Mallorca Olive Press - Issue 20 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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School head sex claims dropped

CLEARED: James Berry AN expat headmaster has had a sex abuse claim against him dropped. Mallorca’s provincial court has archived the case against James Berry. The owner of the King Richard III school in Portals Nous had been arrested after his adult daughter made claims of sexual abuse in March 2016. But an investigation has now discovered that the accusations were false and made in a bid to take over his school. “I lost all sense of time”, explained Berry, who was kept in a police cell for two nights. “I prayed. They were some of the most difficult days of my life.” He explained that his daughter and a couple of other former teachers wanted to run him out of the school and his daughter wanted to headmaster. Numerous parents from the school have spoken out in support for him. One mother said of the daughter’s false accusations, “She wanted to be the director. We believed in him. We never had any doubt”. Despite his ordeal, he will not take any action against his daughter.

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Fiesta! The what, where and when of Mallorca’s most bright and fiery Sant Sebastian festival SEE PAGE 8

Balearics top list of 40 European regions at danger from Brexit By Jed Neill

THE Balearics would be one of Europe’s worst affected areas in a no-deal Brexit. The government has reported its fears in a hard-hitting damage limitation report, compiled by the EU. Half of Spain’s regions fear a serious downturn if the UK left the union without a deal. A total of 8 out of 17 regions have joined a group of 40 European areas warning of serious economic effects. A massive 80% of the Balearic economy relies on tourism and if Brits can no longer afford to travel, it will greatly affect the island’s service industries. “Any change in the freedom of movement will be felt, given that 25% of tourists are from the UK,” read the appeal, compiled by the European Committee of the Regions. The UK is also the second biggest investor in the region after Switzerland. The Canary Islands, which ship 16/06/2017 15:36 a considerable amount of food

Please help us Tourist downturn predicted

TOURIST figures for the Balearics may have peaked. A leading tourist boss fears a gradual decline of visitors due to a recovery in the Turkish and Tunisian markets.“The growth curve of tourism is beginning to change its trajectory,” said RIU hotels boss Carmen Riu. to the UK, have warned that no free trade agreement ‘could destroy’ its economy. Andalucia is also extremely vulnerable to Brexit with a feared drop in tourism as well as trade and investment, plus the issue of the Gibraltar border, which

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She also fears tourists from the mainland will be the largest lost market in 2018, due to the recent rise in tourist tax. Despite the likely drop in tourist numbers, she still fears a ‘problem of saturation’ on the island this summer, due to a lack of control on tourist numbers.

could affect the jobs of 10,000 Spanish workers. The other regions affected would be Valencia, Murcia, Castilla la Mancha and the Basque region, which has 50 companies with offices in the UK.

Catalunya was excluded from giving its opinion after losing its autonomy following the referendum chaos last year. But it will also be badly affected. It is estimated that a hard Brexit will leave a €10 billion hole in EU finances each year, much of

Have your cake… IT is one of the most common sights while boarding planes at Palma airport. Now airline Ryanair has agreed to allow passengers to take a box of ‘ensaimada’ tart on top of their normal hand luggage when flying from Mallorca. This comes despite the airline recently tightening its cabin bag rules, only allowing one

small bag, unless passengers have paid for priority boarding. The centuries-old local delicacy made from pastry and powdered sugar is deemed one of the very few European exceptions. The price of checking in a suitcase has dropped from €35 to €25 with the weight allowance going up from 15 to 20kgs.

which would be spent in Spain. The report, stated that all of the 40 regions would see ‘immediate effects’ on commercial trade and the movement of people and tourists. One British-owned Mallorcan removal company, White & Company, told the Olive Press this week that it was already seeing a fairly substantial net loss of British expats from the island. “We’re definitely moving more back to the UK, than are arriving,” said spokesman Robert Jones. “It's a lot to do with the uncertainty at the moment with the Brexit scenario and the older generation who are anxious about the future generally,” he added.

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Twisted firestarter A PYROMANIAC has terrorised a Mallorca neighbourhood after setting fires on more than nine streets. Police are hunting for the arsonist who lit up nine street bins, an electric post and a car in the outskirts of Palma. The flames, in Molinar and Coll d’en, were all set in just half an hour, and police fear more fires are to come if the firestarter is not caught.

Cops and robbers A SPIKE in robberies has forced Manacor to step up its police numbers. It comes after a minor was arrested this week for breaking in and stealing a cash register from a local bar. He was caught in the act by police and arrested following a chase. Meanwhile, a local suspected of two burglaries in Villafranca de Bonany and Sant Joan has also been arrested. The first robbery was at a grocery store where the thug forced an employee to hand over cash. He then went to a football pitch in Villafranca de Bonany and broke into the bar's back door, but was surprised to find the owners inside and fled. Policia Nacional will now increase the number of unifromed officers in the town centre in a bid to deter would-be robbers.

January 18th - January 31st 2018

Son slaughters stepdad AN expat stabbed his step-father to death for calling him ‘lazy’ and urging him to get a job. The 27-year-old attacked Mallorquin stepdad Pere Crespi, 61, and his mother Elena, 46, after an argument broke out in their Costa d’en Blanes home. Identified as Bogdan K, the disturbed Ukrainian confessed how he

Priest claims he’s being framed by father of alleged 12 year-old victim By Gillian Keller and Joe Wallen

stabbed his mother first before moving onto his step-dad. He threw the knife out the window and left them for dead, but when he later realised they were still alive he grabbed several more knives and decided to finish off the job. An autopsy revealed step-dad Crespi had been stabbed 25 times while the mother is in a critical condition at

Son Espases hospital. The frenzied attack came two years after his parents had taken out a temporary restraining order against him following a string of robbery and domestic violence-related arrests. Neighbours said Bogdan was clearly ‘troubled and violent’ but they never expected him to hurt his parents.

abuse claims in a bid to extort money from him. “The claims are absolutely false,” he said, “I did not have physical contact with her in any way.” The young girl was taking a nap in the priest’s home when he allegedly felt her body, forcing her to elbow away his advances. The claims have been backed up by the alleged victim’s therapist, who says she has developed severe anxiety and a fear of men.

She had sought counsel from the clergyman after her mother died and her father had begun seeing another woman. It is the second recent trial in Mallorca in which a priest has been accused of sexually abusing a minor. In 2016, Pere Bárceló, the former parish priest of Can Picafort, was sentenced to six years in prison for sexual assault and child abuse. The case continues.

‘I didn’t touch her’

A MALLORCA priest has claimed sexual abuse allegations against him are part of an extortion plot. The former chaplain, 74, is accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl while she took a nap at his home in Santanyi in 2015. The pensioner says the claims are ‘baseless’ and made up by the father, who owes debt collectors €60,000. According to the holy man, the dad previously threatened to make up sexual

Opinion Page 6

CARAVANING

Sex fiend caged A SERIAL sex attacker has been sentenced to threeand-a-half years after attacking an Irish teenager. Carlos Noguera, 26, attacked the unnamed 19-year-old in Santa Ponsa in 2014 before trying to rape her friend the following evening. The Spaniard was arrested the following week after assaulting another woman in the same area. He pleaded guilty to the two assaults and was ordered to pay both victims heavy compensation.

Teens’ spirit A MANHUNT is underway for a group of teens caught vandalising a Mallorca port on CCTV. After leaving a nightclub, the intoxicated youths, aged between 18 and 24, damaged bins and ATMs and uprooted dozens of trees and plants around Andratx port. Anyone with information should contact police.

2018 a

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January 18th - January 31st 2018

Twintastic news SPANISH singer Enrique Iglesias and former tennis ace Anna Kournikova have shared the first pictures of their adorable newborn babies on Instagram. The 42-year-old singer and 36-year-old Anna welcomed twins, Nicholas and Lucy, back in December. But now the couple revealed the bundles of joy to the world. Enrique was the first to post, writing 'My Sunshine' as he snuggled into one of the babies, while Anna, 36, used the same caption as she kissed the other. The couple first met on the set of Enrique's Escape music video back in 2002.

Spanish princess THE Duke of Cambridge’s children are getting fluent in Spanish after just one week in school, thanks to a Spanish nanny. Princess Charlotte is proving not all Brits prefer their native tongue, as she reportedly picks up numerous words and phrases from Palenciaborn nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Barrallo. The two-year-old toddler is said to be making impressive progress, following in the footsteps of older brother George, aged three, who can already count to ten in Spanish. The young royal is ‘so polite, but also fun and energetic’, and also praised her ‘beautiful manners’.

SMARTY: Charlotte

STORMING BACK Both Steve Aoki and Tinie Tempah heading back to Mallorca this year

By Gillian Keller

HE is one of the world’s biggest DJs. So it is fitting that electrohouse giant Steve Aoki is - once again - to host the opening party for the BH Mallorca season in June. The top-earning American star, who has two world records, will play on June 14 at the hotel’s opening party, as he did last year. The Grammy award nominee, who has performed with Will.I.Am and Linkin Park, has played on the island for the last three years. In another coup for the island, Tinie Tempah is also back this summer with two dates at the Magaluf hotel. The 29-year-old Brit Award

British connection

STARS: Aoki and Tempah

winner will be performing on June 19 and 28. Tempah, who hosted concerts and performed at the Mallorca Live festival last year, will join the multitude of DJ's who perform twice a week at the BH Mallorca.

Storming in

No pressure

SHORTY Scottish songstress Talia Storm has taken yet another break to Ibiza. It comes after she released her album The Good Lie. It is Talia's third trip to the island in the past year.

SPANISH actor Antonio Banderas delighted fans in a new trailer for his upcoming role in season two of National Geographic’s Emmy-nominated series, Genius. Telling the story of one of Spain’s greatest artists, Pablo Picasso, the 57-year-old filmstar sports a silver crop as he takes on the role from 40s onwards in the artist's life. In one scene during his training he is told ‘you have talent, but no discipline’ by a mentor. Speaking at a conference in Budapest, where it is being filmed he said: “If I don’t portray him properly, I may not be able to go back to my hometown.” The Picasso miniseries debuts on April 24.

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L AW Y E RS & A U D I T O RS

A BRITISH model has become the new face of Spanish clothing brand Zara. Hannah Motler, 16, who was discovered at 12, has previously walked for Valentino, Christian Dior and Marc Jacobs. Signed to Premier Models in London and Ford in New York, who have represented supermodels like Christy Turlington and Elle MacPherson, Motler states that this year she would like to travel to Australia and Japan as well as getting her driving licence.

Red hot

STUNNER: Vicky B in Vogue

VICTORIA Beckham has shown she’s every bit the leading lady in a new photoshoot for Vogue Spain. The nimble 43-yearold showed off her long legs in a rouge red gown and blue stilettos. Wearing items from her own eponymous collection, the stunning mother-of-four showed off her fun side. “I have grown up in public since I was 19, my days of worrying about what people think have been left behind,” she said.

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News IN BRIEF

DRONES ON DRIVERS

Grave upgrade PALMA’S cemetery has begun its remodelling project, starting with exhuming 284 graves from the oldest section. The remodel aims to ‘dignify’ the area, as currently some graves are walked upon to get to others.

Palma fire A FIRE evacuated a nine story building where six neighbours have been treated for smoke inhalation, one with serious injuries. The first and second floors both caught fire late in the evening, with emergency services scrambling to place all the affected.

New route TUI has announced a new route to Palma from Ireland West Airport from June through August. The flight will run every Friday, allowing for more convenient travel for the growing Irish market in Mallorca.

January 18th - January 31st 2018

DRONES that catch drivers speeding or those not wearing seatbelts will be introduced in 2019, according to the Spanish transport network (DGT). The DGT say they will purchase the drones this year in response to rising fatality numbers but will not take to the skies until next year. The news comes after 100 more fatalities were By Gillian Keller and Joe Wallen

NEARLY two dozen male escorts are plying their trade at a Palma train station every day. Shocking CCTV footage, obtained by local police, shows the male escorts picking up clients at Intermodal Station. Not only are the men using the station as a place to tout for business but they are also taking customers into the toilets for sex.

recorded in Spain in 2017 compared to 2016, one of the worst figures in five years, totaling 1,200. Head of the DGT, Gregorio Serrano said the measures would combat the amount of deaths and have ‘much the same role as helicopter patrols’. “We have 27 speed cameras per million inhabitants in Spain, as opposed to the EU average of 73,” added Serrano.

Flushed out

New battle to tackle rentboys at Palma train station The security firm confirmed to police that its staff were too busy monitoring the activities of pick-pockets and breaking up fights between local gangs to expel the rent boys. They were only able to eject several of the prostitutes each day but the lack of punishment meant the men would simply return again. Police will now put plain clothes officers to monitor the problem.

Cruise

A police investigation into the practice was launched after several websites detailed that the venue was a good place to solicit sex or to ‘cruise’. ‘Cruising’ is a term used to describe when someone searches in a public place for a sexual partner. The station’s popularity soared after it emerged it was only patrolled by one security guard.

HOTSPOT: Palma train station toilets

Brexit Fat catalan cats jailed Tunnel vision vote odds slashed NIGEL Farage has called for a second referendum in a further twist in the Brexit saga. The former UKIP leader - who helped bring about the shock vote - announced he would back another poll on the UK’s EU membership. Prominent remainers were quick to support him including Lib Dem leader Vince Cable and Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister, who tweeted: “I agree with Nigel.” Speaking about the subject on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff, Farage argued that he had ‘changed his mind’. He believed it would lead to a more decisive victory for the leave campaign and ‘kill it off for a generation’. Theresa May has insisted that she will not allow another referendum, however Coral and Betfair have now slashed odds of another poll being held by the end of 2019 to 5-1.

THE party which dominated much of Catalunya’s democratic era through the noughties has been found corrupt. A court in Barcelona has found the nowdefunct Catalan party Convergencia Democratica de Catalunya (CDC) guilty of taking millions of euros in bribes in exchange for public work contracts. The court ruled the CDC received €6.6 million in bribes from building firm Ferrovial between 1999 and 2009. It is understood they were channelled through the Palau de la Musica, a concert hall in Barcelona, which was a front. In the widely-anticipated case, former treasurer, Daniel Osacar has been handed a jail term of four years and fined €3.7 million as well as former director of the Palau, Felix Millet, who got 10 years and fined €4.1 million. His deputy, Jordi Montull, was handed 7 years and fined €2.9 million. The prosecutor in the case, Emilio Sánchez Ulled, ruled that ‘the Palau was the [CDC’s] money pipeline’ and found that a total of €35 million went missing from the building’s accounts.

OVER a thousand more users a day are using the Soller tunnel… since it became free. The daily January average has gone up from 7,606 last year to 8,625 this year, more than a thousand more a day. The tunnel however, needs major updating as it is ‘one of the most dangerous in Europe’ because of its lack of evacuation routes and emergency services.

Part of an eight-and-half-year investigation, the case tainted the image of CDC who changed its name in 2016 to the Catalan Democratic Party. Then in the run-up to the Catalunya independence referendum in a bid to shake off further association to the scandal by changing its name to the Catalan European Democratic Party (PDeCAT). The party of ousted president Carles Puigdemont, who is currently living in exile in Brussels.

Snowed in

All aboard! THE first ever ferry link between Ireland and Spain has been announced by Brittany Ferries. The company presented its new route from Cork to northern Spain this week. It will begin at the end of April and will link Cork and Santander, with two return trips per week. It is the first ever ferry link between the two countries.

CHAOS: Snow grips the AP-6 motorway north of Madrid

SOME 3,500 people were rescued after a snow storm trapped people in their cars overnight. Hundreds of vehicles were caught in a snowstorm on the AP-6 motorway in Castile y León and north-western parts of Madrid. Soldiers, firefighters and Red Cross workers distributed hot drinks and blankets, ensuring everyone had been rescued by noon the following day. “There were a lot of vehicles trapped on the AP-6 but we worked bit by bit and kilometre by kilometre to get all of them as soon as possible, we are on it!” UME, the army’s emergency unit tweeted.

All for Albert! ANTI-corruption party Ciudadanos would take power if a general election was held tomorrow. The party would win 27.1% of the vote, according to an opinion poll compiled by Metroscopia. It is a substantial rise for Albert Rivera’s party that snared just 13.1% of the vote in the June 2016 general elections. Mariano Rajoy’s ruling People’s Party (PP) would claim just 23.2% of the vote (compared to 33% in 2016), while the Socialist Party (PSOE) would win 21.6% (slightly below the 22.6% they won in the last election). Left wing Podemos would see support slide from 21.2% to 15.1%. It is likely Ciudadanos would form a coalition government with the support of the PP.

Capital gains MADRID is planning to have its greenest year ever under an ambitious 30-point plan. The plan is called Plan A, ‘because there is no plan b’, according to mayor of the capital Manuela Carmena. The city will start doubling its sidewalks at the end of January to give pedestrians an extra 58,000 square feet of space and a segregrated bike lane along the Gran Via. June will see the debut of the Zero Emissions Zone, which will only allow local residents, people with limited mobility, or zero-emissions vehicles to drive into most of the old city. Between June and 2020, people who own or rent one of the few central parking spots will also be allowed access, but after 2020 they will only be allowed to park if they have a zero-emissions vehicle. The city is also doubling its number of bikeshare bikes and extending docking stations for the first time beyond the M30 beltway. The city forecasts a 20% drop in car usage by 2020.

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We’re calling on EU

Last year Madrid overruled plans to shut Spain's eighth most pollutiong power plant over using the natural gas plants of Son Reus and Cas Tresorer, which are both currently under used. Mallorca also wants to build more solar energy plants in a bid to make the island greener. Pons described Madrid’s ruling as a ‘serious error’. He said: "Indefinitely keeping open one of the most polluting plants is in total contrast to the trend in other European countries.” If the plant stays open, Es Murterar will have to undergo upgrades to reduce emissions by 2020 since it currently exceeds what the EU allows.

A DEAD whale has been towed into Pollensa by police. They moored the animal in Cala En Gossalba until it was disposed. It is currently unknown what the whale died from, natural or otherwise.

Benchmark green ruling orders dealer to refund full ‘eco’ car purchase A MAN who bought a car six years ago is to get a full refund under a bizarre eco-ruling. The Mallorcan buyer has been told he can have his money back as the Skoda SUV was not as environmentallyfriendly as had been advertised. In the first case of its kind the full refund of €19,378 has

You’re choking!

been awarded by a Mallorcan court. Manacor judge Tomas Sanchez-Puente ruled that the

Skoda Yeti was pumping out harmful emissions due to a computer error. This came despite the car being adver-

Town hall cleans up act LOCALS of Palma’s Can Pere Antoni beach are celebrating a victory after the city agreed to clean it daily. After constant complaints residents and activists from the Ondine Association have won the agreement to keep it clean. It comes after the recent storms washes an

overwhelming amount of debris onto the beach. “It has hardly been cleaned at all, except around midnight the night before the highly publicised public beach clean a couple months ago,” expat resident Claire Dunsford told the Olive Press.

tised as a ‘green’ alternative to normal gas guzzlers and a ‘response to the damage being done to the environment’. But legal firm, MartinezBlanco Lawyers, based in Madrid, believed this was not enough and filed the lawsuit against Mallorca dealer, Volkswagen Audi Espana. Judge Puente agreed that the car was bought for environmental reasons, but was found to do quite the opposite. The unnamed owner, is unlikely to get the money, with the dealer expected to appeal.

NON-RECYCLABLE coffee capsules, plastic straws, ear swabs, wipes and single-use tableware will all be banned in the Balearics by 2020. The ruling comes in a new 'green' drive by the authorities to eliminate a large amount of items that cannot be recycled. Plastic plates, cutlery and disposable razors, plus ink and toner cartridges, and non refillable lighters are all included in the ban. Bars meanwhile will be forced to offer free, notnbottled water, while public authorities will not be allowed to sell single use plastic water bottles, except in health centres. The aim is for the public and authorities to use more reusable bottles. The objective is to ‘enforce the pyramid of good waste management’ for the islands. By January 2019, single use plastic bags will be banned from shops and grocery stores. All establishments, public or private, will be required to have separate containers for waste and recycling. Penalties for violations range from €300 to €1.7m depending on the severity.

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Recycling drive

Beach whale

THE Mallorca authorities hope to get the EU to overrule Madrid’s ruling to keep the controversial Alcudia power plant open. Energy minister Marc Pons is set to meet EU environment bosses next month to demand its closure. He will ask the European Commissioner of Action for Climate, Miguel Arias Cañete to shut the island’s most polluting Es Murterar reactor in favour of solar power on February 20.

Polluting

January 18th - January 31st 2018

17 January

F e at u r e

www.theolivepress.es Mallorca’s original community newspaper

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than 500,000 people a month.

OPINION Social justice? THE benefits of social media are endless – it allows us to connect with family and friends, share memories and organize events. However, social media also gives us a platform to comment on issues when we may not know the entirety of the truth. We make this point in the wake of two sex abuse claims in the news this week. In one, an elderly priest has been accused of touching a 12-year-old girl. The priest protests his innocence, arguing the girl’s father is trying to extort him. Social media has been rife with speculation about the case, with many condemning the priest before the trial has even begun. However, we would draw the readers’ attention to the case of Mallorca school teacher James Berry, who has finally been cleared after his daughter claimed he had sexually abused her in March 2016. It turned out she made the whole thing up. The role of newspapers, unlike social media, is to carefully consider both sides of any story and offer a right to reply so that all arguments can be heard fairly. Don’t allow social media speculation to influence your decisions, sometimes even the most convincing online campaigns can be proved wrong.

Brexit support WITH Brexit headlines sure to dominate over the coming months, it’s positive news that the Balearics support a free-trade deal for the UK. Over 80% of its economy relies on tourism and it is a welcome reminder that the islands need Brits flying in. By joining with 40 other European regions, the detailed report should make politicians think twice about the impact of their decisions regarding trade negotiations. Leaving Europe without a deal is bonkers and expat hotspots in Europe backing a fair agreement shows that WTO tariffs simply won’t work. Europe is a diverse collection of nations and we need a deal that is favourable with the majority. Depòsito Legal PM: 610-2017

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Spain’s sunken treasure ships have been the stuff of legend and swashbuckling salvage expeditions since Columbus sailed for the New World. Following a Mallorca discovery in December Jed Neill investigates

January 18th - January 31st 2018

Finding

n 2015, the ‘Holy Grail of shipwrecks’ was found off the Columbian coast, carrying loot that could be worth $10 billion. The Spanish galleon San Jose sank in 1708 during the War of Spanish Succession, taking a cargo of gold, silver, emeralds and jewellery from Spain’s South American colonies to a watery grave. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos described it as ‘the most valuable

treasure found in the history of humanity’. Closer to home, the Olive Press reported on a Roman anchor being retrieved from the depths off the Mallorcan coast last December. Divers from the Guardia Civil’s underwater team also found a pottery jar from 3BC, potentially worth millions, commenting: ‘It is very likely that there are still some gems out there just waiting to be discovered.’

GIFTS FROM THE DEPTHS: The findings in Mallorca (above and top right) date back to the Roman tim

The waters around Gibraltar, famous for wreck-driving, have yielded up countless Roman and Phoenician treasures. Further up the coast off Portugal, the recovery of

the Spanish frigate Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes which sank in 1804 sparked an eight-year legal wrangle over ownership which Spain won in 2015.

Nuestra Señora de Atocha Stacked to the gunnels with gold, copper, silver, gems and indigo from the New World - a cargo so massive it took two months to load it on board when she sailed into troubled waters in 1622. In what was characteristic of Spanish tactics to ensure the safe passage of its treasure fleet, Atocha sailed in a convoy of 28 ships. But the weather had other plans. A hurricane hit the convoy with many of the ships sinking off Florida Keys including the Atocha. It wasn’t until 1985 and a 16-year search that American treasure hunters Mel Fisher and Finley Ricard discovered almost $500 million of bured loot in the waters off Key West. Yet experts agree a mother lode is still out there, including precious Muzo emeralds. Judging from details of the original manifest, there are still 17 tonnes of silver bars on the missing list along with 128,000 coins of different values, 27 kilos of gems and 35 boxes of gold buried in the deep.

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El Dorado

January 18th - January

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es 31stAnd 2018 our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

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- Major problems on Malaga roads after  Costa del Sol on weather alert heavy snowfall (10,245) with dropping temperatures and

FLASHBACK: December 20

Mallorca treasures Two separate police searches last month found an anchor from a Roman galleon off-shore, plus a pottery jar and other antiquities on the island dating back to 3BC. They could be worth millions.

more rain - 4616 views - EXCLUSIVE: Manhunt on Costa del Sol for British expat mother who allegedly defrau VIDEO: Floods hit(8,724) Costa del Sol ded dozens of holidaymakers

3 4 5

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mes and are said to be worth millions of euros

However much of Spain’s sunken treasure lies under the stretch of ocean between its own shores and its old New World colonies. Many ships in the Spanish Treasure Fleet, a convoy system ad-

El Salvador Bound for Cadiz, the merchant ship El Salvador was loaded up with gold, silver and

San Miguel Believed to be one of the richest treasure galleons ever lost at sea, the San Miguel was the pride and joy of Spanish conquistadors, carrying a massive amount of Inca and Aztec gold when she sank off the Dominican Republic coast in 1551. It was the first blow to Spain’s fleet of valuable ships that would fuel much of its Golden Age and inspire El Dorado legends for years to come.

opted from 1566 to 1790 to provide galleons with safe passage, fell prey to tempests, warfare and piracy. The Olive Press set sail to discover the bounty still hidden in the deep. supplies in Havana to join six other vessels heading back to Spain in 1750. As the convoy set off from present-day Cape Canaveral, Florida, a hurricane forced the ships into the harsh trade winds of the Gulf Stream, pushing them back up the coast to North Carolina. Smashing into the outer banks, records show the ship foundered on the beach near Ocracoke with a cargo of millions of pesos, four chests of gold coins and 16 chests of silver coins, which still remain buried in the sand.

Treasure of Lima One of the most famous lost treasures still attracts hundreds of bounty hunters to this day, although the true story is shrouded in legend. The haul is said to include two life-sized solid gold statues of the Virgin Mary encrusted in gems, valued at a cool $208 million in today’s money. The known facts are that in 1820, with the capital of Lima teetering on the brink of revolution, the Viceroy of Peru, Jose de la Serna e Hinojosa, decided to get Spanish wealth out of the country for safekeeping, entrusting its transport to Canadian captain William Thompson. But the temptation of all that glittering booty was too much. Thompson and his cohorts killed all of Hinojosa’s men and fled to Cocos Island, off Puerto Rico, where they buried the treasure.

Later Thompson’s ship, the Mary Dear, was captured by Spanish forces and everyone on board wastried and hanged, except for the Captain and his first mate who were taken back to Cocos, to reveal the treasure’s whereabouts. However they fled into the jungle and allegedly escaped home to Newfoundland in a whaling ship. Since then the ‘treasure of Lima’ has been the subject of more than 300 failed expeditions, including one mounted by the American gangster Bugsy Siegel.

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January 18th - January 31st 2018

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FROM the end of January through to the middle of February is a special time in the Mallorca countryside as the hills are washed white and pink with blooming almond trees. Hundreds of thousands of almond trees across the island all bloom as the winter cold comes to an end. While the trees can be found in all corners of Mallorca, the two best areas to see a background of blossoms are the Serra de Tra-

allorca Januar y 2530 - Cycling

THE biggest party Palma has ever seen returns on January 19 to celebrate the city's patron saint Sebastian. Celebrations start with a parade of Drac Na Coca, the legendary dragon, along with giants and creatures dancing around town to traditional bagpipe sounds from 6pm. The iconic bonfire that many jump across will be lit at

muntana and districts of Manacor. The mountain areas of Marratxí, Bunyola, Santa María and Sencelles are very popular trails and hikes to see the winter blooms. Manacor's Sant Llorens and Son Servera also have many trails and bike routes. It won't be hard to find almond goods in the area either, with hand-carved almond wood items and numerous delicious almond nibbles, including cakes, butters and pastries.

Party time!

The what, race ONE of the first big where and cycling races this Press The Olive when of year, the Mallorca Challenge is spread TOP for news in Mallorca’s Spain! over four days atbiggest festival tracting some of the biggest names in the sport. By Gillian Keller alma - Januar y 27 Queen Tribute Band ‘Symphonic Rhapsody of Queen’, a show featuring the bands greatest hits, is set to grace the island for an unforgettable evening. Tickets are available for €40.

Send your newsdesk@ information to theolivepres s.es

Blooming heck!

ollensa BE ‘APPY! Januar y 20 Family fun COME down to this free family show that combines mime, theatre, juggling, clowns and Download our app now and magic into epic beginone enjoying the best Spanish blast. Doors open on the go. 6pm at news Club Pollensa

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January 18th - January 31st 2018

8pm in Placa Major. Live music - the revetlla kicks off at 9pm across the

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city in Placa Major, Placa de Cort, Placa del Rei Joan Carles I, Placa de la Porta de Santa Catalina, Placa de la Reina, Placa d'Espanya, placa de I'Olivar and Carrer Jacint Verdaguer. In total, 34 different singers and bands will perform around town for the capital's annual celebrations. The following day, Saint Sebastian's actual feast day, hosts many activities including football and hand-

Double rose must-see

ball matches for sports lovers. The day after, January 21, sees the annual Correfoc fiesta where demons and fire conquer the city- live music kicks-off the event on Carrer Juame III at 5:30pm. The bridge of La Riera turns into the gates of hell, with fire demons dancing and parading around Palma all night. Last year almost 500 people joined in the fiery events.

THE rose window spectacular will appear at the Palma Cathedral again on February 2. Only twice a year the two stained-glass rose windows perfectly align with the sun creating a colourful figure eight, one on top of the other. The sight is a must see, if the sun is shining, at 8am next month - if missed the next time the attraction will occur is November 11.

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Don’t like big crowds? Book a table at a local restaurant to ensure a calmer evening. Head in early to get a good spot for watching live music. Know where you want to go- which squares or events do you want to see? Be wary of pickpockets- don’t be an easy target, only take out what you need and keep it close. Stay hydrated and stay safe- EMT has set up a special night bus for all the celebrations. Don’t bring your own fireworks at they are strictly forbidden, and long sleeves and trousers are recommended for attending Correfoc.

Court of celebs FILMSTAR Javier Bardem is spearheading celebrity support for a Spanish civil rights campaigner accused of helping people-trafficking gangs. Helena Garzón is standing trial in Tangier, Morocco for helping migrants across the Mediterranean. But the case has caused outrage among politicians and celebrities. The 47-year-old, who works for the NGO Caminando Fronteras, was a key conduit in relaying information to the Spanish coast guard, letting them know when and where boats were in distress. Spanish police filed a suit against her but found no evidence so passed it to the Moroccan authorities who have gone ahead with an investigation. However, a petition, signed by more than 200 public figures, including No Country For Old Men star Bardem, are condemning the criminal case. “We show our total solidarity and support for Helena Maleno Garzon,” the petition reads, for ‘the defence of the right to life’ and against ‘the criminalisation’ of her work.

A A

Nevada S ierra Fighting

AXARQUIA 9 www.ll ll 12 2014 www.theolivepress.esthe olive press - October 30 - November about about

Vol. 1 Issue 20

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BEACH READY Five easy exercises to get your body in shape for the summer SEE PAGE 20

OR many expats, the thought of not whetting the whistle for a whole month is too much to bear. But many don’t know just how big an impact taking part in Dry January can have on their health. Not only will it leave you with a fuller wallet and a few less hungover mornings, but it will improve your overall health tremendously in a very short period of time. In a recent study by New Scientist, 10 people had no alcohol for 31 days while doctors monitored their vitals. Every test subject lost weight and, incredibly, liver fat - which is behind many disaeaes dropped by an average 15%. The study reads: “Then came another surprise. “The blood glucose levels of the abstainers dropped by 16% on average, from 5.1 to 4.3 millimoles per litre. “The normal range for blood glucose is between 3.9 and 5.6 mmol/l. ‘I was staggered,’ says Kevin Moore, consultant in liver health services at UCLMS. ‘I don't think anyone has ever Alcohol can observed that suppres your before.’” immune system M e a n w h i l e , total blood which can make cholesterol, a factor for illness more likely risk heart disease, dropped by almost 5%, while sleep quality rose by just over 10%. Nick Sheron at the University of Southampton said: "These results show that even a relatively short period of abstinence impacts on the liver." Given the cold weather, it’s important to add how giving up the drink can help you fight off colds. Alcohol can suppress your immune system, which might hinder your ability to fight off an illness. Even one night of too much drinking— in this case, drinking until you’re drunk—can interfere with your body’s ability to produce cytokines, or chemicals that help fight off infections, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol can also act as a diuretic, which can increase fluid loss and lead to dehydration, possibly damaging the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Plus, adds Dr. Wakim-Fleming, when people stop drinking, they get more calories from foods; this tends to improve their vitamin intake, which can also make their skin appear healthier. So, if you look younger, fight off colds better, improve your liver and have a bit more cash in your wallet, maybe giving up alcohol for a month isn’t so bad.

fit 2018 January 18th - January 31st 2018

January 18th- January 31st 2018

on your bike Why a cycling holiday to Andalucia is the best way to burn off those Christmas and New Year calories SEE PAGE 14

Give it a dry!

Laying off the booze has immediate health benefits and can save money in the process

10 10ll about

Nevada S ierra Awww.theolivepress.es Fighting AXARQUIA

the olive press - October 30 - November 12 2014

ll about

World leaders

fit 2018

January 18th - January 31st 2018 January 18th- January 31st 2018

On the rise

PAIN is officially the world leader in organ transplants. There were 5,259 transplants carried out in the country last year, breaking the 2016 record of 4,818, according to figures from the National Transplant Organisation (ONT). Some 3,269 were kidney, 1,247 were liver, 363 were lungs, 304 were hearts, 70 were pancreas and eight were intestines. Spain saw 46.9 individual donors per million people (pmp) in 2017, an increase from 43.9 pmp in 2016 and 39.7 pmp in 2015. The figure is ‘much higher’ than the EU average (19.6) and the US average (26.6). The American Journal of Transplantation cited Spain as a model from which other countries ‘have a lot to learn’. Spain’s health minister Dolors Montserrat said it was the 26th consecutive year that Spain had been top of global rankings for transplants. “These are the very best results in the history of the ONT, both in organ donation and in transplants,” she said. “In the last three years the donation rate per million population has increased by 30 percent, something extraordinary when starting from a situation of excellence and if you take into account how difficult it is to be a successful donor in the current epidemiological circumstances.” Rafael Matesanz, founder of the ONT, discussing Spain’s success, said ‘good organisation in the process of deceased donation and continuous adaptations of the system to changes are always the basis of successful results in organ donation’. Spain operates an ‘opt-out’ system in which all citizens are automatically registered for organ donation unless they choose to state otherwise.

iBad S

How buying your child a smartphone is like offering them a line of cocaine

ocial media addiction and substance overuse, compared to, say, substance abuse,” abuse have more in common than you continued Turel. think. But are consequences truly benign or is there a Scrolling affects our brains in a similar darker side to social media? way to taking cocaine, according to startling Only this month it was reported that a 14-yearnew research. old girl in Australia committed suicide after beLooking at your social media feeds activates ing bullied online. Dolly Everett had previously the amygdala, an almond-shaped part of the starred in the adverts of hat firm Akubra, aged brain involved with emotions, decision-making eight. and compulsive behaviour. The brain patterns Meanwhile a 2016 Spanish study of more than produced are similar to those 21,000 12 to 16-year-olds seen in the brains of people adconducted by Save the ChilThe anonymity dicted to cocaine. dren suggested that 82,000 In a study by California State children have been victims of and distance University, participants were cyberbullying. also found to respond to FaceThe anonymity and distance the internet book stimuli faster than they did the internet offers make it offers erodes our road signs. harder for people to feel empa“This is scary since it means thy, experts say. empathy that users might respond to But while committing suicide a Facebook message on their is an extreme reaction, as with mobile device before reacting to any type of bullying feelings of traffic conditions if they are using technology anxiety, fear, depression and low esteem can while on the road,” said Professor Ofir Turel. all build up. “The good news, is that the behaviour can be Statistics from a 2015 report show that chilcorrected with treatment. We speculate that dren who spend three hours or more on social addictive behaviour in this case stems from media are more than twice as likely to suffer low motivation to control the behaviour, which mental health issues. is due partly to the relatively benign societal Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Hayley Van and personal consequences of technology Zwanberg said: “Children are totally immersed in a virtual world which is damaging both to the way they see themselves and the way they perceive the real world; some young children are finding it hard to unpick reality from fantasy.” “Children’s social skills and abilities to make small talk and actively listen, and develop empathy, are affected,” she said. And with these life skills being eroded, a catch-22 situation starts to occur. The less a child can physically communicate with peers, the more they rely upon online contact. So with the new year chimes still ringing our ears, perhaps mental wellness should be at the top of this year’s resolution list.

MEN who do not talk about their erectile problems risk making the problem worse according to Men Solutions. Men Solutions have two surgeries in Madrid and Marbella and are a private organisation so customers do not have to wait to be seen and just have to book. The company focuses its efforts on developing innovative ways of treating common male afflictions including: erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, lack of libido, andropause and peyronie’s disease. Head of marketing Jamie Merino, 56 said: “It is an illness but it doesn’t show because we don’t talk to each other so people suffer in silence. “Drinking is a major factor in erectile dysfunction. It’s very important to control your own habits.”The average age for men seen in Marbella is 55+ yet they are seeing an increasing number of younger (35-40) patients due to the stressful lives modern men are subject to. Screenings are free and services are tailor made to the different needs of each individual walking through the surgery that work ‘in 80% of cases.’ Jamie said the costs of operations were approximately €2,000 depending on what is required for the patient's condition and hopes ‘to be all around the country, innovating new technologies for patients.’

Body bag shocker

A PRISONER has woken up in a Spanish morgue after being pronounced dead by at least three doctors. Gonzalo Montoya Jimenez, who was serving time at a jail in Asturias, regained consciousness just hours before he was to be cut up for an autopsy. He is said to have been found snoring inside his body bag by employees at the morgue. His family said he had been marked up by doctors for the post-mortem examination. The prisoner is now in intensive care at an Oviedo hospital and is under strict observation. Doctors believe the strange case could be a result of catalepsy – a condition where a person’s vital signs slow down to the point of being almost imperceptible. His ‘death’ had been certified by three experienced doctors at the prison, who ordered his body to be sent to the mortuary for further examination. The body was taken to the Institute of Legal Medicine in Oviedo, the regional capital.

Christmas cholesterol CHOLESTEROL levels canshoot up by a health-threatening 10% after the Christmas period, according to a new study. The Nutrition and Cardiovascular Risk in Spain (ENRICA) say festive excess puts added strain on people’s diets which can lead to cardiovascular disease. In Spain, according to ENRICA, one in every two people has higher than normal cholesterol levels with particular hotspots

found in Galicia, Canary Islands, Extremadura and Murcia, while below average levels are found in the Basque Country, Navarra, Madrid and Valencia. The study also revealed that over 55% of patients with high cholesterol are ‘unaware of the problem and don’t make any effort to reduce it’. “The sooner we start to improve our lifestyles, the higher the chance of suc-

cess. Good habits at the beginning of the year boost self esteem and that helps them become part of our daily routine,” explained Dr Petra Sanz, member of the Fundación Española del Corazón (FEC). The FEC recommends eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit and fibre and low in saturated fats, avoiding alcohol and dairy and walking for at least 45 minutes a day, five days a week.

ll about

AXARQUIA

Fighting fit 2018

the olive press - October 30 - November 12 2014

ll about www.theolivepress.es ierra Nevada

Expats are seeing huge savings by purchasing glasses online

ECENTLY, there’s been a lot of talk about the cost of eyewear in Spain as spectacles cost more here than almost anywhere else in Europe – at an average of €470 a pair. However, savvy expats are seeing huge savings by purchasing their eyewear online from the UK. One UK firm, Spex4Less.com, has developed a way of providing a hassle-free optical service to expats in Spain. The firm now has a very loyal following – and its quality and fivestar service is independently verified on the internet review site, Trustpilot. Slightly different to many online retailers of cheap glasses, Spex-

4less offers the best of both worlds. It provides glasses from under £20 as well as high-end designer brands such as Ray Ban, Oakley, Tom Ford, Persol, Michael Kors, Tiffany, Prada and many more. In addition, all of the company’s varifocal lenses are manufactured by the UK’s top lens suppliers, including Essilor, Shamir, Hoya and Kodak. Spex4less manufactures glasses in its brand new, state-of-the-art laboratory in the Wirral, near Liverpool, in the UK. With around 325 sunny days a year in Spain, it’s important to protect your eyes from bright sun throughout the year. With this in mind, Spex4less is able to offer prescription sunglasses at prices that will not

January 18th - January 31st 2018 January 18th- January 31st 2018

break the bank. Prescription sunglasses are the ideal solution for one’s visual needs all year round in Spain. Prices start at only £19.95. Spex4less also offers photochromic (Transitions) and polarised options for enhanced versatility of your tinted glasses. For anyone who would like effective photochromic glasses that work behind the car’s windOutstanding customer service. Lost my glasses on holiday, staff went out of their way to help me. Helpful, knowledgeable friendly team. Nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommended.” Alan Pickering

screen, Transitions ExtrActive and polarised Drivewear are the best solutions offered for drivers. On top of this the friendly staff are always able to answer questions about your needs. For the more active spectacles wearer, Spex4less has recently added a new range of sporting sunglasses to its Amazing. The most c u s t o m e r friendly and professional company I have ever dealt with.” Ms P. Cooper

11 11

“We have worked hard to achieve a balance between the expensive high street chain prices and the bargain basement prices found all over the internet,” said Janet Styles, Spex4Less Managing Director.

already extensive range. It offers prescription sunglasses made for fishing, water sports, cycling, tennis, golf and many other sports. Above all, Spex4Less provides a good balance of price and quality, while ensuring customers still receive the very best solution for their visual requirements. The company now makes it affordable to have a spare pair of prescription sunglasses, reiterating the need to look after your sight in brighter conditions.

Excellent! Website easy to use. Huge choice of frames available. Compared mine to similar ones in Boots, Tesco and Specsavers and saved a small fortune. Specs arrived within a few days, prescription & fit A1. Will only use high street shops in future to try on frames to see if they suit me.” Spex4Less has ensured that it is fully capable of translating and interpreting any foreign prescription and Royal Mail tracked European postage is priced at a sensible £9.95.

“Our overriding ethos is such that we treat all our customers with respect and communicate with them on a personal basis. Our experience is that customers are sick of being on an anonymous conveyor belt when buying on the internet. We stick to the old-fashioned values of great customer service and empathy with our customers’ needs. And treating our customers as we would like to be treated. “We’re always contactable and you can speak to a familiar voice on the end of the phone. We serve thousands of British expats worldwide and many live in Spain where I have personally seen the exorbitant cost of eyewear throughout the country. “Spex4less helps out many of our expat customers by providing a timely, friendly and cost-effective way of buying reasonably-priced eyewear direct from the UK. In fact, it has proven so popular that word has got around and native Spanish citizens are now buying directly from us - I think that speaks volumes.”

Mrs C Hipkiss

A FREE guide to purchasing glasses online can be downloaded from the website at www.spex4less.com along with vouchers to save even more at Spex4less. With the price of eyewear in Spain constantly rocketing, it makes perfect sense to give Spex4Less a try. Tel: +44 151 632 6611 Web: www.spex4less.com Email: info@spex4less.com

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Get your abs in shape with these five simple exercises

January 18th - January 31st 2018

Beach

he new year is the perfect time to kickstart a new regime after overindulging over the festive period. And with five months until

summer, there’s no reason you can’t have that washboard stomach in time for the beach.

Here are some easy-to-do cises that will help you figh bulge, all from the comfo your own home, terrace o beach!

1. Arms-High Partial Situp

Lie on your back, knees bent at 90 degrees, an arms straight overhead, keeping them pointing out the exercise. Sit up halfway, then steadily r floor. That’s one rep.

1. Downward Dog to Knee Hold This full-body move is a great way to increase your range of motion as well as give some extra love to your oblique muscles. A. Start in a straight-arm plank position. Press hips up and back into downward dog. Lift right leg in air behind body. B. Exhale and move into plank position and bring right knee to right elbow. Then press back into downward dog position. Do 3 sets of 10 reps on each side.

3. Woodchopper This is a strength and cardio move — double win. A. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and hold one medium-weight dumbbell to the outside of right hip. B. Drive hips back and lower into a squat. This is the starting position. C. Begin to stand tall, come on to ball of right foot and twist at torso to bring weight across chest and above left shoulders. Return to start. Do 3 sets of 15 reps on each side

2. Flutter Kick

Lie on your back with legs straight and arms ex your sides. Lift your heels about 6 inches off th rapidly kick your feet up and down in a quick, motion

5. Hollow Body Hold Think about pulling your belly button down toward your spine instead of pushing your stomach out. A. Start lying on back with arms and legs extended. Zip legs together and slowly lift arms, shoulders, and legs off floor while keeping the lower back pressing against the ground.

2. Side Forearm Plank With Twist Adding a little rotational work forces you to engage more muscles than by simply holding a plank, it’s a little sneaky extra credit for your abs. A. Start in side forearm plank on left side with right hand behind head. B. Keep hips lifted and rotate torso toward floor to bring right elbow to ground. Do 3 sets of 10 reps on each side.

B. Hold for 10-20 seconds, then lower back to ground. Repeat 5 times.

4. Bird Dog This move focuses on lower back strength and balance. The first few reps may leave you feeling a little awkward and off balance, but the more you do them, the more control you'll have. A. Start on all fours with wrists below shoulders and knees below hips. B. Extend left leg behind body without arching back. Hold for 10 seconds then return to start. Do 3 sets of 10 reps on each side.

3. Spiderman Plan Crunch

- Start in a traditional plank position wi arms on the ground and your body perfec - Bring your right knee forward toward y bow, then return to the plank position. - Repeat by bringing your left knee towa elbow. - That’s one rep. Alternate sides for a tota plete reps

www.theolivepress.es January 18th- January 31st 2018

ready

exerht the ort of or the

nd raise your up throughreturn to the

xtend out at he floor and , scissor-like

January 18th - January 31st 2018

Can’t sleep?

How you may have a common disorder and not even know MOST of us need six to eight hours of sleep per other factors than these should be considered for a night to feel refreshed however some people feel poor night’s sleep. Disruption of sleep is extremely continually tired, no matter how many hours they detrimental to our daily lives and results in poor spend in bed. You may be surprised to hear that concentration, slow thinking and poor memory. these symptoms may not necessarily be the result Studies have shown that this can result in more acof an enthusiastic lifestyle. cidents in the work place and OSA sufferers have a 16 Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common three-fold risk of having a car accident. Asier, 20increased under-diagnosed condition which results in insufUntreated OSA is also associated with an increased ficient quality deep sleep whilst you are apparently risk of a number of other medical conditions such ‘asleep’ in bed. The disorder is characterized by as hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, a frequent desire for heart failure and cardiac rhythm abnormalities naps, morning headaches, irritability, insomnia, which may lead to premature death. Diagnosis of poor memory and concentration and arises from the condition involves a simple subjective medical obstruction and collapse of the air passages during assessment which allows potential sufferers to be ‘sleep’. In turn this leads to complete graded against the Epworth Sleepicessation of breathing for periods of ness Scale. Combined with over10 seconds or more (Apnoea) during night non-invasive measurement of which time no air can pass to the blood oxygen levels this is a simple lungs. Low blood oxygen levels result reliable way of identifying the condiin the sufferer coming out of deep tion, all within the comfort of your (restful) sleep and into a more shalown bedroom. The mainstay of treatlow (un-restful) level of sleep. The cyment involves the nocturnal use of a cle of events can repeat itself many small portable machine which blows The Steps Programme times during the night, completely humidified air into the lungs during normal sleep patterns and in some sleep (CPAP) which prevents the airways from col4 5 1destroying 2 3 severe cases, sufferers can wake up completely. lapsing thus maintainingFlexible a clearprogrammes passage for air to In less severe cases airways are only partially obenter the lungs. This ensures that sufferers remain Stabilisation and maintenance structed and whilst airflow may only fall to 50% of in deep sleep for much longer periods during the normal (hypopnoea) this also significantly disrupts night and wake refreshed in the morning ready to the level of sleep. Most sufferers experience a mix- face the challenges of the day. Mostsupport people who One-to-one ture of both apnoea and hypopnoea whilst they are suffer from OSA do not realise they have the con“asleep”. dition and can blame their symptoms on the presnutrition It is estimated that OSA affects up to 4% of the gen- sures of work and their Balanced social lives. Indeed the eral population with men suffering more commonly fatigue of untreated OSA can lead to problems at than women in the under 50 yr age group. Obesity work and within the family. partners WideIronically range ofbed flavours is*Cambridge a major risk factor for OSA with 70% of obese of individuals with OSA may also experience similar Weight Plan shake, soup, porridge or bar people experiencing the and condition which worsens fatigue and irritation symptoms because of sleep © ‘The Cambridge Steps Programme’ is registered owned by Cambridge Manufacturing Co. ltd. in severity as the BMI increases. More shockingly, interruption despite being completely well! Treatonly 10% of people with OSA are currently receivment not only reduces the risk of complications Cambridge Weight Plan ing treatment. Whilst Benjamin Franklin may have arising from the condition but also ensures a much been right when he said ‘fatigue is the best pillow’, happier, fully awake and enjoyable working and Calle Joan Baptista Baset i Ramos 10, El Campello, Alicante 03560 no matter how good the mattress and pillow are family life.

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4. Cross Crunch - Lie on your back with arms and legs diagonally out so that your body forms an “X.” - Keeping arms and legs straight, bring your right hand toward your left foot, then your left hand toward your right foot, lifting your head, neck, and shoulders off the ground. - That’s one rep. Aim for one complete set of 10 reps.

New year, new me! Lose weight and make 2018 your year with Cambridge Weight Plan.

5. Bicycle Crunch - Lie on your back with your hands behind your head, and your legs raised and bent at 90°. - Alternate sides by bringing your right elbow toward your left knee, then your left elbow toward your right knee, building up to 60 seconds. - Try and hold the crunch for a two-count on each side to force a slower, concentrated movement.

ith your forectly straight. your right el-

ward your left

al of 10 com-

T: +34 952 586 324 e: info@cwpespana.es w: www.cwpespana.es Calle Joan Baptista Baset i Ramos 10, El Campello, Alicante 03560

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STUNNING: Breathtaking views of Grazalema lake and (below) Rondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world famous bridge

PICTURESQUE: Grazalema Square sits in a traditional white village

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January 18th - January 31st 2018 January 18th- January 31st 2018

BULLFIGHTING: Oldest bull ring in the world is a must visit while in Ronda

GEM: Stunning church in the white town of Olvera

On your bike! alucia on In a bid to get fit this month, why not discover the white villages of And two wheels, writes Ashley Higgins of Andalucia Cycling Experience

HERE is no better way to discover rural Spain than on travellers to admire the breathtaking views. two wheels and the Serrania de Ronda and Graza- We start the White Villages Tour riding through the Guardiaro Valley lema Natural Park boast some of the most beautiful towards Benaojan, where you can stop for a swim at a fresh water Pueblos Blancos (White Villages) in Andalucia and in- lagoon followed by lunch at Molino Del Santo, (one of Claire and my deed Spain with Ronda, Setenil and Olvera all being favourite restaurants in this area) before riding through Benaojan listed in the Top 25 most beautiful villages in Spain. I'd and Montejaque and on to your accommodation for the night, the add to that Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema as two of my personal stunning Cortijo Las Piletas where you can relax and unwind around favourites. the pool enjoying a sangria or two before dinner at the hotel. My wife Claire and I moved to Montecorto near Ronda Your tour then takes you to Grazalema, a pretty in 2004 to set up the Andalucian Cycling Experience mountain village, set in the Sierra de Grazalema and our White Villages of Andalucia Tour combines Natural Park and surrounded on three sides by our passion for pedalling with our passion for excelmountains. Its steep cobbled streets are lined with Window boxes lent cuisine and wines. whitewashed houses whose window boxes bringing a splash white Whilst cycling in the heart of rural Andalucia, through bringing a splash of colour to this lively little village. beautiful white villages with picturesque and dralunch you'll then ride onto Zahara de la Sierra, of colour to this After matic scenery we will also recommend places to a Moorish town which was fiercely fought over by stop for lunch and provide you with a comprehensive lively little village the Moors and Christians. The prominent Moorish list of local wines and tapas to try enroute. During Castle, which can be seen from miles away, towers the White Villages Tour you'll have the opportunity to above this stunning hilltop village which is located dine at three of our favourite restaurants in this area. at the foot of a beautiful lake. Your hotel has an Riding on a combination of country lanes and dirt tracks, your week's infinity pool that looks out towards the Sierra Lijar. In the evening cycling meanders through the Andalucian countryside by rivers, you can dine at the hotel or go to Restaurant Al Lago (another one of lakes, cork forests, the Via Verde and many beautiful white villages Claire & my favourite restaurants in this area) and dine Al Fresco on that are synonymous with Andalucia visiting Benaojan, Montejaque, the terrace enjoying sunset views over the lake. Grazalema, Zahara, Prado Del Rey, Olvera, Setenil de las Bodegas We then move onto Prado del Rey, Puerto Serrano and Montellano and of course Ronda. staying over night in a traditional Spanish Hacienda where, once This village to village adventure starts in Ronda , one of the oldest again, you can relax and unwind around the pool enjoying a beer or and most beautiful cities of Spain. Situated on an impressive plateau glass of local wine or two before dinner at the hotel. and surrounded by mountains Ronda is famous for its spectacular Next you ride along the Via Verde, an old railway line, perfect for cygorge 'El Tajo' the cliffs are spanned by a bridge, a popular place for cling, as it rolls through the breathtaking scenery of the Andalucian

countryside where we see the historic, cultural and natural delights of the 'real' Andalucia. The Via Verde will bring you to Olvera one of Andalucia's most dramatic 'pueblos blancos' which is overlooked by a Moorish castle and stunning church here you can stop for lunch before riding onto Setenil de la Bodegas. Setenil is a unique little town with the overhanging limestone cliffs providing shelter from the elements and forming the shops, cafes and cave houses that run through the centre of this village. You'll stop in Setenil for the evening giving you chance to explore the bars and restaurants set in the caves. We'll recommend our favourite places to dine in the tour notes. Finally we end your tour back in Ronda, visiting the Roman Ampitheatre at Ronda La Vieja along the way. Once back in Ronda you'll have the chance to explore this historic town which has established itself as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain and has become reknown for its fine cuisine. We'll recommend our favourite places to dine in the tour notes, notably Restaurant Almocabar (another one of Claire and my favourite restaurants in this area) or our favourite Tapas Bar La Taberna Amongst the many highlights of the trip are; the beautiful Grazalema Natural Park, the Moorish castle at Zahara, the PeĂąon Zaframagon, a craggy out crop which is the home to the largest colony of Griffon Vultures in Andalucia and last but by no means least the stunning Gorge, which splits Ronda in two. For further information contact us at Email: ashley@andaluciancyclingexperience.com Telephone: 0034 952 184 042 Mobile: 0034 677 028 469 or 0034 671 966 376 Website: www.andaluciancyclingexperience.com

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tion treatment in a very private, uvenating environment.

Rehab Goes digital A

help you because we adapt all our expertise to your personal situation r – with the pure and simple aim of LEADING Malaga rehab clinic is one ofresults. the Leading addiction clinic to offer achieving effective first in Spain to go digital. Villa Paradiso, based in Marbella, has paired pioneering online support f Another core element with tech firm Karify to provide online round- of our addiction the-clock support to its patients. The Netherlands has seen so much success with other features, theis newabsolute software will allow privacy, incorporating E-mental health into their rehab centreatment luxury and pain Among patients and prospective patients to identify their tres that 40% of therapy sessions now contain an and access online support modules. of digital care. res triggers discretion, which is whyelement Villa Paradiso Geraldine Darby, Clinic Manager This has resulted in a higher intake at Villa Paradiso said: "We believe of addicts, less relapses and lower aftercare and continuouscentre in Spain is drop-out rates. hat inworkstrong rehabilitation preferred The new software on each client's recovery. Villa Paradiso has many years of “With Karify from the minute we will allow patients experience in the field of addiction. by high profile anonymity discussed our working relation- people who seek Their professional treatment takes to identify their place in a marvellous villa in the ship between our two companies, it was soon apparent we had the beautiful Marbella. and a place in which to and be at ease andPrivacy and distriggers same attitude and belief in how cretion, together with personalised important ongoing support for our care, are, after all, the central eleaccess support focus on taking back control of their lives. clients is. ments of their treatment. “We were very pleased to be in"We will use Karify at the beginning formed Karify has implementof the assessment process, letting Wethatoffer this without compromise within ed a system to allow us to input our own personal clients use it and identify some of the issues or trigonline support modules and work with us to plat- gers that have brought them to want to engage in aourbeautiful, setting in added Marbella. form recovery model and sunny onward support." treatment,” Darby, “letting them feel comfortThe E-mental approach allows for therapy sessions to be combined with online contact, exercises and education.

able and understand the work we do. This helps to add extra vital support and build up a connection ready for them to feel comfortable to enter treatment."

ould like professional advice or more la Paradiso does to help its clients, Are elephone, Whatsapp or email.

Assessment Detoxification Psychotherapy Treatment Planning One to One Therapy Group Therapy 12 Steps Nutrition Physical Exercise Holistic Therapies

We offer effective addiction treatment in a very private, discreet and rejuvenating environment. At the heart of what we offer is understanding – an appreciation of your needs, problems and how to help you overcome addiction, whether that be from drugs, alcohol or any other type of addiction. Villa Paradiso in Marbella, Spain is not a clinic with set medical procedures but a place of peace and rejuvenation that is run by a highly experienced, skilled and dedicated team of experts. Each and every person is different, so each addiction is too. We are able to

help you because we adapt all our expertise to your personal situation – with the pure and simple aim of achieving effective results. Another core element of our addiction treatment is absolute privacy, luxury and discretion, which is why Villa Paradiso rehabilitation centre in Spain is preferred by high profile people who seek anonymity and a place in which to be at ease and focus on taking back control of their lives. We offer this without compromise within a beautiful, sunny setting in Marbella.

Relaxation

If you have questions, would like professional advice or more DIGITAL DETOX: Stunning rehab centre will any now offer online support Aftercare Plan

information about what Villa Paradiso does to help its clients, contact us now by telephone, Whatsapp or email.

24/7 Manned Support Line: (+34) 689 806 769

24h Admission Line: (+34) 689 806 769 UK Freephone number: (+44) 808 1646848 info@villaparadisospain.com www.villaparadisospain.com

you or someone you love struggling with addiction?

Line: (+34) 689 806 769 mber: (+44) 808 1646848 Assessment aradisospain.com Detoxification aradisospain.com Psychotherapy

STOP DRUGS

Treatment Planning One to One Therapy Group Therapy 12 Steps Nutrition

If you think drugs or alcohol abuse will go away by itself...

IT WON’T

Physical Exercise Holistic Therapies Relaxation Aftercare Plan

24/7 Manned Support Line: (+34) 689 806 769

Recovery Help Line 24hr Help for Substance & Alcohol Abuse, Problem Gambling and Mental Health

Telephone: (+34) 689 806 769 Confidential Support info@villaparadisospain.com www.villaparadisospain.com

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olivepressnews +TheolivepressEsBritish

billionaire gets local approval BE ‘APPY! for huge ecoresort

Bachelor pad

RICHARD Branson’s long planned eco-hotel has come one step nearer to Download our app now and reality. ‘A MAN’S home is his castle’the and Banyalbufar mayor Mateu begin enjoying best Spanish for Real Madrid star Cristiano Ferra has publicly backed Ronaldo, his news castleonisthe allgo.dedi- the scheme, insisting it cated to one thing - himself. would bring jobs to the Known for his trim hairline, and freakish agility, we all know how quiet town in the Serra de he plays but only occasionally Tramuntana mountains. are we shown the inner work- The project, first conceived in the early 2000s, ings of his lifestyle. Keen to show off his luxury, the aims to be ‘the best eco re32-year-old has treated fans to a sort in Europe’. Olive It would see the historic glimpse of his The €5 million man- Press sion in the exclusive La Finca Son Bunyola estate turned TOP news Spain! area of Pozuelo defor Alarcón in in into a luxury environmenMadrid. tally-friendly resort. Boasting seven bedrooms and Although many locals eight bathrooms, the 8,600 foot were behind the original home is filled to the brim with project and the jobs it Ronaldo portraits, number 7 shirts, door handles with the monogram CR and a special trophy room for the five-time Ballon d’Or champ. Outside a mini-football pitch, swimming pool and numerous Buddha statues ensure you can train and meditate in one space. And relaxing afterwards should be easy when wrapped in one of Ronaldo’s personalised blankets.

property

January 18th - January 31st 2018

Green light

Rise of the Phoenix AS a sign the Spanish property market has bounced back, housing giant Metrovacesa plans to list on the stock market. Since being taken over by creditors following the 2007 crash, the company needs more investment for financing bigger projects. It comes after housing company Neinor

Keys Isl nd to the

Homes, was listed last year, the first flotation by a Spanish residential builder in a decade. Worth €2.7 billion, Metrovacesa has appointed banks to help ease the floatation on Spanish stock exchanges and hopes to announce its IPO in February.

would have created, after a lengthy battle the town refused the building permits. The Virgin boss currently has three properties in Mallorca, all of which have been restored while keeping the historic value intact, winning favour among locals. The Son Bunyola estate was sold after the original project fell through but it was recently re-bought by the billionaire entrepreneur. The property, encompassing three villas, is vast and contains a third of the town’s open land. The Council of Mallorca will have the final say on the project.

A SPANISH bank is considering moving its headquarters from Madrid to London as it believes the UK capital will remain the centre of European business post-Brexit. Alantra Partners SA investment bank, which oversees €3.7 billion of assets and employs 350 people across 21 countries, is reported to be considering how many workers to send to London. A spokeswoman oficially declined to comment.

Unique

The move would be unique given the trend of financial services planning to move staff from London to Europe over fears Brexit will see the UK lose passporting rights that allow for goods and services to be traded freely throughout the union. Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and Bank of America are all said to be bracing for a move to the continent in case the UK leaves the EU without a trade deal.

By Amanda Butler

Number one A

CCORDING to official statistics by Tinsa, a leading Spanish valuation and assessment company headquartered in Madrid, the average value of finished housing (new and used) increased by 4.2% in 2017 and everything indicates that moderate growth in prices will continue in 2018. That of course was taking the whole of Spain into consideration, whereby Mallorca prices in hot spot areas increased substantially more. On the lower end of the market the positive growth of the economy and employment will undoubtedly boost the demand, both for purchases and rentals. "The recovery will continue to show differences between territories. Particularly dynamic markets will coexist, such as in large capitals, islands and some coastal areas, where price increases will be more intense than with other market areas, with less strength of demand, where the price of housing in 2018 will remain stable," says Jorge Ripoll, director of the Tinsa Studies Service. All a good confirmation that, where there is substantial fluctuation in other investments, with very low return in low risk investments, there’s always security in bricks and mortar, particularly on the island of Mallorca where the property market continues to be extremely dynamic and which has shown resilience serious market crashes in the past. Having lived here for 15 years I am still passionate about Mallorca, but it’s always nice to hear what others are saying about our home. Last year the Sunday Times announced Palma de Mallorca as the best place to live in the World, and according to Opodo these are some of the reasons why:

Location location

Why Mallorca really is the best place to live ests and mountains. On Mallorca you can simply have both.

. Snow? Not impossible! The highest point in Mallorca is Puig Major, in the “Serra de Tramuntana”, where snow can be experienced and enjoyed in the winter months. We have evidence of heli-skiing last year!!

3 4

. On average we have 2800 hours of sun a year (according to Wikipedia). Compared to 1410 hours of sun a year in London – frankly I think they must be substantially higher in differential, since these statistics are taken from 2009!

. Highways that peak through mountains and lead to a clear blue sea Whether you’re cruising on a motorcycle, a scooter or just a car. Following these panoramic routes is an experience one just can’t get enough of.

. Everything in reach The longest distance on Mallorca is 120km, which means you can enjoy the sea and the mountains within the same day. . Quaint towns Forget about hectic cities and stressed masses of people. On Mallorca you’ll still find quaint towns like Sóller where it seems as if time has stood still.

. Forests and Beaches Whether you love to sunbathe on the beach or go for a hike along the for-

. Some 1458 km of coastline With countless bays, beaches and amazing nature sights. Even after years on the island you’ll still be able to explore new, hidden bays with crystal clear water and a unique feel of remoteness.

. Mountain Enthusiasts: Watch out! Clearly, Mallorca is an epic destination for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts, but did you know that it’s also a great spot for mountain climbing, canyoning, paragliding and more!

. Culinary Highlights Remember these names: tumbet, trempó, arròs brut, sobrassada, pa amb oli… Any of these dishes will be the perfect menu item to enjoy a truly local fine dining experience in Mallorca. However there’s also plenty of gourmet international cuisine on offer – we are proud holders of 10 Michelin stars for nine restaurants in Mallorca for 2018!

. Traditional flair The taste for the traditional or indigenous is appreciated and seen throughout the markets, cuisine and landscapes, where there are windmills, white homes and green window shutters.

Contact Amanda J Butler to buy or sell your home: Tel: +34690075169, www.mjcassociates.net. Your professional one stop property shop around the Island!

Modern Newly Constructed Villa in Nova Santa Ponsa with Sea View 6 Beds ● 7 Baths ● 468 m² Living ● 1.275 m² Plot ● Pool ● €4.250.000 ● Ref: 18001P Set in a quiet residential street in Nova Santa Ponsa this high quality villa offers 5 bedrooms en-suite with elevator. ‘Open-plan’ living area with full length ‘glass wall’ providing stunning sea and mountain views, spacious lounge with feature fireplace, dining area and a superb fully fitted kitchen with ‘circular’ island. Each level has its own pool, with cascading waterfall and 360-degree panoramic view 153m2 roof terrace. Separate guest apartment, Spa with fitness room, heated indoor pool with swim jet, Jacuzzi and Sauna.

For more information, or if you wish to sell or buy a property in Mallorca please contact Amanda J Butler email: ajb@mjcassociates. net or tel: (+34)690075169 or www.mjcassociates.net.

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Business

January 18th - January 31st 2018

New Only way is up for spain economy routes BE ‘APPY! +TheolivepressEs

SPAIN has announced that it will raise its economic growth forecast for 2018 to at least 2.5% from the current prediction of 2.3%. “The projections that will accompany the next budget will include for

BRITISH Airways is ramping up its Spain operations with new flights announced across the country. There will be new routes from London Gatwick to Palma de Downloadwhich our app now and Mallorca and Menorca, will run from March to Oc-the best Spanish begin25 enjoying tober 27. news on the go. Meanwhile, flights from Gatwick to Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife and Lanzarote will increase in volume. Malaga flights will rise from PALMA is the second-fastest 27 to 35 flights per week, and growing urban tourist destinaAlicante from 14 to 22. tion in Spain. New figures have shown the The OliveMallorca Presscapital saw visitor numbers increase by 6.96% in 2017, growing faster than TOP for news Barcelona in Spain! (3.3%) and Madrid (2.51%). The trendy city is popular with young professionals as it offers A FRENCH dairy company beach, sun and dozens of hishas been linked to an out- torical sites and is perfect for break of Salmonella poison- a weekend getaway, the fastest ing in its infant milk product growing type of holiday in the lines. UK. Spain has reported one case Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, linked to Salmonella from is officially the fastest growLactalis Nutrition Sante, part ing urban tourist destination of the Lactalis Group, while in Spain after seeing visitor France reported 35 cases. numbers soar by 9% last year The company distributed the compared to 2016. product to 12 countries in the It comes after foreign tourEU, it has blamed an evapora- ism numbers increased every tion tower used for drying as month last year. the source of contamination. Between January and No-

Palma growing faster than Barcelona as a city destination

Salmonella outbreak

a revision upwards of the growth rate,” said economy minister Luis de Guindos during a conference to mark Spain Investor Day, “the scenario is a growth rate clearly above 2.5 pct.”

It comes after Madrid cut its forecast during the Catalunya crisis in October. If the problem is resolved efficiently, the government says it expects to raise its forecast further.

Tourist trap HOT DESTINATION: Palma city is the place to visit vember in 2017, 13,691,618 foreign tourists came to the Balearics, an increase of

6.2% over the whole of 2016. It means that, again, the islands were the second-most

visited area in Spain after Catalunya. But the numbers grew most in the off-season months, meaning areas like Palma are succeeding at selling themselves as all-year-round destinations. It comes as German and British reservations for next year are said to be brisk and motivated by cold winter north European weather, persisting concerns about safety and security in other destinations and early booking incentives.

Motor brainwave TECHNOLOGY that allows cars to be driven using brain waves has been showcased in Las Vegas. Japanese car maker Nissan, that has a factory in Barcelona and Avila, is currently developing ‘brain-to-vehicle technology’ and premiered the concept at the Consumer Electronics Show. A head device monitors brain waves to predict when a driver is about to steer, accelerate or brake, then provides the assistance at between 0.2 and 0.5 seconds quicker than a human driver. According to Nissan, the technology could be fitted within five to ten years. “When most people think about autonomous driving, they have a very impersonal vision of the future, where humans relinquish control to the machines,” said Nissan vice president Daniele Schillaci.

AGONY Property ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

HEADS UP: New tax rules Supreme Court amends Spanish tax residency rules

he criteria for residence for tax purposes varies considerably from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and “residence” can be different for other, non-tax purposes. For individuals, physical presence in a jurisdiction is the main test. Some jurisdictions also determine residency of an individual by reference to a variety of other factors, such as the ownership of a home or availability of accommodation, family, and financial interests. New criteria in Spain to establish tax residency for 2018 The Spanish Supreme Court, in a recent ruling of the 28th of November 2017 (only released now) has departed from the traditional understanding of the concept of physical presence the Spanish Hacienda was using to determine the place of effective residency for tax purposes. According to the Spanish Tax Office, the main criteria of physical residence -more than 183 days spent in Spain- would not consider what they called “sporadic” stints in another country, as it was necessary then to prove effective residency in anoth-

er country. In addition, the Tax Office was introducing the subjective criteria element -what was the real intention of the taxpayer (?)- to determine effective tax residency. The Supreme Court has now altered this notion and stipulated that residency for tax purposes, if determined solely in accordance to the effective time spent in Spain, will no longer be influenced or linked to an element of will or intention to reside abroad but to a simple day-count exercise (number of days in Spain vs. abroad), thereby eliminating the subjective component of the reasons for residing abroad in favour of the mathematical criteria.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

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September 14 - September 27 0th 2017

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The dirty (two) dozen

Wine BE ‘APPY! rationing

+TheolivepressEs

SPANISH grape growers are expected to maintain their current course in terms of planting new seedlings for 2018. This comes afterDownload The Minisour app now and try of Agriculture and Fish-the best Spanish begin enjoying eries, Food and Environnews on the go. ment (MAPAMA) warned against planting many more vineyards. MAPAMA say grape growers can plant no more than Health violations 4,950 hectares of new vines. shut down 25 This represents just a 0.52% increase of the amount cur- restaurants last rently planted.

The Oliveyear Press

TOP for news in Spain!

NEW: First Cappuccino hotel to open this spring

NEARLY two dozen taurants were closed hygiene standards in lorca last year. Another two were

resover Maltem-

porarily shut, while 125 received fines of up to €5,000, according to the health ministry. Alarmingly 15 restaurants

Can Cappuccino RESTAURANT chain Cappuccino is set to open a hotel in Palma’s historic Plaza De Cort. The four-story property will feature 32 rooms, a cinema, restaurant and cafe with rooms costing €250 a night, and will open in March. Cappuccino has restaurants in Mallorca, Ibiza, Madrid, Valencia and Marbella but Mallorca will now see its first hotel. The 19th century building will also host a Japanese restaurant called Inu Japanese.

got a ‘zero’ rating for cleanliness, described by the island’s food and safety boss Margalida Buades as ‘horrible, an absolute disaster’. “A tourist region simply cannot allow such high figures,” she wrote in her annual report. In total, 3,071 inspections were undertaken in 2017, with each restaurant scoring from zero to five, depending on its level of hygiene. Of the inspections the majority got below the desired four or five, with 60% scoring zero to three. A total of 23 restaurants were ordered to close, with two others in Pollensa and Marratxi being allowed to stay open by taking various drastic measures.

Meanwhile, 14 establishments just scraped by with a one star rating, meaning that while dirty they did not endanger the health of customers. Some 275 restaurants were awarded with a two-star rating. One of the reasons given for the poor hygiene standards is that in summer staff were overworked and unable to maintain cleaning levels. Also, many seasonal workers are improperly trained when it comes to health and safety regulations. Buades also believes that not enough professionals are running restaurants in Mallorca and too many owners are short of experience.

HOT E L M A M A The Magic Hotel by Grupo Cappuccino

Jacques Grange

PALMA DE MALLORCA

Bookings: hotelmama.es +34 871 037 437

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Close ties MOROCCO was Spain’s main supplier of fruit and veg in 2017, according to a new report. Moroccan news agency MAP say exports amounted to €464 million during the first 10 months of 2017, a 36% increase on 2016. Citing the Spanish Federation of Producers and Exporters of Fruits (FEPEX), the report also records that the total weight of exports increased by 22% to 314,112 tonnes. France, Portugal and the Netherlands are the second third and fourth suppliers to Spain respectively.

Waste not Supermarkets will no longer be able to throw away good food following a ruling to reduce waste on the Balaeric Islands. Instead leftover food that hasn’t been sold, but is still edible, is to be donated to shelters and soup kitchens. The new directive, set to come into force in 2020, also covers cafeterias, hospitals and schools.This follows a report by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment which revealed that approximately eight million tons of food are wasted each year, making Spain the seventh highest food waster in the EU. Penalties for violating the new rules will range from €300 to €1,750,000 depending on severity.

Food, drink & travel

January 18th - January 31st 2018 January 18th - January 31st 2018

Grape expectations

BRUNO: Moving on up

AN argument over the origins of Manchego cheese is hindering the completion of a trade deal between the EU and Mexico. It comes as the Latin American country resumed talks with the bloc yesterday in a bid to seal an updated version of its 18-year-old deal.

Trump

Mexico is desparate to diversify its trading partners as US president Donald Trump repeatedly threatens to do away with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). While it had been making fast progress on modernising its 2000 trade deal, things hit a snag on the final details, most notably being whether Mexico has the right to produce Manchego cheese, which originated in Spain’s La Mancha region.

HE is world-renowned for his wine know-how, winning the Best Sommelier of Spain title in 2008. Now Bruno Murciano and his de Vino brand of 25 wineries will join boutique UK importer H2Vin. The move, which increases H2Vin’s portfolio of wineries from 177 to 202, is part of a strat-

egy to ‘take the company to the next stage’ after being set up in 2009 to help smaller bodegas get their product onto the global market. H2Vin director Matt Wilkin said: “Bruno’s got all these fantastic connections in the Spanish wine trade and knows these wines backwards so it was a no-brainer for us.”

Manchego row Beef over cheese blocking major EU trade deal

Despite having spent three days in Brussels, Mexican economy minister Il-

defonso Guajardo hasn’t managed to break the deadlock over outstanding issues, which also include geographical indications and investment protection. The Europeans want exclusive rights to the Manchego name, along with more than 300 other products ranging from wines to beers to meats. Mexico feels its producers would take too much of a hit, considering Manchego accounts for 15% of total cheese sales in the country. It also says its variety of Manchego is ingrained in

local culture and does not even resemble the Spanish original. “People identify it as a national product that isn’t even related to the European version,” said Miguel Angel Garcia Paredes, head of the National Chamber of Dairy Industries. Mexican Manchego is made from cow’s milk and is often melted over hot dishes, unlike the Spanish version which comes from sheep’s milk and is typically semi-hard. “People don’t expect a Spanish Manchego when they go to the supermarket and ask for a Manchego. The Spanish kind is a lot more expensive,” Garcia Paredes told AFP. Mexico said the new round of talks would focus on rules of origin, technical barriers to trade and intellectual property. EU-Mexico trade has nearly tripled to $61.7 billion a year under the deal. But that is still dwarfed by US-Mexico trade, which totaled $523.8 billion in 2016.

Fab-ada badozey

Carrer de Sant Magí, 84, 07013 Palma, Illes Balears tel: 625 36 02 91

Carrer de Cotoner, 44, 07013 Palma, Illes Balears tel: 696 52 67 58

A MANACOR restaurant has been chosen to compete for the title of the ‘Best Fabada in the World.’ El Norte, a restaurant serving recipes from the Northwest of Spain, will compete against one hundred other restaurants. A fabada is a rich Spanish bean stew typically containing pork, bacon or chorizo. The contest will take place on January 15 next year, at the Asturian Centre of Madrid.

‘BLAME MASTERCHEF FOR TORTILLA DEATH’

BLAMED: Masterchef

OWNERS of a Spanish restaurant facing legal action after serving deadly tortillas have blamed TV show Masterchef. The Grimaldi bar infected over 100 people with salmonella at the Carnival of Cadiz in 2016, with one person dying as a result. But defence lawyer Felipe Melendez argued the chefs simply followed instructions from Masterchef on how to handle ingredients and prepare the dish. The lawyer also referenced another TV show in which contestants were told how to cook tortillas de patatas de Betanzos, with the winner praised for their undercooked product. Melendez has argued that his client is innocent despite the outbreak as they had simply followed instructions from so-called TV experts. The case continues.

Olive gangs A GANG dedicated to stealing olives in Malaga has been dismantled by Spanish police. Around 30 people are suspected of raiding olive farms and plots across the Guadalhorce valley, stealing thousands of kilos of olives before attempting to sell them. The group became so prolific, the Guardia Civil set up Operation Olive-Hass in October to bring it down. The thieves strike at night, when the risk of being detected is low, stealing from farms in Alhaurin de la Torre, Alhaurin el Grande, Cártama, Coín and Alora. The stolen olives were taken to a warehouse in Alhaurin de la Torre, where they were sold on once 3,500 to 4,000 kilos had been accumulated. Some 10 people were arrested while another 19 remain under investigation following the police raid.

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Columnists

January 18th - January 31st 2018

What health and safety? The EU concept seems to be lost on Mallorca locals, writes Lesley Keith

HE new year is well under way and let’s face it there’s never a dull moment here in Mallorca. Whereas in Britain January is dull and quiet here it seems to be one festival after another with everyone turning out to enjoy whatever is on offer. Here in the north we’re really going for it. Last year at this time we were barbequing sardines on Formentor Beach in the snow, luckily it’s been a lot warmer this year, during the day at least.

Muttering

Watching the various Spanish celebrations, as a Brit you just can’t help shaking your head while muttering something about health and safety. As far as I can see there just isn’t any that you’d notice. Last Saturday evening for instance, Pollensa had the local children dancing around under continually lit fireworks, with naked flames everywhere, it went on for a very long time and the only protection they had was to put their hoods up, provided they had them, presumably to stop their hair catching alight. Before this was the Three Kings procession, where horses and floats come through the town after dark, throwing sweets to everyone. These sweets are hard and really hurt when they hit you and yet there were little toddlers gleefully jumping in front of moving vehicles to grab handfuls of them. At the time of writing we are about to have the ‘Fires’ a speciality of the North and pretty much a completely health and safety free zone. As I write there are heaps of full sized tree trunks all over the northern towns. These heaps are for bonfires and are placed in front of and very close to shops and flats

Mallorca diaries

By Lesley Keith

horizontally across to a restaurant and melted their rather stylish plastic chairs. Extremely loud fire crackers go off everywhere and it is advisable not to be standing too close to these if you value your hearing. The day after these fires is the ‘Tree’. If you haven’t seen this it is frankly incredible. The participating towns choose a suitable local tree, fell it and remove all branches. After this with great ceremony it is brought to its new resting place where it is erected and covered with some sort of lubricant. A bag of money or a live chicken is attached to the top and local lads, encouraged by crowds of cheering locals and vast quantities of alcohol, attempt to climb to the top and claim their prize. Actually there isn’t any money now and for the first time it won’t be a real chicken either but that won’t stop anyone. These trees are very high and I’ve seen guys climb over each other in their enthusiasm to be the first to the top. It’s terrifying yet exhilarating to watch, you don’t want to look but can’t tear your eyes away. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Trimmed

As we all know it’s not just the festivals that lack health and safety protection here. I was watching the trees being trimmed the other day. A man was at the top of his ladder, not wearing hard hat SHOCK HORROR: or safety harness, no one securing the base of the ladMallorquin’s jaw-dropping der, holding the tree with one tree-cutting method hand and holding a chain and are always under power saw in the other. He was cables, trees and balconies. stretching to cut branches The flames from these reach and to my eyes it was just great heights but no one madness, the word safety seems in the least bit wor- just didn’t cover it. ried. Last year it was incred- Has anyone been hurt during ibly windy and on the sea these festivals? Not that I front the flames were blown know of. Is anyone bothered about working conditions and their implications? It doesn’t HOUSEKEEPER who enjoys cooking and seem like it. Would likes to take care of the household as if it these things be allowed in the UK? Not where her/his own. Availability of a house a chance. Which is on the domain that is fully equipped and right? I’ve no idea but without health maintained which guarantees privacy. and safety you do DEVOTION and MOTIVATION is a MUST. get to enjoy the most festivals. Driving license required or willing to obtain one. amazing Apparently, the trick is to wear old clothes Good contract. Marbella area. that you don’t mind E-mail: pierre.bettens@telenet.be catching alight and don’t stand downor call: 0032 477 28 44 60 wind. I’ll give it a go.

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Mallorca company to BE BE‘APPY! ‘APPY! offer costeffective yacht sharing initiative

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Download Downloadour ourapp app now nowand and PRINCESS has unveiled its new shared-owner probegin beginenjoying enjoyingthethe best best Spanish Spanish gramme, 'YachtQuarters', news newsononthethego.go.giving eight weeks access on

board the yacht based in Port MILLIONS of people have Adriano. decided Real Madrid players Princess Motor Yacht Sales represent the perfect foot- announced the new initiative balling team. at the London Boat Show. With the announcement of “The difference between most UEFA’s Fans Team of the Year fractional ownership pro2017 which saw 8,779,639 grammes and ours, is that people around the world The Thecast Olive Olive Pressand operate the we Press manage their votes, five Real Madrid boat 100 percent,” said Henplayers feature in TOP the final XI. TOPfor fornews news inin Spain! Spain! ning Price, who is leading the These include Sergio Ramos project. (the most voted player), Mar- The first yacht in the procelo, Toni Kroos, Luka Mo- gramme will be a Princess 75 dric, and Cristiano Ronaldo. motoryacht based in one of Barcelona had only one Mallorca's newest and most player - Lionel Messi - in the luxurious ports, Port Adriasquad, while Gianluigi Buf- no. fon, Dani Alves, Giorgio Chi- “The potential customers are ellini, Kevin De Bruyne and newcomers to yachting, who Eden Hazard completed the feel a bit uncomfortable takline-up. ing the responsibility of buying a yacht; they could start as shared owners, and then potentially move on to full ownership,” explains Price. “It could also be people who have been yachting for many years and who would like to have limited access to a yacht,

Record breaker

AFTER many months of courting the Liverpool player, Barcelona have finally announced the signing of Philippe Coutinho for a British record fee. The Catalan club has paid a whopping £142 million for the Brazilian attacking midfielder. On joining Barcelona, Coutinho commented that, “I leave Liverpool because Barcelona is a dream for me… You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Coutinho had agreed personal terms with Barcelona last summer after they made a £115 million bid for his services, but that offer was rejected by Liverpool. The Brazilian has been in fine form for Liverpool so far this season, scoring 12 in 20 games and joins a Barcelona side who sit nine points clear at the top of La Liga. He has played over thirty times for Brazil and is likely to be a star player for the Seleção at this summer’s World Cup.

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YACHT LOVERS: Nadal and friends but they don’t want to have all the hassle and expenses. “They have tried that and they are now just happy with eight weeks on a yacht,” Prince continues.

Death knell THE man who helped bring down cycling titan Lance Armstrong warns Chris Froome’s failed drug test will signal the end of Team Sky. Floyd Landis launched a stringing attack on Team Sky, who frequently train in Mallorca for the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, and scoffed at explanations for Chris Froome’s failed drug test. Froome stole the headlines in 2017 after double the amount of salbutamol was found in his blood, which he claims he used for his asthma. Landis reckons this is all a cover and thinks Team Sky’s zero tolerance policy on drugs is ‘just great PR’. “He’s trying to defend himself because he has everything to lose. I feel sympathy for him but if he doesn’t face it now he will have to later,” said Landis.

Tax bandit REAL Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has appeared in court as part of a tax fraud case in Madrid. He is accused of defrauding the tax authorities of €870,728 in 2013 and 2014. The case comes after it was reported Modric had already paid the authorities €1 million to reach a settlement, despite denying any wrongdoing. Court and tax officials say they cannot confirm or deny the payment and details of his court appearance have not been released. He has been playing for Madrid since being signed from Tottenham in 2012.

The sharing programme is also cost-effective, as the usual price for renting the Princess 75 is €52,000 per week, whereas with this programme it is only €32,000.

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Israeli c o n n ec t io n A NEW ‘sup er fa st ’ sub- se a in tern e t c able w il l co n n e c t I srae l t o Sp a in . Cost in g €164 milli on , th e p roje c t i s ex p e c t e d t o g o o n lin e in 2 0 2 0 .

D r iv in g dr u n k A COSTA Blanca mayor Manuel Ros has walked with away with a years driving ban after being arrested for hav ing three times the legal amount of alcohol in his blood.

TRIMMING DOWN: Spanish Legionaires are overweight

Skirting justice A GROUP of models have launched a sexual harassment claim after being ‘forced’ to parade in tight tennis skirts and shirts in inclement weather. The eight girls are suing their agency and drinks company Schweppes after being ordered to wear the skimpy outfits at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell tournament in May 2017. The companies face fines of €25,000, with the UGT union claiming the outfits constituted sexual discrimination. “We had to walk around with a short dress for hours,” one hostess told the press, who could only wear warm clothing on her break.

Fat’s army

HAVING a larger belly after Christmas is all part of the deal... unless you’re in the Spanish Legion that is. Soldiers in Spain’s elite fighting force have been told to shed weight amid concerns their bellies are tarnishing the Legion’s reputation. Their low-cut shirts and rippling chests have now become an embarrassment.

Spanish soldiers told to shift the pounds or get out According to an internal report, up to 3,000 soldiers must undergo Body Mass Index (BMI) testing. This will be followed by a programme of diet and exercise for those found to be overweight. “Without greater strictness, we will be condemned to the loss of prestige as a combat unit,” read the report. The high average age of brigade members as well as ‘bore-

dom with the training methods and a general social acceptance of excess weight’ is being blamed. Soldiers with a BMI of more than 27 will have to go on a diet and those who fail to trim down will face being disciplined. This could mean being banned from military parades and expulsion from overseas operations.

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A POSTMAN who stored more than 3,000 letters at his home has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence. The postman - from Alicante - accumulated 3,272 letters over the course of 10 years as he couldn’t be bothered to deliver them Police found the letters when they searched his home. He has also been fined €1,800 and banned from working in the public sector for four years.

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Red card

YOU can’t blame this little chap for trying to get in on the New Year’s celebrations while out with its owner in Palma. The puppy was photographed at a cafe by Olive Press reader Karen Rhodes, before he inadvertantly knocked over the glass of cava.

Jelly flood JELLYFISH have appeared by the hundreds in an unsettling occurrence on Sóller beach. The currents swept in the alarming avalanche in all shapes and sizes.

The Grinch A SPANISH sales assistant has been sacked for ‘ruining Christmas’. It comes after the young woman, who worked at the department store El Corte Ingles in Tenerife, told a young girl what her mother was getting her as a present. She was let go after the mum complained to her bosses.