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Vol. 12 Issue 283 www.theolivepress.es January 17th - January 30th 2018
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Demolition victory for expat couple after three-year legal battle
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BUZZING: Jubbs are all smiles after villa (above) is saved and (inset) 2015 story
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Wage wars
WORKERS in Spain get paid 27.3% less than the Eurozone average, making €15.70 per hour in 2014 compared to the €21.60 average in common currency nations.
Crony central
THREE Manilva mayoral candidates vying for the coveted post still have pending court cases against their names.
Pest control
OVER 300 bird boxes have been installed in Mijas in the hope that small tits will flock to the area and prey on the poisonous processionary caterpillar.
NEWS
ANALYSIS
April 16th - April 30th 2015
Heartbreak hotel
It’s all too common
Former B&B faces demolition over alterations undertaken by old owners over two decades ago A RETIRED British couple face seeing their luxury B&B knocked down because of an ongoing property dispute with their town hall. Expats Patrick and Valerie Jubb, 63, ran celebrated La Vina de Linan, in Jimena de la Frontera until last year after buying the property in 2008. But now, the stunning farmhouse, which is for sale, is facing a demolition order from the town hall over some illegal additions made by a previous owner 14 years ago. “We did everything by the book,” explained Patrick, 64, a former engineer from London. “We used Spanish lawyers, contacted the Junta and the
EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan town hall, and obtained all the correct paperwork.” The couple only learned about the legal issues when they struck a deal to sell their 4-bedroom property for €680,000 last year. But as the deal reached its final stages the town hall declared that the first floor, kitchen and pool had been constructed illegally by previous owners in 1994 - some 14 years before the Jubb’s even purchased it. This was despite the couple getting certification from the Junta - seen by the Olive
Husband of tragic Brit expat Rebecca Muldoon has links to criminal underworld SEE PAGE 2
FINAL VERDICT: For Terttu
HardMaura Hillen, president of AUAN, a group set up to knocklegalise properties in Andalucia, said cases like this
THREATENED: B&B and (below) Patrick and Valerie Press - confirming there were Alcornocales Natural Park, no planning infractions when meaning the normal ‘four they bought the 280m2 prop- year rule’ does not apply. erty. “It means the land registry Although the previous own- should never have approved ers didn’t have official build- the alterations, but of course ing permits at the time, the they did,” explained Patrick. alterations were later legal- “We are in absolute pieces ised, according to the Jubbs, over this. All we want is to at the land registry in San go back to the UK to be with Roque in 2005. our family and friends, but we The problem emerged be- can’t. All our money is tied up cause the home is inside the in the property.”
Mock-umentary
AN expat grandmother has lost a six-year battle against Estepona Town Hall to save her loft conversion. Finnish expat Terttu Balson, 70, was this week forced to start demolishing the extension, even though her next door neighbour has one. Incredibly she has also been fined €24,300 for building the extension without the correct planning permission despite her neighbour - and many others - in the Seghers development also having illegal extensions. But it is not all doom and gloom for Balson. The town hall has now granted her permission to construct a smaller extension after the original comes down.
ANALYSIS
All too common Maura Hillen, the president of AUAN, a group set up to legalise properties in Andalucia, said cases like this are ‘all too common’ across the region. “This is yet another variation on how foreign buyers fall foul of the way planning is badly controlled in Spain,” she said. “It all comes back to the same thing. Failure to enforce the planning regulations and too much power in the hands of town halls. “If it is any comfort they are not alone, many others have similar stories to tell.”
land registry should never have approved the alterations. “It has been a complete failure on the part of the town hall and those in charge, and we will never invest in Spanish property again,” added Valerie. “I feel betrayed by the town hall. I ran the local animal rescue centre and saved them a fortune by rehoming and neutering stray cats and dogs.“It’s such a shame because the area is so beautiful, but at least we can finally move on.” 10
the olive press - October 16 - October 29 2014
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ashya thanks
BRITISH ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, has thanked the Hospital Materno Infantil in Malaga for its treatment of Ashya King, on behalf of the British government.
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es
They’re singling me out!
A FINNISH grandmother ordered to demolish a nineyear-old extension has accused Estepona Town Hall of being 'racially motivated' and 'singling' her out. Terttu Balson, 70, has been involved in an ongoing six-
EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan
year legal battle with the town hall after they served her with a demolition order and fined her €24,300 in 2008 for building a loft extension
without the correct planning permission. Several other properties in the Seghers community have similar extensions without planning licences - including Balson's next door Spanish neighbour - but Balson is the
MANCHESTER City goalkeeper Willy Caballero has told La Liga officials that he was approached by a match-fixing syndicate when playing for Malaga last year.
HALF-BAKED: BBC show
A CONTROVERSIAL documentary about expat life in Spain has been dubbed ‘irritating and unsubstantial’. The BBC programme ‘Costa del Sol: Last Brits Standing’ was also incorrect, with recent figures showing that, in fact, British expat numbers grew last year and continue this year. “It’s a manipulated, out-ofdate report that doesn’t bring anything new to the table. Just irritation,” said Barbara Mora of online news site Vertele. Meanwhile Spanish daily ABC said that the assertion that dreams go sour in Spain was unfair given last year’s record tourist rates of 65 million, 15 million of those British. Telegraph critic Ceri Radiford described the documentary as ‘an entertaining if insubstantial look at expat life’.
are ‘all too common’ across the region. “This is yet another variation on how foreign buyers fall foul of the way planning is badly controlled in Spain,” she said. “It all comes back to the same thing. Failure to enforce the planning regulations and too much power in the hands of town halls. If it is any comfort they are not alone, many others have similar stories to tell.”
Pensioner, 70, complains of discrimination after being ordered to take down extension, despite neighbours all having the same
Top stamps
SPECIAL edition stamps of King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been launched by postal service Correos. Showing official photographs of the Royal duo, they can be bought for €1.
Boozy trips
ONE in seven youngsters coming to Spain on holiday have admitted that they are drunk on the plane, according to a survey by website Jetcost. com.
Big Willy
ANTHONY’S
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Terttu’s ‘illegal’ extension and adjoining
neighbour’s (right)
only resident facing court action. "It is completely discriminatory, I cannot help but think that it is not a coincidence that I have been chosen when I am the only foreigner living here," she told the Olive Press. Balson believed she had received planning permission when she contracted a Spanish architect Mario Jones in 2005. Now however, she feels that he did not do his job properly despite being paid €2,500 to take over the project and sort out the building licence. Jones, however, said he feels 'no guilt or responsibility and that Balson is to blame for the situation. He said: "I told her from the beginning that she wasn't allowed to build. Most people get away with it but she DESPERATE: Balson hasn't. "She is definitely being un- and dogs fairly treated and I am not with so many foreigners livsure why. I hope that the ing on the coast I don't think town hall is not targeting her it happens now." because she is foreign. Despite numerous attempts "Maybe that sort of thing Estepona Town Hall did not happened in the old days, but answer any of our questions.
Still on-the-run FLASHBACK: Our story Offer
A WANTED property fraudster has been tracked down to a luxury home in Benahavis, after an exclusive Olive Press investigation this month. According to neighbours in kids barely went to school upmarket La Heredia urbanand rarely even came out to isation, Rebecca Wells, 37, play. has fled owing money to sev“She never mixed with the loeral businesses. cal community here and one Keen horserider Wells - who day she was gone leaving an spent eight years posing as unpaid electricity bill.” an estate agent - is now being The Olive Press has still been sought by police, as reported unable to contact Wells, over in the Olive Press last issue, her defrauding of expats who after four denuncias were paid rent on properties she posted against her. did not own. “She owes money to the Wells, aka Prior, allegedly DISAPPEARED: Wells and La Heredia, where she rented a butcher, restaurant and the took a series of deposits for home baker, as well as for repairs to homes which she did not own. former neighbour Frank Coher car,” said one neighbour. reported concern for her four If you have any information An expat couple living oppo- myn, president of the Palmchildren. about Rebecca Wells, please site Wells’ house in the ur- eras del Golf urbanisation Comyn, who lived opposite contact newsdesk@theolivebanisation reported that they in Benalmadena Costa, has her for two years said: “The press.es saw her packing all the family’s possessions into a rental car on October 1 the day our expose came out. When the Olive Press visited a few days later, the house had clearly been abandoned and the family car - a black Fabulous food and entertainment including a 5* Christmas Chrysler - was apparently or New Years Eve Gala Dinner with fine wine dumped outside. Meanwhile another
BODY: Washed up on Marbella shores
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EXCLUSIVE
Maddie: New sighting claim
EXCLUSIVE
‘Animal centre needs rescuing’
on Page 5
28/08/14
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VICTIMS are erty fraudster hunting an alleged propCosta del Sol who has vanished from owing tens euros. of thousandsthe EXCLUSIVE of The Guardia By Imogen days as a holiday Civil confirmed Calderwood rental, but is investigating me around she horse-owninglast night it posits becca Wells an 11-monthit and convinced me showed to rent properties expat Reto sign contract. cias against after receiving four claim “I want that she has denun- One to. no clared. her caught and punished,” Page 11 Briton Wells,her. victim, British 37, also known he deexpat Raymond accused of told the Olive Wells, a mother-of-two as Prior, duping people Paul, Press: “I Iost into paying is posit on renting a €1,000 de- hampton, appears from Wolverde- “She to same trick had actuallya home she didn’t own. at different have repeated the only rented properties it for four the region over the last eight years.around A Facebook campaign launched by has now been ing to gather the group, aimas possible. as many victims In the case Yorkshire, of Paul, 60, from as a deposithe put down €500 first month’sand €500 for the erty in La rent at the propCala de Mijas August. in But after just asked Paul three days Wells clear out ‘so and his wife to certificate an urgent energy dealt with’. matter could be “We were left AN embattled two days, and in the dark for centre owner animal rescue upon returning the discovered place is ‘out has admitted of control’. staying there,another couple Kim Halliwell (above) our possessionswith many of now agreed to allow an has still inside,” 15 dogs he said. initial and “We still haven’t her Mijas many cats to leave kennels, following get some things managed to an Olive Press back, absolutely It comes after investigation. furious andwe are spected police also filed a denuncia.” have inthe site, following When Paul various denuncias set up an urgent mer from formeeting with staff. cuss what had Wells to dis- After we told BLAZE: F1 of the ‘terrible legend Gachot failed to show. happened, she conditions’ (inset) loses at Kim’s Animal However another Rescue, friends yacht in fire and supportcouple in ers rallied their early around with 20s also turned up telling him aim of cutting the numberthe similar amountthey had lost a animals by of of money. “Lots of her The Olive half. Press attended victims are worse situation emergency meeting, in an than us, anda various who knows other centresspoke with are still to how many more found new and has woodwork,” come out of the We have volunteers. he added. Another victim appeal to now launched an is Stuart Hall, who lost out animals. find homes for the 44, and his Continues
It’s the pits!
A LUXURY nus is ownedyacht that burst into flames in Puerto by ex-Formula Bertrand Gachot, BaOne The 51-year-old it can be revealed.racing driver Frenchman, dan between who €2 million 1989 and 1995, is theraced for Jormorning. yacht Gilliana that blew owner of the up on Sunday Two crew members were rushed with serious woman, 34, burns to his hands to hospital, one and another, was treated The 23-metre for smoke a €42,000-a-weekPrincess yacht inhalation. Gilliana costs to rent, via Rentals. Diamovit Exclusive A source said: “Gachot is very The driver upset.” Grand Prix was famously thrown team for spraying out of the the roundabout Jordan at Hyde Park CS gas at a taxi driver ceived a two-month Corner, for on prison stint. which he reHis race seat acher, makingwas temporarily filled by his Formula One debut. Michael Schum-
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Police probe alleged expat property fraudster who ‘took homes shedeposits for didn’t own’
HUNTED: Rebecca Wells on her horse
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Ruling
But their carefully made plans to sell up and move back to the Scottish Borders were shattered when they were ordered to knock down the first floor, kitchen and pool. The order came despite the fact that all the alterations had been done BEFORE they bought the home in 2008. Indeed, as we reported in 2015, the couple had even got a certificate from the Junta declaring that there were ‘no outstanding’ planning infractions when they bought the home. As it later emerged - and was agreed by a Malaga court - the previous owners had actually legalised the 1994 extensions to the home in 2005. “I cannot express how hard these last three years of hell have been,” Valerie told the Olive Press from her home in Scotland. “It has drained us on a personal and financial level, costing us €20,000 in fees, but we are so happy that it is finally over and we can move on.” She continued: “The huge court case last May was traumatic. We were literally fighting for our livelihood, everything was on the line. We had sunk our life savings into that place.” The problem emerged because the home is inside the Alcornocales Natural Park, meaning the normal ‘four year rule’ did not apply - meaning the
iv
A BRITISH couple are toasting a stunning New Year victory after they reversed a draconian demolition order on their stunning Spanish villa. Brits Valerie Jubb, 65, and hubby Patrick, 66, told the Olive Press how they have ‘been through hell’ over the €20,000 legal battle to save their luxury B&B. It came after their €680,000 four-bed property in Jimena de la Frontera, was slapped with a demolition order in early 2015, just as they came to sell it. Beautiful Vina de Linan had been a popular holiday hideout for British holidaymakers and expats alike prior to their decision to move back home and retire.
us
EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
www.ibexinsure.com OLIVE PRESS – 70mm x 40mm FRONT COVER 17 January
2
www.theolivepress.es News IN BRIEF
Bone appetite ANDALUCIA has the highest amount of blood marrow donors, with last year seeing an increase of 300% more than expected.
Let it flow FREE drinking water is now a legal obligation in the bars and cafes of Andalucia.
Coast with the most NERJA on the Costa del Sol has been ranked ninth in Tripadvisor’s top ten emerging destinations.
Deadly Christmas SOME 47 people died on Spains roads over Christmas, an increase of 30.3% compared to 2016
Body of missing Rebecca believed to have been found, while her husband is wanted in UK EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
THE husband of missing expat Rebecca Muldoon has been arrested for the second time in two weeks. It comes after a body, assumed to be that of the mother-of-two, washed up on a Marbella beach. Alleged fraudster Paul Muldoon has been detained on a European Arrest Warrant over a string of financial crimes.
CRIME
January 17th - January 30th 2018
Muldoon fraud link SCENE: Of body find
Detectives in the UK want to speak to him about a boiler room fraud allegedly involv-
ing the supposed sale of rare earth metals five years ago. Muldoon - who is believed to be related to infamous costa conman Toni Muldoon - has also been quizzed over his links to the disappearance of wife Rebecca. The pair had allegedly fought over the Christmas period and she had filed a denuncia alleging domestic violence against him. She vanished the following
Poisoner returns A TRIO of pets have become new victims of the Marbella poison scandal. A cat and two dogs have allegedly died around the La Campana area, sparking fears that the ‘serial pet killer’ has returned. A ginger cat (right) owned by expat Stef Wallace was found dead around the same time a black labrador and another dog are being treated for poison. The deaths come after up to 20 pets were killed after ingesting a toxic substance in the Marbella, San Pe-
dro and Estepona areas in November. The town halls were forced to deny they were to blame after it was revealed that a weed killer banned by the EU had been digested by some of the pets. Following an Olive Press probe, Marbella town hall confirmed it no longer used the banned substance while Estepona said it outsourced its street cleaning to a private company. The company failed to comment.
ONCE HAPPY: Paul and Rebecca
day, January 2, leaving her two children, 8 and 11 at home. While he has not been accused of any involvement in her supposed death, he was being sought by Interpol for the last five years, it can be revealed. He is wanted for allegedly promising ‘extraordinary’ returns for investments in rare metal compounds used to make LEDs and lasers.
The Olive Press was the first newspaper to report on the missing mother-of-two. It was soon picked up by national and international press before a huge search involving Policia Local, Guardia Civil and firefighters, before her suspected body washed up at Oasis Beach on January 14. A friend Stephanie Dalrymple told the Olive Press: “I don’t know what went so wrong that she left her kids alone. It is totally unlike her. She has never done anything like this before.” The friend confirmed she had had a nervous breakdown last year, but was believed to be recovering. Her children were quickly taken to stay with their grandparents in the UK. Police are still waiting for final DNA tests before publicly identifying her death. The extradition of Muldoon is expected to take a number of weeks, unless the Spanish authorities decide to keep him for further questioning.
www.theolivepress.es
NE WS
January 17th - January 30th 2018
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Hollywood icon to film hotly-anticipated action flick in Andalucia
Spanish princess THE Duke of Cambridge’s children are set to be 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’. She is also picking up Spanish fashion tips after her nanny dressed her in specially designed Zara outfits.
Coach trip
Hey Jude!
HE played the part of a Costa lothario in The Talented Mr Ripley, set in Italy. So Jude Law is bound to feel completely at home when he jets into Andalucia to shoot for a new movie this spring. The Hollywood heartthrob will be acting alongside Blake Lively, from Gossip Girls, in action-drama flick The Rhythm Section. Set to shoot for a few weeks in Almeria, the film is being directed by the Emmy Award-winning Reed Morano.
British connection 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.
Culture
The shoot is estimated to bring €7 million to the region with Almeria culture boss Antonio Jesus Rodriguez reporting there will be 1000 extras and 250 crew on hand. The film is a contemporary adaptation of the first of Mark Burnell’s Stephanie Patrick series of British novels. Lively will play the heroine, who is on a path to selfdestruction after the death of her family in an airplane crash. After discovering from a journalist that the crash
FIRM daytime favourite Coach Trip is currently on the road to Spain. The show, now on its 17th series, sees couples travel around while taking part in tasks and voting each other off. Shown around by tour guide Brendan Sheerin, who resides in Malaga when not filming, the contestants have been sharing photos on Instagram of their trip. Clearly enjoying their time in Spain, the current series will be aired until March 2.
STARS: Jude and Blake
wasn’t an accident, she adapts the identity of an assassin in order to track down those responsible.
No pressure 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.
Red hot
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 lengthy legs in a rouge red gown and blue stilettos. Wearing items from her own eponymous collection, the stunning motherof-four showed off her fun side. She said: “I have grown up in public since I was 19, my days of worrying about what people think have been left behind.”
4
www.theolivepress.es
news
January 17th - January 30th 2018
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10
the olive press - October 16 October 29 2014
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ashya thanks
NE WS
www.theolivepress.es
Freeze on plastic ICELAND is the first supermarket in the world to remove plastic packaging from its own-label products. Customers of Overseas, which stocks Iceland products in 20 shops across Spain and Portugal, will benefit from the five-year plan to reduce plastics in 1,400 products. Calling plastics a ‘scourge’ on the world, Iceland managing director Richard Walker said: “A truckload is entering our oceans every minute, causing untold damage to our marine environment and ultimately humanity – since we all depend on the oceans for our survival.” Plastic ready meal trays will be removed first, followed by frozen vegetable bags changing to a paper based material.
Seasoned conwoman Paula Neale caught by the Olive Press a fourth time
They’re singling m e ou t!- January 30th 2018 January 17th
A FINNISH grandmother ordered to demolish a nineyear-old extension has accused Estepona Town Hall of being 'racially motivated' and 'singling' her out. Terttu Balson, 70, has been involved in an ongoing six-
Big Willy
MANCHESTER City goalkeeper Willy Caballero has told La Liga officials that he was approached by a match-fixing syndicate
when playing for Malaga last year.
www.theolivepress.es
Pensioner, 70, complains of discrim after being ordered to take down ination extension, despite neighbours all having the same
EXCLUSIVE By Rob Horgan
without the correct planning permission. Several other properties in the Seghers community have
Strike four! Boozy trips
year legal battle with the town hall after they served her with a demolition order and fined her €24,300 in 2008 for building a loft extension
A WANTED property fraudster has been tracked down to a luxury home in Benahavis, after an exclusive Olive Press investigation this month. According to neighbours in upmarket La Heredia urbanisation, Rebecca Wells, 37, has fled owing money to several businesses. Keen horserider Wells - who spent eight years posing as an estate agent - is now being sought by police, as reported in the Olive Press last issue, after four denuncias were posted against her. “She owes money to the butcher, restaurant and the baker, as well as for repairs to her car,” said one neighbour. An expat couple living opposite Wells’ house in the urbanisation reported that they saw her packing all the family’s possessions into a rental car on October 1 the day our expose came out. When the Olive Press visited a few days later, the house had clearly been abandoned and the family car - a black Chrysler - was apparently dumped outside. Meanwhile another
Still on-the-run
DISAPPEARED: Wells and La Heredia, where she rented a home
former neighbour Frank Comyn, president of the Palmeras del Golf urbanisation in Benalmadena Costa, has
reported concern for her four children. Comyn, who lived opposite her for two years said: “The
kids barely went to school and rarely even came out to play. “She never mixed with the local community here and one day she was gone leaving an unpaid electricity bill.” The Olive Press has still been unable to contact Wells, over her defrauding of expats who paid rent on properties she did not own. Wells, aka Prior, allegedly took a series of deposits for homes which she did not own. If you have any information about Rebecca Wells, please contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es
FaNtastiC DEals For
stmas & NEw YEar the locks she has prePaying €1,700 fromChri November to change to February, Paula said she was vented anyone else moving in. Takewith moving in her child and However, in just the short n a ride for black cat. amount of time she was over However, after reading our ex- this month, two disappointed pose on Neale in early Decem- couples arrived to stay. ber, Belmont quickly started to “One couple from Russia had investigate and found her prop- paid a two month deposit of ALL CHANGE: Passport names and (right) 2016 story erty being advertised to rent €1,400 for a year’s rental. They the owner, mother-of-three, the authorities in Gibraltar, through a variety of Facebook were gutted,” Belmont told the Sara Belmont, rumbled the where she believes Paula keeps groups. Olive Press. her money. scam. One had been shared an incred- “Then a few hours later an EngThe 41-year-old owner, a fire- She told the Olive Press how she ible 4,000 times. lish couple turned up, also with fighter from London, has now was contacted by Neale through Fortunately she was able to a year’s lease and having paid brought in police and contacted an online rental website. move fast and after coming over a deposit.” It is unknown how many people in total fell for the scam, but her property was in a terrible state with a stereo and a toolkit also stolen. It took three days to clean. “It has got to stop,” added Belmont. “When IT has the best caves in Andalucia and is this going to end?” So far she some of the best beaches in Malaga provhas been unable to track down ince. Neale, but has put up reward Known as ‘Balcon de Europa’ it is somenotices in various vets around what fitting that Nerja has been chosen as Calahonda. In 2017, the Olive one of the must visit destinations this year. Press twice exposed Neale’s Travel site Tripadvisor has listed the reantics. But it has also emerged sort among its top 10 emerging worldwide that we exposed her using the destinations. name ‘Sharon Tate’ in 2016 in It is the only destination in Spain to be inland Malaga. A new UK numtipped, with Gdansk, in Poland, Riga, in ber Paula had been using did Latvia and Rovinj, in Croatia. not answer our calls. UP UP AND
AWAY IN WONDERFUL
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Police probe alleged expat property fraudster who ‘took homes she deposits for didn’t own’
EXCLUSIVE
Maddie: New sighting claim
VICTIMS are hunting erty fraudster who has an alleged propCosta del Sol owing vanished from the euros. tens of thousands EXCLUSIVE The Guardia of By Imogen Civil confirmed days as a is investigating Calderwood me aroundholiday rental, but horse-owninglast night it posits becca Wells expat Reto rent properties an 11-monthit and convinced she showed cias against after receiving me to sign contract. four denun- claim to. that she has “I want Briton Wells,her. One victim, no clared. her caught and 37, also known accused of Page 11 British expat punished,” told the Olive duping people as Prior, he deRaymond Press: “I Iost Paul, Wells, a mother-of-two into paying is posit on renting hampton, a €1,000 de- “She from Wolverappears to de- same had actuallya home she didn’t have repeated trick at different own. only rented the it for four the region over properties around A Facebook the last eight years. campaign has now launched by the group, been ing to gather EXCLUSIVE aimas possible. as many victims A LUXURY In the case nus is ownedyacht that burst Yorkshire, of Paul, 60, from by ex-Formula into flames in Bertrand as a deposithe put down €500 Gachot, it One racing Puerto BaThe 51-year-old can be revealed. driver first month’sand €500 for the Frenchman, dan between erty in La rent at the prop€2 million 1989 and 1995, who raced for JorCala de Mijas August. in morning. yacht Gilliana that is the owner of the But after just blew up on Two crew Sunday asked Paul three days Wells members with serious and his were rushed clear out wife to woman, 34, burns to his hands to hospital, one certificate‘so an urgent energy was treated and another, The 23-metre for smoke dealt with’. matter could be inhalation. a €42,000-a-weekPrincess yacht “We were AN embattled Gilliana to rent, via Rentals. costs two days, left in the dark for centre animal rescue Diamovit A source said: Exclusive discoveredand upon returning the placeowner has admitted “Gachot is The driver is ‘out of control’. very upset.” staying there,another couple Kim Grand Prix was famously thrown our possessionswith many of now Halliwell (above) team for spraying agreed to out of the the roundabout has still inside,” 15 dogs he said. allow an initial at Hyde Park CS gas at a taxi Jordan ceived a two-month and “We still driver Corner, for her Mijas many cats to leave His race seat prison stint. kennels, which he on get some haven’t managed to an Olive following reacher, makingwas temporarily absolutelythings back, we are It comes Press investigation. his Formula filled by Michael furious and after filed a denuncia.” One debut. Schumhave spected the police also inWhen Paul site, following various denuncias set up an meeting urgent mer from forBLAZE: cuss whatwith Wells to dis- Afterstaff. F1 legend had happened, we told of Gachot (inset) failed to show. the she conditions’ loses yacht at Kim’s ‘terrible However Rescue, friends in fire Animal their earlyanother couple in ers and supportup telling 20s also turned aim rallied around with of cutting him they similar amount had lost the numberthe animals by of of money. a The half. “Lots of her Olive victims are worse situation emergency Press attended an in meeting, spoke than us, anda various who knows are still to how many more found other centres and with new volunteers. come out has woodwork,” he added. of the We have now launched Another appeal an is Stuart victim who lost out animals.to find homes for the Hall, 44, and his Continues HUNTED: Rebecca on her horse Wells
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only resident facing court action. "It is completely discriminasimilar extensions without tory, I cannot help but think planning licences - including that it is not a coincidence Balson's next door Spanish that I have been chosen when neighbour - but Balson is the I am the only foreigner living here," she told the Olive Press. Balson believed she had received planning permission when she contracted a Spanish architect Mario Jones in 2005. Now however, she feels that he did not do his job properly despite being paid €2,500 to take over the project and sort out the building licence. Jones, however, said he feels 'no guilt or responsibility and that Balson is to blame for the situation. He said: "I told her from the beginning that she wasn't allowed to build. Most people get away with it but she DESPERATE: Balson hasn't. "She is definitely being un- and dogs fairly treated and I am not sure why. I hope that the with so many foreigners livtown hall is not targeting her ing on the coast I don't think it happens now." because she is foreign. "Maybe that sort of thing Despite numerous attempts SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Terttu’s happened in the old days, but Estepona Town Hall did not ‘illegal’ extension and adjoining answer any of our questions. neighbour’s (right)
Offer
A SEASONED British fraudster has struck again. Paula Neale - exposed in the Olive Press four times in two years - has brought her dirty tricks to the Costa del Sol again. The rentals conwoman has snared a series of unsuspecting foreigners through her well oiled ruse of sub-letting properties. A number of victims have lost thousands in lost deposits, after she took over a two-bedroom apartment in Mijas. Using the alias ‘Sharon Tate’ she rented the Riviera apartment for three months, before
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 today. 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 link between the two countries.
Top stamps SPECIAL edition stamps of King Felipe and Queen Letizia have been launched by postal service Correos. Showing official photographs of the Royal duo, they can be bought for €1.
ONE in seven youngsters coming to Spain on holiday have admitted that they are drunk on the plane, according to a survey by website Jetcost. com.
EXCLUSIVE By Jed Neill
All aboard!
BRITISH ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, has thanked the Hospital Materno Infantil in Malaga for its treatment of Ashya King, on behalf of the British government.
NEWS
17 January
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Fe at u re
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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 Victory, at last! IT’S such a relief to see the Jubbs win their three-year battle with Jimena town hall. There are too many cases of Brits being shafted by corrupt ayuntamientos who seem to find any loophole to demolish their hardearned properties for their own gain. The Jubbs had not only spent their life savings on the beautiful B&B, but they had created a successful business that was only helping to bring more tourism, interest and at the end of the day, money to the area. Add this to the fact that Valerie chose to spend her time running an animal sanctuary - saving the town a fortune in rehoming, neutering and disposal costs - and the draconian decision to destroy their home, conveniently just as they were to sell it for just under 700,000 euros, and it can be seen as nothing else than a pure betrayal. We wish the Jubbs a happy future and hope to see similar victories in the future.
Spain’s sunken treasure ships have been the stuff of legend and swashbuckling salvage expeditions since Columbus sailed for the New World. Jed Neill goes wreckdiving to discover the gems still rolling in the deep
January 17th - January 30th 2018
Finding
I
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
Catch her! It is incredible that after two years of terrorising the coast, Paula Neale is still at large. We have reported on her, on four seperate occasions, but her well-oiled routine keeps catching people out. Despite allegedly trashing the properties she stays in, she is also causing damage to those she pretends to be friends with. She can change her name but she can’t change her face so if you see any of the images inclosed in the article then contact us immediately. Publisher/ Editor
Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es SALES: sales@theolivepress.es Admin Maria Angeles Vázquez (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es
Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es Jed Neill jed@theolivepress.es Joe Wallen joe@theolivepress.es Aleesha Hansel aleesha@theolivepress.es Designer James Partington design@theolivepress.es
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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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Fe at u re
El Dorado
January 17th - January
Mallorca treasures Two separate searches last month found an anchor from a Roman galleon, a pottery jar and other antiquities dating back to 3BC which could be worth millions.
its entirety on www.theolivepress.es And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s 30th 2018 most visited news websites.
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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-
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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.
El Salvador Bound for Cadiz, the merchant ship El Salvador was loaded up with gold, silver and 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.
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.
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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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Brexit SOS HALF of Spain’s regions (8 out of 17) have reported concerns if a no-deal Brexit scenario took place. In a detailed EU report, Andalucia fears it will be one of the worst affected. As well as a drop in tourism, it fears a drop in investment and trade, as well as a problem for up to 10,000 Spanish workers in Gibraltar. British tourism contributes 1.2% of its GDP and the document also highlights losses as high as €190 million a year from the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) if the UK stops contributing.
Impact
In the document composed by the European Committee of the Regions to examine the economic impact of a hard Brexit, Spain had the largest number of concerned areas. More than 40 regions across Europe analysed the impact of Brexit, with many parts of Ireland and Holland also highly concerned. Spain has now called on Brussels ‘to mitigate, in any way possible, the impact of a hard Brexit’. It stressed that the UK had been its main business partner since 2009, with tourism figures over 18 million last year. The Balearic Islands, where 80% of their economy relies on tourism, are worried about the ensuing economic chaos if Brits can no longer afford to travel there. The other regions affected are 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 temporarily following the referendum chaos last year. It will also be badly affected. Regions are also concerned that a hard Brexit will leave a €10 billion hole in EU finances.
January 17th - January 30th 2018
Ryanair boycott PASSENGERS have been advised to boycott Ryanair after its new hand luggage rules came into force this week. From now, passengers will have to pay £5 for priority boarding to take a suitcase into the cabin, or put it in the hold. The Spanish air transport users body (ASETRA) has called
Expat businesses stung by surprise town hall works EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
A BRITISH expat is set to lose thousands of euros in business after his town hall began digging up the road outside his business without warning. Josh Grimshaw, 28, started worrying after noticing a pile up of construction materials at Christmas, which was preventing customers from parking outside his bar La Tasca in Torre del Mar.
for passengers to boycott claiming it is ‘looting’ customers with stealth fees, that are not legal. “It violates the rights of passengers at a time when Ryanair enjoys a dominant position in the Spanish air transport market,” said a spokesman. However a spokesman for the
airline insisted passengers liked the idea. “We have had a positive reception from our customers. This new policy is fair, will speed up boarding and will eliminate any risk of Ryanair flights being delayed because of too many bags being brought on board.
Out of order
Costa boom THE Costa del Sol has set a new tourism record. The holiday hotspot received 12.5 million international tourists last year, 6.42% than 2016. It also bucked the trend when it comes to national tourists, receiving 5.1 million last year, 4% more than the year before. The domestic market alone brought €4.3 billion and 52,813 jobs to the Costa del Sol last year. Overall the region raked in €13.8 billion in 2017, a 9.5% increase on the year before. The tourism sector employed 8.8% more people than in 2016, with 111,172 finding work. “The main international markets are clearly betting on the Costa del Sol,” said Malaga tourism boss Elias Bendodo. Visitor numbers have particularly grown from Holland and Sweden, as well as Italy and Denmark, which have seen ‘significant growth’. 2018 is expected to break all records again with a 2.5% rise in numbers forecasted for the first quarter.
Answers
Amazingly, the town hall, just 50 metres away, first claimed to know nothing about the works when Grimshaw demanded answers. “Now they have told me they are re-piping the roads and they ‘should’ be done by Semana Santa,” the Manchester-born businessman told the Olive Press. “I am powerless to stop it and of course I’ve been offered no warning or compensation for lost earnings, which will be in the thousands.” Several expat businesses next
BAD FOR BUSINESS: Surprise construction and (left) Grimshaw
to Avenida Andalucia are also furious at having to close during the estimated three month work period. “It’s disgusting,” added Grimshaw, who moved to the Costa
del Sol 17 years ago, “I’ve now been told to take down my awnings or the town hall will do it themselves and slap me with a fine!” The road has now been
blocked off by road signs making the row of businesses inaccessible to potential punters. Torre del Mar town hall failed to comment in time for press.
Don’t you dare!
TROUBLEMAKER: Carles Puigdemont
SPANISH PM Mariano Rajoy has threatened to impose direct rule on Catalunya if ousted leader Carles Puigdemont attempts to rule the region from his home in Belgium. It comes a week after separatist leaders agreed to re-instate Puigdemont as Catalunya’s president. “Parliamentary rules are very clear. They do not allow a [parliamentary] presence that is not in person,” said Spanish government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo. “This aspiration is a fallacy, it’s totally unrealistic and it goes against the rule books and common sense.” Puigdemont is currently living in Belgium in exile where he fled following charges of sedition, rebellion, and misuse of public funds. The Catalunya parliament will convene for their first session this week to re-instate a new local government.
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Migrants out of jail HUNDREDS of migrants being held at a controversial jail have been moved. The authorities have transferred the African asylum seekers to other detention centres around Spain. It comes after a migrant hung himself in a cell of the recently opened Archidona prison. “572 migrants, all of them Algerian, have been gradually transferred,” confirmed a government spokesman. The jail, known as a CIE, has come under scrutiny for its cramped and poor living conditions.
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January 17th - January 30th 2018
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January 17th - January 30th 2018 poli t ics
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‘Shoot Romanians’
Mayor heightens tensions between locals and Romanians in tinderbox town
EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
AN Andalucia mayor has told residents he wants to see Romanians shot while trying to calm racial tensions in his town. The leader of Pedrera, Antonio Nogales, was supposed to be instructing angry locals to ‘not take matters into their own hands’ following waves of violence against the Romanian population in the
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TENSIONS: In Sevilla’s Pedrera
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when trying to calm down residents. “I would like to see people shot too,” he repeated several times, “But we cannot do that.” The phrase seemed to endorse and legitimise the violence, rather than dissuade residents from taking part in it. It comes during a period of heightened tensions
Leave her alone JUNTA leader Susana Diaz may avoid being grilled in the huge ERE corruption trial. Despite PP party demands, anti-corruption prosecutors believe putting her on the stand is ‘unnecessary’. This is despite current vice president, Manuel Jimenez Barrios and former education minister Mar Moreno, from 2012-2013, being called for questioning. A judge will this week decide if Diaz, 43, must face questions about what she may have known about the billion euro public fund fraud that continued within the Junta for well over a decade Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s PP party insist she must have at least been aware of the scams, which have become part of the biggest corruption case in European history. Dozens of politicians from the former PSOE-run Junta, were this week giving evidence over the embezzling of at least €855 million in public funds. They include two former presidents, Manuel Chaves, 72 and Jose Antonio Griñan, 71, as well as countless ministers.
TARGET: Romanians
between Romanians and Spanish locals. Romanians have had their cars turned over and seven people have been arrested after serious assaults and fights. PSOE Sevilla representative Veronica Perez has called for Nogales to resign, saying his remarks only encouraged more violence. Nogales has refused to resign insisting the words were ‘taken out of context’.
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CATALUNYA’S parliamentary speaker has stepped down the latest casualty over an investigation into sedition and rebellion. Fiercely pro-independence, Carme Forcadell has announced she is stepping down – but will retain law making powers. It is not known who will fill her shoes after her supposed successor, Carles Mundo, the former regional justice minister, is also be-
ing probed on the same charges. “I think this new political moment requires a new person who is, above all else, free of legal proceedings,” she said. Forcadell was a key opposition voice against the Spanish government before the secessionist vote in Catalunya resulted with the regional parliament declaring unilateral independence on October 27.
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 23.2% of the vote (compared to 33% in 2016), while the Sociality 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.
Brexit vote odds slashed NIGEL Farage has called for a second referendum in a further twist in the Brexit saga. The former UKIP leader who brought 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.
www.theolivepress.es Spain is already feeling the effects of global warming, AEMET warns
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.
SPAIN had its hottest year on record last year and climate change is ‘now noticeable’, Spain’s weather agency AEMET has repeated. Seven regions of Andalucia as well as - Badajoz, Ciudad Real and Cáceres - posted new all-time temperature records in July 2017. The airport in Granada was the hottest spot in the country in 2017, reaching an official high of 45.7ºC on July 12, a full 2.7C higher than the same weather station’s previous record, back in 1972. “2017 was an extremely warm year in Spain: the av-
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January 17th - January 30th 2018
CLIMATE WARNING erage annual temperature was the highest in the historical records, with an aver-
TORNADO TERROR THIS is the moment a tornado tore through southern Spain. The freak weather feature ripped through greenhouses and crops in Ejido and El Alquian in Almeria on January 6. The twister devastated some 150 hectares and caused €40 million worth of damage. Many of the farmers had not started harvesting, leading to greater economic losses. “All life fighting for nothing,” lamented a farmer in the video. The clip shows plastic sheets being ripped from buildings while residents screamed. “Look, look, look, look … It’s taking everything!” Shouted a man while recording with his phone.
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age temperature of 16.2ºC, a value that is 1.1ºC higher than the annual average,” said AEMET. “Of the ten warmest years in Spain since 1965, seven have been in years of the 21st Century and five of those have been in the current ten-year period that began in 2011. (It seems climate change is now noticable).” Night-time minimum temperatures during the summer
period also broke records, with temperatures in the early hours at the start of August not dipping below 26ºC in Madrid, 27ºC in Alicante or a sweltering 28.9ºC on the Balearic Islands. The previous highs in these places were prior to 1978, and in Alicante—the 1930s. More than 40 weather stations recorded record annual average highs. The Spanish Met Office also described 2017 as a ‘very dry’ year with much lower rainfall across the country. “Average rainfall in Spain was around 474mm, 27% lower than the annual average in the reference period between 1981 and 2010,” it said. The figures mean 2017 was the second driest year since 1965, only beaten by 2005, when average rainfall dropped to 468mm. “In an area between Palencia and Valladolid, another in western Extremadura and in parts of the Canary Islands, rainfall didn’t even reach half of its normal level.”
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Save our crops! FARMERS in southern Spain fear they may lose their position as the top exporters in Europe after successive hot and dry seasons. It comes after AEMET revealed 2017 was the hottest and one of the driest on record (see left). Climate groups have warned of 70% desertification in Spain if global warming is not immediately addressed. “This year we are seeing what we already feared,” said Jesús Abenza, commercial director of the Murcia-based cooperative Alimer. “In order to maintain their production volumes and to meet the current demand, the producers of leafy vegetables, broccoli and cauliflower from Murcia and Alicante have sought new growing areas to ensure a stable water supply. “However, these are located at higher altitudes than Murcia, which entails other risks in autumn and winter, such as excessive cold, with frosts at specific times or excessive winds. As a result, the stability in the production and the strict compliance of supply programs may be jeopardised, causing prices to fluctuate more sharply.” “It is very difficult to build commercial business relationships with customers as we had been doing in recent years, and yet it is very easy for them to switch to other areas,” he adds.
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LE TT E R S
www.theolivepress.es
Letter Dear OP,
of the
week
Having just read your excellent report on the disgusting treatment of those dogs at a scrap yard just outside Estepona I cannot believe in this day and age such cruelty continues to flourish. What can we do to ensure things like this never happen again? I can only assume the old man who is supposedly feeding them is mentally ill, no one with a modicum of humanity could turn a blind eye to the suffering of these poor animals. I have seen many cruelties in Spain in the last 25 years, from a Donkey being walled up in its shelter to a mother whose newborn pups were left in the sun to die while she was chained up just out of reach. I should state that this was many years ago and not in Estepona itself But I thought as time goes on people were becoming more enlightened. Rescuing the dogs is not the absolute answer because this excuse of a man will only get more dogs he can brutalise, which means more suffering will follow. He should be arrested and brought to justice and banned from keeping animals for the rest of his miserable life. I have many Spanish friends who were absolutely horrified at this man and grateful for the first class journalism in this article. As someone who has given homes to multiple rescue dogs and lavished care and love upon them, I have received so much more in return. I hope the authorities follow your example and bring the man responsible to justice. Regards, Janet Madeley Estepona ED: Don’t worry Janet, we are on the case, watch this space!
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HOW DID SHE FALL?
Our readers react to the news of travel chaos from the snow storms that gripped Spain
Boarding up
Yes it does get very cold in southern Spain in the winter and very few have central heating, so take that UK...were finally colder than you guys.
I think the locals will stay indoors and board up their windows because this snow looks like it's set to stay and Spanish homes aren’t built for the snow.
Continues on Page 2
Love bug
Thousands apply to Mallorcabased reality show
Page 3
Top year!
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16/06/2017
Art Lietz, Malaga
Holiday blues Oh my god it looks so pretty and miles apart from the sunny weather I enjoyed there a few weeks ago. I didn’t even know Spain could get snow on this sort of scale. Kevin Aspinall, London
What the hell is going on! I think Malaga’s record tourist number have stolen all the snow and taken it back with them when they’ve gone home. Caroline Lea Stephanie, Lincolnshire
Noah’s Ark
Page 10
e Lions Threpub
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SEE MORE IN THE RESTAURANT SECTION INSIDE
Best English Pub in Palma Great food Live Music Every Night from 12am Ave de Gabriel Roca 4, Palma
Fun Run MAGALUF'S San Silvestre fun run saw more than 1,300 participants in the annual New Year's Eve race to Palmanova and back.
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Big increase in Campo drug smuggling blamed on police distracted by Catalunya MARLENE: New motion
GIBRALTAR must adopt tighter laws to protect the environment. The demand comes in a hardhitting motion proposed by independent MP Marlene Hassan Nahon. Hassan believes a series of new policies need to be implemented, following in-depth discussions with the public, via her Together Gibraltar platform. She wants the government to accept that not only is air quality ‘poor’ on the Rock, but it could be remedied by cutting vehicle emissions. The issue was highlighted in a Gibraltar Olive Press splash (right) last year, when alarming pollution levels in Gibraltar were revealed by the EU. At the next meeting of parliament Hassan wants the house to accept some key issues. These include accepting that poor air quality is not a new phenomenon and that the Rock must try harder to adhere to EU targets on air quality. She also wants better monitoring in key locations and a promise to meet EU targets on recyclable waste. She wants an independent analysis of renewable energy potential and recommends an independent body to oversee these changes.
EXCLUSIVE By Joe Wallen
Fleur Hassan– Nahoum speaks to the press in Gibraltar for the first time since becoming the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem. Read the fascinating interview on Page 6 and 7
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‘Out of control’
THEY were woken by a loud bang and then the unmistakeable acrid smell of burning rubber. A classic RHIB speed boat had landed on the beach close to Alcaidesa port, in La Linea, before being set alight by drug smugglers to destroy any evidence. In the same week this January at least half a dozen other drug boats had landed their sinister hauls in the town, the Gibraltar Olive Press can reveal. Indeed, local residents told the paper that drug running across the Straits has increased in regularity over the past couple of months. They claim that the fast boats are arriving ‘on an almost daily basis’ and nothing is being done. Police, both in Spain and Gibraltar, privately admit that drug trafficking in the Campo has exploded. Sources told the paper that the issue was due to a reduction in police presence in the region, thanks to on-going specialist unit of the nationpolitical unrest in Catalunya al police, based in Cadiz. and the migrant crisis in the “It is very worrying,” one La Strait of Gibraltar. Linea resident, who did not wished to be named, told Deployed the Gibraltar Olive Press. Some estimates claim 6,000 “Drug gangs are becoming extra police were deployed increasingly confident. to Catalunya in the autumn “We know that arrests are and the majority still remain still happening and some there. are high profile, but it is all Many of these are specialist those who are getting away officers from the Unidades with it that worries us the de Intervención Policial, a most.
Rachel Imogen Oliver, Marbella
DRUG BUSTS: Rising
“Everyone who lives here knows someone in the business and they are becoming more confident; more young people see it is a long term career.” Another resident fears that the situation could lead to an increase in gang warfare. “Violence is increasing here, gangs are competing more and it needs to be stopped before it gets worse,” said Marta Gonzalez Borja, 34,
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K
Time for change
I love snow this is just the perfect time to have fun. Why bother building a snowman when you can build an Ark. I feel a challenge is before us. Time to snap to it.
We look back at the island’s biggest stories of 2017
SCENE: At Club de Mar marina in Palma
15:36
C
Swings and roundabouts Sunnier pastures
Tom Felix, Malaga
EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
By Gillian Keller
AN investigation has been launched after the body of a British woman was found floating in a Mallorca marina after a boozy night out. Investigators have obtained footage from Palma’s Club de Mar CCTV cameras which apparently show she was alone when she fell into the water. An autopsy has taken place but the results have yet to be released. Christina Marston, from Southampton, 43, had allegedly been living on a boat with her husband in the marina. The pair had apparently returned to sleep on the boat after a heavy night out drinking with friends. A witness claimed the couple had an argument on the way back to the port. The next morning around 11am on December 30, the husband woke up and con-
CMY
This must be poetic justice. Especially when a couple of years ago, I remember reminding people of the snow six months later in a Spanish Facebook group when a newbie asked what the weather is like in winter. Long story short I received a lot of abuse but finally the snow has arrived and I was right.
Expats win 10 year battle A SPANISH bank has been ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in damages to expats over a failed offplan development. A Mallorca court ruled in favour of more than 80 buyers who had invested in the Cala Romantica development in 2006, linked to Sabadell Solbank. The homes were due to be completed by 2008 but construction stalled before the contracts were cancelled in 2011 when the developers declared bankruptcy. CostaLuz-DeCastro sued the firm’s bank on behalf of dozens of buyers, forcing them to fork out nearly €500,000, plus costs. Sabadell argued that it had no legal relationship with
Foul play not yet ruled out after British woman found dead in Palma bay
Radiator culture
Angela Mansfield, Axarquia
WE WISH YOU VERY HAPPY 2018!
Voted
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per person from
from Algeciras. “You see all the news from Mexico and I fear the worse. “More young people are getting into the drug game
because they don’t fear the police anymore.” A number of big seizures don’t seem to be making a difference. They include 5.8 tonnes of cocaine seized in Algeciras hidden in bananas and the round up of 11 members in big drug gangs in La Linea caught smuggling 960kg of cocaine inside pineapples.
The family, which has been drug smuggling for an estimated 40 years, had more than €2 million stashed in several bank accounts and owned an incredible 57 buildings, worth €7 million. Another La Linea family were rounded up, with police seizing various guns from a bogus day-care centre, where drugs were sold. Meanwhile police announced that on January 9 and 10, some 11.5kg of hashish was seized in four separate raids in La Linea. On January 8, a further 3kg was found, along with two
guns and three stolen vehicles. Cases have become so frequent that the Junta has recently created a new unit of 12 agents to deal with the problem. Called the ‘Response Task Force’, it is however covering the whole of Andalucia and nowhere near big enough fear locals. Residents insist that the most important change to combat the problem would be a long-awaited second anti-drugs prosecutor for the Campo region.
Worsening
A Gibraltarian police source confirmed that the situation was ‘worsening’ and that the force was ‘increasingly concerned’. Last year alone, the Royal Gibraltar Police were involved in 88 high speed chases at sea involving suspected drug gangs. These actions led to cannabis of an estimated street value in excess of €20 million from reaching the Rock or nearby Campo. “The RGP remains committed to its fights against illegal drugs whether on land or at sea,” a spokesman from the police told the Gibraltar Olive Press. Opinion Page 6
In Gibraltar
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A PETITION calling to ban the barbaric tradition of tying torches to the horns of bulls has amassed nearly 180,000 signatures. Activists have been lobbying the Spanish government since a video surfaced last summer showing a frenzied bull with its horns on fire Download our app now and crashing headlong into a wooden begin enjoying the best Spanishpole, killing itself. Campaigners say there is ‘no justinews on the go. fication for making animals suffer
Court of celebs
Conduit
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.
smuggler in Spain. Titled Just An Ordinary Decent Criminal, the book is awash with anecdotes of the criminal underworld on the Costa del Sol during the 1990s. In one scene the 48-year-old reveals a nerve-racking confrontation he had with Spanish police at the border while his car was loaded with cocaine. The Liverpudlian also sheds light on the camaraderie amongst Liverpool’s criminal fraternity
Drug smuggler’s new book exposes the murky underbelly of the Costa del Crime
in Marbella, and how he used booze and cannabis to cope with the stress of being on the run. “You know that you could be kidnapped, tortured or killed. I used cannabis and booze to try and relax. I was in and out of hospital with all kinds of health problems,” he said. Once dubbed one of Britain’s
A BAND of schoolchildren from San Pedro, average age 12, are blazing a trail across YouTube and set to release their first album next month. Devils in The Sky consists of five girls aged 10 to 15 and an eight-yearold boy, all students at the Rock Factory music academy. The album, It’s A New Age, was financed through crowdfunding and inspired by the bands’ own rock heroes such as AC/DC, Iron Maiden and the Rolling Stones. It follows on from their Youtube success with ‘Something to say’, a
Little Devils video clip in which they criticise bullying at school, and a string of performances on the Costa del Sol last summer. At a presentation of the video, Marbella Mayor Ángeles Muñoz praised the talent and promising future of ‘a band which formed less than a year ago at a music academy in San Pedro and is now being asked to appear on national television.’
C
onil de la Frontera - January 20 - Pilgrim procession
A NIGHT of celebration as locals trail behind carts carrying the patron saint of the town, San Sebastian. There is also a competition for best dressed farmers.
A
lmeria - January 20-23 - Fire festival
SPECTATORS join in to collect wood from nearby forests for a huge bonfire on January 19 with a procession the following day starting from the old church leading to Holy Assumption Church.
C
adiz - January 2930 - Food festivals
most wanted criminals, Paul Walmsley spent five years ‘on his toes’ in Europe and was a notorious ‘Costa crook’. He added: “I know I have a lot fewer things now, but my life has qualities that money can’t buy.” His life as a drug dealer took a turn for the worse in 2011 after Spanish police quashed an attempt to smuggle £3.5 million of Class A drugs into Britain and Walmsley handed himself in to serve a 10-year jail sentence. After serving five years, the parole board deemed Walmsley a ‘reformed character’ and upon being released from prison, he bagged himself a job at the Jamie Carragher Sports and Learning Academy. He says his time in prison was a chance to turn his life around and he now speaks at universities across the UK. “I tell young people that the crime and drugs game will bite you back later on in life. “There are very, very few people who manage to make a successful, long term living from crime. “It will come back at you.” The book is available in paperback from Amazon for £20.
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what’s on
such terror and pain just for human entertainment’. Supporters say the event, which took place in Foios near Valencia during the ‘Burning Bull’ festival, is a tradition dating back 400 years. Paul H from the UK wrote: “Barbaric medieval human practices have no place in the 21st century.” While Maggie A, also from the UK said: “Spain is a Catholic country so it’s amazing that this happens.”
Life on the run
FILMSTAR Javier Bardem The Olive Press is spearheading celebrity support for a Spanish civil for news inacSpain! rights TOP campaigner cused of helping peopletrafficking gangs. Helena Garzón is standing trial in Tangier, Morocco for helping migrants across the Mediterranean. But the case has caused outrage among politicians AN ex-con has released a new and celebrities. book detailing his life as a drug
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January 17th - January 30th 2018
THREE free food festivals, La Pestinda, La Ostionada, and La Erizada, sprout up across the city as the oldest city in Europe marks the start of the Cadiz Carnival.
Malaga marvel THE Picasso Museum has once again been crowned the most visited museum in Andalucia. More than 635,000 people enjoyed its offerings in 2017, a similar amount to the number of inhabitants in Malaga city. The figure is an almost 14% increase on 2016 visitors. Popular shows last year included the Warhol and Mechanical Art exhibition. The art gallery, which has been open for 15 years, closely collaborates with other world famous institutions such as the TATE in London and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The month of May will see another big boost in visitors for the Caixaforum exhibition which saw more than 228,000 patronise a smaller version in Barcelona.
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January 17th - January 30th 2018 January 17th - January 30th 2018
ew Year, ew You?
Buying a bike is the only resolution worth investing in, writes Ashley Higgins
PIT STOP: For thirsty cyclists
E
VERY January the majority of us make a New Year’s Resolution to get fit, lose weight and be healthier. Let’s face it, by mid January most of these New Year’s promises have been broken and it is easy to see why. January, I find, is a depressing month as we feel a little overweight and partied out after over-indulging during the Christmas and New Year period. We are trying to diet, do dry January and eat healthier all at once. Just doing one of these is hard enough without putting ourselves under enormous pressure to do them all. A considerable number of us will join a gym in the vain hope that this will give us the inspiration to go, which it does....for about 6 weeks then we just notice the money going out of our accounts each month and our visits to the gym are few and far between. A much wiser investment into your general well being and fitness would be to buy a bike! It's a 'one off' cost and will be available for you to use throughout this year and the next year and the next year, whenever you want, as often or infrequent as you want and for however long you want! Since January 1 I have ridden 1000 kilometres guiding our winter training camps based in Montecorto. This has taken me 40 hours and in that time I have burned approximately 32,000 calories. When riding at a steady pace, by which Riding just one I mean a pace hour per day you at which you can still hold a will burn off up to conversation, use 6007,000 calories in a you'll 1000 calories week per hour. For every hour that you ride and burn 600-1000 calories you need to consume 300-500 calories to sustain this effort for longer than 2 hours. Most people can ride for 2 hours without having to refuel before they will use up all their energy reserves for the day, so if you plan on doing more than 2 hours you'll need to take some snacks with you. Bananas, cereal bars and dried fruit will keep you going. Do also remember to drink whilst exercising/ riding your bike. Every hour you should drink 800ml of water/ energy drinks. Another one of my 'top tips' would be to prepare something to eat for when you get home. When I am training I'll have ready in the fridge (to eat as soon as I walk in the door) a bowl of pasta with chicken, tuna, boiled eggs and bacon mixed in. After exercise there is, what is called, 'A Golden Hour' to eat as this is when your body will absorb all the goodness, protein and nutrients from the food the quickest and easiest. It's all too easy to get home and fill up on junk calories, biscuits/chocolate/crisps and undo all the good work you have just done. Your body/muscles will be craving Protein to recover from your exercise session. Do remember not to over reward yourself for your exercise session. If you only ride for 30 minutes do not reward yourself with a massive snack/meal as you'll probably end up eating more calories that you have used. To lose 1lb in weight you need to have a 3500 calorie deficit. Daily calorie intake for a man is recommended to be 2500 Calories and 2000 calories for the ladies. So, let’s to the maths, if you eat at your recommended daily intake and then ride your
WHAT A VIEW: Pistas of Andalucia beat the gym any day
FRESH AIR: Hitting the beautiful Andalucia roads
CONTACT INFORMATION Andalucian Cycling Experience Telephone: (0034) 952 184 042 Mobile: (0034) 677 028 469 or (0034) 671 966 376
bike for just one hour per day you will burn off 4200-7000 calories in a week and lose 1-2lb in weight.....without having to diet!! At the Andalucian Cycling Experience we run road cycling/training camp weeks throughout the year. These are based in Montecorto, near Ronda, in one of our townhouses or villas with pools.
These weeks run from Saturday to Saturday with three different guided group rides per day to accommodate different fitness levels. You can also join us for a day and either bring your own bike or hire one of our top quality Orbea Avant or Orbea Orca road bikes. During the rides we will stop for refreshments and the guides will be more than happy to discuss training techniques, nutrition, bike maintenance...... well pretty much anything bike related. Montecorto is located 20km from Ronda on the edge of the Serrania de Ronda and Sierra de Grazalema making it a great location to get out and explore the mountains and surrounding countryside and Pueblos Blancos (White Villages). The road surfaces are superb and the traffic minimal. Mix that with over 325 days of sunshine each year and you’ll be hard pushed to find a better place to ride! I know I am a touch biased but do come a give it a go and find out for yourself. We have clients of all standards from novice to Cat 1/Elite cyclists to budding Ironman triathletes. No matter what your level we can organise routes to suit your ability. Sean Yates, ex Sports Director at Team Tinkoff-Saxo and ex Sports Director of Team Sky, brought the Catford CC Equipe Banks team over training with us, he said: “Ashley and Claire have a great set up in Montecorto and the terrain is suited to riders of all levels from beginners to Pro riders. We have had a great week training in Montecorto and the boys are now ready for the season ahead' Catford CC compete in the British Cycling Elite National Team League.”
Twitter: @andcycexp Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/andaluciancycling Website: http://www.andaluciancyclingexperience.com Passionate about Pedalling, Bonkers about Bikes, Mad about Mountains.
A A
Nevada S ierra Fighting
15www.ll about AXARQUIA the olive press - October 30 - November 12 2014 www.theolivepress.es ll about
Vol. 12 Issue 283
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BEACH READY Five easy exercises to get your body in shape for the summer SEE PAGE 20
F
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 before.’” suppres your Meanwhile, immune system total blood a which can make cholesterol, risk factor for illness more likely 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 17th - January 30th 2018
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January 17th- January 30th 2018
TEA TIME What you should be drinking instead of PG Tips this year SEE PAGE 23
Give it a dry!
Laying off the booze has immediate health benefits and can save money in the process
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Awww.theolivepress.es Fighting fit 2018 ll about
January 17th - January 30th 2018 January 17th- January 30th 2018
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 Marbella addiction clinic to achieving effective first in Spain to go digital. Villa Paradiso, based in Marbella, has paired offer 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. rehabilitation preferred hat inworkstrong 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
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IT WON’T
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fit 2018
January 17th - January 30th 2018 January 17th- January 30th 2018
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The crown prince
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INDING the right dentist can be difficult. With so many operations from fillers to crowns to caps, you need something that will last and not cost a small fortune. That’s where Dr Jean Casado’s Smile & More Dental Clinic comes in. A man who has travelled the world in pursuit of perfecting his craft.
iBad S ocial media addiction and substance abuse have more in common than you think. Scrolling affects our brains in a similar way to taking cocaine, according to startling new research. Looking at your social media feeds activates the amygdala, an almond-shaped part of the brain involved with emotions, decision-making and compulsive behaviour. The brain patterns produced are similar to those seen in the brains of people addicted to cocaine. In a study by California State University, participants were also found to respond to Facebook stimuli faster than they did road signs. “This is scary since it means that users might respond to a Facebook message on their mobile device before reacting to traffic conditions if they are using technology while on the road,” said Professor Ofir Turel. “The good news, is that the behaviour can be corrected with treatment. We speculate that addictive behaviour in this case stems from low motivation to control the behaviour, which is due partly to the relatively benign societal and personal consequences of technology overuse, compared to, say, substance abuse,” continued Turel. But are consequences truly benign or is there a darker side to social media? Only this month it was reported that a 14-year-old girl in Australia committed suicide after being bullied online. Dolly Everett had previously starred in
How buying your child a smartphone is like offering them a line of cocaine
the adverts of hat firm Akubra, aged eight. Meanwhile a 2016 Spanish study of more than 21,000 12 to 16-year-olds conducted by Save the Children suggested that 82,000 children have been victims of cyberbullying. The anonymity and distance the internet offers make it harder for people to feel empathy, experts say. But while committing suicide is an extreme reaction, as with any type of bullying feelings of anxiety, fear, depression and low esteem can all build up. Statistics from a 2015 report show that children who spend three hours or more on social media are more than twice as likely to suffer mental health issues. Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Hayley Van 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.
ALL SMILES: Dr Casado at Sotogrande clinic
Born in Saudi Arabia, Casado chose Sotogrande as the place to put down roots, bringing the best in the business for modern dental treatments. “Our industry has changed immensely over the last 10 years and with my own X-ray machine everything can be done in-house,” he told the Olive Press. Fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and French, the University of Lyon graduate is a dentist for the modern age.
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On the rise Do you suffer from erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation!
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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.’ www.mensolutions.es
Fighting fit 2018
January 17th - January 30th 2018
Beautiful artists I
T can be difficult making friends in a new place. But that process has become a lot easier thanks to Glow & Bubbly’s friendly atmosphere. Having trained at the prestigious Marbella Beauty Academy, Brazilian beauty Marcela Bonadio decided Estepona was missing a ‘modern and intimate’ beauty parlor which specialises in a whole host of treatments from hairdressing to manicures. “We’re so much more than a one stop beauty shop,” she told the Olive Press. “We socialise with clients and our laid back atmosphere means everyone is relaxed, plus its always healthy to have a bit of banter with people.” Yet, with both men and women flooding in, Bubbly Bonadio is looking at ways to cater for the next generation of beautiful women. Something they hope to build upon in the coming months with spa parties for young girls to look and feel glamorous as well as bridal parties for betrothed brides-to-be. www.glowandbubbly.com
WELCOMING: The Glow & Bubbly salon
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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
Mijas Fitness & Yoga is more of a family club than a wellbeing centre
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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 high-
er the chance of success. 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.
A touch of class
ooking for a welcoming gym with a wide variety of fitness options? Mijas Fitness & Yoga, at Cerrado del Aguila Golf, could be right for you. This friendly club boasts spectacular views as well as all the modern fitness equipment and training options you´d expect in a first-class facility. Leading the coaches team is Jiri Farkac, from the Czech Republic, a professional duathlete/ triathlete who has competed at European & World championship level. He explains: “We understand that when you first join a gym, or return after a break, you may need help to develop a safe and effective training regime tailored to your specific needs. Realistic goals, based on your starting level of fitness, are the key to results. “Our introductory sessions for new members really help us understand what they want to achieve.” He adds: “Our body composition analyses, linked to the gym’s app, help members see the results of their hard work and measure the positive changes in their overall fitness.” Julie Zawadzki, who took over and re-branded the centre in May 2017, says: “Our international membership ranges in age from 17 to late 70s. _ “I believe fitness is for everyone, so my aim has been to create an inclusive environment where each member feels comfortable, improving their fitness levels in whatever way suits them best.” At just 45€ a month, with no joining fee and easy parking, members can be sure they’re getting the best value fitness training.
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FAMILY CLUB: At Mijas Fitness & Yoga
Body bag shocker Spaniard found snoring in morgue
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
STUNNED: Three doctors had declared him dead
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 IT can be difficult making friends in a new place. a result of catalepsy – a But that process has become a lot easier thanks to Glow & Bubcondition where a perbly’s friendly atmosphere. son’s vital signs slow Having trained at the prestigious Marbella Beauty Academy, down to the point of Brazilian beauty Marcela Bonadio decided Estepona was missbeing almost imperceping a ‘modern and intimate’ beauty parlor who specialise in a tible. whole host of treatments from hairdressing to manicures. His ‘death’ had been “We’re so much more than a one stop beauty shop,” she told certified by three expethe Olive Press. rienced doctors at the “We socialise with clients and our laid back atmosphere means prison, who ordered his everyone is relaxed, plus its always healthy to have a bit of banbody to be sent to the ter with people.” mortuary for further exYet, with both men and women flooding in, Bubbly Bonadio is amination. looking at ways to cater for the next generation of beautiful The body was taken to women. the Institute of Legal Something they hope to build upon in the coming months with Medicine in Oviedo, the spa parties for young girls to look and feel glamorous as well as regional capital. bridal parties for betrothed brides-to-be.
Nailing it
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Get your abs in shape with these five simple exercises
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January 17th - January 30th 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
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January 17th - January 30th 2018
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January 17th- January 30th 2018
h ready
exerht the ort of or the
Attention gym-goers! GYM Junkie Café is open in San Pedro near the Boulevard. Their mission is to bring you fresh, healthy, nutrient-rich food and beverages at affordable prices. They use tasty, natural ingredients and super-foods packed with nutrients and vitamins to benefit your mind and body. With the hectic pace of daily life Gym Junkie Café cares for your health and wellness providing you a great alternative to other establishments. It’s perfect for a detox juice and a healthy breakfast before you train or a tasty lunch post-workout. Try their high protein grilled lean meat with healthy carbs or healthy salads and mouth-watering wraps. Refuel with their high quality whey protein shakes. Taste their delicious protein pancakes loaded with all your favourite fruit, farm-sourced maple syrup or 100% natural peanut butter. It’s the right choice - where else can you
nd raise your up throughreturn to the
xtend out at he floor and , scissor-like
nk
ith your forectly straight. your right el-
ward your left
al of 10 com-
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.
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.
enjoy great food without regret. Both passionate about healthy food and Gym Junkie’s themselves, owners Jamie and Deborah from London set up this friendly family-run business. They felt there was a dramatic surge of gyms opening up in the Marbella area but a serious lack of healthy eateries.”We are targeting people who live an active lifestyle and who train regularly. People who want to get full results from nutrition.” “We all want to live a healthy lifestyle and to eat cleanly both in our home and when we eat out. At Gym Junkie Café we have created a community for gym-junkies....a place where you can relax, rejuvenate in comfortable, modern surroundings. Where you can refuel with our superior, healthy food served by friendly, courteous staff.” Gym Junkie Café will help you eat better and perform better in your daily life.
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January 17th - January 30th 2018
World leaders
S
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.
Dressed to the nines ONE year on and New Styles Hair and Beauty continues to dominate, offering the best beauty treatments on the coast. The salon is the brainchild of Lynn Montgomery, who, having learnt the tricks-ofthe-trade in Ireland, hopes to turn it into a recognised brand. ‘Five star service at normal prices’ is their motto and with over 11 different treatments there really is something for everyone. Located in Benalmadena, the salon specialises in eyebrow shaping, exten-
sions, and pedicures and if you need a deep-tissue massage they’ve got that covered to. “Having set up shop a year ago the response has been fantastic,” Lynn told the Olive Press. Dubliner Montgomery says the Costa del Sol has it all. “Everything from the weather, the people and lifestyle is a dream. “I absolutely love it and you couldn’t pay me to go back to Ireland,” she admits proudly.
New year, new me! Lose weight and make 2018 your year with Cambridge Weight Plan.
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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 Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common three-fold increased risk of having a car accident. Asier, 2016 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 mediobstruction and collapse of the air passages during cal assessment which allows potential sufferers ‘sleep’. In turn this leads to complete to be graded against the Epworth cessation of breathing for periods of Sleepiness Scale. Combined with 10 seconds or more (Apnoea) durovernight non-invasive measureing which time no air can pass to ment of blood oxygen levels this is the lungs. Low blood oxygen levels a simple reliable way of identifying result in the sufferer coming out of the condition, all within the comfort deep (restful) sleep and into a more of your own bedroom. The mainstay shallow (un-restful) level of sleep. The of treatment involves the nocturnal cycle of events can repeat itself many use of a small portable machine Thecompletely Steps Programme times during the night, dewhich blows humidified air into stroying normal sleep patterns and in some severe the lungs during sleep (CPAP) which prevents the programmesa clear thus maintaining 5 from collapsingFlexible 1cases, sufferers2can wake up3 completely.4In less airways severe cases airways are only partially obstructed passage for air to enter the lungs. This ensures and whilst airflow may only fall to 50% of normal that sufferers remain in deep sleep for much lonStabilisation and maintenance (hypopnoea) this also significantly disrupts the ger periods during the night and wake refreshed level of sleep. Most sufferers experience a mixture in the morning ready to face the challenges of the One-to-one support of both apnoea and hypopnoea whilst they are day. Most people who suffer from OSA do not re“asleep”. alise they have the condition and can blame their It is estimated that OSA affects up to 4% of the gen- symptoms on the pressures of work and their Balanced nutrition eral population with men suffering more commonly social lives. Indeed the fatigue of untreated OSA than women in the under 50 yr age group. Obesity can lead to problems at work and within the famWide range of flavours is a major risk factor for OSA with 70% of obese ily. Ironically bed partners of individuals with OSA *Cambridge Plan shake, soup, porridge or barcondition which worsens peopleWeight experiencing the may also experience similar fatigue and irritation © ‘The Cambridge Steps Programme’ is registered and owned by Cambridge Manufacturing Co. ltd. in severity as the BMI increases. More shockingly, symptoms because of sleep interruption despite only 10% of people with OSA are currently receivbeing completely well! Treatment not only reduces ing treatment. Whilst Benjamin Franklin may have Weight the risk of complications arising from the condition Cambridge Plan been right when he said ‘fatigue is the best pillow’, but also ensures a much happier, fully awake and Calle Baptista i Ramos El Campello, no matter how Joan good the mattressBaset and pillow are 10, enjoyable working andAlicante family life. 03560
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January 17th - January 30th 2018
Down T to a tea
January 17th- January 30th 2018
The seven healthy teas you should be drinking this year
1. Oolong Oolong tea activates enzymes that cut down triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood. One study showed that women who consumed oolong tea burned a slightly larger amount of fat than those who drank only water. Oolong tea is more than just a fat burner, though. It also contains niacin, which helps detoxify the body, and antioxidants that can prevent tooth decay.
2. Black Black tea is one of the most highly caffeinated varieties of tea, with about 40 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Black tea also contains thearubigins and theaflavins, two types of antioxidants that have
HE Brits love their cups of tea, but when they’re full of sugar and fattening dairy milk, the health benefits don’t exatly spill over. Below we have rounded up the best teas that will help your heart, liver and bodily functions and most importantly stop you from dunking calorific biccies.
been linked to lower cholesterol levels. Plus, drinking three or more cups of black tea a day can cut your risk of stroke by 21 percent.
3. Green Green tea is an excellent source of catechins, another type of antioxidant. A subgroup of this compound known as EGCG has been studied for its potential role in preventing cancer and heart disease. One study showed that drinking one cup of green tea per day could decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by 10 percent.
according to the American Cancer Society.
4. White White tea, with its many proven health benefits, is the ultimate multi-tasker of teas. Much like green tea, white tea contains catechins, which may help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Drinking white tea might also reduce the risk of cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors,
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5. Chamomile Chamomile tea is an ancient natural remedy with many health benefits. Research shows that the antioxidants in chamomile tea may help stunt the growth of cancer cells and prevent diabetes side effects such as loss of vi-
sion, nerve damage and kidney damage. Unlike the teas mentioned above, chamomile tea is made from the flowers of the chamomile plant.
6. Echinacea Echinacea purpurea is a commonly used natural compound that fights illnesses such as the common cold and other respiratory infections. One study showed that consuming Echinacea in tea or lozenge form over a four-month period helped to prevent infections.
7. Lemon ginger tea Ginger has an active ingredient called zingiber, and lemon contains the immuneboosting compounds pectin and limonene. This epic duo makes lemon ginger tea an effective weapon against bacterial infections. One study shows that drinking lemon ginger tea can even kill the bacteria linked to salmonella!
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January 17th - January 30th 2018
Blueberries Originally from North America, blueberries form part of the same family as cranberries. A great source of vitamin K, a study in 2012 of more than 90,000 women found that participants who ate three or more portions a week had almost a third lower risk of heart attack in comparison to those who ate them less than once a month. Blueberries are also suggested to help relax the walls of the blood vessels, which may reduce this risk of atherosclerosis – hardening of the arteries and ultimately the chance of cardiovascular disease.
Avocado With more potassium than a banana and miles more instagram ability, the green fruit of the avocado tree has exploded in popularity. Sales in the UK alone increased by over 28% in 2016, totalling £187m. Its creamy consistency gives a clue to its components, but some may be shocked to know that 77% of its calories are from fat, making it one of the fattiest plant foods in existence. But they don't just contain any fat, the majority is linoleic acid and oleic acid. Oleic acid is the monounsaturated fatty acid found in olive oil and believed to be responsible for some of its beneficial effects. Short term studies have shown than consumption of the fruit can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 22% and increase HDL, the good cholesterol, by up to 11%.
Oily fish Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are said to help against cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, age-related vision loss and dementia.The evidence is strong enough to warrant a British government recommendation to eat at least two portions a week. The British Dietetic Association state that oily fish lowers blood pressure and improves blood lipids, both of which reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease: the biggest killer in the UK.
Super troopers The superfoods you need to eat more of this year
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ew year, new me’ - the mantra tains a nutrient alleged to help reduce choconstantly repeated on various lesterol and blood pressure, but you’d have social media platforms at this to munch your way through 28 cloves a day time of year. to match the doses used in the lab. And although we might strive for Foods that have been elevated to superfood fresh challenges and look for new doors to status mainly contain antioxidants, such as open, there is one resolution that tops the beta-carotene, vitamins A/C/E, flavonoids charts every year; eating and omega-3 fatty acids. better. Antioxidants, often bandied Our idea of healthy eating about as if they are the has changed somewhat over Antioxidants, often elixir of life, are chemicals the last decade, from the thought to protect against branded as the simple five-a-day to the phethe harmful effects of free elixirs of life, do radicals. Chemicals that nomenon of ‘superfoods’, are produced naturally and but what exactly are they? Well, officially there is no protect against cell known to cause cell damsuch thing. The EU bans age. While evidence of the damage any health claims made on benefits of antioxidants are packaging unless supported inconclusive, there is sufby scientific evidence, but ficient documentation to that’s not to say that impressive sounding prove that the Mediterranean diet is one of words can’t be used by the marketing de- the healthiest in the world with Spain having the second-highest life expectancy accordpartment. The ‘superfood’ trend exploits the funda- ing to the Organisation for Economic Co-opmental fact that healthy lifestyle choices, eration and Development.The diet includes including diet, can reduce our risk of chron- plenty of fruit and vegetables, olive oil, leic diseases like heart disease, stroke and gumes, fish and less meat, dairy and procancer. cessed foods than the typical Western diet. But the reality of the claims can be some- To help you on your way to health, here we what exaggerated. Garlic, for example, con- look at six of the most popular ‘superfoods’.
Goji berries Used in Chinese medicine for more than 6,000 years, this little red fruit has recently been made popular by celebs such as Madonna and Miranda Kerr. They contain a host of vitamins including C, B2, A and iron. Empirical evidence for the benefits goji berries, is thin on the ground, but one much cited 1994 Chinese study of 79 patients suggests they may help tackle cancer. The participants, all with advanced cancer were given berry compounds alongside immunotherapy saw their cancers regress. However, detailed information from the study is lacking.
Chocolate Cacao has been cultivated by many cultures for at least three millennia in South America, with the Mayans and Aztecs being known to have drunk chocolate beverages. Researchers have observed that those drinking cocoa as their main beverage tend to have very low blood pressure and so reducing the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. However, they weren’t talking about Cola Cao or Galaxy. Dark chocolate, similar to red wine contains flavonoids which have anti-inflammatory effects. A small study of people given 40g of dark chocolate over two weeks experienced a reduction in stress hormones.
Wheatgrass Discovered in the 1930s by American chemist Charles Schnabel, enthusiasts claim that one shot (30ml) contains as many nutrients as one kilo of vegetables. However, tests show that it has roughly the equivalent goodness as spinach and broccoli, without the benefit of counting towards one of your five-a-day. However, a small study group which gave patients 100mls daily over a month, saw a reduction in colon inflammation.
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It’s war!
Pioneering laws for Andalucia restaurants as region wages war on obesity
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EW laws have come into effect this week in a bid to tackle Andalucia’s growing obesity problem. The region, with 16.6% of adults and almost a quarter of minors being obese, is the second-fattest in the country. Bars and restaurants will have to offer drinking water free of charge to anyone who requests it, as well as different portion sizes. Meanwhile, supermarkets have to offer fresh produce in a range of packaging sizes. The law also asks schools to add five hours of sport a week into the curriculum, and launch initiatives to distribute fresh fruit and vegetables. School shops and cafeterias will be banned from selling drinks and snacks which contain over 200 calories. Free drinking water will also be placed next to
January 17th- January 30th 2018
CLINICA
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CONSULTANT ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON Dr. Alf Neuhaus WEIGHING IN: Getting tough on obesity vending machines selling high-calorie soft drinks, while publicity of products with exceptionally high calorific values will also be limited.
According to the Junta’s Ministry of Health, the increase in emergencies is up 25% in many health centres and hospitals across Andalucia. The total amount of cases is up 13.5% compared to last year. In total, the region’s health ministry has hired 438 extra professionals. This year’s flu is not life-threatening, with health professionals advising that you should feel better within a week and that in most cases, you will not need to see your doctor.
OPHTHALMOLOGIST Dr. Mariano Salvatierra PHYSIOTHERAPISTS David Peromingo Tamara Abramovich
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Flu epidemic strikes ALMOST 500 extra staff have been called in to tackle this year’s flu epidemic in southern Spain. The last week of 2017 saw more than 188 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Andalucia, surpassing 2016’s 181. It comes before the expected peak in the third and last week of this month, meaning cases are expected to rise. The average health centre in the region has seen a 25% increase in emergencies, according to the Junta.
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Inside the neat and minimalist home of one of the worlds greatest footballers
MARBELLA’S La Bajadilla port project could be delayed for years after Sheikh Al-Thani appealed a deci- ‘A MAN’S home is his castle’ sion to annul his contract and for Real Madrid star Cristo build the site. tiano Ronaldo, his castle is all Download our app and dedicated to one thing - himThe businessman hasnow appealed the ofbest the begin ruling enjoying the Spanish self. High Court oftheJustice of Known for his trim hairline, news on go. Andalucia (TSJA), which and freakish agility, we all annuled the concession of know how he plays but only the works granted to the occasionally are we shown the Temporary Union of Com- inner workings of his lifestyle. panies, headed by the Mal- Keen to show off his luxury, the 32-year-old has treated aga FC owner. It came after continued de- fans to a glimpse of his €5 lays to construction and a million mansion in the exclusive La Finca area of Pozuelo lack of payments for subThe Olive Press de Alarcón in Madrid. contracts. Boasting seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, the 8,600
TOP for news in Spain! Inaction foot home is filled to the brim
The Public Ports Agency of Andalucia had to take over management of the project last March due to the inaction of the Sheikh’s companies. If the courts allow AlThani’s appeal, it could be months or even years before the project sees works begin. It would be a blow to locals, who will lose out on hundreds of jobs and countless expected economic benefits. If the appeal is rejected, the project will most likely go to Group Alfil and Marinas, which was the second highest bidder when it was first announced.
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old twins Eva Maria and Mateo and eight-week-old daughter Alana Martina is painted in soothing creams shades. While seven-year-old son Cristiano Jr has a home gym to himself to work out with dad.
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
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.
MORTGAGE THINK TANK by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola
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Port+TheolivepressEs of appeal BE ‘APPY!
Property
January 17th - January 30th 2018
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Buy, buy, buy!
F you have been sitting on the fence when it comes to buying a property in Spain, the time to act is now. House prices have risen consecutively for the past four years and the same is forecast for 2018. The average property price will increase by 6.1% this year, according to the Property Outlook report by the IPE. It means if you had bought a €450,000 property last year, you would stand to add just under €30,000 to its value this year. The property market is one of the world’s greatest success stories after coming back from the depths of the 2008 crash, which saw prices plummet by 30% between 2008 and 2013. In the last four years alone, prices have bounced back by an average of 21%, and the trend is positive for the next few years, especially given that Spain is one of the fastest growing economies in the EU. Property prices will return to those seen at the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005 when the property boom was in full swing. So if you have the opportunity to invest, there are no more excuses, and when you do take the plunge, make sure you hire a broker to guide you through the sometimes murky waters. With established links to all the major Spanish lenders the Finance Bureau acts as a gobetween for the client and the bank – but it is important to remember that the broker is
After four years of growth, you’d be mad not to invest in Spain, writes The Finance Bureau’s Tancrede de Pola not connected to the bank and works to find the buyer the best deal available. It is the broker’s prerogative not just to find a mortgage for the client, but to find the best possible match for the individual client’s needs and their circumstances. Lenders are still looking for the most creditworthy clients but different banks have different criteria and it is important to match these correctly to ensure the mortgage is approved. In fact The Finance Bureau doesn’t even charge a broker fee until completion… in other words we are only paid on results. A good broker will be aware of all the products available and where to find the best deal. And the importance of finding the ‘right deal’ is imperative as it is not viable to switch products (as is common in the UK) due to the cost of set-up. Without wanting to scaremonger, choosing the wrong mortgage option can have a catastrophic impact on the next 20 or 30 years of your life. So when you do decide to invest this year, make sure you give us a call.
To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: 951 203 540 Email: tdp@thefinanacebureau.com The Finance Bureau Centro Commercial Guadalmina, 2nOffice No. 7 Guadalmina, 29670
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New +TheolivepressEs Only way is up for spain economy Location routes location BE ‘APPY! 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 Mallorca and Menorca, which Download our app now and will run from March 25 to Ocbegin enjoying the best Spanish tober 27. Meanwhile, flightsnews fromonGatthe go. wick to Malaga, Alicante, Tenerife and Lanzarote will increase in volume. Malaga flights will rise from 27 to 35 flights per week, and Alicante from 14 to 22. MALAGA is officially the fastest growing urban tourist destination in Spain, new figures have shown. The Olive Pressto the town hall, According the city hosted more than 1.3 million tourists last year, 9% TOP for news in Spain! more than in 2016. A FRENCH dairy company Tourism councillor for Malhas been linked to an out- aga Julio Andrade said the break of Salmonella poison- numbers exceeded ‘even the ing in its infant milk product most optimistic of forecasts’ and are based on the ‘extraolines. Spain has reported one case dinary behaviour of internalinked to Salmonella from tional markets’. Lactalis Nutrition Sante, part The boom is thanks to inof the Lactalis Group, while ternational tourists, who accounted for 900,000 travelFrance reported 35 cases. The company distributed the lers last year and caused hotel product to 12 countries in the stays to increase by 18%. EU, it has blamed an evapora- They are picking up the slack tion tower used for drying as in national tourists, which dropped by 3% (just over the source of contamination.
Costa del Sol city the fastest growing tourist destination in Spain
Salmonella outbreak
a revision upwards of the growth rate,” said Economic 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: Malaga city is the place to visit
500,000). Brits remained at the top in terms of visitor numbers at 119,000, an increase of over 20%. Andrade said Malaga is once again the fastest growing urban destination in Spain, ahead of Palma de Mallorca and Zaragoza (both up 6.96%), Barcelona (3.30%) , Bilbao (3.19%), Sevilla (2.77%), Madrid (2.51%), Cordoba (1.62%), Valencia (1.36%) and Granada (-2.76%).
CARAVANING
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 has 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.
2018 a
26 EDITION
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BUSINESS
www.theolivepress.es Marbella businessman Dominic Chappell guilty in BHS case A BRITISH expat businessman who bought doomed retailer BHS for £1 has been found guilty of failing to provide information to the Pension Regulator. Dominic Chappell, 51, who owns the Oasis Club in Marbella, was blasted by MPs for ‘his hands in the till’ approach and will now face a big fine after appearing at Brighton magistrates court last week. The conviction relates to three written inquiries made by the regulator, that Chappell failed to reply to, and makes him the first person to face criminal charges following the BHS collapse. Chappell’s defence relied on his inability to gain access to the offices, a large workload and a heavy cough that was in danger of aggravating a previous medical problem
January 17th - January 30th 2018 January 17th - January 30th 2018
Expat guilty involving a detached retina. District judge William Ashworth said some of the evidence given by Chappell was ‘not credible’ with some of his explanations ‘making no sense’.
Following the decision, which took six-and-a-half hours to conclude, Chappell appeared outside the court to state his ‘disappointment and annoyance’ at the result and said he had already instructed his
Short term gains
legal team to lodge an appeal. Last year the chain’s former owner, billionaire Sir Philip Green, paid £363 million of his personal fortune, currently estimated to be £3.8 billion, to help plug the retailer’s pension hole. This followed a parliamentary inquiry that stated he was among those ‘culpable’, but the sum is still £208 million short of the £571 million deficit. Chappell is believed to have received £2.6 million in salary and fees during his 13-month spell in charge of BHS. He will be sentenced in Winchester on January 19.
MALAGA’S job market is still too insecure, unions have claimed. It comes after new figures revealed the province ended 2017 with 7.8% more people in employment. But while 774,978 people signed contracts last year, unions said the amount of temporary contracts is still too high. They blasted an ‘immense rotation’ of workers for the same jobs and the fact that only 6.7% of contracts signed were permanent. Until 2006, between 10% and 12% of contracts were permanent, a figure that has yet to be matched since the crisis. Some 93.3% of contracts were temporary last year, and more than two thirds lasted for one month or less.
Off the rails ticket discount
RENFE has released thousands of seats with discounts of up to 70% for Janaury and February. The offer is valid for travel until February 26 and extends to limited places on
some trains and days and while supplies last, according to Renfe. The prices, available on journeys from this Sunday until February 26, include offers such as Barcelona-Valencia
from €12.20; Madrid-Valencia from €21.90; ZaragozaLogroño from €5.50; GijónMadrid from €22.45; Valencia-Malaga from €22; MadridLeón from €19.90; or MalagaBarcelona from €35.45.
AGONY Property ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES
HEADS UP: New tax rules Supreme Court amends Spanish tax residency rules
T
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
INSECURITY: Rising
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Outstanding care AT The Good Care Group we aim to provide professional live in care services to enable people to stay in their own home and remain a part of their local community, surrounded by the things they love. As the UK’s most awarded and trusted provider of live in home care services to the Advertorial elderly, we pride ourselves on the fact that our carers are exceptional. That is why we are the UK’s ONLY provider dedicated to live in care to be rated ‘OutstandDr Michael Peters offers comprehensive treatment in his private ing’ by the Care Quality Marbella clinic Commission. It might be hard to stomach, but sometimes our digestive system We passionately believe lets us down. Gastroenterologist Michael Peters has dedicated that finding quality, profesmore than 20 years of his life to treating patients in Germany and sional carers with a real deNew Zealand with these types of ailments. sire to care for others drives Now based in Marbella, he sees people from up and down the coast. the success of our business. “I’ve enjoyed working Our approach to recruiting here more than anyand training only the best where else,” He says. carers and truly under“I feel I have more time standing their skills, expefor individual patients rience, capabilities, personand can offer them comalities, culture and values fortable and thorough ensures we are able to best examinations.” match them to our client’s The first consultation needs which ultimately lasts an hour, and inprovides good continuity of cludes an ultrasound. care. Our carers are offered It’s the primary step in a variety of rota patterns solving the case. “It’s like to enable a good work/life detective work where balance, they have 24/7 there are multiple possisupport in their role and bilities and you work on a full benefits package ineach individual situation cluding subsidized flight until you find the root costs from Spain. of the problem. It’s very With care for clients across rewarding and interestEngland and Scotland and ing.” employing over 600 carHe shares the clinic with ers based in both the UK Urologist Dr Wolfgang Kleimeier and frequently sees patients toand abroad, we are always gether with him to find the root of the issue. recruiting for like-minded What’s more, being fluent English speakers makes the experience a people aligned to our values lot easier for the patient. to join our expanding team. Since this year his private practice based on Avenida Ricardo SoPlease contact Tracy riano 36 offers a new type of parasite test which is only available in Jackson on 951507423 Australia and the US, placing it in high demand. or 622047351 or email It also offers High Definition endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonosTracy.Jackson@thecopy) at selected private hospitals with experienced aestheticians goodcaregroup.com trained to put the patients at ease. for more information or an immediate interFor more information, visit www.drmpeters.com view.
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country. In addition, Tax Office was Specialistt in Internal Internalerintroducing Medicin Medicine e andtheGastroenterology logy the subjective criteria element -what was the real intention of the taxpayer Col. No. 29/29/10551 No . determine 29/299/10551 (?)- to effective tax residency.
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.
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.
N GASTROENTEROLOGIST G S O O OG G S ON O THE COSTA COS DEL SOL SO 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-
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MAYFAIRONMAIN Calling all qualified, experienced and creative stylists. Gibraltars luxury hair salon experience where quality and service matter: Mayfair On Main, launched in April 2017, now with a busy clientele we are looking to expand our team to cope with client demand. Are you NVQ qualified, a motivated team player, passionate about hair, committed to providing high quality service and keen to be part of the team set to revolutionise the hair industry in Gibraltar. Email your CV and covering letter to info@mayfaironmain.gi or call us on 00350 20075913 using the reference Olive Press.
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Food, drink & travel January 17th - January 30th 2018
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Grape expectations 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-
BRUNO: Moving on up
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
Closed until mid February
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. 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).
Modernising
restaurant | lunch and dinner
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.
Despite having spent three days in Brussels, Mexican economy minister Ildefonso Guajardo hasn’t managed to break the deadlock over out-
Wine rationing SPANISH grape growers are expected to maintain their current course in terms of planting new seedlings for 2018. This comes after The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment (MAPAMA) warned against planting many more vineyards. MAPAMA say grape growers can plant no more than 4,950 hectares of new vines. This represents just a 0.52% increase of the amount currently planted.
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MOROCCO was Spain’s main supplier of fruit and veg in 2017, according to a new report. Morocco 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.
standing 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.
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.
NEW: Cappuccino hotel
New foodie entry 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 Ibiza, Madrid, Valencia and Marbella but Mallorca will see its first hotel. The 19th century building will also host a Japanese restaurant called Inu Japanese.
OP - Food Promos January.pdf
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1. The Comfort
January 17th - January 30th 2018 January 17th - January 30th 2018
New Year is a time for fresh starts but some bright ideas turn out to be just plain dim
Wipe
Toilet paper had worked fine for more than 100 years when TeleBrands launched the Comfort Wipe, targeted at those spooked by touching soiled paper. The clean tissue attached itself to a wand that added up to 18 inches of reach, and a release button took care of the rest. Trials brought no flush of success and the idea went down the pan.
2. Rubber Fingers
Are these the world’s worst inventions?
The Marigolds of the SMS texting world ... or prophylactics for digits? Despite coming in pink or black … in small, medium or large ... Lex’s latex Phone Fingers for people who are picky about fingerprint smears on their phones never really took off.
users quite like this annoying animated virtual paper clip that appeared as soon as you typed the word Dear. Complaints from harassed users about Clippy’s refusal to keep a low profile saw him clipped from later versions.
3. Clippy
4. The Auto Loo
‘It looks like you're writing a letter. Would you like help?’ No question wound up Microsoft Office
New York City was over the moon with the unveiling of its first automatic pay toilet in
2008. Patrons paid 25 cents for 15 minutes of privacy in the pre-programmed privy, but when time was up, the doors slid open regardless, revealing any number of full moons in broad daylight and catching half of NYC with its pants down.
5. The Parachute Jacket It’s not rocket science to guess where this is go-
New Year resolutions Finding time to maintain personal promises can be a drag especially if you don’t keep them up
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ew Year, New You! Here we go again. It’s the first month of 2018 and that cracking and dull thudding sound that you hear all around you is the unmistakable noise of people’s New Year resolutions breaking and hitting the ground. I understand that the beginning of another year is always the time when most people decide that something ‘really has to be done’, but to be honest, the majority of my friends have enough trouble readjusting to the fact that the Festive Season is finally over. This means that waking up wondering what day it is and having a large Baileys and handful of Quality Street for breakfast before slumping on the sofa in one’s onesie and
watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy in a single sitting is no longer socially acceptable. Unless you are a freelancer, obviously. January is always the month that gym memberships, boot camp classes and Spanish language courses fill up with eager newbies, all intent on finally making that fresh start. The thought just struck me that someone should perhaps try setting up a gym class/Spanish class combination, where you could do Pilates while discovering the correct us-
age of ‘usted’ and ‘tu’. I expect, however, that the ‘mañana’ effect will soon pervade, leaving lots of unopened exercise books and disregarded exercise plans. I tend to get around the whole exercise thing by my Casita lifestyle that invariably sees me lugging logs around for the fire, pipes for the water and more often than not myself up the 1.5 kilometre mountain track when the 4x4 is playing up. My other job as a radio presenter sees me burn
off several hundred calories of nervous energy when I’m live on air, while delivering this fine publication every two weeks is also something of a cardio workout. Especially in August. I’ve also got the language thing cracked. Living in Andalucia, where the locals ‘eat their words’ and gesture when they speak, I’ve found the perfect solution is to mumble quickly while waving my hands around and finishing each sentence with ‘claro’, ‘tio’ or ‘porfa’. The only problem is understanding what my neighbours are saying in equally mumbled Andaluz, and I once famously misheard when I thought I was being asked if I was tired (estas cansado?), when my neighbour actually meant if I was married (estas casada?) “I am a little, but nothing that a good night in bed won’t fix,” I replied. He hasn’t been back since….
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ing ... Designed in 1912 by Franz Reichelt, the wearable safety garment received a high-profile unveiling by its German inventor who jumped off the Eiffel Tower in one. It didn't deploy. Reichelt died.
6. Hair in a Can The fine powder spray for covering up bald spots was marketed by prolific US inventor Ronald Popeil. It enjoyed similar success to his Smokeless Ashtray, which was dead in the water after the almost pan-European public smoking ban.
7. Smell-o-Vision Mike Todd Jr. (son of the famous film producer) funded the ill-fated Smell-o-Vision which piped scent into cinemas at pivotal moments in the movie. It was used only once, in the 1960 film Scent of Mystery, produced by none other than Mike Todd Jr. Both the idea and the film stunk.
8. The Segway The vehicle of choice for lazy tourists and security guards was hyped by its inventor, Dean Kamen, as ‘a personal transportation revolution’. But many countries and US states banned it from pavements and, despite expensive gyroscopes to prevent it from tipping over, George W. Bush found a way!
9. Venetian Blind Sunglasses Trendy in the Eighties, slatted sunglasses enjoyed a brief revival when Kanye West sported them in his 2007 music video, Stronger, introducing a new generation of wannabes to a completely pointless accessory.
10. Plastic Bags They kicked brown paper bags into touch in the late 1970s and saved millions of trees. It’s only in hindsight that we know the consequences of a million single-use bags being handed out every minute across the globe. That’s 150 bags a year for every person on earth, and counting...
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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.
IF you have always hoped to snap your fingers and for food to appear then look no further. Spanish car manufacturer Seat has teamed up with American upstart Saba for a pilot scheme in Barcelona, which delivers groceries to the boot of your car. Car owners order the food through an app called ‘Droppit’ and leave their car keys with Saba staff, at either two designated car parks. Once an order is made, online supermarket staff at Deliberry prep and package the food to be taken away by courier company, Glovo. Runners deliver the food to Saba staff back in the carparks who then fill up
motors
Droppit off
An app that fills your car with food while you sit back and relax hopes to revolutionise the urban lifestyle the cars. Droppit, available for both iOS and Android is part of an agreement signed last year to incorporate a digital marketplace for owners of Seat cars. “Solutions like Droppit are able to offer a person-
Snowed in 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, 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’re working 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.
CHAOS: Snow grips Spain
Strong fleet SPANISH car sales have risen by 7.7% in 2017 as over a million new cars hit the roads. The market had a particularly strong December with its greatest sales increase since 2007, topping 102,943 cars, according to data from ANFAC. Renault ended the year as Spain’s top-selling brand with Seat and Volkswagen, coming second and third respectively for new car registrations. While diesel cars dropped to 48.3% down 8.5 points from 2016, petrol cars increased by 3.6% in 2017. Experts predict there will be more growth in 2018 with 1.3 million new registrations on the road and a 4% industry growth.
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alised and valuable experience for the user as Seat continues strengthening its commitment to digitising the everyday tasks around the car,” said the head of Business Development of Seat, Arantxa Alonso. In the future, both companies hope to develop technology where Saba employees use their fingerprint to access the vehicle. CEO of Saba, Martinez Vila said: “Droppit is a big step forward in offering services and value for the customer to contribute new exciting technologies.” The six-month pilot will be operating in the Pau Casals and Lluís Companys car parks and if successful, both companies hope to incorporate the app into other major Spanish cities.
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Whizzing by 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 a hundred more fatalities were recorded in 2017 compared to 2016, and 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 of 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.
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January 17th - January 30th 2018
Manchester United to subsidise fans in row over ticket prices with Sevilla FC
Stellar cast MILLIONS of people have decided Real Madrid players represent the perfect footballing team. With the announcement of UEFA’s Fans Team of the Year 2017 which saw 8,779,639 people around the world cast their votes, five Real Madrid players feature in the final XI. These include Sergio Ramos (the most voted player), Marcelo, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Barcelona had only one player - Lionel Messi - in the squad, while Gianluigi Buffon, Dani Alves, Giorgio Chiellini, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard completed the line-up.
SEVILLA football fans will have to pay premium prices to visit Old Trafford in response to the Spanish club’s ‘excessive’ ticket prices. Manchester United will charge Sevilla fans €100 a ticket to attend the Champions League last-16 tie at
Biting back Old Trafford on March 13 after Sevilla previously announced they would charge United fans €100 for the first leg in Spain on Febru-
Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. This comes after Liverpool fans who went to the Pizjuán Stadium in November were charged just €60 and in an effort to deter future price hikes, United have decided to subsidise their supporters the €40 difference and also increase the price for visiting spectators attending the second leg at Old Trafford. Head of ticketing and membership at United, Sam Kelleher outlined the clubs stance in a letter. It said: “In this instance, we believe that our travelling supporters are unfairly being subjected to increased/excessive ticket prices from the host club. “Ultimately, Sevilla have not agreed to significantly lower the price to what we view as a reasonable level. “Therefore, we have taken the difficult decision to charge Sevilla fans the same amount as our fans have been charged for the away fixture.” In response, Sevilla said they will ‘be in contact with UEFA’ over the matter. United pledge any extra revenue will be donated to the club’s charity foundation.
ary 21. United say they will also use the proceeds to subsidise fans attending the first game at Sevilla’s Ramón
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.
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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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
special feature
January January17th 17th- -January January30th 30th2018 2018
Expats are seeing huge savings by purchasing glasses online 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
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.
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“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. “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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FINAL WORDS
The Grinch A SALES assistant who worked at the department store Corte Ingles in Tenerife lost her job for telling a daughter what her mother was getting as a Christmas present.
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IF you go down to the beach today you’re in for a big surprise...you may be joined by a flock of flamingos getting their sun, sea and sand fix. This pink flock was sent in by Olive Press reader Juliette Gaffney from La Linea.
Underground bins
Got a cool photo? Send to newsdesk@theolivepress.es
F U E N G I R OLA town hall is to spend millions on building 23 underground rubbish containers in an effort ‘of improving the look and feel’ of the town’s streets.
Fat’s army
Driving drunk COSTA Blanca mayor Manuel Ros has walked with away with a years driving ban after being arrested for having three times the legal amount of alcohol in his blood.
Israeli connection A NEW ‘superfast’ sub-sea internet cable will connect Israel to Spain. Costing €164 million, the project is expected to go online in 2020.
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TRIMMING DOWN: Spanish Legion
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, based in Ronda and Almeria, 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. According to an internal report, up to 3,000 soldiers must undergo Body Mass Index
Flipping mess THIS is the moment Marbella club owner Olivia Valere smashed her car at a petrol station… while driving in flip flops. The famous businesswoman was leaving the garage in San Pedro when her Jaguar lost control and hit a pedestrian before slamming into a gas pump. Luckily it was turned off, preventing any chance of an explosion. The pedestrian escaped with minor injuries while Valere, who was driving with her husband, apparently told police a flip-flop slipped on the accelerator pedal. She could face charges for driving with inappropriate footwear.
Spanish soliders told to shift the pounds or get out
(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 ‘boredom 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.
Yappy New Year! YOU can’t blame this little chap for trying to get in on the New Year’s celebrations while out with its owner in Marbella. The puppy was photographed at a cafe in Puerto Banus by Olive Press reader Karen Rhodes, before he inadvertantly knocked over the glass of cava.
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. “The dress had to be seen even if our teeth were clattering from the cold.”