Mallorca 2 - 8 January 2025 Issue 2061

The Three Kings arrive by boat

“Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar lead festivities in Palma”

THE Reyes Magos bring the festivities to a close with their arrival at the port of Palma de Mallorca aboard the historic vessel Rafael Verdera.

From Persian lands afar, their Majesties Melchor, Gaspear and Baltasar will dock at the Moll Vell near La Lonja at 6.00pm on Sunday January 5. They will be welcomed by the mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, who will hand them the keys to the city so that they can deliver the gifts to all the homes.

From the port they will spread their magic with the traditional Cabalgata (parade) with 17 floats, accompanied by troupes, music and performances to delight young and old alike.

As previous years, the parade route will begin on Avinguda Anto -

ni Maura and continue along Passeig del Born, Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I, Carrer de la Unió, La Rambla, Carrer Baró de Pinopar, Avinguda d’Alemanya, Avinguda de Portugal, Passeig de Mallorca, Avinguda

de Jaume III, Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I, Born, Avinguda Antoni Maura, and will conclude at Plaça de Cort.

Once in Plaça de Cort, at around 8.00pm, the Three Wise Men will be welcomed on the bal -

cony and in the plenary hall of the Corts.

As always, the parade will fill the little ones, who have been eagerly awaiting their presents from the Reyes all year, with excitement and joy.

Balearics in the lead

“Top spot for foreign buyers in Spain”

ACCORDING to a study by real estate portal pisos.com, the Balearic Islands have the highest percentage of property purchases by foreigners in Spain, accounting for 32.5 per cent of all transactions.

Along with the Balearics, four other regions exceed the national average for foreign property buyers: Valencia (28.4 per cent), the Canary Islands (27.2 per cent), Murcia (24.6 per cent), and Catalonia (16.8 per cent).

Nationally, foreign buyers represented 14.85 per cent of all property transactions in the third quarter of 2024, marking a four-point increase compared to 2021, when

they accounted for just 10.77 per cent.

The data, sourced from the Colegio de Registradores and cited by pisos.com, shows that British buyers lead the foreign market, making up 8.52 per cent of total transactions, followed by Germans (6.43 per cent), Moroccans (5.46 per cent), Poles (5.32 per cent), and Italians (5.25 per cent).

Mallorca announcement

THE actress Michelle Keegan and TV personality Mark Wright, known for his time on The Only Way Is Essex, announced they are expecting their first child by sharing a photo of each other on the beach Portal Vells on Sunday, December 29.

In the photo, both are dressed in white and barefoot, with the Coronation Street actress cradling a visible baby bump.

The image, shared by the couple on both their Instagram accounts, is believed to have been taken during a winter break in Mallorca in November.

The caption read, “2025 is going to be a special one for us.” Both 37, the couple live in Essex and are currently thriving in their careers: Keegan stars in series such as Fool Me Once and Ten Pound Poms, while Wright hosts reality shows including The Challenge UK and The Bachelor.

Mallorca • Issue No.

2061 • 2 - 8 Janua

Three Kings Parade.

Photo: Flickr/ Contando Estrelas

Couple’s first baby.

ITV speeds up the waiting lists

BOOKING an ITV appointment is always a challenge on the island, waiting lists are long and many people drive around with an expired ITV because they can’t find any available date.

For this reason, the Consell de Mallorca is taking its New Year’s resolutions seriously and, from January 1, will go from 20,000 annual technical vehicle inspections (ITV) to 40,000, an annual increase of 35 per cent.

This is possible thanks to three reasons: 55 new staff additions, the opening of the new station in Son Bugadelles de Calvia in the first weeks of January and a new system for booking appointments.

The appointment booking system will be through a new portal: ITV.Ma

llorca.es, which allows users to book a day and time slot and, most importantly, to make the payment to go directly to the inspection without having to go through the offices beforehand.

The increase comes after the Consell de Mallorca awarded the ITV service to the concession holder ITV Vega Baja in July for €33 million for 2025 and 2026.

This new contract plans

to open the new station in January with 9,000 inspections per month.

On the other hand, of the 55 new workers, 30 will be incorporated into the new Calvia station and the rest between the Palma, Inca and Manacor stations.

With the new contract, it is hoped that by 2025 the number of days waiting to pass the technical inspection of vehicles will be reduced.

Future footpath in Alaró

THE Executive Council of the Consell de Mallorca has approved the final plans for a a footpath for pedestrians and bicycles in Alaró, costing nearly €1 million.

The footpath, which will link the Camí Vell d’Orient roundabout with the village of Alaró, is set to go out to tender in January, with construction potentially starting between March and April.

This project was initially intended to be carried out alongside the roundabout, which was inaugurated at the end of 2023.

However, the contract was not awarded, urging a revision of costs

and updates to the design.

With a length of just over 500 metres, the road will run parallel to the highway, separated by safety barriers to ensure user protection.

This long-awaited project for the residents of Alaró is expected to become a reality in the coming months, connecting the footpath to the future Vía Verde del tren, which will be built by the Govern.

Another project approved by the Consell is the reinforcement of the road surface and improvements to the Ma-1 road, which spans 11 kilometres between Peguera and Port d’Andratx, with a budget of €6 million.

Web for tax enquiries

THE Consell Assessor Fiscal de les Illes Balears - a body that supports the Agència Tributària de les Illes Balears (ATIB) - has launched a new web portal designed to address tax queries, with the aim of enhancing legal certainty and facilitating access to clear and precise information on tax matters.

This service enables taxpayers and tax advisors to submit written queries and receive binding responses regarding regional regulations and taxes ceded by the State, according to the government.

The Minister of Economy, Finance and Innovation, Antoni Costa, highlighted that this initiative ensures “answers with the highest level of legal certainty,” thanks to the work of the Consell Assessor’s technical committee of opinions, established last June.

The taxes that can be queried include the community’s own taxes, such as the sustainable tourism tax and the water sanitation tax, as well as taxes ceded to the community, including transfer tax, inheritance and gift tax, and personal income tax.

The Consell Assessor Fiscal, created under Law 12/2023 on the General Budget of the Autonomous Community,

Legal certainty on tax matters.

meets quarterly. Its main objectives are to analyse tax policy and develop strategies to optimise public revenue. It also promotes the involvement of stakeholders in the tax field and strengthens legal certainty in decision-making.

New booking system.

Credit: Consell de Mallorca

Footpath in Alaró.

Credit:

Consell de Mallorca

Identifying Unknown Callers

“Avoid spam calls with these easy tips”

RECEIVING a call from an unfamiliar number can be unsettling, especially in Spain where spam calls are common. Fortunately, you can find out who’s calling without risking a call back.

There are several free and easy methods to identify unknown numbers and avoid wasting time on spammers.

Apps like Truecaller and Hiya are popular choices in Spain, instantly notifying you if a call is spam or displaying the caller’s name if known. Truecaller provides real-time identification and blocking, while Hiya offers similar features, letting you know if the call is legitimate. Both rely on crowdsourced data, meaning they become more accurate as more people use them.

If you’d rather not download extra apps, try using What sApp. Save the unknown number to your contacts, then open WhatsApp. If the number is registered, you’ll see their profile photo and name, helping you decide whether the call is worth returning.

Find out who is calling you.

A quick Google search can also help. Many spam callers are reported online, allowing you to verify whether the number is associated with unwanted calls. Some phones in Spain, such as those from Bq, include Google’s spam detection by default, warning you when calls might be spam.

Another option is checking known spam number lists on-

line. Several websites maintain updated databases of reported spam callers, making it easy to see if a suspicious number appears on their lists.

By using these simple methods - downloading a caller ID app, checking WhatsApp, searching online, or consulting spam lists - you can determine who’s calling without ever having to pick up the phone.

Pension changes in 2025:

“What you need to know”

MILLIONS will receive a letter from the Spanish social security system in January to inform them of changes to the pension system in 2025.

The changes affect expatriates who have contributed to Spain’s Social Security system.

The letter in January 2025 will inform pensioners not only of changes in pension amounts but also

the age at which people may retire.

In 2025, the ordinary retirement age will increase by two months on 2024. Thus, it will be possible to retire at 66 years eight months if you have contributed less than 38 years and three months.

However, those who have contributed into the Spanish system for longer will still be able to retire at age 65.

Despite Spain spending record levels on pen-

sions, those eligible are set to enjoy increases in income during 2025.

Contributory pensions will rise by 2.8 per cent. This means that those who have made contributions to the system by working here will enjoy boost to their pension.

Minimum pensions will also increase by 6 per cent and by 9.1 per cent for those with a dependent spouse or widows with family responsibilities.

These increases mean that the minimum retirement pension for single-person households is set for 2025 at €12,241.6 per year and €15,786.4 in cases with a dependent spouse.

The Minimum Living Income (Ingreso Minimo Vital) will also increase by 9 per cent.

The IMV guarantees a minimum income for those whose pensions fall below this level basic level.

Food prices to rise

THE basic food shopping basket in Spain has become 9 per cent more expensive since the government announced VAT reduction measures two years ago.

The average price of a basket of supermarket shopping has increased by 5.56 per cent in 2024, even though there has been a drop of 15 per cent in extra virgin olive oil, a 10 per cent price reduction in bananas, an 11 per cent drop in potatoes, and 16 per cent less in sunflower oil. The average price of the basket is currently €32.87, with all main distribution chains supposedly moderating prices.

However, the president of the consumer association Asufin, Patricia Suárez, claims that the VAT reduction measure has not been effective due to the lack of monitoring and channels for compliance, meaning that food distributors have taken advantage and upped their prices accordingly to take advantage of the government’s measures, something the government was warned would happen.

The government will withdraw all food tax reductions as of January 1, except for olive oil, where the VAT will be kept at 4 per cent instead of the 10 per cent that was added before the inflationary crisis began.

With the new year, the VAT on basic-need foods will return to 4 per cent, while pasta and seed oils will start again at 10 per cent.

High

Earners Hit in 2025

“January Pension Reforms Begin”

JANUARY 2025 will see the introduction of increased contributions for high earners in Spain as part of new reforms. The rules will affect those earning over €4,900 per month and has been introduced as part of reforms to help cover the state’s current costs for pensions.

Around 1.2 million workers in Spain currently fall into the high-earners category.

Up until now, those earning above the maximum cap of €4,720.50 per month were exempt from paying further contributions on what they earned above the maximum cap.

Also, from January onwards, those earning above the cap will pay these extra contributions charged on a sliding percentage scale depending on the value of their earnings.

From 2025, all those people earning above the new cap (set to €4,900 per month from January) will pay a further 0.92 per cent of contributions from their salary in addition to the cap rate to be paid on €4,900. This applies to those who fall into an earnings bracket between the cap and 10 per cent more than the cap, (which equates to those earning between €59,000 and €65,000 per year, approximately).

Those earning between 10 per cent and 50 per cent above the maximum cap, will pay a further 1 per cent on top of the cap rate.

Finally, those earning 50 per cent more than the maximum cap, (roughly €89,000 annually) will pay an extra 1.17 per cent in addition to the maximum cap rate.

Expats who have paid into the Spanish system will be affected by the recent changes to pensions.

Pixabay

Credit: Shutterstock, JarTee.

Becoming a library member

IF reading more is one of your New Year’s resolutions, consider becoming a member of the Mallorca library network.

To join, residents of Mallorca simply need to visit their nearest library and complete an application form, bringing along their NIE or passport.

Alternatively, you can register online through palma.es/web/bibliopalma/ fes-te-soci.

Membership offers several benefits: in addition to accessing the online catalogue, you can borrow books, magazines, and audiovisual materials

from any of the 22 libraries across the island and take part in the cultural activities they organise.

Many libraries in Mallorca offer a selection of books in various languages, as well as resources for learning Spanish and preparing for exams.

Libraries such as the Cort library in Palma also serve as excellent spaces for studying or working remotely.

Each library operates on its own schedule and hosts unique events, so it’s a good idea to check the individual library websites for up-to-date information.

Emergency plan investment

THE Agència Balear de Digitalització, Ciberseguretat i Telecomunicacions (IB Digital) will install new antennae to improve telecommunications in emergency situations, thanks to a €12.4 million plan.

The project will expand the TetraIB emergency communication network and the IoTIB sensor network, which are essential for managing resources and influxes in public spaces such as beaches and hiking trails.

The TetraIB network, designed to coordinate emergency services during disasters, major events, and emergencies, will feature 107 an -

tennae by 2027, up from the current 60.

Mallorca will see an increase from 39 to 62 antennae, Menorca from 11 to 20, Formentera from three to four, and Ibiza from seven to 21. This improvement will ensure almost total coverage across all the islands, guaranteeing the efficiency of the emergency services.

Palma’s potential competitor

MALLORCA and Valencia are set to share more than just the Mediterranean waters between them.

Marina de Valencia, soon to be rebranded as Marina Port Valencia, is embarking on a transformative project to establish itself as a hub of premier nautical services. Leveraging its location, the marina aims to position itself as a leader in the industry.

This initiative, awarded by the Valencia Port

Authority in early October for a minimum of 35 years, has been entrusted to a joint venture of Mallorcan companies Semar (Serveis Marítims Port Eivissa) and Ocibar, both renowned for their expertise in Mediterranean maritime projects.

The redevelopment will divide Marina Port Valencia into four areas.

The first will feature three marinas, capable of accommodating vessels ranging from eight

to 130 metres in length. The second will house a repair and refit yard, while the third will be dedicated to leisure, dining, and entertainment, designed to attract local, national, and international visitors. The fourth area will include an architectural office and retail space. SEMAR and Ocibar, both leaders in nautical project management, guarantee the project’s success. SEMAR operates through prominent groups such as IMP Group, responsible for various management services including STP Shipyard Palma, and Alonso Marí Group, known for its Insotel Marine Group.

These companies’ experience ensures a comprehensive offering, from mooring and boat services to accommodation and fine dining. But what does this mean for Palma? As a long-standing centre for refit and maintenance in the Mediterranean, as well as a convenient starting and ending point for charter seasons, will its position be challenged by Marina Port Valencia?

New year’s resolution.

62 antennae in Mallorca.

Traditions revive

DESPITE the passage of time, traditions persist in Mallorca. With the arrival of colder weather on the island, its inhabitants prepare as they have done since time immemorial, with ses matances (the pig slaughter).

When the cold weather sets in, they prepare for the slaughter of the pig.

The location chosen is usually a farm, and the ritual becomes a gastronomic feast of great importance, as the meat from a single pig would provide sustenance for the family for an entire year.

The slaughter traditionally took place in November, but due to climate change, it has been delayed in recent years, and it is only now that the slaughter season has begun. Winter is preferred because it is when the meat is easier to handle.

In the past, the event would last several days, with family, friends, and neighbours invited.

Furthermore, it was regarded as an almost magical ritual with biblical connotations, due to the relationship between sacrifice and food, between the raw and the

cooked.

Today, the event typically lasts just one day on a finca, but it still retains its social character, bringing together young and old. The meat from the slaughter is used to make Mallorcan sausages such as lloganisses, camaioit, and, of course, the famous sobrassada.

EL GORDO didn’t make it to the island, but the EuroMillions did. A Palma resident went to bed on Christmas Eve and woke up a millionaire.

A Palma resident won the Million in the EuroMillions lottery on December 24, according to information from Loterías y Apuestas del Estado in a press release.

The winning ticket was purchased from a lottery o ce near Manacor Street, at Lottery Administration

El Millón

In the EuroMillions

on Tuesday December 24, there were no winning

Category tickets

The winning numbers were 06 - 24 - 16 - 23 - 10, with the Lucky Stars: 12 - 11. A true Christmas gift!

Nadal last dip of

RAFA NADAL said goodbye to 2024 with his last swim of the year in the waters of Mallorca. The pleasant end-of-year weather, with mild temperatures for the season, encouraged Nadal to enjoy a family day out, which culminated with a swim at a beach with crystal-clear waters.

The tennis player shared several photos of the day on social media, accompanied by his wife, María Francisca Perelló, their son Rafael, his parents, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins. “Time to be with the family,” Nadal wrote alongside the images.

2024

No. 15 in Palma, located at Francesc Barceló i Combis Street, 7.

draw

First

(5 + 2).

Ses Matances.

The Nadal family.

PORTUGAL has decided to stop obliging motorcyclists from taking their bikes for technical inspection from January 1, 2025.

The ITV (inspección técnica de vehículos), as it is known in Spain, has been deemed unimportant by the Portuguese parliament, who voted the legal requirement out, marking a significant shift in the country’s motorcycle regulations.

The decision is the culmination of a 12-year battle between

THE second busiest airport within the European Union is Schiphol which serves Amsterdam and surrounding areas and it gets busier as spring ends and summer arrives.

It seems logical therefore and in the best interests of the travelling community that flights should be reduced by 25 to 30 per cent between June 21 and June 27.

The reason is simple, there will be a NATO Summit held in The Hague on June 24 and 25 and to add to the ‘problems’ the closure of

Portugal scraps ITV

various political groups. The ITV is supposed to ensure the safe roadworthiness of vehicles. In Portugal, motorcycle numbers have grown by 400 per cent since 1995, and yet accidents have fallen by 80 per cent. Instead of forcing motorcyclists to pass the technical inspections, Portugal focused more on road-use education, better infrastructure, and more

policing.

The Portuguese parliament has turned around regulations against European Union rules, which has required all member countries to apply a technical inspection to motorcycles since 2014. However, Portugal has decided that it is not necessary for them, and the regulation has been reversed. This decision has led to questions about

Spain’s approach to the ITV issue, as the country has been one of the strictest since 1987.

The question now is should the Spanish do the same, especially now that the ITV has been extended to checking the condition of electric scooters?

Some fear that by eliminating the ITV for motorcycles, relaxing rules could lead to more accidents. However, Portugal has given the perfect excuse to rethink the ITV and focus on education instead.

Schiphol cancellations June

airspace over The Hague in anticipation arrivals will coincide with the planned closure of the Buitenveldertbaan, a key Schiphol west-east

runway that runs along and above the A4 motorway.

According to the Government of The Netherlands, they are expec -

Finland’s

ting 45 heads of state, along with their defence and foreign affairs ministers, as well as 6,000 delegation members and 2,000 journalists many of whom will travel on private or military jets. Due to these arrivals and departures, summer season flights will be dropped from the schedule during this period, to guarantee NATO delegation members are “properly” received, according to a spokesperson. Time will tell whether the cancellation of so many holiday and commercial flights will only have a minimal effect on the airport, as suggested by a government spokesperson, but if that is the case, environmentalists might suggest that there are too many flights in the first place!

FINLAND is introducing a new minimum income threshold of €1,600 per month from January 1, 2025, for foreign workers applying for residence permits.

According to the Finnish Ministry for Economic Affairs and Employment, the income limit applies exclusively to earnings from primary employment, excluding other forms of income. This measure ensures that workers have sufficient financial resources to avoid reliance on social assistance, as mandated by Finland’s Aliens Act. While the minimum threshold for most foreign workers is set at

€1,600, income requirements vary across different job categories. According to a report by Business Day, specialist roles require a minimum monthly salary of €3,638. Seasonal workers must earn at least €1,399. Minimum thresholds for other roles range from €1,030 to €3,638, depending on the job type and location.

The Finnish Immigration Service also stated that exceptions to these thresholds could be made in special cases, such as for the best interests of a child or for compassionate reasons.

The new threshold does not apply to asylum seekers or quota refugees. Individuals granted residence permits on compassionate grounds, plus family member of Finnish citizens are also exempt.

For those already holding residence permits, the new €1,600 monthly threshold will also apply to permit extensions starting in April 2025. Failure to meet the requirement will reportedly result in rejection of renewal applications.

Expect cancellations at Schiphol Airport in late June.

Motorcycle ITV centre in Spain.

Your

VOICE

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?

What is your resolution for the year 2025?

AS the clock struck 12 on December 31, people around the world welcomed the New Year with hopes, dreams and annual traditions. Some traditions are unique to each country - in Spain, for instance, people hope to bring themselves luck in the upcoming year by eating 12 grapes, one for each chime of the clock, or wearing red underwear. However, one tradition practised all over the world and carried into the New Year is making New Year’s resolutions.

From pledges to exercise more, or spend more time with loved ones, these yearly commitments offer a fresh start and a chance for self-improvement. We asked our Euro Weekly News readers whether they make New Year’s resolutions, and what promises they have made to themselves for the New Year.

A common resolution is to break a bad habit, whether it be smoking, drinking, or indulging in a sweet treat a little too often. However, Sian Agombar takes a different approach, recalling her resolution for 2024, which was to try a new restaurant every month. She found it to be “more successful than trying to give up something.”

Kenneth Faktor Carslund, on the other hand, sees little value in resolutions. In his view, it’s best to always try and be the best version of yourself and, if you need to make any changes

A declining need

FOOD bank use is on the decline in Belgium, according to the Belgian Federation of Food Banks.

The objective of the federation is to ensure those in need get at least five square meals a week, although the federation reported at the end of December, that the number of families that used the service in 2024 was down on the previous year.

Between 2019 and 2023, the demand of Belgian food banks saw continual increases. However, that number in 2024 has topped out

for self-improvement, “why wait for New Year.” He explains that if you force yourself to make a change, “you’re setting yourself up for failure in most cases.” Rodrigo J Da Silva disagrees, asserting that “you absolutely have to force yourself to do things, otherwise nothing ever gets done.”

Several readers, including Brian Francis, Tim McMahon and Gerry Wright, say that their New Year’s resolution is simply to not make any resolutions. This is certainly an easy one to keep!

Susan M Edwards Brigham, who never makes resolutions, prefers to remain hopeful and optimistic instead by wishing and praying for the best in the year ahead. Shirley Morris also avoids making resolutions, as they are “made to be broken.”

Irish-Artist Michael shares his very positive resolution - “to keep moving forward and challenge myself to do something creative and productive!”

This week’s poll question received mixed responses, with several readers avoiding resolutions, and pointing out the difficulty in sticking to them throughout the year. In the end, whether you make resolutions or not, the New Year is an opportunity for reflection, growth, and the hope of a fresh start, and we wish all our readers the very best of luck in the year ahead.

at 200,000, down from 210,000 the previous year, declining for the first time in years.

There are concerns, however, that simultaneously there is a decline in the amount of donations the federation’s food banks are receiving.

In Belgium, as well as donations from charitable organisations collecting foodstuffs from the public, the bulk of donations come from the retail sector, with supermarkets and food manufacturers donating their overstocks. More than 700 local associations

across Belgium play a crucial role in managing surplus food from stores. These organisations ensure that safe and nutritious meals reach those who need them most. The aid is free but is reserved for those deemed in need by their local Public Centre for Social Welfare. According to figures, the number of people considered as suffering poverty in Belgium peaked in 2018 at 16.4 per cent. The number has since shown a downward trend, although figures for 2024 have not yet been made public.

Volunteers help out at food bank.

From Betlem to Es Caló

AFTER the indulgences of the festive season, starting the year with a beautiful and invigorating hike is a healthy and refreshing choice.

The hike from Betlem to Playa Es Caló is a pleasant and straightforward way to ease into January with some of the island’s most stunning scenery.

This simple route, approximately seven kilometres long with minimal gradient, begins in the Betlem urbanisation in the village of Artà and leads to a picturesque cove with a sandy beach in Cala Farrutx.

Along the way, you can take in the charm

of the small cala of Na Clara and the breathtaking mountain landscapes of the Parc Natural de Llevant, featuring S’Atalaia Freda de Morei and Puig de Sa Tudosa.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy views of the coastline and cliffs on the eastern side of the island. If the weather is warm enough, you might even enjoy your first swim of the year.

This route is family-friendly and takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. Parking near Betlem is readily available, but do note that there are no facilities at the cove itself, so bringing a picnic is highly recommended.

Agenda for 2025

CANCER SUPPORT

Group Mallorca embraces 2025 with a busy agenda after a remarkable 2024 marked by the invaluable contributions of volunteers, event participants, financial support from companies, and generous donations.

One of the key achievements of 2024 was the creation and success of two therapy groups: Mosaic of Grief, aimed at those who have lost someone to cancer, and Help, a

six-week programme designed to support cancer patients in developing strategies to live with cancer. Both groups will offer new sessions in the coming year.

In the 2025 schedule, the Art Group will resume on January 13, while volunteer training sessions will take place on January 21 and March 15, with the next Meetup scheduled for March.

Looking ahead, the

Made from the heart

IN the heart of the island, in the centre of the village of Binissalem, where activity bustles around the square, you will find the Cor(e) café. It’s a cosy spot to enjoy a creamy coffee or hot chocolate alongside delicious English cakes or toast made with seasonal ingredients.

Cor(e) is staffed by an expert barista, Rachel, and an English chef, Sybilla, who blends cuisines from around the world in her breakfast, brunch, and takeaway meals, thanks to her experience as a chef on boats. Oh, and if you’re feeling nostalgic, on Sundays you can savour their succulent Sunday roast.

The toast menu, ser-

group will participate in the Santa Ponsa St Patrick’s Fair in March. Additionally, on January 12, CSG, proposed by their member Simone, will host an event at the Ajuntament de Sant Llorenç, where cancer or chronic disease patients on the island can come together to share their experiences, regardless of the language they speak.

Full details of upcoming events can be found on their social media pages.

ved on Thomas Bakeshop bread, caters to all tastes with its variety of flavours: from ham, mozzarella, and pesto to goat’s cheese, apple, and poached onion, and cheese with roasted grapes; or salmon, avocado, tomato, and rocket.

As for the pastries, the cakes are a highlight of the menu. Freshly baked options include cheesecakes, chocolate and pear, gluten-free orange and polenta,sausage rolls and more.

The menu varies according to the seasonal ingredients, offering a range of flavours from around the world: pulled pork, fennel baklava, aubergine hummus bowl, apple and celery purée, chicken and chorizo

THE winter sales in Mallorca kick off just after Three Kings’ Day, on January 7, marking the start of a highly anticipated shopping season.

After a bustling December, the island’s shops are

soup... with gluten-free and vegetarian options always available.

Cor(e), derived from cor (heart in Mallorcan) and core in English, meaning centre, is also a meeting point where various classes are held, such as baby groups or children’s ballet, along with seasonal popups selling second-hand clothes. To stay updated on their events, follow their Instagram page.

Cor(e) is located on Carrer de sa Rectoria in Binissalem. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 3.00pm, and weekends, 10.00am to 2.00pm. To book a table or order food for collection, call +44 7821 443588.

Credit: Pexels/Ksenia Chernaya

gearing up for the sales period, which coincides with the inevitable wave of Christmas gift returns.

Major retailers such as El Corte Inglés, along with boutiques on Palma’s central streets like Paseo del Borne and Jaume III, will be offering discounts despite

the 2.8 per cent rise in the Consumer Price Index (IPC) recorded last November. For those eager to grab a bargain sooner, the Mallorca Fashion Outlet begins its sales on January 1, with discounts of up to 70 per cent. Most clothing shops on the island are typically open from 10.00am to 8.30 or 9.00pm, so plan your shopping trips accordingly.

Photo: Facebook/TurismePetit

DENMARK

Go fish

GREY silverfish are relatively new to Europe and, entomologists said, entered Denmark via Norway after first arriving in Germany in 2007, camouflaged in packaging materials. Unfortunately, the wingless insects, believed to have originated in South Africa, thrive at room temperature and are hard to eliminate, experts said.

Work for it

A LAW passed in December will oblige longterm unemployed foreign residents to carry out some kind of work if they wish to avoid losing benefits. The new regulations apply to those who have not lived in Denmark for nine of the last 10 years or have not been in full-time jobs for at least 30 months over the past decade

PORTUGAL

Oscar hope

PERCEBES (Goose Barnacles), directed by Laura Gonçalves and Alexandra Ramires, is included in the list of Academy Awards finalists competing in the Animated Film category. The film, which follows a goose barnacle’s life cycle, won the Short Film section at the Annecy Film Festival in France last June.

Parties end

THE Tupperware factory in Montalvo announced that it will close on January 8, with the loss of approximately 200 jobs. The factory opened in 1980 and was entirely owned by the parent company, which filed for bankruptcy in September 2024 after plastics and the direct-selling system and parties lost their appeal.

EURO PRESS

ITALY

English spoken

THE 2024 Education First review of worldwide English-language skills ranked Italy 46th out of the 116 countries surveyed, with Verona having a higher level of English than any other Italian city. Overall number one spot went to the Netherlands, followed by Norway and Singapore, with Yemen at the bottom of the list.

BELGIUM

Happy New Year

Photo credit: CC/Ralph PH

WAGES will rise by 3.58 per cent for 532,000 employees in January, owing to a programmed adjustment for inflation calculated on the inflation rate for December, which remained stable at 3.16 per cent. The pay increase will apply to white collar workers in sectors that range from publishing to call centres.

Baudoin study

VERONA: No communications problems for English-speaking visitors

IRELAND FINLAND

Too fast

A MOTORIST clocked at 150 kilometres an hour in an 80-kilometre zone in County Limerick was one of the 1,200 drivers who were flagged down for speeding offences over the pre-Christmas weekend, police reported. The gardai also arrested 101 people for driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Spain beckons

OWING to planning issues and the strain on Ireland’s grid, data centre operators are looking abroad for sites for the high-consumption installations that account for 18 per cent of electricity output. Spain, with greater access to sustainable energy, also offers more incentives while fast-tracking permit applications.

GERMANY FRANCE

Will-power

PIERRE CARDIN died childless and intestate in 2020 at the age of 98, bequeathing a legal battle to 22 family members claiming his fortune. An 11-line, unsigned document found in 2022 named nephew Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin as his sole heir and a Paris court will shortly announce if this is acceptable as a will.

Going nuclear

THE third-generation European pressurised nuclear reactor (EPR) in Flamanville (Normandy), France’s largest to date, finally began producing electricity for local homes on December 21. Countless technical setbacks have caused a 12-year delay and quadrupled the original overall cost to €13.2 billion.

First in line

POLICE were sent out in the early hours of December 22 after a worried woman saw a child sleeping outside a Dortmund kindergarten. They found a four-year-old who told them that she had crept out of the house while her parents were asleep as she wanted to be the first to enter when the doors opened.

Dodgy sale

BMW confirmed a report by US publication Business Insider that the carmaker had sold more than 100 luxury vehicles to Russian buyers despite sanctions introduced following the Ukraine invasion. The “irregularities” were the responsibility of employees at its Hanover branch, who now been dismissed, BMW said.

Holiday rush

FINLAND’S postal service, Posti, delivered 7 million parcels and 10 million greetings cards in the five weeks before the Christmas holidays. While most were delivered on time, cards and parcels with unclear addresses or those posted after the deadlines would arrive in the New Year, Posti sources said.

Above board

HELSINKI police said there was no insider trading involved in draft legislation for nicotine pouch flavours, which included four types made by only one manufacturer. A business rival claimed they were added by an aide to the former Education minister, to favour a factory in her home town.

NETHERLANDS

Unwanted guests

THE Schieland en Krimpenerwaard water board said that urgent action should be taken to eradicate the non-native American crayfish damaging vital weirs and locks. Talking to the NOS broadcaster, the water board officials also warned that the crayfish were damaging plants and threatening native fish.

Silent enemy

IN recent years, more than 40,000 people have been affected by a variant of the Infostealer virus that collects personal information and passwords by infecting a computer or telephone, RTL Nieuws said. Infections are rising and victims are unaware that they have been hit and their details are being misused.

A VATICAN committee will deliberate whether King Baudoin (1930-1993) should be beatified, the first step towards sainthood. Pope Francis believes the late king should be honoured in this way owing to his stance against abortion in 1990 when he refused to sign legislation decriminalising voluntary terminations.

SWEDEN

Cold comfort

ANALYSIS of data from 120,000 heart attacks in Sweden between 2005 and 2019, combined with weather reports, showed that heart attacks increased two days into a cold spell. Investigators saw fewer links with the change itself but found that heart attacks increased once freezing temperatures had set in.

Stressed moose

SWEDEN has more than 200,000 moose but biologists said that climate change is reducing the birth rate amongst them, and they are producing smaller calves. Moose suffer heat stress once temperatures rise above 14C, they explained, they eat less and fail to put on enough weight to sustain them in the winter.

NORWAY

Hit the road

TWO British tourists stopped while driving a hire car on the wrong side of the E6 in Vaernes said they thought all vehicles drove on the left in Norway, unlike elsewhere in Europe. Officers pointed out that they were lucky not to have caused a collision and gave them a quick rundown on traffic regulations.

Pay slips

A SURVEY by Statistics Norway (SSB) revealed that 44 per cent of immigrants were not happy about their economic situation and 40 per cent admitted they would be unable to pay a large, unplanned-for bill. The SSB also found that immigrants from Africa or Asia were less financially satisfied than those from Europe.

New Year Honours List 2025:

King Charles III awards British Benevolent Fund Spain treasurer Charlie Wilson with MBE

MADRID, December 30th, 2024.

Charlie Wilson, the treasurer of the British Benevolent Fund charity in Spain, has been awarded an MBE in His Majesty The King’s 2025 New Year Honours List for services to vulnerable British nationals in Spain.

Since joining the charity in 2011, Mr. Wilson has helped countless British people across Spain by providing short term financial support to those in desperate need. The charity’s work was especially critical during the Covid-19 pandemic, as time and time again he supported the repatriation of vulnerable British nationals to the UK via commercial flights.

The British Ambassador to Spain, Sir Alex Ellis, said:

“Charlie is the backbone of the British Benevolent Fund’s invaluable support of British nationals across Spain. The fact

that he has given his time so generously over such a long period of time is a testimony of his dedication to helping others. I’m thrilled that his continued work is being recognised with an MBE.”

Charlie Wilson, who is based in Madrid, said:

“Receiving the MBE is a great honour and a very humbling experience. Although, it recognises my contribution to helping vulnerable British citizens in Spain, it really reflects the support, motivation and incredible inspiration I have

received from my family and friends. It is a privilege and a vindication of my belief that together we can all make a positive difference in the world.”

The King’s New Year Honours List 2025 includes three other recipients with links to Spain:

• A British Empire Medal (BEM) to Elizabeth Keegan, Director, Lloret Tourist Board, Spain. For services to British nationals in Girona, Spain.

• A Commander of the British Empire (CBE) award to Maria Almudena Sevilla Sanz, Professor, Economic and Social Policy, London School of Economics. For services to Economics and to Women in Economics.

• A Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award to Joel Castellvi-Kellhofer, Entrepreneur, Advocate and Innovator. For services to the Deaf Community.

Reaching boiling point

STAFF at Schipol Airport, Amsterdam, have reported increasing aggression towards themselves from passengers over the reintroduction of liquid restrictions.

Although the changes have been effective since September and the airport has released communications to inform people about the restrictions, staff say confusion is common. This confusion ‘leads to irritation’ and sometimes aggression.

The airport had previously been able to relax the rules due to installing advanced C3 scanners. This meant passengers could carry a much greater volume of liquids.

The reduction back to 100 ml is not due to any change in threat levels but

Frozen in time

FOR the 35th consecutive year the world-famous ice hotel has been built in Sweden’s Jukkasjärvi.

Taking six weeks to build by 26 artists from around the world, the hotel has 12 suites each with their own ice sculptures and theme.

Celebrated as the world’s first and largest Ice Hotel it was first constructed back in 1989 and is situated next to a beautiful river in the Swedish countryside.

Room designs change every year and this year there are motifs from ancient Greek myths, with ice sculptures of a redeyed Minotaur and a beautifully carved Greek ship.

There’s a suite called Flight where small bird sculptures hover around a solid ice bed and another quirky suite called Whoops Wrong Room where an icy Rhi-

no appears to have crashed through the wall.

With new sculptures every year, taking a trip to visit this hotel is genuinely a once in a life-time experience.

Ice Hotel said that they are “a bucket list staple for every Arctic adventure.”

Every spring the hotel is allowed to melt away, so that next year the space can once again be filled with new and exciting Ice art.

As well as the winter suites, there is an all-year-round hotel - Ice Hotel 365, wilderness camping and cabin experiences for anyone looking to book a trip to Sweden after spring comes.

The hotel has their own onsite restaurant and ice bar on site and there are daily exhibitions of the art in the winter ice suites.

to achieve compliance with recent European Union guidelines.

Olivier Jankover, Director General for the International Airports Council in Europe (ACI) provided the following statement about the changes:

“Security is non-negotiable, it is at the very top of priorities for Europe’s airports. However, the fact remains that those airports which have been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised both operationally and financially.”

Other European airports which had installed the advanced scanners allowing passengers to carry more liquids before the ruling include Sweden, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Malta.

Myth and Legends at Sweden’s Ice Hotel.

Photo Credit: Ice Hotel

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Tip-off

EMPLOYEES working in exclusive London restaurants like the Savoy Grill and the Ivy claim that their cover charges do not go to workers. Unions said they are considering legal action following last October’s legislation that obliges business owners to hand over all tips, service charges and cover charges to staff.

Still growing

SPAIN’S gross domestic product grew by 0.8 per cent duringthethirdquarterof2024 thanks to increased consumer spending, latest figures from Statistics Institute (INE) showed. Analysts predicted that the economy will have grown by 3.1 per cent by the end of the year, compared with 2.7 per cent in 2023.

Safe hands

TONI RUIZ, chief executive of fashion chain Mango, will take over as interim chairman following the death of founder and principal shareholder Isak Andic in a hiking accident in Montserrat (Cataluña) on December 14. Ruiz, 55, who owns 5 per cent of Mango’s capital, has been employed by the retailer since 2015.

Foot sore

HIGH street footwear retailer Shoe Zone, which has 297 stores and 2,250 employees, announced store closures following the impact of the autumn budget. Expected pre-tax profits of around £5 million (€6 million) for the year ending September 2025 are down from its previous £10 million (€12 million) forecast.

Quiz time

QUIZ CLOTHING plans to exit from London’s junior stock market (AIM) as the chain of 60 UK stores struggles to maintain buoyancy. Delisting would be best for the company and its shareholders, Quiz said, with founder Tarak Ramzan and his family, together with other major investors voting to leave AIM.

STAT OF WEEK

TDR CAPITAL, which owns 67.5 per cent of supermarket chain Asda, has given up control of Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten.

The London-based private equity firm bought 80 per cent of Hurtigruten in a 2014 “take-private” transaction. Since then, the shipping company founded in 1893 has developed into one of Norway’s biggest domestic ferry operators, and also organises Northern Lights cruises.

At the same time, TDR suffered important losses after providing Hurtigruten with £310 million (€375 million) to survive the pandemic and the Norwegian company has a debt pile that has swollen to £1.16 billion (€1.4 billion). As a result, the company reported interest repayments totalling £177.6 million (€214 million) in 2023, plus a £57.9 million loss (€69.8 million).

TDR is now relinquishing its Hurtigruten holding and will hand over to creditors who include London-headquartered Arini Capital

SCRANTON ENTERPRISES, the holding company owned by various directors of Catalan pharmaceuticals company Grifols, has additional interests outside pharmaceuticals.

These include the Juve & Camps cava bodega and, according to sources quoted in financial daily Cinco Dias, Scranton is looking for an investor for the upmarket label.

The Grifols holding company acquired its Juve & Camps stake in 2017 by

€1.25 billion

paid by BBVA, Merlin and San Jose, the three partners of Crea Madrid Nuevo Norte, to acquire land for their development programme in the Spanish capital.

Leaving Norway

Management and AlbaCore Capital, as well as the US global investment management firm Barings. Letting go of Hurtigruten will allow TDR to concentrate on other portfolio companies which include Asda. After buying out Zuber Issa’s stake in June this year, TDR is now a majority shareholder with Moshin Issa and Wamart Inc holding the remaining Asda shares.

Plagued by under-investment and weak management, the UK’s third-largest supermarket chain’s market share now stands at 12.8 per cent, compared with 14.8 per cent when TDR first acquired its stake. Confronted with a debt pile of approx £6 billion, TDR has brought in Allan Leighton, a former Asda chief executive, in hopes of reviving the ratailer’s flagging fortunes.

Grifols sells some fizz

snapping up the shares belonging to the Rosal Juve branch of the ca-

va-producing family.

Insiders explained that the Grifols executives hope

Iberdrola go-ahead Case study

ONLY 5.8 per cent of student loans were paid over the past five years, and millions still owe £50,000 (€60,196).

The largest sum that a graduate has ever repaid amounted to £137,000 (€166,136) although another currently owes a record £252,554 (€304,059), which the National Union of Students (NUS) said was “truly alarming.”

Despite the loans, a recent NUS survey found that 17 per cent of students resorted to food banks.

SPANISH energy company Iberdrola has cleared the final hurdle towards obtaining 100 per cent of its US subsidiary, Avangrid.

Following previous consent from the Federal and Maine regulators, the New York regulator has now approved Iberdrola’s application to acquire the 18.4 per cent of the sustainable energy company not in its hands.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Avangrid shareholders will receive $35.75 (€34.33) each for their shares, which will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Those with holdings on December 2, 2024, will receive their quarterly dividend in January, and Avangrid will in future operate as a private company, maintaining its headquarters in Connecticut.

PONTEGADEA, the company that manages Amancio Ortega’s property investments, announced £18.1 million (€21.8 million) losses for subsidiary Pontegadea UK in 2023

The first time without a profit for the company the Inditex mogul created in 2014, the 2023 dip was attributed to the increased provisions for deterioration that Pontegadea UK made on its British property investments in 2023.

These provisions rose to £65.6 million (€79.2 million), 40 per cent more than in 2022 when Pontegadea’s £1.2 million (€1.4 million) profits were the lowest to date.

THAMES WATER, notorious for sewage leaks, allegedly redirected millions earmarked for environmental cleanups to other uses.

in this way to bring in some extra cash in an attempt to reduce Scranton’s debts, as it has done with other disinvestments in the past.

Juve & Camps posted sales of €25 million and a net profit of €300,000 in 2022, the last year with available figures.

Scranton, a 75% stakeholder in the company, can expect to make €80 million out of the transaction.

Pronovias strategy

PRONOVIAS will finish 2024 in the red for the eighth consecutive year.

This is also the wedding dress company’s first full year with the US investment firm, Bain Capital, which took over in April 2023.

The Catalan company has reported consolidated losses of €128.5 million, well above the €98 million forecast in May, and resulting from a 2017 overvaluation of intangible assets when the company was transferred to former owners BC Partners.

“2024 has been a transition year, introducing measures for reorganising the business model in line with our 2025-2027 strategic plan,”

Pronovias sources said, predicting a recovery in 2025.

Thames Water cut back on improvements following secret discussions to gauge the risks of taking the funds.

The UK’s biggest water company with 16 million customers paid “hundreds of thousands” in bonuses and “tens of millions” in dividends as recently as March, the Guardian claimed on December 13.

The company now needs £3 billion (€3.6 billion) in emergency funding and £3.25 billion (€3.9 billion) equity investment to avoid collapse.

AVIVA, a FTSE 100 company and the UK’s largest insurer, is paying £3.7 billion (€4.5 billion) for rival insurer, Direct Line.

It is offering £2.75 (€3.31) in stock and cash for every Direct Line share while making the deal more attractive to Aviva shareholders by increasing planned dividends.

The companies plan to save £125 million (€150.5 million) by cutting between 5 and 7 per cent of their combined 33,000 workforce, affecting up to 2,300 jobs over the next three years.

Photo credit: Juve y Camps

CATALUÑA BODEGA: Grifols seeks a buyer for its Juve y Camps stake

HURTIGRUTEN: Asda owner, TDR relinquishes its stake in Norwegian company

3I Group 3.581,00 3.581,00 3.559,00 294,08K

Group 2.624,0 2.637,0 2.614,0 56,68K Airtel Africa 112,80 112,90 106,90 2,47M

American 2.381,5 2.384,0 2.329,5 2,55M Antofagasta

1.634,00 1.618,00 129,49K

Group 4.948,0 5.010,0 4.943,0 145,56K

British Foods 2.043,0 2.071,0 2.043,0 211,99K

10.436,0 10.498,0 10.436,0 754,28K

Trader Group Plc 793,80 793,80 784,20 421,01K Aviva 463,10 464,60 461,60 1,52M B&M European Value Retail SA 366,90 367,80 359,50 2,65M BAE Systems 1.158,50 1.170,50 1.154,00 953,89K

263,55 264,05 262,40 8,3M

Redrow 432,20 434,80 428,20 1,25M

Beazley 815,00 834,50 813,00 205,21K

Berkeley 3.896,0 3.912,0 3.856,0 89,44K

BP 381,25 383,45 381,25 13,68M

American Tobacco 2.880,0 2.893,0 2.876,0 586,44K BT Group 144,00 144,50 143,05 4,14M

3.304,0 3.324,0 3.304,0 175,54K

129,00 129,00 127,85 2,87M

2.726,0 2.708,0 329,93K

2.645,00 2.656,00 2.645,00 552,95K

Euro

EUR/GBP: Down from £0.83 to £0.82

EUR/USD: Down from $1.05 to $1.03

Over the past four weeks, the euro has struggled to hold its ground.

Escalating tensions between Russia and the West, coupled with fragile Eurozone economic data acted as key headwinds for the single currency, as did the political uncertainty that followed the collapse of the French government.

Surprisingly, the euro managed to rally in response to the European Central Bank’s (ECB) final interest rate decision of the year. Despite the bank cutting rates and signalling more monetary easing would be needed in the coming months.

Currency outlook: US dollar turbocharged by ‘Trump trade’, euro knocked by tariff fears

The euro is likely to get off to a weak start in 2025, assuming the US dollar continues to strengthen and the ECB delivers another rate cut following its January policy meeting.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Up from €1.19 to €1.21

GBP/USD: Unchanged at $1.26

Trade in the pound was uneven over the past four weeks,

with some mixed UK economic releases infusing volatility into the currency throughout December.

This was compounded by some mixed signals from the Bank of England (BoE), with the bank ultimately leaving interest rates on hold this month, but with a growing number of policymakers calling for the BoE to ease its monetary policy again.

UK economic releases are

likely to be closely watched by GBP investors over the coming weeks. Expect to see the pound struggle if these continue to raise concerns over the UK’s economic trajectory.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Up from £0.78 to £0.79

USD/EUR: Up from €0.94 to €0.96

The US dollar struck new

multi-year highs against many of its peers over the past month.

Additional tariff threats from Donald Trump provided a strong base for the US dollar. These gains were then reinforced by the Federal Reserve, as markets were taken by surprise by just how hawkish the bank was in its outlook for 2025.

Looking ahead, the US dollar looks poised to extend its momentum into the new year, with the start of Trump’s second term as President likely to help stoke USD demand in the coming weeks.

Currencies Direct have helped over 430,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996. Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your currency transfers.

The euro is likely to get off to a weak start in 2025.

A happy new year

LEAPY LEE SAYS

IT

OTHERS THINK IT

WELL, here we go again. Another 12 months bites the dust. If I make it through to July I’ll actually be entering my 86th year on this spinning ball of often impenetrable mystery. To be honest, ageing itself is truly weird and can often be quite bizarre. Oddly the human mind still appears to be a young explorer of this ever-evolving environment, unfortunately at my age one only has to glance in the mirror to observe the structure it’s been travelling in is preparing for the yard of the knackers!

The one real advantage you have over many members of the human race is of course experience. It’s not exactly being higher in the intelligence stakes, it’s simply that you’ve been around longer. Although I had no idea what they were essentially talking about, my interest in politics actually goes as far back as the 1940s. At the age of seven or eight, I can still remember

Mum quite often remarking that she would always vote Labour as she thought they were ‘good to the poor’. I also recall that Dad never joined in the conversation, so he must have been simply not interested or merely retained different ideas. I’m obviously my father’s son! Over my many years I’ve experienced a number of UK Labour governments, generally a bunch of incompetent chancers that I maintain, apart from their one true success of the NHS introduction, have always been utterly useless to the country I loved. I’ve watched them assure the public how they were going to ‘fix everything’, guaranteed they would ‘save the nation’, preened like primal Madonna’s and were voted in simply because many enthusiasts were too young to remember what they were capable of the last time. In fact, I’ve never truly supported any of the British political parties. Without exception their main objectives have always been power, media publicity and the feathering of their own nests. The authorities and the way the politicians ran the

whole caboodle were my true reasons for never returning to the old country; subsequently, with this bunch of falsifiers and propaganda mad culturists now running it into the dirt, I’m more than delighted to reside in Spain; a nation which, although at this time are actually finding it difficult to give any of the political classes absolute power, is still somewhere I can sit and enjoy the good company of indigenous locals, with families and friends sharing the good things that a peaceful and so far non over run populace has to offer.

I wish you all a happy, healthy and trouble-free new year and may we hopefully watch the rest of the so-called free world experience precisely the same consequence. Hang in there; unfortunately for many of the planet’s population there’s still a long way to go. Thanks for all your good wishes and support of the old blurb. Means a lot.

Keep the faith Love Leapy. Leapylee2002@hotmail.com

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

INTERVIEW

Speaking European - Martine Meijn from Amsterdam

Former employee of AFC Ajax in Amsterdam, Martine Meijn, from the Netherlands, decided to leave everything behind in her home country and settle in Mijas, Malaga, and she now helps run the famous Donkey Dreamland sanctuary.

EWN: What made you decide to come to the Costa del Sol?

Martine: I travelled through Spain for seven months before arriving in La Cala de Mijas. I think north Spain is more beautiful, but colder. So, I decided to follow the coast to southern Spain.

EWN: How has been adapting to Spanish life?

Martine: Spanish timekeeping. In the Ne therlands, when you meet, you are there five minutes before meeting time. I need to accept that. (She laughs).

me a volunteer. That was one and a half years ago.

EWN: What are your hopes for 2025?

Martine: For Donkey Dreamland, I wish we could find plenty of sponsors to help us with the care of our donkeys. Secondly, I hope that the animal welfare gets better. Personally, I hope to build a more personal life since I have no intention to leave anytime soon.

Fines for stealing heating

EVER heard of ‘thermal parasitism’? Residents in Poland are facing fines of up to PLN 500 (€117) for failing to maintain minimum heating requirements in their apartments.

The move, reported by Gazeta Prawna, aims to combat ‘thermal parasitism’, where individuals turn off their heating and rely on warmth from neighbouring flats.

The Polish government has set specific temperature standards to ensure fair heating practices and avoid strain on the infrastructure. Residential areas require a minimum of 20°C, while bathrooms a minimum of 24°C.

Some housing cooperatives allow temperatures as low as 16-17°C, but exceeding this limit may result in penalties. Inspectors are conducting routine temperature checks in apartments during the heating season to ensure compliance.

The introduction of fines addresses several challenges caused by inadequate heating, such as residents relying on communal heat, which then raises overall energy expenses for others.

Heating bills can become disproportionately distributed among tenants. Also, lower temperatures can lead to dampness and mould, risking long-term damage to buildings.

First underwater roundabout Faroe Islands

THE world’s first underwater roundabout has been unveiled in the Faroe Islands, mapping out a potential new way of travel for the world.

Sitting perfectly between Scotland and Iceland underneath the North Atlantic, this fantastic under-sea invention could pave the way to the future of global travel, ensuring safety needs are prioritised as the world comes under increased tension from man-made threats.

ten the time to get to the capital, Torshavn, and Runavik, by nearly an hour, taking reportedly just 16 minutes.

EWN: How did you get involved with Donkey Dreamland?

Martine: I came as a tourist to do a donkey walk. Afterwards, I was asked if I wanted to stay for a while to beco-

Donkey Dreamland is currently in desperate need of financial help to repair and rebuild some of its facilities. They have a GoFundMe page at gofund.me/163efc2b.

The many tunnels work their way through an incredibly detailed system of below sea-level channels and roads that will minimise the threat of unpredictable weather disruption for citizens of the nation, providing a more seamless form of travel for travellers to navigate.

Teitur Samuelsen, CEO of Eystur-OG Sandoartunlar, the company overseeing the tunnels’ operation, predicts that this new form of travel will shor -

The organisation set a plan over four years ago to build 17 tunnels on land and four sub-sea, which notably includes the world’s first ever roundabout underwater. The roundabout itself took around three years to map out and formulate, and opened last week amidst much European interest.

“The tunnels are designed by the world’s leading engineers and geologists, so safety with regards to the Atlantic sitting above is not an issue,” Samuelsen commented.

Thermal parasitism.

Credit: Pexels, Patrycja Grobelny.

Martine Meijn, from Donkey Dreamland.

Credit: MM

A potential new way of travel.

Did you know that more than 90% of New Year’s resolutions fail by the end of January?

Instead of making too many resolutions, why not focus on developing one simple habit?

HOW can you be part of the small percentage of goal achievers in 2025?

For starters, ditch one old habit you dislike and replace it with a new one. Simple swaps like this can set you up for success without feeling like you’ve signed up for emotional boot camp.

In a world where we’re told we can accomplish everything (no doubt), don’t overpack your shopping bag - or your schedule - and overwhelm yourself.

I’m a firm believer in “less is more.” So, why not start by decluttering patterns and habits that no longer serve you? Then, set one, two, or three manageable goals.

Why do we often fail at accomplishing new goals?

For one, we clutter our notepads with endless “I will do this and that…” lists. Instead, how about we change the way we think? Let’s evict old habits - especially the ones that overwhelm us with unrealistic expectations.

Take a different approach.

Jim Rohn wisely said:

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

It’s time to see yourself in a new light. Let go of what didn’t work - like tossing out clothes that never fit or colours that never flattered you but somehow made it into your closet because they were trendy or pushed on you by society.

Victoria Car Hire UK Self Drive

WE are based in Horley town centre, just five minutes’ drive from Gatwick airport and a short walk to Horley mainline railway station.

On offer is a range of cars starting with small everyday cars and up to family-sized vehicles to include manual and automatic transmission. We also have a variety of both petrol and diesel fuelled engines. All cars are well maintained and presented in a clean condition.

We have full 24-hour AA breakdown cover. The most popular brands used include: Ford, Vauxhall, Nissan, Citroen and Renault.

Now’s the time to declare:

“Old negative thoughts and unrealistic goals - your lease is over!”

Be kind to yourself. Reflect on why past goals didn’t work. Then, take baby steps toward what you truly desire - starting with the quiet voice inside you. Yes, the one that’s been drowned out by social media, notifications, and people telling you what you should want.

This year, I’m committed to cleaning out my mental closet - the habits that stuffed it full of New Year’s resolutions - and starting fresh.

Experts say forming a new habit could take 18 days, 256 days, or an eternity (depending on your discipline and caffeine intake).

I used to play the piano. I remember the good old days when I’d lay my hands on those black-and-white keys and create colourful melodies.

I felt so confident and free! But then life happened. I stopped playing for almost 20 years, and now I’m even afraid to turn on my keyboard - my fingers might creak, crack, and file a complaint with the Arthritis Association.

But as the saying goes: “Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle.”

So, I’ll start simple and small. Even if I tone down my expectations dramatically, my efforts - humble as they are - will follow me, step-by-step and little-by-little.

Not too many songs - just like goals. Focus on one well-achieved goal and make it the theme song of your life in 2025. Let it sound as beautiful as you hear it in your heart!

Can you rock that New Year’s resolution and keep it playing for at least 21 days? Happy 2025!

We meet our customers just outside the arrival terminal at Gatwick Airport at the authorised collection points at both the North and South terminals. We will then drive to the car rental office in Horley town centre, where the paperwork and payment are processed followed by a demonstration of the car controls and directions to the motorway if required.

The collection procedure is very efficient, taking a small amount of

GASTRONOMIC GLORY FOR CATALONIA 2025!

I’VE already written here about Madrid’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Well, Madrid isn’t the only centre of gastronomic excellence in Spain!

Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, famously clinched the prestigious title of Spanish Capital of Gastronomy last year. This vibrant city continues to dazzle visitors with its rich culinary traditions, cultural treasures and natural scenery.

Renowned for its gastronomic prowess, Oviedo boasts six protected designations of origin for its cheeses, wines and cider, alongside those for beans and beef. Judges were particularly impressed by Oviedo’s dynamic gastronomic events scheduled throughout the year. Additionally, the city’s burgeoning appeal as a tourist destination, coupled with the arrival of a high-speed train, resulted in easier access for visitors.

With its rich cultural heritage and exceptional hospitality sector, Oviedo still welcomes everyone seeking a feast for

range of cars are on offer.

time and allowing the customer to swiftly proceed with their onward journey.

At the end of the hire the customer returns the car to the rental office and will be driven to the departure terminal at Gatwick Airport.

Office hours are 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday, weekends by arrangement. An out of hours service is available for late arrivals and early morning departures. Subject to conditions.

Prices are from £89 per week, which is fully inclusive with no hidden extras, the fuel in the vehicles are taken on a like for like basis - if the tank is half full, it must be returned as so.

Debit and Credit card payment accepted. No hidden extras - Fully Inclusive Delivery & Collection - Gatwick Airport only Reservations: Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm Telephone: 0044 1293 432155 / jpselfdrive@hotmail.co.uk

JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

the senses.

And this year? Catalonia has officially been awarded the title of World Region of Gastronomy 2025 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT). This title aims to highlight regions that actively contribute to improving the quality of life of their citizens by promoting different food cultures and gastronomic innovation. It’s a prestigious award by an independent, international jury of experts from fields such as tourism, culture, hospitality and agriculture.

Finally, I leave you with this: to paraphrase the L’Oréal strapline, both Oviedo and Catalonia really are worth it. Go there!

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.

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

LUCCA MOVALDI PRESIDENT: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CLUB MARBELLA

NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.

NORA

A

• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •

Costa del Sol

Local talent uncovered

THERE is a multi-prize-winning artistic talent in Calahonda who is beginning to take off on the local art scene.

Claire Yates has been living on the Costa del Sol for nearly 25 years. Her artistic skills and keen eye for the smallest detail lend her artworks a gentle sense of her own fun personal character to her pictures. Unlike the intensity of paintings by many photorealist artists, Claire’s art has a delicacy to it that not only visually expresses the subject of her paintings, but also tactility in the touch of the hair, the fur and even the fabrics that surround the central figures.

Born into a naturally talented family, Claire avoided the traditional artistic route and followed an education in textile design, an element that has imbued her works with a delicate tangible feel juxtaposed with shaded contrasts as sharp as the true contours of the figures she illustrates.

Axarquia

An address for Nerja Cave

NERJA councillors from the PP and PSOE parties voted to name a street after its Cave, discovered in 1959.

The proposal was put forward by Town Planning and Infrastructures councillor Jose Alberto Tome Rivas, who pointed out that the road leading to the Cave had no official name. It was invariably referred to as Carretera de la Cueva and the council meeting agreed that this should now be its formal address.

“Giving this street an official name is recognition of the Cave’s importance, not only as a tourist attraction but also as a symbol of our town’s cultural and scientific heritage,” Nerja’s mayor Jose Alberto Almijo said.

The Nerja Cave, a protected Site of Cultural Interest since 2006, is located 200 metres above sea level, three-quarters of a kilometre inland from the coast.

Cave paintings dating back 35,000 years were found there in 2012.

Costa Blanca North Javea Three Kings Festival

CHILDREN will wait with bated breath for the Three Kings to disembark at Javea port on January 5.

Melchior, Balthazar and Caspar, also known as the three wise men, bring the children of Spain presents every year in grand processions that run through the city streets.

Javea’s three kings religiously arrive by boat at the main port after having completed their long journey from the Orient.

This year on the port promenade there will be multiple children’s workshops and a storyteller to keep children busy as they wait for their arrival.

Children’s morning activities will start from 10.30am and continue till 1.30pm.

Additionally, there will be a raffle held for €1,500 worth of gifts in Javea Port during the morning activities.

The Three Kings will arrive to much pomp and circumstance at 5pm, where they will begin their procession to the Plaza del Convento.

Costa Blanca South End-year success

THE tourism sector in Alicante Province closed the year on a strong note, maintaining the high levels of activity seen throughout most of 2024.

Occupancy rates on the Costa Blanca exceeded 80 per cent for New Year’s Eve, a figure that was well-received by local establishments. Although slightly lower than the previous year - when New Year’s Day fell on a Monday - this performance remained impressive. Inland accommodations also saw positive results, with occupancy reaching 74 per cent, nine points above the national average.

Mayte García, general secretary of the hotel association Hosbec, noted that coastal occupancy averaged around 80 per cent, with some destinations surpassing this percentage. She highlighted the stability achieved throughout the year, attributing it to the loyalty of visitors and efforts by establishments to improve their services and activities. High demand was not limited to the coast, as inland areas also experienced strong activity.

Almeria Race to Dakar

GINES BELZUNCES, a local from Huercal-Overa, is set to make history by becoming the first person from the town to compete in the legendary Dakar Rally in 2025. Known as one of the toughest races in the world, the Dakar Rally will be a big challenge, but Ginés is ready for it.

After taking part in the 2022 Rallye du Maroc, he’s been training hard to get even better and make sure he’s fully prepared for his Dakar debut. His hard work and passion for motorsport have made him a local inspiration.

The town hall of Huercal-Overa is cheering him on, wishing him the best of luck on this exciting adventure. They’re also encouraging everyone in town to follow along and support Ginés as he tackles each stage of the race.

With the name of Huercal-Overa behind him, Ginés is all set to take on this incredible challenge, and the whole town is excited to see him race in one of the most famous events in the world.

Costa Calida

March of concern

RESIDENTS of San Javier took to the streets of Santiago de la Ribera on December 29 to voice their opposition to a proposed biogas plant in the El Mirador area in San Javier. With gas masks and the Requiem by Mozart playing in the background, they held a funeral march to highlight their concerns about air pollution, fearing it could impact the already troubled Mar Menor. The march, organised by the Stop Biogas Mar Menor platform, featured people holding candles as they gathered signatures to oppose the project.

The biogas plant, which would process animal waste, has raised alarms among locals, especially given the large number of pigs in the region of Murcia already. Environmental educator Pilar Rey pointed out that the Mar Menor area already houses over a million pigs, with the entire region’s population of pigs exceeding two million.

Fur-friendly first aid

A WELL-prepared first aid kit for your pet is essential for handling emergencies and minor injuries during travel or at home. Start with basic supplies: gauze pads, adhesive tape, and bandages to cover wounds. Include antiseptic wipes and spray to clean cuts and prevent infection. Tweezers and scissors are useful for removing splinters and cutting bandages.

Bella’s Petsitting this Year is all Sorted!

Bella’s owners take her with them whenever they can. But when they travel abroad on holiday it is best she stays at home. So, they use HouseSit Match, finding free checked sitters via the website. It’s easy to do! Do you need pet sitters this year?

HouseSit Match Saves You Money – Petsitting is Free for Petowners and Accommodation is free for Sitters

We remain true to our values, promoting collaborative exchange through our managed online system - Free accommodation for Free pet care!

HouseSit Match is Safe – All Members Are Checked

All members are checked for safety, and you choose which housesitters come to care for your pets in your absence.

2. Join for as little as £ 89 GB / Eu 99 per year

3. Create a profile with photos

4. Sitters apply for the available housesits, you hold a video interview via the site and match!

How does it work?

Include hydrogen peroxide, as directed by your vet, to induce vomiting if your dog ingests toxins. Pack an emergency blanket to keep your pet warm if they’re in shock. Don’t forget any prescribed medications and a list of emergency contacts, including your vet’s information.

With these supplies, you’ll be prepared to handle most emergencies until professional help is available.

Add a digital thermometer for monitoring your pet’s temperature, along with disposable gloves for hygiene. Saline solution can flush out debris from your pet’s eyes or wounds. A pet-safe styptic powder is crucial to stop minor bleeding from cuts or nail trimming accidents.

Your pets stay at home - Safe and Undisturbed

All pets benefit from staying at home, so their routines are undisturbed. Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care and peace of mind for you and your pets.

If you’re travelling in 2025 join now and get organised today:

1. Register as a Housesitter or a Homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com

Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety, then housesitters build a profile and homeowners build an advert to find sitters. Housesitters see your advert, respond and you choose from the applicants.

Trustpilot Testimonials – 4.9 / 5 Excellent

We’ve used HouseSit Match for the last few years to find caring petsitters for our family of pets. It’s been a great experience; the sitters are caring and we’ve made some wonderful friends through the process.

Pat Creighton, Pet owner. How do you join? Register online via www.Housesitmatch.com Need a pet or house-sitter? House-sitting is a win-win, free house and pet-sitting exchanged for free accommodation!

Easing

tummy troubles

WHEN your dog has an upset stomach, offering gentle care and the right remedies can help them feel better. First, always consult your veterinarian if symptoms persist or worsen, but for mild discomfort, these remedies can provide relief.

Plain boiled chicken and rice is a go-to solution. It’s gentle on the stomach, easy to digest, and helps stabilise digestion. Feed it in small portions to avoid overloading their system.

Pumpkin puree (unsweetened) is another excellent option. Rich in fibre, it helps with both diarrhoea and constipation, soothing the diges-

tive tract. A tablespoon for smaller dogs or two for larger dogs is usually sufficient.

Dogs often eat grass when unwell, but this should be avoided. Grass blades can be sharp and may cause small cuts when swallowed. Additionally, grass might be treated with chemicals like pesticides or fertilisers, which can be harmful if ingested. Ensure your dog stays hydrated by offering fresh water or ice chips if they’re reluctant to drink. Avoid fatty or spicy foods and let your dog rest to recover fully.

With care, your pup will be back to their playful self in no time!

Bella loves going with her owners but can’t travel with them abroad on holiday

McGregor’s uncertain future

JOE ROGAN has cast doubt on Conor McGregor’s much-hyped return to the UFC. According to Rogan, the Irish superstar’s party-filled lifestyle suggests he may never fight again. McGregor, who last competed in 2021 and suffered a devastating leg injury, has repeatedly teased a comeback. Yet Rogan remains sceptical, hinting that McGregor’s current habits are incompatible with the disciplined life of a fighter. “I don’t know if Conor’s ever going to fight again,” he noted, pointing out how McGregor “is partying real hard.”

The hesitation around McGregor’s return centers on several factors. First, his high-profile injury has required lengthy rehabilitation, and it’s unclear if he’s fully recovered. Rogan also questions whether McGregor still has the mental drive to train intensively after years of physical and

emotional wear. Another sticking point is McGregor’s absence from the USADA testing pool, a mandatory requirement for any UFC comeback. His continued social media posts featuring training clips might excite fans, but they don’t confirm an official return.

Opinions among supporters are split. Some side with Rogan, believing McGregor’s prime has passed and that his off-octagon lifestyle might permanently derail his fighting ambitions.

Others argue that McGregor, once the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion, has both the talent and charisma to mount another comeback. Regardless of his next move, McGregor’s impact on mixed martial arts is indelible, transcending the sport and capturing global attention. For now, the question remains: will ‘The Notorious’ defy Rogan’s doubts and step back into the cage, or is his remarkable run truly at an end?

Bernabéu rebrand

ble, but rumours suggest the Santiago Bernabéu could soon be known as ‘The Bernabéu’. For nearly 70 years, it has stood as a monument to the club’s rich heritage and a tribute to Santiago Bernabéu Yeste, who played for, managed, and presided over Real Madrid, driving them to greatness after the Spanish Civil War. Reports from Marca indicate the potential rebranding is driven by commercial opportunities. Shortening the name may appeal to a global audience, making marketing more streamlined while retaining a nod to the club’s storied past. However, for many supporters, the name ‘Santiago Bernabéu’ embodies decades of history, including six European Cups and 16 La Liga titles.

has hosted countless legendary matches, from Champions League thrillers to unforgettable El Clásicos. Fans revere its legacy, seeing it as the beating heart of Real Madrid, where ambition and success converge. No official statement has confirmed a change, yet the rumours spark debate between those who believe tradition should remain untouched and those who favour modernisation. As Real Madrid’s players prepare for their next La Liga clash against Valencia on January 3, talk of a rebrand underscores the club’s desire to balance respect for history with the realities of contemporary football. Whether it remains the Santiago Bernabéu or becomes ‘The Bernabéu’, its legacy will endure.

Scheffler misses start of PGA

AN injury sustained while cooking Christmas dinner means world number one golfer, Scottie Scheffler, will miss the PGA Tour season opener.

The 28-year-old golf champion badly cut his hand whilst preparing Christmas dinner.

Blake Smith, Scottie’s manager, said via the PGA Tour on Friday:

“On Christmas Day while preparing dinner, Scottie sustained a puncture wound to the palm of his right hand from a broken glass. Small glass fragments remained in the palm which required surgery.”

Recuperation from this surgery means that Scheffler will miss The Sentry tournament, which is the season opener of the PGA tour plus the Sony Open. Both events take place in Hawaii.

Scheffler had an incredible year in 2024, winning seven PGA events including the Tour Championship. He also won this year’s Masters and picked up a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games.

The young golfer also won the Hero World Challenge and led Team USA to its 10th consecutive win at the Presidents Cup.

These are not the only major events to take place for Scheffler in

During the PGA Tour Championship the golfer was arrested on charges of assault which were later dropped. 2024 also saw the birth of his first child in May to his wife

Following his injury, Scheffler hopes to return to compete later in January 2025 at The American Express tournament at La Quinta, California.

Conor McGregor’s return to the UFC is in doubt.

The stadium’s legacy will endure.

Scottie Scheffler, champion golfer, misses out on start of 2025 PGA tour.

Credit: DP World Tour Facebook