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
***********
May 2024 “Editor’s Holiday”:
DigameXtra will be closed Friday, May 17th.
Posts scheduled for the Friday WEEKEND EDITION on May 17th will appear one day early, in the Thursday issue, May 16th.
**********
What’s On
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
**********
Torrox Spanish History Group meeting: Thursday 9 May, 11am
This month’s talk will be presented by Keith Rockall. The subject is, “Spain’s Near Miss with an Atomic Disaster!” Please come along and support Keith.
The venue for the meeting starting at 11:00 hrs, is the Mediacana Merendero.
Non-members are welcome. There is no charge for attending the group’s meetings. (It would be courteous if attendees would purchase at least one drink at the premises, as we are permitted to use the premises and their equipment free of charge).
Mediacana Merendero is on Google Maps. There is ample parking at the venue and public transport is available, supplied by ASLA, with a stop at Km. 46 on the N340, which is just 290 metres from the venue.
Further information email; keithrocksue AT gmail dot com
Keith / Velez
**********
Jazz n Blues with Cool & the Cat: Friday 10 May
Posada la Plaza, in Canillas de Albaida
Ian Thompson on keyboards and Mitch France on electric guitar, sax, wind synth, harmonica and vocals playing Jazz & Blues. Our very first live performance, call 952 553 254 or 609 167 127 for your table, starts at 8.00pm.
***********
Classical Music Concert in Rincon de la Victoria:
‘Ensemble de Músicos Concerto Málaga’
Fri, 24 May, 9:30pm
Cueva del Tesoro will be the scene of a concert in string quintet format.
Tickets are free and can be reserved from 12:00 p.m. this Thursday, May 9 at https://entradas.turismoenrincon.es/comprar-entradas/concerto-musica-de-camara
See full program at:
https://www.axarquiaplus.es/la-musica-de-camara-de-ensemble-de-musicos-concerto-malaga-llega-a-la-cueva-del-tesoro-con-motivo-del-50-aniversario-de-la-cavidad/
**********
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!
**********
Compare Funerals cover the whole of Spain
ruthforder@comparefuneral.org
* Direct Cremation €2,250
* Collection of deceased and conveyance to Funeral Home
* Supply of coffin
* Preparation and care of deceased
* Registration of death and certification of all legal documentation
* Cremation and any doctor’s fees
* Supply of Urn
* Delivery of Urn and associated paperwork to family (death certificate, cremation certificate etc)
This plan is exclusive to a number of provinces, please ask advisor for more information.
Contact Ruth Forder on 0034 693 715 718 ; Comparefuneral.org
Your questions answered by Ruth from Compare Funerals Spain
– Why should I have a funeral plan? Having been funeral planning for over 10 year I’ve experienced some very sad and upset families when nothing is in place. A Spanish funeral plans will ensure that all costs are covered for your funeral service. Getting a prepaid plan will help you feel assured that your family will not be under any financial strain when it comes to paying for your funeral. A plan also means you can have peace of mind that everything has been organised in advance, so your loved ones do not have to make any difficult decisions.
– Why choose Compare Funerals? There seems to be a gap in Spain between independent funeral directors, offering plans at a good price but lacking the security of an established Trust or ability to cover a client overseas and Providers who seem to charge more than necessary. We want to be right in the middle and offer the best of both worlds. Our best-priced plan is only 2,250€ and does the essentials.
– Can I do a payment plan? All our plans are payable in full or over up to 5 years interest FREE. The interest free periods are based on initial deposit. The higher the deposit the less your monthly repayments will be.
– Can I transfer the plan? The answer is YES. You could name 2 people on one plan however if you had a friend/family member pass away we can transfer the plan into a 3rd party’s name.
– What happens if I move? All our plans offer the equivalent service in Spain (including the islands), Portugal, Republic of Ireland and the UK. If you moved to the UK, we would transfer the plan to one of our many partners at no extra cost to you.
– Is paperwork included? Yes, your family will receive a death certificate in Spanish and an international certification in English. We also provide a cremation certificate that allows the ashes on board a plane.
**********
DoctorLaptop’s Computer Repairs & Sales- Torrox Costa (near the bus station): Computers only, Windows / Linux / Mac. No tablets or phones.
I don’t work on dinosaurs computers made before 2017 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. All work by appointment only, no drop-ins please. Appointment are available 2pm-8pm, Sunday thru Thursday. Closed Fridays & Saturdays. 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.
**********
For Sale: Women’s Bike, Basecamp, Oregon, in good condition, 3 gears with handbrake, ring bell, lock with key, pump, basket and good tires as well. The saddle can be adjusted. 25 euros
Lisbet, Torrox Costa. (Can meet at Mercadona or Aldi)
00 45 40575494 (Whatsapp)
lisbetlindberg28 AT gmail D0T com
**********
For Sale: Two rolls of wired coconut fiber. 3 x 1.5 meters. Surplus to requirements paid 50€ each will sell for 25€ each.
Marjorie, La Viñuela. Tel. 635363965.
***********
FREE: Internal Doors
7 internal doors, with frames and architrave.
In good condition, but a few of the architraves could do with a light sand and re varnish.
1 x 72.5 glazed
1 x 82.5 glazed
3 x 72.5 unglazed
2 x 62.5 unglazed
Collection is from Caleta del Velez
parby65@live.com ; 07968402711
Paul / Benajarafe
***********
DoctorLaptop Computer Sales
***********
High Performance Business Grade Laptop:
Acer Travelmate P215-52, 15.6″ HD display. Brand new & fully upgraded with top-of-the-line Crucial brand RAM & SSDs. Intel i3 10110U processor (2.59GHz base, 4.10GHz turbo!).
12Gb RAM. Two SSD Hard Drives: 256Gb (M2) + 500Gb (SATA)
System: Windows 11 Pro in English. Spanish keyboard. VGA-out, full-size HDMI, ethernet, 3x USB 3.2 and USB-C with DisplayPort compatibility. Business grade construction with reinforced hinges and better materials for long life.
1 year Acer warranty when registered online after purchase. My price, including the 3 major upgrades (added 4Gb RAM+ 500Gb SSD + WIN11Pro), €650.
Naythan, Torrox Costa. Buyer collects.
Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com
**********
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.
***********
Wanted- Real Estate Lawyer Consult For Proposed “New Concept” Retirement Community: HELLO! I KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE!
– Naythan, under the DigameXtra banner, is investigating a new concept in retirement-housing communities gaining popularity across the globe. A blend of “cohousing” and “microhouses”. I’d like to know if it can be done in Andalucia. Local property/building laws are complex. Before I dedicate time to this project, I need concrete answers to a few basic questions, to know if it is feasible. Is there an expert out there who would be willing to answer a few questions, pro bono, by email? Please reply to doctorlaptop@protonmail.com
– I’ll share more info regarding this proposed project with the readers in coming weeks. No reason to get you stirred up before I know if it is feasible in Andalucia. Here are some links for anyone interested.
References:
https://cohousing.org.uk/
https://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/a42439999/prefab-tiny-houses/
https://microhaus.me/
************
News & Articles
(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }
**********
SPAIN
New Socialist Programs Raising Pensions Will Bankrupt Spain- Spain spends 55,919 million more on pensions than is paid in contributions:
– If one takes a look at the Social Security accounts, one might think that the situation is not as bad as some analysts make it out to be. The difference between what the organisation takes in and what it spends on benefits was 8,627 million euros in 2023. 8,627 million, or 0.6% of GDP. A lower deficit than that recorded by the State (2.1%) or the autonomous communities (0.9%).
– However, this accounting hides an increasingly complex reality of transfers and loans from the State to cover the real deficit of the system. It’s an imbalance that has its origin in the growing gap between what is spent on public pensions and the income from social security contributions earmarked to pay for them. Thus, Fedea estimates that, in reality, the deficit of the public pension system amounts to 55,929 million euros. This figure is more than six times the accounting imbalance recorded by the Social Security.
– Last year, the state transferred a total of 44,148 million euros to help pay contributory pensions. In addition, it lent a further 10.004 billion euros with little hope of ever recovering them.
– These 44.148 billion were structured in two transfers. One of 7.345 billion euros to pay the minimum supplements (money injected by the state to supplement the pensions of people who do not reach the legal minimum). And a second, of 19,886 million euros, to pay for so-called improper expenses. These transfers are made in accordance with the recommendations of the Toledo Pact, the congressional commission in which the issues surrounding the pension system are debated. In addition, a further 16,917 million must be added to the deficit of the pensions of the Pensioners’ Pension Fund, which is almost entirely financed by the State.
– These funds reduced the resources available to cover other important public needs. After all, this money comes mainly from taxes and is no longer invested in more productive areas such as education or health. Last year, spending on contributory pensions and retirement pensions amounted to 189,094 million euros. In other words, 12.9% of GDP. Meanwhile, revenue from contributions, pension contributions and other taxes amounted to 133,201 million euros.
– The demographic trends forecast for the coming decades, in which millions of baby boomers will retire with larger pensions than their predecessors, are expected to increase spending. The government estimates that the financial stress on the system will increase until it reaches its peak in the 2050s. According to the latest forecasts drawn up by the Ministry of Finance for the European Commission, expenditure will reach 17.3% of GDP in 2050 and will remain at that level until 2070.
– At Fedea, a think tank funded by some of the country’s leading listed companies, but which enjoys considerable academic prestige, they are critical of the intergenerational equity mechanism- a staggered increase in workers’ social security contributions aimed at filling the pension fund and which would not start to be spent until 2032.
– The fact that the State has to lend and transfer funds to the Social Security system to maintain its accounting balance means that the contribution to the pension fund “makes no sense”, as “it does not represent a reduction in the system’s net debt, which continues to increase”. In other words, if the system is in deficit, creating a contribution to swell the piggy bank is nothing more than an accounting gimmick. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5241639/0/espana-gasta-pensiones-55-919-millones-mas-que-se-ingresa-por-cotizaciones-para-pagarlas-segun-fedea/
MALAGA PROVINCE
Junta de Andalucía gives green light to the filling of all swimming pools this summer in Malaga and on the Costa del Sol:
– The Junta de Andalucía has given the green light to the filling of swimming pools this summer in the province of Malaga, which includes the Costa del Sol. Although it will be up to the local councils to take the final decision, the regional government will not put any restrictions in place and will allow the available water to be used for this purpose. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/junta-andalucia-gives-green-light-the-filling-20240507142210-nt.html
More Water News- Gardens: {Translation, summary}
– The spokesman for the Andalusian Government announced that, according to what he has been told, he could already “communicate that the filling of swimming pools will be allowed” in Axarquia and the province of Malaga, subject to local council regulation, as well as that “the irrigation of gardens will be limited to a maximum of 400 cubic metres per hectare per month”, and that this “will also be extended to the botanical species of greatest interest in terms of gardens”. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/la-junta-aprueba-tambien-para-la-axarquia-el-llenado-de-piscinas-privadas-este-verano/
SCAMS
Beware of WhatsApp scam where criminals can steal your account with a video call: {Translation}
– WhatsApp is one of the most used applications in the day-to-day life of Spaniards, whether for everyday, student or work purposes, which makes the Meta owned application one of the most attractive for cybercriminals. Cybercriminals are increasingly working on new techniques (or making use of old scams) to trick users and obtain their account, banking or personal information.
– One of the latest scams to be alerted seeks to steal victims’ WhatsApp accounts through one of the latest features added to video calls. What does this scam involve?
– In this type of scam, cybercriminals use video calls to contact their potential victims and can trick them by claiming to be part of the platform’s technical service. They do not even show themselves on screen, but claim that the victims are suffering from a technical problem that they will help them to solve. After this, they ask the person to share their screen by pressing the button to do so, claiming that they want to fix the problem and that this way it is easier and quicker to guide the victim through the process.
– However, by doing this, the criminal will be able to see everything that appears on the victim’s screen, which they use to start the process of transferring a WhatsApp account from one phone to another. To complete this process, the application sends an SMS with a code that must be entered on the second device in order to be able to switch devices. The cybercriminals then take advantage of the fact that the victim is sharing their screen to be able to see the code that arrives in the SMS and steal their account without the victim being aware that they are providing this information.
– To avoid falling into this type of scam, it is important to remember that WhatsApp’s technical staff do not contact users privately to alert them of faults. It is also important to be wary of unexpected calls and calls from unfamiliar numbers to avoid falling for this and other scams, and when in doubt check through official channels to make sure it is not a scam. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/tecnologia/Cuidado-estafa-WhatsApp-delincuentes-robarte-cuenta-videollamada_0_1900311402.html
FINANCIAL
If you worked and paid withholding taxes in Spain between 1967 and 1978, you can get assistance to apply to recover funds that they over charged you, typically three to four thousand euros: {Translation}
– This refund corresponds to an excess of contributions that these workers paid between 1967 and 1978: in many cases, these taxpayers paid 100% tax when they should have paid 75%. This 25% excess is what the Treasury will be able to return to these taxpayers, now retired. It is estimated that the refunds could amount to between 3,000 and 4,000 euros, depending on the case. This is established in a Supreme Court ruling of 2023.
– The Treasury will provide help for the over-65s.
However, it will be the interested parties themselves who will have to apply for this refund, a procedure that can be done through the electronic headquarters by providing complementary documentation, something that can be tedious, especially in the case of these pensioner taxpayers. Precisely for this reason, the Tax Agency has launched a special assistance plan for the over-65s in small municipalities, according to a press release from the Ministry.
– This assistance plan will be implemented in more than 500 municipalities throughout the country, which have been selected on the basis that they must be towns with less than 3,000 inhabitants that do not have an AEAT centre, Community or City Council to assist them.
– In these municipalities, the Tax Office and local councils will provide the means for the over-65s to book an appointment and be attended via videoconference by Tax Agency staff. The appointment for assistance begins at the same time as the telephone assistance, on 7 May 2024.
– It is possible to request an appointment by calling the following telephone numbers: 915 35 73 26 / 901 12 12 24 or 915 53 00 71 / 901 22 33 44. You can also make an appointment via the Tax Agency’s website or app.
Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5242846/0/como-recuperar-por-telefono-hasta-4000-euros-renta-muchos-jubilados-pensionistas-que-pueden-solicitarlo/
**********
Humour Section
Free Comic Strips provided by https://www.arcamax.com/comics
***********
**********
Exchange quotes from Xe.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
2024 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo
Competa
Malaga
Nerja
Rincon
Torrox
Velez-Málaga
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2024 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html
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, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
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 X (formerly Twitter) at @DigameXtra. I also post articles there that are too controversial for the daily newsletter. However, you need a free X account to visit the @DigameXtra page on X.
**********
By supporting our sponsors you help support DigameXtra!
DigameXtra Sponsors
Home Page & FB Page & ETSY Shop
Get Windscribe Pro or Free Versions Here
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.