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THREE KINGS FUN
Catherine McGeer EVERY year throughout Spain on January 5 children line the streets on the eve of the Epiphany, also known as the feast of the Three Kings or Dia del los Reyes Magos. They gather in this age-old tradition that commemorates the journey of the Three Kings - Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar - following the star to Bethlehem to visit the newborn Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These days the Three Kings usually bring sweets and toys that they throw out to the thousands of children there to experience the parade and to welcome the kings. These parades held throughout Spain hold great importance throughout the country. While Spanish families celebrate Christmas more and more on December 24 and 25, as
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The Three Kings Parade in Nerja.
their children adapt to the customs of Santa Claus, a lot of families still wait until the Three Kings’ celebrations to swap Christmas gifts. This parade kicks off the Three Kings’ celebrations after which the
children head home, eat roscon (the traditional Kings’ cake) with hot chocolate, and then get tucked into bed as they await their visit from the Kings. The Three Kings paraded through the streets
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FILM HOTSPOT
Image: Facebook/Nerja Town
Axarquia • Issue No. 2010 • 11 - 17 January 2024
of Axarquia distributing toys, teddies, and sweets to awaiting children that lined the streets. They also take the time to visit children’s hospitals and senior citizen residences.
THE city of Malaga, along with Marbella and Nerja, emerged as top destinations for film shoots over the past 12 months. The Malaga Province has provided exceptional weather conditions, becoming a sought-after hub for film productions. Malaga has successfully regained its pace of film shoots that halted due to the pandemic, as confirmed by records from the Malaga Film Office and collaborating offices supporting production companies within Andalucia. While predominantly attracting local production companies, they also hosted over 20 British and several German projects. Beyond Malaga, Marbella and Nerja, have also garnered substantial attention for shoots in the past year. Nerja, in particular, captured the interest of American filmmaker Tosca Musk, sister of tech tycoon Elon Musk, who fell in love with its picturesque locations for her upcoming movie ‘Wallbanger.’ Although the film’s setting primarily lies in San Francisco and Atlanta, Nerja serves as the backdrop for the protagonists’ romantic getaway. Expressing gratitude for Nerja’s support, Musk highlighted the municipality as the ‘best location in Europe’ for filming. Scheduled for release this year, the film will reach global audiences through the streaming platform Passionflix. The Axarquía Film Commission, under the Costa del Sol Axarquía council, facilitated many of these projects, attracting attention from international production giants.
LOTTERY WIN
Image: Shutterstock/ davidxlacalle
VELEZ-MALAGA celebrated as the third prize of Spain’s ‘El Niño’ Lottery, marked by the number 57033, brought joy to the province of Malaga. Awarding €25,000 per ticket and free from taxes on its winnings, the lucky number was distributed across five local administrations. The ‘El Niño’ Lottery, held annually on January 6 on the Three Kings’ Day, follows Spain’s famous ‘El Gordo’ (The Big One) Christmas Lottery. It is known for its significant prizes and tradition of dispersing luck throughout the country to kickstart the new year. This
Velez-Malaga joy as ‘El Niño’ Lottery’s luck embraces the town.
year, the winning tickets made their way to Arroyo de la Miel (Calle Zodiac), Velez-Malaga (Calle 23 Alcalde José Herrera), as well as several locations
in the capital city, including Calle Duque de Rivas, Avenida Velázquez, and Calle Catapilco. The unexpected windfall has ignited excitement, marking
a promising beginning for the fortunate winners of Velez-Malaga and across Malaga Province, courtesy of the ‘El Niño’ Lottery’s generous draw.
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THE Agriculture Department of Velez-Malaga is set to enhance rural infrastructure across various locations within the municipality. Six specific points are earmarked for these renovations, backed by a budget of €376,067.02, funded through the Agricultural Employment Promotion Program (PFEA). Councillor Jesús María Claros elaborated on the impending initiatives aimed at improving rural infrastructure and tree repopulation across Velez-Malaga. “We’re focusing on enhancing various rural pathways and reforesting areas in Velez-Malaga that urgently require attention. Specifically,
Town makeover Comares celebrates Image: Shutterstock/ Caron Badkin
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PRIMARY GOAL: Enhancing rural landscapes and access.
we’ll be working on six points: Calle Loma Mesías (two sections of 185 and 35 metres),Calle Collado (208 metres), Calle Venta (160 metres), Calle Las Maderas (100 and 90 metres), Calle Cañada Parra (162 and 30 metres), and La
Pola Estate,” explained the Agriculture councillor. “These endeavours are expected to span nine months, engaging up to 17 workers. The total cost, €376,067.02, is covered by PFEA. Of this budget, €123,423.07 will be allocated to machinery and materials, while €252,643.95 will go toward labour costs,” added Claros. Furthermore, Councillor Jesús María Claros emphasised, “The primary goal is repairing public pathways to ensure continued accessibility, considering their deterioration over time. Additionally, we’ll be reforesting trees in the municipal La Pola Estate.”
Image : Shutterstock/ Antonio Ciero Reina
HISTORIC FESTIVAL: Comares patron saint activities.
Grace Meredith ON January 13 Comares will celebrate the feast of San Hilario de Poitiers, its patron saint. This festival originates from a historical event in 1442, this day marks a significant uprising by Mozarabic residents against the Muslim community, leading to the town’s annual tribute to the French bishop. The festivities begin with a Mass dedicated to San Hilario, accompanied by the enchanting melodies of the Verdiales Panda and the all-female ‘Balcón de la Axarquia’ Rociero Choir. A procession will wind through the town’s streets, showcasing the saint before the merriment moves to the lively plaza ‘Balcón de la Axarquia.’
There, an orchestra will fill the air with beautiful music. Throughout the day, the traditional sounds of Comares’ Verdiales will echo through the squares and surrounding streets, captivating visitors with their distinctive tunes. The town will gather to enjoy communal paellas and local delicacies like chorizo, local cheeses, and morcilla all accompanied by local wine. Comares eagerly anticipates this celebration, a harmonious blend of history, religious veneration, and vibrant festivities, promising an unforgettable experience for all participants. Many visitors travel to the area for this well-known fiesta and the celebrations usually continue into the early hours.
Green spaces RINCON DE LA VICTORIA is in full swing with its urban tree pruning initiative, now 65 per cent complete. The ongoing campaign, part of the Municipal Tree Plan, aims to maintain tree structures and ensure pedestrian safety across the municipality. Led by the UTE Rincon Victoria, the programme kicked off in November and will continue until March. Manuel García, Parks and Gardens councillor, highlighted the crucial role of these efforts in upkeeping green spaces and public areas. Mayor Francisco Salado emphasised the campaign’s positive impact on the town’s appearance and residents’ lives. Adhering to the Municipal Tree Plan, the project focuses on pruning hundreds of palms and trees to enhance the urban environment. The pruning began with various trees, including the Ficus, along main avenues and the promenade. Presently, La Cala del Moral’s promenade is the focal point, with the council acknowledging a slight delay due to the high temperatures.
LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com Roman fun
VILLA ANTIOPA invites you to unravel the secrets of ancient Rome with engaging activities. Starting January 13 thematic tours inspired by Roman festivities will be held on the second Saturday of each month. To attend contact villaantiopa@ rincondela victoria.es.
Dance show
TORRE DEL MAR’S La Hermandad del Carmen hosts ‘The Psychology of Colour’ dance show on January 27 at 8pm in Velez-Malaga’s Carmen Theatre. Ticket sales at €10 benefit Ntra. Sra del Carmen’s Social Works. Tickets from Torre del Mar Tourist Office. For inquiries, call 640 768 165.
Normal times
THE Trapiche Market on Calle Benamargosa KM 0.5, Velez-Malaga has returned to its normal timetable. You can find a selection of artisan stalls every Tuesday from 9.30am to 1.30pm. For more information call Anita on 627 877 164.
Speed-dating
CALLING all single ladies and men! An international speed-dating event has been organised at Bitácora on Paseo de Larios 7 in Torre del Mar. It takes place on Wednesday, January 17 from 8.30pm. Email marg rietvv@hotmail.com.
Cultural tour
ALMUÑECAR’s Cultural Department offers a €10 cultural tour to Salar’s Roman Villa on January 21. It includes a guided visit, an archaeologist’s explanation, and nature walks. Registration deadline: January 18 at Casa de la Cultura.
Spring hikes
LOS NÓRDICOS Almuñecar has announced the launch of their spring hiking series, commencing on Saturday, January 13. The inaugural hike will explore Lecrin Valley. See more details at los nordicos.com.
Highlights of 2023
Catherine McGeer ALICIA RAMÍREZ, Velez-Malaga’s Culture councillor, lauded 2023 as a standout year and hinted at an even richer cultural landscape for the town ahead. Under the new governance, the town’s cultural scene thrived, notably transforming the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) and witnessing record-breaking visits. Ramírez expressed elation at the overwhelming response to cultural initiatives, highlighting an increase in interest and participation. The CAC revamped structurally and content-wise, saw an unprecedented influx of visitors in its decade-long history, particularly during events like ‘La Noche en Vela’ (The Candlelit Night). Significant strides were made in re-
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STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
Bingo night THE CANDLELIT NIGHT: Reflecting on 2023 in Velez-Malaga.
vitalising neglected cultural spaces like the Sala Cervantes, set to offer guided tours soon. Partnerships honouring philosopher María Zambrano’s legacy
and an upcoming festival showcasing her work stand as a testament to Velez-Malaga’s commitment to cultural enrichment.
Hiker rescued New reservoir A 25-YEAR-OLD hiker sustained minor injuries after slipping and plummeting seven metres into a pool in the Almanchares River along the El Saltillo trail in Canillas de Aceituno. Upon receiving alerts, personnel from the Provincial Fire Consortium, the Guardia Civil, and Civil Protection rushed to the scene. Specialists carefully prepared him for rescue and transferred him on a stretcher to the rendezvous point with the ambulance. Remarkably, the young man was fortunate to have avoided serious injuries, as confirmed by Canillas de Aceituno’s Civil Protection. The collaborative efforts of the emergency responders enabled a swift and effective rescue operation. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of caution and preparedness while enjoying outdoor activities, highlighting the critical role of emergency services in ensuring public safety along popular trails.
BENAMARGOSA’s town council has revealed the acquisition of a 4,000-square-metre plot for constructing a new residential water supply reservoir. This new infrastructure aims to alleviate the ongoing supply constraints affecting the locality. The acquired parcel, situated close to the town’s current and sole water supply reservoir, is intended to mitigate the existing supply restrictions. Benamargosa relies solely on its municipal reservoir for water, which is dependent on Axaragua’s supply. However, due to severe drought in the Axarquia region, this supply has significantly dwindled over recent months. The reduced water flow pressure has caused prolonged filling times for the reservoirs, leading to disruptions in household water supply. Daily water cuts starting at 7.00pm have been implemented, sometimes extending further due to heightened demand during the holiday season. The town council is actively developing the project and has secured funding for its execution pending the acquisition of necessary permits.
Black slope
THE Sierra Nevada ski resort has officially opened its renowned black slope, La Visera, marking the first operational black-level trail of the season. The announcement was made through the Andalucian winter resort’s social media channels. La Visera is highly esteemed among specialists who frequent the resort due to its challenging nature. The forecast for the ski area indicates an opening of activities in Borreguiles and the Mirlo Blanco area. Snow reports anticipate temperatures
dipping to minus one degree Celsius, partly cloudy skies, and powder snow ranging from 20 to 60 centimetres thick. The skiable area extends across 25 kilometres, featuring 37 slopes and 11 functional ski lifts. However, recent snowfall in parts of Granada Province has led to the closure of the A-4025 in Güéjar Sierra, within the metropolitan area of Granada City. The road is impassable in both directions, according to reports from the Directorate General of Traffic and the Guardia Civil.
SAVE A LIFE Rescue is set to host a charity event, a Bingo Night on Wednesday January 31 at 8pm. The fundraising event will take place at Cerezo Bar located in Canillas de Albaida, offering an opportunity for the community to come together for a noble cause. The entry fee for this engaging evening is a mere €2.50 per person, with every cent going directly towards aiding animals in need. The event promises an evening of fun and generosity, aiming to make a difference for vulnerable animals. Additionally, a raffle will be held, giving attendees the chance to win exciting prizes while supporting the cause. Reserve your place by WhatsApp on 0034 711 077 830. Save a Life Rescue hopes for a robust turnout.
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euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE
Moving forward together VIEWPOINT BILL ANDERSON
LIFE sometimes takes us in unexpected directions, and whilst I have been writing columns for the Euro Weekly News (EWN) for some time now, being appointed Editor was never on my radar. Having said that, I am both excited and enthusiastic about working with the team to take the brand forward. I am delighted to have joined the Euro Weekly team. After four years in the political world, it is good to return to the real world and contri-
buting to getting the news out there is a challenge. News content is a bit like restaurant menus: some like McDonald’s, and some like Michelin Star restaurants. The important thing is having enough variety that everyone can leave happy and satisfied. I will be working on this with the team. I’m sure we will not please everyone, but that’s life. For some time now, the Euro Weekly News (EWN) has been in pole position amongst all of the independent Press in Spain in championing the excellent work done by charitable organisations and those who raise funds for good causes. This commitment will continue. As we enter 2024, many parts of Spain still face challenges. Although we have had a sma-
PROVERB OF THE WEEK If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. This was originally an African proverb meaning don’t wait, go along so you are not held back by others.
ttering of rain, drought is still the order of the know that major improvements will not haday with many areas dealing with continued ppen overnight. water restrictions. Politicians are often very good at making There have been many political debates life harder for us, but not so efficient at antiaround this matter but very little action. Wi- cipating future needs and acting before it bethout having expertise in the area of water comes a problem. 2024 could be a big year instorage and supply, I do understand that des- ternationally, as there are around 40 elections alination is one way forward, but not an ab- taking place. Let’s see if it is more of the same solute solution to the problem. Construction or all change for the better, or otherwise. Thearound the coasts escalates without a clear re have been some big shifts in voting prefesolution to the water supply problem. rences in recent times, so could it be exciting Transport also presents some challenges for times ahead? Who knows? 2024. With Low Emission Zones (LEZ) being I have been staggered by all of your good introduced in many of the larger municipali- wishes at my appointment and appreciate the ties, many people with older vehicles could constructive comments about going forward. find themselves in difficulty. The reality for I will be looking for your continued involvethose of us who live along the Spanish coast, ment in content and look forward to working with one or two exceptions, is that we live with you. We want to listen to your views and moderately rural lives with very limited public the EWN team hopes to provide you with the transport options or even availability. There news and content you are looking for in ‘The has been a lot of ‘jaw-jaw’ about this, but we People’s Paper’. Bill Anderson’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors. bill-anderson@euroweeklynews.com
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euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS
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SEVERE drought in Malaga and Axarquia’s olive-growing regions has led to a drastic drop in olive yields, forcing the early closure of several olive oil mills. Asaja in Malaga emphasises that the ongoing dry spell has caused farms to harvest only half the usual amount of olives compared to previous years. This significant decline in production is poised to greatly reduce the overall output of olive oil. Consequently, the prices of olive oil have increased, reaching unprecedented levels. The economical picual variety, a type of olive
Oil crunch
Image: Shutterstock/Valentyn Volkov
Olive Oil Crisis: Drought Spurs Price Surge
grown in Spain with high oil content, now commands an origin price of €9 per litre, with retail prices soaring to around
€15 per litre. Major brands like Coosur and Hojiblanca have even priced their products at €14.5 per litre, impac-
ting household expenses and causing a decline in consumer consumption across Spain. Experts warn against panic buying, citing the unpredictability of future olive yields and advising consumers to purchase according to immediate needs. Despite hopes for increased production in other regions of Andalucia, the situation remains challenging in Malaga due to the scarcity of olives resulting from the prolonged drought. The industry faces an uphill battle as weather forecasts offer limited prospects for significant rainfall in the near future.
THE much-anticipated Weekend Beach Festival is gearing up for its ninth festival, set to grace Torre del Mar’s shores from July 4 to 6. Promising a vibrant lineup brimming with the latest and most enticing musical acts, organisers urge festival-goers, to mark their calendars for a scintillating summer experience. Last year, this gathering drew a staggering 150,000 attendees, wielding an economic impact surpassing €6 million,
Holiday success TORRE DEL MAR celebrated a resoundingly successful holiday season, boasting a diverse array of activities and attractions that both locals and tourists enjoyed. Jesús Pérez Atencia, the deputy mayor, highlighted the outstanding turnout during the festivities. The Azucarera’s Nativity Scene welcomed an impressive 14,000 visitors, while Plaza Juan Aguilar’s amusement park saw a daily average of 800 guests. The season began with the unveiling of Antonio Fortes’ Nativity Scene and the commencement of the Cipriano Maldonado painting competition, drawing participation from numerous schoolchildren. Notably, the Grand Slide attracted around 12,000 visitors, contributing significantly to the lively atmosphere at Azucarera. Additionally, the town hosted a series of events, including concerts, traditional Spanish festivities like zambombas, pastoral plays, and parades, all garnering substantial attendance. The festive decorations, illuminated streets, and monumental Christmas trees became popular photo spots, gaining attention on social media platforms.
Beach festival solidifying its position among Spain’s top 10 most significant festivals. With four stages on the Torre del Mar beachfront within a venue offering utmost comfort, easy access, camping facilities, and nearby parking, the 2024 Weekend Beach Festival is primed to entertain attendees of all ages and musical tastes.
Following the success of the previous years, the festival returns to Malaga, featuring a star-studded lineup including Melendi, Europe, Steve Aoki, and the internationally acclaimed Latin sensation MORA. Tickets are now available for purchase at www.weekendbeach.es and El Corte Inglés, inviting music enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a musical journey along the sun-kissed shores of the Andalucian Coast.
Season kick-off
Grace Meredith ALMUÑECAR Handball Cl ub proudly presented its eight teams for the 2023-2024 season, marking a significant expan-
sion with a total of 150 players across various categories and genders. Held at the ‘Antonio Marina’ sports pavilion, the event garnered support
from Sports councillor Luis Aragón and club officials, showcasing their commitment to nurturing talent. The season sees a remarkable increase in the club’s lineup, featuring female juvenile-cadet, three infantile and alevin female teams, a benjamin-multisport team, and two male teams. This substantial growth, with nearly 50 more players, allowed for the creation of three infantile teams, a notable increase from previous years. President Carmen de Weert urged interested boys to join, aiming to bolster the male teams. Councillor Luis Aragón extended well wishes for a prosperous season, recognising the club’s pivotal role in cultivating grassroots talent and producing elite athletes.
LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com
Theatre revival
Image: Shutterstock/ Veja
LONG-ABANDONED: Breathing new life into history.
AFTER a decade of neglect, the Velez-Malaga Council has greenlit the €5 million restoration of the long-abandoned Lope de Vega Theatre. With 64 per cent funding from European sources and the rest from the local government, Constructora San José S A will spearhead the project, aiming to breathe new life into this historic cultural hub untouched since the 1980s. Initially purchased for €500,000 by the council 10 years ago, the theatre lay dormant, leading to a hefty €1.2 million grant repayment, with an added €250,000 in interest due to unfinished work in the previous administration’s tenure. Under the current bipartisan leadership of PP and GIPMTM, the updated rehabilitation plan unveiled in 2022 paved the way for the bidding process, culminating in Constructora San José S A winning the sole bid for the €4,984,026.58 contract, set to be completed within 16 months. This restoration promises to transform the space into a thriving cultural centre, accommodating 931 seats and ensuring inclusivity for individuals with various needs. The infusion of European funds marks a substantial investment in Velez-Malaga’s cultural revival, signalling a significant milestone in the municipality’s historical preservation efforts.
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Water boost
Catherine McGeer THE Andalucian Government has approved a pivotal initiative to amplify water connectivity between Marbella and the Axarquia region. This project involves doubling the capacity of the Rojas Pumping Station, ensuring a substantial boost in water transfer capability to Malaga and the western Costa del Sol. With an investment of €1,069,302.85 and a timeline of six months, this enhancement aims to fortify the link between Malaga and the Guadalhorce-Limonero system, securing 12 hm3 for the next phase of the Water Highway. By optimising the Rojas Pumping Station’s infrastructure, this upgrade will enable a flow of 500 litres per second in both directions, facilitating water movement from the La Concepción reservoir to
Image: Shutterstock/ Geermy
WATER CONNECTIVITY: Building a liquid lifeline.
Malaga and the Costa del Sol. This development is a significant step toward securing a reliable water supply for over 600,000 residents. Crucially impacting multiple municipalities and indirectly benefiting the Axarquia region, this project aims to combat the severe drought in Andalucia. It complements other ongoing water management efforts in Malaga, including the expansion of desalination plants
and the overhaul of water networks. This move arrives amidst concerning data revealing a 5 hm3 drop in stored water in Andalucia, representing a mere 20 per cent of the region’s total storage capacity. The need for such initiatives becomes increasingly urgent, emphasising the significance of effective water resource management during these drought-stricken times.
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Wish list
DURING the festivities of the Three Kings recently one child’s letter to the Kings stood out. Found among the thousands of letters delivered to the Three Kings in Velez-Malaga it detailed one child’s Christmas wish. This letter garnered attention as it did not include the usual list of toys and candy. The letter asked the Kings for something more simple which has left a profound impact. The letter read ‘I wish to spend my Christmas with my entire family and for good health’. Upon the discovery of this letter, the mayor of Velez-Malaga Jesús Lupiáñez appealed to the public to find the author of this letter as there was no name included. He took to social media to share this heartfelt letter in order to find the author in the hopes he could include them in the Three King celebrations.
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Menu del Dia Winner John Smith
GENERALLY speaking, one of the best bargains in terms of value for money in Spain is the understandably very popular Menu del Dia offered at lunchtime by literally of thousands of restaurants around the country. It’s a great concept whereby you can enjoy either a set lunch or a choice of starter, main course and dessert invariably with a drink or a cup of coffee for a relatively low price. We all know that the Spanish enjoy taking their time over a meal and unlike many of those living in the North of Europe aren’t satisfied with a quick sandwich at their desks. Manual workers make the most of their lunch breaks and it’s not unusual to see ambulance crews and other ‘emergency’ workers taking advantage of a break in their busy routine. Franco is credited with the concept of creating the famed Menu del Dia as a way of showcasing Spanish regional cooking and in 1965, he passed a law requiring certain restaurants, especially those in the newly emerging tourist areas, to offer a reasonably priced lunch. The concept was taken up across Spain and by the 1970s most towns
Credit: Bar Paco Facebook
The very popular Bar Paco in Javea.
had at least one or two restaurants offering this three-course meal at an economic price. Now, more than ever, with many finding it hard to have a great deal of spare cash, the availability of the Menu del Dia is really important and even some restaurants that are normally quite ‘expensive’ have seen the advantage, especially off season, of making a more affordable
menu available. In November of this year, we at Euro Weekly News invited readers to nominate their favourite restaurant or bar offering a tasty, great value for money Menu del Dia and just to encourage participation, offered €100 to the person whose favourite was chosen so that they could enjoy a few more meals on us. There were plenty of recommendations although sadly, some people, especially those entering on Facebook forgot to leave any contact details, so they were unfortunately not in the running. There were all sorts of restaurant types, mainly Spanish but with some strong Chinese and Indian contenders and in the end, the heartfelt plea from ‘senior’ reader Margaret Conner was chosen and her winning entry can be viewed on the EWN website under the heading ‘Menu del Dia Winning Restaurant’. She recommended Bar Paco in Javea who offer a three-course option with bread and a drink for €13, so if you are in the area visit their Facebook page and drop in for lunch.
Tasty sardines Photo: Wikimedia cc / Lukas 3z
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NUTRITIOUS: Even the canned variety.
All sardines are nutritious, even the canned ones. Researchers at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona have concluded that two cans of sardines in olive oil per week can help prevent type-2 diabetes in people over the age of 65. As fresh seafood, sardines can be a savoury, protein-rich addition to Caesar salads, pasta dishes, or enjoyable on their own. While fresh sardines are seasonal, reaching peak abundance between the months of July and November, they can typically be found in stores all year round. According to a report by 20minutos, the fresh ones have a higher healthy fat content than their canned counterparts and are sometimes tastier In the study, the Barcelona researchers introduced the two cans of sardines to a group of people over the age of 65 with prediabetes, meaning they have high blood glucose levels and run the risk of developing diabetes in the future. Another, statistically identical group was not given the sardines, and based on the results, researchers were able to confirm that the sardine-rich diet was instrumental in preventing the former group from developing diabetes.
Paralysed by cold snap SCANDINAVIA is currently dealing with an This extreme weather isn’t exclusive to unprecedented winter onslaught as re- Sweden and Norway. Meteorological sercord-breaking low temperatures and hea- vices in Denmark have sounded alarms vy snowfall wreak havoc across Norway. about the anticipated heavy precipitation The extremity of the weather conditions of wet snow and rain, expected to combihas paralysed cities and towns, leading to ne with strong winds. widespread disruptions in daily life. Strong winds have added to the disrupWith temperatures in some areas tion with thousands losing elecplummeting to an astonishing tricity in the southwestern -40.5 degrees Celsius, train county of Agder. and ferry services have The forecast rebeen disrupted. mains grim, with Southern Norway meteorologists faced a relentless predicting an addeluge of snow, ditional 40 centiparticularly in metres of snow by Arendal, where an Thursday, January astounding 70 cm 4 atop the already (27.6 inches) of snow substantial accumuaccumulated in a single lation. Grimstad and Image: Shutterstock/Roman Arbuzov downtown Kristiansand day. Weather forecasts ominously predict were deeply blankeCold snap grinds Norway to a halt. an additional 40 cm ted, making driving all (15.7 inches) of snowfall. but impossible, prompting local authoriConsequently, local authorities were ties to urge residents to stay indoors. compelled to shut down schools and kinThere are no signs of improvement in dergartens. The intensity of the snowfall the short-term, and authorities continue halted mail delivery and suspended gar- to urge extreme caution, advising resibage collection services. In Kristiansand, dents to stay home and prepare for more residents were advised to work remotely disruptive weather conditions in the days due to the treacherous conditions. ahead.
NEWS II euroweeklynews.com
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Factory closure Time to fly Photo: Wikimedia cc / Lukas 3z
A HISTORIC factory in the Polish city of Bielsko-Biała, which has operated since 1948 and produced the iconic Fiat 126p ‘Maluch’, will close with the loss of over 450 jobs according to ‘Notes from Poland’. It was announced at the beginning of 2024 that the FCA Powertrain plant in Bielsko-Biała was being put into liquidation. A trade union said EU restrictions on vehicle emissions are the reason for the decision. During the communist era, the then state-owned plant produced cars under licence from Fiat, including the famous ‘Maluch’ (meaning ‘little one’). In 1992 the facility was privatised and taken over by Fiat. Commenting on the liquidation, Wanda Stróżyk, chairwoman of the branch of the Solidarity trade union representing Polish Fiat workers, told a local newspaper that, “we all expected this”. She noted that 300 employees at the plant had already been
11 - 17 January 2024
dismissed last year. Another union operating at the factory, the Metalworkers Trade Union (ZZPM), said in a statement that the plant’s ma-
nager had told them, “the reason for the liquidation is the introduction of regulations by the European Commission on internal combustion.” The union
IMAGINE going to sleep in your houseboat, assuming you are safe and sound, only to wake up in the middle of the night to find yourself hurtling down the river! That terrifying scenario nearly became a reality in the Netherlands on Wednesday January 3, as a houseboat in Maastricht broke loose during the early hours of the mor-
FIAT 126: The factory is being put into liquidation.
said the resultant redundancies would cover the entire 468-strong staff. and would be implemented from February to December 2024.
John Smith 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 into and out of 16 different Spanish cities including Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Ibiza, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Tenerife and Valencia. If you book an internal 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 Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon, Paris and several other European destinations as well as Marrakesh for €29 each way and to the USA and Central and South America at cheaper prices than usual. Visit the Air Europa website to obtain your quote and book your flight (subject to availability) in the knowledge that even if the airline is finally sold to IAG that your booking should be safe.
Houseboat breaks loose ning and then crashed into a bridge. Luckily, there was nobody on the houseboat at the time of the incident and all further houseboats in the relevant area between the Maas and the Zuid-Willemsvaart in the Boschpoort district have now
been evacuated in the fear or similar happenings. The houseboat, in addition to the bridge in the Stuwweg suffered damage, and it is currently still leaning against the closed bridge. Although an official statement as
to what caused the houseboat to become loose has not been released, according to the spokesman it is believed that it is the fast flowing water. This strong current broke the 120-metre-wide spillway over a width of 50 metres, and as a result, over 30 boats were subsequently evacuated.
10 EWN 11 - 17 January 2024
IRELAND Flu season THE National Clinical Lead for Health Protection Surveillance said at the beginning of January that more than 10,000 flu cases had been recorded since the middle of December. Nevertheless, the outbreak is not expected to peak until mid-January, when up to 800 people could need hospitalisation each week.
Old bangers APPROXIMATELY half of the 1.5 million vehicles given full roadworthiness tests last year did not pass, the National Car Testing (NCT) service said. Vehicles taken to the Cavan centre had a higher failure than those tested at any other NCT centre, with 59 per cent of vehicles getting the thumbsdown.
euroweeklynews.com II EUROPEAN PRESS
EUROPRESS ITALY Sunday outing ITALY’S Domenica al Museo (Museums on Sunday) initiative continues throughout 2024, giving free entrance to state-owned monuments, museums and archaeological sites on the first Sunday of each month. The scheme, introduced in 2014 was suspended during the pandemic but resumed in 2022.
Breezing along BELGIUM’S offshore windfarms in the North Sea produced record amounts of electricity in 2023, generating eight terawatt-hours of electricity, enough for two million households during a year. A total of 689 offshore and land-based wind turbines now covers almost one-10th of Belgium’s electricity consumption.
Going up
COLOSSEUM: Free entrance on first Sunday of the month.
SWEDEN
BELGIUM
Photo credit: CC/Sjaak Kempe
FRANCE
GERMANY
A WEEKLY grocery shop last December cost 29 per cent more than the previous year, said consumer association TestAankoop which monitors 3,000 products in Belgium’s seven biggest supermarket chains. Test-Aankoop also found that last December’s prices rose 8.1 per cent compared with December 2022.
DENMARK
Pink stink
Not alone
Kitted out
Law-abiding
WASTE management company Think Pink, famous for its pink rubbish bags, was accused of burying and dumping tens of thousands of tons of rubbish at 21 illicit sites in 15 Swedish municipalities. Eleven people linked to the company now face charges for committing Swedens’s “worever environmental crime.”
FEDERAL CRIMINAL POLICE figures show that many women feel uneasy when walking alone in the dark. Anybody, male or female, who feels anxious walking at night can now call the free “Way-home” hotline, answered by a volunteer will talk to them until they reach their destination.
EDUCATION Minister Gabriel Attal issued a guide intended to help local authorities implement his plan to introduce uniforms in state schools throughout the country. Although the initiative has backing from some right-wing politicians, most teachers and parents said they opposed Attal’s proposals.
ONLY 660 burglaries were reported in Denmark between December 19 and January 1, 2024. This was slightly above the 559 recorded during the same period in the previous year but well below 2019’s 1,343, a reduction the authorities attributed the success to the Nabohjaelp neighbourhood watch app.
Airbus probe
Distaff side
FORENSIC experts from Toulouse-based Airbus and France’s BAE state agency flew to Japan on January 3 to assist an investigation into the runway accident involving an A350 and a coastguards’ plane. Five coastguards died but none of the Airbus’s 367 passengers and 12 crew were injured in the resulting blaze.
IT was agreed at a board meeting of Superliga club Copenhagen FC that the club would take over FC Damso’s first team, currently ranked in Denmark’s third tier of women’s football. This has replaced wealthy Copenhagen’s plans to create a women’s team and place it directly in the top division.
Read about it GOTHENBURG UNIVERSITY researchers found last year that the young “are getting better at understanding academic English, but worse at understanding academic Swedish.” They now read much more in English, prompting publishers to predict that fewer books will be translated into Swedish in future.
NORWAY
I spy THE authorities are allegedly concerned about the state-controlled China Scholarship Council (CSC) which sends thousands of students to Germany each year, Der Spiegel newspaper said. It claimed security officials have warned that they could be used for “spying on, and influencing, Chinese expatriates.”
FINLAND
THE NETHERLANDS
PORTUGAL
Not going
Namesakes
Tree plan
Horse sense
FOLLOWING Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s unexpected abdication, royal watchers are asking if Norway’s King Harald, who is 86, will follow suit. Despite bouts of ill-health, including cancer in 2003, Harald has always said that he would occupy the throne “to the bitter end”, according to royal expert Caroline Vagle.
JULIA and Noah were the most popular children’s names in 2023, according to Holland’s SVB national insurance schemes. In all, 681 baby girls received the name of Julia, and 888 boys were registered as Noah while the gender-neutral name of Riley was given to 84 girls and 82 boys.
THE Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY) is once again collecting tens of thousands of Christmas trees for recycling now the holiday season is over. Trees left at Helsinki residents’ nearest waste collection or recycling points are then chipped and used as a bulking agent when composting bio-waste.
STRONG, stocky Garrano horses, first domesticated 16,000 years ago, could disappear now that they are no longer needed in agriculture. Eighty years ago there were 60,000 Garranos in Portugal but this has shrunk to between 1,500 and 3,000, the Association of Garrano Horse Breeders (Acerg) warned.
Try again
Law-abiding
US oil
Bullfight fans
AN Appeals Court confirmed that the naval officer in charge of the frigate Helge Ingstad when it was involved in a collision in November 2018 was guilty of negligence. His lawyer said that the officer, who remains in the Navy, believes he is being made a scapegoat and could now appeal to the Supreme Court.
MURDERS during 2023 in Amsterdam fell to a low of 11, two of them involving women, the Parool newspaper reported. Firearms were used in four of the killings but only two were gang-related and several of the crimes were committed by men who were diagnosed with psychiatric problems, police said.
A CUSTOMS service revealed the US as Finland’s third-largest export destination and also the country’s fifth-largest source of imports for Finland during the first nine months of 2023. The increase in crude oil imports from the US reflected a change of strategy following the veto on trade with Russia.
THE 176 bullfights that were held in Portugal last year attracted 400,700 aficionados, a 7 per cent increase on 2022, the Portuguese Bullfighting Federation (ProToiro) revealed. This was the second-best figure since 2016, outstripped only by 2019 when a record 428,000 people went to watch bullfights.
FEATURE II euroweeklynews.com
11 - 17 January 2024
POSTCARD FROM THE GAMBIA
ital.
trict Hosp is D a m a k ri B to t si vi Our
Gambia
EWN 11
Alan Boardman is well-known for his Walking Tours in Mijas, quizzes and a range of other activities for charity. Now, he and his wife are in The Gambia laden with donations from local residents and charitable groups. So what does The Gambia have to do with Spain? My wife, Jenny and I are on holiday there and have taken with us thousands of articles donated to what we called our EYEDROP campaign. The Gambia, despite having a successful tourist industry, is among the poorest countries in the world, rating 174 out of 191 in the world wealth index. This means there is a major issue with eyesight, the treatment for which is desperately underfunded. Spectacles in The Gambia are very expensive and are simply out of reach for most people. Before leaving our home in Mijas we launched the EYEDROP appeal, as a result of which, almost 400 pairs of new and used spectacles were donated by the general public. We received sterling support from several local charities and businesses who allowed their premises to be used as donation centres. Earlier this week we visited Brikama District Hospital, one of the busiest in The Gambia. We were met there by Doctor Adam, Head of Ophthalmology, who then accepted from us around 200 pairs of the donated spectacles. She was thrilled. She stressed just how important the donation will be in her department’s constant battle to provide free eye care. She asked us to pass on her heartfelt thanks to all the people of the Costa del Sol who made this possible. We’ll send another Gambian postcard next week. FULL VERSION IS AVAILABLE ON EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM UNDER COLUMNISTS.
FINANCE DAME EMMA WALMSLEY, chief executive of biopharma giant GlaxoSmithKline, said Britain was “uniquely placed” in the drug development market owing to its background of academic skill and high-profile companies. “I’m a great optimist about the UK,’ she told a BBC Radio 4 interviewer.
Planning ahead
THE time that unpaid interns spend with companies in Spain will be included in the calculations of years worked when they reach pensionable age. This new measure, which came into force on January 1, will affect 1.2 students currently acquiring work experience, the Social Security ministry said.
Cash needed
CAMBRIDGE PROPERTIES HOLDINGS LTD, created in 2021 for the Selfridges takeover by Thailand’s Central Group and Austrian company Signa, has asked the former for more cash following Signa’s collapse. Selfridges’ property arm also needs to repay a £27.3 million (€31.6 million) shareholder loan in May.
Early sales
WINTER sales in Spain normally begin on January 7 once the Christmas holiday is finally over but fashion chains H & M, Cortefiel and Bimba y Lola broke with tradition by starting theirs on December 28. Smaller businesses warned that profit margins were so narrow, they could not afford to slash prices so early.
Shopping spree
FRIDAY December 22 was the UK’s most popular shopping day over the recent festive season, with 25 million trips made and £803 million (€929 million) spent in person, 85 per cent more than on an average Friday in 2023. Online spending remained steady at 11.6 per cent, data specialists Kantar said.
STAT OF WEEK
€2.7 billion
estimated value of Tendam if the owner of Cortefiel, Springfield, Women’s Secret and Hoss Intropia goes ahead with plans to float the company on the Madrid stock exchange.
M & S on top again
Linda Hall MARKS & SPENCER shares reached a five-year high when trading resumed on the London stock exchange after the Christmas break. At one point on January 2, M & S shares shot up 2.5 per cent to increase the company’s value by more than £70 million (€80.8 million), while finishing the day 1.3 per cent higher. BNP Paribas analysts singled out M&S stock as one of their first choices for 2024 and predicted that the company would turn out to be Christmas 2023’s “likely winner.” Its market capitalisation
Photo credit: CC/Mtaylor 848
Looking good
euroweeklynews.com • 11 - 17 January 2024
M&S: Buoyant New Year start for high street stalwart.
has practically doubled to £5.5 billion (€6.3 billion) over the last 12 months, putting the company back into the FTSE 100 last August, four years after its 2019 relegation. In 2007 M & S was worth £12 billion (€13.8 billion) but
between 2014 and 2019 the high street stalwart lost much of its sheen as well as 60 per cent of its market value amid criticism of “tired stores” and failing to cater for its core clientele. The hoped-for revival plotted by M & S chairman
Archie Norman and chief executive Stuart Machin is paying off and its lacklustre clothing and homeware sections no longer lag behind the food departments. By last November, profits rose by more than £100 million (€115.5 million), permitting the company’s first dividend payout since the pandemic. Commentators have also pointed out that M & S is better-protected than many rival companies because a fair proportion of its most faithful clients are able to continue spending as normal, despite the costof-living crisis.
Iberdrola calls off US deal
IBERDROLA pulled out of its $8.3 billion (€7.5 billion) acquisition of New Mexico-based PNM Resources. The deal, which would have made Iberdrola subsidiary Avangrid one of the largest utility companies in the US, was cancelled on January 2. Avangrid explained that the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission vetoed the transaction in 2021 on “quality of service” grounds and a subsequent appeal was now enmired in the courts. The New Mexico regulator had also cited the Villarejo scandal which named Iberdrola chairman Ignacio
Slowdown for factories MANUFACTURING in Spain slowed for the ninth consecutive month in December, the Hamburg Commercial Bank and S&P Global’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) revealed. December earned 46.2 points compared with November’s 46.3, with both below the 50 cutoff separating contraction from growth. Last month’s slowdown reflected a falling-off of new orders owing to reduced national and international demand, the PMI showed. Instead, the country’s manufacturers cut back on production and used existing stocks, reducing reserves of raw materials and semi-finished goods for the ninth month running.
Photo credit: Avangrid
BUSINESS EXTRA
12
IGNACIO GALAN: Chairman of Iberdrola and Avangrid.
Galan in the business and political intrigues of former policeman Jose Manuel Villarejo. The Spanish courts cleared Galan last June.
The PNM deal was approved by five US federal agencies and Texas’s public utility commission, but Avangrid explained on January 2 that with “no clear timing” on the New Mexico appeal, it was cancelling the deal in line with the terms of the PNM agreement. Goldman Sachs analysts quoted by the Financial Times said Iberdrola’s decision was a “strategic positive” as interest rates had soared since the merger was announced. It also avoided a €9 billion hike in Iberdrola’s net debt, taking this it to approximately €55 billion.
Disappearing cash
THE UK’s farmers accused the government of reneging on its pledge to spend an annual £2.4 billion (€2.8 billion) on agriculture. The government promised that by the end of the present parliament this £2.4 billion would be compensating for the disappearance of the EU’s common agricultural policy which paid farmers for each hectare of land they managed. Instead, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) figures show that it underspent by £110 million (€127.5 million) between 2021 and 22 and £117 million (€135.6 million) between 2022 and 23. In all, £227 million (€263 million) of the pledged cash has not reached them, the farmers said.
Gold rush SALES of gold, precious metals and coins rose 7 per cent last year compared with 2022. As the number of people turning to gold overtakes the 2020 boom experienced during lockdown, the Royal Mint said this was the result of an increase in smaller investors looking for a “safe haven.” Nevertheless, the Royal Mint’s payments to customers selling back their gold soared by almost 50 per cent as gold reached a record high last year. It was also likely that gold would climb to new levels during 2024 if interest rates were to fall, Royal Mint analyst Stuart O’Reilly predicted.
Looking ahead Come clean Logical expansion
THE New Year is a time for predictions, and economist Roger Bootle foresaw that 2024 would be “unusually uncertain.” But writing in the Telegraph Bootle also predicted “significant” cuts in interest rates before long, with the US leading the way. The Fed might be able to cut interest rates as early as March, he said, followed by the eurozone and then the UK in the last few months of the year, if not before. Britain’s key problem, Bootle stated, was the stubbornness of pay inflation, which would not be assisted by next April’s sizeable increase in the National Living Wage. “Even so, by the end of the year, CPI inflation should be down to about 1.2 per cent, but with the core rate considerably higher, at about 2.5 per cent.”
UNILEVER should be more open regarding its tax situation in Russia, pro-Ukraine campaigners said. After the Ukraine invasion, Unilever stopped all imports and exports to Russia but decided to continue producing “everyday essential food” including ice cream at its factories there. Activists called on the company, which makes Persil, Hellman’s and Marmite, to disclose how much it has paid in taxes to the Kremlin in the past year. The request followed the Russian government’s announcement last December that it would eliminate the need for “certain businesses” to publish trading details although it is not yet known whether this covers Unilever.
SPANISH logistics group has bought Belgium Parcels Service (BPS), a company that specialises in the urgent distribution of pharmaceuticals in Belgium and Luxembourg. “This acquisition represents an important milestone in Logista’s expansion in Europe,” the company announced. “It also strengthens its position in pharmaceutical distribution and the courier segment.” BPS provides 24-hour courier services in Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as 24- and 48-hour services in the Netherlands, France and Germany. Logista paid approximately €8 million for BPS, as it continues its strategy of focusing on geographical and business diversification.
14 EWN 11 - 17 January 2024
euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE
LONDON - FTSE 100
Closing Prices 8 January
Company
Price(p)
Change(p)
% Chg.
Net
Company
Price(p)
Change(p)
% Chg.
Net
3I Group.....................................2.281,00............. -56,00............-2,40%.......... 286,76K
InterContinental..........................7.032,0............... -96,0.............-1,35%........... 60,75K
Abrdn.......................................... 169,18................ -4,10.............-2,36%.......... 615,33K
Intermediate Capital...................1.578,50............. -38,00............-2,35%........... 53,70K
Admiral Group.............................2.669,0............... -31,0.............-1,15%........... 29,44K
Intertek........................................4.209,0............... -67,0.............-1,57%........... 32,23K
Anglo American...........................1.846,0............... -26,6.............-1,42%.......... 458,05K
ITV............................................... 62,88................. -0,62.............-0,98%.......... 785,18K
Antofagasta................................1.595,00.............. -9,50.............-0,59%........... 79,33K
J Sainsbury................................. 304,50................ -3,70.............-1,20%............1,88M
Ashtead Group............................5.074,0.............. -170,0............-3,24%.......... 116,43K
Johnson Matthey........................1.605,5............... -44,0.............-2,67%........... 52,32K
Associated British Foods.............2.346,0............... -28,0.............-1,18%.......... 234,06K
Land Securities........................... 686,40............... -10,00............-1,44%.......... 116,55K
AstraZeneca...............................10.802,0.............. -62,0.............-0,57%.......... 108,69K
Legal & General.......................... 241,86................ -4,30.............-1,75%............2,47M
Auto Trader Group Plc................ 686,60................ -8,80.............-1,26%.......... 198,66K
Lloyds Banking............................ 46,92................. -0,63.............-1,32%...........18,53M
Aviva........................................... 426,60................ -6,50.............-1,50%.......... 637,18K
London Stock Exchange..............8.960,0............... -50,0.............-0,56%.......... 311,42K
B&M European Value Retail SA... 544,80................ -8,20.............-1,48%.......... 339,70K
Melrose Industries...................... 548,20................ -8,00.............-1,44%.......... 543,65K
BAE Systems..............................1.149,00.............. -6,50.............-0,56%.......... 787,03K
Mondi.........................................1.490,00............. -47,50............-3,09%.......... 340,61K
Barclays...................................... 153,50................ -2,08.............-1,34%............6,13M Barratt Developments................. 540,80............... -10,00............-1,82%.......... 803,87K Berkeley......................................4.722,0............... -53,0.............-1,11%........... 16,76K BHP Group Ltd...........................2.572,00............. -54,50............-2,08%.......... 241,63K BP............................................... 471,70................ -1,75.............-0,37%............3,43M British American Tobacco...........2.355,5............... -11,0.............-0,47%.......... 425,72K British Land Company................. 392,10................ -3,70.............-0,94%.......... 685,07K BT Group.................................... 120,45................ -1,15.............-0,95%............2,49M Bunzl...........................................3.139,0............... -45,0.............-1,41%........... 48,12K Burberry Group...........................1.364,0................+4,5............. +0,33%......... 318,27K Carnival.......................................1.184,5............... -19,0.............-1,58%........... 57,56K Centrica....................................... 147,65................+0,30............ +0,20%...........1,58M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.290,0............... -19,0.............-0,82%........... 59,92K Compass....................................2.126,00.............. -8,00.............-0,38%.......... 229,48K CRH............................................5.184,0............... -66,0.............-1,26%........... 53,69K Croda Intl....................................4.597,9............... -69,0.............-1,48%.......... 137,69K DCC.............................................5.638,8............... -76,0.............-1,33%........... 28,44K Diageo.........................................2.742,0............... -66,5.............-2,37%............3,75M DS Smith.................................... 296,40................ -6,70.............-2,21%.......... 327,07K EasyJet........................................ 490,00................ -7,10.............-1,43%.......... 430,80K Experian......................................3.034,0............... -17,0.............-0,56%.......... 261,57K Ferguson....................................14.565,0............. -145,0............-0,99%............ 7,45K Flutter Entertainment..................13.200,0............. -165,0............-1,24%.......... 106,48K Fresnillo...................................... 535,80................ -7,20.............-1,33%.......... 232,12K Glencore...................................... 459,55................+0,30............ +0,07%...........2,14M GSK plc......................................1.535,00.............. -4,40.............-0,29%............2,24M Halma..........................................2.113,0............... -32,0.............-1,49%........... 94,21K Hargreaves Lansdown................. 717,30................ -9,60.............-1,32%.......... 304,37K Hikma Pharma...........................1.831,00............. -19,50............-1,05%........... 55,58K HSBC.......................................... 629,70................ -2,80.............-0,44%............2,73M IAG.............................................. 150,80................ -2,50.............-1,63%............1,91M Imperial Brands..........................1.845,00............. -15,00............-0,81%.......... 127,86K Informa....................................... 762,60............... -12,40............-1,60%.......... 266,61K
National Grid..............................1.068,00............. -10,50............-0,97%.......... 510,26K NatWest Group........................... 218,80................ -1,30.............-0,59%............2,15M Next............................................8.371,5.............. -178,0............-2,08%.......... 334,12K
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.86213
1.15965
Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0913 Japan yen (JPY)...................................158.51 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9310 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4583 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.298 currenciesdirect.com/marbella • Tel: +34 952 906 581 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER
DOW JONES
Tui............................................... 582,50............... -21,00............-3,48%............1,25M
Closing Prices 8 January 3M.............................................. 108,20................+0,41............ +0,38%...........1,98M American Express....................... 187,10................+1,38............ +0,75%...........2,66M Amgen........................................ 303,17................+2,48............ +0,82%...........2,72M Apple........................................... 181,91................ -2,34.............-1,27%...........56,64M Boeing......................................... 245,00................+1,09............ +0,45%...........4,25M Caterpillar.................................... 286,14................+1,84............ +0,65%...........2,67M Chevron...................................... 150,72................ -1,61.............-1,06%............6,33M Cisco............................................ 50,08................. -0,43.............-0,85%...........12,65M Coca-Cola..................................... 59,77................. -0,19.............-0,31%...........11,18M Dow............................................. 54,19................. -0,44.............-0,81%............3,83M Goldman Sachs........................... 383,12................+1,33............ +0,35%...........1,03M Home Depot................................ 338,67................+0,41............ +0,12%...........2,64M Honeywell................................... 204,90................+0,37............ +0,18%...........2,18M IBM............................................. 160,86................+0,76............ +0,47%...........2,33M Intel.............................................. 46,87................. -0,18.............-0,38%...........46,78M J&J............................................. 160,63................ -0,34.............-0,21%............6,00M JPMorgan................................... 171,50................+1,22............ +0,72%..........10,18M McDonald’s................................. 291,84................ -2,55.............-0,87%............4,20M Merck&Co................................... 117,09................+2,32............ +2,02%...........8,90M Microsoft.................................... 367,94................ -2,66.............-0,72%...........16,06M Nike............................................. 102,35................ -1,69.............-1,62%............7,66M Procter&Gamble......................... 148,67................+0,83............ +0,56%...........4,24M Salesforce Inc............................. 251,24................ -0,60.............-0,24%............3,91M The Travelers.............................. 192,54................+1,24............ +0,65%...........1,82M UnitedHealth............................... 545,71................+3,68............ +0,68%...........2,13M Verizon......................................... 39,38.................+0,22............ +0,57%..........22,38M Visa A.......................................... 259,76................+1,78............ +0,69%...........2,56M Walgreens Boots.......................... 24,26................. -1,31.............-5,12%...........60,12M Walmart...................................... 157,76................ -1,54.............-0,97%............5,73M Walt Disney.................................. 90,58................. -1,07.............-1,17%............9,59M
Unilever.......................................3.824,0............... -18,5.............-0,48%.......... 337,03K
M - Million Dollars
Ocado.......................................... 708,60............... -25,60............-3,49%.......... 138,71K Persimmon.................................1.375,5............... -11,5.............-0,83%.......... 215,42K Phoenix....................................... 514,07............... -10,00............-1,91%.......... 302,68K Prudential.................................... 819,30............... -16,20............-1,94%............1,03M Reckitt Benckiser........................5.506,0............... -12,0.............-0,22%.......... 119,36K Relx............................................3.082,00............. -25,00............-0,81%.......... 686,87K Rentokil....................................... 411,40................ -2,60.............-0,63%.......... 567,16K Rightmove.................................. 549,98................ -9,00.............-1,61%.......... 170,69K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.658,0............... -96,0.............-1,67%.......... 392,44K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 293,10................ -4,80.............-1,61%............2,45M Sage...........................................1.129,00............. -19,00............-1,66%.......... 281,58K Samsung Electronics DRC.........1.441,00............. -15,00............-1,03%............ 2,23K Schroders.................................... 423,0.................. -8,7..............-2,02%.......... 159,20K Scottish Mortgage....................... 753,20................ -9,00.............-1,18%.......... 445,33K Segro.......................................... 856,60................ -7,60.............-0,88%.......... 204,15K Severn Trent...............................2.558,8............... -23,0.............-0,89%........... 57,20K Shell............................................2.575,8............... -18,5.............-0,71%.......... 932,61K Smith & Nephew........................1.042,00.............. -9,00.............-0,86%.......... 107,08K Smiths Group.............................1.693,50............. -26,50............-1,54%........... 39,91K Spirax-Sarco Engineering...........9.680,0.............. -182,0............-1,85%............ 5,29K SSE............................................1.841,00.............. -5,00.............-0,27%.......... 157,55K St. James’s Place........................ 642,00............... -12,40............-1,90%.......... 301,81K Standard Chartered..................... 641,80................ -9,60.............-1,47%............2,80M Taylor Wimpey............................ 142,70................ -1,55.............-1,07%............2,54M Tesco.......................................... 299,10................ -3,30.............-1,09%............2,89M
United Utilities............................1.049,50............. -14,00............-1,32%.......... 122,10K Vodafone Group PLC.................. 70,010............... -0,440............-0,62%............4,27M Whitbread...................................3.548,0............... -33,0.............-0,92%........... 68,76K WPP............................................ 762,40...............+20,20........... +2,72%...........1,32M
NASDAQ
Closing Prices 8 January
Company
Change Net / %
Volume
Most Advanced QuantumScape Corporation............................... +2.80.......................... +43.08% Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc......................... +1.42.......................... +14.65% Peloton Interactive, Inc...................................... +0.75.......................... +13.94% Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc........................... +2.84.......................... +12.10% Select Medical Holdings Corporation................. +2.65.......................... +11.28% MINISO Group Holding Limited......................... +1.97........................... +9.89% Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc........................ +2.56........................... +8.01% The Simply Good Foods Company..................... +3.10........................... +7.83% Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.................................. +5.90........................... +7.75% Rocket Lab USA, Inc.......................................... +0.37........................... +7.25% M - Million Dollars
Most Declined Mobileye Global Inc............................................-9.75...........................-24.55% Endeavour Mining plc.........................................-2.20...........................-10.14% Nextracker Inc.....................................................-4.29............................-9.24% Evotec SE............................................................-0.91............................-8.66% Livent Corporation..............................................-1.54............................-8.53% Sunrun Inc..........................................................-1.38............................-7.48% APA Corporation.................................................-2.70............................-7.35% Array Technologies, Inc......................................-1.19............................-7.16% Allegro MicroSystems, Inc..................................-1.84............................-6.36% Organon & Co.....................................................-0.85............................-5.81% EchoStar Corporation..........................................-0.82............................-5.73% M - Million Dollars
FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com
BUSINESS EXTRA Win and lose
REVENUES from David Beckham’s business interests, which included deals with Netflix and the Qatar World Cup, doubled last year to £72.6 million (€84.2 million) compared with £34.3 million (€39.7 million) in 2022. Meanwhile wife Victoria’s fashion firm will continue to require shareholder support after reporting pretax losses of £3.1 million (€3.6 million) in 2023.
Rome contract
SPANISH rolling stock manufacturer CAF secured a €130 million contract to build 40 trams for Rome city hall and maintain and repair these for five years. The company, which is based in Beasain (Guipuzcoa), revealed that the initial order from ATAC, Rome’s publicly-owned transport company, could be extended to €400 million and 121 trains.
11 - 17 January 2024
Festive spending spree
Linda Hall GROCERY price inflation slowed to 6.7 per cent in December compared with November’s 7.7 per cent, British Retail Consortium figures revealed. Food inflation dropped to its lowest since April 2022, and although sweets, eggs and frozen potato products rose, dairy items, including butter, milk and cream, were cheaper. Meanwhile, supermarket chains had their bu-
Photo credit: Aldi/Richard Grange United National Photographers
ALDI: Discount chain’s sales grew by 9.9 per cent
siest Christmas since 2019, data specialists Kantar an-
nounced. “The inflation rate is co-
Very fair shares
SPAIN’S Ibex 35, equivalent to the UK’s FTSE 100, had a record year and a return to pre-pandemic levels. Its 23 per cent improvement was principally due to the textile giant Inditex as well as the Santander and BBVA banks, although analysts described Inditex as the Spanish stock exchange’s “principal mainstay.” The company founded and still con-
trolled by Amancio Ortega closed the year with a 59.9 per cent upsurge in its share price, surpassed only by pharmaceutical company Rovi’s 65.5 per cent increase. On November 21, Inditex shares beat their own record, overtaking the €36.7 of June 2017 but continued their climb to end 2023 with a price just a little shy of €40.
ming down at the fastest pace we have ever recorded,” Fraser McKevitt, head of Kantar’s Retail and Consumer division, said. Promotions were central to retailers’ strategy over the holiday season, McKevitt added. “Nearly one third of all spending in the month up to Christmas Eve was on items with some kind of offer, the highest level since December 2020, and £823 million (€951.9 million) more than 2022.” A record £13.7 billion (€15.8 billion) passed through supermarket tills last month with an average household outlay of the highest-ever £477 (€551.8). Biggest share of the Christmas supermarket shop went to Aldi and Lidl, with Lidl’s sales up 13.8 per cent up on the 12 weeks ending on December 24. Aldi’s sales grew by 9.9 per cent, giving them a combined market share of 17 per cent.
EWN 15
Red card FC BARCELONA will sue Libero Football Finance AG for defaulting on its €40 million payment for a 10 per cent holding in the Barça Vision online media company. This payment was fundamental to Barcelona’s plans to float its content subsidiary Barça Media on Nasdaq, the New York stock exchange, which was originally planned for the end of 2023.
Daily fine BRITISH telecoms company BT missed the December 31 deadline imposed by the government on security grounds to remove all equipment made by Chinese company Huawei from its core network. The cut-off date had been extended on two occasions and missing it again could expose BT to a daily fine of £100,000 (€115,959) for every day over the deadline.
16 EWN 11 - 17 January 2024
euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT I FIND it difficult to contemplate why the Western general public and indeed the politicians, can’t, or simply refuse to admit, that Hamas are exploiting the beleaguered citizens of Palestine as victims solely to gain supportive propaganda for a conflict they have been involved in for years? Israel has not, as the disinformation instigators continue to spout, ‘declared war on Palestine’s innocent citizens’. If Hamas were to discontinue their policies of hiding behind, or literally underneath the populace and repositioned themselves in more unpopulated areas, or indeed were prepared to sit around the negotiating table, the horrendous death toll that is befalling the inhabitants of the country would probably be terminated in days. But they won’t will they? The more Palestinians that are sacrificed, the more they can blame the atrocities on the Israelis, whose generals, rest assured, would be only too relieved to continue
or end the conflict without the horrific slaughter of so many civilians. The Hamas warren of tunnels and war rooms have been purposely constructed under hospitals, schools and religious establishments, primarily to avoid attack or if it should subsequently take place, be able to blame the enemy for the horror and killing of their innocent nationals. It is an obvious, cold blooded and utterly disgraceful method of misinformation. Those partaking in the demonstrations all over the West in support of these bloodthirsty undertakings should also be ashamed and condemned for patronage of a group that began this latest conflict by slaughtering the young, elderly and babies of a peaceful Israeli community. To also witness the anti-sematic attitude and actions of a vast number of mid-East immigrants is also completely unacceptable. It is important for these refugees and their kin to remember they were expected to leave their difficulties and hatred behind them, not revive them in countries who have offered them succour and the chance to live a peaceful and harmonious future with their
neighbours. When the Jewish people fled the ravages of Hitler and the holocaust, they entered Britain with jubilation and thanks. They then proceeded to blend into the British way of life. They diversified into business and the astute among them employed many of the local populace, who were always treated with respect love and not a little humour. The areas they created were not ‘no go’ communities riddled with hate and religious fervour. All manner of faiths and different beliefs were welcomed into their homes and schools of teaching. If the majority of Mid-East immigrants don’t learn to live and respect the laws of the countries that have welcomed them, it can only end in one way. The Far Right will grow in stature and subsequently the great cities of the West will soon begin to resemble the ravages of Gaza and Beirut. In the words of John Lennon. ‘Give peace a Chance’. If you don’t, the future of us all looks very bleak indeed. 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.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Victoria Car Hire UK Self Drive
WE are based in Horley town centre, just five minutes’ drive from Gatwick airport and a short walk to Horley mainline railway station. On offer is a range of cars starting with small everyday cars and up to family-sized vehicles to include manual and automatic transmission. We also have a variety of both petrol and diesel fuelled engines. All cars are well maintained and presented in a clean condition. We have full 24-hour AA breakdown cover. The most popular brands used include: Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan, Citroen and Renault. We meet our customers just outside the arrival terminal at Gatwick Airport at the authorised collection points at both the North and South terminals. We will then drive to the car rental office in Horley town centre, where the paperwork and payment are processed followed by a demonstration of the car controls and directions to the motorway if required. The collection procedure is very efficient, taking a small amount of time and allowing the customer to swiftly proceed
THE Museo Picasso Malaga has seen a record number of visitors walk through its doors during the year 2023. 2023 saw the 50th anniversary of Picasso’s death, and the museum marked this event by advertising a special exposition in honour of the Malaga born artist’s passing. The record number of visitors was a massive 779,279 people that came to the museum, around 8 per cent more than in 2019, which was the best year to date in the 20 years that the attraction has been open. It is also 21 per cent more visitors than the year prior, 2022. The museum made their proud announcement on Friday December 29, and another piece of exciting news was to follow.
Credit: Shutterstock/1170980023
The future looks bleak
Record visitors for Picasso Museum in 2023
The museum entrance.
It was then publicised that artist Miguel Lopez-Remiro will be the new director of the Picasso Museum in 2024. Miguel is originally from Pamplona and is aged 46 years old. He has previously worked as deputy curatorial director of the Guggenheim Bilbao and director of the University of Navarra Museum. It looks like even more great things are in store for this cultural landmark in the south of Spain.
INTERVIEW
Tariq from Austria THE unique climate, culture and cuisine of the Costa del Sol has attracted travellers from all over Europe for decades, with many deciding to move here after experiencing its magic.
A range of cars offered.
with their onward journey. At the end of the hire the customer returns the car to the rental office and will be driven to the departure terminal at Gatwick Airport. Office hours are 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday, weekends by arrangement An out of hours service is available for late arrivals and early morning departures. Subject to conditions. Prices are from £99.00 per week, which is fully inclusive with no hidden extras, the fuel in the vehicles are taken on a like for like basis - if the tank is half full, it must be returned as so.
Debit and Credit card payment accepted. No hidden extras - Fully Inclusive Delivery & Collection - Gatwick Airport only Reservations: Monday - Friday, 9am 4pm Telephone: 0044 1293 432155 / jpselfdrive@hotmail.co.uk
At the end of 2023, there were out of this move, and living on 26,181 more inhabitants the Costa del Sol. He replied in the Malaga Province that his first goal was to than a year earlier. Of “learn Spanish, alongthese, 23,230 were side learning to live in born outside Spain. this relaxed lifestyle”. One man deterHe also added that he mined to make 2024 is looking forward to the year he moves “living by the seasons, to the sunshine coast, buying fresh produce is Tariq Ali, an Austrian that will change as the native and successful busiseasons do.” Wishing Tariq luck. nessman. EWN then enquired as to Having only lived here for a couif he had noticed any distinct similariple of weeks, Euro Weekly News was cu- ties or differences between the Austrian rious to find out what Tariq thought of the and the Spanish people? “Both like good Spanish culture so far. “Well, the ‘mañana’ food, but Austrians are more structured, lifestyle is taking some getting used to. I not as relaxed, more regimented.” am a man that always arrives promptly, Speaking of good food, we had to find but I’m adjusting to Spanish timings,” he out Mr Ali’s favourite Spanish dish so far. laughed, adding that “I love the culture in He explained that: “I love to cook and eat general, the beautiful architecture, where paella, it’s a great dish, especially a seafood especially here in Andalucia, you can see one.” strong influences from the Moorish times, This interview was nothing but a pleasuamong many others.” re, and EWN wishes Tariq all the luck and We asked Tariq what he hoped to get love in his exciting new chapter.
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23
20 EWN 11 - 17 January 2024
euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE
COMMUNITY
COMMENTS
FASHION is a strange creature and understandably with so many designers launching new collections every three months, it is incredibly difficult to come up with something new. On the odd occasion that there is a radically new trend, no matter how bizarre it may be, fashion writers praise it and other designers jump on the band wagon. The latest craze is for women to wear their pants either under sheer skirts so they can be seen or without any covering on their lower limbs. In the early 1900s, £1 was referred to as a ‘knicker’ but these ones cost a hell of a lot more and our readers passed their generally negative verdict on the trend;
“
Yess - Boxers n vest.
Lois G Clark
Well considering my knickers go down to my knees and my top goes up to my ears….yes! Emma Monks
Reminds me when we used to wear minis Hazel Moorman Bloomers !!
Lynda Woodin
Why should this fashion be limited to ladies? Men can wear the dresses or even see through pants so let’s see them parade round in small briefs which draw our attention to their ‘assets’. I’m sure they’d love dressing like that. Sheree Ruiz
The Geordie lasses do cause they are tough. Steve Mcgann
Heck noooo!
Not on your life!!!
Carol Hurst
Too draughty
Shirley Morris
No change there then. No class whatsoever! Tricia Harrington
What in my baggy grey full size M&S knickers? I think not!! Eivissa Lyn
I would not subject the public to that!
Heath Savage
To cold ..lol
Julie Hitchin
Is that a serious question?
Julia Margaret Clarke
Sophia Loren always said “Leave a lot to imagination “.Don’t think she would class the knickers as such. Tim McMahon
Mapuchi Moda
By the length of some dresses, you see the wearer has already forgotten to put on their pants and you can see their underwear, glittery or not if you are not careful. But you’d also have to ask what’s the difference between a bikini and a see-through beach over and the see-through dresses.? Sheree Ruiz
The Emperor’s New Clothes syndrome perhaps..?? !! Sandra Harbut
Don’t think it will catch on but who knows some of the hot pants were very brief back in the day. I never liked hotpants just very short minis for me but other girls looked great. And remember Kylie’s little gold ones? Leah Kerr
Sheree Ruiz Maybe the weather?
Susan Spelman
I’d scare the horses and frighten the children!! Susan Lea
Thought many females already did this
Helen Burn
Leah Kerr Hotpants were proper dress not knickers. Trousers suits were stylish too. Tim McMahon
Ridiculous
Jaqui Silcox
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.
21
PETS
euroweeklynews.com • 11 - 17 January 2024 SPONSORED BY
Strict new laws
AS of December 31, strict regulations demand that XL Bully dogs be kept on a leash and muzzled when in public in the UK. This measure is a response to an alarming increase in dangerous incidents involving these dogs, including 23 fatal attacks in the last three years, with XL Bullies often involved. The government has enacted a comprehensive ban on the breeding, selling, advertising, gifting, exchanging, abandoning, or letting XL Bully dogs stray. Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said, “The Prime Minister pledged to take quick and decisive action to protect the public from devastating dog attacks with measures in place by the end of 2023. “We have met that pledge - it is now a legal requirement for XL Bully
dogs to be muzzled and on a lead in public. It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.’” Owners must now register their existing XL Bullies before February 1, with the failure to do so resulting in criminal charges and an unlimited fine. Registration involves securing public liability insurance, microchipping the dog, and an application fee. By June 30, 2024, most dogs must be neutered, with an extended deadline to the end of 2024 for dogs under a year old as of 31 January 2024. The government’s approach is staggered, aiming to manage the existing population of XL Bully dogs. The upcoming deadline of February 1 marks the next stage in this process.
Luna loves her dog-sitter Sonya
LUNA is a friendly young dog who does much better when her owners go away with dog-sitters caring for her in her own home. Using HouseSitMatch. com her owners find free checked pet-sitters who travel to Luna’s home and care for her keeping all her routines consistent throughout their stay. And they don’t charge a penny for the pet-sitting. Read on to learn more. The pet-sitters come for free! If you’re planning a trip in 2024 register now to find pet-sitters in time. Earlier is better than later. Whether your trip is short or long, get organised ahead of time. All pets benefit from staying at home, so they can follow their routines un-
When you go away do you find free checked pet-sitters through housesitmatch.com?
disturbed. Join our pet and house-sitting network, and the sitters come for free! Choose Housesitmatch. com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take: 1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com 2. Choose a Standard account (£69 per year) to ensure you can help online
when needed 3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house 4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose. How does it work? HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a
small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House-sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets. Trustpilot Testimonials – 4.9 / 5 Excellent Pure Joy - I have completed two house-sits so far so early days. Both sits have been well suited to me and my dog Thoroughly enjoyable experiences with beautiful homes and well-rounded animals. I’m looking for more! Lisa Stimpson, Pet sitter from the UK How do you join? Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch.com
Need a pet or housesitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and petsitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either housesitter or homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN – Reader exclusive offer. To find a house pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com
Ferret companionship
A playful nature.
OWNING a ferret can be a delightful and unique experience, but it comes with its share of pros and cons. On the positive side, ferrets are known for their playful and affectionate nature. They form strong bonds with their human companions, providing endless entertainment with their curious antics. Ferrets are highly social animals, thriving on interaction with both their owners and fellow ferret friends. Their compact size makes them suitable for apartment living, and their low-maintenance grooming needs are a definite plus.
However, it’s essential to consider the cons. Ferrets demand a considerable amount of time and attention, requiring daily play and mental stimulation. Their mischievous behaviour may pose a challenge for households with delicate belongings. Additionally, ferrets have a distinctive odour, and their diet requires careful consideration. In summary, while ferrets make charming and interactive pets, potential owners must weigh the commitment required against the joy and companionship these playful creatures bring into their lives.
Cat allergies CONSIDERING the joy of adding a cat to your family but concerned about potential allergies? Fear not, as managing cat allergies is indeed possible with some practical tips. While cat dander is a common culprit, different breeds produce varying amounts of it. Spend quality time with various cats before making a decision to gauge your sensitivity. Even if a friend or family member already has a feline friend, there are ways to navigate potential allergic reactions. Take steps like restricting the cat’s access to certain rooms, especially your bedroom. Post-interaction, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your face or eyes. Employing air purifiers can effectively combat cat allergens as well as other airborne irritants like dust mites.
Manage your allergies.
Consistent cat baths, while ensuring a clean and sleek pet, also help in reducing dander. For added relief, consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to identify suitable antihistamines. These can address common symptoms such as a runny nose or puffy, watery eyes. By incorporating these measures, you can happily share your life with a cat while managing potential allergic reactions effectively.
CLASSIFIEDS AWNINGS
BLINDS SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for large glazed areas to reflect heat / glare and stop furniture fading and still keep the view. SAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER to improve your living environment. ian@ solarshadetinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (287972)
BUY & SELL PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)
CHARITY New Life Church Whether you live in Nerja or are visiting our area, you are very welcome to come and join us at our Sunday gathering. Join us for a time of Holy Spirit led worship and experience the presence of
our God. Our teaching is Bible based as we honour God and obey His Word. During this time of uncertainty, God’s Word reminds us that the Gospel shines brightest in times of darkness. Our service lasts for about 1 hour and 30 mins. With Tea and Coffee afterwards. Sunday Service 11.00am; Prayer Meetings Wednesdays 11.00am; Pasaje San Miguel, Nerja, 29780 Email: info@ nlcnerja.com Website: w w w. n l c n e r j a . c o m Facebook:www.facebook. com/nlcnerj
22
in Charge, Father Nigel Thomas. Tel: Church House 951 815 736, Mobile: 608 695 756, e-mail: cofenerja@gmail. com.
CARS FOR SALE
THE ANGLICAN Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar. Every Sunday there is a Holy Communion service at midday in San Miguel church in Nerja. Every Wednesday morning at 9.30 we have an online ‘Zoom’ HC service - please contact Fr Nigel with an e-mail address if you would like to join us. Priest
MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)
MOTORING
FOR SALE WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)
CHARITY Shop Pocapecunia we need things for the house/kitchen, decoration, vases, plates, cups, saucers, kitchen tools, paintings, pottery pots and pans etc. Prolongacion Avd. Rodgriguez Acosta, Nr the Parador Roundabout, opposite café Trébol, Nerja (294373)
CHURCH SERVICES
11 - 17 January 2024
OTHERS
FOR SALE/WANTED WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel 678 716 693 (288662)
INSURANCE STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www. abbeygateinsure.com
EDS? We have the solution, Ka magra pills & jells, Cialis, Side nafil, over 7 products for men & ladies, mixed trial packs. Free delivery throughout Costa del Sol. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394
SITUATIONS VACANT DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS wanted for Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical. One day per week. Must be legal to work in Spain, have own transport, know the areas and be reliable. Please send CV with covering letter to Martyn by email distribution@ demon-distribution.com (292475)
SOLAR ENERGY SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for Large Glazed Areas to Reflect Heat / Glare and Stop Furniture Fading and Still Keep The View. Save Heat in the Winter to Improve Your Living Environment. ian@solarshade tinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (258409)
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MOTORING II euroweeklynews.com
ROAD TEST By Mark Slack WE‘RE used to seeing badges on cars, and know the desirable ones, the ones we like, the ones we don’t like, but how much do you know about the history behind the badge? They all have a history and some are more interesting than others and Audi is an especially involving story. August Horch took his first job in the industry courtesy of Karl Benz, who hired him to manage his factory in Mannheim. After three years of learning under Benz, Horch decided the time was right to strike out on his own and founded Horch & Cie Motorwagenwerke in 1899. Initially making two-cylinder and later four-cylinder cars, Horch left the company in 1909 after a difference of opinion with the company’s board and founded a new car company in the same the year. He couldn’t use the Horch name so translated his name into Latin,
11 - 17 January 2024
Behind the badge - Audi
portant motorcycle makers of the pre first world war period and started building cars in 1928. They were the first company to bring cars with front wheel drive. Global recession meant
that demand began to plummet from 1929 and companies began to experience financial problems. The recession led to union of the four brands mentioned above, which was initiated by the State Bank of Saxony, and Auto Union AG became the second largest car maker in Germany by number of vehicles produced. The four former companies, now merged into Auto Union, maintained their own distinct areas of expertise. DKW made motorcycles and small cars, Wanderer produced mid-size cars while Audi concentrated on deluxe mid-size cars, and Horch was the luxury car arm of the enterprise. When Auto Union was formed in 1930 the four rings were seen as a badge for the first time. The name Auto Union was across the four rings and later the four rings symbolised the brand we know today as Audi.
te these additional checks. They are equipped with real-time licence plate recognition systems, enabling the DGT, led by Pere Navarro, to ensure compliance with ITV, car insurance, and even to aid in car theft prevention.
The need for such measures is underscored by the DGT’s findings. The organisation’s data indicates a worrying trend, statistics show a significant number of vehicles are operating without the mandatory insurance.
AUDI BADGE: The four rings symbolise the brand that we know today.
‘Audi’. Between 1912-14 Horch’s cars gained three consecutive victories at the International Austrian Alpine rally. One of the most challenging of the time. Wanderer originated as a bicycle repair shop then
started building bicycles and then motorcycles. Their first car in 1913 was known as Puppchen - English Moppet. DKW was one of the largest motorcycle makers of the time. Danish founder
Credit: interior.gob.es
Licence scam uncovered
SPANISH authorities have dismantled a group that falsified their identities and fraudulently obtained driving licences. In a significant crackdown named Operation CARSHINOVEL, 18 individuals have been detained across various provinces in Spain, including Madrid, A Coruña, Sevilla, Pontevedra, and Murcia. The criminal activities of the group involved impersonating candidates who lacked the necessary knowledge to pass the class ‘B’ driving test and the Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP). In some cases, they also helped individuals regain lost driving points. The fraudsters altered identity documents, replacing photos to match their impersonators, who then sat the exams. Potential clients were lured through social networks or personal contacts, initially paying between €400
EWN 23
FALSE IDENTITIES: Driving licence fraudster arrested.
to €500. Once the exam was completed successfully clients then paid the total cost for the service which ranged between €1,500 and €2,000. The impersonators who competently possessed knowledge of driving regulations, successfully passed theoretical exams, sometimes in as little as six minutes. Remarkably, some took two or three exams within a single week. The operation spanned several Spanish provinces, with impersonators travelling to sit exams. Searches were conducted in three residences, two in Madrid
and one in El Ferrol, A Coruña. In Madrid, a driving school and two hospitality venues were raided, where document forgery occurred. Seized items included computers and mobile phones used in the identity fraud. The operation remains active, as authorities analyse seized materials to identify more fraudulent licence holders. This extensive operation involved the GIAT of the Guardia Civil’s Traffic Group and the Police Stations of the Puente de Vallecas district and the Judicial Traffic Police of the Madrid Municipal Police.
Jorgen Skafte Rassmussen began experimenting with a steam powered automobile in 1916. It wasn’t a success so he started working on twostroke engines. DKW became one of the most im-
DGT radars report
IS it possible for traffic radars to impose fines for vehicles without insurance? This pivotal question is at the heart of the latest developments in road safety enforcement in Spain. It was recently reported that the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has introduced a significant upgrade to its radar system, extending its capabilities far beyond mere speed monitoring. The DGT’s primary goal has always been to regulate speed and reduce traffic accidents across Spain’s extensive road network. However, the evolution of radar technology has led to a broader scope for detecting various driving offences, including the verification of compulsory insurance and the Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV) status. It’s crucial to note that only fixed radars possess the capability to execu-