Welcome to DigameXtra !
The Most Popular English Language Daily Newsletter In Andalucia
Content in this newsletter blog site comes from its subscribers, followers & Editor. Submissions are subject to editing and posting at the Editor’s discretion. Content from other sources is credited. The Editor is Naythan, aka DoctorLaptop.
SUBMISSIONS INFO & RULES PAGE LINK
*Subscribe to receive free daily issues by email and gain submission posting privileges. To subscribe, please send me an email with the message “subscribe me to DigameXtra” from the email account you want subscribed.
*By making a submission you are indicating you have read and agree to follow the rules. RULES PAGE LINK: https://digamextra.com/about/
*Send your submissions & subscription requests to digamextra@protonmail.com
Note: The submission deadline is 6pm for the next day’s issue.
**********
DigameXtra Featured Sponsor
**********
Announcements
***********
January 2024 “Editor’s Holiday”:
DigameXtra will be closed Monday, January 22nd.
Posts scheduled for this day will appear the following day.
**********
2023 Holiday Fundraiser Final Results:
– 120 donations were received, so 2.53% of subscribers made donations. This is 30 donations short of the very modest 3% target goal, but more than the 96 donations in 2022.
Sincere thanks to everyone that donated!
***********
What’s On
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
**********
Celtic Music Night: Thursday 18th January, Competa
This month´s Celtic Music Night will be held at Siddhartha on the Rock in Competa on Thursday 18th January. The fun starts at 8.00pm. Contemporary and traditional songs and tunes from Ireland and Scotland and sometimes Wales.
Guest singers/players/dancers welcome, all in the Celtic spirit.
To book your table call 952 516 748 or 628 177 424 or just come along for a drink if you don´t want to eat.
**********
Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/
Click or tap the image to open an updated report in a new tab
**********
NOTICE!
Submissions for posting in sections below
must be signed like this or they will be returned !!!
Sender's First Name / Nearest Town
NOTE: YOU MAY ADDITIONALLY INCLUDE A LOCATION TO MEET OR PICKUP, BUT YOUR LOCATION IS REQUIRED IN ANY CASE. Including only the statement "for collection from..." is NOT sufficient!
**********
Services Wanted/Offered
Check the DigameXtra Sponsor’s list whenever you need a service. By using these services you are helping support DigameXtra.
Landlords, tell your renters about DigameXtra, where they can get overnight answers to questions about local stuff without having to call you!
**********
Archgrove Services: A family run light haulage/transport company with bases in Archez, Spain and Cambridgeshire.
We are part of the ADH Storage and Transportation company and as such have storage available in Competa and Puente Don Manuel. Very reasonable rates.
We provide a one stop service for all your transport needs and pride ourselves on reliability, flexibility, good communication and a very much ‘can do’ approach. No job is too small and there is always a solution.
Our services include:
-Regular runs between UK and Spain
-Transport of personal property from full house moves to small single items
-Man & Van services
-Packing, including supply of packing materials
-UK Home shopping with UK delivery address
-Storage of property and vehicles in Spain
If we can be of service please contact Gail. We are on Facebook and always available to chat through your needs and provide a free no obligation quote if required.
UK: 0044 7846672013
Spain: 0034 951 066 093
Email: archgroveservices@gmail.com ; FB Link
Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.
**********
SPW Construction Services: Professional high quality building service, fully qualified tradesmen to all trades.
Extensions, retaining walls, driveways, swimming pools, damp problems, roofs, blocked drains.
Replacement kitchens and bathrooms, Tiling and terraces. Plumbing, electrics and plastering, painting.
Architect service, building licence applications.
Handyman service now available for those smaller jobs.
Water Deposit Installations: Due to the ongoing drought and current water restrictions SPW Construction are currently offering the following service.
– Supply and installation of new above or below ground water deposits. 1000 litres up to 25000 litres. Delivered and installed, all relevant plumbing. All work warrantied.
– We can also advise you or help to organise water deliveries from local suppliers.
NEW SERVICE- Selling Your House? SPW Construction can offer you a bespoke package to prepare your house for sale.
Through our extensive relationships with Agents, buyers and sellers we understand what is required to present your home to potential purchasers.
Interior & Exterior decoration / Replacement bathrooms and Kitchens
Pool Reforms / Garden tidy
DAFO Compliance, septic tanks, solar installations, etc.
Roof checks / Damp proofing
For free consultation and estimate contact us on 622938440
or email: scottparkwilson AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk
Scott/Arenas. Home Page and FB-Link
Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.
***********
DoctorLaptop’s Computer Repairs- Torrox Costa (near the bus station):
Windows, Apple/Mac, Linux, Android. Computers only, no tablets or phones.
I don’t work on dinosaurs computers made before 2016 unless I have been servicing then annually.
Contact: doctorlaptop AT protonmail DOT com
or call 675 993 069 (no calls before 12noon, missed calls returned asap). More info on my website. Always include the make & model number of the device when requesting assistance. My contact details can be found everyday at the bottom of the Sponsor’s Section.
**********
Buy / Sell / Trade / Rent / Wanted
Click on pics to enlarge
How to post more photos than the rules allow – use collages. The limit is one pic per item/event. You can combine several of your photos into a
single collage photo by using this free online collage creation tool. It’s very easy to use, give it a try! https://www.photocollage.com/
Are you still dealing with scammers on Fakebook Marketplace?
Sell your items here, to locals, for cash, without the shenanigans.
**********
Great Deals From Upcycling Nerja:
– Castillan lamp table natural wood waxed beige color 59 x 37 x 81 cms price 95€
– Castillan chest of drawers natural wood ( danish oil ) beige color 91 x 36 x 81cms price 145€
contact Jackie /nerja 672170429
upcycling nerja at gmail dot com
**********
For Sale: English saddle (French make Guibert), size 18″, dark grey leather, second hand, good condition. Price 175€. Saddle support 5€.
Torrox campo. Eline: 627871532
************
For Sale, 3 items:
– Zanussi electric oven 50euros
– Repsol butane tank 15euros
– Folding table and 2 chairs 45euros
Ken, Cútar, 680791498
**********
For Sale: Camel leather travel bag
Travel bag in camel cowhide leather, handle and shoulder strap, large front pocket and zip pocket on the back, central zip closure, lined interior with a small zipped pocket. Width 55 cm, height 35 cm. €45.
Yolanda, Sayalonga. I can deliver in the area.
yodewilde @ gmail.com (without spaces)
or (+34) 600794325 (also WhatsApp)
**********
Great Deals From DoctorLaptop, Torrox Costa
For Sale, 3 items:
-New High Performance Mini PC, MIPOWCAT M8N95
Processor: Intel N95 (1.7GHz base, 3.4GHz Turbo)
16GB high speed RAM; Windows 11 Pro fully setup & updated;
512GB high performance M2 SSD by Crucial;
Dual-Screen 4k Display; 2x HDMI 2.0; WiFi 5;
Ethernet; BT 4.2; 4x USB 3.0.
Size: 14.1 x 13.9 x 10.4 cm; 710 grams. See video link.
Includes new business quality UK keyboard & mouse (both wired for USB)
Price €350, with 2 year factory warranty. User supplies HDMI display monitor.
– Budget Laptop: New Lenovo Ideapad 1 Gen 7, 14 inch FHD display. Windows 11 Pro, 256Gb SSD, 4Gb RAM (soldered, not upgradable)
AMD 3020e processor (1.2GHz base, 2.6GHz turbo)
1.4kg slim design with 10hr battery.
System is English, keyboard Spanish. Only €380.
1 year Lenovo warranty when registered online after purchase. (Pic on left, silver)
-High Performance Laptop: New Business Grade Laptop
Acer Travelmate P215-52, brand new & fully upgraded with top-of-the-line RAM & SSDs.
Intel i3 10110U processor (2.59GHz base, 4.10GHz turbo!)
12Gb RAM. Two SSD Hard Drives: 256Gb + 500Gb
System: Windows 11 Pro in English. Spanish keyboard. 15.6″ HD display
Only €650 cash. 1 year Acer warranty when registered online after purchase. (Pic on right, black)
Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com
Naythan, Torrox Costa. PIC
Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com
Naythan, Torrox Costa. Buyer collects.
***********
Recommendations & Requests
When making a recommendation always include the phone number or website of the biz, service, etc., so readers can reach them.
Note: I can’t post third party email addresses.
***********
News & Articles
(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }
**********
Fake News Note- Click-bait Headlines Dominate This Week: {-Ed.}
– Readers who also read the Spanish news from other sources should to be aware that this week many Gov’t, Ministry, agency & political party announcements are being made, with great fanfare. This is generating many click-bait headlines and deceptive articles.
– Many news outlets are presenting these “proposal announcements” as actual “newly passed” legislation, when this is NOT the case! The headlines are particularly misleading. This week, being an otherwise slow news week, is loaded with deceptive articles. This is all sources, regardless of the agenda they typically push, liberal or conservative, they all do it!
– For example, many Spanish newspapers are running this headline today:
***“Treasury announces a reduction in personal income tax to soften the impact of the SMI after the PP requested it”.
Here’s what it should say:
***“Treasury announces it is working on a proposed reduction in personal income tax to soften the impact of the SMI once that gets finalized”
– If you read deeper into the story you find that the tax break is being discussed between unions and the Treasury, but not confirmed or finalized. First, public hearings must be held on the SMI (min. wage) proposal, which is required before final confirmation. Only after the SMI increase is confirmed can they move on to the related tax reductions being proposed. What was agreed to was more negotiations:
“The Ministry of Finance has announced that it is working on a reduction in personal income tax to soften the effect on low incomes of the increase in the minimum wage…”
Ref: https://www.vozpopuli.com/economia_y_finanzas/hacienda-rebaja-irpf-suavizar-impacto-smi-pp.html
SPAIN
New increase in the butane cylinder, 5% more starting this Tuesday, up to 15.89 euros: {Translation, summary}
– The maximum retail price of a cylinder of butane will rise by 5% today, to 15.89 euros, the second increase after six consecutive two-month decreases, according to sources from the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
– The rise in this latest revision, published on Monday in the Official State Gazette (BOE), is mainly due to the increase in the cost of freight (4%) and the high price of raw materials. This price revision, upwards or downwards, is limited to 5%. Source, Spanish: https://www.cope.es/actualidad/economia/noticias/nueva-subida-bombona-butano-partir-este-martes-hasta-los-1589-euros-20240115_3092052
**********
Hiring a worker in Spain will cost at least 1,900 euros per month: {Translation}
– Raising the minimum wage, and especially with the intensity that Pedro Sánchez’s government has done since 2018, has multiple consequences and most of them are negative. Now the Minister of Labour, Yolanda Díaz, will raise the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI) by another 5% from €1,080 per month to €1,134.
– This would represent a cumulative increase of 52.6% since 2018 and 30% in real terms, discounting inflation, the second highest rise in the OECD. In addition, the SMI would come to represent 61% of the average net full-time wage and Spain would have the second most expensive minimum wage in Europe in comparison with productivity, after France.
– Such a development has not only resulted in the destruction of more than 160,000 jobs, but also makes it increasingly difficult to hire young people, the unemployed and low-skilled staff, while also hampering the activity of SMEs.
– And this is not surprising if we take into account the real cost of hiring a worker in Spain. If the gross salary received by the worker, which includes personal income tax and contributions paid by the employee, is added to the contributions paid by the company and holidays, the total labour cost is much higher. Specifically, with the rise in the SMI to 1,134 euros per month, hiring a worker in Spain would cost between 67% and 75% more, according to the employers’ association Cepyme.
– Adding the impact of the two extra payments, the social contributions paid by the employer and the Intergenerational Equity Mechanism (which will rise every year until 2029), the minimum monthly wage cost of a full-time worker ranges between 1,740 and 1,824 euros, depending on the type of contribution for accidents at work. And the effective wage cost per month of work, taking into account holidays, is between 1,898 and 1,990 euros per month. Thus, hiring in Spain costs at least 67% to 75% more than the minimum wage.
– In other words, the worker has to contribute an added value of more than 1,900 euros per month for his or her contract to be worthwhile. Logic would dictate the higher the productivity, the higher the wages. In Spain, however, the opposite has happened in recent years: the minimum wage rises by law, while productivity falls. The result is more unemployment, more black economy and less competitive companies. Source, Spanish: https://www.libremercado.com/2024-01-15/contratar-un-trabajador-en-espana-costara-como-minimo-1900-euros-al-mes-7085871/
**********
Political Partners Continue To Fragment – Now it is the right breaking alliances- Vox will not go to the Jan 28 demonstration against Sánchez’s pacts after breaking relations with PP: {Translation, summary}
– Vox will not attend the 28-E demonstration called by the PP against the pacts of Pedro Sánchez’s government with its separatist partners after breaking relations with the leadership of the PP. “We are not going to participate in the ceremony of confusion that Mr Feijóo and PP want to lead,” said the secretary general of Vox, Ignacio Garriga, on Monday.
– Garriga assures that his party is “fed up” with the “contempt” of the party led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo. OKDIARIO already revealed last December 4 that Vox broke off relations with PP at national level but not at regional level, where they govern in coalition in several autonomous communities. The reason was that Vox and PP could not find the right formulas to put together a joint strategy against Sánchez’s government after agreeing the amnesty with the separatists. “They refuse to coordinate a response to Sánchez’s coup,” Vox told this newspaper.
– “Mr Feijóo has decided to undertake a strategy that seems more in keeping with his desire to confuse the Spanish people, to whitewash Pedro Sánchez, rather than consider Vox’s strategy. Vox has the strategy of conviction, of frontal and total opposition to the worst government we have suffered in our recent history. A government that is willing to trade with the most precious thing that Spaniards have, which is their nation”, defended Ignacio Garriga on Monday. Source, Spanish: https://okdiario.com/espana/vox-no-ira-manifestacion-del-28-contra-pactos-sanchez-romper-relaciones-genova-12214123
ANDALUCÍA
Inflation Takes Its Toll- 12% of Andalucians are forced to turn to NGOs such as Caritas and the Red Cross for food or basic necessities: {Translation, summary}
– Some 44.8 percent of Andalucians say that in recent weeks they have reduced their consumption of certain foods, mainly fresh fish (30.1%) and olive oil (28%), because of their price, according to the barometer published on Monday, 15 January, by the Andalucian Studies Centre Foundation (Centra), which is part of the Andalucian Regional Government.
– This survey, carried out between 12 and 22 December among a sample of 3,600 people of legal age living in Andalucia and consulted by Europa Press, includes a block of questions related to inflation and prices. The survey includes a series of questions related to inflation and prices, and shows that 35.7% of Andalucians have had “difficulties” in filling up their car’s tank; 30.6% in paying taxes such as property tax or personal income tax; 25.3% in paying for basic supplies – water, electricity and gas; 23.5% in paying the rent or mortgage on their home; and 12.5% in paying for home help services.
– Among the foods whose consumption has been reduced by 44.8% of Andalucians because of their price, according to this barometer, meat (22.6%) and fresh fruit and vegetables (15.7%) are also among the most frequently cited.
– Further, 12.4% of Andalucians answered ‘yes’ to the question of whether, due to this situation, the respondent himself or someone in his family is finding it necessary to go to a social institution such as Caritas or the Red Cross to ask for help with food or basic necessities.
– Lack of employment and job insecurity are mentioned in this survey among the negative factors of living in Andalucia (25.8%). For 46.4% of those surveyed, unemployment is the main problem in the region. Source, Spanish: https://www.larazon.es/andalucia/12-andaluces-obligado-acudir-ong-como-caritas-cruz-roja_2024011565a51032872b820001a34d6a.html
MALAGA PROVINCE
Storm Irene- rain is expected from Tuesday onwards in Malaga and on the Costa del Sol:
– Spain’s state agency Aemet has set the probability of showers at 90 per cent from 6pm tomorrow (Tuesday, 16 January) , a percentage that rises to 100% for Wednesday. In addition, the good news is that the rain will not be isolated and could dampen the ground in Malaga until Saturday. On that day, the probability of rain forecast by Aemet is 70 per cent. By Sunday it will be down to 35%.
– Aemet forecasts that the greatest accumulations of rain are expected on Wednesday in Spain’s western Galicia region (where occasional thunderstorms could occur), the Central System and western Andalucía, where they could be locally heavy and persistent. The forecast predicts rainfall in all Andalusian provinces as well as winds from the west or southwest, moderate to strong with very strong gusts that will especially affect the east, specifically Almeria and Jaén. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/storm-irene-this-how-much-rain-expected-20240115143651-nt.html
EUROPE
Columns of tractors gather in Berlin for the climax of a week of protests by farmers:
– Columns of tractors rolled into Berlin on Monday as farmers gathered for the climax of a week of demonstrations against a plan to scrap tax breaks on the diesel they use, a protest that has tapped into wider discontent with Germany’s government.
– Police said late Sunday evening that the space set aside for vehicles in front of the Brandenburg Gate, where Monday’s demonstration was being held, was already full. Over the past week, farmers have blocked highway entrances and slowed down traffic across Germany with their protests, intent on pushing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government to abandon the planned cuts entirely. Full article: https://apnews.com/article/germany-farmers-protest-subsidies-scholz-government-5d917d65267c8442f6373d2354662bd9 & Video Link
***********
Ukraine, Gaza, AI take center stage at Davos summit of WEF:
– The rich and powerful of the world are descending on the idyllic Swiss resort town of Davos for the meeting of the World Economic Forum.
– The annual event is taking place at a time when the world is witnessing devastating wars in Gaza and Ukraine, breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) that are causing as much excitement as worry, a catastrophic debt crisis amid an economic slowdown, and a deterioration in the health of the planet.
– More than 2,800 participants are slated to attend the 5-day event starting Monday, January 15, including more than 60 heads of state and government. The theme of this year’s meeting of global political and business leaders, celebrities and prominent social activists is “Rebuilding Trust.”
– An annual risks survey published by the WEF on Wednesday put AI-driven misinformation and disinformation as the biggest danger in the next two years. The survey said “nexus between falsified information and societal unrest will take center stage” this year when major economies such as the US, the EU and India go to polls. Full article: https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-gaza-ai-take-center-stage-at-davos-summit/a-67954903
FINANCIAL
Important Bank Letters Coming: {Translation, summary}
– The Bank of Spain has issued a warning about the letter that citizens will receive from banks. During every January banks must send an annual summary.
– This documentation is sent by regular mail, unless you have expressly renounced this option and agreed with the entity to send communications electronically. In this case, it is advisable to check the inbox on the entity’s website to access the annual summary.
– With this summary, or at any other time, your bank can modify the conditions of the current account as long as it notifies you in advance, at least two months before the changes take effect. Be sure your bank has your current contact info. (The Spanish banks have a habit of sending important letters to old addresses. Even if you have updated your contact info in your local branch, its headquarters, where the emails are sent from, may not have been informed. -Ed.) Source, Spanish: https://okdiario.com/economia/muy-atento-vas-recibir-carta-muy-importante-tu-banco-proximos-dias-12210823
**********
Humour Section
Free Comic Strips provided by https://www.arcamax.com/comics
***********
**********
Exchange quotes from x-rates.com
Click here to see more currencies
**********
Fun & Games
National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click Here
Word of the Day: Click Here
Quote of the Day: Click Here
Fact of the Day: Click Here
Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages (New Link), worldwide: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here
Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles.
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio
Useful Links, Info & Numbers
Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html
Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Velez Malaga, Nerja Car Boot
Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231
Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112
Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238
Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm
Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily.
https://www.20minutos.es/loterias/
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Malaga Province: New, updated link (Aug, 2023). Info in English with list of English speaking meetings. https://aacostadelsol.com/
DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/
DigameXtra is now on Twitter – @DigameXtra
By supporting our sponsors you help support DigameXtra!
DigameXtra Sponsors
Home Page & FB Page & ETSY Shop
Get Windscribe Pro or Free Versions Here
For more info and to purchase: Amazon.es or Amazon.co.uk
Home Page – Based in Torrox Costa, near the bus station.
************
How to Subscribe and make submissions: Click Link
DigameXtra cannot be responsible for incorrect info in reader or sponsor posts or event announcements. Always confirm the details to avoid disappointment.
ATTENTION! New EU internet privacy laws are now in effect, known as the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). I have to inform you that the DigameXtra archive saves follower’s email addresses in the WordPress server. By subscribing/following you implicitly accept this; if you make submissions you acknowledge that anyone can view old issues online and see your contact info as you provided and you accept this. If you don’t want me saving your email address do not subscribe/follow, you can unsubscribe and remove yourself from this list using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every subscription issue. Takedown notices must include proof of ownership as well as the date and issue number of the DigameXtra issue containing the infringing content. These may be submitted to digamextra@protonmail.com. Proper takedown notices will be complied with immediately. All images have been credited or copied from what I believe to be copyright free sources.
©DigameXtra.com 2015-2024. All rights reserved. Written permission is required to republish any DigameXtra.com content. Sharing content for personal use is permissible as long as it is source credited to https://digamextra.com.
DigameXtra 
You must be logged in to post a comment.