Olive Press Gibraltar Issue 177

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Faith Torres

Jaylynn Cruz

Katherine Hahn

Mia Peach

Michelle Lopez Desoisa

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GIBRALTAR

Vol. 6 Issue 177

www.theolivepress.es

The Rock’s ONLY free local paper July 13th - July 26th 2022

NO DEAL!

Joint sovereignty off the table as Picardo thanks PM Johnson for his ‘unwavering support’

By Dilip Kuner

Dear Gov

X

REJECTED: Picardo said no thanks to Moreno (left) and praised Johnson ans themselves,” he insisted. of Gibraltar in a referendum and this was But while Gibraltar welcomed Moreno’s overwhelmingly rejected. That situation call for cooperation, the Rock insisted that has not changed.” shared sovereignty is not on the table.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo meanwhile “The Government welcomes positive muthanked Johnson for his ‘unwavering suptual cooperation with Spain and Andalucia port’ for Gibraltar. with no strings attached, however Gibral“I am acutely aware that behind every tar will not entertain shared or joint soverpolitical drama we see played out on our eignty in any form,” insisted a spokesman. screens there is a human tragedy involving He added: “It will be recalled that in 2002 a person and a family.” that very principle was put to the people He added that whatever Gibraltarians thought about Johnson’s decision on Brexit, they should not forget the support he gave during the Covid pandemic, making life saving vaccines available immediately.

He also agreed to a ‘£500 million sovereign guarantee’, which has been ALL AREAS hugely valuable to us.

“For that, and his unwavering supCOVERED port in the negotiations for a UK-EU Treaty on Gibraltar, we must thank 4G UNLIMITED him,” he said.

First step to a dream THE new organiser of the Miss Gibraltar pageant has signed up 12 contestants for this year’s show.

The annual event is being run by No1 Models led by Kelvin Hewitt after the Ministry of Culture decided it was time to step aside.

Now the young women will be taken under the wing of the agency for the next 10 weeks to be prepared for the pageant, which will be hosted at the Alameda Gardens Open Air Theatre on September 17.

Back in March the government of Gibraltar decided to cease funding, saying it was ‘no longer appropriate’ for the state to organise the event.

It invited anyone interested in taking over to get in touch, with No1 Models being chosen from three applicants.

Funding the contest had cost the taxpayer £105,000 annually.

The first Miss Gibraltar pageant was held in 1959, with each year’s winner going on to represent the rock at Miss World.

Janice Sampere is the reigning champ and competed at Miss World in Puerto Rico in 2021.

Despite the change in organisers, the government continues to pay for the Miss World licence, meaning the next winner of the competition will be able to compete in the global event.

The Rock has tasted success in Miss World, with Kaiane Aldorino scooping the title in 2009.

In 2011 Aldorino was awarded the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour and the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar, becoming the first woman in Gibraltar to receive the award.

She served as Mayor of Gibraltar from 2017 to 2019.

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PIC CREDITS: Miss Gibraltar Facebook

ANDALUCIA’S President has been rebuffed after calling for a move towards joint sovereignty between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar.

Juanma Moreno offered cooperation amid the political turmoil in the UK after the resignation of Boris Johnson as AROUND 150 demConservative onstrators handed a party leader. letter to the Governor And he addcalling for a referened that the dum on any treaty ‘reasonable’ between the Rock and thing to do the EU would be to The letter explained edge towards that this would allow co-sovercitizens who want to eignty. remain part of the UK “It would to ‘voice their choice’. be the most demonstrators The sensible were met by the Govcourse for ernor, Vice Admiral both workSir David Steel, who ers in the sought to reassure Campo de them of Gibraltar’s inGibraltar alienable British sovand for the ereignty.

Gibraltari-

Celine Mor

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THE DESTRUCTION OF SPAIN’S COSTAS

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CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Clobber con SOME 20,000 items of fake designer clothing have been seized by police at Fuengirola market, with cops arresting two men after intercepting shipments from Mijas.

Boozed up A DRUNK Belgian man fed up with strike-related delays on a Ryanair flight was arrested after he began hurling insults at fellow passengers and tried to open the plane’s emergency exit.

Slashed A FATHER and son have been arrested after they attacked an architect with a samurai sword in a row over noisy building work in Marbella.

Licence to bill POLICE have arrested eight people for selling fake driving licences online at up to €20,000 a pop in addition to offering sham loans.

POLICE have busted a football betting ring that operated in Spain and Gibraltar.

Investigators say the network made more than €500,000, mostly on illicit gambling linked to Spain’s Third Division.

The gang also betted on Gibraltar’s National League.

Cops have arrested 21 people and another six are under investigation for organised crime, corruption and fraud.

BAD ODDS

In raids during Operation Conifera €60,000 in cash and two vehicles were seized.

Investigators say that the gang relied on two ‘leaders’ who had close connections to professional football.

They approached players who provided

July 13th - July 26th 2022 confidential information in order to influence matches.

Information gained would then be used by ‘procurers’ who provided fake identities for online gambling and mules to place sports bets and collect prize money.

Members of the network were careful to use encrypted communications, a mix of in-person and online betting, and placed bets in installments to avoid detection.

Crime first as cops seize submarine drones used by drugs smugglers

HIGH SEAS

POLICE have impounded three underwater drones built to smuggle narcotics from Morocco across the Straits of Gibraltar.

The unmanned submersibles were able to carry up to 200kg of cargo.

The drones were equipped with sophisticated technology, allowing their remote operation from anywhere in the world.

Their discovery is the culmination of a year-long investigation, with eight people

arrested in Cadiz, Malaga, and Barcelona.

The group supplied the drones to drug smugglers across the continent.

It is the first known instance of an underwater vehicle being operated unmanned for the purposes of drug smuggling, claimed a police spokesman.

He added: “These devices could allow drug traffickers to transport large quantities of narcotics remotely.”

By George Mathias

A fire in Gibraltar’s Upper Rock Nature reserve was started accidentally, the Royal Gibraltar Police have confirmed.

On Saturday afternoon, plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the residential area known as Bruce’s farm.

A member of the public called the fire brigade to report the fire at around 5.45pm.

Firefighters were subsequently dispatched to the area, managing to contain the fire within

NOVEL: Crooks use new trafficking method In total, police seized 14kg of hashish, 8kg of marijuana, €156,000 in cash, and

Not arson around 45 minutes.

A spokesman from the RGP said: “We would like to reassure the public that there is no suspected foul play in relation to this afternoon’s fire in the Upper Rock.

“We’d like to thank the member of the public for reporting the fire.”

six drones.

Among those arrested were a father and son, with one of them a fully-qualified helicopter pilot who may have been the brains behind the operation.

Epicentre

Spain has become the epicentre of drug smuggling into mainland Europe, owing to its proximity to Morocco, one of the world’s largest hashish producers.

Information plea POLICE have renewed an appeal for information over the disappearance of Chaima Slim (pictured).

She was last seen around midnight on July 10 2008.

The then 19-year-old was walking towards the Spanish border.

A RGP spokesman said that her case remains open, with Slim listed on Interpol’s Missing Persons database.

He said: “Unfortunately, no new information has been forthcoming during the past year but the RGP continues to appeal to the public for information regarding her whereabouts.”

Anyone with any information about her disappearance is asked to contact the RGP Duty Officer at Police Headquarters on 200 72500 or report online at www.police.gi/ report-online

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NEWS

SO THAT’S THE POINT

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HE famous San Fermin ‘bull running’ festival has eturned to Pamplona after a two-year Covid break with the ‘Chupinazo’ kicking things off with an inaugural rocket.

People from all across the world have flocked to the historic city with over one million punters set to attend the eight day bash.

While the running of the bulls and associated bullfights are the most high-profile of events, there is much more to the festival than that.

A total of 532 events including concerts, fireworks and a ‘wine fight’ take place over the week.

Here, the Olive Press takes a look at its history and customs:

KIDS PLAY: Teenager with water pistol at the bullfight

July 13th - July 26th 2022

Who was San Fermin?

He was the son of the Roman ruler of Pamplona. His father was convert-

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Spain’s biggest festival San Fermin is about much more than just bullrunning, as the Olive Press discovers ed to Catholicism by San Saturino in about 300 AD. Fermin was sent to Toulouse for religious instruction and returned as a bishop.

Why do people wear the red scarf (pañuelo) around their necks?

As a new bishop, Fermin began to spread his teachings. He ran into trouble in Amiens in France where he was tortured and beheaded before being declared a martyr. The pañuelo represents the blood pouring from his neck during his gruesome death.

Why do people wear white?

There are three different theories on this. One is that the peñas, which are local social groups in Pamplona, started to wear white to differentiate themselves from the rest of the crowd.

From here, the tradition spread.

Another thought is that before the Running of the Bulls was even an official event, people still needed to guide the bulls from their enclosures to the bullring. They were helped by people on horseback but also others who ran in front of the bulls to get them to follow. These people wore white - hence the tradition.

The final theory comes from the three fundamental pillars of the festival.

One is spontaneity, the second tradition and the third anonymity irrelevent of wealth and social standing.

HOLY: Celebrations are steeped in the history of slain martyr San Fermin

Are there two San Fermín fiestas?

Yes, there is the big messy international one in July, but also a local traditional celebration of the saint in September. There is no bull run or fight, but the religious ceremonies take precedence and, of course, the drinking, fun and fiesta too.

Who are the giants with huge heads?

The parades of the Gigantes and Cabezudos take place every day of the fiesta. They carry pikes with foam balls on the end and will hit you with them if you annoy them enough. There are FIVE pairs, to represent all the continents, as when this tradition first began, they had no clue about the land down under, and, well, the traditional number stuck.

SCARY: Giants roam the town scaring the revellers (but not all!)

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Is there an unofficial running of the bulls every evening?

The bulls need to be moved from their enclosures to the pens from where they start the encierro the next morning. At sunset the short run is made in mystical darkness. The street

lamps go out, the crowds are hushed and the nearby fairground comes to a standstill to allow the bulls to move in peace.

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NEWS

July 13th - July 26th 2022

FIGHT THEM ON THE BEACHES

DISFIGURE: Plans (below) show how the unspoilt Los Lances beach will be ruined

Battle lines are being drawn as massive megaproject could see 600 football pitches of homes and hotels ‘swamp’ Tarifa’s famous virgin beaches

By Jon Clarke, Jorge Hinojosa & George Mathias

its urban footprint by 450%.

“This is the blatant destruction of one of the loveliest bits of coastline in Europe,” Javier Gil, of Ecologistas, told the Olive Press.

“Everyone needs to get involved to condemn this invasive and speculative form of tourism that will make the Tarifa area like the Costa del Sol.” The projects at Valdevaqueros, Las Piñas, Torre de La Peña, Los Lances, Pedro Valiente and Cabo Plata (in nearby Atlanterra) total thousands of new homes and dozens of hotels.

“It’s absurd to be developing such a

large unspoiled area,” said British businessman Peter Whaley, from the Hurricane Hotel group.

“We should be trying our best to protect this jewel of the coast, not build all over it.”

In the most recent scheme to be announced, the town hall is backing plans to build 730 homes and a number of hotels (comprising 1,360 bedrooms) in a 623,000 square metre area right opposite Los Lances beach.

The mostly wooded area - inside the protected Paraje Natural de Los Lances - currently has almost no buildings, apart from the La Codorniz hotel and restaurant.

Developers hope however, to overcome the area’s current protection status and their plans have been sent to Cadiz for an Environmental Impact Report (EAE).

But alarmingly, this is far from all. Another project above nearby Valdevaqueros beach will

add to the constant pressure on the area.

The scheme, which the Olive Press understands comprises around 60 luxury villas, costing millions of euros each, is already on the drawing board.

Another scheme at Las Pinas, will see 50 luxury villas constructed.

Protests The Olive Press first reported plans to develop the area in 2012, when a series of protests were organised by the pressure group Salvemos Valdevaqueros.

The body argued that the area was totally unsuitable for development (back then for around 360 homes and various hotels) as it bordered the Parque Natural del Estrecho and sat in the EU’s Red Natura 2000 zone.

This week, Tarifa mayor Francisco Ruiz refused to confirm how advanced plans were for any of the schemes.

When pressed on the Lances development, he told the Olive Press: “The project was approved in 2006, but due to the economic crisis building did not begin.”

While admitting that environmental laws are much stricter today, he is supporting the project for economic reasons ‘as long as the developers respect the environment.”

It is a big ask, insists Ecologistas spokesman Javier Gil. “There are only three areas of Andalucia left without mass urban development; Cabo de Gata in Almeria, Donana National Park and around Tarifa.

“That is why most of the tourists come to Tarifa. They come

OU

GREEN campaigners are digging in to save one of Andalucia’s last remaining coastal zones.

They are launching a national campaign to prevent a series of projects from ‘destroying’ the fragile ecology of the stunning Tarifa coastline.

Hundreds of expats are expected to join Ecologistas en Accion to fight the plans that mean around 6.2 million square metres - or 600 football pitches - of protected land are being made available to developers.

In plans that have been on the drawing board since 2004, Tarifa town hall is hoping to develop six specific areas, increasing

OLIVE PRESS INVESTIGATES -

Pic credit: Jose Maria Caballero

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here to see virgin beaches, not concrete.

“The mayor is going to destroy Tarifa and turn it into a resort like many others on the Costa del Sol. “There is not enough land there to build more houses and developers are naturally interested in virgin areas as they know they will be able to sell the properties quickly and expensively.”

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THE DESTRUCTION OF SPAIN’S COSTAS

Virgin danger Final part of protected Costa del Sol coastline set for €120 million mega-project of 300 buildings

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only coastal part of the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, near Sotogrande.

It comes after a Supreme Court ruling permitted giant olive oil conglomerate Carbonell y Figueras to develop a tourist project in the protected zone of the Campo de Gibraltar.

In total, the pair can now build 263 bungalows and six hostels over 330 hectares of parkland, home to dozens of protected species, that reaches down to the sea.

Environmentalists insist that all activity, includLOCATION: Touching the sea

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GREEN groups have joined the Junta to appeal the construction of a €120 million mega-project in one of Andalucia’s most fragile protected spaces.

Ecologistas en Accion have slammed the ‘crazy’ decision to allow nearly 300 buildings to go up inside the

O ST

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UNSPOILT: But protestors ask for how much longer? ing cultivation, is strictly banned inside the park to prevent any alteration of its ecosystem.

And the Andalucia Supreme Court agreed, when in 2021, it denied permission to the builders of the Borondo area, that sits between Alcaidesa and Sotogrande.

The scheme, which developers say will create up to 600 jobs, sits in an unrivalled area between the A7 motorway and Playa del Guadalquiton with amazing sea views.

Describing it as a ‘green gem’ Borondo developer Joan Cruz insists only 1.5% of the 330 hectares of land owned by the olive oil giant

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July 13th - July 26th 2022

will be built on.

“The coastal area will be protected and will allow the movement of any wild animals into the Alcornocales park,” he claimed.

He added that the developers had travelled the world to visit similar schemes inside national parks in Tanzania, Canada and Ecuador.

Court The company still needs several permissions to start building - and it could take approximately three years to start the construction.

Ecologistas is joining the Junta in appealing the decision to the European Court.

Sea rescue

CUSTOMS officers led an operation to rescue a couple whose yacht was being blown towards rocks near Sandy Bay. Their sailing vessel had been caught in high winds and was drifting helplessly as the couple had lost their steering and could not lower the sail or raise the anchor.

One of the customs officers climbed the mast to adjust the sail, while the other officers cut the anchor free.

The Gibraltar Defence Police, a Royal Navy RHIB, HMC Sentinel and HMC Tango 3 training vessel joined in the rescue.

As the boat’s destination was a Spanish marina, the Spanish Aduanas (SVA) was contacted they towed the stricken yacht into Algeciras port.

Earlier that day lifeguards had saved two kayakers who had jumped into the water at Catalan Bay when they were unable to paddle back to shore.

A customs launch then searched for and retrieved the kayak.

ROCKY START THE UK’S newly appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi, is facing calls to fully publish his tax returns after revelations resurfaced over his links to a Gibraltar offshore fund.

Zahawi has been accused of having financial ties to two investment firms - Balshore Investments and Berkford Investments - both of which operate from offices on the Rock.

However, the member for Stratford-on-Avon never declared this on the MPs’ register of interests.

But Zahawi says he has never had an interest in Balshore and that neither he, his wife or their children are beneficiaries.

Balshore Investments holds £20 million of shares in national polling firm YouGov, which Zahawi founded in 2000. YouGov has previously described Balshore as ‘the family trust of Nadhim Zahawi's family’. A spokesperson told the Financial Times it was owned

by Zahawi’s father, who does not live in the UK.

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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 Price of everything, value of nothing EVERYTHING has a price… including Spain’s last virgin beaches.

With over six million square metres of pristine coastline in Tarifa in line for urban development, a cabal of bankers and housing developers are rubbing their hands with glee.

All rubber stamped by the council, wait for the politicians to wax lyrical about all the jobs it will bring and how much it will clean up the coast.

Forget the millions of tourists who visit precisely because they want to enjoy it exactly how it is.

Meanwhile the price of the only seaside stretch of Los Alcornocales Natural Park, near Sotogrande, looks to be €120 million.

A princely sum it may seem, but not when you consider the unparalleled beauty and unique terrain of this green gem nestled in one of Spain’s most alluring corners.

Forget the 600 jobs the Borondo project will bring. The area will be irreversibly altered if it gets the green light and, when finished, if there are two dozen full time sustainable jobs we’d be surprised.

There is, of course, a need for more affordable housing in the area, but these developments are not for low-income families, they are for high end holiday homes and tourist retreats for wealthy jet-setters.

Perhaps even more concerning is the radio silence from other media outlets here for whom the destruction of such delicate green space is apparently a flippant issue.

It falls on all of us to battle the beady-eyed developers who see only euro signs when looking at the most precious natural landscapes in the country.

Our Hands off the Costas campaign launched two years ago could be set for a busy summer.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

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NEWS FEATURE

PANISH cinema is at its best when portraying rural life and the award-winning 2022 Alcarràs is no exception.

It tells the tale of a struggling farming family divided when their century-old orchard is mercilessly trampled ‘by progress’ in the shape of a solar farm.

The award-winning film has struck a chord with audiences already witnessing the colonisation of swathes of rural land by international companies capitalising on Spain’s unique combination of sun and wind.

Lightsource (owned by BP) has made Spain its largest renewables market in Europe and is joining others in a race that kicked off when the current Socialist government swept aside the notorious sun tax introduced by the PP government a decade ago.

In Andalucia alone, 1,2m hectares are being ringfenced for clean energy purposes while 10% of Teruel province could be covered by panels by 2030.

This is when the country’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) hopes to hit a target of 60 gigawatts of clean power, reaching 74% of its energy requirements.

Such is the excitementof this ambitious target, it could make the area the ‘Saudi Arabia of Europe’ claims Spanish economist Jose Carlos Diez.

And, given Spain’s vast areas of depopulated countryside, it would seem there’s room for everyone to join the party.

But like any progress, the renewable energy boom has its detractors.

While speculators merely see Spain as hot and sandy, Javier Oquendo, spokesman for

Territorial fight threatens Spain’s bid to become the Saudi of Europe, writes Heather Galloway

VIEW: from the Mas de Cebrian hotel where there are plans for a solar farm the Platform in Defence of Teruel’s Landscape has a different country in mind.

“The big corporations don’t care about our stunning countryside. They are just putting the infrastructure here so they can consume the energy elsewhere,” he told the Olive Press this week.

“What we want is a kilometre zero policy. Local use of electricity.”

Oquendo stressed however that he is not against renewables. The Teruel platform and more than 200 others like it have grouped under the umbrella association ALIENTE (Energy and Territory Alliance) with the slogan: “Renewables yes, but not like this.”

Their first demonstration last year saw 15,000 protesters in Madrid demanding a different, scaled-down model –

one that cuts out big energy firms with their big export projects.

Gorka Ederra, spokesman for Navarra’s Salvamos El Perdon platform explaied: “They plan to cover 40% of the Adios region with infrastructure.

These big companies make out they’re coming to save rural Spain. I wish they would leave us alone.”

The platforms call it ‘the industrialisation of the coun

SEEDS OF HISTORY

Jack Gaioni takes a look at Spain’s love affair with the olive, and how it defines the past, present and future

O

LIVES and Spain! Spain and olives!

It’s no surprise to those of us who live here that the two are virtually synonymous.

Chances are that olives will be part of your next tapas, olive oil will be in your next meal, and that olive groves are within view. Even the Olive Press is named after them.

Yet, there is another dimension to olives that you might not have considered – a dimension beyond food, views and newspaper titles, and that’s the role of olives in archaeology.

Archaeology is concerned with the recovery and dating of artifacts in an attempt to give history some lineal order.

Putting findings in a chronological sequence has long been the subject of debate.

Pottery remains have provided archaeologists with one of the most accurate metrics: the shapes, styles, glazing and decorations are reliable indicators that can be confidently associated with different time periods.

Also, as pottery is fragile, it is not passed from generation to genera-

tion, but discarded when broken.

Since olives have always been such a mainstay in Mediterranean diets, olive seeds and pottery often show up together in archaeological sites – places like ancient hearths, kitchens and rubbish dumps.

The olive seed, when subjected to something called carbon-14 dating, has perhaps become the most accurate part of the methodology archaeologists use in determining age.

Simply put, all plants are made of carbon, and when they die they release it.

Scientists are able to analyse the rate and patterns of plant decomposition and carbon release, and, from that, accurately calculate their age.

A high degree of accuracy is possible with seeds in general and olive seeds in particular.

Scientists now claim that by carbon dating olive seeds they can place an archaeological dig within a 25year time frame with a ‘confidence rate’ of 90-95%.

The implications are enormous. For example, the veracity of the Old Testament story of David and Solomon has long been debated.

Does the story tell of an actual sophisticated and prestigious Jewish empire that stretched from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River? Or is it a myth – a mere allegory – crafted as a symbol for storytellers to buttress their own morality lessons?

Recent archaeological digs at sites near Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley have revealed a host of new scientific data as a result of cross-referencing of olive seed dating with sophisticated pottery inscriptions.

Some archaeologists offer this as proof positive that the biblical accounts of David and Solomon are accurate.

A

ll about

www.theolivepress.es CAPTURED: The moon rising over Vajer

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osta de la Luz July 2022

SEEING THE LIGHT

On a second visit to the Costa de la Luz, Jo Chipchase was finally switched on to its beautiful beaches and illuminated villages… oh, and tuna fish

I

HAD visited the Costa de la Luz only once before, a decade ago with my young sons. At the time, I had only heard of Tarifa, famed for its knockabout winds and fortified historical centre, facing across the straits to Africa.

The southernmost tip of Spain, it was the place to catch a ferry to visit Morocco or hang out with fit windsurfers, who practically lived on the beaches and then partied into the early hours of the morning.

Back where I’m based in inland Granada, young people with vans invariably had a ‘Tarifa Pirates’ sticker on it. So, we were constantly reminded of the name.

But what was further up the long N-340 from Tarifa westwards? Who cared? It was a big, empty space, as far as I knew, and that meant missing out on so much.

For someone who loves photography, I should have known better… but now I’ve been switched on and have finally seen the light, if you’ll excuse two puns.

My discovery came on a recent trip along this stunning windswept stretch of coastline that stretches all the way to Cadiz… and then all the way through Huelva to the Portuguese border.

The area of most interest - is loosely between and Conil.

Cubic

PIC CREDIT: Jon Clarke

This 40-something mile stretch of breathtaking coastline is full of unspoilt beaches, cubic white towns and too many places to stop and take a perfect holiday snap.

Broadly speaking, you should spend at least two days in Vejer and Tarifa, with a day in each of Conil and Zahara and with a side trip to Barbate, which is incredibly one of Spain’s poorest towns (on paper).

With a bit more time, make sure to see Bolonia and its famous sand dune (the biggest in the world) and an inland stop in Medina Sidonia, one of the true unspoilt, authentic gems of southern Spain.

The start of the Costa de La Luz and its famous light begins at the Mirador del Estrecho, about quarter of an hour’s drive past Algeciras.

It’s a must-stop, as this high point has some of the best views in the world, looking across to Africa, over the Continues on next page

Take a front row seat on the Costa de la Luz’s most beautiful square +34 956 45 53 02 www.garimbasur.com Plaza de España, 32 – 11150 Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz

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straights.

From here, it’s a short hop down into Tarifa old town, and parking near the port.

Here you’ll find two types of queue; those heading on the hydrofoil to Morocco and many others, frequently queuing for a must-do trip to view the famous whales and dolphins of the Staits.

From here, looking out along the spit to Tarifa island, you can clearly see where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean - and with the water taking on a beautiful two-tone, bluegreen hue.

This joining of oceans causes a zone where both the Poniente and Levante winds take centre stage, causing gusts and attracting surfers and kitesurfers by their thousands from around the world.

Tarifa old town is a must visit. Once inside its old walls, between the castle and the stunning Puerto de Jarez, it’s charm personified.

You’ll love wandering its cobbled streets, enjoying its boutiques and general ambience, but

FUN FACT HISTORIC: Tarifa old town (above) and where the Atlantic meets the Med

Coast with the most

RECORD: Bolonia’s giant dune and its stunning Roman remains

restaurant-wise, you’re better looking out for something just outside the walls on Calle Santisima Trinidad.

Heading west from Tarifa, I marvelled at the sheer number of diving, windsurf and kite schools, as well as quad hire companies that have set up.

There are numerous dreamy hotels and hip restaurants, many sitting right on the wonderful Playa de Los Lances or its next door Valdevaqueros beach.

Tarifa is sometimes credited with being the origin of the word ‘tariff’, since it was the first port in history to charge merchants for the use of its docks.

Sand battle

I took a side turn onto the A235 towards Punta Paloma - a must see - and was amazed to find it almost completely blocked with sand.

It had blown down from the Valdevaqueros dunes in copious amounts, rippling across the road surface, and making it difficult to pass other cars without putting a wheel into a dune. I wished I had brought my 4x4 for some fun, sandy action.

Soldier on for a couple of kilometres, and you’ll come to two restaurants on the headland – Justito de Copas and El Mirlo Tarifa. What a place this is to enjoy a sundowner, or - even better - head up the hill to the secret spot, Tesoro (go on, try to find it!).

From here, you can continue on foot on the well-marked GR145 Arco Atlantico walking route. It takes you over to Bolonia and its Roman ruins – although I was advised

by a local that this could take ‘several hours’.

Roman ruins of Bolonia

Next up is the hamlet of Bolonia which has a museum devoted to its famous Roman ruins, which are considered among the best in Spain.

These ruins originally formed the Roman town of Baelo Claudia, located directly beside the beach.

There is so much to see including a bakery, a statue of Claudius and semi-intact columns.

Bolonia’s beach is 3.8km long and features a massive sand dune. People climb this in their droves – most to take a selfie - but choosing a cool time of day is advised.

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July 2022

Tuna tales

The next leg of the journey, past the hundreds of wind turbines of Fascinas valley, is a real eye opener for aesthetes. It gets even better when you turn left onto the A2227 to Zahara, driving past rolling fields of sunflowers, fighting bulls and grand country cortijos eventually emerging at the stunning village that has a slightly eccentric feel.

You soon begin to realise that the relaxed and friendly vibes characteristic of the Costa de la Luz are best found in Zahara de los Atunes. This is a true gem of a town with a centre crammed full of whitewashed buildings and a diverse range of small shops and bars, many appropriately serving dishes based on tuna.

Zahara is famed for its tuna, hence the name, and it is one of the true delicacies of Spain.

It’s quite different from any other tuna (indeed fish) I

have ever eaten.

Wandering towards the seafront, we found boutiques selling funky clothes, beach bars with colourful chairs, hotels of various sizes, and vendors selling Indian throws.

Looking for a place to stay?

Hotel Pozo del Duque has sat on this wonderful beach for decades and does some impressive deals.

No Barbs

The next stretch of coastline (the 11km stretch of the A2231) is one of the most beautiful drives in Spain.

It cuts through rolling fields of cattle, stretching right down

to a lovely sandy beach. The light is stunning, but sadly there aren’t many places to park, as it’s mostly military land on both sides of the road.

Eventually, you’ll come to the larger and less touristy town of Barbate, which - with 22,500 people - many of them brought here during the Franco dictatorship, has had to address some social problems over the years.

But it is definitely one to visit.

Lying on the River Barbate, and surrounded by Natural Park, Barbate has a long history of fishing that dates to Roman times.

Of particular interest are the port, an art deco-type building that hosts a town hall fishing initiative, and nearby restaurants serving fresh fish. The famous Campero restaurant is also here.

Barbate is extremely popular with Spanish tourists in the summer but attracts far few foreign visitors, which is a shame, as it’s worth exploring.

Dine on superb cuisine in our beautiful garden

PIC CREDIT: Vic Stamp

tel: 956 43 72 20

zahoralatraina@gmail.com Open: 12.00 – 17.00 & 20.00 – 00.00

PRETTY: An inlet at Barbate

Zahora – Carril de la Yeguada S/N 11159 La Zahora

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Whale of a time Flying fish, dolphins and giant turtles pay a visit on a trip into the Straits, writes Jon Clarke

W

E are about equidistance between Spain and Morocco in the deepest part of the Straits of Gibraltar.

Flying fish, turtles and two types of whale are basking around, feeding and luxuriating in this food-rich marine paradise, some 15 minutes offshore from Tarifa.

And that’s not to mention the dolphins, including a pair of Bottlenose, who are shepherding their calf, that is apparently no more than a week old.

Soon we have found a school of dolphins swimming around the boat and, being so calm, we can see them clearly under the water.

It’s an almost religious experience for the boatload of tourists, as the stunning mammals clearly swim over to take a closer look at us.

“These two are particularly inquisitive,” pipes up a voice from the cockpit above, as one particular pair come sniffing up to the boat, then swim underneath at an amazing speed.

The words come from Dr Katharina Heyer, a remarkable woman of 75 years of age, who has become, without a doubt, one of the world’s authorities on sea life off the tip of southern Spain.

It’s her 20th year working with her foundation Firmm, which was set up after she was guided to Tarifa to see whales and dolphins by a ‘spiritual man’ in 1998.

Research

Then running her own fashion company in Switzerland, she visited the area to find nobody organising trips to see the mammals and almost no research on them.

“I arrived on a really rainy, awful day to find no whale boats, just fishermen, and had to rent a diving boat to take me out,” she explains.

It may not have been perfect weather conditions, but what she saw completely changed her for good.

While she had long enjoyed diving holidays with her teenage sons in the Caribbean and the Maldives, seeing a group of Pilot whales and Bottlenose dolphins had a strong and immediate impact on her.

So moved was she by these large and graceful mammals that she quickly moved out to set up her ‘respectful whale watching’ foundation in Tarifa and has never looked back.

Indeed, so respected has been her research into the mammals over the last two decades - in particular her sensitization work for them - that last year she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Basel.

There are now a handful of companies taking visitors out to see the mammals from Tarifa, and on most days they can expect to see Sperm whales, Pilot whales and even Orcas, not to mention various types of dolphins and many other fish.

It is one of the best places in the world to see them, with the currents bringing a lot of food from both directions, explains Katharina.

However, this brings in itself severe risks, as they are entering one of the busiest waterways in the world with more than 300 freighters and other sea traffic passing every day.

Indeed, as you look out into the Straits you are witnessing a battle for survival.

“The lives of dolphins and whales are at risk from ferries getting faster and faster, the noise from shipping

traffic and more,” she explains.

“We are trying our best to monitor their numbers and do our best to minimise the issues they face.”

PIC CREDIT: Turmares Tarifa

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www.theolivepress.es

July 13th - July 26th 2022

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SUMMER’S HERE - WE MAKE IT EASY TO ESCAPE! AS the world descends on the costas…we like to give you some alternatives.

While taking a trip to the Costa de la Luz (as we suggest in this issue) is a world away from Marbella, Torrevieja or Javea, the Olive Press likes to help you really escape.

For those of us lucky enough to live here, now is the perfect time to head off and explore some of the quieter - and cooler - corners of Spain.

From the temperate climes of Galicia, to the mountains of Granada A Costa de la Luz and the historic towns of inland SEEING I Spain - we have researched and THE LIGHT written hundreds of top-quality travel articles over the years.

Even better, they can all be found in one place: in our travel section of the Olive Press website.

Chock full of ideas of where to visit, where to stay and where to eat.

So what are you waiting for? Visit theolivepress.es and the whole of Spain is at your fingertips. ll about

www.theolivepress.es

July 2022

CAPTURED: The moon rising over Vajer

On a second visit to the Costa de la Luz, Jo Chipchase was finally switched on to its beautiful beaches and illuminated villages… oh, and tuna fish

PIC CREDIT: Jon Clarke

EYESORE?: Some residents think solar panels and wind turbines blight the landscape tryside’ and for those in the Some of the area is part of tourism sector the visual im- the European Natura 2000 pact could be very damaging. network of breeding sites for “They plan to fill rare and threatthe field in front ened species of my hotel with and, though ‘Most of the solar panels,” there is legislaexplained Diego tion protecting renewable Pilaquinga who Natural Parks runs the Mas de companies are and Special ProCebrian hotel in tection Areas The top five most read stories on here to make the Sierra Gu(SPAs), when www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: dar-Javalambre. it comes to the money’ The Forestalia’s Natura 2000 - British 17-year old holidaymaker reports Maestrazgo sonetwork, the Vietnamese performers over alleged rape in lar project set government’s Spain’s Mallorca to cover 137 hectares with line is merely indicative and solar panels. “People come can be overridden. here to see nature, not to According to Daniel Lopez - Why You Should Never Buy Pre Cut Fruit look out on a field of black from green group Ecologis- GREEN: Renewable energy is booming in Spain And Veg At Supermarkets In Spain panels,” he added. tas en Accion ‘these are frequently areas of are scared of change. In any “They’re the biggest barrier - Ryanair Strike: Low-Cost Airline Announces great beauty but case, you can’t save your vil- to the ecological transition in 12 New Strike Days For July the problem is the lage if you don’t first save the the country right now.” law doesn’t actual- world.”

As for Alcarras, Donoso - UK Foreign Office Updates Travel Advice In ly guarantee their Just like the movie, Alcarras, points out that the actual Spain protection’.

Catalan village of Alcarràs, the issue is proving divisive.

“And most of the According to Oquendo, entire where the film is set, actu- Big Easyjet strikes set to go ahead in Spain renewable compa- communities in Teruel are at ally does have a solar farm nies are here to loggerheads, with vandalism installed on land previously make money,” he surfacing in April and many used as a deposit for waste added. from an industrial pig farm. threats being made.

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or Forestalia, one of Causing much of the anger There was no orchard decall us at 00 34 951273575 for more info the biggest play- is the fact that land can be stroyed and the ‘landowner is ers in the Teruel expropriated if at least 80% very happy’. region, has a back- of local landowners are in ground in the meat favour of installing a project. industry and has “There are neighbours who been accused of have literally stopped speakspeculation and ing,” he said. being given a blank The majority of ALIENTE’s cheque by the gov- groups are demanding multiernment to set up ple small projects instead of where it wants. just a few macro ones, with “If you say you don’t priority for local consumption.

EU FORMAL REGULATED DEBT SOLUTIONS want their project, “Unlike with coal, the locals their response is can all participate in this,” Ireland’s leading Personal Insolvency Practice “IRS Ireland” is now available to facilitate that it’s not the claimed Ederra from the Salpersonal insolvency applications in Ireland for people currently residing in Spain. public’s opinion vamos el Perdon platform. that counts. It’s the But Jose Donoso, head of the If you have legacy debts, unsustainable debts secured on property, or simply legality,” said Oqu- Spanish solar association unsustainable unsecured debts, did you know you may be eligible to make an application endo, who flags UNEF, dismissed this idea for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement in Ireland that can resolve debts incurred in any up a viral video in as ‘suicide’. He pointed out of the 27 EU member states? which a Forestalia that the ecological transition CONTROVERSIAL: Religious history is advisor was filmed is not just about ‘decorating If you are in debt and living in Spain, whether your debts are owed to Irish creditors, or creditors divisive telling a protester the countryside’. in an EU member state, contact us on +353 58 23511 or email admin@irs-ireland.com ‘if the villages op- “We need €25 billion in inSceptics argue this is ‘made-up science’.

IRS Ireland facilitates Bankruptcy applications, and applications for Personal Insolvency pose us, Europe vestment to reach the 2030 They say it is not a case of carbon dating Arrangements (“PIA”) or Debt Settlement Arrangements (“DSA”) short of bankruptcy. Uniquely will tell you where National Integrated Energy affirming the scriptures, but the scriptures Ireland’s PIA mechanism allows for the restructuring of debt secured on a property asset without the you can put your and Climate Plan (PNIEC) taraffirming carbon dating. opinions’. get. Small companies simply requirement for the property to be sold or surrendered by you. Mitchell O’Brien, senior personal Issues involving politics and religion in this Forestalia has don’t have that kind of moninsolvency practitioner with IRS is Ireland’s most successful facilitator of PIA applications. part of the world tend to be explosive, so denied the blank ey,” he claimed. we’ll leave those arguments for others.

A personal insolvency practitioner (“PIP”) is a regulated professional authorized by the Irish cheque claims in- Donoso adds that those who The point here is that olive seeds, because Government’s Insolvency Service of Ireland. Mitchell O’Brien was Ireland’s first licensed PIP. Formal sisting it is ‘impos- maintain we can respond to of the way they can be carbon-dated, are sible’ when there climate change with small Irish insolvency arrangements are recognized and enforceable in all EU Member States. front and centre in these historical arguis a public bidding companies alone are neo-nements.

Face-to-face consultations can be arranged with Mitchell O’Brien in the Malaga region, process to win gationists.

So, the next time you eat olives, please or using Zoom video conferencing. the project. “The “These people may not deny know that you could well be helping to tell people on these climate change but that future generations something about life in platforms play the makes them more dangerSpain, circa 2022. victim,” insisted a ous because they oppose any spokesman. “They policy to address it,” he said.

Take a front row seat on the Costa de la Luz’s most beautiful square +34 956 45 53 02 www.garimbasur.com

Plaza de España, 32 – 11150 Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz

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www.irs-ireland.com

HAD visited the Costa de la Luz only once before, a decade ago with my young sons. At the time, I had only heard of Tarifa, famed for its knockabout winds and fortified historical centre, facing across the straits to Africa.

The southernmost tip of Spain, it was the place to catch a ferry to visit Morocco or hang out with fit windsurfers, who practically lived on the beaches and then partied into the early hours of the morning.

Back where I’m based in inland Granada, young people with vans invariably had a ‘Tarifa Pirates’ sticker on it. So, we were constantly reminded of the name.

But what was further up the long N-340 from Tarifa westwards? Who cared? It was a big, empty space, as far as I knew, and that meant missing out on so much.

For someone who loves photography, I should have known better… but now I’ve been switched on and have finally seen the light, if you’ll excuse two puns.

My discovery came on a recent trip along this stunning windswept stretch of coastline that stretches all the way to Cadiz… and then all the way through Huelva to the Portuguese border.

The area of most interest - is loosely between and Conil.

Cubic

This 40-something mile stretch of breathtaking coastline is full of unspoilt beaches, cubic white towns and too many places to stop and take a perfect holiday snap.

Broadly speaking, you should spend at least two days in Vejer and Tarifa, with a day in each of Conil and Zahara and with a side trip to Barbate, which is incredibly one of Spain’s poorest towns (on paper).

With a bit more time, make sure to see Bolonia and its famous sand dune (the biggest in the world) and an inland stop in Medina Sidonia, one of the true unspoilt, authentic gems of southern Spain.

The start of the Costa de La Luz and its famous light begins at the Mirador del Estrecho, about quarter of an hour’s drive past Algeciras.

It’s a must-stop, as this high point has some of the best views in the world, looking across to Africa, over the Continues on next page

GREEN

www.theolivepress.es

July 13th - July 26th 2022

DRYING UP

Seabin

THE Port of Malaga is taking action to keep its waters clean by installing a revolutionary new device, known as a Seabin, to collect rubbish from the sea.

Located in IGY Malaga Marina, the ‘trash skimmer,’ that has already been installed in the water, acts like a floating garbage bin skimming the surface of the water. It’s expected to collect an average of 1 to 1.4 tonnes of waste per year.

Seabins have previously been installed in Valencia, Mahon, Getxo, Gijon, Cartagena, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and A Coruña.

Spain and Portugal experiencing driest spells in over a millennium THE Iberian Peninsula is going through its driest period for 1,200 years, according to new research.

The majority of rain in Portugal and Spain falls in the winter months, but a high-pressure weather phenomenon known as the Azores high can block wet weather fronts which provide much needed rain.

Researchers from the Oceanographic Institution in the US said winters with ‘extremely large Azores highs’ have increased significantly.

Prior to 1850,they only occurred once every 10 winters.

Since 1980 however, this has risen to one in every four.

When they occur, they force the wet weather northwards, making downpours in the UK and Scandinavia far more likely.

Climate

The scientists said this increase was undeniably the result of the climate crisis, caused by increased carbon emissions from human activity.

Dr Caroline Ummenhofer who headed the research team, told the Guardian: “The number of extremely large Azores highs in the last 100 years is really unprecedented when you look at the previous 1,000 years.

“That has big implications because an extremely large Azores high means relatively dry conditions for the Iberian peninsula and the Mediterranean. We could also conclusively link this increase to anthropogenic emissions.”

Droughts and heatwaves are becoming more and more common on the peninsula and this May was the hottest on record in Spain.

By George Mathias

Environmentalists say heatwaves are becoming 10 times more likely than they were before the effects of climate change were established.

PARCHED: Water levels are low

Just consider the facts - climate policy has failed

NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE T HE central goal of climate policies is to reduce harmful emissions. Yet even with all of the international agreements of the last three decades - The UN Framework on Climate Change of 1992, the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, the Copenhagen accord of 2009, the Paris climate accord of 2015, 26 Conference of Parties, DECARBONISATION HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED. The world is witnessing an alarming outbreak of weather disasters: ● Giant wildfires ● Deadly heatwaves ● Powerful hurricanes ● Unprecedented flooding Despite the overwhelming current evidence, inaction abounds. There is no doubt that this is just the beginning of the grim toll that climate change will

PROTEST: to save the Amazon

Green

take in the years to come.

Countries rely on others to act. This is the road to nowhere. All of the agreements that countries have entered into are not binding. They have no teeth.

There are no penalties.

There is a vast chasm between aspirations and effective policies.

BIDEN’S POWER TO CUT EMISSIONS LIMITED

BY SUPREME COURT America is a huge polluter. What goes on in the US affects us all.

19 largely Republican states brought a case against the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and won. The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling, destroyed President Biden’s (pictured below) aspirations to tackle the climate crisis. The 19 states are home to America’s largest coal companies. Their political and financial power is so strong that they derailed plans to do the right thing for the world. How sad. How corrupt. How damaging.

The US accounts for 14% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Biden had committed to reducing this by 52% by 2030. Fat chance of this happening now!

BAD NEWS EVERYWHERE In the UK last month, the Forestry Commission said the government has ‘zero chance’ of reaching its tree planting targets.

At COP-26 last year 196 countries agreed to a deadline to submit detailed plans to reduce emissions. Only 11 countries complied. Talk

is cheap …action requires resolve.

Countries agreed to reduce the use of coal yet 34 countries are now considering new coal plants. India has announced that it is increasing production of coal power and reopening 100 power plants.

Countries promised to stop deforestation by 2030.

But in Brazil (home to more than half of the Amazon rainforest) deforestation is up 70% on last year.

Countries agreed a scheme to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

Last year, methane levels saw their biggest annual increase since records began.

Countries agreed to reduce fossil fuel subsidies. In 2021 they increased.

Wealthy nations agreed to provide $100 billion a year to help developing countries move away from fossil fuel dependency. It hasn’t happened.

Here in Spain and Portugal we are suffering the driest climate in 1200 years.

In Italy there is a declared state of emergency in five northern regions where they are said to be experiencing the worst drought in 70 years.

The river Po valley which produces 40% of Italy’s rice and grain has not seen rain in four months. How many more alarm bells need to ring before governments actually do the right thing?

Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. +34 638145664 ( Spain Phone ) Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es

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Pic credit: seabinproject.com

8

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

MALAGA city hall has rejected proposals for a tourist tax.

Podemos, which put forward the plan, claimed a tax on tourists would generate up to €10 million by charging visitors a €1.50 a night tax.

Regions such as Catalunya, the Balearic Islands and Valencia already impose a similar tax.

In Valencia, the amount varies between €0.50 per night for campsite or hostel stays and €2 for those staying in a 4 or 5 star hotel.

Podemos councillor Paqui Macias said revenues from the tax could be invested into sustainability measures and the maintenance of the city.

But the governing PP rejected the tax, saying any change would have to come from the Andalucian government, which rejected the measure in 2019.

IN A FRENZY

THANKS to a ‘travel frenzy’ sweeping Europe, tourism bosses are hoping Spain will match the record visitor numbers of 2019.

According to the Exceltur Tourism Association Spain has seen a ‘dazzling surge in tourist numbers’.

Official figures show that 22.7 million tourists visited the country in the first five months of 2022 - a massive seven times the number in the same period of 2021 but it is still just 78% of the record year of 2019.

MORE than 200 people turned out for a fundraising BBQ held by the Dolphins Youth Club.

Local charities Caring for Gibraltar and The EV Foundation will benefit from the fun event. which was part of the Giving Back to the Community Project.

A number of activities were organised, including a bouncy castle, family games, raffles, cake stalls, an

By Dilip Kuner

However, the good news is that tourists are spending more than ever, with the total tourism spend for the first five months standing at €22.77 billion - matching the 2019 figure for the same months.

Exceltur hopes that a recent surge in bookings will see this year’s visitor numbers match

Fun times arts & craft corner, face painting, karaoke amongst other activities.

The amount raised has not yet been disclosed.

Organisers sent theirt thanks to all who attended and the many local businesses that supported the event.

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Chicken virus THERE has been an outbreak of a poultry disease on a chicken farm.

Newcastle disease virus (VND) has been detected in birds in Huercal-Overa, Almeria.

The farm, which houses around 10,000 chicks, reported a surge in sudden deaths.

Tests confirmed many had VND, leading to every chick being slaughtered and all food supplies destroyed.

Jose Maria de Torres, Andalucia's Director of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation, said the virus is deadly to many kinds of birds.

He said that the disease can be transmitted to humans and cause ‘mild flu-like symptoms and conjunctivitis in humans’ in extremely rare circumstances.

He added that the virus is destroyed by cooking.

Hopes for a record year as tourism surge is described as ‘dazzling’ 2019.

Before the pandemic Spain was the second most popular tourist destination in the world behind France and just ahead of the USA, a position it hopes to cement this summer.

Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto backed Exceltur’s optimism, saying: “The number of bookings confirms Spain as a favourite international destination and indicates a good outlook for the high season.”

Fernando Valdes, a tourism ministry spokesman, added: “After two long years we are finally going to see a summer like in previous years.”

Exceltur believes tourism will generate €151.8 billion this year, some €10 billion more than initially expected.

This would be slightly lower than the €155 billion reached in 2019 but far more than the €52 billion of 2020 or the €88 billion generated a year later.

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Tel: +34.951.272.216 vinosnicolasmarbella@gmail.com

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Taxing decision

July 13th - July 26th 2022

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Across 6 No question (2,6) 7 Young ---, eager for change (4) 8 Foggy (4) 9 Such lines never cross (8) 10 Retrieve (3,4) 13 Remote target? (2,3) 14 Walk noisily (5) 16 Middlingly (3,4) 20 Curt dismissal (5-3) 21 Sharp high-pitched resonant sound (4) 22 The beginning of cheese (4) 23 Broad-minded (8)

Down 1 In recent times (2,4) 2 Consecrated (4) 3 Henry Miller’s “--- of Cancer” (6) 4 Lehar’s widow (5) 5 Architectural feature usually found near ceilings (6) 7 Israel’s economic centre (3,4) 11 Perplexed (7) 12 Range of knowledge (3) 15 Twisting force (6) 17 Recorded (2,4) 18 Spats (3-3) 19 Northamptonshire, to Northumberland (5) 21 Tiny hole admitting passage of a fluid (4)

All solutions are on page 11

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BUSINESS

Cash happy

TOURISTS are splashing the cash, with foreign visitors now spending more money than before the pandemic.

Aaccording to data released by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) tourists spent a total of €1.1 billion in Andalucia in May alone.

During the month, 1,036,243 tourists headed to the region with an average budget of €1,100, some 12% more than before the pandemic.

Andalucia is the third most popular region of Spain for tourists after the Baleares and Cataluñya - with over a quarter of visitors coming from the UK (28%) and 11% from France.

A report from the American multinational VISA also revealed that Andalucia is the top destination for Americans visiting Spain, who cited the cultural visits, relaxing beaches and sprawling countryside as the main attractions.

July 13th - July 26th 2022

Dirty diggers Construction giants fined and banned from public tenders for collusion SOME of Spain’s biggest construction companies have been fined €204 million for collusion over public contracts.

Spain’s antitrust regulator said the six firms had illegally shared information on bids for public projects over a period of 25 years.

These were often for major infrastructure projects such as roads and airports, but also affected bids at a smaller local level.

A spokesman for the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) said that the

SPAIN’S jobless figure dropped to 2,880,582 in June, its lowest level since October 2008.

This was 42,409 fewer than in May, according to data published by the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Economy.

The Spanish Social Security system has now set a new record with 20.3 million people working across Spain. According to the

By Dilip Kuner

companies will also be banned from working with public authorities.

Guilty

The guilty companies are some of the biggest names in the country with the biggest penalties handed to Dragados (fined €57.1 million), FCC Construccion (€40.4 million), and Ferrovial Construccion (€38.5 million).

The others are Acciona Con-

struccion (€29.4 million), Obrasco Huarte Lain, (€21.5 million) and Sacyr Construccion (€16.7 million).

A spokesman for Dragados said the company dis-

BACK IN WORK

Ministry there are 733,757 fewer unemployed people than in June 2021.

However, the decline in joblessness in June 2022 was four times lower than in 2021, when it fell by 166,921 - its largest drop ever as pandemic restrictions were lifted.

Second Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, Yolanda Diaz, claimed: “We continue in a downward trend with regards to unemployment and companies are creating more indefinite contacts than ever, however, there is still a lot to do.”

DRAMATIC SHIFTS T

GBP/EUR exchange rate skyrockets amid Eurozone recession fears, writes Peter Loveday

HE pound euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate saw some dramatic shifts in movement over the past two weeks amid fears of global recession, diverging central bank policy, and UK political uncertainty.

GBP/EUR began the past two weeks on a slow decline, falling as low as €1.15 before rocketing up to almost €1.18 as Eurozone recession fears increased.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING? Poor Eurozone PMI results helped the pound to climb higher against the euro toward the end of June. Eurozone growth slowed to a 16-month low across the manufacturing and services sectors. An improvement to UK retail sales for May also likely helped Sterling to make gains.

Confidence in the pound faltered amid fresh Brexit-related headwinds, however. A strong US dollar limited major losses for GBP/EUR however as it sapped demand for the single currency.

The exchange rate slumped following a day of central bank speeches at the very end of June. The Bank of England’s (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey led with a cautious tone which saw investors drastically pare back their bets on future rate hikes.

The European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde meanwhile signalled her commitment to future rate hikes by the central bank.

The beginning of July saw the euro nosedive. Soaring energy prices and fears that Russia may soon cut off gas supplies to Europe dramatically increasing the risk of an imminent Eurozone recession and pushing EUR exchange rates sharply lower.

At the same time the resignation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson also helped to bolster the pound in the first week of July as it quelled UK political uncertainty.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR? Looking ahead for Sterling, next week is set to bring fresh GDP figures for May. Economic growth is expected to fall, albeit at a reduced rate, which could see confidence in the UK’s economy falter further.

Unemployment figures later in the month could be a key driver of bets on action from the BoE. The next UK consumer price index will also be closely watched by investors. If inflation remains high, then the pound could climb owing to the need for aggressive rate hikes from the BoE. The aftershock of Johnson’s resignation could weigh on Sterling in the coming weeks. A protracted leadership battle could prompt further uncertainty and limit any bullish bets on the pound.

The euro’s movements are also set to be driven by speculation over central bank movements ahead of the ECB’s interest rate decision toward the end of the month.

Investors will certainly be looking to speeches from various policymakers, including the ECB President Lagarde, for further hints on the central bank’s forward policy.

On the other hand, the euro is at risk of plummeting if Russia moves to cut off gas exports to Europe as the resulting disruption would inevitably plunge the Eurozone into a recession.

PROTECTING AGAINST VOLATILITY This kind of volatility can cause some nasty surprises if you need to transfer money overseas. On a £200,000 transfer, just a onecent gap translates to a €2,000 difference. And the larger the sum, the higher the discrepancy.

Fortunately, there are ways that you can protect against volatility.

Specialist currency brokers, such as Currencies Direct, offer different tools to help you navigate the ups and downs of the currency market.

For instance, you can use a forward contract to secure an exchange rate for up to a year. This way, you won’t lose out if the market moves against you.

Services like rate alerts and daily updates make it easy to keep track of what’s going on in the forex world so that you can make informed decisions. And with Currencies Direct you’ll have a dedicated account manager there to provide guidance and support whenever you need them.

At Currencies Direct we’re here to talk currency whenever you need us, so get in touch if you want to know more about the latest news or how it could impact your currency transfers.

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agreed with the decision and pledged to appeal it.

The regulator claimed that between 1992 and 2017, the companies met weekly to discuss which projects they were going to bid on.

Strategy

They would then devise a common strategy and share technical documents between them.

This, said the regulator, affected bidding on thousands of construction projects advertised by public authorities throughout Spain.

Check it out THE RGP has welcomed a new online tool that checks whether a website is legitimate.

Called ‘Check-a-Website’, the aim is to prevent people from falling victim to online scams.

It has been developed by fraud prevention organisation Cifas and is hosted on Get Safe Online – an RGP partner.

The RGP has over the past few months made several warnings about online fraud, with several Gibraltar residents thought to have fallen prey to online scams.

A Get Safe Online spokesman said: “Criminals are increasingly turning to the internet to target victims, with malicious and spoofed websites becoming increasingly sophisticated.”

Greenbacks

Spanish renewable energy company Opdenergy is set to become a public company, and will be floated on the stock exchange for around €5 a share.

This would value the business at around half a billion euros.

The Madrid-based company builds and operates solar panel parks throughout Europe and Latin America.

Opdenergy ditched a previous plan to go public in 2021, citing volatility in the green energy market.

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HEALTH

MORE than 1,000 litres of human milk have been donated in just over a year since a pioneering initiative was launched in a Spanish region.

Some 160 babies have benefited from the breast milk donation scheme set u8p by the Murcian Health Service in March 2021.

In the region of Murcia, 230 women have already donated breast milk which has been given to newborns that weigh less than 1.5 kilos or who are born before 32 weeks.

Frozen

Women are interviewed as part of the scheme and must have a health check before they are able to donate.

Once they are approved by the hospital, the milk they provide is frozen before it is transported to Arrixaca Hospital in Cartagena where it is analysed, pasteurised and frozen once again.

Stubbed out A SPANISH town is to set up smoke-free zones in places frequented by minors, such as parks, playgrounds, plazas and green areas.

The idea comes from the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and now Benalmadena council on the Costa derl Sol has approved the move.

Now the council is asking people to tell them which areas should be made smoke free.

RECIPROCAL healthcare between Spain and Gibraltar has ended.

Originally the agreements allowing for Gibraltar residents to receive care in Spain and vice versa should have ended on December 31, 2020 at the end of the Brexit transition period.

Since then, the healthcare arrangements were extended by the Spanish government, but when the latest extension ended at the end of June, the measures lapsed.

The Gibraltar government has also dropped healthcare for residents of Spain in Gib. This brings Spain in line with the rest of the

EU, with Gibraltar residents needing private travel insurance as free emergency cover is no longer available on trips to EU countries.

Game changer Pill to tackle Covid now available to most vulnerable in Spain TABLETS that reduce the severity of Covid-19 symptoms can now be bought in Spain.

Paxlovid is available in Andalucia, Aragon, Navarra, Cantabria and Cataluña, with it expected to be rolled out across all of the country imminently.

The tablets require a prescription from a doctor and they are currently reserved for people most vulnerable to the illness.

The medication is made

by Pfizer and people can take it five days after testing positive for Covid.

The drug reduces respiratory difficulties associated with the illness and early studies suggest it could cut hospitalisations and deaths by up to 90%.

The treatment consists

By Jorge Hinojosa

of taking the tablet three times every 12 hours, for five consecutive days.

The news has been welcomed by the medical profession in Spain, though there are some unknowns about the drug in relation to how it interacts with the body.

Pregnant

WONDER DRUG: Pill lessens Covid effects

For example, it has not been tested extensively on pregnant women or on people who take other forms of medication.

Experts say pregnant women should avoid taking the drug until further research has been com-

pleted.

Fears are growing that Spain is approaching a seventh wave of Covid.

By last week Spain had 10,245 people hospitalised by the illness.

Compulsory face masks in indoor spaces could be re-

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 6 Of course, 7 Turk, 8 Hazy, 9 Parallel, 10 Get back, 13 TV set, 14 Stomp, 16 Not very, 20 Brush-off, 21 Ping, 22 Curd, 23 Tolerant.

Down: 1 Of late, 2 Holy, 3 Tropic, 4 Merry, 5 Frieze, 7 Tel Aviv, 11 Bemused, 12 Ken, 15 Torque, 17 On file, 18 Run-ins, 19 South, 21 Pore.

introduced to help tackle the rising infections, with health bosses saying the measure needs to be kept on the table.

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THE incidence rate of Covid in Spain more than doubled in June.

According to the Ministry of Health the vast majority of cases are registered in patients aged over 60 years old.

There are currently 1,225.28 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to a rate of 586.71 per 100,000 inhabitants at the start of June.

At the moment there are around 12,000 Covid cases in Spanish hospitals and last week 321 people died of the illness, most of them in Castilla La Mancha and Madrid.

Some 92,7% of the population is vaccinated with 39,113, 419 people having had at least two jabs.

Medicinal cannabis Pharmacies in Malaga have announced that they are ready and ‘willing’ to participate in the dispensing of cannabis-derived drugs.

Until now only hospital pharmacies have the legal permission to dispense medicinal cannabis, and the situation will remain unchanged until at least the end of the year.

However, the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS) now has six months to make a decision and it is in their hands to permit pharmacies to also dispense drugs derived from cannabis.

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Turkey arrest

FINAL WORDS

A TURKEY that bothered residents with its loud gobbling in a Pilar de la Horadada, Costa Blanca, neighbourhood was netted by police who had to clamber onto a roof to reach it.

Long walk!

SPAIN’S longest catwalk, which stretches 300 metres along Malaga’s iconic Calle Larios, will see models displaying the latest fashions in front of 30,000 people on September 2 and 3.

Puffed out POLICE arrested a man who flew into Alicante-Elche airport on an easyJet Belfast flight after he was caught smoking a cigarette in the plane’s toilet.

The

REuse REduce REcycle

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The Rock’s ONLY free local paper July 13th - July 26th 2022

CHILLING OUT Meaty ice lollies and worm slushies as zoo tries to keep animals cool

WITH temperatures soaring to above 40 degrees as the second heatwave of the year strikes, a zoo has decided to treat its animals to cooling ice creams.

But these frozen treats are not the same as the sugar-laden versions humans enjoy. Staff at Bioparc Fuengirola use vegetables and fruit, chopped meat, fish and insects combined with

ferent species and the keepers are doing juices to stimulate the senses of e v e r y t h i n g many of the species such as ti- they can to sure COOL CAT: Leopard has its treat gers, leopards, gorillas, hippos make and meerkats that call the zoo that all the animals stay hydrated and cool tigers and leopards, can lick home.

The conservation centre is in the face of this incredibly hot at frozen blocks of ice water mixed with blood and pieces of home to more than 200 dif- weather.

While the big cats, including meat, other animals have their own icy treats adapted to their own particular diet.

A WOMAN has been fined €200 after police In the case of gorillas, chimcaught her tootling along a toll motorway on an panzees, gibbons and lemurs, electric scooter. the kitchen prepares colorful Guardia Civil spotted her on the AP-7 between San sorbets of beet juice, spinach Pedro Alcantara and Estepona on the Costa del Sol. combined with pieces of other She must have raised a sweat - officers say not only vegetables, and fruit such as was it a blistering hot day but the battery on her apples, carrots, tomatoes, bascooter had run out. She was left pushing with one nanas and watermelon. foot for around 12 kilometres before police picked her up.

Meerkats Electric scooters can only be ridden in bike lanes and on roads with speed limits of 30 km/h or less.

And the popular meerkats get FAST LANE: On the wrong road The AP-7 has a speed limit of 120 km/h. slushies of worms and grasshoppers to enjoy.

By Dilip Kuner

Scooting along

IT’S not easy to run in heels but participants of Pride Week in Madrid had a go.

Runners strapped on their killer heels and hot-footed it through the area cheered on by massive crowds.

Several came a cropper, turning their ankles and sprawling to the ground. But most made it to the finishing line unscathed.

Madrid’s Pride Week is one of the most globally famous and attracts around 2 million visitors to the city each year.

No sex please FAR RIGHT political party VOX has blamed Spain’s low birthrate on too much sex.

According to the party’s Juan Garcia-Gallardo, casual sex and the ‘hypersexualisation’ of society is to blame for women having fewer children.

The 31-year-old claimed that adults are acting like teenagers who would rather have casual sex than be burdened with a child. He added that people should be married and have sex to procreate.

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