Costa Blanca North 7 - 13 November 2024 Issue 2053

Strength in numbers

Mitch Cordner

IN an inspiring display of unity and generosity, communities across Costa Blanca North came together to provide much-needed relief for those impacted by the DANA storm. From essential supplies like water, milk and food, to assistance from local authorities, citizens and organisations, the collective response was quick and heartfelt.

Volunteers worked tirelessly alongside police and emergency teams to ensure that aid reached the areas in greatest need, offering both practical and emotional support to those affected.

At the Palau d’Esports in Benidorm, thousands of citizens gathered to donate critical supplies. Within just a few hours, nearly 20,000 litres of water and 10,000 litres of milk were dispatched to the province of Valencia.

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Costa Blanca North • Issue No.

Thousands of litres of water and milk, among other supplies have been donated.

Strength lies in unity

from Front page

The collection efforts by local councils amassed a huge amount of supplies, including 100,000 masks, hundreds of kilos of food, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, footwear and rainboots, all of which were promptly delivered to the Emergency Coordinator for distribution.

Lorries and vans were soon filled and sent to the hardest-hit areas that included nappies, baby food, bleach bottles, brooms and buckets to address the most pressing needs com-municated by emergency responders.

Javea’s Local Police and Civil Protection teams also played a key role – travelling up to Valencia, specifically to the hard hit town of Catarroja, coordinating onsite aid, assisting in evacuations, and ensuring safe distribution of drinking water.

All these recent efforts showcase the incredible strength, resilience, and compassion of communities throughout the region, united in support of those

affected by the DANA. The outpouring of support from donors, volunteers and local authorities from Costa Blanca North communities has shown that even in the face of disaster,

strength lies in unity. With continued support and solidarity, the impacted communities will have the strength and resources they need to rebuild.

Better wastewater plan

TO ensure that treated water returned to the natural environment is free from contaminants, the town council of Benitatchell recently initiated a comprehensive Wastewater Discharge Control Plan.

This effort is part of an ongoing improvement of the municipal sewer system, focusing on monitoring wastewater quality from residential and urban sources before it reaches the 29 treatment plants across the town. Through this plan, Benitachell aims to protect its local ecosystems by ensuring that discharged water meets strict environmental standards.

The plan, supported by a grant of over €9,000 from the Alicante Provincial Council, establishes a system of 12 control points spread throughout the municipality.

Throughout the year, these points will undergo

a total of 48 analytical tests to track pollutants in the wastewater stream. Operations and data management are jointly handled by the public companies Proaguas and Poble Net Serveis Municipals.

An essential part of this initiative is to identify potentially harmful discharges at the earliest

point, trace their sources, and promote community awareness about responsible wastewater practices.

In particular, the council seeks to address issues like the improper disposal of flushable wipes, which frequently clog pipes and damage treatment infrastructure, leading to high maintenance costs.

Licence exchanges

VIRGINIA WESTHEAD, a dual-qualified British solicitor and Spanish abogada, gave a talk on exchanging British driving licences for Spanish ones, something that thanks to a bilateral agreement between the Spanish and British governments is still possible.

An agreement between the Spanish and British governments came into force on March 16, 2023, regarding UK drivers in Spain and Spanish drivers in the UK.

It allows both governments to exchange licence details on disqualifica tions and points.

There had been a period of time pre viously when some drivers were unable to exchange their licences, forcing some to have to retake a driving test in Spanish.

In May of 2024, a new appointment system was brought in which requires a digital certificate installed on a computer or registration in the Clave Pin system.

While any DGT centre anywhere in the country can be chosen, appointments run out very quickly, and it is advisable to be online at 8am when the new appointment calendar is refreshed.

Virginia highlighted the importance of checking for spelling mistakes in names and addresses,

as an error noticed afterwards will mean that the applicant will have to go through the whole process again.

Many of the categories for heavier vehicles rather than standard cars will be automatically lost from the UK licence exchanged to the Spanish licence. The standard B licence however does cover motorhome drivers up to vehicles of 3.5 tonnes.

Safe e-scooter use

WITH e-scooters becoming a common sight across Spain, the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has launched a campaign to encourage safer riding practices. As these electric scooters gain popularity, especially in big cities, incidents and traffic violations have also risen.

The campaign highlights common violations that put riders and others at risk, such as riding on pavements, not using helmets, and carrying passengers. These behaviours not only endanger the riders but also pedestrians, particularly in busy urban areas. By raising awareness of traffic rules and potential hazards, the DGT hopes to reduce these risky practices and encourage safer habits.

The DGT reinforces key safety guidelines for

e-scooter use. Riders are reminded that scooters are allowed only on roads and cycle paths, while riding on pavements or in pedestrian areas is strictly prohibited. Though helmets are not always mandatory, they are highly recommended to reduce injury risk. Additionally, carrying passengers is not allowed, and riders should stick to a speed limit of 25 km/h. Adhering to local traffic signs and signals

is also essential.

This campaign supports Spain’s broader goal of promoting sustainable urban mobility. E-scooters provide an eco-friendly alternative to cars, helping to ease congestion and reduce emissions. By promoting safer riding practices, the DGT aims to support both road safety and the longterm viability of e-scooters as a sustainable transport option in Spain.

Get your TIE

NATHANIEL AMOS, representative of the UK Foreign Office, spoke to an audience of 200 British expats on the new Entry/Exit System (EES) and why it is important that UK residents have a TIE identity card, as many still don’t.

According to the British Embassy, in June of 2024, 200,000 British residents in Spain still had not exchanged their old green ID cards for the new biometric TIE identity cards.

With the new EES system coming in, travelling anywhere out of the Schengen area, Brits without a TIE could suffer big problems trying to return.

EES is an automated system which will replace passport stamping and will be run by the EU in order to make the external Schengen border more secure.

It records people’s biometric data and is currently due to go live in early 2025.

For those registered living in Spain, you are exempt from the EES system only if you are a holder of a TIE card, which already contains biometric data. Without a TIE, Brits will be put into the EES system which could be problematic because an automatic calculator will start ticking and the system will think you have outstayed your welcome in Spain.

In a worst-case scenario, it could mean a Schengen travel ban and a court case to return to Spain again. For this reason, Amos urged those who have not got a TIE yet, to do so quickly.

Storm damage claims

STORMS and heavy rains have caused havoc across the country, especially in Andalucia, Castilla de la Mancha, and Valencia.

Apart from the heartbreaking tragedy, many homes and cars were affected by flooding and falling tree branches. Who pays for it all?

Generally, insurers consider ‘extraordinary risks’ those caused by natural phenomena, from floods to hurricanes, earthquakes, etc, as well as damage caused by acts of terrorism, and not something covered in their policies. However, all is not lost. The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (Insurance Compensation Consortium), a public body that works as an insurer for these claims caused by extraordinary events, but only if the claimant alre-

ady has an insurance policy on the property with a private insurer. So, if the owner of a vehicle, for example, has their insurance up to date, it will be the Consorcio that pays compensation for storm damage.

In any case, the particular insurance policy should always be reviewed first to ensure who is responsible for compensating for the damage. In some comprehensive insurance policies, policy holders may be entitled to compensation, and the claim would be quicker.

In the areas most affected by the October storms, the government declared these be considered ‘zonas catastroficas’, and therefore a claim made to the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros should theoretically be much more agile. www.consorseguros.es.

Driving in Spain.

The campaign encourages safe and sustainable e-scooter use.

Tree damage.

Calpe helps Valencia!

By Johanna Gardener

CALPE Town Hall has sent another generous batch of supplies to the victims of the DANA in Valencia. In total, there were eight lorries, loaded with aid material for those affected by the heavy flooding, which hit several regions of Valencia last week. This amounts to a total of 34 lorries sent from Calpe to various afflicted regions including Aldaia, Algemesi, Alfafar, Catarroja, Paiporta and other distribution or collection points.

Collaboration with the cleanup operation in Valencia after flooding left whole infrastructures damaged and buildings destroyed has also counted on the support of Acciona which kindly provided a digger and lorry to clean up the debris in Aldaia. Aguas de Calpe supplied a water pump and became another key player in Spain’s community spirit to rally together to help those in need.

Across many areas, the clean up operation is slow and not only are emergency services having to clear mud and drain water but

has sent eight lorries loaded with supplies to Valencia’s

also remove vehicles from roads.

Many victims of the Valencia flooding have been left without water, gas supply, food and even drinking water and heavy rain has continued to fall making their predicament even more acute.

The generosity and community spirit of Calpe and the selfless participation of volunteers was

greatly appreciated by the various regional councils in Valencia.

Over the last week, thousands of volunteers across the country have taken it upon themselves to provide their services in the various afflicted regions and to donate money, clothing and blankets.

Brit wins Benidorm Chess

BRITAIN’S very own chess wizard, Harold James Plaskett, has conjured up a Halloween triumph at Benidorm’s notorious ‘Halloween Chess Superblitz’ tournament, leaving a trail of defeated opponents in his wake.

The Grandmaster, a long-time resident of Cartagena, achieved a awless eight-point sweep in the high-speed 3+2 blitz format, storming to victory as he bagged the top prize of €300 out of a total €1,000 pot.

Plaskett’s perfect score saw him crowned the undisputed king of the board, leaving Venezuelan challenger

Félix José Ynojosa Aponte to settle for second with a close 7.5 points.

Spanish star Andrés Merario Alarcón took the third spot, narrowly missing out on second with seven points, tying with yet another Venezuelan, José Manuel Díaz Velandia, who followed in fourth place.

The Halloween Chess Superblitz, which took place on the eerie evening of November 1, attracted a total of 69 players, who battled it out in the dead of night at Benidorm’s Meliá Hotel.

This ‘midnight madness’ event capped o the side tournaments ahead of the grand Benidorm Chess Open showdown, which wrapped up on Sunday, November 3.

Calpe

worst-hit areas.

Halloween chess winner: Brit champ Harold Plaskett sweeps Benidorm Superblitz.

Protecting green space

CALPE has taken significant steps to protect its green space, an area of 300,000m², by designating it for public use rather than development.

The coalition government of Somos Calpe, PSOE, and Compromís has agreed to declassify land in the Garduix I and II, Pla Feliu I and II, and Ráfol I and II sectors. Previously marked as ‘urbanisable’ in Calpe’s General Urban Plan, these areas will now be reclassified as protected space.

getting monetary compensation, they’d receive new development rights.

The path to this decision has been extensive. In 2018, a proposal for an environmental impact study was approved, and in June 2020, a public consultation showed strong community support for preserving these green areas.

The plan includes ac-

This decision, expected to be presented at the November council meeting, aims to alleviate urban pressure and preserve the environment by allocating the land for sports, educational, recreational, or cultural purposes.

quiring the land through financial compensation for the current owners - rather than traditional urbanistic compensations that have been commonplace - where instead of owners

All Saints’ Day tribute

Mitch Cordner

THE Municipal Cemetery of El Campello saw a large turnout on All Saints’ Day, welcoming hundreds of visitors who came to remember their deceased loved ones. The Cemetery Department organised the special service involving Local Police and civil protection during this significant time of remembrance.

A poignant wreath was placed by the monument honouring sailors lost at sea, alongside another wreath dedicated to the victims of the DANA, the recent tragedy affecting many towns in Valencia. The ribbon on the wreath read, “The people of El Campello, in mourning for the victims of the DANA.”

All Saints’ Day is a deeply rooted tradition in Spain, celebrated each year on November 1. This centuries long tradition sees families gather to pay tribute to lost

relatives, decorating graves with flowers and offerings, reflecting on memories, and honouring those who have passed.

In a touching ceremony, a field mass held the day prior was marked by emotional remembrances, flowers, prayers, and a deep silence. The cemetery operated from 8am to 7pm, allowing ample time for reflection and connection with the memories of those who have passed.

Mayor Ana Sala highlighted that public sentiment now favours preserving these spaces for future generations, emphasising the growing community commitment to environmental conservation.

Calpe will move to preserve its green areas.

The cemetery opened for longer hours on the weekend times of remembrance.

Credit: Facebook, El Campello Ajuntament

Denia dance dazzle Donate school materials

THE Ultramar Dansa contemporary dance festival in Denia is marking its 10th anniversary from November 13 to 17 at the Social Centre auditorium.

Admission is free on most days, with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

However, tickets for the performances on Friday, November 15, and Saturday, November 16, are priced at €10.

Tickets can be purchased online at noti kumi.com or at the box office starting one hour before each performance.

The Teatro Auditorio Centro Social is located at C. Calderón, 4, 03700 Dénia. For more information call (+34) 966 426 165.

Adam Woodward SCHOOLS in Ja vea are working alongside parents’ associations (AMPAS) to launch an initiative for a collection of school materials for those kids affected by the floods.

They are looking for stationery, school bags and backpacks, school glue, scissors, crayons, pens, pen cils, and all the things school children usually need for their day-to-day classes as local commu nities struggle to gradually return to some sort of normality.

School supplies in Spain are the second most expensive in the European Union after Italy, and considering families in Costa Blanca only had to affront that massive cost not two months ago and many of these items were lost in the tragic events of the end of October, making donations of these materials will go a long way to alleviating the burden of affected families. Everything collected will be delivered to a central hub and then distribu-

ted to areas affected the most by the storms, and then finally to the students who need them.

The collection points enabled are: IES La Mar, from Monday to Wednesday from 8am to 8pm; the María Inmaculada School, from Monday to Wednesday from 3.45pm to 5.30pm; and the Peiró Bakery, which will accept donations from Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 2pm and from 5.30pm to 7pm.

Beniconnect excellence recognised

BENICONNECT has been awarded the 2024 Benidorm Seriously Award for Excellence, recognising its commitment to outstanding service in the travel and transport sector.

The prestigious award is based on customer feedback, with businesses earning recognition through the accumulation of five-star reviews on the Benidorm Seriously business directory.

This isn’t the first time Beniconnect has won accolades, winning the Award for Best Quality Transfer Company in Spain in 2018.

Rally donating resources Shop & save

Credit: Trip Advisor

only the company’s focus on customer satisfaction but also its ability to maintain high service standards in a competitive market.

They are noted for being the only company pro-

Founded as a British/ Spanish family business, the company prioritises quality service for its customers, particularly in its airport shuttle transfer offerings.

viding shuttle services to and from the Marina Alta and Vega Baja areas of the Costa Blanca, making them a unique choice for travellers seeking reliable transportation options. The award reflects not

Beniconnect’s achievement reflects its efforts in creating a positive travel experience, with the company continuing to receive praise for its responsive customer service with a contact centre available seven days a week to assist with bookings.

For more information and to read reviews or leave feedback, visit the Benidorm Seriously business directory or book directly at beniconnect.com

The aim is to encourage local shopping, boost spending within the community, and help residents get a head start on their Christmas shopping.

From now until November 30, or while supplies last, residents of Teulada Moraira aged 18 and over (as of October 1, 2024) can purchase consumer vouchers online at bonosconsumoteula damoraira.es.

Once purchased, vouchers are available as QR codes that can be used on mobile devices or printed on paper.

These vouchers can be redeemed at participating shops in Teulada Moraira until November 30, with no refunds for unused vouchers. Each resident can purchase up to €75 in vouchers, which will be matched by the campaign, providing a total of €150 to spend in local businesses. Voucher values include €10, €20, €50, and €100 options.

IN response to the recent DANA storm emer gency, which has left communities across Valencia urgently needing essential resources, the organisers of the Ra lly La Nucía-Mediterranean ‘Costa Blanca Trophy’ announced that all event generators initially designated for the rally will instead be redirected to support relief efforts.

The organisers highlighted that this decision was made in solidarity with the most severely affected areas, noting that the immediate welfare of im pacted communities takes precedence.

Although this action may create some logistical challenges for rally participants, the organisers emphasised the importance of community support and unity during such a crisis.

In their official statement, they described this measure as a gesture of solidarity with the towns facing urgent need, underscoring their commitment to offering meaningful assistance wherever possible.

The statement also expressed appreciation to rally teams, participants, and attendees for their understanding and patience, acknowledging their support for this important initiative.

Despite the shift in resources, the organisers have assured that the rally will continue as planned, with necessary adjustments in place to ensure a smooth event. The rally team is taking all required steps to maintain the quality and safety of the competition.

For residents over 65 or those who may need extra assistance with technology, in-person help and sales will be available. This service will be offered on November 11 at the Teulada Municipal Auditorium hall from 9.30am to 2.00pm, and on November 12 at Espai La Senieta in Moraira, also from 9.30am to 2.00pm.

TEULADA MORAIRA has launched its latest Shopping Vouchers Campaign.

The travel company has once again won accolades.

The event’s generators will be redirected to Valencia.

Credit: Facebook, FR Rally

Boost local businesses

Mitch Cordner

THE Bono Consumo initiative has returned to Sant Joan, featuring participation from over 100 local businesses.

Supporting local businesses this month has been made easier.

Running from October 30 to December 1, this campaign aims to stimulate the local economy by encouraging residents to shop at local establishments while benefiting from substantial discounts. The initiative is designed to support small businesses, as they head into the holiday season.

Participants can purchase vouchers valued at €10, €50, or €100, paying only half the price, as the local government subsidises the remaining amount. This year, the programme is expected to generate around €574,000 in economic activity, with half of that amount coming from the Alicante Provincial Council.

The campaign aligns with the Black Friday shopping period, making it an opportune time for residents to take advantage of these savings.

For the first time, the Bono Consumo allows customers to combine different vouchers for a single purchase in the same store, making it easier to maximise savings.

The initiative is open to

all individuals, not just residents of Sant Joan, and the process for obtaining the vouchers is ac-

cessible both online and in person.

More details, including a list of participating businesses, can be found on the official campaign website: Bono

Sant Joan.

New pump

THE Benidorm Council plans to install the city’s first pump track before the end of the year, to be used primarily by children.

Although it sounds pretty technical, a pump track is simply a specially laid out cycle circuit which in this case is meant for recreation and not competition.

The new facility will be located on an existing but not made up plot at the confluence of Avenida Alcalde Vicente Pérez Devesa and Calle Guatemala.

Budget for this construction is €48,133.80 and work will commence in November with the intention that it will be completed in time for the Christmas holidays.

track

As this will be a relatively small circuit, it will also be possible to tackle the jumps and undulations using a skateboard although those taking part should wear protective clothing at all time.

According to Councillor José Ramón González de Zárate. “It will be the first of its kind in Benidorm and is designed for leisure and entertainment, not for competition” adding, “we are fulfilling a request that we had already received from many people and also from the Neighbourhood Council”.

Covering around 800 square metres, the track is in a green area next to a park with swings, there is a bike lane and parking for those who come by car.

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Risky flood behaviour

A VIDEO that emerged from Altea has shown a driver recklessly ignoring safety barriers and driving into a flooded underpass, prompting police to address the incident. The man may now face a fine for his actions, which put himself and others at risk.

According to Deo Sánchez, Altea’s councillor for Public Safety, the police report will determine the final penalty. This could include a fine of €200 for failing to stop at a designated STOP sign or €80 for disobeying a prohibited

access sign.

The footage of the driver bypassing barriers and entering the flooded passage has gone viral, amassing millions of views and sparking outrage. Residents criticised the driver for reckless behaviour and highlighted the potential danger to himself and emergency responders. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as neighbours and the Local Police who were stationed nearby quickly intervened to rescue him.

The incident occurred despite an orange alert issued by the State Meteorological Agency, which advised residents to take precautions and avoid unnecessary travel.

Garganes Street, one of Altea’s busiest roads, is prone to flooding, with barriers routinely placed to block access during heavy rain.

Missing people search

LOCAL POLICE forces from Benidorm, l’Alfas del Pi, La Nucia, and Villajoyosa have actively volunteered to assist in the rescue and relief operations in areas severely impacted by the recent DANA (a weather phenomenon characterised by heavy rainfall and flooding) in the province of Valencia.

Benidorm Town Council mobilised 20 Local Police officers, a specialised search and rescue dog, and five police vehicles to help locate and rescue individuals who went missing due to the devastating effects of the DANA. Mayor Toni Perez confirmed that these officers focused their efforts on the Valencian municipalities of Paiporta and Alzira, which have faced some of the most significant challenges during this crisis. Tragically, as of writing, this extre -

me weather has led to approximately 100 fatalities, predominantly in Valencia.

A total of 18 dedicated volunteer officers were specifically assigned to Paiporta to support local emergency efforts. Meanwhile, two members of the Canine Unit, accompanied by their trained rescue dog, were deployed to the Park of Firemen in Alzira. From this stra -

tegic location, they participated in the critical operations aimed at searching for and locating missing persons in the aftermath of the disaster.

The mayor stressed that: “Benidorm has offered its absolute collaboration, both to the Emergency Coordinator and to the municipalities of the affected town, we could not do otherwise.”

The video has been viewed by millions online.

Vehicles heading to Paiporta.

Credit: X. @worldstormm

Library reading award

Mitch Cordner

THE Benitachell Library has earned the María Moliner Award for Reading Promotion which recognises outstanding initiatives in reading promotion from public libraries in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 residents. This is the seventh consecutive year the library earned the award and as a result of this recognition, they will receive a grant of over €2,700 to enhance its collection.

The library has once again been recognised for its positive efforts to promote reading.

play, and learn which helps new parents and supports literary participation among all ages. Additionally, the library features storytelling sessions, baby storytimes, conferences, family talk series, various activities like mini-stories and mini-poems along with multiple exhibitions.

This prestigious award, granted by the Ministry of Culture and Sport in collaboration with the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, showcased the significant achievements of the library in promoting reading and engagement.

Highlighted in the award was the library’s ‘Mascot for the Library’ contest, where participants create drawings

that are transformed into stuffed animals, serving as the library’s mascot for a year.

The library has also established a ‘Bebeteca,’ a dedicated space for babies and families to read,

Young people have their own spaces with workshops on study techniques, 3D design, video game design and typing and office skills courses. They also have the ‘Library at Home’ programme that provides a free book lending service to those with accessibility or mobility challenges.

Cleaner air ahead

BENIDORM is preparing to launch its Low Emission Zone (LEZ), an initiative to cut vehicle emissions in key areas, reduce pollution and improve sustainability. Councillor for Mobility, Francis Muñoz, began a series of preparatory meetings with representatives from essential sectors - hotels, public parking, and transportation companies - to ensure smooth coordination and compliance.

The first meetings brought together leaders from the HOSBEC hotel association, the Benidorm Travel Agency Association, and other sector representatives with technical support from consultants at Tecnologías Viales Aplicadas.

Muñoz highlighted the importance of these sessions as a first step in building cooperation toward greener city mobility, helping all parties unders -

tand how the LEZ will impact daily operations and access.

During these sessions, participants were introduced to the new digital platform for managing vehicle access permits. Hotel managers, for instance, learned how to register guest vehicles for short or extended stays, enabling access to hotel parking and designated loading areas.

Public parking facilities and transport companies also received guidance on integrating new tech-based processes for better traffic flow and compliance with the LEZ.

In the next phase, the council will continue outreach to the local community, raising awareness about the LEZ and its benefits for air quality, reduced traffic, and an overall healthier environment.

New Court Success: Contesting a Will in Spain. European Regulation 650/2012 and Habitual Residence. International Inheritance. Expert legal advice.

TODAY, we share with our readers a new court success achieved by our firm. The case involves contesting a will in Spain, the interpretation of the European Regulation 650/2012 and its implications for inheritance laws with an international component. Our clients - the deceased’s children - were unjustly excluded from their father’s inheritance. The judge ultimately ruled in our client’s favour and upheld their right as legitimate heirs. Below, we examine the details of this case. You can check the complete sentence, by visiting our website.

European Regulation 650/2012: Determining the Applicable Law for Succession

As we have explained in previous articles, the European

Tel: +34 966 426 185 - info@white-baos.com - White & Baos - All Rights Reserved. ADVERTISING

Regulation 650/2012 outlines the rules governing applicable laws in inheritance cases. Particularly those with international connections. According to Article 21, the law governing the inheritance will be that of the deceased’s last habitual residence at the time of their death. This law applies to the entire estate, covering all the assets the deceased holds globally. However, this European Regulation allows individuals to expressly choose in their will, the law of their nationality to govern their estate. This flexibility accommodates individual circumstances and respects the deceased’s intentions.

Case Details: Italy, United Kingdom, and Spain. An International Inheritance

To provide context to our readers, it is important to note that both Italian and Spanish laws include ‘forced heirs’. Certain close family members who are legally entitled to a reserved share of the estate. Under English law, however, testators have complete freedom to distribute assets as they wish, without this limitation.

In this case, the deceased, an Italian citizen who spent most of his professional life in the United Kingdom, retired to Spain.

Despite having is habitual residence in Marbella, he granted a will stating he was resident in the UK and chose English law to apply to his estate, thereby excluding his children and naming his second wife as sole heir.

Contesting a Will: Habitual Residence of the Deceased.

The First Instance Court of Marbella has issued a judgment confirming, as requested in our claim, that:

- European Regulation 650/2012 only allows the choice of national law in a will, not any other law.

- The deceased’s habitual residence was located, unquestionably, in Spain. As supported by evidence such as utility bills, vehicle mileage records, witness statements, and more.

- Therefore, the deceased’s will and the inheritance deed through which the widow inherited all the assets, are both to be declared null and void.

- The court has ordered the defendant to pay legal costs.

Carlos Baos (Lawyer) White & Baos.

Conclusions.

International inheritance cases can be particularly complex, underscoring the need for expert legal advice when drafting a will.

At White Baos Lawyers, we specialise in contesting a will in Spain. If you believe your inheritance rights may have been compromised, do not hesitate to contact us.

We will review your case and provide expert legal advice.

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

ABOGADOS / SOLICITORS

Accessible travel

A GERMAN travel blogger who uses a wheelchair, Kim Lumelius, recently promoted Costa Blanca North as an accessible holiday destination.

Lumelius, known for her blog Wheelie Wanderlust, shared her personal travel experiences to inspire others facing similar challenges in their journeys.

During her visit, she explored a variety of accessible sites in Villajoyosa, Benidorm, and the Gallinera Valley.

In addition to discovering the local attractions, she connected with artisans who specialise in creating honey and jam, e ectively showcasing the inclusive culinary and cultural o erings of the region.

This initiative, which was organised by the Costa Blanca Board in collaboration with the Spanish Tourism O ce in Munich and Visit Benidorm, aimed

Statistics show the importance of accessible holiday destinations.

to highlight the accessible o erings in Alicante for travellers with limited mobility.

With a substantial following on social media, Lumelius reached over 10,000 followers on Instagram, engaging a broad German audience across Facebook and Pinterest.

José Mancebo, the director of the Costa Blanca Tourism Board, emphasi-

sed the signi cance of promoting accessible tourism. Statistics indicated that the EU records over 783 million accessibility-related trips annually, highlighting the substantial potential of this market.

The ‘Accessibility in Costa Blanca’ initiative sought to position Alicante as a leading destination for inclusive and sustainable tourism.

Anger halts royal visit!

KING FELIPE VI, his wife Letizia, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and representatives of the Valencian autonomous government were met with extreme opposition as protestors and enraged civilians shouted insults and threw objects at the party.

Earlier this morning, the King and his wife; Pedro Sánchez and members of the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencian government) - including President Carlos Mázon and delegate, Pilar Bernabé - visited the most devastated municipality in the region: Paiporta, in the metropolitan area of Valencia City.

In a turn of events, hundreds of people gathered at the arrival of the esteemed party throwing mud and insulting the leaders, especially Pedro Sánchez. According to reports, the Prime Minister was attacked with a spade, as people chanted “Murderers” and “Pedro Sánchez, where are you?” after Spain suffered one of its worst natural catastrophes in history.

As emergency services work tirelessly to rescue victims and bodies from the wreckage, many Spanish citizens are outraged at how the disaster has been managed, namely the lack of warning, before torrential rains took hold of several municipalities across Valencia, creating mass devastation

and over 200 deaths.

Despite being bombarded by insults and violence directed at the royal family and at political leaders, the King and his wife, withstood the seething crowds, and tried to instil calm. Meanwhile, Pedro Sánchez was forced to evacuate the area and take refuge. The King had decided to maintain his visit to Chiva, another severely floodhit muncipality in the región - expecting an equally unwelcome entry into the municipality. However, the visit was later cancelled due to extreme risk.

The King tries to calm angry crowds during visit to Paiporta, Valencia.

Snow farming saves the day

FINNISH ski resorts don’t save for a rainy day, but each spring they do save snow for the coming winter.

In the past it was habitual, just before the spring thaw, to cut ice from a lake or river before insulating it with sawdust and stacking it in pits, ice cellars or barns for use during the summer.

Snow farming is a centuries’ old system that works, even in Spain, where winter snow was stored in pits, ready for the torrid summer months.

In Finland, ski resorts are reviving the practice to ensure there is enough snow for winter sports, using Snow Secure’s polystyrene blankets, which are between 50 and 70 millimetres thick and tailored to fit precisely over huge mounds of snow.

The method is currently used at Finland’s ski stations, including Levi in Kittila, and Ruka in Kuusamo. For a resort like Ruka, which is only 500 metres above sea level, this is a necessity as winters start later and become shorter.

RUKA: One of Finland’s most popular ski resorts

Ski stations inside Finland have used the insulating mats for several years but this is the first season that the manufacturer has supplied them outside the country, with the Tromso Alpinpark in Krokelvdalen in Norway and Saas-Fee in Sastal (Switzerland) using them.

Meanwhile, next year’s customers include not only ski resorts in Andalucia’s Sierra Nevada but also Tyrol Basin (Wisconsin) and Ski Apache (New Mexico) on the other side of the Atlantic.

Few

BY its very nature, the European Union is multilingual and many of its most successful and affluent members speak more than one language.

It is recognised that there is a grave shortage of staff in certain areas of industry and special arrangements have been made to allow those from nonEU countries to take up necessary occupations across most of Europe. Spain goes out of its way to try to accommodate English speakers with bilingual volunteers in Foreigners Departments and Hospitals but other countries aren’t so helpful.

Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the UK all have legislation that helps hospital patients understand what is happening but one of the least helpful countries is Germany.

It appears that the German Government has recognised since after the pandemic that it needs interpreters in hospitals but nothing positive has occurred and doctors themselves have voted overwhelmingly for the addition of translators when interviewing non-German

speakers.

Whilst it is easy to say that people should learn German before they arrive, the government is searching for 570,000 foreign workers and recently agreed to allow a large number of Kenyan workers into Germany but it is highly unlikely that many will know anything other than their native language and possibly English.

With 15 per cent of the population of Germany not speaking German and more due over the coming year, most, should they fall ill, will struggle to cope with doctor visits.

There are some charities that help with interpreting but they are few and far between.

For and against wolves A nation pulls together

SPAIN’S Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly announced that €10.6 billion worth of aid will be sent to regions afflicted by the recent flooding in Valencia following the storms.

In the first press briefing since the crisis flood struck, affecting several regions of Valen-cia, Pedro Sánchez stressed the government’s commitment to providing a swift re-sponse to the tragedy and devastation witnessed by so many.

The massive aid package aims to administer crucial relief to the affected communities where there was huge devastation to infrastructure including bridges, roads and build-ings. Many people are currently without homes or adequate facilities including water and gas supply, and are seeking refuge in local towns and villages.

Local authorities from around the nation have sent emergency help, search and rescue

professionals, and firefighters to help in the location of survivors and the clean-up campaign. At the same time, 15,000 volunteers travelled from all over the country to aid in rescue missions carrying donations of food, blankets and fresh water. Thousands of campaigns have been set up around the country collecting everything the survivors need from clothes and linen to school accessories, all having been lost in the terrible events of the last days of October.

President Sánchez’s relief package comes after Carlos Mazón, President of the Valencian Generalitat (regional government) heavily criticised him for a lack of urgency and underestimating on the amount of initial aid provided. Sánchez has defended the complaints raised against him, claiming that emergency services, including 15,000 personnel were fully prepared and ready to mobilise.

WOLVES returned to the Netherlands in 2015 after an absence of 150 years, but their presence has not been welcomed by Zeeland farmers.

During the first six months of 2024 there were 360 registered attacks on livestock in the Netherlands, compared to 399 for the whole of 2023, according to figures from BIJ12, which monitors the wolf population.

Zeeland farmers claim that wolves, which were first spotted in the province in 2021, have killed dozens of sheep and they are calling for a relaxation of the strict European Union regulations protecting.

This is likely to happen, as a majority of EU member states agreed in September to adopt the European Commission’s proposal to downgrade the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention.

In the meantime, Zeeland’s provincial authorities allocated €95,000

to farmers and livestock owners for the purchase of electrified fencing and other wolf-resistant safeguards to protect their animals.

“As a result, more than 3,700 sheep, 16 goats, six cattle and four horses are

safer,” the provincial council reported. Of 16 subsidy applications received, eight were turned down as not meeting the requirements or providing the necessary documentation, but eight others were approved.

Pedro Sánchez has announced a €10.6bn aid package will be sent to Valencia regions.

Unregistered children

SOMETIMES the most obvious things are overlooked, not because parents are uncaring but because they simply don’t understand the importance of registration of new born children.

Parents holding either EU or non-EU passports may have done everything necessary to ensure that they are registered legally in Spain, but they then overlook undertaking the correct registration for new borns.

In the case of those who come from one of the 26 EU member states, they need to register their child as legal residents and there is the added benefit that after one year of registration, they are able to apply for a Spanish passport for the child.

If the parent comes from a non-EU state then the need to register is so much greater and until such time as this is done the child is classified as an illegal immigrant.

Although it’s unlikely that a child would be deported if unregiste-

Register any baby born in Spain to immigrants as soon as you can

red, imagine taking them on a trip abroad and finding out that the child is refused re-entry as they are classed as illegal immigrants.

Birth in Spain is not enough to ensure that the rules are complied with and there is considerable potential benefit for the children of foreign parents born in Spain as they can claim Spanish citizenship, if not now but when they grow older, giving them access to all of the benefits of the Spanish and European Union systems. Some information obtained from Rey Expat Advisors.

Halloween hoax

WE blithely hear about the spread of misdirection with social media and simply ignore the warnings, carrying on as if they aren’t important.

What is now described as a simple human error, prompted what appears to be thousands of Dubliners on to the streets of the Irish capital on October 31, with what should have been called an extremely late April Fool event rather than Halloween.

An events website, My Spirit Halloween based in Pakistan announced that the famous Galway based theatre groups Macnas would be parading giant Halloween characters through the centre of Dublin.

In the event, whilst large numbers of people turned up, there were no signs of any barriers or security and in fact the number of uncontrolled people there actually blocked the tram lines.

The owner of the site explained that a member of sta had wrongly ‘cut and paste’ an announcement from Halloween 2023 which then remained on the site and caused all of the problems.

Speaking to the Irish Times, Nazir Ali said that he was embarrassed by the error, adding “It was our mistake and we should have doubled checked it to make sure it was happe-

ning. But newspapers are reporting that we posted it intentionally and this is very, very wrong.”

No real harm was done, other than wasting the time of several thousand Dubliners but it just goes to show that whilst this was a mistake, deliberately faked information could easily be disseminated, potentially causing major problems and even panic.

A scene from the wasted night in Dublin

Credit: @arturmartins X

Credit: Kimberly Vardeman CC

ARMED with angle grinders, the Marseille Council is removing key boxes hung in public view, used for shortterm holiday rentals, such as Airbnb.

Marseille authorities are on the hunt for key boxes that give tourist accommodation keys hung on street furnishings such as benches, signposts, fences, and barriers. These small coded padlock-type cases allow owners of unlicensed short-term rentals, such as Airbnb advertisers, to provide keys to guests without having to meet them personally.

The phenomenon has been intensified by the explosion of short-term rentals in Marseille. There are already nearly 13,000 in the city today. That is one in 10 homes in the centre of the city.

Angle grinders are meant as an initial ‘strong’ message in the face of the

WHEN British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with the President of the European commission, Ursula von der Leyen in October, much was made about relationships between the two. It was agreed in principle that there should be regular high level summits to discuss ways to strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union and now it appears that if Poland gets its way, this will happen in the rst half of 2025.

A member of the Polish ruling Civic Coalition and also an MEP, Michał Szczerba told Poland’s state PAP news agency: “An EU-UK summit will be held during the Polish presidency of

Marseille crackdown

UK EU Summit

the EU Council in the rst half of 2025.” He went on to con rm that in his opinion

“The UK wants a reset in its relations with the EU,” and

that having recently met with a UK Minister of State for Defence Vernon Coaker in London, it was clear that change is needed.

Szczerba told PAP “We have a new opening in the European Union, new priorities. They are consistent with the priorities of the Polish presidency and the UK government wants a reset in EU-UK relations.”

He then went a step further suggesting that he believed the UK should be granted a special status in relations with the bloc.

This is certainly potentially good news for both the Labour Government and those in the UK who believed, or now believe, that Brexit was not likely to be bene cial to the country.

excesses of unlicensed tourist rentals. It seems if the investment seems juicy enough for the owners, it deprives the locals of housing opportunities, in the midst of one of the most serious housing crises in recent memory.

Rental licensing laws have become extremely strict over the last couple of years in Marseille and the city has decided to crack down. Mayor Benoît Payan promised ‘the strictest regulation in France to fight against Airbnb’.

Those owners who wish to rent their second home as a tourist apartment will now have to compensate by simultaneously creating another family-oriented home for rent.

Michał Szczerba visited the House of Lords in late October.

Credit: Michał Szczerba X

Credit: jacintaallanmp, Instagram

Lockboxes for unlicensed keys.

NEWS Travel

Discover the Magic of Sevilla

AS the capital of Andalucia, Sevilla is a city brimming with history, culture, and unforgettable charm. From its world-famous monuments to its vibrant festivals and flamenco rhythms, Sevilla captures the essence of southern Spain like no other city. Whether you’re strolling through its lively streets or soaking up the grandeur of its historic sites, Sevilla offers an experience unlike any other. With Hispavan Campers, you can explore this enchanting city and its surroundings with the freedom to travel at your own pace.

The Heart of Andalucian Culture

Sevilla is the cultural heart of Andalucia, known for its impressive architecture, vibrant festivals, and passionate flamenco performances. At the centre of it all stands the Cathedral of Sevilla, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, which houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Next door is the Giralda Tower, offering stunning panoramic views of the city from its summit.

Not far from the cathedral is the majestic Alcázar of Sevilla, a royal palace that blends Moorish and Christian architectural styles. Its lush gardens and intricately decorated rooms are a must-see for anyone visiting the city.

Explore Sevilla with Hispavan

Exploring Sevilla with Hispavan Campers allows you to experience the city’s rich history and culture without the worry of rigid travel plans. With a fully equipped camper van, you can park just outside

with Hispavan Campers

the city centre and take your time wandering through Sevilla’s iconic landmarks, including the Plaza de España and the charming streets of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood.

Hispavan’s camper vans provide all the comforts of home, with cosy sleeping areas, kitchen facilities, and plenty of storage, making your visit to Sevilla both convenient and enjoyable. After a day of sightseeing, you can return to the comfort of your camper van and relax under the Andalucian sky.

More to Explore

Beyond Sevilla’s city limits, Andalucia’s natural beauty awaits. From the rolling hills of Sierra Norte to the nearby whitewashed villages, there’s no shortage of places to explore. With a camper van, you have the flexibility to discover the region’s hidden gems, all while enjoying the comfort and freedom that Hispavan Campers provides.

SUMMARY

Sevilla’s captivating history, rich culture, and architectural wonders make it a must-visit destination in Spain. With Hispavan Campers, you can experience this magical city and its surroundings with complete freedom, making your Andalucian adventure truly unforgettable.

COSTA BLANCA NORTH

JAVEA will honour Joaquín Sorolla’s legacy with a guided tour in English, inviting visitors to walk in the footsteps of the master painter on Sunday, November 17. Sorolla, referred to as the ‘master of light’, was known for his ability to capture the vibrance and colour of the Mediterranean.

Visitors will explore key sites and experience the coastal scenes that brought the Spaniard’s art to life. Alongside these views, guides will share Sorolla’s sketches, letters, and personal stories, offering unique insights into his creative journey in Javea.

Sorolla’s works featured local landscapes, the traditional process of raisin-making, local family portraits, and other scenes of everyday life. Many of these pieces focus on the town’s iconic seascapes,

depicting swimmers, rocky shorelines, and various coastal scenes that reveal Sorolla’s fascination with the Mediterranean light and atmosphere.

The tours will showcase Sorolla’s life and work in the exact places where he found inspiration and begins at the Lonja del Puerto in Javea. Tickets start at €10 for adults and €5 for children. Private group bookings are also available.

For booking, contact David Gutiérrez Pulido at paseoporelarte.dgp@gmail.com or call on 646 875 014. Visit www.sorollaja vea.wordpress.com for more information.

MORAIRA is set to host the Ugly Day Spain International Rock Festival on November 16 and 17. With no entrance fee, this weekend event will showcase a lineup of international rock bands, along with an impressive gathering of motorcycles and classic cars, making it a must-attend for music and car enthusiasts alike!

With free entry for everyo-

ne, it invites all ages to join the fun - whether arriving by car, motorcycle, or on foot!

Families can enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with music, vehicles, and community spirit. The festival kicks off on Saturday at 11pm until 2pm and continues on Sunday from 10am to 6.00pm. A key highlight of Ugly Day Spain is its charitable mission: the organisers

Fancy dress fiesta

BENIDORM is gearing up for its vibrant annual Fancy Dress Party - an exciting highlight in the local social calendar that promises an unforgettable spectacle on Thursday, November 14. Known for drawing thousands of participants, this year’s event will bring cheer and colour to the streets of Rincon de Loix,

with over 30 elaborate floats leading the way in a lively parade.

Since it began over 30 years ago, the Fancy Dress Party has evolved from a small gathering into one of Europe’s largest costume celebrations. This year, more than 30,000 attendees from across Europe are expected, donning

have previously donated to the La Fe Hospital for children and Gargasindi school for children with special needs. All proceeds from the festival will be directed toward local charitable projects, ensuring that attendees contribute to meaningful causes while enjoying themselves. This festival is not just about rock music; it’s a celebration of community, inclusivity, and support for good causes. Bring your friends and family for a weekend of fantastic music and camaraderie in Moraira! For more information, visit Ugly Day Spain.

creative costumes and enjoying a vibrant mix of dance troupes, percussion groups, and other entertainment. The main attraction - a spectacular float parade - will begin at 4pm, setting a carnival-like atmosphere throughout the city.

The city council of Benidorm has invested heavily in organising the event with road closures and extensive safety measures to accommodate the crowd.

Approximately 50-60 local businesses are also joining the festivities, enhancing the celebration with food, drinks, and lively decorations, while showcasing the city’s welcoming spirit.

Each year, the party attracts a growing international crowd, showcasing Benidorm as a destination for vibrant and inclusive cultural festivities.

Mitch Cordner

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Credit: Ugly Day Spain

Remembering sacrifices

THE Royal British Legion Javea Branch will hold its Remembrance Service on November 10 at the Fishermans Church in Javea Port, commencing at 3pm.

This event is open to all, offering a tribute to those who have served in the armed forces. Attendees can expect a traditional ceremony featuring wreath-laying and a moment of silence to honour the sacrifices made.

Founded in 1990, the Javea Branch boasts a diverse membership base that extends beyond Javea itself and welcomes anyone interested in supporting the objectives of the Legion - which aims at supporting ex-servicemen and women.

Membership is open to both veterans and

non-veterans of all ages which opens up opportunities to engage in a variety of activities throughout the year. The Javea Branch works also with 14 local businesses that offer a great range of member discounts.

The Royal British Legion is the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, with 180,000 members and 110,000 volunteers, with the Javea branch covering the whole of the Marina Alta. The Legion provides essential support to veterans and their families, ensuring that the sacrifices of service members are never forgotten.

For those interested in becoming involved or needing assistance, the Javea Branch encourages community members to reach out via their Facebook page or by contacting Debbie on +34 711 094 860.

Evening of rhythm

GET ready to kick up your heels at the Azahar County Line Dancing event on November 10 from 5pm to 8pm at the Isla Bonita in Javea. This fun-filled evening welcomes dance enthusiasts of all levels to join in a lively session of line dancing, where everyone can learn and enjoy the rhythm together.

Under the guidance of professional instructor Nigel Hobman, participants will ease into

a series of fun and invigorating dance routines, with opportunities for individual dance requests. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, you’ll find the atmosphere supportive and energetic, perfect for honing your skills while getting a workout.

Isla Bonita - is a venue described as a Mediterranean oasis in Javea - and will add to the experience, allowing dancers to unwind with a refreshing

drink at the bar while the sun sets.

With easy parking available and entry priced at just €6 at the door, there’s no need for reservations - just come ready to dance and have fun! Join Azahar County Line Dancing for an unforgettable evening of music, movement and fun.

For more information, visit the Facebook page, email azaharcountyline dancing@gmail.com or call 644 724 244.

Mitch Cordner

Credit: Facebook, Azahar County Line Dancing Costa Blanca

Moftag charity fayre

Mitch Cordner

MOFTAG is ringing the bells for their much-anticipated Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 16, at Pub Delfin, located on Calle Delfin, Calpe. The fayre opens its doors at 10am and runs until 1pm, but be sure to arrive early, as items sell out quickly!

A highlight of the day will be the grand raffle, drawn at 12.30pm, featuring an array of amazing prizes that you won’t want to miss. Attendees can indulge in a delightful variety of home-made cakes, marmalades, and

chutneys offered at attractive prices.

The bric-a-brac stall will dazzle visitors with exquisite jewellery and other high-quality items. Plus, there will be charming knitted Christmas decorations and beautifully crafted handmade Christmas cards available for purchase.

Moftag has a rich history of supporting local charities and through various events, the club has been able to assist organisations such as the Red Cross, Caritas, and Maite Boronat. All money raised during the

fayre goes directly to local charities dedicated to helping underprivileged people in Calpe.

The last spring fair was a record-breaking success, raising an impressive €3,000 for local charities.

Family fun is guaranteed with games such as ‘Guess the Weight of Santa’s Sack’, where you can win its entire contents.

In addition to fundraising, the club hosts weekly social meetings to provide companionship and support for its members.

A meaty sensation

IGNITE your culinary passion at The Cut Steakhouse’s Grill & Taste Event in Denia! This special food experience takes place on November 9 and 10 from 4pm to 7pm offering an unforgettable grilling workshop. In partnership with First BBQ House in Teulada, the event brings an expert-led session that showcases top grills and equipment. Guests will enjoy free tasting samples of premium cuts, each expertly grilled to perfection, with drinks available to purchase.

Located at the Port of Denia, The Cut Steakhouse offers a fantastic setting with its spacious terrace right by the sea. While The Cut specialises in high-quality grilled meats, they also cater to those who prefer lighter options, with fresh fish, vibrant salads and pasta dishes available. Committed to quality, The Cut ensures that their meats come from animals raised on fresh herbs, wildflowers, and lush pasture grass, prioritising healthy and ethical sourcing.

To complement the meal, they offer a carefully curated wine selection to enhance the flavours and make it a perfect dining experience. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore new flavours and grilling techniques - reserve

your spot today for a culinary journey by the sea!

Limited spot available so

714 357 or 657 403 325 on WhatsApp.

Backstage heroes wanted

FEELING bored or looking for something new to spark your creativity? Why not join the Javea Players! You don’t need to be an actor to contribute and there are countless ways to get involved behind the scenes. No experience is necessary - just a willingness to lend a hand to help create something special together!

Can you sew or craft costumes? Do you have a knack for painting scenery? Perhaps you’re interested in working the lights, helping behind the bar or being an usher? If so, there’s a perfect place for you! Join them in creating memorable performances and enjoy the camaraderie of the vibrant communi-

ty. Your contributions will help bring their productions to life and make every show special.

ring their inner thespian.

Upcoming shows include The Long Road, The Little Panto on the Prairie, and the beloved musical Beauty & the Beast. They also host regular social events, film evenings, and acting workshops for those interested in discove-

Don’t be shy - meet the friendly bunch and see how you can get involved! Whether you prefer the spotlight or the supportive role behind the scenes, there’s something for everyone at Javea Players. Visit www.javeaplayers.com for more information on how to join.

Fair of fun

ONDARA will host its traditional ‘Fair of Fairs’ across three weekends starting on November 9. Entering its 334th year, the event has been celebrated since 1690, emphasising its historical importance in promoting local commerce and community spirit! The first weekend will feature the Marina Alta Fair on November 9 and 10, showcasing local crafts, gastronomy, and cultural performances.

The Marina Alta Fair will unite 11 local municipalities, providing a platform for tourism and economic promotion, along with attractions like a rapid painting contest and a walking route through a ‘riuraus’, local traditional grape drying buildings.

Expect to see mediaeval fun on November 16 and 17, with activities like a mediaeval market, an animal fair and an exhibition of vintage vehicles.

The tivoli-like attraction fair will run for three weekends until November 24, offering rides and activities, with reduced prices for children on November 13 and 20. The second weekend’s fair of samples and purchases will focus on local commerce, featuring various businesses, workshops, and presentations, even a beauty pageant for dogs!

This vibrant event aims to engage the community, celebrate local culture, and ensure the historical legacy of Ondara continues to thrive. For more information, visit La Veu d’Ondara.

Mitch Cordner

Credit: Javea Players

Relive Take That

Mitch Cordner

EXPERIENCE the magic of Take That with Re-Take That on November 17! Fans of the iconic British band Take That can enjoy an unforgettable night of nostalgia as Re-Take That, the UK’s premier Take That tribute band, performs live at Benidorm Palace. This show promises to deliver a high-energy celebration of Take That’s greatest hits, including timeless favourites like ‘Back for Good’, ‘Pray’, and ‘Never Forget’.

Since their electrifying debut in 2007, Re-Take That has enthralled audiences across the UK and beyond, authentically recreating Take That’s signature charm

and style, from choreography to costumes. Their performances are designed to capture the original band’s excitement and spirit, even featuring a special ‘Robbie Live!’ segment with fan-favourite solo hits from Robbie Williams.

With backing from Take That’s own guitarist, Milton McDonald, Re-Take That has earned recognition as the ultimate tribute band, bringing fans both old and new together to relive the magic of Take That.

The concert starts at 8.30pm with ticket prices set from €30. Secure your tickets now for a night filled with cherished music, nostalgia, and timeless joy at Benidorm Palace! www.benidormpalace.com

The night will also include a special Robbie Williams segment.

Oslo goes electric

DESPITE pleas to postpone the implementation date until 2027, Oslo City council declared that with effect from Saturday November 2, 2024, all taxis working within the city would have to be electric or at least create no emissions from combustion engines.

Norway with its relatively small population has been something of a beacon for the sale of electric vehicles which was helped by government subsidies and even assistance with cheap parking in the capital. This isn’t just an Oslo phenomena as according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, by 2023, all new taxis in Bergen and Stavanger were electric whilst Trondheim was up to 97 per cent.

Oslo had actually been lagging for a while and has had to see the addition of another 10 per cent of electric taxis in order to meet the November 2 deadline. As Oslo replaced its buses to run

with electric with costs absorbed by public transport company Ruter, there have been problems with buses apparently disabled in the very cold weather as this means electric charges are reduced and therefore ranges are in turn reduced resulting in cancellations.

There is a certain irony in the fact that whilst Norway continues to make it a requirement that all taxis become electric as soon as possible, it is still reliant of the sale of North Sea oil which is expected to represent 25 per cent of GDP in 2024, with other financial benefits coming from the sale of gas.

Invasive crayfish

INVASIVE SPECIES can mean the death knell for local creatures as has been seen in rivers and ponds across the UK with the appearance of the American Signal crayfish.

Now, after exhaustive research by the Ins tituut voor Natuur (INBO), including a search of potential hi ding places during the summer, it transpires that there are five invasive species of crayfish in Belgian waters.

Whilst all are worrying, the discovery of examples of the Marble crayfish in one stream in Limberg sounds genuine warning bells because of the way it breeds and reproduces so quickly.

Originally hailing from America in another

form, it has been adapted to be bred in aquariums and has evolved into a self-cloning creature which can literally take over whole areas very quickly.

It is rapacious and able to eat plant life as well as living creatures and it increases in numbers so it can literally devastate

a whole area, stripping it bare of other living creatures and wherever possible, moves on to other areas where the entire process is repeated. According to the experts at INBO, there is no way that it could have evolved naturally in Belgian open water, so must have been introduce by one or more individuals who were emptying the contents of one or more aquariums. Action needs to be taken quickly to ensure that all of the suspect waters are not only checked but cleared of this dangerous invasive crustacean before its presence manages to expand, making the solution much more difficult to implement.

Oslo buses turned all electric before taxis

The Marble crayfish is a potential killer

Paid to start business

A SPANISH TikToker cannot believe how much easier it is to start up a business in Finland when compared to Spain.

On one of Anna Matea’s latest TikTok videos, she is amazed how Finns don’t have to pay Social Security quotas every month like her long-suffering, countryfolk in Spain do. In fact, it’s the Finnish government who pays the self-employed worker, and not the other way around.

Finland has positioned itself as an attractive country for those who want to start a business, and ac-

cording to Spanish Anna, a resident of Finland, the conditions for the self-employed are a real respite compared to those in Spain.

During the first year of opening, the Finnish go-

Credit: Anna Matea, TikTok

vernment gives €740 per month to the worker instead of the worker paying the government. This is to guarantee that during the first year of business, the self-employed worker has enough money

to cover necessities. She also highlights how many more financial benefits start-ups can obtain from the government than in Spain. Basically, if the entrepreneur has a good idea for a business, all that money will stay in the pocket of the worker. In fact, the quota that ‘autonomous’ (self-employed) people pay in Spain doesn’t even exist in Finland. Anna is certain, for this reason, that Finland is the best country in Europe for setting up a business, and she should know as she is the owner of a business in Finland.

In need of a “data diet”?

EVER wondered about your online carbon footprint? Everyday digital tasks, from streaming to emails, leave a surprising environmental mark. The Guardian recently reported on the CO2 emissions linked to routine digital habits, like emails and video calls. People are being urged to consider a “data diet.”

For instance, sending one email generates roughly 17g of CO2, while streaming HD video racks up 36g per hour – similar to boiling a kettle. WhatsApp group chats contribute 2.35kg of CO2 weekly, and video calls can be even more intensive, consuming up to 15MB per minute.

Meanwhile, tech giants including Amazon, Google and Microsoft are in-

wide to meet our digital demands. Amazon plans to spend £8 billion (€9.5 billion) on UK data infrastructure over the next five years alone.

Researcher Alex de Vries from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam recommend “digital sobriety,” encouraging simple steps to reduce emissions, such as using standard-definition streaming or emojis instead of GIFs.

Oxfam’s recent report adds that the carbon footprint of billionaires’ lifestyles, especially in high-polluting industries, far exceeds individual contributions. While personal choices matter, substantial change will ultimately depend on policies and tech companies’ efforts to reduce global digital emis-

Anna Matea in Finland.

Foiled at the airport

TWO Italian males were arrested at Buenos Aires airport on October 25 as they tried to leave Argentina with a baby born to a “rent-a-womb” mother.

Surrogacy was already banned in Italy when, on October 16, parliament voted 84-58 to make it illegal to have a baby via a surrogate outside the country. Breaking the law can now result in a two-year prison term and a fine of up to €1 million.

Suspicions were aroused

in Buenos Aires on October 23 when an 18-year-old woman, told airport officials that she wanted to authorise the father of her newborn daughter, who already had a passport, to fly to Italy with her the next day. Their records showed that the Italian, an oncologist from Padua, visited Argentina in July 2023, in March 2024 and on October 7, three days before the baby was born. On each occasion, he was accompanied by another man.

Immigration refused the authorisation and referred the case to the federal court for investigation.

Undeterred, the two men turned up at Ministro Pistarini, Buenos Aires’s principal airport, on October 25 with the baby and her mother.

Immigration had already flagged up their case and a court order preventing the baby from leaving the country arrived while the party of four waited in the pre-boarding area.

Profiling immigrants?

THE right-leaning Danish political party, Liberal Alliance (LA), has a new litmus test in mind for citizenship hopefuls: prove your values or lose your passport dreams! The party’s leader, Alex Vanopslagh, is shaking things up by pushing a policy that’s more than a little eyebrow-raising. Vanopslagh wants to see only those with “fundamental democratic values” earn the right to be called Danish.

Vanopslagh laid it bare to Berlingske newspaper, saying that candidates for Danish citizenship need to believe in Denmark’s core democratic principles. But it doesn’t stop at just a civic test - no, LA has suggested using police intelligence services, PET, to “profile” applicants to sniff out anti-democratic mindsets. This new policy would apply to all new applicants supposedly.

The party’s influence isn’t just talk; it’s already a part of the government’s citizenship pact, giving it more pull on these matters than any other opposition group.

LA is looking at drafting an “expert group” to lay down the criteria and come up with a workable system to enforce this profiling approach. Critics have dubbed it “thought control,” and Vanopslagh himself admitted it treads

the line. Kaare Dybvad, Denmark’s Minister for Immigration and Integration, cautioned that the ministry must adhere to constitutional standards. With LA polling at a solid 14.4 per cent in the latest surveys, Vanopslagh might just have the backing he needs to turn these lofty ideals into law.

INTERCEPTED: Italian couple prevented from leaving Buenos Aires with baby born to surrogate

FRANCE

New visitors

TO the surprise of marine biologists, protected loggerhead turtles have been laying eggs on the beaches of France’s western Mediterranean since the summer of 2023, almost certainly due to global warming. Sightings have soared along the coast where they were often spotted at sea in the past, but seldom on beaches.

On strike

WORKERS striking over pay and conditions shut down the turbines at the principal EDF power station on October 25, leaving the entire French territory of Guadeloupe in the northern Caribbean without electricity. Power returned that same day after police stepped in and some workers were ordered to restore the service.

DENMARK

Fine situation

TRAFFIC POLICE in Copenhagen charged 39 taxi drivers after a routine inspection of 103 vehicles revealed that they had flouted a large number of regulations including faulty taximeters or wrongly-situated ID cards. Thirty-eight of the drivers faced fines while one was issued with an immediate driving ban.

Election time

OFFICIAL figures showed that roughly 8,500 over-18s with US nationality who are registered as resident in Denmark were eligible to vote in the presidential elections on November 5. This did not include residents with dual Danish-US nationality, who were also eligible but classed as Danish by Statistics Denmark.

ITALY

Paying up

THE 15.27 per cent of Italy’s taxpayers who declared annual earnings of €35,000 or more accounted for 63.4 per cent of all the income tax that was paid into the Treasury in 2022. The 75.8 per cent on €29,000 contributed 24.43 per cent while those earning €15,000 or less contributed 1.19 per cent of the total.

Ski tragedy

JUNIOR champion skier Matilde Lorenzi lost her life after a serious fall during a training session in Val Senales, Italy’s Defence ministry announced on October 30. Nineteen-year-old Lorenzi, who was a lance corporal in the Army’s sports section, was airlifted to hospital in Bolzano on October 29, but died the next day.

EURO PRESS

PORTUGAL

Funny money

IN a Europol operation that was led by police from Portugal, Spain and Austria, law enforcement agencies from 18 countries seized over €14 million in counterfeit currency. The fake banknotes were sent via postal services across Europe, and the 174 packages that were intercepted have since triggered 144 investigations.

EUROPOL ACTION: Portugal led operation to track down counterfeit currency

IRELAND FINLAND

Told to go

JUSTICE minister Helen McEntee informed the Cabinet that the 1,792 deportation orders signed between January and late October were 140 per cent up on the same period last year. Enforced deportation orders, involving detection work, detention in custody and legal challenges, rose by 165 per cent to 98.

Easy peasy

MARIE COLLINS, who resigned from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in 2017 due to “shameful lack of cooperation”, questioned the approach of this year’s report. Although comprehensive, Collins said it was based on bishops’ accounts and was “a bit like marking your own homework.”

Best friends

THE Finnish Kennel Club awarded the title of Hero to 17 dogs this year, in recognition of their “extraordinary actions” in saving lives while another 17 received commendations for bravery. Most of the awards were given to dogs that had located people who were lost or in danger or had helped them in a medical emergency.

Walkover

SEVENTY-FIVE per cent of respondents to a poll organised this autumn by the Eva business thinktank said that if they could, they would have voted for the Democrat candidate Kamala Harris in the US presidential election. Only 10 per cent would have opted for the Republican candidate, Donald Trump.

BELGIUM NETHERLANDS

Flying high

BRUSSELS AIRLINES announced record figures for the third quarter of 2024, carrying 2.5 million passengers on 17,000 flights. With an operating profit of €78 million, an 8.3 per cent increase on the same period last year, the company said the improvement was based on more long-haul flights and increased punctuality.

Lost sparkle

ANTWERP’S famed diamond trade, which employs 6,000 people has dropped to an historic low with imports of rough diamonds falling by 38 per cent over the last 12 months, and by 70 per cent since 2014. Trade in polished diamonds was no better, mainly due to Europe’s ban on Russian diamonds, insiders said.

Not healthy

EIGHT hospitals in the Netherlands finished last year in the red, compared with only two in 2022, while half the country’s hospitals had “wafer thin” profit margins, the BDO accountancy group said. Meanwhile, the Dutch Hospitals’ Association called for “more financial clout” from The Hague’s politicians.

Old danger

A MONUMENT to the British and Canadian crew of a BK716 bomber shot down in 1943 over the Markermeer lake was cordoned-off after it was found to be contaminated. The sculpture, unveiled in 2021, incorporated parts of the wrecked BK716 which contain traces of asbestos, a recent analysis showed.

SWEDEN

Viking finds

A VIKING cemetery with more than 100 graves and several “stone ship” mounds was discovered in southern Sweden by a team from the National Historical Museums expecting to find an ancient settlement. Unfortunately, the land has been ploughed and levelled and much that was near the surface has been destroyed.

Green scene

A REVIEW by state broadcaster Swedish Radio has found that over the last five years 1,300 hectares of green spaces have disappeared from cities and large towns with a population of more than 50,000. Malmo had the lowest proportion of green urban areas than any other city, losing 300 hectares since 2019.

GERMANY

Bread line

A BAKERY in Sinsheim (Baden-Wurttemberg) lost products worth several thousand euros after a car thief drove off in their delivery van, unaware that the driver was still inside its cargo area. He jumped free when the van stopped briefly but the goods fell out when it moved off, strewing the street with bread and cakes.

Ashes to ashes

GERMANY cut down on carbon dioxide emissions after coal consumption fell by 14.5 per cent in 2024, the AGEB energy market research group found. The reduction was due to reduced coal-fired electricity production, more use of renewables and increased electricity purchases from neighbouring countries.

NORWAY

Farewell Elon

AFTER 13 years and 675,000 tweets, Norway’s state police will no longer be sending out their public announcements, some of them light-hearted, on X, formerly known as Twitter. They will now use their Politiloggen app, “taking ownership or their own data and not giving it to a commercial third party.”

Line closed

THE Nordlands railway line between Bjerka and Mo i Rana was closed on October 24 after a landslide caused a derailment that killed the train driver and injured four of the passengers. On October 30 it was also decided to close the Rognan to Fauske section of the line, owing to the risk of more landslides.

Photo credit: FB/Europol

INTESA SANPAOLO, Italy’s largest bank, has revealed plans to shift to a digital-first model, prompting significant changes in its workforce. Nearly 10 per cent of employees are expected to leave voluntarily by 2027, with the bank offering early retirement and a solidarity fund for about 4,000 workers. This restructuring is projected to

Italy’s biggest bank going digital

save €500 million annually from 2028, following a one-time €350 million charge in late 2024.

While job cuts are part of the plan, Intesa Sanpaolo will recruit 3,500 new staff in commercial and advisory roles, focusing on digital and

AI-driven customer solutions to enhance service efficiency.

In addition to its digital push, Intesa Sanpaolo has partnered with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to boost wind energy projects critical to Europe’s green transition. EIB Vice President

Language barrier

APPROXIMATELY 50

Ukrainian doctors, mainly women who escaped the war, are unable to practise in Portugal due to language requirements.

Despite the country’s shortage of doctors, these refugees face stringent language exams before they can work with patients.

Carlos Cortes, president of the Portuguese Order of Physicians, told Lusa, “Portugal welcomed Ukrainian refugee doctors but failed to give them the tools they needed to work.”

While there was a suggestion to defer the Portuguese communication test and allow supervised practise, it was never implemented, leaving these skilled doctors unable to work in Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS).

One affected doctor, neurologist Oksana Chupryna, who fled Ukraine in 2022, now works in retail while preparing for the exams.

50 Ukranian doctors are unable to work in Portugal.

Although she passed an initial test, she struggled with the more advanced communication exam, a common experience among her colleagues. “Only six or seven passed,” she told Lusa. In other EU countries like Poland and Germany, refugee doctors have been permitted to work in emergency roles. Chupryna

believes similar opportunities in Portugal would benefit both the doctors and the healthcare system. Financial challenges, including costly Portuguese classes, add to the burden, and refugee doctors are urging the government to create targeted language programmes to help them integrate.

Gelsomina Vigliotti emphasised wind energy’s role in energy independence and industrial competitiveness, stating, “This agreement shows how the EIB’s risk-sharing instruments help finance key projects for decarbonisation.”

Mauro Micillo, head of In -

tesa’s IMI Corporate and Investment Banking division, echoed the importance of this renewable energy focus, noting it aligns with both national and European green objectives.

Italy’s digital banking trend mirrors a wider shift in Europe, as Spain, for instance, reports over five million digital banking users – a huge surge.

Credit: Pixabay, parentingupstream.

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Keep the faith?

LEAPY LEE

SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

I HAVE never voted in my life. Even in my teens some inner voice was constantly informing me that our whole existence was being governed incorrectly and when eighteen finally arrived I simply couldn’t be bothered in scribing my ‘x’ just about anywhere at all. I do remember exploring different places of worship in an endeavor to root out my rapidly approaching adult category options, but to no avail. Many establishments were trying hard with their beliefs and philosophies, but none seemed to give much hope for a secure or confident future existence. For my liking too many suggested ‘having faith’ when buttonholed by unanswerable questions.

Then of course I discovered the spiritualist ‘manifesto’ and all commenced to become clear. It was soon obvious to me that we were still a long way from a perfect human race objective and it would probably be at least another thousand years before we reached it, if at all. This was when my thoughts turned back to politics.

If spiritualist leanings still had some way to go before being accepted to run our human personifications, who were?

I decided to take a closer look. What a sorry bunch I was greeted by.

Those who endeavour to administer our society are still a collection of power mad exhibitionists, who run our social order like leagues of business operatives that don’t really care too much what transpires as long as it keeps them in positions of power and dominant supremacy and the left are undoubtedly the most deficient.

The Democrats have brought the USA to its knees; five years of ludicrous decision making, which at the outset cost them the lives of troops and the loss of billions in Afghanistan, where their cowardly retreat and discarded weaponry has left the despicable rulers of the country rubbing their hands as they spread death and iron rule on its innocent civilians. Because of their ridiculous lack of border control they have allowed some ten million illegal immigrants to bring crime and chaos to many of their once beautiful cities.

Businesses have gone broke and

unemployment has risen to millions. If Kamala Harris has become elected, the leaders of a number of dictatorial run countries will be delighted and I also believe the West will be one more step towards WW3.

Now, heaven forbid, the UK also has the leftie brigade in charge. Obviously this bunch had no idea what they were taking over or how to run it. Illegal immigration is already up 70 per cent; preening Home Secretary Reece is gallivanting about in different attire for every ego enhancing occasion. Crime is rapidly spiraling out of control.

Starmer is globetrotting to every world leader who agrees to give him the time of day; arrogantly letting them know that he is now the boss, when he should be completely ignoring all outside kingpins and throwing himself soley into the problems that beset his own country; and the pensioners, none of whom would have voted them in had they the least idea of the resulting mayhem, are looking at a winter of cold and misery.

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.

World’s first

A NEW Swedish company, Candela has introduced what it claims to be the world’s first electric hydrofoil ferry which covers the route from Tappström, to Stockholm City Hall, 15km in 30 minutes.

Using electric motors it literally flies silently one metre above the water cutting the usual travel time in half and according to Gustav Hasselskog, founder and CEO of Candela “This is a paradigm shift for urban transport and a revival of our waterways.”

If this iconic first ferry route turns out to be both successful environmentally and profitable for the company then this could be a major breakthrough in city water transport, not just for Stockholm but also for much of the world.

The Nova is the first of Candela’s new P-12 models to enter service. Its computer-controlled hydrofoil wings lift the hull above water, reducing energy consumption by 80 per cent compared to conventional vessels by cutting water friction.

Nova flies above the water rather than pushing through it, creating minimal wake allowing travel at high speeds within the city limits, where other vessels are restricted by wake regulations.

Nova is already at work ferrying passengers in Stockholm

Your

VOICE

NOT JUST ANYBODY WILL BE GRANTED LEGAL STATUS.

Do you think obtaining Spanish residency should be easier?

SPAIN’S government will bring in changes to regularise citizens without proper residency permission. The exact date is not yet clarified, but Thursday, November 12 is the day most touted.

Based on the concept of arraigo, or ‘roots’, the new legislation coming in looks to regularise the legal residential status of those foreigners in Spain without the permission to be and work. The new rules aim to ensure those with a genuine link to Spain, such as for work or family ties, get to stay.

The new legal text will be much more flexible and turn a blind eye to those who have been living or working in Spain without legal permission.

Not just anybody will be granted legal status in Spain, however. The government is looking specifically at those who have some sort of roots here, whether through family, marriage, or work. All applicants need to demonstrate is that they have been in Spain for two years and do not have a criminal record in their home country.

However, as Benalmadena lawyer and immigration expert Jorge Postigo points out, applicants will also need a basic level of Spanish to demonstrate their sincere link to Spain.

According to Jorge Postigo, those wishing to regularise their residential status should enquire without any fear of legal complications at their nearest council foreigners office to find out exactly what documents they need to present once the

new law comes into effect. Unsurprisingly, we received a large number of comments on this highly debatable topic, with many of mixed opinions.

Some, such as Chris, were concerned that they would get into trouble as of a result of having lived and worked ‘off the books’ as it were, and beyond their 90 days limitation. It’s not certain exactly what the new text will look like, but according to lawyer Jorge Postigo, this will likely be another ‘amnesty’ similar to the one Spanish former president Zapatero made several years ago when he offered to naturalise many of those without the correct residency papers.

David C was interested in what bearing the new rules would have on those who had second homes in Spain. The answer to that is that the new law will only contemplate those who have been continuously living in Spain for over two years.

Kerry H was wondering if the new rules would enable her to gain residency to care for her elderly parents. Again, it’s not certain yet, but according to Jorge Postigo, it will be one element taken into account when applying for residency. In fact, demonstrating family roots or a link to Spain, is the very basis of the new initiative.

Catherine K asked “Why should it become easier? It’s very difficult to become a Canadian citizen, I expected the same here.”

FINANCE

BUSINESS EXTRA

Fewer jabs

GSK shares fell owing to a “disappointing” demand for its vaccines during the third quarter of this year. The pharmaceutical group saw sales that were less robust than it expected for its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles jabs, with shares tumbling by 3.19 per cent to £14.05 (€16.78) on October 30.

Grifols setback

SHARES in Barcelona-based pharmaceuticals company Grifols saw a fall of 5.4 per cent at one point on October 28 following a possible delay in Brookfield’s proposed 75 per cent takeover. Sources close to the deal said that the Canadian company was encountering difficulties in raising the necessary €9.5 billion.

Lidl grows

LIDL announced that it intends to open another 10 stores in the UK before Christmas while planning to sell 12 new shops in a leaseback deal worth approximately £70 million (€83.6 million). The German supermarket chain now has a 7.6 per cent share of the market, not far behind Morrisons’ 8.6 per cent share.

More homes

BLACKSTONE and Santander are selling their jointly-owned Talent Tower in Madrid for €35 million, seeking a buyer for the 1994 building that is currently the headquarters of the Manpower human resources company. The project envisages turning the 12-storey office block in Avenida de Burgos into apartments.

Look east

BARCLAYS may return to Saudi Arabia after having left in 2014, its chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan told Bloomberg that Barclays would consider corporate banking focusing on investment banking, attracted by Saudi Arabia’s trillion-dollar economic plan, Vision 30.

STAT OF WEEK

€2.39 billion

paid by Inditex, owner of the Zara, Massimo Dutti and Bershka labels, in its second dividend for the 2023 financial year of €0.77 per share.

Landmark car-loan ruling

BANCO SANTANDER announced its quarterly results on October 29 but Santander UK delayed releasing its own.

The holdup was the UK division’s response to a Court of Appeal decision on October 25 which concluded that the bank had mis-sold vehicle finance by paying commission on car loans to dealers.

The appeal judges said consumers should know beforehand “all the material facts” that could influence their decision on taking out a loan. These facts included the commission paid to car dealers and the way this was calculated.

After the tribunal ruled that it was illegal for banks to pay commission without the borrower’s knowledge, City analysts predicted that the test case could cost Santander UK £1.1 billion (€1.3 billion).

AFTER three years as CaixaBank chairman, Jose Ignacio Goirigolzarri resigned on October 30. He will be substituted by Tomas Muniesa, currently vice-chairman of the CaixaBank board and appointee of La Caixa Foundation, which owns 31 per cent of the bank.

The European Central Bank (BCE) favours separating the chair and chief executive roles, unlike many Spanish banks, where the chairperson holds executive powers and the CEO handles dayto-day business.

Angel Simon, chief executive of

Meanwhile, Santander UK is reviewing the court ruling which is also likely to influence a current investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority and

eventually oblige other banks to compensate car-loan customers.

The bank said that it was not “practicable” to estimate the extent of a future financial impact, but commented that the ruling went further than was necessary under UK rules.

“However,” it added, “Santander UK Group Holdings PLC is taking time to consider the judgment and the potential exposure it creates for the Santander UK Group.”

Lloyds, which on October 28 said it was assessing the potential impact of the decision, has already allocated £450 million (€538.8 million) to cover future compensation although insiders said this could reach £1.5 billion (€1.8 billion).

The same ruling could also cost Barclays approximately £357 million (€427.6 million).

Changes at the top

CriteriaCaixa, the holding company that is CaixaBank’s principal

Slow start On target

NATURGY, formerly Gas Fenosa, posted a €1.58 billion profit for the first nine months of 2024 and confirmed a €1.8 billion profit target for the year.

It now expects debts of €12.8 million instead of a predicted €13 million, with investments of €2.4 billion, not €2.6 billion as foreseen.

The energy company also said that it would reveal an “ambitious” new strategy in February 2025, together with 2024’s net results.

MASMOVIL and Orange merged on April, expecting lower costs, increased revenue, more jobs and more clients for the new company, Masorange.

Despite chief executive Meinrad Spender’s predictions, turnover until the end of September increased to €5.46 billion, only 0.5 per cent up on the same period in 2023. The company is also negotiating 650 redundancies.

After seven months of existence Masorange lost 328,000 broadband and mobile customers to rivals but still expected to save roughly €500 million over the coming years.

It had already saved €85 million of the €100 million target for 2024, and its €2 billion pre-tax profits had improved by 7.5 per cent, the merged company said.

HSBC’S third quarter profits grew 10 per cent to £6.5 billion (€7.8 billion), driving up shares 3 per cent to a six-year high.

Announcing the figures, Georges Elhedery, HSBC’s chief executive, insisted that dividing the UK and Hong Kong operations did not herald a complete breakup.

Plans were not an intention or preparation for any type of split, Elhedery added, and did not include more spinoffs. “This is a matter of streamlining. There is no geopolitical reason why we have done this,” Elhedery stressed.

NEXT’S profits should top £1 billion (€1.19 billion) this year for the first time, despite competition from China’s Shein.

shareholder, told Catalan daily La Vanguardia on October 27 that the bank recognised itself as one of those alluded to after seeing the BCE’s latest report.

“We are in line with what the BCE is advocating,” Simon said.

Seventy-year-old Goirigolzarri’s decision to step down will also draw attention to Santander’s chair, Ana Botin, as well as Carlos Torres and Josep Oliu, respective chairmen of BBVA and Banco Sabadell.

Steel

THE 8,683 workers employed by the ArcelorMittal steel company want to know when its decarbonisation process will begin.

Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal, which received a €450 million subsidy for partial decarbonsation from the Spanish government, has already shut down its Gijon foundry and rolling mill.

The Lesaka (Navarra) still operates but staff at other plants in Asturias, the Basque Region and Valencian Community are “worried” according to union officials.

Revenue for ArcelorMittal’s Spanish plants reached €3.75 billion in 2023 with earnings of €171 million, but profits per ton fell 20 per cent in 2024 and the situation was complicated, the unions said.

The high street retailer, which owns clothing, accessories, footwear, homeware and beauty brands, increased its predictions for the third time since the beginning of August, and foresaw 2024’s full-year sales reaching £6.27 billion (€7.49 billion).

Next said the latest adjustment was the result of a “strong performance” in the three months ending in October after the weather turned colder and boosted sales of warmer clothing.

THE world’s largest mining company, BHP, said it had moved on following three failed attempts to take over British rival, Anglo American.

Instead, the company’s chairman, Ken MacKenzie, said it would focus on other growth opportunities after Anglo American rejected BHP’s final £39 billion (€46.6 billion) offer. The takeover bid failed due to BHP’s plans to subsequently sell off some of Anglo American’s South African assets Kumba Iron Ore and Anglo American Platinum, which are major job providers.

CAIXABANK CHAIRMAN: Jose Ignacion Goirigolzarri steps down after three years

SANTANDER UK: Paying commission on car loans could prove expensive

Photo

3I Group 3.201,00 3.213,00 3.181,00 161,3K Admiral Group 2.561,0 2.575,5 2.551,9 21,71K

Airtel Africa 102,10 103,00 101,20 494,82K Anglo American 2.423,5 2.436,0 2.398,0 424,77K

Antofagasta 1.756,50 1.772,00 1.746,50 249,2K

Ashtead Group 5.764,0 5.774,0 5.724,0 30,48K Associated British Foods 2.246,0 2.280,0 2.226,0 449,37K AstraZeneca 11.076,0 11.165,4 11.058,0 152,39K Auto Trader Group Plc 852,20 862,20 852,20 58,09K

Aviva 456,70 458,50 454,00 1,39M

B&M European Value Retail SA 393,93 400,80 390,50 583,2K

BAE Systems 1.259,00 1.271,50 1.247,50 882,27K Barclays 239,20 241,10 237,60 7,85M Barratt Developments 454,00 467,50 452,40 966,77K

Beazley 760,93 771,50 760,00 179,55K Berkeley 4.490,0 4.592,0 4.468,0 74,89K

BP 372,90 374,85 372,05 9,25M British American Tobacco 2.634,0 2.643,0 2.625,0 352,41K BT Group 138,70 138,95 137,20 1,94M

3.402,0 3.416,0 3.393,4 116,13K

117,65 119,50 117,30 1,16M

155,5K

2.505,00 2.517,00 2.496,00 529,74K

1.042,00 1.032,00 66,46K

Entertainment 17.970,0 18.060,0 17.885,0 9,29K

771,00 789,22 771,00 69,43K

Euro

EUR/GBP: Unchanged at £0.83

EUR/USD: Down from $1.11 to $1.08

The euro closed September on a sour note, as EUR investors were spooked by abysmal Eurozone PMI figures.

As we entered October, these losses were compounded by a weaker-than-expected Eurozone inflation print and several dovish remarks from European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers.

EUR exchange rates then plunged to new multi-month lows in the wake of the ECB’s interest rate decision in the second half of October. In addition to cutting rates, the bank hinted that it will continue to loosen its monetary policy in the coming months.

Looking ahead, EUR investors will keep a close eye on upcoming Eurozone data, with

Currency outlook: Euro plunges as ECB cuts rates, US dollar rallies as markets reprice Fed rate cut bets

a particular focus on the bloc’s third quarter GDP release.

Pound

GBP/EUR: Up from €1.19 to €1.20

GBP/USD: Down from $1.33 to $1.30

The pound was buoyant through the end of September, as it was underpinned by upbeat PMI figures and comments from Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey suggesting that UK interest rates will fall ‘gradually’.

However, Bailey appeared to do a 180 at the start of October, with his remarks suggesting the bank may become a ‘bit more aggressive’ in cutting rates, triggering a sharp plunge in GBP exchange rates.

Subsequent movement in the pound was uneven, with mixed UK economic data and uncertainty over Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s impending Autumn Budget infusing volatility into Sterling.

The immediate focus for GBP investors will undoub -

tedly be the budget announcement on 30 October. The Chancellor will need to avoid spooking markets with her spending and tax plans or the pound is likely to weaken.

US Dollar

USD/GBP: Up from £0.75 to £0.76

USD/EUR: Up from €0.89 to €0.92

The US dollar has enjoyed a notable recovery over the past month as USD investors reined in their expectations for

additional rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

Bets for another bumper rate cut in November quickly evaporated in response to upbeat US economic data and hawkish remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

These gains were further reinforced by a negative shift in market risk appetite.

As we enter November, the US Presidential election looms large. The election itself remains too close to call, and this uncertainty could infuse volatility into the US dollar in the coming weeks.

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Sniffing out trafficking

GIANT rats, known as “HeroRATs,” are helping authorities detect trafficked wildlife products, proving to be a cheaper alternative to sniffer dogs. Belgian organisation APOPO has trained these cat-sized rodents to use their keen sense of smell to locate illegal wildlife goods, such as elephant tusks and rhino horns, in tightly packed environments like shipping containers.

Wildlife trafficking, a $23 billion industry, is the fourth largest illicit trade worldwide, after counterfeit goods, drugs, and human trafficking. Crawford Allan of WWF US explains that traffickers exploit weak detection measures at ports and airports. HeroRATs, with their agility and low cost, are well-suited to address this gap.

The rats have a major advantage in terms of training, taking less time and cost compared to dogs, says Kate Webb of Duke University. They’ve already shown pro-

mising results: in a recent study, APOPO reported an 83 per cent success rate in detecting concealed wildlife products. Unlike sniffer dogs, the rats can work with multiple handlers and easily manoeuvre in confined spaces. Once they identify a

target, they trigger an alert by pulling a ball on their vest. APOPO’s rats are also trained for landmine detection and natural disaster response, making them valuable allies. You can even adopt a HeroRAT to support the cause.

King Frederik X coin

WHEN Queen Margrethe II unexpectedly announced her abdication in her 2024 New Year’s Eve speech, she was succeeded by King Frederik X.

The Danish National Bank immediately started work on creating the first Frederik X coin and this was finally released at the beginning of November, with one million 20 Kr coins being made available.

Unusually, although circulating versions will be ‘hitting the street’, the National Bank has come to an arrangement with Danish Coin and Stamp dealer Nordfrim for uncirculated versions to be available via their website at face value.

This is the first change of monarch coin to be released since Queen Margrethe succeeded King Frederik IX in 1972 and the design of this new coin depicts a portrait of King Frederick in profile facing right on the obverse and a similar portrait of Queen Margrethe in profile on the reverse facing right. The portraits were designed by sculptor Eva Hjorth whilst the coin itself was designed by the National Bank’s head of design, Jeanette Skov Jensen.

Although existing coins continue to be legal tender in Denmark, expect a number of new issues in 2025 bearing the effigy of King Frederik X, with some possibly being produced in precious metal for collectors.

Although the production time of new coins can be quite long, requiring design

INTERVIEW

approval, production of plaster models, dies and then sample coins for Bank and Royal approval, followed by high speed production of the coins themselves this process seems to have been exceptionally drawn out having taken almost 11 months to complete.

Finland to Fuengirola

Successful Finnish lawyer Sofia Runne moved to Fuengirola a couple of years ago with her husband Tuomas and their two children. It wasn’t meant to be permanent, but now it’s looking like it’s for keeps.

WE are a family of four and a dog from Finland, and had considered moving away. We had lived abroad at other points in our lives and when I started my parental leave from work, we sold our home in Finland and decided to move to Costa Del Sol in 2022.

After trying Mijas and Marbella, the family found Fuengirola perfect for them. Sofia is frustrated by the bureaucracy in Spain which is very different to Finland. “The paperwork involved with changing countryschools, apartments, cars, healthcare, etc.”

She’s fine with Spanish as she used to live in Costa Rica, however, she says, ‘my husband is struggling the most in our family, but he already speaks five languages. If he had a bit more time to study, he would learn quic -

The kids have adapted well to their new environment. “Our daughter missed Finnish food at first, but she is doing better now and loves school food.”

After a life of travelling the globe, it seems Sofia and family have found a home in Fuengirola.

Sofia Runne, Tuomas Korhonen & family.

HeroRATs save the day.

Credit: SR

King Frederik X admires the new coin.

Unity unleashed

ON November 9, Berlin, famously known as the “City of Freedom,” will mark the 35th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall.

At the heart of the festivities will be a four-kilometre open-air installation along the former Wall’s inner-city route, featuring thousands of historical and newly crafted posters. Additional highlights include exhibitions at iconic locations, thought-provoking talks, concerts, and a grand finale performance by Pussy Riot.

That evening, the city’s

streets will transform into a sprawling stage as 1,000 musicians join bands and attendees for a massive open-air concert.

In the weeks leading up to the anniversary, VisitBerlin has actively promoted the event abroad, reaching audiences in the UK, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Romania, Sweden, Belgium, and Portugal.

The Berlin Wall, erected on August 13, 1961, became an enduring symbol of division during the Cold War.

The Wall was erected by

the German Democratic Republic (GDR) during the Cold War to stem the flow of East Berliners fleeing Soviet-controlled East Berlin for West Berlin, which was governed by the Western Allies.

Over three decades after its fall, it continues to draw visitors from around the globe. The East Side Gallery, the world’s longest open-air gallery, spans 1,316 metres along the River Spree and showcases 100 pieces of art reflecting political change and historical upheaval.

Europe and robotics

FOR decades we have read about the way in which robots are steadily replacing humans in factories and German industry appeared to be the pacemaker.

Now, according to British company OrderFlow, having analysed information published by German company statistica the 2024 figures for Eu rope show that Germany, despite a slump in the economy is still far and away the largest investor in robotics as well as the leader in revenue earned.

The UK comes second, but a long way short, whilst Belgium is fast gaining ground with a huge leap of 242 per cent investment and profits over the past five years.

pansion over the next four years.

Generally EU countries have maintained their investment and return but Portugal is down by 32 percent, Austria by 15 per cent and even Sweden by 6 per

Ironically, whilst some Eastern European such as the Czech Republic and Armenia have significantly reduced their figures, others such as Estonia and Latvia are forecast as being in the forefront of ex-

The suggestion from statistica therefore is the three countries to consider watching are Belgium, Poland, and Germany as most likely to grow although Spain is committed to the technological revolution. For large warehouses that are moving significant volumes of product internally, then the introduction of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), which transport goods, reduce manual labour, and minimise errors are an obvious choice.

The other clear benefit is stock control, reduced storage costs and safety as vehicles follow a pre-planned pattern.

SPAIN’S RURAL SUCCESS STORY!

Spain has become known for its struggle against “over-tourism” and the rising costs of city living, squeezing locals out of booming urban centres. However, there’s another demographic headache brewing: rural populations are dwindling, leaving villages deserted.

For decades, this growing divide was largely overlooked as Spain’s young democracy flourished, bringing jobs and prosperity to cities and coastal regions while rural areas were left to stagnate.

Recently, hundreds of grassroots groups have sprung up, demanding infrastructure and support for these neglected regions. This has even given rise to a political party and the nationwide movement “Emptied Spain” (“España Vaciada”) I’ve already described here.

Several initiatives have been launched to revitalise the hardest-hit areas, from tax breaks and free housing to schooling incentives and efforts to attract immigrants. Results have been mixed, but there are positive signs.

For instance, a village in Teruel - a

Nora’s

province of Aragon where the depopulation movement started over 20 years ago with the slogan “Teruel Exists!”- recently announced plans to open its first nursery school. Success, finally!

But Spain is not alone. Rural Ireland I recently visited faces similar issues. People flock to cities in search of jobs, higher wages and better services, leaving behind vacant properties and villages. Meanwhile, city property prices soar, rural homes are a steal. Maybe Ireland could take a leaf out of Spain’s book for repopulation strategies?

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.

Inhouse robots can improve efficiency and save money.

Credit: Joint Base Lewis McChord flickr

UNIQUE fitness trends are making workouts more fun and engaging, appealing to those loo king for a break from tra ditional routines. One po pular trend is goat yoga, where yogis flow through poses while friendly goats roam around, so metimes even climbing on participants. The ani mals’ playful presence adds laughter and relaxation, making it hard to stay stressed with a goat nearby. This unique experience shows that fitness doesn’t have to be be effective. Another unusual trend gaining traction is hula-hoop fitness. Hula-hooping isn’t just for kids anymore; it’s a full-body workout that strengthens the core,

Goat goals Crystal clear

CHAKRA crystals are believed to help balance and align the body’s energy centres, known as chakras, which originate in ancient Indian spiritual traditions. Each chakra corresponds to specific areas of the body and aspects of well-being, from emotional and mental health to physical vitality. Chakra crystals, often selected by color to match the seven main chakras, are thought to aid in clearing energy blockages and promoting harmony within these centres.

For everyday life, chakra crystals are used in various ways to encourage balance and positivity. People often

ves coordina tion. Many classes now incorporate hoop tricks and dance for a lively, challenging exercise that brings out everyone’s inner child. Lastly, ‘laughter yoga’

llowing. This practice combines breathing exercises with playful laughter, reducing stress and boosting mood. These quirky trends remind us that fitness can be fun and uplifting, helping people stay active while adding joy to their daily routine.

keep crystals in spaces where they spend time, like a desk or bedside, or even carry them as jewelry. Each stone is associated with a specific chakra: for example, amethyst is linked to the crown chakra (thought to enhance spiritual awareness), while rose quartz is associated with the heart chakra (promoting love and compassion).

While scientific backing is limited, many find that chakra crystals bring mindful, calming moments into daily routines. These colorful stones serve as visual reminders to stay grounded, fostering self-reflection, balance, and intentional living.

Feast for your eyes

GOOD nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining eye health and reducing the risk of vision problems. Key nutrients, like vitamins A, C, and E, along with minerals such as zinc, help protect the eyes from age-related damage and maintain good vision. For example, vitamin A is essential for preserving the light-sensing cells in the eyes, while vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, helps protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.

Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish like salmon and sardines, are vital for retinal health and can help alleviate dry eyes.

Additionally, lutein and zeaxanthin - found in leafy greens like spinach and kale - are known to filter harmful blue light, reducing the risk of long-term damage to the retina.

Incorporating a balanced diet rich in these nutrients is essential for optimal eye health, especially as we age. By including a variety of colourful fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, we can help preserve our vision and support lifelong eye health.

Shutterstock / Colin Dewar

Shutterstock / Nikki Zalewski

Reviving tradition

HAIR oiling is experiencing a resurgence as people seek natural remedies for healthy hair. This traditional practice, rooted in cultures across Asia and the Middle East, involves massaging oils into the scalp and hair to nourish, strengthen, and promote growth.

Users on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are sharing their hair oiling routines, showcasing various oils - from coconut and argan to castor and jojoba. Many enthusiasts highlight the benefits of this age-old practice, including increased moisture, redu ced frizz, and enhanced shine. Videos often feature tips on how to apply oils effectively, with some recom mending overni ght treatments for maximum absorption.

Experts in hair care are also weighing in,

noting that oiling can help improve scalp health and prevent issues such as dryness and dandruff. However, they caution against overuse, emphasising the importance of choosing the right oil for one’s hair type.

As awareness grows, hair oiling is not just a trend but a holistic approach to hair care, encouraging individuals to embrace natural solutions for beautiful, healthy hair. This revival reflects a broader movement towards self-care and wellness in everyday routines.

Move to improve

PROLONGED sitting has become a significant health concern, especially as more people spend extended hours at desks, in cars, or watching screens. Research highlights that sitting for long periods can increase the risk of various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers.

Sitting too long affects blood flow, leading to poor circulation and a higher chance of blood clots. It also weakens muscles, particularly in the back, legs, and core, leading to poor posture, back pain, and a loss of flexibility over time.

Additionally, sitting for extended periods can slow metabolism, affecting how the body processes fats and sugars,

which can contribute to weight gain and high blood sugar levels. To counter these effects, experts recommend taking regular breaks, standing or walking every 30 minutes, and incorporating more movement throughout the day. Small changes, like using a standing desk or taking short walk breaks, can significantly reduce these risks.

COLOUR analysis is making waves in the beauty and fashion worlds, helping individuals discover which hues enhance their natural features.

This method categorises people into seasonal palettes - Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter - based on their skin tone, hair colour, and eye colour.

By identifying the shades that best complement their complexion, individuals can make more informed choices in clothing and make-up. For example, Springs often look radiant in warm, bright colours, while Winters tend to shine in cool, bold tones.

The trend has gained momentum, particularly on social media, where users share their personal transformations and insights.

Discovering your best colours

Hashtags such as #ColourAnalysis and #SeasonalPalette create a vibrant community, encouraging participants to explore their unique styles.

The benefits of colour analysis extend beyond aesthetics. Understanding one’s best colours can boost confidence

and promote a more sustainable wardrobe, as individuals are more likely to invest in pieces they’ll wear often.

As colour analysis con-

tinues to gain popularity, it invites everyone to embrace their individuality and express themselves through the power of colour.

Skinimalism

IN an age of overwhelming skincare choices, ‘skinimalism’ is emerging as a refreshing trend that champions simplicity and natural beauty. This movement encourages individuals to streamline their skincare routines, focusing on fewer, multifunctional products that enhance rather than conceal.

Skinimalism promotes the idea that healthy, glowing skin can be achieved with a minimalist approach. Key elements of this trend include a gentle cleanser, lightweight moisturiser, and broad-spectrum sunscreen. Many enthusiasts also opt for versatile products like tinted moisturisers or serums that hydrate while provi-

Costa del Sol Hearing aid mission

THE Nomad Biker, AKA Marbella resident Esther Adán, spoke to Euro Weekly News about her campaign to collect hearing aids for deaf children in Vietnam.

She wants anyone who might have a Spanish-issued hearing aid they do not need to donate it to her campaign. Esther and a group of motorcyclists will pick them up to be reprogrammed for children at a deaf school. Then, she plans to take the reconditioned aids to Vietnam and deliver them by motorbike.

So far, and with only 12 months on her licence, Esther has ridden across Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Colombia, and Norway, but her biggest objective is to return to the school and get the kids fitted with hearing aids.

Hearing aids can be sent to Salud Auditiva Burgos, Plaza España 6 bajo, Burgos 09005, or picked up by Esther by contacting her via her Instagram account @where_is_esther, or via Facebook at the Where Is Esther page.

Axarquia Frigiliana’s beauty

FRIGILIANA has once again been named the most beautiful village in Malaga, according to a recent study by Musement, and locals couldn’t be prouder. This beautiful whitewashed village, home to nearly 20,000 residents, consistently steals the spotlight in online polls and social media discussions about Spain’s pretty towns and villages.

Despite some debate about its steep hills, Frigiliana’s appeal is undeniable. Located at the foot of the Sierra de Almijara, it offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the stunning mountains that frame it. With its rich history and well-preserved Moorish architecture, it’s no wonder this village continues to dazzle both visitors and residents.

The heart of Frigiliana lies in its Moorish-Mudéjar quarter, featuring narrow, winding streets filled with whitewashed homes decorated with colourful doors. The village’s famous flower pots bring a splash of colour to this quaint landscape. Time and again, Frigiliana proves it’s more than just a pretty face.

Mallorca Vehicle entry limit

THE Consell de Mallorca proposes to limit the number of vehicles on the island to address the ongoing road congestion, which is exacerbated by an influx of rental cars during high season.

To assess the situation, the Consell has released a study examining the island’s road capacity. Findings from the study indicate that the current volume of vehicles exceeds sustainable levels by between approximately 93,599 to 122,397 cars, suggesting that the ideal cap should fall between 834,263 and 863,061 vehicles.

Given these figures, the Consell is considering three key measures. The first is to limit vehicle entry through ports. The second involves capping the number of rental vehicles permitted on the island. The third measure would introduce a seasonal surcharge on vehicles not registered for road tax in the Balearics. The study also suggests solutions such as expanding cycling infrastructure, restoring railway lines and creating exclusive lanes for buses.

Costa Blanca South Celebrating a century

ON October 28 friends and family gathered to celebrate a remarkable milestone: Louisa Harris’s 100th birthday. Born on October 28, 1924, in London’s East End, Louisa’s life has spanned a century.

Growing up in an industrious era, Louisa worked as a machinist, and during the Second World War, she joined the war effort by making parachutes. Her sons, Leslie and Ronnie, now 82 and 80 respectively, proudly reflect on her role as a working mother during those challenging times.

Louisa’s life changed in 1970 when she and her husband, Les, purchased land in Mi Sol Park. For years, it became the perfect holiday spot for the family until, in their 80s, Louisa and Les decided to make the move permanent and had a park home built.

In her later years, Louisa moved into the Los Jardines de Clara Care Home, an assisted living facility in Torrevieja, where she is surrounded by caring staff and new friends.

Almeria

DANA aid announced

FOLLOWING recent severe weather, the Provincial Council of Almeria has announced a new aid package to support municipalities affected by the DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, or isolated depression at high levels) that brought heavy rains and hailstorms to the Poniente Almeriense and Almanzora Valley regions. These areas faced significant damage from intense rainfall and flooding.

Provincial President Javier Aureliano García visited the affected zones. Provincial Vice Pre-sident Fernando Giménez outlined the aid programme, which will be divided into three main areas.

The first line of aid will focus on restoring municipal roads, highways, and other public paths damaged by flooding. The second will address urban infrastructure repairs in towns and villages, including community facilities that require urgent attention. Finally, the third line of support will go toward rebuilding and repairing water and sanitation infrastructure, vital for ensuring safe drinking water and functional sewage systems.

Costa Calida Local impact

THE MABS Cancer Support Foundation in San Javier is celebrating after receiving an incredible donation of €13,045 from the Jolly Boys Golf Society. This fantastic contribution will provide vital assistance to cancer patients in the San Javier area, helping to fund essential services like counselling, equipment, transport, complementary therapies, and much more.

The Jolly Boys Golf Society’s commitment to raising funds demonstrates the power of community support in times of need. Their efforts will make a real difference in the lives of local patients, making sure they have access to the help they require on their cancer journey.

With this generous donation, MABS can continue to offer the compassionate care that is so crucial for those affected by cancer. This collaboration highlights how a united community can uplift and support one another, proving that every bit of generosity counts in the fight against cancer.

European airlines struggling Poland’s AI radio presenters

SEVERAL leading European airlines are struggling due to dela yed aircraft deliveries and rising maintenance expenses, sparking potential ticket hikes and service reductions for European Union residents and expatriates.

backing.

Delivery setbacks from Boeing and Airbus are forcing airlines to rely on older, less efficient aircraft, raising operational costs.

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr recently shared that Boeing 777X orders will be delayed until 2026, adding strain on the airline’s resources. “We don’t expect to get them until 2026. And we need them,” Spohr noted.

Lufthansa is expecting a third-quarter profit of €1.3 bi -

Johanna Gardener

PARIS GARNIER opera house has announced that it will be closing its doors to take on a two-year renovation project. The historic stage which is around 150 years old has featured countless famous performances and is one of the most popular in Paris.

Renovation will start to take place from mid-2027 and will be followed by a second renovation project: that of opera’s more modern stage opened in 1989, the sizeable Opera Bastille which will be out of action for two years from mid-2030.

The announcement was made by Paris Opéra on Thursday October 31 and

llion, a 9 per cent drop from last year. European airlines, including Lufthansa, are also facing stiff competition from Gulf and Chinese airlines, which benefit from lower costs and government

British Airways faces long-haul cancellations due to engine delays from Rolls-Royce, while Air France-KLM anticipates lower earnings, partially tied to a slowdown in Paris Olympics bookings.

Limited aircraft availability might lead to higher ticket prices if demand remains strong. Neil Glynn, from AIR Control Tower, commented that reduced capacity could boost earnings in a stable market, though recent results have disappointed.

With industry challenges ongoing, EU travellers might face fewer options and steeper fares in the near future.

Paris Garnier reform

it is hoped those wishing to visit the opera will have chance to do so before the landmark building undergoes a facelift. The building is considered one of the architectural masterpieces of the capital city.

According to experts from France’s top state audit body, the Court of Accounts, the cost of the twin renovations would amount to around €200 million by 2030, although this is currently being reviewed. It was considered that both opera houses needed substantial work to update their stage infrastructure and adapt to the times.

Due to the closure, there will be some inconvenience as those wishing to see opera or other performing art will continue to seek seats. The closure schedule has been organised so that there will always be one opera house open in the French capital during the renovations and other venues across the city will also cover high demand.

OFF Radio Krakow in Poland has ignited controversy by introducing Artifical Intelligence-generated avatars as radio presenters. It aims to capture the attention of younger audiences through AI avatars that address cultural, artistic and social issues.

Marcin Pulit, head of OFF Radio Krakow, defended the change as an opportunity to assess AI’s role in media, commenting, “Is artificial intelligence more of an opportunity or a threat to media, radio, and journalism? We will seek answers to this question.” He emphasised that falling listenership, not AI itself, prompted the shift.

The move has faced backlash. Former station journalist Mateusz Demski expressed concerns in an open letter, calling it “a dangerous precedent.” His petition against the change has already gathered over 15,000 signatures. Meanwhile, Poland’s Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, voiced caution, stating on social media, “AI development should serve people, not replace them.”

OFF Radio Krakow also aired an ‘interview’ with an AI voice of Wisława Szymborska, a Nobel-winning Polish poet. The Wisława Szymborska Foundation defended the broadcast, believing the poet would have appreciated the experiment.

Lufthansa has seen a 9 per cent drop in profits.

Paris Garnier will close for reformation in 2027 ahead of Opera Bastille in 2030.

Credit: Pixabay, dmncwndrlch.

TIP ‘Windows to Wellness’

TO keep pets dry in the rain, use waterproof jackets, provide shelter, avoid long walks, use umbrellas, dry them off immediately after, and ensure they have a warm, cosy spot indoors

Signs of stress

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Shutterstock / Stacey Welu

SOLAR ENERGY

Musk calls Tesla 2 ‘pointless’ Rare Mercedes-Benz sells for £7.2

A REMARKABLE piece of automotive history, a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing, has sold for an astounding £7 million at the recent RM Sotheby’s ‘The Junkyard: Online’ auction. This unique model, long hidden away in a barn for 47 years, was discovered in a dilapidated state and had previously been hit by a forklift truck.

The 300SL Gullwing, celebrated for its iconic doors and cutting-edge design, has garnered a reputa-

million

tion as one of the most sought-after classic cars. Only 29 Alloy versions were produced, making this sale a significant event for collectors worldwide.

Despite its neglected condition, the car’s rarity and historical significance drove bidding to new heights, highlighting the enduring allure of classic automobiles.

Auction house RM Sotheby’s noted that the sale underlines the growing trend of classic car investments, with prices soaring in recent years. As collectors seek unique pieces this Mercedes-Benz stands out as both a remarkable find and a lucrative

PLANS for the new eagerly-awaited Tesla Model 2 have been scrapped while the electric car company shifts its focus to the new Robotaxi.

According to CEO Elon Musk, the future is driverless. ‘I think we’ve made it very clear that the future is autonomous,’ he said at a shareholders meeting. ‘I think having a regular $25 thousand model is pointless. It would be silly. It would be completely at odds with what we believe.’

last year, showcasing the future car’s curved roofline that adhered to the familiar design language found on the Model 3 and Model Y.

The hypothetically named ‘Model 2’ due to its smaller likeness to the Model 3 was expected to be a budget, lessfrills, and more compact version. Tesla even shared a teaser image of the Model 2 at its annual shareholder meeting

The Robotaxi will now take pride of place as Tesla’s affordable small vehicle, however. It should arrive around the same time as the anticipated Model 2, although it’s not always a good idea to take Musk’s word as gospel. He also recently claimed a future Tesla model would

fly, something quickly dispelled by Tesla investor Peter Thiel. At around $30,000 (€27,000), the Robotaxi will also sit in roughly the same price bracket as the now-defunct Model 2. While the eternal wait for the new Tesla Roadster continues without apparent end, more focus is being put into the driverless taxi and updating and ironing out issues with existing models.

Strict fines for overcrowding

CARS are typically limited to five occupants, and exceeding this limit can lead to significant penalties. In Spain, fines vary based on the severity of the infraction. A minor offence, where occupancy exceeds capacity by up to 50 per cent, incurs an €80 fine. Exceeding the limit by more than 50 per cent is a serious offence, resulting in a €500 fine, loss of four points from the driver’s licence, and potential vehicle immobilisation.

Overcrowding not only poses legal risks but also jeopardises the safety of all occupants. Extra passengers often do not wear seatbelts, which are crucial for reducing fatalities in accidents. Each seat is equipped with its own seatbelt, making it essential to ensure compliance with occupancy limits.

Transporting passengers in the boot adds an extra €200 fine, and each unbelted passenger incurs a €200 penalty, along with a fourpoint deduction for the driver. Authorities emphasise that strict enforcement of these regulations is essential for promoting road safety and minimising risks associated with overcrowded vehicles. Drivers are urged to follow capacity limits to safeguard their passengers and avoid substantial fines. Prioritising safety is key in preventing accidents and ensuring everyone’s well-being on the road.

Photocredit Shutterstock Miroshnichenko Tetiana

Credit: Lucesysombras - Shutterstock

Model 2 plans ditched.

Cupra Born - a distinctly sporting EV

By Mark Slack ROAD TEST

IN a motoring world where so many cars share so much architecture, it’s rare to find anything different at an affordable price. However, I think I have found it in the shape of the Cupra Born.

Although the more observant may spot similarities with its VW garage-mate the ID.3, the Born feels distinctly different. It has a more sporting, angular look that suits the overall design better in my view with detail touches such as copper highlights, skirts, diffusers and a rakish style. It actually has a reasonable range for an EV too.

Inside there’s still, sadly, the infuriating VAG touchscreen controls, added to which the Born shares the ID.3’s quirky gear control lever on the steering column. A modern version of a column change for those old enough to remember. A bit too quirky, as are many of the controls, but it does leave the centre console clear for lots of in-car storage.

There’s only two electric window switches on the driver’s door. In order to lower the rear windows,

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Cupra Born VZ

• Engine: Electric motor driving the rear wheels, 79kwh Li-ion battery, developing 326PS

• Gears: Automatic

• Price: €53,191/£44,625

you have to press an extra switch to effectively reprogram the buttons from front to rear. Madness!

As one might expect the Cupra is a distinctly sporting ride, yet manages to retain enough compliance to be comfortable. It can be very entertaining on more twisting roads and being rear wheel drive adds a delightfully old school feel for enthusiastic drivers. Even the least powerful version will reach 62 mph in 6.7 seconds.

• Performance: 100kph/62mph in 5.6 seconds. Max speed 125mph

• Range: 372 miles WLTP

• Emissions: 0 g/km

The remainder of the interior is superb with a premium feel, nice tactile materials and possibly the most comfortable seats of any car I’ve driven in a long time. The sculptured, bolstered design looks like it would test the limits of Kevlar, but once seated you realise they are tremendously comfortable and supportive.

Three battery options offer 59kwh, 77kwh and 79kwh, the lead-in model (€42,314/£35,495) with 59kwh battery develops 230PS and will cover 269 miles. In the real world I’d suggest you would be looking at about 220 miles and even less in cold winter driving. Higher trim models do significantly increase range but of course the cost is higher too. Whichever Born model you choose, even with the smallest battery, most people would see a week’s commuting with no charging required.

The Born has much to commend it, a premium feel, good build quality, lots of equipment, even on the lead-in model, hugely entertaining to drive and by modern standards competitively priced.

Premier League round up

THE English Premier League weekend of November 2 to 4 saw some unexpected results and some of the top teams losing against the odds.

With every team having played 10 matches, Manchester City who seemed sure to stay top of the table actually lost their rst Premier League match for 33 games against Bournemouth with much being made of injuries, but with a team that elded Harland, Foden and Bernado Silver, there was still plenty of class on the pitch.

Bournemouth are turning out to be the ‘dark horses’ of the season, having beaten Arsenal and drawn with Aston Villa in the previous two weeks and once again Arsenal lost, this time to Newcastle.

Liverpool were far from their top form against Brighton and Hove Albion but were assisted by a late Mo Salah goal to take the win and return to top spot.

Manchester United without Erik ten Hag for the rst

Fulham’s super-sub Harry Wilson.

time, managed a draw against Chelsea and one of only two teams to have a really good win was Tottenham who beat Aston Villa 4-1.

Probably the most surprising team at the moment is Nottingham Forest who by beating West Ham 3-0 moved up to third place i.

Perhaps the most unusual result was Fulham 2 - Brentford 1 with Fulham substitute Harry Wilson coming o the bench to score two goals in the 92nd and 97th minutes.

Real Madrid’s secret

REPORTS reveal that Real Madrid knew Vinicius Jr would not win the 2024 Ballon d’Or but decided to withhold this news to avoid distracting him before their critical El Clásico match against Barcelona. According to Cadena SER, Vinicius began suspecting his slim chances of winning as early as the Friday before the ceremony. Despite Real Madrid’s attempts to shield his focus, the team su ered a 4-0 defeat.

In a bold move, Real Madrid’s delegation chose to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony altogether. Originally planning to travel to Paris, head coach Carlo Ancelotti ultimately cancelled the trip. As reported by COPE, Ancelotti took this step in solidarity, prioritising team morale. He later down-played the impact on Vinicius, noting the player’s attention was more on the recent oods

Vinicius Jr is still determined to win the Ballon d’Or one day.

a ecting Valencia.

Vinicius’ record-breaking season, scoring 24 goals and becoming the youngest player to net in multiple Champions League nals, earned him high expectations. However, he nished second to Manchester City’s Rodri. Responding on social media, Vinicius expressed resilience, writing, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”

O the pitch, Vinicius has also become a prominent voice against racism in La Liga, famously stating, “I’m not a victim of ra-

Credit: Instagram @vinijr.

UEFA’s €1 bn investment

UEFA has announced a new strategy called Unstoppable, with plans to invest €1 billion in women’s football by 2030. Building on the success of its previous initiative, Time for Action, launched in 2019, Unstoppable aims to enhance the future of women’s football across Europe. UEFA’s long-term goals include making football the top team sport for women and girls in every European country and developing Europe’s top players by establishing six fully professional leagues and supporting 5,000 professional female players. It also aims to make women’s football the most sustainable and investable women’s sport, and to celebrate the sport’s community and unique values.

Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s managing director of women’s football, highlighted recent progress: “European women’s football has never been in a better place. National teams and clubs are excelling, and women’s football has become a sport for the masses, attracting diverse fans and partners. We promise to keep investing and collectively lead the game forward.”

The Unstoppable initiative has already gained support from high-pro le gures such as Jill Scott, Lauren James, and recent Ballon d’Or winner, Aitana Bonmatí. The next ve years look promising, with increased investments, opportunities for players, and growing fan engagement driving the sport forward.

UEFA announced its Unstoppable campaign on social media.