Bavarian traditions
GERMANY and beer are best exemplified by the annual Oktoberfest and this year, Mallorca will celebrate starting from September 21, the idea being to give everyone a chance to take part.
It seems that the first event will take place at Yolo Restaurant in Cala Millor, an area popular with Germans, from September 20 to 22 with a special Oktoberfest menu and entertainment from noon to 2.30pm and from 5.30pm onwards.
Another September event is an evening at a farm near Porreres on September 21 with entertainment from Alex Engel and a wide range of typical German cuisine. It starts at 6pm with plenty of barrels of fine German beer to be consumed.
Find out more and make a reservation by messaging Don Markus DS on Facebook with tickets costing €60 per person.
September 24 sees a one night special at Geskes Bar in Can Picafort from 8.30pm, there is promise of Bavarian delicacies, a free drink if you arrive in traditional costume but be warned there will be no German beer on this occa-
sion, although Alex Engel will also be there to entertain.
There will be plenty of additional and much bigger Oktoberfest events in October, including one at Santa Ponça organised by long-time residents, Holger Becker and Werner Wiedemann which is open from October 18 to 27 and runs from 11am to 11pm each day.
Apart from a wide selection of Bavarian food, the organisers are importing Hofbräu beer direct from Bavaria.
There are least two other enjoyable events which have been announced so far, but you will have to travel outside of Palma as none have been planned for the city as yet.
Charity support for over 45s
AGE can often work against those who are unemployed, but the charity Cáritas has teamed up with the Mallorca Chamber of Commerce and Asinem to launch Talent 45+.
This is a new and pioneering programme aimed at improving the employment options of those on the island who are aged between 45 and 60.
The three parties have their own experience and contacts in this area and thanks to the participation of Asinem (Association of Installation Companies), the first training course will commence in October
focusing on work on electrical and photovoltaic installations, a sector that is desperate to take on more skilled employees.
This course will be conducted free of charge to those taking part but will not be for the faint hearted, taking up some 250 hours before qualification is confirmed.
K-Pop in Mallorca
WITH the recent BBC TV series Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience, many more people are becoming aware of this musical phenomena.
Now, Korean TV is taking K-Pop across the world and is filming various top stars performing on the streets of different cities to gauge the views of those experiencing the music for the first time.
Some four top K-Pop artists arrived in Mallorca and were initially filmed in Plaça Cort, Palma although they then moved on to two other locations on the island.
The show is entitled ‘I am a Singer’ and in Mallorca features top Korean artists Hwasa, powerful singer Sohyang, musical prodigy Henr, and charismatic vocalist Ahn Shin Ae who all appeared in a ‘pop-up-musical sequence’ with contributions from world-renowned tenor Placido Domingo and Spanish national singer Alvaro Soler.
From Mallorca the team of 50 plus moved to Germany with the first screening (Mallorca) taking place on KBS on Saturday November 2.
Mallorca • Issue No. 2046 • 19 - 25 Sept 2024
GRATIS GRATIS
ILMAINEN
Representatives of the three parties.
Singing on the streets of Palma.
It’s more fun if you dress traditionally for Oktoberfest.
Underwear race
ONE of the best university supported annual events is the regular Undie Runs which students in the USA have been undertaking since around 2001. They do this in order for entertainment, as a form of protest, or fundraising for charitable purposes.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records a run that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2011 had the most number of participants ever at 2,270.
This concept has been picked up in Bunyola and for several years now a number of teams have taken part in an annual Underwear Run with the latest taking place on Saturday September 14.
It’s really all quite tasteful with teams wearing matching underwear and rather than a race it’s an excuse to have a bit of fun and parade through the town to the amusement of the watching crowd.
The former mayor of the municipality threw his support behind the concept and actually took part, wearing a specially designed pair of pants.
Children and bulls Car-free day
IT’S not just well-meaning foreigners who are opposed to bullfighting in Mallorca and Menorca as local political parties worry about children attending these fights.
Spokespersons for MÉS per Mallorca and MÉS per Menorca have asked that the director of the Balearic Office for Children and Adolescence makes themselves available in order to find out their opinion of the attendance of children at bullfights.
They argue that in the same way, the United Nations observed as early as 2018 that those under the age of 18 should be precluded from taking
part in bull runs and they argue that there is significant support for the banning attendance at bullfights by those under 18.
The representative of Més per Menorca, Joana Gomila stated that “while the PP signs the pact for children with one hand, with the other it makes effective its agreement with the extreme right. They prefer to side with the obsessions of VOX than with children’s rights.”
TWO wheels good, four wheels bad on Sunday September 22, as Palma hosts a special bicycle parade in order to support World Car-Free Day.
This cycling extravaganza is one of the new features this year in the European Mobility Week programme and families are invited to register to take part in this fun event. It will start at 10am from Palau d’Esports de Son Moix and from there will go along the Camí dels Reis, the Decathlon roundabout-Can Valero roundabout and the Son Serra Parera park roundabout. The return route will be via General Riera, Calle Uruguay, the cemetery roundabout, Camí de Jesús and the Decathlon roundabout until finishing back at Son Moix. This route, which will be monitored at all times by the Local Police, will last approximately 30 minutes and has been planned as a family activity that aims to promote sustainable mobility activities within the framework of the European Car-Free Day. Keeping to the concept of a Car-Free Day, travel on the trains operated by Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca and the buses of EMT Palma and the Consorci de Transports de Mallorca (CTM) will be free for all to use on September 22.
New flights announced
DESPITE various fears of Britons being discouraged from taking holidays across Europe due to new Schengen arrival rules, one airline is confident that this won’t be a problem.
FlyDirect
using BA City Flyer Embraer 190 jets has announced that it will be running wee -
kly services direct from Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey to Mallorca from 2025.
Flight time on direct flights from the Chan -
nel Islands will be a little over two hours each way with these aircraft which have a seating capacity of 114 passengers in a 2x2 layout.
The flights will run from mid-May until the end of September and will be sold on a flight only basis or as part of a holiday package. Flights from the Isle of Man and Jersey will operate on Saturdays whilst those from Guernsey will take off on Sundays.
BA City Flyer Embraer 190 will operate these routes.
Credit: Ken Fielding CC
Is this something children should watch.
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.
WHILST many residents and visitors enjoy the opportunity to go shopping on selected Sundays and public holidays it must be remembered that the rights of shop staff have to be considered.
Shop opening days
On Monday September 16, a session of the Inter-Island Advisory Committee on Trade took place at which representatives of the island councils of the Balearic Islands, unions and employers’ associations of the sector were present.
For the first time there
was a consensus of agreement and unanimous approval from of all re-
presentatives of unions, employers and associations.
It was agreed that the following days would see the shops open in 2025, January 5, March 1, April 17, August 15, September 7, November 1, November 30, December 6, December 21 and December 28. Two of those days August 15 and September 7, are days that may be modified by individual municipalities, who must confirm any changes before November 15, 2024.
THE saying that charity begins at home has certainly proven true as 3,000 kilos of farmed sea bream were caught, packed in ice and donated to nine charities in Mallorca.
Those benefiting are the Monti-sion Solidaria Foundation; the Food Bank Foundation of Mallorca; the Spanish Red Cross; Diocesan Caritas of Mallorca; the associations Mallorca Sense Fam; SOS Mamas Baleares; Ebenezer Maranata, the Bons Aires Arxiduc Resi-
Fresh fish Helicopter alert
dents’ Association and the Barceló Foundation.
The concept is that ‘the
IT was a busy day for the Guardia Civil Mountain Rescue Group (GREIM) as on Sunday September 15, they were called out to rescue two female walkers.
neediest families can have portions of fresh, high-quality sea bream on their tables, contributing to a healthy diet’ and this has been a joint venture between various government agencies and Aquicultura Balear.
The fish, each weighing around 500gms were packed by the Andratx Fishermen’s Guild and distribution of the fish, suitably kept fresh in ice, began on Tuesday September 17.
One was a relatively simple affair as the lady was stuck in a rough spot in the Serra del Cavall Bernat, near Cala Sant Vicenç, in Pollença and was quickly helped to safety. The other however was more complicated as a woman, said to be about 60 years old, injured her leg when a stone came loose as she was hiking between Estellencs and Banyalbufar and for this rescue the Guardia Civil has to send in a helicopter.
Rescuers gave initial first aid before she was winched into the helicopter which then took her to hospital.
A unanimous decision was reached.
Distribution of the 3,000 kilos of sea bream.
Credit: Balearic Government
TO highlight the importance of the building of an additional Basic Health Unit in Consell at a cost of €3.2 million, Balearic Government President Margalida Prohens visited the site.
This took place on Monday September 16 and the President not only viewed the existing works but added her shoulders to the unit by officially laying the first stone.
The building which is an eight minute walk from the existing unit will have internal dimensions of 760 m² and is being built on an area of land donated by the Consell Council.
The new healthcare facility will have two family medicine clinics, one paediatric clinic, one paediatric nursing clinic and two nursing clinics, a multipurpose clinic, two treatment rooms and an extraction room.
The current unit serves a population of consisting of 4,083 but the considerable increase in the area’s population has made it necessary to build the new infrastructure and will see employment for an additional doctor, nurse and full-time paediatrician, when the new unit opens in May 2025.
New clinic Art exhibition
Safety in numbers
THE Comprehensive Security Unit of the Palma Local Police (USEI), made up of 60 officers was created by the then Palma mayor in 2012.
The intention of this elite unit was to ensure that residents and visitors could be confident that they would be safe in the city of Palma.
This group has just confirmed that it is still operating within the city and apart from attending the Plaça Espanya on
A NEW exhibition at the CCA Andratx which is entitled Septiembre opens on Saturday September 21 across two of its galleries.
Gallery II hosts a commemorative exhibition from the CCA archives, with works that highlight more than two decades of creativity and those attending will enjoy revisiting works by renowned national and international artists, who have been Artists in Residence at CCA and left their mark
on Mallorca.
a 24-hour, round the clock basis it also takes action to protect the stations and areas around the Cathedral as well as being on duty to protect schoolchildren at the beginning and end of their day.
Due to the number of pickpockets and street vendors who often prey on tourists, there is also a plan to create a new police station at the Plaça Espanya and to ensure that the entire area is covered by installing and regularly reviewed CCTV.
Then in the Sala Espai the exhibition is devoted to the work of Valencian artist Marta Blasco, who has become a key figure in Mallorca’s cultural landscape. She has now lived and worked in Mallorca for more than two decades
and specialises in the contemporary reinterpretation of classical masterpieces.
The CCA is open Tuesday - Saturday: 11am to 6pm and you can check the CCA website online to see whether an entry ticket needs to be obtained in advance for this exhibition.
President Prohens laid the first official stone.
Credit: Balearic Government
Officers of the Palma Local Police.
Credit: Palma Local Police
Property fines
ACCOMMODATION
for tourists is often a touchy subject for many in Mallorca as so much of the economy depends upon tourists but only if rules are followed.
The Department of Tourism of the Council of Mallorca has announced that it intends to fine the owners of properties in two buildings in Palma where accommodation is being rented to visitors without having registered the property and obtained the necessary licence.
Marcial Rodríguez Díaz, said that he was pleased with the investigation and highlighted that “illegal offers, regardless of the sector in which they operate, not only represent unfair competition that is very damaging to all those who do things well on our island, which is the vast majority, but also a terrible problem for coexistence, something that we want to fight against and eradicate.”
THE mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez announced on Tuesday September 17 that Palma was to have two new Botanical Gardens.
The rst, covering some 49,000 square metres will be created in Les Cases del Retir adjacent to the Belver Forest and will feature a selection of seldom seen, quite di erent species of pine and children will have
New botanical gardens Houses demolished
access to a specially created classroom.
The other area which will cover around 31,000 square metres will be designated a site for plants and trees ideally suited for the Mediterranean climate with specimens imported from North and South America, North Africa, the Middle East and Southern Europe.
This second site will be known as the Parc de les Vies and will be situated near the Son Fuster roundabout.
Whilst it has been conrmed that the Les Cases del Retir project will be paid for through part of the tourist tax collected from visitors, funding for the other project has not yet been con rmed.
Each sanction is set at €80,000 and one building has 10 sanctions against the letting of flats whilst the other has seven, meaning that the overall total of the fines amounts to no less than €1.36 million.
The Minister of Tourism, José
Although the range of fines allowed for illegally renting properties start at €40,000 with a top limit of €400,000 per transgression, it has been policy until now to only levy a fine of €40,001 but a new precedent and level of fine has now been set for the future.
IN a city where its inhabitants are desperate for access to social housing, it initially seems counterproductive for Palma Council to destroy two houses.
It purchased the two properties in Calle de Aragón in 2018 with the avowed intentions of knocking them down in order to improve mobility and remove a bottleneck that is dangerous for drivers and pedestrians.
Eventually on Friday, September 13, six years later, the demolition began and it is estimated that it will take some seven or more weeks to remove all of the debris, widening the street from 16 to 30 metres at a cost of around €45,000.
So e ectively, the loss of two properties whilst depriving a small number from potential accommodation, will bene t a much larger number whose safety will be increased dramatically.
But in a dramatic turn of events, the local animal party Progreso en Verde has stated that it will denounced the Palma Council as it maintains that one of buildings housed a colony of 30 cats looked after by volunteers who received no notice of the intent to demolish.
At the time of the party’s statement it con rmed that it did not know what the fate of the felines was and feared that many may have died.
Cradit: Consell de Mallorca Minister of Tourism announces new level of fines.
Cíes Islands cap tourism Don’t feed the ducks
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.
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.
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?
Worst station
Anna Akopyan BELGIUM’S getaway to Europe has become rampant with cri me, 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 com monly theft, extor tion, and drug-rela ted 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.
One youngster enjoys feeding the ducks.
Cíes Islands.
Credit: Huy Phan, Pexels
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 beloved Notre-Da-
me 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 them in Nor-
Credit: Wikipedia
mandy 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.
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.
Bells on exhibition in 2013.
Oslo might be the hidden gem you need to visit.
Antonja returns
WHEN Austrian born singer Antonja first started performing professionally, she was known as Antonia aus Tirol and had a number of hit singles in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
She was primarily a pop singer but then made an important decision concerning her career, moved to Germany and became ‘Rock chick’ Antonja, creating what she refers to as ‘Generation Rock’, music for the young and the young at heart.
Having had a very successful visit to Mallorca in June, she is now returning with her band to play at an open air event on Saturday September 28 (with further appearances in October) at the Rock Bar Restaurant The Last of the Mohicans in Alguida (Son Gual).
Tickets cost €20 plus
booking fee or €40 plus booking fee for the VIP special which includes a ‘meet and greet’ and children aged under 14 will be admitted free of charge provided they are accompanied by an adult.
Doors open at 8pm and until the concerts starts at 9.30pm food (BBQ) will be available, but once Antonja hits the stage, only drink will be served.
THERE is a very special event aimed at emotional release and becoming your own self-healer at the Mettabreath Ice Bath Experience on Saturday October 5. It takes place in Bunyola, running from 10.30am to 2.30pm with tickets costing €65 for one person or €130 for two.
The organisers claim that you can learn how to release trapped emotions that keep you repeating patterns that do not let you move forward so through the Mettabreath Ice Bath Experience you can, with the power of your breathing, enter a state of consciousness that will benefit you.
So for a series of evenings featuring this powerful female singer who delivers a selection of classic rock, country rock and modern rock, mainly in English but with some songs in German or Spanish, be sure to reserve your tickets soon. There is plenty of parking and the venue is served by bus, so it should be easy to get there but, be warned, there is only limited seating.
Become a self-healer
According to them, it allows you to experience greater balance, harmony and fulfilment in all areas of your life as by releasing the flow of blocked energy you can heal emotional wounds, overcome mental limitations and experience a greater connection with the world around you.
Kundalini energy is a powerful, creative life force that resides in the root chakra at the base of the spine.
As well as learning the secrets of Mettabreath, those taking part will also enjoy an Ecstatic Dance Ice Bath and Cacao Ceremony.
Those attending will need to arrive with a yoga mat, comfortable clothing in white, grey or neutral colours, a sarong or blanket to cover yourself, a water bottle, swimsuit, towel and dry clothes for afterwards.
Finally, bring a smile and the desire to live and enjoy an experience that will touch you deeply.
MALLORCA
Fatima Hajji invites
THE Origen Festival of dance and techno music comes to an end on Saturday September 28 after starting in June of this year and attracting thousands of festival goers.
This last event is being headlined by the very popular Fatima Hajji who is Spanish by birth but with Arab origins giving her the ability to combine a number of different musical styles.
Fatima is in great demand not just across Europe but also in the USA and South America and her current bookings have taken her to Los Angeles, New York, Croatia, Bulgaria, London, Mallorca and Colombia in a matter of weeks.
The Mallorca leg of her travels which
takes place at Camí Vell de Bunyola is entitled Fatima Hajji Invites and she will be supported by other top DJs such as Slhømo, Daria Kolosova, Luciid and Raul Pacheco.
Entry to the festival costs €28 plus booking fee although there are VIP (€250 for four people) and Premium options (€300 for four people) which offer significant benefits including private area with toilets, exclusive parking, drinks, table and chairs and a better view.
To reserve tickets visit https://origen. sharemusic.es/28-septiembre/ and expect to enjoy the pulsating music from 4pm when the gates open until midnight.
The Madrigal Family
SPANISH theatre compa nies have a history of producing musicals aimed at children which are based on Disney cartoons.
Returning to the Palma Auditorium on Sunday September 22, Saturday September 28 and Sunday Septem ber 29 at 5pm is one of the latest, The Madrigal Fa mily, the Musical which is a tribute to Disney’s highly popular Encanto. It tells the story of Mirabel and her fantastic family, who live in a magical little house in Colombia which has bestowed magic on each member of the family from super strength to the power to heal. The only person who isn’t magic is the
heroine Mirabel and when she discovers the magic that surrounds her is in danger she asks her uncle Bruno for help and together they save their extraordinary family. This is a tale of authenticity, love, and the importance of family, with music and magic and fantastic choreography every step of the way.
It is suggested that the musical is ideal for children aged two and upwards and tickets cost €20 per person via https:// auditoriumpalma.com/ whilst those aged under three will be admitted free of charge provided that they sit on a parent’s lap.
Credit: David Gómez Face -
Credit: Fatima Hajji Facebook
Credit: Antonja Facebook
Credit: Michael Ursi Shutterstock
Credit: Max Teatro Musical
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
Border checks
emergency, which was followed by Hungary’s threat to send irregular migrants to Brussels by train. Then they opened up Hungary to 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?
HERE’S what you need to avoid get-
HERE’S what you need to avoid getting a fine on European trains
fined €50 if failing to adhere to the ge can be up to 70cm x 90cm x 50cm
a pushchair, a musical instrument, or sports equipment do not count
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.
mensions permitted are 85cm x 55cm
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 lugga-
Luggage limits Bounce back
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
Luggage regulations on European trains.
ge. 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.
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: veerasak Piyawatanakul, Pexels
Could free movement be coming to an end?
Credit: Freepik.
Bouncy furniture.
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From left: Petter, Yenna, Paula, Amina and John.
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
BAE Systems 1.323,00 1.329,50 1.317,50 239,32K Barclays 219,15 220,20 218,20 3,03M Barratt Developments 509,40 512,80 507,40 352,04K
Beazley 773,00 774,50 769,00 84,73K
Berkeley 4.888,0 4.911,0 4.859,0 7,88K
BP 404,61 405,65 402,40 3,02M
British American Tobacco 2.952,0 2.961,0 2.944,0 290,33K
BT Group 146,30 146,80 145,00 5,72M Bunzl 3.662,0 3.678,0 3.648,0 47,25K Burberry Group 590,3 599,0 585,8 405,27K
Centrica 118,35 119,00 117,15 780,29K
Coca Cola HBC AG 2.810,0 2.826,0 2.806,0 40,46K Compass 2.424,00
2.424,00 270,26K ConvaTec Group 231,20 232,00 228,80 553,07K Croda Intl 3.982,7 4.002,0 3.941,0 16,96K
584,80 588,40 584,20 108,04K
5.210,0 5.220,0 5.195,0 5,53K
2.519,0 2.545,0 2.513,2 333,86K
4.474,00
375,40 378,50 373,85 2,7M
BUSINESS
EXTRA
Right time
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.
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 in ltrate 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 nanciers 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 sta 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 ex 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 Ma a, 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 Lich eld, 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 speci ed, 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.”
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.
easyJet plane.
Credit: Jorge Franganillo, Flickr
Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.
Visit Casa Bruno for a personal service
CASA BRUNO SL, situated in Polígono Son Bugadelles, Santa Ponsa, holds one of the biggest exhibitions of ceiling fans in Europe. Easily spotted from the road, a wide, welcoming entrance leads to an impressive display of fans in a multitude of designs, arranged above and around ornately dressed tables and house plants.
The fans sold at Casa Bruno are of superior quality and are a highly specialised product, and the business works closely with suppliers from the USA and Australia. The shop currently exhibits a range of between 80-100 different models of fans, in a variety of sizes, colours and materials. However, what truly sets Casa Bruno apart is their personalised approach and willingness to tailor options to each customer’s indi vidual preference.
Choices are unlimited, with fans manufactured from materials such as wood, for a beautiful finish, or stainless steel, a material not habitually used in the manufacturing of fans but that has proved popular amongst those living on the coast as the fans are resilient to the seaside air.
Another style of fan which has proved to be immensely popular are those which are equipped with a light, making them perfect for installation on patios, as they create a wonderful ambience whilst at the same time being functional.
The fans use motors that are extremely energy efficient and offer innovative functions that can be controlled at the touch of a button via remote control. These include a comfortable fixed speed, the ability to change the direction in which the fan is spinning, and an on/off timer. The fans can increase airflow significantly by distributing cool air from air-conditioners during the summer, and warm air from heaters in the winter, thus also contributing to saving energy and money.
Director of Casa Bruno, Peter Hoffmann, has a passion for creating we
ll-lit spaces that convey a pleasant atmosphere, which originally led him to specialise in lighting planning, where he gained technical knowledge in electricity. This expertise allows him to provide professional advice, not only in selecting the right fan but also in installation and solving any technical issues that may arise.
Casa Bruno offers an online catalogue, but to purchase a fan it is necessary to contact the business directly in order to receive a full professional assessment. They offer prices tailored to each customer, ensuring that there is always an ideal option to match both taste and budget. Fans can be shipped all over the world, and delivery in any part of Spain (excluding the Canaries) is free. The business provides post-sale support to ensure customers have a flawless experience,
Casa Bruno is open Monday to Friday from 10.00-18.00, and Saturdays from 10.00-14.00. Tel: 971 699
email: oficina@casabruno.com / casabruno.com
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 having lived in the Netherlands, 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.”
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.”
Kim Metzen.
What is happening?
MIKE
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.
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.
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-
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.
NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS
NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.
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.
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.”
SPECTATOR SALE: Legendary publication now owned by Sir Paul Marshall.
VIEWS OF A GRUMPY OLD MAN
SENKER IN MY OPINION
Your
VOICE
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
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The company is nationwide and has over two million policyholders, covering mainland Spain as well as the Balearics. Helen, of the Santa Ponsa office, ensures that all clients are received personally and is committed to finding the perfect insurance policy for each individual.
With extensive experience working in the insurance industry, including in the UK before moving to Mallorca 37 years ago, Helen offers a quick, efficient and personalised service for policies and claims of all descriptions.
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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.
ty of languages.
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SPAIN
• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •
Costa del Sol 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Costa Calida Time-tested trail
Elizabeth I letter
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.
Great-nana’s Ibizan adventure
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.
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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.
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The letter signed by Elizabeth I.
Credit: Lyon & Turnbull
Credit: Instagram.
Wayne Lineker with Margaret Dillon.
Fresh furry fix
ELIMINATING stinky pet smells can transform your home into a fresh and welcoming space.
Start by grooming your pet regularly and cleaning their bedding often to prevent odours from building up. For immediate odour control, baking soda is a household hero. Sprinkle it on carpets, rugs, and upholstery,
letting it sit for a few hours before vacuuming thoroughly. Baking soda effectively absorbs and neutralises pet smells.
Apple cider vinegar is another powerful natural deodoriser. Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly mist areas where odours linger. This so-
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Heartworm risk
lution breaks down the odour-causing bacteria without using harsh chemicals.
Additionally, ensure good ventilation by opening windows to let in fresh air. Consistent cleaning routines and these natural remedies will help keep your home smelling clean and pleasant, even with furry friends around.
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.
Symptoms of heartworm infection include a persistent cough, fatigue, reduced appeti-
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te, and weight loss. In advanced cases, dogs may experience heart failure and show signs of a swollen belly due to excess fluid.
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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.
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Ruby is quite old now and needs to stay home with pet-sitters when her owners travel.
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
The five sportiest Skoda cars
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: 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.
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.
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.
Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo.
Hobby horsing
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 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.
Sofa sports
A NEW workout routine led by the comedian Bill Bailey helps people to exercise right from their sofa. Inspired by the Summer of Sport, SOFA (Sit On Fitness Apparatus), was developed, allowing people to incorporate sports into their daily routine, right from the comfort of their sofa. Researchers surveyed 2,000 people in the UK and found that a quarter can´t incorporate exercise into their daily routine; a figure that rises to 38 per cent among people with long-term health conditions. Sixty-six per cent, however, would like to change that and find a workout routine that they can follow from home. Many argue that they cannot afford to go to the gym or can’t find time around their job to exercise.
Duleep Allirajah, chief executive of Richmond
Working out with the sofa.
Group of Charities and spokesperson for We Are Undefeatable, who developed SOFA, said that with this workout, the organisation “wanted to show that moving more can be accessible and part of your everyday routine - starting right from the comfort of your sofa.”
Actor and comedian
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.
Bill Bailey who is fronting the workout shared; “This SOFA workout is an absolute game-changer. It shows fitness doesn’t have to be just for the athletes that we’ve been watching on our screens, you can start right in your own living room, on your sofa - it’s all about making fitness fun and open for everyone.”
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 city’s older Olympiastadion also staged iconic European Cup finals in 1979, 1993 and 1997.
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 on the road to the final.
Fans across Europe can catch the action on channels such as TNT Sports and Sky Sport.
Credit: Pavel Danilyuk Pexels
Girl in a hobby horsing championship.
Credit: Michael Probst, Facebook