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Next Public Holidays: April 2026
2 April, Maundy Thursday
3 April, Good Friday
5 April, Easter Sunday
Thus, in April 2026, there is a long weekend break for Easter: Thursday thru Sunday, 2 thru 5 April.
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Clock Changes in Andalucia 2026: Daylight Savings Time (DST)
Start DST: Sunday, 29 March 2026 = 1 hour forward
End DST: Sunday, 25 October 2026 = 1 hour backward
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WHAT’S ON
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
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Cajiz will hold its 2026 Fair from 19 to 22 March:
– Thursday, March 19, Children’s Day, with the departure of Saint Joseph, a senior dinner in the official booth and the election of the Senior Queen and King
– Friday, March 20, featuring the procession of Saint Joseph through the streets of Cajiz, followed by the traditional running of the bulls. The day will continue with the opening of the official fair tent, musical performances from artist Manolo Lera, the selection of the Queen and Mister, and various DJ sets to liven up the night.
– Saturday, March 21, with a mass in honor of Saint Joseph, accompanied by the Cajiz Choir, and another procession of the patron saint. In the evening, there will be several musical performances, featuring artists Elisa Ariza, El Maúro, Electroduendes, and Fabio Collorichio, as well as DJ sets to keep the party going until the early hours.
– Sunday, March 22nd. The day will begin with the opening of the fairground booth, a performance by the Cajiz choir “Nuevo Amanecer,” and a large paella for everyone. Traditional activities will also take place, such as a ribbon race on horseback , children’s shows, the distribution of chocolate and sweets, and musical performances to close the event.
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Reopening Gala of the Lope de Vega Theater in Vélez-Málaga: Fri, 20 March
– 7:00 p.m. opening of doors
– 7:30 p.m. the official opening ceremony of the theater will take place
– 8:00 p.m. the gala will feature the participation of the Municipal Music Band of Vélez-Málaga, as well as different artists and formations of the municipality such as Choirs and Dances of Vélez-Málaga, Miguel Ángel Fernández, Cristina Gallego, Marta Sango, the Romero Peña Axarquía Choir, the Antonio Guerra Company, Séfora and Luli, Luisa Chicano, Cindindi and Fernando Gil.
To attend: the City Council has set up a system of free invitations. They can be collected from Tuesday, March 17 at 5:00 p.m. at the box office of the Lope de Vega Theater, with a maximum of two invitations per person being able to be withdrawn.
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El Paso de Riogordo 2026: Fri-Sat, 3-4 April, 5-8pm
Venue: C/ Calvario, Riogordo, Málaga 29180
– The Paso de Riogordo is one of the most distinctive and well-known religious processions in Spain. It has been staged every Good Friday and Holy Saturday since 1951. It has been described by some media outlets as ‘the finest Paso in Europe’ or ‘an unparalleled theatrical performance’.
– It has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia and Spain, and involves more than 500 amateur actors from the municipality, in an 8,000 m² open-air venue.
– The performance lasts approximately three hours and consists of 17 distinct scenes. A voice-over will introduce each one.
Info & tix: https://www.mientrada.net/evento/el-paso-de-riogordo-2026/2026-04-03/
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Holy Week 2026 in Malaga- full schedules and itineraries (practical guide of daily activities):
– Very long, and in Spanish. Use a page translator, an AI chatbot, or open it in Google Translate to see it in English.
https://www.laopiniondemalaga.es/semana-santa/2026/02/17/semana-santa-2026-malaga-horarios-itinerarios-126921111.html
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Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/
Tap or click image for updated forecast with more details
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Warning Notes: Possible coastal high winds & waves until 8pm Friday.
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Latest AEMET Weather Alerts & Advisories For Andalucia: https://www.aemet.es/es/eltiempo/prediccion/avisos?k=and
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TAOGARDEN MASSAGE
Taogarden Massage – Torrox Costa:
Taogarden Massage is a space dedicated to holistic wellbeing in Torrox Costa, where I combine more than 25 years of experience with holistic massage techniques, drainage, Reset Fisiológico®, Thai Foot, the Face to Face facial massage, the Regenerative Technique and Maderoterapia MMC, as well as personalized treatments aimed at deep relaxation and body balance. Each session is tailored to the individual, in a calm, respectful and professional environment.
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Opening hours: every day except Sunday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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Email: torrox2024@gmail.com
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Book your appointment and discover an authentic and carefully curated wellbeing experience.
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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?
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For Sale: DoctorLaptop Refurbished MX Linux Laptop, now reduced by €50!
Acer, model F5-571, with Intel i5 5200U processor
English keyboard. 2hr battery. Slim & lightweight. DVD, HDMI, VGA, 2x USB3, 1x USB2, ethernet, Wifi, Bluetooth, card reader.
New 8Gb pro-grade Hynix RAM
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More than €130 of new parts. Looks brand new. This is a 2015 UK model, originally purchased in 2017, that was very rarely used, so an excellent candidate for a refurb!
It cannot run Windows, but runs MX Linux fine with everything current.
The buyer should have at least a minimal familiarity Linux, the price does not include lessons.
Total price: €200, ‘no-risk’ 7 day cash back guaranty. Contact: DoctorLaptop, Torrox Costa
Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com
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RECOMMENDATIONS, REQUESTS, COMMENTS & SUBSCRIBER SOAPBOX
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
Sumar (communist) increases the pressure on the PSOE to freeze rents in the anti-crisis decree, but Sanchez admin maintains its reservations: {Translation, summary}
– The Spanish coalition government is facing internal disagreements over housing policy ahead of a key decree approval {Another royal decree bypassing Congress, since Sanchez {pic} can’t get anything passed in Congress with his minority coalition. -Ed.}
– Sumar, the junior coalition partner, is pushing for the inclusion of a rent freeze at contract renewal in the upcoming economic measures package responding to the Iran war. They consider this an “absolute priority” and express confidence it would gain parliamentary support. However, the senior partner, the PSOE, is reluctant to include this measure in the first decree, preferring to focus on issues more directly tied to the conflict’s economic impact. The PSOE leaves open the possibility of considering housing measures in future packages.
– The disagreement reflects differing priorities within the coalition. Sumar argues that housing affordability is a pressing concern for citizens, while the PSOE and the Ministry of Economy favour a more measured approach, citing lower inflation and the recent introduction of a new rent reference index limiting increases {This index is known as the SERPAVI plan, it only applies to large landlords with 10+ properties, in ‘stressed’ areas. -Ed.}.
– Negotiations continue, with Sumar optimistic about securing some limited anti-eviction protections for vulnerable groups. The Government hopes to approve the decree on Friday, with the understanding that further measures may follow. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/nacional/sumar-eleva-presion-sobre-psoe-para-congelar-los-alquileres-decreto-anticrisis-pero-moncloa-mantiene-sus-reservas_6947277_0.html
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Pedro Promises More Funds He Does Not Have- Sánchez announces another one billion euros in bilateral military aid to Ukraine by 2026: {Translation, summary}
– Pedro Sánchez has announced a one billion euro military aid package for Ukraine following a meeting with President Zelensky in Madrid, the Ukrainian leader’s fourth visit to Spain since the start of the war. The Spanish Prime Minister framed the support as integral to the strength of the European project and reiterated his backing for Ukraine’s EU membership. Alongside the military funding, Sánchez discussed promoting joint defence production with Ukrainian companies and committing to reconstruction projects including schools and demining.
– Zelensky expressed gratitude for Spain’s support, particularly for air defence systems, while noting that arms shipments, though reduced due to competing demands from the Middle East, continue to arrive.
– However, the announcement raises questions about fiscal credibility, as Sánchez’s government is currently operating without an approved budget, meaning the source of these promised funds remains unclear. {Without a budget, Sanchez only has 2 sources of funds, EU Recovery Funds intended for Spain to recover from the Covid crisis, or re-allocate funds already dedicated to other purposes. Either way he is stealing from the Spanish population to fund projects he created by Royal Decree– that do not have full Congressional approval. While we suffer with natural disasters, a collapse of Health Care, an obsolete power grid, decaying infrastructure and frequent train wrecks, Pedro is giving away huge sums to his corrupt political cronies that have no records of how the money is spent! Remember that at election time. -Ed.} Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/nacional/directo-sanchez-se-reune-este-miercoles-con-zelenski-cuarta-visita-mandatario-ucraniano-espana_6947408_0.html
ANDALUCÍA
With over 1,900 cases, Andalusia accounts for 27.76% of all missing persons in Spain: {Translation, summary}
– Andalusia leads the country in the number of active missing persons cases, with 1,908 reports accounting for 27.76% of the total in Spain, where there are currently 6,874 open cases. The province of Cádiz has the highest figure within the region, with 675 active searches for missing persons.
– The “2026 Annual Report on Missing Persons”, produced by the Ministry of the Interior, shows that three Andalusian provinces are among the top ten with the highest number of open cases this year. Almería ranks fifth with 348 missing persons under active search, whilst Málaga ranks ninth, with 274 reports.
– As for the gender of the missing persons, of the 1,908 cases recorded in Andalusia, 1,621 are men and 278 are women. For example, in Almería there are 309 men actively being sought and 39 women; Málaga has 226 men and 48 women; and Granada has 212 missing men compared to 57 women.
– The majority of missing persons in Andalusia are under 18 years of age, totalling 1,196 active cases. The remaining 712 cases involve adults. Source, Spanish: https://www.andaluciainformacion.es/articulo/andalucia/mas-1900-casos-andalucia-reune-2776-personas-desaparecidas-espana/202603181252503229877.html
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An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale in the Alboran Sea was felt in five Andalusian provinces and Ceuta: {Translation, summary}
– An earthquake measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre in the Alboran Sea, struck in the early hours of Wednesday 18 March, according to the National Geographic Institute (IGN). The tremor was felt in several towns across five Andalusian provinces, as well as in Ceuta, with no reports of damage to property or injury.
– The IGN reported on its website that the earthquake took place at 00:24 and reached a depth of 92 kilometres. Furthermore, the 112 emergency number of the Andalusian Emergency Agency (EMA) received more than thirty calls from various municipalities in Cádiz, Córdoba, Huelva and Málaga, with no incidents reported. Source, Spanish: https://www.andaluciainformacion.es/articulo/almeria/seismo-magnitud-44-mar-alboran-deja-sentir-cinco-provincias-andaluzas-ceuta/202603180942113229650.html
MALAGA PROVINCE
A bird never before seen in Spain has been spotted in Málaga- a very rare Old World vulture: {Translation}
– It had never happened before. Spain has recorded, for the first time, the sighting of a lappet-faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos), one of the most imposing and powerful scavenging birds of prey in the world. This is a unique and exceptional finding that took place in El Torcal de Antequera, in the province of Málaga.
– The author of this discovery is Miguel Martín García, a documentarian and photographer, who captured this historic image on 18 October 2025. After analysing the records, experts have determined that it is a specimen in its second year of life.
– The lappet-faced vulture, also referred to in Spain as the buitre orejudo (eared vulture), is a very rare species in Europe, as its natural distribution is located in Africa and parts of the Middle East. It lives mainly in arid areas, savannas and open spaces, so its presence in Spain represents an extraordinary phenomenon. This finding is even more significant because the lappet-faced vulture is endangered. According to BirdLife data, the global population is around 6,500 mature individuals.
– The lappet-faced vulture can reach up to three metres in length and feeds mainly on carrion, that is, dead animals. Its very powerful beak can open tough hides and access remains that other scavengers then make use of, so it is usually one of the first to feed on a carcass. That is one of the reasons why it has such an important role in the ecosystem. This animal helps to remove carrion and reduce health risks in the natural environment. Among its main threats are poisoning, human persecution, habitat loss and other factors linked to human activity. Source, Spanish: https://www.laopiniondemalaga.es/malaga/2026/03/18/avistan-malaga-ave-vista-jamas-espana-buitre-128119808.html
More info: The lappet-faced vulture or Nubian vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) is an Old World vulture belonging to the bird order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only extant member of the genus Torgos. It is not closely related to the superficially similar New World vultures, and does not share the good sense of smell of some members of that family of birds. The lappet-faced vulture was formerly considered monotypical, but now is separated into two subspecies. The nominate race lives throughout Africa. The subspecies T. t. negevensis, differing considerably in appearance from African vultures is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. Full article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lappet-faced_vulture
ALMÁCHAR
Almáchar condemns the neglect of transport services and demands to be included in the Consortium to prevent a ‘two-tier’ Axarquía: {Translation}
– Almáchar Town Council has welcomed the inclusion of Vélez-Málaga in the Málaga Metropolitan Transport Consortium, describing it as a significant step forward for transport in the region. However, the council has criticised the fact that inland municipalities remain excluded, which exacerbates regional inequality.
– “We are no longer just talking about transport; we are talking about equality and the future for our towns,” the council emphasises, warning of a “two-speed” Axarquía in which some municipalities are moving towards a modern, subsidised model whilst others continue to face significant shortcomings.
– In this regard, the mayor of Almáchar, Antonio Yuste, has complained that the change to the bus route amounts to “a step backwards of 30 years”. Over a year ago, the direct connection via the Benamocarra road was scrapped, now forcing residents to take a longer route via El Borge, Cútar and Benamargosa. “Today, to get to Vélez-Málaga, our residents have to take an unnecessary detour when, via the Benamocarra road, they could be there in just 20 minutes,” said the mayor. This situation has led to a considerable increase in journey times, directly affecting workers, students and the elderly.
– The Town Council has also highlighted the lack of response from the relevant authorities. A viable and well-founded technical proposal for the reorganisation of routes has been submitted, but it has not been answered, nor have the repeated requests for meetings, the last of which was in November, received a response to date.
– “We are still treated as second-class towns within our own region,” the council claims, arguing that this institutional silence reinforces the inequality faced by inland municipalities. In light of this situation, Almáchar Town Council is calling for immediate inclusion in the Metropolitan Transport Consortium, as well as urgent improvements to connections with Vélez-Málaga, the Regional Hospital and Málaga city centre, alongside fair and subsidised fares and a genuine commitment to transport in rural areas as a tool to combat depopulation. “Public transport is key to ensuring opportunities and retaining the population. Without services, our villages have no future,” they warn.
– Finally, the Council insists that it does not question the progress made by other municipalities, but makes it clear that “Almáchar is not asking for privileges. It is demanding what is rightfully its due”. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/almachar-denuncia-abandono-transporte-exig-inclusion-consorcio-evitar-axarquia-dos-velocidades/
MIDDLE EAST
The shocking moment Wednesday morning when an Israeli missile destroys an apartment building in Beirut: Video Link
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The US and Israel bomb the world’s largest gas field, and Iran launches attacks against Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain + Trump says US doesn’t need the Strait of Hormuz, he may leave that job to those who actually need it: {Translation, summary}
– The US and Israeli war against Iran is escalating. After more than two weeks of crossfire, Washington and Jerusalem bombed several areas of the South Pars gas facilities in southern Iran on Wednesday. These facilities are part of the world’s largest gas field and are shared with Qatar. The Iranian military threatened to attack energy infrastructure linked to the US and Israel, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that attacks on his infrastructure could have “uncontrollable consequences.” Shortly afterward, Iran made good on its threat, attacking Qatar ‘s main liquefied natural gas refinery, a jet fuel depot in Saudi Arabia, and a liquefied gas refinery in Bahrain. Israel, for its part, continued its attacks on Lebanon while simultaneously dismantling the Iranian regime. The latest casualty was Iranian Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib.
– Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump asserted that his country does not need the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil passes. In this regard, he threatened to relinquish control of the strait to the countries that depend on it and that have not heeded his call to guarantee the safety of ships in the face of Iranian attacks. “I wonder what would happen if we ‘killed’ what’s left of the Iranian terrorist state and let the countries that use it—not us—be responsible for the so-called ‘strait.’ That would make some of our unresponsive ‘allies’ get their act together —and fast!” he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/internacional/eeuu-israel-atacan-mayor-yacimiento-gas-natural-mundo-que-comparten-iran-qatar_6947714_0.html & Video Link
GASTRONOMIA
Bassk Cheesecakers, the traditional Basque cheesecake lands in Malaga: {Translation, summary}
– Basque entrepreneurs Kepa and Txomin Jauregui have brought their artisan cheesecake to Malaga, opening BASSK Cheesecakers on Especería Street, near the Plaza de la Constitución. Their creamy, low-sugar Basque cheesecake, made with care, real cream cheese, and no shortcuts, is available in classic and chocolate versions. Jumbo slices are 4.5 euros, whole cakes 25 euros, with a metal gift box coming soon. The bright 40-square-metre shop, decorated in blue and white, features a large street-facing display counter and offers eat-in or takeaway options, plus speciality coffee. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Following successes in San Sebastian, Bilbao, and Valencia, they chose Malaga for its growing gastronomic scene. They personally manage all outlets to ensure a consistent experience and have no plans for franchising or new flavours. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/malagaenlamesa/bassk-cheesqueria-tarta-queso-vasca-llega-malaga-20260316140326-nt_amp.html
HEALTH
Poor Response To Doctor Recruitment Program– Only 20 candidates have applied for 62 available paediatrics positions: {Translation}
– The Andalusian Health Service (SAS) has opened the allegations and claims period for its first merit-based competition to fill healthcare positions in areas of Andalusia that are hard to staff. This process aims to reinforce primary care in territories where it has historically been difficult to attract and retain professionals.
– The call includes 187 posts: 125 for family medicine and 62 for paediatrics. However, the number of applications received reflects an imbalance between the two specialities. According to Europa Press, there were 133 applications for family medicine, a figure close to the total number of posts offered, but for paediatrics, only 20 candidates applied for the 62 positions available, indicating difficulties in filling many of these vacancies.
– The procedure was a merit-based competition, with no competitive examination phase {Yikes!}. It primarily values professional experience, which accounts for 60 per cent of the score, alongside other merits making up the remaining 40 per cent. Specific weight is also given to previous experience in posts considered hard to fill, to encourage permanence in these destinations. According to the regional administration, removing the competitive examination phase responds to the need for greater agility and effectiveness in selection processes, especially in contexts where ordinary systems have failed to fill vacancies. {Lowering standards instead of offering competitive wages- the socialist solution. Meanwhile all these politicians use private healthcare services at taxpayer expense. FUBAR! -Ed.} It is also part of a broader strategy to guarantee equitable access to healthcare, regardless of patients’ place of residence.
– In this latest phase of the process, candidates can submit allegations to the provisional lists published, allowing for possible errors to be corrected before the final resolution. Subsequently, the posts will be allocated, and permanent statutory staff will join the offered destinations.
– Despite these measures, the data reveals the persistence of structural difficulties, particularly in primary care paediatrics, where a shortage of professionals is one of the challenges facing the Andalusian public health system. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/andalucia/sas-abre-plazo-alegaciones-concurso_0_2006216603.html
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Minister of Health Mónica García asserts amidst the health worker’s strike that the Framework Statute is “closed”– “It has reached its legal and jurisdictional limits.”: {Translation, summary}
– Health Minister Mónica García has declared the new Framework Statute for healthcare workers “closed,” refusing further amendments despite an ongoing national doctors’ strike. She insists the draft, expanded from 80 to 117 articles since 2023 through extensive negotiation, has reached its “legal and competency limits.” García delegates responsibility for any improvements to regional governments and points to future legislation as the proper avenue for further change, while praising the current bill as the most significant reform in decades.
– This inflexible stance is criticised for ignoring the core grievance of striking doctors, who demand a statute tailored to their unique professional needs. The minister’s claim that “dialogue” has been exhausted rings hollow when the primary demands remain unmet. By washing her hands of the matter and passing the buck to already overburdened regional administrations, she displays a troubling abdication of leadership. Arrogantly closing the door on negotiation while a health service struggles under monthly strike action prioritises political expediency over practical solutions and patient care. The result is a broken dialogue and a minister seemingly content to let the conflict fester, leaving unresolved the very real issues facing medical professionals.
– Political groups are demanding an agreement to halt the strike. However, for the PP, Junts, the PNV, and Vox, the minister’s efforts are proving insufficient. The PP deputy Elvira Velasco stated that Mónica García’s “arrogance and lack of dialogue” are hindering the possibility of reaching agreements and demanded that she find a solution. “The responsibility for reaching an agreement lies with you (Minister Mónica García),” agreed the PNV spokesperson, Joseba Andoni Agirretxea, who warned of the impact of doctors being on strike every month. “Healthcare systems cannot afford this, and patients do not deserve it,” he added. “You and the Government have doctors on a war footing,” lamented the Junts deputy Pilar Calvo, who reproached the minister for telling the autonomous communities to solve problems when the framework statute directly affects their areas of responsibility. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/nacional/monica-garcia-asegura-plena-huelga-que-estatuto-marco-esta-cerrado-ha-llegado-sus-limites-legales-competenciales_6947073_0.html
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Average delay to be seen in primary care when setting the appointment in Malaga is 8.7 days– The SAS Retirees Group claims the wait in health centers on the Costa del Sol is more than ten days, and the scheduling is ‘rigged’: {Translation, summary, explainer}
– A report by retired Andalusian Health Service professionals reveals average waits of 8.7 days for primary care appointments in Malaga province, with peaks of nearly 11 days on the Costa del Sol. One in five patients fails to secure any appointment. The group criticises “inadmissible delays” harming patient safety and saturating emergency services, pointing to poor queue management and labour conditions driving professionals away.
– The Junta de Andalucia disputes these figures, claiming the provincial average is 2.6 days, in line with the regional 2.3-day average. Officials attribute improvements to the “back office” system, which manages all appointment requests within 72 hours, alongside administrative modernisation and staff reinforcement.
– The stark disparity between the retired professionals’ findings and official data highlights ongoing tensions over healthcare quality assessment. While the Junta defends its management, the independent report suggests systemic issues persist, with accessibility problems and HIDDEN APPOINTMENTS undermining confidence in primary care services. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/malaga-capital/estudio-situa-demora-media-citas-atencion-primaria-20260318134928-nt_amp.html
– {Explainer- ‘Hidden Appointments: The retired health professionals’ report uses the term “hidden appointments” (or appointments that “have remained hidden”) to describe a specific phenomenon they observed in the booking systems of Andalusian health centres. Here’s what they mean:
– The observed pattern- The researchers noticed that on the same day, in the same health centre:
*Some patients could get appointments for that same day or the next day.
*Other patients were told they would have to wait 15 days or longer.
*Sometimes no appointments were shown as available at all.
*Then, mysteriously, appointments would “appear” for certain patients who called at the “right time.”
– How the researchers believe this happens:
*The group suggests that not all available appointments are actually placed into the general booking pool where patients can access them fairly. Instead appointments are held back from the main system.
*They are released selectively – perhaps to patients who know when to call, who insist enough, or who have inside knowledge.
*There is no queue management – when an appointment does become available (due to a cancellation or release), it isn’t automatically offered to the person who has been waiting the longest.
– The group calls for “transparency and data availability” to understand:
*Where these suddenly appearing appointments come from.
*Why they weren’t available to all patients from the start.
*How the system can be reformed so that when an appointment becomes available, it is automatically offered to the patient who has been waiting the longest
– In essence, they are alleging that the appointment booking system is manipulated or poorly managed in ways that create unfairness and mask the true scale of access problems, while the Junta’s “back office” system claims to manage all requests within 72 hours. Refs: https://revistalugardeencuentro.com/2026/03/18/el-grupo-de-jubilados-y-jubiladas-del-sas-en-malaga-presentan-un-nuevo-informe-sobre-la-demora-en-citas/ & https://cadenaser.com/andalucia/2026/03/18/colapso-silencioso-en-la-sanidad-malaguena-esperar-mas-de-una-semana-para-ver-al-medico-ya-es-la-norma-ser-malaga/ -Ed.}
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They treated ingrown toenails and prescribed medication at a hairdressing salon- two fake chiropodists jailed in Málaga: {Translation, summary}
– A court in Málaga has convicted two women of impersonating podiatrists. They treated ingrown toenails and prescribed medication in a hairdressing salon without holding the required university degree. The court deemed it proven that one defendant diagnosed ingrown toenails, performed treatments, and prescribed drugs, activities strictly reserved for qualified podiatrists.
– Each received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years on condition they do not reoffend. They must also pay legal costs and 3,000 euros compensation to the podiatrist’s association. The court found that the business owner allowed the premises to be used for these practices, which were advertised on social media. The association welcomed the ruling, stressing the health risks of professional intrusion and reaffirming its commitment to public protection. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/unas-encarnadas-recetaban-medicamentos-peluqueria-falsas-podologas-malaga_0_2006216673.html
PRODUCT ALERT
Food alert due to the presence of salmonella in chicken burgers: {Translation, summary}
– The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) informs of the alert notification due to the presence of salmonella in a prepared hamburger. Specifically, it is the Burkebab product (chicken burger) from the Simon’s Food brand.
~The data of the products involved are~
-Product Name: Deep-Frozen Burkebab
-Brand Name: Simon’s Food
-Product appearance: bag with three units.
-Best before date: 01/2027
-Freeze date: 27/01/2026
-Unit weight: 240 grams.
-Temperature: deep-frozen.
– People who have products affected by this alert in their homes are recommended to refrain from consuming them. In the event of having consumed any of the products of the affected batches and presenting any symptoms compatible with salmonellosis (mainly diarrhoea and/or vomiting accompanied by fever and headache), it is recommended to go to a health centre. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/sociedad/alerta-salmonela-hamburguesas-pollo-20260317204051-nt_amp.html
SUR in ENGLISH HEADLINES
*Click links to read the English language articles*
– Storm damage aid: application window open for businesses in Andalucía under Royal Decree-Law 5/2026
https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/aid-for-damage-caused-the-rains-andalusia-20260318100434-nt.html
– Vélez-Málaga joins Malaga metropolitan transport consortium: bus fares to drop by 80 per cent from 1 May
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/axarquia/velezmalaga-joins-malaga-metropolitan-transport-consortium-bus-20260318132153-nt.html
– Granada airport expands international reach: new flights to Porto, Paris, and Nantes confirmed for 2026
https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/the-twelve-destinations-fly-from-grenada-the-20260318102725-nt.html
– New pirate-themed playground opens on Almuñécar’s Paseo del Altillo {pic}
https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/costa-tropical/this-the-new-playground-almunecar-with-giant-20260316100355-nt.html
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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
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: The direct link to the old familiar chart page no longer works. Here is the new way to access it. This link takes you to the map version.
https://www.redhidrosurmedioambiente.es/saih/visor/visorE ; to see the chart version click this link, then in the menu bar click Data (Datos) > Reservoirs (Embalses) > Breaking News (Datos de ultima hora)
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/home
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://torrox-computer-pc-repair-service-by-doctorlaptop.webnode.page/
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