Costa de Almeria 15 – 21 February 2024 Issue 2015 by Euro Weekly News Media S.A.

Costa de Almeria • Issue No. 2015 • 15 - 21 February 2024

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ILMAINEN

GRATIS

VRIJ

Drought measures

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LIVREE

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Credit: M Kasahara flickr

Kevin Fraser Park THE Commission for Drought Management in Andalucia met on Friday February 9 and approved further measures to combat the drought. The main restriction imposed is that a limit of 200 litres per person per day has been set for urban consumption in areas affected by the drought which includes the Cuevas de Almanzora (Carboneras, Los Gallardos, Garrucha, Mojacar, Albox, Antas, Arboleas, Cuevas del Almanzora, Huercal-Overa, Taberno, Vera and Zurgena) It is not a matter of going to people’s homes to see how much is being used, but of monitoring the volume at municipal water tanks and to limit the flow at source in the event that the volume is exceeded. It seems that the rain

FREI

Restrictions put into place.

that fell recently hardly made an impact on the reservoir levels. To put 200 litres of water per person per day into perspective, baths on average hold 150 litres of wa-

ter; a five-minute shower uses around 75 - 90 litres of water, which increases to 160 litres of water for a 10-minute shower and 240 litres of water for a 15-minute shower.

And if you were thinking of inviting friends round to share your jacuzzi, bear in mind that your hot tub probably holds over 1,000 litres, sometimes as much as 1,500 litres.

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Unusual competition THE Chirigotas Albox ‘24 Contest takes place at 6pm on Sunday February 25 at the Albox Water and Health Centre with tickets costing €7. These groups of musicians are a bit like an early Spanish version of Rap artists as they make up their lyrics on the spot, focusing on politics, current events and gossip. It will only appeal to a Spanish speaking audience but this is a tradition worth discovering if your Spanish is good enough. The two contenders for the title are Chirigota Del Bizcocho and Chirigota Del Soto and both make regular appearances at and around the Albox Carnival which

ALTHOUGH hardly a major airline hub, Almeria airport does handle a number of flights to different parts of Spain, offers two UK destinations and a number of connecting flights to Europe. In order to attract more airlines and therefore additional routes, it needs to prove that it is growing and becoming more at-

Credit: Chirigota Del Soto

Announcement of Chirigotas Albox ‘24.

has just finished. For this event, both groups will perform partly scripted reviews but there is sure to be some creative ad-libbing as the event gets into full swing.

Busy airport tractive to residents and tourists. Latest figures show that January 2024 was a good month for the airport with the number of passengers carried up one third over January 2023 at 34,114. There is very little non-passenger or private flight movement in and

out of the airport so the tourist market (both from within Spain and abroad) is very important. There are financial incentives to airlines to increase the number of passengers carried, so hopefully this trend will continue for the rest of the year.

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Dog park

NO sooner was the Azorg Dog Park in La Rambla Vera extended in size and had its furniture repaired than on February 10 it had to be temporarily closed due to the arrival of processionary caterpillars.

Ferrari film

ON Saturday February 17 at 6pm, the cinema at the Sala Federico Garcia L de Albox in the municipal building will be screening an English language version of the new movie Ferrari starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz with entry for those over 12 costing €6.

Turre fire

A FIRE which broke out in Cortetes (Sierra Cabrera) on the evening of February 7 was brought under control by members of the Levante Firefighters with the active contribution of Infoca, Guardia Civil, Turre Local Police and Civil Protection with backup from Los Gallardos, Cuevas and Mojacar.

Silent vigil

THE Antas Council held a one minute silent vigil outside the town hall at noon on Monday February 12 to show its support for the family and colleagues of the two Guardia Civil officers who were killed by alleged drug smugglers in Barbate on February 9.

Urgent plan

IN 2012, the desalination plant in Villaricos suffered from a flood and was put out of action and has never been repaired, laying unused and empty for 11 years. Now the Almería Water Board is demanding that it be recommissioned urgently.

back 285 years, the Parish Church of Huercal-Overa celebrated the anniversary on February 8 of the transfer of the Eucharist to its current location. In 1739, the new Parish Church in the centre of the town was consecrated and the Holy Sacrament was transferred from its original site to the new church. The current celebration started with a Mass and then a large group made up of priests, local parishioners and councillors followed the original rou-

Night of lights Credit: Huercal Overa Council

Cano NIBS EXTRA IN a Michael tradition that goes

Procession of the Eucharist.

te parading the Eucharist from the old chapel to its

Filming starts ONCE again, Mojacar has been chosen as the location for a new feature film entitled Lagunas en el tiempo (Lagoons in time). Although much of the filming work was completed during the latter part of 2023, there are still more location shots needed and the film crew will be returning at the end of February to take further shots. The Macenas Castle, its beaches and different parts of Marina de la Torre featured heavily in the initial round of shooting with the locations chosen by director Fernando Díaz who has a number of shorts and feature films in

15 - 21 February 2024

his portfolio. Lagunas en el Tiempo has also been filmed on location in Portugal, Granada, Motril, Cuevas del Almanzora and Vera. It tells the story of Germán, a man who decides to run away due to a series of problems that he finds it impossible to face. His father Antonio, who knows that he himself is experiencing the first symptoms of dementia, sets out on his own journey, following in his son’s footsteps in the hope of finding him before his illness prevents him from even recognising his own son.

current home. The villagers

carried

Sabores Almeria FIVE Gourmet food companies along with representatives of the Almeria Provincial Council have been attending the Fruit Logistica Exhibition in Berlin. The intention is to strengthen business ties with German importers and to highlight the quality and volume of top class produce that is grown across Almeria. This was reinforced by the fact that the Provincial Government sponsored the buses that transported visitors from their hotels to the exhibition centre. Understandably, an ele-

Leukaemia fight ON February 8, the mayor of Adra, Manuel Cortés and councillors welcomed a group of athletes who are involved in the KM43 Solidarity Challenge for childhood leukaemia. This group of cyclists and runners led by Vanesa Perea from Jerez will cover 400 kilometres with a dozen stops until they complete the journey on Saturday February 17. This challenge started in Roquetas de Mar, moved on to Adra and Torrenueva before passing through Nerja, Torre del Mar, Malaga, El Burgo, Ronda, El Bosque and Arcos, ending in Jerez de la

candles and as the procession passed, lights were lit along the streets, recalling what as in the past there was no electricity and for this reason lights had to be lit along the streets. Music was provided by the Asociación Musical Virgen del Río, a huge fire was lit outside of the church to light the area and a bar with tapas and drinks was set up for the benefit of the large crowd that had gathered.

Frontera. Those taking part will be running and cycling to raise awareness about the plight of children suffering from leukaemia and will be collecting money en route as well as hopefully some supplies to keep them going. All funds raised will be donated to the Aceleradora Unoentrecienmil Foundation which apart from researching the illness aims to integrate Physical Exercise Research Units in cancer hospitals. Donations may be made at https:// retosunoentrecienmil.org/campaigns/Km -43.

ment of political comment had to appear in the remarks made by the deputy for Agri-Food Promotion, Commerce and Consumption, Carlos Sánchez, who reiterated the commitment and firm support of the Provincial Council to the Almeria countryside in the face of the blockade situation that is being experienced in the border with France. “We will always be at the side of our farmers in the face of any attack they suffer. We ask the central government to give a forceful response to put an end to this unfair situation that is so damaging to provincial and Spanish agriculture” he said.

YOUR EWN HAS

104 STORIES in this week’s edition

Mojacar music THE popular Roof Terrace Restaurant on the top floor of the Parque Commercial at Mojacar Playa is introducing live music on the last Thursday of every month. The first act will be the multi-talented Quincy Sax who not only sings but plays flute and saxophone on February 29. Then it’s the turn of singer Tom Lee who offers a selection of hits from the 50s onwards from Tamla Motown to blues and rock on March 28. Finally on April 25, is Jack Law, singer guitarist who has been performing in Spain and abroad for the past 10 years and with an ever expanding repertoire of more than 200 songs can satisfy a wide range of musical tastes.

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Here be dragons VIEWPOINT

BILL ANDERSON FEBRUARY 10 saw billions of Chinese people celebrating new year: the year of the wood dragon. New year, regardless of when we celebrate it, always represents a new start, new beginnings, new opportunities. I think it is a good thing that we can’t only do this once a year on the New Year that we celebrate. Personally, I am not a follower of astrology, or zodiacs, but I also guess I am not alone when I say that when there are good predictions for the future in my signs, I am notionally attracted to the idea. When they predict hard time ahead, my scepticism takes over.

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The dragon is the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac, which makes it a bit magical, so when it says that the wood dragon will be a good year for culture and publishing, I grasp at the promise, being both a writer and working in publishing. The origin of the expression “Here be dragons” goes back to the medieval map makers who would write ‘hic sunt dracones’ with an illustration on dangerous or unexplored territories. They would also use sea monsters and other mythological creatures on uncharted areas where potential dangers were thought to exist. So, why do I behave in such an irrational way about the possibility of good times ahead? It’s simple really. We all need to live in the hope that the future will be even better than the past. As well as being the guardian of all our happy times, good experiences, and fond memories, the past also holds on to all our failures, bad experiences, and our mistakes. Without the hope of a future where we do things better, use the learned wisdom of our past to avoid the same mistakes in the future, we are fated to the

same misery of our past human flaws mingling with our achievements in the future and diminishing them. The story of Pandora’s box teaches us the lesson that while we are surrounded by all the evils in the world: sickness, suffering, and corruption, there is still hope for the future, and without that hope, without our dreams, what provides us with the strength and determination to go forward with positivity? So, what opportunities does the year of the dragon present us with? Well, the number 9 is important as it represents feminine energy, and this will be a good year for women whom we will see coming to the fore on many areas. According to the advice from the experts we should also attend more happy events to lure positive energy. I’m up for that. I’m a Dog in the Chinese zodiac, so of course I want to know what is in store for me. It could be a year of challenges, but that isn’t all negative as challenges also bring growth. As long as it’s not around my midriff, I’m up for that. Whatever your take on this is, I wish you all happiness.

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

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Blood donors The John Smith THERE is always a need for blood donors and the Almeria Blood Transfusion Area Centre has announced that it received a total of 24,375 donations in 2023. Of this number, 21,582 units correspond to whole blood donations and the rest to apheresis - selective donations of plasma and platelets from 2,793 people. Throughout 2023, 2,837 new donors were enrolled and blood was given by 15,924 donors in the province of Almeria, 459 more than in 2022. This was confirmed by the director of the Transfusion Centre, Aref Laarej, on February 12 as he donated his blood in the Patio de Luces of the Almeria Provincial Council, accompanied by the vice president Ángel Escobar and the Health delegate, Juan de la Cruz Belmonte.

Credit: Almeria Provincial Council

An encouragement for as many people as possible to give blood.

Laarej advised that of the donors recruited, 33 per cent were type A , 36.5 per cent type O +; 7 per cent type A- and 9 per cent type O-. The majority of donors were aged between 41-50 years old with most age

groups fairly equally balanced although those donors aged 60+ were in the minority with just 6 per cent of the total. These figures mean that in 2023 the province collected sufficient blood to cover its annual needs.

Case dropped THE embezzlement case against the former mayor of Garrucha, María López, is filed In 2022, a Garrucha councillor Álvaro Ramos made a formal complaint against the then mayor, María López Cervantes concerning alleged irregularities and improper use of fuel cards. A court in Vera has now declared that there is no case to answer as there were two fuel cards allocated not to anyone by name but was assigned to the vehicle, so it would be impossible to say who was responsible for using the card. The judge added that due to the passage of time since the alleged offence was committed that there would be little point in investigating further as no new evidence is likely to appear. An appeal against the decision may be made within five days.

bad bank

AS Spain attempted to recover from the 2008 financial crisis, one area which brought some banks to their knees and saw construction companies disappear was the housing industry. It was boom or bust prior to 2008 and bust it was, companies going under and mortgagees unable to keep up their payments leaving a huge glut of finished, unfinished, unbuilt or second-hand property in the hands of the banks. Sareb, which is known as the bad bank was created in an attempt to place all of the unsaleable property in one area and it was funded by investment from 14 Spanish organisations, mainly healthy banks. Since that time, it has taken on more ‘bad’ property and attempted to sell the stocks that it holds but it still has a huge portfolio, but is due to close for good in 2027. One of the largest areas where stocks are still held is Almeria Province and it is now inviting 17 councils in the province to consider taking over land assets with a discount of up to 40 per cent of market price in order to create much need additional social housing. In many ways, it would possibly be more attractive to some councils to acquire property already built which can be adapted rather than building from scratch.

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THE play, Mrs Caldicot’s Cabbage War is a poignant, warm and funny production about an ordinary but downtrodden housewife, Thelma Caldicot. Thelma has endured 30 years of marriage to a domineering, obnoxious and insensitive husband. Due to unexpected circumstances, Thelma is coerced by her shifty, manipulative and avaricious son Derek and his equally greedy wife Veronica to move into a run-down residential nursing home. The Twilight Years Rest Home is run with a strict regime and although the residents are not overly mistreated, the elderly inmates are not exactly handled with due reverence either. Manager and Matron medicate and patronise their ‘guests’ into glazed submission and to save money serve them cabbage with every meal. It doesn’t take Thelma

Credit: Indalo Players

Indalo Players next up

Most of the large cast performing in the play.

long to realise how awful everything is at the nursing home and her apathy soon turns to anger and then action as the medication is discarded and Thelma discovers her mettle. She and her aged cohorts stage a rebellion but the result is something nobody envisaged! A genuinely heartfelt human comedy with a subtle social thought-provoking message, highlighting the skewering of society’s treatment of the

elderly population. This escape fantasy is undemanding, entertaining and will bring tears and cheers from the audience. The play will be presented at the Teatro Municipal Bedar on March 8 and 9, Teatro Museo Arboleas on March 15 and 16 and El Espacio Cultural Los Gallardos on March 22 and 23. Tickets cost €10 at each venue and to make your booking call 629 252 292 or 670 722 705.

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xxx

ROAD BLOCK: But not for the tractors.

Surprise, surprise WANTING to make sure that roads weren’t inundated by large numbers of slow moving tractors, a fleet of Guardia Civil vehicles set up a road block on a road in Velez Rubio. What they had overlooked was the very fact that the farmers were driving tractors which have

enormous tyres and are ideal for off road terrain. Very simply, the parade of tractors diverted from the road when they arrived at the road block and moved onto the land adjacent as they slowly proceeded round the block and then rejoined the road when they could.

Lucky winners GOOD news for supporters of the ONCE lottery who struck rich in El Ejido on Saturday February 10 after purchasing decimo (1/10th) tickets. Ten players purchased their tickets from a single seller, identified as Jesús Sampedro and each won the sum of €20,000, so the total payout in El Ejido was €200,000.

Beauty pageant GENTLEMEN, brush up your bouffants, apply your longest lashes and get your glad rags to the cleaners as the Miss Mojacar All Male Beauty Pageant 2024 is set to take place. So if Arthur wants to be Martha for a night enter your name to the competition which will take place at the Emerald Isle on Mojacar Playa Paseo on Friday March 29 from 8pm with a first prize of €100. Host for the evening will be the outrageous Miss Betty Swollocks and you can either enter by popping in to the bar or calling 950 289 893.

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euroweeklynews.com OUR pensions are often key for our long-term financial security, but they are complex. Deciding what to do with yours involves navigating various options, establishing how they suit your objectives, researching the tax implications and weighing up the pros and cons. UK pension and tax regulations change regularly. Keep up to date on relevant reforms in UK and Spain to review your retirement planning as necessary and make informed decisions. Lasting a lifetime, the longevity factor How long will you live? And your spouse? This is an unknown but essential factor in financial planning, since your money needs to last as long as you do. You may live to a ripe old age so having a financial planning road map is important. Many people often overestimate how long retirement savings will last. While you may be able to afford living necessities, your later retirement lifestyle could fall well below expectations. Much depends on the type of pension. A pension providing a secure income for life can give peace of mind. Other options

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Protect your pensions and retirement savings for the long-term

By Jon Pemberton, Partner, Blevins Franks

provide the opportunity for your funds to grow, but you should carefully manage investment risk and the rate of withdrawals. The inflation, income and investment factors Recent years reminded us how inflation can impact our spending power. Even low levels reduce the value of savings and income over the long-term, so plan ahead to protect your pensions and investment capital. When the cost of living is high people may be tempted to

draw larger amounts from their pension fund. When combined with longevity, the impact of spending too much in the short term (especially when portfolio returns are lower than average) can affect the long-term value of your funds and ability to meet future income requirements. This can cause a dilemma for retirees who need to meet today’s needs while protecting their future needs. With a sensible portfolio and drawdown plan, this can be effectively managed. The key is to understand your financial needs and adjust your plan to cater for the year-to-year increases in the cost of living and portfolio performance over time. The tax factor When weighing up the options for your UK pension you also need to consider the Spanish tax implications. Most UK pension income (except government service pensions) is subject to Spa-

nish taxation if you are resident here, including lump sums. The UK’s 2023 budget abolished the pensions lifetime allowance and resulting tax charges. However, with effect from 6th April three new allowances – the ‘lump sum allowance’, ‘lump sum death benefits allowance’ and ‘overseas transfer allowance’ – are scheduled to come into effect. The advice factor Pensions are personal so establish a solution that works for your circumstances and objectives. Since they are complex and wrong decisions could impact your retirement security, you need to take professional, regulated advice. The problem for British expatriates is that most UK advisers are not regulated to give advice to EU residents – they lost ‘passporting’ rights with Brexit. Even without this issue, it’s important to get local advice in

Spain. Most UK-based advisers don’t have in-depth understanding of Spanish taxation and potential pitfalls and benefits, which can result in you paying much more tax than necessary. Find a qualified advisory firm which is regulated to provide advice on UK pensions in Spain and has the specialist cross-border advice you need - thorough knowledge of UK pension regulations and of both UK and Spanish taxation and interaction between them. The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual should take personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www. blevinsfranks.com.

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Motor rally Credit: Olula del Río Council

National competition

Announcing the Rally

THOSE who enjoy motor rally events will be excited by the changes which are taking place in the annual Valle del Almanzora and Sierra de los Filabres Rally.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, news of the changes was released outside the town hall in Olula del Río on the morning of Monday February 12.

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Although that town will be the nerve centre for the two day event which takes place on March 8 and 9, the new route which takes in a number of additional stops, including Arboleas and Lijar as well as other towns and villages. This rally is being dedicated to late local mechanic and driver Manolo el de Elvira who took part in a number of previous rallies. To find out more about the rally and all of the new innovations and routes visit www.codea.es.

THE ‘Al-Mosaquer’ General Association of Moors and Christians, in collaboration with Mojacar Council, has announced the 2024 ‘Al-Mosaquer’ second National Competition for the Composition of Moorish and Christian Marches. In October last year, the association and the local authority published the rules for the second Moorish and Christian marches competition for all those composers who wanted to compete for this award. The rules stated that the works must be original, unpublished and not have been performed previously. The jury is made up of the ‘Al-Mosaquer’ General Association of Moors and Christians president, Emilio Egea Gea; Mojacar Council Culture councillor, Noemí Linares; the competition director and Garrucha Ex Mari Orta Municipal Music School teacher, Ginés

Credit:Ayuntamiento de Mojacar

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Mojacar Municipal Band.

Gallardo Jerez; the director of the Mojacar Music Band and teacher at the Mojacar Municipal Music School, Miguel Ángel Miranda; and Andrés Galera Cano, director of the ‘El Castillo de Serón’ Music Band and teacher at the Purchena and Tíjola music schools, as well as a member of the board of directors of the Andalucian Federation of Bands (FEDERBAND), Almeria Delegation. To select the winner, a concert will be offered on Saturday May 11, at which the Mojacar Municipal Music Band will perform the finalists’ works. When the concert ends

the jury’s report will be read out, which will announce the winning compositions that have achieved first and second place, with prizes of €1,000 and €500 respectively. First prize will be offered by the ‘Al-Mosaquer’ General Association of Moors and Christians and the second prize awarded by the Mojacar Council. The winning marches will be given the title chosen by the association and the works will be recorded as: ‘Mojácar Al-Mosaquer II National Competition for the Composition of Moorish and Christian Marches Prize’.

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In memoriam

Credit: Almeria Provincial Council

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LONG APPLAUSE: In memory of two brave officers.

John Smith MORE than 100 members of the Almeria Provincial Council alongside guests from the Local Guardia Civil Brigade stood in silence outside the Council Palace on Monday February 12. They were honouring the memory of two officers who were killed in the line of duty in Barbate (Cadiz) on Friday February 9 as they were chasing men who were

believed to be smuggling drugs. After the minute of silence and the long applause of the attendees, the president of the Provincial Council, Javier A García, spoke about the great work carried out by officers in the fight against drug trafficking. “We met at the door of the Almeria Provincial Council on behalf of the entire province in memory of the two officers

murdered in Barbate and to value the work of the Guardia Civil throughout the year to protect integrity and enforce the law,” he said. Much was made of the need to ensure that all officers are safe as they carry out their duties and the Provincial Council called upon the National Government to provide all of the necessary resources needed to achieve this goal.

Rock the family THERE is a rather unusual organisation Rock en Familia which is dedicated to bringing rock music to children but in a manner which they will enjoy and parents will be happy with. They run interactive concerts featuring the music of different bands and singers ranging from the Beatles to Metallica and Queen to Michael Jackson but they guarantee that the sound levels will be kept low so that no damage is done to youngster’s ears. On Sunday February 25, at noon, they will be presenting I Love Rock & Roll, at the Cervantes Theatre in Almeria Capital highlighting the music and history of AC/DC, Metallica, Queen, Ramones, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Nirvana. Tickets costing only €12 are available from the Cervantes Theatre box office.

Just one day UNLIKE some towns who made carnival last several days, Antas settled on a single one and even that started a little late because of the weather. The event was due to get going on the afternoon of Saturday February 10, but because of the very strong wind it was decided to postpone the start until 6pm as the forecast suggested it would have died down by then. In the event, it was still quite blowy, but this didn’t put off the hundreds who took part in the parade as the parade started at the Les Azahar High School and those who turned out to enjoy the spectacle.

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Fighting violence A SWISS organisation the Franz Weber Foundation (FFW) has targeted amongst other areas, those countries where bullfighting still exists. As part of its campaign for a childhood without violence (Infancia SIN viOLEncia, a play on Spanish), the FFW also fights at international level against the active and passive participation of minors in bullfights. In addition, the United Nations, through the Committee on the Rights of the Child, exerts pressure on the international community to ensure the protection of minors from all forms of violence, including as seen in bullfights and related events. The latest criticism concerns the grant of €56,000 to the bullfighting school in Almeria and it proposes the money should be taken back.

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Credit: Mojacar Council

The new mini-mural.

Walt Disney John Smith FOUNDED in 2021, the Walt Was Here Association in Mojacar is convinced (and this is supported by the Council) that the late Walt Disney was born in Mojacar. There is plenty of theory but not a huge amount of proof that he was born out of wedlock in Mojacar, his mother emigrated to the USA and then he was adopted by the Disney family. In the year when some of his earliest cartoons such as Steamboat Willie go out of copyright

and are being shown by some councils in Almeria Province, Mickey hasn’t been sighted on the silver screen in Mojacar as yet. There is however one new mini-mural to join the others already holding prominent positions in the town and this is at the Mojacar Day Care Centre for the very young. Considering the words of Jiminy Cricket ‘When you wish upon a star’, who knows whether the Walt Was Here Association will find their wish come true sometime soon?

Fully equipped p open p p plan kitchen working well withhe rest of the house.

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Spain printing money IN a significant move, the European Central Bank (ECB) has entrusted Spain with the production of all €10 banknotes destined for the Eurozone in 2024. This decision was announced recently, pinpointing the Bank of Spain and the Madrid-based public company IMBISA as the key players in the manufacture. The ECB’s mandate specifies the creation of approximately 424.2 million €10 notes, a task that showcases Spain’s prominent role within the Eurozone’s financial ecosystem. Additionally, Spain is tasked with producing a portion of the €5 notes required next year, further emphasising its critical manufacturing role. This strategic move aligns with the ECB’s broader objective to distribute the production of currency efficiently across member states, reflecting each country’s contribution to the ECB’s capital.

Credit: Angel L/shutterstock.com

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Euro bank notes.

Determining the number of banknotes to produce annually involves a meticulous process. Initially, Eurozone’s central banks estimate the volume of notes that need replacing due to wear and tear, alongside the demand for new currency. The ECB then integrates these figures with its own projections to establish a comprehensive requirement for the entire zone. The assignment of production tasks to national banks is influenced by their share in the ECB’s capital, with the Bank of Spain ranking fourth after Germany, France, and

Italy. Efficiency and cost considerations dictate the allocation, ensuring that each entity periodically assumes responsibility for different denominations. The ECB’s strategy avoids assigning the same denomination to any central bank in consecutive years. This approach ensures a diverse and balanced production responsibility across the Eurozone. Reflecting on its previous duties, the Bank of Spain was involved in the production of the €50 notes in 2022 and 2023 and is set to contribute to the manufacturing of €5 and €50 notes in 2025.

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The Smurfs John Smith

SPANISH villages are generally very attractive but a few have turned themselves into the quirkiest habitations in Europe. Who would have thought that one of Belgium’s favourite cartoon creations would take over the tiny village of Juzcar which is situated not too many kilometres away from Ronda in Malaga Province? The journey there however is down a narrow winding road through mountainous terrain until you discover the blue village that is Juzcar. At one time this isolated hamlet was painted white but in 2011 to coincide with the release of The Smurf Movie, Sony Pictures were looking for a suitable village to paint blue for promotional purposes. It’s remote, small and is well-known for the mushrooms that grow locally and as we all know, Smurfs

Credit: Donatella D flickr

Signs of Smurfs are everywhere in Juzcar.

are blue and live in mushroom houses. The deal was eventually struck and included an undertaking that once the promotion was over then Sony would pay for all the properties to be painted white again. In the event, a public referendum was held and local residents decided not only did they like being a blue village but if they

embraced Smurfism then they would become a tourist attraction. Now 13 years later, they are not only still blue, but various statues have been erected to some of the main characters and there are 14 different wall drawings of Smurfs around Juzcar. It might not be the place to spend a week’s holiday but is certainly an ideal place to visit for the day.

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Haggis heroine George Cunningham A 10-YEAR-OLD girl from Edinburgh, named Grace, has received a generous reward for her efforts in campaigning to bring back her beloved haggis crisps, a niche flavour that was removed from shop shelves. When Grace discovered that her favourite haggis and black pepper flavoured crisps, made by Taylors Snacks (formerly Mackie’s Crisps), were no longer available due to the company’s decision to limit production to winter months, she took matters into her

Image: Taylors Snacks / Facebook

16 15 - 21 February 2024

REWARDED: Grace and her favourite crisps.

own hands. Grace penned a heartfelt letter to the managing director of Taylors Snacks, expressing her love for the crisps and advocating for their availability yearround. She also issued a gentle warning to the crisps boss, James Taylor, stating that she would be disappointed if her request was not fulfilled. Impressed by Grace’s enthusiasm and initiative, Mr Taylor and his team decided to respond in a meanin-

gful way. Grace was rewarded with a year’s supply of her favourite crisps, along with a taxi filled with haggis and black pepper flavoured crisps, and a ticket for a tour of the Taylors’ factory. Grace’s mother, Becky, expressed gratitude for the response from Taylors Snacks. Mr Taylor expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support from customers who also missed the haggis and black pepper crisps.

Dazzling display UNTIL August, the Northern Lights phenomenon, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is anticipated to be particularly spectacular. Heightened activity is expected in the skies above parts of Europe. This occurrence is attributed to a period of extreme space weather forecasted in the upcoming weeks and months. The Aurora Borealis is a mesmerising natural spectacle that graces the night skies in high-latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs due to the interaction between charged particles from the sun and the Earth’s magnetic field. According to forecasts from the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre, the sun is reaching the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, known as a solar maximum, in 2024. This means that the Northern Lights are expected to be stronger and more vibrant than in at least a decade.

• News •

18 15 - 21 February 2024

Cost of living In Spain, the cost of electricity has been steadily rising in the last few years, and, moreover, it fluctuates throughout the day. Therefore, one of the biggest favours you can do yourself is buying programmable electrical appliances - that is if you

are just settling here - or finding out if the ones you already have that function available. Power is usually cheaper by night, so that is when you should do your washing. While Spain’s warmer climate is what makes it so attractive to

foreigners, you will find out (or you might already have) that summers here can be scorching hot; therefore, you just can’t make do without an air conditioner. If you’re in the market for one, consider a model with a heat pump, as it will also double as a heater and save more energy than a standalone appliance. Also, if you’re looking for a

school to send your children to and you pay taxes in Spain, take note that most schooling expenses are deductible. Depending on the community you are living in you may have tax returns on Primary and Secondary Schools in regions such as the Valencian Community and Balearic Islands, or even, in the case of the Canary Islands, university costs. Credit: Erik Törner flickr

WHILE Spain is a country with a relatively inexpensive standard of living, it has also felt the effects of generalised inflation, albeit less than other European countries. So here are several tips to save on your cost of living. One of the main problems your wallet may have suffered in the last few months may have been the energy prices.

euroweeklynews.com

DIGITAL NOMADS: Enjoy the Spanish lifestyle whilst saving money.

Great shift in population IN the years following the pandemic, Spain has seen a steady influx of the so-called digital nomads, professionals that relocate to foreign countries while working remote jobs in their countries of origin. As of now, Spain has become the third country most preferred by these profiles, only behind Portugal and Thailand, and around 40 per cent of them are settled around the Costa del Sol. This phenomenon, however, has had a number of consequences for the local population. While this model of work relationships allows companies to cover critical vacancies with hires from other countries that they wouldn’t be able to source locally, it inevitably raises the question of income

taxes and insurance. Nomads use public services in their country of residence, while their taxes and pensions remain in their country of origin. As recently as June 2023, the EU has regulated an extendable five-year period where digital nomads can make their National Insurance contributions in the country they are living in. The other wedge issue is the rising of real estate prices. On average, nomads usually flow from countries with higher standards (and therefore higher incomes) of living to poorer ones, which impacts the prices in the real estate market, especially in the regions they tend to settle in.

22 15 - 21 February 2024

• European Press •

IRELAND

EUROPRESS

TWENTY-FIVE per cent of six-year-olds in Ireland own a smartphone, a survey carried out for online safety charity CyberSafeKids found. Twenty-five per cent of parents were worried about cyber-bullying and porn although 20 per cent felt the benefits of the internet and social media outweigh the risks for children.

Measles peril AN adult whose personal details have not been disclosed died in hospital in the Dublin and Midlands health region after contracting measles, the Health Service revealed. This was the first known case of measles in 2024, while four cases were reported in 2023, with two in 2022, none in 2021 and five in 2020.

NORWAY

GERMANY

Photo credit: CC/Clemens Franz

Starting early

euroweeklynews.com

Go slow AVANT GARDE composer John Cage’s Organ²/ASLSP (As Slow as Possible) changed chord for the first time in two years, performed on a specially-constructed organ at a Halberstadt church. The piece, whose finale arrives in the year 2640, has had 16 chord changes since it began in 2001, commencing with 18 months of silence.

Huge loss LABORATORY samples collected over decades and used in leukaemia research, amongst other fields, were destroyed owing to a freezer fault over Christmas at the Karolinska University Hospital in Solna. The samples’ value “was easily in the millions”, said Matti Sallberg, dean of the university’s southern campus.

Less timber SWEDEN’S timber stocks fell to 7.4 million cubic metres during the last quarter of 2023, a 4 per cent reduction on the same period the previous year. “Timber stocks were low compared to the end of 2022, but also compared to the average for the same time over the past five years,” the Swedish Forest Agency announced.

HALBERSTADT CHURCH: John Cage composition comes to an end in 2640

ITALY

SWEDEN

FRANCE

DENMARK

No asylum

Burst bubbles

SUV surfeit

Mopeds out

ANDREY MEDVEDEV, who defected from the Wagner mercenary group in January, was refused full asylum but will be allowed to reside temporarily in Norway owing to the “security risk in returning him to Russia.” While willing to testify regarding war crimes in Ukraine, Medvedev denies having committed any himself.

PROSECCO producers launched a UK advertising campaign, warning drinkers that it could not be called prosecco when sold on tap. It was important for customers to be aware that prosecco can only be marketed in bottles and selling it in any other manner was fraudulent, the president of the Prosecco Consortium declared.

VOTERS in Paris supported a proposal from city mayor Anne Hidalgo to triple parking charges on hefty SUV and ‘Chelsea tractor’ vehicles, the official count-up revealed. Parisians voted 54.55 per cent in favour of charging cars of 1.6 metric tons or more €18 per hour to park in the city centre and €12 further out.

COUNCILLORS at Frederiksberg city hall voted to ban mopeds from using the bicycle lanes it shares with neighbouring Copenhagen. Danish traffic laws allow mopeds on these but they are a problem in cities with a high volume of two-wheeled transport, particularly riders for delivery companies, councillors agreed.

Lead on

No let-up

Olympic wages

Fare-dodger

DOG-OWNERS who take their pets to Oslo’s Nordmarka forest area must now keep them on the leash or pay a fine if they run free. This year’s extreme cold and deep snowdrifts have adversely affected wildlife with loose dogs attacking deer and other vulnerable animals whose wounds required them to be put down.

ITALY continues its efforts to counter overtourism in favourite destinations but is also focusing on short-term rentals, which are strictly controlled nationwide with licences banned entirely in some towns and cities. These include the city centre in Florence where city hall hopes to make more housing available to locals.

INVESTIGATING judges specialised in financial crime are checking the system used to pay Tony Estanguet, chief executive of the Paris Olympics’ organising committee, said sources who insisted on anonymity. The committee expressed “surprise” at the investigation, while the Public Prosecutor’s office declined to comment.

RUSSIAN Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava (46) who boarded a Scandinavian Airways aircraft bound for Los Angeles at Copenhagen airport in November 2023 without a passport, ticket or visa was a stowaway, a US jury decided. Ochigava, who holds both Russian and Israeli passports, now faces a five-year prison term.

BELGIUM

NETHERLANDS

FINLAND

PORTUGAL

Buck’s visit

Mighty mice

Digital outlaws

Green power

CHESTER P SLOAN, nicknamed Buck and a Second World War veteran, will see the Normandy beaches once more on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. This time he will be accompanied by his wife, thanks to a fundraising campaign by Randy Buelens who has raised the €4,000 needed to pay for their visit.

HEALTH AND SAFETY inspectors closed online supermarket Picnic’s 2,000-square metre distribution centre in Zaandam after it was overrun with mice. They were detected during a routine check, after which all unwrapped items or food in easily-penetrated packaging was destroyed and the centre fumigated.

VICTIMS ‘gave’ €44 million to online scammers in 2023, duped by Ponzi-type investment schemes, emails or computer malware, the Finance Finland (FFI) lobby group revealed. A total of €77 million was lost this way, compared with €47 million in 2022, although banks intervened in some cases, returning €33 million.

RENEWABLE energy supplied 81 per cent of Portugal’s electricity in January, according to Redes Energeticas Nacionais (REN), the national grid operator. Hydropower plants made the most significant contribution to the country’s needs, accounting for 47 per cent, followed by windfarms (25 per cent).

No more

Think again

No-no names

Brussels ire

NEW admissions to Antwerp jail were put on hold as guards revealed the prison was ‘full to overflowing’ with 70 inmates already sleeping on the floor, which they said was heightening tensions. The Belgian prison system with room for 10,000 prisoners had a record high of 12,012 by late January, the authorities said.

THE Netherlands Education Council asked the government to reconsider admitting fewer international students to Dutch universities and reducing the number of classes in English. While accepting fewer foreign students could be “positive”, the language change could affect educational quality and research, the council said.

FINLAND’S Names Board, attached to the Justice ministry, recently released a list of the new names it approved or rejected in 2023. Harry Potter’s Voldemort was vetoed, along with Jezebel and Yes, since Finnish law does not accept first names that are potentially offensive or “harmful to the person bearing it.”

THE European Commission announced that it is taking action against Portugal at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for not complying with a December 2023 ruling. This required the country to designate 61 ‘sites of community importance’ as ‘special conservation sites’ under habitat conservation rules.

www.vosshomesspain.com

FINANCE €1.1 billion VAT-free review 26

euroweeklynews.com • 15 - 21 February 2024

STAT OF WEEK

has been raised by Bankinter Asset Management’s recordbreaking Premium Fixed Income investment fund in the three months since its launch in November 2023.

BUSINESS EXTRA Cost-cutting

BIG FOUR accountant Deloitte, whose partners earn approximately £1 million (€1.17 million) annually, employs 27,000 people in the UK and proposes to make 100 employees redundant. The future job cuts will affect 5 per cent of financial advisory service staff, coinciding with a deal-making decline and high interest rates.

Old guard

PHARMACEUTICAL company Grifols announced a new chief executive and three members of the founding family resigned their executive roles on February 5, four weeks after an attack by the short-seller fund Gotham City queried its accounting. Shares slumped a month ago but have now risen by 1.5 per cent.

On track

MARKS & SPENCER is set to leave Waitrose behind as it woos more of its well-heeled customers. Data experts Nielsen announced recently that M&S is currently tied with Waitrose, with each on 3.8 per cent of the market compared with 2021 when Waitrose accounted for 4.2 per cent and M&S for 3.2 per cent.

Ford layoff

UNIONS at Ford’s Almussafes (Valencia) have requested a furlough scheme affecting up to 750 employees a day between February and April 2024. Following an advisory committee meeting, UGT, which represents the majority of workers, announced that it was prepared to extend layoffs only until late March.

Don’t split

ANALYSIS by the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, part of America’s Reserve System, revealed that while divorce is costly for both men and women, males usually lost twice as much of their income. US couples who separated in 2023 saw an average 12 per cent reduction in income.

Linda Hall BRITAIN’S Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility (ORB) to review the decision to scrap tax-free shopping for tourists. Prime Minishter Rishi Sunak, who was Chancellor at the time, decided to abolish the VAT-free concession in 2021. Sunak claimed that the benefits were “almost entirely” enjoyed by a handful of shops, restaurants and hotels in central London. The move currently brings in an annual £2 billion (€2.34 billion) although its many critics, like fashion designer Sir Paul

Photo credit: Flickr/Garry Knight

LUXURY BRANDS: No VAT could boost tourist spending.

Smith, argue that this does not compensate for what is lost on tourist spending. “It’s not always necessarily about rich shoppers coming to buy cheap handbags,” Sir Paul told Sky News, while revealing that one-third of his business relies on the tourism market.

“It’s the fact that when they’re here, they do spend money in our great cities,” he said. He also pointed out that European hotels had recovered after the pandemic. “We haven’t, so it’s about bringing people to the country and seeing all the fantastic things we’ve got.”

A bite of the Apple SPAIN’S National High Court in Madrid suspended as a precautionary measure €194 million in fines imposed on Apple and Amazon in July 2023. The National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) anti-trust watchdog concluded that a 2018 agreement between the companies had restricted competition on Amazon’s Spanish website. This affected “without justification” the online market for mobiles and electronic devices in Spain, the CNMC said,

Boss needed SHARES in NatWest, bailed out by the British government in 2008, could go on sale to the public by June 2023. Before it can do so, Charles Donald, the UK Government Investments (UKGI) chief, told a parliamentary committee that the bank should first name a successor to Dame Alison Rose, who resigned as chief executive following last year’s debanking scandal involving former politician Nigel Farage. Either Rose’s interim substitute Paul Thwaite should be confirmed in the role, or a permanent chief executive appointed, Donald said.

handing Apple and Amazon respective €143.6 million and €50.5 million fines. This affected Mac computers, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch and Airpods amongst other products. Amazon also limited advertising by competitors, influencing results on the website when would-be buyers searched for products, the CNMC said. Prices for Apple devices rose following the deal, the regulator said. As expected, both Apple and Amazon lodged appeals against the fines. These were accepted in December

Barratt deal BARRATT has bought its smaller housebuilding rival, Redrow, in a deal that topped £2.5 billion (€2.9 billion). The two companies, which had a combined market value of £7.2 billion when markets closed on February 6, negotiated an all-share offer establishing Barratt as the UK’s largest housing constructor. Barratt Redrow, the merged companies’ new name, will build 23,000 homes annually with a predicted £7 billion (€8.2 billion) turnover. Both boards backed the transaction, as well as Steve Morgan, who founded Redrow 50 years ago with a £5,000 loan (€5,861) from his father and still holds 16 per cent of its shares.

The designer is one of more than 400 business-owners who signed an open letter organised by hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, asking the Chancellor to eliminate what amounts to a tourist tax. Shares in luxury brands climbed on Monday, February 4, in response to an article disclosing the requested OBR review which was published in The Sunday Times the previous day. Shares in Burberry, Mulberry and Watches Of Switzerland Group all rose, but although hotel stocks were also boosted, the increase was less perceptible.

Photo credit: CC/Sounder Bruce

AMAZON HEADQUARTERS: Online giant allegedly conspired with Apple.

2023, leaving in doubt whether the fines will eventually be imposed or modified by the National High Court. The tribunal also temporarily suspended a CNMC order preventing Apple and Amazon from bidding for public sector contracts.

Wind power ploy KRAFT HEINZ intends to build a £40 million (€46.9 million) green-powered hydrogen plant at its Kitt Green (Wigan) baked bean factory. The parent company has now signed an agreement with energy firm Carlton Power to produce plans for the future installation. The factory where a staff of 850 produce baked beans, soups and spaghetti hoops would produce hydrogen from renewable sources, principally wind and solar power. This should cover more than half of the factory’s annual natural gas needs while reducing its carbon emissions by roughly 16,000 tons a year.

Hotel tactics INDITEX founder Amancio Ortega has chosen Portugal’s second largest hotel chain, Vila Gale, to run one of the 18 hotels he owns there. Hotel Mercure in Figueira da Foz, which Ortega acquired in 2004, was formerly managed by the Accor group and reopens following extensive renovations to its 102 rooms, two restaurants, bar, spa and other installations in April this year. Vila Gale had a record turnover of €275 million in 2023 and its chairman Jorge Rebelo de Almeida, who is worth an estimated €1 billion, plans to enter the Spanish market with a 300-bedroomed hotel in Huelva in April.

Cheaper transfers ALL European banks must now offer their clients immediate transfers free of charge or at the same price as the ordinary procedure. The European parliament approved the measure on February 4, with 599 votes in favour, seven against and 55 abstentions. “Charging a different commission for immediate transfers is now banned,” explained Spanish Euro MP Jonas Fernandez who was part of the Economic Affairs and Monetary Committee which worked on the new legislation. “This will make bank charges cheaper, because some banks in Spain take a commission on immediate transfers but will no longer be able to do so,” Fernandez told financial daily, Cinco Dias.

Airbus bait AIRBUS could expand its Albacete plant if a future subsidy from the Spanish government comes through. Spain owns 4 per cent of Airbus and the government wants the company to increase its investment in the country, according to reports from Bloomberg. The installation on the outskirts of Albacete city produces components destined for civilian and military helicopters and expanding the plant would fit in with government plans to attract more industrial and arms’ investment.

28 EWN 15 - 21 February 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 12 February

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.395,00.............+13,00........... +0,55%......... 514,14K Admiral Group.............................2.523,0................ -8,0..............-0,32%.......... 235,09K Airtel Africa................................. 103,60................ -0,30.............-0,29%.......... 904,32K Anglo American...........................1.713,0............... -26,6.............-1,53%............1,09M Antofagasta................................1.640,00............. -10,00............-0,61%............1,51M Ashtead Group............................5.234,0............... -30,0.............-0,57%........... 53,55K Associated British Foods.............2.247,0.................0,0............... 0,00%.......... 466,46K AstraZeneca................................9.925,0..............+102,0........... +1,04%......... 605,71K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 710,60................ -9,80.............-1,36%............1,64M Aviva........................................... 417,00................ -3,70.............-0,88%............1,78M B&M European Value Retail SA... 499,40................ -0,50.............-0,10%.......... 463,95K BAE Systems..............................1.204,50..............+9,50............ +0,80%......... 613,98K Barclays...................................... 143,46................+0,30............ +0,21%..........10,11M Barratt Developments................. 483,60................ -3,90.............-0,80%............3,19M Beazley........................................ 564,00................+3,00............ +0,54%......... 933,94K Berkeley......................................4.695,0...............+25,0............ +0,54%.......... 23,11K BP............................................... 482,85................+6,60............ +1,39%..........10,60M British American Tobacco...........2.441,0............... -43,0.............-1,73%............1,22M BT Group.................................... 105,15................ -0,55.............-0,52%............6,61M Bunzl...........................................3.218,0...............+18,0............ +0,56%......... 233,84K Burberry Group...........................1.268,0............... -28,0.............-2,16%.......... 793,42K Centrica....................................... 132,90................ -0,45.............-0,34%...........18,74M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.200,0...............+23,0............ +1,06%......... 236,16K Compass....................................2.237,00.............+26,00........... +1,18%...........1,59M ConvaTec Group......................... 240,40................+5,80............ +2,47%...........9,42M Croda Intl....................................4.991,0............... -31,0.............-0,62%.......... 365,65K DCC.............................................5.768,0................ -8,0..............-0,14%........... 16,37K Diageo.........................................2.916,0............... -10,0.............-0,34%.......... 999,88K Diploma.....................................3.404,00.............+18,00........... +0,53%.......... 43,34K DS Smith.................................... 316,90................+8,30............ +2,69%...........3,67M Endeavour Mining......................1.284,00.............. -6,00.............-0,47%........... 70,03K Entain.......................................... 999,80...............+13,20........... +1,34%......... 324,43K Experian......................................3.382,0...............+44,0............ +1,32%......... 643,02K F&C Invest.................................. 989,00................+5,00............ +0,51%.......... 81,98K Flutter Entertainment..................16.785,0..............+65,0............ +0,39%.......... 40,63K Frasers........................................ 785,00................ -7,50.............-0,95%.......... 546,18K Fresnillo...................................... 484,20................ -9,00.............-1,82%............1,74M Glencore...................................... 386,06............... -10,74............-2,71%...........13,76M GSK plc......................................1.661,40.............+10,40........... +0,63%...........1,45M HALEON...................................... 321,30................ -1,70.............-0,53%............8,28M Halma..........................................2.215,0................+2,0............. +0,09%......... 210,36K Hikma Pharma...........................1.962,50.............+32,50........... +1,68%.......... 36,16K Howden Joinery.......................... 785,00................+1,80............ +0,23%...........1,07M HSBC.......................................... 611,90................ -5,80.............-0,94%............2,82M IAG.............................................. 145,00................+0,40............ +0,28%...........2,05M IMI PLC......................................1.711,00.............. -4,00.............-0,23%........... 29,17K Imperial Brands..........................1.881,00.............+22,50........... +1,21%......... 754,30K Informa....................................... 802,20...............+11,00........... +1,39%...........1,30M InterContinental..........................7.708,0...............+74,0............ +0,97%......... 154,68K Intermediate Capital...................1.789,75..............+7,75............ +0,43%......... 524,28K

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Intertek........................................4.476,0...............+42,0............ +0,95%......... 287,00K J Sainsbury................................. 257,70................ -1,70.............-0,66%............4,31M JD Sports Fashion....................... 105,29................+0,80............ +0,77%...........2,13M Kingfisher.................................... 218,50................ -1,40.............-0,64%............1,37M Land Securities........................... 635,60............... -14,60............-2,25%.......... 817,95K Legal & General.......................... 238,20................ -3,10.............-1,28%...........11,78M Lloyds Banking............................ 41,53..................0,00.............. 0,00%...........78,08M London Stock Exchange..............8.852,0...............+60,0............ +0,68%......... 462,21K M&G........................................... 221,20................+1,50............ +0,68%...........2,31M Marks & Spencer........................ 236,90................ -0,10.............-0,04%............1,57M Melrose Industries...................... 600,00................+5,00............ +0,84%...........2,40M Mondi.........................................1.341,00..............+4,50............ +0,34%......... 528,15K National Grid..............................1.002,00............. -11,00............-1,09%............2,16M NatWest Group........................... 213,00................ -2,50.............-1,16%...........15,53M Next............................................8.250,0............... -40,0.............-0,48%........... 36,02K Ocado.......................................... 523,40................ -2,00.............-0,38%.......... 868,55K Pearson....................................... 943,60................+4,40............ +0,47%......... 280,75K Pershing Square.......................... 49,30.................+0,45............ +0,92%.......... 21,93K Persimmon.................................1.391,3...............+14,3............ +1,04%......... 694,69K Phoenix....................................... 492,00................ -1,40.............-0,28%.......... 548,46K Prudential.................................... 808,60................ -9,60.............-1,17%.......... 653,62K Reckitt Benckiser........................5.754,0............... -12,0.............-0,21%.......... 233,43K Relx............................................3.347,00.............+46,00........... +1,39%...........2,65M Rentokil....................................... 397,70................ -3,50.............-0,87%............4,87M Rightmove.................................. 545,20................ -6,20.............-1,12%............1,18M Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.366,0................+4,0............. +0,07%......... 586,89K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 319,30................+1,60............ +0,50%...........3,67M RS PLC....................................... 786,20................+9,20............ +1,18%......... 235,02K Sage...........................................1.195,00.............+22,50........... +1,92%...........1,24M Schroders.................................... 400,7..................+0,6............. +0,15%...........3,02M Scottish Mortgage....................... 790,88................+1,88............ +0,24%......... 581,44K Segro.......................................... 841,60................ -5,00.............-0,59%............1,40M Severn Trent...............................2.471,0............... -26,0.............-1,04%........... 47,97K Shell............................................2.500,5...............+22,0............ +0,89%...........3,40M Smith & Nephew........................1.103,50..............+2,00............ +0,18%...........1,60M Smiths Group.............................1.615,00.............. -2,50.............-0,16%........... 37,34K Smurfit Kappa.............................3.166,0...............+36,0............ +1,15%......... 357,65K Spirax-Sarco Engineering..........10.160,0..............+65,0............ +0,64%........... 5,28K SSE............................................1.571,19.............. -4,31.............-0,27%............1,95M St. James’s Place........................ 638,20................ -1,40.............-0,22%.......... 553,08K Standard Chartered..................... 579,60................+0,20............ +0,04%...........1,03M Taylor Wimpey............................ 145,80................+0,55............ +0,38%...........1,05M Tesco.......................................... 281,30................+0,90............ +0,32%...........6,67M Unilever.......................................4.012,0............... -12,5.............-0,31%............1,03M Unite..........................................1.001,00.............. -4,00.............-0,40%........... 69,95K United Utilities............................1.019,00.............. -6,50.............-0,63%............1,10M Vodafone Group PLC.................. 63,267............... -0,243............-0,38%...........12,81M Weir Group................................1.801,00.............. -1,50.............-0,08%.......... 359,75K Whitbread...................................3.494,0...............+27,0............ +0,78%......... 289,29K WPP............................................ 786,00................+2,60............ +0,33%......... 234,37K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.85453

1.17007

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0771 Japan yen (JPY)...................................160.98 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9429 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4528 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.405 currenciesdirect.com/mojacar • Tel: +34 950 478 914 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES

Closing Prices 12 February

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3M............................................... 93,22................. -0,62.............-0,66%............3,91M American Express....................... 211,26................+2,18............ +1,04%...........3,59M Amgen........................................ 294,85................ -1,02.............-0,34%............5,33M Apple........................................... 188,32................ -1,09.............-0,58%...........37,90M Boeing......................................... 209,28................ -2,64.............-1,25%............5,62M Caterpillar.................................... 321,96................ -1,63.............-0,50%............1,83M Chevron...................................... 154,05................+1,92............ +1,26%...........7,65M Cisco............................................ 49,95.................+0,18............ +0,36%..........16,28M Coca-Cola..................................... 59,83................. -0,16.............-0,27%...........12,17M Dow............................................. 53,88................. -0,22.............-0,40%............3,41M Goldman Sachs........................... 385,15................ -1,51.............-0,39%............1,76M Home Depot................................ 363,84................+1,15............ +0,32%...........2,24M Honeywell................................... 193,46................ -0,64.............-0,33%............2,45M IBM............................................. 184,39................+2,31............ +1,27%...........3,98M Intel.............................................. 42,50................. -0,28.............-0,65%...........30,44M J&J............................................. 156,43................ -1,55.............-0,98%............7,64M JPMorgan................................... 174,82................ -0,61.............-0,35%............5,39M McDonald’s................................. 291,94................+4,61............ +1,60%...........4,37M Merck&Co................................... 126,61................ -0,86.............-0,67%............4,19M Microsoft.................................... 414,11................+0,06............ +0,01%..........16,90M Nike............................................. 103,76................ -0,03.............-0,03%............6,17M Procter&Gamble......................... 158,65................ -0,47.............-0,30%............4,07M Salesforce Inc............................. 291,98................+3,14............ +1,09%...........3,50M The Travelers.............................. 213,86................ -0,36.............-0,17%............1,35M UnitedHealth............................... 520,01................+0,62............ +0,12%...........3,26M Verizon......................................... 39,91................. -0,51.............-1,27%...........19,14M Visa A.......................................... 275,80................ -3,07.............-1,10%............5,65M Walgreens Boots.......................... 22,54................. -0,27.............-1,18%............7,79M Walmart...................................... 169,37................ -0,01.............-0,01%............4,52M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 12 February

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced Arm Holdings plc.............................................+47.89%.......................105.432M Confluent, Inc...................................................+34.09%........................24.356M Oscar Health, Inc..............................................+24.38%........................12.644M Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.........................+23.03%.......................106.187M Adyen N.V........................................................+20.55%.........................1.891M SoftBank Group Corp.......................................+19.49%......................... 15,562 SoftBank Group Corp.......................................+18.17%.........................2.237M Viking Therapeutics, Inc...................................+18.01%.........................8.489M Ralph Lauren Corporation................................+16.79%.........................4.342M Höegh Autoliners ASA......................................+16.70%........................ 169,822 M - Million Dollars

Most Declined Lightspeed Commerce Inc............................... -24.37%.........................9.038M Lumentum Holdings Inc................................... -22.43%........................10.877M A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S.................................. -15.02%.........................1.397M Insperity, Inc.................................................... -14.78%.........................1.426M Bombardier Inc................................................ -14.39%......................... 53,925 Neste Oyj.......................................................... -12.06%......................... 44,408 NEXON Co., Ltd................................................ -11.73%......................... 22,118 Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.................... -11.62%......................... 68,322 PayPal Holdings, Inc........................................ -11.24%........................67.901M Snap-on Incorporated....................................... -9.67%......................... 774,777 FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc............................ -9.20%..........................1.436M M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com Saudi plum

LOCKHEED MARTIN selected Spain’s Indra company to equip four ships with ultramodern electronic defence systems for the Saudi Arabian navy but did not reveal details of the sums involved. The ships, which are 118 metres long and capable of 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 kilometres) without refuelling, will operate along the coast and at sea.

Go it alone

ZUBER ISSA is negotiating the sale of his 22.5 per cent holding in the ASDA supermarket chain as he splits from older brother, Mohsin. Issa reportedly wishes to focus on the brothers’ EG Group petrol stations, although selling his stake could be complicated by existing agreements with Mohsin and Asda’s other shareholder TDR Capital.

Mone email leaks Linda Hall

MICHELLE MONE assured the UK government in May 2020 that she would make “no financial benefit whatsoever” from personal protective equipment (PPE) company Medpro. Nor was she a shareholder in the consortium led by her husband Doug Barrowman, she stressed. In emails between Mone and the Cabinet Office leaked by the Guardian on February 7, she explained

Photo credit: X-Lady Michelle Mone

BUSINESS EXTRA

15 - 21 February 2024

MEDPRO LEAKS: Michelle Mone and husband Doug Barrowman

Oil from the US THE US now provides most of Spain’s oil, obtained via fracking. Despite its environmental drawbacks, the controversial process is bearing fruit in the US which exported more than 8.7 million tons of oil to Spain in 2023. That was 31.2 per cent more than in 2022, according to recent figures from the Petroleum Products Strategic Reserves Corporation (Co-

res). This has put the US ahead of Nigeria, which after five years as Spain’s principal supplier has now dropped in fourth place after Mexico and Brazil. Spain currently imports lesser amounts from at least 22 other countries worldwide, excluding Russia, with total imports falling by 3.3 per cent in 2023 to just under 61.56 million tons.

that her second husband was “a very philanthropic individual who wished to help the NHS.” For this reason, she continued, the Isle of Man-based financial services businessman was negotiating to lower the prices the government paid for PPE during the pandemic. Weeks later, in June 2020, the government awarded Medpro two contracts to supply PPE worth £203 million (€238 million). By September 2020 Barrowman had earned approximately £65 million (€76.2 million) from these contracts, according to HSBC bank documents seen by the Guardian. Of this, £29 million (€34 million) of Medpro profits was allegedly transferred to an offshore trust set up to benefit Mone and her children. The National Crime Agency (NCA) is currently investigating both Barrowman and Mone for potential fraud.

EWN 29

So close THE official receiver in charge of the Marie Claire bankruptcy told the company works committee that a buyer had been found and the stockings and underwear firm founded in 1907 would reopen. A contract due to be signed ‘within days’ would provide jobs for 72 currently furloughed employees and up to 150 more, he announced on February 7.

AI plans IN a £1 billion (€1.17 billion) cost-cutting programme over the next three years, Sainsbury’s will use more automated tills and warehouse robots plus AI forecasting tools to make sure supermarkets are adequately stocked. Chief executive Simon Roberts admitted there could be job losses but said employees would be able to change their roles and adapt to new methods.

• Feature/News •

Impossible to resist LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT CAN’T quite believe I’m doing Trump again this week, but the man is such wonderful column fodder I find him almost impossible to resist. Once more, before the election, his indisputable rivals are endeavouring to make sure he will be required to attend court in his defence of even more allegations. Once again Trump will use the accusations to get his presidential intentions publicised on front pages just about everywhere. To be quite honest it makes me feel I should probably have run for some governmental position when my ‘trumped up’ clash with the law resulted in a term behind bars. Don’t laugh; ex-president Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan party PTI, has just begun a sentence of 14 years plus and proffered most of his party’s election campaign from prison. He is now been released on bail, after his party claimed a 90 per cent

victory! What a state our world truly is in. All my life I have mistrusted the way it was run and have actually never voted for anyone. Personally, I consider almost every one of our esteemed leaders and general politicians are merely in it for their own ends. Power and financial gain ultimately leads the field, and frankly I don’t trust any of ‘em. Even lawyers, who appear to be totally on your side and send oppositional letters to ‘rival’ legal beagles, are often seen out socialising or lunching with their so-called adversaries as they work out how much they can each screw out of their respective clients. It’s all a gigantic scam. I also agree with Trump that, if the situation calls for it, most countries are very capable and do most certainly engage in assassinations, including the UK. To my mind there is no doubt that Stephen Ward, who featured in the Christine Keeler/ Mandy Rice scandal of the 60s was topped, before he could blow the whistle on one or two characters (highly rumoured to be

royalty) being participants in the sex orgies involved. I am also convinced that the tragic Dr Kelly was murdered on orders from the government prior to revealing the lies and false information concerned in the weapons of destruction issues that ultimately led us into the war on Iraq. James Bond and his licence to kill appointment are actually not far from the truth. I think the assassins of the CIA and British secret service are far more lethal and mercenary than the flamboyant 007 ever was. Good luck to ‘pay your way’ Trump. Much rather the devil you know! Thanks for all the mail. One welcome reader commented that the only way to prevent bullying is to bully back harder. Unfortunately, in this primitive day and age, it is actually the only sure way. It’s a big nasty world out there, and we just may need big and nasty people to make certain we survive. Take this ol’ boy’s word for it, doddery Senor Biden, coupled with his woke fraternising vice president, aint even close. 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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Google ban DANISH privacy regulator Datailsynet has ruled that local authorities in Denmark need stronger privacy assurances to continue to use Google services in their schools. This decision stems from the fact that Google’s use of student data from Chromebooks and Google Workplace for Education was deemed a violation of European privacy laws as the data is used for ‘Google’s purposes.’ Local governments must detail their compliance plans by March 1, facing a complete halt to data transfer to Google by August 1. This could lead to the phased-out removal of Chromebooks from Danish schools unless laws change or Google implements data-filtering mechanisms. A key concern is Google’s use of student data for performance analytics and feature

Image: Shutterstock/ Masson

30 15 - 21 February 2024

Privacy concerns with Google services.

development, even without targeted advertising. Regulators argue that this poses privacy risks, especially with the growing integration of AI features in Google Workspace and Chromebooks. Datatilsynet has criticised local government for insufficiently assessing the risks before approving Google Workplace for Education. This ruling follows a 2022 directive that required 53 towns to reevaluate data-sharing practices. This decision highlights the increasing emphasis on protecting student data in the evolving landscape of digital education.

• Feature •

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Discover unparalleled convenience with Costa Coches ADVERTISING FEATURE

Currently offering special promotions.

IN the bustling heart of Mojacar, Almeria, a revolutionary car rental service is redefining the standards of transportation convenience. Costa Coches, a premier provider in the automotive rental industry, stands out as a beacon of reliability and excellence. Nestled along the picturesque Paseo del Mediterraneo 459, our facility is not just a business location; it’s the starting point of your next adventure. Our service is simple yet profoundly impactful - we offer cars for rent. But, it’s not the what but the how that sets Costa Coches apart. Our fleet comprises the latest models, ensuring safety, comfort, and an impeccable driving experience. Each vehicle is meticulously maintained and prepared to meet the highest standards, ensuring that your journey, whether for business or leisure, begins on the right note. What truly distinguishes Costa Coches is our unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction. We understand that every traveller’s needs are unique, and our bespoke services are tailored to meet those individual requirements. From the moment you step into our office to the time you return the keys, every interaction is designed to be seamless, hassle-free, and above all, enjoyable. Our services span the entirety of the Almeria region, ensuring that no

matter where your travels take you, Costa Coches is there to support your journey. With years of experience in the car rental industry, our team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that we can offer not just a car, but the right car for your needs. Excitingly, Costa Coches is currently offering special promotions and pricing options designed to make your travel planning even easier. To learn more about these offers and how they can enhance your next trip, we invite you to get in touch. Reaching us couldn’t be simpler. Our office hours are tailored for convenience, ensuring that we’re here when you need us. For more information, enquiries, or to make a reservation, please contact us at 950 459 208, email info@costacochesrentacar.biz, or visit our website at costacoches rentacar.biz. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram under Costa Coches Airport Rent A Car. We’re not just offering a car; we’re offering the key to unlocking the beauty and excitement of Almeria. Join us, and let your journey begin with Costa Coches.

15 - 21 February 2024

• Feature/News •

32 15 - 21 February 2024

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

GRUPO PLATINUM ESTATES

Two houses in Pozo de Esparto 2 FABULOUSLY priced properties situated in Pozo de Esparto, the beachfront village located at the end of the busier town of San Juan de Los Terreros. Easy walk to local shops, bars and restaurants, and of course the beach front.

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Weighing in Credit: Finnair

John Smith ALTHOUGH it wasn’t unusual some years ago for passengers boarding commercial helicopter flights in the USA, some Finnair passengers may not be happy with a new announcement. During much of February and then April to May, the airline will be weighing passengers and their hand luggage as well as recording age, gender and class of travel when departing from Helsinki Airport. In fairness, this isn’t going to be obligatory and passengers will have the option to opt out of the mass weighing and can be assured that the information is anonymous with only one person (the one doing the weighing) knowing the passenger’s weight. Finnair actually undertook this same procedure in 2018 as it is very useful to calculate average weights to be able to optimise Finnair’s current aircraft balance calculations.

Helsinki check in before weigh in.

Each aircraft has a set maximum weight to ensure a safe take-off, and this weight cannot be exceeded. This includes the weight of the aircraft itself and the weight of fuel, checked baggage and cargo, onboard catering, water tanks and customers. While airlines know the weight of all other aspects, the weight of customers

and their carry-on baggage is calculated using average weights confirmed by the Civil Aviation Authority but Finnair prefer to produce their own statistics which have to be renewed every five years. The only possible problem will be that if there are a lot of volunteers that passengers will need to check in early due to the potential queue.

HEALTH & BEAUTY II euroweeklynews.com

Managing diabetes DIABETES, a chronic condition marked by elevated levels of glucose in the blood, manifests through various signs that warrant attention. Key symptoms include increased thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, and slowhealing sores or infections. Additionally, individuals may experience increased hunger, particularly after eating, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet due to nerve damage. Recognising these signs early is crucial for managing diabetes effectively. If you notice any of these symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional promptly is

essential. They can conduct blood tests to diagnose the condition accurately. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss. Managing diabetes involves lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight. Medications or insulin therapy may also be prescribed. Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly and following your healthcare provider’s recommendations are key steps in managing diabetes and leading a healthy life.

15 - 21 February 2024

EWN 33

• Feature •

34 15 - 21 February 2024

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Customer satisfaction from Sleep & Home Centre SLEEPCENTRE on Calle Malaga, Albox has been delivering the best nights sleep to satisfied customers for over 15 years. Located two streets from the old Mercadona, Sleepcentre serves a vast area inland as far as Baza and beyond, and down the coast to Mojacar and across to San Juan. Sleepcentre are suppliers of UK and Spanish bed frames and offer a wide range of styles in all sizes including storage options. They can advise whatever best suits your needs and budget, with all the mattresses available to try in the showroom and with over 150 beds and mattresses in stock for immediate free delivery and assembly by their in-house delivery team. They also sell a wide range of bedding, sheets and duvet sets, in polycotton

Their sister shop Homecentre, also based on Calle Malaga focuses on furniture for the rest of the home, dining tables, chairs, sideboards, coffee and lamp tables in a variety of styles and the Rug Room at the rear has a stunning display of over 50 rugs. Pop in for a browse and see what both shops have to offer.

and high thread count 100 per cent cotton, alongside soft fluffy towels, throws, stunning cushions, ama-

zing artwork, lamps and bedroom furniture. Beautiful designs and quality at unbeatable prices.

Find us on Calle Malaga Albox near the old Mercadona. Call 671 715 294 or 868 931 872.

www.sleepcentrespain.com

Abodes for homes with style, comfort and that unique touch! THE team at Abodes are gearing up to celebrate five years of trading on Mojacar Playa, the business has grown from strength to strength in that time, with the expansion of a new store last July, the team pride themselves on their customer service skills. We are multilingual so can attend to everyone with the same care and attention, along with a bit of laughter and good humour. Whilst there is a huge range in store to choose from we also offer to help source your dream piece, along with a complete design service, so be it your dream sitting room, gorgeous dining room or tranquil bedroom, we have it covered.

We offer free local delivery and assembly, all in-house by our fabulous delivery team, who always go that extra mile for our customers just adding to the whole Abodes ethos. Call in and see us, we are open 10-3 Monday to Friday and 10-2 on Saturdays, or follow us on Facebook @abodes ·55 Paseo Del Mediterráneo 355, Mojacar Playa Tel 697 778 355

INTERVIEW

Romania to Spain NOW aged 26, almost 20 years ago, Dragos Tanase embarked on a life-altering journey from Romania to Elche on the Costa Blanca driven by economic prospects. His dad had already gone to Italy looabout the healthcare system. king for work, and eventually, the whole He explains how his mum’s life was family settled in Spain because they lisaved by Spanish doctors, who did six ked its peaceful vibe and economic surgeries on her spine. stability. “In Romania, getting that “I was just seven when kind of medical help we got to Spain,” Drawould’ve been almost gos remembers. impossible as it’s a Thinking back lot like the healon Romania, thcare system in Dragos admits the United Stahe doesn’t have a tes, where you lot of memories need a lot of moof it firsthand. ney to get good He mostly relies care. Even if we on bits and pieces sold everything we from when he was a owned, we couldn’t Dragos Tanase misses youngster and the ochave paid for those the beautiful scenery casional trip back. surgeries,” Dragos said. in Romania. He points out a big diBut besides healthcare, fference between the two Dragos loves how friendcountries: Romania has more people ly the Spanish people are. He says it is living in the countryside, especially in like a big melting pot of cultures from all small towns near old industrial areas over the world. “Spanish society does a from the communist era. great job of bringing different cultures When asked about what he likes best together, which makes it easy to learn about Spain, Dragos talks right away from each other,” he adds.

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Two-year visa THE UK has announced a special visa scheme which will allow young people to spend up to two years in a European country. From January 31, a novel visa arrangement allows young people from Andorra and the UK to have the chance to live, work or travel to each other’s countries for up to two years. This initiative enables a two-year cultural exchange. Young people from Andorra and the UK now have a golden opportunity to travel, work, or reside in each other’s nations. The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) serves as a bridge for cultural exchanges, enabling participants to delve into the lifestyle of the UK. Under this new scheme, up to 100 Andorrans aged 18 to 30 can apply, provided they have £2,530 in savings and cover the Immigration Health Surcharge beforehand. Successful applicants gain the freedom to work and reside in the UK for up to 24 months. They can also travel in and out of the UK throughout the validity of their visa. ‘The Youth Mobility Scheme is an excellent opportunity for young Andorran and British people to immerse themselves in each other’s cultures, making life-long connections that will bolster our already

Woman hiking in the Pyrenees.

strong people-to-people links. ‘I hope those eligible can take advantage of this exciting new scheme and apply,’ stated Hugh Elliott, the British Ambassador to Spain and Andorra. It aims at promoting cultural exchanges and strengthening the bonds between the UK and its partners. Through it, individuals are offered the chance to assimilate into different cultures, build up valuable work experience, and mingle with local communities, laying the groundwork for enduring friendships and cultural understanding.

What is a Direct Cremation ADVERTISING FEATURE IN Spain funerals tend to take place very soon after a person’s passing. This can restrict the opportunity for friends and family to attend especially if they live in another country. In some cases we have seen people pay upwards of €4,000 for a funeral ceremony however due to the time constraints very few people were able to attend. We have heard feedback from many people who feel they have spent all of this money and their loved ones have not been able to celebrate their life as they hadwished. A direct cremation will allow a dignified send off and not tie our loved ones down to a time and place to celebrate our life. A direct cremation is a type of cremation service where the deceased is cremated shortly after death, without a traditional funeral service or viewing. This means that there is no embalming, wake, or funeral ceremony. In a direct cremation, the body is typically cremated in a simple container or casket, without any additional adornments or decorations.

The cremated remains are then returned to the family or scattered in a location of their choice. We also ensure all legal documentation is returned to a nominated person. Direct cremation is becoming an increasingly popular option for those who want a simple, no-frills end-of-life service. It is often chosen because it is more affordable than traditional funeral services, and can provide a straightforward and dignified way to handle the deceased’s final arrangements. Some families choose to hold a memorial service or celebration of life after the cremation, where family and friends can come together to honour and remember their loved one in a more personalised way. This allows for more flexibility and creativity in how the deceased’s life is celebrated, without the added pressure and expense of a traditional funeral service. Overall, direct cremation provides a simple and cost-effective way to handle end-of-life arrangements, while still honouring and respecting the memory of the deceased.

Credit: frantic00/Shutterstock.com

• Feature/News •

36 15 - 21 February 2024

24 Av. Paniagua Sotogrande, Galerias Paniagua de local 30-31, San Roque. Cadiz 11310. Phone: +34 911 436 813 WhatsApp: +34 686 583 301 Emergency Phone: +34 951 123 043 Email: info@comparefuneral.org

www.comparefuneral.org

• News • Credit: Screenshot YouTube

38 15 - 21 February 2024

WARMING SPICES: The three original curry flavours.

Curried beans Jessica Sweeting THOSE of us with access to UK television will no doubt have seen an advert with a man on holiday but he is having a terrible time because his suitcase of Heinz baked beans missed the flight. Even though the concept of baked beans dates back to Native Americans who enjoyed them with bear fat before the first settlers arrived, they became a mainstay in the USA and whilst popular around the world, really caught on in the UK. Heinz are constantly looking to expand their range of food and have introduced all sorts of varieties including hash browns stuffed with beans and a baked bean and

sausage pizza but one experimental option has just returned. Last year to celebrate National Curry Week in the UK Heinz brought out a limited collection of three curried versions, jalfrezi, tikka and vindaloo and clearly at least one of these versions found favour with consumers. The tikka version has now been relaunched as part of the Heinz Liberation Range and according to Heinz “promises a creamy and mild experience with warming spices.” Some had hoped that the other somewhat spicier versions would also return but that seems to have been a bean too far.

WHENEVER you think that it would be impossible for crooks to come up with new ways of trying to scam people, a new trick emerges and this has happened at Prague Airport. Perhaps excited by the sometimes valuable finds that dealers in the TV show Baggage Battles manage to buy, a new Facebook page supposedly being run by Prague Airport appeared a while ago. It offers to sell unclaimed luggage from the airport at special prices with the inference that lucky buyers are almost assured to purchase a genuine bargain. The only problem is that the management of the Airport do not ever sell unclaimed baggage but have a policy of passing it back to the airline which transported it and what’s more this doesn’t happen very often in any case. This apparently hasn’t

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Baggage scam

Credit: dcwriterdawn flickr

Unclaimed baggage is usually auctioned officially.

just affected Václav Havel Airport as officials have said that a number of other European airports are suffering the same scam but it has also revealed that despite complaints to Facebook parent, Meta, no action has yet been taken. The simple warning therefore is if you see unclaimed baggage being offered for sale, be very careful

that you don’t reveal any of your financial details and you are advised to steer well clear of such offers. It is true that some busy airports do, alongside customs and police, send unclaimed and confiscated baggage and other items to recognised auction houses, but this is always transparent with no fixed prices.

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

42 15 - 21 February 2024

• Feature •

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• News Across The Regions • Costa del Sol Human chain

Costa Blanca South Love in Catral

MORE than 900 pupils from the schools of Alhaurin el Grande joined the Human Chain organised by cancer charity ‘Un Sí Por La Vida’ (A Yes for Life) to mark World Cancer Day. This year’s event attracted a total of 910 pupils in the walk along the route that departed from the town’s Health Centre and ended at the Las Palomas ravine. For its part, the president of the Association Un Sí Por La Vida, Loli Badía, has highlighted the commitment of the entire social fabric of Alhaurin that has been involved, one more year, with this solidarity initiative and promotion of healthy habits in the fight against cancer.

CATRAL could soon become a beloved destination for Valentine’s Day visits, thanks to the creativity of one of its residents, Moises Cruz Ballesta. The artist has adorned a wall on Calle La Cruz with large red hearts. This spot has quickly become a popular ‘photo spot’ and may even start a new tradition, as Catral is a municipality where residents take great pride in beautifying their streets. The idea for this eye-catching mural was inspired by the nearby Tree of Love, just a few metres away from Calle La Cruz. The tree is decorated with an array of hearts in different shapes and sizes, each carrying messages of love and affection.

Axarquia Rural ATMs

Costa Blanca North Heroic homecoming

IN a bid to address depopulation in the rural areas of Axarquia and the Province of Malaga in general, the Provincial Government has launched a plan to provide new banking services to small inland towns, where population decline is concentrated. While Malaga is among the top four provinces with the highest population growth in Spain, the interior still faces challenges in reversing depopulation across 22 towns. This programme, providing 27 new ATMs, stems from a framework agreement between the Provincial Government and Unicaja Banco. Nearly 45,000 citizens are expected to benefit from improved access to basic financial services, such as cash withdrawals and bill payments.

FINALLY reaching his hometown town of Moraira on the Costa Blanca after 13 days on the road, long-distance charity walker Lee Harker received a hero’s welcome on Saturday February 10. A large crowd gathered to cheer him as he wearily completed the last 100 metres of a phenomenal journey. Averaging 48,000 steps per day, Lee tramped around 500 kilometres from Barcelona to Moraira, raising almost €16,000 for local dog’s charity, Akira, a cause that is dear to his heart. “This is what kept me going when I was on the road”, said an emotional Lee, surrounded by friends, family and well-wishers, “picturing this moment”. Lee and his family are energetic helpers for Akira, fostering and walking dogs as well as raising awareness and funds.

Mallorca Dream win

Costa Calida Jackpot joy

GRAHAM DUNLOP, a family man from Southampton, has won a lavish £3 million villa in Mallorca, courtesy of the Omaze charity draw benefiting Alzheimer’s Research UK. The 52-year-old Scotsman, along with his family, now owns a fully furnished property nestled in the Mallorcan countryside, boasting views of the Tramuntana mountains, a pool, and four bedrooms. The prize, ensuring no financial burdens for Dunlop, also includes £250,000 cash, offering them a myriad of options like using it as a holiday home, leasing, or selling. Graham, visiting his new villa four days after being told about his win said: “I’ve never won anything before but it’s been worth the 50-year wait to end up here.”

FORTUNE continues to smile upon the residents of the Region of Murcia as a lucky individual strikes gold in La Primitiva lottery. Following the Christmas Lotto windfall and a record-breaking Bonoloto win in Lorca, the latest stroke of luck falls on the capital of the region. In the draw on February 8 of La Primitiva, a Murcia resident emerged as the sole winner of the first-tier prize, bagging a life-changing sum of €1.2 million. The fortunate ticket owner, who purchased the ticket at the Calle Cánovas del Castillo administration in Murcia, is set to receive €1,237,489 for matching all six numbers.

euroweeklynews.com • 15 - 21 February 2024

PETS No scratching SPONSORED BY

Find cat minders for cats Find free checked cat-sitters through HouseSitMatch ahead of your trip

SCRATCHING POSTS: Will help protect your furniture.

TO deter cats from scratching furniture, providing appealing alternatives is key. Introduce scratching posts or pads, strategically placed near the furniture they favour, and encourage their use with catnip or toys. Regularly trimming your cat’s nails reduces the damage they can cause. Applying double-sided tape or plastic covers to furniture makes it less attractive

to scratch. Consistent redirection to appropriate scratching surfaces, combined with positive reinforcement when they use them, helps change behaviour. Remember, patience and consistency are crucial; never punish, as it can lead to fear and anxiety. Creating a cat-friendly environment that meets their scratching needs can protect your furniture while keeping your cat happy.

Landmark victory THE Andalucian Rescue Centre for Horses (ARCH) recently celebrated a significant legal victory, shining a beacon of hope for animal welfare advocates. In March 2021, ARCH took part in the rescue of an elderly black pony following extensive media coverage. The animal was confiscated by the Guardia Civil and entrusted to ARCH’s care. Suffering from severe neglect and confined to a cramped space, the pony’s condition was dire with extremely overgrown hooves, a dirty and matted coat and poor dental health. He hadn’t even been given a name. Thanks to the efforts of his rescuers he was taken in and named Duque (Duke). The fight for justice was challenging. Initially, the court’s deci-

sion was disheartening. ARCH reported that ‘some members of the judiciary. . . appear not to care about animals or take into account the new legislation designed to protect them’. Despite the owner being prohibited from owning animals, ARCH was not compensated for the substantial rescue and rehabilitation expenses. However, ARCH’s legal representative, Aritz Toribio, pursued an appeal. The Provincial Court’s recent ruling in favour of ARCH required the former owner to cover the costs. This outcome not only helps ARCH financially but sets a significant legal precedent. Duque’s story does have a happy ending. After his recovery at ARCH, he found a new home where he is loved and cared for.

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 Hou seSitMatch. What is more, they won’t 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

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46 15 - 21 February 2024

• Motoring •

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Scrap your old car Credit: Nejron Photo/Shutterstock.com

WITH the internal combustion engine to be consigned to history in the not-too-distant future, recent information has emerged regarding the European Union’s plan to restrict repairs on older vehicles. This prospective regulation, awaiting approval from the European Parliament and the Council, introduces the notion of a ‘residual vehicle’. Cars experiencing failures in major components such as engines, transmissions, brakes, or steering, and deemed old (potentially around 15 years), will fall under this category. Once labelled as residual, these vehicles would be barred from undergoing significant repairs and would likely be scrapped. A significant step in

DGT warning

A classic car being rebuilt.

this journey is the 2035 ban on new combustion engine cars, excluding vehicles operating on potential future synthetic fuels. However, the reality presents challenges, as the uptake of low or zero-emission vehicles in the EU lags

behind expectations, varying significantly across member states. Spain, for example, now has an average vehicle age exceeding 14 years, with over 47 per cent of vehicles older than 15 years. The regulation spe-

cifies conditions under which a vehicle is deemed technically irreparable or residual. This raises concerns about the potential impact on the workshop sector and the preservation of classic cars.

A NEW method of evading capture by road cameras has gone viral in Italy, but drivers in Spain have been warned they will face heavy fines. This latest motoring trend from Italy that is taking social media by storm might soon hit Spanish roads in 2024. The deceptive Italian idea involves fixing a sticker onto the vehicle’s number plate. The sticker mirrors the shape and size of the alphanumeric digits on the plate, making it look like a regular licence plate. The key however is that the sticker has a reflective material that is activated once the radar flashes once it detects speeding. The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) classifies this as a grave violation of traffic laws, imposing a staggering €6,000 fine and a six-point deduction from the offender’s driving licence. The DGT frequently shares cases of such illegal practices on its social media platforms. A recent incident in Sevilla involved a motorist who was stopped by the Guardia Civil for speeding. While anti-radar stickers might be the latest craze in Italy, Spanish authorities are determined to keep their roads safe, a timely reminder for those who attempt to outsmart the radar cameras in Spain.

Spanish licence plate.

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• Motoring •

15 - 21 February 2024

An electric future for a British motoring icon ROAD TEST By Mark Slack MORGAN is planning its electric future and sharing details of a new development vehicle that will act as the forerunner to all future electric Morgan sports cars. Referred to as ‘XP-1’, the experimental prototype will provide key information to the engineers and designers at Morgan as they embark on creating the company’s first production electric models. Developed over the last 12 months by Morgan’s team of engineers based in Malvern, Worcestershire, England XP-1 is based on the Morgan Super 3 aluminium platform. The striking prototype is not intended for production but has been created to trial several key areas including driving characterisation, powertrain

development, in-house EV competence and training. Following 12 months of design and build, XP-1 will now embark on a comprehensive testing programme during the next 18-24 months, undergoing continual evolution to test new technology and features. Matt Hole, Chief Technical Officer, Morgan Motor Company, said: “We are immensely proud to be sharing XP-1 with the world and showcasing some of the first class engineering that takes place behind the scenes at Morgan. We are in no doubt that we can ensure future electric Morgan sports cars retain the core appeal of our current range, meaning they are fun to drive, lightweight, handcrafted

Morgan’s electric future awaits!

and bespoke.” XP-1’s battery, motor and inverter combination represents Morgan’s first powertrain, internal combustion or battery electric. The powertrain, engineered specifically for XP-1, gives Morgan’s engineers complete control of calibrations that vary the throttle and regeneration level at different speeds, in order to create a range of driving modes featuring a mix of driving

BETWEEN January 22 and 26, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), in collaboration with the Guardia Civil, embarked on a rigorous inspection campaign which targeted school and children’s transportation services. The operation revealed that a significant number of vehicles failed to meet legal standards. Out of 2,799 vehicles inspected, 1,014 faced penalties, resulting in a total of 1,781 contraventions. The majority of these were due to administrative oversights, such as 629 vehicles lacking the necessary special authorisation for school transport and 330 missing essential unlimited liability insurance. In terms of safety, the inspectors noted that only 12 vehicles were not utilising their seat belts due to malfunc-

Credit: Hurst Photo/Shutterstock.com

School buses fined

BUSES DEFECTIVE: Children on their way to school.

tions. None of the school transport drivers were found to have alcohol in their systems, although six did test positive for other drugs. Speeding was another concern, with 22 drivers penalised for exceeding limits. The inspections also highlighted technical issues, including 59 vehicles with defective service and emergency

doors and 15 without a current Technical Vehicle Inspection. Additionally, 84 vehicles were missing the mandatory V-10 school transport sign, and 14 lacked the necessary emergency light device. The campaign further identified 36 drivers for not having a designated children’s supervisor on board and 26 for infringing driving time regulations.

characteristics. The Combined Charging System (CCS) enables fast charging and features bi-directional charging capability, two important features that will help to futureproof the company’s ongoing development activity. Further to this, and related directly to electric vehicle requirements, XP-1 is also the first ever Morgan to be fitted with an electronic park brake

(EPB). B e y o n d experimentation with driving characteristics and powertrain, XP-1 will also allow Morgan to develop a further understanding of wider EV technology and design, specifically aerodynamics. In bringing the XP-1

project to fruition, Morgan also begins the extensive process of workforce training and infrastructure adaptation. Due to the company’s coachbuilding production methods, the creation of this internal knowledgebase is vital for the future production of electric Morgan sports cars, and will centre around workshop readiness to build electric vehicles, training for high voltage systems handling and installation of charging infrastructure. Morgan’s electric future awaits!

• Sport •

48 15 - 21 February 2024

John Smith IN almost every case, the only claim to fame that most football WAGs have is that they are partnered with a successful sportsman. We have had the fiasco that was handbags at dawn (or more realistically cheque books at noon) with the Wagatha Christie court case between Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney, but the latest is even more bizarre. Isabelle Silva, wife of Brazilian footballer Thiago Silva who has played for Chelsea since 2020 has a habit of making comments which might be considered somewhat insulting to her husband’s team managers. Last year, just before then manager, Graham Potter was sacked, she ‘liked’ a tweet about Potter which accused him of being a “deadbeat” manager who “doesn’t know what he is doing.” Following two somewhat embarrassing defeats for Chelsea, 1-4 against Liverpool on January 31 and then 2-4

against Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 4, she took to X (formerly Twitter) to say “It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late.” This wasn’t a suggestion that her husband should look elsewhere but the inference was that current manager Mauricio Pochettino was to blame for the club’s current run of losses. Perhaps because of a chat that her husband had with Pochettino, she decided on February 7 to make partial amends with a another post on X which said “I’m sorry that my personal outburst as a passionate Chelsea fan has caused such an impact. “I’m passionate about the team, I thrive on victories and I’m saddened by defeats.” Time will tell whether Pochettino will collect his severance cheque from Chelsea as he has after being sacked by Espanyol, Tottenham Hotspur and Paris St Germain in the past or whether he will continue and see Silva who is now 39 quietly retire.

Viva Las Vegas AMERICAN football has only one league (the NFL), with 32 teams who play from September to January, followed by Super Bowl in February and that’s it. A short season makes each game far more important. And no game is more important than the final game of the season - Super Bowl which

in the 2023/2024 season saw the Kansas City Chiefs face-off against the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling match in Las Vegas that saw the Chiefs win in extra time. One of the great stories of this season was the 49ers quarterback, Brock Purdy, who was picked Credit: Flickr CC / All-Pro Reels

WAG dogs Chelsea

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Kansas City Chiefs.

Cycling super league? Wikimedia CC / Glenn Francis

WHY did Superbowl have millions more viewers this year? It’s nothing to do with American football (or just ‘football’ as they call it in the USA!) and everything to do with singer and popular icon, Taylor Swift. It’s not that the event was short of viewers; it is estimated that over 100 million tuned in globally to watch last year’s Superbowl, although that should be compared to the 1.5 billion who watched the FIFA World Cup final around the world. However, it’s worth remembering that football (or soccer – and yes, I know!) is played in 230 countries while the American version is very much a domestic phenomenon. So, back to Taylor Swift: Superbowl 2024 featured the San Francisco 49ers against reigning champions the Kansas City Chiefs and, Travis Kelce, one of the Chiefs’ star players is currently dating the singer. She has been a regular at Chiefs’ games and it has been reported that she has boosted the value of the team by around $100 million and has been responsible for a 400 per cent increase in sales of boyfriend Kelce’s jersey.

Flickr CC / All-Pro Reels and

Super Swifties

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.

For the first time this year, USA streaming channel Peacock live streamed the play-off match featuring the Chiefs against the Miami Dolphins. Sports fans paid $5.99 a month to sign up for the service but the numbers were inflated by fans of the singer (or ‘Swifties’ as they are known). According to Nielsen, the match reached 27.6 million total viewers, making it the most streamed live event in USA history. It was not known if Taylor would

last in the 2022 draft; 262 players were picked before him! Imagine being at school with hundreds of other pupils and when it comes to being picked for a team game, you’re left standing on the sports field on your own at the end of the selection process. That was Brock Purdy and he was labelled ‘Mr Irrelevant’ as a result. Injuries forced out San Francisco’s two starting quarterbacks but then, with Purdy on the field the 49ers started winning. This was Purdy’s first full season as a starter and he helped advance his team all the way to the final match in Las Vegas, becoming the first ‘Mr Irrelevant’ quarterback to ever start in a Super Bowl. But in the end the 49ers were denied victory by the Chiefs and their own star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The team becomes the first to win back-to-back Super Bowl trophies in 20 years and they are now focused on becoming the first team to ever win the NFL’s biggest prize three times in a row.

even make it to the match; she was performing in Tokyo the night before the big match. But, with Japan 17 hours ahead of Superbowl’s venue in Las Vegas, she did in fact turn up. So, many Swifties around the globe tuned in at midnight (CET) on Sunday February 11, not to see who won this spectacle of a sporting event, but just to catch a five-second glimpse of the singer cheering on ‘her’ team. In the end, the Kansas City Chiefs won 25 - 22 against the San Francisco 49ers on the night.

IS professional cycling on the brink of a revolution? Talk of a cycling super league, led by its elite teams and backed with Saudi money, could radically transform the sport. The proposed One Cycling ‘super league’ aims to inject fresh sources of money into the sport, with its promotors targeting a 2026 launch to coincide with the next WorldTour cycle. The new initiative is being championed by Visma-Lease a Bike’s Richard Plugge and Soudal QuickStep’s Zdenek Bakala and is tipped to include Formula 1-inspired events Eight teams are currently engaged in discussions, including notable names like Ineos Grenadiers, LidlTrek and Movistar, though specific identities remain under wraps. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly the leading candidate to support this ambitious project. SRJ Sports Investments, a firm established in August 2023, is purportedly finalising negotiations for a substantial investment of $270 million (€250m, £214m). This move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to amplify the kingdom’s global influence through strategic sports investments as it has done with golf, football and Formula 1. ‘It’s obvious that cycling is a sleeping giant and deserves an improved business model. For all stakeholders, but especially for WorldTour teams,’ said Plugge, highlighting the necessity of a revamped business model for cycling whose main source of income is from its sponsors.