July 2007

What did the vulture have for breakfast?

By on July 24, 2007

Deia dreaming in Mallorca

By on July 23, 2007

Jason Heppenstall spends an idyllic few days on the island of Mallorca – and comes home without his hubcaps

Report claims Aifos offered gifts to politicians and judges

By on July 23, 2007

Police believe the developer wanted to “buy support” A HOUSING DEVELOPER at the centre of the investigation into Marbella council corruption offered gifts worth more than 60,000 euros to politicians and judges. According to a police report, Aifos wanted to “create favourable conditions in municipalities in which the company had interests.” Among the gifts, which […]

Judge suspended for bribery

By on July 23, 2007

Marbella Judge Francisco Javier de Urquia has been suspended for allegedly taking bribes. The High Court is investigating whether he accepted money from developers and even Juan Antonio Roca, the mastermind behind the long-running Malaya corruption investigation.

Beautiful… but beware

By Web Manager on July 23, 2007

Clive Muir and Sue Eatock tell us hidden dangers lurk behind the beauty of the plant that lines Spain’s dry riverbeds and motorways – the oleander

Police report brings to light extent of Marbella corruption

By on July 23, 2007

As the investigation into town planning corruption comes to an end, the Olive Press untangles the web of corruption woven by Juan Antonio Roca

Illegal Hotel” daubed on illegal hotel

By on July 20, 2007

In letters three storeys high and covering 1,200 square metres, Greenpeace used 250 kilograms of black paint for its latest protest against the controversial El Algarrobico hotel.

Motril man in child porn arrest

By on July 20, 2007

A MOTRIL man arrested as part of a police crackdown on peodophilia had 300 pornographic photos on his computer, according to police. The man, whose initials have been given as HPL, was among 66 people detained throughout Spain during Operation Penalty.

Junta delays golf plans

By on July 20, 2007

THE regional government has delayed its announcement on its new golf legislation until after the summer. The Olive Press understands the new plans could put into doubt the projected 100 new golf courses for the region.

Olive theft gang busted

By on July 20, 2007

A GANG that stole more than one and a half million tonnes of olives has been broken up. Police from Spain and Italy arrested 18 people in a joint operation. The gang is accused of stealing the olives from trees in the provinces of Granada, Malaga, Jaen and Cordoba.

Feast of the Virgin of the Snows

By on July 20, 2007

Novice Maria Carreras hikes to the top of mainland Spain’s highest peak to attend mass – at the second attempt! “WELL?” Joe fights to be heard against the howling weather. “So where exactly IS this VIRGIN?” It is 2:30 am. We are in the mountains of the High Alpujarra in the midst of a lashing […]

Forest Buyers Rage in Galicia

By on July 20, 2007

Lisa Tilley reports on a new breed of “green speculator,” who are buying forest land in Galicia to protect it from the encroaching concrete A NEW breed of rural speculators has purchased three million square metres of O Ribeiro in Galicia, in order to preserve a Mediterranean forest there and allow for further reforestation. For […]

Ex Government minister arrested for mafia links

By on July 19, 2007

Planells accused of bribery after giving immigration documents to Russian gangs THE Government’s former number two in Catalunya has been arrested on suspicion of involvement with an Eastern European mafia gang. Eduard Planells, who was the government’s subdelegate in the region, is accused of misuse of position and bribery after he knowingly gave immigration documents […]

Retailer in green move

By on July 19, 2007

EUROPE’S biggest clothing retailer has announced plans to make its stores and factories more environmentally friendly. Spanish company Inditex, which owns High Street stores Zara and Pull and Bear, will install energy efficient lighting and heating systems in the 3,200 stores it owns worldwide.

Rome beatifies Franco’s fighters

By on July 19, 2007

A SPOKESMAN from the Catholic Church has confirmed Rome will honour almost 500 people who died during Spain’s Civil War. Juan Antonio Martínez Camino said 498 Catholics will be beatified in one ceremony on October 28. “All those murders during the Civil War should be condemned, especially those of people who were killed for their […]

Man arrested over priest death

By on July 19, 2007

POLICE have arrested a man after a priest was found dead at his home in Cordoba. The body of Tomás Pérez Escudero, 75, was discovered in the bedroom of his home in the village of Villafranca de Cordoba by a home help.

Icarus Flying II – wot no sun?

By on July 19, 2007

In the second of his looks into the negative effects of aviation, Bob Maddox claims we should also be aware of Global Dimming WHAT do you say to a scientist who asks you to believe that, while the Earth is indisputably getting warmer, it is at the same time receiving significantly less sunlight than it […]

Close… but no cigar

By on July 10, 2007

Voters snub Alhambra palace as new7wonder THE Alhambra palace has failed in its attempt to be chosen as one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Instead, the 13th century Muslim monument – the most visited tourist attraction in Spain in 2006 – finished eighth behind the Great Wall of China, the ancient city […]

Legionnaire’s disease claims life

By on July 10, 2007

A BRITISH national has become the first mortal victim after an outbreak of legionnaire’s disease at an ice rink in Benalmadena. The 68-year-old, whose name was given as James Peter Olsen, was taken to hospital in nearby Malaga on July 2 after complaining of pneumonia-like symptoms. He died eight days later.

Hospitals in toothpaste scare

By on July 10, 2007

THE government is asking for vigilance after traces of diethylene glycol were found in tubes of toothpaste designated for Spanish hospitals.

Rat forces evacuation of 3,000 people

By on July 10, 2007

MORE than 3,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes after a forest fire engulfed parts of the Mediterranean coast in northern Spain. Fire officials believe the fire began after a rat chewed through an electricity cable at a construction site at the Bonmont housing estate in Tarragona, Catalunya.

Bad Education?

By on July 9, 2007

The new subject Education for Citizenship and Human Rights is heralded as moral guidance to combat social divisions – a mainstay of democracy in the classroom. But politicians have called it “the catechism of the good socialist” and the Catholic Church has vowed to spend the summer holidays fighting to have it scrapped. Lisa Tilley […]

More than 200 open investigations for coastal damage in Granada

By on July 9, 2007

Sewage pollution and illegal building at centre of regional government probes THE regional government is currently investigating 227 cases of environmental offences along the province’s coastline. Of these, 35 were against local authorities and 192 were against private companies or individuals. “Thirty of the open investigations are for the illegal dumping of solids or liquids […]

Andalucia slammed in Greenpeace coast report

By on July 9, 2007

THE coast of Andalucia is saturated by bricks and mortar and the situation worsens each year. That is the conclusion of a Greenpeace report into the state of Spain’s coastline. The authors of the Destrucción a Toda Costa (Destruction at all Co(a)sts) study claim more than 41,000 illegal buildings line the region’s 817 kilometres of […]

The state of Spain’s coast – Destruction at all costs?

By on July 9, 2007

In its annual report into the state of Spain’s coast, Greenpeace highlights the growing problems of construction, corruption and climate change on the country’s ever-dwindling shores THREE million scheduled new homes, 100,000 illegal buildings, 200,000 more hotel beds, 316 golf courses, 112 marinas and 90 cases of urban corruption. Last year, Greenpeace likened coastal construction […]