The
OLIVE PRESS
Mijas Costa FREE
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Your expat
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Vol. 14 Issue 357 www.theolivepress.es November 25th - December 8th 2020
EXCLUSIVE
LOADED UP: The Merc was put on a transporter set for the UK
All shook up!
How we caught up with the attempted escape route of Ulrich’s killers
See page 2
TRAGIC: Ulrich, his shrine and the British-plated car linked to his death
ELECTRIFYING!
Why Spain is suffering a spate of earth tremors Page 6
Energy giant sent packing after campaigners and Olive Press win long battle against ‘destructive’ pylon plan
Fight the power!
Future perfect
We examine the coming motoring revolution Page 11
SAVED: the stunning Andalucian countryside and how it would have looked
Palace con
A bunch of crooks tried to sell my hotel for a song Page 16
REJOICE: Chris Stewart
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GREEN campaigners are rejoicing after plans to erect over 100 giant pylons were effectively sparked out this week in Andalucia. In a shock win, they thanked the Olive Press for its year-long campaign to stop the ‘motorway of power lines’ through two iconic Granada valleys. Our Fight the Power campaign, launched in March 2019, strongly opposed the long lines of pylons and a giant electricity substation in the Alpujarras and Lecrin Valley. We were joined by celebrated writer Chris Stewart and pop star Dr Robert of the Blow Monkeys to oppose the ‘crazy abomination’. The battle had erupted when locals unearthed energy giant Red Electrica’s state-funded plan to erect the 80m high structures, mostly on private land. In the case of British expat Steve Holdup, 63, the REE scheme would have seen a pylon going up in his back garden. Ironically, the tower and service road would have been installed right in the middle of the retired teacher’s own solar panel project. Grassroots movement Di No a Los Torres (Say No to the Towers) was quick to argue the high voltage towers would have a ‘devastating effect’ on tourism, agriculture and health. After probing the shady interests
By Laurence Dollimore
behind the project, we managed to get the story printed in the national newspapers in the UK. Robert Howard, singer of the Blow Monkeys, who has a home in the Lecrin Valley, described the scheme as ‘ravaging’ for the region saying it would ‘have devastating consequences environmentally and economically’. Driving Over Lemons writer Chris Stewart added it was ‘heedless destruction’ and showed private interests ‘riding roughshod over the will and rights of the people’. Now the Junta has effectively ruled that REE cannot build its second substation, which would connect the long lines of pylons the region. TheOlivePress-256x170-BIKacross E-4.indd 1 A subsequent appeal by the electrical giant has also been rejected, according to campaigners this week. “It’s great news,” Teresa McKeon told the Olive Press. “Thank you so much for all your articles and the campaign you launched. “We continue to work behind the scenes to try to safeguard the natural beauty of our landscape from this and other threats.” McKeon explained that REE's megaproject included two lines crossing the valley. The first had been published in the BOJA in November 2017 and was subsequentSee pages 11 & 24 ly approved by the Junta before locals were able to raise public TheOlivePress-256x170-BIKE-4.in
Tel: 952 147 834 TM
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On the eve of Andalucia day, we look at the history of one its most famous group of residents, gypsies
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POWERLESS: The
POWER STRUGGL E: Christ Stewart and Dr Robert (inset above) join long, snaking X-GENESIS drummer protest against pylon project Stewart has joined Chris Over Lemons novel made the the fi- gion famous reEXCLUSIVE ght against a ‘motorway’ - added While supposedly necessary of growing collective his name to a By Tim McNulty power lines planned of campaigning to take electricity from Morocco dalucia’s iconic Alpujarras for An- expats battling the proposal. to Europe, it is set to ruin the untouched These include former The British author - whoseregion. beauty 80s star Doc- again private financial interests are of the area, Driving tor Robert, enjoyed by tens of thoufrom the Blow Monkeys, riding roughshod over the TM the rights of the people, will and sands of nature lovers each year. who leaving, as The Di No A Las Torres li- ever, a wake (Say No To of heedless destruc- The Towers) ves in the tion,” group n e a r b y this Stewart told the Olive Press, tage towers would argues high volhave L e c r i n “Oneweek. ting effect’ on tourism a ‘devastaday the tide will turn and and agriculV a l l e y , reasonable, more ture, as well as health. sustainable ways TM which is prevail; A but seemingly not yet; will a petition has been launched, while also set to it’s protest saw over a thousand so... peobe badly Theback to the barricades again.” ple march near the village outrage comes after it of Cona f f e c t e d vealed was re- char on Sunday. energy by the ca de España company Red Electri- The protest, which included (REE) plans to install expats many See pages 40 project. and children, is the start a network of some 211 of “ O n c e across giant pylons many to stop the scheme. the two valleys. Blow Monkeys singer Robert
A BRITISH expat couple ‘disaster’ after they learntare facing a one of the ‘monstrous’ electricity masts to be built in their back garden.(left) is Steve Holdup, 62, and wife Karen, 61, who live on a self sufficient near Orgiva, could ironically farm even lose their sole source of solar panels, which are inpower from the way. The retired teachers, who moved from Cumbria a decade they have been kept in ago, claim energy company REE, andthe dark by out about the pylon from only found a friend. Steve told the Olive Press: “From having a fantastic house from scratch ten years we rebuilt ended up with a disaster. ago, we’ve “We put all of our life saving into it and now we face having a 220 volt tower directly to live with behind our home.” If built, the tower and adjoining vice road will cut right through sertheir field of 13 solar panels. “So somebody in Germany gets a load of electricity from Morocco as a result of putting a tower at the back of our house and we end the little electricity we have up losing for ourselves.” He added: “It has been the most chevalier fashion done in you could imagine. Howard, who has lived Valley for two decades, in the Lecrin ve Press: “The project told the Olimassive pylons across to take these an abomination. It will our valley is have devastating consequences environmen tally and economically. “It’s a magical place, a ‘Vale Of Happiness’, as the Moors place of natural beauty called it, a and conservation. “These giant pylons will scar the landscape, could destroy the local tourist businesses and ravage the environment. “There are no benefits people - we must fight at all for local Ecotourism is vital toto stop them.” the which was nominatedregion, UNESCO World Heritageas a site in 2017, mainly for having some of the world’s oldest olive groves.
NEWS: Start of the Olive Press Tel: 282 90902 2 12312 campagin 3 282 awareness and fight it. TRAVEL INSUR ANCE “Technically this line can still be constructed,” she explained, “However, there is no substation to connect to. “So we continue to question the legality of a proposal which included a *Offer ends'fictitious' 30/11/18. Not valid for renewals. Subject substation, and of the Junto conditions . ta's approval of such a project.” Olive Press publisher Jon Clarke said last night: “This is amazing news and a great win for2/8/18 the environment. 17:01 “I’m proud that the Olive Press has been able to help achieve this victory, showing that the press still has relevance and can put pen to power. This is what a genuine people’s paper does.” It comes after REE reportedly ignored prohibition orders slapped down by town halls in Orgiva and Lanjaron which were designed to prevent work starting back in July last year. Councillors had issued the bans over ‘environmental fears’, but REE sent in diggers and dump trucks regardless, to begin preliminary groundwork. Now, for the time being at least, the electrical giant will have to find somewhere else for its electrical pylons.
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Holdups
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Celebrities join furious expats and locals to stop ‘abomination’ of pylons set to ruin series of celebrated tourist valleys
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Some 245 businesses rural tourism and the work in which is set to have 109valley of the pylons - receives an estimated 8,000 visitors every weekend. The figures for the Alpujarras, which will see pylons ching all the way to the stretria border, are certainly Almemuch higher. Scottish expat Teresa Keon, 49, who has been Mcat the forefront of the campaign, the Olive Press: “The told whole place is going to be destroyed it is just awful... it really is awful.” Opinion Page 6
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NEWS IN BRIEF Dodgy dealer A 49-year-old businessman has been arrested for the fraudulent sales of a number of luxury sports cars through a dealership in Fuengirola.
Success story WHILE the tourism industry might have suffered during the pandemic Malaga have managed to register 53 new hotels irregardless.
Express evictions OWNERS of a luxury villa in Marbella have managed to recover their home from squatters who took over the property for two months.
Cumpleanos Feliz CULT favourite fish restaurant La Escollera in Estepona will celebrate its 80th year in business on December 11.
AUTHORITIES in the fishing town of Rincon de la Victoria are on the hunt for the person responsible for the alleged poisoning of over 100 birds. Police were called after neighbours from the Valle Niza urbanisation in Velez Malaga noticed a large number of dead birds littering the floor near the Castillo del Marques School.
CRIME
November 25th - December 8th 2020
Fowl play
Mask wars
The majority of the birds included pigeons, turtle doves and song birds such as sparrows, finches and blackbirds. Guardia Civil’s Seprona discovered small lesions on the digestive tract of the birds, a common side effect of chemical poisoning.
A FAMILY has savagely attacked two police officers after they told one of their children to put a mask on. The boy was escorted to his home in Alhaurin de la Torre, where the family launched the assault from their doorstep. The two officers had to call for back up to contain the family. Appalled by the event, the city council has asked for ‘the full weight of the law’ to descend on the aggressors and has encouraged citizens to ‘ignore the false information and rumours circulating on social media,’ saying that the agents ‘acted with total professionalism and in accordance with protocol.’
Keys from a killer Police impound white Merc linked to murder of tragic teen in Estepona - as it was set for two-day journey to UK A BRITISH-licenced car linked to the murder of an expat teenager has been recovered from a transporter vehicle on the Costa del Sol. The white Mercedes was being sought after tragic Ulrich Perez was stabbed in a shock broad daylight attack in Estepona last week. Detectives investigating the
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TRAGIC: Ulrich and transporter just after car was impounded
EXCLUSIVE By Kirsty McKenzie
slaying of the 19-year-old were alerted to the top-of-the-range sports car beside Estepona Golf on Saturday morning, three days after his death. He had been stabbed after having a row with the driver, who he accused of going too fast at a zebra crossing outside his family home in Diana Park. The Mercedes Berlina was set to be driven back to the UK, via Bilbao, this week, the Olive Press can reveal. Indeed, it was only thanks to the eagle eyes of an expat neighbour that the cops were called. “The car was impounded as it was being loaded onto a transfer vehicle,” said an employee at the golf club. “The English owner of the transport company was taken away by police. “He is a nice guy who has worked here for years and I am sure he had no involvement, police will just want to know who ordered the car to be transported.” When the Olive Press spoke to the owner of the company Car Shipping To Spain, he confirmed he had been paid to transfer the car back to an address in the UK. Catching him just before he set off yesterday morning, the English businessman said that his wife had been given the keys to the Mercedes on Thursday evening, less than 24 hours after the attack. He confirmed he had spent two and a half hours at a police station, giving details of the suspect and where he was set to deliver the car.
It wasn’t me! EXILED Spanish King Juan Carlos I has denied trying to withdraw €10 million from a ‘secret’ bank account in Jersey. According to El Mundo, details of the alleged transaction are being analysed by Spanish prosecutors after it was detected by the Executive Commission of the Prevention of Money Laundering and Fraud (Sepblac). But the disgraced royal, who has been in the Arab Emirates since August, has reportedly told his closest circle that he is shocked by the report sent to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s office, which led to the third investigation to be opened against him in a year. Don Juan Carlos, who abdicated the throne in 2014, maintains that ‘he is not responsible for any trust in Jersey and that he never has been, directly or indirectly.’ Sepblac first revealed last week that the so-called King Emeritus is a beneficiary of a trust in the Channel Islands worth at least €5 million.
Killer mother
SUSPECT CAR: White Mercedes linked to murder While declining to give an exact delivery address, he said: “It was going back to the UK, I can’t tell you where and the police will obviously not give me the car back. It is now in forensics.” He continued the car had been booked to be taken back on Thursday afternoon and was dropped off that night. “The client seemed like a normal guy and didn’t turn up like some big brick s***house,” he explained.
Money
“It was dark at night and the wife met him. She sat in her car waiting for him to come. It was 7.30pm at night. It was dark, he gave her the keys, gave her the money and he disappeared. “We didn’t suspect anything. At the end of the day, people run late and we run late.” The discovery comes after cinema worker Ulrich was fatally stabbed after recriminating the driver of the car who nearly ran him over on a zebra crossing. The man - described by witnesses as ‘well built and blonde’ - is believed to have pulled out a knife and stabbed the youngster in the heart before fleeing the scene. He is understood to be English and was travelling with a woman, who may have been his girlfriend. The shocking attack took place right outside Ulrich’s home and his devastated mother, and VICTIM: Ulrich Perez with his brother stepfather were
among the first people to rush to his aid. Tragically the teen, who lived in the Las Acacias urbanisation with his parents and two brothers, aged 22 and three, passed away almost immediately. Tributes have been pouring out from the local community, including his friends, who posted a photo from their soccer team and lit candles and laid flowers at the spot where he died. The youngster’s great-aunt Herminia Martinez took to social media over the weekend to say: “At times we feel as if God has abandoned us and we ask why the Lord took you. “A madman, a stupid man snatched your life away from you and you are in another dimension with your great-grandparents who loved you so much. Rest in peace.” Local British estate agent Tony Reddin told the Olive Press how Ulrich was one of the ‘nicest lads you could ever meet’. Locals meanwhile launched a campaign to help Ulrich’s family with funeral costs, which was quickly reached. They put collection pots in shops near the home he shared with his parents and two brothers. Police have confirmed no arrests have yet been made.
A MOTHER who locked her baby in a room and left her alone for a month has been found guilty of murder and abndonment by a Malaga court. The jury unanimously convicted the teen mum after hearing the harrowing details of her crimes. Both the defence and prosecutors are asking for a 15-year jail sentence for murder and another year for abandonment. The state had been seeking 20 years for murder but lowered their ask after the mother admitted to the charges and ‘showed regret’. After months of neglect, baby Camelia, at 17 months old, was left locked in a room with a bottle and a packet of cookies in October 2018. Her mother left her there and never returned until her family insisted on seeing the little girl a month later, when police discovered the baby’s body.
Car crush horror A MUM has been airlifted to hospital after being crushed by an SUV in Sotogrande. The 35-year-old, who was with her six-year-old son when she was hit, received multiple traumas to her shoulder, hip and face. The unnamed mother was bending down to pick up her keys outside the Sotogrande International school on Avenida de la Reserva. The driver of the SUV did not see the pair and ran over the mother, who managed to protect her young son. The woman became trapped under the vehicle and had to be rescued by firefighters before being taken to hospital by helicopter.
NEWS
www.theolivepress.es FIVE Barn owls have been introduced to a Marina Alta farming community as part of a major plan to enhance the flora and fauna of the area. The village of Jesus Pobre, two kilometres from Gata de Gorgos (Alicante), is involved in a project to restore species that are vital to farming ecosystems.
RESTORED: Barn Owls
Role replacement MALLORCA local Mads Mikkelsen (pictured) has been tipped to replace Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald in the Fantastic Beasts film. Depp was axed from the cast of the latest Harry Potter spin-off when he lost his trial against The Sun newspaper, who called him a ‘wifebeater’ in 2018. The court found the claims made about Depp, 57, were ‘substantially true’ following statements from his wife Amber Heard, 34. After featuring in films such as Casino Royale, Mikkelsen is now director David Yate’s firm favourite to take over the role. No stranger to the Balearic Islands, Mikkelsen snapped up a luxury pad in the heart of Mallorca several years ago. Situated in the trendy Santa Catalina area, the Danish expat relocated several years ago.
What a hoot! That includes the barn owls who are seen as a useful way of combating pests that destroy crops. Nesting boxes will be put up close to farmland to encourage kestrels, bats, and red-tailed scrub robins to make the area their home. Population monitoring is planned to check out the success of the initiative.
Asthmatic actress
As The Crown hits TV screens again, Diana actress Emma Corrin reveals her on set health struggles while filming in Spain STAR of The Crown Emma Corrin has revealed she was hospitalised when filming the hit Netflix drama in Spain. The actress, who plays Princess Diana in the newly released fourth season of the show, said she had been suffering from asthma and a severe cough and stopped at a hospital for antibiotics. It was there that doctors refused to let Corrin, 24, leave as her oxygen levels had become worryingly low.
By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
It came after Corrin had filmed an underwater scene for The Crown in a freezing cold swimming pool in Spain where the show had spent two months filming in a bid to recreate Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1983 tour of Australia. And this was not the first time the show had come to the Costa del Sol. An airport scene
Marian’s dreams fulfilled
DREAMS: Marian Avila was honoured
A SPANISH model with Down’s syndrome has received a prestigious award for being ‘an example to follow’. Marian Avila, aged 23, picked up the 2020 Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy award in a ‘virtual’ ceremony hosted in Denver earlier this month. She shared the honour with actor Caterina Scorsone from the popular TV series Grey’s Anatomy. Marian Vila said: “People with Down’s syndrome can achieve as much as anybody else. My motto is I can. “We can all fulfil our dreams and I am very happy and honoured to have receive such an important award.”
ESTUCO INTERIORS
BREATHLESS: Corrin for season three was shot in Torremolinos’ congress centre. The show has recently come under fire for straying from alleged real life events. Biographer Penny Junor, who has been covering the royal family for around four decades, told reporters: “Peter Morgan [director] has invented stuff to make expensive and very rich drama. It’s the most cruel and unfair and horrible portrayal of almost all of them.” Historians have raced to point out fabrications in the latest series’ script including the royal family intentional attempt to humiliate Margaret Thatcher at Balmoral and Princess Margaret mocking Princess Diana for not being able to curtsey. “Sometimes you have to forsake accuracy, but you must never forsake truth,” said Morgan in response.
November 25th - December 8th 2020
Don’t sashay DON’T ‘sashay away’ from your sofa because RuPaul’s Drag Race has announced it’s coming to Spain. The reality-competition show follows a group of elite drag artists as they battle it out to be crowned the drag scene’s next superstar. Commissioned by the suitably sassily named media company ¡Hola Hola Hola!, alongside Spanish broadcaster Atresmedia, the show will be titled Drag Race Spain and promises an ‘update’ on the show’s classic format. Drag Race Spain joins a long line of international spin-offs, including Drag Race Thailand, Canada’s Drag Race, Drag Race Holland and The Switch Drag Race from Chile. And RuPaul is not the only hit-show to announce its expansion to a Spanish network lately. Love Island Spain was announced by ITV back in September, so there will be plenty to keep viewers entertained in 2021. SASSY: Ru Paul
Sea legs
STRETCH: Rodriguez
GEORGINA Rodriguez has taken yoga to the high seas. Posing in blue athletic wear, the 26-year-old model proved boyfriend Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, isn’t the only one with sporting skills as she showed off her ability to perform the splits. She captioned the Instagram snap: 'Entre el mar y el cielo', meaning 'between the sea and the sky'.
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NEWS
www.theolivepress.es
November 25th December 8th 2020
You muff be joking! A WOMEN’S rights campaigner has been fined for ‘offending religion’ after parading a huge vagina through the streets during a Women’s Day march. The protester was convicted of ‘a crime against religious sentiments’ by a Malaga court for mocking the holy Easter parades at Semana Santa in 2013. She was taken to court in a private prosecution by the Association of Christian Lawyers, which sought a 12-month prison sentence. She was instead fined €2700 and will pay off the fine at €10 per day for the next nine months. The stunt formed part of several protests throughout the Women’s Day march in the city. The defendant insisted her procession was merely a ‘performative act of protest’ and that she did not intend to offend religious feelings. “I don’t see how it can be offensive,” she said, “it can be rude, but not offensive.”
EYE CATCHING: The organ on display in Malaga
Bah humbug!
Christmas restrictions hit extended family celebrations
BRRR!: Sierra Nevada’s swimsuit skiers will have to wait
would have to be home within an hour of bringing in the new year. Under the draft proposal, work Christmas lunches and dinners would only be allowed six people and it is strongly recommended that if they must occur they are seated outside. The government is also advising that the emblematic Three Kings parades in January not be held, but it stopped short of a total ban. It has also been advised to avoid travel between different regions, while all other health measures will remain in place, including the wearing of masks.
SPAIN’S biggest skiing resort Baqueira-Beret is the first to announce its winter season opening following the extended coronavirus lockdown. The Pyrenean resort, a royal favourite, will open many of its 146kms of runs on December 10. To ensure social distancing on the lifts, a rule of six will be enforced in cable cars with masks mandatory for skiers when queuing. Elsewhere, staff from Formigal, Panticosa, Cerler, Valdelinares and Javalambre have all been put on the ERTE furlough scheme for the time being due to a lack of snowfall and COVID mobility restrictions. “The company wants to protect both its employees and its future,” a spokesman for the resorts told the Olive Press. It comes after 28 staff at the Candanchu resort in Huesca were also put on an ERTE. Meanwhile, in Granada’s Sierra Nevada, organisers pushed back their opening on November 28 due to the lockdown extensions. However they remain optimistic the slopes will open as soon as restrictions allow. “Everything at the resort is ready,” said a spokesman.
The proposal reiterates the importance of washing hands, prioritising ventilation of indoor spaces and social distancing. If approved, the decree would be nationwide, however it is expected certain regions, particularly Madrid, will oppose it. Meanwhile in Andalucia, bars and restaurants are likely to be permitted opening times up untill 8pm or 9pm from December 10. This was the prediction made by regional vice president Juan Marin yesterday (Tuesday), speaking at a tourism conference in Sevilla.
SPAIN is proposing limiting Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations to just six people, whether family or not. The government will also recommend dinners only
By Laurence Dollimore
be held among those who live together, and enforce a curfew from 1am to 6am. This means everyone
To ski or not to ski
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SOME 24,645 fines have been handed out to Covid rule breakers in the Malaga province since the second state of alarm was declared. According to Junta figures, the sanctions were mostly for not wearing masks or respecting social distancing. It means Malaga province has handed out at least €2.46m in fines since October 28. So-called ‘botellones’ (young people drinking on the streets), accounting for 533 fines, while illegal par-
A fine time
ties saw a further 132 multas dished out. Smoking on the street or terraces brought in 201 fines, while 53 restaurants got fined for breaking capacity limits. Only 35 sanctions have come for leaving the municipality without a justified reason.
Distancing
Reopen
Marin said that non-essential businesses, which currently have to close to customers at 6pm, will ‘probably’ be allowed to open until later. It comes as many restaurants took the decision to shut down for December and January, with plans to only reopen in February or March. Many skiing resorts are still unsure when exactly they will open, if they open at all.
‘You’re brave’ SPAIN’S Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has penned a heartfelt letter to the 11-year-old victim of a vicious homophobic attack. The young boy had to be hospitalised after a bully called him a ‘fag**t’ and repeatedly punched him so hard he broke his nasal septum. The victim was attacked as he was leaving school in Cartagena, Murcia and had to undergo emergency surgery. “I am writing to send you my love,” Sanchez typed in his letter.
Wounds
“Now it is the turn of your friends and the public institutions to take care of those wounds that don’t wear bandages, the wounds of the heart. “To guarantee that you can return to class to enjoy and learn.” It comes after the boy’s sister told reporters that bullies ‘called him fag**t many times and always harassed him.’ Sanchez went on to call him brave for wanting to go back to school to study. “The brave like you are the ones who end up finding true happiness in life,” the PSOE leader wrote.
Taxing welcome BARCELONA superstar Lionel Messi had a miserable welcome when he returned to Spain from international duty - the Spanish tax man. As his private jet returned from Argentina, five people from Hacienda boarded the flight to order him to pay an undisclosed tax bill before leaving El prat airport. Speaking to reporters he said: “After 15 hours of flying, I came up against people from the tax agency. It's crazy." In 2016 Messi and his father Jorge were found guilty of tax fraud, with both being given suspended 21 month prison sentences. Messi was also ordered to pay a fine of €1.8 million.
NEWS A TRADE deal between the EU and Britain is on the verge of being finalised, after the EU looked set to cave in on fishing rights. An MEP broke ranks to say that it looked likely the French would have to compromise with Boris Johnson’s demands over UK waters. Christophe Hansen said the EU would have to meet the UK’s demands to clinch an agreement. "There will be compromises to be made on fisheries. The status quo, that is somewhere we're not going to land,” he told an event. French fishermen are understood to have backed a compromise despite losing out on access to certain fishing grounds. The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier has discussed the need to compromise in the
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November 25th December 8th 2020
Landed! Landmark trade deal is within days of being signed after fishing rights issue appeared solved trade talks if there is to be an agreement. France had previously been refusing to back down on any fishing deal, demanding near-parity to the UK’s coastal waters. It comes as the governor of the Bank of England warned that a no-deal Brexit would be more economically damaging than COVID to the UK. Andrew Bailey said failure to get a deal signed would create
Two for One COPS transferring a vulture to a rescue centre were shocked to be pulled over to seize a snake at the same time. The wildlife arm of Malaga’s local police GUPONA were summoned by panicking locals to trap the serpent that was seen on a city street. Both bird and snake were both successfully taken to the CREA recovery centre, in the Montes de Malaga natural park, where they are both recovering.
a massive cross-border trade blockage and damage goodwill between Brussels and the UK. Meanwhile, Ireland leader Micheal Martin said on Monday he was hopeful that a Brexit deal would be completed this week. Taoiseach Martin said ‘by the end of this week we could see the outlines of a deal’. He said it would come down to ‘political will, both in the United Kingdom and I’m clear the political will is there from the European Union’. EU ambassadors were told over the weekend that a trade deal with Britain is on the verge of being finalised. They were told the majority of the 11 main negotiation issues have ‘joint legal texts with fewer and fewer outstanding points’. The European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, struck a positive note, saying: “After difficult weeks with very, very slow progress now we have seen in the last days better progress, more movement on important files. This is good.” See No hard shoulder, page 6
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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 In cold blood THE senseless stabbing of 19-year-old Ulrich Perez in a shopping centre car park is beyond heartbreaking - but the calculated way the killer tried to ditch the car he used to flee from the murder scene is the true definition of evil. Anyone that can murder a teen in cold blood before racing away and scrambling to get rid of evidence deserves to rot in jail for a crime that quite rightly sickened the Costa del Sol to its core. The thug thought nothing for the lives of the dozens of people, including Ulrich’s devastated mother and stepfather and school friends, who had to watch the much-loved teen die in a puddle of his own blood after being stabbed in the chest in broad daylight. While the community of Estepona clung to each other, wailing as the funeral van drove away, the suspect was already plotting to send the car back to England. It is a great credit to locals on the Costa del Sol that the white Mercedes was found so quickly, with them refusing to allow this murder to join the long list of violent crime which goes unsolved in Spain every year. Ulrich’s family will never be able to make sense of this horrifying attack. But catching the killer will hopefully bring them a sense of justice during this unimaginable time.
Sweet victory THE victory of the pylons not being erected in the stunning Alpujarras valley just goes to show what can be done when a community newspaper and grass roots campaigners work together. This is what a REAL ‘people’s paper’ does - as one of our rivals likes to call themselves. We support our readers in their David and Goliath battles and shine a light on the shady dealings of those in power. We are by no means taking the credit for this win, as it was the Di No a Los Torres movement which put in hours of legal work and challenges at the Junta de Andalucia, and we applaud them for their efforts. But it cannot be underestimated how the international media coverage - spearheaded by us - and our celebrity-backed campaign helped put pressure on those in the corridors of power. Much like the campaigners, we will be keeping an eye on this story to make sure the ruling is kept to. And if you have a similar campaign that you think deserves our support or you want to raise awareness, you know where to find us!
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I
NEWS FEATURE
F you’ve ever woken up in a shaking bed like Regan in The Exorcist, or seen teacups rattling in their saucers of their own accord, you’re not cracking up. It’s the price you pay for living in an earthquake zone. Up to 1,400 quakes are recorded each year around the Iberian peninsula and they tend to be headline grabbers as people literally feel the earth move, and not in a good way. The recent spate of tremors in eastern Spain has seen a clutch of concerned reports from Andalucia, Murcia, Valencia and the Costa Blanca. The website Volcano Discovery logged 749 quakes on the Iberian peninsula in a single month between October 17 and November 17. But experts say there is nothing to be worried about. It’s all a question of the depth of the tremor rather than a rising trend in earthquakes. In the case of last month’s spate of quakes, only 180 rated above magnitude two on the Richter Scale. That means that very few people would have noticed and the actual number of recorded tremors is not above normal. The head of Alicante University’s Seismic Unit, Jose Delgado, explains: “The Valencia Community suffers dozens of earthquakes each year that nobody notices because of their depth. Everything is absolutely normal. “It’s just a coincidence that a number of them have been grouped together along with their aftershocks. “I believe that reporting current tremors should be done calmly because people naturally get scared if the ground happens to move,” Delgado added. The fault - and it’s a big one - lies in our friction-fraught relationship with the earth’s tectonic plates. Spain’s eastern coast sees a lot of seismic activity as it lies on the edge of the
Whole lotta Alex Trelinski discovers why people in southern Spain feel the earth move more than most...
Eurasian Plate, just to the north of its boundary with the African Plate. Geophysicists have worked out that the two plates are getting closer to each other at a very slow rate of around an inch per year with ‘collisions’ happening off the Algerian coast and further east off Sicily.
Scientists say the Eurasian tectonic plate is actually moving ‘underneath’ its African counterpart, and that movements, though very gradual, can actually produce a big lurch that could cause a more significant tremor. Utrecht University’s Rinus Wortel produced a study in 2011 suggesting more
No hard shoulder! EXIT COUNTDOWN TO BR
I
In the countdown to Brexit, Anne Hernandez looks at new rules to help UK drivers get their licences in check before January 1
N another eventful week for British expats, Spain announced new not issued with them until July this year. rules for exchanging your UK driving licence for a Spanish one There is obviously a misinterpretation of the rules somewhere before December 30. along the line and my group Brexpats in Spain continues to inform While the authorities are trying their hardest to cope with the in- the British Embassy of such discrepancies. creased demand, it has sent many of you into an understandable Another important issue is changes to some UK bank accounts dither because the info on the DGT traffic department’s website in and, while most UK nationals living in Spain will not see any English is anything but clear. change, some have been contacted to advise of changes, even inLet me clarify that the application to exchange must be presented cluding the closure of their accounts after December 31. to the DGT not later than December 30, either via the online portal, or by calling 060. It may also be possible to take the form into the DGT in person but Many of you are asking why some UK banks are closing accounts or phone to check with the office before wasting a journey. And remember, if you call 060, no English is spoken so information restricting their services and, ultimately, this depends on whether the bank can meet the Spanish regulatory rules. must be given clearly in Spanish using the phonetSome of you might need to consider other options ic alphabet to avoid any errors (a-Avila, b-Barcelona although it could cost more as some banks may etc). Some DGT charge more for providing an account or for certain The information requested is full name, NIE, date centres have transactions. of birth, driving licence number, telephone number, Other UK-based or international banks will be able email and the centre where you will present your been refusing to continue to provide bank accounts in sterling afapplication. ter Brexit so do make sure you check. The office will then check on the validity of your drivapplicants Options worth considering could be a digital bank ing licence and three days later, another call is necwithout a TIE (some do not allow direct debits in sterling), elecessary to be given the appointment. tronic money accounts, prepaid cards or a local I did it last Friday and got an appointment for TuesSpanish account. day this week. I was impressed! As long as the application has been submitted and the licence has In a very eventful 10 days we have also been notified that residents been verified by the end of the year, the appointment to exchange registered with an S1 as a UK pensioner need to apply online to renew their UK-issued EHIC. Their current card will not be valid after can be within the first six months of next year. So to confirm UK licence holders will be able to use their licences December 31.This only applies to UK-issued EHIC’s. And lastly, not much to report on the Brexit talks because this for six months to drive in Spain from January 1. However, I must week, at a crucial time, the EU negotiations have been temporarily draw your atten- suspended as one of the EU negotiators tested positive for COVID tion to the fact that and Boris Johnson is spending two weeks in isolation after meeting some DGT centres with a Tory MP who also tested positive. have been refusing If any deal is agreed it will clearly be taken to the wire and not applicants who do signed off until December 28 at the earliest. not have a TIE and Senior EU officials also report that several countries including others have been France, the Netherlands and Spain are worried that any last minute declined because deal could be worse for the bloc than a no-deal scenario and say the TIE is not older it is essential to make sure that the UK cannot undercut the bloc than six months, after it leaves. which is impossible since we were Visit www.brexpats.es for more information
Banking concerns
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November 25th - December 8th 2020
7
a shakin’ goin’ on
DISASTER: nine people died when a quake hit Lorca in 2011, reducing much of the town to rubble
substantial quakes could be on the way. Wortel said: “The way that the Eurasian plate is moving means that the chances of a major earthquake in the Western Mediterranean region may be increasing.” In 2012, Dr.Jose Martinez Diaz from Madrid’s Complutense University co-wrote a report which claimed that seismic dangers in Spain were being underestimated because only 2,000-year-old records were being looked at. Researchers discovered a fault-line dating back thousands of years that caused tremors of up to seven on the Richter Scale “This line could produce a major quake like in the past”, Martinez Diaz commented. Thankfully, there have been just two Spanish earthquakes with loss of life in the last 136 years. The most recent tragedy rocked the Murcia town of Lorca in May 2011. A quake registering 5.1 on the Richter Scale killed FRICTION: Spain is right on the boundary of the African and Eurasian Tectonic plates nine people, toppling older buildings including a church bell tower. dards for over 50 years.” engulfed much off western Europe and The earthquake caused many underlying Historically, it’s another matter. Two mas- northern Africa. problems because it struck at a very low sive 19th century earthquake disasters Dubbed the Lisbon Earthquake, an estidepth of just three kilometres. make for grim reading. mated 15,000 lives were lost in the flood Four weeks earlier, a 6.3 Around 1,200 lost their and devastation that ripped through the Richter Scale tremor hit the lives on Christmas Day in Portuguese city. There have Granada area, but it was at 1885 in a 6.7 magnitude Parts of Huelva and Cadiz were also hit a depth of 609 kilometres. tremor across Andalucia. and the final death toll may have been as been two The only other fatal quake And 389 deaths were re- high as 100,000. Spanish in the 20th century was corded around Torrevieja That’s ancient history now. But what of at Albalote in Granada in on the Costa Blanca in the future and the chances of large deearthquakes 1956, which killed five peoMarch 1829, when a 6.6 structive earthquakes returning, as Lorwith loss of life magnitude tremor razed at ca witnessed in 2011? ple. Alicante University’s Jose least 2,000 buildings to the It’s anyone’s guess, but they’re not going in 136 years Delgado emphasises that ground. away. modern building standards However Spain’s greatest “I cannot make a prediction about future are different to the structures that suf- earthquake tragedy was recorded in earthquakes like it was a weather forefered damage in Lorca and Albalote. 1755. cast,” says Jose Delgado. “But there will “Personal injuries are likely to be avoid- An 8.5 magnitude tremor originating continue to be earthquakes and we don’t ed because Spanish construction has in the Atlantic Ocean off Cape St.Vin- know whether it will be today, tomorrow, worked to earthquake-resistant stan- cent created a 15-metre tsunami that next month or when.”
Olive Press online ‘Spain’s best English news website’
On the up and up
THE Olive Press website has been in a continuous state of growth for the past five years - and there’s no secret to our success. We are the only English-language paper dedicated solely to news about Spain… you won’t find stories about Taiwan and India or even the latest episode of Eastenders, like you would in one of our ‘rivals’. We also hire NCTJ trained journalists who write their own exclusives and know how to source and deliver the most relevant and intriguing stories for expats. This means we don’t make stories up, like when another downmarket rag invented a lockdown coming to Spain on September 18 this year. It was the Olive Press which immediately fact checked and proved that story to be total fiction, ensuring Fernando Simon, the head of the country’s coronavirus task force, addressed it himself at his daily press conference. For years we have supported the expat community by rooting out crooks and scammers, tracking down paedophiles and launching environmental campaigns. That’s why Sky News, the Mail on Sunday, Daily Mail, the Sun - to name a few - all come to speak to US when they want a story investigated. We are the only English website dedicated to Spanish news that you can trust. Our handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and growing readership numbers, have proved that consumers value well written, relevant and trusted news - just as you find in the Olive Press.
The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: -Exclusive: Expats are clogging up a ‘saturated’ 1applications, Spanish administration with unnecessary TIE claims Costa Blanca broker (59,109
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closure derails Benidorm bargain 2- Border breaks plan on Spain’s Costa Blanca (40,588 views) of up to €6,000 for travellers arriving 3- Fine to Spain without negative PCR test (29,910 views) - Benidorm based holiday accommodation 4coming groups slam high cost of PCR tests for foreigners to Spain’s Costa Blanca (29,854 views) closure on Spain’s Costa Blanca is set to 5- Border be extended into December (27,259 views)
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8
LA CULTURA
How surreal
A NEW show at the CaixaForum in Madrid has wowed visitors with its display of over 279 surrealist works of art. Surrealism, an art form traditionally defined as art that explores the subconscious mind, is a particularly apt movement for those using culture as escapism during these challenging times. While the show features surrealist figureheads such as Dali and Man Ray, it also looks forward to the surrealist influences on modern art: for example, Bjork’s experimental music videos.
Desire
The exhibition, called Objects of Desire: Surrealism and Design 19242020, is an immersive experience with towering Dali landscapes for the viewer to lose themselves in. Fans of Surrealism will recognise the iconic works on display, including scenes from Bunuel’s Un Chien Andalou and Man Ray’s Le Violon. But the exhibition’s curators hope the show will also inspire a new generation of surrealist designers in Spain.
A Promised Land
November 25th December 8th 2020
by Barack Obama
SINCE Barack Obama handed over the reins of presidency to Trump, the world has been waiting for his presidential memoir. In this first volume, Obama takes the reader on a journey from childhood to the killing of Osama Bin Laden in 2011, focusing mainly on his political aspirations and career as President. We are given insights into his thought process, the dynamics of US politics, opinions of other world leaders, his battles with racism, and personal stories of life with his family in the White House. It is intimate, powerful and compelling and, above all, hopeful. Obama maintains his belief that progress is always possible and that ‘democracy is not a gift from on high, but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day’.
Shades of Banksy as Spanish artist uses coronavirus for inspiration
GRATITUDE: Overcoming is a thoughtful tribute
Brush with COVID A SPANISH artist has been combatting coronavirus with optimism by painting intricate murals on hospital facades for doctors and nurses to enjoy. Known as ‘Pejac’, the painter has created three intricate and eye-catching pieces across the outer walls of Marques de
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Valdecilla University Hospital in Santander. “The project is a gesture of gratitude to health workers in general and during this COVID crisis in particular,” said Pejac. “I’m offering them what I do best, which is painting.” Easily comparable with Bristol’s anonymous artist Banksy, Pejac redesigns well known images by the likes of Monet or Delacroix to convey a socially-charged message. Named Social distance, Overcoming and Caress, Pejac’s paintings have been finished with a helping hand from the children in the hospital’s oncology unit.
€39.90 The Bookshop San Pedro, www.thebookshop.es
Overcoming shows a child recreating Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses with his hands. The boy is propped up on a wheelchair, harnessing his disability to paint where other children can’t reach.
Heart
“This is something that we, as a society could do,” says Pejac. “We could take this crisis and use it to propel us forwards.” And this is not the first project with a social cause at its heart that Pejac has taken on. His last commission took place at the El Dueso, Cantabria, where prison inmates painted alongside him to complete an eye-catching mural.
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2020
See page 6
Vaccine breakthrough could be game-changer for Mallorca economy
Barnier 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. 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 partner-in-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 reason being that he buckled and the did another u-turn.” But her optimism was tempered by downbeat assessment from Downinga Street, with No 10 claiming ‘significant differences remain’ between the two sides on Monday. A spokeswoman added: “The prime SHOTS ALL ROUND The vaccine is giving the travel and service minister set out that, while some progindustry new confidence for ress had been made in recent discus2021 sions, significant differences remain HOPE has been injected back into in a number of areas, including the Balearic tourism industry thanks to the “For us, 2021 begins today and marks the the By Isha Sesay called level playing field, and fish.” so- ground-breaking announcement century’ that would ‘be the saviour the beginning of how we intend that a She said they had agreed that their COVID-19 vaccine could to of the tourism industry’. be rolled out that ‘at the negotiating teams would continue next year. minimum, the vulnerable bring tourism back to the Balearic Is- Mallorcan hotel group RIU echoed this lands.” and healthcare professionals would talks in London this week to ‘redou- Developers Pfizer and view, with its CEO Luis Riu be The Balearic Islands are among the ‘it was the news we were stating that ble efforts to reach a deal’, adding that its drug against the BioNTech said protected by May.’ waiting for’ they would remain ‘in personal contact than 90% effective – virus was more Minister of Tourism Iago Negueruela worst hit in Spain, ranking highest for and will have ‘great implications a major victory at an unemployment in the entire country economic about the negotiations.’ against the disease that has killed more also voiced his hopes for a successful with level for the tourism sector.’ Nigel Farage this week blasted than a million people and devastated 2021 season, with British travellers be- the GDP falling by a historic 40.5% in President of the Mallorca Hotel Fedthe second quarter of 2020. ing the key to its revival. prime minister for failing to secure eration (FEHM), Maria Frontera, the global economy. said Speaking at the World Travel Market These bleak statistics were attributed the news ‘had been withdrawal agreement ahead of a Government spokesperson well received’ by US election results, claiming that the called the breakthrough Pilar Costa he said: “We have every faith in a re- to the region’s undeniable reliance on their members. Joe ‘a light at the covery for Biden ‘hates the UK’. the British market which is tourism which had taken a battering She did however warn that ‘even end of a very dark tunnel,’ pledging if the this year. so important for our islands. vaccine is rolled out, it will not reach The news on the drug’s high efficacy the entire population immediately’ and has since been celebrat- that ‘protocols must be put in place to ed by the Balearic gov- fight the virus.’ ernment and business leaders after 10 months Travel of growing uncertainty. Hotelier Gabriel Escar- “We rer was delighted with ports,need controls at ports and airPCR tests at origin and tracing the virus announce- through technological applications,” ment after his hotel said Frontera. One of these calls has chain Melia, experi- already been answered by the SpanIf you suffer from... enced a historic rise on ish government, Or you need... which announced on the Spanish stock mar- Wednesday • Mobility problems that all travellers arriving • Help with ket on Monday with in Spain from November 23 will have • Pain / Breathlessness 37%. washing /dressing to present a negative PCR coronavirus The Executive Vice test. This • Falls / Stumbles test must be performed with• Supervision President and CEO de- in the previous 72 hours before arrival clared the vaccine as and will You could be entitled to extra income ‘the announcement of borders. be checked at land, sea and air
Sports
Official exams and tests or appointments to renew or collect official documents are also considered an exemption. You must be able to prove your exception to avoid being fined by police. It had been suggested that provinces with a lower incidence rate would be spared the stricter measures against the hospitality industry but Moreno’s government has now decided to take a region-wide approach. There are exceptions to the 6pm closure, including supermarkets, financial entities, vets, driving schools and hairdressers. Additionally, outside sports activities will be allowed to continue as long as they are in the open air, including tennis and padel tennis clubs.
FREE
By Dilip Kuner
keys if the coronavirus jumps species, as it has with minks elsewhere in Europe. Patrols have now been stepped up to make sure the macaques are not approached or touched by humans. A spokesman from the Environmental department said there were serious worries the macaques could be vulnerable to the virus. There are also concerns that mutant strains may jump back into the human population from inSee page 15 fected animals. T h e s e w e r e
reinforced by the recently announced cull of farmed minks in Denmark, Spain and Italy, which were found to be infected by a mutated version of coronavirus. The Danish government said the mutation could threaten the effectiveness of any future vaccine. The World Health Organisation has said that further scientific study is needed to understand any potential implications of the new strain. A spokesman said: “It remains a concern when any animal virus spills into the human population, or when an animal population could contribute to amplifying a virus.” The concerns led to a new law specifically forbidding the touching and feeding of monkeys to be introduced in August. The new law ‘followed evidence’ that the SARS-COV-2 virus was being transmitted from humans to animals such as dogs, cats, lions and tigers. “The recent development in Denmark has resulted in the mass culling of mink and is particularly worrying given the implications this could cause for Gibral-
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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
and restaurants can stay open
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.
optimistic BORIS Johnson has as- UK Prime Minister deadline sured his cabinet that a be reached before this week’s looming Brexit withdrawal deal is the White House ‘there to be done’. He is here for a week of leaving January. The proposed agreement ‘intensive’ talks with his in By Kirsty McKenzie will be a deal and comes amid signs Joe British counterpart David “There have Biden’s stunning US elec- injected renewed impetus Frost, with fair trade and Boris will say theyit with tion win has sparked a into the talks, Johnson fishing agreements the ‘managed’ to agree forget desire to double down on claimed this has always main points up for discus- the EU and he will being to add the reason negotiation with the EU. sion. been the case. that he buckled and did The Prime Minister is “I’ve always been a great another u-turn.” hoping to strike a trade enthusiast for a trade Struggle But her optimism was deal this week before the deal with our European European Union’s dead- friends,” said Johnson at Anne Hernandez of lobby tempered by a downbeat group Brexpats in Spain assessment from Downing line to reach an agreement the weekend. the Olive Press a deal Street, with No 10 claimon November 16. “I think it’s there to be told While Olive Press sourc- done, the broad outlines would be struck this week. ing ‘significant differences She added: “I think Boris remain’ between the two es insist Biden’s win has are pretty clear.” another uphill strug- sides on Monday. His remarks come as EU has in befriending Biden A spokeswoman added: Brexit negotiator Michel gle is vocally anti-Brexit “The prime minister set Barnier returned to Lon- who he has to get him on out that, while some progdon on Monday offering but side since his partner- ress had been made in ‘three keys to unlock a his in-crime is going to be deal’.
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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
iracy The consp theorists getting a grips on the costa
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Across 7 “Good heavens!” (2,2) 8 Poll’s findings (8) 9 Cross rats veer all over the place (8) 10 Corn covering (4) 11 “Private Benjamin” actress (4) 12 Annoy (8) 14 Wine crops (8) 16 Where tadpoles might be found (4) 17 Botanical balm (4) 19 Yesteryear (3,5) 20 Militant supporter (8) 21 “It’s good for what --you” (4)
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Down 1 Lost one’s query (5,2,1) 2 Abounding in trees (6) 3 Accommodation for paying guests (8,5) 4 No.2 who oversees moral weakness? (4-9) 5 Million seller, for example (3,3) 6 Burden of proof (4) 13 With affection (8) 15 Unlawful removals (6) 16 Earliest (6) 18 Desired by detectives and salespeople (4)
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OVEN READY: Boris pledge
HE’S been spinning the negotiations out until the USA result. Now he needs a deal. Also, COVID has played right into him and Cummings’s grubby mits, because the downturn caused by Brexs*** will be masked by COVID!!!
Definite racism Dear Olive Press,
Alan Nichol, Coin
Not happening
BORIS, you had a deal when you were part of the EU, but you voted to leave. Then you negotiated and agreed I CANNOT believe the constant bulthe nst agai a deal, got your Parliament to vote in favour of it, and lying and degradation e ther now you want another deal. Boris, it isn’t going to UK by Brussels. Every day ahappen! are more bullying tactics and outr Paul Keaney, Dublin geous new rules. It is definite racism. Belgium and France were notTime’s almost up against the UK when they need ed our help in the war when they BORIS will be a goner as soon as Brexit has gone couldn’t defeat the Germans. Now through in 2021. Bloody chaos will prevail. any ill treatment they can impose on us they do. Rick Nunley, Rushden I thought the global idea was to wipe out bullying and racism. This is all because the EU is scaredHalf-baked that when the UK thrives after leav and EU the of tion ing the incarcera WHATEVER the deal - or no deal - is the UK governits unelected MEPs and no longerment has been made to look silly, as has the British has to waste its money, other coun electorate. tries will want to follow us. Despite the long list of lies that Johnson has been sova is UK The win. r neve es Bulli exposed for over the years, people still believed him ant toler t mos a and try coun n ereig when he said he had an ‘oven ready deal’. tordicta EU the like not country, Well, it may have been oven ready, but what no ive. surv ship. We will one said was that the cooking time would be quite this long. Let us hope the finished dish is perfectly Name and address supplied cooked and does not come out half baked! Samantha James, Benalmadena Has anything piqued your interest in this week’s Olive Press? Have your say on the matter by emailing letters@theolivepress.es or message us on at www.facebook.com/ OlivePressNewspaper or Twitter @olivepress
A possible threat MAKE sure these QAnon members in Spain know they are being watched. The FBI has designated them potential domestic terrorist threats in America and we are seeing that potential, too. I hope the Guardia Civil is well aware that this group is already here in Spain. Robert Gertson, via FB
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GIBRALTAR’S famous Barbary macaques face a death sentence if efforts to protect them from COVID fail. The government has warned it might have to cull the iconic mon-
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Government warns macaques must be protected from coronavirus or face potential death sentence
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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 ropean Union’s deadline to reachEuan agreement on November 16. While Olive Press sources insist Biden’s win has 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’.
LETTERS
Around the regions
Responses to the news that QAnon has landed in Spain:
Change in tactics?
Job well done
MAYBE QAnon members should volunteer at hospitals and care homes and prove everyone wrong by treating and helping people who have or are supposed to have COVID-19.
GOOD article. Charlie Ward, whom you mentioned was asking people to invest their savings in his company after frightening them with banking reset conspiracies, has since been deleted from Facebook.
Sandra Russell, Estepona
Julie Frank, Mijas
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The future is here Vol. 14
Issue 357
www.theolivepress.es
T
HE news that the UK is planning to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 is expected to push the motor industry even faster into the adoption of ‘green’ technology. In Spain the long term aim is for the entire country to be carbon neutral by 2050, although plans for the wholesale conversion of
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Dilip Kuner takes a look at the latest concepts in electric vehicles
transport to electric are not as ambitious as those in the UK. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a bill to ‘encourage’ Spain’s motor industry into a greener future. But a mooted ban on the sale of die-
FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla’s EVs
sel or petrol powered vehicles by 2040 was turned down. The bill aimed to bring Spain’s motor industry alongside its international counterparts in terms of carbon neutrality. The new automotive plan focuses on the environmentally friendly electric and hybrid car industry and aims to make the technology cheaper, and easier to use and access across the country. Special incentives will be rolled out over the coming years to encourage the ownership of environmentally friendly vehicles, both private and commercial. Companies will be given special subsidies to replace their current fleets of vehicles with electric models. In total, the government is granting a total of €3.75 billion towards making electric and hybrid cars cheaper than petrol and diesel to buy by 2027. But there is no need to wait that long if you wish to help save the planet. Car manufacturers have been developing electric vehicles for years now. And 2021 will see the launch of a new generation
MATTER OF TASTE: The ‘futuristic Tesla Cybertruck is certainly unusual
of EVs that could be game chang- Apart from its green motor, Volvo ers. has also introduced frameless While still more expensive than mirrors and a lighter-than-leather their ICE contemporaries, subsi- vegan interior fabric designed to dies and scrappage schemes are mimic the durability of a wetbringing them into the reach of suit many more people’s wallets. A pair of electric motors work with One of the most unusual will a 27-module lithium ion be the Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed battery pack to deliver an imsquarely at the US market where pressive 402 horsepower, and ‘trucks’ are a huge a range of up to segment, this ret275 miles. But ro-futuristic ‘space all this comes at For build machine’ is sure a price with the to make it to Spain luxury car costing quality and at some point. from €59,900. top class Clad in dent-proof When it comes stainless steel it to mainstream engineering looks like somemanufacturers, look at Volvo thing out of Mad Nissan was one Max, and accordof the first to ening to Tesla boss ter the market. Its Elon Musk it will be a ‘really LeafEV was launched a decade tough, not fake-tough’ truck. ago, and now has sales of nearly Mind you, he ended up with half a million. egg on his face at the vehicle’s The car giant is aiming to build on launch when he tried to prove this success in late 2021 with the its durability through a series of launch of the Ariiya, a more styl‘torture tests’. All was going well ish take on emission-free until Musk hurled a steel ball at transportation. the vehicle and shattered its ‘ar- The five-passenger crossover moured’ glass. features a surprisingly aggressive Deliveries of the plug-in pick up look, with some swoopy, concave are due to start in 2021 with pric- surfacing and wheels pushed to es starting from €39,900. the corners. While Tesla has been the leader The interior is minimalist, with a in EVs (particularly in the publicity low, flat floor and a vibe that Nisstakes) it will have more compe- san calls ‘lounge-like’. It will tition than ever next year, with have a claimed range of around mainstream manufacturers not 300 miles and pricing is expected only ready to unveil a slew of lat- to start from around €34,000. est-technology models, but also Mercedes-Benz will enter the ahead of the game. all-electric field with the five-seat For build quality and top-class en- crossover EQC - and they are aimgineering Volvo is worth a close look. Their Polestar 2 five-seater launched this year - brings Volvo polish and Swedish style to compete with Tesla’s Model 3. It is the second vehicle to come from Volvo’s new performance arm (the other, the 1, is a hybrid petrol-electric), and alternative models and specs are planned for next year.
ing for the top end of the market. The 402 HP monster will be luxurious and will also have good performance for a big car - it will hit 60mph from a standing start in around six seconds. This performance and luxury will be wrapped in a package with a range of 200 miles. A price has not been announced - but it won’t be cheap! Meanwhile Volkswagen’s new ID.4 SUV is aimed squarely at taking on Tesla. Starting prices are €45,400 in Spain and has a range of 250 miles. Staying with the German marques, the 2021 Audi e-tron GT promises to be a big hit.
Impressive
It is a sleek, electric sedan with loads of power and polish. Behind the streamlined bodywork is some architecture shared with the Porsche Taycan EV. With 590 horsepower, the two-motor GT should accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in an impressive three seconds, and will be able to gain an 80% charge in just 20 minutes. The car is billed as top-of-the range in the Audi EV portfolio, so expect to pay €100,000 plus for it. These are just some of the electric cars that will grace our roads in the near future - there are many more planned from just about every major manufacturer. So this is just a glimpse of the future - which may be arriving sooner than you think.
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Clamp Stricter driving laws to come into force in Spain - all you need to know
HERO: Carlos Sainz
A
S I walk through a rural village deep in southern Spain on a Sunday afternoon, I notice a white van parked with a #93 Marc Marquez sticker on the rear window, writes James Warren. Fifty yards further along the road, the roar of V6 hybrid engines could be heard emanating from a local bar as a group of transfixed regulars follow the latest Formula One race. Motorsport in Spain has long been ingrained in the DNA of the population, with global superstars capturing the imagination of young children, whilst their impassioned parents following their idols every move. Spain has a long history of mo-
In our DNA By James Warren
tor racing, both on two and four wheels. With their top class racing history dating back to the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Guadarrama in 1936. After the Spanish civil war, events have been held almost every year since, including this year with the truncated 2020 season hosting the
Spanish GP at the Circuit de Barcelona Montmelo. Motor racing stars have become god-like figures to their followers, the multi talented Fernando Alonso being one of the sport’s brightest stars. Alonso is a two-time world champion in F1, a world endurance champion and has been a frontrunner in both the Indianapolis 500 and the gruelling Dakar Rally. He is also noted for his charity work and his tireless work as a Unicef GoodWill Ambassador. Off-Road, an
CHAMPION: Fernando Alonso is a Spanish superstar
plains head designer Oliver Heilmer. This involves various settings for the interior including Chill and Vibe, that changes the dynamic inside. Chill turns the 4.46m-long car into ‘a kind of retreat, a haven where you can relax – or work with full concentration – during a journey.’ Vibe meanwhile ‘puts time with other people at centre stage,’ creating a lively but comfortable atmosphere for everyone. The model does not have a release date yet.
By James Warren
Grande Marlaska. The new laws will also target speed limits in urban areas, driving without seat belts and tighter regulations on where electric scooters can be ridden. If the law comes into force, drivers caught using mobile phones while driving will face losing six points on their licence instead of the current three, with repeat offenders losing a further four.
NEW RULES: Fernando Grande Marlaska (inset) is getting
Race to change licence
MINI MENTAL IT’S might be a Mini, but this unusual model aims to have a tardis-like interior! Dubbed the Mini Vision Urbanaut, its designers call it a ‘new interpretation of a vision of space’. Although the car currently only exists in digital form, the company, owned by BMW, is optimistic that it will become one of the most stylish vehicles for the future. “Mini sees its future primarily as an enabler of and companion for unforgettable times – what we might call ‘Mini moments,” ex-
equally influential figure emerged in the outrageous Group B days in Spanish World Rally Championship. Carlos Sainz has become a household name for his flawless record, with his son Carlos Sainz Jr currently holding the Spanish mantle in F1. On two wheels, the list of icons is as long as the proverbial, with 1980’s MotoGP stars such as Angel Nieto, Sito Pons and Jorge Martinez still being as relevant today as they were 40 years ago. During the 500cc heyday, riders such as Sete Gibernau and Alex Criville collected numerous titles before stars such as Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez took over and continued to fly the flag for Spain. But why is Spain so motorsport focused? It can be separated into two factors - funding and influence. The government has for a long time, invested heavily in motor racing, valuing the economic and social impact on the country. It is estimated that the F1 event in Barcelona earns the region a staggering €163 million, meaning large amounts of funding has been injected into state of the art facilities. Racing is also encouraged at an incredibly young age, with world renowned youth training academies nurturing talent that could one day become the country’s next superstars.
HARSHER penalties and lower speed limits are on the cards if the Ministry of Transport has its way. It has approved changes to the traffic code that aims to crack down on some of the most common causes of traffic accidents. The new code still needs to be approved by parliament, which is thought to be a formality. “Since 2016, distractions are the main cause of serious accidents,” said Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando
NEW advice has been released for British expats in the run up to the end of the transition period. All Brits living in Spain must exchange their DVLA British licence for a Spanish one before December 31. The government has long advised that anyone who has lived in Spain for at least six months should have a Spanish licence but the number of people trying to book a cita previa at DGT offices has soared as the December deadline approaches. The Olive Press reported in October that the British Embassy said that it was in discussion with the Spanish transport authorities and plans were afoot to revise the system to make it easier for expats to secure an appointment. Now the details of the new two-step process have been published.
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Four points will also be issued for drivers not wearing a seatbelt,
motorcycle riders not wearing a helmet and children in vehi- cles
without the proper child seat. Drivers with devices fitted to their cars to detect speed cameras will lose three points as well as a fine of €500. Regarding speed limits, one way roads will be reduced to 20km/h with single lane roads down to 30km/h. Urban roads will also be reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h. The current trend of electric scooters has also been targeted in a crack down on accidents involving irresponsible users.
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Banned
tough on phones and e-scooters The first step is to make an application to the DGT before December 30 either by calling 060 or via the online portal if you have a digital certificate/CLAVE. In some provinces it may also be possible to download the form to take to a local office or for a representative (eg a gestor) to do this on your behalf. We understand that for this part of the process you do not need to have a residency certificate or TIE, but you will need a NIE. If you do not hear anything from the DGT in the meantime, three days after submitting your application you can request an appointment with the DGT to do the exchange. This should be booked on the DGT’s website. As long as your application has been sub-
E-Scooters and Segway style vehicles will now be banned from all pavement and pedestrianised areas, with offenders facing a €500 fine. Marlaska hopes that the new laws will help reduce road deaths and serious injuries caused by careless driving by up to 50%. The proposal is currently awaiting confirmation by the central government before a full roll-out can be scheduled. mitted before December 30, and the UK authorities have verified your licence by the end of the year, your appointment to exchange your licence can be after January 1, 2021, provided it is within the first six months of theyear. Please note that you will need a residency certificate/TIE to do final exchange, so if you are in the process of applying for residency you may want to choose a later date for your appointment. Irrespective of whether a UK licence has been verified for exchange by the end of the year, you will be able to drive in Spain using your UK licence for six months from January 1, 2021. The future rules on exchange and recognition of UK licences are still subject to negotiation. See No hard shoulder, page 6
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BUSINESS
Xmas essentials
SPAIN’S toy makers want their products classified as ‘essential items’ so that festive sales can continue unhindered during the pandemic restrictions. The Spanish Association of Toy Manufacturers (AEFJ) has launched a campaign called ‘Christmas is in your hands’. It is calling for the government to guarantee that shops that sell basic necessities can keep their toy sections open as the festive season beckons.
Trade
The AEFJ claimed that the logistics of the Spanish toy industry are such that selling items solely online would be impossible due to ‘stock capacity’. It said: “Specialist toy shops should be allowed to trade within the appropriate restrictions and people who have placed online orders with them should be able to go along and collect them in person.” It added: “Our industry should be declared an essential asset especially with the Christmas campaign as we look to avoid irreversible economic damage in our sector and in thousands of toy stores,” the group added.
November 25th December 8th 2020
15
Warmer cheers
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
Brewery giant to hand out terrace heaters this winter in €20m plan
SPAIN’S biggest brewer, Mahou San Miguel, is to pump in €20 million to keep bar terraces as warm and comfortable as possible this winter. Indoor capacity restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic have forced drinkers outdoors but they now face chillier nights as the winter draws in. Mahou San Miguel’s general manager, Peio Arbeloa, said: “We have been planning
KEEP WARM: Peio Arbeloa (inset) revealed new plan By Alex Trelinski
this measure since May as we knew that the arrival of cold temperatures would be
Merger Mooted TWO of Spain’s largest banks, the BBVA and Banco Sabadell, have opened formal merger talks Informal discussions have been held this year but have now moved to a formal stage. A union between them would create a new business similar in size to that of the merged Bankia and CaixaBank, which was agreed in September. A deal between the BBVA and Sabadell would create a
a turning point for bars and restaurants. “We know there is a real need for businesses to get this help, especially as they cannot pay for it themselves.” The company plans to hand out 22,000 heaters in addition to 42,000 umbrellas and over 136,000 units of terrace furniture.
Heaters
business employing 46,000 people with over 4,200 branches in Spain. Branch closures seem likely, with banks cutting down on staffing and offices in recent years to focus on internet banking.
History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.
Mahou San Miguel will also provide 29,000 sanitation kits to reassure customers that socialising under distancing rules is safe. “We are fully focused on understanding what the hospitality sector wants and protect this economic pillar of the Spanish economy,” Arbeloa added.
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PROPERTY
November 25th December 8th 2020
Knockdown price Fraudster tries to flog multimillion Spanish palace he doesn’t own for €900,000
By Laurence Crumbie
IF it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Rarely if ever was this maxim for prospective buyers truer than earlier this year, when a grand gothic palace in the picturesque town of Cazalla de la Sierra, north-western Andalucia, went on sale for less than a fifth of its actual value. Erected in the 15th century, the Palacio de San Benito is a luxury hotel aimed at guests who wish ‘to live like kings,’ though it initially served as a hospital for pilgrims travelling on the Camino de Santiago. Its tur-
SWANKY: seriously undervalued bulent history includes partial destruction in the earthquake of Lisboa, 1531, as well as a change
SHOCK: Owners were surprised to find palace for sale
Underlying property market is inherently solid
T
of hands after the Spanish Civil War. Various restorations have resulted in a unique architectural blend of the old and the modern, and the property has an estimated value of €5 million. Manuel Morales, an interior designer who renovated the palace together with art collector Carlos Maranon in the 1990s, could hardly believe his eyes when he saw it for sale online, without the permission of the owner. “It’s as if you wake up one day and see your home on sale for a price much lower than its actual value,” he told Spanish newspaper ABC. The sales advert was taken down after Morales contacted his lawyer, but there has been no news on the fraudster who put it online in the first place.
No need to panic
O some, it may seem like we’ve been here before – a serious economic crisis that halts growth and progress and little more than 10 years since the last one. However, this is where the comparisons end, as today’s situation is caused by an enforced lack of economic activity imposed as authorities fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus, whereas the crisis that began in 2008-2009 was entirely financial and economic in nature. So, what does this mean for the housing market in Marbella and the Costa del Sol? Well, to start with, as horrible as COVID-19 is and as much as it impacts on society and the economy, the fact that it’s root cause is not economic should ensure that any slump in the market is purely the result of virus-related regulations and not inherent to the market itself. In other words, there is nothing wrong with demand itself, as we saw when a flood of enquiries followed the lifting of the lockdown in May of this year. People are keen to get back to working, consuming and investing, and perhaps more than ever will be drawn to the space, climate, views, greenery and quality of life offered by places such as the Costa del Sol. We therefore expect that the property market will speedily return to strength once the restrictions are lifted, and indeed, the pent-up demand should in fact create something of an initial boom sensation. Property prices in areas such as the Costa del Sol have been remarkably resistant to change for much the same reasons, though it is expected that they will have dropped a bit by the time the tide starts to turn in the spring of next year. Expectations are that they will once again begin to rise during the rest of 2021, along
The Property Insider
by Adam Nea
le
TRENDS: The underlying property market is strong, especially on the costas
with a gradual return to full health of the propwhile property values in the likes of New York, erty market in the Marbella area. Sydney, Toronto and Amsterdam need to come There are some markets that have become down a little to reanimate the market. overheated in the run-up to the present sitIn other major centres, such as Munich, Frankuation, but very few major ones furt and Paris, the transfer of jobs where a serious bubble exists of from London’s financial sector will the kind that blew up in 2008. add to property prices that have We expect The markets that are perhaps in any case not reached their limovervalued and likely to feel the its yet. On a national level, major the property pinch of the COVID-19 situation Spanish cities such as Madrid market to most include Hong Kong, London, and Barcelona will need some Sydney and New York, where a speedily return time to recover from the impact combination of years of growth of COVID and high prices, but an to strength and price rises, as well as bleakactual bubble as such does not er local forecasts, could spell a apply, while coastal lifestyle areas tougher road to recovery. such as Mallorca, Ibiza and espePolitical factors in Hong Kong (the clampdown cially the Costa del Sol continue to offer good by China’s government) and London (Brexit) will value and decent prospects for capital growth temper growth there for some time to come, and investment.
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Corona nomads By Kirsty McKenzie
BRITAIN is becoming a nation of ‘corona nomads’ as people flee to sunnier climes to escape the brutal lockdown measures. Research shows that there has been a huge increase in the number of UK residents browsing homes overseas - particularly Spain - during lockdown. Overseas property portal Kyero has reported a 30% rise in UK visitors to its site between April – June 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Analysts say the coronavirus restrictions have caused people fantasising about moving abroad to make their dreams a reality. Louise Dell, founder of Kyero said: “Lockdown and widespread remote working has had a significant impact on the types of people looking to buy property in Europe. “Greater numbers of younger people, and those now working remotely full time – ‘corona nomadics’ – are considering a move abroad as we all become less tied to the office and are able to live, work and play where we really want to.”
Precious
In the three months after the start of lockdown in the UK, Kyero saw a 19% increase in interest in overseas property by those aged 25-34 compared to the same period last year (April – June). Louise added: “It seems that a global pandemic has made many people realise that time is precious, and rather than putting dreams off until tomorrow, they are seizing the day and making it happen. “With the new second round of lockdown restrictions coming into force, we only expect this trend to continue. “Travel may still be unpredictable, but far from curbing ambitions of moving abroad, it appears that the challenges of this year have prompted people to plan their escape, perhaps partly because it now really doesn’t make much difference whether people are joining an online meeting from Croydon or the Costa Del Sol.”
Bargain hunt ALTHOUGH Spain’s property market value has dropped by 12%, according to Morgan Stanley, the bargain luxury homes that consumers may have hoped for are yet to emerge. While house prices in disadvantaged areas have plummeted by a huge 30%, Spain’s swanky villas and townhouses have held onto their high price tags. “Faced with the fear that inflation could occur due to the excessive injection of money by the ECB and the Federal Reserve, tangible assets emerge as a good way to have capital in a safe place,” Manuel Romera, Director of the Financial Sector at IE Business School, said. In the ‘standard’ property market, experts estimate that prices have fallen by approximately 10%.
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By Dec 4th 2020, several UK high street banks will no longer oer investment and wealth management services to expats in the EEA. Banks are advising customers to transfer investments to an alternate provider, or to sell their assets before the deadline. This has left many people unclear on how best to proceed, with little advice forthcoming from the banks themselves. Blacktower Financial Management is ideally placed to offer Blac expert, independent advice on reallocating your investments in these uncertain times. With over 30 years of experience and local expertise, we can help guide you in making these vital financial decisions and safeguard your financial future. Get in touch today for clear and independent advice.
www.blacktowerfm.com All companies under the Blacktower group are regulated/licenced in the locations they are positioned. For full details of how and who we are regulated by please visit www.blacktowerfm.com
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
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IN the latest blow for Spain’s tourism industry, a study has revealed that just 38% of Brits will consider travelling abroad this Christmas. According to data from Piplsay, over half of Britons have confirmed that if they do travel this festive season it will be for domestic trips only. Additionally, it looks like a un-merry Christmas for many as a third of Brits will cut down on socialising this season. It comes after the UK government introduced a travel ban on November 5, which rendered international travel and overnight stays in Britain illegal. Although the ban is set to be lifted on December 2, this latest study has revealed that the majority (77%) of Brits still fear lockdown restrictions will affect their holiday plans.
TRAVEL groups in Spain say that an order for international passenger arrivals at Spanish airports and ports to produce the recent results of a negative COVID-19 test is not good for tourism, The rules apply to people arriving from ‘at risk’ countries, which include the United Kingdom. Groups are concerned about the high cost of the required PCR tests and the fact that the Madrid government acted unilaterally, as opposed to the European Union introducing uniform requirements. The Benidorm-based hotel association, Hosbec, said: “The need for PCR tests is not a measure that will contribute positively to tourism, especially on the Costa Blanca. “It’s useless to impose rules over PCR tests if travel quarantines are not scrapped. We ought to be working on developing safe travel corridors but something like this is preventing their creation,” Hosbec added.
A COURT in Sevilla has condemned budget airline EasyJet for charging a Spanish passenger €60 to board with his laptop. The 19-year-old, named only as Yoel, was boarding an aircraft travelling from Sevilla’s San Pablo Airport to Bristol when an air hostess told him his laptop was not permitted onboard and gave him an ultimatum: either he paid €60 on the spot or his computer stayed on Spanish soil. Yoel, who studies in Bristol and travels on the Sevilla-Bristol route twice a week, was understandably confused and asked why this was. But the EasyJet employee simply said that those were the rules and repeated his two options. The incident took place
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DANI Garcia pushed himself to the limit in aid of a very worthy cause. The three-Michelin star cook rustled up a dish at the peak of the La Concha mountain in Marbella to raise awareness for DEBRA, a charity that helps sufferers of rare skin condition Epidermolysis bullosa. The 44-year-old chef cooked up a storm 1,200 metres above sea level with the help of firefighters, who volunteered to climb the mountain with all his cooking equipment. Gazing out over stunning coastal views, Garcia made stuffed avocado with caviar and tuna - a snack that no doubt went down a treat after such a long hike.
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November 25th - December 8th 2020
leaving the passenger with no choice but to take out his credit card and pay up – despite his reluctance. On his return to Sevilla, Yoel informed EasyJet of this unjust fine and asked for his money back. When the airline refused to comply, the student went the legal route and the case eventually landed in Sevilla’s Mercantil court number three. At the trial, which EasyJet did not attend, the judge sided with Yoel and sentenced the airline to reimburse him with interest and to pay a fine as well.
Chef’s kiss! SAN SEBASTIAN has been named the sixth best foodie spot in the world according to a panel of top chefs. The much loved city in the Basque Country is the only Spanish town to make the list. Chef’s Pencil surveyed 250 foodies and chefs for the list and quizzed them on the best underrated food destinations across the world. And while many of the places, like San Sebastian, are already wellknown and appreciated for their gastronomic excellence, the judges believed San Sebastian still lacks the international recognition it truly deserves. Chef’s Pencil said it was a shame foodies flock to the likes of Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia when the Basque town has some of the best food on the planet.
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Judges praised San Sebastian for catering to every taste, from ‘the avant garde, highly innovative Mugaritz, and cheap eats – like the Basque-style tapas at pintxo bars and exquisitely fine seafood, all to be devoured in a city that sees food as reason to be social’. Cape Town took first place, followed by Budapest, Chicago, Melbourne and Mexico City.
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HEALTH Raisin to the occasion IT’S a phrase muttered over and over again in Malaga’s Axarquia region that raisins are good for your memory. The biggest producer of the dried grape snack in the province, it’s easy to see how this rumour might have persisted. But now the Junta is sorting the facts from the folklore with new research into whether raisins can actually prevent Alzheimer’s. According to the Junta, they hope the results of their study will encourage more people to eat raisins and consequently boost the region where they’ve been produced. A study in 2019, by the regulatory council of the Pasas de Malaga Denomination of Origin, confirmed that eating raisins is beneficial for people’s health. However, raisins are over eight times more calorific than grapes, so those cutting down the calories might still want to go for the nondried variety
November 25th December 8th 2020
Lisa Burgess
21
Let down Holistic haven THE Medical Council of Spain has urged the government’s Chief of Health Emergencies Fernando Simon to stand down over his handling of the country’s COVID-19 crisis. Medical professionals have accused Simon of ‘undermining the morale of overworked doctors’ and of showing a prolonged incompetence in his handling of the pandemic. The council, which represents 52 medical colleges across the country, made the statement in response to Simon apparently placing some of the blame for Spain’s increase in cases on doctors. Simon had said during a media briefing that medical workers were responsible for a number of infections, and suggested that hospitals had ‘learned valuable lessons’ from the first wave. Simon has been accused of not listening to the needs of the country’s hospitals, which have been put under immense strain since the pandemic began in March. The council claims that no proper precautions were put in place by Simon’s team to protect the safety of doctors, including a lack of protective equipment and diagnostic testing kits. Simon is also being called
Doctors call for health boss Fernando Simon to quit over his handling of COVID-19 crisis
FAILURE?: Simon has come under fire By James Warren
out on his failure to assemble an independent team to review the government’s handling of the pandemic. In total, 72 medical professionals have died since the beginning of March, a fact that has been overlooked and undermined, according to the statement. “Thousands more are still fighting to deal with a pandemic the likes of which we have never seen,” said a spokesman for the council. But Simon has received support in the wake of the coun-
cil’s comments. Former WHO systems director and current Director for Health and Strategy in Bilbao, Prof Rafael Bengoa, defended Simon, calling for an understanding not finger pointing. “This isn’t the way forward, when mistakes are made in our hospitals, we ask, ‘what happened?’ and not ‘whose fault is it’? That’s how we learn,” said Bengoa. Simon is no stranger to controversy, after testing positive earlier in the year, he was pictured surfing in Portugal, appearing to defy his own lockdown rules.
I
A memorable way to take a proper break
RECENTLY spent a memorable day up at Finca Las Posadas, a holistic haven for horses and people to savour nature with an emphasis on encouraging humans to connect with these extraordinary animals. I am not a horsey person, having been catapulted through an English country village at a rate of knots atop a large horse, hanging on for dear life. I survived the incident but it left an indelible scar. I met the owner of the Finca, Monica Andreewitch, an exceptional Venezuelan lady who has had a lifelong passion for horses. At 12 years of age, Monica tried to save the life of a baby foal by herself with ‘love, intent, porridge and limited experience’. The foal sadly died a few hours later with his head on her lap and from that moment she vowed she would ‘dedicate her life to learning as much as I could about horses so that I never, ever, let a horse down again’. She certainly didn’t, because Monica has rescued countless horses, many of whom would have otherwise been horsemeat. Her coaching, for beginners to advanced riders of all ages, would be described as ‘softness training’. Monica has created a programme that
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helps people learn how to read their horses so they can take that feedback and improve their human/horse relationship. I saw for myself the gentle and respectful way she treats her animals, by listening and watching their slightest reaction. We set off on a small trek up the mountains to see the sunset and enjoy the wonders of our surroundings, at peace with ourselves and the horses. I was very impressed and enjoyed this magical experience in a unique environment. Later on in the evening, we discovered Monica’s other talent. Herself and her musician partner Ian serenaded us with romantic Spanish guitar songs under the stars. It was an unforgettable experience and a memory that will last a lifetime. If you need a proper break from ordinary life, this is the place to get away from it all. I wish Monica and Finca Las Posadas the best and they more than deserve it because these are terrific people who really care about their horses. As Abraham Lincoln said: “I can make a general in five minutes but a good horse is hard to replace.” Upon reading that I could only think of dear Monica - and she is undoubtedly irreplaceable.
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TEENAGER was fatally stabbed earlier today on a street that I used to live near. It’s a busy road that divides a popular commercial centre and urbanisation. There’s a ‘neighbours’ association’ bar at one end where you’ll find a mixture of ages and nationalities, with a function room at the back that they rent out for dance classes, clubs and groups. On Saturday morning they hold a street market and there’s even an annual feria. In short, it’s a snapshot of how wonderful life is on this multicultural coast. Now it is the site of a murder. I got a text message from a friend whose daughters go to a nearby school. I drove over straight
November 25th December 8th 2020
I’m angry and upset as I write this
AFTERMATH: The tragic scene and an impromtu shrine to the victim set up by friends and family away. Parking in the commercial were waiting for an official to cer- information. And was told the viccentre, I climbed the stairs to the tify the death before they moved tim’s name and tragically young first floor so that I could get an the body. A policeman spotted age. About how he had an arguFREE test of pool water at the shop overview of the scene. In a way, I me and politely, but firmly, told ment with the occupants of a luxwish I hadn’t. His body was there, me to come down from my van- ury white car that resulted in one – just pop in with a small sample covered in a white cloth, with the tage point. I spotted some friends of them getting out and plunging Professional maintenance service – tailored to funeral van close by. The police and walked over to find out more a knife into the teenager’s chest. About how the car sped off. suit your needs | Pool Construction About how a nearby dentist ran Specialists in leak detection, repairs and renovations out of his clinic and applied CPR in a vain attempt to save his life. New pool builds with 10 year guarantees About his mother and sister being Installation of pool heaters and automatic covers inconsolable at the scene. The sister was still there, crying into the shoulder of one of her brother’s friends. About the children that had seen him dying at the side of the road. My friends are long-term residents on the coast, who lived here in the ‘Costa del Crime’ heyday of the 80s and 90s when INY turkeys, trimmed-down year failed British and Irish gangsters were a Xmas puds, Rule of Six- to kindle the common sight. But they were all sized boxes of crackers … glow I usually BYE: Trump out on his rump shocked. ‘This is just crazy’ one Mini-mas, as COVID Christ- get from rhinestone Rudolphs said. mas 2020 has pessimistically and sparkly Santas dangling is out on his rump (yeehaw!) been coined, was shaping up to above the dark winter streets. and leaving office disgracefulbe the kind of gig Scrooge and the But suddenly, in what is nor- ly, ensuring the narcissist the Open 8am to 3.30pm Mon to Fri Grinch would relish. mally one of the greyest, rubbish legacy he deserves. Tel: 952 591 053 / 667 788 291 So I’m angry. I’m angry beEven the installation of the town gloomiest ‘nothing’ months With Biden’s pledge to re-join cause this should not have For directions go to: www.splashpoolsmijas.com hall fairy lights super early this of the year, (even Black Friday the Iran Nuclear Accord, the happened. A few cross words sounds funereal) there are Paris Climate Agreement and between a teenager and the lights twinkling at the end of the WHO, restore affordable driver of a luxury car has led to the COVID tunnel. And wheth- Obamacare for 20 million a senseless loss of life. er it’s the Herald Angels or the Americans who would otherWe’ve all seen these cars, headlights on Santa’s sleigh, it wise go bankrupt or die, and normally with foreign numseems like our best presents enforce mask wearing USAber plates, tearing along the have already been delivered. wide, it’s the gift that keeps on coast, their drivers acting as if News of at least two viable giving. the laws don’t apply to them. BREAK DOWN COVER COVID vaccines was the biggie There’s another big parcel as We’ve seen more and more under the metaphorical tree – yet unopened. Is it too late to criminals moving here because If your car breaks down it can be an upand incidentally, real trees are hope it contains a Brexit deal? the police don’t seem to bother setting experience, especially if you don’t selling like hotcakes because I’ve also had a sneak peak at them. They seem more interhave roadside assistance cover. But they everyone’s staying home this the stocking fillers. There’s ested in fining people for meare also the most common type of probyear, whether by choice or the Tokyo Olympics, which the nial infringements, especially lem on the road. force of lockdown. And OK, no Japanese say will go ahead during the current pandemic. one knows how long immunity next July ‘at any cost’. There’s GEOLOCATION SERVICE Or they arrive to mop up after will last, and you’ll have to join 94-year-old Queen Elizabeth STAY SAFE the violence is over. The police a very long queue. 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This service is available throughout mainty 1 is to safeguard yourself and any fellow TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.indd 2/8/18 17:01 when I was 19 I could be a end of clinical trials, and 138 And there’s the Virgin Hyperland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the passengers. Línea Directa policyholders mouthy little so-and-so. At 19 more under development. loop. No longer just a pipe simply call 919 171 171 and inform the Canary Islands. The technology is simple you think you are immortal and For tidings of great joy to all dream, it carried its first pod emergency hotline where you are. Línea to use and really useful when you need don’t understand that a casual mankind, look no further than of human passengers along Directa provides emergency roadside it most. ‘F**k you’ could escalate into the American elections. Trump a vacuum tube this month, assistance anywhere in Spain 24/7 and something much worse than bringing a smile to everyone’s 365 days a year, with a national network BREAKDOWN KIT words. faces. In time it will be able to of operators and recovery vehicles. But a second of teenage bratravel at 1,000kph - that’s Marvado should never have ended To help you stay safe here is a checklist of bella to Madrid in 30 minutes! like this. And as long as the some important safety items in the event Better than the Scalextric I nevscum who think it acceptable of a breakdown. This emergency breaker got because it was ‘for boys’, to carry a knife, or a gun, get down kit should be kept in your vehicle if I live to be the Queen’s age I’ll away with this, every parent’s at all times. The kit includes: a torch and get to try it! nightmare will happen again. spare batteries, warm clothes and blanMeantime, if Andalucia is in I was sent a photograph, which kets, high-visibility jacket, first aid kit, lockdown on Christmas Eve I didn’t publish. There was jump start cables, empty fuel can, food and Santa’s sleigh doesn’t blood. Lots of it. And a pair of and drink, two reflective warning signs, a make it to Los Barrios, I won’t white trainers. The type I would road atlas, and a mobile phone charger. be too downhearted. I’m havhave worn when I was a teen. ing myself a merry little ChristThat really hit me. I’m angry PRESENT: Platinum jubilee mas now! OVER 20 YEARS OF and upset as I write this.
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OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 7 Oh my, 8 Opinions, 9 Traverse, 10 Husk, 11 Hawn, 12 Irritate, 14 Vintages, 16 Pond, 17 Aloe, 19 Old times, 20 Partisan, 21 Ails. Down: 1 Where am I, 2 Sylvan, 3 Boarding house, 4 Vice-President, 5 Big hit, 6 Onus, 13 Tenderly, 15 Thefts, 16 Primal, 18 Lead.
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DR Christian Lopez, holder of the most Guinness World Records in Spain, has added a 40th to his list by running the fastest mile in Dutch clogs.
Cashing in THE Spanish government has given residents an extra six months to cash in any pesetas they may have, of which €1.6 billion worth remain in circulation.
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Vol. 14 Issue 357 www.theolivepress.es November 25th - December 8th 2020
Bare faced chee
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Teen ignores court order to dangle 180 metres above ground A BRITISH teenager returned to Benidorm this month to foolishly climb naked up a 180 metre-high crane next to the towering Intempo building. Adam Lockwood, who brands himself on social media as ‘The Little Nuisance’ illegally climbed six of the resort’s tallest buildings in February.
‘Big good’ MCDONALD’s has launched a burger made entirely with produce from local Spanish farmers to help them get through the economic slump.
Those included the Intempo, the Torre Lugano, and the Gran Bali, which is the tallest hotel in Europe. The 19-year-old from Wigan was not put off by being arrested and fined earlier this year, as he bared all for his latest dangerous stunt. He posted several photographs of him dangling naked
NUISANCE: Adam Lockwood
off the Intempo crane on November 11. One pose showed him clinging on with just arm. Lockwood said on his social media account that his latest stunt enabled AN 81-year-old man from Madrid is training to climb the him to ‘tick Himalayas in tribute to those that have died from corothat one off navirus. the list of toCarlos Soria (pictured) will climb the 8,848 metre peaks tally unnecand dedicate his journey to the elderly people who lost their essary things lives to COVID-19. Of the 40,000 coronavirus deaths in to do before I Spain, more than 20% have occurred in the over-80s turn 20’. demographic. The teenagSoria has been training in the Sierra Guadarraer was senma mountains next to his home just north of tenced to three Madrid in preparation for his trek. After the months in jail Himalayas he hopes to climb Tibet’s Shisin August, hapangma and Dhaulagiri in Nepal. suspended for
Peak ambition
two years, by a judge in Manchester. Manchester City Council said he breached a three-year injunction imposed in 2019 that banned him from trespassing and posting content online. The judge branded his stunts ironically as ‘the height of stupidity’ and that Lockwood was motivated by ‘arrogance’ and a craving for ‘celebrity’. British transgressions included him standing on the roof of the Arndale Food Court during a Black Lives Matter protest in June. A few days later, he dangled from the edge of a 180 metre balcony off a building in London’s Canary Wharf.
THE Ministry of Internal Affairs has awarded two police dogs from Malaga, Alva and Neo for their exceptional devotion to duty. The ceremony, presided over by Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain’s Minister of the Interior, commemorated a total of six dogs. All are experts in detecting drugs, weapons and other illicit items. The six decorated dogs are Ginger, stationed in Alicante; Alva, in Malaga; Bull, in Gran Canaria; Neo, in Malaga; Yuko, in Alicante; and Elko in Cantabria, who form part of the Special Operations Group (GEO). The national Canine Guide Section was created in 1945 and originally consisted of only eight German shepherds whose aim was to combat crime at the time. Two years later the Police Dog Training School was created to prepare and train guide dogs, dogs for guarding gunpowder magazines and for chasing down escapees. The unit now has 461 dogs and 237 police officers who operate throughout Spain.
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