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. 

SUBMISSIONS INFO & RULES PAGE LINK

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*Subscribe to receive free daily issues by email. 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.

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DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Home Page  and  FB Page

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Please share DigameXtra with your friends: Simply copy & paste this link into an email or message and send it to all your friends. https://digamextra.com/
Your contacts can read DigameXtra on the website without a subscription. They may also subscribe for free to receive daily issues by email. Subscribers must be a “DigameXtra Donor” of at least €20 in the current year to make posts. Refer to the submission rules page for more info regarding how to make donations & post submissions: https://digamextra.com/about/

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ANNUAL HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER

 I can only produce DigameXtra with the financial support of my readers. Once a year, during the year end holidays, I do an 8 week fundraiser to help pay production expenses throughout the whole year. This year’s goal is to receive donations from 4% of subscribers. This “4% Club” finances DigameXtra for the 96% group that don’t donate. Which group will you belong to? The generosity of the 4% Club members is greatly appreciated. 

Just like your morning coffee,
what would you do
without your morning DigameXtra?

– Holiday Donation Info, 2 Methods –

DigameXtra subscribers must donate at least €20 (39 cents per week) to gain annual submission posting privileges.

#1. You may drop cash donations off in person and say hello, by appointment, or place them in my mailbox beside my door anytime. Please be sure to include your name on the envelope so I can put you on the list of subscribers with submission posting privileges for 2025-2026! Due to health reasons, unannounced drop-ins are inconvenient for me. But if I am expecting you, no problem! My mailbox has the name HARRIS on it. Email me for map and directions. Cash donations are strongly preferred. 
#2. Alternatively, you may send me an Amazon ES (Spain) “eGift card” by email. You need to have an Amazon.es account. The only info you need is my email address and your name (the sender’s name). Remember, this is an “eGift card” you buy that Amazon.es emails directly to me, don’t buy a plain “gift card”. Use the link provided below to access the “eGift card” purchase page. 
PLEASE DO NOT SEND AMAZON UK eGIFT CARDS. NO BANK TRANSFERS OR PAYMENT APPS.
Here is the Amazon.es eGift Card Link, (NOTE: YOU CAN CHOOSE ANY AMOUNT YOU LIKE ON THE FORM, THE DEFAULT IS €60):
https://www.amazon.es/Cheques-Regalo-Amazon-es-mail-Amazon/dp/B07SS5PFJK/?th=1&gpo=60
On the eGift card purchase form, enter the DigameXtra email as the recipient, as shown below in Spanish and with English translation.
Para/For : digamextra@protonmail.com

 

Please do not ask me about gaining posting privileges by making small donations of under €20, several times a year. Several people promised to do that for each of the last two annual fundraisers, and not a single one followed up.

Total Donations Received As Of Today: 74

Target, 4% of subscribers = 200 donations

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DigameXtra Holiday Schedule: DigameXtra will be closed for these holidays. Posts scheduled for 25/12 will be posted the day before, posts scheduled for 26/12 will be posted the following Monday, so time your submissions appropriately.
– Thursday & Friday, 25 & 26 Dec, Christmas break. (25 Dec is a Spanish Public Holiday)
– Thursday & Friday, 1 & 2 Jan 2026, New Years break. (1 Jan, 2026 is a Spanish Public Holiday)
– Tuesday, 6 Jan 2026, Epiphany (Spanish Public Holiday)

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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-cycle 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~
January 2026
– 7th – Hit the sales at La Canada. 20€pp
For information call Gail on 951067723 / 626370695 (Whatsapp) email phoenixsocialclub@yahoo.co.uk. 
Check out our FB page too. 
We are DigameXtra sponsors and our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section.

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Greek Casita Restaurant, Torrox Costa:
OPEN CHRISTMAS NIGHT, from 7pm, Thursday, 25 Dec.
Reservations are strongly recommended.
Call 642 585 049 to reserve tables.
Block 80, bajo, Paseo Maritimo, Torrox Costa.
Between Safari Bar and Picadero Restaurant.

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Christmas Show at the Mambo: Live music by Johny Chiu
Thurs, 25 Dec, from 7:30pm
Mambo Beach Bar, Paseo Maritimo Ferrara, Torrox Costa
Info & res: 604 287 238 ; FB

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Competa Christmas Concert: Friday, 26. Dec.
Iglesia nuestra senora de la Asuncion
[Church of Our Lady of the Assumption]
No start time provided on their poster or website.
Check for updates here: https://turismocompeta.com/es/agenda/eventodetalle/230/-/concierto-de-navidad-bandas-de-musica 

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Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, Torre del Mar
Hours: Wednesday & Friday 10.00 – 13.00.
Info tel. 952 543 334 Website: www.lux-mundi.org
***January etc. events & excursions***
The Centre opens Monday 7th January.
– Monday – Monday Club. Please contact the Centre. 11.00.
– Wednesday- Art group, with the crochet & craft group 10.00 – 13.00.
– Shop Wednesdays and Fridays 10.00 – 13.00.
– Thursday – NA English 19.00 to 20.30.
– Friday – Conversation group 10.00 – 11.00.
– Friday – Coffee Morning 10.00- 13.00.
-Thursday 8th January. Excursion to Gibraltar.
– Monday 12th January – Monthly Lunch. 1.30 for 2.00.
-Tuesday 13th & 27th January – Axarquia Business Networking group. 7.30 – 9.00.
– Sunday 18th to 28th January – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Please contact the Centre or website.
**Coming excursion**
Monday 18th to Sunday 24th May- Excursion to Asturias with an overnight stop in Salamanca and Merida on the way.

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Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/

Tap or click image for updated forecast with more details

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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.

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HANNINGTONS KITCHENS & 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 unrivalled 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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REDWELL INFRARED HEATING SYSTEMS

Redwell Infrared Heaters for Inside
Manufacturer warranty 10 years
ONLY products from Germany and Austria
Product Range:
– Wall and ceiling infrared heaters
Mirror, Pictures, Glass, white & color
– Mobile Heaters, free standing on wheels
– Under table Heaters
– Analog & Digital Controlling Systems, Thermostats Systems
– LED Light Frames, 2 year warranty
For 20 years we have supported clients in Spain with the highest quality Infrared Heating Systems available on the market. 
Request information without any obligation.
Location:
Axarquia Service-Center, Postbox 028
Dipl.-Ing. Svend Scharler
29793 Torrox Park, Malaga
E-mail: sscharler@gmx.de Web: https://redwell.com/
Office: 952539742 ; Mobil: 606423869

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MANDY’S PAINTBOX

Mandy’s Paintbox: Painter for 34 years in Nerja area. NEW JOB PHOTOS.
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 – Your Property Experts in Southern Spain:
The BluCee Real Estate team would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.
We are open throughout the festive season, and if you are considering selling your property, now is an excellent time to get in touch. Demand remains strong, and we currently have both Spanish and international clients actively looking for properties in our area.
Over the coming months, members of the BluCee team will also be meeting buyers in key international locations:
– January: Belfast and Dublin
– February: A Place in the Sun Live, Manchester
– March: Dallas, USA
If you’re thinking of selling, please contact us to arrange a free, honest, no-obligation property valuation. There’s no pressure, just clear, professional advice to help you make the right decision.
Contact us:
Email: info@blucee.com ; Website: www.blucee.com
WhatsApp: +34 711 04 27 27 ; Office: +34 951 55 38 90
Visit us: Calle Timón 11b, Torre del Mar, 29738 Málaga
BluCee Real Estate – Helping You Sell with Confidence
Proud sponsors of DigameXtra — our contact details can be seen every day in the Sponsor’s Section.

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AXARQUIA SILVER & GOLD TRADE

Axarquia Silver & Gold Trade– Unique Handcrafted Coin Rings & Much More: The Holiday Season Is Coming– Order Your Gifts Now To Ensure Delivery Before Christmas!
***Services Offered***
– Buying all kind of Silver and Gold:
Silver coins and Gold coins, bullions and bars.
Jewellery and cutlery (no collector prices!).
– Selling handcrafted Coin Rings and Jewellery: Handcrafted rings, made from silver or gold.
There are many options possible– I will handcraft your individual silver or gold ring. Choose, for example: a coin from your year of birth; a custom present for a friend; choose a JFK ½ Dollar coin; or a $1 Dollar coin from 1921 is available. I have silver from Spain; 100 Pesetas coins from 1966 for something special; and many more. You can get it shiny or black or a mix. I look forward to creating something very special for you. You want big sizes for men? No problem!
– General Metals Markets Information:
I am trading now more than 10 years in physical silver and gold. If you are interested, make an appointment.
– Make an appointment by mail or phone.
Mail: sscharler@gmx.de
Call Svend Scharler: +34-606423869
I have my office and meeting point at the Axarquia Service Centre, local 101, 29793 Torrox Park.

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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.

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READER’S SOAPBOX

Posts in this section are reader submissions. Being posted is not an indication of endorsement by your Editor or the DigameXtra sponsors, it’s simply the opinion of the reader who submits it. 

Have your say: Submit up to 200 words. Keep it civil– personal opinions & reasonable criticism are fine, but name calling & verbal attacks are not. I must respect the EU Internet anti-defamation laws in what gets posted. You may include supporting webpage links to add validity to your post. You may include your first name and location, but simply signing with your initials is sufficient, however, they must be the initials of the name of the sending email account. I won’t post your email address unless you specifically ask me to. 

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Naythan’s fundraiser: I totally agree with Jill in DigameXtra on Friday 19th December. The DigameXtra email we get must take time to construct and It’s only right that we support Naythan.
I’m not in Spain at the moment, but when I arrive in Torrox Park next month, one of the first jobs for me will be popping some cash into his letterbox.
Thanks Naythan, and a Happy Christmas to Jill, Naythan and all DigameXtra readers.
Tony
P.S. I was so glad to see in your ‘What’s On’ yesterday that the Johann Strauss Orchestra were playing in Malaga next month. I now have 2 tickets which will be an extravaganza of classical music for an evening. Thank you Naythan.

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NEWS & ARTICLES

(Click the link to read the full article) 
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

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ANDALUCÍA

The Government accuses the Junta of having public services “worse than ever”: {Translation, summary}
– Pedro Fernández, the Government of Spain’s delegate in Andalucía, accused the Junta de Andalucía of presiding over the worst overall state of public services in the autonomous communities. He did not identify any specific sector, but argued that this situation exists despite record funding provided by the Spanish central government.
– Speaking at the presentation of the report Cumpliendo, Fernández said the problem lies in how the regional administration manages and executes resources, rather than in a lack of financial support from Madrid. He contrasted this criticism with a defence of central government action, highlighting historic funding levels, recent social measures such as the single transport pass and the Plan Veo subsidy for children’s eye care, and record employment figures. He also listed major strategic projects promoted by the Spanish Government across Andalucía {…but that remain unfunded as there has not been a national budget since 2023. – Ed.}. Fernández argued that these initiatives disprove claims of institutional mistreatment, while warning that poor execution of funds risks wasting an opportunity to improve public services, modernise the economy, and strengthen the welfare state. {Promising something you know you cannot deliver on is nothing to be proud of, and disproves nothing, but this is politics after all. -Ed.} Source, Spanish: https://www.laopiniondemalaga.es/andalucia/2025/12/18/gobierno-acusa-junta-servicios-publicos-124927614.html 

TORROX

Torrox “Fiesta de las Migas” persists thru the rains: {Translation, summary}
– The 44th Fiesta de las Migas in Torrox went ahead despite rainy weather, drawing thousands to the Plaza de la Constitución and the Llano de la Almazara. The festival offered traditional migas dishes with ensalada arriera and local wine. Canal Sur presenter Eva Ruiz served as the herald, greeting attendees from the Town Hall balcony and praising the town’s traditions and generosity.
– Around 300 people watched performances by the verdiales group Coto Tres Hermanas and the Coros y Danzas de Torrox, celebrating local music and dance. At the Llano de la Almazara, “several thousand people” patiently awaited the conch shell signal from Angelita Villena to enjoy their migas. Over six and a half tonnes of ingredients and 180 arrobas of wine (1 arroba = approx 16.4 litres) were prepared, with the surplus donated to social kitchens. The afternoon festivities continued in central Torrox’s bars and restaurants, accompanied by music broadcast from the Town Hall.
Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/el-alcalde-agradece-de-corazon-el-gran-trabajo-de-todo-torrox-por-sacar-adelante-la-fiesta-de-las-migas/ 

 

EUROPE

EU to slash asylum cases from 7 nations deemed safe:
– The European Union on Thursday said it would drastically reduce asylum claims from seven nations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia by considering them safe countries of origin, prompting widespread outrage from human rights groups on International Migrants’ Day. An agreement between European Parliament and the European Council, or the group of the 27 EU heads of state, said that the countries would be considered safe if they lack “relevant circumstances, such as indiscriminate violence in the context of an armed conflict.”
– Asylum requests by people from Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco and Tunisia will be “fast-tracked, with applicants having to prove that this provision should not apply to them,” read the announcement of the agreement. “The list can be expanded in the future under the EU’s ordinary legislative procedure.” Full article: https://apnews.com/article/eu-asylum-limits-colombia-india-egypt-2a518e55c4bdbf651ae1853a395408ff 

UK

More than 800 migrants cross Channel in single day as yearly total hits record high:
– More than 800 migrants crossed the English Channel in a single day on Saturday, marking a record for December in recent years. The surge comes after a backlog of people waiting to make the dangerous journey following four weeks of bad weather that made crossings impossible. Border Force and RNLI vessels brought 803 migrants ashore at Dover after they arrived in 13 boats from France.
– The crossings take the total for the year to 41,455 people—already surpassing the entire 2024 figure of 36,816 arrivals. Full article: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/more-than-800-migrants-cross-channel-in-single-day-as-yearly-total-hits-record-high-b1263507.html 

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Photos of Andrew reveal how ex-prince gave Jeffrey Epstein access to British high society:
– Photographs of the child sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell released last week by the US justice department appear to show how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor facilitated their access to British high society.
– Epstein and Maxwell are pictured hunting with the former prince at Balmoral and with him in the royal box at Ascot. A separate picture shows Maxwell outside 10 Downing Street.
– One image shows Mountbatten-Windsor reclining across the legs of five people, whose faces have been redacted, with his head near a woman’s lap. In this image, Maxwell appears to peer down and smile at him. Sky News reported on Saturday that the photograph was taken at Sandringham, the late Queen Elizabeth’s Norfolk estate, where King Charles and members of his family will spend Christmas.
– Another picture, understood to have been taken in 2002, shows Maxwell posing in Winston Churchill’s war rooms, the secret underground meeting place for the British cabinet during the second world war, with a group that includes the former US president Bill Clinton and the actor Kevin Spacey.
– A trove of documents relating to Epstein, a convicted child sex offender who died in jail in 2019, was uploaded on Friday night to the US justice department website. The data release came after the US deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, said “several hundred thousand” documents from the “Epstein files” would be released before a legal deadline. He said the need to protect Epstein’s victims meant thousands more would be released in the coming weeks.
– The images released on Friday, which also contain images of Mounbatten-Windsor’s former wife, Sarah Ferguson, help illustrate how he gave Epstein and Maxwell access to the upper echelons of British life.
– Many of the images are undated, but it is understood that Epstein and Maxwell were invited to ladies day at Ascot on 22 June 2000 by Mountbatten-Windsor. Although the event was also attended by the late queen and the queen mother, Mounbatten-Windsor has previously said Epstein and Maxwell were his guests.
– Among the hundreds of photos included in the files are several images of Bill Clinton, Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson. There is no suggestion this indicates any wrongdoing on their part.
– Peter Mandelson, who was sacked from his job as the UK’s ambassador to the US earlier this year after revelations about his friendship with Epstein, is pictured with him as he is presented with a birthday cake. Mandelson helped facilitate a meeting between Epstein and the former prime minister Tony Blair in 2002. Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/20/epstein-files-appear-to-show-ex-prince-andrew-lying-on-laps-watched-by-ghislaine-maxwell
More intimate details: https://metro.co.uk/2025/12/21/poppers-condoms-found-bathroom-sandringham-party-hosted-andrew-25669101/

 

     

 

USA

Photos of Bill Clinton feature prominently in first batch of newly released Epstein files:
– Former President Bill Clinton featured prominently in the first batch of files released Friday by the Justice Department stemming from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as the White House seized the chance to shift the focus of the highly anticipated documents from President Donald Trump. There were several photos of Clinton among the thousands of documents made public. Some showed him on a private plane, including one with a woman, whose face is redacted, seated alongside him with her arm around him. Another photo shows him in a pool with Epstein’s long-time confidant, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, and a person whose face was also redacted.
– Another photo shows Clinton in a hot tub with a woman whose face was redacted. The files do not say when or where the photos were taken and there was little context surrounding them.
– Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, and the mere inclusion of someone’s name or images in files from the investigation does not imply otherwise. In a statement, Clinton spokesman Angel Ureña said the White House was “shielding themselves from what comes next, or from what they’ll try and hide forever.” “They can release as many grainy 20-plus-year-old photos as they want, but this isn’t about Bill Clinton,” Ureña said. “Never has been, never will be.”
– Long before Friday’s photos, Republicans had zeroed in on the former president and his association with Epstein.
Republicans on the House Oversight Committee had subpoenaed both Bill and Hillary Clinton for depositions earlier this year, but received a response that the Clintons wanted to provide a written statement of what “little information” they had on Epstein. The Republican chair of the committee, Rep. James Comer, has demanded they appear for in-person testimonies and threatened to initiate contempt of Congress proceedings if they don’t.
– When Clinton was president, Epstein visited the White House multiple times, visitor logs show. After he left office, Epstein assisted with some of the former president’s philanthropy. Clinton flew multiple times on Epstein’s private jet, including on a humanitarian trip to Africa with actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker in 2002. Full article: https://apnews.com/article/bill-clinton-justice-department-jeffrey-epstein-4a55e83b62b5a037c431e36cfa87f0dc 

 

 

WORLD

2.8 Million Afghans Deported From Iran & Pakistan This Year, Says UN:
– The United Nations refugee agency says at least 2.8 million Afghan migrants were returned to Afghanistan in 2025 after being deported from Iran and Pakistan. In its annual report released on Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said about 1.8 million Afghans were expelled from Iran and 930,000 from Pakistan. The agency said 67 percent of the returns were forced.
– According to the report, deportations of Afghan migrants from the two countries increased by 62 percent compared with last year. The highest number of returns was recorded in July, at the height of deportations from Iran, when about 373,000 Afghans were expelled. Full article: https://www.afintl.com/en/202512201061 

SPORTS

Boxing News- Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight ‘signed’ as former world heavyweight champion leaks details:
– British boxing legend Lennox Lewis has hinted that a bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury has already been agreed. The three-time world champion was part of the Netflix commentary team for Joshua’s match against Jake Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer, in the early hours of Saturday morning. Paul managed to stay in the ring for six rounds before Joshua landed a powerful right hand. The punch ended the fight with it later revealed that the American suffered a fractured jaw in two places, concluding a match that many boxing enthusiasts viewed as a mere money-making scheme.
– Joshua wasted no time in declaring his comeback against the sport’s big names. He specifically named long-standing adversary and former heavyweight champion Fury as his desired opponent. He said: “If Tyson is as serious as he thinks he is, if he wants to put down his Twitter fingers and put on some gloves, and come and fight in the ring, take a challenge. “Step in the ring with me next if you’re a real bad boy, don’t give all that talking, AJ this, AJ that, let’s see you in the ring and talk with your fists.”
– While responding to [Joshua’s] the outburst, Lennox Lewis may have accidentally given away that the fight is far closer to being confirmed than initially thought. He said: “It’s the fight we are waiting for. Both are talking about it, the fight has been signed, so that is what we are waiting for next. Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, one of the biggest fights in British history, it is going to happen.” Full article: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/anthony-joshua-tyson-fury-boxing-36435093 

SPANISH ROYALS

Princess Leonor takes her first solo flight in the Pilatus, the Air Force’s training aircraft: {Translation, summary}
– Princess Leonor made her first solo flight on Thursday in the Pilatus P-21 training aircraft used by all Air and Space Force cadets as part of the training programme that began on 1 September at the General Air Academy (AGA) in San Javier (Murcia).
– The heir to the throne finally flew the aircraft without an instructor, after completing the relevant simulator classes and flights with one of the academy’s instructors, which are the steps prior to what is known as the “release”, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Royal Household, which published several images of the moment.
– In them, the Princess of Asturias can be seen finalising preparations in the cockpit and making the gesture to start the engine before take-off, as well as her subsequent smooth landing on the San Javier runway after flying over the Mediterranean. Afterwards, she was greeted by some of her classmates, who congratulated her on her achievement and with whom she discussed how it had gone. Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-princesa-leonor-realiza-primer-vuelo-solitario-pilatus-avion-entrenamiento-ejercito-aire-20251219104625.html

 

TRAVEL

Rome to charge tourists to get close to the famed Trevi Fountain or to visit 5 other sites:
– Tourists who want to get close to Rome’s Trevi Fountain will soon have to pay a €2.00 fee, the city mayor said on Friday, as authorities look to profit more handsomely from Italy’s many attractions. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri told reporters the new payment system would start on February 1, adding that the measure was expected to raise 6.5 million euros a year.
– “Two euros isn’t very much … and it will lead to less chaotic tourist flows,” Gualtieri said, stressing that citizens of Rome will continue to have free access to the fountain.
Tourists will have to pay if they want to get onto the stone steps surrounding the fountain’s basin, while the small surrounding square offering a view of the imposing monument will remain open for everyone.
– The Trevi Fountain, where tradition dictates that visitors toss a coin into the water to guarantee their return to Rome, has long been a major tourist attraction, even for visiting world leaders.
– Gualtieri said five other relatively unknown sites in Rome that are currently free will start charging five euros for access from February, continuing the recent trend aimed at squeezing profits from Italy’s cultural heritage. In 2023, a five-euro entrance fee was introduced for Rome’s ancient Pantheon. As a result the square outside is often crammed with people waiting for their turn to pay and enter.
– Venice has introduced a tourist entry-fee system during the peak travel season, while Verona this month began charging for access to the balcony in the northern Italian city that is associated with Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/rome-charge-tourists-get-close-famed-trevi-fountain-2025-12-19/ 

 

SUR in ENGLISH HEADLINES

*Click links to read the English language articles*

– Family accused of putting dead grandmother on flight from Malaga to London Gatwick in order to ‘save on repatriation costs’
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/malaga-city/dead-grandmother-malaga-airport-london-gatwick-flight-20251220085830-nt.html
– A poor choice: Italian magazine L’Espresso has named Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez as its Person of the Year, writes columnist Mark Nayler
https://www.surinenglish.com/opinion/mark-nayler-poor-choice-20251219103753-nt.html
– These are the best Christmas markets to visit across Andalucía’s eight provinces this 2025 {pic} https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/best-christmas-markets-southern-spain-2025-20251219064352-nt.html

TODAY IN ROCK ‘ n’ ROLL HISTORY

22 December: Click on video player or Video Link to view
– In 1967, Pink Floyd played their last major show with Syd Barrett at The Olympia in London. The star-studded event, dubbed Christmas on Earth Continued, also featured performances by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, Eric Burdon and The Animals, and Soft Machine, among others.
– The only known footage of Pink Floyd’s performance on Christmas On Earth Continued, Olympia Exhibition Halls– a brief two seconds segment from the Joe Cocker promotional film “A Little Help From My Friends.” Video Link 1

– Someone did manage to film the Traffic set at this Christmas On Earth Continued concert. Video Link 2

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CHURCHES & WORSHIP

Churches: Please submit your posts on Thursdays only, before 6pm.

HUMOUR & DIVERSIONS SECTION

Free Comic Strips provided by https://www.arcamax.com/comics

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EXCHANGE QUOTES FROM Xe.com

Click here to see updated quotes & more currencies

Last updated Dec 21, 2025, 17:51 UTC

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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

Andalucia Reservoir Data, updated daily:
https://www.redhidrosurmedioambiente.es/saih/parte/diario/embalses 

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/

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. 

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