O P LIVE RESS
AN expat’s cat ‘saved her life’ after the clever moggy ‘warned’ her of carbon monoxide poisoning inside their Marbella flat.
Debbie Lush was forced to act after her kitty, named Coco (above), refused to stop meowing at the boiler inside her rented apartment.
Suspecting something was amiss, following weeks of headaches, the estate agent, from Dublin, bought a carbon monoxide detector, which began immediately beeping.
A plumber who came the next day, insisted he had fixed the problem after hoovering away some dust.
But, that night, Coco continued to ‘howl’ at the boiler, so Debbie sensibly sought a second opinion.
Lethal
Fortunately another plumbing firm discovered a hole in her cavity wall leaking the lethal gas.
It also emerged that her boiler was 27 years old and had rotting rubber parts that had never been replaced. She was told it needed immediate replacement.
“Coco knew something was wrong and she would not let up until I got the boiler examined.
“Now it’s fixed, I haven’t heard anything more than purring, it’s incredible!”
She continued: “If it wasn’t for her I could be dead.”
Now Debbie (below) is calling for a so-called ‘Coco’s Law’, which would require all homes in Spain be fitted with a carbon monoxide detector, particularly tourist apartments.
She added: “I already feel better and the headaches have stopped. God knows what could have happened if Coco hadn’t raised the alarm.”
Medieval treat
La
She added: “I would advise all homeowners in Spain get a detector because every year I hear about horror stories of people dying.”
He’s a British cyclist called ‘Stephen’ and he’s been in a coma after an accident… but that’s all he knows
A BRITISH pensioner has made a heartfelt appeal after getting ‘trapped’ in hospital in Spain having forgotten his surname.
The elderly man, believed to be aged around 70, woke up from a coma in a Costa Blanca hospital suffering from amnesia.
He told doctors in Torrevieja that he has literally no idea where he was going, where he lives or what he used to do.
All that is known is he was travelling by bike in Alicante province on September 24 when he suffered a stroke.
He had been cycling along the road between San Fulgencio and La Marina, according to local police, who are now helping him.
He told them he only remembers
ELCHE’S annual Medieval Festival starts this Saturday and will run until November 1.
The celebration is one of the city’s biggest cultural events combined with a medieval market on the Paseo de la Estacion and Candalix car park between October 24 and 27.
There will also be performances of the Misteri d'Elx (right) which is a chanted play dating back to medieval times which traces the life of the Virgin Mary.
The play is regarded as a crucial part of Elche's identity and will be staged at the Basilica de Santa Maria on October 25, 26 and 27 and November 1.
Some 30 music, training, theatre, and dance events will be held with many street performances.
WHO AM I?
his first name as ‘Stephen’, and cannot recall any family members or relatives.
He also insisted he has no idea why he is in Spain, if he lives here or is on holiday. Meanwhile, alarmingly, no one has reported him missing, complicating the police investigation.
Cambridgeshire insisted he was ‘Steve Presland’.
After an Olive Press online appeal over the weekend, we hoped we had a breakthrough when an old friend of an ‘avid cyclist’ from
A decade-old photo of Presland showed an uncanny resemblance, with others also recognising him as Presland. They both had the same colour-patterned beard and bushy eyebrows, plus an identical nose, as well as shared a passion for cycling. However, the theory was seemingly put to rest on Monday after a member of the Ely Running Club said they had ‘tracked down’ Presland in the UK. Stephen Howard told the Olive Press: “Steve has just called me back and said it is not him in your article, sorry!” We asked to be put
in touch with Presland but we have yet to hear back. Adding to the mystery, social media posts appealing for information on Stephen have strangely disappeared - but police are very much still trying to identify him.
Worried
The pensioner, who remains in hospital, asked that his photo and story be published by us in the hope that someone will recognise him.
The Policia Local in San Fulgencio told the Olive Press last night that Stephen is starting to get really worried. A detective has been assigned to the case and is liaising with this paper in a bid to solve the mystery.
If you think you recognise Stephen or know who he is, do not hesitate to contact us at tips@theolivepress.es.
By Alex Trelinski
Knee trembler
LOS Montesinos suffered a 2.1 magnitude earthquake on Monday evening - the latest in a series of tremors to recently hit the Vega Baja town.
Gang bust
POLICE have arrested 71 members of a Murcia-based drug trafficking gang that operated across the Valencia region and have seized €2 million of assets.
Not guilty
EX-ORIHUELA mayor, Monica Lorente, has been cleared of corruption along with 12 others over a refuse contract award made in 2008 involving the Vega Baja Waste Plan.
Pet penalties
ALICANTE dog owners could be fined up to €300 for not carrying poop bags or water to dilute pet urine under proposals to toughen up local waste laws.
Maddie suspect will ‘move to Africa’
MADELEINE McCann sus-
pect Christian Brueckner will flee to Africa if he gets out of prison next year, the Olive Press can reveal.
The 47-year-old paedophile and rapist could be free as early as next September, after being sensationally cleared of a string of rape and child abuse allegations in Portugal.
A source close to his legal team told the Olive Press moving to Africa would be the ‘safest place’ to live.
“He won’t be recognised there and he won’t be going after any of the witnesses or victims who named him as a rapist and abuser,” said the source.
“He doesn’t want to get caught again and go back to prison.”
Appeal launched as fears grow German paedophile will flee Europe if released next year
en year sentence for raping a pensioner - could also consider Cambodia, where he has an old friend, an IT specialist.
German Christian Post, who was ordered to give evidence at the trial, currently lives in Kampot, a magnet for child sex abusers.
Brueckner - who is currently serving a sev-
EXCLUSIVE
By Jon Clarke
“I’m utterly devastated by the ruling,” she said from her home, near Dublin, this week.
“They’ve got it completely wrong and I’m still certain Brueckner was my rapist.
“I’ll never forget his eyes. They are bored into my head and soul. I still see them at night.”
The news comes after the paedophile was shockingly found not guilty of five separate sex offences in a German court last week.
The crimes, which all took place in Portugal, included playing with himself while sitting under a slide in a children’s playground in Messines in June 2017.
However, despite four children seeing him with his trousers down by his
ankles and their parents finding no sign of urine, Judge Ute Engermann believed he was having a pee. She ruled him not guilty of four other offences, including three rapes and another child sex assault on a beach near Praia da Luz, a month before Maddie went missing nearby.
German prosecutors have now formally appealed the sentences on the basis of bias, among other claims.
Bias
Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said: “We will make an appeal to the Supreme court. They have the power to order a retrial with new judges.
“We think there is a case to show bias among the judges and we believe we can show that.”
Victim Hazel Behan, told the Olive Press, she will ‘definitely’ support the appeal and prays for a reversal.
Another witness, Helge Busching, who was described by the judge as ‘a liar’ has also hit out at the ruling. He told the Olive Press the ruling was a ‘total scandal’, adding he was not going to let the judge’s claims ‘go unanswered’.
The German had first pointed the finger at the accused in 2008 and told the court he had watched two videos of Brueckner raping a teenage girl and another pensioner.
His claims were backed up by a fellow friend Manfred Seyferth, but because a third former pal, Mario ‘Cheyanne’ Schonburg, denied he had seen them, the judge appeared to side with him instead.
She also brushed aside the testimony of leading prison
but
psychiatrist, Christian Riedemann, who labelled Brueckner a very real danger to the public, telling the court he was in the ‘top league of dangerousness’. The same prosecutors are also now working to build a water tight case against Bruckner over the abduction of Maddie. They are expected to launch official proceedings against him over the next few months. They have already confirmed they have proof that the British toddler is dead and their prime suspect is Brueckner, who was outside her holiday home in Praia da Luz the night she vanished.
Opinion Page 6
NOT GUILTY: of five sex crimes
official charges over Maddie (far left) loom for Brueckner
INIESTA OUT
SPANISH football legend Andres Iniesta, who scored the decisive goal in the 2010 World Cup final, has today announced his retirement from soccer at age 40.
In a 22-year professional career, Iniesta's illustrious journey also included two European Championship titles and four Champions League trophies with Barcelona.
At an emotional ceremony in Barcelona, Iniesta reflected on his career: “All the tears are of pride, not sadness. I achieved
the dream of becoming a soccer player through hard work and sacrifice.”
Iniesta made 674 appearances for Barcelona, where he was instrumental in the tiki-taka style that defined an era, playing alongside greats like Xavi, Sergio Busquets, and Lionel Messi. He won nine La Liga titles and six Copa del Reys during his time with the club.
Jailhouse rock
The incredible tale of the Scottish drug smuggler who found stardom in the 80s with a prison band –and then lost it all
THEY say everyone deserves a second chance.
And for one former jailbird narco-trafficker turned rocker, it comes 30 years after he nearly hit the big time with a band he formed while in a Spanish prison.
Former Costa del Sol resident Allan McCarthy, 61, once found minor fame as the front man for Berlin 90 (named after the wall which had just fallen), even playing live on national television from jail.
While performing shows for Spanish television and radio, the gregarious Scotsman penned the song Runaway from his cell.
Now, McCarthy, who is back living in Spain on the Mar Menor, is re-releasing the song with a slick new music video..
get the chance to rekindle the whole music thing, you know? A second bite at the cherry.” Runaway became a sleeper hit in Spain in the late 80s, making the charts and
CELLMATES: Allan (second from left) with his group Berlin 90
even propelling McCarthy’s four-piece band out of prison to perform live shows in public – something that the Scotsman claims was against all the rules.
The musical talent landed himself in Sangonera prison in his mid-20s after a car he was riding in was busted with a consignment of hashish near Murcia in 1988.
“But what they never found was the half a kilo of coke underneath the seat!” McCarthy chortled.
appeared to be over.
Originally built in the 1930s for the political enemies of the Franco regime, 50 years later the prospect of being sent to Carabanchel made even Spain’s most hardened criminals quail. “Carabanchel was like the bogeyman for these guys,” McCarthy told this newspaper. “It was like Spain’s Alcatraz.”
When he was suddenly released four years into his six-anda-half sentence – something
unheard of at the time – and promptly deported from Spain, it seemed to dash his musical ambitions.
But all that might be set to change.
As well as rekindling the flames of his musical career, McCarthy is also set to write a book on his journey as a reformed con. He also plans to return to Sangonera, in Murcia, to perform one last time in the jail where he made his name.
TOWER POWER
MORE than 20,000 spectators gathered to watch the biennial human tower competition in Tarragona.
Some 32 teams compete in the Concurs de Castells in Catalunya, home of the sport since the 18th century.
Teams carefully build their towers by placing their stron-
gest and heaviest members at the base, arms interlocked, while the lightest and littlest climb to the top.
A group from Vilafranca del Penedes won the contest for the eighth year in a row. UNESCO declared the towers as a valued example of intangible cultural heritage in 2010.
AMBER Heard - the Aquaman star and former flame of Johnny Depp - has been spotted dining in style at Cordoba’s La Taberna de Almodóvar.
Heard, 38, known for her high-profile legal battle with Depp, stunned the restaurant staff when she walked in for a casual yet lavish lunch, tucking into seasonal veggies, grilled sole, and melt-in-your-mouth premium
aged beef.
Unbelievably, a chequered stint behind bars started to miraculously transform itself into a platform to launch a musical career.
“My dream got taken away from me and my story ended abruptly when I was moved to Carabanchel [prison] and then deported,” the ageing rocker reflected to the Olive Press
“I’m hoping that now,
But when McCarthy (left) found himself languishing in Madrid’s infamous Carabanchel Prison towards the end of his stretch in the early 1990s, the dream
PHONE CHARGE
The Portuguese midfielder, 26, was held at a police station for questioning following an incident at the La Riviera club.
Nunes was taking advantage of a season break to enjoy a night out in the Spanish capital.
A fan tried to take a photo of the player without his permission in the toilets of the nightclub.
Nunes allegedly snatched the high-end phone from the man’s hands and refused to return it to him. He now potentially faces a trial on theft charges.
MANCHESTER City's Matheus Nunes was arrested last month after allegedly stealing a mobile phone while at a Madrid nightclub.
But the real sizzle of the day? Amber, dressed in a laidback yet chic outfit, reportedly spoke flawless Spanish and posed for a snap with Angel Sanchez, the manager of the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand eatery.
The restaurant wasted no time sharing the news on social media, gushing: “It was an absolute pleasure to host the incredible actress and model Amber Heard! A day we won't forget!”
By Walter Finch an old man might
Talking rubbish
TORREVIEJA council has attacked the Spanish government for not lessening the blow of big rubbish tax rises from January, as residents face an average doubling of bills.
An EU edict means that councils have to get residents to pay for the full cost of services.
Torrevieja currently absorbs 62% of collection costs, which will now be passed on to citizens in the New Year.
The average increase will see fees double from the current €42 per household.
The minimum rise will be 88% in Torrevieja’s urban area but that will leap by 200% in Los Altos to €131.
Expat areas like La Siesta will be charged €124 and La Mata will have a €111 levy.
The council says that central goverment should provide vunerable people with extra funding to lessen the blow.
New cabs on the rank
SOME 24 new taxi licences, which include Alicante-Elche airport in their catchment area, have been issued, following last summer’s outcry over shortages. Elche now has 228 permits - one per 1,000 residentsbut that ratio ignores the huge numbers using the airport.
A FISHING trip netted an unusual catch in the form of a torpedo - and then towed it to shore.
The group of anglers spotted the American-made Mark 46 torpedo in the sea off Tabarca island.
The torpedo is one that has been used for years by the Spanish navy. Believing it would be too dangerous to leave where it was, the anglers put a rope on the end of the torpedo and
Explosive catch
dragged it behind their boat to dry land.
Posting on social media, the group said: “We removed it immediately because a high-speed boat or a jet ski could have collided with it.”
One of the fishermen, Pedro Pertegal, said the Guardia did not believe them
Couple ‘lose €64,000 worth of items’ after alleged burglary on their luxury Airbnb
A SWISS couple have called in police after allegedly suffering ‘the robbery of the century’ while staying at a tourist flat on the Costa del Sol. Davide Z and his wife claim to have lost an eye-watering €64,000 worth of items when their luxury Airbnb was raided as they enjoyed a night out in Marbella.
In an official denuncia seen by the Olive Press, the missing belongings include an €8,000 Birkin bag, a Chopard watch, worth €18,000, and a Rolex, worth ‘over €5,000’. Incredibly, their insurance company has refused to cover any of the items because their policy states the Airbnb owner must be declared responsible
EXCLUSIVE
By Laurence Dollimore
to make a payout.
Davide told the Olive Press:
“We have experienced the worst nightmare of our lives, during what should have been a wonderful holiday.
“On that night our whole lives were stolen, my wife has been made sick by the ordeal and is crying every day, she is just devastated.”
The couple had booked the €150-a-night accommodation in the Fuentelegrales urbanisation in Mijas, from September 14 to 21.
The couple, who visit Marbella every year, were staying there with Davide’s mother-in-law
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.
at first until they sent them a photo of the unexploded weapon. Officers then arrived to take it away.
Cleaned out!
DEVASTATED: The couple say they will never use Airbnb again after their ordeal
and brother-in-law. Davide claims there had been immediate red flags, which they should have noticed in retrospect.
This included the apartment having a different address than the one on the listing, and a ‘surprise’ female co-host named ‘Manal’, who manages a local cleaning company.
On the night of September 20, the day before they were due to leave, they headed to Marbella at around 9pm for dinner.
According to their police report, when they returned at around midnight, they found all the items stolen.
Davide recalled: “We went straight to the police station that night to lodge a complaint but nothing was really investigated, they didn’t want to move until noon the next day!
“We also wanted the owner to make a declaration with his own insurance company so that we could make our own claim, but he has never replied to us.”
Davide claims Manal arrived at around 2pm on their scheduled checkout day.
It was at this point he decided to confront her claiming she was responsible and demanded his stolen items back. He also warned her the police were already involved.
CCTV
Davide added that CCTV footage from a neighbour showed the only car to arrive on the street on the night of the robbery was a white 4x4, which was shown to police.
“I would like to return to Marbella but we will never use Airbnb again,” he concluded. Manal told the Olive Press that it is normal for her to have keys as she runs a cleaning company that manages the property. She said: “The accusations are false. Evidence for this are the very inconsistent accusations made by the leaving guests.
“I have an alibi from six people, and a camera surveyed parking, showing that I was far from the apartment during the
New border delay
THE EU's long-awaited Entry/ Exit System (EES) has been delayed once again due to a number of countries still not being prepared.
The automated computer system will apply to British and other 'third-country' nationals travelling to any of the 29 Schengen Area countries, including Spain.
It will scan their passports instead of stamping them and automatically track the number of days they have spent in the EU. The move is to avoid people from non-EU countries overstaying their typical 90 in 180 day limit.
However, despite being due to roll out on November 10, it has been ‘suspended indefinitely’, with no new start date announced.
The further delay occurred with countries, including France, Germany and the Netherlands, simply not being ready to implement the system.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, announced: “I hope we can start as soon as possible but there's no new timeline so far.”
Opinion Page 6
HAUL OF THE CENTURY
● Chopard watch€18,000
● Hermes Birkin bag€8,000
● Diamond rings - €6,500
● Oyster Rolex - €5,000
● Engagement ring€4,250
● Diamond necklace€3,600
● X4 gold rings - €2,900
● Ebel watch - €2,000
● Frederique Constant watch - €1,900
● Chanel watch - €1,250
time of the alleged theft.
“I have had cleaning companies in Sweden and Spain for 17 years and have never received such accusations.”
Airbnb has denied any liability and advised guests to get extra insurance for peace of mind.
AN illegal rave on a Murcia farm has resulted in five arrests as locals complained they could not sleep for two days.
The event attracted around 100 people in the Caravaca de La Cruz hamlet of Benablon last Friday to Sunday. Neighbours called Policia Local on Friday night to complain about the noise and officers went round three times but the organiser refused to shut down the party.
The organiser has been reported for breaking environmental protection rules by staging an event without permission.
The Guardia helped local officers and four people were arrested for drug trafficking, and another for failing to answer a court warrant.
Some 22 drivers tested positive for narcotics.
POLICE ticketed two of their own cars for having no insurance after finding out cover had expired in September.
Now Alicante’s mayor, Mayor Luis Barcala, has demanded answers over why the Policia Local vehicles had no insurance. The matter came to a head when a police officer ticketed two patrol vehicles for breaching the law.
One of the unions representing police officers, SITAP, said that several police cars in Alicante had been driving around with expired insurance since September 16 and so officers decided to force the issue.
Ideas welcome
ORIHUELA residents can submit suggestions for small local projects and initiatives next year via the municipal website. Anybody aged 16 and over that is registered on the padron can send up to three ideas each until October 31.
The participatory budget is €660,000 which means that €60,000 will be equally distributed to each of the municipality’s 11 districts.
A short list will be drawn up in November based on whether the proposals are realistic.
The final contenders will be published on the website for residents to cast an informed vote.
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a
OPINION
Quelle surprise!
SO the seemingly cursed Entry/Exit System (EES) is delayed until further notice - yet again.
The long-awaited scheme by the EU wants to scan passports of travellers from ‘third’ countries - like Britain - to ensure they’re not breaking the 90 in 180 day limit.
But let’s be honest, the programme is obviously designed to teach us Brits a lesson over Brexit, and to ward off other member states from following in our footsteps.
While we were no supporters of the Leave camp, it is rather laughable that some of the EU’s biggest players, including France and Germany, simply cannot get themselves organised in time.
Ironically, they are probably being held back by the red tape and bureaucracy that inspired many people to vote for Brexit in the first place.
Instead of thinking up ways to keep Brits out of Spain and the Schengen Zone, how about introducing laws for those who are non-resident but bought homes before the disastrous Brexit vote?
They pay millions in taxes each year and can now only use their hard-earned properties for three months at a time. It’s high time they are granted extra visa or travel rights, as is currently - and yet again - being discussed in France.
Makes you sick
THE total acquittal of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner over five sex crimes is a bitter pill to swallow.
Now to add salt to the wound, we reveal in this week’s edition how he could be planning to move to Africa if he is freed next year.
His current sentence for the rape of a 72-year-old woman in Portugal is due to expire in September 2025, although his lawyer is now aiming to get that conviction squashed. It’s safe to say that if he made it to Africa he could escape justice for the rest of his life.
And god knows how many more potential victims there would be there.
During his latest sex crimes trial in Germany, one expert psychologist predicted Brueckner was very likely to strike again within two years of being released.
We sincerely hope German prosecutors have a plan and some solid evidence that will allow them to charge him for the disappearance of Madeleine and keep him locked up until trial.
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
BLOOD MONEY
ALEGION of Spanish banks have financed Israel’s arms suppliers to the tune of €3.8bn, it has emerged.
At least a dozen banks made a staggering 4,000 investments or loans between 2011 and 2024, with the majority taking place in the last five years. A total of seven arms manufacturers who sell weapons to Israel (five based in the US, one in Italy and two in Germany), benefitted from the deals.
Spanish banks - including BBVA and Santanderhave financed €3.8bn worth of weapons used by Israel in Gaza, writes Yzabelle Bostyn
The data was released by the Delas Study Centre for Peace to commemorate the anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 last year.
The terrorist outrage that killed 1200 people sparked a devastating and still ongoing response from Israel which has seen more than 42,000 Palestinians killed.
According to the study, Santander and BBVA are the two biggest investors in armaments for Israel, collectively providing 95% (€3.6bn) of the money.
The third largest financier is the Caixa Group, which has handed over €99 million, followed by Bestinver (€59.5 million) and EDM Group (€7.95 million).
In fourth place was Ibercaja, which provided €2.26 million, followed by Banco Caminos, Dux Inversores, Abaco
DEMANDS: A global outcry is demanding an end to the invasion
Capital, Renta 4 Banco, GVC Gaesco and Banca March.
ply arms to Israel.
According to the study, 11 of the 12 banks have bought stocks in businesses that sup-
theolivepress.es
The main one is British multinational RollsRoyce, which also part-owns German manufacturer MTU Friedrichshafen. BBVA, Banco Santander and Caixabank have also lent more than €3.1bn in revolving credits and corporate loans to these businesses, while the former two have also invested €660 million in bond underwriting.
Dubbed the ‘Bank Armada’, the report states that Spanish funds are being used by Israel to ‘commit crimes against humanity, including genocide’. The report also revealed how Israel
Dark side of the green boom
New film
lifts the lid on the social - and environmental - impact of renewable energy
ANEW documentary has exposed the unsettling truth behind Spain’s ‘green energy’ transition.
Unrenewable Lives (Vidas Irrenovables) investigates 50 communities throughout Spain affected by the move to renewable energy.
Last year, over 50% of Spain’s energy came from renewable sources, much more than its European neighbours.
By 2030, it is expected to rise to 81%, almost triple the amount produced in 2020.
However, the government’s plans are ironically causing the destruction of many natural habitats, the film by Metafora Visual claims.
“This rollout is causing many problems for ecosystems, the lives of local people and the environment,” explained director Francisco Vaquero, 39 (below).
town’s natural water source, and its residents now rely on a neighbouring town for supply.
“If it continues this way, I’m not sure what will be left of the country,” explains Vaquero, in the fascinating film, which has been previewed this month, before release in January.
“Spain is being devoured and southern Europe has become a ‘sacrificial zone’ for renewable energy,” he adds.
worried about the risk of cancerous chemicals in solar panels leaking into the town’s water system.
She said: “It’s terrifying, but we will keep fighting for young people.”
The project is an amalgamation of seven estates in the La Jara area, which borders the Sierra de las Nieves National Park.
“It’s not been planned in a way which has considered all the effects on people that live in rural areas. It’s destroying forests, agricultural land and ways of life. We’re trying to give these people a voice.”
Alarmingly the average life cycle of turbines is between 20 and 25 years and currently the blades cannot be recycled. There is also currently no plan to recycle solar panel parts. By 2050, there will be around 80 million tonnes of renewable materials, much of which ‘will be buried underground’, further disrupting ecosystems.
“They think they are taking care of the planet, but really they just want to own it,” said Marisa Casal, who appears in the documentary.
Providing 560 megawatts of energy, this megaproject is one of 214 licensed projects passed in Spain between 2022 and 2023. There are a staggering 800 more in the pipeline for Andalucia alone.
Around half of the projects are being funded from foreign investment, the film claims.
Solar panels are limiting space for wild animals to live, hunt and nest, while wind turbines are known to kill birds, bats and other species.
Incredibly, areas of woodland are even being cleared to allow for the installations.
In Amil, Galicia, the construction of a wind farm actually destroyed the
A long-term campaigner, she got involved four years ago when a megaproject of 10 million square metres threatened her local area of Coin, in Malaga.
Her local group, the Valle Natural Rio Grande association, is particularly
The project in Coin, for example, is being part-run by a giant investment fund, Q-Energy, based in Berlin, with support from local firms Natera Solar, Orla Solar and Admiralty Management SL.
In total, 15,000 of the 31,500 megawatts so far licenced in Spain are managed by foreign companies.
The biggest player, Endesa, is surprisingly now 70% Italian-owned.
that has killed 42,000 and flattened Gaza (right)
BACKLASH: The report (left) has led to sharp criticism and protests against the banks that support Israel’s leader Netanyahu (centre)
By Yzabelle Bostyn
is using the weapons financed by Spanish banks.
According to the study, guided bombs and missiles produced by American companies Boeing and General Systems, have been used in many attacks across Gaza and Lebanon.
Although the Spanish government has insisted it ceased selling arms to Israel after the October 7 attack, the Centre Delas found at least one company, Nammo Palencia SL, had sold arms to the country. It emerged sales were not registered in Spain as they were carried out from their Norway branches.
“They have caused the deaths of hundreds of people, falling on residential areas, schools and hospitals,” claimed the report.
Caixabank (€198 million), BBVA (€1.4bn)
King: Palestine must exist
and Santander (€1.2bn) have financed Boeing, while BBVA has sent money to General Dynamics.
The report also highlighted the exportation of combat planes and helicopters such as the Boeing Apache used in attacks on Gaza, including last June’s assault on Rafah.
during a visit to Jordan.
King Felipe has called for a ceasefire in Gaza
The monarch criticised those who chose war over peace, saying ‘changing the lives of millions of innocent civilians, ending lives while redrawing borders and displacing popu- lations: it is unacceptable’.
Felipe met with the Jordanian King, Abdullah II, on October 6, accompanied by Spain's Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares.
Spain and Jordan, Felipe insisted, are united by a shared desire that 'the only possible way out of this endless cycle of violence is through two states, Israel and Palestine, liv- ing side by side in peace and stability'.
It also reported the use of F-35 aircrafts, produced by Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Leonardo, which have been used in many missile attacks in Gaza. Leonardo, the report recognises, has received €1.8bn from BBVA and Banco Santander.
The research also referenced the ‘indiscriminate’ use of Rh-120 tanks, produced by Rheinmetall, which has factories in Spain.
The German firm has been slammed for allowing its tanks to attack civilians, journalists and aid convoys.
GIVING BACK
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THE Olive Press has yet more happy customers after giving away two free tickets to Annie The Musical in Fuengirola last week.
The competition was just one of the many prizes we have arranged in conjunction with our partners and advertisers this year.
Last week, expats Pamela and her husband were the lucky pair chosen to attend the Annie show at the Salon Varietes theatre.
Pamela wrote to us afterwards: “We have just returned to Almuñecar after seeing tonight’s production, which was amazing! It was well worth the journey down.
“Thank you so much for the tickets, we had a great evening.”
In the last 30 days, more than 3,500 people have registered an account at theolivepress.es.
It means we now have more than 53,300 registered users on our website.
Registering an account allows you to access another free article and lets you comment on stories and engage with other readers.
Registered users are then sent weekly newsletters on travel, health and property, keeping them informed of the latest news in Spain.
And increasingly, they have the privilege to take part in exclusive competitions and be sent offers from a growing list of big-name partners.
We have given away concert tickets to DJ Pete Tong, top-quality mattresses and free days and meals out at popular beach clubs and restaurants.
And advertisers should also be taking note, as our large database means we can generate fantastic sales opportunities through competitions, deals, and other offers that are beneficial to both reader and advertiser.
If you want to advertise with the OP, please contact sales@theolivepress.es or call our office on 0034 951154841 for more information.
It is also possible that its tanks may have killed Spanish aid workers, including volunteers from Spanish chef Jose Andres’ NGO, World Central Kitchen.
“These banks are the main drivers of the military economy that allows armed conflict and human rights violations to continue around the world,” said the report.
Instead, they propose ‘ethical finances’ that reject any investment in arms products and promote a finance model based on reducing inequality and social injustice.
The Centre Delas mainly used data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the majority of cases occurring after October 7.
are ‘driving people off the land and back to the cities’ and killing wildlife, such as eagles
Renewable energy is big business and the large oil companies are already heavily invested in the industry, as it allows them to lower their overall carbon footprint and, therefore, taxes.
“It’s all about money,” explained Marisa to the Olive Press this week. “If they really wanted clean energy, they would be helping people to become self-sufficient with localised, shared renewable energy sources.
“But, of course, if they do that people won’t need to pay them any more.”
“On some occasions they are even seizing agricultural land by decrees, which takes job opportunities away from our young people and worsens depopulation,” explained Marisa.
As Francisco explains in the film: “There’s something very dark behind this.
Locals and expats need to ‘wake up and fight’ Spain’s energy problem
Perhaps the most alarming effect of the green revolution however is the amount of agricultural land which is being appropriated or sold for ‘pennies’, as Marisa describes it.
As EU laws have made foreign food imports cheaper than domestic produce, farmers are ending up making much more money by selling - or leasing the land - to renewable firms.
“The plan isn’t to create green energy but to make people dependent on big energy companies, force them out of the countryside and into cities, so they control the land.
“I’m sure it’s the big foreign investment funds like Blackstone and Vanguard that are buying up the country. It’s colonialism.”
He continues that locals and expats need to ‘wake up and fight’ against Spain’s growing renewable energy problem.
The activists insist they are not against renewable energy, but the huge scale of Spain’s current macro projects and their impact on the environment.
Since then, Israeli forces have fired over 70,000 tonnes of explosives in Gaza, accounting for 35 kilos per inhabitant. Today, some 90% of the population has been displaced on at least one occasion and over 42,000 have died.
Massacre
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has since recognised Palestine as a state and urged for an end to the conflict. He was recently joined by the King (see inset above).
“The international community cannot remain silent for one more minute in the face of a massacre turned routine,” said Sanchez last month.
“We cannot normalise the deaths of innocent civilians nor stand by while International Human Rights are put into question. It’s time to say enough is enough.”
His statement was followed by protests all over Spain on October 6, where thousands of demonstrators urged world leaders to ‘free Palestine’.
Over 200 Spanish trade unions and NGOs have spoken out against the conflict, calling for a nationwide strike.
The Israeli foreign minister, Israel Katz, branded the demonstrations ‘unacceptable’, saying: “Spain has become a breeding ground for hate and destruction…it is not right to allow the glorification of terrorism.”
SPAIN’S
DESTRUCTION: The largely foreign owned companies
(left)
How the circular economy works in the world of business and everyday life, explains Christin Hagemeier
Repair and recycle!
HAVE you heard of the circular economy? Even if you haven’t, you’re likely familiar with examples from the past and present where it’s been naturally practiced.
In this article, I’ll explain what the circular economy is, how it differs from the linear economy, why it’s so important, and what each of us can do in daily life to support it.
As the name suggests, the circular economy is based on using raw materials in a cycle. This means materials should be used for as long as possible and, even after they’ve fulfilled their original purpose, repurposed. This process distinguishes between recycling, upcycling, and downcycling.
‘Upcycling’ refers to the process of enhancing materials, creating something more valuable from old resources. ‘Downcycling’ produces something of lower value, such as generating thermal energy through the burning of raw materials. ‘Recycling’, on the other hand, involves reusing raw materials to create the same product, like melting old glass bottles to produce new ones.
The difference from the ‘linear economy’ is clear: in the linear economy, raw materials are discarded after use. But where do we dispose of waste on a finite planet? A shocking example is the massive plastic vortex in the Pacific Ocean, which consists of improperly discarded plastic waste. This vortex has grown to three times the size of Spain!
The linear economy has serious drawbacks. Another major issue is the availability of resources, especially rare earth elements. These are essential for our electronic devices and batteries, but exist in limited quantities.
The EU has also recognised the importance of the circular economy. With the "Action Plan for the Circular Economy," it has introduced regulations to promote the careful use and reuse of resources. This plan now includes three comprehensive packages aimed at encouraging more sustainable practices.
What can we do in our daily lives? The key is to repair and reuse - and move away from disposable products. For nearly all disposable items, there are sustainable alternatives: reusable containers instead of takeaway packaging, cloth bags instead of plastic, second-hand clothing, and beeswax wraps as a substitute for cling film.
Another crucial step is repairing. Whether it’s a car, bike, or clothing— many things can be fixed instead of thrown away. Electronics, especially smartphones, are often designed to be irreparable. However, a new EU regulation aims to introduce the ‘right to repair,’ a vital step toward a sustainable future with our resources.
Please send your questions or comments on how to be greener to christin@theolivepress.es
A salty return
Murcia’s
long lost salt trade rejuvenated thanks to WWF biodiversity project
By Yzabelle Bostyn
THE WWF and South-Eastern Association of Naturalists (ANSE) have celebrated their second salt harvest in Murcia’s Mar Menor, some 30 years after production stopped. Salt flats are an important habitat for plants, fishes and birds in the region including flamingoes, Kentish plovers and pied avocets.
The Marchamalo Salt Flats are part of the ‘Resalar’ (resalting) programme run by WWF, the Spanish Oceanographic Institute (IEO), ANSE and the Biodiversity Foundation.
Throughout the last few years, the eight hectare project has faced setbacks, which it has combated using natural solutions.
Oysters, for example, are used as natural filters for pollution that gathers in the flats.
Over the past five years, ANSE and WWF have set up various projects to study their growth and development in the area.
IN DECLINE
AROUND 40% of the vertebrate animal population in the Iberian Peninsula is in decline according to study done by researchers from Alicante and Barcelona universities.
Of the more than 400 species analysed, the groups with the highest rates of decline are amphibians like frogs and toads, along with freshwater fish.
Roberto Rodriguez-Caro from the University of Alicante's ecology department said: “Extinction rates are very high and are expected to continue to increase if conservation measures are not applied to mitigate their threats.”
The main warning signs of possible extinction is a fall in population.
“Assessing whether populations are stable, increasing or declining is key to being able to identify problems and look for solutions," said Rodriguez-Caro.
The study - funded by the Iberian Society of Ecology - has created the largest database of population trends in Spain and Portugal. Some 21 scientists from different research centres have been working since 2021 to collate figures.
Researchers say the new database has tripled the amount of information, which has shown unfavourable results.
Amphibians and inland fish have had the highest rates of decline, so improvements in habitats and mitigating threats are essential for their preservation, according to the results published in the Biological Conservation journal.
Not everything is negative, with fauna, mammals and birds showing optimistic results due to conservation work being focused on them.
INCLUDE WWF SPAIN IN YOUR WILL
Buildings on the site are also being transformed into an office, research centre, exhibition room and preservation zone.
Volunteers also hope their work will regenerate a traditional industry, harvesting fleur de sel.
Following the success of the Marchamalo site, another area of salt flats is set to be restored in La Manga.
Volunteers
Local volunteers from nearby Monte Blanca are working hard to eliminate invasive plants, remove rubbish, establish dialogue with the local government and decide activities for residents.
Jose Luis Garcia Varas, Marine Lead for WWF Spain, said: “These areas are very built up areas but we are conserving the salt flats and green areas for nature to flourish. “We want to help locals create and promote a different kind of tourism based on nature as well as refuge for species.”
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HABITAT: The salt flats are essential for local birdlife
REFUGE: The pied avocet loves the salt flats
LA CULTURA
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WAR MURAL UNCOVERED
A MURAL dating back to the Spanish Civil War featuring a soldier hammering the heads of dictators Franco, Hitler, and Mussolini on a dragon has been found hidden under whitewash in a factory.
The Centre for Contestano Studies (CEC) stumbled on the rarity when they went to recover some industrial
archaeology from the premises in Cocentaina (Alicante province).
CEC president, Pere Ferrer, said: “We are speechless as a mural of this grandeur is not normal.
“Practically no similar example has been preserved anywhere in Spain and this might be the only such mural,” he added.
Measuring six by three metres, it features slogans from the Republican anti-Franco movement during the war between 1936 and 1939. The work was done by soldiers billeted during the war at Cocentaina who were members of Alicante's 6th Rearguard Battalion of Alicante.
Nobody knew of the mural's existence as it had been covered by whitewash either by the Republicans or Francoist authorities.
AN art exhibition by actor Johnny Depp could come to Spain after Spanish investors backed it. His inaugural show, A Bunch of Stuff has started in New York but will soon undertake a world tour. One of these stops could be one of Johnny’s favourite countries, Spain. Not only is the actor a frequent visitor to the country, where he often attends the San Sebastian Film Festival, but the project is financed by a Spanish investment group.
Stoneweg Places & Experiences is the property and culture finance group behind the exhibition, run by Spaniards Jaume Sabater and Juan Manuel Sevillano. The exhibition is an ‘immersive’ look into Depp’s creative process and artwork, including personal belongings and narration from the actor.
Bacteria the saviour
Female Spanish duo fuse art and science with new glue-eating bacteria to save historic church frescos around Europe
A SPANISH mother and daughter have teamed up to pioneer a new art restoration technique using specially trained glue-eating bacteria. The project involves 75-yearold Pilar Roig, an art restorer, and her 42-year-old microbiologist daughter, Pilar Bosch. Together, they have combined their unique skill sets to save historic artworks in Valencia’s Santos Juanes Church, one of Spain’s oldest churches, as part of a €4 million project. The duo's innovation involves
BLESSED BACTERIA: The scientific breakthrough will save many frescoes
were not only painstakingly slow but risked damaging the artwork.
training bacteria to eat away at the stubborn glue that had been a persistent problem for conservators for decades.
For many years, Roig had been struggling to restore and preserve 18th-century paintings by Antonio Palomino. Previous restorers in the 1960s had used a glue that was difficult to remove with traditional methods involving hot water and sponges, which
The solution to Roig’s problem took root in 2008 when Bosch was researching her doctoral thesis and stumbled upon an article about bacteria being used to clean frescoes in Italy.
Bosch’s research led her to a breakthrough – by ‘training’ bacteria to feed on the glue made from animal collagen, they found they could naturally produce enzymes to
break it down. The bacteria were then mixed with a natural algae-based gel and applied to the frescoes. Within just three hours, the glue dissolved, leaving the artwork pristine. This pioneering mother-daughter collaboration is now funded by local foundations, and their bacterial techniques have been applied to other high-profile restoration sites, including Pisa and Montecassino in Italy, and Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
By Walter Finch
LA CULTURA
Spellbound Spain
A tiny witch village in northern Spain has been cursed with a spell so strong that only the Pope can lift it
OP QUICK CROSSWORD
a spell on you
ed the excommunication of the entire village.
Now, no one could go to confession or take holy sacraments at church.
Tnicated thanks to a bizarre history of witchcraft, superstition, fear and power.
The tale begins in the ruin of Trasmoz castle, where during the 13th century the inhabitants forged fake coins.
To cover their tracks, they claimed there were witches forging cauldrons and chains to leave the locals spell-
Luckily, the residents weren’t really that fussed as they were a wealthy community mostly made up of Arabs, Jews and Christians.
By Yzabelle Bostyn
Miraculously, it worked and Trasmoz is associated with witchcraft to
In the 13th century, Trasmoz was a powerful, thriving community, with many iron and silver mines as well as wood and water reserves.
Despite its riches, it did not have to pay taxes to the nearby monastery of Veruela as it was a lay territory.
6 Prepares for an attack (6,2)
7 Smartphone ancestors (1,1,2)
8 Goes off (12)
10 Political slants (6)
13 Regular customer (6)
14 Speak (3)
15 “The Mission” co-star, with Irons (2,4)
16 Like most eyeglasses (6)
18 Misguided dreamers bomb directors (5,7)
22 Hard punch (4)
23 Vicious (8) Down
1 Returning fighter’s diagnosis (1-1,1,1)
2 Midge (4)
3 Heady coffee (8)
4 Island off Malta (4)
5 Meek oath corrupted after deductions (4-4)
7 Spectre (7)
9 Former Basque separatist group (1,1,1)
11 It’s licked in the summer (3,5)
12 Down-and-outer’s district (4,3)
13 Some royal tombs (8)
17 Besmirch (3)
19 Pole (4)
20 Frozen princess (4)
21 Glided on ice (4)
All solutions are on page 14
Despite various disputes, Trasmoz citizens refused to repent, even when the monastery cut off their water.
The tenth Lord of Trasmoz, Pedro Manuel Ximenez de Urrea, decided to take up arms against the men of the cloth but just before the first blows, King Ferdinand II decided the town’s response was justified.
The Church never forgot this betrayal and sought the permission of Pope Julius II to curse the village in 1511.
The church was not happy about this, so when rumours began to swirl ble dark ings, bishop zona, est town nearby,
They claimed Pedro Manuel and the citizens of Trasmoz were enchanted by witchcraft and the Pope gave them the green light.
of their possidealthe archof Tarathe largrequest-
Sealing the village’s fate, they chanted psalm 108 of the Book of Psalms, known as the Church’s most powerful tool to pronounce a curse.
As the curse was sanctioned by the Pope, it can only be lifted by a Pope and so far, none have done so. Adding fuel to the fire, Trasmoz castle burnt to a crisp in 1520 and is still in ruins.
When the Jews were expelled from Spain in the 15th century, Trasmoz began its gradual decline and 10,000 inhabitants turned into 62, just 31 of which live there permanently.
RASMOZ, a hamlet of just 62
BEWITCHING: Trasmoz will put
THE WITCHES LAIR: Trasmoz
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Today, the village has little signs of life, with just one bar and many houses in disrepair.
The empty streets have no schools or shops, but the castle’s tower is now home to a small witchcraft museum with a collection of black magic items, including cauldrons, brooms and black crucifixes.
Across the courtyard, there is a wrought iron sculpture of La Tia Casca, the ‘last witch’ killed in Trasmoz.
She was murdered in 1860 after an unexplainable deadly epidemic broke out and locals turned on the ‘strange’ and ‘secretive’ woman.
They reportedly grabbed her and threw her into a deep well, but
the witchcraft tradition did not die with her.
The first Saturday of June every year, the residents celebrate the Feria de Brujeria y Plantas Medicinales (Witchcraft and Medicinal Plants Fair).
Local witches harvest plants from the nearby Moncayo mountains to make their lotions and potions. Meanwhile, actors recreate historic witch trials (right) and one lucky woman is named the ‘Witch of the Year.’
To qualify, you need a knowledge of herbal medicine, passion for local history and tourism.
In the modern age, to be a witch is a ‘badge of honour’, could you be next?
BE SECURE A
RE you prepared to protect your family? Life insurance is essential for parents and anyone with fi nancial dependents.
A life insurance policy is something almost everyone needs, but too few actually have.
It’s easy to delay getting a policy when you’re young and healthy, but the longer you wait, the higher the risk of something happening before you’re covered. Losing a loved one creates a fi nancial burden on any family. With the right protection in place, if the worst were to happen, your loved ones could be fi nancially secure through a lump-sum payment.
Dependents aren’t limited to children - your partner or other family members may also rely on your income. If you were to become critically ill and unable to work, would your dependents be able to manage, or would they struggle without your income?
We can tailor your policy to include critical illness coverage, providing a payout if the unexpected happens. Additional benefi ts can be included, such as Permanent Absolute Disability, Death by Traffi c Accident, and Permanent Absolute Disability due to a Traffi c Accident.
For example, €100,000 in death-only coverage for a 50-year-old male starts at just €27 per month.
We also offer mortgage repayment protection, which will pay off any remaining mortgage debt if death occurs during the policy term, ensuring your family can stay secure in their home.
To be eligible, you must be a resident of Spain and complete a simple online health/medical questionnaire. These policies are available with monthly direct debit payments, and all documentation will be provided in English.
For a quote or more information, please contact one of our offices, email info@ jennifercunningham.net, or visit our website at www.jennifercunningham.net
PUMPKIN
The spirit of Halloween is alive and well in Trasmoz
EU’re a tsar
THE European Union has appointed Danish politician Dan Jorgensen as ‘housing tsar’ tasked with tackling the continent’s property crisis.
Part of his task will be to attract investment in new housing and slashing the costs of construction.
Jorgensen will be working to develop a comprehensive European Affordable Housing Plan, which could provide much-needed support for Spain and other member states.
Shortage
He will also be expected to address the shortage of housing close to workplaces, and optimise the use of existing housing stock.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the gravity of the situation.
“Millions of young people and families are struggling to find affordable housing across Europe,” she told Jorgensen in a mission statement.
“We must address this crisis by helping member states tackle structural issues and unlock both public and private investment.”
-
GIVE OUR MONEY BACK!
By Walter Finch
TENS of thousands of homebuyers in Spain are taking advantage of new EU lender rules.
The Spanish banking regulator has received over 40,000 requests in the first half of 2024 alone following the ruling. It could see millions of mortgage holders recoup millions in unfair fees.
Notary fees
The expenses - which include notary fees, agency fees, appraisal costs, taxes, and land registry fees - are often as much as 3% of the total mortgage costs.
Now, the European High Court has ruled the costs should be shared, with homeowners expected to recoup
Luxury living
SLS Hotels & Residences is expanding its luxury offerings in Spain with two major projects.
It is due to open a high-end hotel in Barcelona in December, followed by a branded residences project in Madrid in 2025.
The Barcelona hotel is located in Port Forum, Sant Adrià de Besòs, a site initially planned for a Hard Rock hotel.
Some €200 million is being spent on the development, which will feature 471 rooms, including 70 suites with ocean views.
The hotel will also offer a range of luxury amenities such as bars, restaurants, three pools, meeting rooms, a spa, and a fitness centre.
In Madrid, SLS will introduce the SLS Madrid Infantas Residences, its first branded
an average of €1,500 each from their bank.
Regulator, the Bank of Spain, announced that many banks are voluntarily returning these fees to customers without the need for legal action.
However, an alarming 61% of claims are being rejected due to incomplete information, customer service rejections and fraud.
Hugenumberof claimants demand a refund of mortgagefeesasclaims floodtheBankof Spain
Anyone who took out a mortgage before June 2019 and paid all the associated expenses is entitled to make a claim.
residences in Spain. An historic 1920s building (below)will be transformed into 33 exclusive homes, offering one to three bedrooms, penthouses with terraces, and hotel-style services.
Around 15 million mortgages were taken out in Spain between 2003 and 2018. Homeowners can still claim even if they’ve paid off their mortgage in full. To claim, you’ll need your mortgage deed and related invoices.
If you don’t have them, you can request copies from your bank or agency.
KEY POINTS:
● Claims are valid for mortgages signed before June 2019
● The EU ruling extends the deadline for filing claims
● Expect to recover between €1,500 and €3,000, depending on your mortgage
● You can still claim even if you’ve paid off or sold the property.
MINI-MOGULS
SOME 91% of real estate crowdfunding investors are men. Walliance, a crowdfunding platform operating in Spain, Italy, and France, examined over 170 projects, following the company’s acquisition of the French platform Lymo Finance.
A COSTA Blanca resort, home to gangster expat John Gilligan (below), is the cheapest place to buy on the Spanish costas.
Torrevieja is excellent value with homes going for around €1,700/m2.
It means you can snare a two-bedroom apartment near the beach for just €65,000. There are even homes for as little as €34,600, although they require extensive work.
A two bedroom home on the Costa del Sol would be difficult to find for less than €200,000 in comparison, while in Marbella you would need at least €275,000.
Coastline
Bustling Torrevieja is just south of Alicante city, which costs an average of €2,298/m2, while Benidorm comes in at €2,868/ m2.
Fancy the north Costa Blanca you will need to shell out €2,864/m2 in Denia while Moraira, an expat hotspot, remains one of the most expensive at €3,956/m2.
Torrevieja, though, has everything, including 14 kms of coastline and a warm climate with an annual average temperature of 18C.
It has around 89,920 inhabitants and is packed with British expats, alongside 121 other nationalities.
The report reveals that the average investor is 44 years old, with participants from 74 countries, primarily Italy and France.
Walliance noted that new construction projects have seen the highest demand on the platform.
The platform’s average investment in 2024 was €3,902, with 57.87% of funds directed toward new developments.
Most investors are small savers with limited real estate knowledge but eager to grow their assets. They club together with other small investors via a website to buy a stake in the real estate project.
Irish gangster Gilligan received a suspended sentence for drug dealing at Torrevieja Criminal Court last year. He was accused of smuggling cannabis and sleeping pills into Ireland as well as owning a gun found in his back garden. While he faced eight years in prison, he instead got handed a 22-month suspended sentence and a €14,000 fine. When asked by the judge if he accepted the deal, Gilligan replied: “Yes, I am guilty.”
REGULATOR: The Bank of Spain estimates €1,500 per purchase returned
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 fi rm 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 fl oor.
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 infl uenced 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. 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.
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
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-effi ciency climate installations and solar thermal installation for ACS.
In addition to the new passive energy effi ciency strategies, the house has been awarded a B-A energy rating. Extra insulation, high-effi ciency
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
Cheers for the beers
A NEW study has revealed that four Sevilla, Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga are among Europe’s top 10 beer-consuming cities.
Each of the Spanish cities averages 104 litres of beer swigged down per person annually.
Despite Spain’s impressive beer consumption, the country still trails behind Europe’s leading beer capitals. Prague tops the list with a remarkable 144 litres per person, followed by Warsaw, Krakow, and German cities Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin.
Under the sea
Take a holiday in Davy Jones’ locker at this innovative new theme park
AN amazing underwater theme park is one step closer to becoming a reality in Spain.
Dubbed the Underwater Gardens, the project is planned for Tenerife and vows to be an ‘eco-friendly and innovative’ experience.
After being given the green light on September 27, it will now undergo various environmental assessments before being granted final approval.
The ambitious park promises to be a game-changer
OP Puzzle solutions
Quick Crossword
Across: 6 Stands to, 7 P D As, 8 Deteriorates, 10 Biases, 13 Patron, 14 Say, 15 De Niro, 16 Rimmed, 18 Board members, 22 Blow, 23 Sadistic.
Down: 1 P-T S D, 2 Gnat, 3 Espresso, 4 Gozo, 5 Take-home, 7 Phantom, 9 E T A, 11 Ice lolly, 12 Skid row, 13 Pyramids, 17 Mar, 19 Mast, 20
AnyTech365 IntelliGuard
AnyTech365 AI
By Laurence Dollimore
in the world of tourism due to its positive impact on the environment.
This includes its own regenerative sea gardens, that are placed on the local seabed.
The theme park will be split into two areas, the aboveshore ‘Garden Gate’ and the underwater ‘Sea Garden’.
The former will offer ‘leisure and educational activities that invite visitors to discover and learn about the ocean
ECO: The theme park is in harmony with marine life
through games and fun’.
The latter promises ‘authentic diving experiences in an underwater landscape, which has been tailor-made for the surroundings: a unique environment inspired by nature’.
The project will install underwater ‘architecture’ on
Under lock and key
AnyTech365
Introducing an exclusive partnership between Olive Press and AnyTech365 AI-Powered IT Security
The ultimate guide to creating uncrackable passwords (because ‘password123’ just won’t cut it!)
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Founded in 2014 by Janus R. Nielsen, a seasoned IT entrepreneur, AnyTech365 leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to offer unparalleled service quality and efficiency in tech support and cybersecurity,
Think of your password like a secret recipeequal parts clever, complex, and just the right
15 native languages.
the sea bed (below) that is specially designed to regenerate marine life.
These will be available to view during special diving tours, during which participants can ‘actively take part in regeneration tasks’.
An indoor diving centre and ‘aquademy’ are also among
the plans. There will also be a bio lab, where visitors can learn all about local sea life, plus an underwater aquarium and indoor diving centre.
The French are coming
THE Brits have been knocked off their perch as Spain’s best customer – by the French. New figures show that the UK’s long-running spell at the top of the visitor charts has come to an end, as 2.14 million Frenchmen came to Spain in August compared to 2.12 million Brits. It’s the first time the Brits have been dethroned since the Covid pandemic, when German tourists outnumbered their British counterparts in 2020.
Advantage
However, it is likely to be only temporary, as August-holidaying French folk took advantage of the land border with Spain to pop over for a visit. Brits are still on top overall, with 12.6 million visitors in 2024, way ahead of second-placed France with 9.2 million.
Traditional competitors Germany could muster only 1.2 million tourists in August, and 8 million for the entire year.
You need something so unpredictable that even hackers will get a headache just looking at it. Aim for at least 12 characters - long enough to make any cybercriminal throw in the towel. Using real words in your password? That’s like leaving your house keys under the mat - just begging to be found.
AnyTech365
Get creative! Mix in some gibberish, throw in a random number, and don’t be afraid to make it weird. Something like ‘PizzaLlama!42’ is both deliciously random and hacker-proof. Passphrases are like the Swiss Army knives of passwords - versatile, secure, and easy to remember. Picture something like ‘FlyingPenguins!Dance@Midnight’. It’s weird enough that no one would ever guess it, but still easy enough to recall when you’re logging into Netflix at 3 am.
World
A
has excellent online reputation scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews on Trustpilot (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).
Fastest growing technology company in Spain and the 27th fastest growing company in Europe across all sectors, according to Financial Times.
Reusing the same password for everything?
The company is currently in the process of becoming publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the transaction expected to complete in Q3
That’s like wearing your pyjamas to a job interview. You wouldn’t do that, right? Give each account its own unique password - think of it as a wardrobe for your digital life. Stylish and secure. Oh, and if you’re thinking of using your birthday, pet’s name, or favourite flavour of ice cream as a password… don’t. Hackers love to easy-toguess personal details. Keep your passwords a mystery - like a riddle wrapped in an enigma inside a digital vault.
Speaking of vaults, enter the password manager: your personal password butler. It remembers all your passwords, generates new ones,
and locks them away in an encrypted vault so you don’t have to. And if you ever need a little help getting started with password managers or securing your devices, AnyTech365 is always ready to assist.
and immediate response to suspicious activity. This
Now, let’s talk about two-factor authentication (2FA) - aka, the superhero sidekick of your passwords. With 2FA, even if someone tries to sneak in with your password, they’ll hit a second wall of security, like a text message code or a fingerprint scan. Think of it as the VIP pass to your own account, and you’re the only one on the guest list. Feeling fresh? Good, because your passwords should be, too. Change them regularly, like you would your socks. Every six months or so, hit that refresh button and swap out the old for the new. Fresh passwords are like a digital facelift for your security. And let’s not forget about phishing - those shady emails or links trying to trick you into spilling your secrets. They’re like those scam calls
from
Don’t fall for it! Always double-check who’s asking for your information. If something smells fishy, toss it back in the water. If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of something, AnyTech365 can help you detect and avoid these tricky scams.
Your password is more than a string of characters - it’s the lock on your digital vault. By adding variety, using passphrases, leveraging password managers, and embracing 2FA, you’ll become a cyber-fortress. So, wave goodbye to ‘password123’ and say hello to a more secure, hacker-proof digital life. And remember, if you need help along the way, AnyTech365 is just a click away to keep your accounts locked up tighter than Fort Knox!
Take advantage of AnyTech365’s exclusive offer for all Olive Press readers and start enjoying a worry-free online experience today!
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Supermarket weep
A SPANISH TikToker tested an 18-year-old Lidl advert promising a full trolley for €30, he found that now, the average trolley totals €188.
Running man
BRIT Mike Humphrys is undertaking 30 marathons in 30 countries in 30 days, starting in Barcelona. He is running in aid of Motor Neurone Disease research.
Pet betrayal
A COLOMBIAN woman has died in Castellon after being bitten by her children’s pet hamster. An autopsy will now confirm the cause of death.
SCAN
Death defying
TRANS FC
A FOOTBALL team consisting totally of transgender men is playing its first season in a lower regional league in Catalunya.
It’s the first all-trans squad to be awarded federated status in Europe and, though they lost their first match 19-0 last month, the symbolism is more important than the result.
The team, named Fenix FC after the mythical bird symbolising rebirth, competes in a fifth-tier league after being incorporated into the Sant Feliu de Llobregat club near Barcelona.
Hugo Martinez, 24, said he faced abuse when he began transitioning with gender-affirming hormone therapy and was forced to leave the women’s football that he had played for.
“I was a boy playing in the girls’ team, but without a changed ID, so I wasn’t yet allowed to play with boys,” he said.
Fenix rises for first transgender male soccer team in league action
By Alex Trelinski
Martinez added that other players, coaches and parents often insulted and threatened him. He decided to go online and appeal for other trans men seeking to play soccer in a safe environment, which resulted in the setting up of Fenix FC.
Worried
Skipper Luke Ibanez, 19 (above right), said he was worried about playing for a side with non-trans men due to fears of violence or not fitting in.
“Fenix is a team of trans boys created entirely by trans boys, but I think it's more than that - a family, a safe space where you can be free and express yourself however you want and how you really feel,” he said.
THE world’s highest ‘death dive’ has been recorded in Jaen, measuring a terrifying 44 metres.
Frenchman Come Girardot took on the challenge - equivalent to 15 floors - at the Cimbarra waterfall in Aldeaquemada.
“The jump felt way higher than I thought,” said the 22-year-old.
“I planned all my movements but once I reached the end of my routine I was still 25 metres over the water. It felt way bigger than I thought. My body just took over.”
A medical and safety team were waiting at the bottom for him with a sign announcing his success.
A sniff of success
A DOG that can sniff out a human body from over 100 metres away has been awarded a medal of honour by the Policia Nacional. Scottex the labrador celebrates his sixth birthday on November 1 and has been a member of the Policia Nacional’s Canine Guide Unit for four years. He has been involved in leading cases across Spain involving body
detection. He received his medal in Sevilla on Police Day, accompanied by his handler, Manuel Cortes. In June, Scottex located a Madrid man that had been missing for two years after his body was dumped into a two-metre deep septic tank that was then buried under cement and bricks in a kitchen. a
