Gibraltar Olive Press - Issue 72 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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‘BUTCHER’: Assad Continues on Page 2

Find out in our monthly Property magazine inside

Entering the ring THE Rock is all set for a new political heavyweight. It comes after local boxing hero Kaelan Joyce joined the GSD opposition party. The amateur fighter - who was known for his aggressive style in the ring - will be no stranger to throwing punches at the opposition... which from now on is Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. “I don’t like the way Gibraltar is going in general, it all needs to change,” he told the Olive Press this week. “I don’t mince my words and I’m not your run-of-

Outrage as Gib leader spends £30,000 of public money on personal lawsuits By Laurence Dollimore

Reveal

He also claimed a RGP police investigation into the affair was continuing but that he could not reveal any more details at this stage. He also confirmed that Assad had applied for Cat-2 status on the Rock in 1999, but that it had been turned down. Al-Assad, the uncle of current Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, is being probed in Spain, France and the UK for money laundering, corruption and tax evasion.

Vol. 3 Issue 72 www.gibraltarolivepress.com June 6th - June 19th 2018

ASSAD: NOT A FIRE SALE! FABIAN Picardo has been forced to defend the controversial sale of 6-9 Europort in a heated Parliament debate. In a long ten-minute statement he answered seven questions tabled by the opposition about the transaction, which would benefit Syria’s Rifaat al-Assad. In particular, the Chief Minister insisted it did ‘not appear to be a fire sale’ and confirmed that he had personally been working with the French and Spanish authorities, who have been investigating Assad, for years.

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THE Chief Minister has spent an alarming £6,000 of taxpayers’ money on threatening legal letters this year alone. And Fabian Picardo has issued at least ten separate writs against individuals since he came to power, it has emerged. In total, the GSLP leader has spent £29,978 on legal letters threatening residents with lawsuits since 2013. Each was ordered to stop writing and delete ‘defamatory’ comments about him online, the majority on Facebook. Gibraltar’s leader - who came to power in 2011 - was forced to release the figures after being asked by the GSD opposition party, following complaints. “We seem to have a Chief Minister who is ever-so-sensitive and out of sync with the attitudes of other leaders in Western society,” insisted

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the-mill politician. “I’m a genuine guy who cares about Gibraltar and its people, I’m not entering politics for money, I’m passionate about it.” His announcement that he was joining the GSD executive committee received hundreds of likes on Twitter. “It went much better than expected, but I am like Marmite, you either love me or hate me.” The son of former Chief Minister Sir Peter Caruana has also joined the party.

We are always watching THE LEGAL EAGLE TOTALS SPENT 2013/14 - £5602 2014/15 - £7196 2015/16 - £3036 2016/17 - £6056 2017/18 - £2031 2018 (to date) - £6057

Careful

EMBATTLED: Fabian Picardo a spokesman from the GSD. “And this from a Chief Minister who complained about

individuals express themselves without a filter of truth or any understanding of the need to ensure that the things they say are not libellous of others.” He said some of the comments included threats to him and his family. The GSD later uploaded a post on its Facebook page, asking: “Is it right the Chief Minister should use your money to defend his reputation?”

the previous administration being dictatorial.” The figures were released after he was grilled in parliament on the matter by both Roy Clinton and former GSD leader Daniel Feetham. They showed that Picardo had spent this figure on letters to six local Gibraltarians and four individuals outside of the Rock, via law

firm Hassans. It is not known if he has taken out any personal lawsuits in addition. Picardo defended the legal letters, insisting it was in the ‘public interest of Gibraltar’, that its ministers should ‘defend their reputations when confronted with defamatory and untrue allegations’. “Too often on social media,

It added: “Careful what you write on social media, you are being watched.” Residents reacting to the clip said they were ‘gobsmacked’. “Unbelievable,” wrote one, “they should pay for it out of their own pocket. Why use the taxpayers money? It’s shameful, the opposition should act.”

COMMENT: Read all about it (IF YOU CAN)

he announcement comes after the Olive Press was ordered to remove its stand from the border. We were suddenly told to remove the long-standing holder from the pedestrian entrance into the Rock ‘on orders from the Chief Minister’, a fact later confirmed by one of our journalists. Fortunately for us, the tour-

PAPERS: At Gib border

ist office kiosk continues to stock the popular free paper - the Rock’s only genuinely independent voice. A pile still greets any tourists or business person crossing into the enclave and - if not on view - please ensure to ask for your copy. Meanwhile, should any business be brave enough, the stand is looking for a new home… and there are more in our office!

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Tech whizz SOME 85% of Spaniards aged between 16 to 65, are regularly active on social media and use around four apps a month, a new study has found.

Busted THE Guardia Civil seized over 3,000 kilos of hashish from a RHIB on playa de Getares in Algeciras, two were arrested.

Locked up TWO Policia Nacional officers have each been sentenced to a year in prison by a Malaga court, for embezzlement of public funds.

Climate chaos SPAIN emits 1.5 times more greenhouse gases than the European average, Eurostat has revealed.

089

Stories and features in this edition of Gibraltar’s original community newspaper

CRIME

June 6th - June 19th 2018

Abortion laws stay put Despite Ireland voting to allow abortion, the Gibraltar government refuses to follow suit

THE Gibraltar government has said it will not reconsider its anti-abortion laws despite Ireland’s recent landslide vote to repeal its ban. Pro-choice campaigners had hoped it would put pressure on the Rock, but it seems their fight won’t be over any time soon. A Gibraltar government spokeswoman told the Olive Press: “We have already dealt with progressive issues like civil partnerships and equal marriage… The Cabinet has not considered changing this [abortion] policy.”

Clandestine

It added that it did not have a mandate to change the abortion law as it was not included during the election campaign. The act is punishable by life imprisonment on the Rock the harshest abortion laws in Europe. Although no woman has ever been sentenced, the threat weighs heavily on residents and many go to Spain and the UK to have clandestine

EXCLUSIVE By Elisa Menendez

procedures, where they don’t receive adequate before or after care. One woman, who chose to remain anonymous, told the Olive Press she had an abortion at 19 in the UK while at university, after falling pregnant to a violent boyfriend whom she had escaped. “I remember reading up on how to stop being pregnant. I drank more and took laxatives… it’s so dangerous,” said the Gibraltarian who now has two children. She added: “I think that if I had kept it I would not have been here today due to mental health, or he would have got to me… it freed me.” Campaigner for Pro-Choice Gibraltar, Tamsin Suarez, felt ‘very emotional’ on hearing the news in Ireland but frustrated at the lack of change on the Rock. “We pride ourselves on being a diverse, accepting nation where everyone’s views

Assad probe From front page

The so-called Butcher of Hama, bought the building in 1999 allegedly in part with money lent to him from the royal family in Saudi Arabia. In the debate on Thursday, independent MP Marlene Hassan Nahon asked whether, given the judgement, compliance standards were ‘seemingly lower’ in Gibraltar. Another GSD politician asked whether ‘given the price that has been paid’ the sale ‘appears to be in haste on the part of Assad’. Picardo however, backed the Supreme Court’s recent decision to clear the sale, insisting it was ‘entirely in keeping with the valuation’.

Reputation

VICTORY: For Ireland as Gib rules out change

are accepted but this is a new law which was introduced in 2011. “Just because it’s not happening in Gibraltar, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. It doesn’t get spoken about because people are scared,” the 44-year-old told the Olive Press. Gemma Briggs, 28, also a campaigner for Pro-Choice Gibraltar said it saddens her that women are given such little choice in a nation that is ‘supposed to be an interna-

tional player’. She added: “As a British citizen a woman in Gibraltar should be given the same level of healthcare as she would in UK. “Gibraltar as a community offers such little help for expecting parents with little maternity pay and child welfare help. By not leading with a strong policy to catch up with the rest of the world, the government is showing very little respect to women and their choices.”

He also angrily defended the decision of the Judge saying he hoped his fellow politicians were ‘not seeking to impute his reputation or actions’. He added that law enforcement cooperation had safeguarded the Rock’s reputation and that even though French and Spanish authorities were aware of al-Assad’s assets in Gibraltar, they had made no attempt to seize them. On the subject of the ongoing investigation into Assad’s property, Picardo refused to answer ‘what law enforcement agents might be thinking of doing’. He did however say the Office of Criminal Prosecution was also continuing to work on it.

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News

June 6th - June 19th 2018

TERMINATOR: In Spain

He’s been back HE’S easily one of the scariest characters in global cinema. Now the Terminator - famous for the phrase ‘I’ll be back’ - has returned to film for the latest sequel around Andalucia this Spring. Played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terminator 6, also starring Linda Hamilton has been in Almeria for two weeks. The film crew have taken over the small hamlet of Isleta del Moro, in Cabo de Gata, until this Friday. A number of scenes have been filmed in the area, as well as in neighbouring Murcia. The locations and logistics are all being handled by an expat owned film company, based in Malaga. Fresco Film, owned by German Peter Welter, has just finished producing the crime series Snatch, and also worked on Game of Thrones. Schwarzenegger last visited Spain in 2014, when he attended a bodybuilding competition in Madrid. He previously filmed Conan the Barbarian in Almeria, in 1982.

GUEST: James Arthur

Stars flock in

MARVIN Humes and James Arthur are among the stars scheduled to play in Marbella this month. Former JLS star Humes will be spinning the decks at Mahiki Beach to kick off the summer season on June 15. Meanwhile, Arthur, who rose to fame on the X Factor in the UK, will be performing at La Sala by the Sea on June 10. Celebrating the launch of its night restaurant, La Sala by the Sea Unplugged will start at 9pm, with James Arthur performing a number of hits supported by Kin and Tony Capo. For more info email info@ lasalabythesea.com

DJ: Marvin Humes

LAVISH: Ronaldo celebrates his recent victory in style

Ronny rentals!

But did superstar Cristiano pay for his stay in TWO villas in Zagaleta? IT was perhaps only natural for a man who mostly deals in hat tricks and braces that he wouldn’t just rent one luxury villa for a short break in Andalucia. Fresh from his third Champions League victory in a row, Cristiano Ronaldo scored TWO, not one, amazing homes for the trip to the Costa del Sol. The Real Madrid ace landed one brand new Benahavis villa for his mates and staff and the other for him and his missus, Georgina Rodriguez, 23. The main eight-bedroom home in Zagaleta - Spain’s most expensive luxury private estate - came with a spa, indoor pool and cinema. Security was heightened throughout the stay, understood to be six nights, and photographers were kept out at all costs. “He rented G11 and another one right next door,” revealed an Olive Press source. “Designed by Diego Tobal, they are both on the market for between €11.5 and 13.5 million.

Whenever, wherever SHAKIRA is bringing her El Dorado tour to Spain. The Colombian superstar will kick off in Bilbao in the Basque country on June 30, before moving on to Barcelona, Madrid and A Coruña. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.

EXCLUSIVE By Jon Clarke & Elisa Menendez

“They had only just been finished a few months ago and just furnished,” he added. The Olive Press understands the villas, which would normally rent between €7,000 to €10,000 a night, were acquired via a deal with the Zagaleta owners, who built them. “It’s the perfect coup for Zagaleta, which has now been seen all around the world this week,” continued the source. “As I understand it they are hoping that he will consider buying a home in the estate… which is perfect with him due to its privacy.” Ronaldo had arrived via private jet with a group of seven friend and children and during their stay they went horse riding, played tennis and golf. He flew out again on Sunday to meet up with his Portugal team mates ahead of the World Cup later this month.

SPOTTED: Ronaldo with girlfriend in Marbella Ronaldo had won his fifth European title as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev two weeks ago. Although he didn’t score during the match, he finished the season as the Champions League’s top scorer for the sixth time running. When contacted about the stay and whether it was paid or not, Zagaleta failed to get back before we went to print. A female employee in the sales office said: “I’m not sure how much information I can give you on that. We will have to get back to you.”

EXCLUSIVE: Dining to impress RONALDO hired not one but TWO of the coast’s leading chefs to cook for him throughout his stay. After eating at Dani Garcia’s two Michelin star restaurant in Marbella last week, he was so impressed he hired the chef to cook for him for three days in a row at his villa. During the stay he also hired the services of well-known Japanese restaurant in Marbella, Takumi. The restaurant was clearly rated by the footballer, who asked boss Alvaro Arbeloa to come back twice, and even posed up for a photograph with him at the villa. “It was a great experience and I enjoyed it a lot,” Arbeloa told the Olive Press, this week.

NE WS

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

June 6th - June 19th 2018

Lessons in 1 listening

Plastic battle

GIBRALTAR’s health authority is launching an initiative to reduce the use of plastics around the Rock. There will be a reduction in single-use plastic at St Bernard’s and across other GHA departments. Plastic items such as medicine cups, eating utensils and crockery have been under evaluation for several months with staff looking at which items could be substituted with more environmentally friendly solutions. One of the changes will be to use more glass crockery and more traditional kitchen utensils.

GOING APE: Bin monkey

Clean up your act

THE Chamber of Commerce has hit out at the Government over unclean streets that make a poor impression on tourists to the Rock. The business organisation claims many streets and pavements appear not to have been cleaned for months and have become an ‘unsightly health hazard’. A shortage of bins and the waste-disposal system for Main Street is ‘not fit for purpose’, it adds. “Given the significant rates members pay each year, it is incumbent on the government to act in this regard for the benefit of Gibraltar at large,” explained a spokesman. While the body is aware a new public cleaning contract is due to be awarded, it is ‘unacceptable that the level of cleanliness has been allowed to fall to today’s levels by the current contractor’. The growing concern is that with summer approaching the already poor state of the streets could deteriorate even further. This could have an impact on public health and the general quality of life.

Government hits back after being accused of failing to listen to teachers over new school site

THE Government has denied it is continuing to ignore teachers and is ‘ramming through’ its schools agenda in the run up to elections. It comes after the GSD opposition again slammed the Chief Minister for ‘refusing to listen’ to either the teachers or their union over a plan to site Westside and Bayside schools next to each other.

After a meeting between the Minister for Education and Chief Minister, teachers stated they still strongly disagree with the project at the Rooke site. They have consistently asked for the Government to reconsider its plans and build the two schools in different locations, a plea that has been ignored with the Chief Min-

An uphill battle

A MASSIVE 200 kilos of rubbish has been collected from a beach clear up near Algeciras. Hundreds of ecologists from the green group Verdemar picked up the junk from El Chinarral beach as part of the Europe-wide Clear up the Med campaign. Of this, an incredible 100 kilos of waste comprised plastic, with the rest being metal and other types of rubbish. “Plastic floods our coasts and is found on beaches, dunes, sea beds and floating in the sea,” said a spokesman.

The more you take out, the more you get back.

SQUEEZED: The schools ister insisting the decision was irreversible as work had already begun. As well as educational difficulties such as the sharing of facilities and resources and the difficulties of management, teachers have long voiced their concern over the sheer volume of students in such close proximity. They are concerned about the effect not only on traffic but also on security and evacuation of students in case of emergency. While the Government insists that they will factor the teacher’s concerns into the designs the GSD says it is obvious teachers are being ignored. “There is still insufficient consultation of teachers and parents and they are being pre-

sented with a fait accompli,” insisted a strongly-worded GSD statement, adding the government was ‘blatantly dismissing’ the concerns of professionals on the ground. “The Government has had almost seven years to plan and fully consult across the board on their future education plans. Instead they have chosen to rush this agenda ahead of the next general election. “This is far too serious and important to the future of generations of Gibraltar schoolchildren to be dealt with in this way.”

Campaign

Director of Nursing Services, Ms Sandie Gracia, said: “We are not eliminating plastics altogether, but reducing the use of these items and introducing more ecological alternatives. “We are always campaigning internally to reeducate GHA staff on the importance of adopting environmentally-friendly practices”. Recycling bins have also been installed throughout GHA sites in the Government’s campaign for greener practices throughout all public services.

Hijack

The government accused the GSD of trying to ‘hijack’ the debate for political gain. “Their record of listening to advice is even worse, and worst of all, they never had any significant educational developments to consult anyone about anyway. “How many new schools did they build in sixteen years? None.” “What significant improvements in Education did they introduce? None at all.”

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IN TWO CLASSIC TALES OF RISE AND FALL, AND FALL AND RISE, THE OLIVE PRESS PRESENTS EVERYTHING YOU NEEDED TO KNOW

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.

OPINION Time for change AFTER Ireland’s landslide vote to repeal its abortion ban, the pressure is now on more than ever for Gibraltar to reconsider its strict laws. While the eighth amendment in Catholic Ireland had been in place since 1983, the Gibraltarian law came into effect only seven years ago under section 162 of the 2011 Crimes Act. As a UK territory and a leading international nation with a booming economy, such a restrictive, archaic law seems well out of sync with Gibraltar’s identity. The country is now one of only a handful of countries left in Europe with such draconian laws. And although it is still a taboo subject on the Rock, it is something that is happening - whether it be secretly undertaken in Spain or the UK - and cannot be brushed under the rug any longer. Women deserve support before and after they make this life changing decision and right now they are suffering in silence. Something needs to change.

Cure for cancer? IT’S nothing short of amazing that he didn’t go years ago. Almost the entire country knew that Mariano Rajoy had pocketed brown envelopes full of cash during his time as a younger minister for his corrupt PP party. We know all this thanks to the ledgers of former treasurer Luis Barcenas and the Gurtel investigation that was launched a decade ago. The Olive Press has covered the case since it broke - and even splashed on it, under the headline and a picture of Rajoy, asking: “Who will cut out the cancer destroying Spain?’ With Barcenas and his band of corrupt PP cohorts now facing decades in jail, could the recently departed Prime Minister also now face charges, in particular as it appeared he lied on oath during the trial. Either way, Spain now has a chance to move forward with the new broom of Pedro Sanchez.

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AWARDS

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2012 - 2017

Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

June 6th - June 19th 2018

After making political history Spain’s new prime minister, Pedro Sanchez - dubbed ‘el guapo’ (the handsome one) - is used to defying all odds, writes Elisa Menendez

Pedro power

EDRO Sanchez made history in more than one way last week, after becoming the first Spanish politician to unseat a prime minister through a no-confidence vote, and then take on the role himself. When sworn in as prime minister, the PSOE leader, a known atheist, made another first in Spain’s modern history by causing outrage by taking an oath to protect the constitution without a bible or HAND OVER: Rajoy admits defeat as Sanchez wins vote

crucifix. Known to many as ‘el guapo’ - the handsome one - the Socialist leader, from Castille, is also certainly something of a comeback kid in politics, having been ousted by his own party last year. Just three years ago the idea of the 46-yearold becoming prime minister seemed an impossible feat, after Sanchez led the PSOE through an election which earnt the party its worst result since Spain returned to democracy in 1978. To make matters worse, six months later long-time favourite, Susana Diaz, presithe Socialists crashed even further at a dent of Spain’s long-time Socialist strongsecond round of elections, after a ninehold of Andalucia. month political deadlock had forced Much like Sanchez’s appointment as Spain to hold no less than three naprime minister, his entry to Parliament tional elections, which were all inconalso didn’t follow the rule book. clusive. The Madrileño and economist with Perhaps understandably unwilling three masters degrees, was a relto form a coalition government ative unknown when he became with Mariano Rajoy’s PP party, leader of the PSOE in 2014 after which was shy of a majority vote, rising quickly from the party’s backSanchez was voted out of benches. his own party. Although Sanchez had It came after he was acfairly limited credentials Reconnect with cused of prolonging the in relation to other MPs, deadlock for personal inter- those who haven’t it was hoped - due to his ests, leading to the coup. and good looks been listened to, charisma Defiant Sanchez not only - that he would offer a resigned from the leader- to the grassroots young, new and attracship but also left his seat in tive image for the members Parliament, as he refused PSOE party. to follow his party’s deciWith two new parsion to facilitate Rajoy’s ties on the scene government. (Podemos and Ciudadanos), Instead, he set off on a road trip the socialists had been strugaround Spain in a bid to reconnect gling to find their place in a with ‘those who haven’t been lisfragmented country tened to, to the grassroots members that partly blamed and left-wing voters.’ them for the And after seven months Sanchez came worst economic crisis back stronger than ever, winning a re-elec- since the Spanish Civil tion as the party’s leader and defeating

War. They are now right back where they want to be, albeit with the support of Spain’s leftleaning anti-corruption party Podemos, and a few small regional parties. But what of El Guapo’s rise to power? He had first joined the PSOE when he was a student in 1993, while studying business and economics at Complutense University in Madrid. After finishing his degree, he went on to serve as chief of staff to the UN’s leading representative to Bosnia during the Kosovo conflict in 1999. It got him completely hooked on global affairs and more importantly politics and in 2004 he became a city councillor in Madrid for five years, before being elected as a PSOE MP for Madrid in 2009. Two years later he lost his seat and went on to study for his third masters degree, while working in consultancy, before going back to politics in 2013. Many people credit much of his rise down to his wife Maria Begona Gomez Fernandez, who he married in 2016 and with whom he has two daughters. He also speaks fluent English and French and has been a keen basketball player since the age of 21 - where it is thought he developed his fierce ambition to win. But his road forward is anything but simple. With a somewhat unconventional career in politics so far, Sanchez now must work to unite a country that is facing its biggest political unrest in decades. After winning the support of Catalan and Basque national parties, and with only 84 seats held by his party in a 350-seat parliament, the new prime minister faces the great challenge of keeping Catalunya happy while keeping the country’s strong economic recovery on track. It seems Sanchez’s political journey is only just beginning.

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ABOUT THE OUSTING OF SPAIN’S PRIME MINISTER MARIANO RAJOY IN FAVOUR OF THE NEW BROOM PEDRO SANCHEZ

Visitors: xxxxxxxx

The top five most read stories on Most read www.gibraltarolivepress.com in this the past two weeks, April 10 fortnight - April 24, onare:

Even for a party as steeped in corruption allegations as Rajoy’s, the reputational damage was disastrous. The prime minister, a man famed for his powers of survival and inveterate tendency to sit back and let others make the first move, suddenly looked vulnerable. For perhaps the first time in his long political career, the 63-year-old Galician had begun to bleed. His opponents were quick to pick up on the scent. The day after the Gürtel sentences were handed down, the Spanish socialist party announced that it had filed a motion of no confidence in Rajoy. The verdict in the case, said PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez, had ‘seriously damaged the health of our democracy’. The aim of the motion, he said, was ‘to CONCERN: How we probed the question bring normality back to our public life and to do away with this corruption thriller into when news of Gurtel first broke six years which the PP party has plunged our poliago tics, so that we can talk about the things a 51-year sentence – were among the that matter to our citizens’. 29 defendants convicted and jailed last Rajoy’s response was blunt. He said: week. Eight others were acquitted. “This motion is bad for Spain, bad for But far more damning was the Spaniards, brings with it too much court’s ruling that the PP party uncertainty and is damaging to all had profited, albeit unknowingly, citizens.” from the an illegal kickbacks-forFor most of last week, it came to be known, billed as the trial of contracts scheme. things appeared to be gothe year. As well as juicy details ranging Not only did the judges ing Rajoy’s way. The cenfrom Swiss bank accounts to the hiring order the party to pay a His stubborn tre-right Ciudadanos party of clowns for children’s birthday parties, €240,000 fine, they also refused to have anything to and fatal refusal the case involved several former senior expressed doubts over do with the motion, calling PP members, including Barcenas. the credibility of the tesinstead for a snap election to deal with The proceedings centred on Francisco timony Rajoy had given in the Autumn. PP’s festering Correa, an executive with close ties last July when he became But then rumours began to the PP who was accused of paying the first serving Spanish to circulate that the small corruption bribes to party officials between 1999 prime minister to give eviBasque Nationalist party and 2006 in return for contracts to carry dence in a criminal trial. was on the verge of supout public works and organise events. Rajoy, who was the PP’s porting Sanchez’s motion, The police investigation was code- vice-secretary general between even though Rajoy had offered named Gurtel, the German word for cor- 1990 and 2003, told the court the region increased investment rea (‘belt’ in Spanish). that his duties during the peto win its backing for his recent Barcenas and Correa – who was handed riod in question were exclusively budget. political and not Their backing proved crucial, helping financial. the PSOE eject Rajoy from office in FriHe also dismissed day morning’s vote. suggestions that a “It has been an honour to be the prime slush fund was used minister of Spain,” Rajoy told parliament to pay illegal bonusas he waited for the axe to fall. es to senior party of“It has been an honour to leave a better ficials as ‘absolutely Spain than the one I found.” false’. Even Rajoy’s critics would not deny the However, in its rulrole he played in bringing Spain back from ing, the Audiencia the brink of economic ruin. But he is likely Nacional judges to be remembered more for his handling confirmed the exisof the Catalan independence crisis and tence of a slush fund for his stubborn and ultimately fatal reknown as ‘box B’ fusal to deal with the festering issue of (caja B), describing corruption within the PP. it as ‘an accounting Rajoy took his own advice, staying strong and finance strucright up to the vote. But in the end, there ture that ran in parwas nothing he, or anyone else, could do. allel with the official one and which had *a slightly different version of this article DOWNFALL: Rajoy’s countdown to disaster came from Barbeen in use since at first appeared in The Guardian cenas arrest least 1989’. the olive press - February 07- February 20, 2013

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February 07 - Feb 20,

AS A MILLION PEOPLE DEMAND THAT RAJOY MUST RESIGN By James Bryce

SPANISH Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is battling to save his political career after facing increasing pressure to resign over the PP corruption scandal. Nearly a million people have signed an online petition calling for him to step down, amid widespread protests. Opinion polls show that 77% believe he is now no longer fit to lead the country, while 54% believe there should be a general election. Opposition leader Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba has called for his head, demanding that Rajoy be grilled in Congress about the allegations. The prime minister stands accused of accepting illegal cash payments made to topranking party officials over a 12-year period.

Slush fund

Rajoy however fiercely denies the claims, describing them as ‘totally false’ and has said he will publish his tax returns online. Among the other politicians accused of taking ‘bungs’ are current General Secretary Maria Delores Cospedal, Senate President Pio Garcia Escudero and even former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. The money was allegedly taken from a €22 million slush fund hidden in a Swiss bank account controlled by former party treasurer Luis Barcenas. Barcenas kept secret ledgers of money received between Turn to page 2

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How Spain’s biggest corruption probe led to the downfall of former PP prime minister Mariano Rajoy the

October 2015

Rajoy ruined

N January 2012, Mariano Rajoy texted a friend who was going through a rough patch. “Luis, stay strong,” he wrote. “Luis, we are doing what we can.” Luis was Luis Barcenas, a former treasurer in Rajoy’s People’s party (PP) and the focus of persistent allegations that Spain’s ruling party was receiving illegal funding. Rajoy’s soothing words would come back to haunt him – as would Bárcenas and his business dealings. Last week, Spain’s highest criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, found Barcenas guilty of crimes including fraud and money-laundering, jailed him for 33 years and fined him €44m. Not for nothing was the Gurtel case, as

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es June 6th - June 19th 2018 And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

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POINTING THE FINGER: But Rajoy and many of his cabinet are said to have received black money from a Swiss bank account

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While millions sit on the breadline with the highest unemployment in history, and expats come into the firing line with new laws and taxes, the PM allegedly took 30,000-a-year from an 22m offshore slush fund... Enough is enough!

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ibraltar World Music Festival, June 19 - 21 A DIVERSE group of musicians, artists and thinkers from all over the world will come together and perform under the theme, Borders.

th Gibraltar Darts Trophy, June 8 - 10 WORLD darts champion Rob Cross and world number one Michael van Gerwen will headline the field of stars visiting the Rock for the tournament.

he Domino Effect, June 14 - 16 THE White Light Theatre youth group presents a dance and physical theatre production, which explores idea about fate and self-determination.

raft & Collector’s Fair, June 16 A RANGE of antique and vintage items will be on sale at St Andrew’s Church from 10am - 2pm, tickets cost £1 for entry.

June 6th - June 19th 2018

The iconic works of Andy Warhol have taken pride of place this week in the Picasso Museum in Malaga, Elisa Menendez ANDY Warhol’s most iconic works have officially arrived on the Costa del Sol. Visitors can now get up close and personal with some of his most famous pieces of art, such as Campbell’s Soup Cans, at the Picasso Museum in Malaga. The exhibition, Warhol. Mechanical Art, promises to take visitors on a ‘journey’ starting with Warhol’s earliest work as a commercial graphic designer in the 1950s, with almost 400 pieces on display on loan from 45 different sources. Showcasing paintings, sculptures, short films, photography, magazines and album covers,

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the exhibition is set to bring fans closer to the underground art world which emerged in the second half of the 20th century, when Warhol opened his legendary New York studio, The

Silver Factory. Aptly named Mechanical Art, the display focuses on the innovative way Warhol drew inspiration from the 19th century American industrial revolution

Mamma Morea! AN Italian has scooped top prize in Gibraltar’s International Song Festival. Music lovers crowded into the Tercentenary Sports Hall to hear Morea win the £4,000 prize with ‘Ne Ho Abbastanza’, composed by Marco Canigiula and Marco di Martino. Coming in second was Brit Corinne Ressa Cooper singing a song composed by Denis

Valerga and Eddie Adamberry, of short-lived seventies band Airship. A Chilean entry took third place. Hundreds of entries from 24 countries flooded in to be considered by a panel of judges before 12 were chosen to perform at the festival. Spanish artist Rosario Flores provided the entertainment for the second part of the show.

by using machines to create Lebanese Simon is set to una series of workshops TOP for news in Spain! screen prints and his interest in dertake as well as a smash gala show video forms of art. Special emphasis has been at the Teatro Moderno on placed on Exploding Plastic In- June 23. evitable - a series of live multi- The dancer, who organises media performances, which in- the Houston Oriental Dance cluded performances with The Festival, is stopping in the Velvet Underground and Nico. city as part of his European Warhol is still one of the most tour. famous and most popular art- Aspiring dancers can learn ists of all time, widely recog- his unusual, hypnotising way nised as the inventor of pop art, of performing at the twocreating iconic portraits of the hour workshops the followlikes of Marilyn Monroe, Liz ing day. Taylor and Jackie Kennedy. Warhol. Mechanical Art will be on view from May 31 through For further information telephone 652 080 348. September 16.

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be And s a m t p luc ag ro ia az pe ’s in rty e

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June 2018

Issue 21

A hippy commune, castle and a9 June 6th -Scottish June 19th 2018 ‘priceless’ pool, but which connects to who?

Becker, picasso and king alfonso all inside

This Arabicstyle stunner comes with a wine cellar and staff quarters... wait till you see the view SEE PAGE IV

BACK ON FORM Brits lead the way as sales in Spain return to near pre-crisis levels

SPANISH home sales this year are the highest they have been since the market turned the corner towards recovery in 2014, and growing foreign demand contributed to the increase, led by the British. There were 128,990 home sales inscribed in the Land Register in the first quarter of the year

(see chart on page II), an increase of 13.4%, according to the latest property market report just released by the Association of Spanish Property Registrars, known locally as the Registradores. “This volume of quarterly sales was the highest in the last 38 quarters, and you would have to go back to the third quarter of 2008 to find a

bigger figure,” explain the Registradores in its latest report. Foreign demand hit a high of 16,833 purchases in Q1, up by 13.2% compared to the same period last year. Spanish property is clearly still Continues overleaf

PROPERTIES SELLING FAST AT THE SPANISH ESTATE AGENT!

Continues on Page 9

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B II 10

Property

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From Page I

rit oom

seen as a good investment by buyers from all over the world, led by the British. Despite the increase in buyers, as a percentage of the overall Spanish housing market foreign demand remained at 13% of the market due to a slightly bigger increase in local demand. UK nationals purchased more homes in Spain than any other foreign nationality in Q1 2018, with 2,451 acquisitions in the period, followed by the Germans with 1,316, and the French on 1,290. As a result, the UK’s share of the foreign market was 14%, followed by Germany and France with just above 8% each. So even after Brexit, the UK market is still almost double the next biggest market, and bigger than Russia, China, and Italy combined. That said, 44% of buyers came from the ‘rest of the world’ in a sign of the increasing global diversification of demand for property in Spain. Demand from Bulgaria grew the most, up 16%, followed by Morocco, the Ukraine,

and the ‘rest of the world’, which contributed the biggest increase in foreign buyers in absolute terms with more than 600 more buyers, followed by the UK with 301 more buyers, up 14%. At the other end of the scale purchases by the Swiss were down 15%, and by the French down 10%. Switzerland is a small market of around 150 purchases per quarter, so a small change in buyer numbers can deliver a high percentage change and we can’t read too much into one quarterly decline, though generally speaking sales are about 10% down from 2016 when the Swiss Franc was incredibly strong against the Euro. France, on the other hand, has traditionally been the second biggest market, and a decline of 10% is noteworthy. What might be the cause of this double-digit decline whilst almost all other markets are growing? I suspect the answer has something to do with the constitutional crisis in Catalunya, a Spanish regions that borders with France, where the French have long been the biggest group of foreign buyers, with 43% of the

June 6th - JuneJune 19th 2018 2018

foreign market for second homes, according to the latest figures from the Association of Spanish Notaries. The Catalan separatist drive to break away from Spain has shattered foreign confidence in the region, and some developers in Barcelona I have talked to report their foreign clients

have vanished since the crisis erupted with a disputed referendum last October. The Registradores do not say how foreign demand breaks down by region, but it is likely that all regions have seen an increase in buyers from abroad, with the possible exception of Catalunya.

Property

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June 6th - June 19th June 2018 2018

III 11

Not my problem

GAME AND SET: Becker home squatted

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Plans to make historic farmhouse in Mijas into an art gallery ONE of Mijas Costa’s last surviving links to its past could become an art museum. The run-down cortijo Los Limones, which sits by the A-7 motorway between Fuengirola and Mijas, had been scheduled to be demolished. But, the opposition PP party believes the historic farmhouse at the start of the Camino de Coin, shows an important link to Mijas’ agricultural and cultural history.

BORIS Becker has hit back at claims hippies have taken over his mansion in Spain insisting it is no longer his. It came after bearded Bohemian Georg Berres, from Germany, said he planned to ‘save’ the exWimbledon champion's holiday home in the rural town of Arta, Mallorca, by turning it into a commune. However, the former tennis star spoke out explaining the home had been repossessed some years ago, after financial

Recycling history 16 IV

Historic home will become epicentre of new pedestrianised Torremolinos ...

SCRAPPED ... while petrol station to other protected Costa delreplace Sol site

VESTIGE OF THE PAST:

Cortijo de Los Limones

PROTECTED Costa del Sol property is to be knocked down to make way for a petrol station. The 100-year-old farmhouse in Mijas is to lose its listed status to allow developers to prime land beside themove onto the A7 motorway. The controversial move has angered locals and environmentalists, who had hoped the historic Cortijo de to maintain los Limones building.

Rural

story of María Barrabino, who inherited the home from her aunt, Maria Melgar,as well as the hacienda San Miguel. Architect Moreno Peralta added that the house allows us to discover ‘the origin of Torremolinos’. Once opened to the public, the museum will tell the story of María, who donated land to the poor, assisted with the creation of several soup kitchens and helped to eradicate tuberculosis in Torremolinos. "She was a great benefactor," added the architect.

WELL RESPECTED: The Barrabino family gave land away and opened soup kitchens

The former lemon and tation, on the Caminoorange plande Coin, in Las Lagunas, is one minders of the area’sof very few re“Why are we losing rural past. this valuable historic building to make way for a gas station?,” asked Angel Nozal, of Mijas former mayor PP party. “There are already two petrol stations on the same stretch so it makes no sense.” He added: “It is a miserable decision as it has been cultural reminder ofan important lives of the people whothe former were alive in the fifties.” The decision to remove ing’s status came after the buildhall, run by Ciudadanos, the town decided that the building had no integral architectural value nor historical

LANDMARK: It stands

and its cobbled form inside

interest. Town planning boss has now started the Andrés Ruiz process to modify its status. Ruiz said: “After asking the owners as well as our town planners, both parties agree that the farmhouse does not have any special feature that deserves such protection.” The PP party had previously planned to see it renovated and some sort of museum. turned into The petrol station will 10% of the land, with only take up to be used for further the rest likely Nozal pointed to thedevelopment. success of similar restorations Ermita building and of the Doña the old winery Don Elías. What is your view? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es

on key location on A7

AT RISK: Cortijo Limones and (right) previous story last year

ed buildings in the town. Town planning boss Andrés Ruiz launched the process to modify its status in September last year, but it has still not been formally agreed. Ruiz said: “After asking the owner as well as our technicians, both parties agree that the farmhouse does not have any special feature

that deserves such protection.” But as Nozal countered: “There are already two petrol stations on the same stretch so it makes no sense.” He added: “It is a miserable decision as it has been an important cultural reminder of the former lives of the people who were alive in the fifties.”

Paddy power

SLEEK: Interior of hotel

IRISH businessman Denis O’Brien has built a second hotel at his PGA Catalunya Resort for €6.5 million. It brings his investment in the hotel and golf resort to date to about €120 million. He is now developing some 400 villas and apartments on 300 hectares to include a lake and winery. The just-built 50-bed Lavida Hotel is aimed at golf enthusiasts and tourists drawn to the area’s cycling, hiking, trekking, and horse riding trails, not to mention nearby historic Girona. The PGA Catalunya Resort already includes two fine 18-hole golf courses, the 145-bedroom Hotel Camiral and 250 apartments, townhouses and villas.

Ivory towers

THE members of Spain’s antiausterity party Podemos have voted unanimously that leader Pablo Iglesias should not step down after buying a €600,000 ‘luxury’ home. The party’s half a million members voted with a 70/30 split that it was not wrong for the staunch left-wing politician Pablo Iglesias to buy the property - which has a swimming pool and a guest house - in Galapagar, northwest of Madrid. He explained that he and his girlfriend, fellow Podemos polítician Irene Montero, need the extra space as they are about to have twins.

September October 27th2017 - October 10th 2017

ORNATE: The home will be restored to its former glory

ORREMOLINOS town hall has vowed to fork out more than €1 million to protect its landmark Maria Barrabino house. It comes as part of a project by the town to pedestrianise its historic centre. The house, built in the 19th century, reflects the tastes of the then Malaga bourgeoisie, and still retains much of its original design and structure. The town hall will pay €1.1 million to the heirs of Barrabino, who was a key figure in the area, and whose family still own important property there. PSOE Mayor Jose Ortiz described the purchase as a ‘great milestone’ for the city as ‘the first symbolic stone of the great pedestrian boulevard’, which has been designed by the architect Salvador Moreno Peralta in the center of Torremolinos. He added that the building ‘treasures unforgettable memories of the municipality in different times and is one of the forgotten buildings with the most architectural value on the Costa del Sol.’ The bad state of the house has led to acts of vandalism that have damaged the hand-decorated kitchen tiles and vintage stair handrails, which are topped with carved wooden lions. Although the remodeling work is said to be complicated, the town hall remains convinced of the necessity of integrating the property into the urban strategy of the town centre. This strategy includes the pedestrianization of the Costa del Sol square, an enclave intimately linked to the

ties now housing CAC Mijas Contemporary Arts Centre. The Olive Press reported last year how it was scheduled to be knocked down to make way for a petrol station, under orders from the current mayor from Ciudadanos. It came after leader Juan Carlos Maldonado took it off the catalogue of protect-

UNDER FIRE: Iglesia

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SAVED

Petrol station

PP leader Angel Nozal wants to renovate the building, which has been abandoned for several years. “It could be a key municipal tourism office or an art museum,” said Nozal, “If it has been there for so long... it deserves to be protected and to have a use that benefits all residents.” The house, next to the Las Islas Marianas roundabout, would add to the town’s list of rescued heritage buildings being put to municipal use, such as the old Don Elias winery, a former flour mill and the historic proper-

troubles. Berres, 44, later admitted he only discovered the €14 million villa, called Son Coll, was previously owned by the former world No 1 tennis player when German media showed up. He has already cut weeds and picked up rubbish as a number of helper friends have already moved in with him. Becker, 50, was declared bankrupt last June after blowing his £100 million fortune and neighbours confirmed to have not seen the tennis star in years.

MODERN: PGA Catalunya

Iglesias had previously criticised the former Economy Minister Luis de Guindos for buying a similarly priced apartment in 2012. “Would you hand the economic policy of the country to someone who spends 600,000 euros on a luxury apartment?,” Iglesias then tweeted. Several political commentators and real estate experts questioned the timing of the purchase of the house in Galapagar. “With the public data we have, it looks like the couple have taken on more risk than is advisable,” said Juan Villen, the head of mortgage services at Idealista. “It is not setting a good example to get into debt in this way, especially at a time when we’re asking for prudence from the financial industry to avoid the excesses of the past.” Iglesias and his partner took out a 90% mortgage of €540,000 on the property, which they plan to pay off over 30 years.

Property

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June 6th June 19th 2018 June-2018

€16,200,000

S e Em do pai st v ai ln n i ew yo ? ew W i u sd es thi ha n k@ n t ol k? ive pr es s.e s

IV 12

Es Bosc, Ibiza If you’re looking to excite all your senses you’ve come to the right place ... this sprawling villa, built on stone and perched on a cliff, really has it all. Built in Mudejar style, it’s filled with Moroccan-inspired furnishings (below left) and comes complete with an infinity pool and stunning views of the whole island. Other features include a wine cellar, staff quarters, huge gardens and fireplace. Christiesrealestate.com ID: IS10723

WOAH… We’re going to

Ibiza

BIZA is officially the priciest property hotspot in Spain. According to Pisos.com, the Balearic island’s four municipalities are the most expensive in the country after prices rose 17% last year. Average home prices in Ibiza town now exceed €495 per square foot, which is 25% higher than Sitges, in Catalunya, and 40% higher than prime locations on Mallorca. The surge in prices has come with a reboot of luxury island attractions, including the expansion of the marina in Ibiza Town, which can now accommodate super yachts, as well as several new top-tier hotels and restaurants. These include the likes of Sublimotion, which has fixed-price dinners at €1,550, or La Granja Ibiza Retreat, where stays also fetch €1,550 a night. In the spirit of all things luxury, we’ve rounded up the island’s most impressive high-end properties.

Villa Nell, Ibiza Town Villa Nell’s architecture blends seamlessly into the landscape. From the immaculate green lawn and fragrant citrus trees, to the white walls against the blue Ibiza sky and the sound of the waterfall along the rear façade. Situated on former agricultural land, the villa enjoys a unique unobstructed view of the town and bay, and year-long unrivaled sunsets. The property boasts almond trees, vineyards and 66 olive trees which produce an exquisite range of organic oil. There is also a gym and outdoor pool.

+€10,000,000 (POA)

Property

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Villa Bemus, Ibiza Perched on a cliff above the sea, this estate sits on more than one hectare with the house sprawled over 1.000 m2.The villa is built on three levels with spacious terraces and porches, containing a whopping 22 rooms and 24 bathrooms, a fully equipped professional kitchen, various lounges and seating areas and a service apartment. The spacious garden has various chill-out areas, viewpoints and a large infinity pool surrounded by Palm trees, with a tennis court to boot! Christiesrealestate.com ID: IS10164

€17,000,000 + €10 million (POA)

Villa Marés, Can Pep Simo This 28.000m2 villa on top of a hill offers majestic 360º views of the island and beyond. It counts seven bedrooms, a huge outdoor pool, gym and a guest house for visiting friends or staff. Christiesrealestate.com ID: IS4090

June June 6th -2018 June 19th 2018

VI 14

Property

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June 6th2018 - June 19th 2018 June

Sherry appealing

AMBITIOUS PROJECT: The family seat of Jerez’s sherry magnates, the Gordons, has come up for sale in Scotland

ORIGINAL: Architect John Adam

ONCE grand mansion linked to the Span- He said: “Of course, I am sad to let Wardhouse ish royal family has gone up for sale in go but I have got to this stage with the project Scotland. Wardhouse near Insch, Aber- and now is the time to hand it on. It is an absodeenshire, was left behind in the 1950s lutely brilliant project for someone to take on by the ‘Spanish Gordons’, a - an architect’s dream.” branch of a prominent north He added that the current head east family whose lineage took the Spanish Gordons clan, King Alfonso XIII of on an Iberian connection after who lives between Sevilla and several of its members moved spent part of his Madrid, has already been in to Jerez to make their fortune in touch. honeymoon at sherry. It is said that King Alfonso XIII The sprawling estate was despent part of his honeymoon at Wardhouse in signed by Scottish architect Wardhouse in 1906 following John Adam in 1757, but it has his marriage to Victoria Eug1906 fallen into disrepair since being enie of Battenberg, the grandabandoned 60 years ago. daughter of Queen Victoria, who But now it can be yours for was born at Balmoral Castle. £500,000 (€573,000). The King was a close friend of the 10th laird Current ownr Architect Douglas Forrest tried to of Wardhouse, Rafael Gordon, who was born at create his vision for the historic site, but is now Madrid’s Royal Palace where his mother was passing the project on. lady-in-waiting to Queen Maria Cristina.

VISITOR: King Alfonso XIII

SCOPE: Much can be done at the mansion near Aberdeen

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Ema

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Rock result Gibraltar turns heads at London’s biggest property expo

FPG Estate Agents based at 15 Irish Town, announced a joint initiative with Raine and Co, one of Southern England’s largest independent Estate Agents and have recently returned from a spectacularly successful exhibition at Olympia in London. We reported in our previous edition EFPG Raine-international Ltd was the only company representing the Gibraltar property market in a property show that was dominated by Spanish companies and the response EFPG Raine-international received was phenomenal. The exhibition A Place in the Sun Live far exceeded expected visitor numbers as people seemed to have shrugged off any Brexit blues, having endured a particularly cold British winter. Thoughts have definitely turned again to owning a property overseas with warmer cli-

June June 6th -2018 June 19th 2018

VII 15

HUGE TURNOUT: Visitor numbers were much higher than expected at A Place in the Sun ground level is to offer a lively retail area with cafes, bars and restaurants, while residents will also benefit from state of the art leisure and concierge facilities. This is an exciting time for Gibraltar and property investment has shown year on year consistent growth, the demand for quality property has continued to increase as a direct result of Gibraltar’s successful economy which continues to show no signs of slowing down. Gibraltar offers many attractions to anyone considering purchasing a property overseas but also offers a great return for investors typically achieving yields in excess of 6% in the buy to let market. EFPG Raine-inactually have about Gibraltar with the Although EFPG Raine-international many benefits of owning property or were offering all types of Gibraltar ternational received an overwhelming living in this small British outpost. property, a main feature of their ex- response to UK investors and holiday “The most frequent comment we re- hibition was the new Eurocity devel- home buyers from the show, who are ceived was that ‘Gibraltar was not opment being constructed by the now making arrangements to visit on the radar’ for the vast majority of Bentley Investment Group. Eurocity is them to help and guide them in the right move. mates proving to be the biggest attrac- visitors and we certainly gave many to set a new benchmark of quality in If you missed out on this Exhibition people something to think about,” a Gibraltar, to be formed of three towtion. and are interested in what Gibraltar ersPRESS including with 15:33 ANUNCIO OLIVE ENERO Gibraltar’s 18 OK.pdf tallest 1 22/1/18 EFPG Raine-international said it was spokesman said. can offer in the property investment fascinating to hear people’s views of “Especially those looking to move to 22 storeys. The development will offer market please contact EFPG Raine- inGibraltar and quite remarkable the southern Spain, who will now consider 366 apartments, some with unrivalled ternational Tel 00 350 200 65065 or views towards Spain and Africa. The lack of knowledge some British people Gibraltar as a possible alternative.” email – enquiries@efpgestateagents.

by mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

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Forget me not

Spain may be booming, but that’s never a reason to skip on hiring a mortgage broker SPAIN’S property market is the healthiest it’s been for years. And the facts don’t lie, sales in the first quarter of this year were the highest they have been since the third quarter of 2008, the height of Spain’s property golden era. A sign of good times ahead is that, according to the Land Register, foreign sales were up 13.2% compared to the first quarter of 2017. It means the country’s property market is seen as a strong investment from buyers across the world. More encouraging is that the Brits remain the biggest international group with a foreign market share of 14%. It seems Brexit has been firmly shrugged off by the British, who have long been fundamental to the success of Spain’s property market. Here at the Finance Bureau we have been kept extremely busy by Brits looking for a home in sunny Spain, and they made the right decision in seeking out a mortgage broker. Buying a property overseas can be one of the best decisions you ever make, but if the correct steps aren’t taken, it could end up being the worst, without sounding too dramatic! With established links to all the major Spanish lenders the Finance Bureau acts as a gobetween for the client and the bank – but it is important to remember that the broker is not connected to the bank - and works to find the

buyer the best deal available. It’s important to have someone in your corner to highlight any hidden fees or compulsory add-ons tucked away in the small print and to ensure you get the best possible mortgage rate to suit your needs. One of the biggest pitfalls can be ‘trap-related products’ that often get hidden in the small print. These additional products get attached to your mortgage and usually include insurance policies. It is important to know exactly what is attached to your mortgage. What may seem like a great rate can be soured by expensive – and sometimes unnecessary – insurance packages. Using a broker will save both time and money as they will be looking out for these hidden add-ons and will always look for ways to lessen their impact. And while the vast majority of banks specify the fees and commissions they charge, not all of these costs are always declared. But the best way to ensure a good mortgage that does not hide anything in the fine print is to solicit the help of a mortgage broker. When it comes to picking a mortgage, you must get it right on the first try as due to the relatively high transaction costs, it is virtually impossible to reverse.

To contact Tancrede for all your mortgaging needs call: 666 709 743 or for insurance queries call: 951 203 540 Email: tdp@thefinanacebureau.com The Finance Bureau Centro Commercial Guadalmina, 2nOffice No. 7 Guadalmina, 29670

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NEWS IN BRIEF

link between Europe and BE ‘APPY! Africa could be green for go

Deliver-boo A JUDGE in Spain has ordered takeaway firm Deliveroo to pay a fine over labour rights it should have granted a former worker.

GAMBLING: On the up

A PROJECT to build an underwater tunnel connecting Spain and Africa is back on, experts have claimed. Download our app now and A Spanish government begin enjoying the best Spanish committee currently exnews on the go. ploring the possibility has said it is still viable, despite construction challenges. The 38 km-long submarine ONLINE gambling revenue in tunnel would provide the Spain has soared by 27% year- first land link between Afon-year in the first quarter of rica and Europe. It would this year. be built 475 metres below Total earnings by online gam- sea level and mainly used The million Olivein Press ing giants hit €163.3 to transport cargo by rail.

Not playing games

the first three months of 2018. Online casino revenue jumpedin TOP for news by 51% to €56.6 million, more than half thanks to slot games (52.7%). Sports betting rose by 15.9% year-on-year to €81.7 million, representing just over half of overall online revenue for the period. Spain’s business ministry also reported an online poker revenue of €21.5m in the first quarter, with cash games up almost 30% to €8.4 million and tournaments by 50.2% to just over €13 million. Online bingo jumped almost 30% year-on-year to €3.5 million.

Spain!

Studies

Rafael Garcia-Monge Fernandez, president of the Spanish Society of Studies for Fixed Communication through the Strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA), told a press conference in Algeciras that the project is back on. Previous studies questioned the feasibility of the project but Herrenknecht, the largest tunnel construction company in the world, carried out a new assessment with the University

1717

On the up

Tunnel vision

SPAIN’S service sector has grown at its fastest pace in three months, showed recent euro zone bond market surveys.

PRICEY: New tunnel will cost billions but EU is set to help

of Zurich which concluded that the tunnel is possible. A tailor-made prototype of a tunnel borer will be the next step, costing €32 million. Spain and Morocco both

want the tunnel but at an estimated €8 billion, the EU would have to provide serious funding. High speed trains in the tunnel would make cargo

Boost THE European Commission has announced plans to boost spending in Spain, while the country still faces doubledigit unemployment.

Bets on

journeys between Madrid and Marrakech up to three times shorter. The tunnel could also be used to carry solar energy from the Sahara to Europe.

SPAIN has seen a 27% year-on-year increase in online gambling revenue for the first quarter, after revenue hit €163.3m.

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Chaos in the skies HOLIDAYMAKERS to Europe could be facing a summer of discontent as Ryanair cabin crew continue to threaten strike action during peak times this season. Unions representing flight attendants across Europe are calling on the budget airline to stop using Irish labour laws and follow those of the countries where it operates. The unions represent some of Europe’s top summer hotspots including Spain, Portugal, Italy and Belgium.

Demands

Ryanair says negotiations are making progress but Spain’s cabin crew union Sitcpla said the talks are ‘useless’ unless mediators address and acknowledge their legitimate claims in writing. And Spain’s 70,000-strong USO union has threatened: “If Ryanair refuses to meet our demands, and setting June 30 as a deadline, the unions will start all necessary procedures to mobilise at a European level for the summer, including calling a strike.”

He was labelled a ‘serial killer’ by Vladimir Putin A BRITISH businessman has been released after being arrested in Spain on an Interpol arrest warrant requested by Russia. Bill Browder, an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin, tweeted that he had been arrested by Spanish police and was en route to a police station ‘right now’. The London-based hedge fund manager, who was picked up in Madrid, has been battling with Moscow for years. “In the back of the Spanish police car going to the station

June 6th - June 19th 2018 June 6th - June 19th 2018

Russia’s orders on the Russian arrest warrant,” he wrote. “They won’t tell me which station.” Browder, who was born in the US but took on British citizenship, was released after police discovered the warrant

was expired. It comes after Browder told MPs in March he believed the Russians would like ‘more than anything’ to arrest him and ‘get me back to Russia and then kill me in the control of their own system’. The financier has been one of Russia’s most highprofile public enemies and was once branded a ‘serial killer’ by president Putin.

Strawberry fields furore THE MANAGER of a strawberry farm in Andalucia has been arrested after a group of his immigrant workers accused him of sexual abuse and coercion. The 47-year-old is in charge of supervising the workers and arranging their shifts at the farm in Moguer, Huelva. But three of his workers have come forward after months of alleged abuse. There have been repeated reports of labour and sexual exploita-

tion in Huelva’s strawberry fields for years, but only now has an investigation been launched. As complaints have intensified in recent months Interfresa, based in Huelva, has claimed it’s all part of a smear campaign by rivals in other countries. The company said: “They are taking advantage of information not yet confirmed by the judicial courts to favour a campaign that will impact the prestige and important activity of the sector in Huelva.”

Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer working for Bowder, uncovered a £174m (199m euro) fraud – which allegedly involved Russian officials – against Browder’s investment firm, Hermitage Capital Management. Magnitsky was soon thrown behind bars under what many believed to be false charges and died in jail amid claims he was tortured. Guy Verhofstadt, the European parliament’s chief Brexit co-ordinator, said: “Worrying that autocratic Russia can get democratic Spain to go after someone fighting to expose Putin’s crimes and those responsible for Magnitsky’s murder.” “Bill Browder’s rights must be protected,” he added in a tweet messaged to Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy.

Cashing out ALMOST 2% of Spain’s population have no access to a bank or ATM machine. Some 1.2 million Spaniards have no access to a branch, representing 2.7% of the population. The number of banks has decreased by 39% since 2008, with just 27,706 remaining across the country. The regions most affected are those currently struggling with depopulation, including Castilla y León, where 15% of the population has no bank access, followed by Navarra (7%), Extremadura (5.6%), Cantabria (4.8%), Aragón (4.3%), and Castilla-La Mancha (4%).

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Revolution British startup expanding across the world

A BRITISH fintech startup is looking to leap across the pond into the US market. Revolut could apply for a banking license in California by the end of the year, according to its CEO Nikolay Storonsky. The company, launched in 2015 and which has already applied for a license in Europe, offers almost two million users a pre-paid card and a mobile app which makes it cheaper to spend money in different currencies.

Launch

It plans to launch services in the United States this summer with a banking partner, Storonsky said. The company is one of the UK’s most valuable fintech startups having raised £187 million at a £1.2 billion valuation in April. Revolut has been using its latest round of funding to expand aggressively, both geo-

graphically and through the launch of new services. Its financial products include personal loans, cryptocurrencies and small business banking. It is also in the process of launching a robo-advice product, as well as commission-free stock trading, Storonsky said. Revolut is among a number of app-only banks that have

CASH CARD: For users

sprung up in Europe in recent years with the aim of taking advantage of new digital technologies to offer user friendly and cheaper services to consumers and small businesses. Several of these are expanding to the United States or are in early talks to do so, including Germany’s N26 and the UK’s Monzo. Revolut currently has five employees in New York and also plans to open an office in San Francisco. Globally it employees 400 people, with plans to double its headcount by the end of the year. It is backed by venture capital firms including DST Global, Index Ventures and Ribbit Capital.

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Rest in peace Sun cream warning YOU might want to think again if you believe your water-resistant sun cream doesn’t need reapplying. A new study by Which? Has found a leading brand’s SPF factor fell by 59% after its user spent 40 minutes in salt water and moving water. Manufacturers allow a product to claim its water-resistant if its SPF drops by less than 50%. Another favourite own-brand cream fell by 34% in both salt water and chlorine water.

Melanoma

Which? Said in reality, protection from the sun is likely to fall much further when factoring in reflection from the waer, heat, light, sweat, towelling and rubbing. Which? Director Nikki Stopford said: “With 15,400 new cases of melanoma in the UK alone each year, manufacturers should be required to robustly test their products and make only claims that can be relied on.”

SPAIN’S oldest nun has died. Victoria de la Cruz Garcia, from Malaga, passed away at 110 after spending more than 80 years in Japan. The devout catholic - who never forgot her home and was always playing the castanets - suffered a

Southern Spain and Gib will see more cockroaches this summer THERE will be a lot more cockroaches in Spain this summer, a health body has warned. The National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA) said in a statement that there was a 'very high' risk of a steep rise in the bug in the coming months. It blamed the predicted proliferation on a combination of heavy rains throughout the spring and the steep increase in temperatures forecast in the summer. The heat and humidity cause the insects to 'leave their natural habitat' to find 'new shelters with water, food and an optimum temperature'. That means they'll be invading or at least attempting to invade - homes and restaurants. The vile bugs can contaminate

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cardiac arrest just days before her 111th birthday. She first moved to Japan in 1936 and witnessed the horros of World War II and the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Victoria was born in 1907 at the current site of the Trillo restaurant.

They’re coming!

Download our app now and IF you’ve lived in Gibralbegin enjoying the best Spanish tar long enough you’ll news on the go. know the ‘40 de Mayo’

saying - or basically don’t leave your jacket at home until June 10. Well this year it will ring truer than ever, with temperatures forecast to remain in the low 20s until at least next week. The Olive Press It comes after a series of unseasonal downpours andinstorms TOP for news Spain!over the last months in what has been one of the wettest springs in recent years.

food and bring the risk of infections like dysentery or salmonella poisoning.

ANECPLA said cockroaches are more nocturnal but are often seen during the day 'when the

population is very high or they need food'. As a preventative measure, the health body recommends hiding any sources of water or food that could attract cockroaches. Homes or establishments should also have good ventilation and cover up cracks in the wall or floors. If they are detected, it is best to call a professional pest control company.

Wind

The end of May saw the rest of Europe bask in 30C temperatures while a cold wind front saw southern Spain miss out on the heatwave action. May was also the coldest in Malaga since 2004. The whole phrase is: ‘No te quites el sayo hasta el 40 de mayo!’

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Beefing up A SPANISH city has broken the Guinness Record for cutting the heaviest piece of dried meat by knife in the world. More than 70 people were needed to cut the 283.1 kilo of cecina cortada - a type of dried beef - in the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy, León, which is renowned for the high quality delicacy. The skill is considered a great challenge which only two other cities have achieved so far, with Toledo using jamon in 2016 and Burgos using morcilla, black pudding, in 2013. But the biggest hunk of meat that had ever been skillfully cut before last week weighed in at 250 kilos.

RECORD: Broken in Leon

Expert meat cutters flocked from all over Spain to take part in the traditional event, uniformly dressed in black aprons and white shirts, which was overseen by a Guinness Record accreditor from London. After slicing the cecina, the meat was placed onto dishes and sold at the event for €2 with proceeds going to charity.

Dr Adria’s laboratory Ferran Adria is set to transform the famous former El Bulli restaurant into an innovative culinary lab, Elisa Menendez ONE of the world’s top chefs, Ferran Adria, is set to open a cutting edge food laboratory in his legendary former El Bulli restaurant in Catalunya. Adria announced his plans last Wednesday, which he says have been in the pipeline for the last seven years, since he closed the doors of his iconic three Michelin-starred

Change your life today! MAESTRO: Ferran Adria to open food lab restaurant in 2011. The lab, appropriately named El Bulli 1846, will be a centre for creating innovative gastronomic inventions and is set to open between June and

The power of fish COUPLES who eat more seafood have sex more often and are more likely to conceive, scientists have claimed. In a new study, researchers at Harvard University said nutrients in fish - a core element of Spain’s mediterranean diet - can stimulate ovulation and boost sperm quality and embryo development. Reseracher Audrey Gaskins said: “Our study

found that couples who consume more than two servings of seafood per week while trying to get pregnant had a significantly higher frequency of sexual intercourse and shorter time to pregnancy.” While following 500 couples’ food intake, the study found that 92% of those who ate seafood more than twice a week had conceived by the end of the year - compared with 79% of thsoe who had eaten less.

October 2019. "For seven years we have done many things to prepare this moment, and now it will be born," said Adria. The 56-year-old is worldrenowned as one of the masters of the multi-sensory culinary art form, “molecular gastronomy”, which uses scientific disciplines to explore how chemical and physical changes can transform traditional dishes into something extraordinary.

Blocked

And this is exactly what won El Bulli, based in Cala Montjoi on the Costa Brava, the title of the World’s Best Restaurant a record-breaking five times. And the lab has been a long time coming, after refurbishment plans were blocked by officials concerned about the impact of construction work on the environment due to its location in the Cap de Creus national park. Some years later, the culinary icon finally received planning permission last week after scaling down his plans. It is yet to be announced whether the lab will be open to the public.

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‘Due to rapid growth the Olive Press is Welooking are looking to expand furher and a for ‘fully-qualified’ journalists professional, motivated hungry around Andalucia andand across Spain, including sales person.the Balearics and Canaries, and Gibraltar. We are ALSO looking for keyboard warriors on In Design with press media experience - come and weave your magic! Good SALES reps are also always welcome - particularly in Mallorca, Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol.

Columnists

June 6th - June 19th 2018 June 6th - June 19th 2018

Love is in the air June is the month for brides and no one does a big fat wedding like the Spanish, writes Belinda Beckett

EGHAN and Harry set the benchmark for wedding wow factor but the Spanish are no slouches when it comes to swanky nuptials. If our street isn’t kneedeep in horse manure from the back-to-back procession of bridal carriages trotting past our house during the merry marrying month of June, I’ll eat my fascinator. Even in a village as ‘campo’ as Los Barrios, the guests’ get-ups could pass muster on the manicured lawns of Windsor Castle. Posh? Nothing less than heels the height Victoria Beckham wore to the royal wedding will do - and that even goes for the mother of

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INFLUX: Of weddings

the bride’s mother. But there’s a pair of flatties in the car boot because not even Sara Baras could dance the Macarena in those all night. While your typical British bash might respectably wrap up in six hours, the Spanish boda is a 12-hour test of endurance and it has other singularities. Take the wedding present. Don’t think you can get away with a set of sherry glasses from El Corte Ingles. In Spain, cash is king, whether paid to the chosen bridal gift store, brought with you in a brown envelope to pop in the basket passed round during the reception or, increasingly, wired directly into the happy couples’ bank account. If there’s a long number printed on your invitation, take the hint. How much? Nothing less than €100 per guest if you don’t want to be thought a tacaño (cheapskate). Your gift should cover the cost of your cubierto (meal and drinks) plus a bit more, a tradition since the days when that was the only way some families could afford a wedding. The Spanish don’t do small or intimate. It’s not unusual to see half the wedding party gossiping outside the church while the ceremony is in progress because there’s no room inside ... or hang-

WEDDINGS: Dominate the month of June ing out in the local bar – if there’s the dreaded one near the church, and in Spain Open Bar. Cue there generally is – because Cath- cigars the size of small rockolic services do run on a bit ... After you’ve thrown your rice (pre- et launchers ferred to confetti) the bride and to be offered groom will disappear, sometimes round and copas dispensed in for several hours, for the wedding quantities that use up your enalbum shoot, leaving guests to tire week’s recommended alcotheir own devices, usually another hol units in one glass. bar, so everyone’s well allegre be- Later, it will be time to ‘Follow my fore the party’s even started; or leader’ and do a ‘movemiento you could go home, have a kip and sexy’ and it inevitably ends up in someone’s swimming pool have to get dressed all over again. If they ever created an Olympic wearing nothing but your bow tie Decathlon for gastronomy it would or tocado (fascinator). look a lot like your average Span- Spanish weddings are maraish wedding reception. It starts thons, not sprints – a point with cocktails and canapés, pro- worth remembering unless you gresses through a five-course want to be the hilarious anecsit-down banquete and gathers dote everyone’s talking about momentum after the sobremesa next day. ¡Viva los novios! (coffee and wedding cake) with

Ambassador’s Party

hose of you of a certain age will remember a famous advertisement for an upmarket brand of chocolate. A luxurious cockhad the tail party was in full swing, pleasure of interviewing British the women all wore shoulderAmbassador Simon Manley on padded power dresses and the several occasions, especially men white tuxedos. At a given on the run up to the Brexit refwink from the suave ambaserendum. Our Man in Madrid is sador, an ancient manservant a thoroughly good guy with an appears with the aforemenexcellent sense of humour, so I tioned chocolates arranged in wasn’t going to miss the oppora pyramid. tunity of a trip to Madrid. “Oh, Ambassador “ one of the As the invitation was a plus guests exclaims, “With these one, I took fellow Olive Press chocolates you are spoiling columnist and ‘proper writer’ us”. Natalie with me, who looked It’s an advert so bad that it’s fabulous for the occasion, algood and has stayed with me though due to my frankly rubsince the 90s, with the catchbish organisational skills, rathphrase “The Ambassador er than an effortless AVE ride holds such memorable parwe ended up driving to Madrid ties,” used on the odd occain Zappa the Ford Focus. We sion. left Marbella at crack of sparOne Friday afternoon I was row fart, getting to the event casually trawling through my at 1.30pm. I fumbled into my email, when a message from jacket and trousers outside the Foreign Office landed in the Ambassador’s Residence, my inbox. It was an invitation while Natalie pulled off that feto a garden party to be held at male trick of managing to look the British Ambassador’s resias if she had just stepped out dence in Madrid, in honour of of a salon. the Royal Wedding, and I was The first people that we being invited in recognition of my work in the British Community. I was a little stunned, to put it mildly, and quietly relieved that the Ambassador hadn’t done a background check into my, ahem, ‘colourful’ past that mainly involved being run out of town by angry villagers carrying burning torches… Since my ‘lifestyle change’ however, I’ve OP CREW: Representing in Madrid

bumped into were, of course, the Olive Press crew. “You just had your name called out,” they announced. I hadn’t realised that they would be giving awards and had missed the Ambassador’s welcome speech. The good news was that the wedding was being shown on flat screen TVs throughout the residence and that the Ambassador was pleased to see us. As highly trained, professional journalists we all decamped to the G&T bar, debated how to pronounce the word ‘scone’, wondered what trouble a single man might get up to in Malta, and feigned outrage when one of our number was refused a second slice of wedding cake an incident we christened ‘The Great British Bake Off Sod Off”. And then Natalie spotted the podium where the Ambassador had spoken in a quiet corner of the garden. Not wishing to waste a great photo op, we made sure that no one was looking before she leapt on the small stage, doing her best ‘Live from the UN’ pose. “Caught you!” came a voice from behind me as Simon Manley strolled around the corner. Natalie looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights, but the Ambassador burst out laughing, a possible Olive Press related diplomatic incident was narrowly avoided. And no, there were no luxury chocolates, but the Ambassador does, indeed, hold memorable parties!

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Sport

Zine-done

Benitez at the beginning of 2016, leading them to win their twelfth Champions League title against Atlético de Madrid, followed by their third Uefa Super Cup when they defeated Sevilla FC.

Straight aces

ZINEDINE Zidane has shocked the football world by resigning from his Real Madrid post. The French coach made SPAIN’S leading man and woman of tennis are sailing the announcement just five through this week’s French days after winning his third Champions League title The Olive Press Open. Rafael Nadal, who is seeking with the Los Blancos side. President of the club Flohis 11th title at for Roland GarTOP news in Spain! ros, is through to the quarter rentino Perez and much of finals after coming through the players were stunned all of his last four matches in by the decision, especially straight sets. given the good relations Garbine Muguruza has also between everyone at the sailed through her first four club. matches, winning three in Zidane said: “After three straight sets while her last years the team needs an-

ON TRACK: Muguruza

Cash Kane HARRY Kane is officially the most valuable player in the world. The England captain has been valued at €201.2 million in a study of the top 100 players from Europe’s five biggest leagues. It puts him ahead of Brazilian superstar Neymar, valued at €195.7 million.