Costa del Sol 9 - 15 Jan 2025 Issue 2062

Biggest year in history

“Skyrocketing revenues and job growth in 2024”

THE Costa del Sol has seen massive growth in its popularity as a destination for all types of visitors, not only sun-seekers but also business travellers, sport competitions, and those seeking history and culture.

President Francisco Salado of the Malaga provincial council emphasised the importance of tourism as the primary industry on the south coast and the need to convince everyone of its level of significance in strengthening the local economy. He was speaking on Wednesday, January 8, at a press conference presenting the latest economic results.

In 2024, tourism revenues grew three times more than the arrival of visitors, with the province receiving 14.4 million tourists, 474,000 more, an increase of 3.17 per cent, and revenues exceeding dizzying heights at €21.2 billion, 11 per cent more than in 2023.

The volume of workers in the tourism sector has increased by 7 per cent, with 137,408 people employed in the hospitality sector, according to the latest figures. Malaga Province has also demonstrated its strength as the primary tourist destination in Andalucia and one of the biggest in Europe.

However, there remain concerns over potential global influences in 2025, such as wars, currency price fluctuations, and a decline in national tourism.

For this reason, Salado announced actions to regain its most important and loyal customers, Spanish travellers, stating that the decision to travel to the coast is deeply personal but depends on the financial possibilities of each family.

He gave praise for the broadening of the selection of holiday possibilities on offer, which has increased markedly, not least with short-term rentals for tou-

rism, by 13.5 per cent in one year to 659,030 beds.

In conclusion, the Costa del Sol has demonstrated its strength as a key tourist destination in Spain and Europe.

However, the region should hedge its bets and be prepared to diversify in the face of bumps in the road ahead and therefore strengthen the business model.

Costa del Sol • Issue No. 2062 • 9 - 15 January 2025 FREE FREE FREI GRATIS

GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS

GRATUITO VRIJ LIVRE

ILMAINEN G F E GRATIS GRATUIT S G F

Francisco Salado.

Biggest year in history

“Skyrocketing revenues and job growth in 2024”

THE Costa del Sol has seen massive growth in its popularity as a destination for all types of visitors, not only sun-seekers but also business travellers, sport competitions, and those seeking history and culture.

President Francisco Salado of the Malaga provincial council emphasised the importance of tourism as the primary industry on the south coast and the need to convince everyone of its level of significance in strengthening the local economy. He was speaking on Wednesday, January 8, at a press conference presenting the latest economic results.

In 2024, tourism revenues grew three times more than the arrival of visitors, with the province receiving 14.4 million tourists, 474,000 more, an increase of 3.17 per cent, and revenues exceeding dizzying heights at €21.2 billion, 11 per cent more than in 2023.

The volume of workers in the tourism sector has increased by 7 per cent, with 137,408 people employed in the hospitality sector, according to the latest figures. Malaga Province has also demonstrated its strength as the primary tourist destination in Andalucia and one of the biggest in Europe.

However, there remain concerns over potential global influences in 2025, such as wars, currency pri-

ce fluctuations, and a decline in national tourism.

For this reason, Salado announced actions to regain its most important and loyal customers, Spanish travellers, stating that the decision to travel to the coast is deeply personal but depends on the financial possibilities of each family.

He gave praise for the broadening of the selection of holiday possibilities on offer, which has increased markedly, not least with short-term rentals for tourism, by 13.5 per cent in one year to 659,030 beds.

In conclusion, the Costa del Sol has demonstrated its strength as a key tourist destination in Spain and

Europe.

However, the region should hedge its bets and be prepared to diversify

in the face of bumps in the road ahead and therefore strengthen the business model.

Costa del Sol • Issue No. 2062 • 9 - 15 January 2025 FREE FREE FREI GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS GRATIS GRATUITO VRIJ

Francisco Salado.

Costa del Sol public holidays

SO, 2025 begins, and while many of us can barely believe a quarter of a century has passed since the Millennium, planning our time must take priority for the year ahead.

The next national holiday will not be until Thursday, April 17, or ‘Easter Thursday’, and Good Friday on the 18th. The long gap between public holidays and April usually bringing the first warm weather means this weekend is the biggest for tourism

in the first half of the year. If you’re hoping to travel or planning a get-together in a restaurant, re serve early as everything will book out.

On February 28, don’t forget it’s Andalucia Day. It will be a nice long weekend, as this year it lands on a Friday, with shops and services closed.

Then there is May 1, Day of the Workers; August 15, The Assumption, another Catholic day;

Resplendent Majesties

Adam Woodward THEIR Majesties the Three Kings from the Orient have paid their an nual visit to Fuengirola, and here is how it looked.

and October 12, the National day, also known as El Pilar; The Immaculate Conception Day on December 6; Constitution Day on December 8; and how could we forget, Christmas Day on December 25.

Added to these are the local holidays along the Costa del Sol and in Malaga City: August 19 and September 8; in Estepona, May 15 and July 16; in Marbella, June 11 and October 20; in Mijas, September 8 and October 15; in Fuengirola, July 16 and October 7; in Benalmadena, June 24 and July 16; and in Torremolinos, July 16 and September 29.

A slightly different experience at the Cabalgata (Kings’ Parade) this year as bad weather predictions forced councils to change times and dates. In the case of Fuengirola, the Three Kings kept their regular January 5 date but arrived much earlier at 10.30 in the morning.

Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar arrived in style by helicopter at the Elola social and sports centre, where they were welcomed by Mayor Ana Mula along with a multitude of children, who were able to greet them before the start of the Grand Three Kings Parade.

The Royal Entourage, one of the largest in Andalucia, was composed this year of 25 floats, 11

walking parades, and the participation of more than 500 children, as well as 155 council workers and 150 volunteers.

During the morning, more than 30,000 kilos of sweets were tossed from floats for the spectators to catch and enjoy, all of them gluten-free. Some with and others without sugar.

Their Majesties departed from Calle Mallorca and headed towards Avenida Mijas, Avenida Juan Gómez Juanito, Camino de Coin, Avenida Condes de San Isidro, Avenida Matías Sáenz de Tejada, and Avenida Ramón y Cajal until they reached Plaza Pedro Cuevas, where the show ended. It was a splendid day that thankfully avoided the predicted torrential rain that eventually arrived by nighttime.

Toll road price hike

THE Costa del Sol motorway and its two toll roads in the province will go through a serious price hike in the coming summer.

Rates will vary depending on the type of vehicle, time, or frequency of use. For example, a car journey from Malaga to Marbella will cost €18.85, while a trip from Antequera is going to set drivers back €25. Mala-

ga subsidises 50 per cent for regular users, but it is nothing like as much as frequent users of toll roads in Galicia, Asturias, or Alicante receive. In 2022, inflation went through the roof to above 8 per cent, leading the government to cap prices at around 4 per cent and compensate toll road operators through subsidies. But this staggered compensation will

not be paid in full until 2026.

The AP-7 between Calahonda and Guadiaro increased by 3.89 per cent over the last year, while the Las Pedrizas road experienced an increase of 5.45 per cent.

The Costa del Sol motorway website has updated prices for January 1, with low season prices being €11.60 for light

vehicles such as cars, €5.50 for the first toll in the direction of Cadiz, €3.70 in San Pedro, and €2.40 in Manilva.

Meanwhile, Malaga, has requested that the central government add a discount to the price of the toll road while the studies for the famous coastal rail link are ongoing. So far the request has fallen on deaf ears.

2025 Calendar for Costa del Sol.

A-7 toll booths.

Credit: Philip LangeShutterstock

Three Kings arriving in style.

Spain adopts proton therapy

“New treatment to revolutionise cancer care”

SPAIN is gearing up to lead a bold new charge in the global fight against cancer, promising pinpoint precision and fewer complications.

A new proton-powered treatment, known as proton therapy, has just arrived in Spain, and it’s sparking hope everywhere. Unlike traditional radiotherapy (which uses photons), this supercharged method fires protons directly into tumours, stopping the radiation from spilling over into surrounding healthy tissue.

Ten new units are set to boost the Spanish frontline by 2026:

Right now, only two private centres in Spain offer proton therapy. But from 2026 onwards, that’s all set to change. A whopping 10 new facilities will open across the country, thanks in large part to a €280 million donation from the Fundación Amancio Ortega. Expect to see these high-tech centres sprouting in Galicia, Catalonia, Madrid, Andalucia, País Vasco, Valencia, and the Canary Islands.

Galicia on the go:

• The Galician unit in the north of Spain is tipped to be the first fully operational site, with doors flinging open in January 2026.

• The Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander is expected to follow suit that same year, giving more Spaniards public access to this revolutionary treatment.

Spain set to become a European leader.

So why the delay? The hefty cost of building and running these units - and the need for specialised staff - kept Spain trailing behind. But as oncologists see it, Spain will catapult from straggler to European leader in proton therapy in just a few short years.

Stay tuned for more updates - because this cancer-crushing journey is only just starting.

Free dental care in Spain

“Spain expands healthcare services”

FROM 2025, Spain’s national health system will begin offering free dental care, marking a major milestone in accessible healthcare. For the first time, dental services will be integrated into local health centres, providing much-needed relief for those who struggle to afford private treatment.

Initially, the programme will prioritise vulnerable groups, including children under

14, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities.

Low-income adults may also qualify for subsidised care, with eligibility determined by income relative to the minimum wage (SMI). This phased rollout reflects the government’s commitment to addressing health disparities while gradually expanding services.

The programme will cover essential treatments, such as emergency care, extractions, and minor surgeries, along

with preventative measures like cleanings for eligible groups. Screenings for oral cancer and biopsies will also be included, highlighting the initiative’s focus on both immediate needs and longterm health outcomes.

While the plan promises to transform oral healthcare accessibility, challenges remain. Adequate staffing, resource allocation, and public awareness campaigns will be critical to its success. The Ministry of Health has pledged to address these issues through collaboration with regional health authorities and dental professionals.

By making dental care free and accessible, Spain is taking a bold step toward a more equitable healthcare system. This initiative not only aims to improve oral health but also underscores the government’s dedication to reducing health inequalities and fostering a healthier, more inclusive society.

Returning unwanted gifts

DECEMBER is a time of gift giving; however, post-Christmas is also a time of returning those gifts to the shops they came from for a variety of reasons.

The most important thing is to know the returns policy of the establishment which may include, for example, original and undamaged packaging, a receipt, or whether a cash refund is given or a gift card of the same value of the article. In Spain, it is extremely rare that a shop would take back any product without proof of purchase, such as a paper receipt.

Another point to take into account is the condition of the products; since with any gift that has been used (or appears so), the return will be rejected.

The same goes for the packaging or box of the product: the store may request that the returned product is kept in its original box, as well as everything in it (such as cables, chargers, or spare parts). The store will need to resell the item, so it must appear as pristine as the day it was bought.

Some products have a returns deadline, such as some fashion stores which keep strict rules on this, as their turnaround could be just a few weeks, and that pullover you want to return might already be considered unsellable by the time you return it. Most will be between 30 to 60 days maximums and 14 days for purchases online.

Golden Visa scrapped

“What’s next for investors?”

SPAIN’S decision to pull the plug on the controversial ‘Golden Visa’ scheme has left potential investors and buyers scrambling to figure out what’s next. As of April 2025, this system - which allowed wealthy non-EU individuals to secure residency by investing heavily in property - will be no more.

The Golden Visa was the dream ticket for many looking to snap up a luxury home in Spain, but that door’s closing. From April, no more new visas will be issued under the scheme. However, if you’ve already got one in hand, you’re safe - for now. You’ll still be able to renew it as long as you tick the necessary boxes. read on to find out more.

First launched back in 2013, the Golden

Visa was designed to attract wealthy investors to Spain, particularly in the property market. However, under the new law published in Spain’s Official Gazette on January 3, 2025, the controversial scheme has been phased out as part of a broader set of judicial reforms. This marks the final nail in the coffin for the articles of the 2013 law that allowed non-EU foreigners to gain residency in exchange for big investments. Some are arguing that the Golden Visa boosted Spain’s economy, but others have slammed it for creating an exclusive residency system for the wealthy, often at the expense of the average EU citizen. Is ending this type of visa fair? Is this right for Spain’s economy? Or is it a move against business?

Credit: Shutterstock, Romberi

Alhaurin takes castle

is planning to recover ownership over its emblematic castle, which is in reality an old water tower.

Originally constructed in the 1990s as a bit of fun with the practical use of storing and providing water to a new urbanisation that was never given the go-ahead, the construction of the Moorish castle form was never completed due to the lack of legal licences, as well as the cash to finish the job off.

However, its construction, atop a hillside and visible from most places in the Guardalhorce valley, has become one of the most instantly familiar landmarks in the area and is now lovingly referred to

as ‘El Castillo’ by all the residents of Alhaurin.

The current council of Alhaurin el Grande, under the leadership of mayor Anthony Bermúdez, has decided to finally deal with the site and has undertaken a series of administrative moves to reacquire part of the land from Finca la Mota, and in particular, the part with the faux castle / water tower, as part of bankruptcy proceedings.

Given the interest this new Alhaurin administration has in the iconic structure, after previous councils had left it to crumble, it seems there are plans afoot to turn the site into a space to be enjoyed by local residents, while maintaining its emblematic status as ‘Alhaurin’s castle’.

Torremolinos sports city

TORREMOLINOS pitched itself as Sports City in 2024, and it paid off, bringing in over €2 million for the Costa del Sol town with continuous major sporting events.

The amount raised through sports tourism in 2024 saw a 47 per cent increase on the previous year, reaching 4,691 people who specifically travelled to Torremolinos to participate in, or help with competitive sports events, where there was a 1,507 increase in athletes compared to 2023.

There were a total of 233 teams competing in a variety of events in Torremolinos in 2024, many from central and northern Europe, of which 150 were swimming, 64 football, 14 athletics, and five in multi-sports.

This marks an increa-

se of 88 categories compared to the previous year, a figure that gives a good signal that the work being carried out to attract sportspeople is working, according to the councillor for Sports, Ramón Alcalde.

Some 2,580 swimmers who, mainly, have made use of the Virgen del Carmen III outdoor Olympic pool. Football has attracted 1,674 sportspeople, athletics totalled 232, and

another 205 athletes have come for multi-sports teams.

Clearly, this strategy for promoting the town as a hub for large-scale sporting events is beginning to pay off, and in turn helping to boost the takings of local businesses while diversifying the Torremolinos away from being just a seasonal destination for sun, sea and sangria holidaymaking.

Adam Woodward

ALHAURIN EL GRANDE

Competitors in Torremolinos triathlon.

de Triatlón.

Alhaurin’s iconic castle.

Credit: Oria arquitectos.

Marbella job fair

MARBELLA job fair has been brought forward to January to cater for those who had been working in temporary positions over the Christmas period.

Now, the fair is now taking place on Thursday, January 16 at the Adolfo Suárez Fair and Congress Centre. At the fair there will be 140 companies looking to fill vacancies which are expected to be around 2,000.

The objective is to “facilitate the insertion of those unemployed and the selection of personnel by human resources departments,” according to the councillor for Employment. He also mentioned that “this year there will be a special commitment to the sector of new technologies due to their importance in the di -

versification of our economy.”

In previous years, over 5,000 people have attended the job fair, reaching a maximum capacity for the Centro de Congresos. For this reason, it is strongly advised that those wishing to attend get their free tickets early from enter ticket.es.

The fair will have

company stands from sectors such as tourism, services, real estate, construction and maintenance, as well as 20 spaces allocated to institutions and groups, including the city council itself, which will inform visitors of the different municipal programmes that are underway and training courses available.

To reopen after 30 years

THE Marbell Centre, a shopping centre in the heart of Marbella City that has been closed for the past 30 years, is to be reopened.

Marbella Council has just given the green light to a real estate firm to finally redevelop the building and reopen it in the form it was originally designed for. The more than 18,000 square metres of property will contain shops, leisure and restaurant facilities.

The target for the new owners is to carry out a complete modernisation and remarketing to generate an attractive site that meets the needs of residents and visitors and create an important focal point for the entire area.

The real estate group leading the redevelopment have said they are investing about €25 million, part of which

will go towards major modifications inside the building, including expanding and modernising spaces and transforming the facade to make the structure more open and welcoming. It is hoped that the new Marbell Centre will be open by Christmas 2025 and will have already generated at least 150 jobs.

Part of the layout of the building will include a bowling alley and games zone, a gymnasium, spaces for bars and terraces, as well as office and storage space.

Marbella Council has also announced the granting of a licence to transform a 3,200 square metre building next to the Pirulí monument in Plaza Monseñor Rodrigo Bocanegra, into tourist accommodation.

Credit: Ayuntamiento de Marbella

Feria de empleo, Marbella.

New Marbell Centre design.

Credit: López Real Inversiones

Strictly’s Tasha in Malaga

DESCRIBED as the best contestant the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing has ever had, Tasha Ghouri has been taking a well-earned rest in Coin, Malaga, with her dad, Tarek, and brother, Alex.

Tasha, who is deaf and wears a cochlear implant, kept Strictly fans in the UK and the Costa del Sol pinned to their TVs during one of the most exciting editions of the popular TV dance contest.

Euro Weekly News couldn’t resist paying Tasha a visit to chat about her amazing year.

EWN: After such an amazing year, what’s next for Tasha?

Tasha: We’re taking Strictly on a tour of UK arenas with the same seven celebrities from Strictly and our partners from the show and performing the same dance routines from the show.

EWN: What are you listening to today?

Tasha: Music? Everything. I listen to Old School, 2000s era. People expect deaf people not to have any rhythm. But I can follow the music because I feel the beat.

EWN: Tell us about

with dad,

Strictly.

Tasha: Doing Strictly was the dream show I had wanted to do since I was a teenager.

First baby of 2025

Learning those Latin and ballroom styles was a very di erent world from what I am used to. The cast was amazing; everyone was so supportive. It wasn’t like a competition. Everyone wanted everyone else to do well.

EWN: What do you think of your dad living in Spain?

Tasha: He has made some really good friends here. There’s a lovely community here too. And I get great summer holidays lying by my dad’s pool. We’re going out for my rst-ever New Year’s Eve here. We’re going to

Coin when everyone dresses up in fancy dress, and we’re going as FBI agents.

Tasha Ghouri has been the highest-scoring contestant ever on the phenomenally successful British dance show.

She also competed on Love Island as the show’s rst deaf contestant, where she rst met her partner Andrew Le Page.

During the airing of the show, Tasha received a lot of cyberbullying about the way she spoke, even though it was barely noticeable.

Record rent prices

RENT prices for flats and apartments were thought to have reached their peak after the pandemic lockdown when everyone yearned to have outside space, but it was not the case in Costa del Sol.

Property prices for both rent and purchase haven’t stopped soaring, and in the case of rent in Malaga City, 10.2 per cent in the last 12 months.

According to the latest report by Idealista, the online property platform, average rental prices in Malaga Province finished the year at €15.2 per square metre, which works out to an average price for an 80 square metre flat of €1,216 per month. And year on year, the

curve is getting steeper. Historical price highs were reached in December 2024 across the board, including in Malaga City, Alhaurin el Grande, Cartama, Fuengirola, Manilva, Torremolinos, and Ronda.

One of the highest annual increases was recorded in Cartama with an increase of 22.5 per cent.

Average rent prices remain more reasonable inland, most notably in Ronda and Antequera at €7.3 per square metre, and, unsurprisingly, the most expensive in Marbella at €17.6 per square metre. However, the question for investors is how long this value increase is sustainable. How long is it before we see the bubble burst?

PARENTS, Riduan and María were not able to toast the arrival of 2025 with Champagne this New Year, although they did start the new year with the best of gifts. At 1.09am on January 1, their daughter, the first baby of 2025 in Costa del Sol, entered the world - a girl they have called Nora.

This was the first birth in the province of Malaga in 2025, which happened at the Costa del Sol University Hospital, according to the Junta de Andalucía in a statement.

Nora weighed three kilos 440 grams and measured 54 centimetres. Her parents, Riduan and María, arrived at the

hospital from El Coto, in Las Lagunas de Mijas.

In Andalucia, the first baby born of 2025 was also a girl, Lola, who came into the world at the Torrecardenas University Hospital of Almeria at eight minutes past midnight on January 1. She is the fourth daughter of the family, and her parents, Estefanía and Miguel. She measured 48 centimetres and weighed precisely three kilos.

In Spain, the first two children born in 2025 both came just a split second after midnight. Lucia in Madrid, and Nayeli in Sabadell, Catalonia who both had their times of birth noted as 00.00.

María and Riduan with daughter Nora.

Tasha

Tarek, and brother, Alex in Coin.

House hunting.

Credit: Tupungato - Shutterstock

Lucky Malaga

THE first prize of the ‘El Niño’ lottery did not come to the Costa del Sol this time. The ticket number 78908 was snapped up in Leon in the north of Spain, according to the prize draw held on Monday, January, 6.

However, a good dose of luck did fall on the Malaga Province in the form of second and third prizes.

Ticket number 06,766, the second prize, which was sold in the Venta Los Pacos de Marbella and in Malaga City, in the administration El Bambú de la Suerte, located on Calle Abdalajís, in the neighbourhood of Cruz de Humilladero. The number carried a very respectable €750,000 per series, or €75,000 each for each of the 10 tickets available that each hold that number.

The Malaga Province was also very honoured with the third prize-winning number, 66,777s. It was worth €250,000 per series of 10 tickets, so €25,000 to each of the lucky people who held that numbered ticket, more specifically in Cartama, Torre del Mar, Cala del Moral, and three in

Malaga City.

This year, the ‘El Niño’ lottery gave out a total of €770 million. The autonomous communities that spent the most on tickets were Asturias (an average of €30.20), Castilla y Leon (€28.89), La Rioja (€26.01), the Valencian Community (€25.17), and the Basque Country (€23.22).

Lowest unemployment

MARBELLA enjoyed a 12.1 per cent drop in unemployment in December, marking it the best year-end since 2007, according to employment advisor Alejandro Freijo. This trend is attributed to the strengthening of the labour market and the effectiveness of local policies implemented by Marbella Council. Now the Costa del Sol’s second city is well-positioned to face the challenges of 2025, with a solid foundation of trained and experienced professionals.

In December 2024, 2,899 contracts were signed, a 22.6 per cent decrease compared to the previous year. This drop may have something to do with improved job stability, as current employment contracts are longer and there is less staff turnover.

Freijo linked these positive results

to certain policies carried out during 2024, which have been fundamental in making Marbella’s labour market more stable. Initiatives promoted by the council, such as the Municipal Employment Training Plan, the Marbellup programme, and events like the Business Innovation Marbella (BIM) and Startup OLÉ Marbella, have established the city as a benchmark in innovation, entrepreneurship, and training.

On January 16, the Marbella Job Fair will be held at the Congress Centre, bringing together about 100 companies offering more than 2,000 jobs. Admission will be free and managed through the Enterticket website, providing an opportunity to connect companies with local talent and continue to boost the economic growth of the city.

Marbella jobs fair.

Credit: Palacio de Congresos Marbella

El Niño lottery tickets.

TomasShutterstock

Torremolinos tackles immigration

SINCE launching in July 2024, Torremolinos’ free legal guidance service for foreign residents has already resolved a healthy 300 consultations for 283 users, hailing from 30 different countries.

From Colombia to Russia, the town is providing much-needed guidance for foreign residents seeking advice on immigration matters.

The service, run by the local council, has become a lifeline for people navigating Spanish bureaucracy. Foreign nationals can access the service every Wednesday and Thursday between 9am and 1.30pm, with a prebooked appointment via the ‘Torremolinos Despega’ app or through the town’s social workers.

An immigration lawyer is on hand to offer expert advice on everything from family and social roots to

Over 300 legal consultations for foreign nationals answered in just six months. View of the bustling Calle San Miguel - a shopping street in the coastal town of Torremolinos.

work-based regularisation, helping users with everything they need to know for a smoother path to legal status. While most consultations have been focused on social and family integration requirements, users have also raised questions on nationality by residence, student permits, and how to navigate the EU Citizen Registration Certificate. Some have sought help with asylum and the

Marbella is growing

Marc Menendez-Roche MARBELLA is making headlines again, not just for its beaches and glitz but because it’s growing.

EU family member cards. The help is there for those who need it.

This service is working hand-in-hand with Torremolinos’ social workers, who specialise in migrant services. Once a social worker identifies a person’s need for further legal assistance, they direct them to the lawyer, and vice versa - the lawyer refers those needing additional social reports to the social workers.

At the close of 2024, Marbella’s official population figures hit 166,999 residents, marking a staggering increase of nearly 3,500 people in just a year and a whopping 8,000 more than the number currently recognised by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE). Experts are warning that the INE’s lower count of 159,000 could have serious consequences for the town’s coffers.

Marbella’s municipal spokesperson, Félix Romero, was quick to tout the city’s success. Speaking after a recent Local Government Board meeting, he proudly declared, “Marbella has experienced continuous growth for 11 years, adding over 20,000 new residents - that’s like the entire population of Nerja moving here!”

Romero hailed this steady rise as evidence of Marbella’s “strength and appeal,” cementing its position as the seventh-largest city in Andalucia. But he didn’t stop there - he also issued a stern warning about the financial implications of the INE’s figures.

The INE’s undercount has real consequences. Marbella receives €314.31 per resident annually from the national government, funds crucial for maintaining public services. Based on the INE’s lower estimate, Romero predicts the city could miss out on a jaw-dropping €2.5 million in funding - money the city desperately needs.

“We’ll formally submit our municipal register figures to the INE by the March deadline,” said Romero. “But we fear they’ll once again make a lowball estimate, just like last year when they slashed our numbers by 4,000 residents.”

Credit: Shutterstock, chrisdorney

People relaxing at pavement cafes and restaurants - Orange Square, Marbella.

Credit: Shutterstock, Eo naya

Adam Woodward TORREMOLINOS

Council will not fine drivers of cars without a B environmental sticker for entering the new low-emissions zone (LEZ) until February 15, 2025.

The idea is to extend the adaptation period with a publicity campaign starting in the first few weeks of 2025. Until February 15, the council will run an information campaign to remind people of the new low-emissions

Fines from February

rules, with the aim of clarifying doubts and highlighting the importance of keeping unapproved vehicles out of the LEZ.

The council has stressed that residents who live within Torremolinos centre and who have their vehicles registered in the Low Emission Zone, will never have any type of restriction, regardless

FUENGIROLA Council is currently leading the way in cutting-edge street technology for urban mobility.

During 2024, a total of 148 traffic cameras were installed in strategic points of the town, managed through a control panel at the Local Police Headquarters. This system is designed to speed up the transit of vehicles and improve road safety.

The new Intelligent Traffic Management System includes cameras that issue real-time alerts about accidents and traffic jams. This technology allows Local Police to make proactive decisions to prevent congestion. In addition, the system incorporates smart traffic lights, designed to adjust to the flow of traffic, especially

Hi-tech mobility

during the high summer season, thus improving road safety.

Among the measures implemented is the installation of four smart pedestrian crossings on Avenida Clemente Díaz. These zebra crossings alert to the presence of pedestrians through blue flashes, reinforcing safety at intersections.

At the same time, Fuengirola’s public transport continues to gain popularity, with about three million passengers in 2024. The local bus fleet, composed entirely of hybrid vehicles, is also equipped with defibrillators.

of the age of their vehicles or if they do not have an environmental sticker.

The objective of the implementation of the Low Emission Zone is to reduce the amount of vehicles that pollute the most and traffic levels in general, better environmental sustainability, promote the use of public transport, and get more people

According to the council, in 2025 there will be a focus on two main objectives: creating more parking spaces and continuing to improve road safety. The implementation of intelligent technology is a medium to long-term process. The councillor for mobility says, “This AI-based technology needs to learn to adjust and offer optimised configurations that reflect its full potential.”

walking, cycling, and using environmentally sustainable transport.

Access to the Torremolinos LEZ is signposted at its entry and exit points, as well as employing licence plate reading cameras.

Torremolinos was one of the first towns on the Costa del Sol to implement a Low Emission Zone. The law now obliges municipalities of more than 50,000 inhabitants to adopt sustainable urban mobility plans.

New hybrid bus, Fuengirola.

New LEZ panels.

Beach bar arson

MARBELLA Local Police arrested a man on Sunday, January 5, as the alleged arsonist behind the burning down of a beach bar in Puerto Banus.

A rapid response from local firefighters enabled the fire to be extinguished in a matter of minutes, however the wooden structure of the Asucar Beach beach bar had been left completely gutted and unsalvageable.

Have fun with flowers

ESTEPONA Floral Art Society had a busy end to 2023, culminating in a festive ‘Fun with Flowers hands on’ where ladies made either a swag for the door or a festive table arrangement, a great sociable end to the year where everyone left with a completed Christmas design.

January sees the group welcome Beverley Artis from the Long Eaton area of the UK. Beverley has been a orist for over 20 years, she is a oral art demonstrator and teacher so there will be lots hints and tips for all to learn.

Beverley’s demonstration, ‘A Perfect Day’ is on January 21, at El Paraiso Golf Club and starts promptly at 3pm. Everyone is welcome, visitors fee is €15.

Police shut down festival

The blaze took place at about 8.50am, on the Alberto Vidiella Tudores promenade in Puerto Banus, and the emergency services were alerted immediately.

A variety of local fire and police units arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area while fire crews sought to douse the flames. Police interviewed witnesses to work out who had been responsible for this blatant and open act of arson. During this short investigation,

officers spotted a person lurking nearby who matched the description of their interviewees and who, according to a Marbella Council spokesperson, was wearing a blue coat and walking a dog.

Pursuing the man around a corner, they noticed he had thrown away his coat in an attempt to evade police identification, but they eventually caught up with and detained the 36-year-old man from Zamora, who now lives in the Nueva Andalucía area of Marbella. So far, no motive for the act of arson has been reported by the police.

Adam Woodward SOPHIE FESTIVAL, which was supposed to bring together around 6,000 ravers on January 1 in Ogus Park, Malaga, was cancelled at literally the last minute by Malaga Council due to a lack of o cial permits.

Police were called to shut down the event, something that has caused controversy between the organisers and the local government, who both speak of contradictory versions of what happened.

According to the council, the promoters of the festival did not present the necessary documentation in a timely manner to obtain authorisation.

They say that the Sophie Festival organisers were warned three times to present the documents but never did.

The Sophie Festival organisers have expressed their bewilderment and assure that the documentation was sent on December 3. They claim that the delay in authorisation was

due to the absence of a council technician in charge of certifying the requirements during the end-ofyear festivities. With the whole show set up, stages built, and lighting rigs and ampli ers all in place, as well as a lineup of world-renowned House DJs such as the UK’s Richie Hawtin ready to take to the decks, both Local and National Police turned up and closed down the event. Event organisers have promised to refund all ticket holders.

The beach bar was left completely gutted.

Credit: Marbella se queja, & Ayuntamiento de Marbella.

Luxury boosts profits

TURISMO COSTA DEL SOL is striving to enhance the region as one of the most luxurious tourist destinations in the world. They are focusing their attention on attracting the highest-spending demographic of tourists, rather than further overcrowding the coast in a kind of quality instead of quantity bid.

The private organisation, Turismo Costa del Sol, has taken over from the local tourist board. Recently, they have been taking part in events in Munich, London and Madrid, and plan to be taking part in the upcoming SIE Spain luxury tourism event focused on sustainability, talent retention, and the cultural impact of luxury tourism, led by Princess Béatrice d’Orléans.

The board also attended an event in London organised by the Spanish Tourist Office and Aspire, one of the most important publications in the luxury sector. The event showcased the potential of the region, from Manilva to Malaga, and highlighted the company’s commitment to unique, sustai -

nable, local experiences.

In Germany, Turismo Costa del Sol organised an exclusive separate meeting at the Roomers Autograph Collection hotel in Munich, a strategic city for its high concentration of luxury travel agencies. That event included presentations of hotels and destination management companies that organise major corporate and sporting events, as well as luxury experiences such as wine, cheese, and ham tastings.

The initiatives, coupled with those of Marbella Council to capture the US and Chinese markets, are testimony to the dedication of Turismo Costa del Sol in raising the standard in our region’s tourism offer and therefore the sustainability, image, and profitability of the Costa del Sol for local businesses.

Through collaboration with key agents, the promotion of unique experiences, and the development of sustainable strategies, the Costa del Sol is being positioned as the essential destination for tourism of excellence at both national and international levels.

Fuengirola train crisis

THE Cercanías commuter train from Malaga to Fuengirola is facing a crisis point, particularly during summer months when it operates at 117 per cent of its maximum passenger capacity.

along with the possibility of extending the line to run from Algeciras to Nerja.

gers, which would give a relatively less expensive respite to the issue.

The issue has just been confirmed by a report from the Ministry of Transport. Mobility on the Costa del Sol is currently being analysed

Double-decker trains are currently being considered as a possible solution to lighten congestion and increase train frequencies. José Antonio Santonio, Secretary of State for Transport, expressed his support for bringing the more capacious double-decker trains to Malaga, considering they are already used in other parts of Spain.

He also proposed extending station platforms so that trains could pull more carriages, and therefore more passen-

The extension of the railway connection from Nerja to Algeciras would be popular with the population along the Costa del Sol, with an estimated 60 million passengers per year as long as the four sections were added. The study estimates that 18 per cent of the population between Nerja and Malaga could be persuaded to become regular train users. But the project would be costly, the main reason why it has already taken years for the government to even fully study its feasibility.

Puerto Banus.

Equity Release on the Costa del Sol with Castle Rock International Law & Investments

CASTLE ROCK International Law & Investments offers equity release to unlock your retirement potential on the Costa del Sol.

Imagine enjoying your golden years in the comfort of your own home, free from financial worries.

For many retirees in Spain, this unfortunately is far from reality. Many face financial challenges with low pensions and rising living costs due to high inflation. Increasingly, expats that had dreamed of retiring here in the sun, are left with little choice but to consider moving back to their home countries due to financial pressu-

res. The lack of financial products in Spain, especially for expatriates, doesn’t help provide solutions to many foreign residents living here.

At Castle Rock International Law & Investments, we offer an innovative equity release solution tailored for retirees on the Costa del Sol, and those specifically over the age of 65.

An opportunity to unlock the liquidity in your property whilst enabling you to continue living in your home.

Whether you’re seeking additional income, want to settle debts, or are looking to fulfil your lifelong retirement

dreams, we’re here to help you find a solution. One of those solutions is called a Bare Property Sale.

What is a Bare Property Sale?

A Bare Property Sale allows you to sell the ownership of your home in exchange for either a one-time lump-sum

payment or a lifetime monthly income. Importantly, you retain the right to live in your home for the rest of your life. This usufruct for life is signed at the Notary Public and the final settlement conducted by lawyers.

The benefit of this means you can conti-

nue to enjoy your current lifestyle while accessing the funds you need to, whether that be to cancel mortgages or debts, supplement your pension, take that dream vacation, or simply spend more quality time with family.

In addition to bare property sales, there are a variety of other options we offer to help expats achieve financial security. Each solution is customised to your unique circumstances, ensuring your peace of mind.

Simple Requirements, Straightforward Process

To get started, you only need to meet two

criteria: 1) Be at least 65 years old, and 2) Own a property here in Spain. In addition, no proof of income is required.

Our expert team will guide you every step of the way from consultation and proposal through to formalising the agreement.

Retirement is your time to thrive. Embrace freedom, security, and the lifestyle you’ve earned, without leaving your home!

Contact Castle Rock International Law & Investments today and discover how our equity release solutions can help you secure the financial future you deserve.

Smart traffic lights axed

AMSTERDAM is to scrap plans to introduce so-called ‘smart tra c lights’ amid fears over privacy, data protection and security.

The ‘intelligent’ tra c systems were heralded as the solution to the Dutch capital’s congestion problems by connecting with mobile phones and GPS apps to control tra c ow and avoid the daily rush hour jams.

However, the Dutch Data Protection Authority has called for a pause on the implementation of the new high-tech systems amid fears about their ability to gather personal data and how that may be used.

There are also worries about cybersecurity and how the tra c light systems might be hacked by criminals or terrorists. While trials had already

begun in 2024, the decision now is to scrap the technology altogether.

As the technology works with Google Maps, in conjunction with the smart tra c light system, it would be possible for the city council to accumulate massive amounts of information on all drivers in the city and all their journeys from start to nish, including speed, date, time, and driving patterns. This has raised serious concerns about who would be responsible for the safekeeping of that data and what it might be used for if it were to leak.

The privacy watchdog, the DPA, also claims that the local government has not even considered the possible security or privacy issues the technology poses, or with who could have access to that data, and for what reasons.

ACCORDING to data from Turespaña, a total of 7.9 million seats are scheduled for international flights to Spain in January 2025. This marks a 6.5 per cent increase compared to January 2024, when 7.4 million seats were available.

The forecasts indicate solid performance from key markets, although growth is less pronounced than in previous months. The United Kingdom shows a 3.7 per cent increase in seat availability, while Germany is up by 1.5 per cent, Italy by 12.1 per cent, and France by 5.7 per cent.

Among Nordic countries, Denmark leads with an 8.4 per cent rise in planned seats, followed by Finland (+4.7 per cent) and Norway (+4.2 per cent). Sweden, however, has seen a decline, with 11.4 per cent fewer seats planned.

Turkey and the Czech Republic continue to show significant growth, with projections ex-

More bums on seats

ceeding 15 per cent.

Poland’s growth has slowed compared to earlier months, now at 2.4 per cent. Flights from the United States are projected to increase by 4.6 per cent.

In Latin America, Co-

lombia and Mexico account for the highest seat volumes. Colombia shows a 2 per cent increase, while Mexico has a more modest rise of 1.1 per cent in planned capacity for January 2025.

Bilbao Airport.

Amsterdam traffic congestion.

Are you affected by the noise pollution in Spain? Your

NOISE pollution, an often-underestimated problem, can profoundly affect human health and well-being. We all experience it, whether it’s the roaring sound of traffic, music blasting through the walls from a neighbour’s party, or the constant drilling sounds of construction nearby. It can affect our sleep, make us feel stressed, and even impact our health in the long run, leading to problems like hearing loss and heart issues. But most of all, it makes us feel annoyed and exhausted.

This was the experience of residents in the Arroyo de la Miel district in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol, as reported by Euro Weekly News last month. The neighbours complained about sleepless nights caused by unmuffled exhaust pipes, roaring engines, and music blasting from nearby festivals and fairgrounds - and they are not alone in this situation. While this, unfortunately, is a common experience for anyone living in an urban area, some people believe that noise is simply a part of Spanish culture. So, we asked our readers: are you affected by the noise pollution in Spain?

One of the primary complaints from the residents in Benalmadena revolves around traffic noise, particularly “older men driving around in open-top convertible sports cars roaring up and down.” Brian Rae hi-

ghlighted this issue in response to our poll, describing the noise as “ridiculous” and calling for stricter enforcement against illegal exhaust systems. He noted that the persistent noise from the road outside his home prevents him from opening his windows, explaining that “it is a built-up area with no speed bumps or max speed limit signs, now due to the solid white lines being worn away they are overtaking.”

Peter Mack echoes these concerns, emphasising the need for stricter traffic noise control. He suggests that “unmuffled motos should be heavily fined.”

Not all noise complaints stem from traffic, however. Paul Slater raised a different issue - barking dogs in his neighbourhood. “It’s nonstop barking, 24/7,” he said, describing the frustration caused by his neighbours’ pets.

While specific issues, such as the barking dogs, can be challenging to address due to their nature, traffic noise emerges as a more widespread concern that many believe could be resolved. Readers suggest practical measures such as repainting road markings, introducing deterrents like speed bumps and posted speed limits, and enforcing stricter regulations on vehicle exhaust noise.

Anonymous witnesses

ALTHOUGH Europeans often think of Sweden as being a very safe and laid back country, there is an undercurrent of professional criminal biker gangs as well as some violence from the extreme right.

Many countries allow for witnesses in serious court cases to appear anonymously but this was never the case in Sweden and has been the cause of much disa greement and debate.

In fact there have been two government enqui ries into the pros and cons of such a decision and finally, the government has decided that with effect from January 1, 2025 they should be allowed.

The re asoning

behind this decision is that there is a hope that anonymous ‘whistle blowers’ will be persuaded to give details of activities by various dangerous gangs if they believe that their identity will be protected and

from repercussions.

Regardless of negative comments, the proposal was passed to the Law Council which was also very much against the concept, suggesting there would be little positive results from such

district court for a witness to be heard anonymously during an investigation or trial and this may be approved if the court decides that there is a ‘significant risk’ that the witness or their relatives would otherwise be exposed to serious

If this is implemented in any particular case then the identity of the witness is withheld from the court and a third party lawyer will be appointed to monitor the security in that par -

Credit: James H flickr

Trillions up for grabs

EUROPE could soon be plunging into the North Sea’s vast reserves, but not for oil or fish - this time, it’s all about ‘mining’ trillions of litres of water to create renewable hydrogen! Sounds bonkers? Maybe - but experts say it could spark a clean energy revolution that cements the continent’s status as a global powerhouse of green power.

Here at Euro Weekly News, we love a big splash, and this one’s shaping up to be colossal.

With some of the strictest environmental policies on the planet, mostly driven by the European Union, Europe is under massive pressure to ditch dirty fuels and switch to something cleaner, smarter, and cheaper - all without relying on imports.

That’s why hydrogen’s getting star billing. As long as it’s produced with genuinely green methods, it can be one of our mightiest weapons in the war against climate change.

Hydrogen doesn’t puff out any carbon dioxide when used, so it’s perfect for slashing emissions - provided it’s sourced from renewables rather than fossil fuels.

And if you want truly clean hydrogen, you need electricity from eco-friendly sources like solar and wind. Cue the North Sea, which is positively howling with potential.

Anonymous witnesses now allowed in Swedish courts.

Vandalism or art?

OK, who’s been sticking googly eyes on sculptures in the town of Bend, Oregon? A prankster in the US has brightened up his town with a simple gesture.

A mystery citizen has sparked giggles in the small Oregon town, which have spread to viral online shares. As part of the town’s ‘art route’, on a series of roundabouts, there features a series of iron and bronze sculptures that once appeared austere and serious in their dark oxidised forms, but today have taken on completely di erent appearances with the small addition on each of them - stickon googly eyes.

The viral images show a statue representing two deer, utterly transformed by the striking faux eyes. Another of an iron sphere transformed into some kind of Pacman character by the sticker additions. Then, there’s more abstract in its form, titled ‘Phoenix Rising’, again with the big bug eyes, or a little metal squirrel too.

Googly eyes.

Over the years, Bend’s statues have been hit with a series of comedy adornments, from Santa’s hats to wreaths, but never anything that cracked so many smiles.

The council has so far spent $1,500 on removing googly eyes from seven of the eight sculptures on its roundabouts. The ‘Phoenix Rising’ sculpture might need to be repainted entirely, it is said.

Medal for Spanish chef

SPANISH chef José Andrés has been recognised with the highest civil honour granted by a president of the United States: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He is the fourth Spaniard to receive this award since its conception by John F Kennedy, after cellist Pau Casals in 1963, architect Josep Lluis Sert in 1980, and tenor Plácido Domingo in 2002.

José Andrés, chef and philanthropist, now stands beside world gures including Bono of U2, Jane Goodall, pioneering primatologist and environmentalist; Ralph Lauren, fashion icon; Lionel Messi; Denzel Washington; and Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue.

Recognition is not limi-

War of the rosé

BRAD PITT and Angelina Jolie have reportedly reached a settlement in their prolonged divorce case, ending an eight-year legal battle.

However, a separate dispute regarding the ownership of their Provence vineyard, Château Miraval, remains unresolved, according to reports from People magazine.

The Hollywood duo purchased Château Miraval in 2011 after renting the property since 2008. The vineyard became well-known for its Miraval rosé wine, created in collaboration with the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel. The first release in 2013 was highly successful, with the initial 1,000 cases selling out within hours.

Miraval also served as the venue for the couple’s wedding in 2014. However, since their separation in 2016, the vineyard has been a central point of contention.

In October 2021, Angelina Jolie sold her 50 per cent stake in Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of Stoli Group. This sale prompted Pitt to file a lawsuit in the United States in 2022, challenging the transaction.

The legal battle over Miraval’s ownership has continued, with uncertainty surrounding the estate’s future.

A 2023 article by Vanity Fair described the ongoing conflict as the ‘war of the rosé’, highlighting the tensions between the two parties over the iconic vineyard.

ted to US citizens and can be given to both individuals and organisations. It is considered a symbol of national gratitude from the White House for exceptional achievements that have had a positive impact on society and the country.

Biden stated that José Andrés, ‘is a world-fa-

mous chef who popularised the cuisine of his native Spain in his adoptive home, the United States. A proud immigrant committed to setting tables for everyone through his organisation, World Central Kitchen, which has revolutionised the way food aid reaches communities, especially those a ected by natural disasters and con icts around the world.’

José Andres has just returned to the United States after an unprecedented dedication in the area a ected by the oods on the east coast of Spain, where he has served about six million meals to victims and relief workers.

Miraval rosé wine.

Chef José Andrés delivering food in Paiporta, Valencia.

DENMARK

Rocket science

CHECKING on retailers selling fireworks for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Safety Technology Authority found that six were unlicensed. Although this was better than 2023 when inspections revealed 26 illegal sellers, the Authority said that six locations not following the rules “were six too many.”

Off sick

A DANISH Chamber of Commerce study of official Statistics Denmark figures found that employees were signing in sick more often than before the Covid pandemic. A full-time public sector worker now took 2.4 more days of sick leave than in 2019, with a 1.3-day increase for those in the private sector.

PORTUGAL

Better pay

AFTER talks lasting several hours, the Independent Doctors’ Union (SIM) and the government reached agreement over a pay rise bringing an average 10 per cent increase by 2027. Both sides also approved measures to gradually reduce emergency work from the present 18 hours a week to 16 in 2026 and 12 in 2028.

Sagres accident

A GERMAN paraglider died after witnesses saw him losing altitude and plunging into the sea close to the Sagres Fortress in the Algarve. According to initial reports he was seriously injured although the maritime police and lifeboat crew who recovered his body later said that he was already in cardiac arrest.

ITALY

Red peril

THE president of the Italian Criminal Chambers association told the ANSA news agency that introducing ‘red zones’ where troublemakers are barred from nightlife areas in big cities was a potential threat to personal liberties. The initiative was introduced in the New Year and is scheduled to continue until March.

Bomb proof

A POLICE search of a clandestine fireworks workshop in Naples uncovered what appeared to be a terrorist bomb containing 200 grammes of high explosives, almost as much as anti-tank device. The owner told them that although it was illegal, the firework was a non-lethal banger named the President Bomb.

EURO PRESS

FRANCE

Home and away

UNPOPULAR Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, 65, who has said that she will not run for a third term, routinely comes last in the Elabe polling institute’s monthly political barometers. Despite this, she has a high international profile and the Financial Times recently named her one its 25 most influential women in 2024.

IRELAND FINLAND

New choppers

IRELAND has spent €91.7 million on acquiring four Airbus Helicopters equipped for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations as well as ‘light attack’ duties. They replace the two Airbus Helicopters Irish Air Corps received in 2003 that have reached the end of their useful service lives.

Cruel system

AN illegal, 70-metre-long drift net spotted by local anglers at the Leixlip Reservoir in County Kildare contained more than 100 fish when Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) removed it. Many of the trapped bream, perch and hybrids could return to the water, but other species had died after being ensnared for so long.

GERMANY

Explosion investigation

TWO police officers in Berlin were injured in an explosion outside a police building on January 2. The officers, who were on a routine patrol, were hurt by an unidentified object near a fence. One officer sustained facial injuries, while the other experienced sound trauma. The investigation is ongoing.

Waffle scuffle

INFLUENCER and footballer Nader Jindaoui caused ‘tumultuous scenes’ when he announced that he would be visiting a Berlin waffle shop that was offering free waffles for his fans. Around 2,000 people were present by the time Jindaoui arrived and police were forced to intervene when they began to stampede.

Dodgy dog food

CUSTOMS officers are investigating the illegal import in 2022 of approximately 36,000 kilos of minke whale meat mixed with poultry and turned into sausages for dog food. Exporting minke whale products from Norway to the EU is prohibited and the authorities are likely to press charges in the current case.

Home from Iraq

THE Finnish Defence Force (FDF) is no longer part of the international mission against Isis terrorists in Iraq that began in 2014. On their return in late December, the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Lieutenant General Kari Nisula told the last 70 soldiers that their work had been “fruitful and appreciated.”

NETHERLANDS

Yearly hazard

A BOY of 13 who lit a powerful Cobra-6 firecracker was so badly injured that a witness said he suspected that he might lose his hand. The boy was airlifted from Kamperland where he lives to the Erasmus hospital in Rotterdam, which each year treats serious fireworks injuries that surge around the New Year period.

Pay hike

WAGES increased by an average of 6.6 per cent in 2024, the largest increase in 40 years, according to the National Statistics Agency (CBS). Talking to the NOS broadcaster, a CBS economist said the rise was the result of inflation and unions demands which employers agreed to owing to ‘a tight labour market’.

BELGIUM

No spying

PRIVACY watchdog, the Personal Data Processing Committee (VTC), voiced doubts regarding local authorities’ growing use of smart cameras for speed checks. In an email to all Flemish municipalities, the VTC said they should justify using these cameras and consider less intrusive alternatives like speed bumps.

Happy New Text

MORE Belgians wished each other a Happy New Year via phone messages this year instead of greetings cards, telecoms companies announced. Proximus said that messaging rose by 70 per cent on New Year’s Eve and January 1 compared with last year, while Orange registered a 50 per cent increase.

SWEDEN

Drone warning

THE government intends to introduce fines or even a six-month prison term after July 1 for flying a drone without a permit. The Transport Department calculates that there are approximately 500,000 drones in Sweden, but only 40,000 people have applied for an obligatory licence since these were launched in 2021.

Cheaper homes

PROPERTY prices fell for the fourth consecutive month in December, with detached houses down 1.3 per cent and apartments by 1.1 per cent, although prices rose 4.2 per cent over the year. State-owned mortgage company SBAB explained that this was usual, as prices always dropped at the end of the year.

NORWAY

Flight plan

AN Amsterdam-bound KLM flight had to make an emergency landing at Torp airport not long after taking off from Oslo on December 29. None of the 182 passengers were injured during the incident, which a later inspection revealed occurred when a landing gear problem affected the aircraft’s hydraulic system.

Money worries

YOUNG people are increasingly anxious about their finances, a Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) study found. Their worries have escalated in recent years with 70 per cent concerned about higher interest rates and the cost of living while 40 per cent were also worried about Norway’s economy.

Photo

ANNE HIDALGO: Paris mayor has a high international profile.

Guinness heist

WHERE did all the Guinness go? This is the question on everyone’s dry lips at the moment.

Christmas 2024 may have been merry for many, but for Guinness lovers, it has been a holiday nightmare. What was already a nationwide shortage of the black stu has now turned into the ultimate heist of the year - with a whopping 35,000 pints of the world-famous stout vanishing into thin air. Where is the black gold? Who took it? And most importantly, why did they take it from us?

Oldest Olympian dies aged 103

KELETI, the world’s oldest living Olympic medallist has died aged 103 in her home city of Budapest, Hungary.

Keleti won a total of 10 Olympic medals in gymnastics, including five golds, for Hungary at the 1952 Helsinki Games and the 1956 Melbourne Games.

Reports reveal that in mid-December, a lorry carrying 400 kegs of Guinness - the equivalent of 35,200 pints - disappeared from a depot in Daventry, Northamptonshire. The haul, which was destined for pubs desperate for their festive Guinness x, has left drinkers high and dry, with no sign of the purloined pints.

The stolen lorry, loaded with a serious amount of Guinness, was reported mis-

sing by a subcontractor working with Diageo, the company behind the stout. Sources say the crime was reported to police, but despite their best e orts, the Guinness remains nowhere to be found.

Diageo, for its part, is staying tight-lipped about the incident, but insiders are certain it’s a serious blow to the already strained Guinness supply chain. And with pubs running dry, the pressure is on to nd out just where the black gold is hiding.

As 2024 came to a close, questions lingered over the fate of the stolen pints. Will we ever see the return of the missing Guinness? Or has this heist been carefully planned by a criminal mastermind?

Keleti, who was born Agnes Klein in 1922, was a Holocaust survivor. Her Jewish heritage meant she was removed from her gymnastics team in 1944 and she was forced to go into hiding. Her father and other relatives were amongst the over half a million Hungarian Jews killed in Nazi death camps like Auschwitz.

Despite the persecution and sufferings of herself and her family during the Second World War, Keleti won a gold medal at her debut Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952. She went on to be the most successful athlete at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Whilst the Melbourne Olympics were taking place, the Soviet Union invaded Hungary and Keleti remained in Australia seeking asylum.

She immigrated to Israel in 1957 and

worked there as a gymnastics coach up until the 1990s.

Agnes finally returned to her native Hungary in 2015.

Keleti was admitted to the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2002. She was also named one of Hungary’s 12 foremost ‘Athletes of the Nation’ in 2004, having won her Hungary’s gymnastics championship 10 times in addition to her Olympic medals.

Shock theft left pubs dry and supermarkets panicked – Where is the Black Gold?

Credit: Shutterstock, Dmitry Dven

AGNES

Agnes Keleti will continue to inspire young gymnasts.

Credit: Vintage Memories, Facebook

EU phone charger rules

NEW EU rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets, and cameras to come with the same charger port have come into force in order to cut waste and expense.

Electronics manufacturers are now obliged to fit their devices that will be sold in the Euro bloc with a USB-C, the cable connector chosen by the European Union as the common standard for charging small electronic articles.

“Starting today, all new mobile phones, tablets,

digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port,” the EU Parliament posted on social media site X.

The law was first approved in 2022 following arguments with tech giant Apple, and so set the deadline to comply at December 28, 2024. Laptop manufacturers have until 2026 to adapt their machines. Although Apple has

been reluctant, they have already begun fitting their devices with the USB-C ports but claimed the rule would ‘stifle innovation’.

At one point, there were more than 10 different types of charger cables that went with different brands of mobile phones.

This new USB-C model design has been chosen as an industry standard, as it can charge at up to 100 watts, transfer data up to 40 gigabits per second, and even be used to connect to external displays.

End of multiple chargers.

Meet Marbella’s Culinary Superstar: An Exclusive Interview with Jeffrey Merrihue

A proud Californian, Jeffrey is the founder of XtremeFoodies.

FROM World Traveller to Marbella’s Culinary Scene

Jeffrey’s culinary journey is as diverse as the dishes he creates. Having dined at every restaurant on the prestigious ‘World’s 50 Best’ list, his food knowledge is unparalleled. From Tokyo to Buenos Aires, Jeffrey’s experiences have shaped his unique palate. As the founder of XtremeFoodies, a global network of local food experts, he’s dedicated to uncovering hidden gems in the food world - places where authenticity reigns supreme.

A Judge, Author, and Pizza Lover

Jeffrey is no stranger to the spotlight, having appeared on Iron Chef and written a book on pizza. When asked about his favourite food city, he joked, “It’s like picking a favourite child. But Naples? That’s where pizza perfection exists.” With a resume like that, it’s hard not to love him.

Why Marbella?

Why did Jeffrey choose Marbella to settle? “Marbella has this magicbeautiful landscapes, warm people, and a thriving food scene,” he says. “I knew I had to be part of it.” And we’re certainly glad he did. In addition to his restaurant in Marbella, Jeffrey has a rich history of owning iconic spots in San Francisco and Santa Monica, bringing a slice of California flair to Andalucia.

A Celebration of Tapas and Fresh

Ingredients

Andala Marbella isn’t just about dining; it’s about experience. Jeffrey’s tapas menu celebrates Andalucia’s diverse regions, from Almeria to Sevilla. Each dish showcases his commitment to fresh, local ingredientswhether it’s Iberian ham or seasonal seafood. “Quality is non-negotiable,” he emphasises.

At Andala, Jeffrey is also collaborating with a talented team of renowned local professionals, including Chef Kanuto (Juan José Villalba) and Miguel Monte Mora. Kanuto, with over 15 years of experience at prestigious spots like El Lago, crafts dishes rooted in Andalucian ingredients, while Miguel, a Marbella veteran and hospitality legend, ensures exceptional service.

The restaurant’s ambiance is warm and inviting, just like the food. With this exceptional collaboration, Andala guarantees a memorable dining experience.

Join the Culinary Journey

Next time you’re in town, don’t miss Andala Marbella for gourmet tapas and unforgettable flavoursand maybe a secret or two from Jeffrey himself!

With Jeffrey Merrihue in town, Marbella’s food scene is about to get even more exciting. If you leave Andala without feeling inspired - or slightly jealous of Jeffrey’s culinary genius - well, let’s just say you’ll need more tapas... and a bigger belt!

From one Californian to another, welcome to Marbella, Jeffrey - bringing the best of both coasts!

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

LUCCA MOVALDI PRESIDENT: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CLUB MARBELLA FROM COAST TO COAST

Tiny village hits jackpot!

THE sleepy Overijssel village of Balkbrug (population: a modest 4,000) is currently dancing in the streets after scooping an eye-popping €59.7 million in this year’s Postcode lottery. Locals with the golden postcode 7707 AZ will share an astonishing €29.85 million - talk about a new year’s windfall!

Even future residents will cash in on the prize. One future resident who’s on the verge of moving to Balkbrug next week, has snagged a tidy €477,600 - just in time to pay for some urgent DIY for his new house!

Some residents have bagged up to €6.2 million and have wasted no time planning home improvements. Others are planning long holidays or extravagant new purchases.

Every villager in Balkbrug whose postcode starts with 7707 will get a share of the remaining €29.85 million. The exact amounts remain under wraps for now - but watch this space as it could be another flurry of cash for the quiet countryside!

As if Balkbrug’s win wasn’t enough, another €30 million has just been dished out via the Staatsloterij. The prize is split into two bundles of €15 million after the winning ticket was sold in halves. One half went to a lucky winner in Bladel, while the other half - bought in Heemskerk - remains unclaimed. Will the mystery

Fridges full of good

THE mayor of Krakow, (Poland’s second-largest city), Aleksander Miszalski has taken to social media calling on those who have spare food to donate it to those in need.

He has set up four refrigerators, called ‘fridges full of good’ around different parts of the city and

suburbs which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are there to remind local residents that there is still a need for assistance in feeding families in Krakow.

In addition, there are six additional locations where those with spare food may leave their excess and those

in need can obtain the food that is available.

Explaining what his plans and expectations are, the mayor stated: “You can leave food products in the fridge that we would like to eat and receive ourselves. They can be vegetables, fruits, cakes, bread, preserves, or even a jar of soup that we cooked too much of.

coated articles and alcohol.

“Let’s not waste food! Let’s share it with others. In the next year’s city budget, we have planned funds for more refrigerators full of goods so that as many residents as possible can use them in their neighbourhood.”

millionaire step forward?

Someone out there is definitely sitting on a golden ticket.

So if you’ve been dreaming of a front-door overhaul or a cheeky skiing holiday, don’t forget to check those tickets. The Netherlands might just have room for a few more millionaires!

“Self-made products should be described accurately: what they consist of and when they were prepared. On the other hand, we do not leave raw meat, products containing raw eggs,

Like so many other countries in Europe, Poland discards millions of tonnes of edible but unwanted food each year, with more than half of that wasted coming from households rather than the many commercial outlets that exist in the city.

Mayor Miszalski added food to one of his nearest fridges.

Credit: Aleksander Miszalski Facebook

Babpipes on a military car in Balkbrug (Netherlands).

Credit: Shutterstock, Remco de Wit

Most influential Avalanche escape

A MAN was able to free himself from an avalanche on Christmas Day with just his left hand.

On entering the ski run, the snow shifted under the skier, and an avalanche ensued. The event occurred on the Madlochjoch mountain at around 2.20pm and swept the skier about 500 metres before burying him completely, leaving only his left hand still sticking out in the air.

While his partner made a call to emergency services and began searching for the 40-year-old, the buried man was able to first dig his face free on his own and then free himself completely.

Madlochjoch mountain.

The man was airlifted to the Bludenz Regional Hospital for examination but was later released relatively unscathed. The man, a trained ski guide, was the first to ski down the slope before his partner followed.

After a deep settling noise, the entire area around the skier began to move. At first he was able to stay upright on

his skis, but then slipped and fell and was buried by the masses of shifting snow.

Both skiers were equipped with complete emergency equipment, including an avalanche airbag; in this case, it failed to deploy.

The Lech mountain rescue service scrambled two helicopters and deployed both police and alpine patrols.

Push for ban on fireworks

AFTER reported injuries from fireworks on New Year’s Eve, Belgium is at the centre of a heated debate, with Flemish mayors and animal rights groups calling for a Europe-wide ban on the sale of fireworks to individuals, citing public safety and animal welfare concerns.

Several Belgian municipalities, including Brussels, have already enforced local bans on fireworks sales and use. Despite these measures, a report by Politico said on New Year’s Eve celebrations in the capital saw 159 arrests, with police handling over 1,700 incidents. Reports of injuries to limbs and

attacks on emergency workers further highlighted the dangers.

VVSG argues that a nationwide ban would be insufficient without broader European collaboration.

Animal welfare organisation GAIA has voiced scepticism about the push for an EU-wide ban, urging Belgium to implement its own restrictions immediately.

Ann de Greef, GAIA’s director, told Politico, “When we hear that Europe has to deal with something, it is usually an excuse for politicians not to do anything in their own member state.”

GISÈLE PELICOT, a woman who bravely faced her rapists in court after being repeatedly raped by them, has been honoured as the most noteworthy person of 2024 in an opinion poll in France.

Pelicot overtook world leaders as the most highly esteemed figure in the French public’s eye for the way she faced her aggressors across a courtroom and saw all 51 of them, including her husband, convicted of systematically gang raping her. In demonstrating such bravery, she ins pired women across France to bring the topic of rape out of the shadows of social taboo and into the forefront of public discussion.

Thirty-eight per cent of respon dents to the poll, carried out by the Odoxa Institute, who were asked who had influenced them the most in 2024, responded, ‘Gisèle’. Donald Trump came in second place, followed by Zelensky, Putin, Macron, and Elon Musk.

The Odoxa insti tute said that Peli cot’s ‘dignity but also the horror to which she was subjected have made a

massive impact upon French people’.

Gisèle Pelicot’s now-former husband, Dominique Pelicot, has been sent to prison for 20 years for drugging his wife and offering her unconscious body to dozens of rapists in their home near Avignon in southern France. He has said he will not appeal the sentence.

She is now at the centre of a heated national debate over what she denounced as the rape culture of a patriarchal society.

Best of luck

MARBELLA MOMENTS

BY NICOLE KING

NEXT week it’ll all be ‘back to normal’ for me, recording my two TV shows a week and all that entails, as well as everything else. One of the additional ‘things to do’ being the community initiative ‘Zero Hero’ and the special seasonal lottery, open to everyone to participate, running through until January 31, 2025.

I know I mentioned this a few weeks back but seeing how enthusiastic our community has been to embrace the idea, I’m mentioning it again as I don’t want you to miss out and hope you will help me spread the word.

The participating ZeroHero restaurants and hotels are giving generous prizes in the #XmasSpirit lottery to encourage locals to do the ‘zero hero restaurant / bar tour’ and visit the venues that have been supporting the Zero Hero initiative.

The lottery ends on January 31, so please do check out the zerohero.es website for participating venues and pop along.

When you spend over €20 you’ll get a #ZeroHero lottery ticket; you can participate as many times as you like!

Even businesses that are not directly related to Zero Hero are offering prizes, such as Bootcamp Pilates with five free sessions, Auster Sailors a sailing trip, the superyacht Malex in Puerto Banus a two-hour cocktail for six, self-defence sessions at the Patrick Bittan Academy, and more being added to the list daily.

Please try out the different ZeroHero locations, a chance to win lunches, dinners, drinks and offers as mentioned above for doing so, whether you drink or not.

It’s nice to play together as a community for a good cause: all for one, one for all and #bettertogether. Best of luck!

Credit: Martin WeinhardtWikipedia

Gisèle Pelicot during trial.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Adam Woodward

THE legendary Tablao Flamenco Marbella is opening the year with more than just the passion and tradition of their spectacular Flamenco shows.

Even at this time of year, the warmth of the terrace bar continues radiating in the heart of Marbella Old Town with paellas and home-made sangria in the sun for lunch before the daily shows begin at 6pm, 7.30pm, 9pm and 10.15pm, when Flamenco dinner evenings are a favourite with both locals and visitors.

Tablao Flamenco Marbella will also be offering some special extras for this year with introductory Flamenco classes and also the opportunity to rent out spaces for private events, such as celebrations, business events, or just fun with friends.

For a truly authentic taste of Spain, ren-

Johnny G’s 90s

THE showman is back a year on from his last big 90s night at the Salon Varietés. Johnny G’s ‘Nothing but the 90s’ show featuring tributes to Robbie Williams and Shania Twain.

Along with his gorgeous backing singers and dancers, Johnny G presents another of his ‘Mixed Tape’ shows of 90s ‘Smash Hits’ including his featured versions of the hits of Robbie Williams and Shania Twain at the Salón Varietés theatre on Saturday, January 11 at 7.30pm.

Johnny G is known as the Costa del Sol Showman with good reason, as his shows are always full of colour, costumes and action. John is also an accomplished actor and has performed at the Salón Varietés Theatre several times since he was 14, memorably as The Pharaoh in Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps, among others.

special events

ting spaces for your own events can include home-made paellas for as many guests as requested, wine and cheese tasting, olive oil tastings, a professional ham cutter, and even a professional venenciador who serves sherry the correct way, pouring the delicious drink from on high so as to aerate it for its ideal consumption.

The iconic Tablao Flamenco Marbella is celebrating 60 years in Plaza de la Victoria, Marbella, where the fourth wall is not only opened, but the audience become participants in a close-quarters experience with the performers. There is no stage as the entire space envelopes participants in the sounds, rhythms, and swirling fabrics of dancers. This is an immersive experience in an intimate and entirely one-of-a-kind space.

Tablao Flamenco Marbella, Plaza del Santo Cristo, Marbella. Tel: 681 069 705

Salon Varietes Theatre is located at C. Emancipacion, 30, 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga.

For bookings, head to the website salon varietestheatre.com or call 952 474 542.

The theatre box office is open from 11am until 2.30pm Monday to Friday, and one hour before each performance.

Tablao Flamenco Marbella

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Misake Mijas

MISAKE, an Asian cuisine experience with garden fresh ingredients in pleasurable surroundings.

With freshness and modernity, Misake offers an unparalleled Asian gastronomic experience in Mijas. The buffet style, in which diners can try house specialities from the most traditional to the most up-to-date culinary creations, all to be savoured in a distinctive and welcoming environment.

Misake is a breath of fresh air in the world of Mijas dining, avoiding all the stereotypes that often accompany Asian cuisine, making it an essential stopover for satisfying anyone’s tastes.

The wide array of choices to combine on their iPad menus, which can filter out dietary allergens and personal preferences to quickly and efficiently find those perfect combinations for

each individual diner, without feeling overwhelmed by the choice. Diners can order up to 10 things at a time, and as the food promptly arrives, Misake’s staff ensure that your dining experience flows smoothly. All of the options are prepared with the highest quality and freshest of ingredients to impress and enjoy the best meal out with friends, family, or colleagues.

The elegant restaurant and beautiful location with a bright and spacious yet cosy dining area, as well as the outdoor terrace with marble tables with a relaxed ambiance, make for a perfect day to unwind at the end of a long week, while the open preparation area enables diners to see their dishes being put together and the careful attention to detail that goes into each one.

Misake has a closed menu, with the possibility of seconds, at a price of just €24.99 for lunch and €29.99 at dinner, making the restaurant one of the most competitive in the area without com-

From Mondays to Sundays:

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promising on the quality and enjoyment of a meal.

As well as an ample selection for main courses, there is also an extensive wine list, home-made desserts, vegetarian dishes, and choices for children, also with special prices for the youngest diners.

Close to the A7 just between Fuengirola and Mijas Pueblo with ample parking, makes Misake an easy choice for any gathering. It’s easy to find with lighting that stands out at night, with a shining staircase that seems to advance the day, and which invites hungry passersby to stop and try the menu.

Know-how and love of fine Asian cuisine shine through at Misake, while experience and the best in customer service are a cornerstone of the business.

Misake can be found at Urb. las Yucas 1, 29650 Mijas 951 512 726 | misakesushi.es

Top Mijas art exhibitions

MIJAS is absolutely bursting with culture, and it’s ready to show you the very

best in local art. With three stunning exhibition spaces scattered across the town, there’s plenty to keep your eyes entertained and your

legs moving.

First up, head to the Museo Histórico Etnológico (House Museum), where history and art collide. Expect paintings, sculptures, photography, and ceramics. You can wander around and enjoy in quiet surroundings. Perfect for a nice, active but relaxing day out.

Winter hours (10am2pm and 4pm - 7pm) and summer timings (10am - 2pm and 5pm - 8pm) mean there’s no excuse not to pop by. It’s located at Plaza de la Libertad s/n, Mijas, and for more info, call 952 590 380.

Next, don’t miss the Patio de las Fuentes (Town Hall). Open Monday to Friday from 9am - 3pm, this little gem always has something exciting in store. Find it at Mijas Town Hall, Plaza Virgen de la Peña s/n, Mijas.

Over at Casa de la Cultura de Las Lagunas, the action continues. This lively venue in Mijas Costa welcomes you Monday to Friday from 9am - 1pm and 5pm - 8pm. Drop by at c/ San Valentín s/n and get your art fix.

Finally, swing by the Centro Cultural de La Cala, which is also bursting with exhibitions. Open Monday to Friday, 10am - 2pm and 5pm - 8pm, at Boulevard de La Cala s/n.

Costa del Swing

THE Malaga Costa del Swing festival is coming up at the Hotel Sunset Beach in Benalmadena from January 17 to January 19.

This year they are celebrating their sixth annual festival of classic Swing dance and music, charged with energy and passion for dance. Attendees to this now regular Swing festival just love to dance and love good ol’ classic Swing sounds.

In this year’s festival, the focus will be on ‘energy’ as they deliver some great parties, dance wor-

kshops, and quality classic sounds. This year, 19 musicians forming four bands will energise the dance floor. As well at the festival, there will be a programme of sessions and daytime dance activities on the Saturday and Sunday.

Groups include The Sentimental Gentlemen, who play classic Benny Goodman favourites with a repertoire (more than 90 songs) carefully selected and arranged for the community of Lindy Hop and Balboa dancers.

Then there are the Danzad Malditas, who recover, preserve, and

redecorate songs of the Louis Prima era with the danceable sermons of a young Aretha and Nina Simone.

The nine-piece Swing Rascals covering the spirit and taste of the 1930s with a setlist of Benny Goodman and Fats Waller.

After them, The Djangolines, a Manouche Jazz group, evoking the spirit of Django Reinhardt and his contemporaries.

The Costa del Swing festival always sells out. Tickets are available from the website costadelswin gfestival.com

Adam Woodward

Marc Menendez-Roche

Artsenal Inoxis winter art

AFTER a brief closure due to technical difficulties, Alhaurin el Grande’s independent cultural centre, Artsenal-Inoxis, reopens in grand style on Saturday, January 11, with the inauguration of a new collective exhibition and some classic sounds from local rockers, Cellar Band.

Doors open at 7pm for the celebration of the 2025 kickoff exhibition featuring an international lineup of 2D and 3D artists’ works, ready to challenge and mesme-

rise. There is always a lively, sociable atmosphere at the ArtsenalInoxis with entirely original professional artists who have been drawn to the area and Guardalhorce Valley, in particular.

Alhaurin and its surroundings have long been a magnet for artists from all over the world and a hub of creativity, and no place is it more evident than at ArtsenalInoxis group shows.

To accompany the visual art, from 8pm, there will be Cellar Band, reproducing some

Rock’n’Roll favourites to liven up the art lovers.

Artsenal-Inoxis keeps a full bar and serves the best wood-fired ovencooked pizzas in town.

Also, having needed to close down before the Christmas festivities for urgent repair work, the opening of their winter exhibition was therefore delayed, and so Artsenal-Inoxis has carried forward their usual endof-year raffle.

The art begins at 7pm on Saturday, January 11. Artsenal-Inoxis is on Camino de la Reina, Alhaurin el Grande.

Adam Woodward

LUCY AMANS, a comedian, compere, and now stage actor, had a busy year in 2024, bringing professional English-speaking comedic talents to the Costa del Sol, showcasing upcoming comedians, and playing major roles in Salón Varietés Theatre productions in Fuengirola.

EWN: How was working at Salón Varietés?

Lucy: A great experience. First, I auditioned and got the role of Mrs Greer, the head housekeeper in Annie. It was such an honour. Annie has always been my favourite film of all time. I played some other characters too - that of a cabinet member and a down-and-out. It was hectic with all

Funny business

the costume changes and really hot backstage.

EWN: And you’ve just finished panto season too, in Snow White, right?

Lucy: I play the magic mirror. It has been amazing working with everyone. So good to meet and work with Toni and Melissa.

EWN: Are you going to be performing again at the Salón Varietés?

Lucy: Not at the moment. I need to work! I’m really busy.

Lucy’s day job is running her own multi-service company, Amans World.

On Saturday, January 18, Lucy will be returning to La Clave Discoteca in Calle Camilo José Cela 12, Marbella, to host another night of the English Open-Mic Comedy event. And in February, a Stand Up Comedy Spain course by Nik Coppin, in Estepona which will be followed by a live showcase of fresh, new talents.

Credit: Lucy Amans

Adam Woodward

Credit: AI. Facebook.

Killer Rockets at Claddagh

RAPIDLY becoming the most popular rock band on the Costa del Sol, The Killer Rockets are building a huge fanbase and filling out venues wherever they play. The party just gets bigger and louder every time.

The Killer Rockets are due to play next at The Claddagh Irish Bar in Marbella on Friday, January 10, a night of party rock sounds guaranteed to brush off those January blues.

Offering up the best international Rock tunes, both current and some classics from original artists such as Bon Jovi, Muse, The Killers, Kings of Leon, The Cranberries, Backstreet Boys, Green Day, Oasis, Blur, and even, on occasion, Elvis Presley, guaranteeing a perfect party at-

mosphere.

The group is headed by Rocío, who, despite her youth, lavishes talent with her versatile voice and punky guitar chords. Priscila on bass and Alex on drums frame the solid foundation that makes this band groove. Being only a three-piece, they know how to create the ideal atmosphere and get in the thick of it with the audience.

The Claddagh, offering one of the best pints of Guinness around, is as authentic an Irish bar as you’ll find in Marbella with a fun and lively atmosphere.

The Killer Rockets play Claddagh on Friday, January 10. Entry is free, but the bar is not.

Claddagh is on Avenida. Arias Maldonado, 16, Marbella.

Charity sea antics

FOR the 19th year in a row, members of the Benalmadena Ladies Group and Bensl Boys braved the waters of the coast of Benalmadena for their annual sponsored charity New Year dip. All of this was in aid of 4 Paws Adoptions, an animal rescue charity based in Mijas. Nineteen swimmers joined the charity swim all dressed up in fancy dress, something they are accustomed to, as many join the fun Costa del Jive festivals as well, where dressing up is part of the party at-

mosphere.

The mad winter swimmers managed to raise over €1,500 for the animal shelter this year, followed by a warming drink in Westherspains pub in Benalmadena to hand over the donated cash to Stacey Lloyd, who runs 4 Paws Adoptions, and have a warming drink.

Sheila Kearns helps run the Benalmadena Ladies Group, with eight friends. They meet every Thursday at 11am in Café Marco Barrista in Arroyo de la Miel, and al-

though they already have 120 members, they are always ready to welcome more ladies into their group. The guys on this occasion were made up of members of the Bensl Boys group.

The Ladies group organise fundraisers, lunches and evenings out together. Bensl Boys, an offshoot of the ladies group, are all pretty active too: some play walking football, or pétanque or paddle, and the like. Congratulations to both groups on your hilarious fundraising antics.

Credit: Carol Fishwick, FB.

New Year Double Rewards with Sala Group’s ELEVATE Programme

START 2025 with a bang and make your January twice as rewarding! Sala Group’s ELEVATE loyalty programme is offering an unbeatable New Year Double Rewards deal20 per cent cashback on your spending, available Monday to Thursday throughout January.

“This is the ul-

Adam Woodward

timate way to start the year,” says Ian Radford, Chairman of Sala Group. “Our ELEVATE members deserve something special, and doubling their rewards for January is our way of giving back.”

Whether you’re brunching at La Sala Puerto Banus, lounging at La Sala by the Sea, dining at OAK Firehouse & Cocktail, or relaxing at The Clubhouse Marbella, every

GALICIAN rockers Sr Salvaje land in Estepona for one night only on stage at Louie Louie on Friday, January 10.

The Black Crowes, Allman Brothers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd have always been influential on Galician band Sr Salvaje, as have the sounds of Blues, Soul, and Southern Rock.

For the band, the compositions of this music style often stem from confinement, an acoustic guitar, and vocals, with influences from classic rock groups of the 70s.

Sr Salvaje’s first album, ‘Traveller’, was marked by darker songs and denser lyrics, but with their third album, the band plans to explore a little Soul Rock in the line

euro you spend earns you double the perks.

Not an ELEVATE member yet? Joining is quick, free, and full of benefits. Sign up today and enjoy exclusive offers, discounts, and this limited-time 20 per cent cashback offer to start the New Year off right.

Wild rock

of Joe Cocker and Black Crowes, but in principle, it will be an album much more earsplitting.

In recent years, Galician music has been much more influenced by Irish folk and Argentinian Rock. Projects in Galicia have been combining roots music with electronics, Stoner, and Urban Rock with influences of Catalan music. The success of this blend is clear on a national level, and

a huge influence on Sr Salvaje.

On stage, the band comes together perfectly, usually in two phases: the rhythm section is more concentrated and measured, while the solo parts and vocals are relaxed and sexy, requiring the necessary nerve for their style.

Tickets for the event are €11 from the Woutick website. The band goes on stage at 11pm.

Credit:

Sr. Salvaje.

Crazy keyboards

ONE of the best keyboardists on the European Jazz scene, David Helbock, is coming to Torremolinos on Saturday, January 11.

David Helbock, a successful European jazz musician, is stopping off on his tour at Clarence Jazz Club with his trio Random/Control and German singer Fola Dada.

The trio have been playing together for over 16 years and have released three albums together,

while Fola Dada, an innovative artist who fuses different genres in singing, was awarded best singer at the German Jazz awards in 2022.

Helbock has won numerous awards too, including the world-biggest Jazzpianosolo Competition in Montreux 2007 and 2010 and also won the audience prize. In 2011 he was awarded the Outstanding Artist Award of the government of Austria. He has released almost 25 albums under his own name as bandleader. He exclusively plays keyboards and

synthesisers with guests.

With lyricism and taste, Helbock has reinterpreted the music of artists as varied as Hermeto Pascoal, Dave Brubeck, Prince and Joe Zawinul, among others.

The infectiously foot-tapping and funky sounds of David Helbock can be heard at Clarence Jazz Club, Calle Danza Invisible, Torremolinos, on Saturday, January 11, at 10pm. Tickets are available from the box office and range between €20 and €25.

La Sala artisan market

LA SALA Live Lounge in Puerto Banus, the crown jewel of the Costa del Sol, from Saturday, January 11, will begin hosting a weekly fashion and artisan market.

On Saturday, January 11, La Sala, which has garnered immense success over the years, will be opening its doors to Helen Stanley’s Champagne Lifestyle Designer and Artisan Market. The entrance is free, and it runs from 11am to 6pm.

The Helen Stanley-curated Saturday market will again include a wide range of perfect gifts and personal caprices. On Saturday mornings throughout January, from 11am to 5pm, overlooking Puerto Banus harbour, visitors can peruse a wide selection of designer fashion, handmade items, beauty products, jewellery, art, accessories,

and much more. The chilled and swank market is the perfect shopping experience in the beautiful ambiance of one of the most prestigious bars on the coast.

The popularity of Helen’s pop-up markets has gone from strength to strength over the last year and enters 2025 with increasing public interest.

At La Sala, the voguish décor, discerning lighting, and an eclectic and cosmopolitan mix of people create an ambiance that is both sophisticated and welcoming, a perfect blend with the Champagne Lifestyle market.

La Sala Live Lounge can be found at Calle Juan Belmonte, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella.

952 814 145 reservations@lasalabanus.com

Credit: HS

Adam Woodward

Credit: David Helbock, FB

AGE CONCERN MARBELLA - San Pedro would like to inform their expat neighbours that they are opening their fifth coffee morning this January.

“This is possible thanks to the wonderful support from our community,” says Steve Marshall of Age Concern.

The new venue is Pandora, Avenida Marques del Duero, San Pedro de Alcantara. Age Concern’s first coffee morning at Pandora will be on Friday, January 31, from 11am to 12.30pm.

Age Concern Marbella - San Pedro run a number of extremely popular coffee mornings at different locations and offer a unique discount scheme that is worth asking about as well, in which a number of local businesses offer a selection of discounts to members.

As well, to start the year sociably well, Age Concern Marbella - San Pedro also offer a range of activities and services at their community centre in San Pedro and regular lunches, day trips and events throughout the year, making joining the group a socially proactive new year’s resolution in the area.

Membership is completely free, and for more information just call or WhatsApp 689 355 198 weekdays from 10am to 6pm. Alternatively, email them on info@ageconcernmarbella.com.

Sharing a little spare time to help another person is a small but powerful gesture because it represents a part of you - which means it is priceless.

ESTEPONA’S Padre Manuel Cultural Centre is showing the 2023 award-winning comedy film ‘The Holdovers’ as part of the Cine-Club international film festival, and entry is free.

The showing is on January 9 at 8pm, when Estepona Council invites residents to watch the American comedy film directed by Alexander Payne, with a screenplay by David Hemingson, starring Paul Giamatti (star of the series Billions), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Dolomite is my Name), and Bafta award nominee, Dominic Sessa, among others.

A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school remains on campus

during Christmas break to babysit a handful of students with nowhere to go. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker and also with the school’s head cook, a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War.

The movie won the Oscar for the Supporting Actress (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and two Golden Globes - one for comedy actor (Paul Giamatti) and best supporting actress (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).

The film is being shown in English with Spanish subtitles and is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Admission is free until the auditorium is full.

The Padre Manuel Cultural Centre can be found on Calle San Fernando, 2, Estepona.

Freepik

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Credit: anabelperezh Pinterest

Free lamenco classes

‘LABORATORIO FLAMENCO’, a choreographic, training, and creative workshop that aims to introduce local residents to the tradition and culture of Mijas.

Coordinated by choreographer Virginia Marín, the initiative is divided into five different areas in which flamenco styles will be linked to different emotions. Participants will learn to express their feelings through flamenco, exploring the character, intensity, and passion that cha-

racterise each of the styles.

The five free workshops begin with ‘Emotions y palos del flamenco’ on January 11 and 12; ‘A compás del movimiento’, January 25 and 26; ‘Interpretación del baile flamenco’, February 8 and 9; ‘Nuevo flamenco’, February 22 and 23; and ‘Creación choreographic,’ March 8 and 9.

Each session will take place from 10am to 12.30pm at the Manuel España Theatre. People interested in participating should re-

gister free of charge by calling 952 590 380 or by email to cultura@mi jas.es. It is not necessary to register for all sessions; registrations can be one-offs if you just want to try it out.

The ultimate goal is that participants not only improve their knowledge of flamenco but also acquire a greater emotional and cultural awareness.

Flamenco has been included on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the world’s largest cultural institution.

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MONKEY TENNIS, the well-established and much-loved Costa del Sol band, who are celebrating their silver anniversary and playing at Bonnet Bar in Fuengirola on Thursday, January 9.

The band, formed in 1999 by Michael Dickinson and Stuart Pennington, who already had a long history of performing in Spain.

The original lineup has changed various times over the years, but one of the band’s

Monkey Tennis at Bonnet

co-founders, Michael Dickinson, remains at the forefront.

The band began performing at venues along the coast, including Biddy Mulligans, Sharkey’s, The London Pub, and Moochers Jazz Café.

The current lineup consists of Carl Parry (guitar), Luis Rivas (bass), Bas van de Sant (drums), and Michael (piano and vocals).

The band’s music has veered more towards soul and funk over the years, featuring numbers by KC and the Sunshine Band and Stevie Wonder.

Monkey Tennis, now one of the most dance-worthy groovers on the Costa del Sol, brings the party with their very attendance, and no Thursday can feel like a Friday without Monkey Tennis at the helm.

They are playing Bonnet Bar and Café in Fuengirola harbour on Thursday, January 9, at 10.30pm. Entry is free.

Credit: Gary Lapp,

Café America Trio

THE Smooth sounds of Café América Trio will be premiering their new project at Speakeasy, Fuengirola, on Friday, January 10.

Café América Trio is a refined musical journey through Nouvelle Chanson Française, elegantly intertwined with the warmth of boleros, bossa, and samba.

Featuring Pedro Martinez (guitar), Rodrigo Mendonça (flute), and Constanza Giacomelli (voice), the trio blends rich harmonies with soulful interpretations for an intimate and timeless sound.

Canadian singer Constanza Giacomelli, born in Montreal and based in Spain for the past 15 years, is a highly versatile singer weaving together Nouvelle Chanson Française, Jazz, and Latin rhythms. With a career spanning multiple countries, she is actively involved in various musical projects across Europe, including Constanza Bergen Jazz Project, a quintet based in Norway that blends French ballads with Latin beats.

Constanza’s deep connection to both jazz and Latin American music has shaped her distinctive style, allowing her to captivate audiences with a sophisticated and evocative repertoire. Whether performing in Spain, Norway, or beyond, she continues to bring a unique, poetic voice to the international music scene.

Café America Trio play Speakeasy Jazz Club & Cocktails, Paseo de las Rampas, Fuengirola, on Friday, January 10, at 11.30pm.

Violin

FIDDLERS GREEN is presenting the Costa del Sol’s very own violin virtuoso, Crissie Ryan, on Saturday, January 11.

The highly popular Irish pub in La Cala de Mijas is hosting an evening of symphonic sounds and popular music through violin and vocals. Star behind ‘The Magic of Music’ performed at Salón Varietés in September by the prize-winning violinist and singer, Cristina Ryan,

is playing an evening gig from 9.30pm on Saturday night.

Crissie, a graduate of London’s Royal Academy of Music, performs a fusion of symphonic sounds and popular, familiar music and songs.

She allows the audience to experience her very own private musical world through a varied repertoire of old and new that reflects her feelings, inspirations, and influences in life. A musical offering that blends classical

Spikes Bar &

RestaurantJones

virtuosity with refined popular music.

The violinist has played for audiences all over the world, touring throughout Ireland, the UK, Europe, and America. In 2005, she performed as a soloist with the Dublin Youth Symphony Orchestra on their tour, which passed by San Francisco, San Jose, and throughout the rest of California.

Fiddlers Green Irish pub can be found at Calle Cártama 47, in La Cala de Mijas.

Adam Woodward

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Take it easy

COUNCIL staff are working from abroad in locations ranging from Barbados to South Africa, with local authorities approving 731 requests in 2023 compared with 708 in 2022. Meanwhile, Office for National Statistics data revealed that public service productivity is now 8.5 per cent below prepandemic levels.

Best-sellers

ACCORDING to the latest figures from Tesla, the company headed by Elon Musk sold 2,231 models up to December 26 in Spain last year. This was not far short of Toyota’s 2,586 C-HRs in a month when both overtook the Dacia Sandero although, as in 2023, this remains Spain’s best-selling car for the whole year.

Starling winged

THE Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined digital bank Starling £29 million (€35 million)) for its ‘shockingly lax’ financial crime controls. These had left the online-only bank, founded in 2014, in a position “wide open to criminals and those subject to sanctions,” the City regulator said.

Big Four

MULTINATIONAL auditors

KPMG and EY each had 11 clients listed on Spain’s Ibex 35 index of leading companies, 63 per cent of the total, in 2024. Deloitte had four, while PwC with nine clients is almost certain to overtake them all in earnings, as it has a contract worth €130m with Banco Santander.

Wrong track

THE HS2 rail project was in a “very serious situation” Mark Wild, HS2 Limited’s chief executive said in late December. Constructing the railway would cost between £67 and £83 billion (€81 and €100 billion) at current prices, although the Transport Department argued these figures were “unreliable.”

STAT OF WEEK

will be paid in dividends based on 2024’s earnings by Spain’s principal banks, Santander, CaixaBank, BBVA and Sabadell in 2025.

Big money in takeovers

FOREIGN takeovers of UK-listed companies brought a 2024 fees bonanza for the City.

Investment advisers AJ Bell revealed that takeovers of British companies amounted to £49 billion (€59 billion) in 2024 compared with £17.2 billion (€20.7 billion) in 2023.

A spate of deals involving large companies inevitably drove up fees charged by banks and law firms involved.

A Telegraph analysis of filings for the 15 completed takeovers of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies revealed that banks and law firms’ fees had amounted to £1.6 billion (€1.9 billion).

Most profitable from the

ACE footballer Lionel Messi has floated his property investment trust on the Bolsa Portfolio, an alternative Spanish stock exchange supervised by the Bank of Spain.

Messi, the former FC Barcelona idol who left in 2021, now plays for Inter Miami which is owned by David Beckham.

He was named chairman of Edificio Rostower Socimi, while his wife Antonela Roccuzzo is vice-president.

Top choice

THE Amsterdam-based European stock exchange, Euronext, was chosen by 53 debuting companies in 2024.

This represented onethird of last year’s European flotations and, as in 2023, technology was the most active sector, accounting for 40 per cent of the new listings.

Another 11 companies chose to list on Euronext in 2024, including CVC Capital Partners (Jersey), together with Louis Hachette Group (France), Paratus Energy services (Norway) and Theon International (Cyprus).

City’s point of view was the £1 billion (€1.2 billion) acquisition of TI Fluid Systems by Canadian ABC Technology Holdings.

Company records showed that the banks which had advised ABC on the British brake fluid

company’s takeover received £234 million (€282.2 million).

That amounted to almost a quarter of TI’s purchase price instead of the normal 5 per cent rate, although in this case approximately £160 mi-

llion (€193 million) was commission on refinancing TI’s debt pile. TI Fluid had paid its own bankers £37 million (€44.6 million).

The Telegraph analysis also pointed out that banks and advisers would have earned even more, as the £1.6 billion did not include takeovers where no documents were published, together with those which were not completed or were rejected.

Rejected deals include

Australian mining giant BHP’s £34 billion (€41 bn) offer for its rival Anglo American, while Rightmove staved off a £6.2 billion (€7.5 bn) approach from Australian counterpart, Rupert Murdoch’s REA.

Messi turns businessman

The company’s only shareholder is Limecu Es paña 2010, the Messi fa mily’s investment vehicle, although Reuters revealed that the trust has informed Bolsa Portfolio that it will open up to admit new investors.

Founded in 2013, the company posted a €1.7 million loss in 2023 ac-

Steelworks saved

NETWORK STEEL has bought the Thyssenkrupp’s Galmed plant in Sagunto (Valencia), which produces 350,000 tons of galvanised coils each year.

The deal, which brought to an end months of negotiations, also put an end to uncertainty after Thyssenkrupp announced more than a year ago that it intended to sell the Sagunto steelworks.

The decision was prompted by plummeting steel production in Europe owing to its uncompetitively high overheads, as well as the German company’s own losses, sources said.

Neither Thyssenkrupp nor Network Steel have revealed further details although the Spanish government and unions confirmed the deal, which will maintain the current employment and working conditions of the plant’s 120 workers.

cording to Bolsa Portfolio

Edificio Rostower owns seven hotels in Spain and Andorra, three office spaces and five apartments in Spain, plus others in London and Paris.

It has now debuted at €57.4 per share, giving the company a market capitalisation of €223 million.

Be prepared

UBER EATS, which classes delivery riders as self-employed, not employees, has set aside €136.3 million for potential tax and legal contingencies.

Portier Eats Spain’s 2021 accounts submitted in July 2024 to the Registro Mercantil, equivalent to the UK’s Companies House, showed losses of €47.3 million for that year.

This was mainly the result of assigning €57.1 million to cover eventualities arising from Work Inspections in addition to 2020’s €79.2 million allocation.

The company announced in 2021 that inspectors had begun scrutinising its activities throughout Spain, adding that it was making provisions to reflect the ‘most probable’ outcome of the appraisals.

NATWEST had its best stock market year since 1993, heading the FTSE 100 index with Rolls-Royce and British Airways in 2024. Shares in NatWest which, as Royal Bank of Scotland required a €20 billion (€24 billion) bailout in 2008, climbed 83 per cent, with total returns including dividends reaching 95 per cent. British Airways owner IAG had 99 per cent returns, while shares in Rolls-Royce, with 90 per cent returns, soared by more than 500 per cent under Tufan Erginbilgic, its chief executive since 2023.

New

BILLIONAIRE brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa are considering a £13 billion (€15.7 billion) listing in the US for their EG Group.

According to the Sunday Telegraph and Mergermarket, the brothers have already engaged banks for the float whose £13 billion value would multiply by almost 13 the company’s 2023 profits of £1.1 billion (€1.3 billion).

While viewed as another snub for London’s stock market, New York is preferred as the US is the company’s most important market for its filling stations and forecourt convenience stores.

Still waiting

THE Post Office spent £136 million (€164.3 million) on paying lawyers involved in compensating sub-postmasters affected by the faulty Horizon computer programme. MPs on the Business and Trade Committee pointed out that this was more than 25 per cent of the £499 million (€602.8 million) paid so far from the £1.8 billion (€2.2 billion) fund for wrongly-accused victims.

Thousands have yet to receive compensation but one law firm alone, Herbert Smith Freehills, was paid £82 million (€99 million), MPs said

Photo credit: goodfon.com

LIONEL MESSI: Has floated Edificion Rostower on Spanish stock exchange.

TAKEOVERS: High fees for City bankers and lawyers.

10.712,0 10.730,0 10.552,0 2,45M

Beazley 813,00 819,00 809,00 738,01K Berkeley 3.838,0 3.878,0 3.808,0 476,46K BP 414,05 415,70 406,80 30,14M British American Tobacco 2.968,0 2.968,0 2.928,0 3,38M BT Group 147,85 148,10 145,00 16,26M

3.252,0 3.274,0 3.236,0 614,31K

136,80 138,25 136,15 42,56M

2.643,00 2.669,00 2.628,00 3,43M

5.235,0 5.305,0 5.160,0 839,55K

2.503,5 2.521,0 2.421,0 4,89M

544,00 545,50 538,00 1,88M

535,20

603,50 613,00 595,00 214,02K

BUSINESS

EXTRA

Talking Turkey

GARANTI, BBVA’s Turkish subsidiary, has signed an agreement with the Bit2Me platform to use its services for buying and selling clients’ cryptocurrency. This arrangement enables the Spanish bank to enter the crypto market in Turkey, a country where using digital currency is widespread.

Choc shock

WITH cocoa beans costing $11,425 (€11,035) by late December, their price soared by 167 per cent in 2024, overtaking Bitcoin’s rise of 117 per cent. Smuggling and dry weather in West Africa had combined to affect harvests, growers explained.

Non-doms choose Milan

NON-DOMS are leaving London as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to end the regime that allowed them to live comfortably in the capital.

Those staying in the UK without being domiciled paid tax on overseas earnings only if they brought their funds into the country, a practice that former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt wanted to change.

Now Reeves will go further still by scrapping the system entirely in 2025. This is producing an

Nice little earner

CRITERIACAIXA spent €983 million on acquiring a 9.36 per cent holding in global infrastructure and services company ACS in May 2024.

The La Caixa Group’s holding company, which manages its investments in non-financial sectors in addition to its CaixaBank stake, made a 24 per cent profit on the 25,431.299 shares which are now worth €1.2 billion.

Shares in ACS, headed by Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez, were fetching €47.92 on December 30, not far short of the record €48.6 that they reached in 2007 before the property boom bubble burst the following year.

CriteriaCaixa’s holding, making it ACS’s principal shareholder after Florentino Perez, has also brought in €39.5 million in dividends since the purchase.

exodus of non-doms to Italy, whose tax system charges them €200,000 a year regardless of the size of their fortune, up from the €100,000 they paid until earlier last year.

For the ultra-rich, this is still a bargain and Diletta Giorgolo Spinola from Sotheby’s International Realty Italy told the UK media that the specialist company had seen ‘an explosion’ of enquiries following the non-dom tax changes.

Milan, Italy’s business capital, is particularly sought-after, Giorgola Spinola said, and rental deals in 2024 had soared 30 per cent compared with 2023, above all for properties costing between €15,000 and €30,000 a month.

Rome is also popular although Milan was where most of London’s non-doms were heading.

“Deals are concluded rapidly, as supply fails to keep up with demand,” she added.

Able to save

SPAIN’S households spent less than they earned during the third quarter of 2024, National Statistics Institute figures showed, with a saving rate of 7.1 per cent of their gross disposable income, compared with 5.5 per cent during the same period in 2023. After seasonal adjustments, the rate rose 14.2 per cent, reaching its highest level in three years.

Shutters down

APPROXIMATELY 13,500 shops closed in 2024, a 28 per cent increase on the previous year, although fewer than in 2020 and 2022, the Centre for Retail Research announced. Although figures were better than during the pandemic, the group’s Research director Professor Joshua Bamfied described them as ‘disconcerting’ while predicting that 2025 would be worse.

MILAN: Italy’s business capital attracts non-doms.

What a difference

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

WELL, here we are in the year of our Lord 2025. Delighted to report the weather here on Mallorca has been absolutely great. Can’t of course say that about the UK.

Yesterday parts of it were reported to be just about snowed under. Why don’t all you lovely UK online readers just pop over? You know it makes sense! Actually, (as per usual) this Yuletide, once again took up quite a bit of my time trying to find something decent on British TV. Yet again what a load of cheap bunkham they managed to churn out.

Terrible third rate ‘celebrity’ game shows and the usual wheeling out of a series of ancient movies, all of which should have been entitled ‘Carry on up the Khyber’ which is where most of them actually belonged. Nice to see Hattie Jacques again. This highly talented and sadly missed Lady of the theatre once told me that all the starring Carry On roles were paid the miserable sum of five grand for every

picture, most of them were certainly worth as great deal more than that!

The only truly lovable entertainer featured over the whole three-day period was to me the late and certainly great Tommy Cooper. It really doesn’t ever seem to matter how many times you enjoy the Tommy experience he always manages to double you over with humour and perfectly clean comedy. What a difference from the trash and obscenities most so-called comedians churn out today.

I actually met Tommy on a number of occasions at various TV and charity events (mainly in bars!) but was truly surprised after my then wife and I, who had been on a visit to my dear old Mum in her Eastbourne nursing home, decided to have dinner in a local restaurant. We had just taken our seats when in walked Tommy and his wife Gwen, who actually lived locally.

They were happy to join us and we were soon enjoying their unexpected company until the meal was subsequently served. Tommy had ordered a steak with chips, carrots and peas. We were about to tuck in when he

beckoned over the waiter. With an utterly straight face he then told the somewhat confused young man that he wanted the steak and all accompanying vegetables served up on separate plates. This was subsequently re-served as he had requested. We then proceeded to tuck in on our now somewhat crowded table, and oddly he never submitted one word of explanation for his actions.

We of course were far too polite to ask. When we were leaving, he asked if we could give them a lift home. Tommy was extremely frugal, so with his knees bent up to his chin was quite happy to squeeze all six feet four inches of himself in our mini minor.

When we finally arrived at his Eastbourne abode, he then kindly asked us to hold on he had something for us. His wife soon re-emerged and presented us with a shiny biscuit tin, a gift which later actually turned out to be full of broken biscuits! RIP Tommy. Gone aged 63. Just like that!

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.

Great fish heist

LIKE something from an episode of the popular old cartoon series Top Cat with a bit of a festive twist, Madrid Local Police have released a video showing two cats pulling off an unexpected heist on a street fish vendor.

While the unlicensed fishmonger was looking the other way, the crafty cats, who seemed to be working in cahoots, snuck up on the back of the man’s lorry to grab one of the tasty fresh fish.

One cat climbed onto the back of the lorry where fish were openly on display, paused for a moment as the fish seller looked on oblivious to what was about to happen, dropped the catch briefly before recovering it, and then they both scampered off to enjoy their sushi feast like the proud victors they were. Meanwhile, the ad-hoc street vendor remained blissfully unaware of the daylight robbery occurring around his feet, even though he nearly stepped on the cats.

Madrid police used the footage as a light-hearted reminder to people to avoid distractions while driving and enjoy the holiday season with loved ones. ‘Feliz Navidad,’ they posted, urging people to stay focused behind the wheel.

Fishy thieves.

Credit: Policia Local de Madrid.

Official fruit

IT’S not unusual for any country to nominate a bird, animal or flower as its national emblem, but Poland has gone a step further and declared that the apple is its official fruit.

Although this may appear somewhat bizarre at first reading, there is a sound commercial reason as the apple is Poland’s largest and most successful fruit export and the decision coincides with Poland taking over the Presidency of the European Union for the next six months.

Every time that Poland hosts an EU event over the six months it will ensure that apples are handed out to attendees in order to support its apple growers and remind delegates of the fact that Poland is Europe’s largest producer of the fruit.

In a statement, a representative of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said:

“For Poland, the apple is a special fruit and a source of national pride. By choosing Polish apples, event participants will experience an authentic taste of Poland while supporting Polish fruit growers.”

With annual production of around four million tons of apples, Poland is not only Europe’s largest producer but is also the four-

th largest apple grower in the world (after China, the United States and Turkey) although less than 25 per cent of its production is exported.

Main markets are fellow members of the European Union, Germany, Spain and Sweden, but there is a healthy demand for Polish apples in the Middle East and India.

Milan quits the habit

MILAN’S New Year’s resolution is to quit smoking in the street, or at least within 10 metres of anyone else.

As of Wednesday, January 1, the Italian city’s new local law comes into effect banning smoking in public spaces unless they are ‘isolated spaces’ in which a distance of at least 10 metres can be respected.

The measure is part of a battery of rules approved in 2020 to improve the air quality of the city that have been coming into force gra -

dually over the last few years. The new rule forms part of the Air-Climate Plan, a project that aims to halve carbon emissions (CO2) by 2050.

The smoking ban extends to all public areas or areas of public use, and failure to comply could lead to a fine of between €40 and €240. The law also includes bans in parks in, near, or around children’s areas, sport activity spaces, bus stops, taxi ranks, cemeteries, dog parks, outside bars and restaurants, doorways of places of work, and hospital grounds.

The rule only applies to tobacco smoking for the moment, and e-cigarettes are exempt. Some 19 per cent of Italians smoke, according to the Italian National Institute of Statistics based on 2023 data, lower than the 24 per cent average within the European

Averaging around €6 a pack in Italy, cigarettes are also among the cheapest in Europe, where prices of about €10 are more common.

Some 19 per cent of Italians smoke.

Just one of the many different types of apple produced in Poland.

Credit: Tony Hudson, Flickr

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Belgian ‘Wonder Woman’

HILDE DOSOGNE has smashed records and proven that anything’s possible - even running a marathon every single day for a whole year!

The Belgian ultra-runner crossed the nish line in Ghent on New Year’s Eve 2024, her 366th consecutive marathon, to a chorus of cheers. But don’t be fooled - despite completing the 15,444-kilometre challenge, Hilde was not completely exhausted. She said she was “glad it’s over,” but there was one nal hiccup on her last run: a collision with a spectator.

RECORD BROKEN: Belgian Wonder Woman runs a marathon every day for a year!

After 366 days of pounding the pavement, this 55-year-old bio-engineer has not only proved her resilience, but also raised a whopping €60,000 for breast cancer research. Now that’s a victory with some substance.

As she passed the nish line, her mind was already ticking over the next steps: submitting GPS data, photos, videos, and witness reports to the Guin-

ness World Records. If all checks out, she’ll o cially hold the female record for running a marathon every day for a full year - a feat that would dethrone the previous record of 150 days held by Erchana Murray-Bartlett. She’ll also join Hugo Farias, who holds the male equivalent, with 366 consecutive marathons.

Running 42.5 kilometres a day isn’t for the faint of heart - especially when you’ve battled the u, Covid-19, multiple crashes, blisters, and even bursitis. But for Hilde, the toughest part wasn’t the physical toll - it was the mental grind.

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Spain new European star

WITH Germany seemingly coming under more scrutiny financially and finding it a tough task to cope with the economic hit of their main asset, the automation industry, a diamond in the rough has been unearthed - and it comes as a surprise to many.

Deputy director of the Polish Economic Institute Andrzej Kubisiak has pointed out that as Germany struggles to maintain their past sparkling performances, Spain has now emerged as the star European nation.

“Spain has done a great job in spending money effecting and coping with the energy crisis,” says Kubisiak, with current Spanish president Pedro Sanchez reiterating frugality and equal income dispersion across the community and important sectors.

“Spain coped quite well with the way out of the pandemic crisis, whe-

re there was an influx of migrants, jobs appeared and funds from KPOs (knowledge process outsourcing) appeared quickly, where new investments appeared,” he stated.

Placing an utmost importance in driving down and keeping down energy costs for Spanish citizens and companies alike, the main challenge for Poland is exactly that - how

to enact this process to begin to move things in an upward trajectory in a world bound by crises. Kubisiak insists that the Green Deal should be atop of the Polish agenda, looking for solutions here that would see national regulations reducing energy costs, spiking a deep level of competitiveness on not only a European scale, but a global one.

Credit: Facebook, Hilde Dosogne.

Spain the new inspiration?

Record high employment Freezing dip in the sea

GERMANY rang in the new year with record-breaking employment figures.

In a staggering win for the German workforce, official figures reveal that an annual average of 46.1 million people were in employment in 2024 - a new peak since the country’s reunification.

The statistics office confirms that these numbers mark an increase of 72,000 on the previous year, maintaining an upward curve that has held steady (barring the pandemic hiccup of 2020) since 2006. But don’t pop the Feuerzangenbowle too quickly: the tempo has definitely taken a breather. After bumper boosts of 622,000 in 2022 and 336,000 in 2023, experts warn the pace of employment growth is now more ‘tortoise’ than ‘hare’.

The driving forces behind this employment surge? A steady influx of foreign workers and a workforce of homegrown go-getters willing to roll up their sleeves. These two factors says the statistics office, largely cancelled out worries about Germany’s ageing population. It’s the perfect example of teamwork making the jobs dream work.

Here’s a service shout-out: in 2024, the only sector that actually bulked up the nation’s employment total was services - now responsible for 75.5 per cent of all employed Germans. Industry, on the other hand, ended up in the job-loss corner, shedding 50,000 workers, while the construction sector hammered away with a loss of 28,000. Is this a cause for concern?

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symbolic to bathe on January 1 in Biarritz, a moment of communion and sharing. I hope it will give strength to those who fight against cancer. It’s a way of telling them to hold out hope; we have to hang on and not let go of hope,” explained the multiple world champion, herself a victim of breast cancer at the age of 28. The Hope Team East association uses sport as a way into the community. “We accompany people overcoming the disease,

to not take on the challenge alone, but with family, with friends, with colleagues. It allows you to have a positive goal during the treatment and after. For my part, crossing the oceans allowed me to hold out, to remain optimistic.”

All money raised from the sales of scarves or bottles of Champagne at the beach will be donated to the association. “It’s for a good cause!” said a local man enjoying a glass of Champagne in the freezing morning.

Wild swimmers, Anglet, France.

THE beautiful character of the Costa del Sol

New coat of arms

TO coincide with the New Year and at relatively short notice, King Frederick of Denmark has commissioned a new version of his royal coat of arms.

Whilst there is no overt statement against the suggestion by President Elect Donald Trump that America should take control of Greenland, it seems clear that the new coat of arms is a tacit confirmation that Denmark will not let the world’s largest island be taken over.

The Faroe Islands, which has the oldest coat of arms, being represented by a ram has been placed in the second field, while Greenland, with its younger coat of arms, sees a large polar bear placed in the third field. Up until now, the coat of arms saw the ram and polar bear share a single

field with three crowns, but in the new version the crowns have been removed as they are considered to irrelevant to a modern Denmark.

It is said that the review of the coat of arms was initiated soon after King Frederick succeeded his mother Queen Margrethe who abdicated on New Year’s Eve 2023, but the revelation of the new arms must be connected to Trump and the fact that his son Donald Trump Jr was due to make a private visit to Greenland.

This is also making a point as far as Greenland is concerned, showing that it is still part of the Danish Commonwealth despite the fact that its Prime Minister Múte Egede is talking about independence.

Modern name trends

THE list of the most popular baby names in the Netherlands for 2024 has been revealed.

Noah has remained the favourite name for boys for the sixth year in a row, while Emma has reclaimed its spot as the most popular name for girls.

Each year, the Dutch Social Insurance Bank (SVB) releases a summary of the previous year’s baby name trends. In 2024, 165,594 babies were born in the Netherlands, with 84,990 boys and 80,604 girls. Noah was the most chosen name overall, given to 922 boys, securing its position as the top boys’ name for six years. Close contenders were Luca and Lucas. For girls, Emma made a comeback as the top name after Julia took the lead in

Noah was the most chosen name overall.

2023. This year, 657 girls were named Emma, making it the most popular choice once again. Other frequently chosen names for girls included Olivia and Nora. Gender-neutral names such as Charlie, Robin, and Sammy also gai-

Spain’s success story

A DOZEN years ago, Spain was the poster child for economic despair. Its government and banks were locked in a vicious downward spiral, kept afloat only by bailouts. Young Spaniards either emigrated or took to the streets in protest over their bleak prospects. Half-built homes and deserted airports stood as grim monuments to a collapsed construction bubble.

But now the country is reportedly on course to be the best-performing, rich-world economy of 2024 on a range of economic fronts - GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, fiscal stability and even stock market performance. Economic growth and job creation are outpacing even the United States, the usual benchmark for success.

Spain’s recovery stems from reforms following the financial crisis. Overhauls in banking and the labour market have strengthened the economy, while policies encouraging renewable energy

(such as scrapping the infamous ‘sun tax’ on solar power) have bolstered the green sector.

Tourism has rebounded spectacularly, while consulting and tech services are climbing the value chain. Services outside tourism now account for 7-8 per cent of GDP, up from 5.5 per cent pre-pandemic. Foreign investment, including Chinese firms like CAT (a battery-maker) and Chery (a carmaker), is another feather in Spain’s cap.

But challenges remain. House prices are soaring, productivity growth lags and a fragile coalition government resists needed reforms. Spain’s success story is truly inspiring - but resting on its laurels could be a costly mistake.

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.

INTERVIEW

Speaking EuropeanMarsy Popa

From graduating in law to singing full time, Marsy Popa has had an incredible journey from Romania to Spain.

MUSIC has been part of Marsy’s identity since she was 11 years old, but she also studied law and when she com pleted her degree, a friend asked her to visit Spain.

in touch with the right people. One month later and I’m in the Canary Islands singing for all the hotels. I haven’t stopped since.

ned attention in 2024.

Popular names for boys last year included Noah, Luca, Lucas, Liam, Sem, Mees, Noud, Levi, James, and Adam. For girls, top names were Emma, Olivia, Nora, Julia, Sophie, Mila, Noor, Yara, Sara, and Zoë.

“I never thought I’d come to Spain full time. I studied law and was a singer at the same time. I was very determined to build a legal career in Romania, then this invitation came to me.

“My life changed in my first two weeks in Spain, and I never went back.”

Marsy has fulfilled a lifelong dream of having a singing career here in Spain.

In Torrevieja, by happenchance she “met a musician, who put me

“When I got my first contract as an artist, it meant the world to me.”

She is now one of the best-known performers in the Costa Blanca and has big plans for the year ahead with a Gladys Knight tribute and a separate tour in Spanish theatres.

As well as singing in the Dreamgirls trio, “I’ve worked with them since 2021, we all started together and built it together. I consider them family we are very close.”

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

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

Marsy has big plans.

Marsy Popa.

The old and new Danish coats of arms.

Credit: Kongehuset

Image: kipgodi / Shutterstock.com

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Plant-based benefits

A PLANT-BASED lifestyle offers numerous benefits for both health and the environment. Adopting a plant-based diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, can lead to improved heart health, better digestion, and weight management. Studies show that plant-based diets reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers due to their high content of fibre, antioxidants, and anti-in-

flammatory compounds. Beyond diet, a plant-based lifestyle extends to personal care products, where many people are choosing cruelty-free, plant-derived cosmetics. These products are free from animal testing and often contain natural ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, and essential oils. Plant-based skincare and beauty products are generally gentler on the skin, making them ideal for sensitive skin types, and they avoid harsh che-

micals found in some synthetic cosmetics. While a plant-based diet offers many advantages, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to ensure that you’re meeting all your nutritional needs, particularly for nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Pregnant women, children, and individuals with specific health conditions should seek guidance before making significant dietary changes.

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Nourish your bones

density and strength.

BUILDING strong bones is essential for maintaining overall health and preventing conditions like osteoporosis later in life. Key to bone health are nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium, which help maintain bone

Calcium is the primary building block of bones, and adults should aim for about 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per day.

Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yoghurt, as well as plant-based

sources like leafy greens, tofu, and almonds, are rich in calcium. Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption, and can be obtained from sunlight, fortified foods, or supplements.

Regular exercise is another crucial factor in building strong bones. Activities like walking, jogging, and strength training help stimulate bone formation and improve bone densi-

Strengthening exercises also promote muscle mass, which supports bone health by reducing the risk of falls.

Lifestyle choices, such as avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, further support bone strength.

Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight and ensuring proper nutrition throughout life, particularly during childhood and adolescence, lays a strong foundation for long-term bone health.

Microneedling

MICRONEEDLING, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a popular skincare treatment that involves using tiny, fine needles to create micro-injuries on the skin’s surface.

This process stimulates the body’s natural healing response, promoting the production of collagen and elastin, two vital proteins that keep the skin firm, smooth, and youthful.

The procedure is typically performed with a dermaroller or a dermapen, devices equipped with fine needles that create controlled punctures in the skin.

While microneedling can be done at home with a dermaroller, professional treatments performed by dermatologists or licensed practitioners usually use more advanced equipment for optimal results. The benefits of microneedling are vast. It is most commonly used to treat acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture issues.

The increased collagen production helps to improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of scars, and smooth out uneven skin texture. Microneedling is also effective in reducing stretch marks and enhancing the absorption of skincare products, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Though microneedling is generally safe, it’s important to consult with a skincare professional to determine if it’s right for your skin type and concerns. With proper care, it can be a highly effective treatment for achieving healthier, more youthful skin.

Benefits of daily SPF

USING sunscreen daily is one of the most important skincare habits you can adopt for longterm skin health. SPF (Sun Pro tection Factor) protects your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause premature ageing, skin damage, and increase the risk of skin cancer.

UV rays from the sun can damage your skin even on cloudy days or during win ter months, so applying SPF daily ensures continuous protection. It shields your skin from both UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin and contribute to ageing, and UVB rays, responsible for sunbur ns and increased skin cancer risk. Wearing SPF regularly helps prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, keeping your skin

Tea for Wellness

HERBAL teas are a popular, natural beverage made from a variety of plants, flowers, and herbs, offering a range of health benefits. Unlike traditional teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant, herbal teas are caffeine-free and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. One of the most well-known benefits of herbal teas is their ability to promote relaxation and improve sleep. Chamomile tea, for instance, is often used to calm the mind and aid sleep due to its mild sedative effects. Peppermint tea,

tion, bloating, and nausea.

Herbal teas can also have antioxidant properties, which may support the body in fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation. Teas like hibiscus and rooibos are packed with antioxidants and have been linked to improved heart health.

Some herbal teas also offer immune-boosting properties. Echinacea tea, for example, is frequently used to help prevent or shorten the duration of colds. Ginger tea is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, making it helpful for those dealing with sore muscles or arthritis. Incorporating herbal teas into your routine can provide a natural, soothing way to enhance overall well-being and support various as-

youthful and smooth. Daily SPF use also reduces the risk of sunburn, which not only hurts but can lead to long-term skin issues like pigmentation and skin cancer. By applying sunscreen every day, even indoors, you can significantly lower the chances of skin cancer by protecting your skin from these harmful rays.

Choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and incorporating it into your skincare routine is a simple yet highly effective way to maintain healthy, radiant skin for

Costa Blanca North Promising year ahead

ACCORDING to the hotel association HOSBEC, 2025 is once more shaping up to be a promising year for tourism in the Valencian Community. This positive sentiment is supported by a marked increase in early bookings observed in the latter months of 2024, indicating a shift in traveller behaviour. More people are now inclined to plan their trips well in advance.

As 2024 has now drawn to a close, HOSBEC has released their annual report highlighting significant achievements. The Costa Blanca recorded an impressive 77.6 per cent overall occupancy rate, marking an increase of 4.7 percentage points compared to the previous year. From May to October, the peak summer season, occupancy rates surpassed the 80 per cent mark, with a remarkable peak of 90.1 per cent reached in August. Specific destinations demonstrated their unique appeal; for instance, Calpe achieved an impressive annual occupancy rate of 81.2 per cent.

Axarquia 600 toys spread cheer

SIX HUNDRED toys spread Christmas cheer to vulnerable children in Rincon de la Victoria.

The town kicked off the festive season with a heartwarming gesture, delivering 600 brand-new toys to families in need. The Pabellón Cubierto Municipal ‘Rubén Ruzafa’ in Torre de Benagalbon hosted a spectacular event brimming with joy, as 267 children and their families enjoyed an afternoon of fun, food, and festive treats.

The toys were distributed as part of a charitable campaign organised by the local Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the Rincon Contigo association. Among the participants in the event were Mayor Francisco Salado (PP), the town’s Social Welfare councillor Olga Cervantes (PP), and other government officials.

The generosity of everyone has proven that, when a community comes together, the impact can be real. This year’s toy drive, now an annual tradition, is more than just about gifts - it’s about spreading the word; ‘no one is alone’.

Mallorca

New Year’s escape lists

PALMA DE MALLORCA continues to be the top destination for German tourists to see in the New Year, according to data from the flight and hotel search engine Jetcost.es

This year, searches for flights for the year-end period have increased by 16 per cent, while hotel searches have grown by 19 per cent compared to the same time last year.

Between December 26, 2024, and January 6, 2025, key dates for the holiday season, Jetcost reported that Palma de Mallorca remains the top choice for Germans, followed closely by the French, Portuguese, and British.

While Europeans prefer the beaches and charm of the Spanish islands, Spaniards are also drawn to international destinations to celebrate the end of the year. London, Paris, and Rome remain the top choices for domestic tourists, although destinations like Madrid, Tenerife, and Barcelona also appear prominently.

Costa Blanca South New Year’s bundles

THE first birth in the Torrevieja Health Department for the new year occurred late on New Year’s Day at 7.25pm.

The baby, a boy weighing two kilos, was born to parents of foreign origin.

In the Torrevieja Department, over half of the 210,000 residents assisted by public health services are from abroad.

This hospital handles just over 1,000 births annually (1,057), serving mothers from 10 municipalities along the Vega Baja coastline and its nearby areas: Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Pilar de la Horadada, Rojales, Guardamar del Segura, San Fulgencio, San Miguel de Salinas, Los Montesinos, Benijofar, and Formentera del Segura.

In the Valencian Community, the first baby born in the public hospital network in 2025 arrived at Denia Hospital at 12.05am named Adrián. Adrián’s parents, Patricia Gato and Daniel Petac, are residents of Pedreguer.

Almeria

Mojacar’s big splash

MOJACAR’S New Year’s Day Swim, hosted by Mojacar Forum, marked its 10th anniversary this year. What began a decade ago with a simple idea over a drink at the Emerald Isle bar has grown into a much-anticipated annual event. Despite the chilly temperatures, participants braved the cold waters, making it another memorable day on the beach.

This year’s swim not only celebrated the event’s milestone but also served as a charity fundraiser. Funds raised were split between PAWS, the local animal shelter, and shelters in Valencia and Malaga, which were severely impacted by recent floods. In total, the event raised an impressive €5,920, with more expected from sponsorships. The amount includes registration fees, bar sales, raffle tickets, and donations.

Along with the swim, there were fun prizes for participants, including the best fancy dress, the oldest swimmer, the youngest swimmer, and the most swimmers in the water competition.

Costa Calida Jackpot joy

THE 2025 Lotería del Niño (Children’s Lottery), the Christmas Lottery held on the day of the Three Kings, brought some good news to the Region of Murcia, with several towns winning prizes, although the top prize wasn’t among them. The first prize, 78908, was sold entirely in El Corte Inglés in Leon. However, the region did receive part of the second and third prizes.

The second prize (06766) was sold in Mazarron at Loterías El Dólar and in Murcia City at L’Agustinica on Paseo de Florencia. Each shop sold 10 tickets, though the owner in Murcia wasn’t sure if any had to be refunded. In Mazarron, all four tickets were sold.

The third prize (66777) was spread across several places in the region, including Cobatillas, Lorquí, San Pedro del Pinatar, Yecla, Abanilla, and Cartagena. In Yecla, Bazar Tokio and Lotería Doña Maruja sold part of the winning tickets.

PETS

WINTER in Spain may not bring snow, but the cold, wet weather can still pose risks to your pets. Dogs and cats are vulnerable to chilly temperatures and damp conditions, so it’s important to take extra precautions during these months.

Limit time outdoors

While rain may not last all day, it’s essential to avoid long walks during the coldest, wettest hours. Opt for shorter, more frequent outings, and keep them dry by using a waterproof dog coat or rain jacket.

Stay Warm!

Keep warm indoors

Cats and dogs, especially those with shorter fur, need a warm, dry space to retreat to when indoors. Provide a soft bed away from drafts, and ensure your pet has a comfortable resting spot.

Dry their coat quickly

If your pet gets wet from the rain, dry them thoroughly with a towel or a pet-friendly hairdryer. Damp fur can cause discomfort and may lead to skin issues.

Protect their paws

Wet streets can be slippery and harsh on your pet’s paws. After walks, wipe their paws clean and check for irritation caused by rain, mud, or street salt.

By staying mindful of the weather and taking these simple steps, you can keep your dog or cat safe, healthy, and comfortable throughout Spain’s winter season.

Easing vet fears

A VISIT to the vet can be stressful for both dogs and their owners. Many dogs become anxious or fearful before and during their appointment, but with some preparation, you can help your dog feel more at ease.

First, it’s important to stay calm yourself. Dogs are sensitive to their owner’s emotions, so if you’re stressed, your dog is likely to pick up on that anxiety. Speak in a calm, soothing voice, and try to act relaxed.

Before the visit, get your dog used to the idea of the car ride. Take short, non-vet related trips in the car to help your dog associate the car with positive experiences, rather than just trips to the vet. Make sure to keep your

dog’s routine as normal as possible before the appointment, including feeding and walking times.

Once at the vet, stay close to your dog, offering gentle reassurance with soft petting and treats. You can also bring along your dog’s favourite blanket or toy to provide comfort in an unfamiliar setting. In some cases, your vet may recommend calming aids like pheromone sprays, anxiety wraps, or even mild sedatives to help ease your dog’s nerves.

Lastly, rewarding your dog with treats and praise after the visit helps them associate the experience with something positive, making future trips less stressful.

Happy New Year. Time to plan petcare for 2025!

LUNA is a friendly dog, and used to having company at home. She often travels with her owners but when they go abroad she is better staying at home. Lucy her owner has been using HouseSitMatch for some years now to find pet-sitters through our network. Luna is more relaxed at home and prefers being cared for in her own space. Plan ahead like Lucy to find pet care for your furry friends.

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ACE OF SHADES

WINDOWS

WINDOWS

Sticker placement: know the rules

IF you’re thinking about adding a ‘baby on board’ sticker to your car, you might want to reconsider where you place it. While common spots like the rear windshield or boot may seem convenient, they could lead to fines. According to Article 19 of the General Traffic Regulations, while decorative stickers are not outright banned, they must not obstruct the driver’s view. The regulation specifies that glass surfaces must provide a clear view of the road, without interference from films or stickers. This means even a small sticker could reduce visibility, potentially making it a safety hazard.

In addition, the law also allows only adhesive films or sun blinds on rear windows, meaning stickers on windshields or rear windows could attract penalties.

If an officer deems your sticker limits visibility, you could face a fine of up to €200, though no points will be deducted from your licence.

To avoid penalties, place decorative stickers on the car’s sheet metal, ensuring they don’t obstruct essential elements like licence plates or lights. This ensures both safety and compliance, while still allowing you to personalise your vehicle.

Stickers should not obstruct the driver’s view.

Japan car behemoth

JAPAN’S car makers, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi are having a go at bringing their operations together under a joint umbrella company, with Honda heading the new management. The merger is expected to go ahead in June.

A merger could result in a behemoth worth more than $50 billion based on the market value of all three automakers. Together, Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi would gain significant enough market share to beat both Toyota and Germany’s troubled Volkswagen.

Honda’s president, said that in order for all parties to be leaders in this transformation, it would be necessary to make bolder changes than just mere collaborations in specific areas. Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi earlier in 2024 agreed to share com-

ponents for electric vehicles such as batteries, and to jointly research technology for self-driving vehicle designs.

Nissan has been struggling since a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in 2018. Nissan has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybrid engines that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids.

The company is not going through its best time and recently reshuffled management as well as taking a 50 per cent pay cut while throwing hands in the air and admitting responsibility for its poor financial performance. The merger mirrors an industry-wide tendency towards consolidation and mergers, as Japanese companies need to keep up in an increasingly competitive and fast-changing market.

Digital car passports

EUROPE IS moving toward greener motoring with the introduction of digital car passports by 2027. These environmental passports will be required for every car sold in Europe, including Portugal, creating a transparent, tamper-proof record of each vehicle’s impact on the planet.

The passport will include a QR code that links to detailed information about the car’s battery, materials used, and overall environmental footprint. For electric cars, data on battery capacity, voltage ranges, energy efficiency, and raw material origins will be tracked from production to disposal. The European Commission aims to reduce harmful supply chains, incentivise sustainable practices, and empower drivers to make eco-friendly decisions. Some manufacturers, like Volvo, have al-

ready begun using a battery passport for electric models such as the EX90. A simplified version will be available to car owners, while a more comprehensive version is reserved for regulatory bodies.

Starting in February 2027, batteries in two-wheel vehicles and industrial batteries above 2 kWh capacity will also need a Digital Product Passport (DPP). By exposing unsustainable methods and penalising irresponsible manufacturers, Europe hopes to drive innovation in the automotive sector. As the deadline approaches, carmakers are adapting quickly, seeing the new requirements as both a regulatory necessity and a competitive advantage. These passports underscore Europe’s commitment to a future where consumers can access crucial environmental data.

Nissan, Mitsubishi, & Honda emblems.

Credit: FotoHelin - Shutterstock

ROAD TEST

By Mark Slack

MANUFACTURERS, especially luxury car makers, are always looking for ways to increase the appeal and sales of their cars. Jaguar did this with the E-Type lightweight, obvious ly, however Bentley have gone further back into their extensive archives. The Bentley Speed Six is one of the most well-known and apprecia ted of the marque amongst motoring aficionados.

Now, the first Speed Six since the original cars back in 1930 is shortly to leave the Bentley Mulliner workshop in Crewe, England bound for a customer in the United States. It is the first of 12 Speed Six Continuation Series cars with each having been handcrafted over the course of eight months

The first completed car is soon to be shipped over to the United States - marking the first delivery of a new Speed Six since 1930. Existing Mulliner customer John Breslow will be the first person to receive his Speed Six.

First New Bentley Speed Six in 95 years

at - and won - Le Mans in 1930. Leather trimmed in a rich deep brown with dominant red tones, the Rust leather and carpet complement the Parsons Napier Green paintwork to the exterior of the Speed Six.

Commissioned just over 12 months ago, the classically curated Speed Six is resplendent in Parsons Napier Green bodywork on top of a

chassis. The iconic face of the Speed Six is dominated by the large twin round headlamps, finished in Chrome with a protective mesh and separated by a large number ‘4’ on the radiator.

Crafted by hand from scratch, each car takes eight months to complete, with the expert team of Mulliner te-

chnicians working closely with a network of specialist suppliers across the UK to recreate every detail of the original Speed Six.

The cockpit is as authentic as the exterior, with every gauge, switch and control exactly as per the specification of the Speed Sixes that raced

At the start of the project, the Mulliner Classic team visited the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK to verify the five authentic period Parsons Paints that are available to customers. Over 600 individual new parts, including a new engine block casting, were fabricated for the new 6 1/2 litre race spec engine, which at the time developed 200 bhp. Dyno testing has shown the Continuation Series engines to develop 205 bhp.

The Speed Six is regarded as one of the most important and iconic Bentleys in history, being the most successful Bentley racing car ever produced.

Challenges for new England Boss

FOR the first time in their history, the English men’s national football team will see a German manager at the helm.

Many feel that Tuchel’s appointment is advantageous to players and fans alike, as the manager has key experience - and success, managing for an English side, Chelsea, as he took them to victory in the Champions League back in 2021.

With his one-year contract allowing him a golden chance to win the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico next year, all eyes will be on Tuchel in his run up to a possible final, where he historically has a poor

track record - Tuchel has lost seven finals. Another challenge will be how he integrates the wealth of attacking talent into the side.

But with all the challenges he will face as manager of England, he arrives to the side as one of the

Hamilton’s first Ferrari speech

AS Lewis Hamilton commences his position as one of the two Scuderia Ferrari drivers for the upcoming F1 season, joining Charles Leclerc as the leading figures of the Italian team, the British driver insists that the change will prove positive for him and his career.

Many believe Hamilton’s appointment as the new racer for Ferrari for the upcoming season could do well to revitalise his career, with Hamilton ready to ‘embrace the change’.

on Hamilton as he prepares for his 19th season at the wheel, Hamilton leaves his supporters with a rallying message: “Here’s to 2025 - a year of embracing new opportunities, staying hungry and driving forward with purpose. Let’s make it one to remem- ber. Andiamo.”

most successful managers the country has seen in recent times, bringing a wealth of high-level club experience, combined with a genuine tenacity to win. Tuchel stated: “I have to prove myself and to the people who are maybe a bit concerned, to prove to them how much it means to me and that it is a dream job for me.” And with a strong track record of domination in Germany, France, and England, his official start has already got fans dreaming of a World Cup triumph at last.

“Moving to Scuderia Ferrari, there’s a lot to reflect on. Whether you are switching industries, learning a new skill or even just taking on new challenges, remember that reinvention is powerful. Your next opportunity is always within reach,” he said on LinkedIn.

Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal has come out to defend his decision to appoint Hamilton, insisting that his calibre is still very much an appealing factor to the Italian outfit. “Look at the 50 laps he did in Vegas,” the Ferrari chief commented, as his huge second place finish last season here, as well as wins in Silverstone and Belgium justify that he isn’t ‘washed up’ just yet.

As the world’s Formula One fans set their keen eyes

Thomas Tuchel in charge.

Lewis Hamilton, new Ferrari star.

Credit: Notracingpoint, Twitter.

Credit: ClinicalAdam, Twitter.