Olive Press Costa Blanca North and Valencia Issue 117

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Vol. 5 Issue 117 www.theolivepress.es October 19th - November 1st 2023

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What sanctions?

A RUSSIAN warmonger has held onto his multi-million euro villa despite being the subject of tough international sanctions, the Olive Press can reveal.

Alexey Chepa, an MP in Moscow’s State Duma, is still in possession of a huge estate - worth an estimated €15m - in Marbella.

He even has staff, including a full time Ukranian gardener, at the mansion in leafy Guadalmina Baja.

Spread across 10,725sqm, Chepa’s luxury home features a

Russian MP and pal of Putin still has access to multi-million Spanish villa thanks to legal loophole EXCLUSIVE

By Dilip Kuner &

By Laurence Dollimore

sports area with a full-size tennis court and a huge swimming pool.

There are several outhouses, in-

cluding one just for security, while the main villa consists of a living room, dining room, library, five bedrooms, games room and more.

The property is just 400 metres from the home of former Spanish leader Jose Aznar, and less to the ex-national football boss Vicente del Bosque.

Incredibly, the estate has not been embargoed SWEEPING: Russian oligarch’s €15 million villa in Guadalmina, Marbella even though Chepa (right) is a staunch supporter of warring president Vladimir Putin.

This is despite the MP, who represents five regions of Russia, being under sanctions in the EU, UK and America following his counAIGUES is the try’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. richest municipality in Alicante based Anti-Corruption on income tax returns.

The Tax Agency puts the International body, the Anti-Corgross average income at ruption Foundation has discov€46,093, with San Joan ered paperwork showing it is d'Alacant a distant seowned by his son Daniil Chepa, cond on €29,412. via an investment firm called Be- del Sol, run by a gardener origiEl Campello is third with tren Inversiones S.L. nally from Cherkasy, near Kyiv. €29,302, followed by The charity is now demanding Cherkasy has been a massive Mutxamel on €29,200, that the estate be seized, as well as target for Russian missiles since and Alicante City with all other assets linked to Chepa. the war began, with a huge strike €28,086.

Ironically the gardens are being causing massive damage just The rest of the top ten tended by local firm Jardineria weeks ago. The Olive Press has from income declared in contacted the gar2021 is made up by Jadener and Spain’s vea, Denia, Banyeres de Ministry for Foreign Mariola, Ibi, Altea, and Affairs for comment.

Teulada-Moraira.

RICH LIST

IT COULD BE MAGIC! LEGENDARY boyband Take That are coming to Spain.

The Back For Good singers will perform in four separate cities next summer as part of their 'This Life Under The Stars' tour.

They will perform in Bar-

celona on July 13, followed by the Starlite festival in Marbella on July 15, Sevilla (16) and Madrid (17).

The band is currently made up of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, with Robbie Williams unlikely to join.

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CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Tippers caught L’ALFAS del Pi council has started a blitz against fly-tippers with fines issued against four people and two companies- just two days into a major campaign.

Busy month LOCAL airports clocked up record September passenger numbers with Alicante-Elche having 1.56 million travellers and Valencia notching up just over 949,000 people.

Pet abuse A La Villavella man faces animal abuse and abandonment charges after using pliers to wrench several of his dog’s teeth out.

The dog - named Sultana - was found by a neighbour in the street who has adopted her.

Tapas time DENIA has an impressive 50 businesses taking part in the 22nd Tapas Route which starts today (Thursday) and runs until November 12, with a snack and drink costing just €4.

A MANHUNT is underway for a squatter drug dealer who allegedly shot one of his customers in the middle of a Valencia street.

Jose Abel, 41, received two shotgun wounds to the stomach when a drug deal in Cabanyal went awry at around 3am on Wednesday morning.

October 19th - November 1st 2023

SQUATTER SHOOTING

Police raced to the scene to find Jose lying on the ground in a pool of blood, before he pointed at a house on Calle Progresso, telling officers the shooter was inside.

A subsequent raid of the home - some seven hours later at 10am - found it was empty. An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, who at time of press remained at large.

What justice?

Irishman accused of concealing murder of compatriot Carl Carr dies before facing trial AN Irish fugitive wanted in connection with the brutal murder of Carl Carr has died suddenly before he could face justice.

Simon Fahy was accused of helping cover up the killing of his compatriot, who was beaten to death at an apartment in Torrevieja’s La Siesta urbanisation in Septem-

By Alex Trelinski

ber 2018.

In January 2019, Carr’s body was found buried in a shallow grave on the side of the AP-7 motorway, in nearby Rojales.

Fahy, 30, was one of six people wanted for the crime and a European Arrest Warrant

Briton raped TWO Algerian men have been arrested for allegedly raping a ‘young’ British tourist in Benidorm.

One of the detainees was wanted by the Policia Nacional in connection with a violent robbery two days earlier.

Both men - aged 39 and 44 - have been denied bail after appearing before a Villajoyosa court.

The woman was allegedly raped after the men offered to drive her home following a night out on August 25 and she fell asleep in the back of their car.

She woke up 15km away at a Villajoyosa property and fled, finding help from Policia Local officers.

COVER UP: Fahy (middle) was accused of concealing murder of Carr (left), over relationship with Leonard

was issued for his arrest, but Ireland refused to extradite him to Spain.

He taunted Spanish authorities on social media up until his death on October 6.

Wayne Walsh, 35, from Kilkenny, is accused of using a knuckle duster to beat his housemate Carr to death.

He is said to have flung into a fit of rage over a relationship Carr was having with his 'onoff' girlfriend, British model Mily Leonard.

Leonard along with bar manager Natalie Edwards, who Walsh was also said to be in a relationship with, both spent two months in custody in 2019 after being charged with

2023/2024

THINK

concealing a crime.

They were freed after posting bail that was reported at the time of being up to €20,000 each.

Walsh was granted bail in August 2020, but as previously reported by the Olive Press, he was back behind bars this year after being accused of running a Torrevieja-based drugs gang.

His gang is accused of using parcel companies to send hashish and other narcotics to the UK, Ireland, and the United States.

Walsh was one of four people arrested by the Guardia Civil after being detained at Madrid airport in January.

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Brit narco nabbed A BRITISH man has been arrested in Javea on suspicion of drug trafficking, money laundering and belonging to a criminal organisation.

The suspect, 35, has been linked to the importation of large quantities of narcotics into the UK, based on investigations into encrypted messaging systems that he was allegedly using.

The Guardia Civil were investigating the man in partnership with their British counterparts.

The National Crime Agency in the UK passed information to Spain about his possible whereabouts, allowing the Guardia to locate him in Alicante province.

After weeks of ‘intense and discrete’ operations, the authorities were able to locate and arrest the suspect.

SNARED: In his bedroom

NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

WON CARLOS

SPAIN'S former monarch, Juan Carlos, has won a bid to throw out a £126 million London lawsuit brought by his ex-lover.

The 85-year-old ex-king was being sued

by Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, (right) who alleged Juan Carlos orchestrated a campaign of threats, surveillance and intimidation against her from 2012 after she refused to return millions of euros to him.

Incidents such as gunshots damag-

ing security cameras at her property were raised in her allegations, pointing to the former king's displeasure at her refusal to get back together with him.

Judge Rowena Collins Rice ruled in the former monarch’s favour, saying that Ms Sayn-Wittgenstein's lawsuit did not contain reasonable grounds for bringing the claim.

October 19th - November 1st 2023

3

Ogrein-law

Dropped the ball The Beckhams almost split while living in Spain after David’s alleged affair, documentary reveals VICTORIA and David Beckham have admitted that their time living in Spain was the ‘unhappiest stage’ of their marriage.

Victoria, AKA Posh Spice, 49, lived in the capital between 2003 and 2007, when her football star husband, now 48, was playing for Real Madrid.

But in the couple's new Netflix documentary series, Beck-

By Laurence Dollimore

ham, the pop star-turnedfashion designer revealed it was the most testing time for their relationship.

It was during this period that David had his alleged infamous affair with his personal assistant Rebecca Loos (left), which he always denied.

Victoria, who shares four children with David, never mentioned Loos by name in the series but said: “It was the hardest period for us. Because it felt like the world was against us.

“Here's the thing, we were against each other, if I'm being completely honest.

Up until Madrid, sometimes it felt like us against everybody else. But we were together, we were connected, we had each other.

“But when we were in Spain, it didn't really feel like we had each other either. And that's sad. I

POP STAR Shakira has still got plenty to say some 18 months after splitting from her former footballing boyfriend, Gerard Pique, but this time his dad is the target.

The Colombian star, now living in Florida, has blamed her father-in-law Joan Pique for all her tax problems as she gets ready for a fraud trial.

She says Joan ran many of his son's companies in which Shakira also had an involvement.

Journalist Siliva Taules says that the relationship between the two got so bad that she nicknamed Joan as 'the ogre' and used that name in front of her children Milan and Sasha.

Gerard Pique has opted to stay silent over the attacks against his father.

BATTLING: Victoria and David were ‘against each other’ in Madrid can't even begin to tell you how hard it was. And how it affected me.

“The press said all the time that I hated Spain or hated Madrid, but it wasn't because of Spain as we had to think about family.”

David added: “I don't know how we got through it, in all

FINAL BELL

FORMER world champ martial artist and boxer Xavi Moya has been killed in a horror motorbike accident in his native Barcelona.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the 55-year-old’s death. No other vehicles were involved.

Moya was a world renowned boxer and martial artist, becoming one of the few fighters to win World Champion titles in three different events.

He won a TWBA boxing title, and was nine times world champion in Full Contact, as well as winning the Kung Fu world title once and numerous European titles in martial arts.

honestly. Victoria is everything to me, to see her hurt was incredibly difficult, but we're fighters and at that time we needed to fight for each other, we needed to fight for our family.”

He added: “There were some days that I would wake up and think, ‘How am I going to go to work?… I felt physically sick every day when I opened my eyes.”

In an interview with Sky News in 2004, Loos claimed she had slept with David at least four times, saying: “I would always say to myself ‘don’t risk your job’ and I knew there was a huge risk involved if I got involved with this man...

That night we just really hit it off. It was the first time, we were just locked into each other all night conversation-wise. We just connected. People noticed it.”

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Squatter hell SOME 40 squatters have been hoofed out of a Costa Blanca hotel after taking over dozens of rooms and refusing to leave.

The owner of the old Rocinante Hotel in Calpe was facing financial ruin after the mostly Colombian ‘okupas’ stormed the building more than two months ago.

He was hoping to carry out works on the hotel, which had been closed since the Covid pandemic struck in 2020.

But the squatters put a spanner in the works when they took over almost every single room, meaning he was unable to obtain a municipal licence for the refurb.

Faced with a desperate situation, the businessman called in an Alicante firm which is dedicated to kicking out squatters within 48 hours.

Some 40 employees from Servi-squatters swooped the hotel to ‘encourage’ the groups to leave, which they eventually did.

RATS and cockroaches are crawling on the faces of elderly residents at care homes in Alicante, it has been claimed.

The shocking allegation is one of many facing three nursing homes, as campaigners demand urgent inspections from the Valencia government.

The allegations stem from an investigation by ReCoVa, which represents families and users of residential homes across the region.

The facilities under fire are the Domus VI Aljub and Altabix centres in Elche and Savia Villamartin, in Orihuela.

October 19th - November 1st 2023

Nursing home horror ReCoVa claimed that a 'lack of staff and care, poor food and human rights violations' were noted at the homes.

They are calling on Valencian authorities to inspect and sanction the 'chaos' of the residences.

Savia Villamartin has had rat and cockroach infestations in some areas, due to a 'lack of hygiene' with residents being bitten and waking up with cockroaches on their faces.

Another claim is that people are not being given the right medication or appropriate food to eat, with over half of its workers on leave with the remainder unable to cope'.

The staff shortages mean that residents are not getting minimum care standards.

“We cannot tolerate that residents do not have basic hygiene: changing nappies, cutting nails, shaving, hygiene and feeding,” explained a ReCoVa spokesman.

Four day hopes

By Alex Trelinski

VALENCIA’S four-day working week experiment has brought positive results, including well-being and health benefits.

The two-month Spring trial also

Valencia could introduce shorter working week after a ‘very promising’ trial this spring led to an overall cut in pollution due to fewer work journeys.

But not everyone was a winner as retail sales were reduced by

NEW NOMAD HAVEN

PLANS for an up-market digital nomad camping and mobile home site is seeking official approval to move forward.

The eco-friendly park in l’Alfas del Pi would be built just a few metres from Albir beach.

Set to accommodate up to 64 people, developer AG Valores wants to use empty land close to the Albir Playa hotel.

The project, called ‘Slow Life Albir’, will cost €892,000.

It would be an ideal space for ‘freelancers,

entrepreneurs, digital nomads and anyone looking for a balance between work, leisure, holidays, sustainability, well-being and lifestyle’,” insists a spokesman for the developer.

The area would be split into two, offering a ‘slow experience’, with activities like selfcare and well-being featuring yoga, meditation, workshops and a gym.

Then there’s ‘slow rest’, which revolves around accommodation, with ‘bioclimatic’ cabins which are ‘integrated into nature’.

20% and residents increased their tobacco and alcohol consumption by having one extra leisure day per week.

Valencia City Council commissioned the study of 2,100 people who were quizzed about the initiative that affected around 360,000 people in total.

These workers all saw their working week cut to 32 hours in April and May in a bid to increase productivity.

Experts in health, the environment and economics also took part in the study.

One of the big positives of the reduced hours was that employees reported a lower stress level and spent more time on healthy activities - almost 40% reported doing more physical

exercise.

Some 46% spent more time reading, 28% went to the cinema, 42% studied more and 40% went sightseeing or travelling.

Diets also improved with more time to eat home-cooked food – 35% have reduced their intake of pre-cooked food – and about 73% spent more time with friends.

Children

In addition, more than half of those surveyed (57%) confirmed they spent more time with their children. Drinkers and smokers increased their intake by 25%, while there was extra pressure on emergency care services.

Hope for homeowners

A FRENCH politician has called for Brits who have owned second homes in France since before Brexit to be granted ‘special status’.

The proposal could become part of a new immigration bill in France, leading to pressure on Spain to do the same.

Around one million Britons are currently unable to enjoy their second homes in Spain as often as they would like.

Senator Martine Berthet, of Savoie, said: "British citizens who own second homes actively contribute to the local economy, I want to highlight the difficulties they face when coming to France."

She pointed out that they are subject to the 90-day limit or must undergo annual visa formalities, which involves a lengthy and complex process.

Jabbing campaign DOUBLE vaccinations against flu and Covid-19 have begun across the Valencian Community, with age categories extended at both ends of the scale.

Children aged six years and under will be able to get a flu shot, while the age of seniors has been lowered from 65 to 60 years to get a double dose.

Other priority groups will continue to be people living in nursing homes, health personnel and pregnant women.

www.theolivepress.es

Cat killer

NEWS

October 19th - November 1st 2023

Been a while, crocodile EUROPE’s last ever crocodile has been discovered by paleontologists, near Granada.

Experts at the site, in Baza, found the 4.5-million-year-old fossil among mammoths and small vertebrates.

Martinez Navarro, the paleontologist leading the excavation, said: “It is a species from Africa that reached the Iberian Peninsula just before the Mediterranean dried up during the Messinian Salinity Crisis, just over six million years ago”.

British-run charity seeks justice for thug who murdered a kitten on its grounds A COSTA Blanca animal charity has launched a private prosecution against a man who stole three cats from their shelter before killing a fourth.

As reported by the Olive Press last month, a 28-year-old Spaniard was arrested after the Guardia received a complaint from Marina Alta’s Society for the Care of Animals in Need (SCAN).

The group claims he raided their shelter in El Verger three times in July - with graphic footage recorded on security cameras of him even killing a kitten.

The man has been charged with robbery and animal cruelty and faces trial at Denia Court.

A public prosecution has now been joined by a separate private prosecution by SCAN. “We are still in shock at the harshness of the images and we do not understand how such barbarity can be done to defenceless animals,” said President, Barry Caulfield.

“We owe it to the three missing cats and the kitten that was killed in our own facility.”

Solicitors specialising in animal rights and abuse cases have now been hired by the charity.

Eloi Sarrio, manager of the Aboganimal law firm said: “The images

Terror alert

EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

speak for themselves and those responsible must pay for the consequences.

“We will work tirelessly to get a conviction, not only to protect animals but society.”

SCAN has expressed its thanks for all the support it has received since the

5

MINDLESS: Cat murderer on CCTV

attacks and has appealed to anybody who has any further information to contact them.

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SPAIN has ramped up security at the Israeli embassy in Madrid after the unprecedented attacks carried out by Hamas.

The order came for increased vigilance on the very morning that the assault began, and included all areas where Jewish communities congregate across the country.

Countries across the EU are on high alert after former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal called for Muslims to ‘take to the streets’ in a 'day of Jihad', as part of a global protest against Israel.

Robert Greenway, director of the Center for National Defense at the Heritage Foundation, said this was ‘an unambiguous global call to arms’ and predicted that ‘there will be blood’.

According to a reports, the security forces will be on an even higher alert in Spain after Mashal’s comments.

PROPALESTINE PROTEST A SOCIALIST-run town hall has taken down the EU flag over the European Commission’s support of Israeli revenge attacks against Hamas in Gaza.

The mayor of Potries, Sergi Vidal, says the gesture is ‘not much’ but ‘a lot at the same time’.

The council is run by the far-left regional Compromis party with Vidal believing that the European Commission is giving too much support to Israel’s reprisals while forgetting to ‘protect the Palestinian people’.

“We know that we are not going to change much in a town of 1,000 people but it is important that there are institutions that speak with another voice,” said Vidal, 27, who became one of the youngest mayors in the La Safor region in May.

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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat 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 Sanctions must bite WHEN Russian tanks rolled across the border into Ukraine the international community was swift to react with a slew of sanctions.

These were placed against Russian state interests, including banks, as well as the infamous oligarchs who made billions from their corrupt collusion with President Putin.

As multi-million euro yachts were seized and billions in assets were frozen a warning was sent to these oligarchs by the likes of Boris Johnson and Pedro Sanchez that they could not escape sanctions.

But those ‘promises’ are sounding hollower and hollower by the day.

It is proving all too easy for the oligarchs - who mostly support the war against Ukraine - to evade sanctions and continue to live a billionaire lifestyle on money stolen from the Russian people.

As Putin lackey Alexa Chepa has found, it is simply a matter of having no property in his own name.

In Chepa’s case, his palatial €15m villa in Marbella is technically owned by his son Daniil through an investment company, so the entire family can continue to enjoy the ill gotten gains of Chepa senior, and his wealth is protected.

He is by no means the only oligarch who has hidden his assets - but the Olive Press asks quite simply ‘why are they allowed to get away with it?

In Spain alone, billions of Euros worth of property are thought to be still in the possession of shady ‘businessmen’ from Russia.

Surely it can not be beyond the wit of the authorities to tighten the screw on these men who are hiding behind wives, children and girlfriends in a desperate bid to escape sanctions.

The international community - and in Spain the Spanish government - should and must ensure dodgy assets are seized.

And any cash raised should be sent to aid Ukraine.

BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS Anti-tourism campaigns are surging in Spain as new Sevilla political party becomes the latest to demand controls on holiday rentals

S

PAIN is increasingly finding itself in a catch-22 situation when it comes to tourism.

Its economy heavily relies on the industry, which is expected to bring in a staggering €172 billion this year, and which - for at least six months of the year - creates millions of jobs.

However it often comes at a price for locals who happen to live in the most popular areas for holiday makers - including Mallorca, Valencia and the Costa del Sol. A surge in Airbnb apartments is creating a scarcity of long term rental and buying options for residents, in turn causing prices of both to increase dramatically.

Meanwhile, more and more tourists are visiting, creating what campaigners have branded an ‘excessive model’ which brings too much noise and rubbish pollution and often crime, such as fighting and increasing numbers of sex offences.

Is it any wonder a wave of anti-tourism movements and protests have been pop-

By Laurence Dollimore

ping up across the country.

The most recent involved a man arrested for targeting foreign plated cars with graffiti and puncturing their tyres along the Golden Mile in Marbella. The high-end cars, including Mercedes and Porsches, were left with zig zapped pink graffiti along their wings.

Meanwhile, in Barcelona, dozens of walls were daubed with the message: ‘Go home, tourists!’. And in Mallorca, locals erected fake signs in English and German declaring beaches and other landmarks were closed, with a small print in Mallorquin revealing they were in fact open.

The ruse was an attempt to keep the beauty spots, mostly small beaches and coves, free from foreign visitors, who they blame for rising property prices and other local woes.

Now, joining their chorus are the locals in Sevilla, which has become the latest destina-

VANDALISM: Foreign plated cars have been targetted

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

FAKE: Signs to keep tourists away and one not so subtle

tion to launch an anti-tourism campaign amid skyrocketing rents and creeping inflation.

Fed-up Sevillanos gathered in the streets last month, to demand more controls for the industry, which they claim is ‘devouring’ the historic capital of Andalucia.

The new ‘Sevilla is dying’ campaign (Sevilla se muere)’ claims tourists are causing too much pollution while sparking a surge in Airbnb properties that only serve to make long-term rentals less available.

This, in turn, forces locals to move further away from the city centre due to increasing rents.

The city is now the second most visited in Spain, after Barcelona, thanks to its celebrated landmarks such as the Real Alcazar palace, the cathedral, La Giralda and its iconic Plaza de Espana.

Some three million tourists visited the city last year and the numbers will be even higher this year.

And with a population of around 688,000, that equals about five tourists per inhabi-

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SPEAKING SPANGLISH N OBODY likes a false friend.

They’re a thorn in our relationships, and a downright disaster when it comes to language learning.

Of course, in linguistic terms a ‘false friend’ is any word that sounds familiar to us but means another thing entirely.

Like when you try to say you’re ‘embarrassed’ in Spanish and end up admitting you’re pregnant (embarazada).

Or when you stop a supermarket attendant to ask which bread contains ‘preservatives’ but end up suggesting the Spanish like to eat condoms (preservativos).

Luckily there are hundreds of English words almost entirely stolen from Spanish.

Here are 30 English words you didn’t know were actually Spanish in origin and may help you out in a pincho.

(Wrong. A pincho is a type of tapas dish.)

English words you didn’t know were stolen from Spanish

^ AFICIONADO – From the Spanish mean-

ing connoisseur or fan of a subject. ^ ALLIGATOR – From the Spanish el lagarto or ‘the lizard’, which English-speaking settlers picked up from earlier Spanish explorers in Florida. ^ ANCHOVY – From the Spanish anchoa, itself probably from the Basque anchuva meaning ‘dry’. ^ ARMADILLO – From the Spanish meaning ‘little armoured one’. ^ BARBEQUE – From the Spanish barbacoa, itself from the Arawak (native Caribbean). ^ BREEZE – From the Spanish brisa. ^ CANNIBAL – From Christopher Columbus’ expeditions where native Carib people called themselves Caniba. He thought they meant they were Asian people of ‘Khan’ while the word later become corrupted to mean ‘savage’. ^ CHILLI – Another Nahuatl word in Spanish usually rendered as chile. ^ CIGAR – From the Spanish cigarro, from which also comes ‘cigarette’ or cigarillo in Spanish. ^ COCKROACH – From the Spanish cucaracha.

^ EMBARGO – From the

Spanish verb embargar, of the same meaning in English. ^ FLOTILLA – Another war-related term from the Spanish meaning ‘a little fleet of ships’ and from the Spanish verb flotar, or ‘to float’. ^ GUERILLA – From the Spanish word guerra, or ‘war’, and meaning ‘little war’ and then ‘independent fighter’. ^ LASSO – A cowboy termed picked up in the New World, from the Spanish lazo or ‘knot’. ^ MACHO – From the Spanish, meaning masculine. ^ MARMALADE – From the Galician-Portuguese marmelada, itself from marmelo or 'quince'. ^ MOSQUITO – From the Spanish mosca – which means ‘fly’ – and meaning ‘little fly’. ^ PATIO – From the Spanish, meaning ‘an inner court open to the sky’. ^ POTATO – From the Spanish patata, itself from the Carib of Haiti’s batata. ^ QUIXOTIC – Meaning ‘absurdly romantic’ or ‘striving for an unattainable ideal’ after the half-mad Don Quijote.

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17th 2023

MALLORCA is the top European A BRITISH expatdestination for Brits this summer. has been slapped with on a According £20,000 to hotel From By searches Yzabelle BostynA PERUVIAN expat has called in EXCLUSIVE (€23,000) hospital betwee website Expedia until August it lawyers over claims he was beatn the posts thousa

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Latin the UK. Family business owner we retired Britwith wasa ruptured bladder. lothario Helen Winslade, faced and Iglesias with with marketing a whopping the alarming alleged attack, Di- day,” explained his friend, who is Tenerife, Barcelona Julio experience. Former 55, who as Malaga, also a builder. lives in Almeria, also he from the NHS, despiteInbill hits made top80 ten.

GFSB and Together Vice Chairman of visit- theBritish ego herArmando Torres, insists he was The victim claims he was then taking home in early was Mallorca is describedcitizenship. in the Lone- punched and kicked by six Guardia en to the Guardia Civil barracks in Preferred Post: Gibraltar candidate.

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Manilva where he was grilled on Port COST ing surgery, losinglylife agnosed expat 12with a rare Even A BLAN a the more shocking, he claims he what he was doing in Spain. partMediterranean'. of of bowel cancer FREEformtied her small intestine.of CA SUR and a plastic bag was “I was very scared and just wanted asVol. 4 up The procedure GIST tumours. knownwas Issuehead JOELLE LADILSAUS / went well, According 100 nearly put over his to call someone,” he said. “Evenwww.tsuffocat-MUR but CIA amazingly, Lawyer. “I will continue to her brother, heolive ing him. within Karl Winslade, tually they agreed but as I left my to embrace values I hold dear “I actually feared for my life, par-press.e phone the car I couldn’t remems in in all my relationOctober not expecting to Helen was ships: integrity, trust when one officer told me ber any numbers 5th -apart stay in ticularly from my the and sincerity,” October UK for an extended Preferred Post: ‘you’re going to die’,” he told the brother’s, who lives in Norway, 18th 2023 period Health and care and their ‘small Olive Press this week. and they refused to call a foreign YOUSSEF pension’ could not fund EL HANA The ac- incident happened when he number.” commodation, Helen’s and Studied Biomedical a friend were heading home to It was then that a couple of the offood Science and with travel costs.

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See page LIFE at ficers started slapping him in the ters in Cancer Biology and MSc MasSAVED: But at in Karl launched a a hefty International Relations.

9 Diego, 37, who arrived Spaincost to to face him to ‘shut up’.

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“The worst ones were, I estimate, orgy individual rights. says he is ‘eternally See full sial football Preferred host an in an “But when I dared ask a policemangrateful’ Post: while del Sol Hospital, where he understory See page 5 “An officer also stepped on my onin theirTransport 30s and 40s, twoChange, Climate for any contribution. ales to women. ais nestled p4 why they were doing it, he replied; head, causing * O f f e r me injuries and younger agents, probably in their went emergency surgery on a ‘rupare g home l urbanis v a l i d young sonAGENCY o r ‘do you also want to get hit?’ n e Tropica bruises. They kicked and punched 20s, did not do anything and actu- tured bladder’. ngESTATE Thef stunnin YOUR REAL FOR CALPE, c u s t Spanish o m e e Costa w ousted “Diego was put in a car and that me in the stomach until I passed ally tried to comfort me.”

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cher Plan zur Ein Deutsch-Französis dazu führen, Reform der EU könnte Königreich als dass das Vereinigte wieder aufge"EU-light"-Mitglied nommen wird. Änderung würde Im Rahmen dieser "assoziierte MitGroßbritannien eine Union erhalten gliedschaft" in derreibungslosen Zuund wieder einen bekommen. gang zum Binnenmarktdas Vereinigte Im Gegenzug müsste VerpflichtunKönigreich bestimmte darunter die Zahgen akzeptieren, und die lung in den EU-Haushaltauch nach Rückkehr zur Freizügigkeit Großbritannien. könnte Eine solche Entwicklung ungeliebten Visadas Ende der für Briten und beschränkungen sitzer in Spanien Zweitwohnungsbe bedeuten. bekannt, als der Das Vorhaben wurde Keir StarSie wurde am 13. von einer Gruppe Although in our first exclusivementhauses architects have Labour-Partei Vorsitzende mit Präsident 1.30 Uhr nachts laut serialisation of a brilliant newStraße.

Skifahrerin mer bei einem Treffen resurrected derelict NotStudentin und begeisentdeckt und warStun- Anne war eine hervorragende sich während ih- Macron in dieser Woche die Ringebu in junger Leute book on Spain, Paul RichardsonDie beliebte 2022 verliebte sie bereits rund zehn Skifahrerin aus buildings die Beziehungen s in Spanien, recalls his regular August battlesterteNähe von Lillehammer wurde Gutachten zur wendigkeit betonte, eingeflogen worden. in Mad- res Auslandssemester Königreich Oslo tot. der ErstiAusbildung in den Vereinigten die dem See page 13 Botschaft sie eine against heat and fires und wies die Frau, Die norwegische in Fu- während Trainerin an der norwe- zwischen tot aufgefunden September 6th 2023 Das bedeutet, dassAugust FREE Vol. 5 Issue 113 www.theolivepress.es Tod -dort Frankreich zu stärken. ihrem24th BezieSee page 20 rid und die Seemannskirche unter- PersonalPrivatschule Active Educa- und Málaga lebte, nach Vision von engeren sein muss. haben die Familie gischen Fuengirola Starmerszu Europa dürfte bei den Parabgelegt worden in Spanien engirola ein hungen tion im nahe gelegenen im nächsten Jahr Während ihr Namebekannt gege- stützt.

Tod in ihrem absolvierte. der hat lamentswahlen sein. bezeichnete noch nicht offiziell er von den Be- Unterdessen eine Welle der Trauer potenzieller Wahlsieger Manager Ola Furseth Heimatdorf ben wurde, wurde bestätigt. "sehr traurig" und Umfragen zufolge hat die britische die Nachricht als seien ausgelöst.

Brexit entschiehörden in Norwegen der örtlichen Schule, fügte hinzu, seine Gedanken Autopsie steht Öffentlichkeit dem gekehrt: Eine klare Die endgültige der toxikologische Der Direktor erklärte gegen- "bei den Angehörigen". den den Rücken einen Havard Gangsas, noch aus, bevor spanische Polizei Mehrheit (56 %) hält ihn für dafür sehr mit der Todesursache Er hoffe, dass die 32 % Klärung über VG: "Wir fühlen Bericht die genaue ein sehr tragisches mit Hilfe von Kripos zur könne. Fehler, während nur noch A BRITISH paraplegic has had a Familie. Dies ist EXCLUSIVE klären kann. sind alle sehr der Todesursache beitragen Mordkommissind. ‘miracle’ baby with the local SpanEreignis, und wir

By Laurence Dollimore Die Ermittler der Überwachungsvi- Der von Deutschland und Frankreich aus, dass sie Die Polizei soll ish beauty who nursed him back to befragt traurig".

Bericht wird auf Zeugen sion gehen davon und gegebene gewaltsaeines health. deos gefunden zur fraglichen Zeit in Auftrag Gipfel der Eurowahrscheinlich Aktiv sich ist, es wird dem bevorstehenden Gemeinschaft Expat Aaron Salter, 30, was para- worse and developed sores, leaving ist haben, die men Todes gestorben dass Jugendzentrum eine in der Gegend aufhielten. Autopsie- päischen Politischen lysed from the waist down following him practically bed-ridden for nine Königausgeschlossen, örtliche Miguel Das friend jedoch auf den Thenicht happyeiner couple welcomed their wasfür auch das Vereinigte Monat "allergischen ab 18 Uhr a horror car crash in Plymouth in months.

Sie wartet noch Abendand vorerst - zu der heutedriving sie aufgrund ver- into daughter, eine also Substanz" named Estrella, they want- ung geund möchte sich gehört - im kommenden reich 2015, breaking his spine in multiple It was then that local stunner Estrel-Reaktion Gedenkveranstalt Tagesgutachten auf der spezielle Todesursache oben auf la Garrido, now 36, began managing the world almost exactly a year ago. ed to imprison him for in Granada ganz places. nicht zur genauen öffnet. starb.

The entirewurde local village heldSeia street two years, but Aaron war Anne in stehen. einer He immediately froze his sperm, his care. lokalen Berichten Leiche week toincelebrate the tot's Lautinsisted wurde angeb- ordnunghatten sowohl die Tories als theySkiclub didn’tRingebu- äußern. im hoping that one day he would meet “I had always known of her and sheIhreparty last Leiche der Frau Bislang der Benyamina-Allee Jugend ihre Brexitihrerand first birthday. he wasund given a sus-unter an- Die ohne Ausweispapiere aufgenahm the woman of his dreams and be was amazing with liaising with thetenstraße auch die Labour-Partei zum Strand hinaktiv lich dieLes Fåvang town hall and other authorities on mygefunden, Granddad told the Olive Press: pended sentence.” ihre Handtasche Positionen vor den Parlamentswah2018 teil. able to start a family. funden, obwohl an derisNM-Staffel “I was amazed to hear Estrella Aaron für wasderem Sportgymnasium auf der Straße neben ihr gefunden len nur vorsichtig vertreten.

Einheit After 18 months in hospital, he was behalf,” Aaron told the Olive Press. unterführt. das currently besuchte norwegische pregnant, I was so proud ofhat him, itSie locked in a years-long arbeitete in einem worden sein soll. able to return to Spain and stayed “She started caring for me and our Die t, Kripos, und page 11 Gausdal battle See has made me feel touched. against unterstützt in legalFeinkostladen. with his father Les Salter, 72, in the feelings for each other just grew and Schwerkriminalitä had his life in front of him the insurance compadie“HeErmittlungen aus andlokalen Tagen quaint village of Salinas in Valencia. grew, and here we are.” letzten in den from the und weist were setting him up with our ny, with a decision on However he took a turn for the He added: “The support Morken Matheatown has been so kennels business and that was all a multi-million euro TRAGISCH: Anne overwhelming, taken away in an instant. To know payout expected immithere’s been so he has a lovely lady that loves and nently. much love shown cares for him, and now a family, He added: “Aaron’s that’s lovely for me.” been through the ringto me.

“I never knew if Les and an eight-year-old Aaron had er. I think the next step I was going to be moved to Spain in 2001 following will be marriage but rating Aaron is waiting to see Celeb a dad but I froze the death of his wife to cancer. my sperm just in He set up a kennels business in Sax, the outcome of the court 2023 near Salinas, and began transport- case. case. ber 19th through “We did IVF ing dogs from Spain to the UK for “He had to -go Septem yearsber of 6th treatment and treatment at a adoption.

NOW: Aaron happy with family .es Septem deliverspecialists and the payclinic in Alican- Aaron and two others were epress birthday when out has been compiled heoliv te, it was much ing pups on his 22nd www.t they all asleep while driving the by our lawyers into a valuation of of his life, including a £7,000 wheel427fell cheaper than Issue Vol.it17 company van through Plymouth, around £7.8 million. chair and prosthetic legs which are the UK and FREE the veering off a motorway and colliding “We’re not looking to make money, costly.” worked pull-out inside specialAaron after the we just want to make sure that Aarfirst time thank with a tree.

Wth ourTHEN: Opinion Page 6 horror 13smash His father explained: “His best on can afford treatment for the rest god!”

Skandinavische Familie und Einheimische fordern dringende EXKLUSIV jungen Frau, die & Die Leiche einer Von Dilip Kuner in TorreAntworten an einem Zebrastreifen COSTA BLANCA Laurence Dollimore wurde, wurde molinos abgelegt identiim Fall der in als 21-jährige Ausländerin auf, bestätigte die Torremolinos fiziert. stammende ckungsanzeichen Polizei. aus Norwegen einem Jahr nach spanische über ihre To"erstickten" SUMMERDie Frau, die erst vorwar, lag tot in der Ihre Familie, die jetzt wurde, for- Your gezogen informiert Norwegerin eines Apart- desursache LOVING Spanien expat der dert Antworten.

Nähe des Eingangs Discover how September gegen in Playamar auf

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GIBRALTA

Vol. 8 Issue 208

A DISPLAY by on October 12.

On the one hand, the Red Arrows Menorca has been over the slogan ‘Keep the GSLP/Liberal coalition has cancelled at the last minute after went for ‘Make theGibraltar Safe’ while the GSD change for a Bright While the GSLP/Liberals allegedly blocked Spanish authorities Future’. the team from perare allied to the bour and Liberal forming in Gibraltar.

UK Labeen allied to the Democrat parties, the GSD has The tit-for-tat decision,

by UK Defence They have rung Conservatives since 2004.

Secretary Grant the changes in slates, with the GSLP/Liberals their respective RAF crews were Shapps, came as the bringing in five new faces and the GSD planes were beinggearing up and the bringing in six of their own. way in Sant Lluís. fuelled on the runThe Spanish government objected to a planned had earlier performance over Gibraltar, CHRISTIAN SANTOS provocation’ as labelling it an ‘act of it would entail Hawk jets entering RAF Created the successful Spanish airspace.

Gibraltar It obviously caused Academy of Music and Ministry of Defence, outrage at the Mayor of Gibraltarthe Performing Arts. in London, given the team were obviously Preferred post: from 2021 to 2023.

Health and care due to perform later in Spanish airspace over the Balearics.

GEMMA ARIAS-VASQUE MoD sources told Z authorities were the UK media the to the Rock Former president of the needing to need to Gibralexpat tarEverything the Gibraltar show.being ‘dicks’ about fuel in Federation you of Small Businesses order to reach a take on more election, took the (GFSB). Led know They revealed that more threat the about...

Spain had actual- emergency airport, such as distant requested the Ministry seriously and campaign locally. successful Remain ly threatened to Jerez or cancel of Defence to Lawyer. ban inbound civilian Sevilla. the show.

Preferred Post: flights to Gibraltar In turn, this would Equality and Youth, Culture have hit airlines The spat prompted Shapps as their designatedfrom using Malaga with increased to during the airshow diversion airport ducing flights costs, potentially re- the decision to cancel last week’s make NIGEL FEETHAM in Menorca. show to Gibraltar The decision wouldif it went ahead. and6 hurting Vol. Issue 160 www.theolivepress.es July 14th - July 27th 2023 FREE See inside The Red Arrows have seen flights the peninsula’s economy.

Top insurance and have managed to Gibraltar officials, perlawyer. Advised the financial services facing an upcoming form in Gibraltar just twice government at no in the last 30 years, the last expense to the taxpayer. time in 2009.

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REAL REPORTING

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HE Olive Press continues to be the ONLY expat paper filled with original reporting.

We don’t just run council press releases or charity appeals, or merely translate news from our Spanish edition.

This issue alone is packed with exclusive content that can only be achieved thanks to our LIFE CUT SHORT WOLVES team of fully-qualified journalists.

OLIVE San Pedro Be it the homeless Alcantara PRESS woman in need of help, an update on a FAR RIGHT pension fraud, or dig- BOLTHOLE ging into a mystery death, it needs skillful handling of the authorities and the subjects involved.

This involves picking up the phone, taking a drive and, above all, knocking on Tel: doors and 952 147 834 952 147 834 asking the awkward questions that most other SKY LOU NGE freesheets fail to do.

Take our revealing of the movements of dangerous British racist Tommy Robinson… that involved a number of days and well over 1,000 kms of driving.

Then there was the social media post doing the rounds last month about a Spanish man who stole a cat in broad daylight. Only the Olive Press managed to track down the owner and investigate the whole story, securing exclusive video footage along the way.

It made the lead on our crime page last issue, which also featured two other exclusives.

CRIME One was about a new IS R PA R FO PRAY witness in one of the many rape allegations facing Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner - a case New witness in Maddie case the Olive Press has long been on top of.

The other was an exclusive angle on a devastating fire at an expat bar in Calahonda - which, after speaking to the owner, we revealed was confirmed as an arson attack.

It’s called real reporting and we work tirelessly to find our own stories and to go beyond the headlines of what you may have already read elsewhere.

Quite frankly, no one does it better!

Body of expat Anne found ‘asphyxiated’ in Torremolinos

Friends or foes?

Special report page 6

tant, meaning the city often feels swamped with visitors.

In a bid to battle the ‘oversaturation’ of the city, a new political party has been formed, called SevillanosORG. A video shared on Twitter a fortnight ago showed the city centre filled with tourists wheeling their suitcases, even in late September.

“This is the 25th of September… completely invaded by tourists. We must act now or we will end up like Venice,” announced the clip.

“In the next elections don’t vote for political traitors, vote for SevillanosORG, who want to save Sevilla!”

Despite promising to cut back the granting of tourist accommodation, the current conservative city council, led by Partido Popular’s Jose Luis Sanz, approved 16 licences for tourist apartment complexes in July alone.

Yet, during his election campaign, he had

vowed not to allow ‘even one more tourist apartment’ in the city. Typical politician.

David Lopez, a representative for Sevilla Se muere, claims the city is being ‘devoured’ by ‘uncontrolled’ tourism.

He told the Olive Press tourists are ‘invading’ public spaces and making them ‘unlivable’ for locals, who now feel like mere ‘extras’.

Local Veronica Conde added she is tired of having to live with the noise and garbage of tourists who treat her community ‘like a hotel that the locals pay for’.

Sevilla’s city council stressed the need to ‘work on tourist coexistence’ and confront ‘the problem of tourism phobia that we are beginning to have.’

However locals rejected that term, claiming they do not reject tourism, only its current ‘excessive form’ which they say ‘violates the fundamental rights of citizens, saturates our public services and degrades our spaces, coexistence, and historical, natural and cultural heritage.’

But it seems the government has little desire to rein in an industry that brings so much to the economy.

For property owners, for example, it is far more lucrative to turn your flat or home into a short-term holiday rental than to rent it out long term.

ORIGINS: Quixotic, rodeo, tornado, coxkroach and marmalade are rooted in Spanish

– From the Spanish renegado, originally meaning a Christian who converted to Islam. ^ RODEO – From the Spanish verb rodear or ‘to go round’ and picked up by cowboys in the New World. ^ SAVVY – West Indies slang from the Spanish sabe usted? (‘do you know?’). ^ STAMPEDE – From the Spanish word estampida. ^ SUAVE – From the Spanish word for 'soft', and meaning in English 'charming' or 'confident' of a man. ^ RENEGADE

^ TOBACCO – From the Spanish word

tabaco, itself from the Taino (native Caribbean) language in the New World. ^ TOMATO – From the Spanish tomate, itself from the Nahuatl tomatl. ^ TORNADO – From the Spanish tronada, from the Spanish verb tronar, meaning ‘to thunder’. ^ VIGILANTE – From the Spanish meaning a ‘watchman’, itself from the Spanish verb vigilar meaning ‘to keep watch over’.

The

See page 2

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And focus on

Your expat

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FREE Vol. 17 Issue 428 www.theolive

press.es September 20th - October

3rd 2023

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REVEALED: Tommy Robinson’s luxury €1.6m where he filmed far-right villa billionaire boss of Jaeger podcasts is owned by and Austin Reed

AN investigation is underway into how Tommy Robinson accessed a stunning costa villa British billionaire to owned by a film his extreme far-right podcasts, the Olive Press can reveal.

EXCLUSIVE former president Donald

By Walter Finch & Trump was forced to disBy Laurence Dollimore tance himself from her.

Other controversial figures are former €5,000-a-month property of fash- leader Guramit Sikh EDL ion tycoon Philip Day Singh Kaseries of US and Britishto promote a lirai, rapper Young Spray extremists. and bare knuckle fighter Videos filmed at Danny Christie. the €1.6 mil- The MANSION: Owned by impresario hate-filled podcasts lion villa show contain Philip Day (inset) used for far-right podcasts many homophoRobinson - real bic, (right) misogynistic and anti-Islamic name Stephen statements, that he has any links with him.

Yaxley-Lennon the Prophet including referring to When contacted hiding out in the area Mohammed as a ‘paeby the Olive ing after break- chatting with dophile’ Press, a spokesman said Day was UK a High Court injunction in the a string of white In one, and ‘rapist’. ‘shocked’ and ‘furious’ for Robinson supports that one of his filmairing defamatory claims in nationalist lead- rious Silenced. misogynist Andrew noto- his properties was being used by ers and racists.

Tate, Robinson.

The controversial currently facing documentary They include trafficking and charges of human “[The management could rape in Romania. company] will after land him behind bars again Gavin McInnes, The take immediate he previously villa in L’Albir, on the the founder of Blanca, Costa that Robinson action if they find for assault, mortgagehad stretches boasts six bedrooms still has fraud, travelany access ling white and at all,” he said. nation- seven bathrooms, on false documents and cona swimming “They’re alist group ‘the pool tempt of court. very and a state-of-the-art EXTREME PALS: Robinson Proud security this and verygrateful you’ve raised Several British (right) and McInnes Boys’, system. keen to ensure it’s expats said they which helped have dealt with firmly and won't happen cent seen Robinson around in relead the again.” weeks and he is still believed Tycoon shocking to be staying in the area But Neil Bennett of Maitland PR thanks to 2021 as- According to public data from the later explained he had been ‘mis- an Irish passport. sault on Spanish land registry, It is thought that a informed’ and network of A m e r i - ty is owned by EWM the proper- the situation’. Day ‘is unaware of sympathisers and direct online doINVESTCO ca’s Capi- LIMITED, linked to nations have been supporting “[Day] has no his tol build- Day, 56, through British tycoon the company, control or say over lifestyle. which is managed by his ownership ing. of The Edinburgh Woollen Mill a professional team and owns mul- He posts frequent social media He also Group. photos of his workouts tiple properties,” he added. and was h o s t e d The impresario - who owns a string But when later pressed, he finally even recently pictured posing L a u r a of high street names for selfies with a young Compare funerals ional including admitted Day’s management com- Benidorm’s fan on L Internat Peacocks, o o m & pany Jaeger and Austin takes the allegations notorious party strip.

All UK ‘very er, an - denies any involvement Reed seriously’ and the team Plans cover the TV systems in the tigating are ‘invesa v o w e d podcasts. the matter.’ whole of Spain I s l a m o - There is no suggestion Trump Day, who is believed CCTV - Sound phobe so port-born businessman, the Stock- tween Switzerland to reside be- He also tucked Interest free payment & Vision into an ice cream plans estimated to and Dubai, is from €2,250 or as e x t r e m e be worth €1.3 billion, little had any knowl- known to own a number of proper- in L'Albir with Loomer, who was Internet as €29.16 per month that even edge of Robinson using 4G tipped ties & and to join Trump’s businesses in the villa, nor Fiber Optic team until background campaign Curiously, L’Albir is L'Albir.

Plans range from the same Alchecks resimple unattended icante resort where vealed she had branded herself a direct cremation to a Hitler-loving neo-Nazi 'proud Islamophobe'.

952 763 840 more traditional send off Kris ‘Charlie Big Pota- Over 40 members of the Proud Boys comparefuneral.org toes’ Kearney lived be- have been charged for their role in 635 400 099 fore being extradited the insurrection to overturn the US +34 951 120 752 back to the UK to be elections on January 6, 2021, with See pages 9, 22 & 32 Tomorrows Funeral info@theskydoctor.com imprisoned on terror- four receiving jail sentences so far, one as long as 18 years. at Today’s Price ism charges last year. www.theskydoctor.com Robinson, infamous for his anti-immigrant Have you met Yaxley or Kearney?

What do you think views, has also been of them? Email newsdesk@theolivepress.es

The former leader of the far right English Defence League (EDL) has been using the

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2 Not to mention the legal nightmares that can come with tenants who refuse to pay for months on end, or even worse, squatters.

Elsa Ferrer and her brother own three properties in Sevilla and Marbella telling the Olive Press they simply cannot afford to rent them out long term.

“When we rent long term it’s always given us loads of problems as the law always protects the tenant without any protections for the landlord,” explained Ferrer, a journalist and teacher, who lives in Marbella.

“Once they sign they can stay for up to five years which was never a problem, but a new law this year says that you cannot raise their rent by more than 2% each year.

“This is ridiculous when interest rates are soaring and causing a big rise in mortgages.

“In fact, it is costing us more than €1,000 extra per month and we simply can’t cover the costs.”

While she insisted she does ‘really understand’ both sides of the argument she feels there are not enough incentives for homeowners to rent out long term.

It is why many are only letting out to students, who leave after a year, or teachers, who leave before the summer.

“It is much more convenient to hand over the properties to a management company and rent them out as tourist accommodation,” continued Ferrer.

“There’s also a big feeling of hostility against landlords, as if I’m some evil billionaire which is ridiculous.

“I’ve sacrificed so much to be able to invest in property. I’ve been saving since my early 20s, missed out on holidays for years and decided against sending my kids to private school so that I could save and invest.

“I really understand both sides but I simply can‘t cover the costs, it’s impossible.

“The government, both in Madrid and in Andalucia, needs to work out ways to make it worthwhile to rent out long term.

Until they do we have no other choice.”

October 4th - October 17th

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Out to pasture NINE wild horses were in found shot to death Galicia. If caught, the culprit could be charged under Spain’s new animal cruelty laws.

is on €3,000 reward as hunt British for catnapper who stole expat’s pet Sphynx E

away from the property.

The footage him shows removing the feline’s collar

tracker and THIS is the brazen moment before placBy Laurence Dollimore a cat a man allegedly stole ing it on the had a cruur’s from his owner’s doorstep, the sunglasses and his leg, was n e i g h b oleavsparking outrage among wall and cifix tattoo on the home expat community. with heading towards and moth- ing the area.47, CCTV footage shared Louise, a of British expat Franklin.

Killer date Olive the Louise the Olive Press shows told a limp er-of-two later, he is seen “We tattooed man with Press: Moments Ovejero, JULIAN his way down a holding Louise’s six-year- are absolutemaking around Pardubbed the ‘Grindr devastatstreet in Marbella, at old Sphynx cat, named pace ly at killer’, who stabbed 12.30pm. ed, my kids white is, while walking a man he met on The man, who donned adored Parthe app to death has is, she was to been sentenced adored by us 20 years in jail. all.

“I knew she had been stoScandi noir because len ‘others’ I found her DISTRAUGHT: he evidence comes after climb POLICE hope an autopA NEW witness claims on louise with Paidentified seeing a man tracker sy will solve the mysterisaw Maddie McCann suspect up to attack Hazel Behan, 20, the wall next ris and (right) ous death of Norwegian Christian Brueckner running suspect door. expat in 2004. she Anne Mathea Morken, from a rape of a young have Behan, now 40, believes her “I to 21, who was discovered days in Portugal.

Al- was followed home been searching for 12 any asphyxiated in TorreThe hotel worker on theGer- apartment, which had a balwith barely straight the saw he molinos last month. claims onto’. have garve in cony ‘easy to climb blondesleep and the police man fleeing the apartment “I’m sure it was, nothing so far.” found dawn. at spoke a who Portimao him haired Brueckner,with a GerLouise is now offeringsafe Knife party He was able to identify English €3,000 reward for the Brueckner to me in ed Olthe told blonde-hair she as mask man accent,” return of Paris.

A BOOZY British toursold as he had taken off his re- ive Press this week.

Sphynx cats are being or ism company has been forward came “He Portuguese flee.

“If to €1,000, a She added: online for up to banned from a town for kitcently with his evidence,” its cops had put a ‘call’ out even more if they are in Catalonia after source told the Olive info at the time, this witness German ’ very tens. three day ‘weekender Press. “His testimony is might have come forward party descended into seen credible.” ar- then.”

Anyone who may have knife fights, with four The employee had been contact when Paris is urged to arrests - one for atss.es riving early for work His See Countdown, page 6 newsdesk@theolivepre tempted murder. he allegedly spotted him.

EXCLUSIV

2023

‘Concrete proof’ of expat bar arson

EXCLUSIVE

exTHE owner of a popular an arpat bar destroyed in it son attack has described horror like a ‘scene from a

movie’. told Zoltan Eisenberger, 49,Irish the Olive Press how his Calapub, the Harp Bar, in ruins honda, had been left in after the 5am attack. g Police are now investigatin handed after the Hungarian of who over ‘concrete proof’ undertook the attack. and “Someone set it on fire Zolwe have evidence,” said bar the tan, who has owned for 10 years. the at“The person behind knew tack wasn’t stupid and exactly what he was doing. comThe beer garden is the pletely destroyed and bar is gutted, like something movie.” out of a horror was a He added: “Maybe it or a jealous business rival ex-employee, disgruntled who knows.” footage It comes after video the showed flames engulfing in firesite as locals called fighters. his Zoltan ran the bar with before Irish partner Bernie she passed away.

omic concept at Discover a new gastron restaurant right in the Candela Marbella, a old town. heart of the charming

and national dishes Enjoy traditional local touches and with unique international chef Andy Zillner flavours thanks to head arbella.com tel: 646 88 84 31 candelam 29601 Marbella, Málaga Pl. Gral. Chinchilla, 2,

day And what about a dream on out with a gourmet lunch yacht?

Candela’s stunning new

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: t menus, “A choice of four distinc fun a one vegan, perfect for - or romantic - day out on the high seas!”

star Jasmine Harman mo1- A Place investhetoSun Spain’s Costa del Sol - Shocking moment suspected body of missing 2carriages Alvaro Prieto, 18, is seen trapped between of moving train during live TV report Squatters take over almost 40 rooms at a 3-single hotel on Spain’s Costa Blanca in nightmare for owner found IS of missing Alvaro Prieto as 4-itBody emerges footballer, 18, was kicked off train by security at Sevilla station - Prieto mystery continues as Renfe says 5service train where body was found had not been in for WEEKS and was stationary at the time he vanished

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for more info

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October 19th - November 1st 2023

BOILING HOT RECORD

Tree ring analysis reveals Spain had hottest summer for 700 years SPAIN experienced its hottest summer in 700 years in 2022, according to analysis of tree rings from north-east Spain.

The data was collated by experts from the National Research Council after the Spanish summer featured record high temperatures due to hot air mass coming from North Africa.

The scientists say policy changes are needed to mitigate problems caused by global warming.

Looking at weather figures stretching back 130 years, scientists found that the average sea surface temperature was 3.3C warmer than average.

On land, the 2022 summer was 2.1C hotter than average.

Researcher Ernesto Tejedor

Fart power SPANISH oil giant Cepsa is planning to establish up to 15 biomethane plants in Spain by 2030, enough to generate four terawatts per hour.

The plants will harness agricultural and livestock waste to produce biomethane, designed to replace natural gas in Cepsa’s industrial operations.

The impact of this shift is significant, as it promises to recycle a staggering 10 million tonnes of waste annually while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 728,000 tons each year.

The first five of these groundbreaking plants are slated to come online between 2025 and 2026.

By Alex Trelinski

said: “In the last 20 years, heat waves and drought episodes in Spain are becoming more frequent, but 2022 was an exceptional summer in this regard, breaking temperature records.

“The main factor was the arrival on the Iberian Peninsula of extremely warm air masses from Africa which were more frequent and persistent than

usual,” he added.

Using the tree ring analysis, the scientists said it was ‘highly probable’ that last year was the RECORD: Summer was blisteringly hot hottest summer since 1322 down the impacts of climate and the driest in the last 279 change, especially in cities years. where heat islands affect the The country’s drought was most vulnerable populations, also dramatically exacerbated is fundamental,” said Tejedor. by hot temperatures, which “We suggest measures like sucked more moisture from creating climate shelters and the land through evaporative improving resilience and addemand. aptation of climate change,” “Establishing a plan to cut he concluded.

DOCK OFF

BARCELONA has banned all cruise ships from docking at the city’s most central port from October 22 in a bid to reduce emissions in the city centre.

It means passengers will not be able to disembark at the northern Muelle Barcelona docks next to the World Trade Centre - just a short walk away to major attractions.

They instead will have to use the southern port at Moll Adossat pier, which is already used by major operators like Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises.

Tourists arriving at Moll Adossat will have to use a shuttle bus to get to the city, which takes about 30 minutes to Las Ramblas compared to the 10 minutes it takes by foot from the Muelle docks.

Across Europe the increase in temperature last month was 2.5C higher than the long term average

‘GOBSMACKING’ DATA SHOCKS SCIENTISTS

N

OT a scientific phrase normally associated with the white coat brigade, but ‘gobsmacking’ sums up perfectly in layman’s terms the world’s global warming problems.

Last month saw the highest recorded temperatures for September across the globe.

Not a marginal increase but a huge jump. On-

going emissions of warming gases through burning fossil fuels and the impact of El Niño saw September’s temperature rise by 0.93C. And it doesn’t stop there. Across Europe the increase in temperature last month was 2.5C higher than the long term average. In many parts of Spain records were smashed.

2023 is set to be the hottest year on record.

Climate scientists are genuinely worried…it’s hard to ignore the facts.

We continue to witness disasters around the world caused by global warming. Horrific flooding in Libya has been attributed to climate change. Antarctic ice is at an all time low.

Australians are bracing themselves with fears of intense wildfires as summer approaches.

POPE FRANCIS JOINS IN

DISARTER: Warming is killing off wildlife

God bless the Pope.

The Catholic Church, under Pope Francis, has put its support behind the call for action in tackling global warming.

Green

Matters

By Martin Tye

POPE: Right is on his side

This month he warned that: “God’s increasingly warming creation is fast approaching a point of no return.”

He’s right. I hope his shaming of the world’s leaders can bring about concrete action in the fight we are currently losing to curb emissions.

If the Pope himself cannot wake up political leaders in the run up to COP28 in Dubai in November then who can?

There is still no clear pathway as to how we are going to achieve the holy grail – net zero.

Martin Tye is the owner of Mariposa Energía, a green energy company specialising in solar panel installations.

Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es or call +34 638 145 664

SOLAR PANELS GENERATE YOUR OWN ELECTRICITY Save Money • Save The Planet • Add Value To Your Home

+34 951 120 830 | gogreen@mariposaenergia.es | www.mariposaenergia.es

LA CULTURA ALL ABOUT High art THE BASS

9

October 19th - November 1st 2023

RESIDENTS of one Fuengirola neighbourhood have been marvelling at the handiwork of a local ‘graffiti-loving troublemaker’.

Alejandro Bermejo del Río, better known as Not Japi, was asked by the town hall to paint the side of an entire building in El Boquetillo neighbourhood after they saw his previous murals on social media.

The contents of Not Japi’s mural - the Sohail Castle, a turtle, and the underwater world - are all a homage to the town where he was born.

Alejandro began his journey in graffiti at the age of 10 and gradually evolved and adapted his work into other formats.

Legendary American jazz musician Ron Carter strums in Cartagena AMERICAN bass legend Ron Carter will be one of the headline acts of this November’s Cartagena Jazz Festival.

Ron Carter’s visit last year had to be cancelled after the musician suffered a fall.

He’s regarded as one of the most prolific bass players in the genre, and worked with Miles Davis by being part of his legendary 60s jazz quintet that also featured Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, and Wayne

STATE broadcaster RTVE has received 825 submissions to become Spain’s Eurovision Song Contest entry next year, All of the entries have also been submitted with the names of the artists who will perform them, with 23 of them having been written at a special ‘song camp’ organised by RTVE which gathered both national and international composers.

A jury now has the task of listening to the songs and cutting them down

By Alex Trelinski

Shorter.

It will be one of the last live performances for the 86-year-old who will be accompanied by his prestigious quartet, Foursight, at the city’s Neuvo Teatro Circo on November 10.

The three-times Grammy award winner has appeared on 2,221 recording sessions- making him the

Eurovision quest to a shortlist of 16 that will take part in January’s Benidorm Fest.

The lucky entrants will be unveiled on November 11 in Sevilla which is hosting the Latin Grammy Awards.

This year’s flamenco-style entry from Paloma Blanca didn’t go down well with viewers and finished in 17th place in Liverpool.

most recorded jazz-bassist in history.

He’s also a top class cellist who has recorded many times on that instrument, which was the first one that he learned to play at school at the age of 10 before switching to the bass.

Carter has been honoured by countries around the world including France and Japan, and taught as an emeritus professor for 20 years at the music department of the City College of New York.

The Cartagena Jazz Festival in Murcia is one of Spain’s oldest and other names slated in for November include Morgan, Steve Coleman, Nubya Garcia, Josemi Carmona accompa-

CAMDEN CONNECTION: Legend Carter will be joined by Nubya Garcia nied by Javier Colina and Bandolero, and the jazz fusion ensemble Patax.

Other artists, including Nuria Graham, Pol Batlle, and Santero Los Muchachos, will also be performing at the festival.

Composer and saxophonist Nubya Garcia, one of the shining stars of contemporary English jazz, will open the festival on November 3.

Despite being only 32 years old, she’s often compared to greats like Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, who influenced her as an artist growing up in Camden Town.

SANDALS SURVIVE THE oldest pair of shoes in Europe found in a Spanish cave may be much older than first thought, according to scientists.

Experts used carbon-dating techniques on 76 objects from the Cueva de los Murcielagos, at Albuñol, Granada which were dug out by miners in the 19th century.

About 20 pairs of the sandals are at least 6,200 years old — and possibly older — while other woven objects in the cave are dated back 9,500 years, according to a new study by scientists.

The shoes were 20.5 centimetres long and were well-preserved as where with the rest of the finds, helped by the low humidity levels of the area.

The oldest footwear in the world dates back approximately 10,000 years and was discovered in Fort Rock, Oregon, back in 1938.

FOOTWEAR: Are at least 6,200 years old

952 147 834 * Vo l u n t a r y i n s u r a n c e c o v e r. S u b j e c t t o c o m p a n y u n d e r w r i t i n g c o n d i t i o n s . * D a t a e x t r a c t e d f r o m p r o c e s s c l o s u r e s u r v e y s a f t e r u s i n g o u r R o a d s i d e A s s i s t a n c e a n d b r e a k d o w n s e r v i c e s .

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LA CULTURA

October 19th - November 1st 2023

TIME TOParty Five festivals coming up that you can’t miss

a mock coup d’etat. Half of the town becomes enfarinat, the floured, a rebel group who take control and establish absurd laws, fining anyone who dares to break them.

But don’t worry, all the money goes to charity.

Rebels donned with devil horns take control through the ‘flour war’, a huge food fight that leaves the town covered in a layer of white. Then, rebels swap flour for firecrackers in the second battle of the day. Once the rebels are defeated, you will find locals dancing around town, ending up at a party at the Municipal Sports Hall. Enemies become friends as they dance together in traditional clothing.

The festival is over 200 years old and is believed to be inspired by King Herod’s ‘Massacre of Innocents’ where all baby boys near Bethlehem were killed to protect the king’s throne from Jesus. The day is now recognised as ‘The Feast of Holy Innocents’, but the festival could also be linked to the Spanish version of ‘April Fool’s Day’ which takes place on the same day.

Flour Fight

FLOUR FIGHT, ALICANTE (ELS ENFARINATS) On December 28, Ibi, a small town in Alicante, is taken over by ridiculous, flour-wielding rebels in

SANTIAGO TAPAS FESTIVAL (SANTIAGO(É)TAPAS), GALICIA Take a different kind of pilgrimage this October to taste the best of Spanish tapas.

Between October 16 and November 12, thousands will flock to Santiago

de Compostela to vote for the city’s best tapas.

Over 40 restaurants will be taking part in the competition, where punters can vote for their favourite dishes from the traditional, creative and cocktail categories. One for bargain hunters, each dish will cost just €2-3 each.

A new kind of ‘camino’, there are special routes throughout the city. If you manage to eat your way through all of Santiago’s culinary delights you’ll be in with the chance to win a prize, so come with an empty stomach.

Last year over 24,000 plates of tapas were served alongside 27,000 cocktails. But in the end, the winners included brown chicken in wonton ravioli, pulled pork tacos and roast chicken bao buns.

MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL, ALICANTE Step back in time and discover what Elche, Alicante, was like in the Middle Ages with this immersive festival taking place between October 2629.

The only festival in Spain named a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the festival will see the city’s history come alive. People in medieval dress will wander the streets amongst aerial acrobats, musicians and theatre performers. You can

Medieval Festival also catch shows in the impressive Basilica de Santa Maria, Gran Teatre d’Elx and Iglesia de San Jose.

A family friendly festival, there will be games for the kids and a market to explore. At night, expect pyrotechnic performers and fireworks to send off the weekend with a bang.

In 2022, over 100,000 people visited the festival and this year it’s expected to be even bigger, with the festivities dedicated to women in the medieval arts.

According to organiser Marga Anton, the festival will bring to light many female writers and performers whose work was stolen by men or hidden by male pseudonyms.

INTERNATIONAL KITE FUERTEVENTURA

FESTIVAL,

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

OP SUDOKU

Santiago Tapas Festival

F

ROM flour fights to kite competitions, there’s something for everyone to look forward to this Autumn.

Although many Spanish festivals take place in the warmer months, there’s still plenty of bizarre traditions to experience as the year draws to a close with offerings for foodies, history buffs and culture lovers alike.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

Across 7 Jostle (5) 9 Singular (7) 10 Correspondence (7) 11 Unctuous (5) 12 We rave about carpet-maker, perhaps (6) 14 Oddball (6) 17 Hate (6) 19 Burst of speed (6) 21 Distance of water exposed to the wind (5) 23 Snow vehicle (7) 24 Best (7) 25 Lustre (5) Down 1 Recently hitched (5-3) 2 Theoretical (8) 3 Chafes (4) 4 Wagga Wagga woman or Manly man (6) 5 Mountain lion (4) 6 Drama (4) 8 “--- the bee sucks, there suck I” (Shakespeare, “The Tempest”) (5) 13 “Poppycock!” (3) 14 Is no more (3) 15 Red Irene sorted out Christmas Dancer, for example (8) 16 Sociable (8) 18 Plot (6) 20 Layers (5) 21 Sell off (4) 22 Small children (4) 23 Unspecified in number (4)

All solutions are on page 12

LA CULTURA

October 19th - November 1st 2023

11

International Kite Festival,

Between November 6-12, the blue skies of the Corralejo Dunes will be filled by colourful kites in every shape and size as the International Kite Festival gets underway.

After three days of practice, the festival will truly begin on November 10, when the kites take to the skies. In the following days, there will be acrobatic kite performances and fighting. A bizarre spectacle, ‘kite fighting’ is where participants attempt to cut each other’s strings by colliding and tangling their kites.

If you feel inspired, you can also attend kite making workshops and there will be a bouncy castle to keep the kids entertained. In the evenings, the ‘Wind Festival’ will get underway, with performances

from brass bands and Coldplay tributes.

Last year, over 40,000 people attended the festival, spotting their favourite cartoon characters, animals and flowers over the sand dunes. Over 200 kites took to the skies representing 15 different countries and this year, the 36th of the festival is expected to draw even more punters.

MIGRATION FESTIVAL, MADRID (FIESTA DE TRANSHUMANCIA) Every year - this weekend - from October 20-22, the streets of Madrid are taken over by sheep in this festival celebrating farming, conservation and biodiversity.

The festival started in 1994 to

encourage authorities to pass the ‘Livestock Routes’ law, recognising the city’s roads as public property. Today, the festival is a unique part of Madrid’s cultural heritage and has gained new meaning in the wake of climate change as an act of conservation.

The migration will begin on October 20, when the herd is welcomed to Madrid, passing through Pozuelo, Casa de Campo and Puerta del Zarzón. This is a great opportunity for adults to enjoy a walk through the parks surrounding Madrid whilst guiding the sheep on their journey.

The next day, children over seven become shepherds for the day as the sheep rest at Casa de Campo.

On Sunday, sheep will fill the cen-

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tre of Madrid in the festival’s main event. Line the streets to Plaza de Cibeles to see this woolly spectacle and if you’re lucky, you might see the shepherd’s pay the mayor a tariff of 50 gold coins, a tradition dating back to 1418.

A FESTIVE FALL Whichever festival you decide to visit, there’s no doubt you’ll discover Spain’s rich gastronomic, artistic and social history. But if you can’t make it to any festivals, there’s still plenty of ways to engage in Spain’s autumnal traditions. Snack on some roasted chestnuts, go wild mushroom foraging or enjoy churros con chocolate to settle into the colder months.

Migration Festival

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October 19th November 1st 2023

CARREFOUR has agreed to buy 47 stores under the SuperCor name from El Corte Ingles.

The shops are primarily located in Andalucia, Madrid, Catalunya, and the Valencian Community.

The deal is said to be worth €60 million and will see the SuperCor brand change to names like Carrefour Market, Carrefour Express and Supeco.

The rebrand is aimed at extending recognition of the Carrefour name with its own-branded products.

Subject to regulatory oversight, the transfer should be concluded by spring of next year.

GOING DIGITAL

The digital euro may be a reality sooner than we think as Spanish banks lead the way in testing phase

SPANISH banks have been putting the concept of a ‘digital euro’ through its paces, and the results suggest it could become a reality sooner than anticipated.

These extensive tests covered a range of scenarios, including face-to-face transactions and online payments.

The goal was to explore the technical, operational, and business implications of introducing a digital euro to

Spain alongside existing payment methods.

The implementation of the electronic currency is hoping to piggy-back on the already-existing infrastructure of Bizum, Iberpay, and Redsys.

One advantage of this ap-

MOBILE FILLERS SPAIN’S Digital Transformation Ministry is seeking to improve 5G mobile phone coverage in areas where its is restricted or non-existent.

A €544 million fund is available for municipalities of less than 10,000 people to upgrade their coverage.

Proposals need to be in by October 31, with funding coming from the European Union.

The Ministry says the money will be used to ‘avoid a territorial gap’ with handouts going to ‘smaller urban areas’.

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Elbow, 9 Unusual, 10 Letters, 11 Soapy, 12 Weaver, 14 Weirdo, 17 Detest, 19 Sprint, 21 Fetch, 23 Skiddoo, 24 Optimum, 25 Sheen.

Down: 1 Newly-wed, 2 Abstract, 3 Rubs, 4 Aussie, 5 Puma, 6 Play, 8 Where, 13 Rot, 14 Was, 15 Reindeer, 16 Outgoing, 18 Scheme, 20 Plies, 21 Flog, 22 Tots, 23 Some.

proach would be the smooth integration of the digital money into existing systems, providing consumers and businesses with a familiar, fast, and secure user experience.

The European Central Bank, has long sought to interconnect faster payment services across Europe and is expected to wrap up its research into the implementation of a digital euro later this month.

Money

It differs from traditional money in that it would be a purely electronic form of the currency and will not be represented by physical banknotes or coins.

Some conspiracy theorists believe that the digital euro is part of a wider, orchestrated program of state control.

They contend that the government could program it to limit purchases, coerce citizens, or introduce a social credit system.

However, the European Central Bank has stated that the digital euro would not be programmable money.

BATTERY GRANT AN ALICANTE-BASED electric battery recycling company has been picked-out as a 'strategic' firm which has earned it a cash grant from the Valencian government.

Tera Batteries Recycling is setting up a pilot project to disassemble and then recycle electric car batteries.

It will also be opening up its first centre to repair electric batteries in November.

Target

“These facilities are fully equipped and will be the first to reach our target market including car workshop networks and insurance companies, which we will launch before the end of the year," said Tera CEO David Santiago.

The company was specially created to deal with maintaining and conserving electric batteries.

It's estimated that by 2030, 147,000 batteries will need to be repaired or recycled in Spain.

CHARGING AHEAD: Tera CEO David Santiago

GOOD NEWS AND BAD THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Spain’s gross domestic product (GDP) will grow this year and next at a faster rate than many other advanced economies.

But its World Economic Outlook report admits that its forecast for Spain’s 2024 GDP has been downgraded to 1.7% rather than the previous estimate of 2%.

Rise

In the document, however, the IMF states that it is not altering its Spain forecast for this year, and that GDP will rise by 2.4%.

This would mean that the country’s economy will outperform those of other developed nations.

The Washington-based organisation of 190 countries – which works to secure financial stability and facilitate international trade, among other functions – has also reduced its growth forecasts for India and Russia.

HEALTH PEACE OF MIND La Fe top Little biters I October 19th November 1st 2023

THE EMERGENCY department at Valencia's La Fe Hospital has been voted as the best in Spain for the second year running in the 'Best Spanish Hospitals Awards'.

The jury used various indicators including triage systems and average waiting times as well as length of treatment before giving La Fe the top honour again in the public and high-tech hospital section.

The 'Best Spanish Hospital Awards' are about acknowledging top health management as a way to encourage improvements at hospitals across the country.

Share

La Fe Hospital Emergency department head, Javier Millan, said he wanted to thank and share the award with the entire ER team which is made up of 400 people.

He went further by dedicating the honour to all health emergency service professionals who described as 'fundamental pillars of our health system'.

Hospital manager, Jose Luis Poveda, said the Emergency department treats over 700 patients a day and that the award reflects its objectives of high quality patient care and safety.

13

Dear Jennifer:

It has never been more important to have health insurance

Alert as bed bugs multiply across Spain A PLAGUE of bedbugs is moving into Spain after infesting thousands of homes, hotels and businesses in Paris.

The tiny insects, which feed on human and animal blood, have multiplied in recent years across Europe due to increased tourism, climate change and insecticide resistance.

According to data from pest control company Anticimex, reports of bedbugs in Spain have increased by 71% between January and September 2023 compared to the same period last year.

The most affected areas include cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, as well as inland regions of Catalunya, Aragon, the Valencian Community and YUCK!: Bed bugs are spreading fast the Balearic Islands. infested objects, such as suitMalaga's Civil Hospital suf- cases, clothes or furniture. fered a bed bug plague in The situation is so bad in August, which generated a parts of France that the govhealth alert and a complaint ernment has announced a €4 from the UGT union. million action plan.

Bed bugs are mainly spread It includes measures such as by transporting people and the creation of a free green number to advise citizens, the development of a national protocol for disinfection, the reinforcement of health controls and the training of professionals in the sector.

A FEMALE student is lucky to be alive after eating To prevent the spread of bed a home-made marijuana brownie, which made her bugs, it is recommended to believe she was being kidnapped - leading her to leap follow some basic guidelines, from a third-floor window. such as checking luggage and The woman is said to be out of danger after several clothes when returning from days in Malaga’s regional hospital's ICU following a foreign trip, washing fabrics the incident. with hot water or even freezInquiries have ruled out her friends from directly ing them if they are suspected causing her fall, with authorities concluding that the to be contaminated. young woman suffered a hallucination after eating a Mattresses and bed sheets small piece of the drug-laden brownie. should be inspected for stains The concoction included three grams of marijuana or insects, and a professional and had been baked by a student group who followed pest control expert should be a YouTube instructional video. contacted if an infestation is detected.

BROWNIE TRANCE

APPRECIATE everything has changed due to Brexit, but it is now far more important to have health insurance.

And when finding the right policy, you need to make sure there is an English speaker who can help you understand exactly what you are purchasing and how to use it.

We can provide ASSSA health policies, which are accepted for your Residencia, TIE and both Non Lucrative and Digital Nomad visa applications as they provide the legal certification required for the process.

My consultants will be able to guide you to the correct policy necessary for your visa process.

It is vital you follow the guidelines for using the policy, especially in regards to emergencies and hospitalisation. Indeed, you may find yourself with a hefty bill to pay if you do not follow the correct procedures.

If you decide to use the Spanish National Health Service you will be required to provide a SIP card, EHIC or payment before treatment.

The Spanish health system is stretched and this means waiting lists. ASSSA provides hospitals, clinics, specialists and doctors, many of whom speak several languages to make your health decisions easier and faster.

Obviously, if you are in acute pain, you do need to discover what is causing it and within the state system this can take many months to resolve. Private health care offers the opportunity to speed up the process. ASSSA also provides emergency cover and their own ambulances, which will take you to a hospital related to ASSSA, a list of which you can find in your ASSSA book.

My company has an ASSSA administrator to help answer your questions, process your authorisation requests and liaise with ASSSA on your behalf if you so wish.

Yes, there are many cheaper options that you could consider. Do not be tempted by the price, you will not get what you need or expect. All private health insurance in Spain is limited in certain areas, so be sure to understand these limitations before purchasing.

Unlike health insurance in the UK you will be pleasantly surprised at the prices here in Spain. The difference is the Spanish government encourages the use of private health care, therefore the prices and the taxes are far lower than you may think.

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Olive Press Alicante– 170mm x 256mm – Colour

October 19th

14

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

GLORIOUS UBEDA

October 19th - November 1st 2023

Autumn is the perfect time to visit the Renaissance gem of unknown Ubeda and experience its medieval charm

STUNNING: Views from Ubeda reach to the moutains of Cazorla and take in millions of olive trees

O

NE of the delights of Spain is visiting its unspoilt interior where historic buildings are often set in a landscape virtually unchanged for centuries.

While the coastal regions of Andalucia and Valencia are well known and the famous cities of Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada too, a trip inland to the unfashionable province of Jaen is well worth the effort.

Here you will find Ubeda, known for its medieval charm and well-preserved Renaissance architecture.

The city’s historical monuments are its main attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich past and cultural heritage and the views from the escarpment on which it stands give an excellent clue to its past wealth.

The town is literally surrounded by gently rolling hills dotted by neat rows of olive trees - millions of them - as far

as the eye can see. Indeed the bearers of ‘green gold’ stretch as far as the mountains of the Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park – where the Guadalquivir River that cuts Andalucía in two has its source – to the south and east.

With olive oil prices soaring through the roof it’s likely the wealthy old days are about to make a return! Particularly as Jaen has two of Spain’s top DOs (denominacion de origin) for extra virgin olive oil.

Glance the other way and you can catch a glimpse of Ubeda’s smaller (although some would say prettier) twin town of Baeza just eight kilometres away.

The two were listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and both are worth a visit, although Baeza is definitely the smaller weaker sister.

Although Ubeda dates back to the Islamic occupation, being founded in the ninth century, it was one of the first southern cities that was reconquered.

The Castilians liberated the city in 1233 (some 250 years before Granada fell) and for a long time it was a border town between the Christian

RENAISSANCE: The streets of Ubeda hark back to a Golden Age

IMPRESSIVE: The church of Santa Maria de los Reales Alcazares and the courtyard of the Hospital de Santiago

and Muslim worlds.

This led several of the noblemen of Ubeda to occupy important positions at the royal court, in Madrid, with the prestige, land and money this brought.

After the reconquest the town grew in importance until the grandeur of Ubeda reached a peak during its 16th century Golden Age. The richest families started building their own palaces and churches, which today are the main attractions of the Casco Antiguo old town.

Unlike other cities in Andalucia, such as Granada or Ronda say, Ubeda doesn’t have many traces of its Islamic origins, having been in Christian hands for much longer.

ANCIENT: the Church of El Salvador dates To fully experience Ubeda’s back to 1536 charm, it is best to wander the narrow cobblestone streets of the by Diego de Siloe, who was also responsible for the cathedrals of Casco Antiguo.

The city itself is like an open-air mu- Granada and Malaga. seum, with a lot to see and visit, and Next head to the Plaza de Mayo 1, walking the streets is part of the expe- which is a quaint little square surrience. Leave the car in the car park rounded on all sides by buildings with though - driving through the old centre lavish facades and luxury interiors. It is not recommended, with many parts once held executions and burnings during the Spanish Inquisition but closed to traffic.

The main tourist draw is the Plaza de now it is a tad less grim! Its San PabVazquez de Molina. Named after one lo church at the northern end is an of the noble families, it contains more interesting hotchpotch incorporating Renaissance mansions and churches architecture from the Renaissance, than you would ever expect to see in Gothic and Romanesque periods. a single visit. If you are really rushed, From here stroll up Calle Losal to make sure to make time for the Pala- the town’s old walls and the potter’s cio de las Cadenas and the Chapel of quarter beyond.

The traditional terraced houses El Salvador.

Today, the Palacio de las Cadenas – double as the workshops and or the Palacio de Vazquez de Molina homes to the town’s existing as it is called in some guidebooks – is master craftsmen. And they are WHERE TO STAY home to the town council. It was built well known around the country. in 1568 as a home for Juan Vazquez Ubeda’s pottery is quite different Palacio del Deán Ortega (El Parador de de Molina, the private secretary of from that of Granada. Whereas Ubeda) King Felipe II. Like most of the Renais- blue and white are the colours The first palace to be converted into a sance buildings in Ubeda, the palace of that province, a brilliant deep parador, the 15th century palace is ideally green is the colour here. was constructed with weather resislocated in Ubeda’s central plaza.

Olive stones are added to the fire tant sandstone blocks. The building paradores.es hides an attractive arcaded courtyard to create a thick smoke, giving the pottery its colour and sheen. inside.

Hotel Alvar Fañez The Chapel of El Salvador is consid- Also well worth a visit is the SinThis charming hotel dates back to 1865 ered to be one of the finest examples agoga del Agua: a unique attracwith rustic stone walls, panoramic city of Spanish Renaissance architecture. tion in Ubeda, this underground views and antique furnishings. synagogue showcases the It was built in 1536 hotelalvarubeda.es city’s Jewish heritage.

These are just some of WHERE TO EAT the monuments with many more well worth Restaurante Cantina la Estación a visit. And if you have Run by a sommelier, this restaurant offers time, make sure to take a elegant small plates paired with local wines ride to Baeza on the way in their vintage dining room. home.

Cantinalaestacion.com Also famous for its Renaissance architecture and Gastrobar Llámame Lola historic charm, it is a great This restaurant offers fresh, traditional place to stop for lunch, in Andalucian dishes with organic produce particular the excellent sourced from their own farm.

Canela en Rama. llamamelolagastrobar.es

952 147 834 * Vo l u n t a r y i n s u r a n c e c o v e r. S u b j e c t t o c o m p a n y u n d e r w r i t i n g c o n d i t i o n s . *Data extracted from process closure surveys after using our Roadside Assistance and breakdown services.

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FINAL WORDS

Tipsy trip A DRUNK electric scooter driver was stopped by Elche after they spotted his vehicle veering from side to side. The man found with drugs inside one of his socks - then shoved an officer against a car.

Poo-dunnit AN easyjet flight from Tenerife to London was grounded after a passenger defecated on the toilet floor, forcing flyers to stay another night in Spain.

Tacky city SEVILLA locals have taken to social media outraged at a Daily Mail article putting the city on a list of ‘tacky’ destinations to avoid thanks to ‘boozed up Brits’, calling it ‘hypocritical’.

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Vol. 5 Issue 117 www.theolivepress.es October 19th - November 1st 2023

Birds dropping Padel courts could face regulation if found to be linked to a rise in bird deaths A PROBE has been launched to explore whether the explosion in numbers of padel courts around Spain could be harming birdlife.

The government is investigating whether the glass-walled courts could be in breach of the new Law for the Protection of Animals, which came into effect last month.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

It is believed the 15,000-plus courts that have been built around the country - most in the last few years - could be leading to a sharp rise in deaths.

Authorities are now investigating whether the sport

Weaponized mayor THE MAYOR of a town in Toledo faces a fine for carrying a large shotgun during his town's fiesta parade.

The Partido Popular's Julian Torrejon carried the unloaded weapon during the parade during Pantoja’s fair.

While the gun was not loaded, he is being investigated over the incident.

could lead to a rise in birds being injured - or even killed - by flying into the glass walls.

If they are found to ‘threaten’ local wildlife, a u t h o r i t i e s FUN BUT TRAGIC: Padel is could be held taking a toll on birdlife responsible for managing their environ- p r o b l e m , mental impact. the issue “The birds often hit the walls was passed during a game,” said one to The Enplayer. vironmen“It’s not a bird per game, but tal Prosecutor’s Office to init does happen pretty often.” vestigate on a national level.

Local authorities had already According to the new law, been asked to collect data the courts could constitute about birds injured or killed abuse, defined as ‘any beby glass structures, especially haviour that causes pain, sufpadel courts. fering or harm to an animal.’

It came after the Barcelona The nation-wide study is exForestry Unit published a re- pected to finish by the end of port claiming padel is a ‘seri- the year. ous threat’ to birds.

Padel, played in doubles, is But as the study was unable among the fastest growing to identify the scale of the sports in the world.

EUROPE’S first ever reusable rocket has been - err - lost.

While Spanish firm PLD Space is celebrating the blast off of Miura 1 from Huelva, not all objectives were met.

The craft reached an altitude of 46 kilometres - half of what had been expected before falling back to Earth and splashing into the Atlantic.

It hasn’t been seen since.

While the Valencia firm claims Spain is one of only 10 countries to ‘have gone into space’ - NASA defines space as beginning 80 kilometres up.

No sign

It is the first European rocket designed to be recoverable but unfortunately by the time recovery ships arrived on the splashdown scene there was no sign of it.

PLD Space bosses think it hit the ocean at the wrong angle and sank.

The Elche firm explained that fewer than 3% of rockets launched have ever been recovered.