has articulated a bold vision for the Calaceite sector in Torrox, proclaiming that it is poised to become “one of the most spectacular areas in southern Europe.”
During a recent presentation aimed at over 100 investors and developers, held at the Meridiana Meetup - MIPIM real estate forum in Malaga, he outlined an ambitious development and urban planning strategy that includes a new marina strategically positioned along the municipality’s coastline.
Medina explained to investors that Calaceite, which he describes as “the jewel in the crown of Torrox,” is set on three million square metres divided into four distinctive sectors, all within a unique and attractive environment. The development plan for Calaceite includes the construction
of 4,600 luxurious homes, which will complement an additional 2,300 residences planned for the adjacent Puerto Narixa area. According to the mayor, this initiative is part of a broader vision to generate regional wealth and employment opportunities.
Medina elaborated on the marina aspect of the project, declaring it is destined to become ‘the new Puerto Banus of Eastern Andalucia’.
He stressed the importance of ensuring the marina’s construction aligns seamlessly with the develo-
pment of Calaceite and the accompanying golf course. He underlined the marina’s role as a model of sustainability, aiming to integrate it thoughtfully into the natural surroundings - a move he believes will position it as a signi cant asset for the community and tourism.
THE second Trail Canillas de Albaida Reto Higinio successfully raised €6,185 to support the needs of Etienne, a three-year-old boy from Velez-Malaga who suffers from Kleefstra syndrome - a rare genetic condition that can affect multiple parts of the body.
The culmination of this fundraising effort was marked by a presentation attended by dignitaries, including the president of the Association of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol Axarquia, the mayor of Canillas de Albaida, and a member of the trail’s organising commi-
ttee.
Etienne’s mother, Macarena Albisbeascoechea, expressed her heartfelt gratitude on behalf of her family, acknowledging the Axar-
quia Commonwealth, the town council of Canillas de Albaida, and Los Locos de la Colina for their overwhelming support.
“You’ve made us feel so loved and that we are not
alone. We now feel like part of a larger family,” she shared emotionally.
Macarena also took the time to thank Isidro, the race director, for his support and Sofia, whose encouragement was pivotal in starting their journey. She also highlighted the importance of making Kleefstra syndrome more visible in society.
TRIANA CORAZÓN DE LA AXARQUIA, the tourism site, have created all new products promoting Triana to take to the International Tourism Fair of Madrid or FITUR in Madrid.
Local and well-known artist Macu Fernandez helped the group to create jumpers that could be bought as souvenirs at the FITUR stalls. The art illustrates some of the things that make Axarquia’s landscapes and culture so special like Triana’s houses, with their famous avocados and chameleons also making an appearance. They were at the fair on January 22, which came days after Triana released their new tourism video ‘Triana con Arte’ encouraging visitors to take in the town’s culture. Dancers take those watching on a journey to all the tourist hotspots all whilst dancing in a traditional amenco-style. Organisers hope this will generate more tourism in Triana and across Axarquia.
Torrox.
Credit: Shutterstock:agaglowala
Jumpers designed by Macu Fernandez.
Credit: FB: APTA Axarquia Costa del Sol
Etienne suffers from a rare genetic condition.
CREDIT: Facebook Mancomunidad Axarquia.
Preparing for Fitur Storm-proofing Axarquia
THE Mancomunidad de Axarquia gave a preview of its plans for the Fitur international tourism fair in Madrid held between January 22-26.
These involve a video, Axarquia Eres Tu (Axarquia, It’s You) featuring the flamenco singer Chato de Velez, with ‘Los Lunares’ from his hit disc, La Danza de Los Gitanos as well as the Verdiales group from Comares, amongst others.
“We wanted flamenco to be the basis of our cam-
paign because of its deep roots both in Andalucia roots and our area,” said Jorge Martin, president of the towns grouped in the Mancomunidad.
The video also focuses on Axarquia’s landscapes and scenery, its 48 kilometres of beaches, the Sierra Tejeda and Sierra Almijara national parks and its dozens of walking routes as well as local fiestas, gastronomy and customs.
The same video will be used to promote Axar -
quia in the regional and national media to attract the domestic tourism that is the area’s principal market.
The Mancomunidad president also gave details of the publicity material that will be displayed on the Costa del Sol’s Fitur stand. This will include a map with the tourist promotion QR codes of each of Axarquia’s 32 municipalities, along with samples of raisins, olive oil and sugarcane treacle.
PATRICIA NAVARRO, the Junta’s delegate to Malaga Province, thanked Axarquia municipalities for their willingness to work with the regional government on flood prevention.
During her visit to the area on January 16 to discuss clearing and protect Axarquia riverbeds and flood plains, Navarro said she was “pleased and surprised” by the mayors’ readiness to take steps to prevent a repetition of the damage caused by the DANA storms of October and November 2024.
“Just as the Junta is responsible for the upkeep of rivers and watercourses along the sections outside urban zones, mayors are responsible for them inside built-up areas,” the delegate said.
Owing to this merging of jurisdictions and responsibilities, Navarro emphasised that it was essential that there was “a great deal of understanding and coordination” between town halls and the regional administration.
She added that €20 million of the €110 million allocated by the Junta for repairing storm damage would go to Malaga Province and said the meeting had provided Axarquia mayors with “peace of mind and certainty” regarding financial aid.
That could take longer than the Junta would prefer, Navarro admitted.
“As administrations we are bound by the town halls’ legal services and audit departments,” she explained.
AXARQUIA MEETING: Patricia Navarro with Axarquia mayors.
Photo
LOS VERDIALES: Featured in the Mancomunidad de Axarquia video.
Tax hike just hot air
Sánchez’s property tax shocker clarified
SPANISH Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez shook the world on Monday, January 13, with the obscure claim that his government planned to tax properties owned by non-EU nationals by 100 per cent.
The soundbite rang alarm bells and made headlines around the world, not least for the ambiguity in its language. Could this be existing properties? Could this be property owned by offshore and non-resident investors? Could this be on the purchase tax of properties? While interpretations of the boastful claim by Sánchez were various, the miscommunication caused hearts to skip throughout the entire expat community in Spain.
But such an extraordinary claim by Sánchez could not be true and almost certainly is not, we can gladly announ ce.
New information has since come to light that provides clearer guidance on the intended direction of this mea sure. It appears that the proposal does not refer to a tax equating to 100 per cent of the property value, but rather to a 100 perc ent increase in the applicable tax on property acquisition for non-EU, non-resident buyers. This adjustment significantly alters the interpretation and reduces the perceived extremity of the policy.
red by the government.
The political reality in the likelihood of the minority governing party ever being able to pass such an extreme measure of levying a 100 per cent tax on foreign-owned property is so improbable given the current political climate when opposition parties have already voiced their hostility to the proposed rule change that even if it were policy, it would never realistically come to fruition.
Added to this, there would be the procedural hurdles any such measure would face. The legislative process requires thorough draughting, consultation, and parliamentary approval, which, in this case, seems increasingly challenging given the lack of support the party of Pedro Sánchez leads.
Despite the headlines provoked in the world’s press, the enormity of upset caused in the property market, and the mass speculation the Prime Minister’s words fuelled, at no point has anyone from the PSOE-led administration stepped forward to clarify the words of their leader.
Certain documents obtained from the governing party now specify the proposal as a tax increase, not a confisca-
Spain’s Bizum
HACIENDA has set its sights on Bizum this time. Spain’s tax authority has recently announced that they will be going after Bizum transfers over a certain amount.
It’s all fun and games until the taxman comes knocking...
Bizum has become the go-to payment method in
tory measure. For instance, Point 10 of the housing plan refers to ‘a 100 per cent’ increase in the applicable tax rather than the entire value of the property. Nonetheless, and despite international press headlines being awash with hypothesising, no clarification has been publicly offe-
crackdown
Spain in recent years. From paying for a shared booking or chipping in for a gift to paying your friends back for cab rides. With a whopping 27 million users in Spain, according to the latest report from Funcas, it’s safe to say Bizum has a major grip on the nation’s transactions. But hold on - before you think that this speedy
transfer service is tax-free, think again.
If you receive more than €10,000 through Bizum in a year, you must include it in your annual tax return. And don’t think you’re off the hook if you’re under that threshold - any income received through Bizum, no matter how small, must be declared if it’s taxable. Yes, you read that right, even the small stuff counts.
Failure to report Bizum payments can land you in hot water, with fines ranging from €600 to a staggering 50 per cent of the undeclared amount - depending on how seriously they view the infraction. And let’s be clear: Hacienda is serious when it comes to what they consider ‘their’ money.
Interpretation of the statement caused speculative interpretation, and naturally so given the ambiguities of what was said. However, even with the potential of that tax increase going ahead, political reality suggests it would be highly unlikely to ever pass Congress.
Clarification provided by Abogados Manzanares, Calle Gerald Brenan, Alhaurín el Grande (Málaga).
New rules UK travel
THE UK has just launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) programme for those travelling who do not hold a UK passport as part of their plans to fully digitalise border crossings.
The permit is required for travellers from countries such as the US, Canada and Australia from January 2025, while Europeans will need to apply for the new ETA from April 2 this year, and can start applying from March 5. Applications include children and babies too.
Most will be able to apply via the ETA mobile app or the UK government website, and can expect a decision within three days. Once received, the ETA can be shown on a mobile device as valid ID when entering the UK. It is not a travel visa for those from countries that requi-
re one, nor does it replace a visa.
Given the application takes approximately three days before it is approved, the ETA should be applied for in advance of travelling. Currently, though, it is possible to go to the UK while the application process is underway.
There is a small cost entailed of approximately £10 (€12). The ETA is valid for two years and allows visitors to the UK to stay for up to six months or for the duration of their visa limit. In that period, if you get a new or renewed passport, you will need to get a new ETA too.
Those transiting and not leaving a UK airport do not need an ETA.
For more information, check the website: gov.uk/entering-staying-uk
Overhead of a smartphone with the Bizum application home screen.
Pedro Sánchez speaking on foreign property tax hikes.
ON Friday January 17, the village of Maro came alive with devotion as it celebrated San Anton. The streets were filled with neighbours and visitors who gathered to take part in the traditional procession that wound through the heart of the town. This festive event featured the dazzling sight of traditional firework wheels that lit up the night sky, adding an extra layer of excitement to the celebration.
The local mayor and other members of the Municipal Corporation honoured the occasion by joining in the procession. During the festivities, the mayor addressed the residents, offering his congratulations and expressing his joy at witnessing the celebratory spirit of the people of the town. “It is an honour to witness how Maro continues to celebrate this festivity with profound devotion,” he remarked.
The celebrations continued the following day with the lighting of the fires that were distributed through the streets of Maro. This included the municipal bonfire at the Plaza de la Iglesia in the evening, creating a magical atmosphere. The festivities were further enlivened with musical performances and dance shows, providing a full day of entertainment and cultural celebration.
Guaranteeing public safety
VELEZ-MALAGA’S
Local Police force will be 113-strong once 11 recruits currently undergoing basic training take up their posts.
Mayor Jesus Lupiañez, who is also Public Safety councillor, recently introduced six arrivals newly-promoted to officer rank and two policemen who have all been transferred from other municipalities.
One of the new officers is a woman, making this first time that the Velez-Malaga station will have a female Local Police of this rank.
Providing the force with the necessary personnel to safeguard residents and visitors was a priority for the local administration, Lupiañez said.
Committed to guaranteeing public safety in Velez-Malaga since the start of the current term, the town hall had taken “firm action” in creating resources and training enabling the Local
Police to work in excellent conditions, the mayor continued.
That included spending on new vehicles and bulletproof vests, he said.
In line with his modernisation mission,
Velez opportunities San Anton
VELEZ-MALAGA
Council has just brought out 2025’s ‘Emplea-T’ project, a new initiative aimed at hiring 15 unemployed young people under 30 years old as part of the National Youth Guarantee System.
in April 2024 Lupiañez brought in Rafael Mora, former Chief of Marbella’s Local Police, who has a Law degree and Criminology qualifications, to head the Velez-Malaga station.
The project will be working over the next 12 months in various neighbourhoods, aiming to improve the employability and professional experience of young local people. It is hoped it will also give those struggling to find a job a bit more self-esteem when applying for future roles.
The jobs will allow young people to work in council departments, developing skills and experience in full-time positions in areas like Social Affairs, New Technologies, Education, Environment, Infrastructure, Human Resources, Urbanism, and Treasury.
Those selected by the Andalacian Employment Service (SAE) will be based on qualifications like Social Work, Computer Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Administration, and Finance. Details on how to apply will be published soon.
NEW FACES: More Local Police officers for Velez-Malaga.
Photo credit: Velez-Malaga town hall
Procession celebrating San Anton.
Library improvements
THE town council of Rincon de la Victoria has concluded the improvement works of the Manuel Alcantara Municipal Public Library in Torre de Benagalbon. As a result, this popular library now has an extra room for adult reading and an independent space for children and young adults. All in all, the total investment in this community resource was more than €6,000.
The restructuring work has consisted of demolishing a wall to make two rooms, maximising the available space. This has led to approximately 30 square metres of new space, as well as giving the library itself more natural light.
In addition, works have been carried out at the Antonio Hilaria Municipal Public Library in Rincon de la Victoria, mainly related to security.
The west façade repair involved fixing the marble stones and the budget for this work amounted to €11,071.50.
ARTURO BERNAL, who heads the Junta’s Tourism and Global Andalucia department, visited Motril on January 16 as work began on the Senda Literal route.
The Tourism chief pointed out that Motril received 200,000 visitors in 2024, an increase of 4 per cent on 2023, while the number of cruise ships putting in at the town’s port had grown by 56 per cent.
“Today we are consolidating a regenerative
All joined up Detour in Torrox
BIG investments in Torrox are underway to
type of tourism that respects the environment and allows for balanced growth,” Bernal said as he joined Motril mayor Luisa Garcia Chamorro on the Poniente beach.
The Senda Literal route will connect more than 80 kilometres of tracks, trails and routes along the coast, linking scenery and municipalities in a sustainable way, Chamorro explained to Bernal.
“It will also be a tribute to the natural beauty
of our coastline,” she added.
“This ambitious project is part of our plans for quality tourism accompanied by economic and business development that will benefit everyone in Motril,” Garcia Chamorro said.
The cost of the €2.5 million project, included in the Sustainable Motril Plan, is being covered by the central and regional governments via the European Union’s Next Generation fund.
investment of €200,000.
The works have started, and Óscar Medina, the mayor, suggests that
residents take a detour onto Calle Fuente Cambil to get where they are going faster.
The works are to improve access to the Mirador de la Dehesa from the Rabitilla. The developer in charge of building new affordable flats in town has been obliged to pay for the works that are expected to make road access connecting Mirador de la Dehesa with the Rabitilla, through Calle Fuente Candil, much easier.
Óscar Medina explained that “the objective of the council is to defend the interests of the residents of Torrox. It is our duty to force the promoter to carry out this action, which has been a long time coming for our neighbours.”
SENDA LITORAL: Luisa Garcia Chamorr lends a hand as work begins.
Mayor and councillor visit the new library.
Photo
A new way of living
CO-HOUSING, already present in Malaga Province, has arrived in Velez-Malaga.
This non-speculative, sustainable property management model is already popular in the US and Nordic countries where residents live in a community, sharing areas and basic services.
This pioneering project, which takes a step forwards in Velez-Malaga’s housing policies, will be built on a 3,500-square metre plot of privately-owned land classified for residential use that adjoins the Hospital Comarcal.
The town hall has given planning permission for the municipality’s first ‘senior co-housing complex’ of 23 properties and 34 parking places, Velez-Malaga mayor Jesus Lupiañez announced. He was accompanied by Town Planning coun -
cillor Celestino Rivas and the president of the Cohousing Malaga 50 co-operative, Antonio Rosado, who declared that “proprietary uses were now giving way to those of the community.”
Unlike conventional housing cooperatives, the building belongs to the community and co-housing members acquire the right to ‘indefinite use’ of the proper -
ty. This right can then be left in a will or sold through the co-housing group.
Rivas also pointed out that a co-housing scheme brought savings of between 20 and 30 per cent, compared with other projects, by eliminating the developer’s profit and the need to record each property separately with the Catastro land registry.
Almond milk initiative
AXARQUIA is coo perating with an almond milk project whose first phase is already underway in Sicily.
“The aim is to produce milk from Noto almonds using machinery that extracts the li quid directly from the nuts,” said Paolo Pepe, who heads the Nav (Noto Almond Valley) 4.0 project.
The prototype has been specifically designed at Milan’s Polytechnic University, Pepe explained.
“There is no other machine in existence where the production process is completely natural.”
The Coldiretti de Siracusa agricultural cooperative and Nav 4.0 first became interested in Axarquia owing to the similarities in their climates, terrain and way of life.
Nav 4.0 contacted Cynthia Diaz, president of Impulsa Axarquia, and the Torre del Mar Business Association (ACET), who in turn made contact with local growers and the area’s town halls.
“We didn’t hesitate to get involved, as almond milk is growing in popularity,” said Jorge Martin, president of the Axarquia Mancomunidad group of towns.
“The area’s agriculture is thriving, along with tourism, and many families depend on the land, working in cooperatives and agricultural firms,” he added.
Martin went on to say they were also interested in alternatives like almonds which needed less irrigating and were also typical of the Mediterranean climate.
CO-HOUSING: Jesus Lupiañez, Celestino Rivas and Antonio Rosado announce first project.
Photo credit: Velez-Malaga town hall
Photo credit: Flick/Joan Griffols
ALMOND MILK: New opportunity for Axarquia agriculture.
JENNIFER SINGER, the entertainer, will be at Bar Las Niñas performing all your favourite hits in her Musical Allsorts show.
Back by popular demand, Sunday, February 9 at 3pm Jennifer Singer will be coming to Torrox Pueblo and Bar Las Niñas for another incredible music performance. Billed as a ‘crazy fun day’ by the singer herself, her Musical Allsorts show is sure to have a party atmosphere and be great fun. Bar Las Niñas is known locally for its brilliant live music acts.
Jennifer Singer sings rock and pop classics, country and latin songs, essentially great music to dance and sing along with. They have a fantastic outdoor terrace in one of the central squares of the village and their outdoor space is set up for events so that an audience can listen from their seats to great acts every week.
Crazy fun entertainment
AXARQUÍA - MÁLAGA EAST
MIND:
Taste the creativity
JUST a short stroll from the beach in Torre del Mar, MIND is a cosy, modern restaurant that’s been welcoming diners since April 2022. Run by chefs Andrés Infante and David Martínez, who bring years of experience to the table, the restaurant offers a creative fusion of Mediterranean and Asian fl avours that make every dish
You can join in all the fun at Bar Las Niñas in Plaza San Roque, Torrox pueblo.
The bar has a great tapas menu and good variety of wines on offer, they also offer all sorts of activities throughout the year including wine tasting, so you could use this event as an opportunity to find out more. Bar Las Niñas said that booking ahead is essential if you want seating at a table and to phone on 677 856 958.
Ukulele enthusiasts
JOIN the Nerja Ukulele Club every Wednesday as they socialise and practise at Marazul by Fitzgeralds.
The hostal and bar hosts the Uke club Wednesdays at 6pm-7.30pm. The event, run by John Keogh is an opportunity to improve your skills, learn some new songs and appreciate the company of other ukulele musicians in a fun environment.
The meetings are singalong sessions and attendees are invited to bring their own ukulele and the session will run from January until May 28. It is advised to bring an electronic device from which people can read the music they will be playing as the club tends to use online resources of music material. Be prepared to
play in front of other people at Marazul by Fitzgeralds. Whether playing the ukulele is a new experience or if you are already a pro, everyone will receive a warm and friendly welcome in perfect combination of music, learning and socialising.
The Nerja Ukulele group actively participate in the ukulele music scene and in social media, with videos showing festivals members have visited and their leader playing his ukulele on top of a 2,070-metre-high mountain above Nerja.
Find Marazul by Fitzgeralds at Avenida Mediterráneo 12, Nerja. Check out the Nerja Ukulele Club on Facebook for more information and see what the group get up to.
MIND’s motto is ‘The imagination never dies’, and this is clearly refl ected in their menu. The dishes are a fresh take on familiar fl avours, with bold combinations that are both exciting and satisfying. Whether it’s a starter, a main course, or a dessert, everything is prepared with care and attention to detail - and it shows.
Since opening, MIND has become a favourite with locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re planning a casual din-
this is a great place to enjoy a meal that’s a little different from the usual. If you’re in Torre del Mar, MIND is defi nitely worth a visit.
MIND Restaurante, Paseo Marítimo de Pte. 2, 29740 Torre del Mar, Málaga • Tel. 695 979 500 • restaurantemind.es
Lux Mundi packed schedule
LUX MUNDI in Torre del Mar have a packed itinerary of activities in February including a castle visit on top of their regular events.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, they regularly offer Spanish practice groups from 10am to 1pm. And also, on Wednesdays there is a meeting of the craft, crochet and art groups from 10am to 1pm, they say that everyone is welcome to join them.
On Thursdays join their Spanglish classes where Spanish and English
speakers can converse together for an hour from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
Then every Friday morning visitors are invited to relax and spend time in their beautiful garden as part of their coffee morning from 10am to 1pm every week.
And the last of their weekly activities is a Catholic Mass held in English at the Lux Mundi Centre at 4pm on Saturdays. They also have a new addition to the monthly calendar in the form of the
Monday club, the first of which will be held on Monday, February 10 at 11am to 1.30pm, where visitors are invited to socialise, make new friends and play board games or cards together.
There is a fun one-off activity this month too with an excursion to Salobreña Castle and Motril Rum Factory, Thursday, February 20. The day out will include a guided tour of the castle and distillery in English. Visit them on Facebook for more information.
Photo Credit: Facebook Bar Las Niñas
Photo Credit: Facebook Nerja Ukulele Club
Your VOICE
Best course of action is to prioritise taking care of our health.
Are you worried about a new global pandemic?
IT has been nearly five years since the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the globe, leaving a lasting impact on our lives. Daily routines were upended, and life seemed to come to a standstill as we sheltered in our homes waiting for the storm to pass.
Now, as society continues to recover, a new virus is sparking concerns that history might repeat itself. The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is experiencing a surge in cases. While particularly prevalent in China, the virus is beginning to spread to other countries, including the UK. For most, HMPV causes mild symptoms similar to the common cold. However, individuals with weakened immune systems may face more severe symptoms.
Although it’s important not to worry about what might happen, some are concerned that we might be heading towards another global health crisis, so we asked our Euro Weekly News’ readers how they feel.
Matt Cox is not concerned. In his view, “it will be manufactured and fake like the last one to bring fear and more controls and restrictions.” Herbert Sample echoed this sentiment, calling it a “fake plandemic.”
Georgina Stuart also dismissed concerns, stating that the virus has “been around for over 20 years and is a flu virus,” pointing out the high number
of flu-related deaths in the UK each year. In her opinion, this virus is no different.
Angela Edley expressed a balanced perspective. While she isn’t worried, she acknowledged that it “will be sad for the world if it happens again.” Reflecting on her family’s experience with flu and Covid-19, she advised, “You can’t spend your life worrying all the time.”
Angela Arenas expressed a sense of calm, saying, “We know how to protect ourselves.” Sam Espejo, equally unfazed, remarks that “we have been there, done that.”
Kenneth Faktor Carslund explained that his main worry isn’t the virus, but people’s behaviour. He mentioned concerns about individuals rebelling against restrictions “because hey, it is more important they can go out drinking beer than saving people’s lives.”
In conclusion, the response to this poll was a clear and resounding “no.” Our readers are not concerned about the dangers of a potential pandemic but are instead focused on other factors, such as how people might behave if such a situation arises, or whether the virus is orchestrated by governments. While the future remains uncertain, it seems that the best course of action is to avoid unnecessary worry and prioritise taking care of our health.
FRANCE DENMARK
No change
TAXATION minister Rasmus Stoklund rejected environmental economists’ calls for higher taxes on the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs). Stoklund said that at present only 11 per cent of Denmark’s cars were EVs and it was in the country’s interests to ensure that this percentage grew in coming years.
Fake news
THE Foreign ministry came to the aid of MP Karsten Honge, from the Socialist People’s Party (SF) following phony social media reports asking Russia to prevent the US from taking over Greenland. The ministry said the fake news was “very serious” and it was now coordinating with “other relevant authorities.”
PORTUGAL
Fire break
THE government approved plans for a 1,217-hectare Green Corridor in Monchique designed to ‘mitigate wildfire risks’ while ‘promoting ecological restoration and generating sustainable development’. The €2.4 million project funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) should be completed by November.
€1 million heist
THIEVES broke into an Indian family’s €15 million Vilamoura mansion early in January, seizing jewellery, watches and other objects of value. The family were home at the time but although they said they were ‘threatened and coerced’, the masked intruders, who wore gloves, did not carry firearms or use violence.
EURO PRESS
ITALY
Rogue hornet
CLIMATE change has made the Vespa Orientalis hornet more aggressive and a threat to Italy’s bees, Environment officials told the ANSA news agency. The hornet has recently destroyed more than 40,000 hives in Lazio, Campania and Molse, the officials said, and is behaving as though it were an alien species.
Good for you
Fertile ground
FRANCE has a historically low birth rate of 1.62 children per woman according to the latest figures from the National Statistics and Economic Studies Institute (INSEE). Despite this, it has the highest fertility rate in the European Union, compared with the EU average which in 2022 stood at 1.4 children per woman.
VESPA ORIENTALIS: Native Italian hornet has become aggressive.
Getting warmer
Medal muddle
THE 5,084 gold, silver and bronze medals won during the 2024 Paris Olympics were soon found to be flawed and easily chipped, the organisers have admitted. All of the medals produced by the National Mint and designed by luxury jeweller Chaumet will be replaced and re-engraved in the near future, they said.
Jobs lost
MICK O’BRIEN, a Kerry man in his 70s who downs 20 pints of Guinness each weekend, was examined by doctors on a television health show and given a clean bill of health. Mick, who has a metabolic age of 68, excellent blood pressure and a healthy heart, also walks 40 kilometres a week to keep fit.
Arson theory
HEALY’S BAKERY in Blackpool (Co Cork) had to close on January 15 owing to fire damage in the early hours of the morning. Police said the fire at the shop, which opened in 1862 and is believed to be Ireland’s oldest bakery, was classed as ‘an incident of criminal damage’ and investigations were ongoing.
FINLAND’S climate is warming faster than the global average, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) said, with 2024’s average temperatures 3.4 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Although rainfall patterns varied, the country was also becoming wetter, increasing the risk of flooding as global temperatures rose.
Herd instinct
INFLUENCERS of all nationalities are flocking to an isolated Lapland area after a photo of a decaying rowing boat on the banks of the Tshahkajarvi lake went viral. Elina Hutton, researching the impact of tourism on the Arctic, said once a new destination featured on social media “everyone has to go to find them.”
BELGIUM NETHERLANDS
Testing time
SCIENTISTS carried out 240,833 tests on animals in Flanders in 2023, the lowest number in 10 years, the region’s Animal Welfare chief Ben Weyts announced. The Flemish government hoped to reduce this still further by investing in alternative research methods, Weyts said, in a bid to phase out all tests.
Under oath
MANAGERS and employees of Belgian banks and credit institutions who come into contact with the public must now swear an ethical conduct oath, with compliance monitored by banking regulator FSMA. “The customer’s interests must always come first, banking federation Febelfin told the VRT broadcaster.
IRELAND FINLAND NORWAY SWEDEN
AROUND 20,000 white-collar workers employed by the construction and commerce sectors found themselves out of work in 2024, the highest number since the 2020 pandemic year. The TRR organisation which assists redundant office workers revealed that the 2024 layoffs were 25 per cent up on the previous year.
Built to last
SWEDEN is constructing a storage facility where radioactive nuclear waste can be stored for 100,000 years. “The significance of building the final repository for Sweden and the climate transition cannot be exaggerated,” Environment minister Romina Pourmokhtari declared. “They said it wouldn’t work, but it does.”
GERMANY
Playing ball
GERMANY’S Constitutional Court confirmed an earlier ruling that obliged Bundesliga clubs to contribute to the cost of policing when football matches with a high risk of violence and more than 5,000 spectators were played in Bremen. Although the decision applies to Bremen, other regions are expected to follow suit.
No winddown
THE federal authorities gave the go-ahead to approximately 2,400 wind turbines in 2024, an 85 per cent increase on the previous year, according to the sector’s two principal associations. It was vital that the expansion of wind energy should continue, they said, regardless of the outcome of the February 23 elections.
Toxic cargo
ROTTERDAM Customs officers intercepted 33 containers loaded with 825 tons of disused toxic lead-acid batteries. Shipping companies require permits to transport hazardous materials but the batteries, which originated in the Caribbean and were bound for India for processing, were listed as ‘plastic and metal’.
Chips are down
FROM April 1 export controls on advanced semiconductor equipment will be more stringent, although chip manufacturer ASML said this would not affect sales. Restrictions were introduced in 2023 in answer to US pressure to limit shipments to China, since when they have been stepped up several times.
Queen’s pacemaker
THE royal household announced on January 16 that 87-year-old Queen Sonja’s pacemaker surgery had been successful. The queen had experienced an irregular heartbeat linked to an existing heart condition while cross-country skiing on January 11, prompting the decision to implant a pacemaker.
Sweden link
STATE-OWNED railway operator Vy is putting on a direct service between Oslo and Malmo in Sweden next summer, with tickets going on sale in mid-April. The new route will be an extension of the present service between Oslo and Gothenburg and, if it proves successful, will be repeated each summer.
Photo credit: CC/Gideon Pisanty
Crossing the Atlantic
SEVEN students from Poland’s Wrocław University of Technology have taken up the challenge to create an unmanned robotic boat to cross the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean as part of the Microtransat Challenge.
This challenge was created in 2005 and in all that time, just one vessel, SB Met created in Norway in 2018 managed the transatlantic journey from Newfoundland to Ireland in 79
days with no human on board.
There are two categories for those taking part, the first is autonomous, which does not allow any human interaction with the boat and robotic, which allows various types of data to be sent to the boat and the students have opted for the latter option. It’s not a cheap challenge with costs so far racking up around €20,000 and if all goes well and the boat manages to successfully pass initial
Library scam
IT seems that potential scammers spend their time trying to find new ways of ripping off people and often they target the elderly
Sometimes, the potential scams seem so far-fetched that it seems incredible that anybody would fall for them, the latest taking place in Stockholm is an example of this, but it appears that several people have been caught out. Stockholm police have issued a warning about phone calls to elderly people supposedly coming from a selection of libraries from around Sweden’s capital and these warnings have been supported on library websites.
The scam works on the concept that librarians are calling to apologise for the fact that books which have supposedly been reserved have not been made available to borrowers and the library wants to make amends by making a payment to the person involved. If you haven’t actually reserved a book or books it does seem somewhat short-sighted to give these fake callers details of personal bank accounts so that a credit may be made when in
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tests on the River Oder in March, then it will be all systems go to produce the final version which could cost as much as €50,000.
The boat which will be around one metre in length has to operate using renewable energy sources and whilst the team hope that it will cover the entire route when it sets out in November of this year, their first goal is to at least cover 1,000 kilometres and if this is achieved, they will consider it a success.
Libraries warn against scams and can assist with internet training.
reality there will be an immediate withdrawal.
So far, one person who fell for the scam has been reported as losing more than half a million Swedish Kronor (€43,500) which has led to a chief librarian filing a police report on behalf of the person involved and anyone who receives such a call is advised to hang up and then advise the police of the call.
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The design for the boat to sail the Atlantic.
FINANCE
BUSINESS EXTRA
Sporting chance
JD SPORTS reported pre-tax profits of £917.2 million (€1.1 billion) in 2023 and hoped to be able to announce 2024 earnings of £1 billion (€1.19 billion) along with M&S and Tesco. Instead, it predicts a pre-tax £915 million (€1.09 million) profit, owing to ‘market headwinds’ that were higher than anticipated.
Fewer Mercs
THE Mercedes-Benz factory in Vitoria, currently revamping for electric vehicles, will produce 124,634 Vito and VS20 models in 2025. The plant has not built fewer than 125,000 vehicles since 2020, and assembled a record 157,507 in 2023 compared with this year’s output, the lowest in five years.
New drug
GSK, the UK’s second-biggest pharmaceutical company after AstraZeneca, is said to be paying up to $1.15 billion (€1.12 bn) for IDRx, which is based near Boston (Mass) and develops therapies for rare cancers. The acquisition would help it target a ‘major gap’ in current cancer care, GSK said.
BBVA praise
SHARES in BBVA rose by 3 per cent after Bank of America included the Spanish bank in its list of favoured European companies. The US investment bank singled out the positive aspects of its Turkey subsidiary BBVA Garanti and the advantages of a positive outcome of its hostile takeover bid for Sabadell.
Talent contest
THAMES WATER warned that it would increase its executives’ pay if regulator Ofwat carried out plans to limit the huge bonuses that they receive at present. Defending the bonus system, Thames Water’s Risk and Compliance chief said that without bonuses it would be difficult to attract talent to the sector.
STAT OF WEEK
€5.5 billion
sustainable syndicated loan refinanced by Telefonica was oversubscribed by more than 34 per cent and completed with unanimous support from 27 institutions.
Hammered home
GAMES WORKSHOP, owner of the Warhammer franchise and listed on the FTSE 100 index since December 2024, plans to open a fourth factory.
The company, now worth £4.2 billion (approximately €5 bn), announced sales of £299.5 million (€355.2m), an increase of 20.9 per cent, for the six months ending December 1. Profits grew more than 30 per cent to £127 million (€150.6 million) during the same period.
On January 14 Games Workshop declared a £50 million (€59.3m) dividend, making total payouts of £100 million (€118.5m) during its financial year. Staff received an £8 million
(€9.5m) half-year share of the profits, compared with £7.5 million (€8.9m) the previous year.
Games Workshop’s popularity boomed during the pandemic and continued during the cost-ofliving crisis, with Amazon preparing to turn War-
hammer 40,000 into films and a television series. There is further licensing income from computer games.
Games Workshop was founded in 1975 by three school friends, initially making wooden boards for games, later branching
out into popular fantasy to become an importer and distributor of the US role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. Games Workshop’s first store opened in Hammersmith in 1978, catering for fans of war and conflict games with their collectible miniatures.
Talking to the UK media, chief executive Kevin Rountree said the company would not let success go to its head.
“Our business culture is built on a few important values. Key among them is humility. So, while we are very proud of our achievements, we remain grounded, pragmatic and ego-free.”
Gastronomy feeds the economy
GASTRONOMY contributed, both directly and indirectly, an impressive €374 billion to the Spanish economy in 2023.
It also generated 27 per cent of Spain’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year and provided 7.2 million full-time jobs that accounted for 37 per cent of the country’s entire labour market. These statistics were revealed in a report by professional services experts KPMG and Spain’s Royal Academy of Gastronomy which was presented in Madrid on
Murphy’s law
SALES of Murphy’s Irish stout have surged after Guinness owners Diageo restricted supplies.
The British multinational, which acquired Guinness in 1997 for $15.8 billion (€15.3 billion), maintained that it was limiting deliveries over Christmas to avoid running out, and denied suggestions that this was a marketing manoeuvre.
Whatever the motives, Heineken, which owns Murphy’s, has cashed in and sales rose by 632 per cent in UK pubs and bars in December.
SPANISH GASTRONOMY:
Cellnex buyback
SHARES in Cellnex rose 7.4 per cent on January 14 after it announced that it would buy back €800 million in shares by the end of 2025.
The Spanish telecommunications infrastructure and services company also plans a €500 million dividend next year but meanwhile will repurchase around 28 million shares at January 14’s €28.84 price.
The buyback was equivalent to a 4 per cent return to shareholders, Cellnex chief executive Marco Patuano told the media.
In the past he had said that he wished to put Cellnex on an equal footing with other companies regarding shareholder remuneration.
Repurchasing was a ‘no-brainer’, bearing in mind the Cellnex share price, he added.
BANCO SANTANDER subsidiary, Santander US Capital Markets was one of eight companies that were fined for using messaging apps for business messages.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) cracked down on emails and messaging services in 2021, maintaining that companies could use them to communicate outside recordkeeping controls.
The most recent SEC fines totalled $63.1 million, with Santander’s $4 million (€3.9m) fine one of the lowest, and the heftiest going to investment management company Blackstone having to pay $12 million (€11.7m).
Cutting back
January 15 to an audience of political, business and food industry figures.
The report studied the impact of Spanish gastronomy in its widest sense from agricultural production to food distribution that encompassed tourism and the hospitality sector.
It also pointed out that the Spain’s gastronomy business was reflected by soaring exports between 2013, when the country exported food products worth €35 billion, and 2023 by which time these had risen by 88 per cent to approximately €66 billion.
That takes the biscuit
PALENCIA biscuit manufacturer
Gullon announced record revenues of €690 million for 2024, 9.5 per cent up on 2023.
The volume of biscuits sold also rose last year, with a 6.5 per cent upturn compared with the national average of 3.4 per cent.
“We are growing at a faster pace than the market,” chief executive Juan Miguel Martinez Gabaldon explained to Cinco Dias, adding that the company foresaw sales of €1 billion via its overseas markets by 2030.
These currently generate 44 per cent of Gullon’s sales and are expected to reach 50 per cent in five years’ time, he said.
DYSON has cancelled plans for a £100 million (€118.9 million) research hub in Bristol. Staff due to move to Bristol will remain in Malmesbury (Wiltshire) while the Bristol installation will be leased to other businesses.
The announcement comes 18 months after the vacuum cleaner and hairdryer manufacturer announced the Bristol project and six months after slashing 1,000 UK jobs.
Earlier, Jake Dyson, the company’s Chief Engineer and son of founder Sir James Dyson, said the centre was a ‘vital hub’ contributing to the firm’s future.
In charge
AMAZON has bought 148 electric Mercedes-Benz and Volvo heavy goods vehicles for making deliveries in Britain.
The move is part of Amazon’s £300 million (€356.4 million) investment in green transport for the UK, after announcing in 2022 that it hoped eventually to change to electric vehicles.
The e-lorries should be in use over the next 18 months, while the online commerce company said it will also start sending deliveries by rail and using postman-type trolleys to reduce its carbon footprint.
Food sector represents 27 per cent of the GDP.
GAMES WORKSHOP: Booming sales and profits.
3I Group 3.763,00 3.766,00 3.745,00 19,28K
Group 2.644,0 2.647,8 2.637,9 5,49K Airtel Africa 124,00 125,90 123,70 172,43K
American 2.549,5 2.568,5 2.540,5 96,42K Antofagasta 1.754,50 1.764,00 1.750,50 29,45K Ashtead Group 5.318,0 5.332,0 5.308,0 17,18K
British Foods 2.001,0 2.013,0 1.997,5 39,66K
10.962,9 10.964,5 10.906,0 97,64K Auto Trader Group Plc 795,00 795,80 792,20 66,03K Aviva 495,25 495,70 494,20 237,17K
B&M European Value Retail SA 314,13 315,00 311,50 115,86K BAE Systems 1.228,50 1.230,00 1.224,50 224,15K
VODAFONE ESPAÑA, owned by Zegona since June 2024, reported revenues of €903 million for the second quarter of its July-October financial year. This was 1.5 per cent below the previous quarter’s turnover, although Zegona’s €318 million gross operating income increased 6.35 per cent.
Steel blow
A TEESSIDE return is unlikely for loss-making British Steel, recently in rescue talks with the government. It has modified plans to build ‘green’ arc furnaces in Middlesbrough and Scunthorpe and will install both in Scunthorpe, the Sunday Times revealed.
ROYAL MAIL’S owner International Distribution Services (IDS) said it was on track to return to profit, thanks to Christmas parcel deliveries.
Tracked parcels sent over the holiday season increased 19 per cent to 188 million while revenue rose by 2.4 per cent during the last quarter.
In contrast, the volume of addressed letters had fallen by 7 per cent although this was compensated by dearer stamps, with a first class stamp now costing £1.65 (€1.96).
Royal Mail predicted
Timely boost
Madrid departure
SHELL plans to close its Madrid gas trading hub Pavilion Energy for tax reasons, claimed undisclosed sources quoted in Spain’s financial daily, Cinco Dias
The UK-based company bought Pavilion Energy from Singapore-based investment fund Temasek in June 2024 ‘for hundreds of millions of dollars’ although below the $2 billion (€1.94 billion) that it had hoped for.
Pavilion Energy’s staff of around 50 have now learnt that if they wish to remain with the company, they must be prepared to relocate to Shell offices in London, Dubai or Singapore. Shell, meantime, said that Spain remained an important oil and electricity market for the company, which would continue to meet customers’ energy needs ‘through Spain-based teams.’
an adjusted operating profit during the present financial year, excluding the cost of voluntary redundancies, despite the ‘challenging macroeconomic backdrop’ and two years of losses.
In a January 14 statement, IDS revealed that Royal Mail’s £3.57 billion (€4.24 billion) takeover by the Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky – already approved by the UK government - had received regulatory clearance from Europe and the US.
Once the deal is completed, Royal Mail will be delisted from the London Stock Exchange.
Kretinsky, who already owns with a 27.5 per cent stake in Royal Mail via Vesa Equity, which he entirely owns, said in November that he foresaw an increase in costs owing to the last UK Budget and did not rule out increased automation.
State
landlord
THE Spanish government will have to pay approximately €4 billion to acquire 40,000 properties worth an average €100,000 each from the ‘bad bank’ Sareb, which is 51 per cent publicly owned, with the remainder belonging to Santander, CaixaBank and Sabadell. These homes will then be transferred to the newly-created Public Housing Company and sold or rented at affordable prices.
Festive cheer
OCADO reported record sales of £715.8 million (€849.5 million) over 2024’s last quarter which included the Christmas period, an increase of 17.5 per cent on 2023, with order volumes rising 17 per cent. Ocado referred to the festive food selection of its joint venture partner Marks & Spencer as a ‘major driver’ of sales.
ROYAL MAIL: Foresees a return to profit.
Photo credit: Flickr/cchana
Sounds good to me
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT
THE problem with most of the woke brigade is that they are generally so far up the self-righteous soap boxes they categorically refuse to entertain the opinions of others. When arguments or discussions tend to veer away from their points of view, they are always the first to accuse their dissenters of right-wing ideals or racism. They then sit smugly back, fully aware that the discussion is now over, and the onus is now on those who disagreed with their rhetoric to explain why they are not racially motivated! It’s a clever ploy designed to crush the freedom of speech and encouraged by many a political despot throughout history. I don’t buy it and categorically refuse to waste this short narrative explaining my strong views on the subject. I believe in live and let live. If it causes no harm to others and doesn’t weaponise my points of view, I couldn’t care less how anyone handles their current manifestation. I also have no problem with how people
wish to be addressed. Tom, Dick, Harry, Those, Them or Wottsit, it truly is all the same to me.
What I do care about, however, is reserving the right to also refer to myself as I choose. Being pressured to adapt to another individual’s views and opinions sticks in my craw. Unfortunately, this is often the problem with disgruntled minorities. Many of them suffer from insecurity or inferiority complexes. Consequently, the more of us they can inveigle into embracing their philosophies, the more secure they feel (The mentality of a cult!) To achieve this, they must convince others to join them or amend their beliefs.
Sooner or later, however, majorities begin to resent their often lame-brained intrusions, and their actions begin to achieve the reverse effect (The public taking the law into their own hands and blocking motorways was a case in point!) One of the real casualties in this whole diatribe of politically correct ‘uman rights is common sense.
I vividly recall some idiotic ‘woke goodies’ that came to light a while back. The University of Salford issued
a subject matter warning for Dickens’s Oliver Twist if it causes ‘distress or anxiety’ among literature students. The University of Northampton also issued ‘alert warnings’ to their students about Orwell’s 1984, Dickens’s Great Expectations and, of all things - Bronte’s Jane Eyre! The University stated that it has the responsibility to ‘prepare students for potentially sensitive topics of child abuse, domestic violence, or racial prejudice’. They probably don’t allow winners or losers, either!
Of course, this is not quite as ridiculous as it sounds. The more they relieve the young of responsibility, the easier they manipulate toward their nanny state ideals. Left-wing political control has always hovered behind all this undemocratic PC rhetoric, and I am delighted to see Trump reinstated. One of his election promises is to ban the woke ideology from his military and schools. He’s also obviously not too keen on Starmer and his brigade. All sounds good to me.
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.
Daring train stunt
A MAN in Germany has survived a ridiculous incident that could well have cost him his life, as he leaped onto a tra in after its doors shut, holding on desperately in the bracket between two carriages as the train then sped on for around 20 miles.
The man, who is unidentified right now, but is known to be Hungarian and 40 years of age, said to police, who arrested him once the train came to a halt, that he left his luggage on the train, so after the doors had shut on him, he believed this outrageous stunt was the best thing to do.
INTERVIEW
Royal clemency
The man was sitting on the platform smoking a cigarette when the doors suddenly closed on him. His intercity express train then headed out of Ingolstadt toward Lubeck, reaching speeds of 280km/h.
The train had to come to a controlled stop after passengers noticed the man stuck between the carriages, holding on for dear life. Police then swiftly came onto the scene.
Aside from the endangering stunt performed by the Hungarian causing disturbance to civilians, police were
probing into another matter - this particular ‘passenger’ had not bought a ticket for his journey. Investigations then ensued into financial impropriety therefore.
Local German police implored citizens to avoid similar ‘life-threatening nonsense’.
IN a move that might raise a few eyebrows, King Philippe has granted seven acts of clemency in 2024, according to figures obtained by Belga through Belgium’s Justice Department (SPF Justice). While the total number may not be staggering, it signals a subtle shift in the royal approach to justice.
The Belgian monarch, who is tasked with granting clemency on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, decided to grant a total of seven graces last year. This is slightly up from the three granted in 2023, although the numbers tend to fluctuate year on year.
Out of the seven clemencies, four were related to driving offences, including two cases where sentences had been suspended. However, the Justice Department remains tight-lipped about the specifics of the other three cases. The public remains in the dark, leaving plenty of room for speculation.
It’s not just a select few who are hoping to catch a break from the monarch. A total of 574 Belgians submitted requests for clemency last year. That’s slightly fewer than in 2023, which saw 591 applications, but almost half the number seen in 2022, when requests peaked at a whopping 1,084.
Speaking EuropeanBerta Hawkins - Iceland
From Iceland originally, at 30, Berta decided to make the move to Spain. She said “I always remember not wanting to leave when we came on family holidays.” The dream of living here never left her. It was “always in the back of my head then I decided it’s now or never.”
THE move here “was an easy transition. I wasn’t new to the area, I had friends. We had some support, everyone’s so helpful.”
I asked her how she found integrating with Spanish culture. “I was really eager to in tegrate into the Spanish way of life. I didn’t go looking for the Icelandic community, we can all make a little effort to integrate. I had my own real estate business but I felt that something was missing.” Dancing, “I was a professional dancer until I had my children. I started teaching dance and perfor -
ming. In 2017 I opened a gym. It was absolute chaos, there were so many times I didn’t know whether I wanted to laugh or cry. It was a difficult process.” Her hard work paid off: “As a professional dancer this summer I was doing up to three shows a day in the Costa Blanca. I went international too, with shows in Kosovo, Italy and London.”
Berta’s future looks bright “I am currently 18 weeks pregnant… the dancing shoes are on the shelf.” She’s still teaching dance “until the baby says no more.”
Belgium’s King Philippe walks after a religious service.
Credit: Shutterstock, Alexandros Michailidis
An easy transition.
Photo Credit: Berta Hawkins
Intercity express train man clung to.
Credit: SaschaVBX, Twitter.
President Biden’s Farewell: A grateful goodbye and legacy of resilience
FROM COAST TO COAST
ON January 19, as President Biden concluded his term, he spent his final day in office in Charleston, North Carolina, reflecting on his journey with gratitude. It was a day to thank those who helped secure his victory, marking the end of a remarkable chapter led with unwavering commitment to the United States.
Biden’s road to the White House
Biden’s political journey began in 1972 at just 29, when he became one of the youngest US senators. Over 36 years in Delaware, he earned a reputation for his work on foreign relations and criminal justice. After serving as Vice President under Barack Obama, he made his presidential run in 2020, defeating incumbent Donald Trump and securing the Democratic nomination.
Biden’s legacy: Resilience, relief, and reform
President Biden’s legacy is marked by resilience in crises. His quick response to Covid-19 vaccinated millions, and the $1.9 trillion Rescue Plan provided essential support. The $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill promises long-term growth. Biden also made history with the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court. Though challenges remain, his leadership during tough times will be remembered as a testament to his steady determination. Thank you, President Biden. Hats off to Mrs Kamala Harris A standing ovation goes to Vice Pre-
sident Kamala Harris, who took on a monumental role with barely a moment to breathe and somehow made it look effortless. I mean, when’s the last time you planned a major event - like, say, a wedding - with zero prep time? Not even in Vegas, Elvis! But Kamala did, and she did it with style, grace, and the kind of leadership that makes you think, “Why don’t we see more of this?” If she’d had a proper amount of time to launch a full-fledged campaign, we might just be talking about her in the big chair right now. History will remember this remarkable woman, and we’re lucky to have witnessed her rise. Thank you, Vice President Harris!
Behind the scenes of power: The presidential transition
• Last day drama: Outgoing presidents leave a heartfelt note for their successor in the Oval Office.
• Secret prep: The transition begins months before the election results.
• No holiday for the swearing-in: Inauguration Day is a spectacle, but not a public holiday.
• The Beast’s secret life: ‘The Beast’ gets a second round before the new president’s ride arrives.
• Pandemic inauguration: Biden’s swearing-in was secure and subdued due to the pandemic and Capitol riots.
• Lame duck power: Even after losing, presidents can still make major moves.
• Inaugural parade: A tradition since 1801, rain or shine!
• Oath twists: Presidents don’t always take the oath verbatim; Franklin Pierce’s ‘So help me God’ stuck.
• In the meantime: A high-speed scramble as the outgoing team clears out
Pension denied for 72-year-old worker
A 72-YEAR-OLD self-employed pensioner has been denied their pension despite paying into Spain’s social security system for more than 33 years, thanks to a debt hanging over them.
The incident highlights a harsh reality for workers who, even after decades of diligent contributions, can still be left without their retirement funds if they fall behind on payments - even by a small amount.
Felicísimo, who spent over three decades in various work schemes, found himself caught in a web of bureaucracy after applying for his pension at the age of 72.
Although he had been paying into the system through both the General Scheme and the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA), his request for a pension was turned down due to an outstanding debt
of €13,903.14, owed between February 2014 and November 2016.
When the case reached the Social Court in Badajoz, the judge initially sided with Felicísimo. The court overturned the Social Security’s decision, agreeing that the worker met all the basic requirements - such as age and overall contribution history.
Citing the previous Supreme Court ruling stating that pension rights cannot expire, the judge ruled that the debt should not block Felicísimo’s right to the pension.
Spain’s mushroom & movie magic
Not satisfied with this ruling, the Social Security Department appealed the case.
In a decisive blow, the High Court ruled that Felicísimo was not entitled to the pension. It overturned the lower court’s decision, reaffirming that pension rights are only granted when the individual meets all contribution and payment requirements.
As the court stated, ‘pension rights are earned with prior contributions, and there are no exceptions for unpaid debts’.
LOOKING for an unusual day trip this spring? Head to Juzcar, a charming Andalucian village known for its striking blue houses – Smurf Village!
lwind that is the presidential transition! It’s
sical chairs, but with a-
Err, let me explain. Juzcar wasn’t always blue. In 2011, to promote the cartoon movie ‘The Smurfs’, the small village was painted sky blue for ceremonies and photo shoots. Large statues of the Smurfs and other props from the movie were placed around the village.
While the initial plan was to repaint it white afterwards, the residents loved the new look and its surprising success - over 80,000 tourists flocked to see ‘Smurf Village’.
Sadly, in 2017 Juzcar’s right to use the Smurf name and franchise was removed, though Juzcar is still commonly known by Spaniards as Smurf Village (el pueblo de los pitufos). Officially the village rebranded itself as ‘La Aldea Azul’
- the blue village - but you’ll still find some remnants of Smurf props and merchandise dotted around.
And why was Juzcar chosen, you ask? Because the blue creatures called ‘Smurfs’ live in mushrooms and this village has an abundance of fungi - over 150 species. Just like the Smurfs’ mushroom houses, Juzcar is a haven for mushroom enthusiasts.
So ditch the usual tourist trail and explore this delightful blue village. You might even spot the one house (painted white) that refused to join in the Smurf transformation - Enjoy!
Nora Johnson’s 13 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The Girl across the Lake’ (www.no ra-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.
Nora’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
Movaldi’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
LUCCA MOVALDI PRESIDENT: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CLUB MARBELLA
NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.
NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS
Credit - Shutterstock / Matej Kastelic
• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •
Costa del Sol
No more tourist horses
MALAGA Council has announced it will get rid of the horse-drawn carriages for tourists, a measure that seeks to support animal welfare and the controversy that surrounds them. However, opinions among the population are very much divided on the issue.
The decision is in response to many years of public petitions and claims by animal rights groups that say that the animals suffer, especially in the hottest months, from pulling carriages full of tourists, causing them to suffer exhaustion and dehydration.
For Mayor Paco de la Torre, it’s all about promoting the city as a modern destination that respects animal welfare. The council will reimburse the coachmen who run the horse-drawn carriage service for the 11 years that remain on their licences.
The coachmen, who will effectively be out of the job, are insisting the council do something to find them new jobs and compensate them.
Costa Blanca South Coastal alliance
MALAGA and Alicante are the sixth and 10th most populated cities in Spain, respectively. They are also ranked fourth and sixth among Spain’s provincial capitals in terms of population.
Despite their competitive relationship, starting with FITUR 2025, both cities aim to shift their focus from competition to collaboration.
At the International Tourism Fair in Madrid (FITUR), which runs until Sunday January 26, the mayors of both cities, Luis Barcala of Alicante and Francisco de la Torre of Malaga, are set to sign a partnership agreement to exchange knowledge and experiences.
Both cities thrive in the service and tourism sectors, offering similar attractions such as beaches and cultural events. This partnership offers a chance for both cities to evaluate what strategies work best in a highly competitive market.
Alicante will also have the advantage of being named the Gastronomic Capital of Spain in 2025.
Mallorca Archaeology hub
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have approved the construction of the Centre for Archaeology of Mallorca at the Tanca de Can Domènech in Alcudia.
A preventive excavation was carried out last September to assess whether any archaeological remains were present, given the proximity to the Pollentia site. The results confirm that the project can proceed, as no significant archaeological findings were uncovered that would block its development.
While some structures and elements potentially related to ancient agricultural use were documented, no major discoveries were found to hinder the project. The Consell de Mallorca is now moving forward with the design phase, which will outline the specific needs of the facility. This will be carried out in collaboration with the Alcudia Town Council.
Vice-President of the Consell de Mallorca and councillor for Culture and Heritage, Antònia Roca, highlighted that the centre will house over 40,000 archaeological pieces from sites across the island.
Costa Blanca North
The fairest one of all
THE new year has started with an accolade for Altea, with National Geographic naming the picturesque town the ‘most beautiful town in Spain’.
Often referred to as the ‘dome of the Mediterranean’, Altea entrances with its stunning vistas and rich cultural heritage.
The magazine’s portrayal of Altea paints a poetic picture of the delightful town. It describes how it awakens under the gentle warmth of the morning sun, with the sound of seagulls filling the air, as fishing boats gently rock the harbour. This, of course, serves as a reminder of how Altea was once a town of fishermen.
Today, Altea sparkles with its narrow cobblestone streets, white houses decorated with blooming flowers such as geraniums, jasmine, and bougainvillea, colourful doors, and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and the Sierra de Bernia mountains.
Almeria Global recognition
THE Pulpi Geode, located in the Sierra del Aguilon, is a massive underground cave or chamber filled with enormous gypsum crystals, some as long as two metres. This stunning natural formation could soon be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site after being nominated for Spain’s tentative list.
Discovered in 1999, the Pulpi Geode is the second-largest geode in the world, following the Cave of the Crystals in Mexico. In 2022, it was declared a Natural Monument by Andalucia, highlighting its geological and cultural significance. The recent move to nominate it for World Heritage status reflects its extraordinary value.
Juanma Moreno, president of the Junta de Andalucia, expressed his excitement about the nomination, calling it a significant milestone for the region and the province of Almeria. If the nomination is approved, the geode will join Spain’s list of natural wonders, opening the door for international recognition and protection.
Costa Calida Trailblazing Murcia
IN 2025, the Region of Murcia became the second region in Spain with the most Blue Trails.
The Association for Environmental Education and Consumer Affairs (Adeac) has awarded 11 new Blue Trail distinctions to eight municipalities, bringing the total to 26.
A Blue Trail is a designated path that meets environmental, educational, and accessibility standards. These trails promote sustainable tourism by encouraging outdoor activities while respecting nature.
With these new trails, Murcia is now second only to Galicia, which has 54 Blue Trails and tied with the Valencian Community. This year, Murcia has added the most new Blue Trails of any region in Spain.
The 26 Blue Trails in Murcia cover more than 150 kilometres, making up 15 per cent of Spain’s total Blue Trail network, which now spans over 1,000 kilometres nationwide.
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.
Haggis needs care at home with resident cat-sitters
CARING for elderly pets can be a challenge, they often don’t like leaving their comfortable space, and for Haggis that’s the kitchen of her home. She no longer leaves the kitchen preferring to orchestrate all operations from her position on the counter near the door.
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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Walk training
IF your dog pulls on the leash during walks, it can make outings stressful for both of you. Fortunately, with patience and consistent training, you can teach your dog to walk calmly by your side. Here’s how to stop your dog from pulling.
Start by using the right equipment. A harness designed to discourage pulling, such as a front-clip harness, can provide better control without causing discomfort or harm. Avoid using a collar that might put pressure on your dog’s neck.
During walks, pay attention to your dog’s behaviour. If they start pulling, immediately stop walking. Don’t pull back on the leash, as this can
Be patient - progress may take time.
reinforce the pulling behaviour. Instead, stand still and wait for your dog to return to your side. Once they do, reward them with praise or a treat. This teaches your dog that walking calmly results in positive reinforcement.
Practise walking in low-distraction environments first, gradually introducing more stimulating surroundings as your dog learns to focus on you. Short, frequent training sessions are more effective than long walks. Use a consistent command like ‘let’s go’ to signal when to begin walking and reward your dog when they follow. Be patient - progress may take time, but with consistency, your dog will learn to stop pulling and enjoy calmer, more enjoyable walks.
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CHARITY
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CHURCH SERVICES
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Monoxide madness
TWO-TIME Tour de France champion
Jonas Vingegaard has called for a ban on the controversial use of carbon monoxide rebreathing, a method employed by some athletes to measure performance. In an interview with Le Monde, the Visma-Lease a Bike rider highlighted concerns about the misuse of the technique to artificially enhance athletic abilities.
Vingegaard explained that his team uses the method responsibly to measure blood volume and haemoglobin mass, critical indicators for cyclists. “We inhale carbon monoxide before and after altitude training to calculate maximum oxygen absorption capacity,” he said. However, he raised concerns that some athletes abuse the process by regularly inhaling small doses of carbon monoxide, which he claims significantly boosts performance.
The practice first drew widespread attention during last year’s Tour de France when Escape Collective reported that riders from multiple teams used carbon monoxide to optimise altitude training. The gas is typically employed
as a tracer to monitor oxygen diffusion in the lungs and haemoglobin levels but can become problematic when misused.
In December, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced that its management committee would discuss a possible ban on carbon monoxide rebreathing for medical reasons during a meeting in France from January 31 to February 1. The UCI warned of the potential health risks, including headaches, fatigue, nausea, chest pain, and even loss of consciousness, when the gas is inhaled repeatedly outside controlled medical conditions.
SEVILLA defender Kike
Salas has been officially arrested by police following a sensational scandal whereby he was accused of intentionally receiving yellow cards during his team’s La Liga campaign in the 2023/24 season.
The investigation is being spearheaded by the Spanish police, and suspects two of Salas’s close friends to be involved in the scandal. The friends had reportedly made around €10,000 across 30 separate bets on the defender to get a booking.
Salas is still under investigation, with his subsequent release seeing him back in full training with his team.
The Spaniard received a yellow card in 10 of their league games, with seven coming in the final
La Liga star’s betting scandal
nine games, as the pressure was relieved that Sevilla were going to be at risk of dropping down to the second division.
Salas himself played eight games in the final part of the season, only missing one, against Mallorca, due to suspen-
ANDALUCIA
WALKING FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Malaga 50s progress in League and Cup
AWFL Over 50s
Malaga WFC 5 v 0 AC Benahavis
Malaga were hoping to extend their 100 per cent record at the top of the table with this first match of the New Year, whilst Benahavis were just as determined to gain ground on them! The visitors showed great determination and limited the home side to a 1-0 lead at half time, courtesy of a penalty from Fran. After the break, the hosts upped their game with Andres puttting Malaga further ahead with a free kick and Mark Coleman adding a third with a sublime curler from distance. Roberto then added a fourth and substitute Seba flicked in the fifth to round off a fine second half performance and keep Malaga in top spot.
Nerja United 3 v 7 Real Calahonda (match report unavailable… Mario Aragon Morales and Tony Deacon (2) scored for Nerja)
Canadon Old Boys 2 v 2 Internacionales Mollina (match report unavailable… Paul Blackwell and Ian Gray scored for Mollina)
MAIO Cup Over 50s
Boca Seniors Competa 2 v 8 Malaga WFC
Competa began by making light of current form and, despite much domination and several goal attempts by the visitors, defended doggedly and gave themselves a 2-0 lead, courtesy of an area encroachment penalty, converted by Paul Kavanagh, and a swift breakaway strike to give Kavanagh his second. Malaga’s captain Fran pulled one back before half time but kudos to Competa for holding onto their lead. After the break, Malaga reorganised and used their substitutes to good effect, eventually finding their scoring boots with goals from Fran (2 to complete his hat-trick), Javi, Mark Coleman, Andres, Marcello and Roberto, giving them a better chance of progressing to the finals.
AWFL Over 60s
Malaga WFC 2 v 3 AC Benahavis
with the remaining game seeing Salas have to exit early due to an injury.
Under Spanish law, and the Football Federation regulations, any breach like this would mean a player can face the loss of his licence to play for up to five years, and even receive a jail sentence for up to three years, as well as a fine of around €30,000.
In a game notable for its number of penalties, the visiting league leaders took an early two goal advantage before Scott pulled one back from the penalty spot for the hosts. Benahavis then scored a penalty of their own to give them a 3-1 lead at the break. In the second half, another Benahavis penalty was well-saved by Robert in the home goal and this was followed shortly after by another Malaga penalty which was coolly despatched by Scott for his second. However, despite a sprited effort by Malaga, the league leaders held on to take all three points and continue their 100% record.
Nerja United v Real Calahonda
The match was abandoned due to heart problems suffered by Nerja player Dave Burgess. Thanks to swift action by Nerja staff, Dave was treated with specialist equipment at the scene and is now recuperatng. Of course, on behalf of all at Nerja United and all clubs belonging to the AWFL, we wish Dave and his family all the best for his continued speedy recovery.
See you next week!
Bunting’s bullseye
STEPHEN BUNTING claimed his first World Series title by winning the Bahrain Darts Masters 2025, defeating Gerwyn Price 8-4 in the final at the Bahrain International Circuit.
This victory marks a major milestone in Bunting’s career, as it is not only his first World Series win, but also his first such event in 11 years, highlighting his remarkable rise in the darting world over the past year.
Bunting’s road to the final inclu-
ded impressive victories over Luke Humphries and Chris Dobey, two players he will face regularly in the upcoming Premier League, starting February 6 on Sky Sports. Reflecting on his triumph, Bunting praised the audience and expressed his pride in the achievement. “This is such a satisfying moment, especially with this beautiful trophy,” he said in his postmatch interview with ITV.
“The crowd’s energy week after
week is unbelievable. I’m lost for words. I’m playing at my most consistent level ever, and being ranked world number five is incredible.” Gerwyn Price, the runner-up, had earlier delivered a stunning performance in the quarter-finals, eliminating reigning world champion Luke Littler with a tournament record average of 115.3. Littler, despite his exit, continued to showcase his promise as one of the sport’s rising stars.
