Olive Press Costa Blanca South and Murcia Issue 107

What incredible 90 year world record has this local man smashed this week ?

Find out on page 4

O LIVE P RESS

The

Gobsmacked

LIVE FOREVER Your expat

voice in Spain

COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 5 Issue 107 www.theolivepress.es January 25th - February 7th 2024

TORREVIEJA'S annual carnival will bring music, colour and fun to the city from Friday until February 11.

The events will be compressed into a shorter period concentrating on the three weekends, with mayor Eduardo Dolon hoping the change will make it ‘an even better attraction’.

Highlights will include the annual Drag Queen competition in the International Auditorium on February 3 and the big Carnival Grand Parade the following day, starting at 4pm from the Virgin del Carmen

Want to stick around as long as Spain’s Maria age 116?

Take a look at our tips inside our special health supplement

Carnival time!

Cultural Centre.

The Grand Night Parade is on February 10, beginning at 8pm - also from the Cultural Centre and going down Calle Ramon Gallud to its finish on the Paseo Vista Alegre.

The night before, a new attraction will be the first-ever parade of Foreign Troupes from 8.30pm, which will feature floats from cities and towns across Spain.

TIME TO PARTY: Carnival outfits

NEVER AGAIN!

A BRITISH expat has died after being given the deadly painkiller Nolotil for a shoulder injury, it has emerged.

Mark Brooks, 42, was enjoying a game of golf near his home in Alicante when he began experiencing shoulder pain.

The next day, he went to his

FINAL HOLE: Just 48 hours later, Mark (centre left ) was dead

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local health clinic on the Costa Blanca, where he received a shot of metamizole, also known as Nolotil.

Some 48 hours later the gardener, from Derbyshire, was admitted to hospital in Torrevieja with depleted white blood cells and sepsis.

The next day, he was taken into intensive care with organ failure. Two days later, he was dead.

His partner, Summer Moses (right) has been left to pick up the pieces with their four-yearold daughter, Aurora.

The pair had been planning to get married,

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British expat, 42, dies after taking Nolotil: Father-of-one developed sepsis after being given the ‘lethal’ painkiller for a minor golf injury

before the tragic incident took Mark’s life in October last year.

“Summer was in complete shock. One day he was playing golf, really excited, and then the next he was dead,” anti-Nolotil campaigner Christina del Campo told the Olive Press this week.

“She’s now working two jobs just to make ends meet. It’s not just his life that’s been ruined, it’s her life and her daughter’s too.

All because of a painkiller.”

The incident happened when he attended a clinic popular with expats in Ciudad Quesada on October 15.

Within hours of receiving an injection of Nolotil he developed a rash and blisters on his buttocks.

When he was taken to A&E in Torrevieja, doctors found he had a low white blood cell count, alongside signs of liver and kidney failure.

His condition rapidly deteri-

orated and just four days after receiving the TRAGIC: 4-yearinjection, he slipped into old Aurora is left a coma. without her dad, According to death cerMark (above) tificate records, Brooks’ cause of death on October 20 was ‘organ lar, as many clinics continued failure, septic shock and to hand out the drug. cellulitis.’

Spain’s most popular subNow his ex-partner has scription painkiller, Nolotil is reached out to the Nolotil known to have adverse effects campaign group, on Northern Europeans and the Association is banned in 30 countries, inof Drug AffectKILL cluding Britain, Ireland, Aused Patients THE tralia and the US. (ADAF) run A 2018 report from the Euby del Campo.

DRUG ropean Medicines Agency It came after showed a ‘potential to induce she discovered agranulocytosis’ among certain documents, which revealed populations. that Mark’s death was as the A 1999 Swedish study estimatresult ‘an apparent allergic reed the risk at one in every 2000 action to metamizole’. prescriptions, with a 26% morAnything but the first, the drug tality rate. has now been linked to over It is believed the drug could 40 deaths in Spain, including have contributed to up to 350 many expats. cases of agranulocytosis, inSo dangerous is the drug, the cluding 170 Britons living in Olive Press launched a camSpain. paign in 2017 to have it banned Yet incredibly, only one Spanfor expat patients, in particuish health authority, Catalunya, has warned against using the drug as a first-choice painkiller. It ruled there was ‘no evidence’ it was better at controlling pain than ‘safer alSee page 15 ternatives’ like paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Meanwhile, one English expat newspaper recently even pub-

Tel: 952 147 834 TM

lished a two-page feature effectively promoting the drug.

It came just after ADAF began legal action against the Spanish Medical Agency (AEMPS) in November, claiming a 2018 government directive not to sell Nolotil to Northern Europeans is not being followed.

“We’re not looking for money or damages. We want to make them stop giving Nolotil to British people,” explained del Campo.

Regulations

“I want them to revise and modify regulations and investigate cases properly. They need to act because it keeps being given without a prescription.

People’s lives are at stake.”

The campaigner is also demanding new analysis of the risks of the drug and a revision of the information sheet given to medical professionals.

Boehringer Ingelheim, the company that makes Nolotil, claims all the side effects are clearly listed in its information packet.

Opinion Page 6

CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Reptile robbery TWO young men have been arrested for stealing nine endangered tortoises worth €30,000 from an authorised Beniel breeder, with the reptiles returned after a Guardia Civil raid.

Pest control SPRAYING to stop the spread of processionary caterpillars has started in San Pedro del Pinatar with the pest potentially fatal to dogs and a cause of skin irrigation among young children.

House blaze A WOMAN and her two children aged under five were treated for smoke inhalation at Torrevieja Hospital on Sunday after their Rojales home was gutted by a fire.

Citizen action A DRUNK Belgian woman was pulled over by other motorists for driving on the wrong side of the N-332 in Torrevieja and was found to be three times over the alcohol limit.

January 25th - February 7th 2024

Gangster axed BBC erases notorious costa fugitive from its dramatisation of armed robbery heist after accusations of ‘glamorising’ killer AN infamous British criminal finally snared in Spain has been written out of his own hit TV series.

The UK’s one-time most wanted fugitive Kenneth Noye has been erased from the second part of a BBC dramatisation of his infamous 1983 Brink’s-Mat gold robbery.

It comes after The Gold was criticised for glamorising Noye - played by Scottish heartthrob Jack Lowden - as a ‘handsome class warrior’.

To stoke the outrage, the double killer who is now out of prison, was reportedly ‘over the moon’ about his portrayal in the first season.

By Walter Finch

Admirers allegedly even approached him in the street to shake his hand, claimed friends.

It led to the BBC receiving a severe backlash for its ‘heroic’ portrayal of the man who murdered 21-year-old Stephen Cameron in 1996 and policeman, John Fordham, in 1985.

In one of the most notorious cases of road rage in British history, Noye stabbed Cameron on the M25 while on release from prison - and then promptly fled to Spain.

Noye had been most famous

AN ILLEGAL cockfighting tournament staged in a purpose-built arena at an Aspe bar has been busted, Policia Nacional, arrested 19 men involved in organising the event last Thursday for animal abuse after 50 police officers raided the site.

The clandestine tournament was attended by around 150 people from across Spain and France who were there to place bets or enter birds into fights.

It was said to be one of the most important illegal cockfighting meetings in Spain.

A stand had been constructed to accommo-

Copyright: BBC

2

MURDERER: Noye (inset) and actor Jack Lowden up to that point for helping to mastermind the Brink's-Mat warehouse robbery which netted over €30m in gold bullion.

The six robbers had been expecting to find €4 million in cash but instead found the gold worth the equivalent to €108 million today.

ROOSTER RAID date 170 seated spectators and another 30 standing onlookers.

The cockpit fight ring was fully air-conditioned and even had an electronic screen hanging over the centre.

Police seized a total of €26,000 and removed the roosters, though attendees admitted that some birds had already been euthanised and ‘disposed of’ following earlier fights.

“Relatives of the victims were very upset and the BBC did not want to take the risk of more of those accusations,” a source told The Times.

Cameron’s uncle slammed the broadcaster for making Noye out to be ‘some kind of good guy when he was a cold-blooded murderer.’

Captured

Noye was captured while having lunch with his girlfriend, Mina Al Taiba, in a restaurant in Barbate, Cadiz, in August 1998. He lived nearby in Zahara de los Atunes.

He had previously enjoyed the hospitality of fellow London gangster Joey Wilkin’s luxury villa in Estepona while on the run. It is believed Wilkins had given him up to Scotland Yard.

SWINDLED: Mark and Yolanda Ros

Where’s the cash?

A UK court trying to recover some of the money swindled

by British fraudster Mark Acklom has heard that he’s living in Spain and has been hit by a €374,000 confiscation order imposed by a Spanish court.

A barrister representing the 50-year-old conman at a Proceeds of Crime Act (Poca) hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court also confirmed that he had been reunited with his wife Yolanda Ros and their two children.

“Although Mr Acklom is not observing, he is available on the phone to provide instructions.

He is just not watching,” Martin Sharpe said.

Acklom was extradited to Spain over three years ago after being freed from a UK prison after serving part of a six-year sentence imposed in 2019.

He served a further two years behind bars at a Murcia region prison and was released last summer.

UK authorities are trying to recover ecover £321,000 taken in a love scam from his then girlfriend Carolyn Woods going back to 2012.

The matter was adjourned until February.

Have you seen Mark Acklom or Yolanda Ros?: If so, contact us at newsdesk@ theolivepress.es

NEWS

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Place in our home

IT is something of a rite of passage for anyone moving to Spain.

So it was no surprise when the costas’ latest expat celebrity to move in, Jasmine Harman, announced she was adopting a kitten.

The Place in the Sun star, 48, took in the rescue cat after a friend found it living by a bin.

“Family News! We have a new addition! Over the holidays, a friend of ours found a kitten all alone by some bins,” she put on her Instagram feed.

“We have taken her in, she’s now called Hazel and she’s adapting amazingly to life with a family.”

After spending decades helping Brits find their ‘dream life’ abroad, Harman finally took the plunge in October buying a home in Estepona.

She told her 143,000 followers this month that relocating had been a great decision.

Smiling after a beachside Zumba class, she gushed: “I’m starting the year as I mean to go on.

“Whatever happened to you, whatever went on in 2023, hold onto the good, let go of the bad and start afresh i n 2024.”

She continued: “Family is the most important thing and this will give us a much better balance.”

On why she chose EsADOPTED: tepona, she added: “It Jasmine and has a lovely commufamily have nity feel. We have taken in a lots of Spanish famstray kitten ilies nearby.” (far left)

FRUIT CAKE HE is the best-selling Spanish artist of all time having sold over 150 million albums worldwide.

Yet, Julio Iglesias, 80, still travels with foodstuffs in his suitcases.

The Marbella-based multi-millionaire was ‘almost arrested’ on his arrival in the Dominican Republic with an astonishing 42 kilograms of food stuffed into his luggage.

The so-called ‘King of Latin’ was pulled over at Punta Cana airport where immigration officers seized vast quantities of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, celery, beans, spinach, lettuce, mushrooms and meat.

Falling foul of the country’s

By Ben Pawlowski

stringent import rules he was detained, according to a popular Spanish TV show Fiesta.

A spokesman for the Dominican Republic’s Agriculture Ministry confirmed the stop after Iglesias arrived on a private flight.

Meanwhile an ex-girlfriend, María Jose ‘Makoke’ Giaever revealed she often used to transport food for Iglesias, who has performed over 5,000 concerts around the world.

“Sometimes I would bring him seafood from Galicia which he loved,” she told the Fiesta programme.

The father of eight, including

CLEAN START

FIFTH-tier Spanish football side Malaga City have announced a surprising new addition to their staff.

Former Liverpool and Tottenham star Steven Caulker has joined the club as a player-manager.

The former Premiership star joined up after discovering the club while on holiday with his girlfriend and son in Nerja.

It was sadly anything but a commanding start with the team being on the wrong end of a 6-0 hammering in his first game.

Things improved for

Julio Iglesias stopped at airport with suitcase full of berries and meat

pop star Enrique, has lived a quiet life since retiring.

He mostly splits his time

between The Bahamas and Punta Cana, living with his 58-year-old Dutch wife, Miranda Rithe second game, losing 1-0 to the league leaders, while jnsburger. they drew 0-0 on Sunday.

He regularThe centre-back made 123 appearances in England’s ly visits his top flight, including spells at Tottenham, Southampton huge estate and Liverpool. between The 32-year old’s career had previously been derailed Marbella by a wave of personal issues, as the defender suffered and Ojen, with depression, anxiety, alcoholism and a gambling where his addiction. son Enrique “I hit so many rock bottoms and they just kept getting grew up. lower and lower,” he confessed.

“It was a mental rock bottom, a financial rock bottom, Reports a physical rock bottom, an emotional and spiritual rock in the US bottom”. suggest his Following intensive rehab and therapy, Caulker admits health is dehe has to confront his personal battles day-by-day. teriorating, He set up Behind the White Lines, an organisation in particuwhich seeks to provide training camps to young players lar suffering who are released from clubs when young. from moWhile Brexit rules mean Caulker can not yet play for bility issues the club until he has a special licence, he has been able and memoto manage the team while completing coaching badges. ry loss.

January 25th - February 7th 2024

Shot in the foot

A BMW dealership in Spain has dropped an ad campaign featuring Money Heist actress Itziar Ituno for protesting in defence of the rights of political prisoners from ETA. The garage in Bilbao took offence at her appearance at the protest of 20,000 people in Bilbao.

Airline Iberia also removed an interview with the star for its

inflight magazine.

The actress took part in a similar demonstration in 2017.

ETA was an armed terrorist group that waged a bloody campaign for independence for the Basque Country killing 829 people over nearly 60 years.

The group eventually disbanded in April 2018.

Ituno played inspector Raquel Murillo in the hit Netflix show.

FANCY yourself as a boxer? All Comers can earn €368 a session if they fancy a whirl in the ring with heavyweight contender Oleksandr Usyk (pictured).

Actually, the Ukrainian - who is training in Valencia for his forthcoming world title fight with Tyson Fury - needs right-handed boxers between 200 and 210 cm tall and have an arm span of 200 to 216 cm.

Usyk fights the Gypsy King, the WBC champion, in Saudi Arabia on February 17.

Fury, 35, is training in Morecambe, Lancashire, having previously trained for fights at Daniel Kinahan’s controversial MTK gym in Marbella.

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Horror smash A 21-YEAR-OLD woman has died after a lorry collided with a bus taking agricultural workers home from their shift in Murcia.

The victim was among the group of labourers who were travelling between Lorca and Pulpi on January 15 when the collision happened close to the La Escarihuela bridge exit.

The woman was on the side of the bus hit by the lorry and died instantly after it veered onto the wrong side of the road.

Some 17 of the workers were injured along with the drivers of the two vehicles.

BOOKS RULE LIBRARIES in Santa Pola seem to be much more popular than in the rest of Spain, with an impressive 63% of residents having a library card in 2023.

That is nearly double the Valencia average of 32.6% and more than double the national figure of 28.1%.

Some 866 new library cardholders signed up last year to use the area's three facilities including the International Library at Gran Alacant.

January 25th - February 7th 2024

Boar war declared

CROQUETTE KING A MURCIA man has eaten 237 croquettes to smash a scoffing great world record that has stood for nine decades.

Valentin Carrasco, 30, from Cartagena, managed to snuffle six kilos of the morsels in less than three hours.

The incredible feat finally beat an impressive record set by Patxi Bollo in 1936 in 2 hours, 55 minutes.

Legend has it that Bollo gorged the 236 croquettes

after smelling their delicious aroma.

This year’s competition was held in Madrid restaurant, Solo de Croquetas.

Carrasco blew away the competition, with his nearest competitors eating 182 and 130 of the breaded bites respectively.

“This was the hardest challenge I have ever undertaken,” he revealed. “I got extremely tired with the taste and needed to

drink a litre of water, another litre of milk and five or six Coca-Colas to get through it".

Where is Ivo? Mystery surrounds missing 15-year-old expat who vanished while canoeing with friends

By Alex Trelinski

THE mother of an expat teen who went missing while canoeing in the Mar Menor has insisted he is still alive Ivo Petrov, 15, was with two friends - aged 16 and 22 when their stolen craft capsized on January 5.

They managed to stay afloat in the ice cold water for two hours despite being unable to swim.

But Ivo's disappearance re-

S I E R R A N E VA DA , S PA I N

Copyright: El Español

4

STILL MISSING: The search for Ivo continues

mains unsolved after extensive searches of the waters failed to recover a body.

A Los Alcazares resident heard cries for help in the dock area at around 2.30am

HOPE: ‘I think he is still alive’ says mum Miglena

and a rescue team pulled his two friends out.

They were both suffering from hypothermia and required hospital treatment.

A desperate search for Ivo has been going on for nearly three weeks including Guardia Civil divers and specially-trained dogs that can sniff out bodies in water.

At an emotional news conference at the Atrio hotel this week, Ivo's Bulgarian mother, Miglena Petrova said: “I only want one thing and that is for the search to continue to find my son, as I think he is still alive.”

The Petrov family say they do not believe the accounts

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FAR-right British agitator Tommy Robinson spent Christmas in Spain with a notorious German racist.

Robinson - real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - was shacked up with Lutz Bachmann, 50, the founder of Islamophobic group Pegida.

Bachmann, who is banned from entering the UK, spent time with Lennon, 40, in the Canaries.

The German nazi is the newest addition to the rogue gallery of extremists to appear on Robinson’s podcast.

His colourful history includes convictions for racial incitement in 2016, for referring to refugees as 'cattle,' 'scum,' and 'filth' and being pictured dressed as his hero Adolf Hitler (pictured).

He was deported from the UK in 2018, with his presence ‘not being conducive to the public good’.

English Defence League

given by the two survivors.

The Guardia Civil has admitted that there were 'contradictions' in their statements, although their main theory is that Ivo drowned.

They are, however, open to the idea that his body is not in the lagoon, despite one of his flip flops turning up.

“I want to know the truth, “ his mother added. “The idea to go out that night was not Ivo's and his friends are not being entirely truthful.”

The family's lawyer, Veronica Ene said she was waiting for the Guardia Civil's report before considering any private legal action.

“We really want to know what happened that night and why her son never returned home,” said Ene.

HUNTING laws could be changed to fight a ‘motorway of boars’ making hiking dangerous and eating the region’s famous oranges.

An emergency meeting of Marina Alta mayors has demanded urgent action as ‘a plague’ of boars destroys crops and forces residents to 'barricade' themselves into their homes at night.

The civic leaders have appealed to the Valencian Environment Ministry to support proposed changes to regional hunting laws.

“Residents are having to change their times as to when they go out for a walk because of wild boars roaming the area,” said Els Poblets mayor, Jose Luis Mas. Describing the Girona riverbed as a 'motorway' of boars down to the beach he said there were dead boar sightings alongside the road to Denia on a weekly basis.

Mayor of neighbouring El Verger, Basili Salort, agreed that it has become ‘too dangerous’ to go walking at night.

One estimate claims the Pego Marsh area may have as many as 6,000 specimens.

The boars n o w travel in far greater distances and eat a much more varied, sophisticated diet.

“There were times when boars didn't eat oranges and now they eat them all, as well as anything else the farmers plant, “ explained fellow mayor, Juan Mas, of Beniarbeig.

His Javea counterpart, Rosa Cardona, warned the ransacking of orchards had reached a ‘tipping point’.

Motorhome hopes

(EDL) founder Yaxley spends much of the year in Spain.

The Olive Press revealed last year how he was using a Costa Blanca villa owned

by Philip Day, the billionaire owner of retail chains, Jaeger and Peacocks.

FED-UP residents in Orihuela Costa are demanding a motorhome park to stop drifters from using a popular shopping centre as their home.

The AVCRL neighbours group says there are days when more than 20 camper vans are parked up at Zenia Boulevard - which provides no access to basic utility services.

The group insists other local towns have motorhome parks with facilities including electricity, water, toilets and showers.

The PP party which took control of Orihuela council with Vox last year proposed a motorhome park in its election manifesto.

But AVCRL spokesperson, Tomas Moreno, insisted that ‘more than a year has passed’ since his group made the request and nothing has happened.

Arrest

His return to Spanish soil comes after he was pepper-sprayed during his most recent arrest in London.

It came after he claimed to be a ‘journalist’ covering a pro-Israel rally.

PARK PARADISE: on the horizon?

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NEWS

January 25th - February 7th 2024

5

6

NEWS FEATURE

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 How many more?!

THE shocking death of a British expat who became riddled with sepsis after taking Nolotil should ring alarm bells in Spain (Never again, p1).

How many more people need to die before the lethal painkiller is slapped with stringent regulations?

It’s been seven years since the Olive Press launched its Kill the Drug campaign to bring in tougher rules against the painkiller, but it seems countless health authorities have failed to get the memo.

While ‘guidance’ to not prescribe the drug to northern Europeans was updated on a national level, in 2018, countless Brits and other visitors continue to be administered the pain relief.

There have been dozens of deaths and near-deaths linked to Nolotil in recent years, and those are just the ones we know about.

It’s high time the Spanish government woke up to this scandal before more innocent lives are taken and more families are torn apart.

We send our sincerest condolences to the family of Mark Brooks, who leaves behind a fiancee and a four-year-old daughter.

The curious history of free parties in Spain can be traced back to the 1990s in England, discovers Yzabelle Bostyn

T

HEY swooped down on southern Spain en masse and ended up partying for six full days over the New Year period.

Yet, incredibly the 8,000 or so ravers who danced until dawn, imbibing just about every illegal substance known to man, managed to do it almost completely unimpeded.

Despite squatting on a private racetrack, setting up dozens of stalls and stages without a licence, and selling thousands of items undeclared to the tax authorities, only 100 of them ended up with any sort of fine or sanction, most of them very small.

Indeed, it is nothing short of remarkable that the illegal rave in Fuente Alamo, Murcia known as Big F**cking Party - was able to take place in modern Europe.

But it turns out it not only happens every new year, but it is only one of dozens of such free festivals to take place in Spain each year.

The country, it emerges, has a pedigree for them.

Without invitations or publicity, the location

ALL THE RAVE

Gear-grinding gripes A NEW report praising Spanish drivers was greeted with some scepticism by Olive Press readers.

The experience of most expat drivers is usually one of perplexity, disbelief and the occasional curse word.

While generally a great country to live, the locals' behaviour on roundabouts, their lack of indication and failing to obey the speed limit, are just a few regular complaints.

Add in undertaking and double parking, etc, etc, and soon the gear-grinding gripes could fill two pages of this newspaper.

But we take a more optimistic view at the Olive Press where our young journalists often have to learn how to drive here.

We know from their experiences that the tests - both theory and practical - have got harder and more demanding over recent years.

The truth is, the main offences are committed by older drivers, while the worst irritation is the regular random stops by police at checkpoints along the costas.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

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Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es

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of such raves - or ‘alternative’ festivals - are only given via word of mouth, closed Facebook groups and clandestine message boards.

Within hours, ravers ranging from New Age travellers to tourists and hippies to hedonists swarm down to the agreed location in their motorhomes, converted buses and vans.

The usually deserted areas soon resemble small villages, complete with stages, food trucks and stalls to keep attendees going.

A ‘free party’, events like this have no official start or end time, no entry fee and no line-up.

Dancing goes on 24/7 and police only occasionally patrol the entrances.

And in the case of Big F**cking Party (our asterisks), the organisers - believed to be French - arranged a similar party a year ago with 5,000 people at La Peza, in Granada.

Such events became popu-

lar in the late 1990s, with the best known, such as Andalucia’s Dragon Fest, regularly attracting well over 10,000 people at their peak.

“At any given moment, there will be a free party going on somewhere in Spain,” Fluor Nation (far left), who runs a UV paint and clothing company, told the Olive Press.

The Sevilla-based business makes almost all of its income from attending free parties, but how did Spain become a hotspot for these illegal events?

To understand this, we need to go back to 1990s England.

In the spring of 1992, some 20,000 people attended the largest unauthorised rave in history in Castle-

Free, powerful and necessary FREE festivals are often linked with alternative communities and political struggle.

Golshanak, creator of Chapi’Teuf, a circus performer, (pictured inset) said: “My parents organised many underground music events in the 90s and I am following in their footsteps. I joined the movement for freedom of expression.

We are a big family and our economy sits outside the normal ‘system’ and I respect that. It is powerful and necessary in a world where everything is being controlled by governments.”

Although the Spanish government has no specific law banning free parties, many aspects of the gatherings are illegal under the ‘Ley de Espectaculos Publicos’.

As a result, police do not tackle free festivals head on, instead deterring attendees by performing drug and alcohol testing or, sometimes, arresting those selling alcohol, food and clothing without permits.

Exercise your rights UK citizens previously disenfranchised for living abroad for more than 15 years can now vote again

B

RITISH citizens living abroad are now eligible to vote in UK general elections and referendums regardless of how long they’ve been living overseas.

New legislation has restored the voting rights of over three million Brits who have lived outside the UK for more than 15 years.

The move represents the biggest increase in the British electoral franchise since the introduction of full female suffrage in 1928.

Sue Wilson MBE, chair of the Bremain in Spain group which has campaigned for the reinstatement of voting rights, told the Olive Press: “Now the task of ensuring that Brits abroad understand the registration process and get themselves on the electoral register begins.”

By Ben Pawlowski

British citizens, eligible Irish citizens and citizens of Crown Dependencies can now register to vote as long as they were either previously registered to vote in the UK or were previously resident in the UK. Before beginning the process of registration, prospective voters will require proof of ID and a former UK address.

Acceptable documentation for this includes: a UK driving licence (current or expired); council tax statement; credit card statement; utility or mobile phone bill; letter from an insurance company; correspondence from HMRC or the Department for Work and Pensions; P45, P60 form or a pays-

lip; bank / building society passbook or a local authority rent book.

If you are unable to provide satisfactory evidence of your ID and former UK address, there will be the option of providing an attestation - you will need to ask someone (not a relative), who is over 18 and registered to vote in the UK, to attest to the details you provide.

British citizens living overseas can register to vote on the gov.uk website.

All about JANUARY 2024

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THE LONGER LIFE

Walk your way fit ... and live 16 years longer

Spain amongst the best in the world for life expectancy

A 2018 study by The Lancet predicted Spain could hold the world’s highest life expectancy by 2040, at 85.8 years old.

(83.9) and Korea (83.6).

Other specialists have speculated The worldwide average life expec- that frequent siestas, regular walks tancy is just 80.3 years, with the UK and even more frequent sex could clocking in just above, at 80.4 years. be influencing the longevity of It is believed Spain’s high life ex- Spaniards. pectancy could be linked to good This comes despite Spain also ranknationwide healthcare provision, ing highly for negatives such as tothe Mediterranean diet, as well as bacco, cocaine and alcohol use. the warm climate.

The country ranks third in cocaine use, following the UK and Australia.

In the last year, almost 3% of adults in the UK and Spain admitted to using coA SWEDISH university team has been extract- The University of Agricultural Sciences is anacaine in the past ing blood from Spanish donkeys to see what lysing the blood from animals at the El Burriyear and in Auscan be learnt to help humans who are losing to Feliz Association, in Hinojos, in Andalucia’s tralia this figure their hair.

Doñana National Park. rose to 4%.

It is looking at the ‘enormous However, Spain strength’ of their manes to had the lowest obtain a formula to be transHAIR rates of overall ferred to human hair.

BRAINED opioid use in the Researcher Juan Negro exSCHEME?: world, alongside plained: “We are looking at Donkeys Israel, with just the characteristics of hair in Doñana 0.1% of adults usgrowth shared by humans could help ing opioids in the and four-legged animals. cure baldlast year.

“Hopefully we will find posness According to sible remedies to baldness, most recent data, which is important to some Spain ranked 7th peoin terms of alcople.” hol use, the average person consuming 10.5 litres per capita.

They drink more than in the UK, which ranked 11th, with 10 litres per capita.

The international

THE average life expectancy in Spain is the fourth highest in the world and three years above the international average.

Most Spaniards live to at least 83.3, according to a new report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

They tie with Australia which takes fourth spot in the report, Health at a glance.

Japan took the top spot, at 84.5 years, followed by Switzerland

By Yzabelle Bostyn

DONKEY TREATMENT

No protection Numbskulls FOUR in 10 Spaniards say they ‘almost never’ use a condom during sex.

The most common reason (40%) for not using protection was the ‘existence of other methods’.

Some 29% say they forgo condoms due to a ‘loss of sensitivity’, while 18% say it ‘ruins the moment’.

Meanwhile, only 30% of Spaniards have ever been checked for HIV. Almost half (48%) said they would not

A

A STUDY has revealed how four foods could help you live 10 years longer.

UK firm, Nature Food, revealed certain foods also improve your overall health.

The study showed that sustained dietary change from 40 onwards can help improve life expectancy by up to 10.8 years.

COLOURFUL FRUIT AND VEGETABLES Widely recognised as part of a healthy diet, fruit and veg contain essential antioxidants which can help fight infection and ageing. They are also a good source of fibre which improves digestive health. There is strong

sleep with someone who had a ‘sexual infection’, but 30% said it depended on the type.

Despite this, four out of 10 Spaniards say they do not check the sexual health status of the people they sleep with.

The report, Spaniards and Sex, spoke to 2,000 men and women aged between 18 and 58.

D Old age wonder

SAMPLES from the oldest woman in the world - Maria Branyas - are being analysed to try and find the key to a long life.

The Spaniard from Catalunya is an incredible 116 years old, but has no health complications other than hearing and mobility issues.

Unlike most people her age, she has zero cardiovascular problems nor memory issues, and can recount stories from the age of four as if they happened yesterday.

Maria herself has previously credited eating natural yoghurt each day for her longevity, and avoiding ‘excesses’, adding: “I have always eaten little, but everything, and I have never followed any regime. I have not suffered from any illness or been through an operating room.” average is 8.6 litres.

Spanish smoking rates were also higher than world averages, with 19.8% of people over 15 smoking daily.

Compared to the international average of 16%, the UK ranks low, with just 12.7% of people smoking daily.

CHOC HORROR THE Guardia Civil has put out a public health warning to dog owners: feeding them chocolate can kill your beloved pooch.

The warning comes as chocolate poisoning became the third most common cause of poisoning treated by veterinarians.

A toxic component, theobromine, is metabolised much more slowly in dogs than in humans, leading to a build-up that can cause a range of symptoms, from vomiting and diarrhoea to heart problems, seizures and death.

EAT YOUR WAY TO A LONG LIFE

By Yzabelle Bostyn scientific evidence to suggest that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of many illnesses including cancer, heart disease and stroke.

The study also advised reducing intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, opting for drinks with naturally occurring sugar such as fruit smoothies instead.

ESPERATE to shed some excess festive timber but apprehensive about hitting the local gym?

There’s no need to worry as scientists have revealed the best way to get into shape - a daily walk.

Researchers have highlighted several small changes that can bring a wide range of anti-ageing, health-improving and fitness-enhancing benefits.

Walking with greater intent can alleviate stress, strengthen muscles and bones, increase flexibility and lengthen lives, all without the additional costs of fitness classes.

Studies have found that nasal breathing during walks, the technique of breathing through your nose rather than your mouth, enables a range of improvements to your cardiovascular health.

Research conducted by Colorado State University showed athletes who practiced nasal breathing had a lower respiratory rate than when breathing through their mouths, indicating an improved flow of oxygen through the bloodstream.

Likewise, wearing a weighted vest was found to accentuate the health benefits of a daily walk.

A study conducted by the journal Ergonomics suggested men who wore a nine-kilo vest burnt 6% more calories than without (a 2.5 kilogram vest is recommended for women).

Best of all, altering the speed of a walk has the greatest impact. Even small bursts of power walking have the potential to reduce the risk of key diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

One study conducted by the University of Leicester even suggests that brisk walking can add 16 years to your life, and slow down your biological age.

WHOLE GRAINS Going for whole grains instead of refined options can improve heart health and lead to a longer life.

That’s because they contain lots of vitamins and minerals which can contribute to overall health as well as fibre which aids digestion. They also help to control cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

HEALTHY FATS Although fat has been demonised in the past, the truth is we need healthy fats to have a full diet. Av-

ocados, nuts and fish help us to get essential fatty acids the body cannot produce itself and help in the absorption of vitamin A, D and E. LEAN PROTEINS Eating protein sources such as pulses, fish and chicken can improve brain function, lower cholesterol and promote a higher metabolic rate.

A high protein diet can also help keep you feel fuller for longer to avoid overeating. The study also recommended opting for less processed meats in order to live a longer life.

8

JANUARY 2024

All about

6 REASONS TO GET WELL OILED

As its price soars, just remember that olive oil is good for you

O

LIVE oil is nicknamed ‘liquid gold’ in Spain - perhaps a very apt description these days with prices tripling in the last two years.

Older readers from the UK may well remember the days when they had to make a special order at the chemist to get olive oil, so rare and expensive was it.

While in those days it was most commonly ‘prescribed’ in the UK to soften earwax before having patients’ ears syringed, there are a host of other health benefits associated with the Spanish staple.

And the good news is that rather than squirt it in your ear, it is best sampled as part of a balanced and delicious diet.

Here we give a rundown of half a dozen ways in which olive oil is good for you - and here’s hoping it doesn’t get so expensive that aw trip to the farmacia is in order to get your hands on some…

1. HEALTHY FATS About 14% of the oil is saturated fat, whereas 11% is polyun-

HEALTHY FATS: Spain’s liquid gold is an essential part of a balanced and nutritious diet

By Dilip Kuner saturated, such as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids (1).

But the predominant fatty acid in olive oil is a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid, making up 73% of the total oil content.

Studies suggest that oleic acid reduces inflammation and may even have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.

Monounsaturated fats are also quite resistant to high heat, making extra virgin olive oil a healthy choice for cooking.

2.

ANTIOXIDANTS Extra virgin olive oil is packed full of powerful antioxidants which are known to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

They can also help fight inflammation and protect your blood cholesterol from ‘oxidation’, which lowers the risk of heart disease.

3. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Chronic inflammation can cause cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and even obesity.

Olive oil is filled with anti-inflammatories like oleocanthal, which has been shown to work similarly to ibuprofen, an a n t i - i n f l a m m a to r y drug.

Some scientists estimate that the oleocanthal in 3.4 tablespoons (50 ml) of extra virgin olive oil has a similar effect to 10% of the adult dosage of ibuprofen.

4. STROKE SAFEGUARD

The effect of olive oil on the risk of stroke has been studied heavily.

A large review of studies in 841,000 people found that olive oil was the only source of monounsaturated fat associated with a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease.

In another review in 140,000 participants, those who consumed olive oil were at a much lower risk of stroke than those who did not.

5. BRAIN BENEFITS Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative condition in the world.

One of its key features is a buildup of so-called beta-amyloid plaques inside brain cells.

But one study in mice showed that a substance in olive oil can help remove these plaques.

Additionally, a human study indicated that a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil benefitted brain function.

Scientists estimate that extra virgin olive oil has a similar effect to 10% of the adult dosage of ibuprofen.

6. TYPE 2 DIABETES PROTECTION Olive oil appears to be highly protective against type 2 diabetes.

Several studies have linked olive oil to beneficial effects on blood sugar and insulin sensitivity.

A randomised clinical trial in 418 healthy people recently confirmed the protective effects of olive oil.

In the study, a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by over 40%.

TASTY: Olive oil is not just delicious but is good for you too

9

JANUARY 2024

BRINGERS OF JOY

because they cannot access certain treatments to have a baby or carry out some diagnostic tests in their own countries. This would be the case, for example, of single mothers, lesbian couples or future parents who wish to access safe and anonymous egg donation programmes or who are looking for genetic answers they cannot access in their countries of origin. clinical techniques make the difference.

This law allows pre-implantation Destination is undoubtedly an important factor genetic diagnosis techniques to when choosing a clinic. Spain, in addition to the determine whether an embryo is well-known virtues such as climate, culture and healthy before implantation in the gastronomy, has excellent flight connections, future mother, something that is which increase in the summer season, and not permitted in countries such as which have led to an increase in the number of Germany. In our country there are patients from all over the world. strict regulations for gamete donaThe current Spanish law 14/2006 represents tion which, by law, is anonymous a scientific and technical advance compared to and altruistic. In contrast, there is other legislation in our neighbouring countries. no anonymity in other countries Today it continues to be a reference, both such as the United Kingdom, Switfor the techniques it regulates and zerland, the Netherlands, Norway, for the users or recipients who Germany or Denmark, which is take advantage of it. Specifical- why it is possible to carry out techly, many of the patients niques that include egg donation who come or embryo adoption. to Instituto According to data from the InBernabeu’s stituto Bernabeu Group, currently, more than clinics do so 55% of the people they treat are of foreign origin. Women from 137 different countries, some as remote as Nepal, the Cayman Islands, • 55% of Group Instituto Berthe Bahamas, Namibia and nabeu’s patients come from Thailand, come at its eight na137 different countries. tional clinics located in Alican• The quality of reproducte, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, tive medicine in Spain and Albacete, Cartagena, Elche and the country’s advance legisBenidorm. lation are the main reasons For more than three decades, for their visit.

Instituto Bernabeu has been at the forefront of reproductive

Thousands of couples around the world chose Instituto Bernabeu for their fertility treatment in Spain

R

eproductive medicine in Spain is one of the most highly valued in the world. This fact is confirmed by the 13,588 women who came to our country in 2020 to undergo fertility techniques, according to the latest data from the registry of the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF). Our medical professionals’ high level and advanced diagnostic and

CLINIC: More than 55% of the people they treat are from abroad

medicine research. The group of specialised clinics is led by doctors Rafael and Andrea Bernabeu.

This renowned Spanish institution has an extensive track record and its milestones include the birth of a child using spermatids for the first time in Spain and sixth in the world, and the recent creation of the first artificial intelligence (AI) unit dedicated to reproductive medicine. Every day three babies are born in the world thanks to Instituto Bernabeu’s professionals, which has already surpassed 150,000 clinical records since it first opened.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.INSTITUTOBERNABEU.COM OR CALL +34 900 922 902

10

All about

JANUARY 2024

increase of Sunglasses An cancer could be caused con by synthetic A DISTRIBUTOR who supplied fake Italian sunglasses to a nationwide chain of opticians has been arrested.

The Policia Nacional and customs officials from the Tax Agency inspected 12 stores across the country as well as a warehouse belonging to the unnamed retailer.

Some 719 counterfeit items including 290 fake designer sunglasses were seized during the police operation.

Investigations started after police got a complaint from the Italian company that makes the upmarket sunglasses, saying that fakes were being sold in Spain.

The probe led officers to a man who previously worked for the manufacturer and who had owned several opticians.

S

chemicals, study reveals

SCIENTISTS have found an alarming 921 chemicals in products we use daily that could be causing cancer.

Around 90% of these substances are found in food, drink, pesticides, medicines and workplaces.

Researchers also found almost a third of these chemicals create tumours in animals, the ‘best predictor’ of whether they cause cancer in humans.

These synthetic chemicals are being developed ‘all the time’ and could explain the recent rise in breast cancer in young women, claimed the report by the Silent Spring Institute.

PAIN is home to many delicious and nutritious foods, but did you know the strange way eating one fruit could help with anti-ageing?

Often eaten with breakfast, as a dip or even to make creamy desserts, this superfood is highly versatile and healthy.

While avocados are full of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, many people overlook the most beneficial part of the fruit.

The seed, often tossed in the bin, is packed full of healthy antioxidants which can help you to fight disease.

Avocado seeds, once peeled and mashed, can be added to salads, soups and smoothies for an extra

POISONS IN THE HOME

By Yzabelle Bostyn

“Recent data show rates increasing in young women, a trend that can’t be explained by genetics,” explained a spokesman at the American institute.

Some 4,132 people under 44 were diagnosed with breast cancer in Spain in 2023, a 9% increase over 2021.

“Breast cancer is increasing in younger women,” oncologist Dr Javier Salvador told the Olive Press.

The Sevilla-based doctor added: “The general occurrence

SUPER AVO

health boost.

They have a slightly bitter taste, but it’s worth it to make the most out of the fruit’s anti-ageing properties.

The flesh of the avocado also has amazing properties for our health, including high levels of vitamin C, which helps to protect our cells, vitamin K, which keeps bones strong and vitamin E which strengthens the immune system.

They are also rich in B vitamins, which help us maintain our vision, healthy skin and functioning nervous systems.

The superfood is also full of magnesium,

ALARM: As breast cancer incidence soars in Spain

is rising and it is fundamentally associated with unhealthy habits. Breast cancer

potassium and omega-3, which can help fight heart disease.

Avocados are also high in fibre which is beneficial for gut health and healthy fats which help keep us fuller for longer.

If that weren’t enough, studies have shown that greater consumption of avocados can lead to better brain function in older people, so it slows both visible and mental ageing.

In Spain, over 100 varieties of the fruit are available, the most common being Hass avocados.

The Europeans that consume the most avocados are the French, followed by Germans, Brits and Spaniards.

is no exception”.

Cancer among the under 50s has risen by an incredible 79% over the last three decades, according to a study by Global Burden of Disease (GBD).

And it is no coincidence that during this time, the number of synthetic chemicals has risen dramatically.

Globally, the production of chemicals has increased fiftyfold since 1950.

This number is set to triple by 2050 believes the European Environment Agency.

It comes after Europe’s largest ever screening programme discovered residents are subject to ‘alarmingly high’ levels of toxic chemicals, which could lead to ‘serious illness’.

Healthy treat AN exotic fruit that prevents cardiovascular disease is being grown on the Costa del Sol for the first time.

The South American plant Guaba has finally borne fruit six years after it was planted.

Also known as a Pacay or ‘ice cream beans’, the fruit contains white beans with a sweet vanilla flavour.

Grown across Peru, Ecuador and Colombia they are said to offer smells of rhubarb or strawberries.

The Institute of Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture (La Mayora) based in Algarrobo claims it has many health benefits, being rich in antioxidants, which prevent cardiovascular disease, as well as fibre which aids digestion.

However, don’t expect to see the fruit in your local supermarket anytime soon as La Mayora has only succeeded in growing one Guaba to date.

Among 30 exotic species grown by La Mayora, Guaba is part of an experiment to see if other non-native fruit can be grown in Spain.

EXOTIC: A new fruit has arrived on Spain’s shores

January 25th - February 7th 2024

11 NEWS

www.theolivepress.es

From Hollywood to park bench

A FAMOUS Spanish actress is living on a park bench in Marbella since 2016. for money at traffic lights.and forced to beg So tough has become Goya-nominated Monic stopped working in TV her life after she is best known for her a Cervera, 48, Avecina, that she becam show, La Que Se lead role in the 2004 Alex de la Iglesia She shocked fans when e homeless. she told a magazine film, Crimen Ferpecto. this week that she is curren tly ‘living on the Her performance in streets’. the comedy-horror saw her nominated She described her homele ssness as a ‘perfor ‘best new actress’ at the Goya sonal’ decision. award s Spain’ s answer to the Oscars.

She has a family - among them a 14-yearHowever she fell out old son - and a home to of favour after the 2006 film, Busco, and bella, although for unspecreturn to in Marhas not worked has decided to live on her ified reasons she own.

January 10th - January 23rd 2024

3

‘NO OP, NO IDEA!’

Sent to heaven Goodbye to Maria ‘Go the former smuggler atslayer’, died at 110 years old who has

SCENE: An abandoned racetrack turned rave village and (right) how we reported the story morton, in rural Worcestershire.

Lasting seven days, the seminal party only ended when the dancing stopped, the generators ran out and police began arresting those involved.

The unfairly-maligned festival sparked a nationwide debate about free parties, culminating in the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. The infamous legislation criminalised any gathering of 20 or more people where music using ‘a succession of repetitive beats’ was being played, effectively banning illegal raves.

In Britain, the party was effectively over, forcing many sound systems to move to mainland Europe.

Among them was Spiral Tribe, 13 members of which had been arrested for organising the legendary Castlemorton festival. They were eventually acquitted of all charges.

Not long after arriving in Spain they started a series of events here, including allegedly the country’s first ‘free festival’, held in Valencia in 1993.

Either way, that giant event (that lasted for nearly a week) sparked an interest in free festivals around the country with many Spaniards joining in… and today, there are dozens of similar events taking place with reportedly over 200 ‘sound systems’ (groups who provide the music technology and DJs) running them.

It is perhaps, no surprise, that the parties are concentrated in Catalunya, Andalucia and

“

Playing with fire

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There are dozens of similar events taking place with reportedly over 200 ‘sound systems

“

When applying to the electoral register, expats should use the last address where they were registered as a UK resident.

Any eligible voters previously resident in the UK, even as children, but who have never been registered to vote, can apply by using their last UK address.

Once registered to vote, British expats will need to renew their registration every three years, before November 1.

W

HAT’S going on in politics today? What are the latest law changes affecting expats?

What are the travel trends for 2024 and where should I invest in property? childr en when her only If you’re not a subscriber to the Olive Press, then your daugh ter died in 1980.

Despi te her answer to any of the above will likely be: ‘No idea!’ chequered past, she was As the best English newspaper in hande d the honou r of RIP:Spain, Maria lived only at theolivepress.es will Citizenlife to the full ship of Andalucia you find an enjoyable mix of importin 2017 for her lifetim e of work ant news, exclusive investigations and sacrif ice.

Right up to A MEGA-RAVE schedu Alcon chel, and articles that help answer all share d led to her death a video last seven days shut down of her singin at a Christ day early, as its partyg 2022, saying : “This g in the WORLD famousurrounding life mas ofis questions she best sorts simply ran out of steam. oers PARTY’S s acrobats cante was able to enjoytribut e we can offer, from Cirque It comes after laid back du Soleil are Alegrithis year. ing what local loved coming to read a is the show’s lonresidents and even region and doingin theshe country.

Madrid, Barcel OVER sing and, in Spain most: singin g.” politicians encouraged al na, Sevilla, Malaga and o- gest-running Ali- reimagined for production the words world curren tly has the illegal gathering, called the the modern ’s That includes money-saving tips ‘Big oldest perso n, of a family Maria F**cking Party’. audience.

Brany as MoreTaking place in a deserte friend , she ra, An ‘immersive’ twofrom Catalu nya, who you simply cannot hour and tricks afford of semi-desert in inlandd area was ‘alway s reach experience, it es 117 in March cia, some 8,000 people Mur. a fighte r’. leaves punters feeling The oldest perso to to the bash at its peak. headed ever Mayo r ‘joyous’ and ‘magical’. without. of live to be n Comprising thousands Los Barri- Jeannwas Frenc hwom an It kicks off in Barceloof expats and tourists, many e Calme nt, who RAVE: Thousands os, Migue l lived And from France, na on March 20 and turned up for our paying subscribers, Italy and Germany, it took to 122. for the party place finishe on a s in Madrid at former racetrack, near Fuente Alamo. of the year.

Kicking off on Decem ately close it down, local tailored newslettersthe endwill ber 30, the illegal rave started when insisted they ‘didn’t mind’.residents a group Warweekly of anonymous organi ga “As long as they don’t m es RA keep you informed of the latest FA through a chain onto the zers broke rubbish it’s fine with leave loads of IT SE was an TBACK opportunity pants engage in handThe same group, who course.

Alamo farmer told El me,” a Fuente to let off steam after SPANISH tennis hero Rafa organi a to-hand combat They were supportedPais.

Nadal will miss the Aussimilar rave in La Peza, zed a long and stressful 2023 with and travel, health tralianproperty Open so that he can issues. near flour and eggs. spokesman, Victor Egioby Podemos receive more treatment Granada, last year, set - and the townsfolk of to his hip. up stagThe festival has been who attended the event, (pictured), es, speakers and food stalls.

Ibi took full advantage.

Nadal, insistin 37, Meanwhile all of them get a daily round-up of had g taking the only just place for made his return group come back next Participants dresse Soon dozens of stands to the tennis circuit after missing nearly d centuries, imitati two had It finally came to a stopnew year. a year due up in military outfits also been erected ng to a hip injury. Despite mock coup d’etat. Thea the long ab- 20 stories of the day. a day after the Guardia on January 5, around and staged a mock 'revt-shirts and other items.selling sence, he won his first Civil issued an Els Enfarinats Army two matcheviction notice and started olution' outside the While regional Vox es at the Brisbane Interna blocking poliadvances on the anyone from leaving tional from this weekend a town hall of the tician Jose Angel Antelo tournament in straigh Now, without having town every Decemt had an alcohol and drugs Alicante town. slammed the party, But he lost his quartersets. ber 28, collecting -fiSome 57 people were test.

As food fights go, insisting nal match against Jorfined for drug police ‘taxes’ which are personalised missive from driving, 14 for danger Els Enfarinats should dan ous immediThom driving pson, then and 92 for drug posses donated egg-cells itself, which is where sion. to a designated as particihe picked up this our digital editor will keep charity. new injury . you in the loop about the E ME? S CAN YOU SEN ALL OUR READER biggest stories of the week…

FREE THEN SO CA HEARING TEST and what to keep an eye on!

NESS SI U WE SPEAK ENGLISH B R U YO START YOUR JOUR You’ll even be able to make AS NEY TO BETTER HEAR ING COULD BE IS suggestions of what we S TH VISUAL A LITTLE should be following.

FROM AS SUE IS When we first introduced AS €50 AN a paywall three years ago, CONTACT US FOR INFORMATION ON many of our rivals were OUR ADVERTISING sceptical and refused to acON 951 27 35 75 OR EMAIL US ON SALES@ cept the rapidly-changing news landscape.

THEOLIVEPRESS.ES But as you may have noticed, almost everyone has now followed suit with their own subscription service.

While most merely offer translated stories from their Spanish counterparts, plus a few columnists, the Olive Press offers so much more.

But we know purse strings are tighter than ever in January, which is why we are launching an END OF JANUARY WINTER BLUES SALE TODAY with an incredible 50% off the first year of your subscription.

Scan the QR code here to be taken directly to the subscription page with the limited offer already applied.

And signing up could not be easier, with Apple Pay, GPay and PayPal all now available.

The winter sale will end on February 1, so sign up for the bargain price while you can!

SHE had been forced to make ends meet smuggling cigare ttes and er contra band durin othg the dark decad es in Andal ucia’s histor y.

At just nine years old

By Yzabelle Bostyn in 1922, Maria Rodri was sent out ‘doingguez, er- family contin rands ’ aroun d the Cadiz ed, she did ually insist area. it ‘out of cessit y’ after her husbaneKnow n as Maria ‘Mata nd - died young , leavin cabra s’ (Mari a the g her slayer ), she had Goat- with three childr en to gradu ated to smuggsoon bring up. tobac co, coffee and ling Born on Janua ry 24, 1913, rics betwe en Gibra fab- the Los Barrio s reside nt Jerez and even Portu ltar, got marri ed at 18 and ended up havin g to But, as all her friend gal. pros and vide for her nine grand -

Va l e n c i a , areas with high numbers of foreigners and the parties are usually organised at locations which w i l l cause the least disturbance to locals.

In fact, residents of Fuente Alamo, the nearest town to this year’s Big F**cking Party, said they ‘didn’t mind’ the festival, as long as they ‘picked up their rubbish’. It was exactly the same at La Peza last year.

According to Fluor Nation: “Festivals are always held far away from where anyone lives, we don’t want to bother anyone. We’re also very aware of the environment and take away all our litter. The atmosphere is friendly, everyone helps and has fun.”

Fuengirola – 952 472 783 Av. Conde San Isidro 1

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Despite this, many claim free festivals are by their very nature dangerous as the ‘unofficial’ events are not bound by normal safety procedures.

It’s a fact that a number of serious issues (some reported by the Olive Press) occurred at the annual Dragon Festival that took place primarily near Orgiva for two decades until 2019.

And there were 57 people fined for drug driving as they left the recent event in Murcia, 14 of them for ‘dangerous driving’.

However, one regular expat raver, who asked not to be named, insisted organisers carefully self-police the events and ‘almost nothing bad ever happens’.

She continued: “Fences and security is not for safety. It’s just to get people to pay. People are just there to enjoy themselves.”

She insisted the ‘hedonistic free-spirit’ is the driving force behind the parties, adding: “Free festivals are collaborative, there’s no one in control. That’s why they work so well.”

Fluor Nation agreed: “It’s an altruistic movement that provides an alternative and affordable way to enjoy music without conditions,” she insisted.

The latter part certainly seems to remain true in Spain. For now.

PARTY ON: Revellers arrive at the Dragon Festival

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LA CULTURA What’s in a name 12

Madrid cat El Prado is removing words like

‘dwarf’, ‘disabled’ and ‘deformation’ from descriptions of masterpieces to ‘avoid offence’ THE description of an artwork by a famous Spanish master in Madrid’s El Prado museum has been altered to remove mention of the subject’s ‘dwarfism’.

The plaque for Diego de Velazquez's 1636 masterpiece El Niño de Vallecas, which depicts ‘court dwarf’

Lights, cameras, action TOO WOKE?: Lezcano is no longer described as a court dwarf

jesters, which is set to be amended to just: Velazquez: the jesters.

Francisco Lezcano, now re- Another passage reads: fers to the condition by its “One of the palace dwarfs medical name, achondro- poses with an open book plasia. whose large dimensions The general poster for the emphasise his smallness.” display is currently titled: This is likely to be replaced Velazquez: dwarfs and with: "One of the palace jesters poses with an open book whose large dimensions serve to establish a A NEW X-rated dating show is coming game of scales." to Spain as Naked Attraction makes its It comes as part Spanish debut on HBO Max. of the museum's Marta Flich will present the new series, broader initiaan adaptation of the popular show origitive to undernally aired by the UK’s Channel 4. take a review In the unique dating programme, conin response to testants have to eliminate potential Spain's recent partners one by one as their naked body constitutional parts are slowly revealed. reform.

The show has gained popularity in GerArticle 49 of the many, France and Italy before making Spanish Constiits way to Spain. tution, expected

By Walter Finch

NAKED ATTRACTION

to be approved next week, requires that language and presentation of art are sensitive and align with modern day standards.

According to the amendment, going forwards, the term ‘disabled’ should be replaced with ‘people with disabilities’.

Nearly 27,000 painting files on its website and about 1,800 exhibition posters are being revised to comply with the new amendment.

Examples of this update include altering descriptions on artworks such as Prince Don Carlos by Alonso Sanchez Coello and Brigida del Rio, the bearded one from Peñaranda by Juan Sanchez Cotan.

In the former, a sign reads: “To cover up the deformation of his back.”

Now it simply says: “To cover his back.”

THE first big blockbuster movie to shoot at Alicante's City of Light film studios since their reopening in 2022 will see the crew of Venom 3 arrive on Monday.

The Marvel film starring British actor Tom Hardy did location work in Murcia's Cartagena area last summer before the US actors strike caused the suspension of production.

A team of 600 people will stay in Alicante for around two months with several scenes being filmed at the City of Light for a month, followed by post-production work.

The Alicante invasion will temporarily coincide with the filming of a new project at the studios by director Alejandro Amenabar called El Cautivo (The Captive).

It tells the story of Don Quixote creator, Miguel de Cervantes being held captive by a group of Barbery pirates off Catalunya at the age of 28.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 6 Aeroplane body (8) 7 Simple dwellings (4) 9 Reechoed sound (13) 10 Tears (5) 12 Claim as due (5) 14 Salt (3) 15 Renounce (5) 16 Modify (5) 18 Military decoration (8,5) 21 Small dam (4) 22 Smashed beer mugs go under (8) Down

OP SUDOKU

A BRAND new species of feline that would have roamed central Spain around 15.5 million years ago has been dubbed ‘Madrid cat.’

Officially known by its Latin name, Magerifelis peignei, it would have been a powerful creature around twice the size of your house cat - and boasted an unusually ‘strong bite when hunting.’

The new species was discovered after palaeontologists from Spain’s National Museum of Natural Sciences found a well-preserved jawbone fossil in excavations near Madrid.

The team was able to recreate what the moggy may have looked like based on the fossilised finding, showing a cat that would have weighed about 7.61kg.

Of all modern day creatures, it is thought it might have behaved most like a lynx, which is known for tackling large prey and suffocating them in its jaws.

Researcher Gema Siliceo said: “The jaw is very robust when compared to that of felines of similar size, which suggests an adaptation to withstand great stresses.”

January 25th - February 7th 2024

1 Pleasingly pretty (4) 2 Six-shooter (8) 3 Perhaps (5) 4 Apprentice (7) 5 Produced by 2 Down (4) 8 Ballroom dance (3-4) 11 Small and delicate (3-4) 13 Carved up ensnared writer (8) 14 Traveller (7) 17 Brazilian dance (5) 19 Grow weary (4) 20 Melancholy sound (4)

All solutions are on page 14

BUSINESS

Hope for bridge

ORIHUELA'S mayor says a €1.37m bank loan could get a much-needed pedestrian bridge built over the AP-7 on the Orihuela Costa.

Pepe Vegara is looking at the option after years of campaigning and protests by Lomas de Cabo Roig residents.

The current bridge - opened in 2008 - is used by pedestrians as their sole walkway along the CV-941 from Lomas de Cabo Roig to the beaches, health centre and shops at Aquamarina.

There is just a small hard-shoulder on the crossing with cars having to swerve round pedestrians and cyclists.

Protests over the years included 600 residents staging a march across the bridge in March 2018.

January 25th - February 7th 2024

Jobs threat

Aldi expands

AI could affect 60% of jobs in Spain according to stark warning from the IMF THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a warning about the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on jobs.

According to a recent IMF study, up to 60% of employment in advanced economies such as Spain could be

Costly consequences

By Ben Pawlowski

ROBO-DESIGNER: And will journalists go this way too?

affected by the development of AI. The impact is estimated to be lower in developing and low-income economies, with 40% and 26% of jobs

being affected respectively.

However, there remains optimism about the potential positive aspects of AI - the IMF study estimates that while advanced economies are prone to the greatest risks deTHE trade in counterfeit goods is depriving legal rived by AI, businesses of €1.5 billion annually and costing they are also 15,000 jobs according to the European Intellecin the best tual Property Office (EUIPO). position to The survey from the Alicante-based EU agency capitalise on covers three sectors - clothing, cosmetics, and its benefits. toys.

Thus, the It has averaged out the losses caused by fake IMF expects items between 2018 and 2021, which EUIPO that roughly says accounts for 6.7% of total sales. half of the In the clothing and footwear market alone, it jobs exposed claims that 11,208 jobs and €1 billion in sales to AI in adare lost each year. vanced econThe toy sector accounts for 11% in lost sales and omies will €114 million in revenue, while cosmetic sales actually benare hit by a 5.5% fall and €400 million in losses. efit from its development.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL GREAT TRIP

Driving force

TOURISM was one of Spain's main economic growth areas last year, accounting for nearly €187 billion and a record 12.8% of the country's GDP. The figures have been compiled by Exceltur - a national association that brings together some 30 big tourist-related companies.

Growth in 2023 was 13.1% and was spread out over all months of the year, including the last quarter - well after the high season period.

It means that tourism accounted for 70.8% of the Spanish economy's growth last year with Exceltur predicting a positive 2024.

“We are proud that tourism is the mainstay of the Spanish economy and that it has also created more and better jobs,” said the executive vice-president of Exceltur, Jose Luis Zoreda.

Flying high SPAIN clocked up a record number of airline passengers in 2023 to exceed levels recorded before the Covid pandemic.

Figures from the Aena operated network showed over 283 million people passed through their airports last year - 16% more than 2022 and 2.9% up on 2019 when the previous record of 275.2 million was reached.

The managing director of the IMF, Kristilina Georgieva, commented: “We are on the precipice of a technological revolution that has the potential to boost productivity, accelerate global growth and elevate incomes across the world. However, it could also replace jobs and exacerbate inequality.”

In developing and low-income economies, the impact of AI on jobs is expected to initially be less significant.

However, many such countries lack the infrastructure and labour force to feel the full benefits of AI. Georgieva, who became chief of the IMF in 2019, warned: “It is crucial that countries establish rigorous social security nets and offer re-skilling initiatives to vulnerable workers.”

By Yzabelle Bostyn

PERFECT DRIVE: Through Spain’s mountains

perience.

“With the fifth-best road quality, Spain is renowned for

its modern and well-maintained highways. The country also has the third cheapest car hire prices at just €29.55 ( a b o u t $32.42), meaning m o n e y rate of price growth is slowing, essaved can pecially in recent months,” accordbe spent on ing to Maria Jesus Fernandez, seeverything nior economist at Funcas. from visitOlive oil however reported an aning some of nual rise of 54.6%, and between the counJanuary 2021 and last Decemtry's most ber, the price has skyrocketed by famous 165.5%, with olive prices rising by galleries to 44% on average in 2022. delicious tapas."

Food hikes slow SPAIN'S food inflation rate is at its lowest point since March 2022, standing at 7.3% last month.

The National Institute of Statistics said the rate fell by 1.7% compared to November.

Lower rises in milk, egg, cheese, bread, cereals and meat products were key to slowing down the food inflation rate.

“Things are on the right track; the

GERMAN discount supermarket chain Aldi says it plans to open nearly 50 new stores in Spain this year.

To back its expansion, the retailer will soon open a 40,000 m2 distribution centre in Miranda de Ebro to cover the north of the country.

Half of the new store openings will be in the Valencia, Madrid, Murcia, and Catalunya regions.

Beside the new Miranda logistics facility, the Sagunt distribution centre in Valencia province, which opened last year, will be fully operational by February.

The retailer closed 2023 with 435 stores in Spain- an 11% increase on the previous year.

PAY UP THE national minimum wage in Spain is being raised by 4.5% in 2024.

The Ministry of Labour and trade unions have agreed the new rate, despite it being 0.5% below the 5% being asked for by the unions.

The national minimum wage will see full time workers paid €1,134 a month.

A €54 rise, it will affect some two million workers from January this year.

Businesses also participated in the talks, although they pushed for a 3% minimum age increase, with an extra 1% to reflect inflation.

OIL FURY

Spain is the best country in the world for a driving holiday, according to new ranking

SPAIN has been named the best country in the world for road trips.

A study by Compare the Market Australia considered the cost, popularity and safety of road tripping in many countries worldwide, taking into account petrol prices, road quality, number of accidents and congestion levels.

The research stated: “Spain is the country where foreign drivers are likely to find the most pleasurable driving ex-

13

It was closely followed by Canada, which ranked highly due to its affordable petrol and its clear roads.

According to the study it takes an average of just 14 minutes to drive 6.2 miles, meaning drivers can explore this vast country with ease.

The United States - in many ways the home of road trips especially via its iconic Route 66 - took third place.

The UK took fourth spot thanks to Scotland’s iconic North Coast 500.

Another Iberian location, Portugal, was given fifth place, with researchers highlighting low petrol prices and stunning coastal routes.

SPANISH shoppers contending with olive oil setting them back up to €10 a litre have been raging at their staple food product being half the price in London.

A Spaniard living in the English capital highlighted how one litre of ‘mild’ olive oil from Antequera in Andalucia is selling in Lidl at £4.99 - equivalent to €5.80.

And extra virgin olive oil was just £3.89 per 750ml - £5.19 per litre or €6.02, with experts predicting it will hit €13 per litre in Spain soon.

“They are taking the p***!” wrote LaVecinaCottilla (the Gossiping Neighbour) on social media.

Spain’s long running drought and intense heat waves have seriously impacted olive oil production, reducing supply and driving up prices at home.

14

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

VIEWS WITH A BLOOM

As Spring arrives Spain‘s countryside is transformed by carpets of pink and white flowers. But as Dilip Kuner writes, the almond blossom comes first

O

RGANIC and piecemeal, Blossom only started to flourish three years into its genesis.

Starting as a cafe and breakfast joint next to Malaga cathedral, its owner Emiliano Schobert slowly started to serve lunch, initially cold, and finally suppers two years later.

The Argentinian chef had landed in Malaga with his wife Lucia and three children in 2019 and had been planning a long holi-

January 25th - February 7th 2024

I

T’S that time of year when the hills around southern Spain come alive with the first signs of Spring.

Unusual as it may seem for northern Europeans, the end of January welcomes the wonderful spectacle of almond blossom, creating unmissable sights and smells.

The sweet fragrance of almond flowers hangs in the air, while acres of trees assail the eyes with a breathtaking display of pink and white blossoms that will live in your memory forever.

You don’t have to go too far to witness this early Springtime extravaganza - with the hills inland from the costas, in particular,

PROFUSION: Pink or white blossom line the hills around Spain

REVIEW: ‘Sweet and sour masterpiece’...It’s the perfect time to visit the expat-run Malaga restaurant, Blossom, writes Jon Clarke

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 6 Fuselage, 7 Huts, 9 Reverberation, 10 Rents, 12 Exact, 14 Tar, 15 Forgo, 16 Adapt, 18 Victoria Cross, 21 Weir, 22 Submerge.

Down: 1 Cute, 2 Repeater, 3 Maybe, 4 Learner, 5 Shot, 8 Two-step, 11 Elf-like, 13 Andersen, 14 Tourist, 17 Samba, 19 Tire, 20 Sigh.

In particular, the crunchy carrot cream and peanut praline tartlet was a great palate opener, while a mini Jerusalem artichoke soup was ever so slightly spicy with a peppery kick.

A strip of smoked salmon carefully rolled on top of a slice of ‘Malaga cucumber’ was both subtle and refreshing, while a ceviche of ‘silver snapper’ with pepper sauce, tiger leche milk and more was remarkably flavoursome, a sweet and sour masterpiece, that brought back my faith in a dish that is 75% of the time disappointing in Europe.

Then there was a scallop with a sliver of foie, apple and almonds, while the fish of the day was sea bream, served with delicious fresh peas and cauliflower.

The pig’s jowl and salmon roe was as pretty as a picture and tasted as good as it looked - properly lip-smacking, while a Morel mushroom stuffed with duck mouse, and a chickpea blini with creamy Parmesan … hallelujah. One bite of heaven.

Then it was two - yes TWO - courses of duck, the first; a breast, lightly braised, with celeriac mash. It was the same with the venison with firstly a slice of

ARTIST: Talented teacher Emi Schobert and his young team (below)

True artworks, delicate and thoughtful, they’d be worthy of a place in the Picasso museum up the road

breast with a chocolate mole in a mushroom veloute and pickled beetroot (the sweetness of the beetroot was remarkable) as well as a Portobello mushroom with a venison slice on top.

OK, it sounds like too much food, but the dishes aren’t huge.

Indeed they are just about right and after all, this is a ‘tasting menu’. It also meant I still had space for a trio of puddings, with caramelised apples in chamomile ‘English custard’ particularly splendid, while the white chocolate bavarois with mascarpone, Tonka beans and crumble was amazing too.

Finally, a chocolate stuffed raspberry didn’t ruin the night, even coming with a glass of PX brandy on the house, sending me off to appropriately sweet dreams.

Novelle cuisine. Remember that? Well it’s back and alive and well at Blossom, where the flowers are out in full bloom.

ON THE PALATE - RESTAURANT REVIEW

day before working part-time between Spain and Patagonia … but then, of course, came the pandemic.

And praise the lord, for suddenly stuck in Andalucia, ‘Emi’ was forced to change his plans and slowly began to set up one of the most exciting new additions to Andalucia’s burgeoning food scene in years.

He certainly had pedigree. Cordon Bleu trained; he set up his own cookery school in Patagonia and twice represented his country at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or event, in France, now in its 20th year.

After stints at restaurants in Denmark and France, he was ripe to transfer his skills to setting up a kitchen in Spain. And he’s done so well that the celebrated Michelin guide handed him the prestigious Bib Gourmand

‘value-for-money’ award in November.

So perhaps the most surprising thing is that Blossom is apparently anything but cheap.

With a set menu at €115 per head, not including wine, it was no surprise to find the terrace empty, while all its near neighbours were bustling on a busy Thursday in the run up to Christmas.

Couple after couple stopped, looked at the menu, and swiftly moved on. But more’s the pity, for the 13-course set menu had a wealth and depth of ingredients as impressive as it was long.

With plenty of fish and meat (including Red Snapper, a beef tartare, duck and even venison), I calculated that the ingredients alone would come to half the cost.

Even better, my friendly waiter David, a Spaniard who recently ‘reluctantly’ swapped London for Malaga, insisted the menu was as KM-0 as possible and suggested a delectable white Rioja, Añades, with a touch of mandarin after being aged for six years in cask.

The first four dishes come out together as a really beautiful tableaux … true artworks, delicate and thoughtful, they’d be worthy of a place in the Picasso museum up the road.

offering some of the best profusions.

In particular, the Valle de Guadalest, in Valencia, the Guadalhorce Valley, in Malaga, and the Tramantana range of Mallorca offer wonderful displays at this time of year.

Anywhere with a perfect micro-climate - normally sheltered from the north wind and not too high up - is perfect for these early blooms.

Perhaps it is no surprise that Almeria is home to thousands of blossoming trees at this time of year, with the drive between Andalucia and Alicante wonderful in early February.

Venture up into the two mountain ranges, the Sierra de los Filabres and the Sierra Alhamilla, for a particularly special display.

Meanwhile, the term ‘Mallorca snow’ has become a widespread term, not for the nightclubs, but for the hillsides full of almond blossom in February.

The best places to find it are around the Puig de Randa, the Puig de Bonany and the Puig de Santa Magdalena.

A little later in March, Gran Canaria is a great place to see the blossom and the island even has its own Fiestas del Almendro en Flor, which started in 1969.

Wherever you do see them, remember time is of the essence and there is only a short window of about three weeks before they start sprouting their leaves and ultimately their delicious nuts.

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

STORM Isha provoked chaos as holidaymakers returning from the Canary Islands were forced to land in the south of France, more than 1000km away from their intended destination of Dublin.

White sight NATURE lovers were left stunned in Andalucia’s Doñana National Park when they spotted an incredibly rare albino deer, thought to occur only in one in every 30,000 of the species.

Marbs movie A FILM about Marbella’s early 2000s corruption scandal is topping the Spanish box office. El Correo follows a young gangster's rise to the top of a money laundering organisation.

Your expat

DOG DAYS

voice in Spain

COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 5 Issue 107 www.theolivepress.es January 25th - February 7th 2024

Back to the test centre Spanish drivers are praised for their ‘courteous driving’ and ‘respect for traffic rules’

A NEW report has praised the much-maligned Spanish drivers for their courtesy and identified the behaviour and driving styles for each of Spain’s major cities.

It goes so far as to give a clear road map of ​​ where the most courteous drivers in the country

By Walter Finch

can be found.

Zaragoza leads the way, with drivers ‘known’ for their respect for traffic rules and consideration for pedestrians and cyclists.

HEY, CRINGERENA!

HILLARY Clinton brought the cringe with her during a trip to Sevilla.

She was called upon to dance the Macarena with the original sevillano duo Los del Rio during a party in her honour at the Palacio de las Dueñas.

She tried it gamely, despite clearly having no idea about the song’s iconic dance.

This is perhaps puzzling since it was played constantly at Democratic Party events during the 1996 campaign to re-elect her husband, Bill.

Apparently, the city’s drivers stand out for their patience and politeness on the road, according to the International Drivers Association.

Residents in Madrid will apparently recognise their fellow drivers’ strict adherence to speed limits, which contributes to the ‘well-known’ smooth and safe traffic flow in the Spanish capital.

Over in Barcelona, the drivers are universally recognised for their excellent signalling as they plough through the city’s grid layout - particularly in using indicators.

Meanwhile in Malaga, those out for a stroll will no doubt be fully aware of drivers’ precise stopping - especially at bus stops, where pedestrians get on and off without fear.

ROAD RAGE?: Spaniards praised for their driving But it is the pedestrians of Sevilla who are really spoiled, with drivers who would never think of steaming through a pedestrian crossing, instead habitually stopping completely.

The report surely leaves no doubt that, from Zaragoza to Sevilla, considerate and respectful driving is a hallmark of Spanish road culture - unless of course, you know different.

Opinion Page 6

THE canine crowned ‘the oldest ever dog’ has been stripped of his title pending an investigation into whether his age was a fraud.

Portuguese pooch Bobi, who lived in Alentejo near the Spanish border, passed away in October at 31 years and 163 days old - an unbelievable 217 in human years.

However, the fanfare around his coronation also brought increased scrutiny towards the Portuguese mastiff, a breed whose average life expectancy is around 13 years.

Readers noticed that photos of Bobi from 1999 show him with white paws - whereas the dog who died in 2023 had brown ones.

Guinness World Records has now announced that it has withdrawn Bobi’s title and is even pausing both the record titles for 'oldest dog living' and 'oldest dog ever' until they get to the bottom of the matter.

Once matters are cleared up, the title could soon return to Spike, a living chihuahua from Ohio, who briefly held the crown last January at the age of 23 years, before being usurped

by Bobi.