Olive Press Gibraltar Issue 239

NEW YEAR GIVEAWAY

GIBRALTARIANS will likely not be exempt from proposals in Spain to double the tax paid by non-EU residents when buying property - even in the event of a deal.

This is the verdict of real estate experts on the Rock after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced his 12-point housing plan.

The scheme aims to promote public housing and solve Spain’s growing rental crisis. Sanchez insisted the law, to begin in 2026, was necessary due to ‘an excess’ of Airbnb rentals and ‘a lack of properties’.

“Our obligation is to prioritise homes for locals over tourist use,” he stated. “We will make a change so tourist apartments are taxed as a business so they will pay the same as hotels.

“We are also going to limit the purchase of homes by non-EU non-residents who buy about 27,000 houses annually, mainly for speculation.”

To do this the government is considering plans to raise by 100% the tax levy paid by non-EU residents who buy a second home.

Mike Nicholls of Chesterton’s said the policy will ‘discourage or even eliminate purchasing in Spain by Gibraltar locals.’

“However, those who own property in the government housing sector in Gibraltar cannot own a second property anyway, so this new move is unlikely to materially impact the local Gibraltar market.

“But agents in Sotogrande must be fuming!” he added.

It’s the perfect way to plan your year. Look out for our special wall planner or email admin@theolivepress.es if you can’t find one

And, as our special health supplement explores, having a glass of wine and a morning coffee will help you live even longer

By Walter Finch

A BAR owner claims he is being ‘bullied out’ of his quarter century business at the Victoria Stadium because of a mammoth new national football stadium.

Muscled out

New Gibraltar national stadium plans marred by bar dispute but government confirms it WILL host ‘all league matches and grassroots facilities’ package.’

Allan Asquez, 60, has run the Murga Bar and Dining 54, as well as two kiosks at the stadium for decades.

But an order to demolish the football stadium was passed last month, leading to a dispute breaking out in public between Asquez and the government over the compensation package to be offered.

He insists the government has reneged on a deal that was ‘satisfactory to both parties’, while the government claims he rejected a ‘reasonable compensation

DEMOLISHED: The old Victoria stadium is set to be knocked down putting the government at odds with Allan Asquez

“They are bullying me out of the stadium to give [the concession] to someone else,” Asquez told the Olive Press this week. He compared it to ‘tinpot dictators throwing people out of their businesses and giving them to families and friends.’

The government claims Asquez’s demands of ‘upwards of £2 million’ are ‘extortionate and unac-

ceptable’ – something he denies. Asquez has now been offered £115,440, a far cry from the previous compensation deal which was reached in August 2023.

The government claims the deal fell through ‘because he could not prove his legal rights’ as well as other payments over time.

It was Gibraltar’s tumultuous entry into UEFA in 2013 that set Asquez on a collision course with the government and the Gibraltar Football Association.

Victoria Stadium, which hosted the Gibraltar Football League as well as other sporting events, was deemed unsuitable to host international football, meaning it would need to be redeveloped – or rebuilt.

Top-tier

But many have questioned the need for such a large stadium – which will be able to seat a fifth of the entire population of the Rock.

Other critics have asked why a similar 10,000 seater stadium in nearby La Linea cost just €8m to build, or around €880 per seat, while the Gibraltar stadium is estimated at £100 million – £12,500 per seat.

“Our stadium is required to provide many more facilities than La Linea stadium, which is designed for its own needs and is not seriously comparable,” the spokesman argued.

“It will host Gibraltar’s top league, Champions league, the UEFA Cup and International GFA matches.”

He added: “The actual cost is not yet fixed and is subject to a tender process the GFA is running.

“And the cost of construction is, in any event, higher in Gibraltar than in Spain.”

LOOK

SWANKY: A mock-up of the new stadium, which will be top-tier UEFA Category Four

WHO’S BACK

Globix ‘mastermind’ Damian Carreras has been spotted in his old haunts

PAGE 2

Plans have been drawn up for an 8,000-seater, top-tier UEFA Category Four stadium that would incorporate luxury apartments, a shopping centre and commercial zone. However, according to the government, the stadium will not become a commercial venue with a sports centre merely attached – as some have feared.

“The stadium in Gibraltar will be available for all GFA activities, not just for men’s national team matches,” a spokesperson confirmed to the Olive Press this week.

“It will host matches for all football leagues and will also be available for other sports by agreement with the GFA.”

He added there would be further training facilities which will provide for the grass roots of the game.

However, Alan’s cousin, football agent Kenneth Asquez, told the Olive Press that a Category Four stadium isn’t required to host internationals.

“Andorra and San Marino do not even have Category Three stadiums, and they have been playing internationals for years,” he said.

“Lincoln Red Imps played in a stadium in August in Ireland in the Europa Conference League Group stage qualifier – which has the same specifications as the Champions League – and that was very poor.

“So it puts to bed the notion we need a Category Four stadium in Gibraltar to host matches.”

Cogito

ergo sum

PRISONERS in HMP

Windmill Hill took part in a series of Applied Philosophy courses designed to make them think about morality, justice and human existence.

New look

THE Plaza de la Constitución in La Linea is set to undergo a facelift to create a shiny new public space filled with shaded areas, playgrounds and verdant green zones.

Naval activity

A DEADLY-but-silent Virginia-class submarine of the US Navy made a port of call in Gibraltar naval base this week to do a crew change.

Farewell

POLICE Constable Vincent ‘Vinny’ Cruz retired this week after 26 years on the force. He served in a number of roles around the Rock as well as doing 12 years in the Gibraltar Regiment.

Exonerated

Chief of Police survives ‘decapitation’: National Crime Agency clear Ullger of wrongdoing

CHIEF of Police Richard Ullger has been cleared of wrongdoing by Britain’s National Crime Agency in a complaint that could have led to a second head rolling in a row.

Ullger was accused of sharing sensitive information with the wife of a defendant during a hearing for a separate trial involving a serving RGP officer and another former officer.

The allegations against the police chief, made by the lawyers of Inspector Sean Picton, 35, and Anthony Bolaños, 36, caused the trial to be suspended.

The NCA – which usually

By Walter Finch

deals with serious organised crime – was then brought in to investigate at the request of the Governor, but found no wrongdoing.

Investigation

The Olive Press understands the wife of an unnamed serving officer who was under investigation had approached Ullger to ask what would happen.

“He told her there would be an investigation, the usual

Double trouble

TWO police officers suffered assaults in separate attacks on the same day – including a female officer whose finger was broken restraining a teenage suspect.

The incident happened after a group of teenagers were reported for throwing rocks at cars on Queensway, with one vehicle having its window damaged.

A 16-year-old boy was tracked down but during the arrest he hit the female police officer in the face with an open hand strike.

Meanwhile, officers in Laguna Estate had to use pepper spray on a suspect, 33, after he resisted arrest as they forced him into the police van. Fortunately the officer didn’t require hospital treatment.

procedure, a normal and polite conversation that anyone would have. That was all,” a source told us.

“Ullger became a target because he wouldn’t do what he was told, just like they decapitated McGrail,” the source added.

Ullger is the second Commissioner of Police to face serious allegations in a couple of years, following claims against his predecessor Ian McGrail.

Ullger had come out in defence of McGrail (below) during last year’s inquiry and supported his actions in the controversial Operation Delhi.

He also told the inquiry that so-called ‘police whistleblowers’ had received payments in exchange for making critical

CLEARED: Richard Ullger ‘did no wrong’

statements about McGrail. Gibraltar’s current top cop is set to retire at the end of his term in April, and the Gibraltar Police Authority (GPA) and Governor Sir Ben Bathurst are conducting the search for his successor.

The position has been searching a wide field, including citizens of Australia, Canada or New Zealand.

But Bathurst recently posted the job opening on his LinkedIn page extending the deadline for applicants.

Connections

“The GPA is getting a good response for the role,” he wrote to his connections, many of whom are in the British military and security services.

“We are pleased [...] to have extended the deadline slightly to 20 January 2025.”

The trial of Picton and Bolaños will now go ahead on March 3.

The results of the McGrail inquiry are expected in the Spring.

THE so-called mastermind of the sordid Globix crypto fraud was spotted in his old stomping ground of the Golden Mile of Marbella over the Christmas period.

Sources told the Olive Press they had seen Damian Carreras in Marbella before Christmas and one had even spoken to him.

Carreras, who is subject to an investigation by the RGP Economic Crimes Unit, fled Gibraltar after his crypto scheme failed in 2022 amid claims he had been ‘dangled by his ankles’ out of a tall building.

Along with his Russian partner Pavel Sidorov, the pair vanished owing hundreds of people around £40 million after luring them in with the promise of ‘unbelievable returns’.

The Olive Press later revealed that some of the most influential figures in Gibraltar were invested in Globix, including Keith Azopardi, Sir Peter Caruana and James Levy. Liquidators were called in in March 2023 to conduct forensic examinations and try to return the funds to fuming investors, but so far little has been recovered.

The value of the missing cryptocurrencies has likely since quintupled in the intervening period, with insiders estimating it to be at £200 million.

INCOMING US president Donald Trump has named an 80-year-old Cuban-American businessman as the country’s new ambassa dor to Spain.

Benjamin Leon will take over the post made vacant by Ju lissa Reynoso in July.

He donated about $3 million to Trump during his successful presidential election cam paign.

Leon sold his company Clinica Asociacion Cubana to United Healthcare in the 1990s, and once paid $4.2

Trump’s pick

million for a racehorse.

Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump said: “Benjamin is a highly successful entrepreneur, equestrian enthusiast and philanthropist.

“He came to the United States from communist Cuba at age 16, with only five dollars in his pocket, and built his company, Leon Medical Centers, into an incredible business.”

Future Queen

of Spain takes to the high seas

By Dilip Kuner

PRINCESS Leonor of Spain, the 19-year-old heir to the throne, has embarked aboard the Spanish Navy’s iconic training ship, Juan Sebastian de Elcano, for a six-month voyage.

The Princess of Asturias boarded the vessel in Cadiz for the epic journey that will take her across two oceans and to ports in eight countries, including stops in Brazil, Chile, and the United States. This milestone follows her time at the Na-

SAIL AWAY: The young royal will visit eight continues

val Military Academy in Marin and is part of her three-year military training programme that will see her serve stints in the army, navy and airforce.

During this voyage, Leonor will train as a first-class midshipman, learning practical naval skills and gaining real-world experience alongside 75 fellow

Get back to nature

SPANISH fashion house Loewe has snapped up rising star Drew Star key for a new campaign that goes back to nature.

The 26-year-old actor has swapped the Outer Banks beach for the catwalk in a series of snaps cosying up to trees in the Spanish countryside. But he's not alone in this woodland romp - the star is joined by Taylor Russell and Chinese actor Wang Yibo for the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, shot by top snapper David Sims.

It’s not the first time Starkey's teamed up with Loewe's head honcho Jonathan Anderson. The pair hit it off while working on the racy flick Queer last year.

midshipmen and over 200 crew members.

The training cruise is steeped in tradition, with both her father, King Felipe VI, and grandfather, King Juan Carlos I, having undertaken similar voyages during their own military training.

Absent royals at birthday bash Ahoy mateys!

WHILE his granddaughter Princess Leonor was preparing for life on the ocean waves (see main story) Emeritus King, Juan Carlos, celebrated his 87th birthday in Abu Dhabi with a lavish party that waswell, fit for a king.

The event featured a special concert by the veteran Spanish singing duo Los del Rio - one of Juan Carlos' favourite music acts.

Around 30 friends and family

members were in attendance, including daughters Elena and Cristina.

King Felipe and wife Letizia were not there and neither was his estranged wife Sofia. Reports said the festivities lasted for several days with family members staying at the mansion that spreads over 3,000 m2.

At a recent event, King Felipe described the experience as one that ‘will remain among the best memories of your military training’ and encouraged his daughter to embrace its ‘human and seafaring’ lessons.

The Princess's journey reflects her growing public role as future queen. While she will be just another crew member at sea, she will continue to fulfill royal commitments on land during port stops.

The Elcano’s voyage will end in July in New York before Leonor returns to Spain to complete her military studies at the General Air and Space Academy. She has already completed a year in the army.

Fans are going wild for Drew’s new look, with one gushing: “Drew Starkey and nature? It's a match made in heaven!”

Messi in the money

A REAL estate trust owned by ex-Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi made its debut on Spain's stock markets at the end of 2024 and pocketed €223 million in a day.

Messi is chairman of Edificio Rostower which owns seven hotels in Spain and Andorra, plus offices and apartments.

Most of the company’s investments are in Catalunya where Messi, 37, moved in 2000 when he was 13 years old to join Barcelona’s youth team.

The eight-times Balon d’Or winner - currently playing for Inter Miami - has long said he plans to return to live in Barcelona with his wife and three children after he retires from soccer.

Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, is the board’s vice-president.

Digi do’s and don’ts

THE government is looking to introduce a digital ID card so holders can use Gibraltar’s famed public services through their phone.

Fabian Picardo talked up the technology during his New Year’s message, which he said will ‘make it easier for you to access the services you are entitled to.’

“Because we want to make it easier for you to access the services you are entitled to. Digital technology helps us to do that,” Picardo said.

However he warned of the dangers that smartphones and other tech poses to children.

“We will be working on how best to control the use of mobile phones in schools and access by our youngest children to social media and other damaging online content.”

LAND AHOY

Major new land reclamation project announced in Gibraltar as tiny territory closes in on breaking the 40,000 residents mark

A MAJOR new land reclamation project in the inner harbour has been announced as Gibraltar is set to break the 40,000 residents barrier.

The new 47,000-square-metre area, equal to almost half of the Eastside devel-

GIBRALTAR residents were demanding action after a Guardia Civil vessel brazenly sailed beside Waterport Terraces and blared its siren in the early hours of the morning.

The provocation was combined with flashing lights a mere 50 metres from residential areas, causing a storm of complaints to local authorities.

The patrol boat was reportedly escorted back to Spanish waters by Gibraltar law enforcement, but not before it left a very bitter taste in the mouths of locals.

“A bit of fun for these idiots but if this was the other way round the Spanish would have made a major incident from it,” wrote one Facebook user.

By Walter Finch

opment, will be ‘created at no cost’ to the taxpayer, according to the government. Instead, contractor TNG Global Foundation, currently behind the ambitious

Noisy neighbour

marina development on the Rock’s eastern flank, will pick up the tab in exchange for part of the reclamation.

“The government keeps the larger proportion to meet its objective of building the next programme of affordable housing,” No 6 Convent Place announced.

Details of how many housing units or completion dates have yet to be announced, but the government has set a target of 2028.

The new developments, which will spring up in front of Harbour Views Promenade, will also preserve the area of the swimming pavilion, while the existing children’s park will be expanded.

Fabian Picardo hailed the project as ‘an integral part of a long-standing process that has significantly bene-

fited our community by providing housing for countless residents over many decades.’

Pressure group Action for Housing said it ‘welcomed’ the announcement, which it called ‘very good news for those who are on waiting lists and unable to partake in the so-called affordable housing schemes.’

Doubts

The opposition GSD party was more critical, insisting it ‘seriously doubts’ the deliverability of the land reclamation project for affordable and public housing.

“The government has failed to complete the housing projects they promised election after election and deadlines have been pushed back time and time again,” it said in a statement.

Halfway home

PLANS for a new halfway house for men going through separation or divorce are being put in place. The building will serve as a ‘lifeline for men who are going through separation or divorce and leave the matrimonial home.’

“Not every person has family that will take them in, and it can be a very difficult and daunting time for many who find themselves in this situation,” Housing Minister Pat Orfila said.

“Expensive private rental prices combined with the need to provide economic support for children, can leave little to live on.”

Located at 9 Johnstone’s Passage, the half-way house will be named Bridge House. The plans are in the formative stage, but the first meeting was very productive and positive, according to the minister.

UFO!

AN Easyjet flight to Bristol was grounded for eight hours after a mysterious drone was recorded operating near the airport.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) did not disclose any details of the incident, leaving room for the type of speculation seen around the drones spotted over US military bases in the UK and New Jersey last year.

Another said: “If that had been our vessel in Spanish waters, our officers would be in prison by now, charged and awaiting trial.”

Taxing issues

ONE of the concessions that might have to be made in order to seal a border deal with Spain is the introduction of a sales tax.

An option under consideration is to introduce a 10% tax collected at the point of sale instead of the point of importation.

This way, instead of the trader paying that levy up front when they import the item, they pay it when they sell it to the customer.

“There’s no difference in the price to the customer, but what you’re doing is moving the payment of the duty from importation to the moment of sale,” Fabian Picardo told GBC.

“That’s better for the trader, and it’s no different for the customer.”

Three Kings

GIBRALTAR enjoyed a day-time

Three Kings Cavalcade as a host of well known films and characters paraded down Main Street. Rain had caused a change in schedule, but spirits were not dampened as Miss Gibraltar 2024 Shania Ballester (right) waved to the crowds, not to mention the wise men and the marching bands.

The winners of the senior float competition were the McGrail family with their Great Gatsby-themed float, while a Shrek-themed came second and SpongeBob came third.

Roller coaster

New Year’s negotiation gloom: agreement with Spain is ‘complex’ and ‘difficult’ admits Garcia

THE government has struck a frustrated note on the progress of the post-Brexit talks.

Deputy leader Joseph Garcia (right) acknowledged that negotiations are like a ‘rollercoaster ride’.

In his New Year message he described the talks as ‘complex’ and ‘difficult’, particularly with four parties involved. It comes nine months since Fabio Picardo claimed the sides were within ‘kissing distance’ of striking a deal.

By Walter Finch

Garcia, who has travelled to Brussels on many occasions for the talks, hinted that optimism has drained away while the talk of goalpost-shifting has begun.

“It is perfectly understandable, when faced with incursions, vetoes and inconsistent behaviour at the border, that many people will have genuine concerns about what the future may

bring,” Garcia wrote. “Often all it takes to block progress is something as simple as one party taking

WHAT WOULD A HARD BORDER LOOK LIKE?

FOR those crossing into Spain postEES, a new registration process will be introduced.

On their first entry into the EU, travellers will need to register their biometrics at a booth on the Spanish side. This is expected to take about 90 seconds, including answering a series of questions. Once registered, travellers can use e-gates for future crossings.

The border fluidity will depend on the number of registration booths and e-gates, as well as travellers’ familiarity with the system.

Officials suggest that once travellers are

registered, the process should become quicker.

EU nationals crossing the Gibraltar border will undergo lighter checks without the need for biometric registration.

Passengers in vehicles will be processed using automatic facial recognition cameras or by officers equipped with tablets.

The EU is working on legislation to allow member states to implement the EES gradually, giving Spain the flexibility to introduce the system at selected border crossings. However, if a deal is struck then Gibral-

tar residents would be exempt from EES requirements and the border fence itself would likely be removed.

DANGER DRUG VICTORY

AN Olive Press campaign against a lethal painkiller drug has won a key victory.

Manufacturers of Nolotil - blamed for the death of at least 40 expats and tourists - have had to send a fresh warning to all health centres and doctors around Spain.

The note, which went out last month, warns of ‘dangerous’ side effects to watch out for after taking the drug. It follows an EU investigation, which concluded it was necessary to update the drug’s safety information.

In particular, it warns how the drug can cause ‘agranulocytosis’, or the depletion of white blood cells, which can lead to a weakened immune system, organ failure and occasionally death.

Though statistically rare, the deadly side effects are believed to be more common among northern europeans due to genetic differences. The warning lists a series of symptoms to look out for and says they can appear even after the treatment is finished.

Saints come marching in!

WHEN they bought Molino del Santo nearly four decades ago they were an enthusiastic young couple in need of a saint to get their country hotel open. Short of funds and battling red tape, it was something of a miracle when the ‘Molino of the Saint’, near Ronda, opened in 1987.

a step back on something which they had previously agreed to.”

The obstacles appear to have shifted away from that of ‘Spanish boots on the ground’ to ‘technical complexity.’

In contrast, Picardo was much more upbeat in his new year message. He insisted the negotiations had ‘advanced significantly’ adding: “We are very, very close to a deal. But getting it right means making the right calls on each of those technical aspects.”

Both leaders agreed that, whatever the outcome, there will be ‘deep changes to the way we interact with the European Union and with Spain.’

The brainchild of British expats Andy Chapell and Pauline Elkin, it became one of Andalucia’s first boutique rural retreats. Now, after 38 years, the award-winning hotel and restaurant is being passed on to a new generation… in the form of their daughter.

From March 17, Carmen Chapell-Elkin, 32, will be bringing Molino del Santo, in Benaojan, ‘back to its glory days’.

Recently arriving from London with her Norwegian partner Martin Reymert, 33, they have loads of ideas involving activities, new vegetarian menus and a focus on wines.

“We are absolutely over the moon,” Carmen told the Olive Press. “We can’t believe this is our life now and we keep having to pinch ourselves that we are not going back to London.”

Born in Ronda, along with her younger sister Rosi, she grew up at the Molino, which has managed to keep some of its staff for nearly 30 years.

Among the side effects are a sore throat, fever, shivers and pain in the mouth, nose and genitals. Patients must also ‘remain vigilant’ as agranulocytosis ‘can appear at any time during treatment regardless of the dosage, even just after it has finished.’

However, she warned that the health authorities are effectively passing responsibility over to the patients and their families to monitor the drug.

“I’m actually very angry as they are trying to wash their hands of the issue,” she insisted.

More alarmingly, the symptoms can even ‘go unnoticed’ if the patient is suffering with the flu or taking antibiotics. Furthermore, regular blood tests, previously required, for those taking the drug and its active ingredient metamizole will now be stopped as they have not ‘proven effective.’

“It’s a victory that things are (finally) being tightened,” medical campaigner Cristina Del Campo told the Olive Press this week.

KILL THE DRUG

“I mean now they are saying there’s no point doing blood tests as agranulocytosis could appear at any time, so how are we supposed to trust that it’s safe?” she asked.

“People are waking up and finally realising and getting angry that the most sold medication in Spain is so dangerous.”

The warning overseen by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) alongside the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPs) follows a six-year campaign by the Olive Press alongside activist del Campo to ban the drug.

“So many of them have been here for over two decades,” she added. “It feels like an extended family and they are like aunts and uncles to me and have taught me everything from how to braid my hair to how to make paella.” Currently sprucing up the rooms and redesigning the dining area, there will be special events and a brand new website ready for the opening.

After handing over the keys this month, dad Andy - appropriately a Saints (Southampton) fan - told the Olive Press: “I am so excited that they will be bringing new energy and a bit of magic to the Molino.

“This will be an exciting new chapter in the Molino story.”

PROUD: Handing over the baton

Photos by Angus Silvie

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

Stadium pledge

ONE of the key takeaways surrounding Gibraltar’s new national stadium is that everyone agrees we need it. Gibraltar needs something worthy of its status as a fully-fledged member of UEFA.

But we need to get this right.

The world is full of expensive stadiums, built for World Cups or on a whim, that ended up being underused and left to rust.

The phrase I heard most frequently was ‘Gibraltar does not need a white elephant.’

Whether we need a Category Four stadium with 8,000 is another debate.

But it is a relief to hear the Chief Minister state clearly (through a spokesperson) that the new national stadium will be used to host all Gibraltar’s football matches, including league matches, and that it will provide training and development facilities.

So much is still up in the air, and it’s easy to make promises now and walk them back later.

But at least it’s now on the record.

Property peril

SPAIN’S proposal to hit non-EU second-home buyers with a 100% stamp duty tax is not going to affect everyone. But those who it will affect will clearly come from the UK, the USA, the Middle East and perhaps Russia and/or Ukraine.

The type of people with money to invest and a penchant for sun and sangria – but from countries outside the club – are clearly the target of Pedro Sanchez’s 12-point housing plan.

These are the no-gooders who will take the blame for inflating Spain’s housing market and pricing Spaniards out of their homes.

While it might feel harsh and unfair, a cash-grab even, the problems that Spain is trying to tackle are very real. It remains to be seen to what extent foreigners are the ones coming in and trying to profit off Spain’s booming Airbnb business, it’s true something needs to be done. But should this be plan A?

Instead, shouldn’t stopping giving out licences, locating every single unlicensed Airbnb – which can’t be that hard since they literally advertise themselves – and slapping them with five or six-figure fines should be the first course of action?

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When atom bombs rained on Spain

It’s nearly six decades since a small Spanish village had four nuclear bombs dropped on it

PALOMARES doesn’t stand out in any way.

It’s just a typical Andalucían village beside the sea.

Halfway between Almeria’s charming Cabo de Gata natural park and the port of Cartagena, in Murcia, you can easily drive through it without knowing you’ve been there.

But on Monday, January 17, 1966, Palomares entered the Cold War in dramatic style.

To set the scene, the US and USSR had been facing each other off for most of the decade and under a strategy known as Chrome Dome, the Americans kept several B52 bombers in the air, ready to strike Moscow, 24 hours a day. While Spain was trying to keep out of the Cold War (so-called because neither side dared start a ‘hot war’, so devastating was the power of their nuclear weapons), American money was too tempting for General Franco.

right to build a military air base

near Sevilla (and it’s still operational today). It meant the Americans could base their nuclear bombers in Spain and they regularly flew back and forth from bases in the US, flying non-stop around Europe.

The aircraft fell from the sky killing seven out of the combined crew of 11

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In return for millions in investment, the dictator granted the USA the

Though they had a phenomenal range, in order to stay airborne for hours, they frequently needed to refuel in flight. On that fateful day in 1966, a KC-135 tanker plane took off from Moron to rendezvous with a bomber 10,000 feet above the coast of Andalucia. And that’s when things started to go wrong when the aircraft collided and fell from the sky killing seven out of the combined crew of 11. A spectacular crash, but what was potentially a million times worse was the B-52’s four thermonuclear bombs which fell on Palomares, three on land and one at sea. Mercifully, atom bombs don’t explode on hitting the ground. They work on a different principle, and have to be detonated by pressing a button. However, the damage caused was extensive

DON’T GET BITTEN

TAKE a country walk in any part of southern Spain or the islands and you will almost certainly be serenaded with a cacophony of barks and howls.

Almost every country villa, finca and plot will have a dog either running up and down its fenced off border, or tied up and chained to a post somewhere near the front door. Look closely and there may be a few hunks of stale bread scattered nearby.

Welcome to Spain where owning a dog doesn’t necessarily mean you are a soppy animal lover who dotes on his or her pet.

With far too many cases of cruelty coming to light over the last few decades - much thanks to the emergence of a new animal welfare party PACMA - a new law has finally come into force to remedy the situation.

The Animal Welfare Law obliges dog owners to acquire insurance for their pet, as of this month.

From now on, if a policeman asks to see

A new law requires dog owners to take out Civil Liability Insurance or face fines of up to €10,000.

But, as the Olive Press asks, will it have teeth?

your dog insurance policy and you don’t have one, you could be liable to a fine of between €500 and €10,000.

In addition, all pets must now have a microchip inserted (usually in the ear) and the government is now using vets to enforce the rule.

Suppose your dog develops an illness. When you take him to the vet, he will be scanned for a chip which identifies both him and his owner. No chip, no antibiotics.

Since September 2024 all dogs have needed to have a chip and, as of January 1, levying fines becomes the law of the land.

From now on, if your dog bites someone or causes damage (for example, worries sheep or knocks over a display in a shop), you (the owner) will be liable for the harm caused and must be insured against it?

What does it cost?

If you’re lucky your pet might already be in-

cluded in your home insurance. It’s worth checking with your provider. If not, you need to consider taking out a separate poli cy. A typical safe domestic breed (e.g. a Labrador) will work out at about €30 a year. Dangerous breeds are more expensive (around €50).

As one Olive Press staffer confirmed, the pet insurance was once included in his home insurance, but is now an extra of €35.

Other,

at Moron de la Frontera,

ALL-CLEAR: Tourist minister Fraga swims at Palomares despite the dropped bombs (below)

WRECKAGE: The fallout from the bombs was not understood and America and Franco brushed off the incident

FUTURE OF MEDICINE

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of modern medicine, offering solutions to longstanding challenges across diagnostics, treatment, and drug discovery.

In Spain, this technological revolution is gaining momentum, with several institutions and companies leading the charge.

“

It comes as no surprise, as Spain has recently become one of the forerunners in global medical research, establishing itself as an international science and technology powerhouse.

Among Spain’s recents achievements are digital hearts used to quickly and cheaply test new treatments, AI models to develop new medicines and robot counsellors to help patients make important medical decisions.

How AI is transforming Spain's healthcare - from 'digital hearts' to 'predicting strokes'

According to Elem’s co-founder Mariano Vazquez: “Nature can be interpreted using mathematics. In the same way you can do human clinical trials, you can test a cohort of digital hearts.”

Elem’s supercomputer achieves in just nine hours what would take a human 57 billion years to calculate

Barcelona leads with virtual hearts

Two Barcelona-based organisations, Elem Biotech and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, have developed a groundbreaking virtual replica of the human heart.

This model can be personalised for individual patients, enabling precise testing of drugs and treatments.

Elem’s supercomputer achieves in just nine hours what would take a human 57 billion years to calculate, offering faster, cheaper, and more sophisticated medical solutions.

The company’s ultimate ambition is to model the entire human body digitally, opening new possibilities for personaliSed medicine.

Predicting risk with AI

The Barcelona Supercomputing Centre isn’t stopping at virtual hearts.

“

The research centre has developed an AI model capable of predicting stroke risk using data from mobile devices.

This innovation could significantly improve early intervention and prevention strategies, allowing healthcare providers to identify at-risk individuals and offer timely treatment. By using the widespread accessibil-

By Tate Askey

ity of mobile technology, this breakthrough represents a major step towards more inclusive and proactive healthcare.

These remote monitoring systems powered by AI allow continuous tracking of patients’ vital signs, enabling timely interventions. Chatbots and virtual assistants also help patients manage their symptoms more effectively.

Drug discovery and clinical trials AI is also transforming drug research with Barcelona-based Biorce recently securing €3.5 million to enhance clinical trials using AI, streamlining processes and increasing efficiency. Developing new drugs has become notoriously slow and expensive, and rising costs and tighter regulations have slowed development to a crawl.

AI offers a way to reverse that trend, ensuring life-saving new treatments reach patients faster.

Biorce’s AI model ‘Jarvis’ will reduce costs and shorten timeframes for drug development.

It achieves this by helping patients find and understand the requirements for relevant clinical trials, while aiding researchers in the

Continues on next page

I’LL DRINK TO THAT

MODERATE wine drinking may benefit heart health according to researchers at the University of Barcelona.

They found drinking a small glass a day could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 50% for those following a Mediterranean diet.

The study, part of a larger investigation into the celebrated diet, included 1,232 people at risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Researchers used urine samples to measure tartaric acid levels, a natural substance in grapes and wine, as an objective indicator of wine consumption. Results showed that light-to-moderate wine consumption (half to one glass per day) was associated with a 50% lower risk of cardiovascular issues.

A coffee a day... but NOT all day!

PEOPLE who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those who drink it throughout the day. The research, by Tulane University, studied 40,725 adults between 1999 and 2018. Compared to people who did not drink coffee, those who consumed it in the morning were 16% less likely to die from any cause and 31% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. They also fared considerably better against all-day drinkers.

Worrying trend

SPANIARDS are getting more reliant on drugs to combat anxiety and insomnia with usage tripling in under two decades.

The use of drugs like lorazepam and diazepam has tripled since 2008 according to a report by the University of Santiago de Compostela. It found that one in five people between 15 and 64 regularly take hypnosedative medication.

A holistic approach to mental health and addiction recovery

INHARMONI is pioneer-

ing a holistic and evidence-based rehabilitation model for individuals battling mental health issues and addiction.

Focusing on treating the whole person - body, mind, and soul - Inharmoni offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to clients suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, burnout, and various forms of dependency, including alcohol, drug, and sex addiction.

Our clinic is staffed by highly qualified professionals with extensive experience, ensuring each client receives a cohesive and effective treatment plan. This dedicated team provides personalized care and support throughout your recovery journey.

At Inharmoni, we utilize evidence-based therapeutic methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing, supplemented by family therapy and psychoeducation workshops. Recognizing the connection between mind and body, we also incorporate yoga, physiotherapy, energy healing, and mindfulness practices.

Clients enjoy nutritious meals, engaging physical activities, and opportunities for creative expression through art therapy.

We emphasize group exercise sessions that promote teamwork, providing a supportive environment for healing. Our comprehensive aftercare program offers ongoing digital support, ensuring you have the resources needed for continued success.

Choose Inharmoni as your partner in recovery and take the first step towards a harmonious and meaningful life. Experience the transformative power of our holistic approach to mental wellness and addiction recovery today. Visit www.inharmonirehab.com or call +34 658 656 011

OxygenSpa

From previous page

ROBOT DOCTORS

search for eligible participants.

The AI database is a user-friendly solution including over 480,000 clinical trials, streamlining the research process so that effective treatments can be identified sooner.

AI in healthcare counselling

At a clinical level, AI platforms are being used to provide specialised healthcare guidance through apps like 1Doc3.

The development provides Spanish-speaking users with AI-driven healthcare guidance, allowing millions to make informed medical decisions.

Powered by AI, the system is able to streamline healthcare by performing basic symptom assessment, triage and pre-diagnosis before connecting the patient to a doctor.

This enables patients who may not normally have access to a physical clinic get the help they need.

Enhancing diagnostics and imaging AI-powered algorithms are also revolutionising diagnostics.

For example, AI tools match or surpass human experts in analysing medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs These technologies enhance accuracy in detecting conditions such as pneumonia and skin cancers, significantly improving diagnostic efficiency.

Beyond clinical applications, AI is streamlining healthcare administration by managing electronic health records, scheduling, and reducing paperwork, thus taking some of the burden from already stretched healthcare systems.

Ethical and practical challenges

Despite AI’s potential, ethical concerns and regulatory hurdles remain challenging.

Data privacy, ethical considerations,

BEST FOOT FORWARD

TAKING short breaks while walking could actually increase the amount of calories burnt.

According to a Milan University study, walking or climbing stairs in 10 to 30 second intervals requires 20 to 60% more oxygen than continual activity. This means you burn more calories and will be good news for those who struggle to walk without resting.

Meanwhile, a study by Complutense University in Madrid has found that a short brisk walk after a meal can help diabetics reduce blood sugar levels by 17%.

Around 5.1 million Spaniards have type 2 diabetes and the numbers are rising, due to poor diets.

and the need for robust human oversight are some of the issues researchers are working to overcome.

Moreover, models like ChatGPT, while promising, are not yet suitable for direct medical use. Researchers at Harvard and Stanford University highlight significant gaps between AI’s performance in standardised tests and real-world scenarios. The Assessment and Validation of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare frameworks (EVIAS) aims to address these issues within Spain, ensuring AI algorithms meet efficacy and safety standards before deployment in clinical practice.

The future of AI in medicine Combining human expertise and AI will create a healthcare system that is smarter, more efficient, and tailored to individual needs.

challenges through frameworks like EVIAS.

As AI technology continues to advance, its influence on medical practice is set to grow, offering innovative solutions to emerging global healthcare issues such as aging populations and resource constraints.

By streamlining processes and optimising outcomes, AI could help ease the pressures on overstretched healthcare systems worldwide.

AN UPWARD TREND

By Dilip Kuner

AS we step into 2025, the health and fitness landscape continues to evolve, blending technology with holistic wellness approaches. Here are 10 trends that experts predict will dominate the industry this year.

Wearable technology dominates

Wearable devices remain at the forefront of fitness trends, offering increasingly sophisticated insights into users' health metrics. These gadgets now provide real-time data on heart rate, sleep patterns, and even stress levels, enabling more personalised fitness regimens.

AI-powered fitness apps

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising personal training. Mobile exercise apps, ranked second in popularity, are offering AI-driven workout recommendations tailored to individual goals and progress.

Focus on older adults

Exercise programs for older adults have surged in popularity, reflecting a growing emphasis on maintaining health and mobility in later years. These programs often include low-impact exercises and strength training designed to improve quality of life.

Strength training for all

hyperbaric atmosphere.

Traditional strength training is experienc-

What 2025 has in store for us when it comes to health and wellbeing

ing a renaissance across all age groups. Research continues to highlight its benefits for longev ity and functional movement, making it a cornerstone of many fitness routines.

Mental health and exercise

The connection between phys ical activity and mental well being is gaining recognition. Programs combining exer cise with mindfulness practices are on the rise, addressing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Recovery and wellness

Cold exposure therapies and sauna sessions are becoming popular for their purported benefits in recovery and longevity. This trend reflects a growing interest in holistic approaches to fitness.

Data-driven training

Leveraging data from wearables and apps, fitness enthusiasts are embracing more scientific approaches to their workouts. Heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring and recovery readiness assessments are guiding smarter training decisions.

The convenience of virtual coaching has led to a staggering 414% increase in in-

This trend allows for flexible, personalized fitness guidance from anywhere.

Pilates is experiencing a surge in popularity, with both mat-based and reformer classes becoming widely accessible. Its focus on core strength, flexibility, and mindfulness appeals to a broad audiFunctional

Workouts that mimic everyday movements and improve overall functionality are gaining traction. This approach aims to enhance performance in daily activities and prevent injuries.

As we navigate through 2025, these trends reflect a shift towards more personalised, technology-driven, and holistic approaches to health and fitness.

Whether it's through AI-powered apps, wearable devices, or mindfulness-integrated workouts, the industry is adapting to meet the diverse needs of individuals in our increasingly digital age.

Pioneering initiatives in Barcelona showcase AI’s potential to revolutionise healthcare while addressing critical

Year of breakthroughs

FROM face transplants to robot surgeons, Spain has achieved many medical discoveries and innovations over the last year.

The country is becoming a world leader in scientific research and last year, it overtook Germany as the European forerunner of clinical trials.

Spain is proactively investing in research centres, healthcare structure and commercial partnerships, leading to this rise in medical research.

It is also faster at recruiting research participants and performs more single-country research than most European countries.

One of the most impressive feats of the year was a pioneering face transplant carried out in Barcelona’s Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge last September.

It was one of the world’s first to extract tissue from a donor in controlled asystole.

This is a way of manually stopping the heart of a patient with no hope of recovery for the purpose of organ donation, providing an opportunity to retrieve organs that would otherwise be lost after natural death.

It was the first time in the world this kind of organ retrieval allowed for the extraction of the heart, face, and kidneys.

Now, the hospital is one of only 18 across the globe to have carried out the complex operation, since France achieved the first in 2005.

The operation lasted 12 hours and included over 60 professionals from at least 10 different medical and surgical departments.

It was led by Dr. Anna Lopez Ojeda and Dr. Oriol Bermejo alongside Dr. Gabriel Moreno Gonzalez.

Neurofibromatosis

The 47-year-old patient was suffering from type 1 neurofibromatosis, a hereditary condition causing benign tumours in the nervous tissue.

He had a large tumour on the side of his face, leading to severe aesthetic, psychological, social and functional issues.

To remove the tumour, the surgeons had to completely remove his upper lip, nose, right eyelid, the right half of his face and scalp. They then implanted the donor's face, connecting arteries, veins, and nerves. The transplanted face will gradually take

A look back at Spain’s medical successes in 2024

By Yzabelle Bostyn

the shape of the recipient’s face as it adjusts to his bone structure.

It follows a European first carried out last June, where the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, in Granada, gave a 16 month old girl an artificial palate.

The palate tissue was designed and generated by a team at the University of Granada, the same group that created artificial skin now authorised by the Spanish Medicines Agency.

Created over 12 years ago, UGRSKIN has only been used up until now as a last resort, experiential therapy.

Now burn units can receive specialist training to use the pioneering technology.

Also in Barcelona, the world’s first emergency robot surgeon was introduced to the Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol in November.

The robot works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to attend urgent surgeries.

Known as Da Vinci, the robot will be used alongside surgeons to provide greater accuracy and less trauma for patients. So far, it has been a great success, decreasing the time spent in hospital and speeding up recovery.

“Emergency surgeons are not always experts in certain pathologies, so robotic surgery makes surgeons who do not have the maximum expertise better,” director of the new emergency surgery unit

Best of the best

A MARBELLA clinic has been named the best paediatric clinic in Spain.

IMED German Clinic has long been a respected health facility on the Costa del Sol and has now been recognised by Spain’s National Medicine Awards.

Clinic director Dr Rocio Estella (above) has also earned the title of the best paediatric doctor.

She said: “I’m very proud that we’ve received this award after so many years of working for children and their families.

“We’ve been in Marbella for eight years and believe it’s important to treat patients in their native languages. That’s why we speak English, German, French, Spanish, Greek and Russian.”

Dr Estella was trained in both Spain and Germany, specialising in neonatal care though the clinic has professionals for every need.

“Our clinic is very modern,” she explained.

“We even use artificial intelligence in our treatments. And our commitment to quality and top notch equipment makes us deserving of this award.”

The doctor and her team will attend the awards on April 2 in Madrid.

Jose M Balibrea told La Vanguardia

Meanwhile in Madrid, a research team from the Hospital Infantil Niño Jesus has successfully created an injection to combat tumours in children.

Known as Celyvir, the treatment has taken its first steps to approval by the Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPs).

Tumours

Injected directly into tumours, the medicine activates immune cells to fight against the cancer.

It is one of three advanced therapies created in Madrid’s health system (SERMAS), alongside Alofisel and NC1.

Spanish hospitals have also begun to administer the world’s first vac-

cine against lung cancer. Developed by German company BioNTech, the BNT116 vaccine teaches the immune system to attack lung cancer cells.

It is now being used at the Hospital Universitari i Politecnic La Fe in Valencia, as well as the Consorcio Hospitalario Provincial de Castellon as part of an international study.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide but this innovation is thought to significantly improve treatment outcomes and minimise side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.

It is administered alone or in combination with another drug, cemiplimab.

It is hoped that combining the two will lead to better treatment outcomes.

Overall, 2024 has been a great year for Spanish medical innovation.

While clinical trials are dwindling around

SKIN SUCCESS: A Granada research team has created artificial skin approved by AEMPs

the world, the country has strengthened its offering, becoming a leader in the medical research industry.

At Quirónsalud, we are committed to achieving excellence in patient care, ensuring that we provide the highest quality of attention and service.

All specialties

Prestigious experts

Advanced medical technology

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The only private hospital in the city and the region listed in the ranking of the best 100 hospitals in Spain, according to Merco.

SNOOKERED!

147 is the magic number if you’re Ronnie O’Sullivan playing at the Crucible: but for expat journalist Michael Coy it is anything but lucky

IT’S the maximum possible score in snooker and appropriately Ronnie ‘the Rocket’ O’Sullivan has achieved it on a record 15 occasions.

It means doing everything right. Which is what I thought I had done when I moved to Spain over two decades ago to get a job away from the grind in the grim old United Kingdom. But working long hours in Andalucia in trying circumstances doesn't always end well, as I have found out to my peril. How so?

Let me ask you a question: When was the last time you pestered your Spanish boss for an up-to-date statement of your pension status? Exactly.

For those of us brought up on the British PAYE system, or in Germany or Holland, say, it’s a no-brainer. You do the work, you get the pension. You don’t need to delve into it. Spain unfortunately doesn’t work like that.

To be fair, most of us can see the employer’s point of view. He or she not only pays your salary, but has to fork out for below-the-line costs which you know nothing about. In Spain, the rate of social security alone is a staggering 30% plus per worker.

This makes it very unattractive for small businesses to take on workers – or to put it more accurately, it’s painful for the boss if he does it by the book. So they have to cheat.

Not all of them, and certainly not government departments (but it’s very hard for expats to land such jobs).

What some cheating bosses do is quietly alter your work record to read, ‘part-time’.

It saves them a fortune, and you don’t complain (because you don’t know it’s happening). Things come to a head, as they recently did for me, when you show up at the Seguridad Social offices at your assumed retirement age and ask: “Pension please” – and they tell you that you haven’t done your full 15 years!

I’ve lived and worked in Spain for decades, and yet it has happened to me. Worse still, I was

once an employment lawyer in London, before retraining as a journalist here. So if I can get shafted, anyone can.

I’m lucky. My shortfall is only (only?) 147 days, and I’m reasonably able-bodied, and so I can find some way to make up the time.

But what about people who are ill, or simply can’t argue their corner? Can you take your boss to court?

And the answer is: Yes, you can. But it will involve years of expensive litigation, and you might well lose. Employers often argue that their employer was ‘in on the scam’...” I only took him on because he agreed to my under-the-table methods.” they might say.

So what’s the answer?

Well go back to work and find some way to make up the time.

Luckily for me, I have a background in journalism, and the kind souls at the Olive Press have found an opening for me. I am going to be writing over the coming year about rural Spain (I have lived in Ronda for over 20 years, after all).

Beat the January blues!

With a trio of controversial characters looming over Spain, it’s your last chance for a huge 50% discount on the Olive Press’s annual subscription

DUE to popular demand, the Olive Press is launching an end of January sale for those of you who missed out on our special Black Friday or Christmas deals.

We know the first month of the year can be tight after splurging on presents and parties over the festive period. So we are offering a year’s subscription to www. theolivepress.es for just €30 - which will amount to 50% off once we increase our prices next month. It’s going to be a very busy year for news in Spain andas our 60,000-plus registered users already know - the Olive Press is the best way to stay informed.

with the bombs releasing clouds of deadly plutonium radiation gas.

The streets of the village and the nearby countryside was badly contaminated, and the US immediately launched a decontamination programme.

While three bombs were quickly found, the fourth, at sea, proved to be much more allusive.

to search the area without any protective gear, as nuclear fallout was not properly understood in 1966.

It also meant they ‘tamped down’ the radioactive dust far too aggressively and sprayed so much water onto the land that the natural underground reserves were used up, and sea water seeped in, killing all the local crops.

It led to the US later agreeing to skim off the

more expensive, policies will cover accidents (for example, if your dog causes someone to trip and fall) and that will probably work out at about €100 a year.

You can also insure a pet against getting seriously ill and needing surgery, but that is far more expensive (maybe €400 a year).

UNESPA is the Spanish Association of insurance companies. It advises members of the public to ask their insurer, will this policy insure me against the following?

* Any veterinary care my pet may need?

* Theft, or other loss, of my pet?

* Legal costs, if my pet causes harm or physical damage?

But Spanish Scientists now believe the operation was bungled and the most contaminated soil was not collected, while the metal drums were not properly accounted for.

Furthermore American troops were sent in area’s topsoil, and take it back home in metal drums.

The most important thing was to brush the dangers under the carpet as quickly as possible.

As the important tourism market was really taking off in the Sixties, with thousands of youngsters arriving from the UK, Holland and Germany, it was vital to keep the gravy train rolling.

Franco realised that Spain being seen as a nuclear wasteland was bad for the package holiday hordes and he told his Tourist Minister Manuel Fraga to do something urgently.

His solution was to head for Palomares for a holiday where he was pictured swimming in the sea.

It turned out to be just metres from where the fourth bomb was found a year later. Yet ironically Fraga lived to the ripe old age of 90, dying just a decade ago in 2012.

Will it change anything?

Like many laws in Spain, they exist but are not followed properly on a national basis and half the time only one or a couple of autonomous regions will adopt them properly. In addition, the new law will create a lot more paperwork for the local police, who will also need to be motivated to go out into the countryside to identify the rogue dog owners.

And half the time the local police will likely know the owners and let them off.

Alternatively, they might be incentivized to collect fines by their local town hall, perhaps after pressure from local expat residents. It could be seen as a nice earner for empty town hall coffers before the tourism season kicks off properly.

The one big controversial exception under the new law is hunting dogs, who are excluded, meaning owners might simply tell police their pet is for hunting rabbits, etc?

The cruelest irony is that the ‘galgo’ and ‘podenco’ hunting dogs are usually by far the worst treated animals in Spain… and that includes fighting bulls.

Send us your comments to newsdesk@theolivepress.es

But for anyone else. Carefully check your status regularly (or pay an accountant to do it), or go autonomo, or try and win the lottery.

From now on I am always asking for a loto ticket which contains the digits, ‘147’.

EMPLOYMENT MAZE - Know your terminology

Qualifying for a pension

In a sense, it’s very simple. You do 15 years of appropriate work, and you are entitled to a retirement pension. However, there are snags:

(1) Spanish bureaucracy has no give in it, so don’t expect to ‘top up’ your time served, or wriggle through. If your Vida Laboral (employment history) doesn’t show 15 years of ‘proper’ work, you will not qualify.

(2) You can’t object to an irregularity after the fact – they’ll tell you: ‘you should have checked your records as you went along’.

(3) If you’re self-employed (autonomo), special rules apply, so consult an accountant.

Autonomo

This is the Spanish word for ‘self-employed’. There used to be a joke that there are no autonomos in heaven, because they can’t afford the time off to die. Recent changes to the law have made going self-employed a much more attractive option in Spain. Ask your asesor/gestor (accountant) about the new tarifa plana (flat rate) option. A small monthly charge is replacing the old tax burden.

COTIZADO

This word, referring to your employment record, means ‘official’. The Spanish govern-ment will not count any work you’ve done towards your pension entitlement unless it’s cotizado

Donald Trump’s presidency could have dramatic consequences for Europe, from trade tariffs to NATO shakeups. He also insists he will end the Ukraine war. Meanwhile, anti-tourism movements are set to ramp up their protests this summer as anger over Airbnb-style lets and ‘excessive’ tourism models reach boiling point. What effects they will have on the local property market remains to be seen - but the latest reports and in-depth analysis will be found daily in our email news mail outs as well as monthly in our Property Magazine

We will also keep you abreast of the latest travel trends and all the secret up and coming spots that you need to know about and get to before the hordes descend? Only the Olive Press keeps foreigners so well up-to-date and informed on such matters in English, thanks to our team of NCTJ-trained journalists, who have all worked for national newspapers or the BBC or Sky back in the UK.

Bryan Adams

With our numbers of registered users doubling in 2024 and the monthly visits to our website frequently going over a million, we go from strength to strength.

It is a testament to the quality and reliability of our news, with our work being picked up by the foreign national media almost daily.

Moreover we are not scared to probe controversial figures like Tommy Robinson (above), now in international news thanks to Elon Musk (above), investigate wrong-doing by politicians, such as the bizarre picadillos of Estepona’s current mayor, or expose corruption on a regional or national scale.

So what else do you get for your money? Alongside adfree reading of all our articles at theolivepress.es, subscribers are sent a daily newsletter with the top stories of the day.

They will also receive weekly mail outs on health, travel and property.

And, best of all, they get advance notice of special competitions and offers, some of them exclusive, such as prizes to see Bryan Adams (right) or Craig David (below) in concert.

Scan the QR code above to claim your very special of fer until the end of the month

POT LUCK: Michael Coy tries to emulate Ronnie O’Sullivan (right) by taking a maximum break from his working life

THREATS: Trump, Tommy and Musk

PLASTIC PURGE

AYEAR after millions of tiny plastic pellets were spilled off the coast of Galicia, how has the environmental disaster impacted Spain?

On December 8, 2023, the Liberian cargo ship ‘Toconao’ lost six containers, including one with 1,000 25kg sacks of tiny balls used to manufacture plastic products.

Dubbed a ‘nightmare environmental crisis’ by Spanish ecologists, over 25 tonnes of the pellets washed up in northern Spain, prompting hundreds to volunteer in clean up operations.

Despite Portuguese authorities alerting the Spanish government of the issue immediately, the regional government claims they were not informed until 25 days later, leading to greater damage and heightened costs.

Over 400 people searched 630

Green Special

The Olive Press looks at the aftermath of the plastic pellet spill and how it still affects Spain

By Yzabelle Bostyn

beaches to collect the pellets, reaching a cost of €2.3 million.

Alongside volunteers, just 5,000 kilos were removed from the coast by Spanish waste management service Sogama.

But according to experts, the damage is still being felt a year later. According to Greenpeace the incident not only ‘damaged the marine ecosystem but also put the fishing industry at risk.’

“A year later, chronic pollution persists…we need to put more ambitious rules in place to prevent this from happening again,” a spokesman told the Olive Press

“One year after the Toconao disaster, protecting the future of our coasts and sea should be an immediate priority. ”

A Plastic pollution expert consulted by the Olive Press , Natacha Claire Tullis, agrees: “Spain has faced significant issues with plastic pellet pollution,” the Officer for Preventing Ocean Plastics at Pew Charitable Trusts said.

“The spill caused signifi -

Pension timebomb

PENSIONERS in Spain have seen their retirement benefits surge by a third since 2018 - outpacing wage growth across the nation.

New data released by Spain's Social Security system reveals that while working Spaniards have seen their salaries rise by 25% over the past six years, retirees have enjoyed a 33% increase in their monthly payments.

The average pension has jumped from €1,107 in 2018 to €1,450 per month in 2024. Workers' wages have climbed from an average of €1,748 to €2,181 monthly.

The pensions system closed 2023 with a shortfall exceeding €50 billion, according to calculations by the Foundation for Applied Economics Studies (Fedea).

cant environmental harm. Plastic pellet pollution is pervasive and often invisible to the naked eye, yet its impact on ecosystems and human health is profound. These tiny particles are everywhere, lurking in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.”

while urging the central government to provide updates on their claims.

Particles are

“If we do nothing they will continue to accumulate, harming marine life, disrupting food chains and posing health risks to humans.”

Galicia’s regional government is now pursuing compensation and legal ramifications against the shipping company responsible,

In a statement released in December 2024, it said: “The central government hardly helped to stop the pellets reaching our coasts.

“These incidents must serve as a lesson to move forward at a European level.”

It comes as the EU takes a ‘vital’ step forward towards curbing microplastic pollution.

In December, the Council of the EU finalised its position by setting out specific obligations for pellet transporters to prevent such disasters from repeating.

“Spain has directly suffered the consequences of a maritime pellet spill and is supportive of an ambitious legal framework to limit accidents from happening in the future,” it claimed.

Titanic takeover

Spanish giant sails in to rescue legendary British shipyard

SPAIN’S state shipbuilding company Navantia has swooped in to save the iconic British shipyard that built the Titanic in a dramatic rescue deal.

The acquisition of Harland & Wolff will secure around 1,000 jobs across the UK and ensures the survival of all four of the company’s historic shipyards, including its famous Belfast base.

The naval construction giant, which has yet to disclose the purchase price, will take control of facilities in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as well as Arnish and Methil in Scotland, and Appledore in southwest

SPAIN is set to account for 40% of all economic growth in the eurozone after a near-miraculous 2024 that has left traditional heavyweights Germany and France trailing in its wake. Fresh data from the Bank of Spain reveals the country’s economy expanded by a robust 3% in 2024, nearly four times the Eurozone average of 0.8%.

The dramatic transformation has seen Spain’s GDP growth outstrip its larger European neighbors, despite representing just 10% of the Eurozone’s total economic output.

It makes a stark contrast to Spain’s position during the 2012-2014 financial crisis, with the country now leading rather

By Walter Finch

England.

Northern Ireland minister Hilary Benn welcomed the takeover, describing it as ‘great news for the Northern Ireland economy and, above all, for Harland and Wolff’s hugely skilled shipbuilding workforce.’

The rescue comes after a turbulent period for the 163-yearold British company, which was forced to call in administrators in September after struggling with rising energy costs and mounting debt. The UK government had pre-

viously rejected the company’s request for a £200 million credit facility, leading to a suspension of its shares on the London Stock Exchange in October.

TOP OF THE CLASS

than lagging behind its European counterparts in economic performance.

Just 10 years on, and Spain’s GDP growth was nearly seven times the Eurozone average in 2023, and final forecasts for 2024 suggest this trend will continue.

This economic renaissance has been fueled by record-breaking service exports, a booming tourism sector, and a surge in employment, with over 460,000 new jobs created in the past year pushing the workforce to an all-time high of 21.3 million. Oxford Economics’ chief European econ-

omist Angel Talavera points to Spain’s unique advantages, including lower energy costs thanks to renewable energy investments and a service-oriented economy that has proved more resilient than the manufacturing-heavy German model.

The country’s ability to attract and integrate newcomers has played a crucial role, with immigration accounting for 84% of population growth since 2022. These new arrivals have filled 40% of newly created positions.

The deal strengthens Navantia’s position in British shipbuilding, building on an existing relationship that saw the two companies sign a manufacturing agreement last year for a £1.6 billion Royal Navy support ship project.

British government officials confirmed the acquisition would ensure the completion of three vital support vessels for UK aircraft carriers, designed to transport munitions, spares and supplies.

Navantia expects to finalise the purchase by the end of January, subject to regulatory approval, marking a new chapter in the storied history of Harland & Wolff, which was founded in 1861 and rose to prominence as one of the world’s premier shipbuilders during the golden age of ocean liners.

A DATE has been set for the end of Spain’s Golden Visa. Introduced in 2013 to attract foreign investment, the scheme will end on April 3 after the withdrawal of the visa was officially published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on January 3. The Golden Visa program allows non-EU citizens to get Spanish residency by investing at least €500,000 in real estate. It could also be obtained by investing €1 million in Spanish companies, or €2 million in government bonds. The decision to end the programme comes after months of debate and a vote in the Congress of Deputies, where it was approved with 179 votes in favour. Current Golden Visa holders will not be affected and can maintain and renew their permits under the original rules.

And it is not too late to take advantage of the Golden Visa. Applications submitted before April 3, 2025, will still be processed under existing regulations.

HIDING: Tullis claims the plastic particles are in the air we breathe

ILA CULTURA 13

GOING FOR A SONG!

N these days of hooking-up through dating apps, young men no longer need to serenade women beneath their balconies with music and song as in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

But in the tiny, remote village of Cañar, near Granada, that’s exactly what they do.

Every year, starting at 2am on December 28, the merry minstrels set off on their tour of the village with the intention of seducing a mate.

All the young men serenade all the young women. But to avoid misunderstandings, they also paint names and symbols on their faces using red paint.

Merriment is guaranteed by copious amounts of alcohol and percussion is created by banging a fork on a bottle of anis, the local aniseed liqueur or perhaps a Bailey’s Irish cream.

With maracas, cymbals and tambourines - as well as guitars and accordions - the fiesta is LOUD.

Robin Smith, who owns a holiday home in Cañar, told the Olive Press : “I didn’t get much sleep last night and it’s amazing that the party is still going on today”.

Tourism is thriving in the Alpujarra village today with ‘active tourists’ exploring the region’s many hiking trails, including the Europe-wide GR 47, which follows an ancient trade route from Tarifa to Delphi in Greece.

Hundreds of hardcore mountain-bikers are seen each weekend pitting their strength against the steep wind ing road to the white village perched 1,040 metres above sea level.

Hikers and bikers were odd ly thin on the ground when I visited the Mozuelas festival at ‘Twix mas’ between Christmas and the New Year.

Meaning Music of the Maidens the event is definite ly not really for tourists.

This festival is all about the locals with every fam ily joining in, even including young girls of primary school age (ED: hm mmm) and elderly widows who still enjoy being sere -

Get yourself a balcony and wait for the perfect mate to come by and serenade you at this fun festival, writes Jane Whyatt

naded.

It is the imbalance between men and women (211 men to 186 women), which perhaps keeps alive the tradition: with women in the minority, the men have to try

that bit harder to impress the op posite sex.

With their musical instruments and smiling, painted faces, the revellers are very photogenic.

As the iconic Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca ob served when he visited in 1926: “There are of course two perfectly defined rac es. The Nordic, Galician, Asturian, etc., and the pure ly preserved Moorish. Peo ple with blue eyes and people with… indescribable eyes. I saw a queen of Sheba shell ing corn on a bi tumen-co

Like the fiesta, the architecture of Cañar is unchanged since the Moors were expelled from Andalucia by Christians in 1492. The church replaced the mosque which originally stood on this site. Poetry, passion and polvorones (traditional almond-flavoured cookies)

loured and violet wall, and I saw a child king disguised as a barber’s son.”

The visit inspired Lorca’s poem, The Unfaithful Wife (La Casada Infiel), based on a local folksong. It tells the

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

Age old custom

are the order of the day on December 29 when the fiesta continues.

Villagers and visitors dance around a bonfire, fountain and Christmas tree, celebrating with firecrackers, party poppers and balloons.

story of a man who seduces a young maiden (mozuela) by the river – only to discover later that she is already married. Lorca himself is immortalised in Cañar. Quotes from his poems are set in tiled plaques around the village and a large information board describes in detail his connections to the region.

DAUBED FOR LOVE: Names and symbols are painted in red on faces

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

WELL Madrid has finally become one of Europe’s dining capitals. Fact.

Having long been overshadowed by its neighbours Barcelona and San Sebastian, it is at last bearing fruit from the Spanish food revolution that started marching south around 20 years ago.

Night at the Bernabeu or big business deal?

Why Madrid’s Westin Cuzco must be your first choice in the capital

IT has for decades been the Madrid hotel for anyone flying in for a spot of business, or a big game at the nearby Bernabeu stadium.

But now the Cuzco hotel on the city’s main thoroughfare, Paseo el Castellano, has had a major refit. Following a 17 million euro injection of capital from the Marriot group, it has been turned into a reference of cool and convenience under the hip Westin brand.

Just around the corner from the recently redesigned futuristic Real Madrid stadium and by the city’s business nervecentre, it offers plenty of reasons to stay. For art fans it is also close to the eye-catching Palacio de Congresos with its celebrated Joan Miro mural, as well as the amazing Sorolla museum where the artist made his home in the city.

It is also just a hop and a leap to Plaza Castilla with its emblematic architecture and variety of muse-

meatballs at Casa Julio

No less than 29 places now carry at least one Michelin star in the city, while those on the road to getting one are well into the dozens, possibly hun-

The capital is a place that Americans and Japanese no longer just visit for its amazing art galleries and monuments, but fly in for bespoke gourmet tours and for reservations at its temples of dining, such as Deessa, DSTAgE or DiverXo (their capitals, not mine).

But while they eat among the best meals in the world at these three wonderful joints (all of which I’ve reviewed for the Olive Press over recent years - see online), they often miss the very essence of what makes this city one of the most intriguing and charming places in Europe. A city of extremes and contradictions,

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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January 15th - January 28th 2025

BACK TO BASICS

Churros, Calamari

sarnies and Zarajos; why Madrid is a lot more than Michelin stars. Jon Clarke picks over some of its true culinary institutions

folklore and fanaticism, it has charmed and dazzled me since I moved here after university for two years in the 1990s. Returning a few times a year ever since, I love its friendly locals, its distinct working class districts and its amazing weather (for a guiri, at least), which the locals describe as ‘nine months of winter, three months of hell’.

It is no surprise that Time Out singled out two barrios: Lavapies and, more recently, Embajadores, as two of the world’s trendiest neighbourhoods. A third, Vallecas, is bubbling under. Predictably, leading to gentrification and rubberneckers, there are thankfully, at least, half a dozen more barrios that still maintain their authenticity and independence from tourism.

While here is not the place to tell you about Carabanchel or Usera, it’s well worth a visit out into the outer suburbs to hunt out a restaurant or cultural spot. In the centre, you can easily get off the beaten track in Malasana or Justicia and even in the heart of the casco historico there is so much to find if you’ve got the right guide. I often ask Stephen Drake-Jones, an English historian and former professor, for a few hours to show me a couple of things I may not know.

The 75-year-old - who moved to Madrid a year before dictator Franco’s death in 1975 - has written various books on the city, including a new one on its most esteemed expat Ernest Hemingway.

ums, including the Fundacion Canal and EMT Trans-

port museum, which is great for kids. A tube station next door is just six stops to Plaza de Espana.

The second Westin in the city (the first is the historic Palace hotel, a dozen blocks south), it boasts 44 incredibly-appointed suites among its 290 rooms.

Many with impressive views across the city and nearby Navacerrada range, each has been renovated with a clear eye on style.

The suites are amazing, each with three rooms and a huge walk-in wardrobe, plus three toilets. They count on the latest in tech and, most importantly, top quality linen and pillows.

The paintings and artwork perfectly compliment the carefully-selected retro mix and match furniture. A separate meeting room with director’s table is ideal for business meetings.

Modern lines, vanguard design and earthy coloured

hues give the whole hotel an almost Scandinavian feel, while its reception area and stunning bar have become a key meeting point for football fans and business-folk alike.

The bar area with its giant curved chandelier, matching circular sofa and black and white floors are set off against natural oak arches and a bright crimson bar.

This is the place to eat supper and, while limited, the menu is great value for light bites and, of course, a margarita, one of the finest around.

He can wax lyrical about the reasons for citing the capital here in 1561, why the Bourbons are among the most inbred royals in the world and why exactly Madrid never surrendered during the Spanish Civil War.

Meet him outside the former Hotel Florida, where all the famous journalists and photographers stayed during the war, including Martha Gellhorn, John Dos Passos and Arthur Koestler, whose book Darkness at Noon is based on the conflict.

Now sadly converted into a brutalist-style Corte Ingles department store, he will take you upstairs to the ninth floor viewing deck and gourmet market, from where he will point out where the fascist rebels dug in their front line in the nearby Casa de Campo park. He will tell you how their howitzers regularly hit the hotel, despite not supposedly aiming at it and he will then show you the bullet and shrapnel marks in the walls outside to prove it.

Next he might show you the place outside the Cortes, Spain’s House of Commons, where firebrand politician Dolores ‘La Pasionaria’ Ibarruri famously insisted the fascist rebels would ‘not pass’ or ¡No Pasarán!, which became the slogan of the conflict. From here it’s only a two-minute stroll to Barrio de las Letras, a hive of pedestrianised streets where legendary scribes including Miguel de Cervantes, Federico Garcia Lorca, and Lope de Vega once lived and imbibed. If you’ve got up nice and early you’ll be thinking of elevenses, or more than likely lunch is beckoning, so here are my tips for some traditional institutions and foods you must look out for:

CHOCOLATE HEAVEN

For breakfast, elevenses or a mid-afternoon pick me up, head for Chocolateria San Gines. You’ll know you are there when you see the queue which normally snakes 100m down the street.

Open since 1894, the walls are lined with the most famous clientelle its possible to imagine, including Pele, Tony Curtis, Maradona, President Carter and Tina Turner.

For warm days and evenings it also now has a terrace outside to take in the wonderful Madrid weather.

Make sure you include breakfast in your rate as it’s among the best in Madrid.

Visit www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/madczthe-westin-madrid-cuzco for more information

HISTORIC TREATS: After a visit to Plaza Mayor and Don Quixote and his creator Cervantes (top) in Plaza Espana, it’s time for Churros or

Photos by Jon Clarke

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

of cups of chocolate, plates of churros and fatter than possible porras and somehow carry them off into annexes, basements and corners.

For speed, if it’s not too cold outside grab a terrace table - or head to the takeaway window where your reward will arrive in a paper cup and bag!

As the manager told me they might get 5,000 clients in a morning, 2,000 in the afternoon and 2,000 in the evening. “It just never stops,” she explained.

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL

It’s just gone midday and time for some snacks and your first cold cana (obviously Mahou, the only beer the true Madrilenos can possibly consider).

Zarajos and entresijos are among the curious and colourful range of earthy offerings you’ll find in some of the back street bars of the city. A bowl of snails with chorizo is also a very typical tapa, as is a plate of pigs ears (orejas) in the Embajadores district.

The zarajos (sheep intestines) usually come on a wooden skewer and are lightly barbecued. “You need to eat them slowly and savour them,” explained teacher Cristina Herrera, 31 (left).

Meanwhile, entresijos - the ‘mesentery’ of a lamb, which joins their small intestines to their abdomens - are not dissimilar to wild mushrooms, but slightly chewier. Another unusual tapa is gallinejas, or chitterlings, which are the intestines of a suckling pig.

MEATBALLS IN

MALASANA

The very opposite of Michelin starred fare, croquettes and meatballs (far left) may sound a bit dull, but try them at Casa Julio and your whole perception of these basic Madrid staples will change.

RECORD-BREAKING:

Madrilenos have been eating these delicious morsels here for a century and the Malasana restaurant, which opened in 1921, has been patronised by the likes of U2, who filmed a photo shoot here in 2003.

The very definition of a spit and sawdust joint in a grotty backstreet, best of all are the prices, which might get you a slice of bread in DiverXo.

SLICE OF HISTORY

Looking for a proper slap up meal then head to Botin, which is the oldest restaurant in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records

Open since 1725, Hemingway and Graham Greene waxed lyrical about the place and it’s the spot that foreign dignitaries are usually taken for a bit of authentic Madrid.

The legend goes that its wood oven has never gone out and the dish to try is roast suckling pig (pictured left), sad as it may be, and easily one of the most succulent and richest meals you’ll eat anywhere in the world… But don’t have it for supper!

Sure, you might also try roast lamb, but I prefer it in nearby Segovia or Pedraza, where it just seems to have the edge.

www.botin.es

CASA VARONA

For something a bit more modern try 150 year old Casa Varona In the heart of Barrio de las Letras.

Open since 1877, it’s a no nonsense, great value tapas joint, with plenty of recipes reaching back a century or so.

Excellent wines by the glass, and an original list of their wares that serves as a tick box for what you fancy, be it fishy or meaty.

I particularly loved the home cooked gammon ham with Gorgonzola on toast, while a boiled egg recipe from the owner’s great grandfather was original, coming with tuna and mayonnaise.

Best of all though was the typical Madrileno dish of thistle stew with clams cooked in a hot pot.

www.casavarona.com

SHARPEST TOOL IN THE BOX

It was once an ancient ironmonger on one of the busiest, scruffiest, thoroughfares from Atocha station into the heart of the city.

Now Ferreteria is one of the hippest spots in Madrid.

Beautifully designed you walk into what was once the shop with floor to ceiling wooden cupboards, which were once full of every nail, screw and light fitting imaginable.

You can perch at the bar or various spots in the entrance area, or try and get one of the tables in the expansive interior that goes down into a series of vaults underground.

Charm personified, this is where the chefs are found and the menu is full of alluring dishes, very much with a Madrid flavour.

This includes the meal of the moment,

Torreznos, which are basically pork scratchings (or effectively roast suckling pig). Delicious, but make sure you share them though as they come in a very generous portion.

www.ferreteriarestaurante.com

THE BARRERA NECESSITIES

Ok, OK, Restaurante Barrera may only be two decades old, but the recipes here reach back centuries.

One of the most no-nonsense places to eat in the city, it was chosen as one of the favourites of top London importer of Spanish produce, Brindisa, in a recent list.

I’d never heard of it and, no wonder, it sits in a highly unfashionable out of the way place, up on Calle Alonso Cano.

A bit Adams family, a bit French rural, it apparently featured in a Netflix documentary a few years ago. But what you first notice is peeling paintwork and a light bulb missing.

Ignore all that for Ana, who comes from the small nearby village of Santa Maria de la Alameda is a massive foodie, who sources her ingredients daily from the local markets.

So yes, there is no actual menu and your receipt, if you need one, will be hand-written and stamped… but you will definitely eat well.

This was clear when we were thrust a delicious ensaladilla with hot almonds and pumpkin seeds as an amuse bouche.

The artichoke hearts with foie, aubergine jam and pomegranates (below) couldn’t be more seasonal - and were delicious!

We’re soon talking about seasonality in cooking and her favourite Arabic-style way to cook quinces, while she admits the Boletus mushrooms, I like the sound of, are frozen. No worries, I tell her, and they turn out to be delicious, chunky and gelatinous. Then came the hake (merluza) which was oven baked and came with a typical pimiento de pequillo - red pepper - deep red and proud! The kid chops are a bit too rangy and so typical of the meseta... Tasty but short of flesh... And come from Jaén as it turns out!

An amazing lemon meringue pie - quite different to anything seen in Madridmore than makes up for it though.

POST DINNER DRINKS

Tablao Villa Rosa is one of the most beautiful bars in the world. Having featured in a couple of Pedro Almodovar’s films (almost all of them are set in the capital or nearby), it is a great place to take a glass of wine or cana while often being able to watch some flamenco or a jazz singer. Later, it becomes a bit of drinking den and a place to meet friends.

January 15th - January 28th 2025 15

The two traditional haunts to hang out are Malasaña and Santa Ana where there are hundreds of buzzing bars to traipse around.

A more traditional and glamorous place that has been open for a century is Chicote, which actually calls itself a ‘museum’. Up on Gran Via this is where Hemingway would hold court after a bullfight or when he was trying to impress a lady, during one of his many stays in the city.

CHIC IT OUT

You’ll now be ready to take your excursion into the early hours, of which Madrid is famous.

It was also where Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Sofia Loren would come for a margarita thanks to the skills of barman Pedro Chicote who learned his trade at the nearby Ritz hotel. www.museochicote.com

OP Puzzle solutions

Across: 1 Suburb, 5 Groans, 8 Cog, 9 Intrigue, 10 Reddish, 11 Cider, 13 Inns, 15 Leg, 16 Eats, 18 Itchy, 20 Likened, 23 Immobile, 24 Tax, 25 Gypsum, 26 Sparse.

Down: 2 Unclean, 3 Urged, 4 By itself, 5 Guts, 6 Orifice, 7 Nouse, 12 Ugliness, 14 Schools, 17 The Axis, 19 Tammy, 21 Extra, 22 Firm.

TASTY: Toasts at Casa Varona and the generous torreznos at Ferreteria (below left)

NIGHTLIFE: at Villa Rosa and (below) drinks at Chicole

Botin is world’s oldest restaurant, while (right) two dishes at Barrera

A SPANISH mayor is under investigation for ‘offending religion’ after he imitated the famous Popemobile.

Carlos Martinez, the mayor of Soria, has been summoned to testify as a defendant after he arrived in a ‘Popemobile’, leading to accusations that he intentionally mocked the Christian faith.

Happy New Year!

COMMUTERS in the Campo de Gibraltar faced a nasty New Year surprise when bus fares mysteriously tripled on the first day of 2025 after a technical error.

Top

translators

According to a study by Education First (EF), Galicia and Madrid have the best English levels in Spain while Extremadura and La Rioja have the worst.

Bomb scare

GUARDIA Civil agents in Sevilla found a mortar bomb dating back to the Spanish Civil War, though it was not explosive.

MOONMAKER

Spanish engineer chosen to lead NASA’s ambitious Gateway project

AMERICAN space agency

NASA has chosen a Spanish engineer from Malaga to help lead its flagship programme to return humans to the moon.

Carlos García-Galan, 50, has been named deputy manager of the Gateway program - a crucial component of NASA’s Artemis mission that aims to establish a permanent human presence on the moon.

The appointment marks a significant milestone for Spain

By Walter Finch

in its involvement in international space exploration, with NASA Director Vanessa Wynche praising Garcia-Galan’s exceptional credentials.

“Carlos is an outstanding engineer and leader, and I’m thrilled to announce his appointment,” said Wynche.

“His experience in human spaceflight, international col-

EMBARRASSED cops are investigating after burglars raided an unmanned police station with no security system and stole a weapons cache. Eight guns plus ammunition were taken from the Els Poblets station in Alicante, which is not manned overnight.

Thieves sawed off one of the security bars on a window and then forced it open to get inside.

The new leader of the PSOE in Castilla y Leon will face the judge on February 5 after he rode the vehicle through town, ‘blessing’ citizens using a wet toilet brush. He is charged with a crime of mockery.

laboration, and spacecraft development will be a tremendous asset to Gateway.”

The Malaga-born engineer

RED FACES

Eight Walther 9mm pistols were stolen along with 16 bullet magazines totalling 240 rounds. Els Poblets mayor, Jose Luis Mas, said: “I’m worried what the pistols will be used for.” He said security cameras will now be installed.

brings 27 years of experience in human spaceflight to the role, including extensive work on the International Space Station as an air controller in both Houston and Russia's

Korolev space center.

Gateway represents a new approach to lunar exploration, functioning as an orbital outpost around the moon.

Unlike the Apollo missions of the 1960s, which took astronauts directly to the lunar surface, Gateway will serve as a staging post for both lunar landings and potentially deeper space missions.

NASA's Artemis program, combines several key elements including the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion capsule - the latter featuring a European-built service module.

Citizens from the Spanish Christian Lawyers Foundation voiced their outrage at the incident which occurred last August during a festival in Tardelcuende. Martinez claims he didn’t ‘intend’ to mock Christianity and has apologised for the ‘silly mistake’ and ‘controversy’. Referring to the court case, he claimed ‘we need to respect the course of justice’. His accusers claim the mayor has committed a crime of mockery (art. 522 of the Criminal Code).

With a UNESCO world heritage site offering 120,000 years of human history and only short drive from the Costa del Sol, enjoy the warmth of the British Gibraltarians and splash out VAT-free in Sterling.

Gibraltar. Sun, sea and history served with a very British twist.

For further information call: Gibraltar Tourist Board +350 200 74950

Or to download a brochure go to: www.visitgibraltar.gi