Costa Calida 29 Feb – 6 March 2024 Issue 2017

Community gold

Catherine McGeer

IN response to the growing issue of loneliness among seniors, the Age Concern Golden Connections Club is making its debut, offering a solution to the social isolation faced by individuals aged 55 and above. The club, in collaboration with Rendezvous, Camposol, aims to combat loneliness and foster friendships.

The club provides a welcoming space for seniors to meet monthly, share experiences, and form lasting bonds. The goal is to create a supportive community where everyone feels valued and heard.

The inaugural monthly lunch is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, from

IN the latest Madrid Fusión event, one of the most significant events in Spain’s culinary scene, the 11th Bocadillo Contest (Sandwich Contest) took centre stage, awarding a Murcia-based establishment with the third prize.

CaféLab, a specialty café in Murcia and Cartagena, clinched the honour with their creation, the ‘Bocadillo de Autor by Magoga,’ crafted by María Gómez, the Michelin-starred chef of Magoga restaurant in Cartagena. The sandwich boasts a Pretzel bread base, featuring smoked coffee butter - a unique ingredient symbolising the collaboration between CaféLab and Magoga.

The addition of regionally distinctive tomato, toasted Marcona almonds for crunch, and basil for freshness, contrasting the salty anchovy flavour, makes this sandwich a

2 to 4pm at Rendezvous on Camposol A Sector, with subsequent lunches held at the same time on the first Wednesday of every month. Tickets, priced at €7,

include a delightful lunch.

Tickets are available at Rendezvous during opening hours or at the Age Concern Social Centre on Camposol C Sector. For

more information on joining the Golden Connections Club or supporting the initiative, visit their Facebook page or contact 634 344 589 or 623 118 062.

Michelin sandwich

culinary delight. Available at any of their three cafés in Cartagena and Murcia, the ‘Bocadillo de Autor by Magoga’ (Signature Sandwich by Magoga) is a testament to the rich gastronomy of the region.

Adios Lagomar

AT long last the Hotel Lagomar, a 1970s-era building that never saw use, has been completely demolished in La Manga. Demolition works, initiated in November, concluded on February 23. Mayor José Miguel Luengo expressed his satisfaction, anticipating a transformed landscape for tourists starting from Easter.

The sprawling complex occupied a 20,000-square-metre plot and was declared a ruin in 2012 due to structural decay caused by nearly 50 years of exposure to adverse weather. Despite years of demands for demolition from locals, it remained standing until now. After 11 years of requests, negotiations, and delays, the San Javier Town Council finally greenlit the building’s demolition.

San Javier took on the demolition, billing the owners, Intramanga Turística, nearly €800,000. If the owners fail to cover the costs, the plot may be auctioned to offset expenses. Waste management and site conditioning remain, with the project expected to conclude by early April, leaving residents astonished at the swift progress after decades of the building being a fixture in La Manga’s urban landscape.

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Costa Calida

Combat loneliness and create a brighter future.

Image: Shutterstock/ SeventyFour

Image: Cafelab

The perfect bite.

La Manga’s iconic Hotel Lagomar demolished

Image: Facebook/ Laila Scriattoli

Animal rescue

Catherine McGeer

ANDREA’S ANIMAL RESCUE (AAR), started its compassionate journey in August 2008. The inception was spurred by the rescue of Henrietta, a female donkey with severe tumours found abandoned by the motorway, marking the beginning of AAR’s mission to care for neglected animals.

Initially founded to support Henrietta’s costly treatment, AAR flourished into the Henrietta Foundation after her unfortunate passing. Today, the combined efforts of AAR and the Henrietta Foundation provide a home for over 100 donkeys, ponies, dogs, and cats.

These animals, once victims of neglect, now enjoy a sprawling 10-acre sanctuary in Mazarron.

AAR sustains its noble cause through two charity shops in Mazarron and Roldan. The shops serve as a lifeline, ensuring the well-being of the animals, with donations and volunteer support being crucial.

A weekly Camposol Co-

llection Day, where unwanted items are collected, supplements the funding.

Looking ahead, AAR invites the community to join its fundraising trip to Benidorm on Sunday, April 28, promising a day of shopping, leisure, and fun. Tickets are available

at various pick-up points, extending an invitation to be a part of this heartwarming initiative.

For more information about the events or to donate contact 690 906 565/ 604 129 024 or visit their website an dreasanimalrescue.com.

Wine Cheese

IN Spain, only seven dairies, all located in the Region of Murcia, hold the European certification to craft Wine Cheese, a unique blend of Murciano-Granadina goat milk and Garnacha grape. Earning the title of Spain’s second most exported cheese in 2022, this delicacy boasts a distinctive red-wine coloured or violet rind, creamy texture, and a hint of tanginess that sets it apart.

These seven dairies, nestled within Murcia’s borders, exclusively bear the Denomination of Origin (DO) certification. Murcia

Wine Cheese, pioneered by Félix Cano, undergoes a meticulous process, absorbing the aromas and flavours of the local wine, resulting in a nuanced and delightful goat cheese with subtle grape undertones.

Rooted in a practice dating back to 1920, Murcia Wine Cheese gained prominence in the 80s. Today, the certified dairies adhere to stringent EU regulations, ensuring the cheese’s quality and unique character. Exported globally, especially to the United States, Murcia Wine Cheese is a testament to Murcia’s rich cheese-making tradition.

A Helping Hand

MABS MAZARRON, a dedicated support organisation for people facing cancer diagnoses, is reaching out to the community for assistance. Operating in the Murcia area, their teams are on a mission to enhance services for locals battling cancer. However, to achieve this goal, MABS urgently requires qualified/ experienced nurses or carers to join their community caring for the terminally ill in their own homes.

The success of introducing new services hinges on the recruitment of these vital resources. MABS Mazarron is calling on the community to step up and contribute their time and skills, emphasising

the collective effort needed to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by cancer. For more information contact mazvolunteers@mabscancerfoundation. org. In addition to seeking volunteers, MABS is encouraging residents to support the cause by donating high-quality pre-loved items. These items will be sold in the MABS Charity Shop, with proceeds directly funding the organisation’s mission. By joining forces, the community can play a crucial role in providing practical help and support to individuals navigating the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Call them on 634 313 478 to arrange collection.

From rescue to sanctuary.

Image: andreasanimalrescue.com

Craft sale

MABS Mazarron is holding a craft sale on March 1 at the Costa Café Camposol, Commercial Sector B from 10am to 1pm. There will be quality handmade crafts on offer, so pop down and support a good cause.

Aladin circus

THE Aladin ‘Gran Circo Alaska’ (Great Alaska Circus) will be at Centro Comercial Mandarache from March 1 until March

10. Don’t miss the magic, to find out more or to purchase tickets see entra das360.com.

Easter camp

THE San Javier Town Council is hosting a free children’s Easter Camp from March 25 until April

5 from 9am until 2pm. To register just fill in the form on the town hall website sanjavier.es. Registration is open until March 1.

Sailors’ cup

LOS ALCAZARES will host the ‘Copa de España Clase Catamaran’ (The Spanish Catamaran Cup) from March 8 until March

10. This is a competition of great importance that will attract more than 100 sailors.

Mastiffs comp

LAS Gredas de Bolnuevo will host the 10th National Monographic Competition for German Mastiffs on March 3.

Flamenco fest

THE International Flamenco Festival, returns to Lorca featuring acclaimed dancer Farruquito as the headliner. Scheduled for May 24 at the Margarita Lozano Auditorium. Tickets, between €20 and €25, from the Teatro Guerra box office and www.bacantix.com.

Boar menace

Catherine McGeer

IN a sanctioned cull across Calblanque, Lo Poyo, El Carmolí, and Escombreras in the Cartagena region, 83 wild boars were put down, predominantly females, as they wreak havoc on protected ora.

The increase in species like wild boars and rabbits in the Murcia region has posed challenges for both local and regional authorities and residents in rural or nearby areas. While regulations addressing overpopulation have been implemented in some towns, there has been limited management of these species in protected natural spaces until now.

An exceptional night hunt on Fe-

bruary 24 in Calblanque Regional Park, Lo Poyo wetland, Carmolí, and Escombreras Valley, authorised by the Ministry of Environment, unveiled another issue: wild boars are causing

Tourism highs

IN January, the Murcia Region achieved a historic high in tourism sector employment with a 3.7 per cent increase compared to January 2023.

Data from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration reveals that the variety of activities within Murcia’s tourism sector helped reach these record-breaking numbers. This gure represents the highest ever recorded for the month in the region adding 2,179 more workers. Impressively, this surpasses the 2.6 per cent growth in overall regional economic a liation.

Speci cally, the hospitality and travel agency sectors in Murcia totalled 43,494 Social Security members at the end of January, a record high for the month. This re ects a 3.8 per cent increase compared to January 2023.

With 34 consecutive months of positive year-on-year growth, the tourism employment sector in Murcia is on a sustained upward trajectory. Of the a liates in hospitality and travel agencies, 34,482 were employees, constituting 79.3 per cent of the workforce in these activities, a 4.9 per cent annual increase. The remaining 20.7 per cent represented the self-employed.

damage to the protected ora within these areas. Francisco Bastida, the president of Hunters, notes a shift in management strategy towards targeting females in order to curb proliferation.

Jazz festival

GET ready for the Murcia Jazz Festival from March 1 to 17. This year’s stellar lineup includes New York’s finest Catherine Rusell, versatile artist Antonio Lizana, pianist Moisés P Sánchez, and the family-friendly Capitán Corchea.

The musical extravaganza features talents like Shenandoah Jazz Project, Sir Charles, Lucía Rey Trío, Carmen Lancho Quartet, and Bänz Oester & The Rainmakers.

The grand finale, a free street swing performance by Swing Shot Band, promises a rhythmic morning at the University of Murcia Plaza. From local theatres to jazz clubs and university plazas, the festival brings jazz in various styles - from blues-infused to classical, flamenco, New York avant-garde, and contemporary jazz from Murcia.

Since its 2020 inception, the Murcia Jazz Festival aims to reintroduce a diverse jazz experience, including family-friendly shows and street performances, while supporting local talent in the Murcia region. Check out www.murciajazzfestival.com for the full schedule and details.

Town makeover

IN a bid to enhance the living experience for residents and visitors in Santiago de la Ribera, the San Javier Town Council has invested €401,000 in a comprehensive town renewal project for various streets in the area.

Notable roads like Coronel Miguel Ivorra and Piragüsita José Antonio Lucas have undergone a transformative makeover, featuring new paths, pavement lighting, and

other essential amenities.

Covering an impressive 2,200 square metres of pavement and 5,500 square metres of road resurfacing,

the project has revitalised the streets between the ‘Príncipe de Asturias’ gardens and the General Air Academy.

Mayor José Miguel Luengo, who oversaw the project’s completion alongside Public Services councillor María Dolores Ruiz, emphasised that this work directly addresses the needs of the community, signi cantly improving the quality of life for both residents and visitors.

March for equality

GET your running shoes ready as San Pedro del Pinatar gears up for its inaugural march for equality. This event organised by the Department of Sports and the Department of Equality, aims to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. This special route spans six kilometres, offering participants a picturesque journey through the town.

The march kicks off and concludes at Plaza Luis Molina at the town hall, promising both fitness enthusiasts and locals an unforgettable event.

To foster community spirit, a delightful communal lunch is also on the agenda after the march. Lace up your trainers and join the festivities as San Pedro del Pinatar transforms its streets into a vibrant celebration for the women of San Pedro del Pinatar.

Night hunt tackles wild boar dilemma.

Image: Shutterstock/ WildMedia Street transformation.

Image: San Javier Town Hall

Trail-blazing

MAZARRON earns its second consecutive ‘Blue Trails’ award from the ‘Blue Trails’ programme for the Sierra de las Herrerías - Coto Fortuna route. This circular 11 km trail, starting in La Atalaya, offers panoramic views of Mazarron’s inland scenery and the coastline, guiding visitors to the historically and culturally significant Coto Fortuna mining site.

The accolade, presented by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC), highlights Mazarron’s

commitment to sustainable tourism beyond the conventional sun-andbeach offerings. This recognition aligns with the town’s broader efforts to

diversify its tourism while emphasising the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. Mazarron’s collaboration with ADEAC, including Blue Flags for beaches and marinas, further solidifies its dedication to tourism excellence and environmental sustainability.

Flight records

Catherine McGeer

MURCIA’s International Airport (RMU/Corvera) has kicked off the year on a high note, setting a new record for January with 26,877 passengers, marking a substantial 21.2 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2023. According to data provided by Aena, the airport also witnessed a notable 15 per cent year-on-year rise in flight operations, totalling 276 operations.

International flights played a significant role in this success, experiencing a 9.6 per cent increase from 2023, with 172 operations and 20,674 passengers. Meanwhile, domestic operations saw an impressive growth of 25.3 per cent, comprising 104 national flights and 6,203 passengers.

Juan Francisco Martínez, Director

of the Institute of Tourism, expressed confidence in the continuous progress of the regional airport, emphasising that the region is now connected to 23 destinations across seven countries. The recent introduction of direct flights to Madrid and Barcelona in December has provided a definitive boost, enhancing connectivity with Spain’s major airport hubs and the rest of the world.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports is actively working to expand the airport’s route network, as demonstrated by their recent participation in the Connect fair in Turin. Representatives engaged in professional meetings with major airlines such as easyJet, Volotea, and Binter, aiming to secure additional routes to Murcia’s International Airport.

Mega maintenance

In 2022, Mazarron gained acclaim for the Blue Trail of Calas de Bolnuevo, showcasing the pristine beauty of Bolnuevo’s coast, passing through the protected area of Sierra de las Moreras.

IN a significant development for the Port of Cartagena, the offshore drilling giant ‘Transocean Barents’ has arrived for a six-month maintenance stint. The 295-me-

tre-long, 70-metre-wide oil platform, owned by Transocean, is currently anchored off Cabo Tiñoso, awaiting entry to the southwestern dock of Escombreras.

The primary objective of the maintenance is to reduce the platform’s height, enabling its smooth passage through the Bosphorus Bridge on its route to the Black Sea for drilling operations next year. The Port Authority’s acting president, Pedro Pablo Hernández, highlighted the strategic importance of offshore platform repair as part of the port’s traffic diversification strategy.

The repair work will be conducted by local companies, including Herjimar and Mecánica Bolea, showcasing the port’s commitment to positioning itself as a logistics hub.

The arrival of ‘Transocean Barents’ brings with it 144 crew members, promising economic benefits for Cartagena through increased tourism, commerce, and hospitality.

Exploring Mazarron’s natural wonders.

Image: mazarron.es

Interbus arrival

Grace Meredith

IN order to prioritise passenger safety, Interbus has officially taken over the reins of the Lorca and Caravaca de la Cruz routes from February 19. The Ministry of Development highlighted its commitment to traveller safety as Interbus begins operations on the Lorca-Murcia (MUR 043) and Caravaca de la

Cruz-Murcia (MUR 025) routes.

To ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruptions for commuters, the Ministry assures that both schedules and routes will remain unchanged during the transition period. Notably, Interbus is proposing flexible ‘on-demand’ service for the Caravaca de la Cruz route, catering

to fluctuating passenger numbers and adapting services to meet specific needs.

Fomento Minister, José Manuel Pancorbo, stated, “We will explore this option, similar to the approach with Ruralbús in the Northwest, tailoring services to demand.”

To consult the schedule, see interbusmurcia.es.

Misty Mountains

MISTY MOUNTAINS, an amateur drama group based in Camposol, is on the lookout for a few more theatre enthusiasts to join their ranks for an exciting and comical spring production scheduled for late April.

Rehearsals take place every Wednesday from 2.30pm to 5pm at the Camposol Golf Club.

We got a peek behind the curtain to find out more about this theatre group. “We are a mixed bag of expat experience with members from the UK, Sweden, Canada, France, and Spain,” said Adrian Ditum, one of the founders of Misty Mountains. “One of our number was a professional in musicals on stage in Sweden a few years ago, then we have complete novices and some that did AmDram, again, a while ago until recently.”

Adrian went on to give us some details on what they have coming up “We are working on an evening of comedy sketches perhaps with some songs on Camposol, Puerto de Mazarron, and surrounding areas at the end of April beginning of May. First confirmed date April 26 at Alley Palais on Camposol.”

Looking ahead, Misty Mountains plans to dive into Murder Mysteries

and other entertaining projects.

Additionally, discussions are underway for a collaboration with Cloud Nine Drama for future productions, including their annual Pantomime! For inquiries or to express interest, drop them a message at mistymoun tainsdrama@gmail.com and join in the fun of 2024!

INTERBUS: Steering travel safely.

Behind the scenes with Misty Mountains.

Image: Misty Mountains.

Lynx legacy

Grace Meredith

IN a promising move for wildlife conservation, the regional government has initiated the second phase of the Iberian lynx reintroduction in the Murcia region. President Fernando López Miras actively participated in releasing three new lynx into the wild, marking a significant step towards establishing a stable population.

The release included a female named Umbría (8.7 kg) introduced to an acclimatisation enclosure, and two males, Urko (10 kg) and Uhar (7 kg), set free in the open spaces of the Lorca Highlands.

Addressing the public, López Miras called for awareness, stating that the Life Lynx Connect initiative would only succeed if society collectively respects the lynx habitat.

The Lorca Highlands,

chosen after expert evaluation, aim to become a settlement area with at least five reproducing females.

The Life Lynx Connect project, jointly funded by the European Union and the regional government, was initially launched in Andalucia, with Murcia being the second region

to participate. The initiative, born out of concerns for the Iberian lynx’s declining population due to land use changes and a decrease in their main food source, the rabbit, has seen success. The latest census reports a notable increase, with 1,668 wild lynx specimens compared to a mere 94 in 2002.

British boost

IN the first two months of this year, Murcia is making a tourism comeback, witnessing a 1.2 per cent rise in British visitors, nearly surpassing French travellers. Advertising campaigns and improved communication networks around Murcia are yielding positive results as visitor numbers increase in the initial two months of the year compared to the same period last year. Comparing the periods of December 2022 to February 2023 and the same months in 2023 and 2024, Murcia experienced an overall increase in visitors, both regionally and internationally.

The UK, holding the second position in tourism, nearly matches French visitor numbers. British tourism rose by 1.2 per cent, welcoming 626 visitors compared to the previous year’s

THE bus service linking Corvera Airport (RMU) to Murcia and Cartagena will change from February 26 to March 25. The revised schedule offers two weekly connections to both cities, maintaining an affordable ticket price of €1.85.

Direct routes from the airport to the bus stations in Murcia and Cartagena, and vice versa, will continue as usual with the fare unchanged.

Throughout the February 26 to March 25 period, the new schedule is as follows:

From Murcia to the Airport: Mondays at

492. Murcia’s identity as a city of getaways is reinforced, as domestic visitors increased from 2,721 to 3,353, with significant growth from the Valencia region. The list of international visitors remains consistent, with the Netherlands and Belgium in third and fourth place, showing slight increases.

Jesús Pacheco, the councillor of Tourism, Commerce, and Consumption, emphasises Murcia’s positioning as a go-to destination. At the regional level, Cartagena and Yecla remain primary sources of visitors, while Alcantarilla surpasses Águilas for the third position. The city’s parking area for campervans, open since October 2017, has become a key indicator of tourist movement, accommodating travellers from various European countries.

Airport bus

8.30am and Fridays at 3.45pm. Airport to Murcia Return: Mondays at 12.00pm and Fridays at 8.00pm. From Cartagena to the Airport: Mondays at 8.15am and Fridays at 3.30pm. Airport to Cartagena Return: Mondays at 12.00pm and Fridays at 8.00pm.

For those seeking more information on schedules and services, the official website InterbusMurcia.es provides details.

Released into the wild.

Image: carm.es

EUROPOL has revealed that in a sweeping crackdown carried out in 2023, a coalition of law enforcement, customs, and health agencies from 30 countries joined forces in the fight against the trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines.

Dubbed Operation SHIELD, the initiative was spearheaded by a steering group from France, Greece, Italy and Spain, with the Guardia Civil playing a crucial role. The operation’s efforts were bolstered by several European institutions, including the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), and resulted in significant seizures valued at over €64 million.

Spain’s involvement through the Guardia Civil underscored the operation’s comprehensive approach, targeting not only the trafficking networks but also the online platforms facilitating these illegal sales.

The trafficking of pharmaceuticals has emerged as a lucrative venture for

Fake medicine

organised crime, posing significant risks to public health and burdening healthcare systems across the EU. The operation uncovered a disturbing pattern of large-scale trafficking, with the sale of counterfeit medicines leading to severe health consequences.

The crackdown led to 1,284 individuals being charged, with 296 arrests and 988 prosecutions underway. Authorities dismantled four underground labs, shut down 92 websites, and carried out

thousands of inspections and anti-doping controls. These efforts underscore the scale of the problem and the determination of the authorities to combat it. Operation SHIELD IV marks a significant step forward in the fight against the trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines. With the collaboration of international agencies, the operation highlights the ongoing battle to safeguard public health and integrity in the pharmaceutical sector.

Credit: europol.europa.eu

Illegal medicines seized.

Colossal fine

THE European Union is expected to impose a ne of over half a billion euros on Apple, marking a signi cant milestone in the tech industry’s legal landscape.

This landmark penalty, estimated at around €500 million, is expected to be unveiled in early March.

It concludes an extensive antitrust investigation by the European Commission, initiated by Spotify’s complaint in 2019, concerning Apple’s music streaming service operations within the EU.

The crux of the investigation revolves around Apple’s alleged preferential treatment of its services on its platform, potentially side-lining competitors.

According to the Financial Times, the probe looked into whether Apple restricted apps from notifying iPhone users about more economical alternatives for music subscriptions outside the App Store.

Insiders expect the Commission to declare Apple’s behaviour as unlawful and violate the bloc’s regulations that promote competition within the single market.

Furthermore, the EU plans to prohibit Apple’s practice of hindering music services from directing users to less expensive options outside its App Store, accusing Apple of leveraging its dominant position

Credit: TonyV3112/Shutterstock.com

to impose anti-competitive trading practices on rivals.

This ne represents one of the most substantial nancial penalties imposed by the EU on a major technology rm. It comes in the wake of a series of penalties against Google totalling approximately €8 billion, which are currently under legal challenge.

Previously, Apple had not faced antitrust nes from Brussels, though it was ned €1.1 billion in France in 2020 for similar accusations, which was appealed and later reduced to €372 million.

The EU’s stern action signals a renewed con ict between Brussels and major tech companies, underlining the importance of compliance with the Digital Markets Act, aimed at fostering competition and enabling smaller tech entities to ourish.

APPLE: Expected to receive a fine.

IRELAND

More hope

TAOISEACH (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar announced an €800 million investment in cross-border projects, which he said was the largest-ever package of this kind. “The return of the power-sharing executive is hugely important for the people of Northern Ireland,” Varadkar said, “and has brought renewed hope.”

Penny-wise

IRELAND’S national debt works out at €42,000 for every member of the population, making it one of the highest in the world, the Department of Finance said. It also warned that by 2030, the Irish state would need an additional €8 billion a year to maintain current funding levels for areas like healthcare and pensions.

EURO PRESS

BELGIUM

No romance

THERE was no truth in rumours that Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, who is first in line to the throne and studying at Oxford, was “in a relationship with a fellow student named Nicholas,” the young man’s family said. “They merely go to the same college and study together,” a relative told a UK newspaper.

ELISABETH: Belgium’s crown princess with King Charles.

SWEDEN

Boar off

WILD boars were found dead near Fagersta, 145 kilometres north-west of Stockholm, in August and September 2023 although Swedish expert Karl Stahl said there was currently “zero” risk of more swine fever in Sweden. The last wild boar to test positive died in September and the disease was no longer circulating, Stahl said.

False alarm

A SUSPICIOUS package found amongst luggage on an SAS flight taking off from Arlanda Airport turned out to be harmless, said police who were called to the scene on February 21. Passengers were evacuated while the aircraft was cordoned off but later allowed to return and continue with their journey.

NORWAY DENMARK

Less rich

NORWAY had Europe’s highest disposable income in 2022 but its average of €8,337 by late 2023 put it in sixth place after Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria according to Eurostat, the European data agency. Economic experts attributed the decline to higher interest rates on mortgages and bank loans.

Jellyfish peril

A TOTAL of 65 million farmed salmon perished in Norway’s fish farms in 2023, a 27 per cent increase on 2022, the Institute of Marine Research reported. The “dizzyingly” high number was caused by jellyfish attacks on fish farm pens as well as outbreaks of diseases which required the destruction of millions of fish.

ITALY FRANCE

Dog danger

A GIRL of two was helicoptered to a Rome hospital in a serious condition after she was attacked by her grandmother’s two dogs, one of which was a German shepherd. The attack occurred in her grandparents’ home in Anguillara Sabazia, where they were looking after the child while her parents were at work.

In a hole

THE occupants of a parked car and another that was moving were rescued with minor injuries after a sinkhole in a Naples street swallowed both vehicles in the early hours of February 21. Gaetano Manfredi, Naples’ mayor, said the incident was the result of neglecting the city’s sewage system “for many years.”

Hot stuff

NINE HUNDRED tons of lithium batteries recently went up in smoke at a Viviez (Toulouse) recycling plant. Essential for items ranging from mobile phones to electric cars, the batteries’ combination of inflammable materials and stored energy meant they ignited easily when exposed to heat, firefighters explained.

Veg pledge

THE French Nutrition Society (SFN), a body of public and private sector nutrition experts, together with Climate Action Network (RAC), issued a document stating that the French needed to change their eating habits. They were also advised to reduce meat consumption “for the sake of the planet’s health.”

Keep out

DENMARK is fighting a UK ban on fishing for sand eels on Dogger Bank in the North Sea, maintaining that Britain is reneging on the Brexit agreement. The sand eel is an important primary source for the country’s produce fishmeal and fish oil industry in Denmark, Foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.

Toxic buildup

WASTE from an abandoned steelworks in Frederiksvaerk is contaminating Roskilde Fjord with hazardous manmade PFAS chemicals and equally dangerous phenols. The pollution, which accumulated over decades, could “probably” put the fjord at risk, a report by the Greater Copenhagen regional authority maintained.

Back home

FOREIGN residents who work in Portugal sent €570 million to their countries of origin in 2023, an increase of 7.39 per cent on 2022, when they sent back €530.96 million and comfortably above the €504.17 million sent in 2021. Much of this went to Brazil, which accounted for around half of the remittances.

Revenue loss

ELIMINATING tolls on the former motorway in the Interior and Algarve would cost the state around €113 million, Miguel Cruz, stated-owned Infraestruturas de Portugal’s chairman, told the Portuguese media. He also confirmed that the Beira Alta and South International Corridor railway lines would be completed in 2024.

NETHERLANDS

Nice and warm

FEBRUARY 15 was the warmest February 15 ever known, with temperatures reaching 15.5 degrees, announced the De Bilt weather station near Utrecht where official records are set. “We have broken a lot more heat records than cold records over the past few years,” said Marco Verhoef, the NOS broadcaster’s weatherman.

Wrong snow

SKI accidents were 10 per cent up in the Netherlands so far in 2024, compared to 2023, the Eurocross emergency response centre said, with “breaks, knee injuries and torn ligaments.” The problem was warm weather which produced the slushy kind of snow responsible for accidents like these, a spokesperson said.

FINLAND

GERMANY PORTUGAL

Moving out

HUNDREDS of Finns who received more than €50,000 a year in unearned income moved abroad between 2019-2022 to dodge or reduce the amount of capital gains tax they had to pay, a report from the Finnwatch organisation maintained. Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and the US were the most popular boltholes.

In tune

GRAMEX, Finland’s copyright organisation, quoted figures which showed that a record-breaking number of songs were registered in 2023. The 21,785 new songs, many of them the work of social media influencers, that were registered with Gramex last year was 30 per cent higher than those copyrighted in 2022.

Empty pews

FIVE Catholic churches closed recently in Kiel, where most of the population are Protestant and buildings are being deconsecrated and demolished to make way for housing. By last year only 50 per cent of Germans belonged to the two principal Christian faiths, which have lost hundreds of thousands of parishioners.

Tesla tussle

RESIDENTS in Grunheide, a rural community under 8,000, voted against authorising a rail goods depot and storage facilities which would have been used by Tesla’s batteries and car assembly plant. Plans, which included building a goods depot and storage facilities, would have entailed felling 250 acres of trees.

Mystery picture

Linda Hall

A POSSIBLE Van Gogh self-portrait has come to light in Ghent in Belgium.

Hannes and Lore discovered the painting during extensions to their home, Lore explained to the VRT broadcaster.

As the family had outgrown the house the couple bought in 2008, they recently purchased the neighbouring property which they are currently converting into a single home.

They immediately recognised the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh in a picture painted directly onto plaster which until then had been covered with insulation.

The previous owner is no longer alive but her son has told VRT that the picture must have been there before 1993 when she went there to live.

Their first thought was

to contact the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam but after failing to receive a reply, they contacted a local art expert, Lore told VRT.

An initial examination was inconclusive, although the age of the plasterwork suggested the painting was old. On the other hand, although the style was ‘awkward’, that did not rule out the possibility that it was Van Gogh’s work, the expert explained, as the artist often made rough preliminary studies for the pictures he painted later.

Could Van Gogh have painted it?

The dates add up, as the district where Hannes and Lore live was built between 1875 and 1890, while Van Gogh’s letters reveal that he passed through Ghent in 1885 after leaving Paris for a three-day journey to the Netherlands.

Jannes and Lore also have a theory that Van Gogh could have painted the picture to pay for his stay in the house which, rather than a lodging house, was possibly a brothel, Lore believes.

Meanwhile, Ghent University is interested in analysing the painting, as the pigments used could help to date it.

HIDDEN TREASURE: Could this be a Van Gogh self-portrait?

Photo credit: VRT News/Ward Schouppe

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Filling up

SPAIN now has 12,636 independent petrol stations, overtaking the Repsol, Cepsa or BP chains and accounting for 45 per cent of the country’s network, the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) figures revealed. Selfservice outlets are also due to increase from 13 to 20 per cent of the total this year.

Looking better

BANK OF ENGLAND governor Andrew Bailey told the Treasury Select Committee on February 20 that there were “clear signs of an upturn” although the economy went into recession at the end of 2023. He also told the MPs that current investor bets on a cut in the bank rate were no longer “unreasonable.”

Arms race

CHARLES WOODBURN, chief executive of the British armaments multinational BAE Systems, revealed that the company had accumulated £70 billion (€81.7 billion) of orders by late 2023. He also warned that although global conflict boosted arms sales, ramping up production after post-Cold War cutbacks “took time”.

Eagle eye

AN EU directive now in force throughout Spain means that the Agencia Tributaria tax authority will want more extensive information regarding earnings that are made via digital platforms like Wallapop, eBay, Vinted or Airbnb. Tax returns must be made after taking an annual €2,000 or making 30 transactions.

Bodywork

THE BODY SHOP confirmed that it was closing almost half of its 198 UK stores for good, with seven that shut down on February 20. New owners, the European private equity firm Aurelius which specialises in turning round failing companies, is also cutting 40 per cent of jobs at its London headquarters.

€1.46 billion STAT OF WEEK

outlay for the latest share buyback programme announced by Santander bank, together with a 50 per cent increase in its dividend for 2023 compared with 2022’s.

Hunt’s wiggle room

Linda Hall

BRITAIN’S Chancellor

Jeremy Hunt has a £9.2 billion (€10.7 billion) surplus to play with for his March 6 pre-election Budget.

During the first 10 months of the government’s financial year, which ends on March 31, borrowing amounted to £96.6 billion (€112.8 billion), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed.

This was below the expectations of the tax and spending regulator, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which anticipated government borrowing of £105.8 billion (€123.6 billion) at this stage. The record figure was boosted by a £16.7 billion

Green

(€19.5 billion) surplus in January, which is the month when British taxpayers file their returns and was also helped by lower interest payments on government debt. This was more than twice January 2023’s £7.5

billion (€8.7 billion) surplus.

Nevertheless, financial markets had foreseen an £18.7 billion (€21.8 billion) surplus. Jessica Barnaby, deputy director of the ONS’ Public Sector division revealed that “in nominal

for Orange

AFTER a lengthy in-depth scrutiny of the €18.6 billion deal, Brussels cleared the Orange-MasMovil merger on February 20.

But there are strings attached as the EU’s Competition regulator had previously feared that creating the largest operator in Spain would push up prices for mobile customers by more than 10 per cent.

As a result, Brussels is obliging the newly-formed company to cede three of its frequency spectrum bands to Romania-based Digi.

SPAIN’S trade gap fell by 40 per cent to €40.56 billion in 2023, thanks to a 7 per cent reduction in energy imports, particularly gas.

Xiana Mendez, the country’s junior minister for Commerce, announced exports which reached €383.68 billion last year, the second-highest yet after the record year of 2022, with imports of €424 billion. The European Union remained Spain’s principal export market and accounted for 62.7 per cent of the total although exports to Australia and other Oceania countries rose by 8.7 per cent, followed by Latin America (8.1per cent) and European countries outside the EU (4.6 per cent).

“The commitments offered by the parties will enable Digi, the largest and fastest-growing mobile virtual network operator in Spain, to replicate the strong competitive pressure exerted by MasMovil,” announced Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

Digi will also receive an option for a national roaming agreement, the commissioner said.

Between them, the merged companies will have 7.3 million broadband clients, more than 30 million mobile phone clients and approximately 2.2

THE National High Court in Madrid upheld National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) claims of a price-fixing milk cartel.

This provided nine companies with cheap supplies while preventing farmers from negotiating prices, the tribunal ruled.

The court rejected appeals from Calidad Pascual, Central Lechera Galicia, Grupo Lactalis Iberia, Nestle and Schrieber Food España, but lowered the fines totalling €86 million which the CNMC recommended to €28 million.

Appeals by Comercial Alimentaria Peñasanta, Danone, Industrias Lacteas Granada (Puleva), and Asociacion de Empresas Lacteas de Galicia were partially accepted, as the time limit for some of the periods under investigation had expired.

terms” the January surplus was the greatest since modern records began in 1993, although borrowing in the 10 months ending in January 2024 was only marginally lower than in the same period in 2023.

Falling inflation measured by the retail prices index resulted in lower payments to those holding government bonds, Barnaby added, while an end to last year’s support for energy bills also reduced state spending.

National debt as a share of the economy had continued to increase and represented 96.7 per cent of Britain’s gross product (GDP) in January, an increase of 1.8 percentage points.

television subscribers. This gives them more customers than any other Spanish telecommunications company, pushing Telefonica into second place for the first time in its history.

The new company, which will continue to be headquartered in France, envisages annual revenues of €7.4 billion.

Tower power

LONDON’S Grade II-listed BT Tower will become a hotel.

The telecoms company announced that it was selling the 189-metre tower to the US hotel chain MCR Hotels for £275 million (€321.2 million). The technological value of the tower completed in 1964 was now ‘limited’ owing to the evolution of both landline and mobile networks, BT Group explained.

Converting the Fitzrovia site into a hotel will need time, as BT Group expects to take years to vacate the tower because of the ‘scale and complexity’ of removing all its technical equipment.

TWENTY-FIVE

per cent of Britain’s capital gains went to Londoners between 2015 and 2019.

Even then, the gains were concentrated in five London constituencies of Kensington, City of London and Westminster; Chelsea and Fulham; Hampstead and Kilburn and Richmond Park.

Residents in Notting Hill, which belongs to Kensington and is an enclave of 6,400 people, earned as much in capital gains during this four-year period as Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle combined. All would have benefited from a lower tax rate than the tax which must be paid on income earned from a salary.

Meanwhile, researchers from the University of Warwick and the London School of Economics who analysed unidentifiable personal tax returns between 2015 and 2019 found that 97 per cent of the population received no capital gains at all.

SPAIN’S government is scrutinising the €632 million Talgo takeover by Hungarian group, Magyar Vagon.

As rolling stock manufacturer Talgo is strategically important, the government reserves the right to veto the proposed deal. “Should it give permission, it would do so with the assurance that it could maintain strategic control,” Industry minister Jordi Hereu added.

Magyar Vagon said jobs and Talgo factories would remain in Spain, although the government is analysing possible links with Hungary’s government headed by Viktor Orban and the possible involvement of Russian cash.

BARCLAYS will lend a minimum of £30 billion (€35 billion) to UK families and businesses over the next three years.

Demonstrating its faith in Britain’s economy, the bank is forsaking lending restrictions that were imposed first by Brexit and later by the pandemic, Barclays’ chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan - known as Venkat - said.

Instead it would invest more money in UK credit card lending, mortgages, unsecured loans and business loans.

Photo credit: orange.com

Photo credit: HM Treasury/ Andrew Parsons

MERGER: Orange-MasMovil will be headquartered in France.

BUSINESS EXTRA

It’ll cost you

NET ZERO emissions will cost more than the public realises, the International Monetary Fund’s former chief economist Olivier Blanchard told the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on February 20. The low-carbon economy was “necessary”, Blanchard conceded, but it was essential to send out the message it was going to be expensive, he said.

Up and down

TELEFONICA reported 2023 revenues of €40.65 billion in 2023, 1.6 per cent more than 2022 and its highest since the pandemic. Despite this increase, the telecoms company was €892 in the red for the first time since 2002 after spending €1.3 billion on redundancies and €3.6 billion on its UK subsidiary, Virgin Media 02.

Significant Gibraltar

NIGEL FEETHAM, Gibraltar’s Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry, recently met several senior leaders from the gambling sector.

They included Stella David and Per Widerstrom, respective chief executives of Entain Group and 888 Holdings.

The 888 company acquired the William Hill brand in July 2022 and is currently integrating both businesses in Gibraltar. Entain has also been through some structural changes.

FASHION multinational Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) is losing out to rivals.

H&M reported a €775-million profit for 2023, compared with €316 million in 2022, although its share price has dipped 16 per cent over the last six months and it closed 28 stores in Spain alone. Underlying problems were demonstrated by the sudden departure of chief executive Helena Helm on

January 31. Bankinter analyst Elena Fernandez-Trapiella Janssen explained to national daily, El Pais, that Helm’s departure came as a surprise although it was obvious that her turnaround plans were not gelling. “They closed offices and improved efficiency, but profit margins remained below 7 per cent, compared with Inditex’s 23 per cent,” Fernandez-Trapiella said.

“These companies have significant substance in Gibraltar and are major contributors to the local economy,” Feetham said.

The gambling sector accounts for around 28 per cent of Gibraltar’s gross domestic product (GDP), the minister pointed out.

“Our meetings provided an opportunity to discuss several issues,” Feetham continued. “These included regulation, taxation, business optimisation and the substance that gambling firms were required, and expected, to maintain in Gibraltar as part of the licensing proposition.”

The minister also expressed satisfaction with the companies’ commitment to Gibraltar as an important hub for multi-jurisdictional businesses.

He was very grateful for the time invested in these discussions and agreed to remain closely engaged with both companies, Feetham added.

UNION negotiations with the finance sector revealed that thanks to internal restructuring and record profits, Santander had 357 executives who earned more than €1 million in 2023, 30 per cent up on 2024. Two top earners were newly-recruited executives whose ‘golden hello’ bonuses put them on salaries outstripping that of the bank chairman Ana Botin, Santander sources disclosed.

Big earners Luton boost

ITALY-US vehicle manufacturing conglomerate Stellantis announced from 2025 it would produce medium-sized electric vans at the Vauxhall plant in Luton for the Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat Professional brands. The move will safeguard the jobs of the plant’s 1,500 employees following difficult times for the automotive sector owing to Brexit trade complications and a shortage of semiconductor chips.

Photo credit: Nigel Feetham

NIGEL FEETHAM: Gibraltar’s Minister for Justice, Trade and Industry.

Complete control

LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

ALMOST two years ago I wrote that Labour had to make sure their anti-governmental actions must continue unabated if they had any chance of winning the next election. Almost unbelievably Starmer’s brigades are still managing to do precisely that.

With the assistance of the unions and biased media, they have maintained strike after strike, continuing to depress and demoralise a British public into such a climate of misery and dejection that it will do almost anything to bring a little sunshine and hope into their beleaguered lives.

This week the Unions announced that the train drivers’ strikes could continue for another six months (surprise, surprise). An action which will extend the long suffering of the public perpetrated by a group of employees, already actually earning in advance of £1,250 a week!

If Labour does get in, the Union bosses, before returning to relax in their Costa villas, will triumphantly converge on number 10 and amid the pints of beer and me-

dium sherries, congratulate each other on a successful conspiracy well-coordinated and organised. The biased media will ease up on all depressive reporting and smile broadly at their ‘relieved’ viewers as the solutions to long term problems appear to miraculously come to pass.

In the first hundred days, the Rayner brigade will be a gleeful party to the rejuvenation of their beloved ’workers rights’ bill, which has of course been their objective all along. This bill, honed down by the incoming conservative party, will then be the forerunner of complete disaster for the whole utterly browbeaten British populace. The act was bad enough all those years ago.

In these times, with immigrant numbers already swollen to almost unmanageable heights, it will be a catastrophe. Basically it actually means that employers are from day one, not allowed to sack anyone. Should an employee appear to deserve the sack for almost any reason, they can then declare unfair dismissal, appeal the decision and will automatically await the verdict of a tribunal.

While waiting, possibly for months or even years, they will of course be retained on full wages, while they sit watching tele

waiting for the pubs to open.

Can you imagine the sheer numbers of immigrants obtaining jobs they are nowhere near familiar with (or actually capable of) and even after a fully-deserved dismissal, continue to collect wages and benefits, while the employers face the wrath of the unions and their cohorts? A high number of other disasters emerge from these situations.

New business investment totally dries up. Companies, who carry on, naturally have to be extremely careful who they employ and can no longer put new employees on a probationary period, which dramatically pushes up unemployment. Non workers, who claim their newly available exorbitant Labour government benefits, then proceed to create run down areas steeped in crime containing huge numbers of party supporters, who would rather not work anyway.

All of this produces exactly what the Labour party and unions desire; complete control over an anti-royalist, communist, diversified and brainwashed population. Good luck.

Keep the faith

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

easyJet - elevating Eurovision

EASYJET has been confirmed as the Eurovision Song Contest’s Official Airline Partner, symbolising a fusion of travel and music that promises to connect the European continent.

Announced on Tuesday, February 20, easyJet will serve as the Official Airline Partner for the Eurovision Song Contest over a span of three years, beginning with this year’s spectacle in May.

The airline is gearing up to transport thousands of Eurovision enthusiasts from across Europe to Copenhagen Airport, offering direct access to Malmo, Sweden.

Nearly three decades ago, easyJet revolutionised travel, making flying accessible for countless individuals

and heralding a new era of European exploration. Presently, the airline boasts a workforce of over 17,000 individuals from 97 nationalities, speaking more than 43 languages across eight European countries.

With a commanding presence on Europe’s most frequented routes, easyJet offers flights to over 150 airports in 35 countries, ensuring that over 300 million Europeans are just an hour’s drive from an easyJet flight.

The 2024 contest in Malmo, Sweden, promises to be a spectacular affair, with 37 broadcasters vying for the coveted title, underscoring the EBU’s commitment to fostering public service media for a sustainable future.

LEAPY

Leapy Lee’s

The first Urban Art Gallery

John Smith

SOME 25 years ago, the village of Fanzara high in the mountains in the interior of Castellon Province in eastern Spain, was in danger of becoming a ghost town.

There were plans for the installation of a toxic waste incinerator and whilst villagers demonstrated against it, their children played at demonstrating as well.

In the end, it wasn’t constructed but this didn’t help the villagers find work or sustain their families.

Two locals Javier López and Rafa Gascó thought that Fanzara could become a thriving community if they could come up with a new idea which would encourage visitors to spend some time and some money there.

Their simple idea, which has now been copied and expanded upon by many towns throughout Spain was to invite graffiti artists to visit the village and paint really attractive designs on the walls of different houses, turning the village into an urban art gallery.

Sounds simple but in those days, urban art was seen as potentially mindless vanda-

lism but eventually the pair persuaded some of the elderly residents to allow the walls of their properties to become ‘blank canvasses’.

Next step was to find artists prepared to visit the village and create some work, but it escalated beyond all expectation.

In fact 23 artists, mainly Spanish, answered the call and in that first year, no less than 44 murals had been created in what was then dubbed the MIAU, or Museo Inacabado de Arte Urbano (Unfinished Museum of Urban Art).

At the time, the Fanzara Council contributed €2,000 to help the costs and the ar-

tists raised funds themselves online and by selling merchandise.

Each year, since then, there has been a festival inviting new artists from around the world to add to the artwork in the village, although there was something of a hiatus in 2023 when there was a change in the make-up of the council with the Partido Popular taking control and allegedly imposing certain restrictions on what wording could appear accompanying the artwork.

Despite this, the village of Fanzara is arguably the first and most complete example of concentrated Urban Art in Spain.

Say it with sweets

LOVE HEARTS: forget Tinder, in the 70s and 80s all you needed was a packet of sweets. There are currently 105 different Love Hearts messages according to the manufacturer, Swizzels, who started making the sweets in 1954.

There have been some short-lived messages that haven’t stood the test of time: both ‘FAX ME’ and ‘PAGE ME’ came and went in the 80s and, in the last 66 years, Love Hearts have evolved.

There was brief rebranding when Swizzels collaborated with YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity fighting for young people’s mental health. Called ‘Kind Hearts’, there were eight new messages including: ‘STAY STRONG’, ‘LOVE YOURSELF’, and ‘BE KIND’.

Then at the start of 2024, the US equivalent, called ‘Sweethearts’ started

selling limited-edition ‘Situationship Boxes’, with, “messages as blurry as your relationships.”

Oxford University Press, named ‘situationship’ a finalist for 2023 word of the year and defines it as, “A romantic or sexual relationship that is not considered to be formal or established.” Those in situationships are more than friends, but less than committed romantic partners. Sweethearts said that the messages in the new boxes are just like today’s dating landscape whereby your dating app matches can also be hard to read.

More importantly, in 2023, Swizzels set out to discover the answer to the burning question: what is the UK’s favourite Love Hearts message? The number one Love Hearts message favoured by UK seets fans was: ‘BE HAPPY’!

Credit: MIAU Fanzara Facebook

Just one of the numerous urban murals in Fanzara.

• News Across The Regions •

Costa del Sol

Ukraine and the Lions

ON Saturday February 24, the second anniversary of the Ukrainian conflict, the La Cala de Mijas Lions were at the Legends Show Bar in La Cala along with a full house and the Ukrainian family who are currently staying with Lions Vice-President Karen Blair.

The Rybalka family, a mother and her two children were entertained by Theo and the excellent Frankie B. A raffle took place along with an auction with a surprise item of a car (a toy Porsche) donated by Legends owner Paul.

The event raised a total of €1,275 for the Lions who continue supporting those in need throughout the community and support for Ukraine. The next Lions event is a Car Treasure Hunt to be held on March 24.

Axarquia

Desalination deadline

IN a recent meeting at the Palacio de San Telmo, Sevilla, President Juanma Moreno, and Minister Teresa Ribera affirmed the joint commitment to combat drought in Andalucia.

The focus lies on the anticipated desalination plant in Axarquia, expected to be operational by 2027 or 2028. While the start date for construction remains uncertain, efforts will also involve boosting existing desalination capacities and exploring water transport by ship.

Ribera clarified that the complex approval process influences the desalination project’s timeline, making 2027-2028 more realistic. The collaboration includes urgent measures like reactivating hydraulic projects, advancing pending desalination initiatives, and considering water sources outside Andalusia. President Moreno emphasised preparedness, revealing plans for water transport via ships as a last resort.

Mallorca

Ukraine remembered

ON Saturday, February 24, nearly 150 individuals gathered in La Misericordia’s gardens to mark two years since the onset of the Ukrainian conflict. The event was predominantly attended by Ukrainians who displayed flags, photographs of casualties, and banners protesting the ‘genocide’, urging for the conflict not to be forgotten. ‘People continue to suffer from this war … including many children, and we need you to continue supporting us, helping us,’ stated Anastasia Kvach, head of the Associacio Amar Ucraina. A march from Dalt Murada to Plaza España followed. Irina Zubko, of the Ukraine Aid Association, highlighted, “Today our soul aches for Ukraine, we gather here to remember two years of the day that changed our lives and the destiny of our country.”

Costa Blanca South Naval tradition

THE February meeting of the Royal Naval Association Torrevieja Branch (RNATB) was filled with pride and special recognition for dedicated members.

Chairman, Ship Mate (S/M) Tony Jenkins was awarded special RNATB certificates to honour his commitment and loyalty.

Margaret Forshaw BEM received a Gold Certificate for her 20 years of support alongside her late husband, John Forshaw, who was also a founding member.

S/M Bryan Dalton was awarded a Bronze Certificate for his 10 years of membership.

Additionally, the meeting included the usual events, such as the Ex RN Ditty, where retired RN personnel share anecdotes from their service, and Tot Time, where toasts are made to various events, including Valentine’s Day, St. David’s Day, and the health of King Charles III.

Almeria Wings of Freedom

ACCORDING to the Cuevas del Almanzora Council “Equality gives us the wings of freedom” and this will be the main theme on March 8 in the fight against Gender Violence.

It is International Women’s Day on that date but the council wants to highlight the fact that women are still being abused around the world.

Councillor for Equality, Melchora Caparrós made her opinion clear as she said “Being a woman today, in many places in the world, is almost a tragedy, because simply by being a woman, her rights and freedom are eliminated.

“That is immoral, unfair, it is indecent, but, furthermore, it is unsustainable, since there is no progress in a society if equality between men and women does not exist.”

Costa Blanca North 14 million investment

THE Valencian Community Council, Carlos Mazon, affirmed an investment of over €14 million into the Costa Blanca region.

The regional Deputies are adjusting to the needs of the Valencian municipalities, changing their approach by, “lowering taxes and committing to social policies.”

Mazon had highlighted, “improving primary care and implementing the Mental Health Plan,” as his priority, using the funds to empower the people of the Marina Alta.

One of the projects from the investment is the legislature of the Gandia-Denia tram, which as the Council of the Valencian Community stated, will result in, “No more waiting and delays. It is only fair that this historic and necessary demand now begins to be a reality.”

WITH winter still upon us many people will be deciding how best to keep their homes warm. The choices seem endless, confusing, and contradictory. There is no simple answer, or single best solution. Tony and Richard at Neater Heater have, however, got one solution that deserves serious consideration.

There are many reasons to choose electricity as your heating option. It is clean, requires no effort to maintain, and has a comparatively small installation cost. In fact Tony and Richard claim to be able to install a five heater system for the same price that many people pay just to have a gas bottle casita built. But once you have decided on electricity then you have even more choices to contend with.

The Neater Heater team sympathise with you, because that is exactly where they were 15 years ago. After discarding the unhealthy Gas Estufas, and deciding to ‘Heat Electric’ they tried various options - as custo-

Fighting the winter blues with Neater Heater

mers - and realised one thing. There were no affordable good electric heaters on the market. Electric heaters tended to fall into one of the following categories.

• Very expensive (€400-€800) but make a virtue of being economical,

• Cheap to buy (But horrendously expensive to run) oil-filled heaters,

• Economical to run (but inefficient) panel heaters.

With a great stroke of luck, it was while actively looking for a heater for his son’s room that Tony came across, and installed, some Norwegian BEHA

convector heaters. That decision was life changing.

Discovering just how good these heaters were, Tony saw a business opportunity and approached his friend Richard

Winter and between them they started Neater Heater.

As Richard explains: “The beauty about Neater Heaters is that they are simple but are built to the highest quality. It also helps that they look good. They use modern, state of the art technology, such as extruded aluminium for the element, and a highly sensitive thermostat. This produces an affordable no-nonsense heater that works efficiently and economically to keep your home warm through those long cold winter nights.”

Our heaters are not only effi-

NEATER HEATER DISTRIBUTORS: COSTA BLANCA SOUTH

cient, effective, and economical, but as you would expect from a Scandinavian product, they are extremely stylish and practical. There is a model that will suit anyone, from the BEHA, (Bluetooth option or Wi-Fi option) and the NEO Wi-Fi, so that you can control your heaters easily via a Wi-Fi APP but still being able to control them manually if preferred, or the trendy original style Neo with digital controls and a choice of colours and if you are limited for wall space, then available for purchase are factory designed feet to enable the heater to be freestanding.

However, a few years ago we added the NEO Wi-Fi Compact model. This heater shares the design technology and ethos of the current NEO heaters, but it has two differences: It is much smaller in length, thus able to fit into tighter wall spaces, plus this model has the added bonus of a 2.5 kw version as well.

BENIJOFAR: Vincent Real Estate. Tel. 966 712 440 • BLUE LAGOON: The Electrical Shop (Euronics). Tel. 966 188 170

Heaters also available for purchase at our online shop with free home delivery

WWW.NEATERHEATER.ES or Tel. 634 312 171 (WhatsApp available)

INTERVIEW

Airlines issue ultimatum

IN a recent clash over Dublin Airport’s future, global airlines have issued stark warnings that they will take their business elsewhere.

This dispute unfolded as the powerful US-based Airlines for America (A4A) and other major carriers demanded an urgent increase in Dublin Airport’s passenger capacity.

Their ultimatum: approve expansion plans or face a business exodus from Ireland, potentially taking major multinationals with them.

The contentious issue came to a head as planners at Fingal County Council received submissions urging them to permit an increase from 32 million to 40 million passengers annually.

The cap on passenger numbers must be lifted ‘if Ireland is to sustain and grow current levels of US tourism and foreign direct investment,’ A4A stated.

Highlighting the gravity, A4A reminded that three US giants - Apple, Microsoft, and Google - contribute signicantly to Ireland’s economy.

Their stance is clear: failing to meet US-Ireland travel demands could severely impact Ireland’s economic prosperity. A4A’s roster boasts heavyweights like American Airlines, United, and Delta, emphasising the broad industry

Dublin Airport under pressure.

consensus on the need for expansion.

Credit: Peter Krocka/Shutterstock.com

There’s always joy

BORN in Holland, raised in Antwerp, Amber moved to Dubai to work but would come to Spain on holidays, as her parents had visited Javea for over six years.

Amber’s parents dreamt of moving to Javea for their retirement, and after spending so much time in Spain, she found her second home here.

British Airways and its parent company IAG, which also owns Aer Lingus and other airlines, reinforced the urgency. ‘IAG cannot stress enough the urgency for Fingal County Council to make a decision to increase the passenger cap,’ they warned.

Aer Lingus, Vueling, Emirates, and other airlines underscored the importance of lifting the cap for maintaining and growing international routes.

However, the expansion proposal has met with resistance. Residents living under ight paths and environmental advocates argue against the increase, citing noise pollution and climate impact concerns.

“I came to Javea for a holiday and the holiday never ended. I felt like I was moving to a place that was already familiar.”

Amber has now lived in Javea for over two years and is working as a real estate agent at Key2Properties: “I know what it’s like to move, searching for property, so I enjoy sharing my experience with people.”

She is currently learning Spanish, infusing her daily life with the language: “I watch Spanish films, listen to Spanish music and talk to people. People here like hearing someone learning Spanish, don’t worry about making mistakes.”

Amber thinks she has finally found happiness in Spain: “I’ve changed so much since I’ve moved here. Seeing the sun every day gives me energy I didn’t have before. There’s always joy. A true happiness.”

Amber de Rave.

Credit: Amber de Rave

Processionary problem

Processionary Problem

THE emergence of processionary caterpillars in early spring has prompted warnings from the Spanish government due to the early presence of these pests, which is believed to be linked to climate change.

These caterpillars, characterised by their orange, green, or brown colour and covered in tiny poisonous hairs, typically move in long chains, hence their name.

While they were first discovered in oak trees in the UK, they are more

commonly found in pine trees in Spain.

Despite efforts by local councils to control them, even urban areas with pine trees remain at risk.

Of particular concern is the danger these caterpillars pose to humans and animals. Their toxic hairs can cause skin irritation or rash upon contact, similar to a nettle sting.

Pets, especially dogs, are vulnerable to the toxic effects of these caterpillars. There have been reports of pets being fatally affected by the caterpillars’ toxic hairs.

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PET owners cherish the bond with their furry companions, often sharing meals with them. However, many common human foods are toxic to pets, posing serious health risks. It’s crucial to be aware of these dangers to prevent accidental poisoning.

Toxic treats

Chocolate contains theobromine, deadly to dogs and cats, causing heart issues and even death. Onions and garlic can destroy red blood cells, leading to ane-

mia. Grapes and raisins, though small, can result in kidney failure in dogs. Xylitol, a sweetener in sugar-free products, triggers liver failure and hypoglycemia.

Avocados are risky, especially for birds and rodents, due to persin, which induces vomiting and diarrhea. Alcohol’s effects on pets are immediate and can be fatal, affecting the central nervous system. Caffeine, macadamia nuts, and bones from fish and meat also pose significant threats, from choking hazards to internal blockages.

Before introducing new foods to your pet’s diet, consult a veterinarian and keep hazardous items out of reach. Knowledge and vigilance are key to ensuring the health and safety of our pets, allowing them to thrive alongside us.

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Blue card for referees

OVER the years, football has seen several significant changes aimed at improving the game’s integrity, fairness and entertainment value, now there is the prospect of a ‘blue card.’

Football’s most recent innovations have included the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and Goal-Line Technology to aid more accurate referee decisions.

The latest development has seen FIFA address the idea of a ‘blue card’ system. This would empower referees with the ability to temporarily exclude players for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as arguing with the referee.

The proposal was initially discussed by the International Football Association Board, suggesting a sin-bin system for football.

Under this system, a blue card would mean a player is sidelined for 10

minutes for acts of dissent or cynical fouls. The idea is planned to be reviewed at the IFAB Annual General Meeting on March 1.

FIFA has expressed reservations about applying the blue card rule at the top levels of the sport. In a Twitter/X statement, on Thursday, February 8, FIFA clarified the situation: ‘FIFA wishes to clarify that reports of the so-called ‘blue card’ at elite levels of football are incorrect and premature.

‘Any such trials, if implemented, should be limited to testing in a responsible manner at lower levels, a position that FIFA intends to reiterate when this agenda item is discussed at the IFAB AGM on 1 March.’

Many ardent fans saw red at the idea of a blue card: ‘Why are people obsessed with fixing things that aren’t broken,’ wrote one.

Roy Hodgson retires

John Smith

THE Premier League’s oldest manager, at 76, Roy Hodgson of Crystal Palace stepped down as manager of the club hours before their match with Everton on February 19.

He was taken ill a few days earlier during training and spent some time being examined in hospital before being released but clearly he had seen the wri ting on the wall.

It was always intended that he would retire at the end of this season after having (until recently) a successful return to the club which he first managed from 2017 to 2021 but results had suddenly gone against the club with 10 defeats in their past 16 Premier League games prior to his departure.

manager, as intended for this summer.”

In a club statement announcing his departure, Hodgson said: “I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new

Having managed 17 clubs and four national teams including Liverpool and England over a 48 year career, Roy Hodgson can certainly hold his head up high.

A new manager, the Austrian Oliver Glasner was in the stands to watch the 1-1 draw with Everton and whilst he may not be a well-known name in

England, he previously found some success with Vfl Wolfsburg and then Eintracht Frankfurt who he led to the Europa League Final, which they won.

Having been let go by Frankfurt in 2023, one year before his contract expired, the Austrian now looks forward to getting Crystal Palace back into winning ways especially if their two vital players Eze and Olise make a speedy return from injury.

Roy Hodgson whilst still Crystal Palace manager.