OLIVE PRESS
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Vol. 5 Issue 125
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Take a drive on the ELECTRIC wild side with our OP Motoring special S TIONS inside
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February 2022 FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla
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Cash incentives for electric cars are introduced in Spain as we take a look at popular options
PAIN has pledged to make the entire country carbon them into the reach of By Dilip Kuner neutral by 2050, and for many more people’s wallets. to happen cars are goingthis One of the most unusual to the country. have to get greener. Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed will be the Volkswagen It’s automotive plan focuses on the iary plans toGroup’s SEAT subsid- the US market where squarely at from Volvo’s environmentally-friendly team up with power ‘trucks’ are a new electric company Iberdrola huge segment, this retro-futuristic perforand hybrid car industry to build Spain’s and aims to first battery mance arm make the technology cheaper, factory for Electric Vehi- ‘space machine’ is sure to make it (the other, the and cles (EVs). to Spain at some point. easier to use and access across the Volkswagen 1, is a hybrid country. has previously an- Clad in dent-proof stainless steel petrol-electric), it looks like something nounced its intention to Special incentives have out of been rolled alternabattery plants across build six EV Max, and according to Tesla Mad and out over the coming Europe, with boss tive models years to encourage the three earmarked for Elon Musk it will be a ‘really tough, and specs are ownership of green the Spain/Portugal/ not fake-tough’ truck. planned Mind you, he ended for vehicles, both private The government southern France up with egg this area. and commercial. In total, the govern- on his face at the vehicle’s launch Apartyear. from its when he tried to prove is granting The Spanish government its durability green is granting motor, ment has approved an €3.75 billion towards through a series of ‘torture tests’. Volvo €3.75bn to has All was going well until Musk also €800 million fund up making electric and hurled i n t r o d u c a steel ball at the vehicle make electric hybrid until the end of 2023, and shat- frameless e d cars cheaper mirrors and a lightwhich is available now. than petrol and diesel tered its ‘armoured’ glass. cars cheaper The interior is er-than-leather vegan interior While Tesla has been Private buyers can to buy by 2027. fabric low, flat floor andminimalist, with a the leader designed a vibe that Nissan claim up to €7,000, But there is no need in EVs (particularly in the publicity a wetsuit. to mimic the durability of calls ‘lounge-like’. with companies buying to wait that long if you stakes) it will have more competi- A pair claimed range of aroundIt has a fleets to use wish to of electric motors work tion than ever this year, 300 miles as taxis eligible for more. help with with main- 27-module Vans can manufacturerssave the planet. Car stream manufacturers lithium ion battery packa and pricing is from around €40,000. attract subsidies of up have been developThis performance and to €9,000. ready to unveil a slew of not only to deliver an impressive 402 horseing electric vehicles for These incentives follow years wrapped in a package luxury will be nology models, but alsolatest-tech- power, and a range of up to with a range ment pledge to promote a govern- While still more expensive thannow. 275 of 200 miles. It ahead of miles. But all battery pro- traditional their costs from around this comes duction in Spain and push contemporaries, subsi- the game. at a price with the luxFor build quality €75,000. ufacture of electric vehiclesthe man- dies and scrappage schemes are neering Volvo and top-class engi- ury car costing from in Meanwhile bringing Their Polestaris worth a close look. €59,900. The compaThe Audi e-tron swagen’s ID.4 VolkEXPENSIVE: 2 five-seater brings ny SUV aims to sell Volvo polish and Swedish is aimed squarely The Audi style to units this year. 65,000 GT is a sleek at taking on Tescompete with Tesla’s e-tron GT Model 3. It When it comes is the second vehicle electric sedan la. Starting prices to mainto come stream manufacturers, are from around with loads of Nissan was one of the €46,000 in Spain first to enter the marand it has a range of power ket. Its LeafEV now has 250 miles. sales of nearly half a Staying with the Germillion. man marques, the Audi e-tron GT is a sleek, The car giant is aiming electric seto dan with loads build on this success of power and polish. hav- Behind the streamlined ing recently launched bodywork the Ariiya, a more stylish take is some architecture shared with the Porsche Taycan EV. on emission-free t r a n s - With 590 horsepower, portation. the two-moThe five-passenger SUV tor GT should accelerate from zero features a surprisingly to 60 miles per hour in an impresaggressive look, with some sive three seconds, and will be able to gain an 80% charge swoopy, concave in just and wheels pushed to thesurfacing minutes. The car is top-of-the 20 rancorners. geo expect to pay €100,000 plus.
voice in Spain
www.theolivepress.es February 25th - March 10th 2022
THE family of a missing British man believe he may have died in mysterious circumstances in Spain. The sister of Michael Brittain told the Olive Press she thinks it is ‘likely’ a body discovered recently in a ravine is her brother Michael. Police confirmed last month that the body of a 40-year-old man was found by a German hiker near Orgiva, in Granada. A month earlier the Olive Press revealed an expat’s dog had unearthed a skull whilst on a walk in the same area. Now we can reveal clothes and some dreadlocks also turned up near the body. “A purple sweater, some jeans and a pair of small shoes were found next to the skeleton,” said the Romanian expat. They have since been taken by officers from the Guardia Civil for analysis. According to his sister, Nod, as he is known, had dreadlocks, as well as size seven feet. He lived in Orgiva in 2014, having arrived from the UK
MYSTERY: Dragon the dog (right) dug up the skull here
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Is it him? EXCLUSIVE by Elena Goçmen Rueda
two decades ago. Bizarrely, he had brought ‘drilling gear’ to dig his own well on a plot he acquired there. The family believes the discovery could be the explanation for his whereabouts. “We tried to find him 11 years ago and found out he was in Orgiva at a travellers commune,” explained Michelle. “This could explain why nobody has seen him since,” she said. “He left school at 16 and always lived an alternative lifestyle”, Michelle added. He is 5 foot 8 (1,72cm), of light to medium build. The Guardia Civil told the Olive Press the skull and skeleton had been sent for analysis, adding: “We have suspicions about who it may be, but until we have the test results, we must be cau-
NEWS
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Skull found at alternative community near Granada is ‘not’ missing Dutch expat, but man in his 40s
I MISS HIM: Michelle with ‘Nod’ and (inset) our original story
IT was during a short with her dog before takingwalk the kids to school that an got the most incredible expat shock of her life. Wrapped up warmly the winter morning in against the Alpujarras, near Granada, had no idea why Dragon she started scratching madly at the earth. Walking over she was fied to discover that thehorriman Shepherd cross had Gerdug up a skull that she immediately knew was human. Initially thinking it was tim of the Spanish Civil a vicWar, she later realised on returning to retrieve it that it was more recently deceased. much
Horrified
“It was definitely fresher and smelled quite a lot,” the Romanian expat, who asked to be named, told the not Olive Press.
“My initial thoughts that it probably belongedwere to a victim from the Civil War, as there were many people cuted in this region and exein unmarked graves. buried “But when I picked it and put it into a plasticup later bag to stop Dragon from chewing it, I knew it was much more recent.” The mother-of-two, who has
December 3rd December 16th 2021
Gruesome discovery
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EXCLUSIVE By Elena Goçmen Rueda
lived in Spain for 11 years, soon got the father of her had children to contact the Guardia Civil, in nearby Orgiva. A patrol car was quickly on the scene, by the new age settlement of Beneficio, near nar, where the expats live. CaAfter taking the bag for safe storage, they went with her to visit the macabre site, which sits just below the main car park of the alternative community. They looked around and, oddly, found no further bones or DRAGON: Found the remains. skull by the tree (below) Civil confirmed the There was no sign of discovery to the Olive clothes or any other Press and announced personal items, nor an investigation had any signs of a struggle. been launched. Expats told the Olive Press However, he denied they had initially believed that it belonged to the ‘missing’ the head was that of a Dutch woman and was woman named Linda,Dutch likely’ a man in his 40s. ‘most had an abusive partner who and a “The Judicial Police teenage son. have taken over the investigation “She had very distinctive teeth and it has now been taken and we immediately suspectto a laboratory in Sevilla ed it was Linda,” said for its one. study,” he said. “She left in strange circum“DNA will be extracted stances and we were worried He added: “We can assure released to the Missing and about her.” that it is not Linda, who you sons database within the PerA spokesman for the Guardia next and sound and living in is safe two months.” a commune elsewhere in Europe.”
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Global mafia boss snared in giant international crime clampdown centred in Mallorca IT will go down as one of the largest international money-laundering probes in recent years. Over 600 police from at least five national crime agencies have united to bring down one of Europe’s key mafia bosses. Based out of Mallorca, Bashkim Osmani had run his global drug smuggling empire, which is suspected of laundering at least €30 million over more than a decade. Until this week, when the 55-year-old Kosovan was finally snared at a hotel in Croatia in a co-operation between Spain’s Guardia Civil and National Police. His family meanwhile, including his wife, were picked up at their
By George Mathias
stunning €5 million mansion overlooking Andratx. Agencies including the FBI and the UKs National Crime Agency are probing the millions he has invested globally in real estate, artworks, and high-end cars. A total of 18 properties were raided in Mallorca and Formentera alone, with €200,000 in cash and €40,000 in cryptocurrencies seized, along with several luxury watches. One of the locations raided was the Ritzy restaurant, in Portals. A dozen firearms, ten kilos of cocaine and 13 high-end vehicles were impounded in the raids that also took place in Belgium. His operation amassed a fortune from a lucrative narcotics operation that imported cocaine from South America.
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He also made millions from a property empire that included hotels, restaurants, villas and casinos. Osmani is believed to have had high end contacts in the Croatian government, including the former head of the Croatian secret service. In Belgium, where he also had influential contacts, police arrested 30 people and seized €1.3
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million in cash. He is now being held in a maximum security prison in Croatia, while he awaits transfer to Mallorca, which was the hub of his operation. It was here, on the island, that he hosted at least 10 ‘summits’ for international crime networks over the last decade. Guests comprised a series of prominent figures from the European mafia world who would stay in luxury hotels in Calvia. Investigators claim it is ‘crucial’ that he is brought to Mallorca and fear that he would receive ‘preferential treatment’ from the Croatian authorities, should he be tried there. His lawyer released a statement
saying Osmani ‘hopes to be transferred to Spain as soon as possible’ and that he considers the accusations to be ‘completely unfounded’. Presently, no date has been set for his extradition.
Prison
Osmani and his brother Burim have become notorious entrepreneurs, both in Germany, where one arm of their network is based, and in the Balearics. In 2008, both brothers were arrested by a task force for laundering millions of euros. Osmani was sentenced to several years in prison, but later was released and fined €900,000.
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NEWS IN BRIEF Hard to swallow A BRAZILIAN man aged 38 has been arrested after an x-ray revealed he had swallowed 103 sachets of cocaine. Police at Palma airport had stopped him because he seemed nervous.
Bad language A LAW change in the Balearics that gives schools more freedom to decide which language they teach in has irked nationalists who say it is an attempt to bolster Catalan at the expense of Spanish.
Not so Lidl THE largest Lidl in the Balearic Islands has opened in Inca. It provides 25 new jobs, has a sales area of 1.700 square metres, 80 parking spaces and four electric vehicle charging points.
ID row THE Balearic Government has demanded that electronic ID’s include official languages Catalan, Galician and Basque. At the moment they are issued in Castilian and English.
A RETIRED university lecturer is facing trial after she punched her 90-year-old mum to the ground then kicked her in the head. Prosecutors allege that the daughter had visited her mother’s Palma home and banged on the door. On getting no response she called a locksmith.
Family feud
As he started work the door was opened by the older woman accompanied by her son. An argument started with the mother refusing to let her daughter in. Eventually she relented only to be punched in the
February 25th - March 10th 2022 face then kicked as she lay on the floor before the son intervened and a neighbour called police. A court immediately banned the daughter from approaching within 300 metres of her mum. The defendant is now due to stand trial in March charged with violent crime.
IT WASN’T US!
A PAIR of Swedes accused of setting fire to a nightclub claim police have got the wrong men. Prosecutors allege the men robbed and set fire to a brothel in Palma and are calling for them to be jailed for five years. The events took place in 2019, when two men went to nightclub s’Aigo Dolça for several
Swedish duo deny setting fire to brothel after being thrown out By Elena Goçmen Rueda
hours before being ordered to leave at closing time. Armed with a large stone, they later returned and
gained access to by breaking a window. Once inside they stole a telephone, a music system, a tablet PC and several bottles of alcohol. Before leaving the brothel,
Wrong man
Hair-raising
A 22-year-old woman was arrested after stabbing a man she thought was a police officer. The woman had entered the Hotel Playa Sol in Arenal with two friends then got into an argument with the receptionist after being told there were no rooms available. She then confronted a guest who she assumed was a cop. The argument escalated and spilled out onto the street where the woman stabbed the victim in the side. He managed to get back inside the hotel and the receptionist called police.
A MAN who held up a hairdresser with a fake gun has been jailed for nearly three years. A court heard that he had burst into the Sa Pobla shop and pointed the gun at the owner’s head while telling her to ‘give him everything she had’. But the woman refused and, joined by several female employees, a struggle ensued with the would-be robber fleeing. A man passing by on a motorbike began to chase him, but pulled out when the man pointed the fake pistol at him. The offender was arrested later that same day and has now been sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison.
they set fire to the place. The fire caused extensive damage to the club and the adjoining premises. But now the two men aged 24 and 26 arrested for the incident say they are victims of mistaken identity and had never been to the club, or even recognise the street. They claim video footage of the arsonists is not them. One said: “The first time I heard the name of the club was when I was arrested by the police.”
Arcade
But the club owner insisted he recognised them, saying: “I talked to them. One of the boys even told me that he was famous on Instagram and showed me his account.” The club owner, a worker at a nearby arcade and a homeless man also recognised the defendants as those who returned hours later The trial continues.
Sickle cell AN expat who assaulted a man with a sickle ended up in a cell for two weeks. Now the German has been released after he paid €4,000 bail. The 36-year-old had seen a woman he thought was being assaulted inside a car in the early hours of the morning in s’Arenal. He then went home, grabbed a sickle returned to slash the alleged assailant. When police arrived, they took the victim to hospital. But the woman denied he had been assaulting her, so the German was instead arrested and initially remanded in custody.
Fugitive caught A FUGITIVE German fraudster has been arrested in Palma where he had been hiding for 18 months. The 60-year-old, whose name has not been released, was the subject of a European arrest warrant. The suspect is accused of swindling €300,000 in Germany between June 2019 and November 2020 before fleeing to the Balearics. But his quiet life on the run came to an end this week when officers tracked him down in s’Arenal. The National Court has remanded him in custody pending extradition to Germany.
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February 25th
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SPANISH golfer Jon Rahm has been named as the European Tour’s player of the year. It is the second time in three seasons that he has received the honour. He took the 2021 award after a year in which he became the first Spaniard to win the US Open. He also spent 27 weeks world number one - the only other Spanish golfer to reach the position was Seve Ballesteros. Rahm also took three-and-a-half points in five
SCOTTISH DJ Calvin Harris - AKA Love Regenerator - has put his Los Angeles home up for sale for $25million (€22 million) as he makes a move to Ibiza permanent. The 38-year-old, real name Adam Wiles, has left the glitz and glamour of LA behind for a ‘simpler life’ on Terra Masia, a farm in Santa Eularia des Riu. The 56 hectare finca boasts of being ‘the biggest organic farm on Ibiza’. A sustainable life it may be, but it is also important to the local economy.
matches at the Ryder Cup, making him Europe’s leading points scorer. Not only did he win the US Open, but he showed remarkable consistency by finishing in the top eight in the other three majors. The 27-year-old from Barrika near Bilbao had previously won the accolade in 2019. He was marked out for stardom at a young age, leading the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a record 60 weeks.
L ving Ibiza
From decks to donkeys; superstar DJ settles into expat life in Spain
Eggs
He employs a legion of farmers and chefs, and produces eggs, wine, vegetables and free range meat. Harris will also host ‘events’ on the premises and is said to get his hands dirty mucking in around the farm. Although the Dumfries-born star - who famously worked in a fish processing factory while he scraped together enough money to buy DJ gear - has put his LA home up for sale, it is unlikely he
LIFE CHANGE: Harris in his DJ pomp but is now more down to earth needs the cash to pay for his new Ibizan adventure. His hits including Feel So
Close and Summer, plus One Kiss with Dua Lippa, which won a Brit award, and Ri-
Twice as good SPANISH actors Javier Bardem and wife Penelope Cruz (pictured) have become just the sixth husband and wife to be nominated for an actors’ Oscar in the same year. Bardem, 52, is hoping to scoop the Best Actor award for his role as Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2008 for his role as psychopathic assassin Anton Chigurh in the Coen Brothers’ modern western drama film No Country for Old Men Cruz, 47, won Best Supporting Actress in Woody Allen’s Vicki Cristina Barcelona in 2009. She is nominated for Best Actress in Pedro Almodovar’s Parallel Mothers. Previous married couples to be nominated are: Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt, Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra, Elsa Lanchester and Charles Laughton, Rachel Roberts and Rex Harrison, and Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
KIM CLARK
hanna’s We Found Love, and many more, earned around €212 million between 2013 and 2016. He is estimated to be worth €265 million. He topped Forbes’s list of the world’s highest-paid DJs for six consecutive years from 2013 to 2018. Harris is no stranger to Ibiza in his DJ persona, having regularly been the lead star at a string of the party island’s biggest events.
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February 25th - March 10th 2022
Deepika in love BOLLYWOOD and Hollywood crossover star Deepika Padukone is expected to arrive in Spain for filming next month after initial plans were derailed by a drugs scandal. T h e 36-yearold Copenhagen-born Indian actress had been due to visit Mallorca and Cadiz last October to film a romantic song sequence for latest Bollywood blockbuster Pathan opposite super-star Shah Rukh Khan. But when 56-yearold SRK’s (as he is known) son Aryan Khan was arrested in a drugs case the plans were scuppered. Khan junior spent 26 days in custody before he was bailed and SRK felt able to resume work. Padukone will also star in an upcoming cross-cultural romantic comedy in her second Hollywood movie. Her first was opposite Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage.
VISIT: Padukone will be in Mallorca and Cadiz
TIKTOK TRANS TRANS activist and popular TikToker Daniela Requena has been appointed to a key socialist leadership role in Valencia. The 30-year-old journalist will be the secretary of LGTBI and Diversity within the new executive of the PSPV. Under the name Daniela Sirena she has accumulated more than 825,000 followers on TikTok where she has posted videos explaining her sexual reassignment surgery.
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NEWS
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Rocking the island HEARTTHROB Jason Momoa (below) is in Mallorca filming a new series on rock-climbing. The actor is an avid climber and has been tackling the Devil's Cave in Porto Cristo as part of a new tv series The Climb, to be shown on HBO. The show follows amateurs as they train and attempt to compete in the ‘World’s Best Amateur Rock Climber‘ competition. The Game of Thrones and Aquaman star is to present alongside Chris Sharma, a professional considered by some to be the best climber in the world. The pair began climbing together in their teenage years. The 42-year-old Hawaii born actor incorporated climbing into his fitness regime in preparation for the Aquaman movies. Production teams have also been seen in Alt Urgell and Pallars Jussa in Catalunya.
MALLORCAN Luna Fluxa has become the first girl to join Mercedes F1 teams’ junior driving programme. The 11-year-old is the current IAME Euro Series champion in the X30 Mini karting category. Last week she attended the launch of the Mercedes W13 car for the 2022 season, meeting seven-time world champion Lewis
February 25th - March 10th 2022
Merc-ing history Basketball hooligans
Hamilton and rising star George Russell, describing the experience as ‘incredible’. Luna says she is fully focussed on the upcoming junior karting championship: “This year my goal will be to learn and do the best I can. Ultimately though, being the first female to be on the Formula 1 grid for Mercedes is what this young Mallorcan girl dreams of,” she said.
Water emergency A NATIONAL ‘drought committee’ will be set up within days. The body will take an urgent look at water levels around the country’s heavily depleted reservoirs. A severe lack of winter rainfall has seen Spain experience one of its worst droughts of the last century, according to climate scientists. The decision comes after a meeting with EU agricultur-
National drought committee being set up to tackle dramatic lack of rainfall By Dilip Kuner
al ministers and numerous pleas from local hoteliers and other tourist bodies. The reservoir levels sit at around half of their usual levels for this time of year. “The drought committee will discuss with the autonomous
Waste not want not A €200 million green project has been announced to recycle organic waste. The project, called ‘close the circle’, outlines several sustainable development goals and includes the construction of five waste treatment plants in Marratxi, Santa Margalida, Calvia, Felanitx and Llucmajor. The treatment plants are expected to produce
more than 80,000 tons of compost per year and can be used for sustainable farming. At present, much of the compost used in the Balearics is imported at a premium price, costing around €70 per tonne The compost produced by the treatment plants will reduce the cost to just €3 per tonne.
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communities, to see what measures we can propose,” explained Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas. The Baleares have in recent years suffered from water shortages, and this is one of the reasons cited for a recently announced freeze on tourism accommodation. The ban applies to new hotels
as well as apartment rentals on all four islands - Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera and Mallorca. When the freeze expires in 2026 it will be left to each island’s government to decide how many tourism beds it can support. President of the Baleares Government Francina Armengol said that the aim is to focus on quality rather than quantity. She said that the government must think ‘not only of the visitors, but also of the residents and workers’. The Baleares received a record 16.4 million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic, with over-tourism blamed for soaring rent prices, water shortages and air pollution from rental cars.
POLICE had to be called to throw out 30 rowdy spectators from a girls’ basketball match. They had been watching the Santa Monica women's match for 14 and 15 year-olds when feelings ran too high. Coaches of the opposing team El Montuiri and the referees were verbally abused and threatened by spectators. They also spilled onto the court where one of the referees was jostled. Police were called, who ejected the spectators for causing a disturbance. After the match the referees included the incident in their match report and the basketball federation has taken swift action, banning Santa Monica coaches Xavi Sastre for eight games and his son, also Xavi, for five games.
Earthquake felt MALLORCA was struck by two minor earthquakes in Deia and Bunyola on Tuesday. In Deia the tremor was registered 2.2 on the Richter scale whilst in Bunyola, it registered 2.5, being felt in Santa Maria, Marratxi and parts of Palma at around 7.40pm. No injuries or material damage was reported.
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Nearly 70 Catholic church child abuse cases currently being investigated AN alarming 68 cases of child sex abuse connected to the Catholic Church are currently being investigated in Spain. The total was announced after the government ordered the 17 regional prosecutors to send details of all current probes linked to the church. Some 14 of the investigations are taking place in Catalunya, followed by eight in the Madrid region. Andalucia and Galicia have declared seven probes each with six in Murcia. Asturias, Cantabria, Extremadura, La Rioja and Navarra reported no criminal proceedings currently underway.
NEWS
February 25th March 10th 2022
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NUMBERS REVEALED By Alex Trelinski
The investigations cover child sexual abuse in churches and Catholic schools. The government has decided to launch a nationwide probe to tackle the problem, in line with recent action in France, Germany and the US.
Denial
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ordered it after the Spanish Bishops' Conference said it would merely set up commissions at a local diocese level to hear complaints
BEGGARS BELIEVE A MUSICAL based around a beggar who wins Spain’s El Gordo Christmas lottery has launched in Madrid. El Sobre Verde kicked off this week at the Teatro de la Zarzuela, in Madrid. The popular revue has come to exemplify the ‘roaring 20’s’ in Spain. It centres on protagonist Don Nicanor, a poor beggar who waits in line to watch the Christmas draw. He runs into the goddess of fortune, who grants him the winning ticket in exchange for a good deed. The musical first premiered at the Victoria Theatre in Barcelona in 1927 and was wildly popular.
from victims. The evidence would be gathered and sent to the Vatican to decide on what to do. It also denied there was a problem, claiming only 220 cases had been investigated between 2001 a n d
2021, while the Jesuit order claimed only 81 children had been abused since 1927.
Dossier
In France, in comparison, a recent official report cited 216,000 victims by up to 3,200 paedophile priests since 1950. Sanchez decided the country needed to get in line with France, handing the overseeing of the independent probe to the ombudsman. It came after El Pais handed over a dossier to Pope Francis in December cataloguing the abuse of at least 1,237 victims by priests in Spain over a 75-year period.
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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION LET IT RAIN IT’S been a marvelous winter in Spain, as far as most expats are concerned. But there is an alarming downside to the endless clear skies and unseasonably warm weather interrupted only rarely with the odd blustery day. The frightening truth is that after one of the driest winters on record, Spain is headed for an extreme drought… one of the worst. If we don’t see seriously heavy rainfall in March and April to fill the reservoirs we’re in for a summer of water restrictions. And that doesn’t just mean a hose pipe ban. It has dire consequences not just for our gardens and golf courses, but for Spain’s entire agriculture industry. Years of water mismanagement and the draining of Spain’s valuable aquifers to irrigate illegal fruit farms only compound the problem threatening delicate nature reserves from Doñana to Las Tablas de Daimiel. The reservoirs are down at 30% for most of the costas and rain-fed crops including cereals, olives, nuts and vineyards face losing 60 to 80% of their production. The drought will also threaten Spain’s already vulnerable forested hillsides creating a tinder box ripe for wildfires. Let’s not forget Europe’s first ‘fifth generation fire’ in Andalucia’s Sierra Bermeja last summer. It could be much worse. Though nobody likes to see the famous Easter processions dampened by wet weather, especially this year when they will resume for the first time since the pandemic hit, we should all be praying for rain. PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es
Fiona Govan fiona@theolivepress.es
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AWARDS
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2012 - 2022 Best English language publication in Andalucia
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NEWS FEATURE
February 25th - March 10th 2022
DRYING UP
HE crumbling walls of a once-submerged village rising from the cracked mud of a dried up reservoir have become a powerful symbol of the water emergency facing Spain. And this isn’t dry, southern Spain. Water levels have fallen so low in verdant and normally rainy Galicia, that the village of Aceredo, flooded in 1992 to create a reservoir, is no longer resting beneath a picturesque lake. A crisis is brewing - one that has already seen fruit growers in RUNNING DRY: conflict with expat neighbours Reservoirs are over ‘water theft’ in some of the emptying to the country’s normally most tranquil extent that the corners. village of AcereOlive Press readers have also do (below) has reported how wildlife is suffering remerged to beas lakes and reservoirs dry up come a tourist and rivers recede. attraction The reason is simple. Rain isn’t falling ‘mainly on the plain’ – it’s barely falling at all. With historical first quarter lows for precipitation, Spain’s reserBy Jo Chipchase voirs have drained to worrying levels. Unless a deluge occurs in the coming weeks, a dire situation is In comparison, the Basque facing agriculture and consum- Country and Cantabria have ers, who are likely to face water 85% and 96% capacity in their restrictions soon. reservoirs, the Ebro 66% and The situation is bad throughout Leon 64%. Spain, with some of the worst af- So, what is making Spain so arid fected areas being in Andalucia this year? According to experts, - as well as Murcia, Extremadura it’s not just the lack of rainfall and Castilla la Mancha. causing the sorry situation – it’s According to the Junta’s Ministry too much demand. of Agriculture, the volume of pre- Among European countries, cipitation from September 2021 Spain is one of the heaviest wato February 5 is hovering around ter users. Some areas were on 60% below normal. drought alert back in summer The Olive Press 2021, despite recently reported the last hydrologthat across Spain year (October Agriculture is a ical reservoirs are 2020 to Septemkey culprit with ber 2021) having standing at just 44% of capacity. above average almost 4mn Malaga, meanrainfall – unlike while, has only this hydrological hectares of received 14.5% year so far. irrigated land of its usual rainAgriculture is a fall for this hydrokey culprit, with logical year so far Spain boasting aland reservoirs, such as La Vinu- most four million hectares of irriela sit at 15% capacity. gated land, compared to 2.5m in “At El Chorro, Ardales, water has Italy, 1.2m in Greece and 1.4m gone from half the area. For- in France. get the caravans and fishing, Almeria alone has 31,614 hectnow it’s dry and the freshwater ares of ‘sea of plastic’ greenmussels are dead,” reveals Ol- houses that dominate the landive Press reader Claire Yvonne scape of Adra, Nijar, El Ejido and Newman. Vícar. Reservoir levels in Granada are These are heavy consumers, at the lowest in a decade, falling with 80% of their water comto a third of capacity, while in the ing from underground aquifers, Guadalquivir basin levels sit at leading to over-exploitation, and 29%. 20% from desalination plants. The worst affected region is, per- There’s also a recent trend for haps unsurprisingly, Almeria at avocados and mangos to be just 7%. planted in Spain, with these subIn Valencia, the situation is tropical fruits taking the place slightly better, but Murcia is at of less water-intensive orange 21% and at Orihuela, in Alicante, crops. reader Anne Nelson explains: “I Illegal strawberry fields - some live near the Pedrera reservoir with wells tapping underground and it’s worrying for the wildlife aquifers - have also been acit supports. I’ve seen so many cused of draining water from the dead fish and even some turtle Doñana wetlands, which are a shells.” vital home to tens of thousands
Water disputes springing up as major drought stares Spain in the face
of migrating birds on their route between Africa and Europe. On top of that, some areas have been depopulated over time, leading to ‘acequias’ not being well-maintained. Other areas have become more densely populated, increasing localised water usage. Hydro electricity plants have also contributed to the problem. Rafael Seiz, head of the water programme at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), recently said: “Here, agriculture plays a fundamental role… they have always told us that, since it rains little in Spain, there is little water, but what about when it rains? Well, we don’t have water either.” With water reserves already diminished, Spain has three more months of crop irrigation to go. Even if crops are OK this year, the problem will be kicked down the line, damaging fruit – and livelihoods - next year. Spain’s fruit farms – particularly avocados – are receiving a lot of criticism. The Olive Press has received several reports of water theft by olive farmers and ‘regantes’ (water commissioners), which leaves residents with pipes running dry. “Avocados are too thirsty for Spain,” insists Helen King, of Villalonga, in Valencia. “The farmers are ripping out citrus trees and planting avocado trees, which make more money but which need more water. “Twice, our part of the village has fought to keep water flowing as the avocado growers are trying to force us to build a new irrigation canal to their fields and make us pay. “The avocado farmers are richer and pressurise the authorities. Town halls should be able to issue a planting permit because not all trees are suitable everywhere.” It is a similar story in the Alpujarras area of Granada. Water theft is such a problem there that Claire Marshall moved from Las Bar-
reras, near Orgiva, to the Granada/Almeria border to escape it. “Our neighbours tapped into our supply, using the municipal water as agricultural water. They installed a hidden tap on their property, before their own meter but on our supply, rendering our supply useless. “It got worse when he decided to plant avocados and pulled up his olive trees. This meant our house didn’t have any water during the summer. I had to get a tanker and it was no good for my horses. The town hall did nothing, despite knowing there was a problem for three years.” Another local expat, in Orgiva, who doesn’t want to be identified, said she has been threatened by the local ‘regantes’, who have diverted river water using large pipes that run 24/7 to irrigate their own avocado crops. She is now taking legal action as the local river is running dry. With water scarcity and irrigation already causing disputes, this problem is likely to worsen with a continuing drought and a potentially hot summer causing tempers to fray. Jose-Miguel Viñas of Meteored weather centre recently suggested that consumers could see water restrictions in their homes, as well as agriculture being affected. Without any rain over the next fortnight we will be weeks away from rationing. Jetwash Tentudia in Badajoz was one of the first municipalities to introduce water restrictions recently. These could soon apply to pools, parks, gardens, and golf courses across Spain. However, whether your swimming pool will be empty this summer could depend on your forward-planning and your location. One thing’s for sure: even if you try to limit your Jacuzzis and jet washing, demand is constantly outstripping supply. “Ask for water first, before planting”, moots Iñaki Hormaza of the Institute of Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture.
Future alarm
The problem of drought is not tions forecasts that freshwater going away. The United Nasupplies will decrease 40% by 2030. The EUCP Project - European suggests that the level of war Climate Prediction system, basin will outstrip the rest of ming in the Mediterranean the world, with the south becoming more arid and Andaluc more than 20 days above 40C ia potentially experiencing This will mean increasingly prol every summer. If nothing is done, we could seeonged drought cycles. Andalucia becoming like the more areas of our beloved Tabernas desert in Almeria, which has Wild Western film sets among its arid landscape.
TheOlivePRess-37x55-CAR.pdf
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ELECTRIC OPTIONS
February 2022 FIGHT ON: VW’s ID.4 is aimed at taking on Tesla
952 147 834
Cash incentives for electric cars are introduced in Spain as we take a look at popular options
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PAIN has pledged to make By Dilip Kuner the entire country carbon neutral by 2050, and for this to happen cars are going to the country. Volkswagen Group’s SEAT subsidhave to get greener. It’s automotive plan focuses on the iary plans to team up with power environmentally-friendly electric company Iberdrola to build Spain’s and hybrid car industry and aims to first battery factory for Electric Vehimake the technology cheaper, and cles (EVs). easier to use and access across the Volkswagen has previously announced its intention to build six EV country. Special incentives have been rolled battery plants across Europe, with three earmarked for out over the coming the Spain/Portugal/ years to encourage the southern France area. ownership of green vehicles, both private The government In total, the government is granting and commercial. is granting €3.75 billion towards The Spanish govern€3.75bn to making electric and ment has approved an €800 million fund up make electric hybrid cars cheaper than petrol and diesel until the end of 2023, cars cheaper to buy by 2027. which is available now. But there is no need Private buyers can to wait that long if you claim up to €7,000, with companies buying fleets to use wish to help save the planet. Car as taxis eligible for more. Vans can manufacturers have been developing electric vehicles for years now. attract subsidies of up to €9,000. These incentives follow a govern- While still more expensive than their ment pledge to promote battery pro- traditional contemporaries, subsiduction in Spain and push the man- dies and scrappage schemes are bringing ufacture of electric vehicles in
EXPENSIVE: The Audi e-tron GT
them into the reach of many more people’s wallets. One of the most unusual will be the Tesla Cybertruck. Aimed squarely at the US market where ‘trucks’ are a huge segment, this retro-futuristic ‘space machine’ is sure to make it to Spain at some point. Clad in dent-proof stainless steel it looks like something out of Mad Max, and according to Tesla boss Elon Musk it will be a ‘really tough, not fake-tough’ truck. Mind you, he ended up with egg on his face at the vehicle’s launch when he tried to prove its durability through a series of ‘torture tests’. All was going well until Musk hurled a steel ball at the vehicle and shattered its ‘armoured’ glass. While Tesla has been the leader in EVs (particularly in the publicity stakes) it will have more competition than ever this year, with mainstream manufacturers not only ready to unveil a slew of latest-technology models, but also ahead of the game. For build quality and top-class engineering Volvo is worth a close look. Their Polestar 2 five-seater brings Volvo polish and Swedish style to compete with Tesla’s Model 3. It is the second vehicle to come
from Volvo’s new performance arm (the other, the 1, is a hybrid petrol-electric), and alternative models and specs are planned for this year. Apart from its green motor, Volvo has also introduced frameless mirrors and a light- The interior is minimalist, with a er-than-leather vegan interior fabric low, flat floor and a vibe that Nissan designed to mimic the durability of calls ‘lounge-like’. It has a a wetsuit. claimed range of around 300 miles A pair of electric motors work with a and pricing is from around €40,000. 27-module lithium ion battery pack This performance and luxury will be to deliver an impressive 402 horse- wrapped in a package with a range power, and a range of up to 275 of 200 miles. It costs from around miles. But all this comes €75,000. at a price with the luxMeanwhile Volkury car costing from swagen’s ID.4 SUV The Audi e-tron €59,900. The compais aimed squarely ny aims to sell 65,000 at taking on TesGT is a sleek units this year. la. Starting prices electric sedan are from around When it comes to mainstream manufacturers, €46,000 in Spain with loads of Nissan was one of the and it has a range of power first to enter the mar250 miles. ket. Its LeafEV now has Staying with the Gersales of nearly half a man marques, the million. Audi e-tron GT is a sleek, electric seThe car giant is aiming to dan with loads of power and polish. build on this success hav- Behind the streamlined bodywork ing recently launched the is some architecture shared with Ariiya, a more stylish take the Porsche Taycan EV. on emission-free t r a n s - With 590 horsepower, the two-moportation. tor GT should accelerate from zero The five-passenger SUV to 60 miles per hour in an impresfeatures a surprisingly sive three seconds, and will be able aggressive look, with some to gain an 80% charge in just 20 swoopy, concave surfacing minutes. The car is top-of-the ranand wheels pushed to the corners. geo expect to pay €100,000 plus.
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MOORS LAST SIGH, COMARES
A DRIVE ON THE WILD SIDE
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HEN the Moors finally handed over the keys to the Alhambra and Granada in 1492 they didn’t immediately head back to north Africa. Understandably, they figured they could cling on in relative secrecy in the mountainous region of the Axarquia and the nearby Alpujarras. One of the key locations was Comares, where in the claustrophobic Calle del Pardon, 30
families of Moors were later spared their lives after publicly converting to Catholicism. Indisputably the spiritual heart of the Axarquia, Comares straddles a hilly outcrop and has heart-stopping views. The magical white-washed village is a maze of windy alleys full of Arabic touches and has set itself up well for tourists offering a clever guided tour by footsteps etched into the ground.
DOWN IN THE DIPS, RIOGORDO
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ake the MA-3107 from Comares and, stuck in a dip in one of the region’s many folds, you will find Riogordo, a gritty town, full of run-down houses and troll-like men in caps. You can really suck in the atmosphere of real Spain and, in particular, enjoy its excellent museum of antiquities, which gives a charming trip back in time to the days of sustainability.
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ROMANTIC VIEWS, ROMANES
ing a section of Scotland’s Western Highlands, make sure to stop for coffee or lunch at 400-yearold Venta Galway – which takes its name from an Irishman, who moved there when the British market couldn’t get enough of the area’s sweet muscatel wines. From here you get the perfect lookout over the Axarquia, a hamshaped wedge that cuts inland from the beach resorts of Torre Del Mar and Nerja and has much to offer in geography and culture, as well as increasingly in food and wine. Here, the Olive Press offers the perfect weekend escape into the Axarquia, dipping into a mix of restaurants, walks and sightseeing.
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FTER a leisurely lunch it is time to head for the coast. Retrace your steps down the way you came until you turn left onto the A-356. This will lead you to the picturesque village of Los Romanes, which has a couple of local spots to eat if you missed out on lunch at Alfarnate. It overlooks the stunning Lake Viñuela and is the perfect spot to just lounge and relax.
GEM OF A PLACE, VELEZ MALAGA
BANDITS ALL AROUND, ALFARNATE
HE Axarquia was famously the region most difficult for dictator Franco to pacify after he won the Spanish Civil War. Dissected by deep ravines and criss-crossed with streams, it is easy to see how the rebels, known as the Maquis, were able to take advantage of its confusing pattern of rutted hills to hide out and escape from army patrols. The region had previously been a haunt for bandoleros, or bandits, who preyed on traders carrying goods to Granada and for smugglers bringing contraband into Spain from Africa. Such was its volatile nature (the
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OMEHOW I hadn’t spotted the double loop on the Michelin map of Andalucia I’d bought at Foyles on the Charing Cross Road, a month before moving to Spain in 2002. But this topographical quirk - half way up the A-7000 out of Malaga city - was to add at least 20 minutes onto what looked like a simple 30-kilometre drive to my first rental home in Comares. It was up this road that I had headed when I first settled in Spain and it is easily one of the nicest ways to arrive in the Axarquia (pronounced Ass-Ikea), with your ears literally popping as it ascends into the Montes de Malaga national park. The equivalent of circumnavigat-
Take a road trip through Andalucia’s evocative Axarquia with Jon Clarke
C coast was regularly attacked by Barbary pirates) that the area’s inhabitants built fortified villages, with watchtowers in the hills inland. One of the best ways to appreciate its violent age is to take a trip up to the high plains around Alfarnate. From Riogordo you can take the rugged A-7204 which links up to the MA-4102 and on to the Antigua Venta de Alfarnate - at 400 years old one of the oldest in Spain. It was here where bandit El Tempranillo was finally captured after decades of terrorising the country and you can still find the cell they kept him in temporarily.
ONTINUE down the A-356 and arrive at Velez Malaga. It is one of the most underrated and little-visited places in Malaga province. But like its big sister of Malaga it has a Moorish fortress rising above it with battlements, but unlike Malaga it also has a fascinating old medina, crammed full of interesting nooks to explore. Its old town has recently been given a special protection status and no less than 47 historic buildings have been specifically listed.
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Photo by absoluteaxarquia.com
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EXTENTION REQUESTED
Bid to extend driving licence swap deadline THE British Ambassador to Spain has confirmed that the UK government has requested another extension to the February 28 deadline, after which British residents in Spain will no longer have an automatic right to drive using their British licence. The grace period that was agreed between the UK and Spain to allow residents to use their British driving licence is due to end on February 28. After this period, Brits will no longer have an automatic legal right to drive in Spain using their
British licence. So far there have been three extensions to this date since Britain’s departure from the EU, with many Brits hoping for an agreement that would allow indefinite use of their UK licence. The British Embassy said: “As you’d expect, I can’t go into the details of the negotiations, but I can say they are ongoing. We have asked Spain for an extension to the grace period for the recognition of your UK licences for a sufficient period of time to allow us to work through the negotiation and reach the definitive agreement that we all want.” The Embassy has advised people for whom driving is essential to consider taking a test in Spain. HARD braking around speed cameras leads The test comprises a theory and to dangerous driving and can see fines of up to practical test, and both can be €200 handed out, warns the Department of Traftaken in English. fic (DGT). New arrivals to Spain are able to Hitting the brakes before going through a speed use their British driving licence control is something that many drivers are guilty for a maximum of six months. of and create a danger zone in an already hazNegotiations to allow Brits to ardous area. The DGT has now put a measure in swap their driving licence for a place in an attempt to curb the frequent infracSpanish one have so far failed to tion—the double speed camera. reach any agreement. These repeated radars are strategically placed It has become the latest stickin such a way that once you pass the first one, if ing point in post-brexit Anyou are tempted to slam down on the acceleraglo-Spanish relations. tor, you might be caught out by a second radar Agreements with French and hidden further ahead on the road. Swedish authorities were fiThose drivers caught out will receive an unpleasnalised in 2021, allowing Brits ant surprise in the form of a fine of up to €200 to swap their licence for either sent a few weeks later. countries’ without taking a test.
Brake Slamming
CLIMATE CONTROL, NERJA
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HE Axarquia is said to have one of the best climates in Europe, in particular in its coastal towns of Torrox and Nerja. Its fabulous microclimate – unlike anywhere else
FABULOUS FRIG FRIGILIANA
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in Europe – offers the opportunity to grow mangoes, avocados and even bananas. You can take the modern A-7 to reach these towns, or the old coastal N-340.
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Once at Nerja well worth a visit in its own right with its famous coves and Balcon de Europa viewpoint - head back inland on the MA-5105 to reach Frigiliana. A stroll around the wonderful back streets of this mountain village with a distinctive Moorish feel is a must for anyone visiting the Axarquia. Having rightfully won the prettiest village in Andalucia title TheOlivePress-256x170-C on a number of AR-4.indd occasions, it is a magical place to visit. Surrounded by wonderful countryside, it has a nice mix of shops and restaurants, with several selling the sweet local wines. Then it’s time to climb in your car and head back home after a weekend of sight-seeing in the beautiful Axarquia.
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AVE you ever wondered where all those missing socks end up? Are they inside the washing machine drum, or did they somehow fall off the washing line into some black hole for odd socks? Nobody knows the answer. It’s just one of those mysteries from everyday life. Because everyday things just happen sud- will sort it out. And should you require Home denly and without explanation. Assistance to set up your new Wi-Fi connecHaving insurance for your car, motorbike or tion, then our English speaking technical home means you can be more prepared for staff will set up a visit. *Fully comp rehen sive offer any sudden unexpected events. Whilst insurvalid for new custo mers only. Guara ntee subje c appro ved garag e, and cour t to cover , repai r at tesy vehic le availa bilit y. ance won’t protect you from things happenEXPAT2EXPAT Subje c t to cond itions . O ffer ends 30/11 /18. ing, it will make life easier after they do. Also, did you know that Línea Directa has it’s SO WHY CHOOSE LÍNEA DIRECTA? own Expat2Expat programme? Whenever an existing customer recommends a friend, then2/8/18 Línea Directa has been providing comprehen- we reward the policy holder and the friend sive car, motorbike and home insurance to with €30 in cash. You can recommend up to British expatriates and residents in Spain for 10 people and earn up to €300 in cash per over 25 years. With over 3 million customers year. Simply ask your friend to call 917 002 nationwide, Línea Directa has the capacity to 006 and quote your full name. ensure you get both the best possible price Then once their application for car, bike or for the right kind of insurance you really need. home insurance has been approved, Línea Directa will pay the reward straight into the BEST PRICE AND BEST SERVICE bank account following payment of the next or first premium. See terms and conditions at Everything is in English. Our Roadside Assis- lineadirecta.com tance team speaks English and will quickly help you onward journey. If you urgently need Call their English-speaking customer sera duplicate set of keys for your motorcycle, vice staff on 917 002 006 or get a competthen our English-speaking customer service itive quote now at lineadirecta.com TM
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26/1/22 19:39
LA CULTURA Foodies’ dream
THE quiet town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda has been chosen as Spain’s Capital of Gastronomy. This is the first time that a town that isn’t a provincial capital has been chosen to fly the flag for Spanish food. It is bringing the town - more famous for its annual beach horse racing - firmly on the foodies’ map. The town had its own stand at Fitur - the international tourism trade fair - showcasing the best of the food from Cadiz. Top of the menu in the town are Sanlucar king prawns, washed down with local aged sherry, which is noted for its salty flavour. Other specialities are Tortillitas de camarones - prawn fritters made with onion and parsley, Acedias - a lean white fish, and Arroz con Pato - duck with rice, all sourced from the local river. The town has 69,000 inhabitants, 21 wineries and more than 150 restaurants.
February 25th - March 10th 2022
Royal series A NEW German series shot in Mallorca - Der König von Palma (The King of Palma) - has been released this week. The crime series was filmed last year and is being shown on the RTL+ streaming platform. It stars David Lifschitz playing Manuel Diaz, a German man who settles with his family in Mallorca in the 90s shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He establishes a beer garden, soon after getting involved with drug traffickers. The filming took place in Can Picafort and Playa de Palma. Their establishment soon becomes a criminals hot spot and the family find themselves trapped in a whirlwind of bribery, blackmail, and murder. A local restaurant in Can Picafort, Oasis, was converted into the set of the beer garden. The series is loosely based on the real-life story of Manfred Meisel, who
BANGING TIMES
The Fallas festival is set to start again
OP QUICK CROSSWORD Across 6 One of several discards after making an omelette (8) 8 Hunt using a bright light (4) 9 Nail-biting pop singer that goes to pot (5-8) 10 File markers (4) 11 There may be a gap between them (7) 14 The top-left clue in this puzzle (3,4) 16 Getting close (4) 19 Place for notices and such (8,5) 21 Carbonated quaff (4) 22 Hasten (8)
Down
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1 Credited (8) 2 Born in Cardiff (5) 3 Completely (3,4) 4 Precursor to a duel (4) 5 Key of Beethoven’s “Für Elise” (1,5) 7 Like Alexander and Catherine (5) 12 Ice (8) 13 Sound from a tree (7) 15 Impulse transmitter (6) 17 Deserve (5) 18 Breaks sharply (5) 20 It’s out of petrol now (4)
All solutions are on page 15
THE Fallas is all set to begin with the celebration of the Crida this Sunday (February 27). The event will proclaim the start of the Saint Joseph festivities, which will run until March 19. Thousands are set to gather at the Torres de Serranos, where the mayor will announce the festival open again.
Pyrotechnics
The Town Hall square will then be the scene for the amazing mascletas - or pyrotechnic bangs that stimulate the body through loud rhythmic noises. It is hoped the festival will go ahead ‘as normally as possible’ after two years of absence due to the pandemic. There will be no limitations on the number of people in these mass gatherings, but
everyone is obliged to wear masks at all times, apart from those in the parades.
All marquees and tents will be open at the sides to ensure good ventilation.
PRICELESS THEFT COPS are investigating the alleged theft of two priceless Edgar Degas paintings from a private villa in Galicia.
The two works of art, which are part of a private collection in Pontevedra, went missing from the villa while the wealthy owner was out of town. The French impressionist, whose works sell for millions, is famous for his oil and pastel paintings. It is not yet known which paintings have been stolen.
Impressionism
A recent Degas sold at auction for €22 million. The ‘father of French impressionism’ is famous for his pastel sketches of ballerinas. The ballerina series (see right) is highly sought after by the most prestigious auction houses internationally.
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UST north of the Rio and symbols. Tinto in southwestern The original alignment of the Spain, rising among vertical stones is not known, gently rolling plains so it is difficult to interpret are stones belonging the use of the monument. It to a megalithic tomb could have been an observadating back some 5,000 tory to record the phases of years. the sun or moon. But it was, These make up the Dolmen almost certainly, a ceremonide Soto Trigueros, one of al place. around 1,650 Neolithic buri- The manpower required to al monuments found within bring the stones to the site Spain’s region of Andalucia, and erect them indicates a and an archaeological site population from over a wide that predates Stonehenge. area and the number of clusBut while the monument ters of smaller dolmens in on Salisbury Plain is one of the wider area would support the most visitthis theory. ed tourist sites Its isolation toin Europe, the day does not The stones Dolmen de Soto imply it was isostands isolated, lated when the forming the visited only by monument was circle were those curious built. Dolmen few tempted de Soto would painted a off the beaten have been an striking red track. integral part of “If it had been a complex salocated in the cred landscape United Kingdom, it would al- that, for the Neolithic people, ready be one of the most-vis- defined who they were, their ited tourist sites,” insists territory, how they lived and Primitiva Bueno-Ramírez, ar- how they related to their surchaeology professor at Alcala roundings and other tribes. de Henares University. The Dolmen de Soto megaThe dating so far indicates lithic tomb was built between that the stone circles of 3000 and 2500 BC, towards Stonehenge were in fact be- the end of the passage-grave ing constructed about the tradition in this part of the same time as the stone circle Iberian Peninsula. at Trigueros was being dis- The dolmen replaced a 65 mantled while when it comes metre diameter stone circle to size, the stone circle at that consisted of 94 stone Trigueros is undoubtedly larg- pillars, at least one of which er. was six metres tall and However, the stones at weighed 21 tons. Stonehenge are generally Some of the stones were larger and heavier than those brought to the site from 30 at Trigueros and there is no kilometres away. It is thought indication that Trigueros ever that the first stone circle was had the equivalent of the lin- erected about 3800 BC. tels that the people who built Almost a thousand years afStonehenge placed on top of ter the construction of the the sarsen stones. circle, about 2800 BC, someIt is tempting to think that, thing changed in the lives of during the 1,200 year peri- the Neolithic people and the od between Trigueros being original symbolism of the erected and the stone circircle was either lost or becles of Stonehenge came meaningless being raised, in the face of technology the change. had moved The stone on, allowcircle was ing the dismanc o n t l e d , strucand the tion of stones a more were sophisused ticated to crestrucate the ture at passage Stonetomb of henge. the Dolmen The stones de Soto. forming the cirThe dolmen is cle at Trigueros were covered by a large painted a striking red and mound about 60 metres in engraved. diametre and is surrounded One engraving depicted hunt- by a circle of small stones ing scenes whilst others were with a diameter of 65 metres, of anthropomorphic figures the same as the original.
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February 25th - March 10th 2022
THE SPANISH STONEHENGE
Visit the fascinating archaeological site of Dolmen de Soto Trigueros, writes Nick Nutter of visit-andalucia.com INCONSPICUOUS: The dolmen blends into the landscape, while (below left) the inner chamber
A GATEWAY TO HISTORY: An aerial view of the Dolmen (right), with below, engravings on the pillars
Inside there is a gallery made with 63 stone pillars, a frontal slab and 30 other stones that cover it. An underground passage, measuring 21.5 metres, starts off narrow then widens to three metres in width and height as it reaches the back of the monument. The passage is aligned so that, during the equinox, the rising sun lights the interior of the passage and the chamber for some minutes. Some of the original stones were cut to fit into this new construction.
Clue
Following its construction, the Neolithic people redecorated and overpainted the stones and it is these newer engravings and images that give a clue as to the change that had occurred. The new drawings show armed figures. Bueno-Ramirez remarked, “There is not a single megalithic monument in Europe that has so many armed figures on its walls.” A space within the dolmen has been identified as an area where metalworking took place and one figure appears to be wielding a ‘Carps Tongue’ sword, a type of weapon typical of the Late Bronze Age. The supposition is that the Neolithic people had been shown or had learned to work copper and this became a major focus of their lives. The timing certainly fits.
DISCOVERY: The site was uncovered in the early 20th Century
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GREEN
Warning shot THE European Commission has threatened to penalise Spain if plans go ahead to extract more water from one of Europe’s largest wetlands. The warning comes after the regional Andalucia government voted to expand water rights for farmers close to the Doñana National Park.
Rights
Ecological Transition Minister, Teresa Ribera, has called on the measure to be withdrawn and that the issue of water rights was a responsibility for national and not regional government. The Doñana National park is home to endangered species such as the Iberian Lynx and the Spanish Imperial Eagle. Wetlands are also seen as key for storing carbon dioxide in the fight against climate change. An EU ruling was issued last year demanding the
Spain threatened over water extraction at Doñana wetlands By Alex Trelinski
Doñana area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, be better protected. The European Court of Justice ruled that Spain broke EU law by failing to stop the deterioration of protected habitats in the park. Commission spokesperson for the environment, Daniela Stoycheva, said: “We are deeply concerned about the recent plans that would add to the unsustainable levels of water abstraction.”
Penalties
The Commission said that it would move ‘swiftly’ if Spain did not act, but any likely penalties appear to be only financial. The latest developments over Doñana could open up irrigation rights to as
ENDANGERED: The Doñana wetlands
February 25th - March 10th 2022
THE EIB has agreed to loan €35 million to rail firm Patentes Talgo to help with its green strategy. Talgo, which builds inter-city and highspeed trains, says it intends to invest in low-carbon rail transport vehicles.
many as 1,900 hectares for agriculture, according to the WWF which has made previous complaints to the European Commission over illegal wells.
GREEN LOAN Talgo chairman Carlos Palacio said: “Talgo has been committed to rail sector innovation since its founding almost 80 years ago. We firmly believe that trains are the immediate response to the climate emergency.” The move follows a succession of new green investments by the EIB in line with the EU’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which has outlined plans to invest €1 trillion in green initiatives by 2030.
Martin Tye asks if the environment will be allowed to trump economics
CAN WE TRUST CHINA? The jury’s out - read on, then you decide...
CHINA’S climate policy matters to us all. Why? Because China’s carbon emissions are huge. And they are growing, dwarfing those of other countries. China has a real conundrum. To drive its economy to ever increasing heights it needs more energy. The problem for the world is that much of this is coming from coal. Can China keep its promises to cut emissions? At the moment, 43 new coal powered power plants are planned, and 18 new blast furnaces. All this adds to its current annual emissions. It all points to China prioritising economic growth over emissions reductions. Government officials have already hinted that it will rethink the timetable agreed to
cut emissions at COP-26. In the run up to COP-26, which was held in Glasgow last November, China did publish plans to be carbon neutral by 2060, with emissions peaking by 2030. Analysts say this would involve shutting 600 coal-fired power plants. I struggle to imagine that happening. The International Energy Agency has stated that much greater action is required globally if the world is to reach net zero by 2050. It says ‘RAPID REDUC- CHINA SUMMED UP: New Olympic ramp with TION’ in the amount of coal massive cooling towers as a backdrop. burned to provide electricity is the greenest games ever. required. China has in planning and development Last week China’s central government six times Germany’s entire coal-fired ca- pledged to run all coal power plants at full capacity to meet energy demands. Chipacity. It is betting on big technology solutions nese officials threatened coal producers coming - carbon capture and storage to ensure a steady supply of coal - or ‘face technology, further expansion of renew- further investigation and accountability ables, hydropower, hydrogen fuel cells measures’. Not very subtle. Widespread use of artiand a greater push to nuclear power. ficial snow is not green. Olympic events This is a big gamble. require 49 million gallons of water to be mixed with chemicals. Where does that lot end up? GREEN OLYMPICS IN All this in a city that has a water shortage. BEIJING? Do you really expect China to suppress growing its economy to help save the I think not! The Beijing Olympics organ- planet? isers have repeatedly promised to host I, for one, do not.
Martin Tye is the owner of energy switch company Mariposa Energy. Contact him on +34 638 145 664 or email him at martin@mariposaenergia.es
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
WINE SALUTE
SPAIN’S wine industry has applauded a U-turn from European politicians who ditched proposals to slap ‘cancer warning’ labels on wine bottles. The European Parliament(EP) rolled back plans to mirror warnings used on tobacco products after lobbying led by Spanish MEPs. Such a move would not have initially forced changes which would have to be agreed by the leaders of all 27 EU nations. Nevertheless a pro-cancer warning vote would have had the potential to be incorporated as a proposal ‘up the chain’ by the European Commission. Parliamentarians have now called for messages to be used on labels for people to enjoy wine moderately and responsibly.
Cities of love
Spain takes top two places in the list of world’s best places for a frugal first foray into love IF you’re looking for romance, head to Spain. Madrid and Barcelona have been named the two ‘best places in the world’ in which to find love. Research took into account the choice of places available for a romantic date, and also the cost. The company found there are hundreds of reasons for singles to be mad for Madrid, with 733 romantic restaurants and 714 nightlife options across the capital. Additionally, the city is home to 23 adult shops and 45 ‘hour hotels’, meaning Madrid is truly the best for a ‘quick(ie) visit’. Spain’s second city, Barcelona, also came second in the
OP Puzzle solutions Across: 6 Eggshell, 8 Lamp, 9 Heart-stopping, 10 Tabs, 11 Genders, 14 One Down, 16 Warm, 19 Bulletin board, 21 Cola, 22 Expedite. Down: 1 Ascribed, 2 Welsh, 3 All over, 4 Slap, 5 A Minor, 7 Great, 12 Diamonds, 13 Twitter, 15 Neuron, 17 Merit, 18 Snaps, 20 Lead.
SUDOKU
Quick Crossword
PHALLIC: Romantic cities Madrid (left) and Barcelona By Simon Wade
research. The price of a date was considered good value, with the average price of two cinema tickets costing €18 and aver-
age date night meals valued at €50. Additionally, there are a total of 785 romantic restaurants where couples can sample the gastronomic delights of Catalunya, as well as each other. Interestingly, the data shows that the top eight cities in the world for singles to find love are all in Europe. Third place is taken by Berlin, fourth by Rome, while London and Paris tie for fifth place, with London offering more speed dating opportunities than any other European city. Outside Europe, Singapore is officially the top city in the world to find love, ranking at ninth place overall.
February 25th - March 10th 2022
Just bra-tiful MADRID has a new tourist attraction that displays iconic outfits from pop culture including Madonna’s famous conical bra outfit. Visitors to the CaixaForum can view Cine y Moda curated by French designer and ‘enfant terrible’ Jean Paul Gaultier. Exhibits including Madonna’s risque outfit from her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour, which was designed by Gaultier himself. Also included are outfits that inspired the designer.
Zorro
Rocky’s shorts, Zorro’s mask and the Superman costume worn by Christopher Reeve are among the 100 garments on display alongside movie clips, posters and stills. Gaultier chose Audrey Hepburn in a little black dress worn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Grace Kelly in Dior in Hitchcock’s Rear Window among the most influential fashion creations. Up there too is his own design worn by Victoria Abril in Pedro Almodovar’s Kika.
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FINAL WORDS
A GROUP of 30 young people ran from a Barcelona restaurant to avoid a €1,000 bill, leaving six friends who had gone to the loo to pick up the bill.
Brain picking SPANISH comedian Carlos Latre’s brain is being scanned by Malaga University to find out why he is able to impersonate 600 people, with 25 ‘normal people’ also being analysed as a comparison.
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Fur-good factor
Gobsmacked Brit left grinning with delight after being reunited with teeth lost on boys’ night out in 2011
A BRIT was left gobsmacked after being reunited with the false teeth he lost on boozy night out in Benidorm - 11 years later. Paul Bishop received a package from Spain in the post containing the dentures, which had been vomited into a bin outside a pub in 2011. The 63-year-old said he was ‘absolutely stunned’ to get his false gnashers back after more
By Kirsty McKenzie
than a decade. Bishop, from Greater Manchester said he ‘fell ill’ after drinking cider during a night out in the Spanish party resort. “It was a drunken day out with the lads,” he said. “I’d had enough lager so I got a pint of cider, but then the oth-
er lads were ready to go so I downed the last of my pint and thought ‘oh no, it’s coming back up’.” He didn’t let the incident
In the soup
Fast women (on the right track)
US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor has been ridiculed for saying Democrat Nancy Pelosi has a ‘gazpacho police’ instead of Gestapo, with Spanish chef Jose Andres joking it was his creation.
SPANISH rail firm Renfe has been inundated with applicants for 30 bullet train driver jobs exclusively for women. Over 28,000 women applied for the role driving trains between the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. It is the first time women have been permitted to apply for such roles in Saudi Arabia
and follows a drive in the kingdom to liberalise labour laws. The jobs are part of the Haramain Project, which will see the applicants get a year’s training. Renfe will be running 20 trains a day on the 450km track between the two cities. Only 4% of train drivers in Spain are women.
spoil his holiday. He carried on singing Elvis karaoke and eating, and drinking without any teeth for his final few days in the sun. He was reunited with his teeth when they were found in landfill and Spanish authorities used DNA records to track him to his Stalybridge home. He said he was ‘gobsmacked and intends to put them on display in the Ridge Hill Lane Working Men’s Club where he is general manager. He said: “Someone’s definitely cleaned them up, they’re in perfect condition.
A STARVING stray dog has been reunited with his family seven years after he went missing. A skeletal ‘looking Dico was found scavenging along a stretch of road between the towns of Deifontes and Iznalloz, in Granada. He had the good fortune to be spotted by Pepa Tenorio, a 40-year-old animal lover who always stops for strays and carries a microchip reader in her car. She scooped up the German Shepherd and put him on the back seat of her Renault Clio which is decorated in animal motifs and contains a veritable pet shop of animal treats - before checking to see if he was chipped. She then discovered that he had been registered to an owner for seven years and tracked him down to return the pet. Although the original owner has since died, his son was very happy to take in his father’s beloved pet and the pair were reunited in an emotional scene. The reunion was posted on Pepa’s Instagram and has already attracted 14,000 followers.
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