22 Jul, 2025
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19 Jul, 2025 @ 11:50
2 mins read

Olive Press Round-Up: The biggest stories in Spain

by

From The Digital Editor
Walter Finch

Dear Olive Press readers, 

It’s high summer in Spain now and in the world of news journalism that means it’s silly season. That’s not to downplay the seriousness of some of the events that have taken place this month, only to note their character is very different to the low season.

We’ll start with what the Brits have been up to in Spain, and it’s the usual mix of the rambunctious to the tragic. One Brit was gored during a bull run, not in last week’s San Fermin (where two Americans felt the horn), but in the Costa Blanca.

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British expat gored during bull run and taken to hospital in Spain’s Costa Blanca

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One gored and six trampled on: Day two of Spain’s Running of the Bulls

In the Balearics, a Brit sadly died after he fell seven metres from a supermarket carpark in Ibiza, while another who was struck by a heart attack was revived by police in the street – and a third collapsed dead in Ibiza from suspected drug use. Meanwhile, a German tourist dropped dead after rampaging through the Palma beach front. All this behaviour is putting enormous strain on local ambulance services.

There was much confusion among prospective Brits heading to Spain after most media outlets ran a story claiming that they face €6,900 fines if they don’t take out travel insurance. A bit of Olive Press investigation determined that this was false – although it is highly recommended.

The Mediterranean sea off the coast of Almeria was hit by a 5.5 magnitude earthquake this week that shook homes from Malaga to Alicante – thankfully without any noticeable damage and no casualties.

www.theolivepress.es

Earthquake shakes homes from Malaga to Alicante and briefly triggers tsunami alert in the Mediterranean

AN EARTHQUAKE of magnitude 5.4 centred off Cabo de Gata in Almeria was felt in large parts of eastern Spain on Monday. A tsunami alert was activated briefly for some…

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Tourists wishing to practice their Spanish while holidaying in the home of Spanish have been advised of which false friends to avoid. And prospective new dog owners may be obliged to take – and pass – a four-hour online course on how to care for it under new legislation being considered in Spain.

The Mijas donkey taxis are under fire once again after the Olive Press revealed they were caught working under an orange heat alert in June, with our investigations showing that the operators routinely flout welfare rules brought in last April.

The town of Torre Pacheco in Murcia has been the epicentre of ugly race riots for the past week or so, reportedly instigated by the random beating of an old man by North African youths, and then fanned by far-right groups who flew in to ‘hunt Moroccans.’ But who are Deport Them Now?

www.theolivepress.es

Over 300 people ‘identified’ over possible criminality during racist riots in Murcia region town

THE Guardia Civil has identified over 300 people for possible criminality and filed 60 reports over incidents during riots involving far-right protestors and local- mainly migrant- residents in Torre Pacheco.…

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The police have been busy in Spain this week, with two separate one-tonne-plus cocaine seizures in the space of two days – both with a Malaga connection – and a kingpin arrested in the Costa Blanca.

And in property news, we reported on an unexpected collapse in the supply of homes for sale on the market – driving prices ever higher – and that foreign demand remains strong regardless, as evidenced by a new tourist apartment complex that opened on the Costa Blanca. And have you thought about changing your mortgage provider to take advantage of ECB rate cuts, plus are estate agents ripping off tenants?

Over in Gibraltar things have been going off. A public auditor’s report that appears to have exposed a network of tax-payer-funded ‘golden handshakes’ to friends and loyalists of the government has provoked plenty of outrage. 

There are talks of a constitutional crisis looming for the tiny territory – and just a month after the champagne was popped on its historic deal with the EU to effectively enter the Schengen zone.

www.theolivepress.es

Spain’s property market sees sudden and historic drop in supply of available homes – except for Malaga

www.theolivepress.es

Ex-police chief vindicated in war with Gibraltar govt as report reveals £2m pay-offs to outgoing officers

www.theolivepress.es

Expats in Spain urged to save money by switching bank mortgages thanks to interest rate cuts

You will of course have noticed that there has been no Olive Press podcast in the last couple of weeks – a holiday-driven necessity, but rest assured we will produce the next episode shortly.

Lastly, we bid farewell to our journalist Samantha Mythen this week, but next week we welcome two new faces as the eternal cycle continues.

That’s all for this week, enjoy the peak summer.

Best, Walt

Our mailing address is:

The Olive Press

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San Luis de Sabinillas, Malaga 29692, Spain

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Walter Finch

Walter Finch, who comes from a background in video and photography, is keen on reporting on and investigating organised crime, corruption and abuse of power. He is fascinated by the nexus between politics, business and law-breaking, as well as other wider trends that affect society.
Born in London but having lived in six countries, he is well-travelled and worldly. He studied Philosophy at the University of Birmingham and earned his diploma in journalism from London's renowned News Associates during the Covid era.
He got his first break in the business working on the Foreign News desk of the Daily Mail's online arm, where he also helped out on the video desk.
He then decided to escape the confines of London and returned to Spain in 2022, having previously lived in Barcelona for many years.
He took up up a reporter role with the Olive Press Newspaper and today he is based in La Linea de la Concepcion at the heart of a global chokepoint and crucial maritime hub, where he edits the Olive Press Gibraltar edition.
He is also the deputy news editor across all editions of the newspaper.

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