April 2022 | Page 18

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News
Royal visit

Torrox promotes digital training

King Felipe and Queen Letizia visited Málaga last month to inaugurate the Talent Tour which is promoting employment and entrepreneurship among those under 30 . It was the first stop on the Tour , promoted by the Princess of Girona Foundation , which also visited Logroño , Guadalajara , Palma de Mallorca and Girona . The Royal couple visited workshops at the city ’ s La Térmica cultural centre and the Edgar Neville Auditorium .
Fuel thefts
Police in Málaga say cars parked on waste ground have become a target for fuel thieves as the price of petrol continues to rocket . Residents reported at least a dozen thefts in one weekend and have called for improved security in areas where on-street parking has become difficult . They are also urging local people to call the police if they see anyone acting suspiciously near parked vehicles .
Luggage thieves
Three people have been arrested at Málaga airport suspected of the theft of luggage in the Arrivals hall . The suspects are reported to have bought low-price tickets for flights , giving them access to the airside of the airport , and then made their way to Arrivals . Two Spanish nationals were caught in the act of stealing items while a third was detained outside in a car where he was waiting to flee with his colleagues .
Heritage committee
Nerja now has an advisory board to oversee the promotion and protection of the town ’ s historical heritage . Local historian Francisco Capilla heads the team of people described by Mayor José Alberto Armijo as those , “ with proven experience and extensive knowledge ” of Nerja and Maro .” The group will advise councillors on the management , conservation and enhancement of the municipality ’ s most important legacies .
Torrox has become only the second town in the region to open a digital technology centre . At the formal opening on March 11 , Elías Bendodo representing the Junta de Andalucía described the move as “ a boost for the province of Málaga and a response to the digitalisation needs of its towns and villages .”
While learning centres have been in existence for many years , the first of a network of such up-graded centres planned across the region opened in the Sevilla town of Pilas in November .
Under the name Punto Vuela Guadalinfo , the intention is to get local people started in the use of emerging technologies free of charge and with personal advice on hand .
The new centre in Torrox Costa is in the same building as the town ’ s library , and has cost the regional government € 78,000 to establish . Users will have access to a free internet connection , an e-government point where online administrative processes can be carried out , plus a digital and multimedia whiteboard , learning and tele-working areas , robotics kits , a 3D printer , a virtual reality headset and a drone .
Andalucía ’ s digital agency was created during the recent pandemic in response to increasing demands for digital training , especially amongst older people . Around 760 such digital centres are planned between now and 2025 with the help of Telefónica .

Lorry strike brings delivery problems

The middle of March brought concerns for fresh food supplies as a national strike in the country ’ s haulage sector began to hit supermarkets . On March 17 , the centre of Málaga was almost brought to a halt during the morning rush hour as a large number of lorries protested on busy commuter routes .
The demonstration was one of several around the country organised by the Platform for the Defence of Transport following the dramatic rise in fuel prices over recent weeks . Their heavy vehicles congregated in one lane of Málaga ’ s Avenida de Andalucía , as well as outside the Málaga Freight Transport Centre where they prevented other traffic from leaving or entering .
Police said no incidents had been reported , while the DGT , Spain ’ s traffic authority , added road traffic continued to move throughout the incidents . The lorry drivers say they will continue to
In addition , plans for the new headquarters of a Cybersecurity centre in Málaga were recently unveiled . It is to be located in the city ’ s Muelle Uno with an investment of up to € 60 million .
protest until the Government acts to lower the price of fuel .
The strike has raised concerns over the delivery of perishable food for Aehcos , the association of hoteliers on the Costa del Sol . Almost immediately , some supermarkets were reporting shortages of eggs , fruit , vegetables and even olive oil .
The Government has increased police presence at strategic points to ensure that blockages did not hinder deliveries , while the dairy sector was warning of particular difficulties . In the middle of March , Prime minister Pedro Sánchez was promising he would do what he could to reduce fuel prices , but did not specify any definitive measures planned .

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