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France dominate Wales 43-0 in 2025âs first Six Nations match.
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 09:27:21The Six Nations 2025 began in Paris yesterday with a spectacular win for the hosts France who monopolised the game.\n\nAfter the first ten minutes where Wales showed some promise against the French side, France stepped up and beat Wales 43-0. This is the first time since 1998 that Wales have not scored in a five or six nations match.\n\nThe visiting team knew it wasnât going to be easy taking on the French in their first match of the Six Nations at Le Stade, but they started off well attacking and defending until the 18th minute when Antoine Dupont kicked into the Welsh 22 and which required Tom Rogers to concede a scrum. Wales defended well, then five minutes Dupont challenged them and sent the ball to the right corner where Theo Attisogbe was waiting to score. A conversion off the touchline by Thomas Ramos gave France the overhead pass they needed to enable their wing Louis Bielle-Biarrwy to score a second try. Again, Ramos hit his target and with con version made it 14-0.\n\nIt was a game of injuries and yellow cards for the Welsh that allowed the French to compound their win. Four minutes in Aaron Wainwright was given a nasty cut and then Owen Watkin got a knee injury at the 27-minute mark. At the half an hour mark Lloyd was shown a yellow card for a high shot against Bielle-Biarray. Whilst he was on off field report the French scored two more tries giving them a half-time lead of 28-0.\n\nThe second half of the French .vs. Wales Six Nations game did not fall in Walesâ favour either.\n\nWarren Gatland changed out the whole front row just minutes into the second half, and at seven minutes in Fabien Galthie changed six players. The Welsh fought the French persistently in the second half but still conceded another three tries. The Frenchâs Romain Ntamack was given a yellow and then red card for a late shoulder charge which connected with Ben Thomasâ head. Wales picked up a second yellow card with just four minutes of the game left when Freddie Thomas was penalised for lingering offside.\n\nWarren Gatlandâs team have not won a match since the 2023 World Cup. In 2024 they did not a Test success. They are hoping to change that this season. In Round 2 they will face Italy in Rome and must try to get their first win in 13 games.\n\nFebruary 1 is going to be a busy day for Six Nations fans with Scotland playing Italy in their first match at 2.15pm GMT in Edinburgh at the Murrayfield Stadium and England playing Ireland at 4.45pm GMT at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Artichoke Fest: Dolores celebrates its prized veggie in April
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 09:19:56Dolores has announced the date for its annual event celebrating one of Vega Bajaâs most prized products: the artichoke. \n\nThis vegetable is recognised and appreciated worldwide, and the gastro-cultural artichoke festival honours its significance. The festival boosts tourism and establishes Dolores as the regionâs key culinary tourism destination.\n\nThe 7th Artichoke Festival will take place from April 24 to 27. Alongside the End of Campaign Artichoke Festival, attendees can also enjoy art, culture, and cuisine. Most importantly, the event shines a spotlight on a crop that is deeply connected to the traditions and farmers of Dolores.\n\nArtichokes grown in Dolores have unique qualities. They are cultivated using traditional irrigation methods, and the soil â' high in salinity due to its proximity to the El Hondo natural park â' produces a crop with a distinct white colour, firm texture, and longer shelf life. These characteristics set the Dolores artichoke apart, reflecting its roots in the regionâs agricultural heritage. As a member of the Artichoke Association âVega Baja,â the municipality maintains a special connection to this celebrated product.

Failings at Palma airport air traffic control in damning new report
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 08:46:00An internal Palma Airport safety report has criticised \"absolutely irresponsible\" action by the state air navigation company Enaire at the time of the devastating storm that hit Valencia towards the end of last October.\nThe report points to a lack of key safety when the Valencia region was on red alert for bad weather. A unit of the control tower at Son Sant Joan was closed because two specialist flow control technicians were off sick.\nThe functions had been transferred to Madrid, but it is noted that controllers could have been paid overtime as cover. Enaire chose not to pay the overtime. The fact there were there no serious consequences was due only to \"providence\".\nAt Palma on October 28 there were 819 flights; on the 29th there were 767. Around thirty flights were diverted from Valencia to Barcelona or Alicante. The report is concerned by what might have happened had there been diversions to Palma or if planes had needed to move towards the Balearics, where there were also weather alerts (but not red).\nThe matter has been raised in Spain's Senate. A senator, Enric Xavier Morera, quoted from the report: \"It was absolutely irresponsible to leave the Balearic Islands without technicians in order to save on personnel costs.\" The director of Enaire's air navigation services has been asked what measures will be taken to prevent this situation from happening again.

Spainâs âbig brotherâ tourist controls should be axed
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:08:00The Spanish Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) and the travel agency associations UNAV, Acave and Fetave have called for the precautionary suspension of Royal Decree 933/2021, which tightens up the registration of travellers, until the European Commission finalises its analysis of the possible breach of the European Data Protection Regulation, as reported in a joint statement.From the point of view of these organisations, this traveller registration, which came into force last December, represents a âclear excessâ in the collection of personal data, which is âagainst the fundamental principle of European regulations, which requires that data processing be relevant and not excessive.\nThey also consider that the information required in this registry goes far beyond the âlegitimate objective of guaranteeing securityâ, denouncing that it âinvades the privacy of consumers in an unjustified and disproportionate mannerâ. In addition, the travel agency organisations have criticised the fact that the RD imposes a series of âexcessiveâ obligations on the sector and establishments that do not correspond to them and that, furthermore, generate âa notable responsibility in terms of data custodyâ.\nâThese obligations are especially burdensome for small and medium-sized enterprises, something that can undoubtedly affect competition in the sector, as well as being an overreach of the provisions of Organic Law 4/2015, which is why they are requesting the exclusion of travel agencies from the scope of the Royal Decree,â they explained.

Effective tips to prevent winter viruses in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 10:46:00Although blessed with a warm climate, winter health is an issue in Mallorca just as it is anywhere else in Europe. Coughs, colds and other bugs are spreading furiously at this time of year. So can you prevent yourself from catching colds? It seems that everyone has their own theory, but is there anything that actually works?\nStopping the spread\nMost winter bugs are caused by viruses, tiny vessels of genetic material programmed to spread. They typcially enter the body through the vulnerable points of the eyes, airways, or by being swallowed. To reduce the risk of this happening:\nWash your hands regularly, especially if youâve been in a busy area\nEnsure that shared spaces are well-ventilated.\nConsider wearing facemasks in crowded areas (although most of us were glad to see the back of them after the pandemic)\nBoosting your immune system\nThe best way to have a robust immune response may seem a little unimaginative but is tried and true: have a healthy diet, sleep well and take regular exercise. A huge range of other ideas have been investigated, but for most the evidence is still mixed.\nThere seems to be a small amount of evidence that probiotics (foods containing live bacteria, including yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut) could help. However, the effectiveness of popular remedies like vitamin C and echinacea has yet to be proven.\nVaccine vs virus\nVaccines are available to protect us from some â' but not all â' winter bugs. Influenza (flu) vaccines are widely used. Flu is not just a cold â' itâs a potentially serious illness for those in risk groups. The European Commission estimates that 37,000 deaths are avoided in Europe every year thanks to flu vaccines.\nOver recent years, the Covid-19 vaccine has also been added to the winter to-do list for certain at-risk groups. Again, this has saved an unimaginable number of lives â' over 14 million in a single year according to one study.\nHere in Mallorca, you can access Covid-19 and flu jabs through your local health centre. Even if you arenât registered with the local public health service, you can still get both via the public health system if you are in a high-risk group, although there may be a chanrge depending on your country of origin and residence status. The campaign continues up until the end of March when the flu season draws to an end.\nBabies in Spain receive a vaccine against respiratory syncitial virus (RSV), which causes a range of respiratory illnesses from mild to life-threatening in small children. Children are vaccinated against chickenpox, which tends to rear its head in winter and spring. Again, these are available through your local health centre.\nWhen prevention isnât enough\nDespite precautions, catching a winter bug is sometimes unavoidable. If you fall ill, rest, try simple measures, and seek medical advice if your symptoms persist or worsen.\nReferences and further information\nhttps://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006895.pub4/fullhttps://bjsm.bmj.com/content/45/12/987.short https://health.ec.europa.eu/vaccination/influenza_es https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9537923/\nPosition on vaccination for overseas visitors clarified with IBSalut 28/1/25

China unleashes âDeath Starâ weapon: Is it time to worry?
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:09:56China unleashes âDeath Starâ: Is advanced space weaponry a cause for concern? \n\nChina has unveiled a terrifying new weapon that could obliterate satellites with a Star Wars-style mega-beam. The high-powered microwave (HPM) weapon was first tested in 2024 and is already raising alarm bells in the West.\n\nChinaâs laser focus on space warfare\n\nIn scenes straight out of a sci-fi horror blockbuster, Chinese scientists successfully converged seven microwave beams into a single mega-beam- much like the Death Starâs planet-smashing laser. The test secretive tests â' carried out in western China â' saw the beams fuse with pinpoint accuracy over 1,100 miles away, demonstrating the ability to knock out orbiting satellites.\n\nUnlike traditional cyberattacks or jamming signals, these high-powered microwaves could permanently destroy satellite electronics, turning billion-dollar space assets into floating scrap metal. Think less âlaser swordâ and more âion cannon.â Imagine a cityâs entire power grid being wiped out in an instant â' not by a cyberattack or a bomb, but by an invisible microwave blast. Or, an entire airportâs radar and communication towers going dark, leaving pilots blind mid-flight. This is the raw power of this incredible weapon. \n\nWhatâs the target?\n\nThe real concern? This isnât just an academic experiment. Chinaâs military is developing the tech to suppress or destroy navigation and communication satellites â' vital for everything from GPS to missile guidance. With space now the ultimate battlefield, this could be a game-changer.\n\nDocuments from a Chinese journal, later picked up by the South China Morning Post, revealed the weaponâs shocking precision. Each vehicle transmitting the beams was synchronised to within just 170 picoseconds â' a few trillionths of a second â' by fibre-optic cables.\n\nUnlike anti-satellite missiles, which leave a dangerous trail of debris, microwave attacks could wipe out a satellite without a trace â' no explosions, no space junk, just a lifeless hunk of metal drifting through orbit. That makes them harder to detect and even harder to prove.\n\nChina has arguably been obsessed with countering the Westâs dominance in space since the 1990s, developing a range of anti-satellite weapons. The problem with missile strikes, like those from Chinaâs SC-19 system, is that theyâre expensive, highly visible, and turn low-Earth orbit into a scrapyard. Microwaves, on the other hand, leave no mess â' just mayhem.\n\nIs advanced space weaponry a worry for the future?\n\nRight now, the technology still faces huge challenges. A full-scale version of the weapon would need gigawatts of power â' 1,000 times more than the megawatt-class energy systems currently being developed. Even Chinaâs most powerful lasers struggle to reach those energy levels.\n\nBut thatâs not stopping them. The Peopleâs Liberation Armyâs new Aerospace Force is already training units in how to use HPMs, while a report from the U.S. Air Forceâs China Aerospace Studies Institute warns that only the highest levels of the Chinese military â' namely the Central Military Commission â' would have the authority to launch an attack.\n\nFor now, this âDeath Starâ weapon remains in development. But if Chinaâs military starts ramping up tests, it could signal that a devastating new class of space weapons is closer than we think. Where are we heading?\n\nStay tuned for more from the Euro Weekly News. \n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nRead more news in English from around Europe.

Elche unveils historic bus routes linking districts and beaches
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:11:35Elche has made a significant advancement in mobility with the launch of a municipal bus service connecting the central urban area to its major districts. \n\nMayor Pablo Ruz described the development as âhistoric,â noting that it addresses a long-standing need for better transportation in the region.\n\nThe mayor also announced a new direct bus service launching in May that will connect the AVE station to the beaches of El Altet. This service will include two daily trips: one arriving at the beach by 11:45am and another timed to connect with the final train back to Albacete and Madrid.\n\nThe new district bus service has been highly anticipated for over 40 years.\n\nAmong the most successful routes are the R11, connecting the Business Park to the airport, accounting for 35 per cent of users, and the R10, which links Torrellano to the city centre and serves 17 per cent of passengers. The mayor highlighted the importance of these routes in improving access to key locations, such as the Business Park, which employs over 7,000 workers, and cultural landmarks like La Alcudia, where the iconic Lady of Elche was discovered.\n\nThe AVE-El Altet line is also expected to boost tourism, making it easier for visitors from cities like Madrid and Albacete to reach Elcheâs beaches.

Black widow spiders in Spain â' should you be worried?
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:01:08Arachnophobia alert! Thereâs an eight-legged terror lurking in Spainâs warm coastal regions, and itâs got a reputation as deadly as its name. The European black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) is feared for its potent venom and sinister look, but is it really the stone-cold killer itâs made out to be? Letâs untangle the facts.\n\nDeadly bite? The truth behind the headlines\n\nThe European black widow, a cousin of the infamous American species, is found in southern Spain, particularly in dry, rural areas. Its glossy black body and telltale red markings strike fear into many, and with good reason â' its venom is one of the most potent of any spider in Europe.\n\nThe European black widowâs venom contains neurotoxins that attack the nervous system, causing severe pain, muscle spasms, and in extreme cases, breathing difficulties. However, while the bite can be incredibly painful and unpleasant, deaths are exceptionally rare.\n\nA menace in your garden?\n\nUnlike some spiders that prefer hiding indoors, the black widow is usually found outside, spinning its tangled webs in gardens, under rocks, and in rural farmland. It rarely bites unless it feels threatened or startled, and most incidents occur when someone accidentally disturbs one â' for instance, by reaching into an old pair of gardening gloves or moving a pile of firewood.\n\nDespite their terrifying reputation, black widows are not aggressive. They only bite in self-defence, and even then, not all bites result in venom injection.\n\nShould Spain be worried about its black widow spider population?\n\nWhile the black widowâs venom is powerful, Spanish researchers insist that fatalities are almost unheard of. Medical studies have found that most bites cause severe discomfort but can be treated effectively with painkillers and muscle relaxants. In extremely rare cases, antivenom may be administered.\n\nIn contrast, wasp, hornet, and bee stings are responsible for far more deaths in Europe than spider bites. So, while the black widowâs fearsome reputation might send shivers down your spine, the real threat might be buzzing past your ear.\n\nThe real danger? Spiders vs. hype\n\nHollywood has painted black widows as ruthless killers, but in reality, these spiders prefer to avoid humans. Even the European black widow, with its potent venom, is unlikely to pose a serious danger unless youâre particularly unlucky or have an allergic reaction.\n\nSo, before you go torching your garden shed in a panic, remember: these spiders are far more interested in catching insects than in biting you.\n\nHow to avoid a nasty surprise\n\nIf you want to steer clear of a run-in with a black widow, follow these simple steps:\n\nCheck before you reach: Inspect gloves, boots, and woodpiles before putting your hands in.\n\nKeep it tidy: Clear away clutter in sheds and garages to reduce hiding spots.\n\nSeal the gaps: Block off entry points to keep them out of your home.\n\nShake it off: Give outdoor furniture and equipment a quick check before use.\n\nBottom line? The European black widow may have a deadly reputation, but itâs far from the killer itâs made out to be. Respect them, take precautions, and theyâll likely leave you alone. Stay safe and sensible. \n\nStay tuned for more Euro Weekly News originals. \n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nRead more news in English from around Europe.

Polish dumplings headed for space this spring
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 11:15:29Polish astronaut to be SÅawosz UznaÅski-WiÅniewski is due to travel to the International Space station with three other colleagues from different countries this spring.\n\nHe is allowed to take a small amount of hand luggage with him and three of the items that he has chosen are a Polish flag, a tiny golden heart issued by the Grand Orchestra of Christmas Help Foundation which will be auctioned for the charity and a selection of tasty Polish dumplings known as pierogis.\n\nSpecial freeze dried Polish dumplings headed for space this spring\n\nClearly the pierogis cannot be taken into space without ensuring that they can be prepared on the International Space Station, so working with a small Polish family business it became possible to freeze dry the dumplings so that they could be eaten when he felt peckish.\n\nAstronaut uses hand luggage to take Polish dumplings into space\n\nThe Polish flag is a historical item that was taken into space by the first Polish astronaut MirosÅaw Hermaszewski in 1978 so will become a very special item to hopefully passed on to the third Polish astronaut at some time in the future.\n\nHermaszewski who was 81 when he died in 2022, lived long enough to congratulate UznaÅski-WiÅniewski when it was announced that he had been chosen to become an astronaut and was apparently the first person to contact him after the announcement was made.\n\nThis project which will be financed by the Polish government with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) is due to last 14 days and various experiments which will have been paid for by different companies will be undertaken during that relatively short period of time.\n\nWhilst space travel of any type is still considered an important step for many countries, it has almost become common place for others especially with the constant change of personnel aboard the International Space Station.

Central Malaga development to rid city of eyesore
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:01:16There is a huge park and skyscraper project on the cards for Malaga city on the site of the old Repsol fuel deposit\n\nThe 70,000 square metre plot of land has been left empty for years and has become a blot on an otherwise splendid European city. However, now the official green light has been given on a massive project to convert the site into a grand park and green and modern living space.\n\nThe council has already granted the licence and ordered that it be excavated to remove existing elements, such as old railway lines, which have all become overgrown. The space had largely converted into a site for walking dogs and letting them do their business freely. Now, however, it is all fenced off and ready for redevelopment to get underway.\n\nThe new design for the land is expected to take 2 years to complete, but beforehand it needs various studies given the technical specifications of the design, such as tests for the quantity of groundwater and seismic stability.\n\nOnce complete, the site will boast 401 new homes, many of which will be protected price flats, and 20,000 square metres of public use, including parks, gardens, and sports land, and three apartment blocks.

Mallorca \"too expensive\" for the rich; no need for more luxury homes
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:19:00Hans Lenz of Engel & Völkers is president of the ABINI association of national and international real-estate agents. Members of this association typically operate at the high end of the market; many of their clients are foreign.\nLenz, it might sound surprising, says \"Mallorca is now too expensive for the rich in the north (of Europe). This is why there is a significant diversion of buyers towards the mainland.\" He explains that five or six sales of over 20 million euros are being made per annum. At 40 million-plus there are none.\nSince 2019, according to a report by Caixabank Research, the number of sales to foreigners has grown by only two per cent. In the case of Malaga or Alicante, it has shot up by 30% over the same period. \"Prices have risen a lot in recent years,\" says Lenz. \"In Spain we are already the most expensive. Here it's like Monopoly, and for new builds the costs are twice what they are on the mainland, without taking into account the price of the land.\n\"We must build for the people who live and work here. There is no need for more luxury housing. We must think about our residents, not just speculate.\"\nNevertheless, luxury real-estate developments continue to emerge - at prices somewhat lower to those mentioned by Hans Lenz. As an example, sales have started for the XOJAY Es Jonquet development in Palma. Prices for its 57 apartments range from 1.3 to 5.8 million euros. There is also a villa for 7.87 million. Future residents will enjoy a reception service, swimming pool and solarium, a spa with sauna and cryogenic chamber, a cinema room, a yoga and meditation room, a golf simulator, a wine cellar, a community boat, a chef for private events.\nThe luxury is everywhere. Away from Palma there are numerous homes that fetch well over one million euros. In the hotel sector, there are the likes of Richard Branson's Son Bunyola complex, where a villa is available for 10,000 euros a night.\nJosé Miguel Artieda, president of the API association of real estate agents, says: \"It is no longer unusual to spend 14 or 20 million euros in the centre of Palma. It is one more piece of super luxury that is moving at between 11,000 and 20,000 euros per square metre. Various foreign luxury real estate agencies are here - big German, Swedish and now American brands.\"\nIn the restaurant sector, Juan Miguel Ferrer of the CAEB Restaurants Association observes \"there are two kinds of luxury: one that is attracted by brands, the more Instagrammable, and the one that is more austere and more authentic\". Although it appears that Mallorca has climbed the luxury ladder in recent years, Ferrer argues that the island is \"middle luxury\" behind the likes of Dubai, Las Vegas, New York or London. In those cities, restaurants can charge up to 500 euros per person without wine. This isn't the case in Mallorca, where it is more like 80 to 150 euros.

New traffic radars in Alicante
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:30:49The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has announced the installation of four new fixed radar systems strategically placed along various roadways in Alicante and nine additional provinces.\n\nThis initiative aims to enhance the monitoring of some of the most dangerous road sections and the DGT has reported that such surveillance plays a crucial role in reducing the overall accident rate on Spainâs roads.\n\nLocations of new traffic radars in Alicante\n\nThese newly implemented radars are part of an âeffective surveillanceâ programme that incorporates advanced technologies, including kinomometres. The objective is to address and minimise the risk of accidents in specific areas responsible for high-speed violations. However, the DGT has made it clear that its aim is not to punish drivers per se but to promote safer driving practices.\n\nThe precise locations of the new radar devices are kilometre 89.050 on the N-332, kilometre 13.800 on the CV-86, kilometre 7.050 on the CV-905, and kilometre 0.420 on the A-77a.\n\nIn addition, within the province of Valencia, the DGT has expanded the presence of existing radar systems at the following points: Kilometer 349.150 on the A-3, kilometre 6.125 on the V-31, kilometre 3.510 on the CV-410, and between kilometre 3.330 and 1.600 on the V-23.\n\nThe DGT aims to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the road by 50 per cent by 2030.\n\nPrefer to read your news all in one place? Check out our online newspaper for your local weekly news fix.

Orange picking Marbella city
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 15:34:28Marbella Council has just launched a campaign to remove oranges from the municipal trees. We are now at the time in which the oranges will start to fall by themselves provoking a potential safety issue.\n\nIn total, according to the council, 85 tonnes fruit are expected to be shifted, which will be transferred to the waste disposal plant.\n\nIn some parts of the city these tasks have come late as many of the oranges have been scattered on the ground for some time.\n\nAccording to the council, the works will last two more weeks as, âwe have to wait for the optimal moment of maturation to be able to remove them.â\n\nThe work will be carried on more than 1,800 orange trees throughout the city, which is estimated to involve almost 85,000 kilos of oranges that will be transferred to the waste disposal plant.\n\nSo far, according to the council data, action has been taken on Avenida Mayorazgo, Félix RodrÃguez de la Fuente, Calvario, on Avenida Nabeul, on Portada, Arte, Juan Alameda, Marques de Nájera, Puerta del Mar and Calle José Palomo Square.\n\nIn Plaza de Los Naranjos, for example, the trees continue to be full of these fruits.

The Mystery Man: Unraveling the secrets of the Shroud of Turin
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 15:27:38The international exhibition âThe Mystery Manâ has opened at the Gran Teatroâs exhibition hall in Elche.\n\nThe exhibition offers an exploration of the life of Jesus of Nazareth through the lens of the Shroud of Turin. The exhibit will remain in Elche until March 24.\n\nComprising five rooms, the exhibition provides a detailed account of the Passion of Christ, featuring original archaeological artefacts. Visitors can also delve into scientific studies that examine the Shroud of Turin, including the carbon-14 dating, three-dimensional imaging, and iconography revealing the real image of Jesus. One of the highlights is the first hyperrealistic representation of Jesus of Nazareth, offering a unique perspective on his story.\n\nThis exhibition is part of the Jubilee Year activities and has already drawn over 250,000 visitors worldwide.\n\nFirst launched in Salamanca in 2022, âThe Mystery Manâ has since toured various cities, including Guadix, Granada, Venice, Caravaca de la Cruz, Sigüenza, and Barcelona, where it attracted over 40,000 visitors.\n\nTickets are available for purchase on the official website, themysteryman.com, or at the Gran Teatro box office.

Paris Olympic Balloon will return every summer until 2028
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 15:17:48It was in 1783, that the Montgolfier Brothers invented a hot air balloon which saw the first ever non-tethered manned flight take off from the Tuileries gardens in Paris.\n\nIn 2024 as a tribute to these French aviation pioneers, balloon flight was commemorated during the Paris Summer Olympic Games when each night (winds allowing) a flame-free Olympic balloon tethered to a cauldron was sent up some 30 metres.\n\nThis cauldron was initially lit by judo exponent Teddy Riner and runner Marie-José Pérec at the opening ceremony and rather than risk any accidents with flaming arrows, environmentally-friendly fire made up of clouds of mist lit by LED rays was created.\n\nThe elevation of the cauldron was repeated not only through the duration of the Olympic Games but also with a new opening ceremony featuring the balloon and cauldron for the Paralympics which followed.\n\nParis Olympic Balloon will return every summer until 2028 as announced by President Macron\n\nFor those in Paris at the time, it was considered a fantastic tourist attraction and on Friday January 31, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that this attraction would return to the capital every summer until the start of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.\n\nHaving found that sending up the balloon from the Tuileries gardens last year worked well, it has been decided to use the same location (near to the Louvre Museum) yet again.\n\nâIt will return every summer⦠until the Los Angeles Games,â Macron wrote on X above an image of the balloon rising into the Paris night sky and it is planned that it will stay in place between late June and mid-September.\n\nSupport for summer return of Olympic Balloon until 2028 from Mayor of Paris\n\nParis Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who was publicly in favour of the plan to keep the balloon, posted on Instagram soon after the announcement: âWhat happiness!â âItâs very, very good news.â

Weather Update for Sunday 2 February, 2025 in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la HoradadaÂ
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:11:11Detailed Weather Outlook\n\nOn February 2, 2025, the area will enjoy predominantly clear skies. Temperatures will range between 8ºC and 15ºC, with a wind chill varying from 6ºC to 15ºC. Relative humidity will fluctuate between 35% and 90%, ensuring a relatively dry atmosphere during the midday hours.\n\nAtmospheric Conditions\n\nThe morning will begin with clear skies and no chance of rain. This trend will persist throughout the afternoon, providing excellent visibility for outdoor activities. From midnight onward, intermittent cloud cover is expected, lingering into the early hours of February 3. However, the likelihood of precipitation will remain minimal at just 10%.\n\nThe most notable change in weather will occur on February 3. While temperatures will stay consistentâranging from 7ºC to 15ºCâcloudy intervals will be more frequent throughout the day. Humidity levels will rise slightly, reaching between 55% and 90%, potentially affecting the perceived temperature.\n\nMedium-Term Forecast\n\nA period of stable weather is anticipated in the days ahead. On February 4, skies will clear in the morning, though cloud cover is expected to increase later in the day. Temperatures will fluctuate between 7ºC and 17ºC, with a slight drop in humidity. By February 5, atmospheric stability will improve, bringing mostly clear skies.\n\nFrom February 6, the weather pattern will shift slightly, with more frequent cloudy periods and a 10% chance of rain. Temperatures will remain moderate, between 8ºC and 16ºC, while humidity levels will rise to between 50% and 95%.\n\nLooking ahead to February 7, significant cloud cover is expected, with a 20% chance of light precipitation. Temperatures will be slightly warmer, peaking at 18ºC, while humidity could reach 95%, resulting in more humid and dense conditions.\n\nSNOW TO THE NORTH OF ALICANTE\n\nMeanwhile, in the north of the region, Snow has once again blanketed the peaks of Alicante, marking the second occurrence in less than a month. This rare phenomenon has transformed areas like the Sierra de la Carrasqueta and other high-altitude spots into a winter landscape. Residents of Alicante will have the chance to witness and enjoy this scenic snowfall on Sunday morning.
Las ITS siguen disparadas en Madrid: aumenta un 60 por ciento la gonorrea y un 42 la clamidia
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El gobierno neoliberal de la vida: ¿un crimen perfecto?
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 11:00:00Salto a contenido\n\n Salto a navegación\n\n Contenidos portada\n\n Accesibilidad\n\n image/svg+xml\n\n .cls-1{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-linecap:round;}\n\nIniciar sesión\n\n We can't find the internet\n\n Attempting to reconnect \n\n Something went wrong!\n\n Hang in there while we get back on track\n\nEl gobierno neoliberal de la vida: ¿un crimen perfecto?\n\nEl último libro de Borxa Colmenero sintetiza gran parte del pensamiento crÃtico sobre el concepto neoliberalismo y opta por una lectura alternativa a la empleada habitualmente: más que una ideologÃa mercantilista, es un gobierno económico de la vida.\n\nContraportada del libro de Borxa Colemenero, 'O governo neoliberal da vida'.\n\n Nicolás Filgueiras \n\n Ana Ãlvarez Otero \n\nA veces para referirse a una doctrina económica o a una etapa histórica, otras para designar de forma amplia la realidad social y económica en la que vivimos, la palabra âneoliberalismoâ ya forma parte del lenguaje polÃtico de nuestro tiempo. Pero, ¿de qué hablamos cuando hablamos de neoliberalismo?El último libro de Borxa Colmenero, O governo neoliberal da vida (Axóuxere Editora, 2023) puede entenderse como un intento de respuesta a esta pregunta. La obra sintetiza gran parte del pensamiento crÃtico sobre el término y opta por una lectura alternativa a la empleada habitualmente: el neoliberalismo, más que una ideologÃa mercantilista o una doctrina económica, es un gobierno económico de la vida.Neoliberalismo: el origenDesde los años veinte del siglo pasado âneoliberalismoâ fue usado para referirse a una serie de escuelas de pensamiento socioeconómico, como la Escuela neoclásica angloamericana, la austrÃaca o la de Friburgo. Aunque plurales, incluso discordantes en algunos puntos, todas y cada una de estas escuelas mantenÃan en común su oposición a la planificación socialista y democrática de las economÃas.Esta fue la ideologÃa económica que amparó el programa de los gobiernos conservadores en los años 80. A partir de entonces, el término neoliberalismo también sirvió para designar un programa polÃtico y una etapa histórica caracterizados por un marcado antisocialismo y por la deificación del mercado libre, reflejados respectivamente en los ataques frontales a las organizaciones de la clase trabajadora y en la proliferación de deslocalizaciones y procesos de reconversión industrial. Esta fase histórica, que William Davies denominó como âneoliberalismo combativoâ (1979-1989), debe comprenderse en el contexto de la confrontación contra el modelo socialista. Dos hitos marcan su inicio: la colaboración de los Chicago Boys con Pinochet tras el golpe de Estado a Salvador Allende en 1976 y el ascenso de los gobiernos conservadores de Reagan y Thatcher en los años ochenta.El neoliberalismo no solo produjo un conjunto de polÃticas públicas regresivas, sino que vino acompañado por estrategias de combate cultural y por la conformación de un discurso que aspiraba a formar una serie de consensos sociales, una nueva cultura. Se estaba configurando una profunda transformación cultural y moral, y al poco tiempo ya no era la doctrina económica de los conservadores, sino el paradigma compartido por toda la sociedad. Mientras que programas como Dallas transmitÃan la idea de que el éxito material y el acceso a bienes de lujo eran sinónimos de libertad y realización personal, la industria cultural mayoritaria demonizaba el âsocialismo grisâ, representando la vida en los paÃses socialistas como aburrida y mortificante, en contraste con la vitalidad y la abundancia de recursos en las sociedades de consumo occidentales. Era la época de pelÃculas como âRed Dawnâ, en la que se glorifica la resistencia de la juventud estadounidense ante una invasión ficticia de la URSS, y de la declaración, atribuida a Thatcher, de que âsi a partir de los treinta no tienes coche, eres un fracasadoâ. El neoliberalismo articulaba el anticomunismo y el ataque frontal contra el jardinero estatal con la reivindicación de la libertad individual proporcionada por el mercado. âNo existe tal cosa como la sociedad; existen hombres y mujeres individuales, y existen familiasâ ya no era una opinión de Thatcher, sino el sentido común con el que cada vez se regÃan más personas.El objetivo: conquistar las almasThatcher, planificadora consciente de esta transformación cultural, decÃa que âla economÃa es el medio, el objetivo es cambiar los corazones y las almasâ. En una entrevista de 2002, le preguntaron cuál habÃa sido su mayor éxito polÃtico. Respondió sin dudar: âTony Blair y el nuevo laborismoâ. Por fin, su repetitivo eslogan se habÃa convertido en una realidad: âThere is no alternativeâ.Este nuevo neoliberalismo entendido como un consenso social profundo es lo que Davies denomina como âfase normativaâ (1989-2008). Dos fenómenos ayudan a situar esta evolución, este cambio de las almas: las transformaciones acontecidas en el seno de los Estados y las acontecidas en las relaciones laborales.En cuanto a las primeras, se refieren a la adopción de mecanismos de mercado como criterios válidos para la toma de decisiones polÃticas y la gestión de recursos públicos. En la fase neoliberal se impregna a los estados con el espÃritu empresarial: flexibilización de normas y procedimientos, gestión por resultados, rendición de cuentas, constitución de cuerpos de técnicos en los que recaen decisiones polÃticas. Bajo la idea de que, una vez más, âno hay alternativaâ, se naturalizan los valores del mercado como valores neutros y de âsentido comúnâ. Las lógicas del mercado son las lógicas naturales y, por tanto, las productoras de libertad, mientras que las otras opciones o alternativas son demonizadas como intervencionistas e hiperburocratizadas, por tanto, autoritarias y castradoras.El componente antiburocrático es una de las claves del éxito del discurso neoliberal. Colmenero señala lo paradójico de este componente, pues el neoliberalismo no supone una auténtica desregulación, sino que promueve una forma de vida en la que los sujetos se convierten en burócratas de sà mismos: alquilar una vivienda, contratar un seguro de salud, abrir una cuenta bancaria, contratar telefonÃa o internet, son procesos que acontecen en el ámbito del mercado, pero no dejan de suponer rÃgidos procedimientos burocráticos impuestos por entidades impersonales y poco transparentes. Tenemos un ejemplo dramático en Estados Unidos, donde la privatización radical de la sanidad defendida por los neoliberales produjo un ecosistema de empresas aseguradoras que convirtieron el acceso a la cobertura sanitaria en un laberinto burocrático deliberadamente kafkiano, cuyos principios rectores -âDelay, Deny, Defendâ- terminaron hace apenas unas semanas grabados en las tres balas que asesinaron al CEO de United Healthcare.En cuanto al segundo fenómeno que nos ayuda a situar esta âconquista de las almasâ de la que hablaba Thatcher, se trata de la profunda transformación del trabajo ocurrida en las últimas décadas. Colmenero señala la desaparición del empleo fordista en favor de un tipo de relación laboral desprotegida, precaria y temporal en la que ya no se puede trazar una frontera divisoria clara entre asalariados y desempleados, dado que ambos fluctúan precariamente entre el empleo y el desempleo. Pero el sumum del neoliberalismo no estarÃa solo en la transformación del trabajo, sino en su extensión ad infinitum: las lógicas del trabajo y la productividad impregnan todas las dimensiones de la vida. Para el Homo oeconomicus neoliberal, las relaciones sociales son oportunidades para el networking, su vida emocional puede ser constantemente âtrabajadaâ para alcanzar su âmejor versiónâ, sus constantes vitales y actividades fÃsicas son monitorizadas mediante sistemas de self-tracking que generan estadÃsticas de productividad personalizadas, su ocio es susceptible de ser âmejor aprovechadoâ, y sus talentos pueden transformarse en ingresos económicos o en contenido para su marca personal.En definitiva, cualquier porción de tiempo puede ser invertida en generar una productividad, ya sea económica, social o erótica, generando un eterno hilo de actividades que son económicas por su lógica interna. Comenta al respecto Colmenero que âla responsabilidad reside por entero en el propio sujeto, un individuo precario e imperfecto que debe ir completándose, construyéndose a sà mismo, configurando su identidad, su seguridad y su modo de vida. El acceso a unas condiciones de vida dignas forma parte de su responsabilidadâ. Aparece entonces la culpa por actividades percibidas como no productivas, como descansar (âno hacer nadaâ), o por situaciones percibidas como un fracaso personal: el paro, las malas condiciones de trabajo o el malestar psicológico. Como ha señalado Byung Chul-Han, en el régimen de autoexplotación neoliberal, las personas se convierten en vÃctima y verdugo simultáneamente, transformando su indignación con el sistema en una profunda depresión consigo mismas.En esta serie de cambios neoliberales del cuerpo social y polÃtico, las personas normalizan una ética del riesgo en la que la vida aparece como un juego con lo imponderable, un juego en el que la resiliencia y la búsqueda de oportunidades encubren un panorama de incertidumbre e inseguridad. El neoliberalismo se alÃa asà con el âracismo de Estadoâ del que hablaba Foucault, con la defensa de la raza productiva y la apuesta por el control de las vidas que sobran en ese esquema de cálculo y rendimiento. Es como si el neoliberalismo llevase hasta las últimas consecuencias las reflexiones de Benjamin sobre cómo el capitalismo instala un culto (sans rêve et sans merci) permanente y culpabilizador, pero con una gran diferencia respecto a las religiones tradicionales: en este culto no hay posibilidad de expiación, ni ningún âdÃa de la semanaâ que no se caracterice por la tensión extrema del adorador. Las formas de vida neoliberales, marcadas por su constante disposición a producir, incluso cuando no se âtrabajaâ, reflejan nuestra extrema tensión como adoradores: proliferan cada vez más cuadros de depresión, ansiedad o sÃndromes de Burnout; pero cada vez más personas demandan otro reparto social del tiempo y cuestionan que el trabajo asalariado sea el elemento central de sus vidas â'véase la Gran Renunciaâ'.Neoliberalismo: un futuroLa crisis de 2008 puso en tela de juicio la superioridad de la razón económica neoliberal. Esta crisis de legitimidad se vio agravada por una gestión fuertemente moralizada, basada en la interiorización de la responsabilidad en el cuerpo social por los excesos cometidos durante el boom económico, en una estrategia de responsabilización individual, especialmente gravosa en el caso de los grupos sociales más desfavorecidos y también más castigados por la crisis, que âvivieron por encima de sus posibilidadesâ. Se carga a las vidas empobrecidas con una deuda que deben pagar en forma de recortes, reducciones de salarios y servicios públicos. Es lo que Davies bautiza como âneoliberalismo punitivoâ (2008-actualidad), que manteniendo las caracterÃsticas del neoliberalismo normativo, se convierte en un modelo de gobernanza más autoritario.Pero decÃa Foucault que âsi el poder no tuviera otra función más que reprimir, si operase solo siguiendo la forma de censura, de exclusión, de obstáculos, de represión a la manera de un gran superyó, si solo se ejerciera de forma negativa, serÃa muy frágil. Si es fuerte, es porque produce efectos positivos al nivel del deseo â'esto comienza a saberseâ' y también al nivel del saber. El poder, lejos de impedir el saber y el deseo, los produceâ. Foucault transmite la idea de que, para que el poder sea realmente efectivo, necesita producir una racionalidad, un nuevo sentido común que el subordinado aplique âvoluntariamenteâ; necesita conectar con el deseo del subordinado, mostrarse como apetecible. Entonces, ¿por qué triunfó el neoliberalismo como forma de poder y como cultura? ¿Cuál es esa promesa neoliberal que puede ser deseable para el individuo?Esta utopÃa neoliberal podrÃa sintetizarse con tres elementos de los que habla Colmenero en su libro: la post-polÃtica, la disponibilidad total de la vida y la inmunidad.El primer elemento, la post-polÃtica, genera una vida âpúblicaâ sin antagonismos, esto es: un debate público donde se disuelve el conflicto entre adversarios polÃticos, donde se produce una simbiosis entre la gestión privada y la gestión pública. Se trata de la promesa de abordar los conflictos y antagonismos sociales como si se tratara de asuntos técnicos, siempre susceptibles de ser resueltos desde un supuesto âsentido comúnâ o âcientÃficoâ â'coincidente con los criterios del mercadoâ' por parte de un equipo de tecnócratas.El segundo elemento es el de la vida disponible, sin impedimentos ni obstáculos, siempre lista para producir. Vidas definidas por la posesión de ciertas habilidades y competencias que se ponen al servicio del mercado en forma de âperfiles profesionalesâ, para su utilización puntual y fragmentada. Definidas también por la posesión de productos, experiencias y rasgos personales que se ponen al servicio del mercado en forma de perfiles en redes sociales, para su utilización puntual y fragmentada (recordemos Tinder o Grindr como una realización extrema de esta idea). Los individuos buscan la mejora y el crecimiento constante de estos perfiles, convirtiéndose en sujetos reflexivos que están constantemente pensando en todos los aspectos de su vida para mejorarlos mediante sus decisiones personales. El sujeto neoliberal está en la búsqueda constante de la mejor versión de sà mismo.El tercer elemento, la inmunidad, fue desarrollado por los autores de la Italian Theory, y concretamente por las tesis de Roberto Esposito. Este autor señala cómo en el neoliberalismo se produce un proceso de ruptura del munus comunitario, esto es, de la responsabilidad colectiva que vinculaba a unos individuos con otros en los elos de la unión y la solidaridad. La promesa neoliberal serÃa la promesa de una vida individual sin pesados compromisos con la comunidad, liberada de la responsabilidad hacia lo colectivo, sin ningún tipo de deuda con el grupo, que permite decidir sobre el propio destino. En esta promesa, los individuos deben âvivir próximosâ, pero sin estar en contacto directo. Una inmunidad que promete una vida en la que el otro, en tanto que impredecible, queda fuera de los cálculos que uno decide para sÃ, evitando interrupciones y daños.AsÃ, el neoliberalismo promete una vida que se realiza a sà misma, independiente, libre, sin conflicto, abundante y deseable para el individuo. Pero en las mismas promesas del neoliberalismo se encuentran los elementos de su subversión.La utopÃa neoliberal no es posible porque tiene a las vidas como materia prima, pero también una profunda ceguera hacia las mismas. Se pueden asimilar a los principios del mercado todas las propuestas ideológicas, pero no se puede sustraer a los individuos de los antagonismos más fundamentales, al igual que no se los puede sustraer de sus diferencias. Tampoco es posible fragmentar nuestro ser y separarlo del tiempo para ponerlo a disposición del mercado por partes. Mientras nuestro cuerpo no sea robótico o divisible, no podemos separarlo de los avatares más inevitables de la vida â'la enfermedad, el envejecimiento, el cambio, la tristeza, el amorâ'. Tampoco es sostenible una vida perpetuamente erigida sobre la responsabilidad individual, en la que no se contacte con los demás: por más que se infecte el cuerpo social para inmunizarlo, mediante todo tipo de desastres económicos, sociales, laborales, medioambientales; o por más que se medicalice el cuerpo social bloqueando su sensibilidad, no se puede huir de los anhelos de comunidad de nuestra época, y de la búsqueda por parte de muchos de redefinir una base ética entre unos y otros.Nuestros deseos siempre buscan un lugar, a veces en el pasado, en lo que fue, y otras en el futuro, en lo que está por venir. Y dado que estamos constituidos por la falta, y que por mucho que busquemos un lugar nunca estamos completos, el neoliberalismo nunca podrá producir su crimen perfecto. Siempre dejará un rastro que revele su impotencia.\n\n Archivado en: \n\nCapitalismo\n\nNeoliberalismo\n\nO goberno neoliberal da vida: un crime perfecto?\n\nO último libro de Borxa Colmenero sintetiza gran parte do pensamento crÃtico sobre o termo 'neoliberalismo' e opta por unha lectura alternativa á empregada habitualmente: máis que unha ideoloxÃa mercantilista, é un goberno económico da vida.\n\nContracapa do libro de Borxa Colemenero, 'O governo neoliberal da vida'.\n\n Nicolás Filgueiras \n\n Ana Ãlvarez Soto \n\n11 ene 2025\n\nÃs veces para referirse a unha doutrina económica ou a unha etapa histórica, outras para designar de forma ampla a realidade social e económica na que vivimos, a palabra 'neoliberalismo' xa forma parte da linguaxe polÃtica do noso tempo. Pero, de que falamos cando falamos de neoliberalismo?O último libro de Borxa Colmenero O governo neoliberal da vida (Axóuxere Editora, 2023) pode ser entendido como un intento de resposta a esta pregunta. A obra sintetiza gran parte do pensamento crÃtico sobre o termo e opta por unha lectura alternativa á empregada habitualmente: o neoliberalismo, máis que unha ideoloxÃa mercantilista ou unha doutrina económica, é un goberno económico da vida. O neoliberalismo: a orixeDesde os anos vinte do século pasado, âneoliberalismoâ empregouse para referirse a unha serie de escolas de pensamento socioeconómico, como a Escola neoclásica anglo-americana, a austrÃaca ou a de Friburgo. AÃnda que plurais, mesmo discordantes nalgúns puntos, todas e cada unha destas escolas mantiñan en común a súa oposición á planificación socialista e democrática das economÃas.Esta foi a ideoloxÃa económica que amparou o programa dos gobernos conservadores nos anos 80. A partir de entón, o termo neoliberalismo serviu para designar tamén un programa polÃtico e unha etapa histórica caracterizados por un marcado antisocialismo e pola deificación do mercado libre, reflectidos respectivamente nos ataques frontais ás organizacións da clase obreira e na proliferación de deslocalizacións e procesos de reconversión industrial. Esta fase histórica, que William Davies denominou como âneoliberalismo combativoâ (1979-1989), debe comprenderse no contexto da confrontación contra o modelo socialista. Dous fitos marcan o seu inicio: a colaboración dos Chicago Boys con Pinochet tras o golpe de Estado a Salvador Allende en 1976 e o ascenso dos gobernos conservadores de Reagan e Thatcher nos oitenta.O neoliberalismo non só produciu un conxunto de polÃticas públicas regresivas, senón que viu acompañado por estratexias de combate cultural e pola conformación dun discurso que aspiraba a formar unha serie de consensos sociais, unha nova cultura. Estaba a configurarse unha profunda transformación cultural e moral e, ao pouco tempo, xa non era a doutrina económica dos conservadores, senón o paradigma compartido por toda a sociedade. Mentres que programas como Dallas transmitÃan a idea de que o éxito material e o acceso a bens de luxo eran sinónimos de liberdade e realización persoal, a industria cultural maioritaria demonizaba o âsocialismo grisâ representando a vida nos paÃses socialistas como aburridas e mortificantes, en contraste coa vitalidade e a abundancia de recursos nas sociedades de consumo occidentais. Era a época de pelÃculas como Red Dawn, na que se glorifica a resistencia da mocidade estadounidense perante unha invasión ficticia da URSS, e da declaración, atribuÃda a Thatcher, de: âSe a partir dos trinta non usas coche, es un fracasadoâ. O neoliberalismo artellaba o anticomunismo e o ataque frontal contra o xardineiro estatal coa reivindicación da liberdade individual proporcionada polo mercado. Iso de que ânon existe tal cousa como a sociedade, existen homes e mulleres individuais, e existen familiasâ xa non era unha opinión de Thatcher, senón o sentido común co que cada vez se rexÃan máis persoas.O obxectivo foi conquistar as almasThatcher, planificadora consciente desta transformación cultural, dicÃa que âa economÃa é o medio, o obxectivo é cambiar os corazóns e as almasâ. Nunha entrevista de 2002, preguntáronlle cal fora o seu maior éxito polÃtico. Respondeu sen dubidar: âTony Blair e o novo laborismoâ. Por fin o seu repetitivo slogan convertérase nunha realidade: âThere is no alternativeâ.Este novo neoliberalismo entendido como un consenso social profundo é o que Davies denomina como âfase normativaâ (1989-2008). Dous fenómenos axudan a situar esta evolución, este cambio das almas: as transformacións acontecidas no seo dos Estados a as acontecidas nas relacións laborais.En canto ás primeiras, refÃrense á adopción de mecanismos de mercado como criterios válidos para a toma de decisións polÃticas e a xestión de recursos públicos. Na fase neoliberal imprégnase aos estados co espÃrito empresarial: flexibilización de normas e procedementos, xestión por resultados, rendemento de contas, constitución de corpos de técnicos nos que recaen decisións polÃticas. Baixo a idea de que, unha vez máis, ânon hai alternativaâ, naturalÃzanse os valores do mercado como valores neutros e de âsentido comúnâ. As lóxicas do mercado son as lóxicas naturais e, polo tanto, as produtoras de liberdade, mentres que as outras opcións ou alternativas son demonizadas como intervencionistas e hiperburocratizadas, polo tanto, autoritarias e castradoras.O compoñente antiburocrático é unha das claves do éxito do discurso neoliberal. Colmenero sinala o paradóxico deste compoñente, pois o neoliberalismo non supón unha auténtica desregulación, senón que promove unha forma de vida no que os suxeitos se converten en burócratas de si: alugar unha vivenda, contratar un seguro de saúde, abrir unha conta bancaria, contratar telefonÃa ou internet son procesos que acontecen no ámbito do mercado, máis non deixan de supoñer rÃxidos procedementos burocráticos impostos por entidades impersoais e pouco transparentes. Temos un exemplo dramático nos Estados Unidos, onde a privatización radical da sanidade defendida polos neoliberais produciu un ecosistema de empresas aseguradoras que converteron o acceso á cobertura sanitaria nun labirinto burocrático deliberadamente kafkiano, cuxos principios reitores ââDelay, Denay, Defendââ remataron fai apenas unhas semanas gravados nas tres balas que asasinaron ao CEO de United Healthcare.En canto ao segundo fenómeno que nos axuda a situar esta âconquista das almasâ da que falaba Thatcher, tratarÃase da fonda transformación do traballo acontecida nas últimas décadas. Colmenero apunta á desaparición do emprego fordista en prol dun tipo de relación laboral desprotexida, precaria e temporal na que xa non cabe trazar unha fronteira divisoria clara entre asalariados e desempregados, en tanto que ambos flutúan precariamente entre o emprego e o desemprego. Pero o sumum do neoliberalismo non estarÃa só na transformación do traballo, senón no seu alargamento ad infinitum: as lóxicas do traballo e a produtividade impregnan todas as dimensións da vida. Para o Homo oeconomicus neoliberal as relacións sociais son oportunidades para o networking, a sua vida emocional pode ser constantemente âtraballadaâ para alcanzar a súa âmellor versiónâ, as súas constantes vitais e actividades fÃsicas son monitorizadas mediante sistemas de selftracking que xeran estadÃsticas de produtividade personalizadas, o seu ocio é susceptible de ser âmellor aproveitadoâ, e os seus talentos de ser transformados, ben en ingresos económicos ou ben en contidos para a súa marca persoal.En definitiva, calquera porción de tempo é susceptible de ser investida en xerar unha produtividade, xa sexa económica, social ou erótica, xerando un eterno fÃo de actividades que son económicas pola súa lóxica interna. Comenta ao respecto Colmenero: âA responsabilidade reside por enteiro no propio suxeito, un individuo precario e imperfecto que debe ir completándose, construÃndose a si mesmo, configurando a súa identidade, a súa seguridade e o seu modo de vida. O acceso ás condicións de vida dignas forman parte da súa responsabilidadeâ. Aparece entón a culpa por actividades percibidas como non produtivas, como descansar ânon facer nadaâ, ou por situacións percibidas como un fracaso persoal: o paro, as malas condicións de traballo ou o malestar psicolóxico. Como ten sinalado Byung Chul-Han, no réxime de autoexplotación neoliberal, as persoas tórnanse vÃtima e vitimario simultaneamente, transformando a súa indignación co sistema nunha fonda depresión consigo mesmas.Nesta serie de mudanzas neoliberais do corpo social e polÃtico, as persoas normalizan unha âética do riscoâ na que a vida aparece como un xogo co imponderable, un xogo no que a resiliencia e procura de oportunidades encobren un panorama de incerteza e inseguridade. O neoliberalismo alÃase asà co âracismo do estadoâ do que falaba Foucault, coa defensa da raza produtiva e a aposta polo control das vidas que sobran nese esquema de cálculo e rendemento. à como se o neoliberalismo levase até as últimas consecuencias as reflexións de Benjamin sobre como o capitalismo instala un culto (sans rêve et san merci) permanente e culpabilizador, pero cunha gran diferencia con respecto ás relixións tradicionais: neste culto non hai posibilidade de expiarse, nin ningún âdÃa da semanaâ que non se caracterice pola tensión extrema do adorador. As formas de vida neoliberais, marcadas pola súa constante disposición a producir, inclusive cando non se âtraballaâ, reflicten a nosa tensión extrema de adoradores: cada vez proliferan máis cadros de depresión, ansiedade ou sÃndromes de Burnout; pero cada vez máis persoas demandan outro reparto social do tempo e cuestionan que o traballo asalariado sexa o elemento central das súas vidas âvéxase a Gran Renunciaâ.O camiño cara o futuro do neoliberalismoA crise de 2008 puxo en tea de xuÃzo a superioridade da razón económica neoliberal. Esta crise de lexitimidade viuse agravada por unha xestión fortemente moralizada, baseada na interiorización da responsabilidade no corpo social polos excesos cometidos no boom económico, nunha estratexia de responsabilización individual, especialmente gravosa no caso dos grupos sociais más desfavorecidos e tamén máis castigados pola crise, que âviviron por riba das súas posibilidadesâ. Cárgase ás vidas pauperizadas cunha débeda que deben pagar en forma de recortes, reducións de salarios e servizos públicos. à o que Davies bautiza como âneoliberalismo punitivoâ (2008-actualidade), que mantendo as caracterÃsticas do neoliberalismo normativo, tórnase nun modelo de gobernanza máis autoritario.Pero dicÃa Foucault que âse o poder non tivese outra función senón reprimir, se el non operase mais que seguindo a forma de censura, de exclusión, dos obstáculos, da represión á maneira dun gran superego, se el non se exercese mais que dunha forma negativa, serÃa moi fráxil. Se el é forte, é debido a que produce efectos positivos ao nivel do desexo âisto comeza a saberseâ e tamén ao nivel do saber. O poder, lonxe de impedir o saber e o desexo, prodúceosâ. Foucault transmite a idea de que para que o poder sexa realmente efectivo, precisa de producir unha racionalidade, un novo sentido común que o subalterno aplique âvoluntariamenteâ, precisa conectar co desexo do subalterno, mostrarse como apetecible. Entón, por que triunfou o neoliberalismo como forma de poder e como cultura? Cal é esa promesa neoliberal que pode ser desexábel para o individuo?Esta utopÃa neoliberal poderÃase sintetizar con tres elementos dos que fala Colmenero no seu libro: a post-polÃtica, a dispoñibilidade total da vida e a inmunidade.O primeiro elemento, a post-polÃtica, xera unha vida âpúblicaâ sen antagonismos, isto é: un debate público onde se disolve o conflito entre adversarios polÃticos, onde se produce unha simbiose entre a xestión privada e a xestión pública. Trátase da promesa de abordar os conflitos e antagonismos sociais como se de asuntos técnicos se tratasen, sempre susceptibles de ser resoltos dende un suposto âsentido comúnâ ou âcientÃficoâ âcoincidente cos criterios do mercadoâ por parte dun equipo de tecnócratas.O segundo elemento, é o da vida dispoñÃbel, sen impedimentos nin obstáculos, sempre pronta para producir. Vidas definidas pola posesión de certas habilidades e competencias que se poñen ao servizo do mercado en forma de âperfÃs profesionaisâ, para a súa utilización puntual e fragmentada. Definidas tamén pola posesión de produtos, experiencias e trazos persoais que se poñen ao servizo do mercado en forma de perfÃs en redes sociais, para a súa utilización puntual e fragmentada ârecordemos as apps de citas como Tinder ou Grindr como un paroxismo realizado desta ideaâ. Os individuos procuran a mellora e o crecemento constante destes perfÃs, converténdose en suxeitos reflexivos que están constantemente pensando en tódolos aspectos da súa vida co fin de melloralos mediante as súas decisións persoais. O suxeito neoliberal está na procura constante da mellor versión de si mesmo.O terceiro elemento, a inmunidade, foi desenvolvido polos autores da Italian Theory, e concretamente polas teses de Roberto Espósito. Este autor sinala como no neoliberalismo se sucede un proceso de quebra do munus comunitario, isto é, da responsabilidade colectiva que vinculaba a uns e outros individuos nos elos da unión e a solidariedade. A promesa neoliberal serÃa a promesa dunha vida individual sen pesados compromisos coa comunidade, liberada da responsabilidade para co colectivo, sen ningún tipo de débeda co grupo, que permite a decisión sobre o destino dun mesmo. Nesta promesa os individuos deben âvivir próximosâ, pero sen estar en contacto directo. Unha inmunidade que promete unha vida na que o outro, en tanto que impredicible, queda fóra dos cálculos que un mesmo decide para si, evitando interrupcións e danos.AsÃ, o neoliberalismo promete unha vida que se realiza a si mesma, independente, libre, sen conflito, abundante e desexable para o individuo. Pero nas mesmas promesas do neoliberalismo atópanse os elementos da súa subversión.A utopÃa neoliberal non é posible porque ten ás vidas como materia prima, pero tamén unha profunda cegueira coas mesmas. Pódense asimilar aos principios do mercado todas as propostas ideolóxicas, pero non se pode substraer aos individuos dos antagonismos máis fundamentais, ao igual que non se os pode susbtraer ás súas diferenzas. Tampouco é posible fragmentar o noso ser e separalo do tempo, para poñelo á dispoñibilidade do mercado por partes. Mentres o noso corpo non sexa robótico ou divisible, non podemos separalo dos avatares máis inevitables da vida âa enfermidade, o envellecemento, o cambio, a tristeza, o amorâ. Tampouco é sostible unha vida perpetuamente erixida sobre a responsabilidade individual, na que non se contacte cos outros: por máis que se infeccione o corpo social para inmunizalo, mediante todo tipo de desastres económicos, sociais, laborais, medioambientais; ou por máis que se medicalice o corpo social bloqueando a súa sensibilidade, non se pode fuxir dos anhelos de comunidade da nosa época, e da procura por parte de moitos por redefinir unha base ética entre uns e outros.Os nosos desexos sempre procuran un lugar, as veces no pasado, no que foi, e outras no futuro, no que está por vir. E dado que estamos constituÃdos pola falta, e que por moito que procuremos un lugar nunca estamos completos, o neoliberalismo nunca poderá producir o seu crime perfecto. Sempre deixará o rastro que desvele a súa impotencia.\n\n Archivado en: \n\nNeoliberalismo\n\nO Salto Galiza\n\nInformar de un error\n\nEs necesario tener cuenta y acceder a ella para poder hacer envÃos. RegÃstrate. Entra en tu cuenta.

Almeria provinceâs early Madrid flight will continue
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 10:22:48The Air Nostrum airline clarified on January 31 that suspending the early morning flight to Madrid was a temporary measure.\n\nAn official statement explained that the 7.10am Almeria-Madrid flight each Monday, Thursday and Friday had been put on hold between January 30 and February 14 owing to the low demand for domestic flights at this time of the year.\n\nAll of El Alquianâs Madrid flights â' 21 per week in each direction â' would be resumed on February 17, the communique continued. This included the 7.10am flight on the same weekdays as usual.\n\nIberia, which owns the airline, contacted the Europa Press news agency following complaints from the Almeria province business ownersâ association, Asempal, that it would no longer be possible to fly to Madrid and return on the same day.\n\nâThis is another blow to the provinceâs communications and a further obstacle to firmsâ competitiveness,â Asempalâs president Cecilio Peregrin said at the time.\n\nâThis isolates us still more, considering that Almeria still lacks a high-speed rail alternative.â\n\nThe association also commented on the high price of air fares to Madrid, that at times cost âan exorbitantâ â¬700 which, it said, was beyond the reach of most travellers.

Finland to receive â¬51.4 million to expand hydrogen fuel sector
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 11:16:36Part of the ongoing European Union programme to decarbonisation recognises that hydrogen fuel will play an important role in the future.\n\nAs part of European Union energy plans, Finland to receive â¬51.4 million to expand hydrogen fuel sector\n\nFor this reason the EU has agreed to support Finnish state-owned gas diffusion system operator Gasgrid and its associates by granting a total amount of â¬51.4 million to support the construction of three pipelines.\n\nThe application for this financial support was only submitted to the European Commission in autumn 2024 so the offer of funds (which was confirmed by Gasgrid on January 31) has been delivered relatively quickly.\n\nThe intention of the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor project (which is to receive just over â¬29 million) is to develop a hydrogen infrastructure connecting Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and German markets.\n\nThe Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector project(which receives â¬15.3 million) is aimed at developing an offshore hydrogen infrastructure to connect the Finnish, Swedish and Central European markets.\n\nThe Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC) project (which is to receive â¬6.8 million) aims to build hydrogen infrastructure from Finland to Germany via Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.\n\nAs part of plan on linking the Balkans Finland to receive â¬51.4 million to expand hydrogen fuel sector\n\nThese three projects aim to create excellent investment conditions for clean electricity, hydrogen and hydrogen processing plants nationally and in the wider Baltic Sea Region.\n\nIt has been stressed by Gasgrid that the projects were evaluated against strictly defined criteria: priority and urgency, maturity, quality, impact and catalytic impact.\n\nThe European Commission has considered that all three projects contribute to decarbonisation and meeting the EUâs climate and energy targets which looks to see EU member states reach some 10 per cent of its energy needs with renewable hydrogen by 2050 although work on these corridors should be completed by the 2030s.\n\nâThis is excellent news for Finland, the Baltic Sea Region, and the European hydrogen economy as a whole. The decision shows that Finland and the Baltic Sea Region is a strategically important and very competitive region for the development of the hydrogen economy and support EU-climate targetsâ commented Sara Kärki, Senior Vice President, Hydrogen Development at Gasgrid as the news was revealed.

A bad weekend on Mallorca's roads
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 11:28:00A 45-year-old Algaida resident died on Sunday morning after his Citroën C2 hit concrete blocks on the MA-15 Manacor road and rolled over.\nThe accident occurred at around 1.20am in the area of Costes de Xorrigo. Medics were unable to do anything for the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene; fire and rescue had to extricate the body from the wreckage.\nAn autopsy may well give an indication as to the cause of the accident, one possibility being that the driver had suffered some form of medical condition.\nOn Saturday, seven people were injured in a head-on collision in Alcudia. The accident involving a Toyota Proace van and a Tesla happened around quarter to three in the afternoon on the MA-13 in the Son Fe area.\nThe driver of the car suffered the most serious injury. The road, which had to be closed for two hours, has been the scene of numerous accidents.

ANOTHER BATTLING PERFORMANCE AS THADER CLIMB THE TABLE
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 16:45:26CD THADER â' 3 HERCULES CF ´B´ â' 1\n\nBY STEVE HIBBERD\n\nBefore start of play, Thader lay 3rd in the Community league, whilst visitors Hercules, sat one place above them. So, it was very much all to play for inside Moi Gomez stadium, Rojales, where a packed crowd were basking in the glorious midafternoon Sunday sunshine. \n\nIn only the 3rd game of the season, the 2 teams had played out a 1-1 draw at Hercules home in Alicante. Raul Mora´s men were hoping to build on the previous weekends excellent 3-0 victory at basement side Eldense, when Fran, Serhiy & Robin were the scorers.\n\nWhen Cisse side footed home a right cross at the far post on 13 mins, it had been the first time that either team had put in a shot on target up to that stage. \n\nHercules could have doubled their lead within 3 mins, had it not been for a fine athletic save by Segio from Abdelialah. Although Thader were having plenty of the ball, they couldnât seem to break through a well organised Hercules defence, who were well versed at their man marking skills. \n\nAs the opening half neared its conclusion, Lloyd shot narrowly over the bar, before both Kone & Serhiy tested Hercule´s keeper Andres. But, it was the visitors who came closest to scoring again, when Sergio missed a sitter, with his namesake out of position.\n\nIt took Thader a mere 5 mins inside the new half for the scores to be levelled. A well taken corner from the right was partly cleared, but following a scramble which ensued, Sergio Martinez was at hand to stab home the ball past the grounded keeper, from point blank range. \n\nWithin 2 mins, Thader had taken the lead. A delightful assist by the veteran Javi found Raul in space, who then cut inside his man, before drilling the ball from an acute angle into the back of the net. \n\nFrom a long-range free kick on 66 mins, Raul´s effort hit the crossbar, then from the rebound, Tremino was unceremoniously hauled down inside Hercules penalty area. As per normal, Lloyd elected to go with power, as his spot kick gave Sergio absolutely no chance whatsoever. \n\nAlthough Hercules kept up the pressure, they were never likely to overcome such a whirlwind comeback by the hosts. \n\n Sergio had a routine save to make on 84 mins, but straight up the other end, Javi was within a whisker of adding a 4th goal. Frustrations boiled over deep into stoppage time, when ref Guzman showed a straight red card to unused Hercules substitute Simon whilst on the bench, for comments he had made to the nearside assistant ref.\n\nUp next in the Community league for Thader will be a long away trip to Carcaixent. This match is scheduled for Sun 9 Feb, when seats on the team coach will be available for fans (at a small fee). \n\nFor this and other Thader related info, contact CD Thader facebook page.

Weather Update for Sunday 2 February, 2025 in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la HoradadaÂ
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:11:11Detailed Weather Outlook\n\nOn February 2, 2025, the area will enjoy predominantly clear skies. Temperatures will range between 8ºC and 15ºC, with a wind chill varying from 6ºC to 15ºC. Relative humidity will fluctuate between 35% and 90%, ensuring a relatively dry atmosphere during the midday hours.\n\nAtmospheric Conditions\n\nThe morning will begin with clear skies and no chance of rain. This trend will persist throughout the afternoon, providing excellent visibility for outdoor activities. From midnight onward, intermittent cloud cover is expected, lingering into the early hours of February 3. However, the likelihood of precipitation will remain minimal at just 10%.\n\nThe most notable change in weather will occur on February 3. While temperatures will stay consistentâranging from 7ºC to 15ºCâcloudy intervals will be more frequent throughout the day. Humidity levels will rise slightly, reaching between 55% and 90%, potentially affecting the perceived temperature.\n\nMedium-Term Forecast\n\nA period of stable weather is anticipated in the days ahead. On February 4, skies will clear in the morning, though cloud cover is expected to increase later in the day. Temperatures will fluctuate between 7ºC and 17ºC, with a slight drop in humidity. By February 5, atmospheric stability will improve, bringing mostly clear skies.\n\nFrom February 6, the weather pattern will shift slightly, with more frequent cloudy periods and a 10% chance of rain. Temperatures will remain moderate, between 8ºC and 16ºC, while humidity levels will rise to between 50% and 95%.\n\nLooking ahead to February 7, significant cloud cover is expected, with a 20% chance of light precipitation. Temperatures will be slightly warmer, peaking at 18ºC, while humidity could reach 95%, resulting in more humid and dense conditions.\n\nSNOW TO THE NORTH OF ALICANTE\n\nMeanwhile, in the north of the region, Snow has once again blanketed the peaks of Alicante, marking the second occurrence in less than a month. This rare phenomenon has transformed areas like the Sierra de la Carrasqueta and other high-altitude spots into a winter landscape. Residents of Alicante will have the chance to witness and enjoy this scenic snowfall on Sunday morning.

Son Amar owner Margaret Whittaker dies
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 15:31:00Margaret Whitakker, OBE, the owner of the Son Amar nightspot in Bunyola and founder of Slimming World has died after a long illness. She was a well respected businessperson on the island where she had many friends.\nMargaret founded the hugely successful Slimming World company more than 50 years ago and went on to buy the Son Amar nightspot in Bunyola and found the Mood Beach Club in Costa den Blanes. She also presided over Pearl Yachts, a company founded by her late husband, Tony.\nBulletin editor Jason Moore said: \"she was a fantastic woman who loved Mallorca. Her passing is a sad loss not just for Mallorca but for its people as well. She was always willing to help and she had many friends on the island.\n\"She would recount how she sailed into Mallorca with Tony and decided to stay even though she continued to run the hugely successful Slimming World. She bought Son Amar, founded Mood Beach but always had time for everyone. She will be sadly missed.\"\n\"Even though she was very ill she was always prepared to help Mallorca. Just before Christmas I invited her to a dinner organised by the Council of Mallorca in London. Despite her illness she said that she would do her best to be there. In the end she was unable to attend but it clearly showed her will to always help and support her beloved island,\" said Moore.\nShe was the winner of the Business Woman UK award in 2023 and was awarded the OBE for her work for charity.\n\"Mallorca has lost a true friend and one that will always be remembered. She was a great lady and Mallorca is a richer place thanks to her presence,\" said Moore.\nOne of her great loves was Son Amar. Alongside a great team led by Martyn Smith she worked long and hard to make the nightspot a big success. She had numerous other plans involving Mallorca,\nJason Moore said \"she was a special person who always had time to help you.\"

News snippets from the European Press
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 09:42:55Sweden: On time Eurocontrolâs 2024 report on Europeâs most punctual airports placed Stockholmâs Arlanda at the head of the list. Arlanda, one of 10 airports owned and managed by Swedavia, had an 80 per cent punctuality rate for departures, 4 per cent up on 2023 and well ahead of Europeâs 66 per cent average.\n\nDenmark: Schools threat Police said that 51 Danish schools had recently received threatening emails which included bomb threats recently, without revealing details of the wording that was used. When the first emails arrived, they were dealt with locally but the investigation has now been taken over by the East Jutland police force.\n\nRallying round Denmark sent four generators to Ireland following an appeal for help after Storm Eowyn left 142,000 households without electricity at the end of January. Extreme weather tested Europeâs resilience, the EUâs Crisis Response commissioner said, âbut also our joint preparedness and solidarity efforts.â\n\nNorway: Covid risk The Public Health Institute (FHI) warned that it expected a new, late-winter wave of the corona virus although the yearly spate of infections had been delayed until now. âCovid-19 waves will continue, the FHI said, âbut they will be less noticeable because the populationâs immunity makes the infection milder.â\n\nDoing well Norwayâs $1.8 trillion (â¬17.3 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, worldâs largest, reported on January 29 a record annual profit of 2.51 trillion crowns â¬213.4 trillion). This was the second year of record profits with âmassive gainsâ from technology, the fundâs operator, Norges Bank Investment Management, said.\n\nItaly: Simple maths Tourism minister Daniela Santanche will not resign, although she faces a court case linked to accusations of accounting irregularities at her former publishing company, Visibilia. Santanche stepped down from her chief executive role after she was named a minister in 2022 and denies any wrongdoing.\n\nAnother Musk Kimbal Musk, younger brother of Elon Musk, had a brief meeting with Italyâ prime minister Giorgia Meloni while visiting Culture minister Alessandro Giuli in Rome. Musk, who is a director of the Tesla electric vehicle company, was there to discuss the use of technology at cultural sites and events.\n\nBelgium: Dodgy votes A probe by broadcaster VRT Ninoveâs local elections last year detected what it termed âstrong evidenceâ that the far-right party Forza Ninove obtained an overall majority by using fraudulent proxy votes. Should the Public Prosecutor find that fraud took place, those responsible face five-year prison terms.\n\nAuto-pilot Brabant traffic police came across a driver who was so drunk that he fell asleep on the left-hand lane of the E40 motorway between Leuven and Brussels. Found to be three times over the limit when he was breathalysed, his driving licence was confiscated and he now awaits an appearance at the Police Court.\n\nGermany: Door check The Interior ministry announced that 43,500 people were turned back at the German border over the past 15 months now that stricter controls are enforced and fewer irregular migrants can reach the country. Asylum applications had also fallen over the last 12 months, with 110,000 fewer than in 2023.\n\nWind power Two areas in the North Sea, destined for offshore windfarms and covering an area of 182 square kilometres between them, will be auctioned in 2025, with a cutoff date of August 1 for bids. âThis is another major milestone in Germanyâs offshore wind target,â the Maritime and Hydrographic Agency declared.\n\nNetherlands: Russia exit Dutch bank ING is selling its Russian subsidiary to Global Development JSC, a Russian company owned by a Moscow-based financial investor. No economic details have been revealed but ING admitted in a recent statement that it expects the transaction to reduce the companyâs profits by around â¬700 million.\n\nWolf mystery Twenty-three of 91 wolves whose DNA was recorded between 2015 and 2023 are known to be dead, shot by poachers or killed in road accidents, the Volkskrant daily paper reported. A further 22 have vanished without leaving any DNA clues behind, leading experts to believe they have been deliberately killed.\n\nFrance: Write on Louis Sarkozy, third son of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, now writes for the far-right news magazine, Valeurs Actuelles (Modern Values), confirming suspicions that he wishes to follow in his fatherâs footsteps. âHeâs ebullient, cultured, creative,â editor Tugdual Denis told the France-Presse news agency.\n\nNot any more France infringed a 69-year-old womanâs rights by granting her husband a divorce on the grounds that she refused to have sex with him, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled. In a landmark case, the ECHR condemned âthe outdated notions of marital dutiesâ that were âbased on obligation.â\n\nFinland: Stable prices Prices for wood felled in Finlandâs forests remained stable in December, according to the Natural Resources Institute, and were little different from those of November. Spruce logs fetched an average of â¬83 per cubic metre, pine logs cost â¬80 per cubic metre, with birch falling 1 per cent to a little under â¬6.\n\nGetting older Despite generous parental leave, good childcare, free education and universal health care, more Finns are choosing not to have children, with a birth rate that is lower than the 2.1 âreplacement levelâ needed for a balanced population. Approximately 15 per cent of Finns are under 15, while 23 per cent are over 65.\n\nIreland: Talks needed Firefighters in Dublin accused the government of âbetrayingâ them for failing to honour pension reform commitments. They are now calling for an urgent meeting to discuss the problem, claiming that the existing pension scheme was a âvastly reduced incomeâ although they had paid into it for so long.\n\nWalled up Gary Gannon, a Social Democrat MP, said it was âastonishingâ that an Office of Public Works project to replace a 70-metre perimeter wall at the Workplace Relations Commission at an estimated â¬200,000 had instead cost â¬490,000 owing to setbacks and delays. âIt just erodes the publicâs trust,â he said.\n\nPortugal: Brine peril The Algarveâs fishing sector wants to reverse plans for a â¬108 million desalination plant adjoining an Albufeira beach. Boat owners said the installation would be a âtragedyâ and they knew from their Spanish counterparts that concentrated brine returned to the sea would âkill the industryâ by killing marine life.\n\nâNoâ to mine Plans to mine lithium in Boticas in northern Portugal is opposed by the local population and mayor, Fernando Queiroga, who weighed into the promotersâ claims that the project cannot be halted. Despite government authorisation, he said the municipality supported âall initiatives aimed at stopping the mine.â

Italian Prime Minister sends wanted Libyan warlord home
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 10:49:57The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation for releasing a Libyan police chief wanted by the ICC (international criminal court).\n\nThe supposed warlord, Osam Najim, stepped off a plane provided by the Italian government yesterday in Libya to crowds celebrating his return.\n\nThe Italian opposition and wider European community have expressed shock at the decision to release him back to Libya. Najim is wanted for multiple heinous acts and an ICC warrant out was out for his arrest in six European countries for purported war crimes, crimes against humanity, he also supposedly murdered, tortured, enslaved, raped and committed acts of sexual violence against victims in Libyan detention facilities. According to the ICC Najimâs crimes began as far back as 2015 at Mitiga Prison.\n\nHe is commander of the judicial police and director of the Rehabilitation and Correction Facility, a network of prisons that have become infamous for their inhumane acts. The ICC said that Najim targeted individuals in these facilities based on their religious beliefs, with some victims being atheists or Christians, for supposed immoral behaviours, for their sexual orientation and suspected affiliation with rival armed forces.\n\nSupposed war criminal Osam Najim had moved through multiple countries in Europe before being detained, he visited London, Belgium and Germany before being arrested at an Italian football match.\n\nNajim managed to move unhindered through Europe for about two weeks until Friday, January 31 where he was arrested after attending a football match between Juventus and AC Milan by Italian authorities after an ICC arrest warrant was issued. Unfortunately, the Italian government failed to follow through on the warrant and instead sent him home in one of their planes from Turin.\n\nMeloni, Italyâs prime minister has come under fire and is now facing an investigation for aiding and abetting crimes in the Najim case. Meloni has said that Najim was deported swiftly because he posed a risk to Italyâs national security.\n\nCritics of Meloni and the Najim situation have suggested that Italy may have been blackmailed by Libya into releasing the warlord. Whilst human rights groups have suggested complicity between Italy and Libya, as Libyan authorities detain migrants and refugees making their way out of Africa and into Italy, there is well-documented abuse of these detainees in Libyan detention camps.

Leading the way: Santa Pola enhances accessibility
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 09:23:42Santa Pola is leading the way in tourist accessibility by installing NaviLens codes at 50 points of interest throughout the town.\n\nMayor Loreto Serrano and Councillor for Tourism, Borja Merin, have unveiled the innovative guidance system which is designed to assist individuals, particularly those with visual impairments, in navigating the area.\n\nThe councillor explained that the NaviLens colour codes can be easily read using the free NaviLensGo app on smartphones. The system allows for detection from a distance, while users remain in motion, without needing to focus. The information gathered is converted into audio and automatically translated into the userâs preferred language.\n\nThe mayor emphasised, âWith the implementation of NaviLens, Santa Pola is taking a major step towards full accessibility, offering both residents and visitors a valuable tool that improves mobility and access to key information throughout our municipality.â\n\nThe 50 NaviLens codes are strategically placed in key areas of Santa Pola, such as the beaches, Fortress Castle, and other popular tourist spots. They provide valuable details about local services, heritage sites, and accessible routes.

Answers needed about the Villaricos desalination plant
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 09:00:42Almeria province called on the central government for a definitive answer regarding the Bajo Almanzora I desalination plant in Villaricos.\n\nSpeaking on behalf of âall the provinceâs MPs and senatorsâ, Almeria MP Maribel Sanchez Torregrosa and Senator Miguel Angel Castellon, requested explanations from Hugo Moran, junior minister for the Environment.\n\nThe Villaricos desalination plant has been out of action for six years owing to flood damage, and the central government had to give a plain answer âonce and for allâ they declared.\n\nSanchez Torregrosa said that Almeriaâs Levante and Almazora zones had the worst water shortage in southern Europe.\n\nâDespite that, Spainâs government has turned its back time and time again on this part of the country,â the MP declared.\n\nWater transfers from the Tajo-Segura pipeline had been cut back on 26 occasions, Sanchez Torregrosa continued.\n\nâAdded to this, and owing to the drought we have endured since 2021, no water from the Negratin reservoir reaches the Levante area.â\n\nWhen Sara Aagesen Muñoz, Ecological Transition minister appeared before the parliamentâs Ecological Transition Committee to provide details of government spending on water, she dedicated âbarely four minutesâ to Almeria, Sanchez Torregrosa complained.\n\nâFor six years weâve been hearing about future plans that never arrive,â Sanchez Torregrosa said âThatâs why we want to hear what Hugo Moran has to say.â

Bus Driver Passes Out
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:35:43It could have been a tragedy, but a bus driver's skill avoided a far worse outcome.\n\nThe woman, who was driving a bus from Cádiz on its way to Sierra Nevada on Friday morning, felt faint when she was driving along Avenida de AndalucÃa. \n\nBefore passing out, she managed to turn off the road and into an ITV courtyard. However, she couldnât take evasive action to avoid hitting the wall of the building before she blacked out.\n\nAn ambulance soon arrived to take her to the Hospital Clinico to be examined and placed under observation. \n\nFive passengers onboard also suffered slight injuries.\n\n(News: City & Metropolitan Area, Granada, Andalucia)\n\nKeywords: Bus, Driver, Passed Out, Collide with a Wall, ITV Courtyard, Hospital Clinico, Avenida de Andalucia\n\nnews, andalucia, granada, city & metropolitan area, bus, driver, passed out, collide with a wall, itv courtyard, hospital clinico, avenida de andalucia

Car Damages Gasolinera Structure
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:56:22The fire service in Torremolinos was called out to free a driver from a car that had run into the support column of a gasolinera bearing the company name.\n\nThe accident occurred on Friday on Avenida Manuel Fraga Iribarne in the gasolinera in Los Ãlamos are of the town.\n\nBoth the fire personnel and an ambulance were needed to attend to the driver; the former to free the injured driver from the wreckage.\n\nOnce the victim had been driven off in the ambulance to the nearest hospital, fire personnel began checking the structure over to make sure that it was stable and was not in danger of topping over.\n\n(News: Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)\n\nKeywords: Gasolinera, Company Sign, Collision, Driver Trapped, Fire Personnel, Structural Damage\n\nnews, andalucia, malaga, costa del sol, torremolinos, gasolinera, company sign, collision, driver trapped, fire personnel, structural damage

The Global Impact of Online Gaming: Entertainment Meets Economy
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 12:26:39Video games are redefining entertainment, economies, and social interactions worldwide â' from mobile gamingâs explosive growth to the cultural significance of video games. Discover how leaders in business are navigating this digital revolution.\n\nOnline gaming grew out of a niche hobby and has become a global phenomenon. It is no longer about entertainment only. Itâs a billion-dollar industry that affects technology, culture and economies. \n\nGaming is a staple of modern digital life â' thanks to developments in mobile technology, social gaming and the integration of augmented and virtual reality. What does that mean for businesses â' and how are leaders adjusting to a rapidly changing landscape? Explore the global impact and future prospects of online gaming.\n\nMobile Gaming as a Driver of Economic Growth\n\nThe mobile gaming market is an innovation engine and economic growth engine. In 2024, the market was valued at $130.75 billion and by 2034 itâs projected to be $342.23 billion, a 13.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). China leads Asia-Pacific in this space. \n\nIts mobile gaming market has grown rapidly thanks to smartphones and minigames embedded in apps like WeChat. Such games are quick to play, socially engaging and often free, and thus accessible to most people.\n\nFreemium-based games are free to play but monetized via in-app purchases and ads â' have worked well. Titles like Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans have generated billions in revenue, demonstrating this business model. But monetization is a problem still. \n\nThe right balance between revenue generation and user satisfaction is critical. In-app purchases and ads may be intrusive and cause player dissatisfaction. But despite all of this, the mobile gaming market continues to grow thanks to technology developments and 5G deployments.\n\nThe UKâs Online Slot Obsession\n\nIn the UK, online slots are particularly popular. The ease of playing the best online slots from home and the immersive experience have made them popular. Unlike traditional casinos, online platforms give players strategies for optimizing gameplay such as maximizing wins and keeping up with industry trends. That has transformed the gambling industry, which has embraced digital transformation to reach a wider audience.\n\nOnline slots reflect a trend toward the digitalization of gaming. They expect seamless experiences â' whether they spin reels or battle it out in a multiplayer game. Such high demands for quality and convenience are also driving developers to develop games that are fun but also technologically advanced. \n\nThe UKâs embrace of online slots is a microcosm of the global gaming industryâs evolution â' reflecting both player preferences and business opportunities to adapt.\n\nMonetization and Market Saturation\n\nMobile gaming has its challenges though. The problem of monetization remains. Though the freemium model works, revenue generation can be a problem when balancing user satisfaction. In-app purchases and ads may be intrusive and cause player dissatisfaction. It is also becoming more saturated â' there are more than a million games on the App Store alone. Standing out in this crowded space requires innovation and a deep understanding of player behavior.\n\nA second is the unpredictability of revenue streams. Mobile games tend to have a small percentage of players who make in-app purchases, so developers canât always predict earnings. That financial instability can be particularly challenging for smaller developers. But better data analytics are helping companies understand player preferences and optimize monetization strategies. How do businesses navigate these challenges and still maintain player engagement and trust?\n\nLive Streaming and Cloud Gaming\n\nThe future trends in gaming are moving towards streaming and cloud technology. Streaming games to your device is becoming more via platforms like Google Stadia and Xbox Cloud Gaming that donât require expensive hardware. This is democratizing access to gaming. With gaming hosted on remote servers, players need not worry about storage space or frequent hardware upgrades.\n\nThis is also creating new revenue streams for developers. Models that charge a monthly fee for access to a library of games are becoming subscription-based models. Cloud gaming is also enabling cross-platform play with players across devices battling it out. With these technologies, mobile, console and PC gaming will only get blurrier. How will this affect gaming in the future and how will it shape growth?\n\nThe Broader Economic Impact of Gaming\n\nWith a value of $170 billion, video gaming is one of the largest entertainment sectors worldwide. And it is growing rapidly. From mobile gaming to Esports the industry is creating jobs, driving innovation and influencing other sectors. For example, online gambling is moving towards digital transformation with players enjoying a casino experience from the comfort of their homes. Tools for enhancing gameplay such as online roulette strategies are getting more sophisticated.\n\nAlbert Einstein once said, âThe highest form of research is games,â That statement still holds today as gaming pushes the boundaries of technology and creativity. Exhibitions like 50 Years of Video Games celebrate this legacy of gaming going from simple arcade games to complex, immersive experiences. We can only imagine how gaming will shape our digital future.\n\nThe online gaming impact is worldwide. Not just entertainment, but the engine of technological innovation, economic growth, and social change. The industry is always evolving and businesses have to keep up. You can be a gamer, a developer or a business leader and online gaming presents challenges and opportunities. How will you navigate this digital revolution?

Weather Forecast for Monday 3 February, 2025 in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la HoradadaÂ
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 06:25:08Detailed Weather Forecast â' February 3-6\n\nTorrevieja and surounds will experience variable weather conditions on February 3. The early morning will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures ranging from a low of 8ºC to a high of 15ºC. There is a 30% chance of rain, and due to high humidity (60%-85%), the perceived temperature may feel as low as 5ºC.\n\nCloudy skies with light rain are expected in the early hours. Temperatures will hover around 14ºC, with a 40% chance of precipitation. High humidity levels (60%-85%) could make it feel slightly cooler than the actual temperature.\n\nAfternoon & Evening\n\nBy the afternoon, conditions will improve slightly, with intermittent clouds and a lower chance of rain (15%). Temperatures will be around 13ºC. In the evening, cloud cover will increase again, bringing light rain with a 35% chance of precipitation and an average temperature of 11ºC.\n\nA gradual improvement in weather conditions is expected. The morning will feature partly cloudy skies, with temperatures ranging from 8ºC to 16ºC and a significantly reduced 10% chance of rain. Humidity will range between 50% and 90%.\n\nIn the afternoon, skies will be partly cloudy with no expected rainfall, and temperatures will remain within the same range. This trend will continue into the night, marking a shift towards drier and clearer conditions.\n\nFebruary 5-6\n\nFrom February 5, Torrevieja will enjoy clear skies, with temperatures between 7ºC (minimum) and 17ºC (maximum). A slight drop in humidity will create a more comfortable atmosphere. This stable weather pattern will persist into February 6, when partly cloudy skies and dry conditions are forecasted.

BREAKING: New prime minister of Belgium sworn-in
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 19:25:56Conservative Bart de Wever has just been sworn-in as Belgiumâs new PM, and todayâs events, February 3, mark the start of a new coalition here that will see the political landscape swayed to the right amid European fears of a worrying dawn on the horizon.\n\nWho is the new prime minister of Belgium?\n\nSeven months of arduous and complex negotiations resulted in an agreement finally reached that will mean de Wever is the first ever nationalist from the Flanders region to be named leader of Belgium.\n\nSpeaking to reporters amid todayâs events, de Wever has made it clear he will clamp down on immigration, and bolster Belgiumâs defence spending in order to meet NATOâs 2% target.\n\nIs Belgium contributing to far-right leadership in Europe?\n\nThe decision to make de Wever prime minister of Belgium signals the beginning of a possible far-right revolution in Europe, as the new leader joins multiple countries such as Italy and Austria, as a nationalistic twist on European politics ensues.\n\nSpeaking to reporters today, de Wever said: âEurope has been a bit lazy on the topic of defence,â insisting that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has âwoken us up.â\n\nDonald Trump has only added to the chaos Europe is facing with his latest tariff threats aiming to stem the economic growth of the continent and many member states, as de Wever maintains the urgent need for Europe to rectify its relations with the US.\n\nWhich parties will make up the new Belgian coalition?\n\nDe Weverâs N-VA clinched the most seats in the Belgian election, with a brand new coalition formed in collaboration with two other Dutch-speaking Flanders parties, Christian Democrats, and Vooruit, who are centrist and left-wing parties respectively.\n\nDe Weverâs bloc stands as part of a far-right movement, named ECR Group, who aim to shake things up in the European parliament and change public perspective. The group also includes lawmakers from Czech PM Petr Fialaâs party, as well as Giorgia Meloni, Italian leader, and her compatriots. \n\nFar-right groups, commonly maintaining a strong anti-immigration sentiment, are doing increasingly well in European parliament elections, with 2024 being a particularly promising year for nationalist parties. They even topped polls in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands on both a regional and national level.\n\nDe Wever takes over from former PM Alexander de Croo, whose seven-party coalition took an arduous 493 days to form back in 2019, with de Croo having stayed in power in caretaker form after Juneâs elections last year.

First Grammy win for Cian Ducrot
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 19:59:25Cork native Cian Ducrot has won his first and well-deserved, Grammy. \n\nThe Grammy win was for Song Writing, he won having co-written SZAâs 2024 hit single Saturn. Saturn also won Best R&B Song at the ceremony in Los Angeles. The Irish star is also a musician in his own right with Victory his 2023 debut album that reached No.1 in the Irish and UK charts.\n\nDucrot is no stranger to awards with Heaven a single from his debut album winning RTÃâs Choice Music Prize for Irish Song of the Year. Last year he played concerts across Ireland and made the news for a particularly special sold-out show at Corkâs Virgin Media Park to a home crowd. In 2025 he will go on a European tour that is already booking up fast, with a bunch of dates sold out.\n\nCian Ducrot couldnât believe he won his first Grammy at the annual music awards ceremony.\n\nAfter his Grammy win he posted to Facebook: âI cannot believe it I WON MY FIRST GRAMMY!!! Thank you @sza for asking me to be a part of this song you are the greatest to ever do it!..Never stop dreaming guys! Anything is possible Iâm shook I donât have the words to be honest this is just a dream I had and yesterday I lived it I am so blessed and grateful.â He just released new song Whoâs Making You Feel It before his trip to the Grammy awards this week.\n\nOther big wins included Beyoncé with Best Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter, Chapell Roan also collected her first Grammy for Best New Artist- her chart hit single Good Luck Babe, brought her fame back in April 2024 and she has sky-rocketed since with trending hits like Pink Pony Club which she performed at the awards ceremony earlier in the evening.\n\nThe themes of international politics and equality in the music industry were represented in many speeches at the Grammys and Kanye West brought a bit of drama early on after he and his wife Bianca Censori were removed from the awards.

The ultimate International BBQ in Torremolinos!
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 19:39:51Sign up for personalised news\n\nSubscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!\n\n By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don't already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.

The iconic rock bands set to bring the storm to Portugal in 2025
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 14:50:082025 will see Portugal, again, host some of the all-time favourite rock bands, as various venues will allow fans to witness, up close and personal, some of the most legendary rock groups ever in awesome performances. \n\nDie-hard fans of heavy metal living in Portugal will be inspired by latest developments which will mean they might be lucky enough to cement an experience of a lifetime this year. \n\nThe 3 iconic bands set to hit the Portugal stage in 2025\n\nGuns Nâ Roses: The American rock band will take to Estadio Cidade de Coimbra on June 6, bringing their hit anthems and iconic energy to Portugal. \n\nThey will be joined by very special guests Rival Son, as they are set to play in 24 different cities across the world in their new tour.\n\nFans can expect to experience classics like âSweet Child O Mineâ, âNovember Rainâ, and âWelcome to the Jungleâ, among other all-time favourites of any rock or metal fan.\n\nThe band is spearheaded by legendary rock musician Axl Rose, and he is joined by Duff Mckagan, Slash, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Frank Ferrer, and Melissa Reese, making up the world renowned group, who last took to Portugal back in 2022. \n\nTheir event in Portugal this year is expected to be a sell-out, with tickets available now, costing between 90 and 155 euros.\n\nIron Maiden: Another favourite among music fans, the legends will return to Lisbon on july 6, for their hit tour âRun For Your Livesâ, with the Portugal edition kicking off at MEO Arena. \n\nThe band have organised the tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The past half-century has brought with it classics that have allowed Iron Maiden to etch their name in rock history and cement themselves as hall-of-famers in the genre. \n\nThe tour will feature hit records from legendary albums by the band, including âFear of the Darkâ, as they will be joined by Swedish metal group Avatar, with fans set to witness an iconic collaboration of rock in one of Lisbonâs most prestigious concert venues.\n\nTickets are available now and will cost around 50 to 70 euros. \n\nPixies: The famous band will hit Lisbon on May 10, celebrating the release of their latest album âThe Night The Zombies Cameâ, with their tour named after the album. They are set to play at Sagres Campo Pequeno in Lisbon.\n\nMilestones of the famous rock collective this year include the release of their 10th studio album, the 35 year anniversary of hit âDoolittleâ that propelled them to worldwide fame and adulation, and the 20 year mark since the band reunited, at Coachella, in the US. \n\nThe album, The Night the Zombies Came, features 13 tunes that aim to experiment with dark and cinematic themes, blending folk, punk, and sci-fi music. Critics are hailing the album akin to the soundtrack of an intoxicating old-school western. \n\nBlack Francis, the lead singer of Pixies, coined the developments as an inspired collaboration of events that all come together to result in a âmusical film.â\n\nTickets are available for anywhere between 30 and 60 euros.

Alicanteâs historic landmarks star in new global travel series
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 12:52:20Alicante province is showcasing two of its most famous landmarks on the big screen.\n\nThe new series Enclaves: Red de Patrimonio Histórico (Enclaves: Network of Historical Heritage) is a follow-up to the successful Enclaves: Lugares con Sabor (Enclaves: Places with Flavor), directed by José Berodas González, an expert in travel TV projects.\n\nThe first episode highlights two castles in the region.\n\nVillenaâs Castillo de la Atalaya\n\nCastillo de la Atalaya: Also known as Villena Castle, this Almohad fortress sits on a hilltop in the San Cristóbal mountains, offering sweeping views of the city. Built in the late 12th century, its massive keep and unique vaults make it a notable example of Spainâs history and architecture.\n\nSax Castle: Located 524 metres above sea level on a steep cliff, Sax Castle overlooks the Vinalopó valley. Originally built during the Muslim period, it has been altered over the centuries, reflecting the regionâs rich history.\n\nThese castles will be seen by audiences worldwide, highlighting Alicanteâs heritage and boosting cultural tourism in the region. Produced in partnership with Spainâs Historical Heritage Network, the series will reach over five million households in Spain, Latin America, and the United States.\n\nThe series will soon be available for streaming on platforms like Prime Spain and on TV through channels such as Sun Channel in Latin America and the U.S.

Marbella all set to smash records once again
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 14:16:35Marbella, jewel of the Costa del Sol, has been promoting itself as an international destination of quality and excellence. âNow this is my land,â says Eva Longoria in a promotional video of Marbella in which she summarises everything that seduces her about the city.\n\nâThe air, the beach, the people, the culture, the way of life,â says the American actress, film and television director and star of the latest promotional campaign, plugging Marbella as an international location for quality and excellence.\n\nThe deputy mayor, Félix Romero, has highlighted the quantity and quality of events to be held in Marbella in 2025, such as the Ironman World Championship, Staysure Marbella Legends, Kingâs Cup and Queenâs Cup of Beach Volleyball, and the Spanish Absolute Beach Tennis Championship 2025.\n\nMarbella closed the 2024 financial year with record tourism figures, reaching the highest average hotel stays and best hotel profitability in its history. Hotels filled 80 percent of their rooms throughout the year, indicating that the city is increasingly managing to extend the traditionally high season periods. The number of overnight stays rose to 2,584,174, while the number of day-trippers reached 719,151 people.\n\nThe main profiles of tourists were the national market, followed by the British. Other main markets included Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United States. Hotel profitability also saw record numbers, with an average of â¬214.08 per person, with peak months such as August and December skyrocketing.\n\nMarbellaâs commitment to hosting events and promoting its unique facilities has made it a key destination for international sports tourism as well. The Mediterranean Park in Marbella this year will also host the Spanish Absolute Beach Tennis Championship 2025, showcasing the cityâs commitment to beach-based sports.

How underage gambling has fast become nationwide epidemic in Sweden
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 15:28:21Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen recently published a damning report alluding to a skyrocketing in those under 18, the legal age for gambling in Sweden, placing bets regularly. Data showed that around 35% of those surveyed, between ages of 16 and 17, had gambled in the last year. What is going on? \n\nSpelinspektionen was commissioned last year to investigate matters regarding the gambling habits of young people in Sweden, which worryingly includes minors, or those under the age of 18, who are gambling illegally. \n\nThe Gambling Authority in Sweden also revealed that there has been a sharp rise in the number of gamblers between the ages of 18 and 24, but also, importantly, in minors.\n\nLottery-like games and other incentives used to attract young Swedes to gamble\n\nThe report found that betting companies are developing lottery-like games, and other incentives as a way to attract more punters, but most of these are supposedly specifically directed at young people, with marketing streams, influencers and social media playing a role in higher numbers of illegal betters.\n\nSpelinspektionen presented figures which mean that the number of males under 18 who are actively gambling in Sweden is the highest since records began, which serves as a very scary reality for the younger generation.\n\nInterviews for the survey depicted that gambling was a hot topic in schoolyards, and students would even place bets in the classroom, aiming to hide from the gaze of the teacher. \n\nInstagram and Facebook as well as YouTube actively exposing kids to betting in Sweden\n\nThe aggressive marketing strategies of betting organisations is one major problem, as statistics showed that 45% of Instagram gambling posts were available to underage folk to view, as well as 37% of Facebook posts. Something has got to be done, and fast.\n\nParticipants also suggested that the betting firms were consistently advertised on their favourite podcasts and YouTube videos, highlighting the urgent need for immediate resolutions before the issue spirals out of control.\n\nGambling can wreak havoc on lives, as incessant spending causes serious damage to the financial health of an individual, and if the habit spews into an addiction, people can go bankrupt, and lose everything they own and love to making bets, and going to the casino. \n\nKids in Sweden now taking out more loans than ever to fund illicit gambling habit\n\nSpelhaus is the equivalent of self-exclusion in Sweden, and for young folk in the country, more people than ever delved into savings, or took out big loans to fund their betting pursuits.\n\nHigh interest or âpaydayâ loans were more frequent among those in their mid-20s in Sweden, who found it increasingly hard to keep tabs and control on their gambling problem.\n\nThe number of those under 25, including minors, who actually went to actively seek help for their developing problem soared to never before seen numbers in Sweden last year, according to reports. \n\nThe Swedish Gambling Authority is now investigating whether licensees, or betting organisations, are introducing special measures to attract more of those under 25 to start betting. \n\nShockingly, it was reported that a whopping 47 out of 67 bookies in Sweden challenge and disrupt current gambling regulations of the Gambling Act for responsible gambling measures. \n\nThe problem becomes more threatening when you realise young Swedes are able to gamble at casinos without an actual license. \n\nRecent developments have come to worry Swedes, and authorities are seeking to take action. The legal age for gambling may be raised further than the current limit of 18 years old.

Modern Vikings prepare for battle in Poland
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 14:19:07Large numbers of people across the world are involved with historical re-enactments ranging from the Dark Ages to the Second World War.\n\nOne of the most popular sees the return of the Vikings and an organisation known as Jomsborg holds an annual battle on the island of Wolin in Poland.\n\nModern Vikings prepare for battle in Poland with training taking place in February and Easter\n\nMore than 1,000 warriors make up the membership of the groups who attend the battle which takes place in August each year in what is believed to be the geographical location of the original settlement of a group known as the Jomsvikings who spent several centuries in the area.\n\nPrior to the August gathering, a number of special training sessions take place at the International Jomsborg Army Training centre in Szczecin as the battle is potentially dangerous and more than 100 from England, Sweden and Denmark arrived to take part in training on February 1 with a further session for those who missed out due at Easter.\n\nIt has to be remembered that the full gear weighs between 20 and 25kg, depending on the armour and helmet chosen by each of the Jomsborg members.\n\nModern Vikings prepare for battle in Poland with special attention to strong helmets\n\nProbably the most important article of armour is the helmet as in a melee of up to a thousand warriors armed with axes, spears and swords, the head is the most vulnerable and therefore needs to be protected but as an added safety precaution, even though not historically correct, many participants wear gloves.\n\nThe Jomsborg group has been active for decades and as a natural extension, the Jomsvikings Brotherhood grew out and away from the original group and now offers a small army for hire by film companies and event organisers.\n\nThe Jomsvikings are however still deeply involved in the organisation of Jomsborg as a whole, and take various responsibilities to ensure that Jomsborg runs smoothly.

Briton facing a 30,000 euro fine for filming popular Mallorca event with a drone
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 14:53:00A 40 year old British man is facing a 30,000 euro fine after he filmed the popular Correfoc (festival of fire) event in Palma last month with an unlicenced drone in a restricted area.\nA police officer spotted the \"drone pilot\" close to the Paseo Mallorca in central Palma flying his drone over the Correfoc. The officer asked the man to stop which he did and then he enquired whether he had a licence to film using the drone, which he allegedly didn´t.\nThe officer then told the Briton that he was filming in a restricted area and therefore he could have broken data protection rules.\nThe Briton protested his innocence but the officer told him that he faced a big fine. There are strict laws and regulations regarding the use of drones in Mallorca.\nInterestingly enough the local police forces are now starting to use drones for crowd control. A fleet of drones will be on duty in Magalluf this summer.

Conor Benn to prepare for Chris Eubank Jr fight in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 11:22:00Last summer, top professional British boxer Conor Benn, son of the legendary Nigel Benn, who grew up in Mallorca, told the Bulletin that the island is his second home - it was home to his famous father for many years and he explained why to the Bulletin in 2003. So much so, it has been announced that Conor Benn and Tony Sims are flying to Mallorca to prepare for his fight on April 26 with Chris Eubank Jnr.\nEubank Jnr-Conor Benn was finally confirmed for Londonâs Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, two-and-a-half years after their first date was cancelled owing to Benn twice testing positive for the banned substance clomiphene. Simsâ gym in Romford, Essex, England has long been the trainerâs most consistent base for fight preparations but what is certain to prove one of the biggest fights in Britain in 2025 and the biggest of both fightersâ careers has meant them choosing to relocate to Mallorca for the warm weather and relative isolation.\nâWeâre going to Mallorca for the whole camp,â Sims told BoxingScene. âHeâs been waiting a long time for this date, and this fight, and now itâs actually made. We was only talking yesterday about how excited we are to go into camp and start getting ready for the fight. Weâve studied Eubank over the years, and itâs a monstrous fight. Theyâve booked Tottenhamâs football ground for the fight.\nâItâs a massive occasion, and Conorâs really looking forward to the fight as well. He really wants to get in there and show what heâs all about as well. Even though heâs not been as active as he would have liked, heâs kept progressing in the gym. Heâs non-stop training and always progressing. Heâs a lot better fighter than he was a year ago, so, yeah, heâs really looking forward to it.â\nThe bout has been promoted as a âsecond generationâ contest that saw the rivalsâ fathers, Nigel Benn, who also lived in Mallorca for many years, and Chris Eubank Sr, battle it out in two ferocious contests in the early 1990s.

Aston Villa sign Mallorca star
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 14:04:00Aston Villa have signed Mallorca-born attacking midfielder Marco Asensio on loan from Paris St Germain until the end of the season, the Premier League club said. Asensio joined PSG as a free agent in July 2023 after over eight years with Real Madrid where he won three Champions Leagues and three LaLiga titles, and in his first season with the French club won the domestic double.\nThe 29-year-old, who has made 38 appearances for Spain, has scored two goals this season in 16 games for PSG, but Asensio has played just 18 minutes in the last eight league games for Luis Enrique's side.Asensio said working with Villa manager Unai Emery was a factor in his decision to move to the Premier League.\nAfter starting his career with Real Mallorca, Asensio signed for Real Madrid in November 2014, being consecutively loaned to his former club as well as Espanyol. With Real Madrid, he went on to win several honours, including three Champions League and three La Liga trophies. In 2023, he joined French club Paris Saint-Germain.\nAsensio made his senior debut for Spain in 2016, representing them at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup.\nBorn in Palma, to a Dutch mother and a Spanish father, Asensio joined Real Mallorca in 2006 from Platges de Calvià . His mother, Maria Willemsen, died of cancer when he was 15. Asensio struggled with growth deficiencies in his knees during his youth, which only subsided when he was a teenager.

Pila: The italian ski resort breaking the Alpine mould
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:49:29While most Alpine ski resorts focus on sustainability and scaling back expansion, Pila in Italy is quietly bucking the trend, offering skiers something fresh and exciting.\n\nAt a time when new pistes across Europe are rare, this hidden gem in the Aosta Valley is leading the way with thoughtful growth and modernisation.\n\nWhy Alpine resorts are slowing down on expansion\n\nIn many parts of the Alps, new ski slopes and resort expansions have all but disappeared. Resorts like Franceâs iconic Les Trois Vallées are focusing on improving sustainability by reducing lifts rather than adding more. Over the past 15 years, its lift count has shrunk from 200 to 162, making operations more efficient and environmentally friendly.\n\nOther resorts, such as Val dâIsère, have opted for upgrades rather than new terrain. This season, a modern gondola replaced older lifts, providing easier access to high-altitude runsâbut without adding a single new piste. Austriaâs Saalbach has stalled its plans to link with Zell-am-See, and Switzerland hasnât seen a major expansion since Arosa connected with Lenzerheide in 2013. It seems climate concerns and the high costs of development have halted the era of bold Alpine growth.\n\nPila: The Alpine resort breaking the mold\n\nAmid this cautious approach, Pila is standing out. This winter, the resort unveiled a new 4.2km red runâRun Number Nineâthat descends 560m. The new piste makes the Couis peak far more accessible, offering an alternative to its previously challenging black run.\n\nBut itâs not just the slopes that are seeing an upgrade. Pila has invested â¬70 million in a sleek 10-seater gondola, replacing a decades-old lift. With sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, the gondola ensures skiers spend less time in transit and more time on the slopes.\n\nWhatâs even more exciting is whatâs to come. By next season, the gondolaâs second phase will allow visitors to travel directly from the Roman city of Aosta to Pilaâs summit at 2,700mâcompletely car-free. Itâs a game-changer for eco-conscious travellers and those looking to blend culture with adventure.\n\nStriking the balance: Progress meets sustainability\n\nPilaâs expansion hasnât come at the expense of the environment. Resort president Davide Vuillermoz emphasised the careful planning that went into the new developments. From preserving topsoil to replanting native grass, every detail was considered to minimise the projectâs impact.\n\nâOur goal is to ensure reliable skiing for decades to come,â Vuillermoz explained. By moving skiing to higher altitudes, Pila is future-proofing itself against the challenges of climate change.\n\nWhatâs more, Pila remains one of the best-value resorts in Europe. A six-day lift pass costs just â¬286âa price that hasnât increased this year and includes access to nearby Cervinia and Courmayeur. Itâs a welcome relief compared to the soaring prices in neighbouring Alpine countries.\n\nWhy Pila stands out in the Alpine ski scene\n\nWhile much of the Alps is scaling back, Pila is proving that thoughtful growth is still possible. Its new pistes, modern infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability make it a standout destination for skiers seeking value, variety, and a fresh take on Alpine skiing.\n\nWhether youâre a seasoned skier or a beginner, Pila offers a glimpse into the future of responsible, innovative resort developmentâshowing that progress doesnât have to come at a cost to the planet.\n\nFind more news about Italy

Cartagena Carnival 2025: 12 days of celebration
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:45:46Cartagenaâs Carnival 2025 will bring 12 days of exciting events from February 21 to March 4. The city will be full of music, dancing, and colourful parades as both locals and visitors join the celebrations.\n\nWhat to expect at Cartagena Carnival 2025\n\nhis yearâs Carnival will include all the classic events, such as:\n\nChirigotas â' Fun singing groups that perform satirical songs.\nDance Competitions â' Energetic performances from talented dancers.\nDrag Queen Gala â' A spectacular show featuring amazing costumes and performances.\nGrand Parade â' A stunning display of costumes, music, and floats through the streets.\n\nA new event this year is a special Carnival procession with groups from across the region. This will take place on Sunday, March 2, at noon and will add even more excitement to the festival.\n\nSpecial performance by Nebulossa\n\nMusic lovers can look forward to a live performance by Nebulossa, the Eurovision duo. They will perform on February 25 during the Carnival King election gala. Tickets are available at El Corte Inglés, where visitors can also see a special Carnival exhibition until March 5.\n\nA community celebration\n\nWith over 3,000 locals taking part, Cartagenaâs Carnival is a true community event. The Carnival Federation will set up a big tent by the port, offering a space for live music, shows, and fun activities. To see the full event schedule, visit carnaval.cartagena.es.\n\nCarnival in Spain: A tradition of fun and colour\n\nCarnival is one of the most exciting festivals in Spain. It happens every year before Lent, allowing people to enjoy days of fun, music, and partying before the fasting season begins.\n\nThe history of Carnival in Spain\n\nCarnival in Spain has been celebrated for centuries and has influences from both Christian and pagan traditions. It was banned during the Franco dictatorship (1939â'1975) but made a strong comeback after democracy was restored.\n\nThe best places to celebrate Carnival in Spain\n\nSome of the most famous Carnivals in Spain include:\n\nSanta Cruz de Tenerife â' One of the biggest Carnivals in the world, with stunning parades and a Queen election gala.\nCádiz â' Known for its funny and creative chirigotas, where groups sing satirical songs about politics and current events.\nSitges â' A lively Carnival with amazing parades, popular for its LGBTQ+ celebrations.\nÃguilas â' A major Carnival in the Murcia region, famous for its colourful parades and great atmosphere.\n\nNo matter where you go, Carnival in Spain is a time for fun, creativity, and community spirit. Itâs a must-see event for both locals and visitors!

Number of asylum seeker applications to Germany plummets by nearly 40%
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:59:51Asylum seekers aiming to leave their country in search of refuge and somewhere new to call home are decreasing rapidly in number in Germany, as applications drop by a staggering 37% in January this year. Stricter border regulations Germany has now imposed contribute wholly to that. \n\nIs Germany proposing stricter border controls?\n\nChancellor Olaf Scholz and his Social Democrats party narrowly squeezed their proposal through parliament last week, which allows for a stronger hold on border control in Germany, preventing any irregular or illegal migration into the country. Temporary border operations will now be in place.\n\nThe far-right backing of the AfD party aided in this push, with a nationalistic approach now observed in Germany. \n\nTerror threats have occurred recently in Germany however, leading opposing party Christian Democrats to side with the proposal and up the ante on border patrolling in Germany, meaning it is now much more difficult for asylum seekers to actually enter into and reside in Germany.\n\nIs it difficult to enter Germany as an asylum seeker?\n\nInterior minister Nancy Faeser announced today, February 4, that additionally, unauthorised border crossing attempts also decreased by 25% in January, alluding to the efficacy of the introduction of new temporary border regulations in Germany. \n\nâThis shows that once again, our measures are working,â she said. âWhile others resort to empty slogans and symbolic politics, we have implemented effective measures.â\n\nâWe have taken concrete action with controls at all German borders and introduced laws that allow faster returns and speed up the asylum process. We are committed to law, order and humanity, in close coordination with our European partners, not against them. We will continue consistently down this path,â she added. \n\nIs Germany becoming far-right?\n\nThe Christian Democrats party submitted a motion that demanded permanent border controls last week, which saw great frustration and criticism from Olaf Scholz and the Social Democrats party. \n\nCriticism stemmed from the fact that the party of the Christian Democrats had enforced a policy they promised to stick to, that they would never side with any far-right party on political matters. \n\nIt appears now then, after recent events in Germany, that the country is beginning to sway to the right, as it looks for immediate solutions to migration troubles and seeks to shore up its border defences.\n\nFollow the rest of the latest news from around Germany, here.

â¬16,576 a year: Spanish Government to boost pensions for over-52s
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 17:00:36Good news for over-52s: more pension contributions and backdated payments coming your way!\n\nThe Spanish government is rolling out some much-needed good news for unemployed citizens over the age of 52. In a landmark move, the government has agreed to increase the contribution for this group, meaning they will pay more towards their pensions and receive backdated payments from January 2025.\n\nThis comes as part of an agreement struck between the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, led by Vice President Yolanda DÃaz, and the unions CCOO and UGT, to raise the minimum wage to â¬1,184 per month, spread across fourteen payments, bringing the annual total to â¬16,576. This increase will not only benefit around 2.3 million workers currently earning the minimum wage but also those who rely on the subsidy for over-52s.\n\nBut whatâs even more significant is that this subsidy isnât just helping pay the bills today â' itâs contributing to your retirement pot for the future.\n\nUnlike other unemployment benefits, the subsidy for over-52s is the only one that is paid indefinitely and contributes directly to the beneficiaryâs pension. Under the new rules, itâs now pegged to 125% of the base minimum contribution, which is linked to the minimum wage.\n\nThanks to the recent wage hike, this contribution will automatically rise, meaning more money in your pension pot. But thatâs not all â' beneficiaries will also see retroactive payments to cover the period from January 1, 2025.\n\nSo, how does it work? The base minimum contribution will rise along with the minimum wage. So, when the SMI (Salario MÃnimo Interprofesional) goes up, the base for contributions increases as well. For 2025, this means that the base minimum contribution will rise to â¬1,381.33 per month, which will increase the pension base to â¬1,726.66.\n\nNot only does this mean bigger pension contributions, but it also means more money in your future retirement pay. As pension calculations are based on the last 25 years of contributions, higher payments now mean a bigger payout when you retire.\n\nThe Social Security Service (SEPE) will cover these increased contributions, including retroactive payments for the period since January 1, 2025. However, itâs important to note that you wonât receive a lump sum in cash â' rather, SEPE will send the difference in contributions directly to the Social Security system. Itâs all about securing a brighter future with a bigger pension.\n\nWhile the government has agreed to the rise, the deal still needs to be ratified by the Council of Ministers, but the Minister (Ms Yolanda DÃaz) has promised that this will happen soon.\n\nStay tuned to the Euro Weekly News. \n\nRead more news in English from around Spain.\n\nGet more Costa del Sol news today.

Virtual bridge:Â Alicanteâs AI assistant goes global with Mexican partnership
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 16:04:59Alicante has confirmed a partnership with Puebla in Mexico, to introduce its artificial intelligence virtual assistant, ALI, to the region. \n\nThis agreement will enhance Pueblaâs administrative digitalisation and improve the efficiency of public services, while also positioning Alicanteâs advanced technology on an international scale.\n\nPueblaâs Councillor for the Economy, VÃctor Gabriel Chedraui, expressed gratitude to Alicante for transferring ALI, emphasising that the technology will not only benefit Puebla but could be expanded to other states to support municipal development.\n\nALI, accessible at ali.alicante.es, is an intuitive virtual assistant compatible with computers, tablets, and mobile devices. It recognises users, integrates with digital certificates and electronic signatures, and guides residents through online procedures while continuously learning and improving. With ALI, more than 80,000 administration procedures and queries have already been resolved in Alicante.\n\nThis collaboration also marks a step toward strengthening ties between Spain and Mexico. Steps have been taken to achieve the twinning of the two countries fostering tourism promotion, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation between Alicante and Puebla.

4,000 guilty criminals on the loose in Netherlands amid prison cell shortage
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:29:13Shocking news today, February 4, as a whopping 4,109 convicts in the Netherlands, with their crimes still unpunished and sentences not yet served, are to be set free, because of a mass shortage of available prison cells in Holland. \n\nThe news comes just weeks after France and their president Emmanuel Macron reported that the country has an influx of criminal residents without any viable accommodation options in prisons across the country, with the figure topping 30,000 inmates overcrowding prisons. \n\nWhat is happening in the Netherlands?\n\nAnd latest developments in the Netherlands spark more concern for Europeans, with the issue needing immediate resolution before things spiral needlessly out of control.\n\nAround four times the number of affected convicts, who will now be set free to live a normal life again and avoid jail, was reported in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Eenvandaag and their latest report.\n\nAre criminals on the loose in the Netherlands?\n\nAmong the persecuted and set free, over 1,100 of them were initially jailed due to crimes involving direct victims or surviving relatives, making for a torrid though for families, and friends of those involved in criminal attacks, with thousands now on the loose again. \n\nJustice and security state secretary Ingrid Coenradie coined the situation âcode blackâ back in December, an operation termed when there is no additional prison space for remaining convicts set to do their time in jail. \n\nResultantly, many of these criminals were classed under the âself-reporterâ category, meaning they have been sentenced to serve time in prison but are not yet able to do so because of overcrowding and a lack of prison accommodation. \n\nWhat crimes did the released convicts get sentenced for?\n\nOver 600 years of prison time has been lost to letting these convicts loose, with many citizens fearing re-offending is a worrying inevitability for those getting an involuntary second chance.\n\nNearly 100 criminals involved in the latest mass release are facing prison sentences longer than a year, with a range of offences including drug crimes, embezzlement, theft, fraud, illegal weapon possession, and forgery. \n\nThe Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau (CJIB) classify self-reporters accordingly, on their own terms. Any offender serving a sentence longer than 12 years is automatically disqualified as a self-reporter.\n\nIntriguingly, the Ministry of Justice has not yet elaborated on why 1,730 criminals were deducted from the self-reporter list. âWhile exit reasons are recorded, our systems do not allow for a selection of this data,â a ministry representative stated.\n\nKeep up with more news from across the Netherlands, here.

Irish speed limits to be reduced in 2025
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:46:57In keeping with many other countries throughout Europe, the speed limits on certain roads in the Republic of Ireland will be reduced from Friday February 7.\n\nThis is the first of a number of steps being taken to try to reduce the number of accidents on Irish roads which often result in serious injury or death.\n\nIrish speed limits to be reduced in 2025 on three particular road types\n\nOn Friday therefore speed limits will be reduced from 80kph to 60kph on most of the countryâs local roads as research has highlighted that there appears to be a disproportionate number of fatalities and serious injuries on rural roads across Ireland.\n\nThere is a plan to reduce the number of accidents causing injury or fatality by half by the end of 2029.\n\nAlthough no date other than later this year has been confirmed, there will be two further reductions in 2025.\n\nFirstly, the speed limit on national secondary roads will be reduced from 100kph to 80kph and then in urban areas such as town centres and even housing estates, the speed limit will fall from 50kph to 30kph.\n\nIrish speed limits to be reduced in 2025 in order to cut down on serious injuries and fatalities\n\nWhilst organisations such as the AA Ireland agree that the need for speed should be reduced in order to save lives, it has become clear in countries such as Spain and the UK, it is very difficult for motorists to adhere to the lower speed limit and it is often unclear when these limits are in force.\n\nThe answer according to AA Ireland is for motorists to make sure that they familiarise themselves with the new limits and if in doubt to assume a lower rather than higher speed limit is in force.\n\nSlowing down often means a reduction in fuel consumption by up to 7 per cent for those without electric vehicles, it may still be difficult for drivers to maintain the 30kph limit.\n\nThe Irish police (GardaÃ) will be out in force on the day that the speed limits are officially reduced equipped with up to date speed check equipment and ready to test drivers for alcohol and drugs.

Britons convicted of £20m drug importation after Balearics nightclub arrest
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 08:40:00A Merseyside man arrested in Ibizaâs Pacha nightclub has been convicted alongside his ex-partner of orchestrating two large-scale drug importations following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.Details of 23-year-old Eddie Burtonâs plot can now be revealed as his ex-partner Sian Banks, 25, pleaded guilty to assisting his criminal enterprise on the first day of her trial at Canterbury Crown Court on 3 February.\nBurton was living in mainland Europe at the time two lorries containing heroin, cocaine and ketamine were intercepted at Dover port in the summer of 2022. The drugs weighed a combined 307 kilos with an estimated street value of £20m. Border Force officers stopped the first lorry on 3 July and found 90 kilos of ketamine and 50 kilos of cocaine packed into boxes and a Lidl shopping bag.\nThe second lorry was intercepted just six weeks later, on 12 August. Inside officers discovered 142 kilos of cocaine and 25 kilos of heroin in a fuel tank that had been modified to conceal the drugs.Its driver, 64-year-old Latvian national Maris Fridvalds, was sentenced to 14 yearsâ imprisonment in March 2023 for his role as courier in the attempted importation. Forensics found Burtonâs fingerprints and DNA on both drug consignments, and the adapted fuel tank.\nNCA investigators initiated a manhunt for Burton, who was living between the Netherlands and Spain after relocating from the UK in early 2021. He was arrested by Spanish police in August 2023 at Pacha nightclub, Ibiza, for unrelated drug dealing offences. At the time he was using an alias in an attempt to evade detection.\nAfter being extradited to Germany and charged with drug offences, he was returned to the UK in March 2024 by specialist National Extradition Unit officers from the NCAâs Joint International Crime Centre (JICC). Burton subsequently pleaded guilty to four counts of importing Class A and B drugs. Sian Banks, also from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges on 3 February, including importing Class A drugs and money laundering. Banks was first arrested in December 2023.\nEnquiries as part of the NCAâs investigation found that between June 2022 and October 2023 she travelled to the Netherlands and Spain on a monthly basis to visit Burton. And a review of her phone evidenced that on two occasions in August 2022 she smuggled cocaine and ketamine into the UK in her luggage after visiting Burton in Amsterdam. NCA investigators also uncovered messages sent between her and Burton on 5 July 2022 â' two days after the first lorry carrying drugs was intercepted.\nThe messages indicated that she flew out to the Netherlands in late June and prepared the first shipment of drugs for transportation alongside him. In one message she told Burton that her fingerprints were on the bags of ketamine and he replied, âyouâve never been nicked or had ye prints took anyway so doesnât matterâ. She was also found to be operating a scam selling doctored Covid-19 travel documents in the height of the pandemic. The pair will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 12 February.\nNCA Branch Commander John Turner said: âBurton, with Banksâ help, attempted to smuggle huge quantities of harmful drugs into the UK, believing he could operate with impunity overseas.âBanks held a crucial role in the criminal enterprise, laundering the illicit profits and acting as the UK-based facilitator for the multi-million pound drug importations. The drugs, had they reached their final destination, would have had a destructive impact on our communities, fuelling violence and exploiting vulnerable people throughout the supply chain.â

Discover the 8 most common surnames in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 08:15:00The Instituto Nacional de EstadÃstica (INE) has recently published updated data on the most frequent surnames in Mallorca for the year 2024. The resulting list is a captivating mix of historical and cultural influences, featuring some surnames that resonate throughout Spain and others more specific to the island.\nTopping the list is the ubiquitous GarcÃa, which also has a strong presence in the rest of Spain. It is estimated that one in ten Mallorcans bears GarcÃa as either a first or second surname. Its origins date back to the medieval period and are linked to the given name GarcÃa, which is of Basque origin.\nIn second place is the surname Pons, which is even more prevalent in the neighbouring island of Menorca. Although its origin is uncertain, some theories point to a Latin root related to the word âponsâ (bridge), while others suggest a Catalan root linked to the given name Ponç.\nOther notable surnames on the list\nCompleting the podium of the most common surnames in Mallorca is MartÃnez, a patronymic surname meaning âson of MartÃnâ, which spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula during the Reconquista. In fourth place is Torres, a toponymic surname associated with the defensive towers built on the island during the Middle Ages to protect it from pirate attacks.\nThe top five is rounded off by Fernández, followed by other surnames such as Juan, Serra, Vidal, Company and Riera. Each one reflects the rich history and cultural diversity of Mallorca.\nHistorical and cultural context of Mallorcan surnames\nThe most common surnames in Mallorca attest to the many influences the island has received throughout its history. From the first Talayotic settlers to successive waves of Romanesque colonists, each culture has left its mark on local anthroponymy.\nDuring the Middle Ages, Mallorca was a key strategic enclave in the Mediterranean, attracting settlers of various origins. This explains the presence of surnames with Catalan, Occitan, Italian or Portuguese roots, among others.\nAdditionally, the island has historically been a waypoint and haven for sailors, merchants and adventurers from across Europe. Many of them eventually settled in Mallorca, contributing new surnames to the local heritage.\nThe study of surnames as a source of knowledge\nBeyond mere curiosity, the study of a regionâs most common surnames is a valuable source of historical, cultural and demographic information. Surnames tell us about migration, traditional occupations, linguistic particularities and social evolution over time.\nIn the case of Mallorca, the list of the most frequent surnames allows us to map out the principal influences that have shaped the islandâs identity. From patronymic surnames, reflecting the importance of paternal lineage in medieval society, to toponymic surnames, underscoring the close connection between people and their land.\nUltimately, the 8 most common surnames in Mallorca, according to the latest INE data for 2024, offer a fascinating insight into the islandâs history and cultural diversity. This unique blend of influences has forged Mallorcan identity over the centuries and remains very much alive today.\nLearning about the origins and meanings of our surnames is a way of connecting with our roots and understanding who we are. In Mallorcaâs case, that quest takes us on a thrilling journey through the history and culture of one of the most beautiful and distinctive islands in the Mediterranean.

Finlandâs Capital Gains Tax loopholes
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 03:31:26Finland is particularly vulnerable to tax revenue losses as wealthy individuals shift their capital to countries with favourable tax regimes, a new report by the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) has revealed.\n\nThe report, titled âTackling Tax Avoidance â' Reforming Capital Income Taxation in the EUâ, highlights how tax benefits in various European countries encourage transnational tax avoidance, costing Finland and other EU nations billionsâ.\n\nEuropeâs billionaire-friendly tax havens\n\nThe report examined capital gains taxation across 15 European countries and found that 11 of them offer preferential tax treatment to wealthy foreigners. For example, non-residents in Spain are only taxed on income and capital gains from Spanish sources, while foreign capital gains remain tax-free. Meanwhile Malta has earned the reputation of being a tax haven for the wealthy. One of the main attractions of Malta is its corporate tax system that allows some companies to reduce their effective tax rate to as low as 5 per cent for foreign shareholders.\n\nWith loopholes like these, the report warns of an escalating ârace to the bottom,â where nations compete to attract wealth at the expense of tax fairness.\n\nFinlandâs tax loopholes\n\nUnlike other countries, Finland has not typically taxed the increase in asset value when moved to low-tax countries. In 2022, an exit tax was proposed aiming to change this by taxing people who had lived in Finland for at least four of the last ten years before moving abroad.\n\nFinland also offers lower tax rates on dividends from unlisted companies, with part of these earnings being tax-free if they equal up to 8 per cent of the companyâs share value.\n\nLauri Finér, from the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, said Finlandâs tax system lets the wealthiest avoid paying their fair share. âMoney will always find its way to low-tax jurisdictions,â he told Helsingin Sanomat, calling for stricter rules.\n\nWealthy tax dodgers in the EU\n\nThe report calls for urgent EU-wide reforms to stop tax base erosion. The first recommendation is for a minimum capital gains tax rate across all EU countries. It also suggests an anti-tax avoidance directive (ATAD) for capital income, including an exit tax, plus other proposals.\n\nWealth inequality in Finland\n\nStudies have shown that wealth inequality in Finland has widened since the 1990s, with the richest 1 per cent accumulating significantly more wealth while middle-income earners have seen minimal gains. This shift has been linked to Finlandâs dual-income tax model, introduced in the early 1990s, which taxes capital gains at a lower rate than earned incomeâ.\n\nWhile the EU has taken steps to curb corporate tax avoidance with a 15 per cent minimum corporate tax, experts say capital gains taxation is the next battle.\n\nRead the full report.\n\nView all news in Finland.

Thursday weather in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 13:53:00A cloudy Thursday morning forecast for eastern and central areas of Mallorca, brighter elsewhere, and sunny across the whole island by the afternoon.\nA similar cloud and sun mix is expected for Friday; rain could move in later on in the day. The so-called beast from the east, such as it may be, appears as if it will be mainly felt on Saturday, when there is a high probability of rain in the morning plus thunderstorms, especially in the morning. Nothing out of the ordinary by the looks of it. Snow still possible at 900 metres over the weekend and low overnight temperatures forecast into the weekend. Daytime temperatures around normal for early February.\nForecast for Thursday as of Wednesday 5pm (UV rating 2):\n\nAlcudia (7C) 15C, moderate north breeze easing to gentle; humidity 55%. Three-day forecast - Fri: 16, Sat: 16, Sun: 16.\n\nAndratx (6C) 14C, light north-northeast breeze; humidity 55%. Fri: 16, Sat: 15, Sun: 15.\n\nBinissalem (2C) 14C, gentle northeast breeze easing to light north; humidity 50%. Fri: 15, Sat: 15, Sun: 15.\n\nDeya (5C) 13C, gentle north breeze easing to light east; humidity 55%. Fri: 14, Sat: 14, Sun: 14.\n\nPalma (5C) 17C, gentle northeast breeze easing to light; humidity 45%. Fri: 17, Sat: 16, Sun: 16.\n\nPollensa (5C) 15C, gentle north breeze easing to light; humidity 55%. Fri: 17, Sat: 16, Sun: 16.\n\nPorreres (1C) 14C, moderate north breeze easing to light; humidity 60%. Fri: 16, Sat: 15, Sun: 16.\n\nSant Llorenç (4C) 15C, moderate north breeze easing to light; humidity 55%. Fri: 15, Sat: 15, Sun: 15.\n\nSantanyi (4C) 15C, moderate north breeze easing to light northeast; humidity 55%. Fri: 15, Sat: 17, Sun: 15.\n\nSineu (2C) 14C, moderate north breeze easing to light; humidity 55%. Fri: 15, Sat: 15, Sun: 15.\n* Light breeze to 11 km/h; gentle to 19; moderate to 28.\nWednesday summary as of 5pm - Highs of 17.9 Llucmajor, 17.5 Cap Blanc (Llucmajor), 17.3 Can Sion (Campos), Palma Port and University, 17.1 Capdepera, Palma Airport, Salines Llevant (Campos), 17.0 Son Bonet (Marratxi), 16.9 Binissalem, 16.8 Sant Elm, Santa Maria, Santanyi, 16.4 Porreres, 16.3 Cabrera, 16.2 Es Capdellà , 16.0 Manacor, Puerto Pollensa; Lows of -2.4 Son Torrella (Escorca), -1.1 Lluc, -0.4 Can Sion, +0.4 Salines Llevant, 0.5 Binissalem, 1.0 Sineu, 1.5 Palma University, 1.6 Petra, 1.7 Palma Airport, 1.9 Manacor, Santa Maria.

These are the five best Mercadona products for âguirisâ in Spain, according to TikToker â' but do YOU agree?
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 12:39:27A TIKTOKER has revealed the best Mercadona products to buy for foreigners who live in Spain.\n\nThe expat, from Lithuania, who has nearly 25,000 followers, has lived in Spain for eight years and used her expertise to suggest the five best items for guiris. \n\nShe claims that the best food item to buy is guacamole, which she said âis superior to any other supermarketâ, and that foreigners need to try it or else they are âmissing outâ. \n\nSecond on the influencerâs list is a sweeter delicacy.\n\nIn the video, she highlights that the coconut Mochi ice creams are the best sweet treat as an everyday snack.\n\nMochi is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice that is pounded into a smooth, sticky paste and molded into shape. \n\nFor vino lovers, the influencer points to Mercadonaâs â¬6 Albariño wine.\n\nThis product is usually âway more expensiveâ, and so the bargain plonk is a no-brainer. \n\nTo accompany the wine, the TikToker suggests buying the shopâs cheese plate, which is âamazingâ and is supposedly a must for when you are invited to somebodyâs house but you do not know what to bring.\n\nThe final essential item is the â¬2 pre-made tortilla, which she claims âis a lifesaver when you donât want to cook but feel like eating something warmâ.\n\nSome users agreed with the videoâs suggestions, with one saying âthat cheeseboard is flying back with me everytime I go back to Spainâ.\n\nMany viewers also agreed that Mercadonaâs guacamole is âsuperiorâ to other brands, while adding that the supermarketâs hummus is just as good.\n\nAnother user commented on the wine, claiming âit is a guaranteed headache!â.

Homeless at Palma Airport have moved on
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 08:32:00A couple of months ago there was a report about homeless people at Palma Airport. They were sleeping in a transit area close to the main car park. Some had seemingly been there for several months, as they observed that the airport was cool in the summer and warm in the winter.\nThere weren't many people; perhaps around a dozen at any given time. There are now none. Or at least for the time being. It would seem they have left voluntarily.\nThe airport management says it is unaware of what has happened to the people who were in the transit area. \"We are in constant contact with the Council of Mallorca's social services in order to act in the most effective way possible if there are cases of social exclusion. But the airport does not intervene if these people do not interfere with operations, which has been the case.\"\nAs was said in December, they weren't a nuisance to anyone, and generally speaking no one bothered them, except for the occasional tourists. They tried to explain to these tourists that they weren't living in the airport because they wanted to.\nThey were there out of necessity, living off food left at restaurants, using the bathrooms and taking advantage of sockets to, for example, charge phones.

Palma Airport rail project could move ahead this year even without a budget
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 07:31:00The project for a railway line to Palma Airport and Llucmajor could be set in motion this year even if the Balearic Government fails to pass a budget for 2025.\nThe budget process was paralysed because differences between the Partido Popular and Vox meant there wasn't parliamentary support for the 2025 budget bill. It is still possible there will be belated approval, but the assumption for now is that the government will have to work with a rollover of the 2024 budget.\nItems of spending for 2024 didn't include the airport-Llucmajor project. This was due to have been specified for 2025. But although there isn't this specific item, the government has a reserve of one million euros made up of contributions from the ministry for mobility and the SFM rail operator. This reserve won't of course build anything, but it would cover the cost of the drafting of the project; the aim is to put this out to tender shortly.\nTowards the end of last year, the ministry initially approved the study for a line to go to the airport and Llucmajor and ultimately to Campos. A 45-day period for public consultation of the plan is drawing to a close. The environmental assessment, a separate procedure, has meanwhile been started.\nEven with the drafting of the project, the government doesn't envisage work starting on building the railway until 2028. The line as far as Llucmajor would be completed in 2032. This presupposes the funding is in place. In this regard, the ministry has initiated contacts with the Spanish Government for the investment.\nThere was investment for the tram scheme, which the Partido Popular rejected after the 2023 elections. As Madrid made clear, the funding couldn't simply be transferred from one project to another. There have to be individual processes per project.\nThe airport-Llucmajor-Campos line is one of three main railway projects the current government is proposing. The others are the Manacor-Arta line and the extension from Sa Pobla to Alcudia.

Rev your engines! Torremolinos set for classic car show
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 09:02:03Petrolheads, start your engines! The Classics on Wheels event is rolling into Torremolinos on Saturday, February 8, 2025, bringing a turbo-charged lineup of classic cars, custom rides, and vintage hot rods to the Costa del Sol.\n\nFrom 10 AM to 3 PM, Plaza del Remo will transform into a car loverâs paradise, packed with gleaming motors, roaring engines, and plenty of nostalgia on wheels. Whether youâre a die-hard classic car enthusiast or just fancy a stroll through automotive history, this is an event not to be missed!\n\nBut itâs not just about the cars! Live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun will keep the good vibes rolling. Whether youâre tucking into some top-notch Spanish grub or tapping your feet to the tunes, thereâs plenty to keep visitors entertained.\n\nOrganised by Coast Classics, this event promises to be a wheely good timeâ¦\n\nGot a passion for petrol? Head down to Plaza del Remo, Torremolinos, and soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of motoring history in motion.\n\nEmail address: classics@coast-classics.com\n\nPhone: +34 619 27 00 00\n\nKeep your eyes on the road⦠and the Euro Weekly News!\n\nRead more news in English from around Spain.\n\nGet more Costa del Sol news today.

Drivers flee WhatsApp speed cam groups as fines soar to â¬30,000!
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 09:35:06WhatsApp speed cam group fines soar to â¬30K. \n\nMotorists across Spain â' including hotspots like the Costa del Sol â' are abandoning WhatsApp and Telegram groups that share speed trap locations faster than a getaway driver at a bank heist, and for good reason! The countryâs traffic authority, the DGT, has laid down the law with a stern warning: get caught in one of these groups, and you could be hit with eye-watering fines of up to â¬30,000.\n\nThe fear of financial ruin has seen hundreds of users scramble to leave these online communities, terrified of being slapped with penalties usually ranging from â¬3,000 to â¬20,000, depending on how organised the group is. According to the DGT, these networks pose a serious risk to road safety, allowing reckless drivers to dodge controls designed to keep everyone safe.\n\nSpainâs motorists divided over crackdown\n\nWhile some drivers are in full support of the crackdown, arguing that road safety should come first, others see it as yet another way for the authorities to squeeze cash out of the public. Critics claim the measure is nothing more than a heavy-handed witch hunt against ordinary citizens while more pressing issues, such as crumbling roads, go ignored.\n\nTech-savvy sceptics also argue that shutting down these groups is like trying to hold back the tide; the internet â' much like life in dinosaur theme parks- always finds a way, and monitoring every chat for radar alerts is a near-impossible task.\n\nFirst WhatsApp group fines already rolling in\n\nAlthough the full force of the new traffic law wonât hit until 2025, it hasnât stopped the DGT from cracking down early. The first victims of the new regime have already been hit with heavy fines in Galicia. A company behind a radar alert app and an individual managing multiple WhatsApp groups with over 15,000 members have been among the first to feel the sting.\n\nBut the steely-eyed DGT isnât backing down. They insist these measures are crucial to keeping roads safe, ensuring drivers arenât dodging checkpoints that could catch drink drivers, speed demons, or even criminals on the run.\n\nSo, if youâre still lurking in one of these groups, you might want to hit that âleaveâ button before your bank balance takes a serious hit!\n\nStay tuned to the Euro Weekly News for more local stories that matter. \n\nRead more news in English from around Spain.\n\nGet more Costa del Sol news today.

Queen Mary of Denmarkâs birthday and Genoveva Casanovaâs speculative selfie
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 08:54:46Today is Queen Mary of Denmarkâs 53rd birthday (February 5). To commemorate the occasion, the Danish Royal House shared a new portrait of the queen.\n\nThe image was taken by photographer Steen Evald at Amalienborg. The Danish palace accompanied the post with a message, stating:\nâHer Majesty the Queen has a birthday and is turning 53 today. Because of the birthday, a new portrait of the Queen is published.â\n\nMaryâs journey to the Danish throne came after Queen Margrethe II announced her renunciation on New Yearâs Eve 2023, stepping down after 52 years of reign. Her decision, she stated, was made as ânow is the right time.â The transition officially took place on January 14, 2024.\n\nAt his proclamation, Frederik acknowledged the importance of his wifeâs support, stating:\nâI need all the support I can get. From my beloved wife, from my family, from you and from that which is greater than us.â\n\nMaryâs trip to her homeland of Australia took place just weeks before the royal succession. While she travelled with her youngest children, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, her eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, remained in Denmark due to school commitments.\n\nResurfacing speculation surrounding King Frederikâs alleged affair\n\nWhile Queen Maryâs birthday was celebrated with warm wishes from the palace, media attention has also focused on the resurfacing of speculation surrounding King Frederikâs alleged affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova.\n\nCasanova, 48, who was linked to Frederik in late 2023, posted on Instagram on Maryâs birthday, sharing a smiling selfie with the caption âhow beautiful is the snow.â While she has consistently denied any romantic connection with the Danish King, her post coincided with the palaceâs release of a new official portrait of Queen Mary, prompting further speculation.\n\nIn order to evade scrutiny regarding her connections to the Danish King, the Madrid-based celebrity allegedly went âinto hidingâ during the proclamation event in January of last year, according to Sky News Australia.\n\nMeanwhile, Mary continues to embrace her new role as Queen, with public appearances and royal engagements reflecting her ongoing commitment to Denmark. One of her recent ventures included a podcast aimed at tackling youth loneliness.

Finlandâs Capital Gains Tax loopholes
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 03:31:26Finland is particularly vulnerable to tax revenue losses as wealthy individuals shift their capital to countries with favourable tax regimes, a new report by the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) has revealed.\n\nThe report, titled âTackling Tax Avoidance â' Reforming Capital Income Taxation in the EUâ, highlights how tax benefits in various European countries encourage transnational tax avoidance, costing Finland and other EU nations billionsâ.\n\nEuropeâs billionaire-friendly tax havens\n\nThe report examined capital gains taxation across 15 European countries and found that 11 of them offer preferential tax treatment to wealthy foreigners. For example, non-residents in Spain are only taxed on income and capital gains from Spanish sources, while foreign capital gains remain tax-free. Meanwhile Malta has earned the reputation of being a tax haven for the wealthy. One of the main attractions of Malta is its corporate tax system that allows some companies to reduce their effective tax rate to as low as 5 per cent for foreign shareholders.\n\nWith loopholes like these, the report warns of an escalating ârace to the bottom,â where nations compete to attract wealth at the expense of tax fairness.\n\nFinlandâs tax loopholes\n\nUnlike other countries, Finland has not typically taxed the increase in asset value when moved to low-tax countries. In 2022, an exit tax was proposed aiming to change this by taxing people who had lived in Finland for at least four of the last ten years before moving abroad.\n\nFinland also offers lower tax rates on dividends from unlisted companies, with part of these earnings being tax-free if they equal up to 8 per cent of the companyâs share value.\n\nLauri Finér, from the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, said Finlandâs tax system lets the wealthiest avoid paying their fair share. âMoney will always find its way to low-tax jurisdictions,â he told Helsingin Sanomat, calling for stricter rules.\n\nWealthy tax dodgers in the EU\n\nThe report calls for urgent EU-wide reforms to stop tax base erosion. The first recommendation is for a minimum capital gains tax rate across all EU countries. It also suggests an anti-tax avoidance directive (ATAD) for capital income, including an exit tax, plus other proposals.\n\nWealth inequality in Finland\n\nStudies have shown that wealth inequality in Finland has widened since the 1990s, with the richest 1 per cent accumulating significantly more wealth while middle-income earners have seen minimal gains. This shift has been linked to Finlandâs dual-income tax model, introduced in the early 1990s, which taxes capital gains at a lower rate than earned incomeâ.\n\nWhile the EU has taken steps to curb corporate tax avoidance with a 15 per cent minimum corporate tax, experts say capital gains taxation is the next battle.\n\nRead the full report.\n\nView all news in Finland.

Weather Forecast for Thursday 6 February, 2025 in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la HoradadaÂ
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 06:31:50Detailed Weather Forecast â' February 6th\n\nOn February 6, 2025, the region will experience variable weather conditions throughout the day. In the early hours of the morning, the sky will be partly cloudy with minimum temperatures around 6ºC and maximum temperatures reaching 16ºC. The perceived temperature will be somewhat lower, with a minimum of 4ºC. Relative humidity will remain high, ranging between 55% and 95%.\n\nAs the morning progresses, the sky will become cloudy, but there is no chance of precipitation. Temperatures will remain in a similar range, while the thermal sensation will be stable. In the evening, cloudiness will increase, resulting in very cloudy skies, but rain is still not expected. At night, conditions will improve slightly with partly cloudy skies.\n\nOn Friday, February 7, it is expected to be mostly stable with partly cloudy skies in the morning and a slight chance of light rain showers in the afternoon. However, towards the afternoon and evening, the sky will clear completely, offering pleasant weather. Temperatures will rise slightly, reaching highs of up to 19ºC.\n\nAs for the weekend, Saturday, February 8th will be mostly clear with a slight chance of rain, around 5%. Temperatures will be within the usual range for this time of year in Torrevieja. Sunday, February 9th will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of rain at 10%.\n\nFinally, Monday, February 10 will continue with conditions similar to the previous day. Cloudy intervals are expected to persist throughout the day. Temperatures will remain moderate with highs close to 17ºC and lows around 8ºC.

35-hour working week, a 'red line' for Balearic hospitality industry negotiations
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 06:34:00On Thursday, negotiations will finally start for the new collective bargaining agreement that affects some 180,000 workers in the Balearic hospitality industry. This agreement is due to come into effect from the first of April this year and will update the existing agreement that was for two years; these agreements normally cover four-year periods.\nHospitality is the largest employment sector in the Balearics, and as the agreement is directly related to tourism, it attracts way more attention than similar agreements for the likes of retail, construction or agriculture. The two most recent agreements were said to have been 'historic' because of the scale of pay increases and the introduction of measures to reduce workload, e.g. the 2023 agreement regarding the work of hotel chambermaids. At the end of 2017, the Mallorca Hoteliers Federation stunned the unions and the Balearic Government by opening the negotiations with the offer of a 17% pay increase over four years (2018-2022). The unions had been looking for ten per cent. The negotiations were done and dusted in record time.\nThe pandemic affected that agreement and the timing of its revision. 2023's was something of an interim measure, an 8.3% pay increase over two years having reflected the 2017 agreement in that it contained one year with a five per cent rise; the 2017 agreement had two years with five per cent.\nPrior to 2017 there had never been an increase as high as five per cent. This time round the unions want another 'historic' agreement that will exceed five per cent, be this for one year or more. The unions will also be pressing for a series of measures regarding working conditions. Top of the list is a reduction to the working week.\nWhile the Spanish Government has announced an intended 37.5-hour working week, subject to approval by Congress, the two main unions involved with the hospitality negotiations have in any event set out their positions for 37.5 hours and for 35 hours. The CCOO wants 37.5 while the UGT wants 35. The UGT has a greater representation around the negotiating table than the CCOO. Both the unions have muscle, but the UGT's is the more powerful voice. In the lead-up to the negotiations, the UGT has been speaking in terms of its 'red lines' - plus-five per cent pay is one, the 35-hour week is another.\nThe employers have rejected both these demands. However, the employers are far from equally represented. They include the hoteliers federations in Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza/Formentera, the CAEB Restaurants Association, similar bodies for bars and restaurants from the other islands, and the ABONE nightlife association. Such is the representation that in theory the Mallorca hoteliers and the UGT could between them strike a majority agreement that the others would have to follow. While this is most unlikely to happen, this weighting highlights the junior nature of the restaurants and nightlife in particular. They weren't happy with either the 2017 or the 2023 agreement.\nWhere the government is concerned, the Partido Popular have said they will adopt a hands-off approach to the negotiations. This will be by contrast to 2017 and 2023, when the PSOE-led government was very much hands-on. A worry going into the negotiations is that the government will have to become involved. The two sides - employers and unions - appear to be far apart, which does raise the spectre of potential industrial action.

Tips for Navigating Commercial Property Transactions
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 06:57:42Navigating commercial property transactions can be a complex process, whether youâre buying, selling, or leasing. From legal considerations to financial negotiations, every step requires careful planning and strategic decision-making. A single misstep could lead to costly delays, unexpected liabilities, or missed opportunities. Thatâs why understanding the key factors involved is crucial to ensuring a smooth and successful deal.\n\nIn this guide, weâll walk you through eight essential tips to help you navigate commercial property transactions with confidence. Whether youâre a seasoned investor or a first-time buyer, these insights will help you avoid common pitfalls, secure favorable terms, and make informed decisions. Without further ado, letâs get started. \n\nConduct Thorough Due Diligence Before Committing\n\nBefore entering any commercial property transaction, conducting due diligence is essential. This process involves reviewing zoning laws, environmental regulations, property conditions, and potential legal encumbrances. A detailed property inspection can uncover structural issues, while a title search ensures there are no outstanding liens or disputes. \n\nAdditionally, researching market trends and comparable sales in the area can help you determine if the property is priced fairly. Understanding the financial health of an investment, such as existing leases or tenant agreements, is equally important. Skipping due diligence can result in unforeseen complications, so take the time to verify all crucial details before making any commitments.\n\nUnderstand the Financial Implications and Costs\n\nBeyond the purchase price, commercial property transactions come with various costs, including taxes, maintenance, insurance, and legal fees. You should also consider financing options and their long-term impact on your investment. Interest rates, loan terms, and repayment schedules can significantly affect profitability. \n\nBe aware of hidden costs such as zoning compliance fees, renovation expenses, or property management costs. Assessing cash flow projections and return on investment (ROI) calculations will help determine whether the deal aligns with your financial goals. A well-structured budget and financial plan will ensure you can handle both expected and unexpected expenses.\n\nAlways Seek Professional Expertise\n\nCommercial real estate transactions involve complex legal, financial, and regulatory aspects that require expert guidance. Engaging professionals such as real estate attorneys, accountants, and commercial property brokers can help you navigate these challenges effectively. \n\nFor instance, you can engage a conveyancing solicitor to handle title searches, and contract reviews, and ensure compliance with local laws, reducing the risk of legal disputes. They will also ensure that all necessary documentation is properly drafted and filed, preventing potential delays or legal complications.\n\nFinancial advisors can also assess the investmentâs viability, while property surveyors evaluate structural integrity. Attempting to manage everything alone can lead to costly mistakes, so leveraging the expertise of professionals will streamline the process and enhance the success of your transaction.\n\nNegotiate Terms That Align with Your Objectives\n\nSuccessful commercial property transactions require strong negotiation skills. Whether youâre buying, selling, or leasing, negotiating favorable terms can save money and mitigate risks. Key areas to focus on include price adjustments, lease terms, contingencies, and repair responsibilities. Buyers may negotiate for extended due diligence periods or seller concessions, while sellers might seek higher earnest money deposits. \n\nUnderstanding the motivations of the other party can provide leverage in discussions. Always ensure that agreed-upon terms are clearly outlined in the contract to prevent misunderstandings later. A strategic approach to negotiation will help secure a deal that aligns with your long-term business or investment goals.\n\nBe Aware of Zoning and Land Use Regulations\n\nEvery commercial property is subject to zoning laws and land use restrictions that dictate how it can be utilized. Before finalizing a transaction, confirm that the propertyâs zoning aligns with your intended use. Some areas may prohibit certain businesses, impose height or signage restrictions, or require special permits for modifications. \n\nFailing to comply with these regulations can result in hefty fines, operational disruptions, or even the inability to use the property as planned. Consulting with local authorities or a zoning attorney can provide clarity on applicable laws, ensuring your business or investment aligns with municipal planning and development guidelines.\n\nEvaluate the Location and Market Trends\n\nLocation plays a crucial role in the success of a commercial property investment. Assessing factors like accessibility, foot traffic, economic growth, and competition in the area can influence profitability. A property in a high-demand district with strong infrastructure and business activity is likely to appreciate in value. \n\nAnalyzing market trends, such as vacancy rates and rental price fluctuations, can also provide insight into potential risks or opportunities. If the area is undergoing major developments, future property value may increase. A comprehensive location analysis will ensure you invest in a property with strong potential for long-term success and profitability.\n\nSecure Favorable Financing Terms\n\nUnless youâre purchasing a property with cash, securing the right financing is critical to a successful transaction. Understanding different loan options, such as traditional bank loans, commercial mortgages, or private lending, will help you choose the best financing structure. \n\nLenders evaluate factors like creditworthiness, debt-service coverage ratio, and loan-to-value ratio before approving financing. \n\nComparing interest rates, repayment terms, and prepayment penalties will ensure you secure favorable terms that support your investment goals. Additionally, having a solid financial plan in place can improve your chances of securing a loan with competitive rates. Proper financing can enhance cash flow and overall investment returns.\n\nPrepare for Potential Risks and Future Challenges\n\nCommercial property transactions come with inherent risks, including market downturns, tenant vacancies, and unexpected maintenance costs. A proactive risk management strategy can help mitigate potential setbacks. Conducting a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) will provide insight into possible challenges and how to address them. \n\nAdditionally, securing proper insurance coverage and setting aside contingency funds can protect your investment from financial strain. \n\nUnderstanding economic shifts and industry trends will also help you anticipate changes that could impact property value. By planning for potential risks in advance, you can make more resilient and informed commercial property decisions.\n\nImage Source: Pixabay\n\nNavigating commercial property transactions requires careful planning, thorough research, and strategic decision-making. From conducting due diligence and understanding financial implications to securing favorable financing and complying with zoning laws, each step plays a vital role in ensuring a successful deal. \n\nSeeking professional expertise can prevent costly mistakes, while strong negotiation skills help secure the best terms. Additionally, evaluating market trends and preparing for potential risks will strengthen your investment strategy. By applying these eight essential tips, you can confidently approach commercial property transactions, minimize risks, and maximize returns. \n\nWith the right knowledge and approach, your next deal can be a profitable success.\n\nMain Image: Pexels

Big Band Bonanza!
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 07:10:56On Saturday, January 25, 300 guests enjoyed a fantastic concert at the auditorium of the House of Culture.\n\nThe Big BAAM Band, which originated in 2015 in Callosa dâen Sarria, did not disappoint as they entertained with an incredible showcase of Latin music.\n\nThe ensemble consists of approximately twenty talented young musicians who all reside locally in the Marina Alta and Marina Baixa regions. Their previous projects have displayed a diverse range of influences, including âHomenaje a Tower of Power,â which celebrated the legendary funky-soul formation, and âSwing Tribute,â a nostalgic homage to the timeless classics of the big band era.\n\nBig BAAM Band collaborated with acclaimed Cuban musician Juan Mungia\n\nFor this concert, they were privileged to have the opportunity to collaborate with the internationally acclaimed Cuban musician Juan Mungia. A celebrated member of the Latin-jazz group Irakere, he has performed alongside legendary figures including Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito DâRivera, and Chucho Valdes, to name a few.\n\nOver the years, and under the skilled direction of Lolo Garcia, a talented musician and conductor, the band has developed a unique sound and identity.\n\nThis concert not only highlighted the bandâs extraordinary journey but also reinforced the importance of community connection through the power of live music.\n\nPrefer to read your local news all in one place? Check out our online newspapers for your weekly local news fix.

RÃo Maitena Hike
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 07:31:09Almuñécar's Hiking Agenda begins this Sunday the 9th with a walk along the old Sierra de Nevada (narrow-guage) railway line.\n\nItâs a circular route (starting and concluding in Güéjar Sierra) and will take around five hours, taking in The Camino de Haza Llana, the Fabriquilla Bridge, railway tunnels, The Chorrera, the RÃo Maitena , RÃo Genil River, the Arroyo de San Juan hanging bridge and the beginning of the Vereda de la Estrella. Footpath.\n\nThis yearâs hiking agenda contains twelve routes with the above being the first one.\n\nThose that would like to participate should put their names down at the Municipal Sports Stadium by tomorrow afternoon latest. The office is open from 09.00h to 14.00h and then from 17.00h to 22.00h.\n\nFor more information you can also phone 958 883 142 or 673 369 309.\n\n(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)\n\nKeywords: Hiking, Güéjar Sierra, Sierra de Nevada Disused Railway, RÃo Maitena, Fabriquilla\n\nnews, andalucia, granada, costa tropical, almunecar, hiking, güéjar sierra, sierra de nevada disused railway, rÃo maitena, fabriquilla

Salobreña Desbandá Exhibition
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 07:38:49You had better hurry because you have until this coming Sunday (the 9th) to view the photo exhibitions that are set up in the Municipal Library of Salobreña with the subject of the Desbanda in 1937.\n\nThe exhibitions are Mar de Enea and Haciendo Camino by VÃctor Mercury and La Columna de Los Ocho Mil by José González Barrero.\n\nThe first two are the fruit of a research project and showing images of those ten days of the fleeing column of mainly civilians, chased by Francoâs fascist troops. They not only include photos but also narrations left by those that participated in the march.\n\nIn the case of The Column of the Eight Thousand by González Barrero, it recounts the first exodus of the Spanish Civil War that took place in September 1936 in the lands of Extremadura, where thousands of people had to flee from the south of the province of Badajoz to Azuaga. \n\nAlthough several thousand managed to reach their destination, nearly two thousand were caught and killed during the escape at the hands of Francoâs soldiers.\n\n(News: Salobreña, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)\n\nKeywords: Desbandá, Photo Exhibition, Narratives by Survivors, Civilians, Franco\n\nnews, andalucia, granada, costa tropical, salobrena, desbandá, photo exhibition, narratives by survivors, civilians, franco

Sharron Davies urges Starmer to ban trans from womenâs sports
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 07:40:48Former Olympic swimmer and sports commentator, Sharron Davies, has commended the Trump administration for signing an executive order banning so-called âtrans athletesâ from competing in sports outside their sex category. Now, she is urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to follow suit.\n\nDavies wrote on X: âPlease, Keir Starmer, can you now do as you said you would and protect all female athletes here in the UK and stop males from stealing their places, awards and increasing their risk of injury? Sex in sport really matters.â\n\nThe plea comes after President Donald Trump signed the executive order, honouring his election pledge to âkeep men out of womenâs sports.â\n\nDavies and scores of others have been particularly vocal in recent years in noting an increasing trend of males claiming to be females and participating in the womenâs category of numerous sports. Davies and others have consistently claimed that âmediocre male athletes are stealing womenâs medals.â\n\nSharron Davies tells Starmer âfor too long transgender inclusion has trumped womenâs rightsâ\n\nShe argues that âFor too long, those responsible for setting policy within sports have prioritised transgender inclusion over the rights of female athletes.â In 2024, the former Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer, wrote to sporting bodies, including the Football Association, and said they had a âdutyâ to take an âunambiguous positionâ on whether transgender athletes can compete in sports against their opposite sex.\n\nIn 2024, American âtransâ athlete, Lia Thomas, formally âWill Thomasâ, lost his legal battle against a decision to bar him from competing against women in swimming events. The ban had been imposed in 2022 by World Swimmingâs governing body. The World Aquatics Association responded by launching a new âtransâ category in addition to menâs and womenâs categories. However, the first competition received no applications, and so the category was dropped.\n\nNow, for the first time in the US, the executive order signed by Trump unifies in law a definitive rule to keep sports separated by sex and not verbally affirmed âgender identityâ, effectively blocking trans athletes from anywhere in the world competing inside the United States, and consequently impeding them from competing in any international competition that has events in the US.\n\nKeir Starmer is yet to respond to demands that he shift his policy to be more in line with Trump and bar trans people from single-sex sports, but given recent indications that he intends to cozy up more with the US administration, we may well see the same policy entering British sports too.

Sun, sea, and sold: Europeans flock to Spainâs luxe homes
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 07:42:16In recent years, there has been a growing interest among foreigners in purchasing properties in Spain, particularly high-end homes with hefty price tags.\n\nThese luxurious villas and mansions have attracted wealthy European buyers eager to own a residence in the country. The provinces that stand out for these millionaires include Alicante, Malaga, Girona, and the Balearic Islands.\n\nA recent study by the real estate portal Idealista has examined the preferences of European citizens when it comes to acquiring large properties. The study focuses on neighbourhoods, districts, and towns where more than 60 per cent of the interest in luxury homes â' valued at over â¬1.5 million â' comes from foreign buyers.\n\nAlicante stands out with nine areas that are especially appealing to European buyers. One such area falls within Costa Blanca South, La Zenia in Orihuela has a 61.7 per cent foreign interest, with the majority of buyers coming from Sweden.

Karaoke night at Casa Italia!
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 08:00:38Get ready to belt out your favourite tunes and show off your vocal chops at Casa Italia in Fuengirola this Friday, February 7, at 7:30 PM! This magical karaoke night is the perfect opportunity for both seasoned performers and casual karaoke lovers to take the stage and enjoy a night of fun and music.\n\nWhether youâre a seasoned pro or just in it for the laughs, everyone is welcome to join the crowd and have a blast. Casa Italia promises a warm, welcoming atmosphere where the music flows as freely as the fun. Youâll be surrounded by good company, lively energy, and the thrill of live music â' what could be better?\n\nNo matter your singing skills, karaoke nights are all about letting loose and enjoying the moment. So grab the mic, sing your heart out, and maybe even discover a hidden talent or two! Donât worry if youâre not the next superstar â' itâs all about the fun and the community vibe.\n\nSo, grab your friends, warm up those vocal cords, and head over to Casa Italia for a night thatâs sure to be filled with music, laughter, and memories. Letâs get ready to sing like nobodyâs listening!\n\nRead more news in English from around Spain.\n\nGet more Costa del Sol news today.

Belgian broadcaster sparks debate by delaying Trumpâs speech
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-24 00:00:11RTBF delays broadcast over concerns about Trumpâs past remarks\nBelgiumâs French-speaking broadcaster, RTBF, has found itself at the centre of a heated discussion after deciding to delay the live airing of Donald Trumpâs inaugural speech. The decision, according to RTBFâs deputy editorial director Aurélie Didier, was made to give their team time to review and analyse the speech for potential content they deemed racist, xenophobic, or hateful.\n\nâWeâve observed instances in the past where Donald Trump made comments that could incite hatred or spread misinformation,â Didier explained during an interview with Ciné-Télé-Revue. âDelaying the speech gave us time to contextualise and ensure that such rhetoric isnât normalised. This isnât about censorship; itâs about responsibility.â\n\nRTBF said it relied on expert analysis to assess Trumpâs comments, including claims he made about migrants and his ongoing denial of the 2020 US election results.\n\nBacklash Over âCensorshipâ allegations\n\nNot everyone supported RTBFâs decision. Georges-Louis Bouchez, leader of Belgiumâs Liberal MR Party, accused the broadcaster of acting as a âcensorship board.â Taking to X, he wrote: âItâs not the job of a public broadcaster to decide what people can and cannot hear. RTBF is overstepping its role.â\n\nBouchez also called for a review of the public broadcasterâs state subsidies, arguing that its actions raised questions about impartiality. âThe time for unchecked funding is over,â he stated.\n\nThe criticism didnât stop there. Investigative journalist Alessandra dâAngelo labelled RTBFâs approach as a symptom of what she called âwoke overreach,â while former politician Drieu Godefridi likened their methods to state-controlled media, saying, âAre Belgians really so incapable of forming their own opinions?â\n\nRTBF stands its ground\n\nDespite the backlash, RTBF defended its decision, emphasising the need for editorial discretion when dealing with contentious figures. Didier stated, âWeâre not pro or anti-Trump. Our role is to present the facts responsibly. Highlighting his strengths doesnât mean we should ignore his more divisive remarks.â\n\nThe move has sparked a broader debate about freedom of speech, media responsibility, and the boundaries of journalistic discretion. While some view RTBFâs actions as a thoughtful approach to prevent misinformation, others see it as a troubling precedent for how public broadcasters handle democratically elected leaders.\n\nFind more news about Belgium

Gluten-free cooking in Villajoyosa
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 07:30:55One of the most pleasurable things in life is having someone else cook for us, even better if it occurs at a lovely restaurant with great company.\n\nI met with Matthias at his restaurant, MADE in Villajoyosa, an exquisite gluten-free restaurant in a beautiful setting overlooking the sea. Originally from France, in addition to being the head chef, Matthias is also the owner. I asked him about the restaurantâs name choice, and he explained that it came from the English word âhome-madeâ, which also coincides with the initials of his Spanish wife, their two children, and himself.\n\nOwner Matthias was inspired to open a gluten-free restaurant on account of his son\n\nHis son, who was diagnosed as gluten-intolerant, inspired Matthias to open a gluten-free restaurant in 2022.\n\nOf course, this is not without its challenges but Matthias has built strong relationships with local companies to ensure that everything on his menu is 100 per cent gluten free.\n\nWith a love of Spain, Matthias enjoys sourcing his produce locally and from other areas of Spain. âThe meat is from Polop, tuna from Barcelona, baby clams from Galicia and Cadiz, and in October and November from Villajoysa,â he explained.\n\nMatthias loves to be creative with his menu, and one of his unique dishes uses cuttlefish as the primary ingredient. However, instead of cooking it âa la planchaâ as most do, he prefers to make small burgers and serve with salmonete, a fish typically found in a traditional paella, caramelised onions, and almonds.\n\nHe has also been inspired by the typical drink of Villajoyosa, El Nardo, to prepare a âVillamisuâ, replacing amaretto found in tiramisu with coffee and absinthe.\n\nPrefer your news all in one place? Our FREE online newspapers provide the perfect local weekly news fix!

Calpe U3A General Meeting
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 07:37:59January 17 marked the first Coffee and General meeting of the Calpe U3A. Despite the absolutely dreadful weather, a remarkable turnout of 42 members made their way to Yodel. \n\nThe atmosphere inside was lively but hectic, as many members rushed to complete their membership renewals, which were due. Thankfully, their fantastic team of Dairong, Jo, and John stepped up to manage the long queue, ensuring that everyone was attended to efficiently.\n\nJohn Dale performed monologues at the Calpe U3A General Meeting\n\nAmidst the hustle and bustle, John Dale provided the entertainment with an impressive performance of three monologues, which everyone enjoyed while sipping their coffee and mingling with fellow members. The Committee extends its gratitude to John for his performance.\n\nAlthough the heavy downpour persisted throughout the morning, it finally began to lighten as members were leaving, bringing a touch of relief. For those interested in staying updated, more details about all upcoming events can be found at www.u3acalpe.org.\n\nPrefer your news all in one place? Our FREE online newspapers provide the perfect local weekly news fix!

Explore Elche: Free fun at lâHort dels Pontos
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 07:36:08Elche has confirmed the programme of activities for the Casa-Museo de lâHort dels Pontos, running from January to August 2025.\n\nThe schedule features over twenty free events for all ages, held on various Saturdays.\n\nA notable addition this year is the hooding of two palm trees at lâHort dels Pontos, providing a live demonstration of the process used to produce the iconic white palm. Other activities include workshops on gastronomy, white palm production, esparto grass, and pottery, along with exhibitions, guided tours, dramatised visits, environmental walks, outdoor summer cinema, and traditional games.\n\nAll activities are free, but registration is required through the Puçol School Museumâs email pontos@museopusol.com or by phone (+34) 965 938 985. For more information, head to the website: museopusol.com.\n\nIn 2024, the Casa-Museo welcomed more than 9,000 visitors, with over 1,500 participants attending 25 Saturday activities from April to December. Additionally, 41 guided tours of the museum were conducted.\n\nRafael MartÃnez, director of the Puçol School Museum, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project to transform the house into a museum, noting that the growing visitor numbers reflect its success.

Malagaâs new traffic cameras âgotchaâ â' watch out!
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-24 09:58:24Donât speed in Málaga â' or you might just get caught!\n\nIn a move to clamp down on speeding, the DGT (Spainâs General Directorate of Traffic) has rolled out two new radar systems in Málaga â' and theyâre already in action! Drivers better beware â' though thereâs a small grace period before the fines start rolling in.\n\nFrom now until the end of February, the first offenders who get âsnaggedâ by the radar will receive nothing more than a warning letter â' no fines just yet. But once that grace period ends, itâs game on for drivers caught speeding.\n\nThe big picture: two radars, multiple warnings\n\nThe first radar is situated on the MA-20, the dreaded Ronda Oeste, before the Carlos Haya tunnel heading eastwards. This speed trap is on a notorious stretch of road known for its accidents caused by tailgating and speeding. Tailgating on the Costa del Sol?; you say. Yes, rumour has it that tailgating happens here. \n\nThe new system is there to enforce an 80 km/h limit between the 9.3 and 10.3 kilometre markers. This area has seen more than its fair share of accidents and incidents involving kamikaze driving, and the DGT is hoping this radar will put the brakes on the chaos.\n\nMeanwhile, the second radar has taken position on the A-7054 near Campanillas, right at kilometre 3.5, on the route heading toward Pizarra. As this is an âinterurbanâ road, the speed limit is set at 50 km/h, and itâs positioned right by the Famadesa plant. Drivers will need to stay alert, or they could be the ones getting caught in the net.\n\nMore radar action across Málaga\n\nThese new radars are just the beginning. There are now more machines already up and running â' and even more coming soon. For example, two radars have already been activated in the San Rafael area of Málaga city. Situated near Cortijo de Torres and the Victoria Kent commuter train station, these speed traps are set at 50 km/h on both sides of the road. Theyâve been active since mid-January, so no excuses here. \n\nBut thatâs not all. This month, 24 new radars have been switched on across Spain â' 17 fixed ones and 7 more of the mobile, âsectionâ variety. So far, Málaga isnât the only hotspot. New devices are also in action across provinces like A Coruña, Alicante, Valencia, and more. The DGT is really ramping up the pressure to get drivers to obey the speed limits.\n\nGet ready for a safer, slower Málaga\n\nWhile many will see this as a necessary step for safer roads, others might be grumbling about the sudden âspeed trap frenzy.â The DGTâs strategy is clear: fewer accidents, fewer injuries, and a calmer driving environment. With nearly 30 new speed cameras coming to Málaga, itâs only a matter of time before these tools of the trade become a part of everyday life on the cityâs roads.\n\nSo, next time youâre driving through Málaga, keep your foot off the pedal and your eyes peeled. The DGTâs âbig brotherâ is watching â' and theyâre not shy about sending you a warning⦠or a fine.\n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nGet more in English from around the Costa del Sol.

Palma Airportâs new tool: Bringing peace to the locals
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-24 09:39:51Palma de Mallorca Airport has introduced a new acoustic information tool to enhance communication and transparency with nearby communities. \n\nThis initiative aligns with Aenaâs commitment to improving the well-being of people living near the airport.\n\nThe tool, called Insightfull, is an interactive website that provides detailed information about airport operations. Users can access data such as flight paths and noise levels in their area, making it easy to understand the airportâs impact on their surroundings.\n\nInsightfull is already in use at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat and Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airports, as well as international airports like Toronto, London-Gatwick, Sydney, and San Francisco. The platform offers georeferenced data, enabling dynamic and user-specific content tailored to each location and the challenges the airport faces.\n\nCompared to the WebTrak tool currently in use, Insightfull provides a simpler way to understand key aspects of airport operations, including the reasons behind specific activities.\n\nPalma de Mallorca Airport has six noise measurement terminals located in areas agreed upon with nearby municipalities. These terminals provide essential data for the new platform.

Hidden gem of Alicante: Why Biar deserves your attention
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-24 10:03:38According to âViajarâ magazine, Biar stands out as the most underrated town in the province of Alicante.\n\nWhile places like Altea and Guadalest enjoy widespread recognition for their beauty, Biar often remains in the shadows despite its numerous attractions.\n\nThe magazineâs recent list highlights towns that, despite their charm and historical significance, donât receive the attention they deserve. Biar, in the Alto Vinalopó, combines rich history, traditions, and stunning landscapes.\n\nUnlike neighbouring tourist towns like Villena and Alcoy, Biarâs appeal lies in its historical depth and scenic beauty rather than tourism-driven economies. The town boasts a remarkable medieval castle that played a pivotal role in Spainâs history, witnessing events such as the reconquest and conflicts between Moors and Christians.\n\nSituated 650 metres above sea level, Biar historically served as a crucial passage between Castile and the Mediterranean, shaping its cultural and historical identity. Visitors are captivated upon arrival by its ancient castle and 12th-century Muslim-built walls.\n\nThe panoramic views from the castle offer great sights of the townâs historic core and its surroundings. Another notable feature is the Medieval Aqueduct, constructed in 1490, showcasing the municipalityâs engineering prowess in managing irrigation and flood control.\n\nDespite its hidden gem status, Biar remains relatively undiscovered by tourists who often opt for more popular coastal destinations or well-known towns. The magazine emphasises that Biarâs impressive heritage and natural beauty make it a deserving destination for travellers looking beyond the beaten path in Alicante province.

EU passenger transport trends: What expats need to know
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-24 09:42:40For expats living in the EU, The Key Figures on European Transport 2024 report from Eurostat provides fascinating insights into how people across Europe are travelling.\n\nUnderstanding your regionâs passenger transport trends can make navigating your new home easier and more eco-conscious. Hereâs what you need to know.\n\nCars remain King, but alternatives are growing\n\nPassenger cars remain the most popular way to get around the EU, representing 72.2 per cent of all passenger kilometres in 2022. For expats in car-centric countries like Italy with the highest car ownership at 694 cars per 1,000 inhabitants, owning a car might be a practical necessity.\n\nHowever, if youâre relocating to cities like Paris, Amsterdam, or Vienna, consider using public transport or biking. These areas have invested heavily in eco-friendly and urban mobility solutions, and car use is significantly lower.\n\nFlying high with air travel across Europe\n\nFor expats travelling frequently between their home country and the EU, air transport is rebounding after the COVID 19 pandemic lows. In 2022, 13.1 per cent of passenger kilometres in the EU were covered by air travel, with tourism-heavy countries like Croatia leading the way â' just over 40 per cent of passenger journeys were by plane.\n\nMany expats in southern Europe, especially in Spain and Portugal, benefit from budget airlines connecting smaller regional airports. Keep an eye out for low-cost airlines like Ryanair or Wizz Air, which often offer discounted routes.\n\nRail travel in Europe\n\nIf youâre an expat looking for a sustainable way to explore Europe, rail travel is a great choice. Countries including Austria and France lead the way, with residents travelling an impressive 1,463 km and 1,361 km per inhabitant, correspondingly, by train in 2023. High-speed networks such as the TGV in France or the ICE in Germany make train travel fast, efficient, and wonderfully scenic.\n\nAdditionally, interrail passes offer great options for expats who want to see Europe without the hassle of air travel with liquids in hand luggage, turbulence, and so on. Hereâs an article on Europeâs rail operators ranked.\n\nTravelling by buses or coaches in Europe\n\nBuses and coaches are a lifeline for expats in regions with fewer rail options or for those seeking cost-effective travel. In countries like Malta, Hungary, and Cyprus, buses account for more than 12 per cent of passenger transport. If youâre settling in Spain or Portugal, long-distance coach operators like ALSA and FlixBus provide comfortable and affordable travel across the region and beyond.\n\nSailing across Europe\n\nIf youâre an expat in Greece, Malta, or coastal areas of Croatia, maritime travel is likely to be part of your journey. While seagoing vessels account for less than 1 per cent of passenger transport EU-wide, Croatia leads with 2.5 per cent. Ferries are seen as essential for island hopping or short-distance commutes in Croatia.\n\nBest travel apps in Europe \n\nMuch of Europeâs transport systems are diverse and well-connected, making it easy to travel for work, leisure, or family visits. However, with so many options, having the right apps and services can make all the difference. Here are some recommended travel apps and online services:\n\nCitymapper and Moovit help you navigate bus, tram, and metro systems in urban centres with ease.\nRail Europe and Trainline streamline long-distance and regional train travel, while Interrail passes are ideal for multi-country adventures.\nWebsites including Skyscanner and Hopper can help you find cheap flights across the EU and beyond.\nBlaBlaCar connects drivers with passengers for cost-effective road trips, while SIXT offers flexible car rental options.\nLime, Tier, and Donkey Republic are perfect for eco-conscious expats looking to rent e-scooters or bikes in major European cities.\nOmio and Rome2Rio allow you to compare trains, buses, and flights in one go, perfect for planning complex journeys.\n\nWhether youâre commuting to work, planning a cross-border trip, or exploring your new home, understanding these trends and using the recommended apps and services can help you make the most of Europeâs transport systems.\n\nView all travel news.

Costa del Sol bar terraces increase tourism by 50 percent
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-24 10:52:11Recent studies have demonstrated that those bars and restaurants in the Costa del Sol attract 53 percent more customers than those without.\n\nIn a presentation given in the regional congress by Competur, a federation supporting the development of Costa del Sol tourism, the data shows that since the pandemic, the simple street terrace gives a significant competitive edge to establishments and highlights a positive impact on tourism.\n\nOne of the most striking pieces of data in their report indicates that towns with bar terraces receive 56 percent more Spanish tourists and 53 percent more international tourists than those that lack them. Also, for every 1,000 tourists who visit a town, more than nine jobs are created.\n\nAnother interesting element highlighted in their reports was of great interest to those villages in danger of a declining population in that those with more tourism reverse the depopulation trend as they begin to attract expats to buy homes there.\n\nSimple measures such as promoting bars and restaurants, allowing them to open street terraces, coupled with improving tourist facilities, can revive the population of a village. There are currently a large number of villages in the Malaga region in danger of losing their inhabitants and falling into economic decline, such as Yunquera and AlmogÃa.\n\nSpain is the second most visited country in the world and generates almost a quarter of its total employment through tourism. Emilio Gallego, General Secretary of Hospitality of Spain, emphasised that bars and restaurants not only contribute to the economy but are also spaces of coexistence and social cohesion.\n\nCompeturâs commitment, according to its president Ignacio Rivera, is to âprotect and promote tourism activity as an economic and social engine, especially in rural areas.â

Unusual blue rings in Scandinavian trees reveal a chilly past
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-24 10:07:30Scientists have been studying peculiar blue growth rings in the wood of trees and shrubs in Norway.\n\nThe markings have provided a fascinating glimpse into the climate history of the late 1800s. These rare blue rings, caused by unusually cold summers, offer valuable insight into past climatic events and their impact on vegetation in Scandinavia.\n\nWhat are blue rings in trees?\n\nBlue rings are formed when trees and shrubs experience growing seasons too cold for proper cell wall development, a process called lignification. Without sufficient warmth, the cells in the latewood of trees fail to solidify, resulting in blue rings when stained during research.\n\nâBlue rings look like unfinished growth rings and are associated with cold conditions during the growing season,â explained Dr Agata Buchwal, lead author of the study and a scientist at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland.\n\nThese rings are not just a visual anomaly but serve as natural archives of past cold summers. Researchers studying samples from Scots pine trees and juniper shrubs on Mount IÅ¡koras in northern Norway found blue rings in years such as 1902 and 1877, correlating with known climatic disturbances.\n\nVolcanic eruptions bring cold temperatures\n\nScientists believe volcanic eruptions in distant regions may have caused these cold summers. For instance, the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée in the Caribbean is linked to the coldest June on record in Scandinavia, which significantly delayed tree growth that year. Similarly, the Cotopaxi eruption in Ecuador in 1877 aligns with an unusually chilly August in Norway.\n\nHowever, researchers caution that not all the cold periods can be definitively tied to volcanic activity. Some events may involve additional, yet unidentified, factors.\n\nCold summers can weaken trees by disrupting their growth, leaving them more susceptible to mechanical damage and disease. If such conditions persist, this could have lasting impacts on forest ecosystems.\n\nBy combining tree ring data with historical weather records, scientists hope to build a clearer picture of climatic patterns over centuries. âIt would be great to establish a blue ring network based on trees and shrubs to reconstruct cooling events at the northern treeline over long timescales,â said Dr Buchwal.\n\nFor more details, read the full study in Frontiers in Plant Science.\n\nTrees in Norway. Credit: Pexels, Laura QU

Fuel prices hit the roof: Petrol and diesel costs skyrocket across Spain
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-26 10:03:22Drivers left fuming as prices reach summer 2024 highs again. \n\nThe cost of fuel has taken a sharp U-turn in Spain, leaving motorists clutching their wallets. The price of petrol has climbed by 1.29%, hitting â¬1.571 per litre on average while diesel isnât far behind, rising 1.9% to â¬1.499. These figures mark the steepest increase since the summer of 2024, according to the European Union Petroleum Bulletin for the week of January 14-21, 2025.\n\nItâs no secret that fuel costs are on the up, with prices now topping those seen a year ago. Experts say the trend has been steadily climbing since late 2024, and the numbers donât lie â' petrol is up 3.76% and diesel a whopping 4.67% since the start of the year.\n\nPump pain: Filling your tank now costs over â¬86!\n\nThe numbers hit home when it comes to filling up. With petrol averaging â¬1.571 a litre, drivers are forking out an average of â¬86.41 to fill a standard 55-litre tank. Thatâs nearly â¬2 more than this time last year when the same fill-up cost â¬84.42.\n\nDiesel users arenât catching much of a break either. At â¬1.499 per litre, filling up with diesel is now more expensive than at any point since last summer.\n\nPrice rollercoaster: From summer dips to winter spikes\n\nIt wasnât long ago that drivers were rejoicing at the pumps. Back in October 2024, petrol prices dropped by 8.9%, and diesel saw an even steeper fall of 9.2%. The summer of 2024, often a time of sky-high prices due to holiday traffic, brought unexpected relief â' but thatâs now a distant memory.\n\nBargain hunters: Where to find Spainâs cheapest fuel\n\nNot all hope is lost for savvy drivers willing to shop around. The cheapest fuel in mainland Spain can be found in Zamudio, Bizkaia. At Gasolinera Zamudio and Petroprix, a litre of 95-octane petrol is going for just â¬1.349 â' a rare silver lining in an otherwise cloudy forecast.\n\nFor those looking to track prices in their area, the Geoportal of the Ministry for Ecological Transition provides updated information daily, helping drivers avoid burning a hole in their pockets at the pumps.\n\nThe bottom line? Fuel prices are back on the rise, and thereâs no telling when the pain at the pumps will ease. For now, drivers are urged to fill up wisely and take advantage of the few stations offering relief.\n\nStay tuned to the Euro Weekly News. \n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nRead more news in English from around Europe.

Big development plans for Torrox
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-26 09:30:55Torrox mayor Oscar Medina and Town Planning councillor Paula Moreno announced two new projects during their recent visit to the Fitur tourism fair in Madrid.\n\nThe initiative, based on the three million square metres of Torrox land that was available, promised to be one of the most important in Spain, Medina said.\n\nThe Calaceite development of 4,600 properties, a shopping zone, leisure centre and natural swimming pools would be a frontrunner on the Costa del Sol, he added.\n\nEight hundred of the new homes would be state-backed, the mayor revealed.\n\nâThat will be important for our young people who want to get a foot on the property ladder,â Medina said.\n\nThe Puerto Narixa scheme envisages 1,200 new properties surrounded by 425,000 metres of green areas and includes a shopping centre.\n\nâThis is an opportunity for Torrox and we have all the ingredients to ensure that the initiative is a success,â the mayor added.\n\nâWe want to set an example of sustainable development that will be environmentally friendly and integrated into the local scenery.â\n\nCalaceite and Puerto Narixa would complement each other and the projects would be completed with a marina and golf course to create prosperity and employment, Medina said.\n\nPaulo Moreno also pointed out that as the Calaceite project was entirely new, it could be planned in an âorderly and sustainable manner.â

LâANC avisa els partits independentistes: âMai més serem la vostra crossaâ
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-26 09:08:31LâAssemblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) ha presentat aquest dissabte el seu full de ruta -aprovat amb el 83% dels vots- en un acte a lâAteneu Barcelonès on ha aprofitat per llançar un avÃs als partits independentistes. âDel difÃcil procés que hem viscut nâhem guanyat un aprenentatge taxatiu: en la lluita per la independència, mai més serem la vostra crossaâ, ha afirmat el president de lâANC, LluÃs Llach, davant de representants de Junts, ERC i la CUP. âNo ens crideu a participar en la gestió autonomista de la colònia ni en el sotmetiment que comportaâ, ha volgut deixar clar Llach. âPerò, si la vostra praxi polÃtica es dirigeix cap a la independència, hi serem sigui per ajudar-vos, condicionar-vos o desobeir-vosâ, ha recalcat el lÃder de lâANC.\n\nâSet anys després encara necessitem el combatâ, ha apuntat Llach en lâinici del seu discurs. âLâestat espanyol ens intenta anorrear i, democrà ticament parlant, tot és dantescâ, ha lamentat el president de lâANC. âEn el súmmum del nostre trauma posterior al 2017, ens hem enfangat en lluites caïnites de tots contra tots i en una voluntat de dâautolesionar-nos que ens caracteritza i paralitza com a nacióâ, ha criticat Llach.\n\nâNomés queda una premissa dempeus. Si volem sobreviure com a poble, necessitem el combatâ, ha insistit el president de lâAssemblea Nacional Catalana, que ha volgut remarcar les diferències existents amb els anys 2012, 2017 i 2019. âEstem en un punt de no retorn i cal un sotrac. Necessitem aturar aquest reflux social i polÃtic que porta Catalunya a la desnacionalitzacióâ, ha avisat Llach.

Abandoned Vehicles in Motril
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 07:23:05The spokesperson for AndalucÃa Por SÃ (AxSÃ) in the Motril, David MartÃn, has complained about the growing proliferation of abandoned vehicles in different parts of the municipality.\n\nHe blames the governing party for this situation for not enforcing the bylaw that require the removal of these vehicles from public roads.\n\nCouncillor Martin said, âIn addition to generating a negative impact on the image of the town, it also poses a health and safety problem for residents,â adding, âIt is unacceptable that Motril is full of abandoned cars, accumulating dirt and occupying public spaces that could be used for other purposes.â\n\nTherefore, Andalucia Por SÃ calls upon the governing party to act quickly and effectively, carrying out periodic inspections and applying the corresponding fine to owners who fail to comply with the regulations.\n\n(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)\n\nKeywords: Abandoned Vehicles, Andaucia Por Si, Bylaws, Governing Party, Lax\n\nnews, andalucia, granada, costa tropical, motril, abandoned vehicles, andaucia por si, bylaws, governing party, lax

Almuñécar Cine Club Success
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 07:19:26Tuesday saw the screening of the first film provided by Cineclub Sexi Firmum in Almuñécar's Casa de La Cultura.\n\nMore than 100 people turned up to watch the film that was screened, entitled Segundo Premio which had âtasteâ of Granada.\n\nMarÃa Jesús Guillardini and MarÃa Dolores Nevado, Chairwoman and Vice Chairwoman of the Cineclub Sexi Firmum, welcomed the audience and spoke of Antonio Marina and the former Cineclub, Luis Buñuel.\n\nThey pointed out that they would only be too happy with the cineclub whilst there is a response from the general public, urging people to continue coming to the cineclub films, which are screened four times a month.\n\nThey also pointed out that, at a time when most of society only consumes digital content on their home TVs, the âmagicâ of going to the cinema and enjoying a good film with others cannot be underestimated.\n\nFinally, they echoed the complaints by some of the audience about the cold in the Auditorium and the draughts.\n\nThe next film, La Fuente de las Mujeres, will be screened next Tuesday, the 28th January, at 19:00h.\n\nEditorial comment: Gazette readers have asked whether the films are in English, but this cineclub is in the majority locals watching these Spanish films in the original language.\n\n(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)\n\nKeywords: Cine Club, Auditorium, Chairwoman, Audience, Cold Auditorium\n\nnews, andalucia, granada, costa tropical, almunecar, cine club, auditorium, chairwoman, audience, cold auditorium\n\nReaderâs comment: â Can we hope that there will be at least some films shown in English?â â' Howard
Feeling Lucky? Try Your Hand at Slot Games in Indonesia
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 00:15:41Who doesnât love the thrill of hitting the jackpot on a slot machine? The flashing lights, the exciting sound effects, and the rush of adrenaline as you watch the reels spin â' itâs no wonder that slot games are a favorite pastime for many people around the world, including in Indonesia.\n\nWith the rise of online casinos, slot enthusiasts in Indonesia now have more options than ever before to try their luck at winning big. Whether youâre a seasoned player or a beginner looking to dip your toes into the world of slot gacor, there are plenty of online platforms that cater to players in Indonesia.\n\nOne of the benefits of playing slot online is the convenience it offers. You can access a wide variety of slot games right from the comfort of your own home, without having to travel to a physical casino. This means that you can play your favorite slot games whenever you want, whether itâs early in the morning or late at night.\n\nAnother advantage of playing slot gacor online is the wide range of games available. From classic fruit machines to themed video slots, online casinos offer a diverse selection of games to suit every playerâs preferences. Plus, many online casinos regularly introduce new and innovative games, so youâll never run out of options to keep you entertained.\n\nIf youâre new to the world of online slot games, donât worry â' most platforms offer free play options that allow you to test out different games without risking any real money. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the gameplay and rules of various slot games before you start playing for real.\n\nOf course, the ultimate thrill of playing slot games comes from the chance to win big. While thereâs no guarantee that youâll hit the jackpot, the excitement of watching the reels align just right to trigger a big win is an experience like no other. And with online slot games, the potential payouts can be even more lucrative than those offered at traditional land-based casinos.\n\nIn conclusion, slot games in Indonesia offer a fun and exciting way to test your luck and possibly win big. With the convenience of online platforms and a wide range of games to choose from, thereâs never been a better time to try your hand at slot gacor. So why not take a spin and see if todayâs your lucky day?

Gluten-free cooking in Villajoyosa
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 07:30:55One of the most pleasurable things in life is having someone else cook for us, even better if it occurs at a lovely restaurant with great company.\n\nI met with Matthias at his restaurant, MADE in Villajoyosa, an exquisite gluten-free restaurant in a beautiful setting overlooking the sea. Originally from France, in addition to being the head chef, Matthias is also the owner. I asked him about the restaurantâs name choice, and he explained that it came from the English word âhome-madeâ, which also coincides with the initials of his Spanish wife, their two children, and himself.\n\nOwner Matthias was inspired to open a gluten-free restaurant on account of his son\n\nHis son, who was diagnosed as gluten-intolerant, inspired Matthias to open a gluten-free restaurant in 2022.\n\nOf course, this is not without its challenges but Matthias has built strong relationships with local companies to ensure that everything on his menu is 100 per cent gluten free.\n\nWith a love of Spain, Matthias enjoys sourcing his produce locally and from other areas of Spain. âThe meat is from Polop, tuna from Barcelona, baby clams from Galicia and Cadiz, and in October and November from Villajoysa,â he explained.\n\nMatthias loves to be creative with his menu, and one of his unique dishes uses cuttlefish as the primary ingredient. However, instead of cooking it âa la planchaâ as most do, he prefers to make small burgers and serve with salmonete, a fish typically found in a traditional paella, caramelised onions, and almonds.\n\nHe has also been inspired by the typical drink of Villajoyosa, El Nardo, to prepare a âVillamisuâ, replacing amaretto found in tiramisu with coffee and absinthe.\n\nPrefer your news all in one place? Our FREE online newspapers provide the perfect local weekly news fix!

Calpe U3A General Meeting
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 07:37:59January 17 marked the first Coffee and General meeting of the Calpe U3A. Despite the absolutely dreadful weather, a remarkable turnout of 42 members made their way to Yodel. \n\nThe atmosphere inside was lively but hectic, as many members rushed to complete their membership renewals, which were due. Thankfully, their fantastic team of Dairong, Jo, and John stepped up to manage the long queue, ensuring that everyone was attended to efficiently.\n\nJohn Dale performed monologues at the Calpe U3A General Meeting\n\nAmidst the hustle and bustle, John Dale provided the entertainment with an impressive performance of three monologues, which everyone enjoyed while sipping their coffee and mingling with fellow members. The Committee extends its gratitude to John for his performance.\n\nAlthough the heavy downpour persisted throughout the morning, it finally began to lighten as members were leaving, bringing a touch of relief. For those interested in staying updated, more details about all upcoming events can be found at www.u3acalpe.org.\n\nPrefer your news all in one place? Our FREE online newspapers provide the perfect local weekly news fix!

Explore Elche: Free fun at lâHort dels Pontos
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 07:36:08Elche has confirmed the programme of activities for the Casa-Museo de lâHort dels Pontos, running from January to August 2025.\n\nThe schedule features over twenty free events for all ages, held on various Saturdays.\n\nA notable addition this year is the hooding of two palm trees at lâHort dels Pontos, providing a live demonstration of the process used to produce the iconic white palm. Other activities include workshops on gastronomy, white palm production, esparto grass, and pottery, along with exhibitions, guided tours, dramatised visits, environmental walks, outdoor summer cinema, and traditional games.\n\nAll activities are free, but registration is required through the Puçol School Museumâs email pontos@museopusol.com or by phone (+34) 965 938 985. For more information, head to the website: museopusol.com.\n\nIn 2024, the Casa-Museo welcomed more than 9,000 visitors, with over 1,500 participants attending 25 Saturday activities from April to December. Additionally, 41 guided tours of the museum were conducted.\n\nRafael MartÃnez, director of the Puçol School Museum, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project to transform the house into a museum, noting that the growing visitor numbers reflect its success.

Single-shot wonder drug wipes out breast cancer in mice safely
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-25 16:24:33A breakthrough new treatment that is currently being tested successfully on rodents, promises tumour termination with one dose and without the toxins. \n\nResearchers at the University of Illinois in the US have concocted a groundbreaking substance that could revolutionise breast cancer treatment. Dubbed ErSO-TFPy, this apparently miraculous compound has shown astonishing results in the fight against one of the most common cancers plaguing women today.\n\nErSO-TFPy obliterated tumours after a single dose during trials\n\nIn thrilling trials, a single dose of ErSO-TFPy obliterated small tumours entirely and dramatically shrank larger ones. Both mice and rats treated with this potent potion showed no nasty side effects, sending shockwaves of hope through the medical community.\n\nTargeting estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (ER+), the most prevalent form of breast cancer in the US, ErSO-TFPy tackles the cancer where it feeds â' by cutting off the estrogen supply. Traditional treatments often come with a hefty side effect bill, including blood clots, sexual dysfunction, and osteoporosis. But not ErSO-TFPy! The substance sidesteps these common concerns, offering a cleaner path to recovery.\n\nPaul Hergenrother, Ph.D., the brainy biochemist leading the charge, couldnât contain his excitement. âIt is very rare for a compound to shrink tumours in mouse models of breast cancer, let alone completely eradicate those tumours with a single dose. We are eager for ErSO-TFPy to advance for the treatment of breast cancer,â he enthused. With ER+ breast cancer accounting for a huge part of all cancer diagnoses worldwide, this discovery couldnât come at a better time.\n\nBreast cancer survival rates soar without the side effects\n\nThanks to advances like ErSO-TFPy, the 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer patients in the US has already skyrocketed to over 90%. Yet, the quest for a treatment that doesnât leave patients battling side effects rages on. Enter ErSO-TFPy, promising not just survival, but a better quality of life.\n\nPublished in the prestigious journal ACS Science, the study reveals that ErSO-TFPy not only wipes out small tumours but also takes down the big guns â' large tumours measuring between 500-1500 mm³. Remarkably, these tumour busts occur without relying on the bodyâs immune cells, paving the way for a treatment thatâs both effective and independent.\n\nHuman trials on the horizon?\n\nThe excitement doesnât stop at rodents. When human breast cancer tumours were transplanted into mice and treated with ErSO-TFPy, the same impressive regression rates were observed. This tantalising glimpse into the future suggests that women battling ER+ breast cancer could soon have a powerful new weapon in their arsenal.\n\nStay tuned, ladies and gents, because this miracle molecule might just change the game forever.\n\nGet more news from around the world. \n\nRead more news in English from around Europe.

New digital detox law: The shocking truth about Spainâs new labour law
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 09:49:25Switching off is the new switching on! A ground-breaking new Spanish law, set to roll out in 2025, aims to end the reign of work emails and calls invading your downtime. Yes, you read that right â' your boss will have to think twice before interrupting your Netflix binge or family barbecue.\n\nThe right to disconnect: a digital detox for workers\n\nHow often have you been sunning yourself on holiday, only for your boss to barge in with a âquick questionâ or a âtiny favourâ? Sound familiar? Well, those days might soon be history.\n\nThe new legislation will guarantee every worker the right to disconnect, safeguarding them from being pestered outside their working hours. A European study revealed that 27% of workers fail to digitally switch off, while 20â'25% admit to doing unpaid tasks like answering emails or fielding calls after hours.\n\nTeachers and healthcare workers feel the pinch even more, with a whopping 42% staying connected beyond their shifts, prepping materials or handling questions. This non-stop grind has prompted the government to approve a robust digital disconnection law, strengthening worker protections under article 20 bis of the Workersâ Statute and article 88 of the Data Protection Act.\n\nRemote work blues: the new challenge\n\nThe rise of remote work, especially post-pandemic, has made it harder for employees to unplug. Research shows 39% of remote workers struggle to separate their professional and personal lives due to blurred lines between their work and personal devices.\n\nSectors like tech and services are particularly affected, with âalways-onâ cultures forcing employees to remain reachable long after theyâve logged off. This new law aims to flip the script, giving workers back control of their off-duty hours.\n\nWhen can you finally log off for good?\n\nThereâs a catch â' no exact start date has been set yet. The government needs political backing to finalise the measure, leaving workers to wait in limbo. If all goes to plan, the law will be published in the BoletÃn Oficial del Estado (BOE) and must come into force before December 31, 2025.\n\nUntil then, the clock is ticking on whether politicians will get their act together to deliver this much-needed benefit.\n\nNo-nonsense fines for naughty bosses\n\nCompanies who dare to breach the new rules could face some serious consequences. Forcing workers to respond outside their hours without proper compensation will count as overtime, capped at 80 hours annually.\n\nEven worse, labour inspectors could slap employers with fines of up to â¬7,500 for violations. So, bosses, beware: those late-night WhatsApp messages might just cost you more than you bargained for!\n\n2025 could finally be the year of the digital detox for workers, but only time will tell if the government can deliver on its promises. Until then, keep your phones handy â' but not too handy!\n\nStay tuned for more Euro Weekly News originals. \n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nGet more in English from around the Costa del Sol.

Race through history: Alicanteâs popular Carrera de los Castillos
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 08:42:18Alicante will kick off the eleventh edition of the Carrera de los Castillos on Sunday, February 2, \n\nThe event has been described as âepic, iconic, and emblematicâ by the Councillor for Sports, Toni Gallego. He emphasised the raceâs growing popularity and how it showcases two of the cityâs prominent landmarks: the Santa Bárbara and San Fernando castles.\n\nThe event will offer both 5K and 10K races, starting at 9:00am and 9:30am, respectively. Both races will begin at Calle Foguerer José Romeu Zarandieta, across from the âPitÃuâ Rochel sports hall, and finish at the renovated tartan track at the âJoaquÃn Villarâ athletics stadium. Gallego mentioned that the finish line at the stadium provides an additional reward for the participants after their hard efforts.\n\nThe 10K participants will first tackle the ascent to the San Fernando castle, proceed along Avenida Alfonso El Sabio and its extension, then climb to the Santa Bárbara castle. From there, they will continue through Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora, Rambla de Méndez Núñez, and several other streets, finishing at the athletics stadium. The 5K route will also start with a climb to the San Fernando castle, descend to Alfonso El Sabio, loop around Plaza de los Luceros, and then pass through Avenida General Marvá, Salamanca, Condes de Soto Ameno, and Doctor Rico before reaching the finish.\n\nWith just over two weeks until the race, nearly 1,000 participants have already registered. Organisers expect the total number of runners to exceed last yearâs 1,500, highlighting the eventâs success in both sports and tourism. So far, 11.65 per cent of the participants are from outside Alicante, and 7 per cent are international.\n\nJavier Sánchez, reflecting on the race, described it as a one-of-a-kind event due to its challenging nature, which makes it even more memorable. He mentioned that the standout moment for participants is when they descend from the Santa Bárbara castle and see the crowd of runners beginning the climb.\n\nThose wishing to participate can register at carreradeloscastillosalicante.com. The registration fee is â¬10 for the 10K and â¬8 for the 5K.\n\nRace number pickup will be at the JoaquÃn Villar stadium on Friday, January 31: 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Saturday, February 1: 11:00am to 2:00pm and 5:00pm to 8:00pm and Sunday, February 2 (race day): 7:00am to 8:30am.

Search underway for missing british sailor after yacht found wrecked in atlantic storm
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 09:56:51Stormy seas claim a yacht; British sailor missing\n\nA 73-year-old British sailor has gone missing at sea after his yacht was found destroyed off the French coast during Storm Herminiaâs fierce conditions. The sailor, who was sailing alone, activated his emergency beacon on Saturday afternoon as the storm raged in the Atlantic.\n\nYacht wrecked, empty raft found: Search for missing sailor intensifies\n\nThe sailorâs 12-metre yacht, Tiger PA, was discovered âevisceratedâ approximately 50 miles west of Lacanau in south-west France. A French air force helicopter was deployed to the scene, where divers were lowered to the wreckage. They found an empty raft but no trace of the sailor.\n\nThe distress call triggered an international search effort, with the French navy, a Portuguese cargo ship, and a Spanish hospital vessel joining forces. Despite hours of searching in treacherous weather, the operation was called off early Sunday morning due to a lack of new leads.\n\nTragic turn for British sailor: Search underway\n\nFrench authorities were first alerted to the yacht on Friday evening when British officials flagged concerns over its lack of radio communication. A nearby Portuguese vessel eventually established contact with the sailor, who confirmed he was safe and continuing his voyage alone.\n\nHowever, the worsening conditions brought by Storm Herminia â' with reported winds of up to 98mph â' appear to have overwhelmed the yacht, leaving it in ruins.\n\nFading hopes: Search for missing sailor presses on\n\nThe Atlantic Maritime Prefecture described the conditions as severe, with the storm hitting soon after the region endured Storm Ãowyn. For now, the sailorâs fate remains uncertain as search efforts are paused, though authorities remain vigilant for any updates.\n\nThis incident is a stark reminder of the unforgiving power of the sea and the risks sailors face in extreme weather. For now, thoughts remain with the sailor and those awaiting news of his whereabouts.\n\nFind more news about France

Four-day workweek revolution sweeps UK
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 10:19:30200 firms sign up to slash hours without cutting pay â' more than 5,000 workers to benefit across the country. \n\nBritainâs work-life balance is getting an overhaul, with 200 companies signing up to a permanent four-day working week without slashing salaries. Itâs the latest twist in the fight to ditch the âoutdatedâ 9-to-5 grind, leaving more than 5,000 workers with extra time to live, laugh, love.\n\nThe four-day work revolution \n\nCharities, marketing agencies, and tech firms are leading the charge, according to the 4 Day Week Foundation, with London businesses particularly smitten â' 59 companies in the capital have already embraced the change. Among the trendsetters, 30 marketing and PR firms, 29 charities, and 24 tech companies have locked in the shorter week as the new normal.\n\nJoe Ryle, the campaign director for the foundation, slammed the five-day week as a relic of the past: âThe 9-to-5, five-day working week was invented 100 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose. Weâre long overdue for an update!â\n\nRyle argues that 50% more free time is the ultimate life hack, saying, âA four-day week with no loss of pay can be a win-win for workers and employers alike.â\n\nProductivity over presenteeism\n\nSupporters claim the shorter week boosts productivity, helping workers produce the same output in fewer hours while giving firms an edge in attracting and retaining talent. Itâs not all smooth sailing, though â' some argue the move is stirring up cultural divides, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic turned working norms on their head.\n\nWhile UK firms embrace flexibility, big US players like Amazon and JPMorgan Chase are digging their heels in, insisting on the full-fat five-day schedule. Meanwhile, British companies like Lloyds Banking Group are reportedly considering linking bonuses to in-office attendance.\n\nOffice standoffs and political silence\n\nNot everyone is happy about the back-to-office push. Staff at Starling Bank reportedly handed in their notice en masse after CEO Anne Boden demanded more frequent office attendance.\n\nWhile the idea of a four-day week has political backing from Labourâs Angela Rayner, the party is treading carefully, steering clear of making it an official policy to avoid handing ammunition to the Tories.\n\nGeneration flex\n\nYounger workers, however, arenât shy about sharing their opinions. A Spark Market Research survey found that 78% of 18-34-year-olds believe the four-day week will be standard within five years, with 65% outright rejecting a return to traditional office schedules.\n\nWith the movement gaining traction and workers relishing their new-found freedom, the future of Britain and potentially Europeâs working week could soon see a permanent downgrade to four days. \n\nIs the five-day week heading for the scrapheap of history? Should it? Time will tell, but for now, it seems less is definitely more.\n\nGet more news from around the UK. \n\nRead more news in English from around Europe.

Delivery Scam: Amazon, Temu, and Shein shoppers beware: New fraud on the rise
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 09:15:21Shoppers beware! Amazon, Shein, and Temu are under siege by slick cyber crooks impersonating your favourite delivery drivers.\n\nCybercriminals, getting craftier by the day, are exploiting our trust in big names like Shein, Temu, and Amazon with a cunning new trick â' fake delivery calls that could leave your personal finances in tatters.\n\nRing ring! Hello? Wham, itâs a scam!\n\nPicture this: youâre minding your own business when your phone rings. On the other end is someone claiming to be a delivery driver from Amazon, Shein, or Temu, announcing a package on its way to your doorstep. Sounds innocent enough, right? Wrong. These scammers are masters of manipulation, using urgency and surprise to bait you into handing over confidential details. Theyâll insist thereâs a âkeyâ piece of information missing to complete your delivery, pushing you to act before you think. Itâs a classic case of panic down the phone. \n\nThe code conundrum\n\nOne of the slickest moves in their playbook? Requesting a code sent straight to your mobile. They try to access your Amazon, Temu, Shein, or even WhatsApp accounts using two-factor authentication. They request a code from the legitimate website and the code is sent to your phone. They then ask you to share the code with them. \n\nThese fraudsters claim itâs essential to confirm your packageâs arrival, but in reality, this code unlocks your accounts. Once theyâre in, they can masquerade as you, reaching out to your friends and family to swipe money, make purchases, or steal personal info. Itâs identity theft at its finest!\n\nWhy the spike in these shopping scams? \n\nItâs no fluke. As e-commerce booms and our dependence on smartphones grows, cyber crooks find fertile ground for their schemes. Massive data leaks online also arm them with the info needed to tailor their attacks, making their deceit even more convincing. Familiar names like Amazon, Shein, and Temu lend an air of legitimacy, making their fraudulent calls all the more believable.\n\nRegular shoppers are easy targets when a fake delivery call rings through, echoing the names they use and trust. This familiarity tricks victims into not thinking twice, allowing scammers to slip past even the most cautious consumers in some cases.\n\nHow to protect yourself from fraudsters\n\nPrevention is your best bet against these digital dodgy deals. Hereâs how to stay safe:\n\nHang up on the unknown: If a delivery driver calls out of the blue asking for personal info or verification codes, simply hang up.\nGuard your codes: Legit companies never ask for SMS or email codes to make deliveries. Keep them private!\nCheck the caller: Look up the phone number online to see if itâs linked to scam reports.\nDouble up on security: If you havenât done so already, enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of protection to your accounts. Never share the code with anyone. \nVerify your orders: Always check the status of your deliveries through the official app or website.\n\nThe fight against e-commerce scams is far from over, but with the right information and preventative steps, consumers can keep their wallets and personal data safe from the sneaky scammers lurking in the digital shadows. Stay alert, stay safe, and donât let the fraudsters get the best of you!\n\nStay tuned to the Euro Weekly News for more tips on keeping your online shopping safe and savvy!\n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nGet more in English from around the Costa del Sol.

Swedish authorities seize vessel in suspected sabotage of Baltic Sea cables
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 09:28:53The Baltic Sea cable sabotage saga continues⦠Suspicions of further sabotage have surfaced following significant damage to an undersea fibre optic cable linking Sweden and Latvia.\n\nSwedish authorities have seized a vessel as part of the investigation, with the Swedish Security Service and Latvian authorities collaborating alongside NATO to uncover the cause of the incident.\n\nBaltic Sea cable between Latvia and Sweden\n\nThe cable, which connects the Latvian city of Ventspils to Swedenâs Gotland Island, was damaged early on Sunday, January 26, in Swedenâs exclusive economic zone. Latviaâs Prime Minister Evika SiliÅa stated to reporters, âThere is most likely external damage, and it is significant.â Latvia has been coordinating closely with NATO and other Baltic nations to assess the situation.\n\nAccording to Swedenâs prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist, âWe are now carrying out a number of concrete investigative measures, but I cannot go into what they consist of due to the ongoing preliminary investigation.â\n\nNATOâs response\n\nIn the wake of the incident, NATO deployed personnel to the Baltic Sea. The alliance emphasised that ships suspected of posing security threats could face boarding and seizure. NATO Chief Mark Rutte highlighted the increasing risks to infrastructure and stressed the need for robust responses, stating that the organisation would monitor Moscowâs âshadow fleet,â suspected of avoiding agreements and potentially engaging in malicious activities.\n\nThis heightened security comes shortly after NATOâs recent launch of the âBaltic Sentryâ mission, designed to safeguard critical infrastructure in the region following a spate of similar incidents in 2024.\n\nUnlike gas pipelines and power cables that can take months to repair, damaged fibre optic cables in the Baltic Sea have typically been restored within weeks. Latviaâs state broadcaster LVRTC assured the public that end users would experience minimal disruption.\n\nWhile it is too early to determine the exact cause of the cable damage, this event follows a series of similar incidents in the Baltic Sea. Finnish police recently investigated a Russian oil tanker suspected of damaging cables between Finland and Estonia.\n\nOver in Denmark, the FBI and Danish police are investigating mysterious UFO incidents amid the Baltic Sea cable sabotage tensions to determine if there is a link.\n\nWhile no direct blame has been placed on Russia, the increasing number of such incidents has raised concerns about potential geopolitical motives.\n\nSwedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on social media that Sweden is âcooperating closely with Latvia and NATOâ and that Swedish capabilities will play a crucial role in the investigation.

Yellow weather warning for Costa del Sol
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 09:19:52Malaga province is under a âyellowâ weather warning for high winds and rain this Monday, January 27, so best get your washing in. \n\nIf last week it was storm Garoé, this week it is the threat of weather front Herminia, and this one looks somewhat heavier. Get your raincoat on if youâre going out between 10am and 8pm, the expected duration of the bad weather.\n\nThe worst is expected to be in the Guardalhorce Valley, Málaga city, and AxarquÃa. AEMET, the state meteorological service, predicts west and southwest winds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour (force 7) and waves between two to three metres high.\n\nTemperatures wonât be too bad for this time of year at around 18 degrees. Expect the rainy weather to continue into Tuesday, but donât despair, as the sun is expected back by midweek.

Clandestine campsite cleared in Maro
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 09:00:33One hundred mobile homes and vans were moved on and more than 30 tents dismantled in the Maro-Cerro Gordo national park on January 20.\n\nNerjaâs Guardia Civil and Policia Local forces, together with officials from the Juntaâs Environment department, had to tow away five vehicles in the combined operation directed at safeguarding the protected beauty spot.\n\nThey also arrested two people for disobedience and resisting authority.\n\nOnce police had taken down all the campersâ details, Nerja town hall employees moved in to clean up the area.\n\nMunicipal sources explained that people had been living in the Maro-Cerro Gordo zone in vehicles and tents for some time, generating large amounts of rubbish and creating concerns about health risks linked to the absence of sanitation.\n\nIrregular settlements like the clandestine Maro-Cerrro Gordo campsite were harmful to the ecosystem, the Junta de Andalucia explained, and were a frequent source of public order problems.\n\nAt the same time, removing occupants was not within the remit of the Juntaâs Environmental surveillance operations, the Junta added.

Mallorca hosts massive Hells Angels convention
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 08:34:00Hundreds of members of the infamous Hells Angels gang spent the weekend enjoying the delights of Palma wearing their characteristic âuniformsâ. According to information that the Bulletin sister media outlet Ultima Hora has been able to access, just over a hundred members of this organisation gathered in Mallorca to hold one of their annual conventions.\nThe different chapters of the organisation spread out to different areas of the island in order to avoid attracting attention and to go as unnoticed as possible. It is known that most of the convention participants are located in hotels in the northern part of Mallorca. There are also some in the Playa de Palma.\nFor the time being, the only recorded incident on record was a minor altercation between several Hells Angels and security staff at one venue, which ended amicably between the two parties. In other venues, security staff refused access to the establishments as all members were wearing identification waistcoats accrediting them as members of the band.\nOn Sunday morning, many residents and tourists found a group of members of the Barcelona chapter of the gang strolling through the streets of Playa de Palma. Representatives from European countries are also known to have arrived. The last two incidents in which members of the Hells Angels have been involved on the island date back to March and August 2024.\nAt the beginning of August, the Guardia Civil arrested four members of âLos Angeles del Infiernoâ for extorting money from a businessman in Llucmajor. The arrested men, who also stole a car from him, forced him to sign a debt document for 37,000 euros to one of the members of the organisation. They are accused of extortion, threats and belonging to a criminal group. The four âHells Angelsâ, according to the Guardia Civil in a press release, offered themselves to a businessman from Llucmajor to intercede for him in a debt he had contracted with a man from another town.\nThe complainant agreed to go to a house alone with the arrested men and the other party. When the businessman arrived at the house, he was met by the four members of the biker group, who forced him to draw up and sign a debt obligation document towards one of the arrested men for 37,000 euros. 37,000. The arrested men then took his vehicle, which is valued at 45,000 euros.\nA few months earlier, specifically, in March 2024, agents from the National Police Robbery Group arrested the leader of the Hells Angels of the Balearics and his lieutenant for the beating of a restaurateur in Playa de Palma. They are also accused of extortion for demanding 10,000 euros for letting him keep the premises open and operate normally. After the arrest, the accused were brought before the courts of VÃa Alemania in Palma. The two detainees were released and a restraining order was issued against the victim and the premises in question.
Los Cabos consolida su liderazgo en el segmento de lujo en América Latina con siete nuevas aperturas y conexiones a más de 60 ciudades en todo el mundo
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Netherlands king visited Europol headquarters in The Hague
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 12:19:21King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visited Europol to learn more about the Agencyâs efforts to support EU Member States in tackling serious crime and terrorism.\n\nEuropolâs Executive Director Catherine De Bolle welcomed the king to the organisationâs headquarters as Europol recently marked 25 years of fostering law enforcement cooperation across Europe and beyond.\n\nIt first became fully operational in 1999 and its HQ is based in The Hague, where it serves as a hub for European police collaboration.\n\nCelebrating its 25th Anniversary, Netherlands king visited Europol headquarters in The Hague\n\nDuring the visit, His Majesty toured Europolâs Operational and Analysis Centre, where he saw for himself how live operational intelligence is processed to assist ongoing investigations.\n\nWith a workforce of over 1 700 people and a network of more than 300 liaison officers, Europol provides around-the-clock support to law enforcement authorities across Europe and to partners worldwide.\n\nTo learn more about is activities, Netherlands king visited Europol headquarters in The Hague\n\nHe also discovered information about Europolâs efforts to combat the most important crime types, including drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and the online sexual exploitation of children.\n\nThese transnational crimes pose significant threats to the safety and security of those living in Europe and other parts of the world, Europol plays a vital role in coordinating efforts to dismantle the criminal networks behind them.\n\nAs part of his tour, the King met with liaison officers from Norway and Ukraine, who are based at Europolâs headquarters. They shared their experiences of working with Europol as partner countries to enhance international cooperation in the fight against organised crime.\n\nEuropolâs headquarters in The Hague connects more than 3 000 law enforcement authorities from over 70 countries and international organisations, reinforcing its position as a central player in the international fight against serious organised crime.\n\nIn 2024 alone, Europol supported over 3 300 investigations across Europe and beyond.

Europeâs boldest underwater vision: The Fehmarnbelt tunnel that will change everything
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 12:44:24Forget those images of noisy drills and endless digging. The Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link, a massive â¬7 billion project linking Germany and Denmark beneath the Baltic Sea, is doing things differently.\n\nInstead of boring a traditional tunnel, theyâre building huge sections on dry land and then carefully sinking them into place. Itâs like a giant underwater Lego project, and itâs set to completely transform how we travel between these two countries.\n\nUndersea construction: The Fehmarnbelt tunnelâs engineering marvel\n\nThis isnât your average construction job. The Fehmarnbelt project involves 89 colossal concrete segments. Each one weighs a mind-boggling 73,500 tonnes and stretches 217 metres â' thatâs longer than two full-size football pitches laid end to end! Imagine the sheer scale of these things. Theyâre built in a specially designed factory, ensuring absolute precision. And theyâre fitted with watertight seals, like giant doors, to keep the water out once theyâre down on the seabed. Itâs a seriously impressive feat of engineering, a real testament to human ingenuity.\n\nProtecting the Baltic: Ensuring eco-friendly construction\n\nThe people behind this project know how important the Baltic Sea is. Itâs a delicate ecosystem, and theyâve been really careful to minimise any impact on the marine life. Theyâve put in place measures to keep noise levels down during construction, and theyâve planned the placement of each tunnel section meticulously to avoid disturbing sensitive habitats. Theyâve also thought about the long term, with sustainable features like energy-efficient lighting and ventilation built into the tunnelâs design. Itâs about building a better future, without harming the present.\n\nFaster Travel, stronger links: The Fehmarnbelt tunnelâs big impact\n\nThis project is going to make a huge difference to how people travel between Germany and Denmark. Right now, taking the ferry across the Fehmarnbelt Strait takes about 45 minutes. Once the tunnel is open, that journey will take just seven minutes by train and ten minutes by car.\n\nThatâs a massive saving in time. Itâs not just about quicker commutes, though. Itâs about boosting trade, strengthening links between communities, and making it easier for people to connect.\n\nThink about it: a trip from Copenhagen to Hamburg will be cut from 4.5 hours to just 2.5 hours. That opens up so many possibilities, for both leisure and business. The Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link isnât just a tunnel; itâs a symbol of European collaboration and a real game-changer for travel in the region.

Pedro Sanchezâs reckless bluster hits businessâs bottom line
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 13:41:18Since Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made the audacious claim that his government planned to add a 100 percent tax on the purchase of properties, the worldâs press has been losing its head.\n\nEvery day for the last two weeks, global press have been claiming Sánchez will price foreigners out of the housing market in Spain. No one from the government has actually outlined where any tax hike would be levied. According to the governmentâs Moncloa office, there is not even a white paper on the concept, let alone a draft bill to be put to Congress yet.\n\nWhile the bluster of the PM may have just been hot air, the news went viral and sent shockwaves through the property sector, hitting the bottom line of businesses for no good reason. Property tax is not even the competency of the central government, as local authorities set their own, most of which are governed by opposition parties.\n\nNo relation between property crisis and nationality of buyers\n\nAnd even if some non-EU citizen tax were added to the purchase or ownership of a Spanish property, there is no sense in claiming that it would go any way to alleviating the property crisis, which has been especially crippling for young people trying to get onto the property ladder. As seen since Brexit, with fewer British people investing in homes in Spain, their demographic has simply been replaced by more Dutch, French, Scandinavian and German investors, all from the EU, of course.\n\nThe response from the Prime Minister to last yearâs property protests was a long time in coming â' around at least six months. The governmentâs response to the statement about the 100 percent foreigner tax has so far been zero: No one knows, two weeks after the bombshell was uttered by Sánchez, what it means, if it means anything.\n\nSánchez also claimed that non-EU foreigners were buying up property to âspeculateâ on its increasing price, blissfully ignoring the fact that in many regions of Spain, laws already exist against the practice of leaving properties uninhabited, not to mention the fact that no insurance company in its right mind would cover an unoccupied house or flat. And even if a so-called âspeculatorâ decided to rent out said property, the country is in such dire need of available rentals, surely this would be a good thing, right?\n\nDisseminated panic over non-existent tax hike\n\nWhat no one in the international press who disseminated the panic of a so far non-existent law on 100 percent taxes is the fact that this government has dragged its heels on approving the requalification of land for local authorities to build low-cost, protected-priced housing for far too long. Local authorities have only this year, 2025, been able to go ahead with projects to begin building housing projects (VPOs) specifically designed to not be used by property speculators, whether Spanish, European, or other.\n\nTwo weeks later, and still lacking any official explanation of what Sánchez was talking about, the headlines keep popping up around global news sites, rendering his statement sounding more like a reckless and ideological populist off-the-cuff policy more reminiscent of a scene from the TV comedy show Thick of It than an actual reality.

Aspe shines at FITUR with âEat Aspe in a Dayâ campaign
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 12:41:02Under the title âEat Aspe in a Day,â Mayor Antonio Puerto and Councillor for Culture, Tourism, and Festivals Rosa RuÃz showcased the townâs rich cultural and gastronomic offerings. \n\nThe presentation took place at the FITUR Tourism Event in Madrid.\n\nThe presentation highlighted the unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and deep-rooted traditions that make Aspe a standout destination, seamlessly merging culture, nature, and cuisine.\n\nAspeâs historic centre was the focal point, along with landmarks such as the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Socorro â' one of only three basilicas in the province of Alicante â' and the Mercado de Abastos. Mayor Antonio Puerto emphasised the townâs cinematic appeal, noting that Aspeâs remarkable landscapes have made it a filming location for major productions on prominent platforms.\n\nThe townâs gastronomy is equally noteworthy, offering traditional dishes like rice with rabbit alongside artisanal baked goods. Local specialities, including internationally acclaimed panettone and the Vinalopó Table Grape with its Designation of Origin, exemplify the quality and diversity of Aspeâs culinary scene. This exceptional combination has earned Aspe a place on the gastronomic map, drawing visitors from around the globe.

Mallorca hosts massive Hells Angels convention
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 08:34:00Hundreds of members of the infamous Hells Angels gang spent the weekend enjoying the delights of Palma wearing their characteristic âuniformsâ. According to information that the Bulletin sister media outlet Ultima Hora has been able to access, just over a hundred members of this organisation gathered in Mallorca to hold one of their annual conventions.\nThe different chapters of the organisation spread out to different areas of the island in order to avoid attracting attention and to go as unnoticed as possible. It is known that most of the convention participants are located in hotels in the northern part of Mallorca. There are also some in the Playa de Palma.\nFor the time being, the only recorded incident on record was a minor altercation between several Hells Angels and security staff at one venue, which ended amicably between the two parties. In other venues, security staff refused access to the establishments as all members were wearing identification waistcoats accrediting them as members of the band.\nOn Sunday morning, many residents and tourists found a group of members of the Barcelona chapter of the gang strolling through the streets of Playa de Palma. Representatives from European countries are also known to have arrived. The last two incidents in which members of the Hells Angels have been involved on the island date back to March and August 2024.\nAt the beginning of August, the Guardia Civil arrested four members of âLos Angeles del Infiernoâ for extorting money from a businessman in Llucmajor. The arrested men, who also stole a car from him, forced him to sign a debt document for 37,000 euros to one of the members of the organisation. They are accused of extortion, threats and belonging to a criminal group. The four âHells Angelsâ, according to the Guardia Civil in a press release, offered themselves to a businessman from Llucmajor to intercede for him in a debt he had contracted with a man from another town.\nThe complainant agreed to go to a house alone with the arrested men and the other party. When the businessman arrived at the house, he was met by the four members of the biker group, who forced him to draw up and sign a debt obligation document towards one of the arrested men for 37,000 euros. 37,000. The arrested men then took his vehicle, which is valued at 45,000 euros.\nA few months earlier, specifically, in March 2024, agents from the National Police Robbery Group arrested the leader of the Hells Angels of the Balearics and his lieutenant for the beating of a restaurateur in Playa de Palma. They are also accused of extortion for demanding 10,000 euros for letting him keep the premises open and operate normally. After the arrest, the accused were brought before the courts of VÃa Alemania in Palma. The two detainees were released and a restraining order was issued against the victim and the premises in question.

Tram service between Benidorm and Villajoyosa Hospital suspended
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-28 06:35:10The tram service connecting Benidorm and the Regional Hospital of Villajoyosa will be suspended for three months due to essential construction works being carried out.\n\nThe modifications will introduce a pedestrian walkway designed to âsaveâ the tram tracks and facilitate a better connection between the Moralet and the Consell, as preparations are underway to extend the tramway to the new Intermodal station.\n\nTram suspension will start on January 28 and last for three months\n\nThe planned suspension of rail traffic will commence on January 28. This interruption results from the ongoing electrification and track duplication efforts in the section that links Benidorm station to the Hospital de La Vila.\n\nIntegral to these works is the urgent repair and reinforcement of three damaged embankments, making it necessary to halt tram operations within this stretch during the construction phase. As a result, passengers will have to rely on bus services to cover the distance between the two locations.\n\nThe discontinuation of the tram service between Benidorm and the hospital coincides with the anticipated reopening of another section, specifically the route from Calpe to Altea, which is expected to finish on the same date. Both projects are significant as the Calpe to Altea line has been closed for months due to the construction of two new viaducts over the Mascarat and lâAlgar areas.\n\nPrefer your news all in one place? Our FREE online newspapers provide the perfect local weekly news fix!

La impresionante victoria del Barça y FermÃn, protagonistas de las portadas
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 06:24:0327/01/2025 07:24 CET\n\n Mostrar comentarios\n\n {\"allowComment\":\"allowed\",\"articleId\":\"article-1002395239\",\"url\":\"https:\\/\\/www.mundodeportivo.com\\/vaya-mundo\\/20250127\\/1002395239\\/impresionante-victoria-barca-valencia-fermin-protagonistas-portadas-deportivas-hoy-dct.html\",\"livefyre-url\":\"article-1002395239\"}\n\nCargando siguiente contenido...

World-renowned Festival of Light returns to Cascais in 2025
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 17:21:44Lumina, the Festival of Light, is back, and it returns to Cascais, near Lisbon, Portugal, for its 12th September edition. The festival will run for 3 days and nights, and is being hailed as one of the events to look out for in 2025. \n\nAdored by many, and celebrated as one of the 10 best festivals in Europe by the Guardian, the event is free to enter, and will feature awe-inspiring displays of wonder, crafted by ingenious light installations. \n\nThe festival will also boast interactive pieces, sculptural marvels and video-mapping works, capped off by live performances, making for a three day and night feast of eclectic dance and joy for all. \n\nA technological wonder of light displays and immersive, interactive experiences\n\nTechnology is at the forefront of our modern day lives, and Lumina will be set to encapsulate that this year with their pioneering light features that will make for a jaw-dropping spectacle. \n\nProduced and curated by Ocubo, a creative studio based in Portugal, and endorsed by the city of Cascais, this enchanting old town will take on a completely new look for Lumina, with the streets being revamped and transformed into a sensational depiction of the developments in interactive and multisensorial technology. \n\nThe festival will give attendees a fully immersive experience, and will be sure to attract keen folk from across the entire world, as it has previously seen over one and a half million visitors from Portugal and beyond.\n\nCEO of Ocubo feels positive about Lumina impact this year\n\nAnd the CEO of Ocubo studios, Carole Purnelle, is highly optimistic about the developments leading up to Lumina, and what the festival will hold in store for party goers. \n\nâLumina is a great celebration of art, which transforms Cascais into a great stage for creativity and innovation, bringing protagonists from the artistic universe from all over the world to challenge the public to explore new perspectives, and new ways of thinking.â\n\nShe continued: âThis initiative uses the villageâs unique beauty to create an innovative opportunity for thousands of visitors to experience its charms in a completely new way. Here, the audience is an active participant in the construction of the entire experience, interacting with it, and absorbing it through the light of their unique perspective.â\n\nThe CEO concluded: âIn this new edition, light, the centre of the entire experience, is back as a theme and acts as a metaphor for the creation of new and surprising installations with a great visual and sensorial impact.â

Beginnerâs stand-up comedy course Marbella
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 16:58:53Get ready to become utterly hilarious. \n\nMarbella is about to get a whole lot funnier than usual as Stand-Up Comedy Spain hosts the Art of Comedy Stand-Up Beginners Course this Saturday, February 1, kicking off at 2 PM. Whether youâre an aspiring comedian or just looking to conquer your fear of public speaking, this two-day event promises a crash course in confidence, creativity, and comedy gold.\n\nLed by the renowned comedian Nik Coppin, this workshop is designed to help beginners find their voice, craft their own stand-up material, and even deliver their first set in front of an audience. Expect expert advice, plenty of laughs, and a supportive atmosphere that makes stepping out of your comfort zone an absolute joy.\n\nThe event is at 12 Calle Camilo José Cela, Local 11, in the heart of Marbella. Tickets are â¬85 plus a â¬6.80 fee, which is a small price to pay for learning skills thatâll make you irresistible. \n\nWhether youâre dreaming of open mic stardom or just want to up your comedy game, this course is your chance to learn from the best while having a laugh along the way.\n\nReady to take the mic? Marbella is calling â' donât leave your sense of humour at home!\n\nContact details:\n\nLocation: 12 Calle Camilo José Cela, Local 11, Marbella, Costa del Sol. \nOrganiser: Stand-Up Comedy Spain\nTelephone: +34 711 03 79 80\n\nCourse Details\n\nSession One: Saturday, February 1, 3 PM â' 7 PM\n\nSession Two: Sunday, February 2, 12 PM â' 4 PM\n\nShowcase (optional): Sunday, February 2, 8.30 PM â' 10.30 PM\n\nSpots are limited, so book now to make âem laugh â' or at least yourself!\n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nGet more in English from around the Costa del Sol.

Healthcare carnage: Finland warns of national shortage of 31,000 nurses by 2040
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-27 18:09:12Finland will need a bolstering of some 31,000 practical nurses by 2040 to come to the aid of tackling the growing challenge of an aging population putting immense pressure on the healthcare system, a recent government-commissioned report warns. \n\nAdditionally, almost 14,000 more registered nurses will be required, according to the shocking revelation, with many having to be employed in specialised care, to cope with the burdening new demands of a Finland that is rapidly growing older.\n\nThe urgent need for more professional healthcare personnel is surmounted by a reported 20,000 additional members of healthcare staff required by the end of this decade alone.\n\nAging population combined with a lack of healthcare solutions spells trouble for Finland\n\nFinland is having to come to terms with the fact that not only is its demographic aging, meaning, the amount of elderly citizens needing support is looming, but the healthcare system has come under serious threat lately. \n\nDespite a falling birth rate, the population in Finland soared by nearly 35,000 in 2024, standing now at around 5.64 million. Recent polls suggest a desperate calling for improvement to its flailing emergency services sector and healthcare department overall, with members of the public fighting for necessary change. \n\nIn 2019, Finland had around 71,000 practical nurses registered throughout its hospitals, surgeries and clinics, but this number will have to be added to exponentially over the coming years if it is to serve its people justly, and avoid serious complications.\n\nFinnish doctors facing burn out due to hectic schedules\n\nA recent story published by Euro Weekly News elicited that doctors and nurses across Finland are being increasingly overworked, and do not have the capacity to keep up with their hectic work schedules, leading to many feeling burned out. \n\nThis increase in daily stress makes nurses and doctors less capable of carrying out their work to the required standard, and spells trouble for citizens who expect due care of their respective health complaints.\n\nFinland needs to attend to its ability to provide effective and efficient, instantaneous healthcare solutions to members of the public, who according to reports, are populating rapidly, due to a surge in immigration. \n\nNumbers of those moving from overseas to the Scandinavian country are massively outpacing those emigrating from Finland.

Facing a possible trial for hate crime, the Balearic Parliament speaker vows to \"keep working\"
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-29 08:17:00On Wednesday, the president (speaker) of the Balearic Parliament, Gabriel Le Senne, was scheduled to preside over meetings of the parliamentary boards, vowing that he will \"continue working\" despite facing a possible trial for alleged hate crime.\nA Palma court of instruction has initiated the procedures for the possible trial of Le Senne of Vox, who is accused of a hate crime for having torn up photos of victims of Francoism during a parliamentary session that was debating the repeal of the law of historical memory.\nIn justifying the procedures on Monday, the judge was of the view that Le Senne had demonstrated \"rage, anger and contempt towards what these images represented\". He had revealed \"an evident hatred towards the ideology of the people represented\".\nLe Senne responded by saying that he would not comment on the judicial decision. He insisted that he will not resign.\nThe government, i.e. the Partido Popular, \"has nothing to say about this\", according to vice-president Antoni Costa. As far as the government is concerned, any decisions regarding Le Senne's future are in the hands of the parliamentary groups. Opposition parties have called for his resignation.

San Luis Castle, Estepona open for visits
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-29 09:10:35San Luis castle in Estepona has uncovered treasures, making for a fascinating visit for anyone in the area and revealing the history of the historic Mediterranean town.\n\nThis coastal fortress was built in the last quarter of the 16th century in the historical context of the reorganisation of the defence of the West coast of Malaga after the Moorish rebellion of 1568. Its original purpose was to reinforce the southern front of the walls of Islamic origin, dominating the natural anchorage of La Rada beach. Its most prominent elements were three artillery bastions and a large arcaded parade with several barracks.\n\nAccording to figures from the council, the site has already received over 4,000 visitors since it opened barely a month ago. The excavation and recovery works on this 16th-century fortress, now converted into a museum, have received an average of 150 daily visitors a day, of which almost 50 percent have been foreign residents and tourists.\n\nThe enclosure has a new glass walkway that makes it easier for visitors to pass through to the interior of the castle and contemplate the remains of the different historical phases of the building that were discovered during the archaeological excavation. Also on display are artillery ammunition, religious objects, ceramics, and an old refuge from the Spanish Civil War.\n\nThe Castle of San Luis can be visited from 10am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday.

Straight from New York: Soul night in Alicante
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-29 08:48:36Straight from New York, the Best of Soul is heading to Alicante. \n\nWitness a celebration of the most iconic singers and timeless hits in Soul history. Enjoy legendary classics from artists like Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, and The Temptations.\n\nFive powerful voices accompanied by an ensemble of double bass, cello, violin, viola, drums, percussion, piano, and saxophone, will bring new life to some of the greatest Soul and Doo Wop songs. Expect unforgettable renditions of classics like When a Man Loves a Woman, Soul Man, Up on the Roof, Duke of Earl, and Stand by Me.\n\nThe performance is set against an evocative backdrop inspired by the spiritual and artistic landmarks of New York City, where creativity and music thrive on every street corner.\n\nEnjoy the Best of Soul at Teatro Principal, Pl. Ruperto ChapÃ, s/n, 03001, Alicante, on February 13, starting at 8:30pm.\n\nFor more information or to book tickets head to the website: moonwrecords.com, email info@moonwrecords.com or call (+34) 96 689 79 21.

Holy ship! Diver discovers 50,000 ancient coins â' and it could lead to a lost Roman wreck
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-29 09:11:4550,000 ancient Roman coins discovered in Sardinia!\n\nA very lucky diver has struck historical gold after stumbling upon a jaw-dropping hoard of ancient Roman coins beneath the waves off Sardinia. The staggering find in âthe land of giantsâ â' potentially as many as 50,000 bronze and copper coins â' has experts buzzing about a hidden shipwreck just waiting to be discovered.\n\nIt all started with a single shimmer beneath the waves. Near the coastal town of Arzachena, a diver spotted something glinting from the sandy seabed, tangled in the seagrass. But this wasnât just any old bit of metal â' this was the tip of an ancient âmoney islandâ. Before long, tens of thousands of coins, dating back to between 324 and 340 AD, were uncovered in pristine condition.\n\nRoman treasure in âthe land of the giantsâ\n\nâThe treasure found in the waters of Arzachena represents one of the most important discoveries of numismatic finds in recent years,â declared Luigi La Rocca, Italyâs director general of archaeology, fine arts, and landscape.\n\nThe sheer scale of the haul is staggering â' early estimates suggest at least 30,000 coins, with some experts believing the total could soar to 50,000. If confirmed, it would be one of the largest ancient coin discoveries in recent history.\n\nHidden shipwreck off the coast of Sardinia waiting to be found?\n\nBut where did this fortune come from? The location of the discovery â' a sandy clearing surrounded by seagrass â' has archaeologists convinced thereâs more to the story. The weight of the coins strongly suggests they belonged to a merchant ship, possibly lost to the waves centuries ago.\n\nWhile no wreck has been found yet, experts are hopeful that further searches could reveal a long-lost vessel resting on the seafloor, perfectly preserved by the Mediterraneanâs underwater landscape.\n\nLocal authorities send in the experts: The treasure hunt is on!\n\nThe moment the diver realised the scale of the find, authorities were alerted, and a crack team of expert divers â' including Italyâs art protection squad, undersea archaeologists, firefighter divers, and border police â' rushed to the scene.\n\nAlongside the mountain of ancient coins, divers uncovered walls of amphorae â' narrow-necked jugs with two handles â' further fuelling speculation that a shipwreck is lurking nearby.\n\nâThis incredible discovery highlights the richness and importance of the archaeological heritage hidden beneath our seas,â La Rocca added.\n\nFor now, the search continues â' but if this sunken fortune is anything to go by, the Mediterranean could be holding onto an even greater historical prize just waiting to be unearthed.\n\nGet more fresh news in English from around Italy. \n\nRead more news in English from around Europe.

Portugal launches fast-track residency for employed immigrants
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-29 08:56:39Portugalâs Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA)has taken a major step toward simplifying the immigration process with the launch of a new online platform for immigrant regularisation.\n\nWhat exactly does âimmigrant regularisationâ mean? The initiative is expected to accelerate the process pf legal residency for thousands of foreign workers already contributing to Portugalâs economy.\n\nWho is eligible for immigrant regularisation in Portugal?\n\nUnder the new system, immigrants with employment contracts who have been making Social Security contributions before June 4, 2024, can now apply for legal residency. Previously, applicants needed 12 months of contributions to qualify, but the updated rules lower the requirement to just one month.\n\nThe change follows the closure of Portugalâs âexpression of interestâ procedure, which allowed immigrants to apply for legal residency while seeking employment. That system was shut down last year, but a transitional period was granted until June 3, 2024, under Decree-Law No. 37-A/2024.\n\nThe backlog of applications at AIMA exceeds 400,000, leading to long delays in processing. Immigration lawyer Klaudia Freitas told Publico that this new initiative makes it easier for migrants to qualify, especially those who struggled with digital access or misinformation.\n\nHowever, an important note is that self-employed workers and those making individual Social Security contributions are currently excluded from the regularisation process.\n\nReapplying for residency in Portugal after being rejected\n\nIn addition to the new platform, the Portuguese government has granted a second chance to immigrants whose residence applications were previously rejected due to unpaid fees.\n\nThis new call for applications is expected to benefit around 108,000 immigrants, according to Deputy Secretary of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Rui Armindo Freitas, and AIMAâs president Pedro Portugal Gaspar.\n\nAIMA faces criticism\n\nDespite these reforms, AIMA has come under fire from the Migration Workersâ Union (STM), which accuses the agency of continuing the failures of its predecessor, SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service).\n\nAccording to STM leader Manuela Niza, AIMA has retained key SEF management figures without proper recruitment processes, leading to claims of bias and inefficiency. The STM also criticised the restructuring of AIMAâs workforce, stating that it has resulted in a slower, more confusing service for immigrants.\n\nAdditionally, AIMA employees have raised concerns about salary cuts and a lack of resource.\n\nWith Portugal aiming to modernise and streamline its immigration system, the launch of the new platform is a positive step for legal migrants seeking residency. However, concerns over bureaucratic incompetence and alleged mismanagement at AIMA could continue to pose challenges for those navigating the system.\n\nFor more information, visit the AIMA website.\n\nView all news in Portugal.\n\nView all European news.

Mona Lisa on the move: non-EU to foot the bill
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-29 09:09:06No more bustling and craning necks around the Mona Lisa as the Louvre museum finds the lady her own room.\n\nThe â¬800 million plan was announced by President Macron on Tuesday to upgrade the worldâs most popular museum and the worldâs most famous exhibit. He also announced a plan to start charging extra to see Leonardoâs 16th-century masterpiece. Currently, a single ticket to enter the Louvre gives visitors the chance to see all the exhibits, including the Mona Lisa, but visitors will have to fork out extra in the future.\n\nMacron said a vast programme of works were planned for the museum, including a new -entrance and an array of underground rooms, and that would not be funded by taxpayersâ money. He said the Louvre would pay for much of the work itself, with its budget boosted by a surcharge on non-EU visitors.\n\nPrice hikes for non-EU visitors to move Mona Lisa\n\nBrits and Americans and other nationalities from outside the European Union will be expected to pay between â¬25 and â¬30, while citizens from inside the EU will pay a regular â¬22. It is understood that a similar pricing policy will affect the Palace of Versailles and the Musée DâOrsay as well. The surcharge will come into effect in 2026.\n\nâThe museum is under threat from a worrying level of obsolescence!â according to the director of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, in a memo to Franceâs Culture Secretary, describing a visit to the museum as a âphysical ordealâ. The memo sparked a rethink about the layout and the possibility of updating the structurally out-of-date entrance under the courtyard.\n\nBusloads of tourists queue for hours to see the Leonardo da Vinci painting, and average a 50-second look before being shuffled along again, and this is what Des Cars wants to change, along with giving historical context by hanging similar works from the same age in adjacent rooms to the Mona Lisa.\n\nThe creation of a new entrance to the museum next to the Seine and the underground rooms will -cost around â¬400 million and will be finished by 2031.

Amy Amy Amy â' Rocio Starry returns to Bonnet
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-29 09:00:11Amy Amy Amy, the Costa del Solâs much-loved tribute to the late great Amy Winehouse through the voice of Costa del Sol Jazz singer, RocÃo Starry, is playing at the Bonnet Bar in Fuengirola.\n\nFor a tribute to the great Amy Winehouse, RocÃo Starryâs voice perfectly encapsulates the deep, strong control of that of the Londoner chanteuse, with a clear and precise pitch and a wide range that allows her to tackle both high and low notes with apparent ease.\n\nRocio playing Bonnet with full band\n\nAccompanied by José Nova on bass, Alex Peña on guitar, Oliver Torres on drums, and Juanma Romero on sax, Rocio promises to deliver an evening of delight for Amy Winehouse fans.\n\nAccording to Rocio, âI fell in love with her voice from the first day I heard it and started introducing some of her songs into my repertoire. My mother told me that her songs looked great on me. The day I found out about Amyâs death, I was singing in a disco, and when I approached a friend with the microphone, he gave me the terrible news. You canât imagine how I felt trying to finish my set.â\n\nRocio Starryâs sell-out performance at the Salon Varietés theatre in 2024 should give an indication of how popular the Amy Amy Amy show has become. Winehouse fans in Fuengirola can see the show for free on Friday, January 31 at Bonnet Bar in Fuengirolaâs harbour at 11pm. Entry is free.

Kukko welcomes back Freud Marx Engels & Jung Revisited
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-28 10:14:18Kukko in Fuengirola is hosting the return of Freud Marx Engels & Jung âRevisitedâ on January 30 and 31.\n\nFreud Marx Engels & Jung Revisited is the revival of the celebrated Finnish outlaw country band of the 80s and 90s, who were themselves inspired by the Americana of Crosby Stills and Nash and others of their genre.\n\nFreud Marx Engels & Jung formed in 1987 and produced music for 30 years. After the passing of their original singer, Jussi Kinnunen, a former band member, created Freud Marx Engels & Jung Revisited in late 2022 to bring their music back on the road. The band quickly assembled a group of experienced musicians from various other formations and joint musical projects.\n\nLead singer Pekka Myllykoski and guitarist Arto Pajukallio remain for this ârevisitedâ tour, stopping off in Fuengirolaâs Kukko restaurant on Thursday and Friday, January 30 and 31. The new lineup is formed by Juha Rautava, Vocals, Guitar; Pekka âDevilâ Virtanen, Guitar, Vocals; Arto Pajukallio, Guitar, Vocals; Jussi Kinnunen, Bass, Vocals; Tero Pulkkinen, Keyboards, Accordion, Vocals; and Samuli Halonen on Drums.\n\nKukko can be found on Avenida de Los Boliches 4, Fuengirola. The Thursday show is on at 7pm, and Fridayâs on at 8pm. Entry is â¬20 each night.

Poland is transforming coal into âBlack Goldâ jewellery
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-28 10:08:37Polandâs Upper Silesia, a region rooted in coal mining, is finding new ways to honour its heritage.\n\nKnown for its âBlack Gold,â the area is transitioning from an industrial powerhouse to a creative hub where coal is being repurposed into unique jewellery that reflects its cultural identity, according to a Euronews report.\n\nCoal mining in Upper Silesia, Poland \n\nFor centuries, Upper Silesia, southern Poland, played a crucial role in fuelling Europeâs industrial boom. The regionâs miners worked tirelessly in the coal mines, creating a legacy of resilience. Today, while large-scale mining has diminished, the cultural and historical significance of coal remains a big part of the regionâs identity.\n\nThe local dialect, once banned in Poland, survives as a symbol of Silesian pride. This distinct culture is also evident in the architecture of mining towns like Nikiszowiec, where rows of tenement houses still tell stories of generations of miners.\n\nUpper Silesiaâs âBlack Goldâ jewellery\n\nUpper Silesiaâs coal is now being transformed into hand-crafted jewellery, merging its industrial past with artistic innovation. Katarzyna Depa, founder of the jewellery brand I Coal You, is leading this trend. Speaking to Euronews, she said, âJewellery from coal is first and foremost a symbol of mining hardships⦠showcasing this coal in the form of jewellery also gives us the impression that, if not for coal, then nothing would be here.â\n\nDepaâs clients include tourists looking for unique souvenirs and locals who see these pieces as a tribute to their heritage. Her designs are inspired by 19th-century traditions when miners created simple coal beads as gifts for their loved ones.\n\nBeyond jewellery, Upper Silesia is embracing its cultural distinctiveness. The once-suppressed Silesian dialect is now celebrated, appearing on tote bags and local bar signs. Statues of folkloric figures, known as âbeboks,â adorn the streets, while local artists, like Grzegorz Chudy, depict the regionâs mining landscapes in dreamlike paintings.\n\nThe regionâs individuality is also celebrated in music, with bands like Myslovitz singing about Upper Silesiaâs unique identity. âSilesia is so individual,â says Depa, who believes this cultural pride sets the region apart from cities like Warsaw or Krakow.\n\nView all news in Poland.

Costa Blanca South: News in Brief
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-28 11:18:50The Pinoso Merchants Association has launched its Valentineâs Day loyalty shopping campaign, running until February 15.\n\nParticipation is simple: customers can send a photo of their purchase receipt to the ACP Chat Bot at (+34) 644280755.\n\nAs part of the campaign, various prizes will be offered, including a raffle for two dinners for two people at Nou Embolic.\n\nPink Paradise\n\nFlamingos are stealing the show once again at El Hondo Natural Park wetland that spans the municipalities of Elche, Crevillente, Catral, and Dolores. This vital natural area in Alicante is a sanctuary for many bird species, with the flamingos as its star attraction.\n\nRecently, MeteOrihuela showcased photos by Germán Morales, capturing the birds wading through the parkâs water. The images highlight the beauty of this ecological treasure.\n\nEl Hondo is one of the top spots for flamingo sightings in the Valencian Community. These migratory birds use the park as a crucial resting and feeding point on their journeys between Africa and Europe.\n\nWhatsApp WhatsAspe\n\nThe Aspe Merchants Association has launched âWhatsAspe,â an instant messaging platform to share promotions, exclusive offers, events, and contests directly with consumers. Joining is easy, save the associationâs number and start receiving updates on your mobile.\n\nThe association stated, âWith âWhatsAspe,â we want to connect more closely with our customers, meet their needs, and support local businesses, the heart of our community.â\n\nCouncillor for Commerce Antonia GarcÃa Morote highlighted the City Councilâs support for innovative initiatives. She encouraged residents to join WhatsAspe, saying, âThis collaboration makes Aspe more dynamic and appealing while strengthening our local commerce.â\n\nThe first promotional campaigns will launch soon, offering exclusive opportunities for consumers. Save the number (+34) 722 70 73 93 to start benefiting from âWhatsAspeâ today!\n\nTorrevieja has approved an agreement guaranteeing a total discount on water and sewage bills for large families and single-parent households living in the municipality.\n\nThis initiative expands the coverage of the Social Fund, which has traditionally supported retirees and pensioners with limited resources, to include these additional groups.\n\nThe grants will cover 100 per cent of water and sewage expenses for eligible households throughout the year. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria. The property for which the discount is requested must be registered as the applicantâs habitual residence.\n\nThe discount applies only to the annual water consumption of up to 300 cubic metres; any usage beyond this limit will not be covered. By applying, individuals authorise the City Council to verify their residency and data in the municipal register.\n\nLive Savers\n\nBasil, a resident of Orihuela Costa, recently underwent an emergency procedure at Torrevieja University Hospital to have a pacemaker fitted. The unexpected situation required him to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance with lights flashing.\n\nThe patient has expressed deep gratitude for the care he received, praising the ambulance staff, doctors, and nurses for their professionalism and quick action, which he credits with saving his life. He gave special thanks to the doctor who performed the procedure, highlighting his kindness and expertise during a stressful time.\n\nThis was not the first time the family experienced the dedication of the hospital staff. Basilâs wife, Maggie, was also recently admitted as an emergency case. Both Basil and Maggie commended the exceptional care and attention provided to them, expressing their appreciation for the hospitalâs staff.\n\nVoucher Victory\n\nThe latest shopping voucher campaign launched by Elche has provided an economic boost of approximately â¬3.4 million to the municipality during November and December.\n\nCaridad MartÃnez, the Councillor for Commerce, highlighted that over 12,000 people benefited from purchasing consumer vouchers worth â¬20, â¬50, â¬100, and â¬200, which could be used at nearly 700 commercial and hospitality establishments registered across the municipality. Notably, 99.9 per cent of these vouchers were redeemed.\n\nThe councillor pointed out that the majority of purchases occurred in December, coinciding with the Christmas holidays. She also mentioned that each participant could purchase up to â¬200 euros worth of vouchers, with a â¬100 limit on their expenditure. The councillor expressed satisfaction with the campaignâs success, particularly in food and gift purchases, and emphasised the wide variety of participating establishments, which contributed to the campaignâs effectiveness in supporting local commerce.\n\nSanta Pola Town Hall, in partnership with Salinas Bras del Port, has introduced the exclusive Polasal natural sea salt flakes, highlighting them as a new tourist attraction. These premium salt flakes, the only ones produced in Spain, are set to become a must-have for those looking to take a piece of Santa Pola home, both as a memory and as a tastebud tickler.\n\nThe Polasal natural sea salt flakes, known for their distinctive pyramidal shape, crunchy texture, and delicate flavour, are designed to elevate any dish.\n\nTeresa Ferrández of Salinas Bras del Port described the product as having the ability to transform ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences, whether itâs fresh salads, grilled meats, delicate fish, crispy potatoes, or even desserts.\n\nMayor Loreto Serrano remarked, âSanta Pola is establishing itself as a one-of-a-kind destination on the Costa Blanca, where gastronomic tourism is enriched by the exceptional Polasal sea salt flakes.â\n\nPedal Power\n\nSan Vicente del Raspeig has been announced as the host for the International Junior Cycling Grand Prix in 2025. The event, scheduled for March 1 and 2, will be part of the junior world cycling circuit for the first time and stands out as the only competition of its kind in the Valencian Community.\n\nSports councillor Ricardo Bernabeu emphasised the significance of this milestone, stating that it enhances the townâs profile on both the national and international sports stage. He also highlighted the challenging nature and scenic appeal of the selected routes.\n\nThe competition will feature a time trial stage within San Vicenteâs urban centre and a linear stage passing through various towns on the Costa Blanca, including Agost, Castalla, Onil, Jijona, Ibi, and Tibi, before returning to San Vicente.\n\nThe councillor has encouraged the public to attend, promising âan unforgettable experienceâ that will help establish San Vicente as a key destination for cycling and sports tourism.\n\nNatureâs Haven\n\nThe Litoral dâOrpesa, Cap de Cullera, Cap de les Hortes, and Litoral del Cabo Roig have now been given the designation of Special Conservation Areas (SCAs). These regions, recognised for their significant environmental value, are now part of the Natura 2000 Network, a European initiative focused on protecting habitats and species important to the EU.\n\nThe main goal of this measure is to protect biodiversity while ensuring that human activities align with the conservation of local habitats and species. It highlights the importance of preserving the environmental values of these areas.

Alicanteâs global boom: Foreigners now 27.6% of population
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 07:37:01As of 2024, foreigners make up 27.6 per cent of Alicanteâs population, which exceeds 1.95 million people. \n\nThis is a significant increase from just 5.5 per cent in 1988 and 20.4 per cent in 2022.\n\nThe rise in international residents is noticeable across the province, with many newcomers settling in both coastal cities and inland towns. A large portion of these new residents are retirees or second-home owners.\n\nSeveral towns in the region now have foreign populations that surpass the local ones. For example, in Rojales, 68.6 per cent of the population is foreign, with the largest group being the British (5,802), followed by African (698) and American (286) residents.\n\nSan Fulgencio has 65.93 per cent foreigners, mostly British (3,331), with African (277) and Asian (113) populations. In Algorfa, 59.09 per cent of the population is foreign, primarily British (1,471), with smaller African (60) and American (47) groups.\n\nIn San Miguel de Salinas, 54.58 per cent of the population is foreign, with 2,191 British residents, along with significant African (181) and American (123) communities.\n\nHondón de los Frailes has 52.81 per cent foreign residents, with the British being the largest group (501), and smaller populations from America (15) and Asia (14).\n\nFinally, Benijófar has 50.25 per cent foreigners, including 903 British residents, as well as significant Asian (70) and African (36) populations.

Malaga squatting on rise â' ball in governmentâs court
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 08:08:06Squatting has been on the rise in the Malaga region in recent years due to low availability and subsequent rising rent prices.\n\nThe fear of renting out properties because of too few available resources in cases of non-payment has been leading to even more scarcity in the market and a spiralling out of control between affordability and availability of accommodation.\n\nThe number of cases of non-payment of rents in just the city of Malaga increased from 115 recorded incidents in 2019 to 492 in 2023, according to the Office of the Right to Housing (ODV).\n\nThe profile of homes where the occupiers are either refusing to pay rent, or cannot, has increased significantly, with 245 houses corresponding to properties belonging to large companies, 134 cases of public housing, and 101 situations belonging to individual smallholders.\n\nFor Francisco Pamares, Malagaâs councillor for housing, the trend coincides with the central governmentâs adoption of measures to protect those with difficulties paying rent or mortgages and those adopted during the Covid pandemic. Pomares insists that judicial measures to forcibly evict those who squat in apartments be more effective and agile.\n\nEvicting squatters in Malaga, lengthy and costly\n\nLegally evicting a squatter or non-payer of rent in Spain can be a lengthy and costly process, depending on the autonomous community. On a nationwide average, it can take 12 months, and in civil cases, up to an average of 23 months. In the case of Andalusia, the figure is over 13 months, whereas in Asturias, it is just 6 months.\n\nThe ideological conflict the central government cannot grapple with is the fact that the constitution guarantees everyone in Spain the right to a dignified roof over their head. But what of the rights of property owners who have to continue paying property taxes and community fees when they are receiving no financial contributions from the occupier of their property? It seems the ball is well and truly in the court of central government.\n\nRecently, 3 lawyers from Malaga, Barcelona, and Madrid presented a motion at a lawyers conference in Barcelona to change the law so that illegal occupations of a property could see temporary evictions in 2 days in the cases that the occupiers could not demonstrate legal use of the property. In the event of that eviction happening, the government would be responsible for temporarily putting up the evicted, allowing the owner to recoup the home. Whether the government will adopt the proposal as law, it is too early to say. But if it were to be adopted, it could go some way to alleviating the property crisis.

Balearic bookings soar: 24.5% rise
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 08:01:34Tourist bookings to the Balearic Islands have risen significantly, with a 14 per cent increase over the past week. compared to the previous one.\n\nThis is a 24.5 per cent rise from the same time last year, according to TravelgateX data.\n\nThe Balearics are now the fourth most popular destination in Spain, making up 13 per cent of all bookings, following the Canary Islands (18.1 per cent), Andalusia (17.6 per cent), and Catalonia (17.2 per cent).\n\nMost bookings (42.2 per cent) were made 90 days in advance, while 8.7 per cent were last-minute bookings, made on the day of or just before departure. Additionally, 11.8 per cent of bookings were made 31 to 60 days ahead. In the past week, 50.4 per cent of bookings in Spain were by couples, 21.9 per cent by solo travellers, and 48.8 per cent were for stays between 2 and 5 nights.\n\nWhen it comes to nationalities, Spaniards accounted for 44.7 per cent of bookings, followed by the British at 27 per cent, Germans at 3.6 per cent, and North Americans at 3 per cent.\n\nResearch from the UK indicates that destinations like Bulgaria and Italy have seen price hikes for package holidays, while some Spanish destinations, such as Ibiza and Tenerife, are now more affordable than last year.

Melodious Music Hall at Salón Varietés Theatre
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 07:36:47Itâs time to return to the good old days with a wonderful, whimsical selection of scintillating showmanship, song and dance with the Melodious Music Hall, a variety show revival at the Salón Varietés Fuengirola running from Wednesday to Sunday.\n\nThe Costa del Solâs only English-speaking theatre brings entertainment for all the family with a revival of an entertainment show of yesteryear: the variety show. Come see the local talents of Fuengirola and its surroundings sing, dance, and make you laugh, all on one stage.\n\nDirected by Justine Dawkins, choreographed by Alexandra Avery, and presented by the very worthy chairman, Mr. Peter Oliver, The Melodious Music Hall promises to be the most entertaining evening around.\n\nThere are a variety of company numbers and entertaining acts from Mini the Moocher to Ballinâ the Jack, as well as traditional old-time tributes like The Marrow Song and The Bee.\n\nJoin in the fun and the sing-alongs at The Old Bull and Bush and at The Seaside and a long list of performers this year, including the very talented Jimmy Miller, singer and guitarist Ozzy Knox, and the multitalented Laumarie from Malaga, as well as singers, guitarists, ukulele, tap dance, an a cappella quartet, and many more surprise acts.\n\nThe Melodious Music Hall runs from Wednesday, February 5, until Sunday, February 9. The show begins each night at 7.30pm (7pm on Sunday). Ticket prices are â¬16 and are available from the Salón Varietés website or at the box office just before each performance.

No survivors in passenger jet and helicopter crash at Washingtonâs Reagan Airport
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 08:52:37Authorities have confirmed that all 67 people onboard the two aircraft that collided over Washington D.C. on Wednesday evening have sadly died.\n\nThe crash involved an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, with new details emerging about possible contributing factors, including understaffing at air traffic control, plus a potential diversion from the helicopterâs approved flight path.\n\nAir traffic control understaffed at the time of Washington crash\n\nAccording to a preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Reagan National Airportâs air traffic control tower was operating below standard staffing levels at the time of the disaster. The Washington Post reported that only two personnel were on duty performing the jobs of four controllers, managing both helicopter and aircraft movements simultaneously. The report described the situation as ânot normalâ given the volume of air traffic in the area.\n\nâBlack Boxesâ recovered from Washington crash aircraft\n\nThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has retrieved both the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder from the passenger jet. The devices will be analysed to determine whether human or mechanical failures played a role in the crash. Officials have assured the public that âno stone will be left unturnedâ in their investigation, according to The Independent.\n\nWas the Black Hawk helicopter diverted? \n\nFurther reports suggest that the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision may not have been following its assigned flight path. The New York Times cited sources familiar with the investigation who claimed that the helicopter was flying too high and outside of its designated route. The investigation is now focusing on whether this deviation contributed to the collision.\n\nPast near-misses at Washingtonâs Reagan Airport \n\nConcerns over air traffic safety at Reagan National Airport have been raised before. CNN revealed that multiple near-misses between helicopters and passenger aircraft had been reported at the airport in recent years. At least two incidents (one in April 2024 and another in October 2022) resulted in pilots having to take evasive action to avoid collisions.\n\nTrumpâs comments on the Washington crash\n\nPresident Donald Trump is blaming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, plus Bidenâs administration for the crash. He suggested that FAA recruitment efforts for individuals with disabilities played a role in the disaster. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski criticised Trumpâs comments, calling them insensitive and lacking empathy for the victimsâ families, The Independent reported.\n\nOfficials are working on piecing together the exact sequence of events. A full report from the NTSB is expected in the coming weeks, with further insights likely from the analysis of the recovered flight recorders.

Soroptimists planning charity Jazz gig
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 09:00:57Soroptimists International (SI) Costa del Sol have not forgotten after three months since the DANA storms that many in the Valencia region, and as well closer to home in the Guardalhorce Valley, are still suffering and struggling to rebuild their lives and businesses.\n\nThe Mijas-based association jumped into action as soon as the floods were announced with a variety of acts to help support the victims of the worst flooding tragedy in generations in Spain.\n\nâAs womenâs empowerment is one of our goals,â says Daphne Theunissen, president of SI Costa del Sol, âwe have decided to focus on women entrepreneurs. When you help a woman rebuild her business, everyone around her also benefits,â she says. âAs well, so to identify those women who need our support, we also need to tap more funds, because we have decided that it will be necessary to go directly to the affected areas and meet the women in person to ensure the world does not forget about them.â\n\nSo to raise funds to help the victims, Soroptimist International Costa del Sol is organising a Jazz concert which will take place at their headquarters on February 23. Both for those who want to attend this event or are interested in talking part with the Soroptimist DANA Project, they can collect more information and / or contribute donations through the associationâs email: soroptimist.costadelsol@gmail.com or the website costadelsol.soroptimist.es.

Brexit: five years on
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 09:05:05January 31 marks five years post-Brexit, on this day in 2020 the UK left the EU and began its period of withdrawal that lasted through to December of the same year.\n\nSocially and politically contentious, Brexit has remained a key point of discussion in current politics, with the existing Labour government making moves towards closer relationships with the EU.\n\nA YouGov poll marking the five-year anniversary of Brexit showed that the majority of people in the UK, 55%, now think that leaving the EU was the wrong decision with only 30% sticking by their decision to leave.\n\nIn 2016 only 72% of the population voted in the landmark vote. Of the total votes cast 51.89% voted to leave versus the 48.11% who voted to remain.\n\nSo why nine years on from the original vote and five years on from when the Brexit withdrawal began are the UK population having a change of heart?\n\nIn part: trade, although the Brexit negotiations ended in a free trade agreement, lengthy and complicated paperwork has become the bane of businesses having to import or export goods to the EU. What is clear is that smaller businesses operating between the EU and Britain have been negatively affected by bureaucracy at the border. The governmentâs independent budget forecaster, the Office for Budget Responsibility or OBR, still takes the stance that Brexit will reduce exports and imports by 15% in the long-term and cost the UK £100 billion by reducing the countryâs economy by 4%.\n\nTrade, legal sovereignty, immigration, travel and the economy were all key points of the 2016 referendum.\n\nImmigration was another key concern of the Brexit referendum campaign and after the loss of EU freedom of movement, where member states were able to move freely to study, work, visit and live without applying for visas, EU immigration plummeted. But non-EU immigration is at an all-time high. That increase has been put down to work visas and international students and their dependents which were needed to fill the void left by the loss of EU immigration.\n\nTravel has of course also become more difficult post-Brexit with the end of freedom of movement for UK nationals in the EU. Whilst people from Britain can still visit the EU for 90 days at a time in a 180-day period without requiring a visa travel is still more difficult than was in the 47 years we were part of the EU. And there are big travel challenges still to come for visitors to the EU in 2025. The EU will introduce an electronic Entry and Exit System that will register travellers from non-EU countries, taking biometric data and other personal details plus noting when a traveller enters and exits each EU country, this will then be followed by the implementation of European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS which will mean that UK citizens have to obtain clearance to travel in 30 EU countries. It will cost £5.90 for every person and every journey taken. The UK will also implement a permit for EU citizens from April 2025 called the Electronic Travel Authorisation that will cost £16 to buy.\n\nDuring the EU referendum money leaving the UK and being paid to the EU was also a key concern. The UK is still in a period of transition. The withdrawal agreement has seen the UK pay £14.9 billion between 2021 and 2023 and itâs estimated that from 2024 that figure will rise over a number of years by £6.4 billion. This figure also doesnât represent monetary funding for joint research and science projects between the EU and the UK like Horizon and Copernicus.\n\nBeing free of EU laws was another major point in the referendum campaign. However legal sovereignty has not been quite so easy to put in to place. Post-Brexit, to avoid major disruptions in law, over 6,000 EU laws were retained and put into UK law. Of these only a small number have since been removed. Although, the changes in law have meant that VAT on sanitary product could be completely axed. An action which the EU also followed a little later than the UK in 2022.\n\nTime will tell if Brexit continues to affect UK trade, travel, laws, immigration and economy, but for now the EU and UKâs shared projects, trade and policies are still very much aligned with each other and with the current Labour governmentâs focus on repairing relationships with the EU that is unlikely to change.

Weather Update for Thursday 30 January 2025 in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la HoradadaÂ
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-30 06:40:49Detailed Weather Outlook\n\nThe area will experience a day with temperatures ranging from 10ºC to 19ºC. The early morning hours will be cloudy, with a minimum temperature of 11ºC. As the morning progresses, the sky will gradually clear, reaching a maximum of 16ºC around midday.\n\nAfternoon and Evening Outlook\n\nIn the afternoon, partly cloudy skies will persist, with a slight 5% chance of precipitation. Temperatures will remain comfortable at around 16ºC. By night, cloud cover will increase, with temperatures dropping to 14ºC and a 10% chance of rain.\n\nForecast for January 31\n\nSimilar weather conditions are expected on January 31, with cloudy periods throughout the day. Temperatures will range between 9ºC and 17ºC, with no significant rainfall anticipated.\n\nWeather Trends for Early February\n\nAs February begins, Torrevieja will see persistent cloudy intervals and a slight chance of rain on February 1. Minimum temperatures will drop to 8ºC, while highs will reach 15ºC. Relative humidity will fluctuate between 40% and 75%, creating a moderately humid atmosphere.\n\nHeading into the weekend, cloudiness will increase. On February 3, light rain is possible under very cloudy skies, with a 55% chance of precipitation. Temperatures will range from 6ºC to 16ºC.\n\nTorrevieja will experience variable weather in the coming days, with moderate temperatures, periods of cloudiness, and occasional light rain. Residents and visitors are advised to stay updated on weather forecasts to plan their outdoor activities accordingly.

Torreviejaâs Waterfront Leisure Area to Offer 4 cinemas, a bowling alley, and much more
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-30 11:42:15The construction of a multi cinema complex in the new Torrevieja Port leisure area is progressing well, along with the rehabilitation of the Levante dam walkway, which is set to reopen in July after thousands of wooden planks are replaced.\n\nA new structure with beams has been erected on the concrete foundation of the first floor at Paseo del Mar. This framework belongs to one of the planned cinema halls. A prefabricated staircase will soon be installed to serve four cinemas, accommodating 600 seats, including a VIP section. The scale of the project has surprised many residents.\n\nThe transformation of the old port area is certainly very evident, featuring 20,000 square metres of urbanised space, including 8,000 square metres dedicated to commercial areas, cinemas, and a bowling alley.\n\nDespite its prominent height, the construction aligns with the approved project specifications.\n\nMcDonaldâs was the first major chain to establish a restaurant in one of the 21 already-leased premises. Other franchises set to follow include Vips, Ginos, Casa Carmen, Lateral, La Rollerie, and Starbucks.\n\nParking and Infrastructure\n\nThe construction company has completed an underground parking facility with 640 spaces, which has now been handed over to operator Empark. Work is also advancing on the central roadway and a traffic regulation roundabout.\n\nInitially budgeted at 26 million euros, the project cost has risen to over 48 million euros due to increased expenses, including the fish auction facility and Customs building rehabilitation required by the Consell del Botà nic. Rising supply prices and the installation of over 500 steel pylons, more than double the planned 200, due to difficult soil conditions have further increased costs.\n\nLevante Dam Promenade\n\nRenovations on the Levante dam promenade, awarded to CHM for 6.5 million euros, are on schedule for completion by July. The 1,300-metre-long dividing wall has been demolished, separating the dam from the cantilevered promenade. Most wooden planks have now been removed and will be replaced with wood, while pergolas at stairway access points will be rebuilt in their original design.\n\nConcurrently, the City Council has awarded contracts totalling 6.3 million euros for the construction of a walkway connecting the dam to the leisure area, adapting the fairground plot, and installing a wastewater pumping station.\n\nAgamed, the water cycle management company, has invested 5 million euros in expanding the rainwater drainage network, doubling its evacuation capacity in the port area, Paseo de la Libertad, and Rambla Juan Mateo. These works have caused partial road closures and are a precursor to further work.\n\nAdditional Delays\n\nThe refurbishment of the Customs building, now housing Generalitat services, continues, with its facade recently repainted in January 2025.\n\nHowever, the partial rehabilitation of the MÃnguez dock is delayed by two and a half months. The contract, awarded to UTE González Soto and Llamas Electrical Montajes for 1.6 million euros, was formalised on November 18, with an expected three-month duration.\n\nWhile the City Council has ruled out major obstacles it has not explained the delay. Sources suggest pending Generalitat authorizations for public domain use and delays from the awarded company as possible causes.

Palma to ban living in a caravan
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-30 14:31:00Palma City Council on Thursday gave the initial approval, with the votes in favour of the centre and far right block Partido Popular and Vox and against the opposition, to a new municipal ordinance that includes measures such as banning living in motorhomes. In a heated plenary session, the municipal spokespeople for the left wing PSOE, Més per Palma and Podemos have branded the new law repressive and anti-democratic due to measures such as banning living in caravans and setting fines for street artists and the homeless.\nThe new bylaw, which will be open to public scrutiny for a month, prohibits spending the night in caravans and motorhomes in Palma except in authorised areas, with fines ranging from 750 to 1,500 euros; it obliges those who ride electric scooters to take out civil liability insurance (with fines of 600 euros), to wear a helmet and a reflective vest; and it raises the fines for very serious offences to â¬3,000.\nThe councillor for Public Safety and Civility, Miguel Busquets, presented the ordinance without mentioning one of its most controversial points, the ban on living in caravans, and defended the need to eradicate behaviour that threatens coexistence. Once the regulation had been approved, the president of the National Platform of Autonomous Motorhomes of Spain, Jesús Gallardo, took the floor in the plenary session, having been given the floor by a neighbourhood association, and he stated that the new civic ordinance is anti-constitutional and contrary to state traffic regulations.\nâThey are not terrorists, they are simply motorhome owners, human beings and families who have unfortunately been forced by the system itself to live in their vehicles because they cannot afford housing, and who with the new ordinance are being left even more helplessâ, he said.\nHe pointed out that the municipal by-law violates the Constitution, which recognises the right to decent housing, by not allowing overnight stays in motorhomes when they are approved vehicles.He added that the Directorate-General for Traffic is against the by-law because âdiscrimination is not allowedâ and those who use their motorhome as a home should not be penalised, as long as it is properly parked and they do not carry out any activities outside of it.\nâNormally, a motorhome is bought for enjoyment. The sad thing is that, in Mallorca, there are people who have to buy a motorhome to be able to live in it because they have nowhere to sleep,â he said. âWhat do we do with these families? Throw them into the sea? Send them to other nearby towns as is happening and blame the problem on the next mayor?â asked Gallardo, who denounced that âthe aim of this ordinance is to hide from all the tourists who come to Mallorca the fact that there is poverty and it is not true that more than 500 people sleep roughâ.

Failings at Palma airport air traffic control in damning new report
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 08:46:00An internal Palma Airport safety report has criticised \"absolutely irresponsible\" action by the state air navigation company Enaire at the time of the devastating storm that hit Valencia towards the end of last October.\nThe report points to a lack of key safety when the Valencia region was on red alert for bad weather. A unit of the control tower at Son Sant Joan was closed because two specialist flow control technicians were off sick.\nThe functions had been transferred to Madrid, but it is noted that controllers could have been paid overtime as cover. Enaire chose not to pay the overtime. The fact there were there no serious consequences was due only to \"providence\".\nAt Palma on October 28 there were 819 flights; on the 29th there were 767. Around thirty flights were diverted from Valencia to Barcelona or Alicante. The report is concerned by what might have happened had there been diversions to Palma or if planes had needed to move towards the Balearics, where there were also weather alerts (but not red).\nThe matter has been raised in Spain's Senate. A senator, Enric Xavier Morera, quoted from the report: \"It was absolutely irresponsible to leave the Balearic Islands without technicians in order to save on personnel costs.\" The director of Enaire's air navigation services has been asked what measures will be taken to prevent this situation from happening again.

Spainâs âbig brotherâ tourist controls should be axed
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:08:00The Spanish Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) and the travel agency associations UNAV, Acave and Fetave have called for the precautionary suspension of Royal Decree 933/2021, which tightens up the registration of travellers, until the European Commission finalises its analysis of the possible breach of the European Data Protection Regulation, as reported in a joint statement.From the point of view of these organisations, this traveller registration, which came into force last December, represents a âclear excessâ in the collection of personal data, which is âagainst the fundamental principle of European regulations, which requires that data processing be relevant and not excessive.\nThey also consider that the information required in this registry goes far beyond the âlegitimate objective of guaranteeing securityâ, denouncing that it âinvades the privacy of consumers in an unjustified and disproportionate mannerâ. In addition, the travel agency organisations have criticised the fact that the RD imposes a series of âexcessiveâ obligations on the sector and establishments that do not correspond to them and that, furthermore, generate âa notable responsibility in terms of data custodyâ.\nâThese obligations are especially burdensome for small and medium-sized enterprises, something that can undoubtedly affect competition in the sector, as well as being an overreach of the provisions of Organic Law 4/2015, which is why they are requesting the exclusion of travel agencies from the scope of the Royal Decree,â they explained.

Effective tips to prevent winter viruses in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 10:46:00Although blessed with a warm climate, winter health is an issue in Mallorca just as it is anywhere else in Europe. Coughs, colds and other bugs are spreading furiously at this time of year. So can you prevent yourself from catching colds? It seems that everyone has their own theory, but is there anything that actually works?\nStopping the spread\nMost winter bugs are caused by viruses, tiny vessels of genetic material programmed to spread. They typcially enter the body through the vulnerable points of the eyes, airways, or by being swallowed. To reduce the risk of this happening:\nWash your hands regularly, especially if youâve been in a busy area\nEnsure that shared spaces are well-ventilated.\nConsider wearing facemasks in crowded areas (although most of us were glad to see the back of them after the pandemic)\nBoosting your immune system\nThe best way to have a robust immune response may seem a little unimaginative but is tried and true: have a healthy diet, sleep well and take regular exercise. A huge range of other ideas have been investigated, but for most the evidence is still mixed.\nThere seems to be a small amount of evidence that probiotics (foods containing live bacteria, including yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut) could help. However, the effectiveness of popular remedies like vitamin C and echinacea has yet to be proven.\nVaccine vs virus\nVaccines are available to protect us from some â' but not all â' winter bugs. Influenza (flu) vaccines are widely used. Flu is not just a cold â' itâs a potentially serious illness for those in risk groups. The European Commission estimates that 37,000 deaths are avoided in Europe every year thanks to flu vaccines.\nOver recent years, the Covid-19 vaccine has also been added to the winter to-do list for certain at-risk groups. Again, this has saved an unimaginable number of lives â' over 14 million in a single year according to one study.\nHere in Mallorca, you can access Covid-19 and flu jabs through your local health centre. Even if you arenât registered with the local public health service, you can still get both via the public health system if you are in a high-risk group, although there may be a chanrge depending on your country of origin and residence status. The campaign continues up until the end of March when the flu season draws to an end.\nBabies in Spain receive a vaccine against respiratory syncitial virus (RSV), which causes a range of respiratory illnesses from mild to life-threatening in small children. Children are vaccinated against chickenpox, which tends to rear its head in winter and spring. Again, these are available through your local health centre.\nWhen prevention isnât enough\nDespite precautions, catching a winter bug is sometimes unavoidable. If you fall ill, rest, try simple measures, and seek medical advice if your symptoms persist or worsen.\nReferences and further information\nhttps://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006895.pub4/fullhttps://bjsm.bmj.com/content/45/12/987.short https://health.ec.europa.eu/vaccination/influenza_es https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9537923/\nPosition on vaccination for overseas visitors clarified with IBSalut 28/1/25

China unleashes âDeath Starâ weapon: Is it time to worry?
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:09:56China unleashes âDeath Starâ: Is advanced space weaponry a cause for concern? \n\nChina has unveiled a terrifying new weapon that could obliterate satellites with a Star Wars-style mega-beam. The high-powered microwave (HPM) weapon was first tested in 2024 and is already raising alarm bells in the West.\n\nChinaâs laser focus on space warfare\n\nIn scenes straight out of a sci-fi horror blockbuster, Chinese scientists successfully converged seven microwave beams into a single mega-beam- much like the Death Starâs planet-smashing laser. The test secretive tests â' carried out in western China â' saw the beams fuse with pinpoint accuracy over 1,100 miles away, demonstrating the ability to knock out orbiting satellites.\n\nUnlike traditional cyberattacks or jamming signals, these high-powered microwaves could permanently destroy satellite electronics, turning billion-dollar space assets into floating scrap metal. Think less âlaser swordâ and more âion cannon.â Imagine a cityâs entire power grid being wiped out in an instant â' not by a cyberattack or a bomb, but by an invisible microwave blast. Or, an entire airportâs radar and communication towers going dark, leaving pilots blind mid-flight. This is the raw power of this incredible weapon. \n\nWhatâs the target?\n\nThe real concern? This isnât just an academic experiment. Chinaâs military is developing the tech to suppress or destroy navigation and communication satellites â' vital for everything from GPS to missile guidance. With space now the ultimate battlefield, this could be a game-changer.\n\nDocuments from a Chinese journal, later picked up by the South China Morning Post, revealed the weaponâs shocking precision. Each vehicle transmitting the beams was synchronised to within just 170 picoseconds â' a few trillionths of a second â' by fibre-optic cables.\n\nUnlike anti-satellite missiles, which leave a dangerous trail of debris, microwave attacks could wipe out a satellite without a trace â' no explosions, no space junk, just a lifeless hunk of metal drifting through orbit. That makes them harder to detect and even harder to prove.\n\nChina has arguably been obsessed with countering the Westâs dominance in space since the 1990s, developing a range of anti-satellite weapons. The problem with missile strikes, like those from Chinaâs SC-19 system, is that theyâre expensive, highly visible, and turn low-Earth orbit into a scrapyard. Microwaves, on the other hand, leave no mess â' just mayhem.\n\nIs advanced space weaponry a worry for the future?\n\nRight now, the technology still faces huge challenges. A full-scale version of the weapon would need gigawatts of power â' 1,000 times more than the megawatt-class energy systems currently being developed. Even Chinaâs most powerful lasers struggle to reach those energy levels.\n\nBut thatâs not stopping them. The Peopleâs Liberation Armyâs new Aerospace Force is already training units in how to use HPMs, while a report from the U.S. Air Forceâs China Aerospace Studies Institute warns that only the highest levels of the Chinese military â' namely the Central Military Commission â' would have the authority to launch an attack.\n\nFor now, this âDeath Starâ weapon remains in development. But if Chinaâs military starts ramping up tests, it could signal that a devastating new class of space weapons is closer than we think. Where are we heading?\n\nStay tuned for more from the Euro Weekly News. \n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nRead more news in English from around Europe.

Elche unveils historic bus routes linking districts and beaches
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:11:35Elche has made a significant advancement in mobility with the launch of a municipal bus service connecting the central urban area to its major districts. \n\nMayor Pablo Ruz described the development as âhistoric,â noting that it addresses a long-standing need for better transportation in the region.\n\nThe mayor also announced a new direct bus service launching in May that will connect the AVE station to the beaches of El Altet. This service will include two daily trips: one arriving at the beach by 11:45am and another timed to connect with the final train back to Albacete and Madrid.\n\nThe new district bus service has been highly anticipated for over 40 years.\n\nAmong the most successful routes are the R11, connecting the Business Park to the airport, accounting for 35 per cent of users, and the R10, which links Torrellano to the city centre and serves 17 per cent of passengers. The mayor highlighted the importance of these routes in improving access to key locations, such as the Business Park, which employs over 7,000 workers, and cultural landmarks like La Alcudia, where the iconic Lady of Elche was discovered.\n\nThe AVE-El Altet line is also expected to boost tourism, making it easier for visitors from cities like Madrid and Albacete to reach Elcheâs beaches.

Black widow spiders in Spain â' should you be worried?
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:01:08Arachnophobia alert! Thereâs an eight-legged terror lurking in Spainâs warm coastal regions, and itâs got a reputation as deadly as its name. The European black widow (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) is feared for its potent venom and sinister look, but is it really the stone-cold killer itâs made out to be? Letâs untangle the facts.\n\nDeadly bite? The truth behind the headlines\n\nThe European black widow, a cousin of the infamous American species, is found in southern Spain, particularly in dry, rural areas. Its glossy black body and telltale red markings strike fear into many, and with good reason â' its venom is one of the most potent of any spider in Europe.\n\nThe European black widowâs venom contains neurotoxins that attack the nervous system, causing severe pain, muscle spasms, and in extreme cases, breathing difficulties. However, while the bite can be incredibly painful and unpleasant, deaths are exceptionally rare.\n\nA menace in your garden?\n\nUnlike some spiders that prefer hiding indoors, the black widow is usually found outside, spinning its tangled webs in gardens, under rocks, and in rural farmland. It rarely bites unless it feels threatened or startled, and most incidents occur when someone accidentally disturbs one â' for instance, by reaching into an old pair of gardening gloves or moving a pile of firewood.\n\nDespite their terrifying reputation, black widows are not aggressive. They only bite in self-defence, and even then, not all bites result in venom injection.\n\nShould Spain be worried about its black widow spider population?\n\nWhile the black widowâs venom is powerful, Spanish researchers insist that fatalities are almost unheard of. Medical studies have found that most bites cause severe discomfort but can be treated effectively with painkillers and muscle relaxants. In extremely rare cases, antivenom may be administered.\n\nIn contrast, wasp, hornet, and bee stings are responsible for far more deaths in Europe than spider bites. So, while the black widowâs fearsome reputation might send shivers down your spine, the real threat might be buzzing past your ear.\n\nThe real danger? Spiders vs. hype\n\nHollywood has painted black widows as ruthless killers, but in reality, these spiders prefer to avoid humans. Even the European black widow, with its potent venom, is unlikely to pose a serious danger unless youâre particularly unlucky or have an allergic reaction.\n\nSo, before you go torching your garden shed in a panic, remember: these spiders are far more interested in catching insects than in biting you.\n\nHow to avoid a nasty surprise\n\nIf you want to steer clear of a run-in with a black widow, follow these simple steps:\n\nCheck before you reach: Inspect gloves, boots, and woodpiles before putting your hands in.\n\nKeep it tidy: Clear away clutter in sheds and garages to reduce hiding spots.\n\nSeal the gaps: Block off entry points to keep them out of your home.\n\nShake it off: Give outdoor furniture and equipment a quick check before use.\n\nBottom line? The European black widow may have a deadly reputation, but itâs far from the killer itâs made out to be. Respect them, take precautions, and theyâll likely leave you alone. Stay safe and sensible. \n\nStay tuned for more Euro Weekly News originals. \n\nGet more news from around Spain. \n\nRead more news in English from around Europe.

Polish dumplings headed for space this spring
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 11:15:29Polish astronaut to be SÅawosz UznaÅski-WiÅniewski is due to travel to the International Space station with three other colleagues from different countries this spring.\n\nHe is allowed to take a small amount of hand luggage with him and three of the items that he has chosen are a Polish flag, a tiny golden heart issued by the Grand Orchestra of Christmas Help Foundation which will be auctioned for the charity and a selection of tasty Polish dumplings known as pierogis.\n\nSpecial freeze dried Polish dumplings headed for space this spring\n\nClearly the pierogis cannot be taken into space without ensuring that they can be prepared on the International Space Station, so working with a small Polish family business it became possible to freeze dry the dumplings so that they could be eaten when he felt peckish.\n\nAstronaut uses hand luggage to take Polish dumplings into space\n\nThe Polish flag is a historical item that was taken into space by the first Polish astronaut MirosÅaw Hermaszewski in 1978 so will become a very special item to hopefully passed on to the third Polish astronaut at some time in the future.\n\nHermaszewski who was 81 when he died in 2022, lived long enough to congratulate UznaÅski-WiÅniewski when it was announced that he had been chosen to become an astronaut and was apparently the first person to contact him after the announcement was made.\n\nThis project which will be financed by the Polish government with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) is due to last 14 days and various experiments which will have been paid for by different companies will be undertaken during that relatively short period of time.\n\nWhilst space travel of any type is still considered an important step for many countries, it has almost become common place for others especially with the constant change of personnel aboard the International Space Station.

Central Malaga development to rid city of eyesore
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 12:01:16There is a huge park and skyscraper project on the cards for Malaga city on the site of the old Repsol fuel deposit\n\nThe 70,000 square metre plot of land has been left empty for years and has become a blot on an otherwise splendid European city. However, now the official green light has been given on a massive project to convert the site into a grand park and green and modern living space.\n\nThe council has already granted the licence and ordered that it be excavated to remove existing elements, such as old railway lines, which have all become overgrown. The space had largely converted into a site for walking dogs and letting them do their business freely. Now, however, it is all fenced off and ready for redevelopment to get underway.\n\nThe new design for the land is expected to take 2 years to complete, but beforehand it needs various studies given the technical specifications of the design, such as tests for the quantity of groundwater and seismic stability.\n\nOnce complete, the site will boast 401 new homes, many of which will be protected price flats, and 20,000 square metres of public use, including parks, gardens, and sports land, and three apartment blocks.

Dance Championships in Estepona
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 10:50:05Felipe VI Auditorium in Estepona next Saturday, February 8, will host the âUNIT Dance Championships of Spainâ, in which over five hundred dancers of all ages, from six years old, from academies throughout the country will participate.\n\nThis is the first time that Estepona is to host a dance competition of this calibre, an event in which the Martina Tessaro Dance School of the town will act as host, whose students are also performing in the competition.\n\nThe objective of the championship is to promote dance to children and teenagers and show them the possibilities this activity offers them to develop a professional career or get in shape, or, simply, to have fun.\n\nThe championship, which takes place from 10am to 8pm, including competitions in different disciplines such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Show Dance, Contemporary, Acrobatics and Folk, among others, in both amateur and professional categories.\n\nThose dancers who qualify in this national semifinal will represent Spain in the European finals, which will be held in Germany from April 30 to May 3.\n\nThe event will be open to the public and includes two master classes during breaks. Tickets can be purchased at the box office from one hour before the event: â¬20 for adults and â¬15 for children under 11 years old.\n\nFelipe VI Auditorium is in Calle Diputado Ignacio, Mena, Estepona.

Confirmed: The âdrunkâ man in civilian clothes checking passports at the Gibraltar border with Spain WAS the ârogue officerâ police chief
PUBLISHED: 2025-01-31 20:04:36WELL-PLACED sources within Spain have confirmed to the Olive Press that the âdrunkâ man checking passports at the Gibraltar frontier was the ârogue officerâ border chief.\n\nSpeculation had been mounting since the video first surfaced a week ago that the man, in a grey jumper and jeans, could be the Policia Nacional chief inspector.\n\nDavid Barrero, the senior officer who has been creating tensions at the delicate border crossing for several months, had reportedly been transferred away from the post.\n\nBut now sources on the Spanish side of the border have confirmed that the figure in the grainy video is indeed the contentious officer.\n\nREAD MORE: Revealed: The behind-the-scenes power struggle that made the Spanish police chief at the Gibraltar border âgo rogueâ\n\nâAlthough Iâm surprised because he had been transferred away to other duties,â the source added.\n\nThe video, filmed after dark from a car in the queue, shows a white-haired man in jeans and a jumper staggering around demanding to see passports.\n\nMore and more scooters and motorcycles arrive in the queue to look on in astonishment as the uniformed officers do nothing to interfere. \n\nREAD MORE: UPDATED: âSpain is fixed on the airportâ: Have negotiations over a post-Brexit deal for Gibraltar hit a new snag?\n\nWhile the video has no sound, it is clear that the manâs actions cause disquiet among those queuing to enter Spain.\n\nAt one moment, he lurches backwards and urges a car to come forward, before then leaning on its bonnet to inspect the passport of a motorcyclist â' while a uniformed officer watches nearby.\n\nThe video appeared online around a week ago, but it was not until El Pais revealed the identity of the Police Nacional chief in charge of manning the border with Gibraltar that observers noticed the similarity between the two men.\n\nBarrero has been the subject of intense controversy and diplomatic pressure for his efforts to disrupt the border and unilaterally impose Schengen controls on Gibraltar.\n\nREAD MORE: Exclusive: The inside story of âcriminal activityâ at gaming company Mansion during the wild-west era of online gambling in Gibraltar\n\nThe maverick border chief has even filed a denuncia in the La Linea courts against his own superiors over the relaxed border arrangements with Gibraltar, which he argued violated the Schengen code and left him with no legal protection in case of an incident.\n\nHowever, according to reports in El Pais, Barrero decided to âgo to warâ against his superiors after the incoming commissioner of police moved responsibility for the frontier to a separate department. \n\nMarÃa José MartÃnez, who was appointed Commissioner of Police in La Linea in April 2024, moved control of the border away from Barreroâs unit, Unidad Central de Redes de Inmigración Ilegal y Falsedades Documentales (Central Unit for Illegal Immigration Networks and Document Forgery).\n\nInstead she put it in the hands of la Brigada Local de ExtranjerÃa y Fronteras (Immigration and Borders Brigade) under the command of Inspector Ignacio Trujillano Saborido.\n\nHowever, sources close to Barrero painted a different picture: âHe filed the complaint when he began to see that he did not have the support of his superiors. \n\nREAD MORE: All you need to know about Gibraltarâs planned transport and infrastructure upgrade\n\nâIf he doesnât carry out the law, they can accuse him of misconduct.â\n\nAccording to the El Pais report, Barreroâs actions do not have widespread support among the rank-and-file, either.\n\nâ[The border arrangement] is a political decision, whether we like it or not,â a police source familiar with the situation said. \n\nâIt is not something that a chief inspector decides.â\n\nAnother said: âIt is not his job to start conquering the Rock with dirty tricks; thatâs not his job.â\n\nHowever, experts within Spain have agreed that the interim arrangement cannot last forever, and as the ongoing treaty negotiations over the border stall, âit becomes reasonable to begin to gradually apply the controls in their entirety.â\n\nREAD MORE: WATCH: Spanish police find nearly 300kg of hash floating in the Strait of Gibraltar after a week of intense narco activity\n\nBarrero has already filed four formal complaints for irregularities at the border, including over allegations that Gibraltarâs Chief Minister and Governor made recent crossings âwithout proper authorisation from Spainâs Foreign Ministryâ.\n\nBut his clashes with his superiors and disciplinary proceedings date back to January 2024.\n\nPolice sources state that one of these cases refers to âwhen the Chief Inspector allegedly placed an antenna at the border post without permission to control the ships and boats that were near Gibraltar.â\n\nOther issues include issuing international arrest warrants for British military personnel who had entered La Linea.

Mallorca \"too expensive\" for the rich; no need for more luxury homes
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:19:00Hans Lenz of Engel & Völkers is president of the ABINI association of national and international real-estate agents. Members of this association typically operate at the high end of the market; many of their clients are foreign.\nLenz, it might sound surprising, says \"Mallorca is now too expensive for the rich in the north (of Europe). This is why there is a significant diversion of buyers towards the mainland.\" He explains that five or six sales of over 20 million euros are being made per annum. At 40 million-plus there are none.\nSince 2019, according to a report by Caixabank Research, the number of sales to foreigners has grown by only two per cent. In the case of Malaga or Alicante, it has shot up by 30% over the same period. \"Prices have risen a lot in recent years,\" says Lenz. \"In Spain we are already the most expensive. Here it's like Monopoly, and for new builds the costs are twice what they are on the mainland, without taking into account the price of the land.\n\"We must build for the people who live and work here. There is no need for more luxury housing. We must think about our residents, not just speculate.\"\nNevertheless, luxury real-estate developments continue to emerge - at prices somewhat lower to those mentioned by Hans Lenz. As an example, sales have started for the XOJAY Es Jonquet development in Palma. Prices for its 57 apartments range from 1.3 to 5.8 million euros. There is also a villa for 7.87 million. Future residents will enjoy a reception service, swimming pool and solarium, a spa with sauna and cryogenic chamber, a cinema room, a yoga and meditation room, a golf simulator, a wine cellar, a community boat, a chef for private events.\nThe luxury is everywhere. Away from Palma there are numerous homes that fetch well over one million euros. In the hotel sector, there are the likes of Richard Branson's Son Bunyola complex, where a villa is available for 10,000 euros a night.\nJosé Miguel Artieda, president of the API association of real estate agents, says: \"It is no longer unusual to spend 14 or 20 million euros in the centre of Palma. It is one more piece of super luxury that is moving at between 11,000 and 20,000 euros per square metre. Various foreign luxury real estate agencies are here - big German, Swedish and now American brands.\"\nIn the restaurant sector, Juan Miguel Ferrer of the CAEB Restaurants Association observes \"there are two kinds of luxury: one that is attracted by brands, the more Instagrammable, and the one that is more austere and more authentic\". Although it appears that Mallorca has climbed the luxury ladder in recent years, Ferrer argues that the island is \"middle luxury\" behind the likes of Dubai, Las Vegas, New York or London. In those cities, restaurants can charge up to 500 euros per person without wine. This isn't the case in Mallorca, where it is more like 80 to 150 euros.

New traffic radars in Alicante
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:30:49The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has announced the installation of four new fixed radar systems strategically placed along various roadways in Alicante and nine additional provinces.\n\nThis initiative aims to enhance the monitoring of some of the most dangerous road sections and the DGT has reported that such surveillance plays a crucial role in reducing the overall accident rate on Spainâs roads.\n\nLocations of new traffic radars in Alicante\n\nThese newly implemented radars are part of an âeffective surveillanceâ programme that incorporates advanced technologies, including kinomometres. The objective is to address and minimise the risk of accidents in specific areas responsible for high-speed violations. However, the DGT has made it clear that its aim is not to punish drivers per se but to promote safer driving practices.\n\nThe precise locations of the new radar devices are kilometre 89.050 on the N-332, kilometre 13.800 on the CV-86, kilometre 7.050 on the CV-905, and kilometre 0.420 on the A-77a.\n\nIn addition, within the province of Valencia, the DGT has expanded the presence of existing radar systems at the following points: Kilometer 349.150 on the A-3, kilometre 6.125 on the V-31, kilometre 3.510 on the CV-410, and between kilometre 3.330 and 1.600 on the V-23.\n\nThe DGT aims to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on the road by 50 per cent by 2030.\n\nPrefer to read your news all in one place? Check out our online newspaper for your local weekly news fix.

Orange picking Marbella city
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 15:34:28Marbella Council has just launched a campaign to remove oranges from the municipal trees. We are now at the time in which the oranges will start to fall by themselves provoking a potential safety issue.\n\nIn total, according to the council, 85 tonnes fruit are expected to be shifted, which will be transferred to the waste disposal plant.\n\nIn some parts of the city these tasks have come late as many of the oranges have been scattered on the ground for some time.\n\nAccording to the council, the works will last two more weeks as, âwe have to wait for the optimal moment of maturation to be able to remove them.â\n\nThe work will be carried on more than 1,800 orange trees throughout the city, which is estimated to involve almost 85,000 kilos of oranges that will be transferred to the waste disposal plant.\n\nSo far, according to the council data, action has been taken on Avenida Mayorazgo, Félix RodrÃguez de la Fuente, Calvario, on Avenida Nabeul, on Portada, Arte, Juan Alameda, Marques de Nájera, Puerta del Mar and Calle José Palomo Square.\n\nIn Plaza de Los Naranjos, for example, the trees continue to be full of these fruits.

The Mystery Man: Unraveling the secrets of the Shroud of Turin
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 15:27:38The international exhibition âThe Mystery Manâ has opened at the Gran Teatroâs exhibition hall in Elche.\n\nThe exhibition offers an exploration of the life of Jesus of Nazareth through the lens of the Shroud of Turin. The exhibit will remain in Elche until March 24.\n\nComprising five rooms, the exhibition provides a detailed account of the Passion of Christ, featuring original archaeological artefacts. Visitors can also delve into scientific studies that examine the Shroud of Turin, including the carbon-14 dating, three-dimensional imaging, and iconography revealing the real image of Jesus. One of the highlights is the first hyperrealistic representation of Jesus of Nazareth, offering a unique perspective on his story.\n\nThis exhibition is part of the Jubilee Year activities and has already drawn over 250,000 visitors worldwide.\n\nFirst launched in Salamanca in 2022, âThe Mystery Manâ has since toured various cities, including Guadix, Granada, Venice, Caravaca de la Cruz, Sigüenza, and Barcelona, where it attracted over 40,000 visitors.\n\nTickets are available for purchase on the official website, themysteryman.com, or at the Gran Teatro box office.

Paris Olympic Balloon will return every summer until 2028
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 15:17:48It was in 1783, that the Montgolfier Brothers invented a hot air balloon which saw the first ever non-tethered manned flight take off from the Tuileries gardens in Paris.\n\nIn 2024 as a tribute to these French aviation pioneers, balloon flight was commemorated during the Paris Summer Olympic Games when each night (winds allowing) a flame-free Olympic balloon tethered to a cauldron was sent up some 30 metres.\n\nThis cauldron was initially lit by judo exponent Teddy Riner and runner Marie-José Pérec at the opening ceremony and rather than risk any accidents with flaming arrows, environmentally-friendly fire made up of clouds of mist lit by LED rays was created.\n\nThe elevation of the cauldron was repeated not only through the duration of the Olympic Games but also with a new opening ceremony featuring the balloon and cauldron for the Paralympics which followed.\n\nParis Olympic Balloon will return every summer until 2028 as announced by President Macron\n\nFor those in Paris at the time, it was considered a fantastic tourist attraction and on Friday January 31, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that this attraction would return to the capital every summer until the start of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.\n\nHaving found that sending up the balloon from the Tuileries gardens last year worked well, it has been decided to use the same location (near to the Louvre Museum) yet again.\n\nâIt will return every summer⦠until the Los Angeles Games,â Macron wrote on X above an image of the balloon rising into the Paris night sky and it is planned that it will stay in place between late June and mid-September.\n\nSupport for summer return of Olympic Balloon until 2028 from Mayor of Paris\n\nParis Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who was publicly in favour of the plan to keep the balloon, posted on Instagram soon after the announcement: âWhat happiness!â âItâs very, very good news.â

Weather Update for Sunday 2 February, 2025 in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la HoradadaÂ
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:11:11Detailed Weather Outlook\n\nOn February 2, 2025, the area will enjoy predominantly clear skies. Temperatures will range between 8ºC and 15ºC, with a wind chill varying from 6ºC to 15ºC. Relative humidity will fluctuate between 35% and 90%, ensuring a relatively dry atmosphere during the midday hours.\n\nAtmospheric Conditions\n\nThe morning will begin with clear skies and no chance of rain. This trend will persist throughout the afternoon, providing excellent visibility for outdoor activities. From midnight onward, intermittent cloud cover is expected, lingering into the early hours of February 3. However, the likelihood of precipitation will remain minimal at just 10%.\n\nThe most notable change in weather will occur on February 3. While temperatures will stay consistentâranging from 7ºC to 15ºCâcloudy intervals will be more frequent throughout the day. Humidity levels will rise slightly, reaching between 55% and 90%, potentially affecting the perceived temperature.\n\nMedium-Term Forecast\n\nA period of stable weather is anticipated in the days ahead. On February 4, skies will clear in the morning, though cloud cover is expected to increase later in the day. Temperatures will fluctuate between 7ºC and 17ºC, with a slight drop in humidity. By February 5, atmospheric stability will improve, bringing mostly clear skies.\n\nFrom February 6, the weather pattern will shift slightly, with more frequent cloudy periods and a 10% chance of rain. Temperatures will remain moderate, between 8ºC and 16ºC, while humidity levels will rise to between 50% and 95%.\n\nLooking ahead to February 7, significant cloud cover is expected, with a 20% chance of light precipitation. Temperatures will be slightly warmer, peaking at 18ºC, while humidity could reach 95%, resulting in more humid and dense conditions.\n\nSNOW TO THE NORTH OF ALICANTE\n\nMeanwhile, in the north of the region, Snow has once again blanketed the peaks of Alicante, marking the second occurrence in less than a month. This rare phenomenon has transformed areas like the Sierra de la Carrasqueta and other high-altitude spots into a winter landscape. Residents of Alicante will have the chance to witness and enjoy this scenic snowfall on Sunday morning.
Las ITS siguen disparadas en Madrid: aumenta un 60 por ciento la gonorrea y un 42 la clamidia
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El gobierno neoliberal de la vida: ¿un crimen perfecto?
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 11:00:00Salto a contenido\n\n Salto a navegación\n\n Contenidos portada\n\n Accesibilidad\n\n image/svg+xml\n\n .cls-1{fill:none;stroke:#000;stroke-linecap:round;}\n\nIniciar sesión\n\n We can't find the internet\n\n Attempting to reconnect \n\n Something went wrong!\n\n Hang in there while we get back on track\n\nEl gobierno neoliberal de la vida: ¿un crimen perfecto?\n\nEl último libro de Borxa Colmenero sintetiza gran parte del pensamiento crÃtico sobre el concepto neoliberalismo y opta por una lectura alternativa a la empleada habitualmente: más que una ideologÃa mercantilista, es un gobierno económico de la vida.\n\nContraportada del libro de Borxa Colemenero, 'O governo neoliberal da vida'.\n\n Nicolás Filgueiras \n\n Ana Ãlvarez Otero \n\nA veces para referirse a una doctrina económica o a una etapa histórica, otras para designar de forma amplia la realidad social y económica en la que vivimos, la palabra âneoliberalismoâ ya forma parte del lenguaje polÃtico de nuestro tiempo. Pero, ¿de qué hablamos cuando hablamos de neoliberalismo?El último libro de Borxa Colmenero, O governo neoliberal da vida (Axóuxere Editora, 2023) puede entenderse como un intento de respuesta a esta pregunta. La obra sintetiza gran parte del pensamiento crÃtico sobre el término y opta por una lectura alternativa a la empleada habitualmente: el neoliberalismo, más que una ideologÃa mercantilista o una doctrina económica, es un gobierno económico de la vida.Neoliberalismo: el origenDesde los años veinte del siglo pasado âneoliberalismoâ fue usado para referirse a una serie de escuelas de pensamiento socioeconómico, como la Escuela neoclásica angloamericana, la austrÃaca o la de Friburgo. Aunque plurales, incluso discordantes en algunos puntos, todas y cada una de estas escuelas mantenÃan en común su oposición a la planificación socialista y democrática de las economÃas.Esta fue la ideologÃa económica que amparó el programa de los gobiernos conservadores en los años 80. A partir de entonces, el término neoliberalismo también sirvió para designar un programa polÃtico y una etapa histórica caracterizados por un marcado antisocialismo y por la deificación del mercado libre, reflejados respectivamente en los ataques frontales a las organizaciones de la clase trabajadora y en la proliferación de deslocalizaciones y procesos de reconversión industrial. Esta fase histórica, que William Davies denominó como âneoliberalismo combativoâ (1979-1989), debe comprenderse en el contexto de la confrontación contra el modelo socialista. Dos hitos marcan su inicio: la colaboración de los Chicago Boys con Pinochet tras el golpe de Estado a Salvador Allende en 1976 y el ascenso de los gobiernos conservadores de Reagan y Thatcher en los años ochenta.El neoliberalismo no solo produjo un conjunto de polÃticas públicas regresivas, sino que vino acompañado por estrategias de combate cultural y por la conformación de un discurso que aspiraba a formar una serie de consensos sociales, una nueva cultura. Se estaba configurando una profunda transformación cultural y moral, y al poco tiempo ya no era la doctrina económica de los conservadores, sino el paradigma compartido por toda la sociedad. Mientras que programas como Dallas transmitÃan la idea de que el éxito material y el acceso a bienes de lujo eran sinónimos de libertad y realización personal, la industria cultural mayoritaria demonizaba el âsocialismo grisâ, representando la vida en los paÃses socialistas como aburrida y mortificante, en contraste con la vitalidad y la abundancia de recursos en las sociedades de consumo occidentales. Era la época de pelÃculas como âRed Dawnâ, en la que se glorifica la resistencia de la juventud estadounidense ante una invasión ficticia de la URSS, y de la declaración, atribuida a Thatcher, de que âsi a partir de los treinta no tienes coche, eres un fracasadoâ. El neoliberalismo articulaba el anticomunismo y el ataque frontal contra el jardinero estatal con la reivindicación de la libertad individual proporcionada por el mercado. âNo existe tal cosa como la sociedad; existen hombres y mujeres individuales, y existen familiasâ ya no era una opinión de Thatcher, sino el sentido común con el que cada vez se regÃan más personas.El objetivo: conquistar las almasThatcher, planificadora consciente de esta transformación cultural, decÃa que âla economÃa es el medio, el objetivo es cambiar los corazones y las almasâ. En una entrevista de 2002, le preguntaron cuál habÃa sido su mayor éxito polÃtico. Respondió sin dudar: âTony Blair y el nuevo laborismoâ. Por fin, su repetitivo eslogan se habÃa convertido en una realidad: âThere is no alternativeâ.Este nuevo neoliberalismo entendido como un consenso social profundo es lo que Davies denomina como âfase normativaâ (1989-2008). Dos fenómenos ayudan a situar esta evolución, este cambio de las almas: las transformaciones acontecidas en el seno de los Estados y las acontecidas en las relaciones laborales.En cuanto a las primeras, se refieren a la adopción de mecanismos de mercado como criterios válidos para la toma de decisiones polÃticas y la gestión de recursos públicos. En la fase neoliberal se impregna a los estados con el espÃritu empresarial: flexibilización de normas y procedimientos, gestión por resultados, rendición de cuentas, constitución de cuerpos de técnicos en los que recaen decisiones polÃticas. Bajo la idea de que, una vez más, âno hay alternativaâ, se naturalizan los valores del mercado como valores neutros y de âsentido comúnâ. Las lógicas del mercado son las lógicas naturales y, por tanto, las productoras de libertad, mientras que las otras opciones o alternativas son demonizadas como intervencionistas e hiperburocratizadas, por tanto, autoritarias y castradoras.El componente antiburocrático es una de las claves del éxito del discurso neoliberal. Colmenero señala lo paradójico de este componente, pues el neoliberalismo no supone una auténtica desregulación, sino que promueve una forma de vida en la que los sujetos se convierten en burócratas de sà mismos: alquilar una vivienda, contratar un seguro de salud, abrir una cuenta bancaria, contratar telefonÃa o internet, son procesos que acontecen en el ámbito del mercado, pero no dejan de suponer rÃgidos procedimientos burocráticos impuestos por entidades impersonales y poco transparentes. Tenemos un ejemplo dramático en Estados Unidos, donde la privatización radical de la sanidad defendida por los neoliberales produjo un ecosistema de empresas aseguradoras que convirtieron el acceso a la cobertura sanitaria en un laberinto burocrático deliberadamente kafkiano, cuyos principios rectores -âDelay, Deny, Defendâ- terminaron hace apenas unas semanas grabados en las tres balas que asesinaron al CEO de United Healthcare.En cuanto al segundo fenómeno que nos ayuda a situar esta âconquista de las almasâ de la que hablaba Thatcher, se trata de la profunda transformación del trabajo ocurrida en las últimas décadas. Colmenero señala la desaparición del empleo fordista en favor de un tipo de relación laboral desprotegida, precaria y temporal en la que ya no se puede trazar una frontera divisoria clara entre asalariados y desempleados, dado que ambos fluctúan precariamente entre el empleo y el desempleo. Pero el sumum del neoliberalismo no estarÃa solo en la transformación del trabajo, sino en su extensión ad infinitum: las lógicas del trabajo y la productividad impregnan todas las dimensiones de la vida. Para el Homo oeconomicus neoliberal, las relaciones sociales son oportunidades para el networking, su vida emocional puede ser constantemente âtrabajadaâ para alcanzar su âmejor versiónâ, sus constantes vitales y actividades fÃsicas son monitorizadas mediante sistemas de self-tracking que generan estadÃsticas de productividad personalizadas, su ocio es susceptible de ser âmejor aprovechadoâ, y sus talentos pueden transformarse en ingresos económicos o en contenido para su marca personal.En definitiva, cualquier porción de tiempo puede ser invertida en generar una productividad, ya sea económica, social o erótica, generando un eterno hilo de actividades que son económicas por su lógica interna. Comenta al respecto Colmenero que âla responsabilidad reside por entero en el propio sujeto, un individuo precario e imperfecto que debe ir completándose, construyéndose a sà mismo, configurando su identidad, su seguridad y su modo de vida. El acceso a unas condiciones de vida dignas forma parte de su responsabilidadâ. Aparece entonces la culpa por actividades percibidas como no productivas, como descansar (âno hacer nadaâ), o por situaciones percibidas como un fracaso personal: el paro, las malas condiciones de trabajo o el malestar psicológico. Como ha señalado Byung Chul-Han, en el régimen de autoexplotación neoliberal, las personas se convierten en vÃctima y verdugo simultáneamente, transformando su indignación con el sistema en una profunda depresión consigo mismas.En esta serie de cambios neoliberales del cuerpo social y polÃtico, las personas normalizan una ética del riesgo en la que la vida aparece como un juego con lo imponderable, un juego en el que la resiliencia y la búsqueda de oportunidades encubren un panorama de incertidumbre e inseguridad. El neoliberalismo se alÃa asà con el âracismo de Estadoâ del que hablaba Foucault, con la defensa de la raza productiva y la apuesta por el control de las vidas que sobran en ese esquema de cálculo y rendimiento. Es como si el neoliberalismo llevase hasta las últimas consecuencias las reflexiones de Benjamin sobre cómo el capitalismo instala un culto (sans rêve et sans merci) permanente y culpabilizador, pero con una gran diferencia respecto a las religiones tradicionales: en este culto no hay posibilidad de expiación, ni ningún âdÃa de la semanaâ que no se caracterice por la tensión extrema del adorador. Las formas de vida neoliberales, marcadas por su constante disposición a producir, incluso cuando no se âtrabajaâ, reflejan nuestra extrema tensión como adoradores: proliferan cada vez más cuadros de depresión, ansiedad o sÃndromes de Burnout; pero cada vez más personas demandan otro reparto social del tiempo y cuestionan que el trabajo asalariado sea el elemento central de sus vidas â'véase la Gran Renunciaâ'.Neoliberalismo: un futuroLa crisis de 2008 puso en tela de juicio la superioridad de la razón económica neoliberal. Esta crisis de legitimidad se vio agravada por una gestión fuertemente moralizada, basada en la interiorización de la responsabilidad en el cuerpo social por los excesos cometidos durante el boom económico, en una estrategia de responsabilización individual, especialmente gravosa en el caso de los grupos sociales más desfavorecidos y también más castigados por la crisis, que âvivieron por encima de sus posibilidadesâ. Se carga a las vidas empobrecidas con una deuda que deben pagar en forma de recortes, reducciones de salarios y servicios públicos. Es lo que Davies bautiza como âneoliberalismo punitivoâ (2008-actualidad), que manteniendo las caracterÃsticas del neoliberalismo normativo, se convierte en un modelo de gobernanza más autoritario.Pero decÃa Foucault que âsi el poder no tuviera otra función más que reprimir, si operase solo siguiendo la forma de censura, de exclusión, de obstáculos, de represión a la manera de un gran superyó, si solo se ejerciera de forma negativa, serÃa muy frágil. Si es fuerte, es porque produce efectos positivos al nivel del deseo â'esto comienza a saberseâ' y también al nivel del saber. El poder, lejos de impedir el saber y el deseo, los produceâ. Foucault transmite la idea de que, para que el poder sea realmente efectivo, necesita producir una racionalidad, un nuevo sentido común que el subordinado aplique âvoluntariamenteâ; necesita conectar con el deseo del subordinado, mostrarse como apetecible. Entonces, ¿por qué triunfó el neoliberalismo como forma de poder y como cultura? ¿Cuál es esa promesa neoliberal que puede ser deseable para el individuo?Esta utopÃa neoliberal podrÃa sintetizarse con tres elementos de los que habla Colmenero en su libro: la post-polÃtica, la disponibilidad total de la vida y la inmunidad.El primer elemento, la post-polÃtica, genera una vida âpúblicaâ sin antagonismos, esto es: un debate público donde se disuelve el conflicto entre adversarios polÃticos, donde se produce una simbiosis entre la gestión privada y la gestión pública. Se trata de la promesa de abordar los conflictos y antagonismos sociales como si se tratara de asuntos técnicos, siempre susceptibles de ser resueltos desde un supuesto âsentido comúnâ o âcientÃficoâ â'coincidente con los criterios del mercadoâ' por parte de un equipo de tecnócratas.El segundo elemento es el de la vida disponible, sin impedimentos ni obstáculos, siempre lista para producir. Vidas definidas por la posesión de ciertas habilidades y competencias que se ponen al servicio del mercado en forma de âperfiles profesionalesâ, para su utilización puntual y fragmentada. Definidas también por la posesión de productos, experiencias y rasgos personales que se ponen al servicio del mercado en forma de perfiles en redes sociales, para su utilización puntual y fragmentada (recordemos Tinder o Grindr como una realización extrema de esta idea). Los individuos buscan la mejora y el crecimiento constante de estos perfiles, convirtiéndose en sujetos reflexivos que están constantemente pensando en todos los aspectos de su vida para mejorarlos mediante sus decisiones personales. El sujeto neoliberal está en la búsqueda constante de la mejor versión de sà mismo.El tercer elemento, la inmunidad, fue desarrollado por los autores de la Italian Theory, y concretamente por las tesis de Roberto Esposito. Este autor señala cómo en el neoliberalismo se produce un proceso de ruptura del munus comunitario, esto es, de la responsabilidad colectiva que vinculaba a unos individuos con otros en los elos de la unión y la solidaridad. La promesa neoliberal serÃa la promesa de una vida individual sin pesados compromisos con la comunidad, liberada de la responsabilidad hacia lo colectivo, sin ningún tipo de deuda con el grupo, que permite decidir sobre el propio destino. En esta promesa, los individuos deben âvivir próximosâ, pero sin estar en contacto directo. Una inmunidad que promete una vida en la que el otro, en tanto que impredecible, queda fuera de los cálculos que uno decide para sÃ, evitando interrupciones y daños.AsÃ, el neoliberalismo promete una vida que se realiza a sà misma, independiente, libre, sin conflicto, abundante y deseable para el individuo. Pero en las mismas promesas del neoliberalismo se encuentran los elementos de su subversión.La utopÃa neoliberal no es posible porque tiene a las vidas como materia prima, pero también una profunda ceguera hacia las mismas. Se pueden asimilar a los principios del mercado todas las propuestas ideológicas, pero no se puede sustraer a los individuos de los antagonismos más fundamentales, al igual que no se los puede sustraer de sus diferencias. Tampoco es posible fragmentar nuestro ser y separarlo del tiempo para ponerlo a disposición del mercado por partes. Mientras nuestro cuerpo no sea robótico o divisible, no podemos separarlo de los avatares más inevitables de la vida â'la enfermedad, el envejecimiento, el cambio, la tristeza, el amorâ'. Tampoco es sostenible una vida perpetuamente erigida sobre la responsabilidad individual, en la que no se contacte con los demás: por más que se infecte el cuerpo social para inmunizarlo, mediante todo tipo de desastres económicos, sociales, laborales, medioambientales; o por más que se medicalice el cuerpo social bloqueando su sensibilidad, no se puede huir de los anhelos de comunidad de nuestra época, y de la búsqueda por parte de muchos de redefinir una base ética entre unos y otros.Nuestros deseos siempre buscan un lugar, a veces en el pasado, en lo que fue, y otras en el futuro, en lo que está por venir. Y dado que estamos constituidos por la falta, y que por mucho que busquemos un lugar nunca estamos completos, el neoliberalismo nunca podrá producir su crimen perfecto. Siempre dejará un rastro que revele su impotencia.\n\n Archivado en: \n\nCapitalismo\n\nNeoliberalismo\n\nO goberno neoliberal da vida: un crime perfecto?\n\nO último libro de Borxa Colmenero sintetiza gran parte do pensamento crÃtico sobre o termo 'neoliberalismo' e opta por unha lectura alternativa á empregada habitualmente: máis que unha ideoloxÃa mercantilista, é un goberno económico da vida.\n\nContracapa do libro de Borxa Colemenero, 'O governo neoliberal da vida'.\n\n Nicolás Filgueiras \n\n Ana Ãlvarez Soto \n\n11 ene 2025\n\nÃs veces para referirse a unha doutrina económica ou a unha etapa histórica, outras para designar de forma ampla a realidade social e económica na que vivimos, a palabra 'neoliberalismo' xa forma parte da linguaxe polÃtica do noso tempo. Pero, de que falamos cando falamos de neoliberalismo?O último libro de Borxa Colmenero O governo neoliberal da vida (Axóuxere Editora, 2023) pode ser entendido como un intento de resposta a esta pregunta. A obra sintetiza gran parte do pensamento crÃtico sobre o termo e opta por unha lectura alternativa á empregada habitualmente: o neoliberalismo, máis que unha ideoloxÃa mercantilista ou unha doutrina económica, é un goberno económico da vida. O neoliberalismo: a orixeDesde os anos vinte do século pasado, âneoliberalismoâ empregouse para referirse a unha serie de escolas de pensamento socioeconómico, como a Escola neoclásica anglo-americana, a austrÃaca ou a de Friburgo. AÃnda que plurais, mesmo discordantes nalgúns puntos, todas e cada unha destas escolas mantiñan en común a súa oposición á planificación socialista e democrática das economÃas.Esta foi a ideoloxÃa económica que amparou o programa dos gobernos conservadores nos anos 80. A partir de entón, o termo neoliberalismo serviu para designar tamén un programa polÃtico e unha etapa histórica caracterizados por un marcado antisocialismo e pola deificación do mercado libre, reflectidos respectivamente nos ataques frontais ás organizacións da clase obreira e na proliferación de deslocalizacións e procesos de reconversión industrial. Esta fase histórica, que William Davies denominou como âneoliberalismo combativoâ (1979-1989), debe comprenderse no contexto da confrontación contra o modelo socialista. Dous fitos marcan o seu inicio: a colaboración dos Chicago Boys con Pinochet tras o golpe de Estado a Salvador Allende en 1976 e o ascenso dos gobernos conservadores de Reagan e Thatcher nos oitenta.O neoliberalismo non só produciu un conxunto de polÃticas públicas regresivas, senón que viu acompañado por estratexias de combate cultural e pola conformación dun discurso que aspiraba a formar unha serie de consensos sociais, unha nova cultura. Estaba a configurarse unha profunda transformación cultural e moral e, ao pouco tempo, xa non era a doutrina económica dos conservadores, senón o paradigma compartido por toda a sociedade. Mentres que programas como Dallas transmitÃan a idea de que o éxito material e o acceso a bens de luxo eran sinónimos de liberdade e realización persoal, a industria cultural maioritaria demonizaba o âsocialismo grisâ representando a vida nos paÃses socialistas como aburridas e mortificantes, en contraste coa vitalidade e a abundancia de recursos nas sociedades de consumo occidentais. Era a época de pelÃculas como Red Dawn, na que se glorifica a resistencia da mocidade estadounidense perante unha invasión ficticia da URSS, e da declaración, atribuÃda a Thatcher, de: âSe a partir dos trinta non usas coche, es un fracasadoâ. O neoliberalismo artellaba o anticomunismo e o ataque frontal contra o xardineiro estatal coa reivindicación da liberdade individual proporcionada polo mercado. Iso de que ânon existe tal cousa como a sociedade, existen homes e mulleres individuais, e existen familiasâ xa non era unha opinión de Thatcher, senón o sentido común co que cada vez se rexÃan máis persoas.O obxectivo foi conquistar as almasThatcher, planificadora consciente desta transformación cultural, dicÃa que âa economÃa é o medio, o obxectivo é cambiar os corazóns e as almasâ. Nunha entrevista de 2002, preguntáronlle cal fora o seu maior éxito polÃtico. Respondeu sen dubidar: âTony Blair e o novo laborismoâ. Por fin o seu repetitivo slogan convertérase nunha realidade: âThere is no alternativeâ.Este novo neoliberalismo entendido como un consenso social profundo é o que Davies denomina como âfase normativaâ (1989-2008). Dous fenómenos axudan a situar esta evolución, este cambio das almas: as transformacións acontecidas no seo dos Estados a as acontecidas nas relacións laborais.En canto ás primeiras, refÃrense á adopción de mecanismos de mercado como criterios válidos para a toma de decisións polÃticas e a xestión de recursos públicos. Na fase neoliberal imprégnase aos estados co espÃrito empresarial: flexibilización de normas e procedementos, xestión por resultados, rendemento de contas, constitución de corpos de técnicos nos que recaen decisións polÃticas. Baixo a idea de que, unha vez máis, ânon hai alternativaâ, naturalÃzanse os valores do mercado como valores neutros e de âsentido comúnâ. As lóxicas do mercado son as lóxicas naturais e, polo tanto, as produtoras de liberdade, mentres que as outras opcións ou alternativas son demonizadas como intervencionistas e hiperburocratizadas, polo tanto, autoritarias e castradoras.O compoñente antiburocrático é unha das claves do éxito do discurso neoliberal. Colmenero sinala o paradóxico deste compoñente, pois o neoliberalismo non supón unha auténtica desregulación, senón que promove unha forma de vida no que os suxeitos se converten en burócratas de si: alugar unha vivenda, contratar un seguro de saúde, abrir unha conta bancaria, contratar telefonÃa ou internet son procesos que acontecen no ámbito do mercado, máis non deixan de supoñer rÃxidos procedementos burocráticos impostos por entidades impersoais e pouco transparentes. Temos un exemplo dramático nos Estados Unidos, onde a privatización radical da sanidade defendida polos neoliberais produciu un ecosistema de empresas aseguradoras que converteron o acceso á cobertura sanitaria nun labirinto burocrático deliberadamente kafkiano, cuxos principios reitores ââDelay, Denay, Defendââ remataron fai apenas unhas semanas gravados nas tres balas que asasinaron ao CEO de United Healthcare.En canto ao segundo fenómeno que nos axuda a situar esta âconquista das almasâ da que falaba Thatcher, tratarÃase da fonda transformación do traballo acontecida nas últimas décadas. Colmenero apunta á desaparición do emprego fordista en prol dun tipo de relación laboral desprotexida, precaria e temporal na que xa non cabe trazar unha fronteira divisoria clara entre asalariados e desempregados, en tanto que ambos flutúan precariamente entre o emprego e o desemprego. Pero o sumum do neoliberalismo non estarÃa só na transformación do traballo, senón no seu alargamento ad infinitum: as lóxicas do traballo e a produtividade impregnan todas as dimensións da vida. Para o Homo oeconomicus neoliberal as relacións sociais son oportunidades para o networking, a sua vida emocional pode ser constantemente âtraballadaâ para alcanzar a súa âmellor versiónâ, as súas constantes vitais e actividades fÃsicas son monitorizadas mediante sistemas de selftracking que xeran estadÃsticas de produtividade personalizadas, o seu ocio é susceptible de ser âmellor aproveitadoâ, e os seus talentos de ser transformados, ben en ingresos económicos ou ben en contidos para a súa marca persoal.En definitiva, calquera porción de tempo é susceptible de ser investida en xerar unha produtividade, xa sexa económica, social ou erótica, xerando un eterno fÃo de actividades que son económicas pola súa lóxica interna. Comenta ao respecto Colmenero: âA responsabilidade reside por enteiro no propio suxeito, un individuo precario e imperfecto que debe ir completándose, construÃndose a si mesmo, configurando a súa identidade, a súa seguridade e o seu modo de vida. O acceso ás condicións de vida dignas forman parte da súa responsabilidadeâ. Aparece entón a culpa por actividades percibidas como non produtivas, como descansar ânon facer nadaâ, ou por situacións percibidas como un fracaso persoal: o paro, as malas condicións de traballo ou o malestar psicolóxico. Como ten sinalado Byung Chul-Han, no réxime de autoexplotación neoliberal, as persoas tórnanse vÃtima e vitimario simultaneamente, transformando a súa indignación co sistema nunha fonda depresión consigo mesmas.Nesta serie de mudanzas neoliberais do corpo social e polÃtico, as persoas normalizan unha âética do riscoâ na que a vida aparece como un xogo co imponderable, un xogo no que a resiliencia e procura de oportunidades encobren un panorama de incerteza e inseguridade. O neoliberalismo alÃase asà co âracismo do estadoâ do que falaba Foucault, coa defensa da raza produtiva e a aposta polo control das vidas que sobran nese esquema de cálculo e rendemento. à como se o neoliberalismo levase até as últimas consecuencias as reflexións de Benjamin sobre como o capitalismo instala un culto (sans rêve et san merci) permanente e culpabilizador, pero cunha gran diferencia con respecto ás relixións tradicionais: neste culto non hai posibilidade de expiarse, nin ningún âdÃa da semanaâ que non se caracterice pola tensión extrema do adorador. As formas de vida neoliberais, marcadas pola súa constante disposición a producir, inclusive cando non se âtraballaâ, reflicten a nosa tensión extrema de adoradores: cada vez proliferan máis cadros de depresión, ansiedade ou sÃndromes de Burnout; pero cada vez máis persoas demandan outro reparto social do tempo e cuestionan que o traballo asalariado sexa o elemento central das súas vidas âvéxase a Gran Renunciaâ.O camiño cara o futuro do neoliberalismoA crise de 2008 puxo en tea de xuÃzo a superioridade da razón económica neoliberal. Esta crise de lexitimidade viuse agravada por unha xestión fortemente moralizada, baseada na interiorización da responsabilidade no corpo social polos excesos cometidos no boom económico, nunha estratexia de responsabilización individual, especialmente gravosa no caso dos grupos sociais más desfavorecidos e tamén máis castigados pola crise, que âviviron por riba das súas posibilidadesâ. Cárgase ás vidas pauperizadas cunha débeda que deben pagar en forma de recortes, reducións de salarios e servizos públicos. à o que Davies bautiza como âneoliberalismo punitivoâ (2008-actualidade), que mantendo as caracterÃsticas do neoliberalismo normativo, tórnase nun modelo de gobernanza máis autoritario.Pero dicÃa Foucault que âse o poder non tivese outra función senón reprimir, se el non operase mais que seguindo a forma de censura, de exclusión, dos obstáculos, da represión á maneira dun gran superego, se el non se exercese mais que dunha forma negativa, serÃa moi fráxil. Se el é forte, é debido a que produce efectos positivos ao nivel do desexo âisto comeza a saberseâ e tamén ao nivel do saber. O poder, lonxe de impedir o saber e o desexo, prodúceosâ. Foucault transmite a idea de que para que o poder sexa realmente efectivo, precisa de producir unha racionalidade, un novo sentido común que o subalterno aplique âvoluntariamenteâ, precisa conectar co desexo do subalterno, mostrarse como apetecible. Entón, por que triunfou o neoliberalismo como forma de poder e como cultura? Cal é esa promesa neoliberal que pode ser desexábel para o individuo?Esta utopÃa neoliberal poderÃase sintetizar con tres elementos dos que fala Colmenero no seu libro: a post-polÃtica, a dispoñibilidade total da vida e a inmunidade.O primeiro elemento, a post-polÃtica, xera unha vida âpúblicaâ sen antagonismos, isto é: un debate público onde se disolve o conflito entre adversarios polÃticos, onde se produce unha simbiose entre a xestión privada e a xestión pública. Trátase da promesa de abordar os conflitos e antagonismos sociais como se de asuntos técnicos se tratasen, sempre susceptibles de ser resoltos dende un suposto âsentido comúnâ ou âcientÃficoâ âcoincidente cos criterios do mercadoâ por parte dun equipo de tecnócratas.O segundo elemento, é o da vida dispoñÃbel, sen impedimentos nin obstáculos, sempre pronta para producir. Vidas definidas pola posesión de certas habilidades e competencias que se poñen ao servizo do mercado en forma de âperfÃs profesionaisâ, para a súa utilización puntual e fragmentada. Definidas tamén pola posesión de produtos, experiencias e trazos persoais que se poñen ao servizo do mercado en forma de perfÃs en redes sociais, para a súa utilización puntual e fragmentada ârecordemos as apps de citas como Tinder ou Grindr como un paroxismo realizado desta ideaâ. Os individuos procuran a mellora e o crecemento constante destes perfÃs, converténdose en suxeitos reflexivos que están constantemente pensando en tódolos aspectos da súa vida co fin de melloralos mediante as súas decisións persoais. O suxeito neoliberal está na procura constante da mellor versión de si mesmo.O terceiro elemento, a inmunidade, foi desenvolvido polos autores da Italian Theory, e concretamente polas teses de Roberto Espósito. Este autor sinala como no neoliberalismo se sucede un proceso de quebra do munus comunitario, isto é, da responsabilidade colectiva que vinculaba a uns e outros individuos nos elos da unión e a solidariedade. A promesa neoliberal serÃa a promesa dunha vida individual sen pesados compromisos coa comunidade, liberada da responsabilidade para co colectivo, sen ningún tipo de débeda co grupo, que permite a decisión sobre o destino dun mesmo. Nesta promesa os individuos deben âvivir próximosâ, pero sen estar en contacto directo. Unha inmunidade que promete unha vida na que o outro, en tanto que impredicible, queda fóra dos cálculos que un mesmo decide para si, evitando interrupcións e danos.AsÃ, o neoliberalismo promete unha vida que se realiza a si mesma, independente, libre, sen conflito, abundante e desexable para o individuo. Pero nas mesmas promesas do neoliberalismo atópanse os elementos da súa subversión.A utopÃa neoliberal non é posible porque ten ás vidas como materia prima, pero tamén unha profunda cegueira coas mesmas. Pódense asimilar aos principios do mercado todas as propostas ideolóxicas, pero non se pode substraer aos individuos dos antagonismos máis fundamentais, ao igual que non se os pode susbtraer ás súas diferenzas. Tampouco é posible fragmentar o noso ser e separalo do tempo, para poñelo á dispoñibilidade do mercado por partes. Mentres o noso corpo non sexa robótico ou divisible, non podemos separalo dos avatares máis inevitables da vida âa enfermidade, o envellecemento, o cambio, a tristeza, o amorâ. Tampouco é sostible unha vida perpetuamente erixida sobre a responsabilidade individual, na que non se contacte cos outros: por máis que se infeccione o corpo social para inmunizalo, mediante todo tipo de desastres económicos, sociais, laborais, medioambientais; ou por máis que se medicalice o corpo social bloqueando a súa sensibilidade, non se pode fuxir dos anhelos de comunidade da nosa época, e da procura por parte de moitos por redefinir unha base ética entre uns e outros.Os nosos desexos sempre procuran un lugar, as veces no pasado, no que foi, e outras no futuro, no que está por vir. E dado que estamos constituÃdos pola falta, e que por moito que procuremos un lugar nunca estamos completos, o neoliberalismo nunca poderá producir o seu crime perfecto. Sempre deixará o rastro que desvele a súa impotencia.\n\n Archivado en: \n\nNeoliberalismo\n\nO Salto Galiza\n\nInformar de un error\n\nEs necesario tener cuenta y acceder a ella para poder hacer envÃos. RegÃstrate. Entra en tu cuenta.

Almeria provinceâs early Madrid flight will continue
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 10:22:48The Air Nostrum airline clarified on January 31 that suspending the early morning flight to Madrid was a temporary measure.\n\nAn official statement explained that the 7.10am Almeria-Madrid flight each Monday, Thursday and Friday had been put on hold between January 30 and February 14 owing to the low demand for domestic flights at this time of the year.\n\nAll of El Alquianâs Madrid flights â' 21 per week in each direction â' would be resumed on February 17, the communique continued. This included the 7.10am flight on the same weekdays as usual.\n\nIberia, which owns the airline, contacted the Europa Press news agency following complaints from the Almeria province business ownersâ association, Asempal, that it would no longer be possible to fly to Madrid and return on the same day.\n\nâThis is another blow to the provinceâs communications and a further obstacle to firmsâ competitiveness,â Asempalâs president Cecilio Peregrin said at the time.\n\nâThis isolates us still more, considering that Almeria still lacks a high-speed rail alternative.â\n\nThe association also commented on the high price of air fares to Madrid, that at times cost âan exorbitantâ â¬700 which, it said, was beyond the reach of most travellers.

Finland to receive â¬51.4 million to expand hydrogen fuel sector
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-01 11:16:36Part of the ongoing European Union programme to decarbonisation recognises that hydrogen fuel will play an important role in the future.\n\nAs part of European Union energy plans, Finland to receive â¬51.4 million to expand hydrogen fuel sector\n\nFor this reason the EU has agreed to support Finnish state-owned gas diffusion system operator Gasgrid and its associates by granting a total amount of â¬51.4 million to support the construction of three pipelines.\n\nThe application for this financial support was only submitted to the European Commission in autumn 2024 so the offer of funds (which was confirmed by Gasgrid on January 31) has been delivered relatively quickly.\n\nThe intention of the Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor project (which is to receive just over â¬29 million) is to develop a hydrogen infrastructure connecting Finnish, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and German markets.\n\nThe Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector project(which receives â¬15.3 million) is aimed at developing an offshore hydrogen infrastructure to connect the Finnish, Swedish and Central European markets.\n\nThe Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor (NBHC) project (which is to receive â¬6.8 million) aims to build hydrogen infrastructure from Finland to Germany via Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.\n\nAs part of plan on linking the Balkans Finland to receive â¬51.4 million to expand hydrogen fuel sector\n\nThese three projects aim to create excellent investment conditions for clean electricity, hydrogen and hydrogen processing plants nationally and in the wider Baltic Sea Region.\n\nIt has been stressed by Gasgrid that the projects were evaluated against strictly defined criteria: priority and urgency, maturity, quality, impact and catalytic impact.\n\nThe European Commission has considered that all three projects contribute to decarbonisation and meeting the EUâs climate and energy targets which looks to see EU member states reach some 10 per cent of its energy needs with renewable hydrogen by 2050 although work on these corridors should be completed by the 2030s.\n\nâThis is excellent news for Finland, the Baltic Sea Region, and the European hydrogen economy as a whole. The decision shows that Finland and the Baltic Sea Region is a strategically important and very competitive region for the development of the hydrogen economy and support EU-climate targetsâ commented Sara Kärki, Senior Vice President, Hydrogen Development at Gasgrid as the news was revealed.

A bad weekend on Mallorca's roads
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 11:28:00A 45-year-old Algaida resident died on Sunday morning after his Citroën C2 hit concrete blocks on the MA-15 Manacor road and rolled over.\nThe accident occurred at around 1.20am in the area of Costes de Xorrigo. Medics were unable to do anything for the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene; fire and rescue had to extricate the body from the wreckage.\nAn autopsy may well give an indication as to the cause of the accident, one possibility being that the driver had suffered some form of medical condition.\nOn Saturday, seven people were injured in a head-on collision in Alcudia. The accident involving a Toyota Proace van and a Tesla happened around quarter to three in the afternoon on the MA-13 in the Son Fe area.\nThe driver of the car suffered the most serious injury. The road, which had to be closed for two hours, has been the scene of numerous accidents.

ANOTHER BATTLING PERFORMANCE AS THADER CLIMB THE TABLE
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 16:45:26CD THADER â' 3 HERCULES CF ´B´ â' 1\n\nBY STEVE HIBBERD\n\nBefore start of play, Thader lay 3rd in the Community league, whilst visitors Hercules, sat one place above them. So, it was very much all to play for inside Moi Gomez stadium, Rojales, where a packed crowd were basking in the glorious midafternoon Sunday sunshine. \n\nIn only the 3rd game of the season, the 2 teams had played out a 1-1 draw at Hercules home in Alicante. Raul Mora´s men were hoping to build on the previous weekends excellent 3-0 victory at basement side Eldense, when Fran, Serhiy & Robin were the scorers.\n\nWhen Cisse side footed home a right cross at the far post on 13 mins, it had been the first time that either team had put in a shot on target up to that stage. \n\nHercules could have doubled their lead within 3 mins, had it not been for a fine athletic save by Segio from Abdelialah. Although Thader were having plenty of the ball, they couldnât seem to break through a well organised Hercules defence, who were well versed at their man marking skills. \n\nAs the opening half neared its conclusion, Lloyd shot narrowly over the bar, before both Kone & Serhiy tested Hercule´s keeper Andres. But, it was the visitors who came closest to scoring again, when Sergio missed a sitter, with his namesake out of position.\n\nIt took Thader a mere 5 mins inside the new half for the scores to be levelled. A well taken corner from the right was partly cleared, but following a scramble which ensued, Sergio Martinez was at hand to stab home the ball past the grounded keeper, from point blank range. \n\nWithin 2 mins, Thader had taken the lead. A delightful assist by the veteran Javi found Raul in space, who then cut inside his man, before drilling the ball from an acute angle into the back of the net. \n\nFrom a long-range free kick on 66 mins, Raul´s effort hit the crossbar, then from the rebound, Tremino was unceremoniously hauled down inside Hercules penalty area. As per normal, Lloyd elected to go with power, as his spot kick gave Sergio absolutely no chance whatsoever. \n\nAlthough Hercules kept up the pressure, they were never likely to overcome such a whirlwind comeback by the hosts. \n\n Sergio had a routine save to make on 84 mins, but straight up the other end, Javi was within a whisker of adding a 4th goal. Frustrations boiled over deep into stoppage time, when ref Guzman showed a straight red card to unused Hercules substitute Simon whilst on the bench, for comments he had made to the nearside assistant ref.\n\nUp next in the Community league for Thader will be a long away trip to Carcaixent. This match is scheduled for Sun 9 Feb, when seats on the team coach will be available for fans (at a small fee). \n\nFor this and other Thader related info, contact CD Thader facebook page.

Weather Update for Sunday 2 February, 2025 in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la HoradadaÂ
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:11:11Detailed Weather Outlook\n\nOn February 2, 2025, the area will enjoy predominantly clear skies. Temperatures will range between 8ºC and 15ºC, with a wind chill varying from 6ºC to 15ºC. Relative humidity will fluctuate between 35% and 90%, ensuring a relatively dry atmosphere during the midday hours.\n\nAtmospheric Conditions\n\nThe morning will begin with clear skies and no chance of rain. This trend will persist throughout the afternoon, providing excellent visibility for outdoor activities. From midnight onward, intermittent cloud cover is expected, lingering into the early hours of February 3. However, the likelihood of precipitation will remain minimal at just 10%.\n\nThe most notable change in weather will occur on February 3. While temperatures will stay consistentâranging from 7ºC to 15ºCâcloudy intervals will be more frequent throughout the day. Humidity levels will rise slightly, reaching between 55% and 90%, potentially affecting the perceived temperature.\n\nMedium-Term Forecast\n\nA period of stable weather is anticipated in the days ahead. On February 4, skies will clear in the morning, though cloud cover is expected to increase later in the day. Temperatures will fluctuate between 7ºC and 17ºC, with a slight drop in humidity. By February 5, atmospheric stability will improve, bringing mostly clear skies.\n\nFrom February 6, the weather pattern will shift slightly, with more frequent cloudy periods and a 10% chance of rain. Temperatures will remain moderate, between 8ºC and 16ºC, while humidity levels will rise to between 50% and 95%.\n\nLooking ahead to February 7, significant cloud cover is expected, with a 20% chance of light precipitation. Temperatures will be slightly warmer, peaking at 18ºC, while humidity could reach 95%, resulting in more humid and dense conditions.\n\nSNOW TO THE NORTH OF ALICANTE\n\nMeanwhile, in the north of the region, Snow has once again blanketed the peaks of Alicante, marking the second occurrence in less than a month. This rare phenomenon has transformed areas like the Sierra de la Carrasqueta and other high-altitude spots into a winter landscape. Residents of Alicante will have the chance to witness and enjoy this scenic snowfall on Sunday morning.

Son Amar owner Margaret Whittaker dies
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 15:31:00Margaret Whitakker, OBE, the owner of the Son Amar nightspot in Bunyola and founder of Slimming World has died after a long illness. She was a well respected businessperson on the island where she had many friends.\nMargaret founded the hugely successful Slimming World company more than 50 years ago and went on to buy the Son Amar nightspot in Bunyola and found the Mood Beach Club in Costa den Blanes. She also presided over Pearl Yachts, a company founded by her late husband, Tony.\nBulletin editor Jason Moore said: \"she was a fantastic woman who loved Mallorca. Her passing is a sad loss not just for Mallorca but for its people as well. She was always willing to help and she had many friends on the island.\n\"She would recount how she sailed into Mallorca with Tony and decided to stay even though she continued to run the hugely successful Slimming World. She bought Son Amar, founded Mood Beach but always had time for everyone. She will be sadly missed.\"\n\"Even though she was very ill she was always prepared to help Mallorca. Just before Christmas I invited her to a dinner organised by the Council of Mallorca in London. Despite her illness she said that she would do her best to be there. In the end she was unable to attend but it clearly showed her will to always help and support her beloved island,\" said Moore.\nShe was the winner of the Business Woman UK award in 2023 and was awarded the OBE for her work for charity.\n\"Mallorca has lost a true friend and one that will always be remembered. She was a great lady and Mallorca is a richer place thanks to her presence,\" said Moore.\nOne of her great loves was Son Amar. Alongside a great team led by Martyn Smith she worked long and hard to make the nightspot a big success. She had numerous other plans involving Mallorca,\nJason Moore said \"she was a special person who always had time to help you.\"

News snippets from the European Press
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 09:42:55Sweden: On time Eurocontrolâs 2024 report on Europeâs most punctual airports placed Stockholmâs Arlanda at the head of the list. Arlanda, one of 10 airports owned and managed by Swedavia, had an 80 per cent punctuality rate for departures, 4 per cent up on 2023 and well ahead of Europeâs 66 per cent average.\n\nDenmark: Schools threat Police said that 51 Danish schools had recently received threatening emails which included bomb threats recently, without revealing details of the wording that was used. When the first emails arrived, they were dealt with locally but the investigation has now been taken over by the East Jutland police force.\n\nRallying round Denmark sent four generators to Ireland following an appeal for help after Storm Eowyn left 142,000 households without electricity at the end of January. Extreme weather tested Europeâs resilience, the EUâs Crisis Response commissioner said, âbut also our joint preparedness and solidarity efforts.â\n\nNorway: Covid risk The Public Health Institute (FHI) warned that it expected a new, late-winter wave of the corona virus although the yearly spate of infections had been delayed until now. âCovid-19 waves will continue, the FHI said, âbut they will be less noticeable because the populationâs immunity makes the infection milder.â\n\nDoing well Norwayâs $1.8 trillion (â¬17.3 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, worldâs largest, reported on January 29 a record annual profit of 2.51 trillion crowns â¬213.4 trillion). This was the second year of record profits with âmassive gainsâ from technology, the fundâs operator, Norges Bank Investment Management, said.\n\nItaly: Simple maths Tourism minister Daniela Santanche will not resign, although she faces a court case linked to accusations of accounting irregularities at her former publishing company, Visibilia. Santanche stepped down from her chief executive role after she was named a minister in 2022 and denies any wrongdoing.\n\nAnother Musk Kimbal Musk, younger brother of Elon Musk, had a brief meeting with Italyâ prime minister Giorgia Meloni while visiting Culture minister Alessandro Giuli in Rome. Musk, who is a director of the Tesla electric vehicle company, was there to discuss the use of technology at cultural sites and events.\n\nBelgium: Dodgy votes A probe by broadcaster VRT Ninoveâs local elections last year detected what it termed âstrong evidenceâ that the far-right party Forza Ninove obtained an overall majority by using fraudulent proxy votes. Should the Public Prosecutor find that fraud took place, those responsible face five-year prison terms.\n\nAuto-pilot Brabant traffic police came across a driver who was so drunk that he fell asleep on the left-hand lane of the E40 motorway between Leuven and Brussels. Found to be three times over the limit when he was breathalysed, his driving licence was confiscated and he now awaits an appearance at the Police Court.\n\nGermany: Door check The Interior ministry announced that 43,500 people were turned back at the German border over the past 15 months now that stricter controls are enforced and fewer irregular migrants can reach the country. Asylum applications had also fallen over the last 12 months, with 110,000 fewer than in 2023.\n\nWind power Two areas in the North Sea, destined for offshore windfarms and covering an area of 182 square kilometres between them, will be auctioned in 2025, with a cutoff date of August 1 for bids. âThis is another major milestone in Germanyâs offshore wind target,â the Maritime and Hydrographic Agency declared.\n\nNetherlands: Russia exit Dutch bank ING is selling its Russian subsidiary to Global Development JSC, a Russian company owned by a Moscow-based financial investor. No economic details have been revealed but ING admitted in a recent statement that it expects the transaction to reduce the companyâs profits by around â¬700 million.\n\nWolf mystery Twenty-three of 91 wolves whose DNA was recorded between 2015 and 2023 are known to be dead, shot by poachers or killed in road accidents, the Volkskrant daily paper reported. A further 22 have vanished without leaving any DNA clues behind, leading experts to believe they have been deliberately killed.\n\nFrance: Write on Louis Sarkozy, third son of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, now writes for the far-right news magazine, Valeurs Actuelles (Modern Values), confirming suspicions that he wishes to follow in his fatherâs footsteps. âHeâs ebullient, cultured, creative,â editor Tugdual Denis told the France-Presse news agency.\n\nNot any more France infringed a 69-year-old womanâs rights by granting her husband a divorce on the grounds that she refused to have sex with him, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled. In a landmark case, the ECHR condemned âthe outdated notions of marital dutiesâ that were âbased on obligation.â\n\nFinland: Stable prices Prices for wood felled in Finlandâs forests remained stable in December, according to the Natural Resources Institute, and were little different from those of November. Spruce logs fetched an average of â¬83 per cubic metre, pine logs cost â¬80 per cubic metre, with birch falling 1 per cent to a little under â¬6.\n\nGetting older Despite generous parental leave, good childcare, free education and universal health care, more Finns are choosing not to have children, with a birth rate that is lower than the 2.1 âreplacement levelâ needed for a balanced population. Approximately 15 per cent of Finns are under 15, while 23 per cent are over 65.\n\nIreland: Talks needed Firefighters in Dublin accused the government of âbetrayingâ them for failing to honour pension reform commitments. They are now calling for an urgent meeting to discuss the problem, claiming that the existing pension scheme was a âvastly reduced incomeâ although they had paid into it for so long.\n\nWalled up Gary Gannon, a Social Democrat MP, said it was âastonishingâ that an Office of Public Works project to replace a 70-metre perimeter wall at the Workplace Relations Commission at an estimated â¬200,000 had instead cost â¬490,000 owing to setbacks and delays. âIt just erodes the publicâs trust,â he said.\n\nPortugal: Brine peril The Algarveâs fishing sector wants to reverse plans for a â¬108 million desalination plant adjoining an Albufeira beach. Boat owners said the installation would be a âtragedyâ and they knew from their Spanish counterparts that concentrated brine returned to the sea would âkill the industryâ by killing marine life.\n\nâNoâ to mine Plans to mine lithium in Boticas in northern Portugal is opposed by the local population and mayor, Fernando Queiroga, who weighed into the promotersâ claims that the project cannot be halted. Despite government authorisation, he said the municipality supported âall initiatives aimed at stopping the mine.â

Italian Prime Minister sends wanted Libyan warlord home
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 10:49:57The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under investigation for releasing a Libyan police chief wanted by the ICC (international criminal court).\n\nThe supposed warlord, Osam Najim, stepped off a plane provided by the Italian government yesterday in Libya to crowds celebrating his return.\n\nThe Italian opposition and wider European community have expressed shock at the decision to release him back to Libya. Najim is wanted for multiple heinous acts and an ICC warrant out was out for his arrest in six European countries for purported war crimes, crimes against humanity, he also supposedly murdered, tortured, enslaved, raped and committed acts of sexual violence against victims in Libyan detention facilities. According to the ICC Najimâs crimes began as far back as 2015 at Mitiga Prison.\n\nHe is commander of the judicial police and director of the Rehabilitation and Correction Facility, a network of prisons that have become infamous for their inhumane acts. The ICC said that Najim targeted individuals in these facilities based on their religious beliefs, with some victims being atheists or Christians, for supposed immoral behaviours, for their sexual orientation and suspected affiliation with rival armed forces.\n\nSupposed war criminal Osam Najim had moved through multiple countries in Europe before being detained, he visited London, Belgium and Germany before being arrested at an Italian football match.\n\nNajim managed to move unhindered through Europe for about two weeks until Friday, January 31 where he was arrested after attending a football match between Juventus and AC Milan by Italian authorities after an ICC arrest warrant was issued. Unfortunately, the Italian government failed to follow through on the warrant and instead sent him home in one of their planes from Turin.\n\nMeloni, Italyâs prime minister has come under fire and is now facing an investigation for aiding and abetting crimes in the Najim case. Meloni has said that Najim was deported swiftly because he posed a risk to Italyâs national security.\n\nCritics of Meloni and the Najim situation have suggested that Italy may have been blackmailed by Libya into releasing the warlord. Whilst human rights groups have suggested complicity between Italy and Libya, as Libyan authorities detain migrants and refugees making their way out of Africa and into Italy, there is well-documented abuse of these detainees in Libyan detention camps.

Leading the way: Santa Pola enhances accessibility
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 09:23:42Santa Pola is leading the way in tourist accessibility by installing NaviLens codes at 50 points of interest throughout the town.\n\nMayor Loreto Serrano and Councillor for Tourism, Borja Merin, have unveiled the innovative guidance system which is designed to assist individuals, particularly those with visual impairments, in navigating the area.\n\nThe councillor explained that the NaviLens colour codes can be easily read using the free NaviLensGo app on smartphones. The system allows for detection from a distance, while users remain in motion, without needing to focus. The information gathered is converted into audio and automatically translated into the userâs preferred language.\n\nThe mayor emphasised, âWith the implementation of NaviLens, Santa Pola is taking a major step towards full accessibility, offering both residents and visitors a valuable tool that improves mobility and access to key information throughout our municipality.â\n\nThe 50 NaviLens codes are strategically placed in key areas of Santa Pola, such as the beaches, Fortress Castle, and other popular tourist spots. They provide valuable details about local services, heritage sites, and accessible routes.

Answers needed about the Villaricos desalination plant
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 09:00:42Almeria province called on the central government for a definitive answer regarding the Bajo Almanzora I desalination plant in Villaricos.\n\nSpeaking on behalf of âall the provinceâs MPs and senatorsâ, Almeria MP Maribel Sanchez Torregrosa and Senator Miguel Angel Castellon, requested explanations from Hugo Moran, junior minister for the Environment.\n\nThe Villaricos desalination plant has been out of action for six years owing to flood damage, and the central government had to give a plain answer âonce and for allâ they declared.\n\nSanchez Torregrosa said that Almeriaâs Levante and Almazora zones had the worst water shortage in southern Europe.\n\nâDespite that, Spainâs government has turned its back time and time again on this part of the country,â the MP declared.\n\nWater transfers from the Tajo-Segura pipeline had been cut back on 26 occasions, Sanchez Torregrosa continued.\n\nâAdded to this, and owing to the drought we have endured since 2021, no water from the Negratin reservoir reaches the Levante area.â\n\nWhen Sara Aagesen Muñoz, Ecological Transition minister appeared before the parliamentâs Ecological Transition Committee to provide details of government spending on water, she dedicated âbarely four minutesâ to Almeria, Sanchez Torregrosa complained.\n\nâFor six years weâve been hearing about future plans that never arrive,â Sanchez Torregrosa said âThatâs why we want to hear what Hugo Moran has to say.â

Bus Driver Passes Out
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:35:43It could have been a tragedy, but a bus driver's skill avoided a far worse outcome.\n\nThe woman, who was driving a bus from Cádiz on its way to Sierra Nevada on Friday morning, felt faint when she was driving along Avenida de AndalucÃa. \n\nBefore passing out, she managed to turn off the road and into an ITV courtyard. However, she couldnât take evasive action to avoid hitting the wall of the building before she blacked out.\n\nAn ambulance soon arrived to take her to the Hospital Clinico to be examined and placed under observation. \n\nFive passengers onboard also suffered slight injuries.\n\n(News: City & Metropolitan Area, Granada, Andalucia)\n\nKeywords: Bus, Driver, Passed Out, Collide with a Wall, ITV Courtyard, Hospital Clinico, Avenida de Andalucia\n\nnews, andalucia, granada, city & metropolitan area, bus, driver, passed out, collide with a wall, itv courtyard, hospital clinico, avenida de andalucia

Car Damages Gasolinera Structure
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-02 07:56:22The fire service in Torremolinos was called out to free a driver from a car that had run into the support column of a gasolinera bearing the company name.\n\nThe accident occurred on Friday on Avenida Manuel Fraga Iribarne in the gasolinera in Los Ãlamos are of the town.\n\nBoth the fire personnel and an ambulance were needed to attend to the driver; the former to free the injured driver from the wreckage.\n\nOnce the victim had been driven off in the ambulance to the nearest hospital, fire personnel began checking the structure over to make sure that it was stable and was not in danger of topping over.\n\n(News: Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)\n\nKeywords: Gasolinera, Company Sign, Collision, Driver Trapped, Fire Personnel, Structural Damage\n\nnews, andalucia, malaga, costa del sol, torremolinos, gasolinera, company sign, collision, driver trapped, fire personnel, structural damage

Legal action to be taken as Palma motorhomes' controversy intensifies
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 08:03:00Jesús Gallardo, president of a group of motorhome users (PACA), said on Monday that he will initiate legal proceedings against the leader of Vox at Palma Town Hall, Fulgencio Coll, for having called motorhome users criminals. \"I will not tolerate it. This will go ahead if he doesn't apologise.\"\nGallardo pointed to what Coll said during last Thursday's council session at which new civic ordinance that affects motorhomes was given initial approval. The ordinance \"does not intend to persecute anyone, it will protect us from criminals\".\nThis is just one development related to the controversial new regulations. Another concerns what the mayor, Jaime MartÃnez, has had to say about the number of motorhomes (caravans, camper vans) in Palma. According to the mayor, there are 5,000. Ten years ago there were 500. His figure apparently comes from a map that the town hall is drawing up.\nGallardo has responded by pointing out there are 398 vehicles. Attention has also been drawn to a University of the Balearic Islands study. Last October, a professor of geography, Jesús M. González, presented findings of research conducted in July which counted no more than 150, 83 of which were being used to live in.\nA protest against the ordinance is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. As well legal action against Fulgencio Coll, Gallardo has made a separate legal reference relating to town hall registration of people who are living in motorhomes. \"The town hall is preventing registration, so a 'prevaricación' would be committed.\" Prevaricación doesn't have a direct English equivalent, though it is variously translated as, for example, malfeasance or abuse of authority.

UK tourism in the Balearics fell the most in 2024
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 06:46:00The final tally of 2024's tourist numbers was published on Monday and it showed a total for the Balearics of 18,735,675. Of these, there were 15,311,569 foreign tourists, Spain having registered 3,424,105.\nIt was another record year in terms of numbers of tourists, exceeding 2023 by around 900,000. An increase of just under five per cent, this was, however, the lowest percentage rise among Spain's main tourism regions (Andalusia, the Canaries, Catalonia, Madrid, Valencia are the others).\nA majority of tourism markets registered increases. The highest percentage, 18.7 to 1,829,242, was for 'other European countries'. France rose by 14.8% to 1,122,661, while Germany was up by 9.2% to 5,029,755, the first time that five million has been exceeded. 'Other countries in the world', including for instance the American market, increased by 6.4% to 787,419.\nAs ever, the three dominant markets were Germany, Spain and the UK, but both Spain and the UK recorded decreases. Spain's was marginal - minus 0.2% - while the UK drop was the greatest among the four markets that fell in 2024. This was by -3.2% to 3,575,603. While this wasn't a big fall for the whole year, certain months did show quite significant decreases, e.g. July with -10.1%. In 2023 UK tourism in the Balearics increased by 9.8%.\nThe other markets that dropped in 2024 were the Netherlands (-1.9% to 701,921) and Switzerland (-0.6% to 494,056).\nIn December, one of the quietest months of the year, there were 296,261 tourists, a year-on-year increase of 6.2%. Indicative of flights in the winter, Germany was up 31.5% to 99,895, while the UK rose 3.5% to 17,287. Spanish tourism was slightly up to 113,815.

The Global Impact of Online Gaming: Entertainment Meets Economy
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 12:26:39Video games are redefining entertainment, economies, and social interactions worldwide â' from mobile gamingâs explosive growth to the cultural significance of video games. Discover how leaders in business are navigating this digital revolution.\n\nOnline gaming grew out of a niche hobby and has become a global phenomenon. It is no longer about entertainment only. Itâs a billion-dollar industry that affects technology, culture and economies. \n\nGaming is a staple of modern digital life â' thanks to developments in mobile technology, social gaming and the integration of augmented and virtual reality. What does that mean for businesses â' and how are leaders adjusting to a rapidly changing landscape? Explore the global impact and future prospects of online gaming.\n\nMobile Gaming as a Driver of Economic Growth\n\nThe mobile gaming market is an innovation engine and economic growth engine. In 2024, the market was valued at $130.75 billion and by 2034 itâs projected to be $342.23 billion, a 13.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). China leads Asia-Pacific in this space. \n\nIts mobile gaming market has grown rapidly thanks to smartphones and minigames embedded in apps like WeChat. Such games are quick to play, socially engaging and often free, and thus accessible to most people.\n\nFreemium-based games are free to play but monetized via in-app purchases and ads â' have worked well. Titles like Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans have generated billions in revenue, demonstrating this business model. But monetization is a problem still. \n\nThe right balance between revenue generation and user satisfaction is critical. In-app purchases and ads may be intrusive and cause player dissatisfaction. But despite all of this, the mobile gaming market continues to grow thanks to technology developments and 5G deployments.\n\nThe UKâs Online Slot Obsession\n\nIn the UK, online slots are particularly popular. The ease of playing the best online slots from home and the immersive experience have made them popular. Unlike traditional casinos, online platforms give players strategies for optimizing gameplay such as maximizing wins and keeping up with industry trends. That has transformed the gambling industry, which has embraced digital transformation to reach a wider audience.\n\nOnline slots reflect a trend toward the digitalization of gaming. They expect seamless experiences â' whether they spin reels or battle it out in a multiplayer game. Such high demands for quality and convenience are also driving developers to develop games that are fun but also technologically advanced. \n\nThe UKâs embrace of online slots is a microcosm of the global gaming industryâs evolution â' reflecting both player preferences and business opportunities to adapt.\n\nMonetization and Market Saturation\n\nMobile gaming has its challenges though. The problem of monetization remains. Though the freemium model works, revenue generation can be a problem when balancing user satisfaction. In-app purchases and ads may be intrusive and cause player dissatisfaction. It is also becoming more saturated â' there are more than a million games on the App Store alone. Standing out in this crowded space requires innovation and a deep understanding of player behavior.\n\nA second is the unpredictability of revenue streams. Mobile games tend to have a small percentage of players who make in-app purchases, so developers canât always predict earnings. That financial instability can be particularly challenging for smaller developers. But better data analytics are helping companies understand player preferences and optimize monetization strategies. How do businesses navigate these challenges and still maintain player engagement and trust?\n\nLive Streaming and Cloud Gaming\n\nThe future trends in gaming are moving towards streaming and cloud technology. Streaming games to your device is becoming more via platforms like Google Stadia and Xbox Cloud Gaming that donât require expensive hardware. This is democratizing access to gaming. With gaming hosted on remote servers, players need not worry about storage space or frequent hardware upgrades.\n\nThis is also creating new revenue streams for developers. Models that charge a monthly fee for access to a library of games are becoming subscription-based models. Cloud gaming is also enabling cross-platform play with players across devices battling it out. With these technologies, mobile, console and PC gaming will only get blurrier. How will this affect gaming in the future and how will it shape growth?\n\nThe Broader Economic Impact of Gaming\n\nWith a value of $170 billion, video gaming is one of the largest entertainment sectors worldwide. And it is growing rapidly. From mobile gaming to Esports the industry is creating jobs, driving innovation and influencing other sectors. For example, online gambling is moving towards digital transformation with players enjoying a casino experience from the comfort of their homes. Tools for enhancing gameplay such as online roulette strategies are getting more sophisticated.\n\nAlbert Einstein once said, âThe highest form of research is games,â That statement still holds today as gaming pushes the boundaries of technology and creativity. Exhibitions like 50 Years of Video Games celebrate this legacy of gaming going from simple arcade games to complex, immersive experiences. We can only imagine how gaming will shape our digital future.\n\nThe online gaming impact is worldwide. Not just entertainment, but the engine of technological innovation, economic growth, and social change. The industry is always evolving and businesses have to keep up. You can be a gamer, a developer or a business leader and online gaming presents challenges and opportunities. How will you navigate this digital revolution?

Weather Forecast for Monday 3 February, 2025 in Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Pilar de la HoradadaÂ
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 06:25:08Detailed Weather Forecast â' February 3-6\n\nTorrevieja and surounds will experience variable weather conditions on February 3. The early morning will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures ranging from a low of 8ºC to a high of 15ºC. There is a 30% chance of rain, and due to high humidity (60%-85%), the perceived temperature may feel as low as 5ºC.\n\nCloudy skies with light rain are expected in the early hours. Temperatures will hover around 14ºC, with a 40% chance of precipitation. High humidity levels (60%-85%) could make it feel slightly cooler than the actual temperature.\n\nAfternoon & Evening\n\nBy the afternoon, conditions will improve slightly, with intermittent clouds and a lower chance of rain (15%). Temperatures will be around 13ºC. In the evening, cloud cover will increase again, bringing light rain with a 35% chance of precipitation and an average temperature of 11ºC.\n\nA gradual improvement in weather conditions is expected. The morning will feature partly cloudy skies, with temperatures ranging from 8ºC to 16ºC and a significantly reduced 10% chance of rain. Humidity will range between 50% and 90%.\n\nIn the afternoon, skies will be partly cloudy with no expected rainfall, and temperatures will remain within the same range. This trend will continue into the night, marking a shift towards drier and clearer conditions.\n\nFebruary 5-6\n\nFrom February 5, Torrevieja will enjoy clear skies, with temperatures between 7ºC (minimum) and 17ºC (maximum). A slight drop in humidity will create a more comfortable atmosphere. This stable weather pattern will persist into February 6, when partly cloudy skies and dry conditions are forecasted.

BREAKING: New prime minister of Belgium sworn-in
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 19:25:56Conservative Bart de Wever has just been sworn-in as Belgiumâs new PM, and todayâs events, February 3, mark the start of a new coalition here that will see the political landscape swayed to the right amid European fears of a worrying dawn on the horizon.\n\nWho is the new prime minister of Belgium?\n\nSeven months of arduous and complex negotiations resulted in an agreement finally reached that will mean de Wever is the first ever nationalist from the Flanders region to be named leader of Belgium.\n\nSpeaking to reporters amid todayâs events, de Wever has made it clear he will clamp down on immigration, and bolster Belgiumâs defence spending in order to meet NATOâs 2% target.\n\nIs Belgium contributing to far-right leadership in Europe?\n\nThe decision to make de Wever prime minister of Belgium signals the beginning of a possible far-right revolution in Europe, as the new leader joins multiple countries such as Italy and Austria, as a nationalistic twist on European politics ensues.\n\nSpeaking to reporters today, de Wever said: âEurope has been a bit lazy on the topic of defence,â insisting that Russian leader Vladimir Putin has âwoken us up.â\n\nDonald Trump has only added to the chaos Europe is facing with his latest tariff threats aiming to stem the economic growth of the continent and many member states, as de Wever maintains the urgent need for Europe to rectify its relations with the US.\n\nWhich parties will make up the new Belgian coalition?\n\nDe Weverâs N-VA clinched the most seats in the Belgian election, with a brand new coalition formed in collaboration with two other Dutch-speaking Flanders parties, Christian Democrats, and Vooruit, who are centrist and left-wing parties respectively.\n\nDe Weverâs bloc stands as part of a far-right movement, named ECR Group, who aim to shake things up in the European parliament and change public perspective. The group also includes lawmakers from Czech PM Petr Fialaâs party, as well as Giorgia Meloni, Italian leader, and her compatriots. \n\nFar-right groups, commonly maintaining a strong anti-immigration sentiment, are doing increasingly well in European parliament elections, with 2024 being a particularly promising year for nationalist parties. They even topped polls in Austria, Germany and the Netherlands on both a regional and national level.\n\nDe Wever takes over from former PM Alexander de Croo, whose seven-party coalition took an arduous 493 days to form back in 2019, with de Croo having stayed in power in caretaker form after Juneâs elections last year.

First Grammy win for Cian Ducrot
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 19:59:25Cork native Cian Ducrot has won his first and well-deserved, Grammy. \n\nThe Grammy win was for Song Writing, he won having co-written SZAâs 2024 hit single Saturn. Saturn also won Best R&B Song at the ceremony in Los Angeles. The Irish star is also a musician in his own right with Victory his 2023 debut album that reached No.1 in the Irish and UK charts.\n\nDucrot is no stranger to awards with Heaven a single from his debut album winning RTÃâs Choice Music Prize for Irish Song of the Year. Last year he played concerts across Ireland and made the news for a particularly special sold-out show at Corkâs Virgin Media Park to a home crowd. In 2025 he will go on a European tour that is already booking up fast, with a bunch of dates sold out.\n\nCian Ducrot couldnât believe he won his first Grammy at the annual music awards ceremony.\n\nAfter his Grammy win he posted to Facebook: âI cannot believe it I WON MY FIRST GRAMMY!!! Thank you @sza for asking me to be a part of this song you are the greatest to ever do it!..Never stop dreaming guys! Anything is possible Iâm shook I donât have the words to be honest this is just a dream I had and yesterday I lived it I am so blessed and grateful.â He just released new song Whoâs Making You Feel It before his trip to the Grammy awards this week.\n\nOther big wins included Beyoncé with Best Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter, Chapell Roan also collected her first Grammy for Best New Artist- her chart hit single Good Luck Babe, brought her fame back in April 2024 and she has sky-rocketed since with trending hits like Pink Pony Club which she performed at the awards ceremony earlier in the evening.\n\nThe themes of international politics and equality in the music industry were represented in many speeches at the Grammys and Kanye West brought a bit of drama early on after he and his wife Bianca Censori were removed from the awards.

The ultimate International BBQ in Torremolinos!
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 19:39:51Sign up for personalised news\n\nSubscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!\n\n By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don't already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.

The iconic rock bands set to bring the storm to Portugal in 2025
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 14:50:082025 will see Portugal, again, host some of the all-time favourite rock bands, as various venues will allow fans to witness, up close and personal, some of the most legendary rock groups ever in awesome performances. \n\nDie-hard fans of heavy metal living in Portugal will be inspired by latest developments which will mean they might be lucky enough to cement an experience of a lifetime this year. \n\nThe 3 iconic bands set to hit the Portugal stage in 2025\n\nGuns Nâ Roses: The American rock band will take to Estadio Cidade de Coimbra on June 6, bringing their hit anthems and iconic energy to Portugal. \n\nThey will be joined by very special guests Rival Son, as they are set to play in 24 different cities across the world in their new tour.\n\nFans can expect to experience classics like âSweet Child O Mineâ, âNovember Rainâ, and âWelcome to the Jungleâ, among other all-time favourites of any rock or metal fan.\n\nThe band is spearheaded by legendary rock musician Axl Rose, and he is joined by Duff Mckagan, Slash, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Frank Ferrer, and Melissa Reese, making up the world renowned group, who last took to Portugal back in 2022. \n\nTheir event in Portugal this year is expected to be a sell-out, with tickets available now, costing between 90 and 155 euros.\n\nIron Maiden: Another favourite among music fans, the legends will return to Lisbon on july 6, for their hit tour âRun For Your Livesâ, with the Portugal edition kicking off at MEO Arena. \n\nThe band have organised the tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The past half-century has brought with it classics that have allowed Iron Maiden to etch their name in rock history and cement themselves as hall-of-famers in the genre. \n\nThe tour will feature hit records from legendary albums by the band, including âFear of the Darkâ, as they will be joined by Swedish metal group Avatar, with fans set to witness an iconic collaboration of rock in one of Lisbonâs most prestigious concert venues.\n\nTickets are available now and will cost around 50 to 70 euros. \n\nPixies: The famous band will hit Lisbon on May 10, celebrating the release of their latest album âThe Night The Zombies Cameâ, with their tour named after the album. They are set to play at Sagres Campo Pequeno in Lisbon.\n\nMilestones of the famous rock collective this year include the release of their 10th studio album, the 35 year anniversary of hit âDoolittleâ that propelled them to worldwide fame and adulation, and the 20 year mark since the band reunited, at Coachella, in the US. \n\nThe album, The Night the Zombies Came, features 13 tunes that aim to experiment with dark and cinematic themes, blending folk, punk, and sci-fi music. Critics are hailing the album akin to the soundtrack of an intoxicating old-school western. \n\nBlack Francis, the lead singer of Pixies, coined the developments as an inspired collaboration of events that all come together to result in a âmusical film.â\n\nTickets are available for anywhere between 30 and 60 euros.

Alicanteâs historic landmarks star in new global travel series
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 12:52:20Alicante province is showcasing two of its most famous landmarks on the big screen.\n\nThe new series Enclaves: Red de Patrimonio Histórico (Enclaves: Network of Historical Heritage) is a follow-up to the successful Enclaves: Lugares con Sabor (Enclaves: Places with Flavor), directed by José Berodas González, an expert in travel TV projects.\n\nThe first episode highlights two castles in the region.\n\nVillenaâs Castillo de la Atalaya\n\nCastillo de la Atalaya: Also known as Villena Castle, this Almohad fortress sits on a hilltop in the San Cristóbal mountains, offering sweeping views of the city. Built in the late 12th century, its massive keep and unique vaults make it a notable example of Spainâs history and architecture.\n\nSax Castle: Located 524 metres above sea level on a steep cliff, Sax Castle overlooks the Vinalopó valley. Originally built during the Muslim period, it has been altered over the centuries, reflecting the regionâs rich history.\n\nThese castles will be seen by audiences worldwide, highlighting Alicanteâs heritage and boosting cultural tourism in the region. Produced in partnership with Spainâs Historical Heritage Network, the series will reach over five million households in Spain, Latin America, and the United States.\n\nThe series will soon be available for streaming on platforms like Prime Spain and on TV through channels such as Sun Channel in Latin America and the U.S.

Marbella all set to smash records once again
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-03 14:16:35Marbella, jewel of the Costa del Sol, has been promoting itself as an international destination of quality and excellence. âNow this is my land,â says Eva Longoria in a promotional video of Marbella in which she summarises everything that seduces her about the city.\n\nâThe air, the beach, the people, the culture, the way of life,â says the American actress, film and television director and star of the latest promotional campaign, plugging Marbella as an international location for quality and excellence.\n\nThe deputy mayor, Félix Romero, has highlighted the quantity and quality of events to be held in Marbella in 2025, such as the Ironman World Championship, Staysure Marbella Legends, Kingâs Cup and Queenâs Cup of Beach Volleyball, and the Spanish Absolute Beach Tennis Championship 2025.\n\nMarbella closed the 2024 financial year with record tourism figures, reaching the highest average hotel stays and best hotel profitability in its history. Hotels filled 80 percent of their rooms throughout the year, indicating that the city is increasingly managing to extend the traditionally high season periods. The number of overnight stays rose to 2,584,174, while the number of day-trippers reached 719,151 people.\n\nThe main profiles of tourists were the national market, followed by the British. Other main markets included Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United States. Hotel profitability also saw record numbers, with an average of â¬214.08 per person, with peak months such as August and December skyrocketing.\n\nMarbellaâs commitment to hosting events and promoting its unique facilities has made it a key destination for international sports tourism as well. The Mediterranean Park in Marbella this year will also host the Spanish Absolute Beach Tennis Championship 2025, showcasing the cityâs commitment to beach-based sports.

Briton facing a 30,000 euro fine for filming popular Mallorca event with a drone
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 14:53:00A 40 year old British man is facing a 30,000 euro fine after he filmed the popular Correfoc (festival of fire) event in Palma last month with an unlicenced drone in a restricted area.\nA police officer spotted the \"drone pilot\" close to the Paseo Mallorca in central Palma flying his drone over the Correfoc. The officer asked the man to stop which he did and then he enquired whether he had a licence to film using the drone, which he allegedly didn´t.\nThe officer then told the Briton that he was filming in a restricted area and therefore he could have broken data protection rules.\nThe Briton protested his innocence but the officer told him that he faced a big fine. There are strict laws and regulations regarding the use of drones in Mallorca.\nInterestingly enough the local police forces are now starting to use drones for crowd control. A fleet of drones will be on duty in Magalluf this summer.

Conor Benn to prepare for Chris Eubank Jr fight in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 11:22:00Last summer, top professional British boxer Conor Benn, son of the legendary Nigel Benn, who grew up in Mallorca, told the Bulletin that the island is his second home - it was home to his famous father for many years and he explained why to the Bulletin in 2003. So much so, it has been announced that Conor Benn and Tony Sims are flying to Mallorca to prepare for his fight on April 26 with Chris Eubank Jnr.\nEubank Jnr-Conor Benn was finally confirmed for Londonâs Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, two-and-a-half years after their first date was cancelled owing to Benn twice testing positive for the banned substance clomiphene. Simsâ gym in Romford, Essex, England has long been the trainerâs most consistent base for fight preparations but what is certain to prove one of the biggest fights in Britain in 2025 and the biggest of both fightersâ careers has meant them choosing to relocate to Mallorca for the warm weather and relative isolation.\nâWeâre going to Mallorca for the whole camp,â Sims told BoxingScene. âHeâs been waiting a long time for this date, and this fight, and now itâs actually made. We was only talking yesterday about how excited we are to go into camp and start getting ready for the fight. Weâve studied Eubank over the years, and itâs a monstrous fight. Theyâve booked Tottenhamâs football ground for the fight.\nâItâs a massive occasion, and Conorâs really looking forward to the fight as well. He really wants to get in there and show what heâs all about as well. Even though heâs not been as active as he would have liked, heâs kept progressing in the gym. Heâs non-stop training and always progressing. Heâs a lot better fighter than he was a year ago, so, yeah, heâs really looking forward to it.â\nThe bout has been promoted as a âsecond generationâ contest that saw the rivalsâ fathers, Nigel Benn, who also lived in Mallorca for many years, and Chris Eubank Sr, battle it out in two ferocious contests in the early 1990s.

Aston Villa sign Mallorca star
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 14:04:00Aston Villa have signed Mallorca-born attacking midfielder Marco Asensio on loan from Paris St Germain until the end of the season, the Premier League club said. Asensio joined PSG as a free agent in July 2023 after over eight years with Real Madrid where he won three Champions Leagues and three LaLiga titles, and in his first season with the French club won the domestic double.\nThe 29-year-old, who has made 38 appearances for Spain, has scored two goals this season in 16 games for PSG, but Asensio has played just 18 minutes in the last eight league games for Luis Enrique's side.Asensio said working with Villa manager Unai Emery was a factor in his decision to move to the Premier League.\nAfter starting his career with Real Mallorca, Asensio signed for Real Madrid in November 2014, being consecutively loaned to his former club as well as Espanyol. With Real Madrid, he went on to win several honours, including three Champions League and three La Liga trophies. In 2023, he joined French club Paris Saint-Germain.\nAsensio made his senior debut for Spain in 2016, representing them at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup.\nBorn in Palma, to a Dutch mother and a Spanish father, Asensio joined Real Mallorca in 2006 from Platges de Calvià . His mother, Maria Willemsen, died of cancer when he was 15. Asensio struggled with growth deficiencies in his knees during his youth, which only subsided when he was a teenager.

Pila: The italian ski resort breaking the Alpine mould
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:49:29While most Alpine ski resorts focus on sustainability and scaling back expansion, Pila in Italy is quietly bucking the trend, offering skiers something fresh and exciting.\n\nAt a time when new pistes across Europe are rare, this hidden gem in the Aosta Valley is leading the way with thoughtful growth and modernisation.\n\nWhy Alpine resorts are slowing down on expansion\n\nIn many parts of the Alps, new ski slopes and resort expansions have all but disappeared. Resorts like Franceâs iconic Les Trois Vallées are focusing on improving sustainability by reducing lifts rather than adding more. Over the past 15 years, its lift count has shrunk from 200 to 162, making operations more efficient and environmentally friendly.\n\nOther resorts, such as Val dâIsère, have opted for upgrades rather than new terrain. This season, a modern gondola replaced older lifts, providing easier access to high-altitude runsâbut without adding a single new piste. Austriaâs Saalbach has stalled its plans to link with Zell-am-See, and Switzerland hasnât seen a major expansion since Arosa connected with Lenzerheide in 2013. It seems climate concerns and the high costs of development have halted the era of bold Alpine growth.\n\nPila: The Alpine resort breaking the mold\n\nAmid this cautious approach, Pila is standing out. This winter, the resort unveiled a new 4.2km red runâRun Number Nineâthat descends 560m. The new piste makes the Couis peak far more accessible, offering an alternative to its previously challenging black run.\n\nBut itâs not just the slopes that are seeing an upgrade. Pila has invested â¬70 million in a sleek 10-seater gondola, replacing a decades-old lift. With sweeping views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, the gondola ensures skiers spend less time in transit and more time on the slopes.\n\nWhatâs even more exciting is whatâs to come. By next season, the gondolaâs second phase will allow visitors to travel directly from the Roman city of Aosta to Pilaâs summit at 2,700mâcompletely car-free. Itâs a game-changer for eco-conscious travellers and those looking to blend culture with adventure.\n\nStriking the balance: Progress meets sustainability\n\nPilaâs expansion hasnât come at the expense of the environment. Resort president Davide Vuillermoz emphasised the careful planning that went into the new developments. From preserving topsoil to replanting native grass, every detail was considered to minimise the projectâs impact.\n\nâOur goal is to ensure reliable skiing for decades to come,â Vuillermoz explained. By moving skiing to higher altitudes, Pila is future-proofing itself against the challenges of climate change.\n\nWhatâs more, Pila remains one of the best-value resorts in Europe. A six-day lift pass costs just â¬286âa price that hasnât increased this year and includes access to nearby Cervinia and Courmayeur. Itâs a welcome relief compared to the soaring prices in neighbouring Alpine countries.\n\nWhy Pila stands out in the Alpine ski scene\n\nWhile much of the Alps is scaling back, Pila is proving that thoughtful growth is still possible. Its new pistes, modern infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability make it a standout destination for skiers seeking value, variety, and a fresh take on Alpine skiing.\n\nWhether youâre a seasoned skier or a beginner, Pila offers a glimpse into the future of responsible, innovative resort developmentâshowing that progress doesnât have to come at a cost to the planet.\n\nFind more news about Italy

Cartagena Carnival 2025: 12 days of celebration
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:45:46Cartagenaâs Carnival 2025 will bring 12 days of exciting events from February 21 to March 4. The city will be full of music, dancing, and colourful parades as both locals and visitors join the celebrations.\n\nWhat to expect at Cartagena Carnival 2025\n\nhis yearâs Carnival will include all the classic events, such as:\n\nChirigotas â' Fun singing groups that perform satirical songs.\nDance Competitions â' Energetic performances from talented dancers.\nDrag Queen Gala â' A spectacular show featuring amazing costumes and performances.\nGrand Parade â' A stunning display of costumes, music, and floats through the streets.\n\nA new event this year is a special Carnival procession with groups from across the region. This will take place on Sunday, March 2, at noon and will add even more excitement to the festival.\n\nSpecial performance by Nebulossa\n\nMusic lovers can look forward to a live performance by Nebulossa, the Eurovision duo. They will perform on February 25 during the Carnival King election gala. Tickets are available at El Corte Inglés, where visitors can also see a special Carnival exhibition until March 5.\n\nA community celebration\n\nWith over 3,000 locals taking part, Cartagenaâs Carnival is a true community event. The Carnival Federation will set up a big tent by the port, offering a space for live music, shows, and fun activities. To see the full event schedule, visit carnaval.cartagena.es.\n\nCarnival in Spain: A tradition of fun and colour\n\nCarnival is one of the most exciting festivals in Spain. It happens every year before Lent, allowing people to enjoy days of fun, music, and partying before the fasting season begins.\n\nThe history of Carnival in Spain\n\nCarnival in Spain has been celebrated for centuries and has influences from both Christian and pagan traditions. It was banned during the Franco dictatorship (1939â'1975) but made a strong comeback after democracy was restored.\n\nThe best places to celebrate Carnival in Spain\n\nSome of the most famous Carnivals in Spain include:\n\nSanta Cruz de Tenerife â' One of the biggest Carnivals in the world, with stunning parades and a Queen election gala.\nCádiz â' Known for its funny and creative chirigotas, where groups sing satirical songs about politics and current events.\nSitges â' A lively Carnival with amazing parades, popular for its LGBTQ+ celebrations.\nÃguilas â' A major Carnival in the Murcia region, famous for its colourful parades and great atmosphere.\n\nNo matter where you go, Carnival in Spain is a time for fun, creativity, and community spirit. Itâs a must-see event for both locals and visitors!

Number of asylum seeker applications to Germany plummets by nearly 40%
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:59:51Asylum seekers aiming to leave their country in search of refuge and somewhere new to call home are decreasing rapidly in number in Germany, as applications drop by a staggering 37% in January this year. Stricter border regulations Germany has now imposed contribute wholly to that. \n\nIs Germany proposing stricter border controls?\n\nChancellor Olaf Scholz and his Social Democrats party narrowly squeezed their proposal through parliament last week, which allows for a stronger hold on border control in Germany, preventing any irregular or illegal migration into the country. Temporary border operations will now be in place.\n\nThe far-right backing of the AfD party aided in this push, with a nationalistic approach now observed in Germany. \n\nTerror threats have occurred recently in Germany however, leading opposing party Christian Democrats to side with the proposal and up the ante on border patrolling in Germany, meaning it is now much more difficult for asylum seekers to actually enter into and reside in Germany.\n\nIs it difficult to enter Germany as an asylum seeker?\n\nInterior minister Nancy Faeser announced today, February 4, that additionally, unauthorised border crossing attempts also decreased by 25% in January, alluding to the efficacy of the introduction of new temporary border regulations in Germany. \n\nâThis shows that once again, our measures are working,â she said. âWhile others resort to empty slogans and symbolic politics, we have implemented effective measures.â\n\nâWe have taken concrete action with controls at all German borders and introduced laws that allow faster returns and speed up the asylum process. We are committed to law, order and humanity, in close coordination with our European partners, not against them. We will continue consistently down this path,â she added. \n\nIs Germany becoming far-right?\n\nThe Christian Democrats party submitted a motion that demanded permanent border controls last week, which saw great frustration and criticism from Olaf Scholz and the Social Democrats party. \n\nCriticism stemmed from the fact that the party of the Christian Democrats had enforced a policy they promised to stick to, that they would never side with any far-right party on political matters. \n\nIt appears now then, after recent events in Germany, that the country is beginning to sway to the right, as it looks for immediate solutions to migration troubles and seeks to shore up its border defences.\n\nFollow the rest of the latest news from around Germany, here.

â¬16,576 a year: Spanish Government to boost pensions for over-52s
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 17:00:36Good news for over-52s: more pension contributions and backdated payments coming your way!\n\nThe Spanish government is rolling out some much-needed good news for unemployed citizens over the age of 52. In a landmark move, the government has agreed to increase the contribution for this group, meaning they will pay more towards their pensions and receive backdated payments from January 2025.\n\nThis comes as part of an agreement struck between the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, led by Vice President Yolanda DÃaz, and the unions CCOO and UGT, to raise the minimum wage to â¬1,184 per month, spread across fourteen payments, bringing the annual total to â¬16,576. This increase will not only benefit around 2.3 million workers currently earning the minimum wage but also those who rely on the subsidy for over-52s.\n\nBut whatâs even more significant is that this subsidy isnât just helping pay the bills today â' itâs contributing to your retirement pot for the future.\n\nUnlike other unemployment benefits, the subsidy for over-52s is the only one that is paid indefinitely and contributes directly to the beneficiaryâs pension. Under the new rules, itâs now pegged to 125% of the base minimum contribution, which is linked to the minimum wage.\n\nThanks to the recent wage hike, this contribution will automatically rise, meaning more money in your pension pot. But thatâs not all â' beneficiaries will also see retroactive payments to cover the period from January 1, 2025.\n\nSo, how does it work? The base minimum contribution will rise along with the minimum wage. So, when the SMI (Salario MÃnimo Interprofesional) goes up, the base for contributions increases as well. For 2025, this means that the base minimum contribution will rise to â¬1,381.33 per month, which will increase the pension base to â¬1,726.66.\n\nNot only does this mean bigger pension contributions, but it also means more money in your future retirement pay. As pension calculations are based on the last 25 years of contributions, higher payments now mean a bigger payout when you retire.\n\nThe Social Security Service (SEPE) will cover these increased contributions, including retroactive payments for the period since January 1, 2025. However, itâs important to note that you wonât receive a lump sum in cash â' rather, SEPE will send the difference in contributions directly to the Social Security system. Itâs all about securing a brighter future with a bigger pension.\n\nWhile the government has agreed to the rise, the deal still needs to be ratified by the Council of Ministers, but the Minister (Ms Yolanda DÃaz) has promised that this will happen soon.\n\nStay tuned to the Euro Weekly News. \n\nRead more news in English from around Spain.\n\nGet more Costa del Sol news today.

Virtual bridge:Â Alicanteâs AI assistant goes global with Mexican partnership
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 16:04:59Alicante has confirmed a partnership with Puebla in Mexico, to introduce its artificial intelligence virtual assistant, ALI, to the region. \n\nThis agreement will enhance Pueblaâs administrative digitalisation and improve the efficiency of public services, while also positioning Alicanteâs advanced technology on an international scale.\n\nPueblaâs Councillor for the Economy, VÃctor Gabriel Chedraui, expressed gratitude to Alicante for transferring ALI, emphasising that the technology will not only benefit Puebla but could be expanded to other states to support municipal development.\n\nALI, accessible at ali.alicante.es, is an intuitive virtual assistant compatible with computers, tablets, and mobile devices. It recognises users, integrates with digital certificates and electronic signatures, and guides residents through online procedures while continuously learning and improving. With ALI, more than 80,000 administration procedures and queries have already been resolved in Alicante.\n\nThis collaboration also marks a step toward strengthening ties between Spain and Mexico. Steps have been taken to achieve the twinning of the two countries fostering tourism promotion, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation between Alicante and Puebla.

4,000 guilty criminals on the loose in Netherlands amid prison cell shortage
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:29:13Shocking news today, February 4, as a whopping 4,109 convicts in the Netherlands, with their crimes still unpunished and sentences not yet served, are to be set free, because of a mass shortage of available prison cells in Holland. \n\nThe news comes just weeks after France and their president Emmanuel Macron reported that the country has an influx of criminal residents without any viable accommodation options in prisons across the country, with the figure topping 30,000 inmates overcrowding prisons. \n\nWhat is happening in the Netherlands?\n\nAnd latest developments in the Netherlands spark more concern for Europeans, with the issue needing immediate resolution before things spiral needlessly out of control.\n\nAround four times the number of affected convicts, who will now be set free to live a normal life again and avoid jail, was reported in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Eenvandaag and their latest report.\n\nAre criminals on the loose in the Netherlands?\n\nAmong the persecuted and set free, over 1,100 of them were initially jailed due to crimes involving direct victims or surviving relatives, making for a torrid though for families, and friends of those involved in criminal attacks, with thousands now on the loose again. \n\nJustice and security state secretary Ingrid Coenradie coined the situation âcode blackâ back in December, an operation termed when there is no additional prison space for remaining convicts set to do their time in jail. \n\nResultantly, many of these criminals were classed under the âself-reporterâ category, meaning they have been sentenced to serve time in prison but are not yet able to do so because of overcrowding and a lack of prison accommodation. \n\nWhat crimes did the released convicts get sentenced for?\n\nOver 600 years of prison time has been lost to letting these convicts loose, with many citizens fearing re-offending is a worrying inevitability for those getting an involuntary second chance.\n\nNearly 100 criminals involved in the latest mass release are facing prison sentences longer than a year, with a range of offences including drug crimes, embezzlement, theft, fraud, illegal weapon possession, and forgery. \n\nThe Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau (CJIB) classify self-reporters accordingly, on their own terms. Any offender serving a sentence longer than 12 years is automatically disqualified as a self-reporter.\n\nIntriguingly, the Ministry of Justice has not yet elaborated on why 1,730 criminals were deducted from the self-reporter list. âWhile exit reasons are recorded, our systems do not allow for a selection of this data,â a ministry representative stated.\n\nKeep up with more news from across the Netherlands, here.

Irish speed limits to be reduced in 2025
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-04 15:46:57In keeping with many other countries throughout Europe, the speed limits on certain roads in the Republic of Ireland will be reduced from Friday February 7.\n\nThis is the first of a number of steps being taken to try to reduce the number of accidents on Irish roads which often result in serious injury or death.\n\nIrish speed limits to be reduced in 2025 on three particular road types\n\nOn Friday therefore speed limits will be reduced from 80kph to 60kph on most of the countryâs local roads as research has highlighted that there appears to be a disproportionate number of fatalities and serious injuries on rural roads across Ireland.\n\nThere is a plan to reduce the number of accidents causing injury or fatality by half by the end of 2029.\n\nAlthough no date other than later this year has been confirmed, there will be two further reductions in 2025.\n\nFirstly, the speed limit on national secondary roads will be reduced from 100kph to 80kph and then in urban areas such as town centres and even housing estates, the speed limit will fall from 50kph to 30kph.\n\nIrish speed limits to be reduced in 2025 in order to cut down on serious injuries and fatalities\n\nWhilst organisations such as the AA Ireland agree that the need for speed should be reduced in order to save lives, it has become clear in countries such as Spain and the UK, it is very difficult for motorists to adhere to the lower speed limit and it is often unclear when these limits are in force.\n\nThe answer according to AA Ireland is for motorists to make sure that they familiarise themselves with the new limits and if in doubt to assume a lower rather than higher speed limit is in force.\n\nSlowing down often means a reduction in fuel consumption by up to 7 per cent for those without electric vehicles, it may still be difficult for drivers to maintain the 30kph limit.\n\nThe Irish police (GardaÃ) will be out in force on the day that the speed limits are officially reduced equipped with up to date speed check equipment and ready to test drivers for alcohol and drugs.

Britons convicted of £20m drug importation after Balearics nightclub arrest
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 08:40:00A Merseyside man arrested in Ibizaâs Pacha nightclub has been convicted alongside his ex-partner of orchestrating two large-scale drug importations following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.Details of 23-year-old Eddie Burtonâs plot can now be revealed as his ex-partner Sian Banks, 25, pleaded guilty to assisting his criminal enterprise on the first day of her trial at Canterbury Crown Court on 3 February.\nBurton was living in mainland Europe at the time two lorries containing heroin, cocaine and ketamine were intercepted at Dover port in the summer of 2022. The drugs weighed a combined 307 kilos with an estimated street value of £20m. Border Force officers stopped the first lorry on 3 July and found 90 kilos of ketamine and 50 kilos of cocaine packed into boxes and a Lidl shopping bag.\nThe second lorry was intercepted just six weeks later, on 12 August. Inside officers discovered 142 kilos of cocaine and 25 kilos of heroin in a fuel tank that had been modified to conceal the drugs.Its driver, 64-year-old Latvian national Maris Fridvalds, was sentenced to 14 yearsâ imprisonment in March 2023 for his role as courier in the attempted importation. Forensics found Burtonâs fingerprints and DNA on both drug consignments, and the adapted fuel tank.\nNCA investigators initiated a manhunt for Burton, who was living between the Netherlands and Spain after relocating from the UK in early 2021. He was arrested by Spanish police in August 2023 at Pacha nightclub, Ibiza, for unrelated drug dealing offences. At the time he was using an alias in an attempt to evade detection.\nAfter being extradited to Germany and charged with drug offences, he was returned to the UK in March 2024 by specialist National Extradition Unit officers from the NCAâs Joint International Crime Centre (JICC). Burton subsequently pleaded guilty to four counts of importing Class A and B drugs. Sian Banks, also from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges on 3 February, including importing Class A drugs and money laundering. Banks was first arrested in December 2023.\nEnquiries as part of the NCAâs investigation found that between June 2022 and October 2023 she travelled to the Netherlands and Spain on a monthly basis to visit Burton. And a review of her phone evidenced that on two occasions in August 2022 she smuggled cocaine and ketamine into the UK in her luggage after visiting Burton in Amsterdam. NCA investigators also uncovered messages sent between her and Burton on 5 July 2022 â' two days after the first lorry carrying drugs was intercepted.\nThe messages indicated that she flew out to the Netherlands in late June and prepared the first shipment of drugs for transportation alongside him. In one message she told Burton that her fingerprints were on the bags of ketamine and he replied, âyouâve never been nicked or had ye prints took anyway so doesnât matterâ. She was also found to be operating a scam selling doctored Covid-19 travel documents in the height of the pandemic. The pair will be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 12 February.\nNCA Branch Commander John Turner said: âBurton, with Banksâ help, attempted to smuggle huge quantities of harmful drugs into the UK, believing he could operate with impunity overseas.âBanks held a crucial role in the criminal enterprise, laundering the illicit profits and acting as the UK-based facilitator for the multi-million pound drug importations. The drugs, had they reached their final destination, would have had a destructive impact on our communities, fuelling violence and exploiting vulnerable people throughout the supply chain.â

Discover the 8 most common surnames in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 08:15:00The Instituto Nacional de EstadÃstica (INE) has recently published updated data on the most frequent surnames in Mallorca for the year 2024. The resulting list is a captivating mix of historical and cultural influences, featuring some surnames that resonate throughout Spain and others more specific to the island.\nTopping the list is the ubiquitous GarcÃa, which also has a strong presence in the rest of Spain. It is estimated that one in ten Mallorcans bears GarcÃa as either a first or second surname. Its origins date back to the medieval period and are linked to the given name GarcÃa, which is of Basque origin.\nIn second place is the surname Pons, which is even more prevalent in the neighbouring island of Menorca. Although its origin is uncertain, some theories point to a Latin root related to the word âponsâ (bridge), while others suggest a Catalan root linked to the given name Ponç.\nOther notable surnames on the list\nCompleting the podium of the most common surnames in Mallorca is MartÃnez, a patronymic surname meaning âson of MartÃnâ, which spread throughout the Iberian Peninsula during the Reconquista. In fourth place is Torres, a toponymic surname associated with the defensive towers built on the island during the Middle Ages to protect it from pirate attacks.\nThe top five is rounded off by Fernández, followed by other surnames such as Juan, Serra, Vidal, Company and Riera. Each one reflects the rich history and cultural diversity of Mallorca.\nHistorical and cultural context of Mallorcan surnames\nThe most common surnames in Mallorca attest to the many influences the island has received throughout its history. From the first Talayotic settlers to successive waves of Romanesque colonists, each culture has left its mark on local anthroponymy.\nDuring the Middle Ages, Mallorca was a key strategic enclave in the Mediterranean, attracting settlers of various origins. This explains the presence of surnames with Catalan, Occitan, Italian or Portuguese roots, among others.\nAdditionally, the island has historically been a waypoint and haven for sailors, merchants and adventurers from across Europe. Many of them eventually settled in Mallorca, contributing new surnames to the local heritage.\nThe study of surnames as a source of knowledge\nBeyond mere curiosity, the study of a regionâs most common surnames is a valuable source of historical, cultural and demographic information. Surnames tell us about migration, traditional occupations, linguistic particularities and social evolution over time.\nIn the case of Mallorca, the list of the most frequent surnames allows us to map out the principal influences that have shaped the islandâs identity. From patronymic surnames, reflecting the importance of paternal lineage in medieval society, to toponymic surnames, underscoring the close connection between people and their land.\nUltimately, the 8 most common surnames in Mallorca, according to the latest INE data for 2024, offer a fascinating insight into the islandâs history and cultural diversity. This unique blend of influences has forged Mallorcan identity over the centuries and remains very much alive today.\nLearning about the origins and meanings of our surnames is a way of connecting with our roots and understanding who we are. In Mallorcaâs case, that quest takes us on a thrilling journey through the history and culture of one of the most beautiful and distinctive islands in the Mediterranean.

Finlandâs Capital Gains Tax loopholes
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-06 03:31:26Finland is particularly vulnerable to tax revenue losses as wealthy individuals shift their capital to countries with favourable tax regimes, a new report by the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) has revealed.\n\nThe report, titled âTackling Tax Avoidance â' Reforming Capital Income Taxation in the EUâ, highlights how tax benefits in various European countries encourage transnational tax avoidance, costing Finland and other EU nations billionsâ.\n\nEuropeâs billionaire-friendly tax havens\n\nThe report examined capital gains taxation across 15 European countries and found that 11 of them offer preferential tax treatment to wealthy foreigners. For example, non-residents in Spain are only taxed on income and capital gains from Spanish sources, while foreign capital gains remain tax-free. Meanwhile Malta has earned the reputation of being a tax haven for the wealthy. One of the main attractions of Malta is its corporate tax system that allows some companies to reduce their effective tax rate to as low as 5 per cent for foreign shareholders.\n\nWith loopholes like these, the report warns of an escalating ârace to the bottom,â where nations compete to attract wealth at the expense of tax fairness.\n\nFinlandâs tax loopholes\n\nUnlike other countries, Finland has not typically taxed the increase in asset value when moved to low-tax countries. In 2022, an exit tax was proposed aiming to change this by taxing people who had lived in Finland for at least four of the last ten years before moving abroad.\n\nFinland also offers lower tax rates on dividends from unlisted companies, with part of these earnings being tax-free if they equal up to 8 per cent of the companyâs share value.\n\nLauri Finér, from the Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, said Finlandâs tax system lets the wealthiest avoid paying their fair share. âMoney will always find its way to low-tax jurisdictions,â he told Helsingin Sanomat, calling for stricter rules.\n\nWealthy tax dodgers in the EU\n\nThe report calls for urgent EU-wide reforms to stop tax base erosion. The first recommendation is for a minimum capital gains tax rate across all EU countries. It also suggests an anti-tax avoidance directive (ATAD) for capital income, including an exit tax, plus other proposals.\n\nWealth inequality in Finland\n\nStudies have shown that wealth inequality in Finland has widened since the 1990s, with the richest 1 per cent accumulating significantly more wealth while middle-income earners have seen minimal gains. This shift has been linked to Finlandâs dual-income tax model, introduced in the early 1990s, which taxes capital gains at a lower rate than earned incomeâ.\n\nWhile the EU has taken steps to curb corporate tax avoidance with a 15 per cent minimum corporate tax, experts say capital gains taxation is the next battle.\n\nRead the full report.\n\nView all news in Finland.

Thursday weather in Mallorca
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 13:53:00A cloudy Thursday morning forecast for eastern and central areas of Mallorca, brighter elsewhere, and sunny across the whole island by the afternoon.\nA similar cloud and sun mix is expected for Friday; rain could move in later on in the day. The so-called beast from the east, such as it may be, appears as if it will be mainly felt on Saturday, when there is a high probability of rain in the morning plus thunderstorms, especially in the morning. Nothing out of the ordinary by the looks of it. Snow still possible at 900 metres over the weekend and low overnight temperatures forecast into the weekend. Daytime temperatures around normal for early February.\nForecast for Thursday as of Wednesday 5pm (UV rating 2):\n\nAlcudia (7C) 15C, moderate north breeze easing to gentle; humidity 55%. Three-day forecast - Fri: 16, Sat: 16, Sun: 16.\n\nAndratx (6C) 14C, light north-northeast breeze; humidity 55%. Fri: 16, Sat: 15, Sun: 15.\n\nBinissalem (2C) 14C, gentle northeast breeze easing to light north; humidity 50%. Fri: 15, Sat: 15, Sun: 15.\n\nDeya (5C) 13C, gentle north breeze easing to light east; humidity 55%. Fri: 14, Sat: 14, Sun: 14.\n\nPalma (5C) 17C, gentle northeast breeze easing to light; humidity 45%. Fri: 17, Sat: 16, Sun: 16.\n\nPollensa (5C) 15C, gentle north breeze easing to light; humidity 55%. Fri: 17, Sat: 16, Sun: 16.\n\nPorreres (1C) 14C, moderate north breeze easing to light; humidity 60%. Fri: 16, Sat: 15, Sun: 16.\n\nSant Llorenç (4C) 15C, moderate north breeze easing to light; humidity 55%. Fri: 15, Sat: 15, Sun: 15.\n\nSantanyi (4C) 15C, moderate north breeze easing to light northeast; humidity 55%. Fri: 15, Sat: 17, Sun: 15.\n\nSineu (2C) 14C, moderate north breeze easing to light; humidity 55%. Fri: 15, Sat: 15, Sun: 15.\n* Light breeze to 11 km/h; gentle to 19; moderate to 28.\nWednesday summary as of 5pm - Highs of 17.9 Llucmajor, 17.5 Cap Blanc (Llucmajor), 17.3 Can Sion (Campos), Palma Port and University, 17.1 Capdepera, Palma Airport, Salines Llevant (Campos), 17.0 Son Bonet (Marratxi), 16.9 Binissalem, 16.8 Sant Elm, Santa Maria, Santanyi, 16.4 Porreres, 16.3 Cabrera, 16.2 Es Capdellà , 16.0 Manacor, Puerto Pollensa; Lows of -2.4 Son Torrella (Escorca), -1.1 Lluc, -0.4 Can Sion, +0.4 Salines Llevant, 0.5 Binissalem, 1.0 Sineu, 1.5 Palma University, 1.6 Petra, 1.7 Palma Airport, 1.9 Manacor, Santa Maria.

These are the five best Mercadona products for âguirisâ in Spain, according to TikToker â' but do YOU agree?
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 12:39:27A TIKTOKER has revealed the best Mercadona products to buy for foreigners who live in Spain.\n\nThe expat, from Lithuania, who has nearly 25,000 followers, has lived in Spain for eight years and used her expertise to suggest the five best items for guiris. \n\nShe claims that the best food item to buy is guacamole, which she said âis superior to any other supermarketâ, and that foreigners need to try it or else they are âmissing outâ. \n\nSecond on the influencerâs list is a sweeter delicacy.\n\nIn the video, she highlights that the coconut Mochi ice creams are the best sweet treat as an everyday snack.\n\nMochi is a Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice that is pounded into a smooth, sticky paste and molded into shape. \n\nFor vino lovers, the influencer points to Mercadonaâs â¬6 Albariño wine.\n\nThis product is usually âway more expensiveâ, and so the bargain plonk is a no-brainer. \n\nTo accompany the wine, the TikToker suggests buying the shopâs cheese plate, which is âamazingâ and is supposedly a must for when you are invited to somebodyâs house but you do not know what to bring.\n\nThe final essential item is the â¬2 pre-made tortilla, which she claims âis a lifesaver when you donât want to cook but feel like eating something warmâ.\n\nSome users agreed with the videoâs suggestions, with one saying âthat cheeseboard is flying back with me everytime I go back to Spainâ.\n\nMany viewers also agreed that Mercadonaâs guacamole is âsuperiorâ to other brands, while adding that the supermarketâs hummus is just as good.\n\nAnother user commented on the wine, claiming âit is a guaranteed headache!â.

Homeless at Palma Airport have moved on
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 08:32:00A couple of months ago there was a report about homeless people at Palma Airport. They were sleeping in a transit area close to the main car park. Some had seemingly been there for several months, as they observed that the airport was cool in the summer and warm in the winter.\nThere weren't many people; perhaps around a dozen at any given time. There are now none. Or at least for the time being. It would seem they have left voluntarily.\nThe airport management says it is unaware of what has happened to the people who were in the transit area. \"We are in constant contact with the Council of Mallorca's social services in order to act in the most effective way possible if there are cases of social exclusion. But the airport does not intervene if these people do not interfere with operations, which has been the case.\"\nAs was said in December, they weren't a nuisance to anyone, and generally speaking no one bothered them, except for the occasional tourists. They tried to explain to these tourists that they weren't living in the airport because they wanted to.\nThey were there out of necessity, living off food left at restaurants, using the bathrooms and taking advantage of sockets to, for example, charge phones.

Palma Airport rail project could move ahead this year even without a budget
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 07:31:00The project for a railway line to Palma Airport and Llucmajor could be set in motion this year even if the Balearic Government fails to pass a budget for 2025.\nThe budget process was paralysed because differences between the Partido Popular and Vox meant there wasn't parliamentary support for the 2025 budget bill. It is still possible there will be belated approval, but the assumption for now is that the government will have to work with a rollover of the 2024 budget.\nItems of spending for 2024 didn't include the airport-Llucmajor project. This was due to have been specified for 2025. But although there isn't this specific item, the government has a reserve of one million euros made up of contributions from the ministry for mobility and the SFM rail operator. This reserve won't of course build anything, but it would cover the cost of the drafting of the project; the aim is to put this out to tender shortly.\nTowards the end of last year, the ministry initially approved the study for a line to go to the airport and Llucmajor and ultimately to Campos. A 45-day period for public consultation of the plan is drawing to a close. The environmental assessment, a separate procedure, has meanwhile been started.\nEven with the drafting of the project, the government doesn't envisage work starting on building the railway until 2028. The line as far as Llucmajor would be completed in 2032. This presupposes the funding is in place. In this regard, the ministry has initiated contacts with the Spanish Government for the investment.\nThere was investment for the tram scheme, which the Partido Popular rejected after the 2023 elections. As Madrid made clear, the funding couldn't simply be transferred from one project to another. There have to be individual processes per project.\nThe airport-Llucmajor-Campos line is one of three main railway projects the current government is proposing. The others are the Manacor-Arta line and the extension from Sa Pobla to Alcudia.

Rev your engines! Torremolinos set for classic car show
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 09:02:03Petrolheads, start your engines! The Classics on Wheels event is rolling into Torremolinos on Saturday, February 8, 2025, bringing a turbo-charged lineup of classic cars, custom rides, and vintage hot rods to the Costa del Sol.\n\nFrom 10 AM to 3 PM, Plaza del Remo will transform into a car loverâs paradise, packed with gleaming motors, roaring engines, and plenty of nostalgia on wheels. Whether youâre a die-hard classic car enthusiast or just fancy a stroll through automotive history, this is an event not to be missed!\n\nBut itâs not just about the cars! Live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun will keep the good vibes rolling. Whether youâre tucking into some top-notch Spanish grub or tapping your feet to the tunes, thereâs plenty to keep visitors entertained.\n\nOrganised by Coast Classics, this event promises to be a wheely good timeâ¦\n\nGot a passion for petrol? Head down to Plaza del Remo, Torremolinos, and soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of motoring history in motion.\n\nEmail address: classics@coast-classics.com\n\nPhone: +34 619 27 00 00\n\nKeep your eyes on the road⦠and the Euro Weekly News!\n\nRead more news in English from around Spain.\n\nGet more Costa del Sol news today.

Drivers flee WhatsApp speed cam groups as fines soar to â¬30,000!
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 09:35:06WhatsApp speed cam group fines soar to â¬30K. \n\nMotorists across Spain â' including hotspots like the Costa del Sol â' are abandoning WhatsApp and Telegram groups that share speed trap locations faster than a getaway driver at a bank heist, and for good reason! The countryâs traffic authority, the DGT, has laid down the law with a stern warning: get caught in one of these groups, and you could be hit with eye-watering fines of up to â¬30,000.\n\nThe fear of financial ruin has seen hundreds of users scramble to leave these online communities, terrified of being slapped with penalties usually ranging from â¬3,000 to â¬20,000, depending on how organised the group is. According to the DGT, these networks pose a serious risk to road safety, allowing reckless drivers to dodge controls designed to keep everyone safe.\n\nSpainâs motorists divided over crackdown\n\nWhile some drivers are in full support of the crackdown, arguing that road safety should come first, others see it as yet another way for the authorities to squeeze cash out of the public. Critics claim the measure is nothing more than a heavy-handed witch hunt against ordinary citizens while more pressing issues, such as crumbling roads, go ignored.\n\nTech-savvy sceptics also argue that shutting down these groups is like trying to hold back the tide; the internet â' much like life in dinosaur theme parks- always finds a way, and monitoring every chat for radar alerts is a near-impossible task.\n\nFirst WhatsApp group fines already rolling in\n\nAlthough the full force of the new traffic law wonât hit until 2025, it hasnât stopped the DGT from cracking down early. The first victims of the new regime have already been hit with heavy fines in Galicia. A company behind a radar alert app and an individual managing multiple WhatsApp groups with over 15,000 members have been among the first to feel the sting.\n\nBut the steely-eyed DGT isnât backing down. They insist these measures are crucial to keeping roads safe, ensuring drivers arenât dodging checkpoints that could catch drink drivers, speed demons, or even criminals on the run.\n\nSo, if youâre still lurking in one of these groups, you might want to hit that âleaveâ button before your bank balance takes a serious hit!\n\nStay tuned to the Euro Weekly News for more local stories that matter. \n\nRead more news in English from around Spain.\n\nGet more Costa del Sol news today.

Queen Mary of Denmarkâs birthday and Genoveva Casanovaâs speculative selfie
PUBLISHED: 2025-02-05 08:54:46Today is Queen Mary of Denmarkâs 53rd birthday (February 5). To commemorate the occasion, the Danish Royal House shared a new portrait of the queen.\n\nThe image was taken by photographer Steen Evald at Amalienborg. The Danish palace accompanied the post with a message, stating:\nâHer Majesty the Queen has a birthday and is turning 53 today. Because of the birthday, a new portrait of the Queen is published.â\n\nMaryâs journey to the Danish throne came after Queen Margrethe II announced her renunciation on New Yearâs Eve 2023, stepping down after 52 years of reign. Her decision, she stated, was made as ânow is the right time.â The transition officially took place on January 14, 2024.\n\nAt his proclamation, Frederik acknowledged the importance of his wifeâs support, stating:\nâI need all the support I can get. From my beloved wife, from my family, from you and from that which is greater than us.â\n\nMaryâs trip to her homeland of Australia took place just weeks before the royal succession. While she travelled with her youngest children, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, her eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, remained in Denmark due to school commitments.\n\nResurfacing speculation surrounding King Frederikâs alleged affair\n\nWhile Queen Maryâs birthday was celebrated with warm wishes from the palace, media attention has also focused on the resurfacing of speculation surrounding King Frederikâs alleged affair with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova.\n\nCasanova, 48, who was linked to Frederik in late 2023, posted on Instagram on Maryâs birthday, sharing a smiling selfie with the caption âhow beautiful is the snow.â While she has consistently denied any romantic connection with the Danish King, her post coincided with the palaceâs release of a new official portrait of Queen Mary, prompting further speculation.\n\nIn order to evade scrutiny regarding her connections to the Danish King, the Madrid-based celebrity allegedly went âinto hidingâ during the proclamation event in January of last year, according to Sky News Australia.\n\nMeanwhile, Mary continues to embrace her new role as Queen, with public appearances and royal engagements reflecting her ongoing commitment to Denmark. One of her recent ventures included a podcast aimed at tackling youth loneliness.