Latest news with #Alicante
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I ditched the UK for Spain & there's 3 things that make drop-offs so much nicer, my boys say school is ‘more relaxed'
A MOTHER who ditched life in the UK for sunny Spain has opened up on the 'biggest changes' she has experienced since moving abroad. After feeling fed up of working just to pay bills, mum-of-two Becky packed up her life and moved to Alicante, a port city on Spain's southeastern Costa Blanca, alongside her partner and two sons. 4 4 4 4 But now, the mother has got candid on her 'fresh start' as she shared the five things that have 'altered her brain chemistry since moving to Spain.' In a short clip uploaded online, the content creator posted a variety of snaps from Alicante and while she can't get used to the eating schedules, explained that she is a huge fan of the way those in Spain do the school drop-off. Not only does she prefer the school run in Spain, but her kids do too and have described it as 'more relaxed.' Becky confirmed that shortly after arriving, she experienced the 'school drop-off shock,' with three huge differences from that in the UK. She acknowledged that not only do teachers give students kisses on the cheek, but parents always casually hang around the gate after saying goodbye to their little darlings. And that's not all, as she also explained that unlike that in the UK, there is 'no chaotic morning rush,' making the whole experience much smoother and more chilled. Having said that, Becky has struggled to get on board with popular meal times in Spain and claimed that the 'eating schedules make no sense,' with many sitting down for lunch at 2pm and dinner at 9pm. Kelly has also had to adjust to seeing the local police at the school gates helping control traffic and was shocked to witness kids crossing the roads without parents accompanying them everyday. She also found the 'playground culture' a challenge at first, as she recognised that it is now 'normal' for children to go to the park at 8pm. Finally, she recognised that those in Spain are always throwing street parties, with parades, bright costumes and loud music. I quit my job and did a complete 180 moving to Spain - beer is just $3 a pint and my life is so much better She shone a light on the Spanish " carnavals," vibrant pre-Lenten festivals, as she explained: 'There's always a carnaval to celebrate.' The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ bex_from_rain_to_spain, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 61,700 views. Social media users were impressed with Becky's clip and many raced to the comments to praise her 'dream' life. One person said: 'It's freedom and less stress for parents, our nervous system loves it.' Another added: 'I love it. Spain is my dream.' A third commented: 'I love all of these things about living in Spain, except the meal times! I just can't get in the rhythm! But school drop off is such a vibe!' Meanwhile, one mother penned: 'Spanish school and the school run was the biggest culture shock for us too. I love it just seems a little more fun here!' In response, Becky wrote back and confirmed: 'That's what the boys tell me, 'it's just more relaxed here mum.'' Not only this, but another parent asked: 'If you don't mind me asking, how did the kids adjust? We would love to move over with our seven year old.' To this, Becky responded and shared: 'The kids have been amazing! 'Literally took it in their stride, also I no longer battle [getting] my little one into school in the morning.'
New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Cristhian Mosquera to Arsenal: Everything you need to know
Arsenal have signed defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for an initial fee of £13million (€15m) . The 21-year-old has signed a five-year deal at the Emirates. As part of this summer's transfer coverage on The Athletic, in addition to breaking news, tactical analysis and in-depth reads, our Transfers TLDR series (you can read them all here) will bring you a quick guide to each of the key deals. Growing up in Alicante, Mosquera's first foray into sport was basketball before he took up futsal and eventually football, joining Valencia's youth academy aged 12. He played above his age group and rose through the ranks to make his first-team debut in January 2022. Manager Jose Bordalas called the then-17-year-old the best player on the pitch in the 1-0 win over Atletico Baleares. Advertisement Mosquera made only 11 appearances in 2021-22 and 2022-23. After filling in for the injured Gabriel Paulista in 2023, though, he became a key player. Mosquera played 90 minutes in 37 of Valencia's 38 La Liga matches in 2024-25. Cerys Jones In Mosquera, Arsenal are getting a young and malleable defender who can step in and provide cover across the back line. The 21-year-old already shows defensive intelligence: he's good at timing his challenges, gives away relatively few fouls, and is strong in duels. He was one of the most successful players in La Liga at tackling dribblers last season. Mosquera is excellent at winning the ball, but don't expect him to stay on it for long or push up the pitch. He is not a ball-playing centre-back; he very rarely takes players on or carries the ball into the final third. Though, of course, at 21, there is time for this aspect of his game to develop. He is not particularly strong in the air — at least, not yet. Cerys Jones Mosquera will boost Arsenal's depth as a right-footed back-up for William Saliba. The 21-year-old has played and impressed in both three and four-man back lines. Mosquera has pace and is good at changing direction on the fly, which enables him to cover large spaces and defend well in transition. While often deployed deep last season, Mosquera showed that he can engage with attackers near the halfway line too. \ His passing has improved across two seasons but remains an area to work on. Mosquera prefers to use his pace and long strides to close down attackers rather than duel them in the air, which can result in ill-timed tackles and fouls. Overall, though, he fits into Arsenal's project and tactical setup. Anantaajith Raghuraman Remarkably clean. The 20-year-old has stayed consistently fit for two seasons, appearing in 56 consecutive La Liga games from August 2023 to January 2025, when his streak was stopped by a suspension for yellow-card accumulation. He returned and played 90 minutes in all 17 remaining league fixtures. Cerys Jones Then-Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja spoke about Mosquera's form in 2023-24. Talking to reporters last year before Spain's Euro 2024 squad was named, Baraja said: 'I can't know the coach's criteria, you have to respect his motives and decisions as to why he chooses one player or another. 'Mosquera's season is not going unnoticed by any coach in Europe. Everyone is keeping an eye on him' Cerys Jones Arsenal have spent £13million (€15m) on Mosquera. The 21-year-old has joined from Valencia on a five–year contract, signing up at the Emirates until June 2030. There is an option to extend by a further year beyond that. Chris Weatherspoon Assuming agent fees of 10 per cent plus a four per cent transfer levy, signing Mosquera will add £2.6m in amortisation costs to Arsenal's 2025-26 books, then a further £3.0m per season to the end of 2029-30. Then, owing to Arsenal's accounting date falling on 31 May, a further £247,000 (one month's worth) will fall into 2030-31. Advertisement Mosquera's new wage is unknown but will ensure the cost of buying him goes beyond the estimated £14.8m in acquisition fees. Mosquera has been with Valencia since the age of 12, meaning he has negligible value on the club's books. As well, while international transfers require five per cent of fees to paid to clubs which aided a player's development, the starting point is age 12 – so Valencia won't have to hand over a portion of their profit. They'll book the full £13m as profit in 2025-26. Chris Weatherspoon
The Sun
7 days ago
- The Sun
EasyJet horror as crew member is ATTACKED by passenger on runway before fleeing & hiding in airport after flight from UK
AN EasyJet passenger has attacked a crew member on touchdown before fleeing through the terminal. The thug struck the frontline worker as the plane doors opened on arrival in Spain from Gatwick airport. 3 The traumatised cabin crew flyer suffered shoulder injuries and was unable to work the return leg, sparking travel chaos. Without a full quota of staff, a number of passengers had to be ditched from Flight EZY8110 from Alicante to London. Cops are still hunting the rogue hooligan who assaulted the EasyJet worker, after he fled through the terminal. Airline bosses had to seek volunteers to miss the flight back to the UK on the same aircraft. Jon Lockett, 57, of Bromley, south east London, a passenger on the outgoing flight, said; "Passengers were unhappy with the initial lack of information as we were left stranded in a hot gangway for 90 minutes. "We knew something was going on as there were frantic calls on the ground crew's walkie talkies. "Then the crew told us what had happened and everyone calmed down and were very understanding." One passenger waiting for the flight back to Gatwick said: "We were delayed for two hours while they sorted it out. "The attacker from the incoming flight had sprinted off the plane and gone into hiding in the airport. "When we finally boarded, the pilot explained to us why we'd been delayed. 3 "EasyJet managed to get about 15 volunteers to take an alternative flight home and they were offered hotel accommodation if they couldn't go that day." An aviation source said: "If the attack had happened during the flight, pilots would call ahead to have police ready to meet the aircraft and deal with the passenger. "But it all happened after touching down and the passenger ran for it before stunned colleagues could do anything." A spokesperson for the airline refused to give further details or comment on what might have prompted the attack. They said: 'Due to a passenger behaving disruptively onboard the previous flight, a cabin crew member was unable to operate flight EZY8110 from Alicante to London Gatwick. Travel chaos as TWO flights have mid-air emergencies within A MINUTE at major UK airport "We absolutely do not tolerate violent behaviour onboard and are supporting the crew member who was subject to this unacceptable behaviour. "In line with operating procedures, this meant the flight capacity had to be reduced and so we sought volunteers not to travel who we rebooked on alternative flights and provided hotel accommodation and compensation in line with regulations. "While this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused and thank customers for their understanding." It is not understood that an arrest has been made in connection with the cabin crew attack. EasyJet told The Sun: 'Due to a passenger behaving disruptively onboard the previous flight, one of the cabin crew was unable to operate flight EZY8110 from Alicante to London Gatwick on 18th July. 'We do not tolerate this kind of unacceptable behaviour onboard and are supporting the crew member.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
The popular resort in Spain that's so overcrowded even Spanish citizens can't afford to holiday there
With endless sandy beaches and countless restaurants, hotels and holiday homes, people in Spain should be spoilt for choice when it comes to holidaying in their own country. Instead, they are having to opt for trips abroad while everyone else flies in to enjoy the summer months. Last year, the holiday destination attracted 94 million tourists, while Spanish citizens reduced their travel in the country by 0.8 per cent, according to The Times. Local residents have been priced out of popular resorts including Valencia, a city with rich history and beautiful coastal areas. Carlos Moreno, 63, who works as a doorman in Madrid told The Times how the price to rent a flat for even a week has become unattainable. He said: 'We used to pay about €1,200 for an apartment for 15 days. Now a week costs that much or even double. 'We can't afford a hotel and we don't fancy camping.' Instead of heading to Valencia with his wife like usual, they have had to stay in Madrid. While Wendy Davila, from Alicante, told Travel And Tour World how she finds beach areas in Spain too costly. She said: 'Prices are exorbitant. The whole coast of Spain is very expensive.' The 26-year-old added: 'Now you can't vacation wherever you want, but wherever you can afford.' Instead of heading to popular coastal locations in Spain, locals are heading inland and according to the publication 1.7million Spaniards last year preferred central destinations over beaches. There's a variety of reasons behind the shift, with hotel prices rising more then 50 per cent in the last four years and even the cost of a camping trip has shot up by 11 per cent. While the price of apartments have reportedly increased by 37 per cent. If a Spaniard does choose to go away to a local beach, they then have to face the rising cost of eating out which has increased by more than 21 per cent since 2021. Flights have also shot up within the country by 8 per cent between January and April. Instead of heading to popular coastal locations in Spain, locals are heading inland and according to the publication 1.7million Spaniards last year preferred central destinations over beaches It may not be surprising, then, that local residents are also increasingly opting for trips out of the country to more affordable destinations. Alex Villeyra, tourism data company Mabrian boss, told The Times: 'Last year, Spaniards reduced their domestic travel by 0.8 per cent, while increasing their international trips by 12 per cent.' The cost of living crisis in Spain is having an impact too, with a third of Spaniards saying they can't afford a week-long holiday, according to National Statistics Institute, The Olive Press reported. Experts blame staggering rental price increases, with 40 per cent of those renting not being able to afford regular holidays, in contract to 28 per cent of those who own a home. Tensions in the country over tourism have been brimming recently, too. Last year, anti-tourism protestors filled the streets of the Basque city of San Sebastian. Activists walked behind a banner that said in Basque and Spanish: 'Decrease in tourism now.' While demonstrations on April 5th took place across major Spanish towns and cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Palma. According to organizers, 30,000 people took to the streets of Malaga - a seaside town in the south of Spain - as they demanded solutions to the housing crisis, with banners reading: 'Houses for the people of Málaga. Hotels for tourists, affordable rents.' But police reported that around 5,000 demonstrators took part in the Malaga march. Residents were photographed holding banners with the slogan: 'Houses for the people of Málaga. Hotels for tourists'. Some also hung posters from their balconies and windows with messages saying: 'Housing is a right, not a business'.
Telegraph
22-07-2025
- Telegraph
Ex-Ukrainian official found dead in Spanish swimming pool
A former Ukrainian official has been found dead in a swimming pool in Spain, in the same complex where a Russian defector was assassinated last year. The body of Ihor Hrushevsky, who was a senior official in Kyiv's interior ministry, was discovered on June 29 at the Cala Alta complex in Villajoyosa, Alicante, a resort home to a large Russian and Ukrainian community. He was found floating in the water, with blood on one ear, after allegedly taking a late-night swim. Spanish police described the death as accidental, possibly caused by heart attack or seizure. However, residents are alarmed as it follows the murder of Maksim Kuzminov, a former Russian military pilot, at the same resort less than 18 months ago. Mr Kuzminov, 28, was shot dead outside a garage in February 2024, six months after flying his helicopter across the front lines to Ukraine for a £400,000 reward. His murder, which is still being investigated by a court in Villajoyosa, is suspected to have been committed by Russian agents in revenge for his defection. Mr Hrushevsky, who was 61, is reported to have recently purchased a flat in the complex after retiring to Spain. He was the head of the organised crime department in the central Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions, according to the Kyiv Post. The unit was disbanded during police reforms in 2015. 'They're saying it was a heart attack. What is clear is that he didn't drown because the water only comes up to my neck, and I'm a shorty,' Blanca, a resident of the complex, told online newspaper El Español. Another resident told the outlet that Mr Hrushevsky has been living in the complex for a few months and kept a low profile. 'Anything can happen between Ukrainians and Russians,' he said when asked about the former police officer's possible cause of death. Ukraine's foreign affairs ministry said that, according to its consulate in Barcelona, Mr Hrushevsky's death occurred as a result of drowning. The consulate provided assistance in preparing the relevant documents for the repatriation of the body to Ukraine, the ministry added. The discovery of Mr Hrushevsky's body is the latest of a string of suspicious deaths involving Ukrainians and Russians in Spain since the 2022 Russian invasion. In May, Andriy Portnov, a former Ukrainian pro-Russian politician, was shot in broad daylight in Madrid. Mr Portnov, who was a leading official under Viktor Yanukovych, the Kremlin-friendly former Ukrainian president, was dropping off his children at school when he was shot nine times by a hitman. Spanish police have made no arrests in relation to the killing. The suspect is believed to have fled from the scene in a car. In April 2022, weeks after the start of the war in Ukraine, Sergey Protosenya, a multi-millionaire Russian gas company executive, was found hanging from railings outside his luxury villa on the Costa Brava. The bodies of his wife and daughter were discovered alongside him with multiple stab wounds. Mr Protosenya had been deputy chairman of Novatek, a natural gas producer, since 2015. He was one of around eight Russian oligarchs whose bodies were found in suspicious circumstances in the six months after Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
