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WATCH: Four people injured after Storm Samuel hits Spain – including gale-force 160km/h winds and record 13-metre-tall wavesÂ
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 09:14:24FOUR people in Catalunya suffered slight injuries on Sunday due to the effects of Storm Samuel.
Winds and rough seas kept parts of Catalunya and the Balearic Islands on red alert.
The strongest gusts were north of Barcelona and in Girona province with up to 160 km/h recorded.
Emergency alerts were sent to mobile phones in some Pyrenean regions on Saturday afternoon.
In the Balearic Islands, the bad weather caused 49 incidents up to 7pm on Sunday, with most of them in Menorca.
Puertos del Estado in Mahon reported a maximum wave of 12.97 meters at 2pm.
In Gironaâs Salt, a woman was injured when part of her house ceiling fall on her head and she was taken to the Josep Trueta Hospital.
In La Jonquera, a man was struck on a road after a tree branch was ripped off by a strong gust, while another man suffered an injury in Garrigas.
A woman in the street needed medical attention in Sant Feliu de Guixois after a falling branch hit her.
Around 10,000 homes were also left without power across various towns in Girona and central Catalunya.
Civil Protection in the region reported 1,128 weather related calls up to noon on Sunday and firefighters responding to 755 reports.
Six roads in the region were also closed for a time due to fallen trees.
Of the 49 incidents reported by authorities in the Balearic Islands, 36 have been in Menorca, with incidents reported in all the islandâs municipalities.
Access to the port of Mahon was blocked due to falling trees, fences, containers and road signs.
In Mallorca there were 12 incidents plus one in Ibiza one.
Maximum wind gusts of 108 km/h were recorded in Capdepera and 98 km/h in the Serra dâAlfabia.
Click here to read more Weather News from The Olive Press.
Spain to introduce ‘comprehensive’ package this week to counter energy price spikes caused by Iran war
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 09:36:46SPAINâS government will introduce measures this week to counter the rise in energy prices caused by the Iran war.
The Minister of Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, disclosed the news on Monday as she arrived at an EU Energy Ministers meeting in Brussels.
Sara Aagesen said: âWe will have a comprehensive response plan with structural measures and short-term measures this week.â
Relief for wallets as Spainâs inflation rate stays low in February â' but March jump looms amid Iran war energy price spike
EXPLAINER: How has the war in Iran impacted wholesale energy prices in Spain â' and what does it mean for my household bill?
Malaga petrol prices soar 25% in a week with diesel seeing sharpest gains thanks to the Iran war â' or price gouging?
âIt is a comprehensive response plan which is very important,â she added.
She commented that the plan is just about some quick temporary measures but also will have a âa more long-term visionâ.
Aagesen stated that the government is working âwith social partners and also on proposals from parliamentary groupsâ.
She did not specify when the package will be announced.
As a result of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, the government introduced a 20 cents per litre subsidy for petrol pump prices.
It is not clear whether they would go down a similar road in a bid to help motorists as well as reducing the resulting rise in inflation.
Without specifying details, Sara Aagesen said the package will contain measures to âprotect the most vulnerableâ and also âthose sectors that are most exposed, obviously transporters, the agricultural sector, and the fishing sectorâ.
She pledged that the government would bring help âfor all consumers who feel affected or who have been impactedâ as well as âanti-fraud measuresâ to deal with profiteering.
Click here to read more Business & Finance News from The Olive Press.
Gibraltar's Europa Foreshore designated as protected archaeological site
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 09:05:59Gibraltar's Minister for Heritage, Professor John Cortes, has designated the Europa Foreshore as a protected archaeological site under the Heritage and Antiquities Act 2018.The protected zone covers the coastal area between Bleak Beach and Dead Man's Beach, wrapping around Europa Point, with residential properties excluded.The site holds exceptional archaeological significance, with finds including Neolithic remains (~5,400 BCE) of a female with Anatolian ancestry suggesting use as a burial site, Mousterian stone flakes from Neanderthal activity (~90,000â'100,000 years ago), and 20th Century military installations linked to Gibraltar's coastal defence network. Large portions of the foreshore remain unexcavated, suggesting further discoveries are possible.Professor Cortes said: \"The Europa Foreshore is one of Gibraltar's most remarkable heritage landscapes. Within a relatively small stretch of coastline we have evidence of human activity ranging from Neanderthal occupation tens of thousands of years ago, through prehistoric burial practices, and into Gibraltar's more recent military history.\"He added that by formalising the designation, the government is \"ensuring that this unique archaeological and natural heritage is protected for future generations while also allowing people to appreciate and learn about the deep history of this extraordinary place.\"The designation followed consultation with the Heritage and Antiquities Advisory Council, the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, the Gibraltar National Museum, and the Nature Conservancy Council.
A bright and sunny start to the week: Alicante weather forecast March 16-19
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 00:00:00Mostly clear skies and mild temperatures are expected across Alicante province, and only a little cloud later in the week
The weather held out nicely for the St Patrick's Day celebrations in Cabo Roig over the weekend. While it was cooler and breezy at times, it was also bright and sunny for much of the day. The good news is that the sunshine looks set to continue across the Alicante province. Monday and Tuesday should bring plenty of sunshine and fairly calm conditions. As the week goes on, however, clouds are expected to increase gradually and there is even a small chance of some light rain along the coast by Thursday.
Monday March 16
Monday should bring a fairly bright start to the week, with mostly clear skies across the province. It may feel a little cooler first thing in the morning, as overnight temperatures dip slightly. During the day, however, temperatures will climb again, particularly in the northern half of the province. Winds will remain light from the west, with gentle sea breezes developing along the coast around the middle of the day.
Tuesday March 17
Tuesday continues the settled spell with little cloud expected and plenty of sunshine across Alicante province. Temperatures will rise slightly again, making it a pleasantly mild day overall. Winds will stay light and variable, with a light southerly breeze becoming more noticeable around midday.
Wednesday March 18
Wednesday should remain mostly bright, although some cloud is expected to move in during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures will stay fairly similar, while daytime highs along parts of the central coast may dip slightly compared to Tuesday. Winds will remain light and variable early on before turning easterly during the day.
Thursday March 19
Thursday may begin with some cloud and the possibility of mist or fog in places, particularly early in the day. Skies should gradually clear later in the afternoon, although there is a chance of some light rain along coastal areas. Temperatures will rise slightly overnight but daytime highs may fall a little, especially in inland northern areas, as winds become a little stronger around the middle of the day.
All in all, it should be a pleasant, spring-like week across Alicante, a welcome break from the wet and windy weather of late. The first few days should feel warm and sunny, making it a great time for a walk along the coast or having a coffee and a tostada in the morning sun.
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Alicante
Monday March 16: Min 4ºC, Max 19ºC
Tuesday March 17: Min 6ºC, Max 21ºC
Wednesday March 18: Min 6ºC, Max 20ºC
Thursday March 19: Min 7ºC, Max 18ºC
Images: Aemet
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Iran conflict throws global travel plans into turmoil
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 00:00:00SYDNEY/LONDON: The war involving Iran is disrupting travel worldwide, forcing airlines to reroute flights, raising ticket prices, and leaving many travellers scrambling to salvage long-planned holidays.
For some passengers, the financial impact has been immediate. In the small Western Australian town of Dardanup, accountant Natasha Earle and her family are facing thousands of dollars in additional costs after the conflict disrupted their planned European holiday.
Their five-week trip, booked last May on Emirates and scheduled to take them to London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Rome, now requires new routes to avoid Middle Eastern airspace.
\"We've spent tens of thousands of dollars on this holiday,\" said Earle, who is scheduled to depart at the end of the month during what has become the biggest disruption to global aviation since the COVID-19 pandemic. \"We should get at least half of that back from Emirates eventually.\"
The changes are expected to add roughly A$10,000 (US$7,000) to the cost of the trip.
Because Middle East hubs serve as a key crossroads for international aviation, the conflict has demonstrated how quickly instability in one region can disrupt travel worldwide.
Drone and missile activity near Dubai has forced aircraft to circle or divert routes as the war enters its third week, affecting a Middle Eastern tourism industry worth roughly $367 billion annually.
Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways together normally carry more than half of the passengers travelling between Europe and Australia, New Zealand, and nearby Pacific islands, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
With much of Middle Eastern airspace closed because of the risk from missiles and drones, tens of thousands of flights have been canceled, rerouted, or delayed globally, affecting millions of travellers.
Journeys Stretched Into Days
For some passengers, routine trips have turned into lengthy and uncertain journeys. Jacob Brown, a 34-year-old New Zealander living in Doha, had planned to fly home for a wedding where he was due to be best man. When his Qatar Airways flight was cancelled, he drove across the desert into Saudi Arabia and flew from Riyadh to London.
A journey that should have taken less than 24 hours stretched over several days due to airspace closures, delays, and lost baggage. \"It was pretty nerve-wracking flying out of Riyadh just considering that that morning, there had been a few missile interceptions south of the capital,\" he said.
Other travellers are unsure whether their trips will go ahead at all.
Aditya Kushwaha, an Australian disability support worker living near Sydney, has booked a family holiday to London and Paris in April with Emirates via Dubai.
\"We are very much in a dilemma of what to do,\" Kushwaha said, estimating he could lose more than $10,000 if he cancels the trip and might not be able to afford another holiday for several years.
Holiday Plans Unravel
For Australian traveller Kellee Smith, a European vacation planned more than a year ago has become increasingly stressful. Her trip with her husband and two children was scheduled to begin at the end of March, but the uncertainty around flights has forced her to make alternative arrangements.
\"I've had many sleepless nights as I was stressed thinking I'm going to lose my dream holiday ... and all the money we paid,\" Smith said. She is awaiting a refund of more than A$4,000 from Emirates after booking alternative flights with Cathay Pacific and Qantas that travel through Asia instead of the Middle East.
The conflict has already narrowed flight corridors between Europe and Asia, complicating airline operations and pushing ticket prices sharply higher.
Rising oil prices are also adding pressure to the aviation industry. Airlines are facing higher jet fuel costs and introducing fuel surcharges, while some carriers, such as Air New Zealand, have begun cutting flights.
The International Energy Agency has warned that the war is causing the largest oil supply disruption in history, raising concerns about fuel availability. Vietnam has said it could face aviation fuel shortages as soon as April.
Travellers Seek Alternative Routes
Many passengers are now deliberately avoiding Middle Eastern hubs when booking flights. John Moore, 81, and his wife, Pauline, from Bath in England, changed their flights from Qatar Airways to Qantas to Brisbane, choosing to travel via Singapore instead.
\"We decided we'd rather pay the extra to book via Singapore, which is no guarantee, but clearly it's likely to be safer than the current route,\" Moore said.
Others have changed their destinations altogether. Sumit Sharma, a Sydney-based banker, cancelled plans to travel to Dubai with his family after Etihad Airways confirmed he could obtain a refund.
\"We changed the plan from the Middle East to Hong Kong,\" Sharma said, adding he was now flying with Cathay Pacific and hoped to take his son to Disneyland.
Airlines say the war is reshaping global travel patterns. Qantas said more passengers were choosing to reach Europe via the United States, Asia, or Johannesburg, South Africa, using its partner network.
Cathay Pacific said the airline was seeing \"drastic changes in terms of demand patterns due to the Middle East situation,\" while European budget carrier Ryanair reported increased bookings to destinations within Europe.
Lufthansa said forward bookings for direct flights to Asia were up 75 percent year-on-year as travellers avoided routes passing through the Middle East.
\"The large Middle Eastern airlines like Emirates and Etihad can't fly the routes they should, and therefore the European and Asian airlines have to pick up that traffic,\" aviation specialist Hans Joergen Elnaes said.
New Zealand, South Africa to host FIH Nations Cup 2025-26
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 00:00:00Lausanne [Switzerland], March 16 (ANI): The International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced that New Zealand and South Africa will host the fourth edition of the women's and men's FIH Hockey Nations Cup (respectively), with the winners being offered the opportunity to join the 2026-27 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.
The city of Cape Town, South Africa, will host the men's event which will involve some of the best teams in the world, South Africa, New Zealand, France, Korea, Japan, Wales, Malaysia, along with Scotland--who were promoted via the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, and Ireland -- who were relegated from the 2024-25 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League, according to a release.
The 2025-26 edition of the FIH Hockey Men's Nations Cup will run from June 11 to 20, and will mark the return of the competition to South Africa, which hosted the inaugural edition of the men's competition in Potchefstroom in 2022.
The women's event will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, from June 15 to 21. The impressive line-up for the competition includes hosts New Zealand, USA, Japan, Korea, Chile, Scotland, along with France -- who were promoted via the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2, and India -- who were relegated from the 2024-25 season of the FIH Hockey Pro League.
The FIH Hockey Nations Cup was launched in 2021 to offer a top-level competition to the best-ranked teams not participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League and give the winning team the option to be promoted to the FIH Hockey Pro League in the following season.
India, Spain and New Zealand have won the first three editions of the women's competition thus far. On the men's side, South Africa won the inaugural edition, followed by back-to-back successes for the New Zealand men's team.
Following the confirmation of the hosts for the fourth edition of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said, 'On behalf of FIH, I would like to express our sincere thanks to the Hockey Associations of New Zealand and South Africa. We are delighted to have two outstanding host nations and cities for these remarkable tournaments. I'm excited for the thrilling matches and the fantastic atmosphere that will unfold across two continents, as some of the world's top men's and women's teams showcase their talent for hockey fans around the globe.' (ANI)
Restaurants shrink portions to meet changing diner habits
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 00:00:00WASHINGTON, D.C.: Smaller portions are emerging as one of the biggest trends in the restaurant industry as diners look to spend less and eat more mindfully.
Across the United States, restaurants are introducing special menus featuring smaller portions and lower prices. The trend spans large chains such as Olive Garden and The Cheesecake Factory as well as smaller independent restaurants and farm-to-table eateries.
Operators say offering smaller servings, beyond traditional children's menus, helps meet a range of customer needs. Some diners want to control spending when eating out, while others are seeking healthier choices or trying to lose weight. Younger consumers also tend to snack more during the day and eat smaller meals, said Maeve Webster, president of the culinary consulting firm Menu Matters.
\"These are really driven by, I think, changes in the way people are thinking about their relationship with food, the way they spend money on food, what is a good value and what's not,\" Webster said.
Smaller Meals, Lower Prices
Beth Tipton, co-owner of Daniel Girls Farmhouse Restaurant in Connersville, Indiana, added an eight-item \"Mini Meals\" menu last fall after customers began asking for smaller portions.
The menu includes daily specials, such as a half portion of meatloaf served with green beans, mashed potatoes, and gravy for US$8. Tipton said the smaller dishes now account for about 20 percent of the restaurant's orders.
Older adults make up roughly half of the restaurant's clientele, and some customers said the regular menu stretched their budgets. Tipton, who previously underwent weight-loss surgery, also understood that some diners need smaller portions but cannot order from children's menus.
\"We wanted it to be available to all without the word âkids meals' attached,\" Tipton said. \"With the rising costs all around us, we wanted to help in any way we can, and this is a great option.\"
Catering to GLP-1 Users
Another factor behind the shift is the growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs such as Zepbound, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro.
Last fall, restaurateur Barry Gutin learned from two friends taking GLP-1 medications that they struggled to find meals that matched their smaller appetites and dietary needs.
Gutin, co-owner of Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar in Philadelphia, Washington, Atlantic City, and Orlando, consulted a weight-loss specialist and worked with the restaurant's culinary director, Angel Roque, to design a special menu.
The resulting GLP-Wonderful menu includes five Cuban dishes tailored for GLP-1 users. Roque said the regular pollo asado dish at Cuba Libre has nearly 1,000 calories, but the GLP-1 version reduces that to about 400 calories while emphasizing protein and fiber.
\"Many times when people are on those kinds of regimes, they feel that they can't do the same as everybody else. So we wanted to show them, yes, at Cuba Libre, you can,\" Roque said.
Gutin said the menu has boosted business, estimating that 10 to 20 groups at each location every week include at least one diner who orders from the GLP-Wonderful menu.
\"People say, âThank you for serving us,\" Gutin said.
Big Chains Join the Trend
Major restaurant chains are also experimenting with smaller servings.
Olive Garden introduced a nationwide \"Lighter Portions\" menu in January. Rick Cardenas, president and CEO of parent company Darden Restaurants, said the company wanted to appeal to diners seeking healthier or more affordable meals.
\"There is a consumer group out there that believes in abundance, but abundance is different for everybody,\" Cardenas said during a September investor call. \"So consumers can choose. We're not changing our entire menu to make it a smaller portion.\"
Other chains are following suit. P.F. Chang's recently began offering medium-sized portions, while The Cheesecake Factory added lower-priced Bites and Bowls last summer. TGI Fridays is also testing an \"Eat Like A Kid\" menu with smaller servings.
A Lasting Shift
Small plates are not entirely new to restaurants â tapas concepts gained popularity years ago. But Webster believes the current movement could represent a more lasting change in how restaurants serve food.
Consumers are increasingly concerned about food waste, she said, and oversized restaurant portions often result in uneaten leftovers.
\"I think it is a core need that consumers have, and a demand that has been lingering under the surface for a long time because restaurant meals, particularly at chains, have become so large,\" Webster said. \"Sure, it sounds great to take leftovers home, but they never taste as good.\"
Old Dominion University students kill shooter who left 1 dead, 2 hurt
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 00:00:00NORFOLK, Virginia: The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) students at Virginia's Old Dominion University on March 13 subdued and killed a former Army National Guard member who opened fire in a classroom.
Authorities said the former National Guard member, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, had spent eight years in prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State.
Jalloh had yelled \"Allahu Akbar\" before he started shooting, in which one person was killed, and two were wounded. The person killed by the shooter was identified as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, the leader of the school's ROTC program.
Lt. Col. Jimmy Delongchamp, the public information officer for the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Knox, told The Associated Press that two other people who were shot were members of the Army ROTC at Old Dominion University.
Dominique Evans, the special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Norfolk, Virginia, said at a news conference that the ROTC students showed extreme bravery and courage. Evans said the students stopped Jalloh and prevented more people from being killed.
Evans said the students overpowered Jalloh and made sure he was no longer alive. She added that she did not know how else to describe what happened. Evans confirmed that Jalloh was not shot but did not give more details.
Kash Patel, director of the FBI, said on social media that the campus shooting was being investigated as an act of terrorism.
Evans said Jalloh wanted to carry out a terrorist attack similar to the Fort Hood shooting.
Jalloh had pleaded guilty in 2016 to trying to help the Islamic State and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was released from federal prison in December 2024.
Ashraf Nubani, a lawyer in Virginia who represented Jalloh in his 2016 criminal case, said in a statement that he had not been in contact with Jalloh recently and had no information about the events on March 12.
Jalloh's sister, Fatmatu Jalloh of Sterling, Virginia, said she knew nothing about the attack. She said she last saw her brother two days earlier and had no idea what was happening or who to contact.
Garrett Shelton, the police chief at Old Dominion University, said less than 10 minutes passed between the first report of a shooting in the university's business school building and the moment responders confirmed the shooter was dead.
Shelton said authorities had not yet fully determined the cause of the shooter's death. He also did not confirm whether any police officers fired their weapons.
3 bedroom Villa for sale in Ciudad Quesada with pool – ⬠425,000
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 09:01:00Discover this charming and welcoming single-story home, built in 2014, ideal for year-round living, as a second home, or as an investment property thanks to its tourist license. The house boasts 90 m2 of living space on a 230 m2 plot, offering a perfect balance between interior comfort and outdoor areas to fully enjoy the Mediterranean climate. It features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with the master suite featuring a private bathroom and a large window overlooking the pool area, allowing for fantastic natural light throughout much of the day. Outside, the property captivates with its 73⦠See full property details
Ciudad Quesada, Alicante
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Can establishments in Spain force you to pay with card?
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-16 08:51:38According to the Bank of Spain, card payments accounted for 65.7 percent of all transactions last year.
They also revealed that cards are the most widely used payment method in Spain for small payments, while bank transfers are used for larger transactions.
It's important to note, however, that cash payments are still widely accepted and are preferable in many more rural areas. Cash payments are also still protected by Spanish law.
Can a business in Spain actually force you to pay with card and refuse cash though?
READ ALSO: How much money in cash can you pay towards a property in Spain?
The quick and easy answer is no. Businesses like shops, bars and restaurants can't make you pay with card if you want to pay with cash.
The law states that establishments that open to the public must accept cash payments, provided they respect the limits set by tax regulations to prevent fraud.
Royal Decree-Law 24/2021 states that it is an infringement to refuse to accept cash.
Authorities can even sanction businesses that violate this rule. Fines can range from â¬100 up to â¬10,000, but could be higher in specific circumstances.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has confirmed that sanctions have already been imposed on companies who have refused cash payments.
READ ALSO: What are Spain's rules and limits on cash payments?
The rules don't work the other way around though. Although businesses are legally required to accept cash, they are not obligated to accept bank cards. Each business can choose to have a card reader or not. They can also limit the use of card readers if they choose.
This means for example, they can require a minimum purchase amount for card payments. In some bars for example there can be a â¬10 minimum, so that you can't pay just for a coffee electronically for example.
According to consumer law experts though, these rules must be clear before you make the purchase. The means they must have a visible sign saying 'cash only' or 'â¬10 limit for card payments'.
If this information is not displayed, the business could be in violation of the rules.
READ ALSO: The key changes to bank transfers and money limits in Spain
There are also regulations when paying with cash though too. Currently, cash payments between consumers and businesses cannot exceed â¬1,000, but the limit between individuals is higher.
The rules remain that for normal purchases in customer-facing establishments cash payments are perfectly legal and acceptable.
If an establishment tries to force you to use a card without a justified reason, you can request a complaint form called an hoja de reclamaciones or contact the relevant consumer protection organisation.
Motorhome nomads challenge Spainâs housing crisis â' What the law really says
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 08:41:08Explosive growth defines motorhome living across Spain as property prices rocket and rental options slip from the reach of countless budgets, for both holidays and full-time living. Couples and families from all over Europe are opting for life on four wheels in popular Spanish destinations while official campsites overflow, together with public car parks, fairgrounds and beachside lay-bys. Motorhomes and campervans are filling a gap left by conventional housing markets in places where salaries fail to match rising accommodation costs.
Motorhome popularity rises with housing pressures
Recent years have seen this phenomenon expand rapidly beyond mere holidays into a serious consideration for permanent residency. Salaries lagging behind inflation compound difficulties, making traditional homes unattainable for growing numbers of people. Caravanning now extends to full-time living as an option in regions close to where the jobs are.
Digital nomad visas encourage the trend
Spain encouraged the movement with its digital nomad visa introduced via the 2023 Startup Law, and the idea has caught on with thousands of visas granted. Technology has kept up too now that many mobile workers can integrate WiFi-equipped motorhome zones for continued productivity during extended stays.
Coasts suffer from motorhome overcrowding
Ibiza, Mallorca and Marbella outskirts rank among the locations hardest hit by this change. High demand for affordable living in these places intensifies as motorhomes fill available spaces, reflecting wider urban and coastal housing strains. These popular spots grapple with the consequences of residents choosing vehicles over conventional properties. As one resident of Fuengirola recently told Euro Weekly News, âThereâs not even grey water drainage where they are parked, and some havenât moved for months.â
Individuals who work remotely can enjoy clear advantages through access to dream locations without fixed rental commitments. Families similarly benefit from cost reductions and mobility in the face of stretched budgets. Positive impacts include greater lifestyle freedom for those embracing the four-wheel option and the possibility of just changing site overnight.
Council registration requirements create hurdles
Registering with the local council, or âEmpadronamientoâ, demands creating major obstacles since vehicles fail to qualify as valid addresses. Public health services, education enrolment and administrative tasks turn out to be problematic, forcing reliance on family homes, campsites or permitted council addresses. Such hurdles are the negative side for aspiring permanent dwellers.
Spanish regs impose no direct prohibition of motorhome living
In Spain, regulations impose no direct prohibition against full-year motorhome residence. It is still a grey area as far as the law in concerned. Administrative systems nonetheless classify these as moveable vehicles exclusively, offering zero recognition as habitual dwellings. The body which governs vehicles in Spain, the DGT or Directorate General of Traffic Instruction 08/V-74 distinguishes stationary parking from camping setups involving space occupation or amenities. Motorhomes are still considered designed purely for temporary tourism.
Only local bylaws govern caravan living
In areas where the issue has become more than a problem for fixed residents, such as the Son Güells area of Palma, where there used to be some reported 400 caravans, the local law was changed so that motorhomes and caravans could only stay for a maximum of ten days. However, some get around this, as is the case with the Fuengirola fairgrounds, by moving out for a few hours while the local market is held before moving back in again once it has gone.
Police forces and municipal bodies enforce existing distinctions to curb inappropriate long-term occupations in public areas. Most interventions focus on preventing camping-like behaviours during stationary periods. However, most local police tend to look the other way until there are complaints. And even then, demonstrating that someone is actually living rather than staying temporarily is not legally an easy thing to do.
Government intentions still unspecified so far
Government intentions regarding dedicated legislation stay unspecified so far. While many still struggle with the price and availability of fixed housing, the topic appears to be one the government will turn a blind eye to.
Industry advocates push against integrating motorhomes into housing strategies while practical issues like waste handling, water supply and ongoing relocation needs persist. Similar alternatives including prefabricated or modular homes emerge separately in response to the crisis. Experts anticipate continued debate without immediate overhaul.
Lifestyle first, tax second: Why that order matters
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 08:00:46Spain consistently ranks amongst the best places to live in Europe. It is no surprise that so many people decide to make it their home. However, when I speak to clients considering the move, the conversation often stalls at tax.
Some believe other countries offer more attractive tax regimes, and fear that by choosing Spain, they may be sacrificing financial security for lifestyle. However, with proper planning, many clients are in a better financial position after moving to Spain.
Recently, I worked with a couple in their early sixties who, after decades of holidaying in Spain and wanting to retire here, hesitated due to concerns about better tax options elsewhere. They consulted me to understand what the move entailed.
The timeline for our agreed plan began before they became Spanish tax residents. First, they were able to sell their UK home free of capital gains tax because it was their primary residence. Next, we withdrew the savings from their ISAs, which would not retain the same tax advantages once living in Spain. Finally, we reviewed their pensions; both were able to withdraw their 25 per cent tax-free lump sums before establishing Spanish residency. The result was transformational.
The couple had sufficient free capital to purchase their dream home in AndalucÃa outright and make it their own. Since they would be over 65 if they sold the Spanish home, they would be exempt from capital gains tax. We restructured their remaining cash into a Spanish-compliant investment to ensure steady growth, avoiding annual taxes from bank interest or ISAs. We could control their annual income to keep tax exposure low while maintaining flexibility. When we reviewed their inheritance position, we showed their children would inherit nearly tax-free under Andaluciaâs rules, a better long-term position than the UK. Overall, their finances were arranged so that tax is applied only where needed and at low levels, ensuring full access to their wealth.
Many couples hold back from their ideal location due to fears of taxes, but taxes can often be managed through careful structuring. Time spent living where you truly want is irreplaceable. For many, itâs a life decision, not just about taxes.
Our approach is simple: Lifestyle first, tax second.
Prioritise your lifestyle and structure finances accordingly; when done right, both tend to fall into place.
As a Chartered Wealth Manager in Spain, I assist British expatriates seeking clarity before big decisions. Whether youâre contemplating a move or already relocated and uncertain about your arrangements, Iâm happy to have an initial chat. A timely review can make a real difference.
To find out more or read Jettâs other articles, visit www.spectrum-ifa.com or scan the QR Code.
Jett Parker-Holland
+34 677124364
Jett.parker-holland@spectrum-ifa.com
2 bedroom Apartment for sale in Velilla with pool – ⬠320,000
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 09:00:51Apartment for sale on the first line of the Velilla Promenade, in Almuñécar, a privileged location to enjoy beautiful sunrises by the sea every day. The property consists of 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a spacious living-dining room with air conditioning, an open plan kitchen, and a fantastic terrace perfect for year-round enjoyment due to its excellent orientation and wonderful sea views. Very sunny and in an unbeatable location, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and just five minutes from the center of Almuñécar. The residential complex features a large communal pool surrounded by a garden,⦠See full property details
Velilla, Granada
Click here to read more News from The Olive Press.
Survey shows Americans cutting food, bills to pay healthcare
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 00:00:00WASHINGTON, D.C.: About one-third of Americans cut spending on food, utilities or other basic expenses in 2025 in order to pay for healthcare, according to research released on Thursday by the West Health-Gallup Center.
The nationally representative survey, conducted between June and August 2025, polled nearly 20,000 adults across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. It found that 33 percent of respondents had made at least one trade-off in everyday spending to cover healthcare costs.
The burden was significantly higher among people without health insurance. Among uninsured respondents, 62 percent reported making at least one financial sacrifice to afford healthcare. That included 32 percent who reported borrowing money and 24 percent who said they had prolonged their current medication.
Among Americans with health insurance, nearly three in ten said they had made at least one sacrifice to cover healthcare costs.
Rising expenses appear to be contributing to the strain. Most Americans with private health insurance are facing higher premiums and greater out-of-pocket costs in 2026. Millions enrolled in government-subsidized Affordable Care Act plans are also seeing costs rise after additional subsidies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic expired.
\"We're actually finding that people are reporting higher incidences of metabolic disease or depression and anxiety. We're not getting healthier as a society, we're actually getting sicker, and the healthcare cost is going up on top of it,\" said Timothy Lash, president of West Health Policy Center, a nonprofit focused on healthcare and aging.
A separate survey released alongside the report suggests healthcare costs are influencing broader life decisions.
In a poll of 5,660 U.S. adults conducted primarily through Gallup's panel between October and December last year, respondents said they had delayed major life changes within the past four years because of healthcare costs.
These included decisions such as buying a home or taking a vacation.
Nearly nine percent of respondents said they had postponed retirement due to healthcare expenses, while roughly twice as many said healthcare costs had delayed a job switch.
Motorists beware: Spain steps up ITV inspections as average car is now 14.5 years old
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 08:00:00EXPATS and tourists driving in Spain are being warned to check their vehicles and paperwork carefully as authorities set up ITV inspections amid concerns over the countryâs ageing car fleet.
Motorists in Spain are now facing stricter enforcement, particularly on older vehicles.
Authorities advise owners of older cars to double-check their documentation and book inspections promptly, or face a costly fine.
Drivers found without up-to-date paperwork relative to ITV inspections face a â¬200 fine, which carries no points deduction but presents a significant financial penalty.
According to the Direccion General de Trafico (DGT) traffic authority, the average age of passenger cars in Spain now sits at 14.5 years, rising steadily each year.
Combined with high mileage and sometimes poor maintenance, the growing number of older cars is raising road safety concerns.
The ITV (Vehicle Technical Inspection) is mandatory for all vehicles, ensuring they are roadworthy and meet emission standards.
READ MORE: Europeâs coastal tourism boom fuels rise in mobile gaming and entertainment apps among visitors
Passenger cars must undergo their first inspection four years after registration, then every two years until they reach ten years old, after which annual checks are required.
The DGT and Guardia Civil are focusing on cars over 14 years old, verifying that ITV certificates are valid.
Failing rates increase sharply with vehicle age â' while only 7 per cent of cars aged 4-5 years fail their first ITV, the figure jumps to over 20 per cent for cars aged 20 years or older.
This means one in four veteran vehicles do not pass the first time.
High mileage also compounds safety risks, with older cars often exceeding 220,000km, putting critical components like brakes, tyres, and steering under strain.
Keeping up with ITV not only avoids fines but can prevent accidents linked to mechanical failures.
In Andalucia, ITV services are managed by VEIASA, with all notifications now sent by email or SMS to make it easier for drivers to update their contact details online.
The DGT also provides a handy map tool with all the ITV stations in the area, which you can access here.
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
Murderous Car Thief
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 07:09:55A man was admitted to hospital with severe traumatic brain injury after a brutal beating in the Guadalmar area of Málaga.
A mugger had attacked him using knuckle dusters but in the emergency room, doctors discovered that the attacker had also stabbed the 36-year-old victim, leaving the knife blade embedded inside his head.
To top it all, his mother suffered a heart attack upon seeing him and spent two days in the intensive care unit (ICU) before recovering. The victim, on the other hand, remains in a coma, sedated, and on mechanical ventilation.
There is uncertainty regarding potential long-term injuries if he survives.
The incident began around 16:00h on Friday. The victim had encountered a man inside his car. The thief had broken a side window to get in and was attempting to start the vehicle. When the victim confronted the thief, he attacked the victim, punching him with the knuckle duster and then stabbed him in the head.
A workmate (this happened outside his workplace where he had parked his car) was also attacked but suffered only minor injuries and was able to alert the victimâs parents.
His family was stunned to hear that a failed car theft had ended in an attempted murder, because a typical thief would have fled instead of attacking with intent to kill.
The victim underwent a tremendously risky surgery to remove the blade from his skull, lasting from 19:00h that evening until 03:00h the next morning.
Although he remains on life support, there was a brief moment of consciousness when sedation was temporarily withdrawn on Monday before he was sedated again.
(News: City & Metropolitan Area, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)
Keywords: Violent Car Thief, Knuckle Dusters, Knife Blade, Lodged, Skull, Surgery, Coma
news, andalucia, malaga, costa del sol, city & metropolitan area, guadalmar, violent car thief, knuckle dusters, knife blade, lodged, skull, surgery, coma
Fuel for Narco RIBs Intercepted
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 07:14:06After the frustration felt by residents of La Herradura over the seeming impunity of narco-RIBs carrying fuel in the bay, it is a relief to hear of the police actually knabbing culprits.
However, this wasnât in La Herradura, but much further down the coast near the city of Málaga in the area of Guadalmar.
Thanks to a tip off to the police by somebody who saw a âsuspicious carâ in his area, the Málaga PolicÃa Local were able to intercept a vehicle with 50 fuel containers in the back, obviously intended for refueling narco RIBs for their return run to Morocco.
The van had been making its way down to the beach when the police saw it. Upon arrival, individuals began to hurriedly unload the fuel as a RIB headed for the beach. It appears that the police only managed to arrest the driver. The rest must have got away.
The PolicÃa Local handed him over to the PolicÃa Nacional, whilst the Guardia Civil took charge of the vehicle and confiscated fuel containers.
Editorial comment: the way things are going with fuel prices, the gasoline will fetch more money that the drugs!
(News: City & Metropolitan Area, Costa del Sol, Malaga, Andalucia)
Keywords: Drug-Boat Fuel Intercepted, Guadalmar, RIB, Van, Guardia Civil, PolicÃa Nacional, Guardia Civil, Beach
news, andalucia, malaga, costa del sol, city & metropolitan area, drug-boat fuel intercepted, guadalmar, rib, van, guardia civil, policÃa nacional, guardia civil, beach
Explainer: In OpenClaw frenzy, should we be cheery or worried?
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 00:00:00Most people are reacting to OpenClaw with a mix of awe and unease: While marveling at its abilities, users also worry about data security and fear that their work will be stolen one day.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- For years, the idea of an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant like J.A.R.V.I.S., the ever-present helper to Iron Man, has lingered on the edge of reality. In early 2026, the sudden rise of OpenClaw is prompting many to wonder whether that moment has finally arrived.
Standing out from other mainstream AI systems like ChatGPT, DeepSeek and Claude, which largely operate through a conversational prompt-response model, OpenClaw is designed to take action, carrying out tasks for users in the digital world.
Most people have been reacting with a mix of awe and unease: While marveling at its abilities, users also worry about data security and fear that their work will be stolen one day.
WHAT IS OPENCLAW?
The project was originally published last November by Austrian coder Peter Steinberger as Clawdbot, which he claimed to be \"a playful pun\" on U.S. AI company Anthropic's Claude chatbot with a lobster's claw.
Anthropic, however, seemed to be less amused. After a trademark dispute, the project was renamed Moltbot in late January -- and three days later became OpenClaw, with \"Open\" referring to its open-source nature and \"Claw\" a nod to its lobster-themed heritage.
With the name settled, it quickly took off, attracting two million visitors in a single week, and has so far collected over 309,000 stars on code repository GitHub.
Though configuration could be tricky for those who are not tech-savvy, the AI agent can be installed with a single line in the terminal and run tasks autonomously. It integrates with messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord and iMessage, letting users give orders in plain language.
Fu Sheng, CEO of Cheetah Mobile, said he built a team of eight OpenClaw agents while recovering from a skiing injury. In 14 days, they became a round-the-clock operation: sending New Year greetings to over 600 contacts in four minutes, publishing social media posts that drew more than a million views and even designing and launching a website -- all while he was asleep.
Beyond social media, OpenClaw can also be used to manage email, schedule appointments, gather market intelligence, or plan travel itineraries, handling repetitive and time-consuming tasks that normally fill a workday.
AI leaders are paying close attention. Andrej Karpathy, a founding member of OpenAI, said on X that OpenClaw is \"the most incredible sci-fi takeoff-adjacent thing\" he has recently seen. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang went further, calling it \"probably the single most important release of software, probably ever.\"
PERILS BEHIND PROMISE?
X's owner Elon Musk, however, has weighed in on the risks of handing AI agents sweeping control.
Late February, he posted an image of a monkey being handed a rifle on X, captioned: \"People giving OpenClaw root access to their entire life.\"
Similarly, Microsoft warned that OpenClaw should be treated as \"untrusted code execution with persistent credentials,\" as in an \"unguarded deployment,\" users risk having their passwords and other personal data stolen, or having their agent \"induced\" into running malicious code.
\"It is not appropriate to run on a standard personal or enterprise workstation. If an organization determines that OpenClaw must be evaluated, it should be deployed only in a fully isolated environment,\" it said.
Mishaps have shown this to be true.
Summer Yue, director of Alignment at Meta Superintelligence Lab, has shared an incident in which OpenClaw deleted and archived hundreds of her personal emails while completely ignoring her commands to stop.
\"Nothing humbles you like telling your OpenClaw 'confirm before acting' and watching it speedrun deleting your inbox,\" she wrote on X. \"I couldn't stop it from my phone. I had to RUN to my Mac mini like I was defusing a bomb.\"
In another staggering case, a U.S.-based software engineer Scott Shambaugh said \"an AI agent of unknown ownership\" called MJ Rathbun penned a \"thousand-word rant\" accusing him of discrimination, prejudice and hypocrisy, only because he, as a volunteer maintainer for a Python data-visualization library, rejected a submission it made to the open source codebase.
According to The New York Times, MJ Rathbun seems to be an OpenClaw product.
The \"craziest\" thing, Shambaugh said, was that MJ Rathbun \"had gone on the Internet and collected my personal information ... then combined it with made-up information and used that to write this narrative.\"
\"It shows just how easy it is for the next iteration to allow a bad actor to scale this up and impact not just one person who's pretty well prepared to deal with it, but thousands,\" Shambaugh said.
\"Imagine your parents or your grandparents. They get an email with a bunch of their information and a picture of them and some incriminating narrative which the AI threatens to send out. It's a very scary situation,\" he said.
Iraqi Shiite militia Saraya Awliya al-Dam claims strikes on US bases in Erbil and Baghdad; cites retaliation for Khamenei's killing
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 00:00:00Baghdad [Iraq], March 15 (ANI): The Saraya Awliya al-Dam group has claimed responsibility for a series of strikes targeting American installations in Iraq, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.
Operating in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003 that ousted Saddam Hussein, Saraya Awliya al-Dam is among several Shiite militia groups active in the region.
The group stated that it carried out the attacks in response to the US and Israel's killing of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the deaths of its fighters.
According to the group, the offensive involved strikes on multiple locations, Al Jazeera noted. The attacks included a US site in the northern city of Erbil and at the Victoria Base at the Baghdad airport, it added.
These claims of regional aggression coincide with a confirmed military tragedy. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday confirmed that all six crew members aboard the US KC-135 refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq on March 12 have died.
According to a statement by the US CENTCOM, the aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace during Operation Epic Fury. The command noted that the names of the deceased service members will be withheld until at least 24 hours after their families have been notified.
While the circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation, officials confirmed that the incident was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire.
'The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace March 12 during Operation Epic Fury. The circumstances of the incident are under investigation. However, the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,' the statement read.
Earlier on Thursday, the US CENTCOM confirmed the loss of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft while it was supporting military operations.
According to a release, CENTCOM stated that the incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury, the US-led operation against the Iranian regime to dismantle the security apparatus and prioritise locations that pose an imminent threat.
The release clarified the scope of the incident, stating: 'Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, while the second aircraft was able to land safely.' The command reiterated that 'this was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire.'
However, Iran's state media has presented a conflicting narrative regarding the aircraft's downing. Citing the spokesman for the Central Headquarters of Iran's Military, state reports claimed that the US military refuelling plane was shot down by a missile fired by resistance groups in Western Iraq.
The spokesperson further told Press TV that all six of the service members on board had been killed.
The Public Relations Department of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) supported this claim in a separate statement. As reported by Press TV, the IRGC said that the air defence systems of the Resistance Front succeeded in targeting the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker while it was refuelling an aggressor fighter jet. (ANI)
Review: Real Madrid beats Elche as Atletico and Girona also win in La Liga
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-15 00:00:00MADRID, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win at home to Elche to move to within a point of FC Barcelona at the top of La Liga on Saturday night.
Antonio Rudiger opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a powerful shot after Elche failed to clear a free kick into its area.
Fede Valverde followed his midweek hat-trick against Manchester City with another goal as he doubled his side's lead from the edge of the area to make it 2-0 with an impressive shot, and Dean Huijsen added the third with a powerful header in the 66th minute.
Real Madrid youngster Manuel Angel was unfortunate to put the ball in his own net to give Elche a consolation goal, but it was 4-1 when Arda Guler scored from inside his own half after spotting Elche goalkeeper Matias Dituro out of his area.
Elche will drop into the bottom three if Mallorca beats Espanyol on Sunday.
Nahuel Molina's stunning seventh minute goal was enough to give Atletico Madrid three points with a 1-0 win in a tough derby at home to Getafe.
Getafe defender Abdel Abqar was sent off for an incident with Atletico striker Alexander Sorloth in the 54th minute, where he appeared to touch Sorloth's genital region, with Sorloth seeing a yellow card after hauling the Getafe player to the ground afterwards.
Oviedo captain David Costas scored the only goal of the game with a powerful shot to keep Oviedo's hopes of survival intact with a 1-0 win at home to Valencia.
Costas scored following a corner as his side showed it is not ready to resign itself to relegation just yet.
Girona moved comfortably clear of the bottom three with a 3-0 win at home to an inept Athletic Bilbao.
Hugo Rincon, who is on loan at Girona from Athletic, opened the scoring with an angled drive in the third minute and after the visitors wasted two good chances to level in the second half, Azz-Eddine Ounahi and Claudio Echeverri sealed an important win for Girona.
On Friday night, Alaves was frustrated again by a late goal in a 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal.
It looked as if an own goal from Villarreal's Rafa Marin would give the home side a vital win, but Nicolas Pepe's turn and curling shot in the 98th minute denied Alaves three points, just a week after they conceded two late goals to go from 2-1 ahead to lose 3-2 in Valencia.
Barcelona is at home to Sevilla on Sunday, on the same day the club holds elections for a new club President.
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