Costa del Sol 25 – 31 July 2024 Issue 2038

Eva Longoria’s charity gala

ACTRESS, Hollywood director and model, Eva Longoria, hosted a charity gala on Saturday July 20 in Marbella’s Don Pepe Hotel in aid of The Global Gift Foundation. The Marbella resident and native Texan co-hosted the event with Malaga actress and phi-

lanthropist María Bravo. This 12th annual gala event, was held again on the Costa del Sol following a succession of other events at prestigious locations including Geneva, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Paris, London and Dubai. Other glitterati at

the party included TV presenter Tom Urquhart, model, actress and politician Eva Pedraza and aristocrat French journalist Beatriz de Orleans.

Longoria, who shot to fame as one of the cast from Desperate Housewives,

co-hosted with longtime friend, acting colleague and founder of The Global Gift Foundation, María Bravo. Native of Malaga, Bravo grew up in extremely humble circumstances in Malaga to become one of the most glamorous personalities in the country. Longoria and Bravo first met while shooting the 2004 Hollywood film ‘Carlita’s Secret’.

The Global Gift Foundation is a humanitarian organisation founded in 2013 by Bravo with the aim of positively impacting the lives of children, women and families who are in vulnerable situations and/or at risk of social exclusion.

The foundation began supporting external charities, until, little by little, it grew, developing its own projects.

Costa del Sol • Issue No. 2038

FREE FREI GRATIS

GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS

GRATUITO VRIJ LIVRE

ILMAINEN G F E GRATIS GRATUIT S G F

Held at Don Pepe Hotel in Marbella.

A THREE-METRE-TALL green frog known as ‘La Rana de la Suerte’ now greets passengers as they enter arrivals at Malaga Airport.

Using 3D printing technology, the quirky billboard hopes to provide good fortune to visitors arriving in the city. The ‘lucky frog’

Giant lucky frog lands

asks travellers to pet it for good luck because of its shining eyes and vibrant green skin. Before departing the airport, stroking the frog supposedly ‘guarantees a journey full of happy moments and unforgettable experiences.’

In an e ort to spread happiness and positivity among travellers, the Gran Madrid Casino Group partnered with Casino Torrequebrada in Benalmadena, its Malaga subsidiary, to o er its quir-

ky and entertaining mascot. Travellers at the airport have already embraced the o beat exhibit, posting pictures of the fortunate frog on social media and causing it to become viral. It was no coincidence

that the frog was selected as Gran Madrid’s lucky mascot. The frog is identi ed by the ancient Feng Sui concept, which controls Gran Madrid’s spaces, as a safeguard against life’s unfortunate events. It also attracts and shields prosperity and represents the movement of money.

A 3-metre high green frog to pat for luck.

Antonio Banderas demolishes his home

AFTER years of litigation and legal toing and froing, the Hollywood megastar from Malaga has been forced to pull his own house down. It was the Marbella home where he used to reside with his now ex-wife Melanie Griffith.

The main problem was that he had bought the house in good faith, second-hand, and the original construction had been given the green light by the now notorious Jesús Gil, when he was mayor of Marbella. Gil, a larger than life personality property magnate and chairman the of Athletico

de Madrid football club, was embroiled in numerous real estate and construction scandals back in the 90s and early 2000s, many of which were in Marbella.

Permission for the building of the house, named ‘La Gaviota’ (Seagull), had been granted on land designated for ‘drains’. Not only that, but

the site of the abode was too close to the

access to the beach. Under Spanish law,

the site of the abode was too close to the beach and thus violated laws on public access to the beach. Under Spanish law, all beaches are public and therefore constructing permanent structures right next to the beach without a road or walkway between the two, is illegal.

structures right next a road or walkway learned by all of us

The lesson to be learned by all of us planning to buy on the Costa del Sol is to have the deeds of the house checked by a professional before purchasing the house.

Demolition has already begun on the Banderas property.

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.

Cala de Mijas Fair starts this week

ONE of the biggest fairs on the Costa del Sol, the Mijas Fair, starts this week.

The party started on Wednesday July 24 with the Giants and Bigheads (Gigantes y Cabezudos), a tradition celebrated at many local fetes across Spain. The Giants and Bigheads are locals in home-made costumes of giants and people with big heads. This tradition goes back centuries all across Spain. They march through the streets to announce the start of the annual fair with a marching band and the elected ‘Queen of the Fair’.

wouldn’t be complete without free paella. People come together to taste this traditional Spanish dish and celebrate. There will be concerts and comedy shows every night to fit all tastes and preferen ces.

The fairground opens with the lighting of the ‘Portada’, a big, colourful archway typical of local fairs in Andalucia. Then the Municipal Booth is inaugurated with a glass of wine for attendees, symbolising the welcome and festive spirit of the fair.

The fair will also have a children’s day and a free dinner evening for older residents, as is tradition. But, the Cala de Mijas Fair

The fancy dress contest and horse and carriage ride are two of the most popu lar events. There will also be flamenco singing and fishing competitions on the beaches of La Cala.

The ‘Feria’ will start at and carry on throughout the weekend until July 28 with the fair culminating in a massive firework display.

Bottle tops for charity

BENALMADENA has just signed a new agreement with the Seur Foundation to collect bottle tops in aid of children suffering rare diseases and disorders. A box has been installed in Plaza Austria, Arroyo del Miel, for people to deposit their plastic bottle tops which will be collected and sold for recycling.

Similar projects have already collected enough money to help 207 child sufferers of rare diseases and disorders through the collection of bottle tops,

and to date €1.4 million has been raised for these children and their families.

Some children who have already benefited from this project have been Alba, a three-yearold girl with cerebral palsy. To improve her quality of life, she needed rehabilitation sessions with the World’s first children’s exoskeleton, for which 80 tons of caps were collected.

Also, there was Leo, an eight-year-old boy from Benidorm with Hirschs-

prung disease and Down syndrome who had aquatic therapy sessions paid for to improve his quality of life.

And, Lola, a three-yearold girl from Huelva with BPAN, an extremely-rare illness belonging to the group of neurodegenerative diseases due to a genetic mutation. She needed a tricycle to be able to move about and continue with her physical therapy sessions. This was managed by collecting 40 tons of bottle tops.

Age Concern collects school material for kids in need

AGE CONCERN Benalmadena held a fundraising event and celebratory last meeting of the summer at ‘The Pub’ in Benalmadena.

At the event attended by some 40 generous donors and volunteers, everyone wore Hawaiian shirts in celebration of the summer and the mass of donations they had received for the El Vuelo De las Libélulas (Flight of the dragon ies) organisation, a group dedicated to helping people in need in Benalmadena. Most of their collections throughout the year are for food and clothes to give to those in need, but this particular collection focused on getting local children o to a good start and back to school with heaps of school material ready for September.

Reduced mobility beaches

This was the group’s last meet-up before September due to the hot weather, and they will be back again at the end of August with more initiatives for giving a helping hand to the community. Other campaigns they have promoted have included gathering food, cakes and sweets for families in need at Christmas.

The enthusiastic solidarity of members of the group was rewarded by an exube-

rant bu et laid on by group members themselves, a money-raising ra e with generously donated prizes, and their host for the day, Kevin, landlord of The Pub, Benalmadena, who opened on his day o just for the occasion.

Donations are always welcome on Monday mornings at Pekin, Chinese restaurant Av. Gamonal in Benalmadena.

BENALMADENA is set to introduce two new bathing areas for people with reduced mobility, with plans to expand to other areas on the Fuente de la Salud beach and Carvajal beach areas in the near future. The town council is working on creating more and better spaces for beachgoers with reduced mobility throughout the summer to alleviate any need to continuously search up and down promenades for adequate access.

A group of volunteers from Benalmadena, who operate an ‘adapted bathroom wor-

kshop’ in the Malapesquera area, encourages around 50 people every Monday and Tuesday morning to meet at the facilities. There is a Lifeguard team to manage the adapted bathing area, which is aimed at reduced mobility bathers aged between 14 and 90. The programme runs throughout the summer until the rst week of September, on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11am to 2.30pm, and is part of the town council’s commitment to making Benalmadena an increasingly inclusive town.

Other beaches along the Costa del Sol that o er similar assistance for those with reduced mobility include Arroyo de la Miel beach, Tajo de la Soga beach, and Malapesquera in Benalmadena. In Fuengirola, Torreblanca, Boliches-Gaviotas and Fuengirola beaches. Torremolinos La Carihuela, Los Alamos and Playamar beaches. In Mijas, El Bombo, La Luna and Cala Mijas. And in Marbella, La Fontanilla, San Pedro de Alcántara and Alicate beaches. Check with local council websites for times and days.

Reduced mobility assistance on a Fuengirola beach.

€400m port expansion

THE green light has been given to a massive port expansion for Marbella’s La Bajadilla marina. The €84 million original proposal by Qatari billionaire Malaga CF owner had stalled due to financial issues, but is back with a force, estimated to be worth over €400 million.

The project was initially announced in 2011 when Qatari billionaire owner Sheikh Abdullah ben Nasser Al Thani won the proposal bid, at an original estimated cost of €84 million. However in 2016, the contract was stripped of the Malaga CF owner, after continued de -

The new project will cost around €400 million and the port will now have a new circular shape, able to harbour cruise ships and mega yachts.

The initiative will accomplish this by redesigning the system of 350 ship moorings, the repositioning of the harbourmaster’s building and fuel tanks, and solar panels to decrease the structure’s energy consumption.

On top of the 500 construction and 1,000 operations jobs the project’s development would make, over 3,000 jobs would be created in Marbella. A facility to take in cruise ships would also likely prove to be a boon to local businesses.

Turtles return to Marbella

LEVANTE BEACH in Puerto Banus this week saw the return of 49 Loggerhead sea turtles born in Marbella.

The eggs were laid on El Rodeíto beach last year. On discovering the eggs, a local man immediately ensured they were safe from any immediate danger from beachgoers or predators and called the emergency services. From that moment, Marbella Council, Local Police and members of ProDunas, a non-profit organisation promoting the preservation and protection of dune ecosystems on the coast of of Marbella, sprung into action.

turtles released back

lunteers from ProDunas until hatching.

From the beach, the eggs were transported to Bioparc Fuengirola where they were artificially incubated and monitored for 50 days in the facility by the veterinary staff and vo-

The turtles have gone through a ‘headstarting’ process, which involves care during the first year of life until they reach such a size that significantly reduced their natural mortality rate. This is to both increase their survival chances and to ensure that, upon reaching adulthood, they

return to the Costa del Sol to spawn.

On Tuesday July 23, the 49 Loggerhead turtles, also known as Caretta Caretta, were released into the sea in front of the press and onlookers as a way of raising awareness and alerting beach users to keep an eye out for rare and beautiful sea creatures.

THE NEW LA BAJADILLA: Computer rendition of the original 2008 award-winning redesign plan for the port by Estudio Segui Architecture and Planning.

Loggerhead

into Costa del Sol waters.

Torremolinos to deal with feral cats

Council has made an agreement with the Malaga Feline Association to begin management of communities of feral cats.

There are currently 66 identified feline colonies in Torremolinos with an estimated total of 719 feral cats, of those 600 have been successfully sterilised. But in reality, the number of cats on the street is likely to be much higher than that previously estimated due to those having been abandoned or lost by owners. These then produce litters that make the figures lean towards a much more significant number.

“For this reason, stricter controls and management of feral cat colonies are urgently needed” stated the mayor.

The agreement signed with the Malaga Feline Association includes a responsible adoption programme, the taking in of newly born or abandoned cats, the socialisation of the animals housed, and the capture of feral cats on the streets.

Torremolinos Council has pledged to finance the new plan, which was signed with the approval of the College of Veterinarians of Malaga, in

terms of sterilisations, microchipping, deworming, as well as covering the expenses for treatments of the cats. Also included in the budget will be the training of Local Police, the Fire Brigade and other municipal departments in how to appropriately deal with colonies of these cats.

The mayor stressed that the council’s ‘common goal is the defence, protection and promotion of responsible ownership and adoption of pets, as well as encouraging volunteering and citizen participation.’

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, 2024.

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.

The story follows a set of mortals, Zeus himself, and Dionysus - Zeus’s favourite son - and a group of mortals as they try to navigate a world ruled by fallible, and at times, flippant, gods.

Produced by Sister Production, the creators of HBO’s Chernobyl, and filmed by Malaga-based Fresco Film, Kaos will bring scenes shot in Marbella, Malaga, and Velez to screens worldwide.

FILM PRODUCTION: A camera crew record scenes for a film in Spain.

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 and other iconography synonymous with Greek myth which were quickly painted over to conceal the production days after filming ended.

TORREMOLINOS

Hundreds of feral cats in Torremolinos.

How to use brown bins

RESIDENTS of Benalmadena have recently noticed the addition of 200 new brown-lidded containers arriving to their streets alongside the already familiar recycling containers. The new bins, which cost the council over €135,000, are for implementing a new method of recycling waste, specifically, organic.

The containers are being put in public spaces while a public awareness campaign is being prepared in their correct use. These bins are part of the new waste management contract with FCC which includes the renewal and replacement of all existing containers, ecological islands, and the arrival of new cleaning machinery and vehicles. The council has asked for patience from the public and thanked them for their collaboration while the adaptation phase

and fleet renewal continue.

The goal is to make Benalmadena cleaner, better and more environmentally responsible. Although the town hall hasn’t yet released the details of how precisely to use the new organic waste bins, other towns and cities that have already implemented the same scheme are using the waste gathered to sell for converting into more environmentally friendly pellets that can be used for fireplaces, stoves and barbecues.

The bins are for collecting fruit and vegetable remains, meat and fish, eggshells, seafood leftovers, nuts and other organic material scraped off our plates. They can also be used for throwing away paper serviettes, kitchen paper, and the best news for many of our readers, garden cuttings.

Rules for holiday rentals

THE hotly debated topic of houses, flats and short-term holiday rentals in the Malaga region reached its peak this week when news that Malaga City Council has implemented plans to curb the explosion in holiday rentals in the city. People of the Malaga region have been divided on the subject between those who make an honest living from the practice and protestors demanding that local and regional governments do more to make affordable housing available to them.

In Malaga City, for example, according to the calculations of the city council, there are already somewhere in the region of 8,000 to 9,000 holiday rentals, while the registry of the Junta of Andalucia estimates the number to be more like 12,100.

There are currently just under 6,800 offered on Airbnb alone. Many of the properties are not only ones designed for living, but shop units that have been turned into tourist accommodation as well.

This week, Malaga City Council has brought in new restrictions on registering holiday rentals. This new ordinance, rubber-stamped on Friday, June 7, will mainly affect properties registered since last February, which the council claims are around 800.

The mayor of Malaga, Francisco de

la Torre, pointed out that they had already been exploring solutions to this problem when he said ‘commercial premises have an essential role as commerce’ he stated while stressing their importance when it comes to forming a neighbourhood community.

Tighter rules in Malaga on registering holiday rentals.

New organic waste bins for Benalmadena.

Image: Benalmadena council

Forest fire prevention rules

WIND, high temperatures, and a lack of rain, typical of any summer in Spain, are compounding the risk of wildfires. As Ana Mata, mayor of Mijas stated in a presentation of the council’s forest fire prevention campaign, “A mere spark could ruin an entire summer.” In the wake of this week’s blaze in Nagüeles, Marbella, we ask what can be done to prevent fires.

Between June 1 and October 15, under Spanish law, all motor vehicles are strictly prohibited from forest areas, including motorbikes and quads. Exceptions are only granted in specific cases. Poorly extinguished cigarettes have been responsible for the burning of more than 40,000 hectares of forestland in the last 20 years. Throwing a cigarette end out of a car window anywhere in the country could incur a €500 fine plus the loss of six points. Under article 39 of the Spanish Fire Prevention Act, smoking in forested areas is strictly forbidden at all times. According to government data, 80 per cent of forest fires in Spain

have their origins in human activity, with more than 3 per cent of them involving cigarette butts. Discarded glass remains and bottles, or leaving aerosols is also high on the list of causes of fires.

As well as the use of any open flame in wooded areas being forbidden, most beaches also prohibit bonfires and barbecues all year round. Some exceptions do exist, such as during June’s San Juan festivities. Fuengirola’s Ejido beach, for example, has facilities for having a barbecue in its emblematic espeto boats, but permission must

Malaga to Madrid by high-speed train from €9

OUIGO, the second private operator on the MadridMalaga high-speed line, is set to start o ering tickets on the high-speed route from just €9. The French brand has begun thenal phase of tests before opening ticket sales, and the new double-decker Alstom Euroduplex trains will start to be seen at María Zambrano station in the near future. These tests are routine before the start of commercial operations, and though the schedules have already been con rmed, they have not yet been made public.

The arrival of the Ouigo eet on the Malaga high-speed line will provide the Costa del Sol with the largest selec-

tion of high-speed trains in its history. Over 20 daily train times will become available in both directions, to or from Madrid, adding to the existing AVE, Avlo and Iryo possibilities. A wide range of seats options will continue to be o ered by Renfe, with their 14 daily trains per direction (depending on the day). other company in Spain, something key to their aggressive pricing policy, with ticket prices starting at just €9, and with an average price of 50 per cent of that of Renfe. Children up to 14 years old will travel at a xed price of €7 (accompanied by an adult) and babies go free.

The new service is expected to begin after the

Ouigo low-cost train from Madrid to Malaga.

Spain has strict rules to prevent wildfires.

Credit: Ouigo, Facebook

Malaga airport’s solar farm plan

AENA, the organisation that manages all of Spain’s commercial airports, is working towards net zero emissions by 2030, and as part of their project, it has announced plans to build a massive solar farm at Malaga Costa del Sol airport.

For their ‘Climate Action Plan’, Aena hope to offset a certain amount of the pollution the Costa del Sol airport causes, over €10 million has been budgeted for a photovoltaic solar panel farm at the grounds of the airport in Churriana, Malaga.

The project, which has just been put out to tender, is budgeted for design, construction, launch and maintenance for the first year. The solar park is intended to produce 6,434 megawatts peak and a normal capacity of 5.55 megawatts of electricity, an amount that could power up to 3,500 homes.

Aena’s Climate Action Plan includes measures to ensure sustainable growth and to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment as part of their objective to achieve carbon neutrality by 2026, and also zero emissions by 2030. As well as striving to reach their own sustainability targets, they are also putting pressure on third party service providers to do the same. A total budget of €100 million has been set aside for similar projects at other airports around the country.

Healthy habits campaign

EVERY Wednesday, between 9am and 12, Red Cross volunteers will be at the Active Participation Center (Centro de Participación Activa) in Las Lagunas to take the blood pressure of local elderly residents and inform them of preventive measures to cope with high temperatures.

Mijas Town Council and the Red Cross have just announced that they will continue the drop-in centre service throughout August giving advice on healthy habits and checking blood pressure to

monitor everyone’s health and well-being in the summer, as they did on Wednesdays in July.

“Our elderly neighbours are more vulnerable at this time of year, and it is for this reason that we have decided to extend the drop-in centre for another month,” Silvia Marin, councillor for Senior Citizens in Mijas said in a statement. July saw at least 30 visitors a day to the centre. Marín took the opportunity to thank the Red Cross for launching the initiative and their involvement and

affection with which they have been helping local senior citizens.

“In this sense, we must remember that this campaign about healthy habits is essential before more heatwaves hit.” General advice given at the drop-in centre includes staying well-hydrated, eating light meals, keeping outdoor activities to only the morning and during later evening, keeping the home cooler by lowering blinds, rolling out awnings and turning off as many electrical devices as possible, among others.

Looking after the elderly during the summer.

Photo: Ayuntamiento Mijas

Firefighter trials & 7k swim

Adam Woodward

THE Coastal Swimming Crossing (Travesía a Nado Costa) competition has just been con rmed for Torremolinos on July 27.

The race will have 272 swimmers taking part in sea swimming trials of both 3.5 kilometres and seven kilometres in open sea along the coast of the Costa del Sol town.

Among those taking part in the event will be re ghters and forest re ghters from the vicinity. The regional government also emphasised that there will be male and female categories.

Inscriptions for this, the

10th annual event on the beach in Torremolinos, are now closed, but the race looks like it is going to be well attended by spectators and sports fans. On the day, there will not only be the swimming trials, but also running and climbing.

Estepona’s teen star

RUBI RODRIGUEZ, a 12-year-old from Estepona, who was proclaimed champion in Hip-hop and runner-up in Jazz dance in the Global Dance Open International Championship, will be performing in Estepona’s Plaza del Reloj on Thursday July 25.

coaches alike.

She started dancing at three years old, then after a break for a few years, returned to dance flamenco at nine years old. Since then, she has committed herself to many disciplines of dance.

She commits herself to her studies with the same vigour as she commits to her dancing, earning good grades, to the praise of her teachers and dance

“We are very happy with her success, it is very well deserved, she has a lot of discipline with her training for modern jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theatre,” said Rodriguez’s dance coach, identified as Martina. “As a teacher I feel super proud and happy for her, because all the children who work hard to achieve something achieve what they deserve.” Rodriguez, who trained as part of the Tierra de Talento programme, will be a main performer at the July 25 performance as a part of a choreography created by Summer Intensive.

The trials were inspired by and based on reghter training exercises from the Torremolinos re department.

The humble beginnings of the event began with just 20 swimmers back in 2013 on the shore of Los Álamos beach, with little more than some bottles

of water and energy bars, and then swimming to Carihuela beach, but has now grown into one of the biggest and most popular sporting events on the Torremolinos calendar.

This year, the 7k swimming races will depart from Carihuela beach and exit the water in Los Álamos. The 3.5k starts from Playamar beach. The races are expected to begin at 10am on Saturday July 27.

Photo: Travesía a Nado Costa de Torremolinos, Bomberos de Torremolinos Facebook (offi cial)

Swimmers readying for the sea in 2023.

The race begins.

Dance Champion: Dance fanatics: Fans crowded outside the performance hall in Merida, Spain, which hosted the 2023 world finals.

Rubbish build up in Benalmadena

LOCAL social media groups from Benalmadena have been awash with complaints about a build up of rubbish and uncleaned streets recently.

The problems began when the town councilnished their contract with previous service provider Urbasa, signing a new 10year contract with FCC at a cost of €8 million a year.

However, disputes continue with Urbasa over the ownership of cleaning machinery the company was using in the Costa del Sol town. Urbasa claims ownership of the material and is attempting to reclaim it, while Benalmadena maintains that it is municipal property.

In theory, this should not have been a problem, since the contract signed with FCC included the replacement of the entire eet of vehicles and re-

newal of containers and ecological islands. The issue is that the new waste management provider contractually has a period of one year to supply and replace all the equipment necessary.

Until the courts pronounce a judgement on ownership, it will remain parked in a locked lot in Avenida Retamar, Benalmadena Pueblo, as it has been since June.

Although far from their deadline, FCC are beginning to bring in new vehicles and equipment, but due to it being high season and some breakdowns with older vehicles, the streets of Benalmadena are currently su ering. The council have stressed that this is a temporary problem and that they are working day and night to ease the issue of rubbish build up.

Missing pet reward fraud

TWO people in Mijas are under investigation for allegedly defrauding at least 25 different people who had lost pets.

The two individuals would allegedly reach out to distressed pet owners, claiming to have information, or be in possession of the owner’s lost pet, and would proceed to extract a reward from the owners before not responding and leaving the owners in a lurch as to if their lost pet was found or not.

MISSING PETS: The pair are connected to at least 25 cases of fraud regarding rewards given for information on a lost pet.

vantage of the owners’ distress and using the information that they had published on social networks, contacted them and offered them relevant information to locate and recover their dog in exchange for financial compensation, information that was ultimately false.”

Guardia Civil officers as part of ‘Operation Dedros’ began to investigate reports of a missing pet back in November of 2023. In a statement from the Guardia Civil, the law enforcement agency said:

“Those investigated, taking ad-

Once the money the suspects requested had been paid, the criminals would never respond, disappearing in the eyes of the pet owners.

Once the investigation began into the instances in Mijas the suspects are alleged to have engaged in, authorities have connected the duo to 24 other instances committed in Murcia and Alicante.

Rubbish building up Benalmadena.

Credit: MGequivalents

Animal rights groups reject plan for wild boar cull

MORE than 20 animal associations and groups have submitted a letter to Malaga City Council, arguing that the council’s intention to cull wild boars with crossbows is unjustified and will cause unethical and unnecessary suffering.

The letter came in response to a plan announced by Malaga City Council in May to set aside €15,000 to pay professional hunters to cull wild boar that have wandered out of their natural habitat and into into Malaga’s suburbs.

The local authority had claimed that they had received a number of complaints from local residents about the ani-

mals which had been spotted following common mating routes down streams and rivers, but not stopping at the city’s boundaries.

The associations rebutted that there was no societal panic about the increased sightings of boar in urban areas, nor that the animals are dangerous per se, and went on to emphasise that no one had been attacked by the animals.

Rejecting the proposal to cull these wild creatu-

res, the group said the cull would not only kill individual boars indiscriminately but could also cause unnecessary suffering by fatally wounding them. They also make the argument that the use of bows and crossbows near urbanised areas poses a significant risk to public safety, with potential collateral damage to neighbours in area. In addition, they say that the current measure of limiting boar populations with archers would backfire, creating a situation potentially more harmful and

unsustainable in provoking the boar population into becoming aggressive towards humans.

The group proposes in the letter that alternative measures such as immunocontraception, relocation, better habitat and resource management, and public education should be implemented without causing any suffering to animals or endangering the population.

According to data from the Hunting Resources Research Institute, there are currently an estimated one million wild boars in Spain, a number experts say could double by 2025.

The best beaches in Marbella

BEACHES in the sun, the glamour and sparkle that line Marbella’s coastline, but when the hustle and bustle wears you down, maybe what is needed is a little more tranquility and space to unwind, a beach where the locals of Marbella themselves escape to soak up the rays and relax in the crystalline sea.

Here are three of the the most attractive beaches Marbella has to offer when it comes to enjoying the warm Mediterranean sun and relaxing in the sea.

Just to the east of central Marbella at Cable beach on the Golden Mile, this clean, sandy beach, the most popular in the area on the night of San Juan, is by day spacious, charming and calming. Easily accessible, it boasts sun beds for hire, showers and a few classic beach bars serving up fresh fish lunches. Being just a short distance from Puerto Banus and with some parking options, it’s the best beach to see and be seen, and then round off the day at one of the clubs in the port.

One of the jewels in Marbella’s crown is Nagüeles beach, its elegance and sophistication are a big attraction, although with its 1.5km of sand, it tends to feel a little less crowded than other beaches in the area. An easily walkable distance from the city centre, a chilled stroll back at sunset is a must.

But, the best until last. Hidden among the dunes and protected by harbour walls, there’s the natural serenity of Cabopino, just between the Dunas de Artola and Calahonda. This is a protected nature reserve where the local fauna and flora are protected by wooden walkways that cross the dunes allowing everyone to take a relaxing stroll and reach the shoreline without disturbing nature. Much less crowded than other beach spaces in the area, it is also a popular spot for snorkelling and other tranquil water activities.

A walk in the park - wild boar seen in cities.

Photo: Shutterstock

Playa del Cable - Playa de Cabo Pino.

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

Empty hotel reception in Sardinia.

Swiss aeroplane.

Credit: Riik@mctr, Flickr

Your

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.

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.

Photo credit: Volocopter

FLYING TAXI: Could soon be seen over Paris.

WOLVES: Some wolves are losing their fear of humans.

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 agree ment 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 un der the agreement with the EU, CrowdStrike’s Falcon sys tem; 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 software 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,

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

EES system further delayed until November.

on the Summer 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.

European flag.

Credit: fdecomite, Flickr

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.

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

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.

Pop legends arrive in Mijas

Adam Woodward

MIJAS Auditorium, from Friday August 2 to Sunday August 4, sees the return of some of the biggest names in pop and rock history, or at least their doppelgängers.

Get ready for an unforgettable musical experience at the marvellous Mijas auditorium. The three-night Festival Of Legends presents on its opening night ‘Legends of Pop’, a show paying homage to some of the greatest in music history. Enjoy the iconic hits

WHERE were you and what were you doing in the 1990s? Indulge in rekindling the emotions of the end of the 20th century at We Love the 90s. Oasis Marbella is the venue this year for the ‘Love the 90s’ festival on Saturday July 27, with a lineup of 90s artists that will stir

of ABBA, such as ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Mamma Mia’, relive the disco era with Bee Gees’ songs ‘Stayin’ Alive’ and ‘How Deep Is Your Love’.

Then, Lionel Richie will take you on a nostalgic journey with classics like ‘Hello’ and ‘All Night Long’.

And to top it off, Stereo 80 a tribute band to the greatest rock bands from the 1980s with songs by Whitesnake, Europe and Motley Crew and more hits from throughout that decade, transporting you to a time full of energy and

great music. The festival continues on Saturday 3 with a Beatles Night, plus a very special tribute to the King, Elvis Presley. On the Sunday night it’s the turn of tributes to Pink Floyd and Bon Jovi for a rock guitar filled night under the stars. Doors open on each night at 7pm. The shows begin at 8.30pm and go on until 12pm. Advanced tickets for each night cost €20, or €25 at the ticket office each night. There’s a three-day ticket for €60. For more information, call: 633 647 260.

Love the 90s festival, Marbella

memories and feelings. On the roster this year are 2 Unlimited (remember them?), Jenny from Ace of Base and Whigfield as well as a host of artists that will have the memories come flooding back. According to the event organisers, if you dance at least once a year, you will always remain young. Others playing on the Saturday include DJ Sash, Corona, Playahitty, Capella, Sensity World and the Jumper Brothers.

Hot reggae

There will be a variety of food stalls and bars inside the venue, although it is possible to bring small snacks such as your own sandwiches. However, bringing your own alcoholic drinks is not permitted.

Doors open for the festival at 7pm and the show starts at 8.30pm. Tickets for the one-day event are available from the Love the 90s website as well as the regular outlets, and prices start at €43.

Jamaica day party

THE finest Reggae sounds from Poorhouse Rockers are celebrating Jamaica Day Saturday August 3 in Coín. Venta las Palmas in Coín is the venue for a hot hot Reggae party with DJs and artists playing tunes from throughout the last 60 years. Organisers are inviting those who come to do so dressed in gold, black and green, the colours of the Jamaican flag. DJs and artist will include, Latrry Jazz, Poorhouse Rockers, Sarah Fiestagirl, MC Ricky Roots and Leroy Onestone, Papa Magico and Likkle B. Organisers promise the finest in Jamaican sounds and

skanking galore. DJ Mikey B will also be on the decks. Born and raised between Jamaica and London, he began to be exposed to music from a very young age.

He became a well-known DJ in the 90s, mixing rhythms ranging from New Roots to Dancehall. Food is being supplied by A Taste 2 Come, Jamaican restaurant in Benalmadena with the finest in home-made Jamaican cuisine.

The party is being held at Venta las Palmas, Coín. Advanced tickets are available from eventbrite.es at €8, or €15 on the day.

Photo: Pexels

Photo:David Rivas Stereo(0, Facebook

Photo :Pexels

‘THE WIZARD’, Jeff Mills, US DJ, percussionist, composer and producer and one of the original pioneers of Techno and dance music is playing the Sophie Festival, Saturday August 3 in Churriana, Malaga.

Mills has received multiple accolades, not least from the French Minister of Culture who awarded him the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his services to the arts.

Mills started his career in the early 1980s using the name ‘the Wizard’ when he would perform DJ tricks like beat juggling and scratching. These days he can be seen working

three decks, a drum machine, and up to 70 records per hour. He was mentioned by Detroit rapper Eminem in his song ‘Groundhog Day’, from the album ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’. In it, Eminem says: ‘...and discovered this DJ who was mixing, I say it to this day, if you ain’t listened to the Wizard, you ain’t have a f****** clue what you was missing...’.

Jeff Mills will be playing on Saturday August 3 from 4pm along with Enrico Sangiuliano and Charlotte de Witte, at the Sophie Festival, Churriana.

Ticket prices start at €27 and are available from sophie.es.

Open from Tuesday to Saturday, dinner only. Kitchen open from 1 8.30 to 23.30, last ord ers 23:00. Ever y night with live music. We are a family-run business using quality products, and we love our job.

Benalmadena’s open-air planetarium

Adam Woodward MOUNT CALAMORRO, which looks over Benalmadena, once again becomes the best open-air planetarium on the south coast.

A perfect way to cool off after a sizzling day at sea level, the Benalmadena Cable Car service has extended its hours to 11pm so that stargazers can rise above the summer haze for a good look at the universe.

The new nighttime timetable operates from

10am to 11pm daily until September, and at the top you can enjoy the Open Air Planetarium.

The peak of Mt Calamorro is a fantastic spot to take in the stellar scenery over the Costa del Sol free from haze and too much light pollution.

From 8pm every evening, for €3 extra, you can enjoy the Open-Air Planetarium, starting at 9.45pm. The Sky Classroom, as it is called, is a professional astronomy outreach initiative.

These are nighttime observations, desig-

ned for all audiences, which provide an insightful introduction into the world of astronomy. Attendees can see many more stars and planets at this altitude with the naked eye.

Constellations will be pointed out, there will be mythology, identifying stars and other celestial bodies, both in our own Solar System and beyond.

The ride in a cable car costs around €20 per person, but can vary.

Add €3 for the price of the Sky Classroom.

Credit: Pexels

DJ Jeff Mills at Sophie festival, Churriana

Real foodie Marbella market tour

A DIFFERENT day out for Foodies in the Marbella area. Food Tours Marbella are offering a unique and flavoursome learning experience.

Experience the life and heightened vibrancy of a traditional local food market and see where all the top restaurants chefs buy their produce from. Marvel at the variety of fish,

seafood, meat and vegetables and let the passionate local traders share their knowledge while you taste meats, cheeses and wines with a local guide. You can even choose your own lunch and have it cooked for you at a local restaurant.

This is an authentic guided food market experience, away from the crowds of tourists, and you may be surprised by things you have never seen before. Expand your knowledge of food and Spanish cuisine and be enlightened by the fabulous bounty that nature has to offer.

After exploring the market, you can choose and buy your own main lunch ingredient, which will be cooked for you at a local restaurant, just as you like it!

The adventure begins with a traditional light breakfast of chocolate and churros, followed by a market tour with your own knowledgeable guide so you can learn all about all the diversity of healthy and tasty ingredients on offer.

The tours run from Monday to Friday at the Marbella Municipal Market, from 11am to 2pm. Price per person is €69. You can book by visiting foodtours marbella.com.

New rooftop bar Hotel Ángela

THE Rooftop Bar at Hotel Ángela in Fuengirola has just been inaugurated with spectacular views of the coastline and surroundings.

From 7pm to 1am, the Rooftop Bar will be open to the public, a place where time stands still, where chillout and a cool atmosphere permeate, the music plays, the cocktails are brought out and the views of the sea become the best anti-stress therapy to welcome the best summer evenings and nights that the Costa del Sol has to offer.

Innovatively and stylishly decorated, it’s a perfect place to spend an unforgettable evening under the stars as the afternoon heat gives way to the cool evening. Situated right on the beachfront, Hotel Ángela has always been known for its hospitality and exceptional service, attracting an international audience thanks to its reputation and prime location. With this and other updates and developments in the hotel’s facilities, it continues to reaffirm its position as a benchmark on the Costa del Sol.

12.00pm-4.00pm and 7.00pm-11.30pm

Photo Credit:s Aehcos

Adam Woodward

Photo: Pexels

Espeto fest Estepona 2024

Adam Woodward

ESPETO FEST, a free festival spread over three days of World Music in Estepona from July 25 to July 27. The Espeto fest 2024 in Estepona has just been announced by the town council. The concerts will be on a specially constructed stage on the Playa de la Rada in front of the Plazoleta Ortiz and will feature music on the opening night at 10pm from Alternative tribute band Hombres Rana. The band from Algeciras pays tribute to the greatest exponents of the golden age of Spanish poprock. On Saturday July 26, The New Project Band, playing the best rock sounds from Madrid with influences from Biffy Clyro and Arcane Roots. The Espeto Fest ends on Saturday July 27 with the 22nd annual Reggae Night.

After more than two decades enjoying the best in Jamaican and African sounds on the beach, this year will feature the rhythms of the MA. Bonner Sound System and Doce-Trece. Jah Norum will also be performing as a guest artist.

Entry is completely free and there will be food trucks and bars close to hand on each night. The music starts each night at 10pm.

Tapas, the Iconic Spanish Institution

Shrouded in folklore, the genuine history of tapas is somewhat open to conjecture.

BUT this beloved aspect of Spanish cuisine, however it’s interpreted, has a rich history rooted in tradition and practicality.

The word ‘tapa’ simply means lid in Spanish and the tradition of tapas dates back several centuries. Here’s a brief history:

So, The Folklore. One story suggests that tapas began in the Middle Ages. King Alfonso X of Castile is often credited with their invention. According to legend, he ordered that taverns serving wine should also serve small bites of food to accompany the drinks, preventing over-intoxication. This practice not only helped prevent drunkenness but also encouraged socialising.

However, the most likely explanation is that bars in Sevilla covered glasses with a slice of meat or cheese to keep dust and fruit flies out. The barman suddenly realised these salty covers were making people drink more, the customers thought they were getting free food, so the practice gained popularity, and these tapas or lids evolved into the small dishes we have today.

The Evolution. By the 19th century, the concept of tapas had spread throughout Spain. Taverns began offering a variety of small dishes, often free of charge, to accompany drinks. These could range from olives and almonds to cured ham and cheese.

The 20th century saw a significant evolution. Particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, with the rise of Spain as a popular tourist destination, tapas became more diverse and sophisticated. Chefs began experimenting with ingredients and presentation, elevating tapas to an art form.

The Modern Era. Today, tapas are an integral part of Spanish culture and cuisine, reflecting regional diversity and creativity. Modern tapas bars offer an extensive array of options, from traditional dishes like patatas bravas and gambas al ajillo to innovative creations using contemporary cooking techniques.

And, of course, the tapas tradition has now spread worldwide, influencing culinary practices in many countries. Tapas-style dining, characterised by small,

shareable plates, has become popular in various international cuisines, promoting a communal and social dining experience.

The Cultural Significance. Tapas are more than just food; they represent a social activity deeply ingrained in Spanish culture. The tradition of ‘tapear’ (going out for tapas from bar to bar) is a way for friends and family to gather, socialise, and enjoy a variety of flavours. This convivial atmosphere is a hallmark of Spanish dining.

And In Conclusion. The history of tapas is a testament to the blend of practicality, tradition, and innovation in Spanish cuisine. From humble beginnings as simple covers for drinks, to a sophisticated culinary practice, tapas continue to be a beloved and integral part of Spanish and global food culture.

So, embrace the culture and enjoy!

foodtoursmarbella.com 634 322 628

The Opening of Cyrano: A dream night to remember

FRIDAY July 19, 2024, marked the highly anticipated opening of Cyrano, the latest and most prestigious addition to La Scala’s impressive lineup of restaurants and bars. Located in the heart of La Cala, Cyrano immediately captivated guests with its breathtaking interior and electric ambience. True to the La Scala Group’s reputation, the food was innovative and impeccably crafted, delighting the palates of all who attended. The cocktails were enticingly delicious, and the service provided by the attentive staff was nothing short of excellent. It was a resounding success, embodying everything we have come to expect from La Cala’s beloved Tibbi Aquila.

This remarkable evening brings to mind the unforgettable moment when Susan Boyle, the unassuming woman with extraordinary talent, astonished the world on Britain’s Got Talent in November 2009 with her rendition of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’. Like Boyle, Tibbi Aquila has journeyed from humble beginnings to achieving a dream that seemed destined for greatness. On Friday night, Tibbi’s restaurant was

his stage, and his talent was on full display, leaving the audience in awe and excitement. His dream had come true, and the entire community celebrated his achievement.

Tibbi Aquila arrived on the Costa del Sol two decades ago, starting as a waiter at the renowned Mijas Playa. With a keen ear for advice and an insatiable appetite for hard work, Tibbi honed his skills and became one of the most sought-after figures in the restaurant industry. His journey from La Pergola to La Scala and Figaro has been marked by relentless determination and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Now, with the opening of Cyrano Bar and Grill, Tibbi has realised his ultimate dream. The La Cala community stands in applause as Tibbi brings something unique and extraordinary to the area - an establishment that promises to benefit everyone.

Book your dream night at Cyrano, and you, too, will experience the dream Tibbi Aquila brought to life.

Hiking the sublime beauty of the Guadalmina

FOR fans of hiking, fresh air and beautiful unspoilt countryside will not be disappointed with this guided route along the Guadalmina River near Benahavis.

On Saturday July 29, Al Andalus Ecotourism will be guiding a hike along the Guadalmina River near to Benahavis, a river in the Andalucian Mediterranean basin that runs entirely through the province of Malaga.

The Guadalmina begins in the Sierra Ber-

meja, and leaving the already much-visited canyons behind, on this occasion they move to another section of the river full of wildlife and natural pools.

Throughout history, the river was part of an important defensive strategic element for the town of Benahavis, its waters also being the vital power behind local flour mills.

Today, it serves as an excellent opportunity for a day of adventure walking across rock formations, narrow walkways

and through cool mountain water and discovering fascinating nature and geology along the way. It is a ‘moderate difficulty’ trek in a circle of 8km.

Prices for this fascinating guided adventure in Spanish and English start at €15. Whatsapp 656 863 905 to reserve a a place on the tour. The adventure begins at 9am on July 27 in Benahavis. Exact location to be confirmed closer to the date. A minibus is available to collect participants from Malaga.

ARTISANAL craft beers, international food stalls and plenty of live music are the order of the day at Gastroworld Festival in Marbella.

The festival running from Thursday July 25 to Sunday July 28 at El Rosario in Marbella and organised by Birra & Arte in conjunction with Marbella Council, will feature food stalls offering freshly prepared street food from arrepas and empanadas to artisanal German hot dogs and vegan burgers.

There will be craft beers from Spain and around the world at a variety of stalls, and lots of loud music. The festivities start on the Thursday with one for

the children when popular singing ensemble Cantajuegos takes to the stage at 8pm, followed by the grown-ups’ music from BANDido at 10pm. Friday night sees Eliza Handley encouraging everyone to dance followed by Rock Paradise at 10pm. Local lads Money Makers hit the stage on Saturday and everything finishes with a bang on the Sunday night with The Killer Rockets.

On the Facebook page of Birra&Arte, if you ‘like’ their page, make a mention of the festival to another Facebook friend, and share the ad from their wall on your timeline, you’ll automatically be entered into a raffle to win beers and German sausages.

Adam Woodward

Gastroworld festival of food and drink, Marbella

Simply Thriving Group

EMMA PROTHERO is a unique and very special 17-yearold young lady. From about the age of seven Emma delighted and thrilled all our FOTA members who used to attend the St David’s Day concert at the Salon Varietes. Such stage presence, such joy she gave us when she walked on that stage. Since the age of six, Emma has attended ITS Dance School, Fuengirola. She has also performed in numerous musicals and pantomimes at Salon Varietes Theatre . Her love for music, singing, dancing and acting was instilled by her music loving family and influenced by watching her Dad, Ricky Lavazza perform in his own shows.

More recently, Emma has been performing with Mama Cath & The Soul Sisters and with the Musical Theatre Troupe ‘Curtain Up’. She is looking forward to shortly presenting her first solo show; BLOND - a tribute to Blondie. Emma is thrilled to be involved in this special event as the charity holds a very personal & special meaning to her.

Nathan Dean, Brian Piccolo and all of us in our Simply Thriving Group are delighted that Emma is giving up her valuable time to entertain us all on September 15 in our charity event for Alzheimer’s at Miraflores.

Discover a delightful culinary journey at Kamasutra Indian Restaurant

LOCATED in the heart of Fuengirola’s vibrant Fish Alley. Open daily, this family-run establishment welcomes you with warm hospitality and a friendly atmosphere. Operating hours are from 15.00 to 23.00 Monday to Thursday, and from 13.00 to 23.30 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, offering ample time to savour their exquisite cuisine. Parking is available in the underground car park close by.

Kamasutra’s menu boasts an impressive array of Indian favourites, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate. Start your meal with classic appetisers such as crispy onion bhajis,a selection of samosas, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience. The main courses feature a diverse selection of dishes, including creamy Kormas, flavourful Tikka Masalas, and aromatic Bhu-

nas. Kamasutra boasts a large vegetarian menu selection. Complement your meal with their amazing selection of rice varieties and delicious Peshwari bread.

Quality is paramount at Kamasutra, where each dish is crafted with care and precision, resulting in flavours that are truly phenomenal. Despite the high standards, the menu is reasonably priced, making it an excellent choice for both dine-in and takeaway options.

Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to Fuengirola, Kamasutra Indian Restaurant is a must-visit destination for authentic Indian cuisine. Enjoy the exceptional food, friendly service, and the inviting atmosphere that makes every visit special.

C. de la Cruz, 8, 29640 Fuengirola 632 074 497

HOGAN STAND

A Magician Thursday - Quiz Night Friday & Saturday - Live Music Sunday - DJ

Cala Mijas ecological market

Credit: guadalhorceecologico.org

EVERY second Sunday of the month, one visual treat I always try to surprise my guests with is a trip to the eco market in Cala de Mijas.

Organised by the Association of Organic Producers of Guadalhorce, this organic produce market is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. On show and available to buy are some of the most eye-popping and mouthwatering selections of

organically-grown local produce. From purple cauliflowers the size of beachballs to unfamiliar but delicious fruits and vegetables typical of the area that you might not have tried yet, they are all there to marvel at. There are locally-produced breads, cheeses, oils, even vinegars and eco-friendly eggs and wines from the Malaga mountains region.

Prices vary. The breads on offer tend to be a little costly, but they are not the everyday bread we normally

buy. These are special treats. The same can be said for the honeys, but then again the quality on offer at the market is really quite special. Considering the size of some of the vegetables compared to the weedy things we can find in our supermarkets, I find vegetable prices to be reasonable.

Most of the stall holders have more than a smattering of English and are always friendly and happy to chat with and offer cooking suggestions.

While the stall holders are happy to give out bags and boxes to carry purchases, this is an ecological food market, so taking your own shopping bag or trolley is a good idea.

The market is on in Cala de Mijas Boulevard, between 9am and 2pm every second Sunday.

Adam Woodward

Costa del Sol foodie musts

- starters

BEING A fully-fledged foodie of the Costa del Sol, immersed in the true cuisine of the Malaga region, requires certain culinary musts to be ticked off the list first. Here’s a list of the three essential culinary experiences of the south coast and where to find them. Today we take a look at quintessential starters. Let’s start the tour.

Ajoblanco soup

Many out there recoil in horror at the thought of garlic, but this is a staple in the region. Ajoblanco is a refreshingly cool summer soup that combines some of the Costa del Sol’s signature produce, including almonds, garlic, cereals, extra virgin olive oil. Best in summer and, 100 per cent vegan, and extremely healthy. They say the best is to be found at Casa Eladio restaurant, Marbella.

Coquinas

These incredibly moorish little clam-like shellfish are a must every time I eat out at Casa Paco, Alhaurin el Grande. The mountain of grilled open-shelled mini clams with a sprinkling of olive oil, disapprear in minutes and offer up one of the most emblematic tastes of the Costa del Sol.

Gazpachuelo

A rich soup, the Gazpachuelo is a comfort food for the people of the Costa del Sol. The main ingredients may vary, but essentially it is prepared on a base of potatoes, fish, prawns, clams and mayonnaise. If Dani García’s three Michelin star restaurant in Marbella is a little pricey, try inland at Casa Pepa in Carratraca for the most authentic Gazpachuelo anywhere.

Guided tour and olive oil tasting in Alhaurin el Grande

Adam Woodward

FOR those passionate about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, this is a must.

Tour of a 100-year-old olive mill with a traditional tasting session.

At Aceites Molisur in Alhaurin el Grande, they run tours and tasting sessions from Monday to Saturday all year round. Olive tourism is a unique way of travelling, based on visiting olive groves and oil mills, and exploring the process of milling and extracting the finest extra virgin olive

oil, the key element in one the healthiest culinary cultures in the world, the Mediterranean diet.

At Aceites Molisur you will get to know first-hand the careful process of producing extra virgin olive oils, guided by a deep passion for the olive grove, its traditions and culture.

All the methods of harvesting, preparing the olives, crushing, pressing, milling and extraction of the oil.

Aceites Molisur are eager to show the true world of extra virgin olive oil and reveal its mysteries. From

planting the tree and understanding the earth beneath it, to caring for and monitoring the fruit, right up to the harvesting and creation of this liquid gold.

Be an olive farmer for a day, sponsor an olive tree, learn how to savour, appreciate and relish the finer qualities of an oilthese are just some of the experiences you can enjoy on a day out at Aceites Molisur.

Bookings can be made via their website at acei tesmolisur.es/en/oleotou rism. The price per person is €20.

Credit: Real Academia de Gastronomia

Credit. Casa Paco Facebook

Credit: Wikipedia

Credit: Aceites Molisur, Facebook

Conor McGregor to bring bare-knuckle boxing to Marbella

Adam Woodward

THE first bare-knuckle boxing event with Conor McGregor as the main attraction is to be held in Marbella this October. Revealed last week at a press conference in the Hard Rock Hotel, Marbella, the Costa del Sol city will play host to the first large scale Bare Knuckle Boxing match in Spain.

On October 12, Marbella Arena in collaboration with Marbella City Council, promotor BKFC and the legendary Conor McGregor

himself. The fight is expected to the biggest show and media event on the sporting calendar on the south coast this year and the councillor for Sport in Marbella has said “We are convinced that October 12 will be an experience filled with excitement and an unforgettable night.”

Representing part of the organisation of the event, McGregor, the professional mixed martial artist, professional boxer, businessman, and former Ultimate Fighting Champion, said at the press conferen-

ce, “I am a visionary and I am confident in what I am doing.” The main event will feature Argentine, Franco Tenaglia versus the unbeaten Tony ‘Loco’ Soto from the US, fighting for the world championship in the Lightweight classification. There will also be two-time world champion Austin Trout defending his title against Rico Franco of Portugal. The evening will be hosted and presented by the notorious Conor McGregor and Bare Knuckle TV commentator Mario López.

Lionel Richie & The Soul Brothers

EL OCEANO, the elegant boutique beach-side hotel and restaurant with a Polynesian pool plays host to Lionel Richie on Monday July 29.

Long-time friend of the hotel and always very popular entertainer, Fran-

kie B, steps up with his amazing tribute show to the legendary Lionel Richie. All the hits you know and love including ‘Endless Love’, ‘Lady’, ‘Truly’, ‘All Night Long’, ‘Penny Lover’, ‘Stuck on You’, ‘Hello’, ‘Say You, Say Me’, and plenty more.

Then there will be a short break in which one can enjoy a refreshing

cocktail beside the pool before getting your feet stomping with Northern Soul from Frankies’s friends the Soul Brothers, a live Soul review double act featuring classics from the 60s and 70s. Sing along or dance your heart out to memorable songs that never grow old. A beautiful setting for a great summer’s night out. Bookings can be made on El Oceano’s website for either a table in the restaurant or a sunbed. Show starts at 8.30pm.

Eat In Or Take Away

Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6.00pm Friday Fish n Chip day from 1.00 pm Saturday from 6.00pm

Closed Sunday

Parking – Takeaway

Rocas del Mar, Urb. El Juncal Sur, 34, km198, 29649 Las Lagunas de Mijas, Málaga

Jardin Botanico, La Cala de Mijas

Credit: Conor McGregor official Facebook page

Tony ‘Loco’ Soto faces off with Franco Tenaglia.

Conor McGregor arrives in Marbella

School of Rock:

THE biggest rock festival for and by kids in Spain; 10th annual of

the Battle of the Bands competition in San Pedro de Alcantara July 27. 20,000 watts of amps, 30,000 watts of

Battle of the Bands

lighting rigs, a total of 49 competing bands, a jury made up some of the biggest names in Spanish-language rock, and thousands of fans in attendance, this free festival has quickly become the national benchmark in the field of kid’s music. As well as the concerts, the event will feature bouncy castles and fairground rides for children, a drinks bar, Mexican and American food trucks, and craft stalls. This unrivalled The Battle of the Bands is the

largest children’s rock event in Spain, inspired by the Jack Black movie School of Rock, this is an innovative competition with only bands made up entirely of boys and girls from seven to 18 years old, playing live without the guidance of teachers. It’s full of fun, laughter and tears. In its first year, the festival achieved the participation of just 25 bands, and since then, it has grown exponentially in popularity and reach.

This 10th competition will take place on Saturday July 27 from 6pm on the San Pedro Alcantara Boulevard, offering six continuous hours of live music.

This year, 49 bands formed of Rock Factory, (the school of modern music in San Pedro) students will be competing, making this the biggest competition of its kind.

Cool fire at the Patio Antiguo Mijas

SOUL, funk, Disco, Reggae, classics and contemporary from Costa del Sol favourites Cool Fire, July 28, Mijas Pueblo.

Cool Fire have already gained themselves a well-deserved reputation of being the funkiest band on the Costa del Sol, getting everyone on the dance floor. Their punchy yet classy shows, full of energy and soul, are irresistibly groovy.

Based on tunes from Soul, R&B, funky, swing, Pop Rock, Reggae, Rock&Roll, Dance, their repertoire ensures the most vibrant of atmospheres.

Lead singer, Oscar Roots, veteran of the Ma-

drid scene and Pachá, Atzaró and Dalias clubs in Ibiza, fell in love with Malaga and the Costa del Sol and decided to never leave - much like most of us here. Now with his group, Cool Fire, a four-piece perfectly in sync with each other as well as the audience, they are here to get the party moving.

Patio Antiguo, the Mijas Pueblo venue offers up a fun Sunday with the best in live music, great food, drink and unique atmosphere on their terrace. Tables for dinner and the Cool Fire show can be booked by calling 951 390 270. It all starts at 7pm on Sunday July 28.

In La Cala de Mijas Biddy Mulligans La cala

SHOWING ALL SPORTS

All Ireland Football Final Sunday @ 4.30pm Armagh vs Galway

LIVE MUSIC Thursday @ 5.00pm - Sean Murray

Open from 9.30AM till late.

Adam Woodward

Credit: Cool Fire Facebook

Credit: Shutterstock

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.

The 3 Ps

MARBELLA MOMENTS

BY NICOLE KING

I WAS always led to believe that when opening a business one had to consider ‘the three Ps’: position, position, position.

In Marbella however, I think it’s more about parking. If it’s not easy to park I’m not going, nor are many other people. This is why I stopped visiting Guadalmina shopping centre as often, it was always a nightmare to find somewhere to leave the car.

Now with the new supermarket there are a lot more spaces and also a lot more businesses and so for tonight’s Marbella Now summer special (MN449), I thought I’d check out what’s happening in the area.

Surprisingly and much to my delight it is still very much a Spanish enclave. It’s always been the preferred summer destination for the Spanish aristocracy and hierarchy, with many of these families owning much of the land in Guadalmina Baja and being the founders of the communities from Guadalmina to San Pedro. Such is the case of Remedios del Rio’s

INTERVIEW

family, whose husband Juan del Rio opened the first pharmacy in San Pedro in 1958, which is still there today. (Juan just recently passed away RIP).

Back at the Guadalmina shopping centre the variety of businesses is impressive, all very stylish too. There’s a butcher and a baker and although I didn’t see a candlestick maker, it wouldn’t surprise me. Most of the businesses are Spanish owned with a sprinkling of international companies, but all speak English and are very welcoming to all nationalities. The choice of cuisine is excellent, even with a cooking school, but the excellent selection of good Spanish restaurants is still the biggest attraction for me.

Join me tonight for MN449 on RTV Marbella!

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

Alisa Kuzoyatova, Polish in Spain.

world. To my surprise, 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.”

Image: MONA Blog

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

Checking out the EWN at the papershop in Guadalmina.

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.

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-coloured lips were po pular, giving a delicate and sophisticated appearance.

1940s: Du ring the Second World War, practicality 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 lip.

: The glamorous ‘50s celebrated full, arched brows, cat-eye 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

Face your anger

ANGER is a natural and powerful emotion that everyone experiences. Suppressing it can lead to stress, health issues, and strained relationships. It’s crucial to face your anger and let it out healthily.

Recognise and Understand:

The first step is to acknowledge your anger. Understand what triggers it and why it affects you. This awareness can help you address the root

cause rather than just the symptoms.

Express Yourself:

Find constructive ways to express your anger. This could be through talking to a trusted friend, writing in a journal, or engaging in physical activities like exercise. Physical exertion can be particularly effective in releasing built-up tension.

Practise Calm Communication:

When addressing the source of your anger, use calm and assertive communication. Avoid aggressive or passive-aggressive behaviour. Clearly state your feelings and needs without blaming or attacking others.

Seek Professional Help:

If anger becomes overwhelming, consider seeking help from a therapist or counsellor. They can provide strategies to manage and express anger healthily.

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.

Opportunities for American buyers in Costa del Sol

THE Agency Marbella, represented by The Belleside Team, is making significant strides in Costa del Sol’s real estate market. Known for its expertise in luxury real estate, The Agency brings extensive experience and a robust professional network to Marbella, offering exclusive properties and investment opportunities.

In this interview, we discuss the 2024 Marbella Real Estate Market Report with Leif Orthmann, Managing Partner, and Benjamin Beza, Sales Director at The Agency Marbella - The Belleside Team. They provide insights into current market trends, opportunities for American buyers, and the future of real estate in Marbella.

What are the key findings of the 2024 Marbella Real Estate Market Report?

Leif Orthmann: The 2024 report highlights several key trends. There’s a significant increase in American buyers investing in Marbella, driven by the area’s luxurious lifestyle, cultural richness, and economic stability.

Property prices have risen by 10 per cent over the past year, with the average price per square metre now at €4,533. Marbella has also been re-

cognised as the Best European Destination, solidifying its status as a prime location for luxury real estate investments.

Why is Marbella becoming a preferred destination for American investors?

Benjamin Beza: Marbella offers a unique combination of a mild climate, beautiful landscapes, and a high quality of life. The competitive pricing compared to luxury markets in New York, Miami, or Los Angeles makes Marbella attractive. Additionally, the recovery of direct air routes between Spain and the United States has increased American tourism and investment in the area.

What future trends do you foresee in the Marbella real estate market?

Benjamin Beza: We expect continued growth in the luxury segment, driven by international buyers. Sustainability and technology are becoming increasingly important, with more buyers seeking eco-friendly and smart homes. Upcoming urban planning changes in Marbella, set to be approved by 2027, will enhance the city’s infrastructure, making it even more attractive for investors.

€5,000 Fine

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.

PM.

Worry-free travel

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.

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,

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.

Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s

Credit: Giorgia Meloni, Facebook

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:

Ben Ross found alive

“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 discovery remain unclear, the news of his safe return brings great relief.

“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

Harry Styles photoshoot.

Credit: Harry Styles, Facebook

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

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.

Samyang noodles back on the shelves.

Credit: H&L, Facebook

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.

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-weekold 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.

Credit: Vera Celis

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

Mayor Celis and the happy couple.

Credit: Prague Zoo

Marina Nitzak: The Woman Behind the Business Property with Positivity

MARINA NITZAK lights rooms with her enthusiasm for life, her vibrant smile providing a warm presence as she shares the secrets to her success and what she loves about her job. Moving from the then-USSR 35 years ago, of mixed Russian-Ukrainian descent, she first sought asylum in Germany before settling in Spain, where she has spent the last 22 years - 10 in Madrid and 12 in Marbella. “Madrid is amazing until you have kids; we wanted a home with a garden, a pool, and fresh air,” said Marina. “The first time I came here, I said when I’m ready to settle down, this will be my home and it now is.”

Her warm presence and downto-earth candour transmit an authenticity rarely seen. This shines through in her dedication to helping her clients, her friends, her colleagues, and, in fact, anyone and everyone she encounters.

A key theme in Marina’s philosophy, both in business and in life, is the importance of harmony between the different aspects of a person’s life. Her selflessness and genuine desire for the welfare of others are evident in the lessons provided by LM Group’s Real Estate Academy. The courses and webinars share the concentrated wealth of knowledge she, her husband, and her team have amassed over 11 years in the industry, spreading valuable insights to realtors in training worldwide.

set of “find what you like to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” Marina emphasises the synergy, or “congruency,” between one’s career and personal life. She lives this maxim, ensuring that her clients find homes that align with their desired lifestyles. “When I’m talking to clients or colleagues, I always want to find out what lifestyle they want to make sure there is congruency between the home or job they seek and the lifestyle they desire,” said Marina. Marina’s trademark calmness in her business and personal life is a testament to her ‘walking the walk,’ not just ‘talking the talk.’ “In Marbella, or Costa del Sol in general, it’s more about your lifestyle being in line with your values, with the life you’d like to have,” said Marina. “Costa del Sol is fabulous if you follow your heart with what

you want to do.”

Despite the competitive nature of the real estate industry, Marina and her husband have built one of the most reputable agencies on the Costa del Sol. This success is largely due to the unity between her values and career. “I believe in the good in people. I believe in karma. Life is too short to rob yourself of other people and the world,” said Marina. “You need to share your energy, living life like you’re in your last weeks. That creates a lot of energy that attracts similar people who aren’t afraid of opportunities or failure.”

A key to her success and happiness is this openness and posi-

tivity, which can find its way back to her. “If someone likes you and feels good around you, they will rack their brains to try to find ways to help you,” said Marina. “In this industry, that might mean a client remembers that their neighbour’s sister was looking to move to Marbella, and that positivity comes back to you.”

ce that she and her team have achieved significant success.

She exudes a quiet confidence, not only in herself but in the work she does. In an industry where connections, client support,

ramount, it’s no

“At the end of the day, I’m in Marbella’s real estate industry for the long term. Forty-five per cent of our business is repeat and referral customers, the largest percentage by far of agencies on the coast, maybe even in all of Spain. I think we do that by nurturing, by helping our customers through the whole home buying process so that they feel assured and confident throughout,” she shared.

Marina Nitzak’s journey is a testament to the power of positivity, authenticity, and genuine care for others, making her not just a successful businesswoman, but an inspiring figure in the real estate industry.

She really is the shining example of the power of positivity - if you can dream your ideal life in your mind and heart your next step is to hold it in your hand.

Let Marina hold your hand too in finding your dream home on the Costa del Sol.

Her positivity and property can lead you to a magical place.

THE American real estate company The Agency has landed on the Costa del Sol, presenting its first Annual Real Estate Market Report. This document confirms the robust health of the luxury real estate sector in the area and highlights the growing interest of American investors.

Marbella is positioning itself as a strong competitor against other luxury cities like New York, Miami, London, and Los Angeles. Property prices have increased by 10 per cent over the past year, with an average of €4,533 per square metre. Additionally, areas such as Nagüeles-Milla de Oro and Nueva Andalucía stand out for their high pri-

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.

ces and exclusivity. In Nagüeles-Milla de Oro, prices reach €6,040 per square metre, while in Nueva Andalucía they are €5,050. East Marbella, including areas like Las Chapas-El Rosario, averages €4,512 per square metre. In urban Marbella, the average price is €3,897, and in San Pedro de Alcantara, it is €3,861. The Elviria-Cabopino area offers the lowest cost per square metre at €3,401. The real estate market in Marbella remains strong with foreign investors conducting 23,300 transactions in the first quarter of 2024, representing 14.5 per cent of all purchases in the region. Marbella par-

ticularly stands out for its appeal in the luxury segment, being the 16th most expensive city in the world for luxury residences, surpassing Madrid and Dubai. The average price of a property in Marbella is approximately €686,229. Properties under 100 square metres average €347,960, while those over 100 square metres cost around €754,052. On average, properties sold in Marbella are 120-square-metre apartments with three bedrooms, located in three-storey buildings.

The Agency, known for its success in the United States with global sales exceeding €42 billion, has arrived in Marbella to boost the premium segment on the Costa del Sol. The owner of The Agency, Mauricio Umansky, recognised for his participation in television programmes and for managing the sale of iconic properties, is expanding his influence with the opening of The Agency Marbella - The Belleside Team.

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

This is an attractive time to purchase property in Spain.

January of this year, while today they 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.”

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.

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

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

years

in 2019.

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).

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.

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.

Emma who had headed the list for 14

before being overtaken by Olivia

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

A new approach.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Image: thomasdambo.com

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:

“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

- 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.

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

• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •

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.

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.

Almeria

Bird 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.

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.

PETS

UK to Spain leaving 2nd week in August

With 25 years experience in transporting pets, from collection to delivery your pet’s comfort and safety is of paramount importance to us

Contact Jill on +44 7842 508 588 or +44 7842 508 589 or unionjackpets@aol.com for further information. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page unionjackpettransport@vippettransportation and read our reviews

Find a pet-sitter who will cherish your pets

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 HouseSitMatch 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 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 HouseSitMatch.com

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

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

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

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.

The golden years

As pets age, their care needs evolve, necessitating more attention to maintain their quality of life.

THE ‘HHHHHMM’ scale, which stands for Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Hygiene, Happiness, Mobility, and More Good Days Than Bad, is a helpful tool

for assessing senior pets’ well-being.

Hurt involves managing any pain through regular veterinary visits.

Hunger ensures they maintain a healthy appetite and weight. Hydration checks that they are drinking enough water.

Hygiene focuses on cleanliness and grooming to prevent infections.

Happiness evaluates their mental health and engagement in activities.

Mobility assesses their ease of movement and absence of significant pain. Finally, ensuring there are More Good Days Than Bad helps in making compassionate decisions about their care. By closely monitoring these factors, owners can provide their senior pets with the best possible care, ensuring they enjoy their golden years comfortably and happily.

Holders of UK & EU Type 2 Animal Welfare Certificate Door to Door Service

Ferguson is a friendly cat and loves company.

WINDOWS

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.

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 Switzerland, 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 out of contention.

Congratulations to our hosts, France who put on a tremendous tournament.