Gibraltar Olive Press issue 49 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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July 19th - August 1st 2017

Issue 15

Building dreams

CGI IS BELIEVING: How the offplan

FIND OUT IN OUR PROPERTY MAGAZINE INSIDE

July 19th - August 1st 2017

SEE PAGE 3

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development boom is really taking

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OREIGN investment into Spanish property is expected to break all records this Demand from abroad has grown for year. seven years straight, according to international consultant firm JLL. It comes as it was revealed that Spain In the first half of this year alone, foreign is still the buyers most searched and funds have more than doubled for destination for Brits looking ment on the same period last year. the invest- to buy abroad. According to Rightmove, Spain is So far external investors have sunk the most pop€888 mil- ular destination lion into buying Spanish property, for Britons looking to relocate smashing last or buy year’s record of €330 million. a second home. Average monthly internet searches While Madrid and Barcelona are hotspots and attract the most the leading 2.5m, some 74% above its closest rivaltotal over and secforeign buyers, Malaga, Sevilla, interest from ond placed France. Mallorca, Bil- Portugal bao and San Sebastian are also bringing came in big US and Italy. third on the list, followed by the numbers. Alicante was the most searched region in Spain,

year turn to Page

Huge growth in foreign investment, which is set to go well over €1 billion in 2017

increasing by 53% from last year. At €126,054, it also has the lowest average enquiry price of the most popular sunny regions. According to Rightmove, 62% of Alicante enquiries are for houses, while 38% are looking for flats or apartments. With an average enquiry price of €397,813, property in Mallorca is most popular with high budget buyers, with 54% looking for flats and apartments and 46% looking for houses. Despite properties in Mallorca times higher in price than those being three in Alicante, it

still tops the list as the second most searched for property destination in Spain. Malaga is in third position, with an average enquiry price of €191,830. Chris Please, Head of Rightmove Overseas, said that Spain remains the most exciting investment for British buyers. “Over 12 months, we received an 2.5 million searches a month for average of Spain, indicating just how in-demandproperty in this sunny country is for property-seekers. “Whether it’s the large expat community, the sunny climate, the food or simply the easy transition into relaxed Spanish culture Britons enthralled, Spain’s proximity that has cheap flights and short travel time to the UK, has it con-

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The Rock’s original community newspaper FREE Graduate charged over £1.5m robbery

Third degree EXCLUSIVE

A UNIVERSITY graduate has been charged in connection with the £1.5 million New Harbours robbery. Samir Douaoui, 27, who was on police bail, was recalled and charged with robbery and possession of a firearm. It came a day after the business studies graduate told the Olive Press his house had been ‘searched seven times in a week’. He also claimed to have a masters degree and AP KIDN was working as A DRAM an accountant. He added that he had returned to the Rock from the UK six months ago. He had previously been arrested and released in connection with the June 21 robbery, but now remains in police custody. It came a week after Rachid Behdraoui, a 51-year-old Moroccan was charged in connection with the robbery and for possessing a firearm. Douaoui claimed he had met the Moroccan at a Gibraltar gym and became friends. Police are still investigating the incident, saying that ‘all lines of enquiry remain open.’ GIBRALTAR NEWS PAGE 3

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GIBRALTAR 2017 GIBRALTAR July 5th - July 18th CLASSIFIEDSPAGE 22 BUSINESS PAGE 19

GIBRALTAR CULTUREPAGE 8

The Rock’s original community newspaper

FREE

Vol. 3 Issue 48 www.gibraltarolivepress.c

Moroccan man charged

Costa Gwyn spotted en-

Gwyneth Paltrow Costa joying family time on the

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on One year of the first 12

Taking stock vote months after the Brexit

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It stinks! problem Gibraltar’s sewage needs urgent attention

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July 5th - July 18th

2017

with New Harbours

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Grave victory

after and father’s life in chaos Two teens tortured £1.5 million robbery ‘wrongful’ arrest over

anTHE Government hascall to swered the Olive Press’s Cemclean up the North Front

etery. It comes after we launched camour Give Them Respectup the EXCLUSIVE paign last issue to clean By Laura Duckett unkempt grounds following our robbery dozens of complaints from A NEW Harbours justice trial Estate. up readers. August suspect is demanding were “One of the kids turnedwith Works will begin on after two of his friends tor- at my house on Sunday and 1, confirmed a government a broken hand and foot allegedly kidnapped and revealed spokesman, after announcing durtured following his arrest. who p***ing blood,” he monies had been put aside The Gibraltarian father, rea- this week. him, ing the budget. “Two guys kidnapped we cannot name for legal the cen- stepped on his legs and feet Minister John Cortes revealed budsons, found himself at him if in his summary of the been and hands and asked tre of a high-profile criminal claims he knew where the millions get that a contract had upkeep investigation, which he awarded ‘for the the planted has led to two kidnappings threw fam- were.” and maintenance of the He claims the men then winand grave threats to his areas of the Cemetery’. 16-year-old out of the the ily. to the He added that the maintenance Speaking exclusively two of dow of his flat. the first programme has been prepared Estate Olive Press, he claims were “Thank god he lives on “He Harbours Industrial by the Defloor,” he said, adding: his friends, 18 and 16, CRIME SCENE: New of a past for partment of hobbled to the hospital snatched in the space been in trouble in the suspect, the Environthe saying he'd fallen of June 21. offences, few days following his minor the conoff a bike because In dramatic fashion, up at who remains on bail, insisted ment in with arrest and consehe was terrified to 29-year-old was woken next he has changed his ways and sultation quent release. OF GRAVE with the Botanic tell the truth, but unnamed 1am by armed police, the The has not been in trouble six Gardens. CONCERN when he came to morning. man, in his 20s, the police for the past It comes a my house and told “They arrived out of nowhere revealed that the said. years. after were me I called the powith assault rifles,” hewho it “I got in trouble as a kid fortnight teenagers lice,” he added. “At first I didn’t realise and smuggling tobacco but I have OP readers, tortured in conIvaIt was the second was so I called the police out- changed my life, and now they including nection to the kidnapsud- na Finlayson, alleged told them there were men robbery, which whack this on me - I have that they could not ping following the side my house with rifles.said I denly gone up the ranks in the complained is understood to the graves of their relayoung man’s own “I was s**t scared. They mil- criminal underground,” said reach weeds have ended in the tives due to the state of arrest for his alleged had apparently taken £1.5 seizure of 1.5m the father-of-one. involvement in the a normal life, and and shrubbery. lion.” how a pounds, from a he has “I just want friends.” Last year we reported been armed robbery in Although he admitted warehouse in New justice for my con- change.org petition had the early evening Harbours Indus‘years of Last night, the police probing launched to counter firmed they were still lines of neglect’, gaining more than 700 the case and that ‘all signatures, but it had garnered investigation are still open’.re- little attention from the governThey added that they have sum of ment. covered a ‘substantial’ arrest- Opposition MP Trevor Hamsince have our cammoney and Rachid mond fully-backed he ed and charged a man, Mo- paign last issue, howeverconBehdraoui, a 51-year-old accused warned that the public’s ears’. roccan national. He is cerns were ‘falling on deaf MAYFAIR of the robbery and possession It comes after he tabled a moONMAIN Novemof a firearm. if they tion to Parliament last They did not confirm else, ber calling for the government Gibraltar’s luxury hair were looking for anyone to put together a management salon experience at this stage. for plan for the cemetery. where quality & Behdraoui’s applicationMon- Despite it passing unanimousabout it service matter bail was turned down on done of ly, nothing was day, citing the seriousness fact he until now. the offences and the poses a 286 Main Street has no local ties and Gibraltar, GX11 1AA flight-risk. Opinion Page 6 (+350) 200 75913 He will appear at the Supreme info@mayfaironmain.gi Court on July 28. www.mayfaironmain.gi GIBRALTAR NEWS PAGE 3

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TRUE HERO

Exclusive look wedding day

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June 21st - July 4th

2017

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The Rock has had many inspirational LGBT leaders. We honour them during International Pride Month, see page 6

The Olive Press launches campaign for much needed makeover of North Front cemetery

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Costa gemtravel

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GIBRALTAR 2017 GIBRALTAR June 21st - July 4th CLASSIFIEDSPAGE 20 BUSINESS PAGE 17

GIBRALTAR CULTUREPAGE 9

The Rock’s original community newspaper

BRAVE: Gonzalez

Geldof atweds Pixie Geldof’s

The Costa de its glory

National Day will be like no other since the referendum of 50 years ago By Laura Duckett

GIBRALTAR will throw the ‘party of a generation’ on National Day in celebration of the Rock’s Britishness. In a clear snub to Spain, the Rock is preparing to host the largest bash in history celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum when residents unanimously voted to stay British. The September 10 party, nicknamed ‘please refrain, Spain,’ will see the Rock adorned with Union Jack flags and other British memorabilia.

armed robbery

fireA BRAVE Gibraltarianfirst to fighter was among the Grenenter the fire-ravaged fell Tower in London. was Russell Gonzalez, 31,rescue part of a search and life of team which saved thefloor of a woman on the 21st the 24-story block. fireThe third-generation fighter, based in Paddingspecial ton, was able to use which breathing apparatus stay in allows firefighters to longer. burning buildings for danThis was pivotal for the making gerous mission of of the it to the upper floors block. his TV His father watched tragic screen in horror as the said: scenes unfolded. He I “When I saw those images, he’s in thought to myself: ‘If there, he’s dead’.” it Thankfully Russell made family out safely, making his and Gibraltar proud.

light See the la Luz in all of

Vol. 3 Issue 49 www.gibraltarolivepress.com July 19th - August 1st 2017

By Laurence Dollimore and Laura Duckett

promTHE Government has of the ised to address the statethanks on deaf concerns are ‘falling North Front Cemetery ears’. to an Olive Press probe. attena moLast November, he tabled for It comes after we drew of the tion to Parliament, calling tion to the poor state together of the government to put the cemgraves and mounting anger there. a management plan for relatives of those buried Finetery. Photos sent to us by Ivana in that deHe explained last night layson, whose mum, sister buried spite it passing unanimously, law and grandfather are since. nothing has been done attenthere, are now also circulating “While the Minister's people on social media. tion is elsewhere, many of The 47-year-old Gibraltarian struggle to access the gravesnot and many others are concerned loved ones. This is simplyOlive about the lack of maintenance. a very acceptable,” he told the “It’s dangerous and in told Press. poor state of repair,” she Trust deThe Gibraltar Heritage the Olive Press this week. respectclined comment. “It needs to be made only for John Environment minister able and tidied up not I feel insisted the government thing going to be done? over Cortes to act ‘imminently’ on my loved ones but for everyone was due bad that I have to step visiting the place.” Under weeds hard to the matter. graves just to visit relatives.” She added it is very graves, GRAVE: Olive Press yestervery serious injury,” she Last year a change.org petition He told the reach some of the announcement thick have a launched to counter ‘years day that a ‘major which are strangled by said. than is was maintenance of the cemshrubbery and weeds. to get She claims its current state it of neglect’, gaining more gar- on the be issued imminently.’ etery will 700 signatures, but it has “If you are lucky enoughyou ei- the worst she has ever seen years she has been nered little attention from the to your relative’s grave here: or in the 13 Sign the petition . ther get your legs scratched of high visiting. relative added: “When government.MP Trevor Ham- h t t p s : / / w w w . c h a n g e dirty from the amount Another I Opposition of the GSD fully backed org/p/cm-gibraltar-govmy son's military grave weeds. how- gi-improve-our-cemetery people I visit UNKEMPT: Cemetery dis- mond our campaign this week, “I worry most about in the cringe as the cemetery is a public’s ever, insisting that the tripping up and falling grace.” said: “When is someprocess. easily Another “An elderly visitor could

E THEM GIV

RESPECT

CAMPAIGN

Elaborate

It will also feature an elaborate classical concert with songs such as Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory played to large crowds. There will also be a rock concert with some of Gibraltar’s biggest bands. It comes after the UK promised Gibraltar that it will never exclude the Rock from Brexit talks, even if it means getting a better deal. This is in spite of the King of Spain’s recent state visit to the UK, in which he brought up the topic of sovereignty, outraging members of the public, not only in Gibraltar,

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Party like 1967!

PATRIOTIC FERVOUR: And this year will be even bigger but also in the UK. alogue’ between Madrid and ernments will be able to During his address, King London, and that the Rock’s work towards arrangements Felipe said he wanted a ‘di- future would be decided by that are acceptable to all intwo governments – volved.” the UK’s and Spain’s, In response, Chief Minister ignoring Gibraltar’s Picardo accused Spain of right to autonomy. ignoring Gibraltar’s voice, He said: “I am certain and said that it should be the this resolve to over- most important during talks come our differences about its own future. will be even greater Meanwhile, a small group in the case of Gibral- of locals took to Main Street tar and I am confident to protest the King’s visit, that, through the nec- reflecting the Rock’s strong essary dialogue and resolve to stay British. effort, our two Gov-

WHAT HAVE A SKULL, A TOOTH AND THE ROCK GOT IN COMMON..FIND OUT ON PAGE 7

RESIGNED: Feetham

All too much EXCLUSIVE

THE former leader of the opposition has blamed the stress of being the ‘only real opposition’ on the Rock as one of the main reasons to step down. Friends of Daniel Feetham told the Olive Press this week that ‘numerous late nights’ and ‘personal attacks’ added to the decision to leave his role as leader of the GSD. “The problem was a lot of the time he was doing it on his own, bearing 80% of the brunt of the attacks (on the party),” said one. The popular politician - who was nearly killed by a knifewielding maniac on the Rock in 2010 - will remain in Parliament but has renounced his leadership role - officially - ‘for personal family reasons’. He first informed his party of his decision a fortnight ago, but has not given any more specific reasons for it publicly. Last night he told the Olive Press: “I just don’t want to court publicity. I gave a very difficult press conference and I don’t really want to say any more. “I believe the party will have a strong leadership by the end of the year and that the GSD will survive and go forward and prosper.” However, friends revealed that the ‘constant battle’ he had with the government, coupled with late nights ‘took their toll’. They said he was ‘frequently getting back home at 9pm and 10pm’ and for the ‘sake of his family and his party’ he needed to step down. He told them the situation had ‘become toxic’ and ‘impossible’. See Still strong, P4 Opinion Page 6

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Ripped Off Police have warned local businesses of a ‘bounced cheque’ fraud, in which a scammers are sending fake cheques to businesses and asking for a ‘refund’ in order to steal money.

Close Calls UK police admit that of the five terror attacks that they have thwarted in the last few weeks, some were merely minutes from being carried out.

Dangerous Driving Police are investigating the cause of an accident in which a locally registered driver took down a tree after veering off of Secretary’s Lane.

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

Predator picked up A MAN has been arrested in Gibraltar for possessing indecent photographs of children. Stephen Anthony Martinez, 51, was arrested after police seized a phone from him following an arrest in June for suspected of genital exposure in a public place. The phone was later examined by the High Tech Crime Unit who found 80 indecent images of young children. Police believe the images were sourced from the internet, and are not of local children.

Doing time A MAN has been sentenced for possession and intent to supply drugs. Gerard Asquez has been charged with two counts of possession of controlled drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine. He has been sentenced to five years and two months in prison for separate offences committed on August 4 and 6 last year.

CRIME

July 19th - August 1st 2017

End our nightmare EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore

THE family of missing British expat Lisa Brown have claimed that someone on the Rock knows what really happened to her. Sister Helen Jordan insisted she ‘knows for a fact’ that ‘likely’ various people know of her fate. It comes as the family launch a fresh appeal with a £15,000 cash reward for anyone with information that leads to the discovery of her body. Mother-of-one Brown, who was due to start a new job at a Gibraltar gaming company, went missing from her home in Guadiaro in November 2015. The 32-year-old’s family, and police, believe she was murdered and either dumped at sea or buried on land. “We know for a fact some of those who know what happened live in Gibraltar,” her sister Helen Jordan told the Olive Press. “The information is out there and we need someone to do the right thing and end our

Family of missing British mother Lisa Brown appeal with a £15,000 cash reward - to Gibraltarians for answers nightmare. “We won't give up.” The family have already raised £15,000 for the reward but expect this figure to go up. “The more the better, we'll try anything and will go to any lengths,” added Jordan. “We are currently fundraising on our own, but we have meetings with ministers from the Scottish government in Edinburgh who are hopefully going to help us. “The more we can raise the more chance we have of someone speaking.” It comes after the Olive Press revealed a suspect in the case, Ron Beasley, who was arrested on suspicion of withholding information, fled to Portugal last month. Beasley’s family have since contacted us about concerns for his welfare, pleading to

MISSING: BROWN give no further details. To donate to the reward fund, visit www.gofundme.com/7vc62qzw

Security breach AN airline has launched a security investigation after the Olive Press revealed that an English tourist allegedly travelled to the UK from Spain on his friend’s passport. British Airways is probing how tourist Scott Morgan managed to fly back from Ibiza to Manchester on his pal Dominic Carroll’s passport. Mancunian Morgan, 27, had accidentally picked up his pal’s passport after a big night out in San Antonio. And incredibly, despite looking nothing like his pal, he was able to make it past both airport security, as well as BA’s own security checks. “He’s got a beard and I don’t. He’s a big guy and I’m not,” Carroll, 27, told the Olive Press. “It’s really bad with all the high level security problems we are having in the UK at the moment. Morgan was only eventually caught out when a security scanner at Manchester airport failed to recognise his face and the gate wouldn’t open. British Airways confirmed it had now launched a ‘very thorough investigation’ with ground staff in Ibiza over the alleged breach of security. “British Airways takes safety and security very seriously and we have launched an immediate inquiry into this alleged incident of a customer travelling on the wrong passport,” the spokesperson said.

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Ne ws

July 19th - August 1st 2017

Breed all about it

PERFORMING: Popular band Breed 77

ONE of the Rock’s most popular bands will headline the National Day Rock Concert this year. BREED 77 will be supported by other bands including Heritage and Jet Stream on September 10 in Casemates Square. A spokesperson for the Self Determination for Gibraltar Group said: “This year, being a special event with the 50th Anniversary of the Gi-

Beauty queen

DJ: Phoebe D’Abo

Hed-ing to the rock It’s one of the most well known nights on the Ibiza club scene. Now world-famous Hed Kandi will make an appearance at Gibraltar Music Week. Resident DJ Phoebe D’Abo will take to the decks at Eclipse Lounge on August 31 from 9:00 PM. Phoebe started her career eight years ago DJing in London. She has worked for wellknown brands including Swarovski and has performed at London Fashion Week. She will join a stellar lineup which includes Toyah, Glen Matlock and Ministry of Sound.

Jodie Garcia to represent the Rock after being crowned Miss Gibraltar 2017 THE winner of Miss Gibraltar has been crowned. Jodie Garcia, 24, won the highly coveted title at the glamorous pageant. Last year’s winner Kayley Mifsud presented the crown to Jodie, who works as a finance administrator, after which she thanked her friends and family for supporting her. “I am really happy. I am really grateful for all the support that I have received and it has been an amazing journey,” she said. Meanwhile First and Second Princess titles went to Tessa Britto and Sian Dean. Prizes included £2,000 cash and £3,500 clothing allowance for Miss Gibraltar, £1,000 cash and £500 clothing allowance for the

braltar Referendum, we are confident that most musical tastes will be catered for and everyone in the community will once again enjoy an excellent evening’s entertainment!” BREED 77 is a Gibraltarian band whose music combines alternative metal with flamenco. Their second album made it into the UK album charts in 2004.

Muebles Mads HOLLYWOOD actor Mads Mikkelsen has been on the hunt for furniture in Spain. It comes after the Olive Press revealed two months ago that he had bought a property in Mallorca. The star of Casino Royale, Star Wars and hit TV show Hannibal spent last Sunday on the prowl for antique wares at Consell market, according to an eagle-eyed Olive Press reader. Mikkelsen, who has been a long-time fan of Mallorca, was spotted buying two wooden benches and driving them back to his house. He has been photographed many times around the restaurants of Palma with fans.

GLAMOROUS: Longoria

Beach babe

Eva Longoria showed off her beach body in a tiny pink bikini while on vacation in Spain with her husband and Televisa boss José Bastón. The Golden Globe nominee, 42, was all smiles as she enjoyed some fun in the sun at Playa Padre in Marbella. Longoria put her toned midriff and legs on display in a two-piece swimsuit. The Desperate Housewives star was in town for the annual fundraising gala for the Global Gift Foundation at the Don Melia Hotel.

CROWNED: Garcia and (left) Britto, (right) Dean and (below) with cheques

First Princess, and £500 cash and £500 clothing allowance for the Second Princess. Jodie will represent Gibraltar at this year’s Miss World pageant in Sanya, China. She was one of nine contestants who competed for the crown during various stage routines. Stages included a bathing suit parade, fashion parade and an evening wear routine. The exciting show also featured performances from talented dancers at Transitions Dance Academy and musical performance by pop rock band Frontiers.

Road trip for Janice THE world’s ‘first supermodel’ Janice Dickinson has jetted off to Spain on her honeymoon with husband Dr Robert 'Rocky' Gerner. The 62-year-old said they are having the time of their lives. Dickinson married Gerner, 70, in December last year in an intimate Beverly Hills ceremony. She said their honeymoon was delayed while she recovered from breast cancer and her husband recovered from a collapsed lung after falling off the roof of their home. But the couple are now in Europe driving from Barcelona down into France, making stops along the way. “We're having the time of our lives,” she said, “It's been wonderful, we arrived in Barcelona on Monday and have been taking in the sights, it's a beautiful city.”

PRIMER IN MARINE BIOLOGY, ECOSYSTEMS AND CONSERVATION The University of Gibraltar is offering a Primer in Marine Biology, Ecosystems and Conservation as a taster to its upcoming Msc Marine Science and Climate Change. The Primer will be a Level 7 (Master’s Level) Post Graduate four-day intensive course that will focus on: • Marine biology (including ecology, species-environment relationships and the evolution of marine organisms). • Principles and concepts underpinning species and habitat conservation initiatives in coastal and marine habitats. • Conservation of biodiversity and natural heritage. The course can be taken as a standalone unaccredited course for CPD or other purposes, or can be accredited to form part of the MSc in Marine Science and Climate Change. The dates for the course are the 27th-28th July, and the 31st July - 1st August. For further details or to make an application please visit our website: www.unigib.edu.gi

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Still strong and committed GSD politician pays tribute to outgoing leader THE opposition insists it will remain ‘strong and committed’ to challenging the government, while stressing its sadness at the departure of its leader. GSD MP Trevor Hammond promises that the party will go from ‘strength to strength’ despite the resignation of Daniel Feetham. He said: “Despite the disloyalty shown to the party and in particular to those who have left, the GSD will continue to provide the opposition and the democratic balance so important to the community.” He continued: “While those who have left our ranks to become independent are driven by ego, the GSD team remains strong, committed to the role it must play as the only real challenge to Government. “It will grow from strength to strength as we head towards the next election.” He added that he was saddened with the recent events, which culminated with leader Feetham’s sudden departure a fortnight ago. In a press conference Feetham had extended his gratitude to the public for their support, saying he had been ‘overwhelmed by messages of support’. He said: “It has been a great

privilege for me to have served Gibraltar as Leader of the Opposition.” His decision came after a tricky year with various people stepping down in his party, starting with Marlene Hassan Nahon last May. It also follows a very heated debate over the current budget, which led to ‘considerable tension’ within his party and fellow MP Lawrence Llamas also resigning. Llamas had initially supported his leader’s budget stance, but suddenly announced he was instead backing the government two days later by whatsapp, then stepping down. Hammond added: “I'm very saddened at Danny's departure as leader, he's steered the GSD through a challenging transition. “He is also a close personal friend of mine and I've stood shoulder to shoulder with him during some very tough political exchanges both formerly as the chairman of the GSD and now as a fellow member of Parliament.” Chief Minister Fabian Picardo conveyed his support to Feetham saying: “I call for respect for his privacy and that of his family. We must all be deeply understanding of the

NE WS

July 19th - August 1st 2017

In the loop Gibraltar promised to be consulted over any free trade agreements signed by the UK

ANY planned free trade agreements signed by the UK outside the EU will be run past Gibraltar first, it has been agreed. The good news was announced after chief minister Fabian Picardo attended the third Joint Ministerial Council meeting on Brexit in London. Chaired by the Undersecretary of State for the Department for Exiting the Euro-

CAPTION: pean Union Robin Walker, the talks progressed to a ‘new phase’ with the commitment of establishing a working group to discuss gambling.

Royal rumpus GIBRALTARIAN leaders have hit back after Spain’s King Felipe mentioned sovereignty over the Rock in his UK address. In what many see as a snub to Gibraltar, the king said he wanted a ‘dialogue’ between Madrid and London, and that the Rock’s future would be decided by two governments – the UK’s and Spain’s. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo was joined by stand-in leader of the opposition Roy Clinton to slam the claims. Clinton said: “Gibraltar is not a bilateral issue to be resolved between two Governments without reference to the people of Gibraltar. The Government and Opposition are united.” It comes after Tory MPs in London failed to walk out as threatened if the topic was raised. Despite this Tory MP Andrew Rosindell said: “It is inappropriate for a visiting Head of State to talk about ‘arrangements’ over British territory. It’s none of his business.”

One of the talks’ major aims was to help businesses in Gibraltar ‘remain confident’ about ‘future opportunities outside of the EU’. “I am very pleased with progress and the full involvement we are engaged in on the work being done for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union,” said Picardo. His counterpart Walker added: “We’ve had very productive discussions today, and I am pleased to continue our engagement with Picardo and his team to discuss how we are involving Gibraltar in our preparations for Brexit negotiations.” The meeting coincided with the latest round of talks between the UK. and the EU in Brussels.

Jaw dropping! A 50,000-year-old Neanderthal tooth has been found in Vanguard Cave. The discovery by two researchers is the third neanderthal find on the Rock. The pair found the tooth while working at the site this month. After the tooth was extracted from the site, it was sent to specialists for analysis where it was identified to be a four or five-year-old child’s upper right milk tooth. Gorham's Cave Complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2016. The excavations on the site are the responsibility of the Gibraltar Museum, which is supported by the government. See Bone age, on page 7

Science award A LOCAL science technician has won a prestigious international award. Elsie Gonzalez, Science Technician at Bayside School, has been awarded the ‘Gratnells Science Technician of the Year’ prize in its ‘International School’ section. The award includes a trophy and prize with a value of almost £2,000.

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Singing savours A SOTOGRANDE choir has raised almost €5,000 for local charities. The Camerata Sotogrande choir handed one cheque to the Fundacion la Milagrosa old people’s home, and another to the Montenegral Drug Rehabilitation Centre. The money was raised from a concert, Summer by the River, last month on the banks of the Rio Guadiaro in Sotogrande. The eclectic lineup included a Dixie Jazz Band, a String Quartet, Flamenco Dancers and a classical Spanish Guitarist who played to an audience of more than 250 people. Also present at the cheque presentation were Camerata Sotogrande committee members and representatives from their sponsors Blevins Franks and Grupo Mercedes Sotogrande.

GUESTS: At concert

C AM P O ne ws

July 19th - August 1st 2017

Algeciras Star search

SKATER: Henie

HUNDREDS of hopefuls queued up in Algeciras for a chance to appear in an upcoming international film by Fast and Furious 6 producers. Production company Sur Film which was also behind Clash of the Titans, was looking for actors to feature in Queen of Ice, a biopic on the famous 1930s figure skater Sonja Henie. They held auditions on July 13 in anticipation for filming to start in Algeciras on July 20. The company sought men and women between the ages of 16 and 80 of all nationalities with what they described as a ‘classic look’, which meant no visible tattoos or unnatural-looking hair colour. Directed by award-winning Norwegian Anne Sewitsky, the film is due for release at the end of the year.

Call it off

Protesters battle to stop upcoming La Linea bullfight

OPPOSED: Members of the anti-bullfighting group

MORE than 3,000 people have signed a petition to call off a bullfight in La Linea. Four representatives of the Campo de Gibraltar antibullfighting movement handed the petition in at the town hall in a bid to demonstrate the growing opposition to the ‘act of

treme animal cruelty. Considering how fast the petition has taken off we can see we are not the only ones that share this belief,” Linda Zemmler, a member of the group, told the Olive Press. “Together we can bring awareness to as many people as possible,” added

animal cruelty’. The fight, due to take place at La Linea’s bullring on July 22, has been opposed by locals as well as people from all over Europe and in countries as far away as Taiwan and Brazil. “We are opposed to the bullfight as we consider it to be an example of ex-

Linda, who works in Gibraltar. You can sign the petition here: https://www. change.org/p/exmo-ayuntamiento-de-la-linea-dela-concepci%C3%B3nn o-qu eremos-toros-en la-feria-de-la-linea?utm_ source=email&utm_ medium=email

BUST: Tobacco find

Historic haul MORE than three million packs of smuggled tobacco have been discovered in boats off the coast of Cadiz. The enormous find, concealed in six containers, is the largest ever made by the Spanish tax agency. The mammoth discovery makes up between a quarter and a third of the total smuggled tobacco seized by the agency in a year across Spain. The operation, named Escudo, started last June, and the Tax Agency has received support from the British authorities. Tobacco smuggling has long been an issue in La Linea, with people taking advantage of lower prices in Gibraltar and bringing products across the border. In recent months, several police officers have been targeted by traffickers who have resorted to violence to evade capture.

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July 19th - August 1st 2017

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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

Getting the balance right IT is very important in a balanced democracy to have strong opposition to the party in power. So most Gibraltarians will have been sad to see the long-time leader of the opposition Daniel Feetham step down two weeks ago. Throughout his six years at the helm of the GSD party, he was a continual thorn in the side of the government, always questioning its policies and offering a counter argument on many important matters. Leading his party despite falling victim to a lifethreatening stabbing in the run up to taking the role, he was a brave and committed politician, not scared to raise the thorny issues of the day. While the pressures of a job in the front line are always tough, it is sad to see that he is apparently stepping down for more reasons than just personal ones. The key is to keep smiling and carry on in the belief that you are doing your job as best you can… and that one day things will change. It might seem forever since the GSD was last in power, and even further from getting back on top. We at the Olive Press never take sides politically but believe in continually questioning the establishment and current status quo. That is the job of any good local, independent newspaper, after all. We therefore wish Daniel Feetham the best of luck and hope that his party can come back stronger and healthier in the run up to the 2019 elections. For, while the government does many good things, Gibraltar needs a strong opposition to keep things in check for the present.

National Pride

IT’S great to see National Day getting the status it deserves. And it’s especially important in this political climate for the people of Gibraltar to band together and show the world we are British to the core, and that is how we want to stay. So rare is such a reverent sense of patriotism in our modern age, that Gibraltar has in a way, become a beacon of national pride. Desposito legal 834-2017 Publisher/ Editor

Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es Admin (+34) 951 273 575 admin@theolivepress.es SALES Paul MacGregor (+350) 540 310 03 thegibolivepress@gmail.com

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Accounts Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@theolivepress.es

Testing the limits CHALLENGES - Above, Ronda 101 Kilometre Race and (insert) Strait swim

Andalucia and Gibraltar are spectacular natural arenas for a sporting fixture of fitness challenges

Mud day Sevilla This 13km obstacle challenge carries with it an added hindrance - more mud than a herd of hippos could wallow in. Participants, who enter as individuals or in teams of up to four people, endure more adversity while trawling across ravines, clambering up slippery hills and scaling netted structures, with their mud-sullied clothes sticking to them like a morph suit. There are 22 obstacles designed to test physical and mental strength and team spirit. The November event is also about having fun, the organisers have assured us!

UR social media news feeds are filled on a daily basis with photos of altruistic old school chums training for marathons and impossibly long cycle trails. And while many take up the challenge to fundraise for charity, some do it to help with fitness goals while others are just in it for the adrenaline rush. The region’s dramatic landscapes lend themselves well to these kinds of challenges, allowing competitors to tone up or help a charitable cause and take in stunning scenery en route.

Med Steps challenge Think step aerobic on steroids.The Mediterranean Steps is a steep stone staircase forged out of Gibraltar’s iconic rock. Originally built for military purposes, it’s now used as a pathway to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve - and for taking part in the notorious Med Steps challenge, which involves repeating the route 10 times. An annual charity event is organised by the Gibraltar Prison Service with funds going to Cancer Relief. Not for the faint

Andalucia Desafio Doñana triathlon STEEP - Gibraltar’s Med Steps

hearted, it’s highest point pierces the clouds at 1,300ft, but the hard slog is rewarded with spectacular Strait views.

Gibraltar Strait swim More than a toedipping exercise, many are familiar with this open water challenge but few grasp its magnitude. Spanning a distance of 12 miles, it’s not one for the casual weekend swimmer. Starting from Tarifa and finishing at Plage Dalia in Morocco, it’s a feat taken on by countless do-gooders. TV star David Walliams completed the challenge in just over four hours, raising an incredible £1 million for Sport Relief.

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2016 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.

TRICKY: Andalucia Desafio Doñana triathlon

You need to be a fit all-rounder to complete this gritty Cadiz challenge. Held every September, it starts in Sanlucar de Barrameda with a 100km cycle circuit touring the other Sherry Triangle towns of Jerez and El Puerto de Santa Maria. This is followed by a 1km swim across the mouth of the Guadalquivir river. It concludes at Punta de Malandar with a scenic 30km running section along the endless dune-fringed beaches bordering Doñana National Park.

Ronda 101 Kilometre Race Cyclists from across the globe flock to Ronda to take part in the gruelling Spanish Legion 101 kilometre race. Born in 1997, the challenge has a time limit of 12 hours. But some have completed it in an impressive third of the time. The route takes you through Arriate, Alcalá del Valle, Setenil de las Bodegas and Benaoján, among other quintessentially picturesque pueblos. Those who dare to take it on will need gumption and stamina, but most importantly, plenty of water.

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its entirety on www.theolivepress.es And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news July 19th - August 1st 2017 websites.

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DISCOVERY: Tooth and Gorham’s cave complex

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HEN Miriam Napper, a student at Liverpool John Moores University, and Lucia Castagna, from Bologna University, opened up a bag of drying sediments from Vanguard Cave in Gibraltar’s Gorham’s Cave Complex, the last thing the two expected to find was a Neanderthal tooth. For years, sites such as this cave complex have provided researchers with a wealth of evidence about Neanderthal occupation in Gibraltar, yet very rarely with actual remains found from the ancient humans. On July 3, however, this groundbreaking find marked the third discovery of a Neanderthal in Gibraltar, and the first discovery of such remains in Gorham’s Cave complex. The finding was determined to be the upper right canine milk tooth of a four or five-year-old Neanderthal child. Researchers speculate that the child had been killed by hyenas, and dragged into the den about 50,000 years ago. Work at this cave complex is scheduled to continue until mid-August, yet due to this exciting find, more emphasis will be placed on Vanguard Cave. Although this finding takes the current spotlight in the history of Neanderthal-re-

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An exciting archaeological breakthrough is helping researchers understand our ancient relatives, writes Danielle Fortuna

BONE age

 Gangsters’ paradise: A look at - German government: Brexit a ‘historic the key figures and present of opportunity’ for talks on past Gibraltar

the Costa del Crime - 3872 views

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lucia’s biggest shopping and leisure

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 Gibraltar schoolgirl reaches semi

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Neanderthals hunted birds and marine life and created rock engravings lated findings in Gorham’s Cave Complex, it does not overshadow the importance of past discoveries, which have aided in alPREVIOUS FIND: One of a pair of skulls found in Gibraltar lowing archaeologists and paleontologist to glimpse into the lives of Neanderthals. Gorham’s Cave Complex is a set of steep, limestone cliffs that reside on the eastern Parts of Southern Spain have also added side of the Rock of Gibraltar. The com- site in which the first Neanderthal fossil plex, a UNESCO protected site, and one in Gibraltar, and the second Neanderthal to the archeological and paleontological debate about Neanderthals. Cave paintof the last known habitations of Neander- fossil in the world, a female skull, was disings, found in 2012, in Malaga’s Nerja thals in Europe, contains four caves that covered in 1848 by British Royal Caves, which researchers say decontain archeological and paleontological Navy officer, Captain Edmund pict the seals that the beings deposits, which provide evidence of Ne- Flint. hunted, are among the oldest anderthal occupation over a span of more The skull was small, with Neanderthal paintings ever a rounded cranium, than 100,000 years. discovered. Images such From these deposits, researchers have large, projecting nose, as these have helped found evidence that Neanderthals hunted and teeth worn from shape archeologists’ birds and marine life, used feathers for use. The degree of and paleontologists’ ornamentation, and created rock engrav- weathering on the views of Neanderthals, ings. Vanguard Cave provided the first teeth led archeoloby providing evidence evidence that these ancient beings con- gists to believe the that the ancient humans sumed marine foods such as shellfish, female had been possessed creative, symseals, dolphins, and fish, while an engrav- around 40 years old bolic, and artistic abiliing in Gorham’s Cave was deemed one at the time of death, ties, which was previously and a bony growth of the most compelling pieces of thought to be untrue. on the inside of evidence of Neanderthal art. All of these findings allow the the forehead This specific engraving has debate about Neanderthals to (associated with a grid-like appearance, continue its movement forward, and menopause in modsimilar to that used for ern humans) supported this in turn, paint a clearer picture of how the game of noughts speculation. The skull was these humans carried out their lives. and crosses. given the name, ‘Nana’. These discoveries of In Devil’s Tower Rock Shelgroundbreaking Neter, the scattered remains of anderthal evidence a child’s skull were excavated are not solely conin 1926, by British archaeolofined to this complex gist, Dorothy Garrod. On one either. Forbes’ Quarry side of the skull, which is mostand Devil’s Tower in Gily preserved, a large cranium, braltar have produced long, wide face, and large front skulls, as well as teeth, which display developmenother findings in tal defects resulting from periods past years. Forbes’ of seasonal starvation, can be seen. Quarry, which Researchers speculate that the child originally supreceived an injury to the mouth as plied stone for well. The fossil was named ‘Flint’. reinforcing the In addition to this skull, a collecfortress’ milition of Paleolithic tools was distary installacovered at this site. NOUGHTS AND CROSSES: Engravings tion, is the DISCOVERER: Dorothy Garrod

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ibraltar Electronic Music Festival, August 5

On it’s fourth edition, the music festival is guaranteed to offer a good time, especially with its international acts. Tickets are a little under €40.

eer Festival, August 19

Enjoy beer? Enjoy international beers and ciders? Then buy a €22.54 ticket, which includes five beer vouches, at the Lewis Stagnetto. The event kicks off at 19:00 at the Fair Youth Pavilion.

ibraltar Fair, August 19 - 27

Full of games, rides, food, drinks, anyone will enjoy the Gibraltar Fair. It is located at the Family Pavilion, and there will be live performances every night.

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fairground fun

estival of Colours, July 29

The biggest dance music festival of the year, this event has live music, food, and will guarantee a good time. Be sure not to wear anything you don’t want to change colour! Location is at Europa Point.

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July 19th - August 1st 2017

LIT UP: A previous fair

Huge rock festival coming to Estepona ESTEPONA is preparing to host its first large scale rock concert for almost 10 years. The Pink Purple Zep Fest will see a celebration of three of the world’s most influential cover bands ever.

PREPARATIONS are underway for this year’s Gibraltar fair. Announced by the Self Determination for Gibraltar Group, the week-long event will run from August 19 - 27.

REALIST: Paintings

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Rock fest Tribute bands Think Floyd, Deeper Purple and Whole Lotta Led will rock out the greatest hits of Pink Floyd, Deep Purple

Big Apple calling A LOCAL artist has caught the eye of gallery bosses in New York. Maribel Mathews was contacted by Agora Gallery where curators had taken a shine to her realist oil paintings. “It’s the most amazing thing

It will be located in Queensway and feature a range of family-friendly attractions, with rides for £2, food and drink stalls and tombolas. A full programme will be released soon.

that’s happened to me so far in my art journey,” she said. Matthews was about to retire when she got the news from the trendy gallery. She says it has given her a new lease of life in her painting. Her paintings are inspired by historical works, in particular the early Renaissance masterpieces, like Botticelli's Birth of Venus. Her exhibition, named Unbound Perspectives, was on show from June 10 - 30.

and Led Zeppelin at the Plaza del Toros on August 26. “This concert is a big deal,” organiser and Brit Ian Grant told the Olive Press, “there hasn’t been such a large scale rock concert in Estepona since Deep Purple played there in 2008. “And standard tickets are only €25!” Even more of a bargain are the VIP tickets at €70, which will fetch you a welcome drink, access to a private bar, a goodie bag, guaranteed seat and free access to the VIP after show party in the Louie Louie Rock Club in Estepona port. “We have already sold more than 50% of our VIP tickets and expect to sell out of our standard tickets very soon,” added Grant. If anyone needs transport between Gibraltar and Estepona,

Blands Travel in Gibraltar are putting on a coach from Gibraltar which will have at least one pick-up point in Duquesa (they may add one more pick up point if there are enough people). If anyone would like to book transport, Blands number is +350 200 50932.

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Happy anniversary

A COLLECTION of Referendum stamps is now available. Designed by Stephen Perera, they celebrate the Referendum’s 50th anniversaThe ry andOlive feature Press photographs from the National Archive. Thefor setnews includes 22p, 64p, TOP in Spain! 70p and £2 stamps. There is also a high-value £5 stamp with the Queen’s silhouette. Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Garcia said: ‘These stamps perfectly capture the mood of the Referendum and they add another element to this year’s celebration of the 1967 Referendum, an event which was a defining moment in Gibraltar’s history. I am very grateful to my colleague the Minister for Commerce Albert Isola and his team.”

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July 2017

Issue 15

Fall in love with the Love Island villas

July 19th - July August 1st- August 2017 1st 2017 19th

917

SEE PAGE 3

Building dreams

DOUBLE BUBBLE F Turn to TOPage PAGEXIII IV CGI IS BELIEVING: How the offplan development boom is really taking hold along the Costa del Sol this year TURN

OREIGN investment into Spanish property is expected to break all records this year. Demand from abroad has grown for seven years straight, according to international consultant firm JLL. In the first half of this year alone, foreign buyers and funds have more than doubled the investment on the same period last year. So far external investors have sunk €888 million into buying Spanish property, smashing last year’s record of €330 million. While Madrid and Barcelona are the leading hotspots and attract the most interest from foreign buyers, Malaga, Sevilla, Mallorca, Bilbao and San Sebastian are also bringing in big numbers. It comes as it was revealed that Spain is still the most searched for destination for Brits looking to buy abroad.

Huge growth in foreign investment into Spain, which is set to go well over €1 billion in 2017

According to Rightmove, Spain is the most popular destination for Britons looking to relocate or buy a second home. Average monthly internet searches total over 2.5m, some 74% above its closest rival and second placed France. Portugal came third on the list, followed by the US and Italy. Alicante was the most searched region in Spain, increasing by 53% from last year. At €126,054, however, it also has the lowest average enquiry price of the most popular sunny regions. According to Rightmove, 62% of Alicante enquiries

are for houses, while 38% are looking for flats or apartments. With an average enquiry price of €397,813, property in Mallorca is most popular with high budget buyers, with 54% looking for flats and apartments and 46% looking for houses. Despite properties in Mallorca being three times higher in price than those in Alicante, it still tops the list as the second most searched for property destination in Spain. Malaga is in third position, with an average enquiry price of €191,830. Chris Please, Head of Rightmove Overseas, said

that Spain remains the most exciting investment for British buyers. “Over 12 months, we received an average of 2.5 million searches a month for property in Spain, indicating just how in-demand this sunny country is for property-seekers. “Whether it’s the large expat community, the sunny climate, the food or simply the easy transition into relaxed Spanish culture that has Britons enthralled, Spain’s proximity to the UK, cheap flights and short travel time has it consistently emerging as the most popular property destinations abroad.” In terms of upmarket property he also singled out Mallorca, for its great climate, upmarket living and picturesque surroundings. “Mallorca is perfectly positioned as the ultimate destination for high budget UK buyers looking to purchase their own slice of paradise.”

PROPERTIES SELLING FAST AT THE SPANISH ESTATE AGENT ! Thinking of selling? Get in touch with The Spanish Estate Agent – the fastest growing agency on the Costa del Sol

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18 II 10

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July 19th August 1st- August 2017 1st 2017 July 19th July -19th 2017 2017

House prices are increasing across the country with strongest looking data since the crash, writes Mark Stucklin

he following residential property price indices were released in June:

The National Institute of Statistics (INE) +5.3% in Q1 The Notaries’ Association index +2.4% in April (1,336 €/m2) The Tinsa index +3.6% in May The Idealista (resale asking price) index +1.5% in June Perhaps the most interesting observation to make about the data is that this is the first time in almost a decade that ALL the main indices I track are to be found in positive territory. Every single leading index is currently in the black.

Positive

That said, and as I always point out, national house price figures are not much use when it comes to understanding local markets. However, they may influence market expectations and confidence, which is why I keep an eye on them. Meanwhile, Spain’s leading appraisal company Tinsa publishes house price data categorised by area (based on its own valuation). Looking at the data published by Tinsa for May, we see that house prices in big cities and provincial capitals were up by 6.1%, by 4.7% on the Mediterranean coast, and by 2.9% in

EXPERT: Mark Stucklin runs the Spanish Property Insight website and has been The Sunday Times Property Doctor for many years RESULTS: Every month the SPI House Price Index Tracker plots the progress of the six most-watched house price indices in Spain, and puts them all on one page. All the latest results are highlighted in yellow in the chart above.

The price is right the Balearic and Canary Islands. Tinsa also published data in June showing that house prices rose by 22% in Barcelona city, by 13% in Alicante city, and by 11% in Madrid. It comes after it was revealed Marbella is the most expensive area to rent in the country this summer, with aver-

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age weekly rents fetching more than €1,100. A report by Idealista also found that it would cost an average family 35.1 years to be able to purchase a property in Marbella, making it the most expensive in the country, ahead of the likes of San Sebastian and Madrid.

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III11 19 19 11

ROYAL RIP-OFF? SPAIN’S king and queen were appropriately given the royal red carpet treatment when they stayed at Buckingham Palace this month. And the high profile visit (pictured right), over three days, all helped to make the British Queen’s home the most expensive to run in the UK. According to website Comparethemarket.com the property costs €150,000 per month to heat and power, all paid by the British taxpayer. The central London residence

LAVISH: Inside Buckingham Palace

and administrative headquarters of the British monarchy splashes £1.56m (€1.78m) every year on its energy bills. The iconic property has 775 rooms, a movie theatre, swimming pool, post office, chapel and more. Meanwhile, ex-Real Madrid star David Beckham spends €1,615 per month on energy for his €50 million London pad. The seven-bedroom Georgian town househad a reported €9.1 million renovation.

Buyers bound to fall in love with two villas where hit show Love Island is filmed

ANS of Love Island can snap up the luxury €3 million Spanish villa where the raunchy reality TV show was first filmed. Appropriately named ‘Casa Amor’ (House of Love), the new buyers will be spoilt cooling off in the 14-metre swimming pool in stunning Mallorca grounds. The four-bedroom villa, for sale through agent Chestertons, hosted the contestants before the islanders cast split into two groups last year on the ITV show. The villa, in Sant Llorenc des Cardassar, near Manacor, is the perfect fit for singles looking for love, complete with its ‘cheeky’ photography and artwork adorning the walls. It has a very secluded setting and counts on its own vineyard with lemon and orange trees bringing a wonderful smell to the air. One wonderful bath offers a magnificent view of the gardens. Meanwhile, the villa, which is the current set for series III of the hit show is also understood to be going on the market. The sprawling pad, just outside Cala Millor, is set against a stunning backdrop of rolling green hills, with a show-stopping

Love at first sight! LOVE SETS: Casa Amor (right) and (left) current house of the third series

AND IF YOU RATHER HAVE A LOVE ISLAND OF YOUR VERY OWN THIS COULD BE FOR YOU...

infinity pool the focal point of the garden. Producers are said to have spent tens of thousands on the villa following complaints that the pool in last year’s villa was cold. The love pad comes complete with a hot tub, outdoor gym (which doubles as Kem’s hair salon), alfresco kitchen, fire pit, marble bathtub for two perfect for the contestants to fall in – or out – of love. The nearby town of Sant Llorenc is reportedly buzzing with crew from the programme, which has left locals bemused but delighted with the increase in business.

Green light

LOCATION: The island sits just east of Menorca IT’S the Balearic getaway that puts Love Island in the shade - and like the hit show’s stars, it’s up for grabs. Stunning Illa d’en Colom off the coast of Menorca is on the market for a cut price €3.7 million, knocked down from an initial sum of €6.8million. Set in 58 hectares, the island is nestled just 200 metres from Menorca in the Mediterranean’s crystal clear waters. Boasting two separate beaches, the island houses a family home and outhouses that have fallen into disrepair. The main house holds six rooms on two floors totalling 100 sqm as well as a cabin with two bedrooms, a small boathouse, the remains of an old ore mining house and a barn. Forming part of the Albufera des Grau’s natural park, the

Superstar beauty spot on the market for knockdown price

ISLAND IDYLL

STUNNING: Whole island for sale

ONE of the Costa del Sol’s most iconic hotels has been awarded a €60 million building permit by Mijas town hall. The blue and white Byblos hotel, previously owned by Lord Alan Sugar, has seen guests such as Princess Diana, Antonio Bandera and Julio Iglesias, and was long a favourite of the Saudi royal family. “If everything continues to go to plan, once the summer season ends, this tourist attraction will have a green light to start refurbishments,” said a spokesman at the town hall.

island’s landscaped pine forest and sweeping coastline give this retreat a wild beauty. The island also holds a commemorative monolith honouring three Spanish sailors who died of the plague here in the late eighteenth century. The peace treaty between Spain and Tunis is also believed to have been signed here in the late 1700s. Beauty, tranquility and history - and all just a 10-minute drive from the Menorca capital of Mahon. It is on with agent Prime Location.

28 XII IV II 12

Property Property

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July2017 19th August 1st 2017 July 19th August 1st- 2017 July -19th

Prop

Ga Lin Ma

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Elliot Wright – Olivia’s La Cala, Mijas, Spain At his restaurant, reality TV star Wright pairs a family-oriented atmosphere, and a tranquil beach setting, with a trendy and upscale take on cuisine. The decorum of the venue evokes a ‘tropical paradise’, and the food follows this well-executed theme. Guests can indulge in delicious meals and cocktails of the week, created by the restaurant’s very own mixologists. There is also a wide array of live entertainment as the perfect background for the perfect dinner.

Juan Carlos Ferrero Hotel, Bocairent, Spain

Terry Venables – La Escondida, Alicante, Spain Ex-England manager Terry Venable’s La Escondida, or ‘The Hidden One’, is the perfect mix of rustic and contemporary. Built in 1881 as a hunting lodge, it has since been converted to a hotel, yet still retains a quasirural vibe. Its location in Alicante, although secluded, is not an incredible distance from the beach. From clay pigeon shooting to hiking, this destination, while costing €140 per night, is an ideal place for those wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Ex-tennis ace Juan Carlos Ferrero’s Ferrero Hotel, located in Bocairent, is the ideal spot for those who enjoy a change of scenery within their living situation because each of the 15 rooms have a different theme and style. In fact, picking your favorite style is made easy with the diversity. Inspired by Ferrero? You can play tennis just like him in the provided courts, along with other sports and activities! Even though the rooms are limited, the amount of people who can fit in the tent is so high it’s practically unlimited. Capped at 800 guests, the area is ideal for weddings, gatherings, or other types of large gatherings.

Lionel Messi – Bellavista del Jardin Norte, Barcelona, Spain

Gerard Pique – Yours, Barcelona, Spain Soccer star Gerard Pique’s ‘Yours’ achieves an impeccable balance between contemporary styles and classic foods. Guests can enjoy a variety of salad, fish and pasta dishes, yet also indulge in the many styles of hamburgers that are offered. The versatility that exists in the cooking style possessed by the restaurant can be attributed to the mixture of young and old in the cooking team. While the diverse menu is capable satisfying even the pickiest of appetites, the Jazz nights that the restaurant takes pride in will certainly bolster the spirit of guests, and make for a pleasant and lively evening.

While staying at Messi’s hotel in Sitges, one can venture up to his restaurant in Barcelona. That’s right, this celebrity soccer ace seems to be as active in the Spanish business scene as he is in the football scene. As the name suggests, the restaurant has a very small-town, garden feel, evoked by the rustic wooden floors, and the flower decorum. Messi has also added an element of fun to the venue, including arcade games and TVs where guests can watch the latest football game while enjoying family-style, Spanish cuisine.

Checkin A

s the summer sun begins to shine more brightly over the sprawling beaches of Spain, complete with picturesque palm trees and stunning views of the sunlight glittering across the surface of the Mediterranean, this literal hot spot becomes a hotspot for holidaygoers from around the world. Among this mix of visitors, it is not unusual to spot an abundance of celebrities, politicians, and well-known figures on

Hotels are the latest accessory for celebs with cash to splash

the beaches, soaking up the sun, or enjoying the lively Spanish towns and even livelier nightlife Aside from its natural beauty and unique towns

Cristiano Ronaldo Funchal & Lisboa,

Another fellow footb aldo, who is a strike tional team, boasts t properties in his n entering the hotel, g they have been tran stadium with the turf and bathroom walls. air gym where guests custom ‘Get in Sha infinity pool to cool Regardless, of any a hotel, whether it be e sky and sports bars, do, you are sure to s perstar (or ten) smilin are typically around

perty

Property

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July 19th - August 19th 2017 JulyJuly 19th August 1st 2017 1st 2017 July -19th 2017

XIII 29 V III 13 13

ary Lineker – nekers Bar, Marbella, allorca & Ibiza

oking for an unforgetble night out where the usic plays and the lights sh until dawn? If yes, en you should immediely add the Linekers Bar your holiday itinerary. e atmosphere is always gh energy, and it is not likely that guests will mp into celebrities on e dance floor while parng. Linekers Bar also ecializes in organizg sizzling nights out for c helor/bac helorette rties. Whether you are ving one last hurrah fore saying ‘I do’, or oking for a fun night out th friends, Lineker’s Bar arantees a fun-filled exrience.

Henrique Sá Pessoa – Alma, Lisboa, Portugal

ng in

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Spain is home to a profusion of elegant hotels and lavish restaurants, making it very unsurprising that this destination has been a popular holiday choice among these A-listers for many years. What is surprising, however, is that some of these acclaimed hotels and restaurants are actually created and owned by celebrities themselves. Here is a list of 12 spots that are sure to elevate any holiday to celebrity status.

o – Pestana CR7, , Portugal

baller, Cristiano Roner for the Portugal Natwo beautiful, modern native country. Upon guests feel as though nsported to a football f-coated hallway floors There is also an opens can follow Ronaldo’s ape’ program, and an l down in afterwards. activity you do at this enjoying a drink at the or training like Ronalee a picture of the sung back at you. Rooms €184 per night.

Lord Alan Sugar – Byblos Hotel, Mijas, Spain

Famed chef Henrique Sá Pessoa’s restaurant, Alma, located in Portugal, is an upscale and contemporary location for those who crave a new take on gastronomy. Here, the food is inspired through a world outlook. From traditional Portuguese cuisine to importations from Asia-and intriguing twists on everything - this place is sure to diversify a palate.

In Mijas lies Lord Alan Sugar’s Byblos ex Hotel which he recently sold. Closed for a number of years, then purchased and reopened, the hotel is known for its curved shape.

David Bentley & Stephen Carr – La Sala, Marbella, Spain La Sala, owned by ex-footballer David Bentley and Stephen Carr, in Marbella, is the only restaurant in the town that offers live music every day of the week, and all day on Sundays. Throwbacks to old America, from the Rat Pack to the Jersey Boys, will be heard. In fact, tributes to famous artists are always playing. The restaurant is ideal for those who enjoy a busy, fast, and lively area while eating.

Sir Richard Branson Sa Terra Rotja, Mallorca Sir Richard Branson’s villas, Sa Terra Rotja, Sa Punta de S’Aguila, and Son Balagueret, are not for the average person. Ranging from €11 ,225 to €16,085 per night, these locations are absurdly expensive. The seventh night is free, though! Built on 680 acres, the land stretches from beaches to hills. With private chefs for each room, anything will be cooked and your room can be stocked with anything you so desire.

Lionel Messi (again) – MiM Hotel, Sitges, Spain Argentina superstar Lionel Messi definitely scores a goal with this luxury, seafront spot. The MiM Hotel provides guests with a place where they can enjoy ‘the Mediterranean lifestyle’ seeing that its location in Sitges Spain allows guests to have access to both the beach, as well as the monuments, shops, and entertainment of the city center. The hotel has 77 rooms, with spa rooms that can cost as much as €260 per night. In their leisure time, guests can also enjoy a sky bar and additional spa treatment, that includes massages, hydrotherapy, an oxygen cabin, and more.

OP...

14 VI II

Property

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XV31 31

WHILE A NEW MAP REVEALS WHICH ARE THE KEY HOTSPOTS WHERE THEY CHOOSE TO LIVE

The e pat factor I

T’S official. There are more in Britain, the figures show. than twice as many Brits All other age groups have in Spain than Spaniards in been declining since around the UK. 2008, when the economic criAccording to the Office for Na- sis began. tional Statistics (ONS), there While almost 300,000 Brits were 296,600 Brits in Spain are known to be officially livin 2016, compared to just ing in Spain, hundreds of thou116,000 Spaniards in the UK. sands are suspected to have And the new figures have also not made themselves official. revealed that Estimates of acmost Brits like to tual British poplive in the coastal The figures show ulation size in areas, with the Spain are nearnotable excep- the population of er the 800,000 tion of Madrid. British pensioners mark. Alicante and Taking the INE Malaga have by in Spain has also figures at face far the most Britthe British jumped ‘notably’ value, ish expats, while expatriate comMurcia and Almemunity in Spain ria make up the has declined 4% top four. since the last census in 2011, The figures show the popula- when there were 308,805 Brittion of British pensioners in ons resident in Spain. Spain has also jumped ‘nota- In the UK, some 78% of Spanbly’. iards work in the public secThere are 121,000 British pen- tor, financial services, or the sioners officially registered hospitality sector. in Spain, more than the entire Half of those are between 29 Spanish immigrant population and 39 years old.

Fly it with pride

MAPPED: Distribution of registered Brits living in Spain

ESTEPONA’S port has been awarded the prestigious blue flag for cleanliness. Town hall staff were joined by mayor Jose Urbano to raise the flag (above). The stamp of honour is reserved for beaches or ports with exceptional water quality, safety, hygiene, accessibility, services, information and lifeguards. Spain has the most Blue Flags in the world, despite the Foundation for Environmental Education awarding the country with seven fewer this year. Valencia boasts the highest number, with 129 altogether, and following closely behind it are Galicia, 113, Catalunya, 95 and Andalucia, 90. Criteria for an award include displaying of water quality, managing cleanliness, educating visitors of environmental concerns and providing sanitary facilities.

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July 19th - August 1st 2017

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July 19th - August 1st 2017 July 2017

Offshore banks eye up Spain as property boom gathers apace

Bank on it

LEADING international mortgage region, thanks to sustained growth in propbroker is reporting ‘sustained erty prices in prime investment regions growth’ in Spain’s property market. such as Madrid, Barcelona, Marbella and Record-low interest rates, cheap the Balearics. credit and a Europe-wide “This coupled with a healthy economic recovery were also yield and increasing ‘ochelping to attract buyers to cupier demand’, is enticing ‘We are also Spain. offshore banks to invest in Daniel Howarth, Co-Head of lending platforms to accomseeing an Enness International, said: modate existing and pro“Following a significant peri- improved appetite spective clients looking to od of uncertainty in the Spanbuy there.” from banks to ish property market, we are Enness International also now seeing growth, with both noted that banks that previlend’ property prices and demand ously restricting their activiincreasing. ties to less volatile countries “As well as a growing demand like France or Germany are for property, we are also seeing an im- ‘increasingly considering Spain as a good proved appetite from banks to lend in the area of credit investment’.

TOWNHOUSE

RENTAL prices in Spain are rising four times faster than house prices. New research has shown rental costs have increased on average by 8% in Spain in the first six months of this year. Meanwhile property prices increased by only 2%. The average price of property stood at 1,263 €/m2 at the end of June. The report paints a picture of a sustained recovery in the Spanish housing market. “All the data confirms a path of sustained growth nationally that began several quarters ago, although now more moderate and less intense than in previous quarters,” explains María Enríquez, at property consultancy firm Gesvalt.

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eats

-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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BE ‘APPY! BOSS: O’Leary

Holdays off

Download our app now and begin enjoying the best Spanish news on the go.

all Bets are off

A STUDENT is suing bet365 for not paying out from a £1 million win. Irish punter Megan McCann, who was 19 when she placed the bet last year, claims she is owed £1,009,960 by the Gibraltarbased betting giant. She says she staked almost £25,000 on a dozen horses in four different races, but that the company is refusing to honour the bets. Bet365 has accused McCann of fraud, stating that she is in ‘flagrant breach’ of

ity services, ssessments and yber Assurance.

the terms and conditions because the betting stake was provided by a third party. A spokesman for the firm said: “A full investigation has been carried out into the circumstances of the bet that was placed. "Bet365 is entirely satisfied the circumstances are such that winnings are not payable in relation to it. "We expect this position to be upheld at trial. We are not prepared to comment further whilst litigation is ongoing.”

Fluid Border CHIEF Minister Fabian Picardo met with with EU Brexit negotiators and stressed the importance of a fluid SpainGibraltar border. PUNT: On 12 horses

US bids to strengthen business ties with the Rock

velopment and economic growth,” said Sanchez. The politician hopes that strengthening economic ties will be beneficial to both parties. She continued: “We have a president who creates a little bit of concern abroad and so when members of Congress can come and reassure folk that we are still very much interested in the economy and trade.” The trade visit was organ-

Breach!

This week are look at the continued Malware outbreaks saga, the industry discussion on ‘Can a data breach help your brand?’ and hotel breaches

NEWS IN BRIEF

Howdy partners

RYANAIR’S boss has warned there will be no flights between the UK and the EU for months after Brexit unless replacement airline agreements are struck. Michael O’Leary claimed that Heathrow will be deserted,The summer Oliveholidays Press cancelled and Ryanair aircraft moved to Europe. for news Spain! The TOP current Open inSkies agreement allows EU airlines, including those regis- US congress members have tered in the UK, to operate predicted a strong future rein each other’s countries. lationship with Gibraltar As an airline cannot fall During a third trade visit, back on World Trade Or- Democrat congresswoman ganisation rules, sealing a Linda Sanchez and Repubnew deal is seen as vital by lican Patrick Meehan dethe CEO of Europe’s largest scribed the territory as an airline. But O’Leary warned yester- ‘attractive place to do busiday that such a deal was ‘an ness’, despite the implicaimpossibility’ and that the tions of Brexit. ‘only sensible option’ was “We know that Gibraltar for the British government is very resourceful at findto ignore the Brexit referen- ing ways to move forward in terms of expansion, dedum result.

inesses osure to

ow to e:

July 19th - August 1st 2017

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Business

1717

July 19th - August 1st 2017

HE WannaCry and Petya malware are to customers and the public. It’s been said still the hot topic of many a conver- that a breach itself may not cripple a comsations, prompting a promise of extra pany, but how well it responds to it will! A cash towards organisations’ cyber key player in this was Yahoo! They took a lot security. This includes the UK’s NHS, which of criticism for their breach because of how pledged to boost investment in data and vague and lax it was to cybersecurity. Alcybersecurity above the £50m promised in though they issued a password change this the last Spending Review. was not a mandatory thing which meant Although the government didn’t put an ex- lots of users didn’t do it which left them act figure on this, the money will be priori- venerable still! tised to boost resilience at major trauma It is safe to say that no matter how big or sites. The UK government well known a company is, has also promised patients it can still be hacked. This a digital service that lets week Trump Hotels adA breach may them see who has accessed mitted that hackers stole their health records. credit card and other sensinot cripple a Meanwhile, a provocative tive data about guests who company, but how conversation that is being stayed at 14 Trump properdiscussed is ‘Can a data ties. Trump Hotels use Sabre well it responds breach help your brand?’. Hospitality Solutions, which Although no two breaches is a third party booking systo it will! are the same, it’s not the tem. The unauthorised acbreach details that we recess occurred between 10th member, it’s how the company reacts and Aug 2016 – 9th March 2017, however it has responds to the breach. It is no longer head- only just come to light. Trump hotels isn’t line news when a company has a breach as the only hotel affected by this breach, withwe are becoming more accustomed to it in the past two weeks, Four Seasons Hotels happening. At Hedgehog we track on aver- and Resorts, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, age two breaches a day. Loews Hotels, Carlson Wagonlit Travel used Although it is crucial for the breach to be by some Google employees and now Trump mitigated as quickly as possible it is also Hotels started notifying customers of the extremely important for it to be reported data breach.

Incomprehensible VISITING Tory MP Dominic Grieve said Spain’s position on Gibraltar given its enclaves in north Africa was ‘incomprehensible,’ reaffirming that all Brexit talks must include the Rock.

Meat scandal

INTERESTED: US congress members in Gibraltar

ised by the Gibraltar American Chamber of Commerce and included workshops

and presentations to help create ties between US and Gibraltarian businesses.

SPANISH cops have arrested and charged 65 individuals over a continent-wide ring that traded in horsemeat from animals ‘in bad shape, too old’ or simply labelled as 'not suitable for consumption’.

LE TT E R S

www.gibraltarolivepress.com

Joke justice The diabolical judiciary system in Spain really is like ‘looking at grass grow’ (Expat demands justice after his cars impounded due to a British company being probed over fraud, issue 269). It is the slowest system I've ever come across. Still not to worry, as the courts close down in August!

Richard Taylor, Estepona

Royal fan I prefer the Royal Family over any politician elected or otherwise (Prince Harry to welcome King and Queen of Spain to UK next week in his first ever role in official state visit, online). Just look at America to see what happens when you elect a head of state.

Peter Johnson, Zujar

Come together The human race should be drawing together and working to make the world a better sustainable place, but we seem intent on putting up barriers between ourselves and it is usually due to greed (Catalonia promises it will leave Spain in TWO DAYS if voters back independence in upcoming referendum, online) . Catalonia doesn't want to support the poorer regions. Trump and co believe immigrants, the environment and the sick are a waste of money. The UK decided they'd be richer without the EU. The SNP believe Scotland would be better off standing alone. Some might say it is about determining their own future but they all believe they will be better off. Money is always the bottom line.

Michele Morton, Jerez

Horrific This was a horrific scene (Guardia Civil officer who caused fatal AP-7 pileup while high on cocaine ‘tried to flee the scene’ before blaming it on another officer). I passed en route to Malaga about five minutes after the accident and the fire was blazing so badly it was scary to pass even on the other side of the road. It was chaos on the actual side and no room for the fire brigade to get through. The surrounding mountains had already started to catch fire.

July 19th - August 1st 2017

Migrant debate

Our readers react to the news that Spain and Gibraltar’s coasts are becoming a favourite for migrants and refugees Suck it up

Send them back

So Spain can deal with millions of tourists but not with 6,800 refugees? Perhaps they want to ask how Germany managed to house more than one million refugees in 2015? And in 2017, another 150,000 refugees have already entered Germany.

According to official statistics by the UN, only 30% are refugees, the remaining 70% are immigrants coming for welfare only! There should be no help for these ‘people’. Send them back.

Absolute rubbish

Work together

A lot of people have been spouting absolute bull**** on this issue. I have spent the last two years scooping out babies, children and sexually abused women from the sea off the coast of Libya and Greece. There is a lot of talk of Europe being flooded and overwhelmed, well, do the math and look at the figures...You could fit the last two years’ numbers in Cornwall. To all the people saying ‘blow them out of the water’ and ‘send ‘em back’.....If I had a chance I would send some of you on those boats, and you would soon be begging for NGOs and nations to rescue you and take you in.

Spain must start speaking to the leaders of the African countries whose occupants are leaving. Why are so many people leaving their countries and coming to Spain? It is time these countries worked together more to deal with these issues.

Dan Teuma, Gibraltar

Tony Statham, Cadiz

Wolfgang, Estepona

Jennifer Knowles, Marbella

Lukas Skiers, Alicante

Anne Moulay, London

Round them up Load them up and take them back across the mediterranean and dump them on the beach. That’s what you need to to. Now what part of that don’t you understand?

Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Gibraltar Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@theolivepress.es or alternatively message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GibraltarOlivePress or Twitter @olivepress

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-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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HEALTH

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BE ‘APPY!

IVF gang nicked

Huge study reveals coffee can help you live longer

IT is the staple drink for locals and tourists on any given morning, but few might have known evWORRY: For Los Barrios ery sip of Cafe con Leche Download our app now and could be extending your begin enjoying the best Spanish life. Two new studies, includnews on the go. ing the largest ever conducted into coffee drinking, have found that even a single cup a day reduces the risk of dying early from any cause. It also drastically cuts the PP politicians in Cadiz chance of death from dihave slammed the Junta gestive problems. The PressThe study revealed that over the poor Olive health facilities in Los Barrios. people who consumed A spokesperson, Ana in MesTOP for news Spain! just one 350ml cup each tre, expressed her out- day cut their risk of dying rage at the fact the town’s early by 12% over 16 years, 24,000 residents have to while three cups reduced travel to Algeciras for an the risk by 18%. x-ray. She accused the Junta of Nine minutes failing to implement sufProfessor Sir David Spieficient health facilities. "Los Barrios suffers from gelhalter, from the Unilack of medical facilities, versity of Cambridge, callarge waiting lists, lack culated that a cup of coffee of health resources and, a day extended the avertherefore, a global health age life of a man by three incapacity that empha- months and a woman by a sizes that the Junta has month. been incapable of putting “Pro-rata, that’s as if that together a comprehensive cup of coffee puts, on avhealth care system for the erage, around nine minpeople of Los Barrios," she utes on a man’s life, and around three minutes on said. She demanded that a por- a woman’s. So perhaps we tion of the €836 million should relax and enjoy it,” the Government has allo- he said. cated to Andalucia goes to According to researchLos Barrios and the Cam- ers from Imperial College London and the Univerpo de Gibraltar. sity of Southern California (USC), who conducted the

Long way for an x-ray

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Elixir of life

studies, coffee contains antioxidants and healthboosting compounds which combat insulin resistance, lower inflammation and improve liver function. “If you like to drink coffee, drink up. If you’re not a coffee drinker, then you need to consider if you should start,” said Dr Veronica Setiawan, associate

professor of preventative medicine at USC. “Coffee contains a lot of antioxidants and phenolic compounds that play an important role in cancer prevention.” In the Imperial study, researchers analysed data from more than 500,000 people aged 35 or over from 10 EU countries, including the UK, France,

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Denmark and Italy, for 16 years. Just under 42,000 people in the study had died from a range of conditions including cancer, circulatory diseases, heart failure and strokes. Researchers found that the group with the highest consumption of coffee had a lower risk for all causes of death, compared to those who did not drink coffee. Lifestyle factors such as diet and smoking were taken into account. Men who drank at least two and a half cups a day reduced their risk by 12% and women by 7%. It also reduced the risk of dying from digestive diseases by 51% for men, and 40% for women, and lowered the risk of death from circulatory disease for women by 22%.

POLICE have arrested five medical staff across Spain for issuing bogus drug prescriptions. The suspects are thought to have used fake prescriptions for real patients to obtain medicine used in IVF treatment. The gang are believed to have sold on the medicine they obtained for half the price, costing some €230,000 to Social Security. As well as the head of a Palma clinic, three medical staff in Barcelona and one in Sevilla were also detained.

Criminal

They are accused of fraud, falsifying documents, revealing medical secrets and belonging to a criminal gang. The group also stands accused of crimes against public health by ignoring medical requirements for posting drugs. Guardia Civil officers are now trying to locate 200 people who bought the IVF drugs to see if they suffered any ill effects. So far, they have uncovered 450 fake prescriptions that have been used to send 775 packages of IVF drugs.

DANGER: The drug used

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Upping the price MORRISONS Gibraltar has doubled the price of its plastic bags. To reflect the Government’s new budget measures they will sell them for 10p, up from 5p. The budget price change aims to reduce the amount of plastic bags consumers use in order to decrease environmental impact. Lewis Stagnetto, a Marine Biologist and spokesperson for the Nautilus Project told the Olive Press: “We support the introduction of a 10p importation tax (per bag) on one-time use plastic bags and feel it is a welcomed first step in reducing their use and subsequently their impact on the marine environment.“ He said that the tax on the bags reduces the difference between ‘more sustainable alternatives’ which include paper bags, and that this may encourage businesses to switch. “In time, we will all benefit from this action," continued Stagnetto.

THE bluefin tuna fishing season has been temporarily suspended. The environment department has implemented the pause in fishing due to a high number of catches registered in the early part of the season. It will run from July 16 - August 6, during which time fishing and catching and releasing the endangered animal is prohibited. It comes after more than nine tonnes out of the 13-tonne limit has been caught in just four weeks In line with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, which has increased its quota by 20%, the government will increase the limit to 15.5 tonnes, from when the season re-opens on August 7.

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Government calls temporary ban of bluefin fishing Starting on June 16, the season will continue until either October 14 or when the weight limit is reached.

Licensed fishermen must report and weigh catches at the dedicated landing point in the North Mole. Due to its popularity, the Atlantic bluefin tuna has been the victim of severe overfishing, and in 2009, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) declared a dramatic decline in stock of 72% in the Eastern Atlantic, and 82% in the Western Atlantic over the last 40 years. Atlantic bluefin are native to the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. They can grow as big as 450 kg (990 lb) in weight, making them the largest of the perciformes family of fish.

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July 19th - August 1st 2017 July 19th - August 1st 2017

Summer madness July in Marbella is simply divine... as long as you don’t leave home that is

HIS July, I've decided that I'm not leaving the house unless I absolutely have to - nor dressing, for that matter, as it's far too

hot for anything more than a swimsuit. And make-up?.. Forget it! On the few occasions that I've braved the roads and headed

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KEEPING COOL: By the pool

The Endless Slummer!

I C

CMY

out, the traffic has been chaos, parking impossible, drivers demented and the combination of heat, crowds and queues have had me beating a retreat home where I sit on the kitchen floor - in my pants - with the freezer door open and my head pressed firmly against a bag of frozen spinach, vowing never to venture out again. Each year they say it's getting hotter, but this summer I'm finding the heat increasingly hard to bear. I mention this to a friend, as I lift a cake out of the oven and wipe the sweat from my brow. "It could be hot flashes," she remarks, sipping her coffee. "You might be menopausal, you never know!" I look up in horror. Menopause?! "How do I know?" I demand, as I stand sweating, wearing a fetching combination of swimwear, a kitchen apron and oven gloves. "Irritable, moody, emotional, hot sweats, cold sweats, ratty, tired..." she lists, summarising my July with painful accuracy, "Of course all this baking isn't going to help," she concedes,

'm writing this column from a rather splendid villa in the Marbella Hill Club. No, I haven't moved from the Casita, but some good friends of mine have gone on a six-week adventure holiday in Colombia, and they have asked me to house sit. I am obviously envious as hell about their trip taking in, as it does, Cartagena, Cali, Medellin and Bogota, along with a spot of island hopping in both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. A great friend of mine lived in Bogota about a decade ago, and frequently invited me to stay. In retrospect, it was probably a blessing that I never made it. (In a recent phone conversation he admitted as much). As this was during my, ahem, ‘Oliver Reed’ years and given my propensity for getting into trouble, the very thought of Marbella's most infamous freelance lifestyle journalist running amok in Pablo Escobar's neighbourhood, where every girl looks like Shakira's cuter sister, would be enough to make the hardiest party animal think again. My friend was working as an anti-kidnap consultant at the time – and went on to do a little freelance work in Kabul and Washington. He probably would have spent about a week trying to gather up the severed bits of me in bins around Bogota. Needless to say, I've been somewhat enjoying my time at the Hill Club. Built by the von Bismarks in the 60s, it was very much influenced by the

Marbella Club Hotel, owned by their great friend Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe. Behind the security gates are beautifully manicured lawns, discreet villas and the soothing sound of old wealth whispering contentedly. Quite what the neighbours think when I park Felicia - my latest automobile acquisition, a rather battered Seat estate - outside the villa, I have no idea, but I'm trying to pass myself off as one of those bohemian eccentric millionaire types, a kind-of modern day Howard Hughes for whom money is no object and also means nothing, so they don't splash the cash in a nouveau riche way. After all, Bentleys and Lambos are ten a penny down in Marbella during the summer months, so to really stand out, a genuine banger like mine is hard to beat. I know a German aristocrat on the Istan road who drives a 1950s Land Rover (with no roof) and I’ve spotted a few Mini Mokes and 2CVS around as well. I've already got the shabby chic look down to a tee, although my ripped jeans aren't designer, they really are ripped, and the ‘retro rocker’ t-shirt has been a staple of my wardrobe since Ace of Spades came out (Lemmy came from the next door village in England). As for where I brought my expensive bespoke watch, that's a private matter between me and Sñr Lookie Lookie! Salud! And let the summer Marbella-style slumming begin!

Marbella diaries

By Natalie Rose Kern

as The Monkey charges into the kitchen, riding a make-believe horse and talking loudly into a walkie-talkie. "Times up on the cake, do you read me? Affirmative? Entering kitchen. Over and out!" Ten weeks of school holidays is in full swing, (TEN WEEKS!!!) and in an effort to have a screen-free summer (no TV, video games or handheld devices) we've been inventing imaginative games, discovering new hobbies and creating weird and wonderful art and inventions. Having made hammocks for the cats, a suit of armor out of tin foil, a vat of freshly squeezed lemonade, a foot painting and a fortress for the dog, as well as learning to play chess and to rap, climb the highest tree in the garden, cartwheel with one hand and swim the length of the pool and back underwater in one breath, the child's latest hobby is cooking, and each day we've been cooking ‘delicious’ concoctions. Although, as I glance around at the flour-covered surfaces, little chocolate fingerprints on the fridge door, and a sink full of bowls and baking tins for the fourth day this week, I concede that perhaps a little television wouldn't be so bad after all. And so the summer holidays drew on, I was surprised with tickets to Guns and Roses' European tour – in Copenhagen, which was the absolute highlight of my month – not only getting to see one of my teen idols, Axl Rose, and rocking out to the soundtrack of my adolescence live for the first time, but also a pretty city break in a cooler climate was a most welcome change from Marbella's stifling heat. Back in Marbella, a series of press invitations for concerts and festivals, arrived on my desk, and so far, Foreigner, Billy Ocean, Heather Small, Right said Fred, Anastasia and Sting have been setting the coast alight and I had to break my self-imposed house arrest to rock, bop and boogie. We also enjoyed workshops at Riverheart Retreat in Coin, a glorious escape from the hustle and bustle of the coast, where I could practice yoga and write, whilst The Monkey painted stones and made wildlife collections. And when it got too hot we simply retired to the pool; the only place to remain cool. "July in Marbella is simply delightful," I begin to write my column... "Mama!" a small voice cries out from the garden, "I've taught Tupac to skate!" and I pop my head out of the window to see the cat, breezing past on a skateboard wearing a kneepad as a helmet. Ahhh... Just another quiet day in paradise.

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