is a very special day in the calendar of Estepona with a celebration to raise funds to save 67 dogs, which is taking place at De La Mar restaurant in the harbour.
Pat’s Rescue Retreat in Alora is facing the hardest time in its history with over 60 rescued dogs, many of which had been abused and injured and are therefore not easy to find appropriate new homes for. Pat Waterhouse, the centre’s owner, has been diagnosed with cancer, and she fears she will not outlive her dogs. The selfless adoptive mum of 67 dogs, needs someone to take care of the dogs when she’s gone. The fundraiser, Pat’s Party
Fundraiser, is seeking to raise enough cash to maintain the rescue centre for the time being and give Pat peace of mind. While the event is free to enter, one of the highlights will be the €10-a-ticket raffle. So loved is Pat in the Costa del Sol community, that
local businesses have donated loads of fantastic prizes, including boat rides out to see dolphins, beauty treatments, meals in restaurants, and many more great things to be won.
The fundraiser will be on Friday, September 20 at 6pm at De La Mar
For the love of dogs
restaurant in Estepona harbour, and there will be food and entertainment. It’s a fantastic cause everyone should try to get to.
For those who cannot, there’s a GoFundMe campaign, ‘Rescue retreat Alora Malaga Spain’.
Costa del Sol • Issue No. 2046 • 19 - 25 Sept 2024 FREE FREE FREI GRATIS
GRATIS GRATIS
GRATIS
GRATUITO VRIJ LIVRE ILMAINEN G F E GRATIS GRATUIT S G F
Pat Waterhouse with one of the many dogs at her centre.
Credit: Adrian Morgan-Evans, Facebook.
Alzheimer’s Day Street Art
IN recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day, Estepona has organised a programme of events to raise awareness about the disease.
On World Alzheimer’s Day, Saturday, September 21, the façade of the town hall will be illuminated with green lights of hope as Estepona acknowledges World Alzheimer’s Day.
As well, on September 18 and 19, a variety of activities are planned at three nursing homes for the elderly to raise awareness and help others in the prevention of this incurable disease. It is estimated that there are 46.8 million people in the world who suffer from dementia, and between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of those, Alzheimer’s.
A pioneering music therapy project will be performed aimed at elderly people for ‘active ageing through music’ began for the first time last year. After the initial phase of the project, at the Alzheimer’s Day Centre in Estepona, staff
IN the early hours of Friday, September 13, Daniel Ruiz, a Costa del Sol taxi driver, came terrifyingly close to losing his life when an aggressive driver attempted to overtake a lorry, and passed into the lane going in the opposite direction of the notorious A-355, known by locals as ‘the road of death’.
The near miss happened at around 2am when Daniel was on his way home after finishing his working day. Daniel narrowly avoided a head-on collision thanks to his quick reflexes and managed to swerve safely to the edge of the road.
Near miss
The reckless driver performed a mindless overtake, crossing the continuous red line on a blind curve in the dark. The thick red line separating the two directions was a recent addition as a safety measure after a continuous spate of fatal accidents this year from other drivers attempting the same.
noted a remarkable improvement in the comprehensive well-being of their residents and outpatients at a physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioural level, and all agreed music had beneficial effects.
On Saturday, experts from AFA, the Association of Family Members of Alzheimer’s Patients, will set up stalls in the centre of Estepona to inform and advise people on the various aspects of dementia and Alzheimer’s, early detection of the illness, and what we can all do to help those suffering, both those who have dementia and those loved ones who care for the person.
The taxi’s dashcam caught the incident, but while it shows just how close the incident was to tragedy, the offending motorist was going so fast, the car’s number plate is not distinguishable. Daniel later uploaded the video footage from the dashcam to highlight the continued dangers from reckless drivers on the A-355, despite recent safety additions.
In terms of fatalities, the A-355 linking Marbella, Ojen, Monda, and Coin is the sixth most dangerous in the country. In 2023, the road claimed the lives of 10 people.
ESTEPONA’S International Mural Competition has received 116 entries for the annual bid to become immortalised in the street gallery town.
As an addition to Estepona’s existing 64 giant wall murals, Estepona Council has been seeking another 10 building-high paintings. The Costa del Sol town has already established itself on the world stage as a destination for fans of street art, and now they are doubling down and making additions each year.
For this year’s competition, the jury has already shortlisted 10 experienced outdoor artists to add to the town’s Urban Art Route. All 10 artists will paint their murals between October 7 and 17. Once nished, the best will be chosen on October 18. There are €27,000 in prizes up for grabs, the rst prize receiving €10,000, the second, €5,000, and eight nalists will receive €1,500 each.
The subject of each creation is entirely up to thenalists and has no speci c restrictions on what they represent in paint. Nonetheless, they must be entirely original and not painted before on any other wall.
The open-air museum, which Estepona has become, has been expanding its exhibition for the last 10 years. One of the murals, that covers four blocks of ats and a total of 1,000 square metres, is listed as the tallest wall mural in Spain and incorporates telephone cables to represent shing lines in homage to the history and culture of Estepona.
World Alzheimer’s Day 2024.
Competitor, Diego Anido Seijas.
credit: Diego Seijas, Facebook.
Schengen matters
UNDERSTANDING the Schengen area, its member countries, and their unique relationship is crucial for any UK traveller. It’s not just about the EU members, as some might think. The Schengen area comprises 29 countries, 25 of which are also EU members.
Travelling to these countries after November 2024 may involve additional registration proces-
ses. While the exact date for these changes is yet to be determined, being aware of the potential impact is a step towards being prepared.
The Entry/Exit System also known as EES is a new biometric system that will impact all visitors from outside the Schengen area or the EU.
As the UK recently left the EU, UK travellers must be aware of these changes.
This new system will replace manual passport stamping each time you travel to a Schengen area country.
The good news is that if you are a UK passport holder and a resident of Spain with a biometric residency card (TIE), you will not need to register again.
Spain is a member of the Schengen area, and this will act as your regis-
ETIAS Visa
IN addition to the Entry/Exit System, the Schengen area intends to introduce a new Visa system: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, also known as ETIAS. This is not planned to come into effect until 2025, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
This System will require UK travellers to apply for travel authorisation to any of the 29 Schengen area countries and Cyprus. This is because Cyprus is currently undergoing the Schengen joining process and is expected to have become a member by the time ETIAS comes into force.
Per the European Union website, UK travellers will need to provide their personal information, including address, passport details, current occupation, and information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions.
This information will be provided online via a website or a mobile App. There will be a fee of €7 attached to the application, and once approved, it will be valid for three years or until the travel document you used in your application expires - whichever comes first.
tration under the Entry/ Exit System. However, you may still have to have your fingerprint scanned when you travel to any of the Schengen Area countries.
The not-so-good news is that if you still have the green residency paper, you are not registered via biometric means and will still have to complete the Entry/Exit System registration.
Schengen Members
ALL 25 EU countries, excluding Cyprus and Ireland, will adopt the Entry/Exit System in November 2024 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 total 29 countries are:
As with the Entry/Exit System, UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement are exempt from ETIAS. This means that you would have needed to have been a resident of Spain prior to January 1, 2021 to qualify for the exemption.
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 is worth noting that Cyprus is in the process of applying for Schengen membership and is very likely to be accepted. Therefore, by the time ETIAS comes into e ect in 2025, it is envisaged that Cyprus will be the 30th country where it will apply. 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.
ETIAS will come into effect in 2025.
UK travellers need to be aware of new rules for visiting Schengen countries.
Bridging a gap
THE construction of a wooden bridge to link Fuengirola’s promenade and Benalmadena is close to completion.
A mere 15 metres long and two metres wide, the long-awaited bridge will finally put an end to a disproportionately long project for a seemingly simple addition. The bridge crosses a stream known as El Jardín which separates the two neighbouring towns and places one of the final pieces in the coastal walkway jigsaw puzzle, facilitating a continuous pedestrian and cycle route along the western Costa del Sol. The bridge will also facilitate the movement of those with reduced mobility.
There were several hurdles to overcome in order to complete the project: an abandoned chiringuito that hou -
sed a squatter; bureaucratic issues between the councils of Benalmadena and Fuengirola; the Ministry of the Environment’s approval, as well as studies from various stakeholders in the public administration.
This section of the coastal path, between Paseo Rey de España and Playa Carvajal, has caused access problems to pedestrians for many years, and Fuengirola Council claims the bridge will finally solve the issue.
The Coastal Path is an initiative of the Provincial Council that aims to unite the entire coast through a single pedestrian path that can be used to walk, cycle, or ride a scooter. And in Fuengirola, all that was missing was this small section to connect with Benalmadena.
THE La Cala Lions Diabetic Support Group recently held their Autumn Bazaar in La Cala de Mijas on the terraces of Bar Tuta and Snack Attack. On a rare and slightly overcast day, it was the perfect weather for the stallholders and visitors to enjoy a community day out.
Stalls were selling a di-
verse range of products, from huge clocks made of resin to hand-knitted toys, cup cakes, CBD oil, honey products, and a plethora of fascinating curiosities. It was a wonderful day for everyone involved. The ACE dog charity had a bountiful response to their request for animal food donations
and thanked everyone for their generosity.
The finale of the event was the raffle draw; an abundance of generously donated prizes were distributed to the lucky winners, and thanks were given to all who attended the bazaar. There was a special thanks given to Rob and his team for working so hard in the restaurant and to everyone who supported the Diabetic Support Group. In excess of €1,000 was raised for Diabetic Awareness.
The group asks everyone to look out for the diabetic testing at the solidarity stalls held outside the town hall in La Cala de Mijas at the end of the month.
Councillors from the two towns show the new bridge.
Fewer fires
THE Malaga Province lets out a big sigh of relief this autumn, now that the most dangerous time of the year for forest fires has passed and 2024 has marked a new record with the fewest documented blazes.
Autumn officially begins on Sunday, September 22, and according to Plan Infoca, the Andalucian arm of the fire service for forests, there have been 69 interventions in Andalucia this summer, compared to 70 last year and
72, the average for the decade.
However, in terms of hectares burned, this number is far less than in previous years, 181.32 hectares were scorched this year, 89 per cent less than last year’s 1,674.32 hectares.
Despite the extremely dry summer and subsequent drought throughout the region, one notable piece of good news has been that due to Plan Infoca’s rapid response to forest and scrubland fires, there has been no need
for precautionary evacuations of property this year.
In Malaga Province, this drop has been a considerable change in the right direction with significantly less forest and scrubland destroyed by fire for two consecutive years.
Government investment has been paying off. At the beginning of 2024, approximately €350,000 was designated to fire prevention work in the Montes de Malaga range alone.
Left on the edge
THE Coastal Walkway and a block of flats in Torrenueva were damaged early on September, Monday 16 by a sudden landslide.
No injuries were reported at the incident, which, according to reports, was caused when a pipe burst in the adjacent building, which then provoked the landslide. The building in Calle Cádiz on the Torrenueva coastal estate suffered damage to a corner of the block of flats, leaving it hanging worryingly over the edge of the beach, and destroyed several metres of the boardwalk that runs past it.
The water leak was severe enough to soften the ground under the block of flats, but firefighters were able to close off the supply and it was not clear if they needed to evacuate the building. Repair of the coastal path may take some time as it is covered by the building’s insurance from where the leak originated and therefore needs to be evaluated by the company before work can begin.
The coastal walkway that links Marbella with Mijas has been plagued with problems this year due to the crumbling land along the coastline and leading to the need for closures and repairs.
Damage caused by Torrenueva landslide.
Credit: Ayuntamiento Mijas, X
Infoca firefighters.
Credit: Infoca Bomberos Forestales, Facebook
Underground Marbella
Unsightly electricity pylons.
MARBELLA Council has set its sights on getting rid of unsightly electricity pylons by putting the cables underground and avoiding so many repair works in the streets.
In a press conference recently, councillors presented the proposal for a project in which telecommunications cabling, electricity cabling, high-voltage, and less would be fed through underground tubing, ending the need for so many ugly, buzzing ca -
With regard to the po -
tential work that would need to be carried out, the Marbella councillor for Urban Planning, José Eduardo Díaz, said, “The idea is that once a street is opened to carry out a works, for example on a newly paved road or with recent maintenance improvements, there is a commitment that it will not be done again in the future,” calling for a system of easy-to-open underground tunnels that will carry cables and pipes.
He went on to emphasise, “We have to create
CABLE SKI MARBELLA, one of the most-loved sporty meeting points on the Costa del Sol, has closed its doors unexpectedly.
There hasn’t been any activity at the recreation centre for more than a month and a half because it is claimed that the Guadalmina Golf Course has been using lake water for some time, leaving the water sport facility wi thout enough water to offer its popu lar aquatic activities such as wake boarding and water skiing.
Since 1993, Cable Ski Marbella, si tuated in the Las Medranas natural park in San Pedro de Alcantara, has provided fun seekers with a one-ofa-kind possibility in the area to enjoy water skiing in a quick, convenient, and affordable manner. They currently state on their website that Cable Ski is closed because of low water levels and that it will reopen once the waters have recovered.
infrastructures that are large enough so that we do not have to constantly open our city and try to gain access all the time.”
The councillor has also been in meetings with Acosur and Hidralia, the companies which manage water pipes and drainage in Marbella, to see if such a project could incorporate their installations as well, thus eliminating so much need for digging up the streets every time maintenance work needs to be carried out.
mity of the latest drought that the golf course has needed to draw on the Guadalmina River more than in previous years.
Sources say that the management of the water in that area is controlled by a communal organisation and the golf course. It could be that due to the extre-
However, the Andalucian government is reportedly already investigating the regularisation of this reservoir to get to the bottom of the affair.
The Guadalmina before the drought.
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Marbella
Pet registry
MIJAS will be reactivating its veterinary register of pets and animals that ensures the correct registration, health and well-being of animals. The service is compulsory by law, however Mijas has been two years without an agreement with the Official College of Veterinarians and therefore an official council vet assigned to the municipality.
The registry will ensure the gathering, identification and safeguarding of information on animals, and ensure all pets are up-todate with their vaccines and
oversee the well-being of animals within the municipality. The service will also include oversight of the well-being of the famous Mijas donkeys.
The Official College of Veterinarians will be in charge of keeping and maintaining records on pets and animals, training council specialists and Local Police on how to correctly use animal chip readers, a registry of dangerous dogs, and the management and registry of vaccinations and health checks.
The mayor of Mijas, Ana Mata, estimates there are
some 35,000 pets in the Mijas area, some of which are unregistered.
The chipping of dogs and cats is considered important in the identification of escaped or abandoned animals.
Owners are obliged to register and ensure their pets are vaccinated against rabies and parasites. Recently a resident of Melilla was diagnosed with rabies, highlighting the need to maintain all dogs in Spain up-to-date with their vaccines. More news will follow on how to register pets in Mijas.
New pet registry for all kinds of animals.
Reckless navigation Grow your own
BIG fright at sea this week when a leisure boat crashed head on with a whale-watching boat causing anguish between passengers of both.
As seen in a video now spread all across social media, the curious Lamborghini-shaped speed boat, a familiar sight to frequent visitors to Benalmadena, headed straight for another, bigger boat carrying tourists in search of whales and dolphins.
The little yellow speedboat hit the bigger boat, but luckily only caused superficial damage to both.
The owners of the small Lamborghini boat have been reported to police for reckless navigation and a lack of safety procedures.
Complaints have been numerous about these type of leisure boats
operating from Costa del Sol’s harbours which do not need a specific licence to operate and which are said to have been involved in a number of dangerous incidents over the last few years.
In a year plagued by tragic incidents at sea, there are calls for tighter safety measures at Costa del Sol harbours.
In 2023, a man died when after visiting a
local cocktail bar, fell from his boat and banged his head in Puerto Banús harbour.
In 2014, two men were injured when their five-metre boat exploded while filling up with fuel.
And earlier this summer, a seven-year-old boy was killed when the jet ski he was passenger on turned over when being driven too fast close to the shore.
MARBELLA Council is currently in talks with environmental groups on creating urban allotments for locals to grow their own produce. Council workers have been preparing green spa ces, preparing easy access, and orga nising watering points using recycled water. The Arboretum Foundation, which has nine years of experience in urban allotment ma nagement in the Trapiche Norte area, is participating in the project. As well as a useful community asset, the council is looking at promoting the new allotments as a form of leisure activity in which local people can grow organic produce for their own healthy consumption, while promoting sustainable development, environmental responsibility, and community spirit.
The president of the Arboretum Foundation, Alejandro Orioli, has said that “it is essential that cities have these activities, which are effective tools for change, environmental literacy, and the enjoyment of citizens.” The project is still in its planning stage, and details have yet to be released on the proposed sites for the new public allotments.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) states that urban allotments can be much more ecological and efficient than traditional ones, producing up to 20 kg of food per m2 per year. Urban agriculture is changing the landscape of cities around Spain with thousands of small allotments for self-consumption that are proliferating at ground level. It is part of a growing sustainable movement, which facilitates and promotes savings on food purchases.
Moments before impact.
Credit: Fuengirola se queja, Facebook
Plans for public allotments, Marbella.
Credit: INTREEGUE Photography - Shutterstock
World beaters
MALAGA technologists continue to situate themselves as world beaters, this time with a music streaming app that has overtaken Spotify.
The Nonoki mobile application registered more than a million downloads in just a few days. What di erentiates the app from its rivals is that while a user can listen to their favourite music, the app downloads any available video clip for the song and plays it simultaneously as one listens.
Nonoki’s free app is still in ‘beta’ mode and therefore still being perfected, but all the same, the overwhelming amount of downloads of the app have overtaken Spotify in South Korea and have shown considerable interest in Texas too.
The app currently o ers up to 80 mi-
llion songs without ads and works with other existing apps as well, meaning that a user can put in the details of their Spotify or Deezer account and access them all in one app.
The avalanche of downloads their app has enjoyed has led them to top the charts of both Google Play and AppStore downloads. The company has been operating for three years with a skeleton crew of just ve sta but has overtaken Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music in South Korea.
On a global scale, the app has even more popularity in Germany, and the Korean market is just above the US in download statistics, placing Nonoki in the number 19 position on Banco Sabadell’s best-performing start-ups ranking.
Zen Garden
THE Zen Garden in Torremolinos has just been reopened following extensive works and gardening to bring it back to its former glory.
A repaint, new lighting, a new bridge, and a full replanting of heather and other greenery have been completed in Molino de Inca botanical garden, a unique space of about 500 square metres that reproduces on a rocky slope with a garden area of hills and lakes typical of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Margarita del Cid, mayor
of Torremolinos, said at the Zen Garden reopening, “A unique space, unique in these latitudes, which re ects another facet of the diversity and cultural wealth of Torremolinos, in which there is room for everything and for everyone.”
Among the restoration works carried out on the Zen Garden are the construction of a Torii, an entrance gate to the sacred area of a Shinto shrine. As well, new plants have been placed around the entire garden, new sto-
nes have been laid, and the viewing points and the house have undergone reconstruction. One other important addition has been the replacement of the lighting, tol attract visitors at dusk.
The Botanical Garden itself has almost 1,000 plant species, including 150 varieties of palm trees, 300 trees, and some 400 shrubs that can be observed from viewing points. The Molino de Inca Botanical Garden is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Nonoki, app technology from Malaga.
Credit: nonoki.com
Credit: Ayuntamiento de Torremolinos.
New additions at Zen Garden.
Mosquito alert
ALHAURIN DE LA TORRE Council has announced measures to fumigate ditches and the Guadalhorce River surrounds after a species of mosquito has been detected that carries the West Nile virus.
While no infections of West Nile virus have been detected so far, fumigation has begun on zones that might contain sitting water in the Campanillas area. The mayor of Alhaurin de la Torre has announced the preventative cleaning process in conjunction with the Junta de Andalucia after an alert was raised by the Ministry of the Environment. The Council has been reinforcing mosquito treatments for several years, especially in those areas closest to the river.
The public is advised not to keep open containers of water that may attract mosquitoes, such
Nile virus mosquitoes.
as buckets, toys, plates below plant pots, especially with rains predicted. Ornamental garden fountains and swimming pools should be chlorinated, and keeping fish in ponds is beneficial as the fish feed on mosquito eggs.
Mosquito nets on open windows in bedrooms are also recommended, as is leaving the light switched off when there is an open window, and
keeping the house well ventilated during the day time.
While the bite of this type of mosquito is not particularly more irritable than that of any other, the West Nile virus can lead to more serious complications, and so if more serious symptoms arise following a mosquito bite, such as neck stiffness or disorientation, it is advised to consult a doctor.
Mijas driving restrictions
DESPITE an EU law brought in stating that municipalities of more than 50,000 inhabitants must have a low emissions zone in their areas of busiest traffic, the administration of Mijas Council has not yet introduced such a scheme.
Mijas is deceptively big. Most visitors to Mijas Pueblo often go away with the idea that it’s simply a small village, when in reality, the Mijas municipal area covers an expanse of homes to 91,000 residents, number three in the ranking of biggest boroughs on the western Costa del Sol, after Malaga and Marbella.
For this reason, Mijas Council, in line with the Climate Change and Energy Transition law, is working on introducing a low emis-
sions zone (LEZ) to be implemented by mid 2025.
Although, exactly what and where the new restrictions to traffic will apply, is still being studied. It should have been finalised and in place before January 1 this year, but this has not been the case in many towns, and Mijas is particularly behind schedule.
The measures we can expect to be implemented could include, green and blue parking zones (green for residents and blue for visitors paying at a parking metre), limitations on the age of a vehicle given that newer cars tend to have lower toxic emissions, or limitations to access by private vehicles at certain times of the day.
Low emissions sign, Madrid.
Bounty on boars
MIJAS Council is o ering a contract to professionals willing to capture wild boars alive in areas of its municipal zone.
Rather than opt for archers, as other neighbouring towns have, they believe that trapping the wild animals in cages and then having them put down is more humane. The tender for the service has been advertised for some time, and an announcement will be made shortly to who has won the €150,000 contract.
There has been a massive proliferation in herds of roaming wild boars in recent months, and considering their danger to humans, dogs, and road users as well as the risk of spreading disease, Mijas Council is increasing its e orts to curb the numbers
of boars entering urban areas.
The measure comes from recommendations made by the College of Veterinarians of Malaga and will be carried out under the Junta de Andalucia’s rules on wildlife control. The veterinary organisation group has been warning of possible diseases caused by wild boars, especially with direct contact with ones that have had no veterinary controls and deposit their faeces throughout urban areas.
The focus of the live immovable traps will be mostly in areas such as La Ponderosa, La Cala de Mijas and Calahonda, and also around the AP-7, since herds have been spotted passing through the dry river basin of Arroyo Seco.
Triathlon finals
THE Grand Final of the World Triathlon Series will be held in Torremolinos from October 17 to 20 and will see 5,500 international athletes competing on the streets of the Costa del Sol town.
Registration has just met its peak and is now closed for the biggest sporting event of its kind in Andalucia, adding another feather in the cap of Torremolinos for being a world-class sporting town.
There will be more categories in this year’s competition, including Elite, Under-23, Junior and Paratriathlon athletes, ensuring a firstclass sporting spectacle.
Councillor Patricia del Pozo was delighted with the news, saying, “It is excellent news that we are going to break the record for participation
in the Torremolinos-Andalucia Triathlon Final.
We are convinced that our region is the ideal place to host competitions of this magnitude, thanks to our climate and our infrastructure.”
The organisation of the Triathlon World Championship Final in Torremolinos is a recognition of the town’s commitment to sport
and top-flight sporting events. At least 20,000 people are expected to fill the streets of Torremolinos to participate and witness the elite in fitness worldwide.
The triathlon will involve running races, cycling, and swimming, although details are yet to be released of which beach the event will take place on.
Roaming wild boars.
Triathlon swimmers, Torremolinos.
POPULAR friends of the Costa del Sol community, and frequent visitors to these shores, Gary Hooker and Michael Young have just been given the Men’s Professional Hairdresser of The Year Award in London.
Owners of a second home in La Cala de Mijas, and friends to many here, Gary and Michael announced on Facebook this week that they have just been awarded the coveted award at the Schwarzkopf Professional, British Hairdressing Awards in London.
Their Hooker and Young brand had already won multiple prizes around the world including British Hairdresser of the Year, British Colour Technician of the Year, Men’s Hairdresser of the Year and North-Eastern Hairdresser of the Year.
Young and Gary Hooker.
From everyone at Euro Weekly News, we will be raising a glass to the chaps this eve-
Hooker and Young Renfe to Barcelona
RENFE, the national train operator, has just inaugurated its rst AVE train from Maria Zambrano station, Malaga to Barcelona, and back again. For the rst time, a Renfe train will travel directly across the country from south to nor-
ning and can’t wait to congratulate them in person as soon as they are back over in La Cala de Mijas.
th east in just under seven hours, without the need to change trains.
The rst departure left Malaga’s Maria Zambrano station slightly before 6pm on Tuesday, September 17, arriving in Barcelona just after midnight. The hi-
gh-speed train made stops in Cordoba at 6.46pm, Madrid at 8.47pm, Zaragoza at 10.26pm and then on to Barcelona. The rail service is due to run daily except Saturdays. The return train leaves at the crack of dawn at 5.50am, arriving back in Malaga by 12.30pm.
This new high-speed rail service has a bu et car, table service, and a variety of upgrades for comfort, including a ‘silent car’ where speaking by phone is prohibited for those who wish to sleep for the most part of the journey. The total number of trains per week will be 39, carrying as many as 14,000 passengers per week.
Prices should be more competitive than previously predicted as Ouigo, the French independent rail operator, also announced last week its new price-competitive high-speed rail service at budget prices starting from October between Malaga and Barcelona.
Michael
Credit: Michael Young, Facebook
CALM’s ‘Missed Birthdays’ campaign
CAMPAIGN AGAINST LIVING MISERABLY
(CALM) launched a poignant initiative to raise awareness of youth suicide, the leading cause of death for under-34s in the UK.
Titled ‘Missed Birthdays,’ the campaign featured an eye-catching installation at West eld, London. It ran from September 9 to 11, the display coincidingwith World Suicide Prevention Day and showcased 6,929 brightly coloured birthday balloons, each representing a young life lost to suicide over the last decade. Visitors to the exhibit could also listen to personal voice notes from families and friends, sharing memories of loved ones taken too soon.
“It’s devastating for a young person to not make it to their 15th, 16th, 17th birthday,” said CALM CEO Simon Gunning. “It’s absolutely tragic when that reason is suicide.”
The campaign, created in partnership with ITV and ad agency Adam&EveDDB, hoped to break the stigma around youth suicide and encourage open discussions about
mental health.
Additionally, CALM introduced the CALM CARE Kit, a new resource designed to equip trusted adults with the tools they need to support struggling young people.
“We hope that anyone who engaged with the campaign will be motivated to use CALM’s tools and help end youth suicide for good,” said creative directors Ant Nelson and Mike Sutherland.
The installation was a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting vulnerable young people and preventing future ‘missed birthdays’.
Moving wealth
THE European Lifestyle Report by Knight Frank surveyed 700 wealthy individuals from 11 di erent countries about their favoured cities to move to, considering the economy, quality of life, environment, infrastructure, and human capital.
The French dream of millions, Paris topped the list, standing out in the economy and human capital. Today, Paris remains the wealthiest city in mainland Europe, with 165,000 resident millionaires who have moved from across the world to live in the
historic city.
Berlin was listed second and highlighted as the top city for infrastructure and mobility. Worldwide, Berlin’s public transit system is considered highly diverse and accessible, listed in the top 10 public transit and sustainable mobility sub-indices.
The third favoured choice was Barcelona, 25.4 per cent of which is the home of foreign nationals who fell in love with the Spanish lifestyle. Beyond its vibrant culture, Spain has been a magnet for wealthy foreigners who
want to gain tax bene ts and enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Vienna came fourth, ranked number one in the quality of life aspect. Not only a visually mesmerising city, Vienna was ranked as the most liveable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Another Mediterranean centre, Madrid was ranked fth; the Spanish capital rich in diverse and lively culture knows better than anyone how to balance work and play.
Paris, the city favoured by the wealthy.
Credit: Chris Molloy, Pexels
across the world to live in the
CALM’s campaign at Westfield, London.
Credit: CALM website.
Your
Would you have the Mpox vaccination if offered to you?
AS of July, Spain had the most cases of Mpox recorded in Europe, with 8,104. While this number may seem alarming, it’s important to note that most Mpox cases occurred in 2022 and have significantly decreased since then. So far, only 352 cases have been reported this year, and none of them are the more deadly Clade I strain that is so prevalent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, there has been one recorded Clade I case in Europe and this was reported in Sweden.
While the number of cases is declining and the likelihood of Mpox spreading to the general EU population is considered low, Spain is continuing with a vaccination programme for those that they consider ‘vulnerable’.
Somewhat controversially, this includes people under 45 who may engage in high-risk sexual activities, primarily gay men and bisexual individuals, as well as those in risky occupations such as specific healthcare workers and lab technicians.
While Spain has acknowledged that there isn’t a need to vaccinate the general public at present, it is fair to say that they will be monitoring the Clade I virus outbreak very seriously, particularly if more cases are reported outside of Africa.
In light of this, we asked our Euro Weekly News readers, “Would you have the Mpox vaccination if offered
to you?”
Judith Dominique Wolfenegg felt that it all depends on what happens next, she said, “I don’t see any point in it at the moment. But millions have died because of Covid (even if the flat-earthers like to claim it’s all made up) and if we look back at how many people died from influenza before there were flu vaccinations, how many diseases are almost eradicated by vaccinations ... How high our life expectancy is today! Modern medicine makes it possible for us to grow older and older.”
Chris McGovern was unsure of what he would do and shared, “I just wonder if putting all these different vaccines into our bodies will cause problems later down the line. I don’t think there has been enough for them to study it.”
Jan Butler was a very definite ‘no’ and expressed this view, “Absolutely frickin not. Vaccines are not what you think. They do not work and in fact, can make you fat and more ill than the actual virus.”
Bob Caparo was sceptical in his response and challenged, “Has it been subjected to long-term testing and conventional drug approval?”
Others, like Deborah Jackson, were also in the ‘no’ camp. “ I cannot believe that people would consider yet another non-long-term tested vaccine shot. What the hell?” she said.
SPAIN IS CONTINUING WITH A VACCINATION PROGRAMME.
Cíes Islands cap tourism
SPAIN’S Cíes Islands, nestled in Galicia’s Atlantic Islands National Park, have tackled overtourism with a simple yet effective solution: limiting daily visitors. This measure has helped protect the fragile environment while offering a more exclusive experience for tourists.
Since 2017, only 1,800 visitors can access the islands each day during the high season, with the limit dropping to 450 in the quieter months. Visitors must obtain a QR code from the regional government and pay €25 for the ferry ride.
“It was chaos before the cap,” says José Antonio Fernández Bouzas, the park’s director. “Now, people understand and appreciate the limit, allowing everyone to enjoy the islands without
overwhelming the ecosystem.”
This sustainable approach has transformed the Cíes Islands into a model of balanced tourism, with visitors planning their trips well in advance.
While the Cíes Islands have succeeded in managing tourism, Spain as a whole continues to grapple with the issue. Protests across the country have highlighted concerns about unchecked tourism growth affecting local communities. Experts argue that the solution lies in better communication and planning between local governments and residents.
For eco-conscious travellers, the Cíes Islands offer a peaceful retreat, where nature thrives, and responsible tourism takes centre stage.
Cíes Islands.
Grand Central opens
BELFAST’S long-awaited £350 million Grand Central Station is nally open, and it’s set to shake up public transport across Northern Ireland. Described as a ‘game-changer,’ this new hub combines bus and rail services under one roof, making it the largest integrated transport facility on the island.
The station’s rst bus service to Dublin rolled out early on September 8, but you’ll have to wait a bit for the trains - testing on the new track and signalling is still underway. But don’t worry, the date for rail services will be announced soon, and when they do kick o , expect more frequent connections across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Originally budgeted at £300 million, the project saw an extra £40 million added due to in ation pressures from the Ukraine war and challenges posed by the pandemic. Impressively, 70 per cent of the work was carried out by Irish companies, showing o local talent in a big way.
Grand Central Station is designed to make travel smoother with 26 bus stands, eight train platforms, and plenty of spa-
ce for bikes and taxis. It’s not just about transport - there’s a buzz around the new shops opening inside, including Pret A Manger, and coming soon a Starbucks, and a few local pop-ups.
There’s been some debate over bilingual signage, with calls for more Irish language representation. For now, Irish appears alongside other languages at a central welcome desk, but discussions are ongoing.
This hub isn’t just a station - it’s a sign of Belfast’s bright future, bringing better connectivity and revitalising a once-overlooked part of the city. With the largest transport hub on the island now open, Northern Ireland’s travel landscape just got a whole lot better.
Norway’s visa-free travel
CHINA has extended its visa-free travel scheme to Norway, making it the rst Scandinavian country to bene t from this initiative. This move is part of China’s e ort to revive tourism and business exchanges following the pandemic.
Norwegian nationals can join citizens from 12 other European countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Spain, in visiting China without a visa for up to 15 days. While the start date for Norway’s
visa-free access is yet to be con rmed, it is expected to come into e ect by the end of the year.
China’s visa-free policy is aimed at boosting international travel, which was severely impacted during the pandemic. In 2023, China saw 35.5 million foreign entries and exits, down signi cantly from 97.7 million in 2019. By easing entry requirements, China hopes to attract tourists, business leaders and investors, which could provide a much-nee-
ded boost to its economy. European interest in China is already on the rise, with bookings up 663 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to Trip. com. Popular destinations include Shanghai, Beijing and emerging hotspots like Sanya and Chengdu. As China continues to reopen its doors, this visa-free travel option o ers European expats a hassle-free opportunity to explore one of the world’s most dynamic countries.
Shanghai at night. Credit:
Grand Central boosts connectivity.
Image: Facebook/ Translink
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From left: Petter, Yenna, Paula, Amina and John.
Bounce back Border checks
IS the Schengen passport-free zone, home to 420 million people, at a point of crisis? With the mass influx of asylum seekers, the political relationship is changing between EU nations, and showing signs of crumbling.
To satisfy an infuriated electorate, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Sweden, and Denmark have reintroduced border passport checks, thus shattering the belief that Schengen is unbreakable. Recently too, both Germany and Hungary have reacted to illegal migration by reintroducing border checks.
While Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, criticised other EU member states for temporarily suspending free movement, Austria vowed to not allow entry to any more rejected asylum seekers from Germany. The European Commission reminded states that they could only suspend Schengen in certain cases of national emergency, which was followed by Hungary’s threat to send irregular migrants to Brussels by train. Then they opened up Hungary to
Could free movement be coming to an end?
nationals from Russia and Belarus, potentially threatening integrity of the Schengen Area’s security.
The entire Schengen project to facilitate seamless movement of trade and citizens between countries has been brought into question, with member states including Austria and Hungary challenging the usefulness of the pact.
Instead of bringing European peoples together, it has begun to cause mistrust and schisms between them. Member states have not heeded the EC’s advice to work together and phase out temporary border checks, and they have instead continued strengthening them, posing the question: Could this be the beginning of the end of the road for Schengen?
ALMOST all of the 300 million tennis balls manufactured each year finish their useful life in a rubbish dump. Now, a Belgian eco-designer has started turning some of them into custom furniture in a way that keeps the felt and rubber balls from just becoming more landfill.
In order to create the micro-cushioning parts for her two trademark items, a bench and a chaise lounge, Mathilde Wittock and her crew may manually slice up 1,800 balls per day. When the furniture is completed, one can understand why the two to three weeks it takes to manufacture the pieces are worth it. The tennis balls are really attractive, especially with the fuzz painted to match the inner colours.
Since tennis balls are durable, have a short lifespan, and need 400 years to degrade in a landfill, they were an easy choice for Mathilde when searching for new sources of materials. To put into context just how easily available the materials for Mathilde Wittock’s furniture is, the recently celebrated US Open used 70,000 tennis balls which were then thrown away.
Once the owners of furniture bought from Mathilde Wittock have decided they don’t want the items anymore, they can return them to Wittock, who will burn off the fur and send the rubber shells to be shredded and recycled into kid-friendly play mats.
Credit: Freepik.
FRANCE
Old timer
REMAINS of a Neanderthal male, named Thorin in a nod to Tolkien, were found in Malataverne in southern France in 2015 but still have archaeologists puzzled. They are difficult to date as a genetic study suggested they could be 105,000 years old, while carbon dating showed that Thorin lived 37,000 years ago.
Slow down
ON October 1 the speed limit on the Paris ring road will drop to 50 kilometres per hour, city mayor Anne Hidalgo announced. The measure faces opposition from both drivers and the Transport ministry which said that Hidalgo’s decision was unilateral and her powers did not extend to the ‘nationwide’ rules of the roads.
DENMARK
Egypt venture
THE Danish Cultural Institute in Damascus (Syria), which has been closed for the last 12 years has now opened a branch in Cairo (Egypt) to facilitate an interchange of each country’s culture and society. Denmark is also opening a catering school in the capital to help young people find jobs in the hospitality industry.
Game play
COPENHAGEN has assigned €67,000 from its 2025 Budget to study the possibility of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. Culture and Leisure councillor Mia Nyegaard also confirmed that Copenhagen intended to make an official bid to host the Youth Olympic Games which could be held as early as 2030.
ITALY
Fair shares
YOUNG female graduates in Italy can look forward to earnings that are approximately half of the salaries received by young male graduates, an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report found. Italy’s 58 per cent pay gap was the widest in the 38 countries examined, the OECD found.
Getting on
ITALY’S doctors are currently the oldest in Europe and an estimated 13,156 of them will be eligible for retirement in 2025, the Geriatric Society Hospital and Territory (SIGOT) revealed. Fifty-five per cent are over 55, compared with 32.7 per cent in Spain, 44.5 per cent in France and 44.1 per cent in Germany.
EURO PRESS
NORWAY SWEDEN
Plum crazy
A WARM May produced abundant plums in August and farmers were initially pleased with the quality and quantity of the fruit but are now less than happy, as the market is flooded and too few are sold. “Forty per cent will go straight into the garbage bins,” one wholesaler said of plums stored in their warehouses.
OVER-PRODUCTION: Good spring weather produced a glut of plums.
Busy drones
IRELAND FINLAND
Double standard
A CYCLIST who presented police with footage from his helmet camera that showed drivers using phones and parking illegally, was fined after the same footage showed him jumping a red light. He has received a fixed penalty notice although police declined to confirm whether the drivers had also been fined.
New options
ADDITIONS have been made to Ireland’s Leaving Certificate curriculum and pupils can study Drama, Film and Theatre Studies or Climate Action and Sustainable Development. Aimed at students ‘not fitting the mould of more traditional subjects’ they will be available at 100 schools in September 2025.
On exercises
THREE aircraft from Germany’s 71 Tactical Air Wing Richthofen were recently posted to the Rovaniemi Air Force base in Finland, located 147 kilometres from the Russian border. The training exercises were part of Germany’s revamp of its Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities, Air Force sources said.
Mussel mess
A HEAVY machinery operator who devastated an important population of pearl-bearing freshwater mussels in Suomussalmi (Kainuu) worked for Stora Enso, which manufactures wood-based materials. Police are investigating the incident that killed thousands of mussels and endangered thousands more.
credit: Pixabay/Glacika56
SWEDEN’S aviation authorities are investigating the sighting of at least one drone over Arlanda Airport on September 9 for the second night running. The latest incident occurred less than 24 hours after several were spotted there, forcing flights to divert to other airports in what police said was a “deliberate act.”
Word for word
HALMSTAD councillor Anna Fallkvist resigned after using the Swedish version of the n-word while telling an anecdote at a non-public meeting at the town hall. “I used the wrong word, which has upset people,” she told the SVT broadcaster. “It was wrong of me to express myself in a way that has offended people.”
GERMANY
Bright idea
THE government is allegedly deliberating whether to class motorway repairs as defence spending as it tries to hit Nato’s required contribution of 2 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. Berlin said that since tanks and other military vehicles used public roads, their upkeep should be included in the defence Budget.
Bridge drama
A SECTION of the Carola Bridge in central Dresden collapsed in the early hours of September 9. Although the bridge was empty at the time and no-one was injured, the city authorities warned that the incident would cause transport chaos and both road and river traffic would be halted for some time.
PORTUGAL BELGIUM NETHERLANDS
Guard duty
SHORTAGE of human resources was Portugal prisons’ system greatest problem, warned the president of the National Prison Guard Union (SNCGP) Frederico Morais. If the authorities wanted to prevent more prisoners from escaping as five did on September 7, approximately 1,500 more guards were needed, Morais said.
All electric
THE world’s first certified 100 per cent electric aeroplane, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, is currently being used to train pilots in Viseu, northern Portugal. With electric propulsion and powered by batteries, this made a considerable difference to the cost, explained Jose Madeira, director of the International Flight Academy (IFA).
Bug out
EMPLOYEES at a secure centre for asylum seekers in Steenokkerzeel (Brabant) called a lighting strike after bedbugs were discovered in the staff room. The management said that a minimum service would be maintained during the stoppage and a specialist firm had been called in to deal with the infestation.
Time to go
ANTWERP Zoo announced that Hermien, a hippopotamus, would be put to sleep at the end of this month. “Hermien is not doing well,” the zoo’s chief vet explained. “In the wild, hippos live to be about 35 and Hermien will soon turn 44,” he said, adding that she had numerous age-related ailments and health issues.
Frisian find
TWO fragments of texts dating from the 13th and 14th centuries written in Old Frisian have been located at Vienna’s national library. Both had belonged to a former director’s private collection and Rolf Bremmer, a professor of Frisian, said their discovery was so special that the news made his heart “skip a beat.”
Going up
LEAKED details of the next Netherlands Budget revealed that the government expects to increase the monthly health insurance payment to €158 in 2025, compared with the present €150. Sources quoted in the Telgraaf newspaper said that the hike was due to higher wages in the healthcare sector and inflation.
FINANCE
BUSINESS EXTRA
Closing up
ALDI will invest £800 million (€947.25 million) in opening 23 new stores by the end of 2024 as the gap between the German supermarket chain and Asda begins to close after record sales of £17.9 billion (€21.2 billion). Chosen areas include Muswell Hill in North London and Caterham in Surrey.
Renfe spat
SPAIN’S railways operator
Renfe and train manufacturer Talgo failed to reach agreement regarding late delivery of 30 high speed trains and are on course to go to court. Renfe says it is entitled to a €116 million penalty payment, despite Talgo’s insistence that delays were due to “uncontrollable events.”
Some mistake
THE Bank of London Group, which was set up to meet the needs of businesses and counts politician Lord Mandelson as one of its board members, has received a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs. A spokesman said the bank, which had “strong liquidity” was unaware of any unpaid debts.
All-rounder
MASORANGE plans to sell electricity and gas to 600,000 customers in Spain, the newly-merged MasMovil and Orange company announced. The service was initially aimed at Orange clients but it would be also available to other brands belonging to the group and even clients of other telecommunications companies.
Tata handout
TATA STEEL is to close its Port Talbot (Wales) blast furnaces but will receive a £500 million (€592 million) government package that will help it secure investment in a £1.2 billion (€1.4 billion) electric arc furnace. Once operative, the ‘green’ furnace could produce the steel necessary for the UK’s planned wind turbines.
STAT OF WEEK
€18.065 billion
in sales for Inditex during the first half of its financial year, 7.2 per cent more than the same period in 2023 although lower than the predicted 8 per cent.
Rescue for The Body Shop
THE Body Shop’s remaining 113 stores will stay open following a deal struck with a consortium led by Mike Jatania’s Aurea Group.
The company will also be taking control of The Body Shop’s assets in Australia and North America.
Aurea said that the operation was its largest to date but preferred not to give details of the amounts involved in a transaction that will save the jobs of 1,300 shop and office workers.
Jatania’s investment company had no immediate plans to close more stores, sources said, although it was likely to look for better locations for current shops.
Charles Denton, former chief executive of the Molton Brown perfume bran, will take on the same role at The Body Shop and head the new leadership team with Jatania.
Nicknamed the ‘Cosmetics King’, Jatania was chief executive of family-run Lornamead, which owned Lypsyl, Woods of Windsor, Yardley and Harmony hair products, before the company was sold for £155 million (€183.8 million) in 2012.
The Body Shop went into administration in February 2024 after its new owner, private equity firm
BANCO SANTANDER has sold a 5 per cent stake in its Polish subsidiary, Santander Bank Polska, for €600 million.
The bank chaired by Ana Botin retains a 62.39 per cent majority holding in the company and intends to redistribute the capital resulting from selling the 5.3 million shares within the group, Santander explained in the note to the Warsaw stock exchange.
The shares fetched 463 zlotys (€107.81) each, a 7.9 per cent discount on Santander Bank Polska’s price of 502.8 zloty (€117.5)
Aurelius, acquired the company for £207 million (€245.4 million) in December 2023.
This was far short of the £870 million (€1 billion) that Natura, the previous owner paid for The Body Shop.
In the event, Aurelius was unable to turn the company round and by last February owed creditors more than £276 million (€327.1 million), triggering the high street chain’s collapse when HSBC withdrew a line of credit and the new owner failed to obtain alternative funding.
Santander in Poland
Telefonica cold shoulder Burberry plummets
SHARES in Burberry, now relegated from the FTSE 100, have plummeted to their lowest in since 2009.
As the respected label struggles to remain an exclusive luxury brand, its shares plunged by 8 per cent on September 9 after analysts at Barclays warned that although Burberry was already one of the worst performers, “its performance was likely to worsen.”
Following the downgrade from the bank, this gave the company a market value of £2 billion (€2.4 billion) compared with £9 billion (€10.6 billion) last summer.
THE US investment bank Goldman Sachs reduced its Telefonica holding to 0.236 per cent on September 9.
This was 5.6 percentage points lower than its former 5.533 per cent stake, according to figures from Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV).
It was the second time that Goldman Sachs slashed its Telefonica investment after reducing its 8.081 per cent holding to 5.533 per cent only four days earlier.
By September 9 the value of Goldman Sachs’ Telefonica stake dropped from €1.9 billion to €56 million, while shares in Spain’s principal telecom company fell 0.17 per cent to €4.20 that same day.
THE Marie Claire factory in Castellon, idle for almost a year, should soon be operative once more.
The company, which was founded in 1907, originally manufactured most of Spain’s stockings and tights and employed 400 staff.
It will now be run by Madrid-based For Men together with the Polish firm Koltex and production will instead switch to sportswear and swimwear.
It was agreed with Valencia’s regional government that the partnership could acquire the factory for €240,000 on the understanding that it would operate for at least three years.
UNILEVER is finally abandoning its Russian business after continuing sales of its ice-cream more than two years after the Ukraine invasion.
at close of day on September 10. The sale was completed by September 13, Santander said, and was carried out by Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and its own investment bank.
Poland remained a core market, Santander said, and the sale was aimed at enhancing the liquidity of the Polish subsidiary while attaining its 20242026 strategic targets which include ranking as one of the top three banks in the country.
Pescanova woes
FROZEN fish and seafood company
Nueva Pescanova posted a net loss of €131 million for its last financial year that ended on March 31.
Still a household name despite these problems, Nueva Pescanova has reported losses for five of its last six financial years, with reduced sales during the last two.
The discouraging figures were the result of “inflation, the historic fall in the price of shrimp and the climactic effect of El Niño,” a company statement said on September 11.
It went on to explain that the board intends to propose a capital increase of €72.6 million at the next general shareholders’ meeting to finance the company’s future growth plan.
The London-based multinational, whose brands include Magnum, Wall’s and Ben & Jerry’s, has now agreed a deal with chemicals group Arnest, according to reports in the Russian media.
The transaction is expected to be worth between £300 and £334 million (€355.1 and €395.4 million) after the obligatory 50 per cent discount on exit deals involving firms from ‘unfriendly’ countries.
PROPERTY listing website
Rightmove turned down a takeover approach from the rival REA Group.
Rightmove’s board said the £5.6 billion (€6.63 billion) offer from REA Group, which is 61 per cent owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, was ‘wholly opportunistic.’
Sources said the Rightmove rejection would come as a further setback for Murdoch’s business empire after his Talk TV network stopped broadcasting as a traditional television channel and moved online.
STILL HERE: The Body Shop’s remaining stores will stay open.
Photo credit: Santander Bank
ANA BOTIN: Executive chair of Santander Bank.
3I Group 3.181,00 3.221,00 3.176,00 151,31K Admiral Group 2.880,0 2.888,0 2.870,0 21,48K
Airtel Africa 117,80 118,10 116,90 619,63K Anglo American 2.064,0 2.085,5 2.060,5 157,17K
Antofagasta 1.732,50 1.749,50 1.722,50 37,6K
Ashtead Group 5.234,0 5.250,0 5.220,0 27,47K Associated British Foods 2.180,0 2.181,0 2.165,0 238,31K AstraZeneca 11.748,0 11.948,0 11.712,0 391,03K Auto Trader Group Plc 862,60 866,60 860,20 81,43K Aviva 493,30 495,10 489,50 275,09K
B&M European Value Retail SA 422,70 423,30 418,10 368,26K
PONTEGADEA, the family office belonging to Amancio Ortega, Inditex founder and its principal shareholder, has spent €327 million on acquiring logistics centres in Milan and Rome, Bloomberg reported. The deal has coincided with a cutback in Italy’s industrial and logistics real estate transactions.
Good news
JOHN LEWIS, which owns Waitrose supermarkets as well as stores, reported a pre-tax loss of £30 million (€35.5 million) in the six months ending July 27. This was almost half of 2023’s half-year losses of £59 million (€69.9 million).
De Beers at a crossroads
PLANS to float De Beers are overshadowed by waning demand for natural diamonds and their increasingly popular lab-grown counterparts.
A De Beers spokesperson said that the company was currently studying a potential stock market listing and selling the diamond business.
“Both options are very much on the table,” he told the Mail on Sunday.
City insider Raj Ray, quoted in the UK media, said
Sabadell’s weapon
BANCO SABADELL has upped its dividend prediction from €2.4 billion to €2.9 billion. Chief Financial director Leopold Alvear revealed while visiting New York recently that the bank would increase this over the coming months as Sabadell wards off a hostile takeover by BBVA. Since BBVA first approached Sabadell with its offer of a friendly mergerwhich the Catalan bank rejected from
the outset - the latter has used dividend payouts as one of its most persuasive weapons.
It has now pledged to share €2.9 billion amongst investors over the next two years although chief executive Cesar Gonzalez-Bueno has hinted that even this could be improved, following Sabadell’s ‘historic’ first-half profits of €791 million.
this was a challenging time for natural diamonds. Demand from China was in decline, the savings of potential customers in the US had been eroded by inflation, while lab-grown diamonds had undercut prices.
In May 2024, when Anglo American was fighting a hostile takeover bid by its Australian rival BHP, the company announced that it intended to concentrate on its copper and iron ore interests. Meanwhile, it would either de-merge or divest De Beers.
Founded in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond miner and is owned by the London-based Anglo American mining company although the Botswana government also holds a 15 per cent stake. Should the estimated £4 billion (€4.7 billion) float go ahead, De Beers would be taking the same route as rival Lucara, which now lists in Botswana, Canada and Sweden.
Second thoughts
DESPITE €2.2bn half-year revenues for cosmetics multinational Puig, which now lists on the Barcelona stock exchange, shares fell 13.65 per cent after announcing a 26 per cent reduction in profits. Insiders suggested that Cortefiel owner Tendam, Eupastry and gaming company Cirsa, who are preparing to list this year’s could now think twice about their stock market debuts.
DELOITTE, one of the Big Four consulting firms, has begun to check up on the location of its UK employees, as it takes a tougher line with working from home guidelines. Internet activity data has revealed that many are logging on from abroad and are working overseas without first obtaining permission from their managers.
LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS: Undercutting the real thing.
Bells are back
Oslo on the map
EIGHT of Notre-Dame cathedral’s celebrated bells have just been returned to their bell tower and will sound for the reopening in December.
One of the bells weighs over four tonnes and had been removed along with another seven for repair after the devastating fire wreaked havoc with one of Paris’s most iconic and much-loved buildings in 2019. Thousands of Parisians sobbed uncontrollably as they witnessed their
OLIVIA HUMPHREYS, a University of Limerick graduate, has been named the Irish national winner of the 2024 James Dyson Award for her innovative invention, ‘Athena’.
The device is a portable, thermoelectric scalp-cooling system
beloved Notre-Dame go up in flames in April 2019. Both the cathedral and its bells have been a symbol of Parisianness for almost 700 years.
Now, that the post-fire restoration is almost complete and December 7 has been set for the cathedral’s reopening, the full peel of 20 bells will sound once more. The bells have been cleaned of lead dust from the church’s burning roof and restored at the same foundry that first cast
Credit: Wikipedia
them in Normandy before being returned to Paris.
Re-installation back into the belfry should take place in the next few weeks.
Gabriel, the heaviest of the bells will go up first while the other ‘daintier’, 782kg bells should follow shortly after. There should be 20 bells in all in Notre-Dame including two massive ‘bourdons’, one of which in the south tower, weighs 20 tonnes, and is only rung for major events such as a papal visit.
OSLO has earned a spot on Intrepid’s ‘Not Hot List for 2025’, highlighting lesser-known destinations deserving more visitors.
Once overshadowed by Stockholm and Copenhagen, Oslo is emerging as a vibrant hub for Nordic travel, offering a unique mix of culture, cuisine, and nightlife.
Local expert Lipa Adomaityte from Intrepid encourages visitors to come with “zero expectations” and leave with “stories to tell.”
Adomaityte compares the city’s dynamic atmosphere to “a mini-Berlin,” where museum visits can easily be followed by a house party.
Oslo’s food scene is a major draw, with fresh fish directly from the harbour and many chefs growing ingredients on-site.
Food markets like Mathallen, Oslo Street Food, and Vippa offer social dining experiences, while food trucks cater to more budget-conscious travellers.
The city is also home to some of the best museums in the Nordics.
The National Museum, the largest in the region, features works by international artists like Picasso, van Gogh, and Matisse.
Cancer care
designed to help chemotherapy patients prevent hair loss.
Humphreys received a prize of €5,800 from the
James Dyson Foundation for her work.
Scalp-cooling can reduce hair loss during chemotherapy by cons -
tricting blood vessels in the scalp, limiting the amount of chemotherapy drugs that reach hair follicles.
Oslo might be the hidden gem you need to visit.
Oslo’s nightlife is equally exciting, with bars and clubs that range from cocktail lounges like Summit Bar to themed dance clubs like Mabou, playing everything from 90s hits to modern music.
For those looking to explore Oslo’s natural beauty, Oslo Fjord is an hour and a half south of the city and offers swimming, hiking, and beach picnics during summer, and in the winter, the fjordside saunas offer a warmer swim. Visiting during spring and autumn offers pleasant weather without the crowds, making it the perfect time to explore this underrated destination.
While current hospital-based scalp-cooling machines are effective, they are costly, time-consuming, and not widely available.
Athena aims to address these challenges by offering a more affordable and portable solution.
Athena’s design includes a battery-operated cooling helmet and a carry case, allowing patients to manage the cooling process themselves. The device uses low-cost thermoelectric semiconductors to cool water, which is then circulated through the helmet. Weighing around 3kg, Athena can run for up to three-and-a-half hours on a full charge, enabling patients to use it at home or during their commute to and from the hospital.
Humphreys was inspired to create Athena after witnessing the impact of chemotherapy-induced hair loss on her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer
in 2019.
Observing the limited availability of scalp-cooling machines in the hospital, she saw an opportunity to develop a more accessible and user-friendly solution.
Humphreys is now progressing to the international stage of the James Dyson Award, where she aims to further develop and commercialise Athena.
She has also accepted an internship with Luminate Medical in Galway, a company focused on improving cancer care, to continue refining her invention.
Humphreys’ Athena could revolutionise the market for scalp-cooling devices, providing a cost-effective option for patients who want to take control of their treatment.
The international finalists for the James Dyson Award will be announced in October, with the winners to be revealed in November.
Bells on exhibition in 2013.
Chat-GPT gelato flavours
Letara Draghia AS Milan sizzles in 30°C heat, locals and tourists are ocking to Terra, a gelateria that’s making waves by using arti cial intelligence to craft its unique avours. Gianfranco Sampo, the mastermind behind Terra, has turned to AI, including ChatGPT, to not only create exciting new gelato avours but also reduce waste and streamline production.
Terra’s menu features tantalising combinations like white chocolate with berries, caramelised black pepper, and balsamic vinegar. These AI-generated
creations have already earned Terra the prestigious Gambero Rosso Tri Cone award, often compared to three Michelin stars in the world of gelato. But the innovation goes beyond avour. AI tools predict which avours will be most popular and how much gelato to produce, minimising waste and maximising e ciency. “In cities where space is expensive, reducing stock saves money,” says Sampo. Each batch is tracked via barcodes, ensuring every scoop is accounted for.
Credit:Instagram.
Worst station
Saltedhazelnutwith proseccosautéedpeaches.
Sampo’s ambitions don’t stop in Milan. He plans to expand to Rome this October and aims to open a store in New York by 2025, tailoring avours to local tastes. Vegan options are also gaining traction, with standouts like hazelnut gelato with caramelised peach, made with oat milk.
Apple to pay €13 billion
APPLE has been ordered to pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland, following a decisive ruling from the EU Court of Justice. The court upheld the European Commission’s argument that the tech giant benefited from unlawful state aid through Ireland’s exceptionally low tax rates, sometimes as low as 0.005 per cent.
This ruling is a significant victory for the Commission’s efforts to curb corporate tax avoidance, especially by multinational companies. EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who led the charge, has targeted several large firms with similar tax arrangements. Vestager, dubbed the ‘tax lady’ by former US President Donald Trump, has focused on ensuring fair competition within the bloc.
Apple’s tax deal with Ireland has been under scrutiny for years, with the Commission arguing that the arrangement gave Apple an unfair advantage. The ruling overturns a previous decision by the EU’s General Court, cementing the need for Apple to repay the full €13 billion, plus interest.
Apple expressed disappointment, insisting it has always paid the taxes it owes and accused the Commission of trying to retroactively change the rules.
This case marks a major win for Vestager, signalling Europe’s growing crackdown on corporate tax practices, and may prompt further scrutiny of similar arrangements across the continent.
Anna Akopyan BELGIUM’S getaway to Europe has become rampant with crime, claimed the ‘worst’ station in Europe. Reports revealed that about 3,500 crimes had been committed at Midi each year between 2018 and 2022; most commonly theft, extortion, and drug-related offences.
Improvements are needed.
An employee at a confectionery store inside Brussels Midi confessed; “It’s the worst place I’ve ever. I have been all over Europe and this is the worst station.”
The confectionery store employee shared with the Press the incident in June this year when he heard gunfire and people screaming as he was preparing to shut his store around 1.30am. He ran into the street to find four people shot outside of Cafe Taverne Astoria, located in the street behind his restaurant. Two died and
two were seriously injured. “It was shocking but not surprising,” said the employee. Located at the intersection of three municipalities, Saint-Gilles, Anderlecht, and the city of Brussels, the administration of the area necessitates coordination among the three, which has become a struggle; “This distribution of responsibilities might make addressing the issues challenging,” said criminology professor Vandeviver, adding that “nobody feels responsible.”
According to Vandeviver, an effective measure to lower crime at Belgium’s station would be to reinforce the police presence during the hours when crimes are most likely to happen but even that can’t guarantee an improvement due to the declining reputation of this European station.
Credit: Huy Phan, Pexels
INTERVIEW
Speaking EuropeanKim Metzen
“Go with the flow and you’ll become happier,” believes Kim, who moved to Valencia as a digital nomad, exalted by the Spanish lifestyle.
BORN in Germany and ha ving lived in the Nether lands, Kim’s reality used to be “running from one appointment to another,” living a life of speed and stress. After embarking on a trip through Mexico, onto more Latin American countries, and eventually Spain, Kim fell in love with the warm weather and hospitable communities she had come across. “For me, Spain was the European equivalent of Latin America,” said Kim, sharing that her love for the culture extends to the Spanish language, in which she is almost fluent, as well as her passion for salsa and bachata.
while enjoying Spain as if on a holiday at the same time. Kim works as a psychologist and a mental health worker for employed people, often assisting people through career changes, and ardently embraces change herself.
“Valencia is perfect for digital nomads; it’s easy to stay motivated here because so many people are working remotely and are staying connected to each other at the same time.”
Don’t feed the ducks
FOR many, one of their earliest childhood memories is the simple pleasure of feeding the ducks at a local pond or river, but alas this is now frowned upon.
In today’s modern world, environmentalists in the city of Bremerhaven in Germany have expressed their opposition to what used to be considered a harmless pastime.
Working remotely can be awfully isolating but in Valencia, Kim has the advantage of ‘flexibility and freedom’, of work,
The ‘strong value of community’ in Spain has been one of the top reasons for Kim’s decision to move and she feels ever so grateful for now entering a life of “spontaneity, community and celebration.”
In an interview with Radio Bremen, Bernd Quellmalz, from the BUND Bremen environmental association explained his thinking “Every time a duck is fed, many birds come together. There is a risk that pathogens are transmitted much more easily than if the birds were to search in their natural environment.”
In other words, if wild ducks flock together in order to take advantage of a free meal, then they become more vulnera -
ble to the transmission of diseases such as bird flu and although not a major risk, some humans could catch the flu or other diseases from the ducks.
Then to add to the problem is the fact that if the bread is not ‘hoovered’ up by the masses of hungry ducks, it can sink to the bottom of a pond or lake, become mouldy, rot and reduce the available oxygen in the water which could
harm fish.
Currently, if an individual feeds pigeons or seagulls in the harbour city of Bremerhaven, they can be fined €2,500 but at the moment, there is no penalty for feeding the ducks, although legislation is before the Bremen Council to make feeding ducks an offence.
Has the world gone completely quackers or will this be a lame duck regulation?
Cordoba - Steeped in history!
CORDOBA’S a historical rollercoaster! Founded by the Carthaginians, it thrived under Rome. Well, except of course for the minor problem of the massacre of 20,000 locals by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE for bailing out Pompey’s sons. Oops! Luckily, things bucked up under Emperor Augustus who made Cordoba a capital.
Fast forward to 711: the Muslims arrived. After some dust-ups, ‘Abd al-Rahmān I took charge in 756, making Cordoba his capital and starting the Great Mosque.
Cordoba boomed under Muslim rule. By 1000, it was Europe’s biggest, arguably most cultured city, with 100,000 residents. Imagine palaces and mosques everywhere. And Cordoba’s crafts (silks, brocades, leatherwork, jewellery) the envy of all.
Civil war wasn’t kind. The caliphate crumbled in the 11th century, Cordoba becoming a battleground for minor Muslim kingdoms. Finally, in 1236, the Castilian King Ferdinand III took control and Cordoba became part of Christian Spain.
Cordoba remained a Christian military base in the frontier warfare against the Muslim kingdom of Granada but slowly declined. Granada’s fall in 1492 sealed the deal.
Today’s Cordoba retains its Moorish charm. Explore the winding streets and Jewish quarter. Cross the river on the Roman Bridge with 16 arches, guarded by the Calahorra fortress. Don’t miss the historical buildings and the Insta-friendly Great Mosque with its two-tiered arches. Cordoba’s past is as rich as its treasures - a must-see!
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.
Kim Metzen.
One youngster enjoys feeding the ducks.
Village wonders
BREATHTAKING views, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine; there are countless advantages to living in Spain, and all of them can be experienced for a ordable prices. These are the top three villages in Spain to move to when seeking a paradisial escape.
La Cala de Mijas
Former shing village, La Cala de Mijas has become an ‘ideal’ spot for those “seeking a relaxed pace of life while still having everything they need on hand,” said Marc Pritchard from Taylor Wimpey España.
For a life lled with joy and community under the Spanish sun, property can be purchased for an average price of €290,000.
Moraira
Located in Costa Blanca, Moraira is a gorgeous gem for foreign residents. “Moraira
exudes a unique blend of coastal charm and Mediterranean appeal,” said Angela Philips from Select Villas of Moraira. “It has evolved into a vibrant mix of traditional Spanish charm and modern amenities.”
With an average price of €400,000, Moraira is one of the top places in Spain for a life of balance and beauty.
Playa Blanca
Located on one of the Canary Islands, the Playa Blanca is an unforgettable location, which seems too good to live in, with volcanic landscapes and warm weather allyear-round.
“It’s a place rich with unique attractions like the Montaña Roja volcano, and the nearby Timanfaya National Park, famed for their breathtaking volcanic landscapes.” The average price for property in Lanzarote is €400,000.
Luggage limits
HERE’S what you need to avoid getting a fine on European trains
Passengers travelling on the high-speed TGV InOui services and the Intercités lines will be limited to two large pieces of luggage per person and fined €50 if failing to adhere to the limits. The two large pieces of luggage can be up to 70cm x 90cm x 50cm and include one smaller piece of up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. Items including a pushchair, a musical instrument, or sports equipment do not count towards the luggage allowance.
For passengers of Eurostar trains, two pieces of luggage and one handbag are allowed, without weight limits.
Travellers using Spain’s RENFE train services can carry up to three pieces of hand luggage, provided that the overall sum doesn’t exceed 25kg or 290cm. The maximum dimensions permitted are 85cm x 55cm x 35cm.
An important message
MARBELLA MOMENTS
BY
I USED to be on the other side of journalism, contacting the press, TV, radio, anyone who would listen, desperate to inform everyone about something that was so revolutionary and so important that I was convinced they would all jump at the chance to write about it.
Unfortunately, as it turns out, everyone has something to say, everyone thinks what they do is the best and it became quite a heart-wrenching task.
I remember one day appealing to a reporter at El Pais newspaper and to prove my point of how newsworthy my topic was, I told her that it had already been written about in El Mundo. Her reply was “well there you go, you’ve already got your news out” and she never took another call from me. This was a very important lesson and one I would like to share with you.
Now, on the other side of the fence, I completely understand where she was coming from. She has her own brain and her ability to assess information and decide whether it is worthy or suitable for
For both lines, baby seats and pushchairs must be folded away, musical instruments should be carried in their case and cannot exceed 30cm x 120cm x 38cm. Bicycles and scooters must be folded inside a carrying case
or bag and are still considered hand luggage. Passengers of Avio trains are limited to one piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 36cm x 27cm x 25cm, without weight limits. One cabin bag is also allowed, with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 35cm x 25cm, and no weight limit.
her publication; me telling her that it’s important because another publication had said so is probably the most counter-productive thing I could have done, and now people do it to me all the time. Another tip to help to get yourself heard is to be up-to-date on what the person you’re writing to is doing, it’s not helpful in my case to say ‘if you’re still doing television can you interview me’ and spelling someone’s name correctly is also highly advisable. Small details but very much an important part of the message we’re sending,
Nicole’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
NICOLE KING
Credit: Jorge Franganillo, Flickr
Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.
Credit: veerasak Piyawatanakul, Pexels
Luggage regulations on European trains.
Elizabeth I letter Great-nana’s Ibizan adventure
ON December 30, 1578, Queen Elizabeth I wrote a letter in French to Jan van Hembyze, an alderman and leader of the Calvinist Republic of Ghent.
It is understood that the letter was hand delivered by the Anglo-Flemish envoy and spy Daniel Rogers some time in 1579.
In the letter, Elizabeth, a Protestant Queen praises Hembyze’s enlightened statesmanship and love of justice in order to secure a fair trial for the imprisoned Catholics who had been captured following an attempted coup d’état in the city in October 1577.
An interesting footnote to show that at one time she was committed to religious tolerance although that tolerance became less noticeable as she got older and was the target of attacks from Catholics across Europe.
How the letter ever left Ghent is unknown, but it is now being offered for sale at an upcoming sale being conducted by Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull with an estimate of £14,000 to £18,000
Having discovered that letter is for sale, the Ghent Council believes that it should rightly belong in the City Archives and 62-year-old Alderman,
Filip Watteeuw told VRT News “The letter was addressed to the city and has also been delivered. That means it belongs in our archives.”
Having demanded the withdrawal of the letter from the auction, the council will need to establish when and how it disappeared from the city with little time to spare.
Letara Draghia MARGARET DILLON, an 86-yearold great-grandmother from Middlesbrough, is proving that age is just a number as she lives it up in Ibiza’s party hotspots. Known as ‘Nana Dillon’, Margaret recently travelled to the sunny island for the vow renewal of her granddaughter, Zoe Ferguson, and her husband, Mark.
But this trip isn’t all family time. Nana Dillon has been soaking up the Ibiza nightlife, even partying with internet celebrity Wayne Lineker at his famous O Beach club. “I am having a lovely time,” Margaret told Teesside Live. “I’ve never been to Ibiza before. You have to make the most of it, don’t you?”
Since Wayne Lineker shared a picture of the two on Instagram, Nana Dillon has become a viral sensation, racking up over 16,000 likes. She’s also planning more adventures, with visits to the island’s iconic
Café Mambo and even a daring bungee jump on her todo list.
Margaret’s story resonates with many who have spent years working and caring for others. Her bold embrace of life is a heartwarming reminder that it’s never too late to enjoy new experiences. “It’s my time to let my hair down,” she says. For those contemplating their next adventure, Nana Dillon is living proof that you’re never too old to dance, laugh, and savour every moment.
The letter signed by Elizabeth I.
Credit: Lyon & Turnbull
Credit: Instagram.
Wayne Lineker with Margaret Dillon.
You couldn’t make it up
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT
IN my opinion the Chinese are the most dangerous race on the planet. Subjects, who live under the iron boot of communism, are like ants or bees following the orders of the Queen. On their own they are weak and vulnerable. Working together for a common cause, they are virtually unstoppable.
Over the years, this ancient race of people, with their inscrutable and patient leaders has slowly but surely managed to infiltrate the West, with far more success and subtlety than the jihadi terrorists who have impregnated our society. From the innocuous Chinese restaurants and emporiums of cheap goods to the high financiers of Wall Street and the City of London they are everywhere.
Most of their companies in the West are state owned enterprises, including the multi supply stores, whose staff are trained in China and schooled in the language of whatever country they are designated to take up their employment. These stores are only allowed
to buy their stock from China and are totally autonomous. By selling a complete cross section of cheap goods, their purpose is to undermine and disrupt local businesses. Beijing clamped down hard on Hong Kong and subsequently announced that they are instructing schools to teach children from the age of six that they must always show allegiance to the state. The severe punishments that can ensue should they not follow the rules, is blatant brainwashing and of course ensures that future generations will not be as westernised and unmanageable as the young people of Hong Kong had become.
Their technology, particularly in the cyber world, is second to none, and the Chinese Communist parties, who lie with monotonous predictability were almost certainly the source of a number of huge cyber-attacks on the West. They are a nuclear power and can send rockets into space.
Whether intentionally or accidently, China was undoubtedly responsible for the Covid pandemic that severely damaged a multitude of economies and spread fear all over the planet. They are too astute to be actual warmongers, but I do believe in the not too distant futu-
re they will begin to flex their military muscles and endeavour to ‘take back’ Taiwan.
Whatever the future holds I think China is the biggest threat to western democracy the world has ever seen. Can they be stopped? Somehow I doubt it, there are after all 1.4 billion of them! If they join forces with Putin’s Mafia, I think we can stick our heads between our legs and bid adieu to our posteriors. Ah well, ain’t life grand?
I’m actually at the moment almost mesmerised by the American Presidential race. On one hand you have Harris with that gaping mouth look of astonishment whenever she faces an audience and on the other Trump with a new blonde hairstyle sporting an undoubtedly expensive makeover. Harris wants to let in all the immigrants and give them the deposit for a new house and Trump is trying to convince the public that those already in the country are eating people’s dogs and cats. You really couldn’t make it up.
Always 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.
Easy battle
EASYJET lost a legal trademark battle against a fundraising website in the UK, after arguing the Easyfundraising company’s name could cause poor reputation for easyJet.
EasyGroup has claimed that when the Easyfundraising company from the UK was launched in 2005, and when they set up the easysearch brand in 2007, easyJet’s trademarks were infringed and the company’s reputation was put at risk.
“Essentially, this was a trademark case over the use of the word ‘easy’ in our name, even though Easyfundraising has existed for nearly 20 years,” said Easyfundraising’s chief executive James Moir. Based in Lichfield, the company focuses on helping charities make money for good causes.
Justice Fancourt, who conducted the high court ruling, said “there is no identity or similarity of services provided by Easyfundraising and the services specified, the claimant’s claim of infringement as at 2005 and 2007 must fail.”
He added; “the number of retailers that advertise with Easyfundraising and have done so for years, including Marks & Spencer and John Lewis, demonstrate that retailers do not share the claimant’s view that Easyfundraising has a poor reputation.”
easyJet plane.
Wine season
WINEDERLUST Malaga, have returned after the summer hiatus, and are back with the first of their renowned wine tasting events on Saturday, September 21. For wine enthusiasts, Linda and Phoebe, the events they organise are not only about the wines they select, but also the location and the company. On this occasion, they have chosen Villa Antumalal in Malaga, overlooking Caleta beach and the Mediterranean.
In their three years of organising wine tastings there are certain bodegas that they often return to, especially when they release new wines. At this tasting partici-
OVER 50 truly vintage vehicles, some of which are 100 years old, will be touring Marbella and San Pedro over the weekend of Thursday September 19 to Saturday September 21.
The Marbella City Vintage Vehicle Exhibition, which is now in its 12th year, will feature cars brought down especially from different parts of Spain, some as far as the Basque Country and Galicia. Fans of vintage cars and classic automotive design will be able to enjoy the cars on Thursday, from 6pm at the Hotel Paloma Blanca in the Cortijo Blanco, where all the cars will be on display for fans to see.
On Friday, September 20 the vehicles will set out in the morning on a route to Manilva,
pants can expect to try delicious new wines from all time favourite wineries. There promises to be six wines with a white, a rosé and a little fizz. To accompany the drinks, they offer three new cheeses and guarantee stories and a laugh.
Winederlust tasting events are also about like-minded people gatherings that are as enjoyable as they are informative. Winederlust’s escapades offer exceptional taste, fun, customer service, and value for money.
This event costs €45 per person. Bookings can be made on their website, winederlustmalaga.com
Historic motoring
Gaucín, and Jimena de la Frontera, ending in the port of Sotogrande. In the evening, from 8.30pm, they go on a tour of the streets of San Pedro, concluding at 8.45pm with a presentation on San Pedro Boulevard, where the cars will stay in show all night while music concerts take place.
continues on Sa
with a visit to Estepona in the morning at 9.30am and a second tour of San Pedro, Puerto Banus and Marbella by around 1pm. From 1.30pm to 6pm, vehicles will remain on Marbella promenade, next to the El Fuerte hotel.
Laughter in the Live Lounge Comedy Event hits La Sala Puerto Banus
LA SALA Puerto Banus is thrilled to present Laughter in the Live Lounge on Wednesday, September 25. For the first time, Stand-Up Comedy Spain will take the stage, promising an evening filled with laughter, good vibes, and top-notch entertainment.
The event features a stellar lineup guaranteed to keep the audience in stitches all night. Performing on stage will be Stephen Grant, one of the UK’s sharpest comedians known for his quick wit and hilarious stories, Joe Eagan, a Canadian comic who masters observational humour, and Nik Coppin, a high-energy performer renowned for his rapid-fire jokes.
Guests should arrive between 7pm and 7.30pm to dine from the international A La Carte menu before the show commences
at 9pm. For those not dining, high tables are available for drinks and a great view of the comedy. Tickets to watch the show are priced at just €18 per person. Seats are limited, so booking in advance is recommended.
Right in the heart of Puerto Banus, La Sala Puerto Banus is the spot to be for anyone looking for a mix of amazing food, lively entertainment, and an unbeatable vibe. With so much to offer, La Sala makes sure every visit is one to remember, leaving guests eager to come back for more!
To book your spot for the best comedy night in Marbella contact La Sala at: reservations@LaSalaBanus.com, call 952 814 145. or book online.
We are a family-run business using quality products, and we love our job.
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.
Phone: 952 888 077
Phone: 670 604 392
C/ 11, s/n (Urbanizaci ón Guadalmina Ba ja) 29678 Marbella Málaga
www. elcor tijod eramiro. es
House on the Beach
THE What The House crew is back at El Charcón club on the beach in Mijas Costa for their summer closing party with DJs Stuart Patterson and Tito Pulpo.
Stuart Patterson is a dance music phenomenon with more than 30 highly respected years in Dance music. He has collaborated on music projects with Paul Weller, Carl Cox, Roisin Murphy, Gilles Peterson, Eryka Badu, and scores more, as well as playing all over the World at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals.
Alongside Patterson will be Marbella regular Tito Pulpo, who started out on the London club scene, a place that exposed him to the rich multicultural elements of
reggae, soul, and gospel. Eventually, he brought his unique House sound to Marbella, where he started up his own radio show ‘The Gospel According to Tito’ and quickly established himself as one of the most beloved DJs in town.
The two DJs come together for this very special End of Summer party with a limited capacity for guests at El Charcón on the beach in Mijas Costa on Saturday, September 21 from 2pm to midnight. Early arrivers will be able to grab a beach bed or just dance all day outside on the beach. There’s an on-site restaurant, and the drinks are not Marbella club prices. Tickets are available in advance from ra.co/events and are just €8 plus €1 booking fee.
Classic cars
TORREMOLINOS
is warming up the engines running for the classic car meet and tour along Carihuela promenade.
This will be the 29th meeting of this, the ‘Amigos de los Clásicos’ car festival, with an exhibition of over 100 classic cars over 35 years old with a slow parade around the streets of the Costa del Sol town.
The iconic motors on show will be paraded along the promenade, along Calle San Miguel, and through the streets of Torremolinos. Other road users take note, because many streets in the town will be closed off to traffic not participating in the event.
The Amigos de los Clásicos event begins
morning of Saturday, September 21 at 9.30am in the Plaza Blas Infante from where they depart at around 10.45. It will continue along Calle Rafael Quintana Rosado, past the old fire station, along the ring road towards Malaga, Avenida la Riviera, towards El Bajondillo beach, and eventually finishing up at La Cañada restaurant.
As every year, this classic car meet will be
a day of fun for lovers of vintage cars and prizes for the best. Classic car owners can register for €50 the day before on Friday 20 at the Cañada restaurant or on the morning of the event. The registration pack includes a commemorative polo shirt, breakfast and lunch, as well as some snacks along the way.
on the
Stuart Patterson.
Credit: Stuart Patterson, Facebook
Over 100 classics will fill the streets.
Credit: topseller - Shutterstock
Wellness Capital
MARBELLA is celebrating
‘World Wellness Weekend’ with 2,000 free activities, including fitness areas, yoga, a craft market, and children’s games.
This will be the fourth year Marbella Council has been involved in organising the event, which has been growing year on year. Between Friday, September 20 and Sunday, 22 from morning until the evening, the terraces of the harbour in Virgen del Carmen,
Marbella, will be full of activities and ideas for enhancing one’s well-being. Almost 450 professionals have been invited to participate in the event, including specialists in sports exercises, music, dance, and more. From the council’s point of view, this is an ideal opportunity to promote Marbella as a world leader in wellness holidays. The event will also showcase talks, massages, workshops, and craft stalls and will be full of healthy options at food and drinks stalls run by the charity CADI
Marbella, who will be raising funds for their work. CADI (Association for Attention to Child Diversity), is a non-profit organisation that helps children and young people who need physical, neurological, and intellectual rehabilitation beyond regular health care. The online travel platform Travellyze earlier this year identified the Costa del Sol as being in the top three of destinations for wellness tourism among northern European citizens. With an expected 8,000 participants, organisers are predicting this will be the biggest wellness event in the world.
Custom bikes
GAS & DUST 2024, is a biker festival with 15 custom motorcycle exhibitions, talks, food trucks and live music at the new Cortijo La Organic between Ronda and Ardales. The motorcycle-focused gathering that brings together manufacturers, custom motorcycle builders, and motorcycle fans on September 21 and 22, making Ronda the heart of the country’s motorcycle community.
Apart from the motorcycle displays, Gas & Dust will provide a wide range of events catering to all types of visitors, including photography exhibits, talks by prominent motorcyclists, documentaries, displays of old-school motorcycles, and guided tours throughout the
region.
Some of the best motorcycle customisers will be present at the festival, which is anticipated to draw 5,000 to 7,000 people, to showcase their most recent works and provide spectators with an exclusive look into motorcycle customisation. Prominent brands like Greasy, Bobber, Old Custom Flames, Pepo XTR, Chopperrrs, among others.
There will also be photography exhibitions by Japanese photographer and Daniel Alea as well as live performances from Branquias Johnson, Oddballs, Natura, and DJ sets.
The festival is on for two days from 11am on Saturday, September 21 until 11pm, and on the Sunday 22 from 11am to 6pm on the road to Ardales, just outside of Ronda at Cortijo La Organic. Tickets are available from universe.com and cost €16 for one day or €26 for the two days.
Chocolicious
THERE is an irresistibly tasty workshop on for all the family at the Mayan Monkey in Mijas.
The session begins by learning to create a lush chocolate shell. Once the shell is hard enough, there is a choice from a selection of delicious chocolate ganaches and caramelised white chocolate creme and learning how to pipe the centre full of delicious, creamy chocolatey goodness.
While your bonbons are setting, newbie chocolatiers set about designing, moulding and decorating three delicious ‘Deco Bars’. In addition to the chocolate, there are 54 different ingredients with which to decorate the bars, including pistachios, almonds, aloe vera, banana chips, salted corn, papaya, essential oils, matcha tea, and more.
The delicious works-
hop of around 30 minutes finishes by having a relaxing coffee, and perhaps even one of Mayan Monkey’s award-winning ice creams, while you wait for the chocolate to set and be packaged.
Each person gets to take home the chocolates they make, in addition to a reusable chocolate mould. Three Deco Bars - six soft-centre bonbons with a mini-
mum weight of 450g.
Minimum of two people are required and if there are any children under the age of 12 it requires a ticket holding adult, who will also have a great time, to accompany the kids.
The price per person is €35 for two, and €29.95 per person for three. The Mayan Monkey chocolate factory can be found in Plaza Virgen de la Peña in Mijas Pueblo.
Hector Quintana
CURRENTLY, Hector Quintana is regarded as Cuba’s greatest guitarist and is said to be one of the most sought-after players in the Latin jazz scene.
Playing the Clarence Jazz Club, Saturday, September 21, Latin Experience is a superb quintet featuring Ernesto Hermida, a bassist of remarkable consistency and inventiveness who possesses a strong, instantly recognisable Cuban rhythm. The band also includes one of the best-known tenor saxophonists in Cuba, Ariel Bringuez, who is valued for both his inventiveness, spontaneity, and mastery of technique. Talavera de la Reina native Rodrigo Ballesteros offers his solidity as a young percussionist with tremendous projection.
Cuban-born guitarist, composer, arranger, and music teacher, Hector Quintana, holds a degree from the Instituto Superior de Arte de Cuba. After
learning classical guitar, he switched to studying Jazz and Cuban popular music in 2009. He subsequently started to participate actively in local Jazz festivals and clubs.
His goal has been to adapt this quartet’s traditional configuration to more Latin rhythms and styles while maintaining a constant Jazz, Funk, and Blues influence. Numerous musicians, including Horacio el Negro, Mark Whitfield, and, Al Jarreau, have collaborated with Quintana on recordings or shared the stage with him.
The Hector Quintana Latin Experience play The Clarence Jazz Club on Saturday, September 21 at 10pm. Ticket prices are between €20 and €25, depending on seats. Bookings can be made from the Clarence website or from the venue box office Calle Danza Invisible, 8, Torremolinos.
Well-being Weekend
FRIDAY, September 20 begins World Well-being Weekend, and Fuengirola is planning to celebrate with Yoga and Tai Chi.
Happening in Plaza Pedro Cuevas, in the heart of Boliches, from 10am until 9pm, the square will be full of activities everyone can get involved in for free.
Luna women’s group and Infancia Solidaria.
Yoga, massages, Tai Chi, mindfulness, and talks from psychologists are just some of the activities taking place. There will also be sporting activities all played for fun and aimed at pro-
moting coexistence and socialising and workshops, physical training, mindfulness, and neurogymnastics.
The Fuengirola Wellness Weekend is organised in conjunction with collaboration between two charitable associations, the Casa
The Casa Luna association, helps women in need financially, physically and emotionally, while the Infancia Solidaria association helps children with complicated illnesses in thirdworld countries.
Credit: mayanmonkey.es
Diabetes awareness
Adam Woodward
AS many in La Cala de Mijas community know, Mijas La Cala Lions are preparing for their sixth World Diabetes Awareness Sponsored Walk and Winter Market on November 3.
While they apprecia te everyone’s support so far, they would be immensely grateful if you could help again this year.
Throughout the year donations have helped them to help others: Their Young Children with Diabetes and their parents continue to receive good advice and guidance; their amputee has been receiving physio and care for several months and now awaits his prothesis, which they hope will be available to him this year; their regular meetings with medical assistance help other diabetics
share their problems with like-minded people in similar circumstances; their nurses make random glucose checks twice every month in key shopping areas and generally their 24/7 helpline is available to anybody anywhere.
Please do let them know at annediabe tics@gmail.com if, and how you think you may
be able to help them. Any amount is greatly appreciated and they will be happy to share your publicity at their events. Maybe you would like to be sponsored in the walk or perhaps sponsor someone to walk for you? Sponsor forms will be available at the Lions Charity Shop from the second half of September, as well as at the Solidarity Market outside the town hall in La Cala.
Biker rally Biker rally
Adam Woodward
OVER 300 bikers have already signed up for what looks like it will be the biggest motorcycle rally in the Malaga Province this year.
Organised by the Guardia Civil and taking off from Alhaurin de la Torre on Sunday, September 22, the ‘third Biker Route of the Guardia Civil’ is a charity event raising funds for the cancer support charity AECC. The rally follows a
twisty route through the Sierra de las Nieves, starting out at 10am from Parque de los Patos in Alhaurin de la Torre and back again. On return, there will be live music, food stalls, raffles, an exhibition of bikes, and riding competitions.
Registration can be made online at dorsal chip.es as a biker or passenger for €15 and that will entitle participants for a commemorative t-shirt. There
are places for up to 350 bikes in all, and official bibs for the event are selling like hot cakes. T-shirts and rider bibs can be collected post-purchase on the day of the event from 8am to 9.30am.
Alternatively, fans of motorcycles and noise need not take part in the rally and just visit for free the Parque de los Patos for a great daytime party with the motorcycle community.
Raising funds for diabetes sufferers.
Photo: Lions
Cala Love Story
Adam Woodward
KAREN and Mike found love in a whirlwind romance that took them to Las Vegas, New York and back to their community in La Cala de Mijas.
Mike Griffiths, a retired distribution manager from London, and Karen Fox, an ex resort director, met at a U3A yoga class in La Cala. And having so much in common, they hit it off right away and eventually found love. They both enjoy yoga as well as Mike’s U3A walking group, which meets a couple of times a month. According to their friends, since they’ve been together, they’ve never stopped smiling. Those who know them both speak of them as being just genuinely nice people who give their time generously to the community.
Recently, they decided to tie the knot in Las Vegas. Understandably, only a few very close friends
and family were able to join them at their wedding, so upon their return, they set about planning a big party for everyone who couldn’t be at the ceremony, and Saturday, September 7, a great time was had by 80 invited guests.
Karen and Mike insis-
ted they didn’t want any wedding gifts but asked that their guests donate to the Alzheimer’s arm of the Lions Club based in La Cala de Mijas. An impressive €687 was dropped into the collection box that afternoon, and the couple later presented the donation at the Lions shop.
Funny
THERE’S a stand-up comedy mini tour in English stopping in Mijas on Tuesday, September 24 with some top class comics and Edinburgh Fringe veterans.
The Cazbah Lounge in La Cala de Mijas is hosting a Stand-Up Comedy Spain night. Stand-up comedy teacher and creator of the stand up comedy classes at Louie Louie, from where local favourite Lucy Amans hails, is MCing the evening.
A double headline featuring the multi-award-winning Stephen Grant is top of the billing.
A regular at the famed Comedy Store in London’s Leicester Square, as well as Mock the Week, Live at the Electric, and Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show.
Canadian comedian Joe Eagan is back on the Costa del Sol again with a maple syrup mix of observational humour that you won’t forget. A hilarious comedian who mixes traditional straightforward stand up with slideshows and images, it’s well worth seeing this performance by a Canadian totally lost in Europe. Then there’s upcoming local talent Nick Tarlton
Ha ha
who began cutting his comedy teeth on open mics in Estepona and Marbella.
Tickets are on sale through event brite.com. The show is on Tuesday, September 24 at 8.30pm at the Cazbah Live Lounge. Tickets cost €20. Two nights later, on Thursday, September 26, if you missed the Mijas gig, they are doing it again at Louie Louie in Estepona, and more dates later in Marbella.
Credit: Alan Boardman
Credit: joestandup.com
OVER 500 athletes are already registered to take part in the ‘Unbroken’ obstacle race in Fuengirola on Saturday, September 21.
Almost all the registrations have been taken, but there will still be around 20 bibs saved for early arrivers on the day of the competition. The winners will pass on to the next round of the World Championships.
Participants will have to overcome obstacles on a 12-kilometre natural route, with some 40 obstacles, between Fuengirola’s Sohail Castle and the Mijas Hippodrome.
The national event, which
Unbreakable
is in its 30th year, is being held for the first time in Andalucia, and Fuengirola is, together with the neighbouring town of Mijas, the chosen site for this year’s contest.
The Unbroken race has been gaining popularity in recent years and is likely to attract all types of public and sports people, as the event is open to both elite and amateur athletes.
Among the more than 500 runners who have already registered are representatives from all over Spain and from se-
veral other countries.
For the lesser than ‘elite’ categories, competitors will be penalised with 10 burpees for every obstacle they fail to climb over. Obstacles include ropes, nets, walls, monkey bars, hoops, weights, and water jumps.
For both competitors and spectators, Unbroken should be a spectacular show of might, fitness, and pure exhaustion. The races begin at 9am on Saturday, September 21 at Sohail Castle in Fuengirola.
Free Chinese classes
THERE are opportunities in Benalmadena to benefit from the new influx of Chinese business and tourism in 2025 by learning Chinese for free.
With massive business deals currently being struck at the moment between the Junta de Andalucia and Chinese authorities, including a huge plant to produce green hydrogen energy in Malaga and new direct flights between China and Malaga to bring 50,000 Chinese tourists a year, the future employment opportunities are there for the taking.
Arroyo del Miel.
Named ‘Descubre Chino’. The workshops, which started on September 14, from 10am to 12pm, are aimed at adults with no previous experience in the Chinese language.
The edge candidates will no doubt need to score employment will be some sort of knowledge of the Chinese language and culture. For that reason, Benalmadena Council are offering free Chinese classes.
The Costa del Sol town, already twinned with the Chinese city of Dongying, is offering its new free courses at the Innova centre in
Attendees will learn basic Chinese conversation, an introduction to the grammar and writing, Chinese culture and traditions, and special workshops on Chinese for business as well as fun cultural activities such as cooking and calligraphy.
For more information and to register, the email address clases chinobenalmadena@gmail.com is also available.
Currencies, compassion and a Simply Thriving community
SIMPLY THRIVING, the popular Costa del Sol social group run by Val Williams, celebrated their Late Summer Party at Miraflores Golf Club on Sunday, September 15, with outstanding success. The solidarity of the Costa del Sol community was demonstrated to be stronger than ever with the sell-out gala event filling all 160 of its seats and surpassing its fundraising target for AFA, the Alzheimer’s support charity.
Funny guy, singer, and compere for the evening, Nathan Dean, ensured all the kitchen and waiting staff received a round of applause before the proceedings began, and as the event was in aid of those suffering Alzheimer’s and dementia, he opened the night with a couple of carefully selected songs paying homage to those who care for loved ones with the disease.
The Euro Weekly News caught up with Emilio Mogollón from AFA Fuengirola y Mijas, who told us about their work helping 110 sufferers of Alzheimer’s and dementia and their families. He explained how their work cannot cure this devastating disease, but through early diagnosis and brain-stimulating exercises, it was possible to ‘put the brakes on’ its advancing. He also praised the generosity of Simply Thriving, telling us how they relied a great deal on kindhearted members of the community, such as Val Williams of Simply Thriving, to raise funds and support.
Meanwhile, Nathan Dean had handed the mic to Brian Piccolo for some of his signatu re classic songs, followed by young songstress Emma Prothero, who wowed diners with her angelic voice as she covered classic Elton John and Lady Gaga songs. Val Williams, creator and coordinator of the Simply Thriving Group, gave the Euro Weekly News some of her time to talk about her almost 40 years living in Mijas and the importance of standing together and supporting one another. There were many in the area, she told us, who have lost their spouses and need groups like this to receive the affection, company, and support of others. Some, she said, were also in economic straits in which they could now no longer afford to return to their home countries, and the feeling of community helped them through hard times.
After a rousing performance by singer Melissa Carver, Brian Piccolo took to the stage once more to announce the evening had been a resounding success and that they had reached their target of €4,500. Michel Euesden, CEO of Euro Weekly News, then presented a cheque for €1,000 generously donated by national money transfer company, Currencies Direct, raising the total to €5,500 which was an outstanding achievement.
On Monday morning the Euro Weekly newsdesk received a donation of €500 from an anonymous benefactor on the coast, with additional local residents bringing the final total to €6,000.
Congratulations to the community of the Costa del Sol, where you are guaranteed to never walk alone.
Even in your darkest moments… The Costa of community and compassion.
THE weird and wonderful world of Artsenal Inoxis art gallery and workshop reopened its doors this September for lovers of art, music, socialising and all things creative.
To celebrate, Saturday, September 7 saw the inauguration of their eagerly-awaited Autumn 2024 Exhibition with a host of artists exhibiting their wide-ranging styles, skills and imaginations.
Marbella painter, Alonso Flores, freshly returning from his New York show, will be showing some of his latest works. There
Autumn art, Alhaurin
Simply Thriving
A HUGE thank you to everyone for making the Gala Dinner evening so successful and for raising €5,400 for the Alzheimer’s association. Michel and Steven and all the staff of Euro Weekly Newspaper supported us every week in the newspaper, came along to the event, gave us all chocolates and a hamper which was auctioned. We are so grateful to them and all the businesses that gave us a raffle prize, all the donations and €1,000 from Currencies Direct, and a bag for everyone from Ibex. Thank you also to Amanda, Sonia, Jaqui and her friend who sold all those raffle tickets.
Ludo and staff looked after us so well and reduced the price from €40 to €30 which allowed us to give €10 per person to the association.
´Thank you also to Nathan, it was his idea, Brian who worked tirelessly throughout the campaign, Emma Prothero and Melissa. Thank you to Jo and her helpers and to Lynn from Euro Weekly who came in early to help us prepare. So so happy at the outcome, thank you everyone. Val Williams x
will be ‘Ghost Trees’ based on the theme of rebirth after the fire (a reference to the Sierra de Mijas fires), by Alhaurin-based photographer Suzy Corby. From Alora, the hype-
rrealist Natalia Haupt; the ink on metal plate creations of Julia Holtmann; a mural formed of 40 pieces by Aline Bay Flecchia; fully whimsical paintings and drawings by Entegux and Antonio Hernandez’s bronze sculptures.
The exhibition is on until November 22 at Artsenal Inoxis art gallery, Camino de la Reina 3, Alhaurin el
COSTA FOOD TOURS
IT’S well-known that Spanish cuisine has been influenced by many civilisations, but no more so than The Moors, who introduced spices to Spain in the first century AD.
Over 700 years they came to play a crucial role in shaping the variety of Spanish foods we have today, and they appear in a multitude of dishes, but do you know them?
Here’s your ideal guide to those spices (along with others) that are used in various combinations to create the distinctive flavours that are so aromatic, and now so familiar
Cumin - one of the most essential spices in Moroccan cooking, it is now a crucial element in many Spanish meat dishes (think pinchos
The Undeniable Influence of Moroccan Spices
morunos). It has a warm, earthy flavour and is used in many spice blends.
Coriander – in its ground variety coriander is frequently used in spice blends. It has a citrusy, slightly sweet flavour that contributes to the overall complexity of a variety of dishes.
Paprika - adds both colour and flavour to probably more Spanish dishes than any other spice. There are different types of paprika, ranging from sweet to spicy, and they can be used to impart a mild heat and smokiness to dishes
Turmeric - provides a vibrant golden colour to many dishes. It has an earthy and slightly bitter flavour and is often used in many rice dishes.
Ginger - fresh and dried ginger are used to add war -
THE summer’s coming to an end which can only mean it’s quiz night season again.
Pit your wits and your best trivia knowledge against the rest on Thursday, September 26 at The Social in Benahavis.
This Fun Quiz isn’t to be taken too seriously though. It’s just a little fun for the local community.
mth and depth of flavour to dishes. It’s often found in spice blends and desserts.
Cinnamon - a hallmark of Moroccan cooking, it’s commonly used in both sweet and savoury Spanish dishes, adding a warm and fragrant note.
Cardamom - the pods are sometimes used to infuse dishes with a slightly floral and aromatic flavour. It’s often used in spice blends and again, both sweet and savoury dishes
Saffron - a prized and expensive spice used to add both colour and flavour. It’s often used in rice dishes and is fundamental to paella. Nutmeg - used in moderation to provide a warm, nutty flavour.
Black Pepper - used to add a touch of heat and depth to balance out the other
flavours.
Parsley & Cilantro (Fresh Coriander) - While not spices in the traditional sense, these fresh herbs are essential components of many tapas. They’re often used as garnishes or added at the end of cooking to provide freshness and colour.
Ras El Hanout - a uniquely complex spice blend from Morocco that made its way to Spain. It can contain a combination of over 20 different spices. The exact composition varies, but it often includes some of the aforementioned spices along with others like allspice, cloves, and more. It’s used to season and rices.
So now you’re a little bit wiser, stock up, experiment and enjoy the delights of these flavour packed goodies!
Selina’s quiz night
on hand to introduce you to others looking to build a team.
Popular Talk Radio Europe host, Selina Mackenzie will be your host for the night at The Social in Centro Commercial Los Halcones Maltés.
Team sizes are maximum of six, and it only costs €2 per person to
enter. So, start thinking up your quiz team name. If you can, bring a friend because the top winner’s prize is a a meal for two at The Social.
If you don’t have a team, there’s no problem as Selina will be
Pre-booking is essential as this fun event will pack out. Would-be quiz champions can reserve a spot by contacting Selina Mackenzie via her Facebook account.
Don’t forget your pen and notepads on Thursday, September 26, The Social, Benahavís. €2 quiz entry.
Estepona day trip
THE Lux Mundi Boutique is now open at the Ecumenical Centre in Fuengirola from Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 1pm. The charity shop has summer clothes, shoes and jewellery, as well as some kitchen and household items. They are accepting donations of household goods and items of clothing and would appreciate it if you could bring them in bags that you do not need during the normal opening hours.
On Friday, September 20, Lux Mundi is holding an ecumenical prayer with the participation of different Christian churches at the St George’s Anglican Chaplaincy in Malaga in the British cemetery.
On Thursday, September 26, Lux Mundi are currently taking bookings for their
excursion to Estepona where people can visit the Orchid House, the port, take a boat trip to see the dolphins, or just wander around the town marvelling at some of the 60 works of incredible street art on display. Tickets cost €25 with a Friends Card or €28 for visitors from the Lux Mundi Centre. The bus leaves the Feria Ground at 9.05am, or from 9.15am from the Bull Ring.
Lux Mundi is a charitable organisation that provides interpreter services, wheelchairs, walkers on loan, help in contacting hospitals, medical and other services, and visits to those confined in their homes. Support is also given in cases of sickness, loneliness, bereavement, or other difficulties.
Equestrian show
TORREMOLINOS bullring hosts the spectacular equestrian show, ‘Ritmo a Caballo’, as part of the local Feria. The horse show will be held on Friday, September 20 and is free to enter for everyone. Taking place at 8pm, the doors will close as soon as all the seats are filled.
Organised by the El Ranchito Equestrian Club, this is a show that pays tribute to the ‘Alta Escuela Española’ (Upper Spanish School).
In the 16th century, the world began to realise that Spanish riders and
cowboys were highly proficient riders and skilled in horse training. This practice led to horses being prepared to defend cattle herds from wild Bravo bulls, and also for battle, giving rise to celebrated warriors and using their horses not only for transport, but also as lethal weapons.
In times of peace, the royal houses of all Europe integrated the techniques of Spanish horse training into the art of horse riding and show jumping, and therefore expanding the fame of the Alta Escue-
la Española, one of the most important riding schools in the world today.
Today they continue to teach, train horses, and spread equestrian art. Samur, in France, the School of Portugal, the Spanish School in Vienna, and the Royal Spanish School of Equestrian Art in Jerez, all have their roots in the teachings of Alta Escuela Española.
The Ritmo a Caballo equestrian show is on at the bullring in Torremolinos at 8pm on Friday, September 20.
Credit: Philip BirdShutterstock.
Credit: El Ranchito, Facebook
Members of El Ranchito.
COSTA DEL SOL Jazz singer, Rocío Starry, is back to black at the Salón Varietés Theatre on Saturday, September 21 with Remembering Amy.
For a tribute to the great Amy Winehouse, Rocío Starry’s voice perfectly encapsulates the deep, strong control of the chanteuse, her pitch and range, tackling the highest and lowest notes with apparent ease. We caught up with Rocío Starry to chat about the upcoming Remembe-
ring Amy concert. What can the audience expect from the concert?
“A very heartfelt tribute to Amy, a Jazz diva, with the utmost respect and affection, in which almost all her best-known songs will be reviewed. I will be accompanied by José Nova on bass, Alex Peña on guitar, Oliver Torres on drums, and Juanma Romero on sax.”
What does Amy Winehouse mean to you?
“I fell in love with her voi-
ce from the first day I heard it and started introducing some of her songs into my repertoire. My mother told me that her songs looked great on me. The day I heard about Amy’s death, I was singing in a disco. You can’t imagine how I felt trying to finish my set.”
Rocío Starry is performing at the Salón Varietés Theatre on September 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets from the box office 952 474 542, or on the door one hour before the performance.
A NIGHT of instrumental Rock guitar with backing tracks, playing ballads, Fusion, Funk and Rock including a few classic tunes with the Costa del Sol’s heaviest rocker, Rob Sas, on Friday, September 20 in Estepona.
Rob Sas is a veteran of the 80s British rock scene who is now based on the Costa del Sol. Rob has extensive experience on
Latin & Jazz Solo Rock
stage, having played with the John Coghlan Band, with members of Status Quo, Nick Simper of Deep Purple and Warhorse, and Lindsay Bridgewater, who played with Ozzy Ozburne and Budgie, to name but a few. These days he has fun with his project The Rob Sas Band and his cover band Deeper Purple, with which he has toured all over the UK and in our country. But on this occasion, we have the opportunity to enjoy
At Selwo, Rob Sas will be instrumental, playing guitar with backing tracks, playing ballads, Fusion, Funk, and Rock, including a few classic tunes from the repertoires of Led Zeppelin, Free, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, ZZ Top, ACDC, Black Sabbath, and a few more.
Rob Sas is playing La STaCCa Italian & Argentine Restaurant, on Friday, September 20, at Camping Tropical, Av. Parque Selwo, 29680 Estepona. Entry is free, but booking a table is recommended.
A SPECIAL and intimate night at Huber, Estepona, with three of the most talented and successful artists settled in the Malaga Province.
Performing a night of Tango and Latin Jazz,
Hector ‘Limón’ Garcia, Daniel Amat, and Francis Posé play Huber, Saturday, September 21. ‘Limón’ Garcia is an Argentine rock and tango singer, musician, and composer, originally from Argentina but now settled on the Costa del Sol. Daniel Amat is one of the most renowned Cuban pianists in the world with a number of awards in his career. He was greatly influenced by the artistic career of his father, ‘Pancho Amat’, one of the greatest Cuban Treceros in history. One of the key members of the Malaga jazz scene, the celebrated double bassist Francis Posé, has performed all over Andalucia and just about every Jazz festival.
All three artists, highly respected in their fields, bring Lion’s Tango, Amat’s Cuban roots, and Posé’s firmly grounded Jazz together for ‘Tango Y Latin Jazz.’ The trio comes together at the Galeria Huber in Calle San Antonio 27, Estepona, on Saturday, September 21 at 8pm. Entry costs €20 cash, on the door.
FOR a taste of the most authentic in Andalucian cuisine, chef Ana Abellán will be cooking up the best there is in the beautiful setting of the gardens of the Antonio Gala House Museum in Alhaurin el Grande.
Ana Abellán, is author of ‘Entre Berza y Pringá’, a book about the food traditions of the Guardalhorce Valley, which highlights the rich quality and variety of cuisine as well as the curious history and all but lost traditions of the people of the Malaga Province.
Other than discussing her book which is full of
Taste of Malaga
fascinating recipes, she will be offering a free tasting of some of the recipes in the book.
The carefully selected dishes for the occasion, which will be cooked on site and tasted at the end of the event, are representative of a cuisine as deeply rooted in the culture of the zone as it is succulent. Orange porra with smoked cod; cold and thick pre-Columbian soup; pickled anchovies using a centuries-old preservation technique;
citrus roscas, the sweet touch of the menu; and aubergine omelettes, one of the first recipes documented in a 13th century book.
This free gastronomic event is open to the public and promises to be a real eye-opener for those curious about the history of this part of the world.
Ana Abellán will be at the Antonio Gala House Museum in Alhaurin el Grande at 6.30pm on Saturday, September 21. Entry is free.
Benalmadena Football and Beer
BENALMADENA FOOTBALL AND BEER is a small group for anyone who wants to play football and enjoy an occasional social drink.
This international group meets every Monday at 8.30pm on the Astroturf pitch at Holiday World, conveniently located next to the Elephant Roundabout.
They play four or five-a-side, making for fast, fun footie that’s light on rules but big on banter.
But don’t think this is just a local affair. Benalmadena Football and Beer is a truly global gathering, bringing together members from all corners: Morocco, Italy, Spain, Ireland, the UK, Romania, Poland, Peru, Argentina, New Zealand and beyond.
Social Group Details:
• The group meet every Monday at 8.30pm to play four or five-a-side football on the Astroturf pitch at Holiday World (next to the Elephant Roundabout) in Benalmadena.
• The organisers speak English and Spanish, but the group comprises people from all over the world.
• Everyone is welcome, regardless of
age, skill level, or gender.
• This is the perfect group for fun, fitness, and social camaraderie.
• The current average age range is mid-20s to mid-40s.
• Benalmadena Football and Beer have been meeting to play football since 2021, and new members join all the time.
• Whatsapp +34 684 059 704 to be added to the Whatsapp group to sign up for games or join the socials.
• They divide the cost of booking the pitch between participants.
Credit: Shutterstock, Kittisak Sirichunsuwan
ADVERTISING FEATURE
CELEBRATE VIRGEN DEL ROSARIO AT KU’DAMM BERLIN IN FUENGIROLA
AT Ku’damm Berlin, a German restaurant located in Fuengirola’s marina, right by the sea, we proudly embrace traditions that bring cultures together. This year, we invite you to join us for a special occasion: the Feria of Fuengirola, the patron saint of Fuengirola.
On Monday October 7, we’ll be offering a special welcome to our diners with Serrano ham and sherry wine, a clas-
sic combination perfect for this celebration.
From 6.00pm to 9.00pm, you’ll be able to enjoy this tasting, a nod to local traditions and Spain’s rich culinary heritage.
Ku’damm Berlin is renowned for its authentic German cuisine. Our menu features traditional dishes such as bratwurst, pork knuckle, and sauerkraut, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. With stunning sea views
and a warm atmosphere, we offer the perfect setting for an unforgettable meal, whether for a special occasion or any day of the week.
This special invitation reflects not only our passion for great food but also our commitment to offering customers a unique experience, where the sea, fine cuisine, and tradition come together to create unforget-
table moments. Whether you’re keen to join in the Feria of Fuengirola or simply wish to enjoy a lovely meal in a stunning setting, Ku’damm Berlin is the ideal place. Our blend of German tradition and local hospitality awaits you. We look forward to seeing you on October 7 to celebrate with a special tasting of Serrano ham and sherry as a welcome. Don’t forget to book your table and enjoy a memorable evening by Fuengirola’s marina!.
We’ll never stop reading
FINANCIER Sir Paul Marshall has paid the Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI consortium £100 million (€118.5 million) for The Spectator.
Times change and the media change but people still want to read about current affairs and hedge fund tycoon Sir Paul, who is also a backer of the GB News television channel, is well aware of this. So, too, were the 22 other bidders who failed to acquire the magazine.
When The Spectator separated from the Daily Telegraph in 2005, it was valued at £20 million (€23.7 million) and editor Fraser Nelson pointed out that today’s value underlined belief in its potential.
“It is a huge vote of confidence,” he said.
The deal, which includes the art magazine Apollo, was carried out via Sir Paul’s Old Queen Street Ventures company that controls the UnHerd political website.
“As a long-term Spectator reader, I am delighted it is joining the Old Queen Street stable,” Marshall said on September 10.
“The plan is for OQS to make good previous under-investment in one of the world’s great titles. I am confident that OQS will be a fine custodian, building on the Spectator’s values and successful track record.”
OQS stressed that UnHerd and The Spectator would remain entirely separate with totally independent editorial and gover-
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nance structures.
Stablemates the Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph also belong to RedBird IMI, which came to the aid of the Barclays, the publications’ former owners who failed to settle their £1.2 billion (€1.4 billion) Lloyds Banking Group debt.
Sir Paul is believed to be in the running to buy both papers, another indication that he is confident that whatever the media’s future shape or form, people will always want to read it.
New Spanish dinosaur
A NEW species of dinosaur has been discovered in Spain.
Estimated to have roamed the Earth roughly 75 million years ago, a new species of sauropod dinosaur has been unearthed in Cuenca, eastern-central Spain.
This species has been named Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra by the research team, led by paleontologist Pedro Mocho from the University of Lisbon.
In 2007, work on the Madrid-Levante AVE had to be paused after the workers came across thousands of dinosaur bones in Lo Hueco, located in the town of Fuentes, roughly 20 kilometres from Cuenca.
On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Museum of Paleontology of Castilla-La Mancha hosted the presentation of the Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra, distinguished by being one of the most complete sauropod skeletons found in Europe.
MUPA presented a new species of sauropod dinosaur measuring up to 20 metres.
Since 2007, the paleontologists have collected over 12,000 fossils from the Lo Hueco site, consisting of cervical, dorsal and caudal vertebrae, part of the girdles and elements of the limbs.
This discovery suggests that the Iberian Peninsula played a crucial role in the global distribution of these dinosaurs, as well as revealing new history; “we have entries of immigrants that we did not know about and that managed to coexist at
the same time and in the same place in some places like Lo Hueco.”
Francisco Ortega, part of the research team, stated at the presentation: “This collection has been under continuous study thanks to national projects and those of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, which has allowed us to significantly increase our understanding of the ecosystems of southwestern Europe during the Upper Cretaceous.”
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Photo credit: CC/Arc Forum
Eat more raw vegetables
INCORPORATING more raw vegetables into your diet may significantly boost weight loss and lower the risk of heart disease, according to recent studies. Raw vegetables, such as leafy greens, cucumbers, carrots, and peppers, are rich in essential nutrients like fibre, vitamins, and
they retain their natural fibre content, which helps regulate digestion and maintain stable blood sugar levels. This, in turn, can prevent overeating and aid in weight management. Additionally, raw vegetables are low in calories, making them an ideal choice for those looking to shed pounds
th. The antioxidants and phytonutrients found in them help reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol levels, which are major risk factors for heart disease. By including more raw vegetables in daily meals, individuals can improve their overall cardiovascular health while supporting ght
A patchy problem
HYPERPIGMENTATION
marks are dark patches of skin that occur when an ex cess of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour, is produced in certain areas. These marks can vary in size and appear on diffe rent parts of the body, of ten causing uneven skin tone.
While hyperpigmentation is not harmful, it can be a cosmetic concern for many.
The causes of hyperpigmen tation include sun exposure, which stimulates melanin production, as well as hor monal changes, such as tho se during pregnancy or due to certain medications (leading to me lasma). Skin injuries like acne, cuts, or inflammation can also result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Treatment options include topical creams containing ingredients like hydroquinone, vitamin C, and retinoids, which can lighten dark spots over time. Chemical peels, laser therapy, and microdermabrasion are also effective in reducing pigmentation. Prevention is crucial, and regular use of sunscreen can help protect the skin from further damage and the development of new hyperpigmentation marks. Consulting a dermatologist for personalised care is always recommended.
Buzzing with confidence
IN recent years, more women have been embracing the bold and empowering choice of a buzz cut. Once considered unconventional, this ultra-short hairstyle has evolved into a symbol of self-confidence, personal expression, and liberation.
Women are increasingly turning to this hairstyle for its low maintenance and ease of styling. Without the need for constant trimming or heat treatments, the buzz cut offers simplicity and freedom. Beyond the practical benefits, many women view it as a way to challenge traditional beauty standards and reclaim their sense of identity. Celebrities, social media influencers, and everyday women alike are showcasing how this daring look can highlight facial features and natural beauty.
The buzz cut trend is growing as more women chose to break away from societal norms.
A welcome space for adults
MY BED MY RULES, based in Malaga, is an online store that offers a carefully curated range of adult toys and sexual health products, shipping across Spain. With suppliers in Andalucia and other regions, My Bed My Rules is committed to creating a comfortable, welcoming space for adults to explore intimacy without feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed.
Founded by a couple who, after 15 years of marriage, realised that many adults wanted to explore new ways of expressing intimacy but were put off by the explicit nature of most adult si-
tes. They wanted to create a store that emphasised empowerment, education, and fun. The site offers high-quality products designed to enhance sexual well-being, with a focus on making conversations about sex open and approachable, and most of all fun.
My Bed My Rules caters specifically to the English-speaking community in Spain, offering discreet, customer-focused service. The business ensures that shipping is limited to mainland Spain to maintain a high level of customer care, avoiding overstretching.
Customers of EuroWeeklyNews can enjoy a special offer of 20% off their first purchase by using the code ‘EuroWeeklyRules’ at checkout. To learn more or get in touch, visit http://mybedmyrules.comor contact them via WhatsApp on 613 419 267.
Follow them on Instagram @Mybedmyrulesspain and X @mybed_myrules for updates, and explore their range of products in a supportive, nonjudgemental environment.
Radiology
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Wine therapy
VINOTHERAPY is a luxurious spa treatment that harnesses the antioxidant power of grapes, often using wine-making by-products like skins and seeds to rejuvenate the skin.
Rich in resveratrol, grapes are believed to combat ageing, reduce inflammation, and enhance skin elasticity. In professional settings, scrubs, facials, and baths are infused with grape extracts, offering an indulgent skincare experience.
For those seeking a more affordable alternative, at-home vinotherapy is an option. You can pour a cup or two of red wine into your bathwater, allowing the antioxidants to work their magic while you relax. The polyphenols in wine can help to exfoliate
and soften the skin, leaving it feeling smoother.
The benefits of vinotherapy include improved circulation, skin nourishment, and a sense of relaxation.
However, if you are counting your pennies
at home options like wine baths offer a fun, budget-friendly way to enjoy vinotherapy without the high price tag. Pour a couple of glasses of red wine into your bath, wait a couple of minutes then step in and relax.
What is happening?
MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION
WHEN did it become a reportable offence to say no to your kids? I witnessed something the other day - a bloke in a restaurant with two kids, not babies, trying to have a conversation with them. They were not interested because they were busy on their phones. He asked them to put them down, got totally ignored, so raised his voice very slightly to make the point and one of the brats just said, ‘‘I’m telling mum you’re being nasty to us.” This made me wonder if this is a guy seeing his kids maybe once a week and this is what it’s come to - behave dad or we will report you! It’s nuts!
When Trump got shot in the ear all his supporters wore bandages over their ears as a sign of support. When kids and teachers got shot at a school recently they wore AR15 badges because someone mentioned about the gun laws. People over there need to get their priorities right.
Here’s something else for you to think about, and as an OAP I’m entitled to my opinion, even though it doesn’t actually affect me as we had ours taken away years
ago as it doesn’t get as cold in Spain as it does in Italy apparently. I am talking, of course, about the heating allowance. To me it’s simple - Mr Starmer you cannot take away the OAP heating allowance and still be giving billions to other countries or immigrants, legal or otherwise, spend money on space programmes or come to that anything! Just look after them, they deserve it. They have worked all their lives, paid into a system and the only thing they have done wrong is live too bloody long. You tried hard with Covid and that got rid of a nice few pensioners, but please look after the ones that are left.
I do love a bit of irony. Whilst giving a speech, blaming the Conservatives for an ‘epidemic of antisocial behaviour, theft and shoplifting’, at the annual Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) conference, thieves struck and nicked the purse of Dame Diana Johnson, Minister of Policing. You can’t make this stuff up can you? Even if they catch the person that did it nothing will happen to him unless he puts something nasty online!
Someone still has to explain to me what’s happening in the UK right now.
Email mikesenker@gmail.com
Mike’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
VIEWS OF A GRUMPY OLD MAN
Almeria A timeless tribute
LAST weekend, Vera was alive with colour and tradition as the town celebrated the beloved Pilgrimage in honour of the Virgen de las Huertas.
Hundreds gathered for this centuries-old festival, held on the first weekend of September, to pay homage to the Virgin, a symbol of gratitude for neighbouring Lorca’s aid during the Moorish uprising of 1569.
The festivities kicked off on Saturday, September 14, with a colourful procession of floats leading to the floral offering in honour of the Virgen de las Huertas.
After tradition came the party, two days of fun and games for all ages, carriage tours, a giant paella shared with love, live performances from local bands and DJs spinning tracks late into the night.
Then, just as it had begun, the Vera community came together to close the festivities with a religious ceremony, and marked the end with fireworks filling the sky.
Axarquia Picture perfect
ROCIO ORTIZ, a talented photographer from the picturesque village of Canillas de Aceituno, has garnered attention by being selected for the Mi Rincón Favorito 2024 (My Favourite Corner) national photography contest. Her beautiful image of the iconic Calle Agua in her hometown is one of nine chosen to represent Andalucia in this prestigious competition.
Mi Rincón Favorito, a nationwide Instagram-based contest, aims to spotlight the most stunning images of iconic spots across Spain. Ortiz’s photograph, showcasing the familiar Calle Agua in a fresh light, exemplifies her knack for capturing the perfect moment.
The contest, which aligns with World Tourism Day on September 27, offers a €2,000 prize. Ortiz’s photo will compete with selections from various provinces.
In addition to her contest entry, Ortiz regularly shares images of Canillas de Aceituno on her Instagram (@rocioortiz154), celebrating the village’s beauty.
Mallorca
Centenary celebration
AS 2024 sees the centenary of the launch of the Balear sailing vessel, the entire fleet of the Diada de Vela Latina sailed through the Bay of Palma.
Fifty-one vessels took part on Sunday September 15 as the Cala Gamba Yacht Club organised the sail past as its contribution to Mallorca Day which fell on September 12.
The tribute took place in the middle of the bay of Palma, in front of Palma Cathedral, and consisted of a grand naval parade of all the participants in the Diada de Vela Latina, making two circuits around the much larger centenarian.
Horns were blown by the Race Committee to start the sail past and representatives of the Consell de Mallorca as well as a several local residents viewed the event as it took place.
For the very lucky ones (just 50), Palma Cathedral opened its terrace, so that guests were able to view this tribute, enjoying a magnificent panoramic view.
Costa Blanca South Sky surge
ALICANTE-ELCHE Miguel Hernández Airport is rapidly nearing the remarkable milestone of two million passengers in a single month, with an impressive 1,962,325 travellers recorded in August alone.
This figure represents a significant 15.3 per cent growth compared to the same period in 2023.
Consequently, August stands as the most successful month in the airport’s history, surpassing the record-breaking passenger traffic witnessed in July.
The summer of 2024, spanning from July 1 to August 31, emerges as the busiest period the airport has ever experienced in terms of passenger volume, greatly aided by smooth operations without any significant disruptions.
International travel continues to dominate, with 1,690,848 passengers recorded on commercial flights, reflecting a robust 16.5 per cent increase.
Domestic travel also experienced a noteworthy boost, with 269,569 passengers, a rise of 9 per cent compared to the previous year’s figures.
Costa Blanca North Solidarity brother
DURING the Fiestas de la Cala 2024, the inaugural Caritas Solidarity Fun Race was held on September 15, a combined initiative between the town councils of Finestrat and Villajoyosa. Participants of all ages, from children to seniors came together on a day brimming with excitement and compassion. More than 150 individuals gathered at the beach promenade of La Cala de Finestrat at 11.00am to participate in the 3km fun race in aid of Caritas. This organisation sets up programmes to offer assistance and support to vulnerable families. The event not only provided much-needed financial assistance but it also helped to raise awareness.
The mayor of Finestrat, Juanfran Perez Llorca, and the mayor of the town hall of Villajoyosa, Marcos Zaragoza, were present to award the trophies, underscoring their support for the event and the cause it represents. Attendees were also able to enjoy inflatables, games, Zumba, karaoke, face painting, and live music, all of which added to the lively and joyful atmosphere.
Costa Calida
Time-tested trail
THE Times has turned its spotlight on El Camino de la Cruz de Caravaca (The Way of the Cross of Caravaca), a pilgrimage route in Murcia, drawing the interest of British visitors. To boost its appeal, the Murcia Tourism Board, in collaboration with the UK public relations agency Lotus, hosted a press trip for a journalist from The Times
During the trip, the journalist explored landmarks like the Cathedral and Real Casino of Murcia, along with the newly opened Madina Mursiya visitor centre. The press group also walked segments of the Camino de Levante trail.
With a circulation of 495,000 daily printed copies and over 15 million online readers, The Times’ feature on this unique pilgrimage route was expected to reach a vast audience.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to attract more UK visitors to the region, a growing trend as British tourism to Murcia continues to rise by 10.7 per cent compared to last year.
PETS
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HEARTWORM is a serious parasitic infection in dogs caused by the worm Dirofilaria immitis. Transmitted through mosquito bites, the larvae enter a dog’s bloodstream, eventually maturing into adults that live in the heart and lungs. This can lead to severe lung disease, heart failure, and damage to other organs.
Heartworm risk
Symptoms of heartworm infection include a persistent cough, fatigue, reduced appetite, and weight loss. In advanced cases, dogs may experience heart failure and show signs of a swollen belly due to excess fluid. Treatment involves using medications to
kill both the larvae and adult worms. This process can be risky and
requires strict veterinary supervision, as dying worms can cause blockages in blood vessels. Recovery also involves limiting physical activity to reduce the risk of complications.
Prognosis varies; early detection and treatment improve outcomes significantly. Prevention is crucial and includes monthly heartworm preventatives and regular veterinary check-ups. Protecting your dog from heartworm ensures a healthier, happier life.
Holders of UK & EU Type 2 Animal Welfare Certificate Door to Door Service
Ruby is quite old now and needs to stay home with pet-sitters when her owners travel.
Shutterstock Masarik
ACE OF SHADES
WINDOWS
The five sportiest Skoda
SKODA, known for its reliable and practical vehicles, also has a range of sporty models that deliver an exciting driving experience. Here are five of the sportiest Skoda cars:
1. Skoda Octavia vRS:
guably the sportiest model in Skoda’s lineup. Available in both petrol and diesel variants, the Octavia vRS delivers sharp handling, strong acceleration, and sporty styling, making it a favourite for performance enthusiasts.
cars
2. Skoda Kodiaq vRS: As the sporty variant of Skoda’s popular SUV, the Kodiaq vRS combines practicality with powerful performance. Its turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive make it an exciting option for those seeking an adventurous drive.
3. Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo: Inspired by Skoda’s rally heritage, the Fabia Monte Carlo offers sporty styling with a compact design. While not as powerful as the vRS models, it offers a fun, agile driving experience with its nippy handling.
4. Skoda Superb SportLine: For those wanting sportiness with luxury, the Superb SportLine delivers. It combines Skoda’s flagship sedan’s comfort and space with dynamic enhancements, including a sporty suspension setup.
5. Skoda Scala Monte Carlo: With athletic looks and a spirited drive, the Scala Monte Carlo offers a balance between daily usability and sporty appeal, perfect for urban driving.
These models show Skoda’s dedication to providing a sporty edge while maintaining practicality.
What to do if you put the wrong fuel in your car
FILLING your car with the wrong fuel can be a stressful experience, but quick action can help prevent serious damage. The most common mistake is putting petrol in a diesel engine, though the reverse can happen
As soon as you realise the mistake, don’t start the car. If the engine runs, the wrong fuel will circulate through the system, potentially causing damage to the engine and fuel components. Turn off the ignition and safely push or tow the car to the side.
Next, contact a professional fuel recovery service. They’ll drain the incorrect fuel from your
car’s system and flush the engine to prevent any further complications. Most fuel recovery services can reach you roadside or at a service station, minimising disruption.
In some cases, if the wrong fuel was caught early and the engine hasn’t been started, the damage can be
to expensive repairs, particularly in diesel engines where incorrect fuel may damage fuel pumps and injectors. To avoid this in the future, double-check the fuel type before refuelling and label your fuel cap as a reminder if you regularly switch between vehicles.
Leclerc crashes Ferrari
FERRARI Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc was involved in a minor car accident in Monaco, with a viral video capturing the moment he crashed his £314,000 Ferrari.
The 26-year-old, fresh off a victory at the Italian Grand Prix, was cruising through the streets of his home country when the incident occurred.
In the video, Leclerc can be seen
gh-performance cars to their limits. However, this incident appears to be an unfortunate mishap during a routine drive in the tight, winding streets of Monaco.
The incident comes just days after Leclerc’s victory at the Italian Grand Prix, adding an unexpected twist to his celebrations. Despite the crash, the Ferrari driver is expected to quickly put this behind him as he prepares for the next race in the Formula 1 season. Fans are relieved that the driver was unharmed and continue to support him.
Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo.
Double check fuel type before filling up.
MOTORING
ROAD TEST
By Mark Slack
THOSE of a certain age may remember when the Kuga in Ford’s sales brochures was spelt differently and wasn’t an SUV. The Cougar was a sleek and svelte prowler worthy of the big cat whose name it bore. The current KUGA, spelt differently and an SUV, has been in Ford’s brochures for longer than you may think. It was launched back in 2008 and as the different generations have come and gone it has got better and better.
The latest Kuga models are arguably the best yet with petrol, petrol hybrid and plug-in petrol hybrid power from 150PS to 243PS, front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive along with manual or automatic transmission. Standard fare on the entry-level version is impressive, especially when you consider the starting price of €37,995/£32,095.
LED lights, 13” touchscreen, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, heated, powered and folding door mirrors, rear privacy glass, useful sliding rear seats, keyless entry and start, quickclear heated front screen and cruise control.
My Active version sits one below the top-of-the-range and with a 2.5-litre hybrid petrol unit, allied to CVT automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive,
Ford Kuga - perfect for urban commutes or far flung adventures
makes for a very practical, comfortable and well equipped travel companion. The full hybrid system offers smooth changes between gears and switches between electric, combustion and a combination of the two according to conditions. In terms of MPG, on a long haul up north to the Isle of Mull in Scotland, followed by lots of short journeys, it returned an impressive 5.65 litres per 100km/ 50 mpg average.
Facts at a Glance
Model: Ford Kuga Active FHEV
Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder petrol hybrid developing 183PS
Gears: CVT Automatic with all-wheel-drive
Price: €48,384/£40,865
Performance: 0 to 100kph/62mph 8.3 secs
Economy: Combined 6 litres per 100km/47.1 mpg
Emissions: 137 g/km CO2
Model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets
On the road it handles well, but that shouldn’t be a surprise as every Ford I have driven, whether humble or expensive, handles well. In urban driving the Kuga hangs on to electric power for longer than a lot of hybrids, which is good, and when the engine does power up it’s discreet and smooth. Being a CVT rapid acceleration is accompanied by some vocal notes from under the bonnet as the engine revs rise while the Kuga gets up to speed. All CVTs share the same characteristic, but linked to the 2.4-litre petrol engine the Kuga is a smoother and quieter operation than many.
Overall the Kuga is an impressive means of travel whether for urban commutes or more far flung adventures that utilise the very effective all-wheel-drive. It manages to do its bit for the environment without the current (excuse the pun) impracticalities of a full EV.
GERMANY´S first hobby horsing championship in Frankfurt joins the European sport on the rise, as hundreds of young riders competed for the first time on the weekend of September 14-15.
Competing in time jumping, style jumping, and dressage, approximately 300 riders, with 20 adults and the rest children and teenagers, showed off their skills in front of 1,500 spectators. Established in Germany just a year ago, with 13 members, the association skyrocketed to more than 5,000 athletes and more than 200 clubs nationwide.
“It was very important to us to set an example and make the sport more popular,” said
Hobby horsing
Kay Schumann, president of the German Hobby Horsing Association. “With the championship, which will be held every year from now on, we offer a goal that motivates hobby horses to improve their performance and compete against each other.”
A sport that “spread like wildfire,” saw competitors in Germany judged on factors including precision, timing, and elegance, according to the German Hobby Horsing Association’s website.
For dressage, officials were looking at the rider’s posture, skills, and body positioning.
Coming originally from a grassroots movement in Finland, more than 20 years ago, the Head of the Finnish Hobbyhorse Association, Julia Mikkonen, emphasised that hobby horsing combines Finnish handcrafting culture, as some riders make and decorate their own sticks and horse heads, with sport, making it a unique and highly intriguing sport on the rise.
England faces Euro ban
ENGLAND may face exclusion from co-hosting the UEFA Euro 2028 due to a dispute between UEFA and the British government. The controversy revolves around the UK’s Football Governance Bill, which proposes an Independent Football Regulator (IFR). This regulator, aimed at safeguarding English clubs, has raised concerns within UEFA about potential government interference.
The bill, introduced in March 2023, seeks to improve financial transparency, ownership oversight, and fan involvement in football. However, UEFA believes that such regulation should fall under the Football Association (FA), not an external body, as UEFA rules require football associations to operate independently from government control.
In a letter to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, UEFA’s General Secretary, Theodore Theodoridis, warned that England could be banned from Euro 2028 and other UEFA competitions if the bill is passed as it stands.
A ban would have severe consequences for English football, especially Premier League clubs, which rely on UEFA competitions for revenue and global recognition. The UK government, however, argues that the regulator will help secure the future of clubs by preventing financial collapse and promoting fan engagement.
As discussions continue, both sides remain focused on finding a solution that balances football’s financial stability with UEFA’s demand for independence.
UEFA Champions League Final
FOOTBALL fans, get ready! The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final is set to be another epic encounter as Europe’s top teams battle for glory. After months of intense competition, two sides will face off for the ultimate prize in European club football.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 31, 2025, when the final will take place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. This 75,000-seat stadium, home to Bayern Munich, is renowned for its striking, futuristic design, with an exterior that lights up in different colours on matchdays. Opened in 2005, Allianz Arena has hosted major tournaments like the 2006 World Cup and will also be a key venue for Euro 2024/25.
This won’t be the first time Munich hosts a Champions League final. In 2012, Bayern Munich faced Chelsea at home in a dramatic final.
The 2024/25 season marks the 70th edition of the competition, featuring a revamped format with 36 teams instead of 32. The new league phase replaces traditional group stages, offering more unpredictability.
Fans across Europe can catch the action on channels such as TNT Sports and Sky Sport.
Girl in a hobby horsing championship.
Credit: Michael Probst, Facebook
The Costa Gaels Tournament: Building the future of Gaelic Football
GAELIC football fever is sweeping the Costa del Sol, and the Costa Gaels are at the heart of it! On Saturday October 5, they will host the first round of the Andalucian Tournament at the Marbella Rugby Club, welcoming teams like Celta Malaga, Eire Óg Sevilla, and the Gibraltar Gaels for a day packed with exciting football action.
But it’s not just about the adults! The Costa Gaels are also proud to announce that their beloved Kids Club is back in action. The Kids Club plays an essential role in nurturing the future stars of Gaelic football,
with sessions focused on agility, teamwork, and having fun. It’s not just about learning the game; it’s about fostering friendships and a sense of community among the young players.
The October 5 tournament will have something for everyone. Aside from the thrilling matches, spectators can enjoy great food, drinks, and entertainment, making it
a fantastic day out for the whole family.
Whether you’re there to support the adult teams or cheer on the younger players, this is an opportunity to get involved in the vibrant Costa Gaels community.
ANDALUCIA WALKING FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Real Calahonda begin their campaign in fine style!
A.W.F.L. Over 60s
Real Calahonda 3 v 0 Malaga WFC
For those new to the sport or seasoned fans, Gaelic football on the Costa is growing, and the Costa Gaels are leading the charge. With the kids club back and the Andalucian Tournament underway, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
So, lace up your boots or grab your seat on the sidelines - Gaelic football is here to stay on the Costa del Sol!
Real dominated much of the game and, although they failed to take several chances, went ahead in the first half through a goal by Dave Cass Williams, scored as a result of a free kick on the edge of the Malaga area. The visitors’ poor man marking and ill discipline prevented them from finding a foothold in the game, despite efforts to make headway on the break. They were undone again in the second half by a well-taken shot by Malcolm Hopwood into the bottom corner. The game was finally put to bed when both teams were awarded a penalty for the same running offences incident. Quite simply, Tony Gill, the Real keeper, saved the Malaga effort and Scott Cousins stroked home the match winner for the hosts, giving them all three points.
A.W.F.L. Caring for the
Community Real Calahonda are sponsored by the Miilenium Cocktail Bar, at which many of their fundraising events take place and these have directly benefited their chosen local charity, Asociacion Adintre in Fuengirola, to the tune of thousands of euros! This charity provides a food bank and soup kitchen for the local community, offering support and help to vulnerable children, vulnerable elderly, the homeless, abused women and refugees.
Another A.W.F.L. club, Benahavis, last season supported Darkness Into
Light, an international charity organisation, helping people with mental health issues. In July, Steve Duffel, who underwent a sponsored six month diet, and Benahavis club secretary, Rob Humphries, visited AFESOL, Darkness Into Light’s charity partner on the Costa del Sol, and presented a cheque for over €1,500 to the charity’s president. This has already benefited their new day care centre in Estepona, helping those with mental health issues. Look out for future events organised by your local club... it’s more than just a game of walking football!
