Costa Calida 8 – 14 February 2024 Issue 2014 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

ILMAINEN

GRATIS

Catherine McGeer

MULA witnessed the earliest almond blossoms in Europe due to the recent warm spell in the Region of Murcia. This beautiful area in Murcia transformed into a delicate shade of pale pink and Mula plans to celebrate the first almond bloom with a series of events titled MulaFlor 2024. MulaFlor 2024 will feature a two-monthlong schedule of events including hiking trails, workshops, exhibitions, and guided tours. During this period tourists are expected to flock to the region to enjoy this natural spectacle and take the opportunity to capture the perfect Instagram-able moment!

VRIJ

FREI

GRATUITO

G GRATIS

LIVREE

FFREE

GRATIS S

GRATUIT G

Brewing hope Image: MABS/ Mike Downie

Mula blossoms FREE

Image: Shutterstock/ Guangli

Costa Calida • Issue No. 2014 • 8 - 14 February 2024

ALMOND BLOOM: Blossoming beauty in Mula.

Mula boasts the title of Spain’s almond cultivation hub with 74,274 hectares dedicated to almond orchards, Mayor

Juan Jesús Moreno García proudly declared Mula as Spain’s leading almond cultivator, with the area hosting the largest al-

mond fields in the country. Mula, Lorca, and Jumilla account for 63.5 per cent of the national organic almond production.

A GROUP of four fin whales were spotted off the coast of Aguilas on February 1. Landscape, nature, and weather photographer Mario Navarro captured the images just off the coast at sunset. Later that same evening he captured another pair gracefully passing through. Fin whales are the second longest animal on earth surpassed only by the blue whale usually travel between April and October from southern France to the strait of Gibraltar and while on this route they pass the shores of Murcia. If you are in the right place at the right time off the coast of Cartagena, Aguilas, and Mazarron, especially in the months of June and July, you might catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures.

Image: X/ @Mario17N

Whale sighting

Join MABS for Afternoon Tea

MABS Cancer Support Foundation continues to offer its support for cancer patients in the region by providing counselling, translators, essential equipment, dedicated drivers, and much more. To further fund their vital services, the foundation invites the community to secure tickets for their Afternoon Tea event on March 20. As there are limited spaces available they advise everyone to book their seats in advance. It will take place at El Bar SC in San Cayetano at 2pm. The tickets are available from MABS on Calle Roma 2, San Javier. Tickets cost €12.50. MABS also extends its gratitude to Andrew Brown of Mar Menor Golf Resort for an incredibly generous donation of €1,000. The support is a testament to the community’s solidarity in the fight against cancer.

Mesmerising moment.

on 13

• Local News •

Crucial progress for Murcia.

Fast track Catherine McGeer

ADIF has awarded a €328 million contract for the urban section of the high-speed rail (AVE) passing through Lorca, including a 2.9-kilometre tunnel and the new Sutullena station. The Ministry of Transport has announced that with these works, all sections of the High-Speed Rail between Murcia and Almeria are either awarded or under construction. The new station, spanning 2,314 square metres, will be six times larger than the current one. The contract, initially valued at over €400 million, will significantly impact the AVE’s arrival in Almeria, a delayed

and challenging section. While the Ministry aims for completion by 2026, speculations suggest a potential extension to 2028. This milestone marks progress on all 17 sections of the High-Speed Rail platform, laying the foundation for tracks, electrification, and signalling systems. Lorca’s city will gain enhanced rail connections and intermodal communication, as the project eliminates six level crossings, creates urban spaces, and integrates rail seamlessly into the city. The Lorca section, covering 3.2 kilometres with a tunnel beneath the Guadaletín River’s former bed, is considered a technical feat.

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Save lives

Image: FAST Camposol

8 - 14 February 2024

Image: Shutterstock/Tong_stocker

IN Camposol, FAST (First Aid Support Team) is making a difference in the local community during medical emergencies. Manned by dedicated volunteers, FAST steps in to provide crucial support while waiting for an ambulance. With fully equipped response vehicles their rapid response time of under 10 minutes has been a game changer in the area since its launch in 2011. Operating 24/7 FAST is now calling for reinforcements. If you have ever considered becoming a responder, seize the opportunity today! Two spots are open for the upcoming responder course from February 20-22. Act now and connect with FAST on 613 645 720 or email president_fast@out

look.com. Your prompt response could make a life-saving impact! FAST also organises events to raise much-needed funds .

IN a heartfelt effort to support the local community Age Concern Costa Calida extends a helping hand to those over 50. This charity, run entirely by dedicated volunteers, is committed to offering invaluable services like advice and information, befriending, hospital and care home visits, and medical equipment hire. As always Age Concern Costa Calida promises a vibrant social calendar and 2024 is no different with a host of events organised. From the bustling Torrevie-

ja Market trip on February 16, the free White Doves Funeral Plans information afternoon on February 20, the Vintage Store end-of-month sale on February 24, and lunch at Elliot’s in Bolnuevo on February 28 - there’s something for everyone. This charitable organisation aims to not only address practical problems but encourage a sense of community and companionship. For more information about the details of their up and coming events see their Facebook page.

Glady and FAST volunteers.

Age Concern

• Local News •

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NIBS EXTRA MABS

MABS Mazarron are in desperate need of more volunteers to join their team. If you can spare a few hours to be a carer, driver, shop worker, fundraiser, or part of a van crew contact mazvo lunteers@mabscancer foundation.org.

Carnival fun

SAN Pedro del Pinatar’s Carnival fun kicks off on February 10 with children’s activities from 11am at Plaza de la Constitucion. On February 11 the Carnival parade will take place at 4.30pm from the Casino Cultural.

Beethoven

THE concert of Beethoven’s ‘Amada Inmortal’ by the Orquesta Virtuos Mediterrani will take place on February 23 in the Winter Theatre of San Javier. Tickets are now available to purchase at Libreria Papeleria GALA on Avenida Aviacion Española 9, San Javier.

Olive oil

THE Lorca Town Hall donated 250 litres of olive oil, which was collected from the town’s olive groves to Caritas and the Cruz Roja for families in need.

Tidy towns

MORE than 200 people turned up to support various ecological organisations during their beach clean-up. They worked together to focus their attention on the coast of Los Nietos.

Bike lane

WORK will begin on a new bike lane in Cartagena on February 14. The work will take four months and will connect the bike lanes at Cuesta de Batel to Calle Capitanes Ripoll.

8 - 14 February 2024

Carnival commences Catherine McGeer

CARTAGENA kicked oﬀ the Carnival celebrations on February 2 with Eurovision and X Factor star Ruth Lorenzo. Hundreds of people gathered to witness Lorenzo act as the ‘herald’ of the Carnival and to take part in the opening acts of the celebrations. The rhythm of the drums vibrated through the streets of Cartagena as the Carnival King and Queen along with dance groups and many more paraded through the streets of central Cartagena. From the town hall, Ruth Lorenzo praised the uniqueness of the carnival stating “The Carnival of Cartagena is unique in the world, not only for its spectacular choreographies, splendid costume designs, or the overﬂowing joy of the groups. It’s unique because Cartagena is a unique city that hosts a Carnival with a stage

YOUR EWN HAS

STORIES in this week’s edition

PAPS appeal CARNIVAL: Ruth Lorenzo kicked off the festival.

of millenary history.” Fireworks, music, drag acts, and dance shows entertained the multitudes there to witness Cartagena begin

Grandma’s Stew THE beloved tapas route titled ‘Grandma’s Stew Route’ began on February 2 and will continue until February 18 in selected tapas bars and restaurants in Los Belones and La Manga. Organised by the Los Belones Merchants Association this is the ninth year this popular event will be held. For €3.50 patrons can taste the best stews of the Region of Murcia accompanied by a drink at Apicoco Bar & Grill, El Tato, La Barra, Brasería Garnacha, La Rusticana, Pablo Guardiola, The Scotsman, Tapería Jacinto y Elena, Terraza del Sol, and Venta El Sabinar. Traditional dishes like fabada, spare ribs, cod stew, tripe, lentils, chickpeas, Cartagena’s michirones, and even the international beef bourguignon stew are among the many dishes to be tried along the ‘Ruta de la Cuchara’ (the route of the spoon). Additionally, a €200 shopping voucher for Los Belones stores will be up for grabs so don’t miss out. WINERIES from Murcia showcased their ﬁnest wines at ‘Barcelona Wine Week’ which took place from February 5 to 7. This event, now in its fourth year, hosted 952 wineries which was a 15 per cent increase from 2023. Three of Murcia’s wine designations were picked to sponsor a ﬁve-star hotel during this prominent event. Beyond a mere exhibition, this event is a strategic move to connect

its Carnival Festival which continues until February 13. For more information about the details and timetable of events see Cartagena.es.

Heli-heroics

THE emergency services have successfully rescued and airlifted a 35-year-old male hiker who was injured on the popular hiking trail from El Portús to Cabo Tiñoso in the Cartagena area. The 112 emergency line received the distress call from the injured hiker’s companion at 11.22am on February 2 reporting a possible broken ankle that rendered the hiker unable to walk. They requested both medical and rescue assistance and so the ﬁreﬁghters from

Wine Week Murcian wineries with key buyers, potentially giving a signiﬁcant boost to the region’s economy and reinforcing its reputation for producing outstanding wines. The selected vintners did not just showcase their latest releases but they also paired them with innovative gourmet tapas at exclusive

ﬁve-star hotels. Sara Rubira, the Minister of Water, Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. ‘This is more than a tasting event; it’s a unique fusion of gastronomy and wine appreciation, bringing our region’s exceptional products to the forefront,’ Rubira stated.

the Cartagena Fire, Rescue, and Civil Protection Service were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, a ground evacuation was deemed impossible, leading to the deployment of a helicopter from the General Directorate of Security and Emergencies, along with the specialised Aerial Rescue Group. Following the successful rescue operation, the injured hiker was airlifted to Galifa where an ambulance transported the injured hiker to hospital.

IN a heartfelt effort to rescue and rehome dogs in Spain, the charity PAPS (Protectora Animales Perros del Sol) has organised a fundraising auction due to take place on February 9 at 2pm at La Zona Bar, Los Alcazares. The event is aimed at raising crucial funds to support the ongoing mission of caring for and finding loving homes for abandoned dogs. PAPS based in El Mirador San Javier, passionately works to provide a better life for these animals. The charity not only seeks monetary support but also encourages you to become fosterers, offering temporary homes for these deserving dogs. To learn more about PAPS visit their website raisefunds.org. Your support could make a significant difference in the lives of these animals.

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• Feature/News •

8 - 14 February 2024

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Watching the grass grow VIEWPOINT BILL ANDERSON I HAVEN’T been following with any great interest the Covid enquiries currently taking place in the UK. I have come to assume that it stands for Covering Over Vapid Idiotic Discussions. To be honest, I wouldn’t like all my WhatsApp messages to be made public, especially some that I might have sent in a tantrum, or to a friend after a couple of glasses of wine. But then again, I am not a national politician making decisions that will affect the economic well-being of the country, the safety of millions of families, the development of children, and so on.

I am always the optimist, and I, unlike many people I know, thought that this might get behind the scenes of the often poor decision making processes that was the whole pandemic response. How wrong I was. Whatever messages seem to be left in cyber space do little more than question the maturity and capacity of those holding the reins during this time. We already know that, at least in the UK, they didn’t even follow their own guidelines for dealing with this, so the enquiry has not brought to light any mind blowing revelations. However, disclosures of top politicians allegedly making comments like “Just let people die” whether these are private conversations or semiofficial ones moves the conversation from ‘idiotic’ to ‘disturbing’. It’s like making jokes about pedophilia: it is

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bad taste whatever the context. I wonder how those directly affected by the whole thing either by loss of loved ones or loss of their businesses, homes and mental health, and the subsequent damage from the treatment, feel about the enquiry. I suspect they are not put at ease. Although not designed for this specific purpose, there is a degree of entertainment value at watching the great and the good squirm in their seats when asked to explain ‘Why?’ It is amazing how Covid has created collective and selective amnesia among the big players. ‘I don’t recall,’ is clearly a synonym for ‘I don’t want to tell you because it will make me look bad.’ The entertainment value more or less stops there. Beyond that, the enquiry is as interesting as watching grass grow.

There is another component which could be classed as educational, even though learning how to do this is not an evolutionary advantage for the human race. That is, how to look sincere and keep a straight face while clearly lying through their teeth, albeit by omission and not by commission. My poker face directly resulted in losing all of my 20 matchsticks in a game with my son. These guys and gals are past masters at the poker face. I still think I’d rather be an open book with a face and body language that gives me away every time. I prefer the truth even when it works to my disadvantage. Can’t say I will be following the rest of this with great interest. Life is too short, and watching the grass grow has suddenly captured my attention.

Bill Anderson’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors. bill-anderson@euroweeklynews.com EVER dreamed of belting out your favourite tunes in a harmonious ensemble but hesitated to step into the unknown alone? Spangles Ladies’ Harmony Chorus has the perfect solution for

Find your voice you. Their Open House event on February 22 welcomes aspiring singers to join a supportive community of

like-minded individuals. Carol Smith, Members Liaison Officer, understands the anxiety that comes with stepping into a room of strangers. She reassures, “We’re a friendly bunch of ladies with a passion for singing, and my job is to make sure our new members are comfortable and happy, so there’s no need to be afraid.” The Open House, taking place at Centro Las Claras, Los Narejos, Los Alcázares, from 10.30am to 1.00pm, provide a welcoming environment for all. No musical experience is necessary, as teach tracks will be provided to help participants learn the songs. A chorus member will guide newcomers through the learning process. To reserve your spot email hello@spangleschorus.com. Embrace the joy of a cappella singing with Spangles.

8 - 14 February 2024

• Local News •

Holiday World

Climate change Image: Holiday World Show

Catherine McGeer IN a strategic move to boost tourism, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports has intensified Murcia’s presence as a sought-after tourist destination in Ireland at the Dublin Holiday World Show, the country’s largest annual exhibition. The event, held from January 26 to 28 at the RDS Simmonscourt Exhibition Centre, attracted a significant crowd. The Murcia delegation, comprising representatives from the Murcia Tourism Institute and the Professional Association of Hoteliers and Tourist Accommodations of the Costa Cálida, showcased the region at a stand within Turespaña’s booth. The spotlight was on the Jubilee Year of Caravaca

Showcasing Murcia at Dublin’s Holiday World.

de la Cruz and its pilgrimage routes, along with offerings in blue and nature tourism, active tourism, and golf. The Tourism Department aims to increase Irish tourist traffic by capitalising on their interest in outdoor and coastal activities, leveraging the direct air connection between Murcia International Airport (Corvera) and

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Dublin provided by Ryanair on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the winter season. Looking ahead, the Department has outlined a marketing plan for 2024, collaborating with specialised operators in Ireland to enhance Murcia’s digital presence and further stimulate the route.

THE Region of Murcia unveiled two successful projects against climate change during the latest meeting of the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy(PACES) held recently in Tenerife. The projects titled ‘Nevermore’ and ‘Life Adapt’ were presented at the event. ‘Nevermore’ funded by the European Union has a budget of €213,750 and it analyses the Region of Murcia as a Mediterranean region with a desert climate. It plans to identify risks and vulnerabilities in the area and then create a plan to deal with them at a local level.

Los Alcazares, San Javier, and San Pedro del Pinatar will be the towns along the coast that will take part in this project. ‘Life Adaptate’ had a budget of €1,763,487 and in essence, the project aimed to reinforce and align the efforts of PACES in the region. PACES involves over 7,000 authorities from 57 countries committed to a 40 per cent CO2 reduction by 2030. In Murcia, all 45 municipalities align with 2020 objectives, and seven are committed to 2030 goals, including a 40 per cent emission reduction and a climate adaptation plan.

Murcia protests MURCIAN farmers have announced their support for nationwide protests with a massive demonstration planned for February 21. The details of this demonstration will be revealed in the coming days and weeks but rallies throughout various towns in Murcia have been mentioned. They advised these rallies won’t be concentrated in Murcia City but will be spread through the region. The protests have been organised to demand support for the consequences of

drought and the conflict in Ukraine, they are calling for reinforced budgets for agricultural insurance and amendments to the agri-food chain law to prevent unfair practices and ensure fair prices covering production costs. Primary concerns revolve around the Green Deal and Agenda 2030 imposed by Brussels. The sector contends that unrealistic deadlines have been imposed to comply with new investments in technology, animal welfare, and waste management.

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• Local News •

Mask mandate THE Region of Murcia announced the end of mandatory mask-wearing in healthcare centres from February 1. This decision follows a remarkable 24 per cent decline in respiratory infection rates over the past week, as reported by the region’s health surveillance system. Implemented since January 6, Murcia was among the first regions to enforce masks in hospitals and health facilities, preceding the later national mandate by the Ministry of Health, albeit without unanimous approval from the Interterritorial Council. The Ministry stipulated that regions could lift the mask mandate after two con-

secutive weeks of declining acute respiratory infection rates (ARI), a condition met by Murcia. While celebrating the positive trend, Health Minister Juan José Pedreño emphasised the ongoing importance of masks in specific areas such as Emergency, Intensive Care Units (ICU), and the Oncology day hospital. He also urged relatives and companions of vulnerable patients to continue wearing masks while in their rooms. In line with the evolving nature of the pandemic, the decision highlights the region’s commitment to responsive health approaches.

Friends of Mazarron Catherine McGeer L

LOVE animals? Spice up your Valentine’s Day with Friends of Mazarrón Animals (FMA) Alternative Valentine’s Night. Enjoy the soulful tunes of Sonic Tonic (Bob and Lisa Hayes) at the beautifully renovated Buenavista bar for just €5 per ticket. Feeling lucky? Grab your chance with FMA’s fabulous Easter Raffle, hosted at La Vista Bar on the Marina. For €5, you could win an Easter ham-

per loaded with goodies, and all proceeds go towards helping abandoned animals. Act fastv - only 100 tickets are available, and the draw happens on Easter Sunday at 12.30 in La Vista Bar. Don’t miss the opportunity to support this beloved charity by attending their upcoming events like the Jersey Boys Experience on March 2 and a Fashion Show on March 23. Good luck and spread the love for furry friends!

8 - 14 February 2024

• Local News •

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Upward trend Image: Shutterstock/ underdog_cg

The soaring real estate landscape in Murcia.

Catherine McGeer

HOUSING prices in the Region of Murcia continue to climb steadily each month, fuelled by the ongoing economic inflation affecting all sectors. City and town centres across the region saw an uptick in prices in January, with coastal areas maintaining their status as the most expensive. The average housing price in the region stands at €1,192 per square metre, reflecting a 9 per cent increase from the same month last year and a 0.5 per cent increase from December 2023. At the top of the list is La Manga del Mar Menor, where the average cost per square meter is €1,737, followed by San

Javier at €1,535 and San Pedro del Pinatar at €1,329. Coastal towns like Mazarrón and Águilas also contribute to the trend. On the lower end, towns like Bullas (€461), Yecla (€616), and Jumilla (€635) boast more affordable housing. In major cities, Murcia’s square metre price rose to €1,246 (11.7 per cent increase), Cartagena’s to €1,186 (2.7 per cent increase), and Lorca’s to €1,090 (3.6 per cent increase in January). Nationally, Spain’s used housing market recorded an 8 per cent year-on-year increase, reaching €2,049 per square metre. Meanwhile, in the Region of Murcia, rental rates continue to rise, marking a 0.8 per cent increase in January.

Linda Hall

EIGHTY-THREE bottles of rare wine worth €1.5 million have disappeared from the famous La Tour d’Argent restaurant in Paris. Police were called in after a sommelier from the Michelin-starred restaurant discovered the bottles were missing during a recent inventory, suggesting they must have been taken at some time since 2020, the last time they were checked. The restaurant on the banks of the Seine with its impressive views of Notre Dame and a documented history dating back to 1582 is as famed for its wines as well as its food. Some of the missing 83 bottles came from the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti estate in Burgundy which produces some of the world’s most expensive wines, with single bottles selling for five-figure sums. A bottle of 1945 Romanée-Conti was sold for €482,000 in 2018, making it the most expen-

• News •

Wine heist

Photo credit : CC/ Riggwelter at wts wikivoyage

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LEGENDARY RESTAURANT: La Tour d’Argent in Paris.

sive bottle ever sold. A spokeswoman for La Tour d’Argent declined to comment on the theft but according to reports in the French media, investigators have found no signs of a forced entry. Sources close to the case revealed that police suspect that the robbery could have been carried out between the spring of 2022 and the autumn of 2023 when La Tour d’Argent was closed for renovations. With a cellar whose 300,000 bottles are wor-

th an estimated €27.8 million, La Tour d’Argent has what is believed to be the largest restaurant wine store in Paris. In 2010, the restaurant’s owner Andre Terrail auctioned off 18,000 bottles of wine and spirits, fetching €1.5 million. A wine expert quoted by the BBC pointed out that all of the missing bottles were numbered and it would be difficult for a thief to sell them without drawing unwelcome attention.

8 - 14 February 2024

10 8 - 14 February 2024

• European Press •

IRELAND

EUROPRESS

IRISH government ministers including the Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, will visit 86 cities in 48 countries on St Patrick’s Day, March 17. Karadkar is to visit the White House in Washington DC as well as Boston, while deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin will go to Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto in Canada.

Pretty good WOMEN members of Ireland’s Armed Forces can now wear nail varnish and fake tan with six different hairstyles to choose from under rules that came into effect on February 1. “We are making efforts to be as progressive as possible while keeping health and safety and operational effectiveness in mind,” Defence sources said.

NORWAY

SWEDEN

Photo credit: H&M

Big day

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H&M exit HELENA HELMERSSON (51), H&M’s chief executive since 2019, resigned on January 31 ‘with immediate effect’as the fashion chain’s sales fell while failing to keep ahead of rivals like Zara. Helmersson’s replacement is Daniel Erver, who has worked at H&M for 18 years, mainly as head of the H&M brand.

Role reversal FORMER intelligence chief Hans-Georg Maassen is under investigation as a suspected extremist by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), which he once led. He resigned from the BfV in 2018, accused of being over-lenient towards right-wing extremists, and now vociferously opposes immigration.

Pirate raid POLICE seized 50,000 bitcoins worth almost €2 billion on January 30 and arrested two men aged 40 and 37 in the biggest haul of this kind yet made in Germany. They are believed to have acquired the cryptocurrency from the profits they made by exploiting copyrighted works on a pirate website they ran until 2013.

DANIEL ERVER: New chief executive of Sweden-based H&M chain.

ITALY

GERMANY

FRANCE

DENMARK

Oil-rich

On the game

Smaller crowd

Give and take

NORWAY’S sovereign wealth fund reported record 2023 profits of $213 billion (€917.1 billion) based on the country’s income from oil and returns on technology stocks. The fund, created in the 1990s to invest revenues from the country’s oil sector, now invests in more than 8,500 companies in 70 countries worldwide.

CECILIE HOLLBERG, director of Florence’s Galleria dell’Accademia art museum, apologised after claiming that mass tourism had turned the city into “a prostitute” where it was impossible to find normal shops. Mayor Dario Nardella argued in return that the city deserved respect and tourism “employs thousands of people.”

INTERIOR minister Gerald Darmanin revealed that approximately 300,000 spectators will be able to watch the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics from the banks of the River Seine on July 26. This is half the originally-estimated number, although Darmanin failed to explain why this had been reduced.

DENMARK’S autonomous region of Greenland absorbs more methane than it produces, a University of Copenhagen study has found. Since 2000, Greenland’s dry, icefree areas consumed at least 65,000 tons of the greenhouse gas annually compared with wet zones which produced 9,000 tons, according to the researchers.

Wild West

Tax break

Not so tough

Don’t listen

RESEARCH by fact-checking website Snopes confirmed in January 2024 that the use of ‘Texas’ as Norwegian slang for ‘wild’ or ‘crazy’ is not an urban myth. After finding Texas used as an adjective in 50 publications in 2023, Snopes linked the word to Norway’s early taste for cowboy movies and Western thrillers.

MISTERBIANCO (Sicily) promised a €200 discount on Italy’s rubbish collection tax, TARI, to any resident who adopts a dog from one of the local shelters. This would boost adoptions, reduce the costs of sheltering strays and reward families who adopted by reducing local taxes, said Misterbianco mayor Mario Corsaro.

FRANCE’S new Immigration Law was condemned by critics as “restrictive and racist” but hailed as an “ideological victory” by the far-right’s Marine Le Pen. Asylum expert Smain Laacher said to the Euractiv news website that France’s law was no tougher than other European countries but was “part of a general trend.”

MEMBERS of the public were advised to ignore English-language phone calls where a robot voice claiming to be the Danish police accused them of committing a crime before giving the option to leave a message. The calls were a ruse to trick people into handing over personal information, the Economic Crime Unit (NSK) said.

BELGIUM

NETHERLANDS

FINLAND

PORTUGAL

Bird-watching

Keep it

Wipe clean

Shower fresh

HOUSE sparrows were seen more than any other birds in Flanders as 46,000 people joined the Great Bird Counting Weekend on January 27 and 28. Great tits were ranked second, followed by jackdaws (third) and wood pigeons (fourth) while blackbirds, ranked seventh, were beginning to reappear in greater numbers.

ROTTERDAM mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb’s recent Latin America visit included a stopover in Colombia to discuss the cocaine shipments reaching Europe via Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg. Accompanied by his Antwerp and Hamburg counterparts, Aboutaleb met Bogata mayor Carlos Fernando Galan to debate the problem.

UNIVERSITY OF JYVAKYLA researchers are developing surfaces that can halt the spread of viruses, including different types of coronavirus. An ingredient found in pine resin ‘significantly’ reduced the infectivity of coronaviruses on plastic surfaces, they found, suggesting a practical solution for public spaces and medical centres.

A SURVEY carried out for the OCU consumers’ association found that between 85 and 94 per cent of Portugal’s population showered once a day, making them the second-cleanest in Europe. Italy headed the list with 95 per cent taking a daily shower, compared with 65 per cent France, Germany, Norway and Russia.

Pared down

Sell-out

Vape swoop

Lithium fever

TWO unconnected importers faced prosecution for presenting incorrect paperwork and evading €6.6 million in customs duties on electric bicycles imported from China. The e-bikes reached Belgium in separate parts, presumably to avoid the EU anti-dumping levies that would have been charged on entirely-assembled bicycles.

STING’s is the biggest international name on the list of 62 acts appearing at the 47th North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam on July 12-14, while the principal Dutch artist will be Anouk accompanied by the Metropole Orchestra. Season tickets for the entire weekend are already sold out, the organisers announced.

A ROUTINE inspection of a courier service depot by Finnish Customs officers uncovered 1,000 vapes remaining from a shipment of 1,600 ordered from China by a Lappeenranta man. He now faces a fine or even imprisonment, plus repayment of evaded taxes and illicit profits amounting to thousands of euros.

UK-BASED Savannah Resources intend to open western Europe’s biggest opencast lithium mine in Covas do Barroso, adjoining the Peneda-Geres National Park in northern Portugal. Residents continue to oppose the plan but fear that the government will compulsorily purchase their land unless agreement can be reached.

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• News •

A RECENT survey posed by Euro Weekly News asked expatriates: ‘If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself before you moved to Spain?’ Living abroad brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Expatriates in Spain share what they wish they’d known before embarking on their new life under the Spanish sun, offering a wealth of wisdom and hindsight. Yvonne commented: “Do your homework, make an effort to learn some Spanish and rent first till you know where you want to be.” “Rent before you buy,” was good advice. “Learn the language, integrate,” said Emily. Steve advised: “Learn the language before you move and be patient or you will implode.” A common regret is not maintaining a property back home. Having a base can significantly reduce stress and financial burden during visits or a final move back.

Credit: Jacob Lund/shutterstock.com

Expats - If only I’d known. . .

LIVING ABROAD: Enjoy your new life under the Spanish sun.

Joan advised: “In hindsight I wish we had kept a small flat in the UK. It would have made visits home much easier.” Navigating Spain’s bureaucracy can be challenging. Expats should seek reliable legal advice. Understanding these aspects thoroughly can prevent future hardships. Michelle offered some strong advice to couples: “If you are not married to your partner, God help you if either one of you die. You will be crucified by Spanish inhe-

ritance tax and indifference to your grief and situation.” Liane and Mike gave some encouraging comments: “It’s always difficult moving and you do look back with rose-tinted glasses when things are difficult or frustrating. Take photos as you go along, especially if you are doing a build/refurb so you can see how far you have come.” Let’s leave the final word to Susana: “Never looked back, am a Spanish national now, have lived here 49 happy years.”

8 - 14 February 2024

FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA Fiery words

THE global chief executive of Tata Steel TV Narendran defended the Indian company’s decision to cut thousands of jobs at Port Talbot by substituting two blast furnaces with an electric arc furnace. Shareholders had “grown weary” of spending “billions of pounds” on the Welsh steelworks , Narendran said.

Ready to go

TELEFONICA has received 2,118 applications for its voluntary redundancy plan, covering 62 per cent of planned job cuts for the telecoms’ three Spanish subsidiaries. Union sources revealed that 1,825 applications had come from Telefonica, 244 from Telefonica Moviles and 49 from Telefonica Soluciones.

Vinyl revival

PARENT company Sunrise Records & Entertainment profits reported that HMV profits soared from £2 million (€2.34 million) to £5.3 million (€6.2 million) over the year ending May 2023. A growing interest in vinyl records boosted sales which jumped 18 per cent from £151 million (€177.1 million) to £178 million (€208.8).

Imagine that

IMAGINA ENERGIA, which specialises in solar power installations, reported sales topping €100 million in 2023 following its merger with Quantica Renovables. The group, which intends to spend €1.5 billion over the next 10 years, now has more than 23,000 clients, who produce more than 67 megawatts of electricity.

More trouble

TELEGRAPH co-owner Alistair Barclay (34) faces bankruptcy after reportedly defaulting on a £946,754 million (€1.1 million) loan from Investec, whose clients must have a net wealth of at least £3 million (€2.5 million).

euroweeklynews.com • 8 - 14 February 2024

STAT OF WEEK

€831.4m

in earnings for Real Madrid FC during the 2022-2023 season, a 17 per cent increase that put it ahead of all other top earning worldwide teams for the 13th time.

HSBC failed customers

HSBC must pay a £57.4 million (€67.2 million) fine for ‘serious failings’ in protecting customer deposits. The London-based bank excluded billions of pounds of customer deposits eligible for the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) said. Under this scheme, deposits are protected up to £85,000 (€99,467) but the PRA, which safeguards the Bank of England’s financial stability, detected massive HSBC exclusions between 2015 and 2022. Banks must have sys-

Photo credit: CC/Tintazul

HSBC: The bank is headquartered in Canary Wharf, London.

tems and controls in place to ensure that financial information is accurately recorded should the FSCS need to compensate customers if a bank were to collapse. The PRA inspection revealed that an HSBC subsidiary, HSBC Bank, had incorrectly flagged 99 per cent of eligible deposits

Outlook fair THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects the eurozone economies to grow overall by just 0.9 per cent in 2024. Although more than 2023’s 0.5 per cent growth, this is still three-10ths of a percentage point below the IMF’s October 1.2 per cent growth forecast for 2024. The Washington-headquartered IMF also reduced its forecast for Spain, whose economy it expects to grow by 1.5 per cent, two-10ths below its original

as ineligible for an FSCS payout. It also provided insufficient proof that its systems met certain requirements of the deposit protection rules, the financial stability watchdog said. The £57.4 million HSBC fine indicated the “seriousness” of its failings, the PRA said, as it was the

prediction. This is better than the 0.5 per cent growth foreseen for Germany, or Italy (0.7 per cent), Netherlands (0.7 per cent) or France (1 per cent) but below the 2 per cent that the Spanish government announced for 2024. The IMF’s 2.1 per cent growth for Spain in 2025 remained unchanged. The Fund’s chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said inflation should ease worldwide from 6.8 per cent in 2023 to 5.8 per cent this year,

second-largest fine ever imposed by the Bank of England, outstripped only by the PRA’s £87 million (€101.8 million) sanction slapped on Credit Suisse in 2023. The regulator nevertheless added that it did not consider the bank’s breaches to be “deliberate or reckless.” As HSCB had cooperated throughout the investigation, the fine was reduced, the PRA said, revealing that it would otherwise have faced paying a £96.5 million (€112.9 million) penalty. HSBC later issued a statement, declaring it was pleased to have resolved the “historic matter.”

Photo credit: IMF/Cory Hancock

PIERRE-OLIVIER GOURINCHAS: IMF’s chief economist announced 2024 predictions.

before falling to 4.4 per cent in 2025. In the most advanced economies, the agency expects inflation to drop in 2024 to 2.6 per cent and to the 2 per cent that the Federal Reserve and some central banks have set as their 2025 target.

New approach

Suitor rejected

Crypto hiring

BRADFORD-BASED Morrisons plans to invite customers to attend board meetings and hold monthly round tables for shoppers. The supermarket chain has fought intense competition from rivals while struggling to service heavy debts following its £7 billion (€8.2 billion) takeover by the US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 2021. The retailer now hopes to “start a new chapter” as Rami Raitieh, who took over from David Potts as chief executive in November 2023, revealed “new plans” which will be announced this coming March.

UK-OWNED Vodafone turned down a €10.5 billion merger offer from Iliad Group, owned by French billionaire Xavier Niel. Iliad Group proposed combining their Italian operations in December 2023, pointing out that this would benefit both companies in an ever-more competitive market. Niel then enhanced the deal with an additional €100 million in cash while relinquishing a call option that would eventually have given it further control over the joint venture. Vodafone rejected the sweetened offer, resulting in a 4 per cent dip in its share price and is now reported to be ‘considering’ other Italian companies. These include the mobile and broadband provider Fastweb, owned by Swisscom. Meanwhile, Vodafone chief executive Margherita Della Valle, intends to reduce global operations in an effort to pay off debts and return to growth.

BRITAIN’S former Chancellor, George Osborne, has been hired by US cryptocurrency exchange operator, Coinbase. “There is a huge amount of exciting innovation in finance right now,” Osborne was quoted as saying in the UK media. The appointment coincides with Coinbase’s legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which accuses it of operating as an intermediary on crypto transactions “while evading disclosure requirements protecting investors.” The San Francisco-based company revealed on January 31 it had engaged Osborne on the strength of his “insights and experiences.”

Records broken SANTANDER BANK broke its 2022 €9.6 billion profit record by earning €11.07 billion in 2023. Assisted by the European Central Bank’s constantly rising interest rates, the bank headed by Ana Botin had reached double-figure profits for the first time, it announced on January 31. Botin also predicted “if 2023 was good, 2024 would be even better.” BBVA has also broken its previous record with earnings that increased by 26 per cent in 2023 to reach €8.02 billion. The bank announced a “significant increase of pay-out with a relevant cash dividend and a new share buy-back programme” while allocating more than €4 billion to shareholders.

Tax go-ahead THE Spanish government approved a 4.9 per cent airport tax increase at a Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday, January 30. The new rate coming into force on March 1 works out at approximately 40 cents per passenger, state-owned airports operator Aena announced. The increase, which requires validation from the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC), was based on the 3.5 per cent inflation rate with additional adjustments bringing it up to 4.09 per cent. Transport and Sustainable Mobility minister Oscar Puente defended the rise, maintaining that Spain had the lowest airport taxes in Europe “as well as the best airports.”

Stout favourite DIAGEO profits fell 11 per cent during the last half of 2023, with the multinational’s overall sales dropping by 1.4 per cent. Nevertheless, Guinness is becoming popular amongst younger women thanks to endorsement for the drink from celebrities like Kim Kardashian, and its 210 calories compared with 226 for pale ale or 226 for a large glass of wine. Debra Crew, chief executive at Diageo, which owns Guinness, said 24 per cent more younger women were drinking the stout in the UK despite the drink’s “intimidating” rugby player image.

14 EWN 8 - 14 February 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 5 February

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.342,00............ -137,00...........-5,53%............1,25M Admiral Group.............................2.508,0................ -7,0..............-0,28%.......... 106,66K Airtel Africa................................. 111,80................ -0,40.............-0,36%............2,38M Anglo American...........................1.869,8............... -26,8.............-1,41%............1,71M Antofagasta................................1.749,50.............+14,50........... +0,84%......... 765,10K Ashtead Group............................5.248,0...............+46,0............ +0,88%......... 618,17K Associated British Foods.............2.277,0............... -64,0.............-2,73%............1,15M AstraZeneca...............................10.394,0............. -106,0............-1,01%............1,36M Auto Trader Group Plc................ 731,20................+2,40............ +0,33%...........2,36M Aviva........................................... 424,85................ -7,45.............-1,72%............1,69M B&M European Value Retail SA... 515,40................ -3,20.............-0,62%.......... 664,15K BAE Systems..............................1.173,00.............. -4,00.............-0,34%............1,96M Barclays...................................... 145,72................ -2,70.............-1,82%...........13,97M Barratt Developments................. 536,60................ -3,80.............-0,70%.......... 686,61K Beazley........................................ 550,50................+6,00............ +1,10%......... 596,55K Berkeley......................................4.792,2................ -8,8..............-0,18%........... 44,36K BP............................................... 465,30................+2,85............ +0,62%..........24,93M British American Tobacco...........2.337,5................ -1,0..............-0,04%............1,24M BT Group.................................... 109,80................ -2,40.............-2,14%...........14,96M Bunzl...........................................3.194,0............... -21,0.............-0,65%........... 83,94K Burberry Group...........................1.283,2............... -24,8.............-1,90%.......... 318,86K Centrica....................................... 136,30................ -2,15.............-1,55%...........12,32M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.324,0................ -4,0..............-0,17%.......... 151,84K Compass....................................2.148,00............. -30,00............-1,38%............2,10M ConvaTec Group......................... 238,80................ -2,20.............-0,91%.......... 818,03K Croda Intl....................................4.948,0..............+143,0........... +2,98%......... 215,41K DCC.............................................5.802,0...............+46,0............ +0,80%......... 112,97K Diageo.........................................2.884,0...............+23,5............ +0,82%...........1,62M Diploma.....................................3.358,00.............+98,00........... +3,01%......... 245,34K DS Smith.................................... 278,46................ -4,10.............-1,45%............1,60M Endeavour Mining......................1.394,00............. -18,00............-1,27%.......... 617,82K Entain.......................................... 980,60...............+12,40........... +1,28%...........1,67M Experian......................................3.323,0...............+27,0............ +0,82%......... 455,63K F&C Invest.................................. 967,70................ -6,30.............-0,65%.......... 240,12K Flutter Entertainment..................16.440,0.............+155,0........... +0,95%......... 330,51K Frasers........................................ 800,00............... -10,00............-1,24%.......... 356,98K Fresnillo...................................... 517,20............... -14,40............-2,71%.......... 454,88K Glencore...................................... 424,70................+4,25............ +1,01%..........11,78M GSK plc......................................1.594,80.............+26,80........... +1,71%..........11,76M HALEON...................................... 324,50................+3,00............ +0,93%...........9,16M Halma..........................................2.183,0............... -10,0.............-0,46%.......... 267,74K Hikma Pharma...........................1.908,50............. -23,00............-1,19%........... 78,26K Howden Joinery.......................... 798,00................ -4,80.............-0,60%.......... 528,83K HSBC.......................................... 610,80................ -7,40.............-1,20%............9,28M IAG.............................................. 146,30................ -1,75.............-1,18%............3,24M IMI PLC......................................1.713,00.............+28,00........... +1,66%......... 149,17K Imperial Brands..........................1.879,81............. -18,50............-0,97%.......... 544,12K Informa....................................... 775,60................ -1,80.............-0,23%............3,22M InterContinental..........................7.452,0............... -48,0.............-0,64%.......... 142,86K

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Intermediate Capital...................1.794,50..............+8,50............ +0,48%......... 474,27K Intertek........................................4.483,0............... -10,0.............-0,22%........... 52,65K J Sainsbury................................. 268,60................ -1,60.............-0,59%............1,44M JD Sports Fashion....................... 115,00................ -2,05.............-1,75%............3,50M Kingfisher.................................... 217,40................ -3,00.............-1,36%.......... 794,22K Land Securities........................... 657,00............... -12,60............-1,88%.......... 636,03K Legal & General.......................... 251,12................ -3,88.............-1,52%............4,42M Lloyds Banking............................ 42,41................. -0,13.............-0,31%...........77,99M London Stock Exchange..............8.908,0............... -34,0.............-0,38%.......... 518,14K M&G........................................... 220,30................ -3,80.............-1,70%............2,21M Marks & Spencer........................ 242,60................ -4,70.............-1,90%............2,23M Melrose Industries...................... 580,20............... -10,60............-1,79%............1,01M Mondi.........................................1.404,00............. -10,00............-0,71%.......... 913,72K National Grid..............................1.048,50.............. -6,50.............-0,62%............2,42M NatWest Group........................... 220,30................ -4,90.............-2,18%............8,75M Next............................................8.304,0.............. -164,0............-1,94%.......... 252,04K Ocado.......................................... 520,40............... -26,20............-4,79%............1,17M Pearson....................................... 967,40................ -4,20.............-0,43%.......... 332,58K Pershing Square........................3.778,00.............. -2,00.............-0,05%........... 98,41K Phoenix....................................... 503,00................ -2,40.............-0,47%............3,79M Prudential.................................... 804,80............... -13,80............-1,69%............4,75M Reckitt Benckiser........................5.678,0............... -30,0.............-0,53%.......... 360,13K Relx............................................3.287,00.............+25,00........... +0,77%...........2,18M Rentokil....................................... 406,30................ -2,00.............-0,49%............8,73M Rightmove.................................. 568,00................+7,80............ +1,39%...........2,06M Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.472,0............... -31,0.............-0,56%............2,24M Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 300,20................ -1,00.............-0,33%............4,90M RS PLC....................................... 776,40................ -9,20.............-1,17%.......... 625,99K Sage...........................................1.178,00...............0,00.............. 0,00%............1,27M Schroders.................................... 403,3.................. -2,9..............-0,71%.......... 363,87K Scottish Mortgage....................... 762,80............... -11,00............-1,42%.......... 809,35K Segro.......................................... 866,60............... -15,20............-1,72%.......... 676,66K Severn Trent...............................2.597,0................ -1,0..............-0,04%.......... 884,41K Shell............................................2.508,0...............+61,0............ +2,49%...........9,72M Smith & Nephew........................1.097,00............. -13,50............-1,22%.......... 641,15K Smiths Group.............................1.629,50..............+7,00............ +0,43%......... 278,77K Smurfit Kappa.............................2.882,0............... -66,0.............-2,24%.......... 480,51K Spirax-Sarco Engineering..........10.030,0..............+25,0............ +0,25%.......... 55,19K SSE............................................1.667,00............. -18,00............-1,07%............4,52M St. James’s Place........................ 645,60................ -8,60.............-1,31%.......... 424,40K Standard Chartered..................... 594,20................ -4,60.............-0,77%............7,63M Taylor Wimpey............................ 146,68................ -1,52.............-1,03%............5,90M Tesco.......................................... 281,40................ -5,20.............-1,81%...........11,63M Unilever.......................................3.841,5................ -5,5..............-0,14%............2,52M Unite..........................................1.012,00.............. -5,00.............-0,49%.......... 277,77K United Utilities............................1.065,50.............. -1,00.............-0,09%............1,76M Vodafone Group PLC.................. 67,400...............+0,080........... +0,12%..........22,78M Weir Group................................1.817,50.............. -2,00.............-0,11%.......... 122,99K Whitbread...................................3.554,0............... -42,0.............-1,17%.......... 333,22K WPP............................................ 768,80................ -2,60.............-0,34%.......... 638,97K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.85363

1.16996

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0828 Japan yen (JPY)...................................158.41 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9329 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4526 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.331 currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Closing Prices 5 February

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3M............................................... 94,68.................+0,33............ +0,35%......... 867,98K American Express....................... 200,26................ -0,47.............-0,24%.......... 763,43K Amgen........................................ 317,36................+3,10............ +0,99%......... 457,78K Apple........................................... 185,35................+0,95............ +0,52%..........15,85M Boeing......................................... 208,07................ -2,97.............-1,41%............4,38M Caterpillar.................................... 302,49................+2,18............ +0,73%......... 623,91K Chevron...................................... 147,69................+0,26............ +0,18%...........1,76M Cisco............................................ 50,01................. -0,17.............-0,35%............4,61M Coca-Cola..................................... 60,24.................+0,76............ +1,27%...........2,75M Dow............................................. 52,88................. -0,71.............-1,33%........... 1.000K Goldman Sachs........................... 380,59................ -3,42.............-0,89%.......... 644,35K Home Depot................................ 353,20................+0,24............ +0,07%......... 410,70K Honeywell................................... 194,63................ -7,62.............-3,77%............3,44M IBM............................................. 184,70................+1,04............ +0,57%...........1,14M Intel.............................................. 42,51................. -0,57.............-1,32%...........10,97M J&J............................................. 158,04................ -0,85.............-0,54%............1,33M JPMorgan................................... 171,84................ -2,52.............-1,45%............2,52M McDonald’s................................. 294,11................+1,39............ +0,47%......... 521,96K Merck&Co................................... 124,03................+3,25............ +2,69%...........3,80M Microsoft.................................... 403,47................+5,89............ +1,48%..........12,65M Nike............................................. 101,11................ -0,42.............-0,42%............2,17M Procter&Gamble......................... 158,42................+1,28............ +0,81%...........1,28M Salesforce Inc............................. 281,87................+0,78............ +0,28%......... 800,63K The Travelers.............................. 209,53................ -1,82.............-0,86%.......... 221,76K UnitedHealth............................... 506,97................ -4,77.............-0,93%.......... 899,13K Verizon......................................... 42,37.................+0,01............ +0,04%...........6,94M Visa A.......................................... 275,05................+1,79............ +0,66%...........1,44M Walgreens Boots.......................... 22,54................. -0,04.............-0,16%............4,20M Walmart...................................... 166,88................+1,63............ +0,99%...........1,69M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 5 February

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced Cimpress plc....................................................+24.93%........................ 222,531 Corteva, Inc......................................................+16.90%.........................5.081M Nextracker Inc..................................................+17.32%.........................9.126M Allegro MicroSystems, Inc................................+9.41%..........................2.565M Ferrari N.V.........................................................+9.88%......................... 766,043 Etsy, Inc............................................................+9.65%..........................6.533M Lancaster Colony Corporation...........................+8.94%......................... 100,895 Credit Acceptance Corporation..........................+8.08%.......................... 89,253 UGI Corporation................................................+8.85%..........................1.653M Arvinas, Inc.......................................................+7.61%......................... 307,831 M - Million Dollars

Most Declined New York Community Bancorp, Inc................. -14.61%........................42.959M C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc......................... -11.93%..........................2.62M Western Alliance Bancorporation..................... -13.16%..........................2.44M CONMED Corporation...................................... -11.37%.........................1.044M Valley National Bancorp................................... -11.64%.........................4.628M Markel Group Inc............................................. -10.24%........................ 105,319 Aflac Incorporated............................................ -10.27%.........................2.501M Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc....................... -10.21%........................ 465,484 Zions Bancorporation, National Association...... -9.71%...........................2.98M Banc of California, Inc....................................... -8.42%..........................1.315M Meritage Homes Corporation............................ -7.82%......................... 401,161 M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com Clean green

THE Spanish bought approximately 20,000 cars costing more than €60,000 each in 2023, 51 per cent more than in 2022 although the Agencia Tributaria tax authority took only an average €5,800. Tax is calculated on the amount of pollution they generate, which in the case of expensive electric vehicles is usually zero, insiders said.

BT profit

TELECOMS company BT made a pre-tax profit of £1.5 billion (€1.75 billion) in the nine months ending in December 2023, a 15 per cent increase on the same period in 2022 resulting from a 14 per cent price-rise for mobile and broadband clients. Revenue was up 3 per cent at £15.8 billion (€18.5 billion).

Breaking even JOHN LEWIS, which publishes its annual results on March 14, believes it is on the road to recovery. Current chair Dame Sharon White announced in a video to staff on January 30 that the Partnership, which also owns Waitrose supermarkets, “would more than break even” in 2024. Despite three consecutive years in the red, with a £234 million (€273.8 million) loss in 2023, White told em-

Photo credit: John Lews Partnership

BUSINESS EXTRA

8 - 14 February 2024

SHARON WHITE: Changes will put John Lewis on the right track, chair said.

Going shares SIXTY-SEVEN per cent of Iberdrola shareholders are choosing shares over a 2023 cash dividend via the company’s Flexible Remuneration system. This gave them the option of receiving Iberdrola shares, receiving cash after selling all or some of the shares, or receiving all cash. Under the system introduced in 2024, the group issued 73,021,000 new shares resul-

ting in a 1.15 per cent capital increase. The shares could be sold from February 2 onwards, the company announced. “The level of acceptance once more demonstrates shareholders’ confidence in Iberdrola, which in terms of capitalisation is Europe’s leading utility company and the second most-important globally,” Iberdola said in a communique sent to Spain’s National Stock Market Commission (CNMV).

ployees to prepare for “quite big changes and quite bold changes.” These will inevitably entail job cuts, following an earlier announcement that John Lewis was considering reducing its staff of 76,000 by 10 per cent to 65,000. In a move to make redundancies more affordable, it is also slashing payoffs by half. “There’s been an awful lot of change over the past year,” White admitted in her video. “But those efforts are starting to show themselves in our commercial performance, we are converting more of our sales into return to partners, and we will more than break even this year,” she said, “This is a great start as we build back to sustainable profit for the business,” she added, having said in September 2023 that this would not happen before the 2027-28 financial year.

EWN 15

New habits THE UK’S Channel 4 confirmed plans for its biggest-yet staff reduction involving 240 personnel as it struggles to adapt to changes in television viewing habits. The broadcaster also announced that it intends to sell its former Westminster headquarters in Horseferry Road for a hoped-for £90 million (€105.5 million) and will also look for smaller offices in central London.

Danone downer DANONE, France-based but founded in Spain in the 1920s, is closing its Barcelona factory, the second closure in less than two years. The household name, beset by ‘own-label’ supermarket competition, reported net results of €10.8 million in 2022, 36.8 per cent below 2021’s €17.1 million although sales of €768.9 million were 9.6 per cent up on 2021.

• Feature/News •

I couldn’t agree more LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT LET’S be absolutely clear. I find the conflict taking place between Israel and the Hamas organisation completely devastating and absolutely soul destroying. To see the suffering and destruction of men, women and particularly the children, all but breaks my heart and shatters the very essence of my existence among the spiritually immature population of our primordial planet. The news I watch on TV is generally Al Jazeera, the channel has periodically been recommended as probably the most newsworthy and responsible network of all. (Frankly the likes of Kay Burley and her ilk leave me completely cold when I observe the egotism and self-gratification she and her producers epitomise in their presentation of the news.) I of course fervently crave the termination of the distressing and often positively overwhelming anguish of the war taking place in the mid-east. Unfortunately, in my opinion I’m afraid

this would ultimately be a tremendous error by the Israeli government. Hamas, without the full support of Iran and its allies, has no chance of final victory and will subsequently continue to wage war midst the Palestinian population until many more devastated civilian lives are shattered or lost. If however a ceasefire is obtained too early and also includes the Israeli release of 30,000 detainees; of which a large number are undoubtedly Hamas devotees, the whole consortium will merely withdraw, regroup, re- arm and in two or three years’ time, probably with even more support and once again using civilians as protective shields, repeat the whole, almost indescribable horror yet again. Personally I have no real answer to the utterly distressing scenes of suffering we are subjected to on a daily basis, but can only really see the complete annihilation of Hamas as a step in the right and possibly peaceful direction. I would be interested to hear the opinions of some of my readers. Any constructive ideas out there? Drop me a line; we’re all ears. I was very moved to hear the opi-

nions of Brianna Gheys’ mother on TV last week. Her 16-year-old transgender treasure was brutally killed by two 15-year-old monsters, who were in my opinion quite rightly named, shamed and publically displayed on the British media. Part of her mother’s poignant, but often very constructive interview, contained the advice to those in power to completely restrict the use of ‘fully fledged’ mobile phones to those under 16. She suggested a children’s phone should be obtainable but not contain the vast areas of often indescribable and frequently unspeakable sites that should in no way be available to the young, inexperienced and totally undeveloped minds of our future adult population. Frankly I couldn’t agree more. It has also been suggested that mobile phones should also be banned in schools. Another piece of legislation that should as quickly as possible find its way into the law books approved by the politicians of Westminster’s portals. Keep that mail coming and whatever ya do. 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.

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Paczki Day PĄCZKI, (pronounced as ‘pohnch-kee’), are fried doughnuts, sprinkled with sugar, golden brown on both sides and with a lighter-coloured ring around their centre. These leavened Polish doughnuts are fried and coated with icing sugar or fried orange zest and filled with various jams and jellies. Paczki have a long history in Poland, dating back centuries, and are particularly associated with carnival and Mardi Gras, known in Poland as Tłusty Czwartek. As with pancakes in the UK and torrijas in Spain, paczki are a way to use up all of the ingredients that are forbidden in Lent, including one that sets them apart: Polish vodka. Vodka is incorporated into paczki dough which prevents them absorbing too much frying oil and this makes them crispier and lighter than a normal

Credit: hackNY.org flickr

16 8 - 14 February 2024

Zagoździński pastry shop in Warsaw.

doughnut or buñuelos here in Spain. Pączki have been in Poland since at least the Middle Ages. The dough was improved to make it lighter, fluffier and tougher thanks to the influence of French cooks who came to Poland during the reign of Augustus III. They are eaten during carnival season and bakeries that prepare the pączki are known for their hours-long queues, especially on Maundy Thursday, the day when the biggest sales of pączki occur. This year, Paczki Day lands on February 12, the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.

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• News •

Spain tops the list SPAIN has emerged as the cheapest country to live in 2024, according to an index that looks at a wide range of living costs including food, petrol and energy bills. The Cost of Living Overseas Index, compiled by website Property Guides, looks at living costs across 13 countries, comparing UK prices with those in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For those considering emigrating to the European countries closest to the UK, the results bode well, with Spain being revealed as the most affordable country to live in. The analysis reflects what an expat, holiday home owner or retiree would encounter when settling into a new home abroad. The report’s ‘basket of

goods’ includes everyday staples like a litre of milk and a loaf of bread, but adds a few British favourites like the all-important teabags (and a bottle of gin). They’ve also compared the cost of actually setting up your new home, including decorating materials such as paint and the cost of IKEA bookcases, as well as

Photo: Shutterstock / Maxx-Studio

COST OF LIVING: A wide range of goods were taken into account.

the cost of a cleaner to keep your home clean and tidy. The report also checked the prices of popular leisure items and activities: from Netflix subscription costs to the price of cinema tickets. They also decided to look at the price of electricity across Europe particularly with the energy crisis that has raised costs everywhere. Whilst it’s certainly not cheap in the UK, electricity is still more expensive in Cyprus, the USA and Canada, whilst it’s significantly cheaper in Spain and Italy. The result is, the same ‘basket of goods’ that cost €2,335 in the UK, cost just €1,515 in Spain - a saving of €820. It probably comes as no surprise that the UK is almost 53 per cent more expensive.

8 - 14 February 2024

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• Feature •

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• News Across The Regions • Costa del Sol Warmest January

Costa Blanca South Olympic Week

Axarquia Cliff squatters

Almeria Walk for Life

Mallorca European summit

Costa Blanca North Fallas fun

JANUARY was the warmest month in history in the province of Malaga. With an average of 12.7 degrees Celsius recorded across the whole of Malaga province, this was an all-time record. The last four weeks were more than 3 degrees above average and 2.2 degrees above the record of a year ago, according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). The first day of 2024 opened with a high of 21 degrees, with clear skies for a sunny and warm day. The peak was reached on January 26 with an unusually high maximum temperature of over 27 degrees in Coín, one of the highest temperatures in Spain. The figures recorded in the rest of the country were also more typical of spring than mid-winter.

THE environmental group GENA-Ecologistas en Acción has raised concerns over the growing presence of campervans, campers, and squatters in the Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Site, a protected natural area. In January alone, around 50 campervans have reportedly invaded the protected space. Campers have set up in the Las Alberquillas area for extended periods, and a community of squatters has established itself in the remains of an abandoned dwelling. Both groups are in violation of regulations prohibiting free camping and overnight stays in the natural area. Ecologists accuse the campervans of encroaching on the old N-340 road, destroying signage prohibiting overnight stays, and leaving behind various types of waste, including food remnants, wipes, and toilet paper.

MALLORCA is set to become the focal point of European innovation, as the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), under the European Commission, has chosen the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Innovation of the Balearic Government’s proposal to host the prestigious Clusters Meet Regions congress. This event, earmarked for late 2024 or early 2025, positions Mallorca alongside Malaga and Barcelona as one of the few Spanish locations to hold such a significant international gathering. The congress aims to bolster regional economic development through innovative clusters, focusing on good practices that drive economic transition. It will feature a blend of plenary sessions, workshops, expert debates, and company visits.

GET ready for the ninth Valencian Community Olympic Week, making its way to Torrevieja! The Real Club Náutico Torrevieja will host the regatta, also serving as the Spanish Cup for the Europe, Flying Dutchman, and RC IOM classes. Mark your calendars for February 9 to 11, when the western port will witness the IOM Spanish Cup, boasting 40 registered participants. Following that, from February 16 to 18, the Spanish Cups for the Europe class and the Flying Dutchman class will unfold on a regatta course near the ‘Lo Ferrys’ area. This edition sets a remarkable record with over 600 registered sailors which is an outstanding achievement in itself!

THE Walk for Life, Arboleas group consists of a small number of volunteers who are dedicated to helping sufferers of cancer and their families within a 25 kilometre radius of the village. For more than 10 years, they have provided financial support including help with mobility, translation, and transport and every client can expect one to one support, individual to their needs and with complete confidentiality. This year’s event will be a two day affair with pre-registration and entertainment on the evening of Friday May 3 with the Walk starting from Arboleas Town Hall at 5pm on Saturday followed by an evening of entertainment. Other events organised by the group include dinners, a calendar and other get togethers including a dog show.

GANDIA is already counting down to the Fallas festival, where the streets will come alive with spectacular sculptural monuments made of wood and papier mâché. The festivities kick off with street decorations on March 8, with the assembly of monuments beginning on March 9. Musical events during the afternoon and night of March 9 and the afternoon of March 10 will set the festive tone. The Fallas tradition has deep historical roots. It’s origins are in Valencia several centuries ago, when carpenters celebrated the feast day of their patron saint, Saint Joseph, on March 19. The culmination of the Fallas festival is the burning of these impressive sculptures in a spectacular display of flames and fireworks.

• Feature/News •

Fleximan SPEED CAMERA: Cut down and destroyed.

FOR many, he is a hero for his actions and encouraged to continue his work, which is why he has acquired a cult folllowing on social media. For local authorities and the Carabinieri, on the other hand, he is nothing more than a vandal. ‘Fleximan’ as he is known, has destroyed a total of 15 speed cameras on the roads of the regions of Piedmont, Veneto and Lombardy, in the north of the country. The action was carried

out in protest against the fines imposed by officers on those who exceed the speed limit. His modus operandi is to locate the most active speed cameras and he then cuts down the metal posts on which these cameras are installed with a chainsaw. It was in the town of Rovigo, in Veneto region, that Fleximan carried out his last attack. An image posted by the X user (@itsmeback_), shows a destroyed speed camera, on

which a banner with the following message is hung. ‘Fleximan sta arrivando (Fleximan is coming)’. The Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Italy, Marco Martani, warns of the criminal consequences that could befall this unknown person for the demolition of speed cameras on the roads. He could be charged with a criminal offence with fines, and a possible prison sentence.

INTERVIEW

Life is for living

Hansi StØkken moved to Spain from his native Norway in the year 2000.

HE saw Spain as a land of opportunities, indulge myself in what is my passion: Spanot to mention better weather and daylinish wines.” ght. Hansi set up a range of companies Hansi studied to become an oenologist under the ‘Conrisa’ brand from property and his Gastrobar boasts the finest wines management, construction and from all around Spain. “I know what was perhaps the jewel it doesn’t sound like work, in his crown, Conrisa but having the opportuGastrobar. “Life in nity to travel around business in Spain Spain once or twice a brings its own chayear, visiting winellenges,” he says. ries and selecting “Diversifying is the wines persoimportant, as manally has been a king a living from highlight for me. one single source I don’t just go for is not always easy.” price, but for qualiHansi speaks Spaty. That’s not always nish like a native, and the same thing. Our English comes naturafortnightly wine tastings Hansi does it all with a lly to him, that is on top of with food pairing are very smile. his grasp of Scandinavian popular, but I think people languages and also German. “It has been are more keen on tasting the wine than important to me to be able to reach out to learning about them,” he says with a grin. as wide a customer base as possible. There “Life is for living, and a glass of good has never been a time when one business wine adds to the experience.” And most approach could meet all the needs, so mulimportantly , he does it all Conrisa, with a tiple streams of income has allowed me to smile.

8 - 14 February 2024

Changes to tax for 2024 Photo: X (@itsmeback_)

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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN tells us that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. The Spanish government has released new information on changes to the latter. Not even governments can change the former. Accountant Armando Benito of CostaGestion updates us on some of the changes which will take effect this year. The amount earned from work which obligates the worker to make an annual tax declaration is now €15,000. If you earn less than this, you can choose to make a return or not. All self-employed workers will have to make a tax return of their net income regardless of how much or little their net income is. Also, the module system for tax liability will lose the 10 per cent reduction previously enjoyed. Still with self-employed, new changes to VAT (IVA) regulations may work in their favour. Workers who invoice less than €85,000 will no longer be obliged to add VAT to their invoices. As this has still to be approved there is no date for the introduction. This is not an initiative proposed by the Spanish Treasury, but rather a European decision that must be complied with by the EU Member

States. Electric cars: vehicles purchased between June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2024, will bring tax relief to the purchasers, 15 per cent of the purchase price of the vehicle can be claimed in tax relief to a maximum of €3,000. There will also be tax relief on the cost of installing a charging point with 15 per cent of the cost receiving tax relief to a maximum of €4,000. People who sell things online are now being targeted. From next year digital platforms will have to report to the Tax Agency on the sales operations that professionals or individuals make through them, for example, on Amazon, Wallapop, or Vinted, when sales exceed 30 per year or €2,000 in value. Tax on income generated will be calculated by the authorities. As from February 1, all self-employed workers with employees and small businesses in the construction sector will have to contribute to a pension plan for their employees. According to some studies, it will increase spending by about €20 per month per worker. Information provided by CostaGestion.com and correct as of January 31, 2024.

PETS

euroweeklynews.com • 8 - 14 February 2024 SPONSORED BY

Pet insurance HAVING pet insurance is akin to having a safety net for your furry family members. It offers financial protection against unforeseen veterinary expenses, which can be substantial, particularly in cases of emergency treatments or chronic illnesses. One of the primary advantages of pet insurance is the peace of mind it provides. Knowing you’re covered means you can make healthcare decisions for your pet based on the best medical advice, rather than financial constraints. Most pet insurance plans offer flexibility in terms of coverage options, from accidents and illnesses to routine wellness care. This allows pet owners to choose a plan that best suits their pet’s needs and their budget. Additionally, as veterinary medicine advances, treatments become more

A prudent choice.

sophisticated and costly. Pet insurance helps make these advanced treatments more accessible, ensuring your pet gets the best possible care. Furthermore, pet insurance can also cover additional costs, such as lost pet advertising, rewards for lost pets, and even holiday cancellation if your pet falls ill. Overall, pet insurance is a prudent choice, ensuring that your pet’s health and your financial well-being are both well protected.

Need a cat-sitter? KEEPING your pets at home when you travel can give you real peace of mind. This is accentuated when you know the sitters are checked and come from HouseSitMatch. What is more, they wont charge you a cent! The pet-sitters come for free! If you’re planning a trip in 2024 join now to find sitters. Earlier is better than later. Whether your trip is short or long, get organised. All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Join our pet and house-sitting network. The sitters come for free! Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care. These are the steps to take: 1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com 2. Choose a Standard account (£69 per year) to ensure you can help online when needed 3. Create a profile with pho-

schedules, ensuring pets are fed on time, even in the owner’s absence. Automated feeders dispense pre-measured amounts of food, which aids in maintaining proper portion control, crucial for preventing over-

tos of your pet and the house 4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose. How does it work? HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID chec-

ked 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. How do you join? Please register online via our website Housesitmatch.com.

Need a pet or house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting is a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20% discount using coupon code 20EWN- Reader exclusive offer. To ﬁnd a house or pet-sitter go to www.HouseSitMatch.com.

Automated pet feeders FOOD containers, specifically automated pet feeders, have become increasingly popular among pet owners for their convenience and benefits. These devices can be particularly useful for those with busy

Ferguson the cat loves to have a cat-sitter when his owners go on holiday.

feeding and obesity. Moreover, for pets that require strict dietary management due to health conditions like diabetes, these feeders ensure timely and consistent feeding. Some advanced models even offer the ability to control feeding via smartphone apps, providing additional flexibility and peace of mind for the owner. However, it’s important to choose the right type of feeder for your pet’s needs. For instance, some pets might try to break into the container, so a sturdy design is essential. Also, while these feeders are convenient, they should not replace human interaction and care. Regular checks on the feeder for cleanliness and proper operation are necessary, and pets still need love, attention, and exercise from their owners. Overall, when used appropriately, food containers can be an excellent tool for managing your pet’s dietary needs.

Moving house MOVING house can be a stressful experience, not just for humans but also for our beloved pets. To ensure a smooth transition, it’s essential to consider the needs of your furry friends. Prior to the move, gradually introduce your pet to their travel crate or carrier to build familiarity and reduce anxiety. On moving day, keep them in a quiet room away from the hustle and bustle, ensuring they have their

favourite toys, bedding, and water. During transport, safety is paramount. Secure carriers in the vehicle and never leave pets alone in a parked car, especially on warm days. If it’s a long journey, plan for regular breaks to allow your pet to stretch, eat, and relieve themselves.

NEW HOME: Help your pet to settle in comfortably.

Upon arrival at the new home, set up a safe space for your pet with their familiar items. This helps them adjust to their new environment. It’s important to keep routines as consistent as possible, maintaining regular feeding and walking schedules. For outdoor pets, like cats, keep them indoors for a few weeks to prevent them from trying to return to the old house. Gradually introduce them to the outside, supervising their initial explorations. R e m e m b e r, each pet is unique and may r e - act differently to the move. Patience, reassurance, and extra attention during this transition period can help your pet settle into their new home comfortably.

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• Sport •

Formula 1 news John Smith

FORMULA 1 is back in the news for two reasons, firstly because on February 1 it rejected the recent bid from the Andretti racing team to become part of the franchise. The group is headed by former McLaren driver Michael Andretti and his probably better known father Mario, was 1978 world champion. They wanted to become the 11th team on the F1 grid but their bid was rejected on the grounds that as they don’t have their own power unit and don’t expect partner General Motors to create one for several years, they are unlikely to be competitive. While the announcement of Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari for 2025 is understandably creating great excitement as the seven-time World Champion switches to Maranello after over a decade with Mercedes, the big loser in the musical chairs is Carlos Sainz.

There has been a well-documented on-off relationship with Ferrari who have been trying to poach Hamilton for years but when he signed a new two-year contract with Mercedes in 2023 it was assumed he was tied in until at least 2026. Appearing on the F1 Nation podcast to discuss Hamilton’s move, F1 journalist Lawrence Barretto said that, given Sainz’s form isn’t in question, the current Ferrari driver will have no shortage of options on the driver market for next season. Both Mercedes and Red Bull still have unconfirmed race seats for 2025 - although Barretto believes it’s Mercedes at which Sainz has the better chance.

Credit: Mercedes AMG F1

Hamilton is on the move.

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Anyone for a beer? Credit: bernabeuofficial/Facebook.com

24 8 - 14 February 2024

Real Madrid’s stadium.

ASK most football fans and they will probably agree there’s no better way to enjoy a game than with a fresh beer. This ideal scenario has been brilliantly envisioned by the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, as they introduce an extraordinary feature to their venue. Announced recently, the iconic football stadium, which has been undergoing extensive renovations for five years, will soon reveal a ground-breaking addition. Mahou San Miguel, the famous beer brand, is set to open a small-scale brewery within the stadium’s Padre Damian area,

near the Honor Box. This facility, visible to the public, will be the first of its kind in a football stadium. Alberto Rodriguez-Toquero, the general director of Mahou San Miguel, described the project as ‘a dream come true’. The integration of a brewery within the Santiago Bernabeu marks a significant shift in how stadiums are utilised. Beyond improving the physical infrastructure, the project aims to transform the stadium into a centre of ongoing activity, extending well beyond football matches. This approach is geared towards enhancing the overall

experience for spectators, offering them something unique. The upgrade promises to provide ‘climatic comfort’ to 100 per cent of members and spectators. Florentino Perez, in his Christmas speech, highlighted the importance of this development, stating that it will contribute to ‘institutional stability and the economic solidity’ necessary to remain competitive. The Santiago Bernabeu’s transformation is a testament to Real Madrid’s forward-thinking vision. This project not only serves as an enhancement to the sporting facility but also redefines the role of a stadium in the modern era.