Olive Press Costa Blanca South and Murcia Issue 113

HAD ENOUGH!

GIBRALTAR’s Chief Minister has announced he will step down after his current term.

Fabian Picardo told a popular podcast things had gotten ‘a little stickier’ and ‘I’ve had my fill of this job’. His words in The Rest is Politics come as an inquiry gathered steam over the early retirement of Gib’s former police boss.

Ex-Commissioner Ian McGrail told Gibraltar Court this week how Picardo had ‘questions to answer’ over his involvement in an alleged criminal conspiracy. He claims he stepped in to effectively quash an investigation, called Operation Delhi, that threatened Gibraltar’s national security. It came after Caine Sanchez, John Perez and Tommy Cornelio were arrested in 2020 over a scheme to fraudulently transfer a €840,000-a-year border security contract to a company called 36 North Ltd.

Picardo allegedly had full knowledge and ‘owned 3%’ of the company, which was set up specifically to take on the government contract, the court heard.

His friend, James Levy - the boss of the Rock’s leading law firm Hassans - injected a ‘considerable sum’ into the company for a 33% stake.

“I would not classify [the Chief Minister] as a suspect,” McGrail told the hearing. “But he had questions to answer.”

In the end, Operation Delhi was discontinued in 2022 over ‘matters of national security.’ McGrail’s lawyers ‘allege corruption’ and that Picardo forced their client’s retirement after the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) carried out a search warrant at Levy’s office and took his phone and tablet.

Lawyers for the government insist the police boss was forced to resign because of a series of poorly-handled incidents causing them to ‘lose confidence’ in him.

See The Rumbles on the Rock, page 6

Dawn of a new era

Introducing our brand new website...click on the QR code to take a look

Was Valencia based expat teacher killed by her husband during sex game gone wrong?

EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

They told the Olive Press they never saw expat Bianca Pitman, 43, ever take drugs.

The teacher and mother-of-two, from Texas, was found dead inside a holiday apartment in Malaga on April 6.

Her common law husband, Jose Betancourt, 50, ran into a square at 5.30am calling for help, saying his wife was unconscious. He is now being investigated over the death which he claims came after they engaged in ‘rape roleplay’ and after she took an unspecified ‘substance’.

Yet, Valerie Dullnig, a close friend, told the Olive Press that drugs were ‘never’ a part of her life.

The Texan revealed: “She was an art teacher and a photographer. She was my best friend, she was happy and smart and encouraging, everybody loved her, everyone who met her felt better for being part of her life.

“Her students loved her and kept in touch with her after they graduated, she was such a popular figure. “She was very close with her children. Her daughter is best friends with my daughter. She had a great relationship with them… everybody is shocked by this.” She revealed how Bianca had been teaching English at a school in Xativa, in Valencia, and ‘seemed happy’

ARRESTED: No bail for Jose over sex game

with her new life. During various conversations on Snapchat, she sent videos of her new neighbourhood and friends. She added she didn’t understand how and why Bianca, from San Valerie insisted she had ‘fled’ the States to start ‘a fresh new life’ in Spain - and more importantly, did ‘not want Jose to know where she was’.

Antonio, had come south to Malaga to meet her ex-partner.

start

Police sources said Jose told investigators he and Bianca had enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city before having dinner, ‘lots of tequila’ and sex until dawn.

When police quizzed Jose, he also claimed that Bianca had ‘consumed

When emergency services arrived at the flat in Plaza de Camas, they desperately tried to revive Bianca, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

SCENE: The square Jose ran to for help

American mystery

FLED: Bianca (centre) who lived in Xativa with her two children had come for ‘new life in Spain’

a substance’, the details of which remain unknown.

Jose was first arrested for reckless homicide before an autopsy revealed signs of asphyxiation due to strangulation.

He is now being probed for domestic violence and will remain in prison without bail while the investigation continues.

Authorities now must determine

whether the strangulation took place during a sexual ‘rape roleplay’, or whether it was intentional and planned.

CLOSE friends of a teacher whose husband claims she died during a drug-fuelled sex game have poured cold water over the claims.

Bridge diversion

DEMOLITION of the Lo Quiles bridge in San Miguel de Salinas started on Tuesday, resulting in a two kms detour for CV-95 users for up to six months while a replacement structure is built.

Strike threat

OVER 200 Valencian region forest firefighters protested in the region's capital on Tuesday, threatening strike action if staffing levels and pay are not improved.

Bogus booker

THE Valencian government is warning about an official-looking but fake website which charges users to book an ITV vehicle test.

Gull concerns

SEAGULL nests and eggs are to be removed in San Pedro del Pinatarto to cut down on the gulls’ numbers, which are threatening bird habitats in the Salinas and Arenales Regional Park.

NOLOTIL IN THE DOCK

SPAIN’S High Court will finally investigate Nolotil following dozens of deaths officially linked to the country’s most popular painkiller.

It comes after a judge rejected an appeal by a lawyer representing the Spanish Medicine Agency (AEMPs).

German drug firm Boehringer Ingelheim has also been summoned with the judge aiming to ‘find those responsible’.

Both parties will have to present evidence to evaluate

Killer drug will finally be investigated at the High Court

By Yzabelle Bostyn

Baby blues

A MAN slit his partner’s throat minutes after she told him their relationship was over soon after giving birth in an Elche hospital.

Vinalopo Hospital staff heard screaming and when medics entered the room, they saw blood everywhere.

The woman, 28, was moved to the ICU at Vinalopo Hospital with a deep stab wound to her neck and cuts to her arms. Her partner, 37, needed stitches after being struck in the head up to a dozen times as the victim fought back with a hammer.

if Nolotil poses ‘a risk of adverse effects for health’. It comes after an Olive Press campaign was launched following numerous deaths of northern Europeans given the drug in Spain. MPS for ‘failing to properly regulate Nolotil’, last year. They believe the painkiller has led to over 40 deaths of British and Irish people alone in Spain. They also filed a criminal complaint with the Spanish public prosecution office. Spain’s Patient’s Defence Association also flagged up the issue to the High Court in February. Its report slammed the negative side effects of Nolotil, which has been banned in around 40 countries.

The assailant also tried to attack at least two members of the medical team with a knife before he was immobilised by security staff and later arrested by police. The newborn baby was not harmed.

big Advocacy group, the Association of Drug Affected Patients (ADAF), filed a lawsuit against the Spanish Ministry of Health and AE-

Surfer robber

Press: “This is big news. Nolotil is the most sold medicine in the country so it’s a big step in the right direction.”

KILL THE DRUG

Initial proceedings will investigate if the drug ‘provokes harm’ and to ‘find those responsible’. ADAF campaigner Cristina del Campo told the Olive

In 2018, AEMPs issued an informative note stating the medicine should not be given to patients without a thorough background check and the possibility of follow ups. This effectively means foreigners and tourists should not be given the drug. Last issue we reported how dozens of hospitals and clinics along the Costas had stopped using the drug. Over 750 people have so far signed our petition on Change.org.

A THIEF took €450,000 of windsurfing gear from a European championship event on the Mar Menor and drove his haul to a warehouse over 100 kilometres away. The Frenchman, 35, struck during last month’s Formula Kite races in Los Alcazares. He posed as an event worker and during a concert broke into a storage area and helped himself to the expensive equipment.

He loaded it into his van and drove north on the AP-7 motorway to Agost where he parked the vehicle on an industrial estate.

Guardia Civil identified the culprit and retrieved the van contents within 24 hours.

BRIT’S FLIP

A BRITISH motorist flipped her car over on the Orihuela Costa and tested positive for excess alcohol in her blood. The spectacular accident happened last Saturday on Calle Arco Iris in the vicinity of the Los Dolses school. The female driver left the Las Mimosas urbanisation at speed and collided with a parked car. Eyewitnesses said the woman’s vehicle literally rose up in the air as it travelled on two wheels before ending up on its roof in the middle of the road. The Brit was unharmed but was treated for shock after being unable to get out of her overturned car. A roadside test confirmed she had been drinking alcohol.

PEAS TO MEET YOU

SIX-TIME Grammy winners, the Black Eyed Peas, will perform in Spain three times this year.

The hip-hop group featuring will.i.am are famous for songs like I Gotta Feeling and The Time, and have recorded a dozen albums.

The prolific Peas have sold 120 million singles and 35 million albums in the 25 years that they have been together.

They will be performing at the Malaga Forum as part of the Selvatic Malaga Fest summer programme on July 21.

Before that they will feature at the Gran Canaria stadium on July 5, and then the Benicassim Festival in Castellon on July 18.

THE reasons behind Tom Hopcroft’s move to Spain would not appear out of place in the pages of a romantic novel.

“Many years ago, I moved for love. I moved for a Spanish girl”, he tells the Olive Press. “My plan was to come to Spain, make her fall in love with me and then take her away forever, but it actually worked the opposite way around. I came here, I fell in love with Spain, and then when she was eventually ready to move on and head somewhere else, I actually wanted to stay. I’ve been here ever since and it’s changed my life”. Swapping the melancholy of Birmingham for the bustling busyness of Madrid was, the former Leeds University student says, ‘the best decision’ of his life.

Almost a decade on, we speak as Tom is walking along the

Camino de Santiago, leading a group of 20 members of his own carefully nurtured community along one of the world’s great pilgrimage routes in one of three expeditions planned this year.

The Peas have been regular visitors to Spain down the years and last August performed at Marbella’s Starlite festival and the Brilla Torrevieja festival.

Taking ownership

Tom, now 31, is the founder of Guiris de Mierda, a successful lifestyle brand based in Spain that organises real-life ex-

periences and events for peo-

Meet the young British expat behind Guiris de - a lifestyle brand which reclaims the ‘offensive’ term for foreigners

Just love it!

By Ben Pawlowski

called me to do a movie. Pedro loves women’. Whether or not the recent Brit award winner’s celluloid dreams will come true is yet to be seen.

European descent - was used in anti-tourist graffiti plastered on walls in Malaga as tensions between local residents and visitors came to the boil. Some deem the word, which more often than not is a term of endearment, to be a derogatory slur. Tom, who has proudly embraced the phrase, labelling himself a

‘professional guiri’, hopes ple, with the aim of uniting the widening divide between locals and foreigners.

tourists and locals in Spain, or at least there can be. But obviously with waves of mass tourism, and even immigration from people outside of Spain, there are always going to be some people who are rubbed up the wrong way by it”, he explains. “We try to set a good example that not all guiris are the type that get smashed, get battered, and drink for five days straight. Some guiris want to give back to Spain, and so we are working with charities now, organising charity events and promoting the integration side of things”.

Just a fortnight ago, the word guiri - used by Spaniards colloquially to describe foreigners, particularly of Northern

AMANCIO Ortega, the founder of fashion chain Zara and Spain’s richest person, has made his latest eye-watering purchase - a €182 million luxury yacht.

The 88-year old Galician businessman’s new

that the work he does with his brand can help to heal divisions and show that mass integration is something valuable and precious.

Message

“I think most of the time there is a good relationship between

, was built by Feadship, the industry-leader for constructing superyachts for the super-rich.

The 564-square-metre boat includes all manner of luxurious amenities, including a jacuzzi, super-fast wifi coverage, a helicopter pad, a swimming pool, a children’s playground and a stunning master bedroom.

He adds: “We organise events around the idea that everybody has been a guiri at some point in their lives. Especially in the modern world, people live in other countries and we feel that is something worth celebrating, so we try and bring people together”.

But she did at least get to enjoy the company of the Oscar winner when they dined together in one of Madrid’s most exclusive eateries: BiBo, one of the restaurants that renowned Marbella chef Dani Garcia has in the Spanish capital. Making up a foursome in BiBo were Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, both of whom are currently working on Almodovar’s first full-length English-language feature.

Titled The Room Next Door, the movie is described by Almodovar’s production company as ‘the story of a very imperfect mother (Tilda Swinton) and a spiteful daughter separated by a huge misunderstanding. In between the two is another woman, Ingrid (Julianne Moore), the mother's friend, who is the repository of their pain and bitterness’.

RACIST SLURS

THE attitudes of Spanish football are once again in the spotlight after the decision to ban a black player who confronted racist fans in a third division game. Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Sarr jumped into the crowd to confront the spectators who had been abusing him during a match between his team Rayo Majadahonda and Sestao River Club in the Basque Country. The referee showed the keeper a straight red card with the score poised at 2-1 in the 84th minute. Sarr’s teammates refused to finish the game and walked off the pitch with him.

Last edition the Olive Press reported how Ortega had sold his previous yacht Drizzle for €76 million - a loss of €19 million over the purchase price. Not that he will be bothered too much - Ortega has an estimated net worth of over €67 billion.

Recently, the company has made a successful venture into clothing, selling t-shirts and other accessories with the motto: ‘Embrace your inner guiri and stop taking yourself so seriously’.

“2024 has been a great year for us so far - we have launched the clothing brand and we are having so much demand for the events so we want to do more of them and create these real-life experiences and connections between Spanish people and foreigners, and keep spreading our message”, he says.

Among the insults hurled at him were ‘eres un puto mono’ (you're a f***ing monkey) and ‘corre, puto negro de mierda’ (run, you f***ing black s***). The authorities banned Sarr for two matches and awarded his club a 3-0 defeat. Meanwhile, their opponents were fined €6,001.

But the decision was met with outrage by social media users, who labelled it ‘disgraceful, disgusting’ and ‘embarrassing’.

POP sensation Dua

Lipa has confessed that she would ‘love it if Almodovar

Mierda

TOP TABLE: Dua with Tilda, Julianne and Almodovar

BACK FOR MORE: Black Eyed Peas

NEW TOY: Ortega’s yacht Project 2024

FRONT PAGE: Guiri demand

BANNED: Cheikh Sarr

A NEW far right group has come out of the shadows, just six weeks after Spain’s fascist party, the Falange, held its 90th anniversary celebrations at Madrid’s Goya Theatre.

Nucleo Nacional (National Cell) held a rally on Sunday spouting anti-immigrant sentiments while targeting Spain’s youth.

The event, held at the Falange’s headquarters in Madrid, was attended by hundreds of men in black t-shirts with

GHOSTS OF THE PAST

shaved heads and bearing Nazi insignia. Terrifyingly, there were even a handful of attendees dressed like SS officers. The main speech was given by the group’s leader, who wore a balaclava concealing his face.

He slammed the ‘degenerate state’ of Spain and identified the ‘enemy’ as

OUTLOOK SUNNY

ORIHUELA council will more than double its income from beach bar operations after splitting up the old single contract into five bundles.

The authority will play financial catch up as the bars were closed all last year and none were open for Easter - meaning a loss to municipal coffers of close to €3 million. It will now earn almost €2 million per year compared to the previous coast-wide deal with Chiringuitos del Sol that netted €900,000.

Two lots have been awarded to Chiringuitos de Sol totalling €1.2 million, covering Cala Cerrada, Cala Bosque, Cala Capitan, La Caleta and Aquamarina.

The bars at Cala Bosque and La Caleta will be open all year and will include toilet facilities, with La Caleta expected to start trading soon.

Two other tenders went to Cafe Ole & Friends for bars at La Glea, Barranco Rubio and Mil Palmeras.

A contract to run water sports on the Orihuela Costa was awarded to Recreativos Acuaticos Horadada.

One franchise award is still pending to cover Punta Prima, Cala Mosca and Cala Estaca.

Billboard jungle

A BLIGHT of illegal high-visibility advertising billboards on the Orihuela Costa may soon be a thing of the past, due to a Valencian Anti-Fraud Agency investigation.

The coastal N-332 has seen unsanctioned billboard jungles pop up over the years including one at La Regia in 2020.

Other areas with a high concentration of advertising include La Zenia and Playa Flamenca, with some hoardings previously promoting sexual services.

The Valencian agency told Orihuela council to provide records of billboard applications and discovered that only three had been lodged, while there were over 50 illegal sites.

It has given the council three months to outline its plans to remedy the long-standing transgressions.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, billionaire George Soros and other left-wing figures. He said the country needed to ‘defend the white race from immigrants’. He later refused to give his name but told the Olive Press he was ‘between 25 and 30’, and worked in IT.

Mutant cockroaches

Experts say numbers of bugs - also including ticks and mosquitos - have soared by a third while their genetics are rapidly changing

EXPERTS are warning against ‘mutant’ cockroaches as numbers of the bugs soar due to genetic mutation.

Climate change has accelerated the metabolic cycles of certain species, leading to a huge expansion of the bugs across the globe.

They have also become ‘resistant’ to insecticides, making it ever more difficult to combat their rising numbers.

Happiness abounds A

By Yzabelle Bostyn

As well as tiger mosquitos, more cockroaches are expected in coastal areas including Valencia and Malaga.

The Costa Blanca is the perfect breeding ground for the creatures as it has the necessary ‘shelter and food’ for reproduction.

According to Jorge Galvan, director of the Spanish Association of Envi-

SAN Javier has been acclaimed as the Murcia region’s happiest place to live,with neighbouring Los Alcazares and San Pedro del Pinatar coming second and third respectively.

The three Mar Menor municipalities topped the list in a survey conducted by property portal Sonneil that analysed the quality of life for residents. The study totted up numbers looking at sunny weather, beach quality, and travelling distances to hospitals and airports.

Caravaca de la Cruz and Moratalla came at the bottom of the index.

ronmental Health, the conditions are ‘ideal for hatching’, meaning it will be ‘more difficult’ to control the pest.

“New strategies are needed,” he insisted. “Cleanliness is the first step to prevent this plague. It’s not a question of getting scared but letting people know.”

As spring gets underway, he warned that warm weather encourages insect reproduction. He also confirmed that Spain was making a tick map for the first time, to avoid the spread of the bugs through pets.

Manager of pest control company Anticimex, Carlos Pradera, added Spain has developed from a ‘subtropical climate to a tropical one’ over recent years. “Warm seasons are longer and the cold ones are getting warmer and warmer.” This means plagues of cockroaches are seen a couple of months earlier and last six weeks longer at the end of the summer.

ALICANTE'S Municipal Animal Shelter

has seen a 40% increase in animals in its care as fewer and fewer have been adopted.

Between March 2023 and March 2024, out of 890 animal guests, only 179 have been found a home.

The year up to March 2023 saw 705 animals in total, with 204 finding homes. Cats and dogs are the bulk of the shelter's residents, but it is also home to donkeys, ponies, and horses.

Exotic birds and reptiles also appear and they are then transferred to specialised wildlife recovery centres.

Alicante's Health Councillor, Cristina Cutanda (pictured), stressed the importance of responsible animal ownership to avoid abandonment situations.

“Perhaps those who want to bring an animal into their family could choose to adopt one of those waiting in the shelter to give them a better life,” she suggested.

A COUNCILLOR has resigned from Elche City Council after he was thrown out of a church for being drunk.

Jose Navarro, from the Partido Popular (PP), quit amid accusations that he also performed a sex act at Elche’s El Salvador church. The former councillor for Security, Human Resources, and Sport strenuously denied that he had indulged in such behaviour.

He did however admit that he was drunk when he and friends went into the church early on Good Friday morning.

Navarro got backing from senior PP figures including Valencian president Carlos Mazon and council colleagues. But the next day, Navarro resigned for ‘personal reasons’., He insisted he had been defamed and reserved the right to extend legal action he had already initiated.

Parking boost

SIX park and ride car parks will be opened in Torrevieja over the next few months at a cost of €530,000. Around 3,500 extra parking spaces will be created on council-owned land and contracts have been advertised to set up the sites. The number of shuttle buses and their fares - if any - is yet to be revealed.

NURSERY education for children aged up to three years will cost parents nothing in the Valencian Community from September.

The annual nursery school budget of €30 million will rise over successive years to €160 million.

It’s estimated that the number of children benefiting from free places will increase from the current 21,000 to 72,000.

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.

Justice for Bianca

WHAT happened to Bianca Pitman is nothing short of a tragedy (American mystery, p1).

Like most expats, the 43-year-old moved to Spain with hopes of embarking on a brand new life under the sun.

But just months after arriving, the American mum-of-two was found dead in a holiday apartment after, according to her husband, a sex game that ‘simulated rape’ went wrong, after she ingested a yet-unspecified drug.

It has sparked a genuine mystery and from what her close friends have told us, this kind of behaviour is totally out of character for the much-loved art teacher.

The facts are she left her partner for a new life in Spain and did not want him to know where she was. Then months later, he flew to Spain and by all appearances convinced her to meet with him, and now she is dead. There is clearly a lot to unpack in this case, and we hope the Spanish authorities leave no stone unturned in their investigation.

We want justice for Bianca and the truth to come out about what really happened on that fateful night on April 6. We send our condolences to her family and friends, most importantly her two devastated children, who now have to cope with losing their mother, while their father is locked up in jail as the prime suspect in her killing.

Truth is coming out

THE McGrail inquiry is throwing a light on one of the most opaque incidents in Gibraltar’s history.

It has taken a long four years to begin and involves some of the Rock’s most high profile figures.

It is to be welcomed that a public inquiry is being held, with the doors open to the press.

Indeed, compared with Spain - where transparency is not the first thing that comes to mind when delving into political dealings - it is a breath of fresh air.

We do not know what further evidence will be heard and what conclusions will be drawn by the inquiry. But what we have heard so far is pretty alarming.

Whether Ian McGrail deserved to lose his job due to incompetence is one thing. What he was investigating under Operation Delhi is another thing altogether.

It is perhaps understandable that the Chief Minister has announced he will not stand for a further term in office. For the whiff of corruption blowing around the Rock this month is as strong as the wind from Tarifa. We hope the truth will out.

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es

Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es

Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es

The rumbles on

WITH a population of just 32,649, Gibraltar is much smaller than near neighbours Estepona, with 77,000 people and even La Linea, with 64,000 souls. So small in fact that the usual ‘six degrees of separation’ is often reduced to just one. And if you don’t know someone, you will know their father or work with their nephew.

Yet the tiny British Overseas Territory has a thriving service economy, aided by an extraordinary complement of 32 law firms (one for every thousand Gibraltarians). The Rock, as it’s often known, has one of the highest GDP figures in the world and all the trappings of a modern liberal democracy; its own parliament, police force - and a UK-appointed Governor.

Yet, somehow, on one fateful Tuesday four years ago, these varying pillars of the Rock all managed to collide, triggering allegations of fraud, corruption, and an inquiry that began last week.

Suddenly the world is watching, with the Times, the FT and Guardian covering the case, while the celebrated podcast, The Rest is Politics, dedicated a section to the alleged corruption that revolves around the early retirement of its former police chief Ian McGrail.

It certainly makes for awkward listening (and reading) for Gibraltar’s dozen or so key power brokers as their activities come under a very public microscope. After all, this tiny little strip of land has long been accustomed to largely flying under the radar.

A very revealing public inquiry is shining a light on the shock retirement of Gibraltar’s police chief, and an alleged conspiracy involving some of the enclave’s most powerful figures

By Walter Finch at the McGrail inquiry

HOW CHIEF MINISTER FABIAN PICARDO GOT INVOLVED

“‘CM, (Chief Minister) before you hear it from anyone else I want to inform you that detectives are executing a search warrant at Hassans for JL in relation to the case against [John Perez, Thomas Cornelio, and Caine Sanchez] ... Regards.” This, how ex-Commissioner of Police Ian McGrail broke the news to Chief Minister Fabian Picardo in a Whatsapp on May 12, 2020. He was referring to a search of the office of his friend, James Levy, the most senior partner at the most important law firm in Gibraltar, Hassans, with detectives seizing his mobile phone and tablet. Picardo’s ‘friend, colleague and mentor’, the pair both worked together for years at Hassans. Both senior trial lawyers, or KCs (King’s Counsels), it was never going to end well for McGrail, who less than a month later on June 9 had handed in his notice half way through his four-year term.

THE MAIN PLAYERS

IAN MCGRAIL:

A RGP policeman for 35 years, he joined as a Constable in 1984 and rose through the ranks until he was appointed Commissioner in 2018 on a four-year term. He had an unblemished record and was garlanded many times with honours and awards for his service. They include the Overseas Territories Police medal handed him during the late Queen’s 2015 Birthday Honours List. He was also awarded the Gold and Diamond Jubilee medal.

FABIAN PICARDO:

The four-time Chief Minister, who heads the Socialist Labour Party (GSLP), was first elected in 2011 and has vanquished all comers ever since. The Oxford educated barrister reached the heady heights of King’s Counsel in a 20-year legal career, mostly at Hassans, before moving into politics. During his tenure the Rock’s economy has thrived, moving away from a ‘tax haven’ model and towards becoming a hub for offshore finance and gaming. He has struck a very progressive agenda, legalising gay marriage ending legal discrimination against same-sex couples.

At the age of 54, it was a career-ending retirement and he claims Picardo

But as the inquiry heard last week, Picardo denies this insisting he had to step down due to incompetence, a claim backed up by then-interim Governor, Nick Pyle, as well as the Attorney General, Michael Llamas.

All three have accused McGrail of lying about the search, adding he had lost their confidence.

THE €840,000-A-YEAR SECURITY CONTRACT

The backstory began some 18 months earlier in 2018 when the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) initiated Operation Delhi to investigate the alleged hacking and attempts to take control of the National Se

Spain’s National Police awarded McGrail for his service in combating organised crime and fostering cross-border law enforcement cooperation.

He became a Queen’s Counsel (now a KC) in 2002 and was awarded a CBE for his services to the community of Gibraltar and for his work in helping to grow and develop its economy. He is credited with advising the Gibraltar government on its transformation into a finance centre and helping to set up much of the rules and legislation governing it. He is considered a first-class expert consistently ranked as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500, a publication that assesses global law firms and lawyers. it forced him. last to to

JAMES LEVY:

Nicknamed ‘the grey man’, Levy is the boss of Hassans, the largest law firm on the Rock.

UNDER FIRE: Fabian Picardo (above), while (left) Ian McGrail and (right) James Levy

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: The Times’ coverage of the McGrail inquiry power

P propertySpain’sbest

roperty

transformedThechickencoopthathasbeen intoanarchitect’sstudio

A MASTER EYE ON

WTaking a look at the lesser known Gaudi creations

CLUCKS TO CREATIVITY

SIESTAS, lots of holidays and long warm evenings… is it any wonder Spain offers the second-best work-life balance in the world.

According to new research, Spaniards have much more time to relax outside of work compared to most European countries.. In comparison to the UK, where most people work nine to five jobs with a short lunch

break, most Spanish workers get at least an hour to eat.

According to global HR company Remote, Spain scored a healthy 76 out of 100 for workers.

In the company’s study of the 60 countries with the highest GDP globally, only New Zealand came above with a score

HERE once chickens literally ruled the roost, a firm of architects is now drawing inspiration from the nature of the Paratges de La Moixina.

Nestled within the scenic natural park near Orlot (Girona), a remarkable transformation has taken place. What was once a dilapidated chicken coop is now a centre of creativity and innovation, thanks to the work of the Arnau Estudi d'Arquitectura studio. Led by Arnau Verges, (below) the firm decided to restore the forgotten structure to its former glory.

See page 8

With a keen eye for design Arnau and his team renovated the old coop, breathing new life into its weathered walls.

The transformation of the chicken coop into an architect’s studio has been nothing short of extraordinary. It exudes a sense of rustic charm, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of its surroundings..

It was a labour of love for Arnau who

into the land.

grew up on the farm where the coop stands. He remembers seeing roe deer and other wildlife on And now he has clear views from his comfortable studio as the wildlife timidly approach the old coop.

He said: “We watch the seasons and life go by through the window while we know that this little paradise is just a lucky fragment of the broken mirror of life.”

PERFECT BALANCE

Spainisthesecond-bestcountryintheworldforwork-lifebalance

By Yzabelle Bostyn

of 79.

The poll took into account public holidays, sick leave, healthcare, annual leave, maternity leave and overall happiness.

Spain did extremely well for

statutory annual leave of 36 days, while 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (at €100 a week) and getting 60% of your wage if sick were pluses.

While the minimum hourly wage is low at €7.41, it is compensated by an average happiness level of 6.48 out of 10.

An ordinary work week is 25.9

hours, including part-time work.

Despite coming first, Kiwis get less annual leave than Spaniards, with 32 days.

However, their sick leave percentage is higher at 80% as well as maternity leave allowance, at around €98 for 26 weeks.

France came third, followed by Australia, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. The United Kingdom was in eighth position, with an average happiness score of 6.94 out of 10.

Brits get 28 days of annual leave, £96 a week for sick leave and 39 weeks of maternity leave at £24 (€27).

In ninth and tenth place were Canada and Brazil, respectively.

WINGING IT: Arnau grew up on the farm

PROPERTY

Getting to know Gaudi: the Catalan architect’s masterpieces you’ve likely never heard of

PALAU GUELL

November 29th - LOOKING FOR MORE

PROPERTY STORIES?

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EYE ON

A MASTER

By Yzabelle Bostyn

EVERY year, thousands of tourists flock to Barcelona to marvel at Antoni Guadi’s buildings.

His emblematic Sagrada Familia cathedral which started to go up in 1882 could be finished in two years to make a century since his death.

It is Barcelona’s most popular tourist attraction, but there are so many other works by the artist in the city worth visiting.

In particular, it’s incredible that so many miss Palau Guell (left), which is just steps from

the city’s famous La Rambla street. Gaudi designed the mansion for industrial tycoon Eusebi Guell, who is also the namesake of the well-known Park Guell in the nearby hills.

Built between 1886-1886, it is an early example of Gaudi’s signature style, using mosaic, wrought iron features and stained glass.

and soft lighting earn Palau Guell its palatial title.

Outside, the extraordinary roof offers lovely views over the city where you may be able to spot the even more amazing Casa Vicens.

Most of them remain largely undis- covered by tou- rists.

CASA VICENS

Inside, the ar-

ching stonework, twisting stairways

Found in Barcelona’s hipster Gracia neighbourhood, at first glance you might not realise this unusual red, white and green house was one of the architect’s works.

He took on the project, in fact, as a newly qualified architect with just five years of experience after being hired by tile baron Manuel Vicens Montaner to design a summer house. Gaudi clearly considered his benefactor’s profession when designing the house, implementing brightly coloured motifs at

qualified house,

SKY HIGH: The remarkable roof of Palau Guell and the internal brickwork and staircases

TILE TYCOON’S DREAM: Gaudi used Vicen’s designs as much as possible with extraordinary originality

Clearly influenced by Andalucia, the Arabian smoking room is delightfully reminiscent of Granada’s wonderful Moorish masterpiece the Alhambra.

After careful restoration, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005 and has been open to the public for seven years.

With access limited to 500 people a day, it is best to book a ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.

For the purists, you should also visit one of Gaudi’s first works Casa Calvet (left).

Built in 1899, the building is considered the architect’s most ‘conservative’ work but it nonetheless earned him the city’s ‘best building of the year award’ in 1900.

The house, built for textile manufacturer Pere Martir Calvet is still distinctively modernist, with curved balconies lining the facade.

It also pays tribute to baroque style and Calvet himself, with decorative ‘C’s in every corner.

Today, the building houses a restaurant where diners can enjoy the incredible ceilings, granite columns and vine-inspired arches.

It is also well worth visiting Torre Bellesguard, also known as Casa Figueres.

The modernist manor house was constructed on the site of a mediaeval castle and the influence is clear.

ge

Built as a country retreat for the then King of Aragon, it fell into decay over the centuries until Juame Figueres commissioned Gaudi to redesign it.

evident on the terrace which cleverly integrates a ‘dragon’ in a nod to the region’s patron saint, Saint George.

Although these details are what makes the house so special today, the architect’s obsessive behaviour added significant costs and time to the project and the Figueres family were never able to live in the property.

Finally, Gaudi’s best kept secret is Colonia Guell, a short 20-minute train ride from the city.

Originally built as an industrial village for one of Eusebi Guell’s textile mills, the project was intended to improve workers’ quality of life, including houses, a theatre, school, shops, gardens and a church.

Gaudi was commissioned to design the church, now known as the crypt.

The undulating arches, stained glass and broken mosaic ‘ trencadis ’ make the building unlike any other church and its influence is clearly seen later in his master-work, the Sagrada Familia.

After marvelling at the church, make sure to wander around the village.

FIT FOR A KING: And Torre Bellesguard fittingly ‘cost a packet’ to build

CONSERVATIVE: By Gaudi’s standards but Casa Calvet is still distictly ‘modernist’

Typical of Catalan modernism, the design is inspired by nature every step of the way, with twisting vines for gates and tiled sunflowers decorating the exterior.

Gaudi’s Catalan herita-

is

Previously, the scheme allowed foreigners to obtain a three-year residence permit, extendable for another two, by buying property, or investing €1 million in deposits or shares of Spanish capital companies, or more than €2 million in government bonds. The scheme was introduced in 2013 in the wake of the housing market crash and Euro crisis as a means to re-invigorate the country’s property sector through foreign investment.

BARCELONA’S iconic Sagrada Familia cathedral has finally been given a completion date - 100 years since its architect died.

Antoni Gaudi’s spectacular gothic basilica, which looms high over the city, will be completed by 2026 according to builders. He will have died exactly 100 years ago on June 10, 1926.

Work on the structure first began in 1882, with the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s construction dogged by wars, fire, a lack of funds and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic. But now, Esteve Camps, the president

ary pressures and acts as a back door for dirty money to enter the Spanish economy.

Now, Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist-led government has vowed to end the scheme.

Sanchez, 52, said that 94% of approved visas were related to property investment and located in regional capitals such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and Valencia, ‘cities where the housing market is very stressed’.

“We do not want a speculative investment model with housing”, he added.

Heaven can’t wait!

of the company behind the works, claims to have sufficient funds and material to complete the project, including the 172.5 metre central tower.

However, work on various intricate details could continue until 2034, as well as a stairway leading up to the main entrance.

But this has sparked controversy after it emerged that over 1,000 families and businesses would need to be dislodged.

“We are trying to follow Gaudi’s plan to

Spaintoendgoldenvisasthatgrant residencytoforeignerswhobuya €500,000home

By Ben Pawlowski

of their income towards having a suitable, quality home’.

In 2022, Spain granted 2,462 residency permits to investors who had bought properties with a value exceeding €500,000, a 60% increase from the previous year.

warned that a cancellation of the scheme could damage the Spanish economy by discouraging crucial investment from its European neighbours.

the letter,” insisted Camps.

“We are his heirs and the plan presented to the local authorities in 1915, signed by Gaudi, includes the stairway”.

The building is Barcelona’s most popular tourist attraction, with close to five million annual visitors cumulatively spending over €125m.

Yet it has not always been popular with everyone - George Orwell once described it as ‘one of the most hideous buildings in the world’.

He lamented that a fire sparked by anarchists in 1936 had failed to completely destroy the monument.

Nonsense!

However, the policy has since come under severe scrutiny, with critics claiming it creates inflation-

The move comes in the build-up to crucial local elections in Catalunya and the Basque Country, with Sanchez stating that his main policy aim is to ‘guarantee access to affordable housing, to respond to the public, and assure that no citizen has to spend more than 30%

The Spanish government has granted a total of 11,464 individual authorisations since the golden visa was introduced, in addition to 19,805 authorisation for family reunification.

Last year, countries including Ireland, Portugal and Greece cancelled their version of the ‘golden visa’ scheme as critics highlighted a lack of affordable rental housing in major cities.

However, housing experts have

Tourism councillor in Benahavis Scott Marshall (left) branded the scrapping of the golden visa as ‘nonsense’.

Marchall,who is an estate agent by trade, added that it was ‘a decision

made without consultation and without any basis’.

He added: “The problem is that, whether the initiative goes ahead or not, it contributes to creating uncertainty in the foreign investor... foreigners cannot be blamed for the price of housing and rents.”

Uncertainty

In a tweet, Sanchez said: “Housing is a constitutional right and not a mere speculative market. That is why we are going to eliminate the ‘Golden Visa’, the law approved by the PP that al-

GOLDEN VISA

lows you to obtain a residence visa if you invest more than €500,000 in housing in our country”.

He added: “Having decent housing cannot depend only on market rules. This will be the legislature that turns housing into the fifth pillar of the welfare state.”

SPAIN’S Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has pledged the removal of so-called ‘golden visas’ which grant residency to foreigners who purchase a property for €500,000 or more.

the Rock

curity Centralised Intelligence System (NSCIS) and transfer it to a company called 36 North Limited.

The NSCIS was a computer platform ‘designed to monitor

and control Gibraltar’s border with Spain.’ Critical to the territory’s national security, understandably it warranted a lucrative contract to run, worth some €840,000 a year.

Police soon uncovered an alarming roll call of key figures behind the hacking, including the secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister, the CEO of Gibraltar’s Borders and Coast Guard, and, finally, Levy himself. It was on this discovery that on May 7, 2020, McGrail decided to issue a search warrant of Levy’s home as a suspect of ‘conspiracy to defraud’. Levy - who the inquiry has discovered knew

of the ‘plan to remove the NSCIS platform’ - owned 11% of 36 North Ltd - while his pal Picardo held a 3% share.

However, with his rapid resignation it was decided Operation Delhi should be shelved and all charges were dropped in January 2022 on the grounds it would ‘not be in the public interest.’

Levy was never charged and his mobile phone and tablet were returned to him without, allegedly, being opened.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

In Gibraltar, the same few names crop up time and again.

It may have only 32,000 or so residents, but a vastly smaller number of people actually run the jurisdiction.

McGrail’s lawyers are trying to prove that Picardo himself interfered in a live police investigation to protect his old boss and business partner.

While Picardo denies it, so far they have done a good job of showing how a tiny cabal of elites control the Rock and avoiding conflicts of interest is almost impossible, even with the best of intentions.

It has even been suggested that Inquiry chairman Sir Peter Openshaw may conclude that Gibraltar is too small to govern itself, and recommend a return to ‘Direct Rule’ from the UK.

It is a possibility that has also been floated by the leader of the opposition, Keith Azopardi, who himself is also a senior lawyer and KC.

Worse than that, it is something more than likely to prick up the ears of the Spanish, who have long-demanded sovereignty over the territory.

Spain refers to Gibraltar as a British colony; something that can be refuted so long as it governs itself.

If the position of Governor, appointed by London, is transformed from a ceremonial one to an executive one, suddenly Gibraltar becomes a British colony again. An anachronism, or relic of the past that should be decolonised and, as the Spanish will argue, returned to them.

Visit our website

Dawn of a new era

Olive Press website soars to new heights after major relaunch

THE Olive Press website has seen visitor numbers more than DOUBLE since launching a brand new look.

After months of arduous planning, www.theolivepress.es entered a new era at the weekend.

In just four days, our ambitious relaunch has had hundreds of new registrations, while subscribers are flooding in from around the world - including the US and Australia. More engaging and geared towards a younger audience, the new design was sorely needed after almost a decade without major changes.

We are sure the hundreds of thousands of new readers we are now bringing to the site each month are enjoying it.

“It was really important for us to have a website that reflects the high quality and exclusive content we produce on a daily basis - and we finally have it,” explains editor Jon Clarke. “I’m very proud of the changes and I am confident this will usher in a new era for theolivepress.es.”

As well as overhauling our paywall, we have made the pricing simpler and more compet-

By Laurence Dollimore Digital Editor

As part of the relaunch readers can subscribe for just €4.99 per month - or €1.25 a week - which is less than the price of a coffee And for a limited time only, you can get the first three months for the

Now all eyes are on Gibraltar and the inquiry, which has another three weeks to run.

www.theolivepress.es for the regular daily reports as the inquiry unravels.

only, price of one. tablet.

If you want to take advantage of the deal, scan the QR code on this page with your phone or tablet.

Our subscribers have advert-free access to all of our online articles, weekly newsletters covering travel, health and property and regular personal missives from the digital editor.

In addition, you get exclusive access to all the e-editions of our six fortnightly printed newspapersnow including our new one in GERMAN.

The OP was the first English-language newspaper in Spain to launch a paywall, a decision many in the industry thought unwise. But you will now notice that every other re-

is offering numerous

spectable competitor has followed suit. Unfortunately for them, they pale in comparison to the content we produce, thanks to our dozen-plus journalists and writers. Only the Olive Press exclusives every week, sending NCTJ-trained journalists out to investigate stories across the country.

This month that has included two reports on anti-tourism movements in Tenerife, the killing of an American expat in Malaga and live court coverage of the explosive McGrail inquiry in Gibraltar.

We have also been in Madrid, Benidorm, Sevilla and Murcia covering stories, as well as regular trips to Germany, covering the sensational trial of Madeleine McCann suspect Christian Brueckner, given the many links to Spain and Portugal. As well as incisive up-to-date news on health and the property market, we produce dozens of our own travel stories, features and reviews each month, taking us to the known and, more importantly, lesser-known destinations around Spain.

Is it any wonder that over the past week alone we have been followed up by almost every national newspaper in the UK, including The Times, Daily Mail, Sun, Express, Metro and Mirror

We also got an in-depth feature on ITV, as well as frequent articles on GB News.

It means the Olive Press website is, without a doubt, the number one source of news in English in Spain.

While some sites will claim to have more stories - and all of them free - the Olive Press is about curating the news and breaking the news.

So when you’re deciding which online paper to subscribe to, there really is no better option!

KEY FIGURES: Keith Azorpadi (left) and Sir Peter Openshaw

Cadiz

Overtourism is the word on everyone’s lips this Spring. As visitors start to roll into Spain’s most popular destinations in droves, anti-tourism movements are growing across the country and politicians are taking notice.

Tourist tax has increased in Palma de Mallorca while you will soon be charged to enter Sevilla’s Plaza de España. So, why not help alleviate the strain on the likes of Malaga, Barcelona and Tenerife by checking out some lesser known locations? Leading tour comparison site, TourScanner, has conducted a study to discover the best alternative options.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

Across

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

QUIETER TWINS

It found similar - or twin - locations to popular tourist spots and ranked them based on the amount of annual visitors.

Barcelona = Cadiz

The Catalan capital was one of the fi rst cities in Spain to begin an anti-tourist movement. Millions of visitors fl ock to the city each year to see the mix of the jostling old town, impressive art and the bustling city centre. That has not only made Barcelona overcrowded but expensive and in some areas, dangerous. Cadiz in Andalucia has been suggested as a great alternative, with far fewer tourists each year.

Just like Barcelona, Cadiz perfectly mixes beach days and city culture, with lots of museums and historic monuments.

7 DVD predecessor (2,1)

8 Gratis (3,4)

9 Former (8)

10 Prepare for publication (4)

11 Offences (13)

14 Redesign an incinerator for an encore? (13)

17 Picket buster (4)

19 Operatic lyrics (8)

20 One end of the Brenner Pass (7)

21 Loan letters (1,1,1)

Down

1 Past its best (8)

2 Could be G.W. or H.W. (9,4)

3 State to be true (6)

4 White wine grape variety (6)

5 Group agenda is about Hereford, today (5,2,3,3)

6 Abominable snowman (4)

12 Organ which can be bent or lent (3)

13 Avian alarm clocks (8)

15 Attraction (6)

16 North African goat (6)

18 Blue hue (4)

All solutions are on page 14

While the cathedral is no Sagrada Familia, its grand facade and the views from its tower make it worth a visit.

The Parque Genoves bears many similarities to Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella, with sandy pathways and overhanging palm trees providing shade from the summer heat.

Above all, it is the lively street life - including Spain’s most famous carnival - that sets it apart. Much like the Costa Dorada, Cadiz is surrounded by beach side hamlets and fi shing villages, all with clear water and golden sand.

Madrid = Salamanca

One of the most visited cities in Spain, Madrid is well worth a visit.

Salamanca

But if you can’t handle the crowds, Salamanca receives far fewer tourists a year compared to Madrid’s 60.2 million.

Found in Castilla y Leon, the city is just a 2.5 hour train ride away from the Spanish capital.

It is home to the oldest university in the Hispanic world and still maintains a vibrant student community, with plenty of bars, cheap food and nightlife.

Similar to Madrid is the Plaza Mayor, complete with Baroque style architecture to rival its neighbouring city. Unlike Madrid’s Catedral de Almudena, Salamanca boasts two cathedrals.

The Old Cathedral is a ‘truly magnifi cent’ Roman monument, while the New Cathedral is built in an inspiring gothic style. The city also has a river fl owing through it and you can walk along it over the roman bridge. It also has many museums, including the impressive Museo de Art Nouveau.

Mallorca = Menorca

Tourism is a key political issue in Mallorca at the moment, with pro-

BREATHTAKING: The beauty of Salamanca is not spoilt by overtourism

By Yzabelle Bostyn

Scrap Barcelona for…

Swap Madrid for…

Love Spain but hate overcrowding? Here are three of the best alternatives to the biggest tourist traps

TIMELESS: The charm of Cadiz has endured down the ages

SMALLER BROTHER: But the coves and old world vibe of Menorca hold their own against Mallorca

Swap busy Mallorca for…

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

SPAIN is going through a ‘wine revolution’ believes leading UK wine guru Jancis Robinson.

Just as the country has seen a massive shift in its restaurant scene, the wine sector is also booming.

“There is a Spanish wine revolution and there is a revolution in vineyards all over the country,” believes Robinson.

“There are so many exciting new-wave producers…And the best thing is most of the wines are reasonably priced and so wide-ranging.”

Evidence of this, she insists, was clear from the 500 wines on offer at a recent London event for Spanish wine.

Called Vinateros, there were wines from over 80 grape varieties produced by 92 winemakers from all around the coun-

Wine revolution

Spanish wines have seen a ‘significant’ increase in quality over the last 20 years, insists UK wine expert Jancis Robinson

STRICTER CONTROLS

MURCIA'S Corvera Airport will have a fully-automated passport control area completed by May 1.

try. The seasoned wine writer was particularly impressed with the ‘great whites’ and also noted that only 13 producers came from Rioja and Ribera del Duero.

The rest were from a range of frequently ‘obscure’ denominations (DOs) including Cebreros, Valle de la Orotava, Arribes, Ribeira Sacra and Mentrida.

“You can see how

EVER fancied a journey on the Orient Express?

Well you can do just that - or rather sample its equivalent - right here in Spain.

RENFE has just launched this year's luxury Al-Andalus train service across Andalucia, taking in Jaen, Malaga, Cordoba, Granada, Cadiz and Sevilla.

The Al-Andalus is formed of 15 carriages, five of which are authentic from the 1920s. They were built in France and were originally used by members of the British royal family to go on holiday in the French Riviera.

The carriages have common areas, restaurant cars, kitchen cars and seven bedrooms.

You can choose between the Suite Deluxe and the Gran Clase rooms.

But beware, as prices can go as high as €6,700.

GREEN

Nuclear graveyard

SPAIN'S government has approved a long-term project to build a €4.1 billion facility to store all of the country’s nuclear waste. All nuclear power plants will be closed down progressively between 2027 and 2035 with each of the seven facilities having temporary dumps for radioactive waste to be kept at the sites for 50 years.

Waste

The intention is to transfer everything to a central nuclear graveyard (AGP) - in effect a large hole in the ground - where the waste will be kept permanently.

The design and location of such a site has yet to be decided but it could be ready as soon as 2073, according to the National Radioactive Waste Company (Enresa).

By Jon Clarke

difficult it is for us to map the wine regions of Spain satisfactorily now as they are scattered all over the country and as far as the Canaries,” she wrote in her column in the Financial Times.

“For a time I used to rail against Spain’s dependence on just one grape variety, Tempranillo, the dominant grape of Ribera and Rioja. But at the event this year

there were over 80!” She particularly raved about one wine, Guix Vermell, from Montsant as well as the Albarinos from Galicia. “These albarinos are far

Royal treat

The upcoming EES system logs people entering and leaving Spain, including UK travellers that do not have Spanish residency and can only stay for 90 days within a 180 day period.

The new network is expected to be launched in the country and across the EU from October.

The system collects personal data each time a person reaches passport control and stores the information in the system together with the date and time of their entry or exit.

The work at Corvera has seen the restructuring of passenger queue lanes, the installation of new control kiosks and improvements to the security camera network.

Passport gates with biometric systems have also been set up.

more interesting today than they were when they became fashionable 10 or 20 years ago,” she wrote. “White Rioja is also now taken seriously and there is a host of deep-flavoured whites based on grapes such as Albilllo, Verdejo and Xarel-lo.”

Location

RECORD SMASHED

Environmentalists blast plans to parade F1 cars through the streets of Barcelona ahead of GP

ENVIRONMENT groups have blasted plans to host a Formula One roadshow in Barcelona city centre ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in June.

F1 cars will drive along the Passeig de Gracia boulevard after plans for the exhibition were revealed last week.

The bustling thoroughfare will become home to VIP boxes, hospitality, food and drink stalls - an F1 Fan Village will also be installed in Placa Catalunya as authorities look to whip up enthusiasm for the annual Spanish Grand Prix, hosted at Circuit

By Ben Pawlowski

The vinateros (who are ‘wine growers’ as opposed to ‘winemakers’) believe that great wine is ‘made in the vineyard’ and the location is more important than the winemaking technique. The event was attended by over 20 UK importers as well as the Spanish ambassador. There will be an American version of the event in the US next year.

Ear-splitting row

ALICANTE-ELCHE airport is continuing its record breaking start to 2024 with its best-ever passenger numbers for March. Airport owner Aena said that 1.2 million travellers used the facility last month - 21.3% up on a year ago, and an impressive 27.2% increase on 2019, before the Covid pandemic struck.

de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 23.

However, the plans have provoked the ire of local environmentalist groups who claim the exhibition is ‘absurd’ and will worsen air quality.

In a statement on X, Eixample Respira, which campaigns for the improvement of air quality in the Eixample neighbourhood of Barcelona, said: “We are suffering from a public health crisis caused by poor air quality and noise.

“It is absurd to consider a Formula 1 exhibition in the centre where thousands of people live, many of them particularly vulnerable to the effects of pollution.”

The future of Formula One racing in Catalunya was thrown into doubt after Stefano Domenicalli, the sport’s CEO, announced a new Madrid Grand Prix which will

take place from 2026.

The new circuit will incorporate both street and nonstreet sections around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre, just five minutes from Madrid Airport.

The contract for the current Spanish Grand Prix, hosted in Catalunya, is set to expire in 2026 - the same year that the Madrid Grand Prix’s contract starts.

12 months ‘are the highest since records began’, and are already 1.58ºC above the pre-industrial average of 1850 to 1900. In Europe, March was the second warmest

SPANISH green energy company Solarig will spend €780 million on a plant that will produce aviation fuel from agricultural waste.

When complete in 2026, it will produce 60,000 tonnes a year, enough for 12,000 flights between Madrid and Mallorca.

Built in an industrial park in Garray - in the Castilla y Leon region - it will be powered by a 370MW solar farm and a 50MW wind farm, supplemented by a 100MWh-capacity battery.

Solarig chief executive Miguel Angel Calleja said the plant would help Spain lead the sustainable fuels sector.

Aviation accounts for up to 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

on record, but it was only 0.02ºC cooler than the hottest in modern times, back in 2014.

Copernicus Deputy Director Samantha Burgess said: “March 2024 continues the sequence of broken climate records in both air temperature and sea surface temperatures.”

DOYENNE: Jancis praised the wide variety of grapes

DELUXE: But also not cheap on the Al-Andalus train tour

Dear Jennifer:

STUB IT OUT

War on smoking moves forward with plain packs and vape flavours ban mooted

SPAIN has started the process to introduce its new anti-smoking plan by announcing a public consultation over instigating plain cigarette packets and banning vape flavourings. The 2024-2027 plan was agreed by the Health Ministry and the country's 17 regions on

UNDER THREAT: Vape

flavours in sights of Health Minister Garcia

By Alex Trelinski

April 5.

The Ministry has now put out for consultation the launch of 'neutral' tobacco packets - already implemented in countries like the UK - and

Fishy alternatives

ending the sale of flavoured vapes.

Flavoured vapes are viewed by health experts as being a hook for teenagers and younger people to try traditional tobacco products.

because there was no impact with previous measures either," she added.

SWAPPING red meat for small fish such as sardines or boquerones (anchovies) could save up to 750,000 lives a year by 2050.

It would help reduce worldwide levels of diet-related diseases according to a study published last week by the journal, BMJ Global Health. A team of Japanese researchers says forage fish like sardines are perfect in a food regime to reduce red meats - cutting coronary heart disease and are also full of Omega-3.

The proposed changes are in line with the Smoking Control plan to 'prevent the initiation of consumption of tobacco and related products'. Health Minister, Monica Garcia, said that tobacco tax levels will be discussed with the Finance Ministry to 'bring us closer to countries around us'.

"I don't think people will stop going to terraces or beaches because there is a measure that protects against second-hand smoke but we will help the regions to implement it with all of the guarantees," said Garcia. She promised there will be a public consultation ahead of any stage of legislation, like in the case of packaging and vape flavours, where people from all sides of the argument will be able to contribute.

The plan also envisages outdoor 'smoke-free' spaces but details of that have still to be ironed out including whether or not that means a total ban for hospitality terraces.

Though all of the regions backed the plan, it’s expected that some will take a more 'looser' view on some of the proposals - especially over terraces.

Take care of the family

Are you prepared to protect your loved ones?

We can assist you with our Bespoke Life and Mortgage Protection policies to protect those that are most important to you, should the worse happen.

The first question would be – have you taken out Life Insurance? You may have a Mortgage Protection policy, which means on your death the mortgage will be paid. But of course, this does not provide your family with some financial security when they really need it.

Mortgage Protection is a good policy to have as it will pay off any mortgage you have on your house, keeping your family secure in their home. This is death only cover, however there are some additional options you can add on if you require them.

For example, Mortgage Payment protection for €100,000 of cover for a 50 year old can be as little as €305 per year. On the other hand, life insurance provides a payment to your family.

You can tailor the life policy to your own requirements and create a Bespoke Life insurance – whether to cover the initial costs incurred on your death or give your family a lump sum to provide for their future.

For example Life cover of €50,000 for a 50 year old, can be as little as €155 a year.

Our Bespoke Life policies can give you the cover most suited to your needs with standard death only cover and additional covers to include:-

● Repatriation

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● Serious Illness cover/Serious Female illness cover

● You do need to be resident in Spain for these policies and there will be a simple health/medical questionnaire that you will need to complete online. These policies are available with monthly direct debit payments, and our policies will be in English.

● Alongside the Life policies, we can provide various accident policies to give your protection throughout your life and provide support should you sadly experience a life changing accident.

“In Spain we have the advantage that culturally these small fish, such as anchovies and sardines, are consumed a lot,” said nutritionist Aitor Sanchez. “The survey confirms what we know but vegetables and legumes should also be eaten more,” he added.

Garcia said: “The sector is in good health and the ominous forecasts that spoke of widespread ruin because people were going to stop going to bars because they could not smoke indoors never happened". “There is no economic impact

In December, Madrid's mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida branded a terrace smoking ban as 'crazy' while a Mallorca restaurant owner has said that a ban would spark 'fights' between customers and waiting staff.

O P LIVE RESS

Triple eclipse

SPAIN will see three solar eclipses in three years, 2026, 2027 and 2028. Two will be total eclipses while the other will last an astonishing seven minutes.

Bird barmy

ANDALUCIA will hold its annual Bird Festival this weekend, April 19-21.

It will be held in Montejaque, one of the top birding destinations in the region.

Fair cop

TWO women in Gandia were arrested when they tried to burgle a policeman’s home only for him to return and catch them tearing out a wall safe.

Britain is a much happier country than Spain according to new ranking

THE United Kingdom is a much happier country than Spain, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report.

By Ben Pawlowski

tors.

The research, which is published annually, ranks the happiness of 143 countries based on respondent ratings and quality of life fac-

that Spain is less happy than countries including war-threatened Taiwan, Mexico, Kuwait, Kosovo

Spain has fallen in the rankings for the fourth consecutive year to 36th place, whilst the notoriously melancholic UK is 20th. The study indicates and El Salvador, the latter of which has the highest murder rate in the world.

GREAT BALL OF FIRE!

A HUGE fireball flew over Spain on Sunday. It could be seen in Huelva, Sevilla, the Sierra Nevada and La Sagrada, Granada. The object, determined to be a rock separated from an asteroid, was spotted from the Calar Alto observatory in Almeria. It entered our atmosphere at 65,000 km/ph and lit up around the border of Malaga and Granada, some 90 km in the air. Then it moved above Granada, before fading away at 25 km high over Jaen.

The result was even worse for Spain’s youth, who ranked in 55th position for happiness behind countries such as Guatemala, Bosnia, Panama, Paraguay, Nicaragua and Thailand.

The United States, meanwhile, have fallen out of the overall top 20 for the first time in over a decade.

In a ranking dominated by Nordic nations, Finland comes out on top for the sev-

Water

HAPPY DAYS!

VELEZ-Malaga will soon have dog lifeguards specially trained in water rescue.

enth consecutive time, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden.

At the other end of the scale, war-torn Afghanistan is last with an average score of just 1.7/10.

The top 10 were: Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Australia.

The bottom 10 were: Zambia, Eswatini, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Congo, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

The project is a collaboration between the local council and the Asociación de Rescate Acuático Canino (Association for Canine Water Rescue).

Dogs are trained to save swimmers in peril and transport flotation devices.

They provide vital support for human lifeguards, using their sense of smell to locate people in areas where human vision is limited or where victims have been dragged under water. The furry friends will wear special life jackets so they can be easily identified.

Bus-ted

BARCELONA city council has removed a busy bus route from Google Maps to prevent tourists dominating the service. It comes after years of complaints from locals. The 116 bus covers the Antoni Guadi designed Park Guell area, a major tourist hotspot. Once a quiet area for locals, tourists visiting the park have left the 20 seat service unusable for people going about their daily lives.