June 2007

The Real State of the Nation

By on June 26, 2007

THE third day of July sees the traditional State of the Nation debate between Señor Zapatero and shadow leader Mariano Rajoy. This annual event is usually won by the socialist leader, who with his smart suits, facial gestures and hand movements, seems to have learnt a few tricks in vacuity and substance from former UK […]

Fury as coin toss mayor takes post

By on June 26, 2007

Between shouts of “corruption” and banners protesting against alleged illegal building in the village, the mayor who won a municipal election by the toss of a coin faced angry protestors as he officially accepted his post

European Parliament slams “urban abuse” in Spain

By on June 26, 2007

MEPs want change in Spain’s Constitution to protect individual property rights LOCAL authorities in Spain adopt a “Wild West” attitude towards construction while giving excess powers to property developers. That is the position of Brussels after the EU reiterated its stance against construction abuse in the country. In a sitting of European Parliament in Strasbourg, […]

Power to the Demos!

By on June 26, 2007

Lisa Tilley believes, 30 years on, Spain is finally coming to terms with democracy as the past is unearthed THIRTY years ago, Spain held its first elections since 1936, ending a 41-year democratic drought. Overnight, Spanish citizens went from subjects to participants as they exercised their right to representation. The demos (the people) were back […]

The Mayor and the Property Developer: What happened in Alhama de Granada?

By on June 25, 2007

Across Spain the mayor/property-developer relationship has become infamous – but what happened in Alhama? As Lisa Tilley discovers, allegations that the mayor of the town allowed a property developer to set up an office in the town hall have still not been investigated

Rotten to the core

By on June 25, 2007

Following the hard-hitting report into Spanish urban corruption, which paints a bleak picture of mayors and developers abusing human rights to make a fast buck, Brussels has openly criticised the ongoing situation in the country AFTER a report claiming urbanisation in Spain is fuelled by avarice and greed, the European Parliament has voted in favour […]

Judgement day for Iznajar

By on June 25, 2007

With doctors, teachers and even High Court judges buying here, Iznajar is fast becoming THE town for the discerning foreign buyer

Nightmare in the sun as home dreams fall apart

By on June 25, 2007

Following news of the EU resolution into “rampant construction” in Spain, Jon Robins of the Observer takes a look at the situation in Albox – one of the towns in the spotlight of MEPs in Brussels

Greens demand more expensive water for greater users

By on June 25, 2007

Figures show levels in Granada reservoirs lower than in 2006 DROUGHT will continue to plague Andalucia while the demand for water will rise, according to the Los Verdes (Green) Party. The political group has asked the Junta de Andalucia regional government to charge people for their water in direct relation with the amount used to […]

Briton arrested in Loja drugs bust

By on June 25, 2007

OFFICERS from the Guardia Civil have arrested a British national after finding more than one and a half tonnes of cannabis resin in the van he was driving. The un-named man was detained at the Los Abades service area outside Loja on the A92 Almería-Sevilla road.

Prison for woman who sold grandson

By on June 25, 2007

A WOMAN who sold her eight-month-old grandson to a childless married couple has been sentenced to six months in prison. A court in Motril heard how the un-named woman gave the baby to the couple on the forecourt of an Almuñecar petrol station in 2002 for an undisclosed sum of money.

Boar and trout poachers arrested

By on June 25, 2007

OFFICERS from the environment department of the Guardia Civil (Seprona) have arrested three men for poaching. Two were detained for the illegal fishing of ten common trout from the Maitena river inside the boundaries of the Sierra Nevada National Park.

Horse in traffic accident

By on June 25, 2007

A WOMAN was injured when the car in which she was travelling was involved in a head on collision with a horse. The woman was travelling along the N340 Mediterranean dual carriageway when her Renault Twingo hit the horse, which police believe had escaped from nearby farm.

Electric olives

By on June 22, 2007

Claire Doole visits a Córdoba olive farmer and finds he is doing his bit to combat global warming

Son of Los Merinos criticised

By on June 22, 2007

THE mayor of a small Malaga town has come under attack for allowing the construction of nearly 200 homes alongside a celebrated nature reserve.

“Southern Europe sees the Green Party as a curb on development”

By on June 21, 2007

Leader of Andalucía Greens steps down after poor municipal election showing

Biofuels compulsory in 2009

By on June 21, 2007

A NEW law has made the use of biofuels obligatory by 2009. The government ruling has made the minimum use of 3.4 per cent biofuel in all modes of transport obligatory for 2009.

Four held over illegal home construction

By on June 21, 2007

FOUR people have been detained in a police crackdown on illegal housing. The Guardia Civil claim the detainees, who are believed to be an architect and four employees of an un-named estate agency, falsified documents to enable the building of houses on unclassified land in Chiclana, Cádiz.

Leftists sacked after fascist pact

By on June 21, 2007

LEFTIST group Izquierda Union (IU) has expelled four members after they made a pact with Spain’s far right Falange Autentica party. The four councillors from the small mountain town of Ardales in Málaga made the deal with the two councillors that the nationalist group gained in the recent municipal elections to win overall control of […]

Scandal, gossip, inside info and more…!

By on June 21, 2007

Sits Vac NOW that Tony Blair has announced the date he will hand over power to that scion of Scottish Presbyterianism, Gordon Brown, we can deduce he has finally found time to update his Curriculum Vitae; has sent it to a carefully selected list of international philanthropic organisations, merchant banks and global arms dealers; and […]

Nineteen held in Málaga corruption crackdown

By on June 21, 2007

Town mayor defends “honourable, hard working” detainees POLICE have detained 19 businesspeople in connection with alleged corruption in a Málaga town. The arrests were made as part of Operation Troya, an ongoing investigation into claims the council of Alhaurín el Grande asked for “donations” in exchange for favourable urban decisions.

Thousands of Prestige oil spill volunteers suffer health problems

By on June 21, 2007

Doctors question adequacy of protective masks CHRONIC coughing, difficulties in breathing at night and nasal obstruction are just some of the health problems suffered by volunteers who aided in the clean up operation following the worst environmental disaster in Spain’s history.

The Far-Right in Sheep’s Clothing

By on June 21, 2007

Zero tolerance for immigrants – but only of certain races: Lisa Tilley gains an insight into the far-right anti-immigration parties who won more seats than ever in Spain’s local elections this year “I USED to hate Isabel la Católica. I thought she was awful for throwing out all the Muslims,” said the sweet mannered teacher, […]

Webster’s Spanish Histories

By on June 21, 2007

The Olive Press sent Daniel Mac Auley to the mountains of Castellon to talk to author Jason Webster, who claims many countries can learn from Spain’s past experiences MANY of us have reasons to leave safe havens for exotic shores and Jason Webster, best-selling author of three books about Spain (Duende, Andalus and Guerra), is […]

From Roman ruins to racing yachts

By on June 21, 2007

Built of ancient stone and soaring steel, Valencia combines mediaeval mystery with a cosmopolitan edge, says Arpi Shively STEERING your car through Valencia’s evening commute provides all the machismo, perspiration and high drama of the bullring, fuelled by big city adrenalin. Multi-lane one-way systems hurry you past magnificent civic buildings and frothy stone fountains. In […]