Spanish second division club Elche have banned the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds inside their stadium are a popular snack in Spain and are traditionally eaten during soccer matches by supporters the eating of shelled sunflower seeds requires fans to crack the shells open with their teeth and subsequently spit them out In banning the salted snack from their Manuel Martinez Valero stadium, Elche say the discarded shells clog the pipes of their drainage system “significantly increases” cleaning and maintenance costs while they “attract infestations of rats and pigeons” The club say that the accumulation of seeds on the ground erodes the concrete and “the accumulation of debris in areas that are hard to reach” Elche argue that the move to ban the snack demonstrates their commitment to sustainability as they seek to make their stadium an “example of civility They are not the first Spanish club to take action against the snack In 2023, Valencia announced they would no longer sell sunflower seeds in the stadium and pleaded with any fans bringing them to the game to bring their own bags in which to place the discarded shells Valencia said the seeds encourage rodents to enter the stadium and that the machines required to clean up the shells were causing noise pollution for those living close to their Mestalla stadium Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain Local bands Cemënteri and Disonancia Expansiva will shake the stage this weekend in Elche La Carretilla is hosting an explosive night of rock in downtown Elche Created with the intention of uplifting local bands La Carretilla prides itself in offering a community-oriented atmosphere and the best of the local scene local band Cemënteri will showcase their LP “Panorama en llamas” a showcase of heavy rock drumming and prog-rock inspired melodies Benicarló’s own Disonancia Expansiva and queer-punk French group Trholz will complete a night filled with impactful rock music and good vibes La Carretilla makes a disclaimer that those who are going through tough times economically can speak to the management to work something out El Mercado Food Hall will be hosting the event at Calle Fuensalida Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Website#f98fc5ef9cefb420ec15ddd3{display:none} Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish Spanish side Elche have decided to break with tradition by banning the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds at their home ground as cleaning up the shells spit out by fans led to increased costs and unhygienic conditions Elche play their home games at the 31,388-capacity Estadio Martinez Valero but the highly popular Spanish snack called pipas will no longer be available for match-going supporters Eating sunflower seeds requires a person to crack open the shells with their teeth and spit them out leading to what Elche described as a "structural problem" in recent years they deteriorate the seats and affect the paint and finishes of multiple surfaces," Elche said in a statement "They significantly increase cleaning and maintenance costs they attract infestations of rats and pigeons they put the healthiness of the stands at risk "Despite the constant efforts of the club's cleaning teams it is unfeasible to completely remove the waste after every match." The club said the husks also contribute to the erosion of the concrete floor while the debris sometimes accumulates in hard-to-reach areas in the stadium "This decision is not intended to penalise any fan but rather to preserve a common space in the best possible condition," the club added Valencia introduced similar measures in 2023 at the Mestalla Stadium where they banned the sale of sunflower seeds and asked fans to bring a bag for the disposal of shells A SPANISH football club have banned fans from eating their favourite food.. Second-division leaders Elche could host Real Madrid and Barcelona next season if they win promotion to LaLiga But their Martinez Valero ground has become infested with vermin as a result of fans munching SUNFLOWER SEEDS - and scattering shells on the ground Club chiefs have now banned the popular Spanish snack from the 34,000-capacity arena They announced: "Elche Football Club has decided to ban the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds throughout the entire Martinez Valero Stadium starting from our next game against Levante "This measure is in response to the need to protect the ground ensure hygiene and reinforce our commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment "However, the vast consumption of sunflower seeds in recent years has created problems for the building. "The shells block drains and pipes, damage the seats and affect the paint finishes to multiple surfaces. "They significantly raise the costs of cleaning and maintenance. "They attract plagues of rats and pigeons they put the cleanliness of the stands at risk "Despite the constant efforts of the club's cleaning staff we need to remove all the shells after every game "The shells also damage the concrete underfoot and collect in hard-to-reach areas "This decision is not meant to punish any fan but instead to preserve a communal space in the best possible conditions "Elche CF calls on your collective responsibility to maintain the Martinez Valero as an example of civility "We thank fans for their understanding aware of the value of keeping a stadium fit to enjoy football in safety and comfort." Elche, based near Alicante in south-eastern Spain, ended a three-year spell in LaLiga in 2023 plus ex-Watford man Mario Gaspar are part of their current squad Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match The current head to head record for the teams are Elche 5 win(s) Have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (16) Have scored 9 goals in their last 5 matches Have been awarded the most penalties this season (13) Jon Morcillo has created the most big chances for Albacete (11) 20 Apr 2025 16:30:00 GMT?Elche vs Albacete on Sun 20 Apr 2025 16:30:00 GMT ended in a 2–2 tie.InsightsHave scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Elche is playing home against Albacete at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Sun Atleti ease into the Copa del Rey quarter-finals and notch up a 15th straight win Atlético Madrid waltzed into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey with a well-rounded 4-0 victory over a desolate Elche CF who are fighting for a place back in La Liga walked out to a fiery atmosphere from their fans but all flames were put out early on by Diego Simeone's side Alexander Sørloth put Atleti ahead within 10 minutes and then doubled the lead from the spot with half an hour on the clock Second-half goals from Rodrigo Riquelme and Julian Álvarez sealed a record-extending 15th straight win for Los Colchoneros Into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey! pic.twitter.com/25WyC3zi9M Juan Musso 7: A comfortable match showing us once again that Atleti has a safe pair of hands between the posts should Jan Oblak not be available Marcos Llorente (subbed off 73') 6: Nothing too much to report about the ever-reliable Marquitos with most of his efforts coming from a defensive point of view these days Axel Witsel 8: Nothing got past the veteran midfielder-turned-defender tonight showing all of his experience to make it appear as if Elche were playing without any strikers at all Robin Le Normand 7: As well as a defensive performance that we are all too used to seeing the naturalised Spaniard entertained us with a piece of fancy footwork to work his way out of a tricky situation in the first half César Azpilicueta 8: For a defender of 35 years of age who hasn't played 90 minutes since the 24th of November asked to play in three different positions across the back line Rodrigo Riquelme (73') 7: Finally broke his season's scoring deadlock with a golazo from the best part of 30 yards Took advantage of being given minutes and played a solid match as a left wing-back and then as a second striker Koke 8: Captain fantastic popped up in the starting lineup for the first time since 6th December and put on a midfield masterclass for those lucky enough to witness it inside the Estadio Martínez Valero Conor Gallagher (65') 7: Enjoyed a rare appearance in the center of midfield forming an understanding partnership with Koke where they alternated who pressed and who sat Subbed off to a chorus of that chant from the traveling fans Samuel Lino (60') 6: Started as an inside midfielder with licence to join the forwards Lino had more defensive duties to carry out Ángel Correa 7: A typical Correa performance that had him combining well with teammates finding himself in good positions but (still) lacking the finish to ice the cake Alexander Sørloth (45') 8: The big Norwegian treated us to a bit of hammer time scoring his ninth and tenth goals of the season The first was well taken with weak foot and the second contundente penalty smashed down the middle ⚪️ Atlético Madrid’s forward trio have all hit at least 10 goals so far this season. pic.twitter.com/TIG9zoLjel Nahuel Molina (subbed on 45') 7: A low-key but important second half from the Argentine who has barely put a foot wrong in the past few months Rodrigo De Paul (60') 6: Brought on to rub salt in the already exposed wounds of Elche A kickabout with some friends in the park for El Motorcito tonight Reinildo (65') 5: A player who we have become infrequent viewers of lately the Mozambican played just shy of half an hour out on the left touchline Simeone doing his best to give the whole squad a run out in this cup run Thomas Lemar (73') 6: A sighting rarer than a kingfisher the Frenchman came on to remind us that he still exists Julian Álvarez (73') 7: La Araña continued his quest for this season's Copa del Rey golden boot with a goal stabbed in following a parry from Atlético Madrid academy product ️ Julián Álvarez es el único jugador que ha participado en las quince victorias consecutivas del Atleti:⚽️ 11 goles generados (10G/1A) pic.twitter.com/XCYzrm4rgU The MACE Temporary Exhibition Hall in Elche is hosting the exhibition Estadis Conscients (Conscious States) by artist Moisès Gil The artist is a well-established figure in the international sculpture scene This artistic project uses the visual impact of the human figure to explore the intimate and existential experiences that shape everyday life The exhibition will be open until August 24 and can be visited for free from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10:00am and 2:00pm, and 3:00pm to 6:00pm. It is also open on Sundays and holidays from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The artist confirmed: “The exhibition represents an evolution, beginning with beings who are more reflective and thoughtful, and ultimately reaching a point of commitment to society and humanity.” Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Website#c6a711585dace5be28fab73f{display:none} Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE! Covering the Almeria, Axarquia, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South, Costa del Sol , Costa Calida, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home. With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE. Download our media pack in either English or Spanish. Match reviewElche 0-4 Atletico Madrid: Sorloth double helps ease visitors into Copa del Rey quartersAtletico Madrid's impressive winning streak continued as they coasted into the final eight of the Copa del Rey by beating 10-man Elche The current head to head record for the teams are Elche 1 win(s) Elche and Atletico Madrid have not drawn any of their last 7 matches against each other. 15 Jan 2025 20:30:00 GMT?Atletico Madrid won 4–0 over Elche on Wed 15 Jan 2025 20:30:00 GMT.InsightsHaven't lost in 10 matches Elche and Atletico Madrid have not drawn any of their last 7 matches against each other Elche is playing home against Atletico Madrid at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Wed The current head to head record for the teams are Granada 6 win(s) Diego Marino is ranked 3 in saves per match in the competition (3.3) Have scored 8 goals in their last 5 matches 26 Apr 2025 16:30:00 GMT?Granada vs Elche on Sat 26 Apr 2025 16:30:00 GMT ended in a 1–1 tie.InsightsHave scored 10 goals in their last 5 matches Granada is playing home against Elche at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes on Sat Wednesday afternoon’s Copa del Rey draw has pitted Atlético Madrid against second-tier side Elche in the competition’s round of 16 as Los Colchoneros continue their search for their first King’s Cup since 2013 ¡Ya conocemos a nuestro rival para los octavos de final de la Copa del Rey! @elchecf 14, 15 ó 16 de enero✈ Martínez Valero pic.twitter.com/767eTdBQmI Atlético narrowly defeated third-tier Marbella on Saturday to reach the last 16 of the domestic cup for the fourth year running Despite creating a number of quality chances Atleti could not pile on the goals after Antoine Griezmann buried a rebound from Giuliano Simeone’s shot attempt in the 16th minute and the Rojiblancos just about survived in southern Spain winning 1-0 at Málaga’s ground La Rosaleda — which was sold out for the occasion the next challenge for Diego Simeone’s men will be securing a quarterfinal berth at Elche’s Estadio Martínez Valero next Wednesday night Relegated from LaLiga in 2023, Elche secured a surprise place in the round of 16 after a 4-0 thrashing of Las Palmas on Sunday. Led by former FC Barcelona coach Eder Sarabia Los Ilicitanos sit fourth in the Segunda División The Valencian side boasts the league’s best defense (15 goals conceded from 21 games) and its largest goal difference (plus-15) A post shared by Atlético de Madrid (@atleticodemadrid) and Sarabia can call on the experience of players like David Affengruber the Austrian center-back who has played in European competition with RB Salzburg and Sturm Graz Elche’s cup goalkeeper Miguel San Román was contracted to Atlético between 2011 and 2021; in fact he was in goal when Atleti lost to Cornellà in the 2020/21 Copa del Rey Detallitos rápidos del rival de Copa del Atleti: Es el equipo menos goleado de Segunda (15 GC). Encadenan nueve partidos sin perder. Nico Fernández, el peligro en el enganche (4G 5A) Affengruber, el líder de la zaga (con partidos ya en UCL) San… pic.twitter.com/vvbdIi5Eg4 Real Madrid CF v RC Celta de Vigo Real Sociedad de Fútbol v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid Spain’s National Police have arrested four Moroccan-born teenagers accused of plotting a terror attack on the iconic Basilica of Elche has sent shockwaves through the Alicante community as authorities dismantle a youth-driven jihadist plot have been living quietly in Elche for years but their sinister plans came to light just in time to thwart a Christmas tragedy One of the youngsters was arrested right at their secondary school sending a clear message that no one is above the law Police had been tracking the teens for some time fearing they might exploit the festive period to carry out their heinous plans They presumably intended to strike during the holidays when crowds are larger The Basilica of Santa María de Elche was just one of several potential targets along the bustling Mediterranean coast the Audiencia Nacional swiftly moved to confine the minors to the Teresa de Calcuta youth centre in Madrid terrorism charges could see them locked away for up to five years the maximum could stretch to eight years if found guilty in reality most young offenders typically receive just a year leaving law enforcement frustrated in their fight against youth terrorism a 17-year-old Syrian was sentenced to four and a half years for planning a bomb attack while November saw another arrest in Ceuta Police have also cracked down on a DAESH-linked group operating between Spain and Morocco highlighting the expanding reach of jihadist influence among the young and vulnerable Spanish Police are historically ruthlessly efficient at thwarting terrorist plots having dealt with the domestic terrorist threat of ETA for decades Details of this particular operation remain partially under wraps as authorities continue their investigation The presence of minors in terrorism-related activities is becoming alarmingly common Spanish police are doubling down on efforts to keep communities safe from the next generation of extremists Find more news about Spain. Read more news in English from around Europe Welcome to Women’s Rugby Rundown 188 for February 3-9 Fiji Rugby acted quickly to remove Laijipa Naulivou after her discriminatory comments but her appointment in the first place highlights ongoing systemic issues while Iberians Majadahonda struggled at 0-2 The Celtic Challenge saw Wolfhounds extend their lead at the top Spain set up their most ambitious World Cup prep yet with a July tour to Japan while the Africa Women’s Cup is now confirmed to kick off in May England’s men and women now hold both the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields for the first time we round up all the global Premier and Club competitions worldwide Never miss one of our episodes! Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube or Patreon and be sure to follow us on all your favorite social media platforms Watch the HSBC SVNS, Six Nations, and more rugby action on Peacock in the USA! 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Learn how your comment data is processed. ™ Your Scrumhalf Connection™ Women's Rugby Rundown He spoke after the Copa del Rey win over Elche Following the 4-0 thrashing of Elche to put Atlético Madrid into the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey coach Diego Simeone spoke to the media to pay tribute to the players who came into the side which featured heavy rotations accepting their place within the team,” Simeone explained “That will make us compete better and it will make it difficult for me to choose.” each one of them is waiting for their chance with a lot of people in the opponent’s midfield they have virtues in attack and we took the match where we wanted The speed in attack was going to generate chances The players could give us the possibility to continue the recent run of form We knew that at the beginning Elche would attack They have been working very well and that’s why we understood that the team that started gave us the option to go through We played with humility against a team that plays well in the second division We had to overcome those first few minutes and then find those places where we thought we could hurt the opponent.” with the arrival of him and Julián Alvarez for which they came to the team and that is good for the club.” there are some who comment on them and others don’t.” “We saw Elche play in previous matches and they are a brave team They have an important threat and way of playing it has given them benefits and have done a very good job Hopefully next season we can see them in Primera División.” Elche will offer hot air balloon rides on Saturdays as part of the city’s Jubilee Year celebrations According to Tourism Councilor Irene Ruíz, this activity will give both tourists and residents a unique view of the Palm Grove while offering the exciting experience of a hot air balloon ride The rides will start on Saturday, April 19, and visitors can book their spot on the website elche.es/englobo Heaven on Earth,” will be located in the Candalix parking lot The balloon will take off in groups of four Councilor Ruíz emphasised that the rides will provide a unique view of the Palm Grove. The initiative will be available until November 1, marking the end of the Jubilee Year. Ruíz also mentioned that this new activity will enhance the tourist experience and help showcase what makes Elche special. The current head to head record for the teams are Elche 0 win(s) Have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (14) Have scored 0 goals in their last 5 matches Haven't scored in their last 5 matches 07 Apr 2025 18:30:00 GMT?Elche won 1–0 over Racing de Ferrol on Mon 07 Apr 2025 18:30:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 8 goals in their last 5 matches Elche is playing home against Racing de Ferrol at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Mon Atlético have won 10 of its past 12 meetings with Elche Atlético Madrid bring a club-record 14-game winning streak into this match its first meeting with Valencian side Elche since the latter suffered relegation from LaLiga in 2023 But the Franjiverdes are making a strong push to return to the top flight — entering Wednesday’s last 16 bout in the cup having shipped only 15 goals in 22 games while boasting the league’s joint-largest goal difference at plus-15 with lively attacking football and good defensive work,” Diego Simeone told reporters on Tuesday They have gone 10 games without losing and they are very confident.” With a close game expected against a side that might be good enough to play in the top flight right now, the continued absence of Josema Giménez (muscle injury) will be a concern to Simeone — as will the availability of Clément Lenglet, who missed training on Tuesday and has to be considered a doubt for Wednesday night “Lenglet went through a stage that many footballers go through He didn’t play at the start (of his Atleti tenure) we talked a lot with him about what we believed he needed to improve on to contribute,” Simeone said he continues in this direction because he is doing very well.” Atletico Madrid are on one of the best winning runs in Europe in the last decade ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aq83b85C30 César Azpilicueta could step in for Lenglet and see his first action since the win over Cacereño on Dec Today's squad list pic.twitter.com/UcDil6GmIQ Kickoff time 9:30 p.m Available TV/streaming ESPN+ (United States) The fans are divided between supporters and detractors (some very detractors) but we can agree on some facts: Francisco Contreras He is a singer who in the first decade of the 2000s tried to make a name for himself in the scene with a marked inclination towards competitions It is likely that he discovered his limitations early on and felt at a crossroads: spend the rest of his life dragging the boots of peña en peña knowing that he has three factors in his favour: his most loyal critics who will be his best spokesperson; a certain snobbish public that buys anything that smacks of avant-garde or heresy; and time which has the power to normalise everything and incorporate it into the canon We have seen Niño de Elche on stage skipping rope in a tracksuit putting a camera in his mouth to show us his fillings on a screen stripping naked and even stoically taking a slap from a Rocío Molina (to give it back to him straight away) The plan was meticulously fulfilled: the orthodox were irritated and Contreras' career was making its way into festivals contemporary art centers and other first-class institutions «The artist's voice may be liked more or less, those details of the house with which he mines the cantes –hiccups, sheep bleats, dissonant squeals, calculated cacophonies, artificial alliterations and even kisses to himself–, but there are not many buts to find in the final result» To finish the job, now yes, with a gift for the most festive (in the sense rave parties): that Ppppppppetenera to a disco beat with matching lights. A final diversion that seemed like a reminder that that other Paco, the one who dreams of demolishing the walls of the jondo or at least scandalize his parishioners, he has just taken a break. Cante Gypsy style, by Niño de Elche 35 festival Flamenco Nimes La Palobut, Nimes January 10, 2025 Child of Elche, cante Emilio Caracafé, guitar Nessrine Rahmani, percussion A quarter of a century of cultural journalism An individual who wished death upon Manuel Martin this portal does not make moral assessments of the conduct of any artist on the day and in the place indicated on the record he is not only a colleague of Expoflamenco and as a professional critic he understands perfectly what this job consists of; in avenging the grievances of colleagues Ethics and good feelings are above your work Ethics consists in telling honestly what one sees without allowing other personal considerations to enter and I believe there is no intention to do so I am sorry that you do not understand this email and website in this browser for future purposes Privacy Policy Agreement * I agree to the terms and conditions of the Privacy Policy. The Voice of the Flamenco in the World.  Please enter your username or email address to reset your password The current head to head record for the teams are Cordoba 6 win(s) Have conceded the most penalties this season (11) Elche have won the previous 2 matches against Cordoba. 30 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT?Elche won 2–1 over Cordoba on Sun 30 Mar 2025 12:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 9 goals in their last 5 matches Elche have won the previous 2 matches against Cordoba Cordoba is playing home against Elche at Estadio Nuevo Arcángel on Sun Julián Álvarez scored for Atlético Madrid in their 4-0 away victory over Elche in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey The Argentine striker came off the bench in the 73rd minute with his team already leading by three goals “The Spider” found himself with the ball inside the opponent’s box after a rebound from the goalkeeper and finished with a first-time strike into the back of the net Fellow Argentines Juan Musso and Ángel Correa were part of Diego Simeone’s starting lineup while Nahuel Molina and Rodrigo De Paul came on as substitutes in the second half How to watch Spanish La Liga: live stream, fixture and standings. Mundo Albiceleste is your home for all the latest news about the Argentina National Football team in English Elche International Independent Film Festival has received a record number of 2,077 short films from 59 countries for its 48th year The festival, scheduled to take place from July 11 to 18, will be hosted at various venues, including l’Hort del Xocolater, Arenales del Sol Beach, and the Odeón Cinemas in Elche with notable contributions from countries such as Argentina (100 entries) reflecting the festival’s global reach This year’s competition includes five categories: Fiction (878 entries) The selected films will compete for seven official awards The Mediterranean Foundation has also reinstated awards for Best Director Since its inception in 1978, the Elche Film Festival has screened nearly 47,000 films establishing itself as one of Spain’s longest-running and most respected short film festivals The festival continues to prioritise the discovery and promotion of new talent as well as supporting the professionalisation and growth of the short film industry For more information, contact festivalcinelche@fundacionmediterraneo.es or visit the official festival website: fundacionmediterraneo.es Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport welcomed a total of 18,387,387 passengers marking an increase of over 2.6 million compared to 2023 The year stood out for a more balanced distribution of passenger traffic throughout the year reducing the usual concentration in peak seasons Both national and international traffic saw similar growth rates with international passengers accounting for the majority international traffic reached 15,790,142 passengers a 16.8 per cent rise from the previous year Domestic traffic totalled 2,578,389 passengers These figures pertain to commercial flights compared to 2023 The United Kingdom remained the top international market for Alicante-Elche Airport in 2024 It was followed by the Netherlands (1,155,475) December 2024 was the busiest December in the airport’s history, with 1,216,350 passengers, reflecting a 16.8 per cent increase compared to the same month in 2023. The number of flights also hit a record for December a 17.7 per cent rise from the previous year which operates 46 airports and two heliports in Spain along with London-Luton Airport and 17 airports in Brazil This marks an 8.5 per cent increase compared to 2023 The group also recorded 3,203,747 aircraft movements (+7.1 per cent) and transported 1,421,640 tons of cargo (+18.1 per cent) Aena Group airports managed 26,925,911 passengers a 7.2 per cent increase compared to December 2023 Aircraft movements reached 239,377 (+5.7 per cent) while cargo transportation totalled 124,571 tons up by 11.5 per cent from the previous year Skyrocketing numbers: Alicante-Elche Airport smashes passenger records FATHER CHRISTMAS will make whistle-stop tours across the Costa Blanca this weekend and Elche is top of his list He’s taking a break from working hard at the North Pole to visit the city Saturday December 21 Spend the day with him, first by visiting his Elche based Grotto in Paseo de la Estación, directly next to their famous Christmas Market and the Municipal Park Where he will be available for visits anytime between 11am and 2pm Then enjoy Christmas adventures around Elche’s Market whilst waiting for the big event Because Santa will be on parade from 6pm in Elche city centre it is truly an unmissable event that takes over the city and the imagination Santa’s sleigh will set off from CEIP Francesc Cantó and will make its way through the streets lined with people To get ahead of the masses and find the best vantage point follow his route along Avenida de Novelda Vicente Blasco Ibañez and finally Diagonal del Palau Santa Claus will be receiving the keys to the city from the Mayor at the end of the parade Along the parade route there will also be skating shows and performances by dancers and well-known children’s characters as Santa is also making a short visit to his grotto Friday December 20 from 5pm-9pm For more information about Father Christmas’ visit to Elche go to visit elche. Find more Christmas activities to take part in across the Costa Blanca South here. The current head to head record for the teams are Racing Santander 1 win(s) Haven't kept a clean sheet in 5 matches Inigo Vicente is ranked 1 in big chances created in the competition (20) Have scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches Have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (13) Nicolás Fernández has created the most big chances for Elche (9) 02 Mar 2025 20:00:00 GMT?Racing Santander won 2–0 over Elche on Sun 02 Mar 2025 20:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 9 goals in their last 5 matches Racing Santander is playing home against Elche at Campos de Sport de El Sardinero on Sun The current head to head record for the teams are Real Oviedo 6 win(s) Real Oviedo and Elche have not drawn any of their last 6 matches against each other. Santi Cazorla has created the most big chances for Real Oviedo (9) Agustin Alvarez has the most shots on target per match for Elche (1.2) 14 Mar 2025 19:30:00 GMT?Real Oviedo vs Elche on Fri 14 Mar 2025 19:30:00 GMT ended in a 1–1 tie.InsightsHave scored 4 goals in their last 5 matches Real Oviedo and Elche have not drawn any of their last 6 matches against each other Real Oviedo is playing home against Elche at Estadio Nuevo Carlos Tartiere on Fri The orangutan family at Rio Safari Elche — Kai Membelai — enjoyed a special Easter treat this year They were given a festive piñata alongside their usual midday meal Orangutans are native only to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra where three different species live: the Bornean All three are listed as Critically Endangered due to the ongoing destruction of their rainforest habitats At Rio Safari Elche, there are two adult pairs of orangutans making the park part of an important conservation effort Nakal has lived at the safari park since 2012 His arrival led to the creation of a special facility designed specifically for orangutan care Nakal receives daily medical attention due to his diabetes regularly testing his urine glucose levels and giving him medication with his breakfast and dinner made up mostly of leafy greens like white cabbage Getting quality sleep takes more than just a comfy bed or cutting back on coffee The experts say that factors such as air quality and even the number of coffee shops nearby can seriously impact how well we sleep A new study made by mental health platform Unobravo has ranked 30 Spanish cities based on how well they support restful sleep a city in the Valencian Community with close to 235,000 habitants Located in the province of Alicante, Elche earned the highest overall score in the study with a 7.97 rating out of 10 for sleep-friendly conditions and the highest percentage of green areas (66%) among all cities analyzed All these elements together create a calm and natural atmosphere for better rest thanks to an impressive air quality score of 80 and relatively low noise/light pollution (38/100) Its high-speed internet of 174 Mbps also helps reduce digital disruptions at bedtime The city took the bronze medal mainly for air quality (100/100) and its lowest pollution level (31/100) The city also has just six coffee shops per 100,000 residents and that’s limiting late-night caffeine consumption A balanced 51% of green space rounds out its sleep-friendly environment these are the 10 best cities in Spain for quality sleep: The study also highlights three golden rules for better sleep stick to a schedule: go to bed and wake up at the same time daily The second rule is to establish a healthy routine and to follow a consistent wind-down ritual before bed stay active and eat smart: exercise regularly and avoid heavy meals before bedtime Where you live can influence how well you sleep it’s how you live that makes the biggest difference Read here more news from Spain Experience the story of Jesus of Nazareth like never before at “The Mystery Man,” a scientific exhibition featuring the first hyper-realistic image based on the Holy Shroud this exhibit is expected to boost Elche’s economy as part of the Jubilee Year’s activities Mayor Pablo Ruz announced that “The Mystery Man” will be hosted in the Gran Teatro’s Exhibition Hall from January 24 to March 24 “This exhibition has attracted more than 250,000 visitors and we’re excited about the positive economic impact it will have on our city,” he said “The exhibition consists of five rooms where visitors can explore the Passion of Christ through archaeological artifacts It also includes scientific studies on the Shroud of Turin The exhibition concludes with the first hyper-realistic image of Jesus “The Shroud of Turin remains one of the greatest scientific enigmas presenting a 2,000-year-old three-dimensional image on linen,” said Ruz Both Mayor Ruz and Culture Councillor Irene Ruiz invite residents of Elche and neighbouring towns to visit “The Mystery Man.” Tickets are available at themysteryman.com or the Gran Teatro box office Log in to leave a comment © 2021 The Leader Digital Alicante-Elche Airport is set for its busiest summer yet Passenger numbers are already soaring in 2025 thanks to new routes and expanded airline schedules Between March 31 and October, the airport will offer 226 routes to 135 airports across 30 countries. Over 30 airlines will operate, connecting Alicante to 120 European cities Among the latest destinations are Athens (Greece) with 6.11 million passengers flying between Britain and Alicante in 2024 and Jet2 is expanding its presence with a new base at London Luton and a direct flight to Bournemouth Germany follows as the second-most connected country with over 15 routes and 420,000 available seats with record-breaking demand leading to new routes Ryanair leads with 18 aircraft and 90 routes aiming to surpass last year’s 7.3 million passengers London-Stansted and Manchester remain top destinations Norwegian Airlines will base five aircraft and add more flights to Riga New connections include Ryanair’s flights to Linz and Salzburg (Austria) and a new Polish route to Bydgoszcz. EasyJet is extending its Naples service into the summer and Jet2 is strengthening UK ties with new flights to London-Luton and Bournemouth has introduced a new way for customers to book a ride via WhatsApp This service aims to improve convenience and reduce call wait times In addition to calling or using the app, which requires user registration, customers can now send a WhatsApp message to (+34) 965 42 77 77 to request a taxi They will receive details about the estimated arrival time and the taxi number The service is powered by an artificial intelligence bot that can remember frequently used pickup locations If a user repeatedly requests a taxi from a specific address the bot may suggest it as the default starting point for future rides Radio Taxi handles between 600 and 750 calls per day in winter This follows Alicante’s lead, where WhatsApp taxi booking was introduced last summer This is a very useful service for people who are able to use WhatsApp I use taxis from where my house is in Spain and it really is so easy well done Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced that another player is out the door this summer but it’s probably not the one you were thinking of The club’s academy account tweeted today that 21-year-old midfielder Yago Santiago has been sold to Spanish second division side Elche We have reached agreement with Spanish Segunda Division side Elche for the permanent transfer of Yago Santiago.Wishing you all the best Santiago joined Tottenham’s academy from Celta Vigo as a 16-year-old in 2019 and gained a little bit of buzz among fans who were tracking the academy players but Yago never seemed to get his breakthrough Last season he played well in the Premier League 2 I think a number of fans were hoping that he’d be given a chance with the first team this preseason but it appears Ange Postecoglou and the rest of the academy disagreed this is exactly how the academy is supposed to work Most of the players coming through Tottenham’s youth system are not going to make it at Tottenham Hotspur and selling them to other clubs for a small profit is a positive outcome Santiago heading to the Spanish Segunda Division is good — he’ll get a chance to establish himself as a professional footballer in his home country and hopefully earn himself a move to a bigger and better club Hard to see this as anything but a success for Spurs’ academy My guess is Santiago was probably sold for a small fee with maybe a sell-on clause tacked on in the event he explodes and gets sold to a bigger club Maybe we’ll get further reporting on that in the future Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox (List price   3  months 12 Bulletins)  Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event. Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia. When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Who is the organisation running the event? Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day? Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb The current head to head record for the teams are Almeria 8 win(s) Almeria have won the previous 2 matches against Elche. Luis Suárez is the competition's top scorer (19) 17 Feb 2025 19:30:00 GMT?Almeria vs Elche on Mon 17 Feb 2025 19:30:00 GMT ended in a 1–1 tie.InsightsHave scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches Almeria have won the previous 2 matches against Elche Almeria is playing home against Elche at UD Almería Stadium on Mon Elche will officially begin its Christmas celebrations on December 5 with the traditional lighting of the Christmas lights in the Plaza de Baix starting at 6:00.PM will feature musical performances The ceremony will also mark the opening of the Christmas Market which will remain open to the public until January 6 the Christmas Angels display will be inaugurated On December 7, another festive highlight will take place with the unveiling of the Municipal Nativity Scene at La Glorieta at 7:30.PM and educational Easter programme for all ages the park is open daily from 10:00am to 7:00pm offering a full day of animal encounters and activities One of this season’s big highlights is the new adventure park for children This two-storey play area includes 17 obstacle courses and three zip lines over 20 metres long Right next to it is a new African-themed restaurant complete with a large terrace measuring 1,000 square metres This new venue joins four other food outlets across the park there’s also a go-kart track with cars for both kids and adults Looking ahead to summer, the popular Splash Park will reopen soon for its eighth season. This year, it’s adding a new 100-metre slide that starts from a tower and features lights inside for a thrilling ride. It joins the existing 18 slides, seven pools, a lazy river, water buckets, and splash zones for children. The current head to head record for the teams are Elche 4 win(s) Have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (11) Haven't kept a clean sheet in 6 matches 24 Jan 2025 19:30:00 GMT?Elche won 2–0 over Eibar on Fri 24 Jan 2025 19:30:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 8 goals in their last 5 matches Elche is playing home against Eibar at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Fri Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport continues its rapid expansion both in passenger numbers and the variety of direct destinations available Over a million people used the Aena facilities in Torrellano in January alone the airport is set to offer 14.7 million seats This is a 3.2 per cent increase over the previous summer and 6 per cent more than the total seats offered last year This growth is driven by the addition of new destinations to an expanding list of countries. The airport now boasts direct flights to 30 countries Wizz Air will also launch a new route to Belgrade with three weekly flights operating year-round Several airlines have announced new routes for the summer season will introduce two new routes to Austria and one to Poland in addition to expanding its fleet by two aircraft Sky Up will connect the Costa Blanca with Moldova while EasyJet will open routes to Naples and Athens Fly Play is also considering increasing its weekly flights to Reykjavik to three In addition, Jet2 will open a new base at London-Luton Airport offering more options for travel to the United Kingdom including increased flights to London and new connections to Bournemouth