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: javierAlamo.
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DigameXtra Featured Sponsor
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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WHAT’S ON
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
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Totalán Fair 2025: Fri-Sat, 23-25 May
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Jesus Christ Superstar – 50th Anniversary:
Tues-Sat, May 27 to 31, 7pm. Entry €5.
Centro Cultural Vicente Aleixandre, Alhaurín de la Torre
Info: https://www.mientrada.net/evento/jesucristo-superstar-alhaurin-torre/2025-05-27/
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Sergio Albacete Trio: Fri, 30 May, 8pm
Ventana Abierta Jazz Club
Calle Granada 3, (hotel plaza cavana), Nerja
Info: https://www.ventana-abierta.es/jazz.html & Video Link
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Flamenco Spectacular- I Velada Flamenca
Sat, 31 May. Doors at 7pm; show at 10pm
Peña Flamenca Amigos del Arte, Torremolinos
Admission: €20 adv, €25 door. Tel/Res: 652969507
Info, map & tix: https://www.mientrada.net/evento/velada-flamenca-torremolinos/
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Festival de las 3 Culturas Frigiliana 2025 Dates: 28-31 Aug
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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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CÓMPETA SOLAR
Cómpeta Solar:
-Solar Electric (PV) (Self-Consumption)
-Grid Connected or Off Grid Solar Electric
-Solar Hot Water
-Solar Pool Heating
-Heat Pumps
-Installation and Repairs
Contact: James Bain, Competa
Tel: +34 652970608 (Spain)
Email: info AT competasolar DOT es
Web: www.competasolar.es
We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section.
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TONY ROAM TRANSPORT & REMOVALS
Tony Roam Transport & Removals Spain To UK To Spain:
Fortnightly Runs Spain to UK and Up to 4 weeks free Storage. Spain or UK.
18 years Removals To & Fro Spain / UK Spain.
Man & Van, Local & Long Distance Removals
No subcontracting, all collection and delivery in house.
Transportation, Removals & light haulage company that have scheduled trips all year from UK to Torrox and back every month.
Also additional unscheduled to suit your needs.
Full or part loads undertaken.
Dedicated Delivery Personal Service Full or Part loads up to 60 cubic meters up to 5.5 tonne.
Up to £25,000.00 insurance with British Insurance Company.
Evidence of insurance can be supplied by email on request.
Hard Copies always carried on the vans.
This and a current Operators licence are a legal requirement.
Our International Operators Licence No UKGB / OG2043664
We live just behind Torrox Pueblo in Spain and in South Wales UK and have vans going back and forth UK to Spain to UK by way of Santander or Bilbao / Portsmouth or Plymouth Ferry.
For more information and prices for all to see please visit our website http://www.tonyroamremovals.com
email ; tonyroam@btconnect.com
Spain 0034636393542 – UK 00447973362003.
Face book Tony Roam – WhatsApp Either Number
Our contact details are shown every day in the Sponsor’s Section.
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GREEK CASITA RESTAURANT & BAR
The Greek House – Greek Casita Restaurant & Bar –Torrox Costa:
Located on the sea promenade, between the Safari bar and Picadero restaurants, BLQ 80 bajo. We offer you a little piece of Greece with our Greek home made specialities. You can choose meat specialties (Gyros, Souvlaki, Bifteki, Sutsukaki, Mussaka), cheese (Feta Psiti, Feta Saganaki, Hallumi), vegetables (Greek salad, Hummus, Eggplant cream, Mezze, Tzatziki) or sea fruits (prawns or octopus), all of this accompanied with our special Greek pita bread. For dessert… HOMEMADE BAKLAVA! We offer a lovely meal time in a quiet and exquisite atmosphere, accompanied with the best Greek music. See you soon! Hours: 7pm to close, Wednesday thru Sunday. Closed Monday & Tuesday. For reservations call 642585049. https://la-casita-griega.business.site/ We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section.
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ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES & JUBILEE HOUSE
ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES IN THE AXARQUIA REGION:
Do you have health or mobility issues?
Would support enable you to remain independent in your own home?
Liz Brown, probably the only nurse registered to practice in Andalucia to hold the ENB 941 (Specialist qualification in care of the older person), together with her fully insured and police checked home care support team offers one-on-one support and companionship in the comfort of your own home. COE Malaga reg. 17425
HOME CARE/NURSE SUPPORT
Palliative care / Companionship / Health monitoring English Nurse / Hospital sitting / Respite at home / 24 hr live in care / Housekeeping / Correspondence & Communication / Medication collection & dispensing systems / Dressing, bathing & daily hygiene / Shopping & meal preparation / Fast response Falls Team / Provision of medical equipment such as wheelchairs and hoists
Email: info@englishnurse.care ; Website: https://englishnurse.live-website.com/
Tel: 951550581 or 692419548
JUBILEE HOUSE – Close Care Unit in Torrox
5 ground floor individual units all en-suite
24-hour care at all stages from the English Nurse Care Team
Main language- English / Extensive sea views / Wheelchair accessible / Garden / Home cooking / Wifi / Air conditioning / Visiting physiotherapist, hairdresser, chiropodist and nutritionist
And we welcome guests for the day. Email: jubileehousetorrox@gmail.com ; We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section.
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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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BOOK RELEASE BY BERKELEY FENNE – “THE RECTIFIER”
THE RECTIFIER – A NOVEL WITH A LOCAL CONNECTION By Axarquia Resident, Berkeley Fenne
After serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia and for the British Government, ex-SAS Army Captain, Stuart Reece, wanted nothing more than to retire to his villa and enjoy a peaceful life, basking in the beauty of southern Spain and spend some time researching the locations where he served and the drug trade from Afghanistan. On one such fine day, he is shot, he survives the attempt to eliminate him. Reece is now determined to find the hitman. He later discovers that what he had begun to uncover was only the tip of the iceberg. Reece starts chasing an international drug trafficking business and all of its tentacles. Thus begins the race to reach the roots of all evil. Travelling through southern Spain to the Balkans, eastern Europe and into Asia, he realises that the hunt was leading him back to where traumatic memories of war and violence had scarred him, in Afghanistan. With the events unfolding, ‘The Rectifier’ brings light to the underworld drug trafficking business, terrorism, and how greed for power and money can shift even those that are our protectors into traffickers and criminals.
The Rectifier is the first of a Trilogy of Stuart Reece thriller books.
Berkeley Fenne A retired senior company director latterly a business consultant, he had provided guidance and support to a variety and diverse range of companies. He designed and delivered a business improvement programme with accompanying reference manual, which inspired the beginning of fiction novel writing. Fenne is a Spanish resident, appreciating the opportunity to write in the pleasant surroundings of southern Spain.
Available from: Amazon Books – Pegasus Publishing – berkeleyfenne@gmail.com
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For Sale: Kayak, Mambo RTM. Stable Sit On Top one seat Kayak + accessories for sale. Paddle 220 cm long. Located in Torrox. Free “Parking” at the beach included. 5 small extra accessories incl. not shown in the collage. Price 175€ total. Kirsten / Torrox
Contact: myspainbox@gmail.com
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For Sale, 2 items:
– Rotavator FPT800. Foldable handle for easy transportation and compact storage. Dual-safety switch to prevent accidental start-up. Ideal for turning soil in preparation for planting. 28cm Working Width Max. Working Depth: 200mm, 4 x 200mm Diameter Rotors, Without Wheels, Adjustable Folding Handle, Electric Start, Plastic Deck, Forward Drive System. €60.00
– Car Cover/Protector. Perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Fully Waterproof. Breathable. Specially Lined with Soft Plush. Non-abrasive & Non-scratch Fabric Backing. High Quality Non-fade Polyster. Stretchable Fabric. Elasticised Hem. Front & Rear Holding Hooks Slots. Elastic Cord for Snug Fitment. Superior Protection from Dust & Pollutants. Item Weight: 8kg
Extra-Large: Fits vehicles up to 5.2m (Vehicle Length 520cm Roof Width 140cm Vehicle Height 125cm) €50.00 Hardly used. (Was $250 Australian new).
Contact Annabel: 642107522. Canillas de Aceituno, or we can meet elsewhere.
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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
Judge sends Pedro Sanchez’s brother to trial for influence peddling and prevarication: {Translation, summary}
– Judge Beatriz Biedma, who instructs the case against the brother of President Pedro Sánchez, has agreed to open the oral trial for influence peddling and prevarication against David Sánchez. In a document issued this Thursday, to which 20minutos has had access, the investigator also sends to the dock the president of the Diputación de Badajoz, Miguel Ángel Gallardo, and nine other people related to irregularities in the creation and awarding of a position for the brother of Pedro Sánchez in the Diputación. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5714768/0/jueza-envia-juicio-hermano-pedro-sanchez-david-sanchez/
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PSOE registers law to place 3% tax on empty houses, raise in VAT to 21%: {Translation, summary}
– The measures announced in January by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to try to improve access to housing have arrived Thursday to the Congress of Deputies. The Socialist Parliamentary Group has registered a proposal of law that includes, among other initiatives, the VAT rise to 21% in tourist accommodation, an increase in tax on empty homes and a new state tax on foreign buyer non-residents from outside the European Union in order to “avoid speculative purchase” and “preserve the social function of housing.”
– The new Spanish housing fiscal package aims to tackle the housing shortage by significantly increasing taxes on empty homes to encourage owners to rent them out. Currently, empty properties are taxed between 1.1% and 2% of their cadastral value, but the government plans to progressively raise this tax up to 3% through the Personal Income Tax (IRPF), incentivizing owners to bring these homes back to the rental market.
– Additionally, municipalities can impose surcharges on the annual Property Tax (IBI) for long-term vacant homes. This surcharge can range from 50% to 150% of the IBI bill depending on how long the property has been empty and how many empty properties the owner holds in the same municipality. Properties left vacant for two years or more and owned in multiples may face the highest surcharges, effectively more than doubling their tax liability.
– Exemptions exist for second residences, homes under renovation, or those on the market for sale or rent. These measures form part of a broader strategy that includes taxing tourist apartments as business activities and limiting tax benefits for landlords who do not offer affordable rents. Together, these reforms seek to reduce speculation, mobilize underused housing stock, and improve affordability in Spain’s housing market. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5714727/0/psoe-presenta-una-ley-para-subir-iva-los-pisos-turisticos-limitar-compra-los-extranjeros-no-residentes/
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UPDATE- Are hit-squads in Spain to eliminate Ukraine’s foes? Ukrainian murdered in Madrid was blacklisted as a “traitor” on Ukraine’s enemies list and is now listed as “liquidated”: {Translation, summary}
– Andrei Portnov, the Ukrainian man murdered this Wednesday in Pozuelo de Alarcón, was listed on the blacklist of the Myrotvorets Center (‘Peacekeeper’ in Spanish), a controversial Kyiv-based internet portal specialized in identifying people it considers “enemies of Ukraine.” This portal focuses on naming citizens who have engaged in “activities against the national security of Ukraine” and does not hesitate to publish personal information and private data of its targets. Many of those flagged by Myrotvorets have ended up assassinated.
– In this case, the Myrotvorets Center labeled Andrei Portnov as a “traitor” and accused him of making “calls for the assassination of Ukrainian citizens,” as well as “fabricating judicial cases against innocent people,” collaborating with the “invasion of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and violating Ukrainian legislation.
– Portnov’s profile on the website ended with this message: “The Myrotvorets Center requests that police authorities consider this publication as a declaration that this citizen committed a deliberate act against the national security of Ukraine, peace, the security of humanity, and international legal order, as well as other crimes.”
– After Portnov’s murder—he was shot this Wednesday after dropping off his daughters at the American School of Pozuelo—the Myrotvorets portal updated his personal file, now showing a photo of his corpse with the word “liquidated” superimposed on the image. It also includes his liquidation date (May 21, 2025) alongside his birth date (October 27, 1973).
– Although it officially has no ties to the Ukrainian government, one of Myrotvorets founders was politician George Tuka, former governor of the Luhansk region and deputy minister during Volodymyr Groysman’s government. Another promoter is Anton Gerashchenko, former advisor to Zelensky’s Ministry of the Interior. It is also evident that the information published on Myrotvorets has been used by Ukrainian security forces to arrest pro-Russian collaborators or even as evidence to convict them in judicial proceedings.
– Besides politicians, businessmen, activists, or journalists, Myrotvorets’s records have included personalities such as Pink Floyd’s leader Roger Waters, who claimed the invasion of Ukraine was the result of a prior “provocation,” and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder for alleged “anti-Ukrainian propaganda.”
– Also on the blacklist is Zelensky opponent Yevheniy Murayev, linked to Moscow, who in 2022 spoke to the British newspaper The Times about his inclusion on the portal: “People listed on Myrotvorets can end up dead. There is a threat, a risk that involves falling out of a window or having to flee the country. I am aware of that threat, but I live with the risk.”
– After Schröder’s inclusion, the German government requested Kyiv to shut down the portal, and several human rights organizations have repeatedly called for its closure. “It is a very dangerous list that should be closed immediately. People listed on it have been murdered. The tension is already quite high. It is an explosive situation in which a list like this only exacerbates the dangers,” said Yulia Gorbunova, the lead Ukraine researcher at Human Rights Watch. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/internacional/asesinado-pozuelo-figuraba-traidor-lista-negra-enemigos-ucrania-aparece-liquidado-5714618/
ANDALUCÍA
Finally the Left & Right in Andalucia agree on something, but it ain’t good- to push the Green projects of Agenda 2030 in disregard of the rural environment- leaders on both sides reject Vox initiative to study the “economic and social impact” of renewable energy facilities: {Translation}
– The Plenary of the Parliament this Thursday rejected a non-binding motion by Vox that urged the Junta (regional government) to carry out the necessary studies to measure the economic, social, and cultural impact of renewable energy production facilities in rural Andalusia, especially photovoltaic solar plants and wind farms. The initiative was rejected by the other four parliamentary groups: PP-A, PSOE-A, Por Andalucía, and Adelante Andalucía.
– Another demand was to urge the Junta “to prioritize the installation of wind and photovoltaic plants in areas of low agricultural and livestock production over others of high productive, environmental, and landscape value, making the necessary regulatory changes to protect vineyard areas and permanent crops, preventing installations on these.”
– They also called for promoting research into alternatives such as agrovoltaics and strengthening controls over environmental, administrative, and construction authorizations, especially considering the protection of agricultural and livestock production properties that could be subject to expropriation. They sought to protect landowners’ negative decisions to uproot crops and cede land, in light of the uncontrolled increase of such installations, and to consider the urban planning impact of land use changes.
– Another Vox demand was that the Junta review and limit the use of the “public utility” designation in large renewable energy projects, so it is not used indiscriminately to justify expropriation of agricultural lands, ensuring respect for private property in energy transition processes and safeguarding the rights of farmers and landowners dependent on their crops.
– They also requested that the Junta promote, within its competencies, achieving energy sovereignty by supporting the development of nuclear energy and all sources that guarantee clean, cheap, abundant, and reliable energy.
– In defence of the initiative, Vox spokesperson Manuel Gavira stated that large renewable energy projects, “which theoretically are presented as a way to achieve sustainability, entail in their implementation a series of consequences that have little to do with environmental protection or the well-being of the population.” “The imposition of these large projects, without consulting the affected areas and without owners being able to decide the fate of their own property, recalls sad examples of arbitrary expropriation in countries governed by socialist dictatorships, where property rights and family stability are sacrificed in the name of higher interests or, in this case, so-called green policies imposed by those who ignore the reality of our land, in pursuit of a 2030 Agenda that has nothing to do with the common good of Spaniards,” he added. Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/andalucia/noticia-parlamento-rechaza-iniciativa-vox-estudiar-impacto-economico-social-instalaciones-energia-renovable-20250522183636.html
MALAGA PROVINCE
The heat gives a first warning to Malaga before summer, more than 34C in Álora and Coín: {Translation, summary}
– Summer hasn’t officially started yet—there’s still a month to go—but the heat has already given Málaga a first warning this Thursday. Temperatures have exceeded 30 degrees in much of the province, marking two of the highest maximums in the country: in Álora, where at 4:30 p.m. it reached 34.4 degrees, and in Coín, which at 3:40 p.m. hit 34.1 degrees. The capital came close, nearly reaching 33 degrees at the airport.
– In all three cases, the temperature rise was notable compared to the previous day, with a difference of seven degrees in Málaga city, six in Coín, and five in Álora.
– The 34.4 degrees in Álora was the fourth highest temperature in Spain this Thursday, close to the 34.5 degrees in Tablada (Seville), 34.6 at Seville airport, and 34.7 in Carmona (also Seville).
– This heat was also felt in Coín, another point in the Guadalhorce Valley most affected by the terral, where 34.1 degrees were recorded. Temperatures above 30 were also recorded in Cortes de la Frontera, in the Serranía de Ronda, although Ronda itself had a maximum of 28.5. Fuente de Piedra nearly reached 29.6, and Vélez-Málaga recorded 28.3.
– Along the province’s coast, most municipalities saw the predominance of the east wind prevent temperatures from reaching 30 degrees. The highest was in Torremolinos, with 28.9 degrees, and the coolest in Marbella, with 22.6. To mention two other coastal towns, in the western part, Estepona registered 26.8 degrees, and in the eastern part, Nerja marked 26.5 degrees. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/calor-primer-aviso-malaga-verano-grados-alora-coin_0_2003987789.html
NERJA
Arrested in Nerja after violently robbing an elderly foreign tourist using a firearm: {Translation}
– The investigation began after the complaint of an elderly foreign tourist who, when he was walking through the town with some family and friends, was assaulted by a man who covered his face with a balaclava, threatening them with a gun and demanding that they give them the money he was carrying. At that moment, the victim tried to snatch the gun from the assailant, initiating a struggle between the two, being assaulted by this individual who hit him with the butt of the gun in the head and face, causing him several injuries.
– Two workers of a hotel establishment tried to restrain him. He threatened them with the firearm, managing to run away through the streets of the locality.
– After the efforts carried out, the perpetrator of the robbery was identified, a 22 year old male, being located in a nearby town where he was hiding to evade the action of justice. For all these reasons, he was arrested as the alleged perpetrator of the crimes of robbery with violence, injury, damage, threats and illegal possession of weapons.
– The detainee, who had numerous previous convictions for similar acts, was placed at the disposal of the Court of Torrox on duty, which ordered his imprisonment. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/detenido-en-nerja-tras-robar-con-violencia-a-un-turista-extranjero-de-avanzada-edad-utilizando-un-arma-de-fuego/
EUROPE
European Parliament regrets the “attacks on the rule of law and the separation of powers” by the Sanchez Administration: {Translation}
– The plenary session of the European Parliament on Thursday lamented the “attacks on the rule of law and the separation of powers” by the Spanish Government, in a report on the activity of the Petitions Committee during the past year, which also highlights the “sudden increase” in Spanish inquiries related to the amnesty law.
– This warning is the result of an amendment presented by the Vox delegation in the European Parliament, which passed by a narrow margin of 298 votes in favour—including those of the Popular Party—273 against, and 15 abstentions.
– The report in its initial draft already noted that the European Parliament “takes note of the sudden increase in petitions of Spanish origin” during the second half of last year concerning “the risks to the rule of law in Spain posed by the Spanish Government’s intention to approve an amnesty law contrary to the constitutional and European legal order.” With the proposal from the far-right group Patriots for Europe, through Vox MEPs, the final wording will also include that the institution “regrets the attacks on the rule of law and the separation of powers perpetrated by the Spanish Government.”
– Thus, the entire European PP Party, including the Spanish delegation, and the groups of Conservatives and Reformists, Patriots for Europe, and the Europe of Sovereign Nations supported the amended paragraph.
– Voting against the amendment were the European liberals, the Socialists and Democrats group (S&D), and the various small groups of European socialists and communists, including Podemos, Sumar, and Bildu, and the Greens/EFA, including MEPs from BNG, ERC, and Compromís.
– In a statement after the vote, Vox defended that thanks to their amendment “the European Parliament has finally had to pronounce itself on the institutional deterioration in Spain and on the effects of the legal coup orchestrated by the Sánchez Government to stay in power at all costs.”
– Sources from the PP, for their part, emphasized that the reference to the increase in petitions concerning concerns about the amnesty law proves that this legislation has opened an “unprecedented social rift” in Spain and that, by appealing to the European Parliament, citizens “are asking European institutions to monitor the constitutional violation that the amnesty law has entailed.” Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1898381/europa-lamenta-los-ataques-al-estado-de-derecho-y-la-separacion-de-poderes-del-gobierno/
SPORTS
Tennis News, Roland Garros Update- Alcaraz will debut against Nishikori in Roland Garros and avoid Sinner, Zverev and Djokovic: {Translation, summary}
– Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz will begin the defence of his title at Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam of the season starting this Sunday, May 25, against the Japanese Kei Nishikori, according to a draw held this Thursday that does not put major difficulties in his path until the second week. The player from Murcia, who is seeded second, had a somewhat ‘kind’ draw since, besides avoiding a theoretical final against the Italian Jannik Sinner, the top seed, he will not face other strong rivals on the way to the decisive match, such as the German Alexander Zverev, whom he beat last year for the title, or the Serbian Novak Djokovic, although neither of these two seems to be in their best form.
– But before thinking about a possible final on June 8, the player from El Palmar will have to get past the veteran Kei Nishikori, a player whose injuries have kept him away from the world’s best. The 35-year-old Japanese reached number 4 in the ATP rankings in 2015 and will face Alcaraz for the first time in their careers.
– From there, the path for the world number two does not look excessively complicated until the round of 16, where he could face his first major obstacle in the form of the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas or the American Ben Shelton. In the quarterfinals, the theoretical opponent would be the Norwegian Casper Ruud, a two-time finalist in Paris (2022 and 2023) and winner of the Mutua Madrid Open.
– Looking ahead to the semifinals, on the other side of his draw are dangerous names such as the Dane Holger Rune, who will face Roberto Bautista in the first round and who defeated Alcaraz in the final of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell–Conde de Godó; the Italian Lorenzo Musetti, whom Alcaraz beat in the Monte Carlo final and the Rome semifinals; and the American Taylor Fritz, the fourth seed, though he has had more difficulty shining on clay.
– Meanwhile, the Italian Jannik Sinner, world number one, will debut against the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech and before the round of 16 could have a complex clash in the third round against the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich or the Czech Jiri Lehecka. The Russian Andrey Rublev or the French Arthur Fils could be his opponents in the round of 16, the Brit Jack Draper or the Australian Alex de Miñaur in the quarterfinals, and Zverev or Djokovic in the semifinals. The German Zverev will start against the American Learner Tien and the Serbian against the also American McKenzie McDonald, and both could meet in the quarterfinals.
***Other Spaniards***
– Regarding the rest of the Spaniards, Davidovich will start against a qualifier, Pedro Martínez against Canadian Denis Shapovalov, Jaume Munar against Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Roberto Carballés against Frenchman Valentin Royer, and Pablo Carreño against Argentine Francisco Comesaña.
– On the women’s side, Spanish player Paula Badosa, seeded tenth and arriving with little preparation for the Paris Grand Slam, will have an interesting and tough debut against Japanese former world number one Naomi Osaka.
– Jessica Bouzas and Cristina Bucsa also had little luck in the draw, as they will debut against two seeded players: the American Emma Navarro (9) and one of the favorites, the young Russian Mirra Andreeva (6).
– Polish player Iga Swiatek will begin the defense of her title against Slovak Rebecca Sramkova and will be in the same half of the draw as the first seed, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, whom she could face in the semifinals if she overcomes a tough draw including Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, Kazakh Elena Rybakina, and Swiss Belinda Bencic. The world number one will start against Russian Kamilla Rakhimova.
– See official, full brackets here (use drop-down menu to choose between catagories, see pic): https://www.espn.com/tennis/bracket/_/year/2025/tournamentId/172/type/1
Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/deportes/tenis-00166/noticia-alcaraz-debutara-nishikori-roland-garros-evita-sinner-zverev-djokovic-20250522144807.html
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Sports On TV- Two year prison sentence for supplying pirated LaLiga football matches to hospitality venues in Spain- 6 years ago!: {Translation, summary}
– A man has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Criminal Court No. 3 of A Coruña for distributing, marketing, and providing unauthorized access to the viewing of domestic league matches in hospitality venues during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons. The accused was engaged in selling telecommunications services while concealing his illegal activity related to marketing football matches.
– Furthermore, he falsified documents and created a website with the aim of simulating legality and promoting his illegal services.
– “LaLiga continues to work firmly against piracy. Judgments like today’s reinforce its position and mark a clear path in the fight against audiovisual fraud in Spain,” the organization stated.
– Javier Tebas, for his part, celebrated the sentence through a message on his social media: “Two years in prison for pirating LaLiga in bars. Let those who live off fraud hear this well: there is no longer impunity. Every stolen match is a blow to football and its industry, on which tens of thousands of families depend.” Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/5714844/0/pena-carcel-distribuir-futbol-pirata-bares-hombre-condenado-anos-prision-poner-partidos-laliga/
TECH
If you have an old iPad, take note- Apple has just launched a key update to protect it: {Translation, summary}
– The update is identified as “iPadOS 17.7.8”, it is aimed at the second-generation iPad Pro in its 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch versions, and the sixth-generation iPad, released in 2018. According to Apple’s official support page, this new version includes “important security fixes”.
– In addition, it fixes a bug in the previous version, iPadOS 17.7.7, which caused unexpected logouts in some applications and was withdrawn by the company. ‘9to5Mac’ explains that the update not only fixes those technical issues, but also improves the handling of sensitive data and prevents possible memory corruption bugs. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/tecnologia/moviles-dispositivos/si-tienes-ipad-antiguo-esto-te-interesa-apple-acaba-lanzar-actualizacion-clave-protegerlo-5714762/
OTHER
30% of Spaniards recognize that both the PP and the PSOE leaders are unworthy of being president: {Translation}
– 36.6% of Spaniards place Alberto Núñez Feijóo (PP) as their preferred candidate to occupy the Presidency of the Government, ahead of Pedro Sánchez (PSOE), according to data from a survey conducted by the DYM Institute for 20minutos. In contrast to those who favour the popular leader, 33.4% of respondents in this study point to the current head of the Executive.
– The group rejecting both options is almost as large as the previous ones: 30% do not choose either one or the other.
– The data collected in the latest DYM survey reflect that the situation has reversed compared to the one conducted in March, in which the PSOE leader had a 4.3-point lead over the popular leader. Now it is Feijóo who stands 3.2 points above the President of the Government. The gap between the two has remained quite narrow since November 2023, when 41.8% of Spaniards preferred the PP leader at the Palacio de la Moncloa.
– As of today, according to the study, the support Feijóo receives among his voters is 83.7%, significantly higher than the 71.8% Sánchez obtains among his own. Among Vox voters, the majority prefer Alberto Núñez Feijóo (59.2%) over Pedro Sánchez (6.8%). Among Sumar voters, the opposite occurs: 72.9% favour Pedro Sánchez to lead the Executive, and 9.8% prefer Feijóo.
– Very discouraging is that even the most popular politician scores only 3.8 out of 10 in the survey! The DYM Institute study reveals that Feijóo, the president of the PP, is the best-rated political leader by Spaniards, followed by Yolanda Díaz (SUMAR, communist). Respondents give Feijóo a score of 3.8 out of 10. The Sumar leader Díaz obtains 3.5, and President Pedro Sánchez, 3.4. Finally, the least valued leaders are Santiago Abascal (2.7 points) and Ione Belarra (2.5).
– Regarding the support each leader receives within their respective parties, Santiago Abascal scores highest, with 7.7 points among Vox voters. He is followed by Díaz, with 6.8 points among her voters, and Feijóo, who obtains 6.7 among the PP electorate. Sánchez, meanwhile, scores 6.2 points among those who chose the PSOE ballot in the last general elections.
– Technical details. Sample and methodology: 1,057 random online interviews, applying specific quotas by sex, age, and occupation. Error margin: total margin of error is +/- 3.1% for a 95.5% confidence level in the most unfavourable hypothesis. Target: Population aged 18 or older. Fieldwork conducted between May 14 and 19, 2025. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5714499/0/feijoo-supera-sanchez-como-favorito-para-presidente-gobierno/
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CHURCHES & WORSHIP
Churches: Please submit your posts on Thursdays only, before 6pm.
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NEW LIFE CHURCH
New Life Church:
– Sunday Service:
Whether you live in Nerja or are visiting our area, you are very welcome to come and join us on Sundays at 11.00am. Join us for a time of Holy Spirit led worship and experience the presence of our God. Our teaching is Bible based as we honour God and obey His Word. During this time of uncertainty, God’s Word reminds us that the Gospel shines brightest in times of darkness. Our service lasts for about 1 hour and 30 mins. With Tea and Coffee afterwards.
– Prayer Meeting:
You are also welcome to join our prayer meetings on Wednesday mornings at 11.00am for 1 hour, where we meet for prayer and worship.
– Jesus said: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. (John 14:6)
Pasaje San Miguel, Nerja, 29780. Directions: Click Here
Email: info@nlcnerja.com
Website: www.nlcnerja.com ; Facebook
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El Puente Christian Fellowship (Vélez-Málaga): We are a friendly, multi-national, Bible believing community of Christ. We meet each Sunday at 11am to worship the Lord. We enjoy a time of worship with contemporary songs and traditional hymns, and a message brought to us by our Pastor, one of our members or a visiting speaker.
The church meeting hall is situated at: Res: El Olivar 5, 8 Bajo 1, Calle Arbequin, Velez Malaga 29700.
Full directions and further information can be found on our Facebook page, or you can contact us by email on elpuentechristianfellowship@gmail.com or by phone on 665626342.
For those who cannot join us in person, we aim to stream Sunday services via the Facebook page (subject to a good internet connection).
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HUMOUR & DIVERSIONS SECTION
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Useful Links, Info & Numbers
2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo
Competa
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Nerja
Rincon
Torrox
Velez-Málaga
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2025 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html
Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html
Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Nerja Car Boot
Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231
Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112
Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238
Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
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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/
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