Welcome to DigameXtra !
The Most Popular English Language Daily Newsletter In Andalucia
Content in this newsletter blog site comes from its Editor, Sponsors & Supporters (Holiday Fundraiser Donors). Submissions are subject to editing and posting at the Editor’s discretion. If I don’t want to post something, I won’t, and I do not owe you an explanation. Content from other sources is credited. The Editor is Naythan, aka DoctorLaptop. Top banner image: formato digital.
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DigameXtra Featured Sponsor
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Editor’s Holiday: DigameXtra will be closed on Monday, 24 March. Posts scheduled for 24/3 will appear the following day.
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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What’s On
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
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PHOENIX CLUB
Phoenix Club: The Phoenix Social Club is open to all nationalities but the lingua franca is English.
We offer an opportunity to make friends, help each other & share information but primarily to have fun in a friendly and inclusive association. You do not have to be a member to join us on our trips.
Our handmade greetings cards are for sale weekly with all proceeds to the Red Cross. We would be happy to accept any greeting cards you may have to re-make into fantastic cards.
We meet every Thursday between 12 and 2 pm at Chine in Caleta, just off the coast road to/from Algarrobo.
***Trips/Events***
~All trips/events include a driver’s gratuity~
March
– 21st – Trip to IKEA and Guzmans Garden Centre €20
April
– 2nd – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 25th – Trip to Colamares Castle AM and Benalmadena Marina PM. 25€pp, includes guided visit to the castle.
May
– 6th – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 23rd – Trip to the interesting street market in Almunecar. €20pp
June
– 3rd – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 21st – Trip to Alfarnate and their Cherry Fiesta. €20pp
For information call Gail on 951067723 / 626370695 (Whatsapp) email phoenixsocialclub@yahoo.co.uk.
We are DigameXtra sponsors and our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section.
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La Feria ‘Sabor a Málaga’ in Vélez-Málaga:
– The agri-food event will be held from March 21 to 23 at Canalejas Street, from 11 am to 9 pm. During the three days you can buy Malaga products, participate in workshops, tastings or show cooking and enjoy magic shows, music or dance.
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The traditional stone dragging with mules contest (concurso de arrastre de piedras con mulos), Velez-Malaga, Saturday, March 29th, in the Santo Chiquito enclosure:
The stone pulling contest will open with the entrance, at 10:30 a.m., of the registered gañanes (breeders) with their respective animals on display. Then, at around 12:00 noon, the competition will officially start. After the lunch stop, where refreshments will be available, managed by the invaluable service of the Brotherhood of El Rocío de Vélez-Málaga, the event will resume in the afternoon, culminating with the final awards ceremony at 18:30 hours.
Info, Spanish: https://www.velezmalaga.es/index.php?mod=noticias&id=7869#lightbox[item-7869]/0/
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Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/
Tap or click image for updated forecast
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NOTICE!
Submissions for posting in sections below
must be signed like this or they will be returned !!!
Sender’s First Name / Nearest Town
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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!
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HANNINGTONS KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
Hanningtons Kitchens and Bathrooms: We have been installing kitchens and bathrooms here on the Costa for 13 years. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, highest standards of work and customer service.
Whether you are thinking of updating an existing kitchen or bathroom, or whether you wish to create the kitchen or bathroom you have always dreamed of, we are here for you, every step of the way.
With an unrivaled knowledge of the best local materials and suppliers we are able to work to all tastes and budgets.
Our full range of services includes:
– Installations and Refurbs
– Wall & Floor tiling
– Full range of Plumbing work including radiators and underfloor heating
– Solar Installation
– Design & planning ideas to get the look you are after
– Electrical works
– Alter / Install walls, dropped ceilings and hang doors
– Plastering, woodwork and floor levelling
Visit our FB page on the link below to be inspired
https://www.facebook.com/hanningtons.kitchens.and.bathrooms/
Call us : 669 665 156
Email us: hanningtons.bathrooms@gmail.com ; Our contact details can be found in the Sponsor’s Section at the bottom of every issue.
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MANDY’S PAINTBOX
Mandy’s Paintbox: Painter for 30 years in Nerja area.
Painting work undertaken. Inside and outside, large or small. Furniture painted or sprayed. Kitchens, cabinets, wardrobes doors any colour any surface. Check out the before and after photos, all the furniture was spray painted. Call for advice. WhatsApp 680739577
Email: josiahamanda@gmail.com
My contact details can be found in the Sponsor’s Section at the bottom of every issue. Here are “before” (left) and “after” (right) pics from my latest job.
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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.
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BLUCEE REAL ESTATE
BluCee Real Estate have just returned from a very successful weekend at the A Place in the Sun Live Manchester, UK:
This year 50% of the people we spoke with are looking to relocate or retire to Spain either now or in the near future. We along with our friends at Help At Hand Spain, who offer visa and immigration support, were happy to help them start realising their dream.
If you are thinking of selling, now is a very good time to contact us for a free valuation of your property.
Our office speak native/fluent Spanish, English, Polish, German, French and Dutch.
In April and May we will be attending property exhibitions in Dubai, Madrid, and London. Birmingham, Dublin, Germany and Poland after the summer months.
At BluCee we go above and beyond for you during the sales process, don’t just take our word for it – see our reviews on Google and Facebook.
Pass by our office to have a no obligation chat!
Calle Timón 11b, Torre del Mar, 29740
We are open Monday and Friday 09.30 to 17.30 hrs.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 09.30 to 20.00 hrs.
For an appointment outside of our opening times or for one of us to view your property please contact us info@blucee.com or 0034 711 04 27 27
Website: www.blucee.com
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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Great Deals From Upcycling Nerja:
– Castilian narrow unit (ideal for the hallway) Natural wood (waxed) Beige color. Measurements 104 x 25 x 82cms. Price 130€.
– Bedside tables Natural wooden tops (waxed) Beige color New bronze handles Measurements 55.50 x 40 x 65cms. Price 130€ (the pair).
– Grey sofa bed Measurements 188 x 107cms. Price 120€.
contact Jackie, nerja 672170429
upcycling nerja at gmail dot com
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Recommendations, Requests & Comments
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.
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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
Corruption, unleashed under Sánchez- Spain falls 10 places in the Transparency International list: {Translation}
– Spain has registered a notable decline in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), falling ten places in the global ranking to 46th place, behind countries such as Rwanda. This drop reflects an increase in the perception of corruption in the country, aggravated by recent scandals that have affected both the political and institutional spheres.
– The report leaves the government of Pedro Sanchez, who is surrounded by scandals that splash his government, his party and his inner circle, in a very bad light. Even more so when seven years ago he came to power through a motion of censure and with the promise of putting an end to mismanagement in the public sphere.
***Cases that set the agenda***
– Among the most prominent cases is the Koldo case, involving Koldo García Izaguirre, former advisor to former socialist minister José Luis Ábalos. This plot revolves around alleged illegal charges related to public contracts for the purchase of masks during the pandemic. According to the investigations, Koldo would have acted as an intermediary to facilitate awards to companies linked to the businessman Víctor de Aldama, receiving commissions that allowed him to quadruple his income and acquire real estate worth 1.5 million euros.
– Another relevant case is the procedure opened against the state attorney general, Álvaro García Ortiz, accused of revealing confidential information about people linked to political figures. This case has generated a great deal of controversy as it involves a key figure in the Spanish judicial system.
– The combination of these scandals and others, such as the less publicized Hidrocarburos case, related to multimillionaire tax frauds, has contributed to the deterioration of public confidence in the institutions.
– Transparency International notes that Spain has obtained its worst score since this index has been published, reflecting a growing concern about the lack of integrity in public management. The drop in the Corruption Index not only affects Spain’s international image, but also has domestic implications. The perception of corruption can discourage foreign investment and increase social discontent. In addition, political parties have used these cases as a weapon in an already polarized political context.
– The government has announced measures to combat this problem, such as greater controls in public procurement and legal reforms to toughen penalties for corruption. However, experts warn that these initiatives must be accompanied by greater transparency and accountability to be effective. Source, Spanish: https://www.24heconomia.com/24heconomia/20250211/corrupcion-desatada-sanchez-espana-cae-10-puestos-lista-transparencia-internacional-noticia-1221010883/
AXARQUÍA
ASAJA warns of risks to public utility legislation in photovoltaic parks: {Translation}
– The Agricultural Association of Young Farmers, Asaja, in Malaga, warns of the risk to farmers and ranchers by the legislation on public utility in photovoltaic parks. Through a statement they point out that the application of state regulations that favors renewable energy “without considering the impact on the primary sector”, and therefore, “is allowing profitable farms to be legally dismantled to make way for energy projects, leaving farmers in a position of total vulnerability”.
– Asaja details that it has already “denounced the situation in the municipality of Teba, where it intends to install a photovoltaic park without the acceptance of all affected owners, now adds the concern of a group of farmers in Antequera”. In this city, they point out from the association, the declaration of “public utility” has already been granted, “which is another step in a process that threatens to dismantle active and viable farms to make way for new projects without ensuring a transparent and fair negotiation process. This is the second case that we are facing, but with the current situation, many more will come”.
– Asaja Malaga insists that the problem does not lie in the implementation of renewable energies, but “in the lack of a fair procedure that guarantees dialogue and consensus with the affected owners”. And in this regard they point out that in many cases, farmers are forced to accept minimal compensation, far removed from the true value of their land and the profitability generated by their farms. “If they oppose, they face the risk of a forced expropriation, a mechanism that, far from protecting their rights, places them in a position of absolute inferiority vis-à-vis the developer companies”, they expose.
– And they add that “in addition, this new case highlights the situation of defenselessness in which farmers and ranchers find themselves: before the interest of large companies or funds, which in many cases will not directly exploit the park, but will expropriate without negotiating, and once the land has been levelled and with the damage done, they will cede to another company that will finally be the one to exploit it”. And they assure that, as things stand, “farmers are left without effective mechanisms to defend their rights and avoid having to abandon their activity”.
– “Asaja Malaga considers unacceptable that the mechanisms of ‘public utility’ are used to favor private interests at the expense of the agricultural sector, which plays a fundamental role in the rural economy and in the fixation of population in the territory. It is essential that the administrations urgently review these processes and establish measures to ensure the defense of the rights of farmers and ranchers, avoiding that the sword of Damocles of expropriation hangs over all those who work and sustain the countryside”.
– Finally, they demand that the competent administrations review these declarations of “public utility” and protect the rights of farmers and ranchers. They also urge a transparent dialogue between all the parties involved to reach fair and equitable solutions, without harming those who have been working in agriculture and livestock farming in the province for years. They insist: “We are not against the implementation of photovoltaic parks, but we will be on the side of all those farmers who are forced and trampled against their will”. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/malaga/1877082/asaja-avisa-de-riesgos-ante-legislacion-de-utilidad-publica-en-parques-fotovoltaicos/
MALAGA PROVINCE
Rainfall and storms change reservoir order in Malaga province:
– The ranking of the reservoirs with the highest water contents in Malaga province has been turned upside down.
***La Concepción & Conde de Guadalhorce***
– Since April 2024 and until last week, the La Concepción reservoir, located between Marbella and Istán, was making history, storing the highest amount of water despite being the smallest one in the province. However, it has been releasing 60 cubic metres per second since Friday 7 March, when it reached 48 million cubic metres. At the moment, it is fourth in the ranking.
– Another ‘small’ reservoir, the Conde de Guadalhorce, supplied by the Turón river, is currently leading the ranking. Recent downpours have caused the rise in the river’s levels and, therefore, in the dam, even though the Conde is also releasing water to keep its curve flattened. The goal is to ensure the structure’s safety by manually controlling the inflows and preventing overfilling. The Conde de Guadalhorce currently stores more than 61 million cubic metres, which is 93% of its capacity. Its historical minimum was in November 2023.
***Respite in La Viñuela***
– The second reservoir with the most water is La Viñuela {pic}. Following this Thursday’s rain, it was estimated that levels exceeded 53 million cubic metres. With this, La Viñuela is out of the drought state, although procedures need to be carried out in accordance with the special drought plan to verify with certainty. It is important to compare the reservoir’s current state to the 12 million cubic metres it had in January 2024.
***Guadalteba***
– The Guadalteba, the second in size after La Viñuela, comes next, with 48.91 million cubic metres recorded in the late afternoon on Thursday. Teba river was contributing with 8 cubic metres per second, which is five times the consumption of Malaga city in that short period of time.
***La Concepción***
– With 48 million cubic metres, the reservoir that takes the fourth place is the La Concepción. However, its water cannot be transferred or used for drinking (due to the incapacity and obsolescence of the Verde drinking water treatment station, ETAP, which has a major project in the tendering phase worth 35 million euros) nor used raw, due to the deficiencies of the entire upstream network.
***Guadalhorce***
– The Guadalhorce reservoir hit rock bottom just a few months ago, in October 2024. It has somewhat recovered and now accumulates 30 million cubic metres.
***Limonero & Casasola***
– The two remaining reservoirs are not, strictly speaking, regulation reservoirs, but flood abatement reservoirs, designed to contain the inflows of the Guadalmedina and Campanillas rivers, respectively.
– Casasola, in Almogía, has more than 20.5 million cubic metres, which is very close to its full capacity.
– Limonero is the reservoir with the least amount of water – almost 11 million cubic metres, which is still unusual compared to previous years. Photo: MurciaToday. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/revolution-the-ranking-reservoirs-with-the-most-20250314094320-nt.html
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Malaga records highest inflation in Spain in February:
– Malaga and Guipúzcoa (the Basque Country) are the two provinces that recorded the highest increase in prices in Spain during February, according to data published by the national institute of statistics (INE). In both places, the CPI (consumer price index) increased by 3.7% compared to 2024. Moreover, these are two of the 15 Spanish provinces in which inflation rose by more than the national average of 3%.
– Inflation in Spain as a whole was 3% in February and 2.9% in January. The last time the February figure was surpassed was in June 2024 (3.4%).
– If we look at which products and services see the highest price increase, for Malaga those would be domestic expenses: water, electricity or gas, with an increase of 14.6%, compared to the 9.8% recorded at national level. This sharp rise is attributed to the increase of regional electricity and water rates in 2025.
– Meanwhile, Malaga restaurant and hotel prices grew by 5.4% year-on-year (compared with 4.1% in Spain as a whole). Leisure and culture rose by 3.6% in the province and 1.4% in the country, while clothing and footwear grew by 3.1% in Malaga contrasted with the 0.1% in Spain. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/malaga-records-the-highest-price-increase-spain-20250314132844-nt.html
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Police find the body of Paco, the missing elderly man in Almogía:
– The Guardia Civil have located the body of Francisco Mayorga, known in Almogía as Paco ‘El del molino’, the 83-year-old man who had been missing since last weekend. The body was found on land near a stream in the lower part of the village.
– The body of the victim is being taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML), where an autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death. For the moment, there are three people under investigation for these events, initially charged with the crime of robbery with violence. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/police-find-the-body-paco-the-missing-20250314171830-nt.html
UPDATE- One of the detainees declares that they transported Paco’s body on a wheelbarrow: {Translation, summary}
– El Trini, El Raki and El Keni- the nicknames which correspond to those arrested in the case of Almogía, who will answer for the death of Francisco Mayorga, known as Paco ‘El del molino’, the 83-year-old man who disappeared last weekend and whose body, after many raids, was located yesterday (Friday) on a farm in the town.
– The discovery took place shortly after noon. The court authorized the Guardia Civil to take El Trini out of prison so that he could take them to the place where, according to him, they had taken Paco’s body loaded in a wheelbarrow. Allegedly, he would have done it with the help of El Keni and protected by the heavy rains of the weekend, which left the streets deserted and clear of prying eyes.
– The old man’s lifeless body was a couple of kilometers from his house, very close to a stream. As El Trini had said, it was hidden under reeds, branches and undergrowth, but he had not been buried. According to the sources consulted, it had the deterioration typical of having been outdoors for almost a week, but at first glance the investigators have not seen obvious signs of violence. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/sucesos/detenidos-declara-transportaron-cadaver-paco-carretilla-20250314010755-nt.html
MALAGA CITY
Gang that robbed houses in broad daylight without using force, by custom making keys on site, dismantled in Malaga:
– The National Police have dismantled a criminal gang in Malaga specialised in the burglary of homes using the method known as ‘impressioning’: a technique that leaves no trace of forced entry. The three people arrested in the operation have been remanded in custody for their alleged participation in 14 robberies in Malaga city, Torremolinos, Mijas and Fuengirola.
– The criminal group used a highly specialised ‘modus operandi that consists of making a copy of the key by inserting thin plates into the lock to engrave the markings of the original. “This method leaves no sign of forced entry.” Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/impressioning-technique-gang-that-robbed-houses-broad-20250314082524-nt.html
VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA
Site confirmed for eastern Costa del Sol desalination plant:
– The area around Las Campiñuelas {pic}, to the north of the A-7 motorway and to the south of Vélez-Málaga town centre has been the chosen as the site for the new desalination facility. The decision comes after Acuamed, the public water company, objected to the other two alternatives: Taramillas, next to the Vélez-Málaga water treatment plant and the River Vélez opposite El Ingenio shopping centre.
– After an “exhaustive technical study and a process of consensus” with the farming community, public water company Axaragua which forms part of the Mancomunidad association of town halls in the Axarquía, Acuamed and the Junta de Andalucía, it has been determined that the best location would be on the land located to the north of the A-7 motorway, in sector VM.23 of the PGOU, next to the Camino del Higueral.
– The land in question has a surface area of 45,000 square metres, and it is still to be determined which part is public and which would have to be expropriated. This alternative has been assessed as having the best conditions in terms of technical feasibility, accessibility and less urban impact. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/axarquia/site-confirmed-for-eastern-costa-sol-desalination-20250314182131-nt.html
GIBRALTAR
New nuclear submarine docks in Gibraltar amidst criticism from environmentalists: {Translation}
– A nuclear propulsion submarine of the British Navy, the HMS Astute has landed in the military port of Gibraltar this Saturday, according to Verdemar Ecologistas en Acción.
– The environmental group has denounced that the ship has arrived on Saturday morning at the Gibraltarian base, as shown by the images released by the pilots of the port of Gibraltar in their social networks. According to Verdemar in a note, “Gibraltar is opting to maintain this military port” and even intends its “expansion, discarding the tourist routes”. The environmentalists warn of the “risk posed by the docking of these floating bombs” and expresses once again its “protest against the arrival of these submarines that sail with a nuclear reactor and put at risk the Strait and those who live in this area.”
– In addition to the “multiple threats” posed, as they say, nuclear reactors, “much” of them “exceeds the age of their design life” and add that the naval base in Gibraltar “is becoming a port X where the UK takes its submarines to repair”, some work that “endanger the population”. As Verdemar recalls, “since the cooling system of the nuclear reactor of the submarine HMS Tirelees was repaired in 2000, more than a hundred nuclear submarines have docked in the port of Gibraltar and many of them” have been repaired there.
– For all these reasons they ask that “once and for all”, Gibraltar “be free of nuclear propulsion devices and other ships that are real floating bombs”. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5691358/0/atraca-un-nuevo-submarino-nuclear-gibraltar-entre-criticas-los-ecologistas/
MIDDLE EAST
Trump launches large-scale strikes on Yemen’s Houthis, at least 31 killed:
– U.S. President Donald Trump launched large-scale military strikes against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis on Saturday over the group’s attacks against Red Sea shipping, killing at least 31 people at the start of a campaign expected to last many days.
– Trump also warned Iran, the Houthis’ main backer, that it needed to immediately halt support for the group. He said if Iran threatened the United States, “America will hold you fully accountable and, we won’t be nice about it!”
– The unfolding strikes – which one U.S. official told Reuters might continue for weeks – represent the biggest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since Trump took office in January. It came as the United States ramped up sanctions pressure on Tehran while trying to bring it to the negotiating table over its nuclear program. “To all Houthi terrorists, YOUR TIME IS UP, AND YOUR ATTACKS MUST STOP, STARTING TODAY. IF THEY DON’T, HELL WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU LIKE NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
– The Houthis, an armed movement that took control of most of Yemen over the past decade, have launched scores of attacks on ships off its coast since November 2023, disrupting global commerce and setting the U.S. military on a costly campaign to intercept missiles and drones that have burned through stocks of U.S. air defenses. A Pentagon spokesperson said the Houthis have attacked U.S. warships 174 times and commercial vessels 145 times since 2023.
– The Houthis say the attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war in Gaza with Hamas militants.
– Iran’s other allies, Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon, have been severely weakened by Israel since the start of the Gaza conflict. Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, who was closely aligned with Tehran, was overthrown by rebels in December. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-launches-strikes-against-yemens-houthis-warns-iran-2025-03-15/
GASTRONOMIA
EVOO Aceite de Arenas Sin Filtrar: {Translation}
– This cooperative was created in 1970 in the heart of the Axarquia. The mill brings together about 670 olive growers from all over the area and together they collect about two million kilos of olives of different varieties. This oil is a coupage of three varieties. The nose has notes of tomato. Good balance in the mouth.
Producer: Cooperativa Santa Catalina Mártir ; Zone: Arenas
Varieties: Verdial, Hojiblanca and Picual ; Harvest: 2024/25
Info: https://santacatalinamartir.com/
Approx. price: 4€, 500ml. ; Rating: 7/10
See website for complete list of filtered and unfiltered EVOOs.
HEALTH
At least 9 labs globally have confirmed DNA contamination of mRNA covid vaccines: {X post with video and translation}
– Government commissioner and MP Dr. Peter Kotlár, a Slovak physician, provides data on a bombshell investigation into DNA Contamination. “34 batches from Pfizer and Moderna have been analyzed so far, which were stored according to the proper cold chain. The results of the analysis of all, I repeat, all analyzed batches proved that in every single vial, there is an extremely high amount of DNA…which means individuals vaccinated are, I’m not afraid to say officially, a genetically modified organism.” X Link
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Ex-CDC Director, “Long Covid Is mRNA Vaccine Injury”:
– Dr. Robert R. Redfield is right, and so are the other virologists who have confirmed what we HIGHLY suspected for years…Source: X Post
SPACE
Finally! NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch Crew-10 mission to bring ‘stranded’ ISS astronauts back to Earth:
– Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams have spent nine months aboard the International Space Station following the failure of Boeing’s Starliner mission. Their rescue rocket has finally been launched and has arrived at the Space Station.
– The Falcon 9 rocket launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:04 p.m. EDT on Friday (March 14). Riding aboard its top-mounted Dragon capsule are four astronauts. If everything goes to plan {it did}, the capsule will dock at the ISS at 11:30 p.m. EDT Saturday (March 15).
– The SpaceX Dragon arrived at the International Space Station on Sunday, as the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the orbiting complex at 12:04 a.m. EDT, while the station was roughly 260 statute miles over the Atlantic Ocean.
– Following Dragon’s link up to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module, the crew members aboard Dragon and the space station will begin conducting standard leak checks and pressurization between the spacecraft and the station in preparation for hatch opening scheduled for approximately 1:45 a.m. on Sunday.
Refs: https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/finally-nasa-and-spacex-launch-crew-10-mission-to-bring-stranded-iss-astronauts-back-to-earth &
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/03/16/spacex-dragon-docks-to-station-with-four-crew-10-members/ & X Link
FINANCIAL
Gold Prices Spike, breaks $3000/oz before pulling back:
Image: https://goldprice.org/live-gold-price.html
THE ARTS
Finland’s controversial and erotic Eurovision song “ICH KOMME”; UER has asked for it to be less explicit: {Translation, summary}
– According to the Daily Mail, the UER has asked the Finnish delegation to tone down the choreography, to be less explicit and for 32 year old Erika Vikman to tone down her dance routine and adjust her movements on stage. “The UER has said it’s too sexual. They want to cover my back,” the singer told Swedish newspaper Expressen. The artist says that “I am wild, I have a lot to give. I’m sensual on stage.” Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/television/asi-polemica-erotica-cancion-finlandia-eurovision-uer-pedido-sea-menos-explicita-5691378/
Judge for yourself: Video Link
OTHER
Communist/Socialist’s Evil Motivations Explained In Under 2 Minutes: X Link
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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:
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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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