Olive Press Costa Blanca South and Murcia Issue 100

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O P LIVE RESS The

Birthday tragedy

Group of friends killed while celebrating a 30th birthday in ‘illegal’ nightclub

not out as our Costa Blanca South edition hits 100!

See page 9

See full story on p4

SICKENING!

A BRITISH expat has been slapped with a £20,000 (€23,000) hospital bill after her bowel exploded during a trip to the UK.

Helen Winslade, 55, who lives in Almeria, was visiting home in early July when she had to undergo life saving surgery, losing a part of her small intestine. The procedure went well, but

Expat slammed with €23,000 UK hospital bill after bowel explodes during visit back home

amazingly, within weeks the retired Brit was faced with a whopping bill from the NHS, despite her British citizenship. The Welsh native was diagnosed Winslade, Helen was not expecting to stay in the UK for an extended period and their ‘small pension’ could not fund Helen’s accommodation, food and travel costs.

with a rare form of bowel cancer known as GIST tumours. According to her brother, Karl

By Yzabelle Bostyn

Karl launched a fundraising campaign to get Helen back to Spain, where he said ‘her prognosis would be better’ due to shorter waiting times. She finally returned in late September after a months-long ordeal. Her husband, Carlos, had been left holding the fort in Seron, while she was stuck in the UK short of funds.

The impact of Covid 19 ‘wiped out’ their business, leaving the couple to live ‘on a very small

MUST GET THE CARD!

PEOPLE resident in Spain are not automatically covered for emergency treatment on the UK’s National Health Service even if they are British citizens. They should get an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), which is free in Spain and available to people enrolled with their regional health department. This ensures emer gency health care is available during trips to the UK and EU countries on

the same terms as in the visited nation. In the UK this means attention would be free, although in some other countries charges may apply on the same basis as locals pay. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight. It also does not cover your costs if you are travelling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment.

pension’.

The case is a warning to any expats considering visiting home without medical insurance or failing to travel with the correct forms in case of an unexpected health scare.

Under current laws, if you are not a UK resident, you must produce relevant documentation to receive free NHS treatment - including an EHIC (a European health card) or GHIC card, or a so-called S1 or S2 form. Alternatively, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate, which will cover healthcare in the UK for the length of your trip.

Since a Go Fund Me page was launched at the start of August, only €210 of the couple’s €5,000 target has been raised. Karl says he is ‘eternally grateful’ for any contribution.

From between the posts to thousands of bed posts...we salute Latin lothario Julio Iglesias as he hits 80

ITV respite

UNIONS representing workers at ITV motor vehicle stations in the Valencia region have suspended an indefinite strike over pay and conditions due to start last Monday until October 22.

Rubbish cash

SOME €2.5 million of surplus money is to be invested by Orihuela council to improve its much-criticised municipal waste collection and street cleaning service.

Porto link

MURCIA’S Corvera airport will have a new summer route to Porto, Portugal next summer, to add to new domestic routes to Madrid and Barcelona being launched this winter.

Pollution free

ELCHE has started its first 100% all electric bus route between the L’Alijub shopping centre and the university, using six non-polluting vehicles.

Carer's deceit

A CARER has been arrested for stealing over €50,000 of jewellery from an elderly Elche woman that she worked for.

The 94-year-old victim's daughter complained to the Policia Nacional about a large amount of missing jewellery and told officers that she suspected the carer had stolen the items.

can extremist figures.

As we reported last issue, the Costa Blanca villaowned by billionaire fashion tycoon Philip Day - even saw the likes of Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. In retaliation for the arti -

New witness in Maddie case

A NEW witness claims he saw Maddie McCann suspect Christian Brueckner running from a rape of a young expat in Portugal.

The hotel worker on the Algarve claims he saw the German fleeing the apartment in Portimao at dawn.

He was able to identify him as blonde-haired Brueckner as he had taken off his mask to flee. “He came forward recently with his evidence,” a German source told the Olive Press. “His testimony is very credible.”

The employee had been arriving early for work when he allegedly spotted him. His

evidence comes after ‘others’ identified seeing a man climb up to attack Hazel Behan, 20, in 2004. Behan, now 40, believes she was followed home to her apartment, which had a balcony ‘easy to climb onto’. “I’m sure it was, blondehaired Brueckner, who spoke to me in English with a German accent,” she told the Olive Press this week. She added: “If Portuguese cops had put a ‘call’ out for info at the time, this witness might have come forward then.”

See Countdown, page 6

post on his Telegram channel while walking into the Alicante hills.

“I know exactly where you live. You live at your mum's, you sad little p***k.

cle, Robinson claimed he had ‘found out’ where our reporters live. “I got all your details straight away,” he claimed in a €5,000-a-month, six-bedroom villa, but merely using it as a filming location. Robinson was declared bankrupt in 2021 and is currently unable to open a bank account or monetise his social media channels. It raises questions about how he could afford to rent and use the villa.

“What, you want to show pictures of where I live? See if you like it when I come and knock on your mum’s door.” Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, argued that showing pictures of where he (claims) to live potentially endangers his children. He later alleged that he will have to relocate again, as his children have faced threats from anti-fascist extremists.

However, Olive Press investigations actually reported that Robinson was NOT residing at the

The four-time imprisoned ex-convict has previously spent time in Gibraltar and on the Costa del Sol. He is currently facing another jail stint back in the UK for contempt of court and will appeal a conviction for the stalking of a journalist at the Independent newspaper. The Guardia Civil has been alerted to the threats against the Olive Press

Investigations confirmed that the 52-year-old Portuguese carer pawned off items in three different shops over three months totalling €25,542.

That included a luxury watch valued at over €20,000.

The mother and her son, 21, were detained.

Out of control

A DRUNK Ukrainian lorry driver was pulled over on the A-70 in Alicante after zig-zagging between lanes for over three kilometres.

The Guardia Civil tried to stop the lorry several times and the vehicle only came to a halt when the man's dangerous driving caused one of his tyres to 'blow out'.

The 36-year-old was found to be nine times over the drinkdrive limit for professional drivers.

His erratic driving included changing lanes without signalling and occupying two carriageways at the same time.

REVEALED: The Olive Press investigated Robinson last issue

Panda party

MADRID’S zoo marked a special occasion as giant panda twins, Youyou and Jiujiu, celebrated their second birthday.

The inseparable duo were treated to a bamboo ice cream cake.

These well-known pandas have been a

Island nuptials

Football legend Ronaldo marries model Celine Locks in Ibiza

THE low-key wedding of a struggling second division football club president in Ibiza turned more than a few heads.

But that’s not surprising when the Spanish football club in question, Real Valladolid, is owned by none other than footballing superstar Ronaldo (the Brazilian, not Portuguese player). He was getting married to his bride, Brazilian model Celine Locks, 33, in the small village of es Cubells, just southwest of the island where Ronaldo, 47, owns a luxurious home.

The couple's engagement, which was announced in

By Walter Finch

January during a romantic Caribbean getaway, culminated in a picturesque church wedding - the World Cup winner’s third time tying the knot.

As Ronaldo and Celina left the church, showered in confetti, they shared matching Instagram posts, proclaiming: “Today we brought our families together for an intimate religious celebration and thus marked the beginning of a week of many celebrations.”

The newlyweds held a grand party for 400 guests at Ron-

ROYAL VISIT

major draw for millions of visitors over the past two years and have even gained recognition on Chinese television.

Born in 2021, these two male pandas weighed a mere 150 grams at birth. Today, they tip the scales at around 70 kilograms each, nearly matching their mother, Huazuiba.

By the time they reach four years of age, they are expected to weigh approximately 400 kilograms.

Legend visits

MERYL Streep has confirmed she will be to Oviedo’s Teatro Campoamor to pick up a top award.

The Hollywood legend has won the prestigious 2023 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts.

The 74-year-old star already has three Oscars, as well as three Emmys, two Baftas and a best actress victory at the Cannes Film Festival.

It has been announced she will pick up the prize in person at the October 20 event.

A 19 member Asturias jury announced Streep as this year's winner, after considering 44 candidates from 20 countries. Previous winners include composers Ennio Morricone, John Williams and Martin Scorsese.

PRINCE Harry and wife Meghan have been in Portugal at the invitation of his cousin Princess Eugenie.

According to Portuguese magazine

Nova Gente, Prince Andrew’s 33 yearold daughter and her husband Jack Brooksbank(33) recently bought a home in Melides on the Atlantic coast. Harry (39) and 42 year-old Meghan enjoyed the romantic break after attending the Invictus Games in Germany.

aldo's home in Cala Jondal. The love story began seven years ago when Celina, a successful businesswoman and model, first started dating the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan striker. One of the first people to congratulate the happy couple, who are honeymooning in the Dominican Republic, was Ronaldo's ex-wife Milene Domingues.

The former footballer wrote: “I'm happy for you. God bless and protect you always. Long live love.”

RAM RAID

THE home of Spanish footballer Sergio Ramos was robbed while his four children were inside, it has emerged. The raid at the sprawling La Alegria estate, in Bollullos de la Mitacion near Sevilla, was targeted by robbers last Wednesday.

According to the Guardia Civil, Ramos and his wife Pilar Rubio (pictured)were not at home but their four children and their caregivers were.

The thieves struck while Ramos was away playing a Champions League match against French club Lens. His wife, meanwhile, had been travelling for work.

The robbers took luxury watches, jewellery, designer clothes and cash. No one was injured.

HAPPY COUPLE: Ronaldo and Celine tied the knot

A DEVASTATED expat couple have slammed the decision to dismiss a giant pension fraud case that saw hundreds of Brits in Spain robbed of their life savings.

They are furious a Costa Blanca court has ruled there is insufficient evidence to prosecute four executives of collapsed financial firm Continental Wealth Management (CWM).

However Denia Court hasn’t entirely absolved them of criminal conduct, nor ruled out further proceedings, with the victims set to launch a new case in Madrid.

CWM allegedly defrauded up to 1,000 mostly British expats of €35 million between 2013 and 2017.

The firm placed their pensions in high-risk investments which, initially, paid out huge commissions, but

Terrace tax

BARS and restaurants in Orihuela will have to pay taxes to place chairs and tables on their terraces from January 1, 2024.

The tax previously raised around €120,000 for the local council but was suspended for three years due to the Covid pandemic. A greater use of outdoor space since 2021 means that council coffers are likely to be boosted by a higher figure.

Hacked off

AN elderly woman has received €450,000 in compensation after losing her left arm following what should have been a routine shoulder operation at Torrevieja Hospital. An 'out of court' settlement was reached following the blundered procedure two years ago.

The patient, 67, went to hospital after suffering a shoulder fracture and had an operation five days later to rectify the injury. However, an artery started bleeding, which developed into a thrombosis after being left for 48 hours, leading to it having to be amputated.

SO WHO TOOK OUR MONEY?

EXCLUSIVE

By Walter Finch

later collapsed leaving them with nothing.

But after a four-year litigation process the judge ruled that a class action by 17 victims failed to bring enough proof of wrongdoing.

The judge added many of them had worked in finance and ‘had the risks explained to them’.

“Surely someone is accountable for what happened,” the British couple, who wish to remain anonymous, told the Olive Press.

Sole director Jody Smart and ex-hus-

band, mastermind Darren Kirby, stood accused of fraud, disloyal administration and falsification of documents.

The pair allegedly forged investors’ signatures and made changes to documents without the investor’s consent, although this was unproved.

CWM employees Paul Clarke, and Stephen Ward were also co-defendants in the complex case that was hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic and also spanned jurisdictions in Ireland, Germany, Malta, and Cyprus. Angie Brooks, who represented many of the victims, blamed the failure on the complexity of the case.

“Under EU law, it's not enough for the investors to say they accept the risk,” the pensions specialist told Olive Press.

“They also have to make sure that they spell out what the risks mean.” However, she is now launching a new claim with fresh complainants in the High Court in Madrid and will also take on other insurance and pension companies involved in the alleged scam.

“We will work with the prosecutor to make this a proper national case to bring a criminal trial against not just the advisors but also the other parties that are involved as well.

SCANDAL: How the

“We need to see somebody going to prison here in Spain, because these people have walked off with millions,” she insisted.

While Kirby failed to turn up at court and his whereabouts are unknown, Smart’s husband, Franco Pearson insisted Jody would not be commenting on the apparent victory.

The chef, who runs a restaurant in Benissa, added: “Go get a life.”

Disco inferno

Probe

A COURT has opened a criminal investigation after 13 people died in a fire at an ‘illegal’ nightclub in Murcia City on Sunday.

Owners are expected to be charged with reckless manslaughter after the blaze tore through three adjoining clubs in the early hours.

Detectives from the Policia Nacional will now take ‘several weeks’ to determine the cause of the fire and who - or what - should take responsibility.

Prosecutor Jose Luis Diaz insisted if the tragedy arose from recklessness, then those responsible could face up to nine years in prison.

He promised ‘an exhaustive search’ to uncover the truth, adding: “We need to go centimetre by centimetre to check everything,” he said.

“Let’s see how it ends up because there may have been a short circuit not caused by negligence,” he added.

MENU DEL DASH

AN expat has been jailed for faking a heart attack to avoid picking up the cheque in at least 20 restaurants in Spain.

The 50-year-old, originally from Lithuania, will spend 42 days behind bars after failing to pay two fines for his series of theatrical dine and dashes.

His modus operandi was identical in almost every eatery he targeted, the majority of them on the Costa Blanca.

He was a man of habit and would always order several glasses of ‘White Label’ whiskey to wash down a Russian salad, a dish ‘he seems to like quite a bit’, said one restaurant owner.

Among the targets were El Buen Comer and Sale&Pepe, in Alicante.

“It was very theatrical, he pretended to faint and slumped himself down on the floor,” said the manager at El Buen Comer. “We have sent his photo around to all the restaurants to try and stop him from striking again.”

A worker at Sale&Pepe said: “We’ve all

Postal victory

COMMUNITY letter boxes are to be scrapped across large parts of the Orihuela Costa after Correos was ordered to introduce 'door to door' deliveries.

The National Commissions of Markets and Competition (CNMC) has ordered the move after resident groups campaigned for such a service. Door-to-door deliveries will soon be mandatory in the Cabo Roig, Dehesa de Campoamor, La Zenia, La Zenia II, La Regia, and Mil Palmeras urbanisations.

AFTERMATH: Buildings were devastated despite the best efforts of firefighters

By Alex Trelinski

It was however, revealed that the Disco Fonda Milagroswhich saw the brunt of the fatalities - did not have a licence and was ordered to close in January 2022.

The company that runs the club had advised the council it had divided its buildings into two different establishments: Fonda Milagros and the adjoining Teatre, in June 2019. But the council had rejected the change on the basis a new licence would have to be issued, given the ‘magnitude’ of the modification.

received a warning with his photo telling us to be careful and to not serve him anything.”

Because each incident was considered a small amount of money, they are only considered as ‘minor crimes’.

HEARTY EATER: but expat never paid bill

However the restaurant owners are now planning to file a joint complaint which could land the man up to two years in jail.

A lawyer from the prestigious firm Navarra Sancho said: “He has taken advantage of the legal system, with such small fines unpaid it’s difficult to achieve a longer sentence in prison.”

Do you know the man? Please contact tips@theolivepress.es

It emerged the failure to get a licence led to a closure order being slapped on the clubs in January 2022, with an appeal rejected the following year. Despite this, the clubs remained open for a year, with the council unable to explain why no inspections had subsequently been made.

Police confirmed that a key factor had been the collapsing of the roof, which made it harder for guests to exit and for rescue operations to be conducted.

The majority of the bodies were found in the first floor restaurant area, where a 30th birthday party was being held for Nicaraguan Erick Torres Hernandez, who had a sevenyear-old daughter.

He, his partner Orfilia Blandon (27), brother Sergio (39) and mother Martha (62) all died in the blaze.

An eye-witness described the clubs as a 'labyrinth' with

Lucky escape

just one winding staircase offering limited access. Others claimed that emergency exits were not sign-posted. Family members have supplied DNA samples to identify the bodies found in the club.

The investigating judge is awaiting the results of those samples, once autopsies have been completed.

Fatalities

Besides the 13 fatalities, 24 people were injured in Spain's deadliest nightclub fire since 1990 when 43 people lost their lives in a Zaragoza venue. In December 1983. 81 people were killed in a nightclub blaze in Madrid, with smoke, a failure in the lighting system and a closed emergency door all contributing to the disaster.

Opinion Page 6

Sanchez victory looms

KING Felipe VI has put forward Pedro Sanchez as candidate for prime minister after the failed attempt of conservative leader Alberto Nuñez Feijoo to take power.

The nomination came after the monarch held a fresh round of meetings with Spain’s political leaders, the second he has had since the inconclusive general election held on July 23.

Sanchez will need the support of the new leftist bloc Sumar as well as smaller groups, including Catalan nationalists who are demanding serious concessions for their pro-independence cause. He will this week meet with the leader of Sumar, caretaker deputy PM Yolanda Diaz, to explore the possibility of a new leftist coalition.

AN ELCHE man cheated death after accidentally falling from a third floor balcony. The 33-year-old was found at 6.00am and after being treated for multiple head injuries was taken to Elche’s Vinalopo Hospital.

MOZZIE WARS

A WARM start to October coupled with recent rain has prompted Elche council to ramp up its mosquito fumigation in both rural and urban parts of the municipality. Extra teams are being deployed to apply products to stop insect larvae developing.

The recent rise in temperatures is causing a rise in mosquitoes hatching in areas with accumulated water along the entire Costa Blanca.

Property owners can help by sanitising swimming pools, ponds, awnings, and planters which are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Feral fear

GUARDAMAR council has been warned about a surge in feral cats at the Segura river mouth.

Birds are now being put under threat, according to the Friends of the Southern Alicante Wetlands (AHSA). AHSA says the cats have significantly increased on the protected north and south banks and this is endangering nesting birds on the banks.

gathers pace over the horrific nightclub fire that left 13 youngsters dead in Murcia

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

Warning for all

THE shocking NHS bill sent to expat Helen Winslade should be a warning for all Brits in Spain (Sickening, p1).

Despite having lived all her working life in the UK and having paid national insurance and a host of other taxes, Helen was unable to access free healthcare when confronted with an emergency during a visit home. No one expects to fall ill when travelling, let alone have their bowel rupture, but life is unpredictable.

We sincerely hope that Helen is now on the mend after finally making her way back to Spain with her husband Carlos in Seron, near Almeria.

However let this be a lesson to all of us to ensure we are covered when returning back to Blighty. Get your EHIC card, fill in a so-called S1 or S2 form or make sure your health insurance is extensive enough to cover the worst possible scenario.

Share the blame

THE fire that has claimed 13 lives in Murcia may have been an accident (a lighting short circuit is suspected) but there will be blame attached.

A criminal investigation has been launched against the owners of the three nightclubs where the tragedy unfurled.

And if they have been found to be negligent, the full force of the law should be brought against them.

But they should not be the only ones put under the spotlight. The actions - or rather inaction - of the local authorities should also be closely examined.

How is it that, despite a closure order on the businesses (because they had split one club into two with unauthorised building works), the discos were allowed to operate?

Why were there NO safety inspections in the year since the closure order was made?

The unauthorised removal of a wall may have been partly to blame for the roof collapsing, trapping and killing innocent party goers.

But City Hall must be held accountable too.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

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ADMIN Victoria Humenyuk

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COUNTDOWN BEGINS

When will German Maddie McCann suspect finally get his day in court over the missing toddler? Jon Clarke analyses the timescale, the ‘confession’ in Spain, PLUS five other sex crimes in Portugal?

IT’S the case that never seems to close. Now into its 16th year, the mystery over the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann in Portugal, has still not been solved. But, it’s creeping ever closer to coming to trial, after a landmark ruling in Germany. It involves a court in Braunschweig finally accepting it has the jurisdiction to try its former resident Christian Brueckner, 46. As well as the abduction and murder of the British toddler in May 2007, he is also due to be charged with five other serious sex crimes. These are three rapes and two child sex offences, all taking place on the Algarve between 2000 and 2017. Feel like you’ve read that before? You did, almost a year ago on October 11 when

the Olive Press revealed exclusively Brueckner was set to be charged and sent to trial by ‘this Spring or Summer’. The German sex offender - who is currently serving seven years for the rape of a 72-year-old American expat on the Algarve in 2005 - saw complex committal proceedings against him officially begin back then.

It involved getting permission from Italy, the last place he was living as a free man in 2018, to confirm an extradition request to bring him back to Germany.

He had also been made an official suspect (or arguido) over the Maddie case in Portugal.

But then things came to a shuddering halt for prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters and

the victims, including former Irish holiday rep Hazel Behan, 40. Brueckner’s lawyer, Friedrich Fulscher, put a spanner in the works claiming the regional court in Braunschweig had no jurisdiction to hear the case, because their client’s last formal address

was not there but in a backwater of former East Germany.

He claimed he had resided at a derelict box factory in Neuwegersleben and should actually therefore be tried in the nearby regional court in Magdeburg.

While Brueckner bought the factory back in 2008 or 2009, prosecutor Wolters argued he had never actually lived there and was never officially registered there. “He only spent the odd night there in his winnebago,” he told me earlier this year.

But in a bombshell decision, in April, the regional court sided with Fulscher, ruling Braunschweig had no jurisdiction to hear the case.

It came as a big blow to Wolt

FACING HER ATTACKER

ONE of Brueckner’s alleged victims, Irish mother-of-three Hazel Behan, 40, told the Olive Press she was ‘looking for ward to finally facing him in court’. The former Algarve resort worker, from Dublin, was just 20 when she was tied up, beaten and tortured during a four-hour filmed ordeal, in 2004.

She is certain the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Brueckner was her attacker. “I’ve been waiting nearly two decades for closure on the attack that changed the course of my life,” she said. “I need this whole saga to end.”

The remarkable human-led resettling of Ibises to Cadiz is just one of a number of programs to replenish Spain’s critically endangered birds

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AWARDS

THERE is a flock of birds that is making its way south from the Alps to Andalucia for an annual migration this autumn - nothing too out-of-the-ordinary about that.

Apart from the fact that the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibises are being led by a human in an ultralight aircraft on their 2,000km journey to Jerez.

Known for its dark feathers and distinctive bald red head, the Northern Bald Ibis vanished from Spain and Europe three centuries ago.

Until recently, there were only two surviving populations left in the wild; one in Morocco, of roughly 600, and another in Syria, with fewer than 10.

A breeding program at the Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna helped establish northern populations and now hand-reared chicks have been trained to follow a caregiver in an ultralight aircraft to establish a southern migra tion route to southern Spain.

The plucky Ibis is not the only bird species long-extinguished in Spain to have made a comeback, thanks to the efforts of conservationists.

After going extinct in the 1980s, the Osprey was brought back to Spain in 2013.

Twelve Ospreys were taken from their nests in Scotland and released into the Basque coun try north of Bilbao.

More recently, British Red Kites helped to save their Hispanic cousins from going extinct in Spain.

As with so many bird species in Spain, numbers of this raptor have been decimated by the illegal use of poisons, hunting and habitat degradation and loss due to high-intensity agriculture. Experts grew alarmed when the breeding population in Spain

dropped to a mere 50.

BIRD BOUNCE

Over the summers of 2022 and 2023 and into next year, around 100 Red Kites from the UK have been carefully released into Extremadura.

However, they are only returning the favour after relocated Spanish Red Kites saved their British cousins from being wiped out in the UK

Moving up the food chain of birds of prey that have gone extinct on the Iberian peninsula, another is on its way back - the largest and

A colossal predator with a wingspan of nearly two and a half metres, the White-Tailed Eagle had not been seen in Spain since Borrowing from the robust populations in Norway, 18 young eagles were extracted from nests earlier this summer and made

their journey to Madrid airport on June 29.

Before taking flight into Spanish skies, these eagles are residing in a specialised enclosure near the town of Pimiango in Asturias. Some 13 of the eagles have been released into the wild so far, with the remaining five not deemed large enough yet.

From predators to scavengers; another grand endeavour is underway, this time to restore the Black Vulture to its historic homeland in Spain’s Iberian Highlands.

Once a common sight, the Aegypius monachus faced dwindling numbers and extinction in the region a century ago due to shrinking forest habitats.

The revival project has involved releasing sevenof the vultures into Alto Tajo Nature Park in Castilla-La Mancha after a meticulous seven-month acclimatisation period in an aviary.

These birds, equipped with GPS transmitters, are now getting accustomed to their new surroundings.

It is part of a plan to release between 40 and 50 Black Vultures to go with the already-healthy Griffon Vulture population.

INVESTIGATION: Clarke meets Wolters (right)

ers, who has been working on the case since 2018 and helped convict Brueckner of the rape of American Diane Menkes three years ago.

He was suddenly faced with seeing hundreds of files of evidence sent to the Saxony-Anhalt region. Worse, it was clear that frustrations were growing among a number of the key witnesses.

As the torturous procedure slowed up even further, one former friend of Brueckner’s, Helge Busching, was said to be ‘considering retracting his evidence’ last month.

It led to a deluge of attacks on the German police and judiciary, with ‘sources’ in Portugal labelling Busching, Helge ‘Bullsh*tter’.

The so-called ‘police sources’ (I’m

claims this was his residence sure this is former Chief Inspector Gonzalo Amaral, who messed up the original Maddie investigation) claimed the whole case was flimsy and revolved around an alleged ‘confession’ Brueckner made to Helge in Spain in 2008. This admittance of involvement came during the Dragon Festival, in Orgiva, near Granada, where Buschingalong with many of Brueckner’s friendslived for many years. Busching told German media, in July, that Brueckner had

FOLLOW THE LEADER: Ibises en route to Spain

BACKIt has not all been an unbridled success in conservation efforts to return majestic, long-extinct birds of prey to Spain, however. A program to reintroduce the endangered Bearded Vulture to the Maestrazgo area of southeast Aragon has been halted over concerns about proposals for a massive new windfarm in the area.

There are fears that wind turbines, numbering over 100 with some reaching 150 metres in height, could spring up directly in routes known to be favoured by existing bearded vultures in Spain.

Windfarms already in the Aragon and Navarra area extracted a harrowing toll on various bird species between 2020 and 2022, according to conservation experts.

This includes 1,387 Griffon Vultures, six Egyptian Vultures, 30 Golden Eagles, 58 Short-Toed Snake Eagles, and 76 Red Kites killed. Thankfully Bearded Vulture numbers have already rebounded, with more than 200 pairs, in no small part due to a conservation and reintroduction program initiated 40 years ago.

ACTUAL HOME: Clarke outside his Braunschweig

told him clearly: “She didn't scream.”

He added the sex offender had got through the front door of her apartment in Praia da Luz using a ‘lock pick kit’ and may well have used a solvent from car paint to knock her out.

But now, after spending four years in Germany’s witness protection scheme, Busching has reportedly grown fed up with keeping his life on hold and is now ‘refusing’ to testify.

This however, is ‘totally untrue’, according to prosecutor Wolters, who told me last week that under German law his testimony ‘still stands’ and he will ‘have to appear in court’.

Speaking to the Olive Press just days after a higher court ruled the cases would finally be heard in Braunschweig, he added: “We have all the evidence we need to prosecute him over the five sex offences and I hope the court agrees with our arguments.

“It should be a formality and I hope we will get a date in the next week or two. It should

THE FIVE SEX CRIMES BRUECKNER IS FACING:

● Rape of Hazel Behan in Portimao in 2004

● Sexual assault of Joana Eilts on Zalema beach in April 2007

● Exposure to four children in Sao Bartolomeu de Messines, in June 2017

● Rape of a teenager - between 16 to 19 - filmed on video on the Algarve between 2000 and 2007

● Rape of an older woman - between 50 and 60 - filmed on video on the Algarve between 2000 and 2007

be in the early part of 2024.”

The calm and unflappable man, with decades of experience prosecuting serious crime, had successfully argued that Brueckner had last lived in Braunschweig, where he ran a kiosk/bar (above) and lived above it, while also renting an allotment home nearby. He also proved he had never applied for electricity or water at the deserted Saxony-Anhalt factory, nor had he put himself on the electoral roll there.

And most importantly, I can reveal, he discovered that Brueckner himself had actually applied for state benefits, via an address in Braunschweig, as recently as 2017.

As he explained to the Olive Press: “It’s been a long process to slow up the case by his lawyers, which has been upsetting for everyone, not helped by the amount of paperwork and the summer break.

“I’ve never seen a case like this and it has personally been very frustrating.”

While he refused to speculate on the exact month for the trial - because there are other suspects on remand, whose trials ‘must come first’ - he added a trial over missing Maddie probably wouldn’t be set until next year. “We haven’t finished investigating yet and we need a bit more time,” he explained last week.

So it is now all up to the new female judge at Braunschweig court to set her diary for 2024. Either way she is likely facing two trials of the century next year!

Olive Press editor

Jon Clarke is the author of My Search for Madeleine

is celebrating the roaring success of its brand new GERMAN edition on the Costa del Sol.

The leading expat newspaper is now offering its brand of exclusive stories and original content to the millions of German speakers who live in – or like to visit – Andalucia.

It follows seven successive years of expansion that have seen the newspaper launch fortnightly editions in Gibraltar, Mallorca and along the Costa Blanca north and south.

The latest addition is the first ever FREE German newspaper on the coast, and can be found at all good outlets, including hotels, restaurants, golf courses, petrol stations and supermarkets.

The first edition last month was met with praise after being dropped at more than 750 locations.

“It looks great and has the usual interesting varied mix of content of the main English paper,” said Karen Wolfson, of leading restaurant company Metro Group.

Proud

“We are proud to have Nomad Restaurant in Aloha on the cover.”

Silvia Jensen-Lindemann, owner of leading construction company Grupo Protec added: “It looks really good, I’m sure we’ll be using it. I like it a lot!”

Meanwhile Karl Elschner, of estate agency Melrose, based in Estepona, added: “It’s a great new addition for the expat German market.”

German-speaker Paul Whitelock, whose wife is from North Rhine Westphalia, was really surprised when he found a copy in the Ronda tourist office.

“Well done. My wife really liked the Lorca piece (below), while I was very impressed with the balance of news stories and features.”

The former schools inspector, who lives in Montejaque, also posted an appraisal on popular website, Eye on Spain, adding: “I am fluent in German and I can assure potential readers it is done by native German speakers.”

The venture came about after a German family picked up a copy of our English edition this Spring and, insisted, it needed

They immediately contacted publisher Jon Clarke to broach the idea of a similar product for the German market and voila, the Olive Press Aleman Clarke said: “They insisted that while Germans can speak English and read it, they are so much happier doing it in their own language.

“They insisted it was a no brainer and with all the Austrians and Swiss moving here now I agreed.”

He added: “I was delighted when the launch issue came out looking so great, even if I couldn’t under stand it!

“Thanks so much to all the advertisers who have queued up to support it.”

kiosk

HOME?: Maddie suspect Brueckner

Waldrappteam Conservation and Research/L Kern

SHELL SHOCK

Unexpected boom of loggerhead turtles nesting on Spanish beaches driven by climate change

AN unexpected surge in loggerhead turtles nesting along the beaches of Spain is driven by climate change, conservationists believe.

This summer, 27 nests have been recorded, marking the highest number since the first loggerhead turtle nest was documented on the Spanish coast back in 2001. This year there have been 10 nests recorded in Catalunya, eight in Valencia, two in Murcia, two in Andalucia and five in the Balearic Islands. This compares to a total of just 38 nests in Spain and the Balearics between 2010 and 2022. This unusual nesting behaviour has been called a crucial development for tur-

Salt flats push

TORREVIEJA’S mayor wants plans for a new hydrotherapy centre by the salt flats at the city’s Natural Park to go ahead as soon as possible.

Eduardo Dolon last week met with Valencian environment secretary, Javier Sendra, to speed up the approval process.

As the proposed facilities are on Natural Park land, it is up to Valencian authorities to give any green light for changes.

Old buildings will be restored as a museum while new controlled bathing areas would be created. Dolon said the plans are ‘fully respectful of the natural environment, which will also solve the problem of uncontrolled access to the park in order to bathe in the salt lagoon, an activity not permitted by current regulations’.

MURDER BUG

THRIVING: Loggerhead Turtles

By Walter Finch

tle conservation and renewed efforts are underway to safeguard the creatures at every stage of their life cycle. The loggerhead turtle has been classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List with a declining global population trend.

Warmer waters and beaches in the western Mediterranean have attracted female logger heads to the shores of Spain to lay their eggs; from Andalucia to Catalunya. Scientists suspect this is be cause of historically warmer sand temperatures that are perfect for incubating the eggs. Sand temperature records from 1950 to 2019 reveal that thermal conditions suitable

But with many of the sites being on busy tourist beaches, special measures such as 24 hour guards being put on sites have been needed to safeguard the eggs and hatchlings.

SPAIN is losing its decade-long war on the Asian Hornet - sometimes known as the ‘murThe vespa velutina, first arrived in Spain from France in 2010, when 17 nests of the invasive insect were detected in Galicia. Fast forward to 2022, and there were 22,200.

And they do live up to their nickname. They killed a 54-year-old beekeeper in May 2020 when one stung him in the eyebrow.

That same month, a 73-year-old man died after a swarm attacked while spending a day out in the countryside with his wife.

THE YOUNG ARE RIGHT

ADULTS don’t always know best. I read with interest last week about a group of six young people from neighbouring Portugal who have issued legal proceedings against 32 countries.

They rightly accuse these countries of taking insufficient action over climate change and that they have failed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as they committed to do when they signed up to the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5C. Their basis for the legal action, filed at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, is that their fundamental human rights have been violated. Governments’ reluctance to effectively combat climate change directly impacts on the right to life, privacy, family life and to be free from discrimination .

Forest fires that have plagued Portugal in the last six years are a direct result of global warming they claim. The extreme heat has had a major impact on their lives – being forced to spend more time indoors, sleep deprivation, inability to concentrate or exercise, an increase in eco-anxiety in the younger generation, and harmful health implications (more

allergies and respiratory conditions).

I think they are right. Hats off for initiative. They are not doing it for money. They are genuinely worried. One of the claimants, Mariana Duarte Agostinho, who is 11-years-old, still gets frightened at the sound of a helicopter flying overhead. It takes her back to 2017 when more than 50,000 acres of forest was raised to the ground and their family home was covered in ashes.

“I want a green world without pollution, I want to be healthy” says the youngster. “I’m really worried about my future. I’m afraid of what the place where we live will look like.”

Hard to argue against that. She’s completely right. If only politicians listened and acted. And talking of politicians……..

GORDON IS A MORON

So sang the British band Jilted John back in 1978. That chorus line always came to mind when I saw ex British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the television .

Not so now. My opinion is changing.

Last week he rightly accused world leaders of coming up ‘abysmally short’ in their efforts to lower carbon emissions. Strangely, the same words were used by the head of the United Nations recently. Brown has a cunning plan. He thinks that the world’s richest oil states should pay a windfall tax to help poorer nations combat climate change. As oil prices soared they raked in fortunes.

Next month COP28 takes place in oil-rich Dubai. It’ll be interesting to see how that argument plays out. Don’t hold your breath.

Green Matters By Martin Tye

EX-PM: Gordon Brown

OLIVE oil production in Spain will not exceed a million tons in the 2023/24 crop year, according to Agriculture Minister, Luis Planas. However, he said production would almost certainly surpass the historic low of 663,000 tons produced in 2022/23- 54% below the average of the previous four years.

Officials and producers across the country have blamed the historic drought for the poor harvest last year and the low expectations for this year.

Rainfall in recent weeks has slightly improved the situation in the olive groves, but many producers warned that it came too late to save this harvest, instead improving conditions for 2024/25.

SHAKIRA SHAKING!

SINGING superstar expat Shakira is facing a new fraud probe in Spain.

Oil woes Back in business

The Colombian sensation allegedly evaded another €6 million from the taxman in 2018.

This is in addition to the €14.5 million tax she is accused of illegally avoiding in her early years in Spain.

The new allegations include the ‘fake’ transfer of her music rights to a ‘web of firms’, which allegedly turned out to be shell companies with no employees.

The fraud includes €5.3 million of income tax (known as IRPF in Spanish) as well as another €700,000 in capital gains tax. The public prosecutor has called on Interpol to advise the singer in the United States where she has lived since moving there with her children. She previously lived in Barcelona, where she lived with her ex former FC Barcelona football player Gerard Pique.

Purse friendly

A MAJOR study has revealed the cheapest supermarkets in Spain. The OCU, a leading consumer organisation, priced up the average shopping basket filled with everyday goods in more than 1,100 stores across the country.

As it does every year, it visited

SPAIN’s Ecological Transition minister Teresa Ribera hasn't ruled out imposing tariffs on imports of materials used in solar power generation despite industry warnings that disrupting supplies of products from China could hamper Europe's ability to rapidly install clean energy.

"We are currently in a complex scenario where we have to find the most appropriate point of equilibrium," Ribera said,

Cheapest supermarkets for a weekly shop revealed

By Laurence Dollimore

65 Spanish cities, including all the provincial capitals and large towns, and recorded a total of 155,788 prices to discover

Tariff warning

when asked about possible tariffs. She added that some products imported into Europe were "probably priced below cost", which could stymie innovation. "Spain considers that we have to guarantee that balance,” she said at a solar industry event in Madrid.

which chains were the cheapest. At the national level, that title this year has gone to Family Cash, followed closely by Alcampo.

Family Cash has around 40 stores spread across Andalucia, Valencia and Madrid, and the average shop there will cost you €103.

Meanwhile at Alcampo, which has more than 500 stores across Spain, it will set you back €104.

The cheapest local chain is Dani, which is found in Andalucia, including along the Costa del Sol. The OCU basket there cost €100.

According to the data collected, every single chain has increased

their prices by between eight and 17%.

The report explains: “E Leclerc, Supeco, Carrefour Express and BM Urban are the chains that have increased the most, by more than 15%.

“On the contrary, Eroski and Eroski City and the Masymas chains have increased the least, remaining below 10%.”

On average, the cheapest cities to get your shopping are Cordoba and Teruel, followed by Burgos, Cadiz, Castellon, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Jerez, Lugo, Palencia, Vigo and Zamora. The highest prices in Spain are in Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, followed by Madrid, Palma de Mallorca and Getxo.

VALENCIA'S oldest market has finally returned after being closed for five years. Located near the port on the Plaza del Mercado Neuvo, the Grau Market started trading in 1916. It has seen €2.8 million worth of renovations which should have taken just 12 months, but a combination of the Covid pandemic and structural issues led to the long delay. The old facade has been replaced by a large stained glass window that now surrounds the entire area. In addition, the roofs have been renovated with flat tiles and the stone pavements are the platform for the public spaces and the market stalls.

Fresh

Construction lasted for three years to eventually create Valencia's first specifically-designed mixture of market stalls and restaurants. The market has 24 stalls, of which ten positions have been awarded, and a fresh auction of pitches will happen in December. A variety of food and vegetable products are being sold, and the site has a grocery store, a delicatessen, a bar, and a cafeteria, as well as multi-purpose rooms for local associations and groups to use.

Across

1 Rugby Union’s --- Crown (6)

5 Charge (6)

8 Stronghold (8)

9 Fish eggs (3)

10 Distribute cards (4)

11 Parched (3-5)

13 Disorganised, easy-going clot is one for the ladies (13)

18 Slower than Mach 1 (8)

22 Retinal cells (4)

23 Female deer (3)

24 Towards sunrise (8)

25 Minister (6)

26 Literary ridicule (6) Down

2 Avian canopy colony (7)

3 Kneecap (7)

4 Level pegging (5)

5 Club nicknamed “The Invincibles” in 2003-4 (7)

6 Insect stage (5)

7 They fly in skeins (5)

12 Colourful carp (3)

14 Arrest (3)

15 Link (7)

16 It’ll keep you in stitches (7)

17 Dr Slade shook up leather worker (7)

19 Below (5)

20 Explorer who named Lake Victoria (5)

21 Prices paid (5)

All solutions are on page 12

LA CULTURA

TOO FAMOUS

Wreck dive

THE remains of a sunken ship, potentially a Spanish warship dating back to the 18th century, are being investigated by divers.

It is believed to be the El Fernando, which was constructed between 1750 and 1751, and historical records indicate it sank in 1760.

A team of nine archaeologists are analysing the remains off the coast of San Pedro Alcantara, (Marbella).

The study is focussed on identifying the wreck and assessing its condition.

It is located on a sandy and gravelly seabed at a depth ranging from four to seven metres.

Iconic Alhambra was axed from Indiana Jones filming schedule

STEVEN Spielberg was ‘very sad’ after being forced to give up the Alhambra Palace as a filming location for Indiana Jones, it has emerged.

The legendary Hollywood director had hoped to use gardens of the 14th century wonder for the 1989 hit Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, starring Harrison Ford. However in a letter from Lucas Films to the palace, obtained by Andalucia Informacion, producer at the time Robert Watts laments that the sprawling estate is

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have made a momentous discovery at Valencia’s Cova Dones, caves, unearthing over 100 ancient paintings and engravings believed to be at least 24,000 years old. This remarkable find is considered one of the most significant Palaeolithic cave art sites in Europe.

While Cova Dones has long been known to locals and frequented by hikers and explorers, the Palaeolithic paintings remained unnoticed until researchers from the universities of Zaragoza, Alicante, and Southampton studied the cave system.

Dr Aitor Ruiz-Redondo, Senior Lecturer of Prehistory at the University of Zaragoza, remarked: "When we saw the first painted auroch (wild bull) we

Just champion!

THE Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba has clinched the title of the most beautiful cathedral in Spain on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter

By Laurence Dollimore

simply ‘too famous’. The team had reportedly been willing to pay 900,000 pesetas (roughly €5,000) a day for the palace.

However in a letter they wrote: “We feel that the Alhambra is one of Spain’s most magnificent architectural wonders attracting many thousands of visitors annually and (is) famous throughout the world.

“But it is almost too visually familiar for us to attempt to

Ancient art

immediately realised it was important."

The study identifies 19 different types of animals, including stags, horses, aurochs, and deer. Ruiz-Redondo explained: "Animals and signs were depicted simply by dragging the fingers and palms covered with clay on the walls. The humid environment of the cave did the rest: the 'paintings' dried quite slowly, preventing parts of the clay from falling rapidly, while other parts were covered by calcite layers, which preserved them until today."

use it as a location supposedly somewhere else.

“Our other major fear leading to our reluctant decision

is that since we would be filming at a time when there are many visitors in Spain – and understandably they wish to include a trip to the Alhambra in their itinerary – our soujourn within your territory would prove to be too disruptive to the smooth running of normal business.”

Sorry

ANCIENT: Exploring Cova Dones

It added: “We are sad and very sorry about this, and Steven Spielberg asked me to assure you personally that we hope one day to be able to use the Alhambra for a location on an other picture. “Please allow me to thank you once again for your hospitality and kindness.”

The Relatando Historia profile (@RelatandoHistoria) on the X social network initiated the competition, structured like a football tournament akin to the Champions League, urging its followers to select the most beautiful cathedral on the platform.

After several weeks of voting, the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba has emerged as the victor.

Almost finished

BARCELONA'S Sagrada

Familia- Antonio Gaudi’s famous yet incomplete landmark- is moving forward toward completion.

As of last week, five out of the six central towers have been fully constructed, and since January, when the towers of Luke and Mark were finished, two additional towers, dedicated to Matthew and John, have been crowned with statues by sculptor Xavier Medina-Campen.

The ambitious project incorporating elements of Modernism, Art Nouveau, and Gothic Revival, has been under construction for over 140 years- attracting millions of visitors every year.

ICONIC: The Alhambra palace

A Ruiz Redondo_V Barciela_X Martorell

LA CULTURA

SUPERSTAR CELEBRATION

JULIO Iglesias has been recorded celebrating his 80th birthday at his jaw-dropping mansion near Marbella.

The video was a rare insight into the life of the iconic singer, who has endeavoured to live out his golden years away from public view.

After all, since selling more than 150 million records worldwide - and in 14 different languages - the ‘King of Latin’ arguably deserves a break.

The Begin The Beguine singer was gifted a video, which featured personal messages of congratulations from some of the world’s biggest names - including King Felipe of Spain.

Tennis ace Rafael Nadal and former PM

Jose Aznar were among the other 450 celebrities to wish Julio a happy birthday - in a clip that took his team six months to create.

They branded him ‘the greatest Latin star in history’, and they weren’t wrong. Here the Olive Press unpacks everything you need to know about the legend.

Football career

Before reaching international fame as a sensual singer, Julio had hopes of being a football player and even a diplomat. At just 19 years -old, he made his debut with the Real Madrid first team in 1962, sharing the locker room with icons such as Velazquez, Ramon Moreno Grosso, De Felipe, Luis Costa, Espejo and Hernandez.

He was a great goalkeepr of the beautiful game, an agile and fast mover between the posts.

He was also very close to finishing his law degree when he and his friends were involved in a car crash on the eve of his 20th birthday - leaving him almost paralysed for a year-and-a-half.

However while recovering, his nurse Eladio Madaleno gifted him a guitar as a

therapy exercise and to ‘kill the time’, and well, the rest is history.

Latin lover

Julio has long been dubbed the ‘Latin lover’ for his well-documented affairs with beautiful women, with one myth claiming he has bedded more than 3,000 in his lifetime.

His first real love was said to be Gwendolyne Bollore, a woman of French origin whom he met during his stint in England in 1970.

Gwendolyne was born into a rich family and it was, by all accounts, love at first sight, with the young woman even inspiring one of his biggest hits - Nathalie However their love affair ended after a few months when Julio met Isabel Preysler, a stunning and distinguished young Filipina woman who he met by chance at a party. They would have three children together before separating in 1976 (one of them being future sex symbol and pop star Enrique Iglesias).

He was also tied to Venezuelan model Virginia Sipl, aka Miss Amazonas 1975, who came fourth in that same year’s Miss Venezuela pageant.

Their tryst lasted for five years, and she was holed up in his mansion on Indian Creek island in the Stateswhere multiple women spent time.

A string of other lovers ensued until he met his current wife Miranda Rijnsburger in 1990.

Julio had five children with the now 57-year-old Dutch model: Michael, Rodrigo, Guillermo and twins Victoria and Cristina. They finally married in 2010.

The ‘illegitimate’ son

Maria Edite Santos, a former ballerina from Portugal, hit the headlines when it was claimed she had given birth to Julio’s son, Javier

Sanchez Santos.

For decades, Javier has sought to have the singer recognise him as his child, in a claim that reached the courts of Spain, where a DNA test established a genetic link with 99.9% accuracy.

Despite this, the music legend refuses to confirm his paternity - despite their remarkable likeness.

In March this year, Javier said he will renounce any inheritance just for his father to acknowledge his lineage.

In a heartfelt open letter, he said: “I don’t want any money… I would be very happy if a meeting occurred, because we both have the same DNA. There have been many years of suffering and sadness and it is time for this face-to-face dialogue to take place.”

Julio has never responded.

The estranged son

When soon-to-be pop icon Enrique Iglesias needed 500 dollars to create his first album in 1995, he asked his nanny to lend him the cash, instead of his father Julio.

Julio took it personally and the pair have had a tense relationship ever since.

Enrique’s nanny, Elvira Olivares, had been his faithful companion, taking care of him and his brother Julio Jose and his older sister Chabeli from a very early age.

Enrique once told El Pais:

difficult. I left and for 10 years I had absolutely no contact with my father.”

The two resumed slight contact when Enrique’s grandfather died. He added: “Many years. I suffered a lot. But what I felt about my music gave me strength. And, above all, I pursued the goal of doing it my way.” There are no signs the two have reconnected, with Enrique renouncing his inheritance of Julio’s €700m-plus fortune.

The troublesome twins

Julio’s twin daughters are thought to have given up their dreams of becoming influencers following a stern telling off from their father.

Victoria and Cristina launched their careers in 2019, keeping their hundreds of thousands of fans updated on their every move via Instagram and other social media channels. They posed for the cover of magazines - including Hola - and hoped to make a business out of their family name.

However, according to reports, Julio did not approve, and gave the pair a strict telling off.

Rumours in the US claimed he even threatened to remove them from his will. Safe to say, the pair quickly took note and have not posted on social media for over a year, and are very rarely pictured in the press.

English connection

When Julio recovered from his near fatal car accident, and after perfecting the guitar, he travelled to England to study English.

To earn money, he would

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 1 Triple, 5 Allege, 8 Fortress, 9 Roe, 10 Deal, 11 Sun-baked, 13 Gynaecologist, 18 Subsonic, 22 Rods, 23 Doe, 24 Easterly, 25 Priest, 26 Satire.

Down: 2 Rookery, 3 Patella, 4 Evens, 5 Arsenal, 6 Larva, 7 Geese, 12 Koi, 14 Nab, 15 Connect, 16 Garment, 17 Saddler, 19 Under, 20 Speke, 21 Costs.

perform at pubs, singing the biggest hits of the day, including those by Tom Jones and The Beatles.

Fortune

Julio has pushed out an incredible 80 albums over his career, which has seen him become a household name around the world and one of the richest artists ever, with a staggering net worth of more than €700million.

He owns bottles of wine worth €15,000 and a mind-bending 700 private islands and multiple farms.

His property portfolio includes a 450-hectare estate in Ojen, Marbella, which cost a whopping €18million. It features his famous ‘Cuatro Lunas’ mansion, complete with 12 bedrooms (five for staff), a recording studio, eight bathrooms, two helipads and three swimming pools.

He has also made his investments in the US, and owns, along with millionaire Jaime Gilinski, a large part of Indian Creek island off the coast of Florida, featuring 200m of private beaches. He has also invested in a five-star hotel and 262 luxury homes in Spain.

PIN UP: Young Julio before his near-fatal crash

MARRIED: Julio with Miranda Rijns- burger and (left) his private Indian Creek island

150 million-selling Julio Iglesias bash in Marbella mansion for 80th birthday

STUNNING: Julio’s Marbella pad

LOVED: Julio with Priscilla Presley (far left) Isabel Preysler (middle) and Yolanda Hadid, while (inset) Virginia Sipl

“At

the age of 18 I separated from my family completely. And it was

A BRITISH woman who flew to Mallorca for cosmetic surgery has died after the operation went wrong.

Now a court has launched an investigation to examine if there was any malpractice involved in the tragedy.

The woman – who has not been named – was under the surgeon’s knife at a private clinic in Palma when complications

Pointless death

arose. She was rushed to Son Espases Hospital in a critical condition but doctors were unable to save her and she died shortly afterwards.

Judicial sources say the incident happened earlier this month when the victim

travelled from the UK to undergo several cosmetic ‘enhancements’. The surgeon –described as having a ‘distinguished career’ spanning several decades – also flew in as he lives in an undisclosed country. It has not been revealed what cosmetic surgery she was undergoing at the time. Her family have been to the island to claim the woman’s body.

Stinking advice

IF you want a healthy skin then stay out of the shower. This is the message from a Harvard University study that says a daily shower can lead to skin problems such as dryness, irritation, itching, and infections.

The research, led by Robert Shmerling, indicates that daily cleansing can disrupt the balance of microorganisms on the skin.

Harvard study warns against taking a daily shower

By Dilip Kuner

And it may even promote the emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms.

While the study warns against daily showering it does emphasis that neglecting personal hygiene altogether is probably even worse

VALENCIA City Council could soon ban smoking in some squares, parks, and gardens.

Mayor Maria Jose Catala made the announcement during a visit to the new Valencia headquarters of the Spanish Association Against Cancer(AECC) on Avenida del Puerto.

Catala praised the smoke-free outdoor area including a playground and said she would look to see if the concept could be extended across the city.

"I have asked council officials to study a smoking ban in other city

news with the growth of fungi between the toes and body odour the main risks.

According to experts, two to four showers per week are generally sufficient for maintaining hygiene, except for individuals with weakened immune systems.

The study also suggests that shorter showers, lasting ap-

Stub it out

squares where there needs to be a healthy environment, be it a playground or an exercise area for the elderly,” she said. “We will take care of city spaces so that they are healthy- especially those linked to children.”

The Valencian Community was the last Spanish region to end a three-year Covid pandemic ban on smoking on bar and restaurant terraces in July.

THE ESSENCE OF SPAIN

FOLLOWERS of Specsavers Ópticas’ social media channels voted on the picture they think best reflects and captures the essence of Spain in September.

proximately three minutes, with lukewarm water, are preferable to long, hot showers. It recommends paying attention to the ingredients in skin-cleaning products, urging consumers to avoid products with petroleum

derivatives or excessive fragrances, which can erode the skin's protective layer and cause irritation. For maintaining healthy skin, glycerin-based products with moisturising properties are recommended to soothe itching, create a natural protective barrier, and exfoliate while maintaining a pH-neutral balance.

This report may reignite a lively online debate about how often Spaniards shower compared to their European counterparts. The discussion began when a Twitter user named Xavi Ruiz shared a graphic based on data from The Global Index and Wikipedia with percentages of inhabitants who shower every day. For Spain, the figure is 75 to 84%, while in Italy the figure was 95% and above. France and the UK, meanwhile, came in at 65% or below.

Kristine Aghasyan was selected as the winner, with the largest amount of likes and comments across their Instagram and Facebook pages. Kristine’s beautiful image depicts what she describes as a ‘romantic sunset’, seen through the rocks at La Mata in Torrevieja.

This striking and well composed image encapsulates the rugged beauty of the Spanish coastal area and the importance of the sea to the communities along the 4,964 kilometres of coastline. It was a firm favourite amongst the jury, which shortlisted the entries, and the voting public, getting over 300 likes and over 100 comments to win a landslide victory. The talented photographer visited Specsavers Ópticas in Torrevieja to collect her prize from Optical Assistant Jeanette Hampson. She won a €100 Amazon voucher and a pair of designer sunglasses and chose a stylish pair of Aurora square sunglasses, with upswept eyes for a subtle cateye look.

WINNER: Kristine and her coastline sunset on the Costa Blanca

NEARLY 100 stylish homes designed by Italian luxury brand Dolce&Gabbana are set to go on sale in Marbella.

There are already ‘between 40 and 50 buyers’ on the waiting list for the homes that will be completed by 2026.

Preparation work has begun on the site in the Sierra Blanca area and a show apartment will be ready by

Priced out

MALAGA province has recorded the highest rises in house prices this year.

Buying a property is 18% more expensive than it was 12 months ago with the square metre averaging €2,818, according to Pisos.com

The increase is almost three times the national average, which has gone up by 6.8%.

The second highest rises overall were in the Balearics where prices went up 16.8% over the last year.

The islands are also home to the most expensive property, with the average per square metre costing €4,150.

Next comes Madrid at €3,524/m2, the Basque Country’s Gipuzkoa (€3,049/ m2) and Barcelona (€2,993/m2).

In terms of cities, Malaga city prices rose by a whopping 17.2% only beaten by Palma de Mallorca, where prices rose by 19%.

San Sebastian is the most expensive city in Spain to buy a flat, with the square metre averaging at €5,872.

TOP DOLLAR

A TRIO of Malaga resorts have been ranked among the five most expensive to rent in Spain.

Benahavis, Marbella and Estepona are among the country’s priciest spots, according to a study by Idealista Benahavis is Spain’s most expensive municipality, with an average monthly cost of €3,232.

Meanwhile, Marbella ranks third with rental prices at €3,259 per month. Fourth place goes to Estepona, with tenants needing to shell out an average of €2,710.

Meanwhile, fifth is luxurious Sotogrande, just up the coast in Cadiz province, where rentals average €2,665 a month.

Mijas, also on the Costa del Sol, ranks 10th on the table with monthly rentals of €1,777.

Benalmadena ranks 17th (€1,381), Puerto de Santa Maria 22nd (€1,210), Malaga city 26th (€1,127) and Fuengirola 27th (€1,111).

The average rental price for properties in Spain experienced a 9.3% increase from April to July as the country’s residents are facing the highest prices ever recorded.

FASHION HILLS

2025.

Developer Sierra Blanca Estates has teamed up with the high end Italian brand to create the development, with prices starting at €4 million.

DEEP POCKETS

Anoriginalone-of-a-kindPicasso etchinginthepoolhelpsjustify€30 millionvillapricetag

By Laurence Dollimore

THEY say the world’s most valuable homes have a unique selling point. And they don’t get much better than having an original Picasso in situ.

This stunning beachside mansion not only has an original Picasso, but it’s a one-of-a-kind etched into the bottom of its POOL.

Dubbed El Martinete, the €30 million villa is the former home of late flamenco legend Antonio El Bailarin.

Located in Puerto Banus, the beautiful home is said to have played host to many wild parties and secret love affairs over

the years.

Bailarin - real name Antonio Ruiz Soler - named it after his favourite dance, the martinete, a fast and flexible style that resembles the hammer of a blacksmith’s anvil.

It stands on a plot of 4,017sqm, consisting of the main house and two independent outhouses.

There are a total of nine bedrooms, an outdoor jacuzzi, spa area, an indoor heated pool and even a small beauty and hair salon.

The master bedroom measures 120sqm and offers

jaw-dropping sea views over the mediterranean.

The home is surrounded by gardens and boasts a basement and solarium, but the star of show

is the the outdoor swimming pool. At the height of his career, Bailarin was

a global star, having toured the world with his iconic flamenco show.

He would often be seen with the Hollywood elite, including Ava Gardner and Vivien Leigh, the latter of whom he was rumoured to have shared a torrid romance. Everyone from Rudolf Nureyev to Charles Chaplin fell at his feet - as well as a certain Pablo Picasso.

The story goes that the iconic Malaga painter invited the

dancer to his 80th birthday party and was blown away after watching the Sevilla man dance.

It led to him sketching the dancer, which ended up on the bottom of his pool.

STUNNING: The magnificent property is up for sale

“The artist was so enchanted that he jumped over the table that separated them, began to dance rumbas with Antonio, fell on his knees, kissed him on the

cheek, then got up, took a pencil, sketched a portrait of the dancer and dedicated it to him,” an obituary in the Independent recalled in 1996.

El Bailarin not only preserved that sketch, but decided to engrave it on the tiles of his pool, where it remains to this day.

The original is on display at the Almagro National Theater Museum, in Ciudad Real.

The house is for sale at €30 million.

If you don’t have the cash to buy it, the property can be rented from between €30,000 and €80,000 per week.

Demolition at ‘Rural Marbella’ megaproject

ALL unfinished buildings, including a planned hotel and dozens of half built houses have to be knocked down at a controversial golf macroproject in Extremadura.

The four-star resort, called Marina Isla de Valdecañas, was built on an island in a reservoir near Caceres.

The project, which already has its golf course and a hotel open, must knock down a half built second hotel and other villas and return the land back to how it was found.

It is a win for local green groups, who have been campaigning against the project in Berrocalejo for over two decades.

They argued it had been constructed in a protected area for birds and wildlife and should not have had the backing of the regional authorities.

“In the end all this could have been avoided,” said a lawyer for Ecologistas en Accion. “We maintained from the start that it was illegal.”

The developer, Jose Maria Gea was given a

stay of execution to demolish the rest of the resort in June this year, when Madrid’s Constitutional court paralyzed the demolition over its giant cost.

The decision is being appealed in the Supreme Court, which will make the final decision.

Dubbed a ‘rural Marbella’ by the Spanish media, it was sold as a hidden getaway to wealthy Spaniards, including the son of former leader Jose Maria Aznar.

ETCHING: Picasso sketch was engraved in to swimming pool for Bailarin (right)

STYLISH: Preview of the luxury resort

MONASTIC CONVERSION

Stunning 700 year old monastery to become five star hotel

IT slowly grew over 400 years amalgamating a mixture of styles from Gothic to Baroque and Mudejar to Renaissance. But its use as a monastery ran out decades ago.

Now the 14th century religious gem on the Costa Blanca is to get a new lease of life as a five-star hotel.

The Castilla Termal group has taken out a 50-year lease on the Monastery of San Jeronimo de Cotalba, in Al-

fauir, near Gandia.

The hotel chain, which operates upmarket wellness hotels in converted historic buildings, will need to spend millions to convert the former Arabic estate. Building began in 1388, when Duke Alfonso of Aragon granted the Hieronymite monks of Javea permission to cons-

truct the heavily fortified home. Pope Gregory XI had initiated the move a decade earlier in 1374 after the monks' former home was continually overrun by Barbary pirates. The building is regarded as one of the best-preserved monasteries in the Valencian Community and was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1994. It has a variety of architectural

styles that saw it expanded over the centuries, starting from a primitive medieval Gothic structure in the 14th century, before its main development between the 16th and 18th centuries. It has an imposing Gothic tower, cloisters, and an old church with a Baroque chapel, while its gardens include a Gothic aqueduct.

HISTORY: 700 years have passed at the Monastery of San Jeronimo de Cotalba, in Alfauir

“The Monastery needs a complete overhaul to maintain its historical heritage,” explained CEO Roberto Garcia from the Castilla Termal group.

Work is expected to begin next year on what will be the group’s first hotel in the Valencian Community.

No indication has been given over the cost of the project, when it will be completed, or how many guest rooms there will be.

REuse REduce REcycle

We use recycled paper

Eclectic eclipses

SPAIN is to be treated to not one but two eclipses this autumn. A partial solar eclipse will darken skies on October 14, while a partial lunar eclipse will strike on October 28.

Have a car

A YOUTH who went viral after making a TikTok extolling the virtues of working 15 hours a day to feed his family sparked an inequality debate when he was gifted a free car by a wealthy Malaga CEO.

Doggy train

A SPECIAL big dog service has transported 1,800 hounds weighing up to 40kg on the Renfe this year.

O P LIVE RESS The

COSTA BLANCA SUR / MURCIA

IN FOR A PENNY

THIS is the bizarre moment a man was seen riding a penny farthing bike along a major road.

A clip shared on Instagram shows the individual pedalling past the Milla de Plata boutique hotel, near Sotogrande on the Costa del Sol.

The footage was recorded by a father and son, who had parked their car on the side of the road

By Laurence Dollimore

opposite the hotel.

Another image of the cyclist appeared to show him travelling up a steep hill.

The images have left social media users in stitches, with ‘obsessed’ spectators demanding to know his backstory. However others questioned if

Ibiza send off

AN unrepentant British woman has been on the end of an online backlash after she spread her brother’s ashes among a sea of revellers at an Ibiza pool party. The Scot was fulfilling her brother’s last wishes at a music festival taking place at Ushuaïa Ibiza.

In a brief seven-second clip on social media that quickly went viral, the woman can be seen calf-deep in the pool, dancing to the music before scattering the contents of a small container in the water.

the centuries-old technology was legal to ride, particularly on the N-340 coastal road. One viewer insisted it was legal ‘even though it was suicide’, adding: “It is absolutely crazy what he is doing, but as far as I know, he can legally do it.” The penny-farthing was popular in the 1870s and 1880s but soon became obsolete. Its name comes from old British currency, in which a ‘penny’ was much larger than a ‘farthing’. Hence from the side, the huge front wheel resembles a penny leading a small farthing (the back wheel).

Long arm of the claw

KILLING a rat could see you end up in jail for 18 months under Spain’s new animal cruelty crackdown. Under the regulations that came in at the start of the month, rats will enjoy protection from cruelty on the basis that they are vertebrates. Killing one could land you anywhere between six and 18 months behind bars.

But there is a loophole. If killing the creature is considered to be self-defence, or the perpetrator of the foul deed has a phobia, then they can get away with the ‘crime’ scot free. And professional pest controllers have an exception. In the case of rats, each case would depend on common sense and the circumstances would be taken into account by any judge.

Drone’s the limit

A TOURIST could face a fine of up to €225,000 after he crashed a drone into Cordoba’s historic cathedral. Police were called in after the broken remains of the small remote-controlled flying machine were found in the famous Patio de los Naranjos courtyard at the UNE-

SCO heritage site. They discovered that the dronepiloted by a foreign tourist - had crashed into the cathedral tower but caused no damage. Flying drones around the Mosque-Cathedral is not permitted. It is unlikely he will face the full mega fine, with penalties for unauthorised flying of drones starting at €60.