Olive Press Costa Blanca North and Valencia issue 144

MENU DEL DISASTER

THE streets of Valencia have erupted in fury after it was revealed that regional president Carlos Mazon spent hours enjoying a long secret lunch while his region drowned.

The PP leader is now facing calls for his resignation after 130,000 enraged citizens gathered to protest.

Protesters accused him of murder and having ‘blood on his hands’, while hundreds of them clashed with riot police.

The leader Mazon has called a press conference for today (Thursday) in which he is expected to announce resignations and a ‘restructuring’ of his government.

It came as it emerged that Mazon was having a three hour lunch as the floodwaters rose and panic gripped the region on October 27.

Mazon was dining at the exclusive El Ventorro restaurant with journalist

Demands grow for the resignation of Valencia president Carlos Mazon as it emerges he was having a three hour power lunch as tragedy unfolded

By Alex Trelinski & Dilip Kuner

Maribel Vilaplana, until 6pm – many hours after the first red alerts had been issued by meteorologists.

Shockingly, though, he did not cut his meal short despite the worsening crisis and only returned to his office at around 7pm, by which time the death toll was climbing dramatically.

“Mazon’s hands are stained with blood!” chanted the angry protesters outside Valencia City Hall, who clashed with riot police as they marched to the parliament building.

Four people were arrested and 31 police were injured.

As the region continued the clean up operation after the flooding that left over 225 dead with dozens still miss-

DINED: Mazon (left) enjoyed a threehour lunch with Vilaplana (below) while disaster struck

bodies of

been

were

a fortnight

ing, residents continue to question why he continued with his lengthy meal. Government sources insisted he was being constantly updated on the growing crisis, but his office has refused to disclose the details of his agenda for the day.

Adding fuel to the fire, critics have pointed to a major failure in the authorities’ response.

Despite the national weather agency (AEMET) sending out multiple red alerts at 8am that day, regional authorities only sent out emergency messages to citizens’ phones 12 hours later.

By this time hundreds of cars had already begun to float away and many homes were submerged.

It didn’t help that Mazon failed to request emergency military assistance until 8pm, despite being fully informed of the growing disaster.

Incredibly, PP vice president, Susana Camarero, insisted Mazon should not resign, saying it would be a ‘betrayal’ of the victims.

“All we can think about is working on the recovery ef-

Continues on page 4

Opinion Page 6

Ruben Matias, (right), five, and his brother Izan (below), three, were found in Catarroja, several kilometres from their home in Torrent.

A giant shipping container from a passing truck had crashed into their bedroom, exposing them to the storm and sweeping them away.

An extensive search operation involving hundreds of local volunteers and even a specialised Mexican team known as Los Topos Aztecas scoured for them for two weeks. “We are devastated,” the boys’ aunt told reporters. “While we had lost hope of finding them alive, it still hurts deeply to have it confirmed.”

THE

two small brothers have

discovered

after they

swept away in the DANA floods.

ANGER: Protesters chanted that Mazon has ‘blood on his hands’

Side hussle

A TECH company worker upgrading school Wi-Fi networks stole large amounts of cash and equipment from classrooms in Alicante, Benidorm, La Nucia and San Vicente del Raspeig.

Help scam

THREE flood relief

‘volunteers’ in Albal wearing visibility jackets and rubber boots have been arrested after police found they were drug dealers peddling marijuana.

Mud con

THREE people in a van with arrest warrants against them who were stopped by Valencia’s Guardia Civil claimed to have been clearing flooded streets, yet there was no mud on their clothes.

Light move

SOLAR lights have been installed on Finestrat’s El Fossalet path as part of a plan to improve rural lighting in the area.

Breaking bad

Top anti-money laundering cop caught with €20 million and a Lamborghini as narco couple flee

MADRID’s top anti-corruption detective has been busted with millions of dollars in cash stashed between the walls of his house.

Oscar Sanchez was arrested last week after €20 million was found hidden at his home in Alcala de Henares.

The arrest came in connection to a record seizure of 13 tonnes of cocaine in the Port of Algeciras last month.

A further 15 individuals have been arrested – including Sanchez’s wife, who also

By Walter Finch

worked in the Policia Nacional. She was arrested in Toledo but released on bail.

Sanchez, who is Spain’s Economic and Tax Crime chief inspector, was known by his colleagues as ‘the discrete one’ and showed no trappings of his wealth.

But photos have emerged of a fleet of luxury cars and motorbikes parked among the police cars outside his home,

Monastery assault

A FRANCISCAN friar aged 76 died and five others, including a 95-year-old, were injured after a man staged a brutal assault inside a Valencia monastery.

The aggressor used a stick and a bottle in the assaults and shouted that 'I am Jesus Christ and I am going to kill the monks'.

The monastery invasion happened at Santo Espiritu del Monte in Gilet on Saturday.

The man jumped over the fence at around 9.30am, and then entered four bedroomskicking and punching his victims.

The Franciscan friars had just retired to their private quarters after having breakfast.

The intruder fled after being stopped by one of the monks who went to the aid of his

including a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder. Sanchez first fell under suspicion when Internal Affairs uncovered a payment to a company owned by the po-

stricken companions.

The alleged attacker - a 46-year-old Spaniard - was arrested almost 24 hours later at a squatted flat seven kilometres away in Sagunto and taken to the Guardia Civil barracks in Pucol.

The man has suffered with mental health issues in recent months including paranoia.

Bar brothel

A SECRET brothel in an l'Alfas del Pi disco bar that exploited women has been closed down by the Policia Nacional.

A man and two women of Portuguese and Romanian nationalities have been charged with prostitution offences and breaking labour laws.

The brothel was hidden behind a locked door which was accessed by pressing a button that was camouflaged in the bar area.

Flash cars outside his house. (Top) Sanchez

lice chief for ‘services’ from a company linked to narco traffickers.

Investigators eventually managed to unravel a collaboration between Sanchez, his wife and a narco couple living the high-life in El Campello, near Alicante.

Identified as ‘Miguel and Vilma’, the couple have been on the run since police intercepted their enormous cocaine shipment on October 14, the largest in Spanish history.

They believed they had all local officials paid off and brazenly introduced the shipment into Spain from Ecuador in one single container. According to police, the Alicante couple claimed to be successful importers of tropical fruits including bananas, mangoes and pineapples from South America.

Police officers discovered the female workers did not have an employment contract and were forced into prostitution with 12-hour working days, six days a week.

Crime hotspots

BENIDORM had the highest percentage of drug trafficking arrests of any large Alicante province municipality during the first half of 2024. The city was followed by Alicante and Torrevieja in the narco rankings compiled by the Interior Ministry - analysing towns and cities with over 20,000 residents.

Benidorm also recorded the highest percentage of home robberies, ahead of Torrevieja, which overall has the province's highest per capita crime rate. Alicante province municipalities clocked up more than 40 times the number of drug cases compared to similar sized towns in Spain.

PROCEEDS:

RICHARD Gere is selling up in the States and moving to Spain.

Despite being an outspoken critic of new president Donald Trump, the change is to be closer to his in-laws, he has revealed.

The Pretty Woman star, 75, and his wife Alejandra, 41, plan to live in the Madrid area.

“Alejandra will be able to return to her lifelong friends and get closer to their culture again. And that makes me happy,” he said.

GERE’ING UP FOR A MOVE

"I love Spain and I think your lifestyle is fabulous. Also your ability to live transmitting joy and happiness,” the actor added.

British expat’s novel tops the global bestseller list - even above Ian Rankinwith mystery thriller

A BRITISH expat has topped the Amazon book charts with her fifth novel, a thriller based in Marbella.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

Karen Brady’s Where’s the Money? quickly shot to the top of the global giant’s thriller bestseller list, nudging out crime genius Ian Rankin. The plot follows two sisters, Bonnie and Skye, who move to the resort with their husbands, two ‘extremely successful businessmen.’ There, they ‘live the life of absolute

luxury’ before tragedy strikes when the men die in a mysterious car crash. And when the devastated widows go to check their bank accounts, they discover all their money is gone. Thus begins an international hunt to find the truth behind their husbands’ untimely deaths.

“It is a beautiful place, the food is extraordinary and the people exude sensitivity and generosity, as well as a strong will to laugh and enjoy. So I'm looking forward to going there.”

In 2016 he described Trump (right) becoming President as a ‘nightmare’. The timing of the move couldn't be more sensible after his wife posted her public support for Trump’s rival Kamala Harris after voting this month.

Chart topper

The idea for the book

HOBBY: Brady’s ‘pasttime’ has seen her shoot up the the running

emerged when Karen and a friend were laughing about a crime article they saw in the Olive Press and asked themselves ‘but where’s the money?’

“My friend said it would make a good title for a book and it got me thinking,” Karen told the Olive Press. It is her fifth book since writing became ‘a hobby’ after retiring to Mijas in 2018. “Spain has provided the per-

Outpour of anger

MALAGA star Antonio Banderas has slammed the slow response by authorities to Valencia's flood disaster.

Banderas was critical that the army was not mobilised fast enough once the extent of the problem became clear.

He asked why army helicopters ‘with food, water and medicine’ had not been sent to the towns affected more quickly.

“Why are our taxes and resources not used better? Why?” he added.

fect environment to pursue my writing,” she said. “I love the laid back atmosphere and how everything is mañana, I’m literally living the dream.”

She added: “I write mystery thrillers because it’s what I love, when your mind is racing and there’s suspense.”

Even though she’s not ‘in it for the money’, her books have done extremely well, charting high in the bestseller lists and selling thousands of copies.

Passion

Born and raised in Birmingham she launched her own recruitment business at the age of 23.

“I’ve always had a passion for writing,” she explained. “But it’s hard to be creative when you’re chasing the dollar.”

In 2006, she joined a writing group and began to hone her skills alongside other talented writers, before spending the next 12 years writing her debut, Agnes in Bloom.

FAMOUS faces have flocked to support the victims of Valencia’s deadly floods.

Tennis star Rafael Nadal (top) is managing donations through his tennis academy in Manacor, while actress Penelope Cruz (above centre) has made ‘significant’ donations to various charities.

Founder of Inditex Group, Amancio Ortega (above right), has also donated four million euros to the Spanish Red Cross, while Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez (above left) will donate a million euros to flood victims.

The football club has also launched fundraising efforts, alongside other stars including Rosalia and Georgina Rodriguez.

Director Depp

JOHNNY Depp has spent a weekend in Sevilla, close to his ex-wife who lives in Madrid.

The controversial star was printing his directorial debut at the European Film Festival as well as doing a bit of sightseeing.

Depp - whose ex Amber Heard moved to Mallorca then Madrid three years ago - has gone behind the camera to direct Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness . It tells the story of Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani trying to find a home for his art during wartorn Paris in the early 1940's. Depp was on the red carpet for a screening at the Cartuja Center - the biggest cinema in Sevilla.

Fancy dress day

BENIDORM'S annual Fancy Dress Parade will be staged today (Thursday) but with half the usual number of floats in deference to victims of the Valencia flood disaster.

Businesses in the city's 'English Zone' started fundraising on Saturday to help those affected and the collections will continue until Friday - when the total will be announced.

Some 38 bars, restaurants, hotels and other venues are involved.

The fancy dress event - as part of the city fiestas - attracts thousands of mainly British tourists each year and starts at 3pm.

Benidorm's Events and Citizen Safety councillor, Jesus Carrobles, said: “We will maintain our security plans as we expect a high influx of British people who had already booked their flights to experience the event.”

A NEW annual passenger record has been set for Alicante-Elche airport with two months still remaining of 2024.

Airport operator Aena said that almost 1.8 million people used the airport in October - up 13.3% on last year's record high. A third of the travellers came from the United Kingdom.

Record smashed again

October’s figures mean that 15.9 million passengers have been recorded during the first 10 months of 2024, beating last year's previous record of 15.75 million. The figures will boost the Valencian government's call for a second run-

way - so far rejected by the Transport Ministry which has backed a second terminal. Valencia's Tourist Minister will go to Florida next month for a US travel conference in a bid to woo a transatlantic connection with New York.

Supermarket cash

€25m cash lifeline handed to flood-hit businesses by Mercadona

THE owner of the Valencia-based Mercadona supermarket chain will donate up to €25 million to small businesses affected by the flood disaster.

Juan Roig’s business empire launched an aid programmethe Alcem-se (Let’s Rise Up) to soften the blow for those in critical need.

Direct grants of up to

Sweet as sugar

TWO sugar glider possums have been born at Benidorm's Terra Natura - a first for the animal conservation park. The babies are now three months old and are beginning to explore the world outside their mother's pouch.

The youngsters have started to open their eyes and are doing well.

Sugar gliders are small marsupials, weighing between 150 and 300 grams and are native to eucalyptus forests in Australia and New Guinea.

By Alex Trelinski

€10,000 per company will be available.

Small businesses employing up to 15 people can ask for money by filling out an online form.

Experts will evaluate each application and decide what is the best course of action.

The scheme is aimed to reduce the risk of permanent closures in the flood-affected areas and to reactivate local commerce as soon as possible.

advise on the location of new suppliers and customer purchases to relaunch individual businesses.

Dine and no dash

forts and on repairing the damage,” she said this week. One local resident, Ana de la Rosa, 30, told the Olive Press: “They should be held responsible for manslaughter and were too busy playing political games to save lives.”

Another, Julian Garcia, 75, added: “They should have warned people to be on alert the night before and not to take their children to school.”

Sources claim Minister for Justice Salome Pradas was ultimately responsible for the emergency response, but that hasn’t stopped the public from blaming Mazon.

In addition to money, beneficiaries will be able to get advice from business management professionals to boost their recovery. This will include setting up meetings with specialists, who will

Meanwhile Mercadona staff could get up to €65,000 each to compensate for flood damage. The company announced a €40 million fund to help any workers affected, with payouts of up to €50,000. The first payments start next Thursday.

Climate killer

PEDRO Sanchez has warned ‘climate change kills’ following the Valencia flood disaster.

“Unfortunately, we’re seeing that climate change kills and we have to adapt to it,” he insisted.

The comments came during a speech, where he approved financial measures to help those affected by the storms.

Lunch tragedy

THE bodies of three businessmen who vanished after having lunch during the DANA floods have been discovered. Miguel Burdeos, a key supplier of Mercadona, Jose Marin, of Mas Camarena school group, and Vicente Tarancon, of sportswear brand Luanvi, all washed up near the La Orza de Angel restaurant in Chiva. Their vehicles were swept away when a river flooded near the town of Cheste inland.

See Village of the Damned, page 6 & 7

From front page

CARING EXPATS

Expat group set up to give respite to hard-pressed carers

A NEW group is offering much-needed free time and support for carers by looking after their patients in the Javea area.

The Take 5 Activity Club has been formed by Suzanne Riches who has been a registered nurse for 18 years. The club meets twice a week - on Tuesday and Thursday - at the Javea Bridge Club on Avenida de Paris. Suzanne, hailing originally from Somerset, has worked closely with the elderly including several years of providing palliative care.

In the last five years, she has worked mainly with dementia sufferers. With Suzanne having first-hand experience of seeing the hard work of carers, she hopes the new club will be a perfect place for their patients to visit- giving the carers some spare time for a few hours each week.

Suzanne said: “I have seen and worked with so many people, who are physically & mentally exhausted from being the sole carer for their loved one 24/7.”

By Tony Myles & Alex Trelinski

each week to focus on themselves,” she added.

“They can use the time for so many simple things that are so often neglected, and it is hardly surprising that carers have told me they actually sleep all day when their loved one is with me!!”

She is a registered trainer in First Aid and Basic Life support, Health and Safety and many more courses

which are mandatory in the UK for health and social workers.

Suzanne is fully licenced and approved to work in Spain plus she has full insurance cover for everybody in her care during their time at the Take 5 club. The hours are every Tuesday and Thursday between 10am and 4pm. Before joining Take 5 she will carry out a confidential assessment to ensure the club is suitable for a patient.

For more infomation email: suzanneriches62@yahoo.com

TAX FIX

JAVEA will cut the IBI property tax next year to offset rises in garbage collection taxes. Every tourist rental property will also have to pay €20 per annum for rubbish collection per accommodation place. The average IBI reduction will be just over €11 while the average garbage tax rise will be €9. Councils across Spain have to charge the full cost rubbish collection to consumers from next year under EU law. Javea council’s move means that home owners will not notice any difference in their pockets except for tourist landlords.

“Carers often overlook their own health and well being and so my objective is to provide some free time

THE Olive Press is renewing its appeal to identify a British expat who has been struck with amnesia in a Spanish hospital.

Stephen, 71, was first admitted to Torrevieja Hospital on September 24 after suffering a stroke while cycling in Alicante.

As we reported last month, he was struck with severe memory loss and can only recall his first name and age, but no other details about his life or loved ones.

Tragically, not a single person has reported him missing, and an ongoing police investigation has resulted in no further clues.

The officer leading the case told the Olive Press this week: “We still don’t know his identity, but steps are being taken through the authorities in England.”

No matches

Stephen is ‘in a bad way’ having suffered a second stroke in the same hospital and his condition has not improved.

“We want to interview him and try to get more information but right now he can barely talk,” added the policeman.

“We have absolutely nothing to go on, because he had no wallet on him when he was admitted and only knows his first name and age.

“There are also no missing persons reports that match his name or description.”

Investigators are still trying to contact Steve Presland, a keen cyclist from the UK whose photo shares an uncanny resemblance.

While friends of Presland said he denies being the man in hospital, he has yet to speak directly to the Olive Press or police.

If you recognise the man in the photo, please contact tips@theolivepress.es.

The Foreign Office told the Olive Press this week it ‘stands ready to support

24/7’.

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the

OPINION

Disaster shame!

ANGER at the inept early handling of the Valencia floods by politicians manifested itself at the weekend with 130,000 people taking to the streets of the regional capital.

Fury after 225 deaths and counting is entirely understandable but it is also palpably clear the initial response from Valencia and Madrid was one of sheer incompetence.

Valencia president Carlos Mazon has tried to blame the lack of emergency alert warnings onto everybody else.

But he hasn't had the courage to say that as the boss, he has to carry the can for such a serious mistake.

Mazon was having a cosy late lunch while flood water was already sweeping cars away and flooding buildings.

Then you have the equal ineptitude of the national government which - three days after disaster struck - proudly proclaimed that 500 extra troops had been sent to help with rescue efforts.

Within 24 hours, realising the horrific underestimation, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez upped that number to 10,000 but it was all too little, too late.

We've been 'treated' - if that's the right word - to politicians blaming each other, and that hasn't gone down well with flood-hit residents trying to identify dead relatives and rebuild their lives.

They wanted a rapid response and didn't get it. It's fortunate that it was just mud that was thrown at Mazon and Sanchez during their ill-timed visit to Paiporta, with the King and Queen as collateral damage.

The generosity of the Spanish people has been extraordinary with donations and countless volunteers travelling to the area.

Some rescuers from France even arrived before the soldiers and local police. Others have come all the way from Mexico.

The country's politicians should hang their heads in shame for not matching their spirit by showing a basic level of competence in handling such a life-changing emergency.

They have to be made answerable in the future once people’s lives return to some kind of normality.

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) 951 154 841 distribution@ theolivepress.es

WHY WAS A CRUCIAL ‘LIFE-SAVING’ DAM NEVER BUILT IN CHESTE?

Village of the damned

DISPATCH: The Olive Press sent Laurence Dollimore to one flood-ravaged town in Valencia that’s been forgotten by the world

AS a biblical flood tore through his village like a tsunami, David Fraile received a heart-stopping message from his mother; “Help me, I’m going to die!”

It was just one of several panicked voice clips he was sent on that fateful night in Valencia on October 29, when a so-called DANA storm sparked Spain’s deadliest floods in over a century.

But this was not Paiporta, Chiva or Utiel, the ‘ground zero’ towns that grabbed headlines around the world.

This was Cheste, a much smaller village some 40 km west of Valencia city that has been almost completely ignored by the media and, perhaps more alarmingly, the authorities - a fact that locals desperately want to change.

It was around 8pm when two ravines on either side of the town overflowed, forming one enormous torrent that first crashed into a row of 18 attached houses on the village’s outskirts.

Known as La Alameda del Chalet, the properties had largely been used as summer homes for decades and counted on a communal swimming pool, but some residents lived there all year round.

One of them was Mari, David’s mother, who thankfully realised just in time what was bearing down on her and was able to scurry up a ladder and seek refuge on a rickety shelf inside her ironing room.

From there, for nearly half an hour, she sat frozen in fear as she

O P LIVE RESS

watched the filthy flood water filling up her home, in which she has lived for 25 years.

“It was an absolute nightmare,” Mari told the Olive Press this week, holding back tears as she recalled the traumatic memory.

“I really thought I was going to die. I could see tables and chairs being washed away, even my car was taken by the rapids.”

And cruelly for her son David, there was nothing he could do to help his 67-year-old mother.

“I can hardly sleep, I keep having nightmares,” she explains, wiping away tears as her doting son consoles her. Meeting them some 12 days later, it is shocking in the extreme that they are still cleaning up the damage on their own, trying to salvage anything they can from the wreckage.

While he was only two minutes away by car in the centre of Cheste, the road to his mother’s home was completely cut off by floods. He could only listen to her increasingly desperate pleas to come out and save her.

Incredibly, Mari was saved by two Moroccan neighbours who somehow managed to scale her roof, which had been partially ripped off, and dived into the flood water to pull her out.

I can hardly sleep since the floods, I keep having nightmares, Mari told the Olive Press

They were able to get her onto a higher ground above the properties, from where they could shelter until the floodwater started to subside.

It was only then that David finally received the news that his mother was safe, putting an end to his agony.

It’s the kind of story that briefly restores one’s faith in humanity, but Mari is clearly scarred for life.

“There are so many memories here and it is just heartbreaking seeing it all destroyed,” continues Mari, pointing to badly soiled books and damaged photo albums.

Among the debris are all the shattered remnants of her family’s life, including her son’s guitar, children’s colouring books and crayons, and antique armchairs that have been passed down through the generations. As if the destruction wasn’t enough, there are now additional fears of disease, as the inside of their homes are slowly becoming condemned with creeping mould and fungus.

The pools of stagnant waters all around, also pose a series of health risks.

“We are very worried about catching cholera or tetanus,” explains David. “No-one is explaining to us what to do or how to act.”

It is indeed, something of a disgrace that vaccines for the latter are already being rolled out in other hard hit towns, such as Paiporta and Chiva, but not in Chesta, the municipality that seems forgotten amid the

BIBLICAL: The town of Cheste has been ignored by local authorities

chaos.

In fact, given the lack of help from police or the army, you’d be forgiven for thinking the flood had happened overnight.

On my visit, there were no more than a dozen officials working around the town, and they were entirely focused on repairing a bridge around 200 metres away, which had been heaved in half by the deluge. Meanwhile, dozens of cars, motorbikes and hundreds of pieces of furniture and personal effects remain scattered outside the properties.

The shocking scenes show how the wall of water completely emptied out these houses, dragging everything outside after around 500mm of rain per square metre fell across the region in just a few hours.

Rosalia Martinez Santos, 50, who vacations in one of the homes, told the Olive Press: “We’ve had no help from the government and feel totally abandoned.

“The only people who came to help were a group of 200 or so young people who travelled from other parts of Spain.

“When I saw them getting off their buses with shovels and buckets, it was incredibly emotional.

“We have a saying here, ‘El pueblo salva al pueblo’ (the people saves the people), and never has it rung more true.”

Rosalia had been in her own flat in the centre of the nearby town when the worst of the flooding began.

From her first floor balcony she watched as the torrent carried cars and large recycling containers down the street as if they were pieces of lego - knowing full well that her summer home on the outskirts was being turned upside down.

Her fears were soon realised when she visit-

ed the following day.

“It was a complete shock, I was lost for words,” she continued. “It’s going to take us years to recover from this.”

But if there is any positivity to be taken from this disaster, it is the seemingly unshakeable sense of community.

While the Olive Press was reporting among the wreckage, two boys named Juan and Vigilo (pictured), aged 12 and 13 respectively, showed up to offer their help, having walked over from the centre of town.

Dressed in simple clothes and with plastic bags over their shoes, they told us they had a ‘driven need’ to do something to help.

This had been the scene of many happy summers for them, where they would come and play in the communal swimming pool with friends.

“We have come to help and do whatever we can because this is our pueblo and we have to stick together,” explained Juan.

much of the damage caused by the DANA.

“People are angry,” he told the Olive Press, “I remember when they were planning to build it but political interests got in the way, many lives could have been saved.

“My mother used to tell me stories of the deadly 1957 floods, so we’ve always known that these ravines pose a danger to the area and nothing has been done.”

The dam project was shelved allegedly following pressure from ecologists, who insisted it could cause harm to biodiversity - while the roughly €300m price tag became difficult to justify following the 2007 economic crash.

She cannot go through something like this again, we don’t feel safe

But in the wake of the disaster, questions are being asked as to what could have been done to prevent such a tragedy, which has so far claimed well over 200 liveswhile more than 90 remain missing.

In Cheste, scrutiny is being placed on a phantom dam that was announced as part of the National Hydrological Plan for 2005, but was never built.

Locals revealed how a site on the borders of Cheste had been earmarked for the project.

The Olive Press was led to the area by a former plasterer who lives on a farm nearby.

Ramon Toledano Milla, 57, said he believes the dam that never was could have mitigated

The dam site was at the height of the now infamous Poyo ravine, which measures dozens of kilometres and travels through all the worst hit towns down to Valencia city.

For the residents of Cheste, they now face years of crippling anxiety over if - or rather when - history will repeat itself.

It comes after meteorologists this week said a similar flooding event is likely to reoccur ‘within 20 years’. And this is largely due to global warming.

It means the value of homes, smack bang in the middle of this flood catastrophe - plus thousands nearby - have plummeted overnight.

“We are thinking of moving,” confesses David, “My mother doesn’t know if she can continue living here now, she cannot go through something like this again, we don’t feel safe.”

But he at least remains hopeful.

“We are taking it day by day, and we will rebuild step by step, but we want the world to know what has happened here, and we want the people in power to be held accountable.”

BBC PLAUDITS

Respected global news outlets use the Olive Press for reliable

THE Olive Press’s coverage of the deadly DANA floods has clearly shown our media credentials worldwide.

Both the BBC and Sky News, as well as the Daily Mail, the Times and Chinese State radio, reached out to us as we delivered round the clock 24/7 reporting on the worst disaster in Spain this century.

Since the chaos began on October 29, we have published scores of stories both online and in print - and even sent our reporters to Ground Zero, both in Andalucia and in Valencia.

Unlike our rivals, we gave the story the gravitas it deserves, with front-page prominence and cleared the first few pages inside, (top) while others completely missed the story altogether.

Our digital editor Laurence Dollimore visited the disaster zone in Valencia for three days last week (pic below left), where he worked alongside the Daily Mail to speak to the affected locals.

He was the first reporter into the village of Cheste, where victims were desperate to tell their stories.

“Thank you so much, you did an amazing job and now the world knows what happened here,” said one villager after reading our exclusive report.

Meanwhile, editor Jon Clarke (above) appeared in half a dozen radio and TV interviews, including Sky News, BBC News and LBC, while Yzabelle Bostyn (below) was interviewed on Times Radio The rest of our NCTJ-accredited reporters kept readers informed of the latest updates through the night and weekend.

This is the kind of journalism and dedication you should expect from any decent expat newspaper. It is also the kind of work that is supported by our subscription model, and so we thank those of you who have already become paying members.

CHAOS: Cars, furniture and people were thrown into disarray, while (inset) two boys help with the clearing up

REUNITED: David and his mother Mari

We must preserve indigenous peoples as the guardians of the planet’s biodiversity, explains Christin Hagemeier

DIVERSE MEANS

PROBABLY the most impressive agreement to come out of last week’s COP16 Biodiversity Conference last week is that companies which profit from biodiversity will pay up for it.

The attendees in Santiago de Cali, Colombia, decided that these companies should pay into a global fund and recognise that indigenous peoples are biodiversity protectors.

Researchers have found that, in areas where indigenous peoples live, such as the Aymara people in the Andean highlands in Bolivia and Peru, biodiversity is still intact. Their way of life, in harmony with nature, means that they ‘automatically’ protect this habitat. They themselves know how much of what they can take and eat so that enough can grow back.

The global community has also recognised this and therefore recognised them as custodians of biodiversity at the COP 16 Biodiversity Conference.

This gives indigenous peoples a new key role in the conservation of biodiversity.

Companies that rely on biodiversity for their business model should also help, albeit through other channels.

This includes, for example, pharmaceuticals, which are still often based on plants and their natural

healing substances, or many other companies that rely on biodiversity services.

These should pay into a fund to support research and work to preserve the gene pool and its digitisation (digital sequence information, DSI).

But what is biodiversity and why is it so important for our survival?

The best example of it is that apples grow larger if pollinated by many different honeybee species, rather than just one.

Just like apples, we experience biodiversity on a daily basis.

From essentials such as clean water and food with a wide variety of nutrients to building materials such as wood and sand.

BIODIVERSITY IS BASED ON THREE ASPECTS:

1. Diversity of habitats such as steppes, deserts, meadows, moors or forests. Each habitat has special conditions and provides the basis for species-rich life to develop.

2. Biodiversity describes the multitude of different types of organisms that live on earth.

3. The last point is genetic diversity, which is crucial for the adaptability and survivability of a species, as it forms the basis for evolution and the ability to cope with environmental changes.

Because in all of these production cycles, different organisms are involved and do a small part of the work. If one species disappears, the entire process can be affected.

When bee populations are in danger, for example, some plants can no longer be pollinated as they are dependent on specific species, such as the long-trunked bee. It underlines how we are all, great and small, co-dependent on the planet’s continuing biodiversity.

Please send your questions or comments on how to be greener to christin@theolivepress.es

TEN rare wild horses native to the steppes of Central Asia have been relocated to the Iberian highlands as part of a conservation program. The Przewalski (or Mongolian) horses were released into an area of 850,000 hectares between Castilla-La Mancha and Aragon. Managed by Rewilding Spain, the program is part of a mission to restore the ‘beautiful landscape’ of southern Iberia.

Fresh breath

It is hoped the horses will help restore a healthy ecosystem by improving the quality of pastures, boosting the region’s biodiversity and reducing the risk of forest fires.

The rewilding programme has been televised in the documentary ‘Breathing New Life into the Iberian Highlands.’

Rising sea temperatures caused by human activity are feeding the ferocity of Spain’s DANAs

THE deadly DANA that devastated Valencia and claimed hundreds of lives was ‘fed and strengthened by human-driven climate change.’

This is the conclusion of EU and French scientists, who found that the rainfall which lashed the region on October 29 was between 12 and 15% more intense than previous storms.

Much of this ferocity has been placed at the feet of increased sea temperatures, which are between 2 to 3C higher than the period of 1982

By Yzabelle Bostyn

to 2011.

This increase – ‘which is only trending upwards’ – has led to greater humidity and moisture in the air, which blankets coastal regions with up to 7mm of dew overnight.

“On paper, these figures may not

seem a lot, but compared to the usual amount, it’s the difference between a river overflowing or not,” said climate scientist Carmen Álvarez Castro.

“A gota frio (cold drop) like the one that hit Valencia has occurred before – it is a phenomenon common to the peninsula.

NEW LEAF Climate warning

“But this time it has been more intense than usual due to climate change. And everything indicates that the next ones will also be.

A RECENT study in the prestigious journal Nature has revealed that plants absorb up to 31% more carbon dioxide than previously thought.

Fauna is now thought to remove 157 billion tonnes of greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere each year, up from estimates of 120 billion.

The combination of rising sea temperatures and air humidity injects greater concentrations of water into the atmosphere, which is returned in the form of more intense rainfall.

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Instead of satellites, whose results are often skewed by cloud coverage, the investigation used groundbased monitoring towers to provide a more realistic view of CO2 absorption.

The rare glimpse of positive news is prompting scientists to reevaluate their climate forecasting models.

INCLUDE WWF SPAIN IN YOUR WILL

Hope Alvarez warned temperatures are set to continue to rise in the Mediterranean, meaning future DANAs could be even more severe.

“I really hope this DANA marks a turning point, making us realise the need for prevention and adaptation. “We cannot stop all the impacts of climate change but we can reduce them so that no more human life is squandered.”

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ITHE BEST OF THE BEST

T is one of the most prestigious architecture prizes in the world.

So it’s amazing that Spain is connected to two of the three buildings up for the top prize of the UK’s Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) awards this year.

Spain-based architect David Chipperfield is on the shortlist of three for the International Prize, for his clever conversion of a monastery (left) into an office block in Paderborn, Germany.

British talent Chipperfield, who spends much of the year in Galicia, used ‘sculptural demolition’ to convert the St Vincenz Hospital into the headquarters of the TAP holding group.

Also on the list is the fabulous Modulus Matrix social housing project, in Barcelona, by Peris + Toral Architects.

The stunning 10,000 sqm block was built almost entirely from wood on the site of a former cinema.

The largest wooden building in Spain, it was built from sustainable wood from the Basque Country.

The other nominee is the Lianzhou Museum of Photography, in China, which was built on the site of an old sugar mill.

BREAKNECK PACE

Spain’shousingmarketrocketsfurtherupwith10%annualgrowth–butisitabubble?writesWalterFinch

SPAIN’S housing market continues to set records and shoot for the stars.

It has grown by 9.6% in a year and 16.6% since January 2023, according

to the latest data.

Breakneck expansion has propelled it well above the largest previous peak of 2007, which led to a dramatic crash,

as the graph (left) shows.

The average house in Spain now costs €2,21 per square metre, 4.4% higher

than in June 2007, when it peaked at €2,11 sqm, according to property portal Idealista.

However, by February 2010 it had tumbled to €1,89 sqm, before dropping to an alarming €1,49 sqm in 2016 worsened by the euro crisis.

Since then Spain’s prices have embarked on an impressive recovery that went into overdrive in January last year.

One of the highest rises is in Madrid which exploded by 18.8% in a year to €4,83 sqm, while in Barcelona prices are up 10.8% to €4,59 sqm.

Valencia saw the highest rise, where prices have increased by a fifth (20%), followed closely by Malaga (19.6%), Santander (18.1%) and Alicante (16.7%).

San Sebastian is the most expensive city overall, at €5,631 sqm, while

Sustainable or cause for alarm?

THE situation now is fundamentally different to 2007 in terms of supply. Spain was building more than the whole of Europe then and we are now firmly in a resale market with constricted supply. These days clients are not buying for investment but for lifestyle and you can no longer get mortgages with loan to value ratios of 100% and even for non residents.

Meanwhile, further regulatory changes have closed mechanisms that facilitated a boom such as the ability to sell a contract during construction (aka ‘flipping’).

Zamora is the cheapest at €1,17 sqm. Meanwhile, all but four provinces recorded higher prices, with Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas seeing the steepest rises of 16.4% and 16% respectively.

Other fast growers include the Balearic Islands (14.8%), Alicante (13.9%), Malaga (12.7%) and Murcia (14.9%). For anyone looking for bargains, house prices have actually fallen in Ourense (-3.2%), Córdoba (-2.5%), Badajoz (-1.1%) and Ciudad Real (-0.7%).

The Balearic Islands continue to be the most expensive autonomous region at €4,663 sqm, followed by the Community of Madrid (€3,64 sqm), the Basque Country (€3,01 sqm), the Canary Islands (€2,77 sqm) and Catalunya (€2,44 sqm).

Bargain hunters should check out Castilla-La Mancha (€937), Extremadura (€977 sqm) and Castilla y León (€1,199 sqm).

COMMENT by Olive Press Property Insider Adam Neale

SHORTLIST: Lianzhou Museum and (left) Barcelona’s wooden social housing scheme

See Wooden wonder page 14

THE number of Americans purchasing property in Spain has surged since the pandemic.

And it may be set to explode for estate agents on the Costa del Sol in the wake of Donald Trump’s recent election victory.

But what draws US citizens to buy property in Spain, and where do they typically invest?

Anecdotal evidence from my conversations with estate agents provide insights into the motivations, while data from public sources hints at where these buyers are concentrated.

First, let’s assess the significance of the American market for property in Spain.

How many US citizens purchase property in Spain, and how has this trend evolved?

Fortunately, data from Spain’s notaries and land registrars provide some clues.

Last year, 2,414 Spanish

Trump change

The news of Donald Trump’s return to the White House will have wide-reaching consequences – including driving more American buyers to the Costa del Sol?

home sales involved American buyers, an 8% increase from the previous year, marking one of the highest growth rates among foreign buyers.

Although the US ranks as the 14th largest foreign market for Spanish property, its rapid growth is noteworthy.

This year, US buyer numbers have risen even more sharply— up 13% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023, as per notary data.

While the US market is relatively small, its growth rate is comparable to other boom-

ing markets like Poland and Ukraine, both influenced by geopolitical factors.

Where do they buy?

Americans have become one of the top foreign buyer groups in areas like Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Castile & Leon, La Rioja, and the Basque Country, a surprising shift since pre-pandemic times. While these regions have relatively low foreign-buyer numbers, Americans are making their presence felt. Meanwhile, estate agents in Malaga report a strong influx

of US buyers on the Costa del Sol post-pandemic, although recent official data is lacking for this specific area.

Many of these buyers are reportedly drawn by Malaga’s temperate climate, reminiscent of California, as well as a desire to es-

cape US issues like polarised politics, culture wars, failing schools, and urban crime. The strength of the dollar in the aftermath of the pandemic has also been a factor.

Why do Americans choose Spain?

Purchasers are evenly split between expatriates and non-residents buying second homes, though many intend to eventually live there full-time. For Americans, Spain isn’t a weekend getaway; the distance means most envision a long-term or permanent stay, rather than just occasional visits.

Trump’s recent victory could add momentum to this trend. The dollar has ticked up a bit since the election, and the affluent, educated ‘laptop’ class that largely voted for his opponent might be more motivated to move abroad, especially if the country becomes even more polarised during his second term.

This could give fresh impetus to the growing number of American buyers heading for the Costa del Sol.

A bit down

THE cost of renting in Spain has finally started to trend downwards after nearly three years of steep rises.

IA nationwide reduction of 2.62% since June might not be enough to start popping the champagne for tenants who can’t afford to buy.

But it could mark the start of a return to sanity for a rental market that span out of control after the Covid-induced trough of €10.35 per square metre in October 2021.

The average price is now €13.00 sqm across the country, down from a peak of €13.35 three months ago.

The summer months saw a sudden and significant drop off in rental price increases, with the rate going down by 26% between June and August.

Nonetheless, €13 sqm still represents a year-on-year increase of 10.2% – and even an increase of 0.1% on last month.

And there is little respite for where it matters, with rental prices in Madrid surging by 15.9% and Barcelona 13.5%.

Barcelona remains Spain’s most expensive capital to rent, with rates at €23.1 sqm, followed by Madrid (€20.6 sqm) and San Sebastián (€17.9 sqm).

All 50 provincial capitals registered rental price increases apart from Lleida, curiously, which was the only exception at a 0.9% decrease.

Tourist-heavy regions such as Alicante and Malaga saw rises 13.9% and 13.8% respectively, with renting in the Costa del Sol now costing €14.8 sqm.

Barcelona is also the priciest province for rentals, averaging €19.8 sqm, surpassing Madrid (€18.8 sqm), the Balearic Islands (€17.6 sqm), and Guipúzcoa (€16 sqm).

Notably, several regions suffering from ‘oversaturation’ reported smaller rises, including the Balearic Islands (9.3%), the Canary Islands (8.8%) and Andalucia (8.7%).

Even Catalunya rose by only 10.8%.

A GLOBAL AUDIENCE

N the dynamic world of real estate, finding an agency that not only offers you a wide variety of properties, but also provides you with a complete, personalised service tailored to your needs is essential.

We have a highly trained multilingual team that can assist you in several languages. Our priority is to ensure that you feel comfortable and understood throughout the process, regardless of where you come from.

The visibility of your property is key to a successful sale. To do this, we publish our offers on the main national and international portals. This ensures that your property reaches a global audience, maximising the chances of finding the perfect buyer.

We know that a good presentation is crucial when it comes to real estate. That's why we work with professional photographers who capture the essence of each property with high-quality images.

From the first contact to the final signature, we are with you every step of the way. Whether you are buying your first home or selling a property for the second time, our agency guides

you with advice at every stage.

Our agency is distinguished by its innovative approach to real estate marketing. We employ the latest digital tools, such as virtual tours, social media ads, and Google Ads campaigns, to ensure your property reaches the right audience. We use advanced online positioning techniques to make your property stand out from the competition and have the highest possible visibility.

We know that every client has different goals: whether it's finding their dream home, making a safe investment, or selling quickly.

Our strategic approach is based on understanding your goals and developing a personalised action plan that maximises the chances of success.

Thanks to our experience and knowledge of the market, we help you make the best decisions and achieve your real estate goals with confidence.

For more information, please call +34 966 112 428 or visit www.areacostablanca.com by scanning the QR code here

November 29th - LOOKING FOR MORE PROPERTY

Marbellous

LUXURY property hunters have long been drawn to Marbella, but now it’s almost official – the top five most expensive homes for sale in Spain are located there. According to portal Idealista, these five high-end properties are the most expensive on their site.

While there are certainly more expensive homes for sale around the country (perhaps not being publicly sold), these five starting at €27.5 million are a good barometer of what’s out there in the country’s top resort.

Sorry seven

SEVEN apartment owners have been fined €80,000 each for renting illegally in Mallorca.

The owners, who all have property in the same Palma block, will raise a total of €560,000 for the authorities

The Mallorca Tourism Department is levying the fines for operating without the necessary licences.

Tourism Minister Jose Marcial declared that ‘illegal rentals are a plague’.

He warned that they create unfair competition for honest businesses and threaten community harmony.

Justice

The enforcement is part of a clampdown, which has meticulously followed all legal processes to bring the offenders to justice.

Previously, fines handed out for illegal rentals hovered around €40,000, but now they’ve been doubled to deter future violations.

The authorities have pointed out that the maximum possible fine is a whopping €400,000.

Only 621 properties in Palma have official tourist licences.

At least 70% of the properties to rent are illegal, while around only 8% are illegal.

Floodplain errors

5 4 3 2 1

WONDERWALLS

Thisamazingvillacould DefinitelyMaybeinspire youtowritearockclassic

IT is very much a slice of Rock n Roll history and it has a rental price tag to match.

With two previous rockstar owners, it’s no wonder Casa Atlantis costs over €100,000 a week to rent in the high season.

Built by Tubular Bells genius Mike Oldfield (right), it was later owned by Oasis legend Noel Gallagher (below), before he sold it to an unnamed millionaire.

Set close to one of Ibiza’s most stunning beaches, it has a 15,000 square metre plot and the most amazing 13-by-five infinity pool.

Also counting on a smaller children’s pool, the six bedroom/seven bathroom villa spreads over 500 spacious square metres.

The authorities in Mallorca are particularly angry about the number of holiday rentals available on the platform Airbnb, which it claims are illegal.

ALMOST a third of the residences affected in the Valencia disaster were built in flood risk areas during the housing bubble, according to research by DATADISTA.

The study claims developers would have known the land was liable to flooding thanks to the 2003 Flooding Land Action Plan (Patricova). Land included on the list has been updated over time to reflect changes due to the climate crisis and other factors.

On a national level, it is estimated at least three million people live in flood risk areas and building on land liable to flooding is still permitted in Spain.

See Soaking up the Future on page 14

It also counts on a gym, spa, games room and massage suite, plus comes with a housekeeper and

the low season and sleeps up to 12 people. It sits in an isolated clifftop area and has direct access to beautiful Ses Boques beach.

The property is available to rent from €71,000 per week in

The current owner has upgraded the home to a ‘truly luxurious family and friends accommodation’ and guests will live like kings.

bells, near neighbours include supermodel Linda Evangalista (right), who has a stunning house up in the nearby hills, while fellow singer songwriter James Blunt lives just up the road.

Close to the village of Es Cu-

SOTOGRANDE could soon be in the hands of Saudi Arabia as it prepares to be put up for sale. Founded in 1962, the luxury resort counts on two golf courses, a marina and a five star hotel, among many other attractions. Its current owners, London-based Orion Capital Managers are looking to disinvest in the area. According to real estate sources, the company has received several offers, with one from Saudi Arabia, believed to be the PIF fund, the most advanced.

A regular playground for polo stars and princes, including Princes William and Harry, it has counted on many celebrity owners from Glenn Hoddle to Mike Rutherford and Nick Knowles.

The village itself counts on a stunning church and a couple of good restaurants. on cook. The is rent per

SAUDI SALE?

The exclusive private community only counts on 7,000 homes, and limits how many people can live there, ensuring privacy and exclusivity. Orion took over Sotogrande for around €225m alongside partner Cerberus in 2014. In 2017 it bought the remaining stake to manage 100% of the company, before carrying out a series of upgrades, including the renovation of the SO/Sotograne Spa & golf Resort hotel. It also launched a string of new luxury developments including La Reserva, where villas sell for over €10 million.

BRICKS OF GOLD: (left to right) Villa in Cascada de Camojan, Palacio de la Paz, Mansion on Marbella’s Golden Mile, Villa in La Zagaleta and Mansion in Las Lomas

Next big thing

Freshen up your home with these latest trends to put on your Christmas list, writes Yzabelle Bostyn

CHRISTMAS and the New Year are almost upon us and with them lots of unique furniture trends to switch up your home.

Interior designers are already predicting which pieces will become 2025’s next big thing, so why not get ahead of the game and put them at the top of your Christmas list?

Rounded edges

Softer edges on furniture are having a real design moment, with circular coffee tables, bubble like sofas and oblong mirrors storming the scene. The style uses natural, organic materials, colours and shapes in an attempt to mimic the natural world. This ‘Papsan’ chair (left) from CASA mirrors this trend, with the boho wicker frame supporting a luxurious cream coloured cushion - it is perfect to curl up and read a book in the cold winter months. It is available on the CASA website for €159.

Woven wonders

Next years’ trends seem to be all about making the home a more inviting and cosy space.

Using natural materials to add woven or mesh details on your cupboards, cabinets and wardrobes is an easy way to break up harsh edges and cold surfaces, adding more warmth to your home. For example, this rattan cupboard (above) from Casa Viva achieves an understated but stylish look for €475.00.

Warm tones

Shifting from the cool whites and greys of modern homes, we are seeing natural, warm colours creep back into interior design trends. Now, it’s all about earth tones: off-white, beige, tan, cream, brown and green paired with warm lighting. These elements can be incorporated into the home in many ways, including this stunning wood carved headboard (left) from Maisons du Monde for €239.99.

Eco-materials

Sustainability is now a key consideration for buyers when they purchase new furniture. From recycled materials to vegan leather, there’s lots of different ways you can incorporate eco-friendly pieces into your home. Above all, it is important to buy good quality furniture that will last you a lifetime- even better if it is made from sustainable materials. For example, Skulum has entire collections using recycled wood, including this stylish textured TV stand (above).

Cluttercore

Trinkets, photos, blankets and cushions - homeowners want to build cosy nests full of colours, patterns and textures. Known as ‘maximalism’ or ‘cluttercore’ this

design approach is becoming more and more popular, allowing occupants to show off their personalities. To find the perfect pieces for you, visit www.westwing. es and browse their expansion decor collection including eye-catching coffee table books and elegant vases.

Established in 2012, the firm was created to provide legal advice and procedural defense services to individuals as well as companies.

After several years of hard work and expansion, we currently offer a wide range of services both in the field of the traditional practice of law (legal advice and trial defense), as well as comprehensive advisory and management services in fiscal, accounting and tax matters.

Know your contracts!

THE reason many people don’t like lawyers is because we really like to split hairs. Calling a spade a spade is far too easy.

Sometimes, you might be dealing with a shovel, and you didn’t even know it. The same thing happens with contracts. Buying a house is about as large of a decision a person can try to make.

In Spain, it is quite frequent that, before you sign the Deed of Sale in front of a Notary, a private contract between the seller and the buyer will be signed. However, God did not make all contracts the same. And if you’re forking out a substantial amount of money to reserve and purchase a property, you damn well better know what the fine print says.

Juan Pascual Drake explains when a down payment is not necessarily a home deposit pensation.

On the other hand, there are the option contracts. These are agreements whereby the seller reserves a property for a specific buyer for a certain span of time.

This reservation, as with nice restaurants, fast cars, slow horses and certain members of the fairer sex (men can be fair nowadays too), comes with a price.

In other words, the buyer might be forking out a large amount of cash, that only buys them TIME and is not necessarily a down payment on the house.

The buyer could in this case, request full payment of the sale price at the Notary.

There are two big contract families when it comes to buying and selling real estate. On the one hand a deposit contract, referred to in Spanish as arras . Usually in this case, the money paid to the seller will act as a down payment.

While there are many kinds of deposit contracts, the most widely used, and regulated in the Spanish Civil Code under article 1454, allows for the parties who were going to enter a sale agreement, to unbind themselves.

If the buyer pulls out, he or she loses their investment. If, however, it is the seller who has a change of heart, he or she will have to repay double the amount of money received as com-

Most contracts today will include elements of both the deposit or arras , and the option contract. This is why you should always read any contracts carefully, and if possible, have a professional run through it with you. Nothing ruins marital bliss like realising you didn’t put a deposit on the house in Spain, you just reserved it for six months.

Plan for the worst, get the best.

Juan Pascual Drake Abogado-Drake

29th - LOOKING FOR

As the cleanup operation in Valencia continues, the Olive Press looks at how cities around the world are guarding against similar flood disasters...

SOAKING UP THE FUTURE

ASERIES of devastating floods caused by massive rainfall have hit cities around the globe so far this centuryand Valencia is just the latest.

From Mumbai and New Orleans in 2005 to Houston in 2017 and Athens last year, thousands have died in these floods.

While abnormally high levels of rain

By Dilip Kuner

- and in the case of New Orleans, hurricanes - were mostly blamed, another key factor has been the over-construction of properties on flood plains and the over-use of concrete, which doesn’t absorb water. In response, a new wave of flood mitigation strategies are being developed with nature-based solutions at their core.

SPONGING IT UP: Sanya and Wuhan (here) have adopted clever water absorbing strategies

In some cases they are simply relearning old knowledge that had either been forgotten or dismissed as irrelevant in the quest to build ever more property.

“Above all, everyone has got to stop using concrete. This is the worst material to use,” insists respected Pakistan architect Yasmeen Lari. “If you look at urban flooding, the reason it’s becoming worse is because we’ve got concrete paving everywhere. Water is not able to steep into the soil.”

Meanwhile, too many floodplains have been built on - in particular around Valencia - not only leaving these properties vulnerable to flooding but also endangering previously safe areas which had been protected by wetlands absorbing excess water. Nature-based solutions seek to restore and enhance nature zones - such as wetlands and woodlands - to reduce flood risks while delivering additional benefits like improved biodiversity and enhanced urban environments.

Ironically, Valencia city itself has been seen as one of the pioneers in this movement.

It has started to implement green roofs, vertical gardens, and transformed the former river Turia’s floodplain into a park, providing natural flood defences that help absorb excess water and reduce urban heat. But the sheer quantity of the water that was dumped overwhelmed these defences, with deadly results in the suburbs and nearby towns.

Much more needs to be done in what has been a slow process in ‘greening’ Valencia and other cities around the world.

Water plaza

One city with an innovative approach to flood prevention is Rotterdam. It has created a ‘water plaza’ (above), for example, that doubles up as temporary stormwater storage

Green roots and walls help to prevent the floods seen in Valencia (above left)

area during heavy rainfall, preventing street overflows that can paralyse the city When not serving as an emergency reservoir, it is used for recreation, offering sports facilities for residents.

Meanwhile in Singapore, the ABC Waters Programme is transforming canals, drains, and reservoirs into scenic, green spaces. Not only does this help mitigate flood risk, but it also creates spaces for relaxation and recreation.

Cities world-wide are adopting green infrastructure - such as green roofs which are covered with vegetation to absorb rainfall and permeable pavements which allow water to seep into the ground rather than flood into drains.

In Copenhagen, for example, a com-

pany called Tredje Natur has developed a perforated ‘climate tile’ ( see picture overleaf) which absorbs much more rainwater.

Sponge cities

Perhaps one of the most interesting developments in flood management is the concept of the sponge city, which is gaining popularity in China. A concept invented by landscape architect Kongjian Yu, his ideas were adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 following mass floods.

A pilot programme was tested across 30 cities, including Sanya, where previous concrete flood walls were replaced by sponge-like wetlands, terraced

P OO LVILLAS

EFFORTS: Valencia city has been working hard to create areas to absorb water such as in the Turia river basin park (above)

VEGETATION:

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

embankments, ponds and paddy

fields that could absorb 830,000 cubic metres of stormwater at one time.

Wuhan meanwhile, was designed to capture, clean, and store rainwater rather than funnel it away. The water can then be used within the city rather than run into drainage and sewer systems that could otherwise be overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, floodplains are being restored as part of efforts to manage flood risks.

While nature-based solutions are crucial, traditional flood defences like stormwater systems and flood walls are still needed.

Restoring them not only helps prevent flooding by holding excess water but also supports biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife.

Blue green infrastructure

New York and Miami have blended the old with the new through ‘blue-green infrastructure’ - a hybrid solution that combines water management with green spaces.

In New York’s Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project (ringed right), this involves seawalls, elevated streets, and wetlands to shield vulnerable areas from the rising waters this streets,

and hurricanes that have become an increasing threat.

In Los Angeles ‘green alleys’ have been installed leading to a basin to capture the water and make the city more ‘spongier’. This year after historic rainfall fell in February, the city captured an incredible 13.5 billion gal-

WOODEN WONDER

A BARCELONA social housing project is being tipped as the winner of one of the architecture world’s top prizes.

The Moddus Matrix project in Cornella has been short-listed for the RIBA International Prize 2024. The groundbreaking, six-story courtyard building is under construction and will feature 85 homes. The pioneering project is largely made from sustainable timber from the Basque region.

PREVENTION: The giant Themes Barrier prevents floods that happened in London since Roman times, while (below) New York’s Resiliency Project

lons of stormwater, which can serve 165,000 households for an entire year.

In Vienna, meanwhile, a new suburb called Am Seebogen is using the classic sponge city model to plant thousands of trees supported by subterranean chambers that capture and store rainwater which can be used during long dry spells.

One of the most famous flood defences is the Thames Barrier in London.

Until installed in 1982, the city had frequently flooded since Roman times, but in 1953 the North Sea Flood led to hundreds of deaths.

The giant barrier is a good example of how real-time data, tide predictions, and sophisticated climate models can be used to protect the city by anticipating imminent flood risks and trigger early warning systems.

Cities including Bangkok and Manila are also tapping into these technological advancements, deploying early warning systems that use predictive analytics to give residents and authorities the time they need to take action before disaster strikes.

HOLY RIVALRY

AGERMAN cathedral is on the verge of losing its title as the world’s tallest church to Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia.

Antoni Gaudi’s as yet unfinished work is on track to surpass Ulmer Munster in Germany, which has held the record since May 31 1890.

La Sagrada Familia’s ‘Tower of Jesus Christ’ is set to be finished in 2025 as one of the final phases before completion of the cathedral.

At an anticipated height of 172 metres, it will exceed Ulmer Munster’s 161.5 metre Gothic spire by just nine-and-a-half metres once the final tower is crowned with a 17 metre cross - ironically made by a German company.

The final competition of the basilica in 2026 will coincide with the centennial of Gaudi’s death, marking the realisation of his lifelong dream.

Gaudi famously remarked: “My client is not in a hurry,” reflecting his belief that the project’s grandeur warranted the time it took. Meanwhile, the leadership at Ulmer Munster remains unfazed by the impending loss of its record.

Dean Torsten Krannich noted that while the church’s height has been a point of pride, its spiritual significance is what truly matters. “The church lifts my heart up to God,” he emphasised, highlighting its importance extends far beyond its towering spire.

As La Sagrada Familia prepares to claim its title, this transition is not merely about height, but rather a contrast of styles and

histories.

German minster about to be surpassed by Spanish Gaudi masterpiece, writes Dilip Kuner

Ulmer Munster, with its Gothic architecture, represents a period marked by soaring cathedrals and religious fortresses.

Its construction was interrupted by the Protestant Reformation and only resumed in the 19th century, symbolising a city that rebuilt itself amid political and economic challenges. In contrast, La Sagrada Familia embodies a different era - a fusion of modernism, natural beauty, and faith.

Gaudí’s brilliance is evident not only in the height of the structure but also in its organic curves and intricate details inspired by nature.

Though Ulmer Munster may soon become the second-tallest church, Ulm boasts a rich cultural heritage.

Albert Einstein, born there in 1879, remains a key figure in the city’s identity. Visitors can admire a stained glass window in the church that features Einstein, and the city takes pride in its connection to one of history’s greatest minds.

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UP AND UP: Barcelona’s Segrada Familia will soon trump Ulmer Munster

MAGIC CONVERSION

How to convert a charming ruin into a stunning, wonderful space and get a €20,000 subsidy?

Ask MAB Architects to help

THIS is how a ruin is converted into a wonderful place to live - while also getting nearly €20,000 in a subsidy from the state.

Transforming an old home properly will leave you with a unique and interesting space, but also add considerable value.

Arquitectos MAB have been renovating and upgrading such buildings for decades along the Costa Levante.

Working out of two studios in Orihuela city and La Zenia, the company’s clients range from large real estate developers to individual buyers with small renovation projects.

Here, the firm presents Casa 1927, the renovation of a typical house in an inland town of the Vega Baja.

Archway

The property was built by the grandparents of the owner, who was actually born on the second floor.

Now, after 40 years of being uninhabited, she made the sentimental decision to give it a new lease of life for her family.

She also wanted to conserve many of the features that she remembered fondly from her youth.

So an original archway and its beautiful hydraulic tile floors needed to become the key ele-

SUN-DECK: Enough space was created at the back of the home for a pool, bbq and wall of plants

ments of this comprehensive rehabilitation project. Using them as a guide to establish a new spatial layout, all the new materials and colours were influenced by these original features.

“A large curtain provides theatricality, intimacy, flexibility, dynamism and colour,” explains lead architect Antonio Campos Villanueva. “And we respected as much as we could of what already existed.” While reusing as much as possible and keeping the footprint of the original home, there is a much stronger relationship with light, in particular through the patio and between the rooms.

“For a space to make you happy, it must meet seven attributes: Be beautiful, exciting, useful, practical, profitable, accessible and sustainable” adds Campos, whose firm MAB stands for ‘More Architecture & Building’. Whether it is a personal project or a real estate investment, a house with history or a small beach apartment to rent, carrying out an architectural project provides so much value.

traditional passive strategies with current ones.

Connecting and opening up the living spaces, not only opened up space but also led to better cross ventilation between the street to the north and the patio to the south.

By adding key energy efficent features, such as solar panels the owners landed a €20,000 subsidy

Part of the updating of the old construction involved better energy rehabilitation and the energy performance of the house combines

If you are interested and want more information about it, you can go to www.arquitectosmab.es or write to onaru@arquitectosmab.es.

The pergola, up which grows an old vine, provides solar protection in summer, but also allows the sun’s rays to pass through in winter after it has shed its leaves.

The vine is also a great addition to the space between the dining room-kitchen and the patio, providing climatic balance at all times of the year.

carpentry and glass, solar control elements, high-efficiency climate installations and solar thermal installation for ACS.

In addition to the new passive energy efficiency strategies, the house has been awarded a B-A energy rating. Extra insulation, high-efficiency

By adding these key energy efficient features meant obtaining €19,000 in subsidies from the PREE energy rehabilitation programme, all arranged via MAB.

OPEN-PLAN: MAB architects made sure to conserve the ancient wooden arch as well as the stunning hydraulic floor tiles

Créditos fotográfi cos David Frutos

FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL

Slice of success

AN Italian restaurant in Tarragona has been garlanded for serving Spain’s best traditional pizza at the National Pizza Passion Championship in Barcelona.

The Aboccaperta pizzeria scooped the prize for its ‘pizzaiolo’, a dish that uses finely milled Molino Castillo flour and peeled Pelati di Puglia Rosso Gargano tomatoes. Aboccaperta was founded in 2011 by Italian immigrants, Matteo Gripo and Davide de Nuncio.

WINE-ING

Spanish wine clinches top prize at the ‘Academy Awards’ of global wine

A SPANISH winery took the top prize at the prestigious Golden Vines Awards, often referred to as the ‘Oscars of wine.’

The ‘best picture’ award, known as the Robb Report Golden Vines World Best Fine Wine Producer award, went to Vega Sicilia, based in the Ribera del Duero region.

Vega Sicilia has long stood out for producing some of Spain’s best wines, including its flagship bottle Unico

The winery, established in 1864 and one of the oldest in Spain, makes sure it uses

By Yzabelle Bostyn

grapes that fully matured in a long-ageing process to get its award-winning results.

A second Spanish winery, Familia Torres, was also recognised at the glitzy ceremony.

Familia Torres, from the Salnes valley in Portas, won for its innovation in sustainable winemaking.

It received an award for pioneering eco-friendly techniques such as organic farm-

NATIONAL Geographic has picked Frias, in Burgos, as the ‘prettiest town to visit in November.’

The hamlet of just 300 residents was chosen for its ‘historic splendour’, architecture and landscapes.

Frias is known for its gothic buildings constructed in traditional limestone, hanging houses, and the impressive castle and church.

The magazine also highlighted the town’s mediaeval bridge, described as an ‘architectural jewel’ of Burgos.

Writer Jose Alejandro Adamuz stated: “Frias has lots of historic and architectural value, all of which is perfectly preserved.

ing, water conservation and its use of renewable energies.

Other notable winners included Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Best Wine Producer in Europe) and Harlan Estate (Best Wine Producer in America).

Each winner received a trophy designed by artist Nuria Mora, housed in a custom Gucci bag.

The prestigious Golden Vines Awards took place this year in Madrid in a lavish ceremony at the Cibeles Palace.

Fresh off the success of its inaugural event in London in 2021, it was followed by further editions in Florence, and Paris.

The next Golden Vines awards will take place in Miami from November 7 to 9, 2025, with tickets already on sale for €15,000 each.

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The

has been enjoyed by the rich and famous, including Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Elon Musk.

To access the top-tier accommodation, visitors must answer a list of questions from the eager to please staff: What’s your favourite food?

SEEING ISLE TO ISLE

The Spanish private islands that attract the rich and famous

ELEBRITIES as diverse as musicians Shakira and Ricky Martin, actors Mel Gibson, Johnny Depp and Leornado de Caprio, magician David Copperfield and businessman Richard Branson have one thing in common - they all own their own private island.

While the majority of these are in Florida and the Caribbean, Spain has its own collection of private islands, which beckon the mega-rich, each boasting its own unique allure and opulence.

What style of service do you prefer? What little details would make you happy?

From the sun-drenched shores of Ibiza to the more understated charm of Galicia, these exclusive havens serve as retreats for the wealthy elite.

In the middle of the Mar Menor lies this 94 hectare volcanic island.

Like ‘being taken to a Bond villain’s lair’ guests are picked up in blacked out cars and driven across rocky terrain to arrive at their destination.

Set over 3.5 hectares, it has

a bar, a spa, an infinity pool and a gym after being kitted out with extensive, fouryear renovations by the ‘eccentric’ owner.

It is found 22 kilometres away from central Ibiza, making it the perfect getaway for the rich and famous.

Here we spotlight four of Spain’s ‘private islands’ owned by the mega rich - including a Russian oligarch.

Also known as Isla del Baron, the island takes its name from the Baron of Benifayo, who built a neomudejar style palace on the summit of the long-dead volcano. The island is known for its unique plant and birdlife, including rare Chamaerops. In nearby San Pedro del Pinatar, the Baron built another neomudejar palace which is now the town’s Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum.

Hidden in a valley of mountains and forests lies this mysterious island.

A tiny islet in the centre of the Burguillo reservoir, it is home to a magnificent castle surrounded by defensive walls.

Parts of the stunning fortress can be rented from as little as €340, but to be the king of the whole castle you need to cough up at least €1,300.

Up to 10 people can live out their mediaeval fantasies by staying over at the stronghold, with an additional 38 spaces available for glamping. They also host weddings, parties and other events.

If you’re a pauper not a prince, you can alternatively visit with a €10 guided tour.

‘epitome of luxury’, a week on this exclusive island costs an eye watering €250,000 to 300,000 for up to 12 other guests.

Owned by Russian oligarch Mikhail Prokhorov (currently engaged in a spat with Vladimir Putin) the haven

Isla Mayor, Murcia

Sa Ferradura, Ibiza

Isla del Burguillo, Avila

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

Tagomago, Ibiza

Just minutes from the ‘playground of Ibiza’, this private island provides a refuge from the chaos.

The only property is an ultra-modern and it comes with a personal jetty, pool, jacuzzi, helipad, professional grade kitchen, a spa, panoramic terraces and chartering services.

Spread over 600,000m2, the island offers an intimate experience just 900 metres from the White Island.

You can even contract the ultimate party experience, with a yacht day,

a night at Pacha, Ibiza’s most exclusive nightclub and dinner at some of the area’s finest restaurants.

Visitors can also tailor activities to them, with paddle boarding, diving, jet skiing and sailing on offer.

The island is popular with celebrities, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Justin Bieber

and Liz Hurley (pictured right). It is also a preferred destination for luxury weddings.

Despite this, the island is no stranger to controversy. Manager and long-time partner of Spanish actress Norma Deval, German entrepreneur Matthias Khün was sentenced to six months in prison plus a fine of

AnyTech365

AnyTech365

Isla Colom, Menorca

€10,800 for building on the island.

The real estate agent, who owns Kuhn & Partner, carried out construction works on the Tagomago without permission and licenses, tainting a Natural Area of Special Interest. It reportedly costs €25,000 a night to stay and it last sold for €150 million. Today, Austrian nobility are thought to own it, though Khün still manages the island.

Not quite as glamorous as Tagomago is Vigo’s Toralla Island, home to a tower block plonked in the middle of the estuary.

A controversial project, the 70 metre tall residential building was constructed in the 1960s and is now an integral

Also in contrast with the natural surroundings are the 30 high-end chalets built throughout the 10.6 hect-

Residents are connected to the mainland by a bridge leading to the Playa de Vao.

Although the urbanisation is private, the island’s two beaches and Roman remains are open for public access.

BACK ON TRACK

Unfreeze your PC blues: The ultimate guide to reviving your Windows device

IS your Windows PC stuck in a digital deep-freeze, leaving you twiddling your thumbs?

Fear not—whether it’s the spinning wheel or a full-on freeze, we’ve crafted a safe and simple guide to help you thaw out your tech troubles without risking your PC.

First things first, sometimes your computer’s just thinking. Give it a minute or two to snap out of it.

This little ‘freeze frame’ could just be your PC’s version of a power nap.

Meanwhile, grab a coffee, check for any quirky error messages,

and let it regroup on its own.

And if you’re still stuck, it might be time to reach out to AnyTech365 for some remote expert support—they can quickly identify what’s holding your PC hostage. Next, make sure your PC is up to date.

Running outdated software is like ignoring oil changes for a car!

Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update , click Check for updates , and let your PC grab the latest fixes and patches. It’s the simplest way to prevent future freezes and keep things running smoothly.

If you’re unsure about system updates, AnyTech365’s experts can guide you through it safely, ensuring nothing gets missed. If you notice just one app acting up, it might be time to give it a nudge. Use Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find the app under Processes, and click End Task to close it safely. This gentle reset usually won’t affect other parts of your system, making it an easy way to bring unruly apps back in line.

reset that solves a lot of common glitches. This method is as non-invasive as it gets and is often all you need.

readers

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services,

of

If things still aren’t working, booting into Safe Mode is a simple way to see what might be causing the issue. Restart your device, hold down Shift, and select Restart from the Power menu. From the options that appear, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings and select Safe Mode Safe Mode only loads essential files, which helps you pinpoint software conflicts without changing any core system settings.

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If you’re uncertain about this step, AnyTech365’s team can walk you through it remotely, mak-

Toralla Island, Vigo

The right choice?

THE Choice Hotels group will expand its portfolio in Spain as part of a long term strategic agreement with Faranda Hotels & Resorts.

Eight properties will switch to the group’s Ascend brand over the next year, with some changing in the next few months.

It means the hotels will add 700 rooms to the Choice offering in Spain.

Faranda, which was founded by the Fernandez family, has built an international portfolio of hotels over 40 years in both Europe and Latin America.

“Spain is a key market and through this agreement, we will see the Ascend Hotel Collection expand significantly across Spain in the coming months,” said Choice CEO David Beers.

Madrid and Valencia are counting the financial cost of the flood tragedy

THE deadliest floods in Spanish history have exacted a massive financial cost in addition to the human suffering.

Valencia Chamber of Commerce estimates the final bill will be well above €10 billion.

At least 4,500 businesses located in ground floor properties have been badly damaged or destroyed.

Dozens of shopping centres and industrial estates have also been damaged while many transport companies lost their lorries.

The flooding of fields meanwhile dealt a heavy blow to agriculture in the region.

Trade union La Unio estimates at least 50,000 hectares of crops were affected, while agricultural insurer

UNEMPLOYMENT in Spain went up in October but it was the smallest rise for that month since 2006 - barring the pandemic years of 2021 and 2022.

The number of jobless rose by 26,769 - below average increases for last month.

The total fell 5.7% from the same month last year, which was the biggest annual fall since September 2023.

€10 billion flood fee

By Alex Trelinski

Agroseguro believes the cost could rise to €150 million. Both regional and central government finances will be severely stretched by the cost, although Spain is seeking aid from the EU solidarity fund to ease the burden.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced a series of measures worth €10.6 billion euros aimed at shielding and relaunching Valencia's economy. These include aid to small and medium-sized businesses, self-employed workers, tax relief and a three-month

Positive trend

postponement to repayments of loans and mortgages.

Clearing debris and reconstructing infrastructure will

the sector in the event of a natural disaster.

Thanks for your service

STRONG sales and demand are continuing to drive robust expansion in Spain’s service sector, according to an S&P Global survey.

The study recorded 14 consecutive months of uninterrupted growth – a trajectory which does not look set to change any time soon.

“Spain’s economy continues on its positive trajectory and the service sector remains a significant growth driver,” according to Hamburg Commercial Bank economist Jonas Feldhusen.

Optimistic

The overall figure was 2.6 million people registered as unemployed. Among industrial sectors, construction registered a fall in unemployment compared to the previous month.

The Labour Ministry said a significant trend in hiring was confirmed with 43.5% of contracts registered in October being permanent.

also be financed by Madrid to the estimated tune of €2.6 billion. Spanish insurers rely on a common fund managed by the CCS public consortium that shares the cost across

The CCS therefore covers most of the compensation and insurers only directly pay out for peripheral damage in areas unaffected by the floods.

Payout

The system is 'perfectly prepared to deal with this type of situation', said UNESPA head, Mirenchu del Valle Schaan.

More than 72,000 claims have been submitted so far, with the first payouts already arriving.

Businesses are said to be ‘optimistic’, expecting positive market conditions and planning further investments and commercial initiatives accordingly next year. Separately, another study showed Spanish manufacturing expanded last month at its fastest pace in more than two years. The economy improved by 0.8% in the third quarter of 2024 – faster than economists had expected and double the eurozone as a whole.

Still good

THE REINA Sofia Museum is set to auction off some of its prized artwork and donate the proceeds to DANA victims.

They plan to sell Colombian artist Fernando Botero’s Still Life in New York and pass on the proceeds to Valencia-based food banks.

On first sight, the piece shows a full fruit bowl, but if you turn the canvas around, there is another painting showing an empty table.

Botero donated the painting to the Fundacion Reina Sofia before his death upon a plea from the charity to help with their work in food banks.

November 29th - LOOKING FOR MORE CULTURE STORIES?

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Netflix reveals longstanding mistreatment within the walls of Spain’s FA

A NEW streaming documentary is shaking the foundations of the Spanish Football Association over the way it has historically treated its female players.

Netflix’s ‘It’s All Over: The Kiss That Changed Spanish Football’ delves into the history behind the infamous kiss FA chief Luis Rubiales’ planted on the lips of female player Jenni Hermoso. The women’s head coach, It details how Jorge Vilda, would

Spanish celluloid

THREE Spanish films have been nominated for Best Film at the European Film Awards (EFA).

Pedro Almodovar’s English language debut The Room Next Door, which received a 17-minute ovation at Cannes, made the cut.

As did They Shot the Pianist by Fernando Trueba, and The Sultan’s Dream by Isabel Herguera and Javier Mariscal. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony in the Swiss city of Lucerne on December 7. It is no surprise that the much-lauded Almodovar is also up for Best Director, while his star Tilda Swinton is in the running for Best Actress.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

reportedly enter the players’ hotel rooms at night, check their shopping bags and control their media appearances. The documentary highlights the deep divisions in the team after a group known as Las 15 spoke out against the former manager, with many withdraw-

Chauvinism exposed

ing from the squad in the lead up to the 2023 World Cup. They say that Rubiales, who was in charge at that point, dismissed the women’s claims despite being at the ‘beck and call’ of the men’s team.

But the Netflix show claims that the culture of sexism actually stretches back even further, to the reign of predecessor Ignacio Quereda, who managed the side for 27 years between 1988 and 2015.

Players claim Quereda frequently made vulgar remarks, treating them like his ‘little

girls’ and ‘squeezing their stomach rolls.’

Despite complaints and Quereda’s removal, the issues simply continued when Vilda was appointed, with the successor essentially ‘being his own boss.’

The documentary culminates with the World Cup win and controversial Rubiales kiss, which has changed the face of Spanish women’s football forever.

A feature length documentary, it follows a 2021 film ‘Breaking the Silence’, which exposed Quereda’s regime.

Roaring thirties

MADRID is hosting a free exhibition celebrating 30 years of the Lion King, including original pieces from the films.

The event is now open in the Espacio Cultural Serreria Belga and will be available until November 27. Artefacts include original sketches and models from the films and the musical.

A fashion collection inspired by the film’s savannah setting is also exhibited, designed by French studio Balmain.

The event is the precursor to Mufasa: The Lion King, the latest film in the series, to be released on December 20.

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 8 One day at a time, 9 Tugboat, 10 Stand, 11 Bohr, 12 Jamaican, 16 Grimaces, 17 Inst, 20 Unite, 22 Plateau, 23 Greenhouse gas.

Down: 1 Hot tub, 2 Feng shui, 3 Gabon, 4 Last, 5 Capstan, 6 Visa, 7 Lead-in, 13 Are, 14 Converge, 15 Pageant, 16 Grunge, 18 Truest, 19 Patsy, 21 Idea, 22 Poor.

SOLID SINGING

OVER 200 artists and bands will take part in solidarity concerts across Spain to raise money for DANA victims this week.

SOM VALENCIA (We are Valencia) events will take place in some 20 cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Bilbao, Granada, Burgos, Lleida, Murcia and Sabadell. Funds raised will go to the Fundacion Horta Sud, a charity dedicated to helping those affected by the floods.

The initiative is the brainchild of Barcelona based record label, Hidden Track Records.

“We also want to strike up solidarity throughout the country, sometimes it’s better to let the show go on.”

Over 200 artists and bands will take part, among them Carolina Durante, L.A.M.O.D.A and Zahara.

Entrances are available through the ticket platform, Dice

Brave new world

Spanish scientists have made a key genetic breakthrough

GENETIC researchers in Barcelona have reached a historic milestone, creating the very first map of the ‘spliceosome’.

A key part of interpreting DNA, the spliceosome helps cells to interpret and select genes which lead to essential protein production.

Errors in this process, known as splicing, can cause cancer as well as rare and neurodegenerative diseases.

It is hoped the research will help with treatment and lead to advances in genetic engineering.

Now, a team of geneticists led

By Yzabelle Bostyn

by Juan Valcarcel have successfully mapped the spliceosome following a decade of research.

Spliceosomes are found in the nuclei of cells and interpret ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules, responsible for converting DNA into proteins and regulating various cellular processes.

Thanks to these complex molecular machines, human cells can produce 100,000 different types of proteins

despite only having 20,000 genes.

These proteins are involved in many essential life pro-

Outrage over painkiller case

THE SPANISH Supreme Court has thrown out a civil case against the ‘deadly’ painkiller Nolotil, provoking outrage amongst activists.

The lawsuit filed against the Ministry of Health and the Medicines Agency (AEMPS) by a campaign group has been disregarded by the country’s highest court.

Led by the Association for Drug Affected People’s (ADAF) Cristina del Campo, the judge ruled the case did not constitute a ‘violation of human rights.’ “I feel utterly disappointed,” she told the Olive Press. “We know what this drug is ca-

pable of and over 40 countries have banned it because it is dangerous.”

It comes some four years after a 2018 directive issued by the government prevented the sale of the drug to Northern Europeans without a prescription. It is to blame for at least 40 deaths of British and Irish people in Spain.

The lawsuit included various cases of agranulocytosis, which can lead to sepsis, amputations and organ failure.

The group also identified 350 suspected cases of the potentially deadly side effect between 1996 and 2023, including 170 British victims.

cesses such as creating collagen for bones or hemoglobin to transport oxygen through the blood.

Valcarcel has been studying the phenomena since 1986 and has finally produced a map of the spliceosome, consisting of 150 internal and 150 external proteins.

Over time, the researchers systematically deactivated each of the 300 proteins to observe the effects.

Achilles

They found that if one protein fails, this can trigger a chain of errors which could eventually lead to cancer.

“It is a potential Achilles’ heel that we can take advantage of to design new therapies. Our map offers a way to discover these weak points,” said Valcarcel.

SINGLE ISSUE

BEING single is extremely likely to boost depression according to a major study published in the online portal, Human Nature Behaviour.

Over 100,000 people from seven countries took part and the findings revealed that people not with a partner are 80% more likely to show symptoms of depression compared with those who are married.

The 'depressive' effect was even higher for divorced or separated people.

Single or separated men were far more likely to suffer than women in the same situation.

Smoking and alcohol consumption was another factor while people with a higher level of education were more vulnerable.

Shooting for sixes

SPANISH speakers have topped 600 million globally this year for the very first time. There are nearly 500 million people who speak Spanish with native proficiency.

Honesty pays

DINERS in El Palo who tried to pay up after realising they had not been charged €48 for a paella were told by the restaurant owner to donate the money to charity.

Mud raker

A SPANISH news reporter was caught on camera caking himself in mud before giving an update on the deadly Valencia floods direct from the disaster zone.

HISTORY REPEATS

Neighbours

shocked to discover they had recreated a street scene from 60 years ago

VOLUNTEERS have inadvertently recreated a slice of history by dining outside in a floodwrecked street – just as past valencianos did during deadly floods in 1957. History rhymed as a family were snapped celebrating that their street in Catarroja had

finally been cleaned up after nearly two weeks of hard slog. What they didn’t realise is that the photo eerily recreated a moment last seen 67 years ago. On that occasion, locals dragged

out a table and chairs into knee deep water during severe flooding which killed 81 people. It is just one of a number of heartwarming moments that have surfaced amid the chaos

WHAT CAN AI GET YOU?

A BENIDORM hotel is blazing a trail with a team of eight robots that can help check people in, print room keys and even pour pints. The Climia Benidorm Hotel boasts its latest recruits can also clean rooms and provide room service. While the robot waiter can carry up to 60kg worth of food and plates. Creators Bumerania, from Alicante, say they will not take jobs, but free staff to concentrate ‘on serving the client’.

and tragedy that struck on October 29.

In another video, two toddler cousins are seen running to hug one another after being separated by the catastrophe.

One commenter said: “It’s the little ones that are the best, so cute!”

Meanwhile, one little boy’s birthday was nearly ruined after flood waters had left a car outside the front door trapping him in his house.

So instead, family and friends climbed on top of the cars to reach up and pass him his presents through the balcony and celebrate with him.

Close to the bone

MADRID’s Jamon Museum is trying to entice tourists to come and visit by telling them to ‘go ham!’ It is a daring marketing campaign that takes aim at the anti-tourist graffiti which has become ubiquitous in Spain. The darkly humorous slogan has been seen on buses, trains and street corners. However, not everyone has seen the funny side.

One

the

Really?

A STIR was caused outside the Bernabeu Stadium after a Real Madrid superstar was spotted taking pictures with fans. Even the local media were on the scene with a cameraman and journalist to get a few words with the great Vinicius Jr. What the people had failed to realise was that the man getting all the attention was just a lookalike.

Madrid local slammed

‘sh*tty sign’ for ‘laughing at the locals who live there.’