Olive Press Gibraltar - Issue 142 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

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Rumble on the Rock! ONE of the biggest heavyweight boxing fights of the year will be held in Gibraltar on March 27, thanks to COVID-19. British boxer Dillian Whyte will get a second chance to topple Alexander Povetkin on the Rock because of UK coronavirus quarantine rules. If he succeeds he will win back the right to challenge Tyson Fury for the WBC world belt - so long as Fury beats Antony Joshua in their own fight. Whyte, whose defeat to Povetkin was a shock, was meant to have a rematch in Wembley Arena on March 6, but with Whyte training in Portugal, he would have had to go into hotel lockdown for 10 days when he arrived in the UK. The south-western European nation is on a list of 33 countries which requires a quarantine and not even a top boxer can be excluded from the rules. “In the current environment we are always having to think on our feet,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “We did everything to try and make March 6 happen, but with the new travel restrictions it was impossible. “Now we have something outside the box, compelling, and a unique setting for one of the heavyweight fights of the year - roll on the Rumble on the Rock!” Brixton man Whyte had twice sent Povetkin to the ground during the first clash back in August. The Russian had the last laugh, however, knocking out Whyte with a single punch.

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Vol. 5 Issue 142 www.theolivepress.es February 24th - March 9th 2021

Road to freedom

Sky high hopes Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed the move as part of his four-step plan for gradually lifting restrictions in England, with all social contact rules finally lifted by June 21. Airlines, including easyJet, said bookings for the summer season were more than four times higher compared with the same period last week. While Spanish destinations were popular, Gibraltar businesses will be looking forward to a surge in airport arrivals too. The announcement was described by chief executive, Johan Lundgren, as a ‘much-needed boost in confidence’. “We have consistently seen a pent-up demand for travel and this surge in bookings shows that this signal has been what UK consumers have been waiting for,” he said.

GIBRALTAR could be gearing up for an avalanche of tourists to its shores in May. Airlines and travel agents have seen the number of Brits booking holidays abroad soar this week after the UK announced its roadmap out of lockdown. UK tourists will finally be able to leave the country for holidays from May 17, the government announced on Monday.

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GIBRALTAR has started on its road to recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Masks will now not have to be worn outside Gibraltar’s town centre after very few new active cases were reported in mid-February. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo delivered the news in what he said could be his last live press conference on COVID-19. Active cases of the coronavirus are now down to just 33, with a dozen of them in hospital. Pandemic deaths have continued to rise and are now at 91, with the latest occurring on February 22. New cases have now gone down to a trickle with a number of days when there were none at all reported despite over 1,000 tests a day. These are the clear results of over 30,000 vaccines being delivered to the local population. With a new batch of Pfizer vials arriving today, this will continue to inoculate Gibraltar’s population. Children have now returned to school and are allowed back into playgrounds while adults can play the lottery again.

Tel: 952 147 834 See page 16

As Boris Johnson announced the UK’s four-step plan out of lockdown, Gibraltar beat him to it Buses restarted at half capacity on Monday too, with masks to be worn on-board. But the curfew will continue until March 14 and be applicable to all businesses including the bars and restaurants. The government will finally move away from Major Incident status on Monday. Sports will only be allowed in groups of 12 for now, although applications can be made for greater numbers to the government’s sporting association. The Contact Tracing Bureau will return to a test, trace and isolate system at the end of the month. Residents who are over 70-years-old were freed from their own lockdown on February 15. We cannot throw caution to the wind,” warned Picardo. “We are very close to being able to protect everyone in our community through vaccination. “Do not bring COVID-19 on yourself, your family or friends by going out to look for it in Spain.” Opinion Page 6

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NEWS IN BRIEF Northern defences A WALL known as the Amphitheatre Gallery, built in 1789 has been found during excavations at the Northern Defences to turn it into a tourist site

Monster jailed A LOCAL man, Mohamed Mesmoudi, who smashed the jaw of a 17-year-old girl in 2016 forcing her to get major surgery was imprisoned for three and a half years.

Street baby A WOMAN who started to go into labour on Rosia Road was saved by a passing midwife that delivered the baby before paramedics arrived on the scene.

Earth first MINISTER for Climate Change John Cortes took part in a meeting recently to prepare for the COP26 in Glasgow chaired by both the UK and Italy, co-hosts of the Scottish event..

Bent officer A CUSTOMS officer has been jailed for six months in Gibraltar after being caught stealing import duty at the frontier checkpoint. Local man Kristian Origo, 30, admitted crimes of theft and false accounting carried out between November 5 and December 12, 2019. The RGP’s Criminal Investigation Department looked into the case after a complaint was made by his employer. An extensive investigation was carried out by CID detectives after his arrest in December 2019. Origo was sentenced on December 17 for the crimes after pleading guilty to the charges of Theft and False Accounting. He will now serve time at Windmill Hill prison with many of the smugglers imprisoned during the last year.

CRIME

February 24th - March 9th 2021

Gunned down AN open verdict has been recorded on the death of a British gangster shot 38 times by police after the Spanish authorities refused to disclose the findings of an investigation. Yorkshireman Sean Hercules died in a hail of bullets fired by police at the Autosole Aparthotel in Cancelada on September 10, 2018. Wakefield Coroner Kevin McLoughlin heard that Hercules, 39, had a history of drug trafficking, robbery and weapons possession. In addition, just 12 weeks after being released from a four-year jail sentence in 2006, he shot a man in Leeds. “As the Spanish authorities have not disclosed details of the findings from their investigation, the exact sequence of events immediately prior to his death is unclear,” ruled the

POLICE have arrested a 23-yearold woman accused of abandoning her newborn child in the Punta Europa hospital in Algeciras. Just a few hours after the baby was born, a doctor from the maternity ward found the newborn alone in the room. After searching for the young

Open verdict on Brit killed by Spanish police By Alex Trelinski

coroner. The inquest was postponed a number of times in 2020 because a police report had not been sent to Estepona Court, to pass on to British authorities.

Partying

Last February, the UK Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, wrote to Estepona Court to try to unsuccessfully break the log-jam. On the fateful night in September 2018, Hercules crashed his car following a night of partying in Puerto Banus and abandoned the vehicle. Police found ammunition in the back of the car and they went to the

Hospital alone woman, they found that she had left and abandoned the baby in the room. An investigation was launched by the Policia Nacional who tracked the mother down and arrested her a day after she left the hospital.

DEAD: Sean Hercules

hotel to speak to him. The father of two opened his room door, walked down the corridor and is said to have drawn a weapon, which led to the policemen firing back and killing him. The officers stated that two firearms and four cartridges were found next to his body. His mother Martha Friel, 66, told the Olive Press last year: “They shot him 38 times which is surely an excessive number. “I want to know why would Sean pull a gun on policemen, that’s suicide? I think they had him confused for someone else.”

Gone phishing POLICE are warning the public of a new type of email scam that targets charities as well as companies in Gibraltar. Dubbed the Business Email Compromise (BEC), the con mail pretends to be from a customer and uses ‘social engineering’ tactics to convince readers to download viruses hidden inside attachments. The cyber crime unit at the Royal Gibraltar Police is asking people who receive suspicious emails like this one to make a telephone check to confirm the identity of the sender.

Scams

“The opportunity for these types of scams to occur has increased at a time when employees are working from home,” said an RGP spokesperson. “Both businesses and charities should consider having safeguards and policies in place, such as a confirmation phone call. “A few minutes in confirming with the person who is supposed to be requesting the transfer can prevent the success of this type of fraud.”

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NEWS

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February 24th - March 9th 2021

Cruz control

Riots and violence as rapper Pablo Hazel (right) jailed

BEING a mother is more important to Penelope Cruz than her acting career. The Hollywood star has insisted that bringing up her children is the ‘most important mission of my life’. The 46-year-old Latin star, who is married to fellow Spanish actor Javier Bardem, insisted she is no longer a ‘workaholic’ and has now learnt the values of ‘patience, rest and silence’. It comes as she put her children, Leo, 10 and Luna, seven, before her career.

Pause on play

A PRICY €700 a gig in Spain and €575 in Italy is a massive disincentive for British bands to tour in southern Europe this year. But this is the fee that needs to be paid for every concert a British band plays since Brexit came in last month. Now a groundswell of support is rising in the UK to secure visa-free travel for artists in Europe. A campaign to get the government to negotiate with the EU to scrap such charges is gathering speed. Some of Britain’s most popular actors, including Sir Ian McKellen and Julie Walters (above) have thrown their weight behind a petition backed by the actors’ union Equity urging the UK

government to act fast. Musicians ncluding Bono, Ed Sheehan and Radiohead, have already spoken out on the issue. The campaign is calling on the government to negotiate a free cultural work permit to help all artists, including actors and musicians. It comes after a botched Brexit deal means stars now need to get an individual visa for each country where they perform, plus pay the additional fees per gig. Such costs will make most tours extortionately expensive and no longer profitable in many countries. Some countries, such as France, may be exceptions as they charge nothing per concert.

Streets of flame

NOT since NWA has a rap act caused so much controversy. Or in this case, the decision to jail one. Almost a week of riots have broken out after Spanish rapper Pablo Hasel was arrested at Lleida University QUEEN Letizia took a close inwhere he terest in an anti-slavery poster had taken on a visit to Spain’s National Lirefuge. brary on Valentines Hundreds of Day. people were During her solo arrested in engagement to Madrid and the exhibition Barcelona, on humanist while propassions betests were tween 1820 also seen in

Queen of hearts

and 1839, she wore a suitably show-stopping romantic red dress. Her daughter, Leonor meanwhile is set to study in the UK for her International Baccalaureate. The heir to the Spanish throne will join classes at UWC Atlantic College, in Wales, from September, COVID restrictions allowing.

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Valencia, Malaga and Sevilla. The worst rioting for years came after the Catalan wordsmith was sentenced to more than two years in prison, after an initial sentence of nine months was extended due to a refusal to pay several fines. This is the first time since the restoration of democracy in 1977 that an artist has gone to prison for his lyrics and, in this case, Twitter messages. The Spanish Supreme Court, in Madrid, ruled that the messages constituted offences against the Spanish monarchy and various state institutions. Since he was seized by police last week, the country has been

Workaholic

thrown into political turmoil. Trouble flared initially in several cities including Barcelona and Madrid before spreading nationwide. On Saturday 6,000 people marched in the Catalan capital in favour of freedom of speech. Dozens have been hurt in the rioting - including a 19-yearold woman who lost an eye from a foam bullet. Human rights’ organisation Amnesty International slammed Spain describing Hasel’s arrest as ‘ ‘terrible news’ after he was ‘exercising his right to free speech’. Spain meanwhile, has dropped two places in the global corruption rankings by Transparency International, being overtaken by Qatar and the Bahamas.

Guapa bella!

The Loving Pablo actress made the admission to Marie Claire magazine explaining how she and husband Javier were coping during the pandemic. In particular she never looks at anything written about her online and she puts her family first. “Becoming a mother made me aware that this was the most important mission of my life and that I wanted to accomplish it as best I could,” she said. “In my 20s, I was a total workaholic, I would even wake myself up in the middle of the night to respond to emails and things like that, and then I had to learn patience, rest, silence. “The things that I appreciate a lot now.”

SHE’S one of the world’s most in demand models, walking runways for some of the world’s biggest brands. And Bella Hadid looked every inch the star as she flaunted her lithe limbs on the cover of Vogue Spain for its March issue. The 24-year-old, from California, took to Instagram to share a sneak peek from her shoot with photographer Micaiah Carter for the fashion bible.

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Mayday call AN explosion aboard a ship entering the Bay of Gibraltar has injured four crew members. The incident involving the coal-carrying CSSC Cape Town occurred on Friday at 9.10pm and has now been investigated by the authorities. After its anchoring equipment was damaged it was unable to stop and has sailed east of Gibraltar. Two of the crew members suffered burns of 40% and 20% of their bodies from the explosion. They were first evacuated for urgent treatment to St Bernard’s Hospital before being taken to the Seville burns unit. The Port of Algeciras had offered to airlift the victims but the petition was turned down. Royal Gibraltar Police detectives were on board to try to find out what happened, although they are not treating the explosion as foul play. The CSSC Cape Town is still in contact with the Gibraltar port officials as it hopes to welcome technicians aboard to fix its anchoring equipment. Replacement crew members will now be transported to the boat as it continues its journey. The Hong Kong flagged ship is carrying over 112,000 metric tonnes of coal it loaded at Curtis Bay Coal Terminal in the United States. Coal is not considered to be a dangerous cargo by the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (also known as the FAL Convention). It has 19 crew members and is headed for Port Said in Egypt.

NEWS

February 24th - March 9th 2021

Dolphin danger Latest oil spill a threat to nature ENVIRONMENTAL groups have warned of the ‘severe effects’ of an oil spill during a bunkering accident. The slick was contained mainly within the harbour area thanks to the quick actions of port workers and government agencies.

Danger

But activists say that the environment will not escape unscathed. “These spills will have severe long term effects on our marine environment,” said Lewis Stagnetto of the Nautilus Group. “Oil leaks can affect locally endangered dolphins by being inhaled as they come up to breathe. “Longer term these animals suffer repressed immune functions and reproductive capabilities. “Shellfish, sponges and in-

A PUBLIC Health study is being carried out to find out the effects of the vaccine and what proportion have been infected. It will analyse the success of the Pfizer vaccine, that since being implemented has led to the number of new cases going down massively. On the weekend of February 20-21

DANGER: Dolphins face side effects from oil spill vertebrates will be exposed eventually as the oil starts to mix with the water column. “On exposure adult fish typically experience reduced

Vaccine study not a single case was reported from over 1,000 tests carried out, The report will show how effective the virus has been and could be useful for the global fight against the pandemic.

By John Culatto

growth, enlarged livers, changes in heart and respiration rates, fin erosion and reproductive impairment. “Fish eggs and larvae suffer the worst effects which could impact species population numbers. “Regrettably, as long as bunkering persists in our waters we will not be spared these events, infrequent as they may be.” An ESG spokesperson asked

for stronger measures to be taken: “The threats to birds and sea life are obvious. “We demand that every effort is made by the authorities to establish precisely what happened following the apparent valve failure,” . “With the significant season for diving birds underway the ESG is particularly concerned by this spill.” Spanish environmental group Verdemar – Ecologistas en Accion are planning to report the incident to the EU.

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OPINION True to his word THE arrival of the Pfizer vaccines has truly transformed the fight against COVID-19. For once, Boris Johnson’s UK government has been true to its word, and the vaccines keep arriving. No new cases were reported on the weekend of February 20-21, although three were then reported on the Monday. There have been more casualties though, with extra deaths lifting the number to 91. More are bound to follow with three patients getting ventilated in the hospital’s Critical Care Unit. A death last week from a person who died of the after-effects of the coronavirus has shown, its effects are not only in the moment. The 4,113 people who have now recovered from the pandemic could also suffer health problems in the future. A new public health study will look at these effects as well as the numbers of people who are infected by the virus after vaccination. For now, however, people are breathing a sigh of relief.

Normality

The worst has truly passed and some element of normality can start to set in. Gibraltar’s success in vaccinating earlier than many other countries has made it an example to the world. It is also a case study on the distribution of the solution when back in March Chief Minister Fabian Picardo feared the worst. The quick action of his GSLP/Liberal government averted the first wave taking life. Although the second wave was lethal, the response has been just as swift. What will now follow will be the rebuilding campaign. The economy will have to be moulded to the new scenario, not only to existing restrictions but also to Brexit. In this last part, the clinching of the Schengen European treaty could truly open a new area of economic activity. People will also have to recover their sense of confidence with their community, a year after a virus shook those very foundations to their core.

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Why has almost every mayor for the past 20 years been linked to a criminal investigation? Laurence Dollimore poses the questions

mayor is also being investigated. “It was a civilised search of his office, very calm, no drama,” one witness, who works in the same complex, told the Olive Press, “they are still operating now and

the gossip has moved on.” He added: “You know in Marbella, nothing really surprises people anymore.” Indeed it’s not the first time Broberg has courted controversy.

Outgoing Olive Press digital editor Laurence Dollimore puts the UK’s quarantine hotel scheme to the test after a short trip across the Portugal border in his final week with us

T was after a weekend’s work in Portugal for the Olive Press on the Madeleine McCann story that left me in limbo and facing a potential 10-year prison sentence on a trip back to the UK. I didn’t have any idea that our Iberian neighbour would be red-listed when I booked my flight back to London a few months ago. But there I was sitting nervously on a packed flight from Sevilla to Madrid to catch my connection to Heathrow (I’m heading back to a new life in the UK, after five years with the Olive Press in Spain, in case you didn’t know). I am slightly consoled by a complimentary alcoholic wipe and the Spanish commitment to wearing masks (which is not to

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FAMILY: Munoz with Broberg and (inset) stepson Joakim

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PROPERTY magnate, a drug trafficker and a dodgy cop all walk into a bar…where are you? Add in a local mayor and it’s probably Marbella. Yes, the gem of the Costa del Sol has once again become the centre of an alarming money laundering story, this time involving the husband of the current mayor. Should anyone be surprised that big-time developer Lars Gunnar Broberg, married to Mayor Angeles Munoz, has been arrested over money laundering? This is, after all, Marbella, where four out of the last six mayors have gone to prison for corruption. The facts are sketchy. But what we know is that Swedish businessman Broberg was picked up by police on February 10 and taken to his offices where agents from the Economic and Fiscal Crime Unit (UDEF) combed through his documents and hard drives. The 70-something businessman is being probed for money laundering along with his son Joakim Broberg, who is, in addition, being probed over links to an international drug trafficking ring. Broberg was returned to his home after the search as police continue to analyse documents from his Wasa company. Predictably, a member of Marbella’s Policia Local force and a personal minder of the

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QUARANTINE: Red signs show the way

be taken for granted, as I discover later in the UK). Thankfully in row four and by the window, I’m able to keep to myself for the short 60-or-so minutes to the capital. Here things are much more controlled. Every flyer has their PCR test and passenger locator forms checked before being permitted to queue for boarding, which is done by rows, in sets of five. One unlucky fellow is denied boarding after showing up without a test result. I end up with a whole row to myself, as do ly airport worker who unfortunately wore all the passengers, unless they are trav- her mask under her nose the entire time elling together - which explains the larg- she was with me - a sanctionable offence er-than-usual Airbus A350-900. on the streets of Spain! Upon landing at Heathrow all passengers I hope it’s a one off until after I collect my leave the aircraft and travel to passport bag I am gathered in a cordoned off area control together. And it is impossible to with the other red list passengers from my miss the numerous airport stewards car- flight. rying bright red clipboards It is then that another worker emblazoned with the words asks each of us which hotel ‘RED LIST COUNTRIES’. we are booked with, pulling The question They will ask which country his mask down every time he you have been in and tell is: what will speaks, ironically. you that you must have a An hour after landing we are I want for quarantine hotel booked and taken to our coach and transa negative PCR test before ported to the Blu Radisson breakfast in pointing you down a specially Edwardian Heathrow hotel, 10 days time? where we gather in a foyer designated alley to the farthest passport desk. and sit on socially distanced I could have easily have lied chairs to fill in another conabout not being in Portugal a few days ear- tact information form and - despite a whole lier on my locator form and they would have day of travelling - are expected to select our been none the wiser given that I had flown breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the in from Spain - although I’d say the threat next 10 days. of a 10-year jail term is enough to put most “How on earth will I know what I want for people off that route. breakfast in 10 days’ time?” shrieks one After my forms and passport are checked I elderly British woman, who is quarantining am escorted to baggage reclaim by a friend- with her husband.

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Jesus Gil 1991 - 2002 Party Grupo Independiente Liberal (GIL) Gil was forced to resign and sent to prison for a week in 2002 after he was accused of embezzling over €30 million of municipal funds. In December of that year he was acquitted by the Provincial Cour t of Malaga, with Julián Muñoz in the Rider case.

Julian Muñoz 2002 - 2003 (GIL) Muñoz, former mayor and ex-boyfriend of singer Isabel Pantoja, was jailed for two years and banned from public office for ten years for fraud. He was convicted of over 50 offens-t es, mostly of bribery, embezzlemend and breach of trust, and sentence to 45 years in prison for real estate crimes as part of the Malaya case.

As widely reported by the Olive Press it hadn't been blocked by the Andalucia back in 2015, Marbella town hall, un- Superior Court of Justice (TSJ). der Munoz’s leadership, attempted to News of the scheme caused outrage, redraw its border with Benwith thousands of resiahavis in order to gift it a dents writing letters of 170,000sqm area of land, complaint to the town hall. Marbella has known as the Vega del And while the couple Jaque. have once again made long been The plan was to shift the the headlines, Munoz has area, which was protected been quick to distance known for and classed as non-urban herself from the latest afcorruption and fair, with a Marbella city inside Marbella’s boundary, into Benahavis’ tercouncil statement declarshady deals ritory - with the plan for ing: “None of these actions Broberg to then construct bear any kind of relation50 luxury villas. ship with the mayor.” It also helped that the pair lived in a stun- But it’s anything but good PR for Marning property in the Vega area and would bella, which has long been synonymous be liable for less IBI tax after the deal - if with corruption and shady dealings. In fact since 1991, almost every single leader has been investigated or sent to prison for bribery, money laundering, cooking the books and more. Let’s not forget the infamous Jesus Gil, elected in 1991, who was forced to resign in 2002 after €390 million of muHOME FROM HOME: nicipal funds were suddenly unaccountLaurence’s hotel room ed for. and (inset) room In the end he stood accused of embezservice meals zling over €30 million, but the real figure could and almost certainly was much higher. He died in 2004 before he could face justice. Julian Muñoz, who took over the leadership, was cuffed in 2006 and again in 2013. He was convicted of over 50 offences, mostly of bribery, embezzlement and breach of trust, and sentenced to 45 years in prison for real estate crimes alone. His successor Marisol Yagüe Reyes enjoyed a three year reign but was sent to prison for corruption in 2006. Tomás Reñones, an ex-football star, was next to have a stab at the job but was fingered in the historic Malaya corruption case and got the boot a year later, ushering in the reign of Maria Angeles Munoz, who has remained in power ever since, with a brief two-year hiatus from 2015-17. She is quickly calmed on being told she can change her mind later on. A businessman asks if he can have a laptop delivered to his room and we are told we can all have deliveries as long as COVID guidelines are followed, including food. We are escorted to our rooms one by one and told dinner will arrive at around 8pm. For me, it’s pasta arrabiata and a kale salad, washed down with a bottle of coke. The food is good, but anything tastes great after a stressful day of travelling. Unfortunately, no alcohol is included in the £1,750 package - but you can order it at an extra cost, with beer bottles going for £5 and the cheapest glass or bottle of wine £7 and £26 respectively. There are certainly worse places to spend 10 days, with a comfortable double bed, big screen TV and bath promising to make quarantine life more bearable. There’s even an armchair and footstool for reading. I would say the huge window running the width of the room is a plus but I wouldn’t call a McDonald’s car park much of a view - even les so when it’s crawling with paparazzi from the main national newspapers.

The Miami of Spain Marbella is often compared to Miami. Both have strategic coastlines which make them a haven for drug mafias and international crime syndicates. In the latter, cocaine smuggled in from South America made millionaires and even billionaires overnight in the 1980s, with gang leaders transforming the city by funnelling their bundles of cash into property and construction - but also into the back pockets of crooked cops Jose Bernal Gutierrez 2015 - 2017 Spanish Socialist Worker's Party (PSOE) The only mayor for the last 20 years to not have been linked to criminal activity - so far, so good!

Marisol Yagüe (GIL) 2003 - 2006 Arrested as part of Operation Malaya and later fined €2 million and jailed for seven years.

Cheque-book, please! About time the tax-avoiding social media giants paid newspapers for their content

A Thomas Reñones 2006- 2007 (GIL) Former Atletico Madrid footballer Reñones, who was assistant mayor, was jailed for four years for fraud in the Malaya case.

VITAL victory for the media has been won in Australia after Facebook was ordered to pay news outlets for sharing their content. It’s a ruling that could be repeated world wide. The social media giant has now backed down after initially banning all news content down under out of protest. After admitting defeat, bosses are said to be in talks with several media giants to reach agreements - and it’s about time! For years, Facebook has been leeching off - and effectively killing - the media by using its content without paying for it. It has seen local journalism suffer, while national newspapers have been forced to resort to clickbait headlines and other tricks to get readers directly to their websites. While Google was also named in the case, the search giant has at least been more willing to address the problem.

Lip-service

Angeles Muñoz 2007 - 2015 Partido Popular (PP) Munoz’s Swedish husband Lars Gunnar Broberg (pictured) was arrested in connection with financial crimes earlier this month.

and shady politicians who looked the other way. It’s a similar story in Marbella, situated near the Gibraltar strait, which sees billions of euros of hashish from Morocco and also cocaine from South America, smuggled across its waters each year. The low salary of Spanish police officers makes them easier to bribe - and mafias have admitted to spending 30% of their profits on bent Guardia Civil officers. The loosely regulated property market also allows gangs to better launder their cash. And just like Miami, Marbella is a beautiful place to live, and with at least 120 organised criminal gangs operating on the coast, it’s inevitable that the criminal underworld rears its ugly head into everyday life. The last few years have been some of the deadliest in Marbella’s history. In May 2018 a business owner was assassinated in his car next to his family outside a church in San Pedro, over debts to the Colombian cartel. A Frenchman would be shot to death in his car outside his home in Nagueles a few months later, by a hired killer armed with an AK-47. Every year since, the killings have continued, with one Brit shot in the face just four months ago during a fight between rival Liverpool gangs in Aloha.

As well as negotiating with publishers in Australia, it last year gave awards to the best media groups around the world, including the Olive Press, one of a small handful in Spain to win a special grant for our outstanding journalism. Facebook, on the other hand, ignored our requests for aid, despite paying lip-service to helping regional newspapers during the harsh COVID crisis. But it has had no problem in allowing racists to spread fake news content and conspiracy theories for YEARS. Just look at how a whole generation of people have been brainwashed by the QAnon cult - a lot of its content widely shared on Facebook. Readers often complain of clickbait headlines and so-called ‘churnalism’, but often don’t realise that it’s thanks to plummeting media sales and the fact that everyone expects news for free that standards have been falling. If newspapers were paid their dues there would be more money and time available to invest in better quality stories and more importantly more journalists. Let’s hope Facebook, which pays practically no tax, is forced to cough up all over the world and, in turn, this leads to an upturn in the quality of global news.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: - Marbella and Estepona can reopen bars, 1vid-19 restaurants and shops from Saturday after Coincidence rate drops below Junta threshold

(10,183 views)

The municipalities closing or opening 2- Listed: their borders in Spain’s Andalucia today after Junta updates list (9,490 views) Bars and restaurants can reopen in Spain’s 3- balearic islands from March 2 (9,040 views) Sale of alcohol to be banned in Spain’s Anda4- lucia after 6pm in bid to fight Covid-19 (7,648 views) Light at the end of the tunnel: Bars and restau5-rants in the Valencia region to reopen in March (7,531 views)

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951273575 for a special quote

BUSINESS

February 24th - March 9th 2021

Bounce back SPAIN will enjoy the biggest post-COVID economic bounce in the European Union. This is the forecast of the European Commission (EC), which has raised its forecast for the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth to a startling 5.6% in 2021. It is the biggest increase forecast for any of the 27 nations in the bloc.

Spanish economy to surge in 2021

Grow

A SPANISH region is targeting motorhome owners who park up ‘illegally’ overnight a part of a raft of new tourism accommodation regulations. Other parts of Spain are looking on to see what sort of effect the new regulations in Valencia will have. The law will come into effect in tourist zones across the Valencian Community from May 8. The new rule mirrors a recent nationwide ban announced in Portugal on motorhomes parking up wherever they want to to save money, or to perhaps stay ‘under the radar’ from authorities. The Portuguese law started last month and defined overnight parking as running between 9pm and 7am. During the day, a motorhome in Portugal can park anywhere but without opening up windows and awnings.

Back in business

RECOVERY: Huge EU grants will aid regions get back on track Madrid estimates that this financial boost will add 2.1% to the growth rate. The EC report said: “While the outlook for the near term looks weaker than expected last autumn, growth in the European economy is set

to resume this spring and gather momentum in the summer, as progress in vaccinations allows for a gradual unfreezing of economic activity.” Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said “Be-

cause the recession in 2020 was not as deep as expected, and thanks to the breakthroughs regarding vaccines, we now project the EU economy will return to its pre-crisis GDP level already in 2022.”

BARS, restaurants and cafes will reopen on March 1, although they will only serve customers until 10pm and with the same restrictions as before. It will be the first time the population will be able to eat or drink outside home since December. BEAT payments, rates reductions and rental discounts will continue until the end of February. Catering businesses will receive full automatic payment of their costs with other shops getting partial support as they struggle through the pandemic. The move will be a boost to public coffers as Gibraltar’s businesses return to normal after one of the darkest periods in Gibraltar’s history. Many workers will have received their jabs by that time, along with over half the population. Shops are also allowed to open their doors on Saturdays too, as the economy starts to get back ontrack. However, the tourism industry will remain at a standstill, hampering a full recovery.

OP QUICK Crossword Across 7 Fungal reproductive cell (5) 8 Summary (7) 9 Model might be good or bad (7) 10 Refine (5) 11 Vintners’ vessels (4) 12 Kind of loan (8) 16 Multipurpose roll (4,4) 18 Might contain uranium, if yellow (4) 20 Ball girl? (5) 22 Retailers’ additions (7) 23 Fingerlike (7) 24 Cut into small pieces (5)

Down

OP Sudoku

According to the EC’s Winter 2021 Forecast, GDP will grow three-tenths of a point higher than the 5.3% previously predicted. It also thinks GDP will rise a further 5.3% in 2022, but this will still leave it below pre-pandemic levels. Although the EC figures can be viewed as optimistic considering the EU average for GDP growth predicted is 3.7% for 2021, ithey are not as rosy as the Spanish government’s own predictions. These for a spectacular rise in GDP of 7.2% this year. Part of the reason for the discrepancy is that Brussels did not take into account the impact of the European recovery fund, which will offer Spain as much as €140 billion in grants and loans.

Freeloading curbed

1 Lovey-dovey (8) 2 Worn-out old cars (5) 3 Punt propeller (4) 4 Affirmed (6) 5 “Let ‘em have it!” (4) 6 “A bushel and a ---” (4) 7 Veered abruptly (7) 13 Tide or cord (3) 14 Like the White Rabbit (2,1,5) 15 Made a stab (7) 17 Unlawful takings (6) 19 Extract by force (5) 20 Organisation (4) 21 Racing sled (4) 22 Exploit (4)

All solutions are on page 14

ll about

February 2021

A 4-page Olive Press special pull out supplement

Education

Safe, Happy and Learning Laude San Pedro Principal Amanda Hughes on the hard work and changes last year

: It’s been a tough year for everyone but it must have been very challenging running a school and having to look after students and staff. What kind of protocols have you put in place to make sure everybody is safe? AH: I have to say it was an experience I don’t think anyone ever dreamt we would have to go through. It is actually incredible looking back at the changes the school has made in the last year and how much we have learnt and adapted on the way. This time last year, a few weeks before the lock down, we had already begun planning our online learning platform and reviewing with families who would need electronic devices to work at home. So the whole team got together to actually work out how we would deliver the whole curriculum online, which I have to say went incredibly well. And then bringing children back into school in September, we wanted to make sure our families understood what our commitments would be, how learning, being safe and happy would always remain the focus for us and the children, and then of course, following the Junta’s protocols. Also, we are so lucky where we are and the campus we have; we now use four entry gates so we are one school but four villages now, so we have a little village for youngest learners, the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, Primary have their own village, Secondary and Sixth Form have got their own village and our ESO and Bachillerato students, they have a village in school as well. We have little or no movement between those areas.

Getting top marks WHETHER you are newly arrived in Spain or were born and bred here, one subject unites all parents - how to make sure their children get the best possible education. It can be a tough call, especially for those unfamiliar with the Spanish system, but fortunately in Andalucia you are spoiled for choice. Of course your selection will depend on certain key factors: distance from home, budget, academic standards, teaching style and word-of-mouth recommendations, to name just a few. So where do you start? The first item on your checklist should be Public or Private - do you opt for a Spanish state school or an international college? It’s generally an easier decision to

Choosing the best schools for your kids can be a problem of algebraic proportions - particularly now visiting can be a tightrope with COVID restrictions By Dilip Kuner

(dad of 3 kids schooled on the Costa del Sol)

make for younger children, as primary schools throughout Europe are more or less comparable. Around 80% of expats send their children to the local state schools – called ‘colegios’ for primary schools and ‘institutos’ for secondary schools. There are two serious advantages to Spanish schools. The first is that children will learn Spanish fast and should integrate well into their new home country.

Younger children, in general, thrive in state schools, with youngsters under nine normally picking up impressive spoken Spanish (usually, far better than their parents’ Spanish) within a year, just by socialising with their Spanish friends. The majority of foreign parents and students find that integration with other nationalities is normally handled with skill and consideration. The second key advantage is that state schooling is free of charge from the age of three, when children can begin attending infan-

Q: How is life at Laude continuing with the obvious limitations that all schools are facing with the pandemic?

AH: The pedagogy has changed so much to make sure we don’t lose outstanding practice; so everything from parent-teacher meetings, graduation and prize giving tile or pre-escolar, equivalent to a events are now done online. nursery in the UK. The only costs We have recently had the most incredible futures and you’ll have to cover are books, university online fair for our Year 11 and Year 12 stuschool trips and, if the school has dents as part of the ISP group of schools, covering them, uniforms. There are, however, downsides everything from how to gain a sports scholarship to A dm to Spanish schools, particularly if study in America to Oxbridge applications. O iss p your child is older or more timid. en ion It’s important our students understand we are working s There are sad – but by no means together to get through this tough time and look afcommon – stories of the 11-plus ter each other, but their future is really there. All their ‘guiris’ being ignored by their dreams and aspirations will not change, and it is very teachers and bullied by their important we work alongside them classmates, or finding themToday moreleft than entirely ever, we believe in providing a safe and happyso learning environment that they do access the universiselves untutored. for our students to achieve more than they dreamed possible. ties and careers they have always Contact our admissions team for more information on our unique international wanted to have. curriculum from 3 Continues to 18 years. overleaf Avda. La Coruña 2 San Pedro Alcántara

952 799 900

info@laudesanpedro.com

www.laudesanpedro.com

dm O iss pe io n ns

Today more than ever, we believe in providing a safe and happy learning environment for our students to achieve more than they dreamed possible. Contact our admissions team for more information on our unique international curriculum from 3 to 18 years. Avda. La Coruña 2 San Pedro Alcántara

952 799 900

info@laudesanpedro.com

www.laudesanpedro.com

2 February 24th - March 9th 2021

ll about

FREE OR FEE? From previous page

Older children with limited Span- will be low (according to reports, ish can often have trouble adjust- Andalucia does indeed come ing, finding the move to a different well below average), or because country combined with schooling you prefer to have your children in a language that might as well educated in English, then you will be Greek to them way too much have no choice but to go private. to cope with. Learning maths and Budget is a major consideration physics in a foreign idiom isn’t for but many expat parents find that sissies! choosing an international school It is definitely worth considering gives their child a gentler introextra language tuition outside duction to schooling in a foreign school hours to help ease the country, with smaller classes transition. Budget for up to €20 taught in English. per hour for private lessons. Your Most international schools even child will not only be more able follow a UK curriculum, with to keep up with lessons, but is GCSE and A-levels, with a number far more likely to of local schools make friends if regularly getting f 1 18/02/2021 10:55:36 they can socialise into the top British schools kids in the same lanBritish universiguage. including Oxare now said to ties, “It is fine if you bridge. get the kids into account for two I n t e r n a t i o n a l school early at a schools have young age, but if thirds of private very different they are nine or personalities and schools here 10 then they will philosophies, and find it harder,” adit’s very much vised one English a matter of perparent, whose two children have sonal preference. But with more been through the local system in than two dozen on the Costa del Manilva. Sol alone, there are more than “They will almost certainly need enough to choose from. some extra tuition and watching Marbella – with more than carefully. It also helps if the par- 40,000 foreigners living in the ents get involved in the school town – has the largest concenand try to get to know the other tration of international schools, Spanish parents. Joining the par- after Madrid and Barcelona. And ents/teachers association cer- Malaga, Mijas, Fuengirola, Benaltainly helps.” madena, Estepona, Almunecar If you decide against the Spanish and Sotogrande all have their ai161364213524_UniGibhalf page Oliveoptions. press1.2.pdf 1 18/02/2021 10:55:36 state system, either because you own fear the educational standards The rise of international schools

UNIVERSITY OUR C

Education

Tips for choosing a new school lIgnore the glossy brochures - go to the school and see for yourself lMeet the head, meet the teachers, and meet the students lIf the students seem happy, chances are your child will be happy too lBe clear about what you want from a school - do lots of research lLook at the exam results lFind out about opening or taster days in Spain can be traced back to former dictator General Franco, who introduced tourism to the Costa del Sol. Since then, a torrent of foreign visitors settling along the coast has turned it into a melting pot of cultures, providing endless opportunities for education start-ups. British schools are now said to account for two-thirds of the international schools on the coast. The oldest is Swans International School, established in 1971, and named after its legendary headmistress and founder, Tessa Swan. Others include Sotogrande, established in 1978, as well as Benalmadena Inter-

national College, which is celebrating its quarter century on the coast this year. Others such as Laude, in San Pedro, has around 1000 students and is acknowledged as one the top 100 international schools in Spain by El Mundo newspaper. Most British schools are members of the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) and are inspected regularly by the group, a set-up similar to the UK’s Ofsted inspections. A great advantage for many parents is that international schools often have a more multicultural environment than state schools, with most having more than 20

CAPTION xxxxxxxxxxx xx different nationalities attending and offering a bilingual study programme. Paul Kelly, an education consultant and former headmaster of

Mayfair Academy in Marbella – which has 20-30% Spanish pupils – said: “Pupils meet other students from so many different countries.

Undergraduate - Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) - BSc (Hons) Maritime Science –Nautical or Engineering - BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Postgraduate Undergraduate - Postgraduate Certificate in Education – PGCE A BRITISH UNIVERSITY - Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) -and BSc (Hons) Maritime Science –Nautical or Engineering MA Leadership Management RIGHTitself ONasYOUR ar is establishing a - BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing - MBA - Masters of Business Administration ed quality standards, a focus DOORSTEP - MSc Marine Science and Climate Change Postgraduate ersonal learning experience. - PhD Research - Postgraduate Certificate in Education – PGCE - MA Leadership and Management The University of Gibraltar is establishing itself as a - Masters of Business Administration - MBA m living in a safe, sunny destination for UK-aligned quality standards, a Point focus Language Europa Centre - MSc Marine Science and Climate Change brant business hub. Discover on employability and a personal learning experience. PhD Research - English and Spanish language classes ting to study closer to home. Its students benefit from living in a safe, sunny or specific classes - General Europa Point Language Centre environment within a vibrant business hub. Discover CM

CMY

why more people are opting to study closer to home.

- English and Spanish language classes - General or specific classes

Visit unigib.edu.gi today

CMY

A BRITISH UNIVERSITY RIGHT ON YOUR 3 DOORSTEP February 24th - March 9th 2021

The University of Gibraltar is establishing itself destination for UK-aligned quality standards, a on employability and a personal learning expe

WINNING THE COVID BATTLE Due to COVID restrictions, many state school pupils are only being taught on alternating days due to large class sizes or via alternating weeks. In contrast, most private schools have managed to keep all classes going. At most of the leading private schools on the coast pupils stay in their class bubble for the entire day and are expected to wear their masks throughout. So far, it has certainly been working with almost no classes having been halted in the half dozen schools that we canvassed for information.

NIVERSITY OUR

r is establishing itself as a d quality standards, a focus ersonal learning experience.

University of Gibraltar: An institution in growth

he University of Gibraltar is a dynamic institution that combines British academic standards with all the benefits that come with a warm, Mediterranean location. In the five years since its launch, the institution has embarked on an ambitious programme of academic development and now attracts students from across the world who seek a more personal learning experience and quality, on-campus learning. It adheres to the highest UK academic standards and its qualifications are recognised across the world.

Its students benefit from living in a safe, sunny environment within a vibrant business hub. Di why more people are opting to study closer to

for entry in 2021. In contrast, the University of Gibraltar has chosen to scrap international fees completely. This means that those from abroad will pay the same fee as its home students. It is not a private institution and therefore offers parity with UK tuition fees.

The University of Gibraltar offers a small, yet Undergraduate diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that align with the Gibraltar’s vibrant economy and unique lo- (Hons) - Bachelor of Business Administration cation at a cultural, historical and biogeogra- UK’s highest academic standards. Subjects inphical crossroads, enables the–Nautical University to cludeor business, leadership, maritime science, - BSc (Hons) Maritime Science Engineering offer its students valuable industry experience marine science, teaching and nursing. its undergraduate programmes - BSc (Hons) Adultthroughout Nursing and deliver a unique university experience. Gibraltar as a centre for business Alternative to UK Gibraltar attracts many local and internatioPostgraduate nal investors in part due to its first-rate proIt has been widely reported that pandemic has fessional infrastructure, fully compliant with - Postgraduate Certificate inonEducation – PGCE regulations. It is home to numerous had a negative impact the student expe- European rience at many universities across the world. international trading companies and financial - MA Leadership and Management Students across the UK have experienced services institutions, and has a healthy and various levels of lockdown from their student - prosperous - Masters of Business Administration MBAeconomy. accommodation and many of their lectures were delivered online. Whilst the University of Gibraltar, then, is an excellent place to get - MSc Marine Science and Climate Change Gibraltar shifted to online delivery for a brief your start in business. The Bachelor of Busi- PhD Research period this year, they have welcomed students ness Administration (Hons) undergraduate back this week and have started in-person

business degree stands out as it offers annual

teaching. This makes the University of Gibral- industry placements and the choice of majors living SAFETY in aFIRST: safe, Most sunny private schools have kept classes in ‘bubbles’ with masks worn all day tar a good alternative to the UK for internatio- that include marketing, management, finance xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Europa Point Language nal students. In aCentre global IDP Connect survey and accounting. rant business hub. Discover dated October 2020, more than half (56%) - English and Spanish language classes ing to study closer to home. of international students said they were likely For those looking for a postgraduate degree, “This is such a valuable opportu- As well as a more up-to-date, re- community outside the classto choose study destinations on the basis of the University offers full-time and part-time nity as it awakens a curiosity for laxed approach to teaching, in- - room. General or specific classes which institution offered in-person learning. options including an MBA and a new MA in other cultures, languages, tra- ternational schools are generally But international schools are beditions, customs and even food from a very early age.” To tie in with this, many of the top schools are increasingly offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, as well as the local secondary school qualification, the Bachillerato. The IB – which may be unknown to some English readers – is the normal route to university for European students. The main difference is that IB students take six or seven subjects – which often include elements of community work and public-speaking – as opposed to just three or four at A-level. Catherine Davies, based at Laude, in Marbella, said: “You can go anywhere in the world with an international education, it’s like an international currency.”

Leadership and Management plus an MSc considered to offer a better learn- ginning to fight this effect, with The University of Gibraltar fees freeze in Marine Science and Climate Change. ing environment. many more SpanThe most obviish extracurricular ous downside, activities availBrexit has seen the UK implement new immi- The University is accepting direct of course, is the able, and more Flamenco gration protocols for students coming from applications to its programmes cost. Schools access to local within the European Union and many UK starting this September. Find classes, range from basic culture on school Universities have set higher international fees out more at unigib.edu.gi to luxurious but, trips. basketball and take note, they Many of the sailing, plus come with fees to schools also inmatch. clude Spanish even polo Fees range from offerings such as €3,000 a year for flamenco dancprimary school to ing classes after between €6,000 and €20,000 school finishes, while others ofper year for secondary schools. fer basketball, sailing and in one Standards and safety top of the curriculum at Prior Park This generally does not include case, even a polo academy the cost of books, school trips or Education consultant Paul Kelly HEN Gibraltar, along with most uniforms. concluded: “Effort and attitude A further downside is that chil- varies considerably from family to of the world, went into lockdown, dren may find themselves in family. Some are content never to the Prior Park School community something of a Spanish vacuum, venture into ‘Spanish’ situations, faced some difficult challenges unable to integrate with the local while others make every effort and urgent decisions on how best to continue to integrate, join the delivery of its curriculum to students. sports clubs etc. Many of us had to learn how to use various and have much new technologies in a short space of time and more exposure to for education it was no different. As a school the language.” they quickly enacted a Remote Teaching PoNo guide can delicy, which allowed staff to continue teaching cation, even in the toughest of circumstances. cide your child’s their lessons directly to the students’ homes Somehow, all of a sudden, the school’s coneducation for via Microsoft Teams. tingency planning for any changes post-BREyou, and there The usual daily timetable and routines con- XIT seemed so much more manageable! is no easy antinued and daily contact between teachers With all Gibraltar’s schools reopening on swer. Choosing a and students was sustained. The PE depart- Monday, much planning had been put in by school in Spain ment was even able to deliver virtual Zumba the staff at Prior Park. is as much a lessons via video link and many other de- A school spokesperson said: “Plans for a safe personal choice as in any other partment areas found creative return for all staff and students country, whether ways to keep students engaged have been given the highest your biggest conin their lessons. priority. Children speak sideration is cost, An important area of normal “We know that a return to a integration or a Prior Park School life is their directly to their physical school setting will be smoother transipastoral care system and this daunting for some students. tutor each tion. remained a key consideration Our main considerations conJust one final tip week to talk for students throughout the two tinue to be the health and wellfor parents who month lockdown period. being of our school community decide to go with about issues Every student a chance contact us had for information on our open events, visits prospective are andfrom our strong Tutor and families Houthe Spanish sys- Please to speak directly to their tutor welcomed at any time. se systems will ensure that thetem: learn the laneach week to talk through conre are multiple layers of care guage yourself. cerns or worries and this is something that and support available to everyone – including How else will you also eased the worries of parents. staff!” said the spokesperson. chat to your kids’ Outstanding academics, extensive co-c The feedback received on theMolly Remote Mor Tea- in Email “Weadmissions are very much looking forward to a reteachers at open programme andwith an ainspiring ching Programme was overwhelmingly posi- turn to some days? And, more ‘normality’ and renewed learning e tive and reassured themmor@priorparkschools.com entire community that gratitudePark important for your for theSchool privilege offers of education and a British edu a quality kids than that, Prior Park can continue to offer a quality edu- tight-knit school community.” for students age 11 to 18 in G doorstep, Tel: +350 200 62006 how will you help them with their Southern Spain www.priorparkgibraltar.com homework!

Visit unigib.edu.gi today

Overcoming difficult challenges

Life is inspiring...

“ Outstanding academics, extensive co-curricular

programme and an inspiring learning environment. Prior Park School offers a quality British education right on your doorstep, for students age 11 to 18 in Gibraltar and Southern Spain ”

Life is inspiring.. “

”

Please contact us for information on our open events, visi welcomed at any time.

Life is inspiring...

“ Outstanding academics, extensive co-curricular

programme and an inspiring learning environment. Prior Park School offers a quality British education right on your doorstep, for students age 11 to 18 in Gibraltar and Southern Spain

”

Please contact us for information on our open events, visits from prospective families are welcomed at any time.

Email Molly Mor in admissions mmor@priorparkschools.com Tel: +350 200 62006 www.priorparkgibraltar.com

LA CULTURA Back in business BARS, restaurants and cafes will reopen on March 1, although they will only serve customers until 10pm and with the same restrictions as before. It will be the first time the population will be able to eat or drink outside home since December. BEAT payments, rates reductions and rental discounts will continue until the end of February. Catering businesses will receive full automatic payment of their costs with other shops getting partial support as they struggle through the pandemic. The move will be a boost to public coffers as Gibraltar’s businesses return to normal after one of the darkest periods in Gibraltar’s history. Many workers will have received their jabs by that time, along with over half the population. Shops are also allowed to open their doors on Saturdays too, as the economy starts to get back on-track. However, the tourism industry will remain at a standstill, hampering a full recovery.

Do you have a what’s on?

February 24th - March 9th 2021

Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es

A star is born

IF there is one term that sums up Spanish cinema, it is ‘Almodovar girl’. The country’s most famous and successful director Pedro Almodovar (below) has a penchant for ‘adopting’ actresses and turning them into stars, usually appearing in most of his films from then onwards. And the latest entry into that select club has been revealed. Milena Smit, 24, was born in Elche (Alicante), where she lived during her childhood with her Castilla La Mancha-born mother and Dutch father before relocating to Madrid four years ago to look for work. Although she admits that she never planned to be an actress, she was invited to attend an audition for a Spanish feature-length drama by Catalan director David Victori, which she passed with flying colours. She was then coached by none other than Bernard Hiller, who has worked with Leonardo Di Caprio and Cameron Diaz, among other major stars. Milena debuted with Victori last year in the film No mataras (translated as Cross the line), which is currently showing at cinemas throughout the country. Her part has already earned her a nomina-

History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.

Meet the newest ‘Almodovar girl’ Milena Smit, who is half ‘guiri’

EXPAT: Milena was raised by a Dutch father and Spanish mum in Alicante By Glenn Wickman

tion for ‘Best new actress’ in this year’s Goyas, the Spanish equivalent of the Oscars taking place in Malaga on March 6. But it didn’t stop there.

Her work impressed legendary director Pedro Almodovar so much, that he has revealed that Milena Smit will co-star in his next blockbuster, Madres paralelas, together with fellow Almodavar girls Penelope Cruz, Aitana

Sanchez Gijon and Rossy de Palma. Shooting for Almodovar’s next work is scheduled to begin imminently. Not bad for a debuting actress who was working as a hotel receptionist just two years ago.

Join us for a celebration of history, art, heritage and pageantry in a unique part of the world.

With a UNESCO world heritage site offering 120,000 years of human history and only short drive from the Costa del Sol, enjoy the warmth of the British Gibraltarians and splash out VAT-free in Sterling. Gibraltar. Sun, sea and history served with a very British twist. PROUD

BRITISH

For further information call: Gibraltar Tourist Board +350 200 74950 Or to download a brochure go to: www.visitgibraltar.gi

www.visitgibraltar.gi

Heritage STREET PARTIES MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE HISTORY MUSIC

Phoenician Empire Calentita

Jazz

INTERNATIONAL

THE ROCK The MoorishMusicCastle Festivals Festival Pillars of Hercules Food Week, Chess, Snooker, Darts, Backgammon Championships 100000 YEARS National LITERARY FESTIVAL

Neanderthal Settlements

ibraltar

#VISITGIBRALTAR

A year of Culture

Bring hearts, minds and souls

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

February 24th - March 9th 2021

The HIGH-light hikes Carved into sheer cliff faces or teetering above dizzying drops, Spain is home to

a host of hiking routes that will make your hairs stand on end. Laurence

Caminito del Rey, Malaga

Crumbie picks out seven of the country’s most kneetrembling trails Infernal by name, infernal by nature: this demanding 15km trail in the north of Alicante includes a gruelling stretch of 6,800 steps that wind up La Vall de Laguar. Curiously, its nickname is the ‘Cathedral of Trekking,’ though the only blessings on this route are numerous photo opportunities of the jaw-dropping rocky valley.

El Barranc de l’Infern Loop (Hell’s Ravine), Valencia

Pinned into the steep walls of El Chorro gorge, this 3km boardwalk rises to over 100m above the river below and was dubbed the ‘world’s most dangerous walkway’ following five fatal accidents in the space of two years. After decades in disrepair, the route was reopened in 2015 and can now be traversed by those with the nerve and a head for heights.

Puigsacalm pels Ganox, Catalonia Winding through a craggy gorge of the same name, so narrow at times that trekkers have to sidle along the river edge as they cling to the rock face, Los Cahorros is a tricky route popular among walkers and climb-

This circular route that takes you up the mighty 1500m Puigsacalm mountain is actually gentle going for the most part and offers sublime views of the eastern Pyrenees, as well as the wedged-shaped stone summits that distinguish the Transversal Range. Once you reach the pels Ganox, however, your heart will hammer as you realise that this series of small metal walkways and hooks are all you can use to scale the sheer rock face.

Ruta de Los Cahorros de Monachil, Granada ers alike. Its highlight is a 63m suspension bridge that trembles as you cross it. Or maybe that’s your knees …

Windsor Suspension Bridge, Gibraltar

Part of the Thrill Seeker’s Trail in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, you feel a bit like one of the Rock’s nimble macaques as you creep across this 71m feat of engineering while drinking in vistas of the glittering strait, city and bay. But only look down if you are as comfortable with heights as those cheeky monkeys - that 50m drop is enough to make anyone’s heart skip several beats...

Also known as the Divine Gorge, this 11km trail traces the crystalline Cares River as it weaves through the rugged Picos de Europa. Its narrow pathway sculptured into rocky hillsides boasts breathtaking views of the mountains that can be enjoyed by all. However those with vertigo are perhaps better off averting their eyes from the dizzying gorge below.

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword

Down: 1 Romantic, 2 Heaps, 3 Pole, 4 Stated, 5 Fire!, 6 Peck, 7 Swerved, 13 Rip, 14 In a hurry, 15 Guessed, 17 Thefts, 19 Wrest, 20 Body, 21 Luge, 22 Milk.

Ruta del Cares, Asturias

SUDOKU

Across: 7 Spore, 8 Outline, 9 Example, 10 Tweak, 11 Vats, 12 Bridging, 16 Duct tape, 18 Cake, 20 Belle, 22 Markups, 23 Digital, 24 Shred.

Ruta de Las Pasarelas de Montefalco, Catalonia

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Zigzagging up a steep orange cliff face on the border of Catalonia and Aragon, these wooden ‘pasarela’ walkways offer some of the most spectacular views in the Sierra de Montsec. The route is not for the fainthearted, as lo-

cal guides will tell you, but it does lead to one of Catalonia’s most celebrated natural wonders – the Congost de Mont-rebei, an awesome gorge brimming with sparkling turquoiseQ water that meanders into the distance.

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Doggy style

FINAL WORDS

SPAIN’s leading fashion designer, Zara, has introduced a new clothing line for pets, giving dogs the chance to strut about the streets in cotton scarves, bomber jackets, rugs and other stylish accessories.

Square eyes EIGHT in 10 - or 43 million - Spaniards use the internet for an average of six hours and 11 minutes every day, with two of those hours dedicated to social media, according to the report ‘Digital 2021’.

Petrol money SOME of the money collected for motoring offences will now go towards funding driving lessons for under 26-year-olds who have no job or are on very low incomes.

The Rock’s only free local paper

STICKY FINGERS

A SPANISH lorry driver has been arrested after selling a stolen 12-ton consignment of German chocolate at a bargain-basement price. The bumper haul was scheduled to arrive at the Elche Business Park, but the goods never got there. The owner of the haulage company told police that his employee, who only joined the firm eight days earlier, had gone missing on his return from Germany. GPS tracking revealed that the lorry spent two hours at an industrial estate near Alicante on the final leg of its journey. The driver sold the cargo for just €1,200 for a consignment with a retail value of €250,000.

Everyone freeze!

Unholy row IT is one of the most stunning cathedrals in Spain and well trodden by pilgrims on the Ruta de Santiago. But residents of Burgos have - so far - been unable to keep out three unwelcome interlopers: the Virgin Mary, Jesus and God himself. The trio recently arrived in the form of three huge brass doors set to adorn the entrances to celebrate the building’s 800th anniversary. A hellish row has broken out over them with 31,000 people so far signing a petition to have them repelled. Even UNESCO has been forced to step in after locals dubbed the doors at the World Heritage Site as an ‘artistic outrage’. The petition attacked the doors as ‘an eyesore’, claiming ‘no anniversary warrants such ill treatment of our heritage’. Acting on a report by the International Council on Mon-

UNESCO wades in to hellish battle over monstrous cathedral doors

IT is one of the 20th century’s most iconic images. The moment when Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tejero raised his pistol into the air and fired into the ceiling to show he meant business and an attempted coup was under way in Spain. It is exactly 40 years since 40 bullets ripped into the ceiling of Madrid’s parliament as he and his men attempted to wind Spain back to the days of the dictatorship.

Rogue

By Kirsty McKenzie

uments and Sites (Icomos), UNESCO has recommended scrapping the project. But Cathedral chiefs said the doors, designed by the award-winning artist Antonio Lopez, must stay. They insist the doors comple-

ment ‘a monument already rendered in five artistic styles that are the fruit of each stage of its eight centuries’. The current wooden doors are old and in a poor state of repair. The final decision on the new doors will be taken by the culture department of the government of Castilla y León.

Filmed live on television, the February 23 attempted coup saw Tejero achieve infamy as he led 200 rogue Guardia Civil into Madrid’s parliament and shouted ‘Everyone freeze!’ The overthrow attempt thankfully fizzled out as King Juan Carlos ordered soldiers to stay in their barracks, but it put Spain through a shaky few days. Tejero’s face certainly became familiar through his criminal trial for sedition, which led to him serving 15 years in prison. Few people today know that the 88-year-old allegedly lives in Fuengirola, while his son is a priest in Marbella.

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