CITY OF SPLENDOUR
Orca mystery
Why you must visit Ronda
Why are Killer Whales sinking yachts
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COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 4 Issue 104 www.theolivepress.es 30th November - 13th December 2023
Terror probe hell ‘Full on and stressful’ ordeal for British family after daughter is dragged into terror probe A BRITISH expat family has been torn apart after their ‘vibrant’ and ‘model-esque’ daughter was accused of helping to carry out a terrorist attack in Spain. On the surface, Sasha Brooks is a typical young woman enjoying life in the sun, regularly posting selfies on nights out in Marbella and Granada with her friends on Instagram. With holidays in Ibiza, Mallorca and Australia, she wears stylish clothes and is the ‘life and soul of the party’ on frequent nights out. But her world came crashing down when
EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore
she was arrested alongside her Spanish boyfriend, Naraya Gomez, at a home they share in the quaint town of Lanjaron, Granada, just an hour inland from the Costa del Sol. They were sequestered to Madrid before facing a judge, where they were charged with aiding the assassination attempt of far-right politician Alejo Vidal-Quadras. The 78-year-old was shot in the face by a hitman on a motorbike outside his home in the posh neighbourhood of Salamanca in Madrid - which boasts football players, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem as residents. Last night Spain issued an international arrest warrant for the suspected shooter, named as 37-year-old Tunisian Mehrez Ayari. Following Sasha and Naraya’s arrests, Lanjaron, a tiny town of just 3,000 people, was turned into a media circus. Before Sasha was dragged before a judge, her mother, Angie Brooks, a financial advisor, told the Olive Press: “Spanish reporters have been hounding us, banging on my door all night and morning. “They have reported so many lies about my daughter.” After her court appearance her mother said Sasha was ‘exhaustLOVELY COUPLE: Naraya and ed’. Sasha are being investigated She added she had been through an ‘ord e a l ’ , branding the episode ALL YOUR LEGAL ‘stressful’ and ISSUES DEALT WITH! ‘full on’. Compare funerals “I’ve had Here to help with your to come Plans cover the life in Spain including up to Mawhole of Spain drid to wills, residency, help her Interest free payment plans as much tax returns, buying from €2,250 or as little
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as possible,” said Brooks, who runs a an anti-fraud advice company, Pension Life, where her daughter and boyfriend Naraya had been working. “It’s been pretty full on and it’s now up to the judge to decide whether to charge WORRIED: Mum them or Angie while (above) Naraya’s dad Sirio not.” While her mother later insisted she had not been charged, Sasha had her passport taken off her after being released on bail. She must appear before the court every 15 days and is forbidden from leaving Spain as the investigation continues. Various Spanish newspapers reported that both Sasha and Naraya were still being investigated in connection to the attempted murder. Naraya was refused bail and sent to prison due to the overwhelming evidence against him. He is said to have recently converted to Islam, specifically following the Shiite sect favoured by the ayatollahs of Iran. Vidal-Quadras is convinced the Middle Eastern nation is the mastermind behind the hit, after its ruling elite listed him as a ‘terrorist’ last October due to his years of harsh criticisms against the country. Naraya, 26, is accused of hiring the contract killer before travelling to a hotel in Madrid with him on the eve of the attack.
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‘EXHAUSTED’: Sasha Brooks was dragged to Madrid following her arrest in Granada
According to police, Gomez followed the Frenchman in his car on the day of the shooting. After the deed was done, the alleged killer, who is also wanted for a murder in Paris, dumped his motorbike and set it on fire, before being picked up by Gomez in his car to make his getaway. According to police, Naraya’s blue hire car was seen on CCTV in Madrid’s Barrio Salamanca in the weeks running up to the attack, tracking Vidal-Quadras’s movements. The same car was found illegally parked in Lanjaron this week, leading to the couple’s arrest. Naraya’s father Sirio Gomez, a yoga master who lives in a new age commune just outside Lanjaron, insisted the charges were completely false. He told the Olive Press: “My son is completely innocent, See page 9 he is not a terrorist. “He is a good boy, a vegetarian, spiritual and a pacifist.”
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He said he last spoke to Naraya a few months ago and that he was excited to introduce his girlfriend Sasha to him. He added: “He was not related to politics, he worked for Sasha’s mother’s business. “He never converted to Islam, that is a lie, he is not a Muslim. He has judeo-Christian beliefs and an affinity with Israel!”
Alternative
Sirio lives in the so-called community of Benificio, just a 20-minute drive from Lanjaron. It’s known by locals as an ‘alternative community’, where people from across Europe come and go. The theory put forward by police has left expats and locals in Lanjaron in shock. One local Brit told the Olive Press: “They were a lovely couple, no one can believe it or understand it. “There is no motivation for them to do something like this, Sasha comes from a good family.” The investigation continues.
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CRIME
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NEWS IN BRIEF Smoothing over A new phase of road resurfacing as part of a 2023 plan will start in Torrevieja ‘soon’ covering 50,000 m2 according to infrastructure councillor Sandra Sanchez.
Easy prey AN ITALIAN couple have been jailed after being charged with 12 counts of violent robbery in Alicante province and Murciaincluding severely injuring a Cartagena woman, 90.
Finishing line A €1.1 million sports park being built on scrub land by the Canal del Estacio at the north of La Manga covering 15,000 m2 should be completed by the end of December.
Big trouble A drunk-drugged motorist, 32, without a driving licence led police on a high speed chase through Orihuela before attacking a Policia Nacional officer during his arrest.
AN Italian-owned pizzeria served up cocaine and hashish to its customers along with its more traditional fare according to the Policia Nacional. A father and son used their restauA CULT leader accused of feeding his followers mercury and living in a cave with his multiple lovers has been arrested in southern Spain. Jose Manuel C, aka Total Transcendence (Transcendencia Total), is charged with a number of crimes against public health, the environment and workers’ rights following a year-long investigation by police. The 50-year-old Spaniard ran his Mahasandhi Foundation for the last 15 years in El Tolle, Murcia, out of a sprawling 100,000m2 complex. Investigators found cave dwellings, warehouses, temples, bunkers, and clandestine laboratories as well
Mamma Mia! rant business in the Torrellano district of Elche to sell narcotics prepared in the kitchen.
30th November - 13th December 2023 The Italian nationals, aged 51 and 24, have been arrested after three addresses were searched in Torrellano and Santa Pola. A test of the contents of a ‘flour bin’ showed it was actually cocaine.
TOXIC CULT
Spanish ‘spiritual leader’ who ‘poisoned his own followers’ is arrested after 15-year reign
‘MASTER’: Cult leader Jose Manuel C
By Alex Trelinski
as 180kg of mercury which is believed to have been bought on the 'dark web'. It is alleged that the former chiropractor aimed
DRUGS FARM
TWO people have been arrested for running an indoor marijuana farm out of an Aspe property belonging to a British national who died in 2022. The Spaniards, aged 54 and 28, identified the isolated and empty home and started up their drug growing operation without any rental or purchase contract for the premises. It's understood that the deceased Briton had no relatives to leave the house to and the drug 'squatters' were confident of not being disturbed.
to purify the mercury with alchemy to create ‘energising elixirs’ - which he often sold online for cash, before dumping leftover mercury into a septic tank. Many of Manuel’s followers cut ties with their family to serve their ‘master’, but recently began showing symptoms of mercury poisoning, which can include muscle weakness, numbness, poor coordination, forgetfulness and sensory problems. A revolver, €90,000 in cash and 19kg of marijuana were also discovered during the
raid. According to reports, Manuel spent long periods of time locked up in his ‘cave home’ alongside several women, while other followers lived in caves nearby.
Silent
When he was arrested, he took a vow of silence and communicated by writing on a chalkboard. Manuel has been remanded in custody and his foundation's website has been taken down along with its social media channels.
Crazy journey A YOUNG motorist was pulled over after driving for 28 kilometres on the wrong carriageway of the A-7 motorway. A Guardia Civil patrol car chased the kamikaze driver who was travelling at high speed. He was stopped close to the Elche service area after his chaotic journey from Albatera on the Murcia-bound lanes, forcing oncoming drivers to move out of the way. He was over the limit for drink and positive for drugs.
Travelling band A MADRID gang travelled to the Costa Blanca and Murcia areas to rob store safes in large shopping centres after hiding inside premises before closing time. The Policia Nacional have arrested five people after raiding three Madrid addresses and charged the group with eight robberies in Alicante, Elche, Murcia, San Javier, and Torrevieja. Equipment to inhibit alarms, 'bumping' keys, cylinder extractors and fake ID papers were discovered. Money and items totalling over €65,000 were stolen by the crew.
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30th November - 13th December 2023
3
VIRTUALLY PERFECT
MEET Aitana, the latest Spanish supermodel, whose looks are turning heads. But the ‘celebrities’ who are said to be sending her private messages looking for a date will be sorely disappointed - she does not actually exist. Aitana is Spain’s first Artificial Intelligence created model and she is raking in up to €10,000 a month for her creators AI agency The Clueless from a series of ad cam-
paigns. And her Instagram site now has 125,000 followers, with many of them having no idea she is nothing more than a series of electrons. Ruben Cruz, who created Aitana, explained: “One day, a well-known Latin American actor texted to ask her out. This actor has about 5 million followers and some of our team watched his TV series when they were kids. He had no idea Aitana didn’t exist.” She has now been picked to be the face of sports supplement company Big.
RHODES RAGE Outraged expat concert pianist James Rhodes offers to pay rent of 78-yearold woman for two years to save her from eviction ‘over an €88 debt’ BRITISH concert pianist James Rhodes has offered to pay an elderly woman’s rent for two years after an €88 debt left her at risk of homelessness. The 78-year-old woman, Blanca, has lived in her Barcelona flat for over 50 years. Now, she is facing homeless-
AT HOME: Blanca was taken to court over €88 debt
month - an offer rejected by Blanca. British musician Rhodes, who lives in Madrid, has By Yzabelle Bostyn contacted the landlord’s lawyers ofness as her landlord is threatening to kick her out over an fering to pay the woman’s unpaid bill for repairs, which rent ‘at marshe was unaware of. ket rate’ for But activists believe that the real reason is that he wanted the next two years to halt to turn the property into a the eviction. lucrative holiday rental rathHis offer was er than collect the protected rejected by €280 a month she has been the landlord’s OFFER: Concert pianist James paying. legal team, Rhodes wants to halt eviction A court ordered the tenant’s who claim the eviction but it has been put on hold after a public outissue has been ongoing for The pianist added that he cry. The parties have just 15 six years. hopes ‘public pressure’ will days to negotiate a new rentRhodes said: “It seems in- help to resolve the case. al contract and the landlord credible to me that some- Much of this pressure comes has reportedly asked the thing like this could happen from a local housing associaelderly tenant for €1,200 a in civilised society.” tion, Resistim al Gotic (Gothic Quarter Resistance). Speaking about the delayed eviction, they said: “It’s a vicSPANISH tennis star Rafa tory for the people.” Nadal has vowed to return to Spokesperson for Resistim top-level tennis once he has al Gotic, Daniel Pardo, has overcome a serious injury. called the case ‘especially unThe 37-year-old has been out of just’ as the woman was rentaction since January after he ing under an old contract. retired from the second round He claims the owner only of the Australian Open. wants to evict the 78-yearHe was struck down with a old in order to earn more muscle injury money. The 22-time Grand Slam He told 20 Minutos: “He did champion needed surgery that some work on the apartment, has kept him off the courts lonwhich was poorly done, and ger than anticipated. he decided to bill Blanca In a recent post on Instagram, €88, but she didn’t know." Nadal confirmed that he will Instead of asking his tenant return following a period of refor the cash, the landlord habilitation and training at his went directly to the court to academy in Manacor. ask for her eviction. It will be his swansong as he has Currently, the case is being previously stated that 2024 will negotiated by local council be his final season on tour. mediators.
Nadal returns
STAR STUDDED
PULP, Lana Del Rey and SZA are just some of the star acts heading to Barcelona next year for Primavera Sound. Other names lined up for the show include Vampire Weekend, Mitski, FKA Twigs, Disclosure, Justice, Phoenix, and PJ Harvey. The festival will take place from May 30 - June 1, 2024 at the Parc del Forum in Barcelona. The experiment of running a ‘mirror’ festival in Madrid in the days after this year’s Barcelona event has not been repeated.
Shakira pays up POP STAR Shakira has cut a deal with prosecutors at the start of her tax fraud trial in Barcelona. The singer, 46, told the presiding judge that she accepted an agreement reached between her lawyers and state prosecutors after previously twice turning down such an arrangement. It involves her paying a €7 million fine and a three-yearprison term but the Colombian star is not going to jail as she will pay an extra fine of €432,000. The sentence handed down was 'final' and it means that the trial on tax fraud charges will not go ahead. She faced six counts of failing to pay the Spanish government €14.5 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014 when she said she lived mainly abroad.
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LEAVE IT TO THE KIDS
THE VALENCIAN parliament has voted to slash inheritance tax to just 1% for most beneficiaries. The cut will apply retrospectively to inheritances and gifts received after 28 May 2023 (the date of this year's regional elections).
End of the road Legal action to stop mega development at Cala Mosca fails
P The Naked truth Your expat
How an Olive Press reporter’s joke tortilla caused a national outrage
voice in Spain
COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 4 Issue 88 www.theoli
vepress.es April 20th - May 3rd 2023
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way. The State Attorney's Office acting on behalf of the ministry argued that the new development's traffic study showed there would be heavier volumes of traffic and increased noise. Cambiemos said the plans were illegal because there
A DOCTORS union claims life could have been saved a man’s bulance ‘just five minutes if an ambeen sent to an emergencyaway’ had Instead, an ambulance call. from Elche, 25 minutes was sent the man dying before it away, with LOOK OUT: The tragedy occurred arrived. Naturists are as Alicante’s emergency coordination lining up for CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to closed in January and centre was fight battle all calls were on, despite Orihuela By Alex Trelinski routed to Valencia. council finally approving controversia & Alberto Lejarraga In the alarming incident l plans to build 2,200 homes ‘for dialled the emergency a woman foreigners’ at scenic Cala Mosca. 3am over Easter sayingnumber at They “In particular, we are disappointare hoping to take their her husband was unconscious at her home to Alicante’s regional court, case ed with all the politicians who in La Marina village, near as the have made this Gomendio group now developgets set to ment possible The situation needed Elche. a rapid develop ‘the last virgin kilometre but we life-saving response, are still hoping to of Orihuela Costa’. but the Valencia centre decided stop it.” Protest groups, including a SAMU ambulance to mobilise mos continued: from Elche, Cala Mosca, are raising Salve- He some 30 kilometres away. funds “The development via a Crowdfunding campaign contract a team of environmentto is an attack on al our town, against lawyers to help in their Death battle. nature and yet an“We are all very Meanwhile, an ambulance was but we are still sad at this news, other instance of available across the hoping to stop the municipality it,” Salvemos council dammayor Carolina border in Rojales - a mere seven ki- Barcelo told spokesman Angel aging the coast.” Gracia had actuallometre drive. the Olive Press, this In particular, the week. ly been to Brussels The Medical Union has filed a comgroup lays the blame to oppose it at the plaint following the man’s death time. at Orihuela town which it described as a ‘very serious “But now she is approvhall and the Valenmatter’. ing the development, cian Generalitat, which A union representative said: ignor“It takes have both been blaming ing unfavourable reports from 25 minutes to travel each other instead of lis- the Spanish Ministry of Public crossing towns with localfrom Elche tening to the local popu- Works,” he continued. speed bumps that preventroads and Ironically, Gracia had lation. ing, with the man having fast drivclaimed to “It’s simple, the majori- be against the project when taking time paramedics arrived. died by the ty of local people do not office last year. “The result could have been very want this. They want different with the Rojales ambubeing harassed by to keep it natural and lance just five minutes Claims Gomendio's away,” he solicitor to place to enjoy nature,a She even claims added. to have appealed work on the speed up approval as without concrete,” SAMU said they regretted site had to start before he to the giant developer to see if it the end what continued. of May to ensure building happened which is why would be prepared to take anoth- permits “All the expats we know er local site opposed to centralising they were instead, but was re- And shedid not expire. around the area are dispatches in Valencia emergency admitted that in buffed. and it agreed Gomendio would have blocking total support of our camthat despite La Marina It did, at least, lead to made the being part a slightly council paign. We are going of Elche, ‘due to its proximity’, to changed Gomendio plan submit- paymentsliable to compensation a crank it up over the next Rojales crew should have of allegedly around ted for public consultation been disin Feb- €200 million. few months.” patched. ruary. He explained the project The tweaked Somewhat worryingly, had already once been an expansion project includes spokesperson pointed the SAMU Naturist of a protected misuspended by the Euro- cro-reserve type of incident has out that ‘this Other protest organisation already ocpean Parliament in 2007 plant and a area for the cat head ing curred several times’ since the battle include the s joinJanuary. PROTEST: in an attempt to protect ber of homesreduction in the num- Naturist Spanish On the beach to be built. Federation. the endangered species It led to a favourable environmen- President Ismael Rodrigo told of the area. tal impact study commissione the Olive Press: “Cala Mosca is a He pointed out the Valencian government. d by lovely area, very natural and one that current After this, Gracia insisted she of the last areas for nudists on the could not refuse to coast,” he said. submit the project for The group has already held approval after tech- number of naked protests in fronta nical reports saw no of a group of apartments also built But after seven by Gomendio nearby. grounds to block it. years of negotiating She claimed she was Opinion
Campaign groups vow developers invading to battle final green space in Orihuela
you can’t see the Master of Light See page 12
HA
By Alex Trelinski
FF
A LEGAL bid to stop 2,200 homes being built on the unspoilt Cala Mosca on the Orihuela Costa has come to nothing at the Valencian Supreme Court (TSJCV). The local Cambiemos political party and the Valencian Ministry of Transport joined forces to try to get the Cala Mosca urban plan annulled since it would have a negative impact on the adjoining N-332 high-
wasn't a favourable report from the GenAPRIL O LIVE FOOLED eral Directorate of RE SS Roads. FATAL The TSJCV ruled WAIT that there 'would not be any effect on the road', with Cambiemos saying they are NDS O seriously looking at launching an appeal R C O ST at the National Supreme Court if the Ministry of Transport does the same.. Cambiemos councillor, Quique MonTh ey tero, said: “It is bad news that “WHO AM I? comes at a crucial moment for kept bombarding Orihuela representatives SOL with letters the Orihuela Costa.” AR PAN ELS information,” Montero added that the Hi- containing fake www. mariposaenergia.es Bernabe draqua water company had councillor Carlos Tel: 952 told834 the Olive Press. 147 834 952 147 also produced a report making it clear ‘there is no capacity to “Claims like the town hall supply the planned develop- would need to pay them a €200 million compensation ment’. “This will be an irreparable if the development did not loss of one of the most em- go ahead, which is a made up blematic beaches in the area number. which will also have a negative “It is an urban atrocity and the effect on biodiversity,” he con- saddest part is the mayor and her team have bought into cluded. The Valencian Ministry of that speech.” Transport and Cambiemos His claims were backed by were ordered to pay costs Antonio Cerdan, member totalling €3,000 to the two of the local CLARO group parties they were challeng- that achieved the temporary ing, namely the constructor suspension of the huge macGomendio and Orihuela coun- ro-project, granted by the Eucil, which finally approved the ropean Parliament in 2007. development in September “Gomendio kept threatening all of us with the compensa2021. Council officials cited that they tion claim and I’ve been told had to stick to a long-standing they even asked for reports agreement with the developer on officials who were not in or face being sued for millions favour,” he added. A one-year PSOE-led adminof euros in compensation. As previously reported by the istration under mayor CaroOlive Press, naturists had held lina Gracia offered talks with naked demos against the plan Gomendio in September 2022 and individual councillors to see if they could look for claimed to have been threat- building plots elsewhere on the Orihuela Costa. ened by Gomendio. They claimed that the group That suggestion came to used ‘fake information’ and nothing as it was clear the even ‘commissioned’ spies to long battle to stop the Cala probe any officials opposing Mosca development was realistically over. the plans for Cala Mosca. OU
FORMER England and Barcelona coach Terry Venables has died after a long illness at the age of 80. Best known and loved in England for leading a swashbuckling England side to almost-glory at Euro 96, Venables actually forged his reputation in the fires of Barcelona for three seasons in the eighties. He led the team to a La Liga title in his first season in 1984, ending Barcelona's 11-year trophy drought and reached the European Cup final the following year. After he left football management he returned to Spain to run the luxury ‘La Escondida’ hotel in Penaguila, Alicante, in 2014 before retiring in 2019.
The €100,000 tax-free allowance for beneficiaries also remains in place for most cases. Rules remain unchanged for siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews, in-laws, and stepchildren. The benefit also applies to all EU and non-EU residents in the Valencian Community, which means British nationals living in the region can also take advantage of the tax change.
The
Farewell El Tel
It is a major reduction on the previous 50% rate, which now puts the area on a par with regions like Andalucia and Murcia. The new law means that succession and gift tax has been virtually eliminated for spouses, children, grandchildren and parents in the Valencian Community.
30th November - 13th December 2023
AS
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Game, set, shut yer trap TENNIS world number one Novak Djokovic told British fans to ‘shut up’ after Serbia’s Davis Cup match in Malaga. The Serbian star faced constant efforts to rile him up from the British fans, including counting each time he bounced the ball. But despite overwhelming support for the British team from the local expat community, it was Serbia that triumphed over Great Britain at Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena. Unfazed, Djokovic won the first set and responded with a cheeky kiss to the British contingent, eventually clinching the match against Brit Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4. “They were trying to annoy me the entire match, so yeah, we had a little bit of a chat in the end,” he said afterwards. The win secured Serbia a 2-0 triumph over Great Britain and set the stage for a semi-final clash against Italy, which they duly lost. The Italians went on to claim their first Davis Cup since 1976 by defeating Australia in the final on Sunday.
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Easter resurrection BEACHGOERS in Orihuela will finally be able to slake their thirst and have a bite to eat now that the town council has pledged to allow beach bars to reopen at Easter after being shut for a year. They closed on January 1 after an old contract held by Chiringuitos Del Sol ended. The previous PSOE-led Orihuela administration failed to complete a new tender process and nothing happened in 2023 except for the provision of temporary toilets late into the summer high season. Orihuela's coastal councillor Manuel Mestre, acknowledged that the council 'has been receiving complaints from residents and visitors who demanded the return of the bars’. “We know this issue is very important for the coast,” he added.
NOLOTIL IN THE DOCK
A PATIENT advocate group has filed a lawsuit against the Spanish Ministry of Health for failing to protect people against the potentially life-threatening effects of Nolotil. The Association of Drug Affected Patients (ADAF), led by campaigner Cristina del Campo, is suing the Spanish Ministry of Health and the Spanish Agency for Medicine and Health Products (AEMPS). The case, handled by Francisco Almodovar, claims the directive issued by the Spanish government in 2018 preventing the sale of the drug to Northern Europeans without prescription is not being followed. The ADAF also claims that authorities have not done enough to protect patients against the dangerous effects of Nolotil, which can include sepsis, amputations and organ failure. The campaign group has identified 350 suspected cases of agranulocytosis (low white blood cell count) between 1996 and 2023 as a result of the drug.
The cases include 170 Britons living in or visiting Spain. They are also investigating 40 deaths which they believe to be linked to the infamous drug. Del Campo told the Olive Press: “We’re not looking for money or damages. I want to make them stop giving Nolotil to British people. “I want them to revise and modify regulations and investigate cases properly. “They need to act because it keeps being given without a prescription. People’s lives are at stake.” The ADAF is calling on the Spanish Ministry of Health to ban giving the drug to citizens where Nolotil is banned in their home country. They also demand new analysis of the risk of agranulocytosis and a revision of the Nolotil information sheet given to medical professionals.
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NEWS FEATURE
www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
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.
OPINION Soldier on! WHEN the Leave camp won the 2016 Brexit referendum, hundreds of thousands of Brits were suddenly plunged into a legal quagmire. The man behind the referendum, of course, was David Cameron, who naively thought he could secure a Remain landslide and in turn shore up his political career (and get rid of the UKIP threat led by that pesky Nigel Farage). Understandably, his return as Foreign Secretary is seen by many Remainers as a kick in the teeth. However as the 180 Days in Spain campaign group points out, it just might be to their advantage. Cameron fought passionately for the UK to remain in the EU and given his wealth of experience in politics, he might actually get something done. We support the 180 Days in Spain group’s campaign and hope Cameron will lend an ear to what they have to say, they make (and have been making) very fair points.
Nolotil action IT is high time the Spanish government brings in some meaningful legislation in regards to Nolotil (Nolotil in the Dock, p4). The Olive Press has been sounding the alarm about the Spanish painkiller for years and after a hard fought campaign managed to bring in tough guidelines for the drug. It came after we told countless horror stories of how the medication, which is banned in the UK and many other countries, brought many British expats and other northern Europeans to the brink of death. Working alongside campaigner Cristina Del Campo, we spread the message about the drug’s potentially fatal side effects far and wide. It has been disheartening to hear in recent weeks how the guidelines we battled so hard for are seemingly being ignored, particularly in areas popular with British expats and visitors, such as Denia on the Costa Blanca. We give our full support to Cristina and her team of lawyers and hope the government listens to what they have to say. PUBLISHER / EDITOR
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Sinking feeling
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T first, Captain Sebastien Destremau believed a sudden incoming swell was just the fierce poniente wind blowing in from the Atlantic one afternoon in May - ‘as it can when you exit the Strait of Gibraltar.’ The garlanded French sailor, with multiple world championships and America’s Cups campaigns to his name, gave the order to drop the sail. But when he turned his weather-beaten face to windward once more, he saw that it was not the famed Atlantic weather bringing in the onrushing waves. Around 20 orcas - half of the total population of Iberian Orcas - were moving in towards his yacht, the 17-metre Lancelot, at tremendous speed. Destremau was all too aware of this particular pod, which has made the Cadiz coast their stomping ground and the bluefin tuna their dish of choice. Eight of the apex predators approached Destremau’s 15-tonne boat and spun it around ‘like a nutshell’ with incredibly powerful nudges to the rudder.
and cretecan experts was put out in August seeking to debunk these ‘inappropriate’ narratives. Despite the ordeal, Destremau did not feel The signatories have called out such ‘anhe had been the target of orca wrath. “It thropomorphistic theories’, which project would be so easy for these beasts to sink us ‘human motivations’ onto wild beasts. if they wanted to.” The thing they fear the most is that such talk While his ship, the Lancelot, eventually could provoke human retaliation. could limp to port, three vessels have in fact Naomi Rose, Marine mammal scientist for been sunk by the Iberian orcas this year. the Animal Welfare Institute, spearheaded And dozens more have had to be rescued by the letter and was the first signatory. maritime authorities. Characterising the interactions as ‘attacks’ These encounters, all taking place in or near - implying aggression and hostility - is misthe Strait of Gibraltar over the last three leading, she told the Olive Press. years, have baffled the scientists, marine “And this whole myth around ‘Black Gladys’, biologists and animal behaviourists of the is just that - a myth.” world. However, like all myths, it originates from a Wild theories abound to explain the unprec- grain of truth. edented behaviour, and there has been a The few orcas that participate in the interproliferation of ‘melodramatic storylines.’ actions with the boats have been given the They range from orca anger at humans en- designation ‘Gladys’ to differentiate them croaching on their yard, to tales of an orca from pod members which don’t. mother known as ‘Black Gladys’ out for re- Rose admits it is a somewhat ‘unfortunate’ venge after her baby was killed by a yacht misnomer, as it comes from the Latin for propeller. ‘sword’, its root in English being ‘gladiator.’ An open letter signed by a number of orca But while it may be a mistake to project human attitudes onto orcas in one respect, in others they display behaviour that every huwww.theolivep ress.es man will recognise. NEWS My pledge Gibraltar Strait orca att The leading theory for the orca behaviour is June 14th - Jun may be led by ack pod e 27th 2023 a ‘re ven gefemale, who that5it did in fact originate with a small group lost her calf seeking’ of juveniles, one of whom is indeed known as ‘Black Gladys’. She was observed with a head laceration in the spring of 2020 and was later spotted Swamwith p a wound behind the dorsal fin in 2021. measuHowever, res according to the experts, ‘Black Gladys’ is not the whale that started the inTrans teractions - nor is it known how she got her wounds. It is simply not known why these young ones started bumping the boats. But orcas, which are members of the dolphin family, are highly intelligent creatures known for their ‘cultural fads’. So it is theorised that once these young trendsetters started off the ‘fad’, more of them decided to join in as a form of social interaction. A previous ‘fad’ was observed in a pod of Pacific orcas off the coast in Washington in INTERACTIONS: Experts say they are not ‘attacks’, while (inset) our previous story By Walter Finch
Hell hath no fury… like ‘White Gladys’
SCRAPPING Ministry, over the Equality ‘trans law’ and turning Spain’s es to the euth making chang- A SPATE of killer whal cation rules. anasia and edu- tacks on yachts entee atring the Strait of By Walter Finc Those are amo h sparked fierc Gibraltar has ng the plan that Popular Party (PP) lead-s what is behi e debate about the er Alberto Nun nd it. origin of all this, gains more stren should he beco ez Feijoo has Researchers claim it migh me t day," Alfre gth for us every ister on July 23. prime min- be orchestrated by a do López Fern singl reven e, ge-se dez, anFeijoo, who eking female a is happy for orca sity of biologist at the Univerface-to-face deba a named Gladys - or ‘Whi Avei te with cur- Gladys’. te But Seba ro said. rent leader stien Destrema Pedro Sanchez, Some claim captain of u, would also likely she lost her The Lancelot, to calf the scrap whic prop Democratic Mem the h was attac ellers of a ship, while others ory Law. ago, dismissed ked two weeks Sanchez chall insist she the enged Feijoo six weekly deba to caught up in fishing nets got “Having witnesseclaims. tes until the underwater rope d it, it's or so easy general elect for these beas . ions, They some cont ts sink thing to that the PP dism inue us issed as un- taught her fello she has since insisted if they want to,” he prey necessary. MALAGA’S most - fellow whales. of the most intelw orcas - some hemoths after 20 of the beendangered reservoir is to turned cial creatures ligent and so- ile ship swarmed his frag- “They could crush the boat undergo emer a heartbeat if in at wheraround again to look gency works to how to target on the planet - “If they . they wanted to,” improve wate e the wind was and attack smal added Destrema were out for reven r and quality. I thought, 'Wai vessels. l I think u. ge, t, The “But that' I woul drast s they wind "The orcas are In reference to swimming hom d have been sive. They were not aggres- orca , that's fish. Those not due to ic measure is vital doin the g are the this new e.” s!'” were ongo on Instead, trans purpose, of cour law, recently and record-low ing drought in very gently, just coming With appr he levels at Vinu government, passed by the know the origin se, we don't may have suspects the orcas nose placi oxim or the mowherever they ng their approaching, ately 20 orcas ela reservoir. been engaging ‘it is easier Feijoo claimed tivation, but defen want play in he or ed The place mad train to €800,000 proje e the decision to lowe in Spain rightto change sex’ haviour based on sive be- hunt, as yaching their young to The it, and pushing hard.” ct involves real danger, trauma, as hopes that the r the sails in the installation of a floati t rudders resem pass your univ now ‘than to he emp ble the fins of stati their primary- sises, is to the killer whalha- would lose their onary boat take system and will takeng inexams or get ersity entrance interest. eight months to insta themselves. es Yet the orca your driving cence’. lis It comes after ll. “I am very conc “They startedpersisted. The PP leade to come close the reservoir record lows saw the near futur erned about and close r also r critic sit at ised Sanchez’s decis e for these r. They start beasts and I ed to capacity - or a meag just 9.7% have a look and think we have snap elections ion to call the re 16 cubic a little hecto huge responsibi a first time Span on July 23, the lity to protect a sniff and then, suddbit of The metres of water. these iards will go to alarm enly, animals," he 'BAN vote in the midd added to he G,' that was a big one," pected to ing levels are exNewsweek. le of the sumdwindle considera explained. mer. more as the summ The solo roun bly “It’s not exac d the world The orcas targeted the er yachtsman ship's ing the reservoir thathits, turnrudder, hold elections tly normal to provides much worried that is particularly impressiv displaying with the med fortnight of thein the hottest e power as their ter intoof Malaga’s drinking waemp ia hasis they year, push almo ing ed st with so many people The main bene a swamp. sailors are nowthe aggression Within against it. ficiar minu getti said. “But weon holiday,” he ies tes, the botto ng armed include Rinc to fire at them are ready for change.” if they come the rudder shattered, creatm of Nerjaon, Velez-Malaga and under attack. . potential risks ing for the boat. Across Malaga That said, he But desp province the See No Hab ‘terrifying’ the confirmed how tion, no ite the scary situa- reservoirs sit lo Ingles, at just 31.9% incident was page 6 the time. of at harmed human has ever been their total capacity. by the pod of The “At Guadalhorce reser orcas, first, I and it STALKERS: voir is at The pod has wind comingthought it was adapt was up to humans to just 31% capacity, been terroris while Conde And so I startin really fast... the otheto the mammals, not del Guadalhor ing boats In Almeria thece sits at 25%. sail a little ed to drop the “It's theirr way round. bit and then levels are at just worl d, it's 15.1% not I he conclude ours,” , while in d. 26% and Gran Cadiz they sit at ada at 32.6%.
REMAINER HOPE
Campaigners against 90 day rule to target new Foreign Secretary for action over Schengen zone restrictions
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RITISH homeowners in Spain are bolstering their campaign to roll back Brexit’s restrictive 90-day rule following David Cameron’s (pictured) appointment as Foreign Secretary. Campaigners are ‘hopeful’ of bringing back some form of freedom of movement after the europhile was sensationally brought back into government as part of Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle this month. The 180 Days In Spain group is planning to apply pressure on the
EXCLUSIVE By Laurence Dollimore former prime minister in the hopes of securing new concessions that will allow Brits to spend more than 90 days at a time in the Schengen area. The 7,000-strong group will be bombarding Cameron’s office with emails and telephone calls, calling on him to follow in the footsteps of France, which looks set to relax visa rules for UK homeowners. The group’s leader, Andrew Hesselden, told the Olive Press: “Since Brexit, Brits in this position often come up against the 90-in-180 day problem, which means that if they’ve spent 90 days living in their own home in Spain, they find themselves unable to go to France or Germany or even Switzerland at all until their day-count resets. “For some of our members, this has reduced the amount of time they can now spend in Spain by as much as 40%. And from a tourism perspective, Brits with homes in other Schengen zone countries
or who travel extensively throughout the zone, may find themselves unable to visit Spain even for a seven-day holiday without applying for a visa. But those shortstay visas don’t seem to exist.” He added: “David Cameron seems well respected and trusted by international leaders and so this bodes well for a more constructive and positive relationship with Europe and the EU.” One Brit from the group said: “Cameron’s natural sympathies are undoubtedly on our side. It’s definitely an opportunity, and his voice would have an influence.” Another added: “I too think David Cameron could be an asset to us. People who have homes in Europe but not residents are missing out big time. “It’s against human rights to be unable to visit their properties as before.” Spain’s tourism minister Fernando Valdes, told the “i” Newspaper last year that ‘his country would like to end the rule that means non-EU travellers can only stay for 90 days within a 180 day period’. Valdes has now been replaced as Secretary of State for Tourism by Rosana Morillo. But this month, the Spanish government reported that the Secretary of State ‘held an important meeting at the Foreign Office with the Director for Consular Affairs and Crisis, Jennifer Anderson, in which they discussed issues of interest regarding the stays of British tourists in Spain’. Hesselden said: “Our members will be writing to Lord Cameron in the coming weeks to suggest he explores the possibility of using the special provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement that enable ‘errors, omissions or other deficiencies’ to be fixed. “If on 31 December 2020, British fullyear residents had been told to leave France/Spain, return to the UK and come
Experts are keen to debunk the myths and wild theories that swim among the killer whales terrorising sailboats in the Strait of Gibraltar
30th November - 13th December 2023
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IRECT exposure to the Olive Press’ 30,000plus registered online database is getting amazing results. Our followers get daily news emails, twice-weekly travel mailouts and a detailed health newsletter every Sunday. As well as announcing financial seminars and special surgical procedures, a number of astute restaurant groups and hotels have caught on. Musaka in San Pedro got 20 bookings from a one off deal including a free bottle of wine. Meanwhile, Malaga’s Metro group has used the Olive Press’ unique marketing tool on three separate occasions this year so far. A 50% discount for the opening fortnight of their exclusive Nomad restaurant got 96 bookings, while a 25% off brunch deal brought over 30. “We’ve been very happy with the results” explained marketing boss, Karen Wolfson. Five-star Kempinski hotel and SO/Sotogrande spa have used our database, while an exclusive room discount at DDG Retreat, near Estepona, got dozens of takers - ‘even more bookings than the Times’.
ENDANGERED: There are only around 40 Iberian orcas left in the wild,” Rose warned. “It’s stupid as hell - they've got big teeth. “They are smart and they sometimes decide to play with not only their food, but with other mammals. “They’ve never harmed a human but there’s not some orca law forbidding it.” What worries Rose is that boat and human interactions are losing their novelty for the wild animals, which tend to shun things they don’t know. With increased human interactions comes decreased fear - and the increased possibility that an orca might decide to ‘play’ with a human. And what measures might authorities take against the Iberian NUDGE NUDGE: Orcas target the rudder orca in return - a critically endangered species - if they view them as dangerous and threatening? In August, footage emerged of crew on a sailboat shooting at the Gladys orcas with an air rifle and even throwing firecrackers overboard. Yachties have been trialling all sorts of methods to protect their boats, from chucking sand over the side when the creatures come near, to blasting out 1 2 3 heavy metal under water. “We think they could be vulnerable to acoustics, so 8 people will be looking in that direction,” Simmonds theorised. 9 “But again, if an acoustic approach is used, it's got to be something which is very carefully balanced so that it helps persuade them to go away and do something else with their time but doesn’t harm 11 12 them.” If such measures fail, and eventually someone is 13 killed, Rose fears authorities will undertake a cull of the Iberian Orca. 14 “I'm very sympathetic to the mariners,” she said. “Who wants their yacht sunk? But God - it's just a yacht. These animals are a unique population. “Do we really want to kill a bunch of endangered animals be19 20 cause our yachts are sinking?”
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EXPERTS: Naomi Rose and Mark Simmonds signed open letters
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1987, after they started to wear ‘salmon hats’ on their heads. The bizarre sight was first observed in a single female orca, seen swimming with a dead salmon perched on her nose. But soon, several others in her pod adopted this behaviour, and over the following weeks the trend even spread to other pods within the same community. “It had no obvious biological significance to them,” Mark Simmonds, Director of Science at the non-profit OceanCare told the Olive Press. “So we think that this is probably mainly a form of creative play behaviour and signalling to each other” “The consensus is that they're doing this to show off to each other. “In the same way, these particular orcas have discovered how to manipulate these boats, which is interesting, and in some ways, stimulating to them.” However, just like Tamagotchis, the Harlem Shake and the Ice Bucket Challenge, it was all the rage for five to six weeks and then it suddenly died out. Rose’s greatest fear, if this fad doesn’t similarly die out, is that eventually a human might get hurt or even drown. So far, no sailors have found themselves floating in the water with the world’s apex predator - which have never been known to deliberately attack a human in the wild. But experts do not believe that this is due to an innate altruistic nature of the orca, which unlike dolphins or humpback whales are not known to help other species in danger. back only once they had secured “I would a visa, there would have been never ever, public outrage. Yet, essentially, after hunthis is exactly what happened to dreds of British part-year residents who hours on also have lives and obligations the water elsewhere.” watching Hesselden added that the camand studypaign group ‘also hopes Lord ing these Cameron will explore the possiguys, swim bility of the UK signing new bilatwith them eral agreements with Spain, to mirror the ones Spain has with USA, New Zealand, Japan and 15 other non-EU countries.These seem to permit additional time in Spain over and above the 90-in180 day allowance they have for the rest of the Schengen zone. This would help all Brits, even those without homes in Spain, and wouldn’t really require the UK government to change anything at all since the UK already welcomes Spanish visitors to the UK for six months per visit’. This would appear to be along the same lines as suggestions made by Carlos Mazon and Ximo Puig when they visited Spain’s Ambassador to the UK in London, as reported by the Olive Press, back in 2021. “Restoring mutual freedom of movement between Spain and the UK would of course be nice, especially for younger people who want to work, but that seems to me, to be rather too much for anyone to hope for at the moment”, Hesselden told us. When contacted by the Olive Press, the UK’s Foreign Office refused to directly comment on the campaign.
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1 Thick slice (4) 4 Layered Italian dish (7) 9 Eyebrow darkeners (7) 10 German sea scourge (1-4) 11 Prepare for publication (4) 12 Saviour (8) 14 Permeable by liquids (6) 15 Capable of wounding (6) 19 Glove material clanks if disturbed (8) 21 Getaway spots (4) 23 Island in the Bay of Naples (5) 24 Burn unsteadily (7) 25 Good spot for a summit meeting? (7) 26 Deep black (4)
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Down 2 Taller and thinner (7) 3 Soft cheese (4) 4 One who pays the rent (6) 5 It’s at home on the range (8) 6 Brush a horse (5) 7 Go into (5) 8 Maintenance (6) 13 Bright light of day (8) 16 Thai capital (7) 17 Dr tees off - could be a very large bunker! (6) 18 Fish out of water (6) 19 Series of changes (5) 20 Pass into disuse (5) 22 Designed by Issigonis (4)
All solutions are on page 14
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30th November - 13th December 2023
Winters warmer Carbon culprits Spring and Autumn lengthen as winters get shorter
SPANISH winters are getting shorter due to climate change. The winter in mainland Spain used to be defined as from December 1st to February 28th. But a new study inspired by climate scientist César Rodríguez’s work looking at average temperatures over recent decades shows that the Spanish winter is shrinking. Since the 1940s, winters have lost more than a month on average with central and eastern Spain affected the most, with the southern parts of the mainland and Canary Islands not far behind. A new phenomenon has been observed whereby spring is lasting up to three weeks longer - the so called invernavera - and autumn nowadays is ex-
Solar opening TWO solar farms have been commissioned in Extremadura by Alter Enersun, which are rated at around 47GWh of electricity per year combined. This is enough to supply 13,000 households with electricity. One of the facilities is in the town of Barcarrota and required a €10 million investment, while the other, costing €8.5 million, is in Jerez de los Caballeros. This now makes five solar plants which the firm has opened in the past two years, with several more under construction.
By Walter Finch
tended up to 10 days into inverotoño. They also found that summers are lengthening by between four and 15 days depending on the area. It’s worth noting that these trends aren’t consistent or uniform; they show periods of fluctuation. But the trend is undeniable. The noticeable winter shortening became more evident from the 1980s onwards in the Peninsula, while in the Canary
Islands, this trend only emerged in the mid-1990s. These changes are shaking
up ecosystems, agriculture, and everyday life, with unpredictable consequences.
Figures have revealed Spain’s top 50 companies are responsible for 40% of the country’s emissions. The report by Oxfam Intermon also showed that 60% of the companies in question increased their emissions last year. In 2022, Spain’s top businesses released 93 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere as a direct result of their activity. This is equivalent to Belgium’s entire CO2 emissions. According to the report, if the businesses continue at their current rate, they will only achieve decarbonisation by 2090, in 67 years. In the past year, the companies reduced their total gas emissions by just 4%. Only 12% of the businesses investigated made substantial changes to combat climate change, while 53% did nothing. The companies with the highest CO2 emissions in Spain were: IAG (Internacional Airlines Group), Repsol, Naturgy, Endesa, Iberdrola, FCC, Cepsa, Acerinox, Mercadona and Dia. These businesses produced 97% of the emissions recorded by the country’s top 50 companies.
Is the world warming faster than expected ?
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
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URING recent weeks many conversations have centred around how marvellous the weather has been in November. Is this true? Is this right? I believe this is a simple yes and no. Yes we enjoy the sun on our backs in late November but no, it can’t be good in the long run. The rate of global warming has accelerated in recent decades. It appears we have entered another phase of runaway climate change. Leading climate scientists have stated that the climate may change more quickly than expected in the future because the climate has not yet fully responded to the greenhouse gases already emitted. In other words there is ‘more in the pipeline’. Climate records have tumbled this year. Without doubt, 2023 will be the hottest year on record. This was not forecast at the beginning of the year. We have historically high sea temperatures, Antarctic sea ice at an all time low and all continents experiencing some extreme weather conditions. Most recently Brazil suffered an unbearable heatwave so bad that even Taylor Swift’s sold out concert was affected (if you don’t know who Taylor Swift is, ask someone younger – my eight year old daughter Francesca knows all the lyrics).
AN UNUSUAL EL NIÑO The rapid onset of the natural weather system known as El Niño has contributed to current higher temperatures. During an El Niño the eastern Pacific surface water temperature gets warmer. This puts additional heat into the atmosphere, which in turn leads to a surge in global air temperatures. What is cause for concern is that the new El Niño has not yet peaked and the impact is expected to intensify in the coming months. Linked to this is what is happening in the Antarctic. In September satellite images showed the sea ice that surrounds Antarctica being significantly smaller than in previous pictures. Fewer reflective areas of ice means that the Sun’s energy is absorbed by the darker ocean surface, which accelerates warming. What worries scientists is that the Antarctic is beginning to operate like the Arctic...working like a radiator more than a fridge. MOMENT OF TRUTH COP 28 is about to start (Conference of Parties - the annual climate conference attended by around 200 countries). Will it change much? Regular readers of this column know I remain unconvinced. The oil and gas industries need to choose between contributing to the climate crisis or becoming part of the solution. I think there is more than a clue as to why they will con-
Green
Matters
By Martin Tye
tinue to put profit first. Last year fossil fuel companies were responsible for less than 1% of global investment in renewable energy. The oil and gas companies will continue to skirt around the uncomfortable truth. Successful transition to clean energy production requires much reduced demand for oil and gas. So producing less equates to selling less. Selling less reduces turnover and profits. Mmmmmmm…I wonder how that will work out.
Martin Tye is the owner of Mariposa Energía, a green energy company specialising in solar panel installations. Email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es or call +34 638 145 664
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BUSINESS Happy outlook
10 Pret A Manger lands
SANDWICH and organic coffee retailer Pret A Manger is to open its first Spanish outlet at Barcelona’s El Prat airport. Pret - founded more than 30 years ago in London - is being backed by the Ibersol group with plans to launch 70 shops in the Iberian Peninsula over the next decade. It aims to have a presence in major cities and strategic commercial hubs, such as airports and railway stations in Spain and Portugal. The Barcelona store will be located in the Arrivals Area of Terminal 2B and will be operated directly by the Travel division of Ibersol Group. The new 530m2 shop can accommodate 160 customers, who will be able to enjoy a large selection of freshly made sandwiches, salads, wraps, and hot food, with plenty on offer for vegetarians and vegans.
30th November - 13th December 2023
Spain to lead the way in economic growth By Alex Trelinski
THE European Commission says it expects Spain to be the fastest growing of the four major economies in the eurozone until 2025. Brussels' calculations predict that the Spanish economy will grow at a rate of 2.4% this year, slow down to 1.7% next year and regain some pace in 2025 - a year
in which GDP would rebound by 2%. The EU's forecasts place the country above the three great powers of the bloc: Germany, France and Italy in that order. The Commission's analysts point out that none of these three countries will manage to grow above 1.5% in the next two years.
In fact, in the case of Germany, a small contraction of the economy is expected
CEPSA’S LOW-COST MOVE SPAIN’S second largest oil company has agreed to buy 220 automated low-cost petrol stations from Ballenoil for an undisclosed amount. It emerged in May that Cepsa was in advanced negotiations to acquire Ballenoil, with speculation that the deal could be worth between €200 million and €300 million. The oil giant will maintain the Ballenoil name, as well as its business model and current structure, which will more than double the Cepsa network to 500 stations by 2027.
Ballenoil has a presence in 12 regions including Catalunya, the Valencian Community, Andalucia, Madrid, and Murcia. Cepsa, which is controlled by Abu Dhabi state investor Mubadala and US firm Carlyle Group, intends to expand its overall network to more than 2,000 stations across Spain and Portugal. Low-cost petrol stations have boomed over the last decade from 3,886 outlets in 2012 to 5,941 at the end of last year. The Cepsa deal to takeover Ballenoil is subject to regulatory approval.
as early as this year. The Commission believes that household consumption will be the driving force behind the Spanish economy next year. As inflation eases - expected to fall to 3.4% in 2024 - households should regain some of the purchasing power lost during the economic crisis. In addition, it is expected that jobs will continue to be created – albeit at a slower pace than so far – which will also help to boost consumption. The Commission expects the unemployment rate to close at 12.1% this year and fall to 11.1% in two years' time.
Rail sale
SPANISH rail network Renfe has slashed the price of a young person’s railcard from €50 to just €6. The sale applies to the ‘Mas Renfe Joven’ card and is available until December 21. It gives users 25% off travel on AVE, Larga Distancia, Avant, Media Distancia y Cercanías/Rodalies services. The card also offers 30% off AVE International trips between Spain and France. Available for people aged between 14-25, it gives users access to the Renfe loyalty scheme benefits.
Job offer AS the festive season approaches, Spain’s retail heavyweight El Corte Ingles is gearing up for a significant hiring spree. They are set to take on about 5,800 staff in areas such as toy departments, food sectors, restaurant services, logistics, and online commerce for the Christmas campaign.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Oil rush Muñoz hat-trick LOOKING FOR MORE November 29th TRAVEL STORIES? December 12th 2023 30th November - 13th December 2023 Scan to visit our website
Low-cost boost
MADRID'S Dabiz Muñoz has been crowned the best chef in the world for the third time in a row. Muñoz triumphed at the seventh staging of The Best Chefs Awards for his innovative cuisine and his avant-garde style of cooking. The awards were presented in the city of Merida, Yucatan - one of the richest and most diverse gastronomic regions in Mexico. Completing the winners' podium were the Catalan Albert Adria (second) from
By Alex Trelinski
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Barcelona's Enigma restaurant followed by Slovenian chef, Ana Ros. Muñoz, 44, is the only three-starred Michelin chef in Madrid with his two establishments DiverXO and StreetXO - with long reservation lists for his restaurant, and long waits in line for his street food outlet. "I'm extremely happy, I never expected to win three times," Muñoz said upon
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receiving the award. "Thank you to all the chefs who have made the history of world gastronomy. Thanks to them there is a chef like me who has grown up in one of the most incredible countries in the world for gastronomy." The awards featured a special tribute to Ferran Adria - Albert’s brother - a pioneer of innovative cuisine in Spain via his world-famous El Bulli restaurant on the Costa Brava, which closed its doors in 2011. It reopened three years later as a creativity centre to foster culinary innovation. Other Spaniards in the top 10 were Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz in the Basque Country’s Rentería, (fifth), Mateu Casañas, Oriol Cas-
tro and E d u a r d Xatruch #8 from Disfrutar in Barcelona (seventh) and Joan Roca from El Celler de Can Roca in Catalunya (eighth).
Missing
Adria said: "Chefs, you have the mission of helping the new generations to be extraordinary". He highlighted the values that must not be lost in order to aspire to culinary excellence. "Respect for the past, respect for teammates, honesty and gratitude for the people from whom we have learned," said Adria.
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CADIZ tourism bosses have latched onto a herd of sunbathing cows as they promote Costa de la Luz beaches. Once tourists have gone home from their summer holidays, a different kind of sun-worshipper takes to the sand. Every autumn, Bolonia beach welcomes hundreds of cows, who love chilling on sand during the winter season. Led by the matriarch, ‘Paquita’, the cows are a social media sensation, returning each year to the beach, about an hour and a half from the city of Cadiz. The herd has now become the latest tourist attraction on the Tarifa coastline, with local tourism departments proudly posting about their bovine buddies. The cows arrive at the end of the tourist season as a gate which normally stops them is removed.
On the moo-ve
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Don’t paint your house
WALL COAT IT
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E
While two Spanish chefs scoop gold and silver
AS the cost of olive oil has surged, supermarkets are resorting to chaining the bottles to the shelves. A succession of poor olive harvests caused by drought has led to sky-rocketing prices for what has been dubbed ‘liquid gold’. One-litre bottles of extra-virgin olive oil are selling for as much as €14.50 in some outlets leading to rising thefts. "We are seeing a major surge in shoplifting," said Ruben Navarro, the CEO of the Tu Super supermarket chain, which operates 30 stores in Andalucia. Since September, Tu Super has been chaining five-litre bottles of olive oil together and padlocking them to shelves to prevent theft. "It is a crazy, extreme measure, but it has worked," Navarro observed. STC, a company supplying anti-theft equipment to retailers, saw a 12-fold increase in orders during the summer from supermarkets wanting devices to protect olive oil.
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STATE rail operator Renfe will launch its low-cost high speed Avlo service between Madrid, Alicante. Elche, Orihuela and Murcia on December 10, with lowest fares coming in at €7. The new Avlo trains will become the first such lowcost service to include Elche, Orihuela and Murcia, with 5,000 seats being offered each week. The Avlo schedule means the number of high-speed trains between Murcia and Madrid is increased to 10 trains per day, five in each direction, instead of the four daily trains that are currently run.
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12
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
30th November - 13th December 2023
Love letter Pictures by Jon Clarke
A century ago Hemingway described it as one of the best places in the world for romance. Two decades ago Olive Press editor Jon Clarke loved Ronda so much, he moved there
GOYA-STYLE: Ordonez’ grandson Fran Rivera
I
T is easily one of Spain’s most memorable sensations; the moment the adrenaline hits as you look down from a ledge at the top of Ronda’s famous Puente Nuevo bridge. A staggering 400 foot drop into the abyss of the Tajo gorge below, it is only a series of wrought iron railings that ward off the panic. A breathtaking geographical feature, this was the location of a haunting chapter in Ernest Hemingway’s seminal novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls, when a line up of soldiers are hurled into the ravine to their deaths - an event related to actual events during the Civil War. And Hem, of course, should know… the American literary legend having spent many months in the town, even tipping it as THE best place in the world for a spot of romance. “It is where you should go if you ever go to Spain on a honeymoon or if you ever bolt with anyone,” he penned in the 1932 tome Death in the Afternoon, adding: “The entire town and as far as you can see in any direction is a romantic background…if a honeymoon or an elopement is not a success in Ronda, it would be as well to start for Paris and commence making
SOUL MATES: Hemingway and Ordonez became close friends
your own friends.” He brought various lovers up to the mountain town, just an hour inland from Marbella, including allegedly Hollywood starlet Ava Gardner. But it was something else altogether that drew him back to the town, time and time again… and that was ‘los toros’. Bullfighting became one of the main loves of his life and it was on his first trip to Ronda as a young writer exactly a century ago in 1923, that he got his first real taste of the Spanish national pastime. It came following a ‘boring’ stopover in Sevilla, where he grew tired of constantly hearing flamenco. According to a biographer he kept nagging his travelling companions, a pair of writers, to head up to the town and when he got there he immediately fell for its historic bullring, the world’s first. Known as the cradle of bullfighting (it was here that Pedro Romero famously jumped off a horse to swipe his cape at a fighting bull) Ronda inspired him to write and he went on to meet various bullfighters, including the legendary Cayetano Ordonez, who later became a model for his most famous
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
30th November - 13th December 2023
13
MOVING: Legionaires carrying Jesus at Semana Santa across the Puente Nuevo
DAREDEVIL: Jumping into the Tajo river and (below) the town hall
book, The Sun Also Rises. I was equally inspired by the town when I first visited Ronda during a two-year spell working as an English teacher in Madrid in the early 1990s after university. I was so blown away by its breathtaking scenery and refreshing sierra air that I later booked a two-week stay in its most famous hotel, the Reina Victoria, in an attempt to write a novel, when working as a news reporter at the Daily Mail in London in
1998. It proved to be a bridge too far however, if you’ll excuse the pun, but I truly fell in love with the place and knew I would one day come back to live there. That came to pass when my wife and I decided to move to Spain in 2003 soon after our nuptials in the spirit of adventure and to pursue my love of writing and hers of painting. We ended up buying a run-down farm, planted lots of trees and, be-
fore we knew it, we had a couple of children born in the local hospital. A few years later another baby was born, that of the Olive Press newspaper and the rest is history, as they say. What I never did was write a novel, but it inspired me to write two true crime books and, most enjoyably, a restaurant guide to Andalucia, which appropriately picked out a handful of decent eateries in Ronda and its surrounding Serrania. It also led me to meet and star in one of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s TV programmes in nearby Gaucin, mix it up with Jamie Oliver, when he set a TV series in the town, and even interviewed celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli on the famous Tajo bridge. Planning to move there at the time, Novelli described the sensation of first seeing the views from the bridge as the ‘cono moment’, an actual translation I will leave to your imagination. The town also blew away BBC TV presenter Nick Knowles, former Prime Minister and now Foreign Secretary David Cameron and US first lady Michelle Obama. Other famous literary figures who waxed lyrical about Ronda were James Joyce and German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, while Bill Gates came on a secret visit a couple of years ago and Madonna shot her music video, Take a Bow, in Ronda bullring on a windy, wet November
day in 1994. gle to take a photo and there are a Today, I can think of nowhere in the number of museums and galleries world I would rather live. The town’s (actually 30 in the town) and, fregeography never ceases to amaze, quent exhibitions in the beautiful its architecture is exquisite, while its Antigua Claustro Santo Domingo. range of excellent restaurants and Is it any wonder Ronda is Andalubars is as good as anywhere else cia’s third most visited place, with in Andalucia, Sevilla and Marbella millions of day trippers every year. included. But what most of them don’t do is The local ingredients include amaz- stay the night, which is really to their ingly good olive oil, goats cheeses loss. and even some decent pata negra The place is at its most charming as ham, while the nearby countryside the sun sets and the hordes have is dotted with over two dozen vine- headed back down to the coast. It yards, the majority improving by the Continues on next page year. I never tire of a stroll through the old town, admiring its cobbled streets, church spires a n d beautifully kept family homes The Olive Press newspaper group (many of them is looking for an enthusiastic almost SPANISH SPEAKING salesperson m a n sions). I’ll to join our team based in always Marbella. find a new an-
THE OLIVE PRESS IS RECRUITING
Must be fluent in SPANISH and have a knowledge of ENGLISH ENGLISH..
Sales experience is a must, but full training will be provided. Good basic and excellent commission. Driving licence is essential, as travel will be required.
CLASSICAL: Ronda town hall and (left) an original unusual outdoor statue
Please email your CV to admin@theolivepress.es
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
30th November - 13th December 2023
From previous page
Alive in the City of Dreams
is then that the ‘city of dreams’, as poet Rilke christened it, starts to earn its romantic, fairy tale status so promoted by the likes of Hemingway and later, the actor and director Orson Welles. Under subtle street lighting, the historic quarter gains a timeless edge, while you can still visit its most alluring buildings, such as the 14th century Mondragon Palace (in part Arabic) until 7pm, or the nearby Santa Maria la Mayor church (which was once a mosque). It sits on Plaza Duquesa de Parcent, one of the most stunning squares in Spain, particularly with its classical renaissance-style town hall (below), which was once a military barracks and the still-functioning Santa Isabel Convent on the other side. For the perfect stroll, head down into the Tajo, reached from either Barrio San Francisco or from a flight of steps down from the Mirador de Maria Auxiliadora. This is the perfect way to understand the impressive fortifications the town once had during numerous sieges, when the town sat at the western edge of the Kingdom of Granada. The Moors had a good understanding of this and built a series of walls and arches on both sides of the old town, making it practically impregnable. As you stroll down, you’ll also start to get an understanding of what a feat of architecture the impressive New Bridge was. It took 42 years to build and for half a century, at 98 metres, it was the highest bridge in the world. Completed in 1793, its fortifications are incredible and have stood the tests of time remarkably well and still has normal traffic heading across in both directions. At the bottom you’ll get the seminal picture of the bridge and its gorge with its vertical cliff faces, from where rooks soar, often alongside vultures. From here there are various ways back up, but the best plan is to continue down and take the one-hour circular walk through the Tajo valley, crossing the Guadalevin river, and coming up the other side by the Mirador de los Pinos. This is the Carretera de los Molinos and nowhere in the world will you get a better appreciation of geography and a sense of place. The various vineyards and
SPLENDOUR: Ronda’s bullring is the world’s oldest circular ring
ancient farms - some with fortifica- dynasty and Pedro Romero (born tions going back well over 1,000 1754) who is dubbed the ‘father of years - offer the perfect snapshot of the corrida’. little-changed rural life He killed over 5,000 in southern Spain. bulls and passed his Heading back into skills down the line to Ronda is Ronda you’ll walk past the Ordonez’ family the famous Reina Vicwho have, so far, proactually toria hotel, built by vided Spain with three Andalucia’s English engineers, as generations of bullthey installed the railfighters… the youngest third most way line up to Ronda Cayetano, becoming visited place from Algeciras. a handsome Armani As you finally drop model. back into the centre Sipping a caña or cofyou’ll most certainly have to take fee in the main Plaza del Socorro, a stroll into the wonderful Alameda or one of the passages off it, it’s park, with its spectacular views, and not difficult to imagine Hemingway then the famous bullring next door. scribbling in the shadows of a backAt 243 years old, it is Spain’s oldest street cafe. and a stunning classical building His legacy looms large all around with some fab- the town and he (like Orson Welles ulous original whose ashes are scattered at a Goya etchings nearby farm owned by the Ordoñez of toreadors family) has a small street named at work in one after him behind the Parador hotel. room. He celebrated his final birthday in Spain’s most Ronda in 1960 and was fitfamous bull- tingly, further immortalised fight, the with a statue beside the ‘ G o y e s c a ’ , bullring in 2015. takes place It was from here this Eashere in Sep- ter, at Semana Santa, that tember with I came across one of the the matadors most moving scenes that and their teams dressing up in cemented my own sense 18th century costume paying trib- of belonging in the City of ute to the original Goya works. Dreams. Look out for the various statues It was well past midnight outside, including the local Ordoñez and, while my wife and a
OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword Across: 1 Slab, 4 Lasagne, 9 Pencils, 10 U-boat, 11 Edit, 12 Redeemer, 14 Porous, 15 Barbed, 19 Calfskin, 21 Inns, 23 Capri, 24 Flicker, 25 Everest, 26 Inky. Down: 2 Lankier, 3 Brie, 4 Lessee, 5 Saucepan, 6 Groom, 7 Enter, 8 Upkeep, 13 Sunshine, 16 Bangkok, 17 Desert, 18 Misfit, 19 Cycle, 20 Lapse, 22 Mini.
couple of friends stayed warm in a nearby wine bar, I ventured out to take a picture of the bridge at night. I thought the parades had long ended, but atop the bridge I found two lines of drummers made up of soldiers from Ronda’s crack local Spanish Foreign Legion brigade. They stood rigid and to attention, dressed in short sleeves despite the cold northerly breeze, staring straight ahead and tapping their drums quietly, rhythmically in perfect unison. It was hypnotic and insistent and, incredibly, I was one of just a dozen spectators on the bridge. After what was easily 15 minutes, out of a side street suddenly
loomed a statue of Mary on a float, carried by two dozen other legionnaires. Just behind was another group carrying Jesus, (see top left) but this time on his back, lying prone. He was ferried past, legs first facing upwards to the stars above. I looked up too and, as a trumpet started to play, I felt a sense of belonging. I knew I was in Ronda for to stay.
HEALTH Vape warning
A NEW study has shown the effects of vaping could be just as harmful as traditional cigarettes. According to an investigation by the University of Lodz, in Poland, vaping could cause similar harm to traditional cigarettes, even if they contain no nicotine. It comes as Spanish scientists including Marcos Garcia Rueda, director of Andalucia’s Integrated Plan Against Tobacco (PITA), warned that users of vapes are not inhaling ‘vapour’ but an ‘aerosol’. The high quantities of heated chemicals alongside metal nanoparticles are inhaled and reach the lungs, lymph nodes and other organs with negative effects. Scientists in Poland found that vaping affects cells which protect the respiratory system from bacterial infections like bronchitis. When these cells are damaged, the body loses its first line of defense against many respiratory illnesses. The study also found that blood vessel cells are also affected by vaping, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
30th November - 13th December 2023
A LIDL ice cream has been taken off the shelves after being found to contain metal fragments. The Spanish Food Safety Agency (AESAN) issued an alert after German authorities identified metal shards in the frozen dairy product.
21.09.2025) and L3 276 A01 THERAPY (expiry date: 22.09.2025) should Ice cream alert date: not consume the product. CONCERN The ice cream in question is ‘Bon Gelati Bourbon Vanilla Flavour’, produced by Lidl in Germany. Customers who bought the 2500ml tubs from lots L3 275 A01 (expiry
Lidl has confirmed the ice cream has been removed from all locations and is offering a full refund to anyone affected. No other Bon Gelati products were affected.
HANGOVER CLUE
Scientists may have finally found out why red wine can give you a headache RESEARCHERS may have finally found the reason why red wine gives so many people headaches. The study, carried out by the University of California, has identified a naturally occurring chemical, which could be the culprit. It's thought quercetin, a flavanol found in red wine could interfere with some-
15
By Yzabelle Bostyn
one’s ability to break down alcohol, causing headaches. The chemical gives fruit and veg, including grapes, their colour. Alone, quercetin is a powerful antioxidant and is sold in supplements at health food shops.
HOSPITAL SETBACK
VALENCIA'S Health Ministry has slashed its investment budget for Torrevieja Hospital by almost 90%. A figure of €1.1 million has been published in the region's 2024 draft budget compared to €11 million for improvements this year, which was barely touched. Eva Delafuente and Manuel Gomez, spokespeople for the Public and Quality Health Platform said the big reduction will hit a hospital that has a 'very significant deficit in resources and physical space' and will create extra problems in the future. Planned enhancements which did not happen under the 2023 budget included the overhaul of the rehabilitation gym and an expansion of consultation facilities, although an outpatient pharmacy may still be built.
However, the study published in Scientific Reports journal, has revealed that when combined with alcohol, quercetin can cause problems including nausea, headaches and flushes. According to Andrew Waterhouse, wine chemist: “When quercetin gets in your bloodstream, your body converts it to a different form called quercetin glucuronide.” “In that form, it blocks the metabolism of alcohol”, continued the professor emeritus with the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology. If alcohol is not processed, it can lead to a buildup of acetaldehyde, a well known ‘toxin, irritant and inflammatory substance’. This can provoke headaches
and some people are particularly susceptible according to the report. Study co-author Morris Levin added: “We postulate that when susceptible people consume wine with even modest amounts of quercetin, they develop headaches, particularly if they have a pre-existing migraine or another primary headache condition.” Now, the researchers hope to test their theory on human subjects in a small clinical trial.
A PATIENTS group has demanded a meeting with health bosses after it alleged that speech therapy services had been withdrawn in parts of Alicante province. The AERBECO association (Association for Rare Diseases in the Benidorm area) claims that a company overseeing the treatments had not been paid by the Valencian Health Ministry ‘for months’ and ended its services on November 17. In a statement, AERBECO said the withdrawal ‘affects the Marina Baixa, the Marina Alta and other coastal areas’ and means that ‘patients are going without needed treatment’. The association has asked for urgent talks with the Health Ministry and the head of the Marina Baixa Health Department, adding that outside companies should not be offering such a service. It explained that ‘most rare diseases need speech therapists to improve speech, improve facial paralysis, dysphonia, etc’. “It’s a rehabilitation for our quality of life and patients are without this treatment.” the group said. There has been no comment so far from the Valencian Health Ministry.
The
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COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA FREE Vol. 4 Issue 104 www.theolivepress.es 30th November - 13th December 2023
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A LAMB that fell into a 15 metre deep well and was trapped for two days has been doubly lucky. First of all firefighters from Inca (Mallorca) swung into action to haul the creature out. And now the lamb’s owner has decided that it will not be slaughtered for a traditional Spanish Christmas dinner. The farmer says the wooly cutie will live to a ripe old age romping in fields as ‘it has proven to be an incredible fighter’.
Wheel of misfortune
Woofing unbelievable A BIZARRE viral video captured in Valencia shows a woman walking a man like a dog as he humps a lamppost and lifts his leg as if to urinate on it.
FINAL WORDS
Ends well
Police officer splurged €9,000 of seized cash on roulette table
Cashing in
A POLICEMAN who gambled away thousands of euros of seized narco cash has avoided being kicked off the force. The Guardia Civil officer took €9,000 from a drugs raid before going on a marathon session at an Alicante casino. However the agent had an
A GROUP of Spaniards holidaying in Venice, Italy, were left stunned after being served with a €70 bill for three beers, a coke and some snacks in the emblematic Saint Mark’s Square.
By Alex Trelinski
unlucky day and lost all the money on the roulette table. The cash had been seized during an anti-drug operation in Murcia. During a search in the ear-
Bone clue RESEARCHERS in Badajoz have uncovered evidence of mass animal sacrifice rituals from around 2,500 years ago, recovering 6,700 bones from dogs, horses, cattle and pigs.
Purrfect tale
% 50
ly hours, the officer found 12 bags of marijuana and €9,000 in small bills. The evidence remained in his custody and he was due to deliver it to a judge later that day. Instead he headed to a gambling hall with the money-
A LONG-LOST moggy is to make a 6,000 kilometre journey to Spain after she was found 10 years after going missing. American couple Richard and Maria Price had given up on ever being reunited with their beloved Mimi years ago after she went missing in New York. They had since moved to Valencia when they received a long-distance call from their home city. An animal sanctuary had picked up Mimi, and as she was microchipped they were able to trace the Prices.
where he spent more than eight hours attempting to ‘enrich’ himself on the roulette table but lost it all. Immediately after the session, he handed over the confiscated drugs to his colleagues but was arrested on suspicion of embezzling public funds. Prosecutors were seeking one year and 11 months in jail but both parties agreed to a deal of five months behind bars and a 10-month ban from the force. It means he can re-join the police once his suspension is over. The courts took into consideration that he had returned the money before sentencing and that he had suffered ‘a loss of control due to his gambling addiction’.
Cash grab YOU could nip along to your local hypermarket and pick up a towel for €20. Or you could splash out €700 for a towel skirt. Balenciaga has just revealed its latest creation: a dark grey terry towel worn as a unisex skirt. What apparently sets this garment apart from any other grey bath towel is the Balenciaga logo embroidered on the front of the skirt and the fact that it can only be dry cleaned.
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