Costa de Almeria 30 July – 5 Aug 2026 Issue 2143

Mojácar music marathon

Benefit raises thousands

TWO firefighters who helped battle the Los Gallardos and Bédar wildfire walked into Delfos del Faz near the end of a 12-hour music marathon, and the crowd rose to its feet in an emotional show of respect.

That unplanned standing ovation closed a Sunday built around the people hit hardest by the disaster, and it came with a big result: almost €6,700 raised for local relief.

More than 250 people passed through the Mojácar venue on Sunday July 26, according to reports. Twenty-four local bands, singers and performers donated their time from midday through until midnight.

Keeping that many acts on schedule would test most festival organisers, but the team at Delfos was prepared and said the programme ran smoothly, while an artisan market, food stalls and an auction kept the fundraising going between sets. The auction alone brought in an incredible total of

€575. The mayors of Mojácar, Bédar and Los Gallardos also visited during the evening to show their support, with representatives from Vera and District Lions Club present to receive the donations.

The event was organised in

memory of the 13 people killed in the July 9 wildfire, while the money is intended for families and individuals in Bédar and Los Gallardos who were most severely affected.

the lasting image belonged to

the two firefighters from Turre. They arrived without fanfare and ended the day facing a crowd of neighbours on their feet, who understood what

Anita and Linda from Age Support Almanzora recently presented a cheque for €1,000 to Breeze Radio Albox, which is acting as the collection point for donations to support those affected by the recent wildfires. The donation was made payable to the Red Cross (Cruz Roja), helping to provide vital assistance to communities impacted by the devastating fires.

would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported the charity, whether by donating goods or shopping in the store. The shop is open Mon to Sat from 10:00 am to 1:45 pm and is on Calle Casicas, Albox. Your continued support makes a real difference to the local community.

nity, and thanked them for

The generous contribution was made possible thanks to the continued support of Age Support Almanzora’s loyal customers and local community.

Age Support Almanzora

Every little helps

PAWS-PATAS is ending the month with several new additions having rescued more abandoned puppies this week. Each new rescue takes its toll on PAWS-PATAS volunteers and the finances. As such, every act of support, no matter how small, helps it continue rescuing, caring for and rehoming animals in need.

Supporters are being urged to get involved in ways that cost nothing, from sharing the charity’s Facebook page or website and inviting friends to events, to mentioning PAWS-PATAS when making a currency transaction through GC Partners. Donations of unwanted clothes, furniture, gifts and bric-abrac for its charity outlets are also welcomed, alongside volunteers to walk dogs, socialise cats, kittens and puppies, help with maintenance

Credit: PAWS-PATAS

and gardening, work in its outlets or become foster carers.

Financial donations remain vital. Supporters can give €1 or £1 a month through Teaming, organise a fundraiser, or join the PAWS-SOME Club. Membership costs €5 a month, with a limited number of places remaining and the chance to win €250 in online

vouchers. Alternatively, businesses can sponsor the charity for as little as €250 a year, with a logo and link on its website, which attracted 4,400 active users and 8,800 views in June.

And of course, the greatest difference anyone can make is by offering one of Paws-PATAS’ rescue animals a safe and loving forever home.

Albox scouts home safe

A VILLAGE brass band became an unlikely distraction for 73 Albox youngsters after a wildfire forced them from summer camp in Granada.

Members of Grupo Scout 106 del Saliente and their adult leaders were evacuated from ValleScout near Restábal on Saturday July 25, as flames spread close to the Béznar reservoir. Around 100 people left the site as a precaution and luckily no one at the camp was hurt.

Monitor Pedro Gómez said the group was away on an activity when they spotted the fire and alerted both the 112 emergency service and the camp. They were later moved to Restábal school, where the council provided food and temporary shelter. With

the village fiestas coincidentally under way, music from a charanga (street marching band) helped lower the tension and keep the youngsters entertained while crews tackled the blaze.

Camp leader Ramón Guirao said the fire never reached the site and everyone was in perfect condition. Infoca authorised the group to return later that night, before they travelled back to Albox on Sunday. Guirao thanked El Valle council for its support and meals.

The fire was declared controlled at around 10pm on Sunday July 26 after affecting an estimated 200 hectares. At its peak, 125 ground personnel, 19 aircraft and three heavy firefighting vehicles were deployed.

Balcony noise risk

QUIET HOURS MATTER

A WASHING machine on a balcony is not illegal in Spain, but if it creates excessive noise it could lead to complaints and, in some cases, fines of up to €3,000. Several municipalities are reminding homeowners and tenants that household appliances must comply with local noise regulations, particularly during night-time quiet hours.

Many homes in Spain have washing machines on balconies or enclosed terraces to save space. The location is not the issue. What matters is the level of noise and whether it exceeds

limits set by the local council.

During the spin cycle, some machines, particularly older or poorly installed models, can produce around 70 decibels. If vibrations or noise travel through walls or the building’s structure and disturb neighbours, the appliance could breach municipal rules.

A neighbour’s complaint alone is not usually enough to trigger a fine. Local police or the relevant authority must normally verify the disturbance and measure the noise before any penalty is imposed.

EYES ON CHILDREN

FAMILIES are being reminded that swimming pools may pose a greater risk to young children than the sea, despite many parents naturally focusing on beaches. Water safety experts say the pool’s calm, familiar environment can create a false sense of security, leading adults to lower their guard when children need constant supervision.

The warning comes after more than 200 people have died from drowning in Spain so far in 2026, with over half of the fatalities occurring at sea. However, specialists stress that private, hotel and community pools are often where young children are most vulnerable because adults become distracted or assume someone else is watching.

Experts say drowning is usually quick and almost silent, unlike scenes in films. A child can get

Quiet hours vary by municipality. In Madrid they usually run from 11pm to 7am, while in Valencia and Bilbao they generally begin at 10pm. Barcelona applies restrictions from 9pm until 8am. Running a noisy machine during these periods may be treated as a more serious offence, particularly if complaints are repeated.

Authorities advise residents to ensure washing machines are properly installed, on a stable surface and do not create excessive vibrations to help avoid disputes or possible sanctions.

Summer energy advice

The air-con temperature myth

Setting your air-con to lower temperatures doesn’t mean faster cooling times.

WALKING into a hot home and turning the air conditioning down to 19°C may feel like the quickest route to relief, but the lower number will not make the room cool any faster.

The temperature shown on the remote is a target, not a speed control. Selecting 19°C simply tells the appliance to keep working until the room becomes much colder, potentially consuming more electricity than necessary.

Spain’s Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving says 26°C or above can provide sufficient comfort when suitable summer clothing is worn. Consumer organisation OCU recommends setting domestic air conditioning between 24°C and 26°C.

OCU estimates that each additional degree of cooling can add around 10 per cent to the appliance’s running cost, although the actual difference depends on the unit, insulation, room size and temperature outside. Closing blinds before direct sunlight enters, ventilating early in the morning and cleaning filters can also reduce the work required from the system.

During periods of extreme heat, however, keeping the home safe remains more important than reaching a precise money-saving setting.

For most homes, beginning at around 24°C to 26°C offers a more economical route to comfort than immediately pressing 19°C.

Pool safety warning euroweeklynews.com

into difficulty while parents are chatting, preparing food, checking their phones or briefly stepping away.

Water safety organisations recommend that one adult should be solely responsible for supervising children near water and urge parents not to use mobile phones while doing so. For homes and holiday villas, specialists advise installing pool safety barriers, self-closing gates and secure access points. They also remind families that inflatable armbands and floating toys are not lifesaving devices and should never replace direct adult supervision.

Obeying lifeguard flags, avoiding dangerous conditions and maintaining constant supervision remain the most effective ways to stay safe.

Most speeding fines

DRIVERS in Almeria face a sharp rise in traffic fines after two new speed cameras drove a 180 per cent jump in fine revenues. Income from speeding tickets in the province in Spain climbed from €1.5 million in 2024 to €4.2 million in 2025, marking the steepest increase anywhere in the country. Total traffic fine revenue across the province reached €13.2 million, up 32.5 per cent.

The two devices issued 45,765 fines during their first full year, averaging 125 tickets daily. The most prolific camera, located on the AL-3117 at El Mami with a 50 kilometres per hour limit, generated 29,910 penalties despite earlier vandalism delaying its activation. A second unit on the A-1050 between La Mojonera and El Ejido recorded 15,855 fines. Both formed part of a national Direccion General de Trafico rollout launched on Sunday, January 21, 2024, which included a 30-day warning pe-

tops charts of most speeding fines.

riod before monetary penalties began.

Figures from Automovilistas Europeos Asociados show drivers in Spain paid over €246 million in speed fines last year, a 14 per cent increase. The group attributes this growth to strategic camera placement rather than poorer driving. Across the country, merely 50 cameras account for nearly half of all speeding tickets, with Almeria’s new additions rapidly turning local roads into some of the highest revenue generators.

They saved my home

AS police hammered on her door, Nina Simpson grabbed her passport, medicine, two dogs, a couple of items of clothing and fled her home in El Campico, Bédar.

The 85-year-old estimates the Los Gallardos fire came within 500 yards of her door. Across the road, she said, “the whole mountain

was on fire”.

Firefighters soaked the ground around her house, which Nina believes saved it. At Garrucha’s Vista Alegre sports centre, a helper found her a room, while a kennel took in her dogs.

Nina returned to her home without electricity or running water, but praised workers who restored

both within days. Her only criticism was the lack of information, particularly for residents who do not speak Spanish.

“My biggest thanks go to people I’ll never meet or never see,” she said. “I just want to thank them all from the bottom of my heart because they couldn’t have done any more.”

Eyes above Almanzora

JONATHAN SALT has turned one of his hobbies into an extra pair of eyes over the Almanzora Valley. The Albox resident has launched Almanzora Valley Fire Watch, a voluntary project using his own drone for occasional observation flights during periods of high wildfire risk. His first published check, over Albox and nearby countryside at 7pm on Sunday July 26, ended with the result everyone hoped for: no smoke or signs of fire.

“Like many people here, I’ve watched the recent wildfires with concern,” Salt told EWN. Having flown drones for many years, he realised one could provide a wider view of the surrounding countryside.

Salt stresses that the initiative is not an emergency service. Flights will take place only when weather and legal conditions allow, with no fixed timetable. If he spots a possible wildfire, he says his priority will be to call 112 immediately, without putting others or his own life at risk approaching the incident or

interfering with emergency crews.

He is now contacting councils, Protección Civil and fire services to discuss how the project can operate further and responsibly. Local reaction has been “overwhelmingly positive”, he said, with residents offering encouragement and some businesses volunteering as visual observers.

Salt hopes the simple idea will raise awareness and keep more people alert. Anyone seeing a forest fire or smoke in woodland should call 112 promptly.

Roquetas welcomes its champion

AFTER 50 intense days with Spain’s World Cup squad, Álex Baena came home to Roquetas de Mar and made one very humble request: a plate of his grandmother’s macaroni.

The 25-year-old Atlético de Madrid midfielder then made a more formal stop at Roquetas Town Hall on Thursday July 23, where he signed the Book of Honour and gave Mayor Gabriel Amat a signed Spain shirt.

Baena returned just four days after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win its second men’s World Cup.

The Roquetas-born footballer started the final and has now achieved a remarkable run of three consecutive international titles: Euro 2024, Olympic gold and the 2026 World Cup.

He said he was “very happy” to switch off with family and friends after

a tournament that had taken a heavy physical and mental toll.

Baena also explained why the Roquetas flag accompanied him during Spain’s celebrations. Carrying it has become both a matter of local pride and a superstition followed since his first title.

The council intends to propose Baena as Hijo Predilecto, its highest local honour.

A date is also being sought for a public reception, where residents can congratulate him and he is expected to receive the city’s Gold Shield, which was awarded by decree in 2024.

From nest to Mediterranean

TWO young loggerhead turtles have made their way into the Mediterranean Sea at Playa Serena, nearly a year after their story began in a nest on the same Roquetas de Mar shoreline.

Released on Friday July 24, the pair were the only viable hatchlings from 38 eggs recovered when the late-season nest was opened as a precaution on July 30, 2025. The eggs were then taken to Bioparc Fuengirola, where the two turtles hatched after 53 days.

They spent their early months at Andalucía’s marine wildlife centre in Algeciras before transferring and completing their growth at Aquarium Costa de Almería. There they joined a “head-starting” programme that helps raise young turtles in controlled

conditions to improve their chances when released.

By the time they returned to Playa Serena, each weighed almost two kilos and measured around 20 centimetres. As they moved valiantly towards the open sea, Aquarium biologists followed their first minutes in the water.

Around 20 children from one of the municipal summer camps were also present for the turtles’ release and joined an environmental activity led by Asociación Seashore.

The Junta de Andalucía, Roquetas council and the aquarium joined forces to coordinate the turtles’ care.

Anyone who spots a turtle coming ashore or finds tracks leading from the sea should keep their distance, avoid bright lights and call 112.

Stranded beyond Guadix

PASSENGERS heading from Almería to Madrid spent more than three hours stuck in the countryside on Sunday July 26 after their Intercity suffered a breakdown shortly beyond Guadix.

The service began with the usual bus transfer from Almería to Huércal-Viator, where the train left at about 4.06pm. It passed Guadix before stopping at around 5.45pm, leaving dozens of travellers waiting on board in an isolated stretch of the Granada province.

Local reports said pass-

engers were still waiting for a rescue locomotive after 7.50pm. One traveller described those on board as “completely isolated”.

The relief engine eventually reached the train and hauled it to Darro, where the Madrid-bound journey restarted at 9.08pm.

By then, a journey timetabled to reach Madrid at 10.55pm was running several hours late, pushing arrival into the early hours of the morning. The disruption brought another difficult journey on a route already heavily criticised

locally for slow services, breakdowns and the bus connection caused by high-speed rail works in Almería city.

For those affected, Renfe’s current refund policy does also cover Intercity services: a delay of at least 60 minutes qualifies for a 50 per cent refund, while more than 90 minutes qualifies for a full refund. However, for the travellers who had to wait extra hours to reach their destination, the compensation may not be enough to make up for the uncomfortable experience.

Taking shape

A WALK from Almería city centre to the waterfront could look very different by 2029, with four more hectares of the port set to become public space.

The Port Authority announced the €24.25 million tender on Monday July 20, six days after Spain’s Cabinet authorised it. The main phase will stretch across Muelle de Levante and Las Almadrabillas to the Club de Mar.

Plans include more pedes-

trian space and greenery, a wider footbridge over the Rambla and a new plaza at the end of Muelle de Levante. The existing wall will be removed to open up views of the Cable Inglés, while areas will also be reserved for future restaurants and cultural and sporting activities.

Two hectares at the entrance to Muelle de Levante have already opened this year following an earlier €9 million phase. The new wor-

ks would bring the public area to six hectares in total. Construction has not started. Port Authority president Rosario Soto said the contract is expected to be awarded by the end of 2026, followed by a two-year construction period. The target is for residents to enjoy the completed waterfront in 2029, with locally sourced materials including Blanco Macael marble also due to form part of the makeover.

Vera joins the ride

A TRIP from Vera town to the beach no longer has to begin with car keys. Vera’s new Hoppy rental-bike scheme is being rolled out with a fleet due to reach 150, linking the urban centre, Vera Playa and neighbouring Mojácar.

The service launched on Thursday July 23 after bikes and marked parking areas began appearing around Vera and the coast. Because Hoppy already runs Mojácar’s shared electric-bike scheme, riders can continue into Mojácar and finish their journey at an authorised parking point there.

It is a welcome change for locals as shorter journeys to the shops, beach or a neighbouring town can now be made through Hoppy’s app, without having to find a parking space at the other end. Visitors also gain an alternative for exploring the coast without adding another car to busy summer roads.

Bikes are located and unlocked using the Hoppy Mobility app and a

QR code. Digital geofencing controls where they can be ridden and where a journey may end, while designated bays are intended to prevent bikes being left across pavements.

The link gives Vera and Mojácar a joined-up transport option that is still unusual locally. No expansion to Garrucha, Turre or other nearby municipalities has been announced, but the service provides a working test of how shared transport could eventually connect more of the Levante.

SUMMER parking in Mojácar Playa has gained a little breathing room. The former Camping El Cantal has opened as a free public car park, adding more than 100 spaces in one of the resort’s busiest areas.

Mojácar Council signed an agreement with the former campsite’s owner to make the land available. Parking is free for residents and visitors.

The timing will be welcome to anyone fa-

Old campsite, new spaces

miliar with the slow summer hunt for a space near the coast. El Cantal sees particularly heavy traffic during peak season, and the new car park is intended to take pressure off surrounding roads and shorten the time drivers spend circling for a spot.

Its position in Mojácar Playa also brings

motorists within easier reach of nearby restaurants, shops and other services, potentially giving local businesses a little extra footfall. The deal gives a familiar site a practical new role. It can now take more than 100 cars out of the daily search for roadside parking. The council has not stated how long the

More than 100 free parking spaces at the former campsite.

agreement will run, so the car park’s longer-term future remains unconfirmed.

Albox’s counterfeit clothing haul

CUSTOMERS at an Albox market stall were handed business cards leading them to an online catalogue, police say, turning face-to-face sales into repeat orders through a website, social media and messaging apps.

The Policía Nacional, working with Albox’s Local Police, says it uncovered the alleged counterfeit sportswear business after an international brand reported its products being advertised through a social media profile.

During the operation, officers seized 92 packages containing 5,500 football kits, tracksuits, shirts and pairs of trainers bearing the names of 23 brands. The goods were found at a property used as a warehouse in La Molata, outside Albox. Investigators from the Policía Nacional’s financial and economic crime unit traced €463,247 credited to

the payment account during 2024, 2025 and the first ten days of 2026. The sum included transfers, PayPal and Bizum payments, cash deposits and commercial invoicing.

They also identified more than €39,000 in transfers to two companies in China, which they said were consis-

tent with textile purchases for resale. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of an industrial property offence. He was released after giving a statement. The case has gone to the court in Huércal-Overa, and police have requested the judicial closure of the social media profiles involved.

Madrid train service halved

PASSENGERS who rely on the train between Almería and Madrid could soon have half as many direct departures to choose from.

From Sunday September 6, the Talgo VI service is expected to be withdrawn while railway works take place at Despeñaperros. That would leave just one direct train in each direction per day, according to José Haro, president of Renfe’s Almería works committee and a local representative of the CCOO trade union.

The reduction has not yet been detailed in a public passenger notice from Renfe, and no end date or replacement timetable has been announced. Travellers planning

autumn journeys should therefore check schedules before booking.

News of the cut emerged during a protest by around 100 people outside Almería railway station.

The Mesa en Defensa del Ferrocarril, a local campaign group, also highlighted breakdowns, faulty air conditioning and journey times of roughly seven hours on the Alvia and nearly eight on the Talgo.

Railway infrastructure operator Adif has confirmed major modernisation work through Despeñaperros, including bridge and tunnel upgrades. However, until Renfe publishes the revised schedule, the precise arrangements for affected passengers remain unclear.

Vera boulevard advances

WALKING or cycling along one of Vera Playa’s busiest urban roads should become safer and greener after a key piece of paperwork has finally been cleared.

Almería Provincial Council has approved separating 3,160 metres of the AL-7107 from its road network so the stretch can be transferred to Vera Town Hall. It runs between Las Buganvillas and the junction with the El Salar de los Canos road, through built-up coastal neighbourhoods.

Taking control will allow

the town hall to advance the planned €4 million eco-boulevard. Published plans envisage one traffic lane in each direction, a continuous segregated cycle lane, safer raised crossings, speed sensors, LED lighting, street furniture and new planting. Sustainable drainage is also proposed to manage rainwater and help cool the area.

The latest provincial announcement does still leave residents without a construction date, and the final design and tender timetable still need confirming.

The same meeting approved €575,000 for improvements to rural and agricultural roads in seven municipalities, including Antas and Arboleas. A separate €1.8 million assistance plan will support programmes such as summer schools, active-ageing workshops, sport, culture and digital council services across the province.

For Vera residents, the decision removes an administrative obstacle, but the promised changes will only become visible once a work schedule is confirmed.

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Media Legua, Vera-Playa

Buying in the Right Place Can Be More Important Than Buying at the Right Time

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Steady investment in infrastructure, year-round services and increasing demand from both Spanish and International buyers have gradually transformed the town into one of the most promising residential areas on the Almería coast.

The planned arrival of the high-speed rail station, together with its established amenities and proximity to the beach, are only reinforcing that trend.

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Everyday convenience is equally impressive. Mercadona, restaurants, cafés and the Valdeserra International School are all nearby, while Vera Playas long sandy beaches can be reached in just five minutes by car. Mojácar and Garrucha are also close by, adding marinas, gastronomy and leisure opportunities throughout the year.

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Music without barriers

Cooltural Fest is set to reinforce its position as Europe’s most inclusive music festival when it returns to Almeria from August 20 to 23. Organisers have unveiled an expanded accessibility programme designed to ensure that live music can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ability.

Presented alongside Almeria City Council and the Provincial Council, the initiative is supported by Fundación “la Caixa”, Reale Foundation and coordinated by Music For All Foundation. This year’s edition will introduce six content creators with disabilities who will document their festival experience and help raise awareness of accessibility in cultural events.

One of the headline additions is a programme of ten signed concerts, including performances during the welcome party and throughout the festi-

val weekend, making the event more accessible for deaf attendees who use sign language.

Visitors will also benefit from more than 60 accessibility measures, including accessible toilets, sensory-friendly spaces, hearing protection equipment, sign language interpreters, subtitles, vibration backpacks and dedicated support staff.

The festival’s commitment extends beyond the

audience. More than 50 people with disabilities will be employed across key operational areas, from bars and cleaning services to access control and backstage support. Alongside its inclusive ethos, Cooltural Fest will welcome major artists including David Bisbal, Ana Torroja, Hombres G, Lori Meyers and Rigoberta Bandini, offering a diverse programme for music fans of all ages.

Vera triathlon returns

VERA PLAYA’S triumphant swim-bike-run race will be back this autumn, with places now open for athletes to sign up and choose between the shorter sprint and the longer Olympic course.

The sixth Triatlón Ciudad de Vera is set for Sunday October 4, starting and finishing around Calle Mare Nostrum and Playazo de Vera. The Olympic race begins at 8.30am, followed by the sprint at 11am.

Competitors in the Olympic event face a 1.5-kilometre sea swim, 41 kilometres on the bike and a 10-kilometre run. The sprint halves the swim and run to 750 metres and five kilometres, with a 22-kilometre cycle section.

There are 150 places available in each distance and entries are open to both federated and non-federated athletes, although prices rise after Friday July 31. Until then, the sprint costs €23 for federation members and €35 for non-members; Olympic entry is €40 and €52 respectively.

The race will also close this year’s provincial triathlon circuit. Last October’s event attracted 278 competitors after the Olympic distance was introduced for the first time.

Registration closes at 11.59pm on Monday September 28, or earlier if all places are taken, through triatlonandalucia.org.

Albox turns it up

ALBOX is turning indie this autumn with a brand-new festival in the town centre, just 15 days before the long-running Rock Albox returns. The first Almanzora Sound will bring six hours of live music to Plaza Mayor on Friday October 9. Doors open at 7pm and performances begin at 8pm.

Massive Valladolid indie trio Siloé and Spanish pop band Miss Caffeina lead the bill. They’re both joined by homegrown Los Bigardos, the local group known for Spanish indie, pop and rock covers, and Albox DJ Jonathan Castillo. Food trucks will also set up around the square, placing the festival’s music and food in the heart of the old town rather than at a distanced out-of-town site.

Mayor María del Mar Alfonso said the aim was to bring “activity, social life, culture and dynamism” to the Almanzora area. Promoter Diego Bravo said the new event had been created with the intention of continuing beyond its first year.

Almanzora Sound is being backed by the Albox Town Hall and Almería Provincial Council, alongside promoters DGB Producciones and Wild Punk.

Tickets are on sale through Bravo Entradas, with a phased pricing system of €30, €35 and €45. So for those interested in a bit of some legendary Spanish indie, get those tickets early! Children also need tickets and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

A STRANGER smiles, claims to recognise someone, then steps in for an unexpected hug. By the time the situation feels wrong, a necklace, watch, phone or wallet may have already been taken.

That’s the trick behind the “hug method”, linked to 85 reported incidents across Almería province in 2026. Guardia Civil officers have cleared 33 offences: 23 thefts and 10 robberies involving violence or intimidation.

Cases span 17 municipalities, including Roquetas de Mar, El Ejido, Garrucha, Vera, Cuevas del Almanzora and Pulpí.

Those approached are usually older people or others whose mobility or health may limit their response. The stranger may pretend to know them, ask for directions, seek a signature or offer an overly warm thankyou. The contact then creates the distraction needed to take jewellery or other valuables.

A costly hug

It can be over before someone realises something has even happened.

A specialist team formed in April has cleared 22 of the cases. Investigators have identified 31 people allegedly linked to the offences, but the inquiries remain open and further arrests have not been ruled out.

Police advise stepping back from an overfriendly stranger, keeping va-

luables out of sight and taking extra care near cash machines, shopping centres and home entrances. Anyone targeted should call the Guardia Civil on 062 or emergencies on 112, note any vehicle registration or direction of travel, and report the incident even if little was taken.

Solidarity for wildfire victims

THE AUDIENCE was on its feet as music and applause filled every level of the Auditorio Ciudad de Vera. Saturday July 25 brought a sold-out ending to a charity concert organised for people affected by the fires in Bédar and Los Gallardos.

The Banda de Música Ben Beder, rooted in the two neighbouring communities, performed before a full house at the 8pm concert. Tickets cost €5, with all the proceeds directed towards those affected by the fires.

Photographs released after the performance show the stalls, balcony and side seating packed with people, giving a standing ovation to the band and performers after a magnificent show. Vera Council described it as “a very special night” in which music became a source of “support, closeness and hope”.

The concert offered a chance for people across the area to support families and neighbours while sharing an evening of live music. The band itself carries the names of Bédar and Los Gallardos, giving the performance an especially close connection to the communities it was helping.

Vera Council thanked the musicians, audience and everyone who helped make the event possible and contributed to the charitable cause.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Germany’s Biergarten experience returns to Mojácar

Following the fantastic support shown at the Estrella Galicia World Cup Stadium in Mojácar, the team at Hotel Continental would like to thank everyone who came along to enjoy the atmosphere, great food and drinks throughout the event. The response from locals and visitors alike was incredible, and now the focus returns to the hotel’s popular Biergarten, where guests can continue enjoying an authentic international beer experience by the sea.

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Open every day from 12 noon.

Spain’s cheating bears

BROWN BEARS in northern Spain have been caught exaggerating their size to intimidate rivals. Researchers from the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales spent four years studying 164 brown bears in the Cantabrian mountains, reviewing 117,000 hours of camera-trap footage filmed between 2021 and 2024. Results published in the Journal of Mammalogy revealed that roughly one in 20 bears actively cheated the system. Normally, male bears leave scent signals and scratch marks at the highest point reachable while standing on their hind legs, typically around two metres above the ground. This height usually provides an accurate indication of an animal’s size and physical strength. However, several clever males climbed trees or stood on

natural ledges to place their marks up to three metres high.

To test the theory, scientists set up artificial wooden platforms beside regular marking trees. Certain bears climbed onto these structures to deposit scent marks higher than their natural reach allowed.

Lead researcher Vincenzo Penteriani stated that whilst exceptional,

this is the first documented instance of such deceptive behaviour in bears, proving their communication is far more complex than previously understood. Experts believe smaller or younger males use the tactic to deter larger rivals without engaging in physical fights, whilst also potentially improving their appeal to females during mating season.

The tastiest trophy

MOST footballers dream of lifting the World Cup, celebrating with millions of adoring fans and adding another glittering medal to the trophy cabinet. Few, however, probably imagine the next stop on their victory tour involves receiving their own bodyweight in tomatoes.

But in southern Spain, that’s exactly what happened.

Fresh from helping the nation become world champions for the second time, midfield stars Fabián Ruiz and Gavi returned to their hometown of Los Palacios y Villafranca, where they were greeted not with champagne, luxury watches or the keys to the city, but with tons of the town’s famous tomatoes.

The unusual celebration is a long-standing

tradition. Whenever one of its footballing heroes wins a major international title, they receive tomatoes matching their body weight. The tradition began after Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory, when hometown hero Jesús Navas received the same distinctive reward. Ruiz, who weighs around 84kg, was presented with approximately 84 kilograms of tomatoes, while Gavi received around 68 kilograms.

This year, the celebrations also included plans for a monument honouring Ruiz, Gavi and Navas, while two local football grounds have been renamed after the current stars. Despite their phenomenal success, it shows that even World Cup heroes shouldn’t forget their (tomato) roots.

Sweet revenge

LEAPY LEE SAYS IT

OTHERS THINK IT

REVENGE! Not being a particularly vengeful person, this so called ‘sweet’ act of retribution is not particularly high on my ‘to do’ list. However, there are exceptions, and one example I heard recently certainly fits the bill.

Our hero in this intrepid Irish tale was on the verge of getting married. He was a nurse by profession and most of his friends worked with him at the local hospital. Just before the wedding, his colleagues organised a boozy stag do. The night was a rip-roaring success and the future groom, utterly and completely inebriated, was taken home and finally passed out on his own sofa. And this is when our devilish plot begins to thicken.

In a pre-determined plan, one of his ‘friends’ had raided hospital supplies and brought along all the paraphernalia needed to plaster up broken bones. With our hero duly out for the count, the party goers began their devious work. Careful not to disturb his

drunken slumber, they proceeded to plaster up one of his arms. And what a job they did of it. Not only did they cover his whole arm, but they fitted one of those wire affairs that keeps the arm bent at the elbow and away from the body. They then all left, leaving him still out for the count and snoring peacefully.

Early the next morning, his closest friend received a hysterical phone call. It was our (naturally) panic-stricken hero, pleading to know what had occurred the night before. After calming him down, the ‘friend’ then managed to convince him that toward the end of the evening, when he was blind drunk, he had fallen over and broken his arm. They had visited the local hospital, had him X-rayed and subsequently plastered up. He was to go back in six weeks to have it removed.

With their victim hardly able to remember anything at all, he finally accepted the story. Having no other choice, he then proceeded to carry on with the plans for his wedding the following day. Thinking it was all still a great joke, the stag party jesters still didn’t let on.

On the morning of the wedding, still no one had owned up. Subsequently they were then treated to our hero, walking up the aisle with his blushing bride on one arm and the other still uncomfortably stuck out in front of him! And still not one of the instigators said a word. Almost unbelievably, they actually let him, still blissfully unaware, have his reception and ultimately leave on his honeymoon. It wasn’t ‘til he returned that they finally let the cat out of the bag. Naturally our beleaguered bridegroom went totally ape. Well, you would, wouldn’t you? For some weeks he didn’t even bother talking.

As time went on however, he appeared to put it all behind him. They all then began to look forward to the next big event. The marriage of his closest friend; the one who had been the ringleader of the stag night plastering ‘joke’! And on that juicy note, we’ll have to leave it all till next week. Don’t forget to tune in. The sweetest of revenge awaits.

Keep the faith, Love Leapy leapylee@gmail.com

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

Hidden evolution

SPAIN’S humble wild rabbit has surprised scientists with a secret two million years in the making. Researchers have discovered that the Iberian rabbit, found only in Spain and Portugal, followed its own evolutionary path after becoming isolated on the Iberian Peninsula around two million years ago. The findings show that what many assumed was simply another European rabbit is, in fact, a genetically distinct lineage found nowhere else on Earth.

The study, led by scientists from the University of Oviedo, the University of Porto and Spain’s National Research Council (CSIC), was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). It suggests the peninsula acted as a natural refuge, allowing rabbit populations to evolve separately over millions of years.

The discovery has important conservation implications. The Iberian rabbit is a keystone species, providing food for more than 40 predators, including the endangered Iberian lynx and the Spanish imperial eagle.

Scientists say protecting its unique genetic diversity is more important than ever because rabbit populations elsewhere in Europe could never replace what has evolved naturally on the peninsula.

BUSINESS EXTRA

Trading app

NEXT year, the London Stock Exchange will launch LSE 24, an online platform allowing for almost continuous trading. During the week, the service will be operational from 5pm to 7.50am. Working around the London Stock Exchange’s traditional trading hours, experts believe this will strengthen London as a financial hub.

Aer Lingus cuts

RISING industry costs and increased competition has forced Aer Lingus to restructure. After posting first quarter losses of €103 million, the Irish airline will be cutting its flight capacity by 6 per cent, and reducing its workforce by 500 jobs, including pilots, cabin crew and head office employees.

Sustainable living

ACCORDING to a survey by Fotocasa, 78 per cent of home buyers in Spain are willing to pay more for a sustainable property. Energy efficiency has become a priority amenity, along with natural ventilation, especially as the frequency and ferocity of heatwaves increase annually.

Corporate sales

AMAZON BUSINESS, the division for corporate customers, achieved €20 billion in sales in the second quarter or 2026. Those with an account reportedly saved a combined €800 million in reduced costs. In that time, 1.8 million new businesses signed up, increasing Amazon Business’ customer base to 11 million worldwide.

Pay gap

THE gap between employers and their employees has widened. Analysis found that the bosses of the UK’s biggest companies earned 130 times the salary of the average full-time worker. The median salary for UK workers is £39,000. Meanwhile, FTSE 100 firms paid top executives a combined £857 million.

OF WEEK 2.8 %

Annual inflation in the euro area was down 2.8 per cent in June 2026, according to Eurostat.

Victory pays off Melia leaves Cuba

SPAIN’S triumph over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final was a major win for the country, boosting morale and the national team’s reputation. In addition to the coveted gold trophy, Spain’s football team will reportedly earn €43.7 million euros in prize money, the highest cash prize in the tournament’s history. But what does the win mean for Spain’s economy?

According to a 2024 study by economist Marco Mello, winning the World Cup doesn’t create much of an economic impact. At most, the winning nation’s GDP grows around 0.48 per cent. This is generated largely through exports, as the prestige of being the reigning World Cup champions acts as a global advertising tool for goods and services.

When Spain won the World Cup in 2010, the country saw little economic benefit, although at the time

around 20 per cent of the country was facing unemployment, double the current 10 per cent rate. This time around, Spain is expected to see a €4 billion boost.

Spanish authorities will collect around €6 million by taxing the 17 resident squad members. However, according to Polymarket, the IRS (the USA’s federal tax agency)

could also tax Spain’s cash prize. Under US law, payments to non-resident foreign athletes are subject to a 30 per cent federal withholding. Similar laws were in place in previous host countries, but FIFA negotiated a tax relief for participating teams. It is unclear whether a similar agreement was in place for the 2026 edition.

Sick leave surge

ABSENTEEISM in Spain has become a major point of contention as of late. Staff absences reportedly reached a daily average of 1,789,369 in 2025, most of which were due to sickness. The absences cost the economy €59.1 billion, an 11.7 per cent increase compared to 2024. This is a trend that is on track to be repeated in 2026.

The majority of sick leave absences only lasted a few days, but that’s part of the problem. An employee being off sick comes at a high price for employers and the Social Security system. The short but frequent absences have a large cumulative economic impact.

Looking closer at absenteeism figures, recent reports have revealed that public sector employees request 12.5 per cent more sick leave compared to private sector workers. This disparity is potentially due to several

care wait times, a higher burnout rate and stronger sick pay incentives.

Petrol revenue Winter relief Eclipse economy

SUMMER in Spain is always busy, but the Spanish government estimates an additional 446,000 visitors will arrive in August, travelling to witness the total solar eclipse. The eclipse has prompted a 7.9 per cent increase in flight bookings, and 17.8 per cent increase in hotel bookings in provinces along the path of totality. This will generate an estimated economic impact of €347.6 million - €247.29 million from international visitors, €94.9 million from Spanish residents.

SO far in 2026, petrol stations in Spain have experienced a 15 per cent increase. More than €11.2 billion in revenue has been generated in the first half of 2026, compared to €9.7 billion during the same period in 2015. More specifically, sales have reached €62.3 million per day, reaching an average peak of €69.5 million in April. These high revenue figures do not translate to profit. Petrol stations around the world have been squeezed by the high cost of crude oil, which has hovered close to $100 (€87.6) a barrel since January.

IN his first move as Prime Minister, Andry Burnham announced plans to cut VAT on electricity. Downing Street revealed, from October, electricity bills will be reduced by an average of £45 a year, offering households some relief during the winter months. This move will come at a cost of £850 million a year, and is said to be funded by the scrapped Digital ID programme, which is due to save £1.8 billion over three years. Cutting electricity on VAT is a strong example of how Burnham plans to lead a “cost of living government” during his time in Number 10.

AFTER more than 30 years, the Spanish hotel chain, Melia, has ceased operations in Cuba, as US sanctions made it impossible to maintain stability. Melia was one of the first Spanish hotel groups to establish itself in Cuba in the 1990’s and amassed a network of 14,000 rooms. While the company has said it will do what it can to facilitate an easy transition for staff, suppliers, and clients, the closures will hit Cuba’s collapsing economy hard.

Holiday expenses

SINCE 2020, prices of holiday accommodations have increased by almost 40 per cent especially in Andalucia where the average weekly price of a beachfront property is €1,270 in August. According to the 2025 Coastal Rental report, Puerto Banus, Marbella, was the most expensive place to stay, with the average rent reaching €3,700 per week. Meanwhile, the cheapest destination for accommodation was on the Torrenueva Costa, Granada, where a week in an 80m2 apartment costs around €800.

Finnish expansion

SPANISH energy company

Iberdrola has agreed to acquire an 80 per cent stake in Finland’s largest electricity distribution operator, Caruna, in a deal valuing the business at around €5 billion, including debt. The acquisition strengthens Iberdrola’s regulated networks business and expands its presence in a stable, highly rated market with strong electrification potential. Caruna serves 740,000 customers through 89,300 km of network. The transaction is expected to be completed by late 2026 or early 2027.

3I Group 2.775,00 2.802,88 2.736,00 400,23K

Admiral Group 3.590,0 3.609,8 3.576,0 35,05K

Airtel Africa 346,20 346,60 337,00 408,96K

Anglo American 3.701,0 3.792,0 3.698,0 506,34K

Antofagasta 3.638,00 3.719,00 3.634,00 103,67K

Associated British Foods 2.001,0 2.019,0 1.992,5 54,6K

AstraZeneca 12.871,7 12.934,0 12.660,0 522,08K

Auto Trader Group Plc 502,40 503,80 496,90 399,58K

Aviva 693,80 698,80 692,00 1,14M

B M European Value Retail 217,20 218,00 212,88 475,85K

BAE Systems 1.965,00 1.998,00 1.952,00 625,2K

Barclays 536,10 536,40 528,79 12,84M

Barratt Redrow 295,71 300,25 293,70 4,01M

Beazley 1.291,50 1.294,00 1.290,50 354,08K

Berkeley 3.442,0 3.482,0 3.422,0 13,43K

BP 529,50 533,20 525,50 8,74M

British American Tobacco 4.547,0 4.600,0 4.537,0 180,2K

BT Group 197,38 197,45 193,90 2,03M

Bunzl 2.754,0 2.770,0 2.744,0 80,5K

Centrica 160,75 163,79 159,05 4,29M

Coca Cola HBC AG 4.850,0 4.914,0 4.834,0 43,95K

Compass 30,55 30,90 30,54 375,89K

ConvaTec Group 218,80 221,04 217,40 562,74K

Croda Intl 2.947,0 2.990,0 2.919,0 43,84K DCC 6.365,0 6.375,0 6.330,0 513,92K Diageo 1.579,0 1.581,5 1.560,9 409,73K Diploma 7.585,00 7.602,87 7.535,00 29,56K

626,60 633,44 623,80 684,52K

563,84 570,00 555,00 371,39K

2.795,0 2.806,0 2.765,0

BUSINESS EXTRA

Wind farm win

SCOTLAND recently approved construction of two wind farms that could power two million homes. Ocean Winds has invested £1.7 billion into the project, which will consist of 140 turbines across 429 kilometres in the Moray Firth. The next step will include obtaining ministerial approval for environmental mitigation plans.

Nestle sale

NESTLE is negotiating the sale of a 50 per cent stake in its European water business to Platinum Equity, valued at around €5 billion. The proposed joint venture includes brands such as Perrier and San Pellegrino and forms part of Nestle’s strategy to streamline operations and focus on core businesses.

Borrowed for basics

HIGH cost of living and stagnating wages is forcing many Spaniards to take out loans. The outstanding balance on credit loans has reached almost €200 billion. With 35.9 per cent of consumers anticipating having to take out a loan in the next six months, this balance is expected to climb higher. Such an increase is partly due to the ease in which a small loan can be obtained nowadays. Not only has the interest rate

Fair pay

THE French Open became the first grand slam to offer its players a share of the event’s revenue, marking a major step in the ongoing dispute over fair pay. Players want all grand slam tournaments to guarantee 16 per cent of revenue will be contributed to the prize fund, with that increasing to 22 per cent by 2030.

No agreement has yet been made, but the announcement puts considerable pressure on other tournaments, namely the upcoming US Open. If the US Open follows previous precedent of increasing the prize money by 20 per cent, players could be competing for a share of a $100 million (€87.6 million) prize pot.

dropped from 8 per cent in 2023 to 6.7 per cent, but many services now offer instalment plans for all kinds of purchases. With the help of ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) services, people aren’t just financing major purchases like household appliances or a car, but smaller everyday essentials. Struggling households are increasingly paying for their groceries in weekly instalments, because food prices have risen at such a rate they can no longer afford to pay upfront.

BNPL services can offer a major relief to those whose budgets can only stretch so far. However, BNPL’s are relatively new and largely unregulated. Experts warn consumers not to become too dependent on these services to avoid overspending and racking up uncontrollable debt.

Profit drop

WITH summer in full swing, Ryanair should be flying high. However, the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict is continuing to affect the budget airline. Consumer reluctance forced Ryanair to cut fares by around 6 per cent to stimulate demand, leading to pre-tax profit dropping 34 per cent to €593 million in the second quarter of 2026.

Summer distractions

HOMES in the UK aren’t selling. According to Rightmove’s latest house price index, summer house sales dropped by 1 per cent in July, much higher than the average 0.2 per cent summer lull. Rightmove claims the World Cup and summer heat has “distracted” buyers, forcing sellers to reduce their asking price to attract interest.

Cantoria runs for jaime

CANTORIA’S Plaza de la Constitución will become a start line for every generation on Saturday August 1, as the Jaime Jiménez charity race returns for its 15th edition.

The event is held in memory of Jaime, a young man remembered in Cantoria who lived with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The full €15 entry fee goes to Duchenne Parent Project España, a parent-led charity supporting affected

families and the search for treatments.

The evening begins at 7pm with the 8.9-kilometre “Vestigios del pasado V” walking route. Children’s races follow from 7.30pm, with distances rising from 200 metres for the youngest entrants to four kilometres for those aged 13 to 15.

At 8.30pm, runners aged 16 and over will tackle the chip-timed eight-kilometre main race through Cantoria. There will be medals for

all participating children, trophies across the race categories and activities for younger visitors, before live music rounds off the anniversary evening.

All events start and finish in the Plaza de la Constitución. Registration is open through Montureventos and costs €15 for each category, with a total capacity of 300.

Entries may close if places fill, while under-18s need permission from a parent or legal guardian.

Cemetery after dark

A SUMMER evening in Cuevas del Almanzora will take a curious turn when visitors step inside San Miguel cemetery to look beyond the names and dates carved in the stone.

The guided night tour, Secrets, Symbols and Mysteries, begins at 9.15pm on Friday July 31 The group will meet on the cemetery forecourt before following a specialist guide through its hidden history, funerary art and symbolism.

Rather than treating the site as simply a place of burial, the walk will explore the people and stories behind its memorials. Earlier editions have introduced visitors to notable local figures, stories of love and loss, and a funerary collection regarded as one of the most

interesting in the Almería province.

The format has proved popular since the first guided route was held there in 2021. This latest evening forms part of Cuevas del Almanzora’s Smartverano programme of culture, sport and

Oria’s folk finale

ORIA’S Plaza de la Constitución will become an open-air folk venue on Friday July 31 , when Acetre brings the town’s month-long Rincones de Música y Palabra festival to a close.

The free concert starts at 10.30pm and offers one final night out as July gives way to August. Acetre, formed in Olivenza in 1976, combines music from Extremadura with influences from the Portuguese side of the border, giving traditional sounds a fresh arrangement rather than treating them as museum pieces.

Throughout July, Rincones has moved between some of Oria’s most distinctive spaces.

Musicians have performed at the Era de Ciezar, Lavadero del Rulador, Ermita de San Gregorio and Plaza del Norte, with the main square saved for the finale.

The festival’s small-scale format is part of the appeal. Instead of one large stage, it uses plazas, chapels and more

Saddle up

distinct eclectic locations to bring music into the town’s historic surroundings. Rincones is organised by the Oria council, with support from Almería provincial council, the Junta de Andalucía and Cosentino. Admission to Acetre’s concert is free until the square reaches capacity, so arriving early would be sensible.

family activities running through June, July and August.

To register in advance, visitors interested in the tour should contact the municipal Tourist Office on 639 575 631 or at turismo@ cuevasdelalmanzora.es.

LOOKING for a memorable family evening this summer? Make your way to Vera Equestrian Club on Friday, August 8 , for a spectacular free equestrian exhibition packed with skill, excitement and entertainment. Starting at 8.00 pm, the one-hour show is open to everyone, with no booking required, so simply turn up and enjoy the action.

to impress audiences of all ages.

Watch talented riders demonstrate a variety of equestrian disciplines, including the breathtaking sport of vaulting, where gymnastic movements are performed on horseback. Combining balance, strength and precision, it is one of the club’s most popular displays and never fails

The fun doesn’t stop when the show ends.

After the performance, young visitors will have the chance to enjoy a free pony or horse ride, giving them the opportunity to experience the thrill of riding in a safe and welcoming environment.

Vera Equestrian Club offers riding lessons for children and adults, taking

them from complete beginners to experienced riders. The exhibition is the perfect opportunity not only to enjoy an impressive display of horsemanship, but also to discover everything the club has to offer.

So bring a chair, settle in and enjoy an unforgettable evening celebrating the beauty, elegance and excitement of horses.

DR MARCUS STEPHAN

The heart condition everyone should know about

THE words heart failure can sound frightening. Many people imagine that the heart has suddenly stopped beating or is about to give up altogether. In reality, neither is true. Heart failure simply means that the heart is no longer pumping blood around the body as efficiently as it should. It is a serious condition, but one that can often be managed successfully with the right treatment, healthy lifestyle choices, and regular medical care.

Millions of people around the world live with heart failure, and many continue to enjoy active, fulfilling lives. The key is recognising the symptoms early and seeking medical advice before the condition becomes more severe.

What is heart failure?

Your heart is an extraordinary muscle. Every minute of every day, it pumps blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body. When the heart becomes weakened or stiff, it has to work much harder to do its job. As a result, the body’s organs and tissues may not recei-

Heart failure

ve enough oxygen-rich blood, while fluid can build up in the lungs, legs, or other parts of the body.

Heart failure usually develops gradually rather than overnight. In many cases, it is the result of another condition that has damaged or overworked the heart over many years.

Common causes include coronary heart disease, previous heart attacks, high blood pressure, damaged heart valves, abnormal heart rhythms, diabetes, obesity, and certain infections that affect the heart muscle.

The information provided in this column is for educational and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. Read more at euroweeklynews.com/author/mstephan/

Sunlit skin

FOR years, the sun has been painted as the enemy of healthy skin. While excessive exposure can certainly cause damage, spending a sensible amount of time in the sunshine can offer several benefits for both skin and overall wellbeing.

One of the most important advantages is the production of vitamin D. When sunlight reaches the skin, the body naturally creates this essential nutrient, which supports bone health, immune function and cell growth. Adequate vitamin D levels may also con tribute to healthier-looking skin.

Sunlight can help improve certain skin conditions. Many people with psoriasis notice that their symptoms ease during sunnier months, while moderate sun exposure may also benefit some in dividuals with eczema and acne. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can have anti-inflammatory effects when exposure is carefully controlled. There are emotional benefits too. Time out-

doors in natural light can boost mood and reduce stress levels. Since stress often contributes to skin flare-ups and dullness, a happier state of mind may indirectly support a clearer complexion. The key is moderation. Dermatologists recommend avoiding prolonged exposure, particularly during the hottest part of the day, and using appropriate sun protection. A few minutes of sunshine each day can be beneficial, but balance is essential. When enjoyed res

x

Your

VOICE

Bull at the bar

What would you change about your local area?

Credit: Margouillat photo / Shutterstock

What would you change about your local area?

A RECENT poll asked residents a simple question: What would you change about your local area? The responses highlighted a number of recurring concerns, with cleanliness, parking and spending priorities featuring most often. While opinions differed on the best solutions, many contributors agreed that improving everyday services would make a noticeable difference to the quality of life for everyone.

One of the strongest themes was the condition of streets and public spaces. Many respondents felt that more attention should be given to keeping the area clean. Michael Maldonado said, “Garbage pick-up more frequently, it’s always so awful to see the bins overfilled.” Jane Stapleton shared a similar concern, simply commenting, “Rubbish by the bins.” Sandie Bates also called for improvements, saying, “Clean the street of weeds and dog mess and overflowing broken bins.” Together, these responses suggest that residents would welcome greater investment in regular maintenance and waste collection.

Parking was another issue raised repeatedly. Anne Minter highlighted the need for better parking management, saying, “Parking availability. Either residents only areas or charging for car parks combined with parking meters.”

David Cooke agreed that better organisation was needed, commenting,

“More organization, more fines for illegal parking and police presence.” These opinions reflect the frustration many people experience when trying to find parking or dealing with inconsiderate parking practices.

Several respondents also questioned how public money is being spent. Angela Edgley felt that resources could be directed towards services that benefit residents more directly, saying, “Less money spent on fiestas and events, more money spent on helping the people - buses would be nice. Tidying up the filthy town.” Judith Dominique Wolfenegg expressed a similar view, commenting, “Maybe a bit less fiestas, that got really excessive over the last years and costs a fortune.” While community events are appreciated by many, these responses suggest that some residents believe essential services should take priority. Overall, the poll shows that people are passionate about improving their local area and are keen to see practical changes. Although there were different opinions on how to achieve this, the most common responses focused on cleaner streets, more reliable rubbish collection, better parking arrangements and greater enforcement of parking rules. Many residents also felt that spending should be balanced more towards essential services rather than an increasing number of fiestas and events.

BREAKFAST patrons at a roadside café in northern Catalonia received an unexpected visitor when a 900-kilogram bull wandered through the front door. The incident occurred around ten o’clock in the morning at Bar Gusi in Ribes de Freser, Girona. Local farmers frequently move cattle down the main road to reach grazing pastures, where the animals hold right of way.

However, owner David Torrecillas remarked that in 30 years of trading, nothing similar had ever occurred.

Separated from its herd, the young bull walked straight into the dining room, where roughly 20 customers and staff were gathered. CCTV footage captured the moment the massive animal pushed past tables, startling locals and holidaymakers.

Disaster was averted thanks to the composure of a waiter named Samuel who stood calmly before the beast, making no sudden gestures. The bull turned around and departed safely after just 20 seconds, knocking over a few tables on its way out.

Samuel later joked online that the unbooked guest had simply heard excellent reviews about their food.

Gibraltar’s rock-solid reset!

NORA JOHNSON BREAKING VIEWS

AT last! When much of the world is busy putting up borders, Gibraltar and Spain knocked one down. As midnight struck on July 14, frontier checks disappeared, sparking celebrations on both sides - as recently reported in these pages.

With a landmark EU-UK treaty dismantling police and customs posts, Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez hailed this as “the last wall in continental Europe” to fall. More than a Brexit clean-up, the agreement could also boost defence co-operation between two NATO allies guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean.

Life beneath the Rock always depended on Spain. Over 10,000 workers cross daily from La Linea, while

many Gibraltarians own homes across the border. With so much at stake, it’s hardly surprising 96 per cent voted to remain in the EU.

After five years of negotiations, Gibraltar effectively joins the Schengen travel area and EU customs union for goods. British arrivals clear Spanish passport control, while new taxes and duties bring Gibraltar closer to EU rules, ending its “bargain-booze” reputation...

The deal parks the sovereignty dispute, replacing confrontation with co-operation. Supporters believe greater certainty will attract investment and encourage more European flights to Gibraltar. Political arguments will continue, but it’s hoped that as well as resolving unfinished Brexit business, this landmark deal could signal a more pragmatic UK-EU reset.

But with a new UK PM in office, only time will tell...

Thanks for emails to my website below. Thrilled you enjoy my column –and novels!

Nora Johnson’s 14 critically acclaimed psychological suspense crime thrillers, including the latest ‘The House of Secrets’ (www.nora-johnson. net), all available online at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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Huercal-Overa has a large street market on Monday & Thursday morning, hospital, numerous shops, major supermarkets, restaurants, parks, sporting and leisure facilities & historical buildings. 35 to 40 mins drive to the coast at San Juan de Los Terreros and Mojacar etc.

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For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact Voss Homes on 0034 950 616 827 or email us at enquiries@vosshomesspain.com

Royals show support

KING FELIPE VI and Queen Letizia interrupted their summer programme in Mallorca to visit families forced from their homes by Spain’s devastating wildfire crisis.

The royal couple travelled to the La Chopera sports centre in Villamanta, where evacuees from communities including Villa del Prado and Aldea del Fresno are being sheltered after fast-moving fires swept across parts of central Spain.

King Felipe travelled from Mallorca to Madrid after the visit was added to the Royal Household’s agenda as the emergency escalated. Before meeting residents, he received a briefing from Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME), having also joined the State Emergency Coordination Committee by videolink from Mallorca earlier in the week.

During the visit, the

King and Queen spoke with displaced families and thanked Civil Protection volunteers, Red Cross staff and emergency workers supporting those affected. Queen Letizia also listened to residents’ concerns.

Speaking afterwards, King Felipe praised the coordination of the emergency response, describing the work of the ser-

vices as “exemplary”.

Over the last few weeks Spain has battled some of its largest wildfire emergencies in recent history. Tens of thousands of hectares have burned, while more than 100,000 people had been evacuated from affected areas in Madrid, Ávila and neighbouring provinces. Thousands are still unable to return home.

AFTER five years of applications and arguments, Nueva Pescanova has withdrawn its plan to build what was intended to be the world’s first commercial octopus farm at Las Palmas port.

On July 23, the company formally abandoned the concession application submitted in May 2021. The Las Palmas Port Authority will now archive the file, bringing the Gran Canaria project to an end.

Nueva Pescanova said new administrative requirements and the need for a fuller environmental assessment had substantially changed the project’s scope, timetable and regulatory demands.

At full production, the farm was expected to supply approximately 3,000 tonnes of octopus each year. That scale turned a familiar Spanish dish into a much larger ethical question: should an animal known for solving problems, learning from experience and feeling pain be raised intensively in tanks?

The documentary My Octopus Teacher released in 2020 also brought the

debate to a much wider audience. Some viewers say it stopped them eating octopus altogether and put the animal’s intelligence and debate on whether they should be caught into the limelight.

Campaigners have welcomed the withdrawal, but it is not a national ban on commercial farming. Proposed legislation remains before Congress, while Nueva Pescanova has not ruled out different technology or another location. For Las Palmas, however, the project is now over before a single commercial tank was built.

A SMALL knock against your car can seem like an unlucky moment on an otherwise ordinary drive. For dozens of victims, it has emptied their bank accounts.

Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) have agged a new twist on the fake accident scam, after more

Fake crash, real theft

than 50 complaints in a single month reported losses exceeding €200,000. Criminals stage a minor collision on purpose, then turn hostile, accusing the driver of causing the crash. Loud, aggressive behaviour is

used to uster victims, who are warned they face losing licence points or a lengthy insurance dispute. Most reported cases have occurred in Greater Lisbon.

A quick resolution is then o ered: pay a small sum on

a portable card reader and the matter disappears. But as the victim enters their PIN, an accomplice swaps the genuine card for a fake one. Scammers then withdraw large sums before the theft is noticed. Drivers aged 70 to 90, travelling alone, make up most of the recorded cases. Police believe criminals are deliberately targeting older motorists.

O cers insist a bank

card should never be handed to anyone, whatever the circumstances. Anyone approached should call the police immediately rather than pay. Victims are urged to note the suspects’ appearance, vehicle and registration, then report the incident straight away. Families are encouraged to warn elderly relatives.

Mad about pizza

THREE-TIME world pizza champion Aymeric Provence has helped

break a Guinness World Record by producing 12,800 pizzas in nine hours. The 44-year-old from Cheval-Blanc in the Vaucluse region joined a 50-strong international crew of pizza makers in Naples on Tuesday, June 30. The team comfortably beat the previous record of 12,000 pizzas made over a twelve-hour period.

Official adjudicators enforced strict quality standards for the attempt. Every pie had to be round, roughly 30 cm in diameter, free of tears, and the correct weight. Defective items were discarded immediately. High temperatures tested the team as the warm conditions made the dough difficult to stretch. Working continuously without

breaks or food, the crew maintained a relentless pace until organisers confirmed the final count around 7pm.

All 12,800 pizzas were donated to local charities feeding sick children, emergency service workers, and hungry members of the public waiting outside. Ovens remained lit until everyone in line received a meal.

After a formal civic reception hosted by Lambesc mayor Philippe Razeyre, Provence is now preparing for the Pizza World Cup in Rome, running from Tuesday, September 29 to Thursday, October 1. He plans to mentor two trainees at the event before retiring from competitive cooking to focus entirely on teaching.

TOPTrending

Ride or DiePrime Video

Prime Video’s newest series is an action-packed romp that proves best friends stick with each other through thick and thin, even if one of them is a trained assassin with a target on their back. The focus on women in their mid-50s was a welcome change, and added an extra layer to the already compelling story. And if there’s one actress

you’d believe to be an international assassin, it’s the almost 6-foot tall Hannah Waddingham whose cheekbones are almost as sharp as her wit.

Enola Holmes 3

Enola Holmes has never followed the rules, only ever her own whims and the clues from whichever case she’s investigating. That remains the case in this third instalment of the franchise. In this sequel, Enola Holmes is no longer a precocious child but a determined woman, set to marry her beloved partner in crime, Tewksbury. That is until her brother Sherlock’s abduction prevents her from walking down the

aisle. Funny, intriguing and surprisingly tender, if this is the final chapter, it’s a good way to end Enola’s story.

Italy’s digital addiction

Credit:AYO Production/shutterstock

measures to prevent screen addiction

FLORENCE has plans to open Italy’s first specialist centre for digital addiction and responsible technology use, in a project aimed at helping young people before screen habits become harder to manage.

Discover, short for Discover - Fuori dal guscio, is being created by local health services, the City of Florence and the ReteSviluppo cooperative. Rather than operating as a medical clinic, it will

serve as a prevention and education space for families, schools and young people.

The centre will mainly support those aged 10 to 25. Parents and educators are also expected to be involved. ReteSviluppo will run the project, drawing on more than a decade of experience in schools. The first phase is due to last until December 2026.

Planned activities include guidance sessions, a listening desk and wor-

kshops on media education and healthier social interaction. Board games, manual activities and group work are also part of the offer. A smartphone-free area will give young people time in a less formal setting. The project is expected to open after the summer in the Chiarugi library spaces at San Salvi. While this may be a local story, it is a wider concern faced by many families across the world.

IN Greece, there’s one region where cars must be equipped with both airbags and life jackets as residents regularly cross a collapsed bridge, barely suspended over the Pineios River.

Palaiopyrgos Bridge, which connects the towns of Palaiopyrgos and Alexandrini in Larissa, has slowly been losing its fight with gravity since 2023, when Storm Daniel tore through Greece and other surrounding countries causing billions of euros worth of damage. The concrete bridge has been buckling ever since.

Three years on and the bridge still hasn’t been fixed. But that doesn’t mean the residents have stopped using it. Going an alternate route would add around 40 miles there-and-back to residents’ daily commutes, and who’s got the time, or the money, for that?

Local news outlet Larissanet recently posted a video to social media showing the extent of the damage and exactly how locals have adapted. The Youtube video

shows one single truck drive cautiously over the broken bridge, which has dropped so significantly it touches the top of the water.

While drivers have evidently learnt to live with the risky obstacle, the concern now is that one bad storm could either wipe out the bridge and cut off residents only direct exit route, or alternatively, act as a damn, backing up the Pineios River and flooding surrounding villages.

Fire service strike

PEOPLE living in or visiting Brussels are being urged to be aware that an indefinite firefighters’ strike is continuing, with some emergency responses likely to be affected while the dispute remains unresolved.

Fire crews are still responding to life-threatening emergencies, including major fires, serious road traffic collisions and other incidents where lives are at risk. However, authorities have warned that some non-urgent call-outs and routine services may face delays as industrial action continues.

The dispute centres on working conditions, staffing levels and concerns about the long-term future of the Brussels fire service. Firefighters say increasing pressure on crews has left the service overstretched and are calling for me -

aningful improvements.

Talks between unions and regional authorities have so far failed to reach an agreement, meaning the strike has now entered an indefinite phase with no confirmed end date.

Officials have stressed that Brussels is not without fire protection and have reassured residents that emergency cover remains in place for the most serious incidents. However, the

public is being encouraged to use emergency services responsibly and only call emergency numbers when genuinely necessary.

The strike comes during a busy summer period for the Belgian capital, when large numbers of tourists join the city’s residents and daily commuters. Authorities continue to monitor the situation while negotiations remain ongoing.

Louvre gallery reopened

PARIS’S Louvre Museum welcomed visitors back into its famed Apollo Gallery on Wednesday, July 22, nine months after a daylight raid stunned the global art community. However, the space looks drastically different from before the theft, which occurred in October 2025.

Instead of glittering gems, guests now view empty glass cases. Four thieves used a lorry-mounted platform to break into the room, escaping with an estimated €88 million (£76m) worth of Napoleon-era jewellery in under eight minutes. Only Empress Eugenie’s diamond-and-emerald crown was recovered after being dropped during the getaway.

Museum restorers used the closure to highlight the hall’s striking architecture, including Charles Le Brun’s seventeen-

th-century ceiling and Eugene Delacroix’s masterwork, Apollo Slaying the Serpent Python. Remaining pieces from the collection will not return to the gallery; officials are constructing a windowless strongroom elsewhere in the building to house them securely.

The gallery’s reopening follows months of criticism regarding security lapses, including revelations that the CCTV system’s password was simply “Louvre”. The scandal led to the departure of the museum’s president and prompted nationwide pledges to upgrade security across French cultural institutions. Despite the missing treasures, Louvre director Christophe Leribault framed the reopening as a fresh start, ensuring tourists can still admire the gallery’s timeless artistic heritage.

• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •

Costa del Sol

Famous walk gets WhatsApp

VISITORS heading to Malaga’s Caminito del Rey can now receive real-time updates after the famous walkway launched an official WhatsApp channel. The free service will notify followers about temporary closures, weather-related disruptions, ticket releases and other important announcements before they travel. It joins the attraction’s existing website, social media and Telegram service, giving visitors another convenient way to stay informed. Safety is the main reason for the new channel. Conditions in the Gaitanes Gorge can change quickly, particularly during strong winds or severe weather. Subscribers will also receive information about ticket availability, operational changes and special announcements, which could prove especially useful during busy periods when entry slots sell out well in advance.

Axarquia

David Guetta does Dreambeach

DREAMBEACH is set to launch a new era in Velez-Malaga, bringing one of Spain’s biggest electronic music festivals to the new area.

Running on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2026, the event moves from its long-time home in Almería to a purpose-built venue expected to attract tens of thousands of music fans. More than 90,000 people attended the 2025 edition, and organisers hope the new location will build on that success. Four stages will feature techno, house, drum and bass, hardstyle, melodic techno and urban electronic music.

David Guetta tops the bill with his exclusive Special Monolith Show, featuring spectacular visuals and production. Day tickets start from €49, while two-day passes cost from €89.

Mallorca

A legend performs

FOR anyone who still knows every word to True and Gold, one of Britain’s most recognisable voices is heading to Mallorca this summer.

Tony Hadley, the legendary former frontman of Spandau Ballet, will perform at Port Adriano on Saturday, August 1, as part of the marina’s annual music festival, bringing with him a set packed with some of the biggest hits of the 1980s. Hadley helped define the New Romantic era as the lead singer of Spandau Ballet, whose string of international chart successes included True, Gold, Only When You Leave and Through the Barricades. Since launching his solo career, Hadley has continued touring internationally.

Tickets are available from €50.

Costa Blanca South Seaside Ride

MORE than 1.5 million people travel to Alicante’s beaches by bus every summer, and the popular BeachBus campaign is back to make getting to the coast easier than ever.

A total of 10 bus routes connect Alicante’s neighbourhoods and nearby towns with the coastline. Seven urban services, operated by Vectalia, carried more than 1.3 million passengers last summer, while three interurban routes transported almost 263,000 more.

The network provides easy access to Alicante’s main beaches. During the busiest weeks of summer, several routes will operate more frequently, with buses displaying the BeachBus logo to make them easier to spot.

Passengers can check routes, timetables and live updates through the Alicante se Mueve app, the city council’s mobility website or Vectalia’s website.

Costa Blanca North Joe Jonas in Javea

AMERICAN pop star Joe Jonas has chosen Jávea for his latest Mediterranean holiday, sharing snapshots of the Costa Blanca town with millions of followers on social media. The Jonas Brothers singer posted a series of Instagram Stories showing him relaxing aboard a boat off the coast, including views of the iconic Cap de la Nau cliffs. According to local reports, Jonas spent part of his stay exploring Jávea’s crystal-clear waters by boat. Joe Jonas first found global fame alongside brothers Kevin and Nick as part of the Jonas Brothers, one of the biggest pop acts of the late 2000s. Jávea has become an increasingly popular retreat for high-profile visitors thanks to its picturesque coves, dramatic cliffs and relaxed atmosphere.

Art lovers and curious visitors alike have a unique opportunity this summer as “The Prado in the Streets” transforms Mazarron into an open-air gallery. Having opened on July 24, the exhibition has already begun attracting residents and holidaymakers keen to experience some of Spain’s greatest masterpieces without travelling to Madrid. Located in the Plaza de las Comunidades Autonomas, the free exhibition features 50 life-size photographic reproductions of iconic works from the Museo Nacional del Prado. Visitors can admire paintings by celebrated artists including Velazquez, Goya, Rubens, Rembrandt, Titian, Caravaggio, Bosch and Sorolla. Bilingual panels and QR codes provide even more insight, making the exhibition accessible for all ages and nationalities. The exhibition remains in Mazarron until September 6.

Can you care for Seve as a Dog sitter?

SEVE adores the sea

One of the things you need to know about Seve the red Labrador is that he loves company, dog sitters in particular, and dog sitters who like the beach he loves even more. He loves nothing more than messing around on the beach, playing catch and just being in the water.

He is very well behaved, has excellent recall and his owners say like likes meeting new people. So could you dog sit for Seve? Or perhaps another pet might take your fancy. Check out our Housesit Match listings.

How It Works: Your Next Step to Adventure

Joining our network is simple, secure, and collaborative:

1. Register at HouseSitMatch.com.

2. Create Your Profile with photos highlighting your property features and pets

3. Match & Explore with your perfect housesitter partner and

start planning your next trip!

For a small annual registration fee (and zero “per-sit” fees), you access a secure, vibrant

community. Pets get to stay at home, routines intact, properties remain secure, and you get a budget-friendly way to travel.

Why HouseSit Match Works

We’re more than a platform — we’re a community.

• Checked Members — We verify both homeowners and sitters to keep the whole network safe.

• Human Support — Our team is on hand to guide you, answer questions, and help you.

• Easy Video Tools — Use our secure video call features to meet sitters before confirming the match.

“This site is definitely the best... Lamia and her team provide such a personal approach and will talk you through any problems.” — Kay Lattimore Claim Your Exclusive Reader Discount Register today at HouseSitMatch.com and use code WELCOME25 to receive 25% off your first year.

Dog’s beach day

A DAY at the beach may be every dog’s dream, but veterinarians warn it can quickly become a medical emergency if owners aren’t careful. As Spain’s summer temperatures continue to soar, vets are reminding pet owners that heatstroke, hot sand, seawater and even ordinary beach games can pose serious risks to dogs enjoying the coast.

Heatstroke remains the biggest concern. Unlike humans, dogs struggle to regulate their body temperature, making them especially vulnerable after running across hot sand or spending too long in direct sunlight. Experts recommend visiting beaches during

cooler parts of the day, providing constant access to fresh water and ensuring pets have plenty of shade. Another overlooked danger is sand ingestion. Dogs often swallow sand while chasing balls or chewing toys, which can lead to painful intestinal blockages requiring urgent veterinary treatment.

Owners are also warned against

allowing dogs to drink seawater, which can cause dehydration, vomiting and serious complications linked to excessive salt intake. Meanwhile, scorching sand, broken shells, fishing hooks and hidden debris can all result in painful injuries. Veterinary experts say most beach-related emergencies are entirely preventable with sensible planning and supervision. The message is simple: Spain’s beaches should create happy summer memories, not emergency trips to the vet. A few simple precautions could make the difference between a perfect day by the sea and a life-threatening ordeal.

CLASSIFIEDS

BUILDERS

ALMERIA BUILDERS: Fully Legal, Fully Insured, All Work Guaranteed. 659 685 133 www.almeriabuilders.com (253556)

CHURCHES

Local Anglican (CofE) Church Services take place every Sunday from July 5 at Mojacar Church (12pm) and Llanos del Peral (Zurgena) Church (9am), with services at Aljambra Chapel (Albox) held monthly. Dates and details of our services, including directions and contact details, can be found at  www. almeria-anglican.com. Here you can also find information about funerals, baptisms and wedding blessings. We are an inclusive church. (10002)

TURRE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

We meet every Sunday at 10.30. For worship. We believe you’ll find us ‘relaxed’, welcoming’ and ‘informal’. Find us on Turre’s main street, towards the motorway at the far end on the left. To know more contact 711 086 162 (10021)

ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONZurgena Branch meetings are now held at Hostal Rosaleda opposite New Bar International in Arboleas. New and Existing Members Welcome Branch Meetings for existing and new

members are held on the 1st Thursday of the month, Coffee Morning on the 3rd Thursday and a Quiz on the last Tuesday of the month. For further details please email zurgena. treasurer@rbl.community or zurgena.chairman@rbl. community if you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us 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. (253989)

forward to helping you buy, sell or rent your ideal property. Please call 672 634 849 for more information (283824)

INSURANCE

ALBOX INSURANCE contact us today for all your insurance needs. Albox Office: 950 121 943  Mojacar Office: 634 323 399 (313627)

AWARD-WINNING AGENT for ALL your insurance needs.

GENERALI SEGUROS ALBOX/ MOJACAR INSURANCE, ALBOX OFFICE: 950 121 943. Mojacar office: 634 323 399 (10003)

MOTOR INSURANCE. For the most competitive quotes in English call Linea Directa on 952 147 834, you could save as much as 30% and you can transfer your existing no claims bonus. Call Linea Directa on 952 147 834 for motor insurance with a human voice in English from Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and save money now! (200726)

LANGUAGE CLASSES

PLUMBERS

KNOWLES PLUMBING No 1 for all plumbing jobs big or small. Central heating, solar hot water and water deposits. Tel: 684 143 560 (350290)

REMOVALS

AMANDA’S REMOVALS SpainUK. We won’t be beaten in price. 634 310 512 / 634 349 347 (350971)

SITUATIONS VACANT

SALES advisor required in Turre, 12 hour contracted position. Applicants must be fluent in English and Spanish and have a valid driving license. We are looking for someone with excellent customer service skills and able to work on their own initiative. Applications by email only to revolutionsales@ protonmail.com (313823)

SOLAR ENERGY

REMOVALS

ESTATE AGENT

VOSS HOMES are a professional, British family-run Estate Agents with an office in Huercal-Overa town. They specialise in selling and renting properties in the Huercal-Overa, La Alfoquia, Zurgena & Taberno area. Andy, Anna, Jess, Adele, Hannah, Amy & Karen look

MOTORING FOR SALE

WE ARE currently the market leader in our country in the sale of direct car, motorbike, home and company fleet insurance. Since we started out in 1995, our philosophy has always been to offer an excellent service with the best prices in the market. For the most competitive quotes in English, call Linea Directa on 952 147 834. (200726)

PETS

THE FIVE BONE HOTEL, TURRE. Little dogs €8.00, medium dogs €9.00, big dogs €10.00, cats from €7.50 a day. 630 234 556 / the5bonehotel turre@gmail.com fivebonehotel.com (313660)

SOLAR WIND POWER SOLUTIONS. Over 20 years installation experience. Established 17 years in Spain. Call Phil for competitive prices on 636 261 240 or email info@ sunergyalmeria.com (350449)

Solar eclipse safety

SPAIN will witness an incredible solar event on Wednesday, August 12, when the moon completely covers the sun. The near-total eclipse is set to be incredible, but the traffic on the roads before and after the event… not so much.

Traffic is expected to be heavily congested on the day of the solar event, as people travel to and from viewpoints. To avoid incident, the DGT recommends setting off well in advance, and wai-

ting to return until after the eclipse peak so as to not overwhelm the roads.

In the Basque Country, all heavy-goods vehicles except public transport will be prohibited from circulating between midnight and 11pm. Close to the date, temporary signage will be posted to offer alternate routes.

While the Basque Country is the first to implement this rule, more regions where the path of totality will cross are expected to follow suit.

The eclipse is expected to occur between 8.26pm and 8.33pm, according to the National Geographic Institute. Those still driving during this time are warned to drive with caution.

Don’t record or take photos while driving, turn car lights on during both the partial and full phase, and don’t stop on the hard shoulder - not only is this punishable by a €200 fine, but it’s incredibly dangerous to passengers and other drivers on the road.

€4,500 off an electric car

SPANISH ministers have approved Plan Auto+, a €400 million scheme offering direct grants of up to €4,500 for electric vehicle buyers. Running from Thursday January 1, 2026, the initiative replaces the previous Moves III programme and backdates discounts for recent purchases.

To qualify for the full €4,500 subsidy, a vehicle must meet three ‘EEE’ criteria: pure battery-electric power, a pre-tax invoice price under €35,000, and assembly within the European Union, including battery production. Plug-in hybrids receive up to €3,375. Vehicles priced between €35,000 and €45,000 receive smaller payouts, whilst those over €45,000 are ineligible. Light commercial vehicles can claim up to €5,000. Showrooms must also provide an additional discount of at least €1,000.

Chinese-built electric cars remain eligible for partial funding but miss out on the European manufacturing

bonus. Private individuals can claim one grant, self-employed workers three, and companies up to 10. Foreign residents with a valid NIE stand in the same queue as Spanish nationals.

Applications will open on an online government platform, though dealers can manage the paperwork and deduct discounts at the point of sale. Industry groups warn funds could run out by autumn, although government ministers insist the budget will cover the whole year. Detailed regulations will appear in the Boletin Oficial de Estado.

Plan your stops and cut the petrol bill this summer.

Summer motorway savings

FILLING up at the wrong petrol station could add around €12 to the cost of a 50-litre tank, making a little forward planning worthwhile before a long summer drive.

The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) compared 12,000 stations along Spain’s main holiday routes and found that motorists could save up to 26 per cent on petrol and 18 per cent on diesel at specific rest stops.

On the A-7 Mediterranean route, some of the best choices include BonÀrea in Cambrils and L’Hospitalet de l’Infant, as well as Plenergy in Vilafranca del Penedes. Plenergy and Ballenoil also offer

competitive stops further south between Almeria and Cadiz.

Drivers using the A-2 should look towards BonÀrea stations in Aragon and Cataluña, while Ronda Norte in Sevilla and Ballenoil in Jerez stand out on the A-4.

The A-1 is one of the more expensive roads, although Alcampo stations in Alcobendas, Oiartzun and Irun can reduce the bill. On the A-66, MoraOil and Petroprix in Zamora are among the stronger choices.

Prices can change daily, so motorists should check the OCU petrol-station finder online before travelling, and make sure the savings are worth the detour.

Skoda Superb Estate Superb by name, superb by nature

By Mark Slack ROAD

TEST

ADMITTEDLY we all have our different views and opinions but if ever there’s a car that’s perfectly named it’s Skoda’s Superb. They are beloved by taxi drivers for their space, comfort and high mileage reliability.

If you think that makes it a somewhat downmarket choice, then think again.

Mercedes Benz is liked by taxi drivers across the world and it doesn’t exactly seem to have harmed their reputation. Skoda is also a favourite choice of the emergency services, an arguably more prestigious purchaser, for the same reasons of reliability and comfort, not to mention performance.

In its current guise the Superb is offered in both hatch and estate, the latter an increasing rarity these days as SUVs continue their dominance of the showroom floor. Petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, plug-in

A CAR sitting unused outside your home in Spain could help cover summer bills, thanks to peer-to-peer rental platforms that let owners hire out their vehicles to both residents and holidaymakers.

Amovens lists more than 20,000 cars across Spain, with some available through keyless access, removing the need for an in-person handover. Owners should bear in mind, however, that the platform charges a 22 per cent management fee, while insurance costs are also deducted.

Any income earned must be declared. Under European Union reporting rules, platforms are required to share details of earnings, transactions and fees with tax authorities, and Spain’s Tax Agency confirms that vehicle rentals fall within these requirements.

Holidaymakers should also check the final price carefully. Amovens

hybrid and all-wheel-drive are offered within four trim trims - SE, SE L, Sportline and Laurin and Kle ment.

Standard fare on the lead-in model includes a 33cm/13-inch touchscreen, navigation, front and rear parking sensors with rear camera, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, LED lights, privacy glass, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated folding and dimming door mirrors and keyless start/stop.

Being a Superb, and the estate, it has one of the most commodious load areas ever and is equally generous for the occupants too. The rear seat passengers have enough space to hold a dance!

The lead-in petrol 1.5 TSi engine comes with mild hybrid assistance, there’s a more powerful version of this engine with plug-in hybrid, a 2.0-litre TSi petrol, a couple of 2.0-litre diesel units and some power choices with all-wheel-drive. There is no manual option now on the Superb, it’s a DSG automatic gearbox on all engines. In entry-level SE form the Superb

Parked cars pay

includes comprehensive insurance for eligible vehicles, but the standard excess is €900 for each separate area of damage. Optional paid cover can reduce this to €350 or even €100.

Non-residents pay an additional €2 per rental day, while extra charges may apply for younger or additional drivers, as well as for trips abroad. Deposits may also take between three and 10

days to be refunded.

Owners should ensure their finance or leasing agreement permits rentals, while both parties are advised to photograph the vehicle before handing over the keys.

Renting out an otherwise idle car can be a useful way to earn extra income or cut travel costs, provided unexpected fees and accidental damage do not outweigh the benefits.

re standard equipment is concerned, and there’s the typically Skoda touch of an umbrella hidden in the driver’s door.

On the road my SE test model, with 1.5-litre petrol plug-in hybrid and 204PS, made relatively short work of the 0 to 62mph sprint in a whisker over eight seconds. Equally impressive economy and emissions of just 33g/km promise low running costs. It smooths out rough roads impressively well and, despite its size, handles rather tidily too.

The interior is a very nice place to be, with premium looking and tactile materials, a solid feel to the build quality and although there’s a touchscreen there are also proper buttons. Hurrah! Comfortable, spacious, well equipped and reasonably priced, there must be something amiss surely? Actually, no! It really is a five-star car.

Facts at a Glance

• Model: Skoda Superb Estate SE

iV Plug-in Hybrid

• Engine: 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol with plug-in hybrid assistance developing 204PS

• Gears: 6-speed DSG automatic

• Price: €48,731/£41,580 (Range from €44,697/£38.135)

• Performance: 0 – 100kph/62mph 8.1 seconds/Max speed 218kph/136 mph

• Economy: Combined realworld circa 4.71 to 4.04 litres per 100km/60-70mpg depending on driving conditions

• Emissions: 33 g/km

Model tested was UKspecification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets

100 hours of sports

THE countdown is on for one of Roquetas de Mar’s biggest summer traditions as the 38th edition of the 100 Hours of Sports takes place from 12 to 16 August. Over five action-packed days, the town will once again become a giant sporting arena, bringing together competitors, families and visitors for a celebration of sport, community and fun. The event features 13 official sports, including football, basket-

ball, handball, athletics, tennis, swimming and beach volleyball, alongside a packed programme of leisure activities designed for all ages, from toddlers to grown adults. Whether taking part in a tournament, trying a new activity or simply cheering from the side-lines, there is something for everyone. Since its launch almost four decades ago, the 100 Hours of Sports has grown into one of the Costa de Almería’s most popular sporting

festivals. Its welcoming format encourages participation rather than elite competition, helping to strengthen community spirit while promoting healthy lifestyles and active living.

With thousands of participants expected and a lively atmosphere across multiple venues, this year’s edition promises another memorable chapter in a summer event that continues to showcase the very best of Roquetas de Mar.

Race ready

RUNNERS looking for a summer challenge on the Almeria coast should mark Saturday, August 1 in their diaries, when the ever-popular Carrera Popular Garrucha returns to the streets of this seaside town. Part of the Provincial Popular Race Circuit, the event promises an enjoyable evening of competition in a welcoming atmosphere. The main race covers 7.25 kilometres, starting and finishing at the historic Castillo de San Ramon. The route takes participants through Garrucha’s streets, offering a lively setting with plenty of local support along the way. Water stations and medical assistance will be available throughout the event, ensuring runners can focus on enjoying the race. The day is about much more than the senior race, with children’s events also taking place for a range of age groups, making it a fantastic occasion for the whole family. Tro-

phies will be awarded to the leading male and female finishers, the top local runners and the best-performing clubs.

There’s still time for runners to secure their place on the start line, registration is open midday on July 31 through cruzandolameta.es. Whether chasing a personal best or simply soaking up the friendly atmosphere, the Carrera Popular Garrucha is an excellent way to experience one of the Costa de Almería’s classic running events.

Silver for Almeria

THE Almeria Athletes Union continued their outstanding season by securing the second-place podium spot at the Andalusian Second Division Club Championship, recently held in Velez-Malaga. The result came just days after the men’s team celebrated a third-place finish at the Spanish Second Division Club Championship, underlining the club’s growing reputation in masters athletics.

The men’s squad produced a series of impressive performances across the meeting to claim the Andalusian silver medal, confirming their status as one of the region’s strongest clubs. Meanwhile, the women’s team also delivered a determined display, finishing sixth

against quality opposition and contributing to another successful weekend for the Almería outfit. What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the club’s broad representation. Athletes travelled from across the Almeria province, joined by competitors from the club’s branches in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Granada and

Seville. Their combined efforts showcased the depth and unity that continues to drive the club forward. With national and regional podium finishes arriving in quick succession, the Almeria Athletes Union are enjoying one of the finest periods in their history and have firmly established themselves as a leading force in Spanish masters athletics.

Costa to Calar Alto

ALMERIA is set to take centre stage in La Vuelta a España 2026, with a spectacular mountain stage that promises to showcase the province’s stunning landscapes to millions of viewers around the world.

Stage 12, on September 3, will start in the coastal town of Vera before finishing at the summit of Calar Alto. Covering 167 kilometres and featuring more than 4,500 metres of climbing, it is expected to be one of the toughest and most decisive stages of this year’s race. Riders will tackle four major climbs before the demanding finish at over 2,100 metres above sea level.

The route perfectly captures the diversity of Costa de Almeria, taking the peloton from Mediterranean beaches to

dramatic mountain scenery while passing through around 20 municipalities. Provincial leaders believe the event will reinforce Almeria’s reputation as a worldclass cycling destination, highlighting its excellent roads, favourable climate and varied terrain. The sporting spectacle is also expected to deliver a significant tourism boost. La Vuelta is broadcast in 190 countries and attracts millions of viewers, providing Almeria with an unrivalled opportunity to promote its beaches, natural landscapes, heritage and outdoor lifestyle to a global audience. With such extensive international exposure, the province hopes the race will inspire even more visitors to discover everything Costa de Almeria has to offer.