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

Costa del Sol • Issue No. 2011 • 18 - 24 January 2024

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Cudeca day centre to be renovated. Photo: Malaga Provincial Council

Kevin Fraser Park THE Provincial Council of Malaga has allocated €180,000 to the renovation of the Cudeca day centre in Benalmadena which had been closed since 2020. turn to Page 2

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euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

18 - 24 January 2024

Charity gift

IN October 2023, ITS staged a production of ‘Calendar Girls’, directed by Peter Brooks, about a women’s institute in northern England. It was performed at the El Paraiso Hotel and was very well attended with a full house every evening of the production. Following on from the play’s success, ITS decided to offer a charity calendar featuring various female members of the theatre group with the proceeds going to a cancer-related foundation who distribute much needed funds to local charities. Photographs were taken by Alan Jones and the calendar was put together by Fiona Poole.

As each page was sponsored by local companies, the full profits from the sales were able to be donated to the Foundation. On the evening of Tuesday January 9, the International Theatre Studio (ITS) were delighted to present a cheque for €4,000 to the Elena Gaite Foundation at a press event held in La Sala, Puerto Banus. The Elena Gaite Foundation, was created to promote solidarity and to raise funds for different social organisations and NGOs, whose main purpose is to support relatives and patients with different diseases such as cancer or rare diseases.

Winning chiringuito

ELENA GAITE FOUNDATION: Raise funds for different social organisations.

On the evening of the 9th, after the cheque presentation, John Frutos, the founder of the Elena Gaite Foundation, explained about its origins, and introduced representatives from Cudeca,

Collective Calling, and AVOI (childhood cancers). The international Theatre Studio were delighted to have been able to continue with its charitable donations, which follow the ongoing annual

event ‘Lark in the Park’, which has benefited many local charities over the years. For more info contact Martin Curd, President of ITS on 635 110 290 or info@interna tionaltheatrestudio.org.

From Front page

Providing a light to many

The work has consisted of improving the facilities and removing architectural barriers, resulting in a larger space connected to the outdoor terrace and access to the garden, all on the same level. The president of the Provincial Council, Francisco Salado said he was “delighted and satisfied” with the work carried out by Cudeca and pointed out that this investment “is very well used” to remodel this space and to improve the quality of service provision. He also said that the Malaga Provincial Council will continue in this line of work and is aware that ,”the needs of the third sector and its users are infinite.” The investment of €180,000 is part

of a €4 million programme for the rehabilitation of social entities in the province. The works have been undertaken to improve the quality of life of people with cancer and other advanced diseases through physiotherapy, complementary therapies and social and cultural activities. Since 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the centre had been inactive, so the closure was used as an opportunity for refurbishment. Manager, medical director and Cudeca co-founder, Marisa Martín, said that, “the Cudeca family is very happy today,” and stressed that these facilities, “are going to be a light for many people, especially for the children and their families.”

Brian Bamford THE Gastronomic Academy of Malaga celebrated its annual awards ceremony and included were several recognitions for the Costa del Sol. The most outstanding was the Antonio García del Valle Award for Best Merendero-Chiringuito for the chiringuito Oasis in Fuengirola. Located at Paseo Marítimo Rey de España 132, it opened in 1980. Since then it has become synonymous with quality, achieving a place among the best restaurants on the Costa del Sol. The Malaga Academy also dished out awards for Marbella hospitality this year, specifically, the head waiter Marcos Granda, known for his work in the Marbella restaurants Skina, with two Michelin Stars, and Nintai, which has one. Among other award winners at the gala on the Costa del Sol was the catering company Doña Francisquita, which has been based in Torremolinos for 30 years.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com No fines

TORREMOLINOS Council jas confirmed to vehicle owners that a communication, awareness and citizen participation campaign is currently being carried out regarding the implementation of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the town centre and no drivers will be fined during the first six months.

Road sensors

TORREMOLINOS has begun installing intelligent pedestrian crossings with the first two located on the Paseo Marítimo. Each crossing has sensors that are activated when they detect pedestrians approaching.

Public beach

ECOLOGISTS object to the extension of the concession to manage Puerto Banus marina claiming the beach on which they have been granting concessions for beach bars, kiosks and other businesses really belongs to the public.

Charity chess

MORE than 140 chess players came together in Marbella against cancer on Saturday, January 13. The charity open event was organised as part of the programme planned for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol.

Best village

ACCORDING to National Geographic magazine, Casares is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. The publication has included the town among its list of the 100 most beautiful villages in Spain.

Flu jabs

FROM Monday, January 15, vaccination points will be open every day without the need for an appointment for influenza, Covid-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccinations for: people over 60, people with chronic illness, health workers, and pregnant women.

Finnish Fuengirola

Kevin Fraser Park FUENGIROLA will reinforce its position in the Finnish tourism market at the Matka International Tourism Fair in Helsinki. The Fuengirola delegation will be led by the mayor, Ana Mula, the ﬁrst deputy mayor, Rodrigo Romero, and the councillor for Tourism himself, to promote Fuengirola in the Nordic market. “We all know how important Fuengirola is in Finland and how important Finland is for Fuengi-

Photo: Fuengirola Town Hall

NIBS EXTRA

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TOURISM: Promoting Fuengirola in the Nordic market.

rola. For this reason, from the town hall we give special importance to this ﬁrst

Still Life

THE Casares Department of Culture kicks oﬀ the activities of 2024 with an exhibition “Still Life - a genre full of life”. The exhibition includes 13 works created by artist Kenneth Godfrey over the 37 years he has lived in Casares. These are still lifes, which is Kenneth’s favourite genre, and under the title “Still Life - a genre full of life” he alludes to the fact that, “the objects being the protagonists of the works, the still life genre is very much alive”.

The exhibition can be visited from January 22 to 26 from 4pm to 8 p.m. in the Casares Plenary Hall, in the building on Calle Camachas. During the exhibition, calendars of 2024 will be available to give away to those attending, edited by the Town Hall with images of the 13 works on display. The Department of Culture is organising an inauguration on Monday, January 22 at 5pm, which will be attended by the artist Kenneth Godfrey himself.

tourism fair of the year, with an attendance of seven people headed by the

La Sala referee ON a Sunday in January, the lively atmosphere of La Sala Puerto Banus played host to none other than former Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, during his latest visit to Marbella. Mark was spotted immersing himself in the renowned ‘Sala Sundays’ tradition, surrounded by a lively group of family and friends. The occasion featured a delicious two-course Sunday Roast, complete with all the traditional trimmings, accompanied by a welcome glass of Champagne. The group immersed themselves in the atmospheric setting while enjoying the exceptional live music that La Sala Puerto Banus is famous for. Former referee, Mark Clattenburg, has just featured in the new Gladiators; BBC’s reboot of the classic 1990s show. Clattenburg, who refereed the 2016 FA Cup, Champions League and European Championship finals, told the BBC that landing the job was, “one of the most amazing things I will do in my life.”

Irene arrives

STORM Irene, a succession of weather fronts, is bringing rain to the Costa del Sol at the start of the second half of January. After a few days marked by clear, cold weather, a train of squalls from the Atlantic will aﬀect practically the whole country, accompanied by a rise in temperatures. According to State Meteorological Agency, (Aemet), the rain will be intense in several regions of Spain and, although the Costa del Sol will see the ﬁrst decent rain for around nine months it is unlikely to be enough to counter the current drought. Aemet predict that the rains in Malaga Province are not going to be as abundant as they should be, except in the Serranía de

mayor, Ana Mula, councillor, Rodrigo Romero, and myself as councillor for Tourism,” said José Luis Ponce. Ponce went on to say that, “we are attending Matka with a full agenda as Finnish tourism, despite having lower ﬁgures in the rest of Spain, in Fuengirola has continued to grow which is the result of the work carried out at events such as the one we have in a few days at the International Tourism Fair in Helsinki.”

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YOUR EWN HAS

140 STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Pool water WITH the recent drought decree banning the refilling of swimming pools, many communities in Benalmadena have opted to empty their pools to supply water to the Cleaning, Parks and Gardens services. With this initiative Benalmadena Town Hall can alleviate some of the consequences of the drought which also prohibits the use of drinking water for irrigation or street washing. This water, according to Councillor Juan Olea, will be used for extraordinary pressure cleaning and for irrigation of species at risk. Several urbanisation administrative companies have notified the town hall that they plan to empty a swimming pool to carry out maintenance work and instead of losing this resource, the water was used by the council.

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Photo: Shutterstock / Olivier Tabary

RAINY WEATHER: On the horizon.

Ronda, the western area and the municipalities further north, mainly in the Antequera region. On the coast however, there is still a severe drought with many restrictions on the use of water even while we look out of our windows at the wind and rain.

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euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

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

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

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

Sunflower Movement

Kevin Fraser Park TORREMOLINOS Town Hall is helping Cudeca’s ‘Sunflower Movement’. Councillor for Social Welfare of the Torremolinos Town Council, Gloria Manoja, together with the medical director, manager and co-founder of Cudeca, Marisa Martín, have launched a campaign campaign ‘Movimiento Girasol: energía para añadir vida a los días’ (Sunflower Movement: energy to add life to the days). “Cudeca is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the specialised care of people with advanced and terminal illnesses, completely free of charge. We want to help them in this campaign, which is the most important of all their fundraising campaigns throughout the year. The aim is to raise €250,000 this year, which is necessary to

Photo: Torremolinos Town Hall

CUDECA: Dedicated to specialised care.

maintain two home care teams and their vehicles,” explained the councillor. Marisa Martín said that, “in Torremolinos alone, from an average of 50 patients that we had each year, we are now at 80 or 90 patients, not only for cancer, but also for other illnesses.” Donations can be made through the website www.movimiento

girasol.org which will enable the care of an average of 400 patients per year, supporting more than 800 relatives/caregivers. “We need everyone, to the extent that they can, to log on to the Cudeca Foundation website, and any amount adds up. No one should be ashamed to donate €5, €10 or €20, because it all adds up,” added Martín.

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Reggaeton Beach Festival REGGAETON Beach Festival (RBF) is returning for the third consecutive time to Marbella over the weekend of July 6 and 7. It’s a unique experience that combines an exceptional atmosphere with concerts by the world’s top artists that will form the biggest lineup in history and a host of complementary activities. The full line up will be announced soon but, in the meantime, you can secure your place already as tickets are on sale from the RBF website (details below). The RBF party weekend is designed for the whole family: water attractions, and parades, dance, zumba and self-defence classes. In its various spaces it also offers chill out areas, food trucks, beauty, make-up and hairdressing workshops, a street market with stands of small local businesses. All this has made it in its short history, one of the most popular and best valued festivals in Spain. It is also the most important urban music event in Europe and the music festival that sells the most tickets in Spain, with up to 600,000 people expected to attend this year. RBF takes place in the most important tourist destinations of Spain and Marbella joined this great reggaeton family two years ago. A family that carefully

Photo: RBF

UNIQUE: Lineup announced soon.

defends values such as sustainability, safety, respect for the environment and neighbours, the promotion of local commerce, social awareness and the fight against any kind of abuse against women with strict protocols. The concerts can be enjoyed at the Finca de la Caridad, a large event space of over 80,000 square metres located in San Pedro de Alcantara. Don’t miss the date that will bring together the world’s biggest reggaeton lovers and top artists, specially chosen for the occasion. Get updates on who’s appearing at the RBF website where you can also buy your tickets in advance. https://reggae tonbeachfestival.com/es/festivales/ summer/marbella

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18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II MARBELLA NEWS

Marbella cut-off Kevin Fraser Park MARBELLA could see the first water cuts in March if the rains do not intensify. The situation extends to the Western Costa del Sol where, when the time comes, the Junta will establish the type of restrictions to be put in place. Easter is celebrated in the last week of the month and this could have repercussions on tourism. “Depending on the levels of the reservoir (of La Concepción, which supplies the region), the type of cut that should be made will be decided,” said the president of the Mancomunidad de Municipios (Association of Town Councils) of the Western Costa del Sol, Manuel Cardeña. “The idea is to hold out as long as possible and for the cuts to be as minimal

Photo: Flickr CC / Tom Blackwell

WATER LEVELS: Despite some rain they continue to drop.

as possible in order to try to make it through to the summer season. That is our objective,” he added. The municipalities of the Costa del Sol have met the requirements set by the Junta to achieve a 20 per cent reduction in water consumption, which allows the region’s water reserves to be prolonged, in addition, the Marbella desalination plant is at maximum production ca-

pacity. “It is a facility that has never produced so much desalinated water and that gives us more time. Let’s also hope that it rains in the next few days,” Cardeña pointed out. The La Concepción reservoir is at 22.8 per cent of its capacity and although there has been recent rain it is not enough and the reservoir water levels are continuing to drop.

Mediterranean Park MARBELLA City Council will complete the Parque del Mediterráneo before the summer. The Parque del Mediterráneo, which is located in the Pinillo area, has seen an investment of €2.4 million. The mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, visited the site together with the councillor for Works, Diego López, and said that, “important legal work was carried out to recover some 50,000 square kilometres of land which was given in concession to

third parties during the Gil era for the development of a commercial area and which we wanted to take back for the use and enjoyment of the citizens.” The completed project will provide the largest beach sports facility in Andalucia with sand courts for football, volleyball and handball and which will allow local clubs to compete in official competitions and international championships. Councillor López explained that, “a total of 2,900

cubic metres of special silica sand has been brought from the Cadiz town of San José del Valle, to comply with the regulations of the various Spanish federations and FIFA.” The park, which is connected to the Paseo Marítimo, will have paths, an auditorium and a parking area with more than 260 parking spaces, however the planting of a series of trees which was planned, has been delayed due to the current irrigation restrictions.

Relaxed urban planning MARBELLA’S new urban planning regulations, which make it possible to make land use more flexible and adapt it to current needs, will come into force in February. Councillor, José Eduardo Díaz, said that with this new procedure, “a firm step has been taken forwards in planning.” The new rules will regulate the granting of business licences in the municipality to give greater flexibility. “They also speed up detailed studies, first occupation licences and all planning procedures and

eliminate the obligation to make special plans, for example, when there are areas where roads need to be developed,” added Díaz. The planning authorities have also given final approval to building in San Pedro Alcantara on the eastern side, which is currently undergoing urbanisation works, and which will, “generate space for public housing, for facilities and, above all, for areas of great importance for San Pedro Alcántara,” concluded the councillor.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

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Sixth €1 car park Fly-tipping Photo: Malaga 360

Kevin Fraser Park THE mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, and representatives of the company Innovaciones Técnicas y Recursos Constructivos SA, have signed the contract for the construction of the sixth public car park in the area around the church of El Carmen, which will cost users just €1 per day. The works, which will begin in the next few days, will be carried out with an investment of over €10 million part of which is financed by the European Union - Next Generation fund. This new public car park will be located next to the Nuestra Señora del Carmen church and will have 322 parking spaces distributed over three underground levels. The work will be completed over a period of 20 months. Once finished, the town hall will create a plaza in the area and the current surface car park will be maintained. This new public car park will become the sixth of its kind to form part of the network of car parks de-

18 - 24 January 2024

ESTEPONA: A new public car park is to be constructed in the town.

ployed at the points where the greatest need for parking is detected, such as

those located on Avenida San Lorenzo, at the new town hall, in Plaza Antonia

Guerrero, in the Athletics Stadium and in Plaza del Ajedrez.

ALHAURIN EL GRANDE Town Council has launched a campaign to control and monitor fly-tipping in the town. The campaign will be carried out during the months of January and February and will result in €300 fines for offenders. Councillor Teresa Sánchez said, “This is a campaign to control and monitor the 33 points of uncontrolled dumping

€5 billion Ryanair plan

PRESIDENT Pedro Sánchez, met with the CEO of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, on Friday, January 12 at the Moncloa Palace to learn about the airline’s investment plan in Spain, which amounts to €5 billion over the next seven years. Ryanair’s strategy for Spain aims to increase passenger numbers from 55 million to 77 million, increase routes from 730 to more than a thousand by 2030, base 33 new aircraft and establish five new bases. During the meeting, which was also attended by the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, the government and the airline agreed to work on streng-

thening regional airports. As Moncloa explained in a press release, boosting air traffic at this type of airport will contribute to territorial development and economic activity in the area. Sánchez highlighted the importance of Ryanair’s investment in Spain, and said that it reflects, “the stability and potential of the Spanish economy as well as the confidence of international markets and investors.” Ryanair currently employs approximately 6,500 workers in Spain and is the leading airline in terms of passengers carried, with more than 700 routes to 29 countries from Spain.

that currently exist in the municipality, which affect our town and public health. In addition, the council has announced that during the month of January they will replace the opening of all the grey bins. “We have taken up the requests and complaints that the residents have been making due to the problem presented by the size of the openings of these containers, as they were not large enough to comfortably deposit the bags of rubbish”, explained the councillor. With the replacement of these lids, the town hall hopes that residents will now be able to deposit their rubbish bags comfortably and correctly in the appropriate containers and so, together, maintain a much nicer and cleaner Alhaurin el Grande.

LOCAL NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

Road to nowhere?

COASTAL PATH: Continues to make progress.

ESTEPONA Town Hall has reported that work on another section of the coastal path which will run from Benamara to Playa de Baños, is well underway. The councillor for Development, Infrastructures and Tourism, Ana Velasco, explained that the works, which have an investment of over €300,000, will be completed during the month of February. The path includes a 22 metre long wooden bridge over the Dos Hermanas stream which is expected to begin to be installed at the end of January. The works also include the construction of a 220-metre-long, four-metre-wide cobblestone-type printed concrete pedestrian walkway, which will begin at the access to the beach via Calle Dorada.

However, one local resident who wanted to remain anonymous said, “I don’t see the point of this section as it doesn’t connect to anything. There’s no footpath at either end, it’s essentially a ‘road to nowhere’.” Estepona Town Hall though said that with this new section, the coastal path project continues to make progress after the recent completion of another section on Cristo beach. This now means there is an uninterrupted route to be followed along more than 17 kilometres from Costa Natura to El Saladillo. The Estepona coastal path is more than 90 per cent complete, which means that there are more than 20 kilometres of coastline linked by these pedestrian sections.

18 - 24 January 2024

Brian Bamford CASARES is preparing for its Mountain Race, a sporting event to enjoy nature and and the landscape. Two weeks after the opening of the registration period there are already over 50 confirmed participants for the seventh Carrera de Montaña de Casares, which will be held on March 30, again coinciding with Easter Saturday this year. Anyone who wants to take part can still register at www.dorsalchip.es, wheTHE Malaga-based group specialising in sofas and armchairs will open a new shop in Calle La Unión at the end of January. The expansion of the Malaga firm MiColchón in the capital of the Costa del Sol continues with the opening of a new store in the emblematic Calle La Unión. The shop will offer a wide variety of beds, mattresses, bases, bedding and accessories, maintaining the high standards that characterise the brand and bringing its quality products and

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Mountain Race re you can also consult the rules of the race. The registration period is open until March 22 or until the 475 places that the organisers have made available are filled. Organised by Sierra Bermeja Trails and Casares Town Council, it is designed as a sporting event to enjoy nature and the landscape, with a panoramic route which starts and finishes in

Sleep tight

exceptional service to a wider public in Malaga. This new establishment will be the 12th for MiColchón, the fifth in the capital, and it will not be the last. The company is doing its best to contribute to the local economic and social fabric by generating job opportunities

the square of Casares. The race has a similar route to the last editions, full of great views and crossing beautiful areas of the municipality such as Sierra Crestellina, Monte del Duque and Arroyo Hondo. There are three types of participation: two non-competitive races, the Pequetrail and the 14 kilometre ‘hiking’ race, and the 21 kilometre competitive race. and collaborations with local businesses. The company’s ‘mattressologists’ are specialised advisors in back problems and can advise on the most suitable mattress for each individual. From the end of January, shoppers will be able to try out for themselves the most comfortable beds and learn first-hand about Colchonology, MiColchón’s business philosophy based on advising and recommending the best option to guarantee healthy sleep.

10 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

Mirador: new phase Photo: Estepona Town Hall

THE Costa del Sol’s new cultural beacon, the 12-storey tower built next to the sea in Estepona, the Mirador del Carmen, enters a new phase. After its official inauguration in March 2023 and the opening of an exhibition hall housing part of the Thyssen Museum’s collection, it is now the turn of the modern and extensive library which will occupy eight floors of the building, with a surface area of 100 square metres per level. The Library of Contemporary Cultures, which is scheduled to open in the first half of the year, is the centrepiece of the building, which reserves space for the exhibition hall, an auditorium and a conservatory that is expected to be operational in the last quarter of 2024. The ultimate goal is to make this space: “a place for meeting, relaxation,

A new cultural beacon.

study and research,” reported Estepona Town Hall. According to the proposed layout, of the eight floors of the library, both the first and second floors will be independent rooms, not connected to each other; an interior staircase will link the rest of the areas of the building, from the third to the eighth floor. Floors three to five are to be distributed into consultation and reading areas

TURISMO Costa del Sol has continued its extensive promotion in the British market with an extensive presence at Jet2holidays’ ‘A Night with the Stars’ event. The organisation was a Platinum sponsor of the annual event of Jet2holidays, the UK’s leading tour operator, which was held at the NEC in Birmingham, bringing together more than 1,000 travel agents and travel industry professionals. The evening included a trade fair which allowed attendees to learn more about the partner hotels and tourist boards. The event was hosted by Vernon Kay and Steve Heapy, Managing Director of Jet2holidays, and Sean Ablett, Jet2holidays’ director of operations and customer contact, were responsible for announcing the award winners. Margarita del Cid, CEO of Costa del Sol Tourism, said how positive these actions

while the sixth and seventh ﬂoors will be dedicated to study and workshops. There will also be a ‘Resonance Zone’, which will be multifunctional and digital and will include a small audiovisual room for voice recording, podcasting and radio.

Starry night are as ,”the participation as sponsors in this Jet2holidays event highlights our continued commitment to excellence in tourism. It is an example of how strengthening the relationship between leading tourist destinations and operators can result in memorable experiences for travellers, even more so in a priority market for the Costa del Sol such as the UK.” The celebration allowed the organisation to network with up to 1,000 Jet2holidays professionals and, following the event, Turismo Costa del Sol had a week-long presence on the Jet2holidays Customer Contact Centre website, with post-event news on the Jet2.com website, and a prominent presence in the post-event summary magazine and head oﬃce newsletter.

200th anniversary

MARBELLA’S mayor, Ángeles Muñoz, took part in a ceremony to support the National Police in the celebration of its 200th anniversary and said that the institution, “is an essential part of the city.” The mayor helped with the raising of the Spanish

ﬂag to mark the occasion, which took place next to the Victims of Terrorism roundabout, in the vicinity of the Local Police station. “It is a source of pride to be able to celebrate its bicentenary,” said the mayor, who was accompanied

by the Police Commissioner of Marbella, José Manuel Rando. The ceremony, which also included a tribute to the fallen, was attended by numerous authorities, representatives of other security forces and members of the city council.

12 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

that three options are being studied: extension of the current car park to the south; extension to the north, each with around 500 spaces and another possible car park in the area of Barrio de Santana. Also included is the

project to fully renovate La Puente to improve the character of Mijas Pueblo as a historical artistic site; the reform of the Casa Museo and the extension of the town hall. In addition, the project for a new nature trail running from the Lagarejo area to the Fuente de la Seda and the improvement of pedestrian traffic from Puerto de Los Pescadores to Osunillas are also planned. In Las Lagunas, the Los Santos car park and the

Photo: Mijas Town Hall

LOCAL PROJECTS: A priority for the town of Mijas.

Michael Carrington FUENGIROLA Town Council has installed intelligent litter bins to optimise the waste collection service in different parts of the town. The new equipment compacts the rubbish and notifies the cleaning service when it is full so that the contents can be removed. This innovative solution reduces by more than 85 per cent the number of trips to remove the waste that citizens deposit. This was announced by the mayor, Ana Mula, together with the councillor responsible for this municipal area, Carmen Díaz and Isabel González, councillor for Innovation, in the Plaza de la Hispanidad where the first bins were located. “We continue to make progress in our smart city model with the installation of the-

Tuned-up cars COMPLAINTS: About the noise and high speed of tuned-up cars.

NEIGHBOURS have complained about the noise and high speed of tuned-up cars being raced through different parts of Estepona and many, who have been putting up with it for the last two years now say the situation is “untenable” for them. Now they have decided to take the problem to the media and social networks after having alerted the police on several occasions: “In view of the fact that the numerous complaints, reports to Línea Verde and hundreds of calls to the Local Police by the neighbourhood collective of the northern ring road of Estepona have not borne fruit, we have no choice but to present our complaints publicly,” they have said. An “unbearable” noise and at a speed far above the limit, these cars move through the town as if it were a race track. This is what these neighbourhood complaints allege in the face of the major problem they are facing and which they are not prepared to tolerate any longer. According to the local residents, these vehicles should not be on the road and despite this, “the police turn a blind eye.” In addition, they point out that these vehicles are being identified by model and number plate, but all to no avail. These people say that if a solution is not found soon, “the next complaint will be to the town hall and will be made directly to the Junta de Andalucia.”

Smart bins Photo: Fuengirola Town Hall

€19 million budget

Parque del Ahogadero have budget allocations of €4.2 million for their execution. In La Cala, there is a budget allocation for the continuation of the coastal path, “a great tourist project for our municipality which cannot remain paralysed and for which €1 million will be invested,” said Torres Trella. He also expressed the council team’s concern for the water situation in the municipality and the province, which is why they will prioritise actions and projects related to water supply and sanitation.

Photo: pxhere CC

MIJAS Town Hall has allocated €19 million in the 2024 budget for local projects. They include key projects in terms of infrastructure, including the extension of the Mijas Pueblo car park, “a priority for this town due to the lack of parking spaces,” explained Councillor Juan José Torres Trella, adding

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

LITTER BINS: Are now controlled by computer.

se new and innovative litter bins in different neighbourhoods of Fuengirola”, said Mayor, Ana Mula. “These devices, which can be seen in other cities in Spain and around the world, offer advantages, such as compacting the waste we deposit in them. This means that we reduce the number of times that operators have to empty them,” she added. These new devices have a system that generates alerts to the

service when they are 80 per cent full by means of a computer programme that sends an e-mail to the department in question, and maintains the alerts until they are empty. All of this improves the image of overflowing waste bins. “We continue to consolidate our position as an intelligent municipality that uses new technologies to improve the well-being and quality of life of its residents,” concluded the mayor.

14 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II LOCAL NEWS

Airport expansion Brian Bamford IN November 2023, Málaga-Costa del Sol airport surpassed the 20 million annual passenger barrier for the first time in its 104-year history, and Aena is already working on the future expansion of the T-3 terminal, with a projected capacity of around 35 million passengers. Malaga-Costa del Sol airport is one of the busiest tourist airports in the Aena network. The T-2 terminal was inaugurated in 1991; the T-3, in 2010, and since 2012 it has had a second runway. Among the initial options now considered was the possibility of creating a new terminal however, work is currently underway on the extension of the current Terminal 3 instead. Aertec has been com-

Photo: Shutterstock / elRoce

MALAGA AIRPORT: One of the busiest in the Aena network.

missioned by the airport manager Aena, to work on the design to increase the capacity of the airport. The director of Airport Planning at Aertec, Ana Pérez, explained to EFE on Wednesday that the study not only covers the expansion of the Malaga airport’s capacity, but also other actions aimed at improving the passenger experience. The aim is to impro-

ve, thanks to new technologies, the passenger experience, to make it “simpler”, so that it takes less time to check in or go through security control, she said. Likewise, new commercial, catering and leisure services are planned, all with the aim of making the airport, “not a place you have to go to, but a place you want to go to,” according to Pérez.

€2.7 billion train Photo: Wikimedia CC / Hombre1896

A new plan for the railway.

A LOT has happened since the beginning of the millennium when Chaves, then president of the Junta de Andalucia, presented his project for the coastal train to businessmen, bankers and developers. 20 years later, it is back to square one and a new plan is presented to bring the railway to Marbella, the only Spanish city with more than 100,000 inhabitants that still does not have its own train connection. This time it is the city council of Malaga in collaboration with the Provincial Council, which has presented a new study that would make a train linking the capital with Marbella feasible at a cost of between €2.5 billion and €2.7 billion. The journey between Marbella and the airport could be covered in 22 minutes if the train went

straight through or 55 minutes with intermediate stops. This study would only be the first phase of a future network that would reach Nerja to the east and at least Estepona, if not Gibraltar, to the west. Nine stations are proposed, Malaga/ Costa del Sol Airport, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Las Lagunas, Mijas, Las Chapas, Hospital Costa del Sol and Marbella. The line could run along two routes, according to José Alba, founder of the ARCS consultancy. “It could run along the A-7 line or it could be done by means of a tunnel” he said. The architects of the proposal calculate that in five years, the cost would be amortised as the new railway would make a profit of €600 million a year.

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 15

Viva Malaga

HAVE you ever wondered which Spanish region welcomes the most foreigners? Statistics show that in 2022 Malaga emerged as the top province in Andalucia for granting residence permits to non-nationals. Official data, just released, shows that Malaga approved 57,407 residence permits in 2022. This achievement positions the Costa del Sol at the forefront in the regional rankings. The figures revealed a diverse regional landscape. Almeria followed with 30,096 permits, while Huelva and Sevilla granted 24,658 and nearly 15,000, respectively. These numbers contributed to a total of 123,574 permits across Andalucia, underlining its role as one of the autonomous communities with the highest number of residence approvals in Spain. The Valencian Community witnessed the most significant annual growth, at 96 per cent. In 2022, it approved an additional 55,805 permits compared to 2021, with 42,250 (76 per cent) granted to Ukrainian nationals. It also included those under international protection and stateless persons,

Credit: Anton27/Shutterstock.com

UKRAINIANS: 42,250 permits granted.

notably including Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive. Malaga ranked fifth in Spain for the most residence permits granted. Madrid led with 191,496, followed by Barcelona, Alicante, and Valencia with 181,018, 76,591, and 62,230 respectively. In 2022, Spain granted a total of 793,067 residence authorisations under the immigration regime, marking a 57 per cent increase from 2021. Initial type authorisations accounted for 62 per cent of the total, showing a 114 per cent increase within a year.

16 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

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?

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.”

Credit: Kevin Hollinrake

Arctic Britain - freeze of the century

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.”

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

EWN 17

NORWAY FIRST: Nod to deep-sea mining sparks global concerns.

Catherine McGeer IN a historic move, Norway has become the first country to approve commercial-scale deep-sea mining. The legislation aims to accelerate the search for minerals crucial for green technologies, including electric vehicle batteries. Critics, however, argue that the uncharted territory of deep-sea mining poses severe risks to marine life and carbon storage

Another email scam HAVE you encountered an unexpected email from Endesa? The expert advice is to exercise caution. This follows reports of individuals receiving emails under the guise of unpaid bills from Endesa. These emails, which often carry the subject line ‘Customer area - You can now download your invoice No. [xxx]’, are a front for distributing malware. This may compromise your computer and collect vital information. What should you do if you stumble upon this Endesa email in your mailbox? Before deleting it, label it as spam or junk. If you have downloaded the file but haven’t opened it, go to your downloads folder and erase it. If you’ve already opened the file, detach your device from your network. Malicious emails are on the rise. Make sure you keep safe.

in the ocean, necessitating further research before extraction. The target is to find the minerals used in batteries and Norway sees this move as a strategic shift away from the oil and gas industry, aiming to become a major mineral producer and support green technologies. Environmentalists, scientists, and fishery organisations have voiced

concerns, with more than 800 marine experts from 44 countries calling for a pause on deep-sea mining plans. The fear is that Norway’s move could set a precedent, influencing ongoing negotiations to open international waters to deep-sea mining, a prospect opposed by over 30 countries, but supported by others like China and Japan.

2023 has emerged as the warmest year in recorded history, surpassing 2016’s previous record. According to the ERA5 dataset, the global average temperature for 2023 was 14.98°C, 0.17°C higher than the peak reached in 2016. July witnessed the highest global temperatures on record in absolute terms, while November saw temperatures that were exceptionally high relative to the annual cycle. Approximately 50 per cent of the days in 2023 were more than 1.5°C warmer than the pre-industrial levels, a significant increase from the 20 per cent observed in 2016. As for 2024, forecasts suggest it could be even warmer than 2023. Europe experienced heatwaves, marine heatwaves, and multiple record-breaking temperatures, alongside widespread drier-than-average condi-

Credit: Marian Weyo/shutterstock.com

Image: Shutterstock/Hermann Viria

Deep-sea mining approved Hottest year ever

HIGH TEMPERATURES: Surpassed 2016’s previous record.

tions on land. The autumn of 2023 was also remarkably warm, ranking as the second warmest on record.

On the other hand, heavy rainfall led to significant flood events throughout Europe.

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.

20 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/marbella • Tel: +34 952 906 581 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

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 21

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.

22 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II NEWSDESK

NEWS ACROSS THE REGIONS FROM THE PEOPLE’S PAPER COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

ALMERIA

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

ARE you an animal lover with a few spare hours each week? Spanish registered animal charity, K9, needs a volunteer driver to assist with deliveries and collections for their busy charity shops. Additionally, they are welcoming volunteers to join their friendly staff in the shop located in Almoradi. K9’s mission is to protect animals from cruelty, starvation, and neglect, and control overpopulation through neutering and spaying. The charity’s financial support comes entirely from public donations, fundraising events, and income generated by their two shops. Established in 1993 as Refugio de Los Animales - K9, the organisation was founded by three compassionate individuals moved by the plight of abandoned animals. Initially, rescued dogs and cats were kept in makeshift kennels on land provided by one of the founders. The charity has since gone from strength to strength.

THE infamous wild boars have once again returned to the region of Almeria, or did they never really leave? Either way, their presence seems to be causing havoc not just on the streets, but also within the community, as residents continue to disagree on how to deal Wild boars spotted in with the issue and fear of the Cabo de Gata, Almeria. wild boars increases. Many locals are insisting that Almeria must find a way to rid itself of the boars. On January 12, a local school sent a petition letter to the mayor of Almeria requesting the elimination of the wild boars. However, others have shown a different view, urging that they “only attack if they feel threatened.”

ALFAZ is now one of the Valencian Community’s 39 Tourist Municipalities, recognised by the Generalitat’s Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism department. Amongst other advantages the town hall is now eligible for additional financing to compensate for the demands that tourism makes on the local economy. “This will allow us to access new subsidies which will lead to improved services,” Alfaz’s Tourism councillor Luis Morant said. Eleven Alicante municipalities received the coveted status in 2023, with 15 going to Castellon and 13 to Valencia. All had to comply with specific requirements regarding their tourist population, available beds in hotels, tourist apartment sand campsites as well as the importance of tourism to the local economy.

CALIDA

AXARQUIA

MALLORCA

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.

IN a recent feature, National Geographic unveiled its top picks for 2024 getaways, urging readers to explore the charming streets of Frigiliana and Casares in the Malaga Province. Frigiliana has long shed its hidden gem status, becoming a tourist hotspot with its steep, narrow streets, and whitewashed houses. National Geographic’s curated list of 100 recommended villages for 2024 showcases Frigiliana and Casares as the only Malaga representatives, alongside picturesque areas like Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, Ayllón in Segovia, and Buitrago de Lozoya in Madrid. For Frigiliana, the magazine highlights its location within Axarquia, adorned with ‘luminous white villages’ surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees. The feature traces the town’s history through Phoenician, Greek, and Roman influences, with a significant impact from the Arabs. National Geographic particularly praised Frigiliana’s old quarter, where visitors stroll through narrow, winding streets.

ON Saturday January 13, Spain’s National Police celebrated its Bicentenary with the raising of the Spanish flag in major cities. In Mallorca the event took place in Calle Mirador in the capital, Palma in the presence of the president of the Congress of Deputies, Francina Armengol, the president of the Government, Marga Prohens, and the Government delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez. A formal review of the massed ranks of National Police officers was undertaken by all of the special guests alongside the Chief of Police in the Balearic Islands, José Luis Santafé Arnedo. Various speeches told the story of the activities of the force, welcomed the role being played by female officers and the importance of a strong coherent force able to protect the best interests of citizens by enforcing the law. Afterwards a wreath was placed under the raised flag of Spain, in honour of all of the police officers who have lost their lives whilst on active duty.

First aid fayre

YOU will be familiar with the red and black logo of the Euro Weekly News for your area, but did you know that each edition is tailored just for you. We have seven editions covering the whole of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, and even an edition for Mallorca. On the Newsdesk we try to give you a taste of what’s going on in other parts of the Coast: the big stories and sometimes just the interesting ones. We work hard to keep your edition relevant to you and your community, but want you to see what the main stories are in other regions.

Boar blimey!

Tourists welcome

Photo: Flickr CC / A.Currell

K9 companions

Frigiliana’s charm

Police celebrations

The People’s Paper The Euro Weekly News is committed providing you with relevant content and also some unusual stories to brighten up your day. Over the years we have worked with innumerable charities and charitable causes and are determined to ensure that the magnificent work done by countless volunteers working with animals, cultural activities, and community integration is recognised and promoted.

We do cover some of the big stories from around the world but our primary focus is ‘you’ and the community in which you live. We also strive to bring you the news that affects you whether it is ‘Brexit’ related or changes in Europe which may affect you and your family. We are not ashamed to say that we also try to cover some of the touching stories, and the challenges which our neighbours and friends face on a daily basis.

Please feel free to contact us if you have a story you think we should be covering and promoting, or have suggestions for new content. We are here to listen as well as to inform. The Euro Weekly News has published more than 2,000 weekly papers and we want to be here for another 2,000. We have an excellent team of local writers who work around the clock to collect and collate

your stories, columnists who give us the benefit of their insights and expertise and sometimes controversial opinions, plus a hard-working team who pull the seven editions together week after week. Can we do better? Of course we can always do better and we continue working to improve the content we bring you. You can call Bill Anderson Editor on the Newsdesk on 678 033 267 and follow us on Facebook to keep up to date or our Website http://euroweeklynews. com Keep reading ‘The People’s Paper’.

Costa Blanca North • Costa Blanca South • Costa Almeria • Costa Calida • Axarquia • Mallorca • Costa del Sol

euroweeklynews.com • Call +34 951 386 161

NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

EWN 23

WITH the real threat of yet more strikes and travel disruption looming, Iberia has finally agreed to worker incentives. Iberia, the Spanish airline, has yielded to pressure and agreed to create a ground services company (handling) to avoid an impending indefinite strike which had been scheduled to start on January 26. The move comes after intense negotiations with the UGT and CCOO unions, following a strike over the Three Kings’ weekend. Iberia’s proposal entails the establishment of a ground services company fully owned by International Airlines Group (IAG), Iberia’s parent company. This move aims to ensure that all workers maintain their existing company agreements, safeguarding their rights. This initiative will be in effect until December 31, 2026. Currently, Iberia Airport Services, the handling

Credit: Fasttailwind/Shutterstock.com

TRAVEL DISRUPTION: Iberia trying to find a resolution.

company’s operator, employs approximately 8,000 workers. The affected airports include Bilbao, Malaga, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona, Las Palmas, and Tenerife South. By maintaining full ownership within the IAG group, which includes Iberia, British Airways, Vueling, Aer Lingus and Level, the company can ensure that all employees remain

under the umbrella of their current company agreement. While it may necessitate the departure of some workers through early retirement or incentivised sick leave, it ultimately seeks to safeguard the interests and job security of the majority. It is hoped that this compromise between Iberia and the unions may pave the way for a resolution.

THE dreaded drought in Spain has caused many disastrous effects throughout the nation. However, one small positive that has come from the crisis, is the re-emergence of a sunken 11th century church in the village of Sant Roma de Sau. Due to extremely low levels of water, the historical building has recently emerged from the waters of a reservoir. ‘Drought tourists’ are now visiting from far and wide to see the 11th-century church, which was submerged 60 years ago to form the Sau reservoir, which provides essential water supplies to the city of Barcelona. “It’s unbelievable how much the water level has gone down,” stated local man Sergio Iberico who visits the reservoir often. Adding that: “I remember paddling here and the water level was at the window of the church

Credit: Facebook

Iberia averts strike threat The past is revealed The church standing tall on dry land.

tower.” Current water levels in January 2024 at the Sau reservoir are at just 6 per cent of capacity, a stark reminder of the crisis Spain currently faces.

24 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

WITH the cost of groceries a major concern for many, it’s good to know where one can make savings here and there. In a competitive market where supermarkets are constantly trying to tempt new customers, one Spanish supermarket has stepped up their game and launched a new offer for 2024. As of January 2024, Dia, the prominent supermarket chain in Spain has introduced an irresistible offer for new online customers. Known for its affordable pricing, Dia has now added an enticing €20 discount for first-time online shoppers. To benefit from the €20 saving, customers must make an initial purchase exceeding €90. However, it’s noteworthy that free shipping requires a minimum spend of €100. This discount is automatically applied at checkout for those holding a Dia membership card. With over 40 years of presence in Spain, Dia has established itself as a key player in the supermarket sector. Renowned for its cost-effective pricing and high-quality products, the supermarket has a strong customer base. As online shopping continues to gain popularity, such offers are a strategic move to attract new customers and showcase the convenience and efficiency of Dia’s digital platform. Dia supermarkets are not only celebra-

Credit: Stokkete/Shutterstock.com

DIA: Online grocery shopping.

ting over four decades of service but also embracing the future with innovative strategies. Their latest offer is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity in their hopes to appeal to a wide range of consumers and encourage other supermarket chains to follow suit.

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 com-

Credit: masa44/Shutterock.com

Supermarket special Widespread oil fraud

IS IT THE REAL THING?: Olive oil warning.

panies 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. In the warehouse, 1,000-litre tanks of ve-

getable 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.

Singing together TAPAS (The Andalucia Performing Arts Society) have started a new year and the choir is practising for the performance at their first big TAPAS event of 2024. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at 5pm till 7pm at Restaurante El Portón de Piedra in Alhaurin el Grande. Singing together is not only great fun but it’s good for mental well-being so, if you are interested to know more about them just go along a little bit early on Tuesday to meet for a chat and a drink. No experience is necessary and all nationalities are welcome. They are not just a fabulous choir, they also organise various social events throughout the year including: coffee mornings, walking groups, ladies who lunch, tours and much more. It’s a wonderful way to get involved and to meet up with old friends and make new ones. For more information, email: info.tapassociety@ gmail.com or you can call or WhatsApp on 685 386 923.

Photo: TAPAS

Already practising.

COSTA DEL SOL

Long live the King

THE Danish Club, based in Mijas, celebrated the coronation of King Frederik X along with Danish residents from along the coast and other guests and presided over by Danish Consul Marisa Moreno. It was a ceremony without the pomp and circumstance of recent coronations, but nevertheless watched with eager anticipation by the Danish community. Queen Margrethe II broke with tradition by abdicating. The last abdication of a Danish monarch was King Eric III in 1146, so this was a historic day for the nation. Although the queen is 83 years old, Danish resident Kim Madsen said, “The abDavid Hart GYPSY Company Productions, brings a new musical show featuring the best cabarets in the world. Decadence, pain, wars, laughter, humour, interaction with the audience. Spectacular choreographies and incredible voices accompany a masterful artistic and theatrical interpretation. It’s the Gran Show at Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI in Estepona on Saturday, March 2 at 8pm with tickets available starting at €14.40 from the TAF Estepona webiste. Cabaret Tribute 50th Anniversary is an exciting journey between Berlin, Paris, New York and London in which you will enter the famous clubs of the 30s and 40s that survived until the 70s. A unique, fresh and different show, where the performers bring together in the same space great stars such as Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra and Charles Chaplin, among

Bill Anderson EWN, Jens Gylling, Consul Marisa Moreno, Diana Seir.

dication was a surprise, but we are so happy to welcome our new king and we wish him all the very best as our new figurehead.” Founder

of the Danish Club in 1981, Jens Erik Gylling, said, “The Queen wanted to live to see her son on the throne, and this is a historic day for Den-

El Gran Show many others. With a staging full of light and magic. The producer and stage director, Lydia Aviméz, said that, “our driving force is to create productions of high culture and to provide employment opportunities for Malaga’s young talent.”

Set in Europe in the 1930s, the plot of ‘Cabaret’ revolves around the romance of a young club singer with an American and the endearing and tragic love story. The best contribution of this masterpiece is the use of songs and musi-

Photo: Gypsy Company Productions

NEW SHOW: Set in Europe in the 1930s.

mark.” Guests were invited to celebrate together with a typical Danish lunch with traditional songs and an upbeat atmosphere. cal numbers that will show the parallels between the musical life of the clubs of the time and what happens in the street, in a journey through the tragic and ironic world outside.

Street art

ON Friday, January 19 at 12.30pm, the Exhibition ‘Fotografía Malagueña 2024’ will be inaugurated on the Paseo Marítimo, Los Boliches, Fuengirola, (next to the roman portico). The exhibition is a varied collection of the photographic activity that takes place in Malaga and its province which follows the success of the first edition of the exhibition ‘Fotografía Malagueña 2022-23’. This time 90 works by as many authors are presented, who were born, emigrated, live or work in this area. The Image Collective is deeply grateful for everyone’s support for this project, including the Town Hall for making Fuengirola a place for visual creation. This format means the works will be on display 24/7 during the six weeks that ‘Fotografía Malagueña 2024’ will be on display and will finish on February 29.

euroweeklynews.com II SOCIAL SCENE

Free concert Brian Bamford PRESTIGIOUS Swedish pianist, Helge Antoni is holding musical sessions for secondary school pupils from January 22 to 24 in the Casa de la Cultura and on Friday, January 26 he will give a free recital at the Palacio de la Paz. Fuengirola Town Hall is going to bring classical music to the young people of the city with a series of educational concerts featuring the prestigious Swedish pianist, Helge Antoni. Councillor for Culture, Rodrigo Romero, said that, “Fuengirola is a city where great artists reside during holiday periods, as in this case Helge Antoni, a pianist of international prestige, who has an overwhelming quality

Photo: Helge Antoni website

26 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

HELGE ANTONI: A highly sought-after concert pianist.

that we will be able to enjoy.” Helge Antoni said he was “delighted to be able to offer my first concerts of the year in Fuengirola, a town that is very close to my heart, offering my musical experience to young people, to bring them closer to classical music.”

Helge Antoni has been praised by Gramophone Magazine for his, “ravishingly beautiful playing and beautiful singing tone.” He is a highly sought-after concert pianist, especially for his creative programming and his uniquely personal approach to audiences.

Saturday flamenco THE Saturday flamenco show returns to the Plaza de la Constitución square in Mijas. The flamenco show organised by the Tourism Department of Mijas Council which takes place every Saturday, is returning to its original location. Tourists and visitors will be able to enjoy it every week from midday onwards. After the end of the Christmas season it moved from the Plaza Virgen de la Peña (where it was located to make way for the Christmas market) back to the Plaza de la Constitución. The flamenco show will start as usual at midday and the Wednesday show will continue in the Plaza Virgen de la Peña. These shows are a great attraction for visitors and tourists who come to Mijas, in fact, many excursions coincide their visit with the scheduled show. The craft market is also set

up in the Plaza Virgen de la Peña during the show. The town hall also would like to remind visitors that parking in Mijas Pueblo is free for the first hour, and only €1 for a further nine hours.

Photo: Marbella Town Hall

Flamenco show returns.

On the Rock COMING soon to Gibraltar, Starlight City is hosting ‘On the Rock’, a three-day dance music extravaganza coming to the Rock of Gibraltar this April. Both the venue and line-up are a big secret for now, but the organisers promise you you’re going to be blown away! At Starlight City, they believe in creating extraordinary experiences that leave lasting memories. Their passion for bringing people together through innovative and captivating events has led them to the stunning backdrop of Gibraltar for their latest venture in 2024. Tickets will be available soon. Prepare to be part of an experience that transcends the ordinary, where every detail is meticulously curated to ensure your enjoyment. Stay tuned to the website and social media channels for updates, exclusive sneak peeks, and the moment when tickets go on sale. For more information go to www.starlightcity.gi and sign up to the mailing list for all the updates and big announcements. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic event in Gibraltar.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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18 - 24 January 2024

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Leisurely Lunch at Cipriani Marbella Classic moments, with a taste of la dolce vita Experience the classic glamour and unparalleled service of Marbella’s coveted lunch spot, Cipriani Marbella, at Puente Romano Beach Resort. Sip a famous Bellini on the elegant, shaded terrace, and savour traditional Italian signature dishes from the celebrated Harry’s Bar in Venice. The name is legendary worldwide. Now the Bellini cocktail and Carpaccio ‘alla Cipriani’ that were first invented and named by Giuseppe Cipriani Sr at Harry’s Bar in Venice have arrived in Marbella. Bringing authentic Italian gastronomic glamour to Puente Romano Beach Resort’s exciting worldclass restaurant collection, this latest addition offers a tempting menu for lunch (and dinner) that reflects Cipriani’s Venetian origins. As one review said: “There is an indisputable sense of sprezzatura that permeates each one of the Cipriani venues. They carry within them the type of movie star confidence that is only achieved after becoming a global icon and beating all the odds.” Cipriani Marbella’s à la carte menu is built on the concept of simple Italian food made to perfection. It features signature dishes from the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice, including Calf’s Liver ‘alla Veneziana’ with Fried Polenta, Baked Tagliolini with Ham, and Risotto ‘alla Primavera’ appealing to a variety of tastes. These Italian favourites use seasonal, premium ingredients and produce, many sourced from Italian farms, adding authenticity to the menu. The stylish, timeless restaurant, featuring an intimate bar and restaurant decorated in Cipriani’s iconic nautical colours, with Murano glass chandeliers, blue and white terrazzo patterned floor, high gloss wood and contemporary black and white fashion photography adorning the walls. Cipriani Marbella also has a large garden terrace, perfect for long, leisurely lunches. As the Cipriani motto goes, “To serve is first to love,” so guests can also look forward to impeccable service. New opening hours: Monday to Friday – Dinners only Saturday and Sunday: Lunch and Dinner

marbella@cipriani.com • (+34) 952 76 82 77

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Relaxing yoga Charity golf day Brian Bamford YOGA flow by the sea and a sweet relaxation meditation in honour of World Cancer Awareness Day is being held on Sunday, February 4 at the Statue Park in Estepona

(next to Trocadero) It will be a donation based class, suitable for all levels. Breathing and moving together and giving a little something back to all those who have been affected by, suffe-

red, are suffering, living with, caring for, being superheroes and fighting against cancer. There’s a minimum donation of €10 and all money raised will be split evenly and go to Fundación Cudeca and Macmillan Cancer Support. Go along, relax and help a worthy cause. Some yoga mats are available, but please bring your own if you have one.

Photo: Flickr CC / WeTravel

Help a worthy cause.

ON Friday, February 2, Costa del Sol networking group, Business 1st, will hold an exciting event for any golfers, business owners, or community members in the area. Business 1st is a networking group that was first founded by British woman Sam Campbell back in January 2009. On the ninth of this month they celebrated their 15 year anniversary, and Sam looked back on how far the group has come. Euro Weekly News spoke to this fantastic female founder, who told us the idea began as a way to connect business owners in the area, focusing on meeting early in the morning so as not to impact one’s working day. From just a few people meeting in 2009, Business 1st now has three networking groups along the coast: La Cala de Mijas, a group that EWN is proudly a part of, Marbella, and Fuengirola, which was started last May. A total of 60 business and self employed bosses are now part of this incredible networking circle. This golfing event on February 2 was inspired by the constant aim of Business 1st to not only help residents with their work, but also give back to a community where they feel lucky to live. Sam told EWN that: “we are passionate about helping those who need it on the Costa del Sol. We are extremely fortunate to live here and it’s not just about making money for ourselves and our members, we also want to give back.” The charity that this event

CHARITY EVENT: Raising funds for Debra.

will be in aid of is ‘debra - the butterfly skin charity’. Sam explained that she chose this charity as it is smaller and less known. The day will begin at 9.30am on Friday, February 2, and there are numerous people flying in from other countries just to participate in the golf! There are 80 spots to play, with around half of them already having been filled, so register now to avoid disappointment. For more information and to book your spot, email Sam on info@business1st.es or message through their Facebook page.

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Photo: Cine Yelmo

Live from the MET

THE most modern version of the popular opera Carmen, is being shown live from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York at the Yelmo Cinema in Malaga’s Plaza Mayor on Saturday, January 27. Cine Yelmo continues in 2024 with exclusive screenings of the new season of the Metropolitan Opera House (MET) in New York. The evening features Carmen, the popular masterpiece by Georges Bizet. It can be seen live on January 27 beamed directly to Malaga’s cinema. Tickets are already on sale on the Cine Yelmo website. Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell presents a brand new production of one of opera’s most powerful and enduring works, revitalising the classic story. The staging moves the action to modern times and finds at the heart of the drama issues that are entirely contemporary: gender-based violence, abusive work structures and the desire to break the boundaries of society. Dazzling mezzo-soprano

Carmen showing live.

Aigul Akhmetshina leads an all-star quartet in the complex and volatile title role alongside tenor Piotr Beczała as Don José, soprano Angel Blue as the loyal Micaela and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the swaggering Escamillo. Daniele Rustioni conducts Bizet’s heartbreaking score. The current season continues in 2024 with the premiere of a new production of La Forza del Destino, Verdi’s emblematic opera (March 9); with the grand return of Gounod’s successful Roméo et Juliette (March 23); and La Rondine and Madama Butterfly, both by Puccini (April 20 and May 11), which will bring the season to a close.

Kevin Fraser Park COMEDY superstar John Bishop is getting Back At It and will be performing in Gibraltar on April 20 at St Michael’s Cave. John Bishop has announced a 2024 stand-up tour called ‘Back at it’ which kicks off at the beginning of March in the UK stopping at 58 venues including two nights at the iconic London Palladium. Among the dates, the much-loved comedian will be bringing his show to Gibraltar. The date to put in your diary is Saturday, April 20 with two shows programmed at 6pm and 9pm. But don’t wait until then, with only two performances, tickets will sell out quickly. They are on sale from 11am on Tuesday January 9 at the buytickets.gi website. His promoters explained: “Comedy superstar John Bishop is getting Back At It - doing what he does best - with a new stand-up tour for 2024. After two years spent TV presenting, stage

Back At It

He also made a name for himself after appearing in sci-fi show, Doctor Who, numerous times. John acting, podcast hosting, own comedy, entertain- is co-host of the podcast dog walking and decora- ment and documentary Three Little Words. With ting the spare room, John shows including: ‘John writer, actor and director is getting back to the thing Bishop’s Australia’, ‘John Tony Pitts, the two friends he loves most; standing on Bishop’s Only Joking’, ‘The talk to fascinating people stage and making people John Bishop Show’ and about their lives, hopes, laugh.” many more. struggles and beliefs. Bishop himself said: “I’m Reviewing a previous delighted to be hitting the John Bishop stand-up road again with my new show, a reporter for The show. I did a few gigs in Liverpool Echo said: “John New York and some over in Bishop produced a standIreland and I’ve got the juiup master class as he reces flowing again! I’m looturned to the stage. The king forward to seeing you comedian showcased the all out there on the road”. talent that saw him rise Within three years of from the comedy circuit John’s first ever comedy to prime time TV slots gig in 2000, he was plawith a well-timed ying to sold out arena routine that saw audiences across the tales of his shenacountry and releanigans mixed with sed the fastest quick laughs to selling stand-up keep the audience DVD in UK hischuckling. I can retory. port it was a high quaSince then lity return”. he has achieBook now - as the orved huge sucganisers say: “Don’t hesiPhoto: Facebook / John Bishop cess with a tate, these tickets will go John Bishop is hitting the road. number of his fast!”

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THE organisers of the Starlite festival in Marbella have started the year by announcing two British music stars to add to the line-up. The Starlite festival, which will celebrate its 13th edition in Marbella in summer 2024, has announced that Tom Jones and the band Keane will be performing in its line-up, which is gradually being completed. The legendary Welsh singer and performer Tom Jones will return to the stage of the Cantera de Nagúeles on Tuesday, July 23. After his appearance at the 2021 and 2023 editions, he will return in 2024 to perform his great classics such as ‘Sexbomb’, ‘It’s Not Unusual’ and Delilah’. Considered one of the greatest singers and performers of all time with a career spanning more than six decades, Jones will captivate audiences with his enduring talent and charisma. On Tuesday, July 9, British band Keane will play for the first time at Starlite to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their acclaimed debut album ‘Hopes and Fears’. Spurred on by their classic hit ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, in 2004 they released their first album ‘Hopes and Fears’, considered one of the best albums ever. Since then, they have released four more albums, most recently ‘Cause and Effect’, released in 2019. Keane have sold 12 million records worldwide. The two acts join the Starlite 2024 line-up alongside Jamie Cullum, Sheryl Crow, Take That and Simple Minds plus many others. Tickets are available online from the Starlite website.

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Barry White Photo: Facebook / David Largie

New Starlite acts

Brian Bamford DAVE LARGIE’S tribute to Barry White is a show not to be missed and El Oceano Restaurant has just confirmed the next upcoming show featuring a journey through classic hits, brought to life by the unbeatable David Largie, whose soulful crooning and smooth mannerisms perfectly encapsulate the legendary singer! The Walrus of Love returns to El Oceano on Easter Monday, April 1 with tickets available now for €55 per person including a three-course table d’hóte menu. See the website for more information or to book a table: ht tps:// www.oceanohotel.com/ es/entertainment/barry-white-tri bute Dave Largie’s tribute to Barry White is a night not to be missed! All the classic Barry White tunes you know, plus many more! A sensational show incorporating the classic hits of the legend that is Barry White, accompanied by a stunning three-course

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DAVE LARGIE: A tribute show not to be missed!

menu from El Oceano. With the velvety smooth tones synonymous with ‘The Walrus’, David has spent years entertaining audiences around the world with his ‘Soul, Motown & Reggae Show’

and is recognised as one of Europe’s most engaging performers. His musical love of all things Barry White is evident in this unmissable performance which combines all the charisma,

charm and passion you would associate with the man himself. Suitable for any audience The Barry White Tribute Show is a pure celebration of classic songs including: ‘Can’t get enough of your love’, ‘Just the way you are’, and everyone’s favourite ‘My first, my last’. My Everything’. David Largie has quickly become known as one of the most authentic tributes in the game. There are very few performers blessed with the talent, charisma and experience to pay tribute to such a huge personality. David has a unique gift for entertaining, engaging and making audiences feel special and it is this that has allowed him to do justice to the much loved and sadly missed legend that is Barry White.

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Sensational Melissa Carver MELISSA CARVER is a vocalist and entertainer who is currently living on the Costa del Sol. Aged 22, she was born in Malaga and has been singing professionally since she was 18. Euro Weekly News caught up with Melissa, to ﬁnd out how she got here, what she’s doing now, and what the future holds for this young, bright, singing star. Melissa told EWN that she attended the performance school ‘Dance Point’ in Glasgow, Scotland and trained in Contemporary, Jazz and Hip Hop. Since then, singing has taken Melissa on some amazing corporate jobs to places in Norway and Denmark, with the highlight of her career being ‘headlining the Viva La Diva show’. She has spent many years with the Salon Varietes Theatre in Fuengirola, and has just completed performing in the pantomime. Melissa told us that: “music is my outlet, on the stage I

rehearsals for the return of the incredible show, Viva La Diva, which she will perform at the Salon Varietes Theatre later this year. She is also part of a new duo called ‘DIVA FEVER’ with Toni-Leigha. EWN asked Melissa what advice she would give to any young singers out there with a dream of performing as a living. “They should follow their dreams! Also, to the parents: push them all the way.” Big things in store for Melissa. Melissa told us that feel like I am a better verher future goals are to sion of myself.” “live a comfortable life, traWhen asked what her vel and keep creating new favourite song to perform shows and content to enterwas, she responded, “deﬁ- tain people.” nitely Listen by Beyonce,” Clearly there are big adding that it would be her things in store for this highly dream to perform live on driven diva, who with her stage with the American polite and playful nature singer who she describes was a pleasure to speak to. as “a massive inspiration” The advice from Euro to her. Weekly News to the world Melissa is currently in would be: watch this space!

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Tibbi Time at La Scala IN a world full of extraordinary places, there are a few rare gems that seem to defy explanation, where the atmosphere, food, and service come together in perfect harmony to create unforgettable memories. La Scala, nestled in the heart of Elviria, is one such place. But what truly sets it apart is not just the exceptional offerings but the charismatic host, Tibbi, who turns every moment into an extraordinary celebration. Tibbi, a true gentleman with a heart of gold, welcomes guests to La Scala with open arms and an infectious smile. His mere presence transforms any gathering into ‘Tibbi Time’, a special moment where laughter is abundant, and spirits soar. His twinkling eyes and warm demeanour make everyone feel like they’re in the company of an old friend, and that’s when the magic begins. LA SCALA: A testament At La Scala, there’s always a reason to to the joy of being celebrate, and Tibbi knows how to make young at heart. every occasion unforgettable. Who can resist the allure of a party where the music gets your toes tapping and your head you’re a carefree bopping? Whether you’re dancing youngster or a wise solo, with a loved one, or in elder, La Scala is the place to be a group, the dance floor seen, a testament to the fact at La Scala beckons that age is just a number. you, and there’s no On any given day, you resisting its magmight find yourself joinetic charm. ning a conga line that What sets La winds its way throuScala apart is gh the restaurant its welcoming and spills out into atmosphere, the car park, turning where nothing it into a playground is out of the orof fun and laughter. dinary, and sponThis is all a testament taneity reigns supreto the spirit of La Scala, me. It’s a place where where everyone becomes a age is just a number, and part of the fun, including the being young at heart is dedicated team who joins in TIbbi, the birthday boy. all that matters. Whether the festivities without hesitation. Recently, La Scala was alive with the vibrant energy of friends from various nationalities and occupations, all united by one common thread - a genuine love for Tibbi, the birthday boy himself. The drinks flowed freely, the tables were laden with delicious food, and laughter filled the air. The music played the greatest hits of all time, and the sun bathed the gathering in its warm embrace. For that afternoon, the world outside ceased to matter as La Scala became a haven of perfection. So, if you’re looking to plan a party to remember, celebrate a special occasion, or reconnect with old friends in a jubilant atmosphere, it’s time to call Tibbi. Yes, you guessed it - it’s Tibbi Time, and he promises to create a party that will remain etched in your heart forever. La Scala is not just a place; it’s an experience, a celebration of life, and a testament to the joy of being young at heart.

www.lascalamarbella.com • +34 952 569 362

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Experience Sea to Sky Suites - where every stay is a story waiting to be told.

Discover your home away from home at Sea to Sky Suites:

A Temporary Rental Haven

EMBARK on a journey to the heart of Mijas Pueblo, where the comfort of home blends seamlessly with the allure of the Costa del Sol. Sea to Sky Suites invites you to indulge in a stay that promises the warmth of home amidst the charm of Andalucia. Envision waking up to the gentle Mediterranean breeze and sipping coffee with panoramic views from our exclusive 360° SkyDeck. Our meticulously designed suites, opened in January 2020, offer not just a place to rest, but a place to live, work, and play. Each apartment is

equipped with modern amenities, high-speed internet, and smart TV entertainment, ensuring every aspect of your stay is catered to. Nestled in the historic centre, our location serves as a gateway to cultural escapades, with the best of Mijas right on your doorstep. From tranquil gardens to lively shops, every step is an invitation to explore. And for the gastronome, a short stroll leads to The Secret Garden, a local culinary gem. Sea to Sky Suites is more than a holiday rental; it’s an experience crafted with perso-

nal touches and local charm. Whether you’re seeking solace, adventure, or a remote working retreat, our suites are tailored to every desire. Book Direct Benefits: Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at our cosy corner café. Exclusive direct booking offers that guarantee the best value. Personalised service to enhance your stay. Take the leap and reserve your slice of paradise at Sea to Sky Suites, where every moment is infused with the spirit of Mijas and the luxury of choice is yours.

FOR RESERVATIONS: +34 649 093 932 WWW.SEATOSKYSUITES.COM

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Cocktail masterclass

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San Anton Fiesta PATRON SAINT OF ANIMALS: A traditional festival.

Photo: Pexels CC / Helena Lopes Photo: Benalmadena Town Hall

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE: This should be on everyone’s bucket list.

MARBELLA’S leading hospitality group is now offering the chance to experience an incredible cocktail masterclass as part of their exclusive luxury lifestyle and concierge service best known as La Sala Lifestyle. Perfect for group bookings, join in at La Sala Puerto Banus to enjoy a fun-filled class making and drinking delicious cocktails. Priced at just €35 per person, this one of a kind experience will take place daily on the La Sala terraces and will last around 90 minutes. La Sala Cocktail Mixolo-

gist, Dan Judd said: “Our new La Sala Cocktail Masterclass is great for group bookings, for people looking for something fun to do in Marbella. Guests will have the opportunity to make three-four cocktails each with plenty of games and challenges to keep them entertained. “This should be on the bucket list for everyone visiting Puerto Banus.” To book the very best Cocktail Classes in Marbella contact Harry on 679 910 637 or La Sala Puerto Banus Reservations Team today at: reservations@ LaSalaBanus.com.

Brian Bamford BENALMADENA councillor for Festivities, Yolanda Peña, accompanied by the president of the Peña Caballista de Benalmadena, Cristóbal Palomo, has presented the traditional festival in honour of the feast of San Antonio Abad, patron saint of animals, which this year incorporates new features and a series of activities for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. The traditional fiesta will be held on Sunday, January 21, in honour of San Antón, at the Ermita del Parque Rústico de Casablanca starting with a route on horseback to the beach. The starting point chosen for this rou-

te is the Pino Villordo. From there it will take approximately two hours to reach the beach. Palomo has encouraged all horse enthusiasts to take part in the initiative which will begin at 11am. At 1pm, on the way back to the Ermita, the blessing of the animals will take place. Once there, there will be a large free paella and a bar for those attending, as well as live music to liven up the party. In addition, food for different animals will be brought to distribute, for those who normally come with their pets. For more information email: apcaballistabenalmadena@hot mail.com.

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Wild haggis ON Saturday January 27 Plan B restaurant is hosting their fourth traditional Burns Day in Estepona Port with a four-course lunch. An afternoon filled with haggis, whisky, shortbread, poetry, bagpipes and more. The freshly caught haggis will also be piped in by the Scottish bagpiper Rhona Scott, who will be playing on your arrival. The compère for the day is Mr. Mike Ross and the cost is €27.50 per person. Arrival is at 2.30pm with music by Rhona Scott and a complimentary nip of Scotch whisky for the toast and The Selkirk Grace. At 4pm there will be the customary piping in and address to the haggis by Mike Ross. Steak & ale pie with haggis, neeps and tattie stack will follow and be finished by whisky infused scottish fruitcake icecream and shortbread fingers. There is a €15 per person deposit, and any allergies or dietary requirements should be made known on booking. Gluten Free and Vegetarian Haggis is available. Contact Oscar to reserve your ticket on 634 174 290.

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AFTER a well deserved break, Bad Ass Bistro has reopened it’s doors, ready for 2024! Following a very successful New Year’s Eve bash, Bad Ass closed for two weeks, allowing time for some R & R for Paul, Chris and the staff, and of course some refurbishments, which are only possible during this time. This will be The Bisto’s third year in operation, and at the end of each year, a new project is undertaken to improve the experience for our treasured customers. At the end of the first year this entailed minor adjustments and a general facelift to the restaurant, as we were just eight months old, but in November 2022 we upgraded our terrace with new furniture, shading and wind protection, bringing a far more stylish look to the Bistro. In December 2023 we further enhanced the terrace with infrared heating and more adequate lighting for ‘Al fresco’ dining throughout the colder months. And we are very pleased to announce that we have just finished a

Charity rock Photo: Facebook / Shalom Algeciras

Bad Ass Bistro is back!

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REOPENED: Looking forward to 2024.

new flooring in the interior of the restaurant which we feel our customers will appreciate. We are so proud of what we have achieved in these three years, and of the relationships we have built with our clients over this time, and thank you all for the praise, encouragement and loyalty that you have shown us. We look forward to receiving clients, old and new this year, and will try our very best to make your experience as Bad Ass as possible!

TEL.: 951 430 637

GREAT LINE-UP: Go along and enjoy rock music and support charity at the same time.

FITIFEST is back, in its fifth edition on Saturday, February 17 at Sala Trinchera in Malaga. This year again with a great line-up, and as always, all proceeds will go to end-of-life care. Buy your ticket and help support the Cudeca Hospice. The bands performing at this great festival are: Shalom, Trifulca and Fitetú. Shalom: after 30 years of inactivity the Algeciras Hard Rock band Shalom are back on stage. With a renewed line-up and the re-release of their successful first album ‘Homonimo’, they invite fans to enjoy their excellent live show. Sebas Guerrero, Ruben J Tamayo, original members, plus Chico Palenzuela, AN exhibition of paintings by Finnish artist Ritva Toure’ is being held at Castillo Bil-Bil, in Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena from January 31 until February 9. Ritva Toure’s colorful paintings take the viewer to eternal summer which you can see for yourselves

Koto Bermúdez, Carlos Armesto and Javier Santana, offer the audience a powerful show full of energy and good music. Trifulca: well-known in the Malaga rock scene between 2005 and 2012, they promise, this year without fail, to return to Fitifest to perform the band’s classics. Fitetú: their rock songs are essential to Fitifest. Charity and rock music - a great combination - at the most rocking festival and if you can’t attend, buy your ticket row 0 to donate. Tickets are available at the website here: https://entradium.com/events/fitifest-rock2024

Treasure tree

at the exhibition which is open every day from 3pm until 6pm. Acrylic and oil colours glow on the canvas, expressing the joy of life, faith in

the future and positivity. There is no need to look for the plants, trees or faces in the paintings in nature or the environment, they are the artist’s strong emotional interpretation. Each painting has its own story. Memories are the treasures of the tree of life, to which the name of the exhibition refers - El Arbol de los Tesoros - The Tree of Treasures. Every person’s treasure tree is different. Your thoughts create the tree of life with its treasures, its content and the brightness of its colours. Ritva Toure’ retired in 2012 from the construction department of the Defence Administration in Finland, where she worked as a leading expert and quality manager. Castillo Bil-Bil’s exhibition is her 10th solo exhibition and she has participated in numerous group and joint exhibitions.

euroweeklynews.com II SOCIAL SCENE THE Malaga Philharmonic Jazz Quintet are performing a concert at the Hotel Gran Meliá Don Pepe in Marbella on Friday, January 19 at 8pm. The jazz quintet is composed of: Raquel Pelayo, Pianist and singer; Ángel San Bartolomé, Trumpet and Flugelhorn; Leopoldo Saz, Drums; Szabolcs Korkos, Double Bass and Arturo Serra, Vibraphone Throughout their professional career within the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra, the performers have shared the stage with jazz figures such as Ray Charles, Victor Vanacore, Michel Camilo and Perico Sambeat among others. They also feature Arturo Serra, a jazz vibraphonist of recognised prestige, in this formation. Raquel Pelayo, pianist and singer, graduated in piano at the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Málaga and jazz singing at the Conservatorio Liceo de

Candlelight pianoman RENOWNED Pianist Philip Lange comes to the Salón Varietés Stage in Fuengirola on Sunday, January 21 at 7pm with a beautiful evening featuring works by Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Debussy and more. Philip Lange won numerous prizes at various competitive festivals, including a gold medal at the London Festival. He then studied at the Royal College of Music, as an Exhibitioner, with Maria Donska. Whilst still a student Philip made highly successful debuts at the Wigmore Hall and in the Purcell Room. Philip’s concert schedule has taken him all over the world. He has made broadcasts on Radio 3, appeared on television, played in repertory theatre and shared platforms with divas as diverse as Rosalind Plowright and Dionne Warwick. Book tickets on the theatre’s website: www. salonvarietestheatre.com.

Marbella Jazz Photo: YouTube / Raquel Pelayo

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JAZZ QUINTET: Performing at Hotel Gran Meliá Don Pepe.

Barcelona. She has a magnificent career as a soloist through her experience in various jazz ensembles and institutions. She currently teaches jazz singing and combo at the CAMM school in Malaga. The programme will feature the works of: Isham Jones An Gus - Bruce Weber- Thelonius Monk/Irving Berlin- Louis ArmstrongJimmy Me Hug - Tom Jobim - Bill Evans - Charles Trenet/ Leo Chauliac - Strasbourg St. Denis -Roy Hargrove The concert ticket price

is €30 for more information email: amigosdelamusi camarbella@hotmail.com and for tickets see the website: www.amigosdelamu sicamarbella.com. The Amigos de la Música is a non-profit philharmonic association, a pioneer not only in Marbella but also in the Costa del Sol, which with sporadic help, has managed to survive four decades since its beginnings in 1970 when they performed their first concert. Their honorary president is Plácido Domingo at present.

Support local artists “THE Earth is what we all have in common,” said Wendell Berry, American novelist, poet, essayist and environmental activist. Please celebrate and support Eco Lilies inaugural Valentine’s Artisan Fayre to be held at the Greenhouse Restaurant, Dona Julia Golf, Costa Casares on Wednesday, February 7. It will start at 11am and continue to 4.30pm. The organisers would like to use the occasion to say Happy Valentine’s Day to the earth and give our planet love on this very special day. In honour of this they will be forgoing plastic overseas sourced goods and over used symbols. Fair Trade, organic, locally grown, recycled, hand crafted, and hand gifted, this is their mantra. Expect to find a stunning and eclectic array of produce, art, gifts, upcycled sculpture, jewellery and floristry. Please visit and pay homage to our beautiful earth by supporting these amazing and talented home grown artists.

Costa del Rock

SATURDAY, March 2 is the date chosen to celebrate the seventh edition of the Costa del Rock Fest. As usual, the event will take place in Torremolinos at the Peña Amigos Del Arte and will feature representatives of metal and subgenres such as trash, groove and hardcore. As a foretaste of the line-up, the organisers have already announced the presence on stage of the Catalan band Legion, pioneers of national trash, as well as the Murcian band Vendetta FM. Local bands Whiskería Tucson and AiroS will also be present. The first tickets are on sale now for Costa del Rock Fest from € 10,00 at https://www.wegow.com/es/con ciertos/vii-costa-del-rock.

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Help baby Robin

David Hart ON Saturday, February 3 in Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena from 3pm onwards, the Junction Bar are holding a fundraiser in aid of raising money to help with the costs of Robin’s Immunotherapy Treatment in Barcelona. Robin was born with Neuroblastoma, a rare high risk and aggressive childhood cancer. His condition was only diagnosed a couple of days after his first birthday in January 2023, although it started whilst his cells were forming in the womb. He went through sixmonths of intense chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London after the diagnosis and is now in Barcelona undergoing radiotherapy and ground- breaking immunotherapy treatment. The immunotherapy treatment raises his chance of surviving into

Photo: YouTube / Robin

ROBIN: Has a rare high risk form of cancer.

adulthood by 85 per cent. Unfortunately, the treatment in Barcelona, which all being well, will finish in May 2024, is extremely expensive but vital, so his family are trying desperately to raise the money needed, so Robin has the best chance of survival. Please come along to the Junction Bar on Saturday, February 3 from 3pm and join in the fun, with a raffle, bingo, karaoke and more, or, if you can’t make it, you can make a

donation on the following GoFundMe link: https:// www.gofundme.com/f/ jaysv7-ayuda-al-bebe-ro bin-a-sobrevivir-al-cancer The organisers are also asking for donations for the raffle, which will be held on the day, so if there are any bars or businesses out there, who would kindly donate anything from a bottle of wine, beer, or a voucher for a service, for example: hair, nails or massages, etc, then please contact the bar.

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DURING 2023 Simply Thriving Group enjoyed busy monthly lunches and many events all of which were full to capacity and most enjoyable. The year ended on December 20 with a superb Christmas party enjoyed by over 100 guests who dan-

ced enthusiastically while Nathan Dean entertained superbly with songs to suit everyone. Thanks to the tombola and generosity of the group €660 was handed over to Last Chance Animal Charity. They do such a good job and work so hard saving

abandoned animals and rehoming them. Their bills for food and vet is enormous and they are grateful for any help. The first event of 2024 was a visit to Tapa y Thai restaurant in Fuengirola on January 10. In the meantime Val Williams was busy searching for activities to celebrate her 85th birthday in February. A cruise was on offer with several single cabins at a very good price (normally single cabins are very highly priced) and several double cabins and this was booked up in two days. The group will enjoy a European cruise on January 27 visiting Sardinia, Marseille, Florence, Rome and La Palma. The February lunch group meet on the 7th at Tomaquet, a restaurant in Calle Palangreros where a three-course lunch and half bottle of wine per person is on offer for €13.50 which is very reasonable in these times of increased prices for everything.

Rewind Show Michael Carrington A ROCK ’N’ ROLL weekend is coming to Sunset Beach Club in Benalmadena with Ricky Lavazza, one of the Club’s most popular entertainers, who is putting on another edition of his special and fun-packed weekend of Rock ’n’ Roll and music from the 50s and 60s. From Friday, January 26 to Monday, January 29 you’ll be able to enjoy great music and activities throughout the weekend. After another successful event last year, this year will also feature four days of music and fun with all the greatest hits from the 50s and 60s. It all kicks off on Friday, January 26 with a welcome drink followed by professional dance Sessions in the Moonlight Bar. At 9pm you can enjoy the first of four amazing shows in the Moonlight Bar. ‘Revival live band’ will be Ricky’s guests for the Rock n’ Roll Rewind Show playing songs from stars like Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Elvis, Eddie Cochran and lots more. On Saturday, January 27, you’ll be able to enjoy dance lessons at 11am in Sala Málaga followed by a Hawaiian BBQ (loud and colourful shirts expected) in the La Terraza Restaurant and a 50s and 60s Trivia quiz for dessert. After a little rest, you’ll be off the Moonlight Bar again for the second of Ricky’s shows, ‘Dreamboats & Petticoats’ to celebrate the music of many of the rock ‘n roll greats, in-

Photo: Facebook / Ricky Lavazza and Revival

Simply Thriving Group

RICKY LAVAZZA: Providing great music.

cluding Billy Fury, Bobby Darin, Paul Anka, Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard and many more. On Sunday, January 28 there’s a switch to a 60s theme. At 11am you can take part in Professional Watusi Lessons in Sala Ronda and at 9pm it’s time for The Super 60s Show, an evening of quintessential 60s songs packed with nostalgia. Monday, January 29 is the final day of the event with professional Watusi lessons at 11am in Sala Ronda followed by Twisting by the pool at the Paella Party with live music at 2pm. At 8pm you can head down to the Moonlight Bar for the Swinging 60s Spectacular with Revival Band and a Beatles Tribute.

FEATURE/NEWS II euroweeklynews.com

18 - 24 January 2024

EWN 41

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.

INTERVIEW

An easier way of living

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.

American tourist left in tears

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: @realphdfoodie/TikTok)

TIKTOK TRAVELLER: Angela is frustrated with the French.

AN American TikTok traveller, Angela, from San Francisco, has uploaded a video crying over the fact that the people of Lyon speak too much French. The social media star, @RealPhDFoodie, visited Lyon on December 31, 2023 and filmed various videos for her TikTok account, bringing her followers along for the ride during her ‘European travels’. However, this trip did not turn out to be the dream

that she had hoped, as due to the fact that the American tourist cannot speak French, she reported that she felt ‘isolated’ during her entire time in France. “I’m here in Lyon, France, and to be honest the experience is very isolating for someone who doesn’t speak French,” she told her followers on her account, as tears filled her eyes, “I would not recommend it for solo travellers,” she confirmed.

Despite wearing a beret, Angela felt that nobody in the country was interested in her or accepted her. She stated that: “People here seem very indifferent. I had no problem meeting people and socialising in Italy and Germany, but in France the experience is very different.” The video has since been viewed more than six million times, and has received mixed responses. Oh mère.

42 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II NEWS

easyJet’s new partnership Beaches on high alert

IN a bid to elevate the travel experience for their customers, easyJet, one of Europe’s leading airlines, has forged a strategic partnership with Musement, a global Tours & Activities company. This partnership brings with it a brand-new digital platform for Tours & Activities which are integrated into the easyJet website. It allows customers to easily book a wide array of local experiences in all easyJet destinations, either through the easyJet app following flight confirmation or via the dedicated site. This latest promotion entitles all easyJet customers to access these exciting offerings, whether booking flights or package holidays. Russell Braterman, Proposition & Innovation Director at easyJet explained that easyJet offer, “over 1,000 routes across 35 countries, and by partnering with Musement our customers are able to ex-

Credit: GoogleMaps.com

BOLONIA BEACH: Plastic pellet remnants have been reported.

Credit: Nicholas Courtney/Shutterstock.com

NEW PROMOTION: Experience the Prado Museum.

plore all the best local experiences these fantastic destinations have to offer.” Musement’s carefully curated selection of excursions, activities, and attraction tickets for easyJet comes with a commitment to high standards in terms of quality, health and safety, and sustainability. This ensures peace of mind for customers, both before and after booking a flight. Most experien-

ce tickets are paperless, allowing for easy scanning of a QR code at the activity’s outset or at the venue entrance. In a world where travel experiences are becoming increasingly personalised, easyJet and Musement have joined forces to offer their customers a diverse and exciting array of options, with their aim to make each journey an unforgettable adventure.

THE Andalucian government is intensifying surveillance of its coastline after the reported appearance of pellet remnants on Bolonia Beach in Cadiz. This latest development was confirmed on Thursday, January 11, and follows the events in northern Spain. Galicia’s beaches in particular have been blighted by millions of tiny plastic pellets, triggering calls for action in the hope of avoiding an environmental disaster. Minister Fernandez-Pacheco, the Minister of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy, specified

that, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Presidency, efforts are underway to investigate these potential pellet deposits on Bolonia Beach. He emphasised, “they have only appeared on the beach of Bolonia and in a very small quantity.” The Andalucian authorities are not just focusing on Cadiz but extending their watchful eye to Huelva’s coast as well. Despite the situation’s seeming containment, no emergency plan has been triggered yet. The current strategy is to analyse the detected pellets and keep a clo-

se watch on other beaches in Cadiz and Huelva. The government remains on high alert to act if necessary. A specialised study of the Bolonia Beach samples is being conducted, and Environmental agents are tasked with stringent coastal monitoring. In a related development, Verdemar Ecologists in Action communicated their intention to request maritime surveillance of the ‘CSAV Toconao’ ship. This vessel is known for transporting the containers that led to the plastic pellet spill on the coast of Galicia.

Voting in the UK

AS from Tuesday January 16, 2024, British citizens living abroad are now eligible to register to vote in UK general elections, regardless of how long they’ve been living outside the UK. A new law has removed the previous 15-year time limit. Those who have previously lived in or been registered to vote in the UK now have the right to vote in UK Parliament elections. They can register online at www.gov. uk/registertovote and will need to confirm their personal information every three years. Anyone on a UK electoral register is also considered a permissible donor to UK political parties and campaigners. British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott said: “This law means that more British citizens living in Spain will now be eligible to vote in UK

NEW LAW: British citizens living abroad can now vote.

Parliamentary elections, which is good news. We’re asking the British community here to help us spread the word, because it’s important that eligible people are made aware of the changes so that they can register and cast a ballot when the time comes.” More information is available on the Electoral Commission’s website. Voters living overseas can

find contact details for the relevant local council by entering the postcode of the last place they lived in the UK, using the Commission’s postcode lookup tool. UK Parliament elections covers UK parliamentary general elections, UK parliamentary by-elections and recall petitions. Eligibility for other types of election has not changed.

44 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.

46 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II HEALTH & BEAUTY

Winter hair rehab

AS winter weather settles in, your hair may be facing the eﬀects of dry air, cold winds, and indoor heating. Repairing damaged winter hair requires a targeted approach to restore its

health and vibrancy. Begin with a deep conditioning treatment to replenish moisture and combat dryness caused by harsh weather conditions. Regular trims help elimi-

nate split ends and prevent further damage. Adjust your hair care routine to include sulfate-free, moisturising products designed to nourish and strengthen strands. Consider incorporating a weekly hydrating mask to provide an extra dose of moisture. Avoid excessive heat styling and embrace protective hairstyles to shield your hair from the elements. Additionally, stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals for overall hair health.

With these proactive steps, you can revive and rejuvenate your winter-weary locks, ensuring they stay luscious and resilient throughout the season. Is your hair suffering from the cold?

Check our ultrasound services EL CAMPANARIO Medical Centre have worked hard to ensure we oﬀer an accessible and quality service for our patients; This is reﬂected in our achievement. This is an opportunity to go for check-ups in our Radiology Department, which includes: • Digital X-Ray • Digital Ultrasound. Avenida de España 20, Local 5, sitio de Calahonda, Málaga. +34 952 933 377 #clinicamedica #clinicamedicacalahonda #especialistasmedicosmalaga #cliniccalahonda

HEALTH & BEAUTY II euroweeklynews.com

DEMENTIA: Crucial to seek a professional evaluation.

Recognising the signs DEMENTIA is a progressive condition that affects cognitive functions, and early detection is crucial for effective management. Several signs may indicate the onset of dementia, prompting the need for further evaluation. Memory Loss: Forgetfulness, especially of recently learned information, is a common early sign of dementia. Individuals may repeatedly ask the same questions or struggle to recall names and faces.

Difficulty in Problem-Solving: Impaired ability to solve problems, make decisions, or follow a plan can signal cognitive decline. Tasks that were once routine may become challenging. Confusion with Time and Place: People with dementia may lose track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time. They may also become disoriented and forget where they are or how they got there. Changes in Language:

Dementia can affect language skills, leading to difficulties in expressing thoughts, finding the right words, or understanding conversations. Personality and Mood Changes: Shifts in mood, personality, or behaviour can occur. Individuals may become irritable, anxious, or exhibit uncharacteristic apathy. If you or a loved one experience these signs, it’s crucial to seek professional evaluation.

18 - 24 January 2024

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48 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II HEALTH & BEAUTY

Japanese foot pads JAPANESE foot pads, renowned for their detoxifying properties, have gained popularity as an alternative wellness practice. These adhesive pads are applied to the soles of the feet before bedtime, with the belief that they draw out toxins from the body. The pads often contain natural ingredients like bamboo vinegar, tourmaline, and wood vinegar. Proponents of Japanese foot pads claim benefits such as improved sleep, increased energy levels, and reduced body aches. While some users report positive experiences, scientific evidence supporting these claims remains limited. It’s essential to approach Japanese foot pads with an open mind, recognising that individual responses may vary. While they may provide a soothing ritual for re-

FOOT PADS: Can draw out toxins from the body.

laxation, consulting with healthcare professionals for a comprehensive approach to wellness is advisable. Embracing

diverse practices in tandem with established health routines ensures a holistic approach to overall well-being.

HEALTH & BEAUTY II euroweeklynews.com

Naturallooking false eyelashes ACHIEVING subtle elegance with false eyelashes is an art that many strive to perfect. To ensure your falsies blend seamlessly with your natural lashes, follow these tips for a flawless, subtle look. Firstly, choose lashes that mimic your natural lash length and thickness. Opt for a wispy or natural style rather than dramatic designs. Trim the lashes to fit your eye shape precisely, focusing on the outer edges for a subtle lift. Next, invest in high-quality adhesive to avoid clumping or obvious glue lines. Apply a thin, even layer along the lash band and wait for it to become slightly tacky before attaching. Lastly, blend your natural and false lashes using a coat of mascara, enhancing cohesion. With these steps, you’ll enjoy the allure of false eyelashes without sacrificing a natural appearance.

18 - 24 January 2024

Face mists for winter skin FACE mists, often associated with cooling sensations in the summer, prove to be versatile allies in the winter months as well. As colder temperatures and indoor heating contribute to dry skin, a hydrating face mist can offer instant relief. Packed with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts, these mists help replenish moisture and soothe winter-induced skin dryness. A quick spritz throughout the day not only provides a burst of hydration but also helps set make-up and revitalises a dull complexion. Opt for

HYDRATING: A face mist can offer relief to dry skin.

mists free from alcohol and rich in humectants for optimal winter skin care. By incorporating face mists into your winter rou-

tine, you can maintain a dewy, refreshed complexion even when the weather outside is chilly and dry.

Applying your skincare ACHIEVING glowing skin isn’t just about the products you use, but also the order in which you apply them. Start your routine with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities and prep the skin. Next, apply a toner to balance the skin’s pH levels and enhance product absorption. Follow with a serum containing active ingredients like antioxidants or hyaluronic acid to address specific concerns. Eye cream comes next, delicately applied to the under-eye area. Lock in moisture with a hydrating moisturiser suited to your skin type, preventing dryness and promoting a supple complexion. In the morning, finish with sunscreen to shield against harmful UV rays. In the evening, consider incorporating treatments like retinol after your serum for enhanced

SKINCARE: Apply products in the correct order.

effectiveness. Mastering the correct order ensures each product can penetrate the skin effectively, maximising their benefits and leaving you with a luminous, healthy glow.

EWN 49

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

52 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FEATURE

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

MOST loyal Scots will be looking forward to Burns Night which is celebrated on January 25 (his birthday) each year. A little tongue in cheek, we asked readers whether they would eat haggis having described what goes into it and the response was a resounding vote in favour of haggis with plenty of observations about the importance of the celebration to Scotland as well as a couple of hints on how best to serve the dish • Absolutely! A good haggis drizzled with warm whisky is delicious. Jan Urquijo

• Done properly, haggis is very tasty and of course a Scottish tradition. Patricia Strange

• Yes, I blooming love it! I live in Spain and there’s plenty of offal based foods here too, if it tastes nice get it eaten. I bet the squeamish about Haggis are happy to ram sausages and burgers in their faces and they contain some unexpected bits of animals too. Rachel Warnes

• Cooked Offal, in my opinion, is probably one of the tastiest, most mis-represented of the basic healthy meat-feasts available. Now, raw fish, included as Sushi is a relatively new attraction - No Thanks, bring on the Offal for me any day. Tony Benton

• Personally I don’t like it, but then again I don’t like offal, of any sort. I don’t think saying you don’t like it is trying to take away tradition, it’s just being honest. There are many foods throughout the world, not all the palatable choice of others. Lynda Christopher

• Love haggis. You’re right they are trying to take away Scottish traditions. Hogmanay on UK TV was a disaster. It was not even worth watching. They are eroding all things Scottish. We are just an exploited English colony. We need to get out of this toxic so called union. Paul Steel

• Absolutely, dinner of champions!!!

Ian McKenzie

• Haggis was a cheap and nourishing staple when I lived in Scotland and we all looked forward to the day the butcher made them fresh. Melanie Kitson

• Yep love it. This year I am piping the Haggis in at two local Burns suppers Craig Badley

• Absolutely gorgeous and most are not In sheep’s stomach these days which you don’t eat anyway. Dave Pealing

• Beautiful dish and at a Burns Supper it’s the best dinner ever. Lorraine Wylde

• Plenty do. Not me personally but my husband loves it. Jane Frances

• It’s just a big, high quality sausage. Hot dogs contain much lower quality ingredients David Middleton Grenfell

• Yes, and if it is cooked properly it is lovely. Stop trying to take our Scottish traditions away!! Johan Ross

• Most definitely! With whisky sauce or even neat whisky poured over it. John Bruce

• In Germany, Palatinate region, there we eat ‘Saumagen’. It is similar to haggis, but a stomach of a pig is filled. The filling is the important thing. Donate Fink

• I love haggis but can’t stand bagpipes!!

Christine Smith

This is just a small sample of those who responded and overall 92 per cent said that they loved haggis and everything that accompanied it although one or two weren’t so sure about bagpipes and one enjoyed a Vegan version. We want to say to everyone who plans to celebrate Burns Night “Oidhche Bhlas Burns” (Happy Burns Night in Scottish Gaelic). Comments should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

euroweeklynews.com • 18 - 24 January 2024

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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

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

Pet owners warned

Credit: EtaKarppa/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

VULNERABLE: Finnish Hound.

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 adverse 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.

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 persua-

de 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.

54 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

euroweeklynews.com II SERVICES

AIR CONDITIONING

CLEANING SERVICES

AWNINGS

DANCE CLASSES

CONSTRUCTION

DAMP PROOFING

DRAINS

SHAD F O E AC

BUILDING SERVICES

GATES

MOTORING

INSURANCE

LEGAL

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

SERVICES II euroweeklynews.com PAINTERS & DECORATORS

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

REMOVALS & STORAGE

18 - 24 January 2024

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56 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024 REMOVALS & STORAGE

euroweeklynews.com II SERVICES

SERVICES II euroweeklynews.com WINDOWS

INSURANCE

18 - 24 January 2024

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CLASSIFIEDS AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING by Cool and Cosy. The family company that cares. Installation and repairs. Quality machines. Ecosense movement sensors supplied and fitted from 100 Euros. For other energy-saving products visit www. coolandcosy.es. 952 935 513. We are Junta de Andalucia authorised installers as the new law states (real decreto 115/2017). On the Costa del Sol since 1993 (303640) Quality Air Conditioning Installations. Economical heating, & silent in operation. 28 Years installation history in Spain. EnviroCare. All Areas Covered. 952 663 141/670 409 759 info@ envirocarespain.com www. envirocarespain.com (304164) MR COOL – Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Heating Systems, Sales & Service – Call Christian +34 629 527 587 or Nick +34 618 678 853 – www.mrcool. es (305074) AIR-CONDITIONING installations. Service & Repair to any make or model, commercial

air conditioning, as well as Bar bottle coolers. Suppliers of catering equipment. All work guaranteed. All areas covered including campo. Contact Williams Refrigeration telephone: 952 596 404 / 679 284 959.

AIR CONDITIONING SERVICES 28 Years Servicing & Installing in Spain. EnviroCare. All Areas Covered. 952 663 141/670 409 759 info@ envirocarespain.com www. envirocarespain.com (304164)

AWNINGS ACE OF SHADES – All colours available. Urbanisations catered for, electric and manual operation; also recovery service available, largest selection of colours and designs on the coast. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceofshades.design T1(101730) SUNSHINE AWNINGS/ BLINDS Awnings, Persiana, Shutter & Rejas Specialist. New & Repairs. 25yrs on the coast. 680 323 969 / 952 199 640 (304251)

BLINDS ACE OF SHADES - Vertical, Venetian, Roman, Roller, Wooden blinds, various colours available, also black-out blinds. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceofshades.design (101730)

18 - 24 January 2024 plumbing, carpentry, painting, tiling, maintenance. Give us a call no job too small. 692 207 799 / 645 559 423 (304610)

Solar Blinds SOLAR BLINDS ES Ideal for large glazed areas to reflect heat / glare and stop furniture fading and still keep the view. SAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER to improve your living environment. ian@solarshadetinting.com Tel Ian 958 496 571 / 644 546 176 (303296)

BUILDING SERVICES JIM’S HOME IMPROVE MENTS. Bathrooms / kitchen reforms, repairs,

METALWORK

OUR PRICES. - TLF: 638 846 909 or reservasalhrenta car@gmail.com (303303)

CARS FOR SALE

NEW REJAS, GATES, Carports & Fencing, repairs & alterations. Work Guaranteed. Reliable. 19yrs on Coast. Steve the Welder. Call/WhatsApp 655 040 648 (304977)

BLINDS, awnings, mosquito screens, curtains, vast choice. All areas covered. Coast and inland. 655 825 931 (303730) MOSQUITO screens, sliding, pulldown, pleated, colours call Mosquito Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws (304439)

buildspain.com 952663141 /670409759 Over 28 years renovating history in Spain (302479)

BUY & SELL

GENERAL BUILDER, Tiling, plastering, painting, electrician, plumber, carpentry. Reasonable prices. 635 913 885 (References available) (304615) SWINGLES CASAS SL. For all your building needs. Visit www. swinglescasas.com for more details or call 635 999 765 / 666 960 262 (303441) PLUMBING & GENERAL BUILDING All your plumbing needs. Bathroom, kitchens, tiling & painting. Benalmadena based, travel no problem. Glen 669 073 773 or Paul 642 098 115 (304246) QUALITY renovation: Kitchens, bathrooms, tiling, windows, doors, plastering, Total property renovations info@master

HOUSE CLEARANCE SPECIALISTS, FULL OR PART CLEARANCE. ALL FURNITURE WANTED, WE PAY MORE. TEL 634 324 914 OR EMAIL houseclearanceman@hotmail. com (303629) PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662) ALHAURIN FURNITURE EMPORIUM Buyers & Sellers of quality furniture. Top prices paid. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (303715)

CAR HIRE ALH RENT A CAR – SHORT & LONG-TERM RENTALS FROM €15 A DAY. INSURANCE INCLUDED IN

CHARITY COLLECTIVE CALLING are urgently requesting donations of clothing, homeware & furniture, so if you are having a House Clearance, Please call us for FREE COLLECTION. We sell good quality items, which then supports low-income families and the homeless in the community.

CLASSIFIEDS II euroweeklynews.com These items can be dropped directly to our charity shop Tienda Solidaria: Av. Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 4, San Pedro de Alcantara, alternatively, call us to arrange collection on +34 711 006 961 (295137)

CHIMNEY SERVICES CHIMNEY SWEEP. Clean reliable professional 608 377 497 (303436) APEX CHIMNEY SERVICES, professional chimney sweeping and smoke testing. NACS Qualified. Clean and efficient Tel: Bob 696 320 202 (303700)

CHURCH SERVICES BENALMADENA Elim Family Fellowship. Elimfamilyfellow ship.com or call 951 912 525 or 952 446 627. (10011) CALAHONDA: Encounter Church (Elim), Family church with kids’ activities, Iglesia San Miguel, Sundays 4.30pm, Rev. David Hodgson, 695 115 496 (10012) THE Ark Christian Church. We meet at The Ark Christian School, Calle Río Darro 2 y Plaza Juncal, 29651, Mijas Costa (the road behind the Mijas Aquapark) on Sundays at 11.00am. Pastor, Andrew Seale Tlf 682 713 491 w w w. t h e a r k s p a i n . c o m (293850)

CLEANING MAINTENANCE ADVANCED Cleaning Services. Professional carpet, upholstery cleaning, 27 years experience, wet/dry clean. Honest, reliable service 678 808 837 / 952 669 701 or email acservs@ outlook.com (290189) UPHOLSTERY including leather cleaned also carpets. 685 524 921 (290189) STARLIGHT Property Clea ning & Maintenance. All types of cleaning. Any size of property. All Areas. Residential & Holiday Lets. 682 636451 www. starlight-spain.com (303728)

DECORATORS ATD DECOR. British Painter. 30 Years’ Experience. Punctual. Great Rates. Call for free quote. 602 431 968 Facebook: @ ATDDecorMalaga (304784)

DOMESTIC APP REP DOMESTIC appliance repairs washing machines fridges cookers ovens water heaters gas electric professionally repaired 608 337 497 (303436)

DRAINAGE BLOCKED DRAINS? Leak detection, CCTV survey, root removal, Tel 952 568 414 / 661 910 772 / drainspain.com (296441)

ELECTRICIAN ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL work, re-wiring, fault finding. Certified, Reliable & Guarantee. Frank Tel or Whatsapp 650 561 629 (304788)

FLOOR POLISHING MARBLE FLOOR (2.50€/m2) WHY PAY MORE. WE CLEAN, CRYSTALLISE, SEAL THEN POLISH YOUR MARBLE TO HIGH GLOSS, NON-SLIP. P R O F E S S I O N A L GUARANTEED, FAST SERVICE. 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE. ALSO REPAIRS DAMAGES TO MARBLE, CLEAN AND SEAL TERRACOTTA TERRACES, COVERS ALL COSTA DEL SOL. TEL: 671 244 683 (303059)

GATES ELECTRIC GATES/Garage Doors. Intercoms/access control systems and replacement remotes. New installs and repairs. For all your electric gate and garage door requirements call us on 605 356 469/952 786 178. The Garage Door Co & 2 Way Gates. tgdc@ hotmail.co.uk www.2waygates. com (295956)

GLASS CURTAINS GLASS CURTAIN repairs, specialist in replacement of discoloured plastic strips that act as a seal between the glass panels. Call Julian telephone: 655 825 931 (303730)

HANDYMAN

MARBLE FLOORS polished high shine non-slip. Fast Service Reliable, family-run business. TERRACOTTA CLEANED and sealed. No job too small. Cleansol 10am – 10pm 7 days all areas. 952 930 861 / 607 610 578 Discount code: EWN 1 CLEAN (206437)

HANDYMAN: General Building work, painting, wall/roof waterproofing & other jobs. Call Michael telephone: 622 755 666 (305164)

MARBLE POLISHING, CRYSTALLISING, LASTING, HIGH SHINE. REGRINDING, RESTORATION OF SALTY, DEAD FLOORS. 27YRS EXPERIENCE. RELIABLE. REFS AVAILABLE. CYRIL. 645 840 199 (305107)

Fires: Electric, Gas. Quality guaranteed. EnviroCare. All areas covered. 952 663 141 / 670 409759. info@ envirocarespain.com www. envirocarespain.com (304164)

FOR SALE/WANTED WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel 678 716 693 (288662)

FURNITURE FURNITURE wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (303715)

GARDENING

IRRIGATION IRIS-IRRIGATION and landscapes. TRENCHLESS NO DIG Irrigation installation, Cables, Fibre Optic, Electric & Lighting Cables. New Installations & problem-solving. Turf (supply and laying). Garden constructions. Tree surgeon. Clearing. Astro Turf (Free Quotation) 676 747 521 (303376)

GATE REPAIRS ELECTRIC GATE/GARAGE DOOR automation repaired. Free, no obligation quotation. Call Colin - 636 394 641 (304223)

HEATING

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

VINYL WRAP VINYL SOLUTIONS WHY REPLACE WHEN YOU CAN RENOVATE? Modern adhesive vinyl coverings in hundreds of styles and designs can renovate a tired kitchen, bathroom, wall panels, bedroom wardrobes, fridge doors. Turn a tired looking wood designed kitchen into a modern solid colour or metallic look without painting or replacing. Work carried out on site with 10 year warranties Contact Ian telephone: 644 546 176 for design brochure and samples. (303296)

HOT TUBS AND SPAS HOT TUBS new used, bought, sold, hired. Also move & repairs. Used good Hot Tubs for sale. 691 973 131 / +44 7836 379122 (304541)

HOUSE CLEARANCES ALHAURIN FURNITURE EMPORIUM furniture wanted, same day collection, also house clearance and removals. Also buy cars, campervans, boats & bikes. 697 511 071 (303715)

18 - 24 January 2024 INSURANCE MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726) STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www. abbeygateinsure.com (291234)

LOCKSMITHS ENGLISH LOCKSMITHS, SECURITY & SHADE EXPERTS. FREE HOME SECURITY SURVEY. 636 770 865 / 952 660 233 WWW.SECURITYOFSPAIN. COM CONTACT DAREN (303056) T1 ENGLISH LOCKSMITH emergency & appointment, locks changed, patio doors & windows secured. All locks supplied insurance approved. Fast & reliable service. No hidden extras or nasty surprises. 657 466 803 www. a1locksmiths.es (290138)

MASSAGE SAN PEDRO. Sandra. Professional relaxing, tantric massage. Young, slim, work alone, unforgettable moments. Nueva Andalucia. 641 346 278 PURE RELAXATION in Nueva Andalucia with attractive independent masseuse. Tantric and other special massages in private apartment. For gentlemen and couples, with no rush attention to your needs 656 350 401 ENGLISH ELEGANT inde pendent & affectionate lady in late 40s, gives a sensual golfers massage to relieve tension in her discreet private apartment. Satisfaction guaranteed. Call 680 177 569 (304543) MARBELLA CENTRE - the ideal place for relaxing massage in the city centre. Available 24h and prices from €50. For reservations and information call 620 366 817. (302600) PROFESSIONAL MALE muscled masseur. Full-body relaxing, deep tissue and therapeutic massage. In/outcalls. WhatsApp me 607 595 906 BENALMADENA lovely lady, offering you a very relaxing body massage. Call for an appointment 634 209 427 (305141) FUENGIROLA. Japanese Shiatsu & Zen Ki relaxing and therapeutic massage.

Excellent service guaranteed. Home Visits. WhatsApp for appointment 693 988 340 (304785) ESTEPONA. Susana, Latin Girl sculptural body, trained for deep relaxing massage. 697 705 304 AT MY Wellness Massage Studio your first visit will be the first of many. Tel: +34 623 492 262 (304620) JAPANESE massage. Marbella. Relaxing, less stress. 664 177 216 (MI 559) MARBELLA Tantric ritual massage with aromatherapy to leave completely renewed. 642 751 070 (2907) NEW IN FUENGIROLA. I am Daniela, 19 years old, massages and relax. 603 366 841 (FU 3173) SARA Venezuelan, professional relaxing therapeutic & sensitive massage. I can visit you. For more information contact me 632 770 051 (303021) BENALMADENA Private Villa: DANIELA from Colombia 19yrs Masseur. New on the Coast. in C/ Imperio Argentina N.1 in Benalmadena. Incalls Outcalls 24hrs. Tel. 679 267 197 (305173) BENALMADENA: IRINA Russian Masseur, model, slim, Russian, Spanish, English. Incalls & Outcalls 24hrs. Tel. 604 181 157 (305173) BENALMADENA Masseur, massage, jacuzzi, outcalls 24hrs. Incalls & Outcalls. 24hrs. Tel. 679 267 197 (305173) NEW IN FUENGIROLA. I am beautiful brunette Luna, treat yourself to massages and relaxation 603 366 841 (FU 3173) BENALMADENA: Maria Colombian Masseur - blond long hair, Incalls & Outcalls 24hrs. Tel. 604 181 157 (305173) BENALMADENA: Alicia Spanish professional & relaxing Masseur.. Incalls & Outcalls. 24hrs. Tel. 679 267 197 (305173)

INSURANCE

EWN 59

FILIPINA/Thai, exclusive prostatic, deep, hard, soft massage pleasure to body mind therapy, exotic professional relaxation, clean, good atmosphere. Elviria. Marbella. 679 126 231 (MI 576) FUENGIROLA Centre 3 beautiful girls enjoy with authentic beauties 603 366 841 (FU 3173) BOLICHES: Celina Https:// celina-16.jimdosite.com. Elegant loving kind lovely delightful lady for educated very discreet, respectable gentleman. Unique relaxing moments, hot sensual massages, private quite place. Enjoy full deep complete, excellent treatment, special attention of your needs and total satisfaction. Demanding impeccable hygiene. Previous appointment 11am/6pm. Call telephone: 622 210 797 (FU 3165) BENALMADENA: Sandra Spanish Masseur and Amalia duo massage & relaxing. Incalls & Outcalls. 24hrs. Tel. 604 181 157 (305173) ASIAN lady tantric sensory generate self esteem body technique, fantastic relaxation massage Marbella. 671 442 664 (MI 576) NEW VILLA in Fuengirola. 4 masseuses. Total discretion. 632 018 105 (FU 3173) VANESSA Benalmadena excellent massage services. Relaxing & therapeutic. Home premises. Call me 624 811 098 (305190) ASIAN Touch try something different combination Oriental European, absolutely relaxing massage relief pain stress, luxury place. Marbella. Elviria. Telephone: 633 705 558 (MI 576) SAN PEDRO BEACH. RELAXING AND SENSITIVE MASSEUSES WELCOME YOU IN A PRIVATE AND DISCREET PLACE. YOUNG, PLEASANT. WITH APPOINTMENT. EASY, PRIVATE PARKING. 666 194 079 - 674 679 757.

60 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024 ASIAN MASSUER offers relaxing full body massage. Home Visits. WhatsApp 641 980 066 for details (304011) OLGA Mature Masseure relaxing & sensitive. Outcalls & Incalls. 24 hrs. Marbella – Tel: 632 467 580 (304040) FUENGIROLA - Johanna Brazilian 45yrs Slim Mature Masseur. Relaxing Massages. Best relax guaranteed. Tel: 617.818.615 (305174) FILIPINO MASSAGE CEN TRE, 30€ happy hour Friday. Open daily. Marbella. 604 421 973 (MI 576) ASIAN PROFESSIONAL Massage, sensual, relaxing & therapeutic, to release tension & stress. Fuengirola. Call 613 592 062 (304091) ASIAN ladyboy and gay, authentic professional/ traditional massage therapy unique treatment, clean atmosphere. Marbella. 603 257 690 (MI 576) GENESIS blonde explosive masseur, men and women, from Venezuela. 24 hours - outcall / incall - visa & amex - Tel. 680 55 614 (304861) CASSIE. Mature English lady. Discreet and clean. Fuengirola. 667 914 732 (FU 3031) BARBARA mature masseur educated 42yrs, private, 24hrs, Marbella. Tel 613 213 030 (304740) CRISTINA and MIA - duo masseurs on holiday in Marbella - infall & outcalls 24hrs - visa & amex - Tel. 680 55 614 (304861)

WWW.LAILALYNCH1.COM. Heated pool, Jacuzzi and private bar. Inland private retreat with a full massage service. 662 913 428 (FU 3172) COLOMBIAN. Yeraldin, I do massages and something else. I am independent 45 years old I am in Nueva Andalucía. 611 245 461 (FU 3174)

MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

MOSQUITO SCREENS ACE OF SHADES - Don’t let the bugs get you! Available in enrollable, slider and pleated. Large choice of colours including wood effect. Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@ aceofshades.design (101730) MOSQUITO Screens for windows, doors and a high-quality sliding patio door screen. All finishes available. Quick service. All areas covered. Call Julian 655 825 931 (303730) MOSQUITO screens, sliding, pulldown, pleated, colours, call Mosquito Nick 647 072 861 www.mosquitonick.ws (295855)

MOTORING

ORIENTAL ladyboy pretty professional traditional, tantric massage relieving. Marbella. 604 428 812 (MI 576) THAI Benalmádena Costa. Body-body full massages. Visits, hotels. Whatsapp 689 387 448 (MI 577) FUENGIROLA. Marisa, 38 years old, mature, all kinds of massages. Only WhatsApp. 631 659 408 (FU 3168) CASSIE. Mature English lady. Discreet and clean. Fuengirola. 667 914 732 (FU 3169) LOS BOLICHES - Carolina Pretty Masseur, Slim 45yrs Relaxing Massage, Guaranteed relax - Tel: 634 703 111 (305174)

LAWYERS

CAMPER VANS, CARAVANS, MOBILE HOMES, BOATS AND ALL PLANT, DIGGERS,

euroweeklynews.com II CLASSIFIEDS DUMPERS, MOTORBIKES, CARS AND COMMERCIALS WANTED. BEST PRICE PAID, CASH TODAY, ANY REGISTRATION WITH OR WITHOUT PAPERS. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 (290189) CARS, VANS, ANY RESGISTRATION, INSTANT CASH, FINANCE / EMBARGO UK OR SPANISH 685 524 921 (290189) CARS, VANS UK OR SPANISH BOUGHT FOR CASH. FREE COLLECTION IN SPAIN / UK. PLEASE CALL 678 808 837 OR 952 669 701 (290189)

FOR SALE ROBERTSON CARS...would like to thank all of my past, present & future clients for their continued support over the last 35 years here in Spain. Stay safe and outdrive everyone. If contacting Samantha in the afternoons, please only Whatsapp on 608 658 785 or Email therobertsonclan@ gmail.com as I am driving mostly & unable to take your calls. ROBERTSON CARS SALE SALE SALE AUTOMACTIC / DIESEL MERCEDES C220 ESTATE 2013 ONLY 82,000KMS Yes Approx. 50,000 Miles. Electric Big Sunroof, this is no ordinary Mercedes this is my own much loved super Good Looking. Striking Shade of Grey Mercedes, New ITV till Augugst 2024 ,Sat Nav, Electric Everything, Parking Sensors, Fabulous Air-con, Samantha´s Hot Bargain WAS 17,995 Euros Now FINAL SALE PRICE €17,500. www.robertson cars-spain,com or text me whatsapp 608 658 785 Email: therobertsonclan@gmail. com ROBERTSON CARS SALE SALE SALE AUTOMATIC / CABRIO SMART CAR Silver with Black Electric Hood, hood can be half opened or fully down, go top-less, 2 seater. Small Car Big Personality. Park anywhere, little beauty she has her own car cover. Huge Service History originally from Germany, now Spanish Plates. Low KMS. ITV, Air-condition , Electric Windows and Locking, 2 Keys. Outstanding Condition, WAS €5,995 NOW SALE PRICE €5,250 Perfect Runaround. See Photo on my web page – www.ro bertsoncars-spain.com or text/Whatsapp me: 608 658 785 Email therobertsonclan@ gmail.com ROBERTSON CARS SALE SALE SALE 4x4 RANGE ROVER SPORT 2022 LOW KILOMETRES Stunning in White, New ITV Till August. Always garaged, lady owner has looked after her. Arrive in style was €18,995 now FINAL SALE PRICE €17,500 See Photo on

my web page – www.robert soncars-spain.com or text/ Whatsapp me: 608 658 785 Email therobertsonclan@ gmail.com ROBERTSON CARS SALE SALE SALE 4x4 SUZUKI SAMURAI CABRIO This old warrior is in amazing condition. White with White Soft Hood. No Air-Con, just take the hood off! Drives like a tank great for campo. ITV until June 2024 only 77,000KMS. MUST BE SEEN €4,995. See Photo on my web page – www.robert soncars-spain.com or text/ Whatsapp me: 608 658 785 Email therobertsonclan@ gmail.com WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

CAR SERVICES ENGLISH bodyshop, fully equipped, Mijas Costa. No Job Too Small. 952 667 074 (304140)

IMPORT/TRANSFER CARS TRANSFERRED, history checks, Imports and Embargo problems. Change of use and lost papers. Change your car to Spanish plates, simple efficient service. Cars bought and sold. Please call 678808837 or email carsinspain@live. co.uk (290189)

WANTED WANTED, wanted, wanted!! All cars, all years, all models… from exotic to classic. Spanish, English, Dutch plated. Call us on 951 977 329 or 606 647 597. (303386) WANTED CARS AND VANS, FREE COLLECTION, SAME DAY 685 524 921 (290189) CARS, VANS BOUGHT WITH / WITHOUT PAPERS. CASH WAITING 678 808 837 (303115) EURO CAR Established since 1998. All Cars / Commercials wanted, runners or no-runners. Cash. Buyer Collects. Transfer included. 605 109 796 (303389) CARS, Vans, Bikes wanted. Any Reg, Anything Considered Call or Whatsapp 687 049 592 (304671)

OTHERS EDS? We have the solution, Ka magra pills & jells, Cialis, Siden afil, over 7 products for men & ladies, mixed trial packs. Free delivery throughout Costa del Sol. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394

PASSPORT RENEWALS UK & IRISH Passport renewals including photos. Complete Service. Cath’s Cards. 952 885 759. www.cathscards.es (290153)

PEST CONTROL COCKROACHES, ANTS, insects, fleas, mice, rats, wasps, termite specialists. Fumigations, bars, restaurants, houses, etc. Sanitary department officially registered certificates. Serving the coast since 1985. Only legal English owned pest control company on the coast. If you want the best then phone N.P.S. Paul 676 700 370 (303636)

PETS LAGUNAPETHOTEL.COM Loving care for cats and dogs TEL 646 066 351 (302996)

KENNELS CAT & DOG World Kennels and Cattery. 952 112 978 / 630 197 435. www.catanddogworld. com (304722)

PET CHARITY ACE CHARITY ‘El Refugio’ in La Cala de Mijas is a registered charity. We have on average 275 dogs in our care and we receive no help from the town hall or the Andalucian government. We desperately need foster homes and adoptants for our many dogs, especially the small ones and puppies who do not do well in a big shelter. We are grateful for any help offered, including donations of food and blankets. Visiting times are from 13.00 to 15.00 and you can always turn up or make an appointment by calling Denise on 669 018 736. Our website is www.ace-charity. org where you can view all the dogs in our care. (93320) ADANA THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN ESTEPONA. We always need volunteers to walk and socialise with our dogs and help with cleaning. We also need good homes for our animals that you can see on www.adana. es. Kennels open every day 10-1.30, Camino de Casares, near Parque de los Pedregales, Estepona. (5 minutes from the Poligono) For more information call 952 113 467, available from 10.00am until 2.00pm. (93319)

PLUMBERS

ANIMEX Foundation offers free will upgrading when leaving something for abandoned animals. Contact animexfoundation@gmail. com or call 692 166 434 now for this absolutely free service (288287) ARCH - The Andalucian Rescue Centre for Horses, registered charity 8448, the Centre is open to visitors every Sunday from 9am until 2pm. Working closely with the Spanish authorities, we rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abused and abandoned horses and donkeys. Come and meet our current rescues, learn about our work and how you may be able to help. Run solely by a small team of dedicated volunteers, the Centre is located between Alhaurin el Grande and Coin in Comm. de Viña Borrego behind Venta Miralmonte. For more information and directions see our website www.horserescuespain. org, our Facebook page Centro Andalusi de Rescate de Caballos or tel. 610 845 491 or 656 935 613 (93322) SEPE the horse and donkey charity is open to the public at weekends from 10.00 to 5.00. Volunteers are much needed in all departments and are welcome at any time. For our riding for the disabled classes, we are also in need of extra helpers. We are nationally registered by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior (164640) but only with your support can we give the equine a voice. If you can just commit to 2 or 3 euros a month it will really help make a difference. You can find us at Lauro Golf Equestrian Centre, Alqueria, Alhaurin de la Torre. Tel. 608 258 950 info@ sepeonline.net www.sepeonline. net (93321) SOS ANIMAL REFUGE we have dogs, young and old looking for homes. Some of our dogs have been with us for some time and would love to find a cosy spot to curl up in and a knee on which to rest their heads. If you have room in your heart and home we would love to hear from you. We do not put our dogs to sleep - no matter how old, they are safe with us. For day to day needs and to pay for veterinary care, we much appreciate the support we receive. We desperately need items to sell on our market stall to help raise funds and are happy to come and collect.

CLASSIFIEDS II euroweeklynews.com So, if you are having a clear-out, please contact us on 605 227 155. If you would like to know more about rehoming, please call 653 257 875. Visit our website www.sos-animals.org or please phone Sandy on 952 385 923 or 666 814 056 if you would like to make a donation or help in any way. (93317)

PLUMBING PLUMBING. Leak detection & blocked drains. Tel 952 568 414 / 661 910 772 / drainspain.com

PHOTOGRAPHY SCANNING Old Photos Negatives or Slides. Convert to Digital Files or Prints. View on iPad & Phone Colourising B/W & Retouched to Professional Quality. 664 540 154 (305166)

POOLS

PROPERTY FOR SALE WWW.INTERMARBELLA. COM Costa del Sol Property for sale. All areas / all budgets / all types. Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008 Email info@intermarbella.com (303052) SELLING UP?? Why not give us a call and let us give you an honest and realistic valuation of your property. List with us and let us take the stress out of selling your home. No sale no fee!! English agent on the ball with clients waiting. Please call 685 524 921. (290189) FOR SALE URBAN PLOT 1200m2. Able to build 3 Houses of 143m2. Good investment in a prominent position Urb Sierra Chica Coin / Malaga. 130,000€ plus taxes. Tel: +34 696 376 454

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PROPERTY TO LET PROPERTY

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REMOVALS/STORAGE 15 CUBIC metre van returning to the UK 2nd February 2024. Space available each way. Tel. 639 928 090 (304200)

MAN AND VAN MAN & VAN, 20€ ph. Removals, Rubbish & House Clearances. Paul 634 112 677 (294214)

SITUATIONS VACANT PROPERTY WANTED WWW.INTERMARBELLA. COM Costa del Sol Property Sales & Long term rentals wanted. All areas / All budgets / All types. Spain +34 951 708 422. UK +44 208 144 5008. Email info@intermarbella. com (303052) THINKING of selling your property or interested in a current valuation? We have clients actively looking for properties from Torremolinos to Calahonda. List with us and let us sell your property. Call Joe 626 864 683 (304019)

18 - 24 January 2024

2 MEN, Van €30 p hour. House Clearances & Storage. 651 081 610 (304603)

FULL STORAGE FACILITIES. TEL (0034) 952 578 507 OR (0034) 637 892 278 / EMAIL garymoveit@yahoo.co.uk

moveit-storeit.com Tel David 696 810 618 (301129)

JDS EURO TRANSPORT & REMOVALS - Regular trips throughout Europe. Call or WhatsApp Julian 0044 7884 908 929. See Facebook Page for recommendations

STORAGE, Storage, Storage. Man & Van Services. Call/ Whatsapp 690 155 340 (304667) MAN AND VAN removals / storage service. House clearances Collections and deliveries Waste removal NO JOB TOO SMALL Call Mike on 604 380 570 (304093) A&J REMOVALS For all your clearance, delivery and removal needs. Moving never looked so good. Call us on 662534877 (305073)

NATIONAL / INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL LOCAL REMOVALS AT AFFORDA BLE RATES. 1/2 DAY FROM €90. FULL DAY FROM €175. WE ALSO PROVIDE A FORTNIGHTLY DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE TO UK AND EUROPE (INCL SCOTLAND). WORLDWIDE SHIPPING TO USA, AUSTRALIA, ETC AND

SOLAR PROTECTION

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ROLLER SHUTTERS ACE OF SHADES PERSIANA(security shutter) electric and manual, various colours available including wood effect, we also offer a repair service. Make your home more secure! Tel: 951 273 254 / 671 732 204 / info@aceofshades.design (101730) ROLLER shutter repairs, 7 days a week, conversion from manual to motorised, new installations. All areas covered. Coast and inland. 655 825 931 (303730)

SOLAR SOLAR Hot Water heating: FREE HOT WATER. 28 years installation history in Spain. Envirocare. All areas covered. Quality guaranteed. 952 663 141/ 670 409 759 info@ envirocarespain.com www. envirocarespain.com (304164)

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SPECIALTY SERVICES 3 IN 1. Nurse 17 years experience, Cleaner, Home help. English / Dutch speaking. Limited slots available €30 per hour. WhatsApp or Call 690 849 277, 24 hours (304638)

SWIMMING POOLS POOL MAINTENANCE, & Repairs, including heaters & regrouts. Friendly & reliable service. Malaga to Estepona & inland areas. 678 791 495 / 951 536 389 www.sparklenripple. net (303027) SWIMMING Pool Heating Pumps, Pool Covers, Rollers, Filtration Systems. 28 years installation history in Spain. Envirocare. All areas covered. Quality Guarante ed. 952663141/67040975 9 info@envirocarespain. com www.envirocarespain. com (304164) POOL MAINTENANCE & repairs. Special Winter Maintenance offer for Dec / Jan / Feb /Mar. Call NOW for more info call telephone: 603 312 588 (304816)

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WINDOW TINTING

62 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024 ON Thursday, December 4, at the Madrid headquarters of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), the Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, alongside department undersecretary Susana Crisostomo and General Director of Traffic Pere Navarro, revealed the provi-

euroweeklynews.com II MOTORING

How safe are Spanish roads? sional statistics for road accidents in Spain during the past year. The report showed a slight decrease in fatalities,

with 1,145 lives lost in 1,048 fatal accidents - a reduction of three from 2022. However, there were 4,495 individuals who

sustained injuries requiring hospitalisation. Out of the total fatalities, 849 (74 per cent) occurred on conventional roads - an in-

IN a major announcement by the Spanish government, significant changes to driving laws have been introduced, aimed at enhancing road safety and driver training. On Thursday, January 4 at the DGT headquarters, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska unveiled these changes as part of the 2023 road safety report. The key change permits individuals under 17 years of age to drive when accompanied by an adult over 24 with at least five years of driving experience. Grande-Marlaska emphasised the success of similar policies in France and Germany, highlighting their positive impact on road safety. This initiative allows 17 to 18-year-olds to gain driving experience under supervision, a move

Credit: Audio und werbung/Shutterstock.com

DGT’s new driving laws for 2024

Mandatory courses are required.

Grande-Marlaska believes will ‘improve the training of younger drivers.’ Moreover, a significant shift in motorcycle licensing was announced. The B1 car licence will no lon-

ger cover low-displacement motorcycles or mopeds. Instead, a mandatory course will be required for those wishing to drive motorcycles up to 125cc, addressing the distinct skills needed for different vehicle types. The DGT plans to revise the points recovery courses, incorporating specific modules for motorcyclists focusing on safe and efficient driving. Additionally, the use of a full-face helmet and approved gloves will become mandatory for motorcyclists on the road. In response to ongoing concerns around impaired driving, Marlaska disclosed a 10 per cent increase in alcohol and drug controls. These changes reflect a concerted effort to improve road safety in Spain.

crease of 21 from the previous year. High-capacity roads saw a decrease in deaths, with 296 fatalities in 2023, 24 fewer than in 2022. The data suggests that three-quarters of road deaths still occur on conventional roads. Vulnerable users, including motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists, experienced a 9 per cent rise in fatalities, totalling 463. Motorcyclist deaths rose by 19 per cent compared to 2022. Notably, pedestrian deaths were almost equally distributed between hi-

ghways and conventional roads. The 45 to 54 age group saw an 11 per cent increase in mortality, with 228 deaths representing 20 per cent of the total fatalities. Child fatalities also rose, with 22 deaths recorded among 0 to 14-year-olds. The elderly (aged 65 and over) constituted 18 per cent of fatalities, showing a 10 per cent decrease from the previous year. Men comprised 79 per cent of the fatalities, while women accounted for the remaining 21 per cent.

Credit: Interior.gob.es

Spanish road death statistics revealed.

MOTORING II euroweeklynews.com

ROAD TEST By Mark Slack HERE in the UK many of our less mainstream television channels show some excellent motoring programmes. From the long running Wheeler Dealers with host Mike Brewer, through to Salvage Hunters Classic Cars presented by Drew Pritchard and Paul Cowland. Despite such good motoring coverage there’s always a point in the viewing year when there’s a dearth of such programmes. When that happens there’s another viewing option, YouTube! A wealth of motoring awaits, from traditional approaches to more offbeat motoring related videos. Car detailing, new cars, classic cars, road trips, must see museums and more, they’re all there to quench your motoring thirst. Some of my favourite YouTube channels are ones where the presenters know their subject,

18 - 24 January 2024

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Armchair motoring

MOTORING PROGRAMMES: Whatever your taste, there’s something for everyone.

have a calm presentational style and don’t spend their time leaping around the screen screeching

tyres and whooping every time they get a perceived cool car. Now don’t get me wrong, if that’s what

presses your pedal it’s fine, everyone has their own likes and dislikes. For me it’s the knowle-

dgeable and arguably more professional channels that attract. Harry’s Garage is fronted by Harry Metcalfe, founder of the classy UK performance car magazine EVO. Although a publisher and not a journalist in the traditional sense, he’s a calm, knowledgeable and interesting presenter. He has his own car collection but presents on an encyclopaedic range of cars and bikes that in my view make this a must-see channel. Another very different channel is High Peak Autos, presented by Matt Goodwin who has a used car business and features videos of his purchase and preparation of cars ready for sale. It’s an incredibly honest channel where failures have equal billing with the successes, and it makes for fascinating viewing not only for

the cars but as an insight into the used car business. He’s recently ventured into new car reviews, on which I’m not so keen as in my view it dilutes his channel’s USP. There are so many channels featuring new cars High Peak Autos USP is a stand-out feature along with its professionalism. Other favourite channels include The Late Brake Show with Jonny Smith, Vermijl Car Detail, Decotamin, JayEmm on Cars and Tyrrell’s Classic Workshop. Whatever your motoring taste there’s something there for you, whether on television or online with platforms such as YouTube. There is much said about social media and online platform being poisonous places and very negative. They can be but there’s also a lot of positive viewing experiences too.

64 EWN 18 - 24 January 2024

Left to right in photo: David Hickey, Caroline Hickey, Dean Cox, Christine Bowers, Craig Newby, Tim Wardman (special mention: Congratulations to Tim on his second Hole in one with the Hogan Hackers) Winner Nick Holmes, Cpt Kieron Hayes, Withnell Cusack and Mike McAllister.

WE at The Hogan Hackers would like wish all past, present and furure Hackers a very happy, healthy New Year with plenty of good golf. This year we have joined up with Golfinfo.com to make booking, scoring and league competitions much easier and more efficient for everyone. We look forward to seeing you all on the course and at The Hogan Stand over the next year. Keep an eye out for our big events throughout the year, starting in February with our team event held on the 16th and 17th, followed by a singles two day event in May. We will, as always, have our Captain’s Day in September and finish off with our season ending two-day tournament in November. For information on any of these please contact us on thehoganhackersgmail.com or visit thehoganhackers. com or golfinfo.com. From all of us on the committee have a great new year.

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. The first division of Saudi’s local league further underscores this influence, with Ana Junyent leading Al-Riyadh as the sole female coach, and

Credit: easternflamesfc/instagram.com

A very happy new year

euroweeklynews.com II SPORT

BASED IN DAMMAM: Eastern Flames FC.

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 foot-

ball, the players are already very eager to learn. They put a lot of passion,” Cabildo said, 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 TV 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.