Almeria demonstrates why it is Spain’s leading agri-food exporter at Fruit Logistica in Berlin
BETWEEN February 5 and 7, the city of Berlin will serve as a global hub for the fruit and vegetable industry. This marks the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Fruit Logistica, a German trade fair that provides an opportunity for professionals from across the globe to connect, collaborate, and grow their businesses within this crucial business sector.
The event is taking place at the Messe Berlin Exhibition and Congress Centre, and over 2,500 exhibitors from 86 countries are showcasing their products and innovations. Additionally, around 66,000 professional visitors from 145
different countries are in attendance, highlighting the global significance of this gathering.
Spain is playing an important role in this year’s event, with Almeria being represented by a delegation of over 400 individuals, from approximately 100 companies from Almeria. However, this is not surprising given its status as the national
leader in fruit and vegetable exports. In fact, recent data indicates that Almeria’s vegetable exports reached an impressive value of €3.365 billion between January and November of last year. This accounts for just over 18 per cent of Spain’s national total and positions Almeria above other important exporting regions, including Murcia, Valencia,
and Huelva.
The capital city of Almeria also has a prominent representation at the event, led by Mayor María del Mar Vázquez.
As the world’s premier showcase for agriculture, fruit, and vegetables continues, Almeria and its agri-food industry are again demonstrating the strength and vitality of the Almeria countryside on a global stage.
Costa de Almeria • Issue No. 2066 • 6 - 12 February 2025 FREE
GRATIS GRATIS
GRATIS
GRATUITO VRIJ
ILMAINEN
Fruit Logistica takes place in Berlin.
Albox almond invite
IN the north of the Province the almond blossoms have bloomed and an extraordinary landscape awaits those ready to explore.
February brings one of the most spectacular walking routes back to Albox and the Sierra de las Estancias: The Route of the Almond Trees in Blossom.
Sunday, February 9, walkers from all over the Almeria Province and neighbouring Granada and Murcia will gather to walk through the white and pink blooming landscape, at one of the most beautiful and fleeting times of the year.
The meeting point will be at the Santuario del Saliente, with a short visit to La Pequeñica, from there the group will travel by car to the walk’s starting point, at 9am the hike will begin.
Midmorning there will be a stop for breakfast, where walkers have the opportunity to try molar almonds and almond cakes. The spectacular vistas at this point take in over 4,000 hectares of almond trees.
Experience the oldest walking route in the area which passes through the highest concentration of trees and blossoms.
The walk is 12 kilometres long and considered of medium difficulty, but for those wanting to experience the short-lived moment when the Sierra is at its most vibrant it is worth the exertion.
A maximum of 100 people are able to register for the walk, and the registration period ends on Thursday February 6, visit www.somosalbojen ses.com to join.
A sip of gold
TWENTY years of work have culminated in the Bodega Sierra Almagrera winning the internationally recognised ‘Wines from Spain Awards 2025’. It is one of the highest national awards a wine or bodega can be granted and they won it for their bottle of Caballo Español Oro. The winery located at Burjulu, Cuevas del Almanzora is uniquely placed in an area that has not previously been well-established wine country. The director of the Bodega, Mónica García Bodini said: “We are at a point in Almeria where we do not even have a region identified as a wine producer. There is no one. We are the only winery that makes wine between Cuevas del Almanzora and An-
tas, where there is extreme weather.”
The owner of the winery describes setting the place up in this zone as “a very exciting adventure.” The award given by the ‘Wines from Spain Awards’ is from a collaborative project between ICEX Vinos de España and Mundus VINI GmbH, it is an international competition for wines from Spain directed in Germany.
Caballo Español Oro is made with grapes from Cuevas del Almanzora, Antas and Laujar of Andarax and is matured in the winery at Burjulu.
José Miguel García, owner of Bodega Sierra Almagara has said that the award “is a testament to the effort and passion we put into each bottle.”
Photo Credit: Bodega Sierra Almagrera
A local Bodega has won the Wines from Spain Awards 2025.
An extraordinary landscape awaits those ready to explore.
Photo Credit: Ayuntamiento de Albox
Beat rising costs with this food app
Fighting food waste, feeding communities
WE have all had that shock at the checkout recently - when the cashier adds up the bill for a basket of essentials for the family. It’s even more sickening when at night tonnes of surplus food gets thrown away because it is nearing its expiry date, but still perfectly good and healthy to eat.
It is even more heartbreaking when we discover the staggering reality of food waste, with an average of 132 kg of nutritious food discarded per person per year.
More than 37 million people in our communities in Europe can’t even enjoy a healthy
meal every other day. A shocking one-third of all food produced for human consumption is needlessly thrown away, with restaurants, catering services, and supermarkets the most guilty.
However, emerging from this challenge, there is hope.
The Too Good To Go app is a revolutionary platform that is changing our relationship with food. It connects businesses that have unsold, surplus food with families, single parents, pensioners and anyone looking for a way of beating the surge in living expenses we face every day. For a fraction of the
cost at the supermarket checkout, we can now have access to some of the best and healthiest
fare just ready for collection.
So, how does it work? Through this incre -
Spain’s ‘tourist ban’
HOLIDAY lovers are flustered over Spain’s so-called ‘tourist ban’ - a term coined by a section of the British press apparently intent on funnelling home tourists away from Spain back to the UK - but what’s the truth behind the headlines? Let’s cut through the noise and get to the facts about this supposed-
ly sun-blocking move in the UK’s second-favourite holiday destination.
There’s no ban on tourism in Spain and nothing the Spanish do is specifically aimed at Brits as far as can be seen. It’s true some new rules have popped up, and yes, the anti-tourism protests last year have left their mark on legislation. But sun-seekers can breathe easy, your Spanish holidays
are safe and nobody is persecuting Brits.
We can still book Airbnbs, hotels, and rental villas - this ban only stops new holiday rentals from entering the market. The catch? A few dodgy flats registered after February 22 might lose their licences, especially if they don’t have separate access from residential neighbours.
While some changes might feel like a hassle, Brits can still soak up the Spanish sun without too much worry. Just make sure you’re up to speed on the rules!
Spain isn’t closing its doors to tourists and it’s not targeting Brits - but it’s rolling out the welcome mat with a few more strings attached.
The focus seems to be shifting towards higher-value tourism, aiming to reduce overcrowding and improve quality of life for residents.
dibly innovative app, which is free to download , restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, and food vendors of all kinds can simply list their surplus food stock at the end of the day allowing shoppers like us to purchase a significantly better value ‘magic bag’ filled with a delightful surprise selection at a mere fraction of the usual cost - food that would otherwise be discarded because its sell-by date is nearing.
Since its creation, Too Good To Go has fast grown into a global movement, saving millions of perfectly good meals for those who need them most.
By embracing the app, people are not only helping local businesses reduce their waste and recover their costs, but they are also gaining access to so many great offers for delicious, affordable meals. Together, consumers are turning the tide on food waste, fostering a culture of sustainability and also spreading the word about this excellent way to beat rising costs. Join the movementmake a conscious choice that benefits your wallet, your community, and our planet. Let’s redefine how we think about food and inspire others to do the same!
Spain increases minimum wage
SPANISH workers earning the minimum wage are set to receive a €50 monthly boost following an agreement between the government and unions. This 4.4 per cent increase raises the minimum wage to €1,184 per month, paid over 14 instalments - a common practice in Spain that includes extra summer and Christmas payments. The change will benefit nearly two million workers, offering them an additional €700 per year.
Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz hailed the agreement as a victory for workers, stating that fair wages are essential not just for individuals but for economic growth. Unions have long pushed for higher pay, arguing that increasing the minimum wage is about dignity as much as finances. While business organisations participated in discussions, they opposed the full increase, preferring a smaller rise. Despite their resistance, the government is expected to formally approve the measure soon, with labour inspectors ensuring
Spain’s minimum wage increase brings workers closer to financial stability, with €1,184 per month across 14 payments.
companies comply. This wage hike is part of a broader effort to align Spain with European standards. Future discussions will focus on raising the minimum wage to 60 per cent of the national average and ensuring bonuses count towards wage calculations. The government also aims to modernise outdated pay agreements that leave many workers stuck on low wages. For Spain’s lowest-paid employees, this pay rise is a step forward in the fight for fairer wages and better working conditions.
The legendary Cibeles fountain in Madrid.
Putting food to good use rather than binning it.
New look for old town
ARBOLEAS’ new La Loma park in the Old Town is taking shape as work continues on the future green space.
The terrain has been levelled prior to constructing retaining walls, play areas, an outdoor gym zone for the elderly and pathways in an area that was neglected and under-used for some time.
“This will become an ‘inclusive space’ where all residents can enjoy open air activities,” Arboleas mayor Jose Juan Ramos said when work rst began at the beginning of January.
The old health centre, due to move to the Centro Gaulalinfo, will be transformed into a small library and become one of the regional government’s Punto Vuela centres with internet connections for residents, students, digital nomads and professionals.
The €65,000 projectnanced by the central government’s Rural Development Programmes will give new life to a formerly undeveloped Arboleas zone, the mayor said.
Early flight not lost
THE Air Nostrum airline clari ed on January 31 that suspending the early morning ight to Madrid was a temporary measure.
An o cial statement explained that the 7.10am Almeria-Madrid ight each Monday, Thursday and Friday had been put on hold between January 30 and February 14 owing to the low demand for domestic ights at this time of the year.
All of El Alquian’s Madrid ights - 21 per week in each direction - would be resumed on February 17, the communique continued. This included the 7.10am ight on the same weekdays as usual.
Iberia, which owns the airline, contacted the Europa Press news agency following complaints from the Almeria Province
business owners’ association, Asempal, that it would no longer be possible to y to Madrid and return on the same day.
“This is another blow to the province’s communications and a further obstacle to rms’ competitiveness,” Asempal’s president Cecilio Peregrin said at the time.
The association also commented on the high price of air fares to Madrid, that at times cost ‘an exorbitant’ €700 which was beyond the reach of most travellers.
Almanzora action plan
ALBOX recently hosted a meeting for town hall mayors and o cials from the Almanzora Valley’s 27 municipalities.
All members of the Agenda Urbana del Valle del Almanzora were there to discuss an Integrated Action Plan (PAI), which has backing from Almeria’s provincial council, the Diputacion.
del Almanzora townswhich depend largely on the marble industry and agriculture - to meet the challenges they currently face.
Aimed at attracting investment and improving the lives of the local population, this will receive funding from the European Regional
Development Fund (FEDER) allocations for local PAIs between 2021 and 2027.
All agreed that as the
area had reached a key stage in its economic social and environmental development, a united front would help Valle
The PAI programme will focus on halting the drift away from inland towns by strengthening socio-economic conditions, promoting startups, cultural tourism and connectivity. It will also concentrate on urban regeneration while improving public and social spaces, directed at improving quality of life.
ALBOX MEETING: Mayors and town hall officials from Almanzora Valley towns
FUTURE PARK: Work goes ahead on Arboleas’ Calle La Loma.
Photo: Arboleas town hall
Photo credit: Albox town hall
EL ALQUIAN: The 7.10am AlmeriaMadrid flight temporarily suspended.
Excellent for sailing
HOW lucky are these sailors to be out on the water in the first weekend of February! Sunlight glistening on the water and a light breeze to fill their sails, making for a more relaxing day’s racing compared to last week’s excitement. The club sails all year round and right now there seems to be excellent sailing conditions, even if a wetsuit is needed in the event of an unplanned swim. As usual the club held three races on Sunday, contested by six boats
this week: three Lasers, two Wayfarers and a Snipe. Once again the Lasers dominated the racing with Phil Berthold and Keith Bond sharing the victories. The club meets at 10.30 every Sunday at the boat park in Garrucha harbour and at Maui Garrucha from 15.00 for after-sailing refreshment. Come and meet the sailors to find out more, visit the website www.santairene clubdevela.com or email mail@santaireneclubde vela.com.
Albox Carnival
THE lively spirit of Carnival is coming to Albox, promising a night full of music, humour, and celebration on March 22.
The Carnival Group Contest 2025 will be a highlight of the year, featuring some of the best performers in the region.
The main act is the famous García Argüez and Raúl Cabrera’s Musical Group, joined by El Chapa, both known for their incredible energy and talent. Adding to the fun, La Chirigota del Soto, a local favourite, will bring their clever lyrics and hilarious performances, guaranteeing a night full of laughs and great music.
These shows are a big part of Spanish Carnival traditions, where groups perform satirical songs, witty sketches, and lively music, often poking fun at current events or local culture in a light-hearted way. It’s a unique blend of comedy, theatre, and music that brings people together.
The event will be held at the Water and Health Centre at 6.30pm. Tickets are €15 if bought in advance and €20 at the door, with limited seats available. You can buy them online or at the Culture Office. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy the magic of Carnival in Albox. Grab your tickets now and join the party! For online tickets, visit: ayuntamientodealbox.com.
Repairs for remarkable AL-7105
PROVINCIAL council, the Diputacion, will spend €200,000 on improving the surface of AL-7105 road that links Zurgena and Antas via Ballabona.
This winding and narrow road was one of the most remarkable in Almeria’s network of provincial road, according to the Diputacion when announcing the project at the end of January.
The new Almanzora Motorway had reduced the volume of light traffic
but the AL-7105 still had to support a considerable flow of heavy vehicles, said Antonio Jesus Rodriguez who heads the Public Works department. This was due to the many nearby marble quarries and gravel treatment plants, he added.
As a result, resurfacing was needed along two sections of the road, and a special bitumen-mix will be added to the asphalt to make it more resistant to wear and tear.
A total of 1.65 kilome-
tres are to be repaired, although work will be required at the AL-7105’s intersection with the N-340, where the road signs would also be repainted, Rodriguez said.
The Public Works chief stressed the importance of improving communications between smaller municipalities and ensuring that roads with the heaviest amount of traffic, as well as those in industrial and commercial areas, were maintained in perfect condition.
A light breeze filled their sails on Sunday.
Celebrate Carnival in Albox
Image:
Vera fights for better sea defences Scenic routes
THE Herminia storm flooded streets and once again washed away the beaches at Vera. The storm hit the province as a whole and was particularly problematic in the Levante area, it has left destruction in its wake at the Vera coast. At a recent meeting the town council has agreed to push for the Spanish government to follow through on its promises of breakwater projects.
The naturist beach of Vera Playa has had a continual battle with sea erosion in recent years and although breakwater projects have been authorised along the stretch of beaches between Garrucha port and the Almanzora River delta, nothing has been done to move the projects along. In fact, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the
Demographic Challenge have constantly delayed the project that might protect the Vera coast from further destruction.
In a local government meeting on January 29 motions were approved to urge the Spanish government to immediately begin ‘works for the stabilisation, protection and restoration of the area damaged in the last storm’. And according to the Vera Town Hall ‘adopt
immediate measures for the recovery of the coastline and the implementation of the project between Garrucha and the river Almanzora, thus avoiding further damage caused by recurrent storms that affect the safety’ of local citizens. The town hall has said “We cannot allow storms to continue damaging our beaches and putting our neighbours at risk. It is time to act!”
HUERCAL DE ALMERIA has brought back its popular Environmental Trails programme for the fourth year, offering six guided hikes across the provinces of Almeria and Granada. The goal is to help people connect with nature by exploring local plants, wildlife, and one of a kind landscapes.
The first hike, on February 8, will take walkers through almond blossom fields in the towns of Abrucena and Fiñana. This 10-kilometre route is of moderate difficulty and offers stunning views of Sierra Nevada. On March 23, the focus turns to the volcanic landscapes of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, with an eight-kilometre walk in Agua Amarga.
On April 26, hikers will explore Sierra
de Gádor, walking nine kilometres along an old trail to the Lentisco spring, with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean.
A special nighttime hike under the full moon is planned for August 9, offering an easy 10-kilometre coastal walk near Retamar-El Toyo.
In October, the programme heads to Sierra de Huétor in Granada to enjoy autumn colours, followed by a final hike on November 23 in Sopalmo (Mojacar), where participants will learn how plants adapt to the dry climate of southeastern Spain. Registration costs €5 for adults and is free for under-18s. Spaces are limited to 30 people per hike, so sign up early at the Paco Navarro Sports Centre in Huercal de Almeria.
Explore nature, discover Almería.
Image: Shutterstock/ Al Carrera
The council agreed it was time to act.
Photo Credit: Facebook Ayuntamiento de Vera
Training leisure monitors
HUERCAL-OVERA and the Provincial Council of Almeria alongside the Youth Bureau, have trained 25 new leisure and free time monitors. The participants in the course were between the ages of 14 and 30 years old.
Students were trained in how to use monitor skills and group dynamics techniques for children’s and young people’s free time activities, first aid, activity programming and how to encourage activity in open spaces, among others.
During the 25-hour long
course, students have been provided with tools to design, implement and evaluate activities that can be carried out by a leisure and free time monitor to adopt the most appropriate strategies.
Diplomas were given for finishing the training by the vice president of the Provincial Council José Antonio García and the councillor for Young people Juani Egea.
Egea, said of the programme “we continue to train the young people of our municipality, giving
them the opportunity to increase their knowledge and experiences, so that they have more opportunities for their access to the labour market while enriching themselves personally.”
The Training for Young People programme, was organised by the Youth Bureau whose courses are intended to meet the training needs of young people in the province and provide them with resources to gain knowledge and experiences that will help them access the labour market.
Answers needed
ALMERIA Province called on the central government for a definitive answer regarding the Bajo Almanzora I desalination plant in Villaricos.
Speaking on behalf of ‘all the province’s MPs and senators’, Almeria MP Maribel Sanchez Torregrosa and Senator Miguel Angel Castellon, requested explanations from Hugo Moran, junior minister for the Environment.
sions, Sanchez Torregrosa continued.
The Villaricos desalination plant has been out of action for six years owing to flood damage, and the central government had to give a plain answer ‘once and for all’ they declared.
Sanchez Torregrosa said that Almeria’s Levante and Almazora zones had the worst water shortage in southern Europe.
“Despite that, Spain’s government has turned its back time and time again on this part of the country,” the MP declared.
Water transfers from the Tajo-Segura pipeline had been cut back on 26 occa-
“Added to this, and owing to the drought we have endured since 2021, no water from the Negratin reservoir reaches the Levante area.”
When Sara Aagesen Muñoz, Ecological Transition minister appeared before the parliament’s Ecological Transition Committee to provide details of government spending on water, she dedicated “barely four minutes” to Almeria, Sanchez Torregrosa complained.
“For six years we’ve been hearing about future plans that never arrive,” Sanchez Torregrosa said “That’s why we want to hear what Hugo Moran has to say.”
Students were trained in how to use monitor skills. Photo
WATER SHORTAGE: MP Maribel Sanchez Torregrosa wants answers from Madrid.
Change of date
THE Indalo Players keep on smiling… ‘The show must go on’.
Due to circumstances beyond their control, dates have been changed for their forthcoming production of:
Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders
This production will be held in the Multipurpose Centre in Mojacar on the large stage upstairs.
New dates are now Friday/ Saturday February 14/15 at 7.30pm. Sunday 16 at 2.30pm. Tickets are valid for the same day. If you need to change days or want a refund then contact them by
Indalo Players support local charities.
email: indaloplayers@gmail.com or ring 0034 722 236 237.
Protecting the past
WORK began at the end of January on protecting and enclosing the Cerro del Espiritu Santo hillside in Vera.
This was where Bayra, the predecessor to present-day Vera and now an archaeological site classed as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), was located until 1518 when it was destroyed by an earthquake.
The €300,000 project has been financed by Levante Tourism Sustainability, whose funds are administered by the Mancomunidad de Municipios de Levante, a group of 13 towns in the province’s eastern area,
Vera’s mayor, Alfonso Garcia and Domingo Fernandez, the Mancomunidad’s president, visited the Cerro as the first phase of work began on protecting the site and making it more accessible to the local population as well as tourists.
The project, due to be completed by May this year, will allow archaeologists to continue and expand their work at the site, which it is hoped can eventually become a top cultural and tourist attraction.
“We’ve reached agreement with the Mancomunidad that it’s essential to enclose and protect
Bayra, and we shall be able to do this thanks to the €300,000 received in funding” Garcia said. He also pointed out
that these plans would enable further research into Vera’s heritage, and at the same time publicise and promote the town.
BAYRA PROJECT: Alfonso Garcia (left) and Domingo Fernandez.
Photo credit: FB/Domingo Fernandez
COUNCILLORS from all parties voted in favour of a comprehensive overhaul for the San Antonio chapel. There was also unanimity from the PP, PSOE and UCIN parties regarding a new petrol station on the Albox-Murcia road at the last plenary meeting on January 30.
Culture councillor Juan
Domingo Navarro explained that the San Antonio project had been on the agenda since 2010, when repairs were last carried out at the chapel. “We have formed a working
All in agreement Geode award for Pulpi
group with residents, technicians and restoration experts as well as churchgoers from the Santa Maria parish,” Navarro said.
All would contribute to co -
PULPI, represented by mayor Juan Pedro Garcia, has received Hispania Nostra’s award for good practices in conserving its cultural and natural resources from Queen Sofia.
Now referred to as the Queen Emeritus following the abdication of King Juan Carlos, Doña Sofia was presiding the Europa Nostra and Hispania Nostra awards in La Granja de San Ildefonso (Segovia) on January 31. Pulpi was singled out not only for the Geode, but also for its important mining heritage, the Luminescence Museum and San Juan de los Te -
ming up with an estimate of the total cost before submitting this to the provincial council to opt for funding under the Diputacion’s arrangement with the Almeria diocese
for projects like these. Meanwhile, Andalucia’s regional government announced that improvements and an extension to the Albox health centre would be finished by the end of February. This was held up after the Junta rescinded its contract with the contractor who had failed to complete the work on time.
rreros castle. Hispania Nostra, which represents Europa Nostra in Spain, highlighted the “interesting recovery of an industrial landscape” that combined Pulpi’s
cultural mining resources with its monuments, together with the local population’s involvement in an initiative that deserved to be repeated elsewhere.
“Pulpi should be
proud of the Geode and the tourism assets that make us stand out provincially, nationally and internationally!” the mayor exclaimed afterwards.
The Pulpí Geode - eight metres long, two metres high and occupying a space of 10.7 cubic metres - is one of the largest crystal caves ever found and is the largest accessible geode in the world. It was discovered by chance by two young mineralogists who were exploring the Mina Rica silver mine in December 1999.
ROYAL HONOUR: Juan Pedro Garcia receives Pulpi’s award from Queen Sofia.
Photo credit: Pulpi town hall
Polish dumplings in space
POLISH astronaut to be Sławosz Uzna ń ski-Wi śniewski is due to travel to the International Space station with three other colleagues from different countries this spring.
He is allowed to take a small amount of hand luggage with him and three of the items that he has chosen are a Polish flag, a tiny golden heart issued by the Grand Orchestra of Christmas Help Foundation which will be auctioned for the charity and a selection of tasty Polish dumplings known as pierogis.
Clearly the pierogis cannot be taken into space without ensuring that they can be prepared on the International Space Station, so working with a small Polish family business it became possible to freeze dry the dumplings so that they could be eaten when he felt peckish.
The Polish flag is a historical item that was
taken into space by the first Polish astronaut Mirosław Hermaszewski in 1978 so will become a very special item to hopefully be passed on to the third Polish astronaut at some time in the future.
Hermaszewski who was 81 when he died in 2022, lived long enough to congratulate Uzna ń ski-Wi ś niewski when it was announced that he had been chosen to beco-
me an astronaut and was apparently the first person to contact him after the announcement was made.
This project which will be financed by the Polish government with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) is due to last 14 days and various experiments which will have been paid for by different companies will be undertaken.
Fast food
A CONSUMER watchdog, Finnwatch has devoted time to studying the activities that seven of Finland’s fast food chains have on the environment and the climate.
They concentrated on organisations that had 50 or more outlets in Finland and those chosen in order of climate friendliness were, Kotipizza, Burger King, Hesburger, McDonald’s, Rolls, Scanburger and Subway.
Their conclusion was that the differences between the chains are large with the best chains having clear goals to promote emission reductions and concrete actions to achieve them.
Generally, large international operators have basic structures for climate work, such as emissions reporting and reduction targets, and they communicate these openly.
Finnwatch made a point of singling out the fact that Subway with a US parent did not respond to enquiries and they received almost no information about its climate work from searches on the internet.
Any company that offers a plant based alternative to meat is deemed to be more climate friendly and the top four all offered such options or have plans to introduce them, but not all appeared determined to promote these options equally strongly.
As far as Rolls and Scanburger were concerned, Finnwatch observed that they were in the early stages of trying to introduce options to reduce the impact of their food offerings on the climate.
Leaders Kotipizza and third place Hesburger are considered the strongest forces committed to change and reduce emissions and both have published targets undertaking to increase their offerings of climate ‘friendly food’ by the end of the decade but consumers will need to be encouraged to change their eating habits.
Poland’s second astronaut
In Memory
MARGARET MILES-BRAMWELL, the founder of Slimming World, has passed away at the age of 76 at her home in Mallorca.
The weight loss organisation shared the sad news on Facebook on Sunday, February 2, confirming that Margaret was surrounded by her family in her final moments.
Margaret, who founded Slimming World 55 years ago, was honoured with an OBE in 2009 for her contributions to public health in the UK.
In addition to her business interests in the UK and Ireland, she was also the founder and Principal owner of the House of Son Amar situated in Palmanyola, a short drive away from both Palma and Calvia.
Alongside Margaret’s work with Slimming World, Margaret was a devoted mother. She had a daughter, Claire, and two sons, Dominic and Benjamin, with her first husband, Roy Miles.
After her separation from Roy, Margaret found love with Tony Whittaker in 1996 and became a
Awarded OBE in 2009.
stepmother to his children. Margaret often referred to Tony as her ‘soulmate’. The couple was married for 25 years before Tony passed away in November 2021, a loss that Margaret publicly acknowledged.
The Special One
FORMER Chelsea Football Club manager José Mourinho has launched a new Douro red wine named The Special One.
Mourinho first called himself The Special One in 2004 after becoming Chelsea’s manager.
Fresh off a Champions League victory with Porto, he promised to bring success to his new club. He delivered, leading Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles, and the nickname stuck, making it a fitting choice for his wine brand.
The wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, and Sousão, selling for €144 per bottle.
“As someone who values precision, quality, and excellence in everything I do, I’m proud to present my own wine, The Special One,” Mourinho said. “Handpicked from one of my favourite regions in Portugal, this wine reflects the spirit of my homeland and my passion for enjoying life.”
Mourinho’s wine preferences once came under fire from rival manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who
criticised the drink he was served after a 2004 match. “He was certainly full of it, calling me boss and big man,” Ferguson recalled. “But it would help if his greetings came with a decent glass of wine. What he gave me was paint stripper.” Mourinho later responded by bringing a premium Barca-Velha to their next meeting.
José Mourinho launched a new wine.
AYUNTAMIENTO DE MOJACAR
Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 1 - 04638 Mojácar (Almería) Telef. 950.615.009 Fax: 950.475.200
info@mojacar.es ayuntamiento.mojacar.es
MOJACAR’S long-requested and much-needed dogs-allowed beach will become a reality this year.
Mayor Fran Garcia Cerda confirmed that the project had received official authorisation and dog-owners would soon be able to use a section of Mojacar’s Perulejo beach.
Cuevas del Almanzora is the only other municipality in Almeria’s Levante area that allows dogs on one of its beaches, but Garcia Cerda pointed out that this beach, which opened last July, was only 230 metres long and had a small parking area.
“The Cuevas beach is uncomfortable and inaccessible,” the mayor said. “It can’t compare with Mojacar’s.”
Last October, Mojacar Town
Hall announced that it had sought authorisation from the coastal authorities to use part of the
LOOKING for a fun outdoor adventure? Join the Pirate Trail Hike on Saturday, February 8, in Mojacar! The hike starts at 9.30am from the Sopalmo parking area and takes you through beautiful scenery with a fun pirate theme.
Make sure to bring water, a hat, and comfy shoes. The hike is
open to everyone, but you need to sign up in advance. Call 950 615 025 before 2.00pm on Friday to reserve your spot. You can check out the route and more details on the Mojacar website mojacar.es . Get some fresh air, enjoy the views, and have a great time on this pirate-themed hike! Don’t miss out!
MOJACAR is gearing up for an action-packed day of sport as the Duatlón Cros of the Provincial Sports Games 2024-2025 reaches its nal stage on February 8. Athletes of all levels are invited to take part in this exciting run-bike-run event, set against the scenic backdrop of the town.
The com-
publicly-owed maritime strip as a canine beach up to December 2027. The details were displayed for 20 days, giving the public three weeks to lodge possible objections to the beach equipped with showers and wastebins with ‘poop bag’ dispensers.
Local animal protection associations have recommended using the section of beach near Macenas Castle.
“It is not a nesting area for birds, there are no protected plants or flowers, and the beach is rarely used by swimmers,” they said, suggesting that the stretch between the castle as far as the beach bar would be ideal for dogs.
Dogs allowed at last Duathlon fi nale
with multiple distance options available. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just looking for a fun challenge, this event promises a great mix of endurance and excitement.
Registration is open now at www.to dofondo.net, with a small participation fee of €3 per athlete. This is a fantastic opportunity to push your limits
Tourist town
MOJACAR will celebrate its second year as an official ‘Municipio Turístico’ (Tourist Municipality) this March. Recognised by the Andalucian government, Mojacar is one of only two towns in Almeria Province to hold this status, alongside Nijar. This designation acknowledges towns with significant tourism demand and aims to support them in managing the influx of visitors. Mojacar, with its quaint whitewashed streets, beaches, and historical appeal, has long been a popular destination. The official recognition helps secure additional resources to maintain services during peak tourist seasons. To qualify, towns must have fewer than 100,000 residents and meet strict tourism-related criteria, including infrastructure, visitor numbers, and service quality plans. The status allows for financial support and agreements with the regional government to ease the strain on local services caused by high tourism levels. Andalucia now has 43 municipalities with this designation, helping to balance tourism growth with sustainable local development. With its rich history and the beauty of the Mediterranean, Mojacar continues to thrive as a standout destination in Spain.
Push your limits in Mojacar.
CANINE BEACH: Dogs will be allowed on Mojacar’s Perulejo beach.
Photo credit: Pixabay/Sharkalot
Image: Shutterstock/ Alice-D
Adventure on pirate trail.
Image: Facebook/ Concejalía de Deportes Mojácar
Mona Lisa on the move
NO more bustling and craning necks around the Mona Lisa as the Louvre museum nds the lady her own room.
The €800 million plan was announced by President Macron on January 28 to upgrade the world’s
most popular museum and the world’s most famous exhibit. He also announced a plan to start charging extra to see Leonardo’s 16th-century masterpiece.
Macron said a vast programme of works were planned for the museum,
including a new entrance and an array of underground rooms, which would not be funded by taxpayers’ money. He said the Louvre would pay for much of the work itself, with its budget boosted by a surcharge on non-EU visitors.
Brits, Americans and other nationalities from outside the EU will be expected to pay between €25 and €30, while citizens from inside the EU will pay a regular €22. It is understood a similar pricing policy will also a ect the Palace of Versailles and the Musée D’Orsay. The surcharge will come into e ect in 2026.
“The museum is under threat from a worrying level of obsolescence!” said the director of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, in a memo to France’s Culture Secretary, describing a visit to the museum as a ‘physical ordeal’. The memo sparked a rethink about the layout and updating the entrance.
Many graduates unemployed
A RECENT survey by Akava reveals alarming figures regarding unemployment among university graduates in Finland.
More than 52,000 highly educated individuals were unemployed at the end of 2024, with long-term unemployment figures nearing record levels.
The Ministry of Employment and the Economy (TEM) confirms that unemployment figures in Finland have continued to rise across all education levels. In December 2024, there were 321,560 unemployed job seekers, an increase of a staggering 23,900 compared to the previous year.
The ability to secure stable employment upon graduating is proving more difficult than ever.
Pasi Sorjonen, Chief Economist at Akava, described the situation as “disappointing,” warning that job vacancies remain exceptionally scarce, and “unemployment is unlikely to decline in the coming months.”
A worrying trend in the data is the increasing number of long-term unemployed university graduates. The figures are expected to surpass the highest levels recorded in the past decade, last seen in 2016.
Sorjonen stressed that these figures indicate a structural problem in the labour market, requiring urgent policy interventions to prevent further economic fallout. The data suggests that unemployment will likely continue to rise in early 2025, with no clear signs of recovery.
Finnish authorities may need to consider reforms to help the unemployed transition into new industries. Expanding access to upskilling and retraining programmes could be a key part of the solution.
University of Helsinki.
Best digital nomad sites
SPAIN may well have increased its income requirements to be able to be legally resident in the country, but it is still far from being expensive compared to the rest of Europe.
Due to pressure from trade unions, the Spanish government has felt obliged to raise the minimum requirements a little, by 4.4 per cent more to be precise, or about €50 more per month at €1,381.33 per month over 14 months, and at least €2,762 to be eligible in the first pla ce.
To be a digital no mad in Iceland, you will need to be relati vely high-earning at €7,075 or more per month.
In Estonia, it’s €4,500 a month.
Romania has been so popular
that they are putting their digital nomad visa up to €3,950.
Finland, nonetheless, has one of the lowest thresholds at €1,220, which is rather surprising given the high cost of living there.
Depending on the country, and compared to tourist visas, a digital nomad visa has a longer-lasting length of stay. The validity of a digital nomad visa can vary from six months
to two years. After expiration, your visa can be renewed if you still meet the eligibility criteria. In the case of Spain, which is due to undergo a major overhaul in residency requirements in May 2025, it may well be possible to gain permanent residency in the country after just two years.
We are still awaiting the full details, but it is going ahead.
English is now the number one language spoken in Belgium.
Mind your language!
IT’S official - English is now the number one language spoken by young Belgians, leaving the country’s official languages, Dutch and French, eating its linguistic dust.
According to new figures, over six in 10 (60.5 per cent) Belgians aged 15 to 34 claim to have a ‘good to very good’ knowledge of English. That’s more than both Dutch (57.1 per cent) and French (56.3 per cent), a dramatic shift in the country’s linguistic landscape.
“This surge of English across generations and borders is pretty striking,” said Jonathan Van Parys, the brainy data cruncher behind the stats, speaking to The Brussels Times. “It’s on track to become Belgium’s most widely-spoken language.”
That’s not just a bit of hyperbole - Belgium is now the only country in Europe where the most spoken language among
young people is not an official language. Across all age groups, nearly half (49 per cent) of Belgians can now hold a solid conversation in English.
In Brussels, where the EU’s movers and shakers rub shoulders, the shift has sparked fresh debate: should English become an official language? Many residents of the ‘capital of Europe’ struggle with both Dutch and French, making English the natural goto for everyday life.
The younger generations have embraced English at an unprecedented rate. A look at older groups shows a stark contrast:
• 35-54 year olds: French still reigns supreme (72.8 per cent), with Dutch in second (52.6 per cent).
• Over-55s: The traditional language divide still holds - 67.6 per cent speak French, while 64.8 per cent speak Dutch.
Credit: Andrea PiacquadioPexels.
Allure of being a digital nomad.
Your VOICE
Should there be bigger sanctions for feeding wild boars?
IN recent years, the issue of feeding wild boars has garnered quite a bit of attention in Spain. Many of us have seen these animals roaming the streets, scavenging for food - an occurrence that is becoming frequent in urban areas where food is easier to find. But don’t be fooled - these animals are not friendly!
As reported by Euro Weekly News, a resident in Mijas on the Costa del Sol was recently issued a €250 fine for feeding wild boars. This highlights the growing concern over human interactions with these animals, and their consequences.
In contrast, Judith Dominique Wolfenegg favours stricter sanctions, writing, “Yes! What do those people actually think (if they think at all)?
Feeding wild animals, who then logically come closer and closer in the expectation of more. And when something happens, there’s a big outcry.”
Many readers argue that the boars have been displaced and should not be punished for seeking food. Colin Wheeler states, “the wild boar were here first,” while Teresa Tracy Ramsey adds, “If only they hadn’t been driven out of their natural habitat...”
Feeding wild boars can lead to several problems, including increased aggression towards humans, property damage, and overpopulation. Despite existing bans, instances of people feeding wild boars persist, suggesting that the current penalties may not be sufficient deterrents.
The situation prompts a discussion on whether bigger sanctions are necessary to protect both human communities and wildlife. We asked our readers for their thoughts.
Nigel Armitage supports feeding the boars, arguing that humans have devastated their natural habitats through urban development, poor land management, wildfires, and deforestation. He believes, “we should at least tolerate them when they invade our habitats.”
Jeremy Newman shares an alternative approach used by his neighbours: “I feed them kitchen scraps, in collaboration with neighbours. Location is forest, so it’s an attempt to stop them coming to town.”
Meanwhile, Sian Foster warns against feeding wildlife, explaining, “You shouldn’t feed any wild animals... Stop feeding them, you endanger their lives and disrupt nature.”
This week’s poll revealed mixed opinions, with the majority leaning towards allowing people to feed the boars. Many argued that the animals have been forced into urban areas through no fault of their own and deserve compassion.
However, it is important to acknowledge the potential dangers and consequences of feeding them, as they remain wild animals.
Wild boars have been forced into urban areas.
EU Customs targets online platforms
BRUSSELS is cracking down on unsafe products sold by online platforms like Temu, Shein, and Amazon Marketplace. A new proposal would hold these companies responsible for ensuring their goods comply with EU safety standards be -
fore they reach European consumers. This shake-up aims to protect shoppers from dangerous imports, shifting the burden of duties and VAT from buyers to the platforms themselves. Under current rules, individuals purchasing
from outside the EU often act as importers, handling customs and VAT payments. The proposed changes would make online marketplaces accountable for collecting these taxes and ensuring product compliance. This could mean the end of cheap, low-quality items flooding the market - no more hazardous toys or faulty electronics slipping through the cracks.
A central customs authority, the EUCA, is also in the works. By analysing data from all 27 member states, the EUCA would identify high-risk goods before they even leave for Europe. Their goal: intercept unsafe products at the border, safeguarding consumers and setting a new standard for online retail.
While Amazon, Shein, and the EU have yet to comment, it’s clear Brussels is determined to clean up the digital marketplace.
Granada crowned ‘City of Happiness 2025’
GRANADA has been na med City of Happi ness 2025 by the World Happiness Foundation. This prestigious accolade recognises cities that excel in improving their citizens’ quality of life through innovative social, economic, and cultural policies.
Granada’s achie vement stems from forward-thinking initiatives that blend sustainability with community connection. Local leaders have embraced people-centred planning, fostering a nurturing environment where cultural programmes and eco-friendly practices enrich everyday life. Granada’s model of urban happiness sets a global standard, proving that well-being can drive a city’s growth and cohesion.
The city’s role as host of the World
Happiness Festival 2025 further underscores its commitment to well-being. From March 14 to 16, the festival will welcome experts and leaders to explore mental health, education, leadership, and technology’s impact on happiness. Residents and visitors can participate in cultural events, mindfulness sessions, and public policy discussions that celebrate Granada’s people-first approach.
Granada’s title as City of Happiness 2025 is not just an honour - it is a validation of its visionary urban planning. By placing citizen well-being at the core of its development strategy, Granada has become a role model for inclusive and sustainable cities worldwide.
Granada, crowned as the City of Happiness 2025, is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and community-focused initiatives
Credit : Shutterstock, lindasky76
NEWS Travel
Ronda - The City of Dreams
RONDA, often called the ‘City of Dreams’, is a magical town in Andalucia. Perched on the edge of a dramatic gorge, it’s a place that seems straight out of a storybook. With its iconic bridge, whitewashed streets, and breathtaking views, Ronda offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Whether you’re enchanted by its ancient charm or simply want to soak in the spectacular scenery, Ronda has something for everyone. With a Hispavan campervan, you can explore it all at your own pace - from the heart of the town to the peaceful countryside, all while enjoying the freedom and
with Hispavan Campers
comfort that only a campervan can provide.
Wander through Ronda’s history
Ronda’s historic centre is a delight to explore. Start by visiting Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullrings. From there, wander through the the Old Town and visit landmarks like the Arabic Baths and the Church of Santa María la Mayor. Don’t miss the Mondragón Palace - once a Moorish ruler’s home, now a museum with stunning gardens overlooking the gorge.
Take in the Puente Nuevo
No visit to Ronda is complete without stopping at the Puente Nuevo, the town’s famous bridge that spans the dramatic El Tajo Gorge. Standing 100 metres above the gorge, it offers jaw-dropping views of the cliffs and valley below. Whether you admire it from above or take a walk to see it from the base, it’s a sight that will stay with you long after your visit.
Sip and savour local wines
Ronda is fast becoming known for its exceptional wines. The vineyards scattered around the countryside offer tastings where you can enjoy the flavours of the region. With a campervan, you can spend your day visiting these boutique wineries, and still have the comfort of home waiting for you nearby.
Discover beyond Ronda
With a campervan, day trips around Ronda are a breeze. Explore Setenil de las Bodegas, a charming village built into rock cliffs, or visit the ancient Roman ruins of Acinipo. For something a little more thrilling, head to the Caminito del Rey, a dramatic walkway suspended above a gorge.
SUMMARY
Whether you’re wandering through Ronda’s historic streets, gazing at its iconic bridge, or exploring the natural beauty of Andalucia, the freedom of a Hispavan campervan makes it all possible.
FRANCE DENMARK
Schools threat
POLICE said that 51 Danish schools had recently received threatening emails which included bomb threats, without revealing details of the wording that was used. When the first emails arrived, they were dealt with locally, but the investigation has now been taken over by the East Jutland police force.
Rallying round
DENMARK sent four generators to Ireland following an appeal for help after Storm Eowyn left 142,000 households without electricity at the end of January. Extreme weather tested Europe’s resilience, the EU’s Crisis Response commissioner said, “but also our joint preparedness and solidarity efforts.”
EURO PRESS
SWEDEN
On time
EUROCONTROL’S 2024 report on Europe’s most punctual airports placed Stockholm’s Arlanda at the head of the list. Arlanda, one of 10 airports owned and managed by Swedavia, had an 80 per cent punctuality rate for departures, 4 per cent up on 2023 and well ahead of Europe’s 66 per cent average.
ARLANDA AIRPORT: Europe’s most punctual airport in 2024.
PORTUGAL BELGIUM
Brine peril
THE Algarve’s fishing sector wants to reverse plans for a €108 million desalination plant adjoining an Albufeira beach. Boat owners said the installation would be a ‘tragedy’ and they knew from their Spanish counterparts that concentrated brine returned to the sea would ‘kill the industry’ by killing marine life.
‘No’ to mine
PLANS to mine lithium in Boticas in northern Portugal is opposed by the local population and mayor, Fernando Queiroga, who weighed into the promoters’ claims that the project cannot be halted. Despite government authorisation, he said the municipality supported ‘all initiatives aimed at stopping the mine’.
Write on
LOUIS SARKOZY, third son of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, now writes for the far-right news magazine, Valeurs Actuelles (Modern Values), confirming suspicions that he could follow in his father’s footsteps. “He’s ebullient, cultured, creative,” editor Tugdual Denis told the France-Presse news agency.
Not any more
FRANCE infringed a 69-year-old woman’s rights by granting her husband a divorce on the grounds that she refused to have sex with him, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled. In a landmark case, the ECHR condemned ‘the outdated notions of marital duties’ that were ‘based on obligation’.
IRELAND FINLAND
Talks needed
FIREFIGHTERS in Dublin accused the government of ‘betraying’ them for failing to honour pension reform commitments. They are now calling for an urgent meeting to discuss the problem, claiming that the existing pension scheme was a ‘vastly reduced income’ although they had paid into it for so long.
Walled up
GARY GANNON, a Social Democrat MP, said it was “astonishing” that an Office of Public Works project to replace a 70-metre perimeter wall at the Workplace Relations Commission at an estimated €200,000 had instead cost €490,000 owing to setbacks and delays. “It just erodes the public’s trust,” he said.
ITALY GERMANY
Simple maths
TOURISM minister Daniela Santanche will not resign, although she faces a court case linked to accusations of accounting irregularities at her former publishing company, Visibilia. Santanche stepped down from her chief executive role after she was named a minister in 2022 and denies any wrongdoing.
Another Musk
KIMBAL MUSK, younger brother of Elon Musk, had a brief meeting with Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni while visiting Culture minister Alessandro Giuli in Rome. Musk, who is a director of the Tesla electric vehicle company, was there to discuss the use of technology at cultural sites and events.
Door check
THE Interior ministry announced that 43,500 people were turned back at the German border over the past 15 months now that stricter controls are enforced, and fewer irregular migrants can reach the country. Asylum applications had also fallen over the last 12 months, with 110,000 fewer than in 2023.
Wind power
TWO areas in the North Sea, destined for offshore windfarms and covering an area of 182 square kilometres between them, will be auctioned in 2025, with a cutoff date of August 1 for bids. “This is another major milestone in Germany’s offshore wind target,” the Maritime and Hydrographic Agency declared.
Dodgy votes
A PROBE by broadcaster VRT Ninove’s local elections last year detected what it termed ‘strong evidence’ that the far-right party Forza Ninove obtained an overall majority by using fraudulent proxy votes. Should the Public Prosecutor find that fraud took place, those responsible face five-year prison terms.
Auto-pilot
BRABANT traffic police came across a driver who was so drunk that he fell asleep on the left-hand lane of the E40 motorway between Leuven and Brussels. Found to be three times over the limit when he was breathalysed, his driving licence was confiscated and he now awaits an appearance at the Police Court.
NETHERLANDS
Russia exit
DUTCH bank, ING, is selling its Russian subsidiary to Global Development JSC, a Russian company owned by a Moscow-based financial investor. No economic details have been revealed, but ING admitted in a recent statement that it expects the transaction to reduce the company’s profits by around €700 million.
Wolf mystery
TWENTY-THREE of 91 wolves whose DNA was recorded between 2015 and 2023 are known to be dead, shot by poachers or killed in road accidents, the Volkskrant daily paper reported. A further 22 have vanished without leaving any DNA clues behind, leading experts to believe they have been deliberately killed.
Stable prices
PRICES for wood felled in Finland’s forests remained stable in December, according to the Natural Resources Institute, and were little different from those of November. Spruce logs fetched an average of €83 per cubic metre, pine logs cost €80 per cubic metre, with birch falling 1 per cent to a little under €6.
Getting older
DESPITE generous parental leave, good childcare, free education and universal health care, more Finns are choosing not to have children, with a birth rate that is lower than the 2.1 ‘replacement level’ needed for a balanced population. Approximately 15 per cent of Finns are under 15, while 23 per cent are over 65.
NORWAY
Covid risk
THE Public Health Institute (FHI) warned that it expected a new, late winter wave of the corona virus although the yearly spate of infections had been delayed until now. ‘Covid-19 waves will continue’, the FHI said, ‘but they will be less noticeable because the population’s immunity makes the infection milder’.
Doing well
NORWAY’S $1.8 trillion (€17.3 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, world’s largest, reported on January 29 a record annual profit of 2.51 trillion crowns €213.4 trillion). This was the second year of record profits with ‘massive gains’ from technology, the fund’s operator, Norges Bank Investment Management, said.
I miss the politeness
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT
ONE thing I did learn on my recent London trip, was not to encourage any Uber driver into a political discussion. In the main, most Uber employees are (obviously legal) immigrants. True to any London taxi drivers form however, they are, (or consider themselves to be!) experts on just about any subject you care to mention, with current affairs undoubtedly a favourite.
The problem is, once they start, they are difficult to stop. In around a dozen journeys I found out more about Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq than any ‘Arab Spring’ discussions I’ve had since the criminal acts of Blair and Bush got us into it all. The open attitude of these cabbies rather sums up the feeling I got from most of London’s ethnic immigrant population.
The majority are extremely upbeat. From shop assistants to museum guides, I found them generally polite, enthusiastic, confident and certainly not backward in coming forward. In fact, while shopping in a local chemist, I
remarked to my companion that we needed candles. Her light-hearted suggestion of buying fork ‘andles, ala the Two Ronnies, brought a roar of laughter from the Pakistani assistant, who then proceeded to regale us with jokes from his favourite TV show, which happened to be Fawlty Towers
- ‘I come from Barcelona’ he said ‘I know nothing’! Unfortunately, this light-hearted attitude doesn’t extend to the Brits.
Personally, I think the locals simply don’t know what’s hit them. To me, most of them appeared to be living under a cloud of doomy acceptance and who can blame them?
They have been paralysed by the politically correct brigade, fleeced of free speech, overwhelmed by immigration and deprived of intellectual political leadership to the point of utter submission. They also appear to have relinquished to my mind one of their most endearing and strongest weapons of all, the wonderful British sense of humour.
Any attempt at a merry quip, particularly toward shop assistants, is met by an icy glare of suspicion while they apparently try and work out whether
you are being sexist or in some way abusive. The look I got when, purely by force of habit, I said thanks ‘love’ to a checkout girl (person!) had me looking back over my shoulder to see if she was dialling 999!
Oddly enough, I actually do believe it could all still work, but not under this bunch of political pussies and certainly not under Starmer. What they need is a Winnie or Thatcher or even a Trump. Strong decisive leadership; someone to give the British a degree of optimism. A leader who can instil a national ambition to somehow succeed in this unprecedented diversity of existence they have been subjected to by the incompetent politicians and woke happy brigade. All in all, I actually left the old country with a certain degree of sadness.
One thing I will miss however is the politeness. ‘Excuse me’. ‘Oops I’m sorry’. ‘My fault’ and ‘after you’ were expressions one doesn’t hear quite as often as one should in the country of our choice!
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.
DHL strike looming
TRADE union
Verdi is calling for a one-day strike of all DHL services, with the subsidiary of logistics giant Deutsche Post, insisting that high operating costs call for ‘economically viable’ increases in wage improvements.
DHL group, which operates German postal service Deutsche Post, and amasses some 170,000 employees across the country delivering mail each day, is set to see its workforces strike, with Verdi deputy chairperson Andrea Kocsis providing a statement.
“We mean this seriously, we are ready to fight for our demands.” This comes as Verdi announced they will fight for a 7 per cent wage hike and more paid leave days for its employees, who feel they are incredibly hard done by amid the financial crisis that still impacts many German sectors.
Kocsis stressed an urgent requirement for wages to be increased to cope with the soaring of living costs in Germany, labelling the logistic firm DHL’s position on wage hikes ‘unacceptable’.
Deutsche Post argued that costs in the industry were too high and demanded ‘economically viable’ salary increases to cope.
The next round of talks will commence on Wednesday February 12.
DHL workers to go on strike in Germany.
Credit: Efrem Efre, Pexels.
FINANCE
BUSINESS EXTRA
Still afloat
FAIRLINE YACHTS, which builds luxury boats, went into administration less than two months after it was bought by new investors, Arrowbolt Propulsion Systems, Sky News revealed. One of the 250 staff employed by the company said the insolvency was not expected to trigger redundancies.
Not yet
ABANCA, a medium sized retail bank based in Galicia, announced profits of €1.2 billion in 2024, a 69 per cent increase on the previous year. Speaking to the media, chairman Juan Carlos Escotet said that although the bank would consider a stock exchange listing, there were no immediate plans to float the company.
Going East
LONDON-BASED HSBC will axe divisions in Europe and the US, including those advising on stock market listings and takeovers, as it switches some operations to the Far East, its most important market. Most of the bank’s revenues originate there and many Asian shareholders would like the bank to relocate to China.
Mango choices
TONI RUIZ, chief executive of fashion chain, Mango, and a 5 per cent minority shareholder who took over as interim chairman following the death of founder Isak Andic in a climbing accident last December, was confirmed in the post. Andic’s son Jonathan, is now vice-chairman of Mango’s owner, Punto Fa.
Wind up
PRINCES GROUP, which makes Branston beans, said it would contemplate cutting jobs and moving production abroad if strikes go ahead as planned in February. Workers have rejected new owner Newlat’s 3 per cent pay increase and said former owners Mitstubishi had promised a rise of up to 7 per cent.
€160 billion STAT OF WEEK
current market capitalisation for Zara-owner Inditex which makes the textile group created by Amancio Ortega, the world’s 91st most-valuable company.
No Guinness sale
DRINKS company Diageo refuted rumours that it could sell Guinness or its 34 per cent holding in Cham pagne and Cognac company Moet Hennessy.
“We note the recent media spe culation around the Guinness brand and our stake in Moët Hennessy,” Diageo announced on January 26.
“We can confirm that we have no in tention to sell either.”
Nor would Guinness float on the stock market, insiders said.
Bloomberg reported the Diageo rumours on January 24, quoting ‘peo ple that asked not to be identified’ who stressed no final decision had been made, and there was no cer tainty that talks would lead to a deal.
A Guinness sale or spinoff would bring in around $10 billion (€9.6 bi llion), Bloomberg calculated, immediately sending up Diageo shares by
6.8 per cent.
This was its biggest hike in one day in the wake of a slump in shares since Debra Crew took over as chief executive in 2023, with the company reporting a decline in overall annual sales last July for the first time since the pandemic.
Guinness is now a megastar in the Diageo portfolio of more than 200 brands, which is heavier on spirits than beers, and was responsible for an 18 per cent increase in the company’s 2024 beer sales.
Newly popular with women and younger drinkers, including Generation Z, Guinness became the UK’s most popular beer in 2022 to overtake Carling lager and, as sales soared last December, Diageo had to put US shipments on hold and use its reserves in Ireland to meet demand.
Deal done
SPAIN’S state-owned shipbuilder Navantia completed its deal to acquire Harland & Wolff’s Belfast, Appledore, Methil and Arnish facilities.
The sum involved was not disclosed but is understood to be around £70 million (€83.25 million).
Between 1,000 and 1,600 jobs have been saved, prompting Matt Robert
Bubbling up
CARLYLE is looking to sell its 60 per cent holding in Catalan cava-producer, Codorniu, unconfirmed sources revealed.
In October 2018 the risk capital fund paid €390 million for the stake, which included €90 million of debt and multiplied by 15 Codorniu’s gross operating profit.
By the end of Codorniu’s financial year in June 2024, the company reported €232 million in sales and a record net operating profit of €39 million.
from the GMB union to say that employees in all the yards would “breathe a sigh of relief” at finally working under stable ownership.
Nevertheless, the transaction involved putting H&W’s four shipyards in Belfast, Devon and Scotland into administration, enabling Navantia’s UK subsidiary to avoid taking
on the stricken company’s debts.
The deal ensures that there will be no setbacks to the £1.6 million (€1.9 bi-
Joint venture buzz
MASORANGE and Vodafone Spain, owned by UK company Zegona, are discussing a mobile joint venture.
According to the Spanish media, this would result in ‘multimillion combined resources including phone masts, equipment, transmission and staff.’
In early January the two companies confirmed that they would create a new fibre network joint venture, called FibreCo, reaching 12.2 million premises in areas where separate networks would not be economically viable.
Talks are still at an early stage and neither operator has commented on the new joint venture.
No figures have been mentioned, but should the new company materialise, insiders maintained that either party would be free to sell a stake and ‘raise millions’.
Joining
BRITISH engineering group Dowlais agreed to a $1.4 billion (€13.4 billion) takeover by Detroit-based company, American Axle and Manufacturing.
Dowlais, which makes automotive parts, said the deal with American Axle would help both companies to cope with the switch to electric vehicles. They expected to save around $300 million (€288 million) by sharing resources.
American Axle shareholders will own 51 per cent on the combined company in the cash-and-shares agreement, which represented a premium of approximately 25 per cent on the price of Dowlais shares.
llion) contract secured by Navantia UK, Harland and Wolff and the BMT Group to build three ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Nothing wasted
THE Repsol board announced on January 29 that its plans to invest €800 million in a Tarragona (Catalonia) waste treatment plant could now go ahead.
Repsol explained that Ecoplant project had to be put on hold while the government’s windfall tax on energy companies was still in force.
The pioneering installation will transform and process up to 400,000 tons a year of solid non-recyclable household waste into 240,000 tons of sustainable fuel and ‘circular economy’ products, the oil and energy company said.
The plant should be operative by 2029, employing 2,800 people during construction and creating 340 jobs once completed.
WILLIAM VEREKER, chairman of Santander UK, said that he would resign later this year.
Vereker, a business envoy to former prime minister Theresa May, poured water on the Financial Times’ claims that he had clashed with Santander’s executive chairwoman, Ana Botin, regarding governance and resourcing.
“There is no substance in any suggestion of a rift between myself and Ana,” Vereker insisted, although his decision to step back came not long after Botin had to refute insiders’ claims that Santander was thinking of leaving the UK.
WH SMITH’S high street shops selling books and newspapers, are up for sale.
The chain founded 233 years ago reported a 6 per cent decline in sales in the 21 weeks ending January 25, a 6 per cent reduction on the same period last year.
In contrast, the company which is listed on the FTS 250, reported a 7 per cent increase in its travel arm’s sales which operate on railway stations, in airports and at hospitals in 32 countries.
Photo credit: Diageo
Photo credit: Flickr/William Murphy
NAVANTIA DEAL: H&W facilities acquired by the Spanish company.
DEBRA CREW: Chief executive at Guinness owner, Diageo.
3I Group 3.826,00 3.861,00 3.822,00 99,59K Admiral Group 2.695,0 2.700,0 2.684,0 15,88K
Airtel Africa 142,90 144,20 142,80 234,52K Anglo American 2.310,5 2.337,0 2.301,0 119,94K
Antofagasta 1.663,00 1.673,00 1.657,00 69,17K
Ashtead Group 5.164,0 5.214,0 5.134,0 75,14K Associated British Foods 1.862,5 1.890,5 1.857,5 41,75K AstraZeneca 11.266,8 11.316,0 11.228,0 122,3K
Auto Trader Group Plc 776,60 783,20 776,40 302,07K
Aviva 505,23 506,86 500,80 1,58M
B&M European Value Retail SA 319,20 320,20 317,00 207,67K
Trade in the euro has been mixed over the past month amid uneven Eurozone economic releases and dovish signals from the European Central Bank (ECB).
In terms of data, while there have been a couple of positive releases, this was largely offset by confirmation that Germany’s economy contracted for a second consecutive year in 2024.
Dovish commentary from the European Central Bank (ECB) has also dragged on EUR exchange rates, while the euro’s negative correlation with the US dollar has also infused volatility into the single currency in recent weeks.
Still to come this month is the ECB’s latest interest rate decision. An expected rate cut from the bank could see the euro end
Currency outlook: Pound rocked by UK bond market turmoil, US dollar soars amid falling Fed rate cut bets
January on a sour note, particularly if the bank hints that more easing will be needed in the coming months.
Pound
GBP/EUR: Down from €1.20 to €1.18
GBP/USD: Down from $1.25 to $1.23
The pound has gotten off to a dreadful start in 2025, with GBP exchange rates sliding to multi-month lows amid turmoil in the UK bond market.
GBP investors were rattled as government borrowing costs surged to a new three-decade high, sparking fears of additional tax hikes and spending cuts from Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
A surprise slowdown in UK inflation then offered some respite to Sterling, as bets for a Bank of England (BoE) rate cut next month helped to calm markets. Unsurprisingly, the focus now turns to the BoE’s rate decision at the start of February. With market conditions having now
normalised, we expect an announcement to cut interest rates will likely weigh on the pound.
US Dollar
USD/GBP: Up from £0.79 to £0.81
USD/EUR: Unchanged at €0.96
The US dollar continued to attract notable support over the past month, with the currency striking a new multi-year high along the way.
This was linked to expecta-
tions for the incoming Donald Trump administration, as well as the falling odds that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year.
However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the US dollar, with the currency giving up some ground as markets speculated over the timing of his tariff plans.
Going forward, it seems safe to assume that movement in the US dollar will be tied to Trump’s first moves in office. The more his remarks rattle markets, the more we are likely to see investors favour the safe-haven US dollar.
Currencies Direct have helped over 430,000 customers save on their currency transfers since 1996. Just pop into your local Currencies Direct branch or give us a call to find out more about how you can save money on your currency transfers.
Trade in the euro has been mixed over the past month.
Sax Sunday
LOOKING for a fun, relaxed way to spend your Sunday?
Head over to PJ’s Café on Mojacar Playa for a fantastic afternoon of live saxophone music and a delicious Sunday roast!
On February 9 at 2.00pm, Tim will be playing some smooth sax tunes while you enjoy a hearty Sunday roast. Whether you’re in the mood for a full English breakfast, a tasty sandwich, or something lighter for the little ones, PJ’s has it all.
Plus, don’t miss out on their weekly ‘Tapas at Teatime’ every Wednesday from 5.00-7.00pm - also with live music. It’s the perfect spot for a laid-back meal with a great atmosphere!
To avoid missing out, make sure to book ahead by calling +34 634 368 446 . With delicious food, live music, and a welcoming atmosphere, PJ’s Café is your go-to place for a Sunday afternoon of sax and relaxation. See you there! PJ’s Café, Paseo del Mediterraneo, 227, Mojácar, Book now: +34 634 368 446
Race Night
GET ready for an exciting evening of friendly competition and fun at El Chacho Bar & Restaurante in Mojacar on Friday March 7, starting at 7.00pm. Hosted by Jo Pearson and Vera Lions, this Race Night promises a great time for all attendees, with a limited number of tickets available for just €3 each.
Tickets can be purchased in advance from local spots including the Lions Shop in Turre, Me & Mrs Jones in Mojacar, and, of course, El Chacho Bar & Restaurant. Don’t miss
Gala Event
out, as tickets are expected to sell quickly!
Enjoy a lively atmosphere with drinks and tapas available to purchase from the bar, all while supporting a fantastic cause. Whether you’re a seasoned race night pro or a first-timer, the event is sure to provide plenty of entertainment and community spirit.
Make sure to grab your ticket and join in for a memorable evening that combines fun, food, and a chance to make a difference.
LOOKING for a fun night out?
AN evening of music and entertain ment is set for Saturday, February 8, at the Puntazo Hotel de Pla ya, Mojacar. The gala kicks off at 7.00pm with drinks and a buffet, followed by a live performance at 9pm.
Headlining the night is Isabelle Bes, a celebrated opera singer known for her powerful perfor mances in French and Spanish. She will be joined by Lady Ellen, a familiar name in Mojacar’s mu sic scene, and Antonio Gallardo Ruiz, a pianist who has entertai ned guests at Valle de Este Hotel for over 20 years.
On Saturday, March 1, at 9.00pm, head over to Harleys Bar & Restaurant in Arboleas for a lively performance by The All Skas. This band is sure to get you moving with their upbeat ska tunes! But it’s not just about the music. Harleys also serves up the best American diner-style food. Whether you’re in the mood for a juicy burger, crispy fries, or some comfort food, they’ve got something that’ll hit the spot.
Bringing energy to the evening is Robert Briggs, better known as Midday Briggsy from Almería Gold Radio, who will take on the role of compere.
With a mix of opera, classics, and local talent, this promises to be a night to remember for music lovers in Mojacar.
The friendly atmosphere at Harleys makes it a great place to spend your Saturday night. Grab your friends or family, enjoy some great food, and listen to some awesome music. Whether you’re a big ska fan or just looking for a good time, this is the place to be.
Image: Shutterstock/ Cheryl Ann Quigley
Image: Shutterstock/ James n’ Photography
Image DJ: Ellen Turner
Villa located just a short walk from the vibrant town of Lubrin
THIS stunning four-bedroom, twobathroom villa offers a perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and rental potential, located just a short walk from the vibrant town of Lubrin. With meticulous design and expansive living spaces, this property is ideal for both personal use or as a rental investment.
Key Features:
• Prime Location: Walking distance to Lubrin’s amenities, tapas bars, and weekly market.
• Private Pool and Outdoor Living: Enjoy a large 10x4m pool, shaded terrace, summer kitchen, and bar area perfect for entertaining.
• Spacious Living: Includes an open-plan farmhouse kitchen, living room with log burner, and master bedroom with ensuite and direct pool access.
• Independent Ground Floor: Lower level with separate guest
bedrooms, family bathroom, and a room that can be converted into a rental unit with its own terrace and access.
• Excellent Rental Potential: The ground floor layout makes it perfect for Airbnb or long-term rentals.
• High-Quality Design: Fully equipped with wood burner, ceiling fans, double glazing, fitted wardrobes, and mains services.
• Ample Parking: Newly constructed wooden carport with ample space for several vehicles.
• Stunning Views: Enjoy breathtaking mountain and countryside views from various parts of the property.
Whether for personal enjoyment or rental income, this villa offers both luxury and practicality in an unbeatable location. Contact us now for more information or to arrange a viewing.
THE ROMANS GOT THERE FIRST!
NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS
NORA IS THE AUTHOR OF POPULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND CRIME THRILLERS AND A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.
around long and probably never lived alongside the Berbers. The University study presents the most extensive carbon-14 dating yet for the region, dramatically reshaping our understanding of the islands’ early history.
First Lidl pub
LIDL has won a court battle in the High Court in Northern Ireland to open its first-ever in-store pub.
THE ancient history of the Canary Islands has long puzzled archaeologists, but a recent study may have finally pieced together part of the mystery. It suggests that the Romans reached the islands before the native inhabitants the Spanish eventually conquered. In other words, North African Berber societies conquered by the Spaniards were not the original colonisers!
According to a study by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Romans first arrived in the Canaries during the first century BC. Later, between the first and third centuries AD, Berbers from North Africa settled permanently, becoming the Guanche people, whom the Spanish encountered in the 15th century.
However, the Romans didn’t stick
Earlier theories placed the arrival of ancient Canarians much earlier. However, this new research points to a later Roman arrival - what’s been discovered at an archaeological site on the islet of Lobos, to the north of Fuerteventura for instance, is typical of Rome from big-ticket items to what you’d usually expect from a Roman dig (tools, pottery and ceramics), the dating placing it in the first century BC - followed by the Berbers, whose traces are clear at other archaeological sites across the islands.
Nora Johnson’s 13 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The Girl across the Lake’ (www.nora-johnson.net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.
Nora’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
The German supermarket chain has now been given the legal green light to open a bar inside its Dundonald store after a complaint had been brought against the proposed project by another local trader, near Belfast.
Mr Justice Colton said he saw “no good reason for refusing the application” for a bar that would accommodate around 45 customers as well as an off-licence. The Lidl pub will stock draught and bottled beers, wine, cider, and spirits, and no doubt Ireland’s favourite crisps, Taytos. Many of the brands on offer will be those already available on the shelves of the supermarket.
The supermarket had already been granted to go ahead with the pub
project back in August 2000 but was blocked when Philip Russell Ltd, which runs a number of convenience stores across Northern Ireland, requested an injunction be filed against the plan based on its claim that the chain had failed to establish that there was first a lack of pubs in the area.
Licences for new pubs legally depend on there being a shortfall of other similar businesses within a certain radius. Philip Russell Ltd also claimed that Lidl had applied for a licence in order to get around the Licence (NI) Order 1996. However, the judge was having none of it and allowed Lidl to go ahead with their project.
Lidl has been given the green light.
NO NO A big
MAKE-UP is a powerful tool to enhance your features, but certain mistakes can undermine your look. Here are five common make-up mistakes to avoid for a flawless finish.
First, neglecting skincare before applying make-up is a big misstep. Without a hydrated base, make-up can cling to dry patches, leaving your skin uneven and dull. Always cleanse, moisturise, and use a primer before applying foundation.
Second, overdoing foundation or using the wrong shade can ruin your look.
Too much product creates a cakey effect, while mismatched colours leave an unnatural finish. Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone and apply sparingly, blending well.
Third, skipping eyebrow grooming or overfilling your brows can distort your natural appearance.
Aim for a shape that flatters your face, using light strokes to avoid harsh lines.
Fourth, wearing heavy eyeliner on both upper and lower lids can close off your eyes. Balance is key - choose softer lines to enhance your eye shape.
Finally, forgetting to remove makeup before bed clogs pores, leading to breakouts and premature ageing. Proper removal ensures healthier, fresher skin.
Avoiding these mistakes will keep your make-up looking polished and your skin glowing.
EARLY risers are often regarded as more proactive, motivated, and productive compared to those who prefer to sleep in. Waking up early provides a quiet, distraction-free start to the day, allowing individuals to focus on tasks such as planning, exercise, or personal development before the usual daily demands begin.
Many successful people attribute their achievements to early rising, as it gives them extra time to set goals,
The 5am club
organise their thoughts, and establish a structured routine. This sense of accomplishment early in the day can lead to increased motivation and better time management. Morning hours also tend to align with societal expectations, allowing early risers to maximise their productivity during traditional work and business hours.
However, it is important to recognise that
not everyone functions best in the morning. Some individuals naturally perform better in the evening, and forcing an early schedule may lead to fatigue or decreased efficiency. Ultimately, the key to success lies in understanding personal energy patterns and developing a routine that aligns with them, whether that means rising early or making the most of later hours.
Costa del Sol Sport city • News from Our Other 6 Newspapers
TORREMOLINOS will see a total of 982 foreign athletes pass through the sports facilities throughout the month of February, and it’s a big money bet that’s paying off for the town.
The presence of these athletes will generate a direct economic impact of €492,320 with 6,154 overnight stays in the town’s hotels. Specifically, a total of 42 groups, including 24 swimming teams with 562 swimmers and 18 football clubs with 420 players, are arriving in Torremolinos.
From the point of view of Torremolinos Council, it is a new sample of what we call ‘sports tourism’.
The vast majority of the swimming teams, who will train at the Virgen del Carmen III pool, come mostly from the UK, although there will also be groups from France, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium and Romania. Among the football teams that will land in the town, most will come from Switzerland but there will also be teams from France, Germany, Denmark and Norway.
Axarquia Nerja’s strong economy
NERJA recently shared their unemployment figures for 2024. Nerja ended 2024 with a significant 14.9 per cent decrease in unemployment, leading the eastern Costa del Sol region. This means 237 fewer people are unemployed compared to 2023, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística) and the Argos Observatory of the Junta de Andalucia (Regional Government of Andalucia).
Mayor José Alberto Armijo called the numbers ‘very positive’, pointing out the healthy state of Nerja’s economy and the boost in job creation. He highlighted the town’s efforts to become more attractive for both residents and businesses, with a special mention to the tourism sector, which has expanded its services by hiring more staff. This growth is largely due to the high tourism occupancy in 2024.
Ángela Díaz, the councillor for Human Resources also expressed the town’s ongoing commitment to active employment policies.
Mallorca
Hidden gems
THE prestigious National Geographic has recently named four Mallorcan villages among Spain’s most charming places, recognising their rich history, natural beauty, and cultural significance.
The selected four villages, Pollença, Valldemossa, Deià, and Fornalutx, offer travellers a truly Spanish experience.
Pollença, a town with Roman origins, takes visitors on a historical journey. Its charming old town, featuring cobbled streets, mixes medieval architecture with elegant mansions.
Valldemossa is known for its artistic legacy. In the 19th century, the village became famous for hosting George Sand and Polish composer, Frédéric Chopin. Deià is celebrated not only for its beautiful scenery but also its artistic ties.
Fornalutx is often called one of Mallorca’s most beautiful villages, and its narrow cobbled streets give it a fairytale feel, making it a perfect place to wander and explore.
Costa Blanca South Coastal boom
THE Costa Blanca is the true standout in the Valencian Community’s growth story, drawing people in with its unique charm, economic opportunities, and sunny lifestyle.
A recent report commissioned by the Valencian Government shows the Costa Blanca has become a key player in shaping the region’s demographic and economic expansion.
The Costa Blanca’s impact is evident in towns like Torrevieja, which now boasts 94,803 residents. Tourism and international migration fuel this vibrant area, making it one of the fastest-growing spots along the southern coast. Nearby, Orihuela adds to Costa Blanca’s influence with a population of 83,720, combining its historical appeal with steady urban development.
Whether it’s through busy towns or smaller hubs spread along the coastline, the Costa Blanca remains the heart of this Mediterranean success story.
Costa Blanca North A Nation Decides
WITH the Eurovision excitement building, after an intense few weeks of rehearsals, press conferences, and televised performances, the time to celebrate has finally arrived. An equally combined judging panel and public vote have led to Melody being declared the winner of Benidorm Fest 2025. She will now perform her song, Esa Diva, as the Spanish entry for Eurovision 2025, which will take place in Basel in May. A total of 37 countries will battle it out at what can only be described as the ‘Olympics of pop music’.
Spain, together with France, Italy, Germany, the UK, and last year’s winner Switzerland, are automatically pre-qualified for the Grand Final. The remaining countries will first compete in two semi-finals with the top 10 from each going through to the Grand Final which takes place on May 17.
Benidorm Fest was held live at the Palau Municipal d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm and attracted a television audience of nearly two million viewers.
Costa Calida
Toasting Murcia’s success
TWENTY-FOUR wineries from Murcia are putting their best wines on display at Barcelona Wine Week, an international trade fair. The event gives local producers a chance to connect with buyers from around the world and expand into new markets.
The wineries, representing the three official wine regions of Jumilla, Yecla, and Bullas, are not only presenting their wines but also hosting special tastings in luxury hotels. A highlight of the event is a food and wine pairing competition, with the winner set to be announced.
Murcia’s wine exports continue to grow, reaching over €144 million between January and November 2024. The United States remains the biggest buyer, followed by Germany, the UK, and Canada. Exports to France have also increased by 83 per cent, bringing in nearly €7 million.
Regional officials stress the importance of events like this in promoting Murcia’s wines.
Drunk droning
Second-hand IKEA
A SWEDISH man has become the first person in the country to be convicted of ‘drone-driving’ while drunk - after police caught him flying the gadget at a classic car event while over the legal booze limit.
The 55-year-old was fined 32,000 SEK (around €2,500) after officers spotted his rogue device buzzing through the sky in a restricted no-fly zone over Rättvik, central Sweden.
When police tracked the drone’s pilot, they found the man swaying by the controls - later discovering his bloodstream contai-
ned 0.69 parts alcohol per 1,000.
Sweden, known for its tough drink-driving laws, sets the legal alcohol limit at 0.2 parts per 1,000. By comparison, the UK allows up to 0.8, while Spain, France, and Belgium set the cap at 0.5.
Despite being caught red-handed - or rather, redeyed and staggering - the man tried to dodge responsibility, later blaming a ‘friend’ who conveniently wasn’t there when police swooped in.
The court wasn’t buying it and handed down the fine, to be paid over 80 days
Credit: Shutterstock, Jag_cz
at 400 SEK (around €45) a pop.
The conviction is the first of its kind in Sweden, with prosecutor Jenny Holden Nyström telling broadcaster SVT: “I have not seen a case like this before. I am satisfied with the verdict.”
Judge Karin Hellmont explained that the court applied the same legal framework as it would for a drink-driving case.
“It is an aircraft. Even though it flies itself, it’s controlled by someone on the ground and could drop from a great height and injure someone.”
IN September of last year, Swedish company IKEA through its main franchisee INGKA launched a special online site in Norway and Spain allowing the sale of second-hand goods.
Known as Ikea Preowned is was tested in Oslo and Madrid and customers could either sell their furniture and other items back to IKEA or directly to individuals with no commission to IKEA.
For many, the attraction of not having to go through the frustration of taking flat pack material and building it themselves or hiring the more competent to do it for them must have been attractive.
There is also a general feeling in the IKEA boardroom that they should be seen to positively encourage people to pass their no longer needed items on to third parties rather then just throw them away.
The original test was due to last until the end of 2024, but now, because the sites have been so successful, it has been confirmed that not only will they continue to operate, but the ‘catchment area’ will be expanded to take in the whole of Norway and Spain.
The way the site works is relatively simple as the seller enters the items which they wish to sell using their own pictures with a selling price and then an artificial intelligence-enabled database
brings in its own promotional images and measurements.
The buyer collects the furniture directly from the seller, who has the option of receiving the amount agreed upon or a voucher for future IKEA purchases with an added 15 per cent bonus which would stimulate additional sales.
Drone flying near commercial aeroplanes.
First IKEA store outside of Sweden was opened in Norway.
INTERVIEW
Tom Pedersen, Dane in Malaga
Twenty-six-year-old Tom Pedersen has been living in Malaga for the last five years after arriving just before the pandemic hit. At first, Covid restrictions meant he couldn’t return home. Now, he doesn’t particularly want to.
EWN: Where are you from, Tom?
Tom: I’m from a tiny place in the centre of Denmark called Billund. It’s pretty different there. Nothing like this.
EWN: What are you doing here?
Tom: I manage a gym in Malaga, and generally I’m just enjoying myself. Life’s good here.
at least. Although, I love loads of places around the world. At only 26, Tom has set himself the goal of visiting 30 countries before his 30th birthday.
The world’s most iconic carnivalsand one just next door!
FROM COAST TO COAST
HAVE you been to the one in KAH-deeth? Cadiz?
EWN: So, what keeps you here?
Tom: The weather, the friends I’ve made, the hours of sunlight here. It’s cool here. To be honest with you, I can’t think of anyone my age back in Denmark who doesn’t want to be living in Spain at the moment. Especially in Malaga. It’s absolutely the best place to be right now. As a base,
Tom: I’ve done most of Europe so far. Brazil was amazing. Peru, Mexico, Vietnam, Cambodia. I’ve not got to Australia yet, but I will when I get enough time off work.
EWN: How are you getting on with the Spanish?
Tom: I get by. It’s not too bad. We used to visit here a lot because my uncle lives in Malaga.
EWN: Will you ever go back to living in Denmark?
Tom: Why? (He laughs).
Carnivals kick off in February, the perfect time to squeeze in one last wild party before embracing a bit more self-discipline. The big idea? Dress like a banana, sing like nobody’s listening, and eat your weight in churros. It’s the universe’s way of saying, ‘Live it up and have fun!’
The world’s top carnivals you need to know
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (February | four - five days)
Samba, floats, and endless partying. You’ll need a vacation from your vacation.
Venice, Italy (February | two - three weeks)
Masks, gowns, and elegance. It’s like a costume drama - but with dancing!
New Orleans, USA (Mardi Gras Before Ash Wednesday | two weeks)
Beads, jazz, and enough purple, green, and gold to make a rainbow jealous.
Notting Hill, London, UK (August | two days)
Caribbean vibes in London - steel drums, food, and a cultural explosion.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain (February | Duration: two weeks)
The ‘Rio of Europe’, where costumes and parades are on another level!
And the carnival next door…
Wait for it - Carnival of Cadiz! In February for two weeks.
Located just a short trip away, this carnival mixes satire, humour, and creativity. Forget floats - Cadiz is all about witty performances, funny costumes, and laugh-out-loud songs poking fun at politics and life. Its street-party vibe makes you feel part of the show.
The Carnival of Cadiz is a hilarious mash-up of satire, humour, and social commentary. At the heart of it all are chirigotas, musical comedy groups roasting politics, society, and anything that deserves it. It’s like a massive public open mic - where punchlines sting harder than a hangover after too many mojitos.
Forget watching from the sidelines; this carnival pulls you into the street-party madness. It’s less about spectacle and more about getting in on the joke. From hilarious costumes to sharp lyrics, the locals put on a show that’ll have you laughing while secretly questioning everything you thought you knew.
While Rio and Venice have their grandeur, Cadiz’s humour and critique offer a refreshing twist. It’s not just a carnival; it’s a cheeky revolution on the streets. And yes, you’ll leave with a smile - and maybe a few existential questions.
Fun Fact: Cadiz, ‘La Tacita de Plata’ (The Little Silver Cup), shines like a silver cup in the sunlight. I tried it and got blinded!
Do you know what a chirigota is? It’s a comedic musical group performing satirical songs that often roast politics and society. You can watch them live (if you can score a ticket!).
Professional Tip: Don’t say ‘ka dÉÉth’. It’s KAH-deeth.
Quiz Time:
What do you call a local from Cadiz?
A) Cadizian
B) Gaditano
C) Caddie (for golf fans)
D) Cadizianite (new species, right?)
Answer: B) Gaditano!
So, if you’re in Cadiz, don’t call people ‘Cadizianite’ - that’s reserved for aliens or really, really confused tourists. But hey, you might end up in the next chirigota song!
LUCCA MOVALDI PRESIDENT: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CLUB MARBELLA
Movaldi’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
Tom Pedersen from Denmark.
Credit: EWN
PETS
Rio loves walking with the dog-sitter
RIO is a pretty adventurous dog, and a great woods walker. Dogsitters are asked to walk him twice a day because he has a lot of energy. Moreover he’s so accustomed to having dogsitters look after him that he happily poses for photos the sitter can then send to his owner Gillian when she travels away from home.
HouseSitMatch saves you money - pet-sitting is free for pet owners and accommodation is free for sitters
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Need a pet or house-sitter? House-sitting is a win-win, free house and pet-sitting exchanged for free accommodation!
The perfect space
DETERMINING whether your cat is better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle depends on their personality, behaviour, and needs. Cats thrive in environments that align with their natural instincts, so observing your feline companion can help guide your decision.
Indoor cats are often more relaxed, content to spend their days lounging in sunny spots or playing with interactive toys. These cats may show little interest in the outside world or seem hesitant near open doors or windows. Indoor living is ideal for cats that are timid, less active, or live in urban areas where outdoor dangers like traffic or predators are a concern.
Outdoor cats, on the other hand, are adventurous and energetic, often displaying curiosity toward the outdoors. They may spend hours watching birds from the window or trying to slip outside. These cats benefit from the stimulation of exploring, climbing, and hunting.
For a balanced approach, consider supervised outdoor time using a leash or secure garden space, ensuring their safety while satisfying their instincts.
CLASSIFIEDS
AIR CONDITIONING
monthly. Dates and details of our services, including directions and contact details, can be found at www.almeria-anglican. com. Here you can also find information about funerals, baptisms and wedding blessings. We are an inclusive church. (10002)
TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
BUILDERS
ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www. almeriabuilders.com (253556)
BUY & SELL
PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)
WE BUY Persian carpets, fur jackets and coats, pewter and silver of all kinds 90/100/800, silver-plated cutlery, jewellery and watches of all kinds, amber, coral, coins, medals, porcelain. Inheritances and household liquidations, military until 1945, photos, medals etc. Fair pricecash Tel. 688 335 497 (312158)
CD TO USB
YOUR CD MUSIC TO A USB
STICK, Small, convenient for loads of music. Play in the Car, take anywhere. Don’t know how to, having trouble with formatting, car won’t read the stick. Call 622 524 335 Arboleas area. (311483)
CHURCHES
Local Anglican (CofE) Church Services take place at Mojacar and Llanos del Peral (Zurgena) churches every Sunday 11am and at Aljambra Chapel (Albox)
We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 711 086 162 (10021)
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? Call and see how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, www.britishlegion. org.uk/counties/ spain-north ZURGENA Branch meeting on the first
Thursday, Coffee Morning on the third Thursday and Buffet & Quiz Night on the last Tuesday of the month all at La Parrilla Hotel Albox, for further details please email zurgenarblchair man@gmail.com - (253989)
DRAINAGE
MISCELLANEOUS
GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)
MOTORING FOR SALE
PETS
PLUMBERS
KNOWLES PLUMBING No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 606 807 797 or 684 143 560 (300468)
SOLAR ENERGY
ELECTRICAL
ABBOTT ELECTRICS. From a Light Fitting to a Full Rewire. Tel: 950 137 208 / 638 010 691 (300424)
ESTATE
AGENT
VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 678 002 006 for more information (283824)
INSURANCE
MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)
STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure. com
LANGUAGE CLASS
WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)
LOOKING for motorhome or caravan. Fair price paid in cash. Tel 688 335 497 (312158)
WE BUY high quality vehicles, also customs. No obligation offer. Tel 688 335 497 (312158)
OTHERS
EDS? We have the solution, Kam agra pills & jells, Cialis, Sidenafil, over 7 products for men & ladies, mixed trial packs.Available by mail-order. WhatsApp or call 603 117 394
THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €8.00, medium dogs €9.00, big dogs €10.00, cats from €7.50 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotel turre@gmail.com (300941)
SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@sunergyalmeria.com (305375)
SEAT joins forces
SEAT SA, the Spanish government, and the regional administrations of Catalonia, the Comunitat Valenciana, and Navarre have joined forces to boost electric mobility in Spain.
The ‘CASA SEAT Declaration’, unveiled in Barcelona on January 27, 2025, outlines a commitment to accelerate Spain’s transition to sustainable mobility through concrete measures and collaborative efforts.
The CASA SEAT declaration emphasises the need for electric vehicles (EVs) to be more accessible to the public. This includes tax measures, complementary aid plans, and initiatives for private company fleets to nurture a second-hand EV market.
A robust charging network is at the heart of the agreement. Plans include:
• Deploying ultra-fast charging points on major
roads
• Simplifying administrative processes for approvals and installations
• Establishing a digital platform that provides seamless access to charging points, regardless of the operator.
Regional and national governments will prioritise the renewal of public fleets with electric vehicles, setting an example for the private industry.
Proactive campaigns will address misconceptions about EVs and highlight their benefits for
sustainable mobility.
A specialised task force, including representatives from public administrations and private industries, will develop and implement these measures to ensure success across regions.
Spain plays a pivotal role in the global automotive industry, being the second-largest car producer in Europe. It’s commitment to electrification aligns with the European Union’s goal of achieving zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035 and becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
Madrid’s ‘new signing’ for City clash Neymar signs for Santos!
NEYMAR has confirmed he will make a magical return to join his boyhood club Santos in Brazil, by signing a six month deal after his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal was terminated.
Neymar last featured for Santos nearly 12 years ago, beginning his career with the Brazilian giants. He was pivotal in the club’s domestic dominance during the period in which he represented the club professionally, helping Santos to win six titles, including the prestigious Copa Libertadores, from 2010 to 2013.
Neymar has taken a significant pay cut on the prior $104 million he was receiving at the Saudi club, and this simply shows his passion and adulation for the place he once called home for so many years.
“It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts,” Santos president Marcelo Teixeira preached, welcoming the 32-yearold star back with open arms to a club that helped to shape the player Neymar is today.
Neymar, not wishing to wait a moment longer took to social media to make the announcement, saying: “I couldn’t wait until tomorrow, my family and friends already know my decision. I will sign a contract with Santos. I want to thank the fans from all over the world who have wanted this moment so much.”
REAL MADRID are ready to unveil an unexpected ‘new signing’ when they face Manchester City in their upcoming Champions League knockout.
Madrid and City have turned into near-annual rivals in Europe’s biggest competition. They’ve faced off in the semi-finals twice and the quarterfinals just last season. Madrid famously triumphed in 2022, then City got their revenge a year later and lifted the trophy. In 2024, Ancelotti’s men sneaked past City on penalties in the quarterfinal before marching on to conquer Bayern in the semis and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, securing their record-extending 15th Champions League crown.
This time round, the first leg on Tuesday February 11 heads to the Etihad, with the decisive second clash at the Bernabeu just eight days later. Expect fireworks - and a possible new secret weapon in white.
Fans have been buzzing about Da-
vid Alaba’s long-awaited return. He’s been sidelined since suffering a devastating ACL rupture in December 2023. After more than a year out, Alaba finally made a brief cameo against Brest, enjoying eight precious minutes on the pitch.
Ancelotti is desperate to shore up a shaky defence that’s left him ‘breaking out in cold sweats’. With Eder Militao ruled out by a second ACL tear in as many seasons and President Florentino Perez keeping the chequebook firmly shut, Alaba might just be the tonic Real Madrid need at centre-back. The Austrian veteran brings 119 Champions League appearances and three final outings to the table.
Neymar’s magical Santos return.
Real Madrid’s ‘new signing’ for Man City clash - it’s not who you think!
