Day: December 23, 2015

Water problems across the Levante

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The main water pipe bringing supplies from Carboneras to the Galasa network exploded outside Garrucha, causing a massive repair operation yesterday. I was going to take a photo, but there was no safe place to stop and I got scared by the traffic. 🙁 Since they had to cut off the supply to the Garrucha pumping station to replace a massive piece of pipe, Turre Mojacar Los Gallardos and parts of Antas were all switched Continue reading Water problems across the Levante→

Repsol on strike over New Year

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Repsol’s central division expect to walk out on strike from the 24th December until the 11th January. Repsol say they don’t know how this will affect the delivery of gas bottles to clients, but warn it is extremely likely that the national distribution of commercial and domestic gas bottles will be hit. So stock up whilst you can! Further wildcat strikes are expected until April 4th 2016. Union UGT is protesting against plans by Repsol Continue reading Repsol on strike over New Year→

€240,000 in stamps ‘stolen’ from university

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A civil servant at the University of Almería has been charged with fraud after auditors found he had spent €240,000 supposedly buying stamps over the last twelve years. The public prosecutor alleges the man was handing in false invoices every fifteen days to justify taking money from petty cash. The invoices were not issued by the state postal service, Correos, but were never questioned by the University accountants. Alarm bells were rung after auditors spotted Continue reading €240,000 in stamps ‘stolen’ from university→

A chiringuito and shop is to be built on the famous Mónsul beach in the Cabo de Gata

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The regional government has authorised the installation of a beach bar (chiringuito) and shop on the iconic virgin beach of Mónsul, deep within the Cabo de Gata nature park. But ecologists, residents and the local council are all opposed to the plan, which was never put out to consultation. The beach is one of the most unspoilt coastal areas in this region of Spain. The Mayor of Níjar, Esperanza Pérez, spoke out against the plan, Continue reading A chiringuito and shop is to be built on the famous Mónsul beach in the Cabo de Gata→

It WAS you!

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The first prize in Tuesday’s El Gordo lottery was sold in Roquetas del Mar and Laujar. The total first prize was worth 640 million euros, split amongst everyone who held ticket number 79,140. In all, the holder of every decimo (tenth) of that ticket won 400,000 euros. Six out of the thirteen top prizes were fully or partially sold in the province. The total in prize money topped 666 million euros. Many of the tickets Continue reading It WAS you!→

Food prices shoot up ahead of Christmas

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The price of many foods has increased seven times more than the inflation rate ahead of the Christmas season according to state statistics agency INE. INE tracks the price of 38 basic foodstuffs, and reports that 33 of them have seen prices increasing 1,7% during November alone. But it’s part of a tendency for 2015 that has policy makers worried. Olive oil costs 28,3% more this year than in 2014. Potatoes have increased 13% and Continue reading Food prices shoot up ahead of Christmas→

Almería couple were first Spaniards to vote

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Last Sunday’s elections have bought change to Spain, and it was a change kicked off by a young couple from Almeria now living in New Zealand. Jesús Ruiz and Marga García were officially the first Spaniards to vote after the Wellington embassy opened its doors last Wednesday. Spaniards nationals abroad had from Wednesday until Friday to deposit their votes for deputies and senators in an urn at their local embassy, if they chose not to Continue reading Almería couple were first Spaniards to vote→