WHILE other regions have been focused on highlighting tourist attractions such as beaches, historical monuments, and the allure of well-known hotel chains, Torrox has created its very own signature cocktail.
This vibrant number has been crafted from locally sourced mango, sugar cane, and fennel, which are all readily available from the town of El Morche. Therefore, it would seem only fitting that it should be named ‘Love in El Morche’.
The Yobiyoba Group has spearheaded this unique creation with talented mixologist Christopher Edgar meticulously designing the recipe.
The inspiration behind ‘Love in El Morche’ arises from the numerous
prominent tourist destinations like Copacabana, Cancun, and Havana that have established their own unique cocktails that have become synonymous with their locations. The desire is for this cocktail to join their
ranks, creating a signature drink that visitors can associate with their experience in the municipality.
Its aim is for this sweet cocktail to invoke the essence of the Eastern Costa del Sol and for it to be
served as a representative drink for the region. The cocktail is already available to sample in five different establishments, indicating an enthusiastic reception from both locals and tourists alike.
Treasure in Rincon
“THE Cueva del Tesoro, the jewel in our crown, the only visitable cave of marine origin in Europe, had more than 100,000 visitors for the first time in the 50 years it has been open to the public,” Rincon mayor Francisco Salado announced during the FITUR tourism trade fair.
Reaching this number of visitors was the result of the ‘enormous’ amount of work involved in conserving and promoting the cave, making it visitable and improving the experience
for visitors, Salado added.
The town hall now holds concerts in Cueva de la Victoria and
organises dramatised visits aimed principally at children. It has also published a comic book explaining the origins
of the cave, an important archaeological site whose two kilometres of galleries contain rock art and engravings from 30,000 years ago.
Rincon de la Victoria also boasts nearby Cueva de la Victoria, sections of which first opened to the public three years ago. These have now been extended and the cave has been added to Europe’s Rock Art Trails, listed with caves in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
VELEZ-MALAGA Local Police have been celebrated and awarded the Medal of Police Merit for the rst time in the town’s history.
Antonio Sanz, the Minister of the Presidency, who received the reward on behalf of the Local Police, congratulated the winners for the 18 points they were chosen for this year.
He reminded those in attendance of the importance of the Andalucian Local Police Law, established in 2023, which will regulate the admission, internal promotion, mobility, training, and uni ed organisation of o cial personnel.
Sanz emphasised the need for o cers to have all the means and services, stressing the need to update and improve the resources at their disposal, and made special mention of the new Agency for Security and Comprehensive Emergency Management of Andalucia, which works on a regulatory development that allows the Agency to coordinate with Local Police o cers to attend to serious emergencies.
Axarquia • Issue No. 2065 • 30 Jan - 5 Feb 2025
‘Love in El Morche’ was first unveiled at FITUR.
Record numbers visited Cueva del Tesoro in 2024.
Photo credit: turissmoenrincon.es
Fun-filled Carnival days La Viñuela €1m makeover
THERE are Carnivals across Spain in February with intricate costumes and lots of theatrics. The Nerja Carnival is four days of fun-filled parades and unique traditions usually celebrated over the second weekend in February.
On the evening of the first day, there is an official Carnival opening speech which is the starting point of the festival. A fancy dress competition and elections of the carnival nymph and el
momo on the second day follow this. The competition is open to adults and children and every year it gets fiercer as costumes become more elaborate, feathered and glittery. The third day of Carnival is usually centred upon the Grand Carnival Parade, when groups of family and friends take to the streets in their creative costumes. Group costume themes vary, and some of last year’s included Under the Sea and Inspector Gadget.
The parade is open to all ages and makes its way through the main streets ending in a street party. The carnival comes to a close with the Burial of Chanquete. Chanquete is a handcrafted Sardine symbolising earthly desires and wrongdoings. They bury or burn the sardine in an elaborate funeral parade filled with laughter, music, and crocodile tears to say goodbye to Carnival ahead of the more disciplined period before Lent.
LA VIÑUELA RESERVOIR is about to get a million-euro makeover, as part of an environmental and leisure project promoted by the Provincial Council of Malaga.
They will invest €1,060,375 in improving the recreational area at the reservoir. The plans include planting 35,000 trees, bushes, and plants and a full renovation of the facilities there. They have given themselves four months to complete the project, which is being put into action because in recent years, the reservoir has become an important outdoor meeting and picnic point in Axarquia.
According to the president of the Provincial Council of Malaga, Francisco Salado, “It is a very busy space that needs a complete update, since its facilities have
deteriorated due to use and the passage of time.”
Further plans for the recreational area on the south side of the reservoir, which spans 21,323 square metres, include replacing outdoor furniture like benches, tables and lamp posts in the picnic, playground and dog park. Other aspects include expanding green areas by planting Mediterranean species and natural meadows, and carpark reorganisation, with paved spaces and landscaped zones.
They will also improve road access by laying an asphalt road to the area. The toilets will also be renovated. Best of all there is going to be a whole new playground and dog park so all the family can enjoy the area.
The recreational area at the reservoir will be improved.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Intricate costumes and lots of theatrics are the order of the day.
Photo Credit: Facebook Nerja Carnival
Ready to renew the TIE?
WE are now well into 2025, a significant year for those who obtained residency in Spain under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
In 2020 over 35,000 Brits registered for residency in Spain under the Withdrawal Agreement. “An awful lot of these people will be coming up for renewal this year,” he says in an Upsticks to Spain YouTube video. “I’m not sure if we are ready for it here, and we also need to find out the specific process,” he continued.
There are various ways to apply for residency: either from having residency before Brexit; or from making an application after the extension to the Brexit deadline. For the former, it will just be a question of going down to the local National Police station. For the latter, the procedure has not yet been clarified by the Spanish government.
So far, the only thing for sure is that there are a lot of renewals coming up in 2025. While Chris doesn’t foresee too many problems for TIE card holders in renewing their residency status, if the card’s date passes its expiry date, this could cause problems for the cardholder, especially in terms of banks, contracting insurance, contracting utilities, and the like.
Guardia’s shock warning
CHECK the floor before you open your car says Guardia Civil: Spanish authorities urge drivers to check the ground near their car before getting in.
In any case, the situation needs clarifying because if not, National Police stations around Spain are going to
Navigating Spain’s renewal process What
have an avalanche of people enquiring at their front desks.
As always, Euro Weekly News will endeavour to keep its readers updated. Those concerned who would like someone to sort it out for them, a good place to start is Upsticks to Spain.
€1K parent grant
THE Spanish Social Security system is offering a special new €1,000 grant to families with children born after 2007.
To qualify for the full amount, you need to meet certain income thresholds. For a family with one child, the income limit is set at €14,011. But it goes up for larger families: €16,112.65 for two children, and
€18,214.30 for three. The idea is simple: the more children you have, the higher the income limit. Partial access is possible if you earn more than the maximum threshold.
The amount you’re entitled to will be based on the difference between your earnings and the income cap, so it’s gradual.
The Social Security system has a contribution requirement
based on your age when your child was born or adopted. For those under 21, you don’t need to have made any contributions, but for those between 21 and 25, at least 90 days of work in the last seven years is required.
Anyone over 26 needs to show 180 days of contributions in the last seven years, or 360 days in total throughout their career.
If you prefer the traditional route, head down to a Social Security Centre with a prior appointment. If you’d much rather go digital, you can also apply online via the Social Security Electronic Headquarters website.
It’s a simple but important help for many parents across Spain, so don’t let it slip through your fingers if you think you might qualify!
You grab your keys, hop in the car, and head off to work, the shops, or school. It’s second nature, right? But the Guardia Civil has recently issued a stark warning amid a wave of sly robberies across Spain: you need to check the ground before you climb into your car.
How ‘seed planting’ works:
As you’re about to get into your car, a stranger taps on your window and tells you that you’ve dropped something on the ground. They point to a banknote, a wallet, or a set of keys, placed intentionally just next to your car.
You step out to pick it up, but you’ve been set up. While you’re distracted, a second thief slips into the car from the other side and grabs whatever valuables are within reach - from your handbag to your shopping bags. They’re in and out before you even realise what’s happened.
Top tips to avoid falling victim:
1. Always keep an eye on your belongings. Make sure your valuables are visible, but not tempting.
2. Don’t trust strangers who try to distract you. If someone taps on your window or calls your attention, stay alert. They could be setting you up.
3. Look down before you get in your car. This simple step could save you from being the next target. Stay switched on, stay safe.
Spain targets high-value payments
New regulations to curb fraud
SPAIN will introduce new regulations for high-value credit and debit card transactions starting in 2025, aiming to curb fraud and modernise its tax system. These measures require banks and payment platforms like PayPal and Bizum to report annual cardholder spending above €25,000 to the Tax Agency.
The changes include stricter monitoring of businesses and freelancers, with monthly reports on digital and card payments linked to business activity. The government says the new rules are meant to increase transparency, ensure fair taxation, and reduce financial crime.
Digital payments have surged in recent years, making it more challenging for tax authorities to track large-scale transactions. By implementing these regula-
tions, Spain hopes to close loopholes and promote fairness in its economy. While the first reports won’t be due until 2026, businesses and financial institutions have time to prepare for compliance. However, small businesses have raised concerns about additional administrative burdens, especially as they continue recovering from recent economic challenges.
Individuals and business owners are encouraged to review their financial reporting systems and keep records well-organised. Despite the initial inconvenience, these measures align with global trends toward better regulation of digital financial flows. Spain’s efforts to improve oversight and transparency are expected to contribute to a more equitable financial landscape.
Spain offers a €1,000 grant to eligible families.
Fitur success for Axarquia
JORGE MARTIN, president of the Mancomunidad Axarquia, which groups together the area’s 31 municipalities, expressed satisfaction with this year’s Fitur tourism fair in Madrid.
The Mancomunidad promotes Axarquia’s tourist industry, and Martin thanked everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s Fitur visit, and the municipalities for presenting a strong and united image under the Costa del Sol and Andalucia umbrella.
One of the most important national and international tourism events, this year’s Fitur opened on January 22 to the sector’s professionals, and admitted the general public on January 25 and 26.
The Axarquia contingent held talks with leading companies that specialise in digitising the tourism industry, creating apps, developing tourist routes and using artificial intelligence, Martin said.
Meetings ranged from discussing Halal tourism and the area’s
Andalucí and Moorish past to accessing European Union funds available to the tourism sector, the Mancomunidad president continued.
“Fitur has set the bar very high for us,” he added.
“We’ve held interesting meetings and our work over the last months was reflected in coverage from the national and international media and social networks.
“There’s a lot of work ahead of us this year, but we shall do it together,” Martin said.
Motril eyesores Help for working parents
DAVID MARTIN, an opposition councillor at Motril Town Hall, complained about the growing number of abandoned vehicles left on local streets.
Blaming the town hall for its inaction, Martin said the administration was ignoring by-laws that obliged it to remove the vehicles.
As well as an eyesore that gave a negative image of Motril, the councillor maintained that the dumped cars and vans with their accumulation of grime also posed a health and safety hazard for the local population.
“What’s more they are using up space that could be better used for other purposes,” he said, urging the town hall to step in and take immediate action.
Martin’s party, Andalucia Por Si - Andalucia For Itself (AxSi) called for periodic inspections and fines for the people who owned the vehicles.
The party also suggested an awareness campaign encouraging Motril residents to collaborate with the authorities in identifying the vehicles and encouraging ‘a responsible use of public spaces’.
ALMUÑECAR Town Hall is again assisting families where both parents work and need help with childcare.
“Following the successful Plan Correponsables 2024 programme, we are launching the same scheme this year,” said Social Services and Children’s Education councillor Maria del Carmen Reinoso.
Funded by the Junta’s Inclusion, Youth, Families and Equality department, the town hall will roll out a programme of recreational, sports, leisure and spare time activities for Almuñecar and Herradura children on the days when they are free, but their parents are working. This was a priority during the holidays, national holidays or ‘puente’ long weekends, Reinosa said.
During the first quarter of 2025, the local government will set up a free play centre in Almuñecar and another in Herradura for children aged from three to 12, between 9am and 2pm, she added.
This year’s Plan Corresponsables would cover Andalucia Day on February 28, Easter Week – which falls in April – and the May Crosses.
The service could be extended during the summer, Reinosa said, but in all cases continuing the play centres would depend on sufficient demand.
HOMEWARD BOUND: Jorge Martin leaves Madrid after Fitur success
ABANDONED VEHICLES: Too many on Motril streets, councillor says.
Promotional video to reach almost 2m views Mobile mast control
THIS week, Rincon de la Victoria launched one of its most ambitious promotional campaigns, aiming to achieve 1.9 million visual impressions from the Gran Vía. The initiative coincides with the celebration of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR).
The campaign features the projection of a new promotional spot on the high-resolution digital screens and large-format of the Capitol Theatre. This is expected to captivate an audience of nearly two million people during this week.
The mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, Francisco Salado (PP), stated, “We have arrived in Madrid with the most ambitious promotion in the history of Rincon de la Victoria. Being present on the street with the highest pedestrian traffic in Madrid and the second busiest in
Spain, right in the heart of the capital and its main commercial hub, represents an exceptional impact for our city.”
Tourism councillor Antonio José Martín (PP) highlighted that “this type of advertising is more effective for our brand, because it captures twice as much attention as static outdoor advertising and results in three times
greater brand recall.”
In addition to this display, direct promotional initiatives are being carried out at the fair itself, such as a digital contest, meetings with industry professionals, as well as other initiatives outside the fair, including a nationwide media campaign and another digital campaign segmented by age and location.
VELEZ-MALAGA wants town halls to have more control over granting licences for mobi le phone masts.
On two occasions over the past year, Velez-Malaga Town Hall has in tervened to halt the installation of two masts in response to protests from residents who complained they were too close to homes, schools and public buildings, citing possible health risks.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MAST: Town halls should decide, Velez-Malaga claims.
The two-party coalition at the town hall, the Partido Popular (PP) and the Torre del Mar Pro-Municipality Independent Group (GIPMTM), will present a motion at the next plenary council meeting on January 31, calling on the central government to give town halls more power regarding the licences.
This would involve giving local governments the legal capacity to intervene and authorise - or veto - licences to install ‘radioelectric infrastructures and association resources’.
Speaking ahead of the council mee -
ting, PP spokeswoman Lourdes Piña said that at present authorisation for the masts came from the central government in Madrid. There was also very little that a town hall could do when a mast was planned for private land, added the party’s vice-secretary Celestino Rivas, who is also Town Planning councillor.
Referring to the two installations that the town hall halted last year, Rivas mentioned the possibility that the government in Madrid would restart the projects ‘reviving the public’s concerns and claims’.
Their most ambitious promotional campaign.
German pup donations
TAILS TORROX, a local animal rescue charity has received a pallet of donations all the way from Germany.
Tierhilfe Saarland e.V is an animal rescue charity, based in Saarland, Germany who works closely with Andalucian animal rescue centres to rehome dogs in Germany with fantastic families. They also send donations which contribute massively to the Andalucian rescue centres. On January 28 Tails Torrox announced they had received a pallet of goodies to help their pups at their dog sanctuary.
They said, in a message on their Facebook page “Thank you to everyone at Tierhilfe Saarland e.V in Germany for sending us this pallet of donations including lots of useful items for our dogs… it’s really appreciated.”
There were harnesses, food, dog bowls, blankets and treats all sent with the intention of helping Torrox rescue dogs to have a more comfortable and enriched life at the sanctuary.
Tails Torrox announced that their sanctuary was full earlier in January 2025, visit their Facebook to find out how you can help and to see what animals are available to adopt.
Anchovy award for Surtopia chef
CHEF JOSÉ CALLEJA of Surtopia, Madrid has been given the award for promoting Andalucia. The Victorian Anchovy plaque was presented by councillor for Tourism and Planning in the Costa del Sol, Antonio Díaz and the councillor for Tourism, Antonio José Martín. Every year a new establishment is given the award for being part of a network of restaurants that both partake in the
Victorian Anchovy Festival and promote Andalucian food to a wider national and international market.
The mayor of Rincon de la Victoria Francisco Salado, congratulated Chef José Calleja of Surtopia “for his project in the capital through Surtopia, which allows us to disseminate our gastronomic heritage outside the province.”
The award is granted to chefs that hit certain re-
quirements, for example, chefs must place importance on promoting local products from the Axarquia area to their clients with the expectation that they share the gastronomic culture of Rincon de la Victoria and its Andalucian neighbours with a wider community of diners. The Anchovy Restaurant Network formed in 2019 promotes and defends local gastronomic heritage.
Clandestine campsite cleared
ONE HUNDRED mobile homes and vans were moved on and more than 30 tents dismantled in the Maro-Cerro Gordo national
Local Police forces, together with officials from the Junta’s Environment department, had to tow away five vehicles in the combined operation directed at safeguarding the protected beauty spot. They also arrested two people for disobedience and resisting authority.
Once police had taken down all the campers’ details, Nerja Town Hall employees moved in to clean up the area.
Municipal sources explained that people had been living in the Maro-Cerro Gordo zone in vehicles and tents for some time, generating large amounts of rubbish and creating concerns about health risks linked to the absence of sanitation. Irregular settlements like the clandestine Maro-Cerrro Gordo campsite were harmful to the ecosystem, the Junta de Andalucia explained, and were a frequent source of public order problems.
At the same time, removing occupants was not within the remit of the Junta’s Environmental surveillance operations, the Junta added.
The Victorian Anchovy award.
Photo Credit: Ayuntamiento Rincón de la Victoria
Wetherspoon in Spain? Airport selling solar
BELGIUM’S largest airport at Zaventem in Flemish Brabant is planning a scheme in which it will sell off its solar power, generated by panels, to residents of nearby regions in Kortenberg, Machelen, Steenokkerzeel and Zaventem.
The airport operator promises the discount to the first 100 families who sign up to the scheme, with the offer amounting ‘to about €124 off their annual energy bill’ of first-come, first-serve families, according to a report.
The pilot project is run in collaboration with Bolt, an energy platform, and comes in tandem with the airport’s initiative, as well as Belgium’s, to have zero carbon emissions on all operations in airports in the country by 2030.
The broader aims of Belgium to reduce
its carbon footprint involve addressing the buildings and the infrastructure managed by airports, but not the CO2 emitted by aircrafts themselves, as this would not be feasible in such a short space of time.
Plans are being discussed throughout Europe however, of tackling the carbon crisis of airplanes, and in the near future we could see important developments in this regard, as the world looks to attend to sustainability needs and save the planet from a meltdown.
The pilot scheme is part of a larger European project, named Stargate, in which Brussels airport is actively collaborating with a consortium of 21 different partners to develop initiatives for sustainability-bolstered airports and aviation.
CHAIRMAN and founder of popular UK and Ireland pub chain JD Wetherspoon is eyeing up a potential overseas project. He feels opening its pubs in destinations such as Benidorm might be a promising idea after his company came under fire from tax implications in the UK.
The founder of the pub chain, which is a common favourite among British pub goers, feels that opening a Wetherspoon on foreign soil may help his company tackle UK chancellor Rachel Reeves’ new Budget plans.
So could a Benidorm ‘Spoons’ become a reality? Sir Tim said: “We are looking at it. We think there are probably 100 to 200 franchise partnerships in the UK. Now it’s a question of going abroad, and it’s a possibility. There is now an opportunity for fran -
chises abroad, but not in China.”
The move would be a first for Sir Tim and his chain, as in its 45 years of operation, Wetherspoon has never ventured outside of its domestic shores.
The news came as a result of the frustration on tax levies imposed on pubs such as We -
therspoon amid the Budget rulings Rachel Reeves has implicated on the UK. Sir Tim gave his perspectives on Wednesday, January 22. The company told investors that they have to deal with an added £60 million burden driven by the rise in costs as a result of Rachel Reeves’ Budget.
Brussels airport’s new solar scheme.
Credit: @BrusselsAirport, Twitter.
AXARQUÍA - MÁLAGA EAST
A young chef’s adventure
Abigail Frazer
AGED 25 Nathan Nicolle
a chef and business owner who manages and restaurant.
Tell us about your passion for food: “For me cooking is an adventure, full of experimentation. I began helping with family meals which fuelled my curiosity and allowed me to develop an understanding of food and the science behind it.”
Nathan studied business and learnt cheffing through part-time jobs in different restaurants in Jersey. Afterwards, he carried on working in hospitality, until his sense of adventure and the desire to open his own business took over.
Visit DUKES in person DUKES, Av. García Peñalver, 79, 29793
a business, this led him to
The unique experience DUKES offers its clients relates to Nathan’s unerring belief in “great quality food for great value, no short cuts and great service.” He says that “sourcing the best ingredients is always a must.
At Dukes we are very adaptable. We make bespoke meals when requested. We say: if we can, we will.”
He realised that Jersey would be too expensive a place to start
Torrox Costa, Malaga And phone to make your reservation on 603 721 258 or email info@dukes.es
He takes pride in finding unique ingredients: “In Jersey we have a sauce called Jersey Black Butter. It is made from apples mixed with spices, treacle and cider. It was traditionally used with cheeses like a chutney but… I import this sauce and use it in a variety of dishes from burgers to lattes. It’s a fan favourite.”
Back by popular demand
FEBRUARY presents plenty of opportunities to enjoy music and a great local venue in urbanisation Torrox Park at Bar Los Amigos.
Starting with Jukes Karaoke Explosion every Friday, Kev hosts this event, that is free to enter, be brave and sing along to your favourite songs from 8pm which nicely coincides with their fish and chip Fridays which they offer from 6.30pm till 9pm.
On Saturday, February 1, Shonyquete the three-piece band are set to entertain audiences at Bar Los Amigos, sing and dance along to all your favourite hits. It is free entry and food will once again be served from 6.30pm.
Saturday, February 15 Siobhan is back by popular demand, as such this is a ticketed event, members pay €10 and non-members €15 per person.
Tickets can only be purchased at Bar Los Amigos, their doors open at 7pm and the buffet style food for the event will be brought out at 8pm.
Siobhan will start performing at about
9pm. She sings Irish and Country music and hits from 60s through to the 90s. Phone them to find out about their next music event, they regularly host jam sessions and music open mics.
Visit in person, Bar Los Amigos, Urbanización Torrox Park, Tablazo Norte, 29793 Torrox. Phone on 641 442 379.
ATTEND a festival of music at the Treasure Cave in Rincon de la Victoria where there will be four spectacular live acts for you to see in February.
Each Friday in February sees a different act in one of the most unique naturally formed grottos and makeshift concert halls in Spain. Starting with Granada singer Mariola Cantarero February 7, who is famous for singing in the Bel Canto style. On Valentine’s Day Ginés González from Malaga will perform in the grotto, The Voice semi-finalist will “conquer
Patanegra 57, Nerja
PATANEGRA 57, located just a three-minute walk from the iconic Balcón de Europa viewpoint, offers a delightful journey into Mediterranean haute cuisine. The restaurant creates the perfect balance of charm and sophistication, making it a wonderful spot for any occasion - whether you’re sharing an intimate dinner, or celebrating with friends, Patanegra 57 promises a very special dining experience.
Set in a beautifully restored old house, Patanegra 57 features a tasteful blend of modern decor and warm Mediterranean touches. Diners can opt to enjoy the serene ambiance of the interior garden terrace, or dine inside and watch the chef work his magic in the glass-enclosed kitchen.
Chef Sergio Paloma’s thoughtfully curated menu artfully fuses Mediterranean
Cave concerts
hearts,” on YouTube his latest song Loco de Remate has been doing brilliantly. February 21 Erika Leiva from Tarragona will captivate audiences with her powerful voice.
Alejandro Granizo is the last artist to take to the stage with his alter ego Muchopelo, his music is a mixture of Rock and Electronic music, he pro-
flavours with international influences, particularly from Asia. Their wine list is just as impressive, and offers a selection of local and international wines that beautifully complement every dish. Each dish is crafted with precision not only in its flavours but also in its presentation, elevating the dining experience to a fine art. Chef Paloma also offers off-menu surprises, so don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations.
Patanegra 57 serves up meals that are truly unforgettable, combining tradition with a modern twist. So, whether you’re drawn to bold international flavours or the comforting essence of Mediterranean cuisine, this place is definitely worth a visit.
29780 Nerja
Tel. 952 520 226
duces, writes, sings and plays all the musical instruments for his performances.
The concerts cost €10 per seat and tickets can be bought from the Rincon de la Victoria tourism website.
All of the concerts start at 8.30pm. The councillor for Tourism, Antonio José Martín has called the concert “an unmissable event of culture and music from four concerts of different styles for a capacity of 80 spectators inside the grotto that offers a very intimate and personal experience”.
Calle Almirante Ferrandiz 57,
CREDIT - Tripadvisor
Your VOICE
Opinions about Trump remain deeply divided.
Do you think Donald Trump is going to be remembered as a good president?
DONALD TRUMP’S presidency remains one of the most debated chapters in American history. Now the 45th and 47th president of the Unites States, this controversial character is certainly making his mark on history.
From his sweeping policy changes, to his divisive opinions, he knows how to make headlines. Supporters praise his bold approach to issues like the economy, trade, and foreign relations, while critics highlight controversies and challenges that define his administration, his shocking and unpredictable moves, and his chequered past.
Trump is bringing big changes to the States, and sparking debates all around the world. But the question remains, how will history remember him?
We asked our Euro Weekly News readers if they think Trump will be remembered as a good president.
Bernard Nathan expressed strong support for Trump, stating, “Trump derangement syndrome is still alive and well, judging by the comments here. Absolutely pathetic. Trump has done more good for America in four days than Biden did in four years.”
China Li argued that Trump’s re-election is evidence enough, saying “If he wasn’t a good president the first time, I doubt the vast majority of the American public would have
voted for him.”
Johnny Wilson offered a contrasting view, stating, “He is not even a good human being.” Similarly, Jack Santo responded emphatically, “Absolutely not. Not in any way imaginable.”
Valeria Olivares Piñeiro expressed concern, predicting that Trump’s presidency could have far-reaching consequences: “ He is going to cause a lot of serious problems. For the US, but even more for the rest of the world.”
Garry Turner offered a different perspective, pointing out that Trump’s legacy depends on who is judging it: “The question should be, for whom?”
While some commenters remain cautiously optimistic, others voiced their skepticism. Steve Holt said, “Yes, he’s off to a good start,” whereas Angela Edgley said “It’s early days yet. Americans have a different mind-set when it comes to who they vote for. (They don’t mind crooks being President).”
It’s clear that opinions about Trump remain deeply divided - you either love him or you hate him. Whether he is remembered as a transformative leader, a controversial figure, or both will likely depend on the lens through which history views his presidency. As Deb Horses said, “Only time will tell. In any case, he’s shaking things up more than expected; no doubt about that.”
FRANCE DENMARK
Speak up
A COMMITTEE with members drawn from local authorities, universities, businesses and associations, will study how to improve teaching foreign languages throughout Danish schools. This will include more lessons combined with professional development for language teachers and closer links to businesses.
Data leak
A HEALTHCARE centre attending to 130,000 patients revealed that ‘sensitive information’ stolen during a December 2024 cyberattack has since been leaked. Police in South Jutland warned that the leaked details were not necessarily dangerous but could be used as background information for a scam.
EURO PRESS
FINLAND
Spring letdown
EACH spring, residents and tourists flock to the Roihuvuori park in Helsinki to enjoy the cherry blossom but they are likely to be disappointed in 2025 as well as in future. City officials explained that a contractor had over-pruned 100 of the park’s 152 cherry trees, affecting their ability to blossom for up to four years.
Photo credit: CC/Nemo bis
Drink to that
AT the end of last year, once it was clear that Donald Trump would be the next US president, French cognac producers increased their shipments. Distributors across the Atlantic also began stocking up as both expect Trump to reduce the country’s trade gap by imposing a 10 per cent tariff on foreign goods.
Film show
CINEMAS throughout the world emptied during and after the pandemic and many are still battling to survive, although the National Cinema Centre (CNC) singled out France as an exception. Last year saw a million more cinemagoers than in 2023, the CNC said, and revenues had returned to 2019 levels.
PORTUGAL BELGIUM
Side hustle
POLICE searched properties belonging to Miguel Arruda, an MP who represents the populist CHEGA party in the national parliament. Although he has not been arrested, Arruda is accused of stealing luggage from airport carousels in Lisbon and Ponta Delgada (Azores) ‘for several months’ police sources said.
Good results
THE Algarve wine industry produced 1.98 million litres of wine in 2024, the sector’s best result in 15 years and 20 per cent more than in 2023, the Algarve Wine Commission (CVA) announced. This surpassed original estimates, the CVA president said, which had forecast an increase of between 8 and 10 per cent.
ITALY
School attack
A TEACHER at a Seregno high school was admitted to A and E with blood running down her face after a pupil slapped and punched her when they were alone in a classroom. The attack, which left the woman unable to work for some time, coincided with a wave of student violence against teaching staff.
Alien invasion
THE government will spend €10 million over the next two years on eradicating non-native blue crabs from the Po delta where they are decimating clam fisheries. Measures include catching and disposing of around 2,600 tons of the alien crabs in the Upper Adriatic affecting the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna areas.
IRELAND
Blame game
A GARDA whose nose was broken by a colleague during a night out will receive €8,000 in damages. Initially Denis Lordan demanded €60,000 from Ronan O’Shaughnessy but was awarded €13,000 which Judge Michael Walsh cut to €8,000 on appeal, ruling that Lordan was 40 per cent responsible for the incident.
Sea rescue
CREWS from RNLI lifeboat branches in Howth and Skerries, called out to assist a fishing boat that ran onto rocks off the North Dublin coast, were able to rescue one person and save the vessel from sinking. Nearby fishing boats tried to help but could not approach the rocks where the boat had run aground.
GERMANY
Lesser peril
THE Global Polio Eradication Initiative said that by mid-January, 11 poliovirus samples had been collected in Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Sachsen and Bayer. In all these instances the virus, unlike the dangerous ‘wild’ poliovirus, had originated in the oral polio vaccine that contains live, but weakened, polioviruses.
In safe hands
WHEN Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Odessa was a prime target and by July 2023 its Art Museum had been hit by a rocket, although by then all the paintings were in store. As the storage conditions were not ideal, all the artworks have been transferred to Berlin where many will be on show until June 22.
Jammed up
MOTORWAYS in northern Belgium suffered a record 159 kilometres of traffic jams on working days last year, the Flemish Traffic Centre revealed. This was the highest level of tailbacks ever recorded, and significantly higher than an average of 147 kilometres in 2023 and 142 kilometres in pre-pandemic 2019.
Armed drones
A DEFENCE select committee approved a proposal to arm the Belgian army’s drones. One of the MPs behind the resolution said military adversaries already used drones to target innocent civilians, and pointed out that as well as defending the nation, it was vital to fully exploit ‘the full potential of technology’.
NETHERLANDS
Unwanted guests
WATER boards trapped 65,811 muskrats last year, 29 per cent up on 2023, plus 862 nutrias whose numbers increased by 13 per cent. Neither are native to the Netherlands and cause flooding by tunnelling through dykes and river defences while threatening wildlife by eating the vegetation they depend on.
Back to school
THE government will promote the ‘often underestimated’ teaching profession with radio and online commercials as well as video displays in public places. The campaign, giving details of a €6,200 month salary, is aimed at attracting professionals in other jobs as well as students, the Education minister said.
SWEDEN
Indirect route
NATIONAL security adviser Henrik Landerholm routinely put travel costs incurred when visiting his girlfriend in Berlin on his official expense account, the Aftonbladet newspaper reported. Landeholm said he often left or returned via Berlin on business trips without realising that this was not covered.
Turn-off
MICHAEL LOHSCHELLER chief executive of rival electric carmaker Polestar said that Elon Musk’s ‘pure arrogance’ and his increasingly vocal presence in politics was putting off many potential Tesla buyers. “We get a lot of people saying that they don’t like all this,” Lohscheller told a Bloomberg interviewer.
NORWAY
Animal welfare
ANIMAL rights activists hailed Norway’s sovereign wealth fund for asking the 8,800 companies in which it invests to respect animal welfare. This entails acknowledging the World Organisation for Animal Health code whose recommendations include sparing animals ‘hunger, thirst, fear, distress, pain and injury’.
Red-blooded
NORWAY’S Environment Agency called for a ‘drastic’ reduction in red meat consumption owing to the greenhouse gases involved in its production. If each person ate no more than 350 grammes each week, this would cut Norway’s carbon dioxide emissions by an annual 2.3 million tons, the agency said.
ROIHUVUORI PARK: Famed for its cherry blossom each spring.
FINANCE
BUSINESS EXTRA
Kier buyback
INFRASTRUCTURE services company Kier Group announced a £20 million (€23.5 million) share buyback, saying that it had continued to ‘trade well’ over the past six months. The group had an £11 billion (€13 billion) order book by December 31, up 2 per cent from £10.8 billion (€12.8 billion) on June 30.
Bond success
SPAIN launched a €15 billion 10-year bond placement in its first syndicated issue of 2025 on January 22, with demand in excess of €110 billion. The BBVA, Credit Agricole, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and Santander banks were chosen for placing the bond, which will mature on April 30, 2035.
Bag sales flag
CHARLES ANDERSON steps down as Mulberry’s finance chief on January 31. His departure comes two months after the luxury handbag label said it would halt faltering turnover and increased losses after UK sales fell 14 per cent to £31.3 million (€37 million) in the six months ending September 28.
No takers
NO bids were received for a €460-million contract that was put out to tender by Spain’s ‘bad bank’ Sareb to build 3,770 low-rental properties. Sareb, in which the government holds a 51 per cent stake, also offered to provide 50 plots of land as well as the concession to charge rents below the market price for 80 years.
KPMG probe
THE Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said on January 20 that it would examine KPMG’s work on the 2022 accounts carried out for Entain, which owns Ladbroke’s and Coral. Entain declined to comment on the KPMG probe but its shares fell by almost 2 per cent amid uncertainly regarding the FRC’s investigation.
STAT OF WEEK
€30 billion
We’re not going
SANTANDER’S chairwoman Ana Botin declared that the Spanish bank had no intentions of leaving the UK.
“We love the UK. It’s a co-market and will remain a co-market for Santander. Full stop,” Botin said during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Scotching rumours that the bank was planning an exit owing to the UK’s excessive red tape, she commented on the advantages of post-Brexit Britain.
“The UK does not have to agree with 27 countries now,” she pointed out.
Santander, which has 14 million customers in the UK and employs 20,000
people at 400 branches, has been present in the UK since 2004 when it acquired Abbey National.
Its chairwoman admitted that regulation was a source of frustration but said that this did not apply solely to the UK.
“Let’s take a pause on regulation because that is constraining growth, big time,” she said, warning that Europe risked becoming ‘a museum’ despite generating so much innovation and so many startups.
“The issue is that they start here and then they go to the US. I think Europe has a huge opportunity to lead,” Botin said.
Meanwhile, Chance-
will have been made in profits by Spain’s Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank, Unicaja, Bankinter and Sabadell banks in 2024, according to financial analysts, Jefferies.
llor Rachel Reeves has attempted to intervene in a Supreme Court case in hopes of reducing the £30 billion (€35.5 billion) compensation payments faced by UK banks due to the car finance mis-selling scandal.
Santander has set aside £295 million (€349 million) to cover future payouts resulting from the November 2024 ruling ‘to cover operational and legal costs and potential awards’ it announced at the time.
Sabadell turnaround
THE BBVA bank’s Banco Sabadell takeover bid, which turned hostile in May 2024, now looks less appealing to wavering Sabadell shareholders. Shares in the Catalan bank have risen 1.76 per cent to €2.24, meaning that they are worth more than the BBVA offer of €0.29 from the October dividend and a BBVA share for every 5.0196 Sabadell shares. The original BBVA bid offered a 17 per cent premium to Sabadell shareholders, although this was well below the 30
Not popular
DOUG GURR has been named interim chairman of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.
Amazon’s former Country Manager in the UK and president of Amazon China replaced Marcus Bokkerink who, according to the Financial Times, was forced out as the government felt the regulator was ‘insufficiently focused on economic growth’.
Gurr’s appointment, which will involve investigating technology companies, was greeted by unions as a ‘slap in the face to workers’.
Blackstone to sell HIB
PRIVATE equity fund Blackstone is said to be preparing the sale of Hotel Investment Partners (HIP), valued at €6.5 billion.
Unidentified market sources that were quoted by Cinco Dias, reported that Blackstone intends either to divest in 2025 via the sale of its 65 per cent stake in HIB or by launching an initial public offering. Should Blackstone choose the second option, this would be one of the biggest listings in recent years.
Blackstone bought HIP from Banco Sabadell for almost €631 million in 2017, acquiring the Hispania chain for almost €2 billion in 2018. The business currently owns 73 hotels with 22,000 rooms in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.
THE Telefonica board terminated chief executive Jose Maria Alvarez-Pallete’s contract on January 18.
Sources said that the government had asked Alvarez-Pallete to leave on January 17, and he resigned the next day.
Marc Murtra, chairman of the defence and IT company, Indra Sistemas, which is 26 per cent publicly owned, has now taken his place.
The decision was apparently influenced by the government’s opinion that Alvarez-Pallete ‘lacked ambition’ for Telefonica’s industrial strategy and had failed to focus sufficiently on technological innovation, the same sources maintained.
ASDA must carry out an £800 million (€946.2 million) upgrade to its IT structure by February or face a multimillion fine.
per cent that BBVA had initially intended before the news filtered through to the stock market.
At that time, analysts were undecided as to whether the proposed BBVA takeover was on course for success or, on the contrary, that it would fail.
Instead, there is now a shortfall of around one cent and approximately 0.2 per cent for Sabadell shareholders who would lose money if the deal were to go through at present.
Not too worried
ALTHOUGH new US president Donald Trump prefers fossil fuels to renewable energy, the majority of financial experts have recommended holding onto Iberdrola shares.
Nevertheless, the Spanish energy company’s plans include investing €25.5 billion in renewables between 2024 and 2026, and the US will account for 25 per cent of the total.
Speaking to the CNBC news channel at the World Economic Conference in Davos on January 22, Iberdrola chairman Ignacio Galan said the company had increased its US presence and investments under previous governments.
These included the first Trump administration, stated Galan, adding that he was ‘optimistic’ regarding the future.
The supermarket chain is hurriedly trying to unravel technology it inherited from former majority owner Walmart and move to a new version. Failure will incur a penalty charge for using the Walmart system, with these charges rising quickly to ‘millions of pounds’.
Staff quoted by the Telegraph doubted that the upgrade would be ready on time.
“IT and Asda don’t mix,” one employee said.
DESPITE Bloomberg reports that Rio Tinto and Glencore were in early-stage merger talks, Reuters later said that negotiations “were no longer active.”
British-Australian Rio Tinto and Glencore, registered in Jersey, are the world’s largest copper miners and according to analysts quoted by Reuters, Rio might be interested in Glencore’s copper assets but not its coal.
Meanwhle, insiders said that Rio would have to pay ‘a significant premium’ if it were interested in Glencore, whose shares currently trade at £3.50 (€4.14).
Photo credit: CC/Kippelboy
BANCO SABADELL: Shares now worth more than BBVA offer.
ANA BOTIN: No plans to leave UK, Santander chairwoman insisted.
3I Group 3.766,00 3.809,59 3.753,00 58,67K Admiral Group 2.662,0 2.663,0 2.641,0 13,61K Airtel Africa 129,70 130,80 126,10 545,82K Anglo American 2.385,5 2.428,0 2.384,5 402,54K Antofagasta 1.697,64 1.720,00 1.696,50 59,13K Ashtead Group 5.268,0 5.324,0 5.254,0 63,31K Associated British Foods 1.901,5 1.905,0 1.878,0 55,37K
11.098,0 11.118,0 11.052,0 56,27K Auto Trader Group Plc 766,20 771,60 764,00 74,51K Aviva 507,00 507,40 503,40 215,69K
B&M European Value Retail SA 319,00 319,00 315,40 58,56K BAE Systems 1.222,00 1.235,50 1.217,43 224,26K
British American Tobacco 3.127,0 3.141,0 3.089,0 937,13K BT Group 140,70 141,05 139,20 1,32M
3.376,0 3.376,0 3.362,0 15,42K
134,80 135,15 134,45 248,39K
15,93K
2.670,00 2.694,98 2.667,00 135,7K
Group 245,60 248,40 241,40 293,09K
5.405,0 5.428,3 5.385,0 3,67K
2.493,0 2.496,0
656,50 673,37 656,50 73,41K
BUSINESS EXTRA
Streets ahead
MERCADONA’S market share rose by two percentage points to 29.5 per cent by the end of 2024 despite closing 18 stores last year. The supermarket chain’s closest rival Carrefour, had a 7. 4 per cent market share which fell by one percentage point.
Best payers
ALDI, which employs 45,000 people in the UK and is the country’s best-paying supermarket, is increasing its basic hourly rate from £12.40 (€14.67) to £12.71 (€15.04). London employees with higher overheads will receive £14 (€16.56), up from £13.65 (€16.15).
Cruises and wind power
BELFAST HARBOUR has unveiled an ambitious, £313 million (€370.5 million) investment programme for the next five years.
That includes spending £90 million (€106.5 million) on a deepwater quay for the largest cruise ships and the vessels used by offshore wind turbine companies.
“We will enhance our reputation as a leading port for cruise tourism while promoting our expertise as the island’s only port with offshore wind facilities,” Dr
Small goes big
STELLANTIS announced on January 22 that its Zaragoza and Vigo plants will produce STLA Small electric vehicles (EVs).
The choice of the Spanish factories has now been confirmed following a delay of several months owing to discussions with the Italian government.
Jobs in Zaragoza and Vigo are assured for the next 10 years as the installations
prepare to produce Segment B vehicles for Stellantis, which own 14 brands including Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Opel.
These vehicles are smaller than Stellantis’s compact models due to be built at Italy’s Pomigliano plant, which will also produce the STLA Small.
Taking into account the gigafactory in Zaragoza, Stellantis is making a total investment of approximately €5 billion.
Theresa Donaldson, chair of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, said.
Nor would this be the first time that Belfast has accommodated wind power companies as Dong Energy (later Orsted) used the port between 2013 and 2018 as its base for installing wind farms in the Irish sea.
Once these had been built, the quay was used by cruise ships.
Belfast Harbour’s chief executive, Joe O’Neill, said plans for 30 offshore windfarms within 200 kilometres of Belfast were a ‘superb opportunity’ for the port.
The first stage of the deepwater quay supporting cruise tourism should be completed between 2027 and 2028. Stage two, due by 2030, would strengthen the deepwater quay’s infrastructure, O’Neill explained, enabling the port to take a leading role in assembling and installing the next generation of offshore wind turbines.
On condition
ECOFIN, Europe’s Economy and Finance ministers, gave the go-ahead to Spain’s modifications to its Recovery and Resilience plan that will give access to of €25 billion from EU funds. Ecofin also reminded the Spanish government that fiscal reform was the main condition for receiving this fifth payout and had to include an increase in the tax on diesel.
Clear waters
LAWRENCE GOSDEN, chief executive of Southern Water, told a parliamentary committee that 15 years of low bills were responsible for Britain’s spate of sewage spills and cuts in the domestic supply. Regulator Ofwat has now allowed the company to spread a 53 per cent increase in charges to customers over the next five years.
BELFAST HARBOUR: Joe O’Neill and Dr Theresa Donaldson unveil future plans
Photo credit: Belfast-harbour.co.uk
What a gig that was!
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT
IT’S seldom a surprise when I come across references, or internet observations which are relevant to my incarceration of many years ago. Even though it’s more than 50 years since the event, I also will never forget the whole unsavoury experience.
My biggest mistake was accepting the biased and detrimental legal advice of my one-time close celebrity friend Diana Dors and her star struck lawyers, apropos my trip to the local pub with her knife-carrying insalubrious husband Alan Lake.
To protect Lake and in order to avoid a lengthy press covered trial, they had persuaded me to forego my plea of self-defence and plead guilty to an act of criminality I didn’t actually commit. Convinced by everyone that with my totally clean record the Judge would show leniency for a first offence, I duly arrived at court bearing a shopping list of items to be purchased on the way home!
At the time I was riding high. I had
sold three and a half million copies of my hit song ‘Little Arrows’ and, after years of often dubious accommodation, had purchased a beautiful country house which I had moved into with my wife and two children. I was also preparing for a second tour of South Africa and Australia, where I had already achieved two number one hits. At long last, with my career buzzing and money in the bank, I had made it and things were really looking up.
On that fateful day, the whole caboodle came crashing down in less than one hour. With the fabrications of the prosecution witnesses and a judge who was undoubtedly not a Rock n Roll fan, the trial was a complete disaster. In utter shock, I heard myself sentenced to three years imprisonment for a pub brawl in which no one was seriously hurt.
With no experience of court rulings, as far as I was concerned, three years was a length of time that is impossible to envisage - it may have well have been an eternity. To separate the kaleidoscope of thoughts and emotions which careered around my spinning head as I succumbed to the
bowels of Reading Assizes was impossible. I had of course made no alternate arrangements and was utterly stunned by the length of my almost unbelievable sentence.
As the key turned in the lock of my tiny ‘holding cell’, one of a row of small cupboards linked by a single plank of wood on which to sit, I sank into both despair and worry; despair as to my inability to do anything about my situation and worry as to how my wife Mary and the children would cope with my inconceivably long absence from the family. I sat in that confined space for some five hours, until I was finally shipped (in handcuffs) to the now defunct Oxford prison.
As we alighted from the prison bus, wafting through the night air from the gloomy barely discernible barred windows and accompanied by the jangle of grating metal, came the rasping chorus of rough male voices and the unmistakably familiar refrain of ‘Little Arrows! What a gig that was - It’s in the book.
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.
Self-driving buses in Sweden?
Volvo’s pioneering self-driven buses will shape the future of transport - and save the environment, bosses hope.
VOLVO BUSES have partnered with Swedish public transport operators VL to trial an ‘innovative’ self-driving support system for bus drivers, and bosses are optimistic for the pioneering plans for the future of global transport.
VL and Svealandstrafiken VL will join forces with Volvo to create the revolutionary addition to a bus driver’s repertoire as part of the eBRT2030 project, to give sustainable and commercial autonomous
solutions to drivers - and cars on the roads.
Trials will be expected to get underway in spring in Vasteras, in Sweden, with the swanky new Volvo 7900 electric bus being tested in real-world environments to see how it fares.
In an interview, Volvo Buses lead project manager Joakim Jonsson said: “We hope to be able to minimise the monotonous tasks that drivers have to carry out, which will improve their wor -
king environment. The new technology can also help to reduce wear and damage to the buses, make travelling more comfortable for passengers, and increase road safety.”
The technology has been created with the intention to relieve driver stress, bolster passenger safety, as well as comfort, and reduce any negative impacts on the environment. It utilises the tech to navigate buses in and out of bus stops seamlessly.
New EU airline rules
PASSENGERS in France could soon see clearer rights and more robust protections under updated EU regulations. The new rules aim to address common travel headaches such as delays, cancellations, and rerouted flights.
The proposed changes redefine ‘cancelled flights’, now including flights departing more than an hour earlier, returning to the departure airport, or landing in a completely different city. Compensation will be mandatory for these situations, along with delays of three hours or more. Airlines must also improve communication, clearly outlining passengers’ rights and providing straightforward options for refunds, new tickets, or rerouting. Additionally, travellers forced to book pricier replacement flights due to cancellations could claim reimbursement from the airline.
The rules stop short of addressing disruptions caused by airline staff strikes, leaving this a grey area. However, the overall measures are intended to provide more transparency and fairness for passengers.
Poland, currently presiding over the EU Council, aims to finalise these regulations by mid-2025. French travellers can look forward to a smoother, less stressful experience, with the potential for these changes to take effect as early as next summer.
INTERVIEW
Speaking EuropeanChelsea Campbell- Ireland
I spoke with the Irish darts player Chelsea Campbell to find out about her future career plans and how she arrived in Spain.
“I’M originally from Cork and I came over on holiday with my partner nine years ago, we were here for two weeks, I was lau ghing and joking saying imagine working in Spain. I went up to a bar and asked about a job, they said… no problem, come back in five months time. It was amazing how it all just fell into place. We said we’d do a year and eight years later we’re still here.”
And now Chelsea has left working in bars to work on her darts career.
“I play locally… but I am now with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
“I started before Covid, they were
short on numbers at the Lucky Lion. I started playing better and better players. I was negative at first… I had to get in the right mindset.”
The future looks bright for Chelsea, she says she’ll be travelling every month to the UK and the Netherlands to play in the PDC women’s series, “and I have an opportunity to play on TV, my darts games can be followed on Darts Connect. I’ve just gained three sponsors for this series.”
What is she most proud? “I got to play pairs with one of the biggest darts stars, Fallon Sherrock, the first female to beat a man on the PDC stage.”
A darts champion in the making.
Photo Credit: Chelsea Campbell
Promising smoother travel.
Credit : Shutterstock, ZinaidaSopina
Credit:
LowyatNET, Twitter.
The city of dreams, droughts, and disaster: A love letter to LA
LUCCA
PRESIDENT: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CLUB
I SPENT much of my adult life in the megacity where you either need to be rich, famous, or stunningly beautiful. And guess what? I was none of those, so 20 years ago, I packed up and left. But here’s the thing - no matter how much I wouldn’t choose to live in LA anymore, I can’t deny that this city is a place where dreams come true, but only if you work hard enough and have the stamina to survive the rollercoaster ride that is life in the heart of California.
California is home to the fifth-largest economy in the world. As of 2024, California’s Gross State Product (GSP) stands at $4.1 trillion, placing it ahead of entire countries like India and the United Kingdom. Only the US, China, Germany, and Japan are bigger players. This powerhouse economy thrives thanks to diverse industries - from tech in Silicon Valley to Hollywood, agriculture, and manufacturing. If you’ve ever marvelled at California’s influence, you’re looking at an economic machine.
But here’s the paradox of LA: despite its success, there are always those who seem determined to tear it down - even its own people. Conspiracy theories about the fires that ravage the area pop up constantly, with theorists eagerly amplifying the controversy.
But LA? Oh, LA. It’s a place like no other. If it had a middle name, it would be Diversity. It catapults aspiring artists to stardom while sheltering humble souls just trying to scrape by and send money home. It’s gorgeous, it’s horrendous, it’s convenient, and it’s chaotic. In a thou-
sand ways, it’s where love and hate got married.
And then there’s the traffic. Long weekends? Ha! More like a massive parking lot. But let’s be real: LA is like life itself - it offers both the finest and the vilest things, often at the same time. It all depends on where you’re standing and how you walk. From Sunset Boulevard in the west to the east, you’ll witness the dramatic contrasts between wealth and poverty.
As I reflect on the devastation caused by the Palisades-Eaton fire, my heart goes out to the people of LA. The destruction is so extensive that it’s hard to grasp. For perspective, imagine the size of Sevilla.
Many students often ask why, in such a wealthy area, a fire can’t be contained despite having access to the best resources. Here’s what I say: LA isn’t the flat, uniform city we see in the media. The topography is a maze of hills, winding roads, inaccessible terrain, dry patches, and vast expanses of land, all impacted by drought and unpredictable development.
Despite the chatter about conspiracy theories, the reality is simpler - and far more terrifying. The LA area has been slammed by extreme weather, including one of the worst droughts in years, combined with powerful Santa Ana winds and an unforgiving, rugged landscape. The result? A deadly furnace, where all these factors collide to create a catastrophic wildfire disaster that no one could have predicted.
As I look back on my time in LA, I’m reminded of its contradictions: the brilliance, the beauty, the chaos, and the reality. Healing will take time, but it will come. Meanwhile, the thriving heart of Angelinos will never be extinguished.
Passion, pineapples, pickpockets
THE other day I was in Mercadona buying some fruit when I saw an attractive woman, hovering near a pile of pineapples and openly flirting with an unsuspecting victim, wait for the perfect moment, relieve him of his wallet and try to scarper. But before I could call a security guard she’d legged it.
Maybe puts a spin on looking for love while shopping? In Spain, an upside-down pineapple in your trolley signals passion, perishables suggest a fling and tinned goods mean commitment. Maybe puts a spin, too, on that ‘middle of Lidl’ quirk: when shoppers come out with something they hadn’t gone in for. (Pals once came out with kilts and chainsaws. Only went in for milk.) But unlike at Mercadona also come out WITH their wallets!
All this happened on Tuesday 14. I first thought it must have been Tuesday 13 - Spain’s unlucky day! (Apologies for sounding so grumpy but NO country’s safe from professional thieves.)
But all’s not lost! Not only has my latest thriller, ‘The Girl across the Lake’, just been published in paperback, but will shortly join the previous one, ‘The Couple across the Street’, as an audiobook on Audible, narrated by my good friend, the actor Rayner Bourton (the original ‘Rocky’ in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’)... Happy listening!
Nora Johnson’s 13 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers (www.nora-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.
Nora’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
The waste not, want not app
EVERY year, EU countries produce over 59.2 million tonnes of food waste, which corresponds to 132 kg per inhabitant.
The numbers are even more dramatic if we consider that over 37 million people can’t afford a quality meal every second day. At a global level, one-third of all food produced for human consumption ends up as rubbish. The majority of food waste is produced in households, in restaurants and catering, and in retail.
Behind this amount of food waste are hidden economic and environmental impacts. Data estimates that for food waste produced yearly in Europe, there’s an associated market value of €132 billion. Furthermore, food waste has consequences in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, use of cropland, freshwater resources, and fertilisers for food production.
There is however an app that revolutionises how we think about food. The Too Good To Go app connects businesses that have unsold, surplus food with consumers eager to save both money and the environment. The simple, yet powerful system allows restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, and other food vendors to list their surplus food at the end of the day on the app.
Consumers can then browse these
offerings and purchase a ‘magic bag’ with a surprise selection of food at a significantly reduced price that would otherwise have gone in the bin. Not only does this help businesses recover costs by reducing waste disposal fees, but it also offers people access to delicious, affordable meals.
Since its launch, the app has grown into a global movement, operating in numerous countries and saving millions of meals from landfills. By turning food waste into an opportunity, Too Good To Go is fostering a culture of sustainability and encouraging individuals and businesses alike to play their part in reducing waste while benefiting your wallet, your business, and the environment.
Movaldi’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
MOVALDI
MARBELLA
NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.
NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS
Dealing with food waste.
• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers
Costa del Sol
Robbie Williams cruise
BRITISH singer Robbie Williams will be in Malaga in April to give a concert as part of the official blessing of a new cruise ship in Malaga port. There will be just 2,000 tickets on sale to the general public.
The new ship, ‘Mein Schiff Relax’, is part of the inTUItion class of the TUI Cruises company. On the same day, two other ships from the same operator will also be docked at the port, the ‘Mein Schiff 5’ and the ‘Mein Schiff 7’, whose passengers will also be able to enjoy the concert and the ceremonial smashing of a bottle of Champagne.
TUI Cruises have prepared the exclusive Robbie Williams event originally with a mind to entertain their passengers, staff and crew but are now offering 2,000 tickets to the public as well. The tickets will go on sale soon, and links to the online box office will be posted on the Port of Malaga website.
The official blessing ceremony and Robbie Williams concert will take place at Malaga port on April 9.
Costa Blanca South Global growth
TONI PÉREZ, the president of the Alicante Provincial Council, is working on improving Costa Blanca’s connections with new markets, including Poland, Austria, and Moldova, while also strengthening relationships with North America, especially the US and Canada. He remains focused on key markets like the UK, Italy, and Finland, which bring in the most travellers.
Pérez is in discussions with airlines like Ryanair, Jet2, SkyUp, Fly Play, and easyJet. Ryanair, which has seen an 18 per cent increase in passengers this winter, will introduce new routes to Poland and Austria and will base two more planes at the airport. SkyUp will start a new route from Moldova with two weekly flights and continue serving Ukraine.
Jet2 and Jet2 Holidays are expanding their services with more UK routes. Fly Play, an Icelandic airline, is planning to increase flights between Reykjavik and Alicante from two weekly to daily during the summer.
Mallorca
The Big Apple
MALLORCA and United Airlines have announced an extension of their non-stop flight service between Palma and New York for summer 2025.
The new schedule will increase seat availability by over 50 per cent compared to the previous summer, and flights will now operate until October 24, a month longer than in 2024.
Additionally, flight frequency will rise from three to four times a week. To accommodate the increase, United Airlines will upgrade the aircraft from the Boeing 767-300 to the larger Boeing 767-400.
Antonio de Toro, sales manager at United Airlines, expressed excitement about the expanded route, emphasising its significance as the only direct flight between Mallorca and the United States. Since launching the route in 2022, United has increased its global seat offer by more than 75 per cent.
This expansion provides Mallorca residents with more travel options to New York City.
Costa Blanca North
An international explosion
ALICANTE stands out as one of Spain’s most demographically intriguing provinces, showcasing a unique blend of small towns and bustling cities. It is notable not only for its population diversity but also for the remarkable growth it experiences each year. With an increasingly international presence, Alicante boasts the highest percentage of foreign residents in the country, encompassing over 180 nationalities.
According to Datadicto, as of 2024, Alicante had in excess of 1,950,000 residents, with more than a quarter of the population being foreigners.
These changes are particularly noticeable in Costa Blanca North, where three towns stand out as being ‘conquered’ by foreign populations. As of 2022, Benitachell’s foreign population was an astonishing 61.4 per cent of the town’s total. Teulada had a foreign population making up 54.5 per cent of the total residents. L’Alfas del Pi followed a similar trend with 51.3 per cent.
Almeria Europe loves Almeria
THE tourism markets of Iceland, Poland, and Slovakia are doubling down on their support for Costa de Almeria as a top travel destination. Fernando Giménez, Almeria’s Vice President of Tourism, shared this exciting update after a series of meetings with tour operators, airlines, and travel platforms at FITUR, one of the world’s largest tourism fairs.
This year, Hungary has also joined the list of countries connected to Almeria through charter flights. These flights are expected to bring in high-spending tourists, with most staying for seven to 10 nights. The region is especially attractive to travellers looking to escape crowded destinations and enjoy outdoor activities like golf, hiking, and cycling.
Giménez highlighted the steady growth of flights from the UK, Belgium, and Luxembourg, with new routes being added to meet demand. He stressed the importance of maintaining these connections while expanding charter flights from Iceland, Poland, and Slovakia.
Costa
Calida King
backs Cartagena
AT the opening of FITUR 2025, King Felipe VI took a keen interest in Cartagena’s new tourism project, ‘Cartagena, City of Submarines’. During a warm greeting with Cartagena’s mayor, Noelia Arroyo, and regional president Fernando López Miras, the King was clearly fascinated by the city’s plans to highlight its deep-rooted naval history.
The project celebrates Cartagena’s connection to submarines, from the birthplace of Isaac Peral, the submarine inventor, to the city’s role as home to Spain’s submarine base and cutting-edge naval shipyards. “We want to turn this history into a unique tourism experience,” said Mayor Arroyo, mentioning plans to display real submarines and open Peral’s childhood home as a museum.
The plan also seeks to position Cartagena as a key player in Mediterranean heritage, aiming for UNESCO World Heritage status. Mayor Arroyo also discussed potential international alliances, including Mexico’s Marías Islands.
PETS
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.
Lupa relaxes at home with her dog-sitter
LUPA loves to hide in plain sight, usually among the blankets on the sofa. And of course, dog-sitters always remark that she seems to like this one spot. It’s comfortable and she can relax at home. Lupa’s owner Gillian tells the sitters that it’s her sofa, she rests there. She likes having dog-sitters at home, each sitter plays a new version of hide and seek, but Lupa always hides here.
HouseSitMatch saves you money - pet-sitting is free for pet owners and accommodation is free for sitters
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turbed. Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care and peace of mind for you and your pets.
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Walkies month
JANUARY is officially recognised as Walk Your Pet Month, making it the perfect time to prioritise your furry friend’s health and happiness. After the busy holiday season, this month offers an opportunity to establish a fresh routine that benefits both you and your pet. Daily walks are essential for your pet’s physical and mental well-being. For dogs, regular walks help maintain a healthy weight, reduce anxiety, and provide essential mental stimulation. Even cats, with proper training, can enjoy the outdoors on a leash, offering them a chance to explore and stay active.
Walking your pet also benefits you as the owner. It’s a simple way to stay active, improve your mood, and strengthen the bond with your animal companion. January’s cooler temperatures are ideal for enjoyable
outings, but be mindful of safety - use reflective gear in low-light conditions and protect your pet’s paws from
Celebrate Walk Your Pet Month by stepping outside, staying active, and enjoying quality time with your pet. Both you and your companion will reap
training.
Even cats can enjoy the outdoors with proper
ANDALUCIA WALKING FOOTBALL LEAGUE Cup Action
AWFL /MAIO Over 50s Cup
AC Benahavis 2 v 5 Canadon Old Boys
From the start, Benahavis took the game to the visitors and soon struck the bar with a Rossi shot from distance. However, this was short-lived and it was Canadon who took the lead with two goals from Ordiz. Benahavis keeper Jurewicz made some fine saves to restrict the scoreline but Ruben added a third for Canadon from the penalty spot just before half time. After the break, the hosts threatened to hit back with Rossi and Kris Chajecki both hitting the post but Sebastian scored a fourth for the visitors to make it 0-4. Nevertheless, Benahavis fought on with Captain Shane McAllistair hitting the bar, and then James Quinn pulled one back for the hosts, only for Ruben to score his second from a free kick. It was left to Rossi to score a final consolation goal for Benahavis, with the spoils going to the visitors.
One for the Ladies!
The huge benefits of Walking Football, both health and social, have been described and promoted by this column and other media agencies for a long time. These benefits are available to ALL players, not just the boys! With the upsurge
in interest in women’s football over the past few years, paticularly highlighted by the popularity of the Woman’s World Cup and the formation of professional leagues in many countries, including the Women’s Premiere League in England and La Liga Feminina in Spain, it is hardly surprising that football is no longer regarded as purely a sport for men!
The same is true of Walking Football! Several Walking Football teams along the Costa feature female footballers who play alongside their male team mates. Not only this, but already, a handful of exclusively ladies’ teams/clubs exist along our coast and the rest of Spain, though not enough in local numbers to be able to form their own league yet. With this in mind, we turn our attention to Estepona.
Welcome to Estepona Ladies Walking Football Club! They are a new group, playing at Deportivo Municipal Santo Tomas de Aquino in Estepona on Tuesday evenings from 18.00 till 19.00 each week. Ladies of all ages and abilities are welcome. Please contact Carey on 722 215 283.
Tennis champions
THE INTERNATIONAL TENNIS FEDERATION has named Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek its World Champions for 2024, following a year that’s been nothing short of extraordinary. Both players delivered stellar performances, with Swiatek shining on the women’s side and Sinner making history for Italian tennis.
Iga Swiatek clinched the women’s singles award after a phenomenal season. Among her accomplishments: a French Open title, four WTA 1000 crowns, and an Olympic bronze medal. She also helped Poland reach the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals.
Swiatek’s consistent excellence, coupled with her ability to perform on the biggest stages, earned her the honour over Aryna Sabalenka, who captured the Aus-
tralian and US Open titles. Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner became the first Italian player ever to claim the ITF World Champion title. His 2024 season saw him finish at No.1 in the rankings, amassing an impressive 73-6 record. Sinner’s highlights include victories at the Australian and US Opens, as well as the ATP Finals, and he played a key role in Italy’s Davis Cup defence.
The ITF emphasised that these awards are based on ‘objective criteria’, with a focus on performances at Grand Slams, team events, and the Olympics. The decision recognises the remarkable achievements of both players, cementing their place among the sport’s elite and setting the stage for another thrilling season ahead.
Messi wants Barcelona
FOOTBALL legend Lionel Messi has dropped the ultimate bombshell for fans of the beautiful game - he’s got his eyes set on a sensational return to Barcelona! After lighting up Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami, the Argentine maestro has reportedly told a family friend that the Catalan club, where he cemented his legacy, is calling him home.
Whispers of a return to Barcelona refuse to die down. Family friend Yanina Latorre fanned the flames, telling La Nacion: “He [Messi] told me that when he finishes here [in Miami], where he is happy, he will return to Barcelona.”
When pressed on the possibility of staying longer in Miami, Messi reportedly shut it down, saying: “No, my place is there.”
For Messi, Barcelona is more than a club - it’s home. Forced to leave in 2021 after financial turmoil rocked the Camp Nou, Messi’s departure for Paris Saint-Germain broke hearts across Catalonia. But a return - in any capacity - would bring his legendary
story full circle.
While a playing comeback could be complicated by Barca’s ongoing money troubles, an ambassadorial role could see Messi back in Blaugrana colours, off the pitch if not on it.
With one last MLS campaign to go, Messi faces a crossroads. Will the lure of a hero’s return to Barcelona prove irresistible, or can Inter Miami persuade their talisman to
Pinturault’s crash shakes
Kitzbühel
SKIING fans held their breath as French star Alexis Pinturault suffered a harrowing crash during the Kitzbühel downhill race, right in front of his family. The accident left him clutching his knee in pain, and he was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
The fall occurred on a challenging section known as the compression, where Pinturault lost balance and slammed into the safety netting. Although he briefly stood up, he quickly sat back down, clearly injured. Medics responded immediately, flying him to St Johann hospital. His wife and daughter, Olympe, witnes-
sed the ordeal, making the event all the more distressing.
Other skiers also fell on the same stretch.
Austrian Lukas Feurstein, Italian Dominik Paris, and Frenchman Florian Loriot took tumbles there. Loriot’s crash was severe enough to require air evacuation as well.
Fellow French skier Nils Allègre remarked, “It’s a tricky spot. You have to distribute your wei-
ght perfectly or you go down. It wasn’t easy to manage.” With multiple incidents at that particular section, questions have been raised about the safety of the course. For now, the skiing world waits for updates. All thoughts are with Pinturault and Loriot as they begin their recovery. This incident is a sobering reminder of the risks these athletes face each time they hit the slopes.
Alexis Pinturault in action during the Men’s Giant Slalom event at the Audi FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup on the Gran Risa course, Alta Badia, Italy in 2015.
