'Coco Chanel' by Lita Cabellut - 'Retratos' Exhibition, Marbella

Described as “a museum quality exhibition of striking portraits of strong individuals such as Coco Chanel, Billy Holiday, Anne Frank, Lorca and Frida Kahlo”, critically acclaimed Spanish artist Lita Cabellut’s Retratos showcase runs at the Red Penguin Gallery in Marbella until 20 June.

Lita, an orphan who grew up on the streets of Barcelona in a deprived gypsy community, was adopted when she was 12 and remarkably had her first exhibition just five short years later, before moving to the Netherlands at the age of 19, where she studied at Amsterdam’s Rietveld Academy…

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Spanish PM, Mariano Rajoy

After six months of deliberation, debate and discussion, the Spanish government is reported to have at last produced a new draft law offering residence permits to non-EU nationals purchasing property in Spain. Significantly though, while back in November 2012 the mooted investment threshold was a mere €160,000 – and criticised by many as being far too low – that figure has now been upped to €500,000…

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The Russian connection - a welcome shot in the arm for the Costa del Sol

Barely had the ink had time to dry on the new agreement between Air Europa and Málaga City Hall to establish daily low-cost flights connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg with the Costa del Sol, than Vueling also announced its own initiatives.

The launch date of the Air Europa service is still to be confirmed, although following a meeting in Madrid between representatives of Málaga City Hall and the president of tour operator Globalia, Juan José Hidalgo, it’s expected to be announced imminently…

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Telling John Lennon’s unique story through the eyes of his first wife Cynthia and their son Julian, this is the first time that the ‘Beatles Memorabilia – The Julian Lennon Collection’ has ever set foot outside Liverpool…

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Recovering from a broken leg while skiing in the Sierra Nevada, Miguel Ángel Jiménez at the launch of his Torremolinos Municipal Golf School

Local boy done good, Miguel Ángel Jiménez – born in Churriana, Málaga where he still lives – recently opened the Torremolinos Municipal School of Golf that bears his name…

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The faithful replica of the schooner 'Pickle' in Gibraltar

OK, so you’ll already have gathered this isn’t about stocking up with jars of Branston from Morrisons, or even with Brinjal Aubergine from the Waitrose shelves at Gibraltar’s new Eroski store.

The Pickle I’m on about is a 73ft twin-masted tall ship, and while she’s not the original topsail schooner that took part in the Battle of Trafalgar and raced to London to break the news of Lord Nelson’s death, she is nonetheless a faithful replica of the famous warship dating from 1799…

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Yuri Koff: 'Immersion'

The largest outdoor art festival in Southern Spain, Arte Marbella once more returns to the resort from 20 – 23 June. A fabulous showcase of artistic talent, since its launch in 2009 more than 300 artists have already taken part in what is one of the most popular and dynamic annual events in Marbella…

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People quietly waiting their turn in a dreary unemployment office in Madrid just a few days into the New Year, couldn’t believe their eyes – or their ears – as a flashmob suddenly appeared and totally out of the blue started performing George Harrison’s ‘Here Comes the Sun’ from the Fab Four’s 1969 Abbey Road album.

The skies in the capital may have been grey, and the post-Christmas blues at their annual peak, but with their bright, breezy and outgoing disposition, the Spanish – even those starting the New Year without a job – are still always ready to enjoy a ‘radio prank’.

The flash mob was organised by Carne Cruda 2.0 – voted the best radio programme in 2012 – broadcast on Spain’s premier radio network, Cadena SER.

Beatles flashmob brightens up Spanish unemployment office