Olive Press Gibraltar Issue 222

P LIVE RESS O

THE McGrail Inquiry is heading into its final furlong with key players shedding light on events surrounding the police chief’s retirement - but the biggest testimony is yet to come.

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo will take the stand next week with a number of questions to answer after nearly four weeks of ‘I cannot recall’ responses from witnesses. The inquiry saw Attorney General Michael Llamas (right) discomforted last week under intense cross examination from barristers representing both McGrail and former Superintendent Paul Richardson. Llamas admitted ‘in hindsight’ he failed to advise Picardo not to involve himself in a police operation that concerned his own

Memory error

By Walter Finch at the McGrail Inquiry

business interests.

It was also heard that the Attorney General called the Royal Gibraltar Police ‘clowns’ and McGrail ‘a bull in a china shop’ in their efforts to carry out a search warrant against Hassan senior partner James Levy. Levy himself came under heavy questioning in the second week regarding his

FROM FLOWERS TO FOOD

Estepona is flourishing and the tourists are flocking to the Garden City

missing communications with the Chief Minister. He told the inquiry that his phone had ‘collapsed’, while his lawyer Lewis Baglietto said he had ‘rou tinely’ deleted those communications in 2021. Even Picardo has failed to hand over his Whatsapps with Levy.

Efforts to paint the Chief Minister as party to a conspiracy have fallen flat, however.

Picardo (right) ultimately decided not to transfer the government contract at the heart of the inquiry to a company he had an interest in.

Meanwhile, McGrail’s police daybook, desktop computer, laptop and documents have not been handed over either.

DOESN’T WASH!

GIBRALTAR is fuming after being accused of helping Russian war criminals avoid international sanctions. The accusation was made late last month when Brussels voted to keep the British territory on the EU’s watchlist for money laundering and terrorism finance.

The Rock was one of several jurisdictions deemed to have ‘strategic deficiencies’ in tackling the serious financial crimes - alongside the UAE, Uganda, Barbados and Panama. Among the concerns were ‘lacking

Gibraltar labels money laundering claims as ‘baseless’ and ‘gratuitous’

efforts in addressing, or even facilitating the evasion of sanctions imposed on Russia.’

The decision has been branded ‘baseless’ by the Gibraltar government, which accused Spanish figures with vested interests of being behind the move.

It comes despite the fact that in February 2024, Gibraltar was removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) ‘grey list’ after two years.

It followed a period of ‘intense technical scrutiny and meticulous evaluation’, according to the Government of the British Overseas Territory. This included an in-person evaluation carried out by the FATF in December 2023.

It is understood that the EU’s original decision to remove the Rock from their list took place after a consultation

with the European Commission's Expert Group on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.

Despite at first defending the decision at the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs later voted against the removal.

In a statement approved by the Parliament, it said there is ‘important and recent evidence’ suggesting the countries denied removal from the list ‘lack efforts in addressing, or even facilitate the evasion of, sanctions imposed on Russia’ and ‘may act as platforms for the circumvention of sanctions.’

It comes after Russia was subjected to EU, UK and US sanctions since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Gibraltar has often been under scrutiny due to allegations it is a tax haven and ‘turns a blind eye’ to black market goods smuggling.

Now, the Gibraltar Government has decried the vote saying it was ‘clearly not the result of any technical assessment’ and was the work of ‘hostile’ Spanish politicians.

They singled out ‘actors’ from the Partido Popular, Vox and Ciudadanos, including Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo MEP (left).

In a statement, Gibraltar authorities

state they are ‘seriously concerned’ with the suggestion that ‘Gibraltar has facilitated the evasion of sanctions imposed on Russia’.

They called the accusation ‘baseless, totally unsubstantiated and gratuitous’.

“The Government will not allow Gibraltar’s good name to be remotely associated with efforts to support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and it will therefore be raising this claim at the highest political level,” the statement continued.

They are now calling on the European Commission to reconsider its decision ‘promptly’.

Some speculate EU politicians’ rejection of the removal is motivated by the tax break Spanish people working in Gibraltar would be given if it was taken off the list.

Currently, Spanish people working overseas are exempt up to €60,100 in tax, but this rule does not apply to black listed territories like Gibraltar.

If the Rock was removed from the

list, Spain would risk losing much tax income from Gibraltar’s Spanish workers.

However, they assured the decision does not affect Gibraltar’s standing on the FATF list, nor its Brexit negotiations with the EU.

UK MPs backed Gibraltar’s position, saying the EU’s statement was ‘completely inaccurate and unsubstantiated to suggest Gibraltar is undermining sanction efforts against Russia’.

Vox

They added that ‘UK sanctions apply in full and are enforced, in all UK overseas territories and crown dependencies.’

Spain’s right-wing party Vox also ruffled feathers after attempting to include a reference to Gibraltar as a ‘colony’ in the legal text. The term was rejected by the UK, who said it was an ‘outdated characterisation’.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

NEWS IN BRIEF

Balcony horror

A 53-YEAR old expat from Ukraine has been arrested for ‘throwing his partner from a second-floor balcony’ in Fuengirola.

Scrummage

ENGLAND rugby star Billy Vunipola, 31, was arrested in Mallorca over the weekend after a ‘violent’ bar brawl during which he was tasered twice by police.

Always on duty

AN opportunistic thief who tried to rob a restaurant in Barcelona was caught in the act and apprehended by a group of off duty British police, who were enjoying a stag do in the city.

Tycoon cuffed

A RUSSIAN oil tycoon has been arrested at his Costa Blanca home over an alleged €35 million fraud in his native country.

A HUGE police operation to smash the narco-trafficking gangs plaguing the Strait of Gibraltar swept up a €1.4 million haul in cash.

Dubbed Grajuela, the joint operation was launched in response to the killing of two Guardia Civil of-

CASH HAUL

ficers when known narco traffickers in Barbate, Cadiz, rammed their boat two months ago. It nabbed 31 suspected traffickers,

4000 kilos of hashish and 627 kilos of cocaine, as well as 19 high-end cars. The officers raided the house of a car rental businessman in Sancti Petri and found hundreds of bundles of cash, thought to be ‘wages’ for the gang members.

Blood money

ONE of Europe’s most wanted crime bosses has gone on the run after a Spanish court released him on bail, sparking fury in the Netherlands. The feared Karim Bouyakhrichan, leader of Holland’s 'Mocro Mafia', was captured to great fanfare in January after a fiveyear operation to unravel his criminal empire. Dutch authorities immediately requested his extradi-

Netherlands are fuming after dangerous mafia boss escaped Spanish custody upon paying €50,000 bail

tion over death threats he had made towards the Netherland’s Crown Princess, Amalia of Orange, when she was just 18. Ironically, Amalia had been

GROPER WANTED

POLICE are hunting a sexual predator in Estepona after a teenage girl reported being attacked.

The 19-year-old, described as ‘foreign’, told Policia Nacional that she was assaulted at around 9.45pm on La Rada beach.

The victim said the man groped her private parts during the terrifying attack last Sunday.

When she resisted he punched her so hard in the face that she lost a tooth.

Despite police scouring the neighbourhood for the assailant, he has yet to be found.

By Walter Finch

living in Madrid until just a few months ago, where she had ‘taken refuge’ a couple of years prior after kidnap plots emerged in her home country. She has since returned to Amsterdam.

Despite his rap sheet, Bouyakhrichan’s extradition was blocked by a Malaga court on the grounds that he had serious charges to face in Andalucia, according to sources consulted by Cadena Sur.

Instead, the brother of notorious crime lord Samir ‘Scarface’ Bouyakhrichan - who

Gang sunk

A GANG that specialised in manufacturing the notorious ‘narco launches’ that have become ubiquitous in the Strait of Gibraltar has been raided. It is the latest in a string of stunning police operations to tackle the scourge of narco-trafficking in the region, after dozens were arrested earlier in the week.

The Galicia-based criminal organisation supplied high-powered outboard motors and custom-built narco-speedboats to the traffickers.

was stabbed to death in Benahavis in 2015 - was granted his freedom in exchange for posting €50,000 bail and a promise that he would show up to court every 15 days.

The decision enraged not just the Policia Nacional but also the Dutch security services.

The Dutch-Moroccan was released on provisional bail on March 19, eight weeks after his arrest on January 25, with orders to regularly sign on at a Marbella court.

Unsurprisingly, the mafia boss made just one trip to the court, on April 1. On his next expected appearance on April 15 he failed to show, leading to a search and arrest order to be issued against him.

Police sources have told the Olive Press Bouyakhrichan is being sought in the Moroccan town of Nador, which they likened to a ‘Moroccan Tijuana.

Dubbed 'Vozka', the operation has resulted in the arrest of six individuals and the investigation of five others.

Killer sausages

RESIDENTS on the Costa del Sol have warned of sausages containing needles being left on a dog-walking route. The sabotaged treats are intended to injure or fatally wound the dogs who eat them.

They have been spotted on the beach front walkway in Rincon de la Victoria and have already caused pets to be rushed to vets. The sausages were swallowed by the dogs on the La Cala del Moral promenade after being left there last week.

Locals on social media claimed they had also removed sausages containing needles from the ground. Police are investigating.

Just electric

LEGENDARY rock band AC/

DC have almost sold out their two-night stint in Spain. The band has not visited the country since 2016, when they played in Sevilla’s Estadio de la Cartuja - the same venue they will use this year.

This concert is expected to be bigger and better than the last, when lead singer Brian Johnson could not perform due to a leg injury, leading Axl Rose to take his place.

This year’s events will take place on May 29 and June 1.

The European tour has more than twenty stops and is named Power Up, after the band’s latest album.

STAR MAN

Pablo Alvarez says he ‘still can’t believe it’ after achieving his childhood dream to be an astronaut while cancer researcher

Sara Garcia selected as a reserve

SPANISH space exploration has a new star:

36-year-old Pablo Alvarez from

Alvarez has officially graduated as an astronaut for the European Space Agency (ESA) at the Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Following his graduation ceremony, Alvarez told of his overwhelming joy and excite-

“Receiving the astronaut wings is a

By Walter Finch

symbolic gesture that signifies that the European Space Agency can now assign me to a space mission at any time,” he declared.

This graduation makes Alvarez the second Spanish astronaut to join the ESA after Pedro Duque.

The agency plans to send its first new astronaut to space in 2026, with all five graduates aiming to reach the International Space Station before 2030.

And fellow Spaniard Sara Garcia (pictured left), also from Leon, is being dubbed Spain’s first female astronaut. The 35-year-old molec

Foxy fashion

Spain's Eurovision Song Contest representatives, Nebulos sa , this month.

The dance electro pop duo from Ondara, Alicante province will be performing Zor ra in the Eurovision Grand Final in Mal mo, Sweden on May 11.

The husband-wife team of Mark Dasousa and Maria Bas will wear clothes designed by Costello, who recently showed off his creations at the Malaga Festival.

The catchy Spanish entry created some controversy as it tries to reclaim the

MY ICON Happy Posh celebrates Letizia

ular biologist - who has been leading research into cancer - has been selected as an astronaut reserve by the ESA, although she has no trips to space scheduled. While reaching the Moon may seem like a distant dream, Alva-

rez acknowledges it as a universal aspiration for many, himself included.

“It’s more than just mine - it is every one’s

dream.”

However, his immediate focus lies on the technically complex first mission to the International Space Station, which will require extensive training in the coming years.

“I have just begun,” he said, “and I hope to be here for many years to come. So, I will continue to dream of that possible mission far beyond.”

Alvarez’s journey began with a spark of wonder as a child gazing at the moon from his village in Leon.

He admits to losing sight of the dream as he grew up, but the ESA job posting three years ago rekindled his passion.

The ESA's latest class of astronauts includes Sophie Adenot, Rosemary Coogan, Raphaël Liégeois, Marco Sieber, and Pablo Álvarez himself.

Katherine Bennell-Pegg of the Australian Space Agency also graduated with her ESA classmates, promising an exciting era of global collaboration in space exploration.

Victoria, aka Posh Spice, was ‘especially excited’ when Letizia chose to rock one of her dresses during last year’s Coronation celebra tions.

“I find her beautiful and el egant. She’s never wrong in terms of fashion,” she insisted to Vogue

“I was very excited when I saw she’d worn our Be-*lla en verde dress.”

Talking about living in Spain be tween 2003 and 2007 when her husband David played for Real Madrid (and had his affair with Rebecca Loos), she added she

‘felt misunderstood’.

“This misunderstanding didn’t come from me, it came from the media.

“I’ve never complained about anything… it’s nice that people are now, finally, see ing the truth.”

The half Spanish, half French legend will play at Fuengirola’s Marenostrum event on July 25.

The Me Gustas Tu singer will make a rare appearance singing in his native French and Spanish.

Chao began his career as a busker in Paris, before join-

HELLO TO CHAO

In

success with his band Mano Negra. Their happy, energetic and rhythmic music made hits across the globe.

After the band split in 1998, Chao found fame alone with chart toppers Bongo Bong and Clandestino which has been covered by Lily Allen and Robbie Williams.

FASHION designer Michael Costel

lo - behind outfits for pop stars Be yonce, Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Lopez - will be kitting out

MANU Chao is to headline a Costa del Sol festival this summer.

ing bands like Hot Pants and Los Carayos.

1987, he found

STAR TURN: Michael Costello will dress the duo

once sexist slang word Zorra , which means 'bitch' or 'slut' in Spanish slang as well as vixen.

DREAM COME TRUE: Pablo Alvarez

SMOKE CLOUDS

AN investigation has been launched in Gibraltar after black smoke was spotted billowing from a tanker on Saturday.

The UK Environment Agency is spearheading the inquiry into the Singapore-flagged ship.

Alarms were raised about the environmental effect of smoke pluming from the Theresa II, built in 2020.

Operated by food processing company Wilmar, the ship was anchored off the North Mole.

It is believed the ship was on its way to Boston, USA.

An investigation revealed the air-fuel ratio was incorrect and action was taken immediately to remedy this.

The ship was monitored until it departed for the USA, five hours later.

The Environmental Agency will now use an air quality monitoring system to determine the impact of the incident.

Inclusive play

EVERY school in Gibraltar will now have ‘inclusive’ Barbie dolls designed to normalise disabilities.

The project began last year in St Martin’s School and will now be rolled out to all lower and upper primary schools.

Designed by Gibraltar Disability Society, the dolls feature wheelchairs, prosthetic legs and vitiligo, amongst other conditions.

GIBRALTAR will take part in the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile. It is the first time the world’s biggest sports and humanitarian event will be held in Latin America.

The event also marks the first time in the organisation’s 55 year history that a World Games will take place in the Southern Hemisphere.

Over 6,000 athletes from 170

Get on with it!

SPANISH politicians have launched an English campaign to encourage expats and Gibraltarians to fight for a Malaga-Gibraltar train.

The leader of Malaga’s Partido Popular, Patricia Navarro, said the train needs to reach Gibraltar Airport as it is used by the 60,000 people who use the airport ‘often’.

The campaign aims to rouse the Costa del Sol’s expat population to call for the ‘just cause’ of a new train line.

The proposed coastal route would pass through Marbella, Estepona and Algeciras.

Navarro also called for the

Demands for Costa del Sol train to Gibraltar after transport minister said it was ‘too costly and complicated’

AP-7 toll to be lowered or stopped until the project is in place.

She was supported by Benahavis councillor, Scott Marshall, who is originally from Scotland.

According to Navarro, the lack of rail travel along the costa is the ‘principal threat’ to growth and progress’ in the area.

The Junta de Andalucia, the Diputacion de Malaga and parties in Congress have already called for the

By Walter Finch

train line, creating a virtual cacophony from every walk of malagueño society.

The mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, said a train line that offers a quick, efficient and frequent service which convinces drivers to leave their cars behind is ‘necessary’.

Angeles Muñoz, the mayor of Marbella, called it ‘incomprehensible’ that

Call me, Fijaz Mughal, in confidence. I’m fully-accredited and professionally-trained in London and recently moved to Spain.

I understand the issues many expats feel in Spain. Change through relocation abroad can really add to mental health pressures and these life changes are never easy. Counselling and therapy has changed the lives of many. Getting in touch is the first step. Recognising that there is an issue is the first step on the road to recovery.

nations, including Gibraltar, will take part in the games. They will compete in 22 sports over nine days, supported by 2,000 coaches and thousands of volunteers.

TAKING ON THE WORLD Seven Samurai

Marbella is the only city in Spain with over 150,000 inhabitants that doesn’t have a train connection.

“The coastal train is essential for our future, not only in terms of connectivity, but also in stimulating economic growth, favouring our position as an attractive destination for investment and business growth,” she said, while slamming the government’s ‘neglect and lack of commitment’.

Spanish transport minister Oscar Puente has previously poured cold water on the prospect of a Costa del Sol train line ever being built, calling it ‘complicated and expensive.’

Amorous octopi

THE Department of the Environment, Sustainability, Heritage and Climate Change has put a temporary ban on octopus fishing until June 9.

It aims to protect the Common Octopus during its breeding season.

Catches are limited to five kilograms per person or vessel per day for two weeks after the prohibition period ends. This is the eighth consecutive year that the conservation measure has been implemented. British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.

UK SHOWDOWN

GIBRALTAR will play against Wales and Scotland in Portugal this summer. The friendly against the Welsh side will be played in the Estadio Algarve, Faro on June 6.

The match is the second time Gibraltar’s men’s team has taken on Wales. They played the side last year at Wrexham Racecourse Ground, where they lost 0-4 (right). Both Gibraltar and Rob Page’s squad will be preparing for the UEFA Nation’s

League in September. They are also building to wards the 2026 World Cup, with qualify ing matches starting in Spring 2025. Gibraltar will also play Scotland at the Es tadio Algarve, on June 3. For Scotland, the friendly will form part of preparations for Euro 2024.

The side has been drawn in Group A and will play hosts Germany in Munich on June 14.

THE seven living ex Governors of Gibraltar have signed a letter calling on the UK government to finally get a post-Brexit treaty with the EU over the line. Lord Richard Luce, Sir David Durie, Sir Francis Richards, Sir Robert Fulton, Sir Adrian Johns, Sir James Dutton and Lieutenant General Ed Davis also welcomed the British government’s uncompromising stance on Gibraltar’s sovereignty. They expressed their concern that the free movement of people and goods across the Gibraltar-Spain border was of paramount importance for both countries economies. The current Governor, Sir David Steel, who was not party to the letter, chimed in to concur that he hoped a treat would be concluded as soon as possible.

‘PLEASED FOR PEDRO’

Minister Fabian

has backed Spanish

Minister

after he decided to remain in office. He had considered standing down following accusations of influence peddling against his wife, Begoña Gomez. Picardo said: “I am very pleased Pedro Sanchez has decided to stay on as Prime Minister of Spain. This is obviously good for Gibraltar. It is also good for decent politics.

“It is good for those who believe that it is right to stand and fight for what is right and what is true in the face of lies, personal attacks and attacks on our close friends and families.

“People in Gibraltar should reflect on what we have seen play out in Spain as similar events surround us in modern politics around the world.”

CHIEF

Picardo

Prime

Pedro Sanchez

Voted

paper in Spain

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.

OPINION

Wake up!

RESIDENTS on the Costa del Sol are rightly sick and tired of hearing politicians debate whether extending the train line is ‘worth it’ (Get on with it, p4).

As anyone who lives there knows, of course it bloody is as too many Gibraltarians who have to travel into Spain know.

The roads are carnage at the best of times and turn into virtual death traps during the summer, while the buses are quite simply, pathetic.

Not only do many of them never arrive, but you can’t even buy tickets for local services online from Avanza.

Would-be customers are forced to hunt out Avanza booths on the street.

Even then, you’ll be lucky if the shutter isn’t down and the ‘back in five minutes’ sign isn’t posted on the window - as the seller nips out for another fag and coffee.

Cash

Why is Andalucia being denied a truly transformative project while the likes of Catalunya is promised a €6bn cash injection from Madrid for similar infrastructure?

Being able to catch the train between Gibraltar to Estepona, Marbella, Malaga and elsewhere would see thousands of people ditch their cars.

Just last month a report by NASA said the rising temperatures will cause potentially catastrophic sea rises by the end of the century - that could even wipe out Marbella and parts of Cadiz.

Surely, a plan such as a new rail line that will reduce the number of car journeys by millions should be one of many priorities to help create a cleaner environment.

It would also totally mobilise the workforce and in turn attract more companies and people to move to the area.

So, when politicians ask ‘is it worth it?’, the answer is pretty bleeding obvious.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es

Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es

(+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es

We’ll drink to that!

Former deputy Prime Minister Pablo Iglesias has fallen foul of anarchists who object to his new bar serving a Durruti cocktail, named after the legendary revolutionary. Cole Sinanian digs deeper…

TO understand the anarchist daubings scrawled on the new bar of ex-Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, in Madrid, last month, we need to go back to July 1936. It’s the so-called ‘Summer of Anarchy’ in Barcelona, and the air is thick with the smell of revolution.

The rich had fled, forcing its luxury restaurants to convert to communal dining halls, patronised by working class comrades in boots and overalls. Revolutionary songs blared from speakers in Las Ramblas, red-and-black anarchist flags hung from balconies.

Formal ways of speaking had fallen out of use; everyone was ‘comrade’ now.

DRIVEN

Trade unions controlled nearly every aspect of industry, with around 70% of companies effectively collectivised by the workers.

But the revolutionary dream was in danger.

Just a few hundred kilometres west in Zaragoza, an army of fascists loyal to Nazi-friendly General Franco were hell-bent on laying siege to the Catalan capital.

Since the Nationalists rebelled against Spain’s Government, rogue army generals had begun their assault on dozens of towns and cities.

But many iconic Spanish figures stood firm against the terrifying Nationalist advance.

One of these was Jose Buenaventura Durruti, who remains a symbol of anarchism today.

And, appropriately, with his legendary Durutti Column of irregular troops helping to fight

TO DISTRACTION

The little-known reasons you can get a fine while driving in Spain: Avoid doing these five things to swerve a ‘multa’ of up to €3,000

DRIVING on some of Spain’s roads can be a stressful experience at the best of times. Having made it home safely in one piece, the last thing you want is to have your day ruined by a letter from the DGT, Spain’s traffic enforcement agency.

Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es

Santaella

accounts@ theolivepress.es

theolivepress.es

Born in 1896 in Leon, Durruti was a railway mechanic, who quickly became involved in local labour movements.

He played a part in a series of violent and disruptive strikes starting in 1910, organised by the increasingly powerful unions, the socialist Union General de Trabajadores (UGT), and the anarchist Confederacion Nacional de Trabajo (CNT).

After participating in the famous General Strike of 1917 - which saw the arrest of anarchist leaders en masse - Durruti was forced to flee to France.

Upon his return in 1920, he encountered a violent society plagued by espionage and

While fines for common transgressions, such as speeding, are known, the Spanish highway code has a long list of other offences that could leave

authorities. Here are six lesser-known things to avoid in order to ensure you don’t receive an unwelcome fine.

If running out of fuel hadn’t already ruined your day, being fined under Spain’s rarely-used ‘Improper Parking’ legislation would really tip you over the edge. Make sure to get your fuel from legitimate sources too, as improperly transporting fuel results in a fine of up to €3,000. Ouch!

A new introduction to Spanish law, it is now illegal to drive in some Low Emission Zones (LEZs) without a relevant permit. With LEZs (known as ZBEs in Spanish) becoming more common throughout the country, drivers will have to keep up to date - while each LEZ is run by its own municipal authority, a baseline fine of €200 has been set by the DGT.

If you decorate your car with unauthorised items, it’s not just your mates who will be laughing at your expense - the DGT will too, having pocketed 500 of your hard-earned euros. These decorations include anything that changes the measurements of your car without having notified the DGT beforehand. Decoration could also lead to problems with passing your MOT. Additionally, placing items like ‘dream catchers’ on your rear view mirror, can land you a fine of up to €200 as they can partially block your view.

The different categories are:

● Zero Label: corresponds to electric cars, plug-in hybrids with a battery range of at least 40 km and fuel cell vehicles.

● Eco Label: plug-in hybrid vehicles that cannot travel more than 40 km in electric mode, non-plug-in hybrids and natural gas vehicles.

● Label C: Petrol cars and light vans registered from 2006 onwards, and diesel cars and vans registered from September 2015.

● Label B: Petrol cars and vans registered between January 2001 to 2005 and diesel vans and cars registered between from 2006 to August 2015.

You can get a windscreen label at the Correos post office by taking in your registration documents and ID. In Andalucia LEZs are in place in parts of Almeria, La Linea de la Concepcion, Cordoba, Estepona, Sevilla and Torremolinos . In Valencia it is only the city itself that is affected, with no other towns covered so far. Over in Murcia just Cartagena has an LEZ, while there are none in the Balearics. But an LEZ is sure to come to town near you soon - all municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants are legally obliged to introduce them. Where each category can drive in individual LEZs will depend on local authorities - so keep an eye open for the signs if you want to avoid a fine. Those with no category will find their way barred in many town centres at pain of a fine.

the fascists in Barcelona and Madrid, the two main cities which resolutely refused to cede to Franco.

By Ben Pawlowski

LOW EMISSION ZONES 2

TOAST: To Durruti (left) and his brave column of male and female soldiers

Estepona has morphed over the last decade into the veritable Garden of the Costa del Sol… and there’s more to

writes resident Walter Finch

Photo credit: Walter Finch

GREEN LUNG: The new pedestrianised boulevard is a shady beach paseo

Estepona

A TOWN IN FLUX

of its residents shows a real shift towards the Scandinavian and other Northern European countries.

Like the Vikings, Estepona has rarely stood still. Indeed, since the days of the seafaring Phoenicians - who fastest-growing town in Andalucia for population, and the second fastest in Spain. Its GDP per capita has spiralled and, it’s clear, the quality of its restaurants and hotels has kept up. There is a distinct change about the place, in particular, with its emphasis on pedestrians and the demographic sailed in and established a colony nearly 3,000 years ago - it has seen numerous influxes of migrants.

Be it the Romans, the Vandals or the Moors - or the Catholic reconquest or pirate raids from Africa in the 18th century - the town has frequently been in a state of flux.

This latest incarnation is driven by wealthy international visitors flocking in allyear round. The formerly carclogged roads have been replaced by idyllic outdoor spaces and the colourful flower-filled streets have allowed the resort to retain its image as one of the last ‘authen-

tically’ Spanish resorts left on the costas.

Yet the beauty belies the massive population spurt it has seen, driven by the constant construction of new homes and expansion of the town’s limits.

A modest municipal population of 48,000 in 2003 has exploded to, officially, 75,000 in 2022, a population increase of 56%, and it is likely to be far higher in reality - and it’s definitely still growing. Marbella, in comparison, has grown by just 29% in the same period.

Over a quarter of Estepona’s population (19,000) is foreign, and of the expat cohort it’s the Brits who dominate.

The arrival of the foreigners has gone hand in hand with the PP ayuntamiento’s ambitions to transform the town - often to the grumbles of the locals.

The greatest recent transformation has been the total redesign of the old N340 highway which went along the beach promenade.

between Avenida de Andalucía and Calle Terraza laid just last month.

The cutting of the ribbon on the new paseo maritimo (or beachfront promenade) makes it one of the longest in Spain at one and a half kilometres.

One of the last ‘authentically’ Spanish resorts left on the costas

It is now completely cut off with traffic redirected in a, frequently, 15-minute detour around the centre. It has made for an almost car-free

Amanda (Spanish) & Anthony (British) welcome you to Las Brisas, a small family run Hostal in the heart of Estepona old town. 50 metres from the beach and surrounded by the best bars and restaurants Estepona has to offer. We provide 6 comfortable ensuite bedrooms for you to relax and unwind during your stay. Probably the best value accomodation in the centre of Estepona old town!

Please contact us for further details

+34 689 147 057

www.hostallasbrisas.com.es

esteponahostallasbrisas@gmail.com

82 Calle Caridad, Estepona, 29680

The next phase of the transformation is equally ambitious, with the brand new Park Central Boulevard with hundreds of new trees and thousands more plants.

The popular San Lorenzo car park will go, exacerbating the chronic parking problem in the town. However, the town hall insists this will be remedied by the construction of a new network of underground car parks across the town costing just one euro a day.

into a green paradise as part of the ongoing ‘Estepona, Garden of the Costa del Sol’ project.

Anyone who hasn’t visited for a decade will be forgiven for rubbing their eyes at the sheer number of plants and trees that line the streets.

There are tens of thousands, in fact, probably hundreds of thousands, of flowers bedecking almost every available surface, including the central reservations.

Meanwhile, thousands of potted plants have gone in on every street in the old town.

The profusion is hard to ignore and very impressive.

None of this has come

centre, with the final paving stones and flower beds cheap, of course.

Double take

A PAIR of new buildings have trans formed the skyline of the former fishing village.

Dramatically changing the coastline, the Mirador del Carmen tower and nearby ‘carbon neutral’ town hall are befitting the modern bustling town, while complementing the traditional town centre.

Taking just 14 months to build, the 12-floor Mirador del Carmen comprises an arts and cultural centre, with close links to the Carmen Thyssen Museum, in Malaga.

It also has a library, an auditorium for concerts and a rooftop terrace with viewing platform that gives sweeping vows of the town and coastline to Gibraltar and Africa.

Its opening last year came just weeks after the town inaugurated its new strikingly modern €13 million town

The PP town hall has spent well over €100 million on public works since 2011 and while it is often viewed as controversial it has certainly transformed the town

Last year meanwhile, saw two new additions to the city’s skyline with a modern and sustainable town hall, and a new 45 metre-high mirador near the port, with an art gallery below.

While the Mirador claims to boast a restaurant and museum, neither is currently in operation, leaving just the view from the top to show for its construction.

Somewhat suspiciously, the building was built by a company called Bonifacio Solis, whose director of operations is none other than the mayor’s son, Pablo Garcia.

But the allegations of nepotism have never really stuck on his dad Jose Maria Garcia Urbano, who has serenely glided through all the slings and arrows and was comfortably reelected mayor last May. Eyebrows however, do continue to be raised on the mayor’s selection of racy statues that have gone up all around the resort… the most suspicious being an expensive golden one of a couple having sex on a roundabout.

CHARM: Historic old town street while (above right) the orchidarium

A sculpture park on the outskirts meanwhile, includes a naked woman in the throes of passion.

On a more positive front, the once traffic-heavy Avenida España along the beachfront has been subsumed into the newly sedate promenade, dotted with new restaurants, cafes and shops.

Next to it, is easily one of the nicest city beaches in

Spain, Playa de la Rada stretching for over 2 kilometres.

Known for its clean, soft sand, crystal-clear waters and excellent facilities - it has good views towards Gibraltar and Africa on clear days… not to mention numerous beach chiringuitos.

Looking for nightlife, the bright young things flock to the bars and

A bold step

ESTEPONA’S ambitious remodel of the Avenida España beachfront has finally been completed. It is now one of the longest promenades in Spain, running for almost two kilometres.

The boulevard was officially reopened with a ribbon cutting ceremony in April.

The town recently featured on the BBC’s Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens and was shortlisted for European City of the Year in 2023.

clubs in the port on weekends, where bartenders freepour drinks according to the ye old Spanish ‘say when’ system.

Louie Louie’s is the perfect spot for a live music set and an enthusiastic crowd getting down.

Or, if you prefer to watch, the Peña Flamenca in the old town puts on fortnightly flamenco shows with renowned performers who come from all over Andalucia. No trip to Estepona would be complete without a visit to the aptly-named, Plaza de las Flores (Below left).

In this charming hive of activity you will find the tourism office, with maps for all kinds of excursions, including a murals tour (more of which later) and a host of reasonably-priced restaurants and cafes. Also nestled among the flowers, and spilling out onto Calle Terraza, are a handful of stylish clothes shops, mixing independent and quirky with more famous brands such as Mango. Strolling around, you won’t help but notice that a number of buildings are decorated with incredible street art, bringing the façade - and the surrounding streets - to life. Murals as high as the buildings - some thought to be among the largest in Europe - painted with incredible skill and daring will take you aback.

The largest one, by artist Jose Fernández Ríos, depicts a fish on a line covering six separate building façades and measuring almost 100,000 metres squared.

Further into the town, past its historic centre head for the exotic glassdomed orchidarium - the largest in Europe.

The futuristic greenhouse is home to more than 8,000 species of orchids, three waterfalls, streams and a butterfly house.

Staff care lovingly for these delicate and beautiful plants, watching them bloom and flower and then fade

The

still

Parking mad

ESTEPONA has applied for a €5 million loan to turn a key space outside its town hall into a new park. The 22,000 sqm space on Avenida San Lorenzo is aimed to make the town a ‘reference point for sustainability, quality of life and tourism’.

The Bulevar Parque Central (projected image above) will in- clude commercial buildings and leisure facilities.

away every three months, to start the cycle anew.

Another spot worth seeking out, near the port, is the Plaza de Toros, which isn’t the oldest, biggest or best in Spain but it’s one of a kind – the only asymmetrical bullring in the world.

Its clever shape was designed to offer spectators more seating in the shade than under the hot Spanish sun, and it has hosted numerous sport and cultural events since it opened in 1972.

Just a short hop from the bullring you will find the 20-metre tall Punta Doncella lighthouse, which has been blinking away its light to ships and boats up and down the coast in its present incarnation since 1922.

Oh, and if you are looking for nature and green spaces, there are plenty of other beaches up along

the coast, not to mention excellent tennis clubs, like Forest Hills, plus great golf courses, including El Paraiso, now 50 years old.

Estepona was officially founded during the golden age of the Caliphate of Cordoba in the 10th century. Destroyed by the conquering Christians in the 15th century and rebuilt by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand almost a century later, King Philip V granted the town a charter for 600 families in 1728. Compare that to the ever-growing number of residents today, plus the visitors that see the population triple in summer months. And rentals do fill up quickly at this time of year, so book early if you want to discover why Estepona should be number one on your Costa del Sol bucket list.

UNSPOILT:

stretch of Estepona coastline from Guadalminato Benamara is

mostly underdeveloped

Photo credit: Jon Clarke

political assassinations, an era of Spanish history that would come to be known as pistolerismo

Bombs exploded in Barcelona cafes, union leaders were shot dead in the street, and government-sympathetic businessmen hired anti-union thugs to murder CNT and UGT associates.

Durruti and fellow prominent anarchists Francisco Acaso and Joan Garcia Oliver formed the anarchist militia Los Solidarios to defend the unions.

The group became a formidable force, robbing

banks to fund the anarchist cause and carrying out high-profile assassinations, including that of Cardinal Juan Soldevila y Romero.

By the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, Durruti was immensely popular among Catalan anarchists and well suited to recruit a local army to defend Barcelona from the Fascists.

On July 18, Durruti and his troops rode through the city brandishing machine guns.

As his former colleague Garcia Oliver wrote in his autobiography, he led ‘trucks full of militants, rifles raised, red-and-

PASSENGER PROBLEMS 4

It’s not just the person in the driver’s seat who should keep a keen eye on traffic lawspassengers should, too. Infractions, whether kissing the driver or not doing up your seatbelt, are a significant cause of accidents and also a way to lose a chunk of cash. Kissing or arguing heavily while driving can bring fines of €80 if police believe they caused a significant enough distraction behind the wheel.

of men and women, as well as foreign fighters such as French philosopher Simone Weil.

The Durutti Column successfully defended the city from the first wave of fascist attackers, but in Zaragoza, Francoist General Emilio Mola was amassing his forces.

On July 24, the unit left Barcelona with 2,000 anarchists to take back Zaragoza.

Traversing the rugged Aragonese countryside, Durruti and his comrades recruited hundreds of local peasants working the land, gathering strength in each town with the fire of revolution.

By the time the column reached Zaragoza’s outskirts, the militia’s numbers had reached 6,000 - among the largest anarchist military units fighting in the war.

But before the seemingly inevitable confrontation, Franco had changed plans and gathered a vast army of troops for an assault on Madrid. The capital had been left defenceless after the government had moved itself and the Republican army bosses to Valencia.

Ritz

With the leftist troops in Madrid in desperate need of reinforcement, Durruti turned 1,800 of his strongest fighters around and told them to march to the capital.

Some 1,000 of them were to die in the mission.

Durruti himself was killed at the age of 40 in Madrid in November 1936, shot in the chest while leading a counterattack in the Casa de Campo area, west of the city.

He died on a makeshift operating table set up in the Ritz Hotel, during the course of the war.

He maintains a legendary status today, having come to symbolise the anarchist struggle towards an egalitarian, classless society.

Even the most benign, everyday actions could lead to a telling off from the cops. Eating whilst driving is not considered to be conducive to safe driving and could result in a hefty fine, so make sure your hunger is satisfied before starting your journey.

In fact if a driver is caught eating or drinking they could be fined €80, which jumps to €200 if traffic police believe other passengers or road users were placed in danger.

Penalties for the most common driving infringements - failure to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone - have recently been strengthened. These offences will now see four points docked off your licence, on top of a fine, so make sure to take care on the roads.

Over a half million people filled the streets during his funeral cortege to Barcelona’s Montjuic Cemetery and popular academic Hugh Thomas wrote that his death ‘marked the end of the classic age of Spanish anarchism’

His ‘nobility’, he wrote, would lead to ‘a legion of Durrutis’ to spring up behind him.

There are still some of them in that legion today, nearly a century on as former professor Pablo Iglesias has just discovered at his new bar in Madrid’s working class district of Lavapies.

Don’t cash in on a legend, they insisted in their graffitti. Now that’s truly revolutionary.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

Thousands of readers are signing up to the OP website since its relaunch last month

THE Olive Press website has soared to new heights following its relaunch last month.

It is now receiving up to 65,000 visitors a day from all around the world, including the UK, US, Spain, Australia and Can ada.

We are also seeing more and more people registering, with almost 2,000 new members in the last week alone.

In case you didn’t know, registering an account is extremely easy and allows you to access an extra free article.

It also lets you comment on stories so you can join the conversation on everything happening in Spain.

Plus, you’ll receive weekly newsletters directly to your inbox.

For those who want unlimited access, we are currently offering a fantastic deal of three months for the price of one.

For just €4.99, you will be able to read all our content for 12 weeks, while receiving weekly newsletters on travel, health and property - plus a personalised missive from the digital editor each Saturday. Subscribers also have exclusive access to the digital editions of our five fortnightly print newspapers, covering Gibraltar, Andalucia, Costa Blanca south, Costa Blanca north and Mallorca.

So what are you waiting for? Scan the QR code on this page to join the conversation and stay informed on everything happening in Spain.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

1- Tourist drops dead at Malaga Airport: 64-year-old suffers heart attack in arrivals

2- Missing expat teens latest: Residents in Benidorm are told 'do not approach' two boys

3- Warning: Town on Spain’s Costa del Sol will cut off water and issue fines of up to €600,000 to people who disobey drought measures

4- A Place In The Sun visits Almeria: Jasmine Harman, 48, celebrates after closing deal in an idyllic expat hotspot

5- Urgent appeal for two missing expat teens who disappeared in Spain 10 days ago: Latest sighting places them in Benidorm

HUNGER WOES

black flags flying in the wind’. It had soon become known as the Durutti Column, with the unit including a mix

ANGER: Anarchists scrawled on Iglesia’s new bar for disrespecting Durruti (in poster, above)

Durruti and family

WATER PLEDGE

THE Generalitat de Catalunya will install a floating desalination plant in the port of Barcelona to help the fight against the region’s drought.

David Mascort, the regional government’s climate action minister, revealed that the plan would come into action if a Level 2 drought emergency is announced - Catalunya is currently under a Level 1 drought emergency.

Desalination

The plant will provide 14hm3 of water per year, equivalent to 6% of the consumption of the Barcelona metropolitan area.

In addition, the government will install 12 small mobile desalination plants on the northern Costa Brava.

These facilities, which will cost €10million, will provide 35% of the water needed for over a dozen municipalities, including tourist towns such as Roses, Cadaques and Llanca.

Wheely green

SEVILLANOS can now hop on hundreds of electric mopeds dotted throughout the city as Cabify launches its new service.

The 200 electric mopeds give locals an emission free mode of transport.

POLLUTION BATTLE BOOST

THE Spanish government will pump in an extra €190 million to fight pollution in the Mar Menor lagoon. It’s a 40% increase in the budget and takes the total to €675 million.

Visiting San Pedro del Pinatar (Murcia) , the Ecological Transition Minister, Tere-

Doñana recovers

Satellite images taken a year apart show dramatic tree and plant growth thanks to rainfall

THE Doñana wetlands have regained their splendour after heavy rainfall with satellite images showing a dramatic change.

The photos, released by the EU Earth Observation Programme, Copernicus, show

It is part of a partnership with Cooltra, a motorcycle hire company, which exploded in Spain last year. The bikes are available to hire by the minute, saving locals both time and money. According to Cabify, people prefer motorbikes as they are faster than travelling by car and easier to park.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

By Yzabelle Bostyn

lakes filled alongside blooming plants and trees.

This is in stark contrast to the images taken a year earlier in April 2023.

According to Corpernicus: “If we compare 2023 and 2024 we see how recent rain has softened the damaging effects of drought.

“The situation has improved and vegetation has started to flourish again.”

In the past few years, the park has suffered intense drought, leaving large swathes with no water.

However, thanks to downpours starting in November

sa Ribera, appealed to everybody to continue the current levels of collaboration to recover the Mar Menor because ‘our credibility as a society is at stake’.

2023, the situation has improved, leading many species to return to their natural habitat.

The biggest lakes in the park, like Santa Olalla, el Sopeton and la Dulce, are almost completely full.

“The rain has been coming late for winter, but it is still useful for aquatic birds to breed,” explained experts from the

Teresa Ribera said: “There is a real commitment to recover a precious ecosystem that mirrors on a small scale what is happening in the Mediterranean.”

“We have a floor, not a ceiling: and we cannot go back. You can’t take your foot off the gas,” she added.

A lot of the pollution was caused by farmers and agricultural companies installing illegal drainage systems at the Campo de Cartagena which discharged nitrates into Europe’s largest lagoon that poisoned its flora and fauna.

Doñana Biological Station. The park is known for its birds, including coots, terns, grebes, storks and herons.

According to data from the Doñana Biological Station, March alone saw 145 l/m2.

Since September, some 404.4 l/m2 has fallen in the area.

“This figure is the highest seen in four years, but it is still not the seasonal average, 500l/m2.”

particularly in Spain where it ranks as the most polluting sector.

To mitigate these emissions, utilising public transportation whenever possible is highly recommended.

Public transit is more environmentally friendly than private cars, as it can transport a larger number of individuals while emitting fewer greenhouse gases. A single bus can carry 50 people or more - potentially taking 49 cars off the road.

By encouraging the shift from cars to public transit, we can make a significant impact on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, public transportation helps decrease other pollutants such as gas, emis-

Heat relief

EXPERTS have given their verdict on how hot Spain could be this summer after last year’s record breaking heat across the country.

Despite higher than normal temperatures in January, February and March, this summer is set to be cooler than in 2023. “It’s very probable that June, July and August won’t be hotter than the average European temperatures,” confirmed Copernicus, the EU’s Earth Observation arm.

According to experts, temperatures won’t be as hot this summer thanks to the absence of the weather phenomenon, El Niño which was present in 2023.

It will be replaced by La Niña, known for cold spells.

“We know that large parts of the world are no longer under the effects of El Niño, which reached its peak in December or January. Now El Niño is retiring and forecasts suggest we reach a neutral state or return to what it was like before,” said Copernicus.

However, the EU entity highlighted more data is needed before a thorough prediction can be made.

sions, and microplastics from car wheels, leading to cleaner cities and reduced noise pollution.

The EU’s initiative to transition to electric cars by 2035 aims to address emission concerns. Although electric cars come with their own set of challenges, such as battery production issues, they offer a cleaner alternative when powered by renewable energy sources.

Some people complain that their range is not big enough. But people’s average travel distance per day is 27 kilometres compared to the fact that a full charge gives most electric cars a range of 300 km or more. So, if you have your own house, you could easily charge your car every night. And imagine: you will never have to stop at dirty petrol stations. And if you have your own rooftop solar panel it is almost free to refuel (charge) your car! So, aren’t you convinced? I am!

SPLENDOUR: Satellite images taken a year apart

LA CULTURA

Gone viral

A BRITISH dark comedy is topping the Spanish Netflix charts as Baby Reindeer, a show about a female stalker, goes viral. The series tells showrunner and actor Richard Gadd’s first-hand experience as the victim of a female stalker.

A dark comedy, the show explores Gadd’s ‘warped’ relationship with his stalker, Martha as she forces him to confront deep seated trauma. It was released on streaming platform, Netflix, on April 11 and has shot to the top of the global charts holding a firm first place on the streaming platform.

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

LOOKING FOR MORE CULTURE STORIES?

Scan

STILL GOT IT!

MICHAEL Caine has been awarded Best Actor at the Barcelona Film Festival at 91-years-old for his film, The Great Escaper.

Based on a true story, the film follows a World War Two veteran, Bernard Jordan, as he escapes his retirement home.

The 89-year-old wanted to go to France to celebrate the

Michael Caine scoops top award at Barcelona film festival

By Yzabelle Bostyn

70th anniversary of the Normandy landing and reunite with his brothers in arms. He was joined by the late

Women only

AFTER the success of its first edition, a women-only ‘queer’ LGTBIQA music festival is returning to Fuengirola. It is the first of its kind in Europe and will feature international names like Amaral, Belen Aguilera, Ladilla Rusa and Samurai. On May 25, the Marenostrum outdoor concert venue will be filled by music, colour and good vibes as the festival kicks off. Tickets start at €32 and are available here.

COSTA DEL OFFSHORE

Dive deep into the choppy waters of high-value international finance at OffshoreAlert’s inaugural Marbella conference

THE Costa del Sol plays host to a number of conferences each year, but none as unique and exclusive as an event that will take place in June.

Put on by OffshoreAlert, a leading provider of investigative intelligence in the world of high-value international finance, it isn't your typical finance congress.

It's a carefully-curated experience for all participants in the industry to learn, network, and do business at a glamorous venue - while having a lot of fun.

Whether you're seeking to elevate your expertise or forge valuable connections, OffshoreAlert Marbella provides the perfect platform.

Covering intelligence, investigations, and recovery, the event offers a gateway to networking, insightful knowledge acquisition, and serene relaxation – all rolled into one.

What

is OffshoreAlert?

Established in 1996, Miami-based OffshoreAlert offers participants in international finance and markets in-depth analyses of what's going on so they can minimise risk and maximise opportunity.

These come through articles, documents, conferences, and virtual events, with a particular focus on jurisdictions known for high-confidentiality.

OffshoreAlert meticulously monitors various sources, including offshore and onshore courts, regulatory actions, and offering ma-

terials, to identify potential issues and red flags in high-value international finance. They then share this knowledge through articles and documents accessible to subscribers.

Their investigative work has played a crucial role in exposing investment scams, tax evasion schemes, and money laundering operations, leading to their early collapse and prosecution of perpetrators.

OffshoreAlert's conferences and virtual events serve as a meeting ground for key stakeholders in the high-value finance sector. These events provide a platform for learning, networking, and conducting business.

Who should attend OffshoreAlert Marbella?

Fraud Investigators, asset recovery specialists, insolvency practitioners, intelligence-gatherers, litigators, claimants, funders, investors, regulators, law enforcement, risk managers, financial and professional services providers, fact-finders, researchers, and investigative journalists. Anyone who wants to know what's going on in an unforgiving industry.

Glenda Jackson, who played his wife Irene.

Michael Caine gives yet another legendary performance

The ‘legendary’ pair have been praised for their performances, which give ‘a huge amount to enjoy,’ according to a Guardian review.

Another foreign picture was also praised as the Finnish title, Maya’s Destiny, won best film.

The historical drama follows 17-year-old Maya as she is forced to marry a fisherman, dealing with long absences and the burden of childcare alone.

Based on a five-book series by Anni Bloqvist, the film was a ‘surprising’ success. For the Spaniards, Birth was awarded Best Directing. About a young girl who unex-

pectedly becomes pregnant in 1980s Spain, the female cast were jointly given the Best Actress award.

Another winner was Phantom Youth, which tells the story of the lost innocence of young people during the independence of Kosovo.

More than 20,000 people attended this year’s festi val, watching 69 films.

Almost 50 of the pictures shown were premieres, in cluding 15 from around the world.

Alongside the showings there were 63 talks, events and activities, among them a talk with Oscar nominee and Society of Snow tor, J.A. Bayona.

RAPPING IN

US rapper Macklemore is coming to Spain as the 40-year-old performs on the Costa del Sol.

The Can’t Hold Us and Thrift Shop singer will take to the stage in Fuengirola on June 21. He will perform at the outdoor concert venue, Marenostrum.

Promote

The concert is the artist’s only stop in Spain during the tour to promote his new album, BEN Known for hits like Glorious, the singer became popular for its socially conscious lyrics.

His latest release is his third studio album and was inspired by his relapse into alcohol addiction during the

The Agenda: A blend of insight and intrigue

The agenda promises a captivating mix of 'sexy topics' delivered by prominent speakers at the forefront of the industry.

Here's a glimpse of some of the session:

● Global Watergate: How Pegasus & Other Spyware Is Used To Spy On Adversaries;

● International Tax Evasion: Spanish Prosecutors vs. Celebrity HNWIs;

● High-Value International Recovery: Developments & Other Things You Need To Know;

● The Barcelona Football Referee Bribery Scandal: An Analysis;

● Buying Silence: The Rise of Lawfare (Incl. Against Catalan Politicians);

● Offshore Finance: Intelligence Update;

● Hazim Nada v. UAE: 'How Dirty Tricks & Disinformation Destroyed A Business';

● Rui Pinto & William Bourdon Present: The 'Football Leaks' Scandal That Rocked European Soccer;

● Dubai Investigations: Workshop.

The roster of headline speakers includes whistleblower Rui Pinto and his lawyer, Wi-

lliam Bourdon, who will discuss the 'Football Leaks' scandal that led to tax fraud prosecutions against stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and rules breaches charges against Manchester City; lawyers David Hooper, Jorge Angell, and Keith Oliver, and Grant Thornton's Global Head of Restructuring and Asset Recovery, Kevin Hellard

OffshoreAlert Marbella understands the importance of fostering connections beyond the conference room, as such it offers a few extracurricular activities:

● Ryder Cup-Style Golf Tournament: 'Europe vs. USA & Friends' at Finca Cortesin golf course for The OffshoreAlert Cup.

● Euros Watch Parties: Cheer on your national team alongside industry peers.

● Closing Two-Hour Lunch & Pool Party: A final opportunity to unwind and network.

● The event will be held at the w, nestled on the shores of the Costa del Sol. Conference guests can enjoy a luxurious stay with breakfast included at a special rate of €250 per night.

VETERAN:

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

SOMMELIER Secrets

sonably priced and wide-ranging’. But where are these pioneering producers hiding?

From the central plain of ‘forgotten Spain’ to the southern reaches of Tenerife, these are the up and coming wine regions to look out for.

In the heart of Galicia lies the

Marked roughly by the flows of the Mino and Sil rivers, the name roughly translates to ‘Sacred Shore’. Here winemaking is an art dating back to the Roman era and was continued by monks in the area’s various monasteries. With gradients of 85% in some vineyards, in Ribeira Sacra wine making is considered ‘heroic’.

MENTRIDA

Found near historic Toledo (Castilla La Mancha) is Mentrida.

This wine region mostly uses the Garnacha grape, providing robust, rannic and ageworthy red wines.

Though known for its reds, the region also produces fresh and fruity rose wines.

Here, winemaking dates back to the 12th century but the area only achieved DO status in 1976.

Although small, the industry in Mentrida is slowly gaining momentum, with producers focussed on quality.

Fusing modern and traditional techniques, the region produces barrel-aged reds alongside fresher, younger wines fermented in stainless steel.

One of the best wineries in the area is Dominio de Valdepusa, the first property to gain single-vineyard Vino de Pago status.

This award is given only to vineyards deemed equal to those in top-level DOCa regions.

The ‘best’ Mentrida wine is a €28 red, using Grenache grapes.

‘La Vina Escondida’ from Bodegas Canopy is a characterful wine with balsamic flavours and fruity hints.

The area was given DO status in 1996 for its speciality dry reds using the Mencia grape. This variety thrives in the long ripening season and temperature variability.

Other important varieties include the red Brancellao and Merenzao, alongside the white Godello and Treixadura.

The Ribeira Sacra is divided into five sub-regions including Amandi, Chantada, Quiroga-Bibei, Ribeiras do Mino and Ribeiras do Sil.

According to critics, the best Ribeira wine is the Dominio do Bibei Tinto, a cherry red wine, which is full-bodied with a great length.

Arribes in Castilla y Leon only gained its DO title in 2007.

Along the banks of the Duero River, the region is known for its fruity reds using Rufete, Tempranil lo, Garnacha and Mencia grapes. However, they also produce great whites and roses using Malvasia, Verdejo and Albillo varieties.

One of the small est and most iso lated wine regions in Spain, there are just 20 bodegas in the area and count

Many young people have returned to Arribes to start wineries alongside expats, enamoured by the dramatic landscapes. Arribes best wine is El Hato y el Garabato’s ‘Sin Blanca’, produced using Juan Garcia grapes.

A powerful red, it has a powerful palate with hints of ripe fruit, spice and round tannins.

At just €20, this wine is accessible to even those on a strict budget.

Cebrero (also Castilla y Leon) is found in the Sierra de Gredos region, a pioneer in the ‘new wave’ of Spanish wine.

Awarded DO status just five years ago, it is particularly known for its old-vine Garacha reds.

With vineyards lying on mountain slopes, the granite-based soils and well established vines give Cebrero wine a marked mineral content.

Though known for its reds, Albillo Real is the main white grape variety, with a dense, well-structured wine that matures perfectly in the barrel.

Although little-known today, praise for Cebrero wines has

been found in written sources as early as the 14th century, beginning their modern renaissance in the 1970s.

Around 18 wineries produce under the Cebreros DO banner but the best is Telmo Rodriguez’s ‘Pegaso Arrebatacapas’, at €50 a bottle.

The ‘unique’ wine is aged in the barrel for 18 months in French oak, giving it a strong and smooth flavour.

Although many only know Tenerife for its winter sun, the island is home to many delicious wines, including the Valle de la Orotava variety.

Despite being one of the oldest grape regions on the island, dating back to the 15th century, the valley only received its DO status in 1995.

Overlooking the vineyards is the Pico del Teide volcano and the volcanic soils give the wine its vibrant acidity, mineral flavour and distinct smoky touch.

Though red wines are produced, the area is predominantly known for its sweet white wines such as Malmsey, which uses the Malvasia grape.

The Valle de la Orotava is also known for its unique vine training technique, el cordon trenzado wherein vines are plaited so that they can be easily moved to grow essential crops.

Only 30% of wines from the re gion are bottled and are main ly consumed within Tenerife, however, this will change as the region continues to grow.

According to winesearcher. com, the best Valle de la Oro tava wine is the Suertes del Marques 'Los Pasitos' Baboso Negro.

Just €29 a bottle, this 2015 vintage is described as ‘spicy and herby with fine bitter notes’.

Ribeira Sacra wine

CEBRERO

RIBEIRA SACRA

ARRIBES

VALLE DE LA OROTAVA

HEALTH

FOUR out of 10 adults and three out of 10 children in a sunshine Spanish region suffer from Vitamin D deficiency.

BENCHES designed to uplift mental health and promote environmental stewardship have been installed at Europa Point.

The ‘Seats of Hope’ project is a collaboration between local mental health charity GibSams, rewilding charity Whole Wild World and the Department for the Environment and Climate Change.

Featuring images of local flora and fauna, the benches were designed by Gibralatar artist Ireana Schwock.

It is hoped the new space will foster ‘positive mental health and well-being for residents and visitors alike’.

The project has been sponsored by MH Bland, which runs a range of tourism and port businesses in Gibraltar and beyond. However, more funding is needed and additional sponsors are encouraged to come forward and express their support.

Despite some of Spain's highest levels of sunshine hours, a widespread use of high factor blocks to stop skin cancer (but reduce Vitamin D absorption) and a sedentary lifestyle are behind the problem identified in Alicante.

A lack of vitamin D can lead to heart attacks and cancer, according to studies.

Dr. Mari Angeles Medina, president of the Valencian Society of Family and Community Medicine, said: “Having very low values of this nutrient is related to cardiovascular disease and with oncological pathology.

“Adequate sun exposure and a daily intake of healthy foods is recommended as low Vitamin

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 6 Monmouth, 8 A ton, 9 Again and again, 10 Dyes, 11 Turkeys, 14 Version, 16 Cede, 19 Psychiatrists, 21 Cots, 22 Irrigate.

Down: 1 Jogged, 2 Sumac, 3 Rhodium, 4 Hang, 5 Notify, 7 Maidens, 12 Keeping, 13 Solicit, 15 Easton, 17 Entity, 18 Story, 20 Cusp.

Avoiding the sun and sunblock leading to vitamin D deficiencies

Getting exposed

By Alex Trelinski

Seats of hope TRAGIC DEATH

A SPANISH gymnast has died aged just 17 within 24 hours of contracting meningitis.

D levels can cause colon, breast, or prostate cancer,” she added.

Dr. Medina says that 'we have to make the population aware of the situation

without alarm because it is a disorder of modern life'.

As for recommended levels of sun exposure, Dr. Medina make this recommendation:

“In adults, being in the sun for 10 or 15 minutes between 10am and 5pm is enough.

“Older people should be exposed for at least 30 or

40 minutes, but almost no one does that, because despite the fact that we have a lot of sun, we actually spend many hours inside homes, offices, and factories.

“We have to try to live outside, let the sun shine on us, without overdoing it,” she added.

Hair raising stat

A STUDY of 43 countries put 44.5% of males in Spain as bald, edging out Italy (44.3%) and France (44.2%).

Baldness causes are genetic and hormonal, as well as being caused by a diet lacking essential nutri ents, thyroid problems, iron deficiency, infections, stress, and anaemia.

The research by Medihair, indicates that Caucasian men are more genetically predisposed to experience male pattern hair loss.

Maria Herranz Gomez, was part of the national trampolining team, which competed in the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Birmingham last November. Maria was a student at the Escuela de Arte ‘Elena de la Cruz’ in Guadalajara. Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It is most common in babies, children, teens and young adults. It can cause life-threatening sepsis and may result in permanent brain and nerve damage. Symptoms include a high temperature, being sick, headaches, rashes, seizures, photosensitivity, stiff neck and drowsiness.

Incredible bulk

BRAWLING 127kg England rugby star Billy Vunipola was filmed laughing as nine police officers had to taser him twice in order to eject him from a Mallorca nightclub.

Stag cops

A THIEF thought he had gotten away with robbing a Barcelona restaurant, until a group of off-duty British police officers on a stag do took chase and tackled him 50 metres up the road.

Bad parking

A MAN has been fined €5,000 in Palma de Mallorca for using his relative’s disabled parking badge. He had been using it since the relative died in 2011.

A SPANISH nun has become a social media star after racking up 35,800 followers on TikTok alone.

The self-described ‘ YouTuber and nun’, Sor Marta has gained over 270,000 likes on the platform, where she

RACKING UP NUN-BERS!

Nun

becomes social media

discussing sex, tattoos

shares her experience and answers questions.

Unafraid of taboos, she broaches topics often unheard of in the Catholic religion, such as the gender pay gap in the church.

In the short video, Marta ex-

Big ham con

POLICE have busted a giant swindle involving ham sales which netted a company over €17 million in five years.

Six people have been arrested by the Policia Nacional in the Madrid region towns of Leganes and Sesena.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

plains that while priests are given a salary, sometimes of thousands of euros, decided by the bishop, nuns receive no money at all.

They all held positions in a meat-cutting firm where they stole the identity of a genuine company by using their seals and labelling on their products. The firm that owned the legal seal was totally unaware of the long-standing fraud, as the bogus-labelled ham - that had not passed stringent health checks - was sold to customers at home and abroad.

Any ‘salary’ they earn comes from working as teachers, managing religious museums and churches or selling cosmetics or sweets. They also have to manage their tax declarations as ‘freelance’ workers. According to

influencer

and piercings

latest figures, some 11,000 people part of religious orders declared tax in 2019.

“We have to do it so we have a retirement fund,” she said.

When not mounting small businesses or doing their tax returns, the nuns focus on prayer, contemplation and community work.

This has pushed religious orders into the 21st century, resorting to the digital realm to earn some cash whether through online shops, AirBnB or, in Sor Marta’s case, social media.

In other videos, Marta explores topics such as sex, tattoos, using phones in the nunnery, piercings, doing exercise as a nun and blasphemy.

‘Dragons are real!’

A VIDEO has gone viral on Nigerian Facebook claiming to show a ‘real life’ dragon. Filmed in Anambra, Eastern Nigeria, the video shows a ‘dragon’ laying on the ground while a man narrates his ‘find’ in Igbo, the local language.

The caption reads: “Real Life Dragon in Anambra State. I have never seen a dragon before. I used to think that dragons stories were just fairy tales. I never knew they existed in real life.”

No fairy tale

But it turns out that dragons really are just fairy tales. Africa Check, an independent fact-checking organisation, has confirmed the ‘dragon’ is actually a model made for a Spanish TV programme. It was made by Juan Villa Herrero who makes props for popular TV and film projects. He produced the dragon for the TV programme, Cuatro Milenio before online pranksters hijacked a clip.

MODEL: Was made for Spanish television