DigameXtra No. 2958 BRIDGE WEEKEND EDITION Thursday, February 27th, 2025

 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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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Upcoming Holiday: 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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Car Boot- La Vinuela Pantano: Sunday, 2 March
Our market now in it’s 17th year is held in the car park of El Pantano restaurant on the A356, Km. 30, overlooking the lake, and is renowned for the high quality secondhand goods for the home, garden, clothing, and in addition, popular handmade crafts. So come and visit us this coming Sunday, 2nd March (if it has to be cancelled due to bad weather it will be held the following Sunday).
Market times are 0930 – 1300.
For further information please contact Sandra (Sandy) on 633878471. We look forward to your visit.

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“Fat Tuesday” Mardi Gras concert in the Alhambra: Tuesday, 4 March, 8pm. Entry €8.
C/ Molinos 56, Granada.
A great of the Andalusian Jazz scene, Arturo Cid, invites us to celebrate with his group, The Swing Gang, Mardi Gras at the Alhambra Theater.
Tickets: https://teatroalhambra.sacatuentrada.es/es/entradas/mardigrass
Info & map: https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/agendaculturaldeandalucia/evento/mardi-gras-en-el-alhambra 

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JMCN Nerja Concerts: 5-9 March
– March 7, Malaga Symphony Orchestra at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja a program consisting of two world premieres conducted by maestro José Luis López Antón.
– On March 5, Pilar Rus offers in the Museum of Nerja an electric guitar concert.
– On March 6, at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja, the composer and pianist Fran Romguer {Video Link} will offer a didactic concert in which he will analyze the music in video games. That same day will have two more appointments, the audiovisual show that will prepare the piano students of the Municipal School of Music at the Museum of Nerja, at 17:00 hours, and the clarinet concert by Duo Mitjana, also in the Museum of Nerja at 19:00 hours.
– During the weekend, two other concerts are scheduled, the Ícarus Duo saxophone and guitar, which will be on March 8 at the Museum of Nerja, and the recital of Anna Margules, one of the leading international figures in the repertoire of early music and contemporary recorder solo and electronic. With this last event, on March 9 at 19:00 in the Museum of Nerja, the third edition of the conference will close. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/las-iii-jornadas-de-musica-contemporanea-de-nerja-llevan-a-la-termica-un-taller-de-composicion-y-videocreacion-y-el-concierto-de-sigma-project/ & Video Link


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Frigiliana, Almáchar, Competea and Periana host the ‘La Liebre de Marzo’ festival:
– The festival ‘La Liebre de Marzo’ (The March Hare) returns to bring sacred and ancient music to emblematic places of the Axarquia. The eleventh edition of the festival will be held on Saturdays 8, 15, 22 and 29 March with the Malaga Baroque Orchestra, the Con Fuoco Quartet, the Spinto Quartet and the Maestro Iribarren Music Chapel.
– All concerts will start at 12.30 p.m. and will be free admission until full capacity is reached.
– Frigiliana: 8 March. The festival will kick off in the Parish Church of San Antonio de Padua in Frigiliana with the Orquesta Barroca de Málaga {Video Link}.
– Almáchar: 15 March. The concerts will continue in the Parish Church of San Mateo Apostle of Almáchar, which on March 15 will receive the Con Fuoco Quartet and the harpsichordist Teresa García Molero in a concert dedicated to the ‘Travelers of the past’ with music by Father Soler and G.P. Telemann.
– Cómpeta: 22 March. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Cómpeta will host the concert of Cuartero Spinto, formed by violinists Juan Jesús Navarro and Caridad Martos, violist Olga López and cellist Cristóbal Prieto.
– Periana: 29 March. The series will end on March 29 at the Church of San Isidro Labrador in Periana with the Capilla de Música Maestro Iribarren, a group named after Juan Francés de Iribarren, who was Chapel Master of the Cathedral of Malaga from 1733 until his death. 

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Mezquitilla & Lagos Carnival 2025: Sun, 9 March from 12pm
Activities for all ages, food, drink, performances. 

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Malaga Guitar Orchestra: Sat 22 March, 8pm
Villa de Nerja Cultural Center, C/ Granada 45, Nerja
A journey through the sonorous universe of songs. The presented program will explore the German and Spanish liederistic traditions. We will travel to 19th century Germany, where lied (“song”) was established as a prestigious genre by composers such as Schubert and Mendelssohn, and to early 20th century Spain, where folklore and traditional melodies were recovered. In this case, works by Manuel de Falla.
Info & tix (€15): https://www.giglon.com/todos?idEvent=orquesta-de-guitarras-de-malaga & Video Link

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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
englishnurse@rocketmail.com
Tel: 951550581 or 692419548
JUBILEE HOUSE – Close Care Unit in Torrox
VACANCY: Due to a successful rehabilitation we will have vacancy from 21st November in one of our ensuite units for a long stay English speaking guest. Please contact Liz on 692419548.
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. We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section. 

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DOCTORLAPTOP’S COMPUTER REPAIRS

DoctorLaptop’s Computer Repairs & Sales- Torrox Costa (near the bus station)Computers only, Windows / Linux / Mac. No tablets or phones. 
I don’t work on dinosaurs computers made before 2018. 
Contact: doctorlaptop AT protonmail DOT com
Or call 675 993 069 (no calls before 12noon, missed calls returned asap). More info on my website. All work by appointment only, no drop-ins please. Appointments are only available 2pm-8pm, Sunday thru Thursday. Closed Fridays & Saturdays. Always include the make & model number of the device when requesting assistance. My contact details can be found everyday at the bottom of the Sponsor’s Section.

February is computer clean-up month- COMPUTERS REQUIRE MAINTENENCE!: DoctorLaptop’s full maintenance service for laptops & mini-PCs, only €40 this month. Full size towers €50. Remember, no computers made before 2018 serviced. If you wait until the computer is annoyingly slow you will need an expensive repair, not an inexpensive maintenance service. 

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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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COMPARE FUNERALS SPAIN

 

Compare Funerals cover the whole of Spain
ruthforder@comparefuneral.org
* Direct Cremation €2,250
* Collection of deceased and conveyance to Funeral Home
* Supply of coffin
* Preparation and care of deceased
* Registration of death and certification of all legal documentation
* Cremation and any doctor’s fees
* Supply of Urn
* Delivery of Urn and associated paperwork to family (death certificate, cremation certificate etc)
This plan is exclusive to a number of provinces, please ask advisor for more information.
Contact Ruth Forder on 0034 693 715 718 ; funeralplansbyruthforder.com
Your questions answered by Ruth from Compare Funerals Spain
– Why should I have a funeral plan? Having been funeral planning for over 10 year I’ve experienced some very sad and upset families when nothing is in place. A Spanish funeral plans will ensure that all costs are covered for your funeral service. Getting a prepaid plan will help you feel assured that your family will not be under any financial strain when it comes to paying for your funeral. A plan also means you can have peace of mind that everything has been organised in advance, so your loved ones do not have to make any difficult decisions.
– Why choose Compare Funerals? There seems to be a gap in Spain between independent funeral directors, offering plans at a good price but lacking the security of an established Trust or ability to cover a client overseas and Providers who seem to charge more than necessary. We want to be right in the middle and offer the best of both worlds. Our best-priced plan is only 2,250€ and does the essentials.
– Can I do a payment plan? All our plans are payable in full or over up to 5 years interest FREE. The interest free periods are based on initial deposit. The higher the deposit the less your monthly repayments will be.
– Can I transfer the plan? The answer is YES. You could name 2 people on one plan however if you had a friend/family member pass away we can transfer the plan into a 3rd party’s name.
– What happens if I move? All our plans offer the equivalent service in Spain (including the islands), Portugal, Republic of Ireland and the UK. If you moved to the UK, we would transfer the plan to one of our many partners at no extra cost to you.
– Is paperwork included? Yes, your family will receive a death certificate in Spanish and an international certification in English. We also provide a cremation certificate that allows the ashes on board a plane.
We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section. 

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For Sale: New Lenovo Ideapad 1-15ALC7, Gen 7. Only €420.
High Performance Business Grade Laptop
Windows 11 Pro (UK). 16Gb Hi-Speed RAM, 512Gb SSD.
15.6inch Full HD display. Spanish keyboard.
Proc: AMD Ryzen 5 5500u (2.1 to 4GHz), 6 core 12 threads.
SD card reader, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Wifi 6.
Stereo speakers w/ Dolby. HD webcam with blocker.
Slim-line, light weight at 1.6kg. Heavy duty hinges. 
Rapid-Charge 9hr battery, 2hr charge in 15mins!
Fully setup, updated and ready to use.
Website: https://psref.lenovo.com/Product/IdeaPad_1_15ALC7
Price €420. 1yr factory warranty upon registration.
Naythan, Torrox Costa.
doctorlaptop@protonmail.com 

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For Sale: New Laptop, Acer Aspire 3 A315. Only €480
Very powerful business model. 15.6″ Full HD display.
Windows 11 Pro (UK), 16 Gb RAM, 512 Gb SSD
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.

Regarding Ukraine War History Video:
Good Morning Naythan, For a long time now I have been following the war in Ukraine, and in particular the anti Russian press response to the war. Unfortunately, any reasonable argument that fails to condemn Putin and exonerates any blame from St Zelensky is classed as heresy by the chattering classes.
Without going into my reasons for trying to start some kind of balanced argument with friends, I can only say that when I do so, I am treated as a Pariah.
It was refreshing, therefore, to find the video made by Jeffrey Sachs on this mornings DigameXtra, I wish that other publications had the balls to try and balance the arguments.
Well done, and thank you. {Contact info withheld by Editor to prevent hate mail responses from keyboard warrior trolls.}

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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

The Senate urges the Government to cancel the closure of nuclear power plants by approving a Vox motion with the support of the PP: {Translation, summary}
– The Senate has urged the Government to cancel the schedule of closure and dismantling of Spanish nuclear power plants and to promote the extension of their useful life with the votes in favor of PP and Vox, which have reached 145, and the abstention of Unión del Pueblo Navarro (UPN). The rest of the Chamber has opposed, which has meant 109 votes against.
– Vox also insists on the recognition of nuclear energy as an “essential” energy source within the Spanish energy mix. In this sense, they want the rehabilitation of the existing nuclear power plants to be promoted and, for this purpose, the evaluation of the costs, benefits and technical feasibility of these operations to be promoted.
– In addition, the statement stresses the need to support research in nuclear technology as an essential source of energy supply for Spain and a creator of added value for Spain, as well as a national training program in the field of nuclear technology that helps to promote job creation in the regions where nuclear facilities operate and includes specific incentives to attract young talent.
– It also insists on the establishment of a stable regulatory framework to ensure legal certainty for investments in nuclear energy and encourages the promotion of investor confidence in new associated technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs). It also calls for an analysis of the sites of closed nuclear power plants and licensed sites where plants were planned but never used, including sites adjacent to operational and planned plants, while the decommissioned thermal power plant sites are investigated for the possible implementation of small modular reactors (SMRs) or ordinary reactors of technologies already in use in Spain. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5686263/0/senado-insta-gobierno-cancelar-cierre-las-centrales-nucleares-aprobar-una-mocion-vox-con-apoyo-pp/

AXARQUÍA

Vandalism Hits Comares: {Translation, summary}
– An individual set fire to the containers at the Comares clean point. Inside there were objects and materials of the place. The fire could have spread through the area, since the containers are surrounded by trees and vegetation. The rapid intervention of the members of the Provincial Consortium of Firefighters of Malaga prevented the situation from getting out of control. Likewise, they could not do anything to save the garbage containers. The City Council is trying to locate the perpetrator and has already communicated that they will install security cameras to prevent this from happening again.
– It was around 10 p.m. on Tuesday night when the alarms went off. Emergencies 112 Andalusia received warnings of the existence of a fire in Comares. After this, members of the Provincial Consortium of Firefighters of the Diputación de Málaga went to the area to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading in the area. The professionals acted quickly and controlled the situation.
– The two containers of the clean point and the objects inside were completely burned after the fire. The City Council has communicated this Wednesday that they will try to locate the perpetrator, who apparently set the fire on purpose. Thus, they have already contacted a company specializing in cameras to secure the area with video surveillance.
– “We condemn these acts of vandalism, fortunately it was put out by the fire department and there are no personal injuries,” confirmed the Consistory of Comares through an official statement. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/provincia/actos-vandalicos-comares-incendian-contenedores_0_2003415963.html

 

COSTA DEL SOL

Malaga will be on a warning for heavy rains on the day of Andalusia: {Translation, summary}
– The probability of showers in the province increases during the festive day of this Friday, February 28. And not only that, but they can also be strong and be accompanied by storms.
– The Aemet Meteorological Center in Malaga has activated a yellow level warning (slight risk) for downpours that could discharge up to 20 liters per square meter in an hour. The statistical probability of this occurring is, as of today (still more than a day away) from 40 to 70% (high, therefore). The forecast situation is that it will start raining around 9:00 am, and will continue until midnight.
– These accumulations are more likely in the western half of the Costa del Sol, that is, from Fuengirola to Manilva, and occasional storms are not ruled out.
– In addition, throughout the episode, up to 60 l/m2 may be collected, which will benefit above all the reserves in the La Concepción dam, which is the one that mainly supplies Marbella and its metropolitan area.
– As for the evolution along the bridge weekend, this is still inconclusive in terms of areas and times, although the Aemet forecast predicts that in the capital there will be rain at some point during the day both Saturday and Sunday. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/malaga/malaga-aviso-lluvias-fuertes-dia-andalucia-20250226132836-nt.html

EUROPE

US strikes a deal with Ukraine that includes access to its rare earth minerals, officials say:
– Ukraine and the U.S. have reached an agreement on a framework for a broad economic deal that would include access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, three senior Ukrainian officials said Tuesday. The officials, who were familiar with the matter, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. One of them said that Kyiv hopes that signing the agreement will ensure the continued flow of U.S. military support that Ukraine urgently needs.
– The agreement could be signed as early as Friday and plans are being drawn up for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to Washington to meet President Donald Trump, according to one of the Ukrainian officials.
– According to one Ukrainian official, some technical details are still to be determined. However, the draft does not include a contentious Trump administration proposal to give the U.S. $500 billion worth of profits from Ukraine’s rare earth minerals as compensation for its wartime assistance to Kyiv. Instead, the U.S. and Ukraine would have joint ownership of a fund, and Ukraine would in the future contribute 50% of future proceeds from state-owned resources, including minerals, oil, and gas. One official said the deal had better terms of investments and another one said that Kyiv secured favorable amendments and viewed the outcome as “positive.”
– The deal does not, however, include security guarantees. One official said that this would be something the two presidents would discuss when they meet. The progress in negotiating the deal comes after Trump and Zelenskyy traded sharp rhetoric last week about their differences over the matter.
– Zelenskyy said he balked at signing off on a deal that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed during a visit to Kyiv earlier this month, and the Ukrainian leader objected again days later during a meeting in Munich with Vice President JD Vance because the American proposal did not include security guarantees.
– Trump then called Volodymyr Zelenskyy “a dictator without elections” and claimed his support among voters was near rock-bottom.
– But the two sides made significant progress during a three-day visit to Ukraine last week by retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia. The idea was initially proposed last fall by Zelenskyy as part of his plan to strengthen Kyiv’s hand in future negotiations with Moscow. Full article: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-economic-agreement-us-72ee2cfa720f6a42455c5425007060e6 

PRODUCT ALERT

Beware of “Cheapflation”: {Translation, summary}
– “The term cheapflation emerged at the end of the 20th century to define a practice followed by manufacturers attempting to increase profits by decreasing production expenses. It basically consists of substituting the materials or ingredients that make up the product for others of lower cost and, therefore, of lower quality,” explains Eduardo Irastorza, professor at OBS Business School, in an article published in Emprendedores.
– The problem is that in their eagerness not to lose customers there are brands that have crossed that thin line that separates quality-price from fraud, which in practice means a covert increase in price. This has given rise to misleading practices such as cheapflation. As always, in the end “those who lose the most from this malpractice are the consumers who, in short, receive a worse product or a smaller quantity for the same price”.
– This problem is not exclusive to food products, but is also found in clothing and electronics, where cheaper and lower quality fabrics or components are used. In this way, it becomes very difficult to notice the trickery, as the consumer would have to remember the ingredients in the product and check for changes in order to notice. In principle, this practice is not illegal as long as the labeling correctly reflects the ingredients. Image: Carlos Gámez. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/lainformacion/consumo/cheapflacion-trampa-las-marcas-para-abaratar-coste-un-productos-sin-variar-su-precio-5684539/ 

TECH

Conservatives Slam Apple iPhones Rigged To Denigrate Trump- Apple to fix iPhone dictation that replaces the word ‘racist’ with ‘Trump’: {Summary}
– Apple says it is repairing a glitch with its speech-to-text feature on iPhones which interprets the word “racist” as “Trump”. The US technology giant said it is working on fixing the bug which has triggered outrage from Trump supporters and conservative commentators, including Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
– iPhone users have been posting videos on social media testing out the glitch. Sky News’ US partner NBC News was able to replicate the same trend on multiple iPhone devices. However, not all tests resulted in the glitch.
– When activating its voice dictation feature and saying the word “racist” the text result would briefly display “Trump” before being replaced with “racist”. Full article: https://news.sky.com/story/apple-fixing-bug-in-iphone-speech-to-text-glitch-which-interprets-racist-as-trump-13317255 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Kate Bush and Damon Albarn among 1,000 artists protesting AI:
– More than 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Damon Albarn and Annie Lennox, have released a silent album in protest against UK government plans to let artificial intelligence companies use copyright-protected work without permission, as a celebrity backlash builds against the proposals. The recordings of dormant music studios and performance spaces, called Is This What We Want?, are being released as leading cultural figures warn livelihoods are under threat from proposed changes to copyright law.
– Paul McCartney, Elton John, Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus, the actor Julianne Moore and the authors Val McDermid and Richard Osman are among the celebrities who have called for protection of their work from unlicensed use by tech companies in recent months.
– The music-free album represents the impact on artists’ livelihoods if the government pushes ahead with its plans, according to Ed Newton-Rex, the British composer and former AI executive behind the idea. “The government’s proposal would hand the life’s work of the country’s musicians to AI companies, for free, letting those companies exploit musicians’ work to outcompete them,” he said. “It is a plan that would not only be disastrous for musicians, but that is totally unnecessary: the UK can be leaders in AI without throwing our world-leading creative industries under the bus.”
– The project is a protest against a government proposal to let AI firms train their algorithms on the work of creative professionals under a new copyright exemption. The plan includes “an opt-out” option – where creatives and companies can block their work from being used – that has been dismissed by critics as unfair and unworkable. Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/25/kate-bush-damon-albarn-1000-artists-silent-ai-protest-album-copyright

FINANCIAL

Delays in electricity billing? These are the rights that can even exempt you from payment: {Translation}
– The change in electricity tariffs in 2021, which forced the adaptation of meters and communication systems between distributors and marketers, caused many billing problems in different companies. Although they were largely solved, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) ensures that it continues to receive inquiries about incidents with the collection of electricity consumption, mainly about delays, changes in rates or improper billing. Faced with this, the OCU recalls that “the laws reinforce the position as a consumer who can even be compensated or not have to pay what was owed”.
– The consumer organization highlights three basic rights. The first, that if the customer is tired of suffering delays in bills can change company and will open a period of 42 days to settle outstanding accounts. If this period is exceeded, the customer will be exempt from paying. This is stated in Article 44/ñ of Law 24/2013 of the Electricity Sector as one of the rights of consumers: “To receive the settlement of the account after any change of electricity supplier, within 42 days at the latest from the date on which the change of supplier occurs”. “Hopefully, your current company will make an effort to solve those delays in those 42 days, but if not…, you can forget about those bills,” the OCU points out.
– The second right the consumer has is to refuse to pay bills with consumption more than a year old. The marketers must issue invoices with the periodicity stated in their contracts, which is normally one or two months, but sometimes they undercharge or overcharge and then want to make the payment in the time and manner they propose without consulting the customer. “The laws reinforce the position as a consumer who can even be compensated or not have to pay what was owed,” says the OCU. The OCU points out that Article 96.2. of Royal Decree 1955/2000 is clear in this regard. If it has been undercharged and the company wants to rectify to recover the money not billed, the amount that the consumer must pay must be divided between a number of invoices equal to the number of months in which the error persisted. In addition, the consumer organization stresses that the rectification can only affect errors of at most one year ago in the case of the electricity bill.
– If, on the other hand, the company has overcharged, the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) establishes that in this case the company is obliged to return all the money at once in the first bill issued after the actual reading and applying the legal interest rate to the amount returned, unless the errors derive from readings communicated erroneously by the user, in which case the interest can be saved.
– The third consumer right refers to the possibility of receiving compensation in the event that the customer’s claims are not met. The same Royal Decree 1955/2000, in its articles 103.2 and 105.6, establishes the right of consumers to have “their claims regarding the measurement of consumption, invoices issued and undue cuts dealt with within a maximum period of 5 days”; and establishes that in the event of non-compliance, they will have the right to be compensated with 30 euros. The OCU clarifies that although the regulation states that it is the distributor who must take care of this compensation, “which may lead one to think that it only affects claims that reach the distributor for being the cause of the problem”, the truth is that the consumer usually does not know who caused the problem, so that some of the complaints are directed to the distributor and delays in the response may trigger the right to the aforementioned compensation. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/economia/mibolsillo/retrasos-facturacion-luz-derechos-incluso-pueden-eximirte-20250225002923-nt.html

RELIGION

Pope Francis Update:
– “The Pope had a quiet night and is resting,” the Holy See Press Office informed journalists with a statement on Wednesday morning. Upon awaking, the Pope sat in his armchair, where he continued his therapy. He is undergoing the same oxygen therapy as the last few days. This evening’s medical update may include the results of the pulmonary CT scan carried out on Tuesday.
– The Tuesday evening update on Pope Francis’ health noted that Pope Francis’ “clinical condition remains critical but stable. There have been no acute respiratory episodes, and hemodynamic parameters continue to be stable.” “In the evening, he underwent a scheduled CT scan to radiologically monitor the bilateral pneumonia. The prognosis remains guarded,” continued Tuesday evening’s statement. “In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities.”
– Twice-daily statements have kept the faithful informed about the Pope’s health since he was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday, 14 February, following a bout of bronchitis. He is currently being treated for double pneumonia and a health update last week noted that he is also showing signs of mild renal insufficiency, which appears to be under control.
Full article: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-02/pope-francis-has-peaceful-night-at-gemelli.html 

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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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Fun & Games

National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
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Word of the Day: Click Here
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Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages (New Link), worldwide: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here

Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles. 
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo 
Competa 
Malaga 
Nerja 
Rincon 
Torrox 
Velez-Málaga 
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2025 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html

Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html

Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Nerja Car Boot 

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php  UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm

Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily. 
https://www.20minutos.es/loterias/

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Malaga Province: New, updated link (Aug, 2023). Info in English with list of English speaking meetings. https://aacostadelsol.com/

DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/

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DigameXtra No. 2957 Wednesday, February 26th, 2025

 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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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Upcoming Holidays: Friday, 28 February is Andalucia Day, a public holiday.
DigameXtra will be closed this Friday. Posts scheduled for Friday, 28 February will be posted one day early, on Thursday, the 27th. The deadline to have anything posted in this Thursday’s long weekend issue is 6pm Wednesday, 26 February.
After Andalucia Day, the next national public holidays are the 17th (Holy Thursday) & 18th (Good Friday) of April.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! 

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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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Free Concert at the Museum of Malaga- music of the female composers: Sun, 9 March, noon.
The Escarramán Ensemble play in the lovely patio at this museum. The voice and strings ensemble will be performing music by the female composers, Barbara Strozzi and Caccini. Free entry, but get there early to be sure of a seat (say 11am).
Ref: https://www.escarraman.net/agenda & Video Link

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Women Against Cancer Race- Malaga: This annual charity event takes place on Sunday 16 March, 10am, around the Malaga Port for 4.3km. Sign up costs €10 and is available here. Info & signup: https://unidoscontraelcancermlg.es/actividades…

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Flamenco Concert with 2 Acts- The Macanita “Gold Molío”, and Rafael de Utrera “Intimate”: Sun, 16 March, 8pm (doors open 45mins before)
Soho CaixaBank Theater, Malaga
Info & tix (€18 – €47):
https://www.elcorteingles.es/entradas/channels/teatro-soho/performance/performance-41503415033087-soho_onebox-channel & Video Link


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Markets in Malaga in March:
***Arts & Crafts***
– El Zoco market on Muelle Uno sells arts and crafts every Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Combine your browsing with a stroll in the sunshine under the Pergola.
– Merced Market is on Sunday 2 March on Plaza de la Merced from 11am to 7pm.
– Soho Market on Calle Tomás Heredia with stalls selling arts and crafts and vintage items from 11am to 7pm on Sunday 23 March.
***Organic food markets***
[Fresh produce grown organically in the Guadalhorce Valley to the north of Malaga. As well as fruit and veg, local producers sell bread and cakes, honey, olive oil, dried fruit and nuts, and organic soaps and creams]
– La Malagueta (between Paseo de Reding and Calle Cervantes) on Saturday 8 March from 10am to 2pm.
– Huelin Park Saturday 22 March 9am to 2pm.

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COMPARE FUNERALS

Compare Funerals cover the whole of Spain
ruthforder@comparefuneral.org
* Direct Cremation €2,250
* Collection of deceased and conveyance to Funeral Home
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* Preparation and care of deceased
* Registration of death and certification of all legal documentation
* Cremation and any doctor’s fees
* Supply of Urn
* Delivery of Urn and associated paperwork to family (death certificate, cremation certificate etc)
This plan is exclusive to a number of provinces, please ask advisor for more information.
Contact Ruth Forder on 0034 693 715 718 ; funeralplansbyruthforder.com
Your questions answered by Ruth from Compare Funerals Spain
– Why should I have a funeral plan? Having been funeral planning for over 10 year I’ve experienced some very sad and upset families when nothing is in place. A Spanish funeral plans will ensure that all costs are covered for your funeral service. Getting a prepaid plan will help you feel assured that your family will not be under any financial strain when it comes to paying for your funeral. A plan also means you can have peace of mind that everything has been organised in advance, so your loved ones do not have to make any difficult decisions.
– Why choose Compare Funerals? There seems to be a gap in Spain between independent funeral directors, offering plans at a good price but lacking the security of an established Trust or ability to cover a client overseas and Providers who seem to charge more than necessary. We want to be right in the middle and offer the best of both worlds. Our best-priced plan is only 2,250€ and does the essentials.
– Can I do a payment plan? All our plans are payable in full or over up to 5 years interest FREE. The interest free periods are based on initial deposit. The higher the deposit the less your monthly repayments will be.
– Can I transfer the plan? The answer is YES. You could name 2 people on one plan however if you had a friend/family member pass away we can transfer the plan into a 3rd party’s name.
– What happens if I move? All our plans offer the equivalent service in Spain (including the islands), Portugal, Republic of Ireland and the UK. If you moved to the UK, we would transfer the plan to one of our many partners at no extra cost to you.
– Is paperwork included? Yes, your family will receive a death certificate in Spanish and an international certification in English. We also provide a cremation certificate that allows the ashes on board a plane.

 

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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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For Sale: New Lenovo Ideapad 1-15ALC7, Gen 7. Only €420.
High Performance Business Grade Laptop
Windows 11 Pro (UK). 16Gb Hi-Speed RAM, 512Gb SSD.
15.6inch Full HD display. Spanish keyboard.
Proc: AMD Ryzen 5 5500u (2.1 to 4GHz), 6 core 12 threads.
SD card reader, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Wifi 6.
Stereo speakers w/ Dolby. HD webcam with blocker.
Slim-line, light weight at 1.6kg. Heavy duty hinges. 
Rapid-Charge 9hr battery, 2hr charge in 15mins!
Fully setup, updated and ready to use.
Website: https://psref.lenovo.com/Product/IdeaPad_1_15ALC7
Price €420. 1yr factory warranty upon registration.
Naythan, Torrox Costa.
doctorlaptop@protonmail.com 

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For Sale: New Laptop, Acer Aspire 3 A315. Only €480
Very powerful business model. 15.6″ Full HD display.
Windows 11 Pro (UK), 16 Gb RAM, 512 Gb SSD
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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News & Articles

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

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SPAIN

Doctors call a nationwide strike in May against the draft of the framework prepared by Health: {Translation}
– The Executive Committee of the Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM) has approved this Tuesday the call for a strike throughout Spain for the month of May. This measure, supported by the Andalusian Medical Union (SMA), seeks to achieve a legislative amendment that will allow healthcare workers to negotiate their working conditions, as set out in the Framework Statute, ensuring real representation in the regulation of their rights and obligations.
– The decision to go on strike, the first day of which will be May 23, comes after two years of unsuccessful meetings with the Ministry of Health in the framework of the Negotiation Scope to modify the Framework Statute, according to the unions in a communiqué. The final trigger was the publication of the draft prepared by the team of Minister Mónica García, which was unanimously rejected by the unions.
– The unions denounce that, over the last 40 years, the medical profession has suffered a progressive reduction in rights, while new obligations have been imposed on it without adequate compensation. Despite being the backbone of the healthcare system and assuming the greatest responsibility for patients, physicians claim that their working and economic conditions have deteriorated. Among the main complaints of the collective are excessive working hours and insufficient breaks, the lack of recognition of working time in the calculation of retirement and the payment of overtime at a lower rate than the ordinary hour. In addition, they denounce that the Administration has encouraged the invasion of exclusive competencies of physicians by other professions with lower training requirements.
– The main demand is the creation of their own statute for doctors and physicians in the National Health System. This legal framework would establish homogeneous working conditions for all doctors in Spain, guaranteeing specific regulation of their rights and obligations, with the aim of improving the quality of care and stopping the flight of professionals abroad or to the private sector. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5685815/0/los-medicos-convocan-una-huelga-todo-pais-contra-borrador-estatuto-marco-elaborado-por-sanidad/ 

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The Supreme Court denounces that the Attorney General “has made evidence disappear”: {Translation, summary}
– Ángel Luis Hurtado, the judge who instructs in the Supreme Court the case against the attorney general for disclosure of secrets, claims to have no doubt that Álvaro García Ortiz deleted the data from his phone – including all WhatsApp messages and the cancellation of his Gmail account with all the associated cloud – to “make evidence disappear”.
– This is the determination of the high court- that the head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office has intentionally hindered the investigation voluntarily and consciously to hide the evidence that would implicate him.
– The judge points directly to García Ortiz {pic} in an order in which he gives the green light to all the parties to continue accessing the most sensitive information of the accused’s telephone. Hurtado insists that the parties should have access to those sensitive dumps and that the one who has caused this situation is the accused himself because “in the case of the present investigation it is evident that the defendant has made evidence disappear that could be found in his mobile terminals”. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/nacional/supremo-denuncia-evidente-fiscal-general-desaparecer-pruebas-20250225111325-ntrc_amp.html

TORROX

The Torrox ‘Dia de Andalucia’ gala will take place this Friday, February 28 from 11:30 am at Av. El Faro, Torrox Costa: {Translation, summary}
– The celebration of the Day of Andalusia which will feature performances by the duo Ortigosa, the Aires del Faro Choir and the Choirs and Dancers of Torrox. The gala and institutional speeches on the occasion of this commemoration will take place this coming Friday, February 28 from 11:30 am in the avenue of El Faro in Torrox Costa.
– The events will begin with a performance by the Aires del Faro Choir, directed by Javier Sanchez, after which the session of the spokespersons of all groups with municipal representation in the City Council of Torrox. Then comes the performance of the Choirs and Dancers of Torrox, and then the mayor will take the floor to address all present. Once the anthem of Andalusia is played and the Andalucia the flag raised, a stellar performance by Ortigosa. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/el-dia-de-andalucia-en-torrox-contara-con-las-actuaciones-de-ortigosa-aires-dl-faro-y-los-coros-y-danzas/ 

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Torrox bans canopies, wind-breaks and tents on beaches after claiming to have received complaints from bathers: {Translation, summary}
– Torrox expands its ‘war’ on the beaches beyond the banning of tables, chairs and umbrellas. Now comes the turn of the canopies, tents and removable awnings. The plenary of the Torrox City Council has approved this Monday by majority, with the votes in favor of the PP government team and the abstention of the opposition groups (PSOE, IU and Vox) the modification of the use and enjoyment of the beaches of the municipality “with the priority objective of increasing safety and public spaces.” Thus, and at the request of beach users and entrepreneurs in the sector, we will prohibit the installation of “canopies, tents, removable awnings, canvas structures and other similar dwellings”.
– The mayor of the area, Vanessa Lopez (PP), explained in a statement that such facilities “occupy a large space and privatize the area in which they are installed, usually entailing problems of excessive noise and mainly visibility for lifeguards, which prevent them from carrying out their work of control and surveillance with security and safety”. This prohibition, which, from the outset, will not entail penalties and will be informative, does not affect the facilities that are made between 18.00 hours on June 23 and 8.00 hours on June 24, coinciding with the celebrations of the Night of San Juan.
– Nor will they apply to those occupations authorized for excursions, visits by groups of schoolchildren or people with disabilities. With this, and with the supervision and control by the Local Police and Civil Protection, “will achieve a greater positive impact on cleanliness, less occupation of public space and increased security, as it also achieves better access to the beaches of emergency vehicles if necessary,” said Lopez.
{No concern for those with light sensitivity, small children or others who wish to enjoy the beach without getting a sunburn or enduring refreshments full of sand? From an administration that claims to be so “inclusive” and sensitive to the special needs of all groups, these new restrictions will be an exclusionary step in the wrong direction. I think these politicians come up with new rules simply to justify their existence, they can never leave well enough alone. Perhaps they would be better off focusing on keeping decent sand on the beaches, something real people do actually complain about. -Ed.} Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/axarquia/torrox-prohibe-carpas-jaimas-playas-quejas-20250224163319-nt_amp.html 

NERJA

Maro has a new parking lot: {Translation, summary}
– The new parking lot at the western entrance of Maro, which has 100 spaces for vehicles, is already in operation. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/maro-cuenta-con-un-nuevo-aparcamiento/ 

ALMUÑÉCAR

They find the body of a Swedish man floating in the sea in an area of ​​Almuñécar: {Translation, summary}
– A fisherman has found on Tuesday morning the lifeless body of a 67-year-old Swedish man floating in the sea about a hundred meters from the shore in the surroundings of the Peñón del Lobo {pic}, an area of difficult access in term of Almuñécar, on the coast of Granada.
– Sources close to the case have informed Europa Press that it has been a patrol boat of the Civil Guard which has moved the body to a beach near the Marina del Este, before being transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Granada for the autopsy, which will have to clarify whether a blow to the face has been caused by the rocks in the area where it was found.
– The Civil Guard have indicated that it is the body of a man of Swedish nationality of 67 years, which was found at 8.30 am. He was carrying his personal documentation. There was no report of disappearance, nor is there anyone under investigation for the facts, which are not ruled out as a result of an accident. Personal objects that could help in the investigation are being sought in the area where the body, which was barefoot, was found. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1869660/encuentran-el-cadaver-de-un-hombre-flotando-en-el-mar-en-una-zona-de-almunecar/ 

EUROPE

Cambridge Union Video With Jeffrey Sachs Explains Why The USA & NATO Share In The Responsibility For The Ukraine War:
– This is not to absolve Russia of aggression, they are responsible for their acts, but this explains their motivation. There are 2 sides to every story, and in the West, with our controlled media, we never hear this part. X Link

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German CDU leader Friedrich Merz flips on migration policy within 24 hours of winning election, a promise that got him elected:
– Leader of the CDU Friedrich Merz just completely went back on what was said during the election and announced that there will be NO TALK of shutting the borders to those without valid documentation.
– “I want to say it very clearly again. None of us will talk about border closures, no one, although this was claimed at times during the election campaign, none of us want to close the borders”.
{This was outright fraud to gain votes, and some social media comments claim it is sufficient reason to nullify the election. -Ed.} X Link

GASTRONOMIA

New Labels For Certified Genuine Malaga Honey: {Translation, summary}
– After a long administrative process, the honeys produced in Malaga have since last June been designated with the official certification of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Now the producers, with the help of the Board, want to go a step further and promote their marketing. The territorial delegate of Agriculture, Fernando Fernandez, and the president of the Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Virginia Montañez, presented on Monday the new labeling of honey produced in this province that is covered by the PDO.
– The delegate of the Board has congratulated this development in a statement, that this action “comes to strengthen the image of the beekeeping sector in the province to the foreign market and protects it from the threats of fraud of other products, which mix honey with syrups and exercise unfair price competition.”
– Fernandez has considered that “we are at the time to put in value our product to the consumer, indicating that when they buy a container with the label ‘Honey from Malaga’, they have the certainty that they acquire a food of superior quality and purity”. In this sense, the delegate has expressed “the firm will” of the Andalusian Government in the fight against honey fraud, through a control program that provides “through quality inspection”.
Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/economia/agroalimentacion/mieles-malaga-presumen-denominacion-origen-protegida-20250224174440-nt_amp.html 

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Grandma Shows Us The Easy Way To Peel Hard Boiled Eggs Perfectly:
Watch the 30 second video here: Egg Video Link

HEALTH

The Mobile Unit of the Early Breast Cancer Detection Program will be in Torrox and Algarrobo: {Translation, summary}
– The mobile unit of the Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis program will be located in the parking lot of the convent Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, in the municipality of Torrox, until March 20th.
This mobile unit is intended to improve accessibility to the program to all those women in the municipalities of the Axarquia that are far from the fixed units located in health centers.
– The unit will continue its travels moving on March 24 to the municipality of Algarrobo, where it will remain parked in the parking lot in Arroyuelo Avenue, next to Karat Avenue and the Escalerilla Park until April 15, allowing about 1,500 women from Algarrobo and its surrounding municipalities to have a mammogram.
– The Breast Cancer Early Detection Program invites the female population of Andalusia between 49 and 71 years of age to have a mammogram every 2 years. The recipients of the program are summoned by letter to go to a mammography screening unit, and the results are also sent by mail to their home address. If it is necessary to complete the study with other complementary tests, the woman will be summoned by letter to her hospital of reference.
– If you wish to ask any questions, change the appointment received or request it again (if for any reason you have not been able to attend before), you can contact us by telephone at 6770070147 or info@cribadoenandalucia.es
Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/la-unidad-movil-del-programa-de-deteccion-precoz-de-cancer-de-mama-estara-en-torrox-y-algarrobo/

TRAVEL

Fancy a holiday in Turkey? The direct flight between Seville and Istanbul on Pegasus Airline will be daily from March 30: {Translation, summary}
– The mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, who is this week on a cultural and business mission in Istanbul, announced Tuesday that, from March 30, the direct air connection between Seville and the Turkish city will be daily. “This flight is not only a link between two destinations; it is a gateway to Asia and the rest of the world through the hub of Istanbul,” said the mayor.
– The news, which has been announced together with Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Pegasus, the airline that operates the flight, aims to “strengthen” the link between the two cities, “opening new opportunities for tourism and business”.
Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5685682/0/el-vuelo-directo-entre-sevilla-estambul-sera-diaria-partir-30-marzo/ 

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Useful Links, Info & Numbers

2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
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Competa 
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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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Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily. 
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DigameXtra No. 2956 Tuesday, February 25th, 2025

 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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Upcoming Holidays: Friday, 28 February is Andalucia Day, a public holiday.
DigameXtra will be closed this Friday. Posts scheduled for Friday, 28 February will be posted one day early, on Thursday, the 27th. The deadline to have anything posted in this Thursday’s long weekend issue is 6pm Wednesday, 26 February.
After Andalucia Day, the next national public holidays are the 17th (Holy Thursday) & 18th (Good Friday) of April.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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Nerja Carnival 2025: Thurs, February 27 thru Sun, March 2
– This year, the Carnival will feature Miguel Hermoso as town crier, who will kick off the festivities on the 27th at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja, from 20:00 hours. According to the councilor, Elena Galvez, the proclamation promises to be an evening full of surprises with performances of murgas and lots of fun.
– The events will continue on Friday, February 28 at 17:30 hours with the Children’s Costume Contest, which will be held in a tent located in the parking lot of the Giner de los Rios. At 6:30 p.m., the Children’s Ninfa and Momo Contest will be held, and at 7:30 p.m., this year’s novelty: the Youth Ninfa and Momo Contest. The day will conclude from 21:00 hours with the election of the Momo and the Ninfa of Carnival in the adult category.
– On Saturday, March 1 will take place the expected Grand Carnival Parade, which will begin at 17:00 hours, full of color, music and costumes.
– Finally, on Sunday, March 2, the activities will start at 12:00 noon with the election of the children’s widows and widowers, animated by the popular Amapola and Perdigón. At 17:00 hours, will be held the traditional Burial of Chanquete through the streets of downtown Nerja, which will conclude with a fireworks display on the beach of Calahonda. Info: https://www.nerja.es/nerja-celebra-el-carnaval-2025-con-miguel-hermoso-como-pregonero/ 

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Nerja celebrates the 45th anniversary of Andalusia’s Day:
February 28 from 10:30 am in Plaza de Andalucía
Music provided by Banda de Música de Nerja.

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Jazz Concert- Julia Duggan Quartet Feat. Jorge Rossy on Vibraphone:
Fri, 28 Feb, 10pm
Clarence Jazz Club, C/ Danza Invisible 8 CP 29620 Torremolinos (Málaga)
The band:
Julia Duggan – Vocals
Álvaro Vieito – Electric Guitar
Javier Delgado – Double Bass
Jorge Rossy – Vibraphone
Javier Del Barco – Drums
Info & tix (€12/€15/€20): https://www.clarencejazzclub.com/wp/events/julia-duggan-quartet-feat-jorge-rossy/ & Video Link

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Cabaret, the musical: Fri, 14 March, 20:30.
Carmen Theater, Plaza del Carmen s/n, Vélez-Málaga
The work moves us to the Berlin of 1931, to the Kit Kat Club, the corner governed by its disturbing and fun teacher of ceremonies who welcomes the coexistence between the growing and unstoppable Nazi movement and the pretending of daily normality of the protagonists that this place hosts.
Info & tix (€15): https://www.giglon.com/todos?idEvent=cabaret-velez-mlg & Video Link


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On Sale Now- Classical Guitar Concert- Javier García Moreno, a tribute to Andrés Segovia:
Thurs, 3 Apr, 8pm. €10 admission.
Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja, C/ Granada 45, Nerja
Professor of Guitar and director of the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Málaga. His artistic career is full of distinctions and awards and he has given concerts in halls and theaters all over Europe, Turkey, United States, South America and Japan. He has performed as a soloist in many prestigious theaters and halls, such as Carnegie Hall in New York and the Auditorio Nacional de Madrid, and has accompanied prestigious orchestras. Program: I. Albéniz, Asturias; Fernando Sor, Introduction, Theme and Variations Op.7; F. Tárrega, Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Capricho Árabe, Gran Jota de Concierto; J. Turina, Sonata 0p.61(Allegro, Andante, Allegro); A. Ginastera, Finale de la sonata op.47.
Info & tix: https://www.giglon.com/todos?idEvent=javier-garcia-morenohomenaje-a-andres-segovia & Video Link


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Museums Free For Holiday: All Malaga City public museums have free entry on Andalucia Day, Friday, 28 Feb. Private museums may offer discounts, or also be free.

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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

SNAFU- Sanchez announces another 1,000 million euros in military aid to Ukraine this year: {Translation, summary}
– In the framework of his trip to Kiev, the President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez, announced on Monday a new military assistance package worth 1 billion euros in 2025. He made this announcement during his speech at the summit in support of Ukraine, where other foreign leaders are also participating. From there, Sanchez has reaffirmed Spain’s support for the “full sovereignty” of Ukraine and reiterated that it is the one that must decide its own future. “Ukraine must be at the negotiating table”, he has asserted after it was confirmed that the United States and Russia will meet again in the coming weeks to discuss the end of the conflict. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5685280/0/sanchez-anuncia-1-000-millones-euros-ayuda-militar-ucrania-2025/
{Considering how much gas Spain buys from Russia, it now seems like Sanchez believes he can finance both sides of the Ukraine war. Another colassial SNAFU! And let’s not forget that while hypoctite Sanchez supports an independent Ukraine, he stabbed the people of Sahara in the back, handing it over to Morocco. He did this despite the Moroccan espionage of the Pegasus affair, hacking the mobile phones of Sanchez and some ministers. Why is Sanchez doing Morocco favors? The answer to both these dilemmas: Sanchez is a globalist puppet. -Ed.}

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Spain has hosted 236,570 Ukrainian refugees since the beginning of the war: {Translation, summary}
– Spain has taken in 236,570 Ukrainians since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, which this Monday marks three years, according to data provided by the Government. This is the fourth country in the European Union in terms of the number of temporary protection granted to people arriving from Ukraine since the beginning of the war with Russia. Although there are 313,221 residence documents in force issued in Spain to Ukrainians, the rest correspond to people who arrived before the invasion.
– Regarding the profile of the 236,570 Ukrainian refugees, the Executive details that 71,253 (30.12%) are under 18 years of age, 140,711 (59.48%) are women and 95,859 (40.52%) are men.
– The Government adds that the reference community and support network for all displaced persons is geographically concentrated in Valencia-Alicante-Murcia, with more than 88,000 residence permits issued, Barcelona-Girona with almost 49,000, Madrid with slightly more than 42,000 and Malaga with almost 30,000. These account for almost 70% of the Ukrainian arrivals to Spain.
– The national reception system has accommodated more than 40,000 people since the beginning of the invasion. As of today, 6,172 people from Ukraine are still hosted there. Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/epsocial/migracion/noticia-espana-acogido-236570-refugiados-ucranianos-le-inicio-guerra-20250224110046.html 

MALAGA CITY

Photo Gallery- Malaga Carnival 2025:
– Malaga carnival – the first major festival of the year after Three Kings – is in full swing. This past weekend has seen both the coronation of the ‘god’ and ‘goddess’ of the carnival and a glamorous parade that filled the streets of the city with joy and colour on Sunday. The event, which will end on 2 March, marks the beginning of Lent, presenting an opportunity to revel before the restrictions preceding Easter.
See full 72 photo gallery: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/malaga-city/carnival-festivities-malaga-20250224111803-ga.html


 

 

MARBELLA

Justice Gone To The Dogs- Malaga court acquits Marbella animal shelter officials accused of massive animal slaughter:
– The provincial court of Malaga has acquitted officials from the Triple A animal shelter in Marbella, for whom the prosecution demanded a prison sentence for alleged crimes of animal cruelty, falsifying documents, unqualified practice, misappropriation, incorrect administration, contravening the rights of workers and Social Security fraud.
– However, the judgement states that the sentence “is not final and that an appeal may be lodged against it before this court”.
– In his final statement, the prosecutor in charge demanded 18 years of imprisonment for Triple A’s former president (B.P.) and 10 for the vice-president (A.D.), in addition to other fines and civil liabilities. The complaint raised to the court stated that “domestic animals have been sacrificed in a massive and unjustified manner, with the sole purpose of reducing costs and dedicating part of the facilities to private purposes, with the aim of making a profit”. The court reached its verdict based on the ‘in dubio pro reo’ principle, according to which acquittal is justified when there is “an total lack of evidence or when the evidence that has been produced does not meet the procedural guarantees”. {Despite the prosecution providing expert testimony, witnesses, documents and grisly photos & videos of the crimes, the judge has made this bizarre ruling, claiming a lack of evidence…and then invites appeals? Highly suspicious if you ask me. -Ed.}
References: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/marbella-san-pedro/triple-leaders-accused-animal-slaughter-acquitted-20250224102950-nt.html

EUROPE

Trump says Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine, war could end ‘within weeks’:
– Donald Trump said Russian president Vladimir Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential deal to end the war. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, French president Emmanuel Macron said Europe was prepared to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, including peacekeepers, in the event of a ceasefire.
– Trump said he did not see a problem with European troops being sent to Ukraine to serve as peacemakers, adding that he had raised the idea with Putin. “Yeah, he will accept it,” the US president said. Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/feb/24/ukraine-war-live-zelenskyy-hails-three-years-of-resistance-on-anniversary-of-russian-invasion 

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Europe Working On Plans To Send 30,000 Troops To Ukraine As Trump Talks Drawdown:
– European leaders have been urging that the United States must backstop any Ukraine peace deal to prevent the country from ever being attacked by Russia again. Of course, this means a military backstop; however, all signs point to Trump wanting to reduce the American troop presence in Europe, in favor of the Europeans doing more to provide for their own security.
– Some European officials have already attacked this policy as the US signing off on Ukraine’s “surrender” to Moscow. For example, days ago Finnish MEP member Mika Aaltola of the European People’s Party claimed that the Trump administration “has given us three weeks to agree on terms for Ukraine’s surrender.” Aaltola added: “If we don’t, the United States will withdraw from Europe.” These words also came around the time of an NBC News report which cited US officials who said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth privately informed Ukrainian officials that Washington may significantly reduce its troop presence in Europe.
– This as President Zelensky has been urging against this, recently asserting that over 100,000 European troops could be needed in Ukraine to prevent another future war. He’s described that this would be necessary in the scenario that Ukraine doesn’t get a path to NATO membership.
– Weekend reports indicate that Europe is readying a proposed plan to send at least 30,000 of its troops to Ukraine in a peacekeeping capacity in the wake of any truce deal. The report says this would be “with the US providing technical, logistics, and weapons support” – but crucially no American boots on the ground, as Trump has repeatedly promised.
– From the start of the Kremlin contemplating negotiations, President Putin has made clear that Russia will not tolerate Western armies on the ground in Ukraine. Moscow has rejected as a non-starter any plans which put NATO forces along its border. This is especially given Russia is in the driver’s seat regarding the war in Donbass, and will be able to dictate terms… at least much more so than the West.
Full article: https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/europe-working-plans-send-30000-troops-ukraine-trump-talks-drawdown-continent 

USA

Trump names conservative podcaster Dan Bongino as FBI deputy director:
– Dan Bongino, a former US Secret Service agent who has written bestselling books, run unsuccessfully for office and gained fame as a conservative pundit with TV shows and a popular podcast, has been chosen to serve as the FBI’s deputy director. President Donald Trump announced the appointment on Sunday night in a post on his Truth Social platform, praising Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our country”. He called the announcement “great news for law enforcement and American justice”.
– The selection places two staunch Trump allies atop the nation’s principal federal law enforcement agency at a time when Democrats are concerned that the president could seek to target his adversaries. Bongino would serve under Kash Patel, who was sworn in as FBI director at the White House on Friday and who has signalled his intent to reshape the bureau, including by relocating hundreds of employees from its Washington headquarters and placing greater emphasis on the FBI’s traditional crime-fighting duties. Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/24/dan-bongino-trump-new-fbi-deputy-director-podcast-host 

HEALTH

Pediatricians warn of the increase in psychiatric urgencies of minors- Are smartphones & social media to blame?: {Translation, summary}
– Primary care pediatricians have warned of the increase in psychiatric emergencies in children due to the worsening of their mental health in recent years, with an increase in consultations both in primary care and in specialized mental health and emergency departments.
– According to the specialists, these urgent consultations are a challenge “because they are very complex situations that require very specific management, yet they have very little time per patient”.
– They explained that a psychiatric emergency is considered to be a mental condition that generates a sufficient level of stress so that the patient, his or her family or dependents feel unable to manage the situation, even for a few hours. “The pathologies that present most frequently in our Primary Care consultations are substance abuse, suicidal behaviors, anxiety and behavioral and eating disorders,” said the Primary Care pediatrician at the Tres Cantos health center in Madrid, Clara Luna Parera.
– Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in childhood and adolescence. “The clinical manifestations of anxiety in these stages of life are difficult to identify and manage. Primary care pediatricians have a crucial role in its detection,” explained Parera.
– Likewise, pediatricians have recalled the latest report by The Lancet Commission, which states that one in six adolescents self-injures on a regular basis. In this regard, they explain that self-injury can occur for different reasons: relief or reduction of negative feelings (anger, anxiety, sadness, feeling of emotional emptiness), self-punishment, expression of intense emotional pain, need for positive social reinforcement, exposure in social media networks to content that normalizes self-injury and encourages imitation, or others.
– “It is important to distinguish self-injury without suicidal intent from suicidal behavior and to engage in open communication with the adolescent so that they can express their emotions in a safe environment and with empathy, trying to make them feel understood, without being judged or criticized,” said Raquel Jiménez, head of the Pediatrics section at the Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús.
– The experts also stressed the importance of suicide prevention, as it is the second leading cause of death in adolescents. They also warned that suicidal ideation and behavior have increased alarmingly in children and in the early stages of adolescence. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/sociedad/pediatras-advierten-aumento-urgencias-psiquiatricas_0_2003398287.html 

SPACE

Earth safe from ‘city-killer’ asteroid 2024 YR4 ‘That’s impact probability zero folks!’:
– Time to breathe a sigh of relief. The asteroid that once posed the greatest impact risk to Earth in recorded history now has an effective 0% chance of striking our planet. The probability of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth was reduced to zero thanks to new data collected on Sunday, Feb. 23.
– Discovered in Dec. 2024, 2024 YR4 quickly climbed to the top of NASA’s Sentry Risk table, at one point having a 1 in 32 chance of hitting Earth. This elevated it to Level 3 on the Torino scale, a system used since 1999 to categorize potential Earth impact events. Level 3, which falls within the yellow band of the Torino Scale, is described as: “A close encounter, meriting attention by astronomers. Current calculations give a 1% or greater chance of collision capable of localized destruction.”
– “The NASA JPL Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) now lists the 2024 YR4 impact probability as 0.00005 (0.005%) or 1-in-20,000 for its passage by Earth in 2032,” Richard Binzel, Professor of Planetary Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and creator of the Torino scale exclusively told Space.com. “That’s impact probability zero folks!” Full article: https://www.space.com/the-universe/asteroids/earth-safe-from-city-killer-asteroid-2024-yr4-thats-impact-probability-zero-folks 

FINANCIAL

Your January payroll may not be correct- this is what you should check: {Translation}
– With the arrival of the new year, reviewing the January payroll is essential to ensure that it correctly reflects salary changes, increases or possible errors. Many times, workers assume that their salary has been calculated correctly, but the reality is that there may be errors that should be detected as soon as possible for correction. For all this, the OCU has prepared a series of tips.
***Factors that can affect your paycheck***
– If your salary has not changed as you expected, there may be different reasons for the discrepancy. Some key concepts that could have affected your January payroll include:
– Intergenerational Equity Mechanism (IEM):
The MEI has increased in 2025 and, if you exceed the contribution base, you must now also contribute for the solidarity contribution. This may have reduced the final amount of your net salary.
– Absorption and compensation mechanisms:
If your salary is above the salary set in the collective bargaining agreement, your company could apply the “compensation and absorption” mechanism, leaving your salary frozen. These mechanisms work as follows: Compensation- Certain salary items are increased and others are reduced by the same amount. Absorption- Not only are the items adjusted, but some may disappear completely from the payroll. If your agreement has expired and is in the process of renegotiation, the company is not obliged to increase your salary until there is a new agreement.
– Personal income tax withholding:
The percentage of personal income tax withholding may have increased, which affects your net salary. Factors such as a salary increase or changes in your personal situation (e.g. dependent children) may modify the withholding applied by the tax authorities.
– Application of the estimated CPI:
If your salary is updated according to the CPI, the company may have used an estimated CPI in January. If the actual figure is higher, you could receive the difference in the following months. If it is lower, the increase would not be consolidated and you would not have to pay anything back.
– What if your salary has gone down?:
If you notice that your salary has decreased, check the items on which the reduction has been applied. Possible reasons include:
Financial difficulties of the company, which may allow you to opt out of the agreement; also, agreements with the workforce or workers’ representatives.
– It is important to carefully review each item on the payroll to avoid surprises. If you detect any errors or discrepancies, consult your human resources department or a labor consultant.
Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1868434/tu-nomina-de-enero-podria-no-ser-correcta-esto-es-lo-que-debes-revisar/ 

OTHER

RIP- Roberta Flack, R&B Icon, Dead at 88:
– Roberta Flack, the R&B musician whose singing helped define the subgenre of “quiet storm” in the 1970s, is dead at 88. Flack “died peacefully surrounded by her family,” per a statement from her publicists.
– Flack had #1 hits with songs like “Killing Me Softly With His Song”, “Feel Like Makin’ Love”, and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”. She earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2020 and was one of the inaugural inductees into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021. Full article: https://www.vulture.com/article/roberta-flack-dead-killing-me-softly-singer.html & Video Link


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Humour & Diversions Section

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Last updated Feb 24, 2025, 23:16 UTC

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Fun & Games

National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
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Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here

Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles. 
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo 
Competa 
Malaga 
Nerja 
Rincon 
Torrox 
Velez-Málaga 
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2025 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html

Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html

Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Nerja Car Boot 

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php  UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm

Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily. 
https://www.20minutos.es/loterias/

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Malaga Province: New, updated link (Aug, 2023). Info in English with list of English speaking meetings. https://aacostadelsol.com/

DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/

DigameXtra is now on X (formerly Twitter) at @DigameXtra. I also post articles there that are too controversial for the daily newsletter. However, you need a free X account to visit the @DigameXtra page on X. 

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Home Page – Based in Torrox Costa, near the bus station.

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DigameXtra No. 2955 Monday, February 24th, 2025

 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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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Upcoming Holidays: Friday, 28 February is Andalucia Day, a public holiday.
DigameXtra will be closed this Friday. Posts scheduled for Friday, 28 February will be posted one day early, on Thursday, the 27th. The deadline to have anything posted in this Thursday’s long weekend issue is 6pm Wednesday, 26 February.
After Andalucia Day, the next national public holidays are the 17th (Holy Thursday) & 18th (Good Friday) of April.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! 

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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~
March
– 4th – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 21st – Trip to IKEA and Guzmans Garden Centre €20
April
– 2nd – 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
– 18th – 21st – Mini Break to Toledo with a day trip to the fortress city of Avila. Half Board accommodation at the Hotel Carlos V which is next to the Alcázar Fortress and Toledo’s famous Cathedral. €385 per person based on 2 sharing a double room. €535 Single room. Deposit €100 non refundable unless we cancel. Price includes coach fare, accommodation, guide in Avila and drivers gratuity.
– 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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Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre: Torre del Mar, Av. Moscatel 1”I”, 29740 Torre del Mar (Jardines Viña Malága / Antigua Casa de la Viña)
Hours: Wednesday & Friday 10.00 – 13.00.
Info tel. 952 543 334
***Activities & March events/excursions***
–  Wednesday and Friday, Spanish, 10.00 – 13.00.
– Wednesdays- Art group, with the crochet & craft group 10.00 – 13.00.
– Wednesdays and Fridays, Shop, 10.00 – 13.00.
– Every Thursday Spanglish. Conversation between Spanish and English 16.30 -17.30.
– Every Friday – Conversation group 10.00 – 11.00.
– Every Friday – Coffee Morning 10.00- 13.00.
– Every Saturday – English Catholic Mass 16.00.
– Thursday 6th March – Excursion Almond Blossom in the Alpujarras.
– Monday 10th March – Monday Club 11.00 – 1.30.
– Friday 21st March– Taizé Prayer for Unity, St Andrés Church Torre del Mar. After Mass.
– Friday 28th March – Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

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Rincón de la Victoria “Ruta de la Cuchara IV” (Route of the Spoon): Now open thru Sunday, March 2. With 26 participating restaurants. Customers will be able to order dishes with a drink (beer, soft drink or water) at a price of €3.50. Visitors will be provided with a route book. The route can be seen on Google Maps: https://acortar.link/t9Fixx
Info: https://www.turismoenrincon.es/ruta-cuchara-rincon-victoria-2025/ 

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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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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:
*Are you thinking of selling?*
At BluCee Real Estate we use many different tools to demonstrate and promote our properties. Photographs, videos, drone footage, 360⁰ tours, targeted advertising, property exhibitions to name a few. We don’t sit and wait for buyers, we actively search for them.
Please contact us to find out what we will do to actively promote your property for sale.
We have a few places available on our artwork for our next property exhibition in Manchester. Contact us now to secure a place for YOUR property.
Nearly forgot to mention, our service might sound expensive but we are not! Our sales commissions are very competitive compared to other real estate companies.
Please contact us for a free valuation or more for information:
Website: http://www.blucee.com/ : Email: info@blucee.com 
Whatsapp 0034 711 04 27 27 / Office 0034 951 553 890
Or you can come into our office and speak to us in person at Calle Timón 11b, Torre del Mar, 29738, Málaga.
We look forward to helping you.
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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News & Articles

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

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SPAIN

Gas bottle agency insists it needs to make €4.80 per bottle, threatens home delivery strike: {Translation, summary}
– The Spanish Federation of Distributors of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (Fedglp) meets this Monday to its assembly to decide whether to call an indefinite strike in the distribution of butane at home due to the lack of response from the Government to their demands to ensure the viability of the sector. This was explained by sources of the Fedglp, an association to which 170 SMEs belong and which already carried out several days of delivery strike in the months of November and December.
– Fedglp calls for an imminent modification of the regulations governing the maximum price of packaged LPG, in line with the need to update marketing costs. Fedglp maintains current rates are far from the minimum necessary remuneration of €4.80 per cylinder that the agencies claim they need to operate. {This is probably false, my quick calculation says they are already clearing more than €4.80 per bottle, more like €6, even after VAT. According to GROK3, Spain’s wholesalers pay approximately €0.60 per liter for LPG supplies. The common LPG bottle holds 12.5 liters. You do the math and decide for yourself if raising the price to customers is justifiable. -Ed.}
Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5685080/0/repartidores-butano-deciden-este-lunes-convocan-paro-indefinido/ 

ANDALUCÍA

The reservoirs in Andalusia improve, but continue below the historical average: {Translation}
– The latest rains seem to have given some respite to the Andalusian reservoirs, although the situation remains worrying in some provinces such as Almeria and Malaga. With the latest data from February 17, the reservoirs of the community reached 4,705 cubic hectometers (hm³), representing 39.23% of its total capacity, estimated at 11,994 hm³. In the last week, the volume has increased by 38 hm³, which represents a variation of 0.32% compared to the previous measurement.
– Compared to the same week in 2024, when the reservoirs contained 2,847 hm³ (23.74%), the situation has improved significantly. However, it is still below the average of the last 10 years, which stood at 5,649 hm³ (47.10%).
– By provinces, Seville (77.07%) and Huelva (55.15%) are the ones with the best data, while Almería (8.48%) has the lowest levels. The data for the remaining provinces are: Cordoba (38.73%), Jaen (30.60%), Granada (33.68%), Malaga (27.92%) and Cadiz (30.26%). Despite the notable improvement, experts warn that the situation is still worrying in some areas and call for a responsible use of water. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1867675/los-embalses-en-andalucia-mejoran-pero-siguen-por-debajo-de-la-media-historica/ 

AXARQUÍA

Totalán organizes on March 2 a solidarity walk for Blanca, a 10 year old girl with reduced mobility: {Translation, summary}
– The City Council of Totalán and the Women’s Association of Totalán organize next Sunday, March 2, a solidarity walk in favor of Blanca, a 10 year old girl with reduced mobility. The proceeds of the activity will go to help her with her therapies and rehabilitation, essential for her.
– The walk through the streets of the town will begin at 11 am in the Plaza Antonio Molina, until 12:30 pm. Once finished, there will be a snack and a presentation from the City Council.
– Little Blanca, despite her young age, is a very brave and feisty girl. She likes to participate in all the activities that take place in the village and loves music, but at this moment she needs our support. Blanca has expressed her desire to be in the march, according to the organization of this charity activity. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/totalan-organiza-el-2-de-marzo-una-marcha-solidaria-a-favor-de-blanca-una-nina-de-10-anos-con-movilidad-reducida/ 

 

MALAGA CITY

Visits to two tourist hotspots in Malaga will double in price:
– What are the new prices? The standard fee for both the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle will be 7 euros each, compared to the 3.50 euros that the visits have cost until now.
– However, the more economical option is purchasing a ticket to visit both sites at the same time, which will cost 10 euros, compared to the current 5.50 euros. Those who qualify for the reduced rate (students, over 65s, pensioners, people with a disability of at least 33% and the unemployed) will pay 3 euros per monument (1.50 euros now), while the price of the combined ticket will rise to 5 euros (from 2.50 euros). Groups can visit each site separately for 5 euros (2.50 euros is the current price), while the Alcazaba-Gibralfaro ‘pack’ will cost 8 euros (compared to €4 today). Admission to the two monuments will remain free on Sundays from 2pm onwards. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/malaga-city/visiting-the-alcazaba-and-gibralfaro-castle-will-20250221074255-nt.html

TORROX

The municipality of Torrox leads population growth in Andalusia: {Translation, summary}
– The municipality of Torrox continues to lead population growth in Andalusia, above other cities on the Costa del Sol and the coast of the Autonomous Community such as Marbella, Estepona or Benalmádena. According to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), in the last eight years, Torrox has increased its population by 38.5%, adding 5,815 new residents.
– As shown in the INE data, Torrox has led the growth in Andalusia, with an increase in national and foreign population by 4.7% over the last year, reaching 20,932 inhabitants, “which reach 22,343 registered in February 2025, so this extraordinary trend, a sign of strength, will continue to rise,” said the mayor. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/el-municipio-de-torrox-lidera-el-crecimiento-demografico-en-andalucia/ 

EUROPE

Projected German election results- explained in graphics: {00:30 24/2/25}
– With a record-breaking voter turnout of 83.5%, the highest since unification in 1990, Germans cast their polls in an early federal election on February 23.
– Based on projections, the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz and its sister Christian Social Union (CSU) won the most votes (28.5%), followed by the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany AfD (20.7%). Full article: https://www.dw.com/en/german-election-results-and-voter-demographics-explained-in-charts/a-71724186

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Russia launches war’s largest drone attack on Ukraine, Kyiv says:
– Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Russia launched more than 200 drones in an overnight attack, the largest of the war, as he condemned Russia’s “aerial terror” and called for unity among Ukraine’s allies. “On the eve of the third anniversary of the full-scale war, Russia launched 267 attack drones against Ukraine — the largest attack since Iranian drones began striking Ukrainian cities and villages.”
– Ukraine’s air force said in a statement that 138 of the drones were downed and another 119 disappeared from radars after being jammed by electronic warfare, adding that Russia also launched three ballistic missiles. Damage was reported in five regions of Ukraine.
– Moscow has launched near-nightly massed drone attacks at Ukraine for months, seeking to exhaust air defences.
Zelenskiy said that in total, nearly 1,150 attack drones, more than 1,400 guided aerial bombs and 35 missiles of various types, were launched by Russia at Ukraine in the past week. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-launches-wars-largest-drone-attack-ukraine-kyiv-says-2025-02-23/ 

HEALTH

‘Stunning Admission’- Biden Administration Knew Natural Immunity Could Prevent COVID, but Didn’t Want to ‘Deal With Logistics’:
– This bombshell revelation came from Dr. Paul Offit himself in a video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) via The Chief Nerd where he acknowledged that natural immunity does protect against severe disease — a fact now backed by data. Yet, in the heat of vaccine mandates, Offit reveals that the White House simply did not want to deal with the hassle of verifying natural infection. Instead, millions of Americans were forced to comply, lose their jobs or be cast out of society — all to avoid a “bureaucratic layer.”
– Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a longtime defender of mass vaccination, has now admitted that the government overlooked a critical scientific reality. “There’s every reason to believe natural infection would prevent against serious disease,” Offit stated. “And data came out showing this was true.”
– Yet, when COVID-19 vaccine mandates swept across the nation, natural infection wasn’t even considered as an alternative. Offit attended meetings in early 2021 where the Biden administration decided to lean into a strict pro-mandate policy, ignoring the millions of Americans who had already recovered from COVID-19.
– Why? According to Offit, the administration didn’t want to deal with the logistics of verifying prior infection. “This added another layer,” Offit explained. “You had to now prove that you were naturally infected. You could probably buy a PCR positivity card off the internet.”
– Instead of working to verify legitimate cases of natural immunity, the government steamrolled ahead, demanding total vaccine compliance and punishing those who resisted. Full article: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/paul-offit-admits-biden-administration-knew-natural-immunity-prevents-covid/ & X Link


GASTRONOMIA

This week’s outstanding wines: {Translation of review by Enrique Bellver}
– Camarolos Vinos de Altura: It is one of the best high altitude wines that today are being produced throughout the D.O. Malaga-Sierras de Malaga. Victoria Ordóñez has not only put all her enthusiasm in elaborating this coupage of Syrah, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Tempranillo, but also all her good work in the care of the vineyards for the result to be what it is, a great red wine from Malaga. The grapes come from two vineyards, Lagar de Badillo and Cortijo La Fresneda, at more than 850 meters above sea level. A very personal wine.
Winery: Victoria Ordóñez. ; D.O.: Sierras de Málaga.
Vintage: 2021 ; Serving temperature: 14-16ºC
Approximate price: 35€. ; Rating: 8/10
– Raza Carmelo Rodero: This wine, Raza, could well be defined as a substitute for the classic Carmelo Rodero Reserva, although there is no comparison to be made. The winery has tried and succeeded in making this red express all that the terroir and landscape of Pedrosa de Duero holds. In particular, I find it to be a fresher wine with more personality than the traditional Reserva from this winery. I really like its nose with that wide range of ripe fruit aromas. In the mouth it is dense and enveloping.
Winery: Rodero S.L. ; D.O.: Ribera del Duero
Vintage: 2021 ; Serving temperature: 14-17ºC
Approximate price: 42€. ; Rating: 8/10
– Enate Merlot-Merlot: This single varietal merlot from Somontano is another of those great wines that often go unnoticed in the Malaga hospitality industry. A serious mistake. The wines of the Somontano DO and especially those of this winery are a clear example of how foreign varieties, well cared for and perfectly adapted to the environment, produce very personal wines. Very complex on the nose with aromas of red fruits and balsamic notes. In the mouth it is very fleshy and persistent. Ideal for game dishes.
Winery: Enate ; D.O.: Somontano
Vintage: 2021 ; Serving temperature: 13-16ºC
Approximate price: 25€. ; Rating: 7,5/10
Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/malagaenlamesa/vinos/cata-vinos-recomendados-1740164795-20250221000000-nt.html 

TECH

Apple Drops iCloud’s Advanced Data Protection in the U.K. Amid Encryption Backdoor Demands by Gov’t:
– Apple is removing its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for iCloud from the United Kingdom with immediate effect following government demands for backdoor access to encrypted user data. “We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy,” the company was quoted as saying to Bloomberg.
– The unprecedented development comes merely weeks after reports emerged that the U.K. government had ordered Apple to build a backdoor to access any Apple user’s iCloud content. Per The Washington Post, the demand, issued by the U.K. Home Office under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) aka ‘The Snoopers’ Charter’, “requires blanket capability to view fully encrypted material, not merely assistance in cracking a specific account.”
– ADP for iCloud is an optional setting that ensures that users’ trusted devices retain sole access to the encryption keys used to unlock data stored in its cloud. This includes iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes, Reminders, Safari Bookmarks, voice memos, and data associated with its own apps.
– With the removal of ADP in the region, Apple now only offers standard data protection for iCloud, which encrypts users’ data but stores the encryption keys in its own data centers (rather than safely stored and encrypted on your device), thereby making it accessible to law enforcement subject to a warrant {…and Apple employees, and Apple 3rd Party contractors and all their subcontractors, thus very little security at all. -Ed.}.
Full article: https://thehackernews.com/2025/02/apple-drops-iclouds-advanced-data.html 

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New Qubit Developments Put Quantum Computers On Fast Track:
– The quantum world operates according to the laws of quantum mechanics, which are not the same laws of physics that govern the world we see. The particles are called qubits, or quantum bits, analogous to the bits, or ones and zeros, that computers now use.
– All the world’s current computers operating together can’t do what a one-million-qubit quantum computer will be able to do.
– Microsoft introduces Majorana 1, the first quantum chip using a Topological Core architecture. The chip utilizes a new topoconductor material to control Majorana particles for more reliable qubits. This architecture aims to scale to a million qubits on a single chip, solving complex industrial and societal problems. This new architecture used to develop the Majorana 1 processor offers a clear path to fit a million qubits on a single chip that can fit in the palm of one’s hand, Microsoft said.
– It leverages the world’s first topoconductor, a breakthrough type of material which can observe and control Majorana particles to produce more reliable and scalable qubits, which are the building blocks for quantum computers. The topoconductor, or topological superconductor, is a special category of material that can create an entirely new state of matter – not a solid, liquid or gas but a topological state.
– This breakthrough required developing an entirely new materials stack made of indium arsenide and aluminum, much of which Microsoft designed and fabricated atom by atom.
– The quantum chip doesn’t work alone. It exists in an ecosystem with control logic, a dilution refrigerator that keeps qubits at temperatures much colder than outer space, and a software stack that can integrate with AI and classical computers. All those pieces exist, built or modified entirely in-house, said Krysta Svore, Microsoft technical fellow. {Of course these technologies require astronomical amounts of power. Perhaps that explains why the Globalists are so obsessed with reducing the energy the public uses? -Ed.}
Full article: https://www.technocracy.news/microsoft-breakthrough-in-quantum-computing-with-an-entirely-new-state-of-matter/ 

TRAVEL

New Traffic Sign Introduced In Spain: {Translation, summary}
– Recognize this road sign? It is the P33 sign, born in France and increasingly seen in Spain. This sign debuted in the neighboring country in 2011 and is gradually being introduced in the rest of the countries of the European Union, including Spain.
– According to the DGT, it warns of “danger due to the proximity of a stretch in which transit is frequently hindered by a notable loss of visibility due to fog, rain, snow or smoke”. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/motor/conductores-no-saben-que-significa-senal-trafico-reconoces-5684939/ 

RELIGION

Pope Francis is still in critical condition: {Translation}
– Pope Francis did not experience another respiratory crisis on Sunday, according to the latest medical report. However, his critical condition remains, in part due to a “mild renal insufficiency” that has complicated his health situation. “Some blood tests show an initial mild renal insufficiency, currently under control,” according to the statement released by the Vatican.
– The pontiff, who has been hospitalized since Feb. 14 with bilateral pneumonia, was given two units of red blood cell concentrate, which increased his hemoglobin level, according to the medical report released Sunday. The thrombocytopenia, that is to say, the low level of platelets that was detected on Saturday, “remained stable”, explained the sources.
– “However – they added – some blood tests show an initial mild renal insufficiency, currently under control.” High-flow oxygen therapy continues through nasal cannulas, after the pope had a respiratory crisis this Saturday.
– The pope remains alert and well oriented, the medical report adds. “The complexity of the clinical picture and the necessary wait for the pharmacological therapies to give some response force the prognosis to remain reserved,” the sources added.
– During the morning, in the apartment set up on the 10th floor of the health center, Francis participated in Mass with those who are taking care of him during these days of hospitalization. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/sociedad/papa-francisco-sigue-critico-pese_0_2003394923.html 

OTHER

Scientists Discovered An Ancient Civilization In The Jungle That Pre-dates The Aztec And Inca- See The Latest Discoveries From The Olmec Nation:
– Journey deep into the lush jungles of Mesoamerica, where archaeologists have unearthed the remnants of a civilization that predates even the mighty Aztecs and Incas – the enigmatic Olmec. Unearth the secrets of this ancient culture, whose colossal stone heads and intricate jade carvings continue to baffle experts. Explore the sprawling ruins of Tikal, a once-thriving Olmec city hidden beneath the Guatemalan rainforest. Discover towering pyramids, ornate temples, and mysterious hieroglyphs that offer a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of this ancient people. From their sophisticated calendar system to their mastery of agriculture and trade, the Olmec left an indelible mark on Mesoamerican history. Unravel the mysteries of their sudden disappearance and contemplate the enduring legacy of this pioneering civilization. Source & Video Link 

 

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Humour & Diversions Section

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Last updated Feb 23, 2025, 23:11 UTC

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Fun & Games

National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click Here
Word of the Day: Click Here
Quote of the Day: Click Here
Fact of the Day: Click Here
Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages (New Link), worldwide: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here

Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles. 
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo 
Competa 
Malaga 
Nerja 
Rincon 
Torrox 
Velez-Málaga 
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2025 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html

Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html

Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Nerja Car Boot 

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php  UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm

Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily. 
https://www.20minutos.es/loterias/

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Malaga Province: New, updated link (Aug, 2023). Info in English with list of English speaking meetings. https://aacostadelsol.com/

DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/

DigameXtra is now on X (formerly Twitter) at @DigameXtra. I also post articles there that are too controversial for the daily newsletter. However, you need a free X account to visit the @DigameXtra page on X. 

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DigameXtra No. 2954 WEEKEND EDITION Friday, February 21st, 2025

 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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*Subscribe to receive free daily issues by email. To subscribe, please send me an email with the message “subscribe me to DigameXtra” from the email account you want subscribed. 

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*Send your submissions & subscription requests to digamextra@protonmail.com

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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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.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! 

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Vanesa Cortés’ flamenco show: Sat, 22 Feb, 8pm
El Rincón del Arte- Torrox
Plaza de la Hoya 12, Torrox. Tel. 615441448
Info, map & tix (€12): https://www.giglon.com/todos?idEvent=espectaculo-flamenco-vanesa-cortes 

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Concert- Sergey Belyavsky, pianist extraordinaire:
Sat, 1 March, 8pm, €15. Teatro Ciudad de Marbella
Plaza Ramon Martinez, 3, Marbella 29603.
Info & tix: https://www.mientrada.net/evento/teatro-marbella-sergey-belyavsky/ &
Video Link

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“Fat Tuesday” Mardi Gras concert in the Alhambra: Tuesday, 4 March, 8pm. Entry €8.
C/ Molinos 56, Granada.
A great of the Andalusian Jazz scene, Arturo Cid, invites us to celebrate with his group, The Swing Gang, Mardi Gras at the Alhambra Theater.
Tickets: https://teatroalhambra.sacatuentrada.es/es/entradas/mardigrass
Info & map: https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/agendaculturaldeandalucia/evento/mardi-gras-en-el-alhambra 

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JMCN Nerja Concerts: 5-9 March
– March 7, Malaga Symphony Orchestra at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja a program consisting of two world premieres conducted by maestro José Luis López Antón.
– On March 5, Pilar Rus offers in the Museum of Nerja an electric guitar concert.
– On March 6, at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja, the composer and pianist Fran Romguer {Video Link} will offer a didactic concert in which he will analyze the music in video games. That same day will have two more appointments, the audiovisual show that will prepare the piano students of the Municipal School of Music at the Museum of Nerja, at 17:00 hours, and the clarinet concert by Duo Mitjana, also in the Museum of Nerja at 19:00 hours.
– During the weekend, two other concerts are scheduled, the Ícarus Duo saxophone and guitar, which will be on March 8 at the Museum of Nerja, and the recital of Anna Margules, one of the leading international figures in the repertoire of early music and contemporary recorder solo and electronic. With this last event, on March 9 at 19:00 in the Museum of Nerja, the third edition of the conference will close. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/las-iii-jornadas-de-musica-contemporanea-de-nerja-llevan-a-la-termica-un-taller-de-composicion-y-videocreacion-y-el-concierto-de-sigma-project/


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Malaga Guitar Orchestra: Sat 22 March, 8pm
Villa de Nerja Cultural Center, C/ Granada 45, Nerja
A journey through the sonorous universe of songs. The presented program will explore the German and Spanish liederistic traditions. We will travel to 19th century Germany, where lied (“song”) was established as a prestigious genre by composers such as Schubert and Mendelssohn, and to early 20th century Spain, where folklore and traditional melodies were recovered. In this case, works by Manuel de Falla.
Info & tix (€15): https://www.giglon.com/todos?idEvent=orquesta-de-guitarras-de-malaga 

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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
englishnurse@rocketmail.com
Tel: 951550581 or 692419548
JUBILEE HOUSE – Close Care Unit in Torrox
VACANCY: Due to a successful rehabilitation we will have vacancy from 21st November in one of our ensuite units for a long stay English speaking guest. Please contact Liz on 692419548.
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. We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section. 

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DOCTORLAPTOP’S COMPUTER REPAIRS

DoctorLaptop’s Computer Repairs & Sales- Torrox Costa (near the bus station)Computers only, Windows / Linux / Mac. No tablets or phones. 
I don’t work on dinosaurs computers made before 2018 unless I have been servicing then annually. 
Contact: doctorlaptop AT protonmail DOT com
Or call 675 993 069 (no calls before 12noon, missed calls returned asap). More info on my website. All work by appointment only, no drop-ins please. Appointments are only available 2pm-8pm, Sunday thru Thursday. Closed Fridays & Saturdays. Always include the make & model number of the device when requesting assistance. My contact details can be found everyday at the bottom of the Sponsor’s Section.

February is computer clean-up month- COMPUTERS REQUIRE MAINTENENCE!: DoctorLaptop’s full maintenance service for laptops & mini-PCs, only €40 this month. Full size towers €50. Remember, no computers made before 2018 serviced. If you wait until the computer is annoyingly slow you will need an expensive repair, not an inexpensive maintenance service. 

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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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COMPARE FUNERALS SPAIN

 

Compare Funerals cover the whole of Spain
ruthforder@comparefuneral.org
* Direct Cremation €2,250
* Collection of deceased and conveyance to Funeral Home
* Supply of coffin
* Preparation and care of deceased
* Registration of death and certification of all legal documentation
* Cremation and any doctor’s fees
* Supply of Urn
* Delivery of Urn and associated paperwork to family (death certificate, cremation certificate etc)
This plan is exclusive to a number of provinces, please ask advisor for more information.
Contact Ruth Forder on 0034 693 715 718 ; funeralplansbyruthforder.com
Your questions answered by Ruth from Compare Funerals Spain
– Why should I have a funeral plan? Having been funeral planning for over 10 year I’ve experienced some very sad and upset families when nothing is in place. A Spanish funeral plans will ensure that all costs are covered for your funeral service. Getting a prepaid plan will help you feel assured that your family will not be under any financial strain when it comes to paying for your funeral. A plan also means you can have peace of mind that everything has been organised in advance, so your loved ones do not have to make any difficult decisions.
– Why choose Compare Funerals? There seems to be a gap in Spain between independent funeral directors, offering plans at a good price but lacking the security of an established Trust or ability to cover a client overseas and Providers who seem to charge more than necessary. We want to be right in the middle and offer the best of both worlds. Our best-priced plan is only 2,250€ and does the essentials.
– Can I do a payment plan? All our plans are payable in full or over up to 5 years interest FREE. The interest free periods are based on initial deposit. The higher the deposit the less your monthly repayments will be.
– Can I transfer the plan? The answer is YES. You could name 2 people on one plan however if you had a friend/family member pass away we can transfer the plan into a 3rd party’s name.
– What happens if I move? All our plans offer the equivalent service in Spain (including the islands), Portugal, Republic of Ireland and the UK. If you moved to the UK, we would transfer the plan to one of our many partners at no extra cost to you.
– Is paperwork included? Yes, your family will receive a death certificate in Spanish and an international certification in English. We also provide a cremation certificate that allows the ashes on board a plane.
We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section. 

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Great Deals From Upcycling Nerja
– Solid Castilian drawer natural top (waxed) color grey green & beige measurements 91 x 36.50 x 81cms, price 145€
– Castilian style solid pine chest of drawers beige & grey color pine knobs measurements 90 x 36 x 82cms. Price 145€
– Castilian sideboard solid wood (waxed) beige color measurements 140 x 36 x 78cms. Price 295€
contact Jackie / nerja 672170429
upcycling nerja at gmail dot com

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For Sale: New Lenovo Ideapad 1-15ALC7, Gen 7. Only €420.
High Performance Business Grade Laptop
Windows 11 Pro (UK). 16Gb Hi-Speed RAM, 512Gb SSD.
15.6inch Full HD display. Spanish keyboard.
Proc: AMD Ryzen 5 5500u (2.1 to 4GHz), 6 core 12 threads.
SD card reader, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Wifi 6.
Stereo speakers w/ Dolby. HD webcam with blocker.
Slim-line, light weight at 1.6kg. Heavy duty hinges. 
Rapid-Charge 9hr battery, 2hr charge in 15mins!
Fully setup, updated and ready to use.
Website: https://psref.lenovo.com/Product/IdeaPad_1_15ALC7
Price €420. 1yr factory warranty upon registration.
Naythan, Torrox Costa.
doctorlaptop@protonmail.com 

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For Sale: New Laptop, Acer Aspire 3 A315. Only €480
Very powerful business model. 15.6″ Full HD display.
Windows 11 Pro (UK), 16 Gb RAM, 512 Gb SSD
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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News & Articles

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{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

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SPAIN

Radical Feminist Epic Fail- Football Kiss Trial Concludes, all but one of Jenni’s charges dismissed- Rubiales to pay small fine on a single charge, all other defendents found not guilty: {Translation}
– The former president of the Spanish Football Federation (FEF), Luis Rubiales {pic}, has been sentenced for a crime of sexual assault for kissing the player Jenni Hermoso to 18 months fine at €20 per day, €10,800 in total. The sentence of the Central Criminal Court of the Audiencia Nacional has been known only a week after the end of the trial. The other three defendants, former women’s national team coach Jorge Vilda, former FEF sports director Albert Luque, and former marketing manager Rubén Rivera, were acquitted of the crime of coercion, as was Rubiales. An appeal from either side against this ruling can be made to the Criminal Division of the same court. The former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales immediately announced he will appeal the sentence.
– The ruling of the magistrate Juan Manuel Fernández-Prieto also prohibits the former head of the federation from approaching Hermoso within a radius of 200 meters and from communicating with her for one year.
– The Prosecutor’s Office of the Audiencia Nacional had requested in its report of conclusions a total sentence of two years and six months in prison for Rubiales, of which one year was for the crime of sexual assault and another year and a half for coercion. For the latter offense, the representative of the Public Prosecutor’s Office had requested a sentence of one year and six months for the other three defendants.
– The sentence dismisses the accusations of fraudulent pressures on Jenni Hermoso to change her version about the consent of the kiss, which took place in the medal ceremony of the World Cup in Australia held in August 2023. Appeals from both sides are anticipated. New charges against witnesses who testified with false claims of coercion will also be considered, putting several Spanish Women’s footballers and staff at risk of prosecution.
{Thus Jenni’s spurious claims have caused womens football irrepairable damage as public support dwindles and sponsors flee due to what many consider Jenni’s outrageous claims over a minor indiscretion. All for a lousy €11k. Jenni’s salary in future contracts will shrink more than that as no one want to hire a pariah troublemaker. Nice job, you actually lost money in the long run! Get woke, go broke! Good luck in the Mexican minor leagues. -Ed.}
Sources, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/deportes/futbol/rubiales-condenado-meses-multa-beso-jenni-hermoso-20250220132428-ntrc.html &
https://www.europapress.es/nacional/noticia-rubiales-anuncia-recurrira-condena-10800-euros-multa-beso-no-consentido-hermoso-20250220164049.html

AXARQUÍA

35% Increase In Water Bills! The Mancomunidad Axarquia approves that fourteen municipalities pay 35% more for water: {Translation, summary}
– The General Meeting of the Association of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol-Axarquia approved this Wednesday the modification of the rates of the Non-Taxable Public Patrimonial Provision (PPPNT) water service to the 14 municipalities that are supplied from the reservoir of La Viñuela. At the meeting it was decided that these municipalities will pay 35.29% more for water. Also, a 27.12% increase in the provision of the integral sewerage wastewater treatment and impulsion service has also been certified, rejecting the arguments presented by the PSOE, Vox and the majority of residents that attended the recent Public Water Commission hearings.
– The municipalities that are supplied by the reservoir of La Viñuela and that will pay more from now on are: Almáchar, Algarrobo, Benamargosa, Benamocarra, Comares, Cútar, Iznate, Macharaviaya, Moclinejo, Rincón de la Victoria, Vélez-Málaga, Totalán, El Borge and Torrox. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/provincia/mancomunidad-axarquia-aprueba-manera-definitiva-subida-agua_0_2003377163.html

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Investigation of developers, builders and technical directors of several municipalities of the Axarquia for crimes against land use and urban planning in the province: {Translation}
– Agents belonging to the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) of the Command of the Civil Guard of Malaga, under the direction and coordination of the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of Malaga have carried out the so-called “Murus” operation which began in 2024 in the province of Malaga, acting in Mijas, Malaga, Antequera, Torrox, Rincon de la Victoria, Coin, Cortes de la Frontera, Estepona, Marbella, Ronda, Nerja and Velez-Malaga, among others.
– This operation was initiated with the aim of combating attacks against land use and urban planning, to protect the environment, the historical-artistic heritage and the landscape, as well as to ensure a sustainable and balanced urban development in the province of Malaga.
– During the development of this operation, 60 people have been investigated, including developers, builders and technical directors for alleged crimes against land management, for their involvement in the execution of non-legalizable works on rural land in several municipalities in the province. The agents observed the alleged commission of 58 urban planning crimes.
– 166 inspections have been carried out in all the counties of the province, detecting 254 administrative infractions, mainly due to lack of urban planning license, not complying with the project and/or the license, earth moving, etc. All the complaints have been sent to the respective town councils, who have the competences in territorial and urban planning matters and for the carrying out of the sanctioning proceedings.
– Of the actions carried out against the land, the following stand out: the illegal construction of single-family houses on rural land, in some cases in protected areas, the illegal installation of prefabricated houses for residential purposes, the construction of swimming pools masked as irrigation pools, the construction of barbecues for recreational purposes without justification or the construction of tool sheds and their subsequent change of use in a residential dwelling, among others. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/investigan-a-promotores-constructores-y-tecnicos-directores-de-varios-municipios-de-la-axarquia-por-delitos-contra-la-ordenacion-del-territorio-y-el-urbanismo-en-la-provincia/ 

MALAGA PROVINCE

The Aemet warns of the arrival of a new Atlantic front: this is the forecast in Málaga: {Translation}
– The week in Malaga has been marked by above normal temperatures, reaching 20 degrees, in general, throughout the territory. Looking ahead to the weekend, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has reported that an Atlantic front will pass between the last moments of Friday and the early hours of Saturday, which will leave rain. The director of the Aemet in Malaga, Jesus Riesco, has indicated that this front will sweep “practically the entire province, but heavy rainfall is not expected”. This front is accompanied by a mass of cold air, which will lower the thermometers in general in the province, but temperatures will remain above normal,
***Rains in Malaga this weekend***
– The Malaga meteorologist has indicated that rain is not ruled out this Friday, due to the eastern cloudiness there may be some drizzle, mainly on the coast of the western half of the province of Malaga. This situation would occur mainly in the early hours of the day.
– In the middle of Friday enters a new Atlantic front, which will leave rains, widespread throughout the province of Malaga, but weak, being moderate in some areas. These precipitations will be concentrated in the early hours of the day, dissipating throughout the day. Looking ahead to Sunday, a few cloudy skies are expected.
– Regarding temperatures, the passage of front will leave the entry of a mass of cold air, lowering the maximum of 20 degrees on the coast this Friday. It is expected the passage of terral in the coastal area, so that on Saturday will rise again, expecting in Marbella highs reaching 22 degrees. In the interior, in the coming days temps will fall, 17 degrees are expected tomorrow Friday in Antequera, but on Sunday will rise to 18.
– Next Monday, February 24 the weather is stable and with temperatures above normal. In principle the maximums will mark for the beginning of the week 20 on the coast and 18 in the interior.
– For the rest of the week, Riesco has pointed out that right now there are many storms circulating, which can disrupt the path of each other, so it is still too early to know a more accurate forecast for the rest of the week. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/aemet-avisa-nuevo-frente-prevision-malaga_0_2003376256.html & X Link

EUROPE

Russia says it has taken back major chunk of Kursk region from Ukrainian forces:
– Russian forces have taken back more than 800 square km (309 square miles) of territory from Ukraine in the Kursk region of western Russia, or about 64% of the total taken by Ukraine since an incursion began last year, a top Russian general said.
Colonel General Sergei Rudskoi, head of the General Staff’s main operational directorate, told the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper that Russia was advancing in all directions and Ukraine had been pushed into a defensive stance since February 2024 amid a major Russian offensive that took back considerable territory.
– Rudskoi said Russia now controlled 75% of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions and more than 99% of the Luhansk region. He said the four regions are now legally part of Russia and will never be returned to Ukraine. “Last year was a turning point in achieving our goals. The Kyiv regime will no longer be able to significantly change the situation on the battlefield,” Rudskoi said. “The enemy has largely lost the ability to produce the necessary weapons, equipment and ammunition. Mobilisation is usually forced.” Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-has-taken-back-major-chunk-kursk-region-ukrainian-forces-2025-02-20/ 

HEALTH

Andalusian pharmacies fail to meet Ozempic’s demand: {Translation, summary}
– Andalusian pharmacies are unable to meet the demand for Ozempic, a drug that has been marketed relatively recently in the region, whose prescription is indicated for diabetes patients and which, unlike traditional treatments for this disease, also makes it possible to lose excess weight.
– Without ruling out that this supply problem is forcing doctors not to prescribe Ozempic, Garcia qualifies a ‘boom’ in demand in Andalusia has created shortages. In statements to Europa Press, the president of the College of Pharmacists of Huelva has recalled the presence of other methods to fight diabetes, so that as far as he is concerned, there is no public health problem.
***Forced to buy expensive alternatives not covered by Public Health***
– In detail, Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, as are Wegovy and Mounjaro, drugs that also help with weight loss. However, Ozempic does receive Social Security funding, while the other two do not. Both Wegovy and Mounjaro can be prescribed by private healthcare, Ozempic can only be prescribed by the public system of Andalusia and focused on diabetes control.
– Regarding Wegovy and Mounjaro, García explained that there is no shortage in Andalusian pharmacies. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1867656/las-farmacias-andaluzas-no-logran-cubrir-la-demanda-de-ozempic/ 

SPORTS

Football News- Slide continues for Guardiola and Man City in Champions League exit:
– The search for answers will continue for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, with the manager saying he wants continue with the club but admitting that a new cycle is beginning.
– Guardiola couldn’t find a way to keep City alive in the Champions League on Wednesday, when another poor performance led to a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid and a 6-3 aggregate defeat to the Spanish powerhouse in the playoffs. Full article: https://apnews.com/article/man-city-guardiola-real-madrid-champions-league-552ccbb5613f9dde68225636836d9321 

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Tennis News- Andreeva dumps Swiatek in straight sets to march into Dubai semis:
– An inspired Mirra Andreeva {pic} beat world number two Iga Swiatek for the first time in her career with a dominant 6-3 6-3 victory as the Russian 17-year-old moved into the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Championships on Thursday.
– With her victory, 12th seed Andreeva moved into the first WTA 1000 semi-final of her career while Swiatek became another top seed to exit the tournament after world number one Aryna Sabalenka was knocked out on Wednesday.
– Andreeva is also the youngest semi-finalist in Dubai since the tournament was first held in 2001 — a significant improvement from her last visit when she was knocked out in the first round last year. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/sports/tennis/andreeva-dumps-swiatek-straight-sets-march-into-dubai-semis-2025-02-20/ 

SPACE

2024 YR4- What we know about the asteroid that could hit Earth:
– The 2024 YR4 asteroid set off automated asteroid warning systems after it was spotted through advanced telescopes in Rio Hurtado, Chile, last December. Since then, the asteroid has jumped to the top of the risk list – a catalogue of all space objects which could possibly clash with our planet. It’s far from panic stations – but experts say the probability of an impact with Earth has almost trebled from 1.2% in January to about 3.1% now.
– If there is impact, it’s estimated to be at 2.02pm on 22 December 2032 – though the precise time is prone to change, as is the exact probability of its collision with Earth. NASA says the asteroid would likely hit somewhere across the eastern Pacific Ocean, northern South America, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Arabian Sea, or South Asia.
– The asteroid is currently at level 3 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, which is a system used to determine how big a threat an asteroid or comet is to planet Earth. Level 3 is defined as a “close encounter meriting attention by astronomers”, because it has a 1% or greater chance of collision capable of localised destruction.
Full article: https://news.sky.com/story/2024-yr4-what-we-know-about-the-asteroid-that-could-hit-earth-13307919 

TRAVEL

EU Says Travellers Without ETIAS Won’t Be Refused Entry During First 6 Months of Implementation:
– The European Union Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs has confirmed that the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be gradual, consisting of a transitional and grace period.
– “The launch of ETIAS will be followed by a transitional period of at least six months. This means that, for travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their ETIAS travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.” – EU Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs.
Full article: https://schengen.news/eu-says-travellers-without-etias-wont-be-refused-entry-during-first-6-months-of-implementation/ 

PETS

This is how Planas’ ministry will put an end to cat colonies and, incidentally, to your dog: {Translation}
– The Ministry of Agriculture, directed by Luis Planas, has created a Decree-Law that is a joke of the Animal Welfare Law, it could be the definitive weapon to eliminate the feline colonies and, after a month and a half in force, it has already killed a little dog. This regulation, which has angered veterinarians, owners and animal lovers alike, consists of making access to antibiotics more difficult in order to “avoid resistance”. Is this necessary? No. The EU says that we are the country that has most reduced the use of antibiotics in animals. Is it dangerous for animals? Yes. Very much so. And also more expensive for the owners.
– The little dog Selva has become the first mortal victim of this law. She had an infection caused by the bite of another dog. Her veterinarian wanted to treat her with a combination of antibiotics, but the law does not allow it without first doing an antibiogram, a culture test that takes at least a week. Selva died of sepsis four days before the test results came back.
– The veterinary team that treated Selva is devastated by rage and helplessness. It is unusual for an animal to end up dying because of bureaucratic issues when the medication to prevent it is available in any pharmacy. And, as if that were not enough, they still have to endure how several members of an animalist political party reproach them for not having broken the law to save Selva.
– The culprits of Selva’s death are those politicians who have tied the hands of veterinarians when applying their medical criteria under threat of fines of between 60,000 and one million euros. The same ones who, hiding behind environmental criteria, have ignored that section of the Animal Welfare Law that obliges owners to provide their animals with “the sanitary care necessary to guarantee their health”.
***Cats in danger***
– How is it that the General Director of Animal Rights, José Ramón Becerra, after so much work to guarantee the health, rights and welfare of community cats, comes along and introduces a law that condemns stray animals and puts the caretakers of cat colonies in serious trouble?
– Here is a new problem that several veterinarians are already warning about. When a stray cat requiring an antibiotic arrives at the veterinarian’s office, the professionals used to administer a medicine (cephalexin) that lasts 15 days in the animal’s organism. Now they cannot. The government won’t let them, unless someone pays for the famous antibiogram and takes care of the cat until the results come back. What is the solution? They have to resort to a permitted antibiotic, although its effectiveness only lasts two or three days. So, unless the colony caretaker is able to recapture the animal, the cat will most likely die from the infection. Source, Spanish: https://www.libertaddigital.com/opinion/2025-02-20/marta-arce-asi-es-como-el-ministerio-de-planas-acabara-con-las-colonias-felinas-y-de-paso-con-tu-perro-7221800/ 

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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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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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DigameXtra No. 2953 Thursday, February 20th, 2025

 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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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.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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Production Problem: My web-publishing host, WordPress, in their ultimate wisdom, is now forcing me to use totally different newsletter editing software than I have used up until now- a new fangled one, which I tested out before, thought it was rubbish then, and it’s still awful. I am trying it out for the first time in a published issue today. As a test issue I am keeping todays issue small. If you find any errors or experience any issues, please report them to the Editor. Thanks.

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What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! 

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XIV Fiesta de la Molienda- Riogordo (Olive Fair):
Fri, 21 Feb – Sun 23, Feb
This is a cultural, ethnographic and gastronomic party around extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Olive oil here is mainly made with the variety of Verlez Verdial olive.
In the Riogordo olive program you can enjoy a weekend of exhibitions, conferences, live cooking demonstrations, guided tours, demonstration of how a 16th -century mill is used for the grinding of olives and visits to the olive groves, olive pit throwing competitions, local products market and live perfirmances
Activities include guided visits to an olive processing facility, a walk along the route by the monumental olive trees of Ríogordo, exhibitions, conferences, poetry recitals, songs of the olive grove and tastings. The Ethnographic Museum of Riogordo, where an old 16th century oil mill is preserved, will be the epicenter of the festival.
There will be tastings of typical dishes of Riogordo gastronomy prepared by Francisco Periguero harmonized with EVOO. For Saturday 22, ‘chickpea stew with tagarninas’ and for Sunday 23, ‘country salad.
Info: https://www.riogordo.es/12070/com1_md3_cd-75799/la-molienda-de-riogordo-2025

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Treasure Cave of Rincón de la Victoria renews its theatrical visits:
– The visits are made in groups of 30 people with two passes every last Sunday of the month at 11.00 and 12.30 hours. “Last year there were 720 people who enjoyed the activity, being satisfactorily very well valued,” said the mayor.
– Due to the success of the activity, the sessions of next Sunday, February 23 are full. The following will be in March (Sunday 30), April (Sunday 27), May (Sunday 25), June (Sunday 29), July (Sunday 27), August (Sunday 31), September (Sunday 28), October (Sunday 26), November (Sunday 30) and December (Sunday 28).
Tickets & info: https://entradas.turismoenrincon.es/comprar-entradas/visita-teatralizada-cueva-del-tesoro
The price is 5 euros from 4 years old.
For more information: 952 406 162 / cuevadeltesoro@rincondelavictoria.es 

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Flamenco Event- “In the Heat of Flamenco”: Fri, 21 Feb, 7pm
Casa de Cultura, Puerta Granada 19, 18690 Almuñécar
With Irene la Serradilla on dance, and the special collaboration of the Cuerpo de Baile de Ananda. Alicia Morales and Fita Heredia on vocals; with Rubén Campos on guitar.
Info & tix (€15): https://bravoentradas.es/es/events/al-calor-del-flamenco 

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BLUCEE REAL ESTATE

BluCee Real Estate:
Our team is expanding. A new full-time member of staff will be joining the BluCee team at the start of February, adding Polish and German to our spoken languages.
We are proactive, dynamic and creative. Listing properties for sale is our speciality and our passion.
Not only do we advertise on the leading major property websites, we attend international property exhibitions and are very active on social media.
50% of our buyers are Spanish and the other 50% are from all corners of the world. We do not focus on a particular nationality, we focus on selling!
Would you like a free realistic valuation?
If so, please contact us, as we have the capability to take on more properties to advertise. If you list exclusively with us before 18th February your property will be showcased at our next international property exhibition, A Place In The Sun Live in Manchester, UK.
Email: info@blucee.com ; Web: http://www.blucee.com/
Tel: 0034 711 042 727 / 0034 951 553 890
Or pass by our office to have a no obligation chat!
Calle Timón 11b, Torre del Mar, 29740
From 09.30 to 17.30 hrs Monday to Friday.
For an appointment outside of our opening times please contact us.
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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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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Great Deals From Upcycling Nerja
– Beautiful solid wooden bar with drawer with 4 matching solid wood bar stools, vgc, 133 x 45 x 110cms approx extra 15cms width with bar, price 225€
contact Jackie / Nerja’s 672170429
upcycling nerja at gmail dot com

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For Sale: Cecotec gas heater complete with part full gas bottle.
€50. Contact: George, Maro 653058825. 

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For Rent, long term: We have a long term rental unit available in Torrox Costa, a 112sq metre, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 3rd floor flat, with south facing terrace, lift, private secure garage parking, common pool and garden area.
Available soon for long term rent only.
€950pcm + electricity
Contact Ray on 0034 608 568 602, WhatsApp or phone.
Email: raycraig at live dot com

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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 rejects Trump Plan to transfer the population of the Gaza Strip in talks with Egyptian president, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians”: {Translation}
– The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has expressed his “resounding rejection” of US President Donald Trump’s plan for the population of the Gaza Strip to leave the territory and be relocated in the countries of the region: “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians,” said Sánchez.
– Together with the President of Egypt, Abdelfatah Al-Sisi, who is on an official visit to Spain, the head of the Executive said that the expulsion of Palestinians would be “immoral and contrary to international law” and would also have a “destabilizing effect” at regional and global level.
– Thus, in a joint statement from La Moncloa, he assured Al-Sisi that Spain will continue to support a political solution that will make the two-state solution a reality. On his side, the Egyptian leader thanked Sanchez for Spain’s position in favor of the rights of the Palestinians and the establishment of their own State.
Source, Spanish: https://www.teleprensa.com/articulo/nacional-3/sanchez-rechaza-presidente-egipcio-traslado-poblacion-franja-gaza-es-palestinos/202502191202322038445.html 

ANDALUCÍA

Andalusia toughens penalties against illegal tourist homes and the platforms that advertise them: {Translation, summary} 
– The Junta de Andalucía is increasing efforts against illegal tourist homes and other services of the sector that are offered clandestinely. This will be reflected in the new Sustainable Tourism Law that the Executive has already begun to process and that seeks to ensure that this type of accommodation have the same rights and obligations as others.
– Thanks to the new regulations, and a decree law on housing that the Board plans to approve soon, it will soon be recognized for the first time that housing for tourist use (VUT) will now be considered an “accommodation service”, which in turn will force them to abide by the penalty system, which the Board will harden in a “severe” way.
– Thus, serious infractions that were previously fined between 2,000 and 18,000 euros will go to a range of between 10,000 and 100,000, while the very serious ones, which until now were punished with between 18,000 and 150,000 euros, will have a punishment of between 100,000 and 600,000. The penalties will apply to all tourist services, including now the VUT, operating in a “clandestine” way, as well as to the platforms that advertise them or those that do not inform the Board of how many tourist apartments they offer.
– In addition, it is stipulated that tourist homes will have an economic and non-residential urban use, but they will have to be “compatible” with the latter, which will allow municipalities to “link economic development with the city model”. Source, Spanish:
https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5683617/0/andalucia-endurece-las-sanciones-contra-las-viviendas-turisticas-ilegales-las-plataformas-que-las-anuncien/ 

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FUENGIROLA

Home invader ties up and beats the inhabitants of a house during raid: {Translation}
– The National Police have resolved the violent assault on a house in Fuengirola (Malaga), in which an assailant, 42 years old, tied with zip-ties and violently beat its inhabitants to confess where the safe was located, from which he stole 32,000 euros.
– The investigations began after a complaint from a resident of Fuengirola, a 69 year old woman who told the police how a man had assaulted her house after pushing her into it, where she, her sister with intellectual disabilities and her caregiver were inside.
The assault, according to police sources in a statement, was carried out with great violence, to the point that the thief immobilized the women, whom he beat repeatedly.
– After investigations by officers of the Judicial Police Brigade of the Local Police Station of Fuengirola, the assailant has been charged with crimes of robbery with violence, false imprisonment and injury. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/malaga/1866634/ata-con-bridas-y-golpea-a-las-moradoras-de-una-casa-para-que-digan-donde-tienen-el-dinero/

USA

Putin Says Normal Diplomatic Ties Restored Between Russia and US:
– Vladimir Putin has said that normal diplomatic ties have been restored between Russia and the United States. “The constant expulsion of diplomats from Washington and Moscow does not lead to anything good,” Putin said according to RIA Novosti, Russian state-owned media. Putin expressed interest in meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump but stressed that any such talks must be carefully planned to ensure a productive outcome.
– Putin’s remarks came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Trump of operating within a “Russian disinformation space,” citing the former president’s past engagements with Kremlin officials. Zelensky, who has been vocal about his concerns over Trump’s stance on Ukraine, is expected to meet U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, who arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday.
– Trump lashed out at Zelensky on Wednesday, branding him a “dictator without elections”, following the Ukrainian leader’s comments. Trump, who has long criticized U.S. support for Ukraine, made the remark in a post on Truth Social, where he dismissed Zelensky as “a modestly successful comedian” who convinced the United States to pour billions into what he described as “a war that couldn’t be won, that never had to start.” “A Dictator without Elections,” Trump wrote in his Wednesday post, in response to Ukraine cancelling elections that were scheduled for today, 20 Feb. Full article: https://www.newsweek.com/putin-says-normal-diplomatic-ties-restored-between-russia-us-2033203

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Covid vaccine faces ban for all Americans in radical U-turn by Trump team:
– Covid vaccines could be suspended for all age groups in America under radical new plans backed by key health figures in the Trump Administration. Several experts poised for top jobs in US health agencies subscribe to the disputed idea the shots are causing widespread side effects and deaths.
– DailyMail.com also understands Robert F Kennedy Jr has privately expressed concerns about the vaccines and signaled he is open to axing them if the data supports it.
– Other key advisors to Kennedy have promoted conspiratorial views on social media about the Covid vaccines, including that the shots killed more people than they saved. Dr Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist being considered for a health advisory role in Kennedy’s new health departments, has called for the jabs to be suspended and and reassessed.
– Two states — Idaho and Montana — have already begun considering legislation to ban the use of the mRNA Covid vaccines. Lawmakers bringing the rules have raised fears that the vaccines could ‘integrate’ into human DNA, a conspiracy theory that is not backed by evidence.
– The HOPE accord, signed by Dr Bhattacharya, claims there is a ‘causal link’ between the mRNA shots and an alarming rise in excess deaths worldwide. During Covid and in the years following the pandemic, hundreds of thousands of more people in the US died than would normally be expected. While many experts have attributed these deaths to cancers, heart disease, undiagnosed Covid and the worsening of health problems missed during lockdowns. The new petition suggests the mRNA vaccines played a role. It states: ‘This new technology was granted emergency use authorisation to address a situation that no longer exists. “Going forward, the burden of proof falls on those still advocating for these products to compellingly demonstrate that they aren’t resulting in net harm. Until such evidence is presented, regulators should suspend their use as a matter of standard medical precaution.” Full article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14174091/Covid-vaccine-faces-ban-Americans-radical-U-turn-Trump-team.html

HEALTH

Collapse at the Malaga Maternity Hospital- waits of up to three years and more than 700 ultrasound scans not performed: {Translation}
– In a note sent to the media, CSIF, the majority union in the medical professions as a whole in Andalusia, denounces that there are currently more than 4,000 patients referred from Primary Care who are still waiting for an appointment since April 2024, from all over the province of Malaga. Added to this are more than 5,000 gynecological check-ups on hold since 2022 and 2023 and more than 700 high-resolution ultrasound scans pending since November 2023. “There are also unacceptable delays in basic sterility studies (EBE), with cases pending since September 2023, which blocks access to assisted reproduction consultation and paralyzes treatments,” they lament. In addition, the union denounces that in some cases the deadlines and guarantees of the SAS are not being complied with,
– Regarding the Endometriosis unit, they also consider that it suffers a “worrying” collapse, since essential tests such as MRIs and high-resolution ultrasound scans are delayed for more than a year, “preventing the timely diagnosis and treatment of this chronic and degenerative disease”. In fact, the delay in these tests can aggravate the pathology of the patients, complicating the necessary surgical interventions, according to the union.
– This “serious deterioration in care” is compounded by the decline in the quality of care in Obstetrics, where delays in appointments during the corresponding week of gestation have skyrocketed during holiday periods. “As a consequence of the disastrous hospital management, the service has gone from a rating of 7.6 in 2020 to a 4.48 in 2023,” they emphasize.
– But why is this happening? Unlike the situation in other services or in other areas related to healthcare, in this case it does not seem to be a question of lack of resources or personnel, but of poor management. This is pointed out by the union and confirmed by workers consulted by SUR, who point to the lack of planning. “In 2024 only 13 consultations of Basic Study of Sterility have been opened, when they should be enabled from Monday to Friday, which has meant the loss of more than a thousand appointments in this specialty.”
– “In addition, Gynecology consultations are opened and closed without clear criteria, depending on the number of professionals available. Some specialties, such as Endometriosis or IUDs, only work intermittently, leaving patients without guaranteed access to healthcare and aggravating the waiting list”, they continue. These same workers insist that both the hospital management and the sub-directorate are “perfectly aware” of what has been going on for years. “But we do not know why, they do not take action,” these workers point out. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/malaga/colapso-materno-esperas-malaga-700-ecografias-20250218191149-nt_amp.html 

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EU wants to eliminate info sheets in prescriptions in favor of digital, online info sheets: {Translation, summary}
– The package leaflet, that sheet of paper that once unfolded is a challenge to fold back into its original form and which contains in small print information relevant to the safe use of drugs, could disappear within at least five years. This is what the European Commission has proposed.
– But on its way through the Council and the European Parliament until it is approved, many voices have already been raised against this proposed regulation. This Wednesday, following in the wake of European organizations, Spanish doctors, pharmacists, patients, pensioners and consumers have expressed their rejection of the elimination of paper package leaflets for medicines sold in pharmacies because they consider that “replacing them with digital formats would not only create barriers to access to information, but would also put the health of millions of people at risk”, especially the elderly, who are the most polymedicated and least digitized. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5683881/0/medicos-farmaceuticos-consumidores-pacientes-rechazan-eliminar-prospecto-papel-cinco-anos-como-pide-europa/ 

SPORTS

Tennis News- ATP 500 Tournament of Doha update:
– A day after Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas were sent packing in Doha, order was restored amongst the seeded players at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
– Carlos Alcaraz fended off his fellow 21-year-old competitor, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, for his seventh consecutive win.
– De Minaur, the No. 2 seed, remained on course for another final collision with Alcaraz. The Australian defeated Botic van de Zandschulp, 6-4, 6-4, in upping his season record to 13-2. For a semifinal spot, he meets Andrey Rublev.
– Fourth seed Daniil Medvedev continued his quest to end a title drought dating back to May 2023 by routing Zizou Bergs, 6-2, 6-1. In the last eight, Medvedev faces Felix Auger-Aliassime.
– Eighth seed Jack Draper dispatched qualifier Christopher O’Connell, 6-2, 6-1, and gets either Matteo Berrettini or Tallon Griekspoor Friday. Full article: https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/carlos-alcaraz-fends-off-luca-nardi-lead-doha-quarterfinalists-atp-de-minaur-rublev 

FINANCIAL

British Pound Edges Lower Vs Euro, Dollar As Inflation Jump Drives Stagflation Fears:
– A stronger-than-expected headline inflation figure triggered a Pound spike on Wednesday, but stagflation fears pulled it away from initial highs.
– The Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate hit 2025 highs just below 1.2100 before a retreat to 1.2070. UK consumer prices declined 0.1% for January, but the headline inflation rate increased to 3.0% from 2.5% previously and above consensus forecasts of 2.8%. This was also the highest annual reading since March 2024.
– The core inflation rate increased sharply to 3.7% from 3.2% and in line with market expectations. The CPI(H) figure, preferred by the ONS, increased to 3.9% from 3.5% and the strongest reading since January 2024.
– The largest upward contribution came from transport, and food and non-alcoholic beverages while the largest downward contribution came from housing and household services. The goods inflation rate increased to 1.0% from 0.7% with the services-sector rate increasing to 5.0% from 4.4%.
– The Bank of England will inevitably be uneasy over inflation trends, especially with stubborn services-sector pressures, and energy prices are set to increase again. A reluctance to cut interest rates could underpin the Pound on yield grounds, but there will be further concerns over the risk of stagflation in the economy, especially if business confidence slides in Friday’s PMI survey. Full article: https://www.exchangerates.org.uk/news/42396/2025-02-19-british-pound-edges-lower-vs-euro-dollar-as-inflation-jump-drives-stagflation-fears.html

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Humour & Diversions Section

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Click here to see updated quotes & more currencies

Last updated Feb 19, 2025, 21:04 UTC

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Fun & Games

National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click Here
Word of the Day: Click Here
Quote of the Day: Click Here
Fact of the Day: Click Here
Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages (New Link), worldwide: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here

Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles. 
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo 
Competa 
Malaga 
Nerja 
Rincon 
Torrox 
Velez-Málaga 
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2025 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html

Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html

Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Nerja Car Boot 

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php  UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm

Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily. 
https://www.20minutos.es/loterias/

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Malaga Province: New, updated link (Aug, 2023). Info in English with list of English speaking meetings. https://aacostadelsol.com/

DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/

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DigameXtra No. 2952 Wednesday, February 19th, 2025

 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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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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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.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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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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COMPARE FUNERALS

Compare Funerals cover the whole of Spain
ruthforder@comparefuneral.org
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* Delivery of Urn and associated paperwork to family (death certificate, cremation certificate etc)
This plan is exclusive to a number of provinces, please ask advisor for more information.
Contact Ruth Forder on 0034 693 715 718 ; funeralplansbyruthforder.com
Your questions answered by Ruth from Compare Funerals Spain
– Why should I have a funeral plan? Having been funeral planning for over 10 year I’ve experienced some very sad and upset families when nothing is in place. A Spanish funeral plans will ensure that all costs are covered for your funeral service. Getting a prepaid plan will help you feel assured that your family will not be under any financial strain when it comes to paying for your funeral. A plan also means you can have peace of mind that everything has been organised in advance, so your loved ones do not have to make any difficult decisions.
– Why choose Compare Funerals? There seems to be a gap in Spain between independent funeral directors, offering plans at a good price but lacking the security of an established Trust or ability to cover a client overseas and Providers who seem to charge more than necessary. We want to be right in the middle and offer the best of both worlds. Our best-priced plan is only 2,250€ and does the essentials.
– Can I do a payment plan? All our plans are payable in full or over up to 5 years interest FREE. The interest free periods are based on initial deposit. The higher the deposit the less your monthly repayments will be.
– Can I transfer the plan? The answer is YES. You could name 2 people on one plan however if you had a friend/family member pass away we can transfer the plan into a 3rd party’s name.
– What happens if I move? All our plans offer the equivalent service in Spain (including the islands), Portugal, Republic of Ireland and the UK. If you moved to the UK, we would transfer the plan to one of our many partners at no extra cost to you.
– Is paperwork included? Yes, your family will receive a death certificate in Spanish and an international certification in English. We also provide a cremation certificate that allows the ashes on board a plane.

 

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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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For Sale: New Lenovo Ideapad 1-15ALC7, Gen 7. Only €420.
High Performance Business Grade Laptop
Windows 11 Pro (UK). 16Gb Hi-Speed RAM, 512Gb SSD.
15.6inch Full HD display. Spanish keyboard.
Proc: AMD Ryzen 5 5500u (2.1 to 4GHz), 6 core 12 threads.
SD card reader, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Wifi 6.
Stereo speakers w/ Dolby. HD webcam with blocker.
Slim-line, light weight at 1.6kg. Heavy duty hinges. 
Rapid-Charge 9hr battery, 2hr charge in 15mins!
Fully setup, updated and ready to use.
Website: https://psref.lenovo.com/Product/IdeaPad_1_15ALC7
Price €420. 1yr factory warranty upon registration.
Naythan, Torrox Costa.
doctorlaptop@protonmail.com 

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For Sale: New Laptop, Acer Aspire 3 A315. Only €480
Very powerful business model. 15.6″ Full HD display.
Windows 11 Pro (UK), 16 Gb RAM, 512 Gb SSD
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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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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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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DigameXtra No. 2951 Tuesday, February 18th, 2025

 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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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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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.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! 

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3rd edición de Autóctonxs, Festival de Escena Viva
(3rd edition of Autóctonxs, Live Scene Performance Festival):
From February 20 to 23, the CaixaBank Soho Theater presents the third edition of Autóctonxs, a festival dedicated to promoting the languages and disciplines of the performing arts of our territory. This year will have a special focus on Latin America and the shows on the main stage will be based on the creation from the image, the body, folklore and documentary theater, providing a unique experience.
For 4 days the Live Scene will be the protagonist in Soho with vibrant proposals and formats such as Impro in the Hall, Happening Poetic, Ensayo Acierto and New Dramaturgies.
Full info & event schedule: https://teatrodelsoho.com/evento/autoctonxs/ 

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Little Less Band: Fri, 21 Feb, 2025 at 10:00 pm
La Carpinteria Bar, Avda De la Constitución 14, 29754 Cómpeta
Res: 661 188 466
Info: https://allevents.in/nerja/little-less/200027817615105
Video Link


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International Flamenco Fashion Show: Sat & Sun, 22-23 Feb
The Car Museum in Malaga hosts this event between noon and 9pm both days. On Saturday, there are six fashion shows and there are three on Sunday. All showcase local and regional talent and the latest trends in flamenco fashion.
Tickets cost €8 and are available at the museum ticket office or online.
Málaga Automobile and Fashion Museum, Sor Teresa Prat Avenue 15, Malaga 29003
Info, map & tix: https://www.mientrada.net/evento/fimaf-malaga-2025/ 

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Free flamenco concert: Monday 24 February at 7.30pm
Virginia Gámez, a renowned local singer, performs at the MVA Auditorium on Calle Ollerías 34, Malaga.
Tickets are free, but you need to get yours from the Municipal Fiestas Department in Camino de San Rafael 99 (9am – 2pm. You can get here on the No 20 bus from the Alameda Principal). Or if there are any tickets remaining, from the MVA box office on the day of the show, from 7pm onwards, a line will form so get there early. Info: 952 133 950. Video Link


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FREE Jazz Festival at the MVA, Malaga:
Three nights of free concerts, however reservations are required.
– Wed, 26 Feb, 8:30pm. Jaume Llombart (guitar) 4tet. Feat. Camil Arcarazo (double bass), Enrique Oliver (Sax) Y Rj Miller (drums). Info:
https://www.mientrada.net/evento/festival-jazz-mva-jaume-llombart/
– Thur, 27 Feb, 8:30pm. Javier Vercher 4tet. Feat. Toni Vaquer, Dj Foster & Andreu Pitarch. Sax, piano, double bass & drums. Info: https://www.mientrada.net/evento/festival-jazz-mva-javier-vercher/
– Fri, 28 Feb, 8:30pm. Kevin Hays, Joe Martin (double bass) & Rj Miller (drums) group. Kevin Hays, Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist, composer and singer-songwriter, has received numerous positive reviews from The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine and Jazz Times, as well as the ‘Coup de Coeur’ award from the Académie Charles Cros (France).
Info: https://www.mientrada.net/evento/festival-jazz-mva-kevin-hays/
Address: Centro Cultural MVA, Calle Ollerías 33, Málaga 29012

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Museums Free For Holiday: All Malaga City public museums have free entry on Andalucia Day, Friday, 28 Feb. Private museums may offer discounts, or also be free.

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Nerja Carnival 2025: Thurs, February 27 thru Sun, March 2
– This year, the Carnival will feature Miguel Hermoso as town crier, who will kick off the festivities on the 27th at the Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja, from 20:00 hours. According to the councilor, Elena Galvez, the proclamation promises to be an evening full of surprises with performances of murgas and lots of fun.
– The events will continue on Friday, February 28 at 17:30 hours with the Children’s Costume Contest, which will be held in a tent located in the parking lot of the Giner de los Rios. At 6:30 p.m., the Children’s Ninfa and Momo Contest will be held, and at 7:30 p.m., this year’s novelty: the Youth Ninfa and Momo Contest. The day will conclude from 21:00 hours with the election of the Momo and the Ninfa of Carnival in the adult category.
– On Saturday, March 1 will take place the expected Grand Carnival Parade, which will begin at 17:00 hours, full of color, music and costumes.
– Finally, on Sunday, March 2, the activities will start at 12:00 noon with the election of the children’s widows and widowers, animated by the popular Amapola and Perdigón. At 17:00 hours, will be held the traditional Burial of Chanquete through the streets of downtown Nerja, which will conclude with a fireworks display on the beach of Calahonda. Info: https://www.nerja.es/nerja-celebra-el-carnaval-2025-con-miguel-hermoso-como-pregonero/ 

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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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Buy / Sell / Trade / Rent / Wanted

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Are you still dealing with scammers on Fakebook Marketplace?
Sell your items here, to locals, for cash, without the shenanigans.

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Great Deals From Upcycling Nerja
– lovely solid hardwood round table with 4 matching chairs beautiful decorative metal detail. measurements diameter 120cms height 82cms price 225€ (possibly from salablanca) reduced now only 150€
– Ikea glass top table with 4 matching transparent chairs 105 x 72cms price 130€ reduced to only 75€
– grey sofa bed length 188cms width 107cms very good condition price 120€ reduced to only 80€
contact Jackie / nerja 672170429
upcycling nerja at Gmail dot com 

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News & Articles

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

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MALAGA PROVINCE

Malaga was the third-placed province in Spain where prices rose the most in January:
– Inflation in the province of Malaga in January 2025 stood at 3.5%, making it the third province of Spain with the highest increase in prices during the first month of the year. Inflation is a generalised phenomenon throughout Spain, but to compare figures, the national average stood at 2.9%. Comparatively, Malaga marked 3.2% inflation in December and an average of 2.8% in 2024 as a whole.
– Although at the start of 2025, the consumer price index (CPI) is back to the levels recorded in May, June and July 2024, when it was also around 3.5%, at the end of the summer and beginning of autumn it was below 2%. However, the rate of price rises [currently] has been rising steadily since November.
Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/malaga-was-the-third-province-spain-where-20250214102106-nt.html

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Murders and rapes on the rise in Malaga, while other crime rates steady or fall:
– Spain’s national Ministry of the Interior has released the crime balance report for 2024. According to the document, in the past year, Malaga province has seen a rise in attempted murders and sexual assaults, while kidnappings, theft and cyber scams have either dropped or stagnated.
– The statistics of intentional and completed homicides amounted to a total of 20 cases registered in 2024, 46.7% more than in 2023.
– Compared to the fourth quarter of last year, attempted murders increased by 14.5% (56 compared to 64).
– The report also highlights the ongoing increase in crimes against sexual freedom. Although the latest growth is moderate, compared to previous years, the trend continues upwards with a rise of 10.6%. According to crime reports collected by the state security forces and corps, 175 rapes were committed in Malaga province in 2024, or, in other words, approximately one every two days, compared to 153 in 2023.
– All types of robberies have experienced a decrease, although the figures for those committed with violence and intimidation and with force in homes, businesses, and other premises remain high: 1,861 (53 fewer than in 2023) and 4,412 (220 fewer), respectively. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/murder-and-rape-the-rise-while-other-20250217074343-nt.html

TORROX

Retail drug bust in Torrox with 28 detainees- they threatened and tortured one of the clients, offered cashless sales with pay by app option: {Translation}
– New blow to drug dealing in the province. The Civil Guard, in the framework of the operation ‘Nonimo’, has dismantled two very violent criminal groups and has dismantled several points of sale of drugs in the Axarquia town of Torrox. In total 28 people have been arrested for crimes against public health, belonging to a criminal organization, against road safety, robbery with violence, burglary, illegal detention, attempted murder, serious injuries and threats.
– During the operation, 13 searches were carried out in which 10 kilos of marijuana, 585 grams of cocaine, several doses of heroin, LSD, 211 grams of hashish, six prohibited bladed weapons, seven cell phones, seven precision scales and other drug dealing equipment were seized. The investigation began after the agents became aware of an important point of retail sale of cocaine in a home in the Barriada de Andalucía de Torrox, which was managed by two very conflictive brothers.
– The buyers paid for the drugs by cash deposit into the bank account of one of the detainees. So much so, that in his accounts were found deposits of up to 5,000 euros by just two of the buyers in just four months, and, in total, more than 25,000 euros from the sale of cocaine. The account was judicially blocked.
– It was during the investigation that one of the regular buyers denounced one of the brothers. He alleged that, together with two other sellers, he had been persecuted and threatened with death because of his debt. As reported Monday from the Armed Institute in a statement, “as a result of this complaint, the leader of this point of sale located in the aforementioned Barriada de Andalucía was arrested and a first search was carried out at his home in which numerous cocaine papers and tools for the preparation of the drug were seized along with a large machete, a large knife and a spearfishing rifle ready for use”.
– After being released from prison on parole, he continued to threaten the victim and took him by deception to his home where he held him against his will, forced him to consume cocaine and beat him all over his body. All this with the help of his brother. In addition, a corrosive product was poured on his legs, which caused second degree burns on both legs and a cut was made on his face until he lost consciousness. The victim had to be admitted to the Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquía, where he realized that part of his belongings had also been stolen.
– For all these reasons, the two brothers were finally arrested and the judicial authority ordered their imprisonment. With these last two arrests, the investigators found that in two other houses and a commercial premises in Torrox-Costa drug dealing was taking place. All this demonstrated the existence of a network with a hierarchical structure involving several people who transported, concealed and sold the drugs.
– Two other houses, a garage and three public establishments in Torrox were searched and nine other people were arrested, five of whom were imprisoned. Also, various quantities of cocaine, hashish, marijuana, synthetic drugs, as well as two vehicles, cash and tools for the marketing of drugs were seized.
– In the latest action, the Civil Guard has dismantled another point of sale in another home in the old town that was managed by a couple and two other residents of the town of Axarquia. This group was mainly dedicated to the sale of cocaine and marijuana, which were grown in the farmhouse of a member of the criminal group, and then transported to the garage of another member for concealment.
– This network supplied cocaine to another dealer also based in Torrox-Costa, who was well known for his extreme violence. This individual was involved in constant fights, carrying large bladed weapons such as catanas or axes in the streets. Six other people were arrested, four of whom were imprisoned. This investigation has been developed by members of the main post of Torrox-Algarrobo of the Civil Guard Company of Velez-Malaga. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/sucesos/golpe-menudeo-drogas-torrox-detenidos-amenazar-torturar-20250217094125-nt.html 

VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA

Two car fire forces the evacuation of a building in Velez: {Translation, summary}
– This occurred in the early hours of Monday morning alarming the residents of a block of apartments located next to the Maria Zambrano Park of Velez-Malaga. The fire of two vehicles parked in front has caused a large column of smoke, flames and explosions, which has forced their immediate eviction around 3am. Half a dozen residents have been evicted, of which an 82 year old woman has been affected by smoke inhalation after the fire.
– The fire has burned a car and a van. The fire started in the car and spread to the van. Once the fire was extinguished, all the neighbors were able to return to their homes, except for an 82 year old woman, who was smoke intoxicated and had to be evacuated to a hospital. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/sucesos/evacuada-hospital-anciana-anos-tras-incendio-vehiculo-dos-desalojar-edificio-velez-malaga-20250217093213-nt.html 

NERJA

40 Luxury homes to be constructed on Nerja’s cliffs next to the Balcon de Europa: {Translation, summary}
– Grupo GS, a Sevillian real estate company specializing in the luxury real estate market, announced last October the launch of the new development Residencial GS Nerja Sapphire, a project that reaffirms its position in the premium real estate market, with the construction of 40 exclusive frontline homes on a cliff in Nerja.
– The company announced in a press release on Monday that the exclusive homes that make up this development are already on sale, with prices starting at 640,000 euros. With a total investment of 32 million euros, the developer continues its growth strategy with projects in prime locations, strengthening its presence on the Costa del Sol.
– The GS Nerja Sapphire “offers an unbeatable location, on the seafront and just a few meters from the iconic Balcon de Europa”. “Its proximity to the Plaza Cavana, the Plaza de los Cangrejos and the beach of LA Torrecilla makes it a privileged enclave that combines tranquility, natural beauty and proximity to all services,” they have highlighted from the real estate firm. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/axarquia/viviendas-lujo-sobre-acantilados-nerja-exclusiva-promocion-20250217133837-nt_amp.html 

EUROPE

CBS 60 Minutes Video- Policing the internet in Germany, where hate speech, insults and cartoons are a crime, more than 50 raids in one weekend:
– American broadcaster CBS followed German police as they raided homes for speech crimes, such as posting a “racist cartoon” on the internet, which prosecutors in the country defended as a supposedly necessary safeguard to protect democracy.
– The prosecutors explained that people in Germany can be jailed for public insults – including against politicians – spreading malicious gossip, making violent threats, inventing fake quotes, or even reposting “lies” online. They claimed that in most instances, offenders are fined and sometimes have their devices seized.
– The programme on Germany’s censorious police apparatus came just days after Vice President JD Vance excoriated European states, including Germany, for failing to uphold freedom of speech and comparing the tactics to the Soviet Union. Full article: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/policing-speech-online-germany-60-minutes-transcript/ & Full 60 Minutes Video Link & X link

TRAVEL

Ouigo launches rail tickets from 9 euros between Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and Madrid:
– The high-speed train operator Ouigo will offer, from this Wednesday 19 February, the sale of rail tickets from just nine euros to travel until 1 June between Malaga and Madrid; and between Seville and Madrid, both with a stop in Cordoba. Tickets for high-speed travel can be purchased through the Ouigo app and on its website.
– The company operates the highest capacity high-speed train on the market. Its double-height trains have 509 seats, and can reach up to 1,018 seats when two sets of rolling stock of operate as one train. There is also a Ouibar, a cafeteria staffed by on-board personnel, and the possibility of enjoying the Ouigo ‘Full’ package, which allows passengers to carry two additional pieces of luggage and choose an XL seat – some 30% larger than the standard ones. Passengers can also access the on-board entertainment platform Ouifun, and make unlimited date and time changes and cancellations, with the ticket refunded up to 30 minutes before departure. Similarly, for those who have doubts about their travel plans, the service has a ‘time to think’ option, which, for an additional two euros to the cost of the ticket, allows you to book the journey and keep the price between a defined period of 48 hours or seven days.
OUIGO website in English: https://www.ouigo.com/en/
Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/ouigo-launches-rail-tickets-from-euros-between-20250217131203-nt.html 

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Vueling recovers the Granada-Paris flights:
– At Granada airport, the company will soon activate the direct connection with Paris with two weekly frequencies, on Tuesdays and Sundays between April 1 and June 20; and from September 15 to October 25. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5683142/0/vueling-recupera-vuelo-granada-paris-refuerza-sevilla-rutas-londres-islas/

RELIGION

Official Press Release- Pope’s complex clinical picture requires longer hospitalization:
– “The results of the medical tests carried out over the past few days and today have shown a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, which has led to a further change in therapy.
“All tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require appropriate hospitalization.”
– This was the communique of the Holy See Press on Monday updating journalists on the health of Pope Francis who was hospitalized with bronchitis on 14 February at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. As a result of this, the Press Office has noted the Pope’s General Audience, this week, is therefore cancelled. Full article: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-02/pope-s-complex-clinical-picture-requires-longer-hospitalization.html 

SPACE

Hubble Captures Cosmic Cloudscape In New Pics:
– The universe is a dusty place, as this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image featuring swirling clouds of gas and dust near the Tarantula Nebula reveals. Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud about 160,000 light-years away in the constellations Dorado and Mensa, the Tarantula Nebula is the most productive star-forming region in the nearby universe, home to the most massive stars known.
– The nebula’s colorful gas clouds hold wispy tendrils and dark clumps of dust. This dust is different from ordinary household dust, which may include of bits of soil, skin cells, hair, and even plastic. Cosmic dust is often comprised of carbon or of molecules called silicates, which contain silicon and oxygen. The data in this image was part of an observing program that aims to characterize the properties of cosmic dust in the Large Magellanic Cloud and other nearby galaxies.
– Dust plays several important roles in the universe. Even though individual dust grains are incredibly tiny, far smaller than the width of a single human hair, dust grains in disks around young stars clump together to form larger grains and eventually planets. Dust also helps cool clouds of gas so that they can condense into new stars. Dust even plays a role in making new molecules in interstellar space, providing a venue for individual atoms to find each other and bond together in the vastness of space. Source: https://science.nasa.gov/missions/hubble/hubble-captures-a-cosmic-cloudscape/

OTHER

British motorcycle couple arrested in Iran had set off from their home in Andalucía:
– A British couple who have been arrested in Iran while travelling around the world by motorbike as part of a research project to gather data embarked on their journey from their home in Andalucía in October 2024. Lindsay and Craig Foreman, 52, were travelling through the middle eastern country in January when they were detained.
– According to UK media sources, the UK Foreign Office is in contact with the Iranian authorities and is providing consular assistance to the couple. The Iranian authorities have not disclosed why the couple have been arrested.
– The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all travel to Iran. “British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you,” its website states. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/british-couple-arrested-iran-set-off-from-20250216163045-nt.html 

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Humour & Diversions Section

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Last updated Feb 17, 2025, 20:24 UTC

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Fun & Games

National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click Here
Word of the Day: Click Here
Quote of the Day: Click Here
Fact of the Day: Click Here
Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages (New Link), worldwide: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here

Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles. 
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo 
Competa 
Malaga 
Nerja 
Rincon 
Torrox 
Velez-Málaga 
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2025 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html

Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html

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. 
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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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DigameXtra No. 2950 Monday, February 17th, 2025

 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.

SUBMISSIONS INFO & RULES PAGE LINK

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*Subscribe to receive free daily issues by email. To subscribe, please send me an email with the message “subscribe me to DigameXtra” from the email account you want subscribed. 

*By making a submission you are indicating you have read and agree to follow the rules. RULES PAGE LINK: https://digamextra.com/about/

*Send your submissions & subscription requests to digamextra@protonmail.com

Note: The submission deadline is 6pm for the next day’s issue.

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DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Website

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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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.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! 

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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~
March
– 4th – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 21st – Trip to IKEA and Guzmans Garden Centre €20
April
– 2nd – Trip to Gib €22pp
– 11/12th – Train trip from Antequera to Algeciras with an overnight stay in Algeciras at the 4* Reina Cristina hotel on a ½ board basis. Price 120pp based on 2 sharing a double room.
– 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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Rincón de la Victoria “Ruta de la Cuchara IV” (Route of the Spoon): Friday, February 21 to Sunday, March 2
With 26 participating restaurants.
Customers will be able to order dishes with a drink (beer, soft drink or water) at a price of €3.50. Visitors will be provided with a route book. The route can be seen on Google Maps: https://acortar.link/t9Fixx
Info: https://www.turismoenrincon.es/ruta-cuchara-rincon-victoria-2025/ 

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Multimedia Concert in Nerja- “Lifetime & Mediterráneo”
Pablo Alcázar, guitar. Sat, 22 Feb, 8pm.
Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja, C/ Granada 45, Nerja
Original and pioneering work for solo Spanish guitar with a projection created by artificial intelligence. It aims to break away from stereotypes with its own unique style that mixes classical guitar, touches of Spanish popular music, harmonies and exotic rhythms; Arabic and Indian, flamenco, contemporary guitar techniques and does so while telling a story, the story of a soul and its journey through the most essential emotions of life. A work created to move and stir the viewer who will be able to enjoy a new audiovisual experience with new sounds and the use of new technologies in tune with the Spanish guitar.
Info & tix (€12): https://www.giglon.com/todos?idEvent=lifetime–mediterraneo-pablo-alcazar-guitarra & Video Link

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La Caleta- Carnival 2025: Sun, 2 March
Location, Plaza Colonias del Puerto III
The day will be enlivened by various performances, including two comparsas (troupes), a batucada (drummers), dance groups, charanga (brass) and other groups that will entertain the audience with their music and colour. ‘We want the whole town to enjoy a day full of joy and fun, with entertainment for all ages,’ said Segura.

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Torrox & El Morche Carnival 2025:
– Torrox, Fri & Sat, 7 & 8 March
– El Morche, Sat, 15 March 

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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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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:
*Are you thinking of selling?*
At BluCee Real Estate we use many different tools to demonstrate and promote our properties. Photographs, videos, drone footage, 360⁰ tours, targeted advertising, property exhibitions to name a few. We don’t sit and wait for buyers, we actively search for them.
Please contact us to find out what we will do to actively promote your property for sale.
We have a few places available on our artwork for our next property exhibition in Manchester. Contact us now to secure a place for YOUR property.
Nearly forgot to mention, our service might sound expensive but we are not! Our sales commissions are very competitive compared to other real estate companies.
Please contact us for a free valuation or more for information:
Website: http://www.blucee.com/ : Email: info@blucee.com 
Whatsapp 0034 711 04 27 27 / Office 0034 951 553 890
Or you can come into our office and speak to us in person at Calle Timón 11b, Torre del Mar, 29738, Málaga.
We look forward to helping you.
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, 3 items:
– 2 Wine racks, €5 each
– Newspapers stand. €5
– Bedside cabinet 50 x 40 x 61. €15
Message or call Amanda, Nerja 680739577 ; josiahamanda@gmail.com 

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For Sale: Induction hob. 2 normal & 1 large rings. Excellent condition, but impossible to photograph without reflection. Very soon after buying we realised we needed 4 rings. So we replaced hob and now offer the 3 ring hob for sale.
Cost 199€ sell 95€.
Tom, Rincon de la Victoria, 687213521 

 

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News & Articles

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

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ANDALUCÍA

DGT starts on Monday a campaign for truck and bus surveillance: {Translation, summary}
– Until February 23, agents of the Civil Guard Traffic Group, and those of the rest of the local and regional police officers who join the campaign, will control the conditions in which these types of vehicles circulate, regardless of the country of origin, as well as their drivers, the DGT reports in a press release.
– Aspects such as the time allotted for driving and rest, the tachograph, excess weight, possible technical defects of the vehicle or the safety of the transported load, the documentation of the vehicle and the driver, the use of the seat belt by the driver and the occupants, the possibility of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs and observation of the use of the mobile phone while driving. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1866176/la-dgt-inicia-este-lunes-una-campana-para-la-vigilancia-de-camiones-y-autobuses/ 

MALAGA PROVINCE

Twenty arrested for robberies with extreme violence in various locations in Malaga: {Translation, summary}
– Eleven police actions have resulted in a group of about twenty people arrested belonging to four groups that had committed 33 crimes of robbery, seven with violence and intimidation, 23 with force, a vehicle theft and two other thefts in the towns of Malaga, Alozaina, Alhaurin de la Torre and Alhaurin el Grande.
– This criminal group allegedly used firearms and bladed weapons to commit the robberies. One robbery, carried out in Alhaurin de la Torre, while its inhabitants, two elderly people, remained inside, resulted one of the victims losing several teeth due to the blows that the assailants gave him.
– Another of the actions was carried out following a report of a burglary inside a refrigerated truck where the perpetrators stole food and electrical appliances worth 2,500 euros that were to be used in a charity event to raise funds for people affected by oncological diseases. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1866109/detenidos-por-robos-con-extrema-vioencia-en-diversas-localidades-de-malaga/ 

NERJA

A hiker and his dog are rescued after being trapped when the animal chased wild goats in the Maro area: {Translation, summary}
– Going for a walk with your dog in the mountains can be a very pleasant experience, but it can also end in a very traumatic way, especially if the animal chases mountain goats. This is what happened to a hiker of Spanish nationality, about 50 years old, who on Saturday afternoon had to be rescued, along with his pet, when both were trapped in a very steep area of the natural site of the Cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo.
– The alarms have jumped about 17.30 hours, when the emergency service 112 Andalusia has received the notice of this man, who was trapped in an area of ravines with steep slopes near Cañuelo beach after running after his dog, which had begun to chase a herd of mountain goats that were in the area.
– After being rescued both were in good condition and did not require medical assistance. According to what this newspaper has been able to confirm, the man managed to get out by his own means, following the indications of the agents, while the dog had to be rescued by the members of the Provincial Consortium of Firefighters. The rescue operation lasted more than two hours, due to the steepness of the terrain.
– The hiker is now facing an administrative sanction for taking the dog loose in a natural area, a protected area. The fine could reach 600 euros. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/sucesos/rescatan-senderista-perro-maro-20250215195310-nt.html 

COÍN

Eco-Warrior Alert, Junta de Andalucía gives its approval to another mine in an area of ​​Malaga where dust is already a health risk: {Translation, summary}
– For 40 years, residents of the municipality of Coín (25,809 inhabitants) have been enduring the noise and dust generated by several nearby quarries. They suffer it in their lungs, which breathe toxic substances; they suffer it in their homes, impregnated with the whitish ground substance that is released by the dolomite perforations; and the farmers in the area also suffer it, who can only sell their avocados at a price significantly lower than the market price because of the dust that sticks to them forever when the dew falls.
– An investigating judge has a Seprona report, with photos and videos, which warns that the quarries undoubtedly affect a radius of 1,300 meters, but it is not excluded that the dust in suspension reaches further. According to this report, the particles pose a “risk to people” and a “serious harm to the health of vulnerable people”, as well as a risk to the environment.
– However, now the most urgent objective of the neighbors is to paralyze the opening of a fourth mine, which the Junta de Andalucía has been processing as an “extension” of one of the existing ones since 2018. Josefina II would add six more hectares, from which 1,730,643 tons of dolomitic limestone (about 770,000 cubic meters) would be extracted in nine years with open-pit explosives. It would not imply the opening of a new treatment plant. The Sustainability Delegation issued a favorable environmental opinion last December 4. “The fact that the court is investigating does not affect the processing except for relevant measures that the court deems appropriate to establish”, replied the Delegation.
– The neighbors have presented allegations, in the hope that the Board will transform its initial approval into a rejection of the environmental authorization.
– This is a very long, in depth article, with photos and charts. See the full article, translated to English: https://www-eldiario-es.translate.goog/andalucia/malaga/junta-andalucia-da-visto-bueno-mina-zona-malaga-polvo-riesgo-salud_1_12047271.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

EUROPE

Worm flour sneaks into food marketed in Europe: {Translation, summary}
– As of this week, worm meal can be used in food processing. Until now it had been used mainly in animal feed, but the approval of EU Regulation 2025/89 has authorized it as a food ingredient for general use, mainly in bakery products, pasta and cheese.
– It is not the first insect to sneak onto the table, as since 2018, the European Union approved the use of certain insects such as migratory locust, house cricket or dung beetle larvae. Together with the mealworm, they are part of the so-called ‘novel foods’, which go through strict controls and validations by EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority. “And after these studies, it is the EFSA itself who establishes the conditions of use, labeling requirements, and subsequent monitoring after marketing,” clarifies the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU).
– The EU has authorized the commercialization of UV-treated powder of Tenebrio molitor larvae. This insect is a type of beetle of the family Tenebrionidae. The larvae are used in the manufacture of flour because this is the phase of the insect’s metamorphosis in which the nutrient content is highest and they are subjected to ultraviolet treatment to disinfect and, apparently, to increase the amount of vitamin D3.
– In terms of nutritional value, it has a high protein content (between 50% and 60% on average) and approximately 30% unsaturated fat; it is a good source of B vitamins, including B12, and contains minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese. In addition, its production has a low ecological impact and lowers costs.
– Among its negative aspects, it can cause allergic reactions in people with allergies to crustaceans.
– The European Commission itself has had to come out to deny a hoax circulating on social networks that claims that the European Union will force the inclusion of worm meal in food without consumers knowing it. The OCU has also come out to certify that this is indeed a lie and clarify that, as with any other ingredient, if worm meal is used in a product will have to appear in a mandatory way in the list of ingredients, also specified as “powder treated with ultraviolet radiation of larvae of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm)” [“polvo tratado con radiación ultravioleta de larvas de Tenebrio molitor (gusano de la harina)”]. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/sociedad/harina-gusano-cuela-alimentos-comercializados-europa-saber-20250212001227-nt.html 

MIDDLE EAST

Rubio in Israel says Hamas must be eradicated, casting further doubt on Gaza’s shaky ceasefire:
– U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday fully endorsed Israel’s war aims in the Gaza Strip, saying Hamas “must be eradicated” and throwing the shaky ceasefire into further doubt. Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem at the start of a regional tour {pic}. Rubio said Hamas cannot continue as a military or government force. “As long as it stands as a force that can govern or as a force that can administer or as a force that can threaten by use of violence, peace becomes impossible,” he said. “It must be eradicated.”
– Such language could complicate continued talks with Hamas, which remains in control of Gaza despite suffering heavy losses in the war.
– Rubio is also set to visit regional heavyweights the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
– The Israeli military meanwhile said it carried out an airstrike Sunday on people who approached its forces in southern Gaza. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said the strike killed three of its policemen while they were securing the entry of aid trucks near Rafah, on the Egyptian border. Hamas called the attack a “serious violation” of the ceasefire and accused Netanyahu of trying to sabotage the deal. Full article: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-15-2025-1cf8b3cb7622489c368c610f85e51e35 

FINANCIAL

Say What? Retroactive Social Security increases? Some 900,000 freelancers will have to pay 450 euros on average to social security because they quoted less than they should: {Translation, summary}
– Almost a quarter of the Spanish self-employed will have to pay Social Security to regularize their social security contributions for the year 2023. These are 900,000 self-employed workers who paid lower contributions that year than they were entitled to for the income they actually earned. On average, these self-employed will have to pay the agency about 450 euros to bridge the gap between what they paid in Social Security contributions and what corresponds to them for their earnings.
– However, around one million self-employed workers are in the opposite situation. They have contributed too much and are entitled to have the difference refunded. An overpayment of around, on average, 600 euros, which they can claim back from the public body. However, a large number of these self-employed workers have chosen not to claim this amount and have opted for a higher contribution base. For the moment, some 430,000 self-employed workers have decided to waive the compensation and maintain their elevated contribution base, to be eligible for greater benefits when they retire.
– Social Security began notifying self-employed workers who are entitled to a refund of their overpayment between December 9 and 15. However, there are still some 200,000 self-employed workers who have not yet been notified. The public entity will begin to return the amounts during March and April, a process that will be ex officio, without the worker having to claim anything.
– The self-employed who have underpaid their contributions will begin to receive notifications informing them of their situation from March onwards. The deadline for settling the debt will be the last day of the month following the date of notification. As is usual with Social Security debts, those affected will be able to request deferrals. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/…

GASTRONOMIA

Spanish Honey Scandal, part 2: {Translation, summary}
– The advances against fraud in the labeling of honey to avoid that the product from abroad is passed off as national are exposed in Zamora within the XII National Congress of Apiculture. In it, a study has been presented that shows an incorrect labeling in six out of seven samples of honeys bought in supermarkets. Regulations require the country of origin of the honeys with which the mixture has been made to be specified on the label, in order of abundance.
– The study collected seven jars of various brands from the main Spanish supermarket chains and sent them to a laboratory accredited in pollen analysis of origin to determine from which areas of world production the honey was from and, in those of mixture, from which there was a greater proportion.
– Of the seven honeys tested, only one was labeled as exclusively Spanish honey and the laboratory certified that it was in fact a product of pollens from the Mediterranean geographical area, which includes Spain. The rest were blended honeys and in all of them ‘Spain’ appeared on the label as the first country of origin of the honeys used, when in none of the cases it was so.
– In two of the samples analyzed, not even two of the geographical areas that appeared on the label were detected, since in one of them India was listed as the second country of origin and there were no traces of honey pollen from that area. In the other case, it was specified that part of the mixture was from Mexico and there were no traces of the specific pollen from Mexico, although there were traces from Central America.
Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/gastronomia/un-estudio-revela-incorrecto-etiquetado-miel-supermercados-seis-cada-siete-botes-5682793/ 

HEALTH

The 72-hour response to health appointments is extended this Monday to the health centers of Malaga, Rincon and Guadalhorce: {Translation, summary}
– The Malaga-Guadalhorce Healthcare District will start applying the new appointment accessibility system tomorrow, Monday, which guarantees a response to the demand for requests in less than 72 hours. The district thus joins the health management areas of North Malaga, Serrania de Malaga and East Malaga-Axarquia, in which this system was launched last January.
– The objective is to respond to requests for appointments that are not immediately answered by external channels (Salud Responde -app and telephone, ClicSalud+, SaludAndalucía app) within a maximum of three days. Within these 72 hours, users will be contacted to offer them the appointment. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/respuesta-citas-72-horas-extiende_0_2003345775.html

TECH

Extending Windows 10 support after it reaches “end of life” this October: {DigameXtra}
– Windows 10, version 22H2 is the last feature update released for Windows 10 and will be serviced with monthly updates through October 14, 2025, after which it is NO LONGER SUPPORTED. If your device meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11 you can still take advantage of the free upgrade from Windows 10. Microsoft will most likely start charging for this upgrade after October 14, 2025.
– There is no “end of life” date for Windows 11 yet. All we know for sure is that the current version of Windows 11 (24H2) is guarantied to be supported until 13 Oct 2026. Before this date there will be either an updated version of Windows 11 released (25H1), or Windows 12 will be launched.
– After October 14, 2025 you will no longer receive Windows 10 security updates. These updates are necessary to use the Internet safely. If you desire to use Windows 10 on the Internet after this date, you will want to arrange for extended support (ESU). The information you’ll need to do this has been posted to the official Microsoft page. Link below.
– Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 can now be purchased through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program, at $61 USD per device for Year One. The price doubles every consecutive year, for a maximum of three years [61+122+244=$427USD for the maximum 3 year extension, for which you could just buy a new Win 11 computer].
– Link to Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

AI enhanced robots ready for sale: {Translation, summary}
– A world where androids walk among us. Not on movie screens, as in “Blade Runner” or “I, Robot,” but in the streets, homes and workplaces. A world where machines not only perform repetitive tasks, but interact with humans, learn from their environment and make decisions in real time. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s the reality being built by Figure AI, a company that, in collaboration with the U.S. government, plans to deploy 100,000 humanoid robots in the next few years.
– This announcement, which sounds both exciting and disturbing, marks an unprecedented milestone in the history of robotics and artificial intelligence. What can these robots do? How will they change our society? And, most importantly, are we prepared to live with machines that look, act and think more and more like us? {Elon Musk has said these robots will outnumber humans by 2050. -Ed.}
– AI robots are not simply machines programmed to perform specific tasks. These humanoids are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence, state-of-the-art sensors and a learning capability that allows them to adapt to dynamic environments.
– They can walk, run, manipulate objects with precision and even hold fluid conversations thanks to natural language processing systems. They are, in essence, a fusion of cutting-edge hardware and intelligent software, designed to integrate into people’s everyday lives. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1865276/los-robots-humanoides-ya-estan-aqui-100000-unidades-llegaran-a-casas-de-eeuu/ & Video Link 

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Humour & Diversions Section

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

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Last updated Feb 16, 2025, 20:31 UTC

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Fun & Games

National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click Here
Word of the Day: Click Here
Quote of the Day: Click Here
Fact of the Day: Click Here
Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages (New Link), worldwide: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here

Cinesur El Ingenio Films schedule: You can find the film schedule at this link. Films tagged as (VOSE) are in the original language with Spanish subtitles. 
https://www.cinesur.com/es/cine/mk2-cinesur-el-ingenio

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

2025 Holiday Calendars by town, click/tap to view:
Algarrobo 
Competa 
Malaga 
Nerja 
Rincon 
Torrox 
Velez-Málaga 
For other towns in Malaga Province, visit this website, click your town, then look for the post named “Calendario Laboral de ‘Your Town‘ 2025 “, click that to see calendar.
https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga.html

Petrol Prices – Updated daily: These are the fuel stations in Malaga province with the lowest prices. The price data for 95 and 98-octane petrol and diesel fuel is updated every day. See it here:
https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/updated-daily-these-20220314114157-nt.html

Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only, Mercadillo de La Cala del Moral- Rincon de la Victoria.
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Nerja Car Boot 

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Services.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

Local/National News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: https://www.x-rates.com/calculator/?from=EUR&to=GBP&amount=1
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php  UK Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm

Check All Lottery Results Here: Updated daily. 
https://www.20minutos.es/loterias/

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings in Malaga Province: New, updated link (Aug, 2023). Info in English with list of English speaking meetings. https://aacostadelsol.com/

DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/

DigameXtra is now on X (formerly Twitter) at @DigameXtra. I also post articles there that are too controversial for the daily newsletter. However, you need a free X account to visit the @DigameXtra page on X. 

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Home Page – Based in Torrox Costa, near the bus station.

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DigameXtra No. 2949 WEEKEND EDITION Friday, February 14th, 2025

 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.

SUBMISSIONS INFO & RULES PAGE LINK

DONATIONS INFO PAGE LINK 

*Subscribe to receive free daily issues by email. To subscribe, please send me an email with the message “subscribe me to DigameXtra” from the email account you want subscribed. 

*By making a submission you are indicating you have read and agree to follow the rules. RULES PAGE LINK: https://digamextra.com/about/

*Send your submissions & subscription requests to digamextra@protonmail.com

Note: The submission deadline is 6pm for the next day’s issue.

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DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Website

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Happy Valentines Day

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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.
Ref: https://www.foro-ciudad.com/malaga/torrox/calendario-laboral-2025.html#google_vignette

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What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! 

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Valentines Day at Robert’s Top, Almunecar: Fri, 14 Feb, 10pm
“Gringos” band will be playing your fav rock covers.
Robert’s Top, C/ Livry Gargan 1, Almunecar. Info: FB

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Concert- Sergey Belyavsky, pianist extraordinaire:
Sat, 1 March, 8pm, €15. Teatro Ciudad de Marbella
Plaza Ramon Martinez, 3, Marbella 29603.
Info & tix: https://www.mientrada.net/evento/teatro-marbella-sergey-belyavsky/
Video Link

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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
englishnurse@rocketmail.com
Tel: 951550581 or 692419548
JUBILEE HOUSE – Close Care Unit in Torrox
VACANCY: Due to a successful rehabilitation we will have vacancy from 21st November in one of our ensuite units for a long stay English speaking guest. Please contact Liz on 692419548.
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. We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section. 

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DOCTORLAPTOP’S COMPUTER REPAIRS

DoctorLaptop’s Computer Repairs & Sales- Torrox Costa (near the bus station)Computers only, Windows / Linux / Mac. No tablets or phones. 
I don’t work on dinosaurs computers made before 2018 unless I have been servicing then annually. 
Contact: doctorlaptop AT protonmail DOT com
Or call 675 993 069 (no calls before 12noon, missed calls returned asap). More info on my website. All work by appointment only, no drop-ins please. Appointments are only available 2pm-8pm, Sunday thru Thursday. Closed Fridays & Saturdays. Always include the make & model number of the device when requesting assistance. My contact details can be found everyday at the bottom of the Sponsor’s Section.

February is computer clean-up month: DoctorLaptop’s full maintenance service for laptops & mini-PCs, only €40. Full size towers €50. Remember, no computers made before 2018 serviced unless I have been servicing then annually.

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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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COMPARE FUNERALS SPAIN

 

Compare Funerals cover the whole of Spain
ruthforder@comparefuneral.org
* Direct Cremation €2,250
* Collection of deceased and conveyance to Funeral Home
* Supply of coffin
* Preparation and care of deceased
* Registration of death and certification of all legal documentation
* Cremation and any doctor’s fees
* Supply of Urn
* Delivery of Urn and associated paperwork to family (death certificate, cremation certificate etc)
This plan is exclusive to a number of provinces, please ask advisor for more information.
Contact Ruth Forder on 0034 693 715 718 ; funeralplansbyruthforder.com
Your questions answered by Ruth from Compare Funerals Spain
– Why should I have a funeral plan? Having been funeral planning for over 10 year I’ve experienced some very sad and upset families when nothing is in place. A Spanish funeral plans will ensure that all costs are covered for your funeral service. Getting a prepaid plan will help you feel assured that your family will not be under any financial strain when it comes to paying for your funeral. A plan also means you can have peace of mind that everything has been organised in advance, so your loved ones do not have to make any difficult decisions.
– Why choose Compare Funerals? There seems to be a gap in Spain between independent funeral directors, offering plans at a good price but lacking the security of an established Trust or ability to cover a client overseas and Providers who seem to charge more than necessary. We want to be right in the middle and offer the best of both worlds. Our best-priced plan is only 2,250€ and does the essentials.
– Can I do a payment plan? All our plans are payable in full or over up to 5 years interest FREE. The interest free periods are based on initial deposit. The higher the deposit the less your monthly repayments will be.
– Can I transfer the plan? The answer is YES. You could name 2 people on one plan however if you had a friend/family member pass away we can transfer the plan into a 3rd party’s name.
– What happens if I move? All our plans offer the equivalent service in Spain (including the islands), Portugal, Republic of Ireland and the UK. If you moved to the UK, we would transfer the plan to one of our many partners at no extra cost to you.
– Is paperwork included? Yes, your family will receive a death certificate in Spanish and an international certification in English. We also provide a cremation certificate that allows the ashes on board a plane.
We are DigameXtra sponsors, so our contact info can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section. 

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For Sale: LG monitor, 38cmX30cm, good condition, 15€.
Jill, Algarrobo 695463385. Can also meet in Caleta de Velez.

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For Sale: IKEA Godmorgon bathroom cabinet
H: 96cm, W: 70cm, D: 14cm. Mirrors on the outside and inside
4 glass shelves. €30. Good condition, buyer collects. Pam, Torrox.
Email: pamhalmstad at gmail dot com
Whatsapp: +46 703770153 

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For Sale: Outdoor rocker chairs with cushions.
Height approx 87 cms, width 62 cms, rocker length 97 cms.
Graphite grey and in good condition.
50 euros each or 90 euros for both
Christine, Caleta de Velez. WhatsApp 622166122 

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SOLD- For Sale: New Lenovo Ideapad 1, Gen 7
Business Grade Laptop. Only €380
Windows 11 Pro (UK). 8Gb RAM, 512Gb SSD.
Naythan

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For Sale: New Lenovo Ideapad 1-15ALC7, Gen 7. Only €420.
High Performance Business Grade Laptop
Windows 11 Pro (UK). 16Gb Hi-Speed RAM, 512Gb SSD.
15.6inch Full HD display. Spanish keyboard.
Proc: AMD Ryzen 5 5500u (2.1 to 4GHz), 6 core 12 threads.
SD card reader, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.2, 1x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Wifi 6.
Stereo speakers w/ Dolby. HD webcam with blocker.
Slim-line, light weight at 1.6kg. Heavy duty hinges. 
Rapid-Charge 9hr battery, 2hr charge in 15mins!
Fully setup, updated and ready to use.
Website: https://psref.lenovo.com/Product/IdeaPad_1_15ALC7
Price €420. 1yr factory warranty upon registration.
Naythan, Torrox Costa.
doctorlaptop@protonmail.com 

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For Sale: New Laptop, Acer Aspire 3 A315. Only €480
Very powerful business model. 15.6″ Full HD display.
Windows 11 Pro (UK), 16 Gb RAM, 512 Gb SSD
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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News & Articles

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

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SPAIN

Princess Leonor, about to arrive in Brazil, Elcano’s first international stopover after 23 days sailing the Atlantic: {Translation, summary}
– Princess Leonor and her midshipmen and midshipwomen mates left the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on January 23rd and are scheduled to arrive in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, this Friday, February 14th. This will be the first international stopover for the training ship.
– As planned, the ship will land on Valentine’s Day. The future officers will set foot on Brazilian soil tomorrow and will remain in the state of Bahia until February 19, from where they will sail to Montevideo (Uruguay). Colorful and warm, Salvador da Bahia is located on a peninsula with beaches such as Porto da Barra, bathed by the ocean.
– On board the ship she studies subjects such as Navigation, Astronomy, Meteorology, Amphibious Operations, Combat Support and Services and Maneuvering. In addition, the King and Queen’s daughter and her companions learn to sail in the traditional way with sail priority.
– This long voyage of Elcano has a duration of 140 days at sea and a route of 17,000 nautical miles. Of this schedule, the training ship has already completed 33 days of sailing and two stopovers.
– It should be remembered that the ship Elcano is a Spanish embassy at sea and that Leonor, due to her status as next in line to the throne, exercises a symbolic role of ambassador. The following ports will be: Montevideo (in Uruguay), Punta Arenas and Valparaiso (in Chile), El Callao (in Peru), Panama City, Cartagena de Indias and Santa Marta (in Colombia) and Santo Domingo (in the Dominican Republic). From there, it will sail to New York (United States). From the city of skyscrapers, Leonor returns to Spain by plane. In Gijón, she will board the training ship again. Source, Spanish: https://www.eleconomista.es/informalia/casas… 

MALAGA PROVINCE

State of the reservoirs in Malaga province on Thursday, February 13, 2025: See the latest stats for all Andalucian provinces here. http://www.redhidrosurmedioambiente.es/saih/parte/diario/embalses

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24 Aesthetic Medicine Clinics in Malaga dismantled for using illegal substances: {Translation, summary}
– The Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SEME) has once again brought to the table a serious problem affecting public health: professional intrusion and the lack of regulation in the aesthetic medicine sector. During a press conference in Malaga {pic}, within the framework of the 40th National Congress and the 24th World Congress of Aesthetic Medicine, which will take place from February 13 to 15 at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos (Fycma), the organization has warned that 65% of medical-aesthetic treatments in Spain are performed by people without the appropriate qualifications.
– Added to this is another worrying fact: 20% of the procedures are carried out in unauthorized places, such as hairdressing salons, private homes and even cafes and boats, where events known as ‘Botox Parties’ are held. These practices pose a great risk to patients, who may suffer complications due to the application of products without sanitary control or in inadequate hygienic conditions.
– In Malaga, the situation is no less alarming. The Central Operative Unit (UCO) has recently dismantled 24 clinics that carried out treatments with illegal substances. In total, four people were arrested and 41 investigated for crimes of fraud, professional intrusion and criminal organization, which shows the magnitude of the problem in the province. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/malaga/… 

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Ambrosia beetle puts Malaga growers on alert- avocado trees affected: {Translation, summary}
– The ragweed beetle, the Euwallacea fornicatus, is a species of insect that especially affects fruit trees, such as avocado, a plant that proliferates in the region of Axarquia. The Junta de Andalucía has carried out more than 900 actions in the provinces of Malaga and Granada in recent years to try to control this insect which was declared a pest in December last 2024.
– Officials have explained that these insects are engaged in digging holes in the branches of trees, where it houses a fungus that affect the plants, causing their death. After the affectations suffered in both Andalusian provinces, the Board announced that it will compensate the destruction of avocado crops affected by the ambrosia beetle.
– It is the females of this species that initiate attacks on trees. They expel the sawdust out of the tree, along its bark and base. Small entrance or exit holes appear. The entrance holes are perfectly round and about 0.85 millimeters in diameter. Spots appear on the outer bark that may be moist and dark or dry and light-colored. Dry or wet exudate in the form of “sugar volcanoes” are created as well as Gummosis (dried resin) on the outside of the bark. Insect droppings when the level of infestation is high may appear as long “matchsticks”. Regressive wilting results with eventually the death of the trees. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/afecta-escarabajo-ambrosia-aguacates-malaga_0_2003329768.html

TORROX

Torrox hosts on February 15 and 16 the fourth Extreme 4×4 Meeting of off-road vehicles: {Translation, summary}
– Torrox celebrates this weekend the fourth Extreme 4×4 Meeting that will serve as a prelude to host, on 15 and 16 March, one of the tests of the Andalusian Championship calendar of this discipline. This is an off-road sport that combines speed with overcoming obstacles and involving off-road vehicles and SSV of Spain and Portugal.
– About a hundred participants will gather at the Meeting Torrox Extreme 4×4 that starts on Saturday with a route, and on Sunday will feature an exhibition that will bring together many people in the off-road circuit prepared for it in the area of Calaceite. The Councillor for Sports, Jose Manuel Fernandez, explained that the Saturday afternoon rutómetro “will cover 41 kilometers of municipal lanes while on Sunday we will enjoy the off-road circuit”.
– The route will start about 17.00 hours and whose estimated time end will be 22:30. When the vehicles arrive at the end of the route, different activities, gymkhanas and camping areas have been prepared, while on Sunday the exhibition will take place.
– The vehicles participating in this meeting are grouped into five categories according to their level of preparation: Super Proto, Proto, Extreme, Improved and Promotion. This season, the Extreme 4×4 Championship is presented with two days of endurance stages and more hours of competition, and the event Torrox hosts this weekend is prior to one of the tests of the Andalusian Championship calendar that will come to the municipality torroxeño on 15 and 16 of next March.
Info: http://www.torrox.es/home/eventos/173443967387524030/2025/02/15
Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/torrox-acoge…

NERJA

A car fire blocks Frigiliana / Nerja road: {Translation}
– The fire of a car at kilometer 0 of the regional road that connects the A-7 highway with Frigiliana, at about 15:00 on Thursday, has caused a huge traffic jam on Avenida Alcalde Antonio Villasclaras, the main access to Nerja.
– The alarms rang about 15.00 hours, when for reasons that are unknown and are under investigation, a car traveling down the road, downhill, had begun to burn, near the rural hotel Almazara. Its occupants have been able to get out of the vehicle unharmed and alerted the emergency services.
– The agents had to temporarily cut the access to the neighboring town of Frigiliana, due to the virulence of the flames, and to the highway, so there have been significant delays in the area uphill for almost an hour.
– The vehicle was completely burnt on the side of the road. It had to be removed from the area by a crane. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/sucesos/incendio-coche-provoca-colapso-acceso-nerja-20250213190053-nt.html 

VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA

Vélez-Málaga presents a shock plan to solve “the great proliferation of rats”: {Translation, summary}
– Velez-Malaga suffers an excess of rodents that are generating a problem in the living conditions of the neighbors. Therefore, it has presented a shock plan to solve “the great proliferation of rats”. This was announced Wednesday by the councilman of the Historic Center and responsible for Health of the Environment Area of the City Council, Juan Fernandez Olmo. The rat extermination plan has already been implemented in the coastal area of the town and now will be developed in the town center.
– As for the plan designed to eliminate rodents, Fernandez Olmo has clarified that the rat extermination will undertake “a second round in those most troubled areas of the municipality”. Specifically, this second action will consist of a maintenance plan. The action period will be extended until March 31, 2025.
– The councilman mentioned another of the measures adopted and integrated into this shock plan of pest control. “There will be one day a week dedicated to responding to the requests for rat removal services made by the citizens of our municipality that come to us through different channels,” said Olmo, mentioning channels such as GECOR, mail and other application options.
– The rat extermination plan will be directed mainly to the gray (or sewer) rat, which has its habitat in the sewage network, although work will be done in garden areas, plots, parks or other places where the presence of field rats or common mouse is more prevalent. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/velez-malaga/velez-malaga-presenta-plan-choque_0_2003327013.html

EUROPE

Trump gives green light to tariffs on the “brutal” EU as a response to VAT: {Translation}
– The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has just signed this Thursday in the Oval Office of the White House the executive orders for the imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” on countries that tax American products. Those that make up the European Union (EU), described by the president as “brutal” in their trade relations, will be affected by this decision in response to the value added tax (VAT) levied on all products.
– The aim of this new episode of the tariff war is to match the tariffs that these nations apply to ‘made in USA’ exports. In that sense, Trump has pointed out that US allies are usually “worse” than “enemies” at the trade level, in a clear reference to the EU. On the repercussions that this new wave of tariffs will have, the US president has acknowledged that “prices could go up”.
– In any case, the US government considers VAT as a tax, “and it will not be accepted to send goods through another country to avoid them,” added Donald Trump. For the moment, however, he has avoided setting a date for this new measure, which will probably be used as a pressure measure in future negotiations with Brussels. For the US president, these “reciprocal tariffs” aim to “restore fairness and level the playing field”. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/economia/trump-luz-verde-aranceles-reciprocos-paises-gravan-20250213195201-ntrc.html 

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Trump Announces Start Of Ukraine Peace Talks After Call With Russian President Putin:
– US President Donald Trump says he had a “productive” call with Vladimir Putin, where both agreed to start talks on a Ukraine ceasefire. He later spoke with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, promising to stop Russian aggression, but concerns are growing that the US might pressure Ukraine into concessions like ceding land or dropping its NATO bid. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called pre-2014 borders unrealistic and warned that insisting on them would prolong the war. The US also won’t support Ukraine’s NATO membership in a peace deal, expecting Europe to take on more financial aid. European leaders worry that a rushed US-Russia deal could favour Moscow, while Ukraine insists that any talks must align with its interests.
Source & Video Link: https://youtu.be/1HhDYkwNZ9c?si=fFIx5RchdYsrt2QG


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Europe demands role in Ukraine talks after Trump-Putin call:
– European leaders insisted they shouldn’t be sidelined after US President Donald Trump said he’d agreed to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
– The US president swept aside three years of US policy that nothing should be decided about Ukraine without Kyiv at the table. But it also left out Nato allies in Europe with a stake in the resolution of a conflict raging on their borders, who feared the more conciliatory American stance amounted to a giveaway to the Russian leader.
– US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Nato allies America wouldn’t contribute troops to secure a peace, called eventual Nato membership for Ukraine unrealistic and said the government in Kyiv would probably have to accept the loss of some territory.
– European officials got no advance warning of Trump’s call with Putin, according to one official. In comments at the Munich Security Conference on Thursday, others called it a sell-out, saying they feared the US was giving in to Putin’s key demands without getting anything in return. Full article: https://www.luxtimes.lu/europeanunion/europe-demands-role-in-ukraine-talks-after-trump-putin-call/40548929.html

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Donald Trump wants Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for continued US support:
– Washington will provide Ukraine with a post-war “security shield” if Kyiv hands over rare earth minerals, US President Donald Trump’s transport secretary has said. Scott Bessent {pic}, the first cabinet-level official on Donald Trump’s team to visit Kyiv, was speaking after Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, said he hoped to reach a ceasefire agreement later this week. The US President, who wants a rapid end to the war with Russia, has said he wants US$500 billion (NZ$886 billion) in rare earth minerals for continued US support.
– Bessent told reporters that the minerals are part of a “larger peace deal that Trump has in mind”, adding that his first visit to Ukraine showed that the war was a top priority for the Trump administration. “By increasing our economic commitment through a partnership with the government and people of Ukraine, that will provide – once this conflict is over – it will provide a long-term security shield for all Ukrainians,” Bessent said.
– Zelenskyy told reporters that he hoped a deal could be reached at the Munich Security Conference later this week.
Full article: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/donald… 

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Update- The US confirms that Trump will negotiate with Putin and Zelenski and that NATO’s allies WILL have a role: {Translation, summary}
– U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth {pic} confirmed Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump will negotiate directly with his counterparts in Russia, Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, with NATO allies playing a role, though he did not clarify whether at the negotiating table.
– “Trump called both Putin and Zelenski, both of them. Any negotiation will be with both,” said the Pentagon chief in statements at the end of the meeting of allied defense ministers in Brussels marked by Washington’s decision to start a process ‘immediately’ with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine. In any case, he has not detailed whether he will sit down both at the same time.
– In this regard, Hegseth assured that European NATO members “will play a role”, although he did not clarify whether they will be present at the negotiation, which in principle is limited to Trump and the leaders of Russia and Ukraine. Thus, he said that the “central” part of the agreement will be with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, although he recognized that the outcome of the process “affects many people”.
– On the security guarantees that may be offered to Ukraine or military support to Kiev during the negotiations themselves, the US defense official argued that future military aid “will be on the table”, either to increase or reduce it, something that he has advanced that Washington will use as a “carrot or stick” to advance the agreement with Ukraine and Russia. Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/internacional/… 

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Dozens hurt in car ramming attack in Munich before German election:
– At least 30 people were hurt when a car driven by an Afghan asylum seeker ploughed into a crowd in Munich on Thursday in what the state premier said was probably an attack, putting security back in focus before next week’s federal election.
– At least 30 people were injured, some of them seriously, according to the latest police report. Police said a white car had approached police vehicles that were accompanying a demonstration of striking workers, before speeding up and slamming into people. One shot was fired at the suspect and it was unclear if he was wounded, police added. Officers detained the 24-year-old driver. They said his motive was unclear.
– Bavarian interior minister Joachim Herrmann said the suspect had been known to police for drug and shoplifting offences. His asylum application had been rejected, said Herrmann, but he had not been forced to leave due to security concerns in Afghanistan.
– Immigration and security issues have dominated campaigning ahead of the February 23 election, especially after other violent incidents in recent weeks, with polls showing the centre-right conservatives leading followed by the far right. In December, six people were killed in an attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg and last month a toddler and adult were killed in a knife attack in the Bavarian town of Aschaffenburg. Immigrants have been arrested over both attacks.
– Conservative Friedrich Merz, frontrunner to be Germany’s next chancellor, said safety would be his top priority. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/several-injured-after-car-drives-into-people-munich-bild-reports-2025-02-13/

USA

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as US Health Secretary:
– The Senate on Thursday confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President Trump’s health secretary, putting the prominent vaccine skeptic in control of $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine recommendations and food safety as well as health insurance programs for roughly half the country.
– Nearly all Republicans fell in line behind Trump despite hesitancy over Kennedy’s views on vaccines as the Senate voted 52-48 to elevate the scion of one of America’s most storied political — and Democratic — families to secretary of the Health and Human Services Department. Democrats unanimously opposed Kennedy. Photo: Rod Lamkey. Full article: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-02-13/robert-f-kennedy-jr-confirmed-health-human-services 

ENERGY CRISIS

Spain reduced its gas imports by 28% in 2024 but together with France and Belgium brought 85% of gas imports from Russia to the EU: {Translation, summary}
– The EU reduced its imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2024 by 19% and, within it, Spain was one of the countries where they fell the most, by 28%, although it continued to be one of the main entry routes for gas arriving from Russia. Specifically, together with Belgium and France, it was the destination of 85% of Russian natural gas arriving in the EU, according to last year’s balance sheet drawn up by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).
– Last year, the main supplier of LNG to the EU was the United States, which accounted for 46% of the imports. Source, Spanish: https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/5682026/… 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

AI Action Summit- UK and US refuse to sign inclusive AI statement:
– The UK and US governments refused to sign a joint international declaration on inclusive and sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) as the AI Action Summit drew to a close.
– A total of 61 countries – including France, China, India, Japan, Australia and Canada – have signed a Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet at the AI Action Summit in Paris, which affirmed a number of shared priorities.
– This includes promoting AI accessibility to reduce digital divides between rich and developing countries; “ensuring AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy, taking into account international frameworks for all”; avoiding market concentrations around the technology; reinforcing international cooperation; making AI sustainable; and encouraging deployments that “positively” shape labour markets.
– While the UK and US governments have not immediately outlined the exact reasons for their refusal to sign the statement, a spokesperson for prime minister Keir Starmer has said the government would “only ever sign up to initiatives that are in UK national interests”. During the summit, US vice-president JD Vance said that “excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry”, adding that “we need international regulatory regimes that foster the creation of AI technology rather than strangle it”. Full article: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366619274/AI-Action-Summit-UK-and-US-refuse-to-sign-inclusive-AI-statement

SPAM CALLS

Companies will not be able to make commercial calls to Spain’s residents from mobiles in 3 months: {Translation}
– Companies and public entities will be prohibited within three months from making commercial calls via cell phones under a ministerial order, already signed, which includes a package of measures to prevent identity theft scams that are carried out via telephone or mobile messaging (SMS).
– However, commercial calls can be made from a 900 or 800 number, numbers that until now were only assigned to receive them, by virtue of an order of the Ministry of Digital Transformation and for the Civil Service, which will come into force within 20 days of its publication this week in the Official State Gazette (BOE). Its head, Óscar López, explained, in statements to journalists, these measures, which include the obligation established for telecommunications operators to block calls and SMS with numbers that have not been assigned to an end customer or an operator. It is assumed that if there are no real customers behind the call, it is an indication that they are trying to take advantage of identity theft.
– In addition, telecommunications operators will also have to block calls of international origin that pretend to have originated from a Spanish number, except those of roaming customers.
This measure is set taking into account that fraudulent calls usually come from foreign countries, such as the Netherlands or the United Kingdom, from where calls with Spanish numbers are simulated.
– On the other hand, operators will be obliged to block messages that, instead of a telephone number, are assigned to an alphanumeric code, provided that their owners are not registered with the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC). In this regard, the CNMC will have to create a database in which any public or private entity that wants to use this type of messages with an alphanumeric code must be registered in this database.
– This order will come into force within 20 days of its publication in the BOE, although some of its measures will be mandatory in a longer period of time, taking into account the technical complexity required to apply them. Thus, for example, with regard to the measures on messages with alphanumeric code, these will come into force 15 months after the publication of the order.
– Failure to comply with these measures is classified in the General Telecommunications Law as a serious infringement and is liable to a fine of up to 2 million euros, as explained to journalists by the Secretary General for Telecommunications, Digital Infrastructure and Digital Security, Matías González Martín. According to González Martín, when the order began to be processed at the beginning of last year, 50% of frauds were committed by means of these practices that are affected by the order, which is in line with measures that have already been implemented in France, Germany and Belgium, as well as in Finland. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1865371/las-empresas-no-podran-efectuar-llamadas-comerciales-desde-moviles-en-3-meses/

TRAVEL

Ryanair’s warning to Andalusia if it is fined for charging carry-on baggage fees, Facua Sevilla responds by demanding even larger fines: {Translation}
– Irish flag carrier Ryanair has warned the Junta de Andalucía of a “breach of European Union (EU) law” if the Consejería de Salud y Consumo finally sanctions the airline for charging a hand luggage surcharge. “This is only a preliminary decision by a local authority. If the Seville Consumer Service imposes a fine on Ryanair, as it has threatened to do, it will act in breach of EU law just as the Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030, Pablo Bustinduy, has done,” the company says in a statement.
– The airline assures that if this sanction is put into effect, “it will appeal any fine before the Spanish and EU courts”. The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs had announced that it will sanction the airline for charging a surcharge when traveling with hand luggage, following complaints filed by Facua Seville on behalf of five partners. As confirmed by sources of the Ministry to Europa Press, Wednesday, the disciplinary proceedings are still in process, so the amount of the economic penalty imposed, amounting to 46,250 euros for “serious” infringement, is only a proposal, as it may vary between now and the end of the processing.
– In this regard, Facua Sevilla has filed allegations requesting that the infringement be increased to “very serious”, which would raise the amount of the fine to the range of between 60,001 and 1,000,000 euros. “The proposed resolution cites up to 22 court rulings in which the illegality of these practices has been determined,” as indicated by the association in a note.
– The consumer organization has argued in its writings that these charges are an “abusive” practice that violates the Air Navigation Act, which states that “the carrier shall be obliged to carry free of charge in the cabin, as hand luggage, objects and packages that the passenger carries” and only provides as an exception “safety reasons, linked to the weight or size of the object in relation to the characteristics of the aircraft”. Source, Spanish: https://www.diariosur.es/andalucia/aviso-ryanair-andalucia-multan-recargo-equipaje-mano-20250213115850-nt.html 

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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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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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