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ANDALUCIA

Next heatwave arrives, to last thru July- Coín will reach 46 degrees Celsius on Wednesday: {Translation, summary} 9July23 16:09
– Second heat wave of the summer will be “exceptionally hot” in Andalucia. The entry of the African ridge (a mass of high pressure coming from the Sahara) will cause what will possibly be the hottest week of the summer to begin.
– Monday, Antequera and Ronda, with highs of up to 42 degrees, will be under an intense heat warning, with an orange alert. The warning will remain active from 13:00 and will be maintained, for the time being, until Tuesday. For the Axarquia area, Aemet plans to activate the yellow alert.
– The weather centre forecasts that Spain will break its heat ceiling with record temperatures. In Coín it will reach 46 degrees on Wednesday in the central hours of the day. However, no warnings are planned. The heat will give a slight respite for the weekend, when maximum temperatures will range between 35 and 36 degrees.
– Where the situation could worsen, with a red alert for high temperatures, is in Cordoba and Jaen, while the provinces of Cadiz, Granada and Seville – in addition to Malaga – will have an orange warning.
– The forecast is that the last two weeks of the month will also be warmer than normal for this time of year. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/Playas-llenas-ola-calor-Malaga_0_1809719590.html

AXARQUIA

The PP criticises Sánchez for “doing nothing” about water in the Axarquía for five years: {Translation}
– The secretary general of the PP in Malaga, José Ramón Carmona {pic}, today warned that “Sánchez has done nothing in terms of water in the Axarquia in five years”, criticising that “the Socialists do what they do best: announce investments in the campaign that they never carry out”.
– In this way, he has criticised that “the Government of Sánchez has done nothing regarding the Axarquía desalination plant, despite it being a State responsibility; then he tried to lie to the people of Malaga saying that he was going to finance it- without providing a plan to do so and now the tactic is to attack the Junta, which has invested 304 million euros in water infrastructure in the province since 2019”.
– Carmona, who criticised the fact that the Executive announced this sudden investment interest in a project, that should have been financed years ago, on the same day that the campaign for the recent municipal elections got underway. He recalled that the Andalusian Regional Government asked the Government for this desalination plant in February 2022, “but was met with silence for an answer”. Faced with this inaction, he continued, “the Andalusian Government has launched a procedure together with private initiative to promote this infrastructure, with the commitment of President Juanma Moreno to speed up the procedures”.
– On the contrary, he added, “on the part of the Government, all we have today is an announcement made during the campaign and, now that a new electoral process is opening, an offensive against the Junta by those who are trying to make a mess of this issue, when the solution has been in their hands for all these years”, he insisted.
– Finally, the Secretary General of the Malaga Popular Party has valued that the Andalusian Government of Juanma Moreno “fulfils its commitments, so that the Autovía del Agua already has its first section completed in Churriana, doubling the transport capacity from the west coast to the Axarquia, while projects have already been awarded to replace the hundred kilometres of the pipeline that supplies the Costa del Sol to enhance the connection and transfer capacity with both Málaga capital and the Axarquia”.
– “The Andalusian Government of Juanma Moreno fulfils its commitments in terms of water and will continue to work along the same lines, which is why the people of Malaga and Andalusia have endorsed the active policies of the Partido Popular after decades of Socialist inaction in the Junta, an inaction that has now been transferred to the Government,” he concluded. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/el-pp-critica-que-sanchez-no-ha-hecho-nada-en-materia-de-agua-en-la-axarquia-en-cinco-anos/ 

COSTA DEL SOL

Squatter eviction company workers sentenced in Costa del Sol court for using intimidation & physical force: Four employees company were convicted in Torremolinos of coercion and injury offences during an eviction. The judge considered that the fact that the workers claimed to be carrying out “mediation functions” does not give them “any legitimacy to use acts of intimidation, physical force or even theft of personal effects”. (This raises the question, can squatters sue the property owners for damages if the eviction service the owners hire uses illegal tactics? You may want to check on that before resorting to hiring a squat eviction service. -Ed.) Full article:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/benalmadena-torremolinos/squatter-eviction-company-workers-sentenced-costa-sol-20230707202729-nt.html

MALAGA PROVINCE

Walking in search of waterfalls, rivers and natural springs:
– The rains this spring have been scarce, but they did help boost water levels in some rivers and streams, which can still be appreciated by nature lovers on the numerous river walks in the province of Malaga. Some of these rivers and streams will continue to have water throughout the summer, as is the case of the Genal, the Guadiaro and the Turón.
– The large and varied network of hiking trails in the province includes walks that run alongside rivers in their entirety and others that lead to spectacular pools or waterfalls. These are some of the best.
1. Istán – Ruta del Charco de la Huerta
2. Faraján – Sendero de las Chorreras
3. Ronda – Asa de la Caldera and Molinos del Tajo Trail
4. Jubrique, Genalguacil, Algatocín and Benarrabá – Genal footbridges
5. El Burgo – River Turón {pic}
6. Stage 25 of the Great Malaga Trail – Benaoján-Estación de Jimera de Líbar
7. Arriate – Ventilla stream path
8. Igualeja – Las Caleras (Alergy sufferers alert- heavy concentration of chestnut trees here. As an alergy sufferer, I find chestnut pollen to be even worse than almond or churrimoya pollen. Leftover covid masks may be useful after all. -Ed.)
Full article with pics of each location: https://www.surinenglish.com/what-to-do/walking-search-waterfalls-rivers-and-natural-springs-20230630200057-nt.html

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The village where the stars shine more brightly:
Serrato, a small white village in the district of Guadalteba, boasts an ideal geographical location for stargazing, as well as three new hiking trails. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/ronda/the-village-where-the-stars-shine-more-20230624235340-nt.html

MALAGA CITY

Waiting lists will soar by “100,000 patients” at the Malaga clinic: {Translation, summary}
– The “cut” in appointment availability is going to be “drastic” at the Hospital Clínico and will “extend” the waiting lists from 1 August until the end of the year, warned the president of the Malaga Medical Union, Antonio Martín. It will eliminate “more than 1,000 appointments per month”, that is, “halving” the service creating a “delay of 100,000 appointments” to access a specialist in the hospital. (I can’t follow the logic of this claim, but that’s what was said. -Ed.)
– It is for an “economic” reason, denounces Martín, assuring that “the forecasts of the Junta for 2023 have failed and all the centres have had to cut back, the Clínico has reduced summer substitutions by 15 percent and has been burdened with the issue of continuity”. The cuts will directly affect the health of patients, especially chronic patients and those with multiple pathologies.
– To get an appointment in specialities such as rehabilitation, gynaecology, mental health or neurology, patients will have to wait months or even a year.
– The president of the SMM explained that there is fear of “collapse” in the emergency rooms and health centres, which will be the services that absorb patients who do not get an appointment with a specialist.
*Hospital response*
– For their part, hospital sources affirm that the delays referred to by the SMM are not such at the moment and the centre has a plan to improve accessibility thanks to which they are shortening the timescales and reducing the number of patients pending. “As explained a few days ago, only some continuity of care has been reduced, coinciding with the summer holiday plan, as every year at this time,” they point out. Finally, they clarify that the hospital will maintain current service levels for Onco-Hematology, urgent and preferential surgery. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/malaga/1306635/se-dispararan-las-listas-de-espera-en-100000-pacientes-en-el-clinico-de-malaga/

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Procesión de la Virgen del Carmen – El Palo (Malaga): {Translation, summary}
– The seafaring and sports festivities of El Palo begin on Thursday, July 13
– “Fiestas Marineras y Deportivas en Honor a la Virgen del Carmen” (Maritime and Sports Festivities in Honour of the Virgen del Carmen), in the El Palo neighbourhood, will be held from 13 to 16 July.
– The festive programme in El Palo will have nine stalls set up in the Plaza del Padre Ciganda, with activities both during the day and at night. In addition, along the promenade there will be street fair stalls and in the Plaza de La Milagrosa there will be a series of attractions for young and old alike.
– On Monday, 17th July, the children’s rides will have a reduced price.
– Among the initiatives are the numerous sports tournaments: table tennis, 3×3 basketball, paddle tennis, regatta of seines, petanque, dominoes, chess, ‘subastao’ (auction), a ‘sotarraje’ contest and the frog championship, among others.
– There will also be activities for neighbourhood gatherings, such as a popular paella and the presentation of the poster for the 56th ‘Peña El Palustre’ masonry competition.
– The elderly will be honoured with the traditional dinner in the Plaza Padre Ciganda. The programme also includes numerous performances by local artists, academies, choirs, the cover band iPop and the concert by the singer Juanlu Montoya.
– On Sunday 16th July the most important events in honour of the Virgen del Carmen of El Palo will take place, the rosary of the dawn, the dawn mass with a performance by the Aire Andaluz choir, as well as the procession and the maritime-terrestrial procession through the streets of the El Palo neighbourhood.
– In addition, on the opening day of the Fair, there will be an act of exaltation to the Virgen del Carmen with the beginning of the triduum and imposition of medals to the new brothers with a performance by the choir Al Compás de las Estrellas. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/malaga/1306759/las-fiestas-marineras-y-deportivas-de-el-palo-comienzan-el-proximo-13-de-julio/ & Video Link

EUROPE

US to Supply Ukraine with banned CLUSTER BOMBS, Ukraine’s Defence Minister claims these munitions only for the “de-occupation of our internationally recognized territories”:
– The U.S. announced on Friday it would supply Ukraine with widely banned cluster munitions for its counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces. Defence Minister Reznikov said the munitions would help save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, adding Ukraine would keep a strict record of their use and exchange information with its partners. “Our position is simple – we need to liberate our temporarily occupied territories and save the lives of our people,” Reznikov wrote on Twitter.
– “Ukraine will use these munitions only for the de-occupation of our internationally recognized territories. These munitions will not be used on the officially recognized territory of Russia.”
– Cluster munitions are prohibited by more than 100 countries. They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades.
– Moscow again criticised the U.S. decision on Saturday, describing it as another “egregious” example of Washington’s “anti-Russian” course.
– Russia, Ukraine, and the United States have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the production, stockpiling, use, and transfer of the weapons.
– Spain, a signatory to the convention, said it opposed the decision. “Spain, based on the firm commitment it has with Ukraine, also has a firm commitment that certain weapons and bombs cannot be delivered under any circumstances,” Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles told reporters at a Madrid rally on Saturday.
– Britain is also a signatory to the convention which prohibits the production or use of cluster munitions and discourages their use, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. Photo: Ivan Alvarado. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-vows-use-cluster-bombs-de-occupy-only-defence-minister-2023-07-08/ 

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US President Biden set to arrive in London this Sunday evening amid controversy over cluster bombs:
– U.S President Joe Biden is set to fly into the UK this evening ahead of planned meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles III.
– Biden will make the stop on his way to a Nato summit in Lithuania where there will be discussions on whether Ukraine will become a member.
– But he arrives amid pushback from Britain and other allies over his decision to give Ukraine cluster bombs, which pose a grave danger to civilians, and are widely banned.
– Mr Sunak said on Saturday that Britain was a signatory to the convention “which prohibits the production or use of cluster munitions and discourages their use”.
– Both Russia and Ukraine have already deployed cluster munitions on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine – but it is the first time they will be supplied by the US to Ukraine. Full article: https://inews.co.uk/news/world/when-is-joe-biden-visiting-the-uk-president-set-to-arrive-this-evening-amid-controversy-over-cluster-bombs-2465207

SPORTS

Tennis News- Swiatek thru to Wimbledon quarters: Iga Swiatek saved two match points to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final on Sunday, battling back to beat Belinda Bencic 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3. Photo: Daniel Leal. Full article: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230709-swiatek-saves-two-match-points-to-reach-wimbledon-quarters 

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Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon match against Hubert Hurkacz was suspended and will continue Monday: Djokovic took the first two sets 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6), after trailing in each tiebreaker, against 17th-seeded Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday night at Centre Court before their fourth-round match was suspended because it was getting too late to continue to play. Full article: https://apnews.com/article/wimbledon-djokovic-hurkacz-suspended-884704c88de53e2681eb6ae82e4edb95

FINANCIAL

The aid of 121 euros per month that some pensioners can collect: {Translation}
– Many retirees in Spain receive low pensions, but in some cases, they can boost it with a supplementary payment for which certain requirements must be met.
– This is a payment of 121 euros per month, known as a supplement to reduce the gender gap, is designed for men and women who have spent years without contributing to any contributory Social Security scheme because they stayed at home and looked after their children.
– According to government data, specifically from the Ministry of Social Security, “as of 1 June, 518,183 people received this gender gap supplement, the average amount being 65.8 euros. Of these, more than 91.4% of the beneficiaries were women, although men can also receive it”.
– This allowance is available to all recipients of a contributory retirement pension. Those receiving a permanent disability pension or a widow’s or widower’s pension are also eligible, as long as they have been recognised since 4 February 2021.
– Although both men and women who have been parents receive it, only one of them can receive this aid, specifically the one who receives the lowest pension.
– In addition, mothers who receive a contributory Social Security pension can receive this allowance, as long as the pension is lower than that of the father and the children are registered in the Civil Registry.
– As for the parents, if the children were born before 31 December 1994, they must present a contribution gap certificate for at least four months between the nine months prior to the birth or adoption and the following three years.
– In the case of children born after 1 January 1995, the sum of the contribution bases for the two years following the birth or adoption must be more than 15% lower than the sum of those of the two previous years. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5145508/0/ayuda-euros-mes-pueden-cobrar-pensionistas/

OTHER

Protests reignite in Israel as Netanyahu pushes new judicial reform bill:
– The grassroots movement has staged protests for over six months since Netanyahu’s government unveiled the overhaul plan. But in recent weeks, the protests had shown signs of weakening.
– Plans by the government to push forward with the overhaul next week in parliament, coupled with the firing of Tel Aviv’s police chief, who was accused of being too sympathetic to the protesters, appeared to breathe new life into Saturday’s demonstrations.
– Some 150,000 people thronged central Tel Aviv, with large rallies in Jerusalem and other major cities. Late Saturday, dozens of people attempted to block Tel Aviv’s main highway, but they were quickly cleared away by police. Scuffles broke out, and police sprayed a water cannon at the crowd.
– Netanyahu’s allies have proposed a series of changes to the Israeli legal system aimed at weakening what they say are the excessive powers of unelected judges. The proposed changes include giving Netanyahu’s allies control over the appointment of judges and the power to overturn court decisions they do not support. Full article: https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20230708-tens-of-thousands-protest-in-israel-as-netanyahu-pushes-judicial-reform-forward 

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