Welcome to DigameXtra !
The Most Popular English Language Daily Newsletter In Andalucia
Content in this newsletter blog site comes from its Editor, Sponsors & Supporters (Holiday Fundraiser Donors). Submissions are subject to editing and posting at the Editor’s discretion. If I don’t want to post something, I won’t, and I do not owe you an explanation. Content from other sources is credited. The Editor is Naythan, aka DoctorLaptop. Top banner image: formato digital.
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DigameXtra Featured Sponsor
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What’s On
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
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PHOENIX CLUB
Phoenix Club: The Phoenix Social Club is open to all nationalities but the lingua franca is English.
We offer an opportunity to make friends, help each other & share information but primarily to have fun in a friendly and inclusive association. You do not have to be a member to join us on our trips.
Our handmade greetings cards are for sale weekly with all proceeds to the Red Cross. We would be happy to accept any greeting cards you may have to re-make into fantastic cards.
We meet every Thursday between 12 and 2 pm at Chine in Caleta, just off the coast road to/from Algarrobo.
***Trips/Events***
~All trips/events include a driver’s gratuity~
April
– 1st – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 25th – Trip to Colamares Castle AM and Benalmadena Marina PM. 25€pp, includes guided visit to the castle.
May
– 6th – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 23rd – Trip to the interesting street market in Almunecar. €20pp
June
– 3rd – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 21st – Trip to Alfarnate and their Cherry Fiesta. €20pp
For information call Gail on 951067723 / 626370695 (Whatsapp) email phoenixsocialclub@yahoo.co.uk.
We are DigameXtra sponsors and our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section.
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Chilches’ Fiestas Patronales en honor a San José (Patron Saint Festival in honor of San José): Sun, 30 March
The procession of St. Joseph will take over the streets at 12:00 noon, after the liturgical celebration. At 13:30 hours, it will be the turn of the musical performances, in this case, the dance academy “Jéssica Domínguez”, which will enliven the afternoon, prior to the great popular paella, one of the highlights, with the contribution of a donation of 2 euros. In the afternoon, will open the events the group “Hakuna Matata”, at 16:30 hours, in a performance that will precede the end of the party, by DJ Nene, all combined with the presence of ambient music for the enjoyment of all participants.
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Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, Torre del Mar
Hours: Wednesday & Friday 10.00 – 13.00.
Info tel. 952 543 334
***April etc. events & excursions***
– Monday – AA English 19.00 to 20:30.
– Spanish. Wednesday and Friday 10.00 – 13.00.
– Wednesdays- Art group, with the crochet & craft group 10.00 – 13.00.
– Shop Wednesdays and Fridays 10.00 – 13.00.
– Thursday Spanglish. – Conversation between Spanish and English 16.30 -17.30.
– Thursday – NA English 19.00 to 20.30.
– Friday – Conversation group 10.00 – 11.00.
– Friday – Coffee Morning 10.00- 13.00.
– Saturday – English Catholic Mass 16.00.
– Monday 14th to Sunday 20th April. Easter the Centre will be open only for religious services.
– Monday 14th – Monday Club 11.00 – 1.30.
– Friday 25st – Taizé Prayer for Unity, St Andrés Church Torre del Mar. After Mass.
*Coming Excursion*
– Thursday May 15th visit Ubrique with its leather museum.
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The traditional stone dragging with mules contest (concurso de arrastre de piedras con mulos), Velez-Malaga, Saturday, March 29th, in the Santo Chiquito enclosure:
The stone pulling contest will open with the entrance, at 10:30 a.m., of the registered gañanes (breeders) with their respective animals on display. Then, at around 12:00 noon, the competition will officially start. After the lunch stop, where refreshments will be available, managed by the invaluable service of the Brotherhood of El Rocío de Vélez-Málaga, the event will resume in the afternoon, culminating with the final awards ceremony at 18:30 hours.
Info, Spanish: https://www.velezmalaga.es/index.php?mod=noticias&id=7869#lightbox[item-7869]/0/
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Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/
Tap or click image for updated forecast
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NOTICE!
Submissions for posting in sections below
must be signed like this or they will be returned !!!
Sender’s First Name / Nearest Town
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Services Wanted/Offered
Check the DigameXtra Sponsor’s list whenever you need a service. By using these services you are helping support DigameXtra.
Landlords, tell your renters about DigameXtra, where they can get overnight answers to questions about local stuff without having to call you!
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ARCHGROVE TRANSPORT SERVICES
Archgrove Services: A family run light haulage/transport company with bases in Archez, Spain and Cambridgeshire.
We are part of the ADH Storage and Transportation company and as such have storage available in Competa and Puente Don Manuel. Very reasonable rates.
We provide a one stop service for all your transport needs and pride ourselves on reliability, flexibility, good communication and a very much ‘can do’ approach. No job is too small and there is always a solution.
Our services include:
-Regular runs between UK and Spain
-Transport of personal property from full house moves to small single items
-Man & Van services
-Packing, including supply of packing materials
-UK Home shopping with UK delivery address
-Storage of property and vehicles in Spain
If we can be of service please contact Gail. We are on Facebook and always available to chat through your needs and provide a free no obligation quote if required.
UK: 0044 7846672013
Spain: 0034 951 066 093
Email: archgroveservices@gmail.com ; FB Link
Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.
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SPW CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
SPW Construction Services: Professional high quality building service, fully qualified tradesmen to all trades.
Extensions, retaining walls, driveways, swimming pools, damp problems, roofs, blocked drains.
Replacement kitchens and bathrooms, Tiling and terraces. Plumbing, electrics and plastering, painting.
Architect service, building licence applications.
Handyman service now available for those smaller jobs.
Water Deposit Installations: Due to the ongoing drought and current water restrictions SPW Construction are currently offering the following service.
– Supply and installation of new above or below ground water deposits. 1000 litres up to 25000 litres. Delivered and installed, all relevant plumbing. All work warrantied.
– We can also advise you or help to organise water deliveries from local suppliers.
Selling Your House? SPW Construction can offer you a bespoke package to prepare your house for sale.
Through our extensive relationships with Agents, buyers and sellers we understand what is required to present your home to potential purchasers.
Interior & Exterior decoration / Replacement bathrooms and Kitchens
Pool Reforms / Garden tidy
DAFO Compliance, septic tanks, solar installations, etc.
Roof checks / Damp proofing
For free consultation and estimate contact us on 622938440
or email: scottparkwilson AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk
Scott/Arenas. Home Page and FB-Link
Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.
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HANNINGTONS KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
Hanningtons Kitchens and Bathrooms: We have been installing kitchens and bathrooms here on the Costa for 13 years. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, highest standards of work and customer service.
Whether you are thinking of updating an existing kitchen or bathroom, or whether you wish to create the kitchen or bathroom you have always dreamed of, we are here for you, every step of the way.
With an unrivaled knowledge of the best local materials and suppliers we are able to work to all tastes and budgets.
Our full range of services includes:
– Installations and Refurbs
– Wall & Floor tiling
– Full range of Plumbing work including radiators and underfloor heating
– Solar Installation
– Design & planning ideas to get the look you are after
– Electrical works
– Alter / Install walls, dropped ceilings and hang doors
– Plastering, woodwork and floor levelling
Visit our FB page on the link below to be inspired
https://www.facebook.com/hanningtons.kitchens.and.bathrooms/
Call us : 669 665 156
Email us: hanningtons.bathrooms@gmail.com ; Our contact details can be found in the Sponsor’s Section at the bottom of every issue.
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MANDY’S PAINTBOX
Mandy’s Paintbox: Painter for 30 years in Nerja area.
Painting work undertaken. Inside and outside, large or small. Furniture painted or sprayed. Kitchens, cabinets, wardrobes doors any colour any surface. Check out the before and after photos, all the furniture was spray painted. Call for advice. WhatsApp 680739577
Email: josiahamanda@gmail.com
My contact details can be found in the Sponsor’s Section at the bottom of every issue. Here are “before” (left) and “after” (right) pics from my latest job.
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Buy / Sell / Trade / Rent / Wanted
Click on pics to enlarge
How to post more photos than the rules allow – use collages. The limit is one pic per item/event. You can combine several of your photos into a
single collage photo by using this free online collage creation tool. It’s very easy to use, give it a try! https://www.photocollage.com/
Are you still dealing with scammers on Fakebook Marketplace?
Sell your items here, to locals, for cash, without the shenanigans.
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BLUCEE REAL ESTATE
BluCee Real Estate have just returned from a very successful weekend at the A Place in the Sun Live Manchester, UK:
This year 50% of the people we spoke with are looking to relocate or retire to Spain either now or in the near future. We along with our friends at Help At Hand Spain, who offer visa and immigration support, were happy to help them start realising their dream.
If you are thinking of selling, now is a very good time to contact us for a free valuation of your property.
Our office speak native/fluent Spanish, English, Polish, German, French and Dutch.
In April and May we will be attending property exhibitions in Dubai, Madrid, and London. Birmingham, Dublin, Germany and Poland after the summer months.
At BluCee we go above and beyond for you during the sales process, don’t just take our word for it – see our reviews on Google and Facebook.
Pass by our office to have a no obligation chat!
Calle Timón 11b, Torre del Mar, 29740
We are open Monday and Friday 09.30 to 17.30 hrs.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 09.30 to 20.00 hrs.
For an appointment outside of our opening times or for one of us to view your property please contact us info@blucee.com or 0034 711 04 27 27
Website: www.blucee.com
We cover the whole coast line and inland.
BluCee Real Estate are a DigameXtra sponsor so our contact details are shown here every day.
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For Sale: New Laptop, Acer Aspire 3 A315.
Very powerful business model. 15.6″ Full HD display.
Windows 11 Pro (UK), 16 Gb RAM, 512 Gb SSD. (Ready for Windows 12 when released.)
Processor: Intel Core i5-1235U, up to 4.4GHz
Spanish keyboard. HDMI, Ethernet, 3x USB 3.2, Wifi 6.
Price: €480, fully setup and ready to use. Naythan, Torrox Costa.
Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com
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Recommendations, Requests & Comments
When making a recommendation always include the phone number or website of the biz, service, etc., so readers can reach them. Note: I can’t post third party email addresses.
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Cremation recommendation: I wonder if anyone can recommend a cheap but good funeral plan. I’ve read with interest the advert on here from Compare Funerals, and wonder if anyone can recommend them, or any others? I’d particularly like to hear from people who have unfortunately lost someone, so has had experience of the full service, not just paying into a plan without really knowing how easy/smoothly things go when the worst happens. Thank you in advance for any info given.
Please reply to: Cathy, Velez
cathyws@hotmail.co.uk
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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
Feijóo (PP) challenges Sánchez (PSOE) to present the Budgets in Congress to “portray the loneliness of a zombie president”: {Translation}
– After the storm that the Partido Popular went through last week, with the budget pact reached by Carlos Mazón and Vox in the Valencian Community, Alberto Núñez Feijóo {pic} has gone on the attack this Monday during his intervention in the National Executive Board, in which he charged against the Government and also against Santiago Abascal’s party (VOX), to whom he recommended that instead of “giving lessons they should start by giving some example of service”.
– But it was the Executive to which he pointed out the most, highlighting Pedro Sánchez’s attempts to stay in power at any cost, “Even of democracy”. Thus, Feijóo asked the president to “present the General State Budget (PGE) as is his constitutional duty and to convene the State of the Nation Debate to portray the loneliness of a Government that is no longer such and the loneliness of a zombie president”. Two specific requests, to which the leader of the PP added that of “presenting before Congress his defense plan, if he has one”, because not even that “can be put before democracy”.
– Feijóo was very critical of the way the Executive has been proceeding, which he accused of having assaulted the division of powers – “Sánchez has to be the only and the great power: he has the executive at his service, the judiciary under his signaling and the legislature kidnapped”- and of wanting to intervene public and private companies “to control everything”.
– He also criticized the government’s use of immigrant minors to stay in power by using them as “currency to buy its permanence in the government”. “And now comes the height of their cynicism, with immigration. They have been years with a null migratory policy, counterproductive and that causes a call effect and at the same time we have been putting up with their moralizing for years. And what have they done? Distribute minors at their convenience, not according to their capabilities. And all this happens thanks to the president of hypocrisy. It is him, it is only him. It is Sanchez, only Sanchez. Everything else does not matter. Everything else is dispensable. Integrity, the given word, public service and even democracy are dispensable,” he warned, while vindicating the opposition role of the PP, ”a forcefully free party. Free to reach agreements even if it bothers some and others; free because whoever comes to us with blackmail or a threat leaves the way they came; and free because we want neither the applause of those who harm our nation from within nor the pat on the back of those who can harm it from outside. Our only allies are the Spaniards”. Source, Spanish: https://www.abc.es/espana/feijoo-reta-sanchez-presentar-presupuestos-congreso-retrate-20250324132438-nt_amp.html
AXARQUÍA
Moclinejo, Benamargosa, Comares, Cútar, Almáchar and El Borge recover the normal water supply: {Translation, summary}
– Axaragua manages to recover the normal supply of water after repairing damage to the supply pipes in the channels of the Benagalbón and Benamargosa rivers.
– The repairs have been carried out as river flows have decreased and access to the damaged area has been possible.
Even so, a rational and moderate use of resources is still advised, although supply cuts are not expected. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/moclinejo-benamargosa-comares-cutar-almachar-y-el-borge-recuperan-el-suministro-normal-de-agua/
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The Board keeps the private desalination project in the Axarquía alive: {Translation}
– Despite the fact that months ago the Minister of Water of the Junta de Andalucía, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, assured that there is only the project of a public desalination plant in the Axarquia, the Official Gazette of the public administration (BOJA) published last March 18 an announcement of the agreement of March 11, 2025, of the Territorial Delegation of Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy in Malaga, by which the project of the company Magtel on the development of a private desalination plant in the Axarquia, specifically in the municipality of Velez-Malaga, is submitted to public information.
– On June 5, 2023, Magtel reported on the intention to develop a desalination plant in the Axarquia: “Specifically Magtel has projected a desalination plant of 40 cubic hectometers next to the WWTP of Velez-Malaga with the aim of addressing the water deficit that is suffering the area of the Axarquia in Malaga. The irrigators of this area are the most affected, so this plant is proposed as an alternative resource to alleviate the effects of the drought”, stated the document published two years ago.
– Magtel’s desalination plant proposal has been designed “with the necessary flexibility to adapt production to the real needs of each cycle, as well as to fit in with the Hydrological Plan, being able to produce in stages of 10, 20, 30 or 40 cubic hectometers per year”, according to the company.
– This plant would guarantee the urban supply of the area “with up to 10 cubic hectometers per year and the rest, up to 40 cubic hectometers for irrigation”, the document detailed. Thus, the project contemplated the possibility of a future expansion to 60 cubic hectometers per year, as well as the solution for the incorporation of the desalinated resource into the irrigation and supply systems. They also valued the cost of the project at more than 100 million Euros.
***Reaction from Ecologists in Action***
– The president of the Gabinete de Estudios de la Naturaleza de la Axarquía (Gena – Ecologistas en Acción), Rafael Yus, has assessed the following: “We are aware of this project, which started the initial strategic environmental assessment process some time ago. Now what it is asking for is a concession for its facilities in the delta of the Vélez river and to continue with the project, which still lacks the environmental impact study. Regarding this desalination plant we have to say that this region does not need another desalination plant, with the one being built by the State we have more than enough. Two desalination plants means an impossible competition to maintain, taking into account that the price per cubic meter is already higher than the water received from the reservoir of La Viñuela”. “On the other hand, assuming that they are compatible, this would mean an oversupply of water, which he claims would cause an unsustainable increase in the irrigated area, which could even reach the dry lands of the Colmenar-Periana Corridor”, as highlighted by the biologist.
– Also, the situation has changed since this company began the proceedings a couple of years ago, because in this time, “the Ministry of Transition has declared in the delta of the Velez River the qualification of ‘serious regression’, which according to Article 29 of the Regulations of the Coastal Act, involves the prohibition of building all types of buildings and structures in this place, where at least have to go pipes and a cantara,a work of some scale that, to top it all is trying to build on land classified as undeveloped land protected by flood risk. So we consider that this desalination plant is neither necessary (it is even harmful) nor is the location of part of its infrastructure legally acceptable,” added Yus. Photo: Ignacio Martín, MH. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/provincia/junta-somete-informacion-publica-proyecto_0_2003590489.html
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The squall train ends leaving 72.57 cubic hectometers in La Viñuela reservoir and rising: {Translation}
– Almost 37 cubic hectometers of water. This is what the reservoir of La Viñuela has gained after the passage of the train of squalls through the Axarquia during the month. At mid-afternoon on Monday, March 24, the dam has 72.57 cubic hectometers, which is 44.15% of its total capacity. An amount that will continue to increase over the next few days even though it is no longer raining due to runoff from rivers and streams. Only in the last week the reservoir that supplies the region has added another 12.48 cubic hectometers to reach the current 72.57, when a year ago it only had 16.43 cubic hectometers, bring considered “dead” in July 2023, when it hit bottom with a historic low of 14.76 cubic hectometers and 8.98% of its total capacity. The situation, therefore, has changed considerably since that emergency due to severe shortage in the face of drought.
– Thus, the drought committee of the Mediterranean Basins meets next Tuesday, March 25 with the expectation of lowering again the water restrictions in Malaga and Axarquia, a region in which the supply is currently limited to 200 liters per capita per day apart from an allocation of three cubic hectometers for irrigation. As Málaga Hoy reports, the drought committees were to be held in early March, but the Andalusian Government decided to postpone them due to the generalized rains that were occurring, so that the irrigation and supply measures would be as good as possible. Now that the storm train has passed, the situation of each demarcation will be analyzed and an increase in water allocations will be evaluated, according to the newspaper.
– The Andalusian government has indicated that most of the demarcations will have “good news”, although it warns that the rains have been uneven throughout Andalusia. According to this, an agreement is expected to mean a generalized improvement, in line with what was stated by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, who already said that the allocations for irrigation and supply were going to improve thanks to the rainfall. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/el-tren-de-borrascas-termina-dejando-7257-hectometros-cubicos-en-el-embalse-de-la-vinuela-y-subiendo/
RINCÓN DE LA VICTORIA
Rincón de la Victoria will celebrate the Crafts Fair (Los Días Europeos de la Artesanía) with a regional open day and activities in the Al-Andalus square on April 4: {Translation}
– The Plaza Al-Andalus will host various stands “with regional artisans who will present their creations from potters, weavers, leather, among others. It will be an open day with workshops, live demonstrations, activities, in which artists will share their production process with the public,” explains the mayor of the Area, Lola Ramos (PP).
– The mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, Francisco Salado (PP), has indicated that, “this is an excellent opportunity for artisans in the region to promote their products and crafts in general, bringing first hand the secrets of the trade within the sphere of craft creation of enormous tradition, wealth and uniqueness.”
– The free access meeting will begin at 10:00 hours and will run throughout the day until 20:00 hours. The mayor has invited to participate artisans, artists, associations, or groups wishing to show their craft craft. To do this they must register on the website: https://www.diasdelaartesania.es
Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/rincon-de-la-victoria-celebrara-la-feria-de-la-artesania-con-una-jornada-comarcal-de-puertas-abiertas-y-actividades-en-la-plaza-al-andalus-el-proximo-4-de-abril/
EUROPE
EU Overlords New Diktat- Will require the opening of critical raw material mines in Spain and across Europe: {Translation Link Provided}
– The economic security of the European Union and access to critical raw materials, those that are essential for the digital and green transition (Agenda 2030) or in the field of defence are being addressed. These have become political priorities for the European Union in the wake of the disruption of supply chains following Covid, the Russian invasion of Ukraine or the technological battle between the United States and China. Aware of this, the European Commission plans to present {perhaps ‘impose’ would be more accurate?} next Tuesday, March 25, a strategic plan for the reopening or new exploitation of mines of this type of key materials in several countries of the bloc, including Spain.
– It will not be a simple task, since the implementation of a mining exploitation entails a high investment and requires a long period of time (between 10 and 15 years) to obtain the necessary permits. This, without counting on the social rejection it generates in some regions.
– A report, cited by Judith Arnal and Enrique Feás, researchers at the Elcano Royal Institute, in a recent article, concluded that in Spain it would be advisable to “promote scientific and technical research into new properties, promote the registration of patents and the exploitation of high-tech applications”.
– The paper identifies at least four areas with presence of rare earths, which are a part of those critical minerals. They are Campo de Montiel (Ciudad Real) {currently a ZEPA protected zone, pic}, where there would be deposits of monazite with neodymium, lanthanum and cerium; the Galiñeiro mountain range (Pontevedra), the Rambla de las Granatillas (Almería) and the basal complex of Fuerteventura (Las Palmas).
– There is also talk of the presence of significant proportions of lanthanum and cerium in Domo del Tormes (border between Salamanca and Zamora) and in three submarine deposits studied by the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain in the Gulf of Cadiz, the bank of Galicia and the Tropic seamount in the Canary Islands. {See more Andalucian rare earths info at the additional info link below.}
– Cerium is used to polish glass instruments such as cameras, lenses and other details of optimal instruments; lanthanum is added to steel to improve its ductility, malleability and impact resistance; while neodynium is used to make magnets that power electric vehicle motors.
– At the national level in Spain, work is already being done to adapt the requirements of this European ‘road map’. The country has a Mining Law from 1973 which, from the expert’s point of view, is a good regulation at a technical level, but it has become obsolete in everything that has to do with administrative aspects (hence it takes up to ten years to start up a mine). It is also very conservative because the mines are not the property of the companies, but a State concession.
– At the moment, the Ministry for Ecological Transition is finalizing a list of critical minerals and rare earths that will be a priority to search for in active or abandoned mining areas. The department has not yet defined the budget it intends to allocate for aid to mining companies that carry out these actions. However, it has also set itself the objective of making a public relations effort to explain to the citizens the importance of Spain being able to supply part of the minerals that European industry will need. In this task, the collaboration of the autonomous communities, which are the ones that grant the licenses for the exploitation of the mines, will be important.
– Read the full article translated into English here: Article Link
Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/lainformacion/economia-y-finanzas/union-europea-minas-materias-primas-criticas-espana-5693406/
– Additional info on rare-earth mining in Andalucia, Spanish article in English: Article Link
CANADA
Liberal Canadian PM Carney calls snap election, says Trump wants to break Canada:
– New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called a snap election for April 28, saying he needed a strong mandate to deal with the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who “wants to break us so America can own us.”
– Carney, a former two-time central banker with no previous political or election campaign experience, captured the Liberal leadership two weeks ago by persuading party members he was the best person to tackle Trump. Key to any victory will be a good performance in the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec. Carney had trouble at one press conference when asked to respond in French, first misunderstanding the question and then answering in English.
– Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre {pic}, on the other hand, speaks flawless French and is a seasoned politician who has fought seven elections. “What we need to do is put Canada first for a change,” Poilievre said at a press conference on Sunday to launch his campaign, adding that his policies, including tax cuts and increased resource production, would bring back investment, helping Canada become more self-reliant and better equipped to stand up to Trump. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canadas-carney-poised-call-election-seeks-mandate-tackle-trump-2025-03-23/
MIDDLE EAST
Israeli strike at Gaza hospital kills five, including senior Hamas figure:
– An Israeli airstrike on Sunday night hit the largest hospital in southern Gaza, killing five people, including a top Hamas political leader. The Gaza health ministry said the strike hit the surgery department at Nasser hospital in the city of Khan Younis. The Israeli military said its attack followed extensive intelligence and used precise munitions to minimise harm at the site.
– Hamas said a member of its political office, Ismail Barhoum, had been killed. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the target was Barhoum. Hamas’s al-Aqsa TV said Barhoum was being treated at the hospital for wounds sustained in a previous attack. Video on social media showed a fire blazing on the third storey of what appeared to be the hospital.
– Palestinian health authorities said Israeli strikes had killed at least 65 people in the territory in the past 24 hours. Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/23/israeli-strike-at-gaza-hospital-kills-five-including-hamas-political-leader
HEALTH
The SAS will have to compensate with €107,000 the family of a woman who died from a botched enema at the Axarquía Hospital: {Translation, summary}
– {This is a prime example of how slow the courts are to process the huge backlog of malpractice claims against the SAS. Ed.} The Andalusian Health Service must pay 107,366 euros for the death of the woman. It occurred at The Axarquía Regional Hospital between September 12 and 20, 2014 when the resident physician prescribed an enema to the woman despite her having a colostomy bag. The procedure was done by a nurse and an assistant without recognizing that the patient already had a persistent biliary fistula drainage in the orifice, making it incompatible with an enema procedure, within hours leading to severe sepsis and death.
– Although the fundamental cause of the patient’s death was the pancreatic cancer from which the woman was suffering, the immediate cause was determined to be the improper placement of the enema due to the biliary fistula, which led to her immediate death.
– The claimants requested 134,207.73 euros but the Administration proposed a reduction in the compensation, indicating that the previous pathologies of the patient, her age or her predisposition to suffer certain diseases or that her own physical or psychological condition would enhance or favor the harmful effects had to be taken into account. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/axarquia/obligan-sas-indemnizar-107366-euros-familiares-mujer-error-fallecida-hospital-axarquia-malaga-20250317111955-nt.html
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Roundup Weedkiller Verdict- Georgia (USA) Jury Orders Bayer To Pay $2 Billion:
– German agricultural and pharmaceutical giant Bayer fell in European trading after a Georgia jury ordered Monsanto’s parent company to pay $2.1 billion in damages to a man who claimed the company’s Roundup weed killer caused his cancer.
– Late Friday, the State Court of Cobb County, Georgia, reached a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, John Barnes, who filed a lawsuit against Monsanto in 2021, seeking damages related to his non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
– Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018 and has since been battered with dispute claims that Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, causes cancer. The German company has set aside over $16 billion to settle the lawsuits. Bayer responded to the penalties awarded that include $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages for the plaintiff: “We disagree with the jury’s verdict, as it conflicts with the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence and the consensus of regulatory bodies and their scientific assessments worldwide. We believe that we have strong arguments on appeal to get this verdict overturned and the excessive and unconstitutional damage awards eliminated or reduced.”
– Earlier, Goldman’s James Quigley, Rajan Sharma, and others noted that this is the first case in Georgia, “typically awards are reduced on appeal.” Full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/roundup-weedkiller-verdict-georgia-jury-orders-bayer-pay-2-billion
RECALLS
Rice Bags Recalled: {Translation, summary}
– The Ministry of Health and the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) have issued an urgent alert for a batch of frozen rice that does not specify allergens in its labeling. The labeling of this product does not clarify the presence or not of crustaceans, fish, mollusks or milk, so Health warns with special care to those people with allergies to these foods.
– The product in question is 4 Golden Savoury Rice Steam Bags, of the Iceland brand, more specifically on a batch that is marketed in 600-gram packages and can be found in the frozen food section. The affected lot has a best-before date of November 16, 2025. The rice has been distributed mainly in supermarkets of the Belgian chain Iceland, present in several autonomous communities such as Andalusia, Murcia and the Valencian Community, although they warn that it is possible that it has reached other regions.
– Health has asked the establishments that commercialize this frozen rice to withdraw the indicated lots immediately, being those dated with preferential consumption on November 16, 2025 the affected ones.
– The presence of undeclared allergens can pose a serious danger to those with food allergies and intolerances, so Health recalls the importance of reading the labeling before buying, especially if it is precooked or frozen products.
– Photos may not include all possible varieties recalled.
Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/gastronomia/productos/marca-arroz-sanidad-retira-supermercado-5693777/
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Salmonella alert for popular fried pork rinds (chicharricos or torreznos in Spanish) sold in Andalusia: {Translation, summary}
– The alert warns of the presence of salmonella in pork rinds of the brands Frit Ravich and Sun Snacks, which were sold in Andalusia, Catalonia, Castilla y León, Madrid and the Valencian Community. Specifically, there are two products involved, as announced by AESAN.
– The first is Frit Ravich brand pork chicharricos (barbecue flavor) of 50 grams and 800 grams, specifically lots 3001 and 2301 for the 50 gram package and lot 3101 for the 800 gram package.
– The second product alert is for Sun Snacks brand 90 gram Torreznos (barbecue flavored), the affected lots are 2901 and 2001.
– These items should not be consumed; return them to place of purchase for refund. In the case of having consumed any of the products of the affected lots and presenting the symptoms of salmonellosis (mainly diarrhea and / or vomiting accompanied by fever and headache) it is recommended to go to a health center.
Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/sociedad/salud/alerta-salmonella-conocidos-torreznos-vendidos-andalucia-20250323165424-nt.html
SPANISH ROYALS
Unexpected Images of Princess Leonor Emerge While She Enjoys Leisure Time with Her Peers:
– Princess Leonor arrived in Chile a few days ago on her next stop aboard Elcano.
– After her arrival in Chile, Princess Leonor has taken advantage of her free time to explore some of the most emblematic spots in Punta Arenas. Accompanied by several companions from her journey, she visited Café Pub Colonial, a popular place among locals and tourists. During her visit, she enjoyed a beer, something unusual for the young heiress, who showed a more relaxed and approachable side. Images: Instagram. Full article: https://e-noticies.cat/en/people/u-turn-discover-what-princess-leonor-has-done-during-her-trip-to-chile
CULTURE
Photos of the last red carpet of the Malaga Festival 2025:
Full 60 image gallery: https://www.malagahoy.es/festival-cine-malaga/fotos-ultima-alfombra-roja-festival-malaga-2025_3_2003580125.html#slide-1
RELIGION
Pope Francis returns to Vatican after five weeks in hospital:
– Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after surviving a five-week battle in hospital against double pneumonia that became the most serious health crisis of his 12-year papacy. The 88-year-old pope, who also made his first public appearance since February 14 before being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital, left the facility shortly after noon.
– Although the pope has returned from hospital, his doctors have said it would still take “a lot of time” for his ageing body to heal fully. They have prescribed a further two months of rest at the Vatican and told him to avoid large or stressful meetings, leaving unclear how much activity Francis will undertake in the coming months. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-francis-makes-first-public-appearance-five-weeks-ahead-leaving-hospital-2025-03-23/
OTHER
23andMe ancestry finder files for bankruptcy, CEO resigns – Fate Of DNA Data Now In Court-Supervised Sale:
– Shares of 23andMe crashed in premarket trading on Monday after the genetic testing unicorn startup filed for bankruptcy in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, following a slide in demand for its ancestry kits and a data breach. The bankruptcy raises one alarming question about DNA security: What will happen to the genetic data of the company’s more than 15 million customers?
– Let’s see who buys this gigantic pool of genetic data…and whatever scheme they use to monetize it. The Trump administration should be watching over the sale to ensure Chinese PE firms do not purchase this treasure trove of US genetic data. Full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/23andme-files-bankruptcy-ceo-resigns-fate-americans-dna-data-now-court-supervised-sale
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Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles.
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio
Useful Links, Info & Numbers
2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo
Competa
Malaga
Nerja
Rincon
Torrox
Velez-Málaga
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2025 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html
Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html
Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Nerja Car Boot
Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231
Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112
Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238
Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm
Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily.
https://www.20minutos.es/loterias/
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Malaga Province: New, updated link (Aug, 2023). Info in English with list of English speaking meetings. https://aacostadelsol.com/
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