Est. 1946
www.gibraltarolivepress.com LT D
The Rock’s only free local paper
FREE
Cookshop, Household Goods, General Hardware, Beach Accessories & more 46 Irish Town, Gibraltar Tel: +350 200 75188 Email: bia@gibraltar.gi Facebook: GibraltarBIA
Getting spicy1
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
International flavour at this year’s Calentita
Vol. 3 Issue 73 www.gibraltarolivepress.com June 20th - July 3rd 2018
Death crash probe POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a fatal traffic accident between two female cyclists at the weekend. In particular they want to talk to a driver who may have been overtaken just seconds before the accident that killed Fatima Venegas, 50, from Sevilla. The crash happened when one of the riders lost control of her vehicle and the other attempted to avoid her. Both women were rushed to Saint Bernard’s Hospital, with the other also suffering serious injuries.
Accident
Police wish to speak to anyone who may have been in the vicinity and may have witnessed the accident, stating: "We are particularly interested in speaking with the driver of a locally-registered vehicle, possibly red or burgundy in colour that may have been overtaken by one of the motorcycles either immediately before or at the time of the accident." Anyone with information is asked to contact the Duty Officer at New Mole House on +350 20072500.
Hear us roar ANTI-tourism protesters have chained themselves to Gaudi’s iconic dragon in Barcelona while calling for a ban on new hotels to deter holidaymakers.
TUNNEL VISION: A trio of fabulous murals are set to adorn the Rock
Rocked!
Gibraltarbased company linked to alleged Russian interference probe that could have ‘bought Brexit’ By Laurence Dollimore
COMPANIES House in London has insisted the ‘man who bought Brexit’ reveal how he was able to fund his campaign to pull the UK out of Europe. The finances of Aaron Banks’ Gibraltar-based companies are set for heavy scrutiny, over concerns about his alleged links with Russia in connection to the referendum result.
European trips leaving weekly Transport and removal services
UK: +44 772 213 6148 SPAIN: +34 634 682 048 Adept Transport Ltd
adepttransport 1
www.adepttransportltd.com
BREXIT CASH PROBE: (left) Aaron Banks, US President Trump, Nigel Farage MPs are calling for police and parliament to continue investigating the alleged connection between the millionaire Brexit donor and Russia, after it emerged he met the Kremlin’s ambassador to the UK on various occasions. Home secretary Sajid Ja-
vid confirmed last week that Banks’ Russian connections are being examined ‘very seriously’ by two ministers in two departments who want to establish if there was an attempt to undermine parliamentary democracy during the Brexit campaign. Banks, a former Ukip donor and an associate of ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage, gave £8m to the Leave.EU and Grassroots Out campaigns. The money came from offshore firms, a number of which are based in Gibraltar, where 96% of voters ironically wanted to remain in the EU. Leave.EU focused relentlessly on immigration in the run up to the EU referendum and much of its populist strategy was taken from the US presidential campaign of Donald Trump, a man with whom Banks feels a close affinity having met him immediately after his victory in New York. Banks is also still under investigation by the Electoral Commission, which is trying to establish if he was the ‘true source of loans’ to Leave.EU, and whether Better for the Country Ltd, a company he controlled, was the source
of donations made to Brexit campaigners. Banks has allegedly also been told by Companies House to publish the accounts of his offshore holding company ICS Risk Solutions, which he uses to finance his activities. The Isle of Man-registered company is reported to be the ‘heart of Banks’s finances’. It is the holding company for Eldon Insurance, the insurer behind Go Skippy, and has paid over £77m since 2015 to prop up Banks’ Southern Rock underwriting arm, based in Gibraltar, after regulators on the Rock found the business was trading without adequate provisions. Banks said he would comply with any direction from Companies House, according to the Guardian. Banks had resigned his directorship with Southern Rock in 2014 over regulation issues. The move came after an investigation by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), found the directors to have made ‘inadequate’ provisions for future claims. Banks said the decision to accept the regulatory outcome was to avoid the need for
costly legal proceedings. “We decided to take the slap on the wrists to avoid the court action,” Banks said at the time. But now the pressure is building on Banks, after Labour MP Stephen Doughty, a member of the home affairs select committee, said it should investigate the links between Banks and Russia. “These are incredibly serious and growing allegations about the connections between Banks and the Russians, and their ability to potentially compromise the integrity of the referendum and British democracy,” the Labour MP said. “A number of committees in parliament, including my own, will want to [take a] closer look at this.” Asked whether there should be a police investigation, he said: “Some of the allegations are particularly serious and will no doubt need to be investigated by other authorities as well”. Labour’s front bench also weighed in with Tom Watson saying: “Try as he might, Mr Banks can’t just bluster his way out of these serious allegations. Democratic integrity is too important.” During a UK select committee investigating fake news last week, Banks defended his movement of funds to Southern Rock insisting he was simply shuffling money between two companies that he owns, before accusing MPs of trying to create some ‘shadiness around my business’.
2
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
NEWS IN BRIEF
Award Winner La Cala Resort picked up the Best Luxury Mountain Hotel at the Spain Luxury Hotel Awards 2018. Held at the Westin Palace de Madrid, the panel of judges praised the hotel’s excellence in client service, design, management and environmental awareness.
Local Hero Marbella born poker player Omar de Pino beat 1050 other players to win the main event at the Pokerstars Festival at Casino Marbella. The 25-year-old pocketed €179,000 as well as a place at a tournament in the Bahamas next year.
089
Stories and features in this edition of Gibraltar’s original community newspaper
Irishman ‘was getaway driver’ in assassination of alleged drug kingpin on Costa del Sol
CRIME
GUILTY
By Elisa Menendez from Malaga court
A SPANISH jury has found Dubliner James Quinn guilty of being the getaway driver in the murder of Gary Hutch on the Costa del Sol. After a four-day trial, the nine-strong jury ruled that the 35-year-old was guilty of being involved in the ‘planned’ shooting of 34-year-old Hutch and of possession of illegal weapons. State prosecutor, Jose Barba, had wanted to hand Quinn a life sentence but jurors stated it had not been proven he acted on behalf of a criminal organisation, in particular the Irish Kinahan clan.
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
IN COURT: James Quinn Quinn could face a total of 28 years in prison – 25 for murder and three for possession of illegal
weapons. The high-security trial saw six Guardia Civil officers waiting outside the courtroom for ‘the defendant’s safety’, while Policia Nacional officers testified wearing balaclavas or behind closed doors. Quinn’s lawyer Pedro Apalategui has said he will appeal the verdict. “We completely disagree with the verdict,” he said. Dubliner Hutch, nephew of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, was shot 15 times with two closerange shots to the head on September 24 2015, after an attacker chased him twice round the pool area at the Angel de Miraflores estate in Mijas, where the victim lived. The prosecution shocked the
No skirting the issue THE Gibraltar government is set to make ‘upskirting’ a criminal offence on the Rock, despite legislation being blocked in England. Anyone caught undertaking the act of taking a photograph under a person’s clothing - typically up a skirt - without their permission, will face up to two years in prison. Minister for Justice, Neil Costa, revealed that offenders will also face stiff fines and be put on the sex offenders
register. He said introducing the specific offence will not only strengthen the law, but also ensure that such behaviour is listed as a sexual offence. It comes after Tory MP, Sir Christopher Chope, blocked a bill to make it a criminal offence in the UK, but the government insists it will introduce its own legislation. ‘Upskirting’ is illegal in Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and some US states.
court at the end of the fourth day of evidence, offering the jury an alternative indictment - that Quinn could be the getaway driver instead of the gunman - in a bid to increase chances of prosecution,. Although the jury ruled the gunman’s identity was not proven as his face was covered in CCTV footage, they could place Quinn in the BMW X-3 getaway car due to a baseball cap found with his DNA on it, after the car was torched following the attack. They stated that Quinn, after waiting for Hutch with the unidentified attacker for over two hours before the ‘surprise attack’, stayed inside the vehicle on the look-out and ensured a subsequent getaway.
DNA
The jury, of five women and four men, found Quinn guilty of possession of illegal weapons after a Glock semi-automatic pistol with his DNA on it was found in a box on a bedside table in the apartment where he allegedly lived in Benahavis. Handcuffed and guarded by five Policia Nacional officers, Quinn shook hands with his lawyer after the verdict before being taken to Alhaurin de la Torre prison. He will be sentenced in the coming weeks.
BUSTED: Carrasco
Narco King snared
POLICE have captured the notorious ‘Narco King’ of southern Spain. Antonio Tejon Carrasco was snared in a raid involving 100 police officers in La Linea. It comes after the leader of the Castanas gang, said to be Spain’s biggest drug trafficker, had escaped capture various times this year, on one occasion over the roof of his home. But he was caught after he returned home to see the mother of his two children, Patricia Parody Cano, where he was greeted by police. The youngest Tejon brother has appeared before a judge and remanded in custody. He had become public enemy number one after returning home from Morocco to live in Spain two years ago. Since his return he managed to group together six gangs and form a successful international smuggling operation, which has played a huge part in the rising ‘narco crisis’ in Cadiz.
TM
902 123 282 *Fully comprehensive offer valid for new customers only. Tyre Cover available with optional Travel Assistance. Subject to conditions. Ends 30/06/18. **Offer valid for existing customers only. Discount on second policy. Cashback paid on first premium.
TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-2-60€.indd 1
30/4/18 13:01
Ne ws
www.gibraltarolivepress.com RETURN: Eric Morillo
He’s Back to Move it! HE’S been banned by British Airways, arrested three times and nearly lost his arm to Ketamine. But legendary America DJ Erick Morillo has somehow made it through and will be making a solo ap-
pearance on the Costa del Sol this summer. The producer and record label owner will be back in Marbella this summer. The house legend, best known for tracks such as I like to move it, will play Dreamers on August 19.
3
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
CROWNED: Miss Gib Isabel Farrugia
Culinary kings
Spain cleans up at 50 Best Restaurants awards
ART: Ambrose Avellano
ANOTHER DANCE AN art exhibition which recalls the dark days of the border closure has returned four years on. Ambrose Avellano’s exhibition Dancing Under the Shadows at the Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery is a nod to his 2014 show. The exhibits reflect some of the main historical events of the recent past, including the border closure, and complemented by write-ups by archivist Anthony Pitaluga. Pitaluga researched public records at the Gibraltar Archives to produce over 20,000 words for the 20 works. The exhibition will run until June 28.
THEY are the unprecedented stars of the global culinary scene. Spain’s top chefs have once again dominated the ranks at this year’s prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants event. A record seven Spanish restaurants secured places in the top 50, including three snapping up coveted spots in the top 10. Recognised as the most sought-after title in the culinary world, the Roca brothers at El Celler de can Roca were delighted to see their Catalan restaurant move up to second place, having been third last year.
Awards
They were pipped at the post by Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana, in Italy, while Mirazur, in France, came in third. The trio - headed up by chef Joan, sommelier Josep and Jordi as a master pâtissier - is world famous for its experimental ex-
STARS: Aduriz and (right) Jordi, Joan and Josep Roca
traordinary dishes. Meanwhile, the Basque Country’s very own Andoni Luis Aduriz’s rural restaurant, Mugaritz, stayed put for a second year in ninth place. Another Basque favourite Victor Arguinzoniz’s Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo fell four places to tenth. Also in the top 50, were Disfrutar, in Barcelona, at 18, Arzak, in San Sebastian, at 31, Tickets, in Barcelona, at 32, and Azurmendi, near Bilbao, at 43. The awards night, held last night at the Palacio Euskalduna, in Bilbao, saw the Basque city welcome some of the biggest names in gastronomy
with a red carpet and a glamorous reception. Since the awards were launched in 2002, Spanish restaurants have won the best in the world a staggering seven times, with El Bulli taking the top spot five times and El Cellar de Can Roca twice. America got six restaurants in the Top 50, with England getting four, Italy four, France four and Peru three. Spain also managed to get five more restaurants in the top 100, including Diverxo, in Madrid and Quique Dacosta, in Alicante.
Mission Impossible DJ: Marvin Humes
Party in the mist A PHALANX of dancers dressed in Hawaiian costumes helped Mahiki Beach’s summer launch get off to a bang, even though fog also played its part. But it was an appearance from X Factor star Marvin Humes that stole the show. The famous British singer played alongside a friend with a mini drum kit, to cheer up a rather dismal night, with the fog ruining an otherwise perfect evening. Meanwhile, the hotly-anticipated Gold and White Party at La Sala by the Sea saw a mermaid, a saxophone player and a whole lot of champagne see guests through the evening as the golden sun set over Puerto Banus.
IT was one of the first sold out events of the summer. And it was no surprise that James Arthur packed out La Sala by the Sea at a fantastic evening bash. The X-Factor winner, known for songs Impossible and Say you won’t let go, was part of a one-off acoustic event to mark the opening of the restaurant. The restaurant is now to welcome back Craig David on June 25.
Manilva has Pride
IT was a demonstration of respect and tolerance personified. Manilva’s annual Pride event wowed crowds of onlookers as the procession filed along the coast with numerous performances and plenty of colour. Among those appearing were El Biri, Ashley and Nefertiti, and the weekend did well to raise awareness of the issues and problems the LGTB+ group suffers on a daily basis around the world.
TRUE STAR SHE is on her way to China having become the new Miss Gibraltar. Receptionist Star Isabel Farrugia, 22, shrugged off online criticism of the competition that only got three applicants this year. “I honestly did not expect this,” she said following her win, which sees her competing in the Miss World competition in Sanya in December. “The other two contestants are so beautiful, “I am glad that I entered despite the online comments. I have had a great experience and I recommend anyone to enter Miss Gibraltar.” The employee at Isolas is a keen gym goer and eats lots of vegetables and fruit daily.
4
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
Clean it up! A GREEN group has slammed a waste dump in the Madre Vieja stream. Verdemar has demanded the clean up of tyres and other refuse in the area known as La Gallita, between Guadarranque and San Roque. They claim it is a big fire risk and the situation has got progressively worse and has been repeatedly denounced by neighbours.
NE WS
CLEANING UP A GERMAN cleaner has scooped the largest jackpot in online gaming history. The lucky lady from Berlin, whose name was given as Christina, won €90 million in the Gibraltar-based Lottoland draw. She had put the bet on the EuroJackpot jackpot via her mobile, choosing the five lucky numbers and the two Euro numbers that bagged her record breaking win. The Berliner found out she had won while working on her late cleaning shift. She plans to quit her job, allow her mother to retire, and hire a motorhome to drive from the East to West coast of America, culminating in a Backstreet Boys concert. Lottoland CEO Nigel Birrell, said: "This record €90 million win is a breakthrough moment both for our business and the industry as a whole, as it is the largest jackpot payout ever across the online gaming and lotto industry. We look forward to breaking more records in the future."
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
Corruption and bad planning has seen €100 billion black hole wasted on ‘unnecessary’ projects in Spain SPAIN has squandered around €97 billion on ‘unnecessary’ infrastructure projects, a damning new study has found. Unused airports, vanity museums, defunct desalination plants and deserted toll roads
Black hole By Laurence Dollimore
are just some of the wasteful projects undertaken. The fast-track AVE railway network - including various lines now shut - accounts for €26.2 billion of bad investment alone. The staggering statistics have been published in a comprehensive joint report undertaken by nine leading universities. In total, Spain spent over €81 billion alone on infrastructure that was ‘unnecessary, abandoned, underutilised or poorly planned’ between 1995 and 2016. A further €16 billion will have been wasted once the amounts already pledged are taken into account. Regional authority squandering amounted to €34.6 billion of the total, much of it spent on parks, hospitals, cultural centres and events. The list of big spenders is headed by the regional governments of Catalonia (€9.1 billion), Madrid (€7.7 billion), Valencia (€5.9 billion) and Andalucia (€2.7 billion).
Events
Presented by the Arturo Darch Charity Association in favour of the Joseph Carreras Foundation for Leukaemia Research. Join us for a luxury night under the stars where you will enjoy a magnificent welcome cocktail with champagne and canapés followed by a black tie dinner whilst enjoying our musical extravaganza “From Broadway to Hollywood”.
s
In the comprehensive national study undertaken by universities including Malaga, Sevilla and Madrid’s Complutense, much of the problem was blamed on corruption. While Spanish governments misspent the equivalent of 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) between 1985 and 1995, this figure soared to 20% of GDP from 1996 to 2007. From the beginning of the economic crisis until 2016, it has come down to around 3%. Among the projects singled out for criticism was the airport in Castellon, tram lines in Velez Malaga and Jaen and the toll motorway Pedrizas, north of Malaga. Nearly €5 billion meanwhile,
Checking in for Chokey
was sunk into nearly deserted toll roads outside Madrid, which had to be bailed out by the state. Numerous desalination plants, particularly around Alicante, represented over €2.3 billion in ‘cost overruns, inefficiencies or mismanagement’ alone. The City of the Environment in Soria, the City of Light in Alicante, the City of Justice in Madrid, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, and the Alicante theme park Terra Mítica, were all labelled as ‘unnecessary projects’. While a third of the country’s airports are unnecessary - and many were ‘built to attract votes’ - the biggest waste by far though went on AVE railway projects that did not produce the kind of social benefits expected. There were ‘too many multimillion-euro train stations, closed lines, stretches that were dropped halfway through construction, unnecessary lines, and cost overruns’, the report stated. “It was done without a proper cost/benefit analysis, and often on the basis of estimates of future users or earnings supported by a scenario of economic euphoria that was as evident as it was fleeting,” adds the report. Researchers underscored the cost overruns on the AVE lines connecting Madrid, Barcelona and the French border (over €8.9 billion) and on the Pajares Tunnel (€3.5 billion).
IT is unlikely to have gold taps and flunkies running around. But it is the hand-picked prison chosen by Spain’s first royal to face a sentence behind bars. Inaki Urdangarin, the king’s brother-in-law, arrived at Brieva prison, near Madrid, this week, to start a five year and 10 month sentence for corruption. It comes after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal against the embezzling charge, which found him guilty of taking nearly €6 million between 2004 and 2006 from a nonprofit foundation he headed in Mallorca. The 50-year-old former Olympic handball medal winner, who is married to King Felipe’s sister, will join just over 100 other prisoners at the facility.
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
ne ws
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
5
6
Fe at u re
www.gibraltarolivepress.com The Rock’s only investigative
local newspaper
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Gibraltar Olive Press represents the local and expatriate communities working or living on the Rock with 10,000 copies distributed fortnightly.
T
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
HE Costa del Sol is a great place to live. Mostly because everyone and anyone is made to feel welcome, making it a brilliant mix of people and characters from all over the world. After living here for some time, you begin to notice there are groups of expats that fall into certain categories. In the name of good fun, we have rounded some of them up below.
OPINION Lost opportunities IT is scandalous that so much public money has been wasted on ‘unnecessary’ infrastructure projects around Spain when so many far worthier projects have yet to see the light of day. How was it possible that so many airports, tram and railway lines were built - and then closed - when vital projects, such as a train along the Costa del Sol hasn’t even begun? Such a project would totally transform Spain’s busiest coastline, with the sudden increase in workers’ mobility guaranteed to lead to an influx of new businesses choosing to set up here. Instead, almost €100 billion has been wasted on projects that have done little else than win politicians votes (and often kickbacks) as well as fill the pockets of construction companies. Yet again Spain’s leaders have shown they work for no one but themselves and for those who likely make large donations to their party or election campaigns. When will Spain wake up? It is the fastest growing economy in the EU and has so much potential… if it made the right decisions for the good of the country.
The Billionaire You’ll know when they’re here, their huge yachts will be docked in Puerto Banus while holidaymakers snap selfies next to their Lamborghinis and Bentleys. You’ll spot them at pricey hangouts like Olivia Valere or Puente Romano’s Le Suite. If they’re male, they’ll probably be surrounded by young beautiful women with eastern European accents.
The Estate Agent Making up around 90% of the Costa del Sol population, you’ll find the estate agent in its natural habitat between Marbella and Estepona. They’re probably wearing a strong blazer/unbuttoned shirt paired with slip on loafers, and can be spotted in La Sala at any time of the day.
Sabotage IT was a decision that went against the wishes of nine out of ten Gibraltarians. But now it appears that one of the enclave’s very own companies played a major role in bringing about the Brexit vote to leave the EU. And very possibly by foul means if, as is being claimed, Aaron Banks worked with the Russians to illegally manipulate the EU referendum vote. In a fascinating new move, the home secretary confirmed two UK ministers are probing the links with the Kremlin and the origins of the financial funding which allegedly greatly aided Leave.EU’s campaign. The Gibraltarian entrepreneur will now have to face serious questions not only from the UK government but from staunch remainers on the Rock, who quite understandably will feel betrayed by one of their own. Could this potentially become the next Cambridge Analytica scandal?
Publisher/ Editor
Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Admin (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es Accounts
Newsdesk newsdesk@theolivepress.es Tel: (+34) 665 798 618 News editor Laurence Dollimore
The Networker
reporters Elisa Menendez
Well-mannered and quiet, the classic expat usually comes in a pair. They are elderly and can be spotted walking around the pueblos from around 10am. A giveaway is three-quarter-length cargo shorts paired with socks and sandals, and possibly a sunhat.
Admin and account assistant
Designer James Partington
Distribution Graham Warters
design@theolivepress.es
distribution@theolivepress.es
SALES: sales@theolivepress.es
The Animal Rescuer
Clarke Media Ltd. Registration number: 113878 Suite 1A, 12 Tuckey’s Lane, Gibraltar Printed by Corporación de Medios de Andalucía S.A. Desposito legal 834-2017
AWARDS
2016/2017 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.
2012 - 2017
Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.
The Con Artists These are harder to spot, until they disappear with your money. Unfortunately, the slow Spanish legal system and its many loopholes allows them to operate much longer than should be possible. You’ll eventually – and hopefully – see them splashed in the Olive Press when their scams catch up with
Maria Angeles Vázquez mangeles@theolivepress.es
elisa@theolivepress.es
They’ll be at every event handing out their cards like its candy, and will always know the latest goss on the who’s who on the coast. And if they’re not organising a ‘networking lunch’ themselves, they will always have a charity event to invite you to – usually a fashion show or Ladies Day.
The Classic Expat
Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es
laurence@theolivepress.es
Who do you think you are?
The Longtimers They’ve been here since the 80s or longer and know EVERYTHING that has come to pass on the Costas - or inland! These holders of secrets are enjoying their retired lives and can be found sipping vino at organised lunches up and down the coast.
They do the job that many of us simply could not do and which unfortunately, must be done. It’s a shame that so many Brits are forced to take in thousands of stray animals left for dead, but with a stiff upper lip they do it. We salute you!
Do you know any more types? Have we left anyone out? email newsdesk@theolivepress.es
WEBSITE
Fe at u re
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
Go girls!
P
RIME Minister Pedro Sanchez has made history in more ways than one since he famously became the first politician to unseat a prime minister last month. Most exciting of all for the Olive Press was ‘el guapo’ (the handsome one) forming a cabinet which has the highest amount of female ministers in Spain’s his-
7
As Spain gets the most female-dominated government in Europe, Elisa Menendez runs a rule over its members
tory, with 11 out of 17 appointments being women. In a bid to create a feminist, progressive and proEuropean government, the Socialist leader has promoted some of the country’s most interesting and diverse female politicians. Here, the Olive Press takes a look at the rise and rise of Sanchez’ Cabinet of Women
María del Carmen Calvo Poyato Vice President and Minister of Courts and Equality A former lawyer and PhD professor from Cordoba is a staunch feminist, who has won an award for campaigning for women’s rights. The mother-of-one served as Minister of Culture for the Junta and later held the same position in Zapatero’s Socialist government. Dubbed ‘The Whitney Houston of Congress’ after she famously had a relationship with her bodyguard. She is known for wowing red carpets with her keen eye for fashion.
Margarita Robles Fernández Minister of Defence The León-born judge became the first woman to ever preside over a court and became the fourth female judge in Spain at the young age of 25. Between 1994 and 1996 she served as Secretary of State of the Interior Ministry.
María Jesús Montero Cuadrado Minister of Treasury Serving in the Junta for 16 years, the mother-of-two from Sevilla has a degree in medicine. During her time heading up the Ministry of Health, new regulations were introduced around dignified death and genetic counselling.
Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es June 20th - July 3rd 2018 And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.
olive press online October 2015
Gibraltar’s best English daily news Page views:xxxxxxxxx website Visitors: xxxxxxxx
read this Most readMoststories
1 2
fortnight on
-EXCLUSIVE: Irish holidaymakers warn of www.theolivepress.es fake taxi scam on Costa del Sol (8,267) Costa Sol onaweather -Chicken, run!: Costadel Soldelpark no-goalert zone after invasion with of more than 400 hens dropping temperatures and and roosters more(7,044) rain - 4616 views
3 4
- FINALLY: Temperatures to pass 30C on this VIDEO: Floods hit Costa del Sol Spain’s Costa del Sol week with a sizas heavy rain continues - 4604 zling weekend forecast (6,523) views
- Man arrested on the Costa del Sol after holding his girlfriendhostage eightAdays Gangsters’for paradise: look at (6,225) the key figures past and present of
5
the Costa del Crime - 3872 -Arnold Schwarzenegger in Andalucia to views film new Terminator (2,420) Torremolinos to open Anda-
lucia’s151,461 biggest shopping and leisure Page Views: centre - 3122 views
Visitors: 141,983
Gibraltar schoolgirl reaches semi
-final of Spanish TV talent show -
Meritxell Batet Minister of Public Administration After studying rhythmic and contemporary dance, along with classical piano in her youth, Batet had dreamed of becoming a professional dancer until she broke her ankle and decided to study law. Batet struggled in her earlier years after she and her mother were evicted from rented homes and paid for university by working in well-known clubs in Barcelona, along with scholarships she won. She later became a professor of constitutional law.
Dolores Delgado García Minister of Justice A veteran state prosecutor of 25 years and former journalist, the Madrilena is one of the country’s best experts on Jihadism, drug trafficking, organised crime and ETA terrorism. The mother-of-two prepared the arrest warrant for the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi to try him for crimes against humanity and was lead prosecutor of ‘Operation Temple’ against Colombian drug traffickers, seeing 34 of them sentenced to nearly 500 years in prison.
Maria Reyes Maroto Illera Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Currently upholding a position as professor of economics at the Carlos III University of Madrid, the Valladolidborn feminist has also been the Socialist deputy of Madrid since 2015, as a spokeswoman for budgets, economy, employment and finance.
Magdalena Valerio Cordero Minister of Work, Migration and Social Security
Figures shown from June 5 - June 19 3065 views
SOCIALMEDIA OlivePressNewspaper olivepress
Cordero, a former lawyer from an Extremaduran pueblo, developed most of her successful political career in Guadalajara where her father, a Guardia Civil official, was positioned. There, she had a successful career in regional politics from 1999 before overcoming her biggest struggle when she beat breast cancer three years ago.
olivepressnews +TheolivepressEs
BE ‘APPY!
Download our app now and begin enjoying the best Spanish news on the go.
Nadia Calviño Santamarí Minister of Economy and Business Until now the mother-of-four has held the position of general director of the European Commission Budget and is a strong Europeanist. The Galician law graduate also worked as an economics professor at the Complutense University in Madrid.
María Isabel Celaá Diéguez Minister of Education
Teresa Ribera Rodríguez Minister for Ecological Transition
Carmen Montón Giménez
Born in Bilbao, Dieguez served in the Basque Parliament for a decade. The former English literature professor and mother-of-two has a degree in philosophy and law and implemented trilingualism in an educational system, which always focused on teaching Basque as a priority. She has had essays on English literature and poetry published.
A law graduate and mother-of-three, Rodriguez led the Youth Movement for Peace, worked for the European Association for Nuclear Disarmament and was the director of the Spanish Office for Climate Change for four years. Dubbed a ‘perfectionist’ by friends, she also led the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations - the most powerful European think tank on climate change.
The Valencian politician has become the second youngest health minister ever. The mother-of-one studied medicine before becoming a councillor for Burjasot in 1999 and later an MP in Madrid. A keen artist, she is known for sharing her works on Instagram and made headlines last year after she cut her hair off and donated it to cancer patients.
Minister of Health and Social Wellbeing
www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com The Olive
Press
TOP for news in Spain!
www.allaboutandalucia.com
Useful numbers EMERGENCIES Ambulance/ Fire brigade/ Police 112 Local police 092 Medical 061 Fire 080 Guardia civil 062
Airport Malaga - 952 048 844* *For English press 9 Gibraltar00350 22073026
Granada - Jaen 958 245 200 Jerez - 956 150 000 Sevilla 954 449 000
-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views
8
8
Do you have a what’s on?
www.gibraltarolivepress.com Send your information to newsdesk@theolivepress.es
la cultura c ampo
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
what’s on
WRITING’S ON THE WALL
S
targazing Live, June 22 EXPERIENCE an evening of science with talks from professional astronomers, as well as observing planets and galaxies through telescopes Europa Point Campus, 7.30pm 11.30pm
S
ports BBQ, July 7 A SPORTS themed BFBS Summer BBQ with live music by Hayley Hammond and prizes to be won, for all forces families. Email jonescraig83@yahoo. co.uk
A
rt Dance, June 28-29 A r t D a n c e brings the biggest names in the performing arts scene to Gibraltar with critically acclaimed performances at the John Mackintosh hall from June 28-29. Info: nathanconroy@ hotmail.com
A TRIO of exciting murals have been commissioned to brighten up three local spots. The murals by Eleanor Taylor Dobbs, Geraldine Martinez and Paul Bush will be painted in three different locations, including the Fountain Ramp and Alameda Gardens.
After three decades of production, Terry Gilliam has finally lost the rights to his ‘cursed’ epic Don Quixote IT has been dubbed the most cursed film in history. Now Terry Gilliam’s The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, has been dealt another final, and perhaps fatal blow. For him at least. The former Monty Python director has lost the rights to the movie after the French Court of Appeal ruled in favour of former producer Paul Branco and his company, Alfama Films - granting him full ownership of the film.
Gilliam will also have to pay €10,000 to his company. “We will be seeking damages with interest from all the people involved in this illegal production. We’re holding everyone responsible,” Branco explained. It comes after Branco filed a lawsuit in May, following a contract he signed with Gilliam to produce the film in 2016. However, their collaboration didn’t go ahead and Gilliam continued with the movie in 2017, in a record fourth attempt. The production - which has been plagued with illness, the death of actors, flooded sets
Fun for the whole family Indoor and outdoor facilities Kids’ parties FREE entry for adults
Every Friday 6pm to 7pm. Join us for some foamy fun!
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
OlivePressNewspaper
olivepress olivepressnews
Not off the wall! BE ‘APPY! +TheolivepressEs
THEY have been puzzling and entertaining locals and visitors in Malaga city centre for nearly a year. But now a series of mysterious stencils - many of them space invaders - that appear on dozDownload our app ens now of andwalls in the city have got reprieve… begin enjoying the abest Spanish of sorts. After an order to remove them, news on the go. the town hall has decided it will keep a number of them and relocate the rest. The so called ‘art attack’ - by an unknown artist or artists - has seen pictures of space invaders, cartoon flamenco stars, and other animals, such as whales, appear randomly overaudience. night. The Olive Press The tumultuous producIn an almost Banksy-style tion almost didn’t make it to campaign the figurines were Cannes after Branco TOP sought for newsmostly in Spain! popular with locals, legal action, but the Paris but unfortunately not with the Court of Appeal ruled Junta, which ordered their rein favour of Gilliam moval last month. and allowed it to go However, Malaga’s mayor ahead. has come out fighting insistFurther disaster ing some should be allowed to struck this month stay. after Amazon Studios - which also funded the production - announced it would not distribute the film in the US. ART: In Malaga
Fatal curse
THE COAST’S LEADING PLAY & PARTY CENTRE
FOAM PARTIES
SOCIALMEDIA
WILD WEST SUMMER PARTY Thursday 28th June 4pm to 10pm BBQ, Bucking Bronco, foam party, popcorn & candy floss Standard entry fees apply.
Check out our Facebook page @MundoManiaSpain or visit www.mundo-mania.com for details. Mundo Manía, Urb Taraje, 53-75 Camino de Brijan s/n 29680 Estepona, Málaga.
A WORLD OF FUN FOR EVERYONE
T: (+34) 952 938 173 | info@mundo-mania.com | www.mundo-mania.com
and insurance difficulties - finally premiered last month at Cannes Film Festival. It was dedicated to the memory of actors John Hurt and Jean Rochefort who both passed away during the production. Gilliam himself suffered a stroke just two weeks before the screening, which closed the festival with a standing ovation from the
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
la cultura
9 9
On the wild frontier
Lenox Napier pores over medieval maps to discover how Andalucia’s ‘border towns’ got their names, ending in ‘de la frontera’
W
HAT do Jérez, Arcos, Morón, Vejer, Chiclana and a number of other Andalucian towns have in common? Their full and proper names end in ‘...de la frontera’ but despite the common suffix, there’s no frontier in sight. The Cádiz city of Jerez de la Frontera, for example, is 242 kilometres away from the nearest frontier – Portugal. One could argue that early Spanish cartographers were not very good at
The place names make perfect sense when you roll back a few centuries their jobs, or that the Royals were never wrong. But the fact is, the place names make perfect sense when you roll back a few centuries to the time of the Moors and the Kingdom of Granada. The Christian forces of Aragon and Castile were slowly (oh, so slowly) taking the country back from the Moors. These North African colonists had been in control of almost all of Spain for anything up to 750 years (depending on which bit we happen to be talking about) although, by the beginning of the 15th century the writing - whether in Arabic or in Latin - was definitely on the wall. Granada, capital of the ‘Nazarí Kingdom’, fell in 1492, the same year as Spain discovered the Americas, AKA Spain’s golden era. Geographically p o i s e d between t h e
June 20th - July 3rd 2018 June 20th - July 3rd 2018
SHIFTING FRONTIER: The marauding Moors and Christians fought over towns including Conil de la Frontera (above)
Christian and Moorish territories regular military incursions aimed during the years leading up to the at taking booty and hostages to final push in the later 15th century maintain the slave business or simply were a number of frontier towns to ransom captives. Religious orders which watched uneasily over a no- took sides in this regard. The border man’s-land (or ‘Terra Nullius’ as it was a key element in the formation was officially known – an unclaimed of the identity of Andalucía and in space between the two forces). the formation of the vision of During its existence, this Islam throughout Spain. border strip had great While another culture military, political, might have dropped economic, religious and the Arab names once cultural importance. they conquered, the Beyond being a Spanish appear to border like many have been gracious others, it was for more enough to keep them. than two centuries Such towns as Vélezthe European border this and Alhama-that are between Christianity and quite common (the first Islam. It became a place of comes from the Arab word for Moron de exchange and barter, keeping ‘land’, the second for ‘baths’). alive the spirit of the Christian la Frontera Indeed, anything beginning crusade and the Islamic jihad in ‘Al’ comes from the Arab together with the chivalric prefix ‘the’: Alhambra, Almería, ideal, already anachronistic in other Alpujarra... European territories. Al-Ándalus, as far as the Moors It also made possible illicit were concerned, means and meant economic activities, such as trade anything which was under Moorish in oriental products, as well as control on the peninsular – and at
Jerez de la Frontera
one point their kingdom stretched as far north as Pamplona. Of all of the ‘frontera’ towns, mostly located in Cádiz, the largest is Jerez de la Frontera with its magnificent Alcazar, an 11th-century Moorish fortress. The Moors called their city ‘Sherish’ and held it until 1264, although the Christian forces controlled the surrounding lands from 1248. The town eventually became a ‘frontier’ with the Granada kingdom. Jerez is the largest non-capital city in all of Andalucía, with a population of around 210,000 (larger than Cadiz – its provincial capital – as well as Almería, Jaén and Huelva). It is known for sherry, horses, flamenco and motorcycles. Morón de la Frontera, in the province of Seville, takes its name from a major garrison established after it had been conquered in 1240 by Fernando III, a base from which the Christian forces could harass the Moors. Morón de la Frontera may not have a frontier but the nearby Americancontrolled airbase of Morón established in 1953 (and actually located in the next-door municipality of Arahal) does. Yo u ’ l l
Jimena de la Frontera
BATTLE LINES: The border of the Kingdom of Granada in the late 13th century and (in brackets) the years towns fell to Christians
Cortes de la Frontera
need a passport to make it past the heavily-armed gate and on to the PX sherrty store... Another town with a de la Frontera suffix is Chiclana. It is just up the road from both Conil de la Frontera and Vejer de la Frontera. There must have been a gleam in the eye of King Fernándo IV when he got into the swing of naming his towns in the Most Loyal Province of Cádiz... Noted for its monuments and wineries, Chiclana has a new claim to fame as the tourist resort with the most hotel beds in the province. With a population of over 84,000, it’s only marginally smaller than its capital city, 24 km away.. Neighbouring Conil de la Frontera, again referencing its far-off ‘frontier’ with Granada, is a beautiful resort whose population quintuples in size during the summer season. But the prize for the most charming ‘frontier’ town must go to Vejer de la Frontera, a vertiginous white village commanding views to the Atlantic. A maze of narrow streets and white houses, it’s a deserving member of the Prettiest Towns in Spain Association. I
For 200 years the often uneasy border between Christians and Moors persisted like the story of the Moorish prince and his Christian damsel who fled Vejer as enemy forces arrived. She tearful, he defiant. ‘I’ll build you another town as pretty as this one’, he promised her and, back in North Africa, that’s what he did, creating the beautiful turquoise-blue town of Chefchaouen. Since the Olive Press circulates the breadth of Andalucía, we can’t omit Murcia’s frontier town of Puerto Lumbreras. The Port of Lights may have been a trading or military ‘port of call’ but it is around 32 kilometres from the sea and its name actually refers to its frontier status. It faces Almería’s Arab-sounding Huercal Overa across a 23-kilometre strip of no-man’s-land and was a heavilygarrisoned fortress-town. For 200 years, the sometimes uneasy border between the Christian and Moorish cultures persisted until Spain’s famously revered ‘Catholic Kings’, Fernándo of Aragon and Isabela of Castille, brought the reconquest to an end in 1492, and Spain was reborn from the ashes. Watch this space for a feature on that coming to the Olive Press soon. Lenox Napier runs the successful Business Over Tapas newsletter from his home in Mojacar de la Frontera.
10
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
A
Fuengirola
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
ll about
Issue 294
www.theolivepress.es
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
3 11 11
June 26 - July 9 2014
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
HISTORICAL: From Fuengirola’s Sohail castle to its bullring
FUN-girola!
G
ROWING up, a holiday was a simple concept; sun, sea, sand and infinite flavours of ice cream. Days were spent swimming and tanning on the beach, evenings were for feasting. Fuengirola – or ‘Fuengi’, as expats have af-
Nowhere lives up to the buzz of the classic family beach holiday quite like it, writes Tom Powell fectionately nicknamed it – epitomises that kind of holiday. In the Costa del Sol’s largest resort, the sun
shines gloriously, the deep blue sea is inviting, the sand is soft and golden and there are more ice cream flavours than you can
shake a scoop at. Let’s not beat around the bush, though. Fuengirola has been bypassed in favour of more glitzy Costa del Sol destinations during the last few decades; Marbella for one. Continues on Page 11
12 12 12 12
A
Fuengirola So much more
ll about www.gibraltarolivepress.com
From Page 12
But those who say it isn’t worth the visit are wrong. Fuengirola is the definitive nerve centre of the Costa del Sol, thriving with business and opportunity. With its 1960s seafront high rises, the town may win no beauty contests (if you want whitewashed houses and pretty streets go to neighbouring Mijas Pueblo) but that’s not the point. Fuengirola is the place to go for that inimitable holiday buzz. And if you live there, the holiday never has to end. Any tour of Fuengi should begin at its most recognisable landmark –
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
A walk along the prom is a delight, with the smell of barbecuing sardines the castle looming high on a hill at the western edge of town. El Castillo Sohail, clearly visible on the bend of the A7 coast road, has had a varied history dating back to Moorish times. After the Muslims left, the Christians took over and the castle again became the town’s fortress. Interestingly, it was home to French troops during the War of Independence at the beginning of the 19th century.
FORTRESS: Sohail castle was built by the muslims and taken over by Christians
For many years afterwards, the iconic monument was abandoned and left to the pigeons, until 1989
when a major restoration project was launched. Ever since, the fortress has not
tel: 952 47 56 32 Calle San Pancracio, LC (57.51 km) Fuengirola, Málaga
only been an aesthetic focal point but also a cultural centre, hosting open-air concerts and festivals
throughout the summer. The castle surroundings are wellworth exploring, with well-kept gardens, paths, Moorish walls and shady fir trees, while nearby parking makes it easily accessible. From this vantage point, the town’s golden sandy beach can be seen, stretching for five miles east to the suburb of Torreblanca, near Benalmadena. A walk along the prom is a delight for the senses, with the smell of barbecuing sardines and langous-
Homeward Bound.. FRANCE - ITALY - PORTUGAL
SPAIN - UK - IRELAND
DEFRA AUTHORISED ANIMAL TRANSPORTATION We are Defra Authorised and you can rely on us to take very good care of your pet. We will make sure that they are comfortable and have regular stops to be made a fuss of and carry out neccessary business. Our professional and friendly service will keep them happy until they are reunited with you..
For a quote and some friendly advice
Just Call Jack on the dog & bone.. (+34) 902 109 560
For a quote or just some friendly advice
info@unionjackremovals.co.uk
www.unionjackremovals.co.uk
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
13 13
June 20th - July 3rd 2018 BEACH LIFE: Fuengirola has one of the best beaches on the Costa del Sol
ORNATE: Fuengirola mosque opened in 1993
tines wafting on the breeze. Like all the big Costa del Sol resorts, Fuengirola was once a small and sleepy fishing village; and by the smell of it, the locals haven’t lost their touch with seafood. But it is the town’s proximity to Malaga and the airport (25km), and the handy coastal train line running in between, that helped the resort to become ‘the’ Costa del Sol destination for decades. It’s also the reason many expats choose to live here, such as Wolverhampton-born Steph Smith, Manager of Yorkshire Linen in the Myramar shopping centre. “Fuengirola has had a facelift recently, the pedestrianised centre has so much outdoor seating on smart, new paving with shady parasols that it reminds me of Madrid and Barcelona,” says Steph, who has lived in and loved the town for 20 years. “While the seafront is lovely, my favourite part of town has to be Fish Alley. It’s got a wonderful atmosphere with hustle and bustle, great places to eat and drink, plus there are often street performers too.” Fish Alley, one street back from the seafront and buzzing with life at night, is undoubtedly the place to go for dinner. Although be prepared to lose your bearings in the maze of pedestrianised streets and charming squares. Cheap and cheerful or chic and classy, you’ll find all styles here – tapas bars and bodegas, finedining restaurants, chillout cafes and cuisine from around the world, with quirky boutiques, Chinese bazaars and, of course, ice cream parlours squeezed in between. British expat Dianne Peel, leader of the Fuengirola Scout Group, says the town is the perfect place for her pack. “We do so many dif ferent activities here with a really multi-national group,” says Dianne, a retired school-teacher. “We use the beach
WAR FOOTING: Cannons still line the promenade
as much as possible for various training activities and games, plus we host a big group barbecue there in November.” This English-language group has been running for 15 years, welcoming boys and girls of all nationalities, taking them on camps into the countryside and on trips to various attractions. Dianne adds: “I love Fuengirola as a town, it’s great for going out to eat and exploring the many little back streets.” These back streets lead me to the port, a place normally full of adventure and Fuengirola’s is no different. Various water sports can be tried, like parasailing – flying through the air attached to the back of a boat – if you’re brave enough. I was – just about – brave enough and you can read all about my experience further on in this issue! If that seems a little too scary, you can get to grips with speed boats, jet skis or fishing. Talking of sport, Fuengirola also suits keen golfers to a tee, with Mijas Golf’s two courses just a few kilometres from the town centre and many others close by. There are some lively bars both in the port and in and off the main square, Plaza de la Constitucion, the town’s social hub. When the sun goes down, locals and visitors come out to play bigstyle, with various bars and clubs playing great music long into the night. In fact, the town’s tourism history goes way back to 1700 when an inn by the castle welcomed the first visitors. It must have had its attractions then, as it did a century later when it became a battlefield during the Peninsula Wars of 1810, with British and Polish troops clashing over the right to occupy the strategically important town. Modern tourism didn’t really begin until the 1960s, when foreigners started moving in permanently to what was still a fairly quiet, authentic Spanish town. Continues on Page 13
Mighty Mosque
VISITOR: Princess Diana
FLANKED by apartment blocks, Fuengirola’s mosque is a sight to behold. The Mezquita de Fuengirola, also known as the ‘Centro Cultural Islamico Suhail’, was officially inaugurated in 1993 as a place for all Muslim residents on the Costa del Sol to come together. Its mission is to support the principles of liberty, justice and democracy, which are ‘the foundations of healthy society’. Gleaming white and with its ornate spire, the mosque is certainly one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
14
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
Joining the TrustedHousesitters network led retired couple Angela and John to visit dozens of countries, including Spain, looking after beloved pets HAVING lived all over the world and travelled extensively all their lives, Angela and John Laws decided is was time for a new career when they retired. Both passionate animal lovers, the couple lost their beloved Springer Spaniel Holly ten years ago leaving them bereft. While the time wasn't right to commit to a new pet of their own, animals had always been a huge part of their lives and having used pet sitters to look after Holly for many years, they knew of a way they could once again have the joy of pets, combined with their passion for travel. Pet and house sitting! They knew there was a huge demand, many people needed sitters whom they could trust with their dog and home. Realising this could be a new and exciting chapter in their lives, they decided to give house and pet sitting a whirl. As Angela explains: “John and I enjoyed years of living the expat life in many countries and when retirement loomed, we had no idea where we wanted to live or how we'd deal with the new ‘NORMAL’. “Sure, we'd planned for retirement financially, but emotion-
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
Pets, travel... and a new career ANIMAL LOVER: Pet sitting ally? Err not really. What to do? Where to live? How to cope?” She continues: “We used pet sitters ourselves for many years to look after Holly. Sitters came to us from all over the world, so we decided to look into joining a house sitting service ourselves and found TrustedHousesitters. “It really is like a big family, growing all the time but still retaining
a personal ethos and it is a very special organisation to be part of. “With listings in over 140 countries it's the largest house sitting website in the world and growing by the day as more and more pet owners learn how they can travel whilst leaving their pets at home, cared for by a loving sitter.” She adds: “Sitting opportunities are varied and there is some-
thing for every kind of sitter whether you’re looking for a city centre apartment, family home in the suburbs, ocean front living, quiet seclusion in the country, a working farm and even the odd castle or two! You can sit for a weekend, a month or longer in one of your wish list locations. “Registering is easy, the website contains all the information you need to get started on your own adventure.” Angela and John were still living in British Columbia in Canada when they started their first Spanish sit in Benalmadena in 2013. They arrived at the fabulous ocean view Villa for a six month sit and ended up staying for eight months as the family needed to extend their work commitments. “We looked after a 14-year-old rescue Doberman called Bruno. His pet parents rescued him in Dubai and because of his age, didn’t want to expose him to the stress of travel. We did four more sits involving rescue pets, including one in Alhaurin for five rescue dogs and three cats.” The couple were able to experience the real Spain. Not the Spain of their youth (fish and chips and Brits behaving badly),
they spent eight months as part of the community. Language was never a barrier, they were made to feel welcome, forging life long friendships and creating memories to last them a lifetime. Angela volunteered with ARCH ... the Andalusian Rescue Centre For Horses and ended up adopting two rescue ponies, Hope and Valiente, and is still involved with the charity. Angela and John are incredibly enthusiastic about house sitting. “This house sitting lifestyle allows us to indulge our passion for travel, love of pets and have new adventures in a way we can afford, and that's the key,” she says. “We save huge amounts of money on accommodation, get to travel lots throughout the year, keeping our itching feet happy and leaving many contented pets and satisfied pet parents glad they had the experience of our special brand of TLC ......... it’s simply a win win for everyone.” In total, Angela and John did 20 sits in 2017. all over the world including the US, UK and Canada. In 2018 they have done five so far, one in the US and the rest in the UK and since they started
HAPPY: Angela and John in 2010 they have house sat in nine different countries and have looked after all sorts of pets including dogs, cats, horses, chickens, ducks and fish. If you would like to become a TrustedHousesitters member, Olive Press readers have an exclusive 50% off membership (usual price €89 per year). Just use code OLIVEPET at the TrustedHousesitters.com checkout TrustedHousesitters was founded in 2010 and is now the world’s largest house sitting business with more five-star reviews than any other travel or pet company on TrustPilot, facilitating more than two million nights of house and pet sitting globally, and saving its members more than half a billion dollars in accommodation and pet care costs since its inception. Its community, which is nearly half a million strong, is spread across more than 140 countries.
Travel more
worry less Wherever you’re heading this summer, be sure to pack your peace of mind! TrustedHousesitters helps you find kind and caring sitters to keep your beloved pets safe and happy at home while you’re away.
Exclusive 50% off membership Use code OLIVEPET at the TrustedHousesitters.com checkout
-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views
SOCIALMEDIA
www.gibraltarolivepress.com OlivePressNewspaper
olivepress
Property June 20th - July 3rd 2018
olivepressnews +TheolivepressEs MALAGA is struggling to cope with the
Floor clause chaos
province and 98.3% of them have been in thousands of floor clause cases being favour of the defendant. brought to its courts. Floor clauses imposed a minimum interprovince has the fourth highest est rate on floating-rate mortgages by setBE ‘APPY!The number of cases (6,928), beaten only by ting a limit on how far they could fall in Barcelona (23,773), Madrid (17,299) and tandem with the benchmark rate. ‘cannot cope’. Sevilla (11,056). In practice, this meant that Spanish The news comes after a special court was The wait is slowly getting shorter, at least mortgage buyers did not profit fully from created with two judges to specifically in Malaga, where three judges were al- the record-low interest rate which Spain ready exclusively dedicated to tackling enjoyed for several years. LA CALA: In Mijas deal with floor clause claims. Judge Jose Maria Paez has said the situ- the cases. In the first quarter of 2018, The clauses were ruled illegal by the ation is ‘serious’ and that Malaga simply 286 judgments have been issued in the Spanish high court in 2013. Download our app now and begin enjoying the best Spanish MIJAS’S La Cala Resort news onhotel the go. has been named the Best Luxury Mountain Hotel at the Spain Luxury Hotel Awards. The stunning hotel received the award at a gala dinner at The Westin Palace Hotel in Madrid. The resort includes a hotel, spa, three golf courses, sports facilities and a wide range of restauThe Olive Press rants. Hotel manager Sean Corte Real A HUGE casino resort costing five years to complete. €2in billion has been given the The resort’s casino floor will said: “We are veryTOP proud and for news Spain! spread over 7,595m2. The grateful to receive this award green light in Spain. and it is without a doubt an ac- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino hotel and casino complex will knowledgment of the quality of Tarragona will spread out also include two hotels ocour facilities, surroundings and over 745,000m2 and will take cupying a total of 63,000m2. The resort will feature rethe excellent daily work of our tail space of 15,000m2 and staff.” 6,000m2 of leisure and live A total of 36 finalist hotels and entertainment facilities, in108 architects and interior decluding a concert hall with casigners vied for awards across pacity for 15,000. 12 different categories. The mammoth project is exLa Donaire hotel in Ronda also pected to create 11,500 tempicked up a gong for Spain’s MONEY MAKER: Casino resort to boost economy porary and permanent jobs Best Eco Luxury Resort. and is forecast to bring more and will create 2,000 new jobs to the economy each year. Opened in 2015, the eco-retreat than two million visitors to in the area, according to Hard It has already paid the Cataoffers just nine individually-deRock. lunya government at least the Costa Dorada each year. signed rooms on a 750-hectare Phase One will be completed Meanwhile, the hotel and casi- €10 million for its licences to organic farm in the Serranía de at an estimated €700 million no will contribute €1.3 billion build. Ronda.
Mi-Class
1515
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
Costly wager Mega casino project will cost €2 billion and bring 11,500 jobs
Costa del Silicon A COSTA del Sol startup has received €34 million in funding from US business capital Silicon Valley. Spotahome, in Estepona, is the first company in Europe to receive backing from investment fund Kleiner Perkins, based in California. The brainchild of local entrepreneur Alejandro Artacho, Spotahome acts like a highly visual search engine for medium and long term rentals.
Property
The company offers high-definition videos of the properties, including 360 degrees photos and detailed information on the surrounding neighbourhood. It visits every single property it has listed, taking its own photos and video, ‘not relying on landlords’. ‘We open drawers and cupboards and show you every corner of the property,’ its website reads. It also uses eight different languages and stays in touch to ensure there are no issues with the user’s new landlord. The cash injection will pay for a range of new products, including upgrading its technology, recruiting more staff and expanding its customer service.
Expect calm waters from our insurance cover.
Pioneers & experts in Spanish off-plan property claims according to banks liabilities – under ley 57/1968 NO WIN NO FEE Contact us now for a free appraisal of your case
SPAIN Calle Regino Martínez 30, 3º, 11201 Algeciras, Cádiz, Spain Tel. +34 956 092 687 | Fax. +34 956 092 697 UNITED KINGDOM Unit 2, Cochran Close, Crownhill Industry, Milton Keynes, MK8 0AJ, United Kingdom 20 Line Wall Road, Gibraltar
Facebook: costaluzlawyers Twitter: costaluzlawyers
Tel +350 200 40850 info@capurroinsurance.com www.capurroinsurance.com Regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Commission, Gibraltar 04/2018
web@costaluzlawyers.es www.costaluzlawyers.es
16
16
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
FINTECH
lockhead
June 20th - July 3rd 2018 June 20th - July 3rd 2018
By Christopher Cousins of Igniteratings.com
WHY DID CRYPTO CRASH? ….and how to profit next time, writes Chris Cousins
L
IKE many traders, you might have woke up on Sunday morning to find your portfolio down 10%+ and no doubt you are upset and confused as to why bitcoin or ETH did not rally as was highly expected. In this article I will discuss why this sometimes happens in crypto? Over hyped news does it again: Looking for justification for this drop you probably checked the news. If you did you would have seen that Coinrail was hacked!! Ahhh now it makes sense… ummm not really!! Who is Coinrail? This exchange has a $2.5 M average daily volume but due to the media overly hyping it was enough of a spark. If you have been in Crypto long enough you know Sunday can be interesting. Why? My theory is people are busy enjoying the weekend so they set up stop losses so they can forget about the market, this is amplified when we are range trading at a key resistance level. Resistance level trading: At each key resistance level the market will often range trade with low volatility in a tight range until a direction is established. The exception to this rule is news which can cause an upside or downside break. As we discussed due to low Sunday volume the Coinrail news was just the FUD needed. How you can profit next time: When a Crypto
breaks resistance, a good move of 10% + is not uncommon. Smart traders realize that none of us have ANY idea what the move will be ( DOWN OR UP ) so we simply do the following and profit either way. WARNING: This is overly simplified and you should know how to set up this order properly before you attempt this. Simply do the following: Enter a long order with a stop loss Enter a short order with a stop loss If the market goes long and pumps, your stop won’t be hit cancel your short and enjoy a nice gain. If the market dumps, you also locked in your trade and enjoy a nice gain. The worst result is a a short term pump which turns to a dump (or vice versa) which results in a loss, but hopefully will be easily recovered from the opposing gain. What beginner traders do: Every beginner trader starts life as a bull, it’s easier to understand and on many exchanges you can’t go short anyway. Beginner traders thinking they are smart use a stop loss and hope for the best. Unfortunately the vast majority of speculators fall into this category which amplifies downside. In Short your portfolio is down because:
MATHSTONE
BETTER IDEAS FOR EXPATRIATE INVESTORS
M
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Fake news made a spark Stop losses are hit Low volume Sunday = hopeful buy side limit orders get hit at the bottom of the range Like always it takes very little FUD to make a big impact. Smart traders know this and profit, others just complain about it.
A new style of ex patriate investing has arrived.
Are you ready for a change? • LOW-COST, HIGH CALIBRE INVESTMENT SERVICES • TRANSPARENT, EASY TO UNDERSTAND FEES • REDUCING COSTS, INCREASING RETURNS
• FEE-BASED, NON-CONTRACTUAL INVESTING • FLEXIBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, LIQUIDITY
• PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND ANALYSIS SERVICE
To learn more about secure, low-cost investing call: +34 952 768 345 or send an email to info@mathstone.co.uk
Mathstone/BFMI, Marbella Costa del Sol Avda. Ricardo Soriano 72, Edificio Golden, Portal B, 1ª Planta, 29601 Marbella (Málaga)
WWW.MATHSTONE.CO.UK
The financial advisers trading under Mathstone Financial Management/BFMI are members of Nexus Global (IFA Network). Nexus Global is a division of Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited (BFMI). All approved individual members of Nexus Global are Appointed Representatives of BFMI. BFMI is licenced and regulated by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (FSC) and bound by the rules under licence number FSC00805B.
If you want to learn to profit from your trading like a professional check out what we are doing at www.igniteratings.com
Advertorial
Don’t get got by GATCA Robin Matthews, of Mathstone, on the importance of declaring all your global income before the taxman comes knocking
T
HE net is closing for expats with assets in ‘noncompliant’ investment structures. Starting last year, data collated from financial institutions in 2016 was exchanged between more than 50 nations, with approximately 50 more following suit this year. It‘s all part of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), set up by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Also known as ‘GATCA’, its aim is to regulate tax-paying on a global scale. Ultimately, it affects anyone with assets in one country while living in another, and as establishing residency is often littered with grey areas, it’s now more important than ever to determine which tax authorities you should be reporting to. All countries with expatriate communities will be of particular interest, with Spain one of the largest. Residents often ‘bury their heads in the sand’ over taxation, believing that holding assets offshore, or receiving a cross-border income, negates the need to declare their assets. But this is not correct, and blaming a lack of clarity for not acting is no longer acceptable. Information relating to wealth at home and overseas will be shared, including bank balances, dividend payments and interest earned, in addition to your tax reference, name and address(es). It is then possible to see whether the correct income and tax has been declared. Change is on its way and as with all tax authorities, you should find them before they find you. Spanish tax expert Francesco Bertagnin at Sotogrande’s
Foresight Consultancy says it’s a case of when, not if, you are found. He reported a ‘huge increase in those seeking help with their tax affairs’ last year. But too many people come to him - and us at Mathstone after already receiving formal notification from the tax authorities, meaning fines will be far higher than they would have been. By acting first, you mitigate the possibility of incurring heavy fines and avoid Hacienda auditing your life. While ‘going compliant’ has a cost, there are ways of offsetting it with compliant investment structures that could leave you far better off. Offshore bonds have been big business over the last 20 years and, if used correctly, can be extremely effective. If you are resident in Spain and have an Isle of Man bond, or any other non-compliant investment, you are not breaking the law if it’s being declared. But if it’s not you run the risk of your investment becoming more visible and subject to increased scrutiny. It’s an expense that can be avoided by making simple adjustments. Spanish savings tax is calculated on a progressive scale: Up to EUR 6,000: 19% EUR 6,001 – EUR 50,000: 21% EUR 50,000 upwards: 23% Non-compliant structures should be reported and then tax paid on the growth, regardless of whether a withdrawal is made. Compliant schemes report automatically and are only taxed on the growth element of a withdrawal, and only when that
withdrawal is made. Using an example of withdrawing €10,000 annual growth on a €100,000 investment, we look at the comparisons. Spanish taxation on non-compliant investments: Requires reporting by the holder and will then be taxed directly as follows: (6,000 x 19%) + (4,000 x 21%) = EUR 1,980 payable Spanish taxation on compliant investments: Reporting is automatic by the custodian and then taxed only on withdrawals made, using the following calculation to define the capital and growth elements: (Initial Investment / surrender or current value) x withdrawal amount (100,000 / 110,000) x 10,000 = 9,091 (capital) 10,000 – 9,091 = 909 (growth) 909 x 19% = € 172.71 payable It is best to establish your position as soon as possible to avoid unwanted complications. We understand that many old portfolio bonds have charging structures that incur early redemption charges, but this is easily avoided and investments can be transitioned without penalty. If you would like to know more about the benefits of investing in low-cost, high-calibre securities within a Spanish Compliant Investment, offering 100% liquidity and penalty-free access, get in touch via our website or visit our Lump Sum Investment page. Francesco Bertagnin offers expert tax advice in Spain, Gibraltar and the UK. For more information please visit www.foresightconsultancy.com or call +34 956 614 549.
-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views
SOCIALMEDIA www.gibraltarolivepress.com OlivePressNewspaper
olivepress
Business
Getting down to business
+TheolivepressEs
CAPTION:
AI to find jobs
MALAGA has seen the birth of 2,074 new companies in the first quarter of this year. The figure is a 9.7% increase compared to the same period last year. It means Malaga province had the thirdhighest rate of new business creation in
the country, beaten only by Madrid, which saw 8,063 new companies, and Barcelona (5,471). According to the National Institute of Statistics, April saw the creation of 567 new businesses in Malaga, 142 more than last
NEWS IN BRIEF
year. The data shows that Malaga province accounts for 36.3% of all new businesses in the Andalucia region. And on the national level, the figures are also positive.
Isle take it
Download our app now and
the best Spanish MALAGA begin enjoying startup Knowledgefy news on the Techgo. nologies has recently launched a new app that uses artificial intelligence to help job seekers. Taalently aims to im- US tycoon snaps up Spanish prove the professional capabilities of its users island at bargain price to help them find a bet- Press The Olive ter job or get in touch with other profession- A US-CUBAN tycoon has The new owner is a businessTOP for news in Spain! als in the same sector. bought a Spanish island man born in New York to CuAccording to the com- which had been on the mar- ban parents who left the Caribbean island in the 1960s in pany, businesses are ket for 30 years. placing greater value Alex Meruelo purchased the search of a new life in the Big on candidates’ abili- Illa d’en Colom islet, off the Apple. After living in several ties during the hiring coast of Menorca, for €3.2 cities across the country, the million. Meruelo family settled down process.
Development
Taalentfy allows users to improve their knowledge on certain topics or become ‘Talent Hunters’, which means that they can recommend job offers to their friends and receive money for it. Although the platform has users already it is stills in beta development but founder Alejandro González says the company is ready to release the first commercial version. He states that Taalently is for everyone: from young people with no experience to senior workers who wants to redirect their careers.
A
He bought the island through his company Meruelo Investments, but had to negotiate with the 16 heirs to the property and outbid a French businessman to close the deal. Despite rising property prices, the islet lowered its asking price on several occasions The asking price had dropped from €6 million in 2010.
in Los Angeles. Meruelo started his empire by acquiring a pizza chain, before expanding into the construction and property sector in southern California. Meruelo’s holding company currently encompasses electricity companies, television and hotel chains such as SLS Las Vegas, and the former
Doha Direct MALAGA airport has received its first direct flight from Doha. Qatar Airlines will now have four direct flights per week on a state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with 22 first-class seats and 232 passengers. The first flight was fully booked and landed half an hour early before being greeted by water canons and a photo op. Malaga to Doha takes just under seven hours. Advertorial
NY Blighter who no longer resides in Blighty will recognise the problem. How do you maintain a legitimate address in the UK so that you can still receive mail from your bank, insurance company, passport office, DVLA and HMRC... or shop on Amazon or Ebay and then have your post reliably forwarded on to Spain, Gibraltar, Mallorca or the International Space Station? In the madness that so typifies the months leading up to emigration we tend to concentrate on lifestyle issues; accommodation, employment, education for the kids, health care, the nearest beach, the Red Lion Pub and chip shop. Only later does the importance of leaving at least one foot planted on British soil start to dawn. Many expats lay the responsibility for their mail at the door of a well meaning friend or relative, but this 'solution' is rarely successful.
Post with the most
The excuses that your brother, sister-in-law, nephew, best mate from school etc is likely to use for not forwarding your mail are likely to include; 1: We sent them AGES ago! 2: Our Sarah took them all to the post office, but they didn't have Spanish stamps. 3: We had a flood and it all got wet so the insurance company are trying to fix it. 4: I can't find the envelope you left with the postage money in. 5: The French have blocked the ports again. ...and you've probably heard many more! The founders of expatpost have all lived abroad and experienced these challenges at first hand. That is why we offer you a choice of real UK street addresses with dependable, affordable mail forwarding (all you pay for is the onward postage, at cost), secure online mailbox controls, and a scan and send option for when you MUST have that important letter today! Go and have a look for yourselves at www. expatpost.uk.
DREAM: Illa D’en Colom sold for €3.2 million Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. He is also the first American of Hispanic origin to acquire an NBA team with a majority shareholding: the Atlanta Hawks. The original proprietor, Antonio Roca Álvarez bought the island in 1904 for the equivalent of around €47,180. It features a beautiful landscape with two beaches— Tamarell and Arenal d’en
17
1717
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
olivepressnews
BE ‘APPY!
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
Moro. There is a country house on the property as well as a 100 square-meter summer home and a wooden cabin. There is running water but no connection to the electricity grid, since everything is run by solar energy. The islet is part of the Albufera des Grau natural park, which greatly restricts development or reforms of any kind.
Block-chain boost AN association of banks in Spain has announced the creation of a blockchain-based system, following in Gibraltar’s footsteps, that will provide clients with digital identification verification.
Arriba Alexa AMAZON is bringing its digital assistant product, Alexa, to Spain this year. The Spanish launch will be a big step as it’s one of the most popular languages in the world.
Olive crisis THE European commission has said the ‘simply unacceptable’ imposition of high tariffs by the US on Spanish olives is already having a major effect on producers in southern Spain.
AGONY Property ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES
ON YOUR WAY! New squatting rules drastically speed up the eviction process, writes Antonio Flores
T
HE Senate has approved specific measures against illegal occupiers of private property. Under the new bill, squatters will be served with an eviction notice and told to either justify ownership of the property through a title deed, or show the lack of one on behalf of the claimant. If no sufficient justification can be provided, the court will order immediate repossession of the home with no chance of appeals. What’s of particular interest is a drastic change to previous squatters rights, which
Squatters will have no right of appeal and will be immediately evicted allowed them to fight the case in court buying an average of 15 months grace. Under the new rules a fast-track procedure has been introduced allowing owners to get squatters out in a matter of weeks. Under the changes it states that the rules prevent the ‘extorsion’ of the owner with the purpose of obtaining financial compensation as a condition for the recovery
of the property. It adds that it is often conducted by ‘very organized mafia-style networks’. Courts will now serve notice to squatters (identified or not) giving them five days to produce a rental agreement, or any other document enabling them to lawfully stay in the property. Failing to find this will lead to the court issuing an immediate eviction notice. In addition, under the new law the courts will have to observe the following: •
• • •
Squatters will have no rights other than to produce a valid agreement to cover their stay in the property. Opposing any application to have them evicted will not stop the process Squatters will have no right of appeal and will be immediately evicted Social services will be on standby in case of eviction of children, elderly or people with special needs The reform will only affect properties whose owners are ‘private individuals, non-profits and public agencies that own social housing’. It leaves out real estate held by banks and investment funds
The above measures will become applicable 20 days after the publication of the law reform in the Official Gazette at some point this summer.
Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com
-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views
18 18
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
HEALTH June 20th - July 3rd 2018
Organ voluntary Four donations in nine days set a new record The Costa de Sol Hospital had a record month for organ donations in May. Four donations during the month meant doctors were able to provide vital organs to patients, including kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs and six corneas. Transplant coordinator José Manuel Galván praised the multidisciplinary team of doctors from different specialties for their efforts “These figures have been made possible thanks to the excellent work of all the professionals who make up the donation team of the hospital”. So far this year the hospital has registered six multi-organ donations and one tissue donation. This has involved the removal of 23 organs, three hearts, four lungs, four livers, 12 kidneys and nine
Hot temperatures cause workplace injuries to increase by almost 10% WEATHER-related sick days costs the Spanish economy €360 million per year, a pioneering study has found. A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) analysed 16 million occupational hazards that occured in Spain over a 20-year period. It found that extreme bouts of cold and hot weather increased the risk of injury by 4% and 9% respectively. It means the rise in temperatures thanks to global warming could equate to greater economic loss for the Spanish economy. The most common types of injuries were bone fractures and superficial injuries.
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
OlivePressNewspaper
olivepress olivepressnews
Take a break
+TheolivepressEs
BE ‘APPY!
est workers were the most vulnerable to heat, possibly because they tend to do more physically demanding work. The study found that temperature-related loss of working days had an annual cost of Download our app now and more than €360 million, repbegin enjoying best Spanish resenting 0.03% of Spain's the SPAIN’S medical profesgross domestic product in 2015. news on the go. sion has given another Moderately high temperatures thumbs down to homeopacontributed the most to the eco- thy, branding it a pseudonomic losses. "In the present context of cli- science. mate change, these results in- The Consejo General de Codicate that public health inter- legios Oficiales de Médicos ventions are needed to protect (CGCOM) and the Comisworkers," concluded ISGlobal ión Central de Deontología researcher Xavier Basagaña, (CCD) have once more rePress jected it as a science, saying the study coordinator.The Olive
Homeopathy or hogwash?
SICK DAYS: Weather costing economy "This suggests that the underlying mechanism could be related to impaired concentration or judgement, which would affect occupational safety," noted a researcher. Moreover, temperature-related effects were not limited to the day of exposure; a ‘pattern
of delayed impact’, possibly caused by cumulative fatigue and dehydration, was observed in the days following exposure to extreme weather. The study also concluded that women appear to be more vulnerable to cold and men more vulnerable to heat. The young-
Penicillin pause ANTIBIOTICS use in Spain is on the downturn for the first time since 2012. Between 2016 and 2017, Spanish people took 4.34% fewer antibiotic medications, breaking the trend of growing use that began after
SOCIALMEDIA
2012. However Spain is still one of the biggest antibiotics consumers in the European Union, with an average 32.05 daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants against the EU’s 21.9. The majority of antibiotics
(94% ) are used in Primary Care, the rest in hospitals and clinics where usage has risen by 2.74%. Although, as Sanidad points out, this rise could be attributed to the growing tolerance to antibiotics’ effects.
its effectiveness has never it is placebo. The Organización Médica Colegial (OMC) recently created an Observatory against pseudosciences, pseudotherapies, intrusism and sanitary sects in a bid to prevent the damage that homeopathy can cause, especially as it is often called ‘Alternative Medicine’ which confuses patients. The nation’s health organisations have stated their objections to pseudoscientific practices on a number of occasions.
been TOP for news inproved Spain!and that Injuries nothing more than a
"Most workplace injuries can be attributed to moderate heat and moderate cold. This shows us how important it is for public health policies and plans to take moderate temperature ranges into account, since they are more common than extreme temperatures and account for a larger share of total injuries." Preventive measures that could be incorporated into public health policies include restricting work during the coldest and hottest hours, taking rest breaks and ensuring proper hydration.
GET FREE SPANISH HEALTHCARE AND REDUCE MEDICATION EXPENSES BY UP TO 80%
Food, drink & travel www.gibraltarolivepress.com
19
with DINING SECRETS of ANDALUCIA.com
Taste of south America THE eagerly awaited opening of Las Iguanas restaurant will now take place on July 5. The new Latin American restaurant on Ocean Village Promenade looks set to be a hit with all lovers of Latin and South American food. Food ‘with an irresistible bolt of Latin energy’ is how it is described and a look at its varied menus is enough to convince any diner that it has this in spades. With Peruvian, Brazilian and Mexican menus, more than 200 cocktails to choose from, and small animal mascots for the children to take home, there is something for all the family in this unique restaurant. Reservations can be made on +350 200 50092
LATIN: Food chain hits Gib
Spice up your life!
Trio of international chefs join the mix at this year’s Calentita
A TRIO of talented foreign chefs are set to spice up Gibraltar’s top food festival this weekend. Richard McLellan, Nico Fitzgerald and Alan Warren Cefai are joining local wizards Vicky Bishop and Claire Louise Foster for the Calentita Food Festival. Now in its 12th year, the trio will be undertaking displays at the event. Former architect McLellan, who now cooks at the Michelinstarred Westbury Hotel, in Mayfair, is expected to be a hit on his stall, Wilder x Gibraltar, “I will be creating a dish that draws a connection between Gibraltar and my home city of London”, said the chef, who
FESTIVAL: Richard McLellan to cook has also worked for Jean-Christophe Novelli, Tom Aikens and Marco Pierre White. Meanwhile, Nico Fitzgerald, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London, is currently working at one of Heston Blumenthal’s eateries, the Hinds Head, while Alan Warren, based in Malta, will prepare a delicacy of rabbit
It’s oil good Jamie Oliver rubs himself with Spain’s famous ‘liquid gold’ HE is well known for cooking with it, as well as promoting it with his love of the Mediterranean diet. But now the superchef has admitted he rubs it on his body every day. That is olive oil and he insists it is not just better for human skin, but is cheaper than usual moisturising creams. The British-born restaurateur is so sure about his theory that he has even applied it to three of his five children. Oliver argues that he is not the first one to use this technique, since the Romans started it. Even
Cleopatra applied olive oil to her skin along with milk baths for beauty treatments. Jamie, who has filmed a number of times around Spain, admitted: “I use Clinique moisturiser on my face. I’m a massive believer in olive oil for the body. You just rub it in vigorously — it’s what the Romans used to do. “Why spend a fortune on creams when extra virgin olive oil is the purest thing? My legs are all lovely and soft.” Although the unique method has its followers, like Selena Gómez or Miranda Kerr, experts have raised concerns that it could cause allergic reactions.
stew arancini with white beans and prickly pears. During the weekend there will be dozens of stalls and cooking demonstrations at the popular Calentita Kitchen Live. Food writer Henrietta Inman, who worked with Skye Gyngell, is set to lead a team of chefs on Sunday evening at the Dinner & Dialogue event. She is soon to publish a book, Cook for Syria, which aims to help Syrian migrants. And there is more than just food. Award-winning mixologist Cosmic Tigroso will also be delighting visitors as he whips up some special cocktails inspired by Gibraltar. “Calentita brings our community together to share our universal love of food It also celebrates our shared Gibraltarian values - respect, tolerance and understanding”, explained a spokesman.
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
19
20
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
Looking for the perfect island holiday this summer, the Pollensa area of Mallorca is all about understated glamour and exclusivity, writes Jon Clarke and Lesley Keith
20 Food, drink & travel Food, DRINK & TRAVEL Food, drink & June 20th - July 3rd 2018
DRAMA: The Night Manager was set in Pollensa, a historic family based tourist town in Mallorca
S
ITTING high on a promontory lording over the bay of Pollensa sits one of Spain’s most exclusive properties. Owned by British financier, Lord James Lupton, La Fortaleza was once the country’s most expensive home on the market for 125 million euros and most recently became famous as the home of scoundrel business mogul Richard Roper, played by Hugh Laurie, in the BBC drama, The Night Manager. An incredible place surrounded by water and pine-covered hills, the 400-year-old fort
A dramatic finger of soaring peaks and plunging drops, no visitor will forget the breathtaking drive has put up countless VIPs over the years, including Spanish artist Joaquin Sorolla, who painted it. A massive 25,000 square feet of immaculately manicured terraces and gardens, it counts on two pools and seven separate villas in its grounds. But it is the location at the start of the protected Formentor peninsula that makes it so exclusive - and perhaps justifies its price tag. For this is perhaps Mallorca’s most remarkable stretch of scenery. A dramatic finger of soaring peaks and plunging drops, no visitor to the island will forget the breathtaking 20 km drive - or cycle if you’re fit - to its historic lighthouse at the end. It’s as stunning as anywhere in Spain and not dissimilar to the famous New Zealand backdrops in Lord of the Rings. But the whole Pollensa corner of the island is amazing and just when you think the scenery couldn’t get any better, it does. As a PR job the award-winning Night Manager couldn’t have done more to promote the area featuring both the town and its nearby environs heavily in the series. The main thing to know is that Pollensa is
Island escape PRIVILEGE: Stunning Formentor peninsula and regular visitors include Graham Le Saux, David Cameron and Louis Theroux
only 45 minutes from the airport despite feeling like it could be a million miles away. I have lived here for nearly two years now and can verify quite how different it is from the better known towns of Andratx, Calvia and Portals. While they are all about being seen and splashing the cash, Pollensa is about understated glamour and refined taste. This is the sort of place where you will bump into former British Prime Minister David Cameron having lunch, or TV presenter Louis Theroux, as I did recently on the beach,
playing with his kids. Pollensa is also the home of former England star Graham Le Saux (you know, the only footballer to ever admit to reading the Guardian), as well as the boss of UK supermarket group Iceland. In the hills nearby the famous March family (of the private Banca March) have their amazing estate. Most people first head for the coastal town of Puerto Pollensa, or as it’s known locally ‘PP’. You will first be amazed at the views and how calm the sea is here… it is also a little
bit warmer than most other beaches on the island as it is so protected. From here take a look around the marina and the moored boats before taking a stroll along the shaded Pine Walk, which curves for several miles around the bay. Flanked by a wonderful sandy beach on one side and some of the most desirable properties in Mallorca on the other, this is a mustdo stroll. Head in the other direction and the long beach stretches for miles, with numerous places to stop for lunch or a cocktail, or to
with DINING SECRETS of www.gibraltarolivepress.com June 20th - July 3rd 2018 ANDALUCIA.com
21
BEACH LIFE: Wonderful sea views
rent a sunbed. If you have children they will be thrilled as there are several well constructed play areas where they can let off steam to their heart’s content while you can sit nearby keeping an eye on them but still relax. For a bit of activity, why not head out for a snorkel via a local dive company, or rent a kayak or paddleboard. There are also various yacht charter companies in the town. Looking for somewhere to eat? You will not be disappointed. All along the seafront there are numerous quality restaurants, such as Cappuccino and Abacco, which offer up a brilliant place to people-watch combined with wonderful sea views.
If you want something really special head for lunch at the privileged Royal Yacht Club or check out La Llonja, which has an amazing position just by the entrance to the port. It’s upstairs so has arguably the best panoramic view of the bay. Alternatively, step two streets back and you’ll find the vibrant town square where there are often events or festivals. With so many options, choosing the actual one is very hard indeed but wherever you go you will not be disappointed. Look out for Osteria N15, this boasts chef Roberto Maggioni who has worked in the famous Lago Continues on Page 21
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
21
22
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
WANT TO WORK FOR THE BEST ENGLISH SALE EXECUTIVE MEDIA GROUP We are looking to expand furher and a professional, motivated and hungry IN SPAIN? sales person. It could be your lucky day! 'Due to rapid growth the Olive Press is looking for 'fully-qualified' journalists around Andalucia and across Spain, including the Balearics and Canaries, and Gibraltar. We are ALSO looking for keyboard warriors on In Design with press media SALE EXECUTIVE experience - come We are looking to expand furherand and a weave your magic! professional, motivated and hungry
22
And FINALLY we need a smart, quick-thinking, self-motivated person for our busy ACCOUNTS and ADMIN department in Sabinillas. Must speak good level of English and Spanish
June 20th - July 3rd 2018 June 20th - July 3rd 2018
New wife in the sun
In a new regular online blog, Paula Leskovitz returns to Spain after two decades away this time with a family in tow
I
THINK my husband finally admitted defeat after being forced to watch ‘A place in the Sun’ 37 times in one month. In the definitive episode, Aunt Maude had left a substantial inheritance to a lacklustre couple who, after being shown several stunning Spanish properties decided they wanted to stay in Accrington after all. Shaking my head in disgust while inhaling my fifth Jammie Dodger, I sighed and pointed out to my ever weary spouse that come next year the choice to relocate to Europe may well be taken away from us Brits and we would have to stay in the UK forever. Brushing the crumbs off my increasingly expanding belly I sighed loudly and looked out of the rear window at the grey clouds rolling heavily across the November sky. Rubbing away the London smog from his bleary eyes, the man I married only seven years earlier raised his
sales person.
Good SALES reps are also always welcome particularly in Mallorca, Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol.
Columnists
H
hands in a ‘you win’ gesture and uttered the words I’d been longing to hear “Ok, let’s do it, we’ll move, but YOU can tell the family!” Scraping up my slack jaw from the Axminster, I screamed in excitement and rushed over to the laptop see how much international Schools cost and what was required for Backpacking pets. Behind me I could hear my husband mumbling under his breath about Rabies jabs and how they were missing a trick by not administering them to menopausal housewives. Looking down at the family dog, feet in the air, snoring obliviously, no doubt dreaming of cheese and giant tennis balls, I made a mental note to get his maracas removed before heading on our adventure. The last thing I needed was the pitter patter of 24 Spanish feet while quaffing cheap Rioja.
HAPPY DAYS: Paula and family
(I did actually enquire with the family GP if the same procedure could be done with my younger husband but alas, the NHS is stretched enough apparently). So here I am, exactly five months later and one week shy of my 51st birthday, staring vacantly out of the airport window onto the grey
Football Crazy!
ERE we go again.
The World Cup is here and for many the white-knuckle ride of supporting England is in full swing. A time of male bonding in the bar, proudly pulling on your footie top and popping out to see the match, returning several hours later, decidedly worse for wear and with your face painted red and white. Russia 2018 is currently underway and it’s impossible to avoid. It doesn’t matter if you have satellite or Spanish TV, the channels will devote hours of coverage to each teams’ chances, the games themselves and a host of expert opinion. You can forget nipping out for the evening to get away from the World Cup. One of the major plus points of living in Marbella is the cosmopolitan nature of the town. This is, however, a double-edged sword. The quality of your dining experience will suffer for example. During the World Cup expect
to find service in your favourite tapas bar a little slow when Spain take to the pitch and don’t even think of ordering escargots if France get beaten. You won’t run out of places to watch the matches either, so why not take in the games in a variety of locations? Sitting with a cool beer in a beach bar watching one of the afternoon matches is a unique pleasure, especially if you normally watch football on a wet Wednesday in Wigan. Who knows, as a neutral supporter you may even be adopted by a set of fans as an unofficial mascot – which is why there is a photo of me somewhere in San Pedro wearing a massive orange hat and clutching a Heineken. I have somewhat hazy memories that Holland may have been playing. When Spain wins a match you can forget all thoughts of sleep. I was driving through Marbella in 1986 when they scored an injury time goal and the town shot five feet in the air…
Gatwick concourse. Beside me, my 12-year-old son mumbles something incoherent about mozzarella and ambles off to purchase a baguette which costs roughly the same price as my first car. The boy child is more than happy to move abroad. He’s watched Baywatch. He knows that everyone runs in slow motion and looks like Pamela Anderson on warmer shores. Plus I’ve bribed him with the promise of a certain Xbox game (yes I am a bad parent, but at least I’ll be a bad parent in a vest as opposed to a cardigan). The house is under offer. The tears have been shed. Man and dog are loaded up in the Jeep, our worldly possessions crammed into every available space, no doubt currently heading across the French border. The ties with normality had been cut.
Change
I glance down at the case in my hand and grasp the one way ticket to Malaga tightly in my fist. We have no home, we have no jobs. We don’t speak Spanish. We are either very brave or very stupid. Taking a deep breath I drag my belongings and monosyllabic child towards the gate which is now boarding. This is the moment our lives will change forever. I smile to myself and take the first step towards our new life in the sun. Paula has worked in theatre in London for years, while her husband has landed a job at the Salon Varietes theatre in Fuengirola. Visit her blog online at www.theolivepress. es to find out what happens next
-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views
SOCIALMEDIA
Sport
www.gibraltarolivepress.com OlivePressNewspaper
olivepress
SPONSORED BY:
23 23
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
olivepressnews
Spain standing +TheolivepressEs Let the by David Gea after Portugal games BE ‘APPY! draw in World begin! Cup opener THE Gibraltar National SPAIN has ‘no doubts’ Games are underway again. about David de Gea after Teams from the Isle of Man, he was heavily criticised Barbate and Algeciras arenow in andfor letting in Portugal’s Download our app Gibraltar to compete in the second goal on Friday. begin enjoying the best Spanish athletics competition. The Manchester United Members of the public news on the go. are goalkeeper was blasted invited to attend all events, by Spanish press after the including five a side football at 10am on Thursday morn- World Cup opener, which ing and a swimming compe- ended in a 3-3 tition on Friday evening at draw. Spain is pre6pm. for For the first time ever there paring second will also be a ten pin bowl- its ing competition to be held G r o u p Olive B game at the KingsThe Bastion LeisurePress Centre at 10.30am on Fri- a g a i n s t day morning. Iran in KaTOP for news in Spain! There is to be a family BBQ zan today. on Friday evening for ath- “The goalletes and their families, and keeper is a for volunteers who have special posihelped to make the occasion tion, with a spepossible. cial psychology,” It comes as the Special said manager FernanOlympics Games reach their 50th anniversary this sum- do Hierro. “We have no doubts. Honmer. The games were launched estly. He doesn’t doubt in Chicago as a competitive himself either.” games event for 1,000 spe- Ronaldo scored from all cial needs athletes from the three of Portugal’s attempts on target. USA and Canada. This grew into the Spe- Hierro, who was appointcial Olympics, which today ed on the eve of La Roja’s sees five million athletes opening game following training and competing in thousands of events in 172 countries.
No doubts the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, said he ‘embraced’ De Gea after the game. De Gea was named in the Professional Footballers’ Association team of the year after an impressive season at Premier League runners-up Manchester United. But his error gifted Switz e r l a n d their goal in a 1-1 friendly draw just b e f o r e Spain departed for Russia, and they have already conceded once more than in the whole of their triumphant 2010 World Cup campaign. “Only those of us who put on the gloves and go out on the field know how difficult it is,” said De Gea. “The coach is with me. It was an error and these things can happen.”
Real deal REAL Madrid are close to signing much-sought after talent Pedro Porro after a bidding war with rivals Barcelona. Brazilian Porro is currently with Girona, having joined them from Rayo Vallecano last summer. The Don Benito-born winger scored 15 goals and registered 24 assists for the Catalan club’s youth team and has already made his first team debut at Girona. The 18-year-old is subject to interest from both the Spanish giants, but sources say Real Madrid have managed to beat the Camp Nou outfit to signing him.
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
OUT: Nadal withdraws from Queen’s
Cheers, Rafa! MARIN Cilic has said he is glad Rafael Nadal withdrew from Queen’s because it means he has more of a chance of winning. The Croatian became the top seed in the grass tournament after Spaniard Nadal withdrew citing fitness issues. It comes after the Mallorquin’s record-breaking 11th win at the French Open. And while Cilic claims it is a ‘pity’ Nadal is not present in London, he is hoping to use that to his advantage by going one better than last year and winning the competition, widely seen as the warm up to Wimbledon. “Obviously it’s a pity that they’re not here but it’s probably better for us,” Cilic said. It is not known if Nadal will play at Wimbledon.
NO DOUBTS: De Gea
All you need is
‘Bringing music to your ears, and Gibraltar to your screen’
June on GBC TV includes: ‘Sirens’ ‘Miss Gibraltar 2018’ ‘Sea Hunters’ ‘Tuesday 10pm Drama: Twisted’ ‘The Hub’ ‘Viewpoint’ GBC TELEVISION
RADIO GIBRALTAR
GBC ONLINE
Available on: Gibraltar Freeview & Online
91.3, 92.6 & 100.5FM 1458AM, DAB+, Gibraltar Freeview & Online
GBC TV Live GBC TV Player Radio Gibraltar Live Radio Gibraltar On Demand Latest local news
24
www.gibraltarolivepress.com
The Rock’s only free and local paper
FREE
Advertise here for as little as as £75 per issue
FINAL WORDS
Place your bets A TURTLE in Benalmadena Sea Life park has predicted Spain will win against Iran in its second World Cup match after selecting broccoli with the Spanish flag attached over the Iranian alternative.
Makes you sick TOURISTS from Salou to Torrevieja are downing cocktails made with fruit rinsed under beachside foot showers and water from grubby toilets, a major probe into drink sellers on beaches in Spain has revealed.
June 20th - July 3rd 2018
Vol. 3 Issue 73 www.gibraltarolivepress.com June 20th - July 3rd 2018
Bust up
Controversial and ‘ugly’ bust of Ronaldo switched after family outcry
A WIDELY-mocked statue of Cristiano Ronaldo has finally been replaced. The bronze bust of the Real Madrid striker went viral last year after fans questioned its likeness to the player. It certainly turned heads when it was put on display at the airport of Ronaldo’s hometown Madeira. Some compared its likeness to former Republic of Ireland captain Niall Quinn, but sculptor Emanuel Santos said his work was just ‘a matter of taste’.
SEEING DOUBLE: Ronaldo statues old and new Since the statue became so widely mocked, the airport has now replaced it with a bust that bares a greater resemblance to the Portuguese star. Sources say the family of
Buying or selling your property may be the most important transaction you will ever make. That is why when you instruct Charles Gomez & Co for your conveyancing, our dedicated team of experts will scrutinise everything and keep you updated at every step of the process.
Ronaldo made the request for the replacement via the CR7 museum, which is also based on the island. The switch took place on the same day that Ronaldo, 33, scored a hat-trick against Spain in Portugal's World Cup opener in Russia.
DRAMA: Antonio Banderas daughter
Petition
But the change has not gone down well with everyone and a petition has been started to bring the old sculpture back. "The bust is more an attraction for our island today and we can not accept in any way its replacement," the petition says. The original statue was revealed in March last year at a ceremony to name Madeira's airport after Ronaldo, who is a local hero on the island for what is seen as his rags-toriches success.
Lunch with Soul THE ladies who lunch - and some rather fortunate men - have been out in force raising money for photographer David Toms. Holly Millard’s Elite Events company helped to raise €3500 at the event at La Sala to put towards the goal of buying David an electric wheelchair.
Applause
5, Secretary’s Lane, Gibraltar Tel: 200 74998 info@gomezco.gi www.charlesgomez.gi
Toms, who got a huge round of applause at the event, suffered life changing injuries in a motorcycle accident. A charity raffle and auction, which included nights at El Oceano and Nobu Hotels, rounded off the afternoon.
A Stella start THERE’S nothing like joining the family firm and Stella del Carmen, daughter of Malaga’s favourite son Antonio Banderas and ex-wife Melanie Griffith, has announced her intention to study drama. “It surprised us because she has never wanted to be in front of the camera,” said Banderas. A regular visitor to Malaga, especially when her father takes part in the annual Semana Santa processions, Stella will study Drama at the University of Southern California. She lists cinema, poetry and literature as her three main passions.