SPAIN may end up biting off more that it can chew with its protestations over the Eastside marina development currently taking shape on Gibraltar’s Mediterranean coast.
An environmental complaint running through a La Linea court is operating on the assumption that the project is being constructed in an area of Spanish jurisdiction.
Speaking in parliament, Fabian Picardo said the government is considering the dispute from international law, which is ‘what really matters here, and the contest of jurisdictions that could ensue.’
“It is the Spanish that have run scared of a determination by an independent international tribunal of the issue of jurisdiction in the waters,” he said.
But the Chief Minister pointed out they might end up there if they pursue a legal path to derail Eastside, adding he would ‘relish’ such a match up that could once and for all silence Spanish claims to Gibraltar’s waters.
Nonsense
A spokesperson for the government has previously told the Olive Press that ‘the BEST thing that could EVER happen to Gibraltar would be that any official entity of Spain should start a litigation on our waters, in any court, even their own.’
“It would enable us to make justiciable the nonsense of the argument they make that we have no territorial waters or, indeed, that our reclamation projects have not complied with all relevant and applicable rules,” the government said.
Spain refused a UK invitation to put the issue before the International Court of Justice in the 1960s and since then has preferred to assert its sovereignty by making frequent incursions into the disputed waters. Legal experts generally agree that the UK would have the stronger case if it went to the Hague.
The ICJ would favour modern international law over the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht that Spain relies on, as it predates today’s international legal framework.
CHECKMATE: Legal challenge might sink Spain’s claims to Gibraltar’s waters
P LIVE RESS O GIBRALTAR
World at her feet
SHANIA Ballester told the Olive Press her experience at the Miss World contest in India on the weekend was ‘absolutely unforgettable’.
“The energy backstage, the excitement from the audience, and just being part of something so global was surreal.”
MISS GIB: Shania Ballester represented the Rock at Miss World
Contestants from 108 countries took to the stage, but it was Suchata ‘Opal’ Chuangsri (inset) from Thailand who was crowned Miss World 2025.
“There's always a little bit of disappointment when your name isn't called, especially after all the hard work and heart you've put in,” she confessed after the judges did not vote her in the top 40.
“But I genuinely felt proud just being on that stage representing Gibraltar.”
No-love island
Charles Gomez clashes with Gibraltar’s Chief Minister over his support for UK Chagos deal
EXCLUSIVE
By Walter Finch
ONE of Gibraltar’s leading lawyers has slammed the Chief Minister for his ‘ob noxious’ stance over the UK’s decision to cede sovereign British territory to another country.
Distinguished legal practitioner Charles Gomez was barely able to con tain his outrage after Fabian Picardo claimed the UK deal to give away the Chagos Islands to Mauritius ‘had no read across to Gibraltar’.
“Yes there’s read across!” Gomez said in a blistering broadside in conversa tion with the Olive Press
“It’s the transfer of British sovereignty without the consent of the people –then paying Mauritius £100m a year on top. It’s like giving something away and then paying the recipient to take it.
“There’s no way you can convince anyone in Gibraltar that the UK selling out the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands without consulting the Chagossians is good for us,” he thundered.
Obnoxious
“I think Picardo’s comments are obnoxious to Gibraltar.”
In response, the Chief Minister told the Olive Press that ‘Charles Gomez does not know what he is talking about’, adding he is ‘blind with hatred of the government and me.’
The explosive exchange comes just two weeks after the British government finalised the agreement to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius last week.
The agreement will see the UK pay £3.4 billion to lease the strategically important US-UK military base on Diego Garcia over the next 99 years.
The deal has caused considerable disquiet in Gibraltar – and barely disguised glee among the nationalists in Spain, who view it as undermining the inviolability of British sovereignty over the Rock.
Gomez called it ‘one of the most dis-
– foreign affairs situation of the UK in the last 50 years.’
He added that Picardo, along with the UK ministers involved in the decision, were responsible for covering it up.
“Mauritius went and signed a deal with Russia the day after the signing ceremony,” Gomez continued. “They didn’t even wait 24 hours, such is their disdain for the UK.”
Mauritius and Russia agreed to strengthen their bilateral relationship, focusing on cooperation in fishing and marine research during a meeting with Russian representatives in Port Louis, the Mauritian capital.
The development has concerned observers in the UK, who worry that the close relationship between the two countries could complicate the security of the military base on Diego Garcia. Yet Picardo called it ‘the right decision’ when speaking in Gibraltar’s parliament, lauding it for ‘protecting national security while respecting international law.’
“This is a decision that protects national security while respecting international law,” Picardo said.
He added: “The read across to Gibraltar is positive and is particularly relevant in the defence of British sovereignty.
“I am very clear that there is no aspect of this decision which has any negative read across to Gibraltar.
In fact, quite the opposite is true.”
The opinion is not shared by a large number of Chagossians, the people native to the islands who were forcibly removed in the late 1960s by the British government to make way for the military base.
Mauritius never administered the Chagos Islands before their forced removal, and many exiled islanders recall threats and discrimination when resettled in Mauritius.
They now oppose the handover of the islands to Mauritius, arguing they were not consulted and fear worse treatment under Mauritian rule.
Outraged
They associate Britain, despite its colonial abuses, with stronger legal protections and welfare support, and have long campaigned for resettlement under British sovereignty rather than return to a government they distrust.
Understandably, they have been outraged by Keir Starmer’s decision, and it has set an example that many fear could be repeated in Gibraltar.
“The Chief Minister talks about reading across, well the only that you can read across is that British sovereign territory is transferable without consultation of the inhabitants of that territory,” Gomez continued to GBC.
“So how does anyone not read that it’s a diminution in our position of major proportions?” In response to Olive Press questions,
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister dismissed Gomez’s challenge as ‘spouting nonsense.’
CLASH OF THE TITANS: Charles Gomez (left) challenges Fabian Picardo
Delicate diplomacy
THE UK government has endorsed Morocco’s plan for Western Sahara, which would give the disputed region a large degree of autonomy but under Rabat’s ultimate control.
Easy does it
THE inaugural Easyjet flight from Birmingham to Gibraltar landed over the weekend, opening the Rock up to even more destinations in the UK and potential tourists.
Popped over
THE nuclear-powered British submarine HMS Astute made a whistlestop three-hour return visit to Gibraltar – just five days after its last visit.
Discount digs
NEW recruits to the Royal Gibraltar Regiment will be enticed with a cushty £30,000 housing grant in order to boost soldier retention.
GRIM HUNT
THIS is the first pic of the initial search site for the body of missing Madeleine McCann in Spain.
Taken by the Olive Press in Portugal on Monday, they show the nerve centre for the four-day probe as well as an additional Portuguese police support tent.
Approximately halfway between Praia da Luz, where Maddie went missing in 2007, and nearby Lagos, police blocked off a series of dirt tracks and sealed off a large 50 hectare size area from around 3pm.
Teams of police arrived in unmarked white vans and rental cars, while the bosses arrived in black Range Rovers.
The Maddie site where cops hope to find vital clues to finally charge German Christian Brueckner
By Jon Clarke in Praia da Luz
The first search location is in the local area of Ataleia, where prime suspect German Christian Brueckner regularly spent time.
As well as working at the local Boavista golf club he also commuted daily to work at bars and restaurants in nearby Lagos.
The area of scrubland, about three kilometres from Praia
Knife crime
A 28-year-old local woman was arrested following an alleged stabbing at Mid Harbour Estate.
The RGP received a call from the ambulance around 5.50pm on May 28 reporting that a local man had been stabbed at a residential property.
Officers responded to the scene and arrested the woman on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The victim, who sustained serious injuries, was taken to St Bernard’s Hospital for treatment.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
No further details about the victim’s condition or the relationship between those involved have been released by police.
da Luz is scattered with isolated farms and dozens of ruins.
Portuguese police - who are working under the German BKA - confirmed they had registered a total of 21 separate properties to search between June 2 and 6.
Dedicated search teams started to arrive at 7 am on Monday ready to scour the area.
An Olive Press source revealed: “It’s going to be a great show.
“The area is scattered with ruins, wells, cisterns and oth-
er good places to hide a dead body.
“It’s a real wasteland and who knows what we might find.”
The search comes after a tip
Child abuser jailed
A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Windmill Hill prison after being convicted of 13 sexual offences against children.
Zakaria Laaraj, originally from Baghdad, Iran, was found guilty by the Supreme Court on February 28 of crimes that occurred between 2015 and 2020.
He was acquitted of seven other charges.
The convictions related to sexual touching and kissing of two minors during the five-year period. Laaraj has been held in custody since his conviction earlier this year.
The case was heard at Gibraltar’s Supreme Court, which handed down the substantial prison sentence following the serious nature of the offences against vulnerable victims.
The RGP has urged anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, regardless of when it occurred, to come forward by calling 200 72500 or visiting www.police.gi/report/crime.
off to BKA headquarters in Wiesbaden in 2018, when they began probing Brueckner over the crime.
The Policia Judiciaria, which has led the hunt since Maddie vanished in 2007, confirmed the request to search the area was made by German authorities.
The Olive Press understands they have made numerous other requests for further searches in Portugal but without agreement.
The last search involved divers and up to 100 police at inland Arade lake two years ago.
Police focussed on a lake camp where Brueckner regularly spent time to ‘cleanse himself’. He called it his ‘paradise’ when he was looking to be alone. While detectives found various fragments of material that were ‘too degraded’ to offer any DNA link to missing Madeleine.
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.
For further information call: Gibraltar Tourist Board +350 200 74950
Or to download a brochure go to: www.visitgibraltar.gi
SEARCH IS ON: Police start the hunt for Maddie near Praia da Luz
Tennis great wins 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports Excellence
SERENA Williams has been announced as the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award winner in the sports category, in recognition of her outstanding tennis career. The 43-year-old American
Serena’s latest win
By Alex Trelinski
won 73 singles titles including 23 Grand Slams. She said in 2022 that she was
RAFA’S FINAL FAREWELL
SPAIN'S greatest-ever tennis player, Rafa Nadal, has been given a special farewell at the French Open - a Grand Slam event he won a record 14 times.
The Mallorcan star retired last November after a sensational career. He took his bow on Court Philippe-Chatrier in front of a packed 15,000 crowd including Murcia's Carlos Alcaraz who wore a ‘Merci Rafa’ shirt.
A video montage was played
across the court screens featuring all of his successes at Roland Garros.
Towards the end of the emotional ceremony,
stepping away from the sport to focus on her family and business interests.
Williams was chosen after two days of deliberations by a jury in Oviedo that sifted through 30 candidates from 13 countries.
They described her sporting records as ‘unquestionable’.
Last year's winner was Spain’s badminton star, Carolina Marin, who won Olympic gold in Rio back in 2016.
Prizes
The €50,000 Princess of Asturias Award is one of eight annual prizes covering different spheres, including arts, literature, film, and science.
The awards ceremony takes place in Oviedo this October at the city's Campoamor Theatre.
MULLINS IT OVER
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE IN THE UK AND LIFE IN SPAIN,
From Spanish property madness to Brexit hangovers and bureaucratic blind spots, life abroad isn’t all sunshine and sangria
I’VE no regrets about relocating to Spain a year ago, but there are times when it really hits home that you’re squatting in someone else’s country where you don’t get to make the rules.
It’s a bit like post-Brexit Britain, except - whatever the politics of it - the UK can’t just up sticks and move. We still need to trade with the EU, but now we don’t get a say on the rules. Genius!
Where I’m going with this is the bonkers idea from Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez to slap a whopping 100% tax on non-Spanish, non-EU citizens buying property.
Utter madness if you ask me, and I’m told it’s got a snowball’s chance in hell of becoming law. Clearly, Señor Sanchez is trying to calm the anti-tourist, anti-second-home crowd by showing he’s on their side.
The good news is that, unlike Brits in 2016, Spanish voters won’t rise up against foreigners… they know which side of their pan rebanado the olive oil is drizzled on!
Speaking of housing problems, I couldn’t believe what happened to one Scandinavian expat woman recently - some crafty scammers managed to swipe her flat out from under her. The
first she heard of it was when she started getting threatening letters ordering her to leave. Talk about bad news in the post.
What I don’t get is how a forged Colombian legal document can allow gangsters to flog your place from under you! If you buy a stolen car you don’t get to keep it, so why is it different when it’s a flat?
It does sometimes feel like expats get second-rate service from the local authorities; meanwhile, back in the UK, it seems the government bends over backwards to help immigrants - the more illegal, the more help, or so it often appears. I suppose some of us might do better out here if we made more effort to learn the language, but Spanglish does the job well enough for me. Strangely, I hear that back in the UK, Labour are trying to bring in a new law making immigrants take an English test before they can get any sort of visa to stay.
Who knows how that’s going to work. Will the Royal Navy start handing out test papers to illegals on the small boats - and if they fail, it’s a one-way ticket back to France? Next thing you know, Keir Starmer’s Labour lot will be paying to send private English tutors into asylum hotels, just to make sure the illegal immigrants living on the taxpayer’s pound are up to snuff - so they can apply for more benefits!
A right royal sendoff
IT was caps off and tissues out as King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain watched youngest daughter Infanta Sofia graduate from UWC Atlantic College - aka the ‘Hogwarts for hippies’ - in Wales.
The £63k-a-year school, set in a 12th-century castle, is a royal favourite Sofia’s big sister Princess Leonor graduated in 2023.
Leonor couldn’t make the ceremony - she’s off doing military training - but sent a sweet video message from a Spanish Navy ship. Sofia’s tutor called her a ‘true friend in difficult times’.
XABI STARTS
REAL Madrid have appointed Xabi Alonso (top right) as their new manager on a three-year deal starting June 1.
The 43-year-old returns after making 236 appearances for the club from 2009 to 2014, winning six major trophies.
Alonso arrives from Bayer Leverkusen, where he won a historic domestic double last season. He replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who departs to coach Brazil.
Real face Al-Hilal in their first match under Alonso at the revamped Club World Cup on June 18 in Miami.
Ahead of his arrival, Real have signed Dean Huijsen (middle) for €60 million and are targeting Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (bottom) on a free transfer.
WRITES CHARLIE MULLINS
Nadal was joined on court by his great rivals Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Sir Andy Murray.
Shared poverty
GIBRALTAR is ‘impoverishing its neighbouring regions by attracting investment and wealth’ and effectively ‘siphons off businesses and profits’ from La Linea and other parts of el Campo that have higher taxes.
This is the conclusion of a report from the University of Malaga, which argues that ‘Gibraltar disproportionately benefits at the expense of its Spanish neighbours.’
It goes on to claim that a much-touted zone of ‘shared prosperity’ with the Campo that treaty negotiations aim to achieve is only possible if Gibraltar abolishes its famed low-tax regime.
It argues that it ‘does not seem feasible to achieve shared prosperity for both territories if fiscal harmonisation does not occur simultaneously with the physical removal of the fence.’
By equalising the tax regimes, the researchers believe this will ‘share the economic capacity of Gibraltar with the nearby area of Spain.
This would enable the Spanish territory to leverage this opportunity to increase its wealth and improve all economic indicators.
THE GFA will reimburse the government's £2 million stadium loan ‘in the next few weeks’ as the ambitious development moves closer to reality.
The Chief Minister recently confirmed in Parliament that taxpayers had loaned the money towards the new Category 4 stadium complex, despite earlier assurances that the £100 million project would be entirely privately financed.
Originally announced in November 2022, the GFA initially said the savings bank would fund the scheme.
EQUALISER
This later shifted to a consortium of local commercial banks, though the overall budget remains ‘commercially sensitive information’ and cannot be disclosed.
Demolition works on the old stadium are set to resume this September or October, following planning approval last December. Final design plans will be submitted to the Development and Planning Commission within months.
The sale of residential units associated with the development will begin once designs are completed, with a main contractor appointment determining the final completion timeline.
CRUISE KING
How has Gibraltar come out of nowhere to attract so many cruise ships – and unnerve its Spanish competitors?
GIBRALTAR has been celebrating a record April for cruise ship calls that has put the wind up its Spanish neighbours. As the Olive Press reported at the time, the Rock enjoyed a record-breaking 41 passenger liners stopping over, a 41% increase on the same month last year. Meanwhile, over in cruise ship favourite Cadiz, a total of 47 vessels birthed – still greater than Gibraltar’s figure but down from the 61 that were scheduled. Gibraltar is on track to receive
Deadly waters
GIBRALTAR is set to host a lot more British nuclear submarines after the UK committed to building one every 18 months.
It is part of a sweeping new Strategic Defence Review in which the British military will transition to a state of ‘warfighting readiness’ in the face of renewed Russian militarism.
Gibraltar is identified as a ‘vital’ base at a strategic location guarding the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
The report highlights the importance of ‘maintaining the UK military presence in Gibraltar, including for maritime force protection operations, upholding the sovereignty of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, as well as providing a base at a strategic location at the western entrance to the Mediterranean to provide critical support to UK – and allied – military objectives.’
According to British Forces Gibraltar (BFG), the Rock ‘acts as a service station for all types of Royal Navy vessels, as well as providing crucial maritime situational awareness for the Strait.’
It was also lauded as an ‘invaluable littoral, urban, and subterranean training environment for British military forces.’
A series of long-term investments will see up to 7,000 long-range weapons produced, a further £1.5 billion poured into munitions and another £1 billion dedicated to an integrated air and missile defence for the UK.
Red menace
A SPANISH navy vessel monitored the passage of a Russian naval flotilla as it transited through the Strait of Gibraltar.
The patrol vessel Tagomago shadowed the Russian signals intelligence ship Viktor Leonov (pictured) along with three other vessels described as support units of the Russian navy last week.
While the flotilla passed peacefully, the increased presence of Russian warships and submarines in the area has raised concerns among NATO allies.
According to reports, the number of Russian naval transits through the Strait has surged by 50% compared to the previous year.
By Walter Finch
almost 240 cruise calls in 2025, a 28% increase on 2024. But it still has some way to go to compete directly with Cadiz’s expected total of 324. However, one of the most notable differences is in the attitudes towards the cruise ships found in each location – something that has not gone unnoticed by the operators. While gaditanos complain that the town is selling its ‘neighbourhoods, businesses and its
But most interestingly for Gibraltar, the UK attack submarine fleet get a dozen more vessels, It means more nuclear-powered submarines in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, to the delight of the many vessel spotters that reside in and around the Strait.
Luke Pollard, the UK Minister for the Armed Forces, said: “Our growing submarine fleet, enhanced missile defence, and thousands of new long-range weapons will ensure that the UK can deter, fight, and win.
“Gibraltar remains a vital forward base – our gateway between the Mediterranean and Atlantic – and a cornerstone of NATO’s southern flank.”
“The Royal Navy’s attack submarine fleet will expand alongside the construction of our four new Dreadnought-class nuclear-armed submarines.
Renowned Gibraltar military spotted Michael Sanchez welcomed the announcement as ‘very promising’ but questioned how important the military base really is to the Royal Navy.
“Time and again the base has been snubbed as witnessed by British Carrier Strike Group 21 and, more recently, CSG25 [which featured the Spanish frigate Mendez Nuñez] both swerving Gibraltar when passing through the Strait,” Sanchez said.
“Many visits have been cancelled due political interference and pressure from NATO ‘ally’ Spain.
“It's exactly one year today since the last major surface Royal Navy warship visited us and used Gibraltar’s naval facilities, which was HMS Duncan.
“And that’s despite the succession of ministers and admirals that come here, proclaiming from the highest of heights how important and strategic the naval base is.
“It's time for the admiralty to stop sitting on their hands and be honest about the future of the naval base.”
soul’ to the cruise ships and their enormous footfall, the gibralteños welcome them – by and large.
In fact, Gibraltar has so far proven immune to the bouts of tourismophobia that sweep across Spain periodically. This is because Gibraltarians ‘understand how important tourism is for the local economy,’ Tourism Minister Christian Santos told the Olive Press
“We’re a small community and we’re all mutually dependent upon one another economically.
“So people see that local businesses thrive thanks to the continual arrival of cruise ship passengers, and the community welcomes it.”
Gibraltar has worked hard to achieve its success in the cruise sector.
A series of upgrades to its port facilities and capacities, strategic deals with leading cruise liners – including the luxury Explora Journeys – and beefed up excursions and activities on the Rock have paved the way for the success.
Attractions such as St Michael’s Cave, the World War Two tunnels, plus the iconic Gibraltar monkeys have all
added distinctive lustre to the Rock’s brand as a cruise ship destination.
The minister pointed out that Gibraltar has consistently scored ‘eights and nines out of ten’ in recent passenger feedback surveys.
The tourist board also assured that it was not resting on its laurels but working on ‘fresh products and new initiatives’.
One of the key competitive advantages Gibraltar has for cruise ships stopping over is the Liquid Natural Gas terminal.
Uniqueness
With this, cruise ships can refuel more quickly and efficiently than in competitor ports – also enjoying Gibraltar’s lowtax discount.
But ultimately what might attract the ships and their cosmopolitan customers is simply the uniqueness of Gibraltar and its massive rock, its monkeys, its history – and its bizarre but charming fusion of cultures and languages.
“We’re attracting the right kind of ships, those that value culture, quality excursions, and the unique character that Gibraltar offers,” Santos added.
Case law
“I don't think he has read the decision of the ICJ and the evidence of the Chagossians – he can not have said these things if he had read the slightest part of any of the law on this case. Picardo pointed out that there was ‘an exercise of self determination involving the people of Mauritius and the Chagossians living in Mauritius.’ He added that ‘in that part of the analysis of the Advisory Opinion lies the best support that there has ever been in jurisprudence to show Spain that her claim to the isthmus [separating Spain and Gibraltar] and the waters [around Gibraltar] is still born.
“Charles Gomez seems to be too blind with hatred of the government and me because of the McGrail case to have sufficient objectivity to realise how wrong he is and how he is playing into Spanish hands by making misconceived arguments that he is making,” the Chief Minister concluded.
Strait sailing
A RECORD 40 boats took part in the Straitchallenge 2025 on Saturday, May 31. The challenge, which started from Algeciras, is one of the most demanding nautical crossings in the world. More than 250 sailors from all over Andalucia, Ceuta and Gibraltar had to contend with a mix of poniente (westerly) and levante (easterly) breezes as well as the Strait’s typical strong currents. The course took the boats to Tarifa, with an obligatory passage in front of the Torre de la Peña campsite, and then cross the Strait to Ceuta, onto the San Amaro area, between Punta Almina and the Mahersa marina in Ceuta, on the African continent. In total the route was more than 40 nautical miles.
Eastside project is actually HELPING La Linea's beaches
THE Eastside development is repairing the health of beaches on the Spanish side of the border, according to the project's main contractor.
Darren McComb, who oversees construction of the £165 million luxury complex being built on reclaimed land, claims the breakwaters are regenerating La Línea's coastline rather than damaging it.
"Spanish environmentalists have conducted studies and concluded that beaches on the Levante coast - not only Gibraltar's but also La Línea's - have regenerated thanks to the landfill," McComb said.
The contractor says sand accumulation that initially worried critics is actually positive, creating wider beaches where previ-
ously ‘there was a lot of depth just a short distance from shore.’
McComb insists the breakwaters will protect against winter storms that historically washed sand away from both Gibraltar and La Línea beaches.
"Before, there were winters when waves would crash over houses in La Caleta. That won't happen anymore," he explained.
The project, backed by Vietnamese billionaire Tuan Tran, faces legal challenges from Spanish prosecutors investigating alleged environmental violations.
However, McComb maintains all work follows strict environmental protocols, including relocating 600 protected limpets at a cost of over €500,000.
PIC CREDIT: Andrew Chiappe
Voted top expat paper in
Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION
It’s complicated but it’s not that complicated
DOES the deal to give away the Chagos Islands to Mauritius against the wishes of its (former) inhabitants really spell doom for Gibraltar?
It’s hardly a good look. There are certainly a number of similarities.
Both are (or were) British Overseas Territories, remnants of empire, and – more importantly – home to strategically vital military bases.
Many Gibraltarians grumble that the UK doesn’t care about Gibraltar, just the base.
Well, at least its presence guarantees that the UK won’t wash its hands and walk away leaving Gibraltar to its fate with Spain.
Or so it was always thought.
Now we see that actually no, the UK is capable of cutting a deal with a third country, over the heads of the citizens it’s supposed to represent, if it serves its interests.
The International Court of Justice ruled in 2019 that the UK’s continued administration of the Chagos Islands is unlawful, and that they should be returned to Mauritius.
A UN General Assembly resolution overwhelmingly endorsed this view – only six countries backed the UK (including the US and Australia).
Many critics of the decision to cede the Chagos Islands have blamed it on ‘woke’ politics, and a naive desire to conform to international law when everyone knows that it’s the law of the jungle.
Keir Starmer believes that by adhering to the will of the international community, he’ll gain leeway and leverage in other disputes – the moral high ground, if you will.
But in doing so, he has shown that the UK’s iron resolve to defend British sovereignty is selective, and that when push comes to shove, strategic or diplomatic interests might outweigh the will of the people.
So why did Picardo endorse this position? Most would assume it’s to play nice with his new negotiating chums in Westminster.
But it is, nonetheless, endorsing a position that subtly weakens Gibraltar, when the Chief Minister could have remained diplomatically silent.
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THAT NIGHT IN BILBAO
Richarlison, friendly locals and a brilliant police operation that kept 80,000 English fans from harmbut couldn’t keep the buses and trains running
By Jon Clarke
IN stark contrast to the chaotic scenes in Paris after the 2025 Champions League final - despite the fact the match actually took place in Munich - where fan violence marred PSG’s historic 5-0 win over Inter Milan, Bilbao delivered a masterclass in calm, cooperation and celebration.
Hosting the all-English Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, the Basque city welcomed 80,000 travelling fans with open arms, excellent policing and remarkable hospitality.
Despite transport struggles, the atmosphere remained festive throughout Spurs’ 1-0 victory.
Jon Clarke was there to witness firsthand a night of football, friendship and an unforgettable outpouring of joy.
AT 5am, with the heavens opening and our clothes soaked through, I wasn’t the only fan cursing Bilbao. But while the weather and long taxi queues were predictable, what wasn’t was the result: a 1-0 win to Tottenham Hotspur –their first European trophy in 41 years. For the 40,000 Spurs fans who made the journey, it was ecstasy. For me, a lifelong Lilywhite, it was a joy I hadn’t felt since the 1991 FA Cup win while at university in Manchester. And, as with then, we celebrated in style – helped, crucially, by Bilbao’s decision to keep bars open and by the spirit of the United fans, who, despite the result, joined us on the dancefloor later that night singing The Smiths’ This Charming Man There was no violence, no tribal tension – just fans embracing the moment. The Basques played a huge part in that. We were shown around the coolest bars by locals named Inigo, Ainhoa and Unai, who didn’t just welcome us – they adopted us. Eventually, we found ourselves at the taxi rank at 4am in central Bilbao. The last bus back to Mungia – the only affordable hotel we could find – had gone at 10pm, and the next wasn’t until 7am. With the queue 150 deep and no taxis in sight, we detoured to the five-star Radisson hoping for help. Instead, we found 200 stranded fans lying in every available corner of the foyer.
“It looks like homelessness has gone up tenfold overnight,” quipped my son, though the mood was more resigned than humorous. Some fans struggled to stay warm; others squabbled. Most simply curled up and waited.
about to walk back to the
out
I asked him a few nonsensical questions and got a couple of grunts. Don’t ask me what he said. No idea. I think (no, I hope) he was tipsy. He posed for a selfie.
BASQUE BOOST
It was a genuine victory for
Bilbao and the surrounding Basque region.
Aside from the entire city being full, every town and village within an hour was recording record occupancy rates.
In the seaside surfing villages of Bermeo and Mundaka, thousands of football fans ate, drank and sang into the night, delivering a nice financial injection to the local economy.
When I tried filming the scene, the hotel manager asked me to leave, eventually calling the police. They turned up five minutes later – not to make arrests, but to express sympathy. “There’s clearly been a failure here,” said one officer. “We don’t know why buses aren’t running through the night – that’s a question for the town hall.”
Despite the chaos, policing throughout had been exceptional. Officers were visible, approachable and cheerful – a stark contrast to the heavy-handedness seen in Paris just days later.
RICHIE, MCINTYRE AND DANIEL LEVY
We decided to try our luck at the Hotel Carlton, where lo and behold the entire Tottenham team and entourage were staying and celebrating the win.
There was no chance of getting in, despite a press pass, and just as we were
There were even 3,000 fans staying in the next region of Cantabria, according to the authorities in Santander, while at least the same number stayed in San Sebastian.
A total of 282 flights took off or landed at Bilbao airport in 24 hours and it was incalculable exactly how many fans were really there, with so many driving all the way from Calais, or arriving via airports in other parts of Spain, as well as Portugal and France.
As one fan, Nigel, a property developer, from Elstree in North London told me, he had flown with six of his family to Madrid and hired a van.
“I’ve got my wife and three daughters, two of whom brought their boyfriends, so it’s been anything but cheap,” he explained.
“Some people go on exotic holidays to the Maldives, my family do trips like this.”
18 HOUR DRIVES, 100KM CYCLE RIDES
His journey was one of the smoother ones, thanks to his job, with two fans I met at my hotel having driven 18 hours ‘straight’ to arrive at 5am the day of the match, while one another cycled from Valencia, 100 kms per day.
The most nerve-wracking part was ensuring that my son, Alfie, could make the game, while still managing to sit a history A-level at midday on Wednesday in Marbella.
I managed to get him a cheap direct flight at 5pm from Malaga. It meant he would arriveif all went well and he didn’t forget his passport - just before 7pm at Bilbao airport and not only was it on time, but the two women next to him were Reds fans who offered him a lift in their taxi.
To say I was overjoyed to see him at 7.45pm just before kickoff was an understatement. The fan zone was one of the best I’ve ever seen: vast, well-staffed, clean, and crucially, with ample toilets.
VANDALISM AND VIOLENCE - FAKE NEWS!
The mayor of the city, Juan Mari Aburto, made light of the fact that two traffic lights got broken in the ‘euphoria of celebration and alcohol’ when the impact to the economy was enormous.
There was no intentional damage and the three vans of riot police parked up nearby handled the situation brilliantly, by simply taking up a watching brief, mostly smiling.
“We are left with the joy of the fans, a true fiesta of football and a great atmosphere,” insisted mayor Aburto. “I also want to praise the excellent behaviour of our own locals, who have left a great image for Bilbao.”
GREAT NIGHT: Jon with son Alfie in the stadium, while (below) Richarlison seemed a bit ‘tipsy’ and (right) the atmosphere was friendly
taxi rank around the corner,
popped Brazilian striker Richarlison.
CELEBRATION: Fans of Spurs were ecstatic
GREAT JOB: Even the riot police were cheerful
It wasn’t me guv
THE Continental Wealth Management (CWM) scandal has been one of the most sordid to dog Spain’s expat community in recent years.
It had it all: greedy con men and women, extravagant spending on villas and bling, and hundreds of victims who lost their retirement savings.
The cast of mendacious villains posing as reputable ‘financial advisors’ attracted notoriety precisely because they seemed to get away with it.
Much of the focus has been on CWM director Jody Smart, who visibly profited while ruining the retirements of fellow Brits.
But Jody’s jet-set life as a wedding planner and restaurateur is now on hold as she appeals a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence for fraud handed down in April.
Far less is known about her ex-partner, often described as the principal culprit: Darren Kirby.
Thought to have vanished after the firm’s collapse in 2017, the Olive Press tracked the 60-year-old down for an on-the-record interview about CWM’s rise and fall.
“I need this for my soul, because there have been so many wrongs printed about me,” Kirby said.
But instead of a confession, he launched a robust defence:
“I would give my life today for everyone to get their money back [...] but there was no fraud from my end, from CWM – and that includes Jody.”
He admitted poor judgment in choosing partners, but blamed losses – estimated at €35 million affecting a third of 1,000 clients – on lack of due diligence.
“I will go and take a lie detector test anywhere in the world you choose – there was no fraud committed by CWM,” he insisted.
CWM founder breaks his silence to deny fraud that devastated hundreds of expat retirees in Spain – and points the finger at bigger players
EXCLUSIVE by Walter
Finch
sion, and funds under management.”
He rejected claims that clients were misled into low-risk investments.
“It is horrendous for anyone to think there were forged signatures, or clients thinking they were going into vanilla funds when they weren't. But buyers are liars. Perhaps the previous year they made money – then of course they didn’t complain.”
Kirby’s own fortunes have plummeted. Once operating out of the Costa Blanca Marriott Hotel, he’s now reportedly working pub kitchen jobs near Maidenhead and living in a Ford Focus.
“He’s finished, the guy is history,” said a former acquaintance.
I will go and take a lie detector test anywhere in the world you choose – there was no fraud committed by CWM
“We were the intermediary, we never received the clients’ money ever, because that’s illegal.”
He pointed the finger at Momentum Pensions Malta: “They offered us the investment instruments.”
Kirby said CWM relied on lists from large financial firms who failed oversight.
“None of the pension providers do – this is a ticking time bomb that’s going to blow up the world, and now they're going to work out who's who in the zoo.
“We were a financial advisory group, we never gave advice to any client but were guided by a series of companies that collectively
Kirby recalled: “I left Spain with just €50 in my pocket –and that was given to me by a client.”
“I had the most stunning, beautiful offices for a fixed rent of about €2,000 a month with a five-year contract.”
He cited a glowing reference from ex-Inter Alliance CEO Stephen O’Leary: “Undoubted –Darren Kirby is undoubted.”
Kirby met Smart in 2012 when she worked as a pool cleaner for his brother. She soon joined the company.
He hired Alan Goringe, a ‘retired chartered accountan’ who Kirby later described as an ‘outand-out alcoholic’.
“I didn't know at that time that he was an alcoholic who ended up drinking boxes of cooking wine from the supermarket in the latter days of his life.”
Goringe, a co-defendant in the fraud trial, died in 2019. The case was dismissed in 2023 for lack of evidence.
By 2015, Kirby said he was burned out. On legal advice, he restructured the company into Continental Wealth Trust, naming Smart as director and Goringe as financial lead.
is why I stress again, not guilty in the court of law. Her jail sentence gives me no pleasure.”
“Did we give bad advice when I was in charge? No, we didn't when I handed it over. I mean, we obviously did [give bad advice], but there was no fraud.”
“We didn’t take the client's pension when I was in charge of the company and think we’d have a little gamble.”
Kirby admitted his biggest failure was to ‘take my eye off the ball’ and trust ‘an alcoholic accountant and a dullard who I never loved to look after the company’.
“That's my failure, that's my fault. I will stand there in the court of law, in the Royal Courts of Justice in London or Madrid, and take that responsibility. And if God says, ‘you take two years, mate,’ it's a release for me.”
The wider CWM saga includes Patrick and Dawn Kirby, portfolio manager Anthony Downs, and Stephen Ward of Premier Pension Solutions.
Other alleged unqualified advisers included Dean Stogsdill, Neil Hathaway and others at CWM’s offshore arm.
CWM claimed to operate under Inter Alliance’s license, but Momentum couldn’t prove this to Maltese regulators.
Smart accused Kirby of setting her up to take the fall are worth a couple of trillion.
But they never did their due diligence.
“Why? It’s not criminal fraud exactly, it’s about commis -
He also transferred all assets to Smart’s name – his house, car, everything – allegedly under legal advice. These were later stripped.
Smart accused him of setting her up to take the fall. Kirby replied: “So now I have a crystal ball and thought if things go t**s up I'll hand it over to her? Get real.”
He defended her role: “Jody never saw a client – I will protect her there. She may have recommended them, but she never spoke to a client or took advice or gave advice, which
Most damning: clients’ pensions were funneled into high-risk ‘structured notes’ – unsuitable for retail investors and akin to gambling.
These paid hidden commissions – sometimes up to 15% – from client funds.
“We do not set the commission rates. Fact,” Kirby said.
“In every world, in every facet of financial services, there's going to be people out there that will sell for commission. There will be some people that sell to protect their client and everything in between.”
The Maltese Arbiter found CWM wasn’t licensed to give advice, and Momentum failed to supervise investments.
Momentum was ordered to pay £7 million in compensation. Kirby said CWM paid around €1.5 million to clients.
TRAINEE TRIBUTE
THE Olive Press is bidding farewell to two of our most recent interns, who have each played a key role in our newsroom during their time with us.
Tom Ewart-Smith, a British student spending part of his university year abroad, has been with the paper for four-and-a-half months.
During this time, he has become a valued member of the team, contributing articles, carrying out independent research, and showing initiative in chasing stories.
He will now go back to the UK to resume his studies and start his last year of university.
Dylan Wagemans, from Belgium, joined us for two months as part of his International Journalism studies. In his time here, he too has made a strong impact, bringing enthusiasm, curiosity and dedication to every assignment he undertook. He returns to Belgium to graduate and receive his International Journalism-degree and make his entry into the professional world. Both interns demonstrated their commitment and adaptability, including during the recent nationwide blackout when, unable to reach the rest of the team, they took to the streets to find out what was happening.
They are both very grateful for the chances and coaching that the Olive Press team has given them.
The Olive Press has already welcomed many interns and young journalists during its nearly 20 years of existence.
Earlier this year, Olive Press journalist Yzabelle Bostyn was named NCTJ 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.
Over the years, dozens of young journalists have worked at the Olive Press, going on to work at major news outlets across the UK, Europe, and the US. Some have stayed in Spain to report on issues close to their hearts, while others have taken their Olive Press experience to roles at major broadcasters, international magazines, and respected national newspapers.
The newsroom continues to be a launching pad for bright, ambitious reporters willing to learn more about what it takes to become a professional
nalist.
In the following weeks, we will be welcoming more interns, as part of our constant search for young
ent, and to bring you the best content possible.
LUXURIOUS: CWM’s first offices in the Marriott Hotel in Denia, and (above left) Jody Smart
FRIENDS: Tom (left) and Dylan
STRAIT OVER
A SWEDISH-made electric hydrofoil boat has completed the first intercontinental journey by crossing the Strait of Gibraltar from Sotogrande to Ceuta and back in a single day.
The futuristic Candela C-8 Polestar Edition completed the 24-nautical mile voyage in just over an hour, matching diesel ferry speeds while using underwater hydrofoils that lift the hull above water, reducing energy consumption by 80%.
The crossing cost just €8 in electricity (40 kWh), compared to €90 in fuel for a gasoline-powered boat making the same journey.
The vessel's flight-like stability system handled the strait's notorious rough seas smoothly and it’s hoped it can become a sustainable ferry route across the Mediterranean.
A NEW YouGov poll reveals that 87% of Spaniards want more fishing rights allocated to smallscale fishers, amid rising public anger over industrial trawlers destroying marine habitats and coastal jobs. Currently, large trawlers receive
Trawler travesty
the vast majority of Spain’s fishing quotas, while small-scale crews - who make up over half the fleet - are left with just 3%. Many industrial vessels use destructive methods like bottom trawling,
which tear up seabeds and kill non-target species, including juvenile fish.
More than 76% of those surveyed oppose such practices. As Spain launches a public consultation on how quotas are assigned, conservation group Oceana and others are calling for a complete overhaul.
DRYING UP
Spain on course to run out of water by 2050, experts warn
SPAIN is on the brink of a catastrophic water crisiswith experts warning it could be as parched as the Middle East by 2050.
A report from the World Resources Institute has lumped Spain in with desert nations like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran - all facing ‘extremely high’ water stress. That
By Walter Finch
means over 80% of their water will be used up every year. Spain currently sits at 43% – already in the danger zone. And while recent rains have bumped reservoir levels to around 66%, experts say it’s
WIPES WAR
SPAIN is set to ban flushing wet wipes as part of a new crackdown on sewer-clogging ‘fatbergs’ – and manufacturers will have to pay for the clean-up.
The move, aimed at slashing single-use plastics, comes as fatbergs – giant globs of grease and wipes – cost the country €230 million a year to tackle.
The law will also outlaw releasing party balloons into the wild in a bid to tackle plastic pollution of the environment. Producers will now have to foot the bill for both sewer clean-ups and public awareness campaigns.
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too little, too late.
Meteorologist Mario Picazo has issued a stark warning: “Spain is increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity.” Hot, dry summers are getting worse thanks to climate change, with Andalucia, Murcia, and the Valencia region being hit hardest.
Culprit
Spain, one of Europe’s hottest spots for global warming, is looking at less rainfall and soaring temperatures – a double whammy for an already thirsty country. The biggest culprit? Agricul-
ture, which gulps up 80% of Spain’s water. And much of it is wasted due to poor irrigation.
Meanwhile, northern regions like Galicia enjoy wet conditions, while the south is bone-dry – fuelling fierce political rows over controversial water transfers like the Tagus-Segura project.
Add booming tourism, sprawling cities, and construction madness – and Spain’s water woes are spiralling out of control. Experts say it's time to act. Without serious reform, Spain could be running on empty within decades.
Vulture found
A RUPPELL’s Griffon Vulture that drowned attempting to cross the Strait has highlighted growing environmental cooperation between Gibraltar and Morocco.
The African vulture, fitted with a satellite transmitter in Morocco, was tracked losing height during its crossing before washing up dead at Camp Bay.
Gibraltar's Environmental Protection and Research Unit recovered the bird and retrieved its tracking device. The transmitter had been placed by Moroccan researchers working on vulture reintroduction programmes, including at Jbel Moussa, led by conservationist Rachid El Khamlichi.
The incident has strengthened ties between conservation groups on both sides of the Strait. Ruppell's Griffon Vultures, an African species, are increasingly migrating into Europe alongside Eurasian Griffon Vultures.
LA CULTURA
DIGGERS have unearthed the most complete stegosaur skull ever discovered in Europe.
The 150-million-year-old skull, dug up in Riodeva, belongs to Dacentrurus armatus, a lesser-known species of stegosaur. And according to scientists from Fundación Dinópolis, this prehistoric find is making major waves in the world of palaeontology.
DIG THAT! Cold case
By Dilip Kuner
IT’S the ultimate cold case: forensic tech has just uncovered a 43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint in a Spanish cave.
In a find that’s blowing the dusty socks off archaeologists, a single fingerprint pressed into red ochre on a pebble in the San Lázaro rock shelter near Segovia
“The preservation is insane – skulls like this just don’t survive,” said lead re-
Neanderthal left 43,000-year-old fingerprint in Spanish cave
has been revealed using cutting-edge police tech. That’s right - the extinct early humans are now part of their very own true-crime-style investigation.
Using multispectral imaging usually reserved for modern crime scenes, Spanish forensic experts spotted the fingerprint lurking inside a tiny red dot on an 8-inch granite pebble. The print was invisible to the naked eye but has now exposed 13 iden -
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
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searcher Sergio Sanchez Fenollosa. “It’s letting us peek into the dino’s face like never before.”
But that’s not all – the team has used the find to launch a bold new theory on stegosaur evolution, even creating a whole new dino clan called Neostegosauria. These medium-to-mega herbivores once stomped across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas during the Jurassic party era.
tifying features, including ridge endings and bifurcations - textbook forensic gold.
Analysis of the ridges - 0.48 millimetres apart - suggests it belonged to an adult male Neanderthal.
Effort
This wasn't any old rock. It was carefully hauled in from the nearby Eresma River, meaning our Neanderthal went to some effort to collect the stone. The pebble has three natural dents that form what scientists say looks like a face. The ochre fingerprint?
Smack bang in the middlelike a nose.
Some researchers now believe this could be early pareidolia - the brain’s tendency to see faces in things like clouds, tree bark… or in this case, rocks. If true, this pebble might just be the world’s first emoji. Unlike other pebbles found at the site - which were all clearly used as tools - this one had no wear and tear. And there were no other ochre traces anywhere nearby. So it wasn’t just part of the day’s chores. This was a one-off act of expression - deliberate, symbolic, and deeply human.
Whale find
CLEVER cave dwellers in ancient Spain were fashioning tools out of whale bones 20,000 years ago, experts have revealed. Scientists analysed more than 80 tools from the Bay of Biscay and 90 bones from Santa Catalina Cave, using high-tech dating and chemical tests.
The bones came from at least five massive whale species, including sperm, fin and blue whales still seen in the area today. Some even came from grey whales, now only found in the Pacific.
“The bones date back to around 19,000–20,000 years ago,” said study lead Jean-Marc Petillon.
Co-author Krista McGrath said the findings shed light on the activities of early humans and ancient whale diets.
PRINT: Found of Neanderthal
LA CULTURA 10
City of dreams
British-born writer Michael Coy
has made this Andalucian mountaintop city his home for decades. In this special dispatch, he shares a local’s perspective on a place where Celtic roots, Roman ambition, and Moorish elegance meet in timeless con -
HE city of dreams, as the poet Rilke once called Ronda, has been around for at least two thousand
The Celtic tribe known as the Bastuli called it Arunda. We know with some certainty that there were Atlantic trade routes linking Ireland with the south of Spain, suggesting that even in ancient times, this area was far from isolated. Under the Romans, the city’s importance grew. They established a twin-settlement: Arunda, protected by its rugged, naturally defensive position, and Acinipo - ‘Old Ronda’—a separate Roman town just a few miles
Roman
Today, the tranquil ruins of Acinipo offer a glimpse into Roman urban life,
with its remarkably well-preserved theatre overlooking sweeping countryside. From archaeological finds and Roman writings, it’s clear that this was one of the key set -
By Michael Coy
tlements in Baetica , Roman Southern Spain. The Visigoths came next - often referred to as the Western Goths. They did little beyond tending the land. Their wooden structures rotted away long ago, and history tells us very little about their presence here.
In 711 AD, when Muslim forces crossed from North Africa into the Iberian Peninsula, Ronda became an Arab city and regained its strategic and cultural importance.
During the emirates of Al-Mundhir and Abdallah ben Mohammed (886–912), the rebellion of the Muladies - former Christians who had converted to Islam - gained prominence. The leader of the revolt, Omar Ben Hafsun, came from a wealthy Visigothic family and became a pivotal figure in the history of the Serrania de Ronda. Even today, locals still remark on how difficult Ronda is to reach, perched high on its rocky outcrop. One can only imagine what a fortress it must have been in the age of the horse.
A guide to the romantic city of Ronda, that has been on the map for 2,000 years
you’ll hear Arabic embedded in the local Spanish: phrases like “ ¡Ojalá! ” (‘Let’s hope!’) come directly from Inshallah , while “ ¡Olé! ”, heard in bullrings and flamenco halls, is also thought to have Islamic roots.
The Moorish presence remains visible in Ronda’s architecture, particularly in the Old Town - La Ciudad - perhaps the best-preserved in all of Andalucia. The layout of the streets, narrow and winding, hasn’t changed in a thou -
COLOUR AND SPECTACLE: Ronda is home to bullfighting
NATURE: The rugged terrain around Ronda has its own special beauty, while (left) the Arab Baths (above left) the main gateway to the ancient city and (above right) Roman ruins
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
LA CULTURA
and several Moorish houses remain intact. After a long and bitter struggle, the Catholic Monarchs conquered Ronda in 1485. The city, having resisted fiercely, was divided among Castilian noble families. Still, many of the skilled Arab craftsmen - carpenters, stonemasons, and builders - were retained by the new rulers. This uneasy coexistence didn’t last. Over time, tensions grew, particularly after the 1499 decree en -
“
1571, the remaining Moors were formally expelled. Yet, for years after, some held out in the high mountains, protected by the terrain that had always made Ronda a stronghold.
After a long and bitter struggle, the Catholic Monarchs conquered Ronda in 1485
The 18th century brought renewed prosperity. In the 1700s, the now-iconic Puente Nuevo - or New Bridge - was constructed, spanning the deep gorge that divides the city and joining the old Moorish quarter with the newer Christian town. It’s a dramatic feat of engineering that still inspires awe today.
Ronda’s next great test came during the French invasion of the early 1800s. An active guerrilla resistance emerged in the hills, and as the French retreated, they destroyed part of the city’s castle and other defensive structures.
“
Even now, Ronda and its surrounding villages, especially Algodonales and Montejaque, proudly commemorate the defeat of Napoleon’s troops. Each summer, locals dress in period costume to re-enact the French retreat.
These festivities, of course, turn into days-long celebrations, complete with wine, music and Andalucian dancing!
CLIFF’S EDGE: The city sits next to the Tajo gorge, which is spanned by the Puente Nuevo (above)
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MONEY RELATED STORIES?
Moneybags Yamal
His base salary alone is estimated at €30 million- 10 times his previous pay.
IN THE MONEY Boss quits
BANK customers in Spain are paying more in account maintenance fees, with a 6% average increase over the past two years.
According to consumer group Asufin, main banks now charge an average of €160 annually€12 more than in 2023.
Free
Banco Santander, CaixaBank, Banco Sabadell, Deutsche Bank, and Cajamar charge up to €240. Notably, Cajamar doubled its fee from €120 to €240. Meanwhile, Bankinter continues to offer a fee-free current account.
Asufin reports that debit card maintenance fees dropped from €25.91 to €21.91, while inter-bank transfers and online payments fell from €2.13 to €1.16.
The group notes digitalisation has lowered transfer costs, but banks compensate by increasing account maintenance charges.
BARCELONA has secured 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal with a groundbreaking seven-year contract, one of the richest ever for a teenager in football. Though the deal begins when he turns 18, it reportedly includes net annual earnings up to €40 million if all bonuses are triggered.
This rapid rise follows a spectacular season that’s positioned Yamal as a future Ballon d’Or contender.
Once among Barça’s lowest earners, he now ranks among their top-paid players, signaling the club’s intent to build their future around the prodigious winger.
Supermarket wars
BRITISH TikTok influencer
Jamie Dear thought he was simply indulging his sweet tooth on a sunny Valencia trip - but his snack haul revealed much more: the fierce competition behind Spain’s grocery market.
At Mercadona, Spain’s retail giant with a 26.6% market share, Jamie gleefully showcased a €23 sugary spree, including cheesecake, white chocolate donuts, and carrot cake, sparking over 130,000 views and hundreds of comments. “The prices are incredible!” he exclaimed. Yet behind the treats lies a tough battle
HEALTH
Stub it out
Sweet tooth trip in Valencia exposes the fierce fight behind Spain’s cheap eats
By Dilip Kuner
among Spain’s supermarkets. Though Mercadona leads in profits and market share, it doesn’t hold the most stores - that distinction belongs to Dia, with 2,288 locations. Lidl is steadily climbing, leveraging discounts and loyalty
THE MS Arvia, one of the largest British-owned cruise ships, arrived in Cadiz last week. Operated by P&O Cruises, the 344m-long vessel accommodates nearly 5,500 passengers. Its visit is part of an Atlantic-Mediterranean itinerary, boosting local commerce, hospitality, and services. Passengers explored Cadiz’s his-
A SURVEY says there's overwhelming support for extending bans on smoking in public places coupled with a hike in tobacco taxes.
The study was conducted for the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) which has family doctors as members.
Every year some 50,000 people die in Spain due to tobacco, according to the latest data available from the Ministry of Health.
Some 74% of those questioned in the semFYC survey said they want hospitality terraces and public transport stops/ shelters to ban smoking and vaping.
That figure rises to 85% in relation to school entrances and surrounding areas.
The semFYC study spoke to 9,500 people for its annual smoking survey.
There was a strong majority favouring higher taxes on tobacco and e-cigarettes to cut consumption.
Tiger bite
THE Asian Tiger Mosquito has established itself in Gibraltar, prompting health officials to issue mosquito bite prevention advice to residents.
Unlike the common Culex mosquito which bites during evening and nighttime, the Asian Tiger Mosquito is a daytime biter that prefers humid environments and breeds in water containers – including in everyday household items such as inflatable pools and plant pot dishes.
The Environmental Agency emphasised that whilst diseases like Dengue Fever, Chikungunya and West Nile Virus are unlikely in Gibraltar, residents should remain cautious, particularly when visiting neighbouring regions where these diseases are prevalent.
Officials highlighted particular risks for Gibraltar residents enjoying day trips to wetlands and marshes in neighbouring areas.
Health authorities recommend wearing long sleeves and light-coloured clothing, applying insect repellent and eliminating standing water around homes to prevent breeding.
schemes. Unlike the UK’s grocery landscape dominated by Tesco
and Sainsbury’s, Spain’s market is fragmented. The top five chains collectively hold just 50%, with regional and
toric centre, sampled local cuisine, and visited key landmarks. Docked at the centrally located Alfonso XIII Pier, the ship benefited from easy access to the city. The Arvia’s stopover is one of many expected this season, with forecasts predicting record cruise visits, positioning Cadiz as a key destination in Atlantic and western Mediterranean routes.
At your service
independent shops still vital for fresh, traditional goods.
Mercadona’s secret weapon? Private-label products, accounting for 44% of Spanish gro-
cery sales, which Jamie unknowingly embraced in his haul. Despite inflation and energy challenges, the company posted record profits under billionaire Juan Roig.
Jamie’s sugary shopping spree is more than a viral moment - it highlights the dynamic, evolving food retail scene in Spain, where every supermarket battle is a fight for shelf space and consumer loyalty.
Back in Britain, Jamie is likely dreaming of those sweet Spanish treats and wondering when Lidl UK will catch up.
SPAIN'S government has approved a Royal Decree that allows owners of service dogs to take them into all public spaces.
A SCANDAL has erupted at the Bank of Spain after Angel Gavilan, Director of Economy, resigned just 24 hours after presenting its annual macroeconomic report. Gavilan reportedly quit in protest over alleged political interference by new governor Jose Luis Escriva, a former Socialist minister appointed by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Sources claim Escriva and his aide Eva Valle edited the report to downplay Spain’s fiscal vulnerabilities, particularly regarding pensions and debt.
In a tense meeting, Gavilan accused Escriva of ‘cooking the books’ and removing standard critical assessments. The report lacked original analysis, policy recommendations, and detailed chapters on housing and finance. The controversy raises concerns about the Bank’s independence under Escriva’s leadership.
THE EU has warned Spain against blocking BBVA’s €11 billion hostile takeover of Banco Sabadell. Spain’s economy minister Carlos Cuerpo said the cabinet will fully review the deal, citing concerns over job protection, financial inclusion, and Sabadell’s regional importance. Though approved by the ECB and Spanish competition authority, the merger faces opposition from the government, Sabadell’s board, and Catalan businesses.
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Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, said the measure will have a ‘fundamental impact on the rights’ of assistance dog users. “These animals constitute a key element in promoting an independent life,” he added. The decree covers dogs that help people with disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, conditions that bring about seizures as well as female victims of gender and sexual violence. The law replaces legislation dating back to 1963, which had a very limited scope of permitting guide dogs for the visually impaired.
Depressing results
MENTAL health issues have sky-rocketed in Spain since the Covid-19 pandemic with big rises noted among younger males.
The number of people admitting to suffering from depression has tripled according to the Spanish Health Survey, which is conducted every four years by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
The INE data covers the period between 2019 and 2023 and shows nearly 15% of people had a serious mental health issue in the fortnight
Survey reveals mental health issues on the rise
By Alex Trelinski
prior to submitting answers to the INE questionnaire.
Over half that number described themselves as having a ‘severe depressive condition’.
Compared to 2019, overall figures have tripled and by almost 50% since 2014. The most concerning num-
Unequal health
A MAJOR Spanish health survey has revealed stark inequalities in wellbeing based on social class and gender. The 2023 National Health Survey found 83% of upper-class respondents reported good health, compared to 70% of lower-class individuals.
bers come among the elderly and the young.
The biggest category for depression sufferers is among those aged 65 reaching 19.5% and going up to 37% to people aged 85 and over. Intermediate ages of 25 to
64 years come in at 14%, but then there's an increase compared to 2019's report over boys and young men aged between 15 and 24 years.
Poorer Spaniards also face more chronic illness, mobility issues, and mental health problems.
Gender differences were striking: 78% of men reported good health versus 70% of women.
Despite disparities, public health is improving: smoking has halved since 1993, physical activity has increased, and diets have improved.
The survey, involving nearly 25,000 people, will shape future health policy.
‘Moderate’ instances of depression have tripled in that age band from 1.3% to 4.5% while severe cases rose sixfold from 1% to 5.9% in just four years. There is also a gender gap with over 10% more females (35.1%) reporting depression compared to men (24.1%).
SWEET DREAMS: Jamie’s haul highlights supermarket war
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
BAGPIPE ACTION: in the middle of Andalucia
THE sleepy Andalucian town of Teba will turn Scottish from August 22 to 25 – and it’s all to honour a wild slice of history dating back to 1330.
This year’s ‘Douglas Days’ festival will once again see kilts, bagpipes, and whisky flooding the streets, as locals and Scots unite to celebrate a legendary clash on Spanish soil.
HOTEL bosses are warning of holiday chaos as new EU rules kick in this October.
The Costa del Sol’s hotel bosses fear fresh digital checks will cause major delays for millions of tourists, especially Brits who make up 27% of visitors.
Malaga airport alone sees up to 6,000 Brits an hour in peak season. Over on the Costa Blanca, 2.8 million British tourists arrived in 2024, making up 24% of visitors.
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Move over Sevilla
Spain's new fourth-largest city is an unsung gem
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Tartan takeover
Back in the day, Sir James ‘Black’ Douglas - a fierce Scottish warrior carrying the heart of Robert the Bruce in a silver casket on a mission to bury it in the Holy Land –stopped off in Teba during the Reconquest. Legend says Douglas hurled the casket
June 4th - June 17th
into battle to rally Christian troops against the Moors, but he didn’t make it out alive. The heart was returned to Scotland. Fast forward nearly 700 years and the spirit of Black Douglas lives on every August with medieval markets, kids’ events, and dramatic reenactments – making Teba the quirkiest Scottish hotspot south of the border.
CHAOS LOOMS ‘NO FREE BAR
GETTING BIGGER: Zaragoza has overtaken
THE Canary Islands’ top man, Fernando Clavijo, has said that tourists should not be allowed to flood in unrestrictedly - insisting: “We are not a free bar.”
By Samantha Mythen
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The EU’s new Entry Exit System (EES) demands biometric scans, while the ETIAS travel authorisation will cost around €7 and must be obtained before travel.
AN Aragon city built on the foundations of Romans, with more than 2,000 years of history, is now Spain’s fourth-largest city.
Their services include cybersecurity, device maintenance and performance optimization, and malware removal, enhanced by AI for faster and accurate solutions.
Hotel chiefs say poor planning risks huge queues and ruined holidays.
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Aehcos president Jose Luque warned: “Without action, these new rules could cause chaos and damage Spain’s reputation.”
AnyTech365 adapt its product and technical support solutions to individual needs, offering a safe online experience to any user.
Home to nearly 700,000 people, Zaragoza has quietly muscled past Sevilla in the population rankings, according to the latest stats from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics. With 2,000 years of history under its belt, Zaragoza is a heavyweight in heritage.
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From Roman ruins to Islamic opulence, and Renaissance flair to Francisco de Goya masterpieces, the city is a cultural colossus. Towering over the skyline is the breathtaking Basilica del Pilar, while nearby, El Salvador Cathedral dazzles with its UNESCO-listed Mudejar artistry and a treasure trove of Flemish tapestries dating
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back to the 11th century. And if that’s not regal enough for you, step inside the Aljaferia Palace - an 11th-century fortress built for Muslim kings that oozes intrigue. Perfectly placed between Madrid and Barcelona, this once-overlooked marvel is just a high-speed train ride away - or fly straight in via its international airport. With its surging population and centuries of splendour, Zaragoza isn’t just growing -
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Qit’s glowing. Madrid (3.4 million), Barcelona (1.6m), and Valencia (820k) still lead the pack.
Grow
Not far behind are cities like Malaga and Murcia - both continuing to grow - while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Alicante, and Bilbao round out the top 10. Malaga, in particular, is closing in with 592,346 residents.
The regional president reacted after news of an 8% drop in British holiday bookings this year, despite Brits making up over 40% of visitors and tourist cash in 2024.
Wild Clavijo vowed to protect locals and the environment, saying the islands won’t let tourism run wild. His tough stance comes after 100,000 locals hit the streets earlier this month, protesting mass tourism’s impact on housing and nature.
the best part? Take advantage of the exclusive offer just for Olive Press readers, so you can enjoy a worry-free online experience today! convenience or a trap in disguise?
R codes are everywhere - on restaurant tables, receipts, posters, even gravestones (yes, really). Just point your phone, scan, and voilà! No more typing out long, clunky URLs. But while most QR codes are harmless, some can lead you straight into a cybercriminal’s trap. Think of them like mystery doors. Most open to exactly what you expect, but some? Well… let’s just say you might regret scanning that ‘free giveaway’ code stuck to a lamppost. Cybercriminals love QR codes because they exploit one simple fact: you have no idea where they lead until it’s too late. Unlike sketchy email links that at least look suspicious, a QR code feels neutral… until it redirects you to a phishing page asking for your login credentials or, worse, installs malware on your device. Imagine sitting in a café, scanning a QR code for the menu. What if a scammer slapped a fake sticker over the real one? Instead of seeing today’s specials, you just landed on a bogus payment page designed to steal your credit card details. And since it looks legitimate, you enter your
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info without a second thought. Oops. Before scanning a QR code, take a few seconds to think: Does it look tampered with? If there’s a sticker over it or it seems out of place, maybe don’t scan it. Where is it taking you? Many phones show a preview link—check it before tapping. Why does it need personal info? If a QR code suddenly asks for login details or payment info, that’s a red flag. Keep your devices protected. Cybercriminals don’t just rely on bad
links - weak security makes their job easier.
QR codes aren’t the enemy - it’s where they lead that can be the problem. With a little caution (and maybe a hint of paranoia), you can avoid the dangerous ones while still enjoying their convenience. And remember: the only thing worse than a malicious QR code? One that leads to a broken link after you’ve already gone
through
Sevilla
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
LETTERS
SPRING brings with it a sensory overload: blooming jacaranda, clinking glasses of cava, and - if you listen closely - a soft buzz in the air.
The buzz belongs to one of nature’s most essential (and underrated) workers: bees. With World Bee Dayl ast week, it’s the perfect excuse to shine a spotlight on these tiny powerhouses and the role they play in Spanish culture, cuisine, and countryside.
Let’s start with the sweet stuff.
Spain isn’t just a fan of honey - it’s one of the largest honey producers in Europe. With more than 2.4 million hives and some 30,000 beekeepers, this country takes its golden nectar seriously.
Flavour
THE BEES
As World Bee Day passes, Dilip Kuner takes a look at these tiny - but essentialinsect superheroes
Each region has its own flavour. In the south, you’ll find fragrant orange blossom honey, while in the north, deep and smoky chestnut honey predominates. Over in Catalunya, light and floral acacia honey has its own unique flavour.
Locals don’t just drizzle it on
BEWARE THE WEEVER FISH
PEOPLE should be warned about the weever fish that you can so easily step on while paddling in the sea. I was stung/bitten by something at the Les Deveses beach near El Verger.
There is a long breakwater and I
trod on something while coming out of the sea, near the rocks. The sting was immediate, really vicious, worse than that of a jellyfish, from memory.
At least you can see the jellyfish in the clear water along that coast....
One reader gives a timely warning as the temperatures start soaring and the beaches get crowded
but you don't really look down at the sand coming out of the sea! I saw nothing, but it really hurt. There was a small wound on my foot which bled. I kept squeezing, in case there was glass, or perhaps a bit of seashell in there, but they
City of dreams
I LOVED your article about Ronda. ( Olive Press online, Ronda: The Andalucian city that stole Hemingway’s heart — and might just steal yours) It brought tears to my eyes as I remembered seven weeks in that beautiful place when I first retired in winter of 2017.
My plans to return were interrupted by family deaths in the next two years, then the Covid years, and more private upsets. Now I say for sure I will make the move to this wonderful city this autumn, or I may never get there.
Until then, Ronda lives in my heart. Thanks for the article.
Rebecca Smith, Via OP website
Editor's note: Thanks for your kind message. For more on Ronda see Michael Coy’s article on page
12 Our new columnist Charlie Mullins has drawn a response from our readers… and it is a mixed bag…
By Dilip Kuner
toast - they pair it with cheeses, mix it into stews, or spoon it into yogurt for breakfast.
Traditional desserts like torrijas and rosquillas often feature honey as a key ingredient.
But this sweet tradition is facing a bitter challenge.
A third of the food we eat depends on pollinators like bees. No bees?
No almonds, tomatoes, olives, or wine grapes - not to mention honey itself.
In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warned that around 1 in 10 wild bee species in Europe are at risk of extinction, and over a third are in decline. In southern Europe, including Spain, the situation is especially serious.
There’s no single villain here. Climate change. Habitat loss. Monoculture farming. Pesticides. Parasites like the varroa mite - all are playing their part in the crisis.
And then there’s Colony Collapse Disorder - where bees just disappear without warning. It’s been happening for centuries, but in recent years, it appears to have become dramatically worse.
JOKER IN THE PACK
CHARLIE Mullins is an absolute joke.
After years of writing semi-literate garbage about ‘foreigners’ and Brexit et al in the UK press, he moves to Spain. No irony, no self-awareness. And that’s just one piece of gobshittery. There are many, many more!
The funniest part is that he thinks he’s a ‘celeb’!
A complete ****.
would not sting like this did.
I always carry vinegar in a spray bottle in my beach bag, as it is good for treating jellyfish stings, and also an antihistamine. The pain was intense for about an hour and then gradually subsided.
I got myself some swim shoes today... best to be safe!
Lorraine Bellami, El Verger, Costa Blanca
Editor’s note: Swim shoes are always a good idea, but if you are unfortunate enough to get sting by the poisonous weever or jellyfish, be aware that beach lifeguards are also first aiders and can help.
David, via OP website
Ignore the haters
BEING a successful entrepreneur myself, I know all about the hate, envy and jealousy that people like Charlie can get. One comment on his article online, which appears to be from someone with spelling difficulties, is typical. Personally I rarely put myself out there . Charlie, If you think Spanish build quality is poor. You would have been appalled when I first came out in 97. Enjoy your success. You worked hard for it. 18 hour daysall weekends. Most of today’s snowflakes would collapse at the thought of it!
Brian, via OP website
FUNNY MAN Stay at home
THANKS Charlie - I love your sense of humour. Lets hope you can keep it here in Spain!
Frank Cheadle, via OP website
AS a Brexit supporter I am surprised that Mullins is making such a song and dance about moving to Spain. He should take his own advice, which he freely gives to immigrants to the UK, and stay in his own country.
Jane W, via email
Editor’s note: Charlie Mullins was a very vocal remainer and is still anti-Brexit - see his column on page 3 in this issue of the Olive Press.
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
BEES KNEES
Surprisingly, even though Spain makes fantastic honey, about 80% of the honey consumed here is imported, mostly from China. And much of that is fake - cheap syrup made from rice or corn masquerad-
ing as the real thing.
Local beekeepers are struggling to compete. So if you’re traveling through Spain and spot jars of raw, unfiltered honey at a market - grab one.
Better yet, ask where it’s from and what flowers the bees visited. Not only will it taste better, you’ll be supporting a centuries-old craft.
WAYS TO HELP
● You don’t have to be a beekeeper to make a difference. Here’s how you can help while enjoying your Spanish adventure:
● ● Buy local honey. Look for small producers at markets or co-ops. The more specific the label, the
Sweet facts
● The oldest known image of humans collecting honey is the Man of Bicorp in the Cuevas de la Araña (Valencia) and was painted 8,000 years ago
● A single bee will fly about 500 km in its lifetime to make just 1/12 teaspoon of honey.
● Honey lasts forever. It’s naturally antibacterial, low in moisture, and full of acids. Legend has it archaeologists tasted 3,000-year-old honey from King Tut’s tomb - and it was still good.
● In the bee world, only females have stingers. The stinger is a modified ovipositor, an organ used for laying eggs, which males do not possess.
● Research has shown that honeybees can recognise and remember human faces for up to two days. They achieve this by processing facial features in a similar way to humans.
● Honeybees navigate using the position of the sun as a compass. Even on cloudy days, they can detect polarised light patterns in the sky to determine the sun’s location.
You can even take it a step further and visit a bee farm.
Across Spain, there are hands-on experiences that let you don a beekeeper’s suit, sample fresh honey straight from the hive, and learn how these incredible insects keep our ecosystems in balance. So the next time you’re enjoying a cheese
more likely it’s authentic.
● Avoid pesticides. If you’re renting a place with a garden or balcony, skip the chemicals and opt for natural pest control.
● Plant native flowers. Bees love lavender, rosemary, and thyme - perfect for any Spanish balcony.
● Give them a drink. Leave out a shallow dish of water with pebbles so bees can land and hydrate, especially in summer.
plate drizzled with the good stuff in Madrid or hiking through wildflower-covered hills in La Rioja to the accompaniment of a gentle buzz, remember: behind every spoonful of honey is a hardworking hive. Supporting bees means supporting biodiversity, agriculture, and a whole lot of good food.
Please cut out and send this filled out form to WWF Spain at Gran Vía de San Francisco 8-D, 28005 – Madrid. We will contact you as soon as possible to resolve your queries without.
Name:
Address:
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Town: Postal code:
Phone: I wish to be contacted for:
THE GOOD STUFF: Not only are bees vital for pollinating crops, but they produce delicious honey and useful beeswax
A DOG’S WORST FRIEND
Cannabis arrest
A BRITISH couple travelling from Thailand to Spain, were arrested at Valencia Airport after X-ray scans revealed their suitcases were stuffed with 30 kilograms of cannabis.
Bad driver
A SCHOOL bus driver in the Serrania de Ronda has been reported after testing positive for cocaine during a routine traffic check. The driver was transporting 12 children.
How vulva
SPAIN celebrated its first ever festival of the vulva, vagina and clitoris at Barcelona’s Museum of Eroticism last month, featuring The Great Wall of Vulva.
Let there be water
Spanish astronomers discover water ice in distant star system, offering clues to origins of life on Earth
SPANISH scientists have discovered water ice circling a distant star 155 light-years away, offering a tantalising glimpse into how life might have first arrived on Earth.
Using NASA’s powerful James Webb Space Telescope, the
By Michael Coy
team spotted the icy debris ring around young star HD 181327 – and it's eerily similar to what our own solar system looked like over four billion years ago.
A DRUNK tourist in Magaluf was hauled from the sea by a heroic Guardia Civil officer - then promptly arrested after kicking off on the beach.
The man had swum to Sa Porrassa island while off his face on booze and drugs, then panicked and needed rescuing. Moments after being saved, he went into a full meltdownscreaming at cops and tourists. Officers say he was hypothermic, erratic and clearly drunk and under the influence of drugs.
Back then, gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn stirred up cosmic chaos, flinging icy comets and asteroids at Earth. That icy bombardment may have delivered the water that now fills our oceans.
Now, Noemi Pinilla-Alonso, a top astrophysicist from Asturias, leading the research at the University of Oviedo, says history could be repeating itself in this newborn system.
“In this star, we are seeing our own past,” she said.
The 23-million-year-old star is surrounded by a giant ring of ice and dust, three times the size of our Kuiper Belt. It contains crystalline water ice - a structured form found in Earth’s glaciers.
Until now, such ice was only confirmed in parts of our outer solar system. Its presence here suggests planet-buildingand maybe even life - could be brewing.
Experts say icy collisions may be creating planet-sized objects already.
“It’s a big deal,” said Dr Guillem Anglada from the IAA.
“This could be how life-friendly worlds begin.”
The hunt for cosmic water - and answers - continues.
A CALLOUS dog owner has been hit with woof justice after he abandoned his pet. The irresponsible dog-owner has been slammed with a howl-inducing €10,001 fine for breaking Spain’s animal protection and welfare laws. Clearly, the additional one euro makes it extra serious. According to San Antoni (Ibiza) councillor Pepita Torres, the canine victim trotted into the loving paws of animal rescue group Gossos Foundation on July 15, 2024. Sadly, despite officials tracking down the owner, they never bothered to reclaim their furry friend - a move deemed both heartless and illegal.
Unity
“The poor dog was left high and dry,” Torres told the press, “but the law is here to protect our four-legged citizens too.”
In a rare moment of political unity, the town council voted unanimously to approve the eye-watering fine - sending a clear message: dump your dog, and it’s your bank account that’ll be going walkies. No bones about it - this is one shaggy dog story with a hefty price tag.
ICE WEBB: Ice circles a distant star, as spotted by the James Webb telescope (below)
