Olive Press Gibraltar issue 252

CLINTON’S VOW

SHADOW finance minister Roy Clinton has pledged that the GSD will ‘will govern differently’ in the wake of the Public Auditor’s damning report.

Responding to the question of how the GSD differs from the incumbent GSLP–Liberal, Clinton was adamant his party would oversee a complete overhaul of how Gibraltar is governed, promising transparency, accountability and an end to the era of ‘government by announcement.’

Speaking to the Olive Press, Clinton said the opposition would establish oversight mechanisms the current administration has refused to set up, including a Public Accounts Committee.

Accountable

“We would want to run a government that is accountable. The first thing we would do is re-establish the proper scrutiny functions,” he said. He criticised the current use of government-owned companies to channel funds away from public oversight and hit out at the concentration of power in the hands of Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.

“One of the reasons I got into politics myself is that there is no finance minister separate from the Chief Minister. So there’s no one to say no to him.

“He’s the finance director, the chief minister and the CEO. Can you imagine that scenario in the private sector? It’s just a recipe for disaster.” Clinton, a former banker, added that he entered politics because he could no longer tolerate ‘the abuse of public finances’ going unchallenged.

P LIVE RESS O GIBRALTAR

Tolkien in Spain

Legendary author’s grandson tells us why he set his latest novel during the Spanish civil war

See Page 10

SHINE A LIGHT

Gibraltar’s system of patronage has been laid bare in the Public Auditor’s report – drawing comparisons to Nigeria, Kenya and even China

THE long-awaited Public Auditor’s report has finally landed – and its impact triggered an earthquake that has shaken the Rock to its core.

While nominally covering the shockingly out-of-date financial year of 2018-19, retired Public Auditor Tony Sacramento managed to crowbar in his findings on more recent government spending – and it paints a grim picture of how Gibraltar really operates.

Among a litany of highly questionable and dubious revelations, the report details how £11.08 million was dished out in generous ‘golden handshake’ payments between 2018 and 2024 to a coterie of individuals branded ‘vocal GSLP supporters’ by opposition figures.

A further £2.17m was paid out between April 2024 up to May 2025 – all outlays the PA called ‘excessive and in many cases unwarranted.’

Even more alarmingly, nearly half of those payouts ‘were authorised directly by the Chief Minister’s Of-

Miss Gibraltar day out

Emma Dalmedo, Ashlyn Gonzalez and Gabriella Olivero enjoyed a team-building night out at the La Línea fair.

The fun in the Spanish sun came ahead of the Miss Gibraltar contest – set to take place at the Alameda Open-Air Theatre on Saturday 16 August

By Walter Finch

fice, accounting for over half the total value disbursed.’

Across the report’s 550 pages, there are numerous accounts of irregularities and improprieties — including the discovery that millions in public money were funnelled through government-owned companies, dodging parliamentary scrutiny and creating shadow budgets outside the official accounts.

Outrageous

Meanwhile, it was revealed that contracts were handed out without competition, payments made without paperwork, and public money funnelled into the hands of politically connected entities.

Shadow Finance Minister Roy Clinton told the Olive Press that the pay-offs were ‘outrageous’ and slammed the government’s lack of cooperation with the auditor as ‘an affront to Parliament.’

TRANSPARENT: The Public Auditor brings sunlight to the Rock’s dark corners

“We’ve seen a pattern over the years of major capital projects, or significant payments, being routed through these government-owned companies, which are not subject to the same level of oversight,” the former banker said.

“These are companies that are wholly owned by the government.

Being subsidised to that extent without debate or estimates is

unacceptable.”

“We don’t have a Public Accounts Committee because the government refuses to allow one – they don’t want scrutiny.”

“It’s government by announcement, not accountability.” It all lays

the groundwork for what critics describe as a textbook case of patronage politics more akin to the clientelist systems of Nigeria, Kenya – or even Putin’s Russia – than to modern, transparent parliamentary governance. These countries are marked by state capture, opaque financial dealings, and the blurring of lines between serving the public interest and narrow political loyalty. So damning was the report that the government pulled out every trick in the book to delay its release, only tabling the long-overdue audit after announcing its latest budget.

Rolled out to much fanfare on June 30, the 2025 Budget boasted of a 6.5% surge in economic growth, adding £180 million to the territory’s GDP and giving the Rock a GDP per capita of £88,107 –‘among the highest in Europe’, in the words of the Chief Minister.

Corruption

So it begs the question of who is capturing all this new wealth – or perhaps more pointedly it points the finger at where it is all flowing. Such impressive economic growth has also drawn comparisons with China, where political scientists recognise a form of corruption known as ‘access money’, which acts like steroids by stimulating investment and growth – but with longterm risks.

In public statements following the outcry, the government dismissed the report as ‘demonstrably biased and partial in many of its conclusions’ and laid out a series of defences for its actions. It insisted that all ‘golden handshake’ payments were made ‘in good faith,’ often with the advice of the Attorney General, and based solely on the individual circumstances of each officer’s departure.

It categorically denied that any payments were linked to political favouritism, stressing that recipients were selected impartially and with-

From left to right: Chelsea Collins, Tahlia Guerra, Naih Guilling, Julia Horne,

Wildfire deaths

TWO farmers from Agramunt have died after devastating wildfires swept through Catalunya, forcing 20,000 residents into an emergency lockdown.

Needle spiking

POLICE are investigating a suspected incident of needle spiking after a female was sexually assaulted at a Malaga nightclub. Paramedics discovered a mark on her shoulder consistent with an injection.

Centre riots

VIOLENT protests erupted outside an asylum centre near Madrid over the weekend after reports emerged a 21-yearold migrant from Mali allegedly sexually assaulted a young woman.

Femicide

A 90-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his 86-year-old wife at their home in northern Spain.

A CUNNING burglar managed to break into a series of luxury villas across Marbella's Golden Mile by disguising himself as a late night jogger.

The thief would don full running gear and blended in with genuine fitness enthusiasts, before taking advantage of a lull in the footfall to hop over the walls of exclusive holiday homes.

The suspect specifically targeted

holiday properties when owners were away, scaling perimeter fencess and expertly avoiding security systems before ransacking rooms for valuables between February and June.

The Policia Nacional caught the cat burglar after investigating eight break-ins at high-end villas in the prestigious area in which more than €200,000 worth of goods vanished from homes.

Cat burglar on the Golden Mile EVIL EMPIRE

TWO Ecuadorian brothers are facing a staggering 256 years behind bars for allegedly running one of the largest human trafficking and slavery networks ever discovered on the Costa del Sol.

The siblings are accused of orchestrating an empire that enslaved more than 500 women in horrific conditions across Malaga over the space of roughly four years.

Lured

Prosecutors claim the pair, alongside a girlfriend and another woman, systematically lured desperately poor Latin American women to Spain with false promises of good jobs in beauty salons or nail bars.

But once they arrived, they were quickly trapped in seedy sex prisons where

How two brothers oversaw a prostitution ring that enslaved hundreds of South American women on the Costa del Sol

By Walter Finch

they were forced to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under the watch of so-called ' mamis ' who supervised their every move through surveillance cameras.

The prosecution's case, heard this month at Malaga Provincial Court, paints a picture of systematic abuse and horror across four apartments in the Cruz de Humilladero, Huelin and Camino de Suarez areas. The women were forced to service the clients regardless of them being drunk or aggressive, and were even forced

to have unprotected sex.

Adding to their ordeal, the women were allegedly made to dish out cocaine and viagra during sex marathons which often left them needing medical treatment afterwards.

And they were never able to escape thanks to a vicious cycle of debt that was constantly inflated through a system of fines.

The women had just two hours of free time per day, and lost their so-called earnings if they returned even 10 minutes late – or failed to keep their rooms spotless.

The trial has already finished, with the case now awaiting sentencing.

out regard to political affiliation.

Likewise, it defended the use of government-owned companies as a ‘lawful, long-established’ practice approved by Parliament and subject to audited accounts.

The ongoing furore may cause a modicum of trepidation in Gibraltar’s new Principal Auditor, Phil Sharman, who took up the role on June 1. He has undertaken to clear the backlog as soon as possible, with many calling for him to give an estimate for when it can be expected.

Marbella crackdown

CYCLISTS and scooter users caught going along Marbella’s seafront promenade on the weekends are being slapped with fines of up to €200.

Local officers have begun patrolling the popular paseo marítimo to clamp down on those using electric scooters or bikes in pedestrian areas, especially during peak hours. Police have warned that anyone caught breaking the ban or ignoring dismount rules faces fines ranging from €100 to €200, depending on the offence.

Outside weekends, riders must still follow local regulations — dismounting in restricted zones and keeping to marked cycle paths where permitted. Speeding, riding under the influence, or weaving through dense pedestrian areas can also lead to penalties.

The operation will run throughout the summer, with officers conducting targeted patrols during early mornings and late afternoons, when scooter and bike traffic is at its highest.

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.

Prem paradise

MARBELLA has once again welcomed a host of football royalty and big hitters in this summer’s off-season.

Last year Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, the heroes of

A who’s who of famous footballers once again flock to Marbella this summer

By Ben Pawlowski

Spain’s victorious

Banus after their Euro 2024 final win against England. But that experience doesn’t appear to have fazed Barcelona star Yamal, with the teenage sensation recently spotted at a popular beach club.

The wonderkidwho finally turned 18 on Sunday - was pictured relaxing at Nao Pool Club in Nueva Andalucia. While Yamal was unwinding in the sun at the luxury club, out-of-favour Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford was mak-

ing use of Marbella’s state-ofthe-art sport facilities to get back in shape.

In an attempt to secure a move away from his boyhood club, the forward posted photos of himself sweating away in the Costa del Sol sunshine. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s star forward Erling Haaland was spotted in Puerto Banus after returning from the Club World Cup in the US.

Haaland is a regular visitor to Marbella and was even filmed

handing police his ID after getting caught up in a police raid at one beach club last summer.

The Norwegian recently bought a mega €7million mansion on the resort’s celebrated Golden Mile after putting to pen-to-paper on a huge ten-year deal with City which will net the star €300million over the next decade.

Elsewhere, Arsenal teammates Kai Havertz and Martin Ode-

MULLINS IT OVER

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

MULLINS

BOOM-TIME IN SPAIN

SINCE I moved to Spain, I’ve never for a moment thought it was the wrong move.

But it’s a nice bit of validation to see businesses here bursting with life – while in the UK Labour has reduced the economy to life-support.

Last year, Spain’s dynamic economy grew by 3.2%, almost four-times the euro-zone average, and triplefold what the sad UK managed – just a paltry 1.1%.

And I’ve just read (in the Olive Press , of course) that Spain has now overtaken South Korea and even Japan in the GDP per capita rankings. It comes as no surprise – the place is buzzing.

Tourism is rocketing and local demand for goods and services has shops, bars and restaurants crammed packed with people who are just so enthusiastic about life. Spain is definitely the place to do business right now, and the world’s global elite are joining the tourists flocking towards the sun with cash to invest and an eye on healthy profits.

I’ve joined the local economy on the property side of things, but I’m not ruling out bringing my family’s new company – the WeFix Team – out here for a better business environment.

I love it in Spain. I have been coming here for 20 years, but after moving here a year ago I think I understand the culture and the way things work here.

I think what Spain has going for it is a unique mix of locals and ex-pats from all over the planet, Russians, French, Italian, even the odd Aussie,

gaard were seen relaxing in Marbella over the weekend.

Norwegian maestro Odegaard is no stranger to Spain, having spent seven years with Real Madrid after signing for the giants aged just 16.

It is unknown whether the Gunners pair were around to attend the nuptials of former disgraced teammate Thomas Partey.

The 32-year-old Ghanaian was reported to be getting married to British model Janine Mackson in Marbella

After moving here myself, I might even relocate my new family enterprise to business-friendly Spain

and us Brits like me of course. And what’s more, people – and I’m including the government here –want people to succeed.

Sure, there’s the Spanish national sport of producing red tape and strange rules, but once you get used to it, there’s always a work-around and things get done. And the attitude to business and success is much more like the US than the UK.

This morning I did an interview for the BBC where they asked me my thoughts on the UK Government’s idea to bring in a wealth tax.

The other guest on the show was trying to make out that I should feel ashamed of being successful.

There’s a lot of this sort of attitude

everywhere you look in the UK, and it’s coming from a bunch of socialist MPs, most of whom have never had a real job in their lives. They see wealth creators like me as cash cows and don’t have the brains to figure out that high taxes will be the death of a once great country. What I would add however is that people need to be careful what they wish for and a prime example of this kind of economic suicide are the an ti-tourist protests that have become popular in Spain and across Europe. You can go all nationalistic and an ti-foreigner like has happened in the UK and wind up with no jobs and a tanking economy, and very soon the investors will take their cash and find a less hostile place to spend it.

over the weekend. It comes just after the midfielder was charged with five counts of rape and a sexual assault against three women back home.

Numerous other famous stars have been in the resort over the last month, including ex-Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie, Ross Barclay, of Aston Villa, Curtis Jones, of Liverpool, Riyad Mahrez (ex Manchester City), Mikey Moore, of Tottenham and Harry Winks, of Leicester.

Basic

HOLLYWOOD legend Michael Douglas has announced his retirement from acting at the age of 80 as he battles throat cancer.

The Wall Street star, who has been the face of upmarket Mallorcan tourism for four decades, revealed that he has deliberately avoided work since 2022.

"I have not worked since 2022 purposefully because I realised I had to stop," Douglas said at a press conference. "I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set. I have no real intentions of going back."

The announcement comes after the Basic Instinct star enjoyed a recent holiday in Menorca with his daughter, Carys, 22, where the pair attended the spectacular Sant Joan festival. He has now fled the sweltering heat of his beloved Balearics for the cooler climes of the Basque Country – where temperatures reach a cool 20C – and rented a mansion in Getxo.

la Seleccion, were mobbed by fans as they holidayed in Puerto

PREMIER: (Left to right) Marcus Rashford trains hard, Erling Haaland steps out in Puerto Banus, Lamine Yamal chills at a pool club in Nueva Andaluca - and did Thomas Partey get married in Marbs?

GUNNERS: Arsenal stars Kai Haverts (left) and captain Martin Odegaard (right)

farewell

Image by AI

MCGRAIL VINDICATED

THE Principal Auditor warned that payouts of nearly £2 million to former RGP officers may have been used to influence testimony during the McGrail Inquiry.

The report reveals that £1,893,000 was paid out to ex-RGP officers between 2018 and 2024 to multiple officers who were already facing dismissal or disciplinary action.

“In a number of cases, the officers concerned were already in the process of being dismissed, or had faced serious disciplinary matters. Nonetheless, generous golden handshakes were awarded,” the report states.

It adds: “This practice raises significant concerns about the misuse of public

funds, and whether public funds were used to secure favourable statements or avoid damaging revelations.”

Most explosively, the report links these payments directly to the 2024 McGrail Inquiry, which is examining the forced resignation of former Commissioner Ian McGrail and allegations of improper political pressure by the Chief Minister and others.

“I believe that a significant number of police officers that were transferred from the Royal Gibraltar Police could have been granted protection under the provisions of Part IV A Public Interest Disclosures of the Employment Act as a result of the 2024 McGrail Inquiry,” wrote the

auditor.

McGrail’s lawyer, Charles Gomez, has now called for an urgent independent investigation into what he described as inducements to manipulate testimony.

“There is a serious concern that witnesses were induced, with public funds, to either not give evidence or to modify their testimony in favour of the Chief Minister and his allies,” Gomez said in a statement.

“This requires urgent and independent investigation.”

DARK TURN

A LOCAL man has been arrested on suspicion of making death threats against the Chief Minister in the wake of escalating tensions over the damning Public Auditor’s report.

The 38-year-old was detained by the RGP on suspicion of improper use of a public electronic communications network.

He has since been released on bail pending further investigation.

The arrest comes as Fabian Picardo told GBC he had received death threats, which he blamed on the ‘sensationalist’ report compiled

Chief Minister suffers death threats after auditor’s report is published

By Ben Pawlowski

In a statement, Number Six said the report’s publication – and the political furore that followed – had led to ‘libellous accusations, threats of violence, and members of our community feeling publicly vilified.’

Picardo said: “As a result of the sensationalist nature and language of the former

Principal Auditor’s biased report, I am now the subject of death threats which I have today reported to the Royal Gibraltar Police.”

The government reiterated its defence of the controversial ‘golden handshake’ payments detailed in the report, adding that some of the individuals who received payoffs were aligned with the opposition GSD – a fact not highlighted in the report.

“The Government does not, and has never, taken polit -

ical affiliation into account when making these decisions,” the statement said. Picardo also rejected accusations of favouritism and pledged to defend himself against what he called ‘unwarranted and biased’ allegations.

“I am confident that we have acted properly in controlling overtime like never before, in resolving issues in the collection of refuse, in properly settling legal claims against the Government and every aspect of our functions as a government,” he said.

Litoral, La Cala De Mijas

Cala de Mijas

by retired Principal Auditor Tony Sacramento.

SIGN OF THE TIMES

SPAIN is rolling out a series of new signs, warning of scooters, wild boars and blind people.

But for those wanting to avoid stiff fines, the new traffic lights radar sign is the one to watch out for.

The sign marks the presence of sophisticated infra-red cameras sited 25 metres before traffic lights.

The system, already live in Madrid (35 cameras) and Barcelona (42 cameras), is

able to take two shots: one as the driver approaches and another if they cross on red. Get caught, and you’re looking at a hefty €200 fine plus four points on your driving licence.

Since being rolled out, the DGT traffic department claims red-light violations have jumped 15% – proof they’re working. They will soon be rolled out in other regions of Spain, alongside a series of other

Race riots

Spain rocked by third night of violence as agitators 'hunt immigrants' after 'Moroccan youths beat up old man for fun'

UP to a dozen people have been arrested and injured after three nights of race riots scarred a town in southern Spain.

The violence in Torre Pacheco, Murcia, was sparked after a lo-

By Samantha Mythen

cal man was allegedly attacked by Moroccan migrants.

The rioting in the San Antonio

GIANT TAX CUTS

PROPERTY tax cuts will save residents around €6 million in one popular Costa del Sol resort.

Estepona has announced an average 20% reduction in IBI property tax bills, which are levied in August and September.

Mayor Jose Garcia Urbano said the council can afford it after finally clearing all its debts. The subsidy is expected to be applied to 37,988 registered residents, totalling €6.1 million in savings.

neighbourhood came after a photo went viral showing the 60-year-old resident, with a bloody beaten up face.

Another video on TikTok showed a young immigrant

new signs, including one that prohibits the now ubiquitous electric scooters. Meanwhile, another new sign indicates when cyclists must get off their bike and push it.

And watch out for another sign which might confuse drivers. This one depicts a man and a woman with walking stick - it warns of people with mobility issues or those with sensory difficulties. Namely blind or deaf people.

allegedly assaulting the older resident.

The video, which is now being probed by police, led to a series of attacks on north Africans, who naturally defended themselves.

Clashes began after a council meeting on Friday, which had condemned the attack but called for calm.

The three days of clashes intensified leading to the Guardia Civil to deploy 75 officers to the streets.

The immigrant, who allegedly started the incident, has since fled the town, but the violent

attacks continued.

“It's the violence of frustrated children. These are children who are lost, but instead of addressing why they're there, they're singled out and persecuted," a doctor told El Pais

The town’s PP mayor Pedro Roca believes a rise in crime can be attributed to the exponential increase in the town's population, which has grown by almost 200% in recent decades. It has seen the town grow from 15,000 inhabitants to almost 42,000 driven mainly by immigrants who have come to work in the fields.

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BEATEN: Three nights of violence after a man (inset) was attacked

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

For the good of the few

THE Public Auditor’s report has at long last shone a light on the opaque machinations that go on behind the scenes in the governance of Gibraltar.

A report that was so long and extensive we could only just touch the sides in our reporting, omitting huge swathes of other questionable activities – not least of all why the reports are so long out of date and why members of the government and civil service were so reluctant to pony up the data.

But even with this huge hammer blow of a report, we are still reduced to using vague terms such as ‘questionable’ and ‘dubious’.

The fact is that what was detailed in the report was widely known or suspected by most of Gibraltar society, with the only people dismissing or deriding it being the very ‘GSLP activists’ with their snouts in the trough.

The payments – which the government has come out as stating were politically impartial and sometimes favoured GSD supporters – look a lot like quid pro quo transactions. Generous payments, job transfers and pension puff-ups directed to strategic people buys support, silence or acquiescence – designed to benefit the cabal in power. It creates a system of patronage, where those in power maintain their grip by controlling the mechanisms that allocate resources – jobs, contracts, settlements, promotions. Like in China, the ruling cabal gains leverage not by dismantling institutions outright, but by capturing and repurposing them.

The result is the appearance of growth, of competence –but just like with steroids, the long term health of Gibraltar is imperilled. Inequality grows, public trust declines, corruption becomes systemic.

Soon you’re living in Equatorial Guinea.

An alternative to this interpretation is that the government is just very kind and takes care of its citizens.

But this sort of favouritism, even if it were entirely random, still prejudices the rest of the not-so-fortunates.

Any government that wanted to take good care of its citizenry would be exquisitely careful to abide by all transparency and fairness edicts, to ensure the maximum utility for the most people.

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

Victoria Humenyuk Makarova (+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Joshua Parfitt josh@theolivepress.es

Dylan Wagemans dylan@theolivepress.es

Estefania Marquez (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

please contact +34 951 15 48

Deposito Legal MA: 834-2017

IT’S ALL COCK AND BULL

IN the shadows of Spain's vibrant culture and rich traditions lurks a controversial practice that has managed to survive into the modern era: cockfighting. This ancient blood sport con tinues to ruffle feathers, chal lenging notions of animal welfare and cultural heri tage.

While British critics often point fin gers at Spain’s bullfighting tradition, and

Spaniards retort by mentioning fox-hunting, a lesser-known secret is emerging from the Iberian Peninsula. Cockfighting, a practice many

associate with a bygone era, is not only present but thriving in certain parts of Spain in 2025.

If we think about it at all, we vaguely as sociate cockfight ing with the eigh teenth century, and things like

SURPRISE: Cockfighting is actually legal in Andalucia and the Canary Islands

Shocking bloodsport that still draws the crowds in Spain - but

burning witches: human activities which we left behind when we became civilised.

The truth is, it’s going on today – in Spain.

SPAIN’S war on Class-A drug smuggling has taken a hightech leap. Traffickers, never short of cunning, have embraced drones, narco-submarines, and hidden tunnels, pushing law enforcement to the limits of innovation in their fight to keep narcotics off the streets.

ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 154 841 distribution@ theolivepress.es

This includes a sophisticated drone network recently dismantled in Algeciras, with custom-made UAVs ferrying up to 10 kilograms of hashish at a time from Morocco.

These weren’t your average hobby drones: built in Ukraine with a 50-kilometre range, they slipped silently across borders until police swooped in and seized the operation, arresting 10 suspects. But the sky is just one part of the puzzle.

Indeed, it’s growing in some places. Only two regions – Andalucia and The Canaries – are allowed to stage actual fights, but there are breeders of fighting cocks in every part of Spain. It is in the news again because a gypsy family in Valladolid has had its prize birds stolen, and has responded by issu-

High-tech drug war

Spanish authorities ramp up cutting-edge technology and international cooperation to outsmart traffickers at every turn, writes Dilip Kuner

in the most industrial of disguises.

This includes 334 kilograms hidden inside industrial equipment on container ships, and a 304kilo stash lurking inside a shipment of pineapples from Panama.

A semisubmersible carrying 6.6 tonnes was intercepted

Down at busy Valencia port, police have intercepted staggering shipments of cocaine this year concealed

trade’s ingenuity knows no bounds.

Clearly, traffickers know that fruit and freight are as much a delivery route as any yacht hull or suitcase.

Speaking of stealth, narco-submarines have resurfaced as a particularly slippery menace.

Authorities intercepted a semi-submersible vessel carrying a whopping 6.6 tonnes of cocaine in the Atlantic

en route to Spain, last month.

These underwater ghost ships evade radar, surfacing as shadows in the waves and reminding law enforcement that the drug

On the per sonal smug gling front, a man was caught with cocaine clev erly hidden beneath a wig on a flight from Colombia to Amsterdam. Nearly 20 tiny capsules of the white powder concealed within synthetic hair proved that when it comes to smuggling, traffickers will exploit every possible hiding place. Even the borders themselves can no longer be trusted. In the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, a secret tunnel was unearthed, stretching 50 metres underground from a warehouse in Spain straight into Morocco.

Shadowy

This subterranean passage exemplifies the shadowy lengths drug rings will go to avoid detection.

To counter these evolving threats, Spanish police and customs have stepped up with a combination of cutting-edge technology and tactical innovation.

High-resolution drones and radar systems now patrol the coastline, scanning for unauthorised drone flights

SUBBED: The latest way to sneak drugs into Europe

BUSTED: Spanish uncovered a cockfighting ring in Valencia

ing death threats via social network media. The truth is, there’s a lot of money in a practice which many of us would classi-

FLAG PLANTED

The Olive Press’s Led Zeppelininspired competition is a runaway success – as a fresh wave of subscribers plant their flag with us

IT turns out you guys really love Robert Plant. The legendary British rocker who gave us Stairway to Heaven and Whole Lot of Love is still going strong and heading to Spain.

The frontman also birthed one of the most iconic bands of all time when he formed Led Zeppelin in London in 1968 alongside Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass and keyboards) and John Bonham (drums).

But we don’t need to tell you this, because it seems almost all of you are culture vultures steeped in rock trivia.

fy as barbaric. Vast sums of money change hands, betting on which cock will win.

The ‘sport’ involves two birds, fighting sometimes to the death. The president of the Canary Islands Federation of Cockfighters, Jose Luis Martin, says that the cocks want to do it. “Animal rights activists

are always claiming that we force them to fight, but it’s not true,” says Martín. “Our rules prevent anyone from inciting the birds, and it would be impossible to make an animal fight if it didn’t want to.” He says that male aggression is an instinct. “A cock wants to fight, it’s in his genes, and the mere sight of another male, even at a distance, will provoke its aggression.”

We at the Olive Press want to emphasise that it is very rare in the animal world for animal ‘skir-

“A cock wants to fight, it’s in his genes.”

mishes’ to be serious. Sometimes male birds and mammals will dispute territory, but tussles don’t usually result in injuries. What makes cockfighting truly barbaric is that

the birds have spikes and razor blades attached to their limbs.

PACMA is Spain’s society which condemns cruelty against animals. It is calling for an investigation into cock fighting, which it says should be totally and absolutely banned.

So much so that when the Olive Press offered two pairs of tickets to see his upcoming headline gig at Granada’s 1001 Festival, we were inundated with emails.

Literally hundreds of Olive Press readers mailed in, some from the very first second the competition was announced.

In fact our newsdesk inbox is still getting clogged up with hopeful Led Heads still taking a late punt on getting their hands on the four free tickets.

Unfortunately, for so many, the tickets have already found a home.

Congratulations to readers Jerry Pokropek and John Willis for securing the prize, and we hope you both have a blast rocking out with Robert and his Saving Grace show featuring Suzi Dia in the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones on July 26.

But the huge response to our competition didn’t come as a surprise to us.

We’ve just wrapped up a special July subscription sale – and it’s been a giant summer hit.

One of various sales throughout the year, we offered a 50% discount on an annual subscription, getting full access for 12 months for just €25… or just 50c a week!

And the take up was impressive, with hundreds of new readers now enjoying the benefits of an Olive Press subscription.

and unusual maritime activity. At ports, sophisticated X-ray scanners and AI-driven cargo inspections help identify anomalies in freight shipments, while sniffer dogs trained to detect narcotics continue to play an indispensable role.

On land and air, joint task forces composed of Guardia Civil, Policia National, and customs officials coordinate real-time intelligence sharing while rapid response units are sent out to intercept smugglers before their cargo gets landed.

Specially trained K9 units are deployed not only at airports but also at less obvious checkpoints, including highways and warehouses. Additionally, Spanish authorities collaborate closely with their counterparts in Morocco and other EU coun -

tries, exchanging intelligence and conducting joint operations to dismantle trafficking networks at their roots.

Public awareness campaigns and community reporting hotlines also bolster the frontline, encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities. In this relentless game of cat and mouse, Spanish authorities have had to evolve rapidly. International cooperation, advanced technology, and dogged determination have become the backbone of their strategy to shut down increasingly brazen and inventive smuggling operations.

The stakes remain high, but the message is clear: no matter how ingenious the methods, Spain’s fight against Class A drugs is far from overand the hunters aren’t backing down.

Section 75 of Spain’s Animal Welfare Law (2023) makes it a crime to train animals for combat. This same law says that a dog-owner who leaves a pet outside a supermarket could be liable for a fine of up to €500. It seems odd that a country with civilised laws like this still has cock-fighting in 2025. The problem is, it’s a national law but it’s left to the regions to enforce it, and Andalucia and The Canaries are reluctant to eradicate cock fights. Both of these autonomous communities have passed local laws permitting cock fights in certain circumstances.

Jose Luis Martin, who personally owns 300 fighting birds, says that the ‘sport’ is on the increase on all the Canary Islands, with the exception of Gomera, where it has never been popular. Anyone over 16 years of age can pay to see a cock fight (it costs €8 to get in). “Two birds face off against each other, and the rules say the fight must stop after 10 minutes,” he explains. “Only 10% of the birds die. The vast majority of losing birds recover quickly from their wounds, and they’re soon ready to fight again.”

Aggressive

The Spanish fighting cock is small, but highly sought-after for its aggressive nature. Thousands of birds are sold to cock-fighting enthusiasts in South America and Southeast Asia. A typical cock costs €100, but a proven champion can go for 60 times that price.

The Guardia Civil have specialised Animal Welfare units, and have recently broken up illegal cock-fighting rings in Murcia. Earlier this year they confiscated 136 birds from a farm in Tudela de Duero. If you see a 1950s black-and-white film on Spanish TV, you’ll see the whole community heading for the bullring on a Sunday afternoon. Today, almost no-one goes. Toreros (Spanish people never call them ‘toreadors’) used to be big stars. Can you even name one today? It is obvious that the bullfight is declining. How long will it be before we can say the same about cock fighting?

Also inspired by our original reporting, including revealing that Spanish cops in Almeria, tried to cover up the highly suspicious death of British expat Brett Dylan by claiming it was a blood clot, or the eyewitness accounts of the shocking butane canister explosion in Mar Menor.

Around the clock we are now providing a constant stream of news affecting expats and tourists, as well as a broad range of features covering history, culture and travel – and much much more.

While free users are limited to only two stories a month, subscribers have full access – and without those pesky ads.

MAILOUTS

Included in the subscription are our Olive Press mail outs, which go out daily with a roundup of all the stories from the last 24 hours. We also offer comprehensive mail outs on travel news (Tuesday), our famous property email (Thursdays), and health news on Sundays – not to mention the digital editor’s Sat urday newsletter.

For those kicking themselves on missing out on this dis count deal, well you should!

Just be patient as we’ll re turn with a new sale soon!

And if you can’t wait use the QR code here to sign up.

VALUE: A typical fighting cock costs €100, but a proven champ can go for 60 times that

GLADIATORS: Cockfighting enthusiasts say only 10% of birds die from the fights

HIGH SEAS: Many seizures now take place out at sea involving sail boats

BUSINESS

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Spanish bull slays Asian tigers

Tariff turnaround Teamwork equals dreamwork

DONALD Trump has announced that the European Union will receive a tariff letter within days, threatening to reopen his trans-Atlantic trade war.

The US President said Europe would join the growing list of trading partners facing American levies.

“We’re talking with them, and they’re treating us nicely, after years of being terrible to us,” Trump declared.

The threat comes as European businesses brace for potential disruption to transatlantic trade, with industries from automotive to agriculture facing uncertainty about future costs.

Haphazard

Trump’s announcements immediately triggered stock market falls, highlighting the continuing chaos his trade policies create.

The EU tariff announcement coincides with Trump’s threat of a 50% duty on copper imports, mirroring existing levies on aluminium and steel that have already disrupted global supply chains.

However, Trump’s haphazard trade offensive has been marked by repeated delays and U-turns.

Initially announced in April, the tariff programme was postponed to allow negotiations.

With the July 9 deadline expiring, Trump pushed implementation back to August 1.

SPAIN has overtaken both South Korea and Japan in the GDP per capita rankings, according to the latest IMF figures. Spain’s GDP per head now sits at approximately €33,666, while South Korea

UP: Spain’s GDP growth has led the developd world

trails at €32,178 and Japan at €31,620.

This milestone represents a remarkable turnaround driven by Spain’s embrace of a service-led growth model which has seen 3% expansion in the past year alone.

Analysts have noted the global economy is shifting away from manufacturing-based con-

Once a PIIG, Spain has now conquered the Asian tigers

sumption toward services and experiences – precisely where Spain excels. The services sector now accounts for roughly 70% of Spain’s economy, fueled by booming tourism, strong hotel occupancy, and a thriving hospitality sector that continues absorbing workers. International visitors increasingly spend

money on restaurants, leisure, and lifestyle rather than manufactured goods. Meanwhile, the Asian tigers of South Korea and Japan – former icons of industrial might – struggle with aging populations, sluggish growth, and in Japan’s case, ballooning public debt.

MONEY TALKS

Spain’s Sabadell agrees to sell British bank TSB for €3.1bn – and dish out billions to wavering shareholders

SPAIN’S Banco Sabadell has agreed to sell British high street bank TSB to rival Santander for €3.1 billion –and hand out the windfall to its shareholders.

The sale comes as Sabadell fights off a hostile takeover bid from BBVA Bank.

The bank plans to hand out €2.5 billion of the proceeds as a sweetener for shareholders tempted by selling out to BBVA.

By Walter Finch

Sabadell’s chief executive César González-Bueno insisted the TSB sale isn’t a ‘poison pill’ to make the hostile takeover less attractive, but strengthens the boards hand as it prepares for a crucial shareholder vote on BBVA’s offer.

Santander beat off competition from Barclays to secure

TSB, which serves millions of British customers across the country.

The deal will create Britain’s third-largest bank when completed in early 2026.

For British TSB customers, the acquisition means their accounts will eventually be integrated into Santander UK’s operations, though both banks have promised a smooth transition with no immediate changes to services.

Sabadell originally bought TSB from Lloyds in 2015 for €2.3 billion, making Tuesday’s agreement a healthy profit for the Catalan lender.

BANKING BOO-BOOS

SPANISH banks have a reputation for knowing how to sell financial ‘products’. What they are not known to be good at is providing ‘service’. Unfortunately, as expats here that’s precisely what we seek from a financial institution: good advice. After all, a US citizen who lives abroad and doesn’t intend to return home is still an American citizen – and for tax purposes, that means being taxed in the United States.

British citizens meanwhile are considered UK tax residents until they can satisfy the criteria of the UK’s Statutory Residence Test (SRT). Added to these complexities are currency exchange and transfer rules, the unique ways that American and British retirement savings and trusts are viewed by the Spanish tax authorities and courts. There are also complicated rules for property ownership, passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), and wealth tax.

That’s why a cross-border financial advisor in Spain can be so important. To help you select one who may be right for you, these are important characteristics to look for:

Professional Qualifications

Do some research on the qualifications of your potential advisor.

Forget trusting Spanish banks: How to choose the right cross-border financial advisor in Spain, writes Peter Dougherty

Don’t be satisfied until you understand what their qualifications are and what it takes to obtain them. You could begin by contacting the European Financial Planning Association of Spain (the EFPA Espana).

It sets the standards for financial advisors and planners around Spain. Its website has a ‘Find a certified financial advisor’ section that shows every registered planner and advisor here.

Communication Skills

Look for an advisor who talks to you in an easily understood way. This holds true when answering questions (eg, what is your fee structure?) as well as explaining topics (eg, what is your investment strategy?). Ideally, the financial advisor teaches classes, has written books or newspaper columns, or demonstrates good communication.

Registration

The Comisión Nacional del Merca-

• MBA in finance

• MS in Spanish taxation

•

do de Valores (CNMV) is the regulatory body in Spain that oversees financial advisory firms and protects consumers.

To see if an advisory firm is registered with CNMV, you can type their name under ‘search of authorized entities’ on the CNMV website: https://www.cnmv.es/Portal/Consultas/BusquedaPorEntidad.aspx?tipo=ESI. To see if your potential counselor is listed, each advisory firm shows the names and addresses of their agents (agentes).

Compensation

BBVA has been pursuing Sabadell for over a year in what would create Spain’s second-largest bank, but the target has resisted fiercely.

The Spanish government has also thrown up roadblocks, recently imposing conditions that would delay any merger for three years and ban job cuts or branch closures.

The deal requires approval from UK banking regulators and competition authorities, as well as the European Central Bank.

Both sides are confident of completing the transaction by the first quarter of 2026.

THE European Union could be €2.8 trillion richer by 2032 if it pursues full integration, according to a major new study.

This would boost the EU’s total real GDP to almost €20 trillion, compared to €17 trillion under current policies. To achieve this, the EU needs to meet some majorly ambitious goals, starting with fiscal and monetary union, full banking union, joint defence procurement, and a shared treasury EU.

Consequences

However, the opposite – if the bloc fragments – would carry devastating consequences. A divided EU could trigger a net real GDP loss of over €2 trillion by 2032, with annual growth collapsing to just 0.6%.

Member states would face sovereign debt crises, wasteful and duplicate national spending, and climate change costs spiraling to €648 billion annually by 2050. For the euro-sceptics, the study emphasises that deeper integration wouldn’t make national governments subservient to the Brussels machine, but would complement and strengthen member states.

A product salesperson may have very different objectives than someone who is compensated for providing advice. Anyone who is trying to do both has an inherent conflict of interest.

Language Proficiency and Transparency

Find out how your potential advisor is paid. At private banks in Spain, it’s common for advisors to receive commissions (‘retrocessions’) on products sold to clients. In those cases, the advisor is paid when he or she sells you a financial product.

Trust is built on getting straight, clear answers to your questions. But clarity in Spain can be difficult when those who understand local tax and regulatory rules are typically far from the best at explaining

them in English.

One remedy is selecting an advisor who’s a native English speaker (so you understand them) who has well-informed Spanish colleagues in-house (so they know how things really work).

In Spain, it’s likely that you’ll need to walk out of a bank, not into a bank to find a financial advisor who possesses these important traits.

BULLISH:

Image by AI

Tip of the horn

The sun sets on another Running of the Bulls in Pamplona – with an upswing in gorings

ANOTHER edition of the world-famous San Fermin bull run has come and gone for the year.

Held in Pamplona every July for nearly 500 years, it invariably captures the world’s attention with its madcap scenes – and very painful gorings.

This year’s Running of the Bulls was no exception, with the final races on Monday morning seeing two Americans among the 30 people treated for injuries.

Authorities said there were 40 people taken to hospital

By Alex Trelinski

this year with six participants gored by bulls – but all living to tell the tale.

The figures mark an uptick on recent years, with 2024 seeing just six hospital transfers and only one goring. It all kicked off last Sunday with the opening ceremony, known as the Chupinazo, which sees incredible scenes of a packed Plaza Consistorial with up to nine people per square metre – all dressed in traditional white with red sashes and neckerchiefs.

GORED: One runner just manages to dodge the horn of a bull

WHETHER you live in Spain full-time or own a second home, having the right home insurance is essential. Although not legally required unless you have a mortgage, it provides peace of mind and protects against costly damage or unexpected events. At Generali Expatriates, we understand buying insurance abroad can be confusing. Here are five common questions about home insurance in Spain to help you make informed decisions.

1. IS HOME INSURANCE COMPULSORY IN SPAIN?

No, except if you have a mortgage. Then, lenders usually require buildings insurance (covering the structure) as part of the loan conditions.

You are free to choose any insurer; you don’t have to take the policy with your bank, as long as the policy meets the minimum coverage required by the lender.

Even without a mortgage, home insurance is highly recommended—especially if you rent out your property or leave it unoccupied

More than 25,000 people gathered in the streets of Pamplona to experience the first of eight morning runs on July 6, with over 14,000 packed in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Up to 4,000 runners took part in each bull run, which was

CULTURE: There were six gorings in this year’s event

held over a 846-metre course and most lasted between three to four minutes.

Only 6% of participants in the runs were women according to figures from Pamplona City Council. Monday’s final race clocked in this year’s fastest time of two minutes and 16 seconds. Most of the injuries were not caused directly by the rampaging bulls but by people being caught up in the inevitable stampedes, falls and pileups that occur with each run. The centuries-old festival was made internationally famous by Ernest Hemingway’s classic 1926 novel 'The Sun Also Rises', about American bohemians enjoying life in Europe. Next year’s San Fermin runs start on July 7.

HOME INSURANCE IN SPAIN:

5 KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

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for long periods. Generali Expatriates offers flexible policies, so you pay only for the cover you need.

If you are unsure about your protection, our expat experts can help tailor a suitable policy without unnecessary extras.

2. HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH CONTENTS INSURANCE I NEED?

It depends on your belongings— from kitchen appliances and clothes to garden furniture. Valuables like jewellery may require separate declaration.

Generali Expatriates advisors can help estimate realistic amounts and specific requirements.

3. WHAT IS THE “EXCESS” IN MY POLICY?

the insurer pays €400. Choosing a higher excess can lower your premium—useful if you don’t expect to claim often.

4. DOES HOME INSURANCE INCLUDE PUBLIC LIABILITY?

Some policies include Public Liability, especially with contents insurance. This protects you if someone is injured or their property damaged due to your home (for example, water damage to a neigh-

Generali Expatriates includes Public Liability automatically with contents cover, with an option to extend up to €1 million.

5. IS DOG LIABILITY COVERED? Dog owners are legally responsi -

The excess is what you pay toward a claim before the insurer covers the rest. For example, with a €100 excess on a €500 repair, bour). Coverage varies by insurer and policy.

ble for damage their pets cause. Coverage depends on the insurer and policy details; sometimes it’s included under Public Liability if you have contents cover.

Generali Expatriates covers liability for your dog if the legal owner lives at the insured address. For “potentially dangerous breeds,” specific Public Liability cover is required and can be arranged via your policy. Just declare your dog when insuring.

Something as important and valuable as your home in Spain deserves the right protection, so we always recommend seeking advice from a qualified insurance advisor.

Tolkien’s Spanish Civil War epic

‘I found the International Brigades extraordinary’:

Tolkien’s grandson tells the Olive Press why he set his latest novel during the Spanish Civil War

SIMON Tolkien, grandson of Lord of the Rings legend JRR Tolkien, drops a gripping historical drama set in 1930s Spain. The Palace at the End of the Sea follows young American Theo caught in love and the bloody chaos of the Spanish Civil War.

Why Choose

for

Packed with real-life heroes like the US Lincoln Battalion, it’s the first of a duology diving into one of Europe’s darkest decades.

Samantha Mythen chats to Simon about this thrilling new take on history and heroism.

ALTHOUGH best known for his family name, Simon Tolkien has carved out a writing career distinctly his own - far from the fantasy realms of Middle-earth.

AnyTech365 adapt its product and technical support solutions to individual needs, offering a

A former criminal barrister turned novelist, Simon has long been drawn to the real-world conflicts that shaped the 20th century including the bombblitzed streets of 1940s London. His latest novel, The Palace at the End of the Sea, marks a return to

AH, summer in Spain! The sun is shining, the sangria is flowing, and your phone just buzzed with a weather alert back home (spoiler: it’s raining).

Whether you’re here for the season or just a well-deserved break, your tech is likely along for the ride. Smartphones, tablets, laptops… they’ve become as essential as sunscreen and flip-flops.

But while you soak up the Mediterranean rays, your devices need a bit of TLC too.

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World

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First things first: don’t trust every free Wi-Fi network you see: That charming beach cafe may serve a mean Spanish tortilla, but its open Wi-Fi could be a gateway for cyber snoopers.

It’s best to treat public networks like public toilets: use them only if you absolutely must, and wash your hands well afterwards, metaphorically speaking.

Above all, avoid checking your bank account or logging into sensitive websites while connected, and if

during the first World War, and before that, ‘Orders from Berlin’ set during the 1940s London Blitz, Simon says he wanted to tell a story set in between those time periods. He arrived at the 1930s. A period of ‘illusion and disillusion’ themes which carry through the book.

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historical fiction - but this time, in the sun-scorched landscapes of 1930s Spain. It’s a novel about youth, war, love, and ideology - told through the eyes of a protagonist discovering a world in collapse. Simon has spent the last decade living in Santa Barbara, California. A town, he says, which is heavily influenced by Spain’s traditional pueblos. After writing ‘No Man’s Land’ set

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“People’s experience in war is obviously very interesting from a novelist’s point of view,” he says. In the

AnyTech365 AI powered unique software can pinpoint the root cause of a problem providing real-time protection and immediate response to suspicious activity. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks.

TECH FOR TRAVEL:

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Staying safe and connected on the go this summer

or even install spyware to monitor your activity.

World class, cross-platform security platform with advanced scanning techniques to identify potential threats from files, programs and neutralization of viruses, malware, and phishing attempts.

And the worst part? You might not notice anything unusual until it’s too late.

you’re feeling fancy, consider using a VPN (Virtual private network) to keep your data safe and sound. Before leaving your home or hotel for day trips, make sure your devices are backed up.

AnyTech365 TotalCare

That’s why it’s safer to use a regular power plug or your own portable battery — they only deliver electricity, not surprises.

A comprehensive security suite, combining all AnyTech365 premium products together with quick issue resolution by certified technicians without onsite visits anytime, day or night, with AnyTech365’s around-the-clock support services, all offered in more than 15 native languages.

You don’t want to lose your stunning sunset photos or that once-in-a-lifetime selfie with a flamenco dancer due to a lost or damaged phone.

Our AnyTech365 IntelliGuard product can easily add - with its ‘Secure Folder’ installation - that extra protection your sensitive files need.

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MOBILE CHARGING STATIONS, TOO!

World

While we’re talking about phones, resist the urge to use those public USB charging stations at airports or tourist spots. They’re convenient, yes, but they’ve also been linked to a sneaky trick called ‘juice jacking’. Here’s how it works: when you plug your phone into a compromised USB charging station, it’s not just power that flows through that cable: data can too.

Hackers can install hidden malware on the charging port that secretly accesses your device as soon as you connect. That malware might steal your contacts, passwords,

SUN STRENGTH

And remember, your phone doesn’t like the Spanish sun quite as much as you do.

Leaving it on a table in full sunlight can overheat it quickly, turning it into a very expensive paperweight. Keep it shaded or tucked away in your bag when not in use.

And while it’s tempting to post every paella and picturesque plaza to social media in real time, it’s smarter to wait until you’re home.

Broadcasting your location online can be an open invitation to burglars or digital mischief-makers. Lastly, print and save digital copies of your travel documents and emergency contacts.

Mobile data and Wi-Fi can be patchy in some places, and nothing says ‘holiday stress’ like trying to pull up your hotel reservation on a dead battery.

This summer, let your tech work for you, not against you. Stay connected, stay safe, and enjoy

back of Simon’s mind, was the story of the International Brigade, specifically the United States’ Lincoln Battalion who fought in Spain from January 1937 to November 1938. “I found their story really extraordinary,” he says. “Where they came from and that they should’ve gone all the way across the world in order to fight in a foreign war for ideological reasons, and to experience such

From setting up secure browsing and antivirus protection to cleaning up your devices and improving performance, our experts do it all remotely so you don’t even need to leave your hammock.

And if you’d rather not worry about updates, backups, online threats, or shady networks, AnyTech365 has your back.

SPECIAL OFFER: Struggling with all that tech prep before you take off? Grab our exclusive FREE offer below, call AnyTech365 and leave all that to the experts!

LEGEND: JRR Tolkien, who wrote the Lord of the Rings trilogy (below)

WELL-READ: Criminal barrister-turned novelist Simon Tolkien has set his new book in Spain

The Lincoln Battalion were volunteers from the United States, many of them communists, who fought for Spain’s Republicans against the Nationalist forces led by General Francisco Franco.

Around 2,800 men joined the Internal Brigade, made of 40,000 men and women from 52 countries who came to fight in the Spanish Civil War. Nine hundred of the Lincoln Battalion were killed in action.

Many wrote diaries during their time on Spanish soil, which Simon turned to as a first-hand source of inspiration for his duology.

The main character Theo, is the son of an American businessman and a Mexican refugee, and speaks fluent Spanish. After finishing schooling in the United Kingdom, he finds himself in a quaint Andalucian village at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in the early 1930s.

“I thought the coming of age would be helpful because it would mean that the hero was discovering things in the same way as the reader,” Simon says. “This became particularly important when he got to Spain.”

He wanted Theo to have more than a simple purely ideological reason for participating in the Spanish Civil War. It’s not just his own Spanish-speaking background, but Theo is immersed in Spain, specifically a rural context. Most of the Republicans who fought in the civil war were agricultural labourers.

“Theo actually falls in love with the country, and falls in love with a Spanish girl as well,” Simon says. “And in this way, he has far more of a wider and interesting stake in the war.”

Although Simon has never travelled to Andalucia himself, he drew inspiration from foreign writers living there to ensure his book reflected an accurate portrayal of Spain’s south in the 1930s. He gained specific insight from Gerald Brenan’s autobiographical ‘South from Granada.’ Brenan settled in Spain in 1920. “He lived in the Small Andalucian village of Yegen and had such an ability to bring it to life,” Simon says. “Rather than providing the economic and social history, Brenan showed me what he actually saw and experienced firsthand.”

ENLISTED: Around 2,800 men of the Lincoln Battalion joined the International Brigades

development as a character, Simon explained. As he grows to understand who he is as an individual, and what he believes in, Theo believes he can fight Fascism to change the world.

“Many of the people Theo meets, especially the vaqueros who are working the land, have no ownership. They own nothing and for half of the year, they’re left practically to starve because the need for them on the land is seasonal,” Simon says.

“I found the story of the International Brigades extraordinary.”

Trying to wrap his head around the ‘extraordinary complexity of Spanish politics’ was one of the biggest challenges of writing the book for Simon. “People’s motivations, shifting alliances and the involvement of foreign powers made it an extremely difficult landscape,” he says. “It was daunting to begin with, but also exciting in the sense that people haven’t tried to do this before.”

The spread of anarchism within Southern Spain’s pueblos, and the extremity of the richpoor divide were extremely influential on Theo’s

Although the Spanish Civil War has been covered in detail by both Spanish and English historians, there has been little coverage of the period as a setting for historical fiction since Hemingway. With the book exploring wealth disparities, the relationship of totalitarianism to democracy and the subversion of democracy, Simon says there are parallels with the current-day war in Ukraine. “There’s the particular question of what other foreign powers concerned about the moral situation do when other sovereignties are being invaded,” he says. “ Particularly whether or not intervening is compatible with their own economic interests.”

Simon’s book was originally meant to be a standalone. “But it became a portrait of the 1930s in three countries,” he says. “So obviously, it grew to a much greater size.” It had to be split in two. By the end of the first book, Theo finds himself in Barcelona. Just as the civil war erupts. The sequel ‘The Room of Lost Steps’ will be released in September.

WATCH THIS SPACE: The Olive Press will be publishing extracts from The Palace at the End of the Sea in coming issues.

CHICKEN GIRL FLIES THE ROOST

Once a beloved fixture in the Port of Estepona, manager Lisanne is moving on to pastures new

AFTER three wonderful years as the manager of Asador de Pollos de la Mar in the port of Estepona, the time has come for me to say goodbye to the restaurant where I worked with all my heart.

Writing this isn’t easy, because it feels like I’m leaving behind something that became a part of me, something I believed in, something I woke up for every day, driven by passion and purpose.

I’ve given everything over these past years, for the business, for the team, and for the future I saw so clearly.

Often under pressure, sometimes without enough time or recognition, but always with love for the craft and for the people. That’s what makes this goodbye especially heartfelt.

I want to sincerely thank all our customers. Your loyalty and kindness have made this journey truly special.

To the amazing team, including all the wonderful people who have come and gone over the past years, thank you for your dedication, your energy, and for standing strong together through every challenge. And to everyone who believed in me, who saw the effort, the vision, and the heart I put in. Your support means more than I can say. Though I’m moving on, Asador de Pollos de la Mar will always hold a special place in my heart.

With love, Lisanne

For more information or to place an order, please call +34 623 74 11 81 or visit Av. Luis Braille, Local 30, Estepona

TOURIST TAX

THE mayors of Malaga, Sevilla and Granada have voiced their support for a tourist tax in Andalucía.

During a meeting in Granada, the mayors agreed a tax would strengthen the tourism potential of the cities and help finance services for both tourists and locals alike.

Balance

They claim they want to work with the tourism industry to find a balance between the everyday life of their city’s residents and the increasing number of tourists visiting every year.

While some argued the tax should be used only for issues related to the tourism sector, the mayor of Sevilla proposed using some of the revenue to renovate oversaturated neighbourhoods in an attempt to show residents that ‘the benefits of tourism reach the city.’

The Granada mayor suggested the Alhambra plan, which would use the tourist tax and regional government financing to rehabilitate historic buildings.

& TRAVEL

Spain's Airbnb crisis exposed:

NEARLY 400,000 tourist flats are eating Spain's holiday hotspots alive – and in some city-centre streets, short-term lets now outnumber homes for locals.

A bombshell new report backed by Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) has laid bare the scale of the crisis.

Across Spain, tourist rentals make up 1.38% of the hous ing stock – but in some neighbourhoods that fig ure rockets past 30%, even hitting more than 50% on a few streets.

Marbella is the worst-hit big city, with 30% of its census sections having more than 5% of homes used as tourist flats.

One in three homes in tourist hotspots now short-lets – some streets overrun

By Dilip Kuner

Cadiz follows at 22%, then Malaga with 12%. In Malaga’s historic Carret y Alamos and La Merced districts, tourist flats exceed 25% – and on some central streets, it's more than half.

Even in Madrid, the city's Centro district is packed with over 8,000 shortlet flats – 9.3% of all housing there. Around Puerta del Sol, that percentage triples.

In Barcelona, Ciutat Vella and

HEAT REFUGEES

BRITS are sweating under the summer sun - not in Spain, but on their own isle, as the United Kingdom has been hit with several heat waves in a row – and even hotter ones forecast to come.

As a result, insurance company In suranceGo claims at least two-thirds of British tourists are reportedly re considering their holiday bookings. The company reported that 36% of

Eixample are also under siege, with around 4,000 tourist apartments in Eixample alone –four times more than in the Old Town.

Although their share seems modest (2.8 to 2.9%), the impact on local life has been dramatic.

Andalucian cities like Granada, Cordoba and Sevilla are also seeing their historic centres transformed, with over 10% of homes in some districts turned into holiday lets. The data, which tracks Airbnb and Booking.com listings, is

British tourists are looking to change the date of their trip to the cooler autumn months instead of scorching summer. Meanwhile, 40% of survey respondents believe Spain will be too hot for a summer holiday after the next five years.

One in four respondents

13 July 16thJuly 29th 2025 November 29thDecember 12th 2023

MOBILISE: Airbnb flats have been at the heart of housing protests in Spain

updated twice a year and reflects peak summer 2024, when a record 397,000 short-term rentals were active.

Even the more recent figure from November 2024 – 368,295 –shows the trend hasn’t reversed.

From the start of this month, all tourist flats in Spain must register for an official ID number to advertise legally – part of a crackdown on illegal holiday rentals. Authorities hope this will help identify rogue landlords and tackle over-tourism.

But campaigners say the damage is already done.

Outrage is boiling over across the country. Protests have erupted in Barcelona, Alicante and Palma, with locals taping off holiday flats, spraying visitors with water pistols and marching under ban-

ners reading Our city is not for sale and Limit mass tourism.

In response, Spain's left-wing government is pushing measures to curb short-term lets and encourage landlords to return to long-term rentals – amid a nationwide shortage of 450,000 homes.

Barcelona’s mayor has vowed to ban all tourist flat permits by 2028, while Madrid, Malaga and the Canary Islands are tightening permit rules.

Europe's best beach

SPAIN has claimed another sea and sunshine crown as travel company Omio placed a Spanish beach first in its best beach rankings – and second. First place in its list of the 75 best shorelines comes Teresitas Beach in Tenerife near the village of San Andres.

It lauded the white sand as ideal for enjoying a day in the sun with your whole family.

The 1.5 kilometre long beach is actually man-made, with the soft sand perfect for strolling along imported from the desert near Santa Cruz.

The silver medal goes to nearby Las Canteras Beach in Gran Canaria, the island next door to Tenerife.

Snorkel

This 3km long beach is the main urban swimming beach of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria city. It’s right in the heart of the city, and there’s a natural breakwater offering safe areas to swim and even snorkel to seek out marine life.

Another Spanish beach in the top 10, coming in at fourth place, is La Concha in San Sebastián.

The temple of passion

THE gypsy caves of the Albaicin and Sacramonte barrios of Granada have for centuries chimed with the most authentic strains of flamenco.

Now, for one special night only, its purest forms are coming to the Costa del Sol.

The Los Vallejo family are bringing their celebrated Templo del Flamenco performance to Sotogrande on July 19.

A colourful night of the songs, dance and soul of true flamenco comes to Sotogrande

The best chicken and ribs in town also available – fresh homemade gravy and salads, fries, garlic bread and special sauces NOW SERVING rice and sandwiches!

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Known as a tablao, the troupe of men and women will set up at the amphitheatre at the SO/ Sotogrande Spa hotel from 9.30pm.

gious events, including the Goya film awards.

The exciting night of pure flamenco will kick off a season of fun and events in the upmarket resort, between Estepona and Gibraltar, this summer.

From the depths of the famous gypsy quarter of the Albaicin, the Los Vallejo group have performed at many presti-

Saturday, July 19th, 2025 · 10:00 PM

(Doors open at 9:30 PM)

Amphitheatre · SO/ Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort

They have also wowed world leaders at political summits and entertained numerous celebrities back at their cave venue.

“You’ll experience a magical

OLE!: The gypsy caves of Granada will be transplanted to Sotogrande this month

night of art, strength, and tradition,” explained a spokesman for the hotel.

“They are a really iconic flamenco family coming from Granada, one of the true epicentres of the globally-popular art.”

Real passion

For those not familiar with Spain’s most authentic artform, the group will perform a range of rhythmic styles: bulerias, alegrias, tangos, soleas, and more.

“This will be a real night of duende, passion, and pure soul under the stars,” continued the spokesman.

The five-star SO/Sotogrande resort has a top class golf course and a string of excellent restaurants.

Perfect for a spa break, it is also easy to visit for a day out or an evening meal.

Its trio of restaurants, the prestigious Cortijo Santa Maria 1962, the less formal Ixo tapas bar and the Marxa chiringuito are all highly-rated.

The rooms - from spacious twobed suites to penthouse apartments with amazing viewsdemonstrate classic laidback luxury with artisanal detailing, all set in lush gardens.

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THE manufacturer of much sought-after weight loss miracle drug Ozempic is facing sanctions for ‘very obviously’ advertising the product in Spain.

Advertising prescription-only drugs is strictly prohibited under Spanish legislation, yet the Danes at Novo Nordisk still went ahead with an advertising campaign under the slogan Obesity can kill Ostensibly intended to raise public

Fine with that

awareness about the health risks associated with being very overweight, the campaign also included tips on the benefits of a healthy diet, exercise, and sleep. While it made no reference to Ozempic or another prescription-only offering known as Wegovy, the Spanish health

ministry said the campaign could be seen as ‘covert advertising’.

Both drugs, aimed at treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, mimic a hormone which helps regulate blood sugar and increases feelings of fullness.

Novo Nordisk, now one of Europe’s largest companies – almost single-handedly raising Denmark’s GDP – now stands at risk of being fined.

Silent and quick

SPAIN’S beaches claimed five lives in just one week as medical experts grapple with what’s been branded a ‘silent epidemic’ that kills between 400 and 600 people annually across the country. The deaths have prompted warnings that people are dangerously misinformed about the reality – and ease – of drowning.

Fatality

Contrary to popular belief, drowning is neither noisy nor visible, experts warn. The process is rapid, silent and difficult to detect, typically occurring in less than two minutes.

“We keep expecting someone to shout for help when they’re drowning, but it’s a quick, silent process that’s hard to spot,” explains Roberto Barcala, coordinator of the Emergency and Urgent Medicine (SEMES) life-

Five drownings on Spain’s beaches in a week mark ‘public health’ epidemic in which hundreds die annually

By Walter Finch

guarding working group. “It takes the same time as answering a phone call, brushing your teeth or scrolling through a couple of social media posts.”

Spain boasts 3,551 beaches, 75,000 kilometres of rivers and 1.2 million registered swimming pools, with nearly 75% of drownings occurring in the summer months.

For every fatality, experts estimate between three and five more people escape with their lives, raising the annual healthcare impact to between 1,200 and 3,000 people.

Key risk factors for drowning revolve around children,

including a lack of direct supervision – particularly during afternoon hours between 3pm and 6pm, – and mobile phone use while watching

children.

Another red flag is literally swimming when red flags are displayed.

People boozing before swimming, jumping from heights, and sailing boats without proper training are also big killers.

The latest tragedies unfolded across multiple provinces, with three confirmed drownings and two other deaths still under investigation by

authorities.

In Cantabria, divers recovered the body of a 23-yearold Senegalese man at the bottom of an algae-covered pool, while the body of a 65-year-old man was discovered not far away in the Mogro estuary.

In Cadiz, a 69-year-old man died after being pulled from the water at Valdelagrana beach in El Puerto de Santa María.

HELP: Experts estimate hundreds of people drown in Spain each year

LIVE RESS GIBRALTAR

Tibet celebrations

ACTOR Richard Gere left his Madrid home and Spanish wife to travel to Dharamshala in northern India to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 89th birthday this month.

Too loud

ANTI-NOISE associations are popping up across the country with Spaniards demanding their right to rest as party-goers crowd streets into the early hours of the morning, keeping neighbours awake.

Garlic thief

A THIEF was smelt out of hiding after the Guardia Civil pulled over his rental van which was carrying 3.3 tonnes of stolen garlic en route from Cuenca to Albacete.

STRIPPED DOWN

Police arrest expat for promoting wrong type of activity to tourists

POLICE have put the brakes on a German expat’s van which was cruising around plastered with images of scantily-clad women.

The man was being paid to drive around promoting a local strip club in Mallorca.

Among the assorted head-turning images was one of a woman shown from be-

By Alex Trelinski

hind with euro banknotes sticking out of her thong.

Local police took a dim view of the brazen advertising campaign, however, which featured a total of four women in bikinis.

The van owner was found to have broken a number of laws and regulations, one of them that aims to improve

CAST AWAY: A stranded paddler was rescued after midnight in Manilva

the quality of tourism in Mallorca.

Images that ‘objectify or deni-

Paddle fright

A MAN had a paddleboard session to forget after he got stuck nearly six kilometres out at sea at midnight off the Costa del Sol. Thankfully, a vigilant beach stroller in Manilva spotted him struggling to get back to shore around 10pm while he was still 800 metres out. A search was launched and a rescue helicopter finally brought him in clinging to his board at 1.40am at the port of Duquesa.

NOT COOL: Police were unimpresed when they saw the

grate women’ are strictly prohibited under the law, while inducements to enter adult establishments was another.

The owner of the German-plated van was ordered to either remove the images or cover them over.

Cover up

He quickly agreed to cover them up until he could get them off his van.

He is still facing a fine ranging from €60,001, going all the way up to €600,000.

Rafa’s golfing ace

AS tennis headlines were being made at Wimbledon, Rafa Nadal celebrated getting a 'hole-in-one' in Mallorca.

The recently retired tennis star, 39, snared the golfing achievement while his younger compatriot Carlos Alcaraz was playing his Grand Slam final in London. While numerous dignitaries were at Centre Court, including King Juan Carlos, he stayed at home in the Balearics to practice on his swing.

Paid off

It seems to have paid off though as he served his first golfing ace at the Alcanada Golf Club at Port d'Alcudia.

“A hole in one does not happen every day,” said Nadal on his social media account.

He posted pictures with the ball after his achievement on the 167-metre 14th hole.

The US PGA tour paid tribute to Nadal describing his first-ever 'hole in one' as a 'different kind of ace.'

‘strip van’