Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin June 30
FEATURED ARTICLES: "Canadian forest fires turn Spanish skies grey" and "Suspected UFO streaks spooky lights across Spain"
Those who are in the centre and west of Spain may have noticed it’s been a bit smoggy and overcast recently, but not in a normal way. Visibility has been greatly reduced over a great portion of western Europe by smoke drifting over the skies.
No, it’s not the smoke from the fires on the Paris streets in response to the killing of a 17-year-old boy by police there. It actually comes from a Francophone fire further afield: in Canada.
But that’s not the only reason to look to the skies – whether in wonder or in despair – as UFO sightings and feisty, drunken Brits scrapping mid-flight keep us with our heads in the clouds.
Up, up and away…
The Big Smoke
It’s no exaggeration to say that June has been an incredibly strange month as far as the weather is concerned, and it’s the gift just keeps giving, with many regions of Spain illuminated in a strange greyish haze all week. Many people in Spain wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that the annoying dust settling on their patios is the caused by the usual Saharan clouds, but this phenomenon has actually travelled more than 7,000 kilometres from Canada.
There, more than seven million hectares of land have burned in uncontrollable wildfires, and thousands of residents have been evacuated from its epicentre of Quebec. But thanks to a prevailing jet stream across the Atlantic, this smoke has reached Spain and has resulted in a visible veil overhead in areas like Madrid, and even as far south as Cádiz and Malaga. It’s the same smoke that, if you remember, turned New York’s air quality into one of the worst in the world for a few days a couple of weeks ago.
However, meteorologists assure that as the particles concentrate in the upper part of the atmosphere, they are not expected to affect the quality of the air we breathe. In fact, the particles blur when they hit the ground, so are more noticeable at high altitudes at sunrise and sunset. As such, you may see the sun a reddish, orangey colour in the evenings, and find that it is perfectly possible to look straight at it without having your eyes burnt from their sockets.
And as the first Spanish heatwave comes to an end mid-week, the entry of a cold front will clear the smoke from the air so that it will have completely dissipated by the weekend. This same cold front, though, will bring about a dramatic change to the weather in the coming days, with temperatures expected to return to ‘normal’ for this time of year. Of course, ‘normal’ for the beginning of July still means the mercury in our thermometers will hover between the high 20s and low 30s, and brief stormy episodes could make an appearance along the west coast and in northern Spain.
The first large forest fires of the summer have already begun, with several wildfires breaking out in northern Murcia as a result of lightning strikes from the electrical storms discharging atmospheric pressure after the recent spell of hot weather.
The fires which raged through Jumilla, Cehegín and Fortuna earlier this week thankfully did not cause any personal injury to anyone nor damage any property beyond scrubland. Regional authorities had already activated their forest fire risk plan early this year, after forest fires increased by 133% in the first four months of the year compared to 2022.
This is likely just a small taster of things to come as the wildfire season gets underway again. Every summer, large swathes of the Valencian Community, Andalucía, Galicia, Cantabria and more are ravaged by flames. Let’s hope that this year will not be as destructive as 2022, which saw more hectares of land burnt up in forest fires than ever before.
We are not alone?
Believe it or not, the Canadian smoke wasn’t the only thing drawing eyes skywards this week as countless terrified witnesses took to social media to post videos and pictures of what they were sure was a UFO.
With so many busy airports in Spain, most people are used to seeing the white, fluffy contrails left behind by planes, but Monday night’s display was something altogether different: an object was recorded zooming towards earth at alarming speed in erratic directions, leaving behind zig-zagging white plumes of smoke markedly different to a normal passenger jet.Unfortunately, the reality wasn’t quite as exciting as an extraterrestrial spaceship. It turns out that the crazy contrails were caused by a V-MAX hypersonic glider launched by the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) at their missile testing site in France.
When the glider was launched, a rocket-propelled weapon was sent shooting into space before its payload tumbled back to earth erratically and at hypersonic speed; this is what created the unusual patterns of white trails.
Or was it?
Shark week
While the skies might be giving us the heebie-jeebies, it’s definitely NOT time to get back in the water, at least as far as the British press is concerned, with several newspapers warning UK tourists of imminent shark attacks in Spain this week.The stories stem from several sightings in Alicante, Mallorca, Menorca and Galicia, many of which were very close to the beaches, but Spanish marine biologists immediately took to the airwaves to reassure travellers that they are in no way a risk.
Many shark species call the coasts of the Iberian peninsula their home, so sightings are nothing new. Even so, it’s true that rising water temperatures many be tempting them closer to the shore to feed. However, the overarching point the experts want to get across is that the species of shark that have been frequenting the Spanish coasts – namely blue sharks and cow sharks – should not be feared, since they pose very little threat to people.
We’re just not their preferred food source and most bites tend to be exploratory: essentially, once they realise our blood tastes different to their normal prey, they swim away.
In fact, according to the International Shark Attack File, you’re more likely to be killed from a coconut hitting you on the head than from a shark bite.
Independence Day
It’s official. The last vestiges of Covid-19 restrictions in Spain are finally behind us, just as Spain is well behind many other Western countries in taking so long to ditch face masks.
The Ministry of Health has agreed that now is a safe time for people to stop wearing masks in pharmacies, medical and social care settings such as nursing homes for elderly people, health centres, hospitals, physiotherapy clinics and dental offices.
The law has been signed and the official date that has been set for it to legally enter into force is this coming Tuesday, July 4. Independence Day.
After more than 1,140 days of mandatory mask-wearing, the decision to scrap the measure will seem long overdue for many, with coronavirus now seeming like a distant nightmare.
Although you will no longer need to wear a mask in hospitals in general, staff may still ask you to wear one in areas where there are immunocompromised patients, such as oncology wards, operating rooms and the ICU.
In reality, though, it may not be wise to throw out all your remaining face masks just yet. The legacy of wearing masks for the last three years, which quickly got Spaniards, Europeans and Westerners in general into a trend that was already deeply entrenched in Asian countries, could help to protect us from more than just Covid.
In Japan, Korea, China and other East Asian countries, masks are regularly worn as a shield against air pollution, to avoid the spread of contagion if you have a cold or to hide an ugly-looking spot.
While this last one doesn’t seem likely to catch on in the West, perhaps we would do well to bear in mind the feeling of civic duty and ‘We’re-all-in-this-together-ness’ that prevailed during the first lockdown.
If you’re in a hospital and there are sick people around, or you yourself are sick, why not wear a face mask anyway? If you know your sneezing is likely to make others around you come down with the same thing you’re suffering from, isn’t it just a common courtesy to chuck on a mask? And when we get huge masses of smoke from Canadian wildfires or Saharan desert dust flying overhead, doesn’t it make sense to do what you can to avoid getting those particles into your lungs and coming down with a cough?
And, on a jolly last note, those harbingers of sunshine the World Health Organization have already warned that more, and possibly bigger and deadlier, pandemics could be lurking in store for us in just a few years’ time. So maybe best not to poo-poo mask wearing just yet.
Murcia
For several years now, Cartagena has been trying to market itself as a destination for movie producers and television stars to come and film their productions and this week saw the Murcia municipality play host to the shoot for Marvel’s Venom 3, starring dreamboat Tom Hardy.Tom and the crew were filming the superhero flick in Cartagena city’s Los Mateos neighbourhood and in the Calblanque natural park, chosen for their similarity to certain Mexico streets.
It’s proving great for the local community and not just because they can catch a glimpse of hunk Tom Hardy strolling around town. Around 50 Cartagena locals are being paid up to 90 euros a day to watch over equipment and ensure the set isn’t disturbed, while the cast and crew are eating and drinking at local establishments.
It seems this is the start of an upward trajectory for Cartagena as production boss Tate Aráez said the port city is already being considered for “future productions”.
Also having a good week are the seven eateries in the Region which have been awarded ‘Summer Soletes’ by the Repsol Guide for being those “hidden gems” we’d all recommend visitors try when they come to our town.
The list, which is not meant as a fancy ‘Zagat’ or ‘Michelin’ guide or anything like that, is supposed to cover everything from breakfast cafés and chilled lounges to hamburger bars and even ice-cream parlours – anywhere that has good, honest food done well.
In Murcia, the lucky recipients of the Summer Soletes include the Alviento in Cartagena, with its rooftop terrace complete with sea views; the El Líos beach bar in Lorca; and Bar Yemanjá in Cabo de Palos, the local favourite for those in the know with a relaxing Bohemian Caribbean/South American feel.
In the Mar Menor lagoon, ecologists are demanding explanations from officials over the recorded boom in the population of the so-called ‘fried egg’ jellyfish. The ‘Cotylorhiza tuberculata’ jellyfish, to give it its scientific name, is booming in the area and has now colonised a huge part of the lagoon, although they are generally as harmless as Spain’s sharks are.
So far, not one single Town Hall around the Mar Menor has been allowed to place jellyfish nets in the water to protect swimmers and the animals themselves, although Cartagena, San Javier y San Pedro del Pinatar have all stated they want them, while Los Alcázares have categorically ruled them out.
A new addition to the exclusive Mazarrón Country Club this week as Spar opened a brand-new supermarket on the resort with its own winery, pharmacy and perfumery along with the usual food fare.
This is actually the second new store that Spar have opened in the Region of Murcia this week, with another one opening its doors in the Murcia city neighbourhood of La Flota. The retailer has also announced even more openings during July and August in Murcia, Alicante, Granada, Almeria and Albacete, adding to its roughly 250 stores that it already operates in the southeast of Spain.
It’s almost here, the moment so many have been waiting for! Sir Rod Stewart is coming to sing live in concert at the Murcia Bullring in just over two weeks and somehow, don’t ask me how, there are still tickets available to buy.Rod is performing as part of the Murcia On Festival, which is taking place at the Plaza de Toros de Murcia, the bullring, between May and October this year. He is squeezing in a couple of dates in Spain straight after his Ireland and UK tour and just before he jets off to sing in the USA. Fans can expect the star to croon all the hits they know and love, including ‘Maggie May’, ‘Sailing’, ‘The First Cut is the Deepest’, ‘Have I Told You Lately that I Love You’ and many more.
For more events like this coming up soon in the Region of Murcia, check out our EVENTS DIARY:
Spain
In the northeastern autonomous community of Catalonia, Spanish courts have voted to uphold a 2020 law allowing women to go topless at public swimming pools. The legislation stipulates that town halls can’t condone any kind of discrimination based on gender, religion, sex or dress and so breastfeeding poolside and full-body bathing suits, such as the Muslim burkinis, are also allowed.
The legislation is by no means new and the Catalan government simply wanted to remind town halls of their obligation to uphold it; failing to do so could result in fines of up to half a million euros.
In other news, a 35-year-old British man, named only as S.D., has been arrested in Ibiza in relation to a hit and run that resulted in the death of a cyclist.
Bernat Ribas, 49, a well-known cyclist and all-round athlete, was killed instantly when a right-hand drive Jeep Wrangler on UK plates ploughed into him and fled the Sant Josep municipality without stopping.The banged-up Jeep was found a few kilometres from the scene of the accident and hours later, the British suspect handed himself into police. He is now being held on suspicion of the crimes of reckless homicide, leaving the scene of the accident, reckless driving and driving without authorisation.
Meanwhile, in nearby Menorca, a 37-year-old British tourist has died in his hotel room lying in bed next to his girlfriend. The poor man started experiencing sudden breathing problems which led to an irreversible cardiac arrest.
The man’s girlfriend called the emergency services, but sadly paramedics were unable to resuscitate him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Most people are still reeling from the results of the May regional and municipal elections and the shock call for general elections next month, but the current government seems to be pulling out all the stops to keep voters on side, or at the very least to push through any legislation they can before they’re likely pushed out of power in three weeks’ time.
As well as deciding to maintain two of the most popular financial measures – the VAT reduction on basic foods and subsidised public transport – President Pedro Sánchez announced a number of other cost-saving initiatives.
To give the “green transition” in Spain another push, the Council of Ministers will approve a new regulation allowing a deduction of 15% in personal income tax for those who purchase an electric vehicle between now and December 31, 2025.
Following another ECB rate hike last week, one of the major worries for people in Spain is the inevitable rise in mortgage repayments. No real solution was given to this problem, aside from a 1,000-euro payment to low-income families, but Mr Sánchez confirmed he is in ongoing talks with the financial sector to ease the pressure.
Alicante
Silly season is well and truly upon us and this week we had to suffer through yet more stories of Brits behaving badly abroad. The stand-out has to be a massive brawl that broke out on a Ryanair flight from Bristol to Alicante, which witnesses say involved around 30 inebriated UK holidaymakers who spilled into the narrow aisles, kicking and punching.
As a result of the uncontrollable situation, the pilot had no choice but to radio ahead to Alicante-Elche Airport and request police back-up when the plane touched down.
Officers were waiting for the rowdy Brits on the tarmac and most saw their holiday significantly delayed as they were hauled in for questioning about the unfortunate incident.
A courageous cop pulled off a heroic rescue after an agitated and semi-naked man threw himself off a bridge in Alicante capital city this week.
Police received several reports of a man clinging to the railings threatening to end his own life and when a patrol arrived at the scene, the troubled man followed through with his threat.
Footage that has gone viral shows the policeman immediately remove his waistcoat and duty belt with regulation weapon before jumping into the fast-moving water below and dragging the jumper to the river bank.
Gran trabajo de la policía local de #Alicante! pic.twitter.com/yuyQmCleuG
— SantiMartinez🇪🇸 (@SantiMartinez84) June 26, 2023
Municipal sources have since said that the fall itself “was not life-threatening”, and although the man remained underwater for a short period, this was of “his own will! and not as a result of the impact or a “blow” to his body.
The officer has been hailed a hero for his rapid intervention, and it’s believed the jumper was unharmed.
Drama of a different kind unfolded on a popular tourist beach in Javea when bathers were literally ordered out of the sea and the beach was officially closed by the Town Hall.
It transpires Arenal beach received a damning water analysis report hours before and high levels of faecal bacteria were found in the water.
This is the second time in 12 months the beach has been closed due to faecal contamination.
On this occasion, Red Cross staff were seen raising the red flag while local police ordered swimmers to get out of the water. Beachgoers were also warned of the health dangers over a public announcement system.
Further analysis is being carried out before bathers can re-enter the water. The closure was announced by Javea Council on its social media network, with Facebook users venting their anger and frustration.
One wrote: “I have an ear infection thanks to the crystal-clear water!”
“About time too, if not a little late for some,” vented another, with a third claiming “the smell was nauseating.”
In Petrer, there are two months of open-air concerts throughout July and August. The Cultura al Carrer (street culture) festival is one of the most anticipated events in the town’s calendar, and this year will see 16 weekend performances in El Campet Park and Alcalde Vicente Maestre Gardens.
The festival offers something for everyone’s musical tastes, with bands performing jazz, flamenco, pop rock, dance music, and more. In addition to Cultura al Carrer, Petrer will also host the José Tomás-Villa de Petrer International Guitar Festival from July 8 to 22, with more than 80 musicians, artists and groups from around the world performing 22 concerts.
Check out the Costa Blanca What’s On and Where to Go Facebook group to see more things to do around Alicante province!
Andalucía
Terrifying scenes unfolded in broad daylight in the middle of the street in Torrox, Malaga this week when a retired soldier shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.
Horrified locals witnessed the suspected attempted murder-suicide that left the 66-year-old woman with serious injuries and her ex-husband, 69, dead in the middle of a residential street.
According to reports, the pair divorced a couple of years ago and had several children together. The shooter allegedly travelled specifically from Osuna in Seville, where he lived, to the Malaga town where his ex was staying with a relative in order to confront her.
He shot at her twice in the chest area, with one bullet narrowly missing her heart. Thankfully, the contents of a large handbag took the impact of the second bullet. He then fatally shot himself in the head.
The victim underwent surgery at the Regional University Hospital of Malaga, and her condition is described as “very serious”.
The incident is being treated by the Guardia Civil as a gender violence attack.
The first official heatwave of the year in Spain claimed its first victim. Punishing temperatures that have topped out at a scorching 42ºC in recent days in parts of Andalucía in recent days proved fatal for a 47-year-old farmer in Seville.
The man, who had previous pathologies, died as a result of the extreme heat while ploughing at his farm in the Seville town of Aznalcóllar on a day the province was on orange alert for deadly heat.
Municipal sources confirmed the deceased suddenly fell ill and lethargic and was initially assisted by one of his sons before being rushed to the local health centre where a doctor confirmed he had a body temperature of over 40ºC.
Sadly, the victim died at the health centre and his funeral was held the following day.
Just over the border from La Línea de la Concepción in Andalucía’s province of Cádiz, there is frustration and desperation in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, where the hopes of reaching a final, definitive post-Brexit deal to replace the current temporary agreement are slipping further and further out of reach.
The provisional treaty guaranteeing freedom of movement across the Spain-UK land border was struck on New Year’s Eve 2020, just hours away from the moment Britain officially left the European Union. Since then, the two sides have been struggling to reach a permanent agreement, and the latest sticking point seems to be that the Spanish are ‘demanding’ control over the Rock’s airports and border force, while Gibraltar’s Governor says that is a line in the sand they are not willing to cross as it would encroach on British sovereignty in the territory.
Spain claims that the only way to ensure the free movement of people across this border – and around 30,000 people are estimated to cross the Gibraltar-Spain border every day – is to extend the Schengen area to include the port and airport of Gibraltar. However, that would require the presence of Spanish border force agents in these places since Spain is a member of the Schengen area and the UK is not, and the UK side is utterly unwilling to concede this sort of control.
Thus, the stalemate.
The deadline to reach a deal has already been extended to December 2024, so there’s still time. But official observers in London fear that a possible new PP-VOX government in power in Madrid could be hostile to making any concessions to the Brits and unwilling to pursue negotiations further, even though neither party really wants to have a closed Gibraltar-Spain border.
You may have missed…
- Emergency triangles abolished on motorways in Spain.
From Saturday July 1 motorists in Spain no longer have to place emergency triangles in front of or behind their vehicles if they break down or have an accident on dual carriageways or motorways. - Granada woman conned out of €170,000 by man pretending to be Brad Pitt.
An unfortunate love-struck woman in Granada has been swindled out of €170,000 after being catfished by a man pretending to be American actor Brad Pitt, with whom she was convinced she was in a romantic relationship. - Lifeless body of Los Urrutias man found floating in the Mar Menor.
The corpse of a 52-year-old man who had gone missing from Los Urrutias, Cartagena was found floating in the Mar Menor last night. A jet ski was found abandoned between Isla del Barón and Isla Perdiguera with the man's phone and ID on it. - Alicante airport named most accessible in Europe.
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández has been awarded Europe’s ‘Accessible Airport Award’ for its work and commitment to making the terminal more accessible for people with disabilities and reduced mobility. - Several loggerhead turtle nesting sites discovered in La Manga.
There appears to have been a flurry of wildlife activity on the beaches of La Manga del Mar Menor as tracks and possible nesting sites of the elusive loggerhead turtle have been discovered up and down the coast.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading and we’ll be back with another issue next week.
Until then, keep your head up and watching the skies...
