Opinion

What's up Doc?

We are told on a regular basis how difficult it is to get an appointment with a family doctor within a decent time frame and yet, it appears, much of the responsibility is ours

No confidence

Minister Fernando Díaz is accused of involvement in spying on then-Popular Party (PP) treasurer Luis Bárcenas

Coming together as one

A really useful investment for citizens would be to bring Malaga and Granada so close together that, seen from the outside, they would look like a single city

Pepito without borders

They have stopped paying their rent, and, until a judge orders their eviction, there he is, the most charitable man in the world, in spite of himself, supporting two families: his own and the squatters

Heroine worship

Sturgeon was a heroine for the three Catalan presidents who were in office during her eight-year stint at the helm of the SNP

Basket case

I found myself cheering enthusiastically every time Unicaja were given the benefit of the not inconsiderable doubt and yelling 'Claro!' as if it was quite clear to me what was going on

Want you Bacharach

You can't help thinking that studying music - especially jazz harmony - at University must have been a defining factor on the road to Bacharach's success

The anonymity of dog walking

During these walks, as well as getting some exercise, you also share time with people you don't know at all and neither do they know you

Get in line

Where is all the digitalisation that the Socialist-led government claims it's implementing?

From the three 'Rs' to two

Now things are back to normal and pollution levels are also back up to pre-pandemic levels, have we forgotten what we're doing to the environment?

Appily ever after

The big question is: where will our unquenchable thirst for technological advancement end?

A word to the wise

The word 'hombre' in Spanish is one of those multi-use tools which often comes in handy to extricate oneself from awkward situations

How do I look?

Transparency International has just released its annual report on the perception of corruption levels in 180 countries and Spain is ranked 35

Feijóo and the Algeciras attacker

PP leader Alberto Nuñez Feijóo last week drew an incendiary comparison between Islam and Christianity

Why protest?

One of the main themes of the demonstration was Sánchez's perceived leniency towards Catalan separatists

Happy world

The right solution for all our problems, no matter how complex they might be, is very costly and unpopular

Cold comfort

Nothing says winter in Malaga like munching on warm, crispy churros, recently dunked unceremoniously into steaming cups of hot chocolate

Tourism back up to high speed

Making 'royal' waves

Real Sociedad are rubbing shoulders with Spanish footballing aristocracy with only Barcelona and Real Madrid above them in the table

Licensing laws

Renewing your Spanish driving licence requires a hand/eye coordination test which involves a computer screen and a capricious little dot you have to control

A heartfelt debate

The flamenco - sherry connection

Vietnam, napalm to nappa

Vietnam was one of the few countries to produce positive GDP growth, 2.6%, in 2021

The telephone of loneliness

One of the biggest social problems we face in big cities: that on the other end of the line, there actually was nobody listening...

Split loyalties

A survey at the end of last year reveals centrist Ciudadanos to be clinging on for dear life while the PP are on the rise and the Socialists are on the fall

Instantly calmer

It descends from the skies like a burnished veil over the city, an all-pervading sense of calm following directly on from the fun and frolics of the festive period

The charge of the light-fingered brigade

There was a rather brilliantly titled 'Emotion' charge for eight euros. Wonderful, I thought, now they're charging us for our feelings as we chat. I phoned the company concerned.

Purely symbolic?

Although he is said to have committed many crimes against human rights, he was never prosecuted and the posthumous de-medalling by Sánchez seems to be a political stunt

IVA disappointment

It is still to early to know if the lower IVA on some food stuffs is deceiving the public or if they are happy with it

Celebrity whistle-blowers

'Card crazy' referee Mateu Lahoz appears to be preparing for life after the peak of his career

Buffets are back

Most of us are happy to help ourselves to the food selection on offer at a buffet

Two speeches

In his festive speech last weekend, King Felipe VI revealed himself to be dreaming of a unified Spain

Rules rule!

Is there really any sane person who would visit a Chinese restaurant and order spaghetti?

Not a quiet return to business

Several deals in the winter transfer window mean some interesting changes in top La Liga sides this new year

Pyrenean transfer

From museums to surfers with a French accent... how Malaga turned into a Franco-Spanish hotspot

A year of stars

A new year is about to begin, number 2023 of the Christian era

Grinning from year to year

A tangled mess

La Liga stars thrive in Qatar

Spain now has to harness the talents of Gavi, Pedri, Fati and Rodri and reach the standards set by Messi

All present and incorrect

The Yuletide season brings with it a plethora of joys but, let's be honest, it also comes with a light smattering of irritants which it can be taboo even to mention

Under the law

What determines whether or not a public figure - or anybody else - is guilty of "illicit enrichment" is not the amount of money they acquire, but the means by which it's acquired

Peter Harrison, 1933 - 2022

Former SUR in English Pet Care columnist, Peter Harrison, has died at the age of 89

Stories to tell

Let's raise our glasses

Producers of 'bubbly' are pushing people to drink sparkling wines more often, and not just for special occasions

The man who has everything - almost

There's just one space in the Messi mansion's trophy cabinet, and that is for the elusive World Cup winner's medal

Doñana water crisis

The last surviving permanent freshwater lagoon in the park dried up in early September. It's hard to think of a more ominous signal for a wetland habitat in extremis

Techno prisoners

Right now, I need a bit of simple recording kit and, since I know zero about such things, it seems I've got two options