News
The people’s paper ISSUE NO. 1864
25 - 31 March 2021
COSTA BLANCA NORTH • WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
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COSTA BLANCA hoteliers and tourist accommodation association Hosbec has joined the #Elturismoeslavacuna (Tourism is the vaccine) campaign. They and other Valencian Community tourism professionals recently met in-person in Benidorm for the first time. Numbers, limited to 30 people, included Francesc Colomer, the Generalitat’s regional Tourism secretary, as well as the president of the Diputacion provincial council, Carlos Mazon, Hosbec president Toni Mayor and Benidorm mayor Toni Perez. Hundreds of other tourism entrepreneurs joined the event online via the Generalitat’s GVA channel to defend the sector’s importance
TOP-LEVEL: First in-person meeting for tourism entrepreneurs.
to Spain’s economic and social system. It was impossible, they agreed, for any other productive sector to substitute it long or short-term, hence the concept that tourism was a vaccine promising a return to normality.
“A year ago we predicted the devastating effect that the virus would have on our sector and today we can see that we weren’t mistaken,” Toni Mayor declared. Mayor and his fellow hoteliers coincided in lamenting the European Union’s “inefficient” handling of the anti-Covid vaccine which was delaying the return to normality by three or four months.
“Nevertheless, the scenario is very positive,” Mayor said. “Our climate, the return to outdoor life, increased immunity and the vaccine will all combine to herald the coming of spring after the long winter of the pandemic.” The Hosbec president saw July “at the very latest and in the worst case” as the starting point for a return to normality.
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More trees for Calpe Just the ticket BOTANICAL GARDENS: Ifach high school pupils plant native Mediterranean varieties.
CALPE commemorated World Tree Day by planting 120 seedlings in the town’s Botanical Gardens. The initiative, which originated with Rotary Club Calpe Ifach, also has the support of the town hall’s Education, Environment and Gardens departments. The first phase has already been carried out by pupils taking a vocational Gardening course at Calpe’s Ifach high school who have been hard at work since the beginning of the school year, transforming the Botanical Gardens into a natural space where the public can enjoy the open air. The seedlings are all native varieties that include carobs, olives, holm oaks, red junipers and nettle trees donated by the regional government’s Agriculture department. Their trees’ name plates will be provided by the Rotary Club Calpe Ifach, who are also donating equipment for the high school’s Gardening course.
BENIDORM Town Hall intends to take over the bus service inside the municipality. “We have had several conversations with the region’s Traffic au‐ thority, seeking ways to allow Benidorm ‐ and neighbouring munici‐ palities ‐ to have a bigger say in deciding routes, bus‐stops and tar‐ iffs,” said Benidorm’s mayor Toni Perez. “The objective is top‐rate, efficient public transport that can rem‐ edy the flaws in the existing service,” the mayor said.
More parking needed BARRING unforeseen obstacles, work on the extension to Vil‐ lajoyosa hospital should begin by the end of this year. Villajoyosa Town Hall has already compulsorily purchased plots for the extension but the regional government has now asked for more land for parking spaces adjoining the existing car park. The town hall is now negotiating to buy up another 15,000 square metres of land, Urban Development councillor Pedro Alemany revealed. “We are in talks with two owners and have reached an agreement with one and expect to agree the same price with the other,” he said.
Pitch and Putt fundraiser ALFAZ’S Food Bank received €600 from a Pitch and Putt tour‐ nament between the Lions Club and Club Internacional de Golf L’Alfas‐Albir. Fifty players took part in the tournament, which raised €500, with another €101.06 from a collection box that the Food Bank will use for treats for children over Easter. The Alfaz Lions Club was founded more than 30 years ago and collaborates on local social projects with the Social Volun‐ teers Association and Alfaz Town Hall, while also participating in international charity campaigns.
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Long arm of the law
THE Guardia Civil arrested two people in San Juan town and Busot after locating a stolen jet-ski in Alicante port. The San Juan man, a 69year-old, was accused of receiving the jet-ski, which disappeared from Flint (North Wales) in 2016. The second detainee was a Briton, aged 56 who allegedly stole the watercraft, which was worth more than €9,000. After Guardia Civil were alerted last September that a jet-ski stored in the dry dock in Alicante port was of “illicit origin,” officers inspected the vehicle and found that its registration number did not correspond to the number on the chassis. Officers confiscated the jet-ski and, with the assistance of Interpol, linked it to a watercraft that had disappeared four years earlier from Wales, leading to the two recent arrests. Meanwhile, the jet-ski will be returned to its owner, a 45-year-old woman.
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DON’T FORGET to Spring forward one hour at 2am on Sunday
NIBS EXTRA Storm swept ALTEA will receive €1,681 for emergency repairs after the port was damaged during recent storms. The allocation comes from a €7.4 million Generalitat fund that will also cover repairs to ports in Calpe, Javea and Denia, and Cullera (Valencia) as well as Burriana and Peñiscola (Castellon).
Tread softly BENITACHELL Town Hall is reducing its carbon footprint with 14 new printers to reduce the amount of electricity, paper and ink that is required. This was another of the local government’s initiatives that will enable it to meet Agenda 2030’s Sustainable Development Objectives, the New Technologies department explained.
Nice try A 57-YEAR-OLD Calpe woman who received €3,000 from her insurance company after making a false burglary claim, was unsuccessful a second time. Suspecting fraud, the company reported the case and when interviewed by the Guardia Civil the woman admitted lying “because I had no work and needed money.”
Switch off FINESTRAT will again observe Earth Hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Saturday March 27 when lights are switched off worldwide, the town hall announced. In Finestrat, all the lights will be dimmed at the La Penya outcrop in the Old Quarter and along the La Cala promenade.
Brief halt CAFÉ PHILO, where like-minded people meet for interesting conversation and discussions once a month on Wednesdays at the Forum in Alfaz, has for the time being suspended meetings. Members agreed unanimously to call a temporary halt until Covid-19 restrictions on meetings have been relaxed, the group’s organiser announced.
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The way it used to be VESTIGES of the sentry walkway on Villajoyosa’s ramparts emerged during rehabilitation of a property in the Old Quarter’s Calle Pou. This has provided a convincing clue to the width of the ramparts at this section of wall facing the sea and also corresponds to the apse of the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion parish church. This supports the theory that the church and the wall were built at the same time, following a corsair attack that destroyed the existing church and wall. A new wall built in front of the original was finished in 1555 or
VILLAJOYOSA’S RAMPARTS: A section has emerged while restoring an old building. thereabouts, according to historians. “This surprising discovery tells us a little more about our history
and sheds more light on Villajoyosa’s Old Quarter,” explained La Vila’s Heritage councillor Xente Sebastia.
The find was made in the same building - currently under conversion into a hotel with eight rooms - where a section of Roman masonry was recently located. “This is now being studied at Vilamuseu in line with the Valencia region’s Cultural Heritage law,” Sebastia revealed. Possibly the Roman find will be returned to where it was found and put on display at the hotel, he added. “Similarly, the recently-discovered walkway will be conserved in optimum condition for future visits,” Sebastia said.
Tree plague halted at long last THE Xylella Fastiosa plague, first detected in Guadalest almond trees four years ago, is slowing down. According to the regional government’s Agriculture department, 72 Alicante munici‐ palities have been affected by the bacteri‐ um that attacks and kills trees. Involving a total of 128,116 hectares, the 350‐hectare increase ‐ 0.26 per cent of the total ‐ was encouraging, the Generalitat said.
A report published in the region’s Official Bulletin (DOGV) concluded that the plague has been contained after acting on EU direc‐ tives initially requiring the eradication of all infected trees within a 100‐metre radius. This has since been reduced to 50 metres. The Asaja association, which represents Alicante Province farmers and growers, op‐ poses the EU strategy although regional Agriculture secretary Roger Llanes insisted that the results demonstrated its effective‐
ness. “This proves that we were doing the right thing after having worked to change the initial conditions and saving a further 200,000 almond trees by reducing the erad‐ ication radius,” Llanes said. Mireia Molla, who heads the Generali‐ tat’s Agriculture department, announced that the regional government has set aside a €700,000 allocation that will pay growers up to 100 per cent of the cost of replanting the areas where trees were felled.
A smart way to cross Close watch kept EIGHTEEN Marina Alta towns and the area’s Rotary Clubs cele‐ brated World Water Day by launching the El Mar Empieza Aqui campaign. The Sea Starts Here is an initia‐ tive by Spain’s Association of Public Supply Operators (AEOPAS) who provide domestic water. AEOPAS and those who collab‐
In a safe place FORTY‐ONE people took up Benidorm’s offer of free hotel ac‐ commodation for medical staff at local hospitals and health centres. The initiative by the town hall and Costa Blanca hoteliers’ associ‐ ation, Hosbec, during the third wave of the coronavirus pandem‐ ic was a repetition of the same of‐ fer they made when the health crisis began last March. “We wanted to provide health professionals with somewhere that was safe and comfortable and at the same time lessened the risks to themselves and their fami‐ lies,” Benidorm mayor Toni Perez explained.
orate with the scheme want to remind the public that rubbish and litter thrown down drains or dumped in streambeds ‐ even those that are usually dry ‐ even‐ tually ends up in the Mediter‐ ranean. Metal plaques and stick‐ ers shaped like fish bearing the message ‘No tires nada, el mar empieza aqui’ (Don’t throw any‐ thing, the sea starts here) have now been installed beside drain gratings throughout the 18 towns. To make doubly sure that the message sinks in, the mes‐ sage has been translated into several languages. The environment is one of Ro‐ tary International’s principal con‐ cerns and Javea’s Rotary Club was the first to join the cam‐ paign, followed soon afterwards by those from Benissa‐Teulada, Calpe and Denia. Local bodies including Javea’s municipal water supply compa‐ ny, Amjasa, the Club Nautico Javea, La Marina de Denia, Sin‐ ma, Solgata, the Isbjorn Collective and Urbaser have joined the campaign, which also involves Marina Alta schools.
CAMPELLO’S Guardia Civil and Local Police stepped up controls at the start of the San José fiestas last weekend. Like their counterparts throughout the Valencian Community, whose perimeter is closed to non‐residents, they will do so until after Easter to restrict the entry of all non‐authorised vehicles and persons as the Generalitat continues to impose stringent anti‐Covid measures. “There is no room for argument,” declared Campello’s Public Safety councillor Rafa Galvañ. “Those who break the rules will face a fine from the central government’s Sub‐delegation.” The councillor also pointed out that Campello has a great number of second residences but, owing to the continued closure of the Valen‐ cian Community’s boundaries to other autonomous regions, many property owners could not visit them over the long weekend and will not be able to do so at Easter.
Missing link THE Plataforma Tram association pressed the regional government for a feasibility study on the proposed San Juan‐Muchamiel rail link. Despite official promises, the Generalitat has made no Budget alloca‐ tion while the study will be carried out “within three years.” “Why take three years for something that could be finished in six months?” the Plataforma wanted to know. The association also pointed out that a feasibility study did not imply commitment: “What happens if there is a change in priorities or govern‐ ment?” a spokesperson asked. Meanwhile the Plataforma thanked the PSOE, Compromis, Ciu‐ dadanos and Vox parties for their support, despite their wildly diverging political views, but criticised the Partido Popular and Podemos for their “Don’t know‐no opinion” stance.
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A very different allocation JAVEA Town Hall is as‐ signing €1 million to local businesses and activities linked to fi‐ estas and celebrations. They will be in line for grants of between €2,000 and €3,000, an‐ nounced Javea’s may‐ or Jose Chulvi. These also apply to firms with more than 10 employees which are not included in the Parentesis scheme but have suffered the coronavirus crisis’ evi‐ dent economic conse‐ quences. The €1 million will come entirely from municipal funds and is independent from, but compatible with, the Generalitat’s Plan Re‐ sistir. It pays ‘special at‐ tention’ to the fiestas sector as well as busi‐ nesses whose earnings depend on private cel‐ ebrations like wed‐ dings and children’s parties. The town hall’s list ranged from clothes shops to haberdash‐ ers, bakeries and beauty salons, prompting Chulvi to explain that was a “very different” alloca‐ tion. “This is for those who are able to work but, because of the present circumstances, find little demand for their products or ser‐ vices,” the mayor said. “It focuses particu‐ larly on small busi‐ nesses that have suf‐ fered, but are so important for our towns.” With these grants of between €2,000 and €3,000 Javea Town Hall wants to provide help towards the day‐ to‐day outgoings of businesses whose tak‐ ings have been drasti‐ cally reduced, Chulvi continued.
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25 - 31 March 2021 CALPE U3A have been busy behind the scenes planning their return to normal service later in the year. They have embraced the new technology of the Zoom App and have held their committee meetings and even wine tasting live on their tablets and lap tops. President Liam McKervey has contacted the other U3As in the Costa Blanca for an exchange of ideas as to how we will emerge when the Covid restrictions are eased. They will be holding a ‘Calpe Treasure Hunt,’ please see their Facebook page and www.u3acalpe.org for all the details of this fun treasure hunt; test your knowledge of our town. Membership information : They have 367 paid up members and are offering free membership to all new members in 2021. Please contact Jan Luxton at membership@u3acalpe.org.
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Calpe U3A Nine new members have been welcomed to Calpe U3A. The Ladies Dining group JUGS (Just Us Girls) are having their April lunch on Thursday April 8 at 1.30pm for 2pm at La Cocina Esquina (up the hill from the Casa De Cultura), contact Anita Sanchez by email at tinka.tinkabel@yahoo.com. The next general meeting is cancelled for Thursday April 15 as the venue is closed to the public. Best Wishes to all, David Stockton.
CALPE U3A: Have been embracing new technology on Zoom.
Northern Rival Soap THE BBC have revealed future plans by the corporation to relocate vast areas of their network across different parts of England in order to boost regional appeal. Included in the plans is the production of two new network long-running dramas, along with
a soap opera which will be set in the north of England, that the BBC hopes can compete with ITV’s top soaps, Emmerdale and Coronation Street, to be filmed on location up north, as reported by the national UK daily, The Sun. The report also says that another drama series could be in the pipeline to be filmed in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, and that viewers can look forward to a noticeable shift in the portrayal of different parts of the UK in comedy, drama, and factual shows. A source told The Sun, “We’re still working through the exact detail but we expect it to be a long-running show. That could mean anything from a weekly programme to 30 episodes a year, but that’s all to be worked out.”
BBC: Has plans for two new long-running dramas.
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€3 Million Health Fraud Queen ‘to Hire Diversity Tsar’ OFFICERS from the Guardia Civil have arrested four people in an alleged €3 million health equipment fraud. Police said they are also investigating another per‐ son for the alleged crimes of fraud and belonging to a criminal organisation. The arrests took place after the group is said to have defrauded a company of more than €2.7 million in the sale of medical gloves. The gang allegedly showed the company more than 260 pallets loaded with what they claimed
were boxes of gloves in Valencia. They then charged the Spanish company more than €2.7 million for the 330,000 boxes of gloves, which were then going to be sent to France to be used by health workers. According to police, while several boxes did contain gloves, the other were filled with sand. During the police searches they dis‐ covered 330,000 boxes as well as computers. The investigation was carried out by police in Va‐ lencia as well as in France.
Anti-Trafficking Legislation JUST days after the Minister of Equality Irene Montero an‐ nounced that she had begun working on a comprehensive law against trafficking, the PSOE held a
conference on the ‘Fight Against Trafficking and Prostitution’ on Sunday, March 21. The secretary of Equality of the PSOE and first vice president of the govern‐
Happy to help
ment, Carmen Calvo, presented at the conference and said she plans to introduce the new legislation af‐ ter the May 4 elections. Calvo stressed the need to im‐ plement legislation that protects the human rights of women and that “prevents prostitution in our country,” which is the “only way” to work internationally against traffick‐ ing in women and minors for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
THE monarch is reportedly keen for the royal family to progress following racism claims, with the Queen planning on hiring a diversity tsar. A source has said the move could be made to show “more needs to be done” across the households as they “haven't seen the progress [they] would like.” A royal source said: “Diversity is an issue which has been taken very seriously across the Royal Households. “We have the policies, the procedures and programmes in place but we haven’t seen the progress we would like and more needs to be done, we can always improve. “The work to do this has been underway for some time now and comes with the full support of the family. “Lots of measures are being considered. Certainly the idea
Wrong Direction They just keep on giving. ONCE again Giving4Giving keeps on at it! Last week they donated a fabulous €1,000 to Anemona (Benidorm breast cancer charity) and the money was accepted by the president Maria Bottella Soler with a sec‐ ond €1,000 donation made to the AACC (Alicante cancer charity) and was presented to Pamela Dawson Tasker on their behalf. Giving4Giving has now donated an amazing €188,000 to local chari‐ ties, and they are always looking for volunteers and donations. They also provide house and apartment clearance services so please call Gary on 603 137 697 and he will be more than happy to help.
TWO drivers lost their lives on Saturday night, March 20 in a head‐on collision caused by one of the vehicles travelling in the wrong direction down the A‐2 motorway near the Madrid town of Alcala de Henares. When the emergency health services arrived at the scene, the two drivers, identified as 35 and 38‐year‐old men, were pronounced dead, according to Emergencias 112 Comunidad de Madrid. At 10.00pm on Saturday, 112 received several calls indicat‐ ing that a vehicle was travelling in the opposite direction on the A2, coming out of Madrid. Moments later, Emergencias received a call to say there had been a serious crash at kilo‐ metre 28 of the Barcelona motorway.
ROYAL FAMILY: Lots of measures are being considered. of someone to spearhead this work and look at diversity/inclusion across the three households is something that has to be considered.” The move comes following
an interview between Oprah and Prince Harry and Meghan in which Meghan alleged their son had not been given a royal title because of his skin colour.
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ERC Spokesperson THINGS got pretty heated at the most recent meeting of the Government of Congress when the Spanish President, Pedro Sanchez, angrily criticised the comments of outspoken spokesperson for Esquerra Republicana (ERC) Gabriel Rufián. To a rapt audience, Mr Rufián said that if the world’s democracies were houses, Spain would surely be considered “a shanty,” and accused the Central Government of “protecting and even helping the king and the infantas of stealing vaccines.” The spokesperson was referring to the recent controversy surrounding the daughters of disgraced former Spanish king Juan Carlos I. The Infantas Elena and Cristina reportedly flew to Adu Dhabi to visit their father at the beginning of February and were vaccinated against coronavirus while there. It was not revealed whether his daughters received one or both doses of the vaccine, but according to the national vaccination strategy, Elena and Cristina are not eligible to receive the vaccine yet. Pedro Sanchez hit back at Mr Rufián, stating that while there are certainly things that could be improved within Spanish democracy, calling it a “shanty” was disrespectful. “Democracy is the footprint and memory of many people who died fighting against fascism and for freedom,” the Prime Minister said. “Let’s not call that a shack, Your Honour, for the memory and dignity of the generations that the different parties that are here represent.”
Super-fast travel CAPSULE: Has been on display at the Science Museum. FOUNDED in 2016, Valencian company Zeleros has taken a huge step forward with its futuristic ‘hyperloop’ vehicle, a means of transport which travels by suspending capsules capable of speeds between 1,000 and 1,200 kilometres per hour. The company’s revolutionary six-metre-long model has already been displayed at the Science Mu-
seum, and in October it will move to the prestigious Spanish pavilion at Expo Dubai. According to the founder and CEO of the company, David Pistoni, the concept of super-fast travel for people and goods is not a new concept, but recent technology means that the prototype could become a reality.
Changes to Highway Code SPAIN’S General Traffic Department (DGT) plans changes to the Highway Code. The main changes are to the points system on driving licences, which has been in place since 2005, and to roadside assistance rules, according to government spokesperson Maria Jesus Montero following the presentation of the changes to the Council of Ministers. The changes are most likely to come into effect before the end of this year. The main changes are as follows: Loss of points for driving while holding a mobile phone:
six points (up from the previous three points) with a fine of €200. Using a mobile phone while driving but not holding it leads to the loss of three points. Not using a seatbelt, car seat, helmet or other protection, or not using them properly: four points (up from three). Use of radar detectors: three points. Overtaking: It is no longer allowed for cars or motorbikes to travel at 20km/h over the speed limit when overtaking other vehicles on conventional roads. Time to restore the original 12 points if no offences are committed: two years (as long as not
all points have been lost). Two points can be recovered for doing DGT-certified safe driving courses. Use of unauthorised intercommunication devices during driving exams: €500 fine and six-month ban from taking the exam again. Transport companies: Will be able to access their staff’s details to check if they have a valid licence. Emergency triangles will be substituted by the V-16 beacon: the siren-like beacon can be placed on top of the vehicle without getting out of it. It will be obligatory in Spain from 2026.
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Gibraltar Vaccination Record GIBRALTAR has now be‐ come the first nation in the world to see its entire adult population vaccinat‐ ed against the coron‐ avirus. Speaking at the House of Commons Health Sec‐ retary Matt Hancock spoke of how the mile‐ stone had been reached in the British territory. Hancock said that, “I am delighted to be able to tell the house that yes‐ terday, Gibraltar became the first nation in the world to complete its en‐ tire adult vaccination pro‐ gramme. “I want to pay tribute to all Gibraltarians for their fortitude during this crisis and the kind words of first minister Fabian Pi‐ cardo, who said yesterday ‘the United Kingdom has played a blinder on vacci‐ nations and we are among the beneficiaries in the British family of na‐ tions.” According to the World Health Organisation since the start of the pandemic Gibraltar has been hit with just over 4,000 cases. The population of Gibraltar comes is around 34,000 people and 94 Gibraltarians have sadly died due to the virus.
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Valencia Wants Sputnik Pilgrimage Cancelled THE president of the Valencian Community, Ximo Puig, has tasked the Health Minister Ana Barcelo with requesting the use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine and the American Johnson & Johnson jab when the Interter‐ ritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS) met on Monday, March 22. “We want all possible resources to be
used and that is why we ask the government to study including these other vaccines in the portfolio of drugs against Covid‐ 19,” sources from the Presiden‐ cy confirmed. We must not for‐ get that by the end of April, “we have almost one million doses assured,” therefore, if this port‐ folio could be expanded with more drugs from Sputnik and
Johnson & Johnson, “we would be in a position to tackle a mass vaccination.” The president also confirmed that the vaccination of teaching staff will go ahead as planned next week, and that health au‐ thorities will redouble their ef‐ forts so that the process might be completed in four days rather than five.
Fake Western Look
CRITICS are accusing Shamima Begum of faking her new west‐ ern look to help her win her court battle to return to the UK. Ms Begum, 21, showed off her new look last week, posing for photographers at a refugee camp in Syria dressed in west‐ ern clothes in place of the headdress and full length clothes she was previously seen in after joining Daesh at the age of 15. Speaking in an interview she said she had changed, saying: “I would say to people in the UK, give me a second chance be‐ cause I was still young when I left.” Eilish O’Gara, a counter‐ter‐ rorism analyst with the Henry Jackson Society foreign policy think tank, said: “I would say her change of clothes are a soft tactic advised by her legal team to try to win back the hearts and minds of the British public.” However, Ms Begum’s lawyer said the claims were untrue.
SHAMIMA BEGUM: Is now dressing in a different fashion.
False Covid-19 Certificates GREATER MANCHESTER police have issued warnings that scammers are selling fake negative Covid‐19 test certificates in airports and online. The fraudsters have set up shop using high‐quality software and printers in order to be able to coun‐ terfeit coronavirus test certificates. So far arrests for counterfeit coronavirus tests have been made in countries including the UK, Brazil and in France. Currently it is illegal to travel abroad for a holiday unless you can prove that you have a legally permitted reason for the travel. When leaving England, a travel declaration form for in‐ ternational travel must be completed, and many countries re‐ quire a negative coronavirus test. Police have issued warnings stating that anyone found with a fake certificate is likely to be caught, could be arrested, fined or even banned from future travel with the airline.
THE Alicante City Council met on Monday, March 22 with representatives of Santa Faz and decided to suspend the annual pilgrimage and celebrate one mass behind closed doors instead. Santa Faz is traditionally celebrated on the Thursday after Easter week, and involves a pilgrimage known as La Peregrina of eight kilometres to the San Juan
monastery, where the piece of cloth that is said to have been used to wipe Christ’s face on the way to the Cross is kept. The councillors have discussed the possibility of holding a blessing for the entire city on the day, which would be limited in numbers and shown instead on a live broadcast on AlacantiTV.
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Nazi confiscation
A WATCH taken from a Catalan man by the Nazis has been re‐ turned after 70 years. The reunion came about af‐ ter a display of items taken from prisoners by the Nazis at Catalo‐ nia’s Memorial Museum of Ex‐ ile. Around a 10th of the objects in the Memorial Museum of Ex‐ ile belonged to Catalan and
Joan Llado was a Catalan exile.
Spanish victims, with 1,904 Catalans having been killed by the Nazis. Born in Manresa on Decem‐ ber 13, 1914, Joan Llado was a Catalan exile who fought during the Second World War. Shortly after leaving Spain following the Spanish Civil War, he was arrest‐ ed in France before being im‐ prisoned and dying.
Virtual Children’s Currency Vaccination Trials THE Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona and the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu are looking for healthy children and adolescents to participate in multicentre clinical trials on vaccines against the SARS‐CoV‐2 coronavirus. The study is currently looking for minors aged between five and 17 years of age. According to the Institute’s website, the objective of the research into the Covid vaccines is to establish its effective‐ ness in preventing the virus in children and adolescents. The safety and efficacy of these vaccines have already been proven in adults under strict safety measures, and they are currently being administered to the adult population of our country, the experts say.
THE Clickoin company in Huelva, has the technology to launch a ‘virtual wallet’ which will allow for social benefits to be con‐ trolled so they are used for the purpose for which they were in‐ tended. As reported in a local Andalucia news source, the money received has traceability and the system it‐ self stops it from being spent on any other. Those who put €50 into the vir‐ tual wallet receive €10 extra to spend in local businesses to help the economy.
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Arrest due to Blackmail NATIONAL POLICE arrested 57 people in Spain for allegedly blackmailing users of websites providing sexual services. The detainees, mainly operat‐ ing in Malaga, Madrid and Valen‐ cia, demanded amounts ranging from €100 to €80,000 from vic‐ tims and made up to €650,000. Their MO was to place false ads on sexual contacts’ websites. After the victims contacted them via an instant messaging applica‐ tion or phone calls, the person supposedly in charge of the brothel would restart the conver‐ sation a few days later and de‐ mand money for wasting their time by not coming to their ap‐ pointment with the girls. The victims were then intimi‐ dated and threatened so they paid up, thinking this would end the situation. However, they con‐ tinued to receive threats and de‐ mands for more money. They are charged with 243 crimes in total. Some of those col‐ lecting the money had been vic‐ tims and were forced to work for the criminals. Most of the de‐ tainees were from African coun‐ tries and Dominican Republic.
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A Very Happy Tail Jab Confidence
FIREFIGHTERS from the Con‐ sell de Ibiza spent hours rescu‐ ing a cat and a dog on Sunday morning, March 21 that fell in‐ to a well about 20 metres deep, according to officials. The distressed owner of one
of the animals contacted the Fire Station to report that their pet had become trapped when their dog was chasing the cat and both plummeted into the uncovered hole. A specialist of the Vertical
Rescue Group (GRV) of the Ibiza firefighters descended the 20‐metre drop to rescue the animals. Once the feline was secured, the officer went back down to get the dog, a 30 kilo Labrador called Lua. Officials reported that both animals were uninjured; by a stroke of luck, the well was dry, otherwise both the cat and dog would most likely have per‐ ished. After a three hour rescue, Lua was returned to her own‐ ers, while the cat was trans‐ ported to a rescue centre.
THE president of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology, Amos Rojas García has proposed that all politicians should be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca jab in order to increase the confidence of the public in the vaccination. Experts believe the image of the UK-developed jab has been severely damaged after its use was temporarily suspended following fears that it may lead to lifethreatening blood clots. The European Medicines Agency has assured that the
JAB: Safe and effective. jab is safe and effective, and Spain will begin reusing it on March 24. But Amós García Rojas, an epidemiologist and vaccinolo-
gist, has warned that unless drastic action is taken, Spaniards will begin refusing the controversial jab, as is already happening in the UK.
‘New Normal’ Decree THE Congress of Deputies in Spain on Wednesday, March 17 formal‐ ly approved the Draft Law of urgent prevention, containment and coordination measures to face the health crisis caused by Covid‐19, more commonly known as the decree of the ‘new normal’. The law was passed with 199 votes in favour, 91 against and 57 abstentions. One of the most important measures agreed upon is the obliga‐ tion of all those over the age of six to wear a mask in outdoor spaces, on public roads and in closed public spaces regardless of
whether a 1.5 metre distance can be maintained. With regard to manufacturers and holders of marketing authori‐ sations for those medicines considered essential in the manage‐ ment of coronavirus, the decree states that they must communi‐ cate to the Directorate of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) the available ‘stock’, the quantity supplied in the last week and the forecast of release and receipt of batches of them, including estimated dates and quantities.
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Uncovering Guardamar’s past
THE regional government is spending €700,000 on the archaeological sites located in Guardamar’s Dunes. Visiting the site, Antonia Moreno, the regional government’s Territorial director for Alicante, praised the “exceptional” work being carried out there to showcase Guardamar’s cultural heritage. Within months, once they had been made ac-
cessible, it would be possible to visit the Phoenician and Moorish remains at La Fonteta and the Rabita Califal respectively, Moreno said. “As soon as work is finished and they open to the public they will become a first-rate tourist attraction,” she predicted “These two sites are pinpointing the area as an archaeological reference in the western Mediterranean,” she added.
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Doll Inspiration IRISH toy company Lottie Dolls, has released their latest creation, a gorgeous Down’s Syndrome doll in order to mark World Down Syndrome Day. The doll was inspired by Rosie Barnett, from Wiltshire, who is
six years old and has Down’s syndrome. The new doll is called Rosie Boo. World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) was on March 21 and the new doll was released just ahead of time. Speaking of rais-
Pet Hate Pension Gambling Protest
THE Guardia Civil of Alicante has investigated a 20-year-old old man for abandoning a dog with both its front legs broken in the parking lot of an animal shelter. The five or six-month old puppy was left there after the shelter refused to accept it for adoption, instead urging the owner to bring it to a vet for treatment. The young man has been charged with a crime against a domestic animal. The following day, members of the shelter took him to a veterinary clinic in Alicante specialised in trauma, where he underwent surgery. The dog has been christened ‘Roto’, which means ‘broken’ and is currently recovering well from his injuries at the animal shelter while looking for a new home.
JUAN ANTONIO HERRANZ, the spokesman for the General Coordination of Pensioners of Madrid, led a protest of around 100 pensioners marched from Puerta del Sol to the Congress of Deputies of Madrid on Saturday March 20, armed with banners and placards, to demonstrate ‘in defence of the public pension system.’ Mr Herranz voiced his indignation at the progress of the Toledo pacts, which he claims “in no way guarantee decent pensions.” Calling on the general public, he said that through social mobilisation and the presence of the so-called alternative unions, the group wants people to realise that pensions “are not the exclusive problem of pensioners, but of the entire population, and therefore calls on society as a whole,” to support their cause.
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Suffers
THE Gaming Business Council, CeJuego, the main private gaming employer in Spain, has pleaded with the Generalitat Valenciana to open gambling venues and establishments in the region, as they are currently the only ones that remain closed in all of Spain. The council has argued that the closures, already at the two-month point, threaten the future of some 133 Valencian companies, amounting to 7,000 direct jobs in the community. The sector has estimated losses of €129 million to date. Owners of gambling institutions have argued that they should be allowed to open, even to a limited degree, since the measures were relaxed on Monday March 15 to allow the interiors of bars and restaurants to open.
ing awareness for Down’s Syndrome Rosie’s dad, Jason Kneen said, “We’re thrilled, at this time of year especially, that we can raise awareness for Down’s Syndrome and educate children on the differences that Down’s syndrome comes with, and what makes these kids special. “The nice thing about Lottie is that they’re very diverse and inclusive in terms of how they approach the design of the dolls. “'It’s incredibly powerful for kids to be able to see a doll in their likeness but equally it’s important that all kids have a diverse toy box.”
Inspired by Rosie Barnett.
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Refused schooling
THE parents of two children in As‐ turias are facing 11 months in prison for failing to take them to school due to the coronavirus pandemic. The children, aged 11 and 14, have not been to school or high school yet this academic year, the Public Prosecutor in Asturias has reported. The Minors’ Section of the Prosecutor’s Office has charged them with family abandonment and disobedience. A hearing was held on Decem‐ ber 14, in which the prosecutor re‐ minded them that home school‐
SCHOOL WORK: Was being done through distance learning. ing is not permitted in Spain. They were also told that repeatedly fail‐ ing to take their children to school could constitute a crime. Despite this, after the Christmas holidays, they were still not taken to school, the Prosecutor’s Office
Rise in number of foreign workers THE Spanish Ministry of Integration, Social Security, and Migration reveals that Moroccans top the list for the number of non-EU foreign workers registered with the Social Security. Data for the end of February this year shows that there were 264,304 Moroccans registered on the Social Security in Spain, followed by Chinese workers, with 97,064. The total number of foreigners affiliated to the Spanish Social Security system was revealed to be 2,053,997 people in February, which is 0.46 per cent more than in January. Out of all the foreign workers contributing to the Social Security in Spain, around 64 per cent are from non-EU countries. Romania is the EU country with the highest number of workers contributing to the Social Security, with 325,024, followed by Italy, with 120,515. The majority of the registered foreign workers from all country, both in the EU and non-EU, are men, with 57.25 per cent. Most of the workers are under the general regime, with 1.68 million, mainly in the agricultural sector (238,294) and domestic staff (164,168), while there are numerous self-employed workers (365,999) a figure which has risen 4.9 per cent since last year.
and the Department of Education confirmed, except on one occa‐ sion on which the older child went to take an exam. They appeared in court in February and a judge allowed the case to go ahead. Now, each of the parents is facing 11 months in prison, but remain firm in their de‐ cision. The Prosecutor’s Office consid‐ ers that their reasoning for not sending them to school is ‘inco‐ herent.’ They include the use of masks and social distancing, the parents said “the limitations on contact and movement imposed by the health measured derived from the pandemic prevent mo‐ tor and neurological development necessary for the cognitive capaci‐ ties vital to learning to be expand‐ ed.” They added that social dis‐ tancing causes a “lack of trust” while “prevent the development of empathy and social skills.” According to local Spanish news source El Comercio, the parents have said that seeing people with masks all the time prevents prop‐ er communication and integra‐ tion. They had registered the chil‐ dren in a distance learning system based in the USA that is not au‐ thorised in Spain.
NEWS
Huge Explosion AN explosion at a gov‐ ernment office in China has left several people dead. The explosion hap‐ pened at about 10am lo‐ cal time on Monday March 22 ‐ according to the local public security office. Harrowing footage from inside the building showed bodies lying un‐ derneath rubble and blood on the walls. One witness told Beijing Tou Tiao she was working when she heard an ex‐ plosion and the sound of glass smashing. “After the incident, Pa‐ nyu police quickly dis‐ patched personnel to the scene and coordinated with the local govern‐ ment to carry out rescue work with fire and medi‐ cal departments,” said the public security office. The wounded were taken to the hospital for treatment, and the police are now fully investigat‐ ing the case.
Snow Day in Alicante
DURING an unnaturally cold period for the Costa Blanca, some afternoon classes in the Alicante city of Banyeres had to be can‐ celled due to heavy snowfall in the region. The entire interior of the province was on alert for very cold temperatures and snow on Thursday afternoon, March 18, with the storm sweeping through the coast by the middle of the weekend.
NEWS
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Limited PPE For Elections
THE Community of Madrid has confirmed that it will not provide full personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to staff working at their polling stations during the May 4 elections despite the high incidences of coronavirus still occurring there. The regional government has instead issued recommendations on safety measures for voters and will provide all staff with
two FFP2 masks which will be replaced every eight hours, a face shield and disposable gloves. The government has also published recommended voting times for each population, reserving the morning slot between 10 and 12 for people over 65 and the vulnerable, while the last hour, from 7pm to 8pm will be for people who
Most Popular Destination
EXPERTS said Spain is “the top destination booked by UK travellers on Skyscanner immediately following recovery roadmap announcements, with the most popular outbound month being August.” It said: “The top booked destinations in Spain are Malaga, Palma and Ibiza. “Spain has historically been the top searched destination by UK travellers on Skyscanner.” According to the experts, prices for holidays to Spain are currently up to 25 per cent lower during summer than they were last year. Spain sees an average of 18.01 million UK tourists arrive each year, with figures showing tourists are set to return. The news comes after Spain’s tourism minister said the government could begin rolling out vaccine passports in May and that Spain was eager to be a pioneer in introducing the immunity passports and confirmed her ministry was actively pursuing the idea.
have coronavirus only. In addition, hand sanitiser will be available at all polling stations and strict entry and exit routes will be marked out. Voters will be able to download an app which shows the numbers at the stations in real time and so avoid any potential crowds.
Super Nintendo CHILDREN and adults were delighted as the world’s first Super Nintendo World opened in Japan’s Osaka last week. Universal Studios Japan invited guests to join Mario and other Nintendo characters that they had grown up with while playing video games. Fans quickly lined up to get pictures with their favourite Nintendo characters includ‐ ing Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad. Many of the fans were even dressed head to toe as their favourite char‐ acters.
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FEATURE
Beware of the administration right of rights of first refusal and withdrawal in the Valencian Community IN today’s article we are going to talk about Decree‐Law 6/2020, for the expansion of public housing through the rights of first refusal and with‐ drawal in the Valencian Com‐ munity. The right of first refusal According to the aforemen‐ tioned rule, a pre‐emption or first refusal is conferred to the Generalitat Valenciana. Which means, a preference over third parties for the purchase of properties. That is, they have the right to buy it by paying the sale price. And the administration must be notified prior to the sale. The right of withdrawal Likewise, the aforemen‐ tioned norm recognises the right of withdrawal in favour of the authorities of the Valen‐ cian Community. Which means, the right to acquire the property that has been sold, without complying with the notification obligations men‐ tioned above, etc. I. Preferential right over offi‐
cially protected housing These rights of first refusal and withdrawal of the Gener‐ alitat are recognised, in rela‐ tion to public protection hous‐ ing, in accordance with this law, as long as said official pro‐ tection qualification is main‐ tained. An official protection home is one that has normally been promoted by the public admin‐ istration, and that is normally for people with fewer eco‐ nomic resources, having a lim‐ ited price, etc. Normally this regimen has a limited time du‐ ration. According to this rule, and the subsequent circular about its interpretation, it has been clarified that it cannot be ac‐ quired preferably by the ad‐ ministration, in the case of in‐ heritances, or gifts in favour of descendants, ascendant’s spouse or partner, except
when the dwelling is not going to be used as the habitual and permanent residence of the new owner. Duration of these rights. In these cases, the Generalitat will be the owner of the rights of first refusal and withdrawal for the transmissions made during the entire period of va‐ lidity of the official protection regime. Permanent qualification. The dwellings that are ac‐ quired in the exercise of these preferential acquisition rights, by the administration, will be classified as permanently pro‐ tected homes. II. Rights on singular trans‐ missions Likewise, these rights, in ad‐ dition to officially protected housing, will also apply (with some specialities) to a series of singular transmissions. These are described in arti‐
Carlos Baos (Lawyer) - White&Baos Tel: +34 966 426 185 info@white-baos.com White & Baos 2021 - All Rights Reserved.
cle 10. That is, they will also have preferential acquisition rights in relation to the proper‐ ties that: ‐ Have been acquired through transfer in payment of debt guaranteed with a mort‐ gage. ‐ Those acquired in a court process of foreclosure or in an extra court sale procedure in a notary’s office. ‐ Transmissions of buildings, with a minimum of five dwellings, when at least 80 per cent of said building is trans‐ mitted. As an essential requirement, the dwellings must be located in the municipalities included in the areas of housing need. Therefore, if you want to know about the rights of first refusal and withdrawal in the Valencian Community. Or if you are going to acquire or sell a property in Spain, contact us for expert specialised legal ad‐ vice: www.white‐baos.com. You can also stay informed on our FACEBOOK.
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NEWS
Spain Legalises Euthanasia Money raised for teacher
THE euthanasia law was approved by the Congress of Deputies in Spain on Thursday, March 18 following the support of the majority of parliamentary groups, with the exception of VOX, the Partido Popular, Foro Asturias and UPN. With the favourable vote, Spain has be-
come the fourth country in Europe and the sixth in the world to legalise the practice. The law will be published in the Official State Boletin this month and will allow legal access to assisted death to Spanish nationals and residents from June this year. The euthanasia law will allow
those of legal age suffering from ‘a serious and incurable disease’ or a ‘serious, chronic and incapacitating condition’ which causes ‘constant and intolerable physical or psychological suffering’ request help to die. Only those considered to be capable and aware of their decision by a medical professional will be allowed to access the law, and each autonomous community will be tasked with setting up an Evaluation and Monitoring Committee to ensure that this regulation is strictly adhered to. The new law covers both assisted suicide, for patients who are capable of ending their own lives, and euthanasia in cases where a medical professional must carry out the procedure. The process can be carried out in a hospital or private home, but minors will definitely not be euthanised. While autonomous communities will be obliged to ensure the service is available to those who wish to avail of it, the law will stipulate health care workers have the ‘individual right not to meet those demands for health action regulated in this law incompatible with their own convictions.’
A STUDENT from California, USA, has raised more than €22,000 for a former teacher who he discovered was living in his car. Jose Villarruel, who was forced to resign in May 2020, received the gift on his 77th birthday thanks to a former
student who discovered that he was living in his car due to the closure of schools during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Steven Nava saw his for‐ mer teacher parked in the same place for several days and asked him why. He gave
him $300 (€250) and launched a campaign on Go Fund Me, with which he raised the money in just six days. He tweeted about his aim to help the former teach‐ er and got a huge amount of support.
Speed Fiend Breaks Record
TEACHER: Was forced out of work during the pandemic.
POLICE in Barcelona couldn’t believe their eyes last week when a high‐end BMW was clocked travelling at an eye‐ watering 256 km per hour on the AP‐7 motorway outside Tarragona. As well as driving at more than twice the speed limit, the 48‐year‐old Spanish man was found to have been under the influence of cocaine at the time he was caught. The Mossos d’Esquadra reported that the man sped at 120kph zone where there wasn’t much traffic, and accord‐ ing to a photo posted to their official social media account, the suspect was driving a BMW M2 CS with a 450‐horse‐ power six cylinder twin‐turbo engine. The speed fiend from Olerdola in Barcelona could now face a prison sentence of between six months and two years, a suspension from driving for up to two years, as well as a hefty fine for the drug charges, reckless driving and crimes against road safety.
NEWS
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Why it’s time to ‘think local’ for your financial planning Just as UK citizens lost automatic EU freedom of movement on 1 January, many UK financial businesses lost the right to provide banking and investment services within the EU. If you are Spanish resident but still use a UK bank account, other financial products or a UKbased financial adviser, make sure you check where you – and your money – stand. UK financial services and Brexit Before Brexit, UK firms could legally provide financial services to Britons living in the EU through ‘passporting’, which included a commitment to meet EU minimum standards and consumer protections. Now that the UK is free to make its own rules those passporting rights have been withdrawn. As a result, some UK firms – including banks, insurance companies, investment providers and financial advisers – could be breaking the law by working with EU residents. Whether this affects all UK
By James Johnson, Associate Partner, Blevins Franks
firms depends on various factors, including how a company is structured and where it is based. Those with headquarters in an EU country can retain their passporting licence and operate as before. However, wholly UK-based firms supporting EU-resident clients will likely need to restructure and form agreements with the financial regulators for each EU/EEA country they operate in. Negotiations on financial services are ongoing, so the
UK and EU may still reach an agreement. Some companies may be holding out for this; others have already withdrawn from EU markets. Some major UK banks have informed EU-based clients they can no longer provide services and closed accounts. Others have kept accounts/policies open but suspended activity or allow them to run until the end of their term. How might this affect you? If you hold a British bank account, insurance policy, investment or other financial product and your provider hasn’t contacted you, ask them what arrangements they have in place for Spain. If your account hasn’t been closed, is it frozen? In some cases, while EU citizens can retain accounts and make withdrawals, you may be restricted from adding or moving funds or renewing policies. If you still use a UK-based financial adviser, check they are licensed to support you as
a Spanish resident. Besides the legal implications – and whether you are protected if things go wrong – some EU financial institutions have stopped accepting instructions from UK-based providers which could significantly limit your planning options. Post-Brexit financial planning for Spain Besides the financial services issue, there are other key benefits to thinking more local for your finances. Still holding on to UK investments? Now that UK assets are no longer EU/EEA assets, they could attract a higher tax bill within the EU. Own UK property? EU residents remain in the firing line for UK stamp duty and capital gains tax. Meanwhile, Spanish residents have access to opportunities that can offer better tax-efficiency and other benefits. What about UK pensions? You may be better off leaving them in the UK and drawing income as needed. UK pension income can still be paid into
an EU account, but it is paid in sterling so the value could be adversely affected by exchange rates and costs. Explore whether you may benefit from transferring funds out of the UK into a tax-efficient structure for Spain. Doing so could also unlock currency flexibility and estate planning benefits, but take regulated advice. It has never been more important to ensure your financial arrangements are compliant and suitable for your life in Spain. A specialist, locallybased adviser is best placed to help you take advantage of suitable opportunities here and secure financial peace of mind. Blevins Franks accepts no liability for any loss resulting from any action or inaction or omission as a result of reading this article, which is general in nature and not specific to your circumstances. You can find other financial advisory articles by visiting our website here www.blevins franks.com.
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NEWS
First Cross-Transplant Elton slams Vatican stance IN a history making trans‐ plant for Spain, a young girl has received a kidney cross‐ transplant. The pioneering surgery was carried out at the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu along with the Hospital Clínic.
This is the first paediatric kidney transplant of its type which has taken place in Spain between people that have blood groups which are incompatible. The surgery was performed by the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Es‐
plugues de Llobregat, and the Hospital Clínic in Barcelona. The hospitals explained that they were successfully able to take an adult kidney from a patient in Sevilla and transplant it into an eight‐ year‐old girl who lives in Es‐ plugues, Candela. The girl has suffered with kidney is‐ sues since she was only 20 months old. The young girl previously had a kidney transplant when she was four years old but sadly though, after only 24 hours the kidney devel‐ oped thrombosis and the young girl had to spend a further four years using dial‐ ysis. The cross‐transplant pro‐ gramme saw the girl’s father happily donate a kidney to the recipient in Sevilla. Cross‐transplantation, often referred to as a domino transplants involves two or more incompatible donors ‐ recipients which then create a domino effect of trans‐ plants.
THE multiple Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Elton John vented his anger on social media after Pope Francis decreed the Catholic Church cannot bless same-sex unions. The iconic singer criticised the Vatican for investing millions in his 2019 biopic that celebrated his love story with husband David Furnish. The furious legendary musician hit out at the church’s recently-announced position on LGBT unions, and tweeted: “How can the Vatican refuse to bless gay marriages because they ‘are sin,’ yet happily make a profit from investing millions in ‘Rocketman’ - a film which celebrates my finding happiness from my marriage to David??” According to NewsWeek, the Vatican reportedly invested large sums of money into the production, citing $1.2 million (€1.01 million) going towards financing Rocketman ahead of its release. Rocketman was celebrated in most parts of the world - win-
ANGRY: Elton John with husband, David Furnish. ning John and longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin an Oscar for Best Original Song and grossing $195 million (€164 million) globally - but its gay content also generated controversy in Russia and Samoa. The 73-year-old singer’s statement regarding the Vatican’s stance comes after the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith (CDF), said on Monday, March 15, that the Church doesn’t have the power to bless same-sex unions and therefore such blessings cannot ‘be considered illicit’ if carried out. The Pope said “it was not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination, but rather a reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite.”
Off-Duty Cop Risks Life AN off‐duty National Police officer belonging to the Special Operations Group (GOES) risked his life on Wednesday (March 17) to rescue a worker who was stuck on a detached cradle on the 12th floor of a tower block building in Valencia. The incident occurred at around 9am when the officer responded to the employee’s calls for help, and even upon seeing how risky the situation was, with the broken cradle hanging precariously on just one wire, the brave officer entered the building and made his way up to the corresponding floor to try
and give assistance to the stranded worker. With no fear or doubt about the dangerous predicament he was placing himself in, the officer first used a cable to secure himself before reaching down to grab the workman’s hand and haul him up to safety. The actions of this brave officer, even while off‐ duty, just goes to show the respect they give to their badge when they join the force, pledging to dedicate themselves to the safety and the lives of the public during times of danger.
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NEWS
Boy goes to Court
THE Home Office has been taken to the High Court by a five‐year‐old black British boy who is arguing that fami‐ lies like his are being racially discriminated against when they are denied access to benefits. The boy’s lawyers on Wednesday March 17 argued
in court that the no recourse to public funds (NRPF) policy put in place by the Home Of‐ fice is unlawful as it denies access to benefits for some groups of migrants. Adam Hundt, a partner at Deighton Pierce Glynn solici‐ tors, who are representing the young boy said, “This
European Tree of the Year
AN ancient holm oak in the small town of Lecina, in Huesca, has been declared European Tree of the Year. The tree, which is more than 1,000 years old, had already received an award at a national level, before competing with another 13 trees from throughout the continent. It won hands down in a vote held online, the results of which were announced on Wednesday, March 17. The holm oak in Lecina, a tiny town, received 104,264 votes, almost 30,000 more than the runner‐up, a Banana tree in Curinga, Italy. Over the centuries it has given shade and shelters to many, and is now around 16.5 metres tall and its branches spread over an area of 615m2.
policy is creating an under‐ class of black British children, which is outrageous. “The only reason the five‐ year‐old boy in this case is being treated differently from his white friends is be‐ cause his mum came to the UK from somewhere else. We are asking the court for the policy to be quashed and for a public inquiry into NRPF.” The Home Office have de‐ fended the policy and a spokesperson explained that, “The policy of no re‐ course to public funds has been upheld by successive governments, and maintains that those seeking to estab‐ lish their family life in the UK must do so on a basis that prevents burdens on the tax‐ payer and promotes integra‐ tion. People with leave under family and human rights routes can apply, free of charge, to have no recourse to public funds conditions lifted.”
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FEATURE
Advertising Feature
Why Not Bar? Is back BENIDORM’S hugely popular Why Not Bar? is back, and bigger and more wel‐ coming than ever. After 12 months of forced closure due to the pandemic, the karaoke bar and terrace ‐ one of five Yorkshire Pride bars in Benidorm ‐ has reopened and is eagerly waiting to welcome you. Determined to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with the bar’s scores of loyal regu‐ lars, Paige opened the doors to the fam‐ ily‐run Yorkshire Pride bar on Monday, March 15, and unveiled a spacious new terrace which seats 80 at socially dis‐ tanced tables. “We opened our terrace next door to the original karaoke bar literally three days before lockdown. We ripped ev‐ erything out and had new rejas and blinds put in just days before we and all the other bars were forced to close. “We reopened on Monday and Tuesday was our first full day in a year. More people came than we ex‐ pected, lots of regulars who came to
TAD & PAIGE: “We can’t wait to welcome everybody back.” show their support.” Yorkshire Pride opened in Benidorm in 1994, and is run solely by Paige and her father Tad, who has built up the chain from scratch. “Dad is the face of Yorkshire Pride, everybody knows Tad,” said Paige. “I look after all of the office and adminis‐
trative side of things and run this bar.” Excited at getting back to business, Paige added: “It was really important for us to get back to business, and opening our new terrace is a major step, it means we can connect the two, one which specialises in the karaoke and the front bar.”
Along with karaoke, Why Not Bar? is kitted out with cinema and small TVs to screen all the big live sports games. “We are so excited to be back. We could have opened earlier but it was dif‐ ficult with the capacity restrictions. Now we have such a large terrace we can open with all safety measures in place
and welcome a lot more customers.” Prior to lockdown, St Patrick’s Day marked the start of the season in Benidorm, and Why Not Bar? was packed to the rafters year in, year out. But while this year, celebrations are lower key, the welcome is as big as ev‐ er. “After such a terrible year for every‐ one, in which we did everything we could to look after our 60 staff, it’s unre‐ al to be able to open and get back to some sort of normal. “We have built up a great reputation and are looking forward to the future. It’s not as busy as we are used to, but at least it’s something, we have to take it step by step.” All health and safety measures are in place, tables are socially distanced, masks are obligatory when not seated, hand gel is provided, and tables and chairs are cleaned constantly. Paige added: “We are here and can’t wait to welcome everybody back.”
Why Not Bar? is open every day from 10am to 6pm. Follow Why Not Bar? on Facebook to stay up-to-the-minute with what’s going on.
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NEWS
New ‘H’ plates
THE General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is working with the Spanish Federation of Antique Vehicles (FEVA) to change the legislation of classic cars ‐ those that are over 20 years old. The measure, which has
not yet been made official, will see the letter ‘H’ added to the end of registration plates, to indicate that it is an older/classic vehicle. The change is expected to apply to around six million cars and mopeds in Spain,
Ski resort forced to close
THE Navacerrada ski resort in Madrid has confirmed that it has been forced to close for good. The Puerto de Navacerrada, the company which manages the facilities, confirmed that despite talks with the govern‐ ment to attempt to find another solution, it will have to close, leaving hundreds of people jobless. Staff had hoped that there would be negotiations so that the pistes not affected by the government’s environmental position for not renewing the concession could remain open, but this hasn’t been the case. The company calls the decision “political” and “arbitrary” and considers that it lacks foundation, while adding that the closure will not help the surrounding area, as the ski resort is part of the heritage of the Sierra de Guadarrama area as well as being its financial engine.
which have also recently been targeted by regulatory changes in environmental matters in Madrid. According to FEVA, a meeting was held with the DGT on February 25 with the aim of ‘improving the legis‐ lation on collector vehicles.’ “FEVA’s objective is to simplify and reduce the cost of the historical registration process so that no vehicle is left out of it depending on its value,” said FEVA in a statement. FEVA said adapting licence plates is a necessary mea‐ sure in view of the latest en‐ vironmental regularisations which centre around the age of a vehicle. “With the new licence plate, the first step is taken to find a new specific legisla‐ tion for these types of cars and motorcycles. Another of FEVA’s objectives is to avoid the current environmental label that limits the circula‐ tion of the most polluting vehicles.”
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Drunk Driving instructor LOCAL POLICE in Sevilla were forced to intervene when a driving instructor wanted to teach a lesson while drunk. At around 11.15am on Wednesday, March 17, the 46-year-old man met with his student. He fully intended to teach the lesson, but when the woman saw the state he was in, she refused to start, which led to an argument. A resident in the area who was passing by, witnessed the scene and approached the vehicle. He had already seen the instructor leaving a bar before he got to the car. When he saw the state of the in-
Man was not fit to drive. structor, he removed the car keys and called the Local Police. Officers immediately arrived on the scene and saw that the man was obviously drunk. He was given a breathalyser test which showed that he was six times over the legal alcohol limit.
Mercadona Jobs RETAIL giant Mercadona has announced the creation of a range of new jobs throughout the country in the run‐up to Easter and summer 2021. The company is currently sourcing staff for various establish‐ ments and positions all across Spain and full details of all the avail‐ able opportunities can be found on the Mercadona website. The main positions on offer are for supermarket staff to serve at the tills and replenish stock, while the company is also recruit‐ ing warehouse personnel.
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PRINCESS Leonor first solo engagement P R I N C ES S of Asturias, Leonor, will preside over her very first solo engagement next week as she commemo‐ rates the 30th anniversary of the Instituto Cervantes, the royal household announced on Thursday, March 18. Arranged by her father King Felipe VI, the event will see the princess taking a tour of the facilities at the Institu‐ to Cervantes, where she will have the opportunity to learn about the digitalisation pro‐ jects that it carries out and to visit an exhibition with a sample of outstanding works of literature in the different languages of Spain. The official engagement may be one of the only cere‐ monies the 15‐year‐old princess takes part in as she is set to fly to Wales at the end of the summer to begin studying the International Baccalaureate programme of the United World Colleges (UWC) educational institu‐ tion at the UWC Atlantic Col‐ lege.
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EUROPEAN PRESS
EUROPEAN NIBS DENMARK
FRANCE
Sugardating
Repatriated painting
A SURVEY undertaken by research centre VIVE on 1,732 people aged between 18 and 30 discovered that 50 per cent believe that it is acceptable to agree to sugardate which is defined as a young person having sex for money or gifts with somebody considerably older.
A GUSTAV KLIMT painting purchased in auction by the Musée d’Orsay in Paris in 1980 is to be returned to the descendants of original Jewish owner Nora Stiasny who was forced to sell it to a Nazi sympathiser after the Germans invaded Austria in 1938.
NETHERLANDS Janssen vaccine
NORWAY Allowed out
THE Dutch health council has recommended that the single dose Janssen vaccine developed in Holland by Johnson and Johnson should be given to the over 60s and those at risk from medical problems. The vaccine is said to be 66 per cent effective.
UNLIKE many European governments who allow ministers to travel abroad, Norway has only now granted an exemption to its Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide, allowing her to travel to a NATO meeting in Brussels where she will meet new US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
BELGIUM
FINLAND
Space cheese
5G boost
A FARM in Flanders, ‘t Groendal, thought it was being hoaxed when contacted to supply cheese to NASA but eventually accepted that American astronaut Shannon Walker had chosen as one of her ‘luxuries’ to take some of their cheese on board the International Space Station.
TECHNOLOGY giant Nokia has announced that it will reduce its international workforce by up to 10,000 people in order to reduce costs by an expected €600 million, but will recruit additional staff at its Finnish HQ in order to expand its 5G capability.
GERMANY
SWEDEN
No segregation
Tested positive
FOR more than 50 years, Germany has opened special workshops to employ people with physical or mental disabilities, but now they are under threat from both the UN and EU due to policy that disabled people should not be segregated but be assimilated into the workforce.
CROWN PRINCESS Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden tested positive for Covid-19 and although the Royal Court confirmed that they were only suffering from mild symptoms, the royal couple along with their two children were immediately quarantined in their home.
FINANCE Tax repayment THE Spanish Supreme Court has sided with the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund (which invests more than €1 trillion of income generated by the countries oil and gas income) by agreeing that the Spanish Government must refund tax on dividends earned from shareholdings in Spain.
Inditex LATEST breakdown of Inditex profits in 2020 show that Spain continues to be far and away its largest market accounting for 46 per cent of profits which amounted to €640 million before tax but in the USA, it actually found business difficult with turnover dropping significantly.
Rapid inflation FOLLOWING in the footsteps of Zimbabwe and before that Germany between the wars, the Venezuelan Government is having to introduce larger and larger bank notes to cope with out-of-control inflation, with the latest being a 200,000 bolivar note in a country rich in oil.
Bank mergers ONCE again, Pablo Hernández de Cos, Governor of the Bank of Spain has publicly stated that he believes that in order to survive in a post-Covid world, Spanish banks need to strengthen their balance sheets and to do this, must look to merge with other banks.
Loot boxes THE growth in the sale of video games has also seen the introduction of paid for reward areas known as loot boxes which may contain special prizes. The Spanish Government considers that this is a form of gambling and is particularly worried about the early introduction of young players into the concept of paying to gamble for a special prize or gift. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is therefore inviting the public and industry insiders to give their opinions on how to regulate and perhaps tax these games.
STAT OF WEEK
www.euroweeklynews.com • 25 - 31 March 2021
€400 million
is the amount that Santander Bank’s investment arm Mouro Capital has available to assist Fintech and companies in other sectors to expand.
Facial recognition
IATA wants a Spanish plan THE International Air Trans‐ port Association (IATA) has called on the government and politicians in Spain to agree a roadmap to restart air transport services once the health situation permits. The travel restrictions and quarantine measures intro‐ duced have dramatically af‐ fected air traffic to and from Spain meaning that demand in 2020 fell by 72 per cent. Tourism accounts for 12 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) and some 82 per cent of tourists arrive by air. The wider economy also benefits from aviation‐en‐ abled trade and business ac‐ tivity including the impor‐ tant international conference and trade fair sector, in which Spain is a global leader. IATA believes that Spain’s recovery cannot materialise without a restart of tourism and aviation, which means implementing policies which open up the country and enables trav‐
LEGALLY SPEAKING
ellers to avoid quarantine. It is vital that govern‐ ments manage the risk of importing Covid‐19 cases while ensuring travel is safe and vaccination and testing play a central role as they represent the best measures to give confidence to both governments and passen‐ gers. One way of doing this is to offer quick, easy and low‐ cost options for testing and increasing the roll‐out of vaccinations.
“We recognise that the government has a difficult balancing act between un‐ locking the economy and safeguarding public health. We are not demanding a date for border restrictions to be lifted. But Prime Minis‐ ter Pedro Sánchez and all policymakers in Spain must agree a vision for how inter‐ national travel can and will be restarted as the pandem‐ ic ends,” commented Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Region‐ al Vice President for Europe.
Budget black hole
Was their AGM legal? Our bowls club has split into two parts. The original club, by majority vote, has moved to new premises, taking with them all the club funds that amount to €25,000, all the equip‐ ment and all the assets. This was agreed by an email voting system at our AGM in October 2020. 1) Is it or is it not legal to use an email voting sys‐ tem for an AGM in the case of sports clubs? 2) Do Members who voted against the move have a right to any of the funds taken away? 3) Can those who carried out an illegal AGM voting system be sued for any part of the money taken? 4) In our Constitution it states that two‐thirds of ‘Members Present’ are required to amend our Con‐ stitution. The vote carried but was 5 per cent short of two‐thirds. T J (Costa Blanca)
DAVID SEARL
Voting by email is not ‘legal’. YOU AND THE LAW However, those IN SPAIN who lost the illegal election have little claim on the winners of it. Perhaps you can impugn the re‐ sults of the entire meeting. I urge you to consult a local lawyer who is versed in association legalities.
Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.
EARLIER this year, Spanish clothing retailer Mango confirmed its commitment to being part of a more re‐ sponsible fashion industry by innovative use of sus‐ tainable processes. Its new denim collection saved 30 million litres of water and appealed not just to men and women but
Credit: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street flickr
BUSINESS EXTRA
28
Rishi Sunak with his red budget dispatch box. THE UK Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) considers that it has found a £4 billion (€4.5 bil‐ lion) ‘black hole’ in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s March budget figures. It says that the budget was not short of spending an‐ nouncements primarily aimed at support for individuals and businesses who have been ad‐ versely affected by the pan‐ demic, but little was said about spending on public services. Most of the decisions about this were made in the Novem‐ ber spending review, but the IFS suggests that buried in the Budget document and unmen‐ tioned in the Chancellor’s speech to the House, was a £4
billion a year cut to depart‐ ments’ non‐virus budgets from 2022−23 onwards, on top of the £10 to £13 billion cut from those spending plans in November. Whilst the Office for Budget Responsibility announced that overall cuts for so called ‘un‐ protected departments’ amounted to just 1 per cent, the IFS insists that the cuts amount to at least 3 per cent and possibly more. There seem to be two op‐ tions, either increase taxation or allow the cuts to go ahead which could hurt the govern‐ ment’s reputation if the amount is as large as the IFS believes.
Lower impact was rolled out for children as well. Now as part of its recognition that things have changed since the onset of the pandemic, it
is now launching its sec‐ ond new sporting line which is adapted to the growing need to wear more comfortable cloth‐ ing for being at home and
for practising sport. One of the key new fea‐ tures is that there are no knitted garments; instead, seamless finishes and lightweight fabrics pre‐
WHILST technology may be a boom to many, when it doesn’t work properly it can mean the loss of livelihood and serious problems according to the App Drivers & Couriers Union (AD‐ CU). In concert with the Worker In‐ fo Exchange, it has asked Mi‐ crosoft to suspend Uber’s li‐ cence to use its facial recognition and worker surveillance systems in the UK. It argues that as was demon‐ strated in the USA, there are er‐ rors of up to 20 per cent of tests on people of colour and this has already led to at least one driver in the UK being turned down by Uber and temporarily losing their TfL licence.
IAG needs funds WHILST rumours of im‐ pending bankruptcy are probably far from the mark, IAG is trying to raise anoth‐ er £1 billion (€1.15 billion) on the Dublin Stock Ex‐ change. The owner of British Air‐ ways, Iberia and Vueling raised £2.75 billion (€3.15 billion) in September of last year, but now needs to take into account losses from Aer Lingus, its other airline, of €563 million. There will be two bond issues, each of £500 million (€575 million) which it be‐ lieves it needs in order to increase liquidity and with‐ stand any prolonged down‐ turn in air travel dominate, which are com‐ bined with comfortably styled garments. The collection is de‐ signed to be worn for a wide range of sports disci‐ plines related to physical and mental well‐being in‐ cluding yoga, dance, medi‐ tation and pilates, as well as running.
30 EWN
www.euroweeklynews.com
25 - 31 March 2021
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C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 22
COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) 3I Group 1.148,00 1.149,00 Admiral Group 2.975,0 2.984,0 Anglo American 2.833,4 2.838,5 Antofagasta 1.746,94 1.756,00 Ashtead Group 4.298,5 4.310,0 Associated British Foods 2.398,0 2.409,0 AstraZeneca 7.197,3 7.214,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 574,41 575,00 Avast 477,40 478,00 Aveva 3.421,0 3.442,0 Aviva 395,20 395,95 B&M European Value Retail SA546,60 549,20 BAE Systems 486,90 493,20 Bank VTB DRC 0,981 0,982 Barclays 184,70 184,94 Barratt Developments 766,44 776,50 Berkeley 4.347,6 4.413,6 BHP Group 2.067,50 2.072,00 BP 304,69 305,60 British American Tobacco 2.783,0 2.786,4 British Land Company 512,80 516,20 BT Group 146,18 147,15 Bunzl 2.279,7 2.279,7 Burberry Group 2.043,0 2.052,0 Carnival 1.656,0 1.682,0 Centrica 52,82 52,92 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.239,0 2.280,0 Compass 1.452,10 1.465,14 CRH 3.266,0 3.269,0 Croda Intl 6.244,0 6.252,0 DCC 6.234,0 6.258,3 Diageo 2.975,5 2.993,5 DS Smith 399,10 400,20 EasyJet 932,58 953,21 Experian 2.430,0 2.431,0 Ferguson 8.698,0 8.702,0 Flutter Entertainment 16.890,0 16.879,9 Fresnillo 953,80 960,00 GlaxoSmithKline 1.296,60 1.304,60 Glencore 283,00 283,45 Halma 2.240,5 2.241,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.528,00 1.550,83 Hikma Pharma 2.203,76 2.220,12 HSBC 428,68 429,00 IAG 196,93 200,54 Imperial Brands 1.458,81 1.461,23 Informa 581,80 588,00 InterContinental 4.924,0 4.955,0 Intermediate Capital 1.876,00 1.877,00 Intertek 5.398,0 5.410,0 ITV 124,88 125,05
% CHG. 1.135,50 2.956,0 2.754,3 1.714,00 4.243,0 2.369,0 7.129,0 569,50 470,00 3.410,0 389,45 542,00 481,20 0,963 178,72 757,50 4.347,6 2.028,00 301,50 2.760,9 509,40 143,00 2.237,0 2.029,0 1.600,5 51,90 2.236,0 1.440,30 3.208,0 6.188,0 6.202,0 2.954,5 394,20 892,95 2.399,0 8.438,0 16.670,0 945,00 1.292,00 276,60 2.219,0 1.516,24 2.202,08 425,40 188,97 1.443,25 576,00 4.834,0 1.837,00 5.358,0 122,81
NET VOL 137,63K 45,27K 36,35K 35,72K 8,49K 34,87K 60,57K 11,89K 667,44K 17,76K 423,61K 166,70K 946,66K 426,38K 2,25M 60,15K 2,93K 626,57K 1,90M 50,62K 140,43K 4,46M 9,96K 133,66K 884,56K 581,16K 108,64K 28,90K 222,92K 13,80K 1,66K 285,63K 176,63K 1,31M 9,33K 37,25K 0,28K 206,82K 814,36K 3,06M 50,87K 82,29K 5,23K 615,78K 13,44M 39,04K 1,26M 82,17K 50,91K 17,59K 349,45K
COMPANY
PRICE(P)
J Sainsbury Johnson Matthey Land Securities Legal & General Lloyds Banking London Stock Exchange Meggitt Melrose Industries Mondi National Grid NatWest Group Next Norilskiy Nikel ADR Ocado Persimmon Phoenix Prudential Reckitt Benckiser Relx Rentokil Rightmove Rio Tinto PLC Rolls-Royce Holdings Rosneft DRC Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell A Royal Dutch Shell B RSA Insurance Sage Samsung Electronics DRC Sberbank Schroders Scottish Mortgage Segro Severn Trent Smith & Nephew Smiths Group Spirax-Sarco Engineering SSE St. James’s Place Standard Chartered Standard Life Aberdeen Taylor Wimpey Tesco Tui Unilever United Utilities Vodafone Group PLC Whitbread WPP
243,44 2.984,6 678,80 275,70 41,62 7.202,0 478,71 172,12 1.840,50 843,12 196,90 7.864,0 30,31 2.036,80 2.935,0 713,90 1.524,00 6.384,0 1.784,50 486,00 578,15 5.429,2 113,47 7,45 1.481,8 1.481,01 1.410,4 680,80 585,60 1.811,00 15,47 3.519,0 1.115,67 893,40 2.247,0 1.354,50 1.474,00 11.120,0 1.415,80 1.254,00 489,40 291,30 180,47 227,38 381,15 3.955,8 890,24 133,18 3.277,8 931,00
CHANGE(P)
% CHG.
NET VOL
244,54 2.985,9 694,30 277,47 41,67 7.220,0 486,57 172,75 1.844,50 845,00 197,60 7.978,0 30,39 2.060,99 2.964,0 716,58 1.533,00 6.394,0 1.785,00 488,30 580,96 5.437,8 115,85 7,54 1.483,4 1.483,40 1.413,2 681,00 586,60 1.814,00 15,47 3.519,0 1.139,29 913,20 2.257,0 1.365,00 1.479,09 11.120,0 1.421,20 1.254,38 490,30 291,30 181,35 228,72 385,74 3.977,9 893,84 133,86 3.296,0 932,90
242,50 2.941,0 677,20 273,35 40,43 7.118,0 470,98 169,51 1.827,50 837,80 191,00 7.838,0 30,12 2.025,52 2.925,0 711,51 1.499,50 6.260,0 1.765,50 478,00 566,95 5.363,1 108,74 7,42 1.469,0 1.468,90 1.398,0 680,40 582,40 1.801,00 15,22 3.464,0 1.113,16 892,80 2.235,0 1.352,88 1.460,49 10.985,0 1.400,90 1.233,50 482,40 283,40 177,38 226,44 362,30 3.929,3 881,23 131,84 3.220,5 915,97
243,16K 6,90K 248,82K 899,64K 21,34M 177,16K 56,14K 413,39K 79,09K 782,87K 5,96M 12,36K 107,58K 50,97K 64,36K 54,99K 484,47K 184,31K 381,63K 333,55K 33,72K 37,06K 15,72M 18,57K 44,05K 780,76K 976,96K 241,61K 37,69K 3,50K 290,68K 31,43K 805,53K 442,39K 43,45K 35,11K 11,49K 16,17K 37,90K 23,09K 876,01K 532,01K 367,89K 729,87K 2,39M 51,64K 32,25K 1,14M 36,23K 14,73K
0.85903
1.16511 Units per €
US dollar (USD) ......................................1.18965 Japan yen (JPY)......................................129.295 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.1032 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4360 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................10.169
currenciesdirect.com/moraira • Tel: +34 966 265 072 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER
DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 22
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 188,71 2.043,20 3.074,96 245,94 119,99 255,82 225,29 103,38 48,98 50,81 290,11 344,20 289,10 212,91 128,90 63,76 160,04 155,14 222,44 77,51 230,35 137,49 128,01 212,20 654,87 365,58 56,24 206,90 131,74 191,14
CHANGE 191,00 2.053,10 3.077,29 247,40 121,43 258,88 229,65 104,89 49,22 51,08 292,80 347,24 289,10 215,59 130,44 64,99 161,50 155,94 225,18 78,25 232,47 142,86 129,74 212,75 657,23 370,46 56,52 220,17 132,50 194,00
CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 188,69 6,68M 2.017,68 2,31M 3.016,63 4,63M 241,63 12,59M 119,68 185,55M 251,31 17,33M 224,05 7,49M 102,74 18,49M 48,32 65,37M 50,17 67,85M 281,20 38,93M 340,63 3,51M 282,43 13,73M 212,17 10,11M 128,53 9,84M 62,92 54,95M 159,47 14,89M 151,19 54,42M 221,00 7,72M 76,02 55,56M 229,35 46,43M 135,51 24,98M 127,90 20,26M 209,07 7,09M 624,62 42,89M 359,01 8,57M 55,95 39,06M 206,88 32,21M 129,90 19,23M 189,76 28,35M M - MILLION DOLLARS
NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES M ARCH 22
COMPANY
CHANGE NET / %
VOLUME
Most Advanced Amazon.com Inc. MicroStrategy Inc. Trade Desk Inc. Cl A BeiGene Ltd. ADR Align Technology Inc. SolarEdge Technologies Inc. Broadcom Inc. Cavco Industries Inc. CoStar Group Inc. MercadoLibre Inc. iRhythm Technologies Inc.
+1.55% +6.15% +4.73% +7.09% +2.94% +5.42% +3.02% +6.28% +1.63% +0.89% +8.89%
4.63M 956,532 799,265 373,456 1.01M 1.69M 10.86M 139,285 448,872 608,812 1.23M
-2.52% -1.61% -4.82% -1.79% -13.44% -2.98% -2.79% -8.81% -1.07% -4.11% -2.04%
637,553 1,243 19,144 200,379 2.59M 723,507 9.76M 33,713 1.27M 832,363 165,818
Most Declined Booking Holdings Inc. Broadcom Inc. 8% Pfd. Series A Daily Journal Corp. First Citizens Bancshares Inc. Cl A ALX Oncology Holdings Inc. Wix.com Ltd. Baidu Inc. ADR Preformed Line Products Co. SVB Financial Group Tetra Tech Inc. Enstar Group Ltd.
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
www.euroweeklynews.com
Possible conflict of interest
NEW INFORMATION: Andrew Bailey in Zoom meeting. BOTH The Times and BBC have shared information about the past behaviour of current Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey in a previous role. It is suggested that he withheld information con‐ cerning a potential conflict of interest when being con‐ sidered for the role of Head of the Financial Conduct Au‐ thority (FCA) by the Trea‐ sury Select Committee. He was heavily involved in advising the Treasury on the creation of the Asset Protection Agency which was responsible for over‐ seeing the activities of the Global Restructuring Group (GRG) which was a division of the Royal Bank of Scot‐ land (now trading as NatWest). The GRG was formed at the time of the banking cri‐ sis and it is alleged that with
the knowledge and perhaps prompting of the Asset Pro‐ tection Agency that RBS withdrew loans from busi‐ ness customers who were under severe financial pres‐ sure between 2009 and 2013. RBS was in serious finan‐ cial difficulty at the time and by December 2009 was effectively taken over by the British Government (which still owns a significant num‐ ber of shares in the group). It is suggested that the welfare of business cus‐ tomers came second to the need for the government to protect its interests and therefore large numbers of small companies were al‐ lowed to go bust as loans were withdrawn. According to the BBC, in 2013, the FCA was ordered to investigate the scandal and it commissioned two re‐
Ombudsman WITH the Bank of Spain and the government warning about the possible risks of cryptocurrency, Minister of the Economy Nadia Calviño plans to appoint an ombudsman. The intention is to ensure that Spanish consumers have an option to obtain protection from those supplying cryptocurrency services should something go amiss and also to ensure that all conflicts with banks and the fintech sector are reviewed transparently. She may however await the publication of European Union regulations on cryptocurrency which are being considered and drawn up at the moment.
ports whose findings were not revealed until the BBC obtained a copy of the docu‐ ment, which showed that more than 90 per cent of GRG customers had suf‐ fered.
BUSINESS EXTRA Empty homes THE Spanish Government is considering charging an additional 50 per cent in property tax for homes that are left empty unless they are considered second homes owned for holiday purposes or where an owner has to relocate for work.
Power deal NATIONAL GRID, responsible for the bulk of electricity transmission in the UK is to spend €9 billion (£7.8 billion) on taking over Western Power Distribution from its US parent PPL whilst also agreeing to sell PPL the Narragansett Electric Company for €3 billion (£2.7 billion).
Linea Directa THE European Central Bank has given Bankinter in principle approval to list its insurance business Linea Directa on the stock exchange, but there is some question as to whether the launch should take place this year or next due to the pandemic.
25 - 31 March 2021
EWN 31
32 EWN
25 - 31 March 2021
www.euroweeklynews.com
FEATURE
A true example of double standards LEAPY LEE SAYS IT
OTHERS THINK IT IF you ever wanted a true example of the double standards that are rife in the UK you needed to look no further than singer Beyoncé’s acceptance speech at the Grammy awards last week. “I would like to thank all the black Kings and Queens, who have made this all possible,” she gushed, as she received the award for her latest album entitled ‘Black Parade’! I mean you couldn’t really make it up. Had this been a white artist, giving thanks to ‘white’ Kings and Queens for buying an album called White Parade, it would have caused an international outcry. As it was there have been no recriminations whatsoever; particularly from our illustrious heavily biased media. Social media was a whole different ball game. Thousands of people vented their anger at this display of blatant racism, which actually sums up just what is wrong with the UK today. With the left heavily favoured by the popular media, the social
BEYONCÉ: Made an acceptance speech at the Grammy awards.
pages are often (hopefully) the only way to get to the truth of the matter. Are our illustrious news channels so truly out of touch that they simply have no idea of the mood that prevails with the majority of UK citizens ‐ or is there something more sinister taking place? Of course, it is possible that they are actually so arrogant they feel that their actions are perfectly reasonable and in tune with public opinion ‐ well I don’t buy it; I believe they are perfectly aware of what they are doing, and their motives glaringly obvious. In Communist countries, the state and the media work hand in glove. This is why, when you look at any coup in history, the first institutions that are commandeered are those of the media. Left wing success is almost always coupled and achieved with social unrest. With the humiliating rout of the Labour party in the last election, the media have simply reverted to type. They are perfectly aware of the racial tensions that prevail in the UK; subsequently, under the guise of promoting diversity, they are actually doing their best to widen the black/white divide by creating as much
hostility and civil discontent as possible. The examples are glaringly obvious. Utterly disproportionate over exposure of black actors and interviewees on TV. Unwavering support of the much despised ‘knee,’ BLM and the doctrine of ‘woke.’ Minimal or detrimental coverage of any right wing protests. Unfavourably edited reports of any public demonstrations which cause disruption and undermine the police. Failure to overly condemn the desecration of our statues and the Union Jack. Blatant efforts to give British involvement in slavery top priority ‐ while giving a minimum of coverage to the thousands of British lives lost in its efforts to eliminate it, and criticising government policies at every opportunity. The list goes on and on. It’s a devious, long term conspiracy to take the next election for Labour. The young are falling for it. Thankfully they are not yet the majority. Keep the faith Love Leapy Leapylee2002@gmail.com excpatradioscotland.com. (alter ego!)
Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
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FEATURE
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It just wasn’t funny at all
MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION
Views of a Grumpy Old Man I ’ V E just watched C omic R elief 2021 and the first thing I noticed about this year’s usually magnificent fundraising event was it wasn’t funny. It just felt all wrong. I say it wasn’t funny - there was a James Bond sketch and a bit with Tim Vine, but that was all. We all know this last year has been different from any we have ever had. I feel it wasn’t necessary to mention Covid or vaccines every few minutes. It almost took on a political feeling. The no audience situation makes so much of it just flat. It’s a shame because they tried hard. Normally they manage to extract vast sums by making people have a a good laugh, at the same time pointing out the needs of so many worthy causes. For me this year they didn’t. But well done for trying and well done for raising millions once again. When I got to pensionable age here because I had paid into the system I was informed that I would receive a small pension, to be paid alongside my
U K one. At the time I was amazed because I ’d only paid in for four years here. It was only just over three grand a year, not a fortune, but I was delighted. So jump forward four years and imagine my horror and surprise when this week I got a letter telling me they had overpaid me three grand in 2017 and they want it back. They told me what I was going to get - I never asked and I filled in all the forms correctly and Spain consulted with U K pensions. However, it seems I didn’t read the paperwork correctly. M y pension here was only €60 a month and then they topped it up to 300 as that was a minimum monthly pension payment. What I didn’t realise was that you only get the extra 240 if you don’t have any other taxable income and as I declared I had earned some money I now wasn’t entitled to it. So hey ho the Spanish government has loaned me three grand and are now going to subtract €47 from my pension for the next 70 months. Hopefully that’s the end of it, but knowing the Spanish system it wont be! So folks make sure you read the small print - carefully! Email: mikesenker@gmail.com
Mike’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
25 - 31 March 2021
EWN 35
36 EWN
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25 - 31 March 2021
FEATURE
Advertising Feature
10 ideas for memorial favours for guests
GIVING favours at parties such as weddings, baby showers and birthdays is a relatively new custom which is now becoming increasingly popular at funerals, you may have already seen some, but here are some ideas you may not have thought of. There is a wide variety of little gifts which can be given to guests as favours, all with the intent of re‐ membering the departed and thanking guests for coming to the memorial service. The ideal funeral favour should be significant and/or personalised. For some of the most popular ideas for funeral favours, also known as keepsakes or giveaways, read on: Memorial matchbooks and candles Sets of personalised matchbooks to ‘light a flame’ for the departed can be purchased with a variety of designs, fonts and colours schemes. Can‐ dles are also popular and can be personalised with names and dates. Memorial wristbands Silicone wristbands became popular for many events in recent years, and giving them as funeral keepsakes is just one of them. They can be cus‐ tomised and worn to remember the departed, carrying their name and dates, they can also be a good way to raise awareness about a disease or
ailment which may have affect‐ ed the person’s life. Ribbons Ribbons are also worn as a sym‐ bol of awareness, and in the case of the death of a loved one, to draw attention to their life. Black is a popular option for funeral ribbons, but as with the bracelets, you may want to raise awareness for a cause which affected or interest‐ ed the deceased. Magnets and coins They can be personalised with names, dates and photos or significant images, and made from different materials including wood, plastic, pewter and stainless steel, they come in different sizes and
make an attractive keepsake to give attendees at a memorial service. Badges Badges personalised with photos and details of the deceased can be handed out upon arrival at the memorial service and will give guests a feeling of unity in remembering the deceased. Keychains Much like the options above, they can be personalised with names, dates and photos, and are items which the recipients can keep close to them at all times or hang in a place where they can be seen. There are almost infinite different options, although laser engravings are one of the most popular, on metal, wood, acrylic and other materials. Charms Small charms are very affordable trinkets and can either be attached to necklaces or bracelets before giving them to guests, or given in an organ‐ za bag with a card with a significant quote and the details of the departed. The charms themselves can also be engraved. Popular shapes for funeral favour charms include hearts, angels, shamrocks, birds...
Bookmarks Bookmarks are a tasteful option for memorial favours and are very durable. They can be person‐ alised with photos, dates and meaningful quotes. They can be made in leather, with laser engravings or in other materials and a coloured tassel can be added if you desire. Blooming memorial favours Bookmarks can be personalised to include an emblem made from seed paper which can be de‐ tached and planted to grow flowers in memory of a loved one. These emblems come in shapes such as hearts, angels and butterflies and can be per‐ sonalised with names, dates and memorial quotes. They can also be obtained without the bookmarks. Seeds and stones Seed packets can also be personalised and handed out as keepsakes at funerals, with popular flowers including forget‐me‐nots and sunflowers. Tree seedlings which can also be planted to cele‐ brate life are also very symbolic and a popular idea. Another natural option is an engraved memori‐ al stone, which can be kept in a pocket or bag, used for household decoration or placed in the garden or a potted plant.
www.goldenleavesinternational.com • enquiries@goldenleaves.com • Facebook: goldenleavesspain
FEATURE
www.euroweeklynews.com
25 - 31 March 2021
GO LOCAL
THE EUROWEEKLY NEWS is urg‐ ing its readers to support local businesses in the community by going local through the lockdown and for your all your shopping this year, instead of feeding on‐ line giants and superstores. With this lockdown and Easter upcoming, we challenge you to rediscover your local high streets, markets, butchers, greengrocers and all of the wonderfully quirky independent businesses in your area. Due to the Covid‐19 pandemic, you may have to support many lo‐ cal businesses by ordering online and making use of any click and collect services 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 local community. Although it may be a euro or two cheaper elsewhere or online, consider where your money is ac‐ tually going. By shopping at an independent store you’re putting food on a lo‐ cal family’s table, and there is no better time than now to give back to your community by making a small gesture and shopping in this way. Many local stores support local charities, support and sponsor lo‐ cal sports teams and in many cas‐ es the small independent stores are actually much more than just a small high street shop, they’re a family’s legacy, often passed down through numerous genera‐ tions and support not just the cur‐ rent owner but the generation be‐ fore. For those stores which are new, that extra couple of euros spent there are supporting some‐ one’s dream and ambition, and al‐ so the courage it took them to
BUY LOCAL: By shopping locally, independent businesses can help support the local community.
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 pre‐order your meat from a local butcher and get your spuds from a local greengro‐ cer, let us revive that community spirit and get to know our neigh‐ bours again. You could also consider pur‐ chasing gift vouchers from local businesses to help them over the coming weeks, thinking 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 salon or an online study course for someone looking to change their career path. As people are struggling with fi‐ nances thinking about what friends and family may actually need is important too. Whilst it’s nice to give a glamourous gift per‐ haps pre‐paying a family mem‐ ber’s phone bill for the month would actually be a better gift. Helping people alleviate 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 econo‐
my. When we buy local, our mon‐ ey stays local, and it strengthens the local economy in two ways. First, buying local keeps money circulating within the local econo‐ my. Studies have shown that local businesses recirculate a greater share of every euro as they create locally owned supply chains and invest in their employees. Data shows that local retailers return 52 per cent of their rev‐ enue back into the local economy, compared to just 14 per cent for national chain retailers. 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 restau‐ rant, which in turn prepares the fresh produce and sells it to local customers. The farmer pays its lo‐
cal employees and the restaurant uses revenue from sales to buy supplies from a neighbourhood hardware store. This example il‐ lustrates how the recirculation of money in the local economy leads to a stronger financial foundation for our neighbours and communi‐ ties. Buying local also fuels new em‐ ployment and job opportunities for people within our community. Studies show, locally owned businesses employ more people per unit of sales and retain more employees over time. A fantastic example of how to support your local community is with a Charity Gift certificate, why not donate to your loved one’s favourite cause. Just remember to follow the latest government advice and any guidance businesses have to keep everyone safe.
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FEATURE
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25 - 31 March 2021
EWN 43
OUR AMERICAN COUSINS
DAVID WORBOYS
I REALLY hoped that we had heard the last of Trump and that I would not feel it necessary to worry about him and to write about him. But I have a daughter living in California and a cousin in New York. Trump may be a boring, infantile loser but the threat facing the USA is anything but boring; it is deeply disturbing. His ‘presidency’ has revealed and unleashed the massive underbelly of racial hatred existing in the USA to‐ day. By his impetuous words and ac‐ tions, Trump is accountable for hun‐ dreds of thousands of deaths, through the mishandling of Covid 19 and immigration, through incitement of racist violence and through his iso‐ lationist foreign policy. To get him to understand that he is a failure would be like trying to
PRESIDENCY: Trump thinks he was the greatest, while also thinking Biden is a disaster. teach a banjo to play the trombone. In his situation, any mature and ra‐ tional person would be taking note of his legacy and reflecting on the catastrophic results of his ‘presiden‐ cy’ as perceived by the world beyond himself and his fans. Instead, Trump proclaims that his was the greatest presidency in histo‐ ry; that he won the election; and that
Biden’s first month in office is the most disastrous ever. And he threat‐ ens to run again for the presidency. These are the words of a madman, yet he is still accepted by most Re‐ publicans in Congress. The GOP suffers from a similar sickness. Only seven Republican sen‐ ators voted for impeachment and not one in Congress has voted for
any of the restorative measures pro‐ posed by Biden and the Democrats. The party is infested with right‐wing extremism. It must seem obvious that Trump has serious mental problems that go beyond an inflated ego. He is simply unfit for office. Apart from the dam‐ age that could be wrought by a dicta‐ torial lunatic with access to the nu‐
clear button, the real danger is from the millions of Americans who are blinded by fanaticism and hatred from recognising reality. And there are enough deluded extremists to commit huge acts of domestic terror‐ ism and to start a civil war. Is there anything in the US consti‐ tution to prevent a lunatic from run‐ ning the country from the White House? The 25th amendment re‐ quires the co‐operation of the Vice‐ President and a 2‐1 vote in Congress to remove an unfit person from the Oval Office. And as this democracy allows lunatics the vote, unless con‐ victed of a felony, Trump could be voted back for another four years in 2025. This would suggest there is a widespread mental problem within the USA. In a country where 4 per cent of interviewees thought Jesus Christ was American and 21 per cent that Christopher Columbus was Ameri‐ can, we all need a safe pair of hands running the White House. So far, so good.
David Worboys’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
44 EWN
www.euroweeklynews.com
25 - 31 March 2021
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
GIVEN the impact of the pandemic on British retail, it hasn’t been a good year on the high street. Yes, British high streets are being left empty as retail shrinks. Topshop was left hanging by a thread and sagging at the seams (see what I did there?) be‐ fore the brand was purchased by a competitor and stores closed down, while Marks & Spencer’s profits are in decline. Meanwhile, hundreds of jobs at John Lewis are at risk pend‐ ing the permanent closure of more department stores following Covid‐19’s ‘economic earth‐ quake.’ Overall, tens of thousands of retail jobs have been lost as chains struggle to run their cost‐in‐ tensive bricks and mortar outlets alongside their faster‐growing digital arms. And all these additional closures will put more pressure on empty high streets that are already grappling with holes left by the collapse of Debenhams and House of Fraser. But department stores as a business model were already struggling pre‐Brexit and pre‐ Covid. Probably better to specialise in a few ar‐
FEATURE
HELP! UK HIGH STREETS LEFT RUNNING ON EMPTY
CLOSING DOWN: It hasn’t been a good year on the British high street. eas like electrics or home wares and furniture etc and do it well rather than trying to keep a bit of everything under one roof. But sometimes there are simply excuses for poor results. Companies that wheel out bland
clichés such as ‘adverse trading conditions’ for profit warnings and other setbacks just aren’t trying. But some colourful explanations are more convincing than others. Here are some top excuses. DFS, the furni‐
ture chain, claimed that the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, left customers too trauma‐ tised to buy sofas. Albert Fisher, the food group, blamed a chillier than normal North Sea for poor mussel production. Thorntons, the chocolate retailer, once claimed the weather was too cold for Easter eggs. Meanwhile, Total, the oil explorer, blamed a swordfish puncturing a pipe for a three‐day outage. Blacks Leisure blamed global warming and Glastonbury for a slump in profits. EMI blamed a creative block at Coldplay that de‐ layed an album release for one profit warning while Fyffes said the impact of the fluctuating Brazilian ‘real’ currency on melon prices ex‐ plained theirs. Bless! Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘No Safe Place’, ‘Betrayal’, ‘The Girl in the Woods’, ‘The Girl in the Red Dress’, ‘No Way Back’, ‘Landscape of Lies’, ‘Retribution’, ‘Soul Stealer’, ‘The De Clerambault Code’ (www.no ra‐johnson.net) available online as eBook (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, paperback and audiobook. All profits to Costa del Sol Cudeca cancer charity.
Nora Johnson’s opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
46 EWN
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25 - 31 March 2021
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Advertising Feature
Karan Sud is your only British dentist in the Calpe and Moraira area!
THE new Dental and Medical Centre pro‐ vides high quality care in all aspects of dentistry, general medicine, physiothera‐ py, sports therapy massage and podiatry. All of our professionals are fluent in En‐ glish (and some proficient in other lan‐ guages too). We offer a minimalistic approach to all our dental procedures including the follow‐ ing: FIBRE BONDING A conservative and minimally invasive al‐ ternative to implants, for loose or missing teeth. We use fibre bond technology to splint loose teeth together, it’s a better alterna‐ tive to dentures and implants. This system saves you so much money, pain and time. Restoration of severely broken teeth is now possible in one visit with this economi‐ cal technique, Keeping your own teeth is al‐ most always the preferred option here at k sud dental. INMAN ALIGNER (Braces) This appliance aligns your teeth in a short time period. It guides teeth into their new position with gentle movements, which is why it works so quickly, (six to 18 weeks average) and as it is removeable, you can take it out to fit with your lifestyle. COMPOSITE VENEERS Are an alternative to lab made veneers because they are done directly in one visit, the colour, shape and overall appearance is easiest matched by the clinician. A cost‐effective solution for a complete smile makeover without having to wait, the result is a natural look with a perfect shiny finish, you can get your dream smile in only one appointment at a fraction of the cost and with a three year guarantee. GUM HEALTH Our dental hygienist will look after you , from thorough scale and polishes to treat‐ ment for periodontal disease. WHITENING Everyone wishes to have brighter whiter teeth, we have an amazing whitening sys‐ tem that will guarantee you the results you long for. The treatment includes a take home whitening system with a clean with our hygienist included. If you follow our whitening protocol you will definitely have the teeth you dream of.
K SUD DENTAL: Providing high quality care in all aspects of dentistry.
Clients’ Reviews Lyn Bacon Best dental practice I've ever used!!!. Can highly recommend. Had some cosmetic work done by Karan Sud, he and his staff have been amazing. Nothing was too much trouble, made to feel welcome and comfortable. The surgery is pristine clean with good Covid measures in place as well. Plenty of parking. 5* from me. Keith Thompson Easy to park new looking building, very clean. Admissions done to Covid regula‐ tions so very safe. Receptionist pleasant. Karan and nurse very informative of what they are going to do, no injections and no pain. Very professional and friendly, would recommend without hesitation. Simon Grief For someone who is frightened to death of the dentist I can honestly say from the moment I got there the service was fantastic. You’re made to feel very comfortable from the moment you go in. The cleanliness of the place is outstanding. And the staff are exceptional. It has reduced my fear of the dentist enormously. I was in the chair for over an hour. I would not hesitate to go back there again. Thank you to all the staff. Andrew Freeman Friendly and professional. Life changing result. After losing another top tooth I assumed a new denture was my fate. At the con‐ sultation with Dr Sud I was recommended fibre bonding and all was explained to me. On appointment day Dr Sud and Jennifer both eased my anxiousness with their friendly approach and as the procedure progressed explained each step to me, con‐ stantly ensuring I was comfortable. The result is I now have permanent teeth of the same size, shape and colour of my originals. The life changer is I no longer need to re‐ member, when I go out or if someone visits as to whether or not I have my tooth in and I no longer have to fear the denture glue loosening. Thanks very much Dr Sud and Jennifer.
Avenida de la Marina 109, Benissa Coast Road • 603 296 687
48 EWN
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25 - 31 March 2021
By Clinica Britannia
Problems with gallstones
WHEN abdominal pain is ex‐ perienced regularly after eating a large meal this could be a sign of gallstones. The gallbladder is a seven to 10cm pear‐shaped organ found under the liver in the upper right region of the ab‐ domen. When healthy, its main function is to store bile, a compound produced by the liver to digest fat to help the body absorb fat‐soluble vita‐ mins and nutrients. However when it stops functioning correctly a chemi‐ cal change in the bile make‐ up creates gallstones, causing mild discomfort to severe cramping in the upper right side of the abdomen. People more likely to suffer are females over 40, diabet‐ ics, obese people and those consuming a diet high in fat
dominal ultrasound as with the use of this simple scan, the gallstones can be easily detected and the necessary treatment prescribed rapidly relieving the pain. If however the gallstones are deep in the abdomen, it will be necess‐ sary to perform a CT or MRI scan to give a clear diagnosis.
Appointments Landline: 965 837 553 / 965 837 851 • 24H/365D Emergency Number: (+34) 607 255 755 • Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 9:00am / 5:00pm
Clinica Britannia Calpe Av. Ejercitos Españoles 16 BIS, 1st Floor, Calpe CHECKING in to an all-inclusive hotel this summer? Worried about the diet? Perhaps rightly so with the temptation to overindulge right in front of your eyes. The last thing you want to do is calorie-count on holiday, but if you are not careful, you can soon be eating thousands of calories more a day. But there is help as now, healthy food experts have
Surviving the ‘Spring Mania’ MS BIPOLAR
UP AND DOWN WITH BALANCE UNEDITED
or women who have extra oestrogen due to hormonal replacement therapy, birth control or pregnancy. A physical examination will reveal tenderness and a blood test will show up signs of jaundice and inflammation caused by gallstones. It is essential to have an ab‐
HEALTH & BEAUTY
IT’S the end of March. Winter has been and gone spring is here. The smell of wild flowers, the bees, the butterflies and then the feeling of dread. Mania usually hits me at some point during every single spring, no matter what I do. I take my medication like I do every day, I don’t drink, my routine doesn’t change. But mania still hits me every spring. Most things make it worse, so much worse. It’s happened each spring since I can remember. As soon as the time moves forward an hour, I have a pretty major episode. I usually do things that are completely out of character for me, not necessarily bad, but I have to be so careful to not lose control of reality. I’ve even started to notice physical changes during these times. My skin glows, my eyes and hair are extra shiny, it’s unbelievable. I have this oomph to get my hair highlighted, change my make-up routine, bye bye smokey eyes - today I’m wearing glitter! I have this energy boost and bubbly happy mood every day all day! It’s not until I decided to do a bit of reading I found out that
people with Bipolar tend to go through the same, I’m glad that others know what this is like, though I hate that we all go through it. Nothing good comes from my springtime mania, and I almost always end up with a big crash. My last manic episode I would say was two years ago, I have come a long way since then. I hope this time things go well and I am thinking positively, but I’m also prepared for what usually occurs. I don’t want to say it’s inevitable. Here’s hoping the upcoming season only brings showers and flowers for me and all those who experience spring mania. Always remember to make sure to get plenty of sleep, regardless if your body wants it or not. If you take medication, take your meds exactly as prescribed and be sure not to skip any doses, or pop an extra one because you feel like you need it, trust me, I’ve been there and done that, and it causes more damage than that escape you are looking for! Monitor any symptoms that may de different than usual as soon as you notice them, relay them to a loved one or your family. Please be kind to yourself. You are allowed to be happy and have fun, your whole life does NOT have to revolve around your illness. Love Ms Bipolar x
msbipolar@euroweeklynews.com
How to limit your holiday indulgence
revealed some of the very worst meals you can choose from the buffet cart. Health food retailer MuscleFood.com has listed the most calorific choices you can make and if consumed, can put your calories intake at over 5,000 a day. A woman’s daily recom-
mended intake is 2,000 calories and 2,500 for men. So naturally first off is the full English breakfast. Depending on how many sausages and rashers of bacon you opt for, you are topping 800 calories straight away, add a croissant for later and that’s over 200 calories.
A BLT with fries at lunch doesn’t sound as if it would be too calorific but it can contain as many as 700 calories, so it’s best to only indulge in one occasionally. Regular snacks that come with an all-inclusive package on holiday such as cakes and ice creams, as well as glasses of sangria, cock-
tails and beers, can also take you to well over your daily calorie allowance, before you’ve even sat down for your main evening meal. So what can you do? Try swapping chips for more from the salad bar and don’t be tempted to visit the buffet twice. Many
want to make the most of the allinclusive status, but you wouldn’t have three main meals at home, so try and limit the lunch time indulgence. But you’re on holiday, if you want to overindulge then try and do a few extra laps of the pool, go for a long walk along the beach, or accept you’re going to have to work harder when you get home.
PETS
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Who’s looking after your pup when you go away? Musical influence
ARE you tentatively planning to get away later this year? Even if you are planning a short trip, plan ahead. Take a moment to plan ahead for pet and house‐sitters, if you have trips planned later this year. Now is the time to get ready. We will help you as much as we can. Our philoso‐ phy is that we are all in this together. These are the steps to take: 1. Register as a homeowner on House SitMatch.com 2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can get help online when needed 3. Create a profile with photos of your pet and the house 4. Post a house‐sit advert stating your plans for next year’s holiday Covid permitting. Do you need a pet‐sitter in 2021? Then get started right now. How does it work? HouseSitMatch can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety and then build your advert saying when you are going on holiday. House‐sitters see your advert, they respond and you choose the sitter who’ll care for your pets. Trustpilot Testimonials ‐ 4.8 / 5 Excellent
can benefit dogs
Feliz loves going to the beach with his ball.
rating (New Trustpilot rating scale) Here’s what members said about us ‐ HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house‐ sitter… HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house‐ sitter while we were away in Canada and we were delighted with the care and attention 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 subscription 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.
MUSIC is a therapeutic medium for humans, but dogs can also benefit from the healing powers of music. The wolf, which is known for howling, uses it as a form of communication and for assembling the pack. They will change their tone as others join in because they prefer to finish on a different and discordant tone. This suggests that canines do have a sense of pitch. It is believed that dogs engage in vocalisation to pro‐ duce musical sounds in the same recreational way as hu‐ mans do. When they hear music, especially from wind and reed instruments, they are naturally inclined to join in with the chorus; while making sure their tone is heard above the rest. As research has con‐ firmed that dogs have musical preferences and react differently to a range of musical styles; then it’s worth sharing your collection of music with your dog and waiting to see what happens. They might even influence your taste in music.
DOGS: Have musical preferences.
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Some guidelines to epilepsy A DOG with epilepsy can en‐ joy a remarkable quality of life if given proper veterinary treatment. For this, it is important that some guidelines are followed. 1. Complete the clinical di‐
agnostic protocol. Do all the tests to rule out other pathologies that can cause seizures. 2. Administer the appropri‐ ate medication. 3. Carry out medical check‐
ups every six months. 4. Stay calm during an epileptic seizure of your dog. Remember to videotape the attacks. The videos to see how the attacks happen pro‐ vide the veterinarian with a lot of information. 5. Avoid stressful situations for the animal, which may put it in danger. In the attached QR code you have an informative video about canine epilepsy.
In Costablanca Norte: Anicura Marina Baixa Hospital Veterinario www.veterinariamarina baixa.com
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TESTIMONIAL Hunter: Picked up a copy of your paper at Frankie's this morning. Thanks very much. You have made my day, week, month etc..
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CAMPING
THE SALVATION ARMY English Speaking Church of Denia Worship Service. Sunday 10:30 am Followed by a time of Fellowship Everyone is welcome. Come as you are! For more information: Dieter Zimmerer +34 698 609 658 or Barbara Zimmerer +34 652 319 810 Email dieterzimmerer@hotmail.com, www.centrosaron.com (10008) www.helpbenidorm.org and on Facebook VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, particularly Spanish speakers for interpreter service, and car owners. Tel President 607 387 040, Welfare 607 386 964, Interpreters 607 385 842, Equipment 663 495 396. We are an English speaking charity that assists residents and tourists of all nationalities in times of crisis, we also organise social events for members. We meet every Thursday at 10.30 in Jose Llorca Social Centre C. Goya s/n. Benidorm. It is opposite the Foietes Car Park where there is a Wednesday market. Everyone welcome. It is 400m from Benidorm tram station and on bus routes 1 and 8. We loan out mobility and medical equipment including oxygen concentrators on a short-term basis. (288658)
CLUBS / SOCIETIES SPIRITUAL FRIENDS Costa Blanca is a non-religious group of spiritually minded people who meet on Wednesday afternoons. Each week different clairvoyance, discussions, talks and demonstrations on spiritual or holistic subjects. email sp.fr.cb@gmail.com website www.spiritualfriendscostablan ca.com or contact Jan. 600 837 054 (10000)
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COMPUTER REPAIRS – Laptops/PCs Qualified Technician –648 065 224 No Call Out Charge No Fix No Fee andy@wizard-computers.biz (290467)
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CHARITY FOR SALE El Campello Christian Community Evangelical Church - Life and Family Sunday Service in English at 10.00 a.m. and a Spanish Service at 11.45am. C / San Bartolomé 35 bajo, No.6 campellocc@gmail.com www.el campellochristiancommunity.org For more information call Juan Zuniga – 686 203 183 (Spanish) or Sue Bishop - 610 63 94 26 (English) www.euroweeklynews.com
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GARDENING SERVICES DAVID THE TREE GUY Cutting, trimming & removal of trees. Torrevieja, Alicante, Benidorm areas. 722 652 173 (289581)
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GENERAL SERVICES MISTER Fix-It handyman, available in Jalon Valley area, hourly rates, 657 189 519 (290302)
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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)
PAINTERS/DECORATORS
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HEALTH & BEAUTY
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P&H Painting Services over 25 years experience. Calpe and surrounding area. Call 676 178 347 for your FREE no obligation quotation (291475)
METALWORK PETS
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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)
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ROAD TEST by Mark Slack YOU tend to know that if your local constabulary use a particu‐ lar make of car then that car is probably going to be a pretty decent purchase. In addition to the seemingly stocky Vauxhall, Peugeot and BMW fleet you may have no‐ ticed the emergence of Skoda into the police ranks. Even away from their favourite vRS models the Octavia range is very com‐ prehensive with hatchback and estate models, petrol and diesel engines plus manual or VAG’s DSG automatic transmission. The Octavia is also available in mild hybrid and plug‐in hy‐ brid form too. Plug‐in versions are only available at the high‐ er end of the range, but mild hybrid is available from the
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Skoda Octavia….a nice place to be lead‐in models. My choice was the estate, very practical unlike so many stylised estates, in SE L First Edi‐ tion form. Octavia estates start from a reasonable €25,869 (£22,210), which is a lot of car and kit for your money, but my SE L First edition sits near the top end of the range at €34,406 (£29,540) with a 150 PS 2.0 litre diesel under the bonnet. Standard fare is impressive with such things as adaptive cruise control, dual zone cli‐ mate, navigation, powered and heated door mirrors, heated front seats, LED lighting, auto lights and wipers, privacy glass, keyless entry and start and a 10” touch screen, plus a very good array of safety kit. As ever there is a plethora of options so you can easily adapt the car to your own per‐
sonal specification, finance per‐ mitting of course! Diesels are far from flavour of the road at the moment but for those with higher mileage lives they can make good sense as they offer higher mpg and generally better low down
engine power. The DSG gearbox is a delight allowing a more relaxed drive when it does everything or more driver involvement, via steering wheel paddles, if that is your thing. Smooth and very re‐ fined the Octavia is a nice place
to be with good adjustment of the seating and not too much over digitalisation of the con‐ trols. That said ‘bring back but‐ tons’ would still be my mantra. My test model had the op‐ tional panoramic sunroof, which at €1,339 (£1,150), is not
cheap but made the world of difference to the already spa‐ cious interior. Quality as ever with VAG is excellent with a sol‐ id and upmarket, in an under‐ stated non‐shouty way, feel that few other manufacturers seem to achieve.
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Real Madrid Close The Gap To Three Points At The Top Of La Liga IT’S looking like the La Liga ti‐ tle race in Spain will go to the wire this season as Real Madrid went to the Estadio Municipal de Balaídos on Sat‐ urday March 20 to play Celta Vigo and came away with a 1‐ 3 victory, which moves them to within three points of ri‐ vals Atletico Madrid at the top of the table. Zinedine Zidane’s side leapfrogs Barcelona into sec‐ ond place in the table, with both Atletico, and Barcelona playing on Sunday. Karim Benzema, who just can’t stop scoring lately, scored twice and provided an assist, which means he has now scored in six con‐ secutive matches in all com‐ petitions for the first time since 2016, with the French‐ man curling a shot into the bottom corner to give Madrid the lead in the 20th
CELTA VIGO GROUND: Real Madrid won their away game to move up the table. minute after being released by a fine piece of play from Toni Kroos. The German midfielder, Kroos, was again involved for the second goal, on the half‐ hour mark, winning the ball back on the edge of the penalty area, and allowing Benzema to dribble across
the box to score his eighth goal in six matches in all com‐ petitions, with Santi Mina heading Celta back into the game just before the break after Denis Suarez floated a free‐kick into the area. Madrid piled the pressure on in the second‐half, al‐ though it took a fine save
from Thibaut Courtois to prevent Iago Aspas from lev‐ elling the scores, until in‐ evitably, Benzema crowned his exceptional display by sending in a cross to Marco Asensio, who walked the ball over the line in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Manchester City Battle on MANCHESTER CITY are through to the semi‐finals of the FA Cup for the third season in a row, after beating Everton 2‐0 at Goodison Park on Saturday March 20 but it was an almighty battle, with Everton’s backline standing firm, taking City until virtually the end of the match before making the breakthrough, and then, scored not once, but twice. City made six changes to the team which beat Borussia Mönchengladbach to reach the Champions League last eight and did not trouble Everton for much of the game despite dominating possession, then a substitution by Pep Guardiola, bringing on Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne changed the game, with both players scoring the goals. Ilkay Gundogan, who has been in scintillating form this sea‐ son bagged the first, heading in his 16th goal of the season on 84 minutes, after Aymeric Laporte’s shot had been tipped onto the crossbar by Virginia, only for it to come back to the waiting German, and then it was De Bruyne who fired in a crisp shot in the 90th minute to send them through to the last four, joining Southampton who had beaten Bournemouth earlier in the day. This victory means that City have won 25 out of their past 26 games in all competitions, quite an achievement indeed, and after the match, Guardiola in his interview said, “It was a really tough game. We saw the commitment from Everton, how focused they were, they defended really aggressively. It was one of the toughest games we’ve played in the last four months.”