 2007

by Bosques Sin Fronteras, was a first of its kind in Europe and globally. This initiative led to the creation of the European ‘Tree of the Year’ award in 2011, organised by the Alianza Foundation (Nadace Partnerstvi).

The contest aims to celebrate trees and forests not just for their physical attributes but for their cultural and communal significance. ‘El Chaparro de la Vega’, the Spanish representative for 2024, exemplifies this ethos perfectly.

In the contest, ‘El Chaparro de la Vega’ secured 3,715 votes, surpassing its competitors.

22

euroweeklynews.com • 4 - 10 January 2024

PETS

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THE Animal Welfare Law, effective a few months ago, has introduced significant alterations in pet care, particularly for dogs during car travel.

The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), led by Pere Navarro, stressed: “Animals that are not carried properly in the vehicle represent a significant risk of injury to all their occupants.” However, the DGT hasn’t provided detailed guidelines, leaving it to the law itself to clarify.

Article 18.1 of the Animal Welfare Law requires drivers to ensure pets are comfortably and safely positioned in the vehicle. This is crucial to avoid any interference with the driver.

Dogs must have adequate space, with advice on addressing their physiological needs such as water, food and regular breaks.

During summer, proper air

Credit: eva_blanco/Shuttersock.com

New rules for car travel Cat finds a new home

NEW RULES: Jack Russell safely secured.

conditioning and ventilation are essential for their well-being.

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The law also mandates sufficient rest periods for dogs, alongside access to water and food, ensuring their health isn’t compro-

mised.

Carrying the dog’s documentation is another key requirement. According to the DGT, ‘dogs usually go in a carrier in the back, fixed to the seats, or with a device that anchors them to the seat belts, which must be a harness, not a collar.’

This two-hook harness prevents the dog from moving forward, ensuring no undue pressure is placed on the driver. A short connection system is advised to prevent the pet from hitting the front seats.

This legislative change aims to enhance road safety and animal welfare, ensuring pets are treated with care and respect during travel, with hefty fines up to €10,000 for non-compliance.

It’s a step forward in acknowledging the needs of our canine companions, and integrating them more safely and comfortably into our journeys.

A FORMERLY fat street cat that became the top-rated tourist attraction in the Polish city of Szczecin has recently found a new home.

Gacek, a blackGACEK: Lived on the streets. and-white cat who lived in a covered wooden box on the city’s Kaszubska Street for years, has also slimmed down since shooting to fame in a YouTube video.

The clip, which has around one million views, shows the cat going about his daily life and receiving plenty of attention from locals. An Instagram account documenting his life currently has around 40,000 followers.

Gacek and his wooden box gained thousands of reviews and a five-star rating on Google Maps, making him the highest-rated ‘tourist attraction’ in the city. One listing for Gacek reportedly had around 2,500 reviews before it was removed.

According to a news source, locals expressed concerns over the cat’s health after he experienced problems with his teeth and joints. The city’s Animal Welfare Association took him in to be treated, then announced he had found a new home in September 2023.

In a more recent Facebook post, the Association gave an update on Gacek’s situation, which read: “I’m no longer Gacek. From today, call me George.... George Clooney in the cat version, that’s the new me!

The post also urged people to donate cat food in order to help other cats, saying “the shelves near their cages are empty” and they are “sitting in cages, waiting to be adopted”.

Charlie needs a dog-sitter a few times CHARLIE is a Cavapoo who simply loves company. He loves to have the friendship of a dog-sitter to be with him when his owner goes away. As a young and active Cavapoo he needs at least two long walks a day and a lot of stimulating play in between.

He’s a playful dog who benefits from a regular daily routine so house-sitting with a resident dogsitter works best for him.

The pet-sitters come for free!

If you’re planning a trip in 2024 register now to find pet-sitters in time.

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24 EWN 4 - 10 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II SPORT

THE International Cycling Union (UCI) has granted the Danish Cycling Federation a licence for an initial three years.

World Tour Copenhagen, starting in Roskilde and finishing in Copenhagen, is now a reality for 2025, 2026, and 2027.

The UCI World Tour cycling race includes both a race for women and for men.

Here, the world’s best cyclists will compete in two professional races, starting in Roskilde and taking on the roads of Zealand with tricky Danish crosswinds, beautiful coastal stretches, and historical sights.

The races conclude with a spectacular final as the field races through a challenging circuit in the streets of Copenhagen.

President of the Danish Cycling Federation, Morten Anderson says: “It has been a dream for many years to secure a permanent spot at the highest level of the international cycling calendar, so it’s a big day for the Danish Cycling Federation and Danish cycling.

“The awarding of the World Tour licence and the right to hold World Tour races shows that Danish cycling culture and our fantastic audience have really been noticed abroad of which we should be proud.

“Having the world’s best female and male riders race on Danish roads should also support the great work in clubs and local teams, and help breed new talents, so we can continue the incredible success of Danish cycling.”

CARLOS ALCARAZ brought the firstever edition of the tournament named after him to Murcia in a historic event for the region. This charitable competition, organised by the Community of Murcia and the Tennis Federation during the Christmas season, was organised to show Carlos Alcaraz the love and gratitude of his homeland.

The Palacio de Deporte in Murcia hosted a day of sports and family celebration, it featured a wheelchair tennis match and a mixed doubles game involving young talents from the region.

It was a momentous occasion when the local tennis star, Carlos Alcaraz, reconnected with his audience in Murcia.

Despite his busy schedule, the Wimbledon winner dedicated time to this showcase in his beloved Murcia.

The atmosphere during the exhibition match against Bautista Agut was electric, with 7,500 spectators eager to witness the unique talent of Alcaraz.

Although facing fatigue after a crazy 24 hours, where he travelled to a match in Riyadh to face none other than Novak Djokovic, and then flew back to Murcia to face Bautista Agut.

Bautista Agut, a seasoned player, showcased his enduring skills against Alcaraz, providing a valuable test for the young Murcian. Despite a closely

Image: X/Region de Murcia/@LopezMirasF

World Tour Alcaraz’s homecoming

HISTORIC EVENT: Copa Carlos Alcaraz tournament in Murcia.

contested first set and Alcaraz’s dominance in the tie-break, Bautista Agut capitalised on Alcaraz’s fatigue in the second set. However, Alcaraz rallied in the ‘super tie-break,’ displaying his resilience and ultimately thrilling the local crowd.

This exhibition not only allowed Murcia’s people to witness their idol play at home but also raised funds for charitable causes. For Alcaraz, playing

THE life of a professional football manager (or coach as they are often referred to) is precarious to say the least and the latest victim is Wayne Rooney.

He was appointed as Birmingham City manager just 83 days ago and in that time his team which were sitting in sixth place in the English Football League Championship (formerly the Second Division) has lost nine games out of 15 and dropped to 20th.

Commenting on X (twitter) on January 2, the 38-year-old Rooney said ”I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Ga-

rry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club.

“Football is a results business - and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be.

“However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed.

“Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16.

“Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.

“Finally I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions.”

At least one of his backroom staff has also been

Credit: Wayne Rooney Facebook

Wayne Rooney sacked

The unveiling of Wayne Rooney as Birmingham manager.

given their ‘marching orders’ and it will probably be up to caretaker manager Steve Spooner to advise the owners on the others.

One positive that comes

out of this and other manager’s sackings is that there is invariably a significant ‘golden farewell’ so he can at least afford to consider his future.

in Murcia held tremendous significance “I meet many people from Murcia around the world who follow and support me. For those who couldn’t travel, they got to see me in Murcia.

That’s why playing here was very important to me,” Carlitos said after the match. He then spent over half an hour signing autographs for all the fans, making sure to get to everyone who waited.

Rankings reshuffle

THE Rugby World Cup 2023 had a significant impact on the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, with only two teams in the top 20 - New Zealand and England - ending the year in the same position as they started.

South Africa, after successfully defending the Webb Ellis Cup, claimed the top spot, gaining 5.57 points over the year.

Ireland dropped to second place after failing to progress beyond the quarter-finals.

Fiji and Portugal had a notable impact on the rankings.

Fiji, despite a setback against Portugal, ended the year in 10th place after gaining over one-and-a-half points and moving up four places.

Portugal reached their highest-ever ranking of 13th after wins against Georgia and Fiji, along with a historic first win against Australia.

Australia, having failed to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time, dropped from sixth to ninth place.

Samoa also fell in the rankings, moving from 11th to 15th.

Spain fell four places to 20th after more losses than wins in 2023.

In Eastern Europe, Croatia, with wins over Ukraine and Lithuania, climbed seven places to 40th.

Latvia, Slovenia, and Serbia also made significant gains, with Serbia moving up eight places to 37th after winning the Victoria Cup and defeating Tunisia twice.

Tunisia and Ukraine experienced double-digit falls in the rankings, being the only teams to suffer such declines in 2023.