Olive Press Gibraltar issue 248

NO LOVE LOST

ONLY a trainee police officer prevented an order from the Spanish police’s ‘rogue officer’ to stamp Fabian Picardo’s passport when crossing the border.

The now-suspended border police chief David Barrero gave the order to specifically target the Chief Minister in October 2024, according to Spanish daily Europa Sur Accompanied by a photograph of the Gibraltar Chief Minister, the message read: "From this day on, the passport of Fabián Picardo will be stamped, since he is a third-country national."

Discrimination

Barrero added that if Picardo crossed the border in a car with other Gibraltarians – as he often does – ‘the passports of those accompanying him are not to be stamped if they showed a red ID card, but Mr. Picardo’s should.’

However, before the humiliating directive could be put into effect, the La Linea police chief intervened after being tipped off by a rank-and-file.

Barrero is now facing a fifth charge from his superiors over his antics when manning the border, this time for discrimination – the penalties which can range up to a six year suspension and a forced transfer.

He was already suspended in February for repeatedly disobeying orders.

P LIVE RESS O GIBRALTAR

Tomahawk territory

HMS Astute took on a raft of Tomahawk cruise missiles after arriving in Gibraltar on the weekend.

A loading operation was carried out in the port, with multiple of the American-made missiles being hoisted onto the sub.

The Tomahawk missile, the backbone of HMS Astute's strike arsenal, is a long-range cruise missile capable of hitting ground targets more than 1,600 kilometres away. Unlike ballistic missiles, the Tomahawk flies at low altitude, allowing it to avoid enemy radars and adapt to the terrain.

The MoD stressed that the loading of missiles on the Astute is standard protocol to maintain the full operability of the submarine during longer deployments.

EGG ON FACE

Grand ‘reset’ between London and Brussels arrives despite Spanish claims Gibraltar had to be ‘resolved’ first

SPAIN’S assertion that a ‘reset’ between the UK and the EU cannot be reached without first ‘resolving the issue of Gibraltar’ has proven to be empty.

Foreign Minister Jose Manual Albares told the British media that the UK was not able to simply cherry pick its relationship with Europe ahead of the summit in London.

“There are many, many things we have to talk about, Gibraltar included,” Albares said on the BBC’s Newsnight.

“It’s not resolved yet, there's no agreement yet. We need to solve the issue of Gibraltar in order to have a full EU - UK relationship."

However, a grand deal was announced to much fanfare on Monday that will see various changes to the UK’s relation ship with the EU – but a trea ty on Gibraltar was not one of them.

The talks were deadlocked un til an 11th hour breakthrough over the weekend, thought to be a compromise on EU fishing access to British waters – Brus-

Cops on trial

FOUR serving RGP officers and another former one will go on trial over allegations they beat up a member of the public.

All four were suspended in November 2023 after a video emerged that appeared to show the assault, while the fifth had already left the force by this time.

The investigation began after the discovery of the video dating back to 2019 during a separate investigation.

The defendants appeared in the Magistrates on Monday where they were granted bail, their case immediately sent to the Supreme Court without a plea.

Police Sergeant Lionel Gomez, 34, Police Sergeant Daniel Fendley, 43, Police Constable

By Walter Finch

sels had demanded permanent access but in the end settled for a deal that runs until 2038.

It’s a concession which prompted cries that the UK Labour government had sold out its fishing communities –and might unnerve a few on the Rock. While rhetoric on the Gibraltar treaty has remained relentlessly upbeat, it’s clear that a similar ‘breakthrough’ will be necessary to get it over the line.

Metaphors

A host of politicos from all sides have struggled for metaphors to describe just how close a deal is, with Antonio Costa, the Portuguese President of the European Council, confidently saying during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that a treaty is ‘not far off.’ And EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic met separately with UK Foreign Secretary David

Lammy and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares on the sidelines to ‘capitalise on momentum and get the job done.’

But it was Fabian Picardo who admitted that negotiators had tried to coincide a treaty announcement with the UK-EU reset but they still need to ‘clear all the other issues’ while insisting to GBC ‘we are excruciatingly close to a treaty.’

The Chief Minister added: “It's a deal made up of choices we are having to make in compromising certain things – never conceding on any of our fundamentals – but having to make these compromised deals with a club that we used to be a member of.”

However, speculation has also been rife on the Rock that the harmonious chorus of ‘soon nearly there’ emanating from all sides is because a deal has in fact already been agreed.

“The goofiness of Costa, Starmer and Picardo yesterday on GBC suggests to me that the Gibraltar deal has been done and has not been announced for strategic reasons,” one senior figure told the Olive Press.

It’s a theory that would also save Albares’ blushes after EU ambassadors across the bloc approved the Brussels - London deal.

This theory notwithstanding, the new pact will have vanishingly little impact on the Rock.

Even a wildly popular agreement to let British passport holders skip the post-Brexit queues and use European e-gates will not apply at the Gibraltar border.

And each EU member state will have discretion as to whether to permit British travellers to use their e-gates – and will depend on rollout of the EES, currently due to come into effect on October 25 (but always subject to change).

AHOY: HMS Astute has made its second visit this year

Colin Tester, 28, Police Constable Christopher Catania, 36, and former Police Constable Antony Gaul, 51, have all been charged with misconduct in public office.

ROGUE: Fabian Picardo singled out (AI IMAGE)

SPLAT: Jose Manuel Albares (left and below left) with EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic at the summit in London

The butcher of Hama’s family back in court for laundering millions through Marbella and Gibraltar, see page 6

Chopper puzzle

AIR traffic control have confirmed to the Olive Press that they investigated and determined that a Guardia Civil helicopter didn’t land in Gibraltar – as was reported in the Spanish press.

Incident at sea

AS we go to press we report that a crew member aboard the Gibraltar-flagged bunker barge Motortanker Nisyros has died as the vessel was manoeuvring to birth alongside its receiving vessel.

Safe waters

ORCA interactions in the Strait of Gibraltar were already down 40% last year compared to 2023, and preliminary data suggests this year they could be even lower.

Molestos

THE UK is investigating after two Spanish jets made an unannounced pass through British Gibraltar Territorial Waters last Friday.

We already told them where to stick it

THE Gibraltar government gave a very short response to renewed calls in Spain to offer Gibraltarians dual citizenship – something not available to British citizens.

It comes after the Spanish press published an editorial which breathed fresh life into an old proposal to ‘tempt’ citizens of the Rock to accept the benefits that come with joint nationality.

“I know that some more radical ones would dislike the measure; but it's not confrontational; it's seduction, because being Spanish, and therefore part of the EU (as well as British), would make life easier for many,” Algeciras daily Europa Sur said.

Speaking to the Olive Press, a

Fresh proposal to ‘seduce’ Gibraltarians with Spanish citizenship given short shrift

By Walter Finch

government spokesperson said the response was ‘thanks, but no thanks.’

The spokesperson continued: “We already told Mr Margallo where he could put his offer."

In 2016, Spain’s then-foreign minister Jose Manuel Margallo had made a similar offer as part of a proposed joint sovereignty deal following the Brexit vote.

The proposal included dismantling the border fence and shared control over foreign policy, immigration, and defence.

MORE than 22,000 packs of unmarked tobacco ‘from Gibraltar’ have been seized in Los Barrios worth £100,000.

Two arrests for tobacco smuggling were made, with both suspects reported to have extensive criminal records for similar offences.

Guardia Civil officers first detected a vehicle heavily loaded with what they suspected to be contraband tobacco.

The car was followed discreetly to a nearby plot of land, where officers witnessed the driver unloading several boxes wrapped in black plastic.

Police swiftly moved in and detained the driver.

Upon inspecting the site, they discovered 36

Fabian Picardo dismissed the offer outright, famously responding, ‘no way, Jose!” at the United Nations.

Yet the idea has once again reared its head, with Europa Sur freely admitting the original offer was an ‘attempt to undermine the sovereignty and identity of the Llanitos.’

“It was not accepted for reasons of nationalist identity, and due to the obvious futility of the measure with a closed border,” the newspaper observed.

“Only a few accepted the Spanish nationality card – today they are fortunate.

Smuggle my nizzle

large boxes of tobacco products, none of which bore tax seals or documentation to verify their legal origin.

In the second phase of the operation, a second individual was arrested under similar circumstances with boxes of unlabelled and untaxed tobacco.

In total, 44 boxes were seized, amounting to more than 22,000 packets of illicit tobacco. Both suspects remain in custody and are expected to face trial for their alleged involvement in the smuggling operation.

“However, it is undeniable that such a decision, applied today, would be a real advantage for Gibraltarians, who would once again enjoy the benefits of being a member of the EU, without renouncing their British identity.

Generous

“That would certainly be a step forward for them, with free border crossings as EU members.

Adding that the ‘measure would be approached with respect, as a generous invitation without impositions, and always with the utmost respect for the respective governments’, it would also ‘dismantle an old mantra from of Gibraltar's various governments: that Spain seeks to impose its desire for sovereignty over the will of the people of Gibraltar.’

“I know that some more radical ones would dislike the measure because of its political repercussions; but it's not confrontational; it's seduction, because being Spanish, and therefore part of the EU (as well as British), would make life easier for many,” the article concludes.

IT’S NOT A WRAP

LA Linea’s mayor has slammed the brakes on filming of the new Movistar Plus+ series Marbella, accusing the production of painting the town in a bad and unfair light.

Despite the council’s outright refusal to back the glamorous drug trafficking drama, the show’s makers have managed to bag permission from the Junta to shoot in some spots around La Linea.

Mayor Juan Franco made it crystal clear: “The City Council of La Linea has not given any authorisation to film in our town.”

He added the council will not support any production that tarnishes the reputation of La Linea or the wider Campo de Gibraltar area. Officials have also launched a probe to sniff out any sneaky filming that might have happened without the proper green light.

Marbella stars Hugo Silva as Cesar, a lawyer dragged deep into the Costa del Sol’s shadowy world of crime and corruption.

With a UNESCO world heritage site offering 120,000 years of human history and only short drive from the Costa del Sol, enjoy the warmth of the British Gibraltarians and splash out VAT-free in Sterling.

Gibraltar. Sun, sea and history served with a very British twist.

NEWS HOUNDS

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Shock

This week’s episode dives into the shock imprisonment of expat fashion designer Jody Smart and uncovers the growing scandal around Iberian Funeral Plans SL, which could leave thousands out of pocket. From natural disasters like the Valencia floods to national crises such as the

By Jon Clarke

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MULLINS IT OVER

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE IN THE UK AND LIFE IN SPAIN, WRITES

Hurry up and wait!

From delayed footpaths to Brexit border queues, life in the sun runs on its own clock

SPAIN as a nation, is famously inefficient - where getting anything done feels like a miracle, and when it does happen, it takes 10 times longer than it should.

There’s definitely a north-south cultural divide in Europe, and in this regard, it couldn’t be more obvious.

But I don’t think it’s because the locals don’t care or lack the will to make things happen. It’s more like an evolutionary coping mechanism - a built-in safety valve to manage expectations.

If something’s promised in a year, just assume five. That way, you’re never too disappointed.

Einstein and Stephen Hawking said time isn’t a fixed thing, and honestly, life in Spain might just be the best real-world proof of that theory.

What’s prompted this little rant, you ask?

Well, down in my neck of the woods, it’s taken three years just to award a contract for a pedestrian path between La Cala and Fuengirola. At this rate, we might see it finished by 2030 - if we’re lucky.

Speaking of things finally getting done, I see common sense has at last prevailed: Brits will soon be allowed to use the automatic immigration gates at Spanish (and other EU) airports. I won’t dig up the whole Brexit mess, but it’s taken nearly a decade of posturing for a bit of practicality to shine through.

I’m sure EU citizens had a bit of a chuckle watching the long queues of Brits winding their way through Malaga airport, waiting for a passport stamp - all after we told them exactly where they could shove their club membership. Personally, I won’t miss being treated like a second-class citizen by puffed-up border officials. Meanwhile, over in the Canaries, the locals are kicking off - again - about there being too many tourists. Which, frankly, seems a bit rich.

Most of what makes those islands such great places to live is thanks to the vast amount of tourist money flowing in every year.

And as for the original inhabitants of the Canaries? We’ll never know what they’d think, since the Spanish wiped them out 500 years ago when they showed up and took the islands for themselves.

Sure, Spain has its own issues with illegal immigration. But honestly, people booking hotels, eating out, employing

AGREEMENT: British passport holders will be able to use automatic passport gates - at last!

locals - that seems a far cry from what’s happening back in the UK, where we’re apparently under siege from asylum seekers chasing a free ride.

Maybe Keir Starmer could install e-gates on the south coast that issue work visas, spending money, and a hotel address all in one go?

And finally - though I’m no massive football fan - I expected at least one Spanish side to make it into one of the two big European finals.

But no such luck. My first year living in what was once the epicentre of world football, and we’ve got a French team playing an Italian one for the Champions League, and two of the worst Premier League sides in Manchester United and Spurs scrapping it out for the Europa League.

Dua’s Spanish

duo

POP queen Dua Lipa thrilled fans in Madrid by belting out Spanish songs on stage.

Kicking off her Radical Optimism tour with two soldout shows, Dua stunned crowds with a sultry cover of Enrique Iglesias’ Hero, fully en Español. “I’m nervous,” she giggled, “but sing along if you know it!” The crowd roared “¡Reina!” as she followed up the next night with Manu Chao’s Me Gustas Tu Between shows, she hit the Prado Museum (pictured) and fan-girled over Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights. Even film icon Pedro Almodovar showed up – no wonder, she’s his latest muse!

OSCAR-winning actor Jeremy Irons got the red carpet treatment at Sevilla’s famous Feria de Abril. The Lion King star, 76, was all smiles as Mayor Jose Luis Sanz pinned a badge on him at the city’s official marquee (pictured). “It’s an honour,” beamed Irons, rocking a spotty scarf, red flower, and sipping local tipple rebujito This marks his fourth visit to the city - but first at the

fair. The Brit mingled with celebs, took in horse parades, and posed for thrilled fans.

“Sevilla always opens its arms to culture,” said the mayor. “This time, it hugged a legend.”

IRONS TREATMENT

CHARLIE MULLINS

Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and via the Olive Press

Level up

ST Martin's School is set to get bigger with newly announced plans for a 1,900 square metre extension, replacing the temporary facilities previously planned at Glacis.

The development will include nine new classrooms with accessible toilets, five hygiene rooms, and a specialised Sensory Hub featuring soft playrooms and sensory gym facilities.

At roof level, approximately 400 sqm of additional playground space will be created, including covered areas to accommodate the school's increasing student population.

The project, designed by GCArchitects - the same team behind the original school building - will also feature administrative offices, storage facilities, a new staffroom, and a dedicated vehicle dropoff zone.

A new lift and staircase will connect the ground floor to the top floor playgrounds.

Education Minister John Cortes described the project as evidence of the government's ‘commitment to provide excellent facilities for a growing St Martin's.’ No timeline or budget figures for the construction have been announced.

Crypto rules

GIBRALTAR is set to become the first jurisdiction in the world with clear rules for trading complex digital assets, like cryptocurrencies.

This pioneering effort is a joint project involving the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission, the digital asset platform Bullish, and experts brought in by the government.

The aim is to create a safe system for clearing and settling these ‘virtual asset derivatives’ using regulated financial bodies similar to traditional markets.

The GFSC hopes the move will reinforce Gibraltar's position at the forefront of digital asset regulation, building on its initial framework launched back in 2018.

History reunited

RECYCLE THE FUTURE

A NEW waste management facility is set to be built at Dobinson Way near Europa Advance Road. The project, which will be built in phases, is slated to feature advanced waste sorting, recycling, and energy recovery systems.

It will also include a hybrid waste-to-energy plant that will feed electricity directly into Gibraltar’s grid, with potential for wind power generation in the future.

The development is part of a longterm plan to boost the Rock’s self-sufficiency and environmental

resilience whether or not Gibraltar reaches a post-Brexit treaty with the EU.

The project is expected to create 50 local jobs and cut down Gibraltar’s reliance on external waste processors – particularly in Spain.

Environment Minister John Cortes described the deal as a ‘generational milestone’ that will cut landfill use, support climate targets, and improve recycling rates.

Chief Minister Fabian Picardo added that the agreement reflects Gibraltar’s forward-thinking ap-

proach to environmental, economic, and social challenges, regardless of future negotiations with the EU.

PURE POWER

Yachtie’s ‘nervewracking’ encounter with an orca in the

By Walter Finch

A SAILOR has recounted the ‘awe-inspiring’ moment her vessel was targeted by a six-tonne orca in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Speaking exclusively to the Olive Press, Ilona Skorobogatova (below) described the experience as ‘a mix of adrenaline, respect, curiosity, and care.’

In a viral video on social media, the Latvian can be heard crying: “Oh my god, it’s huge! Please don’t! She’s bumping us, she’s trying to

hit us to the side!”

Ilona and her skipper had been navigating a brandnew Lagoon 43 catamaran on a 4,000km journey from the French town of Les Sables-d’Olonne to Split in Croatia on May 6 when the alert was sounded.

“I had just come off watch,

A RARE round tower from late Medieval that lay hidden beneath a garage floor in Gibraltar has been granted official heritage status.

Located within the AM Capurro Garages complex west of Line Wall Road, the cylindrical tower is one of the last surviving remnants of the round towers that once lined Gibraltar’s western defences. It has now been formally listed under the Heritage and Antiquities Act 2018 for its architectural and historical importance. Believed to date back to the Spanish period, and possibly earlier Marinid origins, the tower shares features with fortifications depicted in 16th-century drawings, including works by topographer Anton van den Wyngaerde.

Heritage Minister John Cortes praised the discovery as ‘an exciting addition’ to Gibraltar’s protected sites and thanked

which runs from 3pm to 9am, and was lying down when I heard my skipper: ‘Ilona, I think we’ve got orcas’,” the 38-yearold began. The interaction began around 10am as they were

Arturo Capurro for his support. Restoration work will soon begin to expose the original stonework and integrate the tower into Gibraltar’s growing portfolio of preserved landmarks.

passing Barbate – a known orca hotspot – to port in Gibraltar.

A group of four were spotted splashing about half a kilometre out to sea, while Ilona and the skipper stayed calm and maintained course.

For a time, it seemed that they would keep their distance and leave them unbothered.

“Then suddenly, boom – a hit on the port side rudder,” Ilona said.

“We were inside the boat when we felt it, hard and fast. We powered both engines to keep control, get moving, and stay safe.

“But she kept coming, swimming under the hull, hitting us again, starboard side this time.

“It was definitely a proper blow, not just a gentle nudge. I’d even say it felt very intentional – like she was really trying to hit the boat with force.”

The whale hit the boat with such force that Ilona had to

‘quickly grab something because the impact was loud and it jolted the whole boat.’

“You could feel the power behind it, it wasn’t just a light tap, it was a real hit.”

The creature then started pushing the catamaran with her full weight – not ramming but ‘shoving the catamaran around – it felt surreal.’

which she did ‘maybe four or five times over the course of about five to seven minutes.’

“Then she vanished.”

Ilona was left unsure whether the 10-minute experience had been ‘play or attack’, with the creature using just a fraction of its true might.

But they hadn’t felt truly threatened in their sturdy boat, which at 13 metres in length and eight wide emerged unscathed from the orca’s attentions.

“It was stressful and nerve wracking, but also awe-inspiring. It was something wild and up-close, and something I’ll never forget.”

Soul imperilled

THE Gibraltar Heritage Trust has backed calls from pressure group Action for Housing to revitalise the Old Town, which it describes as ‘the jewel of Gibraltar’.

In a statement, the Trust said the Old Town is not just a residential area, but the ‘soul of Gibraltar’, rich in history and culture.

However, it warned that many properties have been left to deteriorate due to under-investment, protected tenancies, and piecemeal renovations.

The Trust welcomed the review of planning policies under the new development plan but stressed the need for a longterm, heritage-led regeneration strategy. Key proposals include grants for restoration, renovation, and stronger commu-

THE Gibraltar Financial Intelligence Unit’s 2024 Annual Report has hailed the progres made in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.

The report shows a 1.7% rise in Suspicious Activity Reports, reaching 4,950, with sharp increases in fraud-related cases and disclosures from virtual asset service providers.

The unit also issued over 500 spontaneous reports to 36 countries, while outgoing intelligence requests rose 50%.

Under Director Edgar Lopez, the GFIU boasted of doubling its workforce, introducing new strategic roles, and expanding its outreach through Project Nexus, which delivered training and new e-learning workshops targeting money mule schemes. Lopez said 2024 was a year of ‘scale, support, and strategy’, marking a pivotal step in building a more agile and responsive financial intelligence unit.

Watchdogs Life saver

THE Keith Bautista Catheterisation Laboratory at the Gibraltar Health Authority is now operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This means patients suffering from major heart attacks can now receive immediate, life-saving treatment at any time, without the need for transfer abroad.

Since going live earlier this month, the round-the-clock service has already successfully treated a number of emergency cardiac cases.

The lab provides vital procedures used to diagnose and treat blockages in the coronary arteries shortly after patients arrive at A&E.

Staffed by expert cardiologists and clinical teams using cutting-edge technology, the Cath Lab is delivering care in line with international best practice.

“Already, lives have been saved,” said Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez. “This service means no more delays and no more cross-border transfers for most cardiac emergencies.”

nity support to prevent displacement. It said that if handled correctly, the Old Town could become a vibrant cultural and tourism hub, offering both high-quality living and an authentic visitor experience.

Strait

STRESSFUL: It lasted around 10 minutes and left the crew shaken

SAILOR: Ilona said it hit them hard twice

Chemical blaze

A MASSIVE explosion at a chemical warehouse in Alcala de Guadaíra, near Sevilla, has raised serious environmental concerns after sending toxic black smoke into the sky.

The plume was visible from over 80km away and captured by satellite.

The blast at Plainsur, a chemical distribution facility, ignited a fire that burned for hours, releasing potentially hazardous fumes.

Authorities warned 25,000 residents to stay indoors, shut windows, and wear masks.

Two people were injured, and over 100 emergency personnel were deployed.

The fire, reportedly sparked by a flammable solvent, prompted evacuation of nearby businesses in the industrial estate.

Environmental groups are urging a thorough investigation into chemical storage practices and long-term air quality impacts in the affected area.

SUN, sea and squeaky-clean shores - Spain has stormed ahead in the global beach beauty contest with a tidal wave of Blue Flags. A whopping 642 beaches

TIDAL WAVE

642 sun-kissed spots bag blue flag – but big names in Benalmadena, Benidorm and Mallorca are booted off!

By Yzabelle Bostyn

have clinched the prestigious Blue Flag award – marking the country as a true titan of

tan lines and turquoise waters.

Boasting 15% of all Blue Flag beaches on the planet, the country has once again proven it’s the ultimate destination for sunshine seekers.

The elite Blue Flag status, handed out by the Foundation for Environmental Education, isn’t just about golden sands - it recognises top-tier water quality, safety, accessibility and eco creds. This year sees 16 newcomers diving into the Blue Flag club for the first time, with another 23 old favourites reclaiming their place in the sun. Among the fresh faces are Puerto de Sotogrande in Cadiz, Los Monteros in Malaga, El Bol in Alicante, and Calblanque in Murcia – just a handful of the stunners now flaunting their flags.

CHANGING WEATHER

EXPERTS say unusual jet stream behavior is behind Spain’s heavy rain as well as the UK’s dry spring. Normally bringing storms to northern Europe, the jet stream has shifted, creating high pressure over the UK and pushing rain south to Spain. France has seen its driest February–April since 1959 and its fifth hottest April.

Leading the sandy charge is the Valencian Community, flying high with 143 Blue Flags, followed closely by Andalucia (138), Galicia (108) and Catalunya (101). Even the island getaways are shiningwith 47 in the Canaries and 32 in the Balearics.

But it’s not all sunshine and sangria - 38 beaches were stripped of their blue status this year. Victims of pollu-

tion, overcrowding and poor safety

The UK is experiencing its driest spring in 69 years, with farmers already irrigating fields. Though not at drought levels yet, experts warn that future heat waves could escalate risks. While climate change links remain unconfirmed, scientists say changing patterns suggest a shift toward a warmer, more erratic climate.

included Cala Major in Mallorca, Mal Pas in Benidorm, and Santa Ana in Benalmadena - a major blow for some of Spain’s best-known beach resorts.

Top of the Blue Flag leaderboard is the Galician hotspot of Sanxenxo, with 17 beaches making the cut. Not far behind are Vigo (12), Orihuela in Alicante (10), and Cartagena and Marbella with eight apiece.

CEREMONY: The winners were announced at an event in Javea

BLUE FLAG: La Jaquita beach in Tenerife picked up the award

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OPINION

Free us from this torture

THERE’s an old philosophical puzzle called Zeno’s Paradox.

It says that if you keep walking towards a goal but each step you take is half the distance of the last, you’ll never actually arrive.

You get closer and closer, but the finish line will always remain tantalisingly out of reach, so close your fingertips can touch it – but nothing more.

This exactly 100% perfectly describes the negotiations.

Everyone agrees the long-awaited treaty with the EU is ‘excruciatingly close’, and today we’re much closer than we were in the winter. Even closer than we were eight weeks ago. But we’re still not there.

All these optimistic pronouncements become like Chinese water torture; each new metaphor for how close we are another drop splashing against your forehead. But the good news is that Spain’s inoffensive foreign minister looks daft.

He was very clear just days before the UK-EU summit that the reset could not be achieved without sorting out Gibraltar first. And here we are with a reset.

It’s little consolation, however. We can no longer deny what we now know – that the difference between taking another half step and actually completing the journey is in making the concessions we cannot make.

Just like the UK had to give up their cherished fishing rights for the next twelve years, they will be asking Gibraltar to make some kind of concession such as Policia Nacional in the airport ‘just for the next two or three years.’

It’s the sort of concession that can be sold as minimal, temporary.

There are many within Gibraltar who are even against the border fence being torn down.

Normally such a symbol of division, that fence is seen as a bulwark against Spanish encroachment. Let the torture party continue.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es

Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es

Samantha Mythen samantha@theolivepress.es

Tom Ewart Smith tom@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Joshua Parfitt josh@theolivepress.es

Dylan Wagemans dylan@theolivepress.es

On the trail of a butcher

AS Spain’s National Court gears up for one of the most high-profile money laundering trials in its recent history, the spotlight has turned to the sprawling financial empire allegedly built by Rifaat al-Assad.

The infamous uncle of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - known as the ‘Butcher of Hama’ - and his extensive investments across Spain and Gibraltar are in the crosshairs of the public prosecutor.

The case is centered on the alleged laundering

How the ‘Butcher of Hama’ and his family allegedly laundered a fortune through Spain and Gibraltar

By Dilip Kuner

relatives and two close associates, all accused of being central players in a network of shell companies, shady deals, and offshore assets.

At the heart of the scandal is not just the astonishing amount of wealth involved, but also the political and ethical questions it raises for European governments - particularly in Gibraltar and Spain.

In particular, the court has been looking at how such a notorious figure was allowed to embed himself so deeply in the real estate and financial systems of both

Especially as Rifaat earned his gruesome nickname over the 1982 Hama massacre, where he led a military operation that killed an estimated 25,000 people.

Syria’s then Vice President, Rifaat fell from grace following a failed coup attempt against his brother, then-President Hafez

al-Assad, in 1984.

Exiled soon after, he began amassing property and influence abroad, particularly in France, Spain, and Gibraltar. European investigators now believe he was syphoning off billions from the Syrian treasury even as Syria descended into poverty and civil war.

French prosecutors in 2020 sentenced him in absentia to four years in prison for money laundering and embezzlement, and seized €90 million in assets. Now, Spanish authorities are following suit, even though the case has temporarily been sent back to Marbella court, over an administrative issue (see below).

The Marbella empire

The scale of Rifaat al-Assad’s real estate holdings in Spain is staggering. Prosecutors allege he purchased over 500 properties - including luxury hotels such as the Park Plaza Suites and Plaza Beach Banus in Marbella - and a vast estate in Benahavis.

Many of these acquisitions were made through shell companies registered in

YOU SPEAKY ENGLISH?

IN a dazzling display of irony, the UK has announced that skilled workers and immigrants wanting to settle there must now speak English to B2 standard - a level so advanced it practically requires you to quote Hamlet before you are handed your residency permit.

Meanwhile, in Spain, tens of thousands of British and other northern European expats are still pointing at menus, mouthing words like mime artists, and calling every waiter ‘amigo’, despite living here for years.

Brits Demand B2 English from immigrants – while still asking for a ‘pint-o beer-o’ in Spain

Gibraltar, often with the help of disgraced accountancy firm Marrache & Co. The financial structure behind these purchases was labyrinthine. At its centre was High Mountain Estates Ltd, a company registered in the Bahamas but owned by the Alhambra Trust, controlled by Rifaat.

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“Fluent English?” scoffed a barman in Marbella. “Tell that to the man who’s been ordering a ‘pint-o beer-o’ since 2013!” Social media erupted with Spanish delight.

One post teased, “So, do all Brits in Benidorm have to take GCSE Spanish now?” Another suggested the ultimate punishment: “Ban fish and chips for anyone who cannot say pescado.” Which brings us neatly to the linguistic tragedy of Sid the guppy.

In English, fish is fish. Alive, dead, battered, grilled. It swims and it fries under the same name.

But in Spanish, there’s ‘pez’ (the swimming kind) and ‘pescado’ (the vinegar-soaked dinner kind).

If it moves, it’s a pez. If you shake salt on it, it’s a pescado. Simple? Not for Karen.

Ah, Karen. She has lived in Andalucia for 25

years and still greets neighbours with the linguistic finesse of someone shouting into Google Translate. When a kindly local woman knocked on her door with a homemade cake, decorated with ‘Bienvenidos a Espana’ (wel come to Spain), Karen was po litely baffled. The woman kept saying, “Yo, Milagros. Milagros, yo!” Karen smiled and nodded, then later told a friend: “Very kind of her, but I do not know who this ‘Jo’ is.”

This, friends, is what happens when we study a language system that teaches us to conjugate ‘avoir’ at 13, then forgets to mention that real people might one day talk back.

Blame the education system if you must. But maybe it’s deeper - an imperial ‘resaca’ (that is hangover, not a tapas dish).

Brits abroad often operate under the noble

assumption that if they just shout English slowly and loudly enough, people will understand.

Take a stroll around any Spanish market town, and you will hear it in action - a baffled cashier asked: “DO... YOU... HAVE... MILK?”, as if volume alone might bridge centuries of linguistic and cultural difference. Case in point: in Spain, if your bar bill is €19 and you say ‘bote’ as you hand over 20, the place erupts in smiles and bell-ringing.

In Britain, that same bell is a passive-aggressive death knell telling you to finish your pint and leave.

Cultural nuance? Linguistic sensitivity? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves - there are still entire expat communities in Spain who think gracias’ is pronounced ‘grassy-arse’. And yet, while Britain tightens its rules and

By Dilip Kuner

BUTCHER: A bread queue in Halfaya was the scene of disaster when it was bombed on Assad’s orders

SILVER LINING

The fabulously ornate architecture that took its inspiration from posh tableware

GREEN DESIGN

THESE pictures show off some of the eye-catching eco-projects in

Dubbed Internalities: Architectures for Territorial Equilibrium, the Spanish Pavilion is all about saving the planet - brick by brick. Curated by architects Roi Salgueiro and Manuel Bouzas, the show takes aim at construction’s dirty secrets - pollution, waste, and vanishing local skills - and flips the script.

Instead of hauling in materials from across the globe, the exhibition champions homegrown, low-impact solutions. Sixteen standout projects from all over Spain take centre stage, each built using smart, sustainable techniques - think wood from Cantabria, earth walls from Catalunya, and emissions-cutting hacks from the Balearics. Five themed zones - Materials, Energy, Labour, Waste, and Emissions - drive the message home.

GREEN REBUILD: Local materials were used to bring this ruined barn back from the dead in a sustainable way

HOMEBUYERS in Spain are being completely ripped off when it comes to property taxes.

Purchasers pay a shocking third of a property’s purchase on extra costsby far the highest in Europe.

According to a report by the Institute of Economic Studies (IEE), they pay an effective tax rate of 30.3% when purchasing a home.

This is almost five times the European average of 6.5% and second only to Canada across the OECD western world nations.

Up to a quarter of the home’s final price is attributed to taxes alone, while further costs go in conveyancing and agent’s fees.

Tax bombshell

By Tom Ewart Smith

IEE President Iñigo Fernandez de Mesa called the situation ‘surprising’, noting that housing - a basic necessity - is ‘so severely penalised’.

The think tank warns the heavy tax load is widening the gap between supply and demand and making it increasingly difficult for Spaniards to

HomebuyersinSpainface‘highesttax burdeninEurope’withathirdof property purchasesnotonbricksandmortar

access affordable housing. But it is unlikely the government will want to change things with Spain’s housing-related taxes generating around €52.2 billion annually, or 3.5% of the country’s GDP.

Property Tax (IBI) makes up nearly 30% of the total, followed by VAT and income tax. The Property Transfer Tax (ITP) stands at 11%, among the highest in Europe, while capital gains tax on

sales can reach 30% - almost double the EU average.

Regional disparities are stark, however, with the Balearic Islands levy up to 13% ITP on new builds, compared to 6% in Madrid.

The IEE lauds Madrid’s approach as a model of fiscal competitiveness.

The think tank also warns Spain needs 2.2 million new homes by 2040, requiring €380 billion in investment - far beyond the public sector’s reach.

It is urging sweeping tax reforms, including cuts to transaction and property taxes, incentives for landlords, and a reduced VAT rate on renovations to ease the housing squeeze.

Spain’s pavilion at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale.

Iglesia de San Esteban, Salamanca

Salamanca’s Iglesia de San Esteban presents a towering facade, a grand and religiously significant example of Plateresque architecture. Carved from sandstone, its intricate details cover the surface, creating a visually impressive display. Ornamentation blends religious iconography with characteristic floral and figurative motifs. This monumental church facade stands as a testament to the artistic and spiritual fervor of the Spanish Renaissance.

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

SILVER LINING

SILVERWORK is delicate and it’s all about detail, so when an exclusively Spanish style of architecture flourished in the time of Cervantes and Philip II, it earned the nickname ‘silver smithery’.

It’s now known today as the ‘Plateresque’ style.

Plateresque was an artistic movement, especially architectural, developed in Spain, between the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods in the late 15th century.

It carried on spreading for the next two hundred years, bringing joyful details to hundreds of grand buildings around the Iberian peninsula.

In architectural terms, Plateresque takes on from the Gothic style and is a heady blend of Mudejar and Flamboyant architecture with a touch of the Tuscan Renaissance movement.

Adorning some of Spain’s most celebrated buildings, it reached its apex during the reign of Charles V, with its epicentre in Salamanca.

However, it also flourished in many other Spanish cities and towns including Casares, Burgos, and Santiago de Compostela.

You can spot a Plateresque building from the ornate floral designs on its facades, as well as internal items such as its chandeliers, roofs and altars.

Above all, it was an artistic movement that responded to the demands of the It was a time of great optimism and wealth, coming as the Reconquest

The ornate Plateresque style flourished during Spain’s Golden Age, leaving a legacy of intricate

By Michael Coy

facades

against the Moors was completed - in Granada in 1492 - and the colonisation of the Caribbean and the Americas was beginning, led by Christopher Columbus.

The Spanish were rapidly acquiring wealth and power - as the gold and silver began to flow from the New World - and this was reflected in the money spent on a series of new grand buildings.

The decoration, at its best on the facades, featured motifs of plants, as well as shields, medallions and even animals and insects.

You could often tell the owner of the building from the types of decoration, be they military shields for soldiers or laurels for lawyers.

And when we think of the word ‘ideals’, we need to pause and think.

The owners and builders of these structures wanted to ‘send a message’.

In an age when passers-by in the street were illiterate and clueless about aesthetics, the way to impose a sense of power and authority over them could be conveyed in the building’s look.

Casa de las Conchas, Salamanca

Salamanca’s Casa de las Conchas presents a unique facade, instantly recognisable for its distinctive shell-covered exterior. This curious and eye-catching design creates a textured surface, studded with hundreds of sandstone shells. Delicate ironwork details around the windows further enhance its ornamental character. Blending Gothic and Renaissance influences within the Plateresque style, this urban palace offers a fascinating and memorable example of Spanish architectural individuality.

Forget the concept of form following function, the wealthy aristocrats and conquistadores of Spain’s golden age were stamping down their power. It didn’t matter the extraordinary cost of creating wonderful ornate stone forms on their buildings. They had the money and they wanted to spend it. Here, the Olive Press picks its favourite Top 10 Platareque masterpieces

Salamanca’s Palacio de Monterrey is a prime example of the Plateresque style. Its facade boasts intricate, shallow relief carvings resembling silverwork. Delicate ornamentation frames windows and doorways, featuring floral motifs, mythological figures, and heraldic symbols, creating a rich and ornate surface.

Salamanca’s university features a majestic sandstone facade, a testament to the Plateresque style. Intricate carvings depict a wealth of detail, blending Gothic and Renaissance motifs harmoniously. Figurative sculptures and heraldic symbols adorn the surface, conveying academic prestige and historical significance. Delicate ornamentation, like sculpted silver, makes this facade a captivating example of Spanish architectural artistry.

Convent of San Marcos, Leon

The Convent of San Marcos boasts a grandiose facade, an expansive and elaborate display of Plateresque artistry. Its symmetrical design features intricate sculpted details flowing across the sandstone surface. This

monumental structure exudes a regal and dignified presence, reflecting the power and wealth of the era. Refined ornamentation and impressive scale make it a significant cultural and artistic landmark in Spain.

Ayuntamiento of Sevilla

Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso, Alcala de Henares

Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso showcases the grandeur of Plateresque design with its imposing facade. A layered structure, incorporating brickwork and arched elements, exudes classical elegance and historical importance. Intricate detailing frames windows and doorways, while heraldic symbols and sculpted ornamentation add to its dignified appearance. This monumental facade reflects the prestige of this significant university and refined artistic sensibilities.

Hospital Real, Santiago de Compostela

Santiago’s Hospital Real - today the parador hotel - features an imposing and symmetrical facade, exemplifying the grand scale often associated with Plateresque architecture. Detailed ornamentation and sculpted elements reflect Renaissance ideals embraced by the style. This historical building, once a royal hospital, now a parador, stands as a majestic and dignified landmark, showcasing intricate craftsmanship and artistic sophistication.

Puerta de la Pellejería, Burgos Cathedral

Burgos Cathedral’s Puerta de la Pellejería represents a transitional style, blending Gothic elements with the emerging Renaissance Plateresque. Detailed sculptures and an arched structure showcase the evolving artistic tastes of the period. Intricate ornamental work frames the doorway, adding delicate refinement to the cathedral’s imposing presence. This historical gateway serves as a testament to Burgos’ rich architectural heritage and the influence of Plateresque design.

Sevilla’s town hall boasts a grand facade, a civic example of the Plateresque style, conveying historical authority and governmental importance. Its ornate detailing and sculpted elements are characteristic of the period, reflecting the city’s wealth and power. Intricate ornamentation frames the building’s entrances and windows, creating an impressive and striking visual statement within Sevilla’s urban landscape.

Casa del Dean Ortega, Guadalajara

Guadalajara’s Casa del Dean Ortega highlights the delicate and precise nature of Plateresque ornamentation on a more intimate scale. Intricate carvings around doorways and windows showcase the refined craftsmanship of the era. Even on a smaller urban dwelling, characteristic floral motifs and sculpted details are evident, reflecting the pervasive influence of the Plateresque style.

A BRITISH entrepreneur has been revealed as the owner behind Spain’s most expensive home.

Joe Ricotta is selling a spectacular Marbella mansion, Villa Bellagio, priced at an eye-watering €70 million.

The British businessman is best known for founding one of the UK’s leading refrigerated logistics companies.

A friend to celebrities including Rob-

Bella villa with a scary €70m price tag

ert de Niro, Michael McIntyre and Tyson Fury, he sold the business for a reported €52.5 million in 2015. Since exiting the logistics world, he has turned his attention to luxury property development in Spain, Italy and the UK - with this Marbella jewel his most extraordinary venture yet.

Rental nightmare

SPAIN’S housing crisis is worsening, with new data showing renters now spend nearly 47% of their gross income on housing - the highest in five years.

A study by InfoJobs and Fotocasa reveals rent hikes are far outpacing wage growth, straining affordability nationwide.

While average salaries rose 3.1% in 2024 to €27,060 annually, rents surged 14%. The average price is now €13.29 per square metre, meaning tenants in an 80m² flat pay about €1,060 monthly.

Fotocasa’s Research Director Maria Matos warned that spending close to 50% of income on rent far exceeds the 30% affordability benchmark, increasing housing insecurity.

In Madrid, renters spend 71% of income on rent. With average wages at €2,340 and rent at €20.62/m², a typical flat costs

€1,650, while in Barcelona, renters use 64% of income.

Fifteen of 17 regions saw double-digit increases in income share spent on rent. The Basque Country (56%), Canary Islands (55%), and Valencia (47%) are among the hardest hit.

InfoJobs’ Monica Perez noted: “It’s not just young people. Inflation and rent hikes are eroding household budgets.”

of the Mediterranean, plus a 22-metre infinity pool melt-

Villa Bellagio spans an extraordinary 5,600 square metres in size built on a vast 14,000 square metre plot - the largest in the Sierra Blanca.

Designed by renowned architect Jesus del Valle it has incredible panoramic views

ing into the horizon. It counts on 13 luxurious bedrooms, including eight 50 m2 suites on the upper floors, all dripping in opulence and space.

However, it is the lower level that truly sets Villa Bellagio apart.

Described as resembling a private wellness resort, it features a fully equipped spa, heated indoor swimming pool, Turkish hammam, Finnish

sauna, massage rooms, and even a professional hair and beauty salon.

Fitness enthusiasts will find a stateof-the-art gym, while entertainment seekers can enjoy a double bowling alley, billiards lounge, stylish bar, and a private cinema that seats 22. For automotive fanatics, Villa Bellagio

FOREIGN INVASION

FOREIGNERS make up 23% of Malaga province - with Brits high in the rankings. Some 414,316 out of 1.7 million

residents are born abroad, according to official Spanish statistics. It makes Malaga the province with the fifth highest number of for-

Benahavis: Wealthiest and most foreign town in Andalucia

IT has long been known as the wealthiest town in Andalucia.

Now it has been confirmed that Benahavis is also the municipality with the highest proportion of foreign residents in Malaga province.

New stats from Spain's National Statistics Institute reveal that more than 60% of Benahavis’ 9,256 residents were born outside Spain, mostly from other EU countries.

They account for 5,919 of its 9,265 inhabitants with Brits the largest number.

They make up 1,388 of the population, followed by Russians (556).

And most of them are comfortably well off when it comes to income - the average resident earns more than €40,000 a year.

A DERELICT school has been transformed into eco-friendly housing for residents over 65, setting a new benchmark in sustainable design.

H Arquitectes led the project, reusing local mares stone from the demolished building to create structural blocks - cutting waste and carbon emissions. The 25 compact flats feature cross-ventilation, thermal massing, and private outdoor space. Communal areas include a rooftop garden, laundry, and lounges.

offers

Census reveals over 20%of people livinginMalagaare foreignwithBrits leadingtheway

By Yzabelle Bostyn

eign residents, following Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante and Valencia. However, the proportion of inhabitants born outside of the country is larger in other areas such as Almeria and Tenerife (24%), as well as Girona, the Balearic Islands and Alicante (26 to 27%).

A third of the province’s towns (35) have more than 20% foreign residents.

And Benahavis tops the list with the highest percentage of residents (64%) being foreign It is followed by Fuengirola, with 44.6% foreign residents, mostly made up of Finns and Brits.

Competa meanwhile sees 44% of its residents born abroad while in the village of Sayalonga, 700 of its 1,624 residents are foreigners.

In Manilva and Torrox, the proportion of foreign residents is 40%, with most coming from Britain, Germany and Morocco. Meanwhile in Marbella, around 60,800 of the city’s 159,054 population were born abroad, accounting for 37%.

The biggest community hails from Morocco, followed by Colombia, Argentina, Britain,

Stones from the early 20th-century school were broken down and cast in concrete, forming a strong new material. MAC Insular, a private recycling firm, processed over 1,000 tonnes of demolition waste, reusing 95%.

Despite some use of cement, the project is seen as a success in ‘urban mining’, showing that quality, lowcost housing can be both functional and sustainable.

Ukraine and Russia.

In Mijas, over a third of the town’s 92,211 local residents are foreign (34,700), with mostly Brits (7,193), Moroccans (3,617) and Argentinians (3,208).

Some 34% of Nerja was born outside of Spain, with Brits leading the way followed by Argentinians. Similarly, Brits are the biggest foreign population in Alhaurin el Grande (2,279) and Coin (1,700).

On the lower end of the scale, just 15% of the population of Velez-Malaga and Malaga capital are from overseas, with most hailing from Latin America.

A NEW app is giving renters the power to share honest reviews and uncover the hidden truths about potential homes.

Launched last year by the Barcelona Institute for Urban Research, Reviu lets tenants post experiences and read reviews of properties, neighbourhoods, and landlords.

Co-founder Jaime Palomera says the app could soon act like Booking.com - offering listings, reviews, and bookings.

“We want to bring transparency to an opaque rental market and reward fair practices,” he said. The platform, already live in Barcelona, will expand across Catalunya in the coming weeks, with national rollout to follow.

Users can now search by neighbourhood or agency - an upgrade from the previous address-only system.

Reactions have been largely positive, despite some estate agent concerns.

a showroom garage capable of displaying 12 vehicles - with an underground facility providing parking for an additional 30 cars.

Ricotta, who owns website marbella. co.uk, is often pictured mingling with pals including Boris Johnson, Arnold Schwartzenegger and John Travolta.

The villa is on sale for €70 million and is owned by Joe Ricotta (left, with Robert De Niro)

High Mountain owned 99% of 29 separate Gibraltar companies, with the re maining 1% held by Groove Limited, itself owned largely by Hiba Development SA. This complex ownership structure, facil itated by the Marrache brothers, Isaac and Benjamin - who were later jailed for fraud - was designed to obscure the Assad family’s involvement.

Through these offshore channels, millions of euros flowed into Spain to purchase property and business interests, effectively laundering Syrian national wealth, as well as alleged profits from drug smuggling, extortion, and the trafficking of archaeological treasures.

But in 2017 his Marbella property empire came crashing down when Magistrate Jose de la Mata ordered the confiscation of 503 properties including holiday homes, car parks, luxury apartments and rural estates worth €700 million.

Authorities also seized an estate with a market value of €60 million in Puerto Banus, and froze dozens of bank accounts.

Trial and evasion

While the trial in Spain targets eight individuals, including Rifaat’s sons and other family members, the patriarch himself is notably absent. His lawyers claim the now 87-year-old is hospitalised in Dubai, too ill to attend court.

demands near-poetic English from many new arrivals, there are pensioners in Alicante who believe ‘hola’ is something you say when answering the phone. Still, the double standards are rarely noticed by those enjoying roast dinners in 30-degree heat, surrounded by satellite dishes beaming in Coronation Street.

They are, after all, ‘living the dream’ - just not the local one.

So while the UK gears up to enforce B2-level English from newcomers, Spaniards are laughing into their ‘jarras de cerveza’ at the irony. And somewhere in Benidorm, a British bar is already preparing its summer menu… in Comic Sans. In English. Naturally. ¡Viva la diferencia! Or should we say, long live the... difference-o?

Our pledge, our appeal AND help us to win more media awards!

AS we approach our 20th year in Spain we would like to explain a few things.

The Olive Press is an award-winning newspaper covering the entire Iberian Peninsula with a team of NCTJ-trained journalists.

Set up to campaign and represent expats based here, it has now become the country’s Number One website for anyone interested in Spain.

Covering everything first hand on the ground from the recent power blackout to the Valencia floods and from the Catalunya independence riots to the Europa League final between Manchester United and Spurs this week.

Despite this, prosecu tors are pressing for a sentence of eight years and a fine of €2.7 million against Rifaat, along with six years and €2.2 million fines for each of his relatives.

The defense has challenged the trial’s jurisdiction, demanding the case be moved to Malaga’s provincial court. Proceedings were suspended earlier this month, sent back to Marbella court to pend a judicial review. An Olive Press source revealed: “I understand this might take a year.”

The Gibraltar connection

A key part of the investigation is focused on Gibraltar, where Rifaat’s business dealings flourished for decades. One of the most controversial aspects involves his sale of a prestigious property at 6-9 Europort, an office complex in the heart of Gibraltar’s financial district.

In 2018, Rifaat sold his stake in the building for £17.5 million - a figure critics argue was well below market value.

What raised eyebrows wasn’t just the price, but the identity of the buyers: a company linked to the Isola family, including Gibraltar’s Financial Services Minister, Albert Isola.

The deal was facilitated by Fiduciary, a firm partly owned by the Isolas, who also managed Rifaat’s sale.

This led to allegations of conflicts of interest and prompted opposition parties in Gibraltar to demand full transparency.

Isola has always denied any wrongdoing.

Independent MP Marlene Hassan Nahon

accused the government of ‘burying the case under layers of legal jargon’, and called for a public explanation.

The opposition GSD party also called on the Attorney General to investigate whether any proceeds from the sale were frozen or distributed to Assad’s family.

Despite public pressure, Chief Minister Fabian Picardo defended the legality of the sale, stating that Gibraltar courts had approved it and they were cooperating fully with French investigators.

A matter of conscience

The Rifaat al-Assad case is not just about financial crimes - it’s about moral accountability. How could a man accused of mass murder and corruption build a property empire in democratic Europe?

Why were alarm bells not raised sooner, especially when Interpol warrants and international sanctions were in play?

Furthermore, the controversy has implications for Gibraltar and Spain’s financial credibility. With increasing global scrutiny on tax havens and offshore financial centers, the Assad case serves as a cautionary tale.

As Anonymous, hackers targeted Gibraltar’s government website shortly after the Europort sale was publicised, the symbolism wasn’t lost - this is a story about transparency, ethics, and the thin line between legality and complicity.

Looking ahead

Spanish prosecutors are expected to push ahead with asset seizures and verdicts later in 2025.

Whether Rifaat al-Assad will ever face justice in person remains unclear, but his family’s alleged financial web is rapidly unraveling.

In the end, the case is about more than one man. It is a story of how wealth stolen from a devastated nation found a safe haven in Europe’s sunny enclaves, shielded by legal structures, financial institutions, and at times, political silence. The outcome of the trial will not only affect the Assad family but could set a precedent for how Europe handles dirty money, offshore finance, and the legacy of authoritarian regimes hiding their loot in plain sight.

Investigating everything from crime to corruption and politics to paedophile networks, we have a long track record of success.

Apart from locating three of the UK’s Most Wanted criminals, we have helped to expose dozens of frauds and scams.

This year alone, we’ve covered the collapse of Iberian Funeral Plans and followed the long-running Continental Wealth Management case, which finally saw its boss sent to prison. We were at the recent anti-tourist protests and haven’t let up on stories that matter.

Our hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year, Olive Press journalist Yzabelle Bostyn (above) was named Trainee Journalist of the Year in a fiercely competitive British media award, beating candidates from The Times and Express & Star. She joined us two years ago and, through mentoring from News Editor Dilip Kuner (ex-Sunday Mirror), Digital Editor Walter Finch (ex-Daily Mail) and Editor Jon Clarke (ex-Mail on Sunday), blossomed into a sharp, passionate investigative journalist.

We’re especially proud of her continued work on our long-running campaign against the dangerous drug Nolotil. Since we first reported on it in 2016, we’ve published over 60 stories, and thanks to Yzzy’s dedication, regulation is finally tightening - and expats are learning to steer clear.

Over the past two decades, we’ve trained many other exceptional journalists. Russian-born Anatoly Kumanaev recently had a New York Times front page; others have gone on to ITN and to win awards in documentary filmmaking, like Laura Balfour.

As we expand into Madrid and Barcelona, we’re committed to training even more. But here’s the thing - we need your help.

The Olive Press is a not-for-profit company. All profits are reinvested into journalism and investigations. Despite our huge growth - over 1,000% online since 2023, with seven million annual visitors - Google and Meta swallow most of the ad revenue. The pennies we earn from banners and videos barely cover basics.

So we’re asking for something small - less than one euro a week.

Your support helps train new journalists, keeps our stories flowing, and ensures we can keep investigating, informing, and campaigning - without drowning in pop-ups or selling out to clickbait.

It’s really so simple.

Scan the QR code, for an annual special deal, and join the growing independent media group that offers so much more than anyone else in the Iberian Peninsula in English. No OP, No comment

Alcampo cuts

THE French-owned Alcampo supermarket and hypermarket chain is shutting 25 stores in Spain after sales fell slightly last year.

The company said that a maximum of 710 employees would be affected.

The closures will revolve around its supermarkets and are likely to include some bought in 2023 from Dia when Alcampo acquired 235 outlets.

The company described some of them as unprofitable or in ‘poor’ locations.

Spam ban on way

Days

of answering calls to telephone sales could soon be a thing of

the past

SPAIN’S government wants to ban companies from making spam calls to potential customers.

An amendment to the Consumer Care Services Act would force landline and mobile phone providers to block such calls from firms that don’t use a specific phone prefix, which people could identi -

CLOSE ENCOUNTER

A SPANISH start-up company will design and build a satellite to land on an asteroid that will fly close to Earth in 2029.

The Elche firm Emxys has been chosen by the European Space Agency to construct the Cubesat satellite. It will be released by the Ramses spacecraft a few kilometres away from the Apophis asteroid.

Cubesat hopes to glean important information about the structure and dynamics of a near-Earth asteroid to help plan future planetary defence missions.

By Alex Trelinski

fy in advance.

An irony is that many current spam calls tend to come from telecoms companies.

Consumer Affairs minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said “Blocking unsolicited commercial calls would

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protect the well-being and privacy of consumers.”

Commercial calls would be identified with ‘a specific code, a dedicated prefix’, according to Bustinduy.

“Phone companies would block calls from any firm not having a code,” he added.

A telecoms law passed in 2023 placed restrictions on spam calls but firms have looked at loopholes, including people having given consent by accepting cookies on a website, or an ex-customer that has not asked for their data to be removed.

Bustinduy also wants to void any contract resulting from spam calls and to oblige companies to renew consumer consent for commercial calls every two years.

“We want to discourage this business model and make companies stop engaging in these practices that cause so much bother to citizens,” the minister said.

Unsolicited

According to a 2023 study carried out in 39 countries by US security company Hiya, 42% of calls in Spain in the third quarter of that year were unsolicited - the second-highest percentage in Europe. Bustinduy said the measures would be introduced via amendments to a consumer rights bill to be debated in Congress over the next few weeks. He suggested that everything could be approved ‘before the summer’.

Pay gaps

JUST seven of the top 100 highest-paid board members of Spanish companies are women, according to a new report. This includes Ana Botín on the board of Santander and Logista’s María Echenique. Botín also has a retirement fund valued at €54.73 million. It comes as Spain has prided itself on the world stage as a European leader in its attempt to address gender equality and pay discrimination. However the executive pay gap is also an issue –directors of Ibex 35 earn a salary 79 times higher than their average employees, a figure which has hardly changed in the last five years.

Lifetimes

It means that, even in two lifetimes with 72 years of work, the employees would not earn what their bosses earn for one year of work.

The CEO of Spanish security system company Prosegur earned €5.05 million in 2024, an income 361 times greater than what an average company employee there earns at €14,000 per year. It’s Spain’s company with the highest wage gap.

HEALTH

Light relief

A BARCELONA-based research centre, Leitat, is exploring how light can be used to detect diseases and support innovation across industries like healthcare and biomedicine.

Based in the DFactory, the lab uses photonics - lightbased technology - to enhance scientific and industrial efficiency.

One highlight is the PANACEA project, which developed an optical sensor that detects and measures legal drug levels in saliva using light biomarkers.

Visitors can view the sensor at DFactory Barcelona.

Leitat also applies hyperspectral vision and optical simulation to analyse the chemical composition of objects, enabling detection of contaminants and hydration levels in food or skin.

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TB CASH PLEA Hayfever season

SPANISH scientists have created a new, more effective vaccine against tuberculosis, the world’s most lethal illness - but they need €20 million to finish their life saving research.

Professor Carlos Martín, a microbiologist at the University of Zaragoza, has led the research for over 25 years. The new vaccine, MTBVAC, is hoped to be ready for global use by 2029, pending final clinical trials on adults and children.

Funded in part by Spanish pharmaceutical firm Biofabri, the vaccine could be a game-changer, offering over 50% more protection than the century-old BCG jab.

SPAIN’S government will impose minimum standards for healthy menus in hospitals and nursing homes.

A royal decree is being prepared to guarantee healthy and nutritious food is served to patients and elderly residents.

Social Rights Minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said the state regulation will follow the pattern of one approved last month for schools.

“Menus will be based on dietary recommendations in regard to healthy and sustainable eating, for all age groups and adjusting to different contexts,” Bustinduy stated.

Life-saving vaccine research needs rescuing

By Yzabelle Bostyn

Unlike BCG, which is less effective against pulmonary TB, MTBVAC targets the most dangerous strains and can be distributed as a single refrigerated dose - ideal for rural regions. However, researchers are struggling to raise enough money to develop a version suitable for infants. “The EU funded half our baby project; we need the rest,”

Healthier stays

He added that he was responding to ‘many complaints’ made by citizens and groups about deficiencies found in some centres.

LA CULTURA

A COSTA DEL SOL restaurant has topped the list of Europe’s best casual restaurants for the second year running.

Los Marinos Jose, in Fuengirola, was chosen by the Opinionated About Dining (OAD) guide.

Top dogs in dining

After years in third place, the seafood venue run by five local brothers earnt first place in 2024 and again this year followed by D’Berto, a Gali -

SALUD!

By Tom Ewart Smith

SPAIN is toasting a rare win in the wine world.

As global drinking levels tumble, Spaniards are happily bucking the trend by sipping more of the good stuff.

According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), global wine consumption in 2024 slumped to 214.2 million hectolitres – the lowest

DEFACED: Moorish walls have been targeted by spray paint vandals

Spaniards quaff more vino as world wine consumption slumps

since 1961. But Spaniards bucked the trend by knocking back nearly 10 million hectolitres, a 1.2% rise on the year before. It’s one of the few nations where

BREAKTHROUGH:

Spanish scientists develop new TB vaccine

said Martín, who is now appealing to charities rather than private investors to avoid market speculation and profiteering.

The vaccine will be manufactured in Spain, India and Brazil, with a focus on affordable distribution to low and middle-income countries where more than

a million people die of TB annually.

Speaking at a recent Multi-Sector Plan Against Tuberculosis meeting, Martin and Biofabri CEO Esteban Rodríguez said they remained optimistic - but warned the full impact of the vaccine may not be clear for another 20 years.

AUTISMO España and Spain’s Ministry of Youth and Children have signed an agreement to prevent bullying and cyberbullying of children with autism.

President Pedro Ugarte highlighted that 71% of autistic children have faced bullying due to exclusion, calling it a serious threat to their well-being. The agreement aims to improve detection, promote inclusive childhoods, and

cian restaurant and Italian restaurant Pepe in Grani.

A further three Malagueno restaurants (Hermanos Alba, El Saladero and Tanicos) made the top 100 ranking, followed by 24 in the top 800 list.

LAST ORDERS: Global wine drinking continues to slump - but not in Spain

wine is still flowing freely, nearing post-pandemic highs and putting it firmly back on the vino map. Portugal also raised a glass with a boozy boost, surpassing its pre-COVID levels.

PHILISTINES…

VANDALS have spray-painted more than 20 historic sites in Granada, including the world-famous Alhambra and the charming Albaicin quarter. One tag, ‘borracho dot com’ (‘drunkard dot com’), was scrawled across a centuries-old Alhambra tower in what officials believe may be an anti-tourism protest. The UNESCO-listed landmarks, are now under urgent repair. Furious heritage bosses are calling for tighter security as fears grow over Granada’s image and its 2031 European Capital of Culture hopes. Tourists can still visit, but expect scaffolding, cleaning crews, and stepped-up patrols as the city scrambles to undo the damage.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is nursing a serious hangover. The US, still the biggest consumer by volume, saw a 5.8% drop. France fell 4%, Germany 2.7%, and the UK tippled 1% less. China’s wine affair continues to fade, plunging a sobering 19.3%.

Experts blame the global slide on changing social habits, inflation, and younger drinkers ditching the grape in favour of other options – or nothing at all. Post-pandemic lifestyle shifts and climate chaos haven’t helped, either.

To make matters worse, production also dipped to a 60-year low thanks to wild weather hammering vineyards worldwide.

John Barker, OIV’s boss, warned trade tensions and tariffs – particularly from the US – are adding uncertainty. “Any barrier creates a distraction,” he said.

ANDALUCIA’S health minister has emphasised the importance of allergy treatments and preventative measures in the month of May.

Currently we are in the peak season for the presence of various pollen, including olive pollen, which leads to worsening hay fever symptoms.

“Allergic disease, which is a chronic condition, once diagnosed and known to be seasonal, all allergy patients are well aware of their treatment and the potential flareups they may experience,” Minister Rocío Hernández said.

“Even so, it’s true that we’re experiencing very high pollen spikes, especially olive pollen here.”

She advised allergy patients to know what they are allergic to and to get treatment for the rest of the year, such as an inhaler.

Autism action

support mental health.

Minister Sira Rego emphasized equal opportunities and inclusion for all minors. New platforms for conflict resolution will also be developed to foster a more just, accessible, and supportive society for children with autism.

GIBRALTAR Cultural Services has unveiled a special programme of events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery, which will reopen on Tuesday June 3 following refurbishment.

The newly curated space will include recent additions to the Government’s art collection and – for the first time – feature works by acclaimed Gibraltarian artist Christian Hook.

A Freeman of the City, Hook becomes the seventh artist showcased alongside Mario Finlayson, Gustavo Bacarisas, Elio Cruz, Jacobo Azagury, Rudesindo Mannia and Leni Mifsud.

To celebrate, two public fireside chats hosted by journalist Alice Mascarenhas will explore the legacy of Finlayson on June 5, and Bacarisas on June 11. Both events will take place at the City Hall at 6.30pm. The Gallery will also open late during Calentita Night on June 20, and host a Family Open Day on July 5 with storytelling and workshops. Tickets available via www.buytickets.gi

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

101KM OF PAIN

RONDA is a place where dramatic landscapes, Moorish history, and whitewashed charm collide. Each spring, it becomes the unlikely setting for one of Europe’s most demanding and unique endurance events: the 101 Kilómetros de Ronda.

Far more than just a race, this ultramarathon - organised with military precision by the Spanish Legiondraws thousands of participants from across the globe.

Runners and mountain bikers descend on the town, ready to test their limits over 101 kilometres of steep trails, sun-baked hillsides, olive groves, and centuries-old villages. Endurance racing has exploded in popularity worldwide, and the Ronda

By Cristina Hodgson

101 has become a bucket-list challenge for many adventure seekersnot only for its sheer difficulty, but for the way it immerses participants in the rugged beauty and vibrant spirit of Andalucia.

For me, it offered a different kind of travel experience. Swapping sightseeing for sweat, and tapas for energy gels, I chose to mark my birthday with an unforgettable journey - one that pushed my body to the brink, connected me with strangers, and revealed the untamed heart of the Spanish countryside, one punishing kilometre at a time.

THE day before the race was my birthday. Most people celebrate with cake, friends, maybe a glass of wine. For some reasonprobably madness - I decided to ‘treat myself’ to a 101km ultramarathon through the Andalucian hills.

It was a sort of birthday gift to prove to myself that, while I might be entering a new decade of life, I could still do something my younger self never dared to - or perhaps was just wise enough to avoid.

A year older, but evidently not a year wiser.

Training? Minimal. Life had other ideas - work, children, general chaos. Psychologists say anyone over 35 who suddenly signs up for a half marathon is probably having a mid -

The OP takes readers inside one of Spain’s most iconic endurance events - set against the stunning backdrop of the Serrania de Ronda

life crisis. So what does it say about someone who signs up for two and a half marathons in one go? It’s the fitness equivalent of buying a Ferrari. Honestly, the Ferrari would’ve been more comfortable - and made more sense.

I arrived the evening before the race and bunked down in a sports pavilion with about 500 other hopefuls. Between the chorus of snores and a concrete floor, sleep was in short supply. I managed a few hours before being jolted awake at 6.45am by the Spanish Legion’s bugle call, blasting through the building. Subtle, it was not.

Bleary-eyed and slightly traumatised by brass instruments before sunrise, I dragged myself into my kit and shuffled out with the rest of the early-morning zombies toward the football pitch. Out of nowhere, thousands of runners

MILITARY PRECION: La Legion organised the event to perfection, helping thousands of participants

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 7 Play the game, 8 Seer, 9 Answered, 10 Zurich, 12 Awards, 14 Medals, 16 In love, 17 Epidemic, 19 Pill, 20 Plus or minus.

Down: 1 I presume, 2 Lair, 3 Attach, 4 Persia, 5 Baseball, 6 Rene, 11 In-and-out, 13 Devilish, 15 Samson, 16 Income, 18 Pipe, 19 Pint.

appeared. The Legion’s drummers were pounding away - not so much to stir motivation, but more like a final warning we all chose to ignore. The beat hit somewhere between fear and excitement, thudding into our slightly unhinged souls.

The starting gun fired. The crowd roared. And we were off… at what can best be described as a dignified shuffle. We snaked through the streets of Ronda, past Spain’s oldest bullring, and into the wild beauty of the Serrania. Ahead of us: 100 kilometres of stunning scenery, excruciating climbs, and increasingly questionable decisions.

The route was undeniably beautiful - rolling hills, olive groves, sweeping views—and somewhere along the way, strangers became

companions. Stories were shared, and more Aquarius and Coca-Cola were consumed than I care to admit. The energy in Setenil de las Bodegas was electric: locals cheering, highfives flying, and a few faces that clearly questioned our sanity. (Frankly, at that point, I’d have traded my energy gel for a cold beer.)

Ten hours in, I reached kilometre 70. My body gently suggested, ‘maybe stop now’. But my brain, ever the overachiever, insisted we keep going. They’d saved the hardest for last - brutal climbs, cruel descents, and a bitterly cold stretch near the ermita. I stopped to throw on every layer I had. Turning around, I saw a winding trail of headlamps in the mountains behind me - a surreal ribbon of light twisting through the darkness. Beautiful, in a masochistic kind of way.

Seven hours later, I stumbled over the finish line. A medal was placed around my neck. My legs declared strike action. My face looked 20 years older than it had that morning. Around

me, fellow finishers were crying, laughing, and sometimes both at once. Everyone had run their own story - some to test limits, others to think, to escape, or simply because they could.

I send a huge thanks to the Legion and the volunteers. The organisation was flawless, the support along the course unforgettable. And the people? Incredible. Would I do it again?

Ask me once I can feel my toes again.

TREK: Cristina (top right) had time to enjoy the stunning scenery (below), while (right) before and, exhausted, after the race (bottom)

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

NOSTALGIA ROAD

IT may not stretch 4,000 kilometres like America’s Route 66, but Spain has its own road trip into the past.

A cracked ribbon of tarmac called the N-VI, winding from the Puerta del Sol at the heart of Madrid to the wind-battered cliffs of Galicia, finishing at the Torre de Hercules in A Coruña. And though time has left it behind, its villages, valleys and voices are still waiting to be heard. Before dual carriageways and by-

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

Spain’s Forgotten Route 66: The old N-VI from Madrid to Galicia is a fading treasure trove of castles, ghost towns and stories lost in time

By Dylan Wagemans

passes, before the high-speed AVE and four-lane highways, there was the N-VI.

Laid down in 1939, it was once one of

Spain’s most important roads - a vital artery connecting the capital with the rugged Atlantic coast, stretching over 600 kilometres from kilometre

Michelin trail North

WHILE the traffic moved on from the NVI, something remarkable took root along slower, older route: a constellation of Mi chelin-starred restaurants offering one of the most underrated gastronomic journeys in Europe. The 600-kilometre road has quietly become a paradise for se rious food lovers, with celebrated chefs turning rural kitchens into destinations. Welcome to the Ruta N-VI Gastronomica – Spain’s slow road to haute cuisine.

MONTIA – EL ESCORIAL, MADRID

1 Michelin Star

2 Repsol Soletes

Not far from the start of Ruta NVI, a short detour near Guadarrama brings you to Montia, in the historic town of El Escorial. Head chef Daniel Ochoa’s philosophy is rooted in seasonality and sustainability, with tasting menus that shift depending on what’s foraged from nearby forests or sourced from small produc

zero in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol to A Coruna.

Today, it’s been largely replaced by the N-6 and modern highways.

But the old N-VI still runs through forgotten towns, over ancient bridg es, past peeling petrol stations and weather-beaten inns.

To some, it’s just an outdated road. But to others, it’s a living museum of 20th-century Spain.

Just like Radiator Springs in the Pixar film Cars, many of the once-thriving villages along the N-VI have seen their lifeblood diverted, bypassed by faster, newer roads.

The route crosses three autonomous communities: Madrid, Castilla y Leon, and Galicia, and passes through around 70 municipalities.

Among them are some of the country’s most beautiful villages.

There are crumbling castles, endless

A gourmet journey

along the forgotten N-VI

ers. Wild mushrooms, mountain herbs, and biodynamic wines set the tone.

LA BOTICA – MATAPOZUELOS, VALLADOLID

1 Michelin Star (Red)

2 Repsol Soletes

Found in the small Castilian village of Matapozuelos, chef Miguel Ángel de la Cruz transforms humble ingredients - pinecones, roots, and wild plants - into something extraordinary. His cooking is deeply tied to the surrounding land, and the Michelin Guide has recognised not only the finesse of his food but also its ecological commitment.

wheat fields, eerie gas stations frozen in time, and even a ghost town near Valladolid.

As you drive, nature quietly reclaims the road. Wild grass grows through cracks in the asphalt. Signs fade.

Shops gather dust behind closed shutters.

And yet, for those who take the time to wander off the motorway, there’s wonder waiting: locals with stories to tell, old churches with bells that still ring, and stretches of untouched countryside.

The road’s importance, and its slow disappearance, has been captured in an 86-minute documentary by Pela del Alamo.

His film explores the emotional and cultural toll of abandoning traditional routes in favour of modern efficiency.

“Some sections of the old N-VI have disappeared,” he explained.

“Others have been almost aban-

doned, like drifting islands, kilometres of asphalt that begin and end nowhere. And with them, the villages and towns they crossed.”

For those willing to slow down, the N-VI offers a different kind of travel. Depending on your pace and mode of transport, the journey can take between two and six days.

A project called rutanvi has even launched a special ‘passport’ to guide explorers along the way. Collect at least 15 stamps from key towns and you’ll receive a diploma when you finally reach the lighthouse at A Coruna as a souvenir.

So if you ever feel like getting lost, truly, purposefully lost, leave the highway behind. Take the road that winds and weaves. The road that remembers. Take the N-VI.

END OF THE ROAD: Chef Luis Veira of Árbore da Veira EXPERT CHEF: Luis

The €80 tasting menu is inventive and deeply local. There are also a la carte options, which are surprisingly well priced for a Michelin-starred restaurant.

LERA – CASTROVERDE DE CAMPOS, ZAMORA

1 Michelin Star

Sitting in the wide plains of Zamora, Lera - named after Head Chef Luis Alberto Lera is a pilgrimage for lovers of game. Partridge consommé, venison tartare, and hare stew are hallmarks of the menu, elevated with precise technique and rustic elegance.

Lera isn’t just a restaurant –it’s a standard-bearer for the culinary traditions of the Spanish meseta.

TRIGO – VALLADOLID

1 Michelin Star

In Valladolid city – a slight detour off the N-VI – Trigo offers polished, contemporary Spanish cuisine in an elegant, minimalist setting. The tasting menu balances heritage and innovation, with dishes that showcase the best of Castile’s agricultural riches and chef Victor Martin’s modern sensibility.

ALQUIMIA - LABORATORIO

– VALLADOLID

1 Michelin Star

More daring than its neighbour Trigo, Alquimia lives up to its ‘laboratory’ moniker. Molecular techniques and bold presentations make for a high-concept experience, though still firmly anchored in local produce. Priced between

€50 and €110 depending on the day, the tasting menus created by Alvar Hinojal - Spain’s answer to Heston Blumenthal - make it an ideal stop for the adventurous palate.

EL ERMITAÑO – BENAVENTE, ZAMORA

1 Michelin Star

A charming country manor turned fine-dining destination, El Ermitaño serves refined takes on Castilian classics in the capable hands of brothers Pedro Mario and Oscar Manuel Perez. Highlights include lechazo (suckling lamb) and canutillos de cecina (beef jerky rolls), prepared with balance and finesse. The building itself, with a historic 18th-century chapel on site, adds to the sense of occasion.

ÁRBORE DA VEIRA – A CORUÑA

1 Michelin Star

From its perch on Mount San Pedro overlooking the Atlantic, Árbore da Veira offers a dramatic end to the N-VI journey. Chef Luis Veira’s dishes play with textures and flavours while remaining deeply connected to Galician seafood traditions. The panoramic views are breathtaking; the food, even more so.

A STARRED ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

While the A-6 speeds you across the country in hours, the N-VI offers a richer reward: slow travel, full flavours, and the chance to see – and taste – Spain at its most soulful. A road less travelled, perhaps. But one well worth the journey.

LITTLE CHANGED: The old route to Galicia still has many vestiges of a bygone era

Alberto Lera

Lazarus plant

AN ‘extinct’ plant has been found alive and well in Andalucia’s Sierra Morena park. Dubbed ‘nomeves’Spanish for ‘you can’t see me’ - over 100 of the plants have been found.

Touchdown!

SPAIN will host its first NFL American football game on November 16, as the Miami Dolphins face the Washington Commanders at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium in a historic International Series clash.

Legal backing

SUPREME Court judge Jose Antonio Montero has criticised the tax agency’s conduct, backing expats’ claims of unfair targeting under the Beckham Law and calling fiscal penalties excessive.

The madcap English rush to get to Spain for Spurs v Manchester United in Bilbao – and avoid the price gouging

ENGLISH football fans are descending on Spain - and even Portugal and France - in chaotic fashion for this week’s all-Premier League Europa League final in Bilbao. With direct flights to the Basque city costing upwards of €600 one way, fans of Spurs and Man chester United have resort ed to creative, often con voluted travel plans. Some are flying into cities like Valencia, Faro, and Malaga before connecting onwards, often via multiple legs. Return flights from Manchester were hitting €1,400. At least a quarter of those on a Monday

By Jon Clarke in Bilbao

morning Malaga-Bilbao flight were heading to tonight’s match. “I’ve had two flights this morning,” said Pete Jones, 24, a Spurs fan from Essex. “It was the only vaguely affordable way.” Others were flying to Biarritz or Nice and driving five hours to reach Bilbao.

Manchester United fan Leo Doran flew to Malaga on Sunday and will return via Tenerife. “It was only 50 quid - and we get a night out in Tenerife,” he said.

The Mummy returns

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

Accommodation was another battle. Even basic hotels were charging over €1,000 per night. A two-star hotel hit €2,138 for two nights; a four-star soared to €3,665. Some fans stayed as far as Santander, returning to Bilbao just for the game. Up to 25,000 fans are expected to arrive without tickets. Official allocations were limited to

15,000 per club, while 20,000 were set aside for UEFA and sponsors. Ticket prices online soared from €40 to up to €2,000.

This game not only promises Champions League qualification - it also marks the first European final between two sides in the Premier League’s bottom quarter.

CROWDS are flocking to see the jaw-dropping remains of St Teresa of Avila, whose 440-year-old corpse has gone on display in Spain for the first time in over a century. The 16th-century nun, mystic, and reformer may have died in 1582, but parts of her body, including her face, foot, heart, hand, and arm, are still well preserved. Experts are calling it nothing short of miraculous, with skin and muscles still intact after four centuries. Unveiled at the Basilica of Alba de Tormes, the display has left visitors stunned. Her remains revealed health struggles like painful foot spurs from endless walking in devotion.

TWO nude German tourists, 23 and 27, shocked Murcia drivers by performing wild sex acts beside a van near Nueva Condominia. One used a sex toy while the other filmed - all in plain sight. When cops rocked up, the randy pair sped off down the A-7, sparking a wild chase. Four patrol cars boxed them in, but the saucy fugitives kicked off, resisting arrest.