Costa de Almeria 25 – 31 July 2024 Issue 2038

Mojacar in top five favourite getaways

MOJACAR has just been announced as one of the most visited coastal towns by national tourists.

Antena 3, a Spanish television channel, announced over the weekend the rankings of the most visited coastal places by national tourists, and after being entered in May by Destinia, Mojacar was included in the top five.

The holiday jewel of Almeria, Mojacar, sees more and more tourists every year returning to its sandy beaches, iconic white buildings and surrounding mountains, all overlooking the vast Mediterranean Sea.

Another factor that makes Mojacar so frequently visited by nationals is its competitive prices in comparison to other coastal towns.

Beyond the prices is Mojacar’s charm; from the pueblo’s quaint and artistic culture to the playa’s vibrancy and excitement.

It isn’t uncommon for many national tourists to purchase second homes in Mojacar, making it their summer destination, along with the thousands of foreign residents from all over Europe and the UK.

The town’s diversity benefits it too, bringing in a variety of cultures and cuisines from all over the world.

Mojacar also boasts a pleasant and consistent climate, allowing residents and tourists to enjoy the beaches and bars all year round.

In Mojacar, as it continuously proves, there is something for everyone.

Costa de Almeria • Issue No. 2038 • 25 - 31 July 2024 FREE FREE

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Credit: Shutterstock

Mojacar announced as one of the five most visited coastal towns by national tourists.

Almeria in 2030 World Cup

Harry Sinclair

THE city of Almeria has entered the list of 45 sub-venues that will be part of the 2030 World Cup in a candidacy shared by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

The two venues entered on behalf of Almeria are the Mediterraneo sta dium - or the Power Horse stadium - and the Anexo stadium.

Portugal.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) were responsible for announcing both the venues and the sub-venues for the most important event in football.

For Spain, there will be 11 stadiums entered as candidates to host the matches, as well as the sub-venues, These candidacies follow the work carried out over the last two years by the Executive Committee of Spain for joint candidacy with Morocco and

The RFEF reported that after intensive analytics, “Spain will have 11 venues.”

To select the venues, a series of criteria have been applied and must be met, in line with the requirements established by FIFA for candidacy.

In total, 11 stadiums have been selected across Spain, chosen in an evaluation that took into account aspects including the technical project, operational and financial structure, equipment available to the host city and compliance with the documented and contractual requirements.

Between the venues and sub-venues, all of Spain’s autonomous communities will be represented at this World Cup.

Smallest village

John Smith

THE municipality of Benitagla claims the rather unenviable record of having the smallest number of residents in Almeria at 75.

In 2000 the village boasted 92 residents and that dropped over the years to an all-time low of 53, but there has been a turn-around Now, as part of its fight against depopulation, the Almeria Provincial Council has spent more than €100,000 to renovate an existing building in Benitagla to turn it into a bar/shop with accommodation for those running it.

New residents, Adelina Deac and Ángel Carrión will run the bar/shop which is named Henko, a Japanese word that speaks of the

philosophy of change, a change from within and without return that turns us into the best version of ourselves (according to the council) and will only pay for the cost of electricity and products

A further €170,000 has been budgeted to allow for the building of a warehouse as well as a terrace to cope with the anticipated influx of visitors from nearby towns as well as curious holidaymakers. Many residents, the local mayor and council members joined the president of the Provincial Council of Almeria, Javier A García to formally open Henko and wish its new proprietors well for the future.

Toasting the future in Benitagla.

El Estadio Mediterráneo, or the Power Horse Stadiumone of the stadiums entered in the list.

Credit: Wikicommons

Missing in Spain

SPAIN, a land of culture, stunning beaches, and welcoming locals, also faces a lesser-known travel concern: tourist disappearances.

Unlike missing persons within a resident population, tourist disappearances are di cult to track.

Factors like short travel durations, language barriers, and privacy concerns can make it hard to

determine if a missing person is truly lost or simply unreachable due to travel plans.

In April, a 31-year-old American tourist, Ryan Anthony, vanished in Barcelona after experiencing a mental health crisis. His disappearance, linked to stolen belongings, highlighted the vulnerability of solo travellers facing personal struggles

The disappearance of British teenager Jay Slater in Tenerife in May sent shockwaves through the travel community. Despite extensive searches, his body was tragically discovered weeks later.

Just this month, 26-yearold Benjamin Ross, lost contact with his family on July 10, after extending a holiday in Mallorca.

These are just a few re-

KNOWING what to do in an emergency is essential for residents and visitors in Spain - it’s about having vital contact numbers at your ngertips.

Remember this universal number: 112. It’s the emergency hotline that connects you to police, ambulance, re services, or coastguard services across Spain and the entire European Union. Calling 112 is free and available 24/7, even without a SIM card in your pho-

Go Fund Me

SEARCHING for a missing loved one abroad can be a logistical and financial nightmare. Hiring private investigators with international experience, securing translators, and covering travel costs quickly deplete resources. For families already dealing with emotional turmoil, the financial strain can be paralysing.

GoFundMe offers a lifeline, allowing families to reach out to a global audience for support. However, relying on the generosity of strangers creates an unsettling reality: the ability to search for a missing loved one hinges on the unpredictability of online donors.

Critics argue that families shouldn’t be forced to beg for donations to find their loved ones. They point out that governments should provide more resources and support for families in these situations.

Crowdfunding success depends heavily on a compelling story and social media reach. This can disadvantage families with limited resources or those unfamiliar with online fundraising platforms.

ported cases, and the true number of tourists who go missing in Spain each year likely remains unknown.

The reasons behind tourist disappearances in Spain can vary. Some incidents may involve foul play, while others could be attributed to accidents, wandering o course, or even intentional avoidance of contact due to personal reasons.

The case of Jay Slater demonstrated the public’s suspicion of fundraisers for missing people. Whilst many supported the campaign, some felt that the family might be exploiting the system. A Facebook user stated - “So don’t get me wrong, it is sad what happened to Jay Slater in Tenerife, but his mother is now asking for more money to give him a good send off and the Go Fund Me page has just hit £60,000. Really?!”

ne. 112 operators are trained to respond only to real emergencies. They do not provide general information.

If you require urgent medical attention or an ambulance, dial 061. This toll-free number connects you directly to professional health support during medical emergencies.

For immediate re response, call 080 or 085. The speci c number depends on your region, but both connect you to local re departments.

Need tourist information or assistance with local events, cultural activities, or public transport schedules? Dial +34 902 102 112 for the Tourist Helpline. Services are o ered in English, French, German and Italian.

Always keep your home country’s embassy or consulate contact information handy.

online and in print is FREE and we promise to always keep it that way.

The last update on Ryan Anthony (wearing baseball cap) was July 25 - he was seen at a hostel in Barcelona without phone, money, or passport.

Credit: Kayli Anthony Willis/fb

The Go Fund Me campaign for Jay Slater resulted in public suspicion.

Las Salinas Park Afternoon tea in fashion

Harry Sinclair AGE SUPPORT ALMANZORA (ASA) recently hosted an Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show to raise funds to help the charity’s work.

ASA is a registered charity established to cover the Almanzora Valley area, including Ablanchez, Albox, Arboleas, Cantoria, Partaloa and Zurgena.

The charity’s aim is to “improve the quality of life for older people by providing emotional and practical support,” as stated on their website.

On Thursday, July 11, Age Support Almanzora held the tea and fashion fundraising event in the Arboleas Community Centre.

The event was hosted by Russ Lewell of Breeze Radio.

Liz Carey from ASA told us “There was a lively queue outside the venue.”

Once in, there was a

Credit: Richard Tolman

meet and greet, a fashion show and a raffle.

RESIDENTS and visitors of Roquetas del Mar have a new leisure and health space, Las Salinas Park, with more than 9,000 m2.

On Wednesday, July 17, The mayor of Roquetas de Mar, Gabriel Amat, and the president of the Provincial Council, Javier A García, came together with the residents to open Las Salinas Park, the new space dedicated to leisure time, sports and activities, and socialising.

In addition, there are also wide green areas, 69 parking spaces, two water fountains, completely new street furniture with benches, eco waste bins, bicycle racks and LED lights, along with a pedestrian path to keep everything organised and safe.

The food stands were full of delicious sandwiches, cakes and scones, with ASA’s Liz saying “Everyone enjoyed the tasty afternoon tea” which was “beautifully presented.”

The park features modern, accessible and adapted equipment and facilities to be used.

The event also featured live entertainment, provided by Lady Ellen, a loyal and generous supporter of the charity.

The total profit from the afternoon was over €1,200 from the food sales, bar, raffle and clo-

of Age Support Almanzora, told Liz she “was thrilled that everyone so enjoyed the event,” adding that “she thanked all the volunteers and models who worked so hard to make the event a success.”

These facilities include a pump track circuit, a 3x3 basketball court, a football field with artificial grass, apparatus for working out and a children’s play area.

The Roquetas de Mar Town Hall states that Las Salinas Park is “an example of circular economy and environment respect,” adding that they use “recycled materials and sustainable irrigation with regenerated water from EDAR.”

The purpose of the park is to be a “social space and meeting point for families, improving the quality of life for neighbours and visitors” as described in the Roquetas de Mar Town Hall’s post on Facebook announcing the opening.

Natural hot spring

THERE is a free hot spring in the Almeria Province, surrounded by trees and greenery, restaurants and bars.

Balsa de Cela is a natural thermal pool, open to the public, and commonly used as a municipal pool.

Found between Tijola and Lucar, the waters emerge naturally with a constant flow of 42 litres per second.

The temperatures of the water remain between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius, depending on the time of the year.

The natural hot springs of Balsa de Cela accompanied by the beautiful mountain backdrop.

The pool-shaped reservoir has formed at the source and is divided

in half by the border between Tijola and Lucar. The reservoir has dimensions of 50x50 m and a depth ranging from 50 cm to 2 metres deep.

The Cela Spring irrigates the rich earth around it and its waters are distributed between the municipalities of Tijola, Lucar and Armuña. It was traditionally used as a watering place for cattle, and there is recorded reference to it in Roman Times, referring to the “richness of the hot springs of the then Tagilitana Republic,” according to the Andalucia tourism site.

The Cela hot spring is said to have medicinal properties for different types of illnesses, and has been the favourite place for bathing for the locals of Tijola, also proving to be a popular spot for tourists during the summer months.

All six models posed for a photo after the fashion show.

Javier A Garcia, president of the Deputation, shooting hoops on the new basketball court in Las Salinas Park.

Credit: Ayuntamiento de Roquetas de Mar /fb

Credit: Balsa de Cela

Glossy Ibis rescued

ALERTED to the fact that an unusual bird had been spotted in difficulties in a field in Roquetas de Mar, officers from the National Police attended.

They discovered that a juvenile young bird, later identified as a Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) appeared to be exhausted and it was decided that it was safest for the bird to be taken for veterinary inspection.

Acting slowly so as not to disturb the Ibis, officers placed it into a cardboard box and arranged for it to be transferred to the Los Molinos de Almeria clinic, where it was declared uninjured.

It was then placed into the care of the recovery centre before it is released back into the wild.

The Glossy Ibis is not considered an endangered or even vulnerable species as there are large numbers, particularly in Africa and Australia, but this individual was presumably part of a migrating flock.

Arboleas Rocks rocked!

ARBOLEAS ROCKS was an impressive five-act, charity rock concert that took place on Saturday, July 20.

The open-air concert at Arboleas’ community centre was organised by the Military & Blue Light Veterans (MBLV) group.

The MBLV is an association founded in 2020 by Craig Badley, a British Armed Forces veteran of 23 years.

The association began as a group for military and blue light veterans, however, has grown to become a registered non-profit organisation, raising over €35,000 since starting in 2020.

On July 20, MBLV hosted their second Arboleas Rocks featuring five acts; Rebel Yell!, Rewind, Kayleigh Easton, Seldom Sober and QURT. All acts gave amazing performances for free.

Special mention to Jack Law from Seldom Sober, who also acted as the stage manager.

QURT, the ‘blue light’ band made up of Policia, Guardia and Bomberos also gave a fantastic performance just before starting their shifts at the station that night.

The event had two food stalls on offer, one serving English burgers and hotdogs and the other serving traditional Spanish Paella.

Inside the community centre was the bar, serving drinks including draught beer. The event was free to enter, and even though no donations were requested, MBLV raised an approximate total of €3,000 at Arboleas Rocks this year, which was donated to Arboleas Pensioners, Arboleas Youth and the Municipal Band.

ON Saturday July 20, a delegation from the church in Adra travelled to Sevilla to attend a special mass in honour of the Blessed Virgin of the Sea.

This statue of the Virgin has been sent to goldsmith, restorer and sculptor José Manuel Cosano to bring it back to a perfect state and following the mass in the Iglesia de la Misericordia, the statue was transported back to Adra.

This was all organised by the Hermandad de la Stma Virgen del Mar y San Nicolás de Tolentino and on Friday July 26 at 8pm at the Hermitage of San Sebastian in Adra, there will be a solemn thanksgiving mass to welcome back the Patron Saint and Perpetual Mayor.

In a somewhat unexpected comment on social media a special tag was created simply saying “the boss is back.”

A large number of worshippers travelled to Sevilla. Credit: Adra Council Credit:

State of the art transport in a cardboard box.

Arboleas Rocks rocked the locals this year at their charity rock concert. Credit: Arboleas

Michael Cano ALTEA is a non-profit association founded by a group of parents with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

It’s headquarters is in Huercal de Almeria although it undertakes work in much of Almeria Province including Almeria capital, Roquetas de Mar, El Ejido and Vicar.

The members of ALTEA and their team of specialist professionals work tirelessly to provide the province and diagnosed families with the resources they need to be equal members of the community.

They currently work with more than 160 families and this year have organised a summer camp to provide a useful diversion for

Autism support Dangerous trees

WHILST many still question whether climate change is myth or reality there is absolutely no doubt that the weather in Spain is becoming more changeable.

In Roquetas de Mar, the council has recognised this and is alert to the fact that there are a significant number of old and very large trees situated on pavements and in other spaces in the municipality which may be unsafe.

Strong winds can bring down rotten limbs from trees and a tree that might appear to be in good condition to the naked eye may be deteriorating under the covering of its bark.

The council has therefore decided to bring into play specialists in ultrasound technology and they are touring the municipality analysing readings taken from some

Turtle saved

Michael Cano

THIS week in Almeria Province has been almost dominated by wildlife stories and happily the majority of them have been positive.

many of the children that they serve as well as a break for their parents.

On Friday July 19, ALTEA received a visit from Francisco Bellido, Territorial Delegate of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality, together with Diego Martinez, responsible for the Andalucian Youth Institute in Almeria, to

familiarise themselves with the work undertaken in the camp.

Also present were two councillors from Roquetas de Mar and those working for ALTEA consider the visit demonstrates the commitment of local and regional authorities to social inclusion and support for people with autism and their families.

On July 19, the Government Delegate of the Andalucian Regional Government, Aranzazu Martín, the Director General of Fo restry Policy and Biodiversity, Juan Ramón Pérez, and the mayor of El Ejido, Francisco Góngora, attended the release of a small loggerhead turtle nicknamed Yolanda.

Having been spotted at sea in May and seen to have a problem with submerging, she was rescued and taken for observation and treatment.

She spent the first night at the facilities of Equinac, a wildlife rescue NGO,

who kept the turtle under observation with heat and fluid therapy, without detecting any obvious injuries.

Yolanda was then transferred to the Andalucian Marine Environment Management Centre (CEGMA), in Algeciras, where she underwent an exhaustive study with X-rays and blood samples collected for analysis and the only real problem appeared to be a cut on the right flipper.

After checking that the juvenile turtle which weighed just six kilos was healthy and able to swim and dive, it was decided to return her to the wild and she was released into the waters of Almerimar marina just over two months since her rescue.

of the largest trees which will allow them to identify potential risks to life and limb.

Once they have discovered the properties of each tree and whether they are healthy or rotting from the inside, they will be able to recommend the proper corrective measures to ensure that no-one is injured in the event that strong winds blow up.

Yolanda was released into almerimar marina.

Credit: El Ejido Council

Patrons help puppies

Harry Sinclair LOCAL TV stars and estate agents from Sun, Sea & Selling Houses (SS&SH) are now patrons of AA Dog Rescue.

The Garners, estate agents and stars on Channel 4, are teaming up with AA Dog Rescue in fundraising to keep the charity alive.

As stated on their GoFundMe, they “are trying to raise funds to avoid this charity having to close!”

AA Dog Rescue is run by Charley Nathan and Sharon Bays, a team

that rescues dogs in Spain and the UK.

On June 12, Charley released a statement to all who would hear his pleas about the current situation of the charity.

SS&SH posted Charley’s statement on the GoFundMe page, which states “Adoptions are at an all-time low and I have no money left to prop up the charity.”

Charley thanked all those who have supported them so far, stating “We have homed over 11,000 dogs in the UK

over the 11 years we have been running.”

Sharon, from SS&SH, wrote on the GoFundMe page urging the estate agent’s 70,000 Facebook followers to donate, saying “Help us make Charley and her team sleep at night knowing they can save so many of the dog’s lives and help find them their forever home.”

The fundraiser is currently at €617 of the €2,000 target, can you help them get to the finish line?

E-scooter surveillance

THE Local Police of Huer cal-Overa carried out a special campaign on surveillance and control of Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMV).

On Thursday, July 18, the Huercal-Overa Town Hall released a press release an nouncing this con trol campaign.

The aim of the campaign is to make all drivers aware of the responsibility that must be assumed when driving a PMV, as well as respecting road safety regulations to reduce the number of traffic accidents and their consequences.

A bundle of e-scooters parked on the pavement.

The campaign ultimately aims to “make all users aware that it (e-scooters) is a vehicle and therefore compliance with traffic regulations is obligatory” as stated on Huercal-Overa’s town hall website. They aim to inform and educate so that people are “fully aware of all the aspects that affect VMPs” including that from January 2024, all VMPs sold must be certified for use.

Electric scooters, or e-scooters, and other PMVs can be highly contested by locals, with some using them to get to work or school, and others finding them a nuisance or even a danger.

The councillor for Citizen Security, Jose Manual Viseras, explained they are launching this campaign to “raise awareness of the importance of ensuring the safety of users and especially pedestrians,” adding that “By protecting our environment and those who use it, we make our city a safer place.”

Puppies in a pen at AA Dog Rescue charity, shared on the GoFundMe page.

Credit: AA Dog Rescue and Sun, Sea & Selling Houses

Almeria sees more jellyfish

MANY of us will be heading to the coastal beaches this summer, but maybe we should look before we leap into the sea.

Many varying species of jellyfish can be found across the coast of Spain, and the province of Almeria is no different; knowing when and where these sea jellies may pop up could save you a sting.

The MedusApp can play a crucial role in this.

Self-described as “The app for reporting jellyfish sightings and stings,” the MedusApp has identified four beaches where jellyfish can be found, showcasing that Almeria Province has more jellyfish than most other Spanish coasts.

On the beaches of Aguadulce and Cabo de Gata, jellyfish can be present, however, it is the beaches of Aguamarga and Aguilas that have recently seen possibly the most known species of jellyfish, the Physalia Physalis.

More commonly known as the Portuguese Man o’ War, and for

its floating balloon shape, this member of the gelatinous family is feared by many for its especially painful sting, although it should be remembered these are usually localised and very rarely deadly.

Another sighted jellyfish along the coast of Almeria is the Pelagia Noctiluca, or Mauve Stinger, which again are not deadly (but may hurt!).

Proving the region’s beauty

MORE than 40 photographers were tasked with capturing the beauty of the Almanzora Valley, and all 200 photos prove it. It is di cult to choose the most beautiful part of the Almanzora Valley region, the inland area of Almeria, however, this group of photographers did just that.

This year marked the third Tourist Photography Contest of the Almanzora Valley, and saw more than 40 photographers from across Spain parti-

cipating, with this year’s theme being the 30 wonders of Almanzora.

Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the top three photos, which were an impressive photo of Albox’s Torre de la Aljambra, a snapshot of a sunset in Calar Alto and a panoramic view of Seron in respective order.

The awards ceremony, which took place on Saturday, July 13, was hosted at the Perez Siquier Centre, dedicated to the late great Spanish photogra-

pher, in Olula de Rio. The contest has established itself over the years as an unmissable event for photography lovers, and stands out with its high participation rate and quality of work presented.

Carmen Martinez Ortego won rst prize, receiving a diploma and a cash prize of €250. Silver and gold medalists also received a diploma and cash prize, with several other contestants receiving diplomas for their outstanding contributions.

Carmen Martinez Ortega’s winning photograph of Albox from the Torre Aljambra.

Credit: Carmen Martinez Ortega /fb

The Portuguese Man o’ War floating atop the sea, showcasing its signature iridescent balloonlike shape. Credit: Shutterstock

Eagle owl saved Body found in Mojacar

LOCAL POLICE in Huercal-Overa were called to the rescue of an injured eagle owl on the side of the road.

At 9pm on Tuesday, July 16, a Local Police officer in Huercal-Overa received a phone call from a neighbour alerting him of an injured animal on the Rambla de Parias, next to the bridge.

After receiving the call, a Local Police patrol was sent out to the scene and proceeded to try to intercept and help the injured bird, and prevent it from hurting itself further.

The police patrol was able to get their hands safely on the eagle owl and control it. After successfully doing so, they could then contact 112, the emergency department, to reach the coordinator of Agentes de Medio Ambiente (Environmental Agents) and inform them

of the capture of the eagle owl. With the owl in safe hands, they kept the injured bird at the police station waiting for the Agen-

tes de Medio Ambiente to proceed with the removal and safe transfer of the injured eagle owl to the recovery centre.

SPANISH police are currently investigating the mysterious death of a 35year-old British man in Mojacar, found on Sunday July 21 at around 11pm.

The body of the British man was found at his home in Mojacar, near Vantanicas beach, with signs of violence and blood on the body, floor and walls of the room.

The Local Police responded to a call from a neighbour and found the body.

It was clear the man had

suffered a head injury, yet officers from the Guardia Civil have opened an investigation to clarify the cause of his death.

The Guardia Civil is still currently investigating the situation and has not ruled out any possibilities.

Pedro Fernandez, the Government delegate in Andalucia, has called to wait for the results of the post-mortem, which he states will be “very relevant and very important because what was presen-

ted was an incised-contused wound at the level of the forehead of between four and five centimetres.”

Fernandez added that “absolutely no theory is ruled out at this time” and while it could have been an accident in a private home, they are interrogating possible suspects. So far, no additional information has been released, but Guardia Civil investigators are reporting to a duty court in the nearby town of Vera.

Local Police officer safely holding the injured eagle owl.

Credit: Ayuntamiento de Huercal-Overa

Guardia Civil officers found the body of a British man, 35, in his home in Mojacar.

Healthy summer Sabores Almeria

FOLLOWING interna-

tional promotion of the Sabores Almeria brand by the Provincial Council, local companies are being invited to become more involved.

On July 21, the first Almeria Business Meeting was organised by the brand and was held at the Bodegas Sierra Almagrera, Cuevas del Almanzora to bring together producers, hoteliers and sales people to discuss promoting the

various gourmet brands.

Representatives from 18 producers and nine members of the hospitality sector took part in the event.

The objective of these meetings is to create synergies, exchange experiences and share promotion and distribution strategies as well as allowing those taking part to invite clients and distributors who wish to present their products.

Looking internationa-

lly, members of the Spanish-Japanese Chamber and distributors who export to Europe and the USA were present and it is planned to hold similar meetings three times a year.

Following a reception and guided tour of the winery’s facilities, a business meeting was held, followed by a networking session and top chefs prepared typical dishes enjoyed in Almeria.

Paul Edwards

THE Red Cross organisation in Almeria is on the road visiting different towns to explain ways of ensuring that residents and visitors enjoy a healthy summer.

Organised in collaboration with the Andalucian Health Service of the Junta de Andalucia the aim is to give some important first aid tips to those who are visiting the beaches.

Their first stop was El Toyo handing out leaflets and giving helpful advice on how to handle a number of potential problems which often crop up when families in particular are visiting the beach.

Tips included how to dispense first aid for domestic wounds, use of sun screen and how to cope with sunburn, treatment of stings, administering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and dealing with choking caused by food or other objects.

Possibly the most common complaint however is likely to be exhaustion caused by too much expo-

sure to the sun and advice was available on dealing with heat stroke and keeping hydrated.

Lemon thieves

OFFICERS from the Vera Local Police stopped a vehicle in the early hours of Thursday July 18 as they saw that its back suspension appeared low.

To their surprise, they discovered no less than 250 kilos of lemons in the car which had its back seats pushed down in order to accommodate this huge haul.

As the driver was unable to prove ownership of the lemons, they considered that they must have been stolen and would be sold locally so, the citrus fruits were confiscated prior to investigating the matter further.

In the event, working in partnership with the HuercalOvera Local Police, it was established that the lemons had indeed been stolen and the rightful owner was contacted.

The thieves however were left with a sour taste in the mouth as they were brought to justice.

Juergas Rock

WITH less than a week to go before the Juergas Rock Festival starts on Wednesday July 31, the Adra Council has started work on preparing the festival site.

This is the 11th year that it has taken place, but the festival area appears from latest photos to be somewhat run down, even though it is adjacent to the sea.

The first action has been to bring in a mobile disinfection unit to spray the ground in order to destroy insects including mosquitos and their eggs.

There is a lot to do before the expected thousands of rock fans descend on Adra for the festi-

Red Cross volunteers gave valuable tips.

Attendees at the first Almeria Business Meeting.

Juergas Rock 2023.

Worry-free travel

Credit:

€5,000 Fine

HOLIDAYS in Europe are on many people’s summer lists, and going on them worry-free makes any holiday that much better.

This is exactly what the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) permits you to do.

First issued in January 2004, the EHIC allows you to receive necessary and urgent medical care abroad.

When you present the card, you will be able to obtain healthcare services directly from a public or con-

tracted provider, “under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in the country you are visiting” as stated on the European Commission website.

This will relieve many people’s concerns when travelling abroad, giving access to local healthcare while on holiday, including for chronic or existing illnesses, as well as pregnancy and childbirth.

The EHIC is valid in any EU country, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein,

Shutterstock

Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

It is not, however, an alternative to travel insurance as it does not cover any private healthcare costs or planned medical treatments.

It should also be remembered that each country’s healthcare system is different, and some services that are free at home might cost in another country.

Please ensure you know what you need, when and where, before travelling on holiday this summer.

AN Italian journalist, Giulia Cortese has been ordered to pay €5,000 over social media posts mocking Giorgia Meloni’s height.

Cortese was also handed a suspended fine of €1,200, issued for ‘body shaming’, as ruled by a judge. Meloni’s lawyer said she would donate any money she received to charity.

The controversial posts included an artificially edited photo of Giorgia Meloni, standing in front of a framed pho to of an Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini. Italy’s PM had come across the post and wrote on Facebook that the ‘falsified photo’ was of ‘unique gravity’ and that she would take legal action.

Cortese then posted on X; “You don’t scare me, Giorgia Meloni. Af

ter all, you’re only 1.2 metres tall. I can’t even see you.” The PM then took legal action. Giorgia Meloni’s height is reported in Italian media to be 1.63m.

After receiving the fines, Giulia Cortese made another post on X, commenting that the Italian government has a “serious problem with freedom of expression and journalistic dissent.” She noted; “This country seems to get close to Orban’s Hungary: these are bad times for independent journalists and opinion leaders. Let’s hope for better days ahead.”

Giorgia Meloni’s fine raised a global discussion about the fine line between freedom of the press and online harassment. With freedom of the press, comes responsibility and while personal attacks are never justified, there is a growing concern for the government’s filtration of political criticism in the EU.

Getting your EHIC card this summer could make travelling more care-free.

Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s PM.

Credit: Giorgia Meloni, Facebook

AYUNTAMIENTO DE MOJACAR

THE Mojacar Council has taken to social media to highlight two important matters which affect sea creatures, beaches and holidaymakers.

Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 1 - 04638 Mojácar (Almería)

Telef. 950.615.009 Fax: 950.475.200

info@mojacar.es

ayuntamiento.mojacar.es

Turtles and rays

Firstly, a number of turtle tracks were spotted on Lance Nuevo beach on July 17 and it appears that it may have been a female turtle looking to dig a nest in which to lay her eggs. In the event it didn’t appear that any eggs were laid, but this doesn’t mean that she won’t return and the council has asked that everyone keep an eye out for any further sightings and if seen contact the 112 emergency number. They stress that if a turtle is spotted, it must be left alone and untouched as it may be in the

process of getting ready to lay and once again call 112.

Swimming competition

THIS summer, a number of competitions have been organised across Almeria Province so that those who enjoy swimming in the sea can take part.

On Sunday July 28, it’s the turn of Mojacar and this, the third event so far starts next to the chiringuito at Tito’s Beach.

There are various classes and distances so that the very young as well as experienced sea swim-

mers may take part.

The event commences at 10am with a 200 metre swim for the very young and also those who may be in need of special assistance.

10.30 it’s a 1,000 metre course for older children, juniors and special needs swimmers.

11am those who are older or more experienced as well as selected special needs swimmers will follow a 2,000 metre course. Anyone who wishes to take part has to visit https://www.to dofondo.net/ to register before 2pm on Friday July 26. Hosted by the Mojacar Council and the Almeria Provincial Council, the area where the races are due to take place will be patrolled to ensure that all swimmers are safe at all times.

There have also been numerous sightings of small manta rays just

off the beaches of Mojacar as well as Vera and it has been confirmed that this is perfectly normal as although they spend most of their life in deeper water, they come into shallower water to give birth to their young as opposed to laying eggs like other fish.

Although they can sting, they are basically very docile and unless attacked or handled, it is highly unlikely that they will do anything other than swim away if in close proximity to a human.

The ray that killed crocodile hunter Steve Irwin in 2006 was of a different species and many times larger than the manta rays seen in the Mediterranean.

Beach cleaning

ONE of the most important themes of the summer in Mojacar is that of involving of the family, residents or holidaymakers in protecting the environment.

On Saturday July 27, everyone is invited to go to the Playa La Rumina (in front of Azor workshop) at 8am to take part in a charity beach clean-up. It’s being managed by the Club Deportivo Costa Baria with the added help of a number of lifeguards and the support of Mojacar Council.

It’s not just the beach itself that needs cleaning but also the seabed near to the shore which almost certainly harbours junk which is detrimental to the environment.

For more information, contact the club at cd.costabaria@ gmail.com or the Tourist O ce on 950 615 025.

This ts in well with the ongoing programme to protect sea turtles and it is hoped recent signs of turtle movement on local beaches will result in eggs being laid and healthy hatchlings.

San Augustin

WITH a large number of concepts for the poster to be used to publicise the upcoming San Augustin Fiesta, Mojacar Council drew up a short list of three. All three appeared on the Mojacar Council Facebook page and visitors to that page were invited to vote for their favourite, up until 6pm on July 24.

The council will tally up the number of votes that each poster received and that will then become the o cial poster of the esta which runs from August 24 to 28.

At the time of writing, poster 1 had received the most number of votes and was well ahead of posters 2 and 3.

The annual competition to design the esta poster is not unique to Mojacar and is a part of the celebration of numerous fairs and estas across the whole of Andalucia.

Los Bandidos

LOS BANDIDOS

Running Club Mojacar elded 12 runners in the eighth race in the Circuito de Carreras Populares Diputación de Almeria 2024 in Villaricos on Saturday July 20. The start and nish line was situated next to the small harbour, Puerto Deportivo La Esperanza and each lap went up a gentle slope through the village to the Castillo de Villaricos, then back down to the seafront and the undulating Paseo back to the start line. There was a welcome breeze on the return leg of each lap to combat the somewhat sti ing heat of the main street and there was great support from the locals who were out in force, cheering and encouraging the runners, giving a very welcome boost on the home straight.

Trophies were awarded to rst, second and third places in each age group as well as to the overall winners whilst all competitors received a ‘I love running’ sun visor.

There was some success for the Los Bandidos runners with Rachael Slack nishing third in her class and Teresa Chance winning hers.

Los Bandidos are currently collecting non-perishable food and toiletries for the Red Cross Food Bank.

Credit: Mojacar Council

Part of Lance Nuevo beach was cordoned off in case the turtle returned.

Some swimmers take competition very seriously.

Don’t feed the wolves

PART of the Den Treek estate in Leusden has been closed after a small girl was bitten during a school outing.

The 200 hectares of countryside are privately owned but open to the public and Leusden Town Hall, together with Utrecht’s provincial authorities, decided one section until August 15 to prevent more incidents.

The child suffered a warning nip but in early July a miniature poodle on a lead was bitten and dragged away by a wolf and has not been seen since.

A pair of wolves with cubs live on the estate and the Utrecht authorities said that safeguarding its offspring had probably prompted an over-protective parent to attack the dog and bite the child.

Provincial councillor Huib van Essen said the recent attac ks were unusual and suggested the Den Treek wolves could be lo sing their fear of humans because

tourists use food to attract wolves so they can take photographs.

What was needed, wolf behaviour expert Diederik van Liere said, was a volunteer service to chase away wolves after a sighting.

“That would teach wolves not to approach people and is the best longterm solution,” Van Liere told the NOS broadcaster.

Meanwhile, farmers in the area insisted that shooting them was the only solution and called for the current protection regulations to be

Flying into trouble

FRANCE’S government has authorised flying taxis but Paris City Hall wants to ban them.

On July 4, the government approved airport authority Groupe ADP’s project and construction began on a ‘vertiport’ located on the Seine near Austerlitz railway station for the two-seater electric aircraft.

Paris City Hall and Jerome Coumet, mayor of the 13th Arrondissement, together with associations fighting air and noise pollution, have now taken legal action to cancel the authorisation.

The project showcasing the vertical takeoff flying taxis has also has received a €1 million subsidy from the Ile de France region.

According to the Environment ministry, the air taxis can operate until December 31 ‘at the

latest’ between 8am and 5pm, with a daily maximum of two journeys.

There will be room for one passenger paying an average fare of €110 and the taxis will follow three separate routes, connecting all the Paris airports.

Where possible, the taxis must avoid flying over buildings and follow the course of the Seine and the Paris ring road.

City hall official Dan Lert has described the flying taxis as “environmental aberrations for the ultra-rich” and a “democratic scandal” responsible for new noise pollution, especially for ring-road residents.

Lert also maintained that the airborne taxis use 30 times more energy than the Metro and emit 45 times more greenhouse gases.

FLYING TAXI: Could soon be seen over Paris.

WOLVES: Some wolves are losing their fear of humans.

The only guest Tax the rich

A TRAVEL influencer

shared a “surreal” experience of staying at an “abandoned” hotel in Italy, that didn’t have a single staff member and only a handful of guests.

Known as Universal Corner on TikTok, a woman shared her travel experience with her 59,000 followers in Cagliari, on the island of Sardinia. She shared a video, which has been viewed more than 73,000 times, showing an old-fashioned, completely empty hotel.

The woman said she was the only guest and there were no staff. She said upon her arrival she met someone who handed her a key and said that “everything will be closed.” She didn’t believe it until she saw it herself; “There is a restaurant downstairs which is closed. The hotel is totally empty.”

She then revealed;

“There were no guests in the hotel and suddenly a car arrives and there are two elderly foreigners, I think from Croatia. As everything was closed. I offered to call the hotel’s phone number.”

She reached a person who said they were not in charge and suggested she take the role of a concierge; “Instead of telling me he was coming to take care of

things, he said the new guests could have room 109, which was open and I should accompany them to their room.”

The video sparked a discussion about Italy’s hotels; “Hotels in Italy are usually like that,” said one TikTok user. Another said that “they would be horrified.”

Others said “Now you understand why it was so cheap.”

HOME to an estimated 110 billionaires and even more multi-millionaires, Switzerland is in danger of losing a large part of its population. The ultra-rich are preparing to flee the country in fear of a new tax proposal.

The JUSO (The Socialist Youth), under the Social Democratic Party, are determined to impose a law for a 50 per cent inheritance tax on all residents whose assets exceed 50 million francs (€7 million).

The Vice President of JUSO, Melanie Rufi stated to the Press that the rich should be held “responsible” for climate change, as they “contribute enormously to the destruction of the climate through their investments and consumer beha-

that the tax would generate six billion francs (€914,694,103) in income for both the government and Swiss residents. While the left of the Swiss parliament is fully in support of the initiative, MPs from other parties are concerned about the consequences on the local economy. To become the law, the initiative has to go through numerous stages. Initially, a parliamentary consultation and recommendation will be held, which are likely to last at least until the year 2025. Therefore, the decision will not be made until 2026.

Despite this, many of the Swiss wealthy are already moving abroad, as Norwegians who have fled to Switzerland in fear of their country’s

Your Belgian estate agent at the coast!

Empty hotel reception in Sardinia.

Swiss aeroplane.

Credit: Riik@mctr, Flickr

Heavy metal mayor

IN what turned out to be a somewhat unusual ceremony, Vera Celis, mayor of Geels in Antwerp agreed to go metal to conduct a wedding.

She was asked to officiate at the symbolic wedding by the owners of the Skulls hard rock café as Walter and Anja who are in their 50s hoped that she would be prepared to enter into the spirit of the occasion by dressing in something appropriate.

Possibly knowing that local elections were just around the corner and hoping for some good publicity for being such a ‘politician of the people’, she agreed and although her wardrobe is normally somewhat more refined, she managed to find a look which everyone approved off.

The bride and groom arrived at Skulls where the symbolic ceremony took place in a three-wheel motorbike with the bride wearing black.

The ‘ceremony’ was also officiated over by a friend dressed as a Cardinal and present were their children, grandchildren, friends and customers.

Speaking to VRT NWS, Mayor Celis said “The most exotic thing I had experienced to date was having pets present at the wedding. But mostly, in Geel, everything is done by the book.”

All went well and the mayor was considered a good sport by all involved.

Chilli kick

AFTER the ‘challenge’ of trying Denmark’s ultra-spicy noodles became viral, the Danish Food Agency banned the products, warning of their ‘poisonous effects’. This July, however, the trend came back; young people continue to fan the flames of the trend on social media.

After a growing concern about the noodles, the Danish National Food Institute evaluated the products and found an alarmingly high level of capsaicin present; something which could cause acute poisoning. The Institute then issued an official recommendation, especially targeting young people and children to avoid the products.

In June, the trending noodle products including ‘3x Spicy & Hot Chicken’, ‘2x Spicy & Hot Chicken’, and ‘Hot Chic-

ken Stew’ by the South Korean brand Samyang, were taken off all stores in Denmark due to safety concerns.

In July, however, two of the three banned products, ‘2x Spicy & Hot Chicken’, and ‘Hot Chicken Stew’ bounced back on the shelves across the country. The third product, ‘Samyang Buldak 3 x Spicy Hot Chicken’ is still considered by the

Ice, Ice Baby

HIGH temperatures are not exactly enjoyable for animals from cold climates, especially when they have layers of fat and fur to keep them warm.

Imagine how uncomfortable polar bear twins Aleut and Gregor must have been until the Prague Zoo decided to ship in 10 tons of ice every week whilst the temperature is so high. Whilst the polar bears luxuriated in the cooling climate of their enclosure, the Zoo often becomes the coldest place in Prague and other animals to benefit include the elephants, otters, the flightless Kea from the Alpine regions of New

Zealand and even kangaroos.

There is a double bonus to the ice so, as it melts there is still refreshing cool water for many of the zoo inhabitants to enjoy.

The heat however hasn’t stopped a number of animals and reptiles

giving birth and the latest collection include a tiny female pangolin, a couple of capybaras, short-haired May kittens and a pair of llamas.

Top attraction however is a yet to be named three-week-old female Northern Nubian giraffe who after suffering some initial problems with her health has now been introduced to the entire herd. More sophisticated, but a bit like a struggling Liberian private zoo which some 25 years ago had notices everywhere saying “Please feed the animals,” it is possible to donate money to feed the giraffes in Prague Zoo through https://stra venky.zoopraha.cz/pro duct/zirafa-nubijska.

Institute too harmful to health and is therefore still prohibited.

The Danish Food Institute released an updated statement after conducting a more extensive analysis of the products, saying that the products currently sold are safe to consume. The content of capsaicin, however, was still listed as high and should be consumed with caution.

Credit: Vera Celis

Remember the Cresta polar bear adverts“It’s frothy man.”

Mayor Celis and the happy couple.

Credit: Prague Zoo

Samyang noodles back on the shelves.

Credit: H&L, Facebook

Ben Ross found alive

BRITISH trainee barrister

Ben Ross has been found alive after vanishing on the Spanish island of Mallorca on July 10.

The 26-year-old’s disappearance sparked a frantic search by his family and friends. His mother, Felix Robinson has expressed immense relief in a statement: “I’m so incredibly grateful for all the help and support we’ve received. Everyone has been truly incredible. We are so relieved to have found him and are now focused on getting him back to full health and home safe and well.”

Determined to nd her son, Felix travelled to Mallorca and launched a personal search. Meanwhile, Ben’s friend, Carla, set up an online fundraiser to support the family’s e orts. While the exact circumstances of Ben’s disappearance and subsequent discovery remain unclear, the news of his safe return brings great relief to his family and the community.

“THERE is no new King of Pop. You didn’t earn it, my uncle did,” shared Michael Jackson’s nephew, Taj Jackson on X, after seeing the Rolling Stone UK cover, crowning Harry Styles with the honourable title.

Rolling Stone awarded the 30-yearold pop singer, Harry Styles with the title that no one since Michael Jackson had dared to touch, causing mixed reactions from the public and alarmed responses from Jackson’s family.

Michael Jackson’s son, Prince Jackson appeared on Good Morning Britain to address the controversy. “I do feel that my father is the King of Pop, will always be the King of Pop, and it’s not something that you can ever take away...”

Michael Jackson was rst titled the King of Pop by the iconic American actress, Elizabeth Taylor when she presented him with the Heritage Award for career achievement at the Soul Train Music Awards in 1989.

This was 25 years after the start of Jackson’s career; 25 years of his tireless work and ght against racial and class discrimination.

Rolling Stone crowned Harry Styles with the same title just six years after his launch into a solo career,

King of Pop

following the fall of the popular boy band, One Direction, formed after auditioning in the X-Factor in 2010.

Prince Jackson said; “Harry Styles is an incredible artist. But the King of Pop was a moniker that really my dad earned in a time that the access to information and the access to popularity and fame wasn’t as ea-

Last of the Viking ships

BJORVIKA, still Oslo’s port district, was in continual use as the city’s principal harbour until four centuries ago.

The seabed is littered with the wrecks of boats that foundered from the 13th century onwards and

archaeologists initially assumed that a large section of timber excavated under a wharf built around 1300 was roughly the same age.

“But we saw that its shape di ered signi cantly from other nds in the same area,” Havard Hegdal from

the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) told online magazine Sciencenorway.

Intrigued, they sent a fragment of wood for dating and learnt that it had belonged to a tree which began to grow in 1035 and was felled between 1087 and 1100.

“It was 200 years older than the wharf above it. And that’s a big mystery,” Hegdal said.

“If the dating is accurate, then we’re right at the end of the Viking Era.”

This is commonly accepted as ending on September 25, 1066 when Harold of England defeated Harald Hardrada of Norway in the Battle of Stamford Hill, a shortlived victory as he lost his own life in the Battle of Hastings on October 14.

Much of Bjorvika has received little attention from archaeologists until now, but they are increasingly called in as more discoveries are made during major developments in the area.

Harry Styles photoshoot.

Credit: Harry Styles, Facebook

Benjamin Ross and his mother, Felix Robinson.

Credit: Spotted Salford/fb

KING CHARLES III has conferred a royal title upon a rare golden goat breed connected to the island of Guernsey.

Known now as the Royal Golden Guernsey Goat, this title was awarded during the king’s visit to the island in the English Channel on Tuesday July 16, and it applies to the breed worldwide.

Rebecca Martin, the owner of the eight-year-old goat Summerville Tamsin, which was selected to represent the breed, expressed hope that the new title would help raise awareness.

Royal goat

During the ceremony, King Charles petted the goat and complimented its pale blonde coat.

The Royal Golden Guernsey Goat is listed as ‘at risk’ on the Rare Breeds Watchlist. Known for their friendly and docile nature, these goats also produce good milk.

Christopher Price, the chief executive of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, highlighted the significance of this recognition.

He noted that the royal honour acknowledges the breed’s historical importance and its contributions to biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and sustainable food production.

“These goats are selective in their grazing habits, which can lead to specific environmental benefits,” the chief executive stated.

“We are extremely grateful to His Majesty for his greatly valued support.”

Ronaldo invests

THE fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has moved to play in Saudi Arabia has ensured yet a further growth in his profile in the Middle East. He has recently taken a 10 per cent stake in the company that owns luxury tableware brand Vista Alegre Atlantis and a 30 per cent stake in the Spanish subsidiary.

As Vista Alegre celebrates its founding in Portugal 200 years ago, so Ronaldo has agreed to become invol ved in a joint venture to promo te the Vista Alegre brand and re nowned Portuguese ceramics brand Bordallo Pinheiro in Asia and the Middle East.

The first bicentenary product to be launched is a 2024 calendar plate which has as its central design a duck perched on top of a football which carries the date 2024.

If Portugal had actually triumphed in the Euro 2024 finals, sales would have shot through the roof, but the 39-year-old is committed to promoting and investing in Portuguese products and through his CR7 company is either a partner or brand

Ambassador for a number of local companies.

Like one of the other greats of modern football, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo has investments in four boutique hotels and by the time he hangs up his football boots it is estimated he will have earned at least $1 billion (€920 million) during his playing career. With wise management of CR7 and ongoing sponsorship, that amount can only continue to grow on an annual basis.

RARE BREED: King Charles petted the goat at the ceremony.

Image: Royal UK

Ronaldo is a staunch supporter of Portuguese business.

Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo Facebook

Picasso prank

A COLLECTION of paintings, initially presented as the works of Pablo Picasso and other renowned artists, has stirred considerable controversy at an Australian art museum.

The institution faced a gender discrimination lawsuit after it restricted access to the exhibition to female visitors only.

The controversy escalated when the museum, in an attempt to comply with a legal ruling that men could not be excluded, relocated the paintings to a women’s bathroom.

It was revealed this week that the paintings were not genuine master-

pieces by Picasso or other famous artists.

Kirsha Kaechele, the curator of the women-only exhibition at Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), confessed to creating the paintings herself.

Kaechele disclosed her role as the actual artist on MONA’s blog, prompted by inquiries from a reporter and the Picasso Administration in France regarding the paintings’ authenticity.

She noted that the paintings had been on display for over three years without anyone questioning their origin, despite one piece being accidentally hung upside down.

“I expected a Picasso expert, a devoted fan, or even just someone curious enough to search online, to visit the Ladies Lounge, notice the upside-down painting, and expose the truth on social media,” Kaechele wrote. “But it never happened.”

Painted by Kirsha.

EES delayed again

THE anticipated launch date for the new Entry-Exit System (EES), intended to streamline the passport control process, has been rescheduled to November 10.

The reasons for this postponement have not been officially disclosed, but it is widely believed to be a response to pressure from member states that require more time to prepare for the implementation.

Prior to the confirmed delay, several airports had expressed concerns about being ready for an October launch date. Smaller airports, in particular, are struggling with setting up the divides needed for the registration of non-EU travellers.

The original launch date was supposed to be in 2021, and the last pushback came at the request of France, who were concerned about the impact it would have on the Sum-

mer Olympics.

The good news is that amid fears of extreme queue rises, the EES system will now be launched in conjunction with an app which aims to alleviate this concern. The app will enable data pre-registration so that most procedures for travelling under the new system can be carried out online.

However, to adequately assess its effectiveness, the app must be tested

with a host of end-users and in multiple languages. While officials from the European Union are confident that the app will be fully operational in time, representatives from the UK remain unconvinced.

According to Nichola Mallon of trade body logistics, the app will not be ready before the summer of 2025, as the EU does not have time to test fully before October.

EES system further delayed until November.

Image: MONA Blog

FROM COAST TO COAST

Feeling too hot to handle?

LET’S chat about the weather; it might help us both cool down.

Thinking of moving to Jupiter? I’ve got a few spots left. Who’s in?

In my hunt for a new home among the stars, I stumbled upon Exo-Venus, an Earth-like planet just 42 light-years away. Turns out, it’s a no-go - average temperature? A scorching 42 degrees.

Speaking of cosmic issues, I’d like to share one of my favourite jokes:

- seven climate zones to brag about. Scientists even pinpoint nine consistent weather regions across the contiguous United States.

I hail from the desert near Death Valley, where temps hit a blistering 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.44 Celsius). Parts of Nevada and California? Almost too hot to handle, unless you’re from the Southwest, where wearing shorts and boots together in a heatwave is no sweat.

“There were three people: A Russian, an American, and a blonde. They were having a nice chat together. Then, the Russian said: ‘We were the first ones in space.’ Then the American chimed in: ‘We were the first ones on the moon.’ The blonde added: ‘Well, that’s nothing! We’re gonna be the first ones on the sun!’ The Russian and the American burst out laughing and said: ‘You can’t go to the sun! It’s too hot, you’ll burn up!’ The blonde replied: ‘We know that, we’re not that silly! We’ll go at night!’”

Back on Earth, I’m left to grumble about the blazing summer in southern Spain. The more I vent, the better I feel.

For some of us (like myself), summer has become a personal sauna. I’ve got love handles to spare, but why do I sweat in all the wrong places and never where I should, like the beer belly?

But hey, enough about me. Americans love a good weather chat too. Why wouldn’t we? We’ve got it all: Northwest Coastal, High Plains, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, South, and Southwest

Ever heard of Cordoba, Spain’s hottest province? Then there’s the ‘Pan of Andalucia’ - Écija, proud bearer of the title ‘La sartén de Andalucia’. Andújar completes this trifecta of heat, where frying an egg on the street is not just a joke - it’s possible.

Temperatures here have hit a sizzling 46 degrees Celsius in the last two decades, courtesy of AEMET.

Last year was brutal. I recall neighbours sneaking out at midnight to crank the AC in their cars - a luxury at home can’t live without.

How did I survive? Well, no AC meant cutting back on alcohol, calories, and taking ice-cold showers. Closing curtains, using kitchen fans, and switching to low-energy bulbs helped too. But let’s face it, those ultra-cooling blankets, mattress gel pads, and neck fans are smarter solutions. And if all else fails? Crank up the AC!

Wherever you go, always bring the weather with you - or as they say, “Al mal tiempo, buena cara!”

Lucca Movaldi’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

BY: LUCCA MOVALDI

PRESIDENT AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL

CLUB MARBELLA

Outlook gloomy

BUSINESS has been slow this year for the beach bars along the Ostend coast owing to the disappointing weather. Danny Van den Broucke, who owns four beach bars, said he will be closing one of them when the season ends in October, not only due to the wet weather, but also the high rents that city hall charges.

Audi blow

GERMAN carmaker Audi intends to close its Brussels plant now that global demand for high-end electric vehicles is waning. The Belgian government is in talks with Audi in a bid to save jobs after the Volkswagen subsidiary announced that with production falling to 6,000 this year, it planned to close the unviable factory in 2025.

EURO PRESS

IRELAND

Axes to grind

THE National Museum of Ireland in Dublin appealed to members of the public for information regarding two Early Bronze Age axe heads (2150-2000 BC) posted anonymously to the museum in June. Knowing their original location was crucial for archaeological context, the museum said.

UNEXPECTED PRESENT: Two priceless axeheads sent anonymously to Irish museum.

SWEDEN

Prison visitors

AS the number of under-16s remanded while awaiting trial in Swedish jails has increased, the Prison and Probation Service intends to hire more teachers and counsellors to provide educational support. Schooling is compulsory until the age of 16 and young people’s education should be prioritised, the authorities said.

No tax

THE Visita association which represents Sweden’s hospitality industry warned that allowing municipalities to introduce a tourist tax to avoid overtourism would adversely affect their businesses. “We are already heavily taxed and it would be a real burden to receive additional taxes,” Visita’s Policy chief Anna Wallen said.

GERMANY FRANCE

Strike averted

GROUND staff at Paris airport cancelled the strike that would have caused travel chaos ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games which begin on July 26. The airport workers reached agreement with government-controlled Aeroports de Paris SA (ADP) and accepted a deal on bonuses, working hours and organisation.

Be lazy

PSYCHOANALYST, economist and writer Corinne Maier told Le Monde that she wrote her latest book - Me First! Manifesto for Female Selfishness - to denounce an injustice. “Unlike men, women don’t have the right to be selfish,” Maier maintained. “For men, selfishness is very much tolerated, even rewarded.”

FINLAND NORWAY

Rough ride

TWO tourists who drove across the tundra and a protected area in Longyearbyen on the Svalbard archipelago inside the Arctic Circle were each fined 20,000 kroner (€1,702) for infringing the Cultural Heritage Act. They also broke a separate law that bars all motor traffic from driving across unpaved, open countryside.

ID erased

OLESYA KRIVTSOVA, a Russian activist living in Kirkenes, only discovered that her identity document had been cancelled when she visiting the Russian consulate to renew her international passport. Placed under house arrest in January 2023, she managed to flee Russia in March 2023 despite her electronic tagging device.

New arrivals

THIS summer saw new arrivals at Helsinki’s Korkeasaari Zoo after resident animals produced musk oxen, Pallas cat kittens, forest reindeer and a bearded vulture chick.bThe musk oxen calves were the first to be born there since the early 2000s while the vulture, which hatched in the spring, has been relocated to Germany.

On your way

FIGHTER jets from Finland and Sweden on a joint Nato mission intercepted and redirected two Russian fighter aircraft over the Baltic Sea’s international waters. They had taken off from Kaliningrad and were heading towards mainland Russia but had no flight plan and were not in contact with civilian air traffic.

Plot confirmed

PLANS to assassinate Armin Papperger, the chief executive of Germany’s principal arms manufacturer Rheinmetal, earlier this year were neutralised by the US and German authorities, according to reports in the US media. The plot was retaliation for Rheinmetal’s arms shipments to Ukraine, Intelligence sources said.

Mind the gap

AFTER months of negotiations, Germany’s Cabinet has approved the coalition government’s 2025 Budget despite a €17 billion gap between revenue and spending. Finance minister Christian Lindner explained to the media that the government was at present considering several “innovative ways” of covering the shortfall.

ITALY

BELGIUM NETHERLANDS

Deep waters

LUIGI BRUGNARO, Venice mayor, is under investigation and Transport councillor Renato Boraso has been remanded as police probe a corruption case. They and seven others under house arrest are thought to be linked to the sale of the city’s Pili area adjoining the Lagoon, to Singapore businessman Chiat Kwong Ching.

‘Slavery’ case

A POLICE operation freed 33 Indian nationals employed as farm labourers who after paying €17,000 for jobs and work permits had to work 10-hour days, seven days a week for €4. They were located when police investigated the death of an Indian worker whose arm was severed and legs crushed in a work-related accident.

DENMARK PORTUGAL

Socials surfeit

A REPORT from the Justitia thinktank concluded that politicians’ overuse of social media increasingly ate into the time they spent on legislative work and was affecting Denmark’s lawmaking system. An unnamed MP told Justitia that he believed “very few actually did what they were supposed to be doing.”

Saving water

THE Greater Copenhagen region’s Environmental committee is exploring the possibility of using treated groundwater for most purposes apart from drinking water in some areas, committee chair Line Ervolder told the media. “We don’t have endless water resources and need to rethink our consumption,” she said.

Booting up

THE town of Monchique hopes to enter the Guinness Book of Records with the ‘world’s biggest crocheted boot’ which has been created by the Espiral de Vontades association. The bootee styled exactly like a baby’s required more than three tons of wool and practically filled the football pitch where it was put on show.

Keeping tabs

ACCORDING to official figures, 1,450 people over the age of 65 have been reported missing over the last six years. Of these 115 were never found and the PSP police has now introduced a scheme involving a simple bracelet bearing a number which can help to identify an elderly, disorientated person.

Watch it

KALLE SLAAP, a watchmaker from Grootschmermer, hopes to restore the Rolex that UK farmer James Steel, now 95, lost when the strap broke in the early 70s. Steele assumed it had been eaten by a cow but after it was recently discovered by a metal detectorist, Slaap has offered to repair the Air King free of charge.

Fair shares

TWO female judges and the Clara Wichmann feminist group lodged a formal complaint with the Netherlands Human Rights Institute owing to the lower salaries paid to female judges and public prosecutors. As yet, the state has failed to reply to an ultimatum filed by a lawyer acting pro bono for the Clara Wichmann group.

Electric planes

THE world’s first electric airplane is now being built in Sweden; the ES 30 aims to be the first hybrid-electric aircraft suited for 30 passengers, to be in regional traffic by 2030.

“Only 20 per cent of the world’s population has ever flown today,” revealed Christoffer Levandowski, the innovation leader at Heart Aerospace, who is developing Sweden’s electric aeroplane. “I believe that a major development will take place amongst

those who have not yet had the opportunity to fly.”

Today, only two-seater electric aeroplanes are certified to fly with passengers. Hampus Alfredsson, a researcher in sustainable transport at the RISE Institute, related this to the challenges of extra batteries required for commercial passenger aeroplanes.

Alfredsson noted that; “Electric aviation is in the

starting pits today, but there is still a lot to do for it to take off.” Although 100 global development projects are underway in electric aviation, the vast majority focus on developing air taxis, not aeroplanes for commercial flying.

In Hisingen, Gothenburg in Sweden, the Säve Airport is expecting to meet the world’s first hy-

Pompeii theory

EXPERTS are more convinced than ever that Pompeii was destroyed in August 79AD by a simultaneous volcanic eruption and earthquakes.

A recent study by volcanologists, geologists, and anthropologists which focuses on earthquake-related events decided, after examining two skeletons discovered in Pompei in May 2023, that their deaths were triggered by an earthquake.

The earthquake theory is not new and experts have deliberated for decades the significance of Pliny the Younger’s letters which told how the “ground shook” as Vesuvius erupted.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and the Pom-

MORE people are experiencing a gambling addiction today, revealed figures from the Dutch healthcare information foundation, IVZ.

The figures of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction in the Netherlands have risen by 24 per cent since 2022. In October 2021, online gambling became legalised, which the experts say, has had a “devastating effect.”

peii Archaeological Park team, whose findings were published recently in the Frontiers in Earth Science journal, pointed out that one victim died with his left hand raised, as though protecting his head.

“It is worth noting such traumas are analogous to those individuals involved in modern earthquakes,” they wrote, concluding that the walls had collapsed due to seismic activity.

It was also clear they did not die from inhaling ash or extreme heat as they were lying above volcanic fragments, rather than beneath them, suggesting these two people survived the eruption’s first phase.

Gambling

Since then, 450,000 more gamblers, including teenagers, started betting, according to the NRC Press. “We expected it would be a couple of years from 2021 before people with a gambling addiction would turn to organisations for help,” said the spokeswoman for the network of addiction centre, Verslavingszorg Nederland Floor to the Press.

“It takes time to become addicted, which means the effects of online gambling did not show up in the figures for a long time,” stated the spokeswoman.

brid electric flight. The battery technology can now keep the aircraft in the air for 32 km but Swedish researchers are planning an increase.

The Swedish company, Heart Aerospace managed to extend the flight time by having aircraft engines that can run on sustainable bio-jet fuel for up to 182 km, with established margins where the plane would wait for landing permission or fly to another airport if necessary.

In 2023, almost 2.500 people were treated for a gambling addiction in the Netherlands, 88 per cent were male and 17 per cent were younger than 25. Today, the figures continue to rise.

An addiction to gambling is increasing.

Credit: Javon Swaby, Pexels

No more sunbeds

LIKE Italy and Spain, Greece is growing tired of overcrowding caused by tourists; to battle the issue, beaches now rely on drones to report illegal placings of sunbeds and deckchairs.

The newly developed regulation focuses on 14 beaches across Greece, particularly targeting the protected ‘Natura’ areas and tourist centres. As sunbeds are becoming a rarer sight, drones are now the common practice, overseeing restaurants, bars and rental companies without a permit for beach seating.

The drones not only nd those without a permit but also report the establishments whose sunbeds and umbrellas are positioned too close to the sea; under the new legislation, these should be at least four metres from the shore.

Under the legislation introduced in March, the beaches should be 70 per cent sunbed-free and 85 per cent

free in the protected beaches, where construction is also limited. The Minister indicated that these measures would help overcrowding and illegal privatisation of Greek beaches.

The drones on these beaches are being assisted by local citizens themselves via the MyCoast digital app, which lists the legal establishments and allows users to report violations.

At the beginning of July, a local news outlet reported that more than 1,000 complaints had been led within just ve days; resulting in

New name

Fakes seized

Credit: Agnee, Flickrv IT is simply staggering the amount of money spent on clothing and souvenirs associated with major sporting events and counterfeits grow like mushrooms.

more than €350,000 in violation nes.

In Anavyssos, south of Athens, the largest single ne was issued €220,000 on the Thymari beach to a business operating without a permit.

The only establishments allowed to place sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach are those holding a licence and keeping the beach clean and accessible with lifeguard services. These regulations coincide with the limitations on cruise ships in Mykonos and Santorini, which will be placed in 2025.

With the Euro 2024 nals and the Copa America taking place at the same time, supporters in Spain were obvious customers for football memorabilia and a huge number of shirts were part of a six million item haul.

Madrid’s Guardia Civil and Tax Agency co-ordinated a raid on warehouses in Madrid which they knew to house counterfeit goods, but at the same time they recovered 4.5 tons of other items which they believe will turn out to be fake as well.

One of the 30 brands which appear to have been the subject of counterfeiting complained to the authorities and passed on information which allowed them to take this punitive action.

ITALY’s second-busiest airport was renamed for the billionaire businessman-turned-politician, Silvio Berlusconi, despite growing opposition.

Milan’s Malpensa Airport was renamed to Milan-Malpensa Silvio Berlusconi on July 11, after receiving the approval of the civil aviation authority, despite widespread criticism.

The popular airport had 26 million passengers passing through in 2023 alone, according to Assaeroporti (Italian Association of Airport Operators), and will now be one of Italy’s famously named airports, Leonardo da Vinci, Marco Polo and Valerio Catullo.

“As an Italian and a Lombard, I can’t wait to land at Malpensa Berlusconi,” said the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini to the Press. A longtime friend of Berlusconi, the Minister announced his decision, describing Berlusconi as a “friend Silvio, a great entrepreneur, a great Milanese, and a great Italian.”

Many, however, did not share his enthusiasm; an online petition was formed

Berlusconi.

against the new name, collecting more than 120,000 signatures. Social media became ooded with protesting comments, referencing Berlusconi’s infamous ‘Bunga Bunga’ parties and numerous criminal records.

Italy’s longest-serving premier, Berlusconi died last year at age 86 and while he was admired by some, as seen placing Italy at the forefront of Europe, many regarded him as a power-hungry populist.

A counter-proposal was launched by an opposing union, suggesting that the name be changed to Carla Fracci, the renowned prima ballerina. The centre-left Democratic Party stated that the airport must be named after someone who embodies the values of “honesty, integrity and community service.”

The Party argued that Berlusconi “does not re ect these values, as demonstrated by the numerous criminal convictions he received over the years.”

Silvio

Credit: J.M. Executive, Flickr

Isolated beach in Greece.

Your

VOICE

BUYING A HOME IS OUT OF REACH OF MANY SPANISH RESIDENTS.

Spain: An affordable lifestyle?

Our readers have their say:

SPAIN has long been a popular destination for expats seeking a more affordable lifestyle. However, recent trends suggest a changing picture. While the country continues to offer many positives, the reality for many is becoming increasingly complex.

A key issue highlighted by residents is the challenge of finding long-term rental accommodation. Susan Bee , from Andalucia, describes the struggle of facing continuous relocations due to the scarcity of long-term rentals - “We are renting in Andalucia and are going back to the UK. In our mid 50s not having resources to buy our own house and having to continuously move because we can’t get long term rentals is becoming too much.”

This problem is compounded by rising property prices, making homeownership a distant dream for many.

Helen van Lakum , points to recent government efforts to address the housing crisis - “I thought Spain had put in new stricter laws on ownership and rentals a few months ago, I know Alcalde of Valencia closed down thousands of illegal BnBs and it didn’t harm the economy. The days of property speculation are fading fast, prices are too high and contracts too short for locals.”

While measures such as cracking down on illegal short-term rentals have been implemented, the overall impact on affordability remains to

be seen.

John Carr offers a historical perspective, comparing the housing situation in Spain to the UK. He highlights the importance of tenant protection laws and how their absence can deter landlords from offering long-term rentals. This issue appears to be a common thread in both countries, impacting the rental market significantly - “With the housing act 1968, the UK’s Labour government introduced laws to protect tenants. My mother-in-law who used to let a couple of rooms stopped doing so because of the lack of her rights.

“My son stopped letting an apartment here in Spain about 12 years ago for the same reason. He’d let long term for many years and had experienced his share of problems with tenants. He still owns the property which has significantly increased in value.”

Jenny Church sees a solution - “If they stopped giving out tourist licences for rentals and changed the laws for evicting long term tenants not paying their rent, more owners would rent out their properties long term.”

While Spain undoubtedly retains its appeal, the dream of an affordable lifestyle is becoming increasingly elusive for many. The combination of rising property prices, limited rental options, and a lack of tenant protection is creating a perfect storm for potential residents.

Credit: Jakub Pabis

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Inching up

SUPERMARKET shoppers are returning to Waitrose for the first time since 2022 as the cost-of-living crisis begins to ease with sales rising 3.3 per cent in the 12 weeks ending July 7, market researchers Kantar said. The chain owned by John Lewis now has a 4.5 per cent market share, compared with 4.4 per cent a year ago.

Off the list

CANADIAN fund Brookfield Capital Partners and the Grifols family’s proposed joint takeover to delist the blood plasma pharmaceuticals company has resulted in a price rise for shares. These now hover at around €10 for the first time since they plummeted to €6.90 following an attack by short-seller Gotham City.

Real deal

GOLDMAN SACHS is boosting bankers’ pay, including bonuses, by 17 per cent after second-quarter profits more than doubled following an increase in deal-making. This will inevitably bring much larger rewards for Goldman’s 6,000 employees in the UK who are no longer affected by the previous bonus cap.

Naturgy fine

TWO companies belonging to Spanish multinational Naturgy were fined $14 million (€12.8 million) for their deficient electricity distribution in Panama. This was the “highest, most historic fine” yet imposed for a flawed service, Zelmar Rodriguez who heads Panama’s National Public Services Authority (ASEP), said.

Off the hook

CHARLIE STAYT, the BBC

Breakfaster presenter agreed to settle an unpaid tax bill of about £190,000 (€225,261) to avert imminent bankruptcy. HMRC had filed a bankruptcy petition against Stayt and his wife, Anne, which it withdrew after they reduced the amount of the debt and agreed to pay the remainder.

STAT OF WEEK

€1.2 billion

in funding has been guaranteed by the state-participated Export Credit Insurance Company (Cesce) to ensure that Siemens Gamesa can complete its orders for wind turbines.

A promise to deliver Out of fashion

ROYAL MAIL’S probable new owner accepts the postal service’s commitment to delivering UK letters six days a week.

Talking exclusively to the BBC, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky emphasised that he “completely excluded” making any change to the existing Universal Service Obligation (USO) requirement.

Kretinsky already has a 27.6 per cent holding in Royal Mail’s parent company International Distribution Services (IDS) and he has now put in a a £3.6 billion (€4.3 billion) offer for the remainder. Taking assumed debts into consideration, the operation will be worth £5 billion (€5.9 billion) in all.

The IDS board has now accepted Kretinsky’s offer and the shareholders are expected to approve the deal although the government

FOUR months ago Hungarian consortium Ganz Mavag launched a takeover offer for all Talgo shares at a premium price of €5 per share.

The government classes the Spanish train manufacturer as a “strategic asset” and took an un favourable view of the public offer from the outset, suspecting that the bid could be backed by Rus sian funding.

Since then, Madrid has sou ght an alternative, which now appears to have materialised in the shape of a ‘business combination and industrial merger’ offer from the Czech company Skoda Trans-

will have the last word on whether or not this nationally important transaction can go ahead. In a BBC exclusive, Kretinsky re-

vealed that he was ready to share profits with Royal Mail’s 150,000 employees but was less keen on the unions’ suggestion that workers should have a stake in the company.

The USO could prove another obstacle for both government and unions.

Ninety-two per cent of first class mail was arriving punctually 10 years ago, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) regulator announced. By 2023 when Royal Mail was fined £5.6 million (€6.6 million) for failing to meet delivery targets, this had dwindled to 74 per cent.

Despite Kretinsky’s assertion that Royal Mail would continue delivering six days a week “as long as I’m alive” his formal offer in fact puts in writing that he will honour the USO for five years.

On a different

Wine selloff Prime sites

LLOYDS BANKING

GROUP will turn disused office sites into social housing.

The bank is launching the scheme in Pudsey (West Yorkshire) but announced that it was also reviewing possible sites elsewhere in the UK that could be suitable for similar projects.

Lloyds said it would sell the Pudsey site to a local housing group with the understanding that 80 new homes will be rented out at around half the going rate.

PERNOD RICARD is selling its international wine brands as it shifts its focus to spirits and Champagne.

The French company’s portfolio of wines produced in Spain, Australia and New Zealand will now belong to Australian Wine Holdco, a consortium of international institutional investors which is already the owner of Australia-based Accolade Wines.

The deal should be completed by the second half of 2025 and in Spain will affect the Campo Viejo, Ysios, Tarsus and Azpilicueta bodegas.

Pernod Ricard, a rival to the UK’s Diageo, did not reveal how much it would make from the sale, but said that between them the bodegas produced an annual 10 million cases of wine.

track

portation, which has no links to the carmaker.

According to Reuters, Talgo has asked Skoda for “detailed information” which would help it to make comparisons with Ganz-Mavag’s €619 million.

Spanish sources close to the operation said to financial daily Cinco Dias that CriteriaCaixa, the La Caixa Foundation’s investment company, is likely to plays an important part in the deal, albeit as a minority partner.

No change

THE likelihood of an interest rate cut receded after the UK inflation rate remained unchanged at 2 per cent in June.

A hoped-for reduction thanks to lower prices for clothes and cheaper second-hand cars was foiled by a rise of almost 9 per cent in the price of hotels attributed to the ‘Taylor Swift effect’ on accommodation prices during the singer’s series of concerts.

Based on the June figures from the Office for National Statistics, the next Bank of England meeting on August 1 was unlikely to announce reduction in the current 5.25 per cent bank rate the City said.

BURBERRY has suspended its dividend, replaced its chief executive, and issued its second profit warning this year.

‘Disappointing’ revenue fell 20 per cent during the second quarter that ended on June 29 and shares fell by 16 per cent at close of trading on Monday July 15.

Chief executive Jonathan Akeroyd left the company ‘with immediate effect and by mutual agreement’ the same day, while Burberry replaced him with Joshua Schulman, former chief executive of US brand Coach who received a £9.2 million (€10.9 million) ‘golden hello’.

SPANISH fashion chain Mango reported half-year sales of €1.54 billion, a 6.3 per cent increase on the same period in 2023.

Victoria Beckham’s capsule collection helped to boost womenswear sales by 4 per cent, men’s clothing jumped 21 per cent during the same period with an 11 per cent increase for children’s and teenagers’ lines.

The first-half figures arrived after the group closed 2023 with record sales of €172 million, compared with €81 million in 2022 with revenues expected to top €3.36 billion by 2026.

WORKPLACE

accidents caused by high temperatures rose by 24 per cent in Spain in 2023. Independent research by the UGT union found that 199 people had to take time off work owing to heatstroke, 27 per cent up on 2022. Accidents resulting from exposure to extreme heat, light and radiation increased by 18 per cent to 105.

The report predicted that these types of accidents would inevitably intensify and warned that the official figures probably did not include all incidents.

NO CHANGE: Royal Mail’s future owner will honour delivery schedule.

Photo credit: Flickr/Steve 1

Photo credit: CC/Falk2

SKODA TRANSPORTATION: Rivalling Ganz Mavag in Talgo takeover.

Tram lines

THE Stadler plant in Albuixech (Valencia) will build the 504 trams that the Swiss company has been contracted to provide for a consortium of German and Austrian railway companies. A €45 million subsidy from the Valencian Community’s regional government was instrumental in the decision, which will provide nine years of stable employment for the factory’s 2,200 staff.

Rescue op

A CONSORTIUM led by British millionaire, ‘Cosmetics King’ Mike Jatania, has agreed to buy The Body Shop out of administration. No financial details were revealed but the administrators have agreed to an ‘exclusivity agreement’ following a ‘competitive bidding process’.

A new suitor

ANOTHER bidder, CVC

Capital Partners, has entered The Telegraph auction.

The newspaper has been ownerless since June 2023 after Lloyds bank seized The Telegraph and The Spectator as part-payment against the Barclay family’s £1.16 billion (€1.38 billion) debts.

These were paid by RedBird IMI, an investment fund linked to the rulers of the United Arab Emirates,

but the previous government hastily brought in legislation aimed specifica-

lly at preventing Redbird IMI from taking over the publications.

A family affair

HORTENSIA HERRERA, the wife of Mercadona founder Juan Roig, received €59.5 million in Mercadona dividends last year. Herrera’s 27.71 per cent holding makes her the supermarket chain’s second most-important shareholder, but over the years she has also built up a personal fortune via Herrecha Inversiones, Investments include the recently-acquired 30 per cent of made-to-measure

furniture company Grupo Malasa whose principal client is the Inditex clothing giant.

Although Herrera is Herrecha’s sole shareholder, her four daughters - Hortensia, Carolina, Juana Clara and Desamparados are on the board.

According to annual accounts submitted to the Registro Mercantil, Roig’s wife has earned €464 million in Mercadona dividends over the last 10 years.

Private equity firm CVC, which manages £164 billion (€195.47 billion) and has a holding in Premiership Rugby and the Six Nations, is now preparing for talks, City sources quoted by the Telegraph revealed.

Negotiations were by no means finalised and there was no guarantee that CVC was going to make a firm offer, they stressed, although this was the second time that CVC had shown an interest in the Telegraph

In 2004, CVC had discussed the possibility of backing Daily Mail owner, Lord Rothermere’s bid for the newspaper, which instead was acquired by the Barclays.

This time round Rothermere has pulled out.

Meanwhile, should CVC go ahead, the fund is expected to pay below the £510 million (€608.2 million) Redbird IMI paid in December 2023.

New role

HSBC’S Finance chief Georges Elhedery, appointed chief executive following the unexpected exit of Noel Quinn for personal reason, takes up his new role in September. In a nod to Asian investors who are exerting pressure on Europe’s biggest lender to switch its headquarters to China, Elhedery will be the bank’s first Mandarin-speaking chief executive.

Record profit

BANKINTER beat its own record with pretax profits of €715.4 million during the first six months of 2024, 14.4 per cent higher than in 2023. The bank’s net profit of €473 million was 13.3 per cent up on the same period last year.

Photo credit: CC/Ethan Doyle White

DAILY TELEGRAPH: The newspaper’s original Fleet Street home.

Give us all a break

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS

THINK IT

HERE they go again. Emerging from their cosseted bolt holes, the conspiracy theory time wasters are insisting that the Trump attack was not an attempted assassination at all, but a plot to help him win the approaching presidential election.

They even managed to have their views featured in one of the main UK dailies.’ It wasn’t a bullet’ they squawk, ‘it was a phial which he broke on his ear to release the blood’. What a load of codswallop.

Let’s just briefly run these idiotic theories by and sling them all into the bin where they belong.

To carry out a conspiracy of this magnitude the plotters had to find a sham assassin, one prepared to risk being shot dead. Inveigle most of Trump’s highly paid secret service body guards into the scheme plus the local police. Somehow shoot three spectators, killing one, almost fatally injuring two more and conspiring with the local hospital doctors and

nurses to cover the fact that he wasn’t injured at all. Give us all a break. Life really is too short to waste it on complete twaddle. Mind you there is one thing that will assuredly come out of it; barring a catastrophe Trump will undoubtedly be the next American President. But then I always said he would be didn’t I?

If you really want to raise a conspiracy theory, concentrate on Biden’s team who decided that to cover all his disastrous mistakes, gaffes and dementia lapses they would announce to the world he had acquired Covid. Bye Bye Biden.

Do you really think humanity has any chance at all with that lot of numbskulls at the helm?

Just heard the most deplorable story from a lady friend in the UK. She manages the local Co-op and was telling me how difficult it was to stop the shoplifters.

She said they actually fill their bags and simply walk out of the store laughing at the security. But that was by no means the most adverse story she had to impart.

Apparently her sister was also the manageress of another local branch.

Realising she was not allowed to call the police for the theft of under £200 worth of goods she decided to tackle one of these toe rags on her own, indulging in a tug of war with one endeavouring to leave her store with his bag of swag. Eventually the man managed to pull free and exit with the loot. However this was by no means the end of the matter.

No doubt on the advice of one of the dubious lawyers, who now abound in the UK, the man decided to sue the company for the ‘whiplash’ he contracted during the ‘struggle’. The result?

The man won his case and received £5,000 compensation from the Coop.

To top it all, the poor manageress, merely trying to do her job, was actually sacked by the company. Nothing but a pure disgrace; encouraged by the woke run authorities. And now the British people are under a Labour government. Believe meyou really ain’t seen nothing yet!

Keep the faith

Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com

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

Asylum seeker’s bikes

MANY asylum seekers who entered Finland via its eastern border with Russia did so riding bicycles which were then left at the point of entry.

Originally, Finnish customs planned to auction the bicycles in May of this year but that was postponed and now, on July 20 approximately 250 bicycles of different styles and makes were put up for auction in Kansankentura.

The rules governing the auction were very strict with Customs not prepared to guarantee the condition, quality, safety, or suitability of the bicycles for their original use, as all sales were ‘as found’.

Buyers were required to pay 24 per cent VAT on the cost of the bicycles (although companies who could prove they were purchased for business use could later reclaim the tax paid.)

All sales were final but the purchase price had to be paid within one hour of the auction ending and removed by 6pm of the same day otherwise the ownership would revert to the Finnish State and no refund would be made.

According to the Finnish Customs office, this auction presented a unique opportunity for buyers to acquire bicycles at potentially reduced prices while also helping Customs clear seized items efficiently.

Just some of the bicycles on offer.

Summer sounds

GENERALLY speaking, the summer months are not conducive to the presentation of indoor concerts or events due to the heat. Knowing this, rather than close down, the Auditorio de El Ejido has a pretty full programme for the end of July, running into August but rather than in the Auditorium, all of the events are taking place at the Guardias Viejas Castle. On July 26, the Gata Brass Band will be presenting an evening of beatbox and brass concentrating on jazz, funk and music from New Orleans.

On August 1, emulating the likes of the incredibly popular Film Symphony Orchestra, the Huercal Brass Ensemble will be performing some of the most popular tunes from movies and

musicals with a few pop numbers thrown in for good measure.The following night, August 2, although Harley Daniels is group including members from the UK and Granada, their music looks across the Atlantic and is a blend of country and bluegrass with the skilful introduction of such diverse but typical instruments as music, banjo, mandolin, steel-guitar and ukulele. Then on August 8, the music takes a completely different turn with Melon Jimenez and Lara Wong perfectly fusing the soul of flamenco, the harmonic brilliance of jazz and the rhythmic improvisations of Indian music. All concerts start at 10.30pm and visit https://culturaelejido.sacatuentrada.es/ to obtain tickets which cost €5 plus booking fee.

ACTUALLY, there isn’t suddenly an offshoot of Jurassic Park appearing in Turre, but a rather special animal sanctuary which was set up some 17 years ago.

It’s a private operation run by Jean and Dave Wood who also run an equestrian centre from the same location.

Over the years and despite some lengthy waits for building permission they have managed to ‘adopt’ or look after a whole menagerie

Classic vehicles

REGULAR as clockwork, the 950 Classic and Performance Car Show returns to whet the appetite of all petrol heads on Sunday July 28.

Running from 10am to 1pm, if you own a classic vehicle, be it a car, motorbike, a performance car or even a bus then you will be very welcome to bring it to a different location rather than the Mojacar Paseo.

This time it’s at the Castillo del Marqués de los Velez in Cuevas del Almanzora to give some different people a chance to enjoy the spectacle.

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

of animals including cats, dogs, horses, goats, chickens, parrots and even a peacock.

They offer dog socialising courses and a Sunday club for children over six years old, so that they can learn how to interact with animals.

Looking after these animals all costs money however and apart from offering ‘virtual adoption’ they also organise fundraisers from time to time.

The next will be a night market taking place at the sanctuary on Monday July 29 from 8pm to 10pm and this will be a cross between a car boot sale and a craft market, with plenty of items to buy as well as refreshments and much more being available.

If you have some items you want to dispose of, there may still be chance to reserve a pitch at the very reasonable cost of €5 by calling 620 402 176.

Jesscia Sweeting

Credit: Gata Brass Band

Credit: 950 Vehicles Facebook

Delectation at Tikar

ON Thursday, July 25, Tikar will be filling its glorious garden with good food and good music. Tikar, a hotel, restaurant and wine cellar in Garrucha will be hosting jazz soul singer Debbie Davis, accompanied by pianist Aure Ortega. Debbie Davis, originally from Guyana, gained early recognition and was chosen to sing at The Royal Albert Hall before arriving in the UK in 1976. She continues to develop

her talent and love of diverse music, now moving to the Soul/Jazz and Disco scene.

Aure Ortega is a pianist, keyboardist, arranger and composer born in Lorca. He has also composed and arranged various works for musicals such as Lady and the Tramp and The Jungle Book. As advertised by Tikar, they will “fill the garden with their wonderful renditions of classic songs.” Tikar will also provide food and drinks to complement

the music, creating “a beautiful memorable evening of good food and good music al fresco (in the open air).”

Tikar’s garden is a wonderfully quaint space to sit, eat and listen, surrounded by greenery, with a cool pool to complete. Tikar hosts live music most Thursdays this summer in their garden. Reservations are required, and there’s a €4.50 supplement per person which goes towards your food order.

Tel: 950 617 131

Albox party

Classic tractors like these will take to the streets of la Aljambra.

IT wasn’t that long ago that drivers were furious about the delays as hundreds of farmers took to Spanish roads driving tractors to highlight their problems.

In Albox however, one of the highlights of the Fiestas de la Aljambra will be a tractor rally which will take place in the Plaza de la Aljambra from 10.30am on Saturday July 27.

This is just one of the many events that are scheduled to take place when this Albox suburb celebrates its annual fiesta.

There are two days of music, gastronomy, fun and much more scheduled for July 26 and 27 with the programme looking like this;

Friday, July 26: 8.00pm: Holy Mass · 9.30pm: Barrels of beer, chips and

olives for attendees ·10.30pm: Musical performance by Trio Alboria, starting at 1.00am: Party organised by the Peña Kiyzil.

Saturday, July 27: 10.30am: Tractor rally · 2.30pm: Free rice for attendees · 6.30pm: Seven-a-side football · 8.00pm: Foam Party · 10.00pm: Musical performance by Trio Alboria · 12.30am: Free churros for attendees · 1.00am: Musical performance by Rumba Kimbao · 5.00am: Fried eggs and chips for attendees.

This is just the first of a number of Albox local fiestas scheduled for the summer months which will take place in Llano del Espino, Lo Caí B, San Roque, La Molata, Las Pocicas and Santa Rosa.

Harry Sinclair

Jazz/Soul singer Debbie Davis (left) and pianist Aure Ortega (right).

Everyday fitness

FUNCTIONAL fitness focuses on training the body for activities performed in daily life. Unlike traditional gym workouts that often isolate specific muscles, functional fitness involves exercises that mimic real-life movements, enhancing overall strength, balance, and flexibility. This approach prepares individuals for everyday tasks, from lifting groceries to climbing stairs, by using compound movements like squats, lunges, and push-ups.

One of the key benefits of functional fitness is its adaptability to all fitness levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced athlete, exercises can be modified to suit your capabilities.

This type of training not only improves physical health but also reduces the risk of injury by promoting better body mechanics and posture.

Functional fitness is particularly

beneficial for older adults, as it supports mobility and independence.

Engaging in regular functional fitness routines can lead to improved joint health, muscle strength, and cardiovascular endurance, contributing to a higher quality of life.

Embrace functional fitness to stay active and capable throughout life’s daily demands.

Shutterstock/Denys Kurbatov

Stylish silver shades

CHOOSING the best colour to complement grey hair can transform your look, highlighting the natural beauty of your silver strands. Grey hair often has a cool undertone, making cool colours particularly flattering. Shades like icy blue, emerald green, and royal purple bring out the vibrancy in grey hair, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication. Neutral tones also work wonderfully. Crisp white creates a striking contrast, enhancing the brightness of grey hair. Charcoal and slate greys can create a cohesive, polished look without appearing dull. On the warmer side, soft pinks and lavender can add a gentle glow, making your skin appear radiant and youthful.

Bold colours, such as deep red or navy, can make a powerful statement, giving you a con-

fident and stylish appearance. Avoid overly warm tones like yellow or orange, as they may clash with the coolness of grey hair. Ultimately, experimenting with different colours and finding what makes you feel confident and comfortable is the key to complementing your grey hair beautifully.

Health ring

YOU’VE heard of a mood ring but a health ring is the latest and perhaps the most stylish innovation in the world of smart accessories.

The South Korean manufacturer, Samsung, presented its latest development, the Galaxy Ring, recently in Paris. A device equipped with sensors and artificial intelligence monitors the user’s health, all the while remaining a small and sleek complimentary accessory.

The ring doesn’t exceed three grams in weight; its lightness makes it a comfortable wear 24/7. The ring has a uniquely long-lasting battery that lasts up to seven days, without having to take it off for recharging.

With the device, some phone functions including camera activation and alarm deactivation can be accessed, making the accessory a highly useful tool for daily use.

The Vice President and Head of Samsung’s mobile division in the UK and Ireland, James Kitto, described the device as the “smallest and most discrete product, yet, offering accurate 24/7 health, wellness and sleep tracking.”

The intriguing device will be on sale in the UK from Wednesday July 24; its launch in Spain has not yet been announced but Samsung assured that it will be available throughout Europe for the price of €450.

Protect your mane

DEFENDING your hair against sun damage is essential for maintaining its health and shine. Here are some effective tips to shield your locks from harmful UV rays:

Use UV Protection Products: Apply leave-in conditioners or sprays with UV filters to create a barrier against sun damage. These products help prevent colour fading and dryness.

Stay Hydrated: Hydrated hair is less prone to sun damage. Use deep conditioning treatments regularly to maintain moisture levels.

Avoid Heat Styling: Minimise the use of heat styling tools, as they can exacerbate sun damage. Embrace natural hairstyles whenever possible.

Rinse After Swimming: Chlorine and saltwater can intensify sun damage. Rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water after swimming to remove harmful residues.

Most importantly - Wear a Hat: A wide-brimmed hat provides excellent protection for your hair and scalp, reducing exposure to direct sunlight.

By following these tips, you can keep your hair healthy, shiny, and protected from the sun’s damaging effects.

Old and bold Style over substance

VINTAGE make-up looks are timeless and continue to inspire modern beauty trends. The se classic styles, rooted in various eras, bring a touch of glamour and nostalgia to contempo rary fashion.

1920s: The Roaring Twenties introduced bold, smoky eyes, thin brows, and dark red lips. Women embraced dra matic looks with heavy eyeliner and a cupid’s bow lip shape.

1930s: Make-up be came softer with an em phasis on feminine ele gance. Thin, arched eyebrows, pastel eyeshadows, and rose-co loured lips were popular, giving a delicate and sophisticated appearance.

1940s: During the Se cond World War, prac

ticality met style. Red lips remained a staple, while make-up routines became more streamlined. Natural-looking skin and subtle eye make-up complemented the bold : The glamorous ‘50s celebrated full, arched brows, cateye eyeliner, and vibrant red or pink lips. Marilyn Monroe epitomised this era with her iconic beauty look.

1960s: The Mod era brought dramatic changes with bold, graphic eyeliner, thick lashes, and pale lips. Twiggy’s famous doe-eyed look became a hallmark of ‘60s beauty. Each vintage make-up era offers unique elements that can be adapted to modern styles, allowing for creative and timeless beauty expressions.

MILLIONS of Brits are putting their eye health at risk by choosing style over substance when it comes to choosing their sunglasses, according to new research from Specsavers.

Nearly one in four say they are more likely to purchase a pair of sunglasses based on looks alone rather than the level of protection against ultraviolet (or UV) rays they provide.

The poll of 2,000 UK adults also uncovered a lack of awareness around how effective - or ineffective - an individual pair of sunglasses can be against UV rays.

Sunglasses must bear the CE Mark and be marked as UV400 to offer effective UV protection.

A fifth admit to not knowing how effective their cho

sen shades are in protecting them from UV rays, while over a third said they were unaware that sunglasses had different levels of UV protection.

Just under a quarter reported they believed sunglasses with larger lenses provided better protection from UV rays, a further 14 per cent also thought sunglasses with darker lenses offered the same protection.

The study also showed that just under a third are concerned about sun damage to their eyes if they forget their shades on a sunny day. A little over one in 20 confess their biggest concern would be adding to the wrinkles around their eyes. While almost two-fifths of people wish they’d taken better care of their eyes in the past, only one-fifth wear sunglasses all year round. This is despite the risk of sun damage during any season, with only 15 per cent wearing sunglasses on dull days.

www.specsavers.es

Catherine McGeer

IF you nd yourself in Copenhagen and are looking for a unique adventure, consider going on a troll hunt. This isn’t your typical fairy tale trolls-under-bridges scenario. Instead, you’ll be seeking out enchanting wooden troll sculptures crafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. Dambo, a modern-day wood wizard, uses recycled materials to create these giants, promoting sustainability through his art. His trolls are scattered around Copenhagen in parks, forests, and lakes, each with its own story and personality.

Hunting for these trolls is like taking part in a treasure hunt. With a map and a sense of adventure, you can discover these hidden giants in beautiful natural settings. Popular trolls include Teddy Friendly, who welcomes visitors with an enormous hand, and Hill Top Trine, who o ers stunning views from her perch. Little Tilde, with her curious eyes, watches over a tranquil lake.

Troll hunting

Troll hunting is perfect for families, encouraging kids to explore nature and learn about recycling. The thrill of nding a troll in its secret spot is a memorable experience for all ages. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a picnic, as many troll locations make great lunch spots. Don’t forget your camera to capture these photogenic trolls!

INTERVIEW

Choo-choo cuisine

IN celebration of the upcoming National Eisteddfod in August, trains in Wales will feature a new limited edition menu showcasing traditional Welsh produce, including dishes made with seaweed.

The National Eisteddfod, an annual festival celebrating Welsh culture, is held in a di erent location across the country each year.

This year, it will take place in Rhondda Cynon Taf from August 3 to 10.

While these o erings will be exclusive to rst-class trains, standard class passengers will also get a taste of the festival with the ‘Eisteddfod burger’.

Piers Croft, the on-board director at Transport for Wales, stated that the menu provides diners with a chance to “experience the avour of the Eisteddfod.”

He described it as a unique opportunity to celebrate Welsh heritage through a delicious and authentic meal.

To start your adventure, visit Thomas Dambo’s

website (thomas dambo.com) for maps and clues. Troll hunting in Copenhagen is more than just an activity; it’s a delightful experience that combines art, nature, and a touch of magic.

Speaking European Alisa Kuzoyatova

Alisa moved from Poland to Spain 10 years ago and has felt at home in Costa Blanca ever since.

“IT was here that I gave birth to my son, who is now three years old. Here, where he went to kindergarten. Now, he’s already bilingual and has Spanish friends,” Alisa shared.

“So much of the best in my life happened in Spain that I will always love this country.”

Alisa works as an event organiser, often hosting parties for children. She shared that living here has taught her just how strong an international community can get; “As I began working, I started meeting people my age and children from all over the world. To my sur-

Alisa Kuzoyatova, Polish in Spain.

prise, we all had so much in common. And I notice that my son doesn’t see any cultural or language barriers; it’s such a refreshing feeling.”

Alisa shared that alongside the amazing weather, what she loves about Spain is “security.

“Here in Costa Blanca, I feel safe. As a woman and as a mother, I don’t feel under threat like I would in some other countries.”

She added that although the process of moving was difficult, it was “absolutely worth it.”

Transport for Wales announced that passengers on select rail services will soon have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of Welsh foods.

The menu includes laverbread (a dish made from edible seaweed) and bacon, Caerphilly chicken supreme, and glazed bara brith.

Lowri Joyce, the Welsh language strategic lead at Transport for Wales, expressed the company’s intention to honour the Welsh language and culture.

She encouraged travellers heading to the Maes (the site of the Eisteddfod) to consider sustainable travel options and to sample the special menu if possible.

LOST IN TRANSLATION (1)

WHEN I first came to Spain, I thought learning Spanish would be a no-brainer! After all, kids speak it! I then did what all expats do. I joined a class, two hours, twice a week. After a few weeks, I felt I was losing bits of key information.

Like how to yawn, as my brain swelled up with “Yo estoy. Tú estás...” Right, plan two: just one hour twice a week. OK, but s-lo-w.

My Spanish is now OK but, frankly, the Spanish don’t help with their memory problems. They keep forgetting the beginning and end of words!

Remember though, they don’t speak Castilian Spanish here on the Costa del Sol, but Andaluz or Andalucian: often a whole new language.

Overall, my Spanish has hugely improved and I can confidently ask for things in shops etc.

But why do shop assistants reckon that because you’ve said one sentence in Spanish you can speak it fluently? And never use

one word in reply when hundreds will do?

Just a moment! I’ve spent all this time and money learning Spanish, when it should have been Andalucian.

A bit like going to Italy and learning German. I’ve just checked the local papers and there wasn’t one advert for Andalucian classes - only Spanish.

I’ve spotted a red-hot business opportunity. Now if I could only speak fluent Andalucian!

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.

Copenhagen’s hidden trolls.

Cruise tax

LAST year, Spain received a record 85.1 million international tourists.

This summer, the figures continue to soar, causing protests in major cities like Barcelona.

The city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni is taking new measures to battle the crisis.

The mayor shared his plans to raise the tourist tax for cruise passengers who visit Barcelona for less than 12 hours.

Collboni stated to the Press; “Barcelona is a city that’s open to visitors and tourism is an important sector of its economy. That said, I’m determined to tackle the consequences that mass tourism is having for the city. We’re going to substantially raise the tax for people on cruise stopovers.”

He explained; “When it comes to stopover cruise passengers - less than 12 hours - you get an intensive use of public space without any benefit to the city and you get a feeling of occupation and saturation. We want tourism that respects its destination.”

Now, worth €7, the mayor didn’t clarify by how much the tax will be raised, saying only that studies had already been commissioned.

He added that the rise aims not to prevent cruise visitors, but to ensure they generate revenue to be invested in the city.

Time to buy

DURING the week of July 15-21, the Euribor rate was recorded as at its lowest level this year. Experts stated that further drops are expected, making it an attractive time to purchase property in Spain.

In June 2024, Euribor marked an average rate of 3.65 per cent with the indicator starting the year at 3.609 per cent, rising to 3.671 per cent in February and 3.718 per cent in March. Since then it has decreased, falling to 3.703 per cent in April and 3.680 per cent in May.

In June, the European Central Bank cut interest rates for the rst time since March 2016; the rate fell by 0.25 points to stand at 4,.25 per cent. If Euribor closes July at 3.57 per cent, the prices of variable-rate mortgages reviewed annually, would become a lot cheaper. In July last year, the rate was at 4.249 per cent.

According to the COAPI (General Council of the O cial Associations of Real Estate Agents of Spain), the decrease in mortgages mirrors the drop in property sales. Yet, the COAPI stated to be optimistic; “Buyers paid an average interest of 3.46 per cent in January of this year, while today they

EU to blame

THE biggest clash in IT history witnessed on July 18-19, took the world by storm, causing delays in flights, healthcare and international businesses.

Some 8.5 million Windows devices and servers were affected worldwide. Previously blamed on CrowdStrike, Microsoft have now revealed that the meltdown was caused by the EU’s regulations.

A Microsoft spokesman revealed to the Wall Street Journal curred due to a 2009 agreement with the European Commission. The agreement did not allow Microsoft to make security changes, which, if permitted, would have blocked the CrowdStrike update and prevented global chaos.

The spokesman explained that under the agreement with the EU, CrowdStrike’s Falcon system; designed to prevent cyber attacks, had special access to a key part of a computer, the ‘kernel’. In 2009, Microsoft permitted several security providers to install sof-

tware at the kernel level amid a European competition initiative.

The kernel is the heart of the operating system in charge of processes, memory, files and devices of computers. Normally, most software on a PC is limited to user mode, which is the ultimate ‘safety’ mode. When installed with kernel mode, there is a risk of highly damaging failures, such as the world

obtain nancing at 3.25 per cent.

“For this reason, there will be a stabilisation of the gures with increases that will favour a positive end to the year.”

However, he also said to anticipate a “recovery” compared to last year, driven by lower interest rates.

Spain continues to be among the countries with the most a ordable mortgages in Europe.

The director of Pilos.com Studies stated that the granting of mortgages has nevertheless decreased, due to the drop in transactions and the irregular dynamics of the market.

This is an attractive time to purchase property in Spain.

Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol on screen

NETFLIX’S new series, Kaos, which was spotted filming several scenes in spots around Malaga, will premiere on the streaming platform on August 29.

Created by the scriptwriter behind ‘End of the F****** World’, Kaos is a reimagining of the myths of ancient Greek mythology, juxtaposed with today’s modern world. In Netflix’s 20-second teaser trailer, Jeff Goldblum is shown as a tracksuit-clad Zeus and aerial shots of Malaga are shown intercut with shots of chaos and jubilation in the streets.

Produced by Sister Production, Kaos will bring scenes shot in Marbella, Malaga, and Velez to screens worldwide.

Netflix tried to maintain a low profile during their filming, however, stars like Jeff Goldblum and Nabhaan Rizwan were quickly spotted by many during the production. Some scenes were on-location as early as 2021, featuring Malaga’s Calle Parras adorned with murals portraying Poseidon.

Axarquia

Railway connection

THE Nerja Town Hall is calling on the Spanish government to establish a railway connection between Nerja and Malaga. In a council meeting on July 18, a proposal was set for approval, requesting the government to initiate a feasibility study that outlines the necessary steps for establishing this connection.

Mayor José Alberto Armijo stated the importance of this initiative, noting that it will be defended at a Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility meeting in Malaga. The proposal, driven by the mayor and council members, has gained official backing from various local groups and political parties including PSOE, Podemos, and Izquierda Unida con Nerja. This initiative follows the Ministry’s response to Armijo’s Senate inquiry, confirming the connection is not currently planned.

Armijo criticised the government for neglecting the Axarquia in their planning. He urged reconsideration, highlighting the coastal train’s potential to improve regional connectivity, mobility, and economic, social, and tourism development.

Mallorca We Love Tourism

A NEW website entitled We Love Tourism in Mallorca.Com is fighting back against the anti-tourism movement.

Set up by residents, who feel that tourists are key to Mallorca’s economy, the site says - “At ‘We Love Tourism Mallorca’, we understand that Mallorca is facing a saturation problem, but we firmly believe that it is not only the responsibility of tourists, nor is the solution to close the entrance to our island.

“The situation is complex and many variables come into play, which is why we cannot demonise tourism alone. It would be advisable to analyse more parameters and take into account other perspectives. We would therefore like to send a message of support and affection to all our visitors in the face of the protests of the last few days.”

The website contains a form where you can submit your ideas.

Costa Blanca North Vibrant Villajoyosa

THE town of Villajoyosa bursts into life tomorrow, offering an enchanting display of sights and sounds as it plays host to the extraordinary celebration of the Moors and Christians.

The festivities will feature gastronomic competitions, lively open-air dances, dazzling fireworks, and captivating music. However, the true highlight is the re-enactment of the disembarkation

Early risers who make their way to the beach by 5am will be treated to an incredible re-enactment, celebrating the landing in a unique and breathtaking manner. Christians adorned in full regalia will prepare the defence artillery on the shore as more than 30 Muslim boats materialise on the horizon.

The action unfolds in dramatic fashion with both armies engaging in a gripping battle on land until they reach the foot of the castle. Ultimately, victory falls to the Moors, and the Christians are compelled to retreat.

Costa Blanca South Alicante shines

IN the evolving landscape of Spain’s real estate market, Alicante emerges as a beacon of positive change.

While the overall number of homes for sale across Spain has continued to decline, with a 6 per cent decrease in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year, Alicante defies this trend with impressive results.

Recent data from idealista reveals that while most provincial capitals in Spain have experienced a decrease in housing availability over the past year, Alicante is leading a notable exception.

Unlike the broader market, which has seen significant reductions - such as a staggering 30 per cent drop in Ávila and Burgos, and decreases of 25 per cent in Zamora and León - Alicante shines with a unique performance.

While cities like Valencia, Barcelona, and Madrid have all seen considerable drops in housing availability, Alicante stands out as a symbol of growth.

Costa Calida Mazarron tops rankings

AS of mid-2024, Mazarron has overtaken Gandia as the most profitable coastal area for property investments in Spain. According to Fotocasa’s ‘Profitability in Coastal Towns in Summer 2024,’ the average return on coastal properties is 6.5 per cent. Mazarron, located in Murcia, now leads with an impressive return of 11.4 per cent, surpassing Gandia’s 10.8 per cent. Gandia, which had been at the top for the past three years, is now in second place. The report notes that only these two towns offer returns exceeding 10 per cent this year, whereas five towns surpassed this threshold in 2023.

Other notable coastal areas with high returns include Laredo and Águilas, both at 9.6 per cent. Conversely, San Sebastian and Calpe have the lowest returns, at 3.7 per cent. Maria Matos from Fotocasa highlights that while coastal property returns are generally strong, Valencia’s coast has notably outperformed Andalucia this year and Murcia continues to rise.

Belgium’s favourite names

ON January 1 this year, there were 61,231 registered male residents called Marc, still the country’s most popular name for a man.

Jean (59,366) was ranked second and Patrick (49,456) third, national statistics o ce Statbel revealed.

There were 104,494 Marias, the most prevalent name for women, leaving the more traditional Marie behind on 86,356. Nathalie (39,786), which came third, was the only one of the top adult names not to decline in popularity over the past year.

Olivia, the most popular name for a newborn girl, was chosen by 587 parents, compared with 429 preferring

Louise (365) was ranked third, while Statbel drew attention to So a (365), entering the Top 10 for the rst time

A total of 589 boys received the name of Noah, the most popular name for male newborns for the third consecutive year, followed by Arthur (577) and Liam (498). Matteo in 10th place was a newcomer to the Top Ten boys’ names and was given to 297 newborns.

Statbel’s gures also featured Belgium’s most common surnames, which were Peeters (30,558), Janssens (27,927) and Maes (24,233).

Game, set and match

THERE was a computer outage. No big deal you say, it will soon get sorted. Well I’m telling you it’s a very big deal. Let me tell you why. On July 19 there was a faulty update. Just think how many updates you do every day. It doesn’t matter whose fault it was, it happened. I have never heard of Crowd Strike Falcon. It sounds like a B movie title. Apparently it’s a cyber security platform and that messed something up at Microsoft and that in turn triggered the blue screen of death, which most computer users know means you are in real doggy do do! It a ected 8.5 million users including, and this is why it’s a really big deal, the aviation industry - ights were cancelled all over the world - nancial institutions, cash machines, ability to do transfers and healthcare.

The UK is still reporting problems within the NHS appointments etc. Media and entertainment, retail and services like Starbucks. Imagine not being able to get your overpriced poncy co ee - the list goes on. To me it shows how vulnerable we are.

Recycling referee

THE conclusion of Euro 2024 has brought an unexpected in uence on the Heilbronn District in Germany.

The red and yellow card method used by referees to discipline misbehaving players has inspired a new approach to managing waste sorting.

To tackle the issue of residents improperly disposing of metal, glass, and plastic in or- ganic waste bins, the district will employ advanced technology by installing lorry sensors that identify non-organic items in these containers.

educate residents.

There are hackers out there that can do whatever they like and if a cyber security rm can cause so many problems by getting a line of programming wrong unintentionally, just think how bad it could be when some spotty kid wants to have some ‘fun’ or hold the world to ransom. Every time this happens I know that very soon we will wake up and nothing will work. Then what?

I have an ongoing problem with restaurants that serve the 220cl coca cola instead of the full size 330cl bottle or can. It’s just another way of ripping us o and I want everyone to complain when they get the soft drink of their choice in this mixer bottle size. But there was a nice little incident the other night. I was in a beach bar with friends and I wanted a coke zero in a can but they only had small bottles. ‘But when I’m on the beach you give me a can as no glass is allowed.’ ‘Yes’, they say, ‘but you are in the restaurant now’. So I got up and walked the ve steps to the beach and then said to her, ‘Can I have a coke zero please?’ She smiled and got me a coke zero in a can and put it on the table with the other drinks. Game, set and match this time for Mr Grumpy.

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

As part of an initial educational and awareness campaign, Heilbronn District introduced the use of yellow and red stickers to signal improper waste sorting.

During the grace period, these stickers served as an unusual yet e ective tool to

When contaminants are found during the rst inspection, the bin is emptied but marked with a yellow sticker to highlight the mistake.

However, if a violation is detected during a subsequent collection, the bin is left unemptied and receives a red sticker.

Despite their e ectiveness, the manual inspection of each bin signi cantly bur-

dens waste management employees, causing delays and tra c congestion.

To streamline this process, starting in August, waste lorries in Heilbronn District will be tted with sensors capable of detecting non-organic materials such as metal, glass, plastic, and pet waste minerals in organic bins. This upgrade aims to ease the workload of sta and improve overall e ciency.

VIEWS OF A GRUMPY OLD MAN

MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION

Emma who had headed the list for 14 years before being overtaken by Olivia in 2019.

OLIVIA: Currently the most popular name for a baby girl.

A new approach.

WE all want our pets to be well cared for in our absence. No, in fact we want them to be cherished as well as safe and happy in their own home. But how expensive does that care for your pets need to be? Ferguson always has Hou seSitMatch pet-sitters to care for him in his own home.

By joining a house-sitting platform like HouseSitMatch we facilitate an old-fashioned barter exchange where a pet owner provides the pet-sitter with free accommodation and the sitter cares for the pets and property with due care and attention, just like old fashioned barter.

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

Pawfect pet donations

DONATING to your local animal shelter can make a significant difference in the lives of animals awaiting their forever homes. The best items to donate include pet food, both dry and canned, to ensure a consistent and nutritious diet for the animals.

High-quality, durable toys are essential for keeping

exchange of services - Free accommodation for free pet care!

HouseSitMatch is Safe - All Members Are Checked

All members are checked for safety, you choose which house-sitters 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 Hou seSitMatch.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

animals engaged and mentally stimulated. Bedding, blankets, and towels provide comfort and warmth, especially for young or sick animals. Cleaning supplies such as bleach, laundry detergent, and paper towels are crucial for maintaining a hygienic environment. Additionally, leashes, collars, and harnesses help in the safe handling

you want to go away. Sitters apply and you choose.

Trustpilot Testimonials - 4.9 / 5

Excellent

My neighbours tell us Harry had plenty of walks…

Sherel and John looked after Harry early April. They sent photos and mails to inform us how he was getting on. My neighbours tell us Harry had plenty of walks. Sherel and John are very nice people, and we highly recommend them as excellent sitters.

Tom C - homeowner in Mojacar 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.

and exercise of dogs.Cat litter and litter boxes are always in demand, as are grooming supplies like brushes and pet shampoo. Monetary donations are also highly valued, allowing shelters to address their most pressing needs directly. Every contribution, big or small, helps improve the lives of shelter animals.

Ferguson is a friendly cat and loves company.

CLASSIFIEDS

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

LANGUAGE CLASSES

OTHERS

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 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)

- 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

ELECTRICAL

ABBOTT ELECTRICS. From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (305398)

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, 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

MISCELLANEOUS

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

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)

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

PETS

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 / the5bonehotel turre@ 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)

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)

Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161

Anti-braking speed cameras

SPAIN is stepping up its road safety measures with anti-braking speed cameras designed to catch drivers strategically slowing down.

Spain is introducing advanced speed cameras able to detect when drivers purposefully slow down when nearing speed cameras, only to speed up after passing them.

Many drivers are aware of fixed-speed camera locations and reduce their speed only when approaching to avoid fines.

Drivers who know these locations and resume speeding can pose significant safety risks and cause accidents.

The new anti-braking cameras will now measure a vehicle’s speed well before and after passing the speed camera; if a significant speed reduction is detected, followed by an increase, fines can be issued.

If caught by these new cameras, drivers can face fines of up to €600 and a deduction of six points from their driving licence.

Speed cameras are of course quite unpopular among drivers, however, they do play a role in reducing the number of major traffic accidents and even fatalities.

Anti-breaking speed cameras, an initiative by the Direccion General de Trafico (DGT), could deter more drivers from exceeding speed limits, and help further reduce the number of road accidents.

Iberian edition Porsche

IN 1984, Porsche changed from being represented in Spain by an importer to owning a subsidiary, now called Porsche Ibérica.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary the company is creating an exclusive and highly individualised edition of the iconic 911 in limited numbers.

The idea behind the Cuarenta Edition was to create a 911 that would have been ordered by a Spanish or Portuguese customer 40 years ago and that is still fashionable and desirable to day.

In this second phase of the 911 series, the Carrera GTS version is equipped with the new T-Hybrid drive system. It combines an electric motor integrated into the turbocharger, a lightweight high-voltage battery, and an electric motor coupled to the eight-speed PDK gearbox.

This allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in three seconds and reach a top speed of 312 km/h (194 mph).

gos inspired by Iberian history and culture.

For the Cuarenta Edition, a bespoke exterior colour has been created which has been named Quercusverde which is reminiscent of the very particular shade that holm oak leaves have and this green colour is characteristic of the typical landscape of Spain and Portugal.

The interior is designed in a two-tone Truffle Brown and Cohiba Brown leather combination. The darker brown shade is applied on the instrument panel and lower surfaces. The lighter is applied on the trim surfaces, whilst the upholstery contains a green tartan finish.

Customers will also receive an indoor car cover custom-made for the Cuarenta Edition. Executed in Quercusverde, it features a Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur logo on front, Cuarenta Edition lettering on sides in Cremewhite and badge on the rear.

Credit: Porsche Ibérica

ROAD TEST

By Mark Slack

WHEN asked about large, luxury SUVs most people will always mention Ran ge Rover (of course), Audi and BMW. Think about the Range Rover Velar, BMW X3 and Audi Q5. Well there is an overlooked rival here, and bear with me, it’s from Mazda. The CX-60 meets all the criteria, it’s large, it’s luxury and it comes with all-wheel-drive.

It may be somewhat subdued on the looks front when compa red to a Range Rover or Ger man rivals, but sometimes dis creet is good. It’s one of those kind of cars where those that know, know, and not least because it’s full of standard equipment, extremely well bolted together, has a feeling of premium quality and in diesel form has a superb six-cylin der in-line straight six engine. The re’s also the CX-80 which is effectively a larger version that has more seating options.

Now I don’t dispute that those in search of badge one-upmanship will gravitate towards more well-known premium motors and dismiss my comparison, but the Mazda is more about value for money luxury. Both in terms of running costs and the initial purcha-

Mazda CX-60 - very impressive and economical SUV luxury

se price the Mazda offers an affordable touch of quality.

These days some may baulk at the option of diesel power but Mazda has always supplied excellence in its engineering and the e-Skyactive D engine comes with mild hybrid assistance, excellent economy and low emissions.

It also performs well, not that the CX60 is the kind of vehicle you’ll be piloting at speed across twisting cross country roads, but in its most powerful diesel form it reaches the benchmark 62 mph in just 5.8 seconds.

In my view in-line straight six engines always return superb driver feedback and the Mazda is no exception. The eight-speed automatic transmission is a smooth affair and the engine seems to offer endless reserves of ‘pull’ and in 254PS form provides 550Nm of torque. It seemed to me impossible to not find a comfortable driving position in the CX-60 and the interior is not only of superb quality but provides buttons rather than endless touch screen mania that seems to prevail nowadays. My only real niggle is that the overall ride quality is sometimes compromised over rougher surfaces, but I suspect most would not even notice such minor imperfections.

If you want an affordable touch of luxury SUV on your drive then the CX-60 is well worth a drive. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

AFFORDABLE LUXURY: I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Walking football

TEAM SPAIN, the international representative walking football organisation, travelled to Nantes, France, earlier this month to compete in a European event featuring competitions for men at +50 / +60 and ladies +40. It was the first time that Team Spain were represented in three categories against some of the best teams in the World.

Following on from last year’s strong showing in the World Nations Cup at St George’s Park , England, where Team Spain over 50s, the sole representative side, reached the semifinals it was with great anticipation that the players flew in from Alicante, Malaga and Sevilla to represent their country.

Against stellar opponents in every age group Team Spain won all their opening fixtures which included a first International win for the ladies against Republic of Ireland 3-1. Buoyed by this success ‘La Roja’ continued to put in impressive performances throughout the day but could not add to their points total against vastly more experienced opponents in the shape of France, England and Italy. The majority of the ladies qualified for the age group above the competition they played in and so they deserve great credit for their performances.

After Team Spain men enjoyed encouraging starts they also fell away from contention but not before they recorded an impressive 4-2 win against the hosts at +50 and a newly assembled +60 enjoyed wins over Switzer-

Farewell Nacho

AS the saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end,’ and so it is with Nacho Fernandez’s long-standing relationship with Real Madrid.

On Wednesday July 24, Real Madrid CF bid a heartfelt farewell to Nacho Fernandez, a cherished member of their football family for over two decades.

Nacho joined the club at the age of 11 and made his remar kable debut for the first team 10 years later. He has now embarked on a new chapter in his career by signing a two-year contract with Al-Qadsiah, a newly promoted team in the Saudi Pro League.

In light of Na cho’s departure, Real Madrid’s Pre sident, Florentino Perez, expressed his gratitude, sa ying, “Since his

land, Basque Country before drawing with Ireland. At one point it looked like the +60 might exceed all reasonable expectations before a loss against England and dark horses Jersey put an end to that dream. Sadly injuries took their toll on the side and further defeats to France and Italy on day two saw the team finish a credible fifth out of eighth in their first International tournament - there is certainly bigger things to come fin the future.

Mark Kavanagh, the +50 manager, was disappointed with his team’s final placing but conceded that lack of preparation due to player unavailability and having to field a completely new team from that of last August contributed to an unfavourable set of results. That said, only another one goal deficit to World Nations champions England and a 3-1 lead against the Basque Country surrendered prevented a top three finish. A further lead was wiped away by surprise package Jersey but second day defeats to winners Italy and Rep OI put the team well out of contention.

Congratulations to our hosts, France who put on a tremendous tournament and also the various club sides for providing the players.

arrival at our youth academy as a young boy, Nacho has epitomised dedication and integrity, earning the affection, respect, and admiration of everyone at Real Madrid.”

Over the years, Nacho has made a tremendous contribution, appearing in 364 games and being instrumental in securing 26 titles, including six European Cups, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four La Ligas, two Copa del Reys, and five Spanish Super Cups. His sixth European Cup victory propelled him into the record books, placing him alongside prestigious names such as Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal as one of the most successful players in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

Paris 2024 stars not allowed

WITH Paris 2024’s summer games around the corner, many football fans await the opportunity to see their country battle it out on the pitch, with the prestige and honor of bringing an Olympic gold medal to play for.

For most other sports, this sporting event held once every four years is the pinnacle of what an athlete can dream of accomplishing in their sport. Football however is different, particularly, men’s football. Due to a longstanding rivalry of sorts between FIFA and the Olympics, special rules are in place for men’s Olympic Football to, in large part, preserve the prestige of the World Cup.

While it is the world’s biggest sporting event, the Olympics is not even a part of FIFA’s international calendar, and, as such, the clubs that players are a part of have the final say over what those players can do with that time not blocked out for them. Many clubs don’t

allow their players to play in the tournament as they don’t want their assets risking being injured for a tournament that at the end of the day, doesn’t help them.

Many players would love to represent their country and are cleared for the competition from their clubs, however for football’s two most prominent continents, there is an extra hurdle to contend with. Prior to 1992, a compromise was made between FIFA and the Olympics which allowed teams from Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America to compete with their strongest possible lineups, however restricting Europe and South America to only compete with players who had not played before in a World Cup.

Since 1992, all nations have the same restrictions, requiring that all male national teams players must be under 23 years old, apart from allowing three players older than 23 years old.

Credit: Shutterstock:Marta Fernandez Jiminez Nacho celebrates securing Champions League Cup in 2024.