Mallorca 4 – 10 January 2024 Issue 2009 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

• Issue No. 2009 • 4 - 10 January 2024

ALTHOUGH some residents of Mallorca are not happy with the influx of tourists, from a financial point of view they are very welcome. Latest figures from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) show that the Balearic Islands received a total of 213,200 international visitors during November, which is a massive increase of 28.91 per cent when compared to November 2022. As far as spend is concerned, the increase is even greater as by spending €266.1 million in November, travellers spent 41.1 per cent more, than the same month the previous year. Naturally, the greatest spend was made in Mallorca although the average amount expended by each visitor at €139 per day was only a quarter of a percent up on November 2022, but because of the increase in visitors the amount of money retained was so much greater overall. The average stay for each visitor was just under nine days so the average spend per person was €1,245.

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FREE MALLORCA Know your rights

Demonstration demanding Mallorca’s Independence

SINCE 2016, December 31 has been celebrated as Mallorca Day, but the new Consell de Mallorca took soundings from all municipalities and has changed the date back to September 12. This however hasn’t sat well with those traditionalists who believe that there is more justification for the New Year’s Eve date and a local organisation known as Platform 31 de Desembre organised a demonstration march in Palma on December 30. Around 1,400 people turned up to call for Mallorca’s Independence and demanded that the current ruling parties recognise the importance of the use of the Catalan language. The event was attended by the leader of Més per Mallorca, Lluís Apesteguia, and the Minister of the Presidency of the Ge-

neralitat of Catalonia, Laura Vilagrà and apart from plenty of noise, the actual march passed without any unpleasant incidents. All of those who spoke made it clear that they were against what they consider to be the anti-Catalan stance of both the Partido Popular (PP) and Vox who allow the PP to

take control of the Balearic Government despite not having an overall majority. On the same day, some 200 supporters of the Més per Mallorca political party attended a lunch celebrating the fact that King Jaime I of Aragon conquered Mallorca on December 31, 1229.

WE are now entering the period when many businesses place a range of products on sale, but the Balearic Government is warning people that they still have rights if anything goes wrong. Basically, the only thing that should be reduced is the price, not quality, safety or consumer rights of redress. The regulations with regards to products placed on sale require that they must have been part of the regular offer of the establishment for at least one month and that their quality cannot be different from that which they had before being discounted. In some shops special conditions are established for sales purchases (regarding returns, acceptance of card payment...), but they must be clearly indicated and in a visible place. Make sure you obtain receipt and keep it safe in case you have to make an exchange or return the item.

Credit: Balearic Government

More visitors

FREE

Credit: Més per Mallorca X

Mallorca

SALES BEGIN: But be aware of your rights.

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4 - 10 January 2024

New Year Baby Carme who was born in the Manacor Hospital is their second daughter. Mother and baby were reported by the Balearic Health Authority to be well and it can be seen by the smiles of Isabel and Joan’s faces that they are delighted with the new addition to their family. Credit: Manacor Hospital

THE first baby to be born in Mallorca and also in the whole of Spain in 2024 was a little girl who has been named Carme, who weighed in at 3.25 kilos when she arrived at three minutes past midnight. The parents Isabel Catany and Joan Toni Ballester, live in Llucmajor and little

DELIGHTED: Joan and Isabel with Carme.

THE Muntanya Rescue Group (GRM), a specially trained team of the Mallorca Firefighters, carried out 336 activities and rescues during 2023, which is a record. In a period of 10 years, the Muntanya Rescue Group has

Jethro Tull in Palma BRITISH rock bands are always welcome visitors to Mallorca and the next big name to arrive will be Jethro Tull who play the Palma Auditorium on Saturday February 24. Tickets which cost between €45 and €90 are as expected selling very quickly, so if you want to get a chance to listen to one of the most creative bands to emerge from the 1960s who are still playing live, you should act quickly. In 2023, the band led by Ian Anderson, released their 23rd studio album, entitled RökFlöte which is based on the lives and loves of the Pagan Norse Gods.

Credit: https://jethrotull.com

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The current line-up of Jethro Tull.

This followed swiftly on the heels of their critically-acclaimed 2022 album The Zealot Gene, their first

More rescues tripled the number of rescues undertaken, growing from 100 a year to more than 300 now.

Spring and autumn are the seasons when most rescues are carried out, since it is the time when the good

album in two decades. It is very difficult to describe the work of the band which had many names

before settling on Jethro Tull as they have moved from blues, to rock to progressive and even folk but with Ian Anderson always the front man, they have amassed sales of around 60 million albums worldwide. This version of the band was formed to tour in 2019 but the tour was postponed due to the pandemic and they are now on the road which will take up most of the first half of 2024 and then see then spend time playing Germany in the autumn. The Palma gig is one of only three taking place in Spain, the other two being in Granada and Malaga.

All Fools

weather encourages people to undertake excursions but this year, summer also saw an increase in the group’s activities. Looking forward, the advice to those who might be thinking of an adventurous hike, the GRM recommends that people are prepared, know where they are going, make sure they are fit, have checked the weather forecast, are properly equipped and let someone know their plans. With very hot summers, dehydration, heat stroke and physical exhaustion cause problems so the obvious advice is dress sensibly, take plenty of water and don’t go out in the hottest hours. There are 40 officers involved in the group made up by 24 from the Soller station and 16 from Inca and they are constantly training and undertake eight full-scale exercises every year. Credit: Consell de Mallorca

Officers undertake eight similar exercises each year.

AT first glance, a Facebook post by the Calvia Council seemed rather strange as it announced that it was purchasing 30 camels from Morocco. It said that this was a pioneering plan intended to reintroduce camels to the Tramuntana Mountains some 800 years after they became extinct on Mallorca. It was explained that geneticists at Miskatonic University of Massachusetts looking at DNA specimens discovered an isolated population of Camelus Balearicus on the heights of Mount Uar-al-Walimi in the Atlas region, where they are bred by local ranchers. The story continued that other municipalities having heard about the council’s plan were also considering buying their own herd of Balearic camels. The first three specimens were due to arrive on the Island to take part in Palmanova’s Three Kings Parade on January 5 and that they had already been named by local schoolchildren as Bergant Polissona and Memeu. The report further advised that in addition to the environmental value of the reintroduction of the Camelus Balearicus into its natural habitat, there would be every justification in using it for tourists rides.

Weather warning LATEST advice from AEMET (The Spanish Meteorological Agency) is ‘batten down the hatches’ for the weekend as there is a 95 per cent chance of rain or even a storm on the evening of January 5 which is the night of the Three Kings’ Parade. There could well be snow on high ground and the temperature will drop in some areas with patchy rain continuing on Saturday and Sunday and then the temperature is expected to drop and get even colder on Monday January 8.

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DANISH actor, Mads Mikkelsen whose most recent outing was in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny as well as being known for his role in Carlsberg adverts and owns a property in Mallorca was recently spotted at the Bodega Morey in Palma.

Nasty surprise

A PALMA resident and his young daughter received a shock when they came home and discovered their front door open and a thief inside. After calling the police, the home-owner grappled the burglar and kept hold of him until he could be arrested.

Tuk Tuks

LATEST council to see the back of horse drawn carriages for tourists is Muro which has agreed to issue an initial eight licences for use with imported electric Tuk Tuks and the plan is eventually there will be as many as 16 of these vehicles transporting tourists.

ONCE success

ALTHOUGH not as generous as the prizes in El Gordo, the ONCE Christmas Extra draw on January 1, saw lucky ticket holders in Palma win a total of €220,000 with no less than 10 tickets being sold by the same distributor.

More stores

SUPERMARKET Group Mercadona plans to increase the number of stores it has in Mallorca by adding at least two new outlets in 2024, taking its total to 51. One will be in Cala d’Or, and the other will be in Palma.

Free buses

THERE is a New year’s present for residents of and visitors to Palma as the council has now received funding from the National Government so has decided there will be free travel on local buses in 2024.

Palma Gold Medals

ON December 31, Palma Council awarded Gold Medals to certain individuals for their outstanding contributions to the city as part of the Festa de l’Estendard. Recipients were the following; Club Palma Futsal, for winning the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup in 2023. Sant Pere de Palma Brotherhood, for its long work in marine and ﬁshing regulations in the city. Josep Forteza Rey, for his charity work and for the rehabilitation of one of the most emblematic buildings in Palma. Xarxa d’Economia Alternativa i Solidària de les Illes Balears, for its work over the past 25 years in helping some of the most vulnerable people and for the promotion of the solida-

Credit: Palma Council

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STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Happy NY OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS: The proud medal winners.

rity economy aiming for a more fair and sustainable economy. The Community of the Augustinian Fathers, for its commitment to the historical and artistic heritage of the city. Mónica Calzetta Ruiz, for her pro-

fessional career in the world of chess, having recently been proclaimed champion of the Master 50 category. María José Charro Galán, known artistically as Pepa Charro or La Terremoto de Alcorcón, for her extensive career and her close link with Palma.

Music fest

Global learning

THE Mallorca Live Festival 2024 has unveiled a star-studded lineup for its June 13-15 event at Magaluf’s former Aquapark. Headliners Pet Shop Boys, Blondie, and Underworld lead over 50 acts in this eagerly anticipated musical showcase. Celebrating Mallorca’s rich heritage, the festival’s promo video features local farmers, merchants, and winegrowers, hailed as the island’s ‘true inﬂuencers’ by the organisers. Tickets start at €99 for two days and €109 for a three-day pass. Following the success of the 2023 festival, Mallorca is poised to strengthen its reputation as a music destination. The British duo Pet Shop Boys are ﬁnally set to perform, after their appearance in the 2020 edition but was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. The boys will be performing their DreamWorld: The Greatest Hits Live tour. Blondie, fronted by Debbie Harry, boast an impressive discography that includes 11 albums and 38 singles. Completing the headline trio is Underworld, the British electronic music duo known for their innovative style since 1980.

IN a bid to attract international students, the ADEMA University School, in Palma, will offer two new English-only courses in Dentistry and Fine Arts starting in the 2024/25 academic year. Dr Pilar Tomas: “In this way, we can offer all students from our Community and those from other countries to study in Mallorca in English.” Highlighting the courses’ benefits, Dr Tomas noted, “the possibility of studying exclusively in English carries an important incentive for the future of students, providing a differentiating feature when looking for work in Spain.” Dr Pere Riutord, head of Dentistry studies, stressed the local demand for English-proficient professionals, “we are a community where people from different nationalities coexist.” Dr Amparo Sard, leading the Fine Arts programme, added, “the nature of Fine Arts studies, due to its interaction with proposals and initiatives at an international level, means that carrying out studies in English increases the projection of students, and improve your prospects for entering the labour market.”

Storm payment THIRTEEN councils in Mallorca will each receive just over €192,000 from the Consell de Mallorca to assist with costs associated with last year’s storm damage. The councils beneﬁting are Arta, Buger, Escorca, Esporles, Felanitx, Fornalutx, Mancor de la Vall, Montuïri, Pollença, Sant Joan, Selva, Soller and Vilafranca de Bonany. Last November, the framework agreement for a collaboration agreement between the Island Council and the town councils was approved, to cooperate

financially in the repair of damage suffered to the property of individuals as a result of storm Juliette. The total amount granted in this round is €2.5 million and follows up an earlier distribution of €2.5 million, bringing the total amount of aid granted to Mallorcan Councils to €5 million. Representatives of the councils involved and the Consell de Mallorca met in the Consell’s audience room on Thursday December 28 so that each party could sign a relevant agreement document thus making the payments official.

THERE was great excitement across Mallorca as revellers welcome 2024 although the biggest bash took place outside Palma City Hall. The entire square was filled as music was laid on by Palma Council and the crowd greeted the countdown to midnight. Emergency Services saw something of a respite compared to last year and in total, there were only 103 incidents between midnight and 8am according to 112. As usual alcohol fuelled some of the problems, with a few fights and self-inflicted injuries, although the most serious incident saw a fire break out on land in San Gotleu but the Palma Fire Brigade soon got it under control.

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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Floating monument

AS long ago as 2013, there were regular reports of dogs being poisoned on beaches in Pollensa and whilst the problem disappeared for a some time, it has now re-emerged. The latest poisoning is of a labrador called Lenny who was taken for a walk on Christmas Eve along Tamarells Beach (also known as LLenaire) by owners Alberto Moreno and Isabel Wollmar. Running along the beach, Lenny was chasing his ball when he stopped and started eating something which turned out to be rat poison. Despite rushing him to a local vet, there was nothing that could be done to save their labrador and he died on Christmas Day. Local Police were contacted as well as Seprona and investigations are underway but Alberto has posted a message on Facebook asking why, if there had been earlier deaths, nothing had been done to close the beach and warn dog owners. In the meantime, they have set up a

Credit: Alberto Moreno

Dog poisoning

Lenny the Labrador a much mourned member of the family.

petition calling for the local council to take action to increase security on the beach and to install CCTV in an attempt to catch the dog killer. And there is talk of a march by pet owners to the town hall.

Unemployment falls THERE are fewer unemployed people in the Balearics in December after National figures released on January 3 revealed that the overall total of unemployed was 31,709, a healthy decrease of 4,142 people.

This is an ongoing trend as the November figures showed a decrease and now unemployment has fallen for three years running, so unless there is a major financial upset during 2024, it looks as if the trend will continue downwards.

IN 1924, a traditional Mallorcan vessel known as a Llaüt was built in Palma by the Ballester Shipyards and started life as a trawler. Named the Balearic Islands it fished for some 70 years and in 1998, the Consell de Mallorca declared the Balearic Islands an asset of cultural interest with monument status. Since then it has been used to promote the maritime heritage of the Island and as it is still sea worthy will continue to make local promotional voyages. To celebrate its centenary, the first public act will see it decorated and at 6pm on January 5, will transport its ‘cargo’ of Three Kings to the Moll

Credit: Consell de Mallorca

The fully restored vessel ready for the Kings.

Vell in Palma where they will disembark and start their procession through the city. For some years, the 14 metre long vessel languished in the water and steadily deteriorated until it was donated to Mallor-

ca and was restored by Escola de Mestres d’Aixa del Consell over a long period from 2000 to 2004 before being returned to the water. It is now used on special occasions and has both an engine and sails.

Finale in Calvia AS 2023 drew to a close, Magaluf invited everyone to celebrate the year’s end with a spirited dash along the coast. The San Silvestre Calvianera Race, a vibrant

6.7 km run, took place in Calvia, on Sunday, December 31, stretching from Magaluf to Palmanova and back. This unique event combines athletic challenge with festive fun, encouraging participants to don their most imaginative costumes. Prizes were awarded for the best-dressed runners, adding an extra layer of excitement. The race’s atmosphere was further enlivened by music, ensuring a lively experience for both participants and spectators.

Runners looked forward to a warm welcome at the finish line, where hot chocolate and ensaimada was served. Additionally, the first 800 registrants received a commemorative t-shirt, a special keepsake of the occasion. Essential services such as timing, an aid station, showers, and a cloakroom were also provided. Organised jointly by the Calvia 2004 Foundation and Calvia Town Hall, this event was more than just a race, it’s a celebration of community spirit and the joy of sport.

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Félix Pons POPULAR Socialist politician Félix Pons who was named an ‘illustrious son of the City of Palma’ in 2004 and died in 2010 held ministerial posts in the National Government. Born in Palma in 1942, he was one of the most respected politicians to emerge from Mallorca and on January 2, Palma mayor, Jaime Martínez Llabrés, accompanied by members of the Pons family, renamed one of the most important streets in the city. Now known as the Avenida Fèlix Pons Irazazábal it stretches from Calle Puerto Rico to Avenida Gabriel Alomar and passes some of the most important and historic buildings in the city. The plaque that was unveiled by the mayor is affixed to the Congress Palace facing the sea and this decision was welcomed by members of all major political parties including the Partido Popular (to which the mayor belongs) and Vox even though Félix Pons was a life-long socialist.

Artisan Awards IN a celebration of traditional craftsmanship, the Council of Mallorca has awarded the prestigious 2023 Craftsmanship Awards. On Saturday, December 23, Miquel Ramis Bordoy, the island’s last miller, received the accolade, worth €7,000, for his exceptional and sustainable restoration of a mill. The award underlines the continuing vitality of Mallorcan craftsmanship. Antonia Roca, Vice-President of the Council and Minister of Culture, remarked,

“This success shows that craftsmanship is more alive than ever.” She pledged ongoing support for the island’s artisans. Llorenc Galmes, President of the Council, also attended the event, highlighting the importance of preserving history and traditions through craftsmanship. The Artisan Tradition Award was awarded to Jaume Amengual Serapio of Palma for his work ‘Xarxa de Botalo’. The event concluded with an array of Mallorcan artisanal delights.

Christmas decorations THE Calvia Council has announced the winners and some runners up of its 2023 Christmas decoration competition which was finally decided on December 28. A total of €6,740 will be paid to 20 different entrants from 13 different parts of the municipality and all were voted for by local residents. There is however one

condition and that is that each person recognised (or at least their representative) will have to be physically present at the awards ceremony which will take place during the celebration of the Three Kings’ Parade on January 5. All prizes will then be paid via bank transfer with first prize being €300 and second €120.

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Michael Cano MUCH of what we buy today is made in poorer countries around the world and it has become clear that hundreds of thousands of workers are being exploited. An organisation known as Equitables is the Fair Trade Coordinator of the Balearic Islands, and is currently supported by nine member organisation which are basically international charities with an interest in the Balearics. The organisation coordinates and promotes the different activities of awareness and education of society so that those making the products receive a reasonable and fair wage for their labours. If you are thinking of purchasing a special Three Kings’ gift then perhaps you could con-

Credit: Equitables

Children learn about Fair Trade.

sider visiting one of the Fair Trade outlets supported by members of Equitables. In Mallorca you can find them in Palma, at Càritas Diocesana de Mallorca, at Fundació Deixalles and at Funda-

ción Vicente Ferrer. In Llucmajor, the Casal De La Pau SAltra Senalla shop and in Manacor, at Shikamoo, whilst Fundació Deixalles has shops in Manacor, Felanitx, Soller, Capdepera, Inca and Calvia.

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headquarters of the Port Adriano THE Consell de Mallorca is open

THE exclusive marina designed by Philippe Starck, Port Adriano is hosting a very special Three Kings event on Friday January 5. Prior to the arrival by boat of the Three Kings at 6pm, anyone awaiting them will be able to enjoy a large chocolate drink from 5pm whilst there will be entertainment from the charity clowns from the NGO Educaclown. The skating rink will close at 4pm in order to allow for preparations for the arrival of their Majesties to take place and they will disembark at the port and will go to the central event square where they will deliver the gifts to the children at around 7pm.

to visits by schoolchildren and the general public In 2023, it received visits from 5,259 people in 2023, 700 more than in 2022, a record number and the Palau del Consell has its doors open to visit, subject to appointment, both by adults in general and groups of schoolchildren. The visit, which lasts approximately one hour is accompanied by a guide speaking Catalan, Spanish, English or French and takes visitors through the main rooms of the headquarters: the entrance and the staircase of honour, the noble floor, the audience room and the plenary ses-

Historic tour

Credit: Consell de Mallorca

HQ: Schoolchildren form the bulk of visitors.

sion room. Generally however, the area that causes the most interest to visitors is the old air raid shelter, which is located in the basement of the Palau. In 2023, there were 155

different visits with the majority being school children although it was noted that a number of international visitors were given the tour, with the bulk coming from France, Germany and Italy.

A RATHER unusual musical event took place in Palma on Wednesday January 3 as it hosted ‘Le Voyage Du Piano’ concert, an event starring pianist David Gómez. Gómez is a Mallorcan based pianist who is renowned throughout Spain for his intimate performances where he plays a number of his own compositions surrounded by 200 candles.

Time to fly

EVERY year, Spanish Airline Air Europa launches its Time to Fly Campaign which offers a range of internal and even international flights at low prices. Currently it operates a number of direct flights from Palma airport to a range of different Spanish cities including Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Ibiza, Madrid, Malaga and Valencia. If you book a round trip between January 2 and January 14 for travel until June 13, you

may benefit from a price of just €25 each way and that includes two pieces of hand luggage. It’s even possible to travel to Paris and some other European destinations for €29 each way and to the USA and South America at cheaper prices than usual. Visit the Air Europa website to obtain your quote and book your flight in the knowledge that even if the airline is finally sold to IAG that your booking should be safe.

Mobile piano

Still with his piano and 200 candles, he came up with the concept of making this a touring event so was placed on a mobile platform and travelled around the city of Palma from 5.30pm until 8pm.

During the tour there were three special performances at strategic stops with performance lasting around 30 minutes and the stops were at La Rambla, Plaça Joan Carles I and the Plaça de la Reina.

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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.

MBE for Deborah DEBORAH CAROL EDGINGTON, a former councillor for Tourism in Antigua, has been awarded an MBE for her services to British Nationals in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) in the New Year Honours list published on December 29. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Mrs Edgington supported British citizens on the island by keeping them informed of updates and restrictions, as well as assisting those who chose to return to the UK under challenging circumstances. In addition to helping her compatriots with logistical and bureaucratic issues, Mrs Edgington has worked with the local community to raise thousands of euros in funds for various charities. Hugh Elliott, the British Ambassador to Spain, said: “Deborah’s 25 years of serving the needs and integration of the British commu-

Deborah Edgington.

nity in Fuerteventura make her a worthy recipient of this MBE award. “She has worked tirelessly to ensure that British nationals know their rights and has not hesitated to step forward when most needed, through times of great changes or uncertainty, from Brexit, through the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. “Through her sterling work she has earned the respect and trust of those around her, and I’m delighted that it has been recogni-

sed with this award.” Mrs Edgington said: “It is a great honour and a complete surprise to have been awarded an MBE, I feel immensely proud and humbled. I am always happy to assist others, especially when sometimes these can be the most difficult moments for people. “This for me was always easier with the help and assistance I received from the fantastic team of Consulate Staff, Las Palmas Gran Canaria.” In addition to Mrs Edgington, three other British residents in Spain have been named in the New Year Honours list 2024: An MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) to Mrs Margery Anne Taylor, District Treasurer and District Training Officer, Royal British Legion, Spain South. ‘For services to Veterans in Spain.’

THE British and Spanish royal families will be reunited early this year, marking a momentous occasion for a certain member of the Spanish Royal Household. The visit is being scheduled for the end of January or early February 2024. However, King Charles and Camilla’s official visit to Spain is not just another entry in the royal itinerary, but a momentous occasion, especially for the Spanish royal family. This visit holds particular significance as it coincides with Princess Leonor’s first public appearance in a long dress and tiara, marking a key milestone in her royal journey. A Royal Rite Of Passage Princess Leonor, who turned 18 last October, has been gradually stepping into the limelight at official events. The upcoming visit by King Charles and Camilla is set to be a landmark event for her, as she will don her first formal royal attire publicly. This traditional dress code is a requisite for the gala dinners hosted during such high-profile state visits. Although Leonor has been seen in cadet gala dress, the state visit offers her a debut in full royal regalia, symbolising her transition into a more prominent public role. Ties Of Tradition And Transition This state visit is significant not just for Leonor but also for its reflection of the longstanding ties between the British and Spanish royal families.

Credit: CasaReal/X

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 Royals to visit Spain

The Spanish Royal Family on Constitution Day,

The relationship between King Charles and King Felipe, who had a deep admiration for Queen Elizabeth, adds a personal touch to the visit. King Felipe and Queen Letizia have made several visits to England. These have included the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William, Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, and King Charles’ enthronement which have further solidified these bonds. During this visit, it is anticipated that Leonor will wear one of the royal family’s historic tiaras, pieces that have adorned her mother and aunts, Infantas Cristina and Elena, on many notable occasions. This event is a blend of tradition, familial connections, and the evolving role of Princess Leonor within the Spanish royal family. It represents not only the deep ties between the British and Spanish monarchies but also a new chapter in the life of a young princess stepping into a more significant role on the world stage.

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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.”

SPANISH news media often has a fascination with the British press, about how its cities and culture are perceived in the UK. A recent article from a well-known Spanish newspaper reported on such an article that shed light on a Spanish city that has charmed English tourists with its understated beauty and historical richness. On the 2022 tourist map, Spain attracted over 70 million visitors, predominantly from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. This surge in tourism underscores Spain’s allure, especially among British travellers who cherish the nation’s climate, cuisine, and culture. Girona: An Overlooked Marvel Despite being overshadowed by more famous locales, Girona, a Catalan city at just 100 kilometres from Barcelona, has captured the hearts of many English

Banys Arabs, Girona.

tourists. Once known primarily for its airport’s proximity to Barcelona, and described as ‘one of the most underrated cities in Spain,’ Girona is now recognised for its intrinsic value. Girona serves as a gateway for many en route to Spain’s larger cities. But, the overwhelming opinion is that it deserves far greater recognition. Girona possesses some of the best preserved medieval walls and cobblestone streets, rated among

Credit: Tim Adams/Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Paying it forward A hidden Spanish gem the finest in Europe. Notably the TV fantasy series Game of Thrones chose the town for filming some of its scenes. Architectural And Natural Splendour Not only does Girona boast symbolic structures like the symmetrical bell tower of the Monastery of San Pedro de Galligants and the Arab baths, but it also invites exploration of its scenic surroundings. Framed by the Pyrenees and enveloped in forests, Girona’s charm extends beyond its architecture, in particular the grandeur of the Onar River that flows through the city. Girona emerges not just as a stopover but as a destination worthy of admiration and exploration. Its blend of historical splendour, architectural beauty, and natural landscapes makes it a hidden gem, now rightfully earning the attention it deserves.

Unique cow poop lottery Credit: lunamarina/Shutterstock.com

COWS: Rectangles decide on the winner.

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 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.

ADVERTISING FEATURE II euroweeklynews.com

4 - 10 January 2024

EWN

Strategic financial planning for the New Year Of course, you can review your financial planning any time to ensure it is on the right path, but the New Year is the perfect prompt to do so. One key reason is to ensure it is up to date. Establish whether any tax rules or financial regulations have changed and consider if developments in your personal circumstances mean you should adjust previous arrangements. But an effective review of your financial planning, to ensure it is suitable for your life in Spain and future plans, needs to go beyond that. Many people only consider segments of their finances at a time. They may have bought shares in companies or funds they liked years ago. They may speak to a tax accountant about Spanish taxation, then to a lawyer about wills. At some point they look at their pensions. For truly effective financial planning, however, you need to

start afresh in Spain. What was tax efficient in the UK is unlikely to be tax efficient here. Explore the compliant arrangements available in Spain to establish what would work for your situation and how much tax you can save. By Cathal Rochford, Partner, Blevins Franks

consider all these various aspects together. For example, how you hold your investments can make a difference to your Spanish tax liabilities. Estate planning in Spain is no simple matter and how you own assets can impact on what you can achieve. Spanish residency and taxation The fact that you are resident in Spain, rather than the UK, has a significant impact on your financial and tax planning. Regardless of how effective your tax planning in the UK was, you pretty much need to

Estate planning The way you own assets can impact on how you can distribute them on death and how much tax your beneficiaries pay, so take this into consideration early on. The Spanish succession tax rules differ greatly from the UK’s and you need to understand these to be able to plan around them. Spanish succession law establishes forced heirship rules and protects children over your spouse, which can have unwelcome consequences for certain families unless you plan ahead. UK nationals can use the EU succession regulation to distribute their estate under the appropriate UK law, but re-

search this first to confirm if it’s the right solution for you. Financial structuring for life in Spain Perhaps the key rule for financial planning is that it must be specifically structured around your personal circumstances – your lifestyle today and plans for the future, family situation, income requirements, objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. If you don’t already have a strategic financial plan in place for Spain, you need to take a completely fresh look at your investments and consider if they remain suitable for you today. Are they too risky? Do you have adequate diversification? Could you consolidate shares and funds so they are easier to manage? At the same time, consider your tax liabilities on investment income and gains, as well as wealth tax, and whether you could use tax-efficient arrange-

ments to hold your investments as resident of Spain. And how will these savings be passed to your heirs? What inheritance taxes will they pay? Can the funds be passed on directly or through a lengthy probate process? Every family is different. Your strategic financial planning must be carefully designed for you. All the various aspects should work cohesively together to create an overall wealth management plan that provides long-term financial security for yourself and achieves your wishes for your heirs. For peace of mind take specialist advice. All advice received from any Blevins Franks firm is personalised and provided in writing. This document/article, however, should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation and/or investment advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www. blevinsfranks.com.

10 EWN 4 - 10 January 2024

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.

FEATURE II euroweeklynews.com

4 - 10 January 2024

EWN 11

ADVERTISING FEATURE

HotSprings: The Best Hot Tub Experience

HOTSPRING Spas are committed to providing customers with the absolute best hot tub ownership experience, and their dedicated dealership in Alcudia is the only place you can find these incredible saltwater spa systems. The stunning island of Mallorca is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to enjoy outdoor living. With 300 days of sunshine per year, there is no better place to relax and unwind as your cares melt away - so why not create your own beautiful garden retreat? Since 2012, HotSpring Spas Mallorca have been providing the only saltwater system spas and the team boasts more than 24 years of experience in the sector. With up to five years warranty on parts, you can relax knowing that the dedicated and professional team will be there to support you throughout your ownership experience.

HOTSPRING SPA: Perfect to unwind, relax or entertain friends.

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der if hot tubs could really be that different - don’t they all hold and heat water? Don’t they all have jets? The reality is, what is under the hood can make a big difference in your ownership experience. HotSpring Spas are energy efficient and you can choose from a huge range of hot tubs with plenty of luxurious extras, including the number of massage jets and the type, filtration systems, intuitive controls like wireless touch screen

and LCD screens, in addition to inside and outside lighting and wireless entertainment. And it’s not just about entertainment. With a HotSpring spa at home, the restorative benefits of hydrotherapy are yours. As a daily ritual, your hot tub can become the foundation of a wellness lifestyle, helping your physical, mental and emotional health. The heat widens blood vessels, which sends nutrient-rich blood

throughout your body. Warm water also brings down swelling and loosens tight muscles, and the water’s buoyancy takes the weight off painful joints. With over 1,000,000 hot tubs sold, HotSpring Spas are the world’s number one selling brand of hot tubs. And don’t just take our word for it, their reviews speak for themselves. One customer said: “Our spa has changed our lives. We love getting in after a long day of work. The spa is easy to maintain and clean, and checking the chemical levels is a breeze. Complete upgrade to our lifestyle!” Committed to delivering on their promises, David and the team at HotSprings Mallorca are ready to find you the perfect hot tub where you can unwind, relax or entertain friends. Make an appointment now to visit the showroom in Alcudia and find the best HotSpring Spa for you.

ADDRESS: CARRER DE POLLENTIA, 75, 07400 ALCUDIA, MALLORCA - TELEPHONE: +34 971 545 377 EMAIL: INFO@HOTSPRINGMALLORCA.NET - FACEBOOK: @HOTSPRINGSPAS

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

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

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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/mallorca • Tel: +34 687 906 226 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.

VISIT US AT OUR SPANISH OFFICES IN COSTA DEL SOL, COSTA ALMERIA, NORTH COSTA BLANCA AND SOUTH COSTA BLANCA. TELEPHONE UK +44 (0) 207 847 9400 SPAIN +34 950 478 914 • EMAIL EUROWEEKLY@CURRENCIESDIRECT.COM • WWW.CURRENCIESDIRECT.COM.

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!

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.

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

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.

euroweeklynews.com • 4 - 10 January 2024

PETS