Costa Calida 18 – 24 January 2024 Issue 2011 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

Costa Calida • Issue No. 2011 • 18 - 24 January 2024

UNIFIED VOICES FAST fayre GRATIS

GRATIS

VRIJ

FREI

G GRATIS

LIVREE

FFREE

GRATIS S

rating challenge for those seeking a competitive edge. To join the harmonious

journey, reach out via messenger or drop by during rehearsals. Rehearsals take place

every Wednesday from 6.45 - 9.15pm at the Centro Civico theatre in Dolores de Pacheco.

vements - a 4.7 per cent increase. No doubt the introduction of Volotea’s two routes to Madrid and Barcelona contributed to this notable increase in December. The Murcia Region Airport’s stellar performance in 2023 underscores its growing importance as a key hub for both international and domestic travellers. If more key routes like those proposed to Bruges and Antwerp are conﬁrmed 2024 could be another record-breaking year for Corvera Airport (RMU). Image: Shutterstock/ Sarnia

CORVERA AIRPORT: Soaring to new heights in 2023.

cent rise, boasting a total of 6,700 registered operations. Notably, December stood out as a particularly busy month, with a remar-

kable 17.3 per cent growth compared to the same period in 2022, welcoming 28,980 passengers and witnessing 291 ﬂight mo-

GRATUIT G

Unlock a world of health and community care.

PILARMONICS: Where voices unite magic happens.

CORVERA SOARS

THE Regional Airport of Murcia (Corvera Airport) experienced a significant increase in passenger numbers, closing the year 2023 with a remarkable 4.6 per cent increase compared to the previous year. According to Aena sources in a recent statement, the airport recorded a total of 877,796 passengers, with commercial passengers contributing the lion’s share at 870,141. International visitors dominated the airport’s traffic, constituting the majority with 785,670 passengers, marking a 4 per cent rise from 2022. National traffic also witnessed a commendable increase, totalling 84,471 passengers, representing a 3.2 per cent growth compared to the previous year. In terms of flight operations, 2023 saw a 0.6 per

GRATUITO

Image: fast2016.org

ILMAINEN

Image: Facebook/Pilarmonics

Grace Meredith BE part of something special as the Pilarmonics ladies’ chorus invites you to join their barbershop-style chorus group, where the magic of singing unfolds every Thursday from 6.45 - 9.00pm at the theatre inside Centro Cívico in Dolores de Pacheco. Conveniently located just a ﬁve-minute drive from San Javier, Los Alcázares, and Torre Pacheco. This chorus thrives on strong interpersonal bonds, fostering an atmosphere of trust and support. Beyond the joy of collective singing, they proudly compete in the National Spanish Competition, oﬀering an exhila-

FREE

IN a bid to enhance community safety, the First Response First Aid team (FAST) on Camposol, comprised of dedicated volunteers, is organising a Health and Recruitment Fayre on Saturday, January 20, from 10am to 2pm at the Camposol Clubhouse in Sector C. While FAST does not aim to replace professional ambulance services, it plays a crucial role in providing vital first-aid support during the critical time between an accident and the arrival of an ambulance. The event promises a morning of information on various health aspects, both physical and mental, alongside fitness and well-being. Representatives from different organisations, including the Samaritans, will be available to discuss their services. Importantly, FAST responders will be present to provide information on how individuals can contribute as volunteers, urgently needed to bolster their response team.

EWN

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

18 - 24 January 2024

MURCIA is set to dazzle at the International Tourism Fair in Madrid (FITUR) from January 24 to 28, with a 1,000-square-metre stand in the heart of IFEMA’s Pavilion 7. The spotlight will be on the Jubilee Year of Caravaca de la Cruz, the region’s focal point. Carmen Conesa, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports, unveiled plans for the event, which will emphasis historic tourism achievements and growth prospects for 2024. The agenda aims to create business opportunities and attract high-spending tourists, aligning with the 2022-2032 Tourism Strategic Plan. The Murcia stand will feature a Mediterranean aesthetic and 100 square metres of large LED screens highlighting the region. A dedicated gastronomy space, ‘1,001 Flavors of Murcia,’ promises continuous tastings of the

Image: Shutterstock/ Alberto Loyo

Tourism fair A-33 opens FITUR 2024: Murcia takes centre stage.

region’s culinary delights. A new addition to this year’s fair will be the mini wine-tasting area that will promote the wine routes of Bullas, Jumilla, and Yecla. To promote the regional music scene the music of regional bands will play during the fair. While Murcia takes centre stage in the tourism fair, the region will also take over the streets of central Madrid promoting the plans and events in store

for Semana Santa and Caravaca’s Jubilee Year.

IN a significant boost to connectivity, the newly opened A-33 motorway segment between Yecla and Caudete is set to cut travel time between Murcia and Valencia by 25 minutes. Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, highlighted its dual impact, reducing travel time and easing lorry congestion on Murcia’s West Bypass by 40 per cent. The journey, once around two and a half hours, is now streamli-

Grace Meredith MAYOR Fulgencio Gil Jódar announced the upcoming opening of the Casa de Guevara of Lorca at the end of February. The historic monument, a prominent example of Spanish Levantine civil Baroque, will welcome visitors through a captivating route including the ‘vía triumphalis,’ entrance gate, courtyard, and staircase. Mayor Jódar expressed his excitement about the tour, highlighting va-

ned to approximately two hours, contingent on traffic conditions. The innovative A-33, constructed using the ‘fresco sobre fresco’ technique, this a construction method where new layers of fresh concrete are applied onto existing layers while they are still fresh, boasts sustainability and potential cost-effective maintenance. Puente sees this approach as a blueprint for future projects. Be-

Baroque beauty rious rooms like the ‘Salón Amarillo,’ (yellow room) ‘Salón Rojo,’ (red living room) the main bedroom, and the ‘Salón Verde’ (the green room). Built in the 17th century, the Casa

yond efficiency gains, the motorway offers a more pleasant route compared to the coastal AP-7. President of the Murcia Region Fernando López Miras underscored the Altiplano motorway as a long-awaited milestone and emphasised the pressing need for ongoing infrastructure development, urging Minister Puente to accelerate projects like the Mediterranean Corridor and AVE connections for the region’s prosperity.

de Guevara is known for its remarkable Baroque façade, modelled after Baroque altarpieces. The monument houses an extensive collection of 790 items, including unique textiles, engravings, ceramics, and a noteworthy art gallery featuring paintings by Pedro Camacho Felizes de Alisén. The tour, expected to cost only €1, will last 35-40 minutes, allowing visitors to explore the rich history and cultural significance of the Casa de Guevara.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

NIBS EXTRA Art exhibit

A NEW exhibit has been unveiled in the Casa de Cultura in San Pedro del Pinatar called ‘Women I Paradise.’ This exhibition is on until February 23 from 9am until 2pm and then 4pm until 8.30pm. Entrance is free.

Blood drive

THE San Javier Town Hall is calling for blood donors to save a life and donate blood at the Consultorio Medico in El Mirador from 5pm on January 31. Don’t forget to bring your NIE.

Weekend wine

FROM January 19 to 21, Los Alcázares’ participating bars and restaurants celebrate The Weekend Wine campaign, featuring regional wines from Yecla, Jumilla, and Bullas paired with their iconic menus and signature dishes. For more info see losalcazares.es.

Olympic hopes

LOS ALCÁZARES is set to play a crucial role in the path to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The European Formula Kite Championship, which will take place there from March 15 to 24, will determine a Spanish representative, making it a milestone event with significant media impact.

Catherine McGeer ON January 16, the Cartagena City Council responded to elevated PM10 particle levels triggered by African air masses, activating various measures in their pollution protocol. They have advised residents not to undertake any strenuous activities outdoors, to keep windows and doors closed, and to stay hydrated. Other experts recommend the use of air puriﬁers and the use of masks with a ﬁlter especially for the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, the Murcia City Council escalated its

Pollution alert Image : Shutterstock/ Eduardo Frederiksen

Murcia implements maximum pollution alert.

alert level to the maximum after the San Basilio station recorded PM10 levels rea-

A-30 accident

ON January 16 a pileup on the A-30, involving up to nine vehicles left six injured. A quick response from the Guardia Civil ensured no occupants were trapped, but emergency medical teams attended to the injured at the scene.

ching 140 ug/m3 on January 15, nearly tripling the World Health Organisation (WHO)

limit. Despite this, no additional measures have been implemented, with officials expressing confidence in the situation improving based on incoming data and Aemet forecasts. The State Meteorological Agency anticipates the episode to be short-lived, attributing the heightened pollution levels to the influx of African air masses affecting the southeast peninsula. This spike brings a concerning increase in dust concentrations.

Connecting Corvera Helicopter mystery IN a bid to improve accessibility, Corvera Airport has successfully rolled out a bus service to Murcia and Cartagena every Monday and Friday. This initiative, supported by a regional government investment of €22,500, was officially launched by Fomento Minister José Manuel Pancorbo. The service caters to Volotea passengers traveling to Madrid and Barcelona, and it costs €1.85 per ticket. The government has already covered the expenses for the two bus lines until March 25. With its implementation, Corvera aims to streamline travel options and increase passenger convenience. The reintroduction of the bus connection aligns with Volotea’s flight schedule, specifically on Mondays and Fridays. Coordinated with flight timings, buses depart from Murcia and Cartagena bus stations to Corvera and return. This service is accessible to passengers of all airlines operating on these two key days, aligning with the airport’s busiest days. Corvera Airport continues to offer autumn and winter travel options to destinations including the UK, Ireland, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Madrid, and Barcelona. Volotea’s €2.4-million contract for flights to Madrid and Barcelona has been successfully operational since early December.

Free weaving

THE Esparto Friends Association, in collaboration with the Cultural Department of Aguilas Town Council, is hosting free esparto (like jute) workshops every Friday afternoon at Huerto Don Jorge. Conducted by skilled artisans, these sessions remain open for enrolment until full.

18 - 24 January 2024

MURCIA’s public transport system welcomed almost a million new passengers during the 38-day period, from December 1 until January 7, when it was free of charge. The Mobility councillor José Francisco Muñoz shared the data. There was a remarkable 68 per cent increase in the use of buses and trams, a total of 2,416,449 passengers used Murcia’s public transport, marking an impressive rise of 977,685 when compared to the same period in 2022 and 2023. The largest increase was noted in the buses in rural areas where a 74 per cent increase was observed. 474,577 passengers used the services during the festive period.

RESIDENTS of Murcia, particularly in the Lorca and Mazarron area, took to social media to express concern over a helicopter’s prolonged presence in the skies. The mystery has now been unravelled as it was revealed that it was a geophysical airborne survey scheduled to take place in the Guadalentín region from January 10 to January 15. The campaign, using the Helitem electromagnetic sensor suspended from a helicopter, conducted a geophysical exploration over the municipalities of Lorca, Mazarron, Aguilas, and Totana. The primary objective was to investigate superﬁcial geological features to locate anomalous concentrations of elements. These concentrations may be linked to post-orogenic volcanic activity or Neogene hydrothermal alteration. Crucially, the Helitem sensor, hanging 35 metres below the helicopter and 35 metres above the surface, is widely used in mining, engineering, and environmental projects for soil mapping and geological structure analysis. Notably, the exploration excludes urban areas and structures, ensuring safety. The operation obtained the necessary permits from Enaire and Aesa, with the municipality urging residents to remain calm, emphasising that the operation adheres to regulations to guarantee citizen safety and well-being.

Bus boost

The tram system also witnessed an increase, 385,693 new passengers used the tram, marking a 65 per cent increase. Many now hope that the Murcia government will continue this project and perhaps roll it out throughout the region. The increased use of public transport can help reduce carbon emissions and air pollution. It alleviates traffic and it can enhance the overall economic vitality of the region promoting accessibility which in turn benefits local businesses.

EWN

YOUR EWN HAS

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Strategic stop IN a significant development, the municipal plenary session held on January 11 in San Pedro del Pinatar unanimously approved a motion for the establishment of an AVE stop at the Balsicas-Mar Menor railway station. The motion, presented by the Popular Party, emphasises the strategic geographical location of the locality, creating a pivotal connection point between Murcia, Cartagena, and the Mar Menor region. Pedro Javier Sánchez, the spokesperson for the Popular Party, highlighted the station’s role in linking the Mar Menor towns and the south of Alicante, home to approximately 100,000 residents. Sánchez also highlighted the station’s accessibility, situated in close proximity to the RM-19 motorway.

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EWN

18 - 24 January 2024

VIEWPOINT BILL ANDERSON SEEMS to me that we are in love with conflict. There was a time when what we fell about was politics, football, or religion, the topics discouraged in social conversation. How simple life was in those days. In these times, the topics that polarise us seem to be endless: all of the above, and diversity, positive discrimination, gender identity, vaccines, mask wearing, Israel or Palestine, Ukraine or Russia, climate change. I think this is enough to make the point. What is more complex about this is that everyone seems to want to inhabit the moral high ground as if their

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

Ready for a fight?

point of view scores higher on a scale of one to 10 than that of those who hold the opposite opinion I spend a lot of time on social media; too much in fact, and not a day goes by when people don’t get shirty with each other. Everybody knows best and thinks that their opinion is a fact to be adopted by the world as a whole, and god help anyone who disagrees with them. How did we get to the point where no one listens to anyone else’s point of view anymore? There is nothing wrong in changing our perspective on something, but that doesn’t happen by digging our heels in and re-

PROVERB OF THE WEEK Shared joy is double joy; Shared sorrow is half a sorrow. A Swedish proverb. Human beings are wired to be deeply empathetic. So when we share stories of our joys, happiness and achievement with others, it increases our joy as we see others happy around us.

fusing to listen. The only topics I don’t hear people arguing about these days are the role of the World Health Organisation and the World Economic Forum. They seem to be met with universal suspicion. I wonder why? I find the constant obsession with needing to be right, and looking for offence in everything tiresome. Having said that, shutting down one side of any debate, as has been happening on multiple media sources and on several themes recently, is not the way to reach agreement. It only adds to the irritation. I am all for free and open debate, done with respect, and with open ears and receptive minds on both

sides. After just one week in post as editor there have been many challenges, and to be honest, it is very clear to me that apart from this editorial, where I get to say what I want, opinions are rarely a helpful contribution to any debate. To misquote the great Maggie Smith, ‘Having an opinion is like having a ‘male member’. In private you can hold it as much as you like, but when you start shoving it in other people’s faces, you had better have a dammed good explanation’. Perhaps these days we should just stick to arguing about politics, football, or religion. All are less precarious than the alternatives.

Bill Anderson’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors. bill-anderson@euroweeklynews.com

AVE updates FOLLOWING ongoing renovation works on the high-speed rail line connecting Madrid and Sevilla, Renfe, Spain’s national railway company, announced schedule changes affecting AVE trains between Murcia and Madrid. These schedule changes came into effect on January 15. Travellers on the Murcia-Madrid route can expect an additional travel time of five to 12 minutes. To check the revised schedules and purchase tickets in advance, use Renfe’s website, App, or by phone.

EWN

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

18 - 24 January 2024

Shore concerns Mar Menor cleanup

Catherine McGeer THE proposed changes in the seashore delimitation have raised concerns among residents and officials in Los Nietos. The delimitation plan outlines new boundaries, potentially altering property rights, land use regulations, and the demarcation of the Maritime-Terrestrial Public Domain. Regional Vice-President José Ángel Antelo, alongside Minister José Manuel Pancorbo, recently met with the Los Nietos Neighbourhood Association to address these concerns. The term ‘delimitation of the seashore’ refers to the defining and mapping of boundaries along the coastal areas, outlining where land meets the sea. In the case of Los Nietos, this process has become a contentious issue with potential repercussions for the local community.

THE city council of Cartagena has officially launched a pilot project aimed at refining procedures to clean up the muddy areas near the beaches of Mar Menor, as announced by Mayor Noelia Arroyo. The project is valued at €75,500, the contract follows a simplified process, that will function in parallel to environmental procedures, to expedite the project and ensure testing occurs during the dry season in Mar Menor, minimising biodiversity impact. Over six weeks, they’ll try out methods to cover a 600-square-metre area and remove 150 cubic metres of mud. Mayor Arroyo

Image: Shutterstock/ Q77photo

LOS NIETOS: Seashore shake-up.

If implemented, the new criteria could impact over 250 homes, introducing additional conditions for certain residential areas. Antelo argues that this shift is not technically justified and could inflict ‘serious damage’ on existing properties. The Los Nietos community has been dealing

with a prolonged crisis due to various demarcation issues, making it crucial for the central government to carefully reconsider the potential consequences of the proposed seashore delimitation to protect the well-being of its residents and maintain the stability of the local environment.

said, “In Estrella de Mar, we’ll test the extraction and covering methods suggested by environmental experts. We want to see how well they work and if they affect the environment.” The project, supervised by Mar Menor’s scientific committee, includes barriers to keep the water clear and considers the needs of species like seahorses, and Cymodocea nodosa. Mayor Arroyo mentioned that €700,000 from the Autonomous Community of Murcia will fund the pilot programme and the following cleanup, filling a gap left by the State’s plans for Mar Menor.

Cost of living IN December, the cost of food in the Region of Murcia saw a moderate increase of 7 per cent, marking a decline of 1.8 points from November’s annual rate. The latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) reveals that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained steady at 3 per cent year-on-year,

aligning with the previous month’s figures. Among the notable increases in Murcia, food and non-alcoholic beverages surged by 7 per cent, while restaurants and hotels experienced a 5.3 per cent hike. Other goods and services rose by 4.1 per cent, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased by 3.9

per cent. Conversely, housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels recorded a decrease of -5.7 per cent, the only category to see a reduction. Nationally, the CPI maintained its December levels, slightly decreasing by 0.1 points to 3.1 per cent, with the highest rates observed in Canarias at 3.8 per cent.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

Cloud9 magic Catherine McGeer FANTASTIC amateur dramatics group Cloud9 is gearing up for their upcoming performance of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk A Giant of a Panto’ with rehearsals in full swing. Known for its entertaining productions, Cloud9 has a heartwarming tradition of giving back to the community after each show. This year, they have chosen Age Concern as one of the fortunate recipients of their charitable donations. The pantomime promises a delightful experience

Image: Shutterstock/wavebreakmedia

CLOUD9’S PANTO: Charitable magic.

for the audience, filled with laughter and enchanting moments. Those interested in attending can still grab tickets at €7 each. The performances are scheduled for January 25, 26, and 27 at 7pm, with a matinee show

MABS Cancer Support Foundation, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, continues to make a significant impact in the fight against cancer. The foundation, known for its unwavering support and assistance to cancer patients and their families, recently received a generous donation of €1,204.45 from The Juke Box Cafe Bar in Santiago de la Ribera. The Juke Box Cafe Bar’s contribution will further empower MABS in providing essential services such as emotional support, financial

on Sunday, January 28 at 3pm. The venue is the La Molata Social Centre. Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a wonderful show while supporting a good cause! Secure your tickets today.

25 years old aid, and practical assistance to those affected by cancer. This commendable act reflects the community’s dedication to standing together in the face of adversity. As MABS Cancer Support Foundation commemorates its milestone, the recent donation serves as a testament to the shared commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those battling cancer.

EWN

18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

Safety concerns Catherine McGeer IN a stark warning, an association in Cartagena highlights the ongoing dangers of hiking and other mountain sports in the region of Cartagena. Despite previous campaigns to the local government, there are still unsecured mining shafts reaching depths of 400 metres in popular hiking areas. During a recent visit to Cabezo de San Gines, the association pointed out two unprotected wells raising concerns about public safety. Urgent intervention is deemed necessary by the authorities to prevent tragedies like that of young Julen in Malaga. The Cartagena Association has urged THE average housing price in the Murcia region has seen a notable increase of 5.3 per cent in the past year, positioning it as the third-highest increase among Spanish communities, according to the latest Housing Report by Gesvalt for the fourth quarter of 2023. The cost per square metre has now reached €1,092, in contrast to Spain’s overall average of €1,538 per square meter.

Image: Shutterstock/Peter Turner Photography

Urgent calls for action as safety concerns grow.

the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and the General Directorate of the Environment to conduct inspections. Furthermore, they request the property-owning companies, like Portman Golf who own land in this area, to undertake necessary safety measures promptly.

Housing prices

Gesvalt’s research department, conducting the study with its proprietary data, also reveals a rising trend in rental prices. The average rental price has witnessed a year-on-year increase of 6 per cent, reaching €7.6 per square metre per month. The report highlights an uneven growth in housing

prices across Spain for this quarter. The standout performers with growth rates exceeding 5 per cent are the Balearic Islands (6.5 per cent), followed by the Canary Islands (5.8 per cent), and Murcia, securing a 5.3 per cent increase, bringing its housing price to €1,092 per square metre.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

HOW trustworthy are the labels on food items? Recent events in Spain have raised serious doubts regarding olive oil. On January 15, a joint operation by the Guardia Civil, inspectors from the Junta de Andalucia, and the General Directorate of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation unearthed a fraudulent olive oil operation. This illegal business, discovered in an industrial warehouse in Mairena del Alcor, Sevilla, was found to be marketing counterfeit olive oils. The investigation revealed that the products, falsely labelled as ‘Extra Virgin Olive Oil’ and ‘Mild Olive Oil’, were actually blends of various inferior oils. Documents and products linked to companies across several provinces including Malaga, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, and Murcia were confiscated. During the operation, several brands were identified for marketing these fraudulent oils. The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs has initiated control measures across various locations and has alerted the relevant authorities in Murcia and Andalucia for further action.

Credit: masa44/Shutterock.com

Widespread oil fraud

IS IT THE REAL THING?: Olive oil warning.

In the warehouse, 1,000-litre tanks of vegetable and olive oils were found, connected to a mixer and packaging system. This set-up was used to create a blend of seed oils with a base of some type of olive oil, giving it an appearance similar to genuine extra virgin olive oil, and labelled attractively for sale at prices much lower than their true market value. Consumers are advised to exercise caution and seek verifiable sources for their olive oil purchases.

EWN

10 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

IRELAND Still driving DUBLIN bus driver Yong Yue Wang, who lost his job for twice using a mobile phone while behind the wheel in less than a year, now awaits a verdict on his unfair dismissals claim to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Meanwhile, Wang is already back on the road and working as a taxi driver.

Worth a visit THE New York Times recommended Waterford as one of 52 places to visit in 2024, placing it in 30th position. Waterford, described as “sparkling with history and natural treasures”, was the only Irish destination on the list which included Ladakh (India), Dominica (Caribbean) and Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia).

SWEDEN

euroweeklynews.com II EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPRESS GERMANY New party SAHRA WAGENKNECHT presented her new political party, the Sarah Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) Reason and Fairness, on January 8. The national MP, who retained her seat after abandoning the Left Party, said the BSW - a true people’s party - would run in this year’s EU and German state elections.

BELGIUM Smart people BELGIUM scored 69.12 out of 100 and was ranked seventh amongst Europe’s Top 10 smartest countries, compiled by TutorSpace and based on 17 factors relating to intelligence and development in 44 European countries. Switzerland headed the list with 81.1, followed by Denmark (77.87) and Finland (77.57).

Smoke signals

SAHRA WAGENKNECHT: Her new party avoids ‘leftist’ label.

Photo credit: CC/Ferran Cornella

FRANCE

ITALY

WHILE Belgium intensifies its anti-smoking plan with a 25 per cent price hike on the cost of cigarettes and higher vaping prices, tobacco giant Philip Morris called for better access to alternative products. “Our priority is a smoke free future,” the company’s Benelux managing director Miguel Matos declared.

DENMARK

Watch out

No change

Try it

Earliest Danes

POLICE who announced that a watch had been discovered in a central Stockholm street on New Year’s Day initially believed it was a genuine Audemars Piguet worth 500,000 krona (€44,376). Experts who saw it said it appeared to be a cheap copy, a theory backed by the fact that no-one has yet claimed it.

BRITISH residents who were previously entitled to register free of charge with Italy’s SSN health scheme can continue to do so. They will not have to pay the new €2,000 fee that non-EU residents now pay to access the SSN, Italy’s Health minister told the English-language publication, The Local.

FRANCE’S postal service La Poste is installing changing rooms in some branches where shoppers can try on clothes bought online and return rejected purchases on the spot. Like postal services everywhere, La Poste hopes to compensate for the nosedive in letters traffic by boosting its parcels delivery division.

AN analysis of 100 skeletons spanning 7,300 years between the Mesolithic period, Neolithic period and Early Bronze Age in Denmark revealed repeated population turnovers. The authors of the study published in Nature also concluded that the present-day gene pool was already in place 3,000 years ago.

On the line

Doggy bags

Hacked off

Learning curve

SWEDEN’S Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson claimed that anybody wanting Swedish citizenship should consider what it meant to sacrifice their life for their country. Speaking at a Defence conference, Kristersson said Swedish citizenship was “not a travel document” but implied defending Sweden, its values and way of life.

ITALIAN MPs from the Forza Italia party belonging to the governing coalition, plan to put through a bill that will oblige restaurants to provide containers for diners wishing to take uneaten food home with them. “This is a common-sense measure that would help tackle food waste,” Giandiego Gatta said.

SEBASTIEN RAOULT, a 22-year-old French hacker and member of a criminal gang which sold hundreds of millions of personal details on the dark web, was jailed for three years in the US. Raoult created fake login pages for the Shiny Hunters group which were used to raid users’ private and financial data.

AFTER meeting Crown Prince Frederik during the 2000 Olympics in Australia, Mary Donaldson signed up for an eight-week programme in deportment skills. “This prepared her for the royal duties that followed,” said her then-coach Teresa Page shortly before Frederik prepared to ascend the Danish throne.

NORWAY

THE NETHERLANDS

FINLAND

PORTUGAL

Ship out

Staying dry

Home-bred

Gold standard

CRUISE ships visiting Norway consume 170 million litres of fuel annually, accounting for 3 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. To tackle the problem, Norway’s parliament has introduced new legislation, requiring all cruise ships and ferries in World Heritage fjords to be emission free from 2026.

EIGHTY-FIVE PER CENT of Rotterdam, one of the world’s largest ports, is seven metres below sea level but has escaped the worst of the floods affecting other parts of the country. “Rotterdam has long worked on climate adaptation, especially with regards to flood resilience,” city mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said.

WHEN answering a voting guidance questionnaire from broadcaster YLE, the Finns Party’s presidential candidate Ussi Halla-Aho said he was in favour of the requirement that the country’s president should be a native-born Finn. He also suggested that this should apply to cabinet ministers and MPs.

BUYING property in Portugal no longer includes a ‘golden visa’ for non-EU citizens after the concession caused a housing crisis, Reuters reported, adding that it is still possible to obtain residency via investment funds. The initiative has attracted €7.3 billion since 2021, principally from China, Brazil and the US.

Alarm test

Hard times

Longer wait

Coming soon

NORWAY’S Emergency Alert System was tested on the mobile telephone network on January 10, while 1,200 warning systems were activated countrywide during the run-through. Norwegian Civil Defence checks these systems twice yearly to ensure their efficiency should the country be exposed to acute danger.

HOSPITALITY sector bankruptcies doubled in 2023 with 245 companies going under between January and the end of November, compared with 134 throughout 2022, according to figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Forty per cent of the remaining businesses said they doubted that they would survive this year.

FINLAND’S parliament approved a series of changes to benefits that will be introduced during 2024 and affect cuts to basic unemployment pay, labour market subsidies and the housing allowance. The interim period before an applicant can receive unemployment pay has also been extended from five to seven days.

THE ‘Tide of Plastic’ threatening the coast and beaches of northern Spain could reach Portugal by spring, warned Bordalo e Sa, a hydrobiologist from the University of Porto. Dominant currents to the north were likely to bring the minute particles to Portugal once they changed direction later this year, he predicted.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

An unaffordable luxury?

Credit: Shutterstock/2204092191

RISING COSTS: Is food affordable?

THE rising cost of living is currently affecting people and households in many areas of the world, as life post pandemic has seen wars, drought and financial struggle. The drought has had a knock on effect with certain foods and vegetables, in particular the nation’s favourite - olives - facing a shortage as well. On Wednesday, January 10, the government of Spain announced that the elimination or reduction of the value added tax on certain foods

such as fruits and vegetables, pasta and cooking oils. This may not be enough for many working people in Spain, who claim that every month they are struggling even more to buy basic items for their family to eat. Euro Weekly News spoke to Angel Aguera, a bartender. “Although my wage has increased over the years, our standard of living has dropped significantly,” he explained, adding that “my wife has to plan our meals for the week diligently and if an

unexpected expense arises then we have to go without, it’s very sad to say I work 50 hours a week.” Another resident of Spain, Claire Hill told EWN: “when I first moved here six years ago I couldn’t believe how cheap everything was, but now it’s very expensive to do a food shop, some things like vegetables are much more here than in the UK now.” However, for now it seems like many will have to cut back on items that have now become a luxury.

EWN 11

FINANCE STUDENT loans funded by the taxpayer will rise to an annual £10 billion (€11.6 billion) owing to higher interest rates, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said. The loans, which graduates do not repay until they earn more than £25,000 (€29,036) a year, are written off if still outstanding after 40 years.

Repsol stake

JP MORGAN, which acquired a 5.3 per cent holding in Repsol, now has the Spanish oil company’s second-largest stake after Blackrock’s 5.47 per cent. JP Morgan’s announcement follows on from the exit of Norges Bank, which manages Norway’s sovereign fund and sold its 5 per cent holding in late 2023.

Slimmer figures

DEUTSCHE BANK economists predicted that UK price rises would experience a sharp descent from November’s 3.9 per cent. The experts saw inflation dropping ‘a little below 2 per cent in April and May’ and averaging 2.5 per cent throughout 2024 compared with their earlier 2.7 per cent forecast.

New face

FOOD DELIVERY BRANDS named Rafael Herrero as Telepizza’s new chief executive following the September 2023 resignation of his predecessor, Jacobo Caller. Herrero arrives at Telepizza from the Zena Group which owns the Foster’s Hollywood and Gino’s fast-food chains in Spain and Portugal.

Asthma deal

GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK) will buy Anglo-American asthma drug maker Aiolos Bio for more than £1 billion (€1.16 billion) as it expands it respiratory diseases range. British GSK will pay around £800 million (€929 million) upfront plus £300 million (€348.4 million) once regulatory milestones are reached.

STAT OF WEEK

€253 million

is due in 2024 from Spanish companies which received financial assistance from the government’s Solvency support Fund for Strategic Enterprises (Fasee) during the pandemic.

Waiting for WASPI justice Linda Hall THE investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) into changes in the state pension age should conclude in early 2023. This final report focuses on injustices produced by the ‘maladministration’ of changes to the state pension age. Its recommendations to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will apply to ‘everyone’ who has been affected by them, the PHSO announced. That includes financial redress, which could see 3.6 million women who were born in the 1950s receive compensation.

Photo credit: WASPI

On loan

euroweeklynews.com • 18 - 24 January 2024

PENSION INEQUALITY: WASPI at Downing Street with supporter MP Stephen Morgan.

The PHSO investigation began in 2018, but a legal challenge funded by thousands of women from Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) into the findings of Second Stage of the report on Injustices caused further delays after the Ombudsman agreed to

review its decision. “We have now looked at our findings and shared our provisional views about injustice resulting from the maladministration we identified during stage one, and our thinking about remedy, with complainants, their referring MPs and the DWP,”

the PHSO said. Rebecca Hilsenrath, the PHSO’s chief executive, explained to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) in November that the provisional Stage Two and Stage Three findings had been sent in confidence to the UK government and around 500 women who made a complaint. The final report will be made public once feedback has been received and the PHSO has made any necessary changes. The deadline for responses was around Christmastime and the final report should be published shortly.

Grifols fights back

GRIFOLS, the Barcelona-headquartered pharmaceuticals company, intends to sue Gotham City Research. After a negative Gotham City report wiped €2.2 billion from the company’s market value on January 9, Grifols said it would seek compensation through the courts for damage to its ‘financial and reputational’ image. The notorious short-seller fund, remembered in Spain for provoking the 2014 collapse of telecom firm Gowex, shed doubts on Grifols’ reported debt and earnings and questioned its purpor-

Photo credit: CC/Zarateman

BUSINESS EXTRA

GRIFOLS: One of the pharma company’s centres in Vizcaya.

ted assets-to-debts ratio of 6 to 7. This was closer to 10 to 13, maintained Gotham City, while querying financial links with Scranton Enterprise, the

Grifols family’s investment vehicle. Grifols, which manufactures plasma-derived medicines, denied all the Gotham City allegations and claims, which the company insisted were ‘based on false information’. The family company also declared its ‘full support’ for chief executive and executive chairman Thomas Glanzman. Wealth management group Mirabaud Research, described the Gotham City report as ‘partial, shady and leading to conclusions whose only purpose is backing its short position’.

Papered over A year of growth Vogue House

PRE-TAX profits for wallpaper and fabrics company Osborne & Little nose-dived from £1.5 million (€1.7 million) to £30,000 (€34,840) in the year ending March 31, 2023. The company co-founded by ex-Chancellor George Osborne’s father attributed the slump to double-digit inflation, higher energy costs and repeated increases in interest rates that affected the property market on which the business depends. As a result, operating expenses grew by 14 per cent to £19.1 million (€22.2 million) although sales rose 11 per cent to £32.3 million (€37.5 million).

SPAIN’S economy is expected to continue growing in 2024 although with less vigour than in 2023. The KPMG Global Economic Outlook predicted a 1.5 per cent increase, one percentage point below its 2023 forecast although the professional services group said it believed the country’s economic situation would gradually improve. Inflation predictions were positive, falling from 3.6 per cent in 2023 to 3.4 per cent this year, although KPMG said its evolution depended ‘to a great extent’ on whether the government maintained or withdrew subsidies introduced to offset soaring energy and food prices. These have been extended, although IVA on electricity has increased from 5 to 10 per cent, while the value-added tax on gas - currently 10 per cent - will rise gradually to 21 per cent over the year.

CONDE NAST has sold Vogue House in Mayfair to Eyal Ofer, a Monaco-based shipping magnate whose fortune is estimated at $23 billion (€21 billion). The iconic seven-storey building in Hanover Square, which was built in 1958, had an initial £70 million (€81.3 million) price tag although sources close to the transaction revealed that the businessman paid £75 million (€81.1 million) for the property. Ofer’s Global Holdings Management Group (GHMG), confirmed the sale on January 8. Staff working on Vogue and other Conde Nast publications that include Tatler and GQ will move to the equally historic Adelphi building on the Embankment.

Tendam’s India launch

WOMEN’S SECRET, Cortefiel and Springfield owner Tendam is collaborating with Indian company Myntra to open at least 20 stores over the next three years. Mynta already handles franchises for H&M, Puma, Nike and the Spanish fashion chain Mango, which has 80 outlets in India. Womens’ Secret will be Tendam’s first label to launch in India, with three shops opening in Pune, Ludhiana and Bangalore in January and another in Bombay in March. “Myntra is the ideal partner for us,” said Tendam’s Franchise director general Antonis Kyprianou. “They are aligned with our omni-channel strategy and have the capacity and expertise to fully develop it in India.”

First profit DONALD TRUMP’S golf complex in Ayrshire (Scotland) has made a profit for the first time in almost 10 years. Trump Turnberry, an 800-acre (324-hectare) resort in Ayrshire with three golf courses and a hotel, made a £571,000 (€663,242) profit in 2022, newly-filed accounts revealed. This was considerable progress compared with £3.7 million (€4.3 million) in losses in 2021 and is the first time Trump’s resort has been out of the red since he bought it for $60 million (€54.7 million) in 2014. Meanwhile, the Trump International Golf Club Scotland in Aberdeen posted a loss of approximately £738,000 (€857,205) in 2022.

Pay as you go FERROVIAL moved its headquarters from Spain to the Netherlands in June with a view to being listed on the New York stock exchange. To do so, it merged with its Dutch subsidiary, but recently admitted in forms registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that should Ferrovial decide to leave the Netherlands, it could be liable to an Exit Tax. This new law, still in its early stages, would not affect companies that move their head offices inside the European Union but would apply to those leaving it.

14 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 15 January

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.277,00.............+23,00........... +1,01%......... 220,58K Admiral Group.............................2.567,0................+5,0............. +0,19%.......... 55,03K Airtel Africa................................. 128,00................ -0,40.............-0,31%.......... 425,75K Anglo American...........................1.833,2................ -1,4..............-0,08%.......... 526,07K Antofagasta................................1.597,50.............+14,00........... +0,88%.......... 92,32K Ashtead Group............................4.863,0............... -37,0.............-0,76%........... 87,87K Associated British Foods.............2.266,0...............+26,0............ +1,15%......... 197,18K AstraZeneca...............................10.814,0................0,0............... 0,00%.......... 104,19K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 697,40................+0,40............ +0,06%......... 414,76K Aviva........................................... 423,40................+3,90............ +0,92%...........3,72M B&M European Value Retail SA... 556,40................+5,00............ +0,90%...........6,75M BAE Systems..............................1.170,50.............+17,83........... +1,53%...........1,16M Barclays...................................... 146,28................+1,12............ +0,77%...........8,70M Barratt Developments................. 535,60................+5,40............ +1,01%......... 825,82K Beazley........................................ 502,00................ -0,50.............-0,10%.......... 406,57K Berkeley......................................4.758,0................+3,0............. +0,06%.......... 42,08K BP............................................... 455,65................+5,70............ +1,25%...........8,05M British American Tobacco...........2.349,9................+4,0............. +0,17%......... 376,18K BT Group.................................... 114,70................+0,35............ +0,30%...........3,99M Bunzl...........................................3.216,0...............+40,0............ +1,25%.......... 60,10K Burberry Group...........................1.162,5.............. -134,0............-9,85%............1,99M Centrica....................................... 149,80................ -2,55.............-1,67%............3,24M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.336,0...............+15,0............ +0,64%.......... 73,33K Compass....................................2.177,00.............. -7,00.............-0,32%.......... 237,19K ConvaTec Group......................... 244,80................+2,80............ +1,15%...........6,17M Croda Intl....................................4.492,0............... -13,3.............-0,30%........... 85,66K DCC.............................................5.616,0...............+20,0............ +0,36%.......... 25,66K Dechra Pharma...........................3.864,0................+4,0............. +0,10%......... 742,09K Diageo.........................................2.774,0............... -35,0.............-1,24%.......... 845,69K Diploma.....................................3.320,00.............+30,00........... +0,90%.......... 43,09K DS Smith.................................... 293,80................+2,00............ +0,69%......... 384,32K Endeavour Mining......................1.435,00.............+27,00........... +1,90%......... 110,67K Entain.......................................... 943,40................ -0,40.............-0,04%.......... 214,61K Experian......................................3.116,0...............+15,0............ +0,48%......... 109,42K F&C Invest.................................. 940,00................ -2,00.............-0,21%........... 65,29K Flutter Entertainment..................12.700,0.............+130,0........... +1,03%......... 112,02K FRASERS.................................... 824,50................+6,00............ +0,72%.......... 83,51K Fresnillo...................................... 517,20................+5,00............ +0,97%......... 157,00K Glencore...................................... 445,05................+0,65............ +0,15%...........6,45M GSK plc......................................1.558,20..............+6,60............ +0,42%......... 700,59K HALEON...................................... 337,55................+2,15............ +0,64%......... 992,40K Halma..........................................2.176,0................+0,1............. +0,00%.......... 48,14K Hikma Pharma...........................1.904,50..............+6,50............ +0,34%......... 322,55K Howden Joinery.......................... 773,00................+5,80............ +0,76%.......... 77,41K HSBC.......................................... 610,30................+0,30............ +0,05%...........3,39M IAG.............................................. 143,60................ -4,30.............-2,89%............7,70M IMI PLC......................................1.565,00..............+1,98............ +0,13%.......... 80,49K Imperial Brands..........................1.862,50.............+27,00........... +1,45%......... 402,53K Informa....................................... 751,20............... -14,40............-1,88%.......... 488,62K InterContinental..........................7.160,0...............+12,0............ +0,17%.......... 38,43K

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Intermediate Capital...................1.567,00..............+7,50............ +0,47%......... 291,38K Intertek........................................4.292,0...............+25,0............ +0,58%.......... 38,87K J Sainsbury................................. 281,10................+1,50............ +0,53%...........3,20M JD Sports Fashion....................... 110,70................+3,23............ +2,93%...........4,90M Kingfisher.................................... 216,60................ -0,90.............-0,41%.......... 353,94K Land Securities........................... 684,20................+1,20............ +0,17%......... 194,07K Legal & General.......................... 248,90................+3,59............ +1,45%...........3,44M Lloyds Banking............................ 45,33.................+0,20............ +0,44%..........19,30M London Stock Exchange..............9.118,0................ -3,2..............-0,04%........... 48,24K M&G........................................... 220,30................+1,00............ +0,46%......... 660,65K Marks & Spencer........................ 259,50................ -3,30.............-1,25%............5,79M Melrose Industries...................... 571,80...............+10,00........... +1,75%......... 798,28K Mondi.........................................1.436,39..............+4,00............ +0,28%......... 200,16K National Grid..............................1.049,00..............+6,00............ +0,57%......... 733,06K NatWest Group........................... 211,70................+2,30............ +1,09%...........7,78M Next............................................8.484,0...............+42,0............ +0,50%.......... 22,97K Ocado.......................................... 645,40............... -15,60............-2,36%.......... 359,08K Pearson....................................... 968,86...............+10,20........... +1,06%......... 190,83K Pershing Square........................3.578,00.............+12,00........... +0,34%.......... 47,74K Phoenix....................................... 509,60................+0,40............ +0,08%......... 296,37K Prudential.................................... 825,00................+1,80............ +0,22%......... 539,15K Reckitt Benckiser........................5.598,0...............+40,0............ +0,71%......... 131,39K Relx............................................3.167,00.............+38,00........... +1,20%......... 496,45K Rentokil....................................... 417,50................ -2,40.............-0,57%.......... 817,92K Rightmove.................................. 549,80...............+10,40........... +1,89%......... 577,12K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.479,0...............+45,0............ +0,82%......... 404,32K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 298,90................+5,90............ +1,99%...........2,90M RS PLC....................................... 754,00................ -2,20.............-0,29%.......... 140,72K Sage...........................................1.163,50.............+11,50........... +0,99%......... 260,69K Schroders.................................... 420,4..................+0,5............. +0,12%......... 217,32K Scottish Mortgage....................... 780,40................+2,80............ +0,36%......... 733,77K Segro.......................................... 869,00................ -1,00.............-0,12%.......... 216,80K Severn Trent...............................2.542,0...............+27,0............ +1,06%.......... 57,05K Shell............................................2.454,5...............+42,0............ +1,72%...........1,42M Smith & Nephew........................1.066,91..............+0,50............ +0,05%......... 153,22K Smiths Group.............................1.685,00.............+13,50........... +0,81%.......... 25,94K Smurfit Kappa.............................3.012,0...............+10,0............ +0,33%.......... 32,81K Spirax-Sarco Engineering...........9.810,0..............+117,1........... +1,20%........... 7,55K SSE............................................1.788,00............. -16,00............-0,89%.......... 360,44K St. James’s Place........................ 633,80................+1,20............ +0,19%......... 353,14K Standard Chartered..................... 614,80................+3,60............ +0,59%...........1,39M Taylor Wimpey............................ 143,99................+0,50............ +0,35%...........2,19M Tesco.......................................... 293,20................+1,10............ +0,38%...........2,62M Unilever.......................................3.817,0...............+42,0............ +1,11%......... 482,12K Unite..........................................1.008,00..............+7,00............ +0,68%.......... 69,30K United Utilities............................1.033,00..............+7,50............ +0,73%......... 174,46K Vodafone Group PLC.................. 66,850............... -0,206............-0,31%............6,94M Weir Group................................1.822,00..............+7,00............ +0,38%.......... 23,24K Whitbread...................................3.651,0...............+19,0............ +0,52%......... 144,27K WPP............................................ 728,60.................0,00.............. 0,00%.......... 793,94K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.86028

1.16364

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0950 Japan yen (JPY)...................................159.04 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9349 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4564 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.279 currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Closing Prices 15 January 3M.............................................. 107,22................+0,61............ +0,56%...........2,48M American Express....................... 182,04................+0,08............ +0,04%...........2,81M Amgen........................................ 300,00................ -1,47.............-0,48%............2,02M Apple........................................... 183,62................ -0,60.............-0,32%...........45,89M Boeing......................................... 222,63................ -5,18.............-2,27%...........11,16M Caterpillar.................................... 289,41................ -1,34.............-0,46%............1,87M Chevron...................................... 144,62................+0,83............ +0,57%...........7,31M Cisco............................................ 50,04.................+0,20............ +0,40%..........14,85M Coca-Cola..................................... 59,69................. -0,38.............-0,63%...........13,45M Dow............................................. 52,74.................+0,26............ +0,49%...........3,68M Goldman Sachs........................... 374,68................ -2,35.............-0,62%............2,11M Home Depot................................ 353,27................ -0,34.............-0,10%............3,30M Honeywell................................... 199,55................ -0,73.............-0,36%............1,88M IBM............................................. 160,30................+0,92............ +0,57%...........2,21M Intel.............................................. 46,73.................+0,17............ +0,36%..........23,86M J&J............................................. 160,78................ -0,71.............-0,44%............4,79M JPMorgan................................... 168,64................ -0,67.............-0,39%...........11,26M McDonald’s................................. 290,65................+0,01............ +0,00%...........1,97M Merck&Co................................... 117,08................ -0,47.............-0,39%............5,54M Microsoft.................................... 380,38................+1,86............ +0,49%..........26,38M Nike............................................. 103,73................+2,15............ +2,07%...........8,26M Procter&Gamble......................... 149,30................+0,56............ +0,37%...........4,69M Salesforce Inc............................. 265,10................+7,26............ +2,75%...........8,85M The Travelers.............................. 191,92................+1,79............ +0,93%......... 984,65K UnitedHealth............................... 534,53................+2,00............ +0,37%...........2,62M Verizon......................................... 37,57................. -1,17.............-2,99%...........27,74M Visa A.......................................... 262,42................ -0,45.............-0,17%............3,66M Walgreens Boots.......................... 23,99................. -0,65.............-2,63%...........14,78M Walmart...................................... 160,17................ -0,20.............-0,12%............4,67M Walt Disney.................................. 88,68.................+0,16............ +0,18%...........8,48M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 15 January

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced Aritzia Inc........................................................... +4.14.......................... +21.03% Oscar Health, Inc................................................ +1.50.......................... +15.53% DocuSign, Inc.................................................... +5.24........................... +9.34% Celldex Therapeutics, Inc................................... +2.54........................... +6.60% BDO Unibank, Inc............................................... +1.52........................... +6.41% Meituan.............................................................. +1.00........................... +5.45% Veeva Systems Inc............................................ +10.34.......................... +5.33% Meituan.............................................................. +0.49........................... +5.27% MakeMyTrip Limited.......................................... +2.27........................... +5.00% Budweiser Brewing Company APAC Limited...... +0.31........................... +4.66% M - Million Dollars

Most Declined Cytokinetics, Incorporated.................................-16.68..........................-16.41% Riot Platforms, Inc..............................................-2.46...........................-15.82% Grifols, S.A..........................................................-1.39...........................-14.68% Grifols, S.A..........................................................-1.29...........................-13.95% Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc............................-3.23...........................-12.60% Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc..........................-1.24............................-9.93% Vertex, Inc...........................................................-1.99............................-7.73% Coinbase Global, Inc..........................................-10.13...........................-6.70% Upstart Holdings, Inc..........................................-2.34............................-6.58% Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infr Capital, Inc..-1.73............................-6.45% Frontier Communications Parent, Inc..................-1.54............................-6.43% M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com

BUSINESS EXTRA Water, water

PENNON, owner of South West Water fined for illegal sewage dumping last year, bought Sutton and East Surrey Water (SES Water), with 745,000 customers, for £380m (€441.4m). “SES Water is a fantastic growth opportunity for Pennon, demonstrating our commitment to the UK water industry,” the chief executive Susan Davy said.

Puig ponders

COSMETICS and toiletries giant Puig paid more than €160 million in dividends over the past two years to shareholders, all belonging to different branches of the Catalan family. Having recovered from the slowdown imposed by the pandemic, the multinational owner of leading brands including Carolina Herrera is currently assessing a future stock exchange listing.

18 - 24 January 2024

Greggs’ tasty sales Linda Hall

HOW people shop says a great deal about inflation and Greggs sales reflect the present situation. UK bakery chain Greggs declared that inflationary pressures were now diminishing as it posted 2023 like-for-like sales that were 13.7 per cent up on the previous year. Total sales rose by 19.6 per cent to £1.8 billion (€2.09 billion). In line with plans to home

Photo credit: CC/Mtaylor 848

GREGGS: Bakery chain’s sales rose 20 per cent in 2023

in on retail parks and travel hubs, the baker opened

220 new shops last year and closed 75, of which 42

Seat takes off

SEAT has just ended the second-best year in its history, with 519,200 in sales. The 34.6 per cent increase was possible to the impact of the Cupra brand whose 230,700 sales were 50.9 per cent up on 2022. It was aided by Seat’s recovery with 288,400 models sold after a year in the doldrums owing to the microchip crisis. Seat was especially affected by the

shortage of microchips when parent company Volkswagen prioritised its premium models with their greater profit margins. “These sales figures demonstrate that Seat has the right strategy with its two marques,” Seat’s chief executive Wayne Griffiths said. “Despite the difficult economic context at present, we are confident about the future.”

were relocations. It proposes to open a further 160 stores throughout 2024. Inflation has boosted retailers’ sales growth over the past two years and Greggs’ own fourth quarter growth slowed with like-for-like sales up 9.4 per cent owing to a ‘reduced contribution from price inflation’. The slowdown in rising prices was likely to continue, Greggs’ fourth quarter report suggested, with no current plans for 2024 increases. “As expected, inflationary pressures are reducing and with good forward cover on food, packaging and energy, we anticipate a more stable cost base in the coming year,” Greggs’ chief executive Roisin Currie said. “Wage inflation remains, although higher rates of pay across the economy will also provide support to consumer incomes.”

EWN 15

Not so pretty ONLINE fashion company Boohoo will close the Leicester factory opened two years ago to showcase efforts to improve working conditions for employees producing its clothing. Fewer than 100 staff would be affected by the closure while some would be relocated, said a spokesperson for the Boohoo Group which owns the Debenhams, Pretty Little Thing, Oasis and Burton labels.

Alierta death CESAR ALIERTA, former Telefonica chairman and chief executive between 2000 and 2016, died aged 78 on January 10 in a Zaragoza hospital where he was admitted with respiratory problems over Christmas. Originally from the banking and finance sectors he headed Tabacalera, the Spanish government’s tobacco monopoly between 1996 and 1999, negotiating its privatisation and merger with France’s SEITA.

16 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE/NEWS

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT I TRULY can’t make up my mind whether society reflects the media, or the media reflects society (re the recent Post Office drama). I suppose, when it comes down to it, they’re all actually in it together. I remember the 50s, when BBC radio comprised the Light and Third programmes and the Home Service. In those early days, they flatly refused to play anything with a modern ‘beat,’ and utterly scorned the new, and to their mind, utterly degenerate ‘Rock n Roll’. The presenters wore dinner jackets and tuxes to the studio - even though they couldn’t be seen. Television was also strictly controlled. Dress codes were strongly adhered to, Elvis Presley was only filmed from the waist up, and even mild swear words were utterly taboo. After the Epilogue, the National Anthem always preceded the ‘test’ card which followed at around midnight. (Many families stood to attention in

their living rooms while God Save the King rang out!) Was it all a good or a bad thing? Well I’m sure we all have our own opinions about that. It was however a fairly accurate reflection of society as it was during that post war recovery period. A time when we had absorbed all the violence we could stomach, and patriotism was paramount to those who had survived the conflict. Fast forward to the present day. With the advent of scores of channels and wavelengths - all trying to create their own money tree - the first thing that goes completely by the board is any semblance of responsible or moral obligations. In fact, in their endeavours to attract more attention, some of the offerings of today’s media are almost beyond belief. (‘My own role in OAP’s Behaving Badly’ simply pales by comparison!) I recently heard some radio station play a song whose lyrics comprised of nothing but the F word, chanted over and over again. Then there is the long running TV ‘dating’ programme that actually presents couples to each other stark naked. Apparently some male contestants are picked as possible

contestants merely for the size of their manhood! Cilla Black must be positively spinning! Although I never even viewed the Mallorca involvement in the show, to me the rules for the highly popular ‘Love Island’ truly do take the whole tin. This is the ‘contestant’s code,’ insisted on by the producers of a programme that has been rated as one of the most successful reality shows ever. Rule1. No masturbating. 2. No total nudity. 3. No sex while drunk (Presumably it’s perfectly acceptable whilst sober!) And, in an almost ludicrous effort to take the moral and hygienic high ground - rule four and five informs the contestants that there is to be, ‘no smoking’ on camera and that ‘condoms must be used at all times’! And if all that doesn’t reflect the attitude and priorities of our modern society, nothing does. Thank you for all your letters. Although none appear to be published, I do peruse everyone. Keep ‘em coming and always. 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.

IT seems like there’s an International Day for everything so don’t be surprised that recently January 7 was once again the International Day of Silly Walks. Based on the famous and much loved Monty Python Ministry of Silly Walks sketch featuring John Cleese, the event started in the sometimes dour Czech Republic and the capital of Silly Walks is now Brno. The events were held in that city and Prague in 2012 and has carried on in Brno since then (except for during the pandemic) and there are now members of the Silly Walks Facebook page across Europe. This year saw the return to Prague of a flash mob undertaking the Silly Walk but Brno had the largest gathering of Silly Walkers. Whilst anyone was allowed to join in, it was recommended that to

Credit: Silly Walk Brno Facebook

They’re in it together International Silly Walks A scene from the 2023 event in Brno.

really get the flavour of the original that men should dress in a dark suit with a bowler hat (although most participants found it easier to obtain a top hat) and a dark brief case would be appropriate but was not obligatory. Those who wanted to take it ‘seriously’ were advised to concentrate on their leg movements and not be silly enough to wave their arms around at the same time. A bit of harmless fun which either amused or bemused those onlookers who were caught up in the walk.

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com Photo: Wikimedia CC / Simon Burchell

18 - 24 January 2024

ANCIENT GROUNDS: Seem to have negative energy attached to them.

Pompeii’s curse THE ‘curse of ancient Pompeii’ has struck a young foreign tourist, who fell ill and, anonymously, sent the director of the Archaeological Park, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, some small pumice artefacts that she had stolen, apologising and hoping to recover. This was accompanied by a note written in English. “I didn’t know about the curse. I didn’t know that I shouldn’t have taken stones. Within a

year I became aware of the cancer. I am young and healthy and the doctors say it is just ‘bad luck’. Please accept my apologies and these pieces. I am sorry.” The photo of the letter and the three pieces of pumice taken away was posted on X by Zuchtriegel, with a message: “Dear anonymous sender of this letter... the pumice stones have arrived in Pompeii.... Now good luck for your future and

‘in bocca al lupo’ (good luck), as we say in Italy.” Among the many people affected by the curse is a Canadian tourist who had visited Pompeii in 2005 and blamed the theft for a series of misfortunes she suffered in the following years. She said that she wanted to have a piece of history that, “no one could have,” but that the relics had, “so much negative energy attached to that land of destruction.”

EWN 17

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20 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

COMMUNITY

COMMENTS

THERE has been a lot of activity with comments from readers over the last week and some of those have been incorporated into articles which appear on the Euro Weekly News website and in various editions of the paper. Other matters which have raised reader’s hackles have been news that squatters will be receiving greater legal protection in Spain and here are some of the observations;

“

WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG, these so-called squatters have no right to enter anyone’s property and stay there. It is a criminal act and should be treated as a criminal act. No one would be squatting in my property and I can gaurantee that, bullshit law or no bullshit law, these people are criminals. Mac

Don’t buy a property in Spain!

to prison. No ifs or buts. They didn’t pay for that house so they have no right to it. Whatever is the world coming to? Ali

This is an absolute joke. Anybody taking over a house or flat is a criminal and should be punished. Renato Besomi

Wish the squatters would squat in the ministers’ houses… then they will talk differently. Brian

Peter Dare

Wrong in so many ways.

Jessica

Squatters should be IMMEDIATELY sent

A story about rats appearing during the Three Kings Parade in Almeria which revealed the opinion of one resident who thought that it would be a shame to kill them received quite a few comments as well and the most were not in favour of letting rodents roam the streets of Spain, although they also had some supporters;

“

They will breed faster than humans can kill them! George R Carman

George R Carman well said. The bloody world has gone mad, the last thing they need is an uncontrollable plague of rats spreading disease etc. These do gooders won’t be so happy when they get rats in their house chewing electric cables, not being able to leave a baby safely in case a rat harms it or spreads disease. Where are people’s brains. Rats have always needed to be controlled. Karen Callander

I wonder if ‘Manuel’ is on the panel!

Colin Wheeler

Leave them alone.

Sue Peers

All creatures are entitled to a place on the planet. Why kill them? Anne Hodgson

I hate them with a passion and would rid the world of them all if I could. Marian McGovern

There’s black and brown rats all over Spain, although some prefer to give them cute names like palm rats, fruit rats etc etc. And, they are all over the world... Anyone who puts poison down is killing wildlife and domestic animals too. We had a cat die in our courtyard a few years ago in the most agonising pain. I couldn’t get near her and she died within minutes. Our neighbour had a post-mortem done and it was rat poison. Brenda Jones

You can always be certain of finding a really diverse range of stories when you read the print editions of Euro Weekly News or visit the website and readers not only have very different opinions about the pros and cons of some stories they also enjoy making their thoughts known, so please feel free to join in. Comments should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

FEATURE/NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

Credit: Shutterstock/1901352415

AS Britain was blasted by ice and snow this week, officials warned that the worst was yet to come. With temperatures across the nation dipping well below zero, The Met Office and public health officials issued an amber cold weather warning in place until January 12, alerting residents that there might be an ‘observed increase in mortality across the population’. As air ‘directly from the Arctic’ hurtled towards the UK, its citizens expected more freezing cold weather for at least a few more weeks, with experts predicting the cold case will last until mid February. One weatherman from the north of England somberly advised residents that: “you will definitely need your big coat.” Perhaps some thermal underwear as well?

The wheels on the bus get stuck stuck stuck?

EWN 21

UK to quash Post Office convictions John Smith IT appears that public opinion can have some sway over the Conservative Government as it is rushing in new legislation to quash wrongful Post Office convictions. This was announced on January 10 and although it will only apply to those wrongly convicted in England and Wales the legislation which is expected to be enacted within a matter of weeks will pave the way for significant compensation of up to £600,000. It is expected that hundreds of convictions will be overturned finally bringing justice to those who were wrongly accused of theft from the Royal Mail although it will come too late for those who died without restitution. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “This is one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in this country’s history, with hundreds of people having their lives ruined and reputations dragged through mud. “Too many still have wrongful convictions tied to their name, and we cannot continue to fail them. “We must do everything we can to exonerate and compensate these innocent people, and make sure they finally get the justice they deserve.”

INTERVIEW

An easier way of living CONTINUING our weekly interview with someone who has moved from Europe to settle in Spain it’s the turn of Tina Skotland-Jönsson. TINA moved to Spain with joy the surroundings as she has her partner after training set up a very successful as a hairdresser in hairdressing salon at El Sweden where she Campanario Golf and grew up, although Country Club, Esteshe is actually Dapona but as a newnish by birth. comer to Spanish The couple had bureaucracy, Tina owned a holiadmits that she day home on the found it somewhat Costa del Sol but frustrating, howeafter their four chilver, all went through dren had grown up eventually and Hair by and moved away, they Tina is now well-establiCredit: Hair by Tina Facebook decided that the time had shed. Tina Skotland-Jönsson come to make the move to Although she speaks Spain. fluent Danish, English and “There’s a much easier way of living Swedish, Tina is taking weekly Spanish here in Spain, it’s relaxing and because of lessons and has plenty of homework the climate and the fact that it stays light when she isn’t playing padel, at the gym, longer than in Sweden, when I finish work dog training or crocheting in her spare I can still make the most of the day.” time. In February the couple will have been “Once my Spanish is better, I hope to here for two years and apart from being be able to make new Spanish friends to separated from friends and family, there go with my mainly English and Swedish is nothing else in Sweden that they miss. friends, many of whom started out as cusTina has not come to Spain to just en- tomers,” she explained.

Credit: Kevin Hollinrake

Arctic Britain - freeze of the century

18 - 24 January 2024

Kevin Hollinrake (in dark suit without tie) in Black Swan pub Post Office.

The government has also confirmed that it will take action to make sure the postmasters who played a crucial role in first exposing the Horizon scandal receive the compensation they deserve. These individuals, known as the Group Litigation Order cohort, who did not receive a criminal conviction but paid out considerable sums of money because of the Horizon failures, will receive at least £75,000 in compensation in advance of any final settlement. Minister for Postal Affairs Kevin Hollinrake commented “Postmasters have been fighting for years to get the justice they deserve, and today’s announcement will ensure wrongful convictions are overturned and swifter access to compensation. “The Post Office Horizon Scandal is

widely described as the biggest miscarriage of justice in our history and it’s important that steps like we’ve announced today are being taken to right the wrongs of the past. “In the coming days, the government will consider whether this blanket exoneration should apply to the small number of convictions which have been upheld by the appeal courts. “The government recognises that this Bill may lead to the overturning of some convictions that were rightfully brought. In line with the wishes of some of the victims, the government will therefore introduce safeguards to make sure anyone who was rightly convicted, and is now trying to take advantage of compensation schemes, can be prosecuted in the future.”

PETS

euroweeklynews.com • 18 - 24 January 2024 SPONSORED BY

Jimbo loves playing with dog-sitters

Photo credit: Pixabay/lisaleo

DOMESTIC CATS: Environmentalists recommend collars with bells to warn vulnerable wildlife

Bell the cat THE city authorities in Amsterdam plan to ask cat-owners to add a bell to their pet’s collar . When outside, this would warn birds and other wildlife that they were around, explained oﬃcials keen to ensure that the city is completely animal-friendly. Cats, the oﬃcials said, are one of the few animals allowed to roam without supervision and they kill around 18 million birds each year in the Netherlands. The Huiskat Thuiskat foundation launched legal proceedings in 2021 to persuade the government to take action against owners who allowed their cats to roam freely outdoors. While applauding the proposal to introduce bells, the organisation said that research has shown that these reduce a cat’s victims by only between 33 and 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, a 2019 paper by Environmental Law professors Arie Trouwborst and Han Somsen maintained that the domestic cat “poses a serious threat” to around 370 species in the Netherlands. They also pointed out that under the EU’s Bird and Habitat Directives, member countries are legally obliged to protect wildlife, and allowing cats to roam and kill was breaking the law. Amsterdam will also campaign to ensure all of the city’s domestic cats are chipped and registered, allowing lost animals to be reunited with their owners more quickly. This would also help to solve problems caused by the feral population, oﬃcials said, adding that feral cats would no longer be released into “ecologically vulnerable” areas after they were trapped and sterilised.

JIMBO is a mature dog, set in his ways. He is a lot happier staying at home with dog-sitters when his owners go away being cared for in his own home. Using HouseSitMatch. com his owners find free checked pet-sitters who travel to Jimbo’s home and care for him, keeping all his 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 undisturbed. 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

When you go away do you find free checked pet-sitters through 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? HouseSit Match 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 housesits 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

Pet owners warned THE Helsinki Animal Welfare Society (HESY) recently issued a critical alert regarding the dangers of Finland’s extreme winter weather for pets. With the Nordic region experiencing its coldest temperatures this winter, reaching lows of minus 40 degrees Celsius, the safety of pets, particularly those left outdoors for long periods or abandoned, is in danger. Recently, the harsh weather started disrupting transportation across the region, causing significant challenges for rail traffic in the Arctic north and leading to school closures in southern Norway. This perilous cold snap not only affects human activities but poses a lethal threat to pets. Exposed to the severe cold, animals are at risk of frostbite and potentially deadly hypothermia, especially if they are outside for prolonged periods without suitable protection. Hypothermia can cause vital organ failure, while frostbite may lead to tissue damage and loss, particularly in extremities like ears and tails. Different dog breeds have varying levels of cold endurance. Breeds like Huskies and Lapland Reindeer Dogs are more adapted to the cold, unlike Finnish Hounds, Dobermans, and Pugs, which are more vulnerable to the cold’s adver-

Credit: EtaKarppa/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

VULNERABLE: Finnish Hound.

se eﬀects. HESY stresses the importance of knowing the breed-speciﬁc needs and vulnerabilities of pets to ensure their safety. Pet owners are advised to keep their pets indoors during severe weather and provide protective clothing and footwear to short-haired or hairless pets. If a pet is found alone in the cold, the recommendation is to bring the animal inside to warm up before taking it to an animal shelter. Cats are particularly prone to frostbite injuries in winter, especially those that seek shelter in unheated environments. The situation demands increased vigilance and responsibility from pet owners to protect their pets from these dangerous conditions.

Coping with loss LOSING a beloved cat is an emotionally challenging experience that many pet owners unfortunately face. The pain of saying goodbye can be profound, leaving a void that seems impossible to ﬁll. Allow yourself the space to grieve. Embrace the sadness, remembering it’s a testament to the love you shared. Share your feelings with friends or family who understand the unique bond between humans and their feline friends. Create a memorial to celebrate your cat’s life a photo collage, a written tribute, or a special place in your home. Consider reaching out to pet loss support groups or professionals who specialise in grief counselling. Time is a gentle healer, and with patience, the pain will gradually fade.

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REMOVALS & STORAGE

24 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

ANA MONCADA from Estepona has qualified Spain in ILCA6 (Women’s Laser) for the Paris Olympics in 2024. The 34th place of the athlete in the absolute general classification of the World Championships in Mar de Plata, Argentina was the key to the qualification for the Olympic Games. This young 22-year-old sailor, born in Estepona (Malaga) is currently number 40 in the world ranking and is the reigning Spanish champion, European under-21 and 2019 youth champion. The Spanish team’s Olympic preparation director, Xisco Gil, said: “This is a new milestone for Spanish sailing that places us as a major international power, being the European country with the highest number of classes classified so far. “We surpassed Great Britain, Italy and the Netherlands who currently have eight places and we are getting closer to the goal of being in Paris 2024 with representation in all 10 Olympic classes,” he added. With six months to go until the Olympic Games, only France, as host, is represented in all 10 Olympic sailing classes. They are followed by Australia, China and New Zealand with nine places, and Spain, which is the leading European country. The next international events for the Spanish Olympic team will be the ILCA 7 Class World Championship to be held in Adelaide, Australia, between January 26 and 31, and the iQFOiL World Championship to be held in Lanzarote from January 29 to February 3.

Pioneers of women’s football THE women’s football scene in Saudi Arabia now infused with Spanish expertise, is a striking example of how the sporting culture of one nation can change for the better. Saudi Arabia has made significant strides since September 2017, when women were allowed to drive and cinemas reopened after 35 years. Progress continued with the launch of the first women’s league in 2021, and the national team playing its inaugural international match in 2022. This evolution represents a remarkable shift in a nation that is currently the Super Cup’s host. The transformation of Saudi women’s football has been significantly influenced by Spanish professionals. Lluis Cortes, former coach of FC Barcelona and the Ukraine national team, took charge of the Saudi women’s team in December.

Credit: easternflamesfc/instagram.com

Spain qualifies

euroweeklynews.com II SPORT

BASED IN DAMMAM: Eastern Flames FC.

The first division of Saudi’s local league further underscores this influence, with Ana Junyent leading Al-Riyadh as the sole female coach, and David Cabildo at the helm of the Eastern Flames, the pioneering Saudi women’s soccer team. Based in Dammam, the Eastern Flames, also known as Shulat Alsharqia FC, signify the starting point of women’s football in the region. “The football stadium is very initial. There is no prior training. They are starting from the bottom, with very

basic things,” said David Cabildo, outlining the nascent stage of development. Despite the primary nature of their setup, the passion and dedication of the players is noteworthy. “Patience is needed. But in women’s football, the players are already very eager to learn... They put a lot of passion,” Cabildo observes, highlighting the players’ enthusiasm and rapid progress. Cabildo’s experience in Saudi Arabia reveals cultural nuances, especially in player-coach interactions

and attire. However, these differences don’t hinder the spirit and ambition within the team. The broadcasting of all matches on television and the involvement of Saudi Telecom Company, a major stakeholder in Spain’s Telefonica since September 2023, underscores the growing popularity and support for women’s football in Saudi Arabia. The Eastern Flames, though currently underdogs in the league, are crucial to the strategic development of Saudi women’s football. This strategy is bolstered by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s collaboration with German Monika Staab, renowned for her role in developing Qatar’s women’s team. Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia plans to introduce a third category in women’s football, further expanding the sport’s reach and impact.

Foreign teams

AS 2024 ushers in, the International Cycling Union (UCI) has revamped its Coronavirus protocol, removing some outdated restrictions. With the arrival of 2024, cycling was the last major sport to adapt to post-pandemic norms. The UCI’s decision, long awaited by the public, marks a significant change. This move aligns cycling with other sports that had already discarded pandemic-era measures. Previously, cycling clung to a mix of confusing rules, which even baffled competitors. The UCI’s 2024 protocol upda-

SPORTS tourism has made a strong start in 2024 in Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol. More than 500 sportsmen and women will arrive throughout the first month of the year in the town to train in the municipal sports facilities. Specifically, 13 football teams and three swimming teams will be the first foreign teams to train in the town’s sports facilities in the new year. Most of the foreign visitors are football players from the Netherlands and Switzerland, who are taking advantage of the winter break in their respective competitions to travel and carry out training in milder weather. Among the teams that have already passed through the town during the first days of January, FC Dordrecht from the Dutch 2nd division, for example, have chosen the El Pozuelo municipal stadium to prepare for their return to competition. Berkel Women, from the Dutch women’s first division, have also been training at the municipal sports facilities. Swimming is the other sporting discipline that will be present, specifically in the indoor pool where three teams will hold training sessions, including the swimming team from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom and the team from the University of Limerick in Ireland. In 2023, sports tourism generated an economic impact in Torremolinos of more than €3 million. In total, 3,065 athletes passed through the sports facilities of the municipality, contributing with their stay to the deseasonalisation of the town.

Credit: UCI_Cycling/X

Cycling embraces new normal in 2024

POST PANDEMIC NORMS: UCI’s 2024 ruling over Covid-19.

te includes more relaxed Covid-19 regulations, alongside the existing Concussion and High Temperature Protocols. No longer are cyclists compelled to withdraw mid-competition upon a positive Covid-19 result. The UCI’s initial Covid-19 Protocol, launched in June 2020, was crucial for resuming seasons amidst the pandemic. It featured closed bubbles, regular health

checks, and mandatory masks. Over time, these measures became less relevant, causing confusion and operational challenges in events like the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. In 2023, despite the easing of restrictions in other sports, mask-wearing remained mandatory in cycling events. David Lappartient, UCI President, stressed the importance of evolving

protocols: “The health, safety and well-being of our riders is of the utmost importance. “That is why the UCI continually works to respond to new situations and adapt its protocols to the changing environment in which cyclists evolve.’ In its 2024 iteration, the UCI protocol no longer mandates isolation for those testing positive. However, it still recommends pandemic-era practices like mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and ventilating indoor spaces. Responsibility for monitoring an affected cyclist’s health now solely lies with the team’s doctors, focusing on standard prevention against respiratory infectious diseases. This change reflects the broader shift in sports towards a more nuanced approach to health and safety in the current era.