Costa de Almeria 22 – 28 February 2024 Issue 2016

Costa de Almeria

• Issue No. 2016 • 22 - 28 Feb 2024

Rare egg stolen FREE

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Credit: MiniHollywood Oasys

John Smith

THE very first egg laid by the female of the incredibly rare pair of red-necked ostrich was stolen from the zoological reserve at the MiniHollywood Oasys in Tabernas on Sunday February 18.

Now extinct in the wild only 40 male and less than 38 female red-necked ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus) are known to exist on the entire planet and all are part of a Captive Breeding Conservation programme in zoos around the world.

The arrival of the first egg was considered a triumph when the female, named Carlota laid the egg but within a matter of hours it had disappeared, presumably removed by a member of the public who must have jumped into their enclosure and made off with the egg.

Clearly the reserve is des-

FREI

Carlota the red-necked ostrich has lost her egg.

perate for the return of the egg as if it hatches under proper conditions, then the

population will increase by more than 1 per cent, so it is appealing to whoever stole

the egg to return it with a promise that there will be no recriminations.

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• Local News •

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Classic vehicles IF you own a classic vehicle, be it a car, motorbike, a performance car or even a bus then you will be very welcome to bring it to the Paseo in Mojacar Playa from 10am on Sunday February 25.

It’s the latest 950 Classic and Performance Car Show which is being held at the Café Bar Caribe so all are welcome whether showing off their vehicle or simply hungry to see some great classic cars and bikes.

If you want to show your vehicle but would like a bit more information call 950 391 412 otherwise just turn up and park opposite the bar with the others taking part.

Naturally, both visitors and exhibitors will be encouraged to have a drink and a

FROM 9am on February 19, what has become known as a ‘tractorada’ saw large numbers of farmers from Velez-Rubio return in convoy to the A92N motorway.

Organised as part of a national protest by various farmer’s unions the hold-ups which covered around eight kilometres on the road heading

Credit: Chirigota Del Soto

Monthly classic car show.

bite to eat at the Café Bar Caribe which is hosting this monthly event.

Regular tractorada towards Murcia are taking place to highlight the farmer’s complaints.

They believe that th National Government has to take action in order to fight the influx of low cost imports whilst farmers in Spain have to cope with ever increasing costs to comply with EU legisla-

tion as well as general inflation.

They are also hampered by the drought and need to be assured of investment to allow access to water for both crops and livestock as well as increased aid to offset the cost of agricultural diesel fuel.

• Local News •

Sweeting NIBS EXTRA FOR the Jessica first time, Mojacar will be

Depopulation

THERE may be a major risk of smaller villages in Almeria simply running out of people in the long term as according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) Almeria is the Andalucian province with the highest number of towns with no children aged under four.

Business support

THE Almeria Chamber of Commerce and Mojacar Council have agreed the Chamber should open an office in the town so that it can advise businesses how best to benefit from programmes financed by the European Union.

Sad day

IT has been announced that Spanish stylist and accessories designer Jesús Vera died on Friday February 16, at his home in the town of Vera having decided to end his design career due to ill health in December 2019 although he was still active on social media until the end.

Top soprano

YOUNG Soprano Carmen Larios, who in January of this year won the 19th New Voices Contest for Opera singers held in Sevilla will be preforming at the Convent of San Francisco on March 2 in her home town of Cuevas del Almanzora.

Under pressure

THE Association ‘No to Dreambeach in El Toyo’ which is totally opposed to a music festival due to take place in the Almeria suburb later this year has taken its complaints to the president of the Junta de Andalucia after they were ignored previously.

hosting an Outlet Fair which will run from March 1 to 3 in the Multi-Uses Centre and businesses are now able to apply to take part.

The main goal of this initiative is to ensure that local businesses can exhibit their products with interesting discounts to encourage purchases.

Promoted by the Trade Department, the Mojacar Outlet Fair aims to be an opportunity for local businesses offering different products such as clothing, crafts, animals, traditional products, beauty or any similar to take part and participation is free, as is entry.

Outlet Fairs are a shopping event which usually last three days and have proven to be very popular across Europe and many products can be purchased at significant dis-

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Mojacar Outlet Fair

122 STORIES in this week’s edition

Tourist growth There could be a selection of handbags to consider.

counts.

To attract visitors, the council is arranging to issue discount coupons that they can use to purchase refreshments drinks at the La Fuente bars

Road safety EVERY year, officers from the Mojacar Local Police visit schools to give students aged between 10 and 11, advice on road safety.

Almost 100 children in the Bartolomé Flores school were split into four groups so that they could understand that there are potential dangers, especially if they are riding bicycles or scooters on public roads.

They were advised to obtain helmets, lights and reflective vests, especially if on scooters and to remember that other road users are not able to read minds and it is therefore very important to make clear and precise hand signals in order to show intentions.

A spokesperson for the Local Police explained “Young people are small pedestrians, passengers in various means of transport, and potential drivers. It is key that they gradually learn the rules of road safety education in all these areas and even be our collaborators, since they can remind their parents of the importance of road safety and the compliance of some of them that, sometimes, we overlook.”

taking part in the event.

Opening times for the Outlet Fair will be 5pm to 8pm on Friday March 1, 10am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sunday.

Fighting addictions PROYECTO FES is aimed at young people between 12 and 17 years old as well as their families and educators in order to halt behaviour addictions in adolescents. Young people now face unprecedented external attacks on their time and natures and the project exists to try to combat addictions with mobile phones, social media, video games, e-sports, gambling and indeed anything which can be harmful to the young people.

On Thursday February 15, Vera Council welcomed a delegation from Project FES to speak to parents and students about the perils of addiction and ways to not only combat it but how to manage leisure time to the benefit of all concerned.

The campaign aims to educate and unite parents, teachers and teenagers in such a way that leisure time is shared and enjoyed rather than letting the youngsters becoming loners, addicted to whatever they see online. It was free to attend the meeting and the Municipal Auditorium was filled with people of many ages.

Married 70 years TO celebrate the spirit of St Valentine’s Day, the Almeria Provincial Council decided to pay tribute to a loving couple nominated by the Home Help Service.

María Dolores Alonso (87) and Juan Bautista Sánchez (97), two residents of Taberno who take advantage of this service, were married in 1954 and they are still together 70 years

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YOUR EWN HAS Credit: PX Here

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later, so are able to observe their Platinum Wedding Anniversary.

The vice president and deputy of Social Welfare, Ángel Escobar, accompanied by the mayor of Taberno, Antonio Martos, visited this couple, some days after February 14 to congratulate them on their achievement.

They couple always

worked very hard in the fields and in 1959, their son Alonso was born and he lives with them now whilst his son currently works on his parents’ land.

As part of the tribute, the couple were presented with a commemorative plaque, a bouquet of flowers and a cake in recognition of their love story.

BUSINESS thrives on commerce and any town can only grow if its residents are in work and generating income.

Tourism of all types is an important generator of wealth and it doesn’t have to be from people visiting from abroad as Spanish day trippers are also very important.

The Cuevas del Almanzora Council has announced that 2023 was an exceptional year for visitors and estimates that almost 30,000 people visited the town.

Most popular sites for tourists to visit were the Tourist Information Office and the Antonio Manuel Campoy Museum of Contemporary Art which between them welcomed 20,225 people followed by 3,470 at the Villaricos Pit, 3,700 who passed through the Cueva Museo.

The Euro Weekly News publishes more content both online at euroweeklynews. com and in its papers than any other English news publication in SPAIN. Even better, our news online and in print is FREE and we promise to always keep it that way.

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Rat infestation HAVING followed a programme of not pruning trees in the grounds of the Ex Mari Orta school, the Garrucha Council has now discovered that there are rats nesting.

Due to this, drastic action is being taken to cut down the trees but parents and residents have taken to social media to complain about the decision. Firstly they complain that this would not have happened if the gardens department had looked after the trees properly. Secondly, they fear that by cutting down the trees the council will be removing much needed shade which is particularly important in the summer months when the sun is so much stronger. Thirdly, with a break due to Andalucia Day just a few days away, they argue that it might be more appropriate to use traps or even poison whilst the school is closed for a few days.

It is noted the council is renovating and painting urban furniture in public areas in anticipation of the tourist season but no shade created for the children.

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A Christian duty

Cancer run

Credit: Caritas Almeria

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The four delegates from the Almeria Diocese.

John Smith FOUR representatives of the diocese of Almeria which is closely associated with the charity Caritas Almeria set off for the 500 kilometre road trip to Madrid on Friday February 16.

They were attending a special meeting of all dioceses and ecclesiastical bodies in Sapin to discuss the concept of bringing the Gospel back to Spain.

They believe that Spain

is no longer a truly Christian country and that there is a need to remind people of the importance of Jesus of Nazareth in today’s world.

This therefore becomes a call for missionaries to get out amongst the people and boldly promote Christianity as the Apostles did 2,000 years ago.

Jesús Úbeda of the Spanish Episcopal Conference said that “there are no

magic or unique recipes to announce Jesus Christ, although sometimes we are tempted to look for them or ask for them.”

On their journey back, the quartet discussed how to make everything they heard and experienced a reality in their diocese of Almeria and decided It will be everyone’s task to put all their creativity and enthusiasm into promoting the ‘Good News of the Gospel’.

THERE was a great turn out of more than 1,000 people who formed a green tide that swept through the town of Berja to raise funds for the Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC).

On Sunday February 18, the town hosted the Second Fuentes de Vida Race which saw a children’s course and two other courses for adults, one covering five kilometres and the other 10 kilometres.

Representatives of the charity, local council and Almeria Provincial Council joined in with runners and those who were happy to take the course slowly in order to help raise money for AECC. In the event, thanks to their participation and sponsorship from a number of Almerian companies, no less than €8,000 was raised on the day, although this sum is expected to grow in the following days.

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St Patrick’s Day John Smith IT has been quite interesting to see an element of confusion when Spanish newspapers report about St Patrick’s Day as they seem to equate Britain and Ireland as one country.

One has explained that Arboleas, Bedar, Los Gallardos, Mojacar and Zurgena have large Anglo-Saxon populations and therefore the ‘English’ bars will be ready to enjoy St Patrick’s Day. There is no doubt that plenty of Brits enter into the spirit of the day, bars can see additional sales whilst Brits can see an opportunity to have a few drinks with their mate!

The town of Zurgena which boasts more than a third of its residents as British (not Irish) has decided however that it will go green on March 17 as it celebrates St Paddy for the first time and according to its mayor, Zurgena will be the

Credit: Irish Embassy in Spain

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St Patrick’s Day in Plaza Mayor Madrid 2023.

only municipality in Almeria to officially celebrate the Feast Day. So, the leprechauns will be out in the Plaza del Olmo from noon where there will be beer tasting, live music, a dessert contest, a photocall and much more to celebra-

te the Saint who reportedly rid Ireland of snakes.

Without doubt the busiest St Patrick’s Day celebration in Spain will take place in Madrid where the Irish Embassy has planned a large number of special events.

Chefs aid WHEN he was coming up to his first birthday, Esmeralda Sánchez, mother of little Diego, noticed that when he was crawling there was clearly a physical problem with her son.

Naturally worried she took him for various tests and unfortunately discovered that he was diagnosed with the rare but debilitating Aicardi-Goutières syndrome which is a type of encephalitis.

Now almost two, he is being helped with physiotherapy as well as speech therapy at the Arenas de Mónsul children’s rehabilitation centre as he tries to learn to walk.

Dealing with this illness is not cheap and top chefs who are members of the Almeria Gastronomic Association decided to try to raise money to help this young lad and his family who are faced with a monthly bill of €1,000.

No less than 20 chefs worked together to create a special menu to grace a charity event which was held at the popular Finca Casa Rafael on Monday February 19 with tickets selling out.

Pepper spray SAFETY of residents as well as the Local Police in Huercal-Overa is paramount in the thinking of the council which considers it to be one of the safest municipalities in Almeria.

The latest activity being undertaken is the training of officers in the use of pepper spray guns, a non-lethal resource that will soon be part of their ‘armoury’.

These pepper spray guns, whose incorporation into the material resources is scheduled for the coming weeks, will only be used after exhaustive training given by specialised personnel, thus ensuring their correct handling and officers will understand in which situations they should be deployed.

In the coming months, the council expects to obtain a specialised vehicle and video surveillance and communications systems, as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen security.

Credit: Huercal Overa Council

Training the officers in correct use of the pepper spray guns.

• Local News •

Paul and Fiona will be in Mojacar on April 6.

Meeting Paul Jones John Smith ONE of Britain’s most respected Blues artists and now a committed Christian Paul Jones will be visiting Mojacar with his wife singer and actress, Fiona Hendley.

In what is described as a ‘do wah diddy of an evening’, the couple will draw on Paul’s hits with Manfred Mann while sharing his songs, their story and their Christian faith.

Although its quite a long way ahead, on Saturday,

SOME concerts seem destined to sell out almost as soon as they are announced which is why tickets have to be grabbed months in advance.

This is almost always the case with any Film Symphony Orchestra (FSO) concert and there will be just one concert at the Roquetas de Mar Auditorium on Saturday May 18 with tickets costing €38 and €43, although the more expensive tickets are already close to selling out.

The FSO recreates the music of some of the great movie soundtracks of all time and their latest national tour is entitled Henko.

Henko is made up of the words Hen, which means change, and Ko, which has the meaning ‘with a different light’ and basically the FSO offers a real change in the presentation of a symphony orchestra as it incorporates, lights, videos and live action alongside an exceptional cast of musicians.

April 6, it is expected that there will be a tremendous demand for free tickets which must be reserved online and in advance by visiting turrechurch.es/ pauljones.

The audience with the couple starts at 7.30pm at the Centro de Usos Multiples de la Fuente, Mojacar.

Organising the event on behalf of Turre Evangelical Church and the Mojacar Town Hall is Bedar resident David Ward who observed “Expect a tho-

roughly entertaining and thought-provoking evening. My wife and I heard Paul and Fiona at a similar event last year in Denia and wanted Mojacar to experience it too.”

Prior to the Denia audience, Paul Jones very kindly agreed to give an interview to Euro Weekly News so to find out more about this legendary musician visit the Euro Weekly News website and search ‘Legendary musician talks to Euro Weekly News’.

FSO on tour Music that you can expect to hear in these exceptional concerts include 007: Skyfall, Mulan, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Rock,

Star-Wars: Obi Wan Kenobi, Super Mario Bros, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Godfather, Pocahontas, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

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Mojacar Carnival THE 2024 Mojacar Carnival Parade was a great success with double the usual number of troupes taking part and there was a large number of bystanders enjoying the parade.

Despite the strong wind, 16 troupes and more than 400 people in fancy dress filled the town with a combination of colour, music and dance as they made their way from the Río Abajo to the Parque Comercial along the Paseo Marítimo.

Although children led the procession, apart from home grown talent, there were participants from Murcia, Garrucha and nearby towns. There was a contest to choose the best movements by a troupe with prizes donated by Mojacar Council and the jury had a difficult job to decide which of the seven competing troupes should win but in the end the top three were Vina Dance de Garrucha, followed by Alejandro Iniesta Dance and the

Credit: Vina Dance de Garrucha

Credit: Paul Jones

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The Carnival Parade in Mojacar.

Timanfaya Comparsa both from Murcia.

As the devout prepare for Lent, everyone, regardless of whether they intended to fast until Easter, enjoyed chocolate and churros, the final point of these celebrations, were of great help in facing the inevitable arrival of Lent. Already the council is considering some beneficial changes for Carnival 2025 whilst troupes are considering their next costume change.

School holidays AS Andalucia Day (February 28) falls on a Wednesday this year, each province in Andalucia is able to decide on which days schools will be open or closed.

Jaen is the most parsimonious with the holiday as children attending its schools just have the single day off whilst several provinces have opted for the entire week starting February 26.

In Almeria, the authorities have settled for a ‘happy medium’ with schools closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is probably good news for children but not such good news for parents (or in many cases grandparents) who will have to make arrangements for the young ones in particular to be looked after.

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Marky Ramone John Smith

IF any musician was ever part of the legendary American punk band The Ramones then he automatically has to take the stage surname of Ramone.

Marky Ramone is best known for the 15 years he spent drumming for the legendary Ramones. Prior to joining the Ramones, Marky played with an array of influential musicians dating back to his high school years when he was a member of the Brooklyn based hard rock band, Dust.

He is currently on a 26 stop tour of Spain and will be appearing at the Sala Berlin Social club in Almeria City on Friday April 12 with tickets costing €35 and this will be his first visit to Almeria in six years.

In 2001, Marky along with his former band mates (Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy), were inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame.

With no signs of slowing down, Marky Ramone continues to tour the world with his band, Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg.

Credit: Ventura Mendoza flickr

Marky Ramone, behind the drums

Almerian double

Sink hole

THERE was a unique line up for the 1,500 metre race in the Spanish Athletics Championship held at the Expourense track in Galicia.

Coming from Almeria, and taking part in the semi-finals was Alejandra Gálvez, aged 46 who first started competing in 2002 although she then took a 20-year break and also in the same race was her 15-year-old daughter Daniela Sierra Gálvez who was the youngest competitor.

A READER observes that some 15 years ago, a sink hole appeared on the Paseo del Mediterraneo in Mojacar and it is still there!

Stagnant water collects there whenever it rains and thus it becomes a breeding area for mosquitos and in this time of hot weather, the stagnant water smells and is hardly pleasant for visitors to the area where there are nearby bars and restaurants.

The hole is on land owned by a private company and our reader asserts that although complaints have been made to both the land owner and Mojacar Council no action has been taken to remedy the problem.

There was no quarter given and although neither qualified for the final, mother, Alejandra beat daughter Daniela, although it was a relatively close run race.

This was the first time that a mother and daughter had competed in the Spanish Championship but by all accounts there were no hard feelings between the two and it is more than likely that they will compete together at some other time in the future.

Going green

FOR the first time, the Almanzora Group of Friends has decided that it would be fun to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. As it falls on a Sunday this year, the event will be held the day before, March 16 running from 11am to 1pm at their Library and Social Centre in Plaza San Antonio, Albox.

Food and drink will have an Irish theme and as well as the usual stalls and raffle there will a few short and fun ‘hand out’ quizzes.

Everyone is welcome but if you do decide to go, try to keep in with the Irish theme by wearing something green.

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Asperger Syndrome Credit: Almeria Provincial Council

People from many disciplines took part in the Gala.

Paul Edward A NUMBER of Almeria institutions came together to commemorate International Asperger Syndrome Day on February 18.

The annual Gala took place at the Teatro Apolo in Almeria City hosted by the Almeria Asperger Association and this was the finishing touch to a week of activities aimed at making people aware of the effects of Asperger’s.

The phrase ‘Breaking invisible barriers’ was the watchword for all of the events which have also focused on the dangers of bullying, leading to potential suicide as well as the difficulties encountered by sufferers looking for work.

For those who have heard the name but don’t know the symptoms, it can briefly be explained that sufferers tend to have a hard time relating to others socially.

They usually stick to a very specific routine, have a narrow set of interests, and act in repetitive ways such as flapping their hands as well as often having high pitched voices.

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Leading woman ALMERIA’S very own Pilar Martinez-Cosentino has officially been placed in the ‘Top 100’ of leading women in Spain.

Pilar, who is vice president of the company, Almeria multinational, has appeared in the ‘Top 100’ of leading women in Spain compiled by the digital media outlet El Español.

The media outlet stated that Consentino was a clear choice due to the fact that, “since her appointment she has contribu-

ted with high performance to the constant growth of a family-owned company that distributes brands such as Silestone or Dekton in more than 110 countries, and employs 5,300 people throughout the world, more than 2,300 of them in Spain.”

Furthermore, El Español added that the leader “has collaborated with her father Francisco Martinez Cosentino, president of the business group of the

Hospitality work IN a campaign that could literally change lives, the Red Cross, supported by funding from the European Union is looking to find staff for the hospitality industry.

There will be interviews in early March in both Mojacar and Vera and people who may be interested in finding work should email rm clemente@cruzroja.es or call one of two numbers, 950 128 438 or 678 505 484.

The number of roles that need to be filled cover a wide range of duties in both hotels and restaurants to include receptionists, bar tenders, cleaners, chefs, in fact the options are exceptional.

same name, in the management of the marble miracle that, from the modest beginnings of a workshop in a furniture store in Almeria, has translated into an empire.”

Also mentioned was the company’s values, as it was emphasised that: “The commitment to sustainability in all industrial processes and to technological innovation at the service of the creation of new products for facades and interiors are its two priorities.”

In this ranking, this successful and inspiring woman from Almeria is joined by others including the researchers Margarita del Val and Carmen Ayuso; the first Spanish woman to be chosen as a reserve astronaut by the European Space Agency (ESA), Sara Garcia Alonso or other businesswomen such as Mara Helena Antolín, vice president of the CEOE or Dora Casal, executive director of Roberto Verino.

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Germans are collecting €1.2 billion squabble rainwater for reuse OVER 1.8 million households and companies in Germany collect rainwater in tanks for reuse, making it Europe’s largest market for rain harvesting.

The country’s rainwater tax is a community levy which amounts to over €100 per year. The households are charged for water that drains into the public sewer system, causing damage to the residents, their property and the environment. To avoid

flooding Germany’s residents began collecting rainwater, reducing the water consumption and reusing it to water their gardens, wash their cars and maintain the toilets.

This is achieved by digging ditches and redirecting the water flow, as well as placing cisterns to collect water under the downpipes. These principles are fairly easy to follow and according to the European Commission could save almost a third of the water

consumption.

In Spain, with the rise in drought and 80 per cent of water intake currently being absorbed by agriculture, the researcher Salvador Sanchez-Carillo made a warning about the future: “If water management doesn’t change, the country will become a desert.” Although not on as large a scale as in Germany, the Spanish government is beginning to take measures, incorporating SWUDs (Water Sensitive Urban Design) into the country. Especially common in Barcelona, the SWUDs make use of natural resources and reuse water, focusing on the most flooded areas of the city and renovating surfaces into pervious ones to maintain the flow of rainwater and ensure a more sustainable future.

MARGHERITA AGNELLI is challenging the will of of her late mother, Marella Caracciolo in a disagreement with the heirs to the FIAT estate worth €1.2 billion.

Marella Caracciolo, widow of Gianni Agnelli, died in 2019 identifying as heirs the three Elkann grandchildren: John (identified

by Gianni as the heir to the dynasty) Lapo and Ginevra.

Sgra. Agnelli, claims to have been unjustly excluded from the inheritance along with her other children (from her second marriage), an exclusion made possible by her mother’s Swiss residence. Swiss law, unlike Italian law, does not provide for mandatory shares of the estate reserved for children.

Marella and Gianni’s daughter have already challenged the will in civil proceedings and the case is ongoing. There is now however, a criminal investigation regarding the possible concealment of capital

Photo of Gianni Agnelli: Wikimedia CC / Gorupdebesanez

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Disagreement among heirs to the Fiat Estate.

from Italian tax authorities.

The prosecutors are verifying whether it is true, as Margherita Agnelli claims, that in the last phase of her life Marella lived in Turin for more than half of the year, and therefore should have paid taxes in Italy.

The investigations concern the failure to declare the €500,000 monthly allowance that Margherita paid to her mother by virtue of the agreements made after the death of Gianni Ag-

nelli in 2004.

The alleged tax fraud arising from Margherita Agnelli’s complaint is, “totally unsubstantiated” said lawyers Paolo Siniscalchi, Federico Cecconi and Carlo Re, defenders of John Elkann, Margherita’s eldest son and CEO of Exor, the family holding company, in a joint statement. Elkann is under investigation along with the Agnellis’ accountant, Juventus president Gianluca Ferrero.

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Pizza perfection George Cunningham IS there such a thing as too much pizza?

Eric Decker, also known as Airrack on YouTube, has a knack for breaking records, especially when it comes to pizza.

In the past year, he achieved two remarkable feats: creating the largest pizza and visiting the most fast-food restaurants in 24 hours.

Teaming up with Pizza Hut, Airrack helped make a massive pizza at the Los Angeles Convention Centre.

This pizza measured a whopping 1,296 square metres, breaking the previous record by over 34 square metres.

It was made with over 6,000 kilogrammes of dough, 2,200 kilogrammes of sauce, nearly 4,000 kilogrammes of cheese, and over 630,000 pieces of pepperoni.

This huge pizza celebrated Pizza Hut’s ‘Big

Image: Eric Decker / Instagram

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The world’s largest pizza.

New Yorker”’ pizza, reminiscent of New York-style pies.

Airrack’s love for New York-style pizza inspired his next adventure: breaking the record for visiting the most fast-food restaurants in 24 hours.

He specifically chose pizza places in New York City for his challenge.

Airrack and his team

visited pizza joints across Manhattan at midnight.

They encountered some closures in the early morning but resumed their quest later. By 4.00pm, they had visited 45 pizza places and picked up the pace to reach their goal of 100 before time ran out.

With determination, they achieved their target just in time.

Hoover drama THE discovery of a €750,000 ring, which had gone missing at the Ritz hotel in Paris, has brought relief to its owner, a Malaysian businesswoman who was staying at the hotel.

After filing a complaint with the police, suspecting theft, the woman’s ring was eventually found in an unexpected place - the vacuum cleaner.

Security guards at the Ritz stumbled upon the valuable ring lying among the dust in a vacuum bag, much to the surprise and delight of the guest.

The woman had initially travelled to London but returned to Paris specifically to retrieve her missing ring.

According to the businesswoman, she had left the ring on a table in her hotel room while she went shopping in the city for a few hours.

Upon her return, she found it missing.

This incident adds to a history of jewellery-related incidents at the Ritz.

In 2018, the hotel was targeted by armed robbers who stole over €4 million worth of merchandise from a jewellery shop located within the premises.

Additionally, later that same year, a member of the Saudi royal family reported the theft of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from her suite at the hotel.

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Pelican not golf term Credit: Den Bosch Animal Ambulance

John Smith GOLF appeals to many people, but those out on a golf course in the town of Vught in Holland often dreamed of making a birdie or even an albatross but never a pelican!

They were surprised to see a healthy looking pink-backed pelican take up residence on the golf course in early February and it could be seen that it had a ring around its leg so had clearly escaped from somewhere.

Members of the Den Bosch Animal Ambulance Service confirmed that it had been spotted in different parts of the country prior to its arrival at the golf course and several days were spent trying to lure it with the offer of juicy cuts of fish.

Eventually, they were successful and after snaffling it whilst asleep the pelican calmly allowed them to give it a ride in a golf buggy before it was transferred to a secure site

The pelican at home on the golf course.

for a health check.

Information from the ring on its leg told experts that it had been a resident of Lithuania, lived in a Dutch zoo until 2019 when it was transferred to a Bel-

gian zoo and it was from there that it made its escape several weeks earlier.

Once rested and fed, it was returned across the border to its unnamed Belgian home.

AN elaborately decorated medieval gold ring, likely to be from the 11th or 12th century, has been discovered buried beneath Wawel Castle, the former seat of Poland’s kings in the city of Kraków. It is the only one of its kind ever found on Polish territory reported Notes from Poland.

The ring was discovered during archaeological research in the basement of the Danish Tower, the Wawel Royal Castle has announced. According to the researchers, the found monument is unique due to its decoration, depicting two faces.

“Wawel Castle constantly surprises us. An extremely rare discovery has recently been made in the form of an early medieval gold ring,” - the Wawel Royal Castle announced on social media on Monday. The relic was found during archaeological research in the basement of the Danish Tower and is dated to the 11th to 12th centuries.

According to a study by Jerzy Trzebinski of the

22 - 28 February 2024

13

Lord of the ring Wawel Royal Castle Archaeology Department, “only a few early medieval gold rings are known from the whole of Poland.

Ornaments of this type were usually completely devoid of ornamentation or contained geome-

tric ornamentation. The specimen unearthed at Wawel is unique because of its ornamentation. It is the only example where human images are depicted on an early medieval ring from Poland.”

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

• News •

14 22 - 28 February 2024

euroweeklynews.com

Flags of Spain and the EU.

fe populations.

The Water Framework Directive is a cornerstone of the European Green Deal, seeking to ensure the qualitative and quantitative well-being of European aquatic ecosystems.

It sets out a comprehensive approach to reduce pollution and manage water resources sustainably.

Member states are required to regularly update their river basin management plans, which include measures to ensure the good condition of all water bodies.

The failure of Spain and the other nations to meet their obligations not only risks the health of Europe’s water systems but also demonstrates the challenges in aligning national practices with EU-wide environmental standards.

Photo of Borutta: Facebook / Comune di Borutta

EUROPEAN lawmakers are taking Spain to court along with several other member states for not adhering to EU water directives.

In a significant move, the European Commission has escalated its concerns to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), challenging Spain, among other nations, for not adhering to essential water management directives.

This legal action, which was first announced in February 2023, targets Spain alongside Bulgaria, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, and Slovakia.

These countries have been under scrutiny for not updating their water and flood risk management plans, a critical step mandated by the European Union’s water and flood directives.

The European Commission’s decision to proceed to court stems from the countries’ incomplete submissions related to their hydrological and flood risk management strategies.

Spain, Malta, and Portugal, in particular, have failed to fully report on their third basin hydrological plan and their second flood risk management plan.

These plans are crucial for maintaining the health of Europe’s water bodies, aiming to mitigate pollution and balance the needs of human and wildli-

Credit: Rob Wilson/Shutterstock.com

Spain in court BORUTTA: At risk of depopulation.

Green light for energy SILVANO ARRU is 57 years old and for 12 years has been the mayor of Borutta, one of the many villages in Sardinia at risk of depopulation. He has chosen to return to live there with one task: to project the village of his parents into the future.

“Most of our land is destined to depopulate,” he told Today.it, “so we tried to create something that could curb this trend.” The idea is to make Borutta a ‘green’ village. But the story of the small village is also a symbol of the delay Italy is experiencing in the transition to clean energy.

The first idea was to build a wind turbine: “We wanted to produce green energy to sell to (electricity company) Enel and use the proceeds to make residents’ bills zero, but the authorisations took so long that the incentive was lowered and it was no longer viable,” the mayor explained.

They are now focused on photovoltaics and Borutta has installed panels to provide energy self-sufficiency for all public facilities through a smart grid with intelligent sensors that optimise energy distribution and now, the municipality’s

bill is practically zero.

They would like to extend these benefits to residents: the creation of a real energy community, a project that is unfortunately going slowly, grinding its way through the labyrinth of Italian bureaucracy.

And the Sardinian town is not the only one waiting.

The creation of more extensive energy communities got the green light from Brussels at the end of 2023.

But to date, there is still no decree from the Italian Government so many projects, like the one in Borutta, are on hold.

euroweeklynews.com

• News •

22 - 28 February 2024

15

Photos: Musei Capitolini

AT the Capitoline Museums, in the garden of Rome’s Villa Caffarelli, the impressive life-size reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine now towers over visitors.

The statue, about 13 metres high, has been realised through innovative reconstruction techniques, starting from the original pieces from the fourth century AD preserved in the Capitoline Museums.

Of the entire statue, discovered in the 15th century at the Basilica of Maxentius, today only a few marble fragments remain: the head, right arm, wrist, right hand, right knee, right shin, right foot, left foot.

The project to reconstruct the colossal statue of Constantine started from these fragments. At the end of March 2022, a team from the Factum Foundation spent three days in the courtyard of the Capitoline Museums to scan the

Credit: Steve Photography/Shutterstock.com

Rome’s Colossus A farmer protests in the Netherlands.

Spanish farmers revolt The Colossus of Constantine.

fragments. Each fragment was modelled in 3D and positioned on the digital body of the statue created using other statues from the time as a guide.

Resin and polyurethane, together with marble powder, gold leaf and plaster, were chosen as materials to render the material surfaces of marble and bronze, while an easily assembled and removable aluminium support was

used for the internal structure.

The final result makes it possible to admire the Colossus in its original imposing size from February 6, in the garden of Villa Caffarelli. Romans are divided: there is no shortage of comments from those who believe that this operation accelerates the transformation of the capital’s historic centre into an amusement park for tourists.

THE agricultural unrest that has swept across Europe has reached a critical point, but is a compromise in sight for Spanish farmers?

A crucial meeting has taken place take place between Spain’s leading agricultural organisations and Luis Planas, Minister of Agriculture. This pivotal dialogue aims to address the escalating rural conflict in Europe.

The backdrop of this meeting was the growing unrest among farmers, with tractors continuing to roll out in protest across Spain, voicing opposition to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), import competition, and soaring costs.

COAG’s primary demand involves simplifying and making the CAP more flexible, as Miguel Padilla, the organisation’s secretary general, highlights. “Even if there is a small drop, it is not enough. There

are prices that are below production costs and that is one of the concerns we have,” explains Padilla.

The group is also pushing for an import observatory to bring ‘transparency in this issue that concerns us.’

Further, COAG advocates for the strengthening of the Food Chain Law. “It is an instrument that we have defended and defended but it does not fulfil the functions that we would like and the majority of productions do not,” Padilla states, emphasising the need for improvements to ensure prices cover production costs.

ASAJA’s focus is on international relations, particularly responding to criticisms from French farmers.

The words of a reporter from the BFM channel went viral this week, who went on to describe Spanish mandarins as ‘disgusting,’ ‘inedible,’ of ‘poor quality.’

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

• News •

16 22 - 28 February 2024

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Wind over gas Credit: chaiviewfinder/shutterstock.com

CAN Europe turn its back on fossil fuels for good?

The recent surge in renewable energy across the European Union suggests it might just be possible.

In 2023, a ground-breaking report by the energy think tank Ember revealed a significant shift in the EU’s energy landscape.

Fossil fuel generation plummeted, marking a decisive move towards renewables, with wind and solar energy leading the charge.

This change was particularly notable in Spain, which set a precedent by generating more than half of its electricity from renewable sources. In 2023, coal usage dropped by 26 per cent to a record low, accounting for only 12 per cent.

Gas saw its largest annual decrease since at least 1990, falling by 15 per cent. This reduction in fossil fuel use led to a 19 per cent decrease in emissions from the electricity

Credit: One Billion Rising/Petr zewlakk Vrabec

One Billion Rising in Prague.

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Wind turbines.

sector.

Sarah Brown, European programme director at Ember, emphasised, “Coal is on its way out and, as wind and solar grow, gas will be next to go into terminal decline.

“However, this is not the time to rest on its laurels.

The EU needs to focus on rapid deployment of wind, solar and flexibility to create a system free of the risks of fossil fuels.”

Photovoltaic solar energy also saw impressive

growth, with over 5,000 new MW installed.

Despite the overall decrease in electricity demand by 3.4 per cent in 2023, the future looks electric.

The transition to electrification, driven by among other things, heat pumps, and electric vehicles is expected to increase electricity demand. Renewables will need to keep up with this growing demand to meet emission reduction targets.

One Billion Rising John Smith PRAGUE saw a flash demonstration on February 14, as part of a worldwide call to action by the global organisation One Billion Rising which exists to fight gender based violence.

It was launched on Valentine’s Day, 2012 with the intention of alerting the world to the incredible fact that it is believed that one in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during their lifetime.

So with an estimated seven billion people alive now, this equates to more than one billion, hence the name of the orga-

nisation.

The demonstration also embraces those who are cross or trans gender and are equally vulnerable to attack and the hope is that eventually males in particular will recognise that everyone is entitled to be treated equally and with dignity.

Although this one event took place in Prague on Valentine’s Day, similar events, some with huge gatherings occurred throughout the world especially in countries in Africa and Asia as well as across the European Union where freedom of speech is so much easier to practice.

Image: Paavo Arhinmäki / Facebook

The deputy mayor publicly apologised.

Street art Bob Marquess

THE tale of Paavo Arhinmäki, the deputy mayor of Helsinki who engaged in urban escapades by painting graffiti, took an unexpected turn with his arrest last summer on charges of vandalism related to spray-painting the underpass near a railway section in his city.

Mr Arhinmäki’s rebe-

llious streak, while adding thrill to his leisure activities, ultimately led to legal consequences.

Recently, a district court ruled that he must pay a fine of €2,520 for his act of vandalism.

Despite the attention garnered by his graffiti, which featured the phrase “world domination and great career moves,” it did

not attain viral fame like Banksy’s artworks.

Authorities swiftly removed the graffiti a few days after its creation, reportedly costing around €3,000 to clean up, exceeding the fine imposed.

In response to his arrest, the deputy mayor publicly apologised for his actions and pledged to bear any ensuing fines.

euroweeklynews.com

Hotel investment IN recent years, the hotel industry has faced challenges like temporary closures due to the pandemic but has also seen a strong comeback driven by increased travel.

However, in Europe, the hotel investment market has had a tougher time due to rising financing costs and economic uncertainties.

Between January and September 2023, hotel sales in Europe reached over €10bn.

This was a 10 per cent drop compared to the previous year and a 26 per cent decrease from the average over the

last five years.

Despite this decline, hotels fared better than other real estate sectors, which saw a 54 per cent decrease in sales.

Several factors have helped hotels stay resilient. Looking ahead to 2024, economic and geopolitical issues might slow down the industry’s growth, but it’s still expected to do well.

Investment in hotels is also predicted to go up, especially in the second half of the year.

When we look at specific countries, we see a rise in hotel sales in Spain, France, and Portugal.

Eiffel mayhem RICHARD PLAUD, a 47-year-old Frenchman, spent eight years and 4,200 hours crafting a model of the Eiffel Tower out of 706,900 matchsticks, aiming to beat the Guinness World Record set by Lebanese Toufic Daher in 2009.

However, despite his towering creation reaching 7.19m (23.6ft), his Guinness application was rejected.

Guinness stated rules required matches available to the public, without red tips, and unaltered.

Plaud bought matches initially but was tired of removing red tips, so he bought unprocessed ones from a French manufacturer, unintentionally disqualifying himself.

Plaud expressed frustration on social media, highlighting the sticks he used were essentially matches and questioned Guinness’s criteria.

Although disappointed, he showcased his model to 4,000 people in Saujon.

Looking ahead, Plaud hoped to display his creation at the Paris Olympics but was informed of insufficient space.

Responding to the controversy, Mark McKinley, director of central records services at Guinness World Records, acknowledged: “It’s the job of our records management team to be thorough and meticulous in reviewing evidence.

“However, it appears we may have been overly stringent in this case,” he added.

Too much kebab.

Kebab overdose

Image: Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust / Facebook

• News •

18 22 - 28 February 2024

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has disclosed some unusual reasons for emergency calls, including one incident where someone overindulged in kebab and required assistance.

Additionally, calls were made for misplaced false teeth, a hand trapped in a letterbox, a lost voice, and a ring stuck on a finger.

Last year, the Welsh Ambulance Service received a total of 414,149 calls, of which 68,416 were deemed non-life-threatening emergencies.

This translates to an average of 188 calls per day.

The service emphasises that 999 should only be dialled in cases of serious illness or injury.

Andy Swinburn, executive director of paramedicine, expressed concern about the strain placed on the service by inappropriate calls.

He urged the public to exercise common sense and discern between a genuine emergency and situations that, while uncomfortable or painful, are not life-threatening.

Lee Brooks, executive director of operations, emphasised the need for individuals to take responsibility for their health and well-being, especially considering the immense strain on NHS services.

He urged the public to prioritise genuine emergencies and avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services.

22 22 - 28 February 2024

• European Press •

IRELAND

EUROPRESS

THE Central Statistics Office (CSO) added air fryers, gin and disposable vapes to the basket of items and services used to calculate the annual inflation rate. Landlines, swiss rolls and digital cameras are amongst newly-excluded goods “as they no longer play a significant a role in consumer spending,” the CSO said.

No comment INTEL, which employs 4,600 people in Leixlip and 300 in Shannon, plans to raise at least €1.86 billion to fund a semiconductor factory in Ireland, sources close to the California-based company said. An Intel representative later declined to comment on reports that it was sounding out possible investors.

NORWAY

PORTUGAL

Photo credit: Recirosa Lda

Phased out

euroweeklynews.com

Viral Clio A RENAULT Clio became famous in Portugal for the wrong reasons after it was seen driving on the A28 in Viana do Castelo with its back end entirely destroyed.

Photos of the car went viral although it has finally ended its days at a scrapyard which recently announced that the Clio “can now enjoy a well-deserved rest.”

Fashion riches ACCORDING to the annual estimated wealth and assets assessment compiled and published each year by the US business magazine Forbes, businessman Stefan Persson is Sweden’s richest person. Persson’s $16.87 billion (€15.66 billion) fortune is based on the H & M fashion chain in which he holds a major stake.

Jailhouse blues SWEDEN’S Prison and Probation Service is creating a management team to deal with the increasingly urgent cell shortage.

The service has said that the lack of space means the problem can only get worse and before long it will be difficult to accommodate those on remand and as well as those serving terms.

JOURNEY’S END: Clio at the scrapyard.

ITALY

SWEDEN

FRANCE

DENMARK

Marmite okay

Iraq gift

Fair dues

Cliff breakup

NORWAY’S English-speaking media came to the recue of Marmite recently after Anglican vicar and author Richard Coles claimed that it was banned. Not so, The Local, stated, clarifying that the love-it-hate-it yeast extract spread needs special authorisation in neighbouring Denmark as it is fortified with added vitamins.

ITALY presented Iraq with a replica of the Ninth Century BC, five-metre-tall Bull of Nimrod which Isis terrorists destroyed in 2015 by bulldozing the archaeological site 30 kilometres from Mosul. The statue was recreated by Italian artists who consulted images and video footage to copy the monument using 3D-printing technology.

A FRENCH court ruled that funeral homes must pay royalties for music played during services and ordered OGF, one of the country’s largest funeral companies, to pay €80,000 and €37,000 to two copyright associations. Applauded as ‘a win’ for artists, critics said the measure was “an insensitive money grab.”

A SECTION of the white limestone and chalk Mons Klint cliffs, a popular tourist spot on the island of Mons, broke away on February 13 after a period of prolonged and heavy rain. This was the second incident in the area so far this winter, following a more serious landslide at the beginning of January.

Bumpsadaisy

Call up

That’s rich

Rainy season

AN aircraft bound for Stockholm was slightly damaged after its wingtip hit a fence when leaving the gate at Oslo airport on February 14. Although no-one was injured, this was the third incident in a fortnight after a plane clipped another aircraft’s wing on February 13 and a third collided with the same fence on February 2.

THE European Union should create an army to prevent conflict and oversee peacekeeping missions, declared Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, a former president of the European parliament. Other EU members were less keen with Spain, Denmark, Poland and Slovenia labelling the proposal ‘unrealistic and unnecessary’.

MORE than 50 per cent of France’s 34 government ministers, including the 34-yearold PM Gabriel Attal, are millionaires, researchers found after scouring data made available to the public under transparency laws. A quarter of the ministers also belonged to the one per cent of the population classed as ‘super-rich’.

DENMARK experienced its wettest February in more than 10 years with 59 millimetres falling during the first half of the month. This was 29 per cent more than the usual monthly figure of 50.3 millimetres but lagging behind 2020 when the country’s weather stations recorded an unprecedented 135 millimetres.

FINLAND

GERMANY

BELGIUM

NETHERLANDS

Cashing in

Spy game

Strike-stricken

Mystery wall

SHOPS may no longer refuse cash under recent legislation although Unizo, which represents small and medium-sized businesses, described the decision as “bullying” and attempting to solve a non-existent problem. The legislation is in line with EU regulations and means that business which repeatedly refuse cash can be fined.

THE NETHERLANDS’ Ministry of Defence revealed that Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) discovered hackers working for China had infiltrated a military network in 2023. Advanced Chinese malware used on Fortigate systems from the Californian company, Fortinet, had made this possible.

INLAND’S spate of strikes over the last two months has cost the economy approximately one billion euros, the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) calculated. The latest stoppages affected bus-drivers and petrol station employees on February 14, followed by dockers on February 15 and 17.

INVESTIGATORS from Rostock and Christian-Albrechts universities discovered a one-kilometre section of stone wall off the Mecklenburg-Western Pomeria coast estimated to be more than 10,000 years old.

Built when the area was above sea level and densely wooded, experts believe its purpose was linked to reindeer hunting.

Big Freeze

Wotcher cock

No change

Ocean wave

THE Belgian government told the EU and the G7 that Ukraine’s financial problems could be helped by allowing it to raise funds from private sector lenders by using Russian central bank assets currently frozen by sanctions. Belgium suggested the strategy because most of these assets are held in Europe and G7 countries.

ANIMAL welfare organisations in the Rotterdam area asked the city council to tackle the problem of abandoned poultry after its animal collection service failed to pick up a cockerel abandoned in a hotel room. Police later collected it and took it to Zwerfkip en Zo, which finds homes for abandoned animals.

MOST Finns are satisfied with the country’s alcohol laws, with 57 per cent seeing no reason to change them, although 11 per cent told a recent survey that they would like to see regulations tightened up. Forty-four per cent said they would like to buy wine in shops instead of the state-owned Alko monopoly.

THE next Ocean Race Europe sets sail on August 10, 2025, from Kiel, the finish port of the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002 and hosted the 2022-2023 Ocean Race’s penultimate leg. The route will begin in the Baltic, continuing through the North Sea, English Channel and Atlantic before finishing in the Mediterranean.

• News •

euroweeklynews.com

Selfie bans Image: Dudarev Mikhail / Shutterstock.com

Bob Marquess SELFIE bans at tourist spots are becoming more common, and for good reason: they save lives.

A study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine found that selfie-related deaths have surpassed fatalities from shark attacks.

Over 13 years, there were 379 selfie-related deaths, with 140 involving tourists, compared to 90 fatal shark encounters.

In Venice, Italy, a gondola nearly capsized because tourists were too focused on taking selfies instead of listening to safety warnings.

Thankfully, there were no injuries, but the incident could have ended tragically.

People risk their lives for the perfect selfie, leading to fatal falls from cliffs, accidents with vehicles and trains, dangerous encounters with wildlife, and drownings.

Tourists take risky photos.

Authorities are taking action, imposing fines and even jail time for reckless selfie behaviour.

For example, a woman died while attempting a selfie at Prabalgad Fort in India, and a spectator’s selfie

caused a massive pile-up during the 2023 Tour de France.

Portofino, Italy, introduced a temporary selfie ban to prevent tourists from obstructing traffic while taking photos.

The desire for attention and validation on social media often drives reckless behaviour, causing people to ignore safety warnings or venture into dangerous areas.

On average, victims were 24.4 years old, with women more likely to die from falls or animal encounters, and men more likely to die in transport-related incidents.

India, the United States, and Russia have the highest number of selfie-related deaths.

Do you speak English?

FOR English speakers considering a move to Europe, prioritising countries where English is widely spoken can alleviate concerns about language barriers.

According to the English Proficiency Index released by Education First (EF), several European countries excel in English proficiency.

In a study conducted by the European Commission, it was found that 62 per cent of surveyed Brits couldn’t speak a second language, highlighting the challenges faced by native English

speakers in learning foreign languages.

Similarly, an InterNations study identified the language barrier as a significant concern among expatriates.

EF’s English Proficiency Index, which analysed the English test results of two million individuals worldwide, including from 35 European countries, provides insights into the top countries in Europe for English speakers.

Each country received a ranking out of 800 points.

Northern European

countries dominate the rankings, with Croatia making it to the 10th spot.

Finland, Sweden, and Denmark secure the ninth, eighth, and third positions, respectively.

Austria claims the second spot, scoring 641 points out of 800.

However, the Netherlands clinches the top spot, boasting a high percentage of Dutch citizens proficient in English.

On the other hand, Italy ranked lowest among European countries in terms of English proficiency.

Language of Love THE accent that most captures people’s hearts?

It’s no longer French, according to Babbel, the language learning platform.

In a recent study involving 6,000 participants from several countries, Italian emerged as the new ‘sexiest’ and ‘most romantic’ accent.

This might come as a surprise, considering French held the title in Babbel’s previous poll.

Babbel’s language teacher Noël Wolf explained why Italian might be so appealing.

He confirmed: “This could be due to the rise and fall of pitch in Italian speech creates a musical quality, and the distinctive rolling ‘r’ sounds which add to its charm.”

Interestingly, British English was seen

as the ‘most polite’, while German was perceived as the ‘most direct’ language.

The survey also looked into attitudes towards partners speaking different languages.

Over 70 per cent of Brits surveyed believed that learning their partner’s native language would strengthen their emotional connection.

Experts like linguist Patti Adank suggest that English speakers are drawn to the melody of languages like French or Italian.

Social and cultural associations with accents play a big role in these perceptions.

Overall, while France might need to adjust to losing its crown, the allure of Italian accents seems to have won over many hearts.

22 - 28 February 2024

23

FINANCE Not enough

A SURVEY for the Resolution Foundation think tank found that 11 million people of working age in the UK did not have savings of at least £1,000 (€1,170). Many of the British faced a “triple challenge” of insufficient savings, inability to cope financially with major life events and inadequate pensions, the Foundation said.

Idealista deal

SWEDISH private equity company EQT has engaged Morgan Stanley to sell the Spanish property website, Idealista, four years after acquiring a majority stake.

The company is valued at approximately €2.5 billion, Reuters reported, but the process is still at an early stage with the sale unlikely until the second half of 2023.

On time

AUSTRALIAN company Q-CTRL and UK firm Oxford Quantum Circuits are developing a supercomputer enabling the Department of Transport to overhaul train timetables and ensure that they run punctually. Q-CTRL has also been awarded part of a £15 million (€17.6 million) computing fund to finance its work.

Jobs lost

EIGHTY-FIVE employees will be made redundant at the Coca Cola plants in Madrid and Barcelona, the company’s total staff reductions in Spain is now 100. The company intends to restructure jobs, grouping together all customer services, human resources and business operations in Bulgaria, union officials said.

Aldi ploy

ALDI is spending £550 million to attract more customers, with plans to open 500 stores in town centres and suburbs.

Although the German discounter is the UK’s fourthlargest chain, its market share fell from 10.2 per cent in September 2023 to 9.3 per cent in January this year.

euroweeklynews.com • 22 - 28 February 2024

STAT OF WEEK

€11 billion

destined for Iberdrola’s called-off purchase of US power company PNM Resources will now be invested in the Spanish multinational’s distribution network.

Inflation holds steady

Linda Hall THE UK’s annual inflation rate remained at 4 per cent in January despite rising energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the expected rise failed to materialise, despite Bank of England predictions of a slight increase while City economists polled by Reuters anticipated a climb of 4.2 per cent increase.

Core inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, remained unchanged at 5.1 per cent, while services’ inflation rose to 6.5 per cent in January, up from 6.4 per cent the previous month.

Photo credit: Rishi Sunak

JANUARY INFLATION: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed latest figures

“I absolutely believe that the economy has turned the corner and we’re now pointing in the right direction,” Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak told business leaders during the first meeting of his 2024 Busi-

Duke sells up HUGH GROSVENOR, Duke of Westminster, plans to sell Spanish assets worth €300 million.

Grosvenor, the Duke’s property company is currently disposing of direct assets throughout Europe, hoping to sell four office blocks in Madrid that include the headquarters of gas supply company Naturgy and the Unicaja bank.

The 33-year-old Duke’s fortune, which the Times Rich List put at £9.878 billion (€11.58 billion) in 2023, makes him the eleventh-richest person in the UK and it wealthiest under-35.

ness Council on February 14.

“Hopefully that’s something that you’re seeing in your businesses, but inflation has been more than halved from 11 per cent down to 4 per cent,”

Some of Britain’s oldest money is based on one of the most important property portfolio in London that boasts exclusive prime sites in Mayfair, Fitzrovia, Covent Garden and Soho.

Grosvenor investments in Spain have ranged from shopping centres to luxury developments, but after marketing its residential investments the group is now focusing on the Madrid buildings.

According to sources quoted in the financial daily Cinco Dias, Grosvenor has wanted to sell the four office blocks

he said.

Last month’s better-than-predicted cost of living news is set to be followed by inflation falling to the government’s 2 per cent target by spring.

January was the first time it dipped to this level since July 2021, after which it rose to 11.1 per cent in October 2022 before beginning a gradual decline.

The latest ONS figures could pave the way for a cut in the current 5.25 per cent interest rate, which has risen 14 times between December 2021 and August 2023.

The hoped-for reduction would help to boost personal spending and, in turn, the economy.

Photo credit: naturgy.com

BUSINESS EXTRA

26

NATURGY: Madrid office block belongs to Duke of Westminster

since 2022 although so far offers have been too low owing to the effect of high interest rates on investments.

Sales of offices have also been affected by the switch to working from home that was introduced during the pandemic.

Shot in the arm

Huge Basf plant

Talking the talk

HEPATITIS B drug Bepirovirsen produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has been fast-tracked by US regulators and will now reach the market sooner.

The medication “addresses an unmet medical need”, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in yet another boost for the UK-based pharmaceutical giant whose strong results enabled it to upgrade its growth forecast from 5 to 7 per cent in January.

GSK sales rose 5 per cent to £30.3 billion (€35.5 billion) in 2023 with an operating profit that increased by 12 per cent to £8.8 billion (€10.3 billion).

EUROPEAN multinational Basf, the world’s largest chemical producer, will spend €500 million on a car battery recycling plant in Tarragona.

Once completed, the installation will be the biggest of its yet built in Europe to recover nickel, cobalt, lithium, copper and manganese on this scale. It is also expected to provided jobs for 200 people.

Basf has received at least three packages of public money totally €125 million but although the company has not yet disclosed the sums involved, a company spokesperson confirmed to the El Pais newspaper that the future operation was going ahead.

Sources close to the Basf project, who preferred not to remain anonymous, revealed that the project had grown since its inception and that the €500 million investment was likely to be closer to €700 million.

VIRGIN MEDIA O2, owned by Telefonica and Liberty Global, are again in talks with TalkTalk.

The Telefonica subsidiary negotiated in 2022 to acquire Talk Talk in a £3 billion (€3.5 billion) transaction but failed to reach an agreement.

Talk Talk has approximately four million UK customers and 2.4 million fibre connections, and a deal would strengthen Virgin Media 02’s position as a rival to BT, which traditionally dominates the British market.

At the same time, Telefonica faces competition from rivals and insiders commented that a formal offer for Talk Talk would increase pressure on Vodafone, which could launch a counterbid.

Talgo deal A HUNGARIAN consortium confirmed on February 9 that it hopes to take over 100 per cent of Spain’s Talgo.

No agreement has yet been reached, although according to media reports Magyar Vagon would pay €5 per share for the emblematic rolling stock manufacturer.

The Hungarian company admitted that the bid might not be successful although the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) lifted its trading ban on trading Talgo shares on February 12.

Magyar Vagon first needs approval from the Spanish government as well as Talgo’s principal shareholders, Pegaso Transportation (40 per cent) and the Torrblas investment company (5 per cent).

Gove challenge MARKS & SPENCER launched a High Court battle on February 14 against the government’s decision to block plans for its Marble Arch store.

The chain is arguing that “inconsistent” Housing Secretary Michael Gove has “misinterpreted and wrongly applied planning policy” for M&S’s multimillion revamp of the Art Deco landmark.

This entails demolishing and replacing the 1929 building with a 10-storey block “to bring it up to modern standards” while allocating only two and half floors to retail space.

In the meantime, similar projects across the UK have been put on hold as developers await the outcome of the M&S case.

In the bag EXCLUSIVE shoe and bag maker Tod’s is delisting from the Milan stock exchange.

It has agreed a deal to sell a 36 per cent stake to private equity group L Catterton, which is a partnership between another luxury group, France’s LVMH and the family investment group belonging to its founder Bernard Arnault.

Tod’s will receive €43 per share, an 18 per cent premium on the closing price for the company’s shares on February 9 which puts a value of around €512 million on the company.

28 EWN 22 - 28 February 2024

euroweeklynews.com II FINANCE

LONDON - FTSE 100

Closing Prices 19 February

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3I Group.....................................2.447,60.............+19,60........... +0,81%......... 249,13K Admiral Group.............................2.574,0................ -7,0..............-0,27%........... 68,79K Airtel Africa.................................. 97,75................. -1,75.............-1,76%............1,02M Anglo American...........................1.820,0...............+53,0............ +3,00%......... 936,32K Antofagasta................................1.745,50.............+56,00........... +3,31%......... 313,15K Ashtead Group............................5.322,0...............+72,0............ +1,37%......... 157,05K Associated British Foods.............2.283,0................ -2,0..............-0,09%.......... 197,43K AstraZeneca................................9.962,0..............+136,0........... +1,38%......... 484,92K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 717,84................+5,64............ +0,79%......... 193,52K Aviva........................................... 431,20................+1,20............ +0,28%......... 839,92K B&M European Value Retail SA... 512,30................+4,50............ +0,89%......... 391,51K BAE Systems..............................1.235,00.............+10,00........... +0,82%......... 887,97K Barclays...................................... 146,62................+3,20............ +2,23%...........8,17M Barratt Developments................. 474,79................ -0,91.............-0,19%............1,24M Beazley........................................ 586,00................+3,00............ +0,52%......... 209,35K Berkeley......................................4.700,0...............+32,0............ +0,69%.......... 24,28K BP............................................... 470,80................+2,05............ +0,44%...........5,80M British American Tobacco...........2.395,0............... -27,0.............-1,11%.......... 936,29K BT Group.................................... 107,40................+1,10............ +1,03%...........5,06M Bunzl...........................................3.191,0...............+10,0............ +0,31%......... 107,51K Burberry Group...........................1.331,0...............+17,0............ +1,29%......... 157,44K Centrica....................................... 140,35................+4,15............ +3,05%...........5,20M Coca Cola HBC AG......................2.455,0...............+15,0............ +0,61%......... 241,65K Compass....................................2.191,00..............+3,00............ +0,14%......... 546,43K ConvaTec Group......................... 243,00................+1,60............ +0,66%......... 723,92K Croda Intl....................................5.048,0...............+24,0............ +0,48%.......... 37,08K DCC.............................................5.696,0...............+38,0............ +0,67%.......... 35,77K Diageo.........................................2.924,5...............+26,5............ +0,91%...........1,68M Diploma.....................................3.386,00.............+54,00........... +1,62%.......... 40,90K DS Smith.................................... 326,94................+4,04............ +1,25%...........1,85M Endeavour Mining......................1.307,00.............+15,00........... +1,16%.......... 54,79K Entain.......................................... 938,43................ -0,37.............-0,04%.......... 251,42K Experian......................................3.381,0...............+26,0............ +0,78%......... 233,37K F&C Invest.................................. 988,95................+4,95............ +0,50%......... 133,94K Flutter Entertainment..................17.065,0.............+195,0........... +1,16%.......... 68,42K Frasers........................................ 836,50................+9,50............ +1,15%.......... 53,84K Fresnillo...................................... 488,60................+9,70............ +2,02%......... 113,61K Glencore...................................... 399,85................+8,85............ +2,26%...........9,17M GSK plc......................................1.662,00.............. -1,00.............-0,06%............1,24M HALEON...................................... 322,70................+2,25............ +0,70%...........2,64M Halma..........................................2.226,8...............+30,8............ +1,40%......... 116,75K Hikma Pharma...........................1.985,50.............. -1,50.............-0,07%........... 46,22K Howden Joinery.......................... 801,40................+1,60............ +0,20%......... 310,51K HSBC.......................................... 633,60................+7,00............ +1,12%...........7,37M IAG.............................................. 146,80................+0,40............ +0,27%...........1,95M IMI PLC......................................1.730,14.............+26,14........... +1,53%......... 102,75K Imperial Brands..........................1.832,50..............+2,00............ +0,11%......... 547,34K Informa....................................... 812,20................+1,20............ +0,15%......... 349,44K InterContinental..........................7.702,0...............+20,0............ +0,26%.......... 48,02K Intermediate Capital...................1.836,00.............+29,00........... +1,61%......... 124,28K

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

Intertek........................................4.415,0...............+67,0............ +1,54%.......... 35,38K J Sainsbury................................. 253,90................+2,90............ +1,16%...........1,67M JD Sports Fashion....................... 112,00................+2,15............ +1,96%...........1,55M Kingfisher.................................... 227,20................+2,10............ +0,93%......... 982,79K Land Securities........................... 643,60................ -0,60.............-0,09%.......... 183,60K Legal & General.......................... 238,40................+1,00............ +0,42%...........2,16M Lloyds Banking............................ 42,58.................+1,00............ +2,39%..........48,09M London Stock Exchange..............8.852,8............... -51,2.............-0,58%.......... 162,89K M&G........................................... 223,83................+0,83............ +0,37%...........1,07M Marks & Spencer........................ 236,50................+4,80............ +2,07%...........2,05M Melrose Industries...................... 603,80................ -7,00.............-1,15%.......... 543,75K Mondi.........................................1.379,00..............+6,00............ +0,44%......... 145,42K National Grid..............................1.012,08..............+3,08............ +0,31%......... 953,40K NatWest Group........................... 228,30...............+14,00........... +6,53%..........18,91M Next............................................8.434,0...............+34,0............ +0,41%.......... 27,23K Ocado.......................................... 533,80................ -5,20.............-0,97%.......... 399,00K Pearson....................................... 966,00................ -3,00.............-0,31%.......... 271,37K Pershing Square.......................... 48,75.................+0,60............ +1,25%........... 3,74K Persimmon.................................1.427,5................+7,0............. +0,49%......... 129,53K Phoenix....................................... 504,40................+3,20............ +0,64%......... 326,52K Prudential.................................... 834,40...............+26,80........... +3,32%...........1,39M Reckitt Benckiser........................5.702,0.................0,0............... 0,00%.......... 260,57K Relx............................................3.365,00.............+51,00........... +1,54%...........1,17M Rentokil....................................... 419,20................+3,70............ +0,89%...........1,30M Rightmove.................................. 555,20................+5,60............ +1,02%......... 232,23K Rio Tinto PLC..............................5.499,0..............+171,0........... +3,21%......... 655,46K Rolls-Royce Holdings................. 316,90................ -3,10.............-0,97%............3,23M RS PLC....................................... 784,20...............+13,60........... +1,76%......... 243,69K Sage...........................................1.169,50..............+7,00............ +0,60%......... 467,29K Schroders.................................... 407,4..................+3,6............. +0,89%......... 208,34K Scottish Mortgage....................... 801,46...............+12,66........... +1,60%......... 701,00K Segro.......................................... 839,80................+6,40............ +0,77%...........1,08M Severn Trent...............................2.547,0................+4,0............. +0,16%.......... 83,32K Shell............................................2.487,0...............+23,0............ +0,93%...........2,27M Smith & Nephew........................1.114,33..............+5,33............ +0,48%......... 274,29K Smiths Group.............................1.622,16.............+17,16........... +1,07%.......... 81,70K Smurfit Kappa.............................3.236,0...............+36,0............ +1,12%.......... 59,67K Spirax-Sarco Engineering..........10.340,0.............+105,0........... +1,03%.......... 19,02K SSE............................................1.588,50..............+3,00............ +0,19%......... 400,29K St. James’s Place........................ 642,40................+7,40............ +1,17%......... 169,14K Standard Chartered..................... 598,47...............+17,67........... +3,04%......... 911,22K Taylor Wimpey............................ 146,45................+0,75............ +0,52%...........2,49M Tesco.......................................... 277,00................+0,80............ +0,29%...........1,94M Unilever.......................................4.016,0...............+35,0............ +0,88%...........1,03M Unite..........................................1.000,00..............+2,50............ +0,25%......... 151,14K United Utilities............................1.040,50...............0,00.............. 0,00%.......... 199,31K Vodafone Group PLC.................. 66,240............... -0,330............-0,50%...........15,38M Weir Group................................1.842,50.............+41,50........... +2,30%......... 115,23K Whitbread...................................3.510,0...............+27,0............ +0,78%.......... 79,39K WPP............................................ 779,00................+8,80............ +1,14%......... 362,54K

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.85558

1.25861

Units per € US dollar (USD)...................................1.0769 Japan yen (JPY)...................................161.83 Switzerland franc (CHF).......................0.9489 Denmark kroner (DKK)........................7.4547 Norway kroner (NOK)..........................11.323 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 19 February

Company

Price(p)

Change(p)

% Chg.

Net

3M............................................... 92,38.................+1,47............ +1,62%...........3,81M American Express....................... 212,53................+1,63............ +0,77%...........2,57M Amgen........................................ 289,07................+1,25............ +0,43%...........2,90M Apple........................................... 183,86................ -0,29.............-0,16%...........61,94M Boeing......................................... 205,33................+1,95............ +0,96%...........5,03M Caterpillar.................................... 323,07................+6,36............ +2,01%...........2,31M Chevron...................................... 154,46................+5,08............ +3,40%...........8,90M Cisco............................................ 49,06................. -1,22.............-2,43%...........42,16M Coca-Cola..................................... 59,40.................+0,11............ +0,19%..........13,65M Dow............................................. 55,17.................+1,59............ +2,97%...........4,41M Goldman Sachs........................... 385,42................+7,38............ +1,95%...........2,20M Home Depot................................ 361,08................+2,85............ +0,80%...........2,56M Honeywell................................... 197,95................+3,08............ +1,58%...........1,93M IBM............................................. 186,87................+3,30............ +1,80%...........4,71M Intel.............................................. 44,05................. -0,14.............-0,32%...........40,67M J&J............................................. 157,92................+2,18............ +1,40%...........6,78M JPMorgan................................... 179,87................+3,84............ +2,18%...........8,60M McDonald’s................................. 291,86................+3,69............ +1,28%...........2,23M Merck&Co................................... 126,54................+0,72............ +0,57%...........5,67M Microsoft.................................... 406,56................ -2,93.............-0,72%...........21,59M Nike............................................. 106,05................ -0,28.............-0,26%............7,02M Procter&Gamble......................... 157,01................+1,38............ +0,89%...........5,97M Salesforce Inc............................. 291,94................+2,79............ +0,96%...........3,62M The Travelers.............................. 219,02................+2,40............ +1,11%...........1,29M UnitedHealth............................... 520,88................+3,94............ +0,76%...........2,29M Verizon......................................... 40,59.................+0,44............ +1,10%..........10,49M Visa A.......................................... 280,98................+3,42............ +1,23%...........4,82M Walgreens Boots.......................... 22,29.................+0,75............ +3,48%...........8,13M Walmart...................................... 169,29................+0,69............ +0,41%...........5,63M M - Million Dollars

NASDAQ

Closing Prices 19 February

Company

Change Net / %

Volume

Most Advanced Pegasystems Inc..............................................+35.67%.........................3.391M JFrog Ltd..........................................................+28.44%........................10.397M Tomra Systems ASA........................................+27.11%......................... 18,157 Shake Shack Inc...............................................+26.04%.........................6.068M AppLovin Corporation......................................+24.81%........................16.004M Sylvamo Corporation.......................................+24.08%.........................1.024M Alkermes plc....................................................+16.33%..........................5.47M Lyft, Inc............................................................+16.11%........................90.698M BridgeBio Pharma, Inc.....................................+14.14%.........................3.671M Blueprint Medicines Corporation......................+14.02%.........................1.629M M - Million Dollars

Most Declined Fastly, Inc......................................................... -30.59%........................23.522M Twilio Inc......................................................... -15.39%........................19.018M West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.................. -14.08%.........................3.118M PENN Entertainment, Inc.................................. -13.84%.........................20.95M YETI Holdings, Inc........................................... -13.84%.........................6.792M Manchester United plc..................................... -13.40%.........................1.814M Iridium Communications Inc............................ -13.04%.........................3.441M Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.......................... -10.19%.........................5.427M Marathon Digital Holdings, Inc.......................... -8.13%.........................96.155M KOSÉ Corporation............................................. -7.94%.......................... 80,691 Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc................................ -7.72%..........................2.812M M - Million Dollars

FINANCE II euroweeklynews.com It’s a gas

BRITISH GAS 2023’s operating profits soared from £75 million (€87.7 million) in 2022 to £751 million (€878.2 million).

Centrica, British Gas’s parent company, explained that changes to gas and electricity regulator Ofgem’s energy price cap allowed them to compensate for costs sustained during the pandemic and by taking on the customers of failed competitors.

Ideal site

POWERCO’S €3 billion gigafactory in Sagunto (Valencia), which will produce an annual 500,000 batteries for electric vehicles that are produced at Volkwagen’s (VW) Martorell and Pamplamo plants, will use desalinated sea water. It was Sagunto’s coastal location that made it perfect for the new factory, the VW subsidiary explained.

Romantasy pays LONDON-LISTED Bloomsbury Publishing upgraded its revenue and profit forecasts amid growing demand for “romantasy” novels.

The London-listed company expects a full-year revenue of £291.4 million (€341.1 million) and pre-tax profits of £37.2 million (€43.5 million) compared with £264.1 million (€309.1 million) and £25.4 million (€29.7 million) in 2023.

Shares have also risen by a record 11.5 per cent.

Photo credit: sarahjmaas.com

BUSINESS EXTRA

22 - 28 February 2024

BEST SELLER: Sarah J Maas boosted Bloomsbury Publishing’s revenue

Out of service INFRASTRUCTURE development company ACS is selling its services subsidiary Clece.

The company hopes to raise €700 million from the sale and concentrate on its construction and concessions business.

Analysts said that ACS is following in the footsteps of competitors and returning to its origins by divesting itself of its services companies.

Ferrovial, for instance, sold Infrastructure Services to Madrid-based Portobello Capital in 2021 and its Environmental Services company to PreZero that same year. In 2019 its Australian services business went to the Ventia Services Group and a UK subsidiary, Amey, was sold to One Equity Partners, in 2022.

Sacyr, in 2023, sold Valoriza Services to Morgan Stanley for €734 million.

Bloomsbury, which publishes the Harry Potter books

by JK Rowling who is now worth more than £1 billion (€117 billion, has enjoyed buoyant sales since the pandemic lockdowns re-awoke an interest in reading.

The company is now profiting from a growing taste for romantasy - a combination of romance and fantasy - whose authors include Samantha Shannon and Cixin although Sarah J Maas is arguably Bloomsbury’s leading provider of the genre.

Her latest book, which was released at the end of January 2024, has reached the Number One spot in the UK, the US and Australia.

Bloomsbury’s chief executive Nigel Newton has described Ms Maas, as a “publishing phenomenon”, who has produced 15 books and is under contract to provide a further six. “We are very fortunate to have signed her up with her first book 13 years ago,” Newton said.

EWN 29

Inflation up SPAIN’S inflation rose from 3.1 per cent in December 2023 to 3.4 per cent in January after IVA added-value tax on electricity rose from 5 to 10 per cent as the government phases out concessions for small consumers. If fuel prices had not dropped slightly, January’s inflation would have been still higher, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said.

Fallen icon THE BODY SHOP, acquired by private equity group Aurelius in November 2023, went into administration on February 13, endangering the future of 100 of its 200 shops and putting more than 2,000 jobs at risk. Trading will continue during the process, according to the administrators who said they were considering “all options” for the former high street favourite.

• Feature/News •

Back to flower power LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT IT’S all too much ennit? I wanna go back to flower power, the overwhelming presence of peace and love; a blissful time, when our young lives were spiritedly enlightened by wispy joints, a cheap bottle of wine and the occasional ‘upper’.

The nearest you ever got to politics was the sporadic glimpse of an amicable politician, enjoying a bottle of bubbly and surrounded by young beauties in a popular local club. No chance. I’ve just been listening to youngsters presenting their news programme on TV. Young, ill-informed lives who have been totally brainwashed by the left, virtually appearing to blame Israel for every move against the Palestinians and completely ignoring Hamas, a terrorist organisation who actually began this present conflict by killing and beheading the young and elderly Israelis as they were relaxing in the comfort of their own homes. On it all goes.

Even the 50s and 60s gangsters kept problems within their own environments. Not anymore. World leaders have changed all that. Putin is of course your classic gangster. He is undoubtedly an ego maniac. He is surrounded by thugs, hit men, bent politicians and ‘financial advisers’.

He rubs out or ‘subdues’ any opposition as a warning to others, runs a money laundering operation on a gigantic scale and, although it appears to be waning, most of the general public within his domain still consider him a hero. You don’t get more classic than that. Of course, that is where the resemblance ends. He makes the Capone Gotti’s and mafia dons of this world look like pussies. Throughout all this dangerous and worrying era we can however all console ourselves with one fact; Putin won’t attack the West, nuclear or otherwise.

Why would he? He still earns most of his ill-gotten gains from the West.

He’s not involved in skullduggery from a view of patriotism or communistic ideals. He’s in it for the power and the money. Despite its opposition, taking out the UK would be like

Al Capone destroying Chicago. He definitely doesn’t want to obliterate a future golden egg of our magnitude.

I do however still consider a nuclear war could be a possibility. I truly believe that the world is closer than it has ever been, even during the Cuban missile crisis. At least in those days the USA and the USSR pulled just about all the strings. Both of these powers were fairly stable and had reasonably sane leaders. Now they are all at it. And a number are nowhere near predictable or, in my opinion, particularly sane. Kim Jong Un with North Korea, run by a man boy who thinks he’s playing video games.

Iran, ruled by a paranoid regime who believe that the more you take with you the more virgins you get in the afterlife. China, who peer at the world through ever more narrowing eyes. And the two bill toppers, a megalomaniac who assassinates his political rivals and another who should be put out to graze. Peace and love to y’all out there? Some chance.

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.

euroweeklynews.com

Brussels smallest house WHAT is believed to be the smallest house in Brussels has been put up for sale at an asking price of €195,000.

Having an internal dimension of just 60 square metres, it still manages to offer two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and shower room but even the agent agrees that it needs modernisation.

They try to put a positive spin on this unusual property which is sandwiched in between two other larger houses by stating on their website “A unique property that is ideal for anyone that is looking for originality, charm and something that is exceptional”.

At just 2.15 metres wide, the door takes up much of the frontage and it is clear that it has been

Credit: Trevi Estate Agents

30 22 - 28 February 2024

The front of number 242, Brussels’ smallest house.

built on to at the back and into the roof as some of the rooms are much larger than might initially be expected from first sight of the exterior although it does supposedly have a landscaped garden.

Although it is in a much sought after and expensive area, the agents admit that there have only been four viewings so far but with typical estate agent’s bravado suggest that it would be an ideal purchase for an architect who could prove how skilful they were in making the most of limited space.

• News •

Wikimedia CC / Tommek

euroweeklynews.com

Moczydlo Park in Warsaw , Poland.

Climate neutrality THE mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, has set up a Climate Team aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 and climate neutrality in 2050 - these are Warsaw’s main climate policy goals and also one of the main pillars of the city’s development strategy.

Warsaw wants to set trends in climate action.

The capital is already a member of international organisations active in this field.

The city has also adopted a Climate Change Adapta-

tion Strategy and a Green Vision for Warsaw, ie a roadmap for achieving climate neutrality and the main document setting the directions and objectives of the capital’s climate policy.

It is all about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. One of the actions is further investment in Warsaw Public Transport.

The metro is being successively developed, new tram routes are being built and the rolling stock is also becoming greener.

The city is also inves-

ting heavily in renewable energy sources. There are photovoltaic installations on over 200 municipal buildings. Similar solutions are also being used

by Warsaw’s water supply companies, although the company’s main renewable energy source is biogas produced by sewage sludge fermentation.

In addition, there is the greening of public spaces.

Last year alone, the municipal teams planted around 100,000 trees. Increasingly, vegetation is also replacing concrete pavements.

No sex, we’re French DESPITE allegedly speaking the language of love, a recent survey has unveiled a shocking downturn in sexual activities in France, especially among the youth.

This revelation came from an Ifop study commissioned by the sex toy brand Lelo and reported by France Inter, which has challenged the longheld belief in France’s legendary romantic culture.

The research highlighted a sharp drop in sexual intimacy among 18 to 24-year-olds.

Twenty-eight per cent of young adults, who have had sexual experiences, reported no sexual intercourse in the past year, a significant rise from 5 per cent in 2006.

The decline is not restricted to the young, in those aged 50 to 59, 35 per cent confessed to a year without sexual activity, up from 10 per cent in 2006.

Across the board, there’s been a 15 per cent fall in sexual activity in the last year compared to 2006, with only 76 per cent of sexually active individuals engaging in intercourse.

The study suggests a growing se-

Credit: Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com

32 22 - 28 February 2024

A couple share a romantic moment.

paration between love and physical intimacy, with over half of adult women and 42 per cent of men open to a non-sexual cohabitation.

The digital era is partly blamed for the reduced intensity in sexual relationships, with online engagements competing for time traditionally spent with partners.

‘Sexual time’ is now rivalling screen time, which satisfies social and sexual needs while diminishing in-person interactions.

HEALTH & BEAUTY II euroweeklynews.com

22 - 28 February 2024

THE pixie cut, a classic hairstyle known for its short, audacious crop, has stood the test of time as a symbol of confidence and chic simplicity.

It’s a versatile look that’s easy to maintain and can be styled to suit any face shape or personality.

The pixie cut’s appeal lies in its effortless blend of edginess and elegance, making it a favoured choice for those seeking a significant yet stylish change.

Adopting a pixie cut can also be a liberating beauty move, freeing one from the often time-consuming care long locks demand.

It accentuates facial features and can be tailored, from textured and tousled to sleek and smooth, to amplify individuality.

The pixie is more than just a hairstyle; it’s a statement of self-assured femininity.

This hairstyle’s trans-

PHOTO: shutterstock_459792643.jpg

Short and sweet

PIXIE CUT: A timeless tribute. formative nature can also inspire a minimalist approach to beauty, encouraging a focus on bold makeup choices or statement accessories.

The pixie cut isn’t just a fashion statement; it’s an embodiment of personal revolution and a timeless tribute to those who wear it with poise and panache.

EWN 33

34 22 - 28 February 2024

ARE you looking for a little taste of hotel luxury?

Last year, Europe welcomed some impressive new hotels, including Richard Branson’s Son Bunyola on Mallorca’s coast and the transformation of the Old War Office into Raffles London at the OWO. And this year looks just as exciting.

London will be a highlight, with the Emory by the Maybourne Hotel Group opening in Knightsbridge.

This all-suite hotel, with a restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, starts at £2,000 a night. The Mandarin Oriental Group will open its second London property in Hanover Square in Mayfair.

Elsewhere, Rosewood has launched a new hotel in Munich after a 10-year break.

They’re also renovating a historic building in Amsterdam that once was the Palace of Justice.

euroweeklynews.com

Chilling chronicles Nora Shephard PREPARE yourself for an unparalleled adventure: the world’s most unique hotel, entirely crafted from ice and snow, awaits you.

Welcome to the Icehotel in Swedish Lapland, a destination that epitomises innovation and creativity.

Situated 200km north of the Arctic Circle, in the village of Jukkasjarvi, this extraordinary hotel undergoes a metamorphosis each winter, unveiling new designs year after year for over three decades.

The latest incarnation of the Icehotel is a testament to artistic prowess.

Collaborating with 32 artists from 14 different countries, alongside a dedicated team of 90 individuals, the creation involved the utilisation of 500 tonnes of ice and 10 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of ‘sn-ice’, which is

Job satisfaction Image: ICEHOTEL / Facebook.

Luxury openings

• News •

‘SN-ICE’: A blend of snow and ice.

a custom blend of ice and snow.

This winter, intrepid guests are invited to immerse themselves in a wonderland of fantastical designs.

From a cat and rat chase to the allure of the goddess of chocolate and a cacao ceremony, from

a frozen seashore to the vast expanse of a desert landscape, every room tells a unique story.

Encounter fairies and trolls, traverse extraterrestrial hieroglyphs depicting the Baltic Sea Anomaly, or marvel at the intricate details of a Beaver dam.

WHICH European city offers its staff the highest level of job satisfaction?

The European Commission recently released its Report on the Quality of Life in European Cities, revealing the top 10 cities in Europe with the highest job satisfaction rates.

Topping the list is Rostock, Germany, with an impressive 85 per cent job satisfaction rate. Luxembourg City and Reykjavik, Iceland, closely follow, both boasting an 84 per cent satisfaction rate.

Other cities making the top 10 include Geneva, Switzerland; Dortmund, Germany; Berlin, Germany; Zurich, Switzerland; Aalborg, Denmark; Malmo, Sweden; and Hamburg, Germany.

These cities scored between 82 and 81 per cent in job satisfaction.

The survey highlights that larger and capital cities generally offer more job opportunities and better pay, which contributes to residents’ overall well-being and attractiveness to job seekers.

About 74 per cent of employed respondents expressed satisfaction with their jobs.

While cities in Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Czechia, and Slovakia reported higher satisfaction levels, cities in Greece, Italy, Hungary, and Spain reported lower levels.

Interestingly, there were minimal differences in satisfaction levels between capital and non-capital cities within countries, except for Italy and Turkey, which showed significant intra-country variations.

Overall, satisfaction levels remained relatively stable from 2019 to 2023, with minor fluctuations observed.

Some cities saw improvements in job satisfaction, while others experienced declines.

Notably, Heraklion, Greece, scored the lowest at 54 per cent, followed by Athens, Greece; Skopje, North Macedonia; Belgrade, Serbia; and Podgorica, Montenegro.

Hotel adjustments IN 2024, European hotels are making adjustments to enhance guest experiences and align with consumer trends.

One notable change is in food offerings, where hotels are focusing on sustainability and regional sourcing.

A majority of hotels are now providing vegetarian and vegan options, reflecting the growing demand for these choices among guests. Additionally, many hotels are transitioning to plastic-free packaging, showing a commitment to reducing environmental impact. While Artificial In-

telligence (AI) has been a buzzword in the travel industry, its adoption by hotels is not as widespread as initially anticipated.

Despite its potential benefits, only a small percentage of hotels are utilising AI, and the interest among hoteliers seems to be dwindling. Most hoteliers do not have plans to implement AI in the future, signalling a shift away from this technology in the hospitality sector.

A recent survey conducted in the European hospitality sector revealed that there’s significant interest in offering more local experiences for guests in the coming six months.

This news has sparked action among hoteliers in Austria, the Nordic countries, Italy, Portugal, Greece, and France, with over 60 per cent of them now prioritising the incorporation of local experiences into their offerings.

• Feature •

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22 - 28 February 2024

35

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Meeting needs for the future RENEWABLE energies are here to stay, and there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’.

This is why at Ecocorp Solar SL they tailor your solar energy systems to your unique needs because we believe your home deserves a personalised solution, and with 18 year’s experience in bespoke solar installations you are in safe hands.

With a showroom on the Parque ‘El Real’ in Antas they cover the whole of Almeria Province, and have recently expanded in to South West Murcia, Camposol and Mazzaron. This year further expansion is planned in to La Manga and Alcazares in Murcia.

All the team are fully trained and qualified.

Eighteen months ago, they introduced their virtual battery which has been in great demand. The grid-tie legislation that was introduced a few years ago has

meant that our clients could send their unused energy back to the grid.

It’s like storing sunshine for use in the evening, a rainy day, or those rare cloudy moments here in sunny Spain.

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are in-house, not subcontractors ensuring a superior service.

They’re all trained to Ecocorp standard, ensuring the highest quality of service you will find.

Ecocorp Solar is proudly certified by the Junta de Andalucia AND the Ministry of Industry in Spain, one of the few trusted companies authorised by these governing bodies to sign off their installations. A testament to their expertise and dedication.

They work closely with Tesla, ensuring that they have the latest developments in solar technology. You may have heard of Powerwall.

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battery; it’s a guardian of uninterrupted power supply. When the grid goes down, Powerwall takes charge, detecting outages, and seamlessly powering your home and electric vehicle with stored energy.

What sets Tesla Powerwall apart is its unique ability to continue working during power cuts, ensuring a continuous energy supply.

It stands as one of the largest-capacity batteries, enabling your home to run on solar energy even after the sun sets.

If you really want to take that step towards energy efficiency, combining your solar installation with a Tesla Powerwall battery is the best way forward.

Ecocorp Solar has a showroom in Antas where you will always find a warm welcome. Alternatively, you can call Vic on 671 716 597, or contact them through their Facebook page: ecocorpshop, or via their website: www.ecocorp.solar They are open from 9am until 6pm Monday to Friday.

Now is the time to make the transition to renewable energy and you can do no better than leave your installation in the safe hands of Ecocorp Solar.

36 22 - 28 February 2024

• Feature/News •

Airport anguish AIR TRAVEL: The most stressful airports.

London Gatwick, the UK’s second-largest airport, has been identified as the most stressful airport globally. Despite handling fewer passengers compared to other airports, Gatwick scored high in passenger density and annual delays.

Claiming second place is Turkey’s Istanbul Airport, which is Europe’s busiest airport with over 64 million passengers in 2022. Its vast size, spanning over 76 million square metres, often presents navigation challenges for travellers.

In third place is Germany’s Munich Airport,

Safest country to drive in Image: Andy Soloman / Shutterstock.com

IN 2023, air travel faced various challenges, from strikes to system disruptions and adverse weather conditions.

For many passengers, the idea of holiday travel might bring feelings of apprehension.

While some factors contributing to air travel stress are beyond passengers’ control, they can choose airports wisely to improve their journey experience.

A study by VisaGuide.

World surveyed 1,642 air passengers from 53 nationalities who took at least two international trips in 2023.

They were asked about aspects of air travel that caused them stress, such as high passenger volumes, crowded airports, frequent delays, and distance from the city centre.

Based on these factors, the study ranked the most stressful airports in the world.

euroweeklynews.com

which handles half the passenger traffic of Istanbul Airport but is significantly smaller in size.

Denver International Airport in the United States ranks fourth, followed

by Heathrow Airport, Europe’s second busiest airport, despite being smaller in size than Munich Airport.

Other airports in the top ten include Los Angeles International Airport, Rome-Fiumicino International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and O’Hare International Airport.

John Smith NEW research has revealed the safest and most dangerous European countries to drive in, with Norway coming out on top of the safety list.

The study by Vignetteswitzerland.com analysed the latest data from the European Transport Safety Council (2022 figures) to see which countries had the lowest and highest number of road deaths per million inhabitants.

The study found that Norway is statistically the safest country to drive in in Europe as in 2022 it only had 21.38 deaths per million inhabitants, the lowest of any European country.

Compared to 2012 data, this is a 26.48 per cent drop within the decade, with 2012 having 29.08 deaths per million inhabitants.

Sweden comes second on the list of safest countries, with just 21.72 road deaths per million inhabitants. Compared to 2012 data, this is a drop of 27.74 per cent from when the country had 30.05 road deaths per million inhabitants.

Coming in third place is the United Kingdom, which comes in with 25.89 road deaths per million inhabitants.

The change in road deaths is less

Credit: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Crash test dummies at work.

significant than other entries on the list, with a drop of just 9.51 per cent from 2012, where road deaths sat at 28.61 per million inhabitants.

Denmark takes fourth place, with 26.22 road deaths per million inhabitants and in fifth place is Switzerland, with 27.58 road deaths per million inhabitants.

Spain didn’t do too badly sitting at 10th place with 37.08 road deaths per million inhabitants which is a 9.8 per cent improvement on the 2012 figure.

In fact it’s the Balkans which are the most dangerous with Romania followed by Serbia, Bulgaria and Croatia but somewhat surprisingly, statistically the fifth most dangerous place to drive is Portugal with 62.30 road deaths per million inhabitants

INTERVIEW

The climate is best BORN in Krefeld, Germany, Wilma Fone has lived across the globe, including Jordan, England and the United States. But having moved to Spain 20 years ago, Wilma finds it is Spain she wants to stay in: ¨I absolutely love it here and I wouldn’t like to be anywhere else.”

WILMA had initially moved to Moning to life in Spain was easy: “I don’t raira and then to Calpe, find myself really missing having bought some anything. I understand property with her and can speak the family. It is here basics of Spanish. she decided When I have to to spend her go to offices or retirement, do paperwork, having enjopeople are very yed the Spanice to me. As nish culture long as you and nature. try, it is easy to “Spain’s climac o m m u n i c at e te is the best! I and get things love the people done here.” here and the reEven though laxed way of life,” Wilma learns the says Wilma. language from her Her daily life reSpanish friends, she Wilma Fone. mains vibrant and busy: explained that she is “I take care of my garden, I swim in surrounded by people of all nationathe pool and go out for meals with my lities: “I have English and European friends. Here in Spain, I’m just living friends: quite a lot of nationalities. and enjoying it.”

Even when I look at my family, it’s Wilma revealed that the transitiovery international and I love that.”

• Feature •

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

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ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING IS IN ENGLISH Car, bike and home insurance, with absolutely everything in English. The emergency and claims hotline is fast and efficient, with quick no obligation quotes over the phone. The customer service team will help you decide on the best policy and there are easy payment options so you can spread the cost of your premiums.

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And their car insurance includes helpful services such as Legal Assistance that can provide help when applying for or renewing your driving licence in Spain.

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LOWER THE PRICE OF YOUR INSURANCE Change to Línea Directa and they will lower the price of your insurance. Línea Directa has been providing comprehensive car, motorbike and home insurance to British expatriates and residents in Spain for over 25 years. With over three million customers nationwide, Línea Directa makes sure you get the best possible price for the kind of insurance you really need.

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• Feature/News •

38 22 - 28 February 2024

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Discover the open road with Hispavan: Your gateway to adventure ADVERTISING FEATURE NESTLED in the picturesque locale of Antas, Almeria, Hispavan stands as a beacon for motorhome enthusiasts.

With a decade of experience under our belts, we are not just a business; we are a cornerstone of the motorhome community, offering an unparalleled blend of rental, sales, and workshop services. As the official dealers of Dethleffs and Sunlight, we pride ourselves on a range of services that cater to every aspect of motorhome living.

Our expertise spans beyond just providing vehicles; it encompasses a comprehensive service that includes sales, expert repairs, and rentals. What sets Hispavan apart is our unwavering commitment to excellence, a trait that resonates with our national

To learn more about our offerings or to take advantage of our services, please reach out to our dedicated teams: - For rentals, contact Leo at 671 498 031 - For sales inquiries, reach out to Sid at 687 845 768 - For workshop services, call 950 047 033 or 687 845 730

and international clientele.

Our workshop and sales department are celebrated for their quality, a fact echoed in the hundreds of positive reviews from our satisfied customers. Located conveniently at the foot of the highway, visiting us is as effortless as it is inviting.

At Hispavan, we understand that the allure of

the open road knows no bounds, which is why our services extend across national borders to cater to a diverse array of customers.

Our foundation in this industry is solidified by more than 10 years of dedicated service, during which we have continuously evolved to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients.

Our commitment to pro-

viding value is evident in our seasonal campaigns and special offers, ensuring that your dream of motorhome ownership or rental is within reach.

Whether you’re looking to embark on a rental adventure, purchase your very own motorhome, or require expert service in our workshop, Hispavan is your trusted partner.

Our doors are open from Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 3.00pm, ready to welcome you to the Hispavan family. For further information, visit our website at www.hispavan.com, email us at info@hispavan.com, or connect with us on social media through Facebook at caravanas autocaravanas Hispavan and Instagram at Hispavanautocaravanas.

At Hispavan, we don’t just offer motorhomes; we offer the freedom to explore, the comfort of a home on the move, and the assurance of unparalleled service. Join us, and let the journey begin.

Powerful passport Anna Ellis SPAIN has taken the crown as the world’s most powerful passport, surpassing Singapore, according to a new index released by VisaGuide.

World.

This marks a departure from the Henley Passport Index, where Singapore held the top spot previously.

In VisaGuide.World’s index, Japan is the only non-European country in the top 20, securing the 15th position.

The top ranks are dominated by European nations, with Germany following Spain in third place, followed by Italy, France, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Czechia, Portugal, Hungary, and Luxembourg.

Austria ranks 16th, with Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, and Poland completing the top 20.

Both the Henley Passport Index and VisaGuide.World’s Passport Index assess the number of destinations passport holders can access without a visa.

Image: JJFarq / Shutterstock.com.

Spain has taken the passport crown.

While Henley’s ranking is yet to be released, VisaGuide.

World considers various factors beyond visa-free access to create a ‘destination significance score’ for each country.

This score takes into account entry policy, GDP, global power, and tourism development. Visa-free access to countries with a higher destination significance score earns more points in the index.

As of December 2023, Spanish passport holders can travel to 160 countries and territories without a visa.

While Singaporean passport holders enjoy access to

164 countries, Spain’s points are bolstered by its ability to visit numerous places with just an ID card under the European Union.

Though Singapore grants visa-free access to 15 countries not accessible to Spain, the reverse is also true for Spain, which has visa-free entry to 11 countries and territories not available to Singapore.

While Germany shares visa-free access to the same 160 countries as Spain, Spain benefits from visa-on-arrival facilities in Papua New Guinea and Togo, which Germany does not have.

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

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42 22 - 28 February 2024

• Feature •

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• News Across The Regions • Costa del Sol Cudeca needs help

Costa Blanca South Simply soaring

CUDECA fell some €120,000 short of the target it had set itself during its Sunflower Movement campaign. The charity needed to raise €250,000 to be able to continue funding its two home help teams, but with the funds raised it only has enough to maintain one.

After three months of campaigning, it has managed to raise almost €130,000 with donations from public institutions, entities, partners and individual donors, to whom the NGO is grateful. These funds will enable a team to care for some 200 people in their homes and offer support and help to carers, estimated at 400 people.

Although the Movimiento Girasol fundraising campaign has ended, Cudeca is keeping different avenues open to continue raising funds. For information visit the website: movimientogirasol.org.

IN a recent announcement, the Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport set new records with a total of 958,088 passengers and 6,468 flights.

This marks a 20.5 per cent increase in passengers and an 18.8 per cent increase in flights compared to January 2023.

The growth is driven by international travellers, accounting for 805,602 passengers, up 22.1 per cent from the previous year.

The recovery of the British market in the airport area and its great connectivity with 20 airports in the United Kingdom, as well as the good performance of other international destinations during the winter months, have made it possible to reach this volume of travellers.

Among international travellers, the UK led with 287,555 passengers, followed by the Netherlands (77,631), Belgium (63,598), Poland (61,901), and Germany (56,392).

Axarquia Award-winning care

Costa Blanca North Shattering records

IN a groundbreaking achievement, the ‘Unidad de Día Pediátrica CUDECA’ (CUDECA’s Paediatric Day Unit) project has been honoured with the Rada Nadal Foundation Award in Health and Well-being. This recognition celebrates the project’s commitment to providing non-medicalised care to children facing incurable diseases.

The Paediatric Day Unit, an initiative

by CUDECA, stands out for its innovative approach to paediatric care, offering compassionate support to young patients and their families. The Rada Nadal Foundation’s acknowledgement underscores the significance of initiatives dedicated to enhancing the well-being of those dealing with challenging health conditions.

With gratitude, CUDECA extends heartfelt thanks to the Rada Nadal Foundation for championing initiatives like theirs that make a positive impact on the lives of children.

ACCORDING to data released mid February by the Valencian government, in 2023, the Community saw a record number of international tourists.

Figures show nearly 10.5 million visitors and spending reaching €12.6 billion.

The British market remained the top source of tourists, contributing 24.8 per cent of foreign visitors, totalling over 2.5 million tourists.

The data from surveys conducted by INE highlight significant increases in tourism from France and Germany, with 27.6 per cent and 18.7 per cent growth, respectively.

Nuria Montes, Tourism councillor, emphasised the importance of these figures, underscoring the Valencian Community’s standing as an international tourist destination. The government will further promote the region in 2024, with over 150 promotional activities in 20 markets.

Mallorca Tomorrow’s champions

Costa Calida Magical night

THE Consell de Mallorca’s 11th Serra de Tramuntana Children’s Race Circuit kicked off at Raixa on Saturday, February 17.

The races, designed for children, youths, and adults, saw about 250 participants taking part, with distances ranging from 150 metres for the youngest runners to 4,500 metres for adults.

This year’s events will extend to 10 municipalities, including three new locations at Esporles, Estellencs, and Pollenca, all have been designed to showcase the beauty of Mallorca’s landscapes.

Llorenc Galmes, president of the Council of Mallorca, emphasised sport as ‘an essential tool to learn about the values that have made the Serra de Tramuntana World Heritage, as well as promoting noble causes such as camaraderie, respect, and healthy habits’.

MABS San Javier Cancer Support Foundation extends a helping hand to cancer patients in the region, providing essential support services. The organisation offers counselling, translators, equipment, drivers, and complementary therapy to enhance the well-being of those facing the challenges of cancer.

MABS San Javier presents a delightful fundraising evening on April 20 at Marios in Sucina. The event promises a magical touch with magician Graeme Mykal, followed by live music with Sean Holsgrove and Tapas. Tickets are priced at €15 and can be obtained from MABS San Javier or by contacting Maxine on WhatsApp on 633 467 108.

For those seeking more than just entertainment, MABS San Javier invites you to explore their furniture sale at their store.

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Pet care revolution THE veterinary field is experiencing a significant evolution with the increased incorporation of specialists into clinics and hospitals, fundamentally enhancing pet care.

Traditionally, the limited availability of specialists within veterinary practices led to extended wait times for diagnosis and treatment, as referrals to external experts were often necessary.

This process delayed care and added stress for both pets and their owners.

However, the trend of hiring in-house specialists, including dermatologists, surgeons, and other professionals, is streamlining the delivery of veterinary services.

This approach drastically cuts down on wait

times, enabling pets to receive specialised care more promptly.

Specialists bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in their fields, offering advanced treatments and a more comprehensive approach to health issues.

This strategic move towards integrating specialists directly into veterinary practices marks a leap forward in pet healthcare.

It ensures that pets have quicker access to expert care, improving the quality and efficiency of their treatment.

This development not only reflects an advanced standard of veterinary medicine but also deepens the bond between pets and their owners.

Cuddling nutures both the cat and the owner.

CUDDLING your cat offers a multitude of benefits, both for you and your feline friend. This simple act of affection strengthens the bond between you, promoting a sense of security and trust in your cat. Physiologically, cuddling releases endorphins in both humans and cats, reducing stress and creating a calming effect.

For humans, it can lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease, while for cats, it reinforces their social bonds and helps socialise

Shutterstock.com Julija Sulkovska

PETS

euroweeklynews.com • 22 - 28 February 2024

them further. Moreover, these intimate moments of closeness allow owners to detect any unusual signs in their cat’s health early on.

Regular cuddles contribute to a cat’s overall well-being, making them feel loved and valued, which is crucial for their emotional health.

In essence, the power of a cuddle goes beyond mere physical warmth, fostering a deep, empathetic connection that nurtures the well-being of both pet and owner.

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46 22 - 28 February 2024

Electric: Pros and cons THE debate surrounding the future of transportation often centres on electric vehicles (EVs).

As the world grapples with climate change and seeks sustainable solutions, electric cars are frequently presented as a beacon of hope. Notably, Spain lags behind its European counterparts, with disappointing sales figures. Statistics show the electrified vehicle market share at just 12 per cent of new car sales. However, there are valid arguments on both sides. Euro Weekly News looks at the reasons why electric cars could be the way forward and their drawbacks.

The most compelling argument for electric cars is their potential to reduce carbon emissions.

Electric cars are generally cheaper to operate than their gasoline-poweIN an effort to combat the high number of fatalities, a distinctive new road marking has been introduced on the A-355 road near Coin, Malaga, close to Marbella.

This unmistakable initiative was unveiled by the Junta de Andalucia, and marks the first of its kind in the region, aiming to enhance driver awareness

Credit: Basilico Studio Stock/Shutterstock.com

Charging an electric vehicle.

red counterparts. Electricity, especially from renewable sources, can be less expensive than petrol, and electric motors are more efficient and have fewer moving parts, leading to lower maintenance costs.

The push for electric vehicles drives technological advancements in battery storage, energy efficiency, and renewable energy integration, contributing to broader applications beyond transportation.

Malaga’s deadliest road and reduce accidents on what has been dubbed the ‘highway of death.’

The large red line, painted to separate the two lanes over a four-kilometre stretch, serves as a no-overtaking

The environmental benefits of electric cars are somewhat offset by the energy-intensive and polluting processes involved in battery production and disposal.

Mining for lithium, cobalt, and nickel has significant environmental and ethical concerns, and the recycling of batteries is not yet fully sustainable.

EVs shift the source of pollution from exhaust pipes to power plants.

In regions where electricity is primarily generated from coal or natural gas, the environmental benefits are diminished.

Despite lower operating costs, the upfront price of electric cars is typically higher than conventional vehicles.

The future of electric cars hinges on addressing these challenges while capitalising on their benefits. indicator, replacing the traditional continuous white line.

This safety measure will be further enhanced by the future installation of four educational radars to remind drivers of the speed limits and the importance of safe driving.

In the past 12 months, the A-355 has seen 10 fatalities.

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Traffic fine miracle?

EVER wished that your traffic fine might just disappear? It’s not as far-fetched as it seems, with over five million sanctions issued annually in Spain, it’s inevitable that some slip through the net.

Despite the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) revealing that it collected over €507 million from fines in 2022, a significant number of these penalties, around 5.5 million, might not reach their intended recipients. This trend, showing a nearly 16 per cent increase from 2021, is not expected to change anytime soon. The challenge of managing such a vast number of fines is monumental. Approximately 1,400 fines need processing daily, excluding weekends. This mammoth task is prone to errors, from the identification of the offending vehicle to the correct reading of licence plates.

Misinterpretations can occur, such as mistaking a driver touching their ear for mobile phone use, or when two cars are seen in the image and it is unknown which one committed the violation which further complicates the validation process. These nuances underline the importance of human oversight in a system heavily reliant on automation.

This revelation offers a glimmer of hope for motorists, suggesting a chance to be among the fortunate 30 per cent whose fines vanish into thin air.

However, this is not an invitation to ignore traffic laws or the repercussions of fines. Unaddressed penalties can accrue surcharges, making the financial burden worse. Failure to receive notification does not exempt one from penalties, with subsequent steps outlined for public notification in cases of unsuccessful personal delivery.

euroweeklynews.com

• Motoring •

22 - 28 February 2024

47

Toyota Yaris GR Sport - with sporting looks ROAD TEST

By Mark Slack THERE was a time when if presented with a small car and an automatic gearbox you would probably opt for a taxi. They weren’t great, but small automatics have moved on and Toyota’s Yaris GR Sport is one of the most fun small automatics to drive and a great place to start singing the praises of such cars.

Priced from €26,475/ £22,630 there is a single powertrain across the line-up, except for the rally inspired GR, a 1.5 litre, three-cylinder hybrid petrol/electric driving through an e-CVT automatic transmission.

There is also the Yaris Cross, a pseudo SUV, and the rally inspired GR. The focus of my attention is the Yaris GR Sport, which has the standard

powertrain but a more sporting look inspired by the rally bred GR. Four other trim levels are on offer and the GR Sport shares top billing in the range at a not inconsiderable €34,421/£29,420, but does come with a generous range of standard equipment.

Toyota has tweaked the chassis of the GR Sport additional underfloor bracing for increased structural rigidity, reduced aerodynamic drag from revised wheel-arch liners, and retuned shock absorbers and springs. The tyres are also slightly wider than you get on other models.

Standard equipment is excellent with privacy glass, dual zone air conditioning, smart entry and start, auto lights and wipers, powered and heated door mirrors, adaptive cruise control,

LED lights including high beam assist and particularly comfortable front sports seats. Fitted with 18-inch alloys wheels and in my

test car’s case the extra cost, but wonderful looking, pearlescent Scarlet

Flare maroon/red paintwork.

The new Yaris has a presence! It doesn’t look like your average small urban hatch but on the other h a n d hasn’t

A terrific little car.

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Toyota Yaris GR Sport • Price: €34,421/£29,420 • Engine: 1.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid developing 116bhp • Gears: e-CVT Automatic • Performance: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) 9.7 seconds/Maximum Speed 173 km/h (108 mph) • Economy: 4.4l/100km (64.2 mpg) Combined driving (WLTP) • Emissions: 99 g/km (WLTP) Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.

adopted that overly aggressive look which, in many people’s eyes blights so many otherwise good cars.

With GR badging and a sporting stance the GR Sport rides on 40 profile tyres, so although the ride is firm it’s not uncomfortably firm.

It may not be a hot hatch but it is dynamically well sorted and great fun on twisty roads.

The CVT transmission is actually very good, not always the case with CVTs, and even under enthusiastic acceleration it makes tidy progress.

Super comfortable seats make this a really good long distance car if needed, and returning over 60 mpg it’s not going to cost either.

This is a terrific little car and combines the best of sporting looks with economic and comfort bonuses.

• Sport •

48 22 - 28 February 2024

Rugby’s meteoric rise IS rugby in Spain on the cusp of a transformation?

The Royal Spanish Rugby Federation (RFER) has announced a record budget for 2024, signifying a pivotal moment for the sport’s history in Spain.

The president of RFER, Juan Carlos Martin Sanchez Hansen, recently unveiled a budget exceeding €11.5 million for the year 2024.

This announcement was made from the federation’s headquarters, marking a substantial increase from €5.4 million in August 2022.

The federation credits its remarkable growth to a strategic focus on enhancing revenues from sponsorships, event organisation, and contributions from the Higher Sports Council (CSD) and World Rugby.

As a result, sponsorship and related revenues have seen a 21 per cent increase, with expectations of further growth.

‘With the generation of these new income, the

RFER has invested in creating an operational structure with more people, new processes and an organisational culture that has made this Federation capable of aspiring to grow as an organisation at the service of Spanish rugby,’ the federation highlighted.

This financial injection has enabled better preparation for national teams, a significant increase in training days, and the introduction of new teams, including the Women’s M20 and Emerging 7 women’s teams, alongside three Iberians teams.

The RFER’s ambitious budget reflects a strategic vision aimed at not just financial growth, but also at nurturing the sport’s development and accessibility in Spain.

By reallocating resources and focusing on strategic growth areas, the federation is paving the way for a more vibrant and sustainable rugby ecosystem in Spain.

euroweeklynews.com

Ferrari F1 car unveiled FERRARI has become the latest team to launch their 2024 F1 car, with the covers being pulled off the SF-24.

After teasing fans with footage of their new challenger being fired up for the first time at Maranello recently, the car has now been revealed to the world ahead of the upcoming season.

The SF-24 is the 70th single-seater built by Ferrari to take part in the 75th Formula 1 championship. Above all, it is the first studied, designed and built entirely under the management of Frederic

Vasseur, who inherited Mattia Binotto’s job a year ago.

It is a car that follows the 2023 Ferrari however, the team say it is a radically different car, with most of the secrets under the bodywork.

The aim is to improve balance, reduce tyre wear, and above all increase the drivability, which had been one of the problems the drivers had been struggling with.

“Ferrari is my life, I love this team and I will do

The new car has now been revealed.

€23 million fine

Tiger and Nike split Credit: Ian Peter Morton/Shutterstock.com

ONE of Spanish football’s most famous names has been order to pay €23 million by the National Court.

The National Court has recently upheld a hefty £23 million fine against FC Barcelona for tax evasion, involving payments to players’ agents from 2012 to 2015.

The fine, confirmed in 2020 by the Central Economic Administrative Court (TEAC), relates to the Personal Income Tax that the club failed to pay.

This decision was made following a detailed review by the National Court, which found the club guilty of ‘tax simulation’ to gain unfair tax advantages.

The court revealed that FC Barcelona engaged in elaborate schemes to avoid taxes. They were found to be compensating agents for non-existent services, effectively diverting part of the payment to the players.

This allowed the club to benefit from a more favourable tax treatment than that which should have applied to the actual tran-

everything to make them win the World Championship.

Seeing the new single-seater is always a unique feeling after all the work done during the year,” said Charles Leclerc.

Carlos Sainz said: “Mine is not a normal situation to start the season, but the moment I put the helmet on I only feel the desire to go as fast as possible. Seeing the SF-24 is very special.”

The public had already gathered from early morning on the Fiorano bridge, waiting for the new red car to be christened on the track but the real test will be on March 2 in the first of the 24 Grand Prix of the 2024 Formula 1 championship.

FC Barcelona stadium.

sactions. ‘That is, to enjoy tax advantages that do not correspond to the actual operation carried out,’ the ruling stated.

The investigation concluded that the payments made to agents were, in fact, for the benefit of the players, rather than for services to the club.

Despite FC Barcelona’s claims, the court found that the agents were acting in the interests of the players, not the club.

‘The Inspection reaches the conclusion that the relationship established between FC Barcelona and the agents only serves to cover the payments made by the club to the players,’ the ruling added.

This ruling sends a clear message about the consequences of tax evasion in football, as FC Barcelona faces the financial and reputational fallout of their actions.

AFTER a long and lucrative 27-year partnership, Tiger Woods and Nike went their separate ways earlier this year.

A new chapter has opened up for the champion golfer as he and sports giant Nike concluded their long-standing collaboration worth a staggering $500 million, on January 8.

Tiger Woods is now embarking on a fresh venture by introducing his own clothing line, Sun Day Red, in collaboration with TaylorMade, a brand known for its golf equipment expertise.

The upcoming Sun Day Red brand is set to cater to men, women, and children alike. Although the launch date for the first collection remains under wraps, the brand’s website teases ‘Coming May 01.’

Golf enthusiasts will soon witness the 15time Major champion adorned in attire distinctly different from his iconic red Nike shirt.

But what exactly is the significance behind the new name? TaylorMade CEO David Abeles told the New York Times; ‘Sunday red is the colour that Mr Woods has made very famous on Sundays.’

Since their first collaboration in 1996, Tiger Woods and Nike have been synonymous, starting with a $40 million deal.

Their partnership saw several renewals. In 2000, Woods renewed his deal with Nike for $85 million, making it the largest golf sponsorship deal at the time.