Our promise - Our DNA: The best reporting in Spain in English
OLIVE PRESS
O ur D
The
- Ou
NA
mise -
r pr o
FREE
COSTA BLANCA
Your expat
tel: 966 46 38 45
voice in Spain
Vol. 1 Issue 43 www.theolivepress.es November 12th - November 25th 2020
WWW.JAVEABLINDS.COM
Lockdown
KEEP EATING: Valencia bars and restaurants can stay open for now, with midnight curfew kept
COSTA Blanca bar and restaurant owners are continuing to avoid the draconian closures introduced in neighbouring regions. They remain open until 11pm, despite neighbouring Murcia and Catalunya ordering a total closure in the hospitality sector to curb a worrying rise in COVID-19 cases. However indoor capacity for bars and restaurants on the Costa Blanca was slashed to 30% and 50% for terraces. Capacity inside shops is down to 50% and markets can only have half of their regular quota of stalls. Buffets are completely banned. Hotels are allowed to rent a third of their rooms, while friends are not allowed to stay overnight at each other’s homes. “These measures are all about saving lives, protecting jobs and safeguarding families,” said Valencian president, Ximo Puig. “The situation is serious but we should not lose perspective. We
By Alex Trelinski
are better-off with infection rates compared to other regions, but we cannot relax... and won’t tolerate recklessness.” The Valencian Community will maintain the midnight curfew until at least December 9, with suggestions that it could be brought forward an hour as COVID-19 cases escalate. Puig said that there were no plans for any home confinements as was the case under this year’s first State of Alarm. He said he hoped to ‘maintain the fundamentals’ of the Christmas and New Year season. The border with Murcia is shut until at least November 22 and residents can only leave or arrive there for essential reasons like work.
DONE DEAL?
SALES & RENTALS SPECIALISTS Moriara•Calpe•Jalon•Javea•Denia•Altea
96 649 1883 www.moraira-hamiltons.net
BORIS Johnson has assured his cabinet that a Brexit withdrawal deal is ‘there to be done’. The proposed agreement comes amid signs Joe Biden’s stunning US election win has sparked a desire to double down on negotiation with the EU. The Prime Minister is hoping to strike a trade deal this week before the European Union’s deadline to reach an agreement on November 16. While Olive Press sources insist Biden’s win has
Movers international
UK Prime Minister optimistic trade agreement can be reached before this week’s looming deadline By Kirsty McKenzie
injected renewed impetus into the talks, Johnson claimed this has always been the case. “I’ve always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends,” said Johnson at the weekend. “I think it’s there to be done, the broad outlines are pretty clear.” His remarks come as EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier returned to London on Monday offering ‘three keys to unlock a deal’.
He is here for a week of ‘intensive’ talks with his British counterpart David Frost, with fair trade and fishing agreements the main points up for discussion.
Struggle
Anne Hernandez of lobby group Brexpats in Spain told the Olive Press a deal would be struck this week. She added: “I think Boris has another uphill struggle in befriending Biden who is vocally anti-Brexit but he has to get him on his side since his partnerin-crime is going to be
leaving the White House in January. “There will be a deal and Boris will say they have ‘managed’ to agree it with the EU and he will forget to add the reason being that he buckled and did another u-turn.” But her optimism was tempered by a downbeat assessment from Downing Street, with No 10 claiming ‘significant differences remain’ between the two sides on Monday. A spokeswoman added: “The prime minister set out that, while some progress had been made in
recent discussions, significant differences remain in a number of areas, including the so-called level playing field, and fish.” She said they had agreed that their negotiating teams would continue talks in London this week to ‘redouble efforts to reach a deal’, adding that they would remain ‘in personal contact about the negotiations.’ Nigel Farage this week blasted the prime minister for failing to secure a withdrawal agreement ahead of the US election results, claiming that Joe Biden ‘hates the UK’. Opinion Page 6
E U R O P E LT D ALICANTE:(+34) 965 770 639 MALAGA: (+34) 952 426 560 PRESTON: (+44) 1772 651 570
Jávea / Altea yorkshirelinencostablanca.com
www.moversint.co.uk movers.int@gmail.com
Tel: 952 147 834
2 147 834 MOVERS
•
STORERS
See page 11
TM
•
SHIPPERS
y The conspirac theorists getting a grip on the costas
anon
See page 6
2
www.theolivepress.es
NEWS IN BRIEF Drugs villa TWO Dutch nationals have been arrested for running a marijuana farm out of a luxury villa in Altea.
No worries JAVEA’S tourist department says that over eight thousand extra holidaymakers stayed in the area over the peak summer season compared to 2019, in spite of the pandemic
Illegal club A COURT has refused to legalise Javea’s La Siesta club on Benissero beach as it stands on protected public coastal land.
Hot water FORMER Denia mayor, Ana Kringe, has been charged with corruption by the National Court over public money bolstering the Partido Popular in regional and local elections.
Crime boss ‘killed drugs rival and decapitated victim’
CRIME
Head case
in the area, Navarro is thought to have a long criminal past after a spell living in Mexico. According to early reports, Navarro is thought to have been the leader of a criminal gang specialising in robbery and drug smuggling.
By James Warren
A MAN allegedly responsible for murdering a drugs rival before dumping his victim’s head in a bin after showing it to children has been identified as a convicted thief and crime ring-leader. Manuel Jesus Navarro was identified after footage of him surfaced discarding a carrier bag containing the head in a recycling container.
November 12th - November 25th 2020
Mexico
GRIM DEPOSIT: Navarro carries head in a bag
Mexican, Navarro, 60, casually showed passers-by including children the head
before disposing of the bloodied head in Huelva. Known as ‘El Mejicano’
Hard and fast
Murder mystery
BRIT and Irish expats have been arrested after a police swoop on an Albir-Alfaz area bar that sold viagra pills and cocaine. Two other raids were staged in Albir and La Nucia in a joint operation between the Guardia Civil and Policia Nacional. Six people were detained aged between 27 and 62 and brought before a court in Benidorm. Their nationalities were declared as Spanish, British, Irish, Albanian, and Romanian. Residents close to the bar complained about large numbers of people using the premises while pandemic capacity restrictions were in force. The unnamed bar has been closed down after the police raid which netted 140 grams of cocaine, 270 erectile dysfunction pills and €770.
POLICE are baffled after a woman dog walker was strangled to death. They are appealing for witnesses after Friday’s murder in the La Hoya district of Elche, saying there is no evidence that the killing was planned and they have no motive for the assault. Her body was found dumped in an irrigation canal by another dog walker. The 45-yearold victim, named as Alicia, worked as a court official in Elche’s justice department and lived with her mother. Hundreds of people gathered in La Hoya’s Plaza de la Torre del Gallo to pay tribute to Alicia on Sunday. Her work colleagues held a minute’s silence the following day.
Navarro was captured in Mexico in 2009 after a series of violent raids on businesses in the Mexican town of Monterrey, before being sentenced to 10 years in prison. It is understood that Navarro returned to Huelva just months ago after being released. The victim, currently identified by his first name Candido, is thought to have been a friend of Navarro and the pair would be regularly seen together walking through Huelva. “Candido was lovely. He would always help you out without asking for anything in return.” said a local resident. It is thought that the dispute that led to the beheading was a disagreement over drugs.
Unhappy ending A MALE chiropractor has been arrested for sexually abusing two clients by fondling their buttocks and breasts. The 45-year-old Spaniard is facing two charges of sexual abuse. Police say that in two separate incidents the man assaulted his victims and talked to them in a ‘sensual manner’. In the first incident, a young woman went to a Valencia city clinic for treatment for a shoulder injury. The masseur told her to strip to her underwear without giving her anything to cover herself with during the session.
Traumatic
He is said to have lowered her underwear, touching her buttocks, before brushing the sides of her breasts and complimenting her upon her body and appearance and speaking to her in a sexually charged manner, a police report states. In the second complaint another woman went to the massage centre complaining of pain in her back and arms before being assaulted in an almost identical way, police allege. The suspect has also been charged with breaching an order to not approach the victims.
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es
3
November 12th - November 25th 2020
Double edged sword for nature as whales move on while eagles soar in ORCA whales are abandoning the Med and heading to Galician waters, biologists claim. Experts suspect that Orcas (also known as Killer Whales) are leaving as the Med is now too warm for them due to global warming. Previously sightings of Killer Whales averaged at around 65 per season, but this number has now decreased by more than two thirds in the past year. It comes as temperature increases in the Med are going up 20% faster than the global av-
Queen of the high street! SPAIN’S bargain basement queen has shown her support for the high street donning a pair of €20 trousers from Mango for a record FIFTH time. Queen Letizia, 48, wore the ankle-length grey trousers from the Spanish brand, while visiting a Madrid drug clinic this week. She previously wore them to make an outing to present the 2020 Princess of Asturias awards a month ago, having first worn them in September 2017.
Roar blimey! AN 'extraordinary' 2,400 year old statue of a lion has been unearthed by a farmer in Spain. The artefact was uncovered by Gonzalo Crespo in the hamlet of La Rambla, Cordoba, while he was ploughing his olive grove. The statue in perfect condition depicts a lioness devouring another animal and is believed to have been carved around 400 BC. Crespo immediately recognised he had found something significant and
Orca outing erage, according to the IMBE institute. But despite a surge in violent incidents involving Orcas along the Northern coast, there is no clear scientific explanation for the Killer Whale’s change in behaviour. Since relocating to Galicia, the Orcas have rammed into a navy vessel as well as a series of sailing boats. “These interactions are very rare and aren’t something we’ve seen here before.” said biologist Alfredo Lopez
Flying high SOME of Spain’s most iconic birds of prey are making a concerted comeback as they take advantage of the peaceful skies of southern Spain to
ADIÓS SEAN From Spain with Love, as former Costa resident OO7 star James Bond passes on
HE had ‘Scotland forever’ tattooed on his forearm but for over 20 years his heart belonged to Spain. The definitive James Bond and long time Spanish resident, Sir Sean Connery has passed away at the age of 90. The 007 legend ‘slipped away’ in his sleep at his Bahamas home after suffering from dementia. The couple first met at a golf tournament in 1970 and married five years later, setting up home at Casa Malibu, in Puerto Banus,
Fitness flashback AT HOME: Sean Connery lived in Marbella for years
Marbella. Connery, a regular in both the port and restaurants in the old town, was best known for his hacking around the local golf courses.
The pair went on to sell the property in 1999 for a staggering €6.4 million before moving to the Caribbean. Connery, a notoriously private person, cited an increase in new homes around the area for deciding to leave Marbella. “These people are not going to see me in my underpants, I am leaving Marbella,” he allegedly said.
Goldfinger
Sunset synths called police. The lioness was transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Cordoba where it will be studied by experts.
POLLY’S International Bookshop
Quality Used Books since 1985 Polly’s Bookshop in Javea Port is 35 years old. “Polly’s is as old as me,” says Sam, her proud owner, “and to celebrate, we are opening a new Polly’s Bookshop in Moraira.” Like Polly’s Javea, the new shop has thousands of quality used books, fiction and nonfiction, in English, Spanish, German, French and Dutch. Apart from the books that are extra special, they’ll still be 3 euros each with a euro credit if you want to return it. We are continuing with our busy proofreading and editing services and our popular book finding and ordering services too. It feels great finding an out of print book for someone who has been searching for it.
Javea Port, Calle Santisimo Cristo del Mar 03730 – tel: 665 314 404 Moraira-Teulada, 237 Moraira Calpe Road 03724 – tel: 711 010 439
THERE are not many DJ sets that top this one. Perched on a rocky outcrop in the Ronda tajo, German DJ Christian Loffler looked very much the King of the Decks. French company Cercle brought a team of over a dozen technicians and engineers to film the six minute video, a mix of mellow beats and electronic riffs. Perched on a circular glass stage on the edge of the 500 metre-wide gorge, the overall effect is both moving and impressive.
KIM CLARK
Benefits Consultancy If you suffer from... • Mobility problems • Pain / Breathlessness • Falls / Stumbles
COVID-19. The rugged sierras of Andalucia and Valencia have seen healthy growth in several species of raptor as less planes carve up their airspace. Not only are Ospreys breeding in increasing numbers, but Imperial Eagle numbers are at an historic high, with seven more breeding pairs recorded this year. Most promising of all, three Red Kites have been seen gliding over the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park in Jaen. The trio - one adult male and two young females - were released after a short stint in a Madrid wildlife hospital. It comes after the species became extinct in Andalucia some decades ago.
Or you need... • Help with washing /dressing • Supervision
You could be entitled to extra income by claiming UK sickness/disability benefits while living in Spain FOR ADVICE OR TO BOOK A CONSULTATION call 950 169 729 or 663 297 568 www.ukbenefitsinspain.com
Connery and his wife were also embroiled in a long-running tax fraud and planning case over allegedly illegal plans for Casa Malibu, although the case was dropped in 2014. He refused to return to face the judge’s questions in the case codenamed predictably ‘Goldfinger’. See Salute to Sir Sean, Page 14
IT may well turn out to be her last hurrah in Spain. Davinia Taylor has shared a photo of her sizzling physique on holiday here just weeks after she put her Marbella villa on the market for €17 million. The former Hollyoaks actress, 42, was clearly feeling reflective as she posted the photo taken during the last lockdown here in the Spring. In the Instagram post she wrote that being in Spain had managed to ‘improve her mood’. No doubt her mood will improve dramatically if she gets a sale of the front line property in Los Monteros for sale through LuxuryEstate.com. It counts on seven bedrooms, tropical gardens and Antonio Banderas as a former neighbour.
MORAIRA PLUMBING HEATING PLUMBING & AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTS
EAS Electric 25 basic Inverter hot and cold A++ Standard installation
SPECIAL OFFER*
490€ (inc IVA) SOLAR ELECTRIC ENERGY NOW BEING INSTALLED
Air Conditioning | Bathroom Fitting Gas and Oil Central Heating | Electrics Certification & Inspection | Pool | Solar Energy
tel: +34 620 523 613 / +34 966 498 993 email: info@morairaph.com Calle Mulhacén, Ctra Moraira a Calpe, 3, 03724 Moraira New location further down the road towards Moraira town centre, next to Gemisant & Kostas Restaurant
www.morairaph.com
4 www.theolivepress.es Let’s get Pet Poisoner digital ALICANTE is claiming to have set up the world’s first fully-digital beach. El Postiguet has been equipped with the pioneering NaviLens universal guidance system. The technology has been developed by the University of Alicante and the Neosistic company and can track beach capacity and help guide the visually impaired thanks to use of visual arrows. It’s already used on Alicante buses, as well as on the New York and Barcelona transport networks to provide information. In this case the info will include COVID-19 protocols, water quality, temperatures, UV index figure, and general weather details. Alicante deputy mayor and tourist board head, Mari Carmen Sanchez said: “El Postiguet is the world’s first beach that is totally digital and inclusive. If we mention tourism now, we have to look at digitisation and being inclusive.” A free downloadable smartphone app will allow access to real-time information in 33 languages.
A woman who tried to poison cats and dogs by sprinkling poisonous white powder on local pavements has been given a large fine. She was arrested by the Guardia Civil after residents complained about her behaviour. The unnamed Spanish poisoner operated around the Calle Patricio Zamit area of the Torrevieja and one complainant took a photo of her activities. When confronted by astounded passers-by, she said that her mission was to ‘kill all animals around the city’. A court fined her €1,200 in addition to six months probation.
EVIL: Animal killer
Destination Relaxation
Properties to rent and buy in the sunny Costa Blanca
We have beautiful homes for sale and luxury villas to rent Commission fee is only €2500 tel: (+34) 965 074 546 | email: info@azul-homes.co.uk www.azul-homes.co.uk
NEWS
Get ready to rumble
Is a big one due, as southern Spain is hit by 24 quakes this month?
By Simon Wade & Kirsty McKenzie
SPAIN’S southern coastline has been hit by around two earthquakes a day since the start of the month. Over two dozen tremors have rumbled their way up from Valencia to Andalucia over the last 12 days. One of the strongest quakes was felt in the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday 11) when a tremor hit the Mula area, 22 miles west of Murcia. With an epicentre 10km underground, it measured 2.4 in magnitude, equalling tremor intensities felt elsewhere in the region this week. A mild aftershock later hit Girona, on the northern border with France. The strongest recent earthquake was the 3.6 tremor that shook the hills above Benidorm on November 3. AN EU survey suggests that flights to and from Alicante-Elche airport have now collapsed to levels last seen in 1973. Airport operator, Aena, has predicted that passenger numbers will take until at least 2023 to recover. The Eurostats group which compiles data for the European Commission says that just 38 services are currently scheduled at the airport, a 70% drop on the normal winter programme. New travel restrictions and the imposition of the night curfew have seen carriers cut services still further. Around 80% of the airport’s flights are international and prior to the pandemic, it was ranked in the top 50 of Eu-
LORCA: Nine people died in 2011 tremor that shook Murcia and shocked Spain Because southern Spain lies near the fault lines between the Eurasian and African
plates, the area is prone to frequent tremors. But some scientists have sug-
Bumpy descent
Talked down
rope’s busiest airports. Jet2 have pulled the plug until next year, while Ryanair has cut its winter programme by 60%, although it is boosting some domestic routes, especially to the Canary Islands and northern Spain. It’s projected that passenger numbers at Alicante-Elche airport will close the year at around four million, similar to figures in the mid-nineties. Last year, the facility at El Altet recorded a seventh-successive year of growth as it ended 2019 with numbers topping 15 million travellers.
SAVE MONEY WITH CHEAPER, GREENER ELECTRICITY Save up to 35% on your electricity bill Switch to our cheaper, 100% green energy tariffs today
November 12th - November 25th 2020
ORIHUELA Police talked down an English woman who was threatening to jump from a bridge. Officers had been alerted by drivers who saw the woman on the bridge between San Miguel de Salinas and Campoamar. When the police arrived, access to the woman was hindered because of the location, but they eventually managed to persuade her down. Police sources say she was in a ‘state of anxiety’, and was transferred to the Torrevieja Hospital.
gested the world’s largest and most deadly recent earthquakes were not ‘natural’ disasters at all and were likely to be caused by humans. One was the 5.1 magnitude earthquake in Lorca, Murcia, apparently triggered by water being extracted from underground reservoirs, which tragically killed nine people in 2011.
Killer
This was the deadliest quake in Spain since 1956, when 12 people died and 70 were injured in the southern Granada region. One of the worst earthquakes to hit the country was in 1804 when around 1,000 people died in Almeria. That was followed by the death of 1,200 in the provinces of Malaga and Granada when a 6.7 magnitude quake struck in 1884.
100% Certified Green Energy
Solar PV Panels Save money and get paid if you produce more energy than you use
+34 951 120 830 | INFO@MARIPOSAENERGIA.ES | WWW.MARIPOSAENERGIA.ES
LIBERTYCASHBACK Until
When
23rd
DECEMBER
2020
YOU need it most
ALREADY A CUSTOMER?
A NEW CLIENT?
€60 CASHBACK
€30 CASHBACK
on each new policy
on your first policy & €60 from the second policy onwards
Take out a new Car, Life, Home or Funeral policy NOW to access our Cashback offer – because tough times deserve little treats!
#1
There’s no limit on the number of policies you take out, so there’s no limit on Cashback!
preferred expat insurer
Visit your agent or go to www.libertyexpatriates.es Offer valid from 27th August 2020 to 23rd December 2020. Policies must be paid by direct debit. Applies to new car, life, home and funeral policies only. Not for renewals or replacements. Conditions and minimum premiums will be applied in all cases. Visit our website or ask your broker/agent for full details.
The Olive Press all editions FP (342mmx256mm) November 11
6
NEWS FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION Tale of two regions THE Valencian Community and the Murcia region have different tacks over bars and restaurants as COVID-19 cases spike upwards. A full-on Murcia shutdown last weekend fired up 2,000 hospitality trade bosses and workers to hit Cartagena’s streets on Wednesday. They marched on the regional assembly building and shouted for the Murcia president to make an appearance, which he duly didn´t. At the same time in the Valencian Community, a 200-strong motorcade snaked round Alicante City where bars and restaurants are still open, albeit with reduced capacity levels. Protestors claimed that ruin is beckoning but at least they are still in business serving customers. That’s unless you run a nightclub or late bar where the ‘doors closed’ notices were posted in August So who is right between Valencia and Murcia? Politicians will point to regional variations in virus rates which require different remedies. Official national figures show that less than 3% of COVID-19 outbreaks can be directly attributed to hospitality businesses. You have the sense that with social distancing and mask wearing, the non-draconian Valencian approach to hospitality just has a bit more logic to it…...for now. .
Decision day He started with the battle cry ‘Get Brexit done’ and after almost a year in the trenches, we’re close to stumbling home. Confused, concussed and just a little bit beaten, we march onwards towards Brexit with our floppy-haired British commander Boris cheering us nonsensically all the way. D-day this time is November 16, the European Union’s deadline to reach an agreement, and Boris reckons the battle is all but won. But who’s to say what D will stand for this time? Devastation? Delusion? Or just any bloody decision will do? The PM is optimistic he will strike an agreement this week saying the deal is ‘there to be done’ adding ‘the broad outlines are pretty clear’ but to the mass public, we still are clambering around in the dark looking for an explanation for what Brexit truly means and how it will work. Until then, it feels rather like the blind are leading the blind.
Publisher / Editor
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es
Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es
Kirsty McKenzie kirsty@theolivepress.es
John Culatto johnc@theolivepress.es
Isha Sesay isha@theolivepress.es
Lydia Spencer-Elliott lydia@theolivepress.es
Simon Wade simon@theolivepress.es
Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es
Admin Sandra Aviles Diaz (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es
Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es
Distribution ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 273 575 distribution@ theolivepress.es
Newsdesk: 0034 951 273 575 For all sales and advertising enquiries please contact 951 27 35 75 Head office
Carretera Nacional 340, km 144.5, Calle Espinosa 1, Edificio cc El Duque, planta primera, 29692, Sabinillas, Manilva Deposito Legal MA: 498-2018
AWARDS
2016 - 2020 Best expat paper in Spain and the second best in the world. The Expat Survey Consumer Awards.
2012 - 2020
Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.
ANON has landed
There’s a new show in town for deranged conspiracy theorists that makes Scientology seem like the Open University. Jo Chase gets her hands dirty by looking under the bonnet...
W
ELCOME to the world of lunatic conspiracy theories. And Q Anon might just be the daddy. In case it is yet to make it to you, QAnon is the codename of a high-ranking US intelligence officer – Q – who dripfeeds intelligence to followers. It centres on Trump’s ‘crusade’ to save the world from a Deep State where a satanic cabal of influential people - Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama among them - hide children in tunnels for the purposes of paedophilia and cannibalism. It also involves the gold standard being restored and, following a mysterious ‘reset’, a basic income being
HIDDEN DEPTHS: The remote town of Orgiva has found itself at home to many conspiracy theorists to the disgust of some residents
paid to all world citizens – known as ‘NESARA/GESARA’ (National Economic Security and Recovery Act).
To most normal individuals it seems totally far-fetched, especially given newly ousted Trump’s record for
Complications ahead for British expats in Spain... But a deal will happen! As the stopwatch ticks ever closer, Brexit Analyst Anne Hernández on the key chages for January
I
AM beginning to wonder if the world has gone totally bonkers! sure that everyone living in a country What with Brexit, COVID, Boris Johnson’s bumblings and now that has a treaty with the UK will not the knife-edge Trump v Biden race to the White House. Nothing pay tax in two countries on the same seems ‘normal’ anymore and the year 2020 will surely go down in income. history as one of the worst on record. For British travellers from the UK to the EU however, there will be Brexit is the one thing that will most affect us as British passport stricter border controls and passports must have a validity of six holders here in Spain - and while I have never been a political ani- months. In addition, visas will be needed for work or study in the EU. mal, I have become so since the threat of the referendum loomed Driving in the EU will need an IDP and green card plus GB stickers in 2015 leading to the UK voting to leave the EU. if driving a UK registered vehicle, the UK pet passport scheme will It has been an interesting, albeit sharp, learning curve and I have stop and paying with UK bank cards may become more expensive. made some wonderful new friends and important The Schengen ruling for non-residents being allowed contacts along the way. in the Schengen area for only 90 days in any 180 My association, Brexpats in Spain, that I set-up in days is causing concern for Swallows (or snowbirds), Talk of a no 2016 just after the referendum, now has nearly who holiday here in their second homes for perhaps deal will not 20,000 members. Fed up with all the misinformation four or five months each year. That will probably not throughout the run-up to the referendum I decided be possible after January and their EHIC medical affect our we needed a source of factual information although care will not be valid either so private health care will we have often been accused of ‘scaremongering’ be necessary. rights as which has now proven to be ‘truthmongering’. Talk of a no deal will not affect our rights as citizens citizens Some Brits here still prefer to be ostriches and will as it refers to trade deals, but it will make it difficult do nothing until the very last minute and I fear they for the UK to compete in terms of world business beare in for a rude awakening! cause the EU has deals in place with 70 countries We ceased to be citizens of the EU on January 31 and were given worldwide. a grace period to allow us to get everything done in anticipation of Despite EU/UK negotiations being strained over the last few January 1, 2021, when we become third country nationals. months, over the last fortnight progress has been made on a deal Spain opted for the declaratory scheme so, as beneto avoid a Hard Brexit. ficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) article While the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier told 18.4, those of us who live here must have a resthe media that there were still some key stumidency, Spanish driving licence, private or state bling blocks ahead, the EU is persevering to sign medical care and be on the Padron at our local an agreement. Us expats must pray our own town halls. dear bumbling Boris is of the same ilk. The WA ensured that we will have continued Either way, one of my reliable contacts in Brusaccess to employment, healthcare, educasels has told me that the EU/UK teams tion, benefits and other services. The UK are this week signing a deal. So, if government will continue to pay our true, either Boris has buckled to pensions, child benefit, and disability the EU’s conditions or vice-verbenefits as long as we are eligible sa. I rather suspect the former! UK nationals in the EU. To read more of our ‘truthmonBrexit will not change the existing gering’ go to any of our six BrexEU double taxation arrangements pats in Spain Facebook groups, that apply to EU countries and entwitter or website.
November 12th - November 25th 2020
7 Olive Press online
Expat leader Charlie Ward
- Ou
Our Our promise promise -- Our Our DNA: DNA: r pro The The best best reporting reporting in in Spain Spain in in English English NA
O ur D
What a year!
I
HORRIFIC: Millions
of fish died
Demands for €80m flood aid
FREE
OLIVE PRESS COSTA BLANCA
VAN
Continues on Page
10
Right turn
EXCLUSIVE By Joshua Parfitt
POLICE on the
in England.
Failed
Levante hotel at 5.30pm to buy cigaretteson September 9 his bearings and before he lost
Wallet
Opinion page 6
answering our questions,” son Lee Pearce, 41, told the Olive Press last night.
SUR / MURCIA
s Vol. 1 Issue 6 www.theolivepress.e
5th 2020
January 23th - February
2020
January
22th - February
4th 2020
14-metre waves A SERIES of giant this week as lashed eastern Spain officially the Storm Gloria became winter storm since most destructive walls of 1982. The record-breaking that left nine water – and weather as Spain declared dead – came on cue
www.theolivepress.es
Risks
a to drink, be it was safe may not
Milk matters
of up Waves Waves of RECORD: RECORD: eastern 14m toup 14m lashed east to lashed this week Spain Spain this week
Climate emergency declared as recordbreaking storm Gloria leaves nine dead
Water worry
end of the body from bottom (ISGlobal)all 28 EU countries opposite Denmark’s skin. At the and Romania water of with a horror list, 2018. social meexcept Bulgaria compared 2005 and tap wa- H2O was the purest, Spanish or obese varieties. water between However have been advocatSpain’s 10.9%, the fourth being overweight lower-fat dia ‘stars’ of certain creams, to At out with odds of peers who drank whole milk causes ing the use tablets in orderun- ter came with their speculated that reduces snacking. which wipes andcosmetic issues, of 28 studIt has been to feel fuller, the resultsseven counhelp withsome of the potential children beacross are less The research combined aware of that indiscrimithe correlation full-fat milk given were conducted health risks and the risk ies that who drink can cause. had explored than those Martin cows milk nate use CHILDREN Guillermo tries, which drinking be overweight children Pharmacist noticed the problikely to or semi-skimmed. in The American of that tween overweight. Melgar firsta certain brandwas skimmed were publishedand they foundlower of being lem when facial wipes to 40% The findings only Clinical Nutritionmilk had prescription Journal ofwho drank whole selling out, suddenly being recommendchildren chanfind it was Youtube for acne. ed by a popular nel as a treatment
with contact details. A spokeswoman for the British Consulate told the Olive Press it ‘does not
44, died in Asturias first victim, age of government on Sunday when a truck lost control into be at the ‘forefront’ unprecedented ‘clisnowfall and crashed snow action with an expected within 100 in heavy he was putting on mate change law’ the steps of scores his car while chains. days, following in the world. a 63-year-old died The following day roof of countries across storms lashed in Avila after he was struck by a man It came after serious a 70-year-old Alalso leaving millions the Costa Blanca, of euros of damage. tile. Meanwhile in Moixent, died of hypothermia close to Gale force 9 winds icante after falling into snowpeople – havoc wrought and two homeless Carcaixin 115km/h his home, with Gandia and another record- one in also died from hypothermia. winds ent – included in Oliva anda Four people died yesterday,a homehailstorm, waves reaching in ing a farmer in a record-breaking less person killed by hypothermiacol8.44m in Valen- Almeria, a woman whose house car cia, and a shocking lapsed in Alcoy, and a man whose Benidorm. near 14.22m in Ibiza. was swept off a road So far, nine people Four are still missing in Catalunyaa have died around and the Balearic Islands – including Spain, with a fur- 25-year-old Brit in Ibiza. the ther four missing Leading climatologists backed around the Bale5 aric Islands and Continues on Page The Catalunya.
By Joshua Parfitt
of ‘climate emergena landmark state cy’ for the entire country. (below) insistLeader Pedro Sanchez would now ed ecological transition
We’ve gota learn
to guide OM! Ourbest yoga 17 Spain’s SEE Page breaks
or by pockets of arcticbedrop) is caused A gota fría (cold southeast across western Europe climate, polar air that move warmer, humid Mediterannean fore meeting the scientist Jorge Olcina. hence according to Alicante ‘isolated’ at high altitude,at High Depression The cold blast becomes DANA, or Isolated its spanish term Mediterannean Altitudes. and contact with warmer When coming into vapours immediately condense Orihuein one burst. In air, the rising humid quantity of water 400mm of water fell in drop a massive 2019 over average precipila back in September nearly twice annual less than 48 hours, freak gota fría. tation, due to a
All in our special health supplement inside
VW Tiguan 2.0 TDi Diesel 2012 / Fully service 5 door hatchback. Manual (6-speed) WAS 13,695 €
ALL 2019 STOCK REDUCED, OVER 80 CARS TO CHOOSE FROM
Mercedes SLK 1.8 Kompressor Petrol 2004 / Fully service 5 door hatchback. Auto WAS 10,995 €
Honda Civic 2.2 Executive Diesel 2011 / Fully service 5 door hatchback. Manual (6-speed) WAS 10,995 €
Carado T135 2.4 Diesel 2010 / Fully service 5 door hatchback. Manual WAS 34,995 €
The
Good health
Issue 335
be doing anything at all.” It comes as scores idents have spent of British resweeks searching for signs of the grandfa-
voice in Spain
AND find out how these cute seals are helping Alzheimer patients in Spain
Vol. 13
of believing pharmaceutical SPAIN’s has issued a warndecades Spain’s tap water watchdogsocial media influ- After finds ing over dodgy health new study encers pushing is among products. (General Council tap water Associ- SPAIN’s in Europe. The CGCF has filed a the worst Barcelona study of Physiotherapist Spain) has the fourth major ations of with the Spanish Afound it carries cancer for bladder about peocomplaint highest risk continent. that longHealth Ministry medicinal condi- on the suggest a group of ple promoting for beauty Findings to 0.1%, treatments proper knowl- term exposuretap water called ( of less than in the tions without may be of THM count law, chemicals by the Netherlands on the cases edge or training. followed Germany (0.2%). of THMs to Spanish is trihalomethanes one in 20 and only CyAccording promotion is cause forcancer in Europe each highest levels also concluded - behind with 0.1%) and bathing such medical continent 23.2%, Malta wa- The scientists bladder and advertising disease, alBarcelona by indus- year. prus with Ireland’s Liffeythird that showering banned from the trigger the to enter can also 17.9% and a surprising Scientists for Global Health strictly monitored chemicals the the tap ter coming with 17.2%. the lowing thevia the pores of Institute try professionals. analysed
said. “I’ve got 130 taxi drivers who start
was taken to at 4am Meanwhile Albert The consulate email police. and finish Rivera’s Ciudadanos will be Philip was carrying also stated Two months at 2am, but none on, Lee told the neither his of 14. In the 40dBreduced from 57 to passport nor his Ol- the hotels ive Press gain 14% of the poll Vox is set to he was taken by wallet when search anda request for ‘a ground tablishmentsand esvote, alongside the sniffer dogs’ has PP in second place Benidorm’s Policia a stranger to unanswered, gone seen a sign of have with 21.2% and 91 seats and the PhilNacional stawhile the family tion in the Old are ip.” Town just after left searching for answers. with 27.3% and PSOE coming first midnight, as CCTV The The PSOE’s 121 votes. footage con- “We just need closure on wheth- spent family has predicted victory firms. er my dad is still would see the party alive or not,” ting up weeks putHowever, what is Lee said. posters and seats than in April’s with two less and why he was not clear is how “But apart handing out prompting another last election, headache for its the station three allowed to leave sent out from claiming to have of his missing flyers leader Pedro Sanchez some father “The police are hours later. the police don’t drones to look, around Benidorm form a government. as he tries to simply not seem to
Your
FREE
Look at the dozen best health resolutions to stick to easily in 2020
ll about
20th, 2019
Costa Blanca A DANGEROUS have been slammed after they could see Spain’slurch to the right allowed a confused and disorienVox party becominganti-immigrant tated British great-grandfathe ers in this weekend’s the kingmakto walk out of r general election. into the dead of a police station The massive surge The family of night alone. the recent Catalan - off the back of Pearce, 68, arepensioner Philip of Islam - could crisis and a fear demanding ancomment on individual swers from Benidorm see the party seizing 15% of the seats cases’ such as Philip’s. why he was released police over DISAPPEARED: Philip The expected gains in Parliament. Pearce A Policia Nacional on Septem- (above right) ber 10, at 3am. the last picture enjoying a drink (above), damage centre-right will seriously claimed ‘helicopters’ spokesman while of the pensioner They now fear for Ciudadanos, which could lose in Alicante Airport “It’s scrambled to search had been has been missing his life after he us absolutely gut-wrenching for while the ruling over half its seats, as a family, not for ther-of-three. various Benidorm for Philip on an alarming PSOE and two months. left wing Podemos are also hillsides. he is and why he knowing where Owner of However, he failed expected to sufAnd in a shocking Alicante Transfers, fer. to answer “I just want him disappeared. David McQueen, questions about home British Consulate,email from the miss Vox, which has the exact details pledged to ‘defend’ him so much.” so badly. I spent ‘four to five’ said he has of his release from seen by the Olive Press this Spain from immigrants, the station or hours every whether Philip is predictsniffer dogs and ed to finish third suggestions of a week, there are from was known to be suffering day scouring abandoned buildground in the country’s breach of duty ings and traveller the early signs searches had been fourth general election of care. of demen- around communities would deployed or tia, but was ‘happy in as many years. the Costa Blanca. be soon. The official email and smiling’ when The latest polling pensioner had clearlyreveals the friend he left for Alicante with a “I even sent my dog out with suggests Vox, led Have you seen GoPro a and told by Santiago Abascal, travelling camera police he to search in every in ‘did not remember Philip? partner. bush touch at newsdesk@Get its 24 seats in Spain’s will increase where he He was having a good was staying’ nor holiday we’ve and in every corner, but theolivepress.e 350-seat parwhere he was until he left his Playa liament to 46. found nothing,” from s
COSTA BLANCA
We explore Spain’s best . yoga retreats..
BLOG OFF
November 7th - November
Duty of care claims after missing British great-grandfather was allowed to leave police station at 3am in clearly disoriented state
expat
A
Your
expat
voice in Spain
SUR / MURCIA
Vol. 1 Issue 1 www.theolivepres s.es
ISHED! T is a particularly sweet landmark. Against the odds, our youngest edition - Costa Blanca south/Murcia - has made it to its first anniversary. Launched in November last year, we couldn’t have picked a more testing time OLIVE as our fifth edition PRESS creaked its way 12 through a difficult winter into an agonising Spring and traumatic Summer. N ACTIO But we held it together and over 26 S STATION issues we managed to bring the region’s expats a range of investigative JANU ARY SALE NOW stories, features and even the odd NOW JANUARY SALE campaign. Highlights includOLIVE PRESS ed the expat group formed to tackle squatters to the Brit who beat COVID-19 twice, and from a probe Goose into motoring conman Simon Da- cha se Ch arity case trade vies, to the scandal of charity shops dea l having to pay IVA. Then there were the floods, the sad case of pensioner Philip Pearce and the capture of Britain’s Most Wanted Louis VIVAL ISSUE THE EXPAT SUR Robinson in Murcia. OLIVE All in all, we would not have been SS RE P able to do all that without you, our readers. Thanks to your commitment, civility and courage in talking to us we can report accurately on what is ...REASONS TO happening out there every issue. BE CHEERFUL Launching a paper in the middle of winter, then going on to battle OLIVE PRESS the twin challenges of a global pandemic and Brexit may have been a struggle - but we have enjoyed every minute of it. A VEGA Baja mayor has demanded €80m in flood aid for the devastated Murcia region.
Los Alcazares leader Mario Perez Cervera insisted a major flood retention project should urgently to prevent be implemented ous flooding that the sort of serihappened in September. He told the government in Madrid this week that it serve the Mar is also vital to preMenor, which was badly hit by the so-called Gota Fria. The week of heavy deaths of millions rain led to the struction of dozensof fish and the deHe insisted future of homes. floods needed to
The
catch-all term that includes ex-new pujarra residents are unimpressed age travellers, yogis, spiritualists with Q propaganda landing on their doorstep. and the alternative community. For Qanons, Trump is a James Bond- Tanya Grenfell Williams, from Tijola, like figure, fighting with the good told the Olive Press: “Qanon is tapguys against the Deep State as part ping into people’s fears by providing something concrete in these preof a wider ‘Earth Alliance’. Along with the ‘Q’ team and Trump, carious times, even if it is false and this alliance allegedly and rather feeding QAnon’s own agenda. frighteningly comprises: ‘loyal gen- “Unfortunately, these more liberal erals and other high-ranking mem- thinkers, normally left-leaning, are bers of the armed forces’; ‘the white finding comfort in these dangerous hats of the National Security Agency conspiracy theories and naively promoting them to other (NSA)’; and numerous people.” global military leaders Sorrell Badger, an ad- Vladamir Putin; Xi JinHow can ministrator of the Orgiping of China; India’s va and Alpujarra Covid prime minister Narenanyone with Group on Facebook, is dra Modi; and crown less polite. prince Bin Salman of a functioning “It’s such a transparent Saudi Arabia (the one who ordered the killbrain fall for it load of b*llocks,” she told the Olive Press. ing and chopping up “I don’t know how anyof journalist, Jamal one with a functioning Khashoggi, in 2018). According to local Q bigwig Char- brain can fall for it. I also find it worlie Ward (see panel left), the main rying that the same people downplay purpose of the Earth Alliance is the COVID and call it a ‘plandemic’. Just dismissal of the 13 ‘demon blood- look at the death toll in the US – line families of the illuminated Deep 210,000.” State clique’. This world transition Orgiva resident Nick Chambers addis, apparently, being financed by the ed: “QAnon is a massive distraction Chinese Dragon Family. Confused? for people who really should know better. It is taking attention away It’s no surprise. And that so many people subscribe from the real issues of today - the to this patent massive inequity of global wealth, nonsense be- the military industrial complex and, comes less of a the really big one, global climate laughing mat- chaos.” snapped Orgiter when one “QAnonsense”, considers that va-based photographer Fred Shively, these are the who hails from the US, summing it people that up in a word. Trump is seek- However, with QAnon hijacking the ing to inflame #SaveTheChildren hashtag for its to support his own purposes, some people have i n c r e a s i n g - been attracted by evidence that inly deranged stitutionalised paedophilia does exclaims that ist. the US elec- “There’s definitely a paedo cover tion is being up,” commented Orgiva resident Sol‘stolen’ from omon Cardy. “Do you believe that Epstein killed himself? him… And the worst “I don’t subscribe to QAnon but I do news? It’s arrived on Spain’s Cos- subscribe to there being a massive tas, especially within the expat com- paedo ring involving many politicians and I’m glad it’s finally coming munity... Take Orgiva, a town with a thriving al- to light.” ternative community, some of whom With QAnons pointing out that Jimmy are posting messages promoting Q Savile was connected to the UK royon Facebook and sharing pictures of al family, and that Epstein is proof of the pudding, some might say this Estepona ‘conspiracy picnics’. Residents in the Alpujarran market area of debate has some credence. town of Orgiva are reporting ‘Q’ and However, it does not validate the ‘WWG1WGA’ (where we go one, we rest of the QAnon theories or that go all) graffiti splashed across local Trump – a friend of Epstein and on record discussing ‘grabbing p*ssy’ walls. Meanwhile some members of the – is crusading for the benefit of hucommunity have been attending manity. ‘conspiracy theory picnics’ in an With COVID on the increase and a Estepona mansion where they can huge lack of leadership and scienlisten to QAnon ‘red pill’ speeches tific rationalism in the fight against with ‘private intel’ from the likes of the pandemic, one thing seems British expat oil magnate Charlie certain. People will turn more and Ward – the most prominent figure in more to the absolutist certainly of the kind of theories spouted by the Andalucia’s Q scene. With these right-wing views seeping chancers and crackpots typified by into the local community, many Al- QAnon. Fasten your seatbelts…
The
SIGN: Graffiti that identifies with the deranged theorists of QAnon disfigures a wall in Orgiva
OFFER PRICE 32,000 €
OFFER PRICE 9,995 €
OFFER PRICE 10,395 €
OFFER PRICE 13,695 €
Your
expat
FREE
COSTA BLANCA Vol. 1 Issue 7
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND?
voice in Spain
SUR / MURCIA
www.theolivepr ess.es February 6th
- February 19th
2020
Take a visit to secret AcropoliSpain’s
See page 10
LIFE ON THE EDGE,
Oh and it’s Valentines Day, chaps! Don’t Forget
See page 5
Find our romantic recipes inside
See page 14
HUNDREDS ty shops are of British-run chariignoring new laws that require Spanish them to charge ue added tax val(IVA) on second-hand goods. A UK plan for A tax clampdown deal with thea Canada-style free trade already slammed has seen a number with big fines, been rejected. European Union has many more with now It comes as UK the Olive Press in the firing line, Johnson laid outPrime Minister Boris One well knowncan reveal. shop on the deal with Brusselshis vision for a trade Blanca is now facing fines of Costa ‘no need’ to follow insisting there was €24,000’ ‘up to EXCLUSIVE after an inspection EU rules. His aim is an vealed they By Joshua Parfitt reCanada signedagreement like the one throughout charged no IVA on sales 2018. goods. tariffs on most in 2016 where import The Torrevieja goods have been charity’s accountant, It comes as another inated. The flow elim- who asked not to be named, British charity, which has two banking – which of services, such as shops are being viewed as any said has also been shops in Torrevieja, tance to the UK is of more impor- high-street other hit with a €5,000 after an inspection more restricted. – however are much changes to business following law fine He also mentioned behaviour. crackdown on fraudulent revealed was paid on however, that if this deal is not second-hand no IVA 2017. the UK will return items in reached “The government’s to the view Withdrawal “It’s completely Agreement, or is that it is not fair that dent, who asked unfair,” the presiAustralia. Borishave a similar deal to is charging a legitimate business IVA on sales to protect the to remain nameless tled ‘unleashing used his speech - ti- door a charity while shop can cut next an work, told charity’s humanitarihighlight the factBritain’s potential’ - to prices,” the down “Our charity the Olive Press. to revert to the that the UK intends ive Press thisaccountant told the OlWorld week. Trade Organi- “There government issteps in because the sation (WTO) are a lot of expats citizens, and failing to care for its UNDER PRESSURE: such a deal. Heterms if the EU refuses to make themselves who need Charity shops them for it? now we have to pay fines. phatically not said: “The choice is em- is not a clampdown aware that this face hefty Government “Factoring 21% “The question‘deal or no deal’. government doing but merely the Susan is whether we fines its job properly.” prices will heavilyIVA into existing charity Weeding, who operates trading relationship “You have to agree a The accountant bear in mind four affect the shops for do and mean parable to Canada’s with the EU com- Hacienda over said he was fighting we reach fewerwork we Care Rescue Centreher Easy Horse of our rescues come at the that most the money demandin need.” tralia’s. In either - or more like Aus- ed from his request of people she ‘might in Rojales, said police and councils directly – someas The president that Britain will case, I have no doubt not aware’ client as the client ‘was starts having well give up’ if she times from as far as of prosper mightily.” to pay IVA to ty shops were added his two chari- ernment. Murcia and He pointed the laws. the gov- Granada. some ‘of the very out that back British-run See Time’s Up “We’re not allowed in the UK, charity home enterprises which few’ “The September on page 6 to re-home shops enjoy now adding the storms as they ro-rated VAT are the Vega zetax. on sales of donated Baja region withalready left cases, become evidence in them He urged all court so why should crops and we’re no forage we be hit by the double sure charity shops to make to government for now in debt they are not keep doing our best?” liable to donkeys our 121 horses, ponies just and alive,” she said. Opinion Page 6
Hundreds of British-run charity shops are facing fines after ignoring tax laws
special edition we Inside this week’s and ideas on how have dozens of tips crisis, including... to survive the Covid
Your expat
COSTA BLANCA FREE
SUR / MURCIA
April s.es April 2nd Vol. 1 Issue 11 www.theolivepres
15th, 2020
business Dance your way tosee p6 success at home
The best Spanish shows to get you through the long days at home see p10
While the army is on the streets, 8,000 have died, millions of jobs are at risk and everyone is on a four-week lockdown, there are...
LIFE OF BRIAN:
reverses Global warming are slowing Infection rates finally up New shelves are garden No weeds in the Parking spaces
everywhere
Always look on
the bright side
Price of petrol
is down
Wuhan’s back
to work
of life scene
Bees are buzzing abundance Quarantinis in will soon be back Kane and Son
ASK BEA!
T?
ND OU
DO I STA
voice in Spain
the Top From Joe to Ulysses... up on see p10 10 tomes to catch
once The best inland escapes see p14 the lockdown ends And even some advice from Oprah and Chopra see p15
The
credibility and coherence. But the movement’s supporters are deadly serious. QAnons claim that President John F Kennedy started the concept, although conveniently, as JFK was shot dead in 1963, he’s not around to confirm or refute this. But although its principles sound like the plot of a B-movie, QAnon has gained traction worldwide, with its supporters trying to decipher ‘Q drops’ and joining forces to fight against the satanic cabal. And while critics denounce Q fans as delusional, the QAnons claim that the public has been brainwashed by the ‘mainstream media’ (MSM). People are, in this respect, polarised in their opinions. Many describe QAnon as being ‘cult-like’. Now, remarkably, it has taken root in the alternative communities of Andalucia’s Alpujarras and is spreading like coronavirus throughout the Costa Del Sol and Costa Blanca. For its supporters, known as ‘QAnons’, it’s something to cling onto during the COVID crisis. For others it is a lucrative business opportunity with Q-themed events popping up in luxury venues along the Costa. One of the main criticisms of QAnon is that the underlying concept is loosely based on the theories promoted by the Nazis to encourage anti-Semitism and justify the holocaust. The Nazis were interested in esoterism and magic, as well as Eastern religions. This helps explain why this newer version of the conspiracy theory proves popular with the ‘cosmic right’ – a
‘Spain’s best English news website’
mise -
The 60-year-old oil magnate, money and self-stated ex-cult member claim trader s that he has been down subterranean tunnels unregistered gold was stored, wher where e shops and houses exist, and people ride arou nd in golf carts. Such is the current popularity of Q – and ed theories - that Ward has gained 166,relatonline subscribers in five months and 000 11.5 million views (https://www.youtu user/drcharlieward). He also chargesbe.com/ an entry fee for his ‘club’. For some entrepreneurs, Q is a boost for business. Peggy Boer runs regular Q Parties at Los Caballos in Estepona, where guesCortijo €22 a ticket and €80 for a night’s accots pay mmodation to hear speakers like Charlie Ward . One such event, branded ‘Conspira cy Protocol’, attracted 95 guests and was atten by the Policia Nacional although they ded supposedly sent packing by the mas were conspiracy theorists (they don’t believe k-less in face coverings). Other popular QAnon themes – as seen in their videos – include anti-vaccination, tian religion, hydroxychloroquine (as Chrisfor Covid), the ‘plandemic’, Trump nota cure a woman-molester, the evil of Bill Gate being George Soros, the dangers of 5G and s and between ‘one world government or a choice There is also a strong pro-Brexit elem Trump’. ent.
The
www.theolivepress.es
Contact the Olive Press special Corona crisis helpline..
ACT AL AS CONTMORE E AS VISU ES FOR RMATION OR D BE AN ISSU €75 COUL INFO27 35 75 VEPRESS. NESS LITLE AS 951 S@THEOLI BUSI AS YOUR FROM SALE
THIS
on 951 273 575
or contact Josh at
Olive Press TV
on YouTube
Here’s to the next year and beyond!
The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: Spain’s Andalucia to close off all 1-ofBreaking: its municipalities and bars and restaurants to close at 6pm (52,917 views) Benidorm shops in crisis as shutters are 2-pulled down on Spain’s Costa Blanca (49,168 views) - Breaking: Jet2 suspends all flights and ho3Islands lidays between England and Spain’s Canary until end of lockdown (39,780 views) Tourist slump causes 47-year blowback 4- for Costa Blanca’s Alicante-Elche airport in Spain (37,154 views) flights to Spain until early 5- Jet2 suspends 2021 (34,644 views)
Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for a special quote
McQueen
You total doughnut!
Find out what’s eating Paul Hollywood on Page 3
LA CULTURA
8
what’s on
L
a Voz
HEAD to Brew Rock in Altea on November 15 at 6pm for a night with national heartthrob Alex Escribano, finalist on Spain’s equivalent to The Voice.
C
hurch tunes
A FREE concert awaits you in the Santa Ana and San Jaime Church on November 20, 8pm, as Miguel Bernal and Francisco Amaya perform at Benidorm’s VIII International Organ Festival.
V
anishing point
THIS gratis tour on November 22 will guide you through the exciting exhibition Fuencisla Francés: Punto de fuga in Alicante’s Sala de Exposiciones Lonja del Pescado, showcasing the work of Valencian artists.
F
usion sounds
DON’T miss Juan Perro and his band at 10pm on November 26 as they light up the Espai La Rambleta, Valencia, with their distinctive fusion of Latin, African and Iberian sounds.
Disney winner
WITH people being stuck at home for large parts of the year, TV streaming services have come into their own. And the big winner in Spain has been Disney. The live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1998 classic animation Mulan has been named as currently the most popular movie in the country as well as around the world. The $200 million fantasy, available on Disney+, tops the charts in 53 out of 87 analysed countries, meaning 61% of film fans favour this remake above any other movie. The modern version of the Disney tale is considered more sombre and mature than the animated version, following a more classic narrative. The 2020 version has cut back on the stereotypes of China and Chinese people that the Disney version had. Despite being almost two decades old, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001), comes in second on the list of most trending films. It is the most searched for in 28 countries (32%) across the world.
Gender Gap
November 12th - November 25th 2020
Art attack
This oddball renovation in Palencia is the latest case of Spanish art restoration gone wrong
CHRIST: What happened?
By Eugene Costello
THE Spanish are renowned world over for their incredible works of art - from the Sagrada Familia to the works of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. But not everything can be heralded as a masterpiece and for every Francisco Zurbaran, there are some serious fails. The most recently culture blunder was spotted in the Spanish city of Palencia, with a repair job on a statute being slammed as ‘cartoon-like’ by locals. The figure on the Unicaja bank has stirred up a storm of disapproval because of its flattened features and drooping eyes. It is unclear who is responsible for the restoration, which has been likened to children’s sand sculptures and playdough.
POTATO HEAD: No one is sure who did the bodged restoration in Palencia “It’s more like a cartoon head compared the new sculpture to In 2012, a churchgoer in Borja than the artistic head of one ‘sand sculptures kids do on the attempted an unauthorised resof Palencia’s most emblematic beach’ while another said her toration of a fresco of Christ. buildings,” local painter Anto- ‘granddaughter could do better Her dubious daubing of the prized Ecce Homo became a nio Guzman wrote in a Face- with playdough’. book post alongside before and It’s not the first time an unorth- global laughing stock, with critafter shots of the statue. odox redesign has stirred up ics likening the redesign to a monkey and blurry potato. A second social media user artistic controversy. But Cecilia Giménez, the 85-year-old amateur art restorer, had the last laugh. Her interMEN are running Spain’s cultural sector Some 82% of the artistic directors of public pretation of the 1930s painting and it shows, says a new study. institutions in Spain are male, the study reby Elías García Martínez has An audit commissioned by the Ministry of vealed, meaning official decisions on culture attracted thousands of visitors Culture and Sport to study its own struc- remain in the hands of a majority of men. from around the world, bringtures and bodies shows a striking disparity On top of that three quarters of pieces ing unexpected wealth and between opportunities for women and men. bought by galleries were the work of men. fame to the church and now counts itself as a protected site.
Can I Get
FIBRE? Find out NOW
RE
ING OU AV
TH FIB WI
LANET RP
www.canigetfibre.es
S
What you need to think about to help future-proof your finances AS we approach the end of 2020, not erate economic uncertainty. There’s much is certain. With no end in sight also more global tax scrutiny than for the global coronavirus pandemic ever. and ongoing Brexit uncertainty, we At times like this, careful planning can expect things to remain unsettled plays an important role in securing for some time. If you have not recent- long-term financial security. While all ly given your finances a health-check, investments carry risk, a suitably diyou will benefit from reviewing your versified portfolio helps manage risk situation now. within your comfort level. The year 2021 begins Establish a clear and obwith the UK’s full deparIt is important jective view of your risk ture from the EU. While tolerance to determine to review this should have no immethe investment approach your financial diate impact for Britons to suit you. lawfully settled in Spain, Most people will benefit situation there may be longer term from an independent and annually effects for the unpreexpert review of their fipared. In any case, your nances. It’s difficult to circumstances evolve look at your broad finanover time. Review your financial situ- cial situation objectively or fully unation at least annually to explore how derstand the cross-border tax implicayour investments, assets, pensions, tions. As the goalposts often change, tax and estate planning are structured it’s easy to get DIY tax planning wrong. and can best work together. A professional financial adviser can Today’s climate presents many chal- take time and use relevant tools to lenges to preserving and growing your thoroughly understand your situation, wealth. Prolonged low interest rates needs and objectives to tailor tax-effiand the pandemic continue to gen- cient solutions.
By Brett Hanson Senior Partner, Blevins Franks
Still using a financial ad
It is likely that UK-based advisers will no longer ‘passporting’ system to provide regulated financi the Brexit transition period. Ask your adviser if t and carry out instructions, or if they may be rest If you have a relationship with a UK- der tax expertise can help ensure your based financial adviser or holdmajor a Brit- UK wealth is held as tax banks write toefficiently clients as in posSpain withdr
ish bank account or investment prod- sible for Spain, recommending soluuct, check if they can legally provide tions that also offer other advantages, advisers are also unlikely to have the d services to you from JanuaryUK-based 1. As such as multi-currency options and things stand, many UK financial busiestate planning flexibility. Ultimately, Spanish regime necessary to provide the most tax nesses are set to lose their license to the sooner you set up a suitable, longsolutions. Our localtoadvisers are wealth, regulated, autho operate within the EU/EEA post-Brexterm strategy protect your it. the sooner you can have peace of mind and knowledge advisefuture on all aspects of financi A locally-based adviser with cross-borabout yourto financial in Spain.
This article should not be construed as providing any personalised taxation or investment advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com
Still using a UK-based financial adviser?
110-es
I N T E R N AT ION A L TA X A DV
Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) is authorised and Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Distribution D system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks Trus the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited p has been approved and issued by BFFM.
It is likely that UK-based advisers will no longer be able to use the EU ‘passporting’ system to provide regulated financial services to EU residents after the Brexit transition period. Ask your adviser if they can continue to advise you and carry out instructions, or if they may be restricted. We have already seen major UK banks write to clients in Spain withdrawing services.
Talk to the people who know
UK-based advisers are also unlikely to have the deep understanding of the Spanish regime necessary to provide the most tax-efficient financial planning solutions. Our local advisers are regulated, authorised and have the experience and knowledge to advise on all aspects of financial planning in post-Brexit Spain.
965 793 561 javea@blevinsfranks.com
ALICANTE (North) TO CALPE
966 888 122 altea@blevinsfranks.com CALPE (North) TO TARRAGONA
110-es
I N T E R N AT ION A L TA X A DV IC E • I N V E S T M E N TS • E S TAT E PL A N N I NG • PE NSIONS Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited provides taxation advice; its advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFFM.
www.blevinsfranks.com
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Hotel Blues
EUROPEAN lockdowns have caused Costa Blanca hotel bookings for Christmas and the New Year to dry up. Travel restrictions have already led to some foreign and Spanish-based customers cancelling their end-of-year bookings according to Benidorm’s Hosbec hoteliers association.
Closures
Hosbec added that only 24 of the resort’s 150 hotels are still open, and they expect more to close their doors for the winter. A Hosbec spokesman said: “What happens over the next week or two over border closures, curfews, and even a regional lockdown will be crucial in seeing what we can salvage.” The Alicante Province Hotel Association backed up that view and said that many of their members had also shut down for the next few months or are open just at weekends.
Burn bright or fade
November 12th - November 25th 2020 STAR: Chef Martin Berasategui
Will Spain’s most awarded chef Martin Berasategui keep his dozen Michelin stars this month? HE’S got more Michelin stars in Spain than anyone…and more in a single country than any other chef worldwide. But how many of Martin Berasategui’s 12 stars will he keep when the annual awards gala is held this month? Not even the seasoned 60-yearold chef can answer that. The culinary godfather - who reached the pinnacle of success with his same name Basque Region restaurant 20 years ago - is keeping his fingers crossed.
By Jon Clarke
However, he accepts that with many of his 12 restaurants closed for much of the year (he has three in the Caribbean, one in Mexico, one in Lisbon) he has no idea. Admitting it has been a terrible year due to the COVID crisis, he at least hopes for the best. “With the stars you can never know,” he revealed this week. “The best minutes of the year
are when you go up to collect the stars, but even better is to see former pupils go up and pick them up.” But he is realistic about the year in general. “The Caribbean is dead, Madrid and Barcelona are in trouble, Ibiza we opened to simply close, Bilbao, San Sebastian and Lasarte, good and bad. At least we are working.” Another of the plus sides of the current crisis is that he has found the time to refocus on
CONTINUITY:Will Munoz, Dacosta and Angel Leon keep three stars?
finding a series of new dishes, seven in total. The end result is what he calls the ‘Menu Pandemia’, which is proving popular in his main three star restaurant, 6kms out of San Sebastian. “Without this illness we would not have had time to create this new menu, so that is good,” he added. The Michelin gala takes place in Madrid on November 30 and it will be interesting to see if the capital’s wunderkind David Munoz has kept his three stars for Diverxo. And if Spain will keep its other three Michelin starred eateries including El Celler de Can Roca, in Barcelona, Akelarre and Arzak, in San Sebastian, and Quique Dacosta, in Denia, and Angel Leon at Aponiente, in Cadiz. By the middle of September some 86% of Michelin starred restaurants were open in Spain, while this number had dropped off to around 75% by the end of October.
Bottom’s Up
THE best wines in the world for 2020 have been revealed – and one of the top pours comes from Spain. Montecillo Crianza 2016 was crowned ‘the best buy’ in the world by prestigious booze magazine, Wine Enthusiast. Leading wine aficionados, sommeliers and luxury travel correspondents who had rated wines from across the globe put forward the Spanish vino as their top pick. The wine from Bodegas Montecillo, DOC, Rioja’s third oldest winery, was selected as number one by critics who awarded the wine 91 points. Editor Michael Schachner said he favoured the balance between notes of fruit and wood and its ‘authentic Riojan character’. Montecillo Crianza is made from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes from vines located in Rioja Alta and spends 18 months in American oak barrels, followed by at least six months in the bottle. The wine, which is sold in most supermarkets for just under €9 a bottle, has previously picked up a number of accolades including a gold medal from Mundus Vini, and 91 points from wine magazine Decanter which featured the bottle on its cover.
OP QUICK Crossword Across 7 Conclusively (4,3,3,3) 8 A mix of living tissue and machinery (6) 9 One or the other of two (6) 10 Eat like a king (5) 12 Having an interesting past (7) 14 Combat area (3,4) 16 Seaport in NW Israel (5) 19 Spanish fleet (6) 20 Walk softly (6) 22 Computer messaging system (8,5) Down
OP Sudoku
10
1 Salad green (6) 2 Maidenhair, for example (4) 3 Pass into law (5) 4 Consequences (7) 5 Standards of judgment (8) 6 Arm cover (6) 11 Fairly large (8) 13 Dredge up (7) 15 Kind of airliner (6) 17 Baffles (6) 18 Performed terribly (5) 21 Career golfers (4)
All solutions are on page 15
BUSINESS
Flying south
BRITISH and German holidaymakers are flocking to the Canaries now that they do not have to self-isolate on return. According to a recent study by Bookiply, a service provider for holiday rental owners, bookings to the paradise islands have doubled since last week, proving that COVID-19 is less potent than the travel bug. "After the German and British governments lifted the travel warnings, we immediately recorded the first bookings," reported Gabriela Rubio, manager of Bookiply’s Tenerife office. Tourism on the Canaries has boomed since they were taken off the list of risk areas on October 25. Tenerife has profited the most, with 75% of its accommodation already booked for the Christmas period.
Former BHS boss guilty of tax evasion THE disgraced former boss of doomed retailers BHS has been jailed for six years for tax evasion. Dominic Chappell - who had several links to Spain including a property at the Oasis Club in Marbella was found guilty of evading tax on the £2.2million income he received after buying the chain for just £1 from billionaire Sir Philip Green in March 2015.
November 12th - November 25th 2020
Jailed! By Dilip Kuner
Chappell, 53, from Blandford Forum in Dorset (UK), evaded paying £500,000 in income tax, corporation tax and VAT between January 2014 and September 2016. Serial bankrupt Chappell was convicted at a trial at London’s Southwark
crown court. The court heard that he spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on luxury items, including a yacht, a Bentley car and a Bahamas holiday. A year after he took ownership, BHS collapsed under the weight of a £571 million black hole. Some 11,000 jobs were lost. In 2016 he made headlines
Diverse dolls win prize A COSTA Blanca company has won a prestigious accolade for producing the best Spanish toy of 2020. The award has gone to Miniland in Onil for making a collection of four Down’s syndrome dolls of different races (pictured). The dolls are two boys and two girls of white and dark skin who have the
characteristics of Down’s. A jury put together by the Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) decided on the award winner with experts from areas like education and sales. The judges said that they ‘valued the dolls for promoting respect for diversity, tolerance, and integration’. AEFJ president, Jose Antonio Pastor, said: “The objective of the collection was very much to get children to have a normal view of different looking youngsters from an early stage of their life.”
11
Time for payback DISHONEST: Chappell
when he allegedly evicted his brother from a villa at the Oasis Club that had belonged to his mother. He allegedly persuaded her to sign the property over to pay debts associated with the BHS deal. His brother Damon had lived in the property with his wife and son for over a decade. Chappell also faced allegations of misusing company funds from Cadiz-based Olivia Petroleum Around €385,000 was allegedly siphoned from the company which he fronted without other shareholders’ approval. The money was allegedly used to fund a lavish lifestyle and another business. Just a year ago, Chappell was banned from holding company directorships in the UK for 10 years for ‘abusing his responsibilities’.
A SPANISH online bank has been ordered by a Costa Blanca court to refund €8,820 to a customer who was charged excess interest on a controversial high-interest credit card. An Orihuela judge decided in favour of a WiZink bank client over charges dating back to 2007 over a so-called ‘revolving’ card. The card allows customers to continuously borrow up to certain limits depending on purchases and payments.
Captive
Spain’s highest legal body, the Supreme Court, threw out a WiZink appeal in a case involving a Santander woman who had annual interest rate charges on her card of 26.82% ‘Revolving’ card holders usually pay a fixed monthly fee which is not very high, but with an excessive interest rate. The cardholder ends up paying a much higher amount than the available capital and the payment of the outstanding debt is extended over such a long period that the borrower can become, in what the Supreme Court called, a ‘captive debtor’.
TM
952 147 834
* O f f e r v a l i d f o r n e w c u s t o m e r s o n l y. S u b j e c t t o c o n d i t i o n s . E n d s 3 1 / 1 2 / 2 0 .
TheOlivePress-256x170-HOME0720.indd 1
20/7/20 13:08
PROPERTY Holiday home fears November 12th November 25th 2020
Silent witness
A JUDGE has ordered respected Brit architect Norman Foster to testify as a witness in a multi-million euro embezzlement case in Spain. If Foster refuses he will face arrest, say officials. Judge Jose de la Mata from Spain's highest criminal court, Audencia Nacional, ordered authorities to locate Foster in Switzerland. Although not involved in the alleged wrongdoing, Foster is a required witness to the case. On trial are eight business people involved in a €80 million development plan for a new judicial centre in Madrid, which was never built.
Testify
Foster was first contacted by judges in January and given the opportunity to testify via video call from Britain. But UK authorities told the Spanish judge that the architect was actually living in Switzerland. Foster is one of Britain's best architects and creator of The Gherkin and Millenium Bridge. He is married to Spanish publisher and art curator Elena Ochoa Foster.
13
New projects slowdown as restrictions hit
A LEADING Costa Blanca developer has warned of a ‘sharp slowdown’ in the holiday home property market due to border closures. Pablo Serna from Torrevieja-based TM Estate Group says that European and Spanish COVID-19 travel restrictions are forcing new construction projects to be paused. “New developments are being put on hold and we are expecting the next few months to be very tough if mobility is not restored,” said Serna. He said that even with a decline in flights during July and August, holiday home purchases were good, but started to decline from September as COVID-19 cases roses and new travel measures were brought in. “Things are starting to look bad and there is a lot of concern about the future,” Serna added. The Alicante College of Surveyors reported a slight rebound in property deals between July and September of two point eight per cent, compared to earlier in the year. That nevertheless was a 40
By Alex Trelinski
per cent drop on the same period last year in Alicante Province. Pablo Serna commented that some areas of Europe
will offer possibilities over the next few months. “Citizens of countries like Russia and the Ukraine are not as afraid of the virus and are still looking forward to travelling to the Costa Blanca,” he added.
DUMAS EXTERIOR
DESIGN
DUMAS EXTERIOR
DESIGN
14
COLUMNISTS
November 12th - November 25th 2020
Feeling positive
Salute to Sir Sean
W
T
Terenia Taras Telling it like it is
Columnist Terernia talks COVID tests and supportive neighbours ell it finally got me, despite me trying to play ninja and just ignore it! Even with all the rigorous hand sanitising and wearing of face masks, I caught COVID-19 and became a global statistic. It started with a bit of a sore throat, but being the time of year, I just thought I was coming down with a cold. It wasn’t until I was eating Paul’s homemade chilli and realised I couldn’t taste anything, that I thought: “Oh I have it!” The next morning we both went along to the doctor, handed over €120 each and had uncomfortable sticks shoved down our throats and up our noses. It was pretty ouchy, but luckily was over in seconds. We then had to wait till the following day for our results, which unsurprisingly due to the lack of taste and smell, were positive. So at this stage I’m sitting on the sofa looking at Paul, and both of us are immediately scared, yet relieved. Scared, because all we’ve really heard and seen in the media are the worst case scenarios with people going into hospital and
dying alone. On the other hand we were relieved, because I have to be honest (and this is only my own experience) and as I said to my nineteen-year-old son, ‘I’ve had worst colds’. Yes, I felt lethargic, maybe more than usual, but I think with the sheer stress of this year weighing on everyone, none of us are feeling particularly bouncy! All I wanted to do was sit on the sofa and watch films and boxsets, no change there from lockdown then. The worst symptom for me was losing my sense of taste and smell. Eating was a waste because I couldn’t enjoy my food. So, I decided now was the time to eat super healthy in the hope that I may even lose a couple of pounds in the process! Bran Flakes no longer tasted like the cardboard box they come in, yay! I had to let the few people we’d seen prior to getting our results know, which made me feel really guilty, as though we’d somehow deliberately caught it to put them at risk! One of our neighbours, who kindly did some shopping for us, mainly alcohol, came to the door chanting “unclean,
unclean”. Thanks mate! We spent weeks racking our brains as to where we may have caught it, and fortunately the three people we’d seen prior to us testing positive all tested negative! This made it even harder to understand how, and where, we may have got it? We therefore had to assume we might have touched something, a door handle, a glass in a restaurant, or a baguette! Hear me out on this one. When I was able to go out shopping again I saw the man next to me at the bread section touching the baguettes with his hand, no not in a weirdo way, but to feel if they were still warm. Aha, I do this too. I know I shouldn’t, but I do it subconsciously, and who doesn’t love a warm baguette? We will never know where we caught COVID, but the main thing is we’re fine. I appreciate that not everyone is as lucky as us and I’m now relieved we’ve had it. Because I think the more people who do, and get over it, the less of a threat this virus will hold over us and hopefully it will disappear as quickly as it came!
IQ Glass Curtains
Windows & Glass Curtains
Covering the whole of the Costa Blanca
Everyone lucky enough to live in Marbella between the 60s and 80s has a Sean Connery story
HE Bond star lived in his beachside villa Casa Malibu between 1975 and the mid 90s. But Sir Sean was a frequent visitor to Marbella from the 60s, where he could indulge his passion for golf and relax between films, most notably with fellow actor Sir Stanley Baker. He also developed a lasting friendship with Formula One World Champion James Hunt as well as opera singer and restaurant owner Toni Dalli. There’s even a dish named after him at the Dalli Brothers Pasta Factory in Banus. As I said, everyone has a Sean Connery story, so here is mine. Or more specifically, my Mum's. In the early 80s, Mum decided to walk back from the Saturday market at the bullring to our house at the back of Nueva Andalucia. Being pretty and petite, Dad jokingly warned her not to accept lifts from strangers on the way home. "I was walking back" she told us "when a Mercedes pulled alongside and asked if I wanted a lift. I was just about to say 'no thank you', when I looked in and saw it was Sean Connery. "I almost leapt in through the window!" Mum, who was a natural talker and from Glasgow, for once found herself lost for words. "I couldn't think of anything to say" she admitted "I don't even think I mentioned I was Scottish. I asked if he was here for the golf and he said yes. Then we drove in silence for about 10 minutes. "When he dropped me at the urbanisation, which was normally busy, there was no one around to see me get out of Sean Connery's car apart from a stray dog. I didn't even ask him if he wanted a drink or if I could take a photo with him". Other friends admit to a prank they played after spotting him driving up to the Aloha Golf Club. As they were in their teens and driving a Golf GTi, there was only one thing for it. They screeched up alongside, leant out of the windows and pretended to machine gun 007 before pulling a handbrake turn
RIP: Connery was a true global star and speeding off. They were treated to 'the look' and a raised eyebrow from Sean. In the pre-DVD 80s, the old cinema in Puerto Banus was the starting point to a Friday night when it showed English films. With deep, cushioned rattan chairs, an interval halfway through giving you time to hit the bar and a corrugated iron roof, not to mention San Miguel at just 150 pesetas a pop, teens like myself flocked there. Spotting Sean taking a seat one evening, we began to hum the Bond theme, getting louder and louder and finishing with a "DA DA. DA DA DAAAAAAH" One of the boys then approached him for an autograph. '**** off" Sean growled. The teen beat a hasty retreat. Sean loved his time in Marbella, whether he was enjoying a night with friends at the Marbella Club or playing a round of golf - where you could often hear him voicing his displeasure down the fairway if he was having a bad game. Actor, icon and an unforgettable personality during Marbella's Golden Age - RIP Sir Sean.
96 597 3307 603 874 006
enquiries@iqglasscurtains.com
www.iqglasscurtains.com
HEALTH
Vision off MORE than a third (34%) of people have noticed a deterioration in their eyesight during the pandemic, a new study has revealed. Figures, released by Specsavers, show that nearly half of people surveyed (44%) have become increasingly health aware due to the pandemic. But thousands of newly health conscious people were unable to attend routine eye tests due to lockdown restrictions. “During lockdown many of us were spending more time looking at screens, reading, or watching TV, which is likely to make people more aware of pre-existing sight conditions or prescription changes,” said Specsavers director Martin Blake.
Children’s jab may be key to coronavirus ‘immunity’
present in the triple bacterial vaccine DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis), which is prescribed during the first months of life”.
Normal
Reche believes that the protection of infants, and young people to COVID-19 could be due to this cross-reactive immunity. He said: “It is normal for the geriatric population to suffer an infection and for it to be serious, because the immune system is weakened. What is not normal is for a small child whose immune system is being formed and educated not to suffer this type of infec-
SPAIN’S Health Minister, Salvador Illa, has predicted that the majority of the country will have received coronavirus vaccines from companies like Pfizer by next May. The breakthrough to find an effective vaccine was announced by Pfizer on Monday. Interviewed by broadcaster, TVE, Illa said that the government will buy 20 million doses of the 90% effective Pfizer vaccine. Salvador Illa said: “Either this week or next, we will sign a contract with Pfizer for the vaccine which means that the first batch of 20 million doses will arrive in early 2021.” Two doses of the vaccine are needed so 10 million people can be treated in the first wave of inoculations. The vaccine will be distributed free of charge via Spain’s National Health System. Asked about who will get it first, Salvador Illa said: “We are going to be guided by what the experts say. The logical way is to begin with the most vulnerable groups, as well as people in contact with them like health workers. Illa ruled out compulsion to take the vaccine as ‘people understand that vaccination has ended other infectious diseases’. He also warned against people who ‘tell lies and play an anti-science’ card.
tion.” The strongest correlation factor in COVID-19 cases and severity is age. In fact, the majority of COVID-19 fatalities occur among the elderly (90% of the victims are over 70 years) while the paediatric population is largely spared. Moreover, the triple bacterial vaccine DTP is the most frequently repeated vaccine: three or four doses are scheduled during the first year of life, it is reinforced at four to six years old and finally a low antigenic load dose is given between nine and 14 years. Additionally in countries such as Mexico or Indonesia, which don’t follow
Mass jabbing coming
RESEARCH: New insight from Dr Pedro Reche
the same vaccination programme as many European countries, there are reports of alarming infant mortality due to coronavirus, leav-
ing Reche to conclude that the vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) may be responsible for such protection.
Something for everyone at
HILL TOP GASTRO PUB
€1 off Sunday Roast
Breakfast 08.00-13.00 – Lunch 13.00-18.00 Evening Meals 18.00-22.00 Thursday karaoke – Tuesday quiz night LIVE music most Saturdays (check Facebook) Pool and Terrace ALL SPORT biggest screen in Moraira, enclosed terrace Open 7 days week, early until late
www.hilltopgastropub.eu HEALTH MINISTER Salvador Illa On the current state of the pandemic in Spain, Illa said that he was hopeful that any home lockdowns can be avoided so long as people follow the rules. Regarding the festive season, Illa commented: “Christmas will not be like last year, but we will do our best for families to get together for them to celebrate religious traditions.”
Calle Móstoles, Moraira tel: 965 74 43 66
Work in the UK. Live in Spain. Live-in Carer £83 - £105 per day.
We are a highly awarded care provider looking for experienced carers for nationwide opportunities. So, if you are a carer with at least six months’ experience and want to keep your Spanish lifestyle while working in the UK, please get in touch.
Changes
“More screen time can also lead to eye strain and visual fatigue, which isn’t usually serious but could explain why so many people have been reporting issues,” he explained. Astoundingly half of sight loss is avoidable with routine eye tests, making check-ups essential. “In the height of the pandemic many people may not have had access to these diagnostic tests,” said Blake. “Not only does this mean their eyesight is at risk but potentially other aspects of their health too.” “Several changes in our vision can be signs of a wider health condition and there are some things that can only be detected during an eye test,” warned Blake.
Triple Vaccine Miracle?
For more information call Jayne on +34 634345685 or email Jayne.Nuttall-Blake@thegoodcaregroup.com
OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Once and for all, 8 Bionic, 9 Either, 10 Feast, 12 Storied, 14 War zone, 16 Haifa, 19 Armada, 20 Tiptoe, 22 Bulletin board. Down: 1 Endive, 2 Fern, 3 Enact, 4 Effects, 5 Criteria, 6 Sleeve, 11 Sizeable, 13 Unearth, 15 Airbus, 17 Floors, 18 Stank, 21 Pros.
SUDOKU
MEDICAL personnel and their unions are ready to stand up to the Ministry of Health as it proposes tough new changes to their working conditions at the end of the worst week of the so-called ‘Second Wave’ of COVID-19. New measures are being introduced to ‘guarantee the capacity’ of the Valencian healthcare system in the fight against coronavirus that will fall hardest upon these frontline workers, they say. Among them are proposed measures to allow hospital directors to move medical staff into specialities not their own as ‘cover’, order staff to work at other hospitals, increase the number of working hours in the day and reduce the length and number of breaks for those on duty It is these last two measures that have drawn the ire of the relevant unions. Lawyers for La Central Sindical Independiente y de Funcionarios (CSIF) and Sindicato Medico de la Comunidad Valenciana (CESM CV) are said to be analysing the draft proposals in order to prepare a legal challenge.
A SPANISH doctor claims that the triple vaccine given to young children could be the reason why youngsters are not badly affected by COVID-19. Dr Pedro Reche, an immunologist and researcher at the Complutense University of Madrid, has found evidence of cross-reactive immunity to COVID-19. Simply put, antigens produced by the DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) vaccine routinely given in the first few months of life help provide immunity against the coronavirus. For several months Reche has carried out computer research which has confirmed his hypothesis: “The existence of extensive cross-reactive immunity between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the antigens
15
"
Gloves off
November 12th - November 25th 2020
FREE ASSESSMENT WEEK
We use recycled paper
Waltzing like nun other
FINAL WORDS
SPANISH nuns from Caceres have grabbed a slice of global fame after a video of them dancing ‘to cheer the world up’ went viral.
Polar-ised AN olive farmer from Ciudad Real province went out after heavy hail storms to find that a miniature glacier had formed on his fields.
Poetic licence SPAIN’S transport minister has announced that the Alicante-Elche airport is going to be renamed after the Franco dissident and celebrated poet Miguel Hernandez.
OLIVE PRESS Stone me! Fly and pay The
Reuse Reduce Recycle
COSTA BLANCA
Your expat
voice in Spain
FREE
Vol. 1 Issue 43 www.theolivepress.es November 12th - November 25th 2020
Airborne cabs plan for Spanish cities PEOPLE will soon be able to hail a cab to fly to their destination, if plans for an airborne taxi take off. ENAIRE Spain's aviation authority has announced a scheme to introduce unmanned flying taxis to Barcelona by 2022. ENAIRE is working alongside
By James Warren
two organisations to realise their dream of air taxis - the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation and private tech company Everis. Their hope is to begin testing airborne transport and passen-
AS anti-lockdown rioters set fire to the streets of Barcelona this weekend one busker calmly continued his set regardless. Not phased by the disruption, the pianist tinkled the ivories playing The Bangles classic hit ‘Eternal Flame’. In the video, rioters can be seen throwing rocks at police vans and setting fire to objects in the street. The lyric ‘Is this burning an eternal flame?’ suddenly took on a much darker message as the blaze grew behind the musician. “For some reason [it] reminds me of them continuing to play music as the Titanic went down, videos like this will be looked back in 100 years to try and understand the madness of the pandemic,” commented one Twitter user.
ger vehicles by 2021, with a full roll out one year later. The cities slated for the first test flights are Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela. One man passenger drones will be introduced alongside un-manned parcel and goods carrying drones, similar to the
Piano Man
WHAT RIOT?: Pianist played on
ones used by Amazon. ENAIRE hopes that the introduction of state of the art technologies will help revitalise the floundering economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hoped that new logistic solutions will entice private businesses back into the major cities and position Spain at the forefront of this newly developing technology. “We need to move urban mobility into the third dimension: airspace. And we need to do it as efficiently and sustainably as we can,” said project leader Angel Luis Arias. Arias hopes that the use of passenger carrying drones will also work towards greener cities and reduce congestion and emissions by replacing fuel burning vehicles on the roads.
FORGET initials gouged into tree trunks or scratched into desks. One 13th century stonemason made his mark by carving a cheeky self-portrait and secretly placing it in one of Europe’s best-known cathedrals. Perched at the top of a 40 feet column, the 30cm stone selfie has been gazing down on worshippers for over eight centuries, hidden away inside the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral away from clerical eyes. “The carving brings us face to face with one of the people whose work we’ve been studying, and it was delightful to meet him,” said British art historian Jennifer Alexander, who made the astonishing discovery while conducting a stone-by-stone analysis. The scholar added that the figure looked ‘pleased with himself’ – perhaps because he had found a way of cementing his place in history, for otherwise stonemasons went uncredited in architectural logs. Building work on the cathedral was started in the 1th century, and it has become one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Europe, with 350,000 visitors in 2019.