Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin May 14
CLICK HERE FOR THE FEATURE ARTICLES "Murcia Corvera airport is changing its name" while "airlines continue to warn passengers over banned items in their hand luggage"
The Spanish have a saying, “Hasta el cuarenta de mayo, no te quites el sayo”, which basically means that you shouldn’t take off those warm layers and raincoats until the fortieth day of May (or June 9, in other words).
They’re not wrong because first thing in the morning and in the evenings when the sun goes down, it does get a little bit nippy out. But all things point to summertime in Spain starting in earnest now, and there’s no sign of any further episodes of serious rainfall anywhere on the horizon, though there have been reports of more Saharan dust in some parts of southern Spain (thankfully nowhere near as bad as in March).
Hotting up
After weeks of ceaseless rain Spain finally welcomed a change this week with abundant sunshine and soaring temperatures, with some areas like the Canary Islands even on alert for extreme heat.
The weather in Spain is getting warmer earlier each year, and as many homes in this country don’t have air-conditioning units, it can be difficult to keep cool. With electricity prices still on the rise, it can prove to be a prohibitively expensive appliance anyway, but there are several more economical and environmentally friendly ways to beat the heat.
Firstly, it’s a good idea to close doors and blinds during the heat of the day to keep the sun out, and to open them once again in the evening to allow the cooler air to circulate. Turning off heat-generating appliances like lights and laptops will also help a great deal, as will avoiding heavy, protein-rich meals, which increase metabolic heat and warm the body.
Water is also key: drink plenty to remain hydrated, soak your feet for some cooling relief or simply drape a damp cloth over your shoulders or forehead. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks should also be limited due to their diuretic effect, which can increase the chance of dehydration.
Don’t forget pets in the heat either. You can help dogs, rabbits and cats by giving them a cool bath or shower to keep their body temperature down. Lay a cool towel on a tile floor for them to lie down on, or place a cool towel or washcloth over them. Make sure they have plenty of water to drink as well.
Come fly with me?
For those inspired by the lovely weather and thinking of jetting out to Spain, there was some disappointing news this week when the minister of Health confirmed that travellers on flights to and from Spain will still have to wear face masks, despite the fact that the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has scrapped their recommendation to wear face coverings in airports and on planes from May 16.
Spain changed its own indoor mask rules in April, so while they don’t have to be worn in airports, passengers will have to use them on planes for the foreseeable future.
Before leaving on your Spanish holiday, it’s also wise to check carefully with your travel agent this year as several major airlines have advised they’ll be making serious cutbacks to slash costs and deal with staff shortages.
Budget carrier easyJet announced that it plans to remove the back seats from its UK A319 fleet, reducing passenger capacity to just 150, so that it can reduce its cabin crew from four to three on each flight.
Meanwhile, TUI Airways has revealed that this high season no food or drinks will be available on short-haul flights from 15 UK airports, again in an effort to reduce the number of cabin crew required to operate on flights. If you’re the type to get peckish in the air, the airline advises passengers to bring their own food and drink on board, but warns that alcoholic beverages won’t be permitted.
With the price of airline tickets, accommodation and virtually everything else on the rise, many of us choose to save a few euros by only bringing carry-on on the plane rather than checking in a suitcase. However, most of the popular airlines such as Ryanair, British Airways, Jet2 and easyJet all have strict rules about what you can and can’t bring in your hand luggage. It can be an expensive mistake to make; if prohibited items are found at the airport security check, they will be confiscated.
Liquids are among the items which cause the most problems and it’s important to remember that drinks, perfumes and liquid cosmetics must be under 100ml and be carried in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag measuring no more than 20cm x 20cm. The total amount of liquid per passenger can’t exceed one litre.
Travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries are subject to further restrictions, and the Spanish government has reiterated that Britons are not permitted to bring meat or dairy products into Spain. This ban includes cakes containing cream and sweets that have been made with gelatine.
Life’s a beach
Once you do finally get to Spain, there’s nothing better than relaxing on one of the country’s more than 3,000 beaches. This year, Spain has retained its title as world leader more the country with the most coveted Blue Flag awards for its beaches and marinas. The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised and easily recognisable way of classifying beaches for their cleanliness, safety and accessibility. Spain now has a total of 729 Blue Flags, 16 more than last year.
Murcia has 34 of those, with the new additions this year of the El Pedrucho beach in San Javier and the beaches of Banco del Tabal-Calnegre in San Javier and Cartagena, which, for the first time, presented a joint candidacy. One notable exception is the Mar Menor, which for the sixth year in a row goes without a Blue Flag for its beaches. True, the local coastal councils concerned haven’t submitted an application to the Blue Flag committee since 2017, but that’s probably because they know they’ll be turned down due to the disgraceful state of the lagoon environment.
Sources in the Regional Government insist that the waters of the Mar Menor are suitable for bathing.
Another beach that has been denied a Blue Flag is in Benidorm. Benidorm council and the tourism sector are extremely proud of the resort’s coastline, and rightly so, but the town has been dealt a massive blow after its popular Poniente beach failed to make the grade in the 2022 Blue Flag awards. The Town Hall plans to appeal the decision.
One thing Benidorm is changing on this and the Mal Mas beaches is the addition of CCTV. With summer approaching and the imminent arrival of thousands of tourists, Benidorm Town Hall plans to keep a closer eye on visitors with smart cameras trained on its beaches. Whilst the move may seem somewhat Big Brother-ish, the aim is to prevent overcrowding and monitor movement and capacity levels on and around areas that typically attract the most tourists.
Meanwhile, Paseo Cabo Roig in Orihuela has once again been recognised with a Blue Trail distinction in the 2022 round of awards by the Association of Environmental Education and Consumer (ADEAC).
The coastal path runs for 2.5km parallel to the coastline and includes five viewpoints for the public to enjoy the “high geological interest of the cliffs and beaches”, as well as “attractions of high heritage value”, such as the Torre de Cabo Roig, a military watchtower type building from the 16th Century listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest.
One small step for woman, one giant leap for humankind
After almost a year of fighting, Spain is at last expected to approve its radical new abortion law next Tuesday, May 17. The new legislation will allow girls to seek an abortion from 16 years old without parental permission, as well as expanding sex education to younger children and providing free contraception and tampons in schools.
Perhaps the most controversial part of the new law, however, is the allowance of up to three days’ sick leave per month for women suffering from painful periods. If passed, this would make Spain only the fifth country in the world to offer menstrual leave as part of work contracts, after Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Zambia.
The leave would be offered to women who suffer from ovarian cysts, fibroids and endometriosis, among other complaints, and in the words of Spain’s Minister for Equality Irene Montero, would be a “paradigm shift”.
In addition, Spain will soon offer free sanitary pads and tampons in schools and to vulnerable women, while VAT will be removed from feminine hygiene products for sale in supermarkets.
But should monthly menstruation be treated, as the Secretary of State for Equality has likened it, as a temporary “illness”? Isn’t there a danger that such regulation will put employers off hiring women, and actually set back feminist advances in the workplace that were hard won in the last several years?
No, rather this groundbreaking legislation has the potential to make Spain one of the most forethinking and forward-looking countries in Europe. If done right, with the requisite medical checks to ensure that employees cannot take advantage of the system to have a free holiday every month, it will provide relief from suffering for thousands of women who currently have no legal recourse. Gender equality is about more than treating men and women the same – it is about ensuring that each person of any gender is entitled to the resources they need to perform at the same level as everyone else. And this new law is surely a step in the right direction.
Coronavirus
There has been a rising tide of Covid cases in recent weeks, with many experts talking about a seventh wave, although the government has firmly ruled out reintroducing stricter Covid-19 measures such as quarantine as a result.
According to the latest Health report for Spain, the cumulative incidence rate among those over 60 years of age at 14 days is 843 cases per 100,000 people, 30 points more than last Friday. However, the 7-day figure is less than half that, indicating that the prevalence of Covid among this age group is actually decreasing, not increasing.
Remember that now it is only this age group that data on incidence of Covid is being recorded for, and not for anyone younger than 60, so there are many more cases that we are blind to, and overall we may already be in the midst of a seventh wave.
However, thanks to widespread vaccination and natural immunity, this wave is far less severe than previous ones. For example, 5.89% of hospital beds are occupied by Covid patients, which is much lower than during the sixth wave. True, it’s a rise in the number of hospitalisations and it does move the country out of the low-risk category recommended by Covid experts for maintaining the current measure and into the medium-risk category, but intensive care levels are still quite low, at just 3.96%.
For all the latest coronavirus news and updates in Spain, use the link above
Murcia
The Region of Murcia will be one much-loved celebrity lighter from now on, after British actor Dennis Waterman died last weekend aged 74. Waterman had moved to the Region in 2015, having decided to take an early retirement from acting, and was a regular at La Manga golf resort.A familiar face around Murcia’s restaurants and bars, tributes have come pouring out from fans and acquaintances saying how much they loved his acting, and what a nice person he was. He is said to have died peacefully in a Spanish hospital, with his wife Pam by his side, after spending the last seven years of his life enjoying his retirement in his La Manga villa.
R.I.P Dennis.
The Region has its own new rising star in sports, after local boy Carlos Alcaraz won the Madrid Open, beating Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and German world number 3, Alexander Zverev in the final.
Originally from Murcia city, the 19-year-old Alcaraz is now becomes the first player since Nalbandian in 2007 to beat three of the world’s top four players at a Masters 1000, and he has now equalled Nadal in winning both the major tennis tournaments held in Spain, the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Trofeo Conde de Godó and the Mutua Madrid Open, in the same year.Alcaraz will be playing at the Roland Garros tournament in Paris next week, where the eyes of Murcia, Spain and the world will be on the young upstart to see just how bright his promising star will shine. One to look out for at Wimbledon this year!
In property news, it was revealed this week that Moroccan nationals in Murcia bought almost as many homes as Brits in 2021 – 24.73% vs 26%. Britons have long been the foreigners who have purchased the most properties in Murcia, but that could all be about to change. There’s an important difference between the two expat buyer profiles, though. UK buyers are mostly looking for holiday villas and second homes in the Region, while Moroccans are more likely to purchase a house to be used as a permanent residence.
According to the Registrars’ Association Yearbook, Belgian buyers are in third, but a long way behind the United Kingdom and Morocco with 7.2% of purchases. Germany is now in fourth place, with 4.3%, followed by the Netherlands (3.41%) and France (2.7%).
The other change this week was a change of name. It’s finally been approved to change the name of Corvera airport to ‘Aeropuerto Internacional de la Región de Murcia-Juan de la Cierva’, or ‘International Airport of the Region of Murcia-Juan de la Cierva’. A bit of a mouthful, to say the least.
The change is not without its detractors, aside from those looking to avoid a tongue twister every time they have to state their destination, as the central government in Madrid has already vetoed the change once due to the fact that Juan de la Cierva was involved in the 1936 coup d’état in Spain that tried to overthrow the Second Republic, an event that led to the start of the Spanish Civil War and the rise to power of the dictator General Francisco Franco.
Regional politicians in Murcia claim that they’re not honouring the man for his political views, but rather his role as an inventor and the first person to publicly propose the construction of a commercial airport in Murcia in 1935. It’s just easier all round to keep calling it ‘Corvera’.
Lastly, we’ve compiled a round-up for you of all the best guided tours happening on the Costa Cálida this spring and early summer from embroidery and medieval castles to wineries to railway engineering, so you’ll never be short of things to do!
For news on more events like this coming up soon in the Murcia, Alicante and Andalucía areas, be sure to CHECK OUT OUR EVENTS DIARY!
Spain
Tragically, a British tourist lost his life after falling from a seventh-floor balcony in the resort of Magaluf this week, the first such death to be recorded in Spain this year.
Less than 24 hours later, another young man, reported to be either British or Dutch, died when leaping off a 25-metre-high cliff into the sea on the Malgrats Islands off the coast of Santa Ponsa in Mallorca. The 31-year-old had rented a boat and sailed out to the outcrop with his partner and son, who were filming the moment when the man misjudged the jump and smashed into the jutting rocks below before tumbling into the sea and being swept away by the current.
Sadly, accidents like this one are all too common in Spain and with the holiday season almost upon us, the Spanish government has renewed its appeal for responsible drinking and has warned tourists of a little-known drinking law that affects absolutely EVERYONE and can carry a massive fine. Authorities have advised that consuming alcohol in public places (except for licensed bars and restaurants), is expressly forbidden in Spain and can be penalised heavily. Yes, it’s ILLEGAL to drink in public or on the beach in Spain, so don’t do it!
Taking this a step further, the British Embassy in Spain has warned Britons to avoid attending unlicensed parties on the holiday hotspots of Ibiza and Mallorca. These illegal gatherings in rented villas or houses have become a major headache for the local government ever since coronavirus restrictions shut the nightclubs and discos, and following a number of accidents, authorities can now slap rule-breakers with fines of up to 300,000 euros.
Another thing issued by the Embassy this week, after much pleading and prodding from miffed Brits, was another update on the status of negotiations over driving licences. But basically, the only update is that negotiations are still ongoing, which will be cold comfort to those thousands of British expats eager for a scrap of hope that will mean they don’t have to take a Spanish driving test.
The Ambassador did clarify that the negotiations are not only concerning those who were resident before the transition period, but that he is seeking an agreement that will enable all UK licence holders, whether they were already in Spain or arrive in the future, to make the exchange. But he added that Britain “can’t make any guarantees” and has repeated his insistence that anyone who needs to drive in Spain should begin the process of getting a Spanish driving licence now, as this is currently the only route open to them.
Meanwhile, the Spanish driving authorities (DGT) have revealed some more unwelcome news this week, as they are considering reducing the validity period of Spanish driving licences for people over the age of 65. Currently, driving licences in Spain have to be renewed every five years and this period is shortened to two years when a person reaches the age of 70. This could all be about to change however, as the DGT is examining the possibility of forcing older people to renew their licence within a shorter time span, in addition to reviewing the medical tests that they have to undergo.
Alicante
There’s no sugarcoating the news in Alicante province following what, on the whole, has been a tragic week for many families, in particular, the parents of a British 25-year-old who received the heartbreaking news that their son had drowned whilst trying to rescue his dog from a river in Callosa d'En Sarriàt, 15km from Benidorm.The lifeless body of Paul Lebihan, who served in the Royal Navy, was pulled from Bolulla River on Monday May 9, the fourth person to lose their life at the natural area popular with walkers in a month. Paul, who had been living in Spain, managed to free his dog from the strong currents but was unable to save himself. Now, his devastated family are appealing for help to bring his body back to his hometown in Gateshead, and have launched a GoFundMe page which has already raised almost 12,000 euros so that his parents, Deborah, who has flown to the Costa Blanca to collect her son’s body, and can give him give him “the memorial he deserves”.
Paul’s cousin, Kallym Bell, who set up the online fundraiser, described the amateur keen boxer as “amazing, selfless man with a heart of gold, always the biggest laugh and the very best to be around. He would do anything for anyone... saving the dog shows that.”
What should have been an enjoyable meal out with friends and family took a devastating turn when a British woman died after being stung by a wasp at a bar-restaurant in the popular coastal resort of Teulada-Moraira.
The 67-year-old, who is believed to have lived in the area, suffered anaphylactic shock and despite resuscitation attempts, paramedics were unable to revive her. According to the Emergency Coordination Centre, “she was stung on the terrace and suffered a severe reaction to the venom in the sting. She went into anaphylactic shock and died at the scene... a post-mortem will be carried to confirm this.”
Elsewhere in Alicante province, the horrific murder of an elderly UK expat who was gunned down at her home in Elche has shaken the whole community. Shockingly, a woman, 46, and her 16-year-old son have been arrested, and the former jailed without bail in connection with the fatal shooting of the 80-year-old Monica W., a widow who lived alone, in the Elche district of Maitino near Torrellano.
The motive for the ruthless killing has not yet been established, but a 22mm calibre piston has been recovered, along with a burned-out car belonging to the main suspect. What will prove vital to the case will be the evidence of a workman hired by the victim to carry out repairs, who saw the mother and son in the area and, after discovering a “trail of blood”, alerted police.
It's since transpired the 46-year-old detainee practiced sport shooting and had a gun license for the same model and calibre as the recovered weapon which she had allegedly reported missing in a theft the morning after the victim’s death. Detectives from Alicante and Madrid have ruled out a random robbery and the investigation is ongoing.
In another gruesome tale, foul play has thankfully been ruled out following the discovery of a mummified body on the roof of an abandoned, semi-constructed building in Alicante city, believed to be that of a 56-year-old man who disappeared in July 2019.
A local resident interested in exploring abandoned places and buildings under construction, a practice known as ‘urbex’, stumbled across the corpse and a backpack nearby which contained identification in the name of Julián Ortega, who had been reported missing by family in July 2019. A post mortem was performed that ruled out the possibility of a violent death, and DNA tests are being carried out to officially confirm the deceased is indeed the 56-year-old.
And finally, a mysterious tunnel six metres underground has been uncovered in Villena, discovered completely by chance after the front of an asphalting lorry literally sunk into the road. Mine experts and engineers are carrying out extensive inspections to determine its origin and purpose, but for the moment, the only thing that has been ruled out conclusively is that it was a former Civil War shelter.It’s also unlikely to have been used as a conduit for subway water, as initially suggested, because it lacks coating on the walls to prevent water erosion. “Neither municipal archaeologists nor local historians were aware of its existence,” said the council. A true mystery.
Andalucía
The Costa del Sol is a frequent hideaway for fugitives evading the law in Britain, Sweden, Norway and other countries. It’s the sun that attracts them to this part of the world, but it’s such a trope now that you think they’d choose somewhere less obvious to hide out… Jaén, perhaps, or Kyiv.
Two big-time British criminals have been nabbed on the Spanish Costa this week, the first of which was a 30-year-old man wanted in connection with the killing of an 18-year-old in Liverpool back in 2015. David Ungi fled the UK just hours after the murder, in which young Vinny Waddington was killed by a single shotgun blast while riding on the back of a bike, and was suspected of hiding out in Malaga for the intervening seven years. Police finally caught up with him as he entered a gym at a shopping centre in Coín, and when searched he had a 9mm Ruger firearm and ammunition in his rucksack.
The other Brit was the leader of a drug ring based in Alhaurín el Grande that was trafficking narcotics internationally by sending them through the post. Incredibly, some of the drugs were even injected into children’s sweets to try to disguise them. In a series of raids, police managed to seize 3,700 grams of toxic and psychotropic substances, 2,065 grams of marijuana and 1,065 grams of cutting substance and made seven arrests.
While the first Brit is awaiting extradition to the UK, the second will face justice for his crimes in Spain.
Luckily, Brits are also doing their part for the community, such as the expat mother living in Estepona who called the police when she discovered a man masturbating behind a bush next to a children’s play park on the seafront. Upon be surprised with his trousers and underwear around his knees, the pervert ran into a nearby shop while the mother, who was with her young son at the time, phoned the police. They quickly caught up with the man and arrested him.
Finally, Andalucía is intent on reining in Airbnb rentals and stag parties and further regulating tourism on the Costa del Sol. Renting out houses and apartments can be a source of easy money for property owners and for tourists it is often a cheaper form of accommodation than hotels, but it can also be a real headache for neighbours who often have to deal with rowdy holidaymakers staying next door. Now, with an influx of visitors and an increasing number of stag and hen parties flocking to the region, the mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, is adamant that he will not “tolerate an uncontrolled city”.
One of the measures being considered is the installation of noise monitors in hotel rooms and holiday apartments after receiving “an increase in complaints in certain areas of the city, around five a day, around the centre, concerning bachelor parties”. The Ministry of Tourism also wants to combine the current regulations that govern tourist accommodation and private housing rented to holidaymakers so that they will be subject to the same rules, but some are claiming that this will “criminalise” homeowners and would greatly reduce the availability of accommodation for holidaymakers to Andalucía.
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