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Over 30,000 revellers, mostly British, fill Benidormâs streets for Europeâs biggest Fancy Dress Party
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-14 05:00:48More than 30,000 people â the vast majority of them British holidaymakers â filled the streets of Benidormâs Rincón de Loix on Thursday November 13 for the world-famous Fancy Dress Party. The colourful and energetic event, which has become one of the most anticipated dates on the resortâs social calendar, once again transformed the area into a sea of costumes, laughter, and music.
The Fancy Dress Party has been celebrated for over three decades and takes place the day after Les Festes Majors Patronals, Benidormâs patron saint festivities. Organised by the areaâs hotels, bars and entertainment venues, with the support of Abreca-Cobreca and Benidorm Town Hall, the event has evolved from a small gathering of British friends into what is now regarded as the largest fancy dress celebration in Europe.
Local authorities join the celebrations
Benidorm mayor Toni Pérez attended alongside the councillor for Citizen Safety and Events, Jesús Carrobles, and other local representatives, including the president of Hosbec, Fede Fuster; secretary general, Nuria Montes; Visit Benidorm manager, Leire Bilbao; and senior officers from both the National and Local Police. The mayor highlighted that this 31st edition reflected âthe spirit of fun and friendship that has made Benidorm a second home for so many British visitorsâ.
To ensure everyoneâs safety, traffic restrictions were in place from midday, with the Local Police reinforcing their presence by deploying 30 additional officers, supported by the National Police, firefighters, Civil Protection and medical teams. Streets were closed progressively as crowds swelled, particularly around Mallorca, Gerona and Lepanto streets, where the main entertainment zone was set up.
A colourful parade and lively atmosphere
The highlight of the afternoon was the colourful float parade along Calle Gerona, featuring around 15 floats, dance groups, batucadas and live performances. More than 50 venues from across Benidorm took part, offering themed parties, music, and special promotions to mark the occasion.
Councillor Jesús Carrobles praised the âexemplary coordination between hospitality venues, security forces and emergency servicesâ, while organisers emphasised the eventâs growing international appeal. âEach year, more Spaniards and visitors from other countries join in,â they said, âbut itâs still the British community that gives this event its unique identity.â
Extending the celebrations and Benidormâs festive spirit
Although Thursday was the main celebration day, activities continued throughout the weekend, giving visitors even more opportunities to enjoy Benidormâs world-renowned party atmosphere and extending the economic benefits across the cityâs hospitality sector.
The Fancy Dress Party once again reaffirmed Benidormâs reputation as Europeâs capital of fun, friendship and unforgettable celebrations.
Benidormâs patron saint festivities set the stage
The Fancy Dress Party traditionally takes place the day after Les Festes Majors Patronals, Benidormâs most important local celebration honouring the townâs patron saints, the Virgin of the Sufragio and Saint James. Over five days, the city comes alive with religious processions, parades, live music, fireworks, and traditional dances that attract thousands of residents and visitors alike. These festivities, deeply rooted in Benidormâs culture and identity, culminate in a spectacular fireworks display and pave the way for the more informal, light-hearted Fancy Dress celebration that follows â a seamless blend of local tradition and international fun that perfectly captures the spirit of Benidorm.
Police issue safety recommendations for partygoers
Ahead of the Fancy Dress Party, Benidormâs Local Police issued a series of safety recommendations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable celebration for everyone. Visitors were advised to use public transport or walk to the Rincón de Loix area, as many surrounding streets were closed to traffic. The police also urged revellers to stay hydrated, respect security cordons, and avoid glass bottles or large bags to speed up entry at checkpoints. Lost property points and first aid stations were set up throughout the area, and officers reminded participants to look after their belongings and celebrate responsibly. Authorities emphasised that cooperation between partygoers and emergency teams was key to maintaining Benidormâs reputation as a safe and welcoming destination for all.
Alcaraz clinches ATP Year-End number one honours for second time
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-14 00:00:00Turin [Italy], November 14 (ANI): The Spanish sensation clinched the ATP Year-End world number one honours by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in his ATP Finals group stage match and continued his undefeated run in the season-ending competition.
Not only did Alcaraz move to the semifinals, but he also upstaged Jannik Sinner to secure the year-end top rank honours for the second time in his career.
'It means the world to me, to be honest. The year-end No. 1 is always a goal,' Alcaraz said as quoted by ATP's official website.
'At the beginning of the year, I saw the number one really, really far away [with] Jannik winning almost every tournament he plays. But from the middle of the season 'til now, I gave myself the goal for the No. 1 because I thought it was there. I had the chance to play great tennis in a lot of tournaments in a row, which put me in a position to be close to Jannik for the number one spot.'
'Then in the last three, four tournaments of the year, I was fighting toe to toe with Jannik for this spot, and then finally I got it. For me, it means everything,' he concluded.
It has been an incredible 2025 for Alcaraz, who, back in 2022, became the youngest since 1973 to end the year as world number one. He is just the second active player with multiple year-end top finishes, joining Serbian icon and rival Novak Djokovic (8).
Alcaraz kickstarted the year with a quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open, the only major he has never conquered. However, after this setback, he has been dominant, securing eight titles in 2025, a tour-leading feat that includes two Grand Slams: the French Open and the US Open.
He has also bagged two ATP Masters 1000 events at Monte-Carlo, Rome and Cincinnati and three ATP 500 tournaments at Rotterdam, Queen's Club and Tokyo. These eight titles are the most he has won in a season.
After winning his two Grand Slam titles this year, he has become the second-youngest player in the Open Era, after Bjorn Borg, to lift six titles. Borg, like Alcaraz, was also 22 when he reached this milestone.
The most memorable match Alcaraz has had this year came during the French Open final, saving three championship points in the final against Sinner. The title clash was the longest in the tournament's history, lasting five hours and 29 minutes.
He dropped just one set at the US Open and became the youngest of four men to earn multiple majors on clay, grass, and hard courts, alongside Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Mats Wilander.
Alcaraz has been ultra-consistent this year, reaching the finals of nine successive tournaments from the Monte Carlo Masters back in April to the Japan Open in September. He has also won 17 consecutive ATP Masters 1000 matches from the beginning of the Monte Carlo Open through his title win at the Cincinnati Open. Only Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer, and Pete Sampras have had better win streaks since the introduction of ATP Masters 1000 competitions in 1990.
ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said: 'Ending the season as the No. 1 player in the world is an incredible achievement--one that only 19 players have accomplished in more than 50 years of history. To do it twice by the age of 22 makes it even more special. It speaks not only to Carlos' exceptional talent but to his relentless drive to improve and his determination to compete against the very best. He should be immensely proud of what he's achieved, and we look forward to watching him continue to inspire fans around the world.'
Alcaraz has conquered the 'Jimmy Connors Group' undefeated and will take on the winner of Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday in the semi-finals. Alcaraz will be aiming for his first ATP Finals title. (ANI)
Chevron cuts capex, raises efficiency goals after Hess merger
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-14 00:00:00HOUSTON, Texas: Chevron announced on November 12 that it aims to grow free cash flow by more than 10 percent annually through 2030 while expanding oil and gas production and cutting costs and capital spending.
The updated guidance, unveiled at the company's investor day, marks the latest step in Chevron's push to operate more efficiently after a restructuring and layoffs earlier this year.
Chevron completed its US$55 billion acquisition of Hess in July, a year later than planned, which had delayed its long-term outlook. Its shares are up 7.8 percent this year, trailing rivals Exxon Mobil and Shell.
\"Our advantaged assets, strong balance sheet, and disciplined capital program provide the foundation to thrive in any price environment,\" said Chief Financial Officer Eimear Bonner.
Assuming Brent crude prices average $70 a barrel, Chevron expects both free cash flow and earnings per share to grow by more than 10 percent annually through 2030. Oil and gas output is projected to rise two percent to three percent per year from its current 4.1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Chevron lowered its planned annual capital spending to $18 to $21 billion, down from $19 to $22 billion, and raised its cost-cutting target to $3 to $4 billion by the end of next year, $1 billion higher than before.
Bonner said upstream divestments and business simplification will yield $2 billion in savings by the end of this year, with another $1 billion expected from technology that allows remote monitoring of operations. \"We're confident in increasing the range because we're already halfway there with the work that's underway,\" she said.
Chevron also said it can fund both capital spending and dividends through 2030 even if Brent crude falls to around $50 a barrel.
The company's first project to power an AI data center using natural gas will be built in West Texas and is targeted to begin operations by 2027. Chevron is in talks with potential customers, including tech companies such as OpenAI and Meta, and expects a final investment decision early next year.
Chevron will also boost annual exploration spending and use AI to speed up data analysis, as exploration projects often take years to complete.
Bird Flu & Egg Prices
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-13 06:58:09Have you seen how expensive eggs have become? Well, the reason behind it are cases of bird flu in Europe and Spain.
Granada has spent the last two and a half years free of the H5N1 virus but poultry farmers are now âmore nervous than a turkey at Christmasâ about should the virus get hold of the province.
The Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación announced the prohibition of rearing free-range chickens in areas of risk in Andalucia, Castilla y León and Cataluña, where there have been outbreaks. Granada is not one of these risk area⦠yet. This discision was taken because of the risk of contagion from migratory birds.
Granada is a heavy weight in the poultry business, especially in the north of the province and on the border with AlmerÃa, where they specialise in chicken meat rather than eggs.
Itâs the small-scale, poultry farmers that are the most worried because if a case is detected amongst their birds, they would have to put them all down; an economic blow that a small business canât survive.
Granada has 4,337 poultry farms, which represents 24% of the total in the whole of Andalucia, so you can see why an outbreak of bird flu in the province would be a disaster.
However, the majority (3,570) of those poultry farms are not really farms but rather families who keep lots of chickens for eggs and meat for themselves and not as a business. There are 193 poultry farms who produce chicken meat, 17 turkey-meat ones and other kinds of edible birds.
Finally, going back to the price of eggs, so far, more that 2.5 million hens have been destroyed in the whole of Spain, which has caused an increase of 31% in their price.
(News: Granada, Andalucia)
Keywords: Bird Flu, H5N1, Poultry Farms, Birds Put Down, Eggs, Price, Turkey
news, andalucia, granada, bird flu, h5n1, poultry farms, birds put down, eggs, price, turkey
Cosmic Justice?
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-13 06:53:40A repeat offender, with over 100 offences under his belt, met his end after trying to beat up his girlfriend in the street; he was set upon by a group of men who beat the crap out of him.
The deceased, Abraham M. H., actually died from a heart attack brought on by a combination of factors, in the early hours of last Sunday in a town in the province of Sevilla.
It was four in the morning and a wedding reception had just finished in El Coronil, which is a small town of just under 5,000 inhabitants.
Abraham and his partner had travelled from Massamagrell in Valencia to attend the wedding. Abraham had ingested a large amount of alcohol during the wedding reception. Inside, there had been a bit of a scuffle between El Kaki (Abrahamâs nickname) and several other guests and then the argument continued outside.
For God knows what reason El Kaki grabbed his partner by the neck and hit her several times with a sharp object. A neighbour recorded the attack on his mobile phone from a window across the street. The footage showed how several people were shouting at him to leave her alone.
Three men managed to pry El Kaki off his girlfriend and set about him, kicking him and hitting him with two stools (no idea where they came from as this was outside). He fell to the floor but two of the men who had freed his girlfriend held him down until the Guardia Civil arrived.
Shortly after, El Kaki suffered a massive heart attack, brought on, the autopsy showed by his consumption of alcohol and drugs, rather than the well deserved beating that he had received.
Back at the scene, officers questioned around 20 witnesses of the scuffle inside the venue and also outside on the street. They also took statements from the two men who had hit El Kaki with the stools.
Furthermore, before the fight at the venue, the girlfriend had gone to the Guardia Civil post telling them that El Kaki (Abraham) had threatened to hurt her but she did not want to make a formal complaint/statement.
Abraham wasnât a pleasant chap and had most of his neighbours in his barrio where he lived in Massamagrell living in fear of him. It is also relevant to the story as as a clarifying point, that Abraham was a Gypsy, which also explains the reaction by relatives of the girlfriend (also Gypsies) to her being attacked.
(News: El Colonil, Sevilla, Andalucia)
Keywords: Wedding Reception, Girlfriend, Attacked Aggressor, Beaten, Heart Attack, Gypsy
news, andalucia, sevilla, el colonil, wedding reception, girlfriend, attacked aggressor, beaten, heart attack, gypsy
Endangered vipers and mountain iguanas in rare company during key wildlife discussions
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-13 00:20:00Ethiopian mountain vipers, Galapagos iguanas and Brazilâs Pernambuco â' prized by violin bow makers â' are just three of more than 30 species that could be listed. special protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
âAs trade in wild animals and plants crosses borders between countries, efforts to regulate it require international cooperation to protect certain species from overexploitation. » » said CITES in a press release.
Today, the Convention covers trade in more than 40,000 species of wild animals and plants. CITES States Parties may add other species by submitting proposals which are reviewed at meetings held every three years.
âThe proposals that will be discussed highlight how scientists continue to approach the conservation and sustainable use of species that are not only biologically unique, but also culturally, economically and ecologically important,â said Thea Carroll, head of the CITES Secretariatâs scientific unit, speaking in Geneva.
The final proposals expected to be discussed in the Uzbek city of Samarkand include a range of perennially endangered wildlife such as elephants and rhinos, as well as what must surely be the final candidate for CITES, the golden-bellied mangabey monkey.
Alongside these natural charmers, demands for additional protection include arguably less obvious candidates, including the giant Galli wasp â' measuring 32 centimeters â' moths, frogs, sea cucumbers, abalone and other commercially exploited aquatic species.
It has been 50 years since the CITES convention came into force, although it was conceived ten years earlier at a meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Convention is just one of many international agreements aimed at protecting the planetâs biodiversity. It specifically addresses the regulation of the international wildlife trade, estimated to be worth billions of dollars and comprising hundreds of millions of plant and animal specimens.
Success Stories
The Convention is responsible for conservation successes, including that of the South American vicuña â' a small camel â' and the Nile crocodile.
Their survival was ensured when CITES supported national efforts to transform their wool and skins respectively into valuable, sustainably managed products that benefit local communities.
Overexploitation for international trade poses a major threat to wildlife, but other risk factors include disease, pollution, habitat loss or fragmentation.
Who protects the protectors
The fundamental role of protecting biodiversity played by CITES has not protected it from a serious funding crisis for multilateral work around the world, warned the organizationâs Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero.
âWe are all in trouble,â she told reporters in Geneva. âAll UN entities are currently struggling with budgetary problems. There is a drop in contributions from member states, from our parties, and it is becoming very difficult for us to be able to function.â
Ms. Higuero added: âWe have not received the expected contributions from the parties which were assessed according to the UN scale and, of course, we have arrears and payments. So that is one of the things that we will also discuss.â
Europeâs adaptation policies advance, but stronger action is needed to address growing climate risks
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-13 11:55:27DISCLAIMER OPINIONS: The opinions of the authors or reproduced in the articles are the ones of those stating them and it is their own responsibility. Should you find any incorrections you can always contact the newsdesk to seek a correction or right of replay.
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Millions of lives at risk, warn UN food agencies, as hunger crisis worsens
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-13 11:15:16A report released by the two UN agencies on Tuesday identifies six that are at the highest risk of famine or catastrophic hunger: Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Mali, Haiti, and Yemen.
In these areas, some communities are projected to reach famine or near-famine conditions.Other countries of very high concern include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Afghanistan.
Additional hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and the situation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
âFamine is not inevitableâ
Acute food insecurity means families cannot meet their basic food needs and often resort to desperate measures, such as skipping meals or selling essential possessions.
At Phase 4 (Emergency) and Phase 5 (Catastrophe/Famine), hunger becomes life-threatening.
âFamine is not inevitable,â said Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director. âWe have the tools and the knowledge to prevent it, but we need the resources and the political will to act now.â
Children are especially vulnerable. Malnutrition weakens immunity, making them more susceptible to disease and death. The report warns that delayed action will cost lives and increase humanitarian costs.
Whatâs driving the crisis?
The report highlights four main drivers:
Conflict and violence: The leading cause in 14 of the 16 hotspots.
Economic shocks: Fragile economies, high debt, and soaring food prices.
Climate extremes: Floods, droughts, and cyclones linked to La Niña conditions.
Reduced humanitarian aid: Funding shortfalls have forced ration cuts and limited malnutrition treatment.
âConflict remains the single biggest driver of hunger,â said Dongyu Qu, FAO Director-General. âBut climate shocks and economic instability are compounding the crisis, leaving millions with no safety net.â
What needs to happen now?
FAO and WFP call for urgent action to prevent famine:
Humanitarian assistance to save lives and livelihoods.
Anticipatory actionâearly interventions before crises escalate.
Investment in resilience to tackle root causes, not just symptoms.
The agencies stress that the international community faces a narrowing window to act. Failure to respond will deepen hunger, destabilize regions, and lead to preventable deaths.
How you can help
You can support efforts to fight hunger by:
Every contribution helps provide food, nutrition, and livelihood support to those most in need.
From Haiti to Ethiopia: the voices of climate displacement at COP30
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-14 01:47:00At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) is putting pressure on negotiators so that climate mobility is at the heart of adaptation plans.
âPeople and communities who choose to stay must be safe, and those who decide to move must have the opportunity to do so with dignity,â Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General, said on Thursday.
In 80 countries, IOM runs projects that put local communities in charge of solutions. Ms Daniels hopes that COP30 will be âa turning point for placing human mobility as a key area of ââclimate actionâ, particularly in national adaptation plans and financing for loss and damage.
âTen seconds that changed my life foreverâ
For Robert Montinard of Haiti, this debate is personal. The 2010 earthquake lasted only 10 seconds, but shattered lives for generations. In search of safety, he fled to Brazil as a refugee. Today he runs the Mawon association, helping others rebuild far from home.
At COP30, Robert insists on one thing: the voices of refugees must be heard.
âWe want to be part of the solution. We want migrants and refugees to be heard. Those affected by the consequences of climate change â' refugees, indigenous peoples, black communities, women â' have the solutions,â he said.
This week, Robert delivered a proposal to the First Lady of Brazil, Rosangela Janja da Silva, and the Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva. It calls for the creation of city climate councils, action against environmental racism and community brigades to respond to disasters.
He describes the fate of Haiti as âclimate injusticeâ. The same hurricanes that hit Florida, he said, leave behind destruction in his homeland â but while the United States is rapidly rebuilding, buildings destroyed in the 2010 Haiti earthquake still lie in rubble.
A crisis fueling the conflict in Ethiopia
From another corner of the South, Makebib Tadesse notes the same trend in Ethiopia, where climate pressures are intensifying conflicts over land and resources.
He described a âcontinuing cycle of violence and displacementâ as food and water become scarce. In northern Ethiopia, where he was born, the impact of climate change now rivals â' or even exceeds â' the devastation of the 1974-1991 civil war.
âClimate change is pushing people out of Ethiopia like never before,â he said.
Robert and Makebib are both part of the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) at COP30, alongside Venezuelan indigenous leader Gardenia Warao.
âBrazilâs opening to refugees must be celebratedâ
Alfonso Herrera, Mexican actor and Goodwill Ambassador for Latin America to UNHCR, formerly known as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, carries their message.
âThe voices of refugees have been silenced â' and they must be heard,â he said. UN News.
Mr. Herrera traveled across the region â' from Mexico to Venezuela, Honduras and El Salvador â' to witness the human cost of climate displacement and the UNâs efforts to restore hope through education and legal support.
He believes that Brazilâs openness to welcoming refugees deserves to be recognized, especially âwhile so many other countries adopt a completely opposite attitude.â
As COP30 debates how to adapt to a changing planet, displaced people remind the world that climate action is not just about saving ecosystems: it is also about protecting lives, preserving dignity and ensuring that no one is left behind by the rising tide.
East report from Belémgiving you front row coverage of everything happening at COP30.
In Sudan, families are ârunning out of timeâ as hunger spreads
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-14 00:46:00UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric took stock during the regular briefing to journalists in New York on Thursday.
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been fighting for power since April 2023, creating one of the worldâs worst humanitarian crises.
âUnimaginable violenceâ in El Fasher
Violence has intensified in recent weeks after the capture of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, by RSF, after a siege of more than a year.
PAM Sudan tweeted that while families continue to flee the city, teams remain on the ground to provide immediate assistance.
âWe quickly deliver emergency food and nutrition products to hundreds of thousands of people. who are escaping unimaginable violence and hunger,â he said.
Access makes the difference
Mr. Dujarric recalled that famine was confirmed in El Fasher and Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan State, both largely cut off from aid.
âHowever, In nine other locations where WFP maintained constant access, famine-like conditions were reversed through sustained assistanceâ, he said.
âWFP highlights that where conflict has eased and humanitarian operations have expanded, hunger has decreased, demonstrating that consistent access makes the difference between starvation and actual recovery.â
Millions more may be affected
The UN agency is currently providing emergency food, cash and nutrition assistance each month to more than four million people in Sudan in previously hard-to-reach areas in four states: Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and Al Jazeera.
âWith more resources, WFP could double its reach to eight million people every month and further reduce the risk of famine spreading to the hardest-hit areas,â he said.
âBut without additional support, this fragile progress could quickly be reversed. »
Mr. Dujarric urged the international community âto continue to step up efforts, with the support and funding needed to help the people in Sudan who so desperately need help.â
Families âlack timeâ
Furthermore, the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCRlaunched an urgent appeal on Thursday for Sudanese civilians who are ânow running out of timeâ as communities are cut off from aid.
The agency highlighted the plight of families who fled the fighting and mass atrocities reported in El Fasher.
âChildren are hungry, parents are desperate⦠They need protection, security and humanitarian access,â UNHCR said in its statement. a tweet.
âHostilities must endâ: Guterres
This comes a day after the UN Secretary-General expressed grave concern over reports of mass atrocities in El Fasher and worsening violence in Kordofan.
António Guterres was speaking to journalists at the end of the joint annual conference between the UN and the African Union (AU), which was held on Wednesday in New York.
âThe flow of weapons and fighters from external parties must be stopped. The flow of humanitarian aid must be able to quickly reach civilians in need. Hostilities must cease,â he said. said.
The Secretary-General called on the warring parties to engage with his Personal Envoy for Sudan âand take rapid and tangible steps towards a negotiated settlement.â
Costa Blanca Zeitung â' 12. November 2025
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Benissa rallied to stop luxury Patmore development with creation of âSalvem el nostre litoralâ
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-13 05:00:53The protection of Benissaâs coastline finally had a name: âSalvem el nostre litoral: STOP Patmoreâ. Aiming to halt the planned development at Tossal de lâAsprar, the new platform held an open informational meeting for all residents on November in the Aula del Mar, located in Benissaâs Tourist Office.
The first gathering publicly introduced the movement and outlined planned actions to stop the Patmore development, which included ten houses and a luxury hotel.
New platform formed to protect Benissaâs coastline
According to the platform, the project would have destroyed the last green lung of Benissaâs coast and represented another attack on an area of high environmental and scenic value.
The group criticised the project for being âpushed forward with the complicity or inaction of Benissaâs government (PP)â, despite the town council unanimously approving in May 2025 a motion urging the Generalitat Valenciana to publicly acquire Tossal de lâAsprar to guarantee its preservation. The platform called for strong community participation to demand a clear and urgent institutional response.
Residents urged to oppose luxury Patmore project
âThis starts with preventing the destruction of our coast, our wildlife, and our landscapes. We cannot allow speculation to wipe out what still belongs to everyone,â the platform added.
During the meeting, attendees were presented with details of the Patmore project, its potential legal and environmental consequences, and proposals for community mobilisation to protect the area.
Environmental concerns raised over development
Opposition parties CompromÃs Benissa, CIBE, Reiniciem Benissa, and PSOE-PSPV supported the initiative, sharing the event poster on social media and confirming their attendance to meet with residents.
Jose Antonio said to Euro Weekly News: âNeus, the excuse of âinvestmentâ no longer holds.â
Opposition parties join forces with local movement
Another resident added: âEnough! Benissa has enough luxury homes already â' Magraner, Racó de Galeno⦠Is there enough water? Are the sewage systems ready? Are local builders from Benissa, Moraira, or Calpe carrying out the project? Probably not. Big developers do it quickly.â
Salvem el nostre litoral stressed that the meeting marked the first step of a âbroad, cross-cutting, and peaceful movement to protect the future of Benissaâs coastline and make it clear the coast is not for sale.â
Mayor calls for meeting to explore alternatives
Meanwhile, at the most recent council meeting, Benissa mayor Arturo Poquet (PP) proposed that opposition parties and local groups meet with officials from the Conselleria de Territorio to explore alternatives and clarify legal questions surrounding the development project.
Dolphins ride RB De'Von Achane into NFL's historic Madrid game with Commanders
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-13 00:00:00(Photo credit: Jeff Romance-Imagn Images)
NFL history will be made Sunday when Washington and Miami play the league's first ever regular-season game in Madrid, Spain.
Neither of the teams on the card at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the renovated home of global soccer powerhouse Real Madrid, arrived in Spain in their respective conference's playoff picture.
But while the Dolphins (3-7) and Commanders (3-7) have matching records, their handle on momentum is a work in progress.
Washington has lost five in a row. The Commanders take the field without quarterback Jayden Daniels, who two weeks ago suffered a dislocated elbow.
Miami has won two of its past three and scored one of its biggest wins in recent memory last week by snapping a seven-game (including playoffs) losing streak against AFC East rival Buffalo.
Marcus Mariota is expected to make his fifth start this season for the Commanders, who will play their second-ever international game.
Mariota completed 16 of 22 passes for 213 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions last week in a 44-22 loss to Detroit at home, in which Washington allowed 546 total yards.
Mariota will once again be without wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who has only played four games this season while dealing with a quad injury. Treylon Burks was also ruled out with a finger injury that required surgery.
But the Commanders have had bigger issues on defense as defeats stack up. Washington has allowed 38 or more points in three of those defeats and four consecutive losses had a margin of 21 or more points.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said this week he is taking over play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., who remains on staff.
'I think now, just after watching and reviewing the tape, we felt off,' Quinn said. 'I thought this is the time to add into that and lean in. Joe and I have got a great vibe together. We've worked together through our time in Dallas, and we'll lean back into that space where he'll help me along the way and all that leads up into the game and calling it.'
Washington's porous run defense has precious little time to come up with a plan to slow Dolphins running back De'Von Achane. He had 225 yards from scrimmage and 174 rushing yards with two touchdowns in the beatdown of Buffalo last week.
In the Commanders' loss to the Lions in Week 10, they allowed 546 yards from scrimmage. For the second game in a row, Washington's opponent averaged more than eight yards per play. Washington is 29th in scoring defense and 31st in yards allowed per play.
Quinn's defense is missing cornerback Trey Amos (fibula) and will be without defensive tackle Daron Payne. He was suspended one game without pay for punching Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the second quarter last week. Amos is the third starter in the secondary to be lost to injury, giving Quinn even more questions to answer ahead of Sunday's international affair.
'When something's not working, we shift from the question of 'Why isn't it working?' to 'What do we need to do to get right?' And right now, that'll call for some change,' Quinn said.
Achane might not need any extra motivation. He said this week on Chad Johnson's 'Nightcap' podcast the Dolphins are motivated by narratives around the malaise in Miami.
'It don't matter who we're playing-we gotta make sure we go out and play 100%, no matter our record, no matter what they're saying,' Achane said. 'When you sign that contract and you go out on that field, I need you playing 100%.'
The Dolphins, who will play their eighth international game and are 2-5 all-time, saw their offense come alive for the second time in three games last week. And after trading away pass rushing linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles, Miami's defense recorded three sacks of Josh Allen and forced three turnovers.
That defense may get another boost as edge rusher Chop Robinson is expected to clear concussion protocol and return. He missed last week's game.
Miami's offensive line could be in better shape, too. Tackle Austin Jackson (toe) was designated to return from injured reserve and begin practicing in a limited capacity on Wednesday. But the Dolphins could also have another setback on an already maligned line with center Aaron Brewer (foot, ankle) not practicing Wednesday.
'He's working his way back. I feel very optimistic,' Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. 'It is a real thing he's dealing with, but just knowing him and his mindset, I feel very optimistic for him.'
Commanders linebacker Ale Kaho (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and tight end Zach Ertz were given rest days. Safety Will Harris (ankle), linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder) and safety Quan Martin (shoulder) were limited.
Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot, ankle), who did not play against Buffalo last week, did not practice on Wednesday. Safety Ashtyn Davis (quadricep), wide receiver Dee Eskridge (shoulder), running back Ollie Gordon (ankle), tight end Julian Hill (ankle) and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb, foot) were limited.
--Field Level Media
Sudan: Migration chief hears horrific accounts of exodus from El Fasher
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-12 23:02:31âWhen people are coming out of the area, they are reporting widespread violence, sexual abuse, civilians who are sometimes being shot on sight,â said the Director General of the UN migration agency (IOM), Amy Pope, during a briefing on Wednesday.
Hiding from drones
âMany described leaving the area and seeing dead bodies along the way.â She said she had met women and children who had been walking for days in some instances, âhiding from drones, carrying only their children.â
The statements come amid intensified violence and spreading in Sudan, following the capture of regional capital El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month from government troops, after more than 500 days of siege.
Ms. Pope said that the scale of need is âcoinciding at a time when there have been unprecedented humanitarian cuts to humanitarian assistance around the world.â
Less than 5,000 aid kits available
The IOM is providing shelter, basic dignity kits and cooking kits to those who need them most, but right now, the funding for that response is far below what is needed, Ms. Pope warned, at only eight per cent.
Fewer than 5,000 kits were available at a warehouse in Port Sudan, and 35 IOM tents are out for distribution.
Some countries and partners have been asking for additional information or seeking data on the funding situation, but the scale of the need is so high that the agency is âtrying to play catch up at this moment in time,â Ms. Pope said.
Joint humanitarian efforts
IOM is liaising with the UN relief coordination office (OCHA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to secure resources.
âBy visiting various parts of the country, we can provide a comprehensive picture to the world of what needs to happen to support especially vulnerable civilians who are fleeing violence.â
The UN relief chief Tom Fletcher has been in Sudan this week and is expected to brief journalists from there on Monday.
Ms. Pope said that while IOM has trucks going into Tawila, a city around 60 kilometres from El Fasher, access is extremely limited and the agency is providing support mainly to those who are leaving.
Many humanitarian workers have also been the victims of violence over the past few months, with some wounded or killed, Ms. Pope added.
Preparations for âintensified hostilitiesâ
UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned on Wednesday that thereâs been no let-up in the killing of civilians.
Addressing the French Senate, he said that his office (OHCHR) continues to receive alarming reports that the RSF is âcarrying out atrocity crimes, including summary executions, sexual violence and other violations.â
He added that in the Kordofan region there were âclear preparations for intensified hostilities as killings and destruction increase.â
Mr. Türk urged countries to respect the Security Councilâs arms embargo in Darfur, stressing that civilian protection, humanitarian access and a return to civilian rule are the priorities.
Cannabis use among young Danes decreases thanks to education campaigns
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-12 23:25:00KINGNEWSWIRE / PRESS RELEASE / Children of âTruth About Drugs Denmarkâ lead major cannabis awareness campaign as drug use among young people continues to decline nationally
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (November 2025) â' A new generation of young volunteers in Denmark is taking the lead in the fight against drug addiction. In 2025, children and adolescents affiliated with Truth About Drugs Denmark have encouraged more than 500 local traders in Copenhagen to display and distribute educational brochures The Truth About Drugs. The initiative is the latest in a decades-long campaign by the Church of Scientology to promote drug-free living across the country.
Youth-led awareness campaign turns stores into information points
Teams of young volunteers aged 10 to 20 crisscrossed the neighborhoods of Copenhagen to approach businesses with a simple message: put factual drug information easily accessible to the public. More than 500 businesses have since agreed to participate by placing brochures at checkout and engaging their customers in conversations about substance use.
Giulia, a public affairs advisor who supports the volunteers, described their impact: âThey show adults that they care about our future and take responsibility for it. »
The supports, developed by the Foundation for a Drug-Free Worldare secular and fact-based, covering the effects of drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol. The aim of the campaign is to help people make informed decisions. A teenage volunteer explains: âItâs about saving lives, not religion. We want people to know what drugs actually do. »
Cannabis use among young people down sharply in Denmark
The campaign coincides with encouraging national data: cannabis use among young Danes has declined significantly over the past decade. According to a report published in November 2025 by the Center for Rusmiddelforskning (Danish Drug Research Center), cannabis consumption among 15-25 year olds increased from 44% in 2014 to 31.6% in 2025. Among young men, the drop is even more marked, going from 51% to 34%.
An essential reason? âThere is simply more awareness and caution today,â researcher Kirsten Frederiksen said in a DR article. âThe appetite for risk is not as high as it used to be. »
The researchers cited the wide dissemination of educational materials on drugs as a contributing factor to this change, suggesting that prevention campaigns are effectively reaching their audiences. These results confirm the relevance of local efforts such as those carried out in Copenhagen.
An initiative long supported by Scientology
This youth-led project builds on more than 30 years of drug education efforts by the Church of Scientology in Denmark. Since 1991, Scientology volunteers have distributed truth about drugs materials at major events, including the Copenhagen Marathon and the Royal Run, as well as in public places such as Strøget.
The campaign reflects the views of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbardwho wrote that âthe most destructive element present in our culture today is drugs.â Inspired by this principle, the Church has supported drug education projects in more than 200 cities around the world through its partnership with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World.
âThey are already changing the worldâ
European institutions increasingly recognize the value of youth-led prevention. Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the EU, OSCE, Council of Europe and UN, highlighted the broader relevance of this campaign:
âMeaningful youth participation is not a fairy tale. Itâs a plan for building resilient communities, one brochure and one conversation at a time. These young people are not waiting for permission to change the world⦠They are already doing it. »
By transforming local stores into knowledge centers and giving young people a voice, the campaign shows how community engagement and evidence-based education can reshape attitudes and behaviors, without stigma or coercion.
About the Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology and its affiliated missions, groups and members are active throughout the European continent. It continues to be recognized in several countries as a charitable and authentic religion. Inspired by the humanitarian legacy of L. Ron Hubbard, the Church engages in long-term initiatives in education, prevention and community improvement, particularly in the areas of substance abuse prevention, human rights and moral values ââeducation.
Cannabis Use Among Danish Youth Drops as Education Campaigns Gain Ground
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-12 23:21:25KINGNEWSWIRE / PRESS RELEASE / Children from âTruth About Drugs Denmarkâ lead major cannabis awareness effort as national youth drug use continues to decline
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (November 2025) â' A new generation of young volunteers in Denmark is taking the lead in the fight against drug abuse. In 2025, children and teens affiliated with Truth About Drugs Denmark have engaged more than 500 local shopkeepers in Copenhagen to display and distribute The Truth About Drugs educational booklets. This initiative is the latest in a decades-long campaign supported by the Church of Scientology to promote drug-free living across the country.
Youth-Led Street Outreach Turns Shops into Education Points
Teams of young volunteers â' aged 10 to 20 â' have canvassed neighborhoods throughout Copenhagen, approaching businesses with a simple message: make factual information about drugs easily available to the public. More than 500 businesses have since agreed to participate by placing booklets at checkout counters and engaging customers in conversations about substance use.
Giulia, a public affairs advisor supporting the volunteers, described their impact: âThey are showing adults that they care about our futureâand that they are taking responsibility for it.â
The materials, developed by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, are secular and fact-based, covering the effects of drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine, and alcohol. The campaignâs goal is to help people make informed decisions. One teenage volunteer explained: âThis is about saving lives, not religion. We want people to know what drugs really do.â
Youth Cannabis Use Down Sharply in Denmark
The campaign coincides with encouraging national data: cannabis use among Danish youth has dropped significantly over the past decade. According to a November 2025 report by Center for Rusmiddelforskning (Danish Center for Drug Research), cannabis use among 15â'25-year-olds has fallen from 44% in 2014 to 31.6% in 2025. Among young men, the drop is even steeperâfrom 51% to 34%.
A key reason? âThere is simply more awareness and caution today,â said researcher Kirsten Frederiksen in a DR article. âThe risk appetite isnât as high as it used to be.â
Researchers cited broad dissemination of drug education materials as a contributing factor to this shift, suggesting that prevention campaigns are effectively reaching their audience. These findings support the relevance of grassroots efforts like the Copenhagen outreach.
A Longstanding Scientology-Supported Effort
This youth-led project builds on more than 30 years of drug education efforts by the Church of Scientology in Denmark. Since 1991, Scientology volunteers have distributed Truth About Drugs materials at major events, including the Copenhagen Marathon and the Royal Run, as well as in public spaces such as Strøget.
The campaign reflects the views of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, who wrote that âthe single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs.â Inspired by this principle, the Church has supported drug education projects in over 200 cities worldwide through its partnership with the Foundation for a Drug-Free World.
âThey Are Already Changing the Worldâ
European institutions increasingly recognize the value of youth-led prevention. Ivan Arjona, the Church of Scientologyâs representative to the EU, OSCE, Council of Europe, and United Nations, emphasized the broader relevance of this campaign:
By turning local shops into knowledge centers and empowering young voices, the campaign demonstrates how community engagement and evidence-based education can reshape attitudes and behaviorâwithout stigma or coercion.
About the Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology and its affiliated missions, groups, and members are active across the European continent. It continues to be recognized in multiple countries as a charitable and bona fide religion. Inspired by the humanitarian legacy of L. Ron Hubbard, the Church is committed to long-term education, prevention, and community betterment initiatives, particularly in the fields of drug prevention, human rights, and moral values education.
Stronger measures to protect our democracy and civil society
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-12 15:40:00DISCLAIMER OPINIONS: The opinions of the authors or reproduced in the articles are the ones of those stating them and it is their own responsibility. Should you find any incorrections you can always contact the newsdesk to seek a correction or right of replay.
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Madrid cracks down on tourist rentals: Over 2,600 flats disappear after new housing plan
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-12 22:50:43Madridâs booming short-term rental market is shrinking fast. Since the city council approved its âPlan Resideâ to regulate tourist accommodation and protect residential housing, more than 2,600 tourist flats have vanished from the capitalâs listings â' a drop of 15.7 per cent in just a few months.
According to Madrid City Council, the number of holiday rentals has fallen from 16,959 in July to 14,297 in November, with data compiled by the independent platform Inside Airbnb, which tracks listings on the popular rental site. The trend accelerated after the plan was formally ratified on August 27, showing that the cityâs tougher stance is already having a visible impact.
What is the plan Reside â' and why itâs changing Madridâs rental market
The Plan Reside, backed by Mayor José Luis MartÃnez-Almeidaâs administration, is part of a wider effort to preserve residential housing and control the rapid spread of tourist rentals, many of which operate illegally. The measure received final approval from the Community of Madrid in August 2025, and itâs already reshaping the cityâs rental landscape.
The plan divides Madrid into two main zones:
The historic centre (APE 00.01) â' which includes districts like Centro, ChamberÃ, Salamanca, Retiro, and parts of Arganzuela, Moncloa and ChamartÃn â' where new tourist flats inside residential buildings are strictly banned, even on the ground floor. The conversion of commercial premises into tourist apartments is also prohibited.
Areas beyond the M-30 ring road, where tourist accommodation can still be authorised, but only if the property has a separate, independent entrance at street level.
The aim, according to the city, is to strike a balance between welcoming visitors and ensuring that local residents can still afford to live in the city centre.
Hefty fines for illegal tourist flats
The fall in numbers isnât just due to tighter zoning laws â' itâs also thanks to the tougher sanctions that now apply to illegal holiday rentals.
Since late June, the city council and the College of Property Administrators of Madrid (CAFMadrid) have been working together to identify and warn owners of unlicensed tourist flats. The collaboration includes two main actions:
Educating residentsâ associations on how to report illegal tourist rentals in their buildings.
Informing landlords about the steep fines they face if they continue operating without a licence.
And those fines are no small matter. The first confirmed penalty is â¬30,000, the second â¬60,000, and the third â¬100,000 â' with fines potentially reaching â¬190,000 if the rules are repeatedly ignored. Previously, penalties ranged from just â¬1,000 to â¬3,000, making illegal renting a low-risk business for many.
This crackdown has already produced results. Since the collaboration began, 1,423 unlicensed tourist rentals have been taken off the market. CAFMadrid is now directly contacting owners of suspected illegal properties, explaining both the fines they face and the steps they can take to legalise their activity â' if possible.
A City divided over tourism â' but seeing results
Madridâs leadership insists the plan isnât about pushing tourists away, but about restoring order to neighbourhoods where short-term rentals had exploded in recent years. In some central districts, locals had complained about constant noise, overcrowding, and rising rents driven by platforms like Airbnb.
The latest official report from October 2024 showed that Madrid had 17,360 tourist establishments, of which 16,100 were tourist flats. Shockingly, only 7.45 per cent â' around 1,200 units â' had a valid licence.
With the new rules now in force, the city hopes to curb illegal rentals, protect long-term housing supply, and make tourist accommodation more professional and accountable.
Inside Airbnbâs latest figures show that between July and November 2025 alone, 2,662 listings disappeared, suggesting that many hosts are choosing to withdraw their properties rather than face penalties or attempt to comply with new regulations.
Balancing Tourism and Housing â' Madridâs Tightrope Walk
The Plan Reside marks a major shift in how Spainâs capital views tourismâs place within its housing system. Itâs an attempt to reclaim residential spaces while still keeping Madrid open to visitors.
Critics warn that tighter rules could reduce accommodation options for tourists and hurt local businesses, but supporters argue that unchecked holiday rentals were driving residents out of the city centre.
Whatâs clear is that the cityâs message is firm: tourist rentals will no longer be a free-for-all.
As Madrid prepares for 2026, the effects of the plan are already visible â' fewer tourist flats, quieter neighbourhoods, and a renewed effort to protect housing for those who actually live in the city.
Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more news from Madrid
Mallorca immigration crisis; 239 small boat arrivals since Tuesday: Four arrested for alleged people smuggling
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-12 13:44:00Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the Guardia Civil and Maritime Rescue intercepted 239 migrants who arrived on the coasts of Cabrera off Mallorca and Formentera aboard 13 small boats. On Tuesday night, according to information provided by the Government Delegation in the Balearics, two more small boats arrived, adding to the five that had arrived throughout the day with 73 people on board.
One was rescued at 10.42 p.m. seven miles south of Cabrera with 17 migrants of Maghreb origin.
The other, located a few minutes later and not far from there, was carrying 22 people of sub-Saharan origin. Throughout the early hours and morning of Wednesday, another six boats were rescued with a total of 127 migrants on board. The first was located at 1:30 a.m. seven miles south of Cabrera with 23 sub-Saharan people. At 2:40 a.m., also south of Cabrera, another 25 migrants of sub-Saharan origin were also rescued.
At 4.20 a.m., 21 people of Maghreb origin were intercepted in the area of Es Caló (Formentera), at 4.35 a.m. 25 sub-Saharan Africans were rescued in the waters off Cabrera and at 4.35 a.m. another 14 Maghrebians were located on the beach of Los Arenales (Formentera). The last intervention so far today took place at 7:45 a.m. in Es Caló, where 19 migrants of Maghrebi origin were located.
In the meantime, the National Police have arrested the four alleged skippers of two boats that arrived on the coast of Formentera in Ibiza. They have been remanded in custody by order of the judicial authorities. Two of them skippered a boat from Algeria carrying 17 migrants, while the other two skippered a boat carrying 23 people. All were of Algerian origin and included one minor.
According to a statement issued by the Balearic Islands Police Headquarters, both boats were located on 27 October, one 53 miles south and the other off the coast of Formentera. The boats, about six metres long, were equipped with Yamaha engines and, according to the investigation, were used as âsmuggler taxisâ. Investigators have confirmed that those arrested had previous experience in carrying out this type of migrant crossing. For all these reasons, they were arrested as alleged perpetrators of a crime of aiding and abetting illegal immigration. The judicial authorities have ordered their provisional detention.
Greece, Cyprus, Spain and Italy will be eligible for help dealing with migratory pressures under a new EU mechanism when the bloc's pact on migration and asylum enters into force in mid-2026, the European Commission said on Tuesday. As part of the European Union's migration reforms, member states must now decide how best to help via the mechanism, known as a \"solidarity pool\" - by offering to take in more migrants themselves, by providing more money to the four Mediterranean countries or by other measures.
The Commission said that while illegal border crossings had decreased by 35% in the period between July 2024 and June 2025, challenges remained. \"Greece and Cyprus are under migratory pressure due to the disproportionate level of arrivals over the last year. Spain and Italy are also under migratory pressure because of a disproportionate number of arrivals following search and rescue at sea in the same period,\" it said. The Commission also said Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Poland were at risk of migratory pressure and would get priority access to the bloc's migration support toolbox.
Also on the issue of border security, the Commission said it would launch a 250 million euro tender to support the purchase of drone and anti-drone capabilities to help countries facing hybrid threats and drone incursions. It said six member states, mostly in the EU's eastern wing, would be able to seek a full or partial deduction from their contributions to the \"solidarity pool\" due to \"the cumulative pressures of the last five years\".
Mallorca pollution: Bay of Pollensa under investigation
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-12 14:03:11Staff from the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC) in the Balearics are taking part in a European project to determine the effects of pollution and climate change on the Bay of Pollensa.
On Thursday 30 October, the group of researchers took part in the launch meeting for two new projects funded by the Interreg Euro-MED and Interreg Next Med programmes, called Miramar and MedProact.
In a statement, the IEO indicated that these projects are a continuation of the âPlastic Bustersâ initiative and are being launched from the outset as a coordinated strategy to address the main environmental challenges facing the Mediterranean. The event, held at the headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in Barcelona, brought together scientific institutions, public administrations, regional entities and civil society organisations from across the Mediterranean basin with the aim of âstrengthening cooperation and moving towards a healthier and more resilient seaâ.
The Mediterranean is one of the worldâs seas most affected by human activity, with cumulative effects from plastic pollution, emerging pollutants, underwater noise and habitat loss and fragmentation, threats exacerbated by climate change. These pressures impact biodiversity, fisheries, social well-being and the resilience of coastal communities. The Miramar project focuses on âimproving scientific knowledge and strengthening regional cooperation to respond to these complex challenges and their cumulative impacts.â
In particular, three Mediterranean ecosystems of high ecological value have been identified: seagrass beds (such as Posidonia), wetlands, and habitats of endangered species. âThese ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, supporting fisheries and protecting coastlines from erosion and climate impacts, as well as providing important ecosystem services,â they emphasised.
The project aims to develop an âinnovativeâ and âharmonisedâ methodology to monitor the cumulative impact of selected stress factors in nine pilot areas distributed across Albania, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy and Spain, as well as in the three identified habitats. One of the pilot areas is located in the Bay of Pollensa, designated as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) in the Natura 2000 network and part of a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), with marine habitats containing ecosystems and species of âhigh conservation valueâ such as extensive Posidonia oceanica meadows and other phanerogams, macroalgae and coralligenous communities.
âThe project will also develop a catalogue of good practices and pollution mitigation, based on real experiences and success stories in the Mediterranean,â explained IEO researcher Carme Alomar. Miramar involves the participation of eight partner organisations and the support of 14 associated partners, including protected area managers, environmental authorities and international organisations, with the aim of âensuring that scientific results are translated into effective policies and actionsâ.
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