Move over Tuscany, because these days Malaga’s mango country is having its big moment. Netflix has just premiered Mango, a romantic drama shot entirely in the sun-drenched hills of the wonderful Axarquia region. That’s where Europe’s sweetest mangoes grow.

Directed by Danish filmmaker Mehdi Avaz, the film stars Dar Salim (Game of Thrones) and Josephine Park (The Nurse). And it tells the story of an ex-lawyer who escapes tragedy to live on a struggling mango farm. The twist? A hotel manager arrives with plans that could change everything. Cue love, conflict, and plenty of Mediterranean light.

A cinematic postcard from Axarquia

But Mango isn’t just another Netflix love story. It’s a cinematic postcard from southern Spain. Velez-Malaga, Frigiliana and a mango plantation in Benamocarra all take centre stage in the production. And they’re captured during the real mango harvest last September. 

The backdrop belongs to Eurofresh, an organic producer whose orchards stretch across 40 years of history and now, onto the global streaming screen.

More than a simple movie for Axarquia

Local producer María Cabello, from the Malaga-based company Anima Stillking, says the project was special for more than one reason. “We wanted it to feel authentic. The heat, the harvest, the community. Everyone who wasn’t Danish was from Malaga. That’s something we try to sell to every production that comes here.”

Filming wasn’t easy: August sun, steep Frigiliana streets, and gear carried by hand through pedestrian lanes. But the payoff? “We ate a lot of mangoes,” Cabello laughs.For the Axarquia, Mango is more than another movie.  It’s a celebration of the place, of the beauty of this area. After years of being Spain’s quiet agricultural powerhouse, the region is finally shining on screen. Under the bright Andalusian sky, even the fruit tells a story of resilience, flavour and love.

Read here more news from Axarquia.

The World Travel Market 2025 in London has seen the Catalonia region reaffirm its standing with the British travel market, reporting 1.89 million UK visitors in 2024 who spent a total of €2.024 billion.

While these figures haven’t yet recovered to pre-Brexit levels, tourism officials say the market is “mature, stable and increasingly focused on higher value experiences.”

At the fair, a delegation from Catalonia – including senior tourism officials – highlighted the region’s shift toward cultural, gastronomic and sustainable travel, rather than just sun-and-sea holidaying.

Spain’s second-largest inbound market from the UK, Catalonia is also strengthening direct flight links with 18 UK airports and four in Ireland, helping keep connectivity solid. As one senior official put it, the aim is to capture a visitor with “value added” who stays longer, spends more, and engages with the region beyond the coastal resorts.

What the Catalonia strategy signals is a maturing of UK tourism: fewer one-week beach escapes and more interest in gastronomy, culture, golf, long stays and off-peak travel.

The presence of chef Paco Pérez at a London cocktail event, hosted by the Catalonia delegation, showed a serious level of ambition on food tourism.

Michelin-starred chef Paco Pérez is one of Spain’s most acclaimed culinary figures, and is the creative force behind several award-winning restaurants, including Miramar in Llançà (Girona) and Enoteca in Barcelona, which together hold five Michelin stars.

This focus on higher-value, experience-led tourism shows why the UK market remains both resilient and evolving.

Keeping flight connections regular and efficient, investing in mid-week stays, high-end premium experiences and diversifying beyond sun and sand will matter more than ever if destinations are to stay ahead.

This also matters for the wider Spanish tourism picture. The UK remains a key source of tourists and revenue; the fact that Catalonia can hold its ground is encouraging for destinations elsewhere.

Police in London and Surrey have launched urgent manhunts after two prisoners were mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, one of the country’s most high-profile jails.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 24-year-old Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a registered sex offender, was wrongly freed from the south London prison on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Officers were notified of the error almost a week later, on Tuesday, November 4, and immediately began a full investigation and search operation.

Met Police appeal for public help

Kaddour-Cherif, who is of Algerian nationality, has links to Westminster and Tower Hamlets. He is described as being of medium build, with short dark hair and a trimmed beard. Police have urged the public not to approach him but to call 999 immediately, quoting CAD 4697/04NOV25.

Commander Paul Trevers said, “As soon as we were informed of the mistake, officers moved quickly to begin a full investigation and search operation. Our priority now is to locate Kaddour-Cherif safely and return him to custody.”

Officers continue to carry out searches across London and the surrounding counties, working closely with prison authorities to determine how the error occurred.

Second manhunt in Surrey

Meanwhile, Surrey Police are searching for William ‘Billy’ Smith, aged 35, who was also mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth around the same period.

Smith is wanted on recall to prison and is believed to have connections to the Reigate and Horley areas. He is described as white, around 5 feet and 9 inches tall, of medium build, with brown hair and blue eyes. Despite extensive enquiries, officers have so far been unable to trace him.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said, “We are appealing for help to locate Billy Smith, who is wanted on recall to prison after being mistakenly released. Officers are following several lines of enquiry, but public assistance remains vital.”

Anyone who sees Smith is also asked not to approach him, but to call 999 immediately, quoting PR/45250121319.

Questions over prison procedures

The Ministry of Justice has yet to release details about how the two men were freed in error. However, both police forces have confirmed they are working in close coordination with the prison service to prevent further incidents and ensure tighter administrative oversight.

HMP Wandsworth, one of the UK’s largest category B prisons, has faced scrutiny before following other high-profile security and management issues. It currently houses more than 1,500 inmates.

Public urged to remain vigilant

Both men remain at large, and police are urging the public to remain alert. Anyone with immediate information is asked to call 999, while information can also be passed anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Authorities have described the situation as “serious but contained”, stressing that the search efforts are ongoing across multiple jurisdictions.