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Upcoming Holidays: Friday, 28 February is Andalucia Day, a public holiday.
DigameXtra will be closed. Posts scheduled for Friday, 28 February will be posted one day early, on Thursday, the 27th.
After Andalucia Day, the next national public holidays are the 17th (Holy Thursday) & 18th (Good Friday) of April.
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What’s On
Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra!
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Carnival of Vélez-Málaga: Thurs – Sun, 20 -23 Feb.
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Semana Blanca 2025 in Nerja: February 24 to March 1.
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Granada’s Medieval Market of the 3 Cultures (El Mercado Medieval) in Zaidín – Vergeles: 27 Feb – 2 Mar
Plaza de la Hípica, Granada (Zaidín–Vergeles neighborhood)
With an agenda full of shows and activities, the market promises to transport visitors to authentic medieval experience. Located in the dynamic neighborhood of Zaidín-Vergeles, the Plaza de la Hípica is a key space in Granada that will host this event. Renowned for its vibrant urban life, during these days it will witness a spectacular change, becoming a medieval setting full of colors, sounds and flavors.
Activities for the whole family
Fire Shows and Birds of Prey Exhibitions
Workshops for Children
Parades and Pageants
A Market with numerous Unique Stalls
Immerse yourself in Medieval Times
Info: https://feriasymercadosmedievales.com/agenda…
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Concert- Sabrina Romero Trio present “Sentimientos”:
Thur, 6 Mar, 8pm. Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja
C/ Granada 45, Nerja.
A singer, dancer, percussionist, Sabrina is French from an Andalusian family. At the 
age of 12 she won her first dance prize in Nimes and danced for Paco de Lucía. At the age of 19, she settled in Spain and became part of the companies of Beatriz Martín, Javier Latorre, Rocío Molina and Joaquín Grilo, touring internationally. She performed in trio format with Juan Carlos Gutiérrez on flamenco guitar, and Diego Suárez on keyboards. Info & tix (€18): https://www.giglon.com/todos?idEvent=sabrina-romero-trio-sentimientos & Video Link
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Buy / Sell / Trade / Rent / Wanted
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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
Sanchez refuses to testify- denies request attend the ‘Begoña Commission’ in the Madrid Assembly: {Translation, summary}
– The commission of inquiry into the alleged favorable treatment of the Complutense University to the wife of the President of the Government, Begoña Gómez, faces the sixth working session on Wednesday with an absence that was expected and that has been confirmed this Monday afternoon. Pedro Sánchez {pic} has informed the Assembly that he will not attend the commission of inquiry.
– The reply was sent by La Moncloa, addressed to the president of the Assembly, 
Enrique Ossorio. In the letter, it is explained that “it is a reiterated doctrine of the Council of State that the autonomic Parliaments do not have the power to require the appearance of authorities, officials or agents, current or former, of the State”. “Therefore, in the condition of State authority of the President of the Government, the provisions of the aforementioned rulings are taken into account”. The Council of State will now consider if this excuse to avoid testifying is valid.
– In the event that the opinion of the Council of State concludes that Sanchez presence is mandatory, he would be re-sent the request with his summons to the commission, and he would be informed of this obligation and the legal consequences of non-compliance. The Bureau would have to set a date to resume the session and finalize the work plan. Source, Spanish: https://www.abc.es/espana/madrid/comision-begona-suspendera-sanchez-acude-espera-dictamen-20250217174742-nt_amp.html
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Sanchez tries to scam the new EU defence requirements- rather than boost defence spending on improving Spain’s defence capacity he is simply raising the military salaries, a clear insult to other EU countries that invest in increased capacity, the actual purpose of the mandate: {Translation, summary}
– In the midst of the European debate on the military investment of each country and the demands of the United States to assume their responsibilities, the Government has announced a salary increase in the Armed Forces that will allow Spain to increase its defense spending by 400 million euros.
– Specifically, the Ministry of Defense will approve “in the next few days” a decree to increase military salaries, which will supposedly allow the Government to try to get out of the worst position in defense investment among major NATO countries, where they are only above Luxembourg (see chart).
– This quick-fix ploy by the Sanchez administration is intended to count as defense spending in the eyes of NATO and will be another way to quickly improve the low figure of 1.28% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that Spain presented in 2024. Spain should have reached 2% last year but in 2022 it asked for more time and set itself the goal of reaching that figure in 2029. Source, Spanish: https://www.abc.es/espana/gobierno-aumentara-sueldos-militares-subir-400-millones-20250218141756-nt.html
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Feijóo warns of Sánchez that “you can’t play” with security obligations and believes that Ukraine will test government unity: {Translation, summary}
– The leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo {pic}, has warned this Tuesday the head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez, that “you can not play” with security and stressed that the key moment in Europe with peace in Ukraine and the debate on defense will test the “strength and unity” of the coalition government of PSOE and Sumar.
– At an event in Librilla (Murcia) after visiting the citrus company García Aranda, 
S.L, Feijóo stressed that at this moment he does not know if “it is possible” that the head of the Executive is “able to coexist with his partners, both with his partners in the Government and with his parliamentary partners”.
– “We do not know because it is evident that in the Government there are no agreements and it is also evident that between the Government and the parliamentary partners there are also divergences. What I do warn is that you cannot play with our security, you cannot play with the productive sectors of our country and you cannot play with the international prestige of our nation,” he warned. “If the world is moving, Europe cannot stand idly by. The citizens need and deserve a European Union that reacts and that the European Union is a relevant actor in international politics”, he said, adding that ‘tantrums, lamentations, insults do not fit’ in a context in which, in his opinion, ‘determination, pragmatism, intelligence and diplomacy are obligatory’. Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-feijoo-avisa-sanchez-no-puede-jugar-seguridad-cree-ucrania-pondra-prueba-unidad-gobierno-20250218140028.html
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The Constitutional Court warns Sánchez, “The Magna Carta demands solidarity between communities”: {Translation, summary}
– The Plenary of the Constitutional Court overturned last week the protocol for immigrant minors of the Canary Islands Government. In the sentence, drafted by the conservative Ricardo Enríquez and approved unanimously, the Plenary partially agrees with the central Executive because the newly arrived minors must be taken in by the autonomous community, since it is a matter of social assistance.
– However, the Constitutional Court did not limit itself to resolving this issue. The sentence includes a decision endorsed by all the magistrates that acquires special significance at a time when the Spanish Government is negotiating with Junts the cession of immigration competences to individual autonomous communities, such as is being done with Catalonia and the Canary Islands. In this tug of war, Puigdemont claims the “comprehensive management” to which Pedro Sánchez committed to him in January 2024 in order to receive investiture votes. For the Government, this position creates a dispute, follow the law or support those who blackmailed Sanchez so he can maintain his minority government.
– Once the ruling has been handed down, the Court assures that it cannot close its eyes to the reality underlying this “constitutional process”. According to its criteria, immigration is a phenomenon “of an evident supra-autonomic nature that transcends the circle of its own interests”, as stated in Article 137 of the Constitution, and “notoriously exceeds its capacity for autonomous management”. Source, Spanish: https://www.abc.es/espana/tribunal-constitucional-avisa-sanchez-carta-magna-exige-20250218035715-nt_amp.html
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Princess Leonor pays tribute to the fallen for Spain and Brazil during her stopover in Salvador de Bahia: {Translation, summary}
– The heiress to the throne together with a several colleagues and another formation of the Army, Marinha, and Força Air of Brazil have participated in a floral offering to the fallen of both Armed Forces, in the fort of Santa María de Salvador (Bahía), a construction of the construction of the seventeenth century. Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-princesa-leonor-rinde-homenaje-caidos-espana-brasil-escala-salvador-bahia-20250218181345.html
AXARQUÍA
The PSOE will demand that the Board resumes the construction of the TWO desalination plants “that it promised to promote in the Axarquia”: {Translation}
– The PSOE will demand in the plenary of the Provincial Council that the Andalusian Government resumes the project of the desalination plant “that it promised to promote in the Axarquia”. This was announced by the socialist spokesman in the provincial institution, Josele González, who has accused the president of the Board, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, of deceiving the people of Malaga.
– Gonzalez recalled that on May 11, 2023 the President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez, announced that the Government of Spain would assume the construction of a desalination plant in the region of Axarquia. “Faced with the dramatic drought situation that our province was suffering, the Government took a step forward and pledged to invest 100 million euros in the construction of this infrastructure,” he said.
– He also noted that six days after the commitment made by the Government of Spain, the president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, said he was anticipating that in the Axarquia there would be two desalination plants, “one private initiative and one from the central government.” “It has been almost two years and it does not seem that the two desalination plants committed to the Axarquia region are evolving in the same way,” he said.
– Thus, he has exposed that the desalination plant promoted by the Government of Spain “is moving forward”. “The Government, which will soon receive the preliminary draft of the Central Board of Users, is committed to expedite this action to the maximum. However, the desalination plant promoted by the Board is neither here nor expected,” he said. In this way, he recalled that in a recent visit to the Axarquia, the regional Minister of Water, Ramon Fernandez Pacheco, has ensured that at this time there is only one project, the government’s public desalination project. “Today, the only project that is on the table is the one being promoted by Acuamed,” said the counselor.
– “The commitment of the Board and, in particular, the promises of Moreno Bonilla to promote a second, privately operated desalination plant in the Axarquia have been a deception to the people of Malaga. Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla and the Popular Party have returned to deceive the people of Malaga and to sell smoke. In May 2023 promised to promote a private desalination plant in the Axarquia and now the counselor has said that they will not carry it out,” he said.
– Therefore, the PSOE wants that in the plenary the Diputación de Málaga rejects the failure of the president of the Junta de Andalucía to promote a desalination plant for the Axarquia by private initiative and urges the Junta de Andalucía to resume the project a desalination plant for the Axarquia by private initiative and to expedite it to the maximum, as well as the Government of Spain is doing with the public desalination plant. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/el-psoe-exigira-en-el-pleno-de-la-diputacion-que-la-junta-retome-el-proyecto-de-la-desaladora-que-se-comprometio-a-impulsar-en-la-axarquia/
MALAGA PROVINCE
They find two Brits, an old woman and her son, dead at her home in Alhaurín el Grande: {Translation}
– First died the son, who was 63 years old, and then for lack of care, his mother of 90. Their bodies were found last Thursday in Alhaurin el Grande. The main hypothesis is that both died of natural causes, she by starvation, as she was dependent. It was the social services of the City Council that set off the alarms. They had not heard from this British family for several days.
– The municipal technicians alerted the Local Police, who sent a patrol to check on them. It was not the first time, but Thursday was different. The local police knocked on the door, but no one opened it. In the absence of an answer, they went inside the house. Inside, they found the bodies of both, which showed no signs of violence. According to Sur, the municipal services had already intervened a few days earlier, when the ambulance service went to the house to assist the mother, who was in the terminal phase.
– The two corpses were transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine (IML) of Malaga for the autopsy. Source, Spanish: https://www.abc.es/espana/andalucia/malaga/hallan-anciana-hijo-muertos-casa-alhaurin-grande-20250218150050-nts.html
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Malaga, epicenter of the centenary of the Vuelta Ciclista a Andalucía, with three key stages: {Translation, summary}
– This 2025, the Vuelta Ciclista a Andalucía Ruta del Sol celebrates its centenary with Malaga as the main protagonist. From February 19 to 23, three stages will cross the province, starting with the queen stage on February 19, starting in Torrox and finishing in Nerja, which will pass through the Axarquia and its demanding mountain passes. In addition, Malaga will host the finish of the fourth stage, which will culminate in Alhaurín de la Torre, and will be the starting point of the last day, with destination in La Línea de la Concepción. These stages will be key in the fight for the general classification.
– The 71st edition of the Ruta del Sol is characterized by a route of more than 800 kilometers and 11 mountain passes, seven of which are in Malaga. The day of February 19, with 162.6 km, will be the hardest, with five mountain passes, highlighting the Alto Mirador de la Axarquía and the Alto de Canillas de Aceituno. This stage will be a challenge for climbers, marking important differences in the general classification. The province of Malaga will once again showcase its imposing mountain scenery, with towns such as Vélez, Algarrobo, Sedella and Cómpeta, among others, which will be the setting for this internationally renowned event.
– The Kilómetro de Oro will be another novelty, a special sprint that will award time bonuses and will be disputed at strategic points, such as Antequera in the fourth stage, which adds an extra component of excitement to the competition. In addition, the province will see how elite teams of world cycling, such as Movistar Team and UAE Team Emirates, will face each other in this race, considered one of the most important of the season in Spain. At the sporting level, the participation of riders such as Enric Mas, Thomas Pidcock and Michał Kwiatkowski, who will fight for victory in a course that favors both climbers and sprinters. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/malaga/1866806/malaga-epicentro-del-centenario-de-la-vuelta-ciclista-a-andalucia-con-tres-etapas-clave/
MALAGA CITY
Digital Desperation- Unable to attract tech workers due to low salaries, high rents and a failed plan to entice digital nomads, Malaga Techpark will now provide temporary housing for new workers: {Translation, summary}
– The alliance formed by Grupo Lar, a Spanish company specialized in management of real estate assets, and the Andalusia impact fund managed by Arcano, has closed an agreement with The Residential Club group for the management of its “housing solutions building” for the workers of Málaga Techpark. This project is in the end of works and is expected to open its doors in summer of 2025. If it is successful more of them will be needed to house the tens of thousands of anticipated Techpark employees in coming years.
– The property will host 105 accommodations and 186 beds and will have a total of five floors distributed in three blocks connected to each other. On an area of 7,500 square meters, the space will also have 56 parking spaces and a pool, as well as with bar-cafeteria, laundry, common rooms, a multipurpose room, gym, coworking spaces, a social room with cinema, a living room for events and a restoration space.
– This is the first non -permanent housing solution oriented to workers in Malaga Techpark. At present, Techpark houses 700 companies from 21 countries.
Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/malaga-capital/malaga-techpark-contara-verano-residencia-trabajadores-20250218134052-nt_amp.html
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Con Málaga calls for a plan to revitalize the ‘hippies’ flea market: {Translation, summary}
– Con Málaga calls for a plan to revitalize the hippie market next to the esplanade of the María Zambrano Station. The merchants, in the 80s and 90s could “earn 80,000 or 90,000 pesetas a day (between 480 and 540 euros a day), a fortune,” said Francisco Lopez, the only worker of that time that continues in the same position. Today, this idyllic situation has taken a 180-degree turn. Of the 20 stalls that could be found then, five are still standing and one is for sale. The municipal group will defend a motion next Thursday in the Economy Committee.
– On behalf of the traders of the craft market, Alba Vergara, has asked for basic actions: the improvement of night lighting, “that this is very poor and gives a feeling of insecurity for both citizens and visitors and negatively impacts on commercial activity.”
– Secondly, “the maintenance and cleanliness of the area, which is very neglected”. Thirdly, he explained, “establish a pedestrian crossing right in front of the Renfe gate, to allow people to pass through the market in an agile and safe way and stop being on an island surrounded by traffic”. “And as a fourth, it is essential to take advantage of the boulevard, of the wonderful shade trees we have to create an urban experience, so that both visitors and locals can enjoy this area.
– Toni Morillas, councilman of Con Málaga, explained that “the market of ‘the hippies’ of Malaga dates from 1979, is the oldest craft market in the city, with more than 45 years active”.
– The deputy spokeswoman for the leftist coalition has criticized that “the PP government talks a lot about aid and support for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, however, we are seeing how it turns its back on those who work day after day to move their business forward, trying to do something that very few people do in Malaga, as evidenced by the fact that it is the oldest craft market in the city of Malaga.”
– Thus, Morillas has asked the government team to “take seriously the claims of traders and artisans, which are common sense claims and that would revitalize this space.” Specifically, “so that it can be a space where the urban experience could be facilitated, where there could be urban art, the roofs could be improved, pedestrian access from the train station could be improved, lighting and security could be improved, the roofs could be improved and, ultimately, it could become a safe, friendly and attractive environment for the residents of Malaga who want to buy local crafts and also for those who visit us. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/malaga-reclama-plan-revitalizar-mercadillo-hippies_0_2003359985.html
GRANADA
Semi-naked man breaks into woman’s flat in Granada, puts on her dressing gown and makes himself dinner:
– A man in just his underwear broke into an elderly woman’s flat in the San Ildefonso neighbourhood in Granada, put on her dressing gown and made himself dinner, before being arrested by the Local Police. The odd incident happened on Sunday night in Calle Parra Alta de Cartuja.
– The assailant, who had sneaked into the building, rang the doorbell of the woman’s flat. Although she could not see anyone through the peephole, the woman opened the door, thinking that the noises she could hear indicated that a neighbour of hers was in trouble. The door had barely moved, when a foot slipped through the gap. The semi-naked man shoved the victim aside and entered her home. The woman ran to the street and started screaming. In the meantime, the perpetrator locked the door.
– What followed stunned the victim and other witnesses who observed the events through the flat’s window: the man put on one of the woman’s dressing gowns, calmly made himself dinner and even sat comfortably on the sofa.
– Residents of the building called the emergency services at 9.40pm. Three units of the Local Police were sent to the scene. Police sources tried to get the man to open the door on his own initiative, but the assailant was oblivious to everything that was going on. The police officers called the fire brigade for support. Firefighters managed to access the flat via an interior patio. Within minutes, the man was arrested and taken to the city’s National Police headquarters. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/costa-tropical/raids-womans-flat-granada-naked-puts-her-20250218121654-nt.html
GIBRALTAR
Spain Might Tighten Border Checks for Gibraltar Residents, Gibraltar Warns of Reciprocal Action:
– Spain’s police might tighten the border controls for residents of Gibraltar this week, raising concerns among the Gibraltar authorities. As a local media report explains, the Spanish police chief has reportedly ordered the officers in this part of the country to begin stamping the passports of Gibraltar residents in a gradual manner, Schengen.News reports.
– This order has come despite Spain, the UK, Gibraltar, and the EU Commission reaching an interim agreement until a final decision is made on a new framework for the movement of EU passport holders and UK passport holders into the territory of one another. Under the current interim agreement, red ID card holders should be permitted to enter Spanish territory without being required to undergo checks that apply to other non-EU citizens. After Brexit, the red ID card holders group includes Gibraltar residents holding a UK passport too, Gibraltar Chronicle explains.
– This means that all those who hold a red ID card, including Gibraltar-resident British passport holders, can cross the border and enter the Schengen Area without having their passport stamped. However, in case the Spanish police decide to tighten the immigration check for Gibraltar residents, this will not be the case anymore.
– On the other hand, Gibraltar permits EU passport holders to enter its territory only with their ID card. Full article: https://schengen.news/spain-might-tighten-border-checks-for-gibraltar-residents-gibraltar-warns-of-reciprocal-action/
MIGRATION IN SPAIN
Two Cayucos arrive at El Hierro with 157 migrants aboard in recent hours: {Translation}
– Two Cayucos with 157 migrants on board have arrived in the last hours to El Hierro Island, they report sources of maritime rescue and the 112 Canary Islands.
– The first was located late on Monday afternoon to about 10 miles southwest of the island after a call to 112 of one of the occupants of the boat. The rescue device mobilized the Helimer 204 and Salvamar Adhara, maritime rescue, and the Cuco helicopter of the Civil Guard, and the migrants were landed in the port of La Restinga. In the Cayuco 69 men and four women were traveling, all in apparent good health.
– The second has arrived in the early hours of this Tuesday at the port of La Restinga with 84 people-81 men of sub-Saharan origin and three women-two of whom have been treated by health services with a picture of mild hypothermia. The Cayuco overturned in the immediate vicinity of the port but the migrants managed to come ashore on their own. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1866644/llegan-dos-cayucos-a-el-hierro-con-157-migrantes-a-bordo-en-las-ultimas-horas/
EUROPE
European leaders want a say in talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. The US is brushing EU off and Dutch PM explains why:
– European leaders insisted Monday they must have a say in international talks to end the war in Ukraine despite the clear message from both Washington and Moscow that there was no role for them as yet in negotiations that could shape the future of the continent.
– Three hours of emergency talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris left leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, NATO and the European Union without a common view on possible peacekeeping troops after a U.S. diplomatic blitz on Ukraine last week threw a once-solid trans-Atlantic alliance into turmoil.
– U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for U.S. backing while reaffirming he’s ready to consider sending British forces on the Ukrainian ground alongside others “if there is a lasting peace agreement.”
– There was a rift though with some EU nations, like Poland, which have said they don’t want their military imprint on Ukraine soil. French President Emmanuel Macron was non-committal.
– Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof acknowledged the Europeans “need to come to a common conclusion about what we can contribute. And that way we will eventually get a seat at the table,” adding that “just sitting at the table without contributing is pointless.”
Full article: https://apnews.com/article/eu-europe-ukraine-nato-security-summit-trump-060c8661c59f8f75b96711d3889ce559
GASTRONOMIA
They create an intelligent sensor to detect the freshness of fish and meat: {Translation}
– The ECSens research group of the University of Granada (UGR) has developed a sensor that allows to determine the freshness of packaged foods such as fish and meat through a color change. This sensor, made with natural compounds such as turmeric and red cabbage, is biocompatible and non-toxic, which allows its “direct contact” with food, as reported by the UGR in a press release on Friday.
– The detection is carried out by means of a camera or a smartphone, which facilitates its use by consumers. This breakthrough is part of a line of research 
initiated in 2015 that seeks to “improve food safety through smart packaging.” The sensor developed by UGR researchers detects the presence of ammonia, a compound that is released during the decomposition of fish. Depending on the concentration of the same in the packaging, it changes color, thus indicating the level of freshness of the product. “This system is not only safe for the consumer, but it is also very accessible, since it uses common technologies such as cameras or smartphones for its operation”, detailed from the UGR.
– The ECSens team, formed by researchers from the departments of Analytical Chemistry and Electronics and Computer Technology, is now working on the integration of this sensor in fish trays and on the possibility of “performing the detection through mobile applications”.
– This breakthrough adds to other achievements of the group, such as the development of a carbon dioxide sensor to determine the freshness of pork, published in 2020. In that case, the researchers were able to monitor the freshness of meat in real time using a smartphone, allowing consumers to “verify the state of the product before buying or consuming it.”
– For the head of the study, “these innovations not only improve food safety, but also contribute to reducing food waste by allowing consumers to make informed decisions about the freshness of what they buy and consume. Smart packaging represents a further step towards safer and more sustainable food”. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1866611/crean-un-sensor-inteligente-para-detectar-la-frescura-del-pescado-y-la-carne/
HEALTH
Measles outbreak in a day care center on the coast of Malaga rises- eight cases already confirmed: {Translation, summary}
– The new outbreak of measles detected in a nursery on the coast of Malaga adds, 10 days after the first detection, a total of eight confirmed cases, as confirmed to this newspaper sources from the health administration.
– It was in the first week of February when the first infections were reported. At that time, two of them were still suspected and one was considered confirmed. The affected children were twins aged 2 years and a third aged 14 months. All of them had a common denominator: they were not vaccinated with the triple viral vaccine, an inoculation that protects against this disease, rubella and mumps.
– As there were three cases in the same school, the Junta de Andalucía declared it a measles outbreak. Since then, five more cases associated with this outbreak have been confirmed. In view of these cases, the Consejería de Salud de la Junta de Andalucía immediately activated the surveillance and follow-up protocol. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/suben-casos-brote-sarampion-guarderia-malaga_0_2003357914.html
TECH
New FrigidStealer Malware Targets macOS Users Via Fake Browser Update Pop-Ups {pic}:
– Cybersecurity researchers are alerting to a new campaign that leverages popup messages to deliver a new Apple macOS malware known as FrigidStealer.
– TA2727 is a “threat actor that uses fake update themed lures to distribute a variety of malware payloads,” the Proofpoint Threat Research Team said in a report shared with The Hacker News.
– The campaign works by redirecting users to a fake update page that downloads a new information stealer codenamed FrigidStealer, thereby infecting the device.
– {The best way to avoid this threat is to keep your Mac fully updated by frequently doing updates manually, system & apps. Never do an update by clicking on a pop-up message on your screen. -DrLaptop} Full article: https://thehackernews.com/2025/02/new-frigidstealer-malware-targets-macos.html
OTHER
Brit Biker Couple Update- Iran accuses detained British couple of spying:
– Iranian authorities have accused a British couple from Andalucia, detained in the country since January, of spying, state media reported Tuesday.
– Mizanonline.ir, a news website affiliated with the country’s judiciary, cited Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for the judiciary as saying that the Revolutionary Guard’s intelligence forces incarcerated the couple, a man and a woman, while in the southern city of Kerman at the time.
– They are accused of spying and having links to intelligence agencies of “hostile countries” and collecting information from several Iranian provinces, according to Jahangir who didn’t provide further details. The report didn’t name the couple, however, a family statement released Saturday through the U.K. Foreign Office identified them as Craig and Lindsay Foreman, saying their situation was distressing and causing “significant concern.”
– The two were reportedly traveling around the world on motorbikes when they were detained in January. British media, citing social media posts, reported that they had crossed into Iran from Armenia on Dec. 30 and were planning to enter Pakistan next. Full article: https://apnews.com/article/iran-britain-couple-spying-93c7cf147b039b95ccdd029b33e81e8b
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Young Polish woman Julia Wendell claiming to be Madeleine McCann provides DNA tests: {Translation, summary}
– The case of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, the three year old British girl who disappeared in Portugal in 2007, continues to generate interest and controversy 16 years later. Now, 23 year old Julia Wendell has come forward claiming to be Madeleine and has provided DNA evidence that could support this claim.
– Recently, Julia Wendell has published on her Instagram account the results of a DNA analysis that, according to her, could demonstrate that it is Madeleine McCann. Although the missing girl’s parents refused to participate in the test, Wendell’s genetic profile was used and compared with DNA samples found in the room where Madeleine disappeared.
– According to the report presented by Wendell, there is a 69.23% genetic match with Gerry McCann, Madeleine’s father. The document states that this is “a perfect match between father and child” and that “scientific evidence strongly supports that McCann could be Julia’s biological father”. In addition, the analysis indicates that Wendell’s genetic background would be British and Irish, which matches Madeleine’s background.
– Monte Miller, a genetics expert who has reviewed the results, sent an email to Julia Wendell endorsing the validity of the test. According to Miller, the genetic profiles “match quite well, more than I would expect at random, so a specific pattern emerges that looks like an almost certain family connection.” Source, Spanish: https://www.diariodesevilla.es/sociedad/desaparicion-madeleine-mccann-joven-revela-prueba-adn-crucial_0_2003357111.html
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Fun & Games
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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
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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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