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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Upcoming Holidays: Friday, 28 February is Andalucia Day, a public holiday.
DigameXtra will be closed. Posts scheduled for Friday, 28 February will be posted one day early, on Thursday, the 27th.
After Andalucia Day, the next national public holidays are the 17th (Holy Thursday) & 18th (Good Friday) of April.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette
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Production Problem: My web-publishing host, WordPress, in their ultimate wisdom, is now forcing me to use totally different newsletter editing software than I have used up until now- a new fangled one, which I tested out before, thought it was rubbish then, and it’s still awful. I am trying it out for the first time in a published issue today. As a test issue I am keeping todays issue small. If you find any errors or experience any issues, please report them to the Editor. Thanks.
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What’s On
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
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XIV Fiesta de la Molienda- Riogordo (Olive Fair):
Fri, 21 Feb – Sun 23, Feb
This is a cultural, ethnographic and gastronomic party around extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Olive oil here is mainly made with the variety of Verlez Verdial olive.
In the Riogordo olive program you can enjoy a weekend of exhibitions, conferences, live cooking demonstrations, guided tours, demonstration of how a 16th -century mill is used for the grinding of olives and visits to the olive groves, olive pit throwing competitions, local products market and live perfirmances
Activities include guided visits to an olive processing facility, a walk along the route by the monumental olive trees of Ríogordo, exhibitions, conferences, poetry recitals, songs of the olive grove and tastings. The Ethnographic Museum of Riogordo, where an old 16th century oil mill is preserved, will be the epicenter of the festival.
There will be tastings of typical dishes of Riogordo gastronomy prepared by Francisco Periguero harmonized with EVOO. For Saturday 22, ‘chickpea stew with tagarninas’ and for Sunday 23, ‘country salad.
Info: https://www.riogordo.es/12070/com1_md3_cd-75799/la-molienda-de-riogordo-2025
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Treasure Cave of Rincón de la Victoria renews its theatrical visits:
– The visits are made in groups of 30 people with two passes every last Sunday of the month at 11.00 and 12.30 hours. “Last year there were 720 people who enjoyed the activity, being satisfactorily very well valued,” said the mayor.
– Due to the success of the activity, the sessions of next Sunday, February 23 are full. The following will be in March (Sunday 30), April (Sunday 27), May (Sunday 25), June (Sunday 29), July (Sunday 27), August (Sunday 31), September (Sunday 28), October (Sunday 26), November (Sunday 30) and December (Sunday 28).
Tickets & info: https://entradas.turismoenrincon.es/comprar-entradas/visita-teatralizada-cueva-del-tesoro
The price is 5 euros from 4 years old.
For more information: 952 406 162 / cuevadeltesoro@rincondelavictoria.es
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Flamenco Event- “In the Heat of Flamenco”: Fri, 21 Feb, 7pm
Casa de Cultura, Puerta Granada 19, 18690 Almuñécar
With Irene la Serradilla on dance, and the special collaboration of the Cuerpo de Baile de Ananda. Alicia Morales and Fita Heredia on vocals; with Rubén Campos on guitar.
Info & tix (€15): https://bravoentradas.es/es/events/al-calor-del-flamenco
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BLUCEE REAL ESTATE
BluCee Real Estate:
Our team is expanding. A new full-time member of staff will be joining the BluCee team at the start of February, adding Polish and German to our spoken languages.
We are proactive, dynamic and creative. Listing properties for sale is our speciality and our passion.
Not only do we advertise on the leading major property websites, we attend international property exhibitions and are very active on social media.
50% of our buyers are Spanish and the other 50% are from all corners of the world. We do not focus on a particular nationality, we focus on selling!
Would you like a free realistic valuation?
If so, please contact us, as we have the capability to take on more properties to advertise. If you list exclusively with us before 18th February your property will be showcased at our next international property exhibition, A Place In The Sun Live in Manchester, UK.
Email: info@blucee.com ; Web: http://www.blucee.com/
Tel: 0034 711 042 727 / 0034 951 553 890
Or pass by our office to have a no obligation chat!
Calle Timón 11b, Torre del Mar, 29740
From 09.30 to 17.30 hrs Monday to Friday.
For an appointment outside of our opening times please contact us.
We cover the whole coast line and inland.
BluCee Real Estate are a DigameXtra sponsor so our contact details are shown here every day.
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Buy / Sell / Trade / Rent / Wanted
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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.
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Great Deals From Upcycling Nerja
– Beautiful solid wooden bar with drawer with 4 matching solid wood bar stools, vgc, 133 x 45 x 110cms approx extra 15cms width with bar, price 225€
contact Jackie / Nerja’s 672170429
upcycling nerja at gmail dot com
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For Sale: Cecotec gas heater complete with part full gas bottle.
€50. Contact: George, Maro 653058825.
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For Rent, long term: We have a long term rental unit available in Torrox Costa, a 112sq metre, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 3rd floor flat, with south facing terrace, lift, private secure garage parking, common pool and garden area.
Available soon for long term rent only.
€950pcm + electricity
Contact Ray on 0034 608 568 602, WhatsApp or phone.
Email: raycraig at live dot com
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News & Articles
(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }
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SPAIN
Sanchez rejects Trump Plan to transfer the population of the Gaza Strip in talks with Egyptian president, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians”: {Translation}
– The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has expressed his “resounding rejection” of US President Donald Trump’s plan for the population of the Gaza Strip to leave the territory and be relocated in the countries of the region: “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians,” said Sánchez.
– Together with the President of Egypt, Abdelfatah Al-Sisi, who is on an official visit to Spain, the head of the Executive said that the expulsion of Palestinians would be “immoral and contrary to international law” and would also have a “destabilizing effect” at regional and global level.
– Thus, in a joint statement from La Moncloa, he assured Al-Sisi that Spain will continue to support a political solution that will make the two-state solution a reality. On his side, the Egyptian leader thanked Sanchez for Spain’s position in favor of the rights of the Palestinians and the establishment of their own State.
Source, Spanish: https://www.teleprensa.com/articulo/nacional-3/sanchez-rechaza-presidente-egipcio-traslado-poblacion-franja-gaza-es-palestinos/202502191202322038445.html
ANDALUCÍA
Andalusia toughens penalties against illegal tourist homes and the platforms that advertise them: {Translation, summary}
– The Junta de Andalucía is increasing efforts against illegal tourist homes and other services of the sector that are offered clandestinely. This will be reflected in the new Sustainable Tourism Law that the Executive has already begun to process and that seeks to ensure that this type of accommodation have the same rights and obligations as others.
– Thanks to the new regulations, and a decree law on housing that the Board plans to approve soon, it will soon be recognized for the first time that housing for tourist use (VUT) will now be considered an “accommodation service”, which in turn will force them to abide by the penalty system, which the Board will harden in a “severe” way.
– Thus, serious infractions that were previously fined between 2,000 and 18,000 euros will go to a range of between 10,000 and 100,000, while the very serious ones, which until now were punished with between 18,000 and 150,000 euros, will have a punishment of between 100,000 and 600,000. The penalties will apply to all tourist services, including now the VUT, operating in a “clandestine” way, as well as to the platforms that advertise them or those that do not inform the Board of how many tourist apartments they offer.
– In addition, it is stipulated that tourist homes will have an economic and non-residential urban use, but they will have to be “compatible” with the latter, which will allow municipalities to “link economic development with the city model”. Source, Spanish:
https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5683617/0/andalucia-endurece-las-sanciones-contra-las-viviendas-turisticas-ilegales-las-plataformas-que-las-anuncien/
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FUENGIROLA
Home invader ties up and beats the inhabitants of a house during raid: {Translation}
– The National Police have resolved the violent assault on a house in Fuengirola (Malaga), in which an assailant, 42 years old, tied with zip-ties and violently beat its inhabitants to confess where the safe was located, from which he stole 32,000 euros.
– The investigations began after a complaint from a resident of Fuengirola, a 69 year old woman who told the police how a man had assaulted her house after pushing her into it, where she, her sister with intellectual disabilities and her caregiver were inside.
The assault, according to police sources in a statement, was carried out with great violence, to the point that the thief immobilized the women, whom he beat repeatedly.
– After investigations by officers of the Judicial Police Brigade of the Local Police Station of Fuengirola, the assailant has been charged with crimes of robbery with violence, false imprisonment and injury. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/malaga/1866634/ata-con-bridas-y-golpea-a-las-moradoras-de-una-casa-para-que-digan-donde-tienen-el-dinero/
USA
Putin Says Normal Diplomatic Ties Restored Between Russia and US:
– Vladimir Putin has said that normal diplomatic ties have been restored between Russia and the United States. “The constant expulsion of diplomats from Washington and Moscow does not lead to anything good,” Putin said according to RIA Novosti, Russian state-owned media. Putin expressed interest in meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump but stressed that any such talks must be carefully planned to ensure a productive outcome.
– Putin’s remarks came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Trump of operating within a “Russian disinformation space,” citing the former president’s past engagements with Kremlin officials. Zelensky, who has been vocal about his concerns over Trump’s stance on Ukraine, is expected to meet U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday.
– Trump lashed out at Zelensky on Wednesday, branding him a “dictator without elections”, following the Ukrainian leader’s comments. Trump, who has long criticized U.S. support for Ukraine, made the remark in a post on Truth Social, where he dismissed Zelensky as “a modestly successful comedian” who convinced the United States to pour billions into what he described as “a war that couldn’t be won, that never had to start.” “A Dictator without Elections,” Trump wrote in his Wednesday post, in response to Ukraine cancelling elections that were scheduled for today, 20 Feb. Full article: https://www.newsweek.com/putin-says-normal-diplomatic-ties-restored-between-russia-us-2033203
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Covid vaccine faces ban for all Americans in radical U-turn by Trump team:
– Covid vaccines could be suspended for all age groups in America under radical new plans backed by key health figures in the Trump Administration. Several experts poised for top jobs in US health agencies subscribe to the disputed idea the shots are causing widespread side effects and deaths.
– DailyMail.com also understands Robert F Kennedy Jr has privately expressed concerns about the vaccines and signaled he is open to axing them if the data supports it.
– Other key advisors to Kennedy have promoted conspiratorial views on social media about the Covid vaccines, including that the shots killed more people than they saved. Dr Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist being considered for a health advisory role in Kennedy’s new health departments, has called for the jabs to be suspended and and reassessed.
– Two states — Idaho and Montana — have already begun considering legislation to ban the use of the mRNA Covid vaccines. Lawmakers bringing the rules have raised fears that the vaccines could ‘integrate’ into human DNA, a conspiracy theory that is not backed by evidence.
– The HOPE accord, signed by Dr Bhattacharya, claims there is a ‘causal link’ between the mRNA shots and an alarming rise in excess deaths worldwide. During Covid and in the years following the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of more people in the US died than would normally be expected. While many experts have attributed these deaths to cancers, heart disease, undiagnosed Covid and the worsening of health problems missed during lockdowns. The new petition suggests the mRNA vaccines played a role. It states: ‘This new technology was granted emergency use authorisation to address a situation that no longer exists. “Going forward, the burden of proof falls on those still advocating for these products to compellingly demonstrate that they aren’t resulting in net harm. Until such evidence is presented, regulators should suspend their use as a matter of standard medical precaution.” Full article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14174091/Covid-vaccine-faces-ban-Americans-radical-U-turn-Trump-team.html
HEALTH
Collapse at the Malaga Maternity Hospital- waits of up to three years and more than 700 ultrasound scans not performed: {Translation}
– In a note sent to the media, CSIF, the majority union in the medical professions as a whole in Andalusia, denounces that there are currently more than 4,000 patients referred from Primary Care who are still waiting for an appointment since April 2024, from all over the province of Malaga. Added to this are more than 5,000 gynecological check-ups on hold since 2022 and 2023 and more than 700 high-resolution ultrasound scans pending since November 2023. “There are also unacceptable delays in basic sterility studies (EBE), with cases pending since September 2023, which blocks access to assisted reproduction consultation and paralyzes treatments,” they lament. In addition, the union denounces that in some cases the deadlines and guarantees of the SAS are not being complied with,
– Regarding the Endometriosis unit, they also consider that it suffers a “worrying” collapse, since essential tests such as MRIs and high-resolution ultrasound scans are delayed for more than a year, “preventing the timely diagnosis and treatment of this chronic and degenerative disease”. In fact, the delay in these tests can aggravate the pathology of the patients, complicating the necessary surgical interventions, according to the union.
– This “serious deterioration in care” is compounded by the decline in the quality of care in Obstetrics, where delays in appointments during the corresponding week of gestation have skyrocketed during holiday periods. “As a consequence of the disastrous hospital management, the service has gone from a rating of 7.6 in 2020 to a 4.48 in 2023,” they emphasize.
– But why is this happening? Unlike the situation in other services or in other areas related to healthcare, in this case it does not seem to be a question of lack of resources or personnel, but of poor management. This is pointed out by the union and confirmed by workers consulted by SUR, who point to the lack of planning. “In 2024 only 13 consultations of Basic Study of Sterility have been opened, when they should be enabled from Monday to Friday, which has meant the loss of more than a thousand appointments in this specialty.”
– “In addition, Gynecology consultations are opened and closed without clear criteria, depending on the number of professionals available. Some specialties, such as Endometriosis or IUDs, only work intermittently, leaving patients without guaranteed access to healthcare and aggravating the waiting list”, they continue. These same workers insist that both the hospital management and the sub-directorate are “perfectly aware” of what has been going on for years. “But we do not know why, they do not take action,” these workers point out. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/malaga/colapso-materno-esperas-malaga-700-ecografias-20250218191149-nt_amp.html
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EU wants to eliminate info sheets in prescriptions in favor of digital, online info sheets: {Translation, summary}
– The package leaflet, that sheet of paper that once unfolded is a challenge to fold back into its original form and which contains in small print information relevant to the safe use of drugs, could disappear within at least five years. This is what the European Commission has proposed.
– But on its way through the Council and the European Parliament until it is approved, many voices have already been raised against this proposed regulation. This Wednesday, following in the wake of European organizations, Spanish doctors, pharmacists, patients, pensioners and consumers have expressed their rejection of the elimination of paper package leaflets for medicines sold in pharmacies because they consider that “replacing them with digital formats would not only create barriers to access to information, but would also put the health of millions of people at risk”, especially the elderly, who are the most polymedicated and least digitized. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5683881/0/medicos-farmaceuticos-consumidores-pacientes-rechazan-eliminar-prospecto-papel-cinco-anos-como-pide-europa/
SPORTS
Tennis News- ATP 500 Tournament of Doha update:
– A day after Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas were sent packing in Doha, order was restored amongst the seeded players at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
– Carlos Alcaraz fended off his fellow 21-year-old competitor, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, for his seventh consecutive win.
– De Minaur, the No. 2 seed, remained on course for another final collision with Alcaraz. The Australian defeated Botic van de Zandschulp, 6-4, 6-4, in upping his season record to 13-2. For a semifinal spot, he meets Andrey Rublev.
– Fourth seed Daniil Medvedev continued his quest to end a title drought dating back to May 2023 by routing Zizou Bergs, 6-2, 6-1. In the last eight, Medvedev faces Felix Auger-Aliassime.
– Eighth seed Jack Draper dispatched qualifier Christopher O’Connell, 6-2, 6-1, and gets either Matteo Berrettini or Tallon Griekspoor Friday. Full article: https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/carlos-alcaraz-fends-off-luca-nardi-lead-doha-quarterfinalists-atp-de-minaur-rublev
FINANCIAL
British Pound Edges Lower Vs Euro, Dollar As Inflation Jump Drives Stagflation Fears:
– A stronger-than-expected headline inflation figure triggered a Pound spike on Wednesday, but stagflation fears pulled it away from initial highs.
– The Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate hit 2025 highs just below 1.2100 before a retreat to 1.2070. UK consumer prices declined 0.1% for January, but the headline inflation rate increased to 3.0% from 2.5% previously and above consensus forecasts of 2.8%. This was also the highest annual reading since March 2024.
– The core inflation rate increased sharply to 3.7% from 3.2% and in line with market expectations. The CPI(H) figure, preferred by the ONS, increased to 3.9% from 3.5% and the strongest reading since January 2024.
– The largest upward contribution came from transport, and food and non-alcoholic beverages while the largest downward contribution came from housing and household services. The goods inflation rate increased to 1.0% from 0.7% with the services-sector rate increasing to 5.0% from 4.4%.
– The Bank of England will inevitably be uneasy over inflation trends, especially with stubborn services-sector pressures, and energy prices are set to increase again. A reluctance to cut interest rates could underpin the Pound on yield grounds, but there will be further concerns over the risk of stagflation in the economy, especially if business confidence slides in Friday’s PMI survey. Full article: https://www.exchangerates.org.uk/news/42396/2025-02-19-british-pound-edges-lower-vs-euro-dollar-as-inflation-jump-drives-stagflation-fears.html
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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
2025 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‘ 2025 “, 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: 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/
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