Olive Press Costa Blanca North and Valencia Issue 140

CINEMA DEL SOL

VALENCIA supporters are outraged after the football club announced plans to introduce ‘dynamic pricing’ for match tickets.

This controversial strategy, which adjusts prices based on demand, recently sparked a backlash among UK music fans during the Oasis reunion tour.

Ticket prices soared from €150 to €400 due to an ‘in-demand’ algorithm, prompting huge criticism.

Now the six time La Liga champions have justified the same move by stating that it aligns with global trends in sports and entertainment.

“Tickets will go on sale at a base price, which could increase over time according to demand,” a spokesman explained..

Fans, however, have condemned the decision as ‘greedy’ and ‘exploitative’.

Libertad VCF, a Valencia supporters’ group, argued that this approach treats loyal fans as mere customers.

It complained that wealthy tourists could snap up the tickets leaving locals priced out.

See pages 3 & 20 Find

Hunger strike expat ‘trapped’ in Brexit limbo fears he’ll be denied entry into Spain this month amid ‘petty’ residency dispute

A BRITISH expat who went on a hunger strike over his residency status is preparing for a nervous return to Spain.

Mark Saxby has described feeling ‘physically sick’ as he prepares to move back to his home from the UK this month.

The 56-year-old English teacher is ‘returning home’ despite a long unresolved three-year battle to get post-Brexit residency.

The expat revealed to the Olive Press exclusively last year how he got caught in a ‘bureaucratic nightmare’ after moving to Valencia from the UK in early 2020.

Healthcare

He told how he was going on a hunger strike after moving to Valencia from Lancaster, just before the UK’s official withdrawal from the European Union.

His shocking protest saw him shed eight kilos within just 11 days - in protest against being refused Spanish residency. It came despite the withdrawal agreement guaranteeing residency rights for Brits living in the country before Brexit.

Saxby now fears he could be stopped

from entering when he returns from a trip home to Manchester where he taught English over the summer.

His original application for a non-lucrative visa was rejected because he did not have the ‘right kind of private healthcare’ in place between April and May 2021. He was covered by the EHIC card for the first three months of the year, but his private insurance only came into force in May.

Dynamic (or ‘greedy’) Valencia LET ME HOME!

Saxby informed the Valencian authorities that he believed he was covered by a bilateral healthcare agreement between the UK and Spain which ran until June 2021. However, his attempts to resolve the situation resulted in a bureaucratic merry-go-round, where contact with the Spanish and European ombudsman only directed him back to where he’d come from.

“This just provoked further confusion and no resolution’, he explained. His hopes were raised when ‘Solvit’, a European Commission department

to resolve disputes, revealed it had received several complaints about Spain’s sickness insurance (CSI) requirement. But Solvit is unable to look into individual cases and no resolution has yet been reached.

Saxby believes he and other expats were simply forgotten by the UK government during negotiations for the withdrawal argument.

He claims he has no representation to argue his case either at a national or EU level.

“We were promised an oven-ready deal but it seems like it’s people like me that got roasted,” he slammed. A spokesperson for Valencia said:

“No documentation was provided by Saxby to refute the denial. After this appeal, there is no record that the interested party filed a contentious appeal.

“Regarding complaints to Solvit, no communication has been received regarding the files of the interested party, nor the complaint regarding other citizens affected by Brexit”

By Ben Pawlowski

Counting cañas

JAPANESE brewery Kirin has revealed Spain ranks 6th globally for beer drunk per capita, consuming an average of 95.1 litres a year.

Legend quits

JOSE Antonio Morante de la Puebla, widely regarded as Spain’s greatest matador has quit, citing his mental struggle with depersonalisation disorder and agoraphobia.

Airb ‘n’ bills

BARCELONA’S Airbnb owners are demanding €1 billion in compensation following the city council’s decision to revoke 10,000-plus tourist apartment licences.

Video world

VALENCIA has opened a ‘video game city’ business centre dedicated to the gaming market which it hopes will serve as ‘an accelerator for startups’.

PAWFECT ENDING

THIS is the moment a rescued labrador posed with the firemen who saved him from atop a mountain on the Costa Blanca.

The golden pup had become trapped on a 30m cliff edge on Cap Negret, Javea, on

Tuesday morning. Emergency services received a panicked call at 11.20am after the dog was spotted by the crew of a boat in the sea below.

Firefighters were assisted by police who employed a drone to find the exact location. The dog was finally rescued and was in a perfectly healthy condition, rescuers said.

CORRUPT COPS

Police chief and four officers accused of working to protect ‘narco mum’ who was putting away €20,000 a month

A POLICIA Local chief and four of his officers have been accused of working for a mother-of-two operating a ‘narco-flat’ in a town in Valencia. An old school wiretap investigation – code-named Operation Connivance – reportedly found that high ranking police officers in Silla were aware of the drug trafficking and even helped to cover it up.

Among those arrested is a

By Walter Finch

woman who is reported to have been selling drugs from her property on Rambla de la Independencia for over six years. According to the Civil Guard, she ran a successful ‘narco-flat’ attracting dozens of customers each day and earning €20,000 a month - yet the Policia Local appeared to turn a blind eye to

MADRID police have toppled a marihuana trafficking gang dubbed the ‘Tower of Babel’.

The operation reportedly began in North Africa before the drugs were brought to Spain. Once in Europe, they were driven throughout Europe and the UK. It comes after Murcia’s anti-drug unit uncovered the drug den in the Poligono In-

the operation.

Instead they carried out drug raids and put away rival drug dealers between January 2022 and April 2024, with the woman’s drug-dealing operation

Tower crumbles

dustrial Oeste de San Gines, Alcantarilla. The supposed ‘food distributor’ was moving large quantities of cannabis and hash from the east and south of Spain. Some seven people have been arrested in relation to the crimes, including two Brits, three Spaniards, a Swede and an Irish man.

continued untouched.

Wiretap conversations caught the police chief and the woman discussing drug deals in detail, including upcoming drug deliveries.

The police chief was reported to be involved in a number of suspicious activities, including receiving payments from the drug trafficker and blocking investigations into drug trafficking in the town.

The mayor of Silla, Vicente Zaragoza, has defended the police chief, yet the wiretapped conversations suggest that he may have been aware of the police chief's activities.

Drug hit

THE violent murder of a Costa Blanca gangster has been linked to a dispute over five kilograms of cocaine, according to police.

Two men have been arrested and charged with gunning down the drug dealer in Denia. The victim was fatally shot in the chest during a robbery in a garage on Patricio Ferrandiz Street. Investigators believe the suspects had set up a meeting to buy the drugs but instead, they robbed the victim at gunpoint. When the victim resisted, they shot him.

The suspects, aged 27 and 22, were nicked within 48 hours of the crime.

One was caught attempting to flee in a vehicle, while the other turned himself in.

Police discovered the drugs in secret compartments hidden in the victim’s car, suggesting he was a seasoned drug dealer. Investigations suggest the crime was poorly planned, as one of the suspects was seen purchasing a second motorcycle helmet an hour before the murder, paying in cash.

The suspects have been remanded in custody following their appearance in court.

SWAT TEAM: One of the raids on rival drug dealers

OSCAR-WINNING director Pedro Almodovar made history for Spanish cinema when his first English-language feature, The Room Next Door, took the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival.

By taking the prize, Almodovar now ranks alongside legendary director Luis Buñuel, who was until now the only Spanish director to have received it, for his 1967 film Belle de Jour.

Netflix in Ronda for Agatha Christie mystery featuring stars Iain Glen, Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman

IT is a famous 1920s murder mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final page. So unsurprisingly the producers behind the Netflix series Seven Dials filming in Ronda this week were carefully guarding their cast and locations. But it was impossible to shield one of its biggest stars - Martin Freeman - from the eyes of the

SPANISH LION

The Room Next Door, which stars Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, tackles the subjects of the climate crisis and euthanasia, and received an 18-minute standing ovation when it premiered at Venice.

You beaut!

See What made the magician, P10

Dialing in the stars

SNEAKY: We

filming

press as he acted in the town’s famous bullring. An eagle-eyed Olive Press team worked out that you could watch the production from the rooftop terrace of the four star Catalonia hotel opposite.

From the amazing perch - high above the world’s oldest bullring with a backdrop of mountains behind - you could watch the production on its first day of filming.

With a beer in hand, it was easy to spot Hobbit star Freeman as he marched in wearing a beige

richest has

BRITAIN’S richest plumber has revealed he is making a permanent move to the Costa del Sol amid fears of a tax raid on the rich in the Labour government’s upcoming budget. Charlie Mullins, 71, the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, has already become a resident of Marbella, and now plans to sell his €12 million apartment which has views of The Shard and London Eye.

and

safari suit and Panama hat. So far, there was no sign of fellow actors Iain Glen or Helena Bonham Carter, who are also starring in the production by London-based 72 Films, which

Mullin it over

government is driving people with money away from the country. Why would people stay in the UK?” he said.

Mullins made his money in London, where he grew up - selling his firm for €155 million three years ago.

made the latest James Bond movie.

Mia McKenna-Bruce, from Vampire Academy and How to Have Sex, is also appearing after winning the BAFTA Rising Star award last year.

The production is set to film at at least six different locations, including the Arabic Baths, the Ocho Canos fountain and the Virgen de la Cabeza chapel on the other side of the gorge.

The team, which numbers around 120 staff, includes a separate drone unit with their own uniform.

THIS is the 21-year-old beauty queen who overcame a ‘rough’ childhood and online trolls to represent Spain at the November’s Miss Universe competition in Mexico. Michelle Jimenez, a Business and Marketing student, grew up in various children's homes on the Balearic Islands. The oldest of nine siblings, she ‘basically raised’ her brothers and sisters, something which she is very proud of. But Michelle hasn’t always received love and support, being criticised for her Dominican ancestry, the colour of her skin and her tattoos.

“The critique started when I was put in the top three. It’s hard to deal with but I won’t give into bullies,” she said.

Burned at the stake

SHAKIRA has likened her tax fraud ordeal to the Inquisition and accused the Spanish treasury of ‘publicly burning her at the stake’ in her strongest statement on her highly-publicised criminal case yet.

He has long intended to move to Spain, telling the Olive Press in 2021: “I’m very permanently in Spain now,” adding his lawyers were sorting out full-time residency.

The Colombian pop star blasted the Spanish tax authorities as sexist, racist and manipulative, saying she was ‘persecuted’ by the judiciary system before striking a plea bargain deal last November.

The singer was accused of six separate crimes of defrauding the state of a total of €14.5million in unpaid taxes.

“I am taking all my investment out of the UK. The

He was buying more properties on top of the seaside villa he owns in La Cala de Mijas.

Seven Dials was an Agatha Christie mystery which tells the story of a lavish country house party, where a practical joke goes murderously wrong. It is up to budding sleuth - the inquisitive Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent, played by McKenna-Bruce - to solve the mystery.

In order to escape a possible eight-year jail term, she agreed to a suspended three-year prison sentence and a €7.4million fine on the first day of her trial in Barcelona.

By P OO LVILLAS

DÉNIA

Michelle Jimenez via Instagram/Jose Urbano

PICTURES BY: Paul Whitelock & Charles Pullan

By Yzabelle Bostyn & Paul Whitelock in Ronda

watched

from a nearby hotel

(Pauline) Mary Groser

At the remarkable age of 95, (Pauline) Mary Groser of Calpe, Spain, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2024, after a long and fulfilling life.

Mary was born December 21, 1928 in Basingstoke, UK, married Theophilus (Bill) E. Groser in 1967 and moved to Calpe, Spain in 1987. He left us in 1998 and we hope they are now reunited.

Mary had a deep love for music, cats, politics, engaging conversations, reading and enjoying a Baileys nightcap.

As an accomplished pianist, she often accompanied musicians and choirs, both locally and abroad for various events, performances and ceremonies.

A true globetrotter, Mother Mary frequently travelled between Spain, the UK and Canada to visit her beloved family and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Christina, her Grandson, Dustin and her cherished cat, Mickey. Though distance sometimes separated us

Our hearts were always close

We will miss her dearly

And remember her with everlasting Love

Special thanks to Natalie Freeman and Noel Jackman for their many years of loving support. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the palliative home care nurses who provided compassionate care in her final days. We thank Creator for blessing her with a good life, gracing us with her presence, and carrying her safely into the next realm.

“If music be the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it that, surfeiting, The appetite may sicken and so die”

Holiday wrecker!

EXPOSED: The scammer who ‘robbed’ expat Airbnb owners of more than €60,000 and ruined countless breaks

EXPAT Airbnb owners have called in police after losing more than €60,000 to an alleged Costa con artist.

Fabricio Anton is accused of pocketing the earnings from multiple holiday lets after being hired to manage them.

The charming Argentinian is

be sure when he started scamming people.”

By Yzabelle Bostyn

said to have targeted ‘vulnerable’ women renting around Spain. At least seven victims based on the Costa del Sol have come forward to the Olive Press, claiming to have lost a total of €61,900.

DRINK DRIVING CRACKDOWN

SPAIN is considering toughening up drink driving laws that would result in one beer placing you over the limit. Currently, drivers cannot exceed an a level of 0.5g per litre of blood (or its equivalent of 0.25mg/l of exhaled air).

If they are novice or professional drivers, the permitted rate drops to 0.3g/l (0.15mg/l in exhaled air).

Under the proposed new law, the limit for all drivers would be 0.2 g/l in blood.

One 330ml beer will likely produce 0.3 grams of alcohol per litre of blood in a man who weighs 70kg, and 0.2 in a man carrying 80kg. It means having just one small beer would put you at risk of being over the limit.

They said they were taken in by Anton, aka Fabri, who sold himself as an ‘honest, family man’ and was working freelance for a string of property management companies in the area.

Julie and Jon Laker, owners of Fairydust, claim they have lost €47,000 to the alleged scammer when they were forced to pay back various victims.

“As soon as we became suspicious of his working practices, we notified all our clients, other companies and the police.”

She added: “Until a full police investigation is completed, no one can

Natali Nikitina, a 45-year-old croupier based in London, reported losses of €5,000 in just four months after Fabri failed to transfer the payments of guests staying in her holiday home in Casares.

At first, everything went well and she agreed to pay him €700 per year, plus 20% of each rental booking.

However, she soon realised something was amiss when the rental calendar was showing occupancy but no money was sent to her.

When she confronted him, Fabri told her ‘his accountant’ had ‘run off with the money’.

A few weeks later, she checked a security camera installed at her flat and to her horror realised there were men staying there despite no booking on the calendar.

This time, Fabri claimed it was a ‘last minute’ booking, again insisting he was an ‘honest, family man’.

Not believing him she flew in from the UK to find the group of men still staying in the property.

While ‘afraid’ she bravely entered and removed their belongings, before changing the locks.

Another British owner Leigh-

Anne Bingley, who lives in Devon, told the Olive Press she has lost €2,400 in rentals from her Duquesa flat.

Although Leigh-Anne had intended to use her property as a holiday let, Fabri rented it as a family home, giving the tenants a ‘fake contract’.

She grew suspicious when the tenants overstayed their welcome and refused to leave, stating they had a rental agreement.

“I was in a total state,” she explained, “Not only had he not paid me but he was scamming the renters too.”

She eventually managed to take their stuff out and had the locks changed.

“Fabri needs to be stopped and exposed,” she insisted this week.

While she along with the other victims have reported Fabri to the police in Manilva, so far nothing has been done.

“What annoys me the most is the lack of action from the police, it's a total injustice. But we are warriors, I will feel better when I know he can’t do it to anyone else.”

The Olive Press arranged to meet Anton for comment but he failed to turn up at a meeting, saying his lawyer had ‘advised him not to speak’.

CONNED: Natali (left) lost €5,000 to Fabri (above) while another victim lives in Casares del Sol

EXCLUSIVE

Heaven sent hellraiser

By Yzabelle Bostyn

AN expat heavy metal legend has drummed up support for a British couple left living on the streets on the Costa Blanca.

Johnny Elraiz - aka Jonny Hellraizer (pictured) - came to the rescue for Paula and Rob Briers when their retirement dream went badly

tain the once ‘jungle like’ garden of the semi-derelict property.

Despite their troubles, the couple are optimistic, saying: “There's a lot of people out there who are a damn sight worse off than us.”

Paula added: “If it wasn’t for Johnny people would die because there’s just not anything to help people.

New man in Madrid

SIR Alex Ellis has arrived in Madrid to replace Hugh Elliot as the British Ambassador to Spain. Sir Ellis will be serving His Majesty King Charles III as the British Ambassador to Spain and Non-Resident Ambassador to Andorra.

VERY GOREY

nity - it really is.

south.

The pair, 60 and 52, had been living semi rough out of a caravan on the streets with no money for food and They have now been given a lifeline by the rocker, whose band White Coast Rebels are well known around Benidorm. Through his City Streets Community Project - which feeds around 70 locals, including 15 British expats - he helped find them a plot of land to live

with few prospects. on.

“He does a lot for a lot of people. Not just us, he helps people get showers and everything so it’s invaluable to the commu-

“And people who are on the streets, they need food. They can’t just go into a restaurant and say ‘I’m starving’.”

He will present his credentials to His Majesty King Felipe VI in a ceremony due to take place in the coming weeks.

A MAN has been gored by a bull at a festival in Vall d’Uixo, near Sagunt. The 64-year-old was left with serious injuries after the attack during a bull run. He was lifted in the air, damaging his groin and scrotum but missing any vital organs. It follows the death of a man during the Sant Vicent celebrations in April.

EXPAT INSURANCE MADE SIMPLE

They pay €150 a month in rent and help main-

NOLOTIL OUTRAGE

BRITISH relatives of people who died after taking the lethal drug Nolotil have blasted a ruling in favour of the painkiller by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The EMA revealed it would not be banning the ‘deadly’ medication after declaring the ‘benefits outweigh the risks’.

Nolotil, and other products containing the active ingredient metamizole, have been linked to over 40 deaths of British and Irish people alone in Spain.

British expat Chris Cooper’s ‘bright and happy’ wife Patricia died after taking Nolotil for a bruised leg at just 55.

Banned

He told the Olive Press: “It needs to be banned. There’s a high proportion of people that have died but money wins over victims.”

Eve St Pierre, whose beloved father Roy, 77, died after a brush with the drug, said the decision is ‘meaningless’, adding:

“The money they spent on this inquiry and drafting this report could have been spent on creating an alert on the computer systems used by prescribers to stop them giving it to ‘at risk populations’.”

“The only positive I can draw is that the publicity might reach people from atrisk groups, who can read the information themselves and make their own decisions.”

The Olive Press launched a campaign last year to have the drug banned for tourists and expats.

HELPED: Paula and Rob Briers are grateful to Jonny Hellraizer

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

OPINION

Lawless

THE Costa del Crime is alive and kicking with fraudsters now taking advantage of Spain’s chaotic tourism market.

Fabri Anton is just one of the many scammers operating in areas saturated by tourism, including Malaga, Mallorca and the Costa Blanca.

The impunity with which the Argentinian has stolen money from expats and locals alike via holiday rentals is shocking but believable at the same time.

We have discovered he started his schemes in Italy, where he ran a dodgy tour company known as Maggiore Tours.

Most likely mistakes there caught up with him and he ran to Spain, a long time safe haven for scammers and criminals alike.

Here, it seems they can operate freely without worrying about the strong arm of the law.

Seemingly a dozen-plus victims have reported Fabri for allegedly stealing their money, but the police have so far done nothing.

Despite the obvious immorality of the situation, authorities claim the issue is purely a ‘civil matter’ and refuse to act.

What is even more disgusting is the fact Fabri targets older and expat women.

Expecting them to be vulnerable, it seems the Argentinian didn’t expect the women to fight back. That was his biggest mistake as eight brave victims told the Olive Press about their ordeal. When the law fails, it is only thanks to newspapers like ours that fraudsters can be exposed. We hope that with our reporting, one more scammer will be taken off the streets.

Many of the victims are also pushing back with civil suits against Fabri, but unfortunately, not all of them can afford to take legal action.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es

Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es

Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es

Humenyuk Makarova (+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Cole Sinanian cole@theolivepress.es

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

(+34) 951

841 distribution@ theolivepress.es

Live Forever (or nearly)

WANT to live for a century? Consider moving to Galicia, home to the highest number of 100 year olds per capita in Europe.

According to a new study carried out by the Galician Geriatric Society (GGS) and the University of Vigo the northern region has some 75.79 centenarians per 100,000 inhabitants.

But that’s not all: The region is also home to two particular ‘blue zones’ or ‘hotspots’ where, chances are, you can live even longer. Ourense and Pontevedra are now being studied by GGS president Jose Failde alongside fellow group, Ourensividad, to identify why the locals live so long.

According to Pablo Garcia, of Ourensividad, the amount of centenarians is certainly connected to the Atlantic diet, consisting of fresh, seasonal produce, including fish. He also credits the water in the region as a ‘fountain of youth’.

Roberto Fernandez, a local GP, says: “Healthy habits and resilience are big factors to longevity in Ourense, although we haven’t yet found any other common factors in the centenarians here.”

Perhaps we need to ask some of the long living locals themselves.

Take 103-year-old Eustaquio Perez, who insists his ripe age is down to physical exertion and resilience.

Living in the village of Beade, surrounded by green mountains, he reckons getting up early, maintaining a routine and not eating dinner helps.

His diet consists of natural products from his garden only and his dinner is often so

light that he skips it altogether (two biscuits and some milk).

Galicia has the highest number of 100 year olds in Europe - and skipping suppers, dancing and writing books might help

GO WITH THE FLOW: Eustaquio advises accepting life’s changes

By Yzabelle Bostyn

“I get up every morning at 5am to look after my sheep. Then, I have a siesta and watch a film,” he explains.

Contrary to medical advice, he has almost always avoided medicines and isn’t even vaccinated against Covid-19. However, he has received treatment for hernias and prostate cancer.

When it comes to mental health, he says:

“My philosophy of life is to accept what comes and adapt to the changes, always having a sense of humour and not being scared of death.”

Esperanza Cortiñas (left), is 107 years-old and was born in 1916. She still has the ‘en-

ergy of a teenager’, something which she owes to ‘music and dancing’.

“I love tango, but I am a lover of all music and I have more than seven awards from dance competitions. It’s music and dance that have helped me reach this age,” she explains Despite living for over a century she has glowing skin: “My beauty trick has always been to use a simple cream from the supermarket. Nothing more.”

ARE THEY OVER YET?

Sick of the feria season? Looking forward to the cold and the tourists going home? You’re not the only one, writes Lenox Napier

IKEEP hearing the same question now the local fiestas, concerts and sporting events are largely over: ‘Who exactly do they benefit?’

There’s an apocryphal story of my late mother, who moved here in the Sixties, stomping down to the main square in Mojacar wearing her slippers and dressing gown – before slugging the mayor shouting ‘turn the music down, I’m trying to get some sleep!’.

Ye or the grisly Las fl echas del Amor… Brandy was just three centimos a tot. A small glass of local tooth-rotting vino cost even less. They were differ-

Although she suffered a broken hip just two months ago, she is recovering with surprising ease.

“My health has always been good,” she says, “I don’t drink besides a shot of coffee with sugar and aguardiente in the morning. I eat everything.”

Ever the socialite, her daughter Aurora adds that she ‘can’t walk more than 20 steps without someone stopping her for a chat.’

Another centurion, 100-year-old Jose Salgado, owes his longevity to working on the land until 97 years old. “I began working at 14 years old and since then I’ve done a lot of things, taxi, businessman, farmer and miller,” he explains. “Until 97 I was working in my orchard, with the same dedication as a young man.”

Despite retiring three years ago, he keeps active by reading the newspaper and carving models.

Jose has also never drank or smoked, although he admits his guilty pleasures are ‘salt and fat’.

He has even started writing a book about his life and says he has three more things to achieve: “Sort out some land, reconnect with a girl I liked and see a bit more of the world.”

The great-grandfather of five advises young people to ‘enjoy the little things’, saying ‘you don’t find happiness in grand travels and adventures’.

In those days, there’d be a few strings of bunting, a local band and the bars doing a brisk trade for days on end into the early hours. The local families would dance together, from small children to grandparents, all holding hands and bobbing around. There were songs like La Chica Ye

ent times. The only visitors would be those who had emigrated to Barcelona or France or Germany. There were practically no guiris I remember a family known as ‘los Marseillaises’, who would rock up in their Citröen Ami, look down their noses at their country-cousins, and then disappear again a few days later. These days, the fiestas are a joy for the shopkeepers and barmen who obligingly stay open late, but there’s not much pleasure for the locals. Even if one does attend, and has a pricey beer at the pop up chiringuitos (next to the deafening dance-band), who are you going to talk to? Who are you going to dance with? The music is too loud and too fast. Ultimately these events are not so

much fun even for the locals any more. They don’t live in the centre and they can’t usually park anywhere near when they come in and then, of course, they can’t drink. Ok, they make an exception for the first night’s fireworks, but often that’s it. Really these events are for the business-folk and the tourists, who all stay in the historic centres in their Airbnbs and hotels, the owners rubbing their hands with glee. I’m guessing they don’t love the noise and nor do us locals who have to pay for the music and the bunting.

Meanwhile, there’s no one left prepared to stomp down to the fiesta at three in the morning, waving a handbag around and telling the mayor to go and pull the effing plug.

WORKING: Jose didn’t stop until 97

Mark Stucklin www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

Home sales ebullient in first half of year, but foreign markets off the boil

GOOD NEWS AND BAD

THE Spanish property market had an excellent first half (H1) of 2024 with the second-highest sales level in more than 15 years, up 6% on the same period last year to 350,818 transac-

tions, according to the notaries.

The only time sales were higher was in the first half of 2022, when pent-up demand from 2020 and 2021 fueled a post-pandemic boom.

The second quarter (Q2) figure was even better, with sales up 10% to 189,909 suggesting the trend is turning increasingly positive as the year progresses. With these figures in hand it’s fair to say that the market is one of the most buoyant in Europe.

SALES BY REGION

By regions of greatest interest to foreign investors sales were up the most in Madrid (H1 +10%, Q2 +16%) with most regions showing a similar pattern of accelerating growth in the second quarter. Only the islands showed negative growth in H1, with transactions falling the most in the Balearics (-9%), and by -3% in the Canaries.

But even in the Balearics the second quarter sales trend showed a slight improvement compare to H1

What factors are driving the strong sales?

The key drivers are a growing population, a change in interest rates, now falling, and a shortage of homes for rent as government interference in the rental market reduces the quantity and quality of homes for rent in hot markets like Madrid, Malaga city and Barcelona.

Spanish house prices are also on the rise. According to the notaries, prices in terms of €/sqm rose by 5% in H1, and 3% in Q2. Rising prices give buyers confidence that they are making a sound investment, and encourage them to buy before prices rise even further.

SALES INVOLVING FOREIGN BU YERS

What about foreign buyers, who have been so active the last few years?

Data from the land registrars based on deeds inscribed in the first half shows foreign demand down 6% in H1, and 4% in Q2, in both cases the third best period for foreign sales on record. So foreign de-

mand is down from a recent peak, but still high by historical standards. By country the biggest increases in H1 came from Poland (+9%), Ireland (+8%) and the Netherlands (+5%), but in Q2 the biggest increase came from the USA (+21%).

However, most countries sent fewer buyers to Spain in the first half. The big three markets of the UK, Germany and France were all down in H1, by 10%, 12%, and 24% respectively (Q2 was generally a bit better), whilst the Russian decline was 27%, no doubt related to that country’s isolation since Putin invaded Ukraine.

What’s driving foreign demand? The data suggests that house prices at home are one important factor that appear to be positively correlated with the number of buyers heading to Spain. House prices are declining in the UK, Germany and France, whilst increasing in Poland, Ireland, and the Netherlands (Source:Eurostat / Gov.co.uk).

UP: Sales have remained buoyant in most regions

November 29th - LOOKING FOR MORE PROPERTY STORIES?

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PROPERTY

TENNIS star Rafa Nadal is serving up a €200 million development in Andalucia.

The Mallorcan wizard is doubling up with Ibiza hotel dynamo Abel Matutes to build up to 100 luxury homes on the Costa del Sol.

Under their new joint venture company, Palya Invest, they will deliver the series of

Height of luxury

A SKYSCRAPER in Benidorm has been crowned the best residential development in Europe.

Benidorm Beach scooped the award at this year’s International Property Awards.

The 126-metre high project, which has 36 floors, is being promoted by Alicante developers Alibuilding, and was designed by Chamizo Arquitectos.

There are a total of 196 apartments with two, three or four bedrooms, with prices starting at €690,000.

It counts on large open, common areas, an indoor pool, gym, spa and jacuzzi - plus two padel courts, a running track and children’s play area.

LIFE’S A BEACH FOR RAFA

villas and apartments at two sites, ready by 2027 and 2028.

The duo plan to build around 50 beachfront houses in Estepona and some 40 in Nagueles de Marbella.

Palladium Hotel Group boss Matutes has long been involved in similar developments, while Nadal has worked with the Melia hotel group on a new brand called Zel. Matutes and Nadal have other business

holdings such as the production company Komodo which is behind the Mad Cool music festival. The name ‘Palya’ is a play on the Spanish word for beach.

Digital delights

A STUNNING inland re-

gion of Spain is offering digital nomads up to €15,000 to move there.

The programme is part of a plan to battle depopulation and help provide a much-needed boost to the economy in Extremadura.

The much overlooked region that borders Portugal has some of the wildest and most beautiful countryside in Europe.

It is also full of Roman ruins and historic gems, like Merida, Caceres, Trujillo and Guadalupe.

Now the regional authorities have set aside €2 million to spend on enticing entrepreneurial digital nomads to live there.

They point out the cost of living is ‘at least’ 30% lower than Madrid and the price of property purchases and rentals is among the cheapest in the country.

While it may not have the best transport infrastructure, the internet coverage is above national average.

“Extremadura offers a

By Laurence Dollimore

high quality of life. It is a natural paradise with exceptional gastronomy,” insisted Economy Minister Guillermo Santamaria.

“Attracting these high-skilled professionals with international incomes will have a very positive impact on our economy.

“They will boost local consumption, enrich regional talent and create significant networks and opportunities.”

Authorities are looking for highly qualified digital nomads who work in the tech industry.

To meet the criteria, you

must be able to work 100% from home and online and commit to staying in Extremadura for a minimum of two years.

If you are an EU national, you must be a legal resident in Spain with an NIE. Foreign nationals with a TIE card can also apply.

If you are not from the EU, includ-

RESIDENTS of a tower block in Malaga are up in arms over the number of tourist rentals that is creating a ‘living hell’ for them.

There are now an incredible 110 tourist rentals out of 252 apartments in the Martiricos building and the behaviour of tourists is causing despair.

“It's become a living hell,” one resident told Diario Sur. “We're losing our quality of life because of these tourist apartments.”

Residents find themselves powerless in the face of late-night parties, security breaches, noise and aggressive behaviour.

A recent forced evacuation of the building after a fire extinguisher was sprayed by tourists from the 17th floor has led to particular anger.

"We moved here for peace, but it’s become a nightmare," continued the neighbour.

"When one of us complained about a tourist apartment her car lock was broken that night,” he added.

“Another threatened to sue us for being racist and xenophobic.

"The owners claim if their apartments were not full of tourists, they would get squatters in. That’s simply not true.”

The resident group, numbering over 50, are seeking to have the tourist licences annulled.

They are asking for stricter rules and also threatening to take their gripes to court.

“We are willing to risk everything to get this solved,” added the resident.

ing the UK, you can still take part in the scheme if you are part of the digital nomad visa programme. Those who brave the most abandoned towns (less than 5,000 inhabitants), will receive up to €10,000, while everyone else will get up to €8,000.

If those in the first group decide to stay on after the first

year, they get another €5,000, while the second group get €4,000 - giving totals of up to €15,000 and €12,000 respectively.

According to reports, people aged 30 and under will be given priority. You can apply online via the Extremadura General Electronic Access Point.

THEM OFF

A COURT in

has ruled that the council

legally cut off water supply to unlawful tourist flats.

The clarification came after three owners appealed the decision to disconnect six apartments.

But the judge ruled that as the homes were not the owners’ official residences it was legal.

Rentals

Authorities estimate that Sevilla, which has around 3.5 million visitors a year, has over 5,000 illegal apartments, while 9,000 operate legally.

The authorities hope the measure will dissuade further illegal apartments.

The number of holiday rentals is driving up prices and forcing residents out of the historic centre.

Sevilla

can

GRANDEUR: Of cities like Trujillo and Guadalupe (top)

November 29th - LOOKING FOR MORE PROPERTY STORIES?

LEADING THE WAY

SPAIN has been home to some of the most influential architects in history, creatives who have consistently pushed the boundaries, leaving an everlasting impact on the built environment.

From Antoni Gaudi’s imaginative creations to Santiago Calatrava’s innovative engineering, the contributions of these architects reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage and avant-garde spirit.

The Spanish architects who have become some of the most influential in the modern world

By Dilip Kuner

Their commitment to preserving history while embracing the future have made them an inspiration for archi-

1. Santiago Calatrava: sculpting the skyline

tects worldwide.

In fact, the legacy of Spanish architects will continue to shape the architectural domain for centuries to come.

Here we explore the contributions and legacies of five of the best creative masterminds from the Iberian peninsula….

RESPECTFUL: Moneo works with the historic surroundings his commisions are in, from Kursaal (top) and Merida (below)

Coming from Valencia, Santiago Calatrava has captivated the world with his structural marvels that blend cutting edge engineering with aesthetics.

His signature white, futuristic designs are a testament to his ability to unite form and function. From the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia to the iconic Turning Torso in Sweden, Calatrava’s creations continue to redefine the modern architectural landscape.

Rafael Moneo is renowned for his harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, crafting spaces that respect their surroundings while still being contemporary. His work, including the iconic Kursaal Congress Centre in San Sebastian and the Museum of Roman Art in Merida, are stunning examples of how to create timeless structures that engage with their historical context.

2. Rafael Moneo: balancing tradition & modernity

MOVEMENT: From the Turning Torso in Sweden, to the City of Life and Sciences in Valencia (left)

3. Ricardo Bofill: reinventing urban spaces

Ricardo Bofilli’s career has been inspired by his passion for transforming and repurposing existing structures. His projects, such as the remarkable transformation of an abandoned

cement factory into a stunning residence known as La Fabrica, are a testament to his innovative approach, which reflects his artistic vision of breathing new life into neglected urban spaces.

TIME FOR A FRESH START

As a new school year dawns, what you need to know

AS the summer sun begins to fade families across Spain have adapted for the return to school.

The start of a new academic year is a time of excitement, anticipation, and a touch of anxiety for students, parents, and educators alike.

In Spain, the education system has plenty of choice between public and private institutions, each offering their own advantages and challenges.

For parents, understanding these differences is crucial if they are to make informed decisions about their children’s education.

While the terms are underway it’s usually not too late to change.

The education system in Spain is structured into several stages, beginning with early childhood education Educacion Infantil followed

By Dilip Kuner

by primary education Educacion Primaria, secondary education Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, or ESO, and finally, post-secondary education, which includes both vocational training and university studies.

Education is compulsory from ages 6 to 16, encompassing primary and secondary education.

The country offers a mix of public and private schools, each with its own distinct characteristics.

Public schools are funded by the government, making them accessible to all students regardless of their socioeconomic background and are free.

These schools are managed by regional governments, leading to variations in educational policies and curricula across different regions.

ment.

In contrast, private schools operate independently and charge tuition fees. They usually offer far smaller class sizes, specialised programmes, and a more rigorous academic environ-

As the new school year begins, families across Spain engage in a flurry of preparations.

The traditional back-to-school shopping spree is a common ritual, with parents and children alike selecting new school supplies, uniforms, and textbooks.

This ritual symbolises a fresh start and a new beginning, helping students transition smoothly into the academic routine.

But which should you choose?

are renowned for their accessibility and diversity.

They are obligated to accept all students within their catchment area, fostering inclusivity and promoting a rich educational environment through the diverse backgrounds of their pupils.

However, public schools can face certain challenges, particularly in terms of class sizes and resource allocation.

The decision between public and private education is a significant one for many families.

and allow pupils to take GCSEs and A-Levels.

Most offer an individualised learning plan, which wouldn’t be available in state schools and they are likely to have excellent purpose-built facilities.

They communicate with parents in their native language, making parent-teacher meetings a breeze.

Several factors influence this choice, including location, academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal values.

Public schools

In some regions, class sizes may be larger, and schools might experience resource shortages.

Meanwhile, private schools offer a more personalised learning experience, with smaller class sizes and greater attention to individual needs.

These schools often provide specialised programmes in areas such as arts, sciences and sports.

International schools also provide a convenient pathway to enter the UK university system seamlessly. They are a popular choice with parents who come to Spain for contract work, or a limited time only, and don’t plan to remain here.

Parents can expect to pay from €10,000 to €35,000 per year, depending on whether the child boards at the school.

Parents will also have to buy uniforms and other extras for their children.

International schools for a British syllabus

In the case of many schools, these offer Cambridge exams

They can cater to students with specific interests or talents due to the resources they have access to.

Private schools often provide a variety of extracurricular programmes, including sports teams, clubs, and arts activities.

Participating in extracurricular activ-

September 2024

ities can help students develop new interests, build confidence, and make friends.

A parent’s view – state versus independent

Jenni Stephanides of Sevilla is both a parent and teacher, with one daughter attending a state school, while the other is at the international school where she teaches.

“Both girls started at the international school, as my

STATE EDUCATION

PROS

 Your child will be involved in your local community

 eir friends will live locally

 ey will quickly be uent at Spanish / bilingual

 ere’s no need to transport your children to school

 It is free of charge

CONS

 Rigid structure based on continuous assessment

 Di cult for parents who don’t speak Spanish to understand what’s going on

 Not much creative learning, in terms of art, drama, etc.

 It is relatively easy for your child to repeat a year. Re secondary education, the repetition rate is 5.5% for state institutions combined to 1.4% for independent.

husband and I work there.

We were offered free places, which ensured the girls could continue their education in the British system, in case we decided to move back to the UK.

“But after three years, my eldest daughter was moved up a school year. Because of her birthday, she had been placed into the correct academic year for the UK, but not for Spain –this was holding her

back educationally.

“My youngest meanwhile was placed into the correct academic year.”

“When we decided to stay in Spain, we gave both girls the choice to move to the Spanish system to integrate more with the local community. Both declined at the time.

PRIVATE EDUCATION

PROS

 Cambridge exams are provided

 Caters for entry to UK universities

 International Baccalaureate entry

 Individualised learning plan

 Constant contact with parents / partici- pation in the learning experience

 Speak to educators in English

CONS

 e cost each year

“My eldest is about to start her fi nal year and intends to attend university in the UK. However, my youngest moved to the Spanish system last year and thrived immediately.

 Paying for school uniform, that your child must wear

 Less immersion of your child in their local community

 Friends might live further away

 Child is less likely to be uent at Span- ish

 e need to transport children to school – possibly at a geographic dis- tance

 e school holidays do not match Spanish holidays

The choice is yours... GET A HEAD START

AS students across Europe return to school, many families begin to consider how they can give their children a head start in an increasingly competitive academic landscape.

Unlike many traditional schools, CGA offers academic acceleration - allowing students to take on additional subjects or advanced courses like A-Levels or Advanced Placement (AP) beyond what is required for graduation or university entry.

So how does this help? Through a flexible curriculum and personalised learning environment, students have the opportunity to broad-

wasn’t confi dent speaking Spanish.

“Now, she is fluent in Spanish, has achieved fantastic grades in her fi rst year in the public system, and has many friends from the state system. My eldest stands by her decision to stay at the independent school.”

“In the international school, she had many friends from around the world, but the Spanish girls didn’t include her, and she

The key to accelerated learning in Europe

en their knowledge, showcase their ability to handle advanced study, and strengthen their university applications.

THE BENEFITS OF ACCELERATION

For students who want to excel academically or have clear university ambitions, acceleration offers a chance for them to deep dive into subjects of interest, take on additional courses, and build an impressive academic portfolio.

For example, student Caterina from Italy, has been able to pursue her flexible studies with CGA to advance her academics while balancing her career as an equestrian.

“The previous online schools that I had found did not have anywhere near a program like CGA does. And I really like that you could choose what type of programme you want to work with, for example, if I wanted to continue doing A-Levels or if I wanted to go with the American system, that was a very big plus for me.”

The Da Vinci program allowed her to progress at her own pace, excelling in areas of strength and receiving support in others.

Her ability to take advanced courses, like calculus, despite a long hiatus from Maths, demonstrated the effectiveness of CGA’s approach.

As Caterina says, “If I wanted to do something more advanced, have fewer classes, or do a bit more on my own, then I could choose the Da Vinci program and tailor my program according to my needs.”

For students aspiring to attend prestigious universities in Europe and beyond, acceleration offers a significant advantage. By completing

Peter Jones is the opposite. Both his children started their education in inland Valencia province at a state school from a young age and enjoyed it and thrived.

But as they entered their teens Jones, a businessman, who spends his time travelling around Europe, agreed with his wife and their children that they should try out a private school on the Costa Blanca coast.

The investment has definitely paid off. They are completely bilingual

The family felt that they would get more chances to excel in arts and music and, above all, meet a more international group of children, who would in turn ‘broaden their horizons’.

“It has defi nitely worked and they are both loving it, with the eldest taking her A-lev-

els and planning a good university in the UK, while our younger daughter will probably do the international baccalaureate and go to university in Holland or Germany.” He continued: “While it meant coming up with around €2,000 more a month, it has defi nitely paid off. They are completely bilingual and still friends with their old local pals, who, of course, are all planning universities, if at all, in Spain.”

advanced subjects earlier than their peers, students can prove their ability to thrive in a demanding academic environment - something that is particularly appealing to universities looking for candidates with a strong academic track record.

KEY BENEFITS OF ACCELERATION AT CGA:

● Ability to take advanced subjects beyond the standard curriculum

● Personalised learning pathways tailored to each student’s strengths and needs

● Flexibility to explore different academic systems, like A-Levels or the American (AP) system

● Opportunity to build a stronger academic profile for university applications

● Support to balance advanced studies with personal interests and extracurricular activities

DEVELOPING ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE

Taking extra courses not only enhances academic achievement but also helps

students develop key skills such as time management, discipline, and independent learning. CGA student Eva from Russia demonstrates how balancing a demanding academic workload alongside her music career has made her more organised and independent in her studies.

“During high school, I want to achieve a deep knowledge of all my subjects… to do well on the external exams and at the same time I want to have enough time to work on my music… because of CGA I can at the same time focus on my academics and on my musical career,” says Eva.

For families across Europe considering academic acceleration, CGA offers a flexible and supportive environment where students can study at a pace that suits them, rather than having their courses and class schedules determined by their age.

This approach allows students to excel in their areas of interest and pursue a more challenging academic experience.

FACILITIES: at International schools, like Laude, are impressive

BE CYBER AWARE

Bullying worries lead to ban on mobile phone use

THE increasing use of mobile phones by Spanish schoolchildren has raised concerns about the potential for cyberbullying.

Experts warn that the unrestricted use of these devices can create a fertile ground for online harassment, especially among vulnerable young people.

A recent study revealed that a significant number of Spanish children have access to mobile phones at a young age. By the age of 14,

By Dilip Kuner

over 90% of children have their own devices. This widespread availability has made it easier for bullies to target their victims online, often leading to severe emotional distress.

The National Police have observed a concerning trend of traditional bullying escalating into cyberbullying as children gain access to smartphones.

They emphasise the importance of educating young people about the potential dangers of online interactions and providing them

Maths and reading targeted

Put your head down

FOR the 50% of Brits who go to university or college moving into a damp, cold, shared flat with strangers has become something of a rite of passage. Many discover the endless washing up and how much toilet paper and energy bills cost.

For Spaniards, this is a relatively uncommon experience with only around 17% of students leaving their region to study.

Spain’s popularity for Erasmus students has also influenced the demand, along with Latin American students.

The boom of dorm beds really took off during the pandemic, with investments reaching €140 million in the first part of 2021, up a whopping 140% from the year before.

with the tools to protect themselves.

Most students live at home or with grandparents, which perhaps explains how there are only 100,000 student beds in dorms versus 1.6 million students in Spanish universities. Recently, Spanish students have realised the benefits of moving away to study causing a surge in demand for student housing.

The dorm industry in Spain escaped the economic impact of the pandemic, with hundreds of millions being invested by foreign companies from Canada to France.

There is a shortfall of 450,000 beds, partly due to the fact that most student dorms have historically been run by nuns who have laid down morally restrictive rules like splitting up girls and boys.

FURTHER LEARNING

THE Spanish government has targeted the three Rs as it tries to improve academic results. Earlier this year it announced an initiative aimed at improving students’ math, reading and writing skills.

“We're seeing too many kids struggling with basic maths and reading,” the minister said. “This is unacceptable. It's time for a change.”

1 1 1 1 2 3

According to Education Minister Pilar Alegría the programme will focus on providing students with the tools and resources they need to excel in these essential subjects.

Resources will be devoted to teacher training and the programme will target younger students to ensure they have a strong foundation in these subjects from an early age. The minister also indicated that children who need extra support will have access to after-school tutoring and mentoring programmess, and parents will be encouraged to take a more active role in their children's education.

In response to these concerns, the Spanish Government this year introduced regulations aimed at limiting the use of mobile phones in educational institutions. These include a complete ban on mobile phones in Early Childhood and Primary Education facilities, as well as restrictions on their use in Secondary Education. While these measures are a step in the right direction, experts argue that more comprehensive strategies are needed to combat cyberbullying effectively. These include raising awareness among parents, educators, and students about the issue, promoting responsible online behavior, and providing support for victims.

PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST

ATHE UK and Spain earlier this year signed an agreement that streamlines access to universities in both countries.

This means easier transitions for students from either nation who wish to pursue higher education abroad.

Both UK and Spanish qualifications will be recognized for entry to universities in the respective countries. Students from either system can apply under the same conditions as those from EU member states. This means that Spanish students can still access UK universities with recognition of their Baccalaureate results.

Similarly, students holding UK qualifications (including A-levels) will no longer need to take the Spanish general university entrance exam. Their qualifications will be directly translated through an agreed conversion table. A-levels and equivalent qualifications will be credited up to 10 points in the Spanish university entrance system.

s Valencia’s student population continues to thrive, finding a home that supports both academic success and social well-being becomes crucial. Nido Malvarrosa is emerging as the go-to place for students seeking an environment where both study and community come together seamlessly. Nestled just steps from the beautiful Malvarrosa Beach, Nido Malvarrosa offers flexible, fully furnished, stylish apartments designed with students in mind. Each apartment features a private bathroom and bi-weekly cleaning services, ensuring a comfortable, low-maintenance living experience. The all-inclusive rent covers utilities and high-speed Wi-Fi, allowing students to focus on their studies and

enjoy their time in Valencia without the stress of managing household tasks.

Beyond its modern apartments, Nido Malvarrosa is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and supportive community. The flex-living centre includes modern co-working spaces and dedicated study rooms, perfect for focused study sessions and collaborative projects. Residents can also stay fit with the onsite gym, unwind on the rooftop terrace with stunning views of the Mediterranean, and engage in a variety of organised social events and cultural activities throughout the year. Additionally, a restaurant on-site offers convenient dining options right at home.

The Nido Malvarrosa’s prime location further enhances its appeal conveniently close to both the Universidad de Valencia and Universitat Politècnica de Valencia, making commutes to campus quick and easy. The city centre, with its diverse array of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, is also easily accessible.

Nido Malvarrosa is more than just a place to live; it’s a thriving environment where students can excel academically and fully immerse themselves in the vibrant life of Valencia.

OPENING A NEW CHAPTER

Elian’s British School La Nucía

ELIAN’S British School La Nucía is proud to announce the arrival of its new Headmaster, James Batten.

With more than two decades of educational experience across four continents, Batten takes on this leadership role with a clear vision: to elevate educational excellence to an exceptional level.

His goal is to develop students not only as outstanding academics, but also as future leaders and well-rounded global citizens.

able citizens,” says Batten, who has worked in countries including the UK, Spain, China, and Mexico. Elian’s is more than just a school; it is a constantly evolving community, part of the prestigious Dukes Education group. This renowned British organisation offers students unparalleled opportunities, like the superb summer camps in Cambridge and Canford, which allow for deep immersion in the British education-

AN INTERNATIONAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENVI-

James Batten (pictured) emphasises the unique approach of Elian’s, where Spanish and international cultures blend seamlessly, bringing together families, teachers, and a curriculum that prepares students to face the challenges of today’s world.

With international students making up 53% of the intake, Elian’s offers a British curriculum enriched with elements of the Spanish educational system.

WELL-BEING AND EXCELLENCE

#TowardsInnovation, and #TowardsExcellence. This approach encourages curiosity, creativity, and leadership - essential traits for today’s students.

“This school is exceptional at educating whole individuals, and we prepare your children to be positive, well-adapted, and knowledge-

From Early Years to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the school promotes holistic development through four key pillars: #TowardsSkills, #TowardsTalent,

Multidisciplinary projects, like our organic garden and the student-led reading programme for younger children, exemplify how Elian’s goes beyond the classroom to inspire young people to explore, investigate, and create.

The Elian’s commitment to student well-being is evident in our nursing service, which not only addresses emergencies, but also educates students on healthy lifestyle habits. What’s more, we have our own chef, who works with a Michelin-starred catering service, to ensure that nutrition is an integral part of student care.

With a comprehensive extracurricular programme, that includes everything from sports to robotics, Elian’s provides an educational environment where every student can find and develop their unique talents.

Elian’s British School of La Nucía — where every day is an opportunity to grow, learn, and prepare for a bright future. Come and discover life as an Elianer!

-

4. Enric Miralles: A visionary architect

Known for his expressive and organic designs, Miralles pushed the boundaries of architectural language. His most notable work is the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, a bold and innovative come a landmark. His design of the Spanish pavilion at Shanghai’s Expo in 2010 was also

BOUNDARIES: Enric always pushes them from Edinburgh (top) to Shanghai

No conversation about Spanish architects can be had without mentioning Antoni Gaudi. His creations are a unique blend of Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Catalan Modernism, with his distinctive designs becoming synonymous with Barcelona’s architectural heritage. The breathtaking Sagrada Familia cathedral and the whimsical nearby Park Güell are just a glimpse of his artistic expression and commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional architecture.

GENIUS: Gaudi’s work is amoung the most original in history

November 29th - LOOKING FOR

BIG RELAXATION, Tiny house

LOTS of hotels, Airbnbs and campsites promise an ‘escape from it all’ but few achieve it quite like this extraordinary gem hidden in the hills just inland from the Costa del Sol.

The Little Wooden House was built by expat Elizabeth Wynn as a ‘refuge’ surrounded by nature, near the charming town of Monda.

Just 20 minutes inland from Marbella, the home is perfect for those hoping to recharge in the peaceful surroundings.

The carefully crafted building is nestled among olive trees and vineyards, providing an oasis of calm.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

A deep waft of wood hits you as you enter the house, making you feel instantly welcome.

I’d first heard about the rental via Channel 4’s hit show George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and written about it in our Property magazine earlier this year. So it was great to come back and stay. Elizabeth has certainly used an eclectic mix of wrought iron and other recycled materials to further add to its charm.

The rustic, warm decoration including deep orange colours further adds to the autumnal feel, prompting a sudden urge to curl up in the sofa nook with a fantasy novel. Luckily, there’s a whole shelf to choose from, with titles ranging from Bill Bryson to Yann Martel. I’m soon undergoing a Fleetwood Mac moment.

Though ‘tiny’, the house makes great use of space, with a small bathroom, kitchen, dining table, sofa and a bedroom.

Each corner is illuminated by big,

bright windows looking out over olive groves and the Sierra de Alpujata. The calming views make cooking in the mini kitchen a pleasure and guests can

‘The Little Wooden House’ is one of the most charming - and unusual - hidden gems just inland from Marbella - and offers the perfect Autumn escape with a classic Fleetwood Mac flavour

even pick fresh grapes or figs for dessert. For the resident chef, there’s two hobs, a microwave, fridge and stove top kettle on hand, accompanied by all the spices, utensils and pots you could need to whip up something delicious.

Outside, there are two tables to choose from to enjoy your meal and wherever you are, the resident cats are sure to come and say hello.

Under swaying branches which catch the last of the summer sun, the garden is the perfect spot to enjoy a cold glass of wine before snuggling down for the night. Up a small set of stairs, the mezzanine bedroom houses a surprisingly big double bed with soft sheets and fluffy pillows. Surrounded by small windows looking out onto the night sky, the cool country air

gave me the best sleep I'd had in months.

After a relaxing lie-in, the next morning I was greeted by bright sunshine through the windows and for once, I did not feel grumpy. What better way to spend a Saturday morning than drinking a coffee and watching butterflies float by.

Although I was heartbroken to leave the Little Wooden House, I was excited to see what the nearby towns of Monda and Ojen had to offer.

I was excited to see what the nearby towns of Monda and Ojen offered

A sleepy pueblo, there isn’t much to do in Monda, but it is nonetheless very pretty and the castle is well known for its restaurant.

Ojen, on the other hand, is known for its caves, including the Cueva de Columnas, believed to be an example of a prehistoric home. As well as the local towns, there is plenty of walking to do nearby, being slap bang next to the Sierra de las Nieves National Park. Elizabeth also offers arts and crafts workshops in her neighbouring property, Eden Whispers Art Farm.

At just €82 a night, the Little Wooden House offers an idyllic escape for creatives, dreamers and most of all - anyone that needs a good rest.

Rental nightmare

SPAIN’S growing rental nightmare has been laid bare by the latest statistics from the second quarter of 2024.

According to property portal Idealista, across Spain, the average flat has 32 people applying for a viewing before being taken off the market.

The figure represents a 55% increase on the same period last year. Malaga, which has become a mecca for digital nomads and expats, has seen interest soar to an average of 37 viewing requests per home.

The figure is a 20% year-onyear increase.

UP AND UP

SPAIN’S housing market continues to burn brightly, with purchase and rental prices seeing near-double digit rises year-onyear.

House prices have risen 8.6%, while rentals have exploded 10.4%, according to new data.

To buy a home in Spain will now cost you an average of €2,176 sqm – a new record for the country. The Balearics meanwhile will set you back the most, costing €4,512 sqm, a year on year jump of 13.2%

In the capital of Palma the rises are even higher at 18.7%.

Man of the people

Irish‘ex-gangster’Gerry‘TheMonk’ Hutch launches rental business for cash-

strappedlocalworkers

NOTORIOUS Irish crime lord

Gerry ‘the Monk’ Hutch has turned over a new leaf and is now running bed and breakfasts in Spain for local workers priced out of the rental market, it has emerged.

The 61-year-old former leader of an Irish mafia group known as the Hutch Crime Organisation relocated to Lanzarote permanently after he was acquitted of murder in April.

He was found not guilty by a Dublin court of the murder of gangland rival David Byrne during his group’s feud with

By Walter Finch

the notorious Kinahan cartelwhich regularly spilled onto the Costa del Sol.

Since then Hutch has opened a string of bed and breakfasts on the north side of the popular tourist island, according to reports.

But instead of capitalising on Spain’s ongoing tourism boom, he has dedicated himself to helping out those who have been left behind and can’t find places to rent.

tourists and only offers accommodation to

TURISMOFOBIA GROWS

PUBLIC opinion is starting to turn against mass tourism in Spain. Despite being the lifeblood of the economy at 13% of GDP and providing jobs for nearly three million people, the country stands out among its neighbours in the latest survey.

The YouGov European attitudes to overtourism poll found that one in three (32%) Spaniards believe there

are too many international tourists in their area, far higher than next-nearest France (18%).

A further 28% of people now have a negative opinion of foreign tourists.

Spain is the only country surveyed where more people are against tourist flats (37%) than in favour (33%).

The numbers far outstrip those surveyed in fellow tourism hotspots Italy and France.

around 30 or 40 residents at a ‘fair price’. He rents out most of the rooms on long-term leases for hard-pressed workers who have found that the rental market has increasingly been transformed into tourist rentals.

Despite heading up a recognised mafia group, Hutch has always been known

for his teetotal lifestyle and embrace of abstinence.

He famously refuses to drink alcohol or take drugs despite reportedly being at one time a major purveyor of the latter.

Enemies

He’s also reputed to have invested heavily in a number of pubs on the island and has opted against lying low despite his long list of enemies.

These days he is a friendly and recognisable presence, happy to chat in public – although he refuses to take selfies.

The source of his investment funds are unknown.

AFRICA TRAIN HOPES

SPANISH scientists will study seismic activity in the Strait of Gibraltar in a bid to determine the viability of an underwater train connecting Morocco with Spain.

The analysis will be carried out by the Spanish Society of the Study of Fixed Communications through the company, Strait of Gibraltar SA (Secegsa).

Secegsa plans to install four ocean bottom seismometers along the proposed route, which will be monitored by the Royal Observatory of the Navy (ROA).

Tunnel

After studies carried out last year and this year, the route of the tunnel, if the project goes ahead, will be between Punta Paloma in Tarifa and Punta Malabata, 11km west of Tangier. The stretch between the two countries measures 42km, and was selected because the maximum depth would be 300m.

The former mafia boss refuses to rent out rooms to

MOB: Hutch has turned to B&B to help hard-pressed locals

LET IN THE LIGHT (AND WATER)

Stunning new development where a salt lagoon is on full screen

AS any good architect knows you always need to maximise on your environment.

And so this is exactly how the talented team at Arquitectos MAB have tackled their extraordinary new development on the Costa Blanca.

The attractive low-density project blends perfectly with the landscape around the famous Salinas de Torrevieja salt flats.

Built by Onaru the residential scheme adapts well to the topography of the land, leaving one

side of the plot completely open to the views, with a large communal pool and garden area taking centre stage.

The team of architects, based in Torrevieja and also Orihuela, manage to achieve a healthy housing ratio while also allowing a high-quality common space.

The ‘holiday-format’ homes have an open-plan layout, allowing their interiors to be adapted and personalised for each owner.

Each has the highest quality finish and the best energy efficiency standards, with firstclass carpentry, aerothermal energy, ducted air conditioning and photovoltaic installation. The development has underground parking, with pre-installation for elec-

UNDERWAY: Builders are already working hard on the second side of the project

LUXURY: Each home maximises on the lights and views and counts on a high quality finish

tric chargers at each space.

“With an unbeatable location, an intelligent and adaptable design, and a construction firm that guarantees quality, it is no surprise we have had so many buyers off-plan,” says architect Antonio Campos Villanueva, CEO of MAB –More Architecture & Building.

One of the key spatial aspects

he has developed for the homes transmits the peace of the nearby natural surroundings.

Working with the nearby salt flats, the buildings have north-south interconnecting living room/ open-kitchens with perfect views of the lagoon.

This continuous space also emphasises the visual elements and a sense of space. A variety of distribution possibilities for rooms are easily laid out by the builder, Onaru. Onaru is a renewed company with more than 30 years of experience in the Costa Blanca area. The work is already underway with the second housing block now being undertaken.

BACK IN THE FOLD

KIDS NOT WANTED

By Yzabelle Bostyn

Facing the facts

By Simon Hunter

“SPANIARDS are fed up with being victims of assaults, machete attacks, robberies and rapes. Almost always at the hands of the same people; illegal immigrants that the PP party and the Socialist Party insist on bringing to Spain with a pernicious magnet effect that is only growing.”

Those were the words uttered by the leader of Spain’s far-right Vox Party, Santiago Abascal, after plans recently emerged to distribute illegal immigrants from the Canary Islands between regions on the mainland.

It has become such a hot potato that Vox has now withdrawn its support for the PP party in some of the regional coalition governments where it was propping up the administrations.

For the Vox party itself however, it is nothing new, with Abascal and his band of extremist politicians long seeking to link immigration with higher crime rates.

But is there any truth to that claim?

According to the centre right newspaper Mundo there is no connection at all, once the statistics are analysed.

After cross-referencing population data from the country’s National Statistics Institute (INE) with the Interior Ministry stats on jails and crime, the conclusions are clear: there is no direct link between the number of migrants and crime.

The newspaper went back 25 years to 1998 when the population of Spain was just under 40 million, with 637,085 - or about 1.6% - coming from abroad.

By 2023, there were six million foreign-born inhabitants, or around 13% of the 48 million people of Spain.

But crime rates have not grown in step with this ten-fold increase of foreigners, with the proportion of non-Spaniards locked up in prison holding steady.

In 1998, some 7,850 foreigners were locked up in jails, which was 18% of the total prison population, while foreigners accounted for 1.6% of the population.

That means that the percentage of foreign inmates was 11 times greater than the percentage of foreign residents in Spain.

Olive Press entices back former editor Laurence Dollimore from the Daily Mail

THE Olive Press website has undergone massive changes following the return of its former editor Laurence Dollimore.

‘RACISM’

ROW

been overseeing a new design and helping to overhaul our website.

As Digital Editor of theolivepress.es the eagle-eyed London journalist has helped the site reach new heights. We are now seeing at least a million hits per month while the number of registered users continues to soar. There are more than 50,100 people with a registered account on our website, having risen by 20,000 over the past few months alone.

Over 2,000 of you have signed up for an ad-free service 24 hours a day.

“I’m glad to see the Olive Press is now getting the recognition it deserves,” explains Dollimore, who preferred a new role at the Olive Press rather than a posting in New York with the Daily Mail

“We have hired great new talent and have reporters stationed around the country, with our main operations still running from the Costa del Sol.

“It has been a team effort and there are still many things to work on, but I want to thank all our readers for their support, particularly the thousands who have bought a subscription.”

Dollimore first joined the Olive Press in 2016, later becoming our News Editor before helping to launch our editions in Mallorca and the Costa Blanca.

He was Digital Editor from 2019 to 2021, before leaving to work for the Mail Online for two years as a senior reporter.

Between January 1 and August 15 this year, 22,304 migrants reached the islands, compared with 9,864 in the same period in 2023 – an increase of 126 percent, according to Interior Ministry figures. The phenomenon saw Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez make a three-day visit to West Africa this month, in a bid to address the root of the

But it is not migrants that are arriving illegally from countries that Sanchez visited –Senegal, Mauritania and The Gambia – who are topping

Over the past year, he has ive August on

After learning the ropes in a fast-paced ‘Fleet Street’ newsroom - which these days is actually in Kensington - he returned as Olive Press Digital Editor in August 2023 dividing his time between Marbella and Sevilla.

Over the years, the London-born reporter has enjoyed world exclusives on everything from Madeleine McCann to Monkeypox, and is one of the go-to journalists when British newspapers need a story covered in Spain.

He added: “I’ve always loved Spain and jumped at the chance to come back, I’m looking forward to taking the OP to the next level.

“We have a great team of reporters and designers that simply cannot be matched by our competitors.”

It emerges that this multiple has been steadily falling since 1998.

Another key conclusion from El Mundo relates to the nationalities of migrants.

This year, for example, has seen a spike in arrivals in the Canary Islands.

Should that trend have continued, foreignthe prison population, and made up 13% of the total population in Spain; the multiple between these two figures is just 2.45, or basically, a historic low.

The latest Interior Ministry figures show that only four countries have more than a thousand inmates in Spanish jails: Morocco (5,213), Colombia (1,634), Romania (1,301) and Algeria (1,170).

The next three on the list are Ecuador (584), Portugal (267) and Italy (264).

Alarmingly, despite the recently reported data, Vox is pushing ahead with its anti-immigration stance.

Vox deputy Jose Maria Figaredo asked the government during a debate in Congress last week about the cost to the taxpayer of ‘taking in 250,000 immigrants from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’.

Shocked by this the Government minister for Migration Elma Saiz, slammed her for voicing what she called a ‘hoax’.

“It is not true that we are going to take in 250,000 people from Mauritania,” she insisted, adding Figaredo was ‘making absolutely despicable statements about the migrant population’. She added it was in the ‘purest Trump style’. A fact clearly born out by the real statistics.

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

1 - Irish father loses €1.75m investment in Spain after a Malaga town hall rejects his hotel licence ‘because he’s an expat’

2- Passenger successfully challenges €30 fee for printing off his boarding pass at the airport

3 - New hand luggage rules are officially in effect in Spain and the EU – here’s what you should know

4 - Two gorgeous towns in Malaga maintain their positions on the ‘100 most beautiful pueblos in Spain’ list

5 - Tourist couple are hospitalised after being attacked by a persistent street beggar in Spain’s Andalucia

PROTESTS: Vox’s extreme views have led to protests about immigration spurred on by leader Abascal

NEW LIFE: Most migrants want to earn a living

El Mundo

WHAT MADE THE MAGICIAN

He is one of Spain’s most prolific and celebrated filmmakers, renowned for his bold, vibrant storytelling and willingness to tackle taboo subjects such as sexuality, death, and religion.

Pedro Almodovar has worked with actors of the stature of Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and most recently Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, and won countless awards, including two Oscars. But throughout his career he has worked exclusively in Spanish, until now that is.

The 74-year-olds 25th film, first production in English, The

As he launches his 25th and ‘final film’, we look at Spain’s most prolific filmmaker Almodovar

By Yzabelle Bostyn

Door, has won critical acclaim, swiping the coveted Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival and receiving an 18-minute standing ovation. Not bad for a man who was born in the impoverished La Mancha town of Calza- da de Calatrava, where

didn’t spend long there, as when he was eight years old, his family sent him to a religious boarding school in Caceres, Extremadura.

They hoped he would become a priest, but it was there that Almodovar fell in love with cinema.

“Cinema became my real education, much more than the one I received from the priests,” he later said.

These were in the days where Spanish dictator Franco reigned supreme with a repressive government that was certainly not open to boundary-pushing young filmmakers.

Despite the closure of the National School of Cinema under Franco’s regime, Almodovar, then aged 19, persisted in learning the craft of filmmaking on his own.

sib- lings.

How- ever, he

and Room Next he lived with his par- ents and three

In 1968, Almodovar moved to Madrid against his parents wishes. There he found a vibrant underground arts scene while he supported himself by working at the Rastro flea market.

He took a job with phone company Telefonica and bought a Super 8 camera with his first paycheck. He then produced a series of short films that gained attention within Madrid’s Movida Madrileña, a countercultural movement that flourished after Franco’s death in 1975.

pushed through moral and social boundaries.

Just two years later, Almodovar released Labyrinth of Passion, another cult success.

Almodovar became a key figure in this cultural renaissance exploring taboo topics such as sex, death and religion.

Without the support of big studios, he could not add

soundtracks to his films. He said: “I remember that I became very famous in Madrid because, as the films had no sound, I took a cassette with music while I personally did the voices of all the characters, songs and dialogues."

Finally, in 1980, Almodovar made his first feature film Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mum

The film had a tiny budget of 400,000 pesetas (€2,404) and told the story of Pepi, a woman seeking revenge on a corrupt policeman who raped her.

It quickly grew a cult following in Spain and is often compared to the films of American filmmaker John Waters, which

The film marked the director’s first collaboration with actor Antonio Banderas.

Then in 1983, he released Dark Habits, a film about a cabaret singer seeking refuge in a convent of eccentric nuns.

The controversial film marked Almodovar’s first moderate critical and commercial success.

Following a spate of equally shocking cult films, Almodovar established his own production company in 1987 alongside his brothers, Agustin. El Deseo’s first

Law of De-

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

LA CULTURA

sire, received great critical reception, scooping the first ever Teddy Award for LGBT representation at the Berlin International Film Festival.

His international breakthrough came with Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988), a feminist action-comedy that earned over $7 million at the US box office, garnered five Goya Awards, and earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. This film established Almodovar as a filmmaker of global renown, known for

his vivid visual style and intricate, emotionally charged narratives.

By 1997, Almodovar’s worldwide reputation was growing. That year, he released Live Flesh, based on the book of the same name by British author Ruth Rendell.

The film marked Almodovar’s first collaboration with actors Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.

By this point, the Spaniard had earnt an unshakeable reputation as a controversial, vanguard filmmaker unafraid of taboos.

In the next few years, he would release some of his best known works including All About My Mother, which won him his first Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1999, Volver and The Skin I Live In In 2002 he picked up a second Oscar for Talk to Her, scoop-

ing Best Original Screenplay, alongside a Bafta and a Golden Globe. This was also the year that he met his partner, actor and photographer Fernando Iglesias.

Following the Covid-19 lockdown, he and his brother released Parallel Mothers

The 2021 film follows the lives of two mothers who give birth on the same day and is the precursor to Almodovar’s upcoming movie. The Room Next Door, to be released on October 18, is the filmmaker’s call for the international legalisation of euthanasia.

Swinton plays a journalist suffering from cancer.

Swinton’s character asks an old friend, portrayed by Julianne Moore, to help her end her life. Spain legalised euthanasia in 2021 and is one of only 11 countries in which a form of assisted dying is legal.

It is all a long way from his roots in a sleepy town in La Mancha

In the film, British actress Tilda

At a press conference at Venice Film Festival, the filmmaker said:

“There should be the possibility to have euthanasia all over the world.”

With numerous Goya Awards, two Academy Awards, and countless other accolades under his belt, Pedro Almodovar remains a vital and influential voice in contemporary cinema. It is all a long way from his roots in a sleepy town in La Mancha.

BE PREPARED

The Importance of understanding your insurance documents

The ongoing issue of not reading and understanding insurance policy documents remains important for all your insurance needs.

Very few people seem to be aware of the importance of first checking that their policy documents are completely accurate and contain all the correct information. Especially for car policies, ensure the licence plate number is correct.

These documents should be kept in the car; however, it’s far better to ensure you have copies as well, in case the vehicle is stolen.

For your home insurance policies, verifying that the address is correct and matches the catastral reference will make things much easier if you need to make a claim. Without understanding your insurance documents, you won’t be fully aware of your exact coverage in the event of an incident.

Many people underinsure their properties, which is a very unwise decision. This is especially true now, with climate change and the ever-changing, unpredictable weather. With rising inflation and the increasing cost of living, burglaries are unfortunately on the rise, particularly for unoccupied properties.

Make sure you understand what you need to do to not only protect your property but also guarantee that you are covered by your insurance.

It’s well worth knowing what to do in case of an incident - have the necessary phone numbers readily available and understand what information you will need to provide. Health insurance can be a bit more complex. Ensure you know what information is required, keep contact details with you

Introducing an exclusive partnership between Olive

The importance of understanding your insurance documents

at all times, and consider storing phone numbers and your policy number on your phone.

If you’re unsure how to use your health insurance, ask your agent or broker for clarification.

In case of a car accident, by default, emergency services will be called and you’ll be taken to a public hospital (Seguridad Social).

From there, you can choose to be transferred to a private hospital, or you can stay at the public hospital and pay the bill if you don’t have a SIP card (Spanish health insurance card).

I understand that insurance documents aren’t easy to read, but taking the time to understand your policy will always pay off. It will make your life easier, less stressful, and in some cases, will prevent unexpected and expensive bills.

To assist you with claims, we have a dedicated claims administrator for Liberty Seguros (now Generali), an ASSSA administrator for your health policy, and a renewals department to ensure your coverage remains accurate and up-to-date.

All insurance companies also provide emergency contact information outside of our office hours, which is included with your policy documents.

The Legacy Continues

Mark, Jennifer’s son, will be taking over the company to continue Jennifer’s commitment to excellent customer service and providing valuable information. This is just one of Jennifer’s insightful articles that remains relevant even today.

Why Choose AnyTech365?

Comprehensive Cybersecurity

For more information or a quotation, please call one of my offices, email info@ jennifercunningham.net or visit www.jennifercunningham.net

From Jerez to the highlands

The Macallan safeguards its Spanish barrel supply

By Yzabelle Bostyn

A SCOTTISH whisky brand is joining forces with a Jerez cask producer in a brand new venture promising ‘incomparable craftsmanship and whisky mastery’.

The Macallan, a single malt whisky brand from Scotland, will collaborate with the Tevasa cooperage in Jerez and its sister wood supply businesses, Forestal Peninsular and Forestal Peninsular de Cantabria.

Tevasa creates Spanish seasoned oak casks used in the

production of whisky.

The Macallan will now own 50% of the share capital of Tevasa Forestal Group.

Managing Director Igor Boyadjian said: “This partnership shows our commitment to the craftsmanship in our Sherry cask supply chain. “As we celebrate The Macallan’s 200th anniversary, this expansion will ensure our reputation for richness and complexity for generations to come.”

TARIFF PLEA

SPANISH prime minister Pedro Sanchez has called on the EU to ‘reconsider’ its position on tariffs of Chinese goods in an attempt to ease a long-running trade dispute between President Xi Jinping and the European bloc.

The comments came following Sanchez’s second visit to Beijing in 18 months, where he met with the Chinese premier to discuss boosting exports, such as electric

Their services include cybersecurity, device maintenance and performance optimization, and malware removal, enhanced by AI for faster and accurate solutions.

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User Experience

Computer health spa!

is excited to announce a partnership with the leading IT security and support company

AnyTech365 adapt its product and technical support solutions to individual needs, offering a safe online experience to any user.

AnyTech365’s health checks will make sure your computer is not watching cat videos when you’re out

ACosta del Sol. This collaboration offers Olive Press enhanced tech support and cybersecurity solutions. will receive exclusive discounts on AnyTech365 ensuring their digital safety and worry-free use Internet-connected device, personal, or within the their small business.

Introducing an exclusive partnership between Olive Press and AnyTech365

LRIGHT, buckle up for the digital adventure of a lifetime - your PC’s very own health check!

It’s like sending your laptop on a spa day where instead of cucumber slices, it gets diagnostic scans and software massages.

AI-Powered IT Security

We’re talking about a deep dive into your computer’s soul, checking its pulse, and making sure it’s not secretly binge-watching cat videos when you’re not looking.

2014 by Janus R. Nielsen, a seasoned IT entrepreneur, AnyTech365 leverages the power of artificial (AI) to offer unparalleled service quality and tech support and cybersecurity, keeping your secure and hassle-free.

Imagine our tech wizards, armed with their virtual stethoscopes and diagnostic spells, delving into the mysterious abyss of your hard drive. They’ll assess everything from whether your CPU is sweating like a marathon runner or chilling like a penguin in Antarctica. And let’s not forget about your RAM - no, not the animal, but your Random Access Memory, where all your multitasking dreams either come true or crash like a clumsy juggler.

Olive Press is excited to announce a partnership with AnyTech365, the leading IT security and support company on the Costa del Sol. This collaboration offers Olive Press readers enhanced tech support and cybersecurity solutions. Subscribers will receive exclusive discounts on AnyTech365 services, ensuring their digital safety and worry-free use of any Internet-connected device, personal, or within the household or their small business.

And those startup programs? We’ll trim them down faster than a barber on a caffeine rush, so your computer boots up quicker than a squirrel dodging traffic.

WHAT ABOUT HARDWARE?

Olive

VIDEO WORLD

AN ambitious ‘video game city’ like others in Tokyo and New York has opened in Valencia ‘to create an accelerator for startups. The town hall hopes it will help position the city as an international benchmark in the gaming market.

Valencia Game City, at La Harinera Innovation Centre, aims to foster a dynamic environment for entrepreneurs and high-level training.

vehicles and pork.

In particular, Sanchez suggested that the EU should move to eliminate tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

‘YOU SHALL NOT PASS’

Some of AnyTech365 Products and Features

AnyTech365 IntelliGuard

AnyTech365 AI powered unique software can pinpoint the root cause of a problem providing real-time protection and immediate response to suspicious activity. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks.

AnyTech365

Security

UNLEASHING THE TECH WIZARDS: The Comedy and Magic of PC Health Checks

World class, cross-platform security platform with advanced scanning techniques to identify potential threats from files, programs and neutralization of viruses, malware, and phishing attempts.

AnyTech365 TotalCare

SECURITY

Those hard drives and SSDs are the unsung heroes of your digital life. We’ll check ‘em out like a mechanic inspecting a Ferrari engine, making sure they’re purring like kittens and not clunking like a rusty jalopy.

Founded in 2014 by Janus R. Nielsen, a seasoned IT entrepreneur, AnyTech365 leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to offer unparalleled service quality and efficiency in tech support and cybersecurity, keeping your digital life secure and hassle-free.

and their solutions have been widely recognized multiple awards on local, national, and international “The Fastest growing technology company in the 27th fastest growing company in Europe across (Source: Financial Times FT1000), the Andalucía Award in New Technologies, and others.

Now, onto the serious stuff - security.

meaningful local impact, AnyTech365 has proud title-sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the sporting event in the region. It has excellent online scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).

Our techs are like cyber detectives, sniffing out malware, adware, and spyware faster than a bloodhound on a scent.

Think of them as the digital equivalent of Gandalf yelling ‘You shall not pass!’ to those pesky viruses trying to infiltrate your precious data. But wait, there’s more! We’re not just about fixing what’s broken; we’re all about preventive care. That means tweaking your power settings, so your PC isn’t burning through battery life like it’s going out of style.

is currently in the process of becoming publicly the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the expected to complete in Q3 of 2024.

The company and their solutions have been widely recognized and won multiple awards on local, national, and international level such as “The Fastest growing technology company in Spain and the 27th fastest growing company in Europe across all sectors” (Source: Financial Times FT1000), the Andalucía Excellence Award in New Technologies, and others. Making a meaningful local impact, AnyTech365 has been a proud title-sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis tournament, including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the biggest sporting event in the region. It has excellent online reputation scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews on Trustpilot (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).

Because let’s face it, no one wants their hard drive to crash harder than a failed magician’s career. Now, imagine all this tech magic happening remotely, courtesy of AnyTech365.

or their small business.

Founded in 2014 by Janus R. Nielsen, a seasoned IT entrepreneur, AnyTech365 leverages the power

A comprehensive security suite, combining all AnyTech365 premium products together with quick issue resolution by certified technicians without onsite visits anytime, day or night, with AnyTech365’s around-the-clock support services, all offered in more than 15 native languages.

bles will be banished faster than you can say

digital life secure and hassle-free.

a proud title-sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis tournament, including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the biggest sporting event in the region. It has excellent online reputation scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews on Trustpilot (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).

Our certified techs will work their mojo from afar, ensuring your system stays snappy, secure, and smoother than a penguin sliding down an icy hill. And guess what? It’s all free, like finding money in your pocket you didn’t know you had - except instead of cash, it’s peace of mind and a turbo-charged computer. Next time your PC starts acting like a drama llama or slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter, remember the power of a good old-fashioned PC health check. With AnyTech365 on your side, your tech trou-

The company is currently in the process of becoming publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the transaction expected to complete in Q3 of 2024.

‘Ctrl + Alt + Del.’ so, if you want your computer to feel younger than it really is and stay safer than a secret agent in disguise, a PC health check with AnyTech365 is your golden ticket. We’ll keep your digital life drama-free and your tech running smoother than a buttered eel on a slip ‘n slide. Cheers to a hassle-free computing experience!

The company and their solutions have been widely recognized and won multiple awards on local, national, and international level such as “The Fastest growing technology company in Spain and the 27th fastest growing company in Europe across all sectors” (Source: Financial Times FT1000), the Andalucía Excellence Award in New Technologies, and others. Making a meaningful local impact, AnyTech365 has been a proud title-sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis tournament, including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the biggest sporting event in the region. It has excellent online

Care crisis

BRITISH pensioners living in Spain are facing a growing care crisis as local volunteer networks struggle to cope with increasing demands.

Many expats rely on UK-origin charities like Age Concern and the British Legion for support, but these organisations are increasingly staffed by elderly volunteers who themselves require care.

Policy

According to Dr Kelly Hall, a social policy expert at the University of Birmingham, the situation could force many British retirees to return home unless a new generation of volunteers steps up.

Private care in Spain can set elderly people back between €2,000 and €5,000 per month, making the help of charities essential.

A RESEARCH team in Valencia has created a ‘revolutionary’ golden lettuce with over 30 times more vitamin A than normal.

The new lettuces have a high amount of beta-carotene, a key source of vitamin A.

A NEW LEAF

It is important for eye health, strengthening the immune system and skin health. Researchers achieved the ‘super lettuce’

by first experimenting on tobacco and lettuce plants.

Through advanced biotechnology techniques and the use of intense light treatments, they succeeded in multiplying the level of beta-carotene.

Nolotil setback

Health bosses turn down ban on killer drug

THE European Medicines Agency (EMA) has ruled out banning or bringing in tougher restrictions on controversial painkiller Nolotil - for now.

The EMA has been studying metamizole, the main ingredient in Nolotil, over its potential to cause a severe or total loss of white blood cells in patients (agranulocytosis).

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

By Laurence Dollimore

It comes after hundreds of deaths of British expats and tourists - and other northern Europeans - have been linked to the drug.

The cases have been compiled by health campaigner Cristina del Campo, who has been

fighting against the drug for years and who is now seeking compensation for family members of those who died after taking it.

The Olive Press has also launched multiple campaigns to raise awareness of Nolotil and to plead for tougher regulations.

the benefit of medicines containing metamizole outweighs the risks.

Baby bounty

THE parents of babies born in Valencia after January 1, 2025, will receive €300 from the city council, it has been revealed.

Maria Jose Catala, the conservative Partido Popular (PP) mayor of Valencia who governs in a coalition with far-right Vox, announced the support package as part of a series of 50 measures to improve ‘the state of the city’. Some €3 million has been allocated to Catala’s Maternity and Conciliation Plan, designed to support young families and promote higher birth rates.

Free

Across: 1 L C Ds, 4 Spiral, 8 Magnum, 9 Cleric, 10 Recreate, 11 Tito, 12 Seals, 14 Scorn, 17 Cher, 18 Impolite, 20 Abound, 21 Cowboy, 22 Stasis, 23 Sine.

Down: 2 Control groups, 3 Simian, 4 Soccer, 5

Despite this, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS), says the EMA found the benefits of Nolotil ‘outweigh the risks’.

The EMA began a review of medicines containing metamizole in June 2024, at the behest of the Finnish Medicines Agency - after the country reported multiple cases of agranulocytosis.

It said measures must be reinforced to facilitate the early identification of symptoms and diagnosis of agranulocytosis. However, the information available to date does not allow them to rule out or confirm a higher risk in populations with specific ethnic or genetic characteristics.

KILL THE DRUG

Based on the evaluation of all available scientific evidence, the European Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) of the EMA has concluded that

British and other people of northern-European descent are believed to be more at risk from the drug. The conclusions of the evaluation carried out by the PRAC must be ratified by the Coordination Group (CMDh) of the EMA, which includes all the European medicines agencies.

Among the measures is a vow to extend the free education of 0-3 year-olds until July, subsidise nurseries, increase grants for canteens, provide free summer schools, and make a direct payment to the families of newborn babies. Catala also pledged to build 4,600 new homes, 1,000 of which will be designated as social housing, as part of an updated General Urban Development Plan (PGOU). The mayor, who described the previous iteration of the plan as ‘exhausted’, will also facilitate urban development in Tendetes, Marxalenes and La Zaida in an effort to provide accessible and affordable housing for all residents.

2 for 1 from

including free sun and UV tint in one pair

Try again mate

TWO Australian TikTokers have gone viral after trying and failing for two days to get pickpocketed in Barcelona.

Dog days

A DOG owner in Haro, La Rioja, has been fined €2,500 for ‘causing social alarm’ after their dog jumped into the La Vuelta cycle race.

Big mistake

THE family of a car crash victim in Madrid has been left in shock after they discovered they did not have the body of their loved one at his funeral, but instead another of the men who died in the tragic accident.

Shell shock

SCARY SOCIALS:

Posters thought the giant crabs are real

‘Sea of plastic’ in Almeria ‘wins’ NASA prize of being the most visible man-made object from space

IT is a grand prize but won for the wrong reason. The notion that the Great Wall of China is the only human-made structure visible from space has long been a myth. Despite being one of the Won-

A BRITISH woman heading to Paris from Leeds Bradford Airport was shocked when she arrived in Alicante. The woman claims her boarding pass was checked at least four times before take off. Despite the setback, she enjoyed a day of sightseeing in

By Walter Finch

ders of the World, at about 21,200 kilometres long and with its tallest towers reaching just 800 metres, the Chinese marvel is just too narrow to be

FLIGHT FAIL

Alicante before heading to Paris. She said: “If you’re ever in Spain I would recommend Alicante. “I had a good time, I don’t think it will ever happen to me or anyone I know again.”

seen from space. Instead, according to NASA, the most easily discernible manmade object from Earth’s orbit is something far less wondrous: the vast expanse of the greenhouses of El Ejido on Spain’s Almerian coast.

But the achievement is far from a laudable one – the region represents 370 square kilometres of white plastic so bright that it stands out against the Earth’s surface, even from the International Space Station.

The region is home to thousands upon thousands of greenhouses that stretch between the

GREENHOUSE EFFECT

towns of El Ejido and La Mojonera.

The sea of plastic even extends south to Motríl and north to Níjar.

Activists have long criticised it for the enormous quantities of plastic employed which seeps into the surrounding environment as it degrades.

Other large human-made structures, such as the Bingham Canyon mine in Utah and the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, can also be seen from space, but none are as distinctive or as extensive as the greenhouses of El Ejido.

shores was deemed a dark omen that was sure to sow panic.

A social media post appeared to show a pair of enormous crustaceans emerging from the sea and went viral in Kupang. The 17-second video –which has racked up more than 7,900 views –had a local commenting ‘That’s not a good sign brother,’ while another chipped in, ‘That’s terrifying’.

Giant

But in fact, the photos were taken on Spain’s Atlantic coast in Chipiona, Cadiz.

They showed not real giant crabs, but an artwork by artist Alfredo Zarazaga of metal sculptures crafted from recycled materials. The ‘crabs on the coast’ are supposed to ‘raise awareness about the future of the marine environment’.

BLANK SPACE: The white mass of plastic can be seen from space