Mallorca I No. 2150 I 17 - 23 September 2026 I FREE Newspaper Dep. Legal PM - 140 - 2004 - ISSN 2488-1686
Mallorca’s cycling hero THE island has a new reason to celebrate after local cycling star Enric Mas finally achieved the victory that has eluded him for more than a decade. The 31-year-old Movistar rider has won the Vuelta a España, becoming the first Spaniard to take the prestigious Grand Tour since Alberto Contador in 2014. For Mas, the triumph marks the culmination of years of near misses at the race. He had previously finished second three times, in 2018, 2021 and 2022, before adding a third-place finish in 2024. This time, however, the Mallorcan held his nerve to secure the red jersey and write his name into Spanish cycling history. Mas, who was born in Arta, had to survive a de-
: Instagram/LaVuelta
Arta-born Enric wins the Vuelta a España after 12 years of near misses.
manding final weekend before heading into the final stage in Granada with the overall lead. Norwegian Tobias Halland Johannessen claimed victory on the final stage after win-
ning the sprint from the breakaway, but the attention was firmly on Mas as he crossed the finish line safely with his Movistar teammates. It was a moment of celebration for Spanish cycling and an especially proud one for Mallorca. Mas has spent much of his career carrying the expectations of becoming Spain’s next Grand Tour winner, repeatedly coming close without quite reaching the top step. His Vuelta victory finally ends that wait and
gives Mallorca one of its biggest sporting successes in recent years. The win also caps a remarkable journey for the cyclist, who developed his passion for the sport on the island before progressing through the ranks to become one of Spain’s leading professional riders. After years of coming so close, Mas can finally celebrate a Grand Tour victory of his own. And back home in Mallorca, his achievement gives fans plenty to celebrate too.
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17 - 23 September 2026
A royal holiday MALLORCA is enjoying another royal visitor, with Lady Amelia Windsor soaking up the island sunshine during a September getaway. The 31-year-old, who is 44th in line to the British throne, has shared glimpses of her Mallorcan escape on Instagram, posting images under the caption “September swims and sunshine.” Amelia, a member of the extended Windsor family, has built a public profile of her own through fashion and social media. She has previously worked with major fashion houses and made her catwalk debut for Dolce & Gabbana during Milan Fashion Week in 2017. She has also become known for promoting sustainability and eco-conscious fashion to her more than 100,000 Instagram followers. Her Mallorca visit adds another chapter to the
Credit: Instagram/AmeliaWindsor
LOCAL NEWS
Shopping buzz Credit: Shutterstock/Werner Lerooy
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The British royal enjoyed a September escape to the island.
British royal family’s long relationship with the island. The late Princess Diana and King Charles III famously holidayed in Mallorca with Princes William and Harry during several summer visits to Marivent Palace between 1986 and 1990, after being invited by Spain’s former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía. Other members of the
British royal family, including Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have also visited the island over the years. Now, as summer winds down, it seems Mallorca remains a royal favourite, with September sunshine proving just as tempting as the traditional August escape.
Second edition of Viu Palma will take place from September 17 to 19.
PALMA is set to bring music, dancing and circus performances to its main shopping streets this week as part of a campaign designed to encourage people to support local businesses. The second edition of Viu Palma, la ciutat de les compres will take place from Thursday, Septem-
ber 17 to Friday, September 19, with entertainment planned across several of the city’s busiest commercial areas. The programme will feature colourful street performances including flashmobs, marching bands, traditional xeremiers and circus parades, creating a lively atmosphere while shoppers explore local stores. The campaign will begin on Thursday with a flashmob at 4pm on Passeig del Born, where gifts will also be handed out to members of the public. Performances will then move through a number of central locations, including Plaza de España, Plaza Mayor, La Rambla, Sindi-
cato, Sant Miquel, Jaime II and Plaza París. Activities will continue until Saturday, with performances also reaching neighbourhoods including Pere Garau, Blanquerna, Son Ferriol and Plaza Madrid. The initiative has been organised by Pimeco in collaboration with Palma City Council and PalmaActiva. Organisers say the aim is to bring extra activity to the streets while encouraging residents and visitors to shop at independent and small local businesses. Full details of performance times and routes are available through the organisers’ social media channels.
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NEWS
17 - 23 September 2026
Classroom safety
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Pay trends shift
Spain adjusts base salary
Credit: Drazen Zigic / Shutterstock
Photo credit: Kittyfly/Shutterstock
SPAIN TOUGHENS BULLYING RULES
The rise places Spain towards the lower end of the rankings.
Spain’s schools are under new pressure to respond to bullying faster than ever before.
CHILDREN across Spain have returned to school under tougher bullying rules that give teachers just 24 hours to tell parents about any reported case. The new national rules, finalised by the Education Ministry in August, also require every alleged bullying case to be investigated within 10 school days and monitored for six months afterwards, replacing a patchwork of different regional timetables. For the first time, the rules single
out deepfakes and doctored photos as a specific concern, meaning schools must now treat a manipulated video shared in a group chat with the same seriousness as bullying that happens face to face. Moving the bully to another school, rather than the victim, is becoming the standard punishment in several regions, alongside immediate psychological support for the child affected. Different areas across Spain are
also introducing their own set of individual rules. In Baleares, schools have introduced an anonymous way for pupils to report concerns, while Castilla y Leon has gone further still, cutting its family-notification window down to a single day. The changes affect more than eight million children in Spanish schools, with parents now able to expect a faster response if their child reports being bullied, whether online or in the playground.
SPAIN’S minimum wage increased by 3.1 per cent in 2026, reaching €1,221 gross per month in 14 payments, an increase of €37 a month. The rise places Spain towards the lower end of the EU rankings for minimum wage increases this year, despite the country having substantially increased its minimum wage since 2018. Eurofound data shows particularly large increases elsewhere, with Slovenia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Lithuania and Hungary all recording rises above 10 per cent. Luxembourg increased its minimum wage by 2.5 per cent and Poland by 3 per cent, while France also recorded a modest increase. Spain’s relatively small percentage increase reflects its higher starting point. The minimum wage has risen from €735 a month in 2018 to €1,221 in 2026, an increase of more than 66 per cent. The 2026 rise adds €518 to the annual gross salary, taking it to €17,094, with around 2.5 million workers expected to benefit. The increase applies from January 1 and remains below the personal income tax threshold. Eurofound found that minimum-wage purchasing power increased in nearly every EU country in 2026 because wage increases generally exceeded inflation.
Credit: iamzerofighter / shutterstock
Get your home autumn-ready PROTECTING YOUR SPANISH INVESTMENT SEPTEMBER is the month to give a Spanish home a proper going-over before the weather turns. The heat may not be finished, but summer dust, salt air and months of hard use are starting to show, and a sudden storm can expose a blocked drain or a broken air conditioning unit. What needs to be done first depends on where the property is. Coastal homes should watch for damp, mould and rust in metal fittings, since humidity does as much damage near the sea as heat. Inland, the priority is bigger temperature swings: check heaters, hot water systems and any wood burner or gas appliance before the
cooler evenings arrive. Everywhere, gutters and drains need clearing before the first heavy rain, air-conditioning units deserve a proper service rather than simply being switched off, and pools should keep running on a reduced schedule rather than being abandoned. Anyone returning after time away should also walk the property properly, checking taps, pipes and cupboards for leaks or mould. September is one of the easier months to book a contractor, and fixing small problems now is far cheaper than facing a large bill once the rain and cooler nights set in.
September is one of the best months to get on top of home maintenance in Spain.
euroweeklynews.com The information on this page is intended for general guidance only, and should not be considered legal advice.
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17 - 23 September 2026
LOCAL NEWS
Calvia’s cinema collaboration Rowing challenge Credit: AjuntamentdeCalvia
Credit: Instagram/james_priestley_
CALVIA is stepping further into the spotlight as a film destination with a new partnership with the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival (EMIFF). The agreement, announced by Calvia Town Hall, will bring a series of film and audiovisual events to the municipality between September and November, with activities planned in Magaluf and Port Adriano. The initiative forms part of Calvia’s Year of Cinema programme for 2026. The first event will take place on Wednesday, September 23 at Shallow Beach at INNSiDE by Meliá Calvia Beach in Magaluf,
New partnership with the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival.
offering a preview of the festival’s 15th edition and unveiling the full Made in Baleares selection, which showcases local audiovisual talent. On October 23 and 24, Port Adriano will host Cine con Coche, transforming its car park into an open-air cinema with two screen-
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ings each evening. The programme will continue during EMIFF with an October 30 event at Meliá South Beach celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Associació de Cineastes de les Illes Balears, including industry discussions and screenings of films made in Calvia. The partnership will conclude on November 4 with Mallorca Go!, bringing international filmmakers to Calvia to explore potential filming locations. The council says the collaboration is designed to showcase the municipality’s landscapes while creating connections between Balearic talent and the international film industry.
Bid to break a world record and raise money for military personnel.
A BRITISH resident in Mallorca is preparing to take on a gruelling 12hour rowing challenge in Port d’Andratx in a bid to break a world record and raise money for military personnel and their families.
James Priestley, who moved to Mallorca more than two years ago, will take to a rowing machine at 7am on Saturday, October 3, aiming to cover at least 153,000 metres before 7pm. The current Guinness
World Records benchmark for the longest distance rowed on a Concept2 indoor rower in 12 hours is 152.869 kilometres, set by Kazakhstan’s Yevgeniy Golyatkin. It is not Priestley’s first attempt. In 2021, he was forced to abandon the challenge after nine hours and 45 minutes when an injury eventually required surgery. Now, the former estate agency director and winner of Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins is determined to try again. The challenge will raise funds for VÕS HELP, an app Priestley co-founded to connect people, including serving military personnel, veterans and their families, with trained counsellors. The aim is to fund 1,000 free mental health support calls, as the service can connect someone with a counsellor in less than 60 seconds. The event will also support his new community gym in Port d’Andratx. The gym will be open to the public during the challenge, with a second rowing machine available for people to join him.
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17 - 23 September 2026
LOCAL NEWS
Football for all
Special inclusive match organised by Rotary Club Calvia International.
creating connections through football. Players from different backgrounds and abilities shared the pitch, while supporters gathered to cheer them on. The initiative has become one of Rotary Calvia International’s community projects, alongside activities supporting children and families, people experiencing homelessness and
other vulnerable groups. The club has previously welcomed inclusive teams from Germany to Mallorca for matches against local players, with the events also providing an opportunity for everyone involved to socialise after the game. For Rotary Calvia International, the message is simple: football should be a game where everyone has a place.
Credit: Shutterstock/Hadrian
FOOTBALL took centre stage in Santa Ponsa as players came together for a special inclusive match organised by Rotary Club Calvia International. The event brought together players from Fundación Mallorca Integra in Palma and visiting teams from Bavaria, creating an afternoon where sport provided a common language for everyone involved. The match formed part of Rotary Calvia International’s Inclusion Football initiative, which aims to create opportunities for people with and without disabilities to enjoy the game together. The Santa Ponsa event also highlighted the international community that makes up the Rotary club, whose members come from more than 11 countries and work on a range of charitable projects across Mallorca. Rather than focusing solely on the result, the match was about participation, friendship and
Credit: Facebook/RotaryClubCalvia
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Palma airport ranked third-worst major European airport.
Summer delays ranked
PALMA AIRPORT has ranked among Europe’s worst major airports for flight punctuality this summer, with new figures highlighting the pressure on Mallorca’s main international gateway. According to a Eurocontrol report covering June 1 to August 31, just 53 per cent of flights departing Palma Airport left on time. That placed Palma as the third-worst performing major European airport, behind Zurich and Lisbon. The figures also show that 7 per cent of flights from Palma were cancelled. The statistics come after an exceptionally busy summer for Mallorca, with Palma’s air traffic control centre reaching a new all-time record for daily traffic. Eurocontrol says Spain’s airspace has been one of the main sources of delays MAGALUF is set for a major investment boost, with almost €8 million in tourist tax funding ear-marked for improving safety, infrastructure and the resort’s image. Calvia Council says the money will be used to strengthen its ongoing efforts to modernise the popular Mallorca resort and promote more responsible tourism.
across its European network this year. The organisation attributes the disruption to a combination of capacity constraints, staff shortages and strong traffic growth. So far in 2026, Spain has accounted for 17 per cent of all European flight-route delays caused by air traffic management regulations, while the average flight-route delay in Spain has risen by 14 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. For Palma, the figures underline the operational challenges facing an airport handling millions of passengers during Mallorca’s peak tourism months. Eurocontrol has warned that wider structural capacity problems remain across European airspace, including shortages of air traffic controllers and the need for technological modernisation.
Magaluf gets millions The funding includes additional Local Police officers, upgraded security and video surveillance systems, and extra resources for the Foreign Tourist Assistance Service (SATE) at Civil Guard facilities. It will also support the ‘Magaluf for All’ awareness campaign and improve-
ments to municipal infra-structure. The latest investment follows previous projects aimed at changing the resort’s image, including upgrades to public services and infrastructure, as well as cultural and entertainment events. The council says the spending forms part of its ‘Improving Inspection, Safety, and Awareness for Responsible Tourism in Magaluf II’ project. The wider €8 million package will also fund projects elsewhere in Calvia. More than €2.4 million is being allocated to the second phase of improvements to the Santa Ponsa waterfront, including a new 588-metre wooden promenade and landscaping. A further €2.38 million will modernise sections of the Peguera promenade, while €1.55 million will renovate the historic Ca ses Monges convent in Es Capdella. Other projects include the renaturalisation of Cala Blanca and a new public car park in Santa Ponsa.
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17 - 23 September 2026
Beach cleanup
Parking permit opens Credit: Shutterstock/ShestakVera
MALLORCA residents and visitors can roll up their sleeves and help protect the island’s coastline at a free community cleanup event in Cala Major. The event takes place on Saturday, September 19, from 10am to 1pm, bringing volunteers together to remove rubbish from the beach and sea surface. The initiative coincides with World Cleanup Day, a global campaign encouraging communities to take practical action against litter and pollution. Organised in collaboration with MBRC The Ocean, Cleanwave Foundation and Calama Collective, the morning will combine hands-on conservation with activities designed to raise awareness of the impact waste can have on marine ecosystems. Children and young people are also encour-
LOCAL NEWS
Credit: PalmaParking
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Application process now open. Help make a difference.
aged to take part, with environmental workshops planned to make the event educational as well as practical. The family-friendly initiative offers an opportunity to spend a few hours outdoors while making a positive contribution to one of Mallorca’s most important natural assets. The cleanup is free, although advance registration is required and places are limited for
some activities. Taking place in Cala Major, the event highlights how community action can help keep Mallorca’s beaches cleaner and support efforts to protect the Mediterranean for residents, wildlife and visitors. For those looking for a worthwhile weekend activity, it is a chance to combine time by the sea with a practical environmental cause.
PALMA residents living in areas affected by the city’s upcoming expansion of regulated parking can now apply for their new resident permits. The application process will open ahead of the planned expansion of the ORA parking system, which is due to come into force on January 1. The extension will add around 12,000 regulated parking spaces across Palma, bringing the total number of ORA spaces in the city to approximately 24,000. The change will affect residents in areas being incorporated into the regulated parking network. Residents who meet the requirements can apply for authorisation online. The resident permit will remain
entirely digital, meaning drivers will not receive or need to display a physical sticker inside their vehicles. The new system is intended to give residents in the expanded areas access to resident parking arrangements once the new ORA zones become operational. The opening of applications several months before the January launch gives affected residents time to complete the process and ensure their vehicles are authorised before the new parking rules take effect. The expansion represents a major increase in regulated parking capacity across the Mallorcan capital, effectively doubling the number of ORA spaces currently available.
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SPANISH NEWS
Credit:Adam Yee / Shutterstock.com
New TV rating rules SPAIN’S new television and streaming classification system came into force on Thursday, September 10, giving viewers clearer information about potentially unsuitable content. The rules apply to television, on-demand services and certain high-profile online video creators. Existing age categories remain: TP (Todos los New classification rules. Publicos, or suitable for all audiences), +7, +12, +16, +18 and X for adult content. A separate imitable behaviour or language. The inforlabel means “especially recommended for mation should help parents make quicker children.” choices and use parental controls more Broadcasters must display ratings on effectively. screen and in electronic programme News and current-affairs programmes guides. Streaming platforms must show are exempt from formal ratings, but chanthem on programme information pages nels must issue verbal warnings before and when playback begins. potentially unsuitable footage. Sports, Series will generally receive one rating music, cultural and political broadcasts for an entire season, based on the epi- are also generally excluded, although sode with the highest age classification. combat sports may require classification. This is intended to prevent viewers asAdult-rated programmes cannot be suming every episode is suitable because broadcast on television between 6am earlier installments carried a lower rating. and 10pm. Serious breaches, including New content warnings will explain rating content two or more levels below whether a rating relates to sex, violence, the correct category, could bring fines of fear or distress, drugs, discrimination, between €750 and €75,000.
SPAIN’S self-employed workforce has changed significantly over the past four years, with foreign workers accounting for all of the net growth recorded since July 2022. Figures from UPTA, based on Social Security data, show that the number of foreign autonomos rose from 399,890 to 532,356 between July 2022 and July 2026. That is an increase of 132,466 people, or 33.1 per cent. During the same period, the number of Spanish self-employed workers fell by 7,630. Overall, the RETA gained 124,836 members, meaning the increase among foreign workers more than offset the decline among Spanish nationals. Chinese nationals form the largest foreign group, with 71,242 self-employed workers, followed by Romanians, Italians, Moroccans and British nationals. Colom-
Photo Credit: Ksjundra07/Shutterstock
Foreigners leading the self-employed
Foreign autonomos now account for 15.4 per cent.
bia, Ukraine and Russia recorded some of the strongest increases since 2022. Foreign autonomos now account for 15.4 per cent of Spain’s self-employed workforce, compared with 12 per cent four years ago. Much of this activity is concentrated in Cataluña, the Valencian Community, Madrid and Andalucia. Foreign entrepreneurs are also working across sectors including
commerce, hospitality, construction, transport, professional services and property. At the same time, authorities are increasing efforts to tackle false self-employment, where workers are registered as autonomos despite effectively working as employees. Inspections are focusing on sectors such as delivery services, with thousands of workers being regularised.
17 - 23 September 2026
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SPANISH NEWS
Photo credit: Uvamen/Shutterstock
DOCTORS across Spain are preparing for an indefinite nationwide strike expected to begin around mid-October after failing to reach an agreement with the government over proposed reforms to their employment framework. The action brings together the newly formed Unión Médica y Facultativa (UMYF), the Confederación Estatal de Sindicatos Médicos (CESM) and other mediStarting date not yet confirmed. cal unions. UMYF’s seven founding unions represent around 97,000 doctors, approximately 54 per cent of physicians in The dispute centres on proposed reSpain’s National Health System. forms to Spain’s Estatuto Marco. Doctors The precise starting date has not yet are demanding a specific professional been formally confirmed, although Octoframework, separate negotiations, a 35ber 14 or 15 are being considered. Patients hour working week, recognition and paywith non-urgent appointments could ment of additional hours, changes to proface postponed consultations, diagnosfessional classification and more flexible tic tests, specialist appointments and retirement arrangements. Previous naplanned operations. However, emergency tional strikes have already taken place this treatment and essential services will conyear. Patients with October appointments tinue under minimum-service arrangeare advised not to cancel them themselves ments. Previous measures have protectbut to monitor communications from their ed critical care and treatments such as hospital or health centre. The longer the chemotherapy, radiotherapy and dialysis strike continues, the greater the potenwhere interruption could endanger patial impact on Spain’s already stretched tients. healthcare system.
RARE red flashes appeared above Spain during the early hours of Thursday, September 10, as mysterious electrical events lit up the sky over Mediterranean thunderstorms. Known as red sprites, the fleeting phenomena were photographed from the Almeria coast and Ayora in Valencia. AEMET, Spain’s state meteorological agency, shared images captured from the Ayora observatory, while storm chaser David Mancebo recorded the event from the Almeria coastline. Images taken from Ayora between 2.19am and 2.52am showed the flashes to the south over the sea. Red sprites are large-scale electrical discharges produced roughly 50 to 90 kilometres above the ground, far above ordinary lightning. Classified by NASA as Tran-
Credit: Oberservatorio Ayora X
Indefinite doctor strike Sky sprites wow
Red sprites over Valencia.
sient Luminous Events, they last just a few milliseconds and often resemble giant flying jellyfish. AEMET reported that a powerful positive lightning strike of +129.2 kiloamps hit the sea roughly 220 kilometres south of Ayora at 2.52am, triggering the sprites photographed shortly after. Mr Mancebo recorded around 14 sprites during
the same episode as the storm system moved away from the coast. Although sprites are almost impossible to see with the naked eye, observers can capture them by looking towards distant storms 60 to 250 miles away from areas with dark, clear skies. High-quality cameras remain essential to record these brief, spectacular displays.
SCENE Nit de l’Art returns Saturday, September 19. Museu de Mallorca. The anniversary celebrations will also spill into the streets, with Nit de l’Art al Carrer taking place in Plaza de l’Olivar from 7pm to 11pm. Visitors can also enjoy concerts, artist talks and free guided visits in English, Spanish and Catalan. Among the musical highlights is a performance by 3 Pilgrims at CaixaForum
Palma at 7pm, while other special events are planned throughout the evening. Most activities are free, although individual venues may have their own arrangements. With exhibitions spread across the city, organisers encourage visitors to choose a few highlights and leave time to wander between venues and soak up the unique atmosphere.
Seaside music returns PORT DE SOLLER is set to come alive with music as the 14th Trobada d’Havaneres brings traditional maritime songs to the Mallorcan coast. The free event takes place on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19, at Playa d’en Repic, bringing together performers from Mallorca, Menorca, Formentera, the Costa Brava and Cuba. Havaneres are closely linked to the Mediterranean’s maritime heritage and historic connections with Cuba, making the waterfront setting a natural backdrop for the annual celebration. Friday’s programme features Xeremiers de Soller, Mar i Vent from the Costa Brava, Aires Sollerics and Mallorca’s Arpellots. Saturday adds an international flavour, with performances from Formentera’s Arredefolk, Menorca’s A Romandre, Toc de Crida from Mallorca and Cuban-rooted group Clave y Montuno, alongside other performers. The celebrations will also include profes-
Credit: Instagram/TrendeSoller
PALMA is preparing to become a giant open-air gallery as Nit de l’Art returns this Saturday, September 19, marking the event’s 30th anniversary. From 6pm until 11pm, galleries, museums, cultural centres and other venues across the city will open their doors for an evening dedicated to contemporary art. More than 50 exhibitions and over 100 artists are expected to feature, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to discover new work while exploring Palma after dark. The programme includes painting, photography, sculpture, installations and new media, with participating venues including Es Baluard, Fundació Miró Mallorca, CaixaForum Palma, Casal Solleric, La Llotja and
Credit: IslandEvents
Palma’s art night
MALLORCA
Concerts are completely free. sional sessions exploring the havanera tradition, while performances aboard a boat are planned in the bay during the weekend. For visitors travelling from Palma, a special combined train, tram and bus ticket costs €13. The train leaves Palma at 6.30pm, while return buses from Port de Soller are scheduled for 12.15am on both nights. With free entry, live music and one of Mallorca’s most spectacular coastal settings, the event offers a chance to enjoy a distinctive part of the island’s cultural heritage as summer draws to a close.
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FEATURE - SPANISH NEWS
Going free range
LEAPY LEE - SAYS IT OTHERS THINK IT
Photo credit: AlbHen/Shutterstock
14 17 - 23 September 2026
When comedy was funny AS someone who earns most of his living after dark, daytime television is often a major contributor to my psyche of amusement and entertainment. In a stroke of probably financially instigated genius, some channels have recently decided to present reruns of some classic comedies of yesteryear and what a treat they are. Open All Hours, with the wonderful Ronnie Barker; Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, starring the amazing talents of Michael Crawford; Only Fools and Horses, with David Jason; plus the antics of the zany cast of Hi- de-Hi!, are just a few of a whole host of sitcoms gracing the box this year. Of course, ITV did it for some time with programmes like Rising Damp. Another great series of days gone by. Containing marvellous dialogue, completely innocuous non-PC statements, wonderful pathos and hysterical situations, these classics of comedy are a pure joy to watch. And do you know the most gratifying aspect of them all? Not a swear word or statement of filth in sight. To me, acceptable comedy on TV died at the end of the ’80s. Since then, it has sunk into a desperate morass of sleaze and slimy stagnation, its success being measured by just how low its writers and performers can take it. And do you know why? These days there are no proper comedy writers around. The morons who churn out
the modern-day rubbish, whose success is generally judged by how often you can swear in any given minute, should hang their heads in humiliated shame. Talk about taking money under false pretences. They should all be weeded out and sent back to the gutter where they unquestionably belong. Alternative comedy? I’m sorry, in my book, today’s alternative comedies are the unforgettable, utterly unmissable ghosts of comedy past. Long may they shine as examples of the presentations that should really be making us forget our worries and delivering us a real good laugh. Come back the likes of Galton and Simpson, Roy Clarke and Ray Allen all is forgiven! Hope your all enjoying the end days of what has been a truly hot season. To me September and October have always been the best months of the year. The hordes have disappeared and are being replaced by the far more tranquil visitors who instigate a far calmer atmosphere during their late summer sojourn. I see the Christmas ads have already begun, let’s hope the mild temperatures hold out till then and the locals enjoy their chance to at last spend some time together. Keep the faith Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.cvom
Leapy Lee’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors.
The company aims to reach 10 million laying hens.
HUEVOS GUILLÉN, one of Spain’s largest egg producers and a major supplier to Mercadona, is investing €200 million over the next four years as it moves towards producing eggs entirely through cage-free systems. The company aims to reach 10 million laying hens by 2030. By the end of 2026, it expects 80 per cent of its 6.13 million hens to be housed in cagefree systems, up from 73 per cent in 2025 and 60 per cent in 2024. It is also targeting almost 100 million dozen cage-free eggs this year, a 28.6 per cent increase. Huevos Guillén hopes all its fresh consumer eggs will come from cage-free systems by 2028, subject to administrative approvals. The investment includes new farms designed specifically for alternative production. A €14.5 million free-range facility in Ribera del Fresno, Badajoz, will eventually house 320,000 hens across eight sheds, with outdoor areas providing at least four square metres per bird. It is expected to produce almost 97 million eggs annually. The Spanish egg sector is also moving towards cage-free production, with alternative systems accounting for around 40 per cent of production.
FINANCE IN Spain, 57 per cent of shoppers now buy supermarket own-brand alternatives over name brands. Most major supermarkets offer near-identical inhouse products for less. Aldi’s own-brand products, for example, are priced 14 per cent lower than market value.
Labour costs up
SPAIN’S labour cost per hour rose 4.8 per cent in Q2, its 20th consecutive quarterly increase. Wages climbed 4.7 per cent, while other employment costs rose 4.8 per cent. The sustained rise means businesses are paying more to employ staff, potentially increasing prices.
Shipping costs climb
A GLOBAL ship-fuel shortage is looming as wars disrupt refineries and oil transport. Refiners are prioritising more profitable diesel and petrol, reducing fuel-oil production. The shortfall could reach 218,000 barrels a day in Q3, while stocks are already 30 per cent below seasonal norms.
Grocery bill grows
UK FOOD inflation is expected to reach 4 per cent by the end of 2026 and peak at 6.4 per cent in July 2027. The Food and Drink Federation blames war, drought, and rising energy and transport costs.
McLaren invest
MCLAREN is giving the UK automotive industry a major lift with a £450 million investment in its technology centre, creating 1,000 new jobs. The expansion strengthens Britain’s position in high-value car manufacturing, supporting skills, innovation and investment at a challenging time for the sector.
STAT OF WEEK
0.9%
In the second quarter of 2026, labour productivity in the EU increased by 0.9 per cent based on persons and by 0.8 per cent based on hours worked, compared with the same quarter of the previous year.
Brazilian meat ban AS of September 3, the EU has seized trading animal products from Brazil until the country can prove they meet EU food standards. Member states agreed to the ban in May, citing safety concerns around antimicrobial use in farmed animals - a substance banned in the EU for promoting irregular animal growth. Restrictions apply to chicken, eggs, horse, beef, fish and honey, potentially causing food prices to rise across Europe. Brazil is a large supplier of meat and poultry to the EU. Approximately 25 per cent of the EU’s imported chicken and beef products are imported from Brazil each year - around 211,000 tonnes of chicken and 92,000 tonnes of beef. The newly implemented export restrictions will have major consequences for all parties. Brazil could lose around €1.58 billion annually if the export embargo is in place long-term. Meanwhile in
Ceuta GDP crisis
Credit: Vitalii Biliak, Shutterstock
Big brands ditched
euroweeklynews.com • 17 - 23 September 2026
Meat to get more expensive.
Europe, consumers will feel the impact on their weekly shopping. While stocks won’t dip immediately, the market pressure will lead to gradual price increases on key items. Brazil mostly exports premium cuts of beef, so the price hike won’t be as noticeable for average consumers. Chicken, however, is a more economical protein
bought in bulk. RaboResearch expects European chicken prices to rise as a direct result of the Brazilian meat ban. In an attempt to amend the situation, Brazil has allowed EU inspectors to review its production system. The hope is that a solution will be found in poultry exports, which has only a 42-day production cycle compared to beef’s two-year cycle.
Self-employed pressures
Credit: Mongta Studio, Shutterstock
BUSINESS EXTRA
15
TIMES are tough for self-employed workers and small businesses across Spain who, as determined by UPTA, lose €125 just by opening the doors to the public each day. The cost of running a business has risen to €2,980 a month, €35,760 annually. Comparatively, the average contracted worker in Spain earns less than €25,000 a year, according to the INE. In addition to salaries and tax, rent is the biggest business ex-
pense, often accounting for 50 per cent of costs. Many self-employed people with businesses requiring a physical store-front also face a ‘double-rent’ situation, meaning they are responsible not only for their rented premises, but also their home mortgage or rent. Close to €3,000 is needed each month. In order to cover those expenses, a self-employed person must work 10 hours a day, or 217 hours per month, to earn between €2,500 and €3,500 euros.
Small-businesses spend before they open.
Billionaire exit
Inditex profits
Oil up again
INDITEX posted a record firsthalf profit of €2.98 billion, as sales rose 7.6 per cent to €19.76 billion. Growth was driven by strong performance across its brands including both physical shops and online channels. Zara remains the group’s main revenue generator, while Europe accounts for more than two-thirds of sales. Despite the strong results, shares fell as profits came in slightly below analysts’ expectations. Inditex expects sales momentum to continue into autumn.
OIL has again hit $100 (€85,94) a barrel due to escalation in the Middle East and household budgets will quickly feel the effects. Higher crude prices push up petrol and diesel costs, making commuting and travel more expensive. They can also raise the cost of growing, transporting and producing food and everyday goods, adding to inflation. Meanwhile, persistent inflation could keep interest rates higher for longer, increasing borrowing costs for mortgages and loans.
ANOTHER billionaire has left Britain for greener, cheaper pastures with hedge fund tycoon Chris Rokos becoming the latest highnet-worth exit. Many cite higher tax thresholds and the abolition of the non-dom regime - a scheme that allowed the rich to live in Britain but hold residency in a second location to avoid higher tax bills - as reasons for the high-profile exits. Rokos was one of the highest tax contributors in 2025, paying an estimated £330 million. With a net worth of £2.96 billion, according to Bloomberg’s billionaire index, Rokos is now set to establish residency in Greece.
SINCE the mass migrant crossing on July 30, businesses in Ceuta have suffered direct losses of over €33 million. That’s in addition to €170.01 million in indirect damages associated with the city’s deteriorating reputation and public image, which Ceuta’s Chamber of Commerce believes will negatively impact tourism and future investment. As such, Ceuta is bracing for a more than 10 per cent cut to its GDP, a major blow to the already small economy.
Poundland sale LAST June, Poundland was bought by Gordon Brothers for just £1, but now the private equity firm has put the high-street’s cheapest chain back on the market. Following the acquisition, Gordon Brothers restructured to cover accrued debt. Over 100 stores were closed, and the brand reverted to prices rounded to the nearest pound, the chain’s signature. Having received multiple unsolicited offers, the firm hopes to finalise a deal before the crucial Christmas trading period.
Pension problem THE ratio of workers to pensioners in Spain stood at 2.35 by the end of August, the highest level since 2009. An increase in employment during summer ensured that, for every contributory pension, there was more than double the number of contributing members. However, this increase still is not sufficient to support the public pension system, which has been impacted by a sustained decline in the labour market over the last two decades. According to a report by Foment del Trebal, 685,786 more contributors would need to be added to offset the existing deficit of €5.6 billion.
16 17 - 23 September 2026
www.euroweeklynews.com
FINANCE
LONDON - FTSE 100
DOW JONES
Closing Prices 14 September
Company
Price(p)
Maximum
Minimum
Closing Prices 14 September
Net
3I Group.....................................2.664,00............2.677,00......... 2.640,00.......... 51,53K Admiral Group.............................3.839,4..............3.839,4........... 3.782,4........... 10,26K Airtel Africa................................. 343,20...............345,60............342,80............ 51,1K Anglo American...........................3.936,0..............3.953,0........... 3.905,0.......... 127,66K Antofagasta................................3.700,00............3.754,00......... 3.699,00.......... 60,41K Associated British Foods.............1.858,5..............1.864,0........... 1.843,5........... 42,99K AstraZeneca...............................11.896,0............11.926,0......... 11.692,0......... 239,25K Auto Trader Group Plc................ 493,70...............498,30............492,60.......... 255,22K Aviva........................................... 711,80...............712,80............706,40.......... 155,61K B M European Value Retail.......... 226,00...............227,00............222,80.......... 105,92K BAE Systems..............................1.928,00............1.935,50......... 1.900,00......... 194,79K Barclays...................................... 491,40...............493,00............490,05.......... 651,44K Barratt Redrow............................ 283,10...............284,30............281,90.......... 220,91K Beazley.......................................1.305,00............1.305,50......... 1.304,50.......... 29,02K Berkeley......................................3.278,0..............3.293,0........... 3.266,0............ 3,96K BP............................................... 569,76...............574,30............569,70............1,43M British American Tobacco...........4.160,0..............4.162,0........... 4.111,0........... 88,53K BT Group.................................... 203,40...............204,60............201,50.......... 379,11K Bunzl...........................................2.594,0..............2.594,0........... 2.568,0............ 39,5K Centrica....................................... 151,30...............152,10............151,08.......... 477,76K Coca Cola HBC AG......................4.560,0..............4.560,0........... 4.510,0........... 14,12K Compass...................................... 31,14.................31,36..............30,92............ 76,16K ConvaTec Group......................... 217,60...............218,80............216,80.......... 195,45K Croda Intl....................................3.166,0..............3.177,0........... 3.144,0........... 12,61K DCC.............................................6.335,0..............6.350,0........... 6.325,0........... 36,94K Diageo.........................................1.622,5..............1.626,0........... 1.600,2.......... 125,12K Diploma.....................................7.065,00............7.065,00......... 7.010,00........... 10,8K EasyJet........................................ 666,80...............668,80............666,60........... 46,34K Entain.......................................... 503,20...............505,90............500,00........... 84,53K Experian......................................2.882,0..............2.885,0........... 2.807,0.......... 148,69K F&C Invest.................................. 339,20...............340,40............338,20........... 93,77K Frasers........................................ 793,00...............796,50............784,00............ 6,13K Fresnillo.....................................2.957,00............2.967,00......... 2.927,00.......... 34,99K Glencore...................................... 593,20...............598,60............592,32............2,23M GSK plc......................................1.817,00............1.820,50......... 1.789,50............328K HALEON...................................... 339,14...............339,90............336,80............1,56M Halma..........................................3.516,7..............3.592,0........... 3.510,0............ 41,5K Hikma Pharma...........................1.538,00............1.544,00......... 1.518,00........... 7,84K Hiscox........................................1.887,00............1.892,00......... 1.880,00.......... 34,45K Howden Joinery.......................... 741,50...............744,50............739,50........... 40,59K HSBC.........................................1.557,00............1.560,08......... 1.545,00...........1,74M IAG.............................................. 410,50...............413,40............410,10.......... 695,39K ICG PLC.....................................1.903,00............1.908,00......... 1.884,00.......... 15,97K IMI PLC......................................3.006,00............3.020,00......... 2.992,00.......... 10,15K Imperial Brands..........................2.514,00............2.523,65......... 2.501,00.......... 88,72K Informa....................................... 893,40...............895,00............884,60........... 39,76K InterContinental........................... 153,4.................153,4..............152,5............. 3,76K Intertek........................................5.850,0..............5.855,0........... 5.850,0........... 15,67K
Company
Price(p)
Maximum
Minimum
Net
J Sainsbury................................. 337,70...............338,30............333,90.......... 366,52K JD Sports Fashion........................ 78,34.................78,74..............78,00........... 402,59K Kingfisher.................................... 290,53...............292,00............289,00........... 99,67K Land Securities........................... 629,50...............632,00............626,57........... 36,73K Legal & General.......................... 291,00...............292,00............287,70.......... 905,94K Lloyds Banking........................... 111,15...............111,50............110,35.............3,2M London Stock Exchange..............8.464,0..............8.466,0........... 8.332,0.......... 122,61K Londonmetric Property............... 176,90...............177,76............176,10........... 475,1K M&G........................................... 332,57...............333,20............331,00.......... 147,25K Marks & Spencer........................ 384,00...............384,50............375,80.......... 239,35K Melrose Industries...................... 475,00...............476,80............468,20........... 72,18K Mondi.......................................... 823,40...............827,20............814,40........... 15,18K National Grid..............................1.127,00............1.131,50......... 1.126,50.......... 135,2K NatWest Group........................... 696,46...............697,40............693,80.......... 402,46K Next...........................................14.700,0............14.725,0......... 14.615,0........... 4,56K Pearson......................................1.178,50............1.178,50......... 1.163,00.......... 29,36K Pershing Square........................3.790,00............3.850,00......... 3.752,00............ 4,9K Persimmon.................................1.113,0..............1.114,5........... 1.102,5........... 58,24K Prudential.................................... 982,00...............983,60............976,80.......... 191,66K Reckitt Benckiser........................5.080,0..............5.080,0........... 5.018,0........... 21,56K Relx............................................2.583,00............2.588,00......... 2.543,40......... 200,03K Rentokil....................................... 332,90...............332,90............329,30.......... 131,09K Rightmove.................................. 486,20...............486,50............479,10........... 96,16K Rio Tinto PLC..............................7.255,0..............7.301,0........... 7.254,0........... 88,46K Rolls-Royce Holdings................1.441,00............1.447,80......... 1.433,60......... 396,76K Sage...........................................1.001,50............1.003,00...........985,40.......... 123,68K Schroders.................................... 585,5.................586,0..............585,0........... 198,49K Scottish Mortgage......................1.468,50............1.473,00......... 1.455,75.......... 85,98K Segro.......................................... 933,00...............934,20............929,80.......... 172,54K Severn Trent...............................2.940,0..............2.950,0........... 2.930,0............ 9,74K Shell............................................3.581,5..............3.596,5........... 3.575,0.......... 332,25K Smith & Nephew........................1.044,50............1.044,50......... 1.026,50......... 176,84K Smiths Group.............................2.545,00............2.549,00......... 2.526,00.............34K Spirax-Sarco Engineering...........6.775,0..............6.855,0........... 6.755,0............ 2,37K SSE............................................2.348,00............2.368,00......... 2.348,00.......... 51,48K Standard Chartered....................2.325,00............2.330,00......... 2.303,00......... 268,48K Standard Life............................... 922,50...............924,50............913,50.......... 108,96K Taylor Wimpey............................. 77,50.................77,76..............77,06........... 872,39K Tesco.......................................... 474,70...............475,30............468,01.......... 418,22K Unilever.......................................4.636,0..............4.638,0........... 4.586,0........... 72,21K Unite........................................... 475,20...............475,20............468,80........... 22,61K United Utilities............................1.329,00............1.334,00......... 1.323,00.......... 40,16K Vistry Group................................ 267,20...............268,36............265,20........... 30,67K Vodafone Group PLC................. 129,950.............130,050..........128,350...........3,17M Weir Group................................2.688,00............2.702,00......... 2.680,00.......... 25,72K Whitbread...................................2.341,0..............2.393,0........... 2.340,0............ 9,68K WPP............................................ 379,50...............379,65............373,50.......... 429,03K
Company
Price(p)
Maximum
Minimum
Net
3M.............................................. 164,97...............165,37............162,55............3,29M Amazon.com............................... 256,78...............257,59............253,14...........26,72M American Express....................... 324,69...............326,26............322,21............1,93M Amgen........................................ 377,35...............386,99............377,22............2,27M Apple........................................... 332,27...............336,22............326,30...........50,72M Boeing......................................... 210,45...............211,62............207,22............4,14M Caterpillar.................................... 818,57...............826,00............813,51............1,83M Chevron...................................... 214,06...............215,55............212,02............6,57M Cisco........................................... 112,13...............112,22............108,36...........14,16M Coca-Cola..................................... 88,29.................88,65..............87,81.............9,99M Goldman Sachs..........................1.029,18............1.042,99......... 1.018,59...........1,16M Home Depot................................ 308,74...............311,21............307,90............3,49M Honeywell................................... 202,36...............204,20............201,54............2,75M IBM............................................. 243,29...............243,63............235,00............4,92M J&J............................................. 265,58...............270,40............265,25............4,71M JPMorgan................................... 356,23...............360,05............354,79............5,36M McDonald’s................................. 252,53...............254,73............252,15.............4,1M Merck&Co................................... 143,93...............145,90............143,68............8,68M Microsoft.................................... 495,63...............498,97............492,58...........14,52M Nike.............................................. 36,80.................37,05..............36,62............19,97M NVIDIA........................................ 218,29...............222,00............218,15...........89,06M P&G............................................ 145,27...............145,49............143,55...........11,53M Salesforce Inc............................. 247,72...............250,55............242,02............9,74M Sherwin-Williams........................ 323,31...............324,91............317,55............2,17M The Travelers.............................. 375,20...............375,30............369,60............1,62M UnitedHealth............................... 379,09...............391,73............375,90............7,48M Verizon......................................... 50,61.................50,82..............50,22............16,46M Visa A.......................................... 370,45...............371,81............367,98............3,49M Walmart...................................... 107,15...............107,21............105,72...........17,07M Walt Disney................................. 106,55...............107,36............105,64............7,26M M - Million Dollars
NASDAQ
Closing Prices 14 September
Company
Change Net / % Volume Most Advanced Biodexa Pharmaceuticals DRC......................... 96,96 %........................142,44M Trugolf Holdings.............................................. 76,03 %.........................434,8M MKDWELL Tech............................................... 51,96 %..........................1,46M Frequency Electronics...................................... 42,40 %..........................1,55M Future Fintech.................................................. 40,49 %.........................53,28M GT Biopharma.................................................. 39,32 %........................544,27K China SXT Pharma........................................... 32,64 %.........................14,16M Korsana............................................................ 29,91 %........................114,12K Columbus Acquisition...................................... 27,83 %.........................91,71K New Fortress Energy........................................ 22,00 %.........................18,93M Aixcrypto Holdings........................................... 21,08 %........................624,14K Cheche Group.................................................. 20,93 %.........................39,79K Nocera............................................................. 19,89 %........................610,78K Alphatecs......................................................... 19,68 %..........................6,46M Global Engine Holding...................................... 19,51 %........................263,77K Americas Car-Mart........................................... 19,50 %..........................2,98M OIO................................................................... 18,45 %........................154,52K Reading Int B................................................... 18,19 %.........................41,18K Veritone........................................................... 18,18 %..........................5,27M M - Million Dollars
Company
Change Net / % Volume Most Declined U Power...........................................................-32,84 %........................171,79K CDT Equity.......................................................-27,55 %.........................10,19M Lianhe Sowell...................................................-26,15 %..........................2,88M Advasa Holdings..............................................-25,89 %.........................20,78M CVD Equipment................................................-25,36 %........................844,36K GlucoTrack.......................................................-21,05 %........................744,25K Singularity Future Tech....................................-18,88 %........................659,65K Adial Pharma....................................................-18,27 %........................108,47K Hub Cyber Security..........................................-18,21 %........................634,55K Greenland Mines..............................................-17,54 %........................869,62K CPI Card...........................................................-16,48 %..........................1,55M Stardust Power................................................-15,88 %.........................10,53M Ambitions Enterprise Management Co LLC......-15,82 %.........................833,3K Greenwave Tech Solutions...............................-15,74 %.........................35,69K Telos................................................................-15,60 %..........................1,32M Silexion Therapeutics.......................................-15,38 %..........................2,58M bioAffinity Technologies...................................-15,34 %........................827,86K Sellas Life Sciences.........................................-14,42 %.........................14,71M Nomadar..........................................................-14,20 %..........................14,3K M - Million Dollars
www.euroweeklynews.com
FINANCE
Watermelon woes
SPAIN’S watermelon sector is in crisis as foreign competition puts pressure on prices. While Brazil remains the EU’s top supplier, Morocco’s exports surged 14 per cent in the first half of 2026. For Spain, a tough summer, overlapping seasons, and a saturated market are raising concerns.
Employment shortfall
UK DATA centres have fallen short of predicted job creation, despite being the main defence for their rapid rollout. The tech centre predicted datacentres would generate 40,000 jobs, but new projections amended that figure to 10,400. So far, only 4,400 direct jobs have been created.
Gold on the move EUROPEAN banks are moving gold out of North America, motivated by the geopolitical unrest that has defined President Trump’s second term. With trade and military wars escalating, many countries are taking precautions by moving reserves closer to home. The Netherlands was the most recent bank to act. In a secret operation, the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) removed some 86 tonnes of gold from the US and Canada. Approximately 27
Credit: Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB, Shutterstock
BUSINESS EXTRA
17 - 23 September 2026
European banks move gold out of North America.
Sponsors in jeopardy THE new government under Andy Burnham is looking to restrict unlicensed betting operations after UK consumers spent over £379 million on unregulated sites in the first half of 2025. New regulations wouldn’t only affect gamblers, but several premiere league clubs who hold multi-million-pound deals with such firms. Over the summer, commercial deals
between football clubs and unlicensed operators rose from six to 10. Everton’s deal with the Stake.com crypto casino is under special scrutiny, given it is the club the Prime Minister publicly supports. The Premier League is lobbying against such restrictions, citing that most of the clubs’ casino sponsors aren’t readily available in the UK, except with a VPN.
gold bars were transferred across the Atlantic, the remainder was moved by selling and buying the equivalent amount in London. London’s Bank of England in London is a prestigious institution. As one of the largest custodians of gold, it holds an estimated 400,000 gold bars worth more than £200 billion. DNB officials reportedly feel Dutch gold can be more easily traded if held at the Bank of England, especially in the event of a “crisis situation”. The Bank of Spain remains secretive about its gold. On last count Spain managed 281 tons of gold, an unknown portion of which is confirmed to be held in the United States. With tensions worsening between the two countries, experts suspect Spain could be the next to move its reserves, if it hasn’t already.
17
No rooms FOR many in Spain, shared rentals are their only hope for independent living. But even that could be taken away. A new Fotocasa study finds that, for the first time, 53 per cent of those looking for a room to rent are unsuccessful, the demand having grown so considerably.
Service sector THE UK’s service sector strengthened in August, reaching a four-month high as business and consumer spending picked up. The services PMI rose to 52.5 from 52.1, signalling continued expansion. However, rising costs and stronger price pressures remain a concern, adding to inflation worries for the Bank of England.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR GO TO WWW.LINEADIRECTA.COM
22
20 17 - 23 September 2026
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FEATURE
• News from Our Other 6 Newspapers •
Costa del Sol
Costa Blanca South
Disney explodes into Malaga
Golfing glory
DISNEY has moved cameras, cranes and controlled explosives into Malaga’s old provincial prison to film scenes for its new Far Cry television series. The production, based on Ubisoft’s long-running video game franchise, has already begun filming inside the disused Cruz de Humilladero building, with around 350 crew rehearsing action sequences ahead of the main shoot later this month. Residents nearby have been sent letters warning them of controlled detonations and dense smoke, timed to a three-tone acoustic signal before each blast so nobody mistakes the noise for a real emergency. Calle Valderaduey has been closed to traffic for the length of the shoot, while nearby streets face restrictions until September 25. Familiar Hollywood faces Steve Buscemi and Lizzy Caplan are among the cast, alongside creator and star Rob Mac, best known for his role in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
COSTA BLANCA golf is set to receive recognition, with the region’s golf course association named among the winners of the 2026 UEPAL Awards. The Association of Golf Courses of the Costa Blanca and Valencian Community will receive the Award for Promotion of the Local Economy at the eighth UEPAL Awards in Elda on September 18. The honour recognises the association’s contribution to economic development through sports tourism, generating employment, attracting visitors and strengthening the region’s international profile. For the southern Costa Blanca, where golf is popular with international residents and visitors, the award has a strong local connection. Association members in the south include La Finca, La Marquesa, Las Ramblas, Lo Romero, Campoamor, Villamartin and Vistabella, placing some of the area’s best-known courses within the organisation.
Axarquia
Almeria
Lottery lucky charm
Going the extra mile
A VENDOR in Torrox Costa has delivered a life-changing payout after just six months in his role. Francisco Lucia sold the winning Sueldazo lottery coupon at his regular pitch in La Carraca, handing a local resident €2,000 every month for the next 10 years. The total prize of €240,000 formed part of the Sunday weekend draw, which carried a theme celebrating the launch of Madrid’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. The win comes shortly after the same town collected €20,000 from a separate ONCE draw the previous month. Lucia, who previously worked in a fruit warehouse, expressed delight at his new career path and the positive reaction from his regular customers. The same draw brought further fortune across Andalucia, with another €240,000 Sueldazo prize landing in Sevilla. Additional payouts of €20,000 were awarded to ticket holders in Motril, Cadiz, Malaga, and Marbella.
SHAUN GARNER from Channel 4’s Sun, Sea and Selling Houses and his best friend Emily Cornwell recently completed the 131-kilometre Camino Ingles up through the North of Spain, raising money for PAWS-PATAS Animal Shelter along the way. Beginning in Ferrol, the best-friends trekked through towns, villages and rural countryside, soaking up the beautiful views along the way. By the time the pair reached their final destination in Santiago, their fundraiser had reached €4,354. Before they’d even set foot on the trail, they had raised upwards of €1,000. Over 150 donations were collected. Every single one - whether a €10 pledge or €100 - will make a huge difference for the cats and dogs at PAWS-PATAS. PAWS-PATAS will put this money to good use, covering the cost of food, veterinary care, and shelter maintenance. It also means the animals in their care will enjoy a few more treats over the coming months.
Costa Blanca North
Costa Calida
National honour
Shoreline showdown
CALPE’S famous Moors and Christians celebrations have received a major national boost after being officially declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest by Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism. The prestigious recognition celebrates the cultural importance of one of Calpe’s best-loved annual traditions, famous for its colourful costumes, parades, and dramatic historic reenactments. The award comes at a particularly significant time, as the celebrations mark their 50th anniversary, making the national recognition an especially fitting tribute to the generations of residents who have helped keep the tradition alive. What began five decades ago has grown into one of the most anticipated events on Calpe’s calendar. Months of preparation go into the elaborate costumes, performances, music and parades, with families and festive groups playing a central role in preserving the tradition.
THE town of Puerto de Mazarron hosted an action-packed weekend of competitive water sports and endurance racing, with the second edition of the Phoenician Shipwreck Challenge taking place at Playa del Puerto. The major sporting event, which took place on September 12 and 13, gathered athletes of all age groups for two days of regional open-water swimming and thrilling aquathlon championships. The action kicked off with the sixth stage of the Regional Open Water League, the Phoenician Shipwreck Challenge Open Water Swim. The event offered a 1-kilometre youth race as well as a 3-kilometre adult race. On the second day, the focus shifted to the Regional Aquathlon Championship, where athletes took on a 1,000-metre open-water swim, followed by a 5-kilometre run along the idyllic beachfront promenade. Athletes showcased an incredible amount of grit, talent, and determination as they tackled this challenging, but rewarding, race.
• EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM •
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PETS
Joint health KEEPING your dog’s joints healthy can help them stay active, comfortable and ready for their next adventure. While joint problems can become more common with age, there are simple steps you can take to support mobility throughout their life. A healthy weight is a great place to start. Carrying excess weight puts additional pressure on the joints, so keeping portions appropriate can make a real difference. Regular, gentle exercise is important too. Daily walks and low-impact activities help maintain muscle strength without putting unnecessary strain on the body. Nutrition can also
Credit: Maaz sharif, Shutterstock
Gentle exercise supports healthy joints.
play a role. A complete, balanced diet provides essential nutrients for overall health, while ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids may support healthy joints. Some joint supplements
contain ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin to help protect cartilage and support mobility, but it is best to speak to your vet before adding supplements to your
Fat cat
A LITTLE extra weight might seem harmless, but carrying excess body fat can affect your cat’s health and quality of life. The tricky part? It is not always easy to spot gradual weight gain, especially when you see your cat every day. One of the simplest checks is to look at your cat from above. Ideally, you should see a gentle waist behind the ribs. From the side, their tummy should slope upwards towards the hind legs rather than hanging noticeably low. You should also be able to feel their ribs beneath a thin layer of fat without pressing firmly. Changes in behaviour can offer clues,
dog’s routine. Keep an eye out for changes in movement. Stiffness, reluctance to climb stairs, difficulty getting up or a reduced interest in walks could indicate discomfort. Credit: CHUANGXIN ZHOU, Shutterstock
Signs your cat may be overweight.
too. Is your cat less interested in playing, jumping or exploring? Do they tire more quickly or spend even more time sleeping? These changes can sometimes be linked to carrying excess weight.
An overweight cat may also struggle to groom properly, particularly around their back and hindquarters. This can lead to a greasy, matted or unkempt coat. If you think your cat
is carrying too much weight, speak to your vet before changing their diet. A gradual, carefully managed weight-loss plan can help your cat become fitter while protecting their health.
17 - 23 September 2026
FACT
21
Hemingway’s cats
AUTHOR Ernest Hemingway was gifted a white sixtoed (polydactyl) cat named Snow White by a ship’s captain in the 1930s. Today, around 60 descendants of that original feline - most possessing six toes instead of the usual five - freely roam and live at the Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, USA.
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17 - 23 September 2026
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Credit: Llorenç Galmes / X
Ballon d’Or brilliance Credit: Bogdan Pigulyak, Shutterstock
MALLORCA will have a remarkable presence at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, with three of the island’s finest footballers named among the 30 nominees for the women’s award. Cata Coll, Patri Guijarro and Mariona Caldentey have all earned a place on the prestigious shortlist, underlining the growing influence of Mallorcan football on the international stage. Goalkeeper Cata Coll has established herself as one of the leading players in her position, while Patri Guijarro continues to play a key role for Barcelona. Guijarro has also taken on greater responsibility at the club, becoming its first captain following Alexia Putellas’ departure. Mariona Caldentey, meanwhile, is enjoying a new chapter in England with Arsenal. The forward
17 Ironmans, 17 days, 1 great cause.
Could a Ballon d’Or be brought home to Mallorca?
remains firmly among the European game’s elite after a hugely successful spell with Barcelona. Their nominations are another proud moment for Mallorca and Spanish women’s football. All three have excelled both at club level and with
Spain, helping to raise the profile of the sport. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26. Intriguingly, three-time defending winner Aitana Bonmatí is not among this year’s nominees, making the race even more open.
MALLORCAN musician and endurance athlete Bernat Xavier Xamena is preparing to take on an extraordinary challenge: 17 Ironmans in 17 days, one in each of Spain’s 17 autonomous communities. The ambitious challenge, named Estrella 17, aims to shine a light on childhood cancer research while raising funds for new treatments. Xamena will travel across Spain throughout September, pushing his physical and mental limits day after day in support of children and families facing the disease. The initiative was presented in Palma at the Consolat de Mar, with support from the Balearic Government. It will benefit L’Estrella de na Marta, an association dedicated to
Estrella 17 childhood cancer, with collaboration from El Sueño de Vicky. The scale of the challenge is staggering. Completing a single Ironman demands exceptional endurance. Repeating the feat for 17 consecutive days, while crossing the country from one community to another, takes the challenge to another level. For Xamena, however, the toughest kilometres have a clear purpose. Estrella 17 seeks to turn sporting determination into greater awareness, more research, better treatments and, ultimately, more hope for children with cancer.
Stay active in Mallorca Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock PALMA’S Casals de Barri are expanding their programme this autumn, offering residents more ways to stay active, healthy and connected within their local communities. From October, 266 activities and more than 4,600 places will be available across the city’s neighbourhood centres. The programme includes exercise, physical and mental wellbeing, dance, health and nutrition, alongside creative and social activities. New opStay in shape with new Mallorca classes. tions include yoga, different styles of dance and other activities designed to support an at just €2 and full discounts available to active lifestyle. some people receiving benefits, including For older residents in particular, these non-contributory pensions. Interested activities can offer benefits that go well parties may register for one activity until beyond keeping fit. Regular movement September 21 to ensure fair access to all. can help maintain strength, mobility and From September 22 onwards, sign-ups independence, while group classes pro- for additional activities will be permitted. vide valuable opportunities to meet peoWith activities taking place in neighple, build friendships and stay involved in bourhood centres across Palma, the inthe neighbourhood. itiative brings health, social connection The low cost also makes the pro- and lifelong learning closer to residents’ gramme accessible, with sessions priced everyday lives.