Mallorca 12 – 18 September 2024 Issue 2045

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Charity begins at home

FOR some time now, the Calanova Cancer Charity has held an annual coffee morning, but this year it’s going to be a bit different.

In the past, funds raised (often in excess of €1,000) were sent to the Macmillan Nurses in the UK, but this year the donation is going to be closer to home with money being given to ASPANOB to help the Children with Cancer on the Island and

ALTHOUGH there have been a number of events in the lead up to Mallorca Day, there is a lot going on in Palma on September 12, the actual day of celebration. Whilst Balearic Day which takes place on March 1, certainly attracts more attention, the Consell de Mallorca are ensuring that there is still plenty to interest residents and visitors.

Highlights of the celebration include, 10.30am: Pipers concert and appearance of the giants at the Council of Mallorca building; 11am: Floral offering at the Cathedral to King Jaume I who is regarded as being responsi -

their parents.

This year the coffee morning starts at 11am on Friday September 27 and once again will be held at the Secret Garden in Portals Nous with entrance just €5 which guarantees a cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

This is not just any old cake as those attending will have the choice of many different wonderful delicious home-made cakes, all of which have

been donated by supporters but if you are thinking of attending and can bring a cake with you that also will be most welcome

There will be some top live entertainment from Izzy, Paddy and Susie will introduce attendees to a new kind of Bingo, there will be usual Guess the Weight of the Cake competition and a Tombola with some fun prizes.

There will be a few stalls with children’s clothes and toys to browse through and it will be a great opportunity to catch up with friends old and new knowing that you will be supporting children who have cancer.

For those who fancy staying on for lunch then you are advised to contact the Secret Garden in advance to make a reservation.

Mallorca Day

ble for taking Mallorca back from the Moors.

Then in the evening, from 6pm onwards there will be a number of musical events, both classical and folk, all being presented at La Misericordia Cultural Centre.

Queen Sofia in Palma

STILL enjoying her stay in Mallorca, Queen Sofia made a visit to the Mallorca Museum on Friday September 6 to view the Joaquín Sorolla exhibition.

Sponsored by the Consell de Mallorca, the exhibition which finally closed on Sunday September 8 was an unmitigated success with more than 12,000 people visiting during the time it was open.

On this occasion, the Queen Emeritus was accompanied by her sister, Irene of Greece, and her cousin, Tatiana Radziwill, both of whom are now in wheelchairs.

The exhibition was entitled ‘Travelling to paint. Sorolla in Mallorca’ and the Valencian artist who was born in 1863 was prolific, having reportedly created more than 2,000 paintings even though he died at the young age of just 60.

Visiting Mallorca in 1919, his work on the Island consists of some of the very last views of the Mediterranean that he ever created as he fell ill in June of the following year and was unable to paint again until his death in 1923.

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The Giants of Palma.
Credit: Goodwin Mallorca Shutterstock
An earlier event raising funds for cancer was a great success.
Credit: Calanova Cancer Charity
Queen Sofia made a visit to the Mallorca Museum.

Hungry Club

IN all honesty airport snack bars and restaurants are not generally of the highest standard and are often a way of wasting time whilst waiting for a ight.

Spain might just see a change coming as young three Michelin star chef, Dabiz Muñoz who has been named best chef in the world on three occasions is bringing his Hungry Club venture to airports across the nation.

The rst has already opened in Madrid and working with travel experience company Avolta, Hungry Club has secured space at Mallorca airport.

Whether the o ering of sandwiches, hot dogs, ramen noodles. pizzas and similar ‘fast food’ will inspire travellers to part with between €14 and €25 for a takeaway dish remains to be seen. Jamie Oliver’s similar venture ended up with receivers selling that franchise in 2019.

Proposal to double tourist tax

LOCAL political party

MÉS for Mallorca which holds four seats in the Balearic Government and four in the Consell de Mallorca makes no bones about its views on tourists.

Recognising the importance of tourism and the fact that this summer has seen a drop in visitors and income earned, it is planning to table a motion to double the tourist tax. It will present an amendment to the Tax Law on tourist stays to modify the tax rate for those staying in luxury accommodation (five star and some luxury four star hotels) from €4 to €8 daily, from €3 to €6, in the case of four-star and three-star superior establishments and would up from €2 to €4 in the case of one, two

and three-star establishments.

There would be increases for those staying in private accommodation jumping from €2 to €4 whilst hostels, camping and similar would cost €2 instead of the current €1. Another significant money maker would see the charge from passen-

gers on cruises also double from €2 to €4.

Spokesperson Lluís Apesteguia explained that the fees have remained static since being first introduced in 2017 and that now is the time to increase the charges which are less than many cities throughout Europe.

American Car Festival

IF you are at a loss for something to do on Sunday, September 15 then there will be a lot of fun at Port Adriano which will be hosting the annual American Car Festival.

There will be more than 50 cars on display but that’s not all as it opens at 11am with a performance by Juanito Percha & Stingrays followed at 12 by an Elvis Presley event.

There’s a ‘Miss Pin Up’ contest at 2pm and from 11am to 3pm when the event closes, there will be a Las Vegas-style ‘Wedding Chapel’ in case anyone would like to walk down the aisle and a number of food trucks if you are feeling peckish.

It’s an event for all of the family in the Central Square of the Port plus once the festival is over, there are still plenty of sights to enjoy at Port Adriano.

Scene from a previous festival.
Each cruise ship can contain thousands of passengers.

Generation Alpha

THE term ‘Generation Alpha’ has been coined to refer to those individuals born between 2010 and 2024, marking them as the newest generation. This label aims to capture the unique characteristics and experiences of this group, which is growing up in a rapidly evolving technological and societal landscape.

Of course, this also includes the group that was either born or very young during the Covid-19 pande-

mic, and we are now beginning to see the impact that experiencing lockdowns and restrictions has had on their development. As these children enter school, educators are encountering a range of issues, including delayed speech and language development, social and emotional di culties, and behavioural problems.

Experts have suggested that decreased social interactions, missed developmental check-ups, and

disrupted routines are all contributing factors. One headteacher in the UK has described how he has seen an increase in reception children biting one another, throwing things, running o , and spitting. He also added they often felt frustration, struggled with taking turns and sharing, and found it challenging to pick up skills like following routines and listening in class.

“They don’t have the vo-

Baby Boomers (1946–1964)

cabulary to express their feelings,” he said. “They’re about two years behind when they arrive.”

Experts have emphasised that educators and speech and language therapists are not just important but crucial in addressing these developmental issues.

Their e orts will be instrumental in helping Generation Alpha catch up, and they will be the key players in shaping their future.

A Digitised World

GENERATION ALPHA children are growing up in an era where they are even more immersed in technology than the generations before them. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of them had to adapt to home-schooling methods. During this period, the usual discipline around screen time and mobile phone usage took a backseat, as mobile devices became a vital means of maintaining social connections, albeit in a virtual space.

Now, it seems that many European countries are attempting to break that habit by enforcing rules around phone use during school. Spain, Denmark, Greece, and the Netherlands have all gone down this route, and France has joined them more recently. They argue that a phone prohibition will improve student relations and mental health.

However, others consider mobile phones to be indispensable tools for Generation Alpha and should be embraced as such. They believe that allowing students to use phones in schools has more advantages than disadvantages, particularly in permitting them to build on their digital literacy, an essential skill for future employability.

In the rapidly digitised world that Generation Alpha will be exposed to, perhaps teachers and parents should consider the quote by the 20th-century education reformer John Dewey, who said, “If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”

Following the Second World War, the Baby Boomers experienced a population boom and were at the forefront of cultural shifts, such as protesting the Vietnam War.

Generation X (1965–1980)

Generation X has witnessed signi cant cultural and social changes, such as the AIDS epidemic and the rise of LGBTQ+ rights.

Millennials (1981–1996)

Millennials have lived through transformative events like 9/11 and the rise of the internet.

Generation Z (1997–2010)

Generation Z is the rst generation to grow up in a world of constant digital connectivity.

Generation Alpha (2010–2024)

While it’s too early to de ne Generation Alpha fully, the impact of events like Covid-19 will undoubtedly shape their worldview and values.

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

School kids are finding it hard to kick the ‘phone’ habit.
Generation Alpha includes the young during Covid-19.

Suicide Prevention Day

THE number of people who commit suicide in Spain continues to increase and in 2022 (the latest figures available) broke 4,000 for the first time.

ghts, as well as family and friends who have experienced loss.

Tuesday September 10 was World Suicide Prevention Day and the Balearic Government gave its support to a special awareness campaign launched on the same day entitled ‘Del suïcidi, en xerram’ (Let’s talk about suicide).

The Balearic Govern-

ment is pledging 0.7 per cent of income tax collected to this campaign which aims to make the

problem visible and break the silence and stigma experienced by people who suffer from suicidal thou-

Although there are a number of help lines available to those in need of advice, they are mainly manned by Spanish/Catalan speakers, but English speakers may find it more helpful to call Samaritans in Spain on their help line 900 525 100 which is currently manned from 10am to midnight seven days a week.

THE old saying of ‘if you can’t beat them join them’, takes on a new dimension in Calvia as the council has recognised that colonies of cats are there to stay.

It is therefore introducing new guidelines for the ethical treatment and control of the existing colonies within the municipality.

Apparently, the main objective of this mea -

Affiliated to

Calvia cats

sure is to ensure harmonious coexistence between residents and the community of cats, in order to minimise inconvenience and control the feline population.

It will therefore use the CER (Capture, Sterilisation and Return) method to manage co -

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lonies and every sterilised cat will carry an ear tag.

Those who want to look after the cats will have to obtain official accreditation renewable every two years and must feed the cats exclusively with dry food,

removing leftovers daily to avoid health problems and cleaning the areas regularly.

There will be mechanisms to resolve local conflicts often caused due to noisy animals, marking of territory or fights between males in order reduce complaints related to feline colonies.

Let’s talk about suicide.
Credit: Balearic Government
Feral cat colonies will be controlled.
Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking flickr

Molina de Santa Ponça turns

SATURDAY September 7, was World Awareness Day aimed at highlighting those suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe type of muscular dystrophy predominantly affecting boys.

The onset of muscle weakness typically begins around age four, with rapid progression. Initially, muscle loss occurs in the thighs and pelvis, extending to the arms, which can lead to difficulties in standing up.

Life expectancy is 20 to 30 years and this disease is not selective, but affects around one in 5,000 male babies across the world.

Spain recognises the agonising process whereby parents and children are affected but there is almost

no hope of a cure and each sufferer will need expensive equipment and care in order to simply exist.

One such youngster is

Lleo, currently a bubbly three-yearold who lives in Son Ferrer and is already having to spend some time in a specially created push- chair.

In order to highlight his plight and that of similar children across the country, Calvia Council arranged for the Molina de Santa Ponça to turn red for the night.

Later this year, (November 22 and 23) the Serra 4 Life charity challenge will dedicate this year’s event to those suffering from the disease and part of the proceeds will be used to help little Lleo and the Asociació Duchenne Baleares.

Support vessel refit

WHEN you decide to commission a major superyacht capable of sleeping 16 guests supported by up to 32 sta , you have to have somewhere to store the toys!

In the case of America multi-millionaire Eric Smidt the answer was simple, have a $40 million support vessel, the Intrepid, built to make sure that your $350 million superyacht In nity isn’t overcrowded.

Intrepid is currently in Palma for maintenance work and is a support vessel crewed by 11 plus the

captain but also has overow guest accommodation for four people.

It’s two metres longer than originally intended as the owner wanted to have a helicopter hanger below the helideck so that the helicopter wasn’t left open to

the vagaries of the weather. Included in the facilities are a helicopter repair centre, dive centre, space for the toys and a fully equipped hospital bay in order to ensure that in the event of any emergency, action may be taken immediately.

Uber battle saga

THERE has always been a signi cant element of distrust by taxi drivers against private hire companies (VTC) such as Uber which are expanding across Spain.

In 2019, the Balearic Government approved a decree which banned the hiring of a VTC with less than 30 minutes’ notice which was

intended to give some form of protection to licensed taxi drivers. In 2023 the matter of the legality of this decree was brought before the Balearic Constitutional Court and now it has ruled unanimously that the decision to grant this decree was wrong in law.

The judges argued that

there was no bene t to the consumer and that whilst some form of balance between the services o ered by taxis and VTC could be advantageous, this decree was in their view discriminatory. Time will tell whether representative of the taxi sector will try to challenge this latest ruling.

Credit: Calvia Council
The Intrepid at sea
Lleo with his parents.

New Spain-Portugal railway bridge

PLANS for a new international railway bridge over the Minho River between Spain and Portugal are moving forward, with Luís Nobre, President of Eixo Atlântico and mayor of Viana do Castelo, urging both governments to prioritise the project. Nobre has called for the bridge to be included in the agenda for the next Iberian Summit.

This proposal dates back over a decade, when Eixo Atlântico rst suggested a high-speed railway line linking Ferrol, Galicia and Lisbon, with a stop at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. The new bridge, set to serve the Minho railway line, is expected to be located east of Valença and Tui, although nal details and administrative procedures are still under review.

The current Minho railway line, particularly the section between Valença and Porto, has long been plagued by ine ciencies despite recent modernisation e orts. Nobre emphasises that this new infrastructure will signi cantly reduce travel times and provide a much-needed alternative to the existing route, bene ting commuters, tourists, and cross-border trade.

Collaboration between Portugal and Spain has been key in pushing this project forward. Meetings with Spanish o cials have helped unlock logistical barriers, and momentum is building on both sides of the border. The new bridge could be a game-changer for those travelling across the Iberian Peninsula, and the upcoming Iberian Summit may set the wheels in mo

Should stores open on Sundays? Your

VOICE

AS the summer season comes to a close and the tourist crowds start to thin out, local residents will no longer have the luxury of Sunday grocery shopping. From now on, it will be essential for residents to reorganise their schedules and find time for grocery shopping during the weekdays or on Saturdays.

In contrast to the traditional view of Sunday as a day of rest, some European countries consider this practice outdated and allow shops to open on Sundays, partially or fully. They argue Sunday opening hours offer consumers greater flexibility to shop at their convenience, especially for those with demanding schedules. They also argue that Sunday openings can help alleviate congestion during peak shopping hours, leading to a more efficient and pleasant shopping experience for everyone.

On the contrary, opponents maintain that workers deserve a guaranteed day of rest, with Sunday being the preferred day for many, in order to enjoy quality time with their families, unwind, and recharge for the week ahead.

Curious to understand where our readers stood on this matter, Euro Weekly News asked, ‘Should stores open on Sundays?’

Be-Bop-Bollula Events felt that they should and said, “YES! You never know when you are going to run out of beer or guacamole.”

John Davies also felt they should

be allowed to open, expressing, “Yes, save them being too busy on Saturday and Monday. If Sunday is for kids, don’t change your routine, but think of others who want them to open. It doesn’t have to be long hours.”

Stephen Proctor offered food for thought when he shared, “They should have the option to open on a Sunday if they choose to. If people believe that shops should be closed on Sundays, then surely they would agree that bars, restaurants, and the like should be closed on Sundays too.”

Others, like Dot Devine, felt they should remain closed. “No, surely people can get all their shopping needs Monday to Saturday. Let them have a day off with their families like everyone else.”

Josephine Burke Staunton also agreed, “No - there are plenty of other days to shop - Sunday was always known as a day of rest.”

Ian Bushnell offered this pragmatic response: “Freedom of choice. They should be allowed to if they want to, as long as there are safeguards to prevent staff from being forced to work on Sundays.”

Brian Thorogood said, “The real issue is that the shops will not sell any more things by opening seven days a week, so their costs will increase with no increase in revenue. Therefore, prices will rise to maintain the bottom line.”

Minho River.
Credit: Pixabay.

Investment decision paralysis - how to overcome an overload of choices

In 2002, there were around 30,000 managed investment products to choose from. Over the next two decades, however, the number of choices has grown exponentially to more than 742,000 products recorded last year.

The increase ranges from open-ended mutual funds to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), but how can you navigate such a saturated market with a selection that will only continue to expand?

The road to a million choices

It has been projected that there could be a million managed investment products to choose from by 2031, and this abundance of choice can make it very difficult to commit to a particular course of action for your investments.

Today, investors are exposed to more information than any previous generation. Data and research that has only been available to financial professionals is now freely accessible, and this inevita-

bly brings advice and news from sources that might not be qualified to serve the interests of your finances.

This deluge of information, while offering greater transparency, does not necessarily provide greater knowledge and understanding. More likely, it gives us a sense of uncertainty about what information can be trusted and relied upon.

Studies show that the growing access to technology only increases the need for assessment by a

specialist who can see through the noise and direct your funds successfully towards achieving your objectives.

What is decision paralysis for investments?

Our ability to choose is the bedrock of our autonomy and freedom. However, we tend to become overwhelmed by too many options.

‘The Paradox of Choice’ as described by author Barry Schwartz, most often reveals that having too many selections to choose from actually limits our freedom to do so.

When it comes to investing, having too much choice will most likely hurt you rather than help you if you don’t have the proper expert guidance.

Overcoming decision paralysis

Many people feel uncomfortable making investment decisions due

to a general lack of knowledge.

However, statistics show that investors who rely on alternative sources don’t understand the value of financial specialist advice until they experience it.

A financial adviser will help you combat decision paralysis by providing actionable insights and options based on your unique circumstances and objectives. Your adviser will be able to provide you with clear pros and cons of each option and help you to navigate the increasingly complex marketplace.

Make informed decisions with the right advice

You have worked hard for your money, and having some set aside to invest, you don’t want to be faced with a vast amount of investment options, where the research only seems to lead you further down the rabbit hole. This can be described as analysis paralysis, ultimately leading to decision

paralysis. A situation where the sheer volume of options available prevents us from being able to make an informed decision in fear of choosing the wrong path.

We live in a world where social media has given both good and bad actors a platform, and the number of investment choices continues to rise exponentially. The need for specialist financial advice is more important than ever.

These views are put forward for consideration purposes only as the suitability of any investment is dependent on the investment objectives, time horizon and attitude to risk of the investor. The value of investments can fall as well as rise, as can the income arising from them. Past performance should not be seen as an indication of future performance.

Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www. blevinsfranks.com.

58th Fiesta des Vermar

ALTHOUGH it has already been running for a week or so, the Fiesta des Vermar in Binissalem offers a further two weeks of free celebration until the end of September.

The event itself takes place to celebrate the conclusion of the grape harvest and residents as well as commercial vineyards are proud of the special designation of DO Binissalem Mallorca which means that all of the local wines are of a high standard.

Still to come in the town are the grape battle on September 21, when grapes which are not suitable for making wine are basically used as ‘tools of war’ when thrown at those taking part.

The following day, it’s shoes and socks off as many become involved in stomping the grapes in the Plaça de l’Església from which wine will eventually

be produced and this is accompanied by typical harvest songs.

September 26 sees the time-honoured meal of fideus de vermar a traditional hearty dish consisting of noodles, mutton, a little white wine and paprika, cooked in a rich broth.

September 28 sees a

ONCE again, Swiss born pianist and composer David Gómez opened his home Finca Ca’s Pianista in Sineu to present his much acclaimed 1 Piano and 200 Candles concert.

The very last concert of the season, will take place on the evening of Friday September 20 from 9pm.

Tickets cost €30 or €50 for VIP access but a couple who pay €129 will receive special treatment and have a number de-

number of floats, dressed specially for the occasion parading through the town and later that day and on September 29, it’s time for the Wine Fair when you can get the chance to taste (and purchase) the wines and admire residents in all of their finest regional costumes

Piano in the moonlight

Three nights of top Jazz

THE word Jazz covers a whole range of different styles of music but the 26th Alcudia Jazz Festival offers a rather attractive trio of concerts during September.

All take place at the Alcudia Auditorium on Saturdays, September 14, 21 and 28 with the first concert showcasing the Pere Bujosa Trio, a group formed in 2017 in Amsterdam by the Mallorcan double bass player Pere Bujosa along with pianist Xavi Torres and drummer Joan Terol.

Together they create music that unites elements based on the jazz tradition but incorporating other genres such as rock or electronic music.

Tickets cost €8 if purchased in advance or €10 at the door.

Next on September 21, is a free concert starring Isis ‘Apache’ Montero who will present his own compositions accompanied by five excellent musicians who create the warm energy of Latin rhythms fused with Jazz.

Last but not least on September 28 it’s the turn of Alex Cuba, a Cuban born singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer based in Canada, who has established himself as a prominent figure in the international music scene.

With a fusion of Cuban music with a sprinkling of jazz, pop, funk and the Latin American folk he calls his sometimes slightly avant-garde compositions as a genre of its own, ‘Latin Soul’.

Tickets for this concert at €12 in advance or €15 at the door.

Pastry and Baking Festival

dicated to them with David reading their words of dedication before performing the piece.

The artist who surrounds his piano with 200 candles and plays a selection of compositions from his numerous albums when touring, chooses unusual and atmospheric sites such as deserted churches, abandoned factories, lighthouses or delightful gardens.

This summer however he has concentrated on performing in the privacy of his garden, in the middle of a forest, under a starry sky and with a very careful and exquisite staging, David Gómez has entertained thousands of concert goers this year by the light of 200 candles.

To make a reservation for this last concert of the season visit https:// davidgomezpiano.com/ live-concerts.

FOR those with a sweet tooth, the Consell de Mallorca is hosting its first Pastry and Baking Festival which takes place on Saturday September 14.

Held in the gardens of La Misericòrdia cultural centre in Palma it has been created in order to allow bakers to take part in the celebrations surrounding Mallorca Day which actually falls on Thursday September 12.

Mallorca is particularly known for the ensaimada, but there are a number of other sweet delicacies created by the island’s bakers and pastry chefs.

For this event seven traditional bakeries from the island will be taking part and you can expect to see and sample a selection of local specialities and view show-cooking from Pastelería Pomar, Fornet de la Soca, Trias Pastissers, La Oliva, Dulcelíaco, Forn Ca na Juanaineta and Narez i Cuart.

Running from 5pm to 8pm, entry is

free and there will be plenty of opportunity to taste some of the traditional pastries being prepared which will include ensaimadas, cremadillos (sweet and savoury), empanadas, cocarrois and cocas de patata.

The Association of Chefs Based in the Balearic Islands (ASCAIB) and the Federation of Associations of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Spain (FACYRE Baleares) have taken part in the organisation of the event.

Credit: Fiesta des Vermar
Credit: David Gómez Facebook
Credit: Alex Cuba
Credit: Consell de Mallorca

Warsaw’s world record attempt

Filip Blommaert and Austrian freediver Christin Gerstorfer have set a new benchmark for underwater artistry with their recent attempt at the deepest underwater photoshoot. The duo reached a remarkable depth of 45.4 metres at Deepspot, Europe’s deepest diving pool, located in Warsaw, Poland.

tubular shaft, which simulates free-falling. Blommaert likened the descent to “flying to the bottom”. The shoot involved meticulous planning, with Blommaert completing two warm-up dives and two shooting dives, while Gerstorfer posed at the bottom, using weights to descend and an underwater scooter to resurface.

Wings in the Deep photoshoot.

Blommaert, known for his adventurous spirit, collaborated with Gerstorfer to break new ground in both freediving and photography. The concept for this record-breaking attempt was conceived during a trip to the Philippines, where Blommaert and Gerstorfer connected over their shared passion for pushing limits.

The photoshoot, titled Wings in the Deep, took place in Deepspot’s 45-metre

Logistical challenges arose, including the buoyancy of the wings used in the photos, which required additional weight to sink. Despite these obstacles, the team, including safety divers and makeup artist Marike De Meester, ensured the shoot’s success.

Blommaert now aims to push even further, with ambitions of diving to 60 metres and ultimately reaching 100 metres. The record awaits official verification by Guinness World Records.

Credit: Instagram.

Norway’s junk food EES 29 country list

BRITISH holidaymakers flying to any of these 29 destinations may need to register their fingerprints for entry from November when the highly anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES) is scheduled to be launched after experiencing numerous delays and setbacks.

The good news is that UK residents in Spain with a TIE card will be exempt from EES registration. However, the same does not apply to those who still have the non-biometric Green Certificate.

All 25 EU countries, excluding Cyprus and Ireland, will adopt the Entry/Exit System as they are also Schengen State Members. The remaining four Schengen Area members are Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein.

For the avoidance of doubt, the full 29 countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

It’s worth noting that in addition to

airports, other modes of transportation will also be introducing EES. For example, the Entry/Exit System will also be implemented at specific points in South England where French Border Forces conduct immigration checks. These include the port of Dover, the Eurotunnel, and St Pancras for the Eurostar. To minimise any inconvenience, it has been purported that the Eurotunnel will have over 100 kiosks, the Port of Dover will have 24 kiosks, and the Eurostar will have almost 50.

No

advertising for these products.

THE Norwegian government is planning to ban advertisements for food they deem is unhealthy, which might not go as far as the UK government’s plans, but do go much further than their European partners.

Norway is about to enact one of the most anti-junk food bans in its history impeding makers of unhealthy food from targeting kids and teenagers in their marketing.

The plan follows moves in the UK to do the same, and other smaller initiatives

around the European Union.

Until now, Norwegian food companies have self-regulated and steered more or less away from advertising that attracts children’s eyes, but this new ruling will make it mandatory. The new law would completely ban ads for what the Norwegian government considers to be junk food, including sweets, ice cream, and fizzy drinks, and instead set ‘nutrient thresholds’ to identify the unhealthiest food option in other food categories, such

as yoghurt and cereals with high sugar content.

There are likely to be hefty fines for violations as they also raise the ban’s age threshold to from 13 to 18 years old. This has been music to the ears of consumer advocates and the consternation of Norway’s food and drink industry.

Currently the Norwegian government is carrying out a public consultation, but early indicators suggest the bill is receiving plenty of support from the people.

UK residents in Spain with a TIE will be exempt from registration.

New British Ambassador takes up residence

THE new British Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Sir Alex Ellis has now arrived in Madrid to take over from previous Ambassador Hugh Elliott.

Having spent 34 years in the diplomatic service he has previously served as British Ambassador to Portugal, Brazil and most recently was High Commissioner to India as well as being Director General, Department for Exiting the European Union.

He therefore brings with him considerable skill in diplomatic matters and commenting upon his appointment he said “I am honoured to represent His Majesty Charles III and my country as Ambassador to Spain and Andorra.

“Our countries enjoy a close and enduring relationship across so many areas: between our citizens, our cultures, our armed forces and across the world of academia, science and commerce. I am looking forward to supporting this relationship to become even stronger.”

This will be Ellis’ second posting to Spain, a country he already knows well from his role in the British Embassy in Madrid in the early 2000s.

He will be presenting his credentials to His Majesty King Felipe VI in a cere -

mony that will take place in the coming weeks and will then formally take over as British Ambassador at a time when it appears that the new Labour government is looking to improve relationships with the European Union.

No doubt he will also be involved in discussions with the Spanish government over the matter of the proposed Treaty between the EU, Gibraltar and the UK.

The new Ambassador is married with one son and may be followed at @AlexWEllis on X (previously Twitter).

Throw a coin

Anna Akopyan

ROME officials are considering imposing a limit on the access to the Trevi fountain, in the face of burdening over tourism.

“Personally, I would be in favour of looking at a new form of access, limited and timed, to the Trevi fountain,” said the city councillor responsible for Tourism, Alessandro Onorato to the Italian Press.

He indicated that access to the fountain could become free for residents and cost a “symbolic” charge of €1 or €2 for visitors; not to make money but to show “respect” to the monument, which many tourists disregard by littering and using as a lunch spot. Rome’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri also stated that applying new measures is “a very concrete possibility.”

“We’ve decided to study and investigate this because the situation is becoming technically difficult to manage,” said Gualtieri, adding that, “local police officers tell us this all the time: there is a concentration of people that makes adequate protection of the monument difficult and is also often a source of degradation.”

This is not the first time the local officials have been considering stricter regulations for the Trevi fountain; since 2017, fines can be imposed for disrespectful behaviour at the site, including tourists who attempt to recreate Anita Ekberg’s iconic scene from La Dolce Vida, where the actress springs into the water or the cases like the eight-person fight for a selfie spot in 2018.

Trevi fountain, Rome.
Credit:
AlexWEllis X

FRANCE

Tower power

THE descendants of Gustave Eiffel criticised Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo’s plans to retain the Olympic rings that were added to the structure to promote the recently concluded Games. “The Eiffel tower should not become an advertising outpost,” said Olivier Berthelot-Eiffel who is the great-great-grandson of its designer.

Pastis clash

SUPPORTERS of the Olympique Marseille football club are boycotting Ricard pastis after manufacturer Pernod Ricard announced a commercial partnership with the Paris Saint-Germain club. They argue that pastis has been inseparable from the city since Marseille-born Paul Ricard began marketing it there in 1932.

DENMARK

Charged up

TEN per cent of the vehicles on Denmark’s roads are electric and now account for 55 per cent of all car sales, Mobility Denmark figures showed. With tax and registration fee incentives, more charging stations and greater range, the car industry organisation predicted that this proportion would rise to 30 per cent by 2030.

Listening in

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN researchers are using artificial intelligence to interpret the 19 different sounds made by pigs. “It’s fantastic that the University of Copenhagen has found a way to discover what pigs actually think about the way we treat them,” Animal Welfare professor Peter Sandsoe told the media.

ITALY

No queues

ROME has put 1,000 new taxi licences out to tender to solve the ongoing cab shortage before the 2025 Jubilee year when millions of pilgrims will flock to the city. Issuing new taxi licences for the first time in 20 years was important for Rome, city hall’s Mobility department said, especially in view of next year’s religious events.

Late justice

GIANNINO GOTTARDI, father of 28-yearold architect Marco who died with his partner Gloria Trecisan in the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, said the findings of the recently-published official report would finally enable him to obtain justice for them. He was not interested in money, only justice, he declared.

EURO PRESS

IRELAND

Lasting ties

MEMBERS of the Choctaw tribe and Thomas Byrne, Ireland’s Minister of State, gathered at the Choctaw Capital Grounds in Tuskahoma (Oklahoma) to unveil a sculpture honouring Choctaw-Irish links. These date from 1847 when Choctaw Indians donated $147, equivalent to €4,000 today, during the Potato Famine.

LONG RELATIONSHIP: Choctaw Indians helped the Irish during the Great Hunger.

FINLAND NORWAY SWEDEN

Cooling off

SUPPORT for Norway’s monarchy has waned after the arrest of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship and Princess Martha Louise’s sale of her wedding photos, a Dagsavisen newspaper survey revealed. Forty per cent of participants agreed that Crown Prince Haakon should be Norway’s last king.

Stubbing out

WHILE the government is still studying a ban on smoking in outdoor public areas, the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association has called for a veto on restaurant terraces and outdoor dining areas. Sweden had managed this in 2019, the association said and predicted that there was unlikely to be an outcry in Norway.

Record summer

Down to earth

THE Aalto-1 satellite, built by Aalto University students and launched in 2017, has ended its seven-year orbit of the earth, the university’s Space Technology department announced. The satellite made its final pass over Finland on September 2 before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, where it burnt up and broke apart.

Cat crisis

STRAY cats are becoming an important animal welfare problem in Finland, where numbers have risen to around 20,000. Animal protection groups point out that the street cats have no legal protection and instead depend entirely on the efforts of volunteer organisations to trap, rescue and rehome them.

PORTUGAL BELGIUM

Phony police

PORTUGAL’S Judicial Police (PJ), equivalent to the UK’s CID, warned the public about a “massive” scam by fraudsters posing as the PJ to trick victims into disclosing their personal details and making a bank transfer. Criminals are using artificial intelligence to carry out campaigns like these, the police added.

Flu jabs

THE government plans to spend €7.6 million on making Covid-19 and flu vaccinations available in pharmacies, with the aim of protecting the majority of the population by late November. This year’s campaign has been brought forward owing to an anticipated rise in respiratory virus infections during the winter months.

Culture bid

HENT, Leuven, Kortrijk, Bruges, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek and Namur have submitted applications to be selected as European Capital of Culture 2030. Each receives a €3 million government grant to fund their bids for a title that in the past went to Antwerp (1993), Brussels (2000), Bruges (2002) and Mons (2015).

Sweet victory

CHOCOLATIERS Dominique and Julious Persoone recently displayed a 100-kilo chocolate bison with Canadian flags in their Bruges shop window. The bison is the symbol of Manitoba, and they were commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the city by the Twelfth Manitoba Dragoons.

Photo credit: Samuel Stitt, Choctaw Nation

TEMPERATURES in central and southern Sweden were no different from usual, but those in the north ‘very warm or even extreme’, according to the Meteorological Institute (SMHI). The country’s only tropical days when temperatures remained above 20C were recorded in Norrland, on June 24 and 25.

Don’t panic

AS always happens on the first Monday of each quarter, Sweden tried out its siren system at 3pm on Sunday September 1. Approximately half of the population live within earshot of one of the 4,500 sirens which were introduced in 1931 to alert the public to impending danger.

GERMANY

No delays

TRANSPORT minister Volker Wissing called on state-owned railways operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) to improve timetable punctuality “in the short term,” but especially on long-distance routes. He also reminded DB of the need to improve profitability and to make savings on administrative and managements costs.

Stern words

CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Deutsche Bank Christian Sewing declared on September 4 that Germans should assist the country’s economy by being prepared to work harder “and differently.” Sewing pointed out that an average EU citizen worked approximately 34 hours a week compared with 28 hours in Germany.

NETHERLANDS

Lights out

A POWER failure halted large sectors of Rotterdam’s industrial area for two hours on the morning of September 3. Eleven thousand homes were affected by the outage as well as terminals belonging to BP and Exxon, while goods trains and the metro between Steendijkpolder and the Hoek van Holland seafront were halted.

Rained off

TULIPS will cost more in future because continuous rain has forced growers to delay planting the small bulblets which they leave to mature until they are suitable for the flower sector. This will result in an ‘unprecedented shortage’ of bulbs which will push up the price of the cut flowers, industry insiders said.

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Try again

MARKS & SPENCER continues to hope that it can finally raze its iconic Art Deco flagship Oxford Street store and replace it with a 10-floor store and office block combined. The retailer has now asked Housing secretary and deputy PM Angela Rayner to review plans that were blocked by the previous government.

Sweet treats

A BARCLAYCARD survey found that while people might be tightening their belts, they were also treating themselves to modest impulse buys like cosmetics, confectionery and pastries. “There is an emerging trend of consumers indulging in retail therapy for mood-boosting pick-me-ups,” said Karen Johnson, Barclays’ Retail chief.

New face

JOSE LUIS ESCRIVA BELMONTE, a Cabinet minister during the last two legislative terms, was named Governor of the Bank of Spain on September 4. The 63-yearold from Albacete, who has a background in banking, replaces Pablo Hernandez de Cos, whose six-year mandate came to an end on June 10.

Right formula

BANCO SANTANDER announced that from 2025 onwards it would be the official banking partner and a principal sponsor of Liberty Media, which owns the commercial and audiovisual rights to Formula 1. The announcement arrived shortly after Santander confirmed that it was not renewing its Ferrari sponsorship.

Open the tap

ALCOHOL-FREE Guinness will soon be available on draught at London pub The Devonshire, the first although it will cost £6.35 (€7.53), which is only 55p (roughly €0.65) less than an ordinary pint. Although available on tap in Ireland, Guinness 0.0 has until now been sold exclusively in cans in the UK.

STAT OF WEEK

€4 billion

received by the Spanish state in dividends and sales since 2012 as a result of its holding in bailed-out Bankia, now part of CaixaBank.

John Lewis turns landlord

THE John Lewis Partnership (JLP) submitted £80 million (€94.9 million) plans to convert a disused site in Reading into 215 rental apartments.

One 10th of the properties at a former John Lewis distribution centre opposite the Oracle shopping centre would be let at affordable rents, said JLP’s Build-to-rent director Katherine Russell.

“These will be homes not only developed by us, but managed by us,” Russell said. “That means we can offer quality service and a guarantee that the homes will not be sold off, as so often happens in the rental market.”

Sharon White, JLP’s chairman - she prefers this to chairwoman - leaves the post in September, some months ahead of her five-year term.

In 2021 White announced that the company hoped to generate 40 per cent of its profits from rentals, rental management and construction by 2030, although these plans were later scrapped “owing to the economic climate.”

White’s successor Jason Tarry, a former Tesco executive, is expected to put extra focus on turning around the retail performance of the John Lewis stores and the Waitrose supermarket chain which also

THE Cupra Tavascan made by Spain’s Seat, a Volkswagen subsidiary, could be “wiped out” by EU tariffs, according to chief executive Wayne Griffith.

All Cupra models are designed in Spain, but not all are produced at Seat’s Martorell (Barcelona) plant. Others, including the all-electric Tavascan, are made in China.

That means the Tavascan would be hit by the 21.3 per cent tariff introduced to offset the Chinese government’s ‘unfair’ subsidies for EVs.

A Tavascan sells for approximately €52,000 and raising its price

Vat-trap

BUSINESSES in Britain lost up to £4.3 billion (€5.1 billion) this summer by eliminating VAT-free shopping for tourists.

Rishi Sunak removed the concession in 2021 when he was Chancellor, but visitors who would have come to the UK shop elsewhere now they must pay the added value tax on purchases, according to critics.

Any loss of income would be offset by more spending on hotels, transports and leisure, retailers said.

belongs to the company. Nevertheless, the Reading development will be JLP’s third foray into the rentals market as it continues to convert underused or disused sites into housing.

A Waitrose site in Bromley (South London) will be turned into 300 rental homes with another project planned for West Ealing.

This has currently stalled owing to residents’ opposition to plans for 400 properties and a 19-storey apartment block above a Waitrose supermarket.

Brussels hits Cupra

Looking to float again

TENDAM, whose labels include Cortefiel and Woman’s Secret, posted revenues of €550.2 million during the first five months of its financial year.

That was 6.4 per cent more than during the same period in 2023 and by the end of the company’s half-year which ended on August 31, Tendam calculated that this should have risen to between 6.7 and 6.9 per cent.

The company dropped plans for a €2.5 billion listing on Spain’s stock exchange in late spring and is now said to be considering a flotation this autumn or before February 28, the close of its financial year.

would be unfeasible in the existing economic environment, Griffiths said. Volkswagen would be unable to absorb the additional costs, he added.

Relocating production was impracticable owing to the company’s investment in its Anhui plant, Griffiths stated, while warning that Cupra could miss the EU’s carbon dioxide reduction targets next year and face heavy fines.

“It puts the whole financial future of the company at risk,” he warned.

Post-merger jobs lost

MASORANGE, resulting from the MasMovil and Orange merger, announced a voluntary redundancy scheme affecting roughly 9 per cent of its 8,700 employees.

When MasOrange was officially launched in April, the telecommunications company undertook to invest €4 billion over the next three years and pledged that existing jobs would be maintained.

A note to employees has now explained that the first months of operations had revealed “organisational duplications” which prompted the need for staff adjustments.

Although MasOrange said that the cuts conformed to conditions agreed with the government, Spain’s two principal unions, CCOO and UGT, have already rejected the proposed redundancies.

SHARES in Rightmove, Britain’s largest property portal, shot up 27.6 per cent to £7.9 (€9.37) on September 2 following takeover hints. REA Group, in which Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp has a 61 per cent stake, said that a bid would probably involve both a cash and shares offer, although no approach had yet been made.

Rightmove, whose website lists real estate agents, had a market value of almost £4.4 billion £4.4 billion (€5.2 billion) on August 30 and £5.59 billion (€6.63 billion) by September 2.

SPAIN’S National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) received 1,364 complaints from investors in 2023, the regulator revealed on September 4.

The Commission handled 1,350 claims last year, rejecting 464 and admitting 886, while processing a total of 71.8 per cent. In 51.4 per cent of the cases, the CNMV found in favour of the claimant, compared with 49.6 per cent in 2022. Although CNMV rulings are not binding, 83 per cent of the investigated companies and entities complied with its recommendations.

EMPLOYEES are taking longer to return to London offices than their counterparts in Paris and New York. They spend an average 2.7 days per week in the office, compared with 3.5 for Parisians and 3.1 for New Yorkers, the Centre for Cities thinktank found, and attendance is only 60 per cent of 2019’s pre-Covid levels. Working from home could pose a long-term challenge to the British economy, Centre for Cities said, and called on the government to work closely with businesses to reverse the trend.

FUTURE HOMES: The latest John Lewis development in Reading.
Photo credit: John Lewis Partnership
Photo credit: Seat Media Centre
WAYNE GRIFFITHS: Seat chief executive slated Brussels’ EV tariffs.

3I Group 3.071,00 3.080,00 3.060,35 80,9K

Group 2.797,00 2.811,00 2.788,00 24,3K Airtel Africa 111,6 111,9 110,5 286,44K

American 2.065,50 2.107,50 2.061,50 203,21K

1.690,50 1.700,00 1.677,00 96,18K Ashtead Group 5.255,40 5.278,00 5.228,00 31,8K

British Foods 2.254,80 2.285,00 2.240,70 164,73K

12.598,00 12.656,00 12.552,00 124,93K Auto Trader Group Plc 862 866,4 855,4 395,55K Aviva 488,8 490,7 485,8 613,58K

B&M European Value Retail SA 435,4 439,9 434,9 272,54K BAE Systems 1.311,50 1.318,00 1.297,00 413,1K

224,2 227,35 222,45 4,64M Barratt Developments 491,9 506,8 488 1,83M

Beazley 760 776,5 760 189,72K

Berkeley 4.924,00 5.017,50 4.906,00 14,26K

BP 407,93 410,07 407,32 4,51M British American Tobacco 2.903,00 2.905,00 2.888,00 280,02K

3.607,00 3.608,00 3.576,00 39,42K

Group 624,4 634,6 614,6 490,55K

BUSINESS

EXTRA

Dubai prize

ACCIONA and FCC are submitting bids to build and maintain Dubai’s sewerage and stormwater drainage system.

The Spanish companies will be competing with firms from Italy China, South Korea, Turkey and Egypt for the $22 billion (€19.8 billion) contract.

Diverse aims

THE BBC intends to cut around 3 per cent of its work force, affecting 115 editorial and production posts, as it fights to save money. Meanwhile, the broadcaster is also committed to allocating £80 million (€94.9) to diversity programmes.

Live music bonanza

BRITAIN’S live music industry contributed £6.1 billion (€7.24 billion) to the national economy in 2023.

This was the first time that sales had topped £6 billion (€7.12 billion) as fans flocked to live events once more after the pandemic years, revealed Live, the federation that represents the sector in the UK.

The 55,000 gigs, concerts and festivals staged in 2023 grew by 17 per cent in 2022 and were 35 per cent up on 2019 before the

BBVA inches closer

IF the BBVA’s €12 billion hostile Sabadell takeover goes ahead, there will be no problem with Britain’s TSB.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has authorised BBVA to take indirect control of TSB, which Sabadell owns, the bank announced on September 3. Portugal, France, Morocco and the US where Sabadell also has interests have given similar consent. Not only Sabadell

but also the Madrid government opposes the takeover, as Economy minister Carlos Cuerpo said that combining both banks could affect Spain’s financial system and impact jobs and clients.

BBVA, which hopes to acquire 50.01 per cent of Sabadell shares, admits that this could take between six and eight months, after which it needs shareholders’ approval.

pandemic hit.

Last year’s concerts increased 19 per cent year on year, thanks to tours by Beyonce and Coldplay amongst others, accounting for almost three-quarters of 2023’s turnover, Live said.

The 2023 figure originated not only from direct ticket sales but also spending at events and in businesses in the immediate area which benefited from the influx of the public.

Live’s chief executive Jon Collins said the much-discussed financial aspects of Taylor Swift’s 2024 Eras tour, and next year’s Oasis reunion, emphasised the benefits of concerts, festivals and live performances on local economies.

National Arenas Association statistics revealed that for every 10,000 people who attended a live music event, £1 million (€1.19 million) would be spent in local restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.

Pay rise

AMAZON employees’ pay will increase by 9.8 per cent after the online retailer crushed the GMB union’s bid for bargaining rights over pay and conditions. Hourly pay will rise to between £13.50 (€16.02) and £14.50 (€17.20), while staff with three or more years’ service will receive between £13.75 (€16.31) and £14.75 (€17.50) an hour.

SPANISH company Indra Sistemas has signed a 1.1 billion zlotys (€256 million) contract to supply Poland’s Defence ministry with 15 portable radar control systems. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland has gradually increased its defence spending and this year will spend roughly 4 per cent of its gross domestic product on equipping its armed forces. On the radar

Photo credit: Pexels
LIVE EVENTS: Hefty contribution to the UK economy in 2023.

Something must be done

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

THESE latest revelations of paedophilia and ‘sex for aid’ didn’t surprise me one bit. Frankly I also consider it merely the tip of the iceberg. I believe that many of the organisations that deal with children are positively riddled with these low life predators. After all, if I were a junkie I would go where the drugs are. If my habit was gambling I would seek out gambling joints. It stands to reason that those who feel the need to prey on youngsters go where they can nd children.

Church and teaching organisations, charitable organisations, children’s hospitals and so on, all are vulnerable to the in ltration of these evil beings that destroy young lives before they have barely begun. A recent report by an ex UN o cial stated that UN aid workers, may not only have raped up to 60,000 people over the last 10 years, but are estimated to employ some 3,000 paedophiles in their worldwide operation.

One terribly sad result of these alar-

ming, seemingly never-ending revelations, is that decent men and women, who sincerely want to help and care for the young, are shying away and entering other professions, simply because they don’t want to be regarded with suspicion by their peers.

Even stating publicly that you love children can attract a ‘funny’ look in some circumstances. If this unacceptable situation is allowed to continue unchecked, sooner or later the majority of children’s charity workers will all be sex abusers and paedophiles. So where do you start? Well rst of all there needs to be a worldwide easily accessible data centre, which holds a record of every worker who has been sacked for abuse of any kind. This would ensure that these people at least could never get into any other organisation that involved children.

Secondly, those at the very top need to be thoroughly vetted. After all it stands to reason, if they are rife with such large numbers of o enders, some could quite easily be in board and management positions. This would also explain the fact that there have been numbers of occasions where whistle blowers have been sacked,

with their accusations sti ed and pushed under the carpet.

Far from being vili ed, these caring people need to be given every encouragement and complete anonymity while a thorough investigation of their accusations is conducted by an independent body set up by respective governments.

I also believe the nances of these big charity companies should be more carefully looked into. It seems to me many of those ‘at the top’ seem to be living far too comfortably, for comfort - if you get my drift.

Well that’s my three penneth, for what it’s worth. All I know is something must be done and as quickly as possible.

After all it is the children who are su ering at the hands of these monsters, and above all they must retain priority.

Thanks for all your wonderful mail, Fair warms the ol’ boy’s cockles. Keep ‘em coming, and whatever ya do.

Always Keep the faith, Love Leapy. leapylee2002@gmail.com

Japanese flamenco dancer

THERE were a few red faces at the latest Cante de las Minas Festival of Flamenco in Murcia as Japan’s Junko Hagiwara came rst in the female dance section.

The 48-year-old who is married to a Spaniard has been performing professionally for a number of years under the name of ‘La Yunko’ and also teaches in Sevilla.

It appears that whilst the jury was happy with its decision to name her best dancer, this didn’t go down too well with a section of the audience who were heard booing and jeering as she went to the rostrum to collect her award. Established in 1961, the Cante de las Minas Festival is considered by many as the most prestigious of the numerous amenco festivals which take place in Spain annually and this is the rst time that a foreigner has claimed the accolade, beating a number of Spanish professionals. Speaking to AFP on the telephone, she commented “When I dance, I don’t think I am a foreigner, that I am Japanese. I don’t think that. It doesn’t occur to me. I am simply on stage, I listen to the guitar, the singing and what I feel I express in my dancing.”

A Superstitious Showdown!

LIKE Brits, the Spanish are fairly superstitious by nature but what brings good or bad luck can be quite different...

Interestingly, both Brits and Spaniards share the ritual of ‘touching wood’ or ‘tocar madera’ to ensure good luck. Nonetheless, the nuances in beliefs about animals, numbers and colours showcase the unique ways each culture perpetuates its traditions.

As for the animal world, spotting a ladybird is considered a symbol of good luck.

Tuesday is generally considered an unlucky day just like the common saying: “en martes, ni te cases, ni embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes” (“don’t get married, get on a boat or leave your house on a Tuesday”).

The Spanish even believe if one lands on you prosperity’s surely coming your way! But in Britain, killing one’s a recipe for BAD luck.

And feline friends? We believe a black cat crossing our path brings good luck, but in Spain it’s the opposite.

And while our cats have ‘nine’ lives, Spanish moggies, unfortunately, only have seven.

Poor things!

We’re all too familiar with Friday the 13th, right? However, in Spain, it’s Tuesday you’d avoid. Actually,

As for colours, we Brits associate green with luck, but in Spain it’s yellow that’s unlucky. So, if you’re planning a gift to a Spaniard, steer clear of anything yellow as it signifies sulphur AND the devil. Oops!

Nora Johnson’s 13 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The Girl across the Lake’ ( www.nora-johnson.net ), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
Junko Hagiwara with the other winners at the Festival. Credit: Cante de las Minas Festival
NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST. NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

Horseless carriages

BELGIUM has proven the success of an alternative to horse-drawn carriages.

In the central square of Brussels, tourists have explored the historic city on electric carriages rather than horse-drawn since the start of June 2024.

In June, Brussels went cold turkey and became the first city in Europe to make a complete transition from horse-drawn carriages to electric ‘horseless’ carriages for city tours.

Thibault Danthine, the horse-drawn carriage operator in Brussels, launched his project this summer, introducing two new vehicles after receiving funding from the city of Brussels in 2022.

The drastic change came about in part because of the rising concerns from tourists about the use of horses and the ethical dilemmas that come with it.

Danthine shared that more tourists each year were expressing their dislike of the use of horses, shouting “Shame!” at him as they walked by.

“The relationship with animals is different nowadays, and it’s less accepted to have a commercial activity with animals,” Thibault said.

Mr Danthine, a self-described hor -

INTERVIEW

Speaking EuropeanMax Zin

Max moved from Chelles in France to Valencia, after he realised that he needed “a change of scenery.”

se lover, decided to address the issue and sold his five horses, using the proceeds to buy two electric carriages.

Commerce alderman, Fabian Maingain, highlighted the city’s enthusiasm for Danthine’s proposal, stating,

“In the search for sustainable alternatives, Danthine’s proposal intrigued us. It’s something new but with respect for heritage.”

Although electric carriages have existed for some time, this initiative marked their first use in a tourist capacity with other cities have already contacted Thibault Danthine about changing to electric carriages.

So many genders

WATCHING ITV main 6pm news the other night. Lead story is Oasis tickets being offered at 10 grand. What’s the second story? Obviously it’s not going to be as important as Oasis tickets is it? Well actually I think it was as it was about the two people that were murdered at the Notting Hill Carnival. ITV didn’t even use the word murdered - they just said they had died from their injuries. Eight people stabbed, 300 arrests, most for carrying offensive weapons or drugs. That where we are now. MSM has lost the plot. People getting murdered in the street by children and it’s the second story after some bunch of spoilt brats getting paid millions and ripping the public off. Maybe time to review Carnival and the normalising of these horrendous crimes. It’s now four months I’ve been trying to get Vodafone to sort out my account. My package includes Prime Video and Max. It’s the second time they have just stopped and I’ve had maybe 20 conversations with their English-speaking helpline. Each time I’m told it has to be dealt with by their technical department. Problem is they only

speak Spanish and my Spanish is not good enough to talk techy stuff. Also, the English- speaking helpline people are now mostly working from home instead of being in the office with colleagues and supervisors on hand so everything has to be done by call back. They call me at random times. I can’t get them to make an appointment. I say, ‘Can you speak English?’ They say, ‘no’ and hang up. Does anybody else have these channels in their monthly package?

I see that UK prisons have 100 places left, so my advice is do your shoplifting early this year to avoid disappointment.

How can a government treat misogyny as extremism when they can’t define what a woman is?

Got an email from my daughter this morning and next to her name are her pronouns. I called her and asked what’s this all about and she told me the office head of ‘Let’s play wokeypokey’ decided it was the right thing to do. If she had asked me what pronouns I want on my emails my answer would be ‘How about Flock / Off you wokerati’. I feel no need to announce my pronouns to anyone. If you do that’s fine but why insist that I do too? Oh btw there are now over 90 recognised genders!

Email: mikesenker@gmail.com

MAX’S first two weeks li ving in Valencia were easier than most expats encounter, as a part of his family was already living in Spain and he knew the city well from the past.

Moving to the eastern suburbs of Paris to Valencia, Max imme diately began looking for a job as a French teacher; “The only thing that’s tough here is finding a good job and a good house but that’s the thing with big cities,” he shared. To his luck, he has a wonderful grandmother who has been living in Spain for a long time and has been helping him to make sense of the Spanish bureaucracy.

Although he doesn’t have many acquaintances in Valencia yet, Max already loves the Spanish “way of living,” and the comforting sun “that’s always there.” He also has the advantage of being almost fluent in Spanish and has had both French and Spanish friends throughout his life.

Missing the rest of his family and friends back in France, Max, however said that he does not feel nostalgic about the “French cuisine or French culture in general,” and looks forward to exploring more of a country as vibrant and diverse as Spain.

Max Zin.
Credit: Max Zin
Belgium led the charge with its electric carriage initiative.

Costa del Sol Noble gesture • News from Our Other 6 Newspapers

SOCIAL media can be a powerful tool, for good and bad. When Ismael, a 17-year-old Malaga CF fan posted on X (Twitter) his new Malaga shirt with the player Kevin Medina printed on the back, he was berated by mean-hearted strangers for not having bought an original shirt. In the shops, the official shirts go for €70, well out of a teenager’s budget. The lad had no idea he would receive such a backlash.

However, Ismael had tagged #MálagaCF and #KevinMedina in the tweet, and to the shock of his social media critics, he received a response from the football club winger saying ‘relax, man. Come talk to me here whenever you want. You can come here to La Rosaleda stadium and I will give you one of mine.’

So on Thursday, September 5, he visited the Malaga team stadium and was received by Kevin Medina and presented with a new blue and white football shirt with Medina’s name on the back.

Axarquia

Coral comeback

IN a remarkable conservation effort, the Deep CORE Project, led by Coral Soul and Coral Guardian, has successfully restored 750 coral colonies in just three years. Since 2020, this groundbreaking initiative has been breathing new life into the delicate ecosystems off Punta de la Mona, a protected marine area in La Herradura.

Deep CORE stands out as one of the Mediterranean’s pioneering participatory marine conservation projects. This unique project focuses on revitalising the reef habitats of the chandelier coral and the orange coral - two endangered species crucial to marine biodiversity. Despite the area’s status as a Natural Park since 2015, human activities and abandoned fishing gear have wreaked havoc on these underwater treasures, breaking corals and choking their chances for survival.

The project’s success is notable: over 1,000 kg of marine debris has been cleared, 1,270 locals have been educated, and collaborations with two universities are fuelling ongoing research.

Costa Blanca South Celebrating culture

THOUSANDS of revellers filled the streets of Villena for the annual Moors and Christians festival, which took place over five days starting on September 4.

This festival, declared a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest, is one of the most participatory of its kind, with over 12,000 people taking part.

Each year, Villena’s festival features 14 troupes who parade through the streets in colourful costumes and lively performances.

The origins of Villena’s Moors and Christians festival date back to the late 15th century when the Virgen de las Virtudes was proclaimed the patron of Villena and the protector from the plague.

Her image was placed in a shrine seven kilometres outside of the town, and the townspeople vowed to visit the shrine twice a year - in March and September - to pay homage to the Virgin.

Today, the Virgin’s image is brought into the town at the end of August to preside over the celebrations held in her honour.

Costa Blanca North Walking proud

THE vibrant and energetic Benidorm Pride parade brought together thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds to celebrate and show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. The parade featured a spectacular display of colours, including rainbow flags and an array of dazzling costumes and spirited dancers.

Drawing an estimated crowd of 20,000 visitors, the town became a bustling centre of celebration and advocacy. The dynamic parade, proudly led by Mayor Toni Perez and Minister of Tourism Nuria Montes, culminated in a joyous gathering at the Julio Iglesias outdoor auditorium.

The parade was the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the final European Pride of the summer and was the culmination of a five-day extravaganza featuring lively celebrations and activities, including a vibrant pool party and the renowned ‘White Party’.

The jubilant crowds were treated to performances by various artists.

Almeria Summer cinema night

MORE than €2,500 was raised during Vera’s last summer cinema night, where the entire box office is donated to Asprodalba, an association promoting people with intellectual disabilities in Almeria. However, this annual event has become more than just fundraising, evolving into a catalyst for unity, bringing together thousands of attendees over three decades to collectively share an unforgettable night of film.

Asprodalba felt the love this year, expressed by “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at the 29th Asprodalba Movie Night.” But the audience reciprocated the affection, stating “We will always be there supporting Asprodalba and the social work you do.” The association also gave “a special mention to Vera Cine for their support in each edition,” as they made “it possible for this event to continue to be so memorable year after year.”

This summer’s cinema nights had a fitting ending, with hundreds of people coming together to watch the inspirational animated film, Buffalo Kids.

Costa Calida

Murcia’s Forbes Stars

FORBES has spotlighted two remarkable talents from Murcia in its prestigious ‘30 Under 30’ list, celebrating young leaders across various fields. Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz and tech innovator Roberto Lifante are recognised for their exceptional achievements and impact.

At just 21, Carlos Alcaraz has already made headlines globally. The El Palmar native clinched a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and remains the reigning champion of Wimbledon and Roland Garros. Beyond his athletic achievements, Alcaraz, ranked third in the ATP, is a prominent face for luxury brands like Rolex and Louis Vuitton, and sports giants such as Nike. Roberto Lifante, 25, hails from Barinas and has made waves in the tech sector as the founder and CEO of TK Analytics Group.

Also on the list is Georgina Rodríguez, the social media influencer with over 60 million followers.

PETS

Unusual claims Cool canine delights

THE largest retail bank in the UK recently announced the finalists for this year’s Hambone Award, a unique award that celebrates the year’s most unusual pet insurance claims.

Nationwide’s Hambone Award is presented annually to the pet that wins a public vote determining whose injuries were caused by the most unusual circumstances.

The award is named in honour of a dog who ate an entire holiday ham while stuck in a refrigerator, “The dog was eventually found, with a licked-clean ham bone and a mild case of hypothermia” as said on the awards’ website page.

This year’s finalists include Archie, a New Jer-

sey dog who injured his paws when he broke through a vintage plate glass door while trying to alert his family of the postman’s presence, and Bear, a Pennsylvania corgi who bit into a bottle of nail adhesive, effectively glueing his mouth shut.

It’s not all dogs though, as is the case with Joe and his playful parrot Clover, another of the finalists this year, who had gotten her claws in a twist, with Joe saying “Somehow her

feet got stuck together because her two toenails had hooked.”

Rightfully so, the winner of the competition receives the coveted bronze Hambone trophy plus prizes for being a good boy or girl.

Fortunately, all of the pets nominated for the award have made full and healthy recoveries and “their owners received insurance reimbursement for eligible expenses,” as stated on the website.

WHEN the summer heat kicks in, our furry friends deserve some refreshing treats just as much as we do. Fortunately, whipping up cool, dog-friendly snacks at home is both simple and fun. A favourite option is frozen yoghurt bites - just mix plain, unsweetened yoghurt with a bit of mashed banana or peanut butter, spoon into ice cube trays, and freeze. Your dog will love these creamy delights.

Another easy treat involves slicing up dog-safe fruits like apples, blueberries, or watermelon (minus the seeds) and freezing them for a crunchy, refreshing snack. For something heartier, blend together chicken broth (ensure it’s low sodium) with a handful of dog-friendly vegetables, pour the mixture into moulds, and freeze.

These easy-to-make treats not only cool your dog down but also keep them hydrated and happy during the warmer months. Always be sure to use dog-safe ingredients, and consult your vet if you’re unsure about any additions.

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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!

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Shutterstock / Debby Lowe Credit: Shutterstock

The Way I See It

“YOU lucky thing! Tickets for the Men’s Finals - wow! How was it?”

In truth, my answer would be “not great”, but is it allowed to criticise the institution that is the wondrous Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club? This year, 2024, was my fourth visit, and, if asked the same question following Wimbledon experiences in the pre-Covid years my answer would have been an instant: “fantastic”.

Last year we decided to enjoy the first week, outside court experience and I imagined myself nibbling strawberries, sipping Pimms as I drifted from one court to another cheering on my favourites in the early rounds.

In reality there was no “drifting” to be done. The side passageways between the courts were literally jammed with people making it impossible to get through - let alone watch any tennis. “We won’t be doing that again”, we said afterwards. “It’s bound to be much quieter as fewer matches are played later in the tournament.”

So, to be sure of a more gracious experience, The Husband splashed out on tickets for Centre Court on the very last day - July 14th - Men’s Finals.

We had no idea that so many people would be crammed into the areas outside the courts… that crowd numbers would reach capacity, that walking anywhere would be a stressful jostle, that there would be nowhere to sit down to sip the £11.95 plastic cup of Pimms (with an additional 75p for the container) and that we had queued 20 minutes to purchase. Forget the strawberries … we couldn’t get even within shouting distance of the stall.

The seats we had been assigned proved to be very disappointingabout fifteen rows up, in the middle, behind the umpire’s chair. They were small, hard and crammed together. The large gentleman who sat next to The Husband overlapped his and unfortunately had a nervous tic in his right thigh which bounced and twitched non-stop sending vibrations along the row and driving The Husband (who can’t stand people in his space at the best of times) somewhat demented.

But worse was to come… who knew that our view of the tennis would be so limited, through a sea of mobile phones busy taking selfies and capturing the action on court.

Congost’s costly paralympic error

SPANISH Paralympian Elena Congost’s hopes for a bronze medal were shattered just two metres from the finish line in the T12 marathon at Paris 2024. Despite a personal best of 3:00:48, Congost was disqualified after a brief but costly error - letting go of her guide’s tether to assist her in the final moments.

Congost, aged 36, had been running with her guide, Mia Carol, as required by Paralympic rules.

According to Rule 9.7.5, athletes must stay tethered to their guide throughout the race. Unfortunately, Congost’s reflexive action to help Carol, who was struggling, resulted in disqualification. The bronze medal was instead awarded to Japan’s Misato Michishita.

“I have not been disqualified for cheating, but for being a person,

I could go on, but, I’m sure you get the picture. Even cheering the courageous Princess of Wales in the Royal Box, could not make up for the disappointment of the Wimbledon ‘24 experience.

Recovering at home the next day, one of the first things we did was to watch the iPlayer repeat of the finals on television. The view was perfect, the sofa had never felt as comfortable and welcoming - the Pimms was refreshing (and cost less for a bottle than a single plastic cupful at Wimbledon), while the Norfolk strawberries were simply delicious.

I know where we will be watching Wimbledon 2025.

yesterdaypodcast.com - coming soon with Mary Harboe and Maurice Boland

for helping someone,” Congost explained.

Adding to her frustration, Congost, who recently lost her athletic scholarship, fears further exclusion from future opportunities.

Moroccan athletes dominated the event, with Fatima El Idrissi setting a new world record of 2:48:36 to take gold, and Meryem En-Nourhi claiming silver. Tunisia’s Wajdi Boukhili won the men’s T12 marathon, while Switzerland’s Marcel Hug earned his first gold of the Games in the men’s T54 event. Despite the official result, Congost’s resilience and sportsmanship have left a lasting impact.

Credit: Instagram.

2024’s Ballon d’Or shortlist

FOR the first time in over 20 years, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo will feature on the Ballon d’Or shortlist. Their absence from the 30man roster signals a new chapter in world football, with emerging stars now set to shine.

The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually since 1956 by France Football, recognises the best footballer of the year based on their club and international performances. This year’s ceremony takes place on October 28 in Paris.

Among the frontrunners for 2024 is Manchester City’s Rodri, instrumental in Manchester City’s treble and Spain’s Euro 2024 victory. Joining him are familiar names like Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham. However, surprise inclusions like Ademola Lookman and Vitinha have sparked debate.

Notable rejections include Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Julian Alvarez, who played key roles for their clubs but failed to make the cut.

Spain, fresh from their Euro 2024 triumph, boasts six nominees, reflecting their resurgence in international football. This year’s award could also signal a shift towards recognising players like Rodri, whose influence on the field goes beyond goal-scoring - traditionally the metric that has dominated previous selections.

As Messi and Ronaldo step aside, the 2024 Ballon d’Or is set to be a celebration of football’s next generation.

Record goals scored

HE may be 39, but Christiano Ronaldo is showing no signs of slowing down as he scores his 900th career goal and sets a new record.

Even more impressive, he has set his sights on reaching 1,000 goals before he finally decides to retire, although when that will be is anybody’s guess. The only thing he has said on the subject is that he plans on representing Portugal until he feels he is no longer contributing.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner achieved his incredible milestone by scoring for Portugal while playing against Croatia in the Nations League. While many of his goals have been scored while playing for various clubs, this was his 131st goal for his beloved Portugal, further cementing his ‘hero-like’ status for the many

Portuguese who idolise him. Ronaldo started his career at Sporting CP, joining the youth squad before making his senior debut in 2002 in the Primera Liga.

Since then, he hasn’t looked back and has enjoyed a career that has included playing for Manchester United twice, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al Nassr in Sau-

di Arabia. His goal tally for each club has been imposing, scoring 145 goals for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus, and 68 for Al Nassr. However, the club that has benefited the most from his goal-scoring ability is Real Madrid, for whom he scored a whopping 450 goals over the nine years he played for them.

Christiano Ronaldo is idolised by his many fans.
Mary and Rob Ollman on their way to Wimbledon finals day.
Elena Congost and her guide, Mia Carol.

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