News
The people’s paper ISSUE NO. 1869
29 April - 5 May 2021
Shorter walk SHOPPERS bound for Torrevieja’s weekly open-air market can take a bus as far as the pedestrians’ entrance now that Torrevieja Town Hall has installed an extra bus-stop there.
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IN IT TOGETHER
Local talent BIGASTRO-born dress designer Eduardo Navarrete has been confirmed as a contestant in the next edition of the Spanish version of Celebrity MasterChef. Navarrete is no stranger to reality television as he also appeared in the first edition of Masters of Couture.
VALENCIA VISIT: Francina Armengol and Ximo Puig discussed PCR tests.
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FREE • GRATIS
An unfortunate choice
THE driver of a cement‐mixer lorry chose the wrong bridge to cross the River Segura at the end of March. A tree was blocking his view and he failed to see a warning sign that barred heavy vehicles from the metal bridge linking El Raal, an outlying Murcia City district, and La Basca in Beniel. The bridge collapsed when the vehicle was half‐way across, sending the lorry and a mass of girders and tarmac into the river. Despite the apparently disastrous accident the driver, who is from Elche, was able to escape through the cab window al‐ though he was later transferred to hospital. Three weeks later the ruined bridge, and the lorry were still blocking the riverbed. The Confederacion Hidrografica del Segura (CHS), responsi‐ ble for the area’s waterways has now called on Murcia City Hall and Beniel’s own local government to decide together on how to remove the lorry and the remains of the bridge from the riv‐ er. The CHS revealed that this would require draining this part of the river which is less than two kilometres away from Ori‐ huela. Although this could potentially affect the irrigation water that Vega Baja growers depend upon for their crops, the CHS ex‐ plained that this will be transferred from Murcia to Orihuela us‐ ing the infrastructure network that usually delivers Taja‐Segura water.
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International Spanish Language FAR-RIGHT political party VOX organised a caravan of vehicles to commemorate International Spanish Language Day. The cars set out on Saturday April 24 at 11am with Ana Vega Campos - Vox’s parliamentary spokeswoman in Valencia’s regional parliament, Les Corts - at its head. She was accompanied by Asuncion Aniorte who represents VOX on Orihuela’s city council. Loudspeakers mounted on
ORIHUELA CARAVAN: VOX party defends free education in Spanish. top of the car roofs and placards drove through Orihuela, demanding ‘Free education in Spanish’ while criticising the new Education Law, which was described as ‘An outrage
Business park plans EXTENDING Elche’s Business Park will cost more than €226 million, according to a feasibility study commissioned by city hall. This includes the €39.3 million cost of develop‐ ing the land, most of which would be met by city hall, as well as building industrial units and ware‐ houses that will require a total investment of €226 million. Despite the high price, future earnings from selling the properties would bring in €240 million, the study found. City hall now hopes to reclassify 569,260 square metres of land north of the Business Park, pending the go‐ahead from the regional government.
against Spanish.’ Miguel Sanchez, VOX coordinator for Orihuela, addressed the participants in Plaza Miguel Hernandez, declaring that the number of people attending the rally had outstripped their expectations. The event had gone off without a hitch thanks to “perfect organisation,” Sanchez said, thanking participants and volunteers for their good work, as well as the police who escorted the caravan.
Subsidy For Children
IN a move designed to take the pressure off struggling parents of young children, the Department of Education has an‐ nounced that a grant will be available for two and three‐year‐old children attend‐ ing pre‐schools in Alicante this year. Parents living in the Costa Blanca province will be able to apply for a sub‐ sidy of between €150 and €200 for each child in the applicable age bracket who is enrolled in one of the private nursery schools approved by the Valencian Gov‐ ernment.
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Fallas set for summer THE Fallas fire fiestas with bon‐ fires that go up in smoke on March 19 have now been post‐ poned twice. Assuming that the Valencian Community’s present trend of dwindling Covid continues, re‐ gional president Ximo Puig has
already declared that the cele‐ brations surrounding the cere‐ monial burning of 2020’s Fallas monuments will be held “soon‐ er rather than later.” July or August are favoured by the regional Health depart‐ ment but September, while
Fox cub rescued ALICANTE cops rescued a fox cub for sale on the web for €550. The young fox was captured by a hunter and sold to a third party who placed it on a ‘for sale’ website. The Guardia Civil identified the seller and the hunter, the latter from El Pinos. Both will both be fined. The operation began on April 6, when the Guardia Civ‐ il’s Seprona officers learned of the possible sale of a fox cub for €550. Investigations confirmed that the animal was a com‐ mon red fox and barely a month old. It is now being cared for at the Santa Faz Species Recovery Centre. Police discovered the seller had acquired the animal through a third party, a neighbour. As both the capture and sale of the species is illegal, officers filed a complaint against the arrested men for alleged violation of the Hunting Law and the Biodiversity and Natural Heritage Law. The Guardia Civil are currently attempting to trace the other two foxes captured, suspecting they too have been offered for sale.
children are still on holiday from school, is also in the run‐ ning. The Generalitat will consult the Fallas Monitoring Commit‐ tee in early May although sources quoted in the regional daily Levante maintained that the date will remain a mystery until mid‐or late May. Valencia City is not the only municipality that holds Fallas, which are celebrated through‐ out the provinces of Valencia and Alicante. When the Fallas Monitoring Committee was created, it was understood that each town would be free to de‐ cide its date within the permit‐ ted period and all the celebra‐ tions were unlikely to take place at the same time. What is already known, how‐ ever, is that this year’s fiestas will still be bound by health and safety regulations, albeit re‐ laxed. Measures include ‘bubbles’ for local fiestas committees, in‐ cluding limited access as well as an obligatory Covid Coordinator to ensure that regulations are not flouted.
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NIBS EXTRA Spiny problem ORIHUELA City Hall’s Environment department ‘will go as far as it takes’ to persuade the regional government to act urgently and eradicate the invasive and non-native Arizona cactus from the area. As feared, the cactus is now present inside the town as well as the Sierra de Orihuela.
Biased bind FOLLOWING complaints from Ciudadanos, the regional Ombudsman said Torrevieja Town Hall is obliged to provide access to the official register listing all documents entering or leaving the local administration. The party maintained that despite computerisation, access to documents followed the ‘same biased pattern’ as in the past.
Some respite ELCHE’S mayor Carlos Gonzalez described the recent relaxation of the Generalitat’s antiCovid laws as “appropriate.” Between now and May 9 when the State of Alarm is lifted this should help the city’s hospitality sector, said Gonzalez who also called for prudence, as the virus was still present.
Dialogue plea CREVILLENT and Daya Vieja signed up to the Generalitat’s manifesto urging the central government to continue sending vital water to southern Alicante via the Tajo-Segura pipeline. Despite belonging to the same political party, regional president Ximo Puig is pressing for dialogue with Madrid instead of ‘unilateral decisions.’
Get pedalling A NEW Almoradi bicycle lane will link the town centre with El Raiguero, Lomas de la Juliana, Alfgorfa, the tennis club and the River Segura. The new route, a Generalitat initiative, is included in its Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development Goals and reducing the region’s carbon footprint.
All-rounder CREVILLENT Town Hall’s Public Safety department has acquired a 600-litre water tender for the local Proteccion Civil branch. This can be used in all types of emergencies and not only fires, as its multi-function pump can be used for spraying disinfectant, fumigating or removing flood water.
29 April - 5 May 2021
Still a long way to go MEMBERS of Elche’s Coordinadora Feminista group gather in the city’s Plaza de Baix on the 25th day of each month. They will continue to meet each month until all violence towards women and girls has disappeared, but admit that there is “a long way to go.” The April gathering was held in memory of the seven women who have been killed by their partners this year, as well as Alicia, who was murdered in Elche’s La Hoya district last November
REGULAR HOMAGE: The April gathering in memory of the seven women who died this year.
Several city councillors were amongst the 30 people who met in Plaza de Baix to hold a minute’s silence and leave flowers beside the seven masks and tops that were laid out on the ground. “We thank you once more for making the effort to be here in this symbolic act against sexist violence, an important act which each month tells aggressors that we stand in front of them and reminds women that we are at their side,” the Coordinadora’s manifesto declared.
Please consider a case apart THE Valencian Community’s excellent Covid figures now outstrip those of Balear‐ es and the Canary Islands. Regional Tourism secretary Francesc Colomer mentioned these to the UK’s con‐ sul Sarah Jane Morris during an online meeting recently reported in the Spanish media. The Tourism chief asked for the Valen‐
‘For all’ TORREVIEJA hospital’s Employ‐ ees Committee opposes Gener‐ alitat plans to create a public sector company to take over from Ribera Salud. The hospital, together with local health centres and health services for 140,000 residents from 14 municipali‐ ties, has been outsourced to Ribera Salud since 2006. This concession comes to an end next October, after which the service reverts to the regional government’s Health depart‐ ment. The committee wants the Generalitat to reverse its plans for a publicly‐owned company and instead run the Torrevieja area health service directly from the Valencia region’s Health department. They are asking the Generali‐ tat to adopt the same formula used during the de‐privatisation of Hospital de La Ribera in Alzi‐ ra (Valencia) where the staff’s employment rights were auto‐ matically transferred and re‐ spected. “It discriminates against the workers in this department as they are going to receive differ‐ ent treatment from their La Ribera colleagues,” the Torre‐ vieja committee pointed out.
cian Community ‐ and the Costa Blanca above all ‐ to receive the same treatment as Baleares and the Canaries once Britons are allowed to travel after May 17. There are currently 28.5 cases for every 100,000 Valencian Community inhabi‐ tants, compared with 62 per 100,000 in Baleares and 137 in the Canary Islands. Colomer asked the consul to pass on the
region’s hopes that when preparing its ‘Traffic Lights’ travel system, the UK gov‐ ernment considers not only national Covid incidence rates but also those of individual regions, as it is doing with the islands. The Valencian Community’s excellent health situation should not be penalised by less encouraging figures from other re‐ gions, Colomer said.
No prison for disinfectant father
A VALENCIA man walked free af‐ ter a Torrent court cleared him of giving his young daughter chlo‐ rine dioxide to drink. Despite a Ministry of Health statement warning last Septem‐ ber that its consumption was not recommended “under any cir‐ cumstances,” the father gave the child the disinfectant believing it
would protect her from the coro‐ navirus. He was arrested in November 2020 after the mother reported him to the police for putting her daughter’s life at risk. An Insti‐ tute of Legal Medicine (IML) doc‐ tor reported that there had been no injury to the young girl after ingesting the chlorine dioxide,
It’ll be a walkover ESQUINA PARK RANGERS are setting up a Walking Football League covering Alicante, Almeria and possibly Murcia. Teams ready to take part as soon as they can resume playing include Esquina Park Rangers, Hondon, Pinoso, Olivia, Moraira, FC Los Amigos, Almanzora (Alme‐ ria), Lubrin (Almeria) and Pulpi (Almeria). A committee will be elected to stan‐ dardise rules and draw up a fixtures list. Inter‐League matches will be played be‐ tween the Alicante North Walking Football League and the South Of Spain Walking Football League. A sponsor is being sought and any inter‐ ested parties should contact the esquina parkrangers2018@yahoo.com email ad‐ dress. Similarly, any walking football team in‐ terested in joining the League should con‐ tact the above email address.
commenting that the chemical had been used by some doctors as a treatment for viral infections including malaria or Covid. An appeal from the lawyer representing the child’s mother requesting a more comprehen‐ sive report on the chemical’s dangers was turned down, and the father exonerated.
Bills to pay SANTA POLA’S Animal Protection Association complained that it has not been paid for collecting strays since last Octo‐ ber. The association has racked up debts with vets and kennels because the town hall now owes it more than €5,000, the asso‐ ciation’s president David Ancheta explained to the Spanish me‐ dia. In April last year the association signed a 10‐month agree‐ ment to provide the service until the town hall could put the contract out to tender but has not been paid for months. Meanwhile, the association continues to take in strays and has attended to 40 dogs and 80 cats while footing all the bills.
Getting it right HEALTH experts attributed the Valencian Community’s suc‐ cess in slashing its Covid‐19 incidence rate to ‘very harsh’ health and safety measures. The region’s ongoing de‐escalation has not been abrupt and epidemiologist Joan Cayla praised the regional authorities for their efficient tracing methods in an El Pais article. “Following up contacts is something they have done very well and that can be decisive in isolating cases and imposing quarantine,” Cayla said.
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Stirring things up HACKLES rose in Valencia Province when celebrity chef David de Jorge de‐ clared that Alicante paella was better. De Jorge made his in‐ flammatory comment on La Sexta channel’s Liarla Pardo hosted by Cristina Pardo in a programme whose name is a pun on Liarla Parda meaning ‘to stir things up.’ The television chef cer‐ tainly stirred things up, not least because his full name is David de Jorge Ezeiz‐ abarrena and he is from the Basque region. “Paella should be a free area, a meeting of civilisa‐ tions, not a bloody Wailing Wall,” he declared. It amused him, he said, that Valencianos defend‐ ed their paella in its pre‐ sent form when it differed so much from the regional character. “They are syrupy, sickly sweet and build horren‐ dous Fallas, their Falleras do their hair in buns that look like teacakes and then they want a minimal‐ ist paella,” De Jorge lamented.
Brought to justice ALICANTE’S Guardia Civil caught up in Vejer de la Frontera (Cadiz) with a six‐strong gang charged with committing multiple robberies. They had been search‐ ing for the three men and three women since the beginning of March when they had attempted to re‐ move an ATM cash ma‐ chine in Orihuela Costa, using a crane‐lorry. The group from Cen‐ tral Europe had been squatting in Orihuela Costa properties until they were evicted and are alleged to have car‐ ried out numerous rob‐ beries and break‐ins in Alicante, Valencia and Murcia.
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Two working together THE Valencian Community and Baleares will work together on tackling the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. D uring their talks, X imo P uig who heads the Valencia region’s Generalitat, and Francina Armengol, Baleares regional president, homed in on P C R tests. This topic is currently close to the Euro Weekly News’s heart, as the newspaper is campaigning for cheaper tests that will allow families and tourists here in Spain and outside the country to visit without incurring extra costs. The two presidents went further still. “If the anti-Covid vaccine is free throughout Europe, the PCR tests that are imperative for anybody wishing to travel outside their own country should also be free,” they suggested. B oth P uig and A rmengol intend to ask Brussels to cover the cost of P C R
tests so that no-one is prevented from travelling for economic reasons. Following their meeting the presidents announced that an alliance between the communities was strategically important on several fronts. It will enable them to make efficient use of the EU funds that are available to both governments, while aligning common interests and, as always, overcoming the C ovid-19 pandemic, Puig and Armengol said. As the regional presidents of two of Spain’s favourite holiday destinations for national and international tourists, the alliance will also focus on the Blue Economy. This, in fact, is no different from the Green Economy but, according to the EU, recognises the seas and oceans as creators of growth and jobs that also help to fight climate change, restore biodiversity and use marine resources.
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Loo Roll Divide
A DEBATE posted by the Eu‐ fun’ to readers, there is also ro Weekly News on its a science behind the great Facebook page on Sunday toilet roll divide. saw thousands of readers In the Toilet Paper Test, take part to share their 2,000 people were asked views. which way they roll toilet The picture, which asked paper and how assertive readers whether they were they were in relationships type ‘A or B’ when it comes on a scale of one to 10. to hanging their toilet roll The results reportedly saw almost 1,200 people found that those who roll get involved to share their over are more dominant thoughts, and sparked than those who roll under. fierce debate among the ex‐ Whichever way readers pat community in Spain. prefer to hang their toilet To the front or the back. Britons took to Facebook paper however, an 1891 to share their thoughts on patent for the toilet paper the toilet roll divide, with the overwhelming ma‐ roll shows it should be hung with the paper jority voting that ‘B,’ with toilet paper falling to hanging on the outside, but despite the science, the front, was the correct way. the EWN expects this debate to continue to roll And while the debate offered a little ‘Sunday on.
Thugs target EWN marketing executive’s car THUGS have slashed the tyres of a car belonging to a Euro Weekly News commercial exec‐ utive on the Costa Blanca South. Having spent 45 minutes chatting with a valued client, the executive returned to their car, which had been parked in Dona Pepa, Quesada, at around
11am on Tuesday, April 27, only to notice a flat tyre. “I walked around to the pas‐ senger side and that was flat too. I thought how strange it was, and was absolutely shocked to see they had both been slashed, it had been done deliberately.” The devastated marketing
agent’s car was not the only one parked in the public car park, there were cars either side, but these hadn’t been touched. “The car park wasn’t full, but it certainly wasn’t empty, and only my car which has the Euro Weekly News logo on the side, was targeted.” Despite asking around, no‐ body had seen anything. “I’m absolutely furious and can’t believe someone would do this.” It’s been a difficult time for the marketing agent who has been with the company for six years, having been involved in a car accident last month which meant they were unable to work. “It’s really upsetting, times are extremely hard for everybody at the moment without having to pay out €160 because of spiteful vandals. It’s in times like these that we should all be pulling to‐ gether, not setting out to deliber‐ ately cause hurt and financial problems for one another. “Nothing like this has hap‐ pened to me before, and I have no doubt at all that it was delib‐ erate,” they added.
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Butterfly Children’s Charity Social Security THE National Health Service has denied home nursing care to six-year-old twins with Butterfly Skin (Epidermolysis bullosa). The Butterfly Children’s Charity petitioned the minister for health to request the right to home visits from nursing staff for the six-year-old twins with Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) or Butterfly Skin, in Madrid. EB is a rare, degenerative and currently incurable disease that affects 500 people in Spain. Having been denied this request DEBRA raised their voices once again to reach out to the authorities to appeal for the care that is key to improving the quality of life for both the twins and their family. “Carla and Noa are subjected to between three and four hours a day of wound care treatment” to protect the wounds and blisters which are caused by even the lightest touch. “Their skin is missing the protein it needs to protect it,” explained Evanina Morcillo Makow, director of the charity. In addition to
Twins, Carla and Noa.
EB affects 500 people in Spain.
these daily treatments the twins are frequently in and out of hospital as they suffer from open wounds that cover 90 per cent of the surface of their skin. The wounds also affect the internal linings and organs leading to severe disability and constant pain. The local health authorities are insisting that the parents are able to care for the twins at home and that the local health care workers will only treat them according to the plan outlined for them from birth. This decision has caused significant distress for both parents, Pedro Ricote and Verónica Soriano because, as they said, the local health care workers have only examined the girls without bandaging three times in six years. “We have been acting as nurses and carers for our children more than as parents for the last six years and we desperately need the help and support of professional health care workers in the home to help us cope with the traumatic daily treatments required by the girls.”
JOSÉ LUIS ESCRIVÁ, the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, in his press conference on Thursday April 22, presented the new portal of The General Treasury of Social Security (TGSS) - https://revista.seg-social.es which is accessible from any device. When you click into the site, using the domain - Import@ss - the site opens easily and quickly, but, at the moment, maybe it will change, the site is only in Spanish, so, if you don’t speak, or read Spanish, we suggest using Google Chrome, paste the URL in, the site opens in Spanish, and you can install the Google translator which will translate the whole website into English for you straight away. In the public area, there are four main categories, namely: working life and reports; registrations, cancellations, and modifications; consultation of payments and debts, and modifications, which means you can enter
and check anything to do with your working life, your social security number, register an employee, or obtain the document which says your payments are up-todate, and you have no debts with Social Security.
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LINDSEY EVERS, a 45-year-old mother of three, originally from Halifax, West Yorkshire, and her partner, chef Peter Chadwick, have seen their dream life in the popular Spanish tourist destination of Benidorm shattered by the pandemic, as they find themselves surviving on handouts from a local British-run food bank, with just €20 (£17) in her pocket, and facing eviction
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Benidorm Dream Ends In Food Bank from their two-bed flat in four weeks’ time for rent arrears. Without the funds to fly home to Britain, Lindsey, who moved to Benidorm 10 years ago, told The Sun, “We’re relying on charity and goodwill to put food on the table for us and
the children. We’ve been legal residents here for years, worked hard, and paid our taxes. Now we’re one step away from living on the streets. Coronavirus has been an absolute disaster for us and a lot of other Brits who moved to Benidorm and had made a good life for themselves here.” Karen Maling Cowles, the president of Benidorm’s British Businesses Association, which is running the food bank, revealed, “I never thought I would see so much sadness and so many people struggling. We’re talking about families who have
AT only seven years old, Alba has become a real heroine. The little girl saved the life of her mother, Nuria, who suf‐ fered low blood sugar while she was sleeping. At 7am, Alba noticed that her mother was complaining and making strange sounds whilst they slept next to each other. When her mother did not
BENIDORM: Is just not the same at the moment. always worked and are hard workers. Benidorm’s just not the same at the moment. What you see everywhere are ‘For
Rent’ and ‘For Sale’ signs. The Little England area is completely dead.” She added, “We’re currently
7yr old saved mother’s life respond, the little girl did what her parents have al‐ ways taught her: “I had to give her a soda or sugar wa‐ ter, but she wouldn’t wake up,” the girl said. She then tried to call for help using a mobile phone that had facial recognition. “She tried to put it on my face
but having my eyes closed it didn’t work,” says her moth‐ er. However, Alba then saw an SOS appear on the screen and contacted 112. “I told them the street where I lived and what hap‐ pened to my mother,” ex‐ plains the girl who was also taking care of her younger sis‐
feeding about 26 families, 24 of whom are British. This is something that never happened before coronavirus. We provide them with everything they need, from meat and washing powder through to soap, shampoo, nappies and tea bags. Without that weekly shop, these families wouldn’t survive. The British community has been fantastic in supporting those in need here.” A GoFundMe page has been set up to try and raise the funds for Lindsey and her family to fly home, so far raising £426 of the £1,739 target.
ter who was in the house and very scared. “I cried and just repeated: my mother is sick.” Two Guardia Civil officers appeared at the house in Sevilla moments later and jumped over the fence. They were able to contact Alba, who was calm throughout and handed them a bunch of keys through the window so they could enter the house.
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Spain Child Protection Law ON Thursday, April 15, the Congress of Deputies in Spain’s lower house of parliament approved a pioneering new child protection law aimed at protecting children and adolescents against violence. The legislation was voted through with an absolute majority of 268 votes to 57 16 abstained. The decision was not expected in the current political climate. British concert pianist, James Rhodes, pioneered the new legislation, known as Rhodes Law, in the defence of children’s rights. Rhodes, a Madrid resident, suffered sex-
WITH the end of the State of Alarm on May 9, now more than ever it is important to be clear about the basic key measures to follow to avoid another wave of Covid‐19. One of the most important fac‐ tors we do know about the virus is its transmission through air parti‐ cles emitted by people when they speak, cough or breathe. These tiny droplets of saliva can remain in
NEW LAW: In the defence of children’s rights. ual abuse when he was a boy and has been one of the most public faces pushing for a law to combat violence suffered by youngsters and adolescents. The child protection law must now be passed in the
Senate, where more amendments are likely to be presented. More than 40,000 offences against children were recorded in 2019, and children and adolescents make up nearly half of all sexual abuse victims in Spain.
Avoid another wave the air for hours and travel several metres. You are 20 times more likely to be infected indoors than outdoors. We have also come to find that surface transmission of the virus is of less relevance than first thought. The most important measure is the use of masks; all public and pri‐ vate places must and should have
adequate ventilation. It is advised to not meet with large groups and to maintain a safe distance of be‐ tween 1.5 and 2 metres, whether indoors or outdoors. Finally, although hand hygiene is not as important as first thought, soap and water or hy‐ droalcoholic gel is still highly rec‐ ommended.
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UK Pensions are Low THE UK’s pensions have been ranked showing that UK pen‐ sioners see some of the highest levels of poverty in the world, sparking debate from expats about whether the UK state pension is enough to live on in Spain. Following the news that the UK has some of the highest lev‐ els of pensioner poverty, ex‐ pats in Spain have been debat‐ ing whether a state pension is enough to live on. According to the Express newspaper, the UK govern‐ ment produced a briefing pa‐ per showing how prevalent ‘pensioner poverty’ is across the EU and Organisation for Economic Co‐Operation and Development (OECD) coun‐ tries. Roderick McInnes, the re‐ port’s writer, said: “The OECD uses a common set of statistical conventions to measure in‐ comes consistently across countries to determine the pro‐ portion of the pensioner popu‐ lation in each country living in relative income poverty (de‐ fined as having incomes less
SPANISH LIFE: Can expats on a pension still afford to live here? than 50 per cent of the medi‐ an). “The proportion of people aged 66 and over living in rela‐ tive income poverty varies widely. In the UK it was 14.9 per cent in 2018, the 13th high‐ est out of the 33 OECD coun‐ tries for which data is available for 2016‐2018.” The data showed that UK pensioner property rates were 12.9 per cent for those aged 66 to 75, with those aged over 76 seeing poverty rates rise to 17.8 per cent. The news has sparked de‐ bate among British expats about whether the average UK state pension of £137.60 (€157.81) a week is enough to live on in Spain.
One reader said: “I think the pension amount is definitely not enough to live on when you take into account bills, rent and other expenses.” However, other expats said they were pleased with the amount they receive. One said: “I paid in for so lit‐ tle time that mine just about pays the phone bill. I am grate‐ ful for it all the same, but that is why I still work.” Another said: “I receive around £900 (€1,032.16) a month. “As a pensioner I am more than happy with the latest in‐ crease and the fact that after contributing for more than 40 years I can still receive my UK pension in Spain.”
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Daily Mail Sues Google EWN speaks exclusively to M THE owner of the Daily Mail newspaper and the MailOn‐ line website, Associated Press, is taking web search giant Google to court over claims that their system un‐ fairly biases search results towards smaller news out‐
lets and those that pay more for advertising. Although Google has called the accusa‐ tions “mirthless,” the Mail has insisted that its coverage of the Royal Family following the infamous Oprah Winfrey interview was pushed down
the search result list, despite the fact that they published several stories a day about Meghan Markle, Prince Har‐ ry and the rest of the royals. Daily Mail editor emeritus Peter Wright said that Google’s actions were “anti‐ competitive” and that they were being “punished” for not covering their site with more advertising. Mr Wright said that the website started showing up on searches less and less af‐ ter the company began ad‐ vertising differently, “allow‐ ing us to divert advertising traffic away from Google to other ad exchanges, which paid better prices ‐ and this was their punishment. “We think it’s time to call this company out,” he added. The Associated Press law‐ suit, which was formally sub‐ mitted on Tuesday, April 20, claims that the MailOnline is one of the world’s most pop‐ ular news websites, with 75 million monthly hits in the US alone.
WHEN you are just 20 years old and already a three-time world champion in your sport, having to take a year off is a nightmare. This is what has happened to Spanish motocross rider Jorge Prado who has been unable to compete in any races since the lockdown. Considered by many as the motocross equivalent to Lewis Hamilton, having started riding at the age of three, Jorge was very modest when speaking exclusively to Euro Weekly News about the comparison, saying “I can see why people say that, but I only hope that I can be as successful as Lewis over a long period of time.” Motocross is a form of offroad motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom as early as 1909, but its competitive home is now Belgium. Jorge was born in Galicia and was so impressed by his father’s love for motor cycles that he just wanted to learn to ride himself and his wish was granted when
he was presented with his own miniature bike at the age of three and since then he has found incredible success in his sport. As he grew, so did his bikes and eventually the family moved to Belgium to be close to the main practice tracks and the top competitors and teams. Since that time, Jorge has done pretty well with an incredible record of growth and success: European and World Champion at 65cc in 2011 at the age of 10 years and eight months. European Champion at 125 cc, in 2015 at the age of 14, being the youngest champion ever in the category. In 2018, he became MX2 motocross world champion at the age of 17 and repeated that achievement the following year aged 18. Whilst he liked Belgium, he found it a little difficult to adjust to living in a colder climate with a less relaxed style when com-
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Motocross World Champion Jorge Prado taking the lead on bike 61.
pared to Spain, but he was quickly signed up by the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team with whom he is contracted until 2023, even though he was their youngest ever rider. From Belgium, his family moved to Rome with its more Latin way of life, but when asked whether he drives in Italy’s busy city, he smiled and shook his head, explaining that was too ambitious even for him. The last year has seen Jorge in training, getting fitter and mastering his riding techniques ready for the first race of 2021, which he hopes will be in June and which should then take him off around the world. With regards to whether he enjoyed so much travel he said “It is very intense with no time to go sightseeing and with the pandemic, I know it’s going to be even tougher with the need to obey all of the rules of hygiene and distancing.” When we spoke, he was enjoying a one week stay in Galicia at his grandparents’ house so that he could get to see them and other relatives as well as
sponsors since motocross is so popular in the region that every race is broadcast live on regional TV. Many footballers have their favourite shirt number and Jorge is no different as at an early age he was given 61 in a race that he won and so from then on, he has kept what he considers to be his lucky number. Summing up has life to date, the very humble young world champion said “Motocross is my life, it’s what I love, I’ve been doing this for many years and I couldn’t do any other sport.” It’s a daring, high speed adventure and this young man who speaks Spanish, English and Dutch will be doing his best to stay at the top of this exciting sport for years to come. Watch behind the scenes of Jorge Prado’s rollercoaster 2020 season in MX World: The KTM Diaries S3E4 on Red Bull Motorsport YouTube. The full docuseries starring Prado’s teammates Tony Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings and more, is available to watch in full on Red Bull TV.
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First Holy Communion ONE of the major religious and social events for any Spanish Catholic child and their family is the taking of the first Holy Com‐ munion. It’s an important event which traditionally takes place just after Easter and is a source of impor‐ tant income for a whole range of businesses of all types through‐ out Spain. Tradition calls for the boys and girls to be treated as if they are publicly accepting God now that they have reached the age of rea‐ son at between eight and nine years of age, having learned their catechism and made their first confession. Girls generally wear white dresses to symbolise that they are now Brides of Christ and many boys are dressed in pristine sailor suits (up to the imaginary rank of Admiral) to show that they will now navigate life to the secure port of Jesus. All of this comes at a consider‐ able cost although some enter‐ prising charity shops, alert to the problems that many families have experienced due to the pandemic are appealing for do‐
TRADITIONAL: Girls generally wear white dresses. nations of dresses to then sell on to this year’s band of communion takers. Normally, the communion sees large numbers of friends and family flocking to the local church, which might have as many as 10 children in one of up to three sessions receiving com‐ munion and then it’s time to par‐ ty with everyone invited to lunch at a nearby restaurant. Those invited either chip in with a cash amount or a gift for the child who is the centre of at‐ tention for the day. Last year, communions were
postponed to much later in the year although in 2021, they are beginning to take place although in a much more restrained man‐ ner recognising numbers allowed and social distancing. Those selling the uniforms will probably see their income re‐ stored but with fewer able to at‐ tend, toy shops and restaurants are going to see their share of the communion money reduced, al‐ though hopefully not as badly as in 2020 and some parents will be holding back with the celebra‐ tions to see what is allowed after May 9.
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EXCLUSIVE
Plans for cheaper tests THE EWN’s campaign to urge the UK government to lower the costs of PCR tests so Brits in Spain can see their loved ones again has seen success after a Minister confirmed plans for cheaper tests. After writing to the Department for Transport, the EWN’s CEO Michel Euesden has since received a reply from the UK’s Minister for Aviation, Robert Courts
Michel & Steven Euesden. MP announcing plans for the government to help lower test costs. Writing to Michel Euesden, the
Noise is harmful IN anticipation of International Noise Awareness Day which took place on April 28, the Spanish Acoustic Society issued a plea to the Spanish Government to meet its European Union noise obli‐ gations. Antonio Pedrero González, President of the Spanish Acoustic Society explained that noise pollution is one of the most impor‐ tant environmental problems in today’s society. Contrary to what some might think, environmental noise not only supposes a loss of comfort in the affected people, but it con‐ stitutes a serious public health problem, which affects a large number of people. According to data from the European Environment Agency, prolonged exposure to environmental noise causes 12,000 pre‐ mature deaths each year in Europe and contributes to 48,000 new cases of ischemic (coronary) heart disease. It is also estimated that 22 million people are considered high‐ ly affected by noise and 6.5 million people suffer from chronic sleep disorders from this cause.
minister said: “I am sorry to hear the cost of PCR tests has caused concern for your readers.” He added: “The Government recognises… that the cost of these tests can be high. “We will work with the travel industry and private testing providers ahead of international travel reopening to see how we can further reduce the cost of travel for the British public while ensuring travel is as safe as possible. “This could include cheaper tests when holidaymakers return home, as well as whether the government would be able to provide pre-departure tests.” Responding to Michel’s concerns that the price of PCR tests can reach £214 (€245), Mr Courts added information to help travellers find the cheapest tests. He said: “Individuals are encouraged to conduct their own research about available providers, the tests they supply and their terms and conditions of sale. More information at: gov.uk The minister thanked Michel for her letter, saying: “I hope the information provided will be useful both for you and your readers.”
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SINCE the Covid pandemic struck Spain, Xavier Antó and Carmen Panzano have been separated for the first prolonged period of time in the couple’s 65-year marriage, they now meet through a pane of glass at a nursing home. Antó, 90, goes three or four times a week to the street-level window that looks into the nurs-
Meeting through window ing home in Barcelona where his 92-year-old wife lives after the home closed to visitors more than a year ago to protect its residents from Covid. Employees provide him with a
chair and bring Panzano, who has Alzheimer’s disease, to the other side of the window so they can speak through the pane of glass. Antó uses his phone to show Panzano photos of their grandchil-
dren, the husband and wife also place their hands on the glass and blow each other kisses. Both of them have had their Covid vaccines, however, nursing homes in Spain are still are under
NEWS
tight restrictions after tens of thousands of people died in senior care facilities during the early months of the pandemic. The couple met in 1953 and got married in 1955. They have always been at each other’s side, except for a short time at the beginning of their relationship when Antó worked away from home.
McCann’s £750,000 Fund MADELEINE MCCANN’S parents have more than £750,000 €862,473 in a fund to pay for a private search if the police hunt ever ends and the investigation stops. The latest accounts for Madeleine’s Fund - Leaving No Stone Unturned Ltd - show a balance of £773,629 - €889,646 for
the year ending March 31, 2020. According to the publicly available documents, the money will be used to “secure the safe return to her family” of Madeleine McCann and to ensure her “abduction is thoroughly investigated” and her alleged abductors “are identified and
brought to justice.” Once that objective has been fulfilled any remaining money will be donated to help crack similar cases. According to reports, 90 per cent of children who go missing in the UK are found within 48 hours, and the vast majority return home unharmed.
Meningitis case drop L A S T Saturday, April 24, was World Meningitis Day, which the Ministry of Health and Families of the Junta de Andalucía has joined in with, by promoting vaccination against meningitis as a means of prevention of this disease (meningococcal disease). Figures reveal that during the last 12 months, there have been only 24 cases in all of Spain, six of which have been in Andalucia, compared to the 257 cases of meningitis the previous year - of which 31 died - a staggering drop of 90.6 per cent.
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Mass Events Unlimited
SPAIN’S central government said it is NOT willing to enforce a limit on mass events when the State of Alarm ends on May 9. Carolina Darias, the Minister of Health, guaran‐ tees that a draft Public Health Commission docu‐ ment on the banning of mass gatherings depend‐ ing on the incidence rate in the province will only be a guide for regional governments so that measures can be standardised throughout the
country, but “in no case will we try to force the re‐ gions to follow these recommendations.” “To recommend is not to prohibit. This type of event is the responsibility of the regions,” the min‐ ister said. The Public Health Commission proposal, which is still being debated, will establish four levels accord‐ ing to the cumulative incidence rate of the province.
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NEWS
Broken Measures
A SPANISH consumer association survey that took place in the last week of March has revealed that there are some Covid measures that are complied with more than others. However, there are two in particular that people said they regularly don’t follow. The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) found that half of those who took the survey never, or almost never, maintain a social distance of two metres during a meeting, and only a quarter always follow the rule. Another Covid measure designed to prevent the spread of the virus that is most often ignored re‐ lates to meetings in private homes with people that you don’t live with. In most of the regions, a maxi‐ mum number of six people are allowed to meet, but the OCU report reveals that half of the respon‐ dents admitted to breaking the rule and 7 per cent said they did not respect it.
Missions To Mars A GROUP of talented young‐ sters from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) have designed three manned missions that could
realistically make it to Mars. The students, all studying Industrial, Aerospace and Audiovisual Engineering un‐ der the tutorship of Profes‐
sor Miguel Sureda, have de‐ signed the space vehicles, complete with the necessary technology for them to safe‐ ly land on the red planet. The professor told Spanish press that the engineering students “during their train‐ ing, must understand and learn formulas, equations, theorems and the entire set of scientific language” and, throughout their profession‐ al lives, “they must trans‐ form it into technological so‐ lutions.” One of the bright stu‐ dents, Lorena Tortajada, ex‐ plained that her spacecraft “could transport three astro‐ nauts and would reach Mars after six months of space travel.” Yet another group designed a vehicle for up to three people “who would travel to Mars for about 200 days in a spacecraft similar to the one built in the frame‐ work of the Apollo space programmes.”
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CYBERATTACK PHONE HOUSE: Assured that no ransom was paid.
Shakira could face jail time ON Wednesday April 21, the Spanish Tax Agency sent a new report to the court in which it confirms that the singer Shakira defrauded €14.5 million (£12,568,875) to the Treasury between 2012 and 2014. She may sing about how her ‘hips don’t lie’, but it would seem she lied about residing in Spain and hid her earnings through a network of companies. According to legal sources, the Spanish Treasury contradicts the arguments of the defence of the Colombian singer, who presents her concert and television schedule to try to appear as though she remained in Spain for less than 184 days and, therefore, had no obligation to pay taxes in this country. The head of the Court of Instruction number two of Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona) summoned the Treasury and the defence to testify on July 8 to present their thesis on what Shakira’s tax obligations were.
THE Phone House chain of mobile telephone stores in Spain was hit by the ‘Babuk’ ransomware cyberattack on Sunday April 11, but did not become public until April 21, and now, reportedly, the instigators of the attack claim to have published data on the dark web of 13 million customers who were on the company’s database. The company assured that no ransom was paid to the cybercriminals, on the advice of cybersecurity experts, Hispasec, who claim that giving in to such demands only leads to funding more similar attacks, and still does not guarantee that the criminals would not publish the stolen data anyway. Around 13 million customers’ personal information was stored on the Phone House’s servers, including full names, addresses, date of birth, email address, telephone contact number, home address, nationality, as well as bank account details, passport or identity document information, and the IMEI codes of all the devices sold to those customers.
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Mass Car SORN in Spain EWN previously reported on how millions of vehicle owners could face fines for not having insurance. It has now been announced that thousands of cars in Spain that have not been insured for over 10 years or have not
passed their ITV, so-called zombie cars, will be suddenly cancelled by the DGT. The Official State Gazette (BOE) published last week a Royal Decree on end-of-life vehicles that includes, among other new features, the es-
Reading comes back
LIKE every other non‐essential retailer in Spain, book‐ stores were hit hard during the coronavirus, being forced to shut up shop and left at the mercy of online sellers. However, as International Book Day 2021 was celebrated around the globe on Friday, April 23, Span‐ ish bibliophiles had a reason to rejoice, as national sell‐ ers saw an increase of €9 million in their turnover com‐ pared with the same day last year. In a turn up for the books (so sorry!), sales have not only increased this year around the world, but they are actually higher than in the years leading up to the pan‐ demic. As reported by Spanish press, during the first three months of 2019, the global amount of book sales totalled €85 million; this dropped to €78 million during the coronavirus pandemic, but for the same period in 2021, €87 million worth of books have been sold.
tablishment of one year from the date of application for the temporary deregistration of a vehicle. After this time period, if an extension hasn’t been requested, the car will be in active status again which will mean the corresponding administrative and fiscal obligations, such as the payment of the circulation tax, are to be addressed. The extension may be requested at the Traffic Headquarters and has to be requested no later than two months before the end date of the temporary deregistration. Many vehicles were temporarily deregistered so that illegal scrapyards could export them or cut them up with a lower tax burden. Another of the rules included in this Royal Decree is the obligation to pass an ITV inspection on cars that have been declared a total loss by the insurance company, whether the owner intends to continue with it or for it to be transferred to another owner.
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TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials are the fuel that keeps us going! WE are living in uncertain times but if one thing is sure, we all need people who we can count on to help us get through it. Our clients know that competition is tougher than ever, but they also know that we’ve got their backs and they can count on us to go the extra mile to make them stand out from the rest and get the results that they need. Euro Weekly News gets our advertisers where they want to go, but don’t take our word for it, read what they have to say about us. po‐ The Euro Weekly is a fantastic way to make of nt amou huge the tential customers aware of com‐ le peop many ble, availa products we have ment that our advert was the reason they arranged a no obligation site visit, and when people visit the showroom in Antas they always pick up the latest copy! or Damian Benbow Sales & Project Co‐ordinat 063 196 Lifestyle Enclosures: +34 950 459 060 • +34 638 ail.com c@gm yle.en lifest • com ures. nclos www.lifestyle‐e ria Alme . 8 Calle El Garcel 11 Pol Ind El Real, Antas 0462
I would like to say a big thank you to the Euro Weekly team and especially my rep Mich elle for five years of great flexible profession al ser‐ vice and long may it continue. Mozzie Paul 711 006 718 • +44 7444 737 796 • pleslie@h otmail.co.uk
a We have been advertising with Euro Weekly for a have We us. for s work it use long time beca looks s alway she elle, Mich with p onshi relati great of any new after us and keeps in contact via phone and email in. sted intere be may offers or feature pieces we Keep up the good work Emma • Premier 966 190 643 • info@premiermovespain.com
Hi EWN. I have know n Mich elle for man y years now. She has always helped me and pointed me in the right direction as an ex RETAILER and Ex Area Manager I know abou t service and know that Michelle has always had my back. i would recommend her and have to all my acquaintances. She and EWN are an asset to my business. Pete ‐ AA Free English TV Call Stuart 634 373 797 or Pete 606 297 825
or Whatsapp
We advertise in the Euro Weekly because it’s the most popular free newspaper in our opinion. Michelle looks after us with 100 per cent dedica‐ tion and professionalism at all times. Ben Cook | Sales Consultant The Property Shop Mob +34 628 045 614 • Tel +34 966 718 836 Avda. de las Naciones N°8, Ciudad Quesada 03170 Rojales (Alicante) Spain • www.propshopspain.com
Loyalty means everything In these times we are living, with everything changing from one day to the next we all need constants in our lives, and team EWN, from the CEO to the writers, from sales to production, have stood tall through thick and thin, despite everything that Covid‐19 brought upon us. Our clients know and appreciate this, they are aware that we were there for them through lockdown, while we were all facing huge changes and upheaval, to ensure that we could all make it out at the other end. Their praise and their loyalty means the world to us and the fact that they speak so well of us and decide to put their trust in us, even at times when many people are understandably afraid to invest, is what keeps us going and keep us fighting to be the best. To have clients praise your products, your team, your service and your results is high praise indeed. No less than the best We all need to offer the best service in these times, as competition is tougher than ever and we can’t do anything less than our best to be the ones who get the results. At a time when people are afraid to invest in themselves or in their products because they can’t be sure of what will work and can’t afford to take risks, our clients’ testimonials are all the proof they need to make the choice and choose the best in the business. Our team, our amazing EWN family, ensures that everything runs smoothly and our clients’ testimonials are proof of this, they are the fuel that keeps our fire alight and the reason we strive to always be the best. Relatable experiences Testimonials are proof of just how trustworthy our company is and al‐ though we can tell you over and over how good we are, we understand that potential clients are more likely to be swayed by the positive opin‐ ions of our existing clients than what we tell them. It’s a lot easier for potential clients to relate to the experiences they read in the testimonials than with company directors. Sometimes they can explain even better than us just how we can help you with what you need and how our services can be beneficial to your business. Deciding to invest Testimonials are proof of our credibility as one of the leading compa‐ nies on the Spanish costas and our expertise in what we can do for com‐ panies who are now facing one of the most difficult times ever. We un‐ derstand that at this time, people are more cautious about where they invest their money and need extra confidence in the company they de‐ cide to trust with their advertising needs. They will choose the company with the best track record and will look for those who can show the results of their accomplishments. That’s us. Did you know that according to certain studies, 92 per cent of people read testimonials before making a decision to invest their money and that almost 90 per cent trust them as much as a personal recommenda‐ tion? So our clients’ testimonials and their satisfaction are of utmost im‐ portance to us and always have been. Just see for yourself what our clients have to say about us.
Our advertising campaign with the Euro Weekly has always been both easy and effective. The team are always on hand our to assist if required and go the extra mile to make tial. poten its meet aign camp Vic Underwood Ecocorp Solar 671 716 597 ‐ 950 096 166 ‐ www.ecocorp.solar Since arriving in Spain in 2005 I have adve rtised in the Euro Weekly News. They have help ed me flourish and grow my business througho ut the years which has been a massive help. They offer guidance and help when needed and have been there throughout this Pandemic with good deals and edito rial about my Com‐ pany throughout this time. I am very grateful for all their support. It has been a very difficult coup le of years for all businesses, especially with Brexit and Covi d. Wendy Codd Res Framire Local 6, C/Alcornoque, 2960 4, Marbella, Málaga (0034) 952 830 843 or 951 080 118 Mob : 635 592 610/676 098 464 • Info@euinsuranced irect.com
kly for We have advertised with the Euro Wee mely extre is r pape news The . now over 10 years is al‐ Coy elle Mich t agen my and d ibute distr well an up write rt, adve ways at the end of the phone to edit our . need may any comp a as we ing editorial or assist with anyth not could We . costs g rtisin adve llent exce Great service and team enough and praise both Michelle and the Euro Weekly er 10 years. anoth for them will continue to advertise WITH Pamela Bradley Breakers Bradleybreakerscatral1@outlook.com 607 848 332 ‐ Cars • 632 320 195 ‐ Parts Facebook: Bradley Breakers
The Eur o We ekl y Ne ws hav e ass iste d The British Removal Company for many years now promoting our removal and storage services. Advertising within this popula r and respected publication has certainly helped The Brit ish Removal Company to be‐ come a leading removal bus iness within the Costa del Sol. It definitely has worked for us and we would highly rec ‐ ommend other businesses to advertise with them. Zaina Sierra The British Removal Compan y: Polígono Industrial Fase 1‐30B ‐ Paseo de La His panidad Torre 4 ‐ Buzón 23, Alhaurin de La Torre Málaga 29130 • Tel: 952 426 463
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Concerns over PCR cost EASYJET: Carried out a recent poll.
THE figures from a poll carried out by easyJet found that Brits would pay up to €57 for a PCR test, sparking hopes the news could push the government to cap costs and help expats see their loved ones again. The research also found that the average Brit believes the cost of a PCR test should be re‐ duced to £30 (€34), while 58 per cent of Britons are more likely to take a holiday abroad to low‐risk green countries this summer if the government introduced cheaper lateral flow tests. New research has found 61 per cent of Brits believe under the traffic light travel system, the green tier should mean restric‐ tion‐free travel this summer. Which? found the current cost for return travel to Spain could cost up to £330 per per‐ son. Concerns about the price of PCR tests were voiced by Euro Weekly News readers signing our Cap the Costs petition in www.euroweeklynews.com urg‐ ing the government to lower the price of tests so that expats can see their loved ones again.
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Confusion and contradiction THE Internet and Facebook pages are awash with con‐ fusing and contradicting in‐ formation for expats re‐ turning to Spain from the UK. Since January 1, 2021, when the UK officially left
the European Union, expats have been faced with a string of hurdles when try‐ ing to return back to Spain. It would appear, judging by what expats are saying on social media, that your chances of being allowed to
UK ‘No Longer in a Pandemic’ THE UK is no longer in a pandemic after the vaccine roll‐ out has cut infections by 90 per cent, according to an expert. The expert said the UK is no longer in a pandemic. According to the Sun newspaper, Sarah Walker, a pro‐ fessor of medical statistics and epidemiology at Oxford, said Britain had “moved from a pandemic to an endem‐ ic situation.” She added: “Without vaccines, I don’t think getting close to zero is really feasible in the situation now in the UK where we’re effectively endemic, we’ve moved from a pandemic to an endemic situation.” Professor Walker said falling infections were due to lockdown and vaccines. She said: “Long‐term lockdown isn’t a viable solution so vaccines are clearly going to be the only way that we are going to have a chance to con‐ trol this,” she said. Data from a study of the impact of the vaccine shows it reduces infection and helps cut transmission.
return to Spain from the UK rely a lot on which airline you fly with, and which air‐ ports you fly in and out of. Jessica said: "I am stuck in the UK. I checked my resi‐ dency application status this morning to find ‘Resuel‐ to ‐ Favorable’. I am thrilled but would like to know if I can now get back to Spain with this. I had problems with easyJet in March from Gatwick to Alicante because they would only accept the TIE or residency document. It was a very stressful expe‐ rience and I would not want to go through that again, so am rather reluctant to risk it. I would really appreciate it if anyone has any experi‐ ence of travelling with their favourable decision email." Jessica’s situation isn’t an isolated one, EWN has pre‐ viously covered stories of confused expats trying to return to Spain believing that they have the correct documentation only to be turned around at the air‐ port and forced back to the UK.
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Low Birth rate data
ECONOMIC insecurity, fear of contagion in hospitals and the closure of fertility clinics are some of the factors that have caused a fall in birth rates during the pandemic in many countries. However, with falls of up to 21 per cent over the previous year, according to a study released on Wednesday April 21, Spain has seen the biggest drop. D emographer T omas Sobotka, from the Austrian
Academy of Sciences, said: “This negative trend is more common in southern European countries, as they are less developed states in terms of social support and with labour markets in a worse situation.” The report has collected birth data from 15 European Union countries since the pandemic began, as well as collecting data from S witzerland, N orway, U kraine, R ussia, the U S ,
Staff Reduction FOLLOWING its merger with Bankia, Caixabank is planning to cut 8,291 jobs in the biggest ever staff reduction in Spanish banking, and the third-largest in Spain’s corporate history. On Tuesday April 20, management informed union leaders about its plans to cut employee numbers by 18.7 per cent to 36,109, down from 44,000. Not only this, over 1,500 branches representing 27 per cent of the total will be closed. The same day María Jesús Montero, Spain’s finance minister and government spokesperson said the number of job cuts would be higher. She also called the plans “bad news” at a time when the government is making “Herculean efforts” to preserve jobs through ERTE schemes and avoid the level of unemployment figures that were seen during the 2008 crisis.
South Korea and Taiwan, to prove that there has been a clear decrease in births during the pandemic.
Bay City Rollers LES MCKEOWN, singer of the Bay City Rollers, has died aged 65 as friends and fans pay tribute. According to the Mail Online, the news was announced by the singer’s family after he died at home on Thursday April 22. Formed in the 1960s, the Bay City Rollers shot to success in the UK and internationally with songs including Bye Bye Baby and Shang-a-Lang and selling more than 100 million records. The singer was born in Scotland in 1955 and joined the Bay City Rollers in 1973 before leaving in 1978. He later went on to a solo career, releasing several albums. After forming in 1966, the Bay City Rollers became one of the UK’s biggest-selling groups in the 1970s.
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Scoliosis Awareness Month June 2021 C H E C K Y our B ack - C heck Y our C hild’s Back. I am often contacted by parents of children who have recently been diagnosed with scoliosis. What many of them have in common is that before hearing this diagnosis they have never heard of the condition or its symptoms. Scoliosis is an S-shaped double curvature of the spine affecting three to four children in every 1,000. My mother had never heard of scoliosis before the fateful day of my diagnosis. I often wonder how life might be different if my symptoms had been noticed earlier. If caught early, it is sometimes possible to correct scoliosis with the use of a back brace and proper exercises. W hen my scoliosis was discovered at age 15, the condition was already too severe for me to be able to consider this option. My ribs had buckled and twisted giving me a large rib hump. At 20, I had surgery to prevent my spine from crushing my heart and lungs. Since then, I have had two further surgeries to help straighten my spine and correct the placement of my ribs.
Advised by doctors and surgeons to train regularly and strengthen my muscles, I became passionate about exercise. Following this path has truly helped immeasurably with my recovery. With proper care and treatment, and with the support of my family and friends, I feel lucky to have been able to lead a full and normal life, raise my wonderful children, and pursue a personal training career, supporting others with scoliosis. To check yourself or your child for scoliosis, bend over to touch the toes and observe the symmetry of the spine. Signs of scoliosis as advised by the NHS include: • A visibly curved spine • Leaning to one side • Uneven shoulders • One shoulder or hip sticking out
If you think you or your child may be displaying signs of scoliosis, visit your GP who can refer you for further diagnosis. Scoliosis Awareness day is 26th June 2021 The Scoliosis Association UK
EUROPEAN PRESS
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EUROPEAN NIBS DENMARK
FRANCE
Keeping Green
Not guilty
THE latest report from the World Economic Forum (WEF), says that Denmark remains one of the top countries in the world when it comes to embracing renewable resources. According to the WEF, Denmark comes third after Sweden and Norway out of a list of 115 countries.
IN an interview with Le Figaro, President Macron said that he believed that the law should be changed after a man who killed his neighbour by throwing her out of a window was found not guilty of murder as he was high on drugs.
NETHERLANDS Cash rich
NORWAY Naval disaster Norway’s accident investigations commission has ruled that due to poor training, the crew of the frigate KNM Helge Ingstad contributed to its sinking as they did not close doors and hatches when they abandoned ship after colliding with a tanker in 2018.
CRIMINALS in Holland are finding that the pandemic has made money laundering activities more difficult as regular ‘fronts’ such as bars, restaurants and hairdressers were unable to open according to a report from the public prosecution department and around €100 million in cash was seized in 2020.
FINLAND
BELGIUM
Battery power
Wolf cubs A FEMALE wolf named Noella, is expecting a new litter of cubs according to the Agency for Nature and Woodland having taken photographs of her in Limburg Province. The photos will not be released for some time in case the area is recognised and attracts hunters.
GERMANY Offering refuge LIKE other governments, Germany is getting ready to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan but unlike some others, it believes that it has an obligation to offer refuge or protection to those who have helped the military according to the German Defence Minister.
AN undisclosed investment by UK group Johnson Matthey and the Finnish Minerals Group will see the construction of a new plant in Vaasa which will see Finland becoming an important player in the supply of batteries for electric vehicles in the future.
SWEDEN Woman Ambassador AS the Saudi Arabian government appears to become slightly more progressive and tolerant, it has appointed Einas Al-Shahwan as the Kingdom’s ambassadordesignate to Sweden during a virtual meeting with King Salman. She will be the Saudi’s third female Ambassador to be appointed over the years.
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FINANCE BUSINESS EXTRA Telefónica THE re-elected Chairman of the Board of Telefónica José María Alvarez-Pallete told shareholders as he unveiled the company’s new logo that he believed that the share price would rise once the market saw the financial impact of the merger of 02 and Virgin in the UK.
An apology AMERICAN bankers JPMorgan which advises both Real Madrid and Manchester Football clubs have issued a formal apology saying “We misjudged the reception of the Super League among the football community.” The shortlived Super League caused nothing but trouble for all involved.
Retail sales up NEW figures released by the UK Office for National Statistics indicate that March retail sales were much better than forecast by many analysts, growing by 5.4 per cent thanks to the gradual easing of Covid-19 restrictions with more opportunities for people to visit retail outlets.
Company restructure ALTHOUGH some online betting companies in the UK have done well during the pandemic, Spain’s Codere SA has not been so lucky. The gaming group which has betting shops and casinos in Spain, Italy and South America has been heavily hit by the Covid-19 pandemic meaning that its physical operations have been closed for much of the last year. With significant debts and bonds that need to be honoured, it is coming to an arrangement to convert much of its debt into shares in a new company which will be 95 per cent owned by the bond holders.
STAT OF WEEK
www.euroweeklynews.com • 29 April - 5 May 2021
€919 billion
is the record amount of money that Spaniards have deposited in banks and savings institutions since the start of the pandemic according to America’s Moody’s.
Turning the other cheek INITIALLY launched in Asia by an American based com‐ pany, green toilet paper made out of bamboo could soon arrive in Spain and the rest of Europe. According to producers of Bambooloo, bamboo is the fastest growing material in the world and is packed with great benefits for peo‐ ple and the planet. It’s 100 per cent hypoal‐ lergenic, 100 per cent chem‐ ical free, highly absorbent
(25 per cent more ab‐ sorbent than wood pulp) and septic safe. Not only is it better for us, it is also better on the planet. Bamboo grows around a metre a day and reaches maturity in around five years, while trees take 20 to 50 years to reach ma‐ turity. Bamboo can grow in soil where other plants can’t and thus highly arable land can be saved for other crops
LEGALLY SPEAKING
and what’s more the type of bamboo they use is too hard for pandas to eat! In order to make 220 sheets of bamboo toilet pa‐ per, it takes 2.6 gallons of water and 132g of carbon, whilst it takes 37 gallons of water and 440g of carbon to make the same amount of toilet paper out of wood pulp. Parent company The Nur‐ turing Co has attracted a sig‐ nificant investment from
the Razer Green Fund and Razer which is a well‐known and respected company supplying tech equipment to gamers (with outlets in El Corte Ingles, FNAC and oth‐ ers in Spain) is investing part of its profits into supporting sustainable business. So confident are they in the concept of bamboo toi‐ let paper that they will be using Bambooloo in the toi‐ lets of all their offices around the world.
Covered wherever you are
They break parking rules We live in a community that has painted single, no‐parking lines on our street. Despite this, and the fact it is contained in our community rules, some owners and renters choose to ignore these signs. There are at times as many as eight vehicles parked up, causing problems of entry and blind spots which could result in a accident. What can be done legally to enforce the law and the com‐ munity rules? All owners have a dedicated parking space in the garage area.
Sparkling news AFTER the initial boycott of Catalan produced cava because of the push for independence, things have recovered and Raventós Codorníu. The cava and wine group owned by US fund Carlyle has launched its new e-commerce platform, 15bodegas.com to try to expand worldwide market share.
28
L I (Costa del Sol)
It seems that your street is part of YOU AND THE LAW your community IN SPAIN and not a public way so you cannot just call a policeman to issue a parking ticket. Nor is it feasible for the community to charge fines to the owners who break the rule. The only possibility that I can suggest is to place a physical barrier such as a chain where the white line is now. The chain could be removed when necessary. You will have to be sure that community regulations do not prohibit this.
DAVID SEARL
Send your questions for David Searl through lawyers Ubeda-Retana and Associates in Fuengirola at Ask@lawtaxspain.com, or call 952 667 090.
SANTANDER BANK, BBVA and Caixa have become founding members of the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), which has been convened by the United Na‐ tions Environment Pro‐ gramme Finance Initiative. The group plans to help mobilise the financial sup‐ port necessary to build a
Your funeral can take place wherever you wish. MANY people are concerned about what could happen if they die when they are away from their country of resi‐ dence. Having a Golden Leaves Plan means that this is some‐ thing that neither you nor your family will have to wor‐ ry about. When you choose your fu‐ neral plan, you can arrange for dual coverage in Spain and the UK at no extra charge, so your funeral can take place in your country of origin if you wish. Everything will be ar‐
ranged for you, whether you want to be buried or cremat‐ ed in Spain or if you want your body to be returned to your home soil. Plus, if you have a global portability plan, even if you pass away while you are away from your country of residence your plan covers you wherever you are, even if you don’t want to be repa‐ triated. The value of the plan can be used either to pay all or part of the cost of a funeral service in the country where you pass away.
www.goldenleavesinternational.com enquiries@goldenleaves.com Facebook: goldenleavesspain
Net Zero Banking Alliance global zero emissions econ‐ omy and deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement, and provide a forum for strate‐ gic coordination among fi‐ nancial institutions to ac‐ celerate the transition to a net zero economy.
NZBA brings together 43 of the world’s leading banks (although this may increase) and members are committed to phasing out all operational and at‐ tributable greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their
lending and investment portfolios. At the end of 2020, San‐ tander CIB was the world leader in renewable financ‐ ing, according to Dealogic. In 2020, the bank helped fi‐ nance greenfield renewable
Record borrowings THE UK Government’s bor‐ rowing has hit its highest level since the Second World War as the total by the end of March reached £303.1 billion (€333 billion) according to the ONU. The Office for National Statistics added that bor‐ rowing in March alone rose t o £ 2 8 b i l l i o n ( € 3 0 . 8 b i l‐ lion) and compared to the same time last year, bor‐ rowings over income for the Government were up by £250 billion (€275 bil‐ lion). There is no doubt that the pandemic is to blame for this huge increase in borrowing, but as Britain comes out of lockdown, the road to economic re‐ covery is going to be rocky to say the least.
The Hut Group THE highly successful Hut Group has announced that it will take over food manufacturer Brighter Foods from Real Good Food, paying £43 million (€47 million). The market for this type of nutritional bar is growing con‐ siderably which might explain why Hut are paying a 12‐x mul‐ tiple of turnover for the Welsh company that produces the Wild Trail range of vegan op‐ tions as well. In a tweet, Hut said that it ex‐ pects to create more than 100 new jobs in Wales and to con‐ tinue to support British manu‐ facturing wherever possible. Completion of the sale is ex‐ pected by the end of May. energy projects with enough installed capacity to power 10.3 million households, and prevent 60 million tons of CO2 emis‐ sions. The bank also announced the appointment of Anto‐ nio Simoes as CEO of San‐ tander Spain who joined a year ago from HSBC.
30 EWN
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29 April - 5 May 2021
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C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 26
COMPANY PRICE(P) CHANGE(P) 3I Group 1.236,50 1.240,50 Admiral Group 3.195,0 3.198,0 Anglo American 3.132,0 3.148,0 Antofagasta 1.827,50 1.837,50 Ashtead Group 4.782,0 4.783,0 Associated British Foods 2.294,0 2.316,0 AstraZeneca 7.564,0 7.702,0 Auto Trader Group Plc 574,60 576,40 Avast 481,70 481,70 Aveva 3.930,0 3.945,0 Aviva 399,00 401,40 B&M European Value Retail SA558,40 564,20 BAE Systems 496,30 499,50 Bank VTB DRC 1,320 1,320 Barclays 181,98 182,44 Barratt Developments 782,40 786,00 Berkeley 4.579,0 4.588,0 BHP Group 2.212,50 2.219,50 BP 292,10 293,45 British American Tobacco 2.734,0 2.737,5 British Land Company 510,00 512,60 BT Group 155,05 155,65 Bunzl 2.454,0 2.457,0 Burberry Group 2.078,0 2.083,0 Carnival 1.654,4 1.657,0 Centrica 55,26 56,28 Coca Cola HBC AG 2.534,0 2.543,0 Compass 1.567,50 1.584,50 CRH 3.430,0 3.441,0 Croda Intl 6.930,0 6.932,0 DCC 6.352,0 6.422,0 Diageo 3.296,0 3.312,0 DS Smith 423,20 423,20 EasyJet 986,40 1.005,50 Experian 2.767,0 2.787,0 Ferguson 9.282,0 9.318,0 Flutter Entertainment 15.295,0 15.330,0 Fresnillo 893,40 919,60 GlaxoSmithKline 1.342,60 1.349,80 Glencore 296,25 297,95 Halma 2.628,0 2.634,0 Hargreaves Lansdown 1.677,00 1.684,50 Hikma Pharma 2.392,00 2.444,00 HSBC 419,00 419,00 IAG 196,74 199,50 Imperial Brands 1.486,50 1.490,00 Informa 550,00 551,40 InterContinental 5.182,0 5.204,0 Intermediate Capital 2.046,00 2.049,00 Intertek 6.198,0 6.266,0 ITV 117,60 118,50
% CHG. 1.225,50 3.163,0 3.073,0 1.803,50 4.682,0 2.289,0 7.548,0 565,80 473,10 3.903,0 395,50 553,80 489,00 1,230 178,36 773,80 4.530,0 2.183,50 289,80 2.705,5 503,80 153,10 2.436,0 2.050,0 1.602,0 54,78 2.511,0 1.555,00 3.373,0 6.838,0 6.320,0 3.254,0 410,10 972,20 2.747,0 9.212,0 14.860,0 886,80 1.335,60 290,30 2.606,0 1.657,00 2.381,00 412,40 193,24 1.472,50 537,20 5.080,0 2.016,00 6.112,0 115,65
NET VOL 708,09K 584,87K 1,78M 735,35K 640,20K 440,72K 1,68M 1,99M 2,39M 151,70K 7,05M 1,60M 7,24M 3,92M 51,56M 1,14M 209,60K 2,61M 32,44M 2,03M 1,62M 20,91M 616,02K 457,62K 1,14M 11,96M 220,39K 1,50M 887,13K 237,76K 91,31K 2,62M 1,65M 2,25M 1,12M 322,96K 370,52K 1,24M 4,90M 30,47M 397,51K 670,60K 384,87K 15,51M 25,71M 1,06M 3,43M 310,55K 310,35K 243,61K 5,90M
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
242,20 3.294,0 711,60 272,50 42,63 7.726,0 467,50 163,45 1.991,50 903,50 194,95 8.012,0 34,32 2.236,00 3.178,0 722,40 1.510,00 6.654,0 1.940,00 511,40 619,00 6.119,0 101,76 7,11 1.356,51 1.356,2 1.294,6 682,60 645,00 1.866,50 15,55 3.539,0 1.251,00 996,00 2.438,0 1.492,00 1.647,00 12.265,0 1.493,50 1.320,50 479,80 272,30 187,35 222,55 389,10 4.113,5 959,00 133,58 3.403,0 967,80
CHANGE(P)
% CHG.
NET VOL
248,70 3.309,0 714,40 272,50 42,67 7.726,0 470,00 164,10 1.995,00 918,00 195,10 8.012,0 34,47 2.246,00 3.178,0 727,00 1.510,00 6.802,0 1.941,00 511,80 619,40 6.130,0 102,40 7,19 1.362,50 1.362,4 1.304,4 682,80 648,40 1.867,50 15,67 3.562,0 1.256,00 1.013,00 2.453,0 1.492,50 1.647,50 12.320,0 1.517,50 1.326,00 480,50 274,70 187,65 226,45 391,80 4.133,0 967,20 134,34 3.432,0 967,80
241,70 3.250,0 703,60 268,40 41,76 7.636,0 456,40 160,45 1.965,00 899,50 191,05 7.798,0 34,09 2.207,00 3.125,0 718,20 1.477,50 6.612,0 1.901,00 499,50 611,60 5.977,0 99,33 7,08 1.347,20 1.347,4 1.288,8 682,20 638,80 1.850,00 15,44 3.499,0 1.229,00 993,80 2.416,0 1.466,00 1.615,00 12.215,0 1.486,50 1.303,50 471,60 271,00 184,45 222,25 385,20 4.072,0 950,40 132,52 3.353,0 946,20
5,62M 354,45K 752,02K 7,74M 117,34M 491,66K 1,81M 6,97M 449,43K 4,59M 8,79M 585,61K 1,10M 685,37K 372,00K 1,79M 4,16M 835,26K 1,50M 2,90M 1,05M 1,89M 33,01M 997,00K 2,48M 2,48M 3,18M 2,13M 2,13M 11,00K 4,44M 147,70K 2,04M 2,46M 343,84K 3,86M 546,67K 64,23K 1,86M 588,19K 2,93M 2,77M 6,02M 38,21M 2,71M 2,38M 1,27M 42,97M 579,49K 2,31M
1.14768
0.87137
Units per €
US dollar (USD) ......................................1.21051 Japan yen (JPY)......................................130.505 Switzerland franc (CHF) ...........................1.1050 Denmark kroner (DKK) .............................7.4360 Norway kroner (NOK) ...............................10.026
currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830 THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN’T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER
DOW JONES C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 26
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 202,20 2.315,30 3.340,88 257,03 134,32 238,38 230,11 101,55 51,91 54,47 301,13 339,35 323,89 224,50 142,43 59,24 165,52 150,19 234,58 77,88 261,15 130,19 133,94 233,51 729,40 400,31 57,30 230,00 139,90 183,02
CHANGE 203,16 2.325,82 3.375,00 258,14 135,12 238,58 231,65 102,17 52,13 54,59 302,59 340,67 325,53 226,95 143,61 60,00 166,06 151,13 235,24 78,20 261,51 130,65 135,08 235,49 737,36 401,99 57,47 231,82 140,34 183,90
CHANGE% VOLUME(M) 200,99 1,86M 2.278,21 1,44M 3.308,50 3,20M 253,67 2,43M 132,16 78,76M 233,11 11,55M 227,88 3,46M 100,72 6,76M 51,18 14,02M 54,17 9,02M 297,15 17,56M 330,72 2,17M 319,58 3,41M 222,22 5,31M 140,95 4,56M 57,90 77,52M 164,00 6,03M 146,69 14,04M 233,10 2,14M 77,46 8,21M 257,27 21,50M 128,46 7,49M 133,25 6,71M 231,75 5,45M 715,46 28,41M 394,50 2,26M 56,78 18,10M 227,71 5,35M 139,03 7,66M 181,96 6,08M M - MILLION DOLLARS
NASDAQ C LOSING P RICES A PRIL 26
COMPANY
CHANGE NET / %
VOLUME
Most Advanced Booking Holdings Inc. Alphabet Inc. Cl A Alphabet Inc. Cl C SVB Financial Group First Citizens Bancshares Inc. Cl A MercadoLibre Inc. Broadcom Inc. 8% Pfd. Series A Amazon.com Inc. Trade Desk Inc. Cl A ASML Holding N.V. CoStar Group Inc.
+2.06% +2.10% +2.09% +8.72% +4.95% +2.40% +2.28% +0.96% +3.75% +3.68% +2.27%
253,725 1.46M 1.44M 996,602 62,194 309,216 655 3.20M 445,677 1.13M 167,317
-1.22% -5.08% -3.22% -2.54% -8.56% -5.80% -1.80% -5.66% -8.43% -5.32% -1.45%
8,891 3.50M 574,853 8,747 114,623 1.23M 1,646 1.35M 523,247 77.52M 166,758
Most Declined Atrion Corp. Quidel Corp. Mirati Therapeutics Inc. Winmark Corp. Strattec Security Corp. Applovin Corp. Cl A Sabre Corp. 6.5% Pfd. BJ's Restaurants Inc. Atea Pharmaceuticals Inc. Intel Corp. Helen of Troy Ltd.
FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL
www.euroweeklynews.com
Micro numbers of micro chips
WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE: So much technology relies on microchips. A COMBINATION of the pan‐ demic, Brexit (for the UK) and a major fire in Japan have led to a massive worldwide short‐ age of microchips. It may get better in the long term, but in the short term the problem is getting worse which may result in the cost of computers and mobile phones shooting up. This has been made worse by the increase in home work‐ ers, many of whom have up‐ graded their laptops and PCs so demand has risen faster than production. 5G needs fuel an increase in demand for new mobile phones and there has also been a steady increase in the sale of video games during lockdown What’s more with so many car manufacturers relying on microchips to control the ever more advanced brains of their vehicles, the problem is slow‐
ing down production consider‐ ably. Indeed Tata, the Indian owners of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), now Britain’s largest car manufacturer have recently announced that because of the shortage of microchips that it will have to suspend produc‐ tion at two of its three UK fac‐ tories. This slow down would not only affect the company’s rev‐ enue, but could see some form of financial loss for its nearly 6,000 workers if they are forced to work part time. It’s not just the UK that is suffering as the majority of au‐ to manufacturers in Europe and the USA have reported similar problems especially as the demand for new vehicles is beginning to increase. According to the BBC, Vaux‐ hall has decided that due to the problem it will install ‘old style’ analogue rather than
3,800 job losses BBVA SA, Spain’s second-largest bank, with around 23,000 employees, announced on April 22, the proposed dismissal of 3,798 employees across the country, which is around 16 per cent of their total workforce, and involves the closure of 530 branches. The management claims the action is a necessary result of the advancement of the digital era, with interest rates dropping, and new companies moving into the digital realm, with customers taking advantage of those new portals, hence making it necessary for the company to reduce its cost structure.
digital speedometers into its new cars.
BUSINESS EXTRA Banker’s salaries “WE have been saying that we find the high salaries and bonuses unacceptable,” Nadia Calvino, Spain’s Minister of the Economy told journalists outside the Cortes Building in Madrid, about recompense of senior bankers. She added that she would be taking the matter up with the Bank of Spain.
Generation Z THOSE now aged between 15 and 24 are known as Generation Z and research by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) suggests that Spanish workers in that age bracket have suffered most with 38 per cent unemployed since the start of the pandemic.
Bitcoin jitters THE announcement by President Biden that he is considering increasing the tax on capital gains and the decision by the USA and Spain amongst others to require holdings of cryptocurrency to be declared has seen a fall in Bitcoin value from €52,500 to just over €40,000.
29 April - 5 May 2021
EWN 31
32 EWN
www.euroweeklynews.com
29 April - 5 May 2021
The defence was rubbish
LEAPY LEE SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT I WAS actually more than a little disturbed about the speed that police officer Derek Chauvin’s conviction was obtained. Despite a record‐breaking backlog of cases waiting to be heard, this man was arrested, brought before the court and convicted less than a year after the offence was committed. The jury was out for only nine hours before reaching their verdict ‐ guilty on all three counts. In a case as complex and controversial as this, having it all conveniently wrapped up so quickly, absolutely reeks of political interference and mob appeasement. Almost before the ink was dry, a noticeably relieved Biden appeared before the public pontificating about ‘stamping out racism’, ‘new beginnings’ and almost unbelievably proclaiming he had ‘prayed for the right result’ ‐ which actually was a bit rich coming from someone who once attended the memorial of a leading member of the Klu Klux Klan! Anyway it all worked (I could hear the sighs of Democratic leftie relief
COURT CASE: Was a trial by media.
from here!), the rioting and mayhem which could have been sparked never ignited and, apart from the accused, the only other people who were unhappy with the verdict were the looters, who will now have to look elsewhere for a reason to plunder and pillage. I personally believe the defence was rubbish. They presented extremely
scant footage of the events prior to the actual arrest, where this thug was shown to be violently resisting. They conveniently overlooked one police video camera, which briefly caught Floyd shouting he ‘couldn’t breathe,’ when he was standing by the car with no one anywhere near his neck and to insist that no Jury member had any prior knowledge of this extremely high
profile case before they sat in judgement, is as naïve and intelligence insulting as believing the authorities had no influence in the proceedings. No, this was a trial by media and left wing manipulation who have now blatantly martyred a vicious criminal thug for their own political gain. Chauvin’s appeal could be very interesting indeed.
FEATURE
About a year ago I wrote a piece decrying Nicola Sturgeon’s plans to hold another Scottish independence referendum. One observation of mine was that should it be successful she would need to erect a border akin to Hadrian’s Wall. This week I read that a ‘think tank’ committee had recently formed the same conclusion. Presumably these people had been engaged and no doubt paid handsomely for their efforts. Strange to think that if they were readers of this publication they could have been informed of this conclusion months ago ‐ and a great deal cheaper! For the sake of sanity and good sense let us hope our friends north of the border see through Ms Sturgeon’s biased and mealy mouthed tirades and send her and her SNP party back into their Jurassic bolt holes where they belong, leaving us all to enjoy and prosper from the magnificent and exciting future that awaits our precious and wholly unique UNITED Kingdom. I’ve just heard ITV announce a Stephen Lawrence day. Any chance of a Lee Rigby day? Just asking! Keep the faith Love Leapy. leapylee2003@gmail.com expatradioscotland. Mon. Wed. Frid. 1pm till 4.
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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Let real entertainment return MIKE SENKER IN MY OPINION Views of a Grumpy Old Man I WATCHED the funeral of Prince Philip, not all of it, but I really don’t understand why on earth they let the Queen sit on her own? Forget she’s the Queen; all I saw was an old Granny burying her husband of 70 odd years. It could have been anyone’s granny and it’s wrong. Masked up, all vaccinated, it’s just a total nonsense. They should have moved it from Windsor to the nearest Ikea or Primark because the UK’s stupid rules allow you to walk round stores with very little space between you. You can sit outside and have a drink but not inside. WHY? Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. But I’ve seen on the news punters going into Ikea, Primark etc and it’s mobbed. No-one is paying much attention to ‘social distancing’; they’re just going about their business like normal people do. So why make an old lady not have her kids sitting next her? It’s crazy and it’s wicked. I love movies and the odd awards ceremonies that go with them. But this year’s
Oscar nominations have got some seriously depressing stuff as subjects with films like Nomadland, The Father and Pieces of a Woman, to name three. I’ve watched them all and a few others including Sound of Metal which is about a drummer in a band that goes deaf and that’s the most cheerful one! Along with all the woke rubbish that’s included with the awards is everyone treading on eggshells. Maybe it’s time to knock them on the head or, and I really mean this, go back to the old style of real entertaining, non thought provoking films that make you laugh. Or Rocky types that make you feel good or Godfathers that make you feel like you’ve sat through a proper film. Not the depressing stuff being churned out now and the awards ceremony where the host can take the piss out of everyone and say he or she and not worry about them getting outraged. Let actors act and give the awards to the best of the bunch regardless of race, religion or sexual persuasion because, as I see it now, they have completely lost the plot. Let the best man win or woman or any of the other 20 or 30 genders I’ve missed. Email: mikesenker@gmail.com
Mike’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
29 April - 5 May 2021
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29 April - 5 May 2021
FEATURE
GO LOCAL
T H E E U R OW E E K LY N E W S is urging its readers to support local businesses in the community by go‐ ing local through the lockdown and for your all your shopping this year, instead of feeding online giants and super‐ stores. During this lockdown, we challenge you to re‐ discover your local high streets, markets, butch‐ ers, greengrocers and all
of the wonderfully quirky independent busi‐ nesses in your area. Due to the Covid‐19 pandemic, you may have to support many local businesses by ordering online and making use of any click and collect ser‐ vices they can operate if you are unable to get out due to health rea‐ sons or lockdown re‐ strictions. The joy of shopping lo‐
cal means that indepen‐ dent businesses can help support the local com‐ munity. Although it may be a euro or two cheaper elsewhere or online, consider where your money is actually going. By shopping at an inde‐ pendent store you’re putting food on a local family’s table, and there is no better time than now to give back to your community by making a small gesture and shop‐ ping in this way. Many local stores sup‐ port local charities, sup‐ port and sponsor local sports teams and in many cases the small in‐ dependent stores are ac‐ tually much more than just a small high street shop, they’re a family’s legacy, often passed
down through numerous generations and support not just the current owner but the genera‐ tion before. For those stores which are new, that extra cou‐ ple of euros spent there are supporting some‐ one’s dream and ambi‐ tion, and also the courage it took them to step out alone, which is no easy task. It takes quite a large chunk of money to set up an independent store and compete with the multinational and chains. So be sure to pre‐or‐ der your meat from a lo‐ cal butcher and get your spuds from a local greengrocer, let us re‐ vive that community spirit and get to know our neighbours again.
FEATURE
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29 April - 5 May 2021
EWN 37
CRACKING DOWN ON PASSWORD COMPLACENCY name isn’t brilliant, but the most damaging form of password complacency is using the SAME password across multiple sites and ser‐ vices. Individuals have had their Instagram ac‐ counts hacked or Spotify memberships stolen as a result of this password repetition compla‐ cency. On the other hand, having multiple pass‐ words has its own problems. I mean, remem‐ bering which password goes with which on‐ line account / email address / secure website etc. And being locked out of various online ac‐ counts / email addresses / secure websites etc just because when you try to login to one of them, you punch in the wrong password. All because you think, of course, you re‐ member which password you need to use so you don’t need to hit that infamous ‘Can’t re‐ member your password?’ button. And almost every single time, you don’t remember...
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
LAST time I wrote about the problem of ‘phishing’. Well, the online passwords you use could put you at an even greater risk. Ac‐ cording to a recent survey, millions of Brits are using their pet’s name as their online password, despite it being an easy target for hackers. The National Cyber Security Centre said 15 per cent of the population used pets’ names like Maggie, Molly, Max or Milo or other very common names. (Oops! Is that one of your passwords?) Moreover, 14 per cent use a family member’s name, and 13 per cent pick a notable date (like birthdays) which can also often be gleaned from social media. And 6 per cent of people are still using ‘password’ as all ‐ or a part ‐ of their password. (Oops! That you again?) Other problematic passwords included a sports team the user supported (6 per cent), a string of numbers such as ‘123456’ (6 per
COMPUTER HACKERS: People aren’t protecting themselves in the simplest of ways. cent), or a favourite TV show (5 per cent) such as Strictly or Masterchef. (Oh, not you again!) But passwords are a pain, aren’t they? Ac‐ cording to a study by NordPass, the average
person has to remember 100. Help! But this new survey proves yet again that people aren’t protecting themselves in the simplest of ways. Using your pet or child’s
Nora Johnson’s psychological crime thrillers ‘The Sentinel’, ‘No Safe Place’, ‘Be‐ trayal’, ‘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.nora‐johnson.net) available online as eBook (€0.99; £0.99), Ap‐ ple 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.
www.euroweeklynews.com • 29 April - 5 May 2021
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DAVID WORBOYS D O C T O R H O G A N G A R L A N DJONES was quite an educated man but was unable to pronounce his own name. Whether this was due to a speech defect or an attempt to make some kind of statement was not clear to me, but he introduced himself as Doctor Hagan Garland‐ Janes, with emphasis on the ‘Doc‐ tor’, of course. Once he started to talk about ‘raybots’ and ‘gaying to Capenhagen’, he tended to alien‐ ate his audience. Prince Rogers Nelson is not a prince. He is not a horse either, but he prefers to perform as Prince (rather than Tinker or Dobbin). Many musical performers have adopted strange and often rather juvenile names which are now part of our culture. The Who, Them, The Police, Wham! and Queen bear wit‐ ness to this. A far cry from The Mills Brothers or Simon and Garfunkel! Likewise, the more academic lis‐ tener has been rewarded with songs carrying deeply intellectual
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FEATURE
SPEAKING OF NAMES
FRENCH DRINK: Is still alive and well today.
themes such as ‘Does your chewing gum lose its flavour on the bedpost overnight’ (1961) and ‘May the bird of Paradise fly up your nose’ (1965). I predict that Buckingham Palace will not fall to a military coup but that the monarchy will slowly and quietly transmogrify, as it becomes more infiltrated by ‘commoners’. This will probably happen before the throne is occupied by a King Dustin with his Queen Stacey. As for the names of people, many girls’ names have been reinvented over the years with alternative spellings such as Cate (for Kate). Other modifications include Aileen, Barbra, Emely, Ester, Gennifer, Jayne and Khloe. Surnames are often based on a normal word (such as children), but consonants had to be replaced, to produce the name Mildren. Others have inherited surnames such as Mountain, Nation, Fancy and Ser‐ vice. I have also come across Terry Roadblocker (in Canada) and Japhet Earthworm (in Barbados).
Other unfortunate surnames in‐ clude Smellie (especially for an ob‐ stetrician), Badman and, of course, Ramsbottom. Why would an ambitious law firm call itself Spiegelhalter, Nackers and Kilfeather? We have to ask the fore‐ bearers of the founders. Booz Allen is a serious international consulting firm while Boosey & Hawkes are es‐ teemed classical music publishers. Take your pick! Outside a Cambridgeshire pub called The China Shop is a sign proudly depicting a bull and Mao‐ Tse‐Tung. Quite clever, and so sim‐ ple! In the 50s, buses began to trundle around Paris bearing an advertise‐ ment inviting us to drink more Ps‐ chitt (buvez Pschitt). This soda drink is alive and well today but mysteri‐ ously unsuccessful in the English‐ speaking world. In the 70s, Helena Rubinstein introduced a women’s perfume called Body Mist. I wonder why it did not sell too well in Ger‐ many and Austria!
David Worboys’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
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29 April - 5 May 2021
The baggage I carry MS BIPOLAR UP AND DOWN WITH BALANCE UNEDITED I WILL always be a little bit strange. A second-guesser of even my most obvious traits and talents. I will often wonder when I will break… again. And settle for the ups and downs only a person like me can have. I search constantly for a sign - some signal to alert me I am finally free. I slide on by, hoping my stride won’t slip. You may see me in my glory, in my happiness and in my joy, but I will always refrain from committing fully to being happy. N o, it’s not fair that at times I doubt myself, and, at times, I start to think, “ I s this really me? Is this really me?” Built on a foundation of pills, held on by a balance not quite my own.
O ne giant hope this identity of mine really belongs to me. Is this really me? I crumble when your words twist into 10,000 meanings at once. My brain overloads, and I wonder which meaning you wished for me
to understand. The air in the space around my head caves in, and I lose sensibility. Please know if I end up not the person I say I am, I am the person I mean to be. I t’s a constant struggle between reality and sanity. One I do not wish to fight, but neither silence nor giving up is an option. Expectations of you understanding me, I do not have for you. For the baggage I carry is not for you. And it clings to my back tied up with chains. A nd I don’t even know where it’ll go when I’m through. And when I’m done with this obnoxious disease that refuses to be polite … when I can brave life without these pills … oh, if that day were to come. O h, if that day were to come. I wont be needing this baggage any more. L ove from a tired M s Bipolar X
msbipolar@euroweeklynews.com
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29 April - 5 May 2021
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SOCIAL SCENE
Music on the beach ORIHUELA orchestra is making a comeback with a concert on the beach. What better way to enjoy the wonderful talent of Orihuela Symphony Orchestra (OSO) than in the open air at Flamenca Beach. The celebrated orchestra will perform on the promenade on Saturday, May 1, in a tribute to Orihuela-born 20th century poet and playwright Miguel Hernandez. The concert on Saturday is part of a series of spring activities organised by the Orihuela Council’s Department of Culture. “This concert will feature a total of 20 musicians on a stage
COMEBACK CONCERT: Will be held on Flamenca Beach. who will perform a programme designed to evoke moments in the life of the Orihuela poet,” explained councillor Mar Ezcurra, adding it will feature works by Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Holst, Ricard Meyer and Kalinnikov. “It is the first time this wonderful orchestra has performed outdoors and in a place with as much charm as the esplanade of Playa Flamenca, in Orihuela Costa,” added Ezcurra. In addition, a piece ‘Evocación’ written by OSO conductor, Antonio Pujol, dedicated to Miguel Hernández, will be premiered. And poems ‘Vientos del
Pueblo’, ‘Elegía’, ‘Niño Yuntero’ and ‘Nanas de la cebolla’, will also be narrated by Emilio Pastor and Natalia Rodriguez. “Drama, uncertainty, agony but also tenderness and joy will be very present in this concert that we are offering outdoors in Orihuela Costa,” said Pujol. The free concert starts at 7pm, although organsers advise getting there a little earlier as there will be strict capacity control. Hernández died of tuberculosis aged 31 while imprisoned in Alicante due to his active participation on the Republican side of the civil war.
29 Apri - 5 May 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com
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Planning for pet-sitters beyond the pandemic HAVE you enjoyed staying at home and hav‐ ing staycations this last year but are now finding it all too much of a good thing? Per‐ haps you are already making plans for a post pandemic get away. Even if you are planning just a short trip you’ll know that you simply can’t travel with some pets. Puppies espe‐ cially usually need to stay behind so they can follow their routines at home. So, 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 philosophy is that we are all in this together. These are the steps to take: 1. Register as a homeowner on HouseSit Match.com 2. Choose a Premium account (£89 per year) to ensure you can 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
Is your pet so used to you being at home that you both need a break? 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 rating (New Trustpilot rating scale) Here’s what members have said about us ‐ HouseWitMatch found us a perfect house‐ sitter… HouseSitMatch found us a perfect house‐ sitter while we were away in Canada and we
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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. THE Bengal cat has an exotic look about them. They are smaller than wild cats and fortu‐ nately, not as dangerous. The Bengal cat came about through the crossing of Asian leopard cats with domestic cats. They have spotted and marbled coats of many colours, large bones and short hair. They are also very intelligent and require a great deal of atten‐ tion, which may be due to their inquisitive nature and high ener‐ gy. They are constantly on the move and love to climb to the highest of places. Bengal cats also love the great outdoors, where their ancestral genes kick in to action and then they become a predator, while enjoying other pursuits like a bit of bird watching. There is a sensi‐ tive and playful side to this cat
Beauty of a Bengal cat and when they have gained trust in their owner, they can become the most affectionate of pets, never leaving your side. If they are left alone for a period of time, when the owner goes on holiday; there could be a few gifts dotted around the house, on returning. It’s their way of telling you they’re upset, but this applies to
most cats. Cats do understand much more than we imagine, so it’s worth explaining things for them, as the meaning translates through your body language. Once you’re home, the Bengal cat settles down very quickly and as they are not as vocal as other cats, it’s easy to get plenty of sleep.
47
PETS
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BUY & SELL PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)
CARE HOME CARE /NURSING HOME. COMPLETE PROFESSIONAL CARE. REASONABLE RATES. CALL 697 834 934 (291981)
CHARITY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your life – damaging everything that is important to you. English-speaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Any-
CARS WANTED
CHARITY
one wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aacostablanca.org (93323)
CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail. com (95475) CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462) CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(100 06) FREEMASONRY. Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact Harry Palmer Membership Committee. Tel: 966 712 326 or email:
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2palmers.quesada@gmail. com (95477) HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpveg abaja.com. We also have a 24-hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456) INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Urbano Arregui, 23, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Sevices at 10am and 11:30am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273. For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icator revieja.org (95476) LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English speaking church. For more information see our website w w w. l a s i e s t a e v a n g e l i calchurch.org (10005) PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459) PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463) ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH 1359. The association supports the welfare needs of ex-members of the RAF and their dependents. Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions we cannot hold General Meetings at the moment. In normal times we provide a social hub for members and hold lunches www.euroweeklynews.com
29 April - 5 May 2021 • www.euroweeklynews.com SPONSORED BY
every month. To fund Welfare we raise money through the Wings Appeal. To find out more contact Chairman Tony at tony.elaine.cuenta@gm ail.com. For Welfare contact Andy on 0034 711 00 86 84. For general information on RAFA visit www.rafa.org.uk. . (238593) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION - Why not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help directly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branches.britishle gion.org.uk/branches/ori huela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.orihuelacostarbl.co.u k. (95457) ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secretary@rbl. community ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details Hon Sec 692 938 664. (10004) ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman
Paul Edwards on 618 644 934, Vice Chairman Danny Kay on 966 716 274 or Secretary Margaret Forshaw on 966 921 996. (95455) STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers. With rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 654 801 260 or email strokesup portgroup@hotmail.com, website: torreviejastroke support.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473) THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablanca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465) THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461) THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca. Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458) THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807) THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar will be closed for the immediate future due to Covid-19. Identification Fiscal G54713789 (95454)
ELECTRICIAN MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (285091)
FOR SALE WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)
GARDENING SERVICES DAVID THE TREE GUY Cutting, trimming & removal of trees. Torrevieja, Alicante, Benidorm areas. 722 652 173 (291904)
GENERAL SERVICES Man & Van, small removals, shopping/collections. Painting, Cleaning / Window Services available. Santa Pola, Gran Alacant, El Altet & La Marina areas. No job too small. Affordable & reliable. Tel 711 073 074 (291953)
GOLD WANTED
HOME IMPROVEMENTS BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (288012)
INSURANCE FED UP OF NOT BEING SENT YOUR RENEWAL? CUT YOUR INSURANCE COSTS AND STILL HAVE 100% COVER. YOU HAVE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST WITH SOS INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UPTO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATS APP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsurancein spain.com or email tracey@sosinsuran ceinspain.com (291396) BENEFICIAL INSURANCE SERVICES. Car, Home, Business, Travel, Life, Funeral, all insurances available. Policies in English. BEST rates, covers & service. Immediate quotes. Tel 961 129 215 / 622 275 561, (WhatsApp) info@beneficialinsuran ceinspain.com or visit www.beneficialinsuran ceinspain.com for online quote. (291458) www.euroweeklynews.com
CLASSIFIEDS INSURANCE
www.euroweeklynews.com STAY SAFE! Abbeygate Insurance Call 971 277 455 For your security www.abbeygateinsure.com
MISCELLANEOUS GOLD & SILVER Bought & Sold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel – 678 716 693 (288662)
MOBILITY FOR SALE: TGA Vita Lite Mobility Scooter colour dark blue front basket included. 119cm x 62cm, good condition. Quick Sale €550, Contact: 606 406 159 (291464)
MOTORING
29 April - 5 May 2021 PERGOLAS TAILOR MADE, durable canvas, sails, umbrella, spa and CAR COVERS. Mazarron based, and serving the Costa Blanca too. Mail Order and Ordering online 667 879 399 krugercanopies@yahoo.co. uk (288951)
TESTIMONIALS
QUALITY LHD & RHD Vehicles bought & sold. All paperwork undertaken quickly & professionally. Immediate payment for all purchases. Mobile / WhatsApp +34 600 726 221 Office +34 965 687 946 w w w. f w r e u r o c a r s . c o m info@fwreurocars.com (291571)
FOR SALE WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 902 123 309. (200726)
MUSIC TUITION PIANO, Keyboard, Organ, Qualified Teacher. Please call 606 984 535 (290217)
NAUTICAL INTERNATIONAL SKIPPER LICENCE: Courses held in English and starts soon. RYA VHF and Radar Courses. 626 245 098 (291576)
XXX FEMALE SOPHIE naughty, slim, elegant, sexy French lady. 3 languages spoken. Visit all areas, also private apartment in Villamartin. 693 357 526 (290265)
SPAS AND JACUZZIS
PET CHARITY EASYHORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE. We aim to rescue HORSES. If you would like to DONATE please call 965 967 033 or sales@easyhorsecare.net www.easyhorsecare.net or call Sue 652 021 980 (95706) GATAMI ORGANISATION, to help kittens and cats, looking for good homes, also spaying wild cats in the community. Kittens require adoption, fully vaccinated, de-wormed, deflead. volunteers to Tel Anna: 966 806 976 / 654 729 977 (95709) P.E.P.A. VOLUNTEERS & FOSTER HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED. By fostering an abandoned dog or spending a few hours each week on our telephone helpline, you could help save the lives of many animals. Please call: 650 304 746. For more information browse our website: www.pepaspain.com (95708) SPAMA GANDIA SHELTER. Dog and cat rescue registered charity, La Safor area. 500 animals awaiting re-homing. Phone Gail 962 896 118. Visit our website for directions. www.spa ma.org and view our new blog at www.spamasafor.blog.com.es PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THEM (95707)
PLUMBERS MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (285091)
POOL MAINTENANCE POOL MAINTENANCE Repairs, Spares and Leak Testing. Call 965 725 565 / 676 945 360 www.pooltechspain.com (283443) For daily news visit www.euroweeklynews.com
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EXPERIENCE the best with a 1hr unique massage with Veronica. Shaving or permanent hair removal available. For appointments call 679 292 678 (291680) SPANISH lady - classic. Playa Flamenca, private house, 40 years, attractive. All erotic services, massage, sexy lingerie. From €40. Ana 657 603 495 (291676)
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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XXX RELAXATION Please note that in Spain there is NO legislation banning adverts in this section. Neither regional nor national governments are able to pass such a law due to rules governing freedom of publication and printing. READERS OF A SENSITIVE DISPOSITION MAY FIND SOME OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS IN THIS SECTION OFFENSIVE.
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54 EWN
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29 April - 5 May 2021
MOTORING
RENAULT Plans To Make Spain A European Giant In Car Manufacturing over the next few years THE motor industry, like most in‐ dustries, has suffered terribly during the pandemic, but ac‐ cording to the latest online re‐ ports from various motoring or‐
ganisations and websites, sales seem to be starting to pick up again, which can only be good news for the sector. Renault, for decades, has al‐
ways been a major player in the production of cars in Europe, and although the company has its home in France, there is great news that the company plans to make Spain the second‐largest car manufacturing country in Eu‐ rope, after Germany. Renault currently manufac‐
tures vehicles at its Palencia and Valladolid plants in northwest‐ ern Spain, and its other plant in Sevilla, and has a good foothold in the Spanish car market, but with production costs reportedly lower in Spain than they are in France, Renault is planning on increasing its activity in Spain in the next few years, looking to cut costs and improve profits, af‐ ter posting losses of €8 billion in 2020. At a recent event at the plant
in Palencia, which was attended by Spain’s King Felipe and Presi‐ dent Pedro Sanchez, Renault’s chief executive, Luca de Meo spoke of the company’s plans to produce three new models, stat‐ ing, “This plan reinforces Spain’s position as Renault’s second home.” While not giving any exact de‐ tails of Renault’s investment plans in this new project, De Meo did say he estimated it would generate around €12 bil‐
The Renault Arkana.
lion over the next three or four years for the Spanish economy. While this is fantastic news for Spain, in France, it has not been so well received by the French unions, who are already having to face the backlash cre‐ ated among the workforce by Renault having sold one of its French plants, and apparently al‐ so being in the process of sub‐ contracting some work at anoth‐ er plant. Mr De Meo explained that starting in 2024, the plant in Val‐ ladolid will be used to manufac‐ ture two new models of car, while the Sevilla factory in An‐ dalucia will be producing two new types of gearboxes, in 2022 and 2024. In a statement, a spokesman for the CFDT union, Franck Daout, said, “This announcement also co‐ incides with the arrival of the Renault group’s Dacia Spring, which will be made in China, and the ramp‐up of the electric Twingo, made in Slovenia.”
MOTORING
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ROAD TEST by Mark Slack THE Fiesta has been a staple of Ford’s sales lists for decades not to mention the nation’s garages and driveways. As the decades and fashion has moved on so too has the Fiesta. The initial rather boxy design has morphed into a larger, sleeker model that’s laden with tech that wasn’t even thought of when the Fiesta was first launched. The ST‐Line is designed to of‐ fer the more sporting looks of the ST without the hardcore driving experience. The Fiesta range is priced from £16,385 (€18,925) and the ST‐Line sits roughly mid‐table in the line‐up with the ST‐Line Edition (from £19,585 / €22,620) and the X Edition (from £21,830 / €25,213). Standard fare on both models includes such things as rear parking sensors, pow‐ ered, heated, folding door mirrors, auto
A neat little package.
29 April - 5 May 2021
Ford Fiesta ST-Line - a case where fun beats speed lights and wipers, auto dimming mirrors, privacy glass, heated windscreen, navigation, cruise, air conditioning, keyless start, sports tuned suspension and ST‐ Line body styling and grey alloys. Fords have always handled well and the ST‐Line is no excep‐ tion, yet the three engine op‐ tions, all 1.0‐litre EcoBoost units, which range from 95 to 155 PS, with two options of mild hybrid electric power, certainly don’t provide blistering performance. In top power mode the
benchmark 62mph is reached in a whisker under nine seconds. However outright speed isn’t the point of the ST‐Line, it’s one of those cars that very ably demonstrates fun doesn’t have to equate to speed. My 125 PS mild hybrid model proved great fun when on cross country routes with a few nice bends for good measure. The steering is sharp, the peppy performance and engine note add to the fun and the car is a joy to drive. If you want outright performance
then go for the ST and you’ll give much more premium sports models a fright. If you want a de‐ cent turn of speed matched to a sensible ride then the ST‐Line is
hard to fault. The Fiesta has a smart and so‐ phisticated look but there are signs of where the pennies have been saved inside the car. The
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plastics look and feel a little too bargain basement in places, the front door panels have cloth in‐ serts, but the rear ones are all plastic, and the carpets are rather poor. However, it’s a rela‐ tively small price to pay for a car that provides a compelling blend of urban, long distance and fun all rolled into one rather neat automotive package.
SPORT SPAIN’S Rafa Nadal on Sunday April 25, won the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell tourna‐ ment, beating Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6‐4, 6‐7, and 7‐5, in the final. The tournament, known as the Trofeo Conde de Godo, is played at the oldest ten‐ nis club in Spain, the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona‐1899, which opened in 1953, and where Nada has won 12 titles without loss. Tsitsipas came into this final in Barcelona without dropping a single set along the way, and is the player who has really dominated the world of tennis so far in 2021. Nadal, from Manacor, on the Balearic is‐ land of Mallorca, took the opening set 6‐4, although it was not easy, with Tsitsipas pushing him hard, and then, that second set went to the Greek, with Nadal having been at 5‐4, with two match points on Tsitsipas’s serve, but his opponent did not give in, and pulled the set back to a tie break, ending in a 7‐6 score, and they headed into the deciding set. Incredibly, Tsitsipas served for the match at 5‐4, but Nadal held his nerve to tie at 5.5, and the final went into another tie break, with Nadal having four break points, before eventually, Tsitsipas put the ball out, leaving the Spaniard serving for the match, but the Greek came from 30‐0, to 30‐40, and then duece, with Nadal getting three match points, at which point Tsitsipas hit his return long, and it was game, set, and match Nadal, but what a thrilling final.
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Rafa Nadal Wins RAFA NADAL: What a thrilling final.
Walking Football ESQUINA PARK RANGERS are setting up a League which will cover Alicante, Almeria and possibly Murcia. Teams ready to take part as soon as they can resume playing include Esquina Park Rangers, Hondon, Pinoso, Olivia, Moraira, FC Los Amigos, Almanzora, Lubrin (Almeria) and Pulpi. A committee will be elected to standardise rules and draw up a fixture list. Inter League matches will be played between the Alicante North Walking Football League and the South of Spain Walking Football League. A sponsor is being sought and any interested parties should contact esquina parkrangers2018@yahoo.com. Similarly any walking football team interested in joining the league should contact the e‐mail address above.
Euro Matches FANTASTIC news for football fans in Andalucia as UEFA announced Euro 2021 matches in Sevilla. U E FA v i c e ‐ p r e s i d e n t , Z b i n i e w B o n i e k , h a s a n‐ nounced that the three Euro 2021 matches that were scheduled to be played in Bilbao’s San Mamés stadium can no longer take place in the city, and they have turned to an alternative venue in Andalucia, namely the beautiful Cartuja Stadium in Sevilla. La Cartuja will now host Spain’s three Group E matches against Sweden on June 14, Poland on June 19, and Slovakia on June 23, and an added bonus is the fantastic news that EUFA has also handed a round‐of‐16 match to Sevilla as well, after Dublin lost the matches that were going to be played there. Depending on the pandemic situation in June, the stadium could be allowed to operate at 30 per cent capacity, which is around 20,000 spectators. A UEFA statement read, “The four matches origi‐ nally planned in Bilbao will be moved to the La Car‐ tuja Stadium in Sevilla. The celebration of these matches has the support of the Autonomous Community of Andalucia, which has confirmed its intention to allow spectators to 30 per cent of the stadium’s capacity for the three Group E matches and one round‐of‐16 match.” Regarding the decision to scrap Bilbao, UEFA said, “After the decision of the local authorities, it be‐ came clear that it was highly unlikely that fans would be able to attend the matches that were scheduled to be played in Bilbao.”