Locals in La Cala de Mijas are happily welcoming the return of Aldi. Its newly refurbished store will be reopened from Monday, 28 April following its extensive upgrade programme.

Aldi has been closed for the beginning part of the year and now after weeks of renovation works the upgraded La Cala branch has gained more than 200 square metres of extra retail space, has new improvements to storage areas and internal facilities and customers will also benefit from 13 additional parking spaces, helping improve access during busier periods.

The popular supermarket is growing its presence up and down the coast

Community discussion on social media has been positive, focused largely on convenience, easier access and having a budget-friendly supermarket back in La Cala. Some also welcomed reports of additional parking spaces, after previous concerns over congestion during peak shopping hours, with many extra pleased to see the supermarket return ahead of the busy summer season.

The popular German discount supermarket chain Aldi also makes its debut in Fuengirola the following day, April 29, just one month after celebrating the inauguration of its 500th store in Spain in nearby Las Laginas. The new Fuengirola store will be located at Calle Malvarrosa, 1, in the Los Pacos neighbourhood, has a generous 1,000 square metre sales floor and a team of 14 professionals, half of whom are newly recruited local hires. 

Shoppers can now again enjoy browsing the chains famous ‘special aisles’

The location of the La Cala store is perfect for residents living around the area who need to do a decent sized food shop without the hassle of trying to find parking in the already difficult center of the town. People will now again have the choice of the large Carrefour and Aldi right opposite each other. 

Shoppers can now again enjoy Aldi’s trademark lower cost high-quality products, fresh produce and everyday groceries and of course their famous few aisles of their seasonal special buys, all back on their doorstep.

Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, best known as the author of Don Quixote, has been linked to discussions around the possible redesign of euro banknotes, according to the European Central Bank his name has been proposed in connection with the €50 note, which is the most widely used denomination across the eurozone in everyday transactions.

The suggestion places one of Spain’s most recognisable literary figures at the centre of debate about how European cultural identity could be reflected on currency used daily in shops, businesses and ATMs. At this stage, the reference to Cervantes remains part of a proposal under consideration rather than a confirmed design choice. No final decisions on specific individuals appearing on euro banknotes have been announced.

Shift in approach to euro banknote imagery

Euro banknotes have historically avoided depicting real people. Since their introduction in 2002, their designs have focused on abstract architectural elements such as windows, bridges and gateways, intended to represent cooperation and openness across the eurozone without highlighting any single country.

The discussion now emerging suggests a potential shift in approach, with cultural figures being considered as part of broader design ideas. In this context, Cervantes has been mentioned alongside other European historical and cultural personalities in media reporting. However, the inclusion of individuals would represent a significant departure from the euro’s original design principles, and any such change would require formal approval within the European Central Bank’s design process.

Why Cervantes is being highlighted

Miguel de Cervantes is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Spanish literature, with Don Quijote considered one of the foundational works of Western fiction. His cultural significance has made him a recurring reference point in discussions about Spanish representation in European cultural symbols.

His association with the €50 note in reports reflects both his prominence and the visibility of that denomination, which is the most frequently used euro banknote in circulation. As a result, any potential design featuring him would carry high everyday exposure across the eurozone.

Proposals remain under discussion

Despite media attention around specific names, including Cervantes, no official list of final candidates for euro banknote designs has been confirmed. The European Central Bank has not publicly endorsed any individual figures for inclusion.

The current stage of the process remains focused on exploring themes and collecting ideas, with multiple design directions still being evaluated. Cultural representation is one of several concepts under discussion, alongside other thematic approaches.

Final decisions on the appearance of future euro banknotes are expected to be made through the ECB’s formal selection process, which includes design development and approval stages before any introduction into circulation.

No immediate changes to currency in circulation

Existing euro banknotes remain valid and unaffected by ongoing discussions. Any potential redesign would apply only to future series of notes and would not involve immediate withdrawal or replacement of current currency.

As with previous updates to euro banknotes, any transition would be gradual and coordinated across eurozone member states, ensuring continued usability of existing cash throughout the process.

Conclusion

The emergence of Miguel de Cervantes in discussions around euro banknote redesign highlights a potential shift towards greater cultural representation in European currency. However, his inclusion remains at proposal stage, with no confirmation from the European Central Bank. For now, the debate reflects early-stage ideas rather than final decisions, with the future appearance of euro banknotes still subject to formal selection and approval processes.

Four people including two minors have been injured after a fairground ride malfunctioned at Sevilla’s Feria de abril, leading to an emergency response and an investigation by police. The incident took place on Friday evening in the amusement zone known as Calle del Infierno, where temporary rides and attractions operate during the annual celebration.

The ride involved has been identified by Spanish media as Steel Max, a slingshot-style attraction that propels a passenger capsule into the air using two side cables. Reports state that one of the cables came loose during operation at around 08.20 pm local time, causing the capsule to swing into part of the structure before stopping above the ground.

Passengers rescued after impact

Two minors were inside the capsule when the malfunction happened. Emergency crews were called to the scene and worked to bring them down safely. Both passengers were later taken to a medical centre for checks after receiving initial assistance at the fairground. Two other people nearby have also been reported injured. Authorities said all four sustained minor injuries. No names, ages or further medical details have been released.

Videos shared online appeared to show the capsule striking one of the support towers after the cable detached. The footage also showed crowds gathering near the attraction as emergency services arrived and the area was cleared.

Emergency services secure the area

Firefighters, Protección Civil and Sevilla’s Policía local attended the scene shortly after the alarm was raised. Their first actions were to secure the ride, assist those involved and prevent access to the surrounding area.

The attraction was later sealed off while officials began examining its condition and checking the documentation required for operation at the fair. Barriers were placed around the site and members of the public were kept at a distance while the response continued. The wider fairground remained open after the incident, with activity continuing in nearby areas once emergency teams had finished their initial work.

🚨🎥 ACCIDENTE EN PLENA FERIA

Una atracción tipo “tirachinas humano”, Steel Max, en la Calle del Infierno, sufre un accidente este jueves sobre las 20:20 h.

🎡 Rotura durante el funcionamiento
🚑 4 heridos leves
🏥 2 trasladados a centro sanitario

Rápida intervención de los… pic.twitter.com/umBX0PRWwj

— SPLS – SINDICATO POLICÍA LOCAL DE SEVILLA (@splsevilla) April 25, 2026

Police inquiry under way

The Policía nacional has opened an investigation into the cause of the malfunction. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the problem was caused by a broken cable, a fault in the release system or another mechanical issue.

Investigators are expected to review the ride itself, inspect maintenance records and examine whether all safety checks had been completed before it opened to the public. No timeline has been given for the conclusion of the inquiry. It is also unlikely that the attraction will reopen during the remainder of the fair. Any decision is likely to depend on the outcome of the technical assessment and the findings of police.

One of Sevilla’s largest annual events

The Feria de Abril is one of Sevilla’s best-known events and attracts large numbers of residents and visitors each year. The celebration is centred on temporary marquees, music, food and horse parades, while Calle del Infierno hosts amusement rides and game stalls for families and younger visitors.

Although the fair continued after the accident, the incident caused concern among people nearby and quickly drew attention on social media after witness videos were posted online. Accidents involving fairground rides are uncommon, but when they occur they often lead to questions about inspection procedures, maintenance standards and the oversight of temporary attractions installed for major public events.

Further scrutiny expected

The focus will now be on determining exactly what happened in the moments before the cable came loose and whether the failure could have been prevented. Investigators will also consider whether the ride had shown any earlier signs of mechanical problems. For visitors, the immediate concern was the safety of those trapped in the capsule. With injuries reported as minor, attention has now shifted to the official inquiry and whether any wider lessons need to be learned before similar attractions are allowed to operate again.

The findings of the investigation are expected to determine not only the future of the Steel Max ride at this year’s fair, but also whether additional checks are introduced for other attractions at large seasonal events across Spain.