Latest news with #Bermudez
The Star
16-07-2025
- The Star
Spain's Olive Oil Route is a slick way to visit the region
Olive trees dominate the Andalusian landscape, stretching out as far as the eye can see on either side of our path. And when Antonio Bermudez tells us how many there are, all jaws drop. The region is home to 66 million gnarled and twisted trees, some of which are 600 years old. 'They were here before Columbus set sail for America,' he says. The area in the southern Spanish province of Jaen is also known as the sea of olives, and is one of the largest olive growing regions in the world. Bermudez's job is to navigate his guests through this sea, by bike along the Via Verde del Aceite. Known as the 'Olive Oil Route', it's a 128km hiking and cycling trail that leads from Jaen to the town of Puente Genil, about 70km south of Cordoba. On the Via Verde del Aceite you can discover Spain's quieter side, away from the big cities and busy coastal resorts. Bermudez gets on his bike. Many of his guests, who come from all over the world, go on day trips that they combine with hiking or sightseeing. In Jaen, which is the start and end point of the route, there is a grand Renaissance-style cathedral and Arab baths that are among the best preserved across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Waterfalls and rugged rocks are typical in the Sierras Subbeticas National Park. The original Andalusia Others decide to cycle along longer stretches of the route, booking a luggage shuttle service. Bermudez says the section from Martos, a small mountainside town with medieval fortifications, is 'particularly beautiful'. It's around 60km from there to Cabra and 75km to Lucena, two small towns on the edge of the Sierras Subbeticas mountain range. 'You can look at the route as a sports challenge and do the whole thing quickly,' says Bermudez. But he suggests taking your time to get to know the original Andalusia. 'After all,' he says with a grin, '... it has much more to offer than just olive trees.' There is the town of Alcaudete, for example. Accessible via a 6km side road, it's home to one of the best-restored fortresses in Spain, a commanding castle of the Calatrava Order. Or the mountain village of Zuheros, whose whitewashed houses are perched on a rocky cliff above the cycle path. The village regularly makes it onto a list of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Right next door is the Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park, which is famous for its rugged peaks, waterfalls and the Cueva de los Murcielagos, a prehistoric cave that's home to different types of bat. It's open to visitors, making it ideal for a change from a morning sitting in the saddle. Disused railway lines Along the Olive Oil Route, ponies turn to look at the tourists as they cycle by and the scent of rosemary and wild flowers fills the air. You pass flocks of sheep, while cuckoos call down from the treetops. 'Nature is one of our greatest treasures,' says Bermudez. It's something you realise over and over again while cycling along the route. The Olive Oil Route is one of Spain's Via Verdes or Green Routes. The name doesn't betray the fact that these are former railway lines. Around 30 years ago, disused lines across the country began to be turned into hiking and cycling trails that are closed to motor vehicles. Trains couldn't handle major climbs, which means today's cycle paths are fairly flat, making them ideal for all age groups, from families with children to senior citizens. There are now more than 3,400km of former railways throughout Spain that you can explore by bike or on foot, divided into around 135 sections or connecting routes. Under the patronage of the Spanish Railway Foundation, care has been taken to preserve the traces of railway history. Around 125 former train stations now house bars or guest houses, tourist information centres, museums and bike hire shops. A view of Alcaudete from the castle of the Calatrava order. Viaducts with a view Converted stations can also be found along the Olive Oil Route. In Dona Mencia, part of the province of Cordoba, the station building is now a restaurant. Next door is Antonio Camacho bike rental business, located in a former oil warehouse. From the end of the 19th century, the route was mainly used to transport olive oil from the production areas of Jaen and Curdoba to the ports on the Mediterranean. 'The last railway line was taken out of service in 1985,' says Camacho. Since the turn of the millennium, different sections have gradually been transformed into cycle paths. 'The great thing is that cyclists can discover traces of the past all along the route,' he says. At Cabra station, for example, historic trains are a reminder of the line's history. In other sections, cyclists can expect tunnels, railway bridges and viaducts from the 19th century – they are among the most beautiful sections. 'If you find yourself cycling high up on one of the steel bridges, pause for a moment and take in the landscape,' Camacho says. The view consists of rivers, rugged mountains and whitewashed villages – and above all the sea of olive trees that give the route its name and its powerful appeal. – ALEXANDRA FRANK/dpa
Hamilton Spectator
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada runs in eight tries in 50-20 rugby win over Springbok women in Pretoria
PRETORIA - Florence Symonds and Alysha Corrigan scored two tries apiece to help Canada to a 50-20 win over South Africa in women's rugby play Saturday. Despite the comfortable victory margin, it did not all go the second-ranked Canadians' way. The second half saw the 12th-ranked Springboks score 17 points and Canada lose several players to injury. 'I think we put in a big shift there,' said Symonds, named player of the match. 'I think we were down to 14 (players) at one point so we were thrown that challenge ... I'm just really proud of the team.' The two teams meet again next Saturday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The Canadian women will then have just two more outings before the Rugby World Cup kicks off Aug. 22 in England. DaLeaka Menin, Fancy Bermudez, Laetitia Royer and Caroline Crossley also scored tries for Canada, which led 26-3 at halftime. Julia Schell kicked five conversions. The win will likely come at a cost, however. There was a lengthy injury delay early in the second half when Bermudez was taken off the field on a cart after an apparent leg injury. Olivia Apps shifted to the wing in place of Bermudez, with Justine Pelletier taking over at scrum half, before she herself hobbled off in the 60th minute. Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandré Dolf and Sizophila Solontsi scored tries for South Africa. Cilliers also booted a penalty and conversion. The game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the 51,762-capacity stadium that is home to the Vodacom Bulls, was a curtain-raiser for the men's test match between the top-ranked Springboks and No. 10 Italy. Injured South African men's captain Siya Kolisi delivered the pre-game team talk to the Springbok women. It was 17 C in the early-afternoon sunshine at kickoff and Canada started brightly, with Menin powering her way over from close range in the sixth minute to cap a 12-phase attack for a converted try. The physicality of the Springboks was demonstrated in the 12th minute when Solontsi, a flanker, sent captain Alex Tessier flying backwards as the Canadian captain attempted an open-field tackle. Soon after South Africa showed another side of its game, winning a scrum penalty that led to a penalty kick cutting the lead to 7-3 in the 14th minute. An overlap in the Canadian backline after a scrum led to a Bermudez try in the 17th minute to up the lead to 12-3. Schell's conversion attempt hit the goalpost. Unforced errors ended several subsequent Canadian attacks while South Africa conceded a string of penalties. Canada upped its lead to 19-3 in the 29th minute when Bermudez cut through the Springbok defence before feeding Symonds, who outpaced a Springbok chaser for a converted try. Royer scored Canada's fourth try in the 34th minute after South Africa fell asleep at the breakdown. Another Symonds try in the 38th minute was called off upon video review for a knock-on in the buildup. South Africa conceded eight penalties in the first half. Cilliers scored the Springboks' first try in the 44th minute, after Solontsi broke several tackles to spark the attack. But Canada answered immediately, with Symonds ripping the ball free from a Springbok on the ensuing kickoff and Corrigan getting to the loose ball first for a try and a 31-10 lead. Canada added another Corrigan try in the 57th minute with South Africa answering with tries by Dolfi (62nd minute) and Sizophila Solontsi (69th) to cut the lead to 38-20 Symonds scored her second try in the 79th minute and Crossley, a member of the Canadian seven squad who started in the second row, added an intercept try in the 80th minute. Canadian hooker Holly Phillips made her debut off the bench in the 53rd minute. Forwards Gillian Boag and McKinley Hunt earned their 30th cap. Star forward Sophie de Goede, Canada's captain when healthy, was not in Saturday's matchday squad. Returning from a knee injury, de Goede is expected to see action in the Springboks rematch. The game was the fifth meeting between the two sides and the first on South Africa soil. Canada thumped South Africa 66-7 the last time they met, in March 2023 in Madrid. The Canadians also won in three meetings at the Nations Cup: 53-15 in 2013 in Colorado and 52-17 and 35-17 in 2011 and 2009 in Oakville, Ont. After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. South Africa will play out of Group D with No. 4 France, No. 8 Italy and No. 28 Brazil. Canada improved to 13-5-1 since finishing fourth at the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to No. 3 New Zealand. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada runs in eight tries in 50-20 rugby win over Springbok women in Pretoria
PRETORIA – Florence Symonds and Alysha Corrigan scored two tries apiece to help Canada to a 50-20 win over South Africa in women's rugby play Saturday. Despite the comfortable victory margin, it did not all go the second-ranked Canadians' way. The second half saw the 12th-ranked Springboks score 17 points and Canada lose several players to injury. 'I think we put in a big shift there,' said Symonds, named player of the match. 'I think we were down to 14 (players) at one point so we were thrown that challenge … I'm just really proud of the team.' The two teams meet again next Saturday at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. The Canadian women will then have just two more outings before the Rugby World Cup kicks off Aug. 22 in England. DaLeaka Menin, Fancy Bermudez, Laetitia Royer and Caroline Crossley also scored tries for Canada, which led 26-3 at halftime. Julia Schell kicked five conversions. The win will likely come at a cost, however. There was a lengthy injury delay early in the second half when Bermudez was taken off the field on a cart after an apparent leg injury. Olivia Apps shifted to the wing in place of Bermudez, with Justine Pelletier taking over at scrum half, before she herself hobbled off in the 60th minute. Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandré Dolf and Sizophila Solontsi scored tries for South Africa. Cilliers also booted a penalty and conversion. The game at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the 51,762-capacity stadium that is home to the Vodacom Bulls, was a curtain-raiser for the men's test match between the top-ranked Springboks and No. 10 Italy. Injured South African men's captain Siya Kolisi delivered the pre-game team talk to the Springbok women. It was 17 C in the early-afternoon sunshine at kickoff and Canada started brightly, with Menin powering her way over from close range in the sixth minute to cap a 12-phase attack for a converted try. The physicality of the Springboks was demonstrated in the 12th minute when Solontsi, a flanker, sent captain Alex Tessier flying backwards as the Canadian captain attempted an open-field tackle. Soon after South Africa showed another side of its game, winning a scrum penalty that led to a penalty kick cutting the lead to 7-3 in the 14th minute. An overlap in the Canadian backline after a scrum led to a Bermudez try in the 17th minute to up the lead to 12-3. Schell's conversion attempt hit the goalpost. Unforced errors ended several subsequent Canadian attacks while South Africa conceded a string of penalties. Canada upped its lead to 19-3 in the 29th minute when Bermudez cut through the Springbok defence before feeding Symonds, who outpaced a Springbok chaser for a converted try. Royer scored Canada's fourth try in the 34th minute after South Africa fell asleep at the breakdown. Another Symonds try in the 38th minute was called off upon video review for a knock-on in the buildup. South Africa conceded eight penalties in the first half. Cilliers scored the Springboks' first try in the 44th minute, after Solontsi broke several tackles to spark the attack. But Canada answered immediately, with Symonds ripping the ball free from a Springbok on the ensuing kickoff and Corrigan getting to the loose ball first for a try and a 31-10 lead. Canada added another Corrigan try in the 57th minute with South Africa answering with tries by Dolfi (62nd minute) and Sizophila Solontsi (69th) to cut the lead to 38-20 Symonds scored her second try in the 79th minute and Crossley, a member of the Canadian seven squad who started in the second row, added an intercept try in the 80th minute. Canadian hooker Holly Phillips made her debut off the bench in the 53rd minute. Forwards Gillian Boag and McKinley Hunt earned their 30th cap. Star forward Sophie de Goede, Canada's captain when healthy, was not in Saturday's matchday squad. Returning from a knee injury, de Goede is expected to see action in the Springboks rematch. The game was the fifth meeting between the two sides and the first on South Africa soil. Canada thumped South Africa 66-7 the last time they met, in March 2023 in Madrid. The Canadians also won in three meetings at the Nations Cup: 53-15 in 2013 in Colorado and 52-17 and 35-17 in 2011 and 2009 in Oakville, Ont. After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. South Africa will play out of Group D with No. 4 France, No. 8 Italy and No. 28 Brazil. Canada improved to 13-5-1 since finishing fourth at the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to No. 3 New Zealand. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Developers agreed to terms of Miami mega mall deal. Now they want to change it
For the unsuspecting taxpayer, the different messages coming from Miami-Dade County's elected officials couldn't sound more dissonant: You have the mayor calling for budget cuts and warning about times of financial austerity. Then you have a commissioner proposing to allow property tax dollars to be used to help develop a mega mall. The developers of American Dream Miami, planned near Hialeah, understood the county's approval of the project in 2018 also came with a subsidy ban on the planned retail theme park. Now that the project is at least five years behind schedule — and Miami-Dade County has sued over the delays — there's a proposal to water down that ban. Developer Triple Five is also in court with a Miami Lakes developer over control of land located at Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 75. Asking for the county's help sounds like a Hail Mary to push through a project that's looking less feasible by the minute. Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez's proposal would allow the county to divert property taxes to cover about $60 million in local road construction and other infrastructure costs that otherwise would be the developers' responsibility, the Herald reported. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava supported the item as a way to expedite the construction of roadways in the area even if the mega mall doesn't get built. The proposal was placed on the County Commission's Tuesday agenda at the last minute but a vote was deferred to mid July. Some commissioners balked at the argument put forward by Bermudez linking the approval of his subsidy-cap legislation to another vote that was also on the agenda to accept $5 million from the developer to settle the county's lawsuit. The latter was also postponed. Commission Chair Anthony Rodriguez said it was a 'bad look' that 'you guys are saying you'll only come to this agreement if we get this,' the Herald reported. Commissioner Oliver Gilbert said he opposes letting Triple Five tap into property taxes to offset its development costs, saying, 'I don't see how that's a good deal for the people.' It is not. Bermudez called his legislation 'an opportunity to right a wrong,' the Herald reported. That's because some of South Florida's largest malls successfully lobbied the commission to impose the subsidy ban on American Dream when it was approved. Miguel Díaz de la Portilla, a Triple Five lobbyist and former county commissioner, equated that to 'interference from some mall owners who don't want competition.' Díaz de la Portilla said the company could attract $350 million in road construction dollars to Northwest Miami-Dade if it can tap into county money first. We don't disagree entirely with Bermudez and Díaz de la Portilla. There's no doubt that the subsidy ban was a political move, at least in part, to stifle competition. Alas, in 2018, Triple Five agreed to cover the $60 million roadway costs or persuade state or local governments to fund them. It's hard not to read this latest move as a desperate attempt to change the terms of the deal, especially given Triple Five's legal and financial issues elsewhere. An American Dream mall opened on state-owned land in New Jersey in 2019 with help from more than $1 billion in state and local aid, according to Surrounding municipalities have sued, accusing the developer of owing a combined $13 million in negotiated payments to them since the mall's opening. Triple Five has denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the mall didn't have to start making the payments because it hasn't reached 100% occupancy and so was not completely open. In March, a local judge rejected that argument, ruling in favor of one of the municipalities, reported. Miami-Dade County is under increased financial pressure from the drying up of pandemic federal funding and the costs associated with spinning off county departments such as police into independent offices. Levine Cava's administration says the county faces the worst budget shortfall since the 2008 Great Recession. With so many needs and an unpredictable next few budget years, is this the time to ask the county to allow a developer to access property tax dollars for a private project? The answer should be no. Click here to send the letter.
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
American Dream Miami mega-mall will pay Miami-Dade $5M. But wants subsidy help, too
The stalled American Dream Miami mega-mall project may ask for property taxes to revive its fortunes. At a meeting Tuesday, some county commissioners balked at a proposal to lift a subsidy cap that was imposed on the retail theme park when a different commission approved the project in 2018. A vote to lift the subsidy ban was pushed to the board's next meeting on July 15. While lifting the ban wouldn't authorize the spending of any tax dollars on the $4 billion private project that's at least five years behind schedule, it would allow developer Triple Five to ask for county help funding about $60 million in nearby road construction and infrastructure costs. That could be a big boost for Triple Five, which hoped to reproduce its success with Minnesota's Mall of America in South Florida but is now mired in legal fights and delays. The American Dream project is so far behind schedule that it's facing a $5 million lawsuit from Miami-Dade over development delays. In 2018, Triple Five agreed to either cover the $60 million roadway costs or persuade state or local governments to fund the roadway improvements that are needed to connect the property with the nearby Florida's Turnpike, Interstate 75 and neighborhood roads on the vacant development site near Hialeah. Existing malls had pushed subsidy ban in Miami-Dade Some of South Florida's largest malls successfully lobbied county commissioners at the time to impose a subsidy ban on the project when the county originally approved the development. Triple Five called the ban unprecedented and unfair and says the restriction is making it harder to get Florida to build needed roads in the area. 'To me, we have an opportunity to right a wrong,' Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez, the sponsor of the measure to lift the subsidy cap, said at Tuesday's meeting. 'It was a decision based on politics, not on what was best for Miami-Dade County.' Miami-Dade mostly relies on state dollars and permitting fees for road construction, while property taxes fund police, jails, transit and parks. On Tuesday, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said she supported the Bermudez item as a way to accelerate construction of roadway improvements if the state won't pay for them — even if the mall never gets built. Bermudez said he had worked with the mayor's administration to refine the language of his legislation. 'I was personally persuaded that this really didn't have to do so much with the project as it has to do with the needs of the residents of the area,' Levine Cava told commissioners. 'We do not know what the developer plans to do with this property at this time. It could come back as housing or something else.' Miguel Díaz de la Portilla, a Triple Five lobbyist and former county commissioner, said Triple Five could lure about $350 million in state highway construction dollars to the Northwest Miami-Dade area if it could first tap county funds for some road construction. He called the subsidy ban an unprecedented restriction that came out of 'interference from some mall owners who don't want competition.' Property taxes could help cover development costs for the American Dream Miami project At Tuesday's meeting, Triple Five was hoping there would be a vote overturning the subsidy ban at the same time the commission endorsed Miami-Dade accepting $5 million from the developer to settle the county's lawsuit over the project's delays. The county sued Triple Five in April for missing its 2025 opening deadline and for failing to secure the required county approvals and permits by 2020, as was required under the 2018 development agreement reached with Miami-Dade. Levine Cava recommended that the commission approve a $5 million settlement of the suit, to be paid over four years with interest. The first $1 million would be due within 30 days, and all settlement money would go to offset the $53 million current shortfall in the county's transit budget. But the items lifting the subsidy cap and settling the lawsuit were added late to Tuesday's agenda, without the required public notice of four business days before the scheduled votes. The lateness allowed any commissioner to demand that the votes be delayed until the next meeting, and Commissioner René Garcia did so for the legislation lifting the subsidy cap. That prompted Bermudez, who sponsored both items, to say he didn't think the settlement would hold up without the subsidy-cap legislation passing as well. The suggestion of a link rankled Commission Chair Anthony Rodriguez. 'I think it's a bad look,' he said. 'That you guys are saying you'll only come to this agreement if we get this.' Commissioner Kionne McGhee ended the debate by invoking the 'four-day rule' to push the settlement vote to the July 15 meeting as well. Triple Five had agreed to the $5 million penalty in 2015 as part of an agreement with Miami-Dade to purchase 83 acres of government land for the development site without having to go through the normal bidding process for the property. While settling the Miami-Dade suit would cost Triple Five $5 million, the potential to gain access to property-tax dollars to fund development costs could be worth far more for the developer. The Bermudez item would allow Triple Five to request a special taxing district around the project to divert an unknown portion of property taxes from the American Dream property to pay for transportation costs. Creating that district would require another vote of the commission. A 2015 economic study Triple Five filed with Miami-Dade in the early stages of the approval process predicted American Dream would pay more than $13 million a year in property taxes. Commissioner Oliver Gilbert said he would oppose letting Triple Five use property taxes to subsidize its own development costs. 'I don't see how that's a good deal for the people,' he said.
