Costa de Almeria 18 – 24 April 2024 Issue 2024

Generous donation

ON the morning of Friday April 12 Andy and Donna Walker, from the Community Choir All Aloud, delivered toys valued at more than €600 to the Children’s Ward at the La Immaculada Hospital in Huerca-Overa.

The donation was paid for from funds raised at the Choir’s coffee morning in March and knowing that the Childrens’ Ward receives only €100 a year to spend on education and play resources and were overjoyed at the donation.

With some €850 available from the group’s Go Get Funding page it was decided to find out how best the Choir could help the hospital and Gemma, the Education and Play coordinator for the ward, had previously suggested that rather than simply giving money to the hospital the group buy items needed by the ward and then provided a list of desired items.

Friday’s visit was the first instalment of the gifts which were welcomed by the hospital’s Management Team and it was suggested that the Choir should perform a concert for the kids in June.

Further visits with additional items will continue as long as funds are available. For those wishing to keep track of All Aloud’s activities you can follow on the All Aloud Facebook Group Page

The group meets on a Wednesday afternoon in the Kubatin Bar in Arboleas at 3pm with the next meeting on Wednesday May 1 and all are welcome to attend.

The medical team were delighted with the gifts.

Credit: All Aloud Choir

Solar eclipse

ALMERIA will be able to witness rare celestial events, including solar eclipses, over the next few years. While Spain will experience a partial solar eclipse on March 29, 2025, the real spectacle is set to begin in 2026.

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Spain, missing Almeria but touching several other regions. However, Almeria won’t miss out entirely. On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will pass through southern Spain, including parts of Almeria. This event will o er a longer period of totality, providing a unique viewing opportunity.

Not to be left out, Almeria will experience an annular solar eclipse on January 26, 2028. During this event, the sun will not be completely covered, creating a stunning ring of re e ect visible in the

northern areas of the province.

These celestial events are rare opportunities, with experts noting that witnessing a total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people. After this series of eclipses, the next chance to see one in Europe won’t be until 2081. It’s important to note the di erent types of solar eclipses: total, partial, and annu

lar. A total eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, while a partial eclipse only covers part of it. An annular eclipse happens when the moon appears smaller than the sun, leaving a ring of sunlight visible. Although some areas of Almeria may miss out on these events, they still o er a unique chance for many to witness the wonder of the cosmos.

One-handed barber

FRANCIS DE LA CALLE, is a remarkable barber from Almeria who has deed the odds and risen to the top of his profession despite facing a signi cant challenge: he only has one hand. When a recracker accident robbed him of his left hand at the age of 19, Francis could have been discouraged. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to excel further.

Now, at 23, Francis operates the Delacalle Barber barbershop in Balerma. Despite being described as a ‘one-armed barber’, he has become a symbol of resilience and talent in the industry. Through TikTok and other social media platforms, Francis shares his creations and o ers training to fellow professionals, earning him thousands of followers and widespread recognition.

Francis’s journey to success began with a dream to become a hairdresser. Despite scepticism from others, he pursued his

Overcoming

passion wholeheartedly. His determination paid o when he won the national Battle of Barbers before even turning 20.

One of the key innovations that facilitated Francis’s return to the barber’s chair was a specially designed glove. Crafted by a talented dressmaker, this glove enabled him to hold the comb with his prosthetic hand and wield the

scissors with his remaining one.

Re ecting on his journey, Francis remains resolute and optimistic. He sees his disability not as a setback but as a catalyst for growth.

Today, Francis stands among the best hairdressers in Spain, a shining example of what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and a positive attitude.

many challenges to become the best.

Credit: Creative Commons

Eclipses crossing Spain in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Winning again

IN the ONCE draw on Sunday, April 7, Almeria had reason to celebrate once again. The winning number 57383 brought a prize of €20,000 per ticket and was sold at a BP petrol station in Albox.

Mojacar roundabout

MOJACAR Town Council plans the construction of new access to the interchange and the Health Centre in Mojacar with an investment €350,000 in a roundabout that will eliminate any risks for both pedestrians and drivers.

Worker falls

A WORKER fell from some ladders on a construction site in Garrucha. The incident occurred at 8.15am on April 9. Emergency services were called and the injured worker was taken to Torrecardenas University Hospital in Almeria by helicopter.

Cleaner Albox

KEEPING Albox clean is everyone’s responsibility. Albox Town Council is cracking down on dumping rubbish in urban spaces, with penalties of up to €1,500. The council is committed to cleanliness, but they need everyone’s help.

Las Negras

LAS NEGRAS stands out as one of the most charming and tourist-friendly villages in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. While its beach may not be the most famous, its central location within the park makes it an excellent choice for a relaxing break.

Once inhabited almost exclusively by shermen, Las Negras now shares its space with tourists. About half of its 350 registered inhabitants are foreigners, mainly Germans, drawn to the area’s tranquillity and scenic beauty. Despite the in ux of

The village derives its name from the nearby mountain, El Cerro Negro, a massive dark volcanic mass whose erosion has spread black stones across the sea

Almeria perfume

A PERFUME, inspired by Almeria, has been created and captures the essence of the city’s free and rebellious spirit. French designer Amelie Bourgeois crafted ‘Almeria’ for Loumari, drawing from the city’s contrasts and Mediterranean charm.

The scent mirrors Almeria’s character, blending sweet, fresh, and spicy notes with a woody, citrus, and fruity intensity. Designed for both men and women, it features almond, bitter orange blended with black pepper, rose, and cinnamon and a touch of Virginia cedar, tobacco, caramel, musk, and vanilla.

Bourgeois envisioned ‘Almeria’ as a sensory experience, combining the city’s coastal allure with its oriental, fresh, and owery heritage.

Drawing from her childhood memories in coastal and rural regions, Bourgeois aimed to capture Almeria’s essence. Her extensive experience in the beauty industry allowed her to re ne each note meticulously, creating a fragrance that pays homage to the province’s charm.

This mastery of scent earned her recognition as one of the most sought-after perfumers in the industry.

Animal rescue funds

ON April 8 the Almeria City Council approved a €1.3 million contract with Athisa Medio Ambiente SAU for animal rescue, collection, and care services. The two year contract may be extended for another three years.

The contract aims to handle the collection of lost and abandoned animals across public areas, including pets, production animals, and wildlife. It also involves caring for animals housed in the Mu-

nicipal Zoo Sanitary Centre.

Government Team spokesperson Sacramento Sanchez noted a 140 per cent increase in spending compared to 2019 due to rising costs and expanded services following the approval of a Municipal Ordinance on pet protection. Sta is expected to increase, with plans to hire more caregivers, administrative assistants, and veterinary sta .

The expansion of sta and increased expenses are also attributed to the implementation of the CER method and a higher in ux of animals received by the municipal facilities, which expanded in 2021.

ge’s beaches, giving them a distinctive colour.

The proximity to Cala San Pedro, a haven for hippie communities for many years, infuses Las Negras with a bohemian atmosphere. The history of Las Negras is relatively recent. Originally, most locals resided in San Pedro, a beautiful beach about an hour’s walk from the village.

However, due to mobility and geographical access, families gradually migrated to the current site of Las Negras around the 1960s.

Piracy also features in the village’s history. The rugged, volcanic coastline of Cabo de Gata, with its caves, small coves, and natural harbours, provided ideal hiding spots for pirates and their vessels.

THE Association Amigos del Sahara de Almeria is looking for foster families for the months of July and August. In collaboration with Almeria Town Hall, the Diputacion of Almeria and the town hall of Roquetas del Mar, they are hoping to find as many foster families as possible.

This summer, welcome a new member into your family, and help one of the Saharaui children spend some time away from the high temperatures and difficult life they have in the Sahara Desert.

Help this association in their goal to help as many children as possible giving them a break from the desert.

Fostering a Saharaui child is an unforgettable experience, and you will be helping ensure these boys and girls have a summer they deserve.

For more information about get in touch 661 971 520 or 661 971 521.

One of the colourful streets in Las Negras.

+34 951 38 61 61 euroweeklynews.com

Jules Phillips

TEN-YEAR-OLD Triana from Huercal-Overa, achieved her dream of appearing on La Voz Kids.

With her heart full of excitement and her voice ready, she bravely stepped onto the stage for the blind auditions. Singing ‘How to Look at You’ by Sebastián Yatra, she aimed to win over the audience.

The tension was high as Triana sang, hoping one of the four coaches would turn their chair around. At the very last moment, Melendi, the famous singer

from Asturias, pressed his button, spinning his chair around to choose Triana for his team. It was a thrilling and unexpected moment for Triana, who had almost given up hope.

Tears of joy streamed down Triana’s face as she realised her dream was coming true. From the streets of Huercal-Overa to the spotlight of one of TV’s biggest shows, Triana’s angelic voice captured the hearts of the audience. Her journey on La Voz Kids is just beginning, and now she’ll continue on with Melendi by her side.

THE Calar Alto observatory in Almeria spotted a massive fireball streaking across the skies of Andalucia. This happened in the early hours of Sunday April 14 when a blazing rock zoomed over Andalucia at a whopping 85,000 kilometres per hour.

Not just in Almeria, other observatories in An-

Fireball over Almeria

dalucia, like those in Granada Province, Huelva, and Sevilla, also witnessed the colossal fireball’s passage.

After investigating, Professor Jose Maria Madiedo, the Principal Investigator of the SMART Project at the Institute of Astrophy-

sics of Andalucia IAACSIC, concluded that the fireball originated from an asteroid. This finding was detailed by the Calar Alto Observatory in a statement.

Essentially, a piece of rock broke away from an asteroid and entered our

atmosphere at 65,000 kilometres per hour. The bright part of the event began at 90 kilometres above ground, just on the border of Malaga and Granada provinces. Then, it travelled northeast, crossing the entire province of Granada, and finally ended at 25 kilometres above the south of Jaen Province.

Triana from Huercal-Overa on the Voice Kids.

Credit: La Voz Kids

Tourism housing

Jules Phillips

OVER 10,000 homes designated for tourism are now available in Almeria, providing a total of 49,000 beds, with 41 per cent of these located within the province. This expansion of tourism-related housing is particularly noticeable in coastal areas, surpassing initial estimates set by the Andalucian government.

Regulations were introduced by the Ministry of Tourism in mid-2016 to formalise the operation of homes previously operating in the informal holiday rental market. Initially, it was estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 apartments and flats were operating informally, based on listings on internet portals and through real estate agencies with high demand along the province’s coastline. This surge in tourist accommodation, driven by

communication technologies and vacation rental platforms, has become a dominant feature of the tourism landscape. Over the past eight years, it has transformed from a niche phenomenon to a major player, overtaking traditional accommodation options such as campsites, rural houses, tourist apartments, and hotels.

These tourism homes now make up almost 42 per cent of the total available beds in the sector, with approximately 50,000 places offered.

The rise of tourist housing has outpaced hotel establishments, with over 13,000 more beds available compared to hotels, hostels, and pensions combined. Municipalities such as Vera, Roquetas, and Mojacar are leading this trend, with Vera boasting over 10,000 beds across 2,233 properties.

While this growth pre-

sents opportunities for increasing tourism supply and reducing seasonality, it also brings challenges. The Andalucian government has introduced a new decree to regulate this type of accommodation, setting minimum requirements such as a surface area of 14 square metres per guest.

Local authorities are also empowered to limit or prohibit such activities through urban planning regulations.

Despite the benefits, concerns about coexistence and sustainability have emerged, prompting some municipalities to consider local ordinances to manage this rapid expansion.

While some larger cities are already exploring regulations, others remain vigilant, monitoring the situation closely to ensure a balanced tourism model that benefits both visitors and local communities.

Successful spring fest

AGE SUPPORT ALMANZORA held a very successful Spring Fest at the Arboleas Community Centre making nearly €4,000 on the evening. Vanya Ager, president, thanked all the volunteers who helped on a very busy evening, including Richard Tolman who sold hundreds of raffle tickets, the caterers and the hosts Breeze 97.7 FM. The large hall was packed and the charity is thankful for the support of Arboleas Town Hall. Everyone enjoyed being entertained by Lady Ellen sings, Skyfall, Jack Law and Harmony Duo - all really popular acts. Huge thanks also to Lisa for booking the acts and helping to organise the evening.

Age Support Almanzora has a shop and welfare office in Albox with an aim to improve the quality of life for older people

by providing emotional and practical support. All the volunteers were appreciative of the support from the community for this fundraising event and everyone had a great time.

Private homes for tourism outnumber hotels in Almeria. Credit: Creative Commons

Angela Kendall who won €100 as first prize in the raffle.

Jules Phillips

German journalists Los Bandidos

THE beautiful Almeria coast has recently showcased its natural attractions to a group of German journalists. The Provincial Council of Almeria organised a press trip, in collaboration with the Public Company for the Management of Tourism and Sports of Andalucia and the Spanish Tourism Office in Frankfurt, to promote the destination.

The visit aimed to highlight the benefits and offerings of the Costa de Almeria throughout the year. Fernando Gimenez, the Vice President and Deputy of Tourism, emphasised the goal of showcasing the region’s services, resources, and potential. Almeria boasts a fantastic climate, making it an ideal destination for active, sports, and industrial tourism.

The journalists, accompanied by a representative from the Spanish Tourism Office,

explored the province under the theme ‘Almeria Contrasts and Active Tourism’. The itinerary included activities like hiking in Cabo de Gata Natural Park, exploring the Tabernas Desert and Sierra Alhamilla, and visiting towns such as Bayarcal and Laujar de Andarax.

The programme aimed to familiarise the journalists with the diverse landscapes of Almeria, promoting it as an ideal destination for active tourism. Through this exposure, the hope is

to attract more visitors from the German market through various media channels.

LOS BANDIDOS, tackled the Almeria

Half Marathon and 10k race with 13 members on Sunday April 14. For some, it was their first time running these distances.

Despite the warm weather, the morning saw a bustling atmosphere with many runners and supportive spectators along the city route and at the finish line. Derek Wright represented Los Bandidos well, securing third place in the M70 age group.

Steve Murton finished 499th with a time of 1:42:28 and was their best ranking runner in the Half Marathon whilst in the 10k Jan Murton finished 151st with a time of 51:39.

For full results, visit: https://www. cruzandolameta.es/clasificaciones/v2/me dio-maraton-almeria-2024---1933/#clasifi caciones

ALMERIA Airport experienced a significant surge in passenger numbers during the first quarter of 2024, closing March with 53,658 passengers, marking a notable 42.5 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. This uptick in passenger traffic, averaging at 1,730 users daily, was primarily driven by the airport’s strong performance in national flights.

The majority of passengers, totalling 53,496, were recorded on commercial connections, excluding general and executive aviation. Of these, 46,484 passengers travelled to or from Spani-

Los Bandidos started in June 2018 with a small group participating in the 5k Mojacar Paseo. Since then, they’ve expanded to include road cycling, sea swimming, and triathlon groups. People of all ages, nationalities, and abilities are welcome, whether permanent residents or holidaymakers. The group is committed to integrating and supporting the local community, currently collecting donations for the Red Cross Food Bank.

Los Bandidos is a sociable group, often enjoying post-activity coffee, cake, or breakfast together. Stay updated on their activities by following them on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/49 0933409244200/

More passengers

sh cities, while 7,012 passengers opted for international flights.

The domestic market notably saw a substantial increase of 63.8 per cent compared to March of the previous year. In terms of international traffic, the United Kingdom emerged as the top destination with 6,275 passengers, followed by Iceland with 543 passengers.

In March, Almeria Airport managed

a total of 989 flights, with 622 of these being commercial flights, marking a 36.7 per cent increase in commercial operations.

The positive momentum in March contributed to the overall performance for the first three months of 2024, with a total of 133,233 passengers, reflecting a significant 44.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.

German journalists visiting some of the beautiful places in Almeria. Credit: Almeria Council

THE Torrecardenas University Hospital welcomed the Minister of Health and Consumption of the Andalucian Government, Catalina Garcia, who visited Almeria to inspect the new PET-CT facilities. These facilities aim to provide tumour detection tests locally, reducing the need for residents to travel to Granada for such examinations.

The PET-CT technology enables non-invasive diagnostic imaging, aiding in the early detection of tumours and facilitating better treatment planning. Since its installation

Pet scans

last year, over 1,500 tests have been conducted at the hospital, eliminating the need for referrals to other medical centres.

The PET-CT facilities, equipped with Siemens Biograph Vision 450 technology, offer around 3,000 scans annually. Patients undergo tests in individual rooms, with preparations taking hours before a 12-minute scan. The lead-covered rooms ensure safety, allowing specialists to monitor treatment effectiveness in real-time.

Investments in healthcare infrastructure and equipment demonstrate the government’s commitment to public health. Over €58 million have been invested in the Torrecardenas University Hospital since 2019, resulting in an increased staff of 1,251 professionals.

The government plans to invest a total of €204.7 million in infrastructure and equipment from 2019 to 2024, significantly improving healthcare services in Almeria.

Albox parking

ALBOX’s town centre has a long standing and pressing issue: a shortage of parking spots. This predicament has been a source of frustration for locals and visitors alike, impacting community life adversely. Recognising this, the Albox Town Council has sought a solution to enhance mobility and convenience for all residents. The imminent unveiling of the new public parking facility marks a significant step towards alleviating this problem. Situated on Calle Poeta Juan Berbel, near the Virgen del Saliente School and Nursery, it promises to provide much-needed relief to Albox’s inhabitants.

Spanning over 3,700 square metres, the car park boasts approximately 130 parking spaces, ensuring secure and hassle-free parking. The successful realisation of this project owes much

to the efforts of both public and private sectors, underscoring their shared commitment to enhancing Albox residents’ quality of life.

Beyond addressing residential parking demands, the facility will serve as a convenient

solution for large events held at the Fairgrounds, facilitating.

The transformation of the previously overgrown plot into a functional parking space signifies a tangible improvement in road safety and overall community well-being.

BTT Half Marathon

LUCAINENA DE LAS TORRES celebrated the success of Nicolas Mercader and Nerea Garcia after hosting the ninth Vía Verde Natural Route BTT Half Marathon, part of the XCM Series Almeria 2024. Organised by the town council, the race saw over 250 participants taking on a challenging 49.3km route.

Starting from Calle Real at 9.30am, cyclists tackled the demanding course, passing landmarks like the old calcination ovens, Los Marchalillos, and La Rambla Honda. Nicolas Mercader, Juan Miguel Planas, Juan Jose Meca formed a leading group early on, maintaining their position throughout the race. Eventually, Nicolas Mercader claimed victory in the Master 30 category, with Nerea Garcia dominating the women’s race.

The event although under hazy conditions, received enthusiastic support from spectators along the route.

Following this success, the XCM Series Almeria 2024 will continue with races in Huercal de Almeria, Velez-Blanco, Seron, Albox, Laroya, Adra, and Maria.

Credit: Torrecardenas University Hospital

The PET-CT facilities at Torrecardenas.

Red Cross Celebrate St George’s Day

IN 2023, the Red Cross in Alme ria aided nearly 63,000 indi viduals through various social initiatives. The president, Antonio Alastrue, highlighted the organisation’s challenges, activities, and accomplishments during the year. Among these, over 176,000 direct in terventions were made to assist people in need across 74 municipalities.

With the efforts of 2,800 volunteers and over 13,000 individuals and companies supporting their cause he emphasised the importance of volunteers in identifying vulnerabilities and providing assistance. The Red Cross focused on combating loneliness, particularly among older adults. They provided support to 2,620 elderly individuals to combat loneliness, health issues and digital exclusion.

Employment support was another priority, with 4,300 individuals participating in job placement activities, leading to 800 job placements.

They also provided aid to those facing

Faced with many challenges last year, the Red Cross helped over 63,000 people.

extreme vulnerability due to economic hardships, with over 28,200 individuals assisted, including 2,337 homeless people. Additionally, they supported migrants and refugees throughout their migration process, offering essential services and promoting integration.

The charity also addressed the digital divide by enhancing digital skills among vulnerable populations through projects like Click_A, benefiting 1,830 people.

Children’s welfare was prioritised, with initiatives aimed at creating safe environments and promoting positive parenting.

The Red Cross Youth section conducted various campaigns and projects benefiting over 5,000 young people.

The Relief Area provided assistance to 8,832 individuals.

IF you happen to be in Trafalgar Square, London on Sunday April 21, then prepare to witness celebrations of all that is perceived as being quintessentially English.

It might be two days before St George’s Day on April 23 but the iconic square, will for the 17th time turn red and white in honour of England’s Patron Saint.

There will be Sea Shanties, Morris Dancing, a photo opportunity with Pearly Kings and Queens, a Cockney Singalong and the chance to defeat a fiery dragon.

Here in Spain, several bars and restaurants in areas

with a significant English population will be organising their own entertainment, often using the day as an ideal excuse to raise much needed funds for charity.

St George, who since 1817 has appeared on the reverse of British Gold Sovereigns is renowned for slaying a mythical dragon to save a princess in distress but how he became a British hero despite believed to have been born in Palestine is something of a conundrum. One thing is sure and that he has been part of the English psyche for centuries and according to one report, he

was declared a patron saint of England and Catalonia, as well as Venice, Genoa and Portugal in the Middle Ages because he was the personification of the ideals of Christian chivalry. According to legend, St George fought and killed a dragon on the flat-topped Dragon Hill in Uffington, Berkshire, where it is said no grass grows where the dragon’s blood trickled down. The Prince and Princes of Wales have a relationship with the saint as their oldest son was christened George and their youngest, Louis was born on St George’s Day.

Credit: Spencer Means flickr

St George and the dragon re-enactment at Whitby Abbey.

Credit: Red Cross

Belgian King and EU

ON Wednesday April 10, His Majesty King Philip of Belgium visited the European Parliament at the invitation of its President Roberta Metsola.

This, the king’s first address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg (France) was undertaken due to the fact that Belgium has taken over the revolving Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In his speech, King Philip touched on a number of matters including climate change and praised the EU for its unity over Ukraine, the pandemic and Brexit; “The divisions within the Union are often discussed. But in our support for Ukraine in particular, we show that we can take strong decisions together.

“The struggle in Ukraine is also our struggle. This is about defending our safety and our values. We also feel threatened. Rightly so.

“We also showed this unity after the Brexit referendum. Member States also showed solidarity in the fight against the corona pandemic, with unprecedented initiatives for the joint purchase of vaccines and the European economic recovery programme. In every crisis, at every turning point, we show ourselves united and decisive.”

Bologna airport home for 9 months

LIKE Tom Hanks in the lm ‘Terminal’. Arnaldo, an elderly man, has been living in Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi airport since July 2023 because he could no longer a ord to pay rent once he retired.

During the summer months he slept outside the Bologna airport, but with the arrival of the cold weather he moved to the check-in area. A good and kind person, so much so that he was looked after daily by airport workers.

At the airport he was given meals by the sta and a sleeping bag. Occasionally travellers also leave something at the terminal, such as a blanket. Every day Arnaldo shaves in the airport toilet and chats with the Marconi security o cers.

“A co ee with the pilots, a chat with the ground sta and even a permanent seat on one of the red chairs in the check-in desks,” is how a newspaper described the daily life of 83-year-old Arnaldo who is fascinated by the stories of those who pass through the airport every day and y to exotic destinations. He secretly dreams of a trip to Iceland.

ARNALDO: Is now hoping for a small apartment.

Arnaldo’s situation was reported by Marconi Airport to the Bologna social services. who, having heard the 83-year-old’s story in the press, took action to nd him accommodation immediately.

“Arnaldo decided to move to Bologna where he immediately took up residence at the airport, without any contact with the social services on his or anyone else’s part,” explained Welfare councillor Luca Rizzo Nervo, adding, “I would like to express

Quirky museum

RELATIONSHIPS typically unravel during the winter months, with breakups peaking around mid-March. So, this may be a good time for many people to take comfort in snapshots of other people’s heartache.

my heartfelt thanks to all those who spontaneously o ered help.”

The 83-year-old is now hoping that the media attention will increase his chances of getting a new rental at.

“Possibly, someone will come along and o er me a studio apartment, a room, a shower, a small kitchenette and I’m happy,” he said. While he is waiting for that to happen, Bologna social services have now housed him in a city hotel.

Croatia has long been recognised as a fertile ground for conceptual art and is also becoming a global repository of quirky museums. The country is home to the Froggyland Museum of Illusions, the Mushroom Museum, the Museum of Hangovers, the recently opened Museum of Fake News, and one which has toured the world: the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb.

Founded by Croatian artists Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubiši almost inadvertently after they split up in 2006, the museum began as their own healing process of exploring their emotional debris. The objects it houses are a portrayal of the aftermath of love, inviting visitors to confront their own experiences of heartache and healing.

As the collection travelled the world to be shown in major galleries, it picked up more tales of love and loss along the way. It also inspired the founding of similar museums in other cities, such as Los Angeles and Brussels.

Short texts at the museum explain the objects: the Toaster from Denver, Colorado represents a relationship from 2006 to 2010:

“When I moved out, I took the toaster. That’ll show you. How are you going to toast anything now?”

The ‘divorce day mad dwarf’ encapsulates a 20-year relationship in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Photo: Screenshot / YouTube

‘Arrivederci’ to London

ITALIAN waiters are leaving the UK in droves giving the nation’s restaurants a serious staff problem, reported an Italian newspaper.

It is a long goodbye, the one that Italians, and with them 26 other people of the European Union, have given to the United Kingdom. The first blow was Brexit, which came into force on January 1, 2021: no more freedom to come and live freely in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, look for a job, learn English.

And now there is a minimum wage cap: as of April 2024, the minimum salary required to obtain a visa for a first work experience in the UK increased by 40 per cent, from around €33,000 to around €45,000 per year.

ners, with significant consequences for non-Britons without work permits. These measures will hit workers from abroad hard, including many young Europeans, including Italians, who were previously able to work in the UK without restric-

The sector that suffers the greatest backlash is hospitality. Italians, as well as many other Europeans, have traditionally found employment opportunities as chefs, waiters and shop assistants. Young Italian, Spanish, French and Polish bartenders and waiters, who are vital to the sector, are being particularly affected

Too many leftovers

DESPITE an ongoing debate regarding food waste and recycling, Finns still throw away a great deal of food.

National broadcaster YLE spoke recently to researchers from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) who calculated the amount of wasted food by sifting through household rubbish in Pirkanmaa, Finland’s second-most populated area.

Analyses indicated that sorting waste for recycling has increased slightly since 2016, with food used for biowaste rising from 35 to 39 per cent.

Nevertheless, the Luke experts found that government campaigns and higher food prices resulting from the Ukraine war have not signicantly reduced food waste.

This makes it virtually impossible to obtain a work visa for those who do not reach this figure. This higher threshold applies to many professions, including those traditionally considered unskilled, such as waiters, cooks and shop assistants. The UK has always attracted many workers from all over the world, but is becoming an increasingly difficult place to live and call home. Since April 1, legislation has come into force to clamp down on all those who want to live and work in the UK.

The country has introduced stricter rules on work visas for foreig-

A young Italian with initiative, a desire to work and curiosity about the world until a few years ago could say “I’m off to London”. Now, Italy has lost many opportunities for its young people that are instead granted - through temporary work visas - to young people under 30 from Japan or even from San Marino, provided they are outside the European Union. Perhaps Giorgia Meloni, who is close friends with Sunak and shares his anti-migratory policies, should say a few words to the British Prime Minister in defence of young Italians.

They found that each person wastes an annual 61.2 kilos of food, only 0.9 kilos less than the ndings of similar research in 2016.

Both surveys found that approximately 25 kilos of the food which Finns put in the rubbish bin each year could still have been eaten.

“People simply cannot be bothered to change their habits,” said Sampa Nisonen from Luke.

He and other team members identi ed working from home as partly to blame for so much uneaten food. People making a meal often tended to cook larger portions than they needed, they said, but did not go the trouble of freezing leftovers for another day.

“Maybe people are busy and can’t be bothered to make the e ort,” Nisonen said in the YLE interview.

“Food waste is created at all stages of the food cycle, from primary production to end consumption,” he and Kirsi Silvennoinen, a senior Luke scientist, stated in a newly-published blog post.

“Households accounted for roughly half of all food waste,” they wrote, pointing out that this was doubly regrettable because they were wasting time and e ort as well as food and money.

Hospitality sector is hardest hit.

Photo: Shutterstock / Frau aus

The big goat giveaway

MORE than 600 goats, less than 100 inhabitants. For some years now, on Alicudi, a volcanic island in the Aeolian islands near Sicily, wild goats have become a big problem.

On an island of only five square kilometres, and where less than 100 people live permanently, the animals are causing damage to the island’s typical plant species and to a substantial portion of the island’s dry stone walls, which support the so-called ‘lenze’ (plots of land facing the sea in the southern part of the island).

It’s an emergency to which the mayor has responded by offering the animals as gifts to breeders.

Mayor Riccardo Gullo, has published, through the Department of Agriculture, a public notice which gives the goats away for free and states, “those interested can go and get them.”

Animal rights activists are appalled as this, “opens up

the possibility for these wonderful animals to be slaughtered,” said the Italian Association for the Defence of Animals and the Environment (Aidaa), in a statement.

Meanwhile, the giveaway has been a runaway success.

“We’ve seen an explosion of requests,” the mayor wrote on Facebook.

Which is probably not surprising given the fact

the market would be worth around €200.

The animal activists concluded that, “we cannot accept this mass exodus of goats from the island with the risk that other islands will also follow this crazy decision,” said the animal activists of Aidaa.

“Eradicating goats from their territory for no reason whatsoever is, in our opinion, a crime of animal mistreat-

Wild goats have become a problem.

GAINING in popularity in the UK and a staple in Spain for hundreds of years, coffee is an essential which is fast becoming unaffordable.

According to the International Coffee Organisation (ICO,) the cost of coffee beans reached an all-time high in February this year.

The price of coffee in Spanish shops rose by 23 per cent in February 2024 compared to the same month in 2021, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Spain is a major manufacturer of soluble coffee and producer of caffeinated roasted coffee. Nevertheless, most of the coffee consumed in Spain is imported, amounting to almost 400,000 tonnes.

The robusta beans from Central Africa and Asia have been increasing drastically in the past decade and a half, and by 50 per cent since the beginning of this year from €1,383 per tonne to €3,923, according to the ICO. Arabica beans have become 60 per cent more expensive since October 2023.

Another reason for the price increase is distribution problems, with cargo ships avoiding the troublesome Red Sea route.

A new regulation from January 1, 2025 requires coffee marketers to prove that the product does not come from deforested land, which while undoubtedly beneficial to the environment may also increase production costs and drive up prices further.

Most imports come from countries in Africa, Central America and Asia, such as Brazil, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Coffee cultivation is vulnerable to drought as the plant requires plenty of water, and reduced bean crops mean that demand is outstripping supply.

Photo: Pickpik

Lady of the Rings Dutch King’s Day

Claude Norris

MORE than

100 years of celebrating the changing faces of the Dutch monarchy, King’s Day approaches once again on April 27.

The Netherlands are charging up for one of the largest festivities in the country, celebrating the birthday of the reigning King, Willem-Alexander.

longer than one day.

The pre-party; King’s Night, lights up the streets with live music and dancing, as well as some free festivals, including The Life I Live in The Hague or the Royal Dutch in Eindhoven.

MOUNT ETNA , located on the east coast of Italy’s island Sicily, is the highest active volcano in Europe at 3,357 metres high. In the first week of April, Etna has been in the news because of a curious and fascinating phenomenon that has attracted the attention of visitors and photographers.

King’s Day is an unusually changing tradition, which was first celebrated on August 31, 1885, in honour of Princess Wilhelmina’s birthday, and was moved to April 30 after her daughter Juliana ascended to the throne.

Today, it celebrates the birthday of the current King of the Netherlands but the festivities last much

On the King’s birthday, cities which have canals fill up with boats, where people dressed in orange; the Dutch national colour, party on usually the only functioning public transport throughout the festivity.

Flea markets and concerts are on just about every street corner across the country, and the royal family can often be spotted in public; strengthening the relationship between the royalty and the public through celebration.

The Italian volcano has expelled thousands of near-perfect smoke rings into the atmosphere due to Etna’s peculiar conditions. This is not the first time that the volcano has given onlookers this show as a similar phenomenon occurred in 2000.

“The smoke rings are formed when the volcano shoots gas at high speed through a narrow and very cylindrical duct, like a smoker,” said Boris Behncke, a scientist at the Etna Observatory of the National Institute of

Geophysics and Volcanology of Catania.

Late in the afternoon of April 2, a small chimney opened at the summit, producing bursts of incandescent gas.

“The next morning it was evident that these gusts produced an impressive amount of steam rings,” the scientist explained.

This phenomenon, called ‘volcanic vortex rings’, can be obser-

ved in different volcanoes around the world.

However, Etna is the one that generates the most rings. In 2000, Behncke recalls, it triggered some 5,000 rings in a few months.

Etna is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet and some locals in the Italian region have started to call it the ‘Lady of the Rings’.

A curious phenomenon.

King´s Day in Amsterdam

Istituto Nazionale di Geofi sica e Vulcanologia

Credit: Carmelrmd, Wikicommons

Lost winters

THE SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Science) discovered that a third of the winter season has disappeared over the past 40 years in Sweden. The SLU has been conducting research on the winter climate in Sweden, led by Professor Hjalmar Laudon. He revealed the

impact of the changing climate on Svartberget: “We have lost 58 days of meteorological winter in 40 years.”

He shared that the newly discovered figures indicate that winters in the Norrland region of Sweden have become much warmer and shorter: “It has to do with the general warming of the climate.”

Another revelation was that the water flows in streams have increased during winter, hence water flows in winter have now almost doubled. “The consequence is that it will be drier in the summer,” explained Hjalmar Laudon.

The professor also mentioned that the increase in humidity in winter will lead to inhibited growth in the forests, something which has been noted in recent years.

Port wine varnish

MIGUEL and Filipa Mateus, are violin makers and opened their workshop over two decades ago. It has already become known throughout the country and beyond, largely thanks to social media and word of mouth.

Filipa’s great-great-grandfather, Agostinho Pereira, was a violin maker at the old Casa Duarte in Sé. “We are children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of people from Ribeira, Sé and Miragaia,” said Miguel. His great-great-grandfather was part of the Royal Guard and played the cello.

Self-taught, he learnt the art of repairing stringed instruments on his own, especially violins. He met Filipa and it was only a matter of time before he opened his workshop. Today, he regrets not having started sooner. “This is where the best sound in Porto is born,” he says.

There are no imitations at Oficina dos Violinos. There’s always classical music in the air. It’s an enchanted world with bows, strings and horsehair and there is space for socialising and experimenting with musical instruments. There’s also

the workshop where Miguel and Filipa build and restore violins.

“The violins we sell are high-end and all made by me,” said Miguel. They take an average of two or three months to build and can cost anything up to €5,000.

“We’re the only violin makers to put drops of Port wine in the varnish,” reveals the craftsman, confessing that the musicians who play with his ‘Mateus’ are unanimous in saying that “they’re sweet instruments.”

Bizarre discovery

BUILDERS excavating land in the Noordkasteel district of Antwerp as part of the building of a ring road must have thought that they has stumbled into an episode of the X Files.

As they dug deep, they unexpectedly struck a large object and having previously encountered munitions and other metal objects they assumed it would be something similar but called in archaeologists to check it out.

Much to their surprise, what they uncovered was the remains of a British LNER (London North Eastern Railway) train goods carriage and from its colour and notations on its side they were able to identify that it would have been in service in the 1930s.

Hoping to find out more, they excavated the surrounding area but unfortunately it was in such fragile condition that despite doing all they could to preserve it, the carriage (which was the precursor of today’s containers) simply fell in on itself and was destroyed.

So far, no-one has been able to come up with a feasible explanation of why a British railway carriage found itself abandoned in Flanders almost 100 years ago.

Miguel and Filipa Mateus.

Photo: Facebook Oficina dos Violinos

A simple solution for your TV viewing needs

LIKE so many others, Peter Dyer came to Spain almost 23 years ago, seeking a better and simpler life in the sun away from the hustle and bustle of London. Initially, he started his new working life as a man with a van, doing local deliveries and shuttling goods between the UK and Spain.

After a few years of this, fate seem to have other plans for him when he joined a satellite TV installation company, where he quickly learnt a multitude of new skills that would lead him down a new path.

About a decade ago, the then owner of the satellite TV company decided to return to the UK, leaving Peter to take the reins of this well-established business.

As satellite TV began to fade in popularity and the era of IPTV dawned, Peter adapted his business model accordingly.

Initially offering a range of products and services to his growing clientele, Peter soon recognised the potential of Firesticks as the best and most reliable solution for his customers.

Now based in his office in Albox, Peter has certainly carved out a niche for himself, offering exceptional customer service with his

unique selling point that lies in the preinstallation of Firesticks, making them re ady for immediate use strai ght out of the box.

Catering to everyone’s needs, Peter offers packages that include popular streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, as well as Sky movies, international channels, sports networks, and catch-up TV.

With the surge in IPTV’s popularity, Peter anticipates it becoming the norm for the way that people watch TV in the future. Ensuring his customers have access to the latest technology, is really important and he provides great deals on 4K Firesticks and tailors custom solutions based on each person’s requirements. Whether it’s advice on selecting the right package or troubleshooting problems, Peter is always on hand to assist his clients.

Peter’s services come at a really affordable price, starting from just €90 per

year. This represents incredible value for money compared to similar offerings from competitors. Peter’s commitment to providing top-notch service at a reasonable cost has cemented his reputation as a trusted IPTV provider in the region.

The journey that Peter has taken since arriving in Spain, from a humble van driver to running a successful IPTV business is a testament to his adaptability and dedication to his business and his customers. As the IPTV landscape continues to evolve, Peter remains at the forefront, ensuring his clients across Almeria receive nothing but the best in TV entertainment.

An elderly lady Pesto champion

THE best pesto in the world is made by Mattia Bassi from Genoa, 56 years old, a naval engineer who lives on the Acquasanta hills in the western part of Genoa.

Bassi beat the 100 competitors from all over the world who challenged each other in the World Championship of Pesto Genovese judged by 30 experts from all over the country.

During the nal two others were awarded prizes: the oldest competitor, 90-year-old Maria Carbone, from Davagna, a small town in the Genoa hinterland, and Kelly Rocha who won in the earlier stages of the competion in Itajaì in Southern Brazil (almost 10,000 kilometres from Genoa).

Other foreign contestants also took part in the nal: Nyusuke Ota, a Japanese chef who is currently doing work experience in Florence, and Jeanne Beauvais, from Paris, who was selected during one of the preliminary rounds held under the Ei el Tower. Others came from: the United States, Spain, England, Holland, Germany, South Africa, Malta and Switzerland.

Forty minutes were allotted to each competitor to make the best pesto and to win this coveted prize as the world’s best pesto chef. The jury was composed of industry insiders, journalists, technicians, researchers and food bloggers. The winner, Mattia Bassi, said his secret was, “working with his

FATOU, the world’s oldest gorilla, and Berlin Zoo’s oldest resident, celebrated her 67th birthday on April 13.

In the wild a gorilla will live, at most, until it is 35 years old. In captivity, with human care, this can extend to 50 but Fatou shows no signs of slowing down.

She arrived in what was still called West Berlin in 1959, two years before the Wall was built. Fatou’s exact age is uncertain but according to the zoo, she must have been around two when she arrived in Europe.

She was sold by a seaman in a Marseille bar and from there she found her way to Germany and, eventually, to Berlin Zoo.

Since then her birthday has always been celebrated on April 13, the day she arrived there.

This year, Fatou’s birthday presents began arriving on April 12, when she received a basket with leaves, twigs, lettuce and fruit although as she is now toothless, she prefers soft food.

As always, she spent the day in her own enclosure which adjoins the zoo’s main gorilla group, owing to her advanced years and frailty.

“Fatou is free to make contact with her fellow great apes whenever she wants, but prefers to enjoy her retirement in peace,” the zoo explained.

Fatou only recently be-

came the Berlin Zoo’s oldest resident, following the death of Ingo the flamingo, who had lived in the zoo since 1955 and died in February 2024 when he was 75 years old.

The zoo had no clue as to his origins, although a ring on Ingo’s leg was inscribed ‘Cairo, 23.6.1948’.

Ingo was also exceptionally long-lived for a amingo, whose normal lifespan in the wild is usually calculated at approximately 30 years. Announcing his demise, zoo director Andreas Knieriem said a post-mortem showed that “multiple age-related changes” had been responsible for Ingo’s death.

Raccoons run

FIVE of the raccoons which escaped from Leeuwarden’s AquaZoo woodland nature reserve are still at large.

The Stichting AAP charity, a shelter which takes in exotic mammals from all over Europe, sent 12 raccoons to AquaZoo at the end of March where they were housed in a new, specially-built enclosure.

Two sections of wire netting had not been securely fixed and the same day that they arrived, 11 of the raccoons managed to dig their way out, leaving just one of them behind.

Cage traps were laid out and baited with tempting marshmallows, cherry syrup, sweets and eggs, all of which raccoons are partial to.

Six have been recovered so far, with the most recent returnee found in one of the cages on the morning of April 13. None will be on public view for some time, as AquaPark’s director Jeroen Loomeijer explained that the animals need to recover from the upheaval of their move to Leeuwarden and their time on the run.

Employees from the Friesland provincial authority as well the local water board continue to search for the five missing raccoons, although Loomeijer said the chances of recovering them diminished with each day.

They survive well in Netherlands’ conditions and would probably find a safe place where they could settle in, like other escaped raccoons in Limburg and the Achterhoek area.

Essence of the land.

Photo: Shutterstock / Anthony Feoutis

FATOU: Berlin Zoo’s oldest resident photographed in 2018.

Photo credit: CC/Redrobsche

They speak your language

ARRIVING in Estepona from Belgium with their two kids in 2003, Ismael a project manager in the building trade and his wife Ann embarked on a new life in the sun. After a couple of years, they decided to make the move to Almeria in 2005 and after working for another estate agent and much persuasion from Ismael, Ann finally agreed that setting up an agency on their own was a gamble worth taking. And that gamble has taken off!

Setting up Almeria Property Investments (API) in 2014 was no easy task but with hard work and unsurpassed customer service and after care they really made a success.

Working out of their office in Vera, the couple had a strategy that was somewhat unique, not only finding the best house for their clients and getting the best prices for those selling as is the usual action for estate agents. They approached things a little bit differently. With Ismael’s background in project management in construction, he could not only advise on what could be done aesthetically and legally but he could also organise his team of skilled builders to help create your dream house.

And with Ann

taking the reins of the back office and admin, they created a formidable team that was trusted by their growing clientele.

Originally from Belgium, they of course have a large client base of expats from their native country but speaking five languages means that they really do speak your language, and this is very important in the current international clientele that is choosing to move to Almeria.

ly what they are looking for.

The biggest problem they are currently facing says Ismael, is the lack of new build properties that many clients are looking for. He also added that many clients are downsizing from large inland properties to smaller beachfront apartments and finding that their sofa will not fit in the lounge.

This is where their expert guidance really pays off, making all the pieces fit together so that the clients find exact-

In the summer months API becomes even more of a family business as their son comes to help out, also being a polyglot is a real bonus.

They have no plans to grow too large as they love the closeness they currently have with all their clients and as Ann says, it is difficult to maintain this when you become a larger and seemingly faceless agency.

This closeness is really highlighted by the many clients returning years later to ask their advice on even simple matters.

Phone: +34 950 460 874. Mobile: +34 670 596 085

Email: info@almeriapropertyinvestments.com

Ronda de las Buganvillas, 42, 04621 Vera, Almería

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

Anna Akopyan

IN a recent Facebook post by the Euro Weekly News, the readers shared their thoughts on the ongoing drought and its e ects on Spanish residents.

Lyn Fryer shared: “Twenty years here, never known such a long period without proper rainfall. I experienced water rationing in the Channel Islands when we lacked an extra reservoir. You really feel for the farmers and with the loss of crops, this will hit the food supply drastically. We all need to conserve our consumption of water drastically.”

Andy McCluskey emphasised: “It’s about time they built many more desalination plants.”

Judish Dominique Wolfenegg revealed: “We have a desalination plant here on Lanzarote, but had to face huge problems last summer when one of the pipelines broke. No watering of plants, no washing of dishes/clothes, no showers - awful in the middle of the heatwave.”

In Costa del Sol, water restrictions were imposed, prohibiting the lling of private pools, including those in tourist homes. Business owners protested in Malaga, claiming that their life income would “go to ruin.”

Some comments addressed this but Heath Savage mentioned: “If reduced use of pools is all we have to concern ourselves with, we will be ne.”

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Star Rentals is definitely 5-star

Jules Phillips

STAR Rent a Car is most definitely a reliable choice for anyone looking for either short or long-term vehicle rentals across Almeria.

to create an effortless, convenient, and stress-free rental experience.

All of their cars and vans are maintained to very high standards to ensure maximum comfort, security and peace of mind for the duration of your rental.

Views on drought Royal popularity

Based in Huercal-Overa this rapidly growing company offers a diverse fleet of high-quality passenger vehicles and vans at very competitive rates. With automatics, manuals, SUV, 4x4, hybrids and much more available, you are spoilt for choice.

Their team of professionals are always on hand to offer advice and assistance in selecting the ideal vehicle helping

From those just visiting on a tour of the beautiful coast of Almeria, or locals in need of a reliable solution for a short-term rental, Star Rent a Car is a great choice.

Covering most of Almeria, including Mojacar, Vera Playa, Garrucha, Pulpi, and Huercal-Overa their service is second to none.

Being a step ahead of the competition, when you rent for more than five days, they will deliver your chosen vehicle to your house and of course you can get all the additional options you need from car seats to bike racks.

For inquiries or bookings, be sure to check out their website or call them and discover how easy it is to rent a car from them!

AV. FELIPE VI Nº43, 04600 - Huercal-Overa (Almeria)

Tel: +34 607 626 905.

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AMID concerns about Kate Middleton’s health, a recent YouGov survey found that she’s the most admired royal among the public.

Her popularity has gone up, with 76 per cent of Britons feeling positive about her. That’s six points higher than earlier this year.

Her husband, Prince William, is also well-liked, with 73 per cent of people having a favourable view of him.

But more people (21 per cent) feel negatively about Prince Charles compared to Kate’s 15 per cent.

Princess Anne comes in third in popularity, with 71 per cent of people liking her.

She also has the fewest negative views among all the royals, with only 13 per cent of people feeling unfavourable towards her.

is generally liked by 63 per cent of the public, 30 per cent of people have negative opinions about him.

Prince Harry and Meghan still face public disapproval, with only 31 per cent and 26 per cent of people feeling positively towards them, respectively.

Prince Andrew is the least liked royal, with only 6 per cent of Britons having a positive view of him, while a big

have negative opinions.

Younger people tend to have more negative views about the royals, but 18-24 year-olds like Prince Harry and Meghan, although opinions are divided in this age group.

Interestingly, while King Charles may not be as popular with the youngest generation, both Prince William and Kate Middleton are well-liked among them.

IRELAND

North and South

A REPORT by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that women in Ireland were more likely to earn less than those working in Northern Ireland. The report’s authors suggested that Northern Ireland had a narrower gender pay gap owing to its higher percentage of female public sector workers.

Stormy weather

STORM KATHLEEN, which swept across Ireland on April 6, left thousands of homes and businesses without electricity, affecting 34,000 customers at one point. Dozens of flights had to be cancelled as the Met Eireann weather service issued a Status Yellow gale as gusts reached up to 110 kilometres per hour.

NORWAY

Quality time

PEACEFUL Vadso in the Arctic Circle near the Russian border is seeking European Commission permission to introduce a time zone with 26-hour days. Wenche Pedersen admitted she was unsure how the MOREtime project would work but said it would offer visitors and prospective residents the chance to enjoy quality time.

Good figures

FIGURES from Statistics Norway (SSB) showed inflation of 3.9 per cent for the year ending March 2024. Growth had slowed for the third consecutive month, the ASS said, pointing out that with the exception of September 2023, this was the first time 12-month inflation had dropped below 4 per cent since January 2022.

EURO PRESS

NETHERLANDS

Pedal alert

TRAFFIC accidents took the lives of 684 people in the Netherlands in 2023, 61 fewer than during 2022, although for the fourth consecutive year the majority of victims were cyclists, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) announced. Of the 270 cyclists involved, 40 per cent were riding an e-bike and almost half were over the age of 75.

CYCLING: More vulnerable on Netherlands roads than drivers.

SWEDEN

Think again

THE Folklisten party (The People’s List) started by a former Christian Democrat MEP Sara Skyttedal and Jan Emanuel, an ex-Social Democrat national MP, will include eliminating asylum rights in its manifesto for the European elections. The party also proposes to renegotiate Sweden’s European Union membership.

Bomb scare

A 17-YEAR-OLD, believed to be a “runner” for a gang was detained and remanded after he was spotted carrying at least two kilos of dynamite through Gothenburg Central Station, a local newspaper reported. A police officer present at the arrest said afterwards that the explosives were ready to be ignited.

PORTUGAL BELGIUM

Flights off

THE inauguration of the first direct connection between the Algarve and the US has been postponed and all the planned flights between Faro and Newark have been removed from the airline’s 2024 schedule. Citing “airline sources”, the Simple Flying website said the launch is now planned for the summer of 2025.

Logo fail

EDUARDO AIRES, Portugal’s leading graphic designer, was paid €74,000 to create a new logo for the current government’s predecessors. Criticised as “unpatriotic” and “woke” when it was introduced, the logo has now been withdrawn, while Aires lamented that his design had been turned into “a projectile weapon.”

DENMARK GERMANY

Cobbled up

FAMILIES in Copenhagen’s Christiana district, tired of drug trafficking and its associated violence, took matters into their own hands by tearing up the cobbles in the street where cannabis sellers openly set up their stalls to prevent their return. The event was attended by the city mayor and Denmark’s Justice minister.

Fjord’s demise

A CROWD of 1,000 lined the banks of the Vejle Fjord to attend an open-air “funeral” for this inlet which is badly polluted by agricultural runoff from factory farming. Last year, this country had the heaviest deoxygenation in 25 years,” Christian Fromberg, who organised the event for Greenpeace, told the AFP news agency.

Getting on

A REPORT by the Bertelsman Foundation based on figures provided by the Federal Statistical Office found that Germany was getting older, with increased ageing evident in almost all states. The same report revealed that the percentage of over-65s would increase from 22 per cent in 2020 to 28 per cent by 2040.

Out of joint

THE next Oktoberfest in Munich will be “cannabis-free” although the drug was partially decriminalised throughout Germany on April 1. Regional president Markus Soder, recently declared that although millions of litres of beer would be consumed during the annual celebration, Bavaria would not become a “stoner’s paradise.”

FRANCE

Backfire

CANDIDATES in this year’s European elections disagree over using TikTok during their campaigns. Socialist Raphaël Glucksmann has given up his 60,000 as he did not want to “play the fool” while Samuel Lafont, a strategist for the nationalist Reconquete party, said that Glucksman “was shooting himself in the foot.”

Meaty problem

THE Council of State, France’s top administrative court, suspended a government decree banning the use of 21 terms like “steak” or “ham” frequently applied when labelling plant-based products. The court said there was “serious doubt” regarding the ban’s legality, and it now awaits a ruling from the EU’s Court of Justice.

FINLAND

Evasive action

POPULAR YouTuber Beata Rodas, known for her gaming and lifestyle advice, is suspected of evading €80,000 in taxes, the Iltalehti newspaper reported. The 29-year-old, who has 385,000 subscribers allegedly conducted business under her professional name without filing a 2019-2020 tax return.

Radio star

JANNE MAKELA, a researcher at Helsinki’s University of the Arts, maintained that state radio Yleisradio was instrumental in disseminating the music of classical composer Jean Sibelius. Showcasing the country’s cultural offerings on a global stage “significantly enhanced” Sibelius’s stature, Makela concluded.

Cold comfort

ALTHOUGH temperatures rose to 24 degrees in early April, people visiting or living on the coast were reminded that sea swimming was banned until there were lifeguards on the beaches. The Coastal Rescue Service added that despite the fine weather, the water was still exceptionally cold “and would not be healthy for swimmers.”

Doing business

KAZAKHSTAN and Belgium agreed to create a joint business forum during Trade official Kairat Torebayev’s visit to Brussels, which included talks with Rose Donck from Belgium’s Foreign Trade Agency. Two hundred companies from both countries will take part in talks scheduled to take place in Belgium throughout 2024.

ITALY

Stamp honour

MINISTERS approved plans for a postage stamp commemorating the late Silvio Berlusconi, former prime minister and an often-scandalous tycoon who died in June 2023, aged 86. “He was a great Italian who served and honoured the Republic in all his roles,” declared senator Licia Ronzulli from the Forza Italia party.

Top marks

ITALY’S higher education system was ranked seventh-best in the world and the second-best in the European Union according to the latest QS World University Rankings. Globally, Italy followed the US, the UK, China, Germany and Canada while inside the European Union, it was overtaken only by Germany.

Photo credit: CC/ Jorge Royan

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Burn-out

FRAGRANCE company Jo Malone’s profits fell by 15.7 per cent to £24.4 million (€28.48 million) during the year that ended in June 2023. The company, which is owned by Estee Lauder, blamed inflation and the cost-of-living crisis for a drop-off in sales of perfume and candles costing up to £370 (€432.83) each.

All alone

JOSEP OLIU, president of Banco Sabadell, rejected suggestions of a merger with any of its competitors, and Unicajainparticular. Talkingto the media before the Annual General Meeting on April 10, Oliu said the bank’s roadmap followed an unaccompanied route, focusing on increased profitability and its share price.

Too much

PHARMACEUTICALS company AstraZeneca’s Pascal Soriot could be the first FTSE 100 chief executive who takes home a £150 million (€175 million) paypacket if investors approve salary and bonus proposals. Two shareholder advisory groups are now encouraging shareholders to vote against the “excessive” pay plan.

Pay back

CATALONIA’S regional government has ordered Endesa to compensate 82,000 clients with sums of between €30 and €75 after its Environment department found that they had been overcharged. Endesa sources attributed the discrepancies to “profound and continuous changes in the regulations.”

Not so subtle

FORMER Shell chief executive Ben Van Beurden hinted recently that the company could leave London’s Stock Exchange and list in New York as US investors were “more positive” about fossil fuels. Van Beurden also suggested that the UK market “massively undervalued the £180 billion ((€166 billion) company.

STAT OF WEEK

€2.2 billion

Goodbye Argentina

HSBC’S decision to sell off its business in Argentina for $550 million (€506.9 million) will cost it $1 billion (€921.7 million).

HSBC Argentina, with more than 100 branches and 3,100 employees, is to be bought by Grupo Financiero Galicia, a major private financial group.

Currently Argentina’s fifth-largest bank, it will become the country’s second most-important after Banco Nacion once the deal goes through.

London-based HSBC, the largest in Europe, has been battling Argentina’s unstable exchange rate for years after disembarking in 1997 on taking

over and renaming Banco Roberts.

In 2019, $1 (€0.92) was worth 43 pesos but now costs more than 860 pesos, while March 2024’s annual inflation rate of 276.2 per cent was the highest in the world.

The bank has gradually sold off other global ope-

JUAN ROIG, Mercadona’s chairman, chief executive and also its majority shareholder received a salary of €12 million in 2023.

This was 9 per cent more than the €11 million that Roig was paid in both 2021 and 2022.

The family-owned company saw a 2023 turnover of €32.86 billion last year, an increase of 15 per cent on 2022, with a net profit of €1.009 billion which was 40 per cent more than during the previous year.

The chain also announced a dividend payout of €201.07 million, 25 per cent up on 2023.

rations as it concentrates on Asia’s rapidly-expanding markets and is preparing for a $1 billion loss in 2024’s first quarter owing to the HSBC Argentina sale.

The exact size of the loss would depend on “several reasons” which include associated

hyperinflation and foreign currency translation, HSBC said on April 9. It also expects to lose a further $4.9 billion (€4.5 billion) over the year, after incorporating Argentina’s financial performance, calculated in pesos, onto HSBC’s general balance in US dollars.

“These reserve losses have accumulated over many years,” the bank said, revealing that in 2023 alone these grew by $1.8 billion (€1.66 billion).

The exact losses could easily change between now and when the sale is completed, because the exchange rate is constantly changing, sources added.

Payrise for Roig

With his 50.66 per cent holding of Mercadona shares, Roig received €101.8 million in dividends, bringing his total earnings up to almost €120 million. Herrecha Inversiones, headed by Roig’s wife and Mercadona vice-chairman, Hortensia Herrero, received €55.7 million, although both allocate a large proportion of their dividend income to social programmes via their Proyecto Legado foundation.

Less pressure Going public Beg pardon

MARKS & SPENCER is spending £1 million (€1.17 million) on modifying the diet of the herds which provide its milk.

Working with the 40 dairy farmers who supply them, M & S hopes to reduce the annual 11,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions caused when the animals burp, break wind and deposit cowpats.

A feed supplement derived from mineral salts and a byproduct of fermented corn should help prevent the cows’ digestive enzymes from forming methane, reducing fresh milk’s carbon footprint by 8.4 per cent.

PUIG, the Barcelona-based cosmetics company, announced on April 8 that it intended to raise more than €2.5 million in an initial public offering (IPO).

The flotation would be the largest seen in Spain since the sale of 150,000,000 shares in Spain’s airport operator Aena in February 2015.

The Puig family plans to sell €1.25 billion in new shares and a still larger sum in existing stock, according to the term sheet outlining key terms and conditions seen by Reuters.

The Puig family would retain a majority holding in the company and most of the company’s voting rights.

A public listing would align the firm, which was founded in 1914 and owns Carolina Herrera, Nina Rici and Charlotte Tilbury, with other exclusive cosmetics companies, chairman and chief executive Marc Puig said.

Mining clash

BERKELEY ENERGIA, listed in Madrid and London, is taking its uranium mining dispute with Spain to arbitration.

The Retortillo project near Salamanca received preliminary approval in 2013, Berkeley said, but met opposition from residents and prompted security concerns from the Nuclear Safety Council.

In 2021 the Energy ministry refused to approve the €250-million investment which would have generated more than 2,500 jobs, and rejected an appeal in 203. After submitting an arbitration request to the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), Berkeley shares rose by 17 per cent in Madrid and 11 per cent in London.

Patience needed

BASF’S Tarragona subsidiary awaits a decision from its German parent company regarding a future recycling plant for electric vehicle batteries.

Director general Carles Navarro said on April 10 that he expected a decision from the chemicals’ multinational “within the next few months.”

Although Navarro avoided going into details regarding the sums involved, the Spanish media revealed last February that the recycling installation would cost between €500 and €700 million.

Brussels is already committed to a €100 million grant, while there should be further subsidies from Spain’s national and regional governments.

PRICE inflation was easing, said the UK’s biggest supermarket chain Tesco as it reported pretax profits of £2.3 billion (€2.68 billion).

Sales rose 4.4 per cent to £68.2 billion (€79.6 billion) in the year ending on February 24, chief executive Ken Murphy announced, adding that the company was aware that “things were still difficult” for many customers.

Tesco had worked hard to cut prices, Murphy said, with schemes directed at offering shoppers better value for money.

More than 4,000 products were cheaper by late 2023 than at the beginning, he said, with average price cuts of around 12 per cent.

Not so keen

A NUMBER of Nationwide members are organising a petition and asking the building society to give them a voice over its proposed Virgin Money takeover.

Nationwide’s chief executive Debbie Crosbie contends that there is no valid reason for asking the opinion of the 16 million members who own the mutual and pointed out that organising a consultation could hold up the £2.9 billion (€3.38 billion) deal.

Members argued that increasing Nationwide by a third was risky and wanted to know how it would benefit customers.

paid by the Swedish global investment fund EQT for a majority stake in the Valencia-based European University, the group’s first education investment.

Photo credit: CC/Asqueladd

Photo credit: CC/Mattbuck

HSBC: London-based giant sells HSBC Argentina.

JUAN ROIG: Mercadona chairman earned almost €120 l

Talking down

THE TalkTV news channel lost at least £90 million (€105.2 million) before Rupert Murdoch switched to streaming in March 2024. News UK accounts revealed the broadcaster, which began operations in 2022, lost £54 million (€63 million) in the year ending July 2023, with losses of £88 million (€102.8 million) in only two years.

Take note

ANTONIO GARAMENDI, president of Spain’s Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE), said employees should receive Social Security contributions with their salaries and pay them in themselves. That would help to make them aware of the real cost of these payments to employers, Garamendi added, even though the amounts paid appeared on their payslips.

Exit and entrance

SHARON WHITE, John Lewis Partnership (JLP) chair, bows out in September, five months short of her five-year term. With no plans for a second term, White will be the shortest-serving chair in JLP’s history, according to the BBC. The broadcaster, which revealed in October 2023 that she was leaving her £1.1 million (€1.28 million) a year post, also reported that there would be no payoff.

Chery arrives in Barcelona

CHERY AUTO will be the first Chinese manufacturer to build vehicles in Spain.

Chery is one of several Chinese carmakers selling low-priced electric and fossil fuel vehicles in European Union countries, including Spain.

Negotiations with EV Motors have now concluded, said sources quoted by the financial daily Cinco Dias. The formal signing is scheduled for April 19.

Production will begin at the disused Nissan site in Barcelona’s Zona Franca logistics and industrial area where the Japanese company halted its Barcelona operation in late 2021 when the last e-NV200 electric van left the assembly line, taking with it approximately 1,600 jobs.

EV Motors reportedly acquired “full corporate control” of the plant in March 2024.

Six months on, the company announced that White would be succeeded by Jason Tarry, Tesco chief executive for six years until his 2023 departure.

While there, he was applauded for restoring the supermarket’s competitiveness and making customers central to the business. This is something he will be called upon to replicate at John Lewis.

The Partnership lost a pre-tax total of £778 million (€909.4 million) over the three years ending in January 2022 but announced a pre-tax profit of £56 million (€65.6 million) in the 12 months to January 27, 2024. Nevertheless, the company has not yet restored its annual bonus to staff, all of whom are partners.

Tarry is likely to make huge changes to the Partnership’s “social club” tone, insiders said, but agreed that he could be “absolutely perfect” for John Lewis.

Tous profits

SPANISH jewellery firm

Tous reported a €477 million turnover for 2023, an increase of 6 per cent on the previous year and 21 per cent more than its 2019 sales. Net profits in 2023 rose to €50 million, 40 per cent more than those of 2022 and 72 per cent up on 2019 before the pandemic slashed sales.

DESPITE future net zero carbon regulations, UK energy company EnQuest will begin drilling at the biggest North Sea oil field to be discovered in 20 years. Two sites adjoining the Kraken oil and gas field 80 miles (128.7 kilometres) off Shetland have the potential to produce between 600 million and one billion barrels of crude oil, EnQuest said.

Photo credit: Speakers for schools

JASON TARRY: Tesco’s former chief takes over at John Lewis

Almeria Citadel

Jules Phillips

THE ancient and beautiful city of Almeria owes its name to its impressive citadel. The name originates from the Arabic word for watchtower: Al-Mari’yah. The term Alcazaba itself comes from the Arabic word al-qasbah, referring to a walled fortification within a city.

Construction of the Alcazaba fortress began in the 10th century, serving as a defensive citadel. It housed military com-

pounds, public baths, a mosque, houses, and a palace for the Moorish Kings during their visits to the city. Over time, each ruler added new areas and features to the Alcazaba.

Although the Alhambra in Granada is more renowned, the Alcazaba of Almeria holds the title of being the largest Muslim fortress in both Spain and Europe. While the Alhambra may be physically larger, it’s regarded more as

a palace than a fortress. Almeria’s Alcazaba is an imposing structure and with impressive curtain-like walls rising from the cliffs made it one of Spain’s most formidable Moorish fortresses. Despite lacking the intricate decoration of Granada’s Alhambra, it remains a magnificent sight.

The Alcazaba is divided into three distinct compounds. The lowest, the ‘Primer Recinto’, was once residential, featu-

ring houses, streets, wells, baths, now replaced by lush gardens and water channels.

From the battlements, you can overlook the city’s rooftops and see the Muralla de Jayran, a fortified wall from the 11th century built to defend the city’s outlying northern and eastern areas.

Further up in the ‘Segundo Recinto’, you’ll discover the ruins of the Muslim rulers’ palace, built by the taifa ruler Almotacin (r 1051–91), at the peak of medieval Almeria’s glory. Here you’ll also find a chapel, the Ermita de San Juan, originally a mosque.

The highest section, the ‘Tercer Recinto’, is a cast-

INTERVIEW

le added by the Catholic Monarchs’. Constructed of dressed blocks of honey-coloured sandstone, Almeria castle seems to almost glow in the sun. This makes a visit in early morning or late afternoon particularly rewarding.

The castle and Alcazaba are owned and ad-

ministered by the Junta de Andalucia which has been gradually restoring the structure and putting in the attractive gardens. Although there is no admission fee, the number of visitors is quite low, giving the opportunity to wander at leisure, and enjoy the beauty of this citadel in the sun.

Broadening horizons

Four years ago, Louise Macfarlane, originally from England, took a bold step towards her dream by relocating to Spain permanently.

WHAT initially drew her to the country was its sunny climate, but it soon proved to be more than just a romantic notion; it became the solution to her health issues. The abundant sunshine and the therapeutic properties of the Mediterranean sea proved to be the best remedy for her bodily pains.

Having worked as a nurse in the past, Louise decided to turn her hobby of crafting into a business venture upon settling in Spain. This led to the creation of Crafty Corner, a space dedicated to fostering friendships and connecting individuals from various nationalities within the community.

Louise has developed a deep affection for her life in Spain. She cherishes the climate, the tranquility, and the unhurried pace of Spanish living, remarking, “I never need a coat here, it’s fantastic,” with a hint of humour.

Despite missing her friends, family, and familiar shops back in England,

Though navigating paperwork and driving in Spain initially posed challenges, Louise has adapted to these differences, viewing them as part of her new normal. She now drives confidently in her daily life. Expressing a desire to learn Spanish and make Spanish friends, she muses, “I would love to engage in language exchanges and meet new people over a cup of coffee.” For Louise, life is about forging connections and broadening horizons.

Louise Macfarlane.

Such bad timing

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

WELL of course the attitudes and actions of the police have changed; what do people expect? Over the last couple of decades the protectors of law and order have simply had no choice. The standards of respect and lawful compliance from certain sections of the public have now sunk to such alarming ‘pit’ levels that it has almost literally become a case of adapt or die.

The days of your friendly boys in blue have long gone. In that far off era the very worst the beat copper could expect would be to have their tall hat knocked off by a tipsy late night reveller.

All he required to keep the peace was his (seldom used) truncheon, a whistle and an intermittently placed phone kiosk to inform his local station that ‘all was quiet’. He certainly didn’t expect to be spat on, attacked and possibly killed as he went about his nightly vigil.

The problem with today’s youngsters is they have never experienced this long past amicable form of relationship with the police.

Today’s youth have sadly never known what it is like to safely walk home after the last bus has gone, using any route you chose without worrying you may inadvertently broach on someone else’s ‘territory’ and get beaten, or even killed for ‘showing disrespect’! No wonder the police now waddle about in knife proof vests, laden down with Tasers, expandable night sticks, pepper sprays, body ‘cams’ and occasional firearms.

It is simply not their fault. To combat today’s very real threat of a violent lawless anarchy, they have to weigh up the risks and act accordingly. They are reacting, not instigating and those among us who are law abiding and peace seeking should give them all the encouragement we can.

Writing these observations did however remind me of a funny story relating to a sadly departed fatherin-law of mine. Pat was the only policeman in a small Tipperary village in

Ireland. In his whole 40-year career, he only arrested one person.

The perp’s ‘crime’? Peeing in the large open grate of the local pub! I also understand that after he was arrested, Policeman Pat wheeled him home in a wheelbarrow! Now that was what proper policing was all about.

Well folks, they final admitted it. After years of excuses, including the citing of purely imaginary fires in the archive department, the BBC have finally come clean and admitted that, to save money, they actually recorded over practically all the iconic Top of The Pops tapes prior to 1969.

This means that as Little Arrows was released in 1968, I have now become a victim of the official ‘Lost BBC Tapes’. So, not only did I lose a fortune by coming second to Hey Judethe Beatles biggest number one seller of all time, but all my TOP appearances have gone up in smoke. And you thought your timing was bad!?

Keep the faith.

Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com

advertisers or sponsors.

Xmas blessings

DUBLIN Airport’s long-standing tradition of blessing planes on Christmas Day may come to an end due to new safety regulations.

For 76 years, a priest would bless planes by taking holy water onto the airfield.

However, recent security changes at the airport have made it difficult to continue this tradition.

The airport’s operator, DAA, explains that access to the airside area is now restricted to airport operations only, meaning non-operational activities like plane blessings can’t happen there anymore.

However, DAA is looking into other ways to keep the Christmas blessing ceremony going.

Some reports suggested that a request

for a non-religious blessing prompted the change, but the airport clarified that it was solely due to security concerns.

The tradition began in 1947 with Aer Lingus planes, named after Irish Christian saints.

It expanded to include Ryanair planes over the years, but with increased air traffic, individual blessings became impractical. Now, a general blessing is done by the airport chaplain from the airfield.

With millions of passengers passing through Dublin Airport each year, safety is crucial.

The airport is working on finding a way to continue the Christmas blessing ceremony while following new regulations mandated by the Irish Aviation Authority.

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers,

Ruta de Tapas

GARRUCHA was buzzing as it geared up for the seventh Tapas Route, which kicked off on Friday April 12 with an impressive line-up of 60 delicious offerings. Hosted by the Provincial Council of Almería, the event promises a culinary extravaganza until April 21, boasting the largest gastronomic selection in its history.

The launch event was attended by Provincial Deputy Carlos Sanchez, Mayor Pedro Zamora, and Tourism councillor Pablo Fernandez. Sanchez highlighted the substantial participation of 48 restaurants and eight ice cream parlours-cafes, collectively presenting 35 tapas and 25 gourmet desserts. He underscored the importance of such events in stimulating the economy, promoting tourism, and supporting the vital hospitality sector.

Mayor Zamora expressed his commitment to showcasing Garrucha’s attractions, urging visitors to savour everything the town has to offer year-round. From gastronomy to commerce, landscapes to cultural landmarks, he extolled the richness of Garrucha.

This year’s participants stand a chance to win exciting prizes, including cruises and European getaways, courtesy of Acacio. As the gastronomic adventure unfolds, Garrucha beckons both locals and tourists to indulge in its culinary delights and vibrant culture with the aim to surpass previous records, of over 50,000 tapas served.

Jules Phillips

WHEN The Indalo Players got together for their postshow lunch to celebrate the success of Vernon Coleman’s comedy ‘Mrs Caldicot’s Cabbage War’, there was a notable absence of cabbage on the menu. Even though unforeseen circumstances led to the cancellation of their planned theatre dates in Arboleas, Director Janet Franklin swiftly made the decision to incorporate a matinee performance following the two evening shows in Los Gallardos.

Indalo Players AWFF Tabernas

The response from the audience has been overwhelming, with comments pouring in. Thanks to their support, the group managed to raise an impressive €3,311, far exceeding their initial expectations. The Indalo Committee has pledged to donate the proceeds to local charities, and the additional nightly PAWS-PATAS raffles contributed an additional €615, thanks to the generosity of those in

attendance.

The success of the production is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and loyalty of The Indalo Players, both on stage and behind the scenes. The unsung heroes who construct sets, handle props, and manage lights and sound play a vital role in bringing the production

Looking ahead, there is potential for further adaptations of Coleman’s work, as there are three more ‘Mrs Caldicot’ books awaiting exploration.

Janet Franklin will be in communication with the author to explore the possibility of bringing these

EUROPE’S sole Western genre film festival, the Almeria Western Film Festival (AWFF), has unveiled the dates for its 14th edition. Scheduled from October 10 to 13, 2024, in Tabernas, the four-day extravaganza aims to celebrate both national and international Western cinema, spotlighting iconic Western towns such as Oasys MiniHollywood, Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood, and

Almanzora Gourmet

THOUSANDS of people are expected to return to the Multipurpose Hall of Cuevas de Almanzora to experience Almanzora Gourmet 2024.

Between April 19 and April 21 is the town’s ultimate gastronomic event, the fifth edition of the Almanzora Gourmet Food Fair is eagerly awaited and once again there are high expectations following its immense success last year.

Visitors will enjoy cooking shows, workshops, food tasting, and many other events related to the great food products and companies from Almeria. Excellent restaurants and hospitality providers will also be part of this culinary experience. The gastronomic event will bring together over a multitude of companies and producers showcasing their products, including wines, oils, honey, sausages, chocolates, and more. Additionally, there will be restaurateurs offering their most traditional and innovative tapas during the fair. The fair has already become a significant date on the calendar, not only by the productive and artisan sector but also increasingly known and recognised by chefs.

stories to the stage. Coleman’s stories, known for their blend of social commentary, humour, and hope, have the potential to resonate deeply with audiences.

For more information and updates on future productions, visit www. indaloplayers.es.

Western Leone.

Enthusiasts and fans of Westerns can anticipate a diverse programme, including feature films, short films, tribute awards, and parallel activities. Newly appointed director Juan Francisco Viruega, a seasoned Almerian screenwriter, director, and producer, brings a wealth of expertise to the helm. Having previously directed the festival in 2016, 2017, and 2018, Viruega’s understanding of the genre and the local landscape ensures a promising future for AWFF.

Mayor Jose Diaz of Tabernas expressed confidence in Viruega’s leadership, while outgoing director Guillermo de Oliveira reflected on his tenure with gratitude, pledging support for the transition. The Tabernas Town Hall praised De Oliveira’s contributions and wished him success in his future endeavours.

Viruega, alongside his team, is committed to enhancing AWFF’s legacy, focusing on social, cultural, and territorial value. Plans for the festival’s official sections will be announced shortly, promising an unforgettable experience for attendees and further solidifying AWFF’s status as a premier event in the film, cultural, and tourism spheres.

The Indalo players celebrate the success of their show.

Credit: Indalo Players

Credit: Diputacion de Almeria

Near Death Festival

YOU can almost guarantee that whatever idea for a festival you can come up with, one or more Spanish towns will already have thought of it!

The town of As Neves in Galicia honours Saint Martha, the sister of Lazarus who was raised from the dead by Jesus and she was one of the witnesses to that miracle and having fled Palestine performed miracles herself in France.

The festival of Santa Marta de Ribarteme takes place on July 29 each year and is dedicated to those fortunate enough to have managed to cheat death and is therefore generally known as the Festival of Near Death Experiences. Following a mass of celebration of St Martha at the parish church of San José de Ribarteme, there is a proces-

sion which winds through the streets of the town, but as well as the traditional carrying of religious statues, there is a parade of open coffins as well.

Each coffin contains the live body of someone who has escaped death in the previous year and they are carried by relatives or friends in a solemn parade to the sound of church bells following a tradition which can be traced back to the early 1700s. Children are not ignored although if any are considered eligible for the parade, they will walk alongside an empty coffin carrying a candle.

The procession ends up in the local cemetery, with those taking part singing ‘Virgin Santa Marta, star of the north, we bring you those who saw death’.

Eurovision countdown

AS we approach this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, excitement is building for the event taking place in Malmö, Sweden.

It’s not just any music show; organisers are turning it into a big spectacle, almost like the opening ceremony of the Olympics!

The main events are the two semi-finals on May 7 and 9, and the big final on May 11, all broadcast worldwide.

Swedish hosts are planning a week of fun star

ting from May 4.

The highlight will be Eurovision Village in Folkets Park, with three stages for performances.

The biggest one, Euphoria, will have famous acts, while there will be more shows on the Tattoo and Dancing Queen stages.

Friisgatan will turn into Eurovision Street, with lots of performan -

ces and food stalls.

Plus, there will be concerts and shows at venues around Malmö Live and Malmö Central Station.

The programme is packed with different kinds of entertainment to suit everyone’s tastes.

One special event is a tribute to ABBA, celebrating 50 years since their iconic win with ‘Waterloo’ on May 8.

Also, Conchita Wurst, a former Eurovision winner and LGBTQ icon will perform on May 6, marking 10 years since

During the final, keep an eye out for Luxembourg’s return to the contest after not participating since 1993. It’s sure to be an exciting addition to the competition!

CHEATING DEATH: The procession through the streets of As Neves.

Credit: Diputación de Pontevedra

Eurovision in Sweden.

Image: Eurovision Song Contest / Facebook

Thyroid disorders

THYROID DISORDERS, encompassing both underactive and overactive conditions, are a common endocrine issue impacting numerous individuals. An underactive thyroid, known as hypothyroidism, is a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, leading to a slowdown in bodily functions. Symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain, and a sensation of being perpetually cold. It’s a stealthy ailment that creeps up gradually, often unnoticed until more severe symptoms appear. On the flip side, an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, involves the gland producing an excess of hormones, accelerating body processes. This can manifest as rapid heartbeat, unexplained weight loss, and heightened anxiety. Unlike the creeping onset of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism tends to declare itself more abruptly, demanding swift attention.

Both conditions are not only a matter of discomfort but can have serious health implications if left unchecked. They can be managed effectively with medical intervention or, in some cases, surgery.

Regular monitoring and treatment adjustments are crucial.

Avoiding UTIs

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTIs) are as unpleasant as they are com mon, but arming oneself with expert guidance can be the first line of defence. For starters, dit ching the bubble bath is advisable, as the frothy luxury can irritate the urethra and potentially lead to infection. It’s a small sacrifice for maintaining urinary tract health.

When it comes to diet, steering clear of sweet treats is recommen ded. Sugar can create a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause UTIs, so reducing intake can help prevent the onset of infections. And then there’s the age-old question of cranberry juice - does it actually help? While cranberries contain compounds that can prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder walls, the juice often lacks the concentration needed to be effective and is usually laden with sugars. It’s wise to opt for

low-sugar cranberry supplements instead.

Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also crucial. It helps to flush out bacteria and keep the urinary system functioning smoothly. Finally, practising good bathroom hygiene and emptying the bladder regularly can go a long way in preventing UTIs. With these definitive tips, tackling urinary tract health can be less daunting.

THE health benefits of pelvic floor exercises, long championed for women, are now being recognised for men, particularly for those experiencing frequent urination. A recent study sheds light on how strengthening these supportive muscles can lead to significant improvements in men’s urinary health.

Pelvic floor exercises

incentive for practice.

Pelvic floor exercises, commonly known as Kegels, involve contracting and relaxing the muscles that support the bladder and urethra, the same muscles that control the flow of urine. For men, regular practice of these exercises can help manage the urgency and frequency of urination, conditions often associated with prostate problems or bladder disorders.

MAKE-UP artists catering to the over-50 demographic are revolutionising beauty tips for mature skin, advocating against concealing wrinkles and instead embracing techniques that highlight natural beauty. One of the more striking recommendations is the use of green eyeliner. While it might seem unconventional, green eyeliner can enhance the vibrancy of the eyes, drawing attention away from wrinkles and adding a youthful, playful dimen-

The study found that

Make-up artists

sion to one’s look.

Additionally, these make-up artists suggest using lipstick not just for the lips but also as a cream blush on the cheeks. This dual-purpose approach not only simplifies the make-up routine but also provides a cohesive colour palette that brings a natural, healthy glow to the skin. The creaminess of the lipstick

blends smoothly, offering a more hydrating alternative to powder blushes which may settle into fine lines.

These innovative techniques underscore a shift in beauty standards, focusing on enhancing features rather than masking age. Embracing age with grace and confidence, these tips provide older women with the tools to feel beautiful and vibrant at any stage of life. The key takeaway? Celebrate and accentuate, don’t conceal.

men who incorporated pelvic floor exercises into their daily routine reported fewer urinary issues, a lower incidence of leakage, and a general ty of life. Moreover, these exercises can enhance

ther

Simple to perform and requiring no equipment, Kegel exercises are a discreet solution that can be integrated seamlessly into daily life. This newfound evidence presents a compelling case for men to engage in pelvic floor strengthening, highlighting that the health benefits extend beyond gender, providing a universal remedy for a common and often distressing condition.

Revival of the 90s

AS we move through 2024, hair trends embrace both nostalgia and innovation, offering exciting options for everyone.

One standout trend is the revival of the 90s styles, with chunky highlights and blowouts making a significant comeback. These styles reflect a yearning for the bold and glamorous looks of the past but with a modern twist.

Another trend gaining momentum is the ‘bixie’ cut - a clever hybrid between the bob and the pixie. This versatile style is perfect for those looking to make a statement with minimal effort, suitable for

various hair types and easy to maintain.

Natural textures are also being celebrated more than ever, with techniques that enhance rather than tame. From curls to kinks, the emphasis is on boosting the hair’s natural body and shine with hydrating products and less heat styling.

Additionally, bold colours continue to dominate, with pastel shades and vivid colour blocks offering a way to personalise your look. These hair trends for 2024 encourage individual expression through creative cuts and colours, ensuring that personal style shines through.

JOHN ALFRED TINNISWOOD from England has become the world’s oldest living man after the passing of 114-yearold Juan Vicente Pérez from Venezuela.

John, who is 111 years and 223 days old as of April 5, 2024, was born in Liverpool on August 26, 1912, the same year the Titanic sank.

Currently residing in a care home in Southport, John is a great-grandfather and is known by the staff as ‘a big chatterbox’.

Despite his age, he can still manage most daily tasks independently, such as getting out of bed and keeping up with the news on the radio.

According to John, his longevity is simply due to “pure luck.” He doesn’t follow any specific diet but enjoys a portion of battered fish and chips every Friday.

He doesn’t smoke and only drinks alcohol occasionally, emphasising moderation as the key to staying healthy. A lifelong fan of Liver -

Living legend

pool FC, John has witnessed all eight of the club’s FA Cup wins and 17 of their 19 league title wins since he was born just 20 years after the club was founded in 1892.

Since turning 100 in 2012, John has received a birthday card each year

from the late Queen Elizabeth, who was younger than him by almost 14 years.

Even after becoming the UK’s oldest man in 2020, John remains unfazed by his newfound status as the oldest man in the world.

Ron’s Place

RON’S PLACE, located at 8 Silverdale Road in Birkenhead, Merseyside, has been recognised as a hidden treasure of Outsider Art.

It has been granted a Grade II listing by the Depart ment for Culture, Me dia and Sport (DCMS) following a recommendation from Historic England.

For over 30 years, this remarkable art space was tucked away within an unassu ming Victorian se mi-detached villa.

It was created by Ron Gi ttins, whose intricate and captivating artworks remained unseen until his passing in 2019.

man of Pulp, expressed his admiration for Ron’s Place, stating: “A small number of people on this planet have known for a while that Ron’s Place is a very Special Place, but from now on, it is official: Ron’s Place has been given listed status!

“The work of one unique gentleman in the north of England has been recognised nationally.

Globally even.

Hallelujah!”

Image: Historic England.

Lion’s head fireplace.

In his ground-floor flat, Gittins meticulously decorated the space with murals depicting historical scenes.

He also crafted unique concrete fireplaces resembling a lion’s head, a Minotaur’s head, and even a Roman bread oven.

Jarvis Cocker, the renowned front-

Sarah Charlesworth, Listing Team Leader North for Historic England, described Ron’s creation as a prime example of Outsider Art in England.

“Ron’s Place is testament to the unique artistic achievements and vision of Ron Gittins over four decades,” Sarah confirmed.

“Ron’s creations have inspired action from people in the local area to raise funds to purchase the building and secure the survival of his legacy.”

JOHN TINNISWOOD: The oldest man in the world.

Image: Guinness Book of Records.

The Golden Visa VOX Pop

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THE Golden Visa - we asked people on the streets of the province what they thought about Spain’s Golden Visa and its pending removal.

WITH just three months until the Olympic Games start, there’s worry about the Seine River in Paris not being clean enough for swimmers.

This could be a big embarrassment for the French capital.

Despite efforts to make the river cleaner, a group called the Surfrider Foundation says it’s still too polluted for swimming.

Tests done by the organisation over the past six months show that the Seine is still too dirty for swimming safely. This is a problem because

authorities wanted to use the Olympics to show off Paris as a green city, with plans to have events like the triathlon in the river.

Both President Emmanuel Macron and Mayor Anne Hidalgo promised to swim in the Seine before the Games, showing how important it was to clean it up.

But even with a big investment of €1.4 billion in things like water treatment plants, the river isn’t clean enough yet.

Turbulent waters Budget beer travel

A RECENT study by Omio, a travel website from Germany, looked at how much a pint of beer costs in different European cities.

They found some capital cities in Europe where you can get a pint of beer without spending too much money.

Whether you love beer or just want to relax with a drink while exploring, these cities offer great options that won’t empty your wallet.

Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is at the top of the list. You can get a pint there for a little over €1.

It’s known for its attractions like the Museum Strana Mini and Victory Square, and the affordable beer makes it a great place to visit if you’re on a budget.

Chisinau in Moldova comes next, with pints averaging around €1.29.

It’s a charming city with places to visit like Arcul De Triumf, Kishinev Cathedral, and Stephen

the Great Central Park.

Other cities with cheap beer include Baku in Azerbaijan, Tbilisi in Georgia, and Yerevan in Armenia, where pints cost €1.35, €1.69, and €1.83 respectively.

If you prefer more popular tourist spots, Sofia in Bulgaria is a good choice. A pint there costs around €1.93.

Sofia has a lot to offer tourists, including landmarks like St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and thermal springs.

Pristina in Kosovo and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina also have an affordable beer, priced at €1.99 and €2.04 respectively.

They offer unique experiences for travellers.

Finally, there’s Prague in the Czech Republic, which is always a favourite among tourists.

Even though it’s popular, you can still get a pint for about €1.86.

Marc Valmassoni, who works for the Surfrider Foundation, is worried about high levels of bacteria like E.coli in the river.

This could be bad for athletes’ health.

And without a backup plan, things are uncertain as the Games get closer.

Smallest timeshare

IMAGINE owning a holiday home, but only for half the year, with someone else taking over the rest! Sounds strange, right? Well, that’s the peculiar reality of Pheasant Island, a minuscule piece of land sandwiched between Spain and France that switches countries every six months. It’s the tiniest patch of jointly ruled land on the planet!

It lies 20m from the French bank and 10m from the Spanish bank of the River Bidasoa, between the towns of Hendaye and Irun. Forget sun loungers and beach umbrellas, this 6,800-square-metre isle boasts zero residents and a whole lot of history. Both countries lay claim to it, thanks to the Treaty of the Pyrenees that ended the Franco-Spanish war. And here’s the twist: despite the name, no pheasants call this place home. So, just think of it as the ultimate timeshare. From February to July, Spain holds the reins, followed by France for the remaining six months. And if

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.

you’re planning to visit, the island throws open its doors (well, gate) just twice a year - during the official handover ceremonies in February and August.

Each changeover comes with a touch of light-hearted rivalry. The Spanish mayor jokingly grumbles about clearing the undergrowth in summer while the French enjoy leisurely lawn-mowing duties in winter - although erosion means the island is slowly shrinking anyway...

Nora Johnson’s 12 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The Couple across the Street’ (www.nora-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

Nora’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

The River Seine.

• News Across The Regions •

Costa del Sol

€40 million hotel

UAE capital investment fund Unicorn Royal Emirates has acquired for €40 million the hotel company Santa Marta, owner of a five-star and residential project on the beachfront to the east of Cancelada that is half built, and plans to develop the site before the end of the summer of 2027.

With extensive experience in luxury residential and hotel projects, Unicorn Royal Emirates seeks to drive the development of the project, which will involve a total investment of more than €150 million, with the aim of completing it in the next three years as the hotel is already half built.

The project, located on the beachfront between Marbella and Estepona, will consist of a hotel with 160 rooms and several apartments under the concept of branded residences or luxury homes, whose hotel rooms will be super-sized and have large terraces overlooking the sea.

Axarquia Top ten

COMPETA has been selected as one of the top 10 finalists for the title of Rural Tourism Capital 2024. Organised by EscapadaRural (Rural Escape) a renowned online travel platform, this initiative aims to promote lesser-known rural destinations across Spain.

Known for its picturesque streets, traditional architecture, and rich cultural heritage, Competa offers a unique experience for travellers seeking an authentic Spanish getaway. Local authorities, led by Jorge Martín, President of the Mancomunidad Axarquia Costa del Sol, are rallying support for Competa’s nomination, encouraging residents and tourists to vote for the town.

Competing against nine other finalists from various regions of Spain, Competa represents Andalucia’s sole contender for the title. With its scenic beauty and vibrant culture, Competa hopes to not only win but also to highlight the potential of rural tourism.

Mallorca March against cancer

THE walks, organised by the AECC, have the support of the Consell and are sponsored by OK Mobility and Eroski.

Seventeen towns, seven months, more than 9,000 participants in total - the first leg of the solidarity walks began.

The sweltering heat on April 14 did not dampen the spirits of the cohort of 300 people who had signed up for the first leg of the walk in Marratxi.

Promoted by the Consell de Mallorca and the Association Against Cancer of the Balearic Islands, all proceeds from the registration fee of €8 go towards cancer research and patients.

At the launch of the event, mayor of Marratxi, Jaume Llompart, expressed pride that the starting point was his home town. There was a festive atmosphere with a bouncy castle and other fun activities.

Costa Blanca North Maximum population

THIS month, Benidorm marked its historical maximum population, being the home of approximately 74,600 people.

The INE (National Institute of Statistics) revealed the significant increase, as Benidorm’s mayor Toni Perez highlighted: “As a city, Benidorm is an engine for generating employment and an economic driver and progressively that potential is reflected in the number of inhabitants.

He called the growth in the population “stable and solid”, expanding from 66,000 inhabitants to more than 74,500 in just the past few years.

Usually recognised as the tourist centre, the mayor reflected on Benidorm’s transformation into a city which has become home to people from across the world:

“There is a growing interest not only in residing in Benidorm but in registering in the city.”

Costa Blanca South Dynamic duo

A HUGE congratulations is in order for Philip Trower and Michael Purdy, from Carmen’s Bar in Urb. El Chaparral, Torrevieja.

The dynamic duo took part in the Survivor Race on April 13 in support of charity.

Taking on the race in Alicante was no small feat.

Philip and Michael tackled the challenging 6km route and 20 obstacles with determination, completing it in an impressive hour and a half, almost to the minute!

Their mission was clear: to raise funds for two local organisations, the Helping Hand Food Bank in Torrevieja and the Torrevieja Animal Shelter.

Remarkably, Philip and Michael exceeded their initial fundraising goal of €1,000 in less than a week. Undeterred, they aimed even higher, setting their sights on €2,500.

In the end, their efforts paid off as they raised an astounding €2,677.90!

Costa Calida Holiday boom

IN recent years, holiday rentals in La Manga del Mar Menor have witnessed an increase in demand, despite price increases ranging from 9 per cent to 12 per cent. La Manga real estate agents have stated, ‘Right now we’re at around 96 per cent, practically fully booked for July and August.’

Concerns over the state of the Mar Menor have prompted holidaymakers from areas like Los Alcazares to seek rentals in La Manga, offering access to both the Mediterranean Sea and the Mar Menor in a less affected zone. The real estate agents added, ‘Many who used to rent in other Mar Menor areas have shifted to La Manga.’

The typical summer tourist profile remains largely national, especially from the Murcia region. Foreign tourism is more common post-summer, typically after September.

Human calculator kid

AARYAN SHUKLA , a 13-year-old maths whizz from Maharashtra, India, amazed a large audience by breaking a Guinness World Record.

During the filming of an Italian TV show ca lled Lo Show Dei Record, Aaryan, known as the ‘human calculator’, set the record for adding 50 five-digit numbers in the fastest time ever: just 25.19 seconds.

shown 50 numbers in rapid suc cession, and he had to add them up in his head. pite the speed, he quic kly added each number and got the right answer, leaving everyone impressed.

In an interview backstage, Aaryan talked about his love for mental maths, which started when he was just six years old.

He enjoys solving tou-

gh maths problems and competing internationally.

For Aaryan, the excitement comes from representing India on the global stage and achieving big things at such a

Of the future

It’s not rocket science

He won the Mental Calculation World Cup in 2022 in Germany and helped start the Global Mental Calculators Asso -

The GMCA wants to bring mental calculators together and promote mental maths around the world.

They’re working on creating a new mental calculation league, which would be a big deal in the world of mental maAaryan is a maths wizard.

THE town of Essenbach in Bavaria, Germany, is leading the way with a new kind of traffic light, often called the “traffic light of the future.”

This smart signal is packed with advanced features and can adapt to road conditions intelligently.

Even though it might look like a regular traffic light, this one is much smarter. It’s designed to make traffic flow better and keep roads safer.

Run by the Bavarian Ministry of Transport, this traffic light is being tested out in a trial project.

The results will help decide how to use smart technology in more traffic lights all over Bavaria.

This smart traffic light can give priority to emergency vehicles like ambulances or fire engines.

It senses when they’re coming and turns red for other vehicles, making it easier for emergency vehicles to get through without delay.

It also helps cyclists by showing them when the light will turn green and how long they have to wait.

SMART LIGHTS: In a trial project.

Plus, it has systems in place to warn about possible collisions and helps with making turns safely.

Essenbach was picked for the trial because it’s near a fire station, making it perfect for testing how well emergency vehicles get priority.

Plus, there’s a cycle path that crosses a traffic light, and side streets are easy to see, making it great for testing out turning assistance and collision warning systems.

The cost of installing this smart traffic light is around €100,000.

WHAT is it with waiters that refuse to write your order down? They seem to relish the fact that it obviously makes punters feel edgy that they aren’t going to get your order correct and then there’s the smug look they give you when you innocently ask ‘are you going to remember all that?’ ‘Yes’ is the cocky answer usually.

But sometimes they do get a few things wrong and then it’s time for Mr Grumpy to be the smug one ‘‘Told you to write it down smart a**e!’ Then there’s the little computer things they use now. I’ve had problems with those too when you try and go off piste and want to change something on the menu like have chips instead of mash and gawd forbid you want to mess about with a full English breakfast and I always offer to pay extra as well.

I like a coke zero sometimes - I was in one place and was told they didn’t have any. I politely pointed out there was a supermarket next door and they could pop next door and buy some for a few cents and I would still be happy to pay the €2

they charge. Spanish shrug and no fizzy drink for me. Why?

Why don’t I get post from the UK or it turns up months later? My daughter sent a Mother’s Day card - never arrived. A friend sent a birthday card - never arrived. And that caused an added problem because there was also a voucher and they got the hump because I never thanked them for it. Luckily they asked me if I got it . Where is it going? Is it a Brexit thing? Done on purpose? Who knows but it’s bloody annoying.

Why is it that every service I phone up has been experiencing a higher number of calls than usual - for the last three years now! Simple answer - get more people answering your phones. Not rocket science.

I bought a new TV and immediately start getting ads and emails from the store saying ‘you recently bought a new 55 inch TV from us - here’s a list of other TVs you may be interested in.’ Why would I want another TV, I just bought one last week. Am I missing something?

Thanks for all your emails. It’s nice to see that folks can relate to a lot of the stuff that seems to pee us all off.

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

Image: Genius Aaryan / Facebook

Image: Olena Znak / Shutterstock.com

PETS

Who will cherish your pets while you are away?

DO you have pets? Then you’ll know that they need company and stimulation and caring for them in their own home can be the very best solution. That’s the case with Rufus and Sandy, cocker spaniel brothers who recently moved to Spain from the UK with their owners.

The move was a challenge but now they are settled. However, their owners need to travel occasionally for work and holidays so finding dog-sitters to care for them in their own home is critical.

Plus HouseSitMatch saves money because the pet-sitting is free!

If you use HouseSitMatch.com you find free checked pet-sitters who pay their way to stay in your home caring for your pets in your absence. It’s an arrangement facilitated by a managed online system. Our house and pet-sitting works as an exchange of services - free accommodation for free pet care!

HouseSitMatch is safe – all

Rufus and Sandy build a special bond with their dogsitter whenever their owners travel

members are checked

All members are checked for safety, and you choose which housesitters come to care for your pets in your absence.

Your pets stay at home - safe and undisturbed

All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Choose Housesitmatch. com for affordable travel, home and pet care and peace of mind for you and your pets.

If you’re travelling in 2024 join now and get organised today:

1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com

2. Choose a Premium account (£89 pa) to ensure you get help online

3. Create a profile with photos of your pets and home

4. Post an advert for the dates when you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

How does it work?

Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety, then build an advert to find sitters. House-sitters see your advert, respond and you choose from the applicants.

Trustpilot Testimonials - 4.9 / 5 Excellent

I have used HouseSitMatch for the last three years and would highly recommend it. Very easy to communicate with and very helpful by phone if needed.

Janet Bryant, Pet owner.

How do you join? Register online via www.Housesitmatch.com

Need a pet or house-sitter? House-sitting is a win-win, free house and pet-sitting exchanged for free accommodation! Reader exclusive offer – 20% Off Any New Membership Register as either house-sitter or homeowner. Get a 20% discount - Use coupon code PERFECT20.

Credit: KAZLOVA IRYNA/Shutterstock.com

Why you should own a dog

A PIVOTAL study from Konkuk University in South Korea has laid bare the many advantages of living with dogs. Conducted recently, this research highlights the significant impact dogs have on the well-being and mental health of their owners.

The presence of a dog in one’s life has been linked to enhanced brain activity, particularly in areas associated with relaxation and concentration.

The study, involving 30 adults who share their lives with dogs, demonstrated a noticeable decrease in fatigue levels among participants.

Also, dogs have been acknowledged for their effectiveness in mitigating symptoms of depression

and stress, making them invaluable companions in the modern age.

Engaging in daily activities with a dog, such as walks or playtime, can significantly uplift one’s spirits. Dogs offer a unique form of love and loyalty, eagerly awaiting to shower their owners with affection upon their return home.

This unconditional support serves as a powerful antidote to the pressures and anxieties of daily life, providing solace and comfort when needed most.

Choosing to welcome a dog into your home entails a series of responsibilities, including providing them with healthcare and accommodating their needs within your space.

Hidden pet threat

WHEN families welcome pets into their homes, the priority often focuses on harmonious integration with humans and other pets, alongside adapting living spaces for comfort.

However, the environmental health of domestic pets, just as human residents, demands equal attention. The harmful effects of indoor smoking on pets underscores the urgent need for awareness and action.

A study has highlighted the risks associated with ‘thirdhand smoke’ - residual tobacco chemicals that cling to various surfaces over time.

These can be found on soft furnishings like clothes, furniture, and carpets, as well as harder surfaces such as walls and car interiors. Significantly, pets’ fur also acts as a magnet for these harmful substances.

According to a vet, cats are particularly vulnerable to third-hand smoke. Their grooming habits mean they’re more likely to ingest toxic particles that settle on their fur.

In addition, dog breeds such as Bulldogs or Bichons are susceptible to respiratory diseases and suffer primarily through inhalation

Symptoms including coughing, rapid heartbeat, lethargy, and shortness of breath which are common indicators of exposure.

CLASSIFIEDS

worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 617 914 156 (10021)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

BUILDERS

ALMERIA BUILDERS:

Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www. almeriabuilders.com (253556)

BUY & SELL

PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)

CHURCHES

Local Anglican (CofE) Church Services take place at Mojacar and Llanos del Peral (Zurgena) churches every Sunday 11am and at Aljambra Chapel (Albox) monthly. Dates and details of our services, including directions and contact details, can be found at  www. almeria-anglican.com

Here you can also find information about funerals, baptisms and wedding blessings. We are an inclusive church. (10002)

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For

- Why not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail. com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishlegion.org. uk/counties/spain-north ZURGENA Branch meeting

on the first Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at La Parrilla Hotel Albox, for further details please email  zurgenarblchairman@ gmail.com - (253989)

DRAINAGE

Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (283824)

INSURANCE

MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www. abbeygateinsure.com

LANGUAGE CLASSES

ELECTRICAL ABBOTT ELECTRICS

From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (304222)

ESTATE AGENT

VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele,

MISCELLANEOUS

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

If you can read it, so can your clients. Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

MOTORING FOR SALE

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

OTHERS

EDS?  We have the solution , Kamagra pills & jells, Ciali s, Sidenafil, over 7 products for men & ladies, mixed trial packs.Available by mail-order. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €7.75, medium dogs €8.50, big dogs €9.25, cats from €7.00 a day. 630 234 556

/ the5bonehotelturre@ gmail.com fivebonehotel. com (304298)

PLUMBERS

KNOWLES PLUMBING

No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (305077)

PLUMBING

SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria. com (305375)

Apple axes electric car dream

IN February 2024, Apple made the difficult decision that it would halt its plans to develop a fully autonomous electric vehicle.

This decision has led to the company’s first significant job cuts since the pandemic, impacting 614 of its US employees. The layoffs are concentrated in Santa Ana, California, across eight different facilities, as stated in a worker adjustment and retraining notification (WARN) by the tech behemoth.

The WARN notice detailed that those impacted were informed of the cuts on March 28, with the changes set to take place on May 27.

While the notice didn’t pinpoint the exact roles affected, reports suggest that the layoffs include positions like machine shop managers, hardware engineers, and product design engineers. It’s noteworthy that none of the cuts are happening at Apple’s main campus in Cupertino, but rather at smaller, likely more secretive locations.

After a decade of secretive development on the electric car project, Apple

has decided to pivot its focus towards artificial intelligence (AI). CEO Tim Cook has hinted at the launch of generative AI features later this year, marking a significant shift in the company’s strategic direction.

This move reflects Apple’s adaptation to the evolving tech landscape, where AI is increasingly becoming an important element.

The closing down of Apple’s electric vehicle project has resulted in the company’s first significant job reduction since the pandemic, affecting 614 employees in Santa Ana, California.

As the company turns its attention towards AI, the industry watches closely to see what changes this will bring, with new AI features expected later in the year.

Licence medical restrictions

THE Spanish Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) requires a medical examination and a psychotechnical test for drivers looking to renew their licences every decade.

This process, which includes a fee, aims to ensure that motorists are fit to navigate the nation’s roads until the next renewal.

Cardiovascular disorders, including significant vessel aneurysms, pose a threat to safe driving. Cardiac issues such as arrhythmias, along with implanted pacemakers or valve prostheses, may temporarily halt your driving privileges until a doctor deems it safe.

Psychiatric conditions’ impact on driving varies, based on the doctor’s assessment of road safety risks. Neurological issues, including episodes of

unconsciousness or ischemic incidents, similarly restrict driving capabilities temporarily.

The effect of endocrine diseases on driving eligibility depends on the disease’s progression. Moreover, those battling cancer or respiratory illnesses may face limitations when it comes to driving.

Some years ago, the DGT identified certain medications that, although beneficial for health issues, could impair driving abilities.

This list includes analgesics, anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, and psychostimulants.

Some of these can even lead to false positives for THC, owing to their opium derivatives. Symptoms induced by these medications, such as drowsiness, blurred vision, euphoria, sleep disturbances, or

dizziness, can severely affect driving performance.

Ensuring ample rest prior to driving is crucial. Avoiding heavy meals before driving is also recommended, as they can induce drowsiness.

For longer journeys, taking breaks every two hours or 200 kilometres is advised. Staying hydrated by keeping water handy is another effective measure against drowsiness, enhancing alertness and road safety.

By adhering to these guidelines, drivers can navigate Spanish roads safely, keeping themselves and others protected.

It is essential to be aware of the health conditions and medications that could impair driving abilities, taking the necessary steps to address these issues.

Skoda Enyaq Coupe - whisper quiet EV comfort

By Mark Slack ROAD TEST

IF you’re in the market for an all-electric SUV then there’s a myriad of choice, however amongst the surfeit of choices one manufacturer that doesn’t crop up as often as it should is Skoda. The Czech company only produce one EV and it’s the Enyaq, with a full SUV or Coupe-SUV.

The range starts from £38,970 for the SUV and £46,440 for the Coupe-SUV, the latter being the focus of my attention. Standard fare across the line-up includes LED Matrix headlights, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, wireless charging, Tri-zone climate control, auto dimming rear view mirror, panoramic glass roof and navigation. It’s an impressive list!

acceleration with the most relaxed 62 mph benchmark speed attained in 6.7 seconds, and the quickest just 5.5 seconds.

Facts at a Glance

Model: Skoda Enyaq Coupe 85 Edition Loft

whisper quiet with little in the way of tyre and road noise and virtually nothing from wind noise. It handles extremely well for such a large machine and soaks up the very worst road surfaces you can find. It’s not perfect though!

With so many electric cars there’s an aversion to rear wipers, so few EVs have one. Why? There are no symbols on the instrument cluster for the lighting, just on the switch itself which is tucked away and hence not easy to view. The driver’s information screen is overly busy because it’s simply too small, so things aren’t that easily assimilated.

On the power front there are two outputs of 286PS and 346PS for the £54,820 vRS model, with four editions or trim levels. Range extends from 332 miles to 355 miles dependant on model. Performance, as you would expect from an EV, is all about

It’s a spacious car even in Coupe form with space aplenty for occupants and luggage, not to mention storage for infinite amounts of in-car detritus. There’s a premium ambience and it feels a little bit special when you’re inside the Enyaq. There are also some nice detail touches such as the trademark Skoda umbrella in the driver’s door.

On the road the Enyaq is almost

Engine: 82 kwh battery –286PS

Gears: Automatic

Price: €54,441/£46,440

Performance: 0-100 kph (62 mph) 6.7 seconds/

Maximum Speed 99 kph (112 mph).

Range: 571 km/355 miles on single charge

Emissions: 0 g/km

Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

Overall though the Enyaq is an EV star, it’s supremely comfortable, well equipped and has a half decent range. It’s a mystery as to why we don’t see more of them on the road, but the fact that it’s Skoda’s only EV at the moment perhaps accounts for it.

Overall though the Enyaq is a very complete EV, lots of space, lots of standard equipment, a decent potential range and a comfortable and relaxed drive.

Enyaq is a very complete EV with lots of space and standard equipment.

Titan World Series

FRIDAY April 12 marked the kick-off of the Titan World Series 2024, with its first stage hosted in Almeria. As a precursor to the Skoda Titan Desert Almeria, this event is a significant highlight of the year, putting Almeria on the global cycling map as the only World Series race in Spain.

Professional cyclists and seasoned veterans will come together to take part in the Titan World Series, sharing insights and secrets.

Joaquin Perez de la Blanca, the councillor for Tourism, Communications, and Promotion of the City, along with Antonio Jesus Casimiro,

the councillor for Sports, presented the event alongside Jose Garcia from RPM Sports and former cyclist Triki Beltran. Perez de la Blanca emphasised the fresh features of this fifth edition, notably the Almeria Stage, which will immerse the city in the Titan universe. Activities include talks, bike rides exploring the local terrain, and round table discussions with top professionals.

Participants headed to Cabo de Gata, Calar Alto, and El Toyo for rides ranging from 40 to 60 kilometres, serving as preparation for the

upcoming competition in Morocco starting April 28. Perez de la Blanca highlighted the event’s unique blend of competition and camaraderie, offering participants a memorable experience beyond the race.

Discussions covered various aspects of the Titan Desert, including its origins, race preparations, challenges faced by cyclists, and Almeria’s training facilities.

Former professional cyclist Triki Beltran commented on Almeria’s breathtaking landscapes, affirming its potential to attract tourists through cycling routes.

The presentation of the Titan World Series.

Credit: Almeria Town Hall