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IT’S impossible to be ‘fat and fit’ and even if you are slightly overweight you are unhealthy, a new study found. Researchers in Spain found the risk of heart attacks and strokes rockets as BMI increases. And while they agree that exercise does reduce the risk of some illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, those who were active and obese were twice as likely to have high cholesterol than inactive people of a normal weight. The findings challenge the long-held ‘obesity paradox’ belief that it’s possible to be fat and not at an increased risk of death from heart disease. The study of over 520,000 Spanish adults by the European University, in Madrid, revealed that overweight people were actually four times more likely to have diabetes... and five times more likely to have high blood pressure. “One cannot be fat but healthy,” said lead researcher Dr Alejandro Lucia. “This study shows that being regularly active is not likely to eliminate the detrimental health effects of excess body fat. “Our findings refute the notion that a physically active lifestyle can completely negate the deleterious effects of obesity.”
While other health tips for the new year include...
SUNNY DELIGHT: Soak up those rays - see page 13
A
ll about
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Vol. 14 Issue 361
From mice to men
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January 27th - February
COVID vaccine 100% effective in first tests with human trials poised to start
App ‘n go
have been AN app to prove people COVID is to be immunised against days. launched in the coming those who have The Junta says that of the vaccine been given two doses the app, will be able to download code. This will which will show a QR so people can be able to be scanned vaccinated. This prove they have been them travel decould be used to let example. spite restrictions, for
Watch that chat
Esteban. ‘creates 100% against researcher Mariano has verified that the vaccine susceptible to proven to be 100% effective Arriaza said that the team in a humanised mouse SPANISH vaccine has protection against SARS-CoV-2 important.’ COVID-19 in mice. infection, which is very been modified to replicate Mariano Esteban and Juan will the SARS-CoV-2 The jab, developed by virologists the MVA virus has Centre for Biotechnology, In the Spanish vaccine, of SARS-CoV-2, which is the key that allows Garcia Arriaza at the National S protein ‘within weeks’. to eradicate the complete to enter human cells. move on to human trials of the virus that was used the coronavirus the protein and teaches the Journal of Virol- It therefore introduces the immune system to The vaccine uses a variant the results published in smallpox, according to and eliminate it. vaccine protected belonging it how to recognise one or two doses of the ogy. Spanish biotech giant Biofabri, According to the study, mice from COVID-19. It is being developed withplans for clinical trials already in motion. vaccine blocked repli100% of the ‘humanised’ to the Zendal group, with jab uses the ‘Modified Ankara vaccinia’ vi- Arriaza added, however, that two doses of the in the lungs. protein that manDubbed MVA-CoV-2, the coronavirus COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 a the of to transport the coronavirus, cation results demonstrate that the MVA vector-based rus (MVA) as a vehicle animal system defense against “These and complete efficacy in the reages to stimulate an immune for Scientific Research. produces robust immunity clinical trials,” the Spanish Medi- vaccine and supports its future application in reported the Higher Council models, for the green light from Biofabri is now waiting the first of two clinical human trials, which searchers declared. progressing before weeks could begin in a few cines Agency to kickstart Clinical phases I and II could start in a few weeks.the MVA-CoV-2 vaccine candidate gener- to phase III. on hamsters and macaques. of neutralising “We have observed that now also be carried out response with the production explained Tests will ates a robust immune of T lymphocytes in mice,” antibodies and the activation
A
DELIGHTED: Virologists
Mariano Esteban and
9th 2021
R-RATED
a 10% rise in SCIENTISTS say that the chance of mask wearing triples infection rate keeping the R number for COVID below one. Health, reWriting in Lancet Digital the numsearchers said that keeping the pandemic is ber below one means shows the numshrinking. The R rate by each carrier ber of people infected of the coronavirus. people in the They studied 300,000 conclusion. their reach to USA
Juan Garcia Arriaza,
developers of the vaccine
chat without a HAVING a 30-secondventilated room facemask in a badlycoughing for half could be worse than to COVID ina second when it comes fection. of CamA study by the University College London bridge and Imperial results in a found that while coughing droplets, speech large number of big These then produces finer particles. air for longer – stay suspended in the up to an hour. people to wear a The report advises and othmask to protect themselves just talking and are they if even ers, not coughing.
GOOD START
race to vaccinate its AS Spain started the Andalucia was population against COVID, an early leader. the vaccination proIn the first weeks of Spain’s first tranche gramme one in four of in the region. of injections was made
And much more in our special four page pull-out - see page 11
AN expat has been reunited with his car after an eagle eyed Olive Press reader spotted it a year after it went missing. Kenny Greenhow, 63, went on an audacious lockdown journey to retrieve his beloved BMW which had apparently been stolen by local expat-run transport company Mission Impossible. Greenhow, who has lived on the Costa Blanca for years, was horrified to discover that his convertible had apparently ‘disappeared’ while it was being transported back to the UK. After doing some digging he discovered that the transport company’s owner Simon Davies was a conman, who had been at least twice convicted of fraud in the UK. However, despite reporting the stolen car to both the Spanish and British police, he feared he would never see it again. But that was before the Olive Press had run a front page story on the missing car and its alleged theft in January last year. Also appearing online, it luckily struck a chord with one of our regular readers who remembered the story when he saw the top-ofthe-range white BMW and the alleged thief driving it this month in Almeria. He immediately got in touch with us telling us it was in the small seaside town of Palomares and even pinpointed the exact location. When we passed on the in-
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Expat dashes 160 kilometres to retrieve stolen car from conman after Olive Press reader spots alleged thief a year on
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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2
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j e c t
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Vol. 2 Issue 32 www.theolivepress.es January 28th - February 10th 2021
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INTO THE ABYSS: Proof that Editor Jon Clarke DOES have a heart - see page 14
expat
OLIV PRESSE
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Fat not fit is what matters
Your
FINALLY!
CHUFFED: Greenhow on getting his BMW back
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COSTA BLAN CA
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Your
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“QUICK, / MURCIA Vol. 1 Issue simple and 5 www.th pain comes painless. eolivepress.es later,” King The incoming January 9th Felipe chez at a Prime Minister Pedro told - January 22nd 2020 terday. swearing in ceremon Sany yesThe PSOE not, having leader will certainly ing two yearhad to endure an hope agonizwait and elections three general It was histo get this far. second recent an investitu attempt re at since won the most seats the Socialists general election in Decemb er’s overall majority , but failed to win an And Sanchez . stops as he , 47, pulled out moth two cracked heads at all the a mamday weekend Madrid, after which he session in the vote by finally won After years two seats. news for of instability, it country’s Spain’ insisted oneis ‘great best known of the Irish author expats. Ian Gibson Press: “While told the lots of compro there are going Olive to be mises, there be solution will also s.” The Madridlived in Spainbased writer, who for half a century, has ed: “I’m delighte addd. He’s an man and amazing A CONVICTED British it’s remarka stuck it out been accused ble to think of strikingconman has he car transpo his own partyafter being kicked again in a “He has the and then fighting out of down the rt scam running Costa up and qualities of back. man and speaks a true states- Simon Davies, Blanca. very well. 58, who a great asset He will be Mission Impossi now runs ble Hispanist, for Europe,” added Almeria, was jailed Transport from the part ous books who has penned numer- But in a €450,000 in 2008 for his on Spain. the trickster mortgage fraud. - who goes ous aliases by vari- has now Frankens to the Guardia been denounc tein Sanchez was ed Civil, in Alicante ‘stealing sworn in at ’ ace after winning , for a British a top-of-the-range Zarzuela car from a second vote Pal- Accordi expat. fidence. MPs EXCLU By SimonSIVE called Callfree. votes to 165 voted by a knife-edof con- lives ng to Kenny Greenho Wade near ge to support What he hadn’tnet Ltd, in 2005. wing coalition Sanchez’s 167 has nickedCiudad Quesada w, who covered his reputati leftrevealed was , Davies This government, ning as a director his BMW up by Pablo on and worth included damning past.” from 2004 his banand a host Iglesias’s Podemopropped The €8,000, en route convertible, sites calling reviews on after a previous compan to 2010 paint inspecto to the UK. s party into liquidat It helped of other parties. mer’ and ‘a Davies ‘a complet y had gone told the Olive r, from that 18 MPs, ion with debts e scam- £200,00 liar’. from Cataluny Press he had Tyneside, Other reviews (€970) the 0. of nearly about A few The coalitiona, abstained. majority the UK,to get his beloved paid £820 pany, SD Sameday a previous com- was years later a bankrup 120i back last year. includes Podemogovernment, Couriers, to com gave him made against He has not since. tcy on yell. of ‘Clive one seen it he had s, PNV, Más which “It’s him in the order Compromís, Smith, ‘disappeared’star and claimed ified name Teruel ExisteGalego Nationalist País, with important that police to respond him from which again disqualthe guy, and Block, to customegoods and failed director acting as catch up Our the first since and Nueva Canarias r being research stop a compan queries. . other people is conned , is y Despite dictator Franco.1977 after the no stranger reveals that Davies, death of said Greenhow,the way that I have,” 58, rector ofthis, he went on to The parties SD Sameda to fraud. 61, who has ported the act property opposing included y recently also re- dress theft to the Houses Ltd company as diVox, Ciudada shared “As with UK Safe long under a differen the PP, police. as as justice and Navarra nos, Junts per Cataluny lebrite Ltd Cleanrite Ltd and an ad- ty. behind is done and t identiSuma. a Greenhobars.” he is his wife, in Essex, compan Spark- “We are determi Key to Sanchez Anita. ies run by on w had first ’s victory ned to crack stention cheats come was the ab- sion Impossi of the pro-inde ception,” like these who profit down ble, via an across MisCatalan party, said Pat McFadd pendence uShip, last summer online broker by deDisqualifie UK’s Departm vowed to find the ERC, after . en, Sanchez The company’s a solution Their marriag d When contacteent for Busines of the that has dogged profile, to the on the d this week, s. nya’s separatis Spain since conflict hicles website, claims towhich is still online, shows e certificate, available claimed the Davies FRAUD Cataluhave five ve- have previous Simon Clive BMW had and drivers left tried to secede t regional governm simply been (top) STER: Davies goods and ‘has £50,000 ly been knownDavies to due with police in ‘norther ent million in transit insuran Emman , while the missin The governm in 2017. to ‘problem n Spain’ g BMW ce and £2 fraud in uel Smith’, who was as ‘Clive Davies public liability ent’s opponen s with paperwo Sanchez’ 2008. Press that “I jailed got plenty insurance.’ ts argue rk’. for stopped said he was ‘sick The Lancash will be too‘Frankenstein governm of quotes, ly suspend Davies’ account is was of being by ire Telegra currented. ratists and beholden to Catalan ent’ “Withthe cheapest,” he and Davies that Davies (then ph reported the car had Spanish police’, saying Mission Impossi become a explained. manuel tional unity.pose a threat to Spain’ssepa- ker, the query going through ble Transpo Smith, had46), aka Clive Em- over unspecified ed was set ‘hot rt Limitna- “But I thought he’d be years and been up out problems potato’ Street, a six months handed three reaucracy. with bulegitimate. bro- £380,00 when London, in of an office in Old a threat of 2018, 0 mortgag for his part in a He failed however its delivery the car didn’t arrive Opinion being struck and despite to name date in the station nor after Shockingly, Davies e fraud. page 6 is still apparen digging around UK, region where the police has other tly trading.off last year, and to my I started tions, including he left the convic- car. horror dis- an investor when he Davies persuad If you know start a new to hand over £30,000 ed with theadded he had been guises contacDavies in any in touch mobile phone to Mission UK police over of his t the the issue. +34 951 business Impossible 273 575 Olive Press at ker, uShip, Transport’s desk@theolive or email confirmed bronewspress.es to the Olive Opinion page 6
Mission Impossib le Conman accused expat’s BMW of stealing claim transpor t companys his in ‘northern left Spain’ due it ‘paperwo to rk problems ’
EXCLUSIVE By Simon Wade
formation, Greenhow was ecstatic and said he was immediately set to go on a ‘Mission Impossible’ of his own. Despite the latest lockdown taking a grip on the Costa Blanca and particularly Murcia that had closed its borders he realised he had to make a move. Enlisting a local pal from his village of Lo Crispin, near Ciudad Quesada, he grabbed his spare key and immediately got on the road. “Some 160kms later and there it was,” he told the Olive Press this week. “It felt like we were stealing it back and it was definitely exhilarating.” It turned out the car had been parked right outside conman Davies home. “My heart was certainly pounding, but I knew I had to get my car back and tell the police,” added Greenhow. “There was the slim chance that the car might not actually be mine, but when the door opened, I almost leapt for joy.” He added that the Olive Press reader that contacted us was certainly his ‘guardian angel’. “He’s a legend and it’s so great when the media can create such a positive outcome. More power to the press!” Back home on the Costa Blanca, the car was discovered to be in a ‘filthy’ state, filled with grubby sports equipment and electronic devices.
M r Greenhow’s MOT and insurance papers were still in the car, along with a logbook and an insurance policy in the name of Anita Davies, the convicted fraudster’s wife. The car was now registered on Irish number plates, in an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to evade detection.
Corrupt
the owner. He also whined that Greenhow had threatened to send a gang of ‘hitmen’ to seek out justice, despite not knowing the whereabouts of the car. After informing the police that his car was now back, he was delighted to discover they fully supported him crossing two provincial borders to get it back.
Last year, the Olive Press reported that Davies was no stranger to the law. He was jailed in 2008 for his part in a £380,000 mortgage fraud, has a conviction for swindling £30,000 in a business investOpinion Page 6 ment scam and was disqualified from being a company director after a bankruptcy. Calle Los Arcos 7, Ciudad Quesada, 03170 When the Cycle Sales, Repairs, Hires, Accessories & Clothing Olive Press LARGE SELECTION OF E-BIKES IN STOCK contacted OVER 250 CYCLES IN STOCK • NEW AND USED Davies, he claimed to be back in The Costa Blanca’s No.1 Pinarello Road Bike Hire Centre www.roadbikehirespain.com the UK. COMPLETE RANGE NOW AVAILABLE He alleged that the car had been in storage ROAD BIKES awaiting OPENING HOURS: collection, Monday to Friday 09.30-17.30 Saturday 10.00-14.00 despite paFor more information call perwork in the car Gary or Lynn on: 637 487 377 suggesting Find us on Facebook www.cyclogicalcostablanca.com he was now