Costa Blanca North 16 - 22 January 2025 Issue 2063

Darts champ in Albir!

IT is not every day that a World Darts Champion walks into your bar, so imagine the surprise of the patrons of Bar Players sports bar in Albir when newly crowned Luke Littler suddenly appeared on Wednesday, January 8. No doubt just days earlier, the bar would have been filled with people watching the darts final and willing the teenager on to victory.

With his next competition, the Bahrain Masters starting next week, Littler decided to take his family on a short break to Spain after his epic win, and of course, he spent some time in the wonderful Costa Blanca North. In fact, he couldn’t resist taking to Instagram to post a short video that he took depicting the blue sky and sea as he strolled along Albir beach.

While there was a darts tournament taking place at the bar, Littler deferred to his brother Leon to get involved and instead relaxed and enjoyed some time with his family and friends.

Unfortunately for Leon, he didn’t make it to the final but no doubt he had a great time all the same.

Taking to Facebook, the owner of the bar commented on how “very honoured they all were to be in the company of an amazing dart player and person.”

Costa Blanca North • Issue No. 2063 • 16 - 22 January 2025 FREE FREI GRATIS GRATUITO LIVRE G F E GRATIS GRATUIT S G

Luke Littler.

Public transport service

CALPE has officially agreed to the establishment of a new public transport service for the municipality. This initiative includes the introduction of three dedicated bus lines designed to better serve

the community’s transportation needs.

The first line will be based on the existing route to ensure continuity for frequent riders. The introduction of Line 2 will cater specifically to residents in the urbanisations situated in the eastern region of Calpe, including neighbourhoods such as Vallesa. Meanwhile, Line 3 will extend its services to the areas of

Injured

Maryvilla and Puerto Blanco, enhancing connectivity for those communities.

A key aspect of this new transport service is the introduction of low-emission vehicles, particularly in Lines 2 and 3, which reflects a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. These minibuses will help reduce air pollution and contribute to a greener urban

environment.

The new transport system will include several enhancements compared to the previous service. For example, Mayor Ana Sala highlighted that, aside from the new line, there will be electric buses and the establishment of a purple stop, which signifies a designated pick-up and drop-off point for women’s safety.

while hunting

A 57-YEAR-OLD man suffered significant injuries after an accidental fall while hunting in the municipality of Altea. The incident occurred around 12.45pm on January 11, near the Font de la Barca area, amidst the rugged terrain of the Sierra de Bernia.

According to reports, the hunter was with a group of fellow hunting enthusiasts when he lost his footing and fell down an embankment which left him seriously injured. He sustained a fracture to his tibia near the knee and briefly lost consciousness. His companions quickly recognised the severity of the situation and immediately raised the alarm, reaching out to emergency services for help.

The mountain rescue team was promptly dispatched to the scene. They navigated the challenging terrain to locate the injured man, who was in dire need of medical attention. Upon reaching him, the rescue team provided urgent care, administering pain relief,

a tourniquet to control bleeding, and an Israeli bandage. They also supplied him with oxygen therapy to stabilise his condition.

A helicopter was arranged to transport him from the site to the Finestrat helipad, where a medical helicopter took him to the local hospital for further treatment.

Injured man was transported via helicopter.

Credit: FB: bomberosalicantecpba

Electricity bill alert

Tips to save amid IVA hike

IT’S the start of the year, and major changes in Spain’s energy prices are coming. The costs are about to skyrocket, so what’s behind these hefty hikes, and how can you avoid paying through the nose?

Say goodbye to the electricity bill relief you’ve enjoyed over the past few years. In a controversial move, the Spanish government is slapping the IVA back to 21 per cent - up from the temporary reductions that had been in place to cushion the blow during the energy crisis.

While we’ve had IVA moving between 21 per cent and 10 per cent in 2024 depending on elec tricity prices, the game has changed as of January 1, 2025. Forget about those discounts; now, consumers will face a dramatic jump in their bills, just when they thought things might be getting easier.

As the new tariffs accumulate, here are a few tips to minimise the damage to your pocket:

1. Review your contract - It’s time to look at your energy provider and consider switching to a plan that suits your consumption habits.

2. Go green - Install energy-saving devices, like LED bulbs, and switch to energy-efficient appliances. Small changes at home can add up to big savings.

3. Time your usage - Avoid peak hours when electricity prices surge. Do your washing at the weekends on Bank Holidays if you can. You can save a small fortune by using energy-hungry appliances at off-peak times.

2025 Tax deadlines

Key dates to remember

AS the taxman gets set to hit the clock, taxpayers are being warned about the new deadline for filing their 2025 income tax returns in Spain. The Spanish tax authorities, Hacienda, have laid down the law for the 2024 income tax campaign, and you’ll want to take note.

The campaign kicks off on April 2, 2025, and runs

all the way until June 30, giving taxpayers a generous window to get their affairs in order.

For those filing online through Renta Web or the AEAT mobile app, the clock starts ticking on April 2. But don’t let your procrastination drag on - while the window remains open, the final day to get everything submitted is June 30. If you plan to submit by phone, you’ll be able to do so

starting May 6, and for those opting for face-to-face assistance, appointments can be booked from June 2.

But here’s a crucial date you might want to mark down in red: if you’re facing a tax bill and want to make sure it’s paid by direct debit, the deadline is pushed forward to June 25.

So, who exactly is on the hook for filing? It’s not just the fat cats raking in the big bucks. If you’ve earned more than €22k from a single employer, or €15,876 if you’ve had two or more paychecks coming in, you’ll need to take action.

Modelo 145 Spanish tax form dedicated to personal income tax IRPF in Spain in 2025. Hacienda have announced official dates for the 2025 tax return.

New tourist rental rule

A NEW law has just been passed in Spain that states if you want to rent your property as a short-term tourist accommodation, you must have approval from your neighbours.

The law, which originated in two sentences from Supreme Court judges in 2024, declared that the communities of property owners (comunidades de vecinos) could prohibit the activity of tourist rentals through agreements adopted in a meeting (junta de vecinos) by a three-fifths majority. That is to say, the owner of the property who plans to use it as a temporary rental must seek permission from the community association, and that permission to do so will go to a vote at the next neighbours’ meeting.

The law now also states that the president of the community of owners, or any other neighbour, can report the one using their property without due and express permission, on their own initiative, and can take legal action against the owner.

This modification, according to the president of the Andalucian Council of Colleges of Property Administrators, Manuel Jiménez Caro, has been in response to multiple complaints by homeowners, especially in flats, about the distress caused by noisy and disruptive tourists staying for just a few days at a time in their buildings.

Goodbye SIM cards

Hello eSIM!

AFTER more than 30 years, it might soon be time to wave ‘adiós colega’ to the humble plastic SIM card. Yes, Movistar, Vodafone, and other telecom giants in Spain have recently announced they’re jumping on board the eSIM propulsion rocket - a slick, new tech ready to change mobile connectivity as we know it. Spanish phone users and carriers alike are hoping for a smooth, ‘simless’ transition, if you catch our drift...

For years, SIM cards have been the silent stars of mobile technology. Invented on July 30, 1991, these tiny bits of plastic have powered our calls, texts, and internet browsing by securely lin-

king devices to networks. But now, these pocket-sized troopers might finally get their marching orders.

The eSIM - or ‘embedded SIM’ - isn’t just a chip off the old block; it’s a whole new ball game. Unlike the removable SIMs we’ve fumbled with for years, eSIMs are built directly into devices, eliminating the need for sausage fingers. Think fewer fiddly trays and more streamlined tech.

For most users, eSIM itself is free. But before you whip out your wallet to upgrade, here’s the catch: services like MultiSIM - which let you enjoy all the perks across several devices - often come with a fee.

Taxpayers have time to get their affairs in order.

Credit: Shutterstock, Mehaniq

Energy prices will increase in Spain in 2025.

Credit: Shutterstock, Oleksiichik

Javea Women’s Race

REGISTRATIONS have officially opened for the highly anticipated Javea Women’s Race, set to take place on February 16. This year, all donations collected will be directed to the Aldis Paiporta Association, an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. Tragically, Aldis Paiporta recently experienced a major setback when they lost their headquarters and essential materials due to the devastating effects of the DANA in Valencia.

The choice of date falling on Valentine’s weekend is not an accidental coincidence. It was purposefully chosen to reinforce the powerful key message of ‘self-care and healthy love’. The reason behind this is to encourage participants to reflect on the importance of personal well-being.

This race, which will kick off a broader series

in anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8, is scheduled to commence at 10.00am on the local athletics track. The route will stretch some five kilometres, ensuring it is accessible to participants of all fitness levels.

Registration costs a nominal donation of €5, which covers not only the cost of entry but also an official race t-shirt, bib number and entry into the raffle. Those interested can register online by vi-

siting www.somesport.com. Alternatively, registration can be made in person at the Palau Municipal d’Es-

ports (mornings only), the DECUERO store, or the Llidomar real estate agency.

A Royal Occasion

ANOTHER year, and another opportunity to place two young women in the spotlight as they are crowned Queens of the Festes Majors Patronals de Benidorm. This time, it was the turn of Paula Pascual Sanchez, and Aitana Perez Gutierrez. The glamorous event unfolded in spectacular fashion at the iconic Benidorm Palace on Sunday January 12, a venue that has become synonymous with unforgettable celebrations, making it the perfect backdrop for such a significant occasion in Benidorm’s cherished

traditions.

The gala drew an impressive crowd of over 1,200 attendees, which further enhanced

Credit: Benidorm.org

the vibrant atmosphere.

Benidorm’s mayor, Toni Perez, presided over the ceremony, and the evening commenced with an

elegant reception, followed by the entrance of the past year’s court of honour. However, the true highlight of the evening came with the presentation of the participants, made up of 16 girls and 21 young women. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as the queens were chosen from the candidates, marking a historical moment for the young women. As is the tradition, the outgoing queens ceremoniously adorned Paula and Aitana with their sashes, cloaks, and crowns, symbolising their ascension to royalty.

Javea Women’s Race 2024.

Coronation took place at Benidorm Palace.

Air quality monitoring

THE town council of Benissa has taken a significant step towards improving environmental monitoring by installing a comprehensive network of sensors dedicated to the control and measurement of polluting gases.

These sensors have been strategically placed at five key locations throughout the municipality, reflecting the town’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental health. Given the influx of respiratory illnesses being experienced in Costa Blanca North, this can only be a step in the right direction.

The newly installed sensors are designed to continuously monitor and measure the levels of harmful gases, specifically focusing on carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This real-time

data will be transmitted to a digital platform, providing timely and accurate information on air quality. In a few months, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to access

Doge’s Palace restoration

ON January 9, approval was given to a substantial subsidy of €1,091,208.87, which will cover the cost of much-needed restoration works at the Doge’s Palace in Gandia. This subsidy represents 2 per cent of the Cultural Programme budget, which is administered by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda.

This approval brings the town one step closer to enhancing and preserving one of the most iconic monuments in Gandia and Spain. The building has remarkable cultural and artistic significance, and the restorations are expected to increase visitor engagement and appreciation of the site.

The proposed project covers four key areas, including the restoration of the Hall of Wreaths, enhancement of the Courtyard of Arms Staircase, renovation of the Duke’s old cabinet, and construction of a new public square. The latter will involve demolishing the existing wall separating carrers Jesuïtes and Carmelites, in order to create a new square. This transformation will also serve to enhance the façade of the historic building, further connecting it with the urban landscape.

These strategic actions aim to preserve the historical heritage of the Doge’s Palace and enrich the overall cultural experience for residents and visitors alike.

this important air quality information through the official website of Turisme Benissa (benissa.es). This initiative is part of a broader effort outlined in the Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan (PSTD), which comprises 20 individual actions aimed at enhancing the sustainability of tourism in the area.

This ambitious project is fully financed by the European Next Generation funds, ensuring that it supports both local initiatives and European environmental standards.

Benissa air to be quality monitored.

THE Department of Youth of the Teulada Town Council, under the leadership of Josep Ivars, has introduced an invaluable and complimentary service focused on providing attention and emotional support specifically tailored for individuals aged 40 and younger.

This free service is designed to assist individuals grappling with a range of challenges, including emotional instability, anxiety stemming from substance use, issues

Emotional support

related to alcohol or drug abuse, the misuse of modern technologies, and gambling addiction. To effectively cater to the needs of the community, the service operates on a defined schedule from 4.00pm to 9.00pm.

Recognising the emotional and psychological struggles faced by many in today’s society, the Department of Youth is

proactively promoting this programme as a means of providing an easily accessible and specialised support network. The scheduled dates for each month in 2025 are as follows:

Teulada: January 16, February 6, March 6, April 10, May 8, June 10, July 10, September 11, October 16, November 6, and De-

cember 4.

Moraira: January 23, February 20, March 20, April 24, May 22, June 19, July 24, September 25, October 30, November 20, and December 18.

Individuals interested in accessing this service can do so by scheduling an appointment through the designated telephone lines 608 243 326 or 965 740 158 (ext. 1804), or by reaching out via email at joventut@ teuladamoraira.org.

Airport expansion plans

airport operator

Aena has announced ambitious development plans for Valencia and Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez airports. The aim is to better accommodate growing passenger demand and modernise key facilities.

The Alicante-Elche airport expansion project has already been approved, and the tender process has been recently announced. FTN News reported that the €19.8 million initiative will extend the terminal building and aircraft parking areas.

These will include expanding the boarding

dock at Terminal 1 to handle increased traffic from non-Schengen destinations. Other plans include adding new commercial spaces, and upgrading parking lots and electrical systems.

In addition, a project to expand Valencia Airport is in progress, although it is not as advanced and is still in the design phase.

Aena has allocated a budget of €400 million for this purpose, with the aim of enhancing the terminal’s capacity and passenger experience. This will include modernising toilets, increasing commercial

spaces and adding seating areas and charging stations.

Record passenger numbers underline the urgency of these developments. At Valencia Airport alone, numbers surpassed its maximum capacity of 10.5 million annual passengers in 2024. Marian Cano, the regional minister for Innovation, Industry, Trade, and Tourism, described Aena’s plans as a “step in the right direction” but “insufficient.” She has called for further investments, including a second runway and a rail connection to Alicante airport.

SPANISH

Aena announces expansion plan for Alicante airport.

New emergency vehicle

HELP of Marina Alta recently made a significant contribution towards the acquisition of a new vehicle for the dedicated volunteers of the Proteccion Civil in Benidoleig.

Other organisations also contributed, including La Asociacion Benefica Marina Alta, a charity shop located in Ondara, and the Ajuntament de Benidoleig. Thanks to their generosity, this new vehicle will replace the previous car, which has become increasingly unreliable over its 25-year life span.

The new car will play a vital role in assisting the volunteers who are an integral part of the community’s emergency response team. The vo -

lunteers use this vehicle to support the town hall in a variety of crucial tasks, ranging from responding to emergencies that arise within the village and the surrounding mountainous areas, to aiding the local doctor with home visits to difficult-to-reach addresses. Additionally, they provide transportation for residents needing to attend hospital appointments when other forms of transport are unavailable, as well as offering their support during numerous community events held throughout the year in Benidoleig.

HELP of Marina Alta, which was established in 1984, has built a solid and reputable presence

as a registered charity focused on enhancing the lives of those in the Marina Alta region. The organisation is widely recognised for the positive impact it has on the local community, and those interested in learning more about its extensive work are encouraged to visit www. helpmarinaalta.org.

Parade of the Rolls

LA VILLAJOYOSA is set to celebrate ‘Festes de Sant Antoni’ this weekend and taking centre stage will be the traditional parade. Known as the Parade of the Rolls of Sant Antoni, it will take place on Sunday January 19, at 1.00pm. During this colourful event, a vibrant selection of carts and floats will navigate through the streets of the neighbourhood of l’Ermita. Residents wearing traditional ‘peasant blouses’ will distribute over 16,000 delicious traditional rolls among the spectators.

The popularity of this occasion typically brings hundreds of local residents together to participate, celebrating a tradition that is deeply ingrained in the community’s culture. The custom of collecting the rolls, an integral part of the San Antonio

festivities, reflects the strong communal ties and shared heritage of the people of La Villajoyosa, marking it as a spectacle of joy and camaraderie.

In addition, on Saturday, January 18, activities will focus on animal welfare. This initiative will aim to showcase the bond between the community and its animals, inviting visitors to engage in a variety of animal-related events. Attendees can also look forward to live music from local band Athenaeum and DJ performances. A dedicated bar service run by the members of the local huts participating in the Hermitage festivities will provide refreshments.

Full details of the weekend schedule can be found by visiting www.villajoyosa.com.

President of HELP of Marina Alta (Candida Wright MBE) hands over the keys.

Credit: Proteccion Civil

Parade of the Rolls, Villajoyosa.

THE Benidorm Town Council’s Department of Mobility, in collaboration with Telpark, the concessionaire company responsible for managing local parking facilities, has introduced an exciting new discount campaign aimed at encouraging residents and visitors to support local commerce and the hospitality sector.

Under this new campaign, users can take advantage of significantly reduced parking rates in two key parking lots: To-

Cheaper parking

mas Ortuño and Ametlla del Mar. At the Tomas Ortuño car park, drivers can park for a full 12 hours for just €2.99, making it an attractive option for those planning to spend the day in the town. Similarly, the Ametlla del Mar parking facility offers an even more economical rate of €1.49 for the same duration. The ‘Multi Pass’ needed to take advantage of these special rates can be obtained via the Telpark mobile application. It comes in three options: five, 10, or 20 passes, allowing for flexibility based on individual needs. Once a season ticket is purchased, users no longer need to phy-

sically check in at the parking facility. Instead, innovative technology linked to the pass will automatically recognise the vehicle’s licence plate, opening the entrance barrier upon arrival.

Furthermore, the season ticket has been designed without time slots or restrictions linked to specific days. The promotion will remain available until January 26 or until all passes have sold, whichever comes soonest.

‘One Food, One Book’

Donna Williams

THE Municipal Library of l’Alfas del Pi has made a significant contribution to the Social Volunteering Association by donating all the food collected during the recent campaign titled ‘One Food, One Book’.

This innovative initiative encouraged members of the local community, particularly the users of the House of Culture, to participate in a unique exchange – for every kilo of non-perishable food donated, participants

received a book in return. Launched for the third consecutive year

last December, this campaign aims to support the efforts of the Social Volunteering Association of l’Alfas del Pi, the organisation responsible for the effective management of the local Food Bank, which provides essential assistance to those in need.

During a gathering to mark the campaign’s success, both Manuel Casado, the councillor for Culture of l’Alfas, and Isabel Muñoz, the councillor for Cooperation and Volunteering, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took part in this altruistic effort. They emphasised how the campaign reflects the generous spirit of the Alfasi community, highlighting that contributions came not only from individual citizens but also from local groups and businesses.

This collective effort showcases a strong commitment to supporting vulnerable members of the community.

The Social Volunteering Association of l’Alfas del Pi was established in January 2013 with the primary mission of assisting individuals who are at risk of social exclusion within the municipality.

‘One Food, One Book’ Campaign.

Blessing of animals

A VIBRANT celebration unfolded in El Campello on Sunday, January 12 as the town honoured the tradition of Sant Antoni del Porquet, a festival dedicated to the blessing of animals.

The event showcased a delightful collection of animals, including horses, mares, mules, ponies, numerous dogs and cats, an assortment of birds, turtles, and other beloved pets, drawing a significant crowd of enthusiastic attendees.

pets, eagerly anticipating the ceremony.

Paddy Brennan’s Boxing Academy

Donna Williams

Hundreds of families turned out for the occasion, many bringing their cherished pets along for the blessing. The ceremony took place on a designated platform in the Plaza de la Iglesia, where the local parish priest presided. He was joined by prominent figures from the local government, including the mayor, and councillor for Festivities and Traditions. The Plaza de la Iglesia buzzed with excitement in the hours before the blessing as families congregated with their

This celebration holds a special place in the hearts of the residents, as it preserves the rich traditions of the municipality. According to Enrique Moreno Sierra, the vice president of the El Campello Horse Association, the equestrian exhibition was a highlight, featuring an impressive gathering of up to 70 horses and a dozen beautifully decorated carts from across the region. The sight captivated onlookers, many of whom were taken aback by the vibrant parade of majestic animals, dressed in their finest adornments.

ON Friday January 10, and as publicised in the Euro Weekly News, the Paddy Brennan Boxing Academy o cially opened its doors in Javea on the Arenal for the very rst time. Judging by the turnout, it is a very welcome addition to the sports facilities in the local area. In fact, given that there are no other boxing clubs or academies in Javea, the community has been crying out for it. However, what really makes this establishment stand out is the incredibly

friendly welcome that Paddy o ers to each person who walks through the door. His passion for the sport is truly infectious, and his belief in how it can support a positive mental outlook is inspiring.

As he explained at the boxing academy’s opening, the goal is that “every person of any age or social level leave their academy feeling exhausted but also empowered.”

Two very special guests carried out the ribbon cutting: Ursula Longmore, the wife of Paddy’s late men-

tor Bill Longmore, and Barrie Sheldon, who worked alongside Bill in the police force. Prior to cutting the ribbon, they both said a few words explaining Bill’s background and how he had supported Paddy’s rehabilitation boxing programme in the UK as part of a police and crime plan during Bill’s time as Police and Crime Commissioner.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests stayed to look around, with some eagerly accepting the invitation to participate in a few sparring sessions.

Paddy Brennan’s Boxing Academy officially opens in Javea.

Horses lining up to be blessed.

Credit: elcampello.es

Price of renting

RENTING an apartment in various regions across Spain has become an increasingly daunting challenge, as the rental market continues to experience significant price hikes.

Coastal Law Resolution

Donna Williams

According to the latest report published by Idealista, a leading real estate portal, the rental prices for homes have seen notable increases. Their December report, titled ‘Evolution of the Price of Rental Housing in Spain’, indicates that the average price per square metre for rental properties rose by 2.2 per cent compared to November 2023.

Currently, the average cost to rent a house is approximately €13.5 per square metre. However, this can vary drastically

across different regions. Take Madrid, for example, where it reaches the dizzy heights of €18.8. As you may expect, Madrid, along with Catalonia, are the most expensive areas when it comes to renting.

So, how does the Costa Blanca North stack up against this average rental cost? Well, it probably comes as no surprise that the most expensive area is Benidorm, which will set renters back an average of €15.1 per square metre, which is substantially higher than the Spanish average. This is closely followed by Finestrat (€14.1), Alfas del Pi (€14), Moraira (€12.6), Calpe (€12,1), and El Campello (€12).

This trend underscores the growing pressures on the rental market, making it increasingly challenging for individuals and families seeking affordable housing options.

THE Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge has officially confirmed the publication of the coastal law that documents a partitioning of maritime-terrestrial public domain assets along the beach of Les Deveses in Denia. This decision impacts a stretch of approximately 3.5 kilometres, extending from the Molinell River to Calle Riu Xinxilla. It has been reported that around 40 properties will be impacted, either fully or partially.

The resolution detailing this action was published on Wednesday January 8, in the Official State Gazette, marking a significant development for local property owners.

Residents whose properties are within the affected area have been granted one year to submit their applica -

tions for the concession of land that falls under the maritime-terrestrial public domain. This legal framework allows property owners to seek formal authorisation for the use of the land they possess.

In addition, stakeholders who are interested in disputing this resolution have the right to file an appeal for reconsideration within one month. This appeal can be directed to the Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.

Alternatively, for those seeking a more formal challenge, a contentious administrative appeal can be lodged within two months before the National Court. It is important to note that public administrations also have the prerogative to file a contentious administrative appeal within the same two-month window, again before the National Court.

Les Deveses, Denia. Credit: Shutterstock: Roger Paris

Benidorm is most expensive for renting.

SPAIN will experience a celestial treat in March 2025 with a partial solar eclipse, a phenomenon sure to captivate stargazers across the country.

While not a total eclip-

Partial solar eclipse Samaritans in Spain

FOLLOWING an extremely successful trial period at the end of last year, Samaritans in Spain will be making a permanent change to their service hours. With immediate effect, callers can get in contact with one of their trained listeners between the hours of 10.00am and midnight every day of the year.

Prior to this, the service finished at 10.00pm, and it is only with the commitment and dedication of their team of listeners that Samaritans in Spain has been able to make this significant change. As their president, Donna Williams said, “We have long held the desire to extend our hours as we understand that dark feelings often surface at night, so this is

a huge step for our organisation, and we hope it enables us to support even more people than we do currently .” Samaritans in Spain was established in July 2008 and is a member of Befrienders Worldwide, an organisation made up of listening service providers across the globe. It is available to all English speakers, irrespective of nationality, who reside in mainland Spain and the Islands. Their service is offered via FREEPHONE 900 525 100, and they are there for when people need to express their feelings in order to protect their well-being, feel empowered and take back some control. Further information can be found by visiting www.samaritansinspain.com.

se, where the moon completely blocks the sun, this partial event promises a fascinating sight, especially for residents in northeastern regions like Catalonia and Aragon, which will offer the clearest views.

The eclipse will begin in the early afternoon, around 3.30pm, with the peak - the moment when the moon covers the largest portion of the sun - occurring at approximately 5.00pm.

By 6.30pm, the show will be over.

As always, viewing the eclipse requires safety precautions. Never look directly at the sun without proper protection. Special eclipse glasses, pinhole projectors, or telescopes with solar filters are essential for safe observation.

For the best view, seek clear skies, though March weather in Spain can be unpredictable.

The southeast typically offers the best chance for sunshine.

Missed this one? Don’t fret - a total solar eclipse is set for August 12, 2026, providing an even grander spectacle.

This partial eclipse is just the beginning of exciting astronomical events to come.

Samaritans in Spain extend their hours to midnight.

Credit: Samaritans in Spain

A stunning partial eclipse.

Credit: Shutterstock, Warachai Krengwirat

New requirements for short-term rentals on Booking, Airbnb, etc. Seasonal and tourism leases.

ON December 24, 2024, a Royal Decree was published in the Spanish Official Gazette establishing new requirements for seasonal leases, tourist rentals, room rentals, and any other type of shortterm rentals. This week, we analyse the most relevant aspects of this new regulation.

Who is affected by the new regulation?

Royal Decree 1312/2024 applies to all landlords and owners, whether individuals or legal entities, professionals or non-professionals. It is applicable regardless of whether they engage in this activity regularly or sporadically.

The regulation covers shortterm rentals conducted via digital platforms like Booking,

Airbnb, Expedia, and others.

‘Short-term accommodation rental’ includes leases intended for temporary purposes (vacations, work, tourism, studies, or medical treatment.) but does not cover permanent housing needs. Properties must be furnished and equipped for their intended use.

The goal is to enhance transparency and control in this sector while minimising the risk of fraud.

Unique Registry Number in the Property Registry.

Anyone offering short-term rental properties via digital platforms must obtain a Unique Registry Number from the Property Registry. This number must appear in all online

advertisements. If the landlord does not have the corresponding Registry Number, the platform must remove the listing and prevent its publication. Our firm can assist you in obtaining the Unique Registry Number that your property needs to be rented.

Digital Platform for Rentals.

The other key innovation is the ‘Single Digital Platform’, managed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda. This digital system will coordinate information between landlords, digital platforms, and relevant authorities.

Platforms are required to ensure that only compliant rental listings are published.

This collaboration will help monitor the sector, preventing potential fraud and ensuring compliance with the legislation.

Short-term leases without a Registry Number will be deactivated. The Single Digital Platform will also send monthly data on each property to the National Statistics Institute (INE), Regional Statistical Institutes, Eurostat, and others.

When does the new regulation take effect?

Royal Decree 1312/2024 came into force on January 2, 2025. However, there is a transition period until July 1, 2025, after which its provisions will become mandatory. Both landlords and digital pla-

tforms must comply with the regulation by this deadline.

Conclusion

As we have explained in previous articles, seasonal leases are a type of rental prone to fraud. At White & Baos Lawyers, we are experts in this type of contracts. If you need expert advice on this topic or assistance in applying for your Unique Registry Number, do not hesitate to contact us.

The information provided in this article is not intended to be legal advice but merely conveys information relating to legal issues.

ABOGADOS / SOLICITORS

LUXURY home buyers in Sweden are set to rejoice as late sporting icon Sven-Goran Eriksson’s idyllic lakeside home has been put back on the market.

Sven’s €2.2 million house for sale

The premium house, known as Bjorkefors Manor, sits on lake Fryken in Varmland, some four hours from the hustle and bustle lifestyle of Stockholm, the Swedish capital. For any prospective buyer, they can expect to pay around 25 million Swedish krona for the property, or €2.17 million.

The house is part of a six-acre complex which is complete with a steamboat dock, and a serene private beach.

There are a variety of detached buildings on the grounds, including a guest house on the lake, a pool house, and a villa.

The house was built in the late 1800s and has four bedrooms, six bathrooms, and over 9,000 square feet of living space.

The pristine proper -

ty boasts three floors, equipped with gorgeous decor, fit for a high-profile individual seeking a taste of the quiet life.

Sweden Sotheby’s International Realty has put the property up for sale after the football legend died from pancreatic cancer last year, aged 76.

Sven-Goran Eriksson

won 18 major trophies at the helm of top clubs around Europe, including Benfica, Roma, Sampdoria, and Lazio, where his efforts in Italy’s Serie A granted him coach of the year in 2000.

He managed England from 2001 to 2006, becoming the country’s first ever foreign boss.

UK nightclubs forced to close in 2025

RECENTLY enforced budget cuts in various areas, as well as an increase in employers’ National Insurance payments, up to 15 per cent, has seen a new pandemic, as Britain struggles to keep afloat amidst its cost of living crisis. Nightclubs have again come under serious threat to stay in business, and they are not receiving the aid they once were by the government, as reduced business rates relief is just one of many factors deterring their future. Many economic and practical challenges of late such as these have forced clubs to promote new kinds of events, such as ‘sober raves’, to keep custo

UK nightclubs face an uncertain future.

mers flying in and balance the books. But still, around 15 venues were forced to close, meaning there are around 835 venues open in

the UK in 2025, compared to around 1,400 in 2019.

“The uncertainty heading into 2025 is more concerning than anything we saw during the pandemic,” chief executive of the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) warns in his damning verdict. “The additional financial burden from the planned tax increases in April could drive many more businesses to the brink of closure. Operators are working on the margins and many have exhausted all possible avenues to cut costs.”

The chief executive agreed with the government’s plans that the longterm strategy rhetoric is important but insisted “there must be a recognition and consideration for the immediate challenges which are substantial as we risk further closures and job losses.”

100 bonus

WHILST countries such as Finland and the UK seem set on boosting their economy by penalising pensioners financially, some European countries take a somewhat different view of how to treat the elderly.

If you are lucky enough to reach the age of 100 in Poland (and it is believed that there are around 6,000 Polish centenarians alive at the

Germans best at sick days

WITH the election campaign just cranking up, there are many views buzzing around about where exactly Germany went wrong.

All of the main political parties have been losing support as many now turn to hard-line parties simply because of disillusionment with the status quo of German government; the once powerhouse of the economy, car manufacturing, is in decline, and runaway figures on mass migration are infuriating everyone. So, what is happening to the once strongest and most efficient economy in Europe?

Allianz boss, Oliver Bäte, is asking the same. He recently shared his thoughts in an interview with a financial newspaper in which he noted another negative trend - a massive increase in workers taking days off sick.

According to Bäte, too many workers too readily leap from the safety net of statutory sick leave to what he calls the ‘social hammock’, taking advantage of their rights to use for a bit of rest and relaxation.

In April 2024, Christian Lindner, the then finance minister, confessed that ‘the French, Italians, and other nationalities work a lot more than we do’, following OECD data revealing that Germans put in significantly fewer hours

work per year than their EU and British counterparts.

To change this trend, the head of Allianz proposes a return of the ‘waiting day,’ a principle that was abolished in the early 70s when employees didn’t get paid for their first sick day off work. In other European countries, the system still exists.

moment) then with effect from January 1, 2025 you will be entitled to receive a generous new monthly payment.

There is no question of means testing or the government trying to get out of making the payment and it will be universal regardless of existing worth or pensions already in place.

Up until now, there have been exceptional payments made on an ad hoc basis through social services according to the Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy but this has now been regularised in law.

All those who are 100 or reach 100 in the future are guaranteed a new additional monthly payment of 6,246.13 zloty (€1,465) and to make matters even more attractive, every March 1, the amount will be reviewed and increased in

accordance with annual inflation if appropriate, following the same rules as those used with regards to state pensions.

Although some may suggest that this is not exactly a major expenditure for the Polish government it is still a sign

that there is a policy of recognising the importance of the elderly. With 6,000 individuals due to receive the equivalent of €17,400 per annum (€104.4 million a year), it certainly gives pensioners in other countries something to think about!

Paul VasarhelyiShutterstock

Many workers take advantage of their rights.

Centenarians rewarded financially by Polish government.

EVERY January, people often create ambitious lists to kick off the year with positive changes.

Many focus on exercising, adopting new diets, sticking to budgets, or improving their sleep. But let’s face it, winter is cold, and the holidays can leave you drained. If you want to start the year off strong without leaving the comfort of your bed, why not take inspiration from some record-breaking feats

Bedtime records

that can be achieved right at home?

For instance, you could aim to break the record for the most people eating breakfast in bed. Currently held by Cappy Fruit Juice in South Africa, this record involved 574 people enjoying breakfast from the cosiness of their beds.

If relaxation is your thing, another quirky option could be competing for the title of loudest snoring. The current record-holder, Kåre Walkert of Sweden, hit a staggering 93 decibels, about as loud as a train on the underground.

For those who prefer a more active approach, there’s the fastest 200-metre

bed race, which involves sprinting with a bed on wheels. The record of one minute 42.22 seconds was set by the Harriet Harriers in 2014.

If running isn’t your style, you might try breaking the record for fastest 100 metres in a chair. André Ortolf from Germany currently holds the title, scooting across the distance in a six-wheeled swivel chair in just under 32 seconds.

Tesla charging chaos

Marc Menendez-Roche SWEDISH skiers face hours-long queues as Tesla points the finger at trade unions.

Tesla’s global operation has hit another road bump - and this time, it’s charging stations in Sweden causing the uproar. Local media are reporting mountainous queues of more than 150 vehicles near ski resorts, with EV drivers waiting in line for hours. The blame? A fuelling dispute over trade unions and Tesla’s refusal to sign a collective bargaining agreement.

Max de Zegher, a director at the electric car giant, wasted no time in pointing the finger. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Zegher slammed Sweden’s trade unions for putting the brakes on progress. “As forecasted, Swedish EV drivers are suffering, and the infrastructure is failing

unless Superchargers are given the green light,” he posted.

Queues in towns like Malung, close to the popular Sälen ski resorts, have become infamous.

Aftonbladet reported that at the height of the weekend rush, the lines stretched several hundred metres, with skigoers and locals alike

waiting to plug in. But while the public waits, Tesla’s patience has run out. According to de Zegher, “Tesla Superchargers are critical infrastructure, especially on peak travel days. 100+ stalls in Sweden would have been energised this winter if it wasn’t for sympathy strikes.”

Tesla blames trade unions for charging chaos as strikes hit Sweden. Tesla cars charging at Tesla super charger electric car charging station outdoors on a sunny day.

Ryanair ruckus

RYANAIR has launched legal action against a passenger who caused signifi cant disruption on one of its flights, seeking €15,000 in damages.

Spain’s cryptocurrency craze

disruption and robbed others of their well-deserved holiday time,” Ryanair said in a

The case, fi led in Ireland’s Circuit Court, is a first for the airline as part of its strict zero-tolerance policy on unruly behaviour.

Legal action launched.

The incident occurred on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote on April 9, 2023. Due to the passenger’s behaviour, the flight was forced to divert to Porto, Portugal, where it remained overnight. As a result, 160 passengers experienced delays and lost a full day of their holidays, with Ryanair covering their hotel accommodations.

“This passenger’s unacceptable behaviour caused unnecessary

While the airline has not disclosed specific details about the passenger or the nature of their actions, it reaffirmed its commitment to addressing similar incidents in the future.

Ryanair emphasised that disruptive behaviour, including verbal or physical abuse, will be met with decisive action, including legal proceedings.

“This court action demonstrates the serious consequences disruptive passengers may face. We hope it deters such behaviour so passengers and crew can enjoy a respectful travel experience,” the airline added.

CRYPTOCURRENCY ownership in Spain has surged, with 9 per cent of Spaniards now holding digital assets, more than doubling since 2022. A 2024 European Central Bank (ECB) survey of 40,000 Europeans highlights this trend, showing a growing interest in digital currencies across the Eurozone. However, Spain still lags behind crypto leaders like Slovenia and Greece, where ownership rates hit 15 per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

This growth is driven by Spaniards seeking alternative investments. The survey revealed 57 per cent view crypto as a way to make money, while 19 per cent use it for payments and 20 per cent for both. This reflects a shift in how digital currencies are perceived, transitioning from a speculative asset to a versatile tool for transactions.

In 2025, new EU regulations under the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA)

framework will allow Spanish banks to offer crypto trading services. Major institutions like CaixaBank and BBVA are already preparing to integrate crypto into mainstream banking, promising a safer and more regulated

environment for users.

As Spain embraces this digital revolution, the impact of banking integration and clearer regulations could further propel cryptocurrency adoption, shaping the future of finance in the country.

Holiday pay due

ACCORDING to the ATP (Denmark’s Labour Market Supplementary Pension Fund), approximately 300,000 people working in Denmark are set to receive overdue holiday pay, known as ‘feriepenge’. The total is around 275 million kroner (€36.8 million).

This payout applies to those who did not claim their entitled holiday pay for the 2023/2024 holiday year.

Feriepenge is a monthly contribution deducted from an employee’s salary and placed into a fund, based on earnings. Workers accrue holiday pay at a rate of 2.08 vacation days per month and can claim this money once per year if they take time o work.

While most salaried employees are covered under Denmark’s holiday pay system, certain groups, such as freelancers or independent consultants, are excluded. Additionally, the new payout will mainly bene t hourly workers and salaried employees who changed or left

their jobs and failed to claim their feriepenge in time.

This windfall results from a 2023 amendment to Denmark’s Holiday Act (Ferieloven), which introduced an automatic payout mechanism for holiday pay below 5,000 kroner (before tax), (€670.50). Previously, employees needed to actively claim these funds, leading to unclaimed balances.

According to ATP, some payments have already reached employee bank accounts, while others are still being processed. Situations such as employees taking additional holiday beyond the statutory four weeks or leaving their employer may delay some payouts.

Danish workers are set to receive payment.

Finland’s first capsule hotel

Marc Menendez-Roche

MOVE over spacious suites - here comes the tiniest hotel room in Finland, where size doesn’t matter, but budget does! Inspired by Japan’s iconic capsule hotels, Finland’s first micro-room lodging is set to open in the heart of Tampere this May 2025. At just five square metres, these ‘compact cocoons’ promise to change the game for budget travellers.

Construction is well underway on this amazing new hotel, located within the protected and historic Finlayson factory area in Tampere’s city centre. But don’t expect any quick fixes - building a hotel in such a delicate spot requires precision. Forklift operators are carefully manoeuvring steel modules into place, sliding them through window frames and keeping a watchful eye on the building’s integrity.

What’s going up might not look like

much from the outside, but inside? That’s where the magic happens.

The brainchild of Finnish entrepreneur Eetu Rahkola, the Uumen Hotel will be anything but cramped. The clever design is an upgrade on Japan’s famous capsule hotels, adding just a little extra room for comfort. Each ‘micro-room’ offers a cosy bed, small standing area, integrated storage, and a door to shut off the outside world. Want a private bathroom? Well, you’ll have to share. But for just a few euros a night, the trade-off seems worth it, even if just for the experience.

Each room measures five square metres - the perfect size to meet fire safety and soundproofing regulations. And the eco-conscious design isn’t just about fitting everything into a tiny space; it’s also designed with speed, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits in mind.

Prada to take over Versace?

REVOLUTIONARY Ita lian fashion brand Prada is eyeing a potential move to acquire Versace from group Capri Holdings, as banking organisation Citi stands as the label’s advisors.

Daily Il Sole 24 , the Italian media outlet, reported that Capri Holdings, who also own brand Jimmy Choo, have been hired by Barclays to assess selling options of both major fashion stalwarts.

xx Prada looking to complete Versace takeover.

Reuters heard that Capri Holdings could be willing to let go of their major brands if the price is right.

Prada are currently looking at the file of Versace with Citi, who have also worked on previous projects with the famous Italian empire, including a dual-listing offer which has since been put on hold.

Versace is currently run by creative director Donatella Versace, who is the sister of late founder Gianni. Gianni founded the brand in 1978 in Milan, and the popular label is best known for its iconic medusa design, as well as bold, vibrant prints. Of late they are struggling to compete with other brands such

as Prada, with revenues dropping consistently around 10-15 per cent

year on year. Prada, on the other hand, maintains steady growth which is counteracting the struggling downturn of the fashion industry in general. Their intellectual style is spearheaded and authenticated by creative lead Miuccia Prada. The brand is known for its sleek design and famous red labelling. They have enjoyed an upward sales trajectory of 18 per cent since the last quarter.

Credit: Maturi life, Twitter.

Futuristic view of exterior and interior of the capsules hotel in Vnukovo airport in Moscow. Capsule hotels provide cheap, minimalist accommodation like the new Uumen Hotel in Tampere, Finland.

Credit: Shutterstock, gagula

NEWS Travel

Pamplona - a city full of history, culture and tradition

with Hispavan Campers

PAMPLONA, the capital of the Navarra region in northern Spain, is a city full of history, culture and tradition. Famous for the San Fermín festival and the Running of the Bulls, Pamplona offers much more than just exciting festivals - it’s also home to medieval architecture, stunning parks, and charming streets.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a nature lover, Pamplona has something for everyone. Hispavan campervans provide the perfect way to immerse yourself in the beauty and charm of Pamplona. With a Hispavan campervan, you can enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace, discovering hidden gems and landscapes that traditional travel might miss.

Running of the Bulls route

One of the must-do activities in Pamplona is walking the route of the Running of the Bulls. Although the festival takes place in July, the path is an important symbol of the city’s culture. The route starts at the bullring and makes its way down the cobbled streets of the Old Town. While in the area, stop by the Plaza del Castillo, the city’s central square, to enjoy a coffee and soak in the atmosphere.

Visit Pamplona Cathedral

If you’re interested in history and architecture, pay a visit to Pamplona Cathedral. This Gothic-style cathedral is a stunning example of medieval architecture. After seeing the cathedral, take drive around the ancient city walls that once

protected Pamplona from invaders. These fortifications, dating back to the 16th century, offer panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape.

Day trip to the Pyrenees

If you’re seeking adventure beyond the city, take a day trip to the Pyrenees. Just a short drive north of Pamplona, the mountain range has stunning views, outdoor activities and the chance to explore traditional mountain villages. Take a hike through the forests, enjoy the breathtaking views, or visit charming villages like Isaba and Ochagavía and see their cobblestone streets and rustic stone houses. The best way to travel is with a fully equipped campervan from Hispavan. These campervans provide the ultimate freedom and convenience, allowing you to travel at your own pace while enjoying the comforts of home on the road. The ability to park in picturesque locations and stay overnight in natural surroundings makes your journey even more memorable and stress-free.

SUMMARY

Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of the city, venturing into the Pyrenees, or relaxing in a scenic park, Hispavan’s campervans offer the flexibility to experience everything Pamplona has to offer without worrying about accommodation or rigid itineraries.

SOFAS - CHAIRS - CORNER SUITES - SOFA BEDS - OCCASIONAL PIECES - FIRESIDE CHAIRS - RECLINER CHAIRS - POWER RISER RECLINER CHAIRS

INTERVIEW

Speaking EuropeanAlynne Rousseeuw - Belgium

Alynne, from Belgium, has lived in Spain for eight years. Many of the people we’ve interviewed came here looking for their happily ever after, some, like Alynne, brought it with them.

ALYNNE, from Belgium, has lived in Spain for ei ght years. Many of the people we’ve interviewed came here looking for their happily ever after, some, like Alynne, brought it with them. She said “my boyfriend had a bar in Belgium whilst I was studying social work, he sold it and said to me ‘I want to move to Spain’.”

loads of Belgian people here, at first, I built it up through my bar work. I was working mostly in my own language so it was easier.

Italian village forbidding residents from getting sick

IN one of the very poorest regions of Italy, Calabria houses a small village where its population is at a major risk of grim consequences if they become seriously ill, leading to its mayor to order a decree ‘preventing’ residents from endangering their health in any way they can.

Alynne, then 22, had never been to Spain before. Ahead of the move they visited twice. “I believe that as people we learn more by having an adventure than staying in the same area for the rest of our lives.” They ended up at Lomas de Cabo Roig. She has found building a community easy: “There are

“You could say that restaurants and bars are in our blood. I grew up in restaurants. After a year, I opened my own here.” Alynne’s bar - Bar Maschi has been a roaring success, known for its lively entertainment and cosy feel. Like lots of expatriates Alynne loves the weather here but misses family. “The hard thing with living here is leaving my family in Belgium, some days I miss them but this is where my heart and home is.”

Belcastro is home to some of the most unfortunate people in Italy, as more than 50 per cent of its residents are over the age of 65 and have to trek nearly 50km to access the closest A&E services. This facility is only reachable by a road which prevents drivers from going more than 18mph, leading to a shared worry amongst the people of this tiny village.

The official decree imposed by the village mayor, Antonio Torchia, states that residents are “ordered to avoid contracting any illness that may re-

Belcastro is part of Catanzaro, Italy, and has imposed a strange new order on its residents.

quire emergency medical assistance.” Torchia since commented that this was a ‘humourous provocation’ but highlights the stark downfall and struggles of regions such as Calabria and nearby areas of accessing expert medical care.

Residents are urged “not to engage in any beha-

viours that may be harmful and to avoid domestic accidents, and not to leave the house too often, travel or practise sports, and to rest for the majority of the time.”

Since 2009 some 18 hospitals have been forced to close in Calabria due to staff shortages.

Alynne loves the weather.

Photo Credit: Alynne Rousseeuw

Be charmed by Busot’s

San Antonio festival

ALL over Spain between January 17 and January 19 communities will come together to celebrate one of the most unique festivals in Spanish culture and Busot, in the Alicante Province is no different.

High in the hills behind El Campello and Villajoyosa is a village built quite literally into a mountain - its name is Busot and every year it hosts the most fantastic local festivals.

On January 19 they will celebrate the festival of

San Antonio, a religious day where pets and agricultural animals are blessed by a priest to protect them from harm in the year ahead.

On Sunday at 12pm a mass will be held at the church of San Lorenzo Mártir in honour of Saint Anthony the Abbot. At the end of the ceremony families arrive with their pets, be it a bird or a horse, to be blessed at the church steps. In Busot there is also a tradition of having bread buns

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

called Pa Beneït blessed that day, these are then shared with family and friends and eaten alongside a hot chocolate. Following these activities there is usually a raffle in aid of a charity held with prizes donated by local businesses and individuals from the town.

Busot’s traditional festival is a festival that can be visited and really is an unmissable opportunity to learn more about the quirks and quaintness of Spanish culture.

Award-winning blues artist coming to Calpe

MULTI-AWARD winner American singer Trudy Lynn is bringing her Blues Band to Calpe.

With multiple awards for her contributions to blues including the Living Blue Award from the Houston Blues society and a 60-year career her performance will be one to schedule in to the calendar. Texas is a musician with 15 albums under her belt and began her career in the mid-1960s by singing for Albert Collins and opening for Ike and Tina Turner.

She will be playing with her blues band in the auditorium of the Casa de Cultura in Calpe on Thursday February 6 from 7pm until 11pm. Her band, Kenan Özdemir on guitar, Roel Spanjers on keyboards, Bill Troiani - bass guitar and Martin Windstad on drums are in credible performers.

Trudy Lynn is origi nally from Houston Texas and released her debut album in 1989 named Trudy Sings the Blues. Her shows have been described as enthralling.

Tickets can be bought online and cost €30.00, there is a discount for pensioners and groups of over 10 people. You can also ask for more information about the show via telephone 965 836 617

Sinbad: pantomime performance of the season

Abigail Frazer OPENING in January: Careline Theatre brings audiences Sinbad the pantomime.

Careline Theatre are bringing you the pantomime of the season, Sinbad, at Benidoleig Auditorium, Friday, January 17 at 8pm, Saturday, January 18 at 3pm and 8pm and Sunday, January 19 at 3pm.

Careline Theatre are a leading dramatic society in the Costa Blanca, whose aim is to bring shows to the stage that are second to none. They have been presenting their January instalment, a Pantomime production, to happy audiences for 25 years.

Careline Theatre said “Come and join us for a wonderful evening of fun and laughter with SINBAD and his Cat, Bonnie on their adventures battling against Pirates, the Island Witch, the Giant Roc Bird and even Jeanie Meanie.”

This production of Sinbad was written by Alex Jackson and directed by Candida Wright and Suzanna Mace.

According to the Careline Theatre company, they are an amateur theatre group with “professional touches”.

Book online on the Careline Theatre website and click on the menu bar for the box office.

Tickets for adults cost €14 and tickets for children under 10 yrs old are €8.

The theatre company have previously done amazing productions of Snow White and Mary Poppins. Their costumes, dancing and acting are sure to bring joy and laughter to all those in the audience.

Photo Credit: Flickr iglesia en Valladolid

Photo Credit: Flickr salva1745

Experience American culture through music

LISTEN to a blend of Blues, Country and Southern Rock filled with engaging rhythms and melodies.

Jimmy Cornett will be playing acoustic guitar live Sunday, January 19 at the Irish Tavern Albir from 6pm.

In an unmissable performance, listen to a musician who has released multiple albums and singles, been in concert and had festival appearances throughout Europe all in your local Irish Tavern.

Cornett has a reputation for being a talented guitarist and songwriter and

combining traditional influences of the music genres he plays with modern elements.

A Hamburg-based musician he takes great interest in American culture and lifestyle and infuses that into his songs and lyrics, bridging the gap between the past and present to give his music an enduring quality.

The Irish Tavern in Albir is one of the best live music venues around, with jam sessions and live events every week including great rock and country acts.

They are not just an event venue but also offer a place to watch sports, eat delicious food and drink a few cocktails from their well-stocked bar.

Ring ahead and book a table via the number 610 129 283 or to see what other fantastic acts they have on each week visit their Facebook page.

Cuisine made to delight your senses

OFFERING some of the best food in Benitachell, Beniasia serves the highest quality Asian food in the Costa Blanca North.

Beniasia provide everything from Gyozas and Dim-Sums to duck dishes, a lengthy sushi menu and Pad Thai. They have a substantial wine menu, Japanese whiskies and much more, catering to even the most discerning of palettes. Their external patio and terrace area is a lovely natural outdoor space to dine in and their internal restaurant and bar are delightfully modern with tree-like columns spanning the restaurant floor. Their food is plated with fine dining presentation in mind and that attention to detail goes so far as the natural shapes and textures of their dinner plates, so that from the external area through to the interior decoration everything is cohesive.

Beniasia said “Enjoy our exquisite Asian food and explore our wide selection of international and national wines, all in a relaxed and unique atmosphere.” The staff are more than happy to help customers in multiple languages and are attentive to their diners.

You can have a starter and main for less than €20 making it a relatively cheap meal out. They are a reliable staple of the local food scene, open seven days a week.

Beniasia

Visit them in person at: Partida Asegador, 14, BAJO (RESTAURANTE ASIA), Benitachell Tel. 625 921 596 www.beniasia.com

Photo Credit: Facebook Beniasia

Photo Credit: Facebook Jimmy Cornett and the Deadmen

Catherine the Great’s exquisite collection

THE ARTS SOCIETY MARINA ALTA (TASMA), cordially invite guests to join the Court of Empress Catherine II and explore the treasures of the Hermitage.

TASMA says that in the year 1762 she was the “sole ruler of the Russian Empire and the world’s foremost collector.”

TASMA have organised for accredited lecturer, Andrew Prince to give presentations about the vast collections, including jewellery on Wednesday, February 5.

The first, a morning lectu-

re, will be given at Espai La Senieta in Moraira and doors will open at 10.15am and 11.00am.

The second lecture, held in the evening will be at the Casa de Cultura in Javea, the doors will open at 6.45pm and the lecture will continue till 7.30pm.

They say to enjoy the story and stay for the complimentary drink and social atmosphere.

From the arts to architecture and dazzling jewels, Empress Catherine cultivated and accumulated the finest

items to form the basis of the collection at the St Petersburg Hermitage Museum.

TASMA has said that Lecturer, Andrew Prince shares a love of collecting precious things with the Russian empress and that his own “exquisite collection has adorned many celebrities, to include Miss Piggy and the stars of Downton Abbey.”

There is free admission for society members and a start of the season offer of €10 donation for guests to be prepaid via: WWW.ARTSOCMA.ORG.

Become a karaoke king or queen

LA FLORIDITA gives its customers three opportunities a week to sing their hearts out to their favourite songs.

La Floridita in Moraira have got upcoming Karaoke nights on January 19, January 21 and January 23 at 9pm, these Karaoke nights will continue every week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. They also have live acts, music and DJs

every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

The music venue and cocktail bar say that they have always got an “electric atmosphere” and they “guarantee a great night out.” So, have some fun with friends and sing away the night at La Floridita.

They have reasonably priced cocktails and a great variety of other drinks and customers always leave having enjoyed their party atmosphere and great service. To be part of a larger crowd of people all aiming to have fun singing and vibing at a karaoke night visit La Floridita bar. It is situated in the centre of Moraira just a stone’s throw from Moraira port and castle, why not use the venue as an exciting way to end a day adventuring in the Costa Blanca town?

To find out more information visit their Facebook page where they regularly post updates about the following weeks bands, live music and DJs. Visit them in person at Carrer de les Tosqueres 3, Moraira. They are closed Mondays.

Photo Credit: TASMA

PhotoCredit: Shutterstock

Chinese New Year Party from 8pm 28th January

Live Music - Irish Des

Carrer Paris, 2 Centro Comercial Alaire, l7, 03726 Benitachell / 966 495 299 / 602 661 599

U3A offers fresh opportunities to socialise

FORTHCOMING AGM of the U3A Marina Baixa set to go ahead soon; members are looking forward to welcoming new people.

The AGM will give the U3A Marina Baixa the opportunity to look back over 2024 and see that its current members were able to take part in a wide range of activities, including events. The U3A are hoping that 2025 will hold the same opportunities for its members too.

Joan Flint, the publicity officer for the U3A Marina Baixa has said that the group’s aim is to offer members the “opportunities to develop new skills such as watercolour, help with using phones and tablets, crafts etc, or enjoy walks in the lovely countryside surrounding Benidorm, meals out, picnics and coach trips.”

There will be something for everyone to enjoy and for an annual membership of only €10. Make the most of time spent here in the Costa Blanca whether a perma-

nent resident or a visitor to Spain and become a member of the U3A. Their monthly meetings are held at the Casa de Cultura, Alfas del Pi on the fourth Monday of each month (except August and December) at 11am. And the team are hoping to encourage new members to join.

The next meeting, the AGM, will take place on Monday, January 27, reach out to them for more information via their website.

Unforgettable adventures in Montgo Natural Park

HAVE an adventure and make friends on an unforgettable day out in Montgo Natural Park.

On January 25 there will be a hike that blends community and nature around one of the most stunning peaks in Javea.

The organisers say you can “Explore Marina Alta’s

glorious landscapes on this moderate, user-friendly trail hike.”

Complete a fun activity with friends, improve your Spanish, your physical health and learn more about the areas close to where you live with an Alicante Activity Hike. The hike begins at 9am on Saturday, January 25 and finishes at approximately 5pm.

The hike lasts about four hours, is about 12Km long.

The trip will take a full day with bus travel included from the starting point at La Taberna de Luceros, Plaza de los Luceros 4, Alicante.

The organisers said to “bring your hats, comfortable shoes, some snacks and, of course, your best adventurous spirit!”

The Park was first de-

clared as Natural Park in 1987 and covers an area of 2,117 hectares between Denia and Javea, is home to more than 650 species of flora and vegetation with the park’s highest peak Montgo an incredible 753m high and the vistas are unbeatable. It costs €20 to join the guided hike and tickets can be bought online via Meetup.

FISH & CHIP RESTAURANT

&

TAKE AWAY, IN MORAIRA

Fishy Fishy is a very popular traditional Fish and Chip restaurant and takeaway in the heart of Moraira, with TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for 9 years from 2014 to 2023!

Serving top quality fish and chips at the best value, plus a range of home-made sauces, fish cakes, delicious burgers, roast chicken and pies etc plus a great value kids menu.

Photo Credit: Flickr Javier Puig

Craving movie magic? Try Muchamiel’s drive-in cinema

SOME experiences make you feel like you are in the movies, but not many of them have you driving into one as well.

Auto Cine el Sur at Muchamiel offer a cinema experience with a difference, drive into the outdoor parking lot and catch a film from the comfort of your car. Take a bag of popcorn and watch modern films without ever entering a cinema building.

Do not worry about noisy neighbours or children kicking seats in crowded indoor cinemas. Instead, enjoy your own space and make the most of this unusual way to enjoy film.

If jump scares are being craved, Auto Cine el Sur have got it covered from January 17 to January 19 as they play the new horror fantasy films Nosferatu and Wolf

From January 24 to January 26 more modern movies are available to watch such as Nicole Kidman’s new thriller Babygirl and Conclave, a thriller featuring lead actor Ralph Fiennes which follows the political intrigue surrounding selecting a new Pope.

There are a variety of movies shown each weekend at the outdoor cinema and tickets start from as little as €6.50 for adults and give access to view two films.

Book online and follow their website’s easy instructions on how to book tickets.

Fun and philanthropy for Akira Animal Sanctuary

QUIZ night to take place in aid of an incredible animal sanctuary whose rescue centre houses up to 60 animals at any given time.

Thursday, January 30 at 7pm Hill Top Sports Bar and Grill are hosting their first quiz night of 2025 in aid of the Akira Sanctuary. For €12 you can take part in a quiz with a raffle and prize, the proceeds of the

simple supper of roast chicken and chips, lasagne and chips or veggie quiche and chips.

Booking for the event is essential as spaces fill up quickly, please contact Chris Cooper by telephone or WhatsApp 634 308 746 or email chriscooper49@hot mail.com or call Mick Dennison on 604 251 877

Akira Sanctuary say that their sanctuary backs onto woodland with multiple walking zones for their animals. They above and beyond to make sure that their animals are looked after thoroughly post rescue. They have courtyard facilities for volunteers and dog walkers, a veterinary standard clinic, isolation pens for new arrivals and separate puppy pens that can hold two different puppy litters.

The Akira Dog Shelter is located between Teulada and Benissa, to look into volunteering at their shelter or adopting visit their website Akira Animals.

Find Hill Top Sports Bar at: Mostoles 33, Rada de Moraira.

Man.

Photo

Credit: Flickr Anderson Ferreira

FRANCE DENMARK

Green and blue

DENMARK is trying out flashing green lights that registered volunteers will be able to use in emergencies, in addition to the blue lights already used by first responders. Using the new green light will not be obligatory and, unlike the official services, drivers must observe the highway code at all times.

Fashion thieves

A UKRAINIAN (41) and a Moldovan of 20 were handed 10-month prison terms and face deportation after admitting they stole clothes worth 450,000 kroner (€60,316) from H&M stores. Police who tracked the two men down following a theft in August believe they sent part of their shoplifted haul to Germany.

PORTUGAL

Heavy-handed

A FATHER and his son should receive €20,000 state compensation after the child, then seven, was returned to his mother in France in 2018, Europe’s Human Rights Court (ECHR) ruled. Although the father filed a complaint against her in 2017, Portugal’s authorities ignored evidence of mistreatment, the ECHR said.

No remedy

AN open letter from 600 experts and former political leaders has condemned the government’s modification of land management legislation to allow building on rural land not classified for development. The move would do nothing to solve housing problems and could also damage the environment they said.

EURO PRESS

BELGIUM

Brussels icon

A RECORD 844,427 people visited the Atomium in Brussels last year, just above 2023’s 840,325 which also set a record. A quarter of those visiting the landmark that was built for the Brussels World Fair were Belgian although as well as an increase in European tourists, those from China rose by 250 per cent.

IRELAND FINLAND

Empty nests

IRELAND had 2,377 properties that were in line for the vacant homes tax last year, a reduction of 4,206 on 2023. The tax is five times higher than the Local Property Tax and is payable on homes that were occupied for less than 30 days over a 12-month period and will bring in €1.6 million for the Revenue Commissioners.

Home again

TWO 14-year-old girls, Caoimhe Barry and Khloe Murphy, reported missing from their Limerick homes by worried family member on January 7 had both been located by the following day. Both were safe and well but although police thanked the public for their cooperation, no further details were revealed.

ITALY GERMANY

Dog fight

A MAN of 72 who allegedly stabbed a dog owner in the neck and abdomen owing to the incessant barking of her dog, was arrested in Turin and charged with attempted murder. He and the woman, who was admitted to the local hospital’s intensive care unit, had clashed in the past over the dog, investigators found.

ITA sale

THE purchase of the bankrupt state-owned airline ITA, the former Alitalia, by Germany’s flag-carrier Lufthansa was very near completion, according to union sources quoted by the DPA news agency. To date, there has been no confirmation from Germany or the Italian regarding the €325 million transaction.

Lidl goes big

SCHWARZ GROUP, owner of the Lidl supermarket chain, has plans for a new 13-hectare data centre occupying six buildings in Lubbenau, 90 kilometres south of Berlin. The first section of the centre, which will handle the retailer’s retail operations and cloud services, could begin operations by late 2027.

Future fears

AHEAD of the February 23 federal election, a YouGov poll found that 39 per cent of voters were uneasy about Germany’s political situation, while 15 per cent said they felt “frustrated” with the country’s leading politicians. Only 7 per cent were optimistic about the future, while another 7 per cent were anxious.

Tone deaf

THE Star of Africa, a popular boardgame, could disappear from Turku nursery schools, after a teacher complained about its colonial-era stereotypes of Africans. Deputy mayor Piia Elo said the game was “problematic” and did not align with the worldview that Turku wanted for early childhood education.

Song contest

NATIONAL broadcaster YLE announced the names of the seven artistes and their songs that will compete in the UMK 2025 concert on February 7 to choose Finland’s song for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Prior to the final, YLE will feature a singer each day to familiarise the public with the songs.

NETHERLANDS

Bare truth

A PROTESTANT high school wrongly dismissed a teacher who posted naked photos of himself online, ruled The Hague judges, who awarded him €10,000 compensation but did not order his reinstatement. The teacher’s photos were not pornographic, the court said, and the school had encroached his right to self-expression.

Post early

THE national postal service provided by privatised PostNL will begin emptying 75 per cent of letter boxes earlier in the day instead of after 5pm. It expects to save millions of euros, loss-making PostNL said, as daytime collections were more efficient and drivers picking up mail would also be able to deliver packages.

Beauty pays

CLARINS, the multinational skincare and cosmetics company recently opened a new factory in Troyes, while Chanel, Hermes and Puig are also building more facilities. The global beauty market is now worth €265 billion and exports have doubled in 10 years, the French Federation of Beauty Companies said.

Here to stay

ABOU SANGARE, who won a 2024 Cannes Film Festival award for portraying a migrant in France, has secured a one-year visa after three unsuccessful attempts. Abou will work as a mechanic, not an actor, he told Liberation newspaper: “I’m a mechanic, that’s my trade, and I can’t wait to start working in the garage.”

SWEDEN

Ill effects

THE government is working on plans to introduce the biggest increases in patients’ co-payments for prescriptions in more than 10 years. Opposition politicians and patient-protection associations predicted that would have a particularly adverse and unfair effect on the chronically-ill and those on low incomes.

In the soup

SWEDEN’S Food Safety Agency agreed with its counterpart in Belgium that eating pine needles from Christmas trees treated with insecticides and pesticides that were not authorised for edible crops was dangerous. In contrast, the custom of using needles from young saplings was safe in limited quantities, the Agency said.

NORWAY

No grumbles

LAST July, the Consumer Authority began charging an initial fee of 255 kroner ((€21.68) to lodge a complaint about a service or product and further 1,277 kroner (€108.51) to go ahead with it. Complaints immediately began to fall with a 55 per cent difference between 2023 and 2024, the watchdog said.

Warm and wet

NORWAY’S Meteorological Institute classed 2024 as the third-hottest and third-wettest since records were first kept in 1901. Temperatures in regions inside the Arctic Circle rose between 1.3 and 1.5 degrees owing to the “Arctic amplification” where sea ice becomes thinner and more susceptible to melting.

Photo

ATOMIUM: Built for 1958 Brussels World Fair.

Do you like Elon Musk? Your

VOICE

ELON MUSK, the entrepreneur and innovator behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, has become one of the most polarising figures of our time. With a jaw-dropping net worth of $426 billion, he’s currently the richest person in the world. To some, he’s a visionary, pushing the boundaries of technology and space exploration. To others, his outspoken nature, unconventional leadership, and controversial tweets spark strong opinions and heated debates.

Whether you admire his genius and disruption or have doubts about his methods, one thing is clear: Elon Musk certainly knows how to make waves. But the real question is - do you like him?

A number of responses were strongly negative. Gordy O’Keeffe labelled him “a freak,” while Sheila Hounslow cautioned others to “watch him carefully,” calling Musk “egotistical and power-hungry.” Dewi Williams also expressed disdain, referring to Musk as a “climate-denying liar and a racist.” Dean Bromley is firmly opposed to liking Musk, bluntly commenting, “there’s a mistake here. You’ve included the word ‘Yes’ in the poll.”

Angela Edgley acknowledged Musk’s intelligence and success, as “he’s a clever self-made man and extremely rich,” but questioned his use of power, remarking that “ A

better man would use his fortune to quietly help the country. He probably has enough money to build half a dozen hospitals. Instead, he’s made himself quite dangerous.”

On a more positive note, Barry Jeffrey defended Musk, answering “Yes,” and adding that it’s “good to see a right leaning billionaire who is fighting for free speech - compared to the other billionaires [...] who don’t want free speech and pay to have election interfering and a liberal left narrative.” Delia French agrees, commenting “he is the only rich person who actually cares about others, he speaks the truth.”

Valeria Lynch comments “You mean Prime Minister Musk from the USA? Oh. Hell. No!” echoing sentiments online that Musk’s influence over Trump has led some calling him the “real” president of the United States.

Susana Maria Clark Parnell takes a surprisingly neutral stance, saying that she prefers not to judge because she doesn’t actually know him.

In conclusion, the responses to our poll were deeply divided, with readers either fully endorsing Musk or vehemently opposing him, although there was a slightly higher number of comments expressing disapproval. Whether you love him or hate him, it’s clear that Elon Musk is a figure who elicits strong emotions and gets people talking.

Elon Musk - Genius or madman?

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Credit note

CREDIT information provider

ClearScore, which avoided takeover by Experian in 2018, has bought Manchester-based Aro Finance, which provides a platform where Argos and Asda offer credit products directly to customers. This is ClearScore’s second purchase, following its 2022 acquisition of Money Dashboard.

Big difference

BANK and insurance company employees in Madrid earn around €63,895 a year, compared with €23,000 for an average salaried worker, latest figures from Spain’s Agencia Tributaria tax authority showed. Worst paid were agricultural and fishing sector employees in Andalucia, earning an annual €7,703.

Not essential

QUINTESSENTIALLY, owned by Queen Camilla’s nephew Sir Ben Elliott, reported £2.1 million (€2.5 million) losses for the year ending April 2024. Despite cutting jobs and more time to repay £15 million (€18 million) in loans, the company offering personal assistance to the super-rich was also unable to pay a dividend.

Chery ripe

CHINESE carmaker Chery, the world’s fifth-largest manufacturer which is now making Omoda and Jaecoo models in Nissan’s old Barcelona plant, reported a 38 per cent increase in its 2024 sales. The company built more than 2.6 million units last year, with global revenues of $65.5 billion (€63.6 billion).

Next thing

FASHION chain Next warned it would have to raise its prices to compensate for the “unusually” high increase in salaries. It expected its wages bill to have grown by £67 million (€80.3 million) by January 2026 owing to changes introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the October Budget, the retailer said.

STAT OF WEEK

€13 billion

Splashing cash

CASH is thriving, with wi thdrawals increasing for the third consecutive year since the pandemic, Nationwide revealed.

People opted for cash to manage their money while the cost of living remained high, the UK’s largest building society said, with 32.8 million cash withdrawals from 1,260 ATMs at its 605 branches up 10 per cent on 2023.

An average amount of £112 (€135.09) was taken out on each occasion and the busiest time was the week beginning December 16 with £97.9 million (€ 117.8 million) in withdrawals increasing, a 1.8 per cent increase on 2023.

“This was the highest amount dispensed in one week since pre-Covid,” Nationwide said. “The week leading up to Black Friday saw £85.3 million withdrawn, a 12 per cent year-on-year increase and the second-highest

CARLOS CUESTA: Finance minister predicted

weekly dispense since pre-Covid.”

Nationwide cash withdrawals had steadily declined from their 2014 peak but this dip was most pronounced when the pandemic struck, falling more than 40 per

in toxic assets acquired by Sareb, Spain’s “bad bank”, which was created during the financial crisis of 2012, will be sold off during 2025.

cent from 2019’s 44.5 million withdrawals to 26.4 million by 2020. Nationwide pointed out that bank branch closures were also responsible for more ATM usage as essential free services disappeared from high streets.

This led to a 16 per cent increase in withdrawals by non-Nationwide customers and a 4 per cent increase from the building society’s own customers looking to access cash.

More multi-use ATMs also meant 43 per cent of transactions were for services ranging from printing mini-statements or paying bills to changing PINs, and paying in cash.

Balancing the books

SPAIN will spend less in 2025 than it receives in taxes for the first time since 2007. Speaking on January 7, Economy minister Carlos Cuerpo said the country had again exceeded expectations in 2024, with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of between 3 and 3.4 per cent.

This implied that Spain contributed 40 per cent towards eurozone growth, he added.

Solid growth and public debt sustainability were the basis of the Treasury’s finance program-

Hero to zero Holiday boost

LAST Christmas was the best yet for Aldi, the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket chain.

The German-owned retailer reported sales of £1.6 billion (€1.9 billion) in the four weeks leading up to the holidays thanks to more new stores and the popularity of its Premium range of products.

Sales rose 3.4 per cent year-on-year, while December 23 was the busiest day it had ever known, with three million shoppers visiting its stores.

FOOD delivery firm Delivery Hero has lost 70 per cent of its value after taking over Spain’s Glovo three years ago.

Delivery Hero owns 99 per cent of Glovo following December 2021 and July 2022 acquisitions, but since then the Berlin-based company’s market value has plummeted by €16.6 million and it has lost €6 million.

Glovo is not entirely to blame for Delivery Hero’s woes, which include the mediocre float of its subsidiary, Talabat, on the Dubai stock exchange, which was also the Middle East’s biggest 2024 debut.

Nonetheless, Glovo has undoubtedly contributed to the Delivery Hero’s problems, losing €412 million in 2022 and an estimated €210 million in 2023.

me in 2025 when Spain returned to the fiscal rules suspended during the pandemic.

These stipulate the deficit should not exceed 3 per cent of a country’s GDP or 60 per cent of its debt, and Spain was committed to adhering to the regulations, Cuerpo said.

In fact, Spain should register its first primary surplus since 2007 last year, he predicted, meaning that income exceeded outgoings, once interest payments on the public debt were excluded.

Diesel dilemma

COURIER and light transport companies are alarmed at the prospect of a €0.11 per litre increase in the tax on diesel making it as expensive as petrol.

The association which represents the sector, UNO Logistica, has called on the Transport Ministry to allow these firms and self-employed van-drivers to use the rebated fuel already used by vehicles that transport merchandise or passengers.

“It’s hard to see why the tax-free professional gasoil that can be used by heavy transport isn’t contemplated for the light vehicles which are used by 30 per cent of courier firms,” UNO Logistica’s president Francisco Aranda said.

ANOTHER multinational has ordered staff to work from the office, not home.

Advertising giant WPP, which owns the Ogilvy and Wunderman Thompson agencies, announced that from April onwards employees would be expected to come into the office at least four times a week.

The new regime will also require them to work a minimum of two Fridays each month, employees were told in an email from WPP’s chief executive, Mark Read.

“I believe we do our best work when we’re together in person,” Read said.

SPANISH multinational Ferrovial has sold its Vertiports subsidiary, which builds infrastructure for vertical takeoff electric aircraft, to Atlantic Aviation. The Texas-based company operates a New York heliport and the acquisition coincides with the decision by Ferrovial’s Vertiports partner, Lilium, to launch bankruptcy proceedings in Germany after failing to obtain additional funds for future operations.

As a wholly-owned Atlantic Aviation subsidiary, Ferrovial Vertiports will now operate under the name VertiPorts by Atlantic with the same leadership team.

ANOTHER UK company will list in New York and not on London’s stock exchange, which had hoped to land the £3 billion (€3.6 billion) listing.

Lloyd’s of London underwriter Aspen Insurance submitted the required documents to the US Securities and Exchange Commission before Christmas and engaged Goldman Sachs, Jefferies and Citi to work on the float.

Sources quoted by the Telegraph maintained that Aspen’s American asset-manager owner Apollo “had concerns” regarding different accounting standards in the US and the UK.

THRIVING: More Britons are paying in cash.

a primary surplus.

Redrow 397,40 398,60 395,70 264,5K Beazley 771,00 777,81 770,50 79,27K Berkeley 3.578,0 3.592,0 3.554,0 12,6K

BP 432,70 433,90 430,35 4,43M British American Tobacco 2.944,8 2.948,0 2.925,0 244,02K

3.306,0 3.312,0 3.276,0 50,61K

BUSINESS

EXTRA

More or less ANGED, the association representing Spain’s largest retailers including the Corte Ingles, Carrefour and Ikea, said members paid €5.3 billion in taxes last year. This was 38.5 per cent more than in pre-pandemic 2019 although sales grew by only 16 per cent, Anged added.

Read about it

ELLIOTT ADVISORS, American private equity owner of the Waterstones bookshop chain since 2018, are considering a possible float in London or New York. A combined listing would be “logical”, Waterstones’ managing director James Daunt told the Financial Times.

Made-to-measure Rollers

ROLLS-ROYCE plans to invest more than £300 million (€359.8 million) on extending its Goodwood plant. The Goodwood expansion will focus on Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke services and Coachbuild programme, invitation-only resources enabling clients to create an entirely original car.

The company explained that this was the next step in its commitment to providing value for clients by handcrafting “complex, personal, and valuable luxury vehicles.”

Rolls-Royce revealed that

Outlook sunny

SPANISH company Grenergy has secured $324 million (€314.5 million) funding for the fourth of the seven phases in its Oasis de Atacama project.

This latest installation of solar panels and battery storage in Chile’s Atacama Desert will generate 269 megawatts of solar power and 1.1 gigawatts per hour of storage.

Once completed, the entire complex

will eventually produce two gigawatts of solar power with 11 gigawatts per hour of storage, Grenergy said.

The project originally envisaged a one-gigawatt solar power installation and a storage capacity of 4.1 gigawatt per hour but Grenergy recently decided on a dramatic increase, even though the existing phases already make Oasis de Atacama project one of the world’s biggest.

the Middle East was its largest Bespoke region by average spending per vehicle, closely followed by North America and Europe, with clients prepared to spend upwards of £500 million (€599.4 million) on customising vehicles.

Owned by German firm BMW since 2003, Rolls-Royce sold 5,712 cars in 2023, 5 per cent fewer than in 2022. Nevertheless, this was the company’s third-highest annual total and in line with the marque’s expectations, given the changeover to new models.

Compared with 2003, when the Goodwood plant’s staff of 300 produced one car a day, it now has more than 2,500 employees, producing a daily 28.

Rolls-Royce also provides another 7,500 jobs in its supply chain, prompting a 2023 London School of Economics study to conclude that the company contributed approximately £500 million each year to the UK economy.

Namesakes

ITALIAN coffee company Zicaffe wants Brussels to prevent Zara-owner Inditex from using the name Zacaffe for its cafés, the first of which opened in a Zara Man store in Madrid’s Calle Hermosilla in November. Zicaffee and Zacaffee are too similar, argued the Sicily-based coffee company, asking the EU’s Intellectual Property Office to block Inditex from using the name.

No worries

THOMAS HEATHERWICK, whose Heatherwick Studio has designed striking projects in London that include the Google skyscraper, has paid himself a £1.4 million (€1.67 million) dividend. Profits for the year ending April 2024 fell from the previous year’s £15.2 million (€18.1 million) to £3.8 million (€4.5 million) although this was “fully expected”, the firm said.

BESPOKE ROLLS-ROYCE: Goodwood plant extended to produce more customised vehicles.

Photo credit: rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Any excuse will do

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

I DO find that ageing in the world of entertainment can often be a bit weird. Having been in it for most of my days, I do sometimes find myself coming across old publicity photos or watching video clips from the early career when I was young and fancy free; catching a glimpse of the same old geezer in the mirror many years later can often be somewhat disconcerting!

Tom Jones is one example who also comes to mind. I have known Tom for many years. I recall when, as a very young lad, he first came to London and was receiving 10 bob a week from his then manager Gordon Mills.

Gordon had been a friend of mine for quite a while and can still recollect him coming back from Pontypridd and during one of our Poker schools going on about this young singer he had discovered back in Wales. When he was told to stop boring us all and deal the cards, he added that we sim-

ply had to wait and ‘watch this boy’ move. How right he was.

Many years later, after Las Vegas audiences had seen ‘this boy move’ on a pretty regular basis, Gordon was unfortunately still gambling. While Tom was raising the money in the main room, Gordon was busy losing it in the casino. It really didn’t help, in fact occasionally Tom was often working merely to repay Gordons’s losses.

In the end it caused the breakdown in their relationship and Tom’s son took over as his manager. Gordon however was a true and highly talented character who also managed my success in the early years.

One of his efforts was to erect a zoo in the grounds of his luxurious Weybridge abode. Mainly housing gorillas and tigers, he also had a chimp who lived next door to Ollie, the one-eyed gorilla he had rescued as a youngster from a somewhat unsavoury travelling circus. Louie, the chimp, was intrigued by human belly buttons.

One day, while I was visiting Louie, his arm shot between the bars and grabbed tightly hold of the

vest I was wearing under my open shirt. After poking the ol’ boy’s belly button for a bit he then flatly refused to release it.

Finally, after much tugging and stretching the vest ripped apart and came completely away in his hairy grip. Naturally, with ‘Leapy’s law’ now in fine fettle, the incident was not yet over. As he stood waving it triumphantly between the bars a great hairy arm shot out from Ollie his next-door neighbour, who then grabbed it and retreated to run triumphantly around his own dwelling, waving above his head like some captured enemy flag. He then stood sombrely in the corner and tearing it into pieces proceeded to eat the whole thing.

Have any of you men out there tried to explain to the wife when she is suspicious of your missing undergarment that ‘a gorilla ate it’? To be quite honest, any unlikely excuse of that magnitude simply has to be true. Remember it next time boys, alright?

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.

Spanish ‘Disney castle’

AN amazing UNESCO World Heritage site secretly situated deep in the foothills of Spain’s central mountainous region is getting a full-scale €6.5 million revamp and reopening to the public.

The historic monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is undergoing a €6.5 million overhaul that promises to unlock secrets hidden for centuries.

Built under the watchful eye of Philip II, the grand complex once symbolised Spain’s imperial might. Now, almost 40 years after joining the UNESCO list, it’s being restored to its former glory - and more.

Philip II of Spain, who incidentally married England’s Mary I, had an audacious dream: to build a monastery in the middle of nowhere.

The vision took 21 gruelling years, two master architects - Juan Bautista de Toledo (a protégé of Michelangelo) and Juan de Herrera (a war-hardened visionary) - and immeasurable dedication to bring El Escorial to life. The result? A sprawling 33,000-square-metre masterpiece that still leaves visitors in awe.

The two-year restoration, part-funded by the EU, aims to reintroduce visitors to El Escorial’s true splendour. For the first time, the ‘Patio of Kings’ - the grand monastic courtyard - and once-private royal art collections will be opened to the public.

The stunning water pond at Frailes Garden.

Credit: Shutterstock, Vivvi Smak

UFO investigations

IT’S official, something bizarre is going on over Danish airspace.

In a strange and unexplained turn of events, Danish police have launched an investigation after at least 20 unidentified flying objects - possibly unknown droneswere spotted over the port city of Koege, southwest of Copenhagen. The eerie sightings, reported earlier this month, by a visibly shaken eyewitness, have raised eyebrows and sparked widespread speculation.

One of the sightings above the state of New Jersey, USA.

While a few of the objects were quickly spotted and then vanished into the night sky, leaving no trace behind, the real question remainswhere did they come from and why were they there? What’s even more unnerving? There were no permits issued for drone flights in the area.

The police alerted Denmark’s domestic intelligence service, PET, but

the origins of these mysterious flying objects remain unknown. But the odd sightings aren’t confined to Denmark alone. Around the world, reports of unidentified flying objects are on the rise. In the US, fleets of unidentified flying objects have been seen hovering over power stations, airports, and other sensitive sites, sparking widespread concern and speculation about who or what is behind them. Eyewitnesses in the state of New Jersey reported massive orb-like flying objects that ‘did not look like planes and did not behave like planes’. Several witnesses who got a close-up look at the objects described them as ‘like nothing they’d ever seen before.’

The FBI are officially investigating these objects. The truth is out there.

Dry January debate

FRANCE’S new Health Minister Yannick Neuder stirred national debate by announcing his participation in Dry January, a campaign encouraging a month-long break from alcohol. In a country where wine is deeply ingrained in culture and identity, his decision has reignited tensions between public health advocates and the powerful wine industry.

Neuder, a cardiologist, described his choice as personal, not political, in an interview with Le Parisien . “It’s a chance to rethink our drinking habits and feel the benefits of cutting back,” he explained. His comments come as Dry January gains traction worldwide, including an estimated 17 million participants in France this year.

Despite its growing popularity, Dry January remains unofficial in France, largely due to opposition from the wine

lobby. Critics argue that such campaigns threaten a €13 billion industry supporting nearly half a million workers.

President Emmanuel Macron has previously dismissed official support for the initiative, famously declaring there would be “no Dry January under his presidency.”

This stance echoes widespread sentiment in a nation where wine symbolises pride and tradition.

Neuder, however, balances his participation

with respect for these traditions. His recent support contrasts with earlier defences of the wine industry, including opposing increased alcohol taxes last year.

With alcohol linked to 49,000 deaths annually in France, public health experts see campaigns like Dry January as essential. Yet, in a wine-loving nation, Neuder’s stance may remain a personal statement rather than a catalyst for policy change.

Dry January remains unofficial in France.

Flawless foundation guide

CHOOSING the right foundation for your skin type is essential for achieving a flawless, natural look. Different skin types require specific foundation formulations to ensure long-lasting wear and a smooth finish.

• Oily Skin: If you have oily skin, opt for an oil-free, mattifying foundation. These foundations help control shine and minimise the appearance of pores. Choose a long-wearing formula to avoid frequent touch-ups throughout the day.

• Dry Skin: For dry skin, look for foundations that offer hydration and a dewy finish. Cream or liquid foundations with moisturising properties can help create a smooth and luminous look without emphasising dry patches.

• Combination Skin: If you have combination skin, choose a foundation that balances both oily and dry areas. A satin or semi-matte finish works well, offering hydration without causing excess shine.

• Sensitive Skin: If your skin is sensitive, go for foundations with minimal ingredients, such as fragrance-free or hypoallergenic formulas. Mineral foundations are a great option as they are gentle on the skin while providing buildable coverage.

• Normal Skin: For normal skin, most foundation types will work, including liquid, powder, or stick formulas. Look for a foundation with a natural finish to enhance your skin’s healthy appearance.

Understanding your skin type is key to selecting the perfect foundation for a flawless, radiant complexion.

Easing joint pain

JOINT pain can be debilitating, but there are several strategies to ease discomfort and improve mobility. First, regular exercise is essential. Low-impact activities like swimming, walking, and cycling help maintain joint flexibility without putting too much strain on the joints. Stretching before and after exercise can also improve joint function and reduce stiffness.

Maintaining a healthy weight is another key factor. Excess weight puts added pressure on weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips, which can lead to increased pain. Eating a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and whole

grains can also help reduce inflammation.

Incorporating joint-friendly supplements may provide relief for some individuals, though it’s always advisable to consult a doctor before starting any new supplement regimen. Applying heat or cold packs to the affected area can also reduce pain and swelling - ice packs are ideal for acute pain, while heat can help with stiffness.

Finally, getting adequate rest is important. Overworking sore joints can worsen the pain, so it’s vital to listen to your body and take breaks when needed. With these strategies, you can manage joint pain and improve your quality of life.

Ditch the sugar

CUTTING out sugar can have significant health benefits, especially in today’s world where processed foods are high in added sugars. Reducing or eliminating sugar from your diet helps prevent a range of health issues, including weight gain, obesity, and the risk of chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

When you consume excessive sugar, your body quickly converts it into glucose, causing spikes in blood sugar levels. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, a key factor in developing Type 2 diabetes. Redu

helps stabilise blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. Cutting out sugar can also improve your overall energy levels. Unlike the quick energy burst provided by sugar, which is often followed by a crash, a diet lower in sugar helps maintain steady, sustainable energy throughout the day. This can lead to improved mood, focus, and productivity.

Additionally, reducing sugar intake supports better dental health. Sugar contributes to cavities and gum disease by feeding harmful bacteria in the mouth. Eliminating sugar helps prevent these issues and promotes

Diet and Migraines

While cutting out sugar may seem challenging initially, making small, gradual changes, such as replacing and

WITH more than 10 million people suffering from migraines in the UK, many look to their diets for clues. While migraines remain complex and not fully understood, growing evidence suggests what we eat and drink can influence symptoms. Certain foods are common culprits, though individual triggers vary widely.

Aged cheese, red wine,

and cured meats contain tyramine, a frequent suspect. Processed, nitrate-rich meats, excessive caffeine, and even citrus fruits and juices have also been linked to migraines. Health experts often recommend keeping a headache diary or trying an elimination diet under professional guidance to identify personal triggers.

Beyond specific foods,

habits like skipping meals and dehydration can spark headaches. Research shows that missing meals is a major trigger for half of female sufferers and 40 per cent of male sufferers, while poor hydration worsens migraines. Alcohol, too, often contributes to dehydration issues. Maintaining regular eating and drinking patterns can reduce the frequency of attacks. Dr Duane Mellor from the British Dietetic Association notes, “Migraines thrive on routine - regular meals and hydration can make a difference.”

While there’s no onesize-fits-all “migraine diet,” certain approaches may help. Low-glycaemic index diets for stable blood sugar and anti-inflammatory diets rich in whole foods may support overall well-being. Avoiding long gaps between meals is essential. Debbie Shipley from The Migraine Trust cautions against cutting entire food groups without replacing key nutrients, advising sufferers to consult a GP or registered dietitian.

Though no universal solution exists, monitoring eating habits, staying hydrated, and understanding personal triggers can help manage migraines. With the right strategies and professional support, migraine sufferers can move toward a better quality of life.

Costa del Sol Gere & Banderas in Malaga

RICHARD GERE took a trip and paid a visit to his pal Antonio Banderas in Malaga on Thursday, January 9, to enjoy a sitting of his musical, Gypsy.

The star of Pretty Woman, The Cotton Club, and American Gigolo did not hesitate in taking up the offer of a seat at the Soho Theatre to see one of the last showings the Gypsy company gave in Malaga before leaving for Madrid.

Antonio Banderas, the musical’s director, welcomed the actor to the theatre at the end of the performance. Gere praised the talent of Gypsy’s cast and crew. He also congratulated Marta Ribera for her great performance and shared a few words with the cast, “although I don’t understand everything in Spanish, I loved the show,” the Hollywood star said.

Gypsy is enjoying its peak of popularity, ending in Malaga with all tickets sold out, and it won’t be until February 7 when the company returns to the boards at the Apolo Theatre in Madrid.

Axarquia

Avocado donations

VELEZ-MALAGA fruit producer Frutas Montosa has begun collaborating with the Costa del Sol food bank, Bancosol. Montosa will donate fruit and other food products to Malaga Province food banks.

“We want to contribute something of value as we did by sending food and supplies to the DANA victims in Valencia,” Montosa’s Industrial director Damian Spata said.

“We now want this to be a long-term commitment in Malaga, our region,” he added.

The first consignment of avocados was distributed to 6,000 vulnerable Malaga families over the Christmas holidays.

“Owing to their high price on the market, fresh avocados are a premium product that not everyone can enjoy,” Montosa’s Marta Sanjuan said. “That was why we wanted families to have them at such an important time.”

Bancosol praised Montosa for its “very positive” donation and for helping combat food waste.

Mallorca

Madrid Fusió

THE Consell de Mallorca is once again taking a stand at the Madrid Fusió gastronomic fair being held between January 27 and 29.

The Mallorca stand will be twice the size of previous years in order to allow a number of its respected chefs to host cooking workshops as well as allow space for a wide range of Mallorca’s produce to be displayed.

Senior members of the Council as well as representatives of the Tourism Department will head the Mallorcan delegation and will be accompanied by chefs (some holding Michelin stars) from 12 top restaurants as well as six mixologists from popular bars throughout the island.

Prior to the fair, the Consell de Mallorca organised a special event on Monday January 13, when all of those due to take part met up to discuss their plans to promote the gastronomy of Mallorca with a view to encouraging sales of produce as well as enticing ‘foodies’ to the island.

Costa Blanca South Sky’s the limit

AENA is moving forward with plans to expand Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport and Valencia Airport to address the growing demand for air travel.

At Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, the project will centre on enlarging the current terminal. This will involve extending the boarding dock to incorporate the area of the old Terminal 1 and the existing General Aviation Terminal.

The new dock will enable the airport to handle more non-Schengen flights efficiently.

Additional gates will also be built for non-Schengen traffic, ensuring improved service for passengers and airlines.

The terminal will be reconfigured to provide more space for security screening. Advanced technology will be installed, including Automated Tray Return Systems, which speed up the security process by automatically returning trays used for hand luggage checks.

Almeria Miles for smiles

ON Sunday, January 12, Fines and Pulpí welcomed participants for two impactful charity events. The Geode Race in Pulpí and the Solidarity Trail for Susana in Fines took place, drawing locals together for a day of sports and giving back.

Organised with the support of the Almería Provincial Council, town halls, and various sports clubs, the events not only promoted physical activity but also raised funds for important causes. José Antonio García, the Vice President and Sports Deputy, encouraged everyone to get involved, highlighting that the events benefited the local community. The Solidarity Trail for Susana, in particular, raised funds for nine-year-old Susana from Olula del Río, who is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumour.

The Geode Race in Pulpí featured three race categories, with participants running through scenic routes that highlighted the town’s natural beauty, including the famous Giant Geode. The event celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025.

Costa Calida

Suspicious suitcases

A SECURITY scare unfolded recently in Cartagena when two abandoned suitcases were found. The National Police cordoned off the area, restricting access to nearby streets and evacuating shops, bars, and offices as a precaution. The suitcases were discovered around 4.00pm at the corner of Plaza de San Sebastián and Calle Intendencia, right under a security camera of the building, which houses the headquarters of the Spanish Navy’s Maritime Action Force. The area around the building was closed off for nearly three hours while police followed protocol. Bomb disposal experts were dispatched to investigate the suspicious items. They used a controlled detonation to safely examine the contents, which turned out to be electrical components like plugs and covers, likely forgotten by someone. Once it was confirmed there were no explosives and no threat, the security operation was called off, and the area was reopened.

Saving the homeless

A MUCH-NEEDED positive story from Brussels reports that local governing agencies have collaborated with humanitarian groups to launch an ‘extreme cold plan’ which will be able to shelter homeless citizens from the capital throughout the arctic winter months, coming to the aid of the approximately 10,000 citizens living on the streets.

Bruss’help, an organisation that actively supports those without a place to stay in the Belgian region of Brussels, said that it alerted regional authorities about the steep decline in temperatures and demanded shelter for unfortunate individuals who find themselves homeless in January.

The Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) forecast temperatures to drop well below -4C throughout Belgium over the coming weeks. When cold weather drops to below this figure for at least three consecutive days, this is when governments will act and the plan will come into play, allowing those most vulnerable, living on the street, to benefit from temporary housing. Shelters will offer 24/7 residential access, pro-

Organisations such as these

viding a bed, sanitary facilities, hot meals and specific access to support services when needed.

If you are in Belgium and you spot someone in need, you can call the free emergency number managed by Samusocial at 0800/99.340, which will alert the team to the location of the citizens in need. You are advised to call the medical emergency number 112 and stay with them until help arrives.

Dutch dementia village

THE bulk of the investment made into tackling dementia has gone on researching a possible cure, with less onus on how to manage the quality of life of existing patients.

In 2005, Hogeweyk, from Holland, decided to do something different, taking the decision to revamp their facilities, catering to a specialist dementia ‘village’, whereby patients can freely roam the area, do their groceries, go to the park and interact with other patients in a safe environment.

A key difference that separates life here than any other facility for someone with dementia is that life is much more normalised here. Professionals are not permitted to wear scrubs or carry excessive medical equipment, and instead come across as ordinary people, aiming to help a friend in need where they can.

Organisers add that Hogeweyk protects autonomy of patients, or ‘residents’, with catered elements such as supermarkets not charging for groceries, to help with potential problems carrying change or calculating how much cash is owed. The creation allows people to carry on with their everyday lives, as it was before their condition. They can make friends, have hobbies

such as music clubs, gardening and painting, and even fall in love! With dozens of ‘micro-towns’ now popping up in the likes of Sweden and Denmark, as well as New Zealand, Canada and Australia, it is clear to see that others are quickly following suit.

Dementia village in Netherlands is inspiring others to follow suit in managing patients with this aggressive condition.

Patients can carry on with their everyday lives.

have been set up to help Belgium house the homeless this winter.

Credit: WhoisHussain, Twitter.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Masterclass Storage and Removals

MASTERCLASS

STORAGE AND REMOVALS provides services for private individuals, businesses, and office relocations. They work on a local and national scale, whilst also covering moves from European countries. They have previously moved customers from Spain, France, the UK, Belgium, Holland, and Germany.

Masterclass is a British-owned company offering cost-effective moves and small part loads between the UK and Spain. Their main office and large storage facility are based in Benissa in Costa Blanca North. They also have a small depot in the UK and a UK address where clients can send or temporarily store goods while they are moving. Masterclass Storage and Removals said “We can move anyone from this area to anywhere, and vice versa.”

They offer a whole range of services and deliver them to the highest standard. This includes packing services, transportation, and porter services and assistance to other removal firms. They also partner with Way 2 Go, the self-drive van hire company. So, whatever your storage and removal needs Masterclass have got you covered. This trusted company does everything possible to make your move as smooth and

stress-free as possible. It even sells packing materials to help you get started. These can be bought at their office, Calle Isaac Peral 17, Poligono Industrial La Pedrera, Benissa.

From the start to the end of your moving journey, the company assures you of personalised service.

They say, “We offer a personal service that is very flexible. Each quote is looked at individually for the best and most

cost-effective solution for our customers. We can carry out a move from beginning to end with all our staff and vehicles. Each job can be tailored to specific requirements.”

They are a trusted supplier of these services, operating for years. In fact, most of their work comes from existing clients who were content with their first experiences of being moved by the company and regularly recommend them. They even have return customers who they first moved 25 years ago. As with their service, their quotes are tailor-ma-

de with the best prices for the job. Where possible, they offer discounts for higher volumes, storage and duration.

Office opening hours are every weekday 10.00am2.00pm, although they operate outside these hours and at weekends. Removals can be any day of the week, including weekends and bank holidays if necessary. They can work around notary hours and don’t mind starting early, and finishing late if the job needs it. The best way to contact them is via email as below.

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FAMOUS NO-SHOWS (SPAIN & ELSEWHERE)

UNEXPECTEDLY coming across a book signing in Madrid some years ago by the director/ screenwriter Pedro Almodóvar, I thought I’d chance my luck again last summer at the Madrid Book Fair. But no such luck this time!

The Almodóvar event was very well attended, this Book Fair less so. Book signings I’ve done myself for local book and arts clubs have all been sold out (phew!) but this isn’t always the case. Signings by literary legends and celebrities can often be fraught affairs ending in tears with no-shows.

Kenneth Williams (remember him?) asked the name of the sole purchaser of his books and duly wrote ‘Dear Emma Chiswick’ to which she responded, “Oi, whatcha doin’?” He replied, “You told me your name is Emma Chiswick and I’m writing your name in the book for you.” “No!” she angrily retorted. “I said ‘ow much is it?’”

Years ago, a pal lived near a large Barnes & Noble bookstore in

New York where her partner liked to browse. One day he was asked by an author if he wanted to buy his book and have it signed with a personal message. The ‘author’, sitting completely alone, was Donald Trump and the book ‘The Art of the Deal’. It was actually ghostwritten, which left her partner unimpressed and saying “No!” and Trump looking extremely angry. Just look who’s smiling NOW...!

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.

TIP ‘Windows to Wellness’

WATCH for allergies in your pet. If your pet shows signs like itching, sneezing, watery eyes, skin rashes, or digestive issues, they may have an allergy. Consult a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment options.

How to manage pet allergies

PET allergies are common, but with some thoughtful strategies, pet owners and those affected by allergies can live comfortably toge-

ther. Here’s how to manage pet allergies effectively.

Create pet-free zones: Designate certain areas of your home, like bedrooms

and living rooms, as petfree zones. This helps minimise allergens in places where you spend a lot of time, particularly when sleeping.

Regular cleaning: Frequent cleaning is crucial. Vacuum your home at least once or twice a week using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture pet dander. Wash your pet’s bedding, toys, and accessories regularly.

Groom your pet: Regular baths and grooming help reduce the amount of dander your pet sheds. Make sure to use pet-friendly shampoos to avoid skin irritation. Brushing your pet outside

also helps prevent dander from accumulating indoors. Consider air purifiers: Invest in a HEPA air purifier to reduce airborne allergens in your home. These devices can help trap dander and other particles, making the air cleaner for allergy sufferers.

Medication: Over-thecounter antihistamines or allergy medications can help manage symptoms. Consult with your doctor for personalised advice on the best treatment options. For severe allergies, immunotherapy or allergy shots can help build a tolerance over time, reducing reactions to pet dander.

Haggis needs care at home with resident cat-sitters

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From her counter top she can greet all visitors to the house, she can oversee the actions of the younger cats and she can ask her cat-sitter for food or water, depending on her mood.

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New EU road rules Fake QR codes

UNTIL now, getting a fine in a neighbouring European country, for the most part, stayed in that neighbouring country. From 2025, that’s all changed.

New regulations have just come in with the New Year in all 27 EU member states, which means that if you get a fine in Italy but live in Spain, that fine will arrive in your letterbox. The legal loophole that prevented this before has

now been resolved. The joint exchange of information on driving licences is expected to help reduce road accidents and the number of deaths on Europe’s roads. According to the data, in 2024, more than 20,000 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in Europe.

The age at which a person can obtain a driver’s licence has been lowered, now to 17 years old. However, in order to work as a driver, you must be accompanied by a person who is at least 24 years old and has at least five years of driving experience.

Another measure is those who carry a standard car-driving licence will be permitted to ride a motorcycle up to 125cc in any EU country as long as they have three years of driving experience.

SCAMMERS are increasingly targeting electric vehicle (EV) drivers in Spain through a fraud known as QRishing. By tampering with QR codes at charging stations, these criminals aim to steal personal and financial data.

The scam involves covering legitimate QR codes with fake ones, redirecting users to fraudulent websites that mimic official payment platforms. Once users input their credit card details, the fake site either charges small unnoticed amounts or stores the data for later misuse. To avoid detection, victims are then redirected to the genuine website to complete the transaction, leaving them unaware of the compromise.

• Inspect QR codes: Look for signs of tampering, such as stickers covering original codes.

• Verify the URL: After scanning, ensure the website address matches the official provider.

• Use official apps: Prefer charging station apps for payments over scanning QR codes.

• Contact the provider: If uncertain, call the energy company to confirm payment methods.

• Act quickly if scammed: Freeze

your card and alert your bank immediately.

The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) is calling for safer payment systems, such as unified apps or direct credit card options. These changes could help curb QRishing scams and enhance user security.

As EV adoption grows, vigilance is essential to protect against fraud. Staying informed and cautious ensures both your financial safety and a seamless charging experience.

Look for signs of tampering.

Latest Black Editions bring a new style to Volkswagen SUVs

By Mark Slack ROAD TEST

VW has launched some new Black editions which sit above R-Line trim and come with black exterior styling elements including 18-inch alloys for the T-Cross and 20-inch for the Tiguan. Black editions of cars have become synonymous with more sporting versions and a distinct look that seems, purely from this writer’s point of view, to work better with a lighter coloured paint finish.

Both the T-Cross and Tiguan Black editions have matrix headlamps, which can illuminate roads in up to 500 metres of bright light, and LED rear tail lights with dynamic turn signals. The Tiguan Black Edition also gains a driver assistance package, and the T-Cross Black Edition customers can opt for the upgraded Pure white paint colour at no extra cost. For those who like that particular look the Black edition treatment does stand out on white cars.

Two petrol engines are available for the T-Cross, a 1.5 TSI 115 PS unit, paired with either a manual or automatic direct-shift

gearbox (DSG), and a 1.5 TSI 150 PS with DSG.

The Tiguan is available with a choice of two 2.0 TSI engines allied to DSG and 4MOTION all-wheel drive – a powerful 265 PS version and a 204 PS power plant that is completely new to the Ti guan line-up here in the UK. Prices for the T-Cross Black Edition and Tiguan Black Edition start from €35,809/£29,985 and €55,663/£46,605 respectively. These newcomers bring the number of

Black Editions in the Volkswagen range to eight, adding to the Polo, Taigo, T-Roc, T-Roc R, Golf Hatch and Golf R Black Editions unveiled early last year.

The T-Cross was updated at the start of this year with a revamped design, enhanced standard equipment, Volkswagen’s latest infotainment technology and a newly designed interior. The Tiguan is Volkswagen’s biggest-selling model worldwide. The all-new version launched last year has a completely new look inside and out, including a multi-function driving experience switch with integrated OLED display. The vehicle is built on the latest version of Volkswagen Group’s highly successful modular transverse matrix platform, MQB-evo, which allows for a host of new systems and drive profiles to be included.

The new 2.0 TSI engine with 204 PS, DSG and 4MOTION for the Tiguan Black Edition is also being added to the Tiguan R-Line trim. It is priced from €54,455/£45,605.

Ronaldo goes viral after heartwarming gesture

CRISTIANO RONALDO has once again made the headlines, but for all the right reasons as he showed his class and heart, hurrying security away who tried to intercept a little boy getting up close with the Portuguese football star, as he then signed his match shirt and ball.

Ronaldo was attending the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, where he picked up two awards - one for being the Best Middle Eastern Player of 2024, and another for being the Top Goalscorer of All Time. Ronaldo sat in the crowd to watch the ceremony unfold as a starstruck young fan went to approach the football legend.

Security sharply swooped in to try and block the boy from getting too close to Ronaldo, but the star, who will turn 40 on

February 5, then told the guards to move away.

Much to the excited child’s surprise, Ronaldo then moved in to sign his football and shirt, transforming the items into memorabilia of the star which will make for a moment the lad will ne-

ver forget.

Amidst his excitement, the boy forgot his pen and left it with Ronaldo, before hurrying back to pick it up from the Portuguese international, with Ronaldo left smiling to himself and the boy’s adoring family happily watching on.

Ronaldo with a fan in Saudi Arabia.

Credit:

Cristianoafri, Twitter.