Euro Weekly News - Costa Blanca South 26 November - 2 December 2020 Issue 1847

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The people’s paper ISSUE NO. 1847

26 Nov - 2 Dec 2020

COSTA BLANCA SOUTH • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM

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HELP FOR BRITS

THE UK Government has written to more than 100,000 Brits living in Spain to help them prepare for the end of the transition period: • One of the largest UK Government direct mail campaigns to UK Nationals living in EU and EFTA member states, with 365,000 customers on Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) database contacted. • UK Nationals resident before December 31 can continue living and working in Spain, but will need to register as soon as possible if they have not already done so. • UK State Pensioners will continue to receive their health-

INVITED SPEAKER: HE Hugh Elliott in Manilva, Costa del Sol. care cover and pensions as they do now. • U K Nationals Support

Fund has so far assisted more than 37,000 UK Nationals in Spain.

The UK Government has written to 365,000 UK Nationals living in Europe with advice on the actions they need to take to prepare for the end of the UK transition period on December 31. This includes 102,087 letters issued to people on DWP’s database in Spain. The letters, sent to UK State Pensioners and benefit recipients, give advice on how to register for residency and healthcare, exchange driving licences and check new passport validity rules online. It is one of the largest-ever mail outs by the UK Government to UK nationals living in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. British Ambassador to

Spain Hugh Elliott said: “Supporting UK Nationals is one of our highest priorities. The organisations receiving funding to support British people with their residency are making a huge difference and, since 2017, we have organised nearly 300 outreach events. “Whilst face-to-face events are currently limited by Covid restrictions, we continue to pro-

vide support through our Facebook Live Q&As. “Our next session on residency is on December 1, so please do follow us on BritsinSpain on Facebook to take part.” UK Nationals can find the most up-to- date information on actions they may need to take at gov.uk/livinginspain and on www.facebook.com/britsin spain.

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26 November - 2 December 2020

Shop early for Christmas GENERALITAT president Xi­ mo Puig admitted that Christmas 2020 would be different from other years. Speaking on November 19, he explained that he was in favour of reaching general agreement throughout the

Valencian Community about the measures that should be taken regarding Christmas and the holiday season. “What is important about Christmas are our feelings, not the way that we express those feelings,” he declared.

“So we shall be living with restrictions.” The regional president al­ so urged people to do their Christmas shopping earlier this year to avoid last­ minute crowds. Puig made this announce­ ment while talking to the Press during the launch of the Generalitat’s Respete­ mos a quien nos cuida (Re­ spect those who look after us) campaign against vio­ lence towards medical staff. Asked about the regional government’s plans for Christmas, Puig pointed out that existing Valencian Com­ munity regulations including a “no­one out and no­one in” travel ban would be in force until December 9. After this, the Generalitat would review the situation and the evolution of the pandemic, Puig said, but when he was asked about easing measures after De­ cember 9, he said that “at present” the Generalitat did not have this in mind.

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Signs of the times LOS MONTESINOS intends to be a municipality where sexist vio­ lence does not exist. One of Los Montesinos’ initia­ tives commemorating Interna­ tional Day for the Elimination of Violence towards Women were violet­coloured traffic signs that will remain in place, confirmed Equality councillor Ana Belen Juarez. The road signs also incorporate the 016 phone number where

abused women can seek help from the authorities. “The signs will be placed at the municipality’s three entrances ad­ joining the town’s name,” Juarez said as she announced the Echale valor (show courage) programme. “A municipality free from sexist violence” to the town’s name demonstrated the local government’s commitment to ending physical and psycholog­ ical violence towards women,

New wheels

TORREVIEJA renewed its fleet of Local Police vehicles, spending €700,000 on leasing 11 patrol cars and five vans with an option to buy. The town hall has not yet incorporated the vans, which include spe­ cialised vehicles for taking witness statements and another for the dog­ handling unit. Torrevieja mayor’s Eduardo Dolon and Public Safety councillor Federi­ co Alarcon presented the new acquisitions in the Plaza de Oriente, where residents have asked for an increased police presence in recent months.

Local Artichokes DOLORES recently launched a campaign promoting its gastronomy and local produce. This was off to a good start when Local Development councillor Raquel Rocamora visited the municipal market to buy the ingredients Dolores’ typical Olla Viuda con pelotas de alcachofas. This is referred to ­ rather unfairly ­ as viuda (widow) because it has only vegetables and what would ordinarily be meatballs are made from Dolores’ star product, artichokes. Rocamora was helped by Cloti and Susi from the Dolores House­ wives Association as she made her purchases. “We have great gastronomy and great produce and we care about traditional cooking,” the councillor said.

Attention needed CALLOSA has asked the regional government’s Public Works depart­ ment for improvements to local roads. Local mayor Manuel Martinez recently explained to Generalitat offi­ cials that the bicycle lane on the CV­900 and CV­911 ring roads was in particular need of resurfacing. This is much­used by pedestrians and affected Granja de Rocamora, Cox, Rafal as well as Callosa, together with the outlying Orihuela districts of El Baden and San Bartolome, Martinez said.

she added. Her department was also de­ termined to eradicate microsex­ ism, the subtle manoeuvres and strategies that underestimate women with respect to men, the councillor explained. “We did not want the pan­ demic to distract us from our commitment towards eradicating sexist violence,” Juarez said. “This might be an atypical year where we have had to reorganise our November 25 events, but we must not forget that women con­ tinue to die at the hands of their partners or ex­partners.”

That sinking feeling RESIDENTS of La Marina ur­ banisation in San Fulgencio are increasingly puzzled by the new health centre exten­ sion. The new construction is below street level, councillors for the Independent Nation­ alities Party (PIPN) com­ plained to Informacion. Charo Mejias and Alfredo Contreras, both from PIPN, said the building was botched and pointed out the risk of flooding. “It’s on a slope and we can’t understand why they didn’t build it on a concrete platform,” Mejias said. San Fulgencio mayor was no less surprised and told In­ formacion that the town hall has asked the contractors to explain why the extension was not level with the Civic Centre.

Riverbank restructuring ELCHE’S plans for regenerating the banks of the Vinalopo include a footpath between the reservoir, the river­mouth and El Hondo. Mayor Carlos Gonzalez confirmed the project while visiting work on the Vinalopo embankment which is due to continue inside the city as far as the Barrachina bridge. At this point the path, designed for leisure and sporting activities, will continue to El Hondo via the river­mouth at the Azarbe de Dalt. An €150,000 allocation has been set aside for the path in next year’s budget, Gonzalez said: “Anybody

will now be able to walk, or jog or cycle between the reservoir and El Hondo on a link that joins two unique natural spaces.” The announcement came as Gonzalez visited the Vinalopo where work on two sections is nearing completion. This project is costing more than €1.5 million, 88 per cent of which has been financed by the regional government. It is part of the Generalitat’s work and training scheme, which in Elche’s case has provided employ­ ment and instruction for 60 pupils and eight supervi­ sors for a year.

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NIBS EXTRA Online flutter SPANISH tourists routinely buy tickets for the mammoth Christmas Lottery while away but with travel between regions currently restricted, over-thecounter sales have dipped, many Administrations found. Instead, those in big coastal resorts like Torrevieja are selling double the number of tickets online to punters who have been forced to stay at home.

No panic TORREVIEJA hospital confirmed that it has beds to spare and that during the second coronavirus wave it has not been necessary to set aside another wing for Covid patients, double up rooms or transfer them to other hospitals. Operations have also gone ahead as planned, the management said.

Step workout SIXTY-TWO per cent of the homes currently on the market in Alicante Province lack a lift. This increases to 70 per cent in Elda, followed by 68 per cent in Crevillent, 54 per cent in Santa Pola, dropping to 43 per cent in Elche and 37 per cent in Alicante City.

Lighten up LOS ALCAZARES Town Hall has restored streetlighting in the garden areas of Calle Diana in Urbanisation Oasis, Economic Drive councillor Pedro Jose Sanchez said. Next in line is the Serena Golf complex where only 693 of more than 2,000 streetlamps are connected to the power supply.

Easy access ALICANTE City’s Archaeological Museum, Marq, recently obtained a Universal Accessibility certificate. This is in line with its commitment towards guaranteeing that all visitors, whatever their condition, could enjoy its contents and activities physically, sensorially and mentally, said Julia Parra who heads the Diputacion’s Culture department.

On tap AGAMED, the company that supplies Torrevieja’s domestic water covered the cost of bills for 325 families from its social fund while allowing others to delay paying bills amounting to €460,000 without charging interest. At this time of ‘economic stress’ it was working to guarantee access to water, Agamed said.

26 November - 2 December 2020

Diputacion joins the fray ALICANTE’S provincial council, the Diputacion, joined town halls in opposing plans modify­ ing the conditions for receiving water via the Tajo­Segura pipeline. These include reducing the amount of water that reaches southern Alicante growers for crop irrigation while increasing the Tajo’s environmental flow necessary for maintaining its ecosystem. Ana Serna, the Diputacion’s vice­president who also heads its Water department, asked Spain’s central government to halt the modifications ap­ proved in September. As well as interfering with

Photo credit: Midir

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TAJO-SEGURA PIPELINE: Changing the rules could reduce the province’s water supply. the Plan Hidrologico del Tajo, the proposal would have “a grave social, environmental and economic impact” on Alicante Province, Serna said.

“Changing the rules at this moment is totally ill­timed, as any modifications should be carried out after new plans are in place,” she argued.

“We don’t know why it is so urgent to change the rules of the game halfway through the match, but we do know that we shall continue to defend the in­ terests of Alicante Province,” Serna declared. The proposed measure would cause “legal insecurity, uncertainty, ineffectiveness and loss of efficiency,” she main­ tained. “The modifications reflect the central government’s inten­ tion of writing off infrastructure that is vital for guaranteeing the province’s water and the sur­ vival of the economically­im­ portant agricultural and tourism sectors,” Serna said.

Waiting for those better times ORIHUELA Town Hall has discarded plans to auction off two plots of municipally­owned land in Orihuela Costa. This would have been the third attempt in eight months, after no bids were made during the second sale of the two largest ­ and dearest ­ parcel. The town hall succeeded in selling only one plot, the smallest, which went to a building developer after its €1.2 million

starting price in the first auction was slashed by half. Originally, Orihuela Town Hall had hoped to make a total of €21.102 million but brought in only €683,000 from one sale, a 6,951 square­metre plot of land. Patrimony councillor Rafael Almagro has ruled out a third auction, according to the local Spanish press. He explained that Orihuela Town Hall

would wait for better times and an end to the health crisis when the offered land was likely to attract more developers. “What we aren’t going to do is act hur­ riedly and make a bad sale out of despera­ tion,” Almagro added. “Promoters do not want to invest at pre­ sent, given the uncertainty and we are not going to put them on the market at Covid prices.”

DANA cash for Vega Baja Guardamar SPAIN’S central government assigned €9.6 million to the Vega Baja to compensate dev­ astation caused by the September 2019 storms. This represents practically three­quarters of the Valencian Community’s €12.546 mil­ lion allocation from Madrid to offset munici­ palities’ expenditure in restoring local infra­ structure and services.

Almoradi, which suffered so badly from the storms created by the Isolated High Alti­ tude Depression between September 10 and 14 last year, receives a total of €6.4 million, followed by Orihuela with €1.242 million. Granja de Rocamora, Bigastro, Pilar de la Horadada, San Fulgencio, Callosa de Segura, Jacarilla, Daya Vieja, Algorfa, Dolores and Los Montesinos are all in line for lesser amounts.

Air purifiers Illegal landfill SCHOOLS in Valencia are set to get 8,000 high­performance air filters for class­ rooms. The Ministry of Health has confirmed the purifiers will be installed at public and sub­ sidised schools in classrooms where proper natural ventilation cannot be guaranteed. Emphasis will be placed on spaces that have had to be adapted as classrooms to ensure social distancing, from churches to meeting rooms and gyms. Minister of Education, Vicent Marzà also announced a modification of the protocol on natural ventilation in classrooms, stress­ ing it will be necessary to open windows or external doors every 25­30 minutes for at least five minutes.

A 63­YEAR­OLD was charged with using an unauthorised gravel pit in Fuente Alama (Murcia) as an illegal rubbish dump. Officers from the Guardia Civil’s nature protection unit SEPRONA discovered a seven­ metre deep pit occupying 6,000 square me­ tres of land that had been excavated to pro­ vide gravel for the construction industry. Investigations revealed that lorries were gradually filling the empty pit with rubble, builders’ waste, plastics and empty chemical containers. Lacking a Confederacion Hidrografica del Segura authorisation to extract gravel or a municipal permit to level off the land with rubble, the owner now faces environmental offences.

Remains

AN excavation at Guardamar del Segura castle uncovered remains of a 14th­centu­ ry corpse which could potentially be a rele­ vant character from the War of the Two Pedros. According to the council, the work on the archaeological excavation began in 2019, specifically, on the west wall of the Guardamar del Segura Castle, which is where the individual, who they believe had been thrown into a grave, was ex­ humed. Studies are still being carried out, how­ ever, the body has shown that it had died violently, with multiple marks of stab wounds being documented. The Carbon­14 dating carried out al­ lowed excavators to place the person’s death in the second half of the 14th centu­ ry, coinciding with the War of the Two Stones, a contest in which the municipality of Guardamar del Segura had ‘a promi­ nent role.’ The City Council has indicated that “in­ teresting investigation paths are being opened to determine the origin of this ex­ ecuted person, which could correspond to a relevant person related to this conflict.”

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Gas explosion Torrevieja A VIOLENT gas explosion occurred at 6.17am on Thursday November 19 in Torrevieja on the first floor of a house on Avenida Diego Ramírez Pastor crossing with Calle Apolo de Torrevie­ ja. The explosion, which reportedly took place in a bathroom, obliterated the front facade of the house and rained rubble and furniture down onto the street below. Officials say the explo­ sion may have been caused by the accumula­ tion of several gas and gasoline canisters on the property, with techni­ cians and the Guardia Civil currently assessing the rubble to determine the cause. The other residents of the building were evacu­ ated. CICU sources con­ firmed at the time that no injuries had thus far been reported, although they were still trying to locate the whereabouts of the owner of the house. Several vehicles parked on the street were damaged by falling rubble.

Scaled-down fiestas AS expected, Torrevieja’s Fi­ estas councillor Concha Sala confirmed that many events will be absent from this year’s celebrations. Those involving large crowds have been cancelled but children’s favourites Lily, Lobo and the Ogre, together with the Cabezudos (Giants), will visit local schools accom­ panied by traditional pipe and drum music. Without the habitual Flo­ ral Offering, members of the public will still be able to leave flowers in the Levante patio of the Inmaculada church on December 4 and 5, Sala announced.

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26 November - 2 December 2020

Knife Man

ALICANTE police have arrested a man for breaking curfew on Wednesday, November 18, and walking the San Carlos street armed with a large knife. According to police sources, the incident took place when officers located a person, who was suspected of being in a fight earlier in the night, walking down the street, violating the Covid curfew, and carrying a large knife. The officers found the man, who had suffered injuries from the alleged fight, and promptly took him into custody on weapons charges and opened up an investigation to clarify the motives and location of the alleged fight, and to find out if anyone else was harmed.

THE Sagrada Familia in Barcelona will remain closed and with no Christmas lights because the parish can’t afford them this year. Due to the Covid­19 restrictions, sources from the Basilica report that they can’t cover the expenses to open it as there is no money coming in. No masses will be held in the tem­ ple to avoid crowds and construction work has also been stopped. The Sagrada Familia, the unfin­ ished work of Gaudi, was closed fol­ lowing an investigation into the cele­ bration of the beatification of Joan Roig in the main part of the building,

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No lights for Sagrada

LIGHTS OUT: Something digital will be shared on social media to celebrate Christmas. which was reportedly attended by 600 people. This led the Catalan re­

Succesful

birth

DOCTORS from various departments of Sevilla’s Virgen del Rocio hospital successfully managed to deliver the baby of a woman who suffered a brain haemorrhage during pregnancy. The 29-year-old mother, Saray, suffered a left hemiplegia 27 weeks into her pregnancy, leading to a high risk of dangerous cerebral bleeding. Experts in neurosurgery, gynaecology, neonatology and anaesthesia worked closely to monitor the mother and her unborn child until the infant was due. In a highly complex procedure, doctors delivered the child by Caesarian while others simultaneously worked to remove the cerebral malformation. Thanks to the staff’s immense skill and collaboration, the operation was a huge success. Healthy baby Pilar was successfully delivered and her mother’s condition greatly improved. Just three days after the operation and birth, Saray was transferred to the Women’s Hospital where she was even able to breastfeed her new daughter.

gional government to restrict masses and other religious events to 100 at­ tendees. Only the crypt remains open and the only two appointments planned for the rest of the year, the ordination of five deacons and an auxiliary bishop, may be postponed. There is no planned date for reopen­ ing yet. The Basilica will however prepare ‘something digital’ which will be shared on social media to celebrate Christmas.

Electric addition

THE Guardia Civil has purchased dozens of new electric vehicles which will be distributed across the country where there are ports and airports. General Director, María Gámez said the acquisition is part of a com­ mitment to the conservation of the environment as well as a long­term cost­cutting exercise. “The acquisition and subsequent distribution of the 50 vehicles and their scope of use, is aimed at port areas and airports, since there are al­ ready established recharging points in these closed facilities,” she said. “Within the scope of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Guardia Civil wishes to reinforce its commitment to the conservation of the environment and reduce as far as possible the gas emissions of the vehicles that make up its fleet.” The Nissan LEAF vehicles are pure electric with a 40 Kw battery, and will be distributed across Spain, including the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol and Mallorca.

Judge annuls fine A JUDGE has ruled that a man’s failure to comply with the State of Alarm was not disobedience and has annulled a fine of €601. Court number one in Segovia resolved that skipping the confine­ ment during the State of Alarm was not reason for a fine for dis­ obedience and that the fine is not within legal boundaries. The judge admits that the man’s behaviour was “unfair and antisocial” by endangering other people in a pandemic, but only from an ethical or moral

point of view. However, he considers that it was a one­off occasion, as there was no persistent disobedient atti­ tude towards the authorities or the officers of the law; neither did the man refuse to provide identity or give false data. The fine was is­ sued based on article 36.6 of the Organic Law for the Protection of Citizen Security (LOPSC) of 2015, at the time, going out of the house was forbidden, other than to go to buy food or to the chemist and certain other situations.

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26 November - 2 December 2020

Covid-19 card game

A GROUP of Spaniards living in Ireland have cre­ ated a card game based on the Covid­19 pan­ demic. The game, called simply Covid Game, was launched this month, and sold 500 copies in two days in Ireland. The game mixes the mechanics of renowned card game UNO and the Spanish­created Virus game, but the theme is the pandemic. It can be played by between two and six peo­ ple, who will have to try to get four vaccines to win, while the rest of the players use coronavirus to prevent it. The creators decided to see the positive side of BARCELONA striker Lionel Messi had a nasty shock on Wednes­ day, November 18 when he re­ turned from international duty with Argentina to find Spanish tax agents waiting for him as he touched down in Barcelona. Messi, 33, didn’t even have a chance to enter the terminal be­ fore up to five officials boarded

things and wanted to create something to keep people entertained in confinement while also learning how the virus can spread. “It shows ways of spreading the virus , such as coughing, sneezing or shaking hands, and also how to protect ourselves with a mask , face shield, gloves, disinfectant...,” they explain. These elements are on the cards, as well as some joke items such as toilet paper. They say that they have not forgotten how bad things are, but wanted to make “a small dis­ traction from the reality we are living in.” The game is available in Spain from the cre­ ators’ website www.covidgame.me at €14.99.

Things get Messi the customised jet, complete with a kitchen and two bath­ rooms, and asked the Barcelona captain and the entire crew to provide documentation.

A MAN was arrested in Bilbao for re­ peatedly refusing to wear a mask at a Covid deniers car rally in Bilbao. The Basque police, the Ertzaintza, charged him with disobeying the au­ thorities and reported that he refused

Spanish sports daily, Marca, reported that Messi was or­ dered to pay tax as he eventual­ ly headed through customs at Barcelona’s El Prat airport. Speaking to reporters upon arrival, he said: “After 15 hours of flying, I come up against peo­ ple from the tax agency asking questions. It’s crazy.”

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Online Booze Boom

WINE retailer, Naked Wines, contributed to an online alcohol delivery boom this year as national and local lockdowns drove more people to order booze to be deliv­ ered. Naked Wines saw sales online jump by 80 per cent in the six months to the end of September, with their base of active cus­

tomers, who pay £20 (€22) into their ac­ count each month to spend on wine from independent producers, jumping by 37 per cent in the last 12 months. This means an increase of around 204,000 to 757,000 customers and has seen the company double its warehouse capacity in the face of a boom in demand.

Carer arrested

A C A R E R was arrested in Tocina, Sevilla, charged with stealing the jewellery of the elderly woman she cared for following her death. Her accomplice was also arrested after they sold the jewellery at a pawn shop. The detainees allegedly made a copy of the elderly woman’s house keys, and when the woman died, re-

Arrested at Deniers Rally to provide ID when requested. The rally was called to go around the city to demand “a scientific de­ bate” on Covid­19 and to denounce

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the “lack of rights” of Spanish citi­ zens. Another man taking part is being investigated for insulting the police

turned the original keys to the family. When the jewellery was reported missing, Guardia Civil launched an investigation which included everyone who had access to the house. T he man had sold all of the victim’s gold jewellery, except a watch, which was returned to the woman’s son.

and 13 people have been fined for breaching security measures. A case has been opened against the organiser for not keeping to the agreed route, according to the Basque Security Department.

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26 November - 2 December 2020

RENFE investment

SPANISH railway company Renfe will make its largest investment in decades. More than €3.5 billion will be invested in the renewal plan, starting in 2021, although the plan was launched last year. During the first half of the year, the company will award contracts to renew 50 per cent of its trains, which is expected to create 52,000 jobs. Most of the investment will be destined to improving short and medium distance services, which represent 80 per cent of Renfe’s operations. There are some 1,016 trains, according to national reports, but since 2011 no new trains have been added, and many of those op-

RENFE: New trains will be more energy efficient. erating are more than 30 years old. Their estimated operating time limit is 40 years. New trains will be more secure, more accessible and more energy efficient and can run at up to 100 km/h. Also in Renfe’s plans is to buy large capacity trains to service large urban areas. High speed trains will not be forgotten either, with some 40 new power heads planned.

Local Panaderias Essential PEOPLE now value their local Panaderia even more after lock­ down, after they tried baking for themselves. In March shelves were stripped of flour and other essentials as people tried to make their own bread. The home baking saw peo­ ple value their local Panaderia much more, as many returned af­

ter realising how much skill a good loaf of bread takes to make, not to mention the time and all the cleaning up afterwards. The Provincial Association of Bakery and Pastry has found that local Panaderias are doing well during the Covid­19 restrictions, al­ though larger bread manufactur­ ers are suffering.

Immigrants get tents MILLIONS in European funds will be used to provide tents for 7,000 immigrants in the Canary Islands. A total of €43 million will be used by the government to house 7,000 immigrants in temporary tents on Fuerteventura, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria. The tents will be used to provide shelter for the people currently in the port of Arguineguin and in hotels. The port is currently housing over 1,300 immigrants and there are a further 5,500 people in various apartments and hotels.

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Police Fail ITV OVER 2,000 Guardia Civil vehicles have not passed the Technical Vehicle Inspection (ITV) this year and at least 2,629 have accumulated more than 300,000 kms. According to government figures, at least 3,562 vehicles of the fleet are older than 15 years old, however, if the renovation plans proposed by the Ministry of Interior are agreed to, the fleet will still not be ‘updated’ until 2028. The worrying and ‘unfavourable reports’ on the ITV (Spain’s equivalent of the UK’s MOT) could have been even higher, according to the figures, since they did not include the data corresponding to Granada, Córdoba and A Coruña. The highest incidence of failures has been found in the vehicles assigned to the Sevilla police force with over 290 failing to pass the ITV so far this year. In some positive news for the Guardia Civil, vehi­ cles operating in Burgos, Ceuta and Murcia fully passed the inspection.

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26 November - 2 December 2020

Auctions soar in Valencia

SINCE the beginning of the pandemic, the popularity of auctions has soared in the Valencian community, with savvy buyers looking to snap up a bargain as prices drop. Eactivos.com, who manages online sales and bankruptcy actions, reported that there has been more than two-and-a-half times more auction activity in Valencia compared to last year, representing an increase in supply of 158 per cent. So far this year, 197 events have been carried out, and 10,133 offers have been recorded from a total of 2,725 participants with the most popular item for auctions, not surprisingly,

AUCTIONS: Have become increasingly popular this year.

being property, with residents in Valencia, Alicante, Xabia, Aldaia, Cullera and Oropesa snapping up the most deals. A total of 88,490

TWO neighbouring businesses have been shut down for three months over numerous breaches of Covid regulations. The Milan Palace and Tudor Rose in west London, had their licence suspended following a hearing at Ealing Licence Committee. In September and October, both venues hosted wedding ceremonies of up to 150 people and other events which breached regulations ‘to keep Londoners safe,’ said the Metropolitan Police. In addition to the closure, the Tudor Rose was

shares in Valencia CF were auctioned in two batches this year, with €128,000 securing the lucky bidder 17,600 shares in the club.

Venues shut down handed a £1,000 fine for one breach and the Milan Palace was handed an approximate fine of £7,000 for three breaches. Chief Superintendent Pete Gardner, West Area policing commander, said: “The brazen actions of these venues were completely selfish - they deserve to have their licence temporarily stripped for putting their community at risk.

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Casino classes STUDENTS in Madrid claim they are forced to study in casinos as they are ‘easier to access than libraries’ which have tighter capacity restrictions. The group of young people, known as ‘Young Rebellion,’ say they are studying in casinos and bookmakers in protest against the ‘severe restrictions’ imposed on libraries, saying “many libraries in Madrid do not even open, the hours are ridiculous and the appointments are inaccessible. “Do you know that in Madrid it is easier for a student to access a bookmaker than a library?” they claim on their Twitter profile, adding they are “fed up with the current conditions of libraries having a 50 per cent capacity while the bookmakers have 60 per cent.”

“Betting houses are open until midnight while libraries are only until 8pm” they point out, adding, “the (library) appointment system for many people is inaccessible, people who do not have ADSL, who do not have internet at home. However, we can enter any bookmaker, whenever we want, as we want even being minors.”

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26 November - 2 December 2020

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NEWS

VAT on Juice is unfair THE government has caused ‘confusion’ over plans to raise VAT on orange juice from 10 per cent 21 per cent, as if it were a sugary soft drink. This has prompted the Ministry of Agricul­ ture to form a ‘common front’ with the re­ gional governments of Murcia and Andalucia to address the central executive and ‘reject’ such a ‘confusing move.’ They are asking that a natural product not be equated with drinks that are artificially sweetened, and have requested a meeting with the Ministry of Consumption, Alberto Garzon. “An increase in VAT would mean an in­ crease in the cost of the final product and a

consequent decrease in consumption,” they have argued. Minister Mireia Mollà, who plans to visit the Valencian citrus juice industry Zuvamesa, located in Parc Sagunt, recalled that added sugar is prohibited in fruit and vegetable juices by Royal Decree 28/2013 of October 11. Therefore, “to tax the sugar naturally pre­ sent in the fruit creates confusion in the con­ sumer and has a negative impact on a strate­ gic sector for our territory.” Mollà said a VAT increase would be “un­ fair” and would represent “a new blow to the juice industry, already very affected by the health crisis.”

Primitiva Millions - check now

A MASSIVE lotto win on the Primitiva Lottery means it’s time to check your tickets. The draw held on Thursday Novem­ ber 19, in Madrid saw zero winners for the Special Category, although a winning ticket of €1.4 million was validated for the First Category. A ticket sold in Nijar, Almeria, has won over €44,000 for a second category prize. There are also lucky winners for tickets sold in Barcelona, Madrid, and Asturias.

WINNING TICKETS: Sold in Barcelona and Madrid.

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Urban artist PIONEERING urban artist Tamara Djurovic has died in Valencia, a city she settled in after years painting around the world. The Argentine muralist’s work reflects the ‘innate strength of women’ and the day to day struggles they face, along with those who have fought for political or gender rights. Known as ‘Hyuro’, Tamara was one of the few fe­ male artists who managed to break through in the field of international muralism. In the last decade, she has completed projects in Ar­ gentina, Brazil, America, Morocco, Tunisia and Mexico. Although she travelled across Spain, much of her ‘ground­breaking’ work can be found on Valencia City’s walls and buildings. After a year fighting cancer, Tamara died at her home ‘with her music, in peace and quiet, accompa­ nied by her children and loved ones.’

26 November - 2 December 2020

Bad Boss sentenced

A COURT has confirmed the sentence handed down to a businessman for smacking one of his female employ­ ees on the backside. The events took place in 2018 in Pontevedra when the man ap­ proached the girl, who was 17 at the time, and after telling her that she had a “nice body,” a “nice bum” and that he “wanted her” for himself, he slapped her on the backside. He was sentenced by a criminal court to pay a fine of €3,240 for sexual abuse, a ruling which he appealed in the Provincial Court. However, the Provincial Court has rejected his ap­ peal considering that there is sufficient evidence against him with the testi­ monies of the victim and eye witness­ es, including other colleagues.

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NEWS

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Illegal Covid Tests GUARDIA CIVIL officers, as part of Operation CHERPI, have seized over 3,300 rapid Covid tests before going on sale illegally in various locations in the province of Valencia. Two men and one woman, between the ages of 39 and 47, are being investigated for crimes against public health after officers learned through a pharmaceutical company that rapid Covid-19 tests were being carried out without authorisation, in a hardware store in the town of Pobla de Vallbona and in a Bazaar in Manises.

After raiding an establishment believed to belong to the perpetrators, a bag with a Covid-19 test box was seized along with different utensils for its use, as well as used test kits too. Guardia Civil officers ascertained that one of those under investigation had a contact within the pharmaceutical company and that several other companies had offered him significant money to purchase the rapid tests, all of various brands, which were being made available for use illegally.

Thief used child A 36-YEAR-OLD woman has been arrested in Malaga by the National Police for allegedly using a child to snatch books from a central bookstore, which she then sold online. The owner of the shop lodged a complaint with authorities, claiming he had been ripped off to the value of €350 in a series of robberies on different days. National Police explained in a statement that the thief followed the same modus operandi on every occasion, entering the bookstore with a child and when the proprietor’s back was turned, would slip the books into the child’s backpack to later sell online.

Ford factory closes THE Ford factory in Almussafes in the Valencian Community is set to close for a month, from December 17 to January 11, due to a drop in demand from the European market, particularly countries like the UK, France and Germany. In a meeting between Ford bosses and ERTE, it was decided that these dates would have the least amount of impact on employees, as the plant was due to halt production for a few days over the Christmas period anyway. At the beginning of November, Ford Almussafes had agreed to extend the ERTE to January 31, spreading 14 days of employment over the months of November, December and January. However, under the new agreement, all of the pre-arranged January stoppage dates will be moved to December.

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NEWS

Tea for Two Border TEA for two over the Scottish Council border has been the re­ cent theme to beat the Covid­19 isolation blues for two old friends. The two old friends have cre­ ated their own ‘friendship Bub­ ble’ to enable them to meet whilst not breaking any of the Covid­19 restrictions. Sheila M, 57, and Tim P, 58, have been friends since the 80s but due to the ban on movement in Scot­ land, they were unable to meet. Shelia lives in Edinburgh and Tim in East Lothian. The plan

was a simple one and gained a lot of attention from passers­by. They sat on either side of the boundary signs, showing they were not breaking any of the Tier 3 rules. Tim even brought chairs along so they could comfortably share a cup of tea together. Tim said, “It was cold but we had the tea. People were honking their horns and waving. It was really good fun, it seemed a bit of a mental thing to do. “Because we set it up on the border, we knew we weren’t

Quarantine Down to Five Days TRAVELLERS to England will be allowed to exit quarantine after five days if they pay for a test for coronavirus and it comes back negative, transport secretary Grant Shapps has announced. Under the new rules, which come into force from December 15, passengers who arrive from a destination not on the government’s safe travel corridors list will still need to enter self-isolation, however they can reduce the 14-day period by paying for a test from a private firm after five days at a cost of between £65£120. The travel industry welcomed the policy but described it as ‘long overdue’ after months of lobbying ministers to change restrictions. Results from the tests will normally be issued in 24 to 48 hours, meaning people could be released from quarantine six days after arrival.

breaking any rules. It was like we were in our own bubble, a friendship bubble.”

Short supply on trees THE UK's most popular Christmas tree could be in short supply due to imports from Denmark being halted by Covid-19 restrictions. Britain usually imports more than one million Nordmann Fir trees each year from what is Europe’s largest festive tree producer. However, exports to the UK and other countries have been severely hit by restrictions linked to a cull of mink, which became a reservoir for a mutant form of coronavirus. Garden centres claim that many stores and supermarkets rely on Danish trees for their festive stock. Around 10 million Christmas trees are sold in Britain every year, around three million of them are imported.

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Peacocks Administration

A  TOTAL of 4,700 jobs are now at risk as owners of fashion chains Peacocks and Jaeger announced on Thursday, November 19, that they have gone into administration. The Covid­19 pandemic has made it hard for the group, controlled by retail billionaire Philip Day, to find a buyer for the two brands, which have about 500 stores between them, and has meant they missed a deadline to sell. “The continuing deterioration of the retail sector due to the impact of the pandemic and second lockdown has made this process longer and more complex than we would have hoped,” it said.

NEWS

Uni testing A UK university is rolling out mass Covid testing for students before they head home for Christ­ mas. The free asymptomatic tests will be available for all students planning to leave the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, over the inter­se­ mester break and those remaining in the town. The tests are voluntary, but students have been strongly advised to take them as ‘young people, in particular, are likely to have no symp­ toms, but are still able to carry the virus back to family or friends over the holidays.’ The University is planning to open a Testing Centre by Monday, November 30, in the Universi­ ty Sports Centre.

Dylan ‘trove’ A LONG­LOST Bob Dylan ‘trove’ containing unpublished song lyrics and the singer­songwriter’s musings about anti­Semitism has sold at auction for $495,000 (€420,000). The Boston­based R R Auction said the collection privately held by the late American blues artist Tony Glover, a longtime friend who died last year, was sold this week to a bidder whose identity was not been disclosed. The ‘trove’ also included transcripts of Glover’s 1971 interviews with Dylan, and private letters between the two. The interviews reveal that Nobel Prize winner Dylan had anti­ Semitism on his mind when he changed his name from Robert Zimmerman, and that he penned ‘Lay Lady Lay’ for Barbra Streisand.

World’s Deepest Diving Pool

A 45.5­METRE (150­foot) deep diving pool, which opened near Warsaw, Poland last weekend, includes artificial underwater caves and Mayan ruins, and has 8,000 cubic metres of water ­ more than 20 times the amount in an ordinary 25­metre pool. The €8.9 million Deepspot complex, which includes a small wreck for scuba and free divers to explore, can open despite Covid restrictions in Poland be­ cause it is a training centre.

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Wandering Vulture Homeless shelters overwhelmed GRIFFON VULTURE: Was rescued by the authorities.

A YOUNG vulture was found wandering disorientated in the San Fernando of Cadiz area on Saturday November 21. It is thought that the young griffon vulture had ventured into the town to find food and water, and then become disoriented, surprising local res­ idents. He was rescued by the authorities and transferred to a recovery centre for wildlife. It is hoped that a release into the wild for the youngster will be possible once the centre has assessed the vul­ ture’s health.

SPAIN’S homeless shelters are once again overwhelmed with people in need due to the coro­ navirus pandemic The facilities are at breaking point as the numbers in need of shelter across the country continue to surge, while hy­ giene measures, maintaining social distancing and limited ca­ pacity have added to the prob­ lems. In a meeting on Friday, No­ vember 20, the councillor for Social Welfare of Valencia, Is­ abel Lozano admitted that “so­ cial housing resources for homeless people are full, with no free places available due to capacity restrictions in compli­ ance with new regulations.” The municipal government

NO ROOM: Facilities are at breaking point across the country.

on Friday passed a motion to allow Social Welfare services to quickly launch resources such

as sports centres and hotels to cater for the growing numbers of homeless.

Gift budget down SPANIARDS are expected to spend 10.45 per cent less on gifts this Christmas according to a consumer study, with the total amounting to €240. Most of this will be spent on children, with an average of €160, fol­ lowed by partners (€112) and nephews/nieces (€76). A global study prepared by Kantar and released by eBay shows that more than half of the population in Spain plan to buy gifts online, and of these, 14 per cent will buy more gifts online than last year. The study also reveals that 38 per cent of Spaniards planned to do their Christmas shopping in November, they will spend an average of up to €118 on the ideal gift and that most people will buy around eight gifts in total to be distributed among six different people. Seventy­seven per cent of consumers are planning carefully what they are going to spend, while 14 per cent will make impulse purchas­ es. Eight per cent only need an hour or less to decide on a gift, while 32 per cent need several days.

NEWS

Heroic Purse Recovery A HEROIC man stopped a woman’s purse from being stolen in Alcantarilla, Murcia after witnessing the theft from his balcony. He observed the teenager snatching the purse of a 59­ year­old woman and man­ aged to make it downstairs and onto the street in order to detain the perpetrator un­ til the arrival of the police of­ ficers. The woman was knocked unconscious during the at­ tack after being dragged across the ground before the man was able to reach the 18­year­old attacker. Speaking to officers on Sunday, November 22, the woman said she was able to recover her phone and her purse, but some of her per­ sonal effects were missing af­ ter the attacker threw them away whilst being chased by the man from the balcony.

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BBVA Sabadell merger SPANISH bank BBVA has confirmed that it is in talks with the smaller Banco Sabadell, which also owns TSB in the UK, regarding a potential merger that would create a global financial in­ stitution worth €860 billion. BBVA announced on Mon­ day, November 16 that it has agreed to sell PNC, its sub­ sidiary in the US, for $11.6 bil­ lion (€9.7 billion). Currently, Sabadell has a market capitali­ sation of €2.3 billion compared with BBVA’s €24.5 billion. The Spanish banking sec­ tor is now going through

three simultaneous merg­ ers. The first one is the tie­up deal for €4.3 billion an­ nounced in September by CaixaBank and Bankia, which will create Spain’s largest financial institution. But it is not just the giant lenders who are joining forces: the smaller Unicaja and Liberbank are in talks as well. If the merger between BB­ VA and Sabadell proceeds, the resulting entity will be the second largest financial institution in the country.

100,000 Masks

THANKS to the twinning of the cities Valencia and Xi’an in China, Valencia is distributing 100,000 masks to people from vulnerable groups after a supply was received from Xi’an. The generous donation will be distributed among municipal delegations related to care for disadvantaged or at-risk groups, such as active ageing, social welfare, resident protection and health. Mayor of Tourism Emiliano García said: “Xi’an has been very proactive, offering its collaboration and help to Valencia since the beginning of the crisis.”

26 November - 2 December 2020

Jamie’s Staff Win SEVENTY staff, who worked at a closed Jamie Oliver restaurant, have won a legal claim of over £200,000 (€225,000) following a failure in the redundancy process. All the staff worked at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Corn­ wall restaurant which the 45­ year­old TV chef opened in Watergate Bay near Newquay in 2006. The claim, which upon win­ ning means the staff will re­ ceive the equivalent of eight weeks’ pay, was made follow­ ing the sudden closure of the property last December which was done without warning. Staff claimed the compen­ sation because the law states they should have been con­ sulted in advance about the redundancies, which are now set to be paid from a govern­ ment scheme.

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EUROPEAN PRESS

EUROPEAN NIBS DENMARK

GERMANY

Face masks

3D apartments

A STUDY of more than 6,000 Danes by specialist hospital Rigshospitalet was unable to find clear evidence that face masks provide significant protection against coronavirus transmission, although those involved do not rule out the fact that they might work.

A GERMAN construction company has begun work on a 3D printed three-storey apartment building located near Munich which will contain five separate apartments and the basic construction should be completed in six weeks before utilities are installed.

NETHERLANDS Threatening letters A SPATE of threatening letters sent to companies in the Netherlands continues and now with two new ones reported, a total of 17 around the country have received these letters which contain a white powder identified as pesticide.

BELGIUM Coke rebuff THE regional government in Brussels has decided not to renew the planning permission required for the huge CocaCola sign above the Place De Brouckère in the city centre as it is “out of proportion” according to one politician.

FRANCE No photos THE media in France is angry at a bill currently before the French Parliament which could make it illegal to film on duty police officers for security reasons, which means if passed, it would be difficult to films demonstrations or riots.

NORWAY Up in arms ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are furious with the Norwegian government after it announced that it would offer licences for oil exploration in 136 blocks mainly in the Barents Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean, even though a previous offering is contested in court.

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No Black Friday

CARREFOUR has agreed to suspend its ‘Black Friday’ sale events across France after Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire called for supermarkets and online retailers to postpone them due to Covid lockdowns. Shops selling non-essential goods are to remain closed during France’s second national lockdown and the events due to take place in stores across the country from November 27 to 29 are now set to be cancelled. According to Reuters, a spokeswoman for Europe’s biggest retailer confirmed that Carrefour’s chairman and CEO Alexandre Bompard spoke with La Maire by telephone, stating: “Alexandre Bompard said he agreed to suspend the Black Friday operation from November 27 to November 29.”

56 Branches to Close Swedish

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP is still looking to lose 56 branches, which saw plans to push ahead paused because of Covid, resulting in around 160 job cuts by April 2021. The company first announced the move back in January, however, the pandemic meant that it wasn’t able to carry out the plans, affecting not only Lloyds branches but also Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches. According to the group, Lloyds

has already cut over 2,000 jobs since the start of September, after carrying out restructuring plans before the ‘second wave’ of the pandemic. A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said: “In January this year we announced that these branches would be closing due to a decline in use. “We paused these closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, after careful consideration, these planned closures will take place in March and April 2021.”

Pharmacy Testing CATALONIA: Pharmacies will start to perform tests.

PHARMACIES are set to help increase the number of Covid-19 tests that can be carried out in Catalonia. The Spanish Department of Health wants to make best use of the numerous pharmacies to increase testing capacity. Once Catalonia starts to reopen in phases after the severe lockdown ends later this month, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health of the Generalitat, Marc Ramentol, wants to use the existing network of pharmacies in Catalonia to perform Covid-19 antigen tests.

T M S I A R S H S C H E OP H T

Fugitive A SWEDISH crime gang fugitive, who was under a European Arrest and Surrender Order for the murder of two rival gang members, has been arrested in Barcelona. National Police, in collaboration with the Stockholm-North Police, arrested the fugitive who worked as part of a gang known as the Risne Network in Barcelona and was also wanted for illegal possession of firearms, possession and use of explosives, extortion charges after demanding €293,756 and threatening to kill a third victim and his family, even exploding a device in front of the victim’s family home. Upon searching two houses believed to be linked to the man, police officers seized various mobile phones, SIM cards, prepaid credit cards, cash and a 30cm blade machete. Six other people were arrested as part of the investigation, and further raids uncovered explosives, a submachine gun and a pistol, as well as ammunition for these weapons.

NEWS

Parents pay up

ILLEGAL PARTY: Parents also wanted their children to do community service.

THE parents of 91 youths fined for holding an illegal party in Zamora in August each paid €3,000 fines and have asked that their children do community service. The party, organised on social networks, attracted youths from all over Spain and was held in Vime de Sanabria, a town in Zamora with 60 inhabitants, between August 7 and 9. The youths were evicted by court order by the Guardia Civil for breaching anti-Covid regulations. The Castilla y Leon regional government delegation in Zamora, has confirmed that all of the fines have been received and processed, including €126,000 from the organiser of the event. Many of the parents contacted the delegation to ask if, in addition to paying the fine, the youths can be given community service. They reportedly proposed this because they are so angry with their children for causing a health risk.

FEATURE

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Six tips for protecting and growing your wealth With current global economic uncertainty, prolonged low interest rates and the Brexit deadline on the way, it is more challenging to achieve decent returns and make the most of your money today. At times like this, careful planning plays an especially important role in securing financial security over the long term. Here are six key tips that can help. 1. Customise your strategy It is crucial that your investment approach is designed to meet your particular circumstances and goals, including your risk tolerance and income needs. For example, are your financial arrangements tailored for your life in Spain or are they better suited to a UK resident? With an ill-fitting investment portfolio, you could find that your money is not working as hard as you would like, is difficult to access, or is eaten away by inflation and/or unnecessary taxation.

By Gerald Turner, Partner, Blevins Franks

2. Know your appetite for risk Before investing, you need to pinpoint the right balance of risk/return for your peace of mind, but it is extremely difficult to do this effectively yourself. An experienced adviser is best placed to ask the right questions and use appropriate tools to create a clear and objective risk profile for you. They can then recommend an appropriate blend of investments to match your specific profile.

3. Identify your timeline Generally, the longer you have to invest, the more risk you can afford to take. With time, you can ride out market volatility and benefit from compound returns. Understanding your time horizon is also the key to ensuring your investments offer the right level of ‘liquidity’. You never know when your plans may change, so hold some liquid assets that can be easily sold if you need to access capital or change your strategy. 4. Diversify, diversify, diversify The higher your concentration in one particular investment type or area, the greater the risk. The best way to limit risk is diversification. By spreading out investments across asset classes, geographic regions and market sectors, you limit your exposure to any one area. You can take diversification further by choosing an adviser who uses a ‘multimanager’ approach to spread your investments out among several carefully-selected fund managers. This reduces your re-

lianceon any one manager making the right decisions in all market conditions. 5. Don’t overlook tax planning To help maximise your real returns and protect wealth for future generations, factor in tax planning when setting up your portfolio. Look for arrangements that shelter capital from tax while providing a tax-efficient income, and that enable you to transfer wealth to beneficiaries with minimal bureaucracy and inheritance taxes. For expatriates, tax planning is complicated by having to work with the rules of more than one country. An adviser with crossborder expertise can ensure you meet your tax liabilities, in Spain and UK, while taking advantage of available opportunities. 6. Regularly review your strategy Your circumstances, aims and requirements often change over time. External influences such as changes in the law or tax rules

may also prompt a strategy rethink. You should review your financial planning around once a year to keep it on track, and with today’s challenging and changeable climate, regular reviews are even more important to help control risk and encourage a positive effect on portfolio performance. To bring all these guidelines together, take personalised, quality advice from a regulated, locallybased adviser. With the right strategy in place for your life in Spain, you can help protect and grow your wealth – in real terms – not only during your lifetime but for the next generations to enjoy. All advice received from Blevins Franks is personalised and provided in writing. This article, however, should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation or investment advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com.

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FEATURE

Advertising Feature

HIGHWAY SAFETY

DRIVE SAFELY: You owe it to yourself, your passengers and all other road users. TODAY more than ever, it’s easy to get distracted behind the wheel. In-car GPS navigation systems, changing a radio station, receiving hands-free mobile communications, let alone all the myriad of things happening on the road. Driving safely at all times should be your top concern, whether alone or driving with passengers. You owe it to yourself, your passengers and all other road users. TIPS FOR SAFER DRIVING Before setting off, adjust your mirrors, seats and climate controls so you don’t have to once you’re on the road. Wear your seatbelt at all times. Slowing down and reducing your speed gives you more time to react. Be constantly aware of what other drivers around you are doing and always expect the unexpected. Leave a two second distance gap between your vehicle and the one in front, and if the roads are wet, then double that distance to be on the safe side. Focus your attention on driving and don’t get distracted by your phone or any other electronic devices inside the car. STAY RIGHT UNLESS OVERTAKING Do not occupy the middle lanes. Highway patrol police in Spain are enforcing the need for all

drivers to stay in the right-hand lane unless overtaking. If you are planning a trip then schedule rest breaks, petrol stops, food and phone calls. Avoid driving while tired and be aware that some medications can cause drowsiness. Try and stay hydrated to help maintain your level of alertness. Have essential items in easy reach like credit cards for paying motorway tolls. WINTER DRIVING TIPS Winter weather brings additional driving problems, being prepared is vital. Before setting off check weather reports and prepare for any bad weather. Keep an emergency kit including blankets, first aid and jumper cables. Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and take an extra charger with you. Let loved ones know where you’re going and let them know when you have arrived safely at your destination. TOTAL REASSURANCE Over three million people trust Línea Directa for total peace-of-mind. They have been providing specialist car insurance for British expatriates for over 20 years. A leading insurance company dedicated to keeping motorists on the move. For more information or a really competitive quote, please call 952 147 834.

BEST PRICE. . R E V O C R E T T E B

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FEATURE

GO LOCAL BUY LOCAL: By shopping locally, independent businesses can help support the local community.

THE EURO WEEKLY NEWS is urging its readers to support local businesses in the com­ munity by going local through the lockdown and for your Christmas shopping this year, instead of feeding online gi­

ants and superstores. This lockdown and festive period we challenge you to re­ discover your local high streets, markets, butchers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky indepen­

dent businesses in your area. Due to the Covid­19 pan­ demic, you may have to sup­ port many local businesses by ordering online and making use of any click and collect ser­ vices they can operate if you

are unable to get out due to health reasons or lockdown re­ strictions. The joy of shopping local means that independent busi­ nesses can help support the lo­ cal community. Although it may be a euro or two cheaper elsewhere or on­ line, consider where your money is actually going. By shopping at an independent store you’re putting food on a local family’s table, and there is no better time than Christ­ mas to give back to your com­ munity by making a small ges­ ture and shopping in this way. Many local stores support local charities, support and sponsor local sports teams and in many cases the small inde­ pendent stores are actually much more than just a small high street shop, they’re a family’s legacy, often passed down through numerous gen­ erations and support not just

FEATURE

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SPENDING LOCALLY: Will make a difference to the local economy.

the current owner, but the generation before. For those stores which are new, that extra couple of eu­ ros spent there are supporting someone’s dream and ambi­ tion, and also the courage it took them to step out alone, which is no easy task. It takes quite a large chunk of money to set up an independent store and compete with the multi­ national and chains. So be sure to pre­order your turkey from a local butcher and get your spuds from a lo­ cal greengrocer, let us revive that community spirit and get to know our neighbours again. You could also consider pur­ chasing gift vouchers from lo­ cal businesses to help them over the coming weeks, think­ ing outside the box can often lead to some fantastic ideas. Why not buy a meal for two, an hour’s tattoo time at a local studio, a hair cut at a local sa­ lon or an online study course for someone looking to change their career path. As people are struggling

with finances thinking about what friends and family may actually need is important too. Whilst it’s nice to give a glamourous gift perhaps pre­paying a family member’s phone bill for the month would actually be a better gift. Helping people alle­ viate stress and worry, give the gift of peace of mind through these difficult times. Choosing to spend your money locally will really make a difference in the recovery of the local economy. When we buy local, our money stays lo­ cal, and it strengthens the local economy in two ways. First, buying local keeps money cir­ culating within the local econ­ omy. Studies have shown that local businesses recirculate a greater share of every euro as they create locally owned sup­ ply chains and invest in their employees. Data shows that local retail­ ers return 52 per cent of their revenue back into the local economy, compared to just 14 per cent for national chain re­ tailers.

Money circulating through the local economy benefits everyone who is a part of each transaction. For example, let’s look at a local farmer growing produce. First, they sell to a local restaurant, which in turn pre­ pares the fresh produce and sells it to local customers. The farmer pays its local employ­ ees and the restaurant uses revenue from sales to buy sup­ plies from a neighbourhood hardware store. This example illustrates how the recircula­ tion of money in the local economy leads to a stronger fi­ nancial foundation for our neighbours and communities.

Buying local also fuels new employment and job oppor­ tunities for people within our community. Studies show, lo­ cally owned businesses em­ ploy more people per unit of sales and retain more employ­ ees over time. While buying local is finan­ cially compelling to our com­ munities; the benefits to our environment are equally im­ pressive. Buying locally re­ duces the processing of goods, packaging and transportation waste, which leads to less pol­ lution. There’s a massive cultural shift underway redefining the way people make buying deci­ sions. We’re seeing more indi­ viduals concerned about the environment, about how prod­ ucts are made and sourced, where materials come from, and a company’s overall social and environmental impact. Many businesses are joining our Go Local campaign by of­ fering customers special offers and discounts throughout the festive period, more details to follow here soon. Just remember to follow the latest government advice and any guidance businesses have to keep everyone safe.

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NEWS

Laser attack on lorry driver Forged notes used in scam SPANISH police have managed to track down a suspect who shone a laser at a lorry driver, from footage posted on social media. The Guardia Civil in Asturias, eported on Saturday, November 21, they had used the latest ‘open­source investigative techniques’ to enable them to geolocate the location where footage in a social media post had tak­

en place. In footage, taken on November 11, a van is seen travelling in front of a lorry, along the AP­2 toll road in Huesca, Aragon, when suddenly a green laser beam is repeat­ edly directed at the lorry from the vehicle in front. The suspect is liable to a fine of up to €30,000 if found guilty.

TWO people were arrested in Barcelona for allegedly scam­ ming another by giving him €150,000 in forged bank notes. The scam was carried out by means of the ‘rip deal’ method, which consists of recreating a high­standard environment to make the victim believe that the scammers have plenty of money, and then giving the victim forged bills in exchange for legal curren­ cy. The Mossos d’Esquadra carried out the arrests in the Eixemple district of Barcelona, when plain­ clothes officers saw two well­ dressed, professional looking men walking down the street, monitoring the area and pretend­ ing not to know each other. They

BANK NOTES: Were forged. had been seen together in a car parked nearby shortly before that. Both went into a building and left shortly after, going their separate ways, one of them with a backpack he wasn’t carrying when he entered. When the officers searched him, he was carrying €150,040 in €50 and €20 notes.

The detainees had met the vic­ tim in an office rented for this specific purpose, and exchanged money. The deal was to exchange large notes for small notes in ex­ change for a €27,000 commis­ sion. The victim gave them legal cur­ rency and in exchange he got the amount in forged notes.

Mafia Members Arrested Spain Vaccine 80 million

CRIME FAMILY: Were involved in money laundering. ITALIAN police arrested 19 members of the ‘Ndrangheta’ mafia crime family for money laundering through a chain of 23 pharmacies. The arrests were made, which included 68­year­old regional council chief Domenico Tallini, on Thursday, November 19, following accusations ranging from mafia association to attempted extortion, harbouring illegal weapons, money laundering and voter fraud. According to a police statement, Tallini, who belongs to ex­prime minis­ ter Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia party, was placed under house arrest af­ ter being accused of cutting through the red tape required to set up the pharmacies in exchange for votes in the 2014 regional elections.

SPAIN is set to receive 80 million Covid­19 vaccine doses, almost double the amount needed for the near 50 million Spanish popu­ lation. There are multiple viable vac­ cines that will be made available soon, and Spain will possibly re­ ceive a mixture of these. Accord­ ing to El Espanol, “Spain will re­ ceive around 10 per cent of doses of the different Covid­19 vaccines under development that are committed in the contracts of the European Commission.” Spain is covering all the bases and in the event there are prob­ lems, Spain will still have more than a sufficient number of doses to immunise the entire popula­ tion.

FINANCE EU Recovery Fund SPAIN plans to take full advantage of the financial aid in the European Union’s recovery fund, which could amount to €140 billion said Economy Minister Nadia Calviño at Bloomberg’s Capital Markets Forum Spain held on November 19.

UK borrowing THE Office for National Statistics (ONS) said UK borrowing hit £22.3 billion (€24.5 billion) last month, the highest October figure since monthly records began in 1993 and since April, total borrowing has hit £214.9 billion (€236.4 billion) thanks to the pandemic.

Pay freeze ACCORDING to the BBC, it understands that the Conservative government is considering a pay freeze for up to 5.5 million public sector workers in England which would include police, teachers and civil servants, but probably not NHS staff.

Car rental THE CEO and founder of Spanish specialist online car rental company Mario Carranza forecasts that consumers are ready to move away from the concept of purchasing cars and within the next decade will mainly rent for convenience and cost sake.

Electric vehicle recharging SPANISH energy companies are taking the concept of electric cars very seriously with two important announcements concerning deals with car manufacturers. Firstly, Ionity, the ultra-fast charging network in Europe comprising BMW, Mercedes Benz, Ford, Hyundai and Volkswagen (and its’ subsidiaries) has agreed with Cepsa to create an ultra-fast charging corridor which will connect Barcelona and Madrid. Then, Porsche announced it has agreed with Iberdrola that it will install 35 Porsche Iberdrola High Power Charging Network stations across Spain which will be capable of recharging Porsche Taycan electric vehicles quickly.

STAT OF WEEK

www.euroweeklynews.com • 26 November - 2 December 2020

€210 million

turnover for small appliance firm Taurus as the Spanish company expands into Germany.

UK

A different Black Friday THIS year, Black Friday falls on November 27 and then the following Monday is Cyber Monday when stores online in particular reduce prices to promote trade. In the past, shops have made some exceptional discounts on selected products in order to get people through their doors and often there have been quite unseemly struggles as bargain hunters fight with each other to get

their hands on the prizes. This year will have to be different and some larger businesses are making all of their best offers online in order to protect both staff and customers from large crowds which would see social distancing com­ pletely ignored. Like many other market­ ing ideas this one started in the USA and became popular about 20 years ago as the day after Thanksgiving was when

LEGALLY SPEAKING

people start to think about their Christmas shopping and took the day off fol­ lowing the Thursday public holiday. Some argue that the name Black Friday origi­ nated in Philadelphia due to the volume of pedestri­ an and vehicle traffic which occurred on that day and it has since been adopted all over the world. Another suggestion is that it is the day when re­

Vegan ice cream

Can they claim from president? According to the Horizontal Act a community must hold an AGM at least once a year. The agenda items include the approval of the budget. The budget lists the expenditure and in­ come. At the meeting the owners may amend the budget and the financing and vote to raise or lower the fee each owner pays. Is this not correct? The State of Alarm has caused meetings to be delayed. We have had our 2020 AGM. If no new AGM is held then the fees paid by owners have not been agreed at a meeting. Expenditures other than those for wa­ ter, electricity, insurance and maintenance can be regarded as ‘unauthorised.’ Can the owners later claim the costs from the president and administra­ tor? R P (Costa del Sol) Let’s keep it simple. The short answer YOU AND THE LAW is yes. With or IN SPAIN without specific authorisation of the AGM, the president of the com­ munity signs the cheques. He can be held responsi­ ble. If even one member of the community feels he has exceeded his authority, he can claim against the president for return of the money spent. The admin­ istrator, however, is an employee not an elected offi­ cer.

DAVID SEARL

Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.

consumer spending

tail stores start going into profit for the year, with their accounts coming out of the red and going into the black. Whatever the reason, this has become a popular day to look for bargains and Spain has adopted the concept, although in the current climate there may not be much room to cut prices in smaller business­ es which have been hard hit by the various restric­ tions.

Credit: Pink Albatross

BUSINESS EXTRA

30

PINK ALBATROSS: Five top flavours to enjoy. THEY claim that like the Alba­ tross, the founders of Spain’s first plant­based ice cream suitable for vegans and those with gluten problems, are mi­ grants by nature and be­ tween the two of them have lived in almost 15 countries which is why they named their brand Pink Albatross. Pepe Biaggio and Luke Sal­ danha met through a mutual friend and since both are pas­ sionate about ice cream, the idea came up of creating an ice cream that everyone could enjoy, a product that was con­ sistent with their philosophy, principles and needs. Not willing to give up his favourite dessert due to the paucity of good vegan fare,

Luke got together with Pepe, bought an ice cream machine, and began experimenting and creating ice cream at home. Based in Madrid, the product is already in regional supermarkets and in online delivery platforms like Deliv­ eroo, but Pink Albatross wants to expand and fund­ ing is essential so, back in June they raised €551,000 and they have come to the attention of a German green food company and another headed by former directors of Nestlé. Their dream now is to per­ suade Spanish supermarkets to stock their range of differ­ ent vegan ice creams and then expand across Europe.

TOTAL UK consumer spending in 2020 is expected to fall by a staggering £183.6 billion (€202 billion), a 14.9 per cent drop over 2019, due to the Covid­19 induced lockdowns, according to new research from Mintel’s flagship British Lifestyles report. This equates to a drop in spending of around £6,600 (€7,250) per household ­ with the biggest decreases occur­ ring in the transport, food ser­ vice, and holiday industries. Consumer spending in these three categories will fall by £140 billion (€154 billion) in total, or just over £5,000 (€5,500) per household ­ rep­ resenting around 77 per cent of the overall decline in con­ sumer spending this year.

Huge bonus MATT MOULDING, CEO of the Hut Group (THG), an e­com­ merce company which oper­ ates over 100 international websites selling fast­moving consumer goods and its own brand of beauty products, has just received a bonus. It was based on share per­ formance which had to reach a certain level over 15 days and having achieved this, he has been granted shares in the company valued at around £828 million (€983 million). He set the company up in 2004 with an initial invest­ ment of £500,000 (€550,000) and this year he is one of the best paid bosses in the world.

£500 million UK loan guarantee THE Government of Gibraltar in the form of Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo has welcomed the Written Ministerial State­ ment on Gibraltar’s Covid Response filed on November 19 by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & De­ velopment Affairs of the United King­

dom, Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP. The Written Ministerial Statement confirms that it has been agreed that the United Kingdom government will pro­ vide a loan guarantee to the Gibraltar government for a lending facility of up to £500 million.

This guarantee will provide resilience to the government’s finances by en­ abling Gibraltar to borrow at more favourable rates, relying on the UK gov­ ernment’s higher sovereign credit rating as the guarantor and confirming the Government of Gibraltar’s capacity to re­

pay the principal loan. The Chief Minister expressed his thanks to the British gov­ ernment and said “This is excellent news and I am delighted to be able to inform the community of this massive show of support from the United Kingdom at this difficult time.”

32 EWN

26 November - 2 December 2020

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C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 23

PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) COMPANY 3I Group 1.125,00 1.129,50 Admiral Group 2.899,0 2.932,0 Anglo American 2.177,0 2.185,1 Antofagasta 1.143,50 1.153,50 Ashtead Group 3.212,3 3.228,0 Associated British Foods 2.019,3 2.030,4 AstraZeneca 8.143,9 8.325,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 552,60 557,20 Avast 474,60 479,80 Aveva 4.257,8 4.300,0 Aviva 323,30 324,10 B&M European Value Retail SA494,80 499,10 BAE Systems 528,34 530,40 Barclays 139,47 140,86 Barratt Developments 649,00 656,60 Berkeley 4.791,0 4.824,0 BHP Group 1.678,60 1.686,00 BP 251,20 254,10 British American Tobacco 2.754,5 2.782,7 British Land Company 474,20 484,80 BT Group 120,76 123,65 Bunzl 2.417,0 2.441,0 Burberry Group 1.653,5 1.667,0 Carnival 1.201,0 1.204,5 Centrica 44,37 44,52 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.242,0 2.260,0 Compass 1.369,11 1.377,00 CRH 3.006,0 3.044,0 Croda Intl 6.220,0 6.314,0 DCC 5.562,0 5.682,0 Diageo 2.949,9 2.963,0 DS Smith 327,30 328,60 EasyJet 770,60 777,00 Experian 2.886,0 2.930,0 Ferguson 8.144,0 8.172,0 Flutter Entertainment 12.735,0 12.855,0 Fresnillo 1.140,50 1.150,00 GlaxoSmithKline 1.380,80 1.393,60 Glencore 199,99 200,20 Halma 2.361,0 2.386,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.488,25 1.508,30 Hikma Pharma 2.626,00 2.650,00 HSBC 382,75 385,40 IAG 164,55 166,50 Imperial Brands 1.491,39 1.498,50 Informa 574,40 582,60 InterContinental 4.561,0 4.586,0 Intermediate Capital 1.700,00 1.713,00 Intertek 6.136,0 6.162,0 ITV 91,88 93,90 J Sainsbury 218,00 219,90

% CHG. 1.118,50 2.891,0 2.154,5 1.141,00 3.209,0 1.995,9 8.136,7 552,60 468,60 4.224,6 321,18 491,20 525,80 139,18 648,95 4.781,0 1.665,40 248,37 2.752,3 472,40 120,65 2.417,0 1.638,5 1.173,7 43,92 2.241,0 1.356,50 3.005,0 6.204,0 5.562,0 2.943,9 325,10 747,13 2.864,0 8.122,0 12.730,0 1.130,50 1.380,06 197,02 2.357,0 1.484,63 2.618,00 379,48 161,00 1.486,80 574,00 4.508,0 1.695,83 6.135,8 91,59 217,40

NET VOL 48,18K 40,92K 26,75K 94,96K 6,55K 11,22K 59,37K 138,65K 521,66K 4,17K 540,52K 148,01K 152,84K 2,03M 61,99K 6,83K 382,77K 2,03M 17,74K 320,06K 3,92M 20,16K 78,28K 143,29K 1,33M 20,17K 36,64K 46,48K 22,39K 15,22K 23,46K 239,87K 489,66K 98,66K 7,46K 23,30K 80,11K 134,46K 2,47M 34,02K 23,05K 33,00K 390,05K 7,56M 50,62K 127,90K 17,42K 3,55K 1,02K 844,92K 274,24K

COMPANY

PRICE(P)

Johnson Matthey 2.308,0 JSC MMC Norilsk Nickel ADR 27,56 JSC VTB Bank DRC 0,944 Land Securities 682,10 Legal & General 263,00 Lloyds Banking 36,63 London Stock Exchange 8.092,0 Meggitt 388,80 Melrose Industries 162,57 Mondi 1.679,50 National Grid 929,00 NatWest Group 157,00 Next 6.750,0 Ocado 2.314,00 Persimmon 2.917,3 Phoenix 783,40 Prudential 1.276,50 Reckitt Benckiser 6.660,0 Relx 1.779,00 Rentokil 517,60 Rightmove 632,73 Rio Tinto PLC 4.858,0 Rolls-Royce Holdings 102,00 Rosneft 6,18 Royal Dutch Shell A 1.274,75 Royal Dutch Shell A 1.275,8 Royal Dutch Shell B 1.230,2 RSA Insurance 677,00 Sage 584,32 Samsung Electronics DRC 1.518,00 Sberbank 13,24 Schroders 3.058,0 Scottish Mortgage 1.049,06 Segro 912,20 Severn Trent 2.453,0 Smith & Nephew 1.461,44 Smiths Group 1.570,81 Spirax-Sarco Engineering 11.675,0 SSE 1.385,00 St. James’s Place 1.080,90 Standard Chartered 447,90 Standard Life Aberdeen 273,00 Taylor Wimpey 168,25 Tesco 230,56 Tui 476,15 Unilever 4.432,0 United Utilities 910,80 Vodafone Group PLC 123,67 Whitbread 3.060,0 WPP 737,40

CHANGE(P)

% CHG.

NET VOL

2.361,0 27,61 0,948 694,00 263,80 36,80 8.182,0 396,40 163,70 1.680,00 930,60 159,15 6.756,0 2.327,00 2.938,3 783,40 1.286,50 6.740,0 1.790,70 524,80 644,20 4.865,0 104,00 6,20 1.285,70 1.286,0 1.239,0 679,00 591,00 1.518,00 13,34 3.061,6 1.060,00 917,80 2.464,0 1.473,50 1.587,50 11.845,0 1.390,24 1.097,00 450,90 273,39 169,90 232,50 478,96 4.466,0 917,60 124,46 3.085,4 742,00

2.297,0 27,52 0,941 679,40 260,07 36,14 8.090,0 387,90 160,20 1.671,50 925,40 156,80 6.640,0 2.278,37 2.890,0 778,00 1.274,50 6.650,0 1.775,50 516,40 632,73 4.803,0 100,82 6,14 1.264,20 1.262,0 1.218,4 676,00 574,40 1.517,00 13,18 3.020,0 1.045,00 910,80 2.446,0 1.459,00 1.569,26 11.667,4 1.367,00 1.080,90 443,60 269,40 168,05 230,30 450,10 4.419,0 902,60 123,31 3.030,4 737,40

35,59K 1,08K 40,29K 168,58K 893,88K 22,00M 3,60K 367,47K 985,42K 41,34K 417,29K 2,52M 21,25K 14,00K 56,65K 112,71K 204,89K 52,24K 9,59K 179,11K 11,14K 224,06K 7,81M 186,75K 38,77K 54,53K 1,34M 1,96M 333,69K 0,01K 345,07K 3,90K 314,42K 80,11K 19,99K 14,21K 4,93K 0,15K 34,90K 24,80K 486,15K 97,42K 440,52K 238,41K 502,21K 40,95K 132,26K 1,13M 28,79K 22,27K

0.88813

1.12264 Units per €

US dollar (USD) ......................................1.18714 Japan yen (JPY)......................................123.201 Switzerland franc (CHF) .........................1.08046 Denmark kroner (DKK) ...........................7.44733 Norway kroner (NOK) .............................10.6496

currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER

DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 23

COMPANY 3M Alphabet C Amazon.com Amgen Apple Boeing Caterpillar Chevron Cisco Coca-Cola Facebook Goldman Sachs Home Depot Honeywell IBM Intel J&J JPMorgan McDonald’s Merck&Co Microsoft Nike Procter&Gamble Salesforce.com Tesla UnitedHealth Verizon Visa A Walmart Walt Disney

PRICE 172,89 1.742,19 3.099,40 223,17 117,34 199,62 172,23 85,79 40,97 52,67 269,70 223,35 269,81 202,00 116,94 45,39 146,36 114,57 214,09 80,45 210,39 132,98 139,30 258,04 489,61 334,70 60,04 203,88 150,24 141,07

CHANGE 172,95 1.774,00 3.132,89 225,09 118,77 206,58 173,12 86,31 41,39 53,25 273,00 224,81 272,37 203,33 118,04 45,88 147,94 115,65 215,22 80,81 213,29 133,53 140,35 265,02 502,50 337,66 60,33 208,11 152,76 142,61

CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 170,96 2,66M 1.741,86 2,31M 3.098,05 3,38M 221,48 2,96M 117,29 73,60M 199,17 18,23M 171,31 2,45M 84,88 8,30M 40,92 19,78M 52,59 15,65M 269,41 18,12M 222,63 1,85M 268,87 4,11M 200,50 2,36M 116,69 5,02M 45,33 24,20M 146,13 6,36M 114,09 12,72M 213,63 3,93M 79,73 8,03M 210,00 22,84M 131,91 4,32M 138,63 4,73M 257,82 7,29M 489,06 32,91M 331,71 3,70M 59,95 14,23M 203,81 9,65M 149,81 7,32M 140,86 8,49M M - MILLION DOLLARS

NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES N OVEMBER 23

COMPANY

CHANGE NET / %

VOLUME

+3.41% +2.64% +6.11% +2.62% +5.71% +2.23% +30.46% +3.59% +9.63% +4.50% +5.88%

615,525 4,487 12.59M 754,528 1.39M 347,658 3.95M 685,928 6.78M 2.74M 541,161

-1.26% -1.23% -9.27% -0.91% -0.57% -4.47% -4.65% -2.62% -3.80% -1.61% -1.93%

1.39M 2.31M 12.27M 307,785 3.38M 1.66M 208,877 8.53M 2.37M 4,152 32.91M

Most Advanced MercadoLibre Inc. Broadcom Inc. 8% Pfd. Series A Zoom Video Communications Inc. Trade Desk Inc. Cl A SolarEdge Technologies Inc. MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Dada Nexus Ltd. ADR MongoDB Inc. BioNTech SE ADR Atlassian Corp. PLC Cl A Bandwidth Inc. Cl A

Most Declined Alphabet Inc. Cl A Alphabet Inc. Cl C Workday Inc. Cl A Booking Holdings Inc. Amazon.com Inc. DexCom Inc. Credit Acceptance Corp. NVIDIA Corp. Intuit Inc. Atrion Corp. Tesla Inc.

FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL

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Credit: Steve Bates CC/Norwegian Air

Norwegian Air seeks protection

NORWEGIAN AIR: Will continue to operate its route network and trade as normal. FOLLOWING the government of Norway’s decision to withhold further support from the airline, and the on­ going Covid­19 pandemic, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (Norwegian) has decided to initiate an examinership process in Ireland. Norwegian has chosen an Irish process since its aircraft assets are held in Ireland and has taken this decision in the interest of its stake­ holders. The purpose of the process is to reduce debt, rightsize the fleet and secure new capital. This reorganisa­ tion process protects the as­ sets of the Norwegian group while allowing the company to focus on the rightsizing of the group. The process is es­ timated to take up to five months. Norwegian will continue to operate its route network

(currently limited due to the Covid situation) and trade as normal on the Oslo Stock Ex­ change Jacob Schram, Norwegian CEO, said: “Seeking protec­ tion to reorganise under Irish law is a decision that we have taken to secure the future of Norwegian for the benefit of our employees, customers and investors. “Our aim is to find solu­ tions with our stakeholders that will allow us to emerge as a financially stronger and secure airline.” The process of examiner­ ship in Ireland allows finan­ cially sustainable businesses to address elements of the business which require re­ structuring with the aim of protecting jobs and preserv­ ing the core value of the business. Based on Norwegian’s cur­ rent cash position and the

Bank art collection THE first incarnation of what was to become the Bank of Spain was founded in 1782 and one of its first acts was to commission six paintings by young Spanish artist Francisco Goya and this started a trend that is followed by banks around the world. Nowadays, many artists who are looking for recognition are being sought out by curators of bank’s collections throughout the world and they are becoming major sponsors of modern art with the expectation of some of the artworks becoming very valuable.

projections going forward, the company believes it has sufficient liquidity to go through the above­men­ tioned process.

BUSINESS EXTRA Four day week A NUMBER of Socialist and Green politicians from the UK, Germany and Spain have written to leaders including Boris Johnson and Pedro Sánchez encouraging them to introduce a four day working week to help combat mental health and employ more people.

No thanks THE Financial Times has reported that UK government officials are seriously considering publicly encouraging people to stop sending emails which simply say thanks as by doing this, there would be a significant reduction in carbon emissions.

McPology AS restaurants in the UK have closed and more people are using fast food delivery, McDonald’s is the first large supplier to apologise for breaching health and safety rules by not allowing those making deliveries to use toilets and washing facilities.

26 November - 2 December 2020

EWN 33

34 EWN

26 November - 2 December 2020

Skiing has to wait DESPITE everything being ready to start the skiing season at Sierra Nevada ski resort on November 28, the opening will have to wait. The Granada ski resort will have to adjust its plans since the President of the Junta de Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, has extended confinement measures in Andalucian towns until December 10. Sierra Nevada will not be able to receive visitors until mobility restrictions are lifted, despite there being snow forecast. Businesses at the ski resort were completing the details for the opening of the winter season, and everything was ready to go, however, it will now have to wait.

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

The battle is already lost LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT SOMETIMES the double standards and pure unadulterated hypocrisy of the BBC simply defies the imagination. They have now decided to censor ‘A Fairy Tale of New York,’ the longtime Christmas classic by the Pogues ­ in case it upsets its younger listeners. What a load of pure and utter codswallop. This is the same company that gives airtime to the mind numbing rap performers, whose lyrics often glorify the very worst the youth of today has to offer. To be quite honest, I have always thought the lyrics of ‘Fairytale’ were a little on the strong side; but if it does need to be censored or banned, I suggest that the BBC gets its priorities right and starts restraining some of the so­called ‘music’ that promotes the gang cultures and other mind numbing rubbish that is corrupting our young and destroying all their sense of common decency and respect.

Basically what the BBC are telling its ‘younger listeners’ is that it’s ok to promote drugs and murder, but not ok to talk about ‘faggots in a drunk tank.’ Neither sentiment is particularly endearing, but given the choice it’s a no brainer. Mind you, we’d better tread carefully here, heaven forbid we should ‘upset’ anyone! This next observation comes under the ‘just when you thought you’d heard it all’ heading. A bunch of illegal immigrants, who recently landed in the Balearics, have gone on hunger strike! They complained that they were not allowed to ‘come and go’ in the hotel in which they were ensconced. Apparently, since their arrival, there had also been allegations of theft and hostility toward staff ­ with one immigrant complaining that his room didn’t have a sea view! Doesn’t this just show the contempt these entitlement refugees have for those in the West and in particular the UK? These people come from cultures whose morals and standards were exceeded by ours centuries ago. Most of them will never integrate or bring anything of value to our way of life. You

don’t bring people like this up to your standards; they drag you down to theirs; defecating in the street for example! The snowflakes that condone our liberal immigration policies never come near these illegals in real life. The closest the privileged politicians and their cronies come to mixing with different cultures is with individuals that are already themselves privileged. It is the ordinary men and woman in the street that are forced to experience the bewildering change and culture upheaval as their localities are taken over and subsequently altered forever by the thousands of total strangers they are expected (often by law), to live and integrate with. Well, I’ve always maintained it would all end in violence, but with the lily livered PC politicians selling out to Saudi money, I think the battle is already lost. There is one bright spark on the horizon however. Apparently we have now beaten the flu virus. This year reported flu cases are down by a staggering 98 per cent. Now there’s a surprise! Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland. Mon. Wed. Fri.

Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.

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ITV Racing Live Ninja Warrior UK The Cube ITV News and Weather ITV News London Catchphrase: Catchiest Moments The Chase: Celebrity Special I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!

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Kindergarten Cop The Chase Winning Combination ITV News and Weather ITV News London 5 Gold Rings Tipping Point: Lucky Stars Who Wants To Be A Millionaire I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!

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Countdown A Place in the Sun Escape to the Chateau: DIY Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Ugly House to Lovely House with George Clarke Taskmaster

2:30pm 4:10pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun Escape to the Chateau: DIY Four in a Bed Come Dine with Me The Simpsons The Simpsons Channel 4 News The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice Gogglebox

2:30pm

Extreme Cake Makers Heston's Feasts Jamie's Italian Christmas George Clarke's Old House, New Home A Place in the Sun Channel 4 News Formula 1 Britain's Most Historic Towns Assassin's Creed

5:50pm

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Live International Rugby Union Ice Age Channel 4 News Escape to Barbados A Place in the Sun Escape to the Chateau Formula 1 Rugby Union: Autumn Nations Cup Highlights Sweet Country

4:25pm 4:30pm 5:10pm 6:10pm 6:15pm 7:10pm 8:10pm 8:15pm 8:55pm 9:00pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun Escape to the Chateau: DIY Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Christmas at Chatsworth House

2:30pm

Countdown A Place in the Sun Escape to the Chateau: DIY Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News The Great British Bake Off Countdown A Place in the Sun Escape to the Chateau: DIY Kirstie's Handmade Christmas The Simpsons Hollyoaks Channel 4 News Sarah Beeny's New Life in the Country Surviving Covid

4:15pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm 4:15pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm 10:00pm

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A Date by Christmas Eve Grounded for Christmas 5 News at 5 Neighbours Friends 5 News Tonight Jo Brand's Cats & Kittens Secrets of Your Supermarket Food The Fall of Anne Boleyn Critical Condition

6:00am 7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 4:00pm

Christmas Wedding Runaway Christmas In Evergreen: Tidings Of Joy 5 News at 5 Neighbours Friends 5 News Tonight The Gadget Show Walking Britain's Lost Railways

10:30am

6:00pm 10:00pm 2:00am

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We Wish You a Marry Christmas Access We Wish You a Marry Christmas How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree 5 News Weekend The Yorkshire Vet Secrets of the Royal Art Collection

9:30am 12:15pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 8:45pm

Access Pride, Prejudice & Mistletoe A Very British Christmas 5 News Update A Very British Christmas Deck the Halls 5 News Update Deck the Halls 5 News Weekend The Two Ronnies: The Unseen Sketches

9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm

A Christmas Recipe for Romance Holiday For Heroes 5 News at 5 Neighbours Friends 5 News Tonight Gallagher Premiership Rugby Highlights Police Interceptors Paddington Station 24/7

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8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 10:30am

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11:30pm 12:00am 1:00am

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FEATURE

www.euroweeklynews.com

26 November - 2 December 2020

EWN 37

Advertising Feature

DONATING your body to science and organ donation are two very different things, however, they are often confused, do you know the difference?

Donating your body to science DONATING your body to science is a non­ transplant option helping to save count­ less lives through supporting medical re­ search and education. When considering this option, it is impor­ tant to understand what is involved for both yourself and your family: • This is not always a free service, for ex­ ample in the region of Alicante there is a minimum conveyance charge of €1,000 • While you are initially accepted into the scheme this is not a guarantee your body will be in fact be of use, for example, if: • Death is caused by a contagious dis­ ease • A post­mortem is required • Death occurred by severe trauma • You are able to provide organ donation

• You suffer from obesity • Radioactive contamination • Most regions of Spain have stopped ac­ cepting donations • Due to the overwhelming amount of applicants • Due to Covid­19 • In most cases, the remains of the deceased can be re­ turned to the family after a period of two years for them to cremate • Most families will still want to say their goodbyes and hold a service or wake of some kind. Deciding to become an Organ Donor

Organ donation is a live transplant to a living person, and Spain has been the world leader in this area for 27 years. When considering this option, it is impor­ tant to understand the system for both yourself and your family. • When residing in Spain you are automatically opted into organ donation • You do have the option to opt­out, or request only certain organs to be utilised • Family members do always have the final say in the deci­ sion • Organ donation is only possible if you pass

away in the hospital • Families will still have to organise a fu­ neral The important thing to know with both options is to make your wishes known to your loved ones. Here at Golden Leaves, we highly en­ dorse and can talk you through either op­ tion, our team of experts will assist in helping accommodate your wishes, and better yet, we can set your costs in place, take away any emotional burden from your families, offer a €150 discount from each plan taken for the month of Decem­ ber 2020, and if you do decide on donating your body to science and your body is utilised by an organisation we will refund 100 per cent of the plan purchase price to your family.

www.goldenleavesinternational.com • info@goldenleavesinternational.com • Facebook: goldenleavesspain

38 EWN

26 November - 2 December 2020

www.euroweeklynews.com

FEATURE

A diagnosis over the phone? MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION Views of a Grumpy Old Man LAST November I was hospitalised with a chest infection which has never really cleared up and earlier this year I visited my specialist who examined me and gave me some new meds in the shape of what I call a puffer. It’s what you have if you are an asthma sufferer which she said I wasn’t. It hasn’t really done the trick and I’ve been getting very wheezy again. I have private insur­ ance so I rang and they gave me an ap­ pointment for the following week. The day before my appointment I got a call saying that my specialist was not doing in­person appointments and would call the next day between 8.30am and 1pm. My doctor did call the next day and asked me what the problem was. I said the main problem is that you are going to try and diagnose me over the ‘phone and charge me handsomely for the privilege. She said that she wasn’t seeing any pa­ tients in person at the moment and of course, as she is a neumologist she is deal­ ing with Covid patients. So I said what about all the people that

don’t have Covid? How are you going to examine them over the ‘phone? How do you do X­rays, blood tests or even just have a listen? This is where it got interesting. She said that if I felt ill I should go to A & E and they would do all the tests there. I asked why she couldn’t arrange that and she said the hospital doesn’t want people coming there, queuing at reception and hanging around the waiting area even though they have a mask policy, social dis­ tancing and sanitiser everywhere. She said it wasn’t her decision but the hospital ad­ ministrators. They felt, as A & E was using full PPE, that was the correct way to do things. She then said I should get a new puffer and maybe some antibiotics. I said are you re­ ally prescribing medicine to me over the ‘phone? So there you have it folks ­ meds prescribed over the ‘phone. I’m glad it wasn’t my prostate doctor. Gawd knows what he would have asked me to do with my ‘phone. Mind you, by the end of my chat with my chest doctor, I think she was about to suggest the same thing! In all seriousness I think if your present system doesn’t work because of Covid, find one that does!! Email:mikesenker@gmail.com

EW YOUR PAPER - YOUR VOICE - YOUR OPINION Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: www.euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.

PHARMACEUTICAL FARCE DEAR Sir or Madam While millions are dying from the Covid-19 it is abhorrent that the pharmaceutical companies seem to be competing with each other to produce vaccines in order to be first and make fortunes for their directors and shareholders out of this crisis while governments fight over who receives the vaccine. Surely governments should be collaborating with each other and the pharmaceuticals to ensure that a viable vaccine can be produced and made available to every nation at a fair and low price, which of course covers the costs of research, production and distribution. This is not a business but a world emergency which is having incalculable consequences for every nation and its population. Yours PF Madird

Have the Spanish government ever considered the effect of removing small coinage from use could have a damaging effect on charities who rely on these coins to boost their funds? Not everyone can afford giving larger coins from their wages, but keeping the odd small coins over time for charities is the way of low paid workers helping them out. LO Algorfa

OUR VIEW Home or Home-Away

MANY Brits who live here in Spain have for this year abandoned the idea of spending Christmas with their UK family and friends due to the pandemic, which seemingly just will not go away! First, there was quarantine, then lockdown, then the prospect of requiring a negative PCR test before returning to Spain, all issues that have caused widespread flight cancellations, and already cost many expats a considerable amount of money attempting to fly home throughout the course of the year. Some areas of Britain will stay in Tier 2 or 3, where visitors from other households are not allowed making it impossible for expats to go home and visit family. If those hurdles aren’t enough, there’s also the issue of potentially risking the health of our loved ones, and having the guilt of making someone sick just isn’t what the festive period is made for. Regardless of our location, Covid measures will change the face of Christmas 2020, but it doesn’t need to be doom and gloom. Celebrating with family on Zoom or Facetime will bring us all together, no matter where in the world we are. How ‘Navidad’ will look in Spain remains uncertain, but it is safe to assume that parades will be cancelled. We know that, in the UK, safety measures for December will be relaxed over the holiday season, with a five-day ‘break’ to allow three families or households to spend time together. In Spain we are waiting to know if restaurants will be open after 6pm or if they will be closed completely. It’s safe to say the uncertainty is the most frustrating part of the whole situation.

CORRECTIONS

Are you planning to risk flying home for Christmas? Impossible for us, without all the normal problems our families live 90 miles apart so couldn’t get to see both of them anyway. First time at home in 17 years.

GL

Qantas Makes Coronavirus Vaccinations Mandatory to Board Flights Doesn’t look like their recent announcement was taken very well! VACCINE: Should be a fair price.

Article of interest Damaging effects

COMMENTS FROM FACEBOOK

JS

Donald Trump has eventually started the hand-over to Biden

Dear Leapy, For many years I have been a fan of your column. I thought you might be interested in the below article which I wrote. In fact, White Privilege is no longer valid. It has been superseded by Black Privilege. Best wishes Terence

So he should, no choice. He would have been escorted out anyway, needs to accept defeat and go gracefully.

White Privilege

The Canaries will soon be as the Greek Islands are, ruined by imported crime and poverty...

There is no such a thing as White Privilege. Whites are simply living in the way of life and within the norms of their civilisation which they developed over more than 3,000 years. With all its warts the Whites created, single handedly, the greatest civilisation that has ever existed. A civilisation which, through their endeavours, energy, intelligence and lateral thinking they created. Practically every other peoples around the world covet and aspire to this civilisation, its products and benefits and imitate, use and benefit from almost everything this White civilisation has created and developed. This civilisation has given great benefits to all mankind such as Medicine and Health Care, Cell Phones, Motor Vehicles, Flight, Television and Radio, Computers and Online Services, Electricity and so on and on. The list is endless. One can hardly look at anything that has been made or developed that has not been made and developed by Whites. Others, who have contributed nothing meaningful to the creation of this civilisation, are welcome to join but if they cannot cope with or live up to or make use of all of the opportunities this civilisation offers have no right to complain or hurl abuse at those whose civilisation it is. Those White liberals and do-gooders who denigrate their own culture and civilisation with everything it has created should be ashamed. White Privilege is just another of the catch phrases coined by these people, and those who cannot cope with the demands of this civilisation, to hurl abuse at those whose civilisation it is. The implication being that Whites are not entitle to live in this way. Whites are not unjustly privileged - they have worked and fought for their way of life to which they are fully entitled. Anonymous

HAVE YOUR SAY All letters by email or post should carry the writer’s address, NIE and contact number though only the name and town will be published. Readers who have missed correspondence can see all letters - which can be edited before publication - posted on: www.euroweeklynews.com.

CM

Spain’s Canary Islands ‘overwhelmed’ by immigrants arriving via the Atlantic route PH

UK Home Office Lawyers: Shamima Begum returning to the UK ‘poses a security risk’ Keep her where she is, it was her choice to go there in the first place, what is she going to live on IF they are stupid enough to let her back into the UK.

CM

Spain’s King Felipe VI in Quarantine That’s the thing, we don’t have to live with it if we make the choice to isolate properly, this would have gone away in the first month if everyone isolated completely, but now everyone fights for their rights to ignore lockdowns and go to pubs or see their mates and family so we have to put up with the mess that the inconsiderate have caused. They will be remembered and pay the price somewhere down the line I’m sure...

MF

Smells like money for Mercadona Perhaps they could have spent money on ensuring delivery services to all municipalities at this time, thus building customers and increasing customer satisfaction.

M R-N

Police in Spain boost fleet with 50 new electric vehicles. Nice to see fleets of electric cars, they are great for shorter range work.

ER

At the EWN, we pride ourselves that reports are accurate and fair. If we do slip up, we promise to set the record straight in a clear, no-nonsense manner. To ask for an inaccuracy to be corrected. Email: editorial@euroweeklynews.com

41

www.euroweeklynews.com • 26 November - 2 December 2020

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YOUR STARS FOR NEXT 7 DAYS ARIES (March 21 - April 20) An opportunity to do something socially arises. It is not earth shattering, but could have a great long-term impact. Others seem to have confidence in you and enjoy your company this week. Having been given the chance to show what you are really capable of, allow your talents to show through.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21) A new start with someone, socially, shows great promise. Consider what you want to get rid of in your life and plan how to approach the task. A bit of military precision goes down well. Cast your net wide. It may be necessary to invest in a few theatre tickets or a weekend away.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Should things go absolutely perfectly for you this week, then I would eat my hat. I don’t usually wear one but would go to a charity shop immediately. Rolling round in your mind is the thought that, just as things start to go well, another problem crops up. Relax, anyway.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Social life is squeezed because of business commitments. As you are a people person, there will be fun and times out aplenty this week. Burning the candle at both ends works for a while and there is the chance to meet someone that you admire.

LEO (July 24 - August 23) May we consider for a moment what you thought that you would be doing, right now, five years ago? Yes, do you see what I mean? Breaking away from an old habit could be the best thing that you have done for a long time.

VIRGO (August 24 - September 23) Taking a step back from the activity appeals right now. After an active time, energy needs building up. Basking in someone’s glory shows you just how things could be. Give a new relationship more of a chance to grow. The avenues this person can open up to you will put a twinkle in your eye and a blush on your cheek.

LIBRA (September 24 - October 23) The strong urge to make physical contact with someone leads to a bit of bother. Not that there is anything wrong with a few hugs and kisses. It is the person or the timing that could be wrong.

SCORPIO (October 24 - November 22) The past has been kind to you but also unkind. It is the same for most of us, so don’t think that you have been singled out for a bumpy ride. Be aware that basing a decision made this week on what happened a long time ago could be a mistake.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23 - December 21) At some time in the future you may look back on this week and ask yourself, ‘Why didn’t I do that?’ Let me help you to see the possibilities. The emphasis is firmly on your social life and someone special is about to step into it.

HEXAGRAM The purpose of the Hexagram puzzle is to place the 19 six-letter words into the 19 cells. The letters at the edges of interlocking cells MUST BE THE SAME. The letters in the words must be written CLOCKWISE. The word in cell 10 (FAMOUS) and one letter in four other cells are given as clues.

BEATEN COARSE CURATE ERRATA EXCUSE FAMOUS (10) FERRET FLORIN NEATER ODIOUS RABIES RADIAL RAMROD RESIDE SCHEME STRUCK TOWHEE TROPHY UNLIKE

LOTTERY UK NATIONAL LOTTERY Sat 21 November

CAPRICORN (December 22 - January 20) Feeling really balanced and calm? Being aware that you have full knowledge of a situation is good, isn’t it? Absolutely anyone could snap at you this week and have no success at all in upsetting you. To say that the period is tranquil is an understatement.

AQUARIUS (January 21 - February 19) More than one possibility presents itself in connection with a problem. A foreign visit or visitor figures highly in plans and solutions. A change in someone close is brought to your attention. Get people talking to make real progress. Some may be inclined to put their head in the sand but not you.

PISCES (February 20 - March 20) A date on your calendar draws near. It seems less important than it did and you may be tempted to cancel. Think twice. The question of who to go on holiday with comes up and someone is keen to tie you down. Keep options open because things this week are changeable, indeed.

TIME OUT

23-32-37 49-54-57

BONUS BALL

47

IRISH LOTTO Sat 21 November

6-19-21 27-28-36

BONUS BALL

32

EURO MILLIONS Tue 17 November

BONUS BALL

2

16-19-25 30-44

6

Fri 20 November

BONUS BALL

28-29-39 48-50

5 7

EL MILLON: GVD60324 LA PRIMITIVA Thurs 19 November

BONUS BALL

3-6-12 30-44-46

39 0

JOKER: 4553776 Sat 21 November

BONUS BALL

8-15-17 32-36-45

25

JOKER: 7519816

2

TIME OUT

42

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CODE BREAKER

ENGLISH-SPANISH

The clues are mixed, some clues are in Spanish and some are in English.

Each number in the Code Breaker grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. In this week’s puzzle, 6 represents Z and 15 represents C, so fill in Z every time the figure 6 appears and C every time the figure 15 appears. Now, using your knowledge of the English language, work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you discover the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and the control grid.

Across 1 Watch (on wrist) (5) 3 Furniture (7) 6 Calabaza (7) 8 Gracia (5) 10 Rocas (minerales) (5) 11 Hermanas (7) 14 Last night (6) 15 Poster (6) 17 Escándalo (7) 20 Dog (5) 21 Vestir (5) 22 Creer (7) 23 Wealth (7) 24 Escocés (5)

Down 1 Clothes shop (7) 2 Chistes (5) 3 Less (5) 4 Bordes (de asientos, andenes, pañuelos) (5) 5 Estofados (5) 7 Microondas (9) 9 To have a shave (9) 12 Pulgada (4) 13 Yolk (of egg) (4) 16 Leona (7) 17 Sweat (5) 18 From (indicating starting place) (5) 19 Pound (sterling) (5) 20 Píldoras (5)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION • LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION • LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION QUICK Across: 1 Bets, 3 Crude, 8 Destroyed, 9 Boxer, 10 Leap, 14 Even, 15 Fired, 18 Permanent, 20 Enter, 21 Idle. Down: 1 Baby, 2 Tadpole, 4 Rare, 5/19 Dry run, 6 Ashes, 7 Adapt, 11 Elected, 12 Keeps, 13 Hides, 16 Cave, 17 Free.

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Custard, 5 Caper, 8 Okapi, 9 Steward, 10 Strange, 11 Piste, 12 Modest, 14 Probes, 17 Scrub, 19 Resting, 22 Edifice, 23 Adore, 24 Dense, 25 Diluted. Down: 1 Crops, 2 Sparred, 3 Alien, 4 Dashed, 5 Creeper, 6 Pears, 7 Redeems, 12 Mislead, 13 Subside, 15 Bail out, 16 Friend, 18 Reign, 20 Stall, 21 Greed.

ENGLISH-SPANISH Across: 1 Patria, 3 Wolves, 8 Socks, 10 Redondo, 11 Darkest, 12 Roast, 13 Darts, 15 Spear, 20 Roads, 22 Estatua, 24 Skating, 25 Noisy, 26 Shovel, 27 Banker. Down: 1 Posada, 2 Tocar, 4 Older, 5 Ventaja, 6 Smooth, 7 Truth, 9 Sweet, 14 Aparato, 16 Piton, 17 Crisps, 18 Weigh, 19 Lawyer, 21 Smile, 23 Thick.

CODE BREAKER

BOGGLED

FUTOSHIKI

erne preen drown drowned drew rower rowers rowen rowel rowels rowed sere serene spree slew slewed reps rend reword renew reed reel nerd newel need word worn wowed were wend ween weed owner owners owned owed brew brewed breed blend blew bleed lend lewd else unworn unwed quern queen quin newer newels eels ewer ewers inbreed deer leer leers

NONAGRAM gent girn gone grin hint hone hong horn into iron nigh noir note oven rein rent ring tern then thin tine ting tone tong torn vein vent vine vino envoi given goner groin heron hinge inert ingot inter intro neigh night niter nitre nitro north noter ovine reign rhino riven tenor thegn thine thing thong thorn tigon tinge toner trine govern heroin hoeing hornet ignore invert orient region roving throne throng toeing tonier trigon voting thriven vetoing hovering OVERNIGHT

HEXAGRAM

WORD LADDER

1 EXTENT 2 ARREST 3 ETHANE 4 BYPATH 5 ESTATE 6 TALLOW 7 LATTER 8 WARMTH 9 HAIRDO 10 REMOTE 11 OPTIMA 12 TOILET 13 METEOR 14 PAROLE 15 LETTER 16 THEISM 17 FILTER 18 WORTHY 19 LOITER

GROW GLOW SLOW SLOG SLUG (SMOG) SMUG

KAKURO

SUDOKU

www.euroweeklynews.com • 26 November - 2 December 2020

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Costa Blanca TODAY

DENIA JAVEA CALPE ALTEA

WEATHER

BENIDORM ALICANTE

ORIHUELA TORREVIEJA

TOMORROW

DENIA JAVEA CALPE

Malaga TODAY: MAX 21 MIN 15 Fri 17 14 Sat 15 12 Sun 15 12 Mon 16 13 Tues - 17 13 Wed 15 13

Alicante TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 12 Fri 18 12 Sat 17 13 Sun 16 14 Mon 16 12 Tues - 19 12 Wed 19 14

Almeria TODAY: MAX 20, MIN 14 Fri 19 15 Sat 18 12 Sun 17 12 Mon 17 13 Tues - 16 14 Wed 19 14

Benidorm TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 13 Fri 19 15 Sat 18 16 Sun 19 15 Mon 19 14 Tues - 17 15 Wed 17 15

Bilbao TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 14 Fri 17 13 Sat 16 11 Sun 14 11 Mon 15 10 Tues 16 13 Wed 15 15

Mallorca TODAY: MAX 20, MIN 14 Fri 19 15 Sat 17 15 Sun 17 13 Mon 18 14 Tues 17 14 Wed 19 13

Madrid TODAY: MAX 17, MIN 13 Fri 16 15 Sat 15 12 Sun 14 12 Mon 16 13 Tues 17 14 Wed 17 16

Barcelona TODAY: MAX 19, MIN 14 Fri 19 15 Sat 17 15 Sun 15 12 Mon 16 13 Tues 18 13 Wed 19 12

43

TIME OUT

FUTOSHIKI Fill in the squares so that each digit from 1 to 6 occurs exactly once in each row and column. Greater-than and less-than signs indicate the relationship of the two adjacent squares. There is only one solution, and you can find it without guessing.

BOGGLED How many English words can you find in the Boggled grid, according to the following rules? • The letters must be adjoining in a ‘chain’. They can be adjacent horizontally, vertically or diagonally. • Words must contain at least four letters and may include singular and plural or other derived forms. • No letter may be used more than once within a single word, unless it appears twice. • No vulgarities or proper nouns are permitted.

ALTEA BENIDORM ALICANTE

ORIHUELA TORREVIEJA

SATURDAY

DENIA JAVEA CALPE ALTEA BENIDORM ALICANTE

ORIHUELA TORREVIEJA

S: Sun

C: Cloudy

Th: Thunder

Cl: Clear

Sh: Showers

Sn: Snow

Euro Weekly News strives for accuracy, but cannot be held responsible for any errors in published forecasts

TARGET:

SCORING:

• Average: 18 • Good: 25 • Very good: 36 • Excellent: 57

4 letters: 1 point 5 letters: 2 points 6 letters: 3 points 7 letters: 5 points 8 or more letters: 11 points

KAKURO Fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the ‘clue’ on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once.

CRYPTIC Across 1 Seed can disintegrate when put in a container (7) 5 Team leader inquires about work assignments (5) 8 Grim extract from a Boris Pasternak novel (5) 9 Tom and Anna, agitated, in a state (7) 10 Drive back from outskirts of Rome with sign of life (7) 11 Edict possibly mentioned (5) 12 Organisation names clergyman's residence (5) 14 Not on with queen in bid (5) 19 Diana who sings about English flowers (5) 21 Condense a card game (7) 23 Char was operating the vehicle cleaner (3,4) 24 Doctor, the boy is not very intelligent (5) 25 Disgrace phoney Egyptian leader (5) 26 Oarsmen floundering in Mediterranean resort (3,4) Down 1 Safeguard key nurse organisation (6) 2 Affordable cooked peach (5) 3 Records the unmarried ones (7) 4 Young woman sorted out medals (6) 5 Garment cut in pieces (5) 6 Commence the French alarm (7) 7 Start sipping convenient drink (6) 13 European country changed its aura (7) 15 Sack fellow, an emergency worker (7) 16 Builds up secret development (6) 17 Cuts gardener's first trees (6) 18 Leo holds insect in shed (4-2) 20 Post the money for a bet (5) 22 Dire note in a melancholy tune (5)

TIME OUT

44

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SUDOKU

QUICK

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3X3 box contains the digits 1-9. There’s no maths involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic.

Across 1 Foundation for something (5) 4 Card game (5) 7 Restores to a previous or better condition (9) 8 Look for (4) 9 Overly conceited or arrogant (6) 12 Be indecisive (6) 13 Not closed (4) 16 Large, long-winged seabird (9) 18 Discuss with reasoning (5) 19 In an unfortunate way (5)

Down 1 Fraudulent (5) 2 Large snake (7) 3 Short musical composition with words (4) 4 Surface made up of flat stones laid in a pattern (6) 5/17 Soldier's knapsack (3,3) 6 Involving danger (5) 10 Against (7) 11 Scarab (6) 12 Play for theatre, radio or television (5) 14 Unskilled labourer (5) 15 Chief or leader (4) 17 See 5

WORD LADDER Move from the start word (MUST) to the end word (SAVE) in the same number of steps as there are rungs on the Word Ladder. You must only change one letter at a time.

MUST

SPANISH LESSON BACK SAVE

Christmas food menu Smoked Salmon – Salmon ahumado Prawn cocktail – Coctel de gambas Tomato Soup – Sopa de Tomate Lobster Bisque – Bisque de langosta Home-made pate – Pate de la Casa Cured meats – Embutidos

NONAGRAM

RACHEL AND FRIENDS

Roast Turkey – Pavo Asado Roast Potatoes – Patatas al horno Peas – Guisantes Brussels Sprouts – Bruselas Roast Parsnips - Chirivías Carrots - Zanahorias Stuffing - Relleno Pigs in blankets – Salchicas con beicon Chestnuts - Castañas Cranberry sauce – Salsa de arándano Christmas Pudding – Pudin de Navidad Brandy Sauce – Salsa de Coñac

How many English words of four letters or more can you make from the nine letters in our Nonagram puzzle? Each letter may be used only once (unless the letter appears twice). Each word MUST CONTAIN THE CENTRE LETTER (in this case H) and there must be AT LEAST ONE NINE LETTER WORD. Plurals, vulgarities or proper nouns are not allowed.

TARGET:

audreyquinton99@gmail.com

• Average: 11 • Good: 15 • Very good: 22 • Excellent: 29

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

What Is Unacceptable? DIONE LOCKYER WHEN you look and see things as ‘unac­ ceptable,’ it means you are looking at it with a negative mindset. What if I flipped this around for you and taught you to look at what you deem to be unacceptable in a positive manner? You are able to look at any situation as the ability to develop more of a positive attitude and view. Looking at each expe­ rience or situation as a learning process. I’d like you to think of a situation or an experience that you have felt as ‘unac­ ceptable.’ (I’m sure 2020 can give you quite a few!) Take yourself to the moment and ac­ knowledge how it makes you feel, and the emotions that you attach to it. Em­ pathise with yourself and understand

that acceptance can sometimes feel chal­ lenging. Allow yourself to feel whatever it is you are feeling and relax about it. You cannot force acceptance, you need to learn your own natural process and break it down. If you are feeling overwhelmed, what is the challenge that is making you feel overwhelmed? Learn about your natural feelings before attempting to take ac­ tion. Sometimes, it can simply be one of those things such as a bad day. Be kind to yourself and see things how they really are without spending too much time trying to direct. It can be so easy for you to lose touch with reality. It can be a sign that you are refusing to care what is really going on. Take things less personally. Not every­ thing in the world is about you. You are not always the victim. Ask what is it that is really bothering me and causing my negative thoughts and emotions. What is really going on?

You are in charge! No one else can do this for you, you HAVE to do it for yourself. If you are ready to take the step, join my wonderful women-only membership https://dionelockyermindsetmentor.com/membership-offer/

THERE is a new phenome­ non called ‘Earthing’, which has gone from a hippy­ counter culture craze to a scientifically researched practice that has a number of health benefits. These in­ clude increasing anti­oxi­ dants, reducing inflamma­ tion and improving sleep. In order to properly Earth one must walk barefoot on soil, grass or sand or any natural surface. Scientists have discovered that there is a benefit that comes from connecting directly with the Earth with our bodies. The planet has its own natural charge and it seems to be beneficial to our bod­ ies when we are in direct contact with it as the elec­ trons from the Earth move directly into the soles of the feet. Another study found that Earthing changed the elec­ trical activity in the brain, as measured by electroen­ cephalograms. Still other re­ search found that grounding benefitted skin conductivi­ ty, moderated heart rate variability, improved glu­

Kick off your shoes and walk

NEW PHENOMENON: Walking barefoot or earthing. cose regulation, reduced stress and boosted immuni­ ty. So what are you waiting

for? Time to kick off the shoes, boots and flip flops and start feeling the earth between your toes.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Water way to go THE simple art of drinking water could help you lose weight. It has always been recommended that people drink more water if they wanted to lose weight but now a study appears to have proven the claim. In the study, researchers ran足 domly split overweight or obese older men and women into two groups. The first was put on a hypocaloric diet which means they were eating fewer calories than the energy they were using, namely 1,200 for women a day and 1,500 for men. The other group was also put on a hypocaloric diet but were

NO RUSH: Studies show that having children later in life may be beneficial to them. told to increase how much wa足 ter they drank. After 12 weeks of following the eating plan, those in the group who were

on a diet and were increasing their water consumption and drinking two cups, 30 minutes prior to each of their three large daily meals, had lost more weight. The average weight loss of the first group was between 11lb to 1st 1lb (5足8kg), but the group who consumed more water be足 fore their meals lost an additional 4.4 lb or 2kg. Researchers found that it was largely because those who drank the water then went on to eat less at meal times.

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Too many emotions not enough words MS BIPOLAR UP AND DOWN WITH BALANCE UNEDITED H OW is it possible to be both too much and not enough at the same time? I question too much. I read too much. I think too much. I feel too much. I talk too much. I do too much. I am too intense. Too sensitive. Too empathetic. Too obsessive. Too emotional. T oo self-absorbed. T oo analytical. Too creative. Too idealistic. Too needy. Too dramatic. But then I think I am not enough, I will never be a successful business woman. I haven’t done anything ‘insanely great.’ I finished school with nothing. I dropped out of hairdressing college. I have done things I regret. I could have saved my family from so much heartbreak. I need a lot of reassuring. I will never be able to move very far from home, home is safe. My friends do so much more than I do. I have made mistakes.

But the truth is - everything about me is just M O R E. It’s not too much. It’s just more. More ME. My ‘moreness’ (if that is even a word!) includes massive amounts of self-analysis, self-criticism and self-awareness. Which then leads me to, yup ,you guessed it . Not ‘enoughness’. It’s so easy to be dragged down by my own thoughts, getting into that comparison game with yourself! No more! I am going to compare me to myself, to see how far I have come, and what I have overcome. I have criticised myself for years and it’s not worked, so here we go with trying to approve of myself - let’s see what happens! So here is to fighting my bipolar mind and drowning it with positivity, I can’t guarantee I will feel like this next week but let’s enjoy it whilst it lasts (there I go again...) Love Ms Bipolar x

msbipolar@euroweeklynews.com

26 November - 2 December 2020

EWN 49

Update on food, drink, entertainments, what’s on and weekly happenings

26 November - 2 December 2020

50

SOCIAL SCENE Shakti Day Dua Lipa Live to read more visit

DANCE DAY: Experience a new love for movement.

CELEBRATE song, dance and flow as part of the wonderful Shakti Dance Day being hosted at the Más Happy yoga studio in Santa Pola, Alicante. Más Happy will host this ‘joy with music’ event on Saturday, November 28, starting at 10am and ending at 7pm, costing €54, which includes the workshops and lunch. Following the guidance of Hari Dyal Kaur, at 10am the group will participate in a Shakti Dance Workshop followed by a swim in the sea at 1pm. After breaking for lunch at 2pm, the group will dive back into the workshop, experiencing a new love for movement, and the peace and calm of the music. Participants will need to book in advance and will need to bring comfortable clothes, a mat, zafu or cushion and blanket for relaxation, and a towel and swimming costume (if you want to swim in the sea.) If you need more details, contact on 656 288 038 or write to gra cias@yogaymusica.es

POP along to Chandelier Bar in La Finca Golf, Algorfa, to watch the live concert from Dua Lipa... for free! The Chandelier Bar is known for its great nights of entertainment, hosting singers to hypnotist events, from drag artists to instrument players, and on Friday, November 27, you will be able to view Dua Lipa’s concert LIVE at 9pm. The bar, located on the first floor of La Finca

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Golf Commercial Centre at La Finca resort in Algorfa, is buying the pass for you to enjoy a real concert feel, including inside and outside screens, excellent sound system, lighting and even stage smoke! Dua Lipa is an English singer and songwriter, who in 2019, won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, and Best Dance Recording. Book now to avoid disappointment. Maximum tables of 6.

Christmas Charity Day Saxophone Dinner THE good folks at the Royal Oak in Dehesa de Campoamor are hosting a Christmas Charity Day on Saturday, November 28. The charity event is being held to raise funds for both the Children’s Care Home (ECCH) in Elche and the Food Bank. Acknowledging that 2020 has been a very tough year, the Royal Oak wants to help out as much as possible to give people a better Christmas and help them to ‘end this year with a SMILE.’ Kicking off at 2pm, the event will feature various live acts, raffles with over 25 different prizes, an auction and much more. Places are limited so booking is advised.

THE Clubhouse Bar in Rojales is happy to announce their dinner evening on Saturday, November 28, will now feature a saxophone performance by Kenny D. The live entertainment and dining event takes place in the relaxed restaurant at the La Marquesa golf course and serves all your favourite, famous European kitchen dishes. The Clubhouse Bar and Restaurant will host the delightful background saxophone performance of Kenny D while diners enjoy the amazing views over the 18-hole golf course. Book your table now on 966 845 598 or via Facebook.

Christmas Cheers EXPERIENCE some Christmas cheer at Cheers Bar on Christmas Day as they celebrate the ‘new normal’ with some festive fun. The friendly bar, based on La Marina Urbanisation, is set to host a little Christmas fun with a Name That Tune music quiz and possibly some social distance games, as it opens its doors on December 25 from 12pm 3pm. According to a Facebook post: ‘The bar is still looking at what to do regarding food depending on restrictions in place but don’t expect a normal C hristmas Dinner!’ S o, if you are not sure what to do on C hristmas Day this year, why not take a wintery walk to the bar ‘where everybody knows your name’ and enjoy some Christmas Cheers! Booking is essential.

SOCIAL SCENE

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Who’s pulling the strings? FIND out all you need to know about puppets and their history at Alicante Town Hall which is hosting an exhibition on this very subject until December 11. The display will take guests on ‘a journey from ancient times to the present day of a unique scenic modality that has never ceased to captivate all types of audiences, from children to adults.’

One of the exhibition organisers said: “Puppeteering is a practice that leaves no one indifferent and in which Valencian companies have been able to adapt to the evolution of society’s tastes and successive fashions, to earn a very hopeful future. “A heritage of Valencian society that, in addition, has an unmatched identity value.”

Queen comes to Quesada IF you’ve never had a chance to rock out at one of Queen’s live gigs you’re in luck as the next best thing is happening in Quesada. Aurora Bar and Lounge are hosting a very special night on Friday, November 27, where you can enjoy one of the best concerts performed by one of the most iconic bands ever shown on their huge 100” screen. Get yourself down to Aurora Bar and Lounge in Avenida Antonio, Quesada for the 7pm screening of Queen’s 1986 Live at Wembley Stadium Concert. Aurora will have strict hygiene measures in place to ensure customers’ safety and comfort.

Tutu up the mountain THREE pals scaled Orihuela’s Callosa Segura Mountain dressed in pink tutus to raise more than €3,000 for three worthy causes. Brave ‘ballerinas’ Mark Daughtry, Phillip Trower and Michael Purdy set themselves the challenge of climbing the 518-metre mountain over a pint weeks ago, having decided they wanted to raise money for their own chosen charities. It took the trio three and a quarter hours to reach the summit, enjoy a picnic lunch and get back down. And fortunately there were no injuries or mishaps. “Each of us feels very passionate about the charity we individ-

Ladies Fashion Night A FA B U L O U S night of fashion is promised for ladies attending the Belmontes Cafe in Catral on Friday, December 4. The wonderful evening, hosted by K & K Clothing and Accessories and starting at 7pm, promises to be full of fun as the ladies in attendance will have the choice

26 November - 2 December 2020

of clothing, shoes, handbags, jewellery and accessories... all at amazing prices! So, if you are looking to stock up on some Christmas gifts, update your winter wardrobe, or just want to come along for the fun, then the L adies N ight at the friendly cafe bar in the C atral town square is the place to be.

ually chose. I chose Combat Stress as the charity does so much for veterans who are suffering with PTSD and other mental health issues and I am a veteran, retired from the British Army after a 26-year career,” explained Mark. “Michael chose Little Pod Association as he is a very big animal lover and this particular charity is struggling at the moment. “Phil chose the Jose San Obrero Orphanage as he knows how much the children appreciate all the help and extra support that they receive via the generous donations raised by everyone,” Mark added. Each charity will receive €1,006.

EWN 51

PETS

52

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Poorly pets need a caring hand IF you are planning a trip and your pet has been unwell, think about the kind of care they need. A pet loving house­sitter can en­ sure they get their medications at the right time, and they get the care they need in their own home. This makes your absence that much easier to deal with in their fragile state. We’d like to encourage you to plan ahead for house­sitters if you have trips planned over the holi­ days to see family and friends or just to get away. Now is the time to get ready. We will help you as much as we can. Our philosophy is that we are all in this together. These are the steps one client has taken so far: 1. Registered as a Homeowner on HouseSitMatch.com 2. She chose a Premium ac­ count (£89 per year) to ensure she could get help online when need­ ed 3. Created a profile with photos

When pets have been unwell they need a caring hand. of her pet and the house, inc fea­ tures of the property (ie swim­ ming pool) 4. Posted a house­sit advert stating the plans for a holiday in the spring, subject to Covid per­ mitted travel Do you need a pet­sitter in 2021? It’s best to get started

right now. How does it work? HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our net­ work for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House­sitters see your advert, they respond and

you choose whom you’d like to care for your pets. Trustpilot Testimonials ­ 4.8 / 5 Excellent rating (New Trustpilot rating scale) Here’s what members have said about us ­ HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house­sitter… HouseSitMatch found us a per­ fect house­sitter while we were away in Canada and we were de­ lighted with the care and atten­ tion that HouseSitMatch took in helping us find the right person. Ros Morris ­ Dog owner How do you join? Please register online via our website www.Housesitmatch. com ­ Choose a membership plan ­ Please note prices go up soon so sign up now on subscrip­ tion to secure these prices: • Standard (DIY option) = £69 pa • Premium (with support at each step) = £89 pa

Do you need a house-sitter? Get in touch. House-sitting can be a win-win for both parties, free house and pet-sitting, and the experienced and checked sitters get free accommodation! Register as either house-sitter or homeowner with a 20 per cent discount using coupon code P2020 - an exclusive offer for readers. To find a house or pet-sitter go to www.HousesitMatch.com.

Winter weather pet care WHILE the Spanish climate is milder than many and there is less chance of being snowed in, we all still feel the difference at this time of year and our pets are no luckier than us hu­ mans. This means during colder months pet owners need to take a few steps to ensure their furry friends stay warm and healthy. Pets which live outside during the rest of the year would probably really appreciate becoming indoor residents for the winter to stay warm and dry. If not possible, don’t assume their coats will keep them warm. A warm, dry, draught­free kennel and some bedding are an absolute must. Remember that more energy is used up stay­ ing warm when it’s cold. Adjust and increase outdoor pets’ di­ ets accordingly and make sure they have access to fresh, run­ ning water. Indoor pets, on the other hand, are likely to be far less ac­ tive at this time of year and even when out on walks will prob­ ably use up less energy. This means unless you want to find yourself with a pudgy pooch or fat cat come spring you will have to feed them less. The cold can particularly affect the delicate skin on pets’ paws, tips of tails and ears so watch out for any tell­tale signs such as firm, waxy skin or blisters. Apply Vaseline to delicate areas before heading outside and consider boots or hats if your pet seems to be suffering. Finally, a word to the wise driver: always tap on your car bonnet or open it up and check inside before starting the en­ gine in the winter. Smaller animals and especially cats have a tendency to snuggle up next to warm engines which has led to many a horrific accident.

Advertising Feature

Brain Tumour in Dogs and Cats CANCER that affects the brain is not uncommon in old dogs and cats. The problem of the need for advanced diagnostic imaging tech­ niques such as High Field Magnetic Resonance (MRI) to detect a tu­ mour in the brain means that it is often not diagnosed. Although it

occurs more frequently in ad­ vanced ages, there are breeds in which it occurs in young dogs, such as the Boxer and Boston Terrier. The diagnosis of a brain tumour involves a coordinated effort be­ tween the vet who usually cares for the patient, the neurologist, the

radiologist, the oncologist and the surgeon. Given this situation, it is necessary to advise the owners of the affected pets in the best way. Signs of brain tumours are: seizures, abnormal behaviour, loss of vision, head tilt, wobbly gait, etc. They vary widely in their degree of malignancy hence the impor­ tance of advanced diagnostic tech­ niques such as magnetic reso­ nance imaging or, failing that, Computerised Tomography (CT). There are three ways of treating brain tumours: neurosurgery, ra­ diotherapy or chemotherapy. Centro Veterinario de Diagnósti­ co por Imagen de Levante: Only High Field MRI in southeast Spain. resonanciaveterinaria.es

FEATURE

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26 November - 2 December 2020

HOW LOCKDOWN READING CAN BECOME A REAL PAGE-TURNER

AND so, once again, the UK is con­ fined to barracks, ordering online clothes, toys and, even more than during Lockdown 1.0, takeaways. Those, that is, who aren’t turning to traditional comfort foods. The company behind products such as gravy brand Bisto, custard­ maker Ambrosia and Mr Kipling’s cakes says people turned to comfort foods during the pandemic. (No mention, though, of the rise in the popularity of tripe. Plenty of that from the present UK government and some of its ex­special advisers.) Premier Foods credited ‘excep­ tional’ demand throughout Lock­ down 1.0 for strong sales with profit figures for the past six months up 50 per cent. It said it had gained over a million new customers during the period. And it was benefiting from the lat­ est lockdown in England, which meant more people were eating at home. (Generally speaking, super­ market sales overall represent some of the few success stories across the

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS Nora is the author of popular psychological suspense and crime thrillers and a freelance journalist. To comment on any of the issues raised in her column, go to www.euroweeklynews.com/3.0.15/nora-johnson

UK so far this year.) In fact, at any moment you almost expected Premier Foods to break in­ to song: ‘This royal throne of Kings, this sceptred isle... This land of sausage mash & gravy... This apple crumble pudding with steaming cus­ tard. This England.’ Premier claim that consumers had ‘turned to brands they recognise and trust.’ Well, sorry Premier, but there’s not one on your list (aside from Ambrosia custard served to me by a shirtless Daniel Craig) that could possibly cheer me up... As for Lockdown 2.0 itself, there must be many who are already total­ ly fed up with all those well­meaning

suggestions that you should be do­ ing more ­ of everything. More bak­ ing. More gardening. More DIY. More carefully­curated Instagram photos of your Zoom backdrop. Learn a new language. Take up drawing or oil painting. Now is the time to ‘write that best­selling, page­turning novel.’ ‘Write that ut­ terly gripping memoir.’ Read all those books you’ve been meaning to catch up with. Hang on! I have started working my way through a massive pile of thrillers! Can’t think of a better way to relieve the mind­numbing bore­ dom of Lockdown 2.0! Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘No Safe Place,’ ‘Be­ trayal,’ ‘The Girl in the Woods,’ ‘The Girl in the Red Dress,’ ‘No Way Back,’ ‘Landscape of Lies,’ ‘Retribu­ tion,’ ‘Soul Stealer,’ ‘The De Cleram­ bault Code’ (www.nora­johnson. net) available online as eBook (€0.99;£0.99), Apple Books, paper­ back and audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.

EWN 53

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APPLIANCES REPAIRS

BALUSTRADES

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EWN 55

PAINTERS/DECORATORS

REMOVALS & STORAGE

LOCKSMITHS

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AWNINGS WWW.AWNINGSDI RECT.EU

BUSINESS OPP. Coyote Street Food bar, business opportunity for sale. Modern container installation. Tacos , pancakes, waffle, gofre,Smoothie Coctails, Yogurt Ice cream ( best Italian Gelmatic machine), display fridge , fully equipped. 648 603 343 michaelmaj11@gmail. com (290080)

BUILDING SERVICES J & J PAINTERS. Inside - outside - clean - fast low cost. Torrevieja Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (287797)

BUY & SELL BUY FUR Coats & Jackets, handbags, designer bags, oriental & Persian carpets, jewellery & watches. All kind of Silver, sliver plated 90/100/800. Cutlery, tin, amber, coral, coins, medals, porcelain. Radio, musical instruments. Military items until 1945, photos, medals etc. Fair price paid in CASH. Phone 688 335 497 (290436) BUY vinyl records, record players, CD’s & Radios. 688 335 497 (290436) PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

CHARITY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life – damaging everything that is important to you. English-speaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Any-

one wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aacostablanca.org (93323)

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Sevices at 10am and 11:30am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorrevie ja.org (95476)

CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail. com (95475)

LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English speaking church. For more information see our website w w w. l a s i e s t a e v a n g e l i calchurch.org (10005)

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462) CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(1000 6) FREEMASONRY. Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact Harry Palmer Membership Committee. Tel: 966 712 326 or email: 2palmers.quesada@gmail. com (95477) HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja.com. We also have a 24-hour Emergency help-line which is available to both members and nonmembers on 966 723 733 (95456)

PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459) PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463) ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH 1359. The association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents. Due to covid-19 restrictions we cannot hold General Meetings at the moment however, we were able to comply with regulations and hold a Battle of Britain Service and a Dinner Dance (without dancing)! We also provide a social hub for members and hold lunches every month. To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@ gmail.com. For Welfare contact David on 615 048 892. For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk. (238593)

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CLASSIFIEDS

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com . If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branches.britishle gion.org.uk/branches/ori huela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.orihuelacostarbl.co. uk. (95457) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secretary@rbl. community

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details Hon Sec 692 938 664. (10004) ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Paul Edwards on 618 644 934, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 716 274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 921 996. (95455) STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers. With rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 654 801 260 or email strokesup portgroup@hotmail.com, website: torreviejastroke support.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473) THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.aca costablanca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465) THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461) The Baker Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca. Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458) www.euroweeklynews.com

CHARITY

THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807) THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar will be closed for the immediate future due to COVID-19. Identification Fiscal G54713789 (95454)

CLASSES QUALIFIED TEACHER of languages, including Spanish & English as a foreign language, can provide one to one lessons – reasonable hourly rates. 711 096 752 or +447891043768 (290359)

DAMP PROOFING RISING DAMP / ROOFING REPAIRS www.elec tro-os.com info@electroos.com 619 666 363 (287819)

DECORATORS EXPAT PAINTER available for painting jobs in Santa Pola, Gran Alacant, El Altet & La Marina areas. No job too small. Very clean & reliable. Free quotes & good rates. Tel 711 073 074 / 447960 606 684 (290428)

ELECTRICIAN MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (285783)

FOR SALE/WANTED WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

GARDENING SERVICES DAVID THE TREE GUY Cutting, trimming & removal of trees. Torrevieja, Alicante, Benidorm areas. 722 652 173 (290501) For daily news visit www.euroweeklynews.com

60 EWN

26 November - 2 December 2020

GOLD WANTED

HOME IMPROVEMENTS BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (286589)

INSURANCE CASH BACK OFFER! CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UPTO A €1000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATS APP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsuran ceinspain.com or email tracey@sosinsurancein spain.com (289799)

INSURANCE BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@ beneficialinsuranceinspain. com or visit www.benefi cialinsuranceinspain.com for online quote. (289158) STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure.com (2887610)

MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)

MOTORING

MOTORING

FOR SALE WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)

MUSIC TUITION

SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area. 500 animals awaiting re-homing. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spama.org and view our new blog at www.spamasafor.blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)

TAILOR MADE, durable canvas, sails, umbrella, spa and CAR COVERS. Mazarron based, and at Procomobel Market, Guardamar Saturday mornings. Mail Order and Ordering online 667 879 399 krugercanopies@ya hoo.co.uk (287325)

PET CHARITY EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare.net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706) GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, deflead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709) P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each

SPAS & JACUZZIS

PLUMBERS MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (285783)

POOL MAINTENANCE

NAUTICAL INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (290545)

CLASSIFIEDS

week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708)

PIANO, Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (288015)

PERGOLAS

PROPERTY FOR RENT

www.euroweeklynews.com

TELECOMMUNICATIONS FED UP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE CALLS? THEN CONTACT TELITEC TODAY. CALLS TO SPAIN 7C PER MINUTE INCLUDING MOBILES. CALLS TO UK 5.3C PER MINUTE. NO MONTHLY FEES, NO CONTRACT. WWW.TELITEC.COM TEL: 902 889 070 (2001)

WANTED POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltechspain.com (282232)

SITUATIONS VACANT

Please note that in Spain there is NO legislation banning adverts in this section. Neither regional nor national governments are able to pass such a law due to rules governing freedom of publication and printing. READERS OF A SENSITIVE DISPOSITION MAY FIND SOME OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS IN THIS SECTION OFFENSIVE.

XXX FEMALE SOPHIE naughty, slim, elegant, sexy french lady. 3 languages spoken. Visit all areas, also private apartment in Villamartin. 693 357 526 (281656)

REMOVALS/STORAGE MAN AND VAN UK - Spain. 2 vans travelling twice a month, Murcia - North / South UK. Storage in Spain. Tel 610 846 260 or 0044 751 918 6355 email van.man@hotmail.co.uk (285514)

XXX RELAXATION

TESTIMONIAL

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Wonderful team to deal with. Brilliant advertisement rates. Can't fault them. Jackie is an absolute star, nothing too small to help with. I would definitely recommend EWN as a way to advertise your business!

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61

26 November - 2 December 2020

to read more visit ROAD TEST by Mark Slack LAUNCHING the latest ver­ sion of the ever­popular Golf this year has marked two an­ niversaries for the German car maker. It is 75 years since a 28­ year­old British Army Major, Ivan Hirst, was given respon­ sibility for leading the reshaping of VW’s largely de­ stroyed Wolfs­ burg plant back into a civilian car factory. By the time Hirst left there was a modern factory, ready to go, with a labour force, a German man­ agement and a product that was proven. That product was the iconic Beetle, and that German management and workforce made VW a worldwide automotive suc­ cess story. The latest Golf is in its eighth generation 45 years since it first launched. It has become a classless car loved

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MOTORING

New Golf marks two anniversaries

by everyone from ordinary families to the rich and fa­ mous. Golf 8 starts at €26,143 (£23,300) on­the­ road for the lead­in Life mod­ el with a perky 1.0­litre TSi engine under the bonnet. Standard fare includes cli­ mate control, powered and heated door mirrors, auto­ matic lights and wipers plus automatic dimming rear view mirror, alloy wheels,

NEW GOLF: Needed to deliver... and it does! navigation and a plethora of safety kit. Three petrol engines ­ 110

hp, 1.0­litre three­cylinder and 130 hp or 150 hp 1.5­litre four­ cylinder ­ plus a 1.5­litre

mild hybrid and 115 hp or 150 hp 2.0­litre diesel. Transmissions are six­speed manual or sev­ en­speed DSG dual clutch au­ tomatic. Despite some notice­ able minor cost­cutting measures ­ the lack of a gas strut on the bonnet, no cover over the cup hold­ ers in the centre console, vis­ ible key apertures on the door handles and a few oth­ ers ­ there is still that solid,

Facts At A Glance • Model: VW Golf Life • Engine: 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel • Gears: 6-Speed manual • Price: €27,938 (£24,900) • Performance: 0-100 kmh (62 mph) 10.2 seconds/Maximum Speed 202 kmh (126 mph) • Economy: 4.1l/100km (68.8 mpg) Combined driving • Emissions: 108 g/km

durable and quality feel to this latest Golf. It has gone far too digital for some, al­ though I’m sure VW would argue that the system makes for a more efficient driver ex­ perience. However, to me the system is not as intuitive as it could be and, until you’re fully used to it, it can feel like a distraction. On the road performance brings no complaints with my 115 hp 2.0­litre diesel providing a good turn of speed when required and impressive fuel consump­ tion. Despite being a ‘dirty’ diesel it is now one of the cleanest units available with major reductions in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. With its smartly evolved design there is no mistaking this is a Golf, it retains that certain something special on the style front which appeals to so many drivers. At its price point the new Golf needed to deliver… it does!

62 EWN

26 November - 2 December 2020

THE Alfa Romeo Giulia range won four awards at the 2020 Sport Auto Awards, snapping up four category wins in the German magazine’s top awards. The Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm won the ‘Serial production sedans/sta­ tion wagons over €100,000’ catego­ ry for imported cars, with the Giulia Quadrifoglio being named the best­ imported car in the ‘Serial produc­ tion sedans/station wagons under

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Giulia Wins Four €100,000’ category, winning the award for the fourth year in a row! The Giulia won the best­imported car in the ‘Serial production sedans/station wagons under €50,000’ category and the Giulia Veloce was named the best­import­ ed car among ‘Serial production

sedans/station wagons under €75,000’ category. The new Giulia GTAm, which took 44.7 per cent of the votes, is techni­ cally and conceptually inspired by the 1965 Giulia GTA, the ‘Gran Tur­ ismo Alleggerita’ developed by Au­ todelta, and is equipped with an

upgraded, now 540 hp version of the Alfa Romeo 2.9 V6 Bi­Turbo en­ gine, and is the most powerful road vehicle in the brand’s 110­year his­ tory. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadri­ foglio achieved a clear victory with 47.5 per cent of the votes, the Giu­ lia Veloce won with 39.4 per cent of the votes, and the Giulia won its category with 45.0 per cent of the votes.

Tributo Triumphs Again FERRARI’S F8 Tributo triumphed at the 2020 Sport Auto Awards, as it continues its winning tradition. The F8 Tributo has received a prestigious award from the leading German automotive magazine, Sport Auto, with the car being named Best Imported Production Coupé Over €150,000 for the second year running, hav­ ing triumphed in the same category in the 2019 edition. The Sport Auto Awards, which this year skipped their traditional prize­giving ceremony due to Covid­19 re­ strictions, are amongst the most coveted in the entire motor sector with the winning cars in the various cate­ gories decided in a special poll by the readers of the German magazine Sport Auto. Ferrari’s F8 Tributo is the mid­rear­engined sports car that represents the highest expression of the Prancing Horse’s classic two­seater Berlinetta. Its name is also a homage to Ferrari’s most powerful ever V8 which won the International Engine of the Year award four years running, and was also voted the best engine of the last two decades.

MOTORING

AdventureLoving Ford THE new Ford EcoSport Active proves that big adventures can come in small packages! The Ford EcoSport compact sports utility vehicle delivers versa­ tility, capability, rugged styling and sophisticated technologies for cus­ tomers in Europe. Each Ford EcoSport Active vari­ ant features unique exterior and interior styling alongside increased ride height and additional body protection for greater rough­road capability, in what is the perfect car for adventure­loving cus­ tomers to get the most from their active lifestyles. Offering powerful, fuel­efficient 1.0­litre EcoBoost petrol and 1.5­ litre EcoBlue diesel engines, EcoSport is also available as sporty ST­Line and stylish Titanium vari­ ants, with advanced technologies including; SYNC 3 connectivity, Pre­Collision Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition. Dynamic, bold and refined ex­ terior styling can be enhanced with optional extended contrast­ ing roof colours. A user­centric, upscale interior offers a superior occupant experience with floating central 8­inch touchscreen.

64

26 November - 2 December 2020

SPORT Salah to Return Bilbao Thrash Betis to read more visit www.euroweeklynews.com

LIVERPOOL forward Mo­ hamed Salah, who missed his side’s 3­0 win over Leicester on Sunday, Novem­ ber 22, is set to return for the club after a negative Covid­19 test. Salah initially tested posi­ tive on Friday, November 13, and actually tested positive for the virus three times dur­ ing the recent international break in Egypt. However, Liverpool’s top goalscorer with 10 goals could now return for the Merseyside club when they host Atalanta on Wednes­ day, November 25, after posting the negative test up­ on his return to the United Kingdom on Friday, when he and Arsenal midfielder Mo­ hamed Elneny flew back to London from Hurghada In­ ternational Airport. The Egyptian superstar missed the African Cup of Nations qualifying double­

EXTENDED WINS: Athletic made the game safe on the hour.

MOHAMED SALAH: Has now had a negative Covid-19 test. header with Togo after the diagnosis earlier this month but is now free to return to training under Premier

League protocols that say a 10­day isolation period is needed after the first posi­ tive test.

ATHLETIC BILBAO continue their winning ways at home in La Liga and move back up the La Liga table after thrashing Real Betis on Monday, November 23. Athletic Bilbao has now extended their La Liga winning run to three straight games at San Mames stadium with a 4­0 victory over Real Betis. Despite terrible away results, Bilbao’s home form continues to help the club remain in mid­ table and the impressive nature of this victory will have the club and its fans hoping for more. Gaizka Garitano’s side was ahead inside the first 10 minutes as Asier Villalibre Molina’s cross was bizarrely deflected home by Betis defender Victor Ruiz and as the home side grew in confidence, they

shifted through the gears, before veteran defender Ander Capa nodded home from close range after Claudio Bravo saved Molina’s header on 33 min­ utes. Former Manchester City and West Ham manag­ er, Manuel Pellegrini, will be devastated by Real Betis’ poor display, especially in the second half, when they started as poorly as they ended the first, in a result which sees his side slip to 12th. Athletic made the game safe on the hour, as Iker Muniain followed up his own effort to bundle home the third goal and then summer signing Alex Berenguer, who joined from Torino, netted the best goal of the night on 69 minutes after sweeping home a Yuri Berchiche cross from the left.