Olive Press Mallorca issue 207 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

NOT AGAIN!

AN American woman’s €2.5 million Marbella villa has been snatched from right under her nose - sold using forged papers from Mexico while she was away in Indonesia.

Elizabeth, a yoga teacher and long-term resident, was horrified when tenants called her in August 2023 reporting men had broken into her home, smashing doors and disabling alarms.

“They claimed they had a rental contract from a Mexican woman who doesn’t even exist,” Elizabeth said. “I hadn’t sold the house, never saw a penny, and was halfway across the world.”

Her lawyer, Carmen Herrera, revealed the fraud began in 2018 with a forged power of attorney and fake passport created in Mexico.

Yet Spanish notaries and land registrars failed to spot the fake documents - allowing the villa to be sold without her consent.

Crooked

Property expert Mark Stucklin slammed the system: “This was either gross negligence or a crooked notary. Forged documents should never have been accepted.”

Costa del Sol lawyer Antonio Flores warned: “If someone walks in with a foreign POA to sell a home, notaries must be extremely suspicious.”

This is the second major case the Olive Press has uncovered recently. Last edition, the OP reported that a Swedish woman had her Mijas apartment stolen using a forged Colombian power of attorney. Men posing as victims of fraud tried to evict her and even contacted her building’s administrator to claim ownership.

Elizabeth said: “I’m trapped in a nightmare. After this, I’ll never buy property in Spain again.”

For a full investigation see the next edition of the Olive Press

DENTAL PRACTICE

City of dreams

An insider’s guide to what makes Ronda such a special place by an English writer who has lived in the town for decades

See page 10

A DESPERATE lifeline is being thrown to young people on Mallorca as soaring rents, fuelled by mass tourism and holiday lets, leave locals unable to afford a place to live in their own homeland.

Starting Monday (June 9), people up to the age of 35 can apply for up to €250 a month in rental aid under the second round of the Youth Rental Bonus - but many say it’s too little, too late as the island’s housing crisis spirals out of control.

In towns where a modest single room now commands eye-watering rents of up to €450 a month, locals claim they are being forced out of their communities. Many have no choice but to move further inland where housing is cheaper, live with parents well into adulthood, or leave the Balearics altogether in search of aﬀordable accommodation.

Staggering

In Palma, the island’s capital, a one-bedroom flat can regularly fetch over €1,000 per month, a staggering figure when the average net monthly salary in Palma is €1,566.67.

Meanwhile, in sought-after coastal hotspots like Santa Ponsa and Cala d’Or, even shared rooms can cost more than some locals’ entire

monthly salaries.

This new funding round for rent relief will include rooms as well as flats, with the aid covering a 24-month period from January 2024 to December 2025.

“We’ve asked for these limits to be increased, especially here in the Balearics,” said Housing Minister Jose Luis Mateo. “People simply can’t survive on these wages with the current

By Dilip Kuner & Samantha Mythen

rental prices.”

The grants are meant to soften the blow, but campaigners say they do little to fix the root cause: a housing market distorted by an explosion in short-term tourist rentals. Thousands of properties that once housed locals are now listed on holiday rental platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, leaving entire neighbourhoods hollowed out and stripped of their traditional character.

The frustration has boiled over in recent months, with thousands taking to the streets across Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca in protest, carrying banners reading ‘Mallorca is not for sale’ and ‘We want to live here.’

Many locals are demanding limits on tourism, caps on rents, and a ban on non-residents snapping up second homes that sit empty most of the year.

An increasingly vocal anti-tourism movement has been gaining traction, especially among the young. With salaries stagnant and rents rocketing, many feel they’re being priced out of paradise.

Mallorca teacher Marga Mas Gomila said: “We have the feeling that the island is becoming some-

Not so clever

Uproar forces estate agency billboard climbdown

A GERMAN real-estate agency has scrapped an advertising campaign that used the 'Game of Thrones' TV series to 'trivialise' Mallorca’s housing crisis.

Kensington-International has apologised to anybody who felt oﬀended.

THE BEES KNEES

into the world of the vital insects

See page 14

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

€250 a month in rental support for young

people but rental crisis continues

PROTESTS: Spaniards have taken to the streets in their tens of thousands demanding action

where for tourists and rich people, and we, the locals, are just a nuisance. The island is being ruined for us.”

The first round of the rental bonus helped just over 1,400 young people. But with thousands more still struggling, campaigners say it barely scratches the surface. In response to the growing crisis, the Balearic government has intro-

It erected billboards with 'Game of Homes' written on them symbolising the tactical movements and land-grab battles between diﬀerent factions in the TV show and books.

duced measures aimed at curbing the impact of mass tourism on the housing market.

These include a freeze on issuing new licences for holiday apartments and increased penalties for illegal short-term rentals. Additionally, an increase in the Ecotasa tourist tax has been proposed, with rates potentially reaching €6 per night during peak

months.

That went down badly with locals looking to buy or rent increasingly expensive properties. They fumed it created the impression that buying a home on Mallorca is almost like a game-board akin to the fantasy land map of Westeros in 'Game of Thrones'.

Speciﬁc complaints were made via social media about a hoarding in the Calvia municipality where there are many lucrative properties on the market for people with deep pockets.

A Kensington-International statement said: "We deeply regret that the message may have been oﬀensive or insensitive in the current context of debate on access to housing."

“In no way have we wanted to trivialise or belittle a complex reality that worries us and in which we have been working for years with the utmost respect for this land and its residents," it continued.

“We reiterate our commitment to a real estate activity that is transparent, respectful and aligned with the values of Mallorcan society," the statement concluded.

These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to promote sustainable tourism and alleviate pressure on the local housing market. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient and that more aggressive actions are needed to address the root causes of the housing crisis.

Olive Press Property Insider Adam Neale commented: “The only way to resolve the housing crisis is to build more houses.

Spain’s stock of affordable social housing is just 2.5%. This is barely 20% of the EU average and almost the lowest in the OECD.”

And he added: “Across Spain, there is a substantial stock of unoccupied unfinished properties which, with a bit of political will, could be unlocked as long-term rentals.”

To honour World Bee Day, the Olive Press takes a dive

Police brutality

A 26-YEAR-OLD Colombian migrant was allegedly pushed to the ground and beaten by police in Spain after she did not identify herself to them. The Colombian president has called for an apology.

Action call

THE EU Commission has urged Spain to boost social housing, speed up construction, and cut red tape, warning that soaring rents and tourism are pricing out young people.

Car ﬁnes

A CRACKDOWN on foreign-plated cars in the Balearics has seen 166 vehicles ﬂagged in 1,065 checks. Residents can only use such plates for 30 days.

Spud alert

A WORM infestation is devastating Sa Pobla’s potato farms, slashing yields by 90%. Farmers are demanding emergency pesticide approval, warning traditional cultivation may collapse.

A BRITISH woman has been quizzed by Palma’s Policia Local after a drunken attack in a city street.

The 33-year-old has been accused of punching a female twice in the face on Avenida Joan Miro.

PUNCH DRUNK

Both the aggressor and victim showed signs of being drunk, according to authorities.

The victim told police that she was with some friends when a woman she had never met before approached her and hit her twice.

The injured woman was taken to Son Espases Hospital to receive treatment.

SCISSOR ATTACK

Victim suﬀers punctured lung in Playa de Palma brawl as suspect arrested for attempted murder

A FRACAS outside a Playa de Palma bar resulted in a tourist being stabbed in the back with a small pair of scissors.

The male Dutch victim suffered a punctured lung and was admitted in a serious condition to Son Espases Hospital.

The alleged assailant - a 44-year-old Senegalese manhas been arrested by the Policia Nacional on an attempted murder charge and remanded in custody by a Palma court. The victim, described as ‘young’, was a bar customer but problems started much earlier.

By Alex Trelinski

The alleged assailant is said to be ‘wellknown’ in the area with a record for violent crime.

That included a stabbing incident in 2020 and several restraining orders issued against him in Playa de Palma.

He ﬁrst visited the bar at around 11pm where he verbally abused staﬀ and customers and even pulled out a sharp object to make physical

Brit’s vicious punch

A MALLORCA hotel security guard suﬀered a broken jaw after being punched by a British man.

The incident happened early on Monday morning in the Calvia municipality.

Three men who were not staying at the unnamed hotel tried to get to the room of

threats.

The aggressor returned less than two hours later as a group of people - including the Dutch man - tried to subdue him to prevent him from as-

a female guest.

The guard, 29, blocked their way and was punched in the jaw by the 33-year-old Brit.

The victim suﬀered a fracture and lost several teeth, while the trio ran oﬀ.

The Guardia Civil searched near-by hotels to ﬁnd the alleged attacker and found him in his room where he was arrested.

He was later hauled before a judge on a charge of causing serious injury.

saulting anybody. They struggled with him outside the Calle s’Arenal bar and he fell to the ground.

At that point, he stabbed the Dutch customer in the back.

A Policia Nacional patrol arrived soon afterwards and helped the victim by covering the wound until paramedics took over.

The assailant ran oﬀ but witnesses showed oﬃcers where he went and he was quickly apprehended.

The pair of scissors used in the attack had been thrown to the ground as he ran away, but were recovered.

Vicious assault

A BRITISH man, 40, has been detained after a frenzied assault on a German in Cala Millor. The victim, 22, was getting onto his motorcycle when the Brit approached him from behind. Without saying a word, he kicked him in the ankle resulting in a fracture.

He then put the victim into a chokehold as they wrestled for several minutes before the German managed to get away. A man was located and arrested by police a few minutes later. No motive for the attack has been disclosed.

Dirty old man

AN 82-year-old man illegally accessed a Formentera property to sniﬀ underwear belonging to the female tenants.

A Palma court agreed to a plea bargain deal to suspend a 15-month jail term for breaking and entering for two years. He also has to pay €2,500 compensation to each of the three women.

The apartment was in Formentera’s Sant Francesc Xavier municipality.

The pervert was married to the property owner who rented out the apartment and he had unlimited access to its keys.

The man appeared via a video link to the Palma court and admitted illegally entering the ﬂat on multiple occasions in January 2024.

He waited for the tenants to go to work and then sought out underwear belonging to them. The victims caught him out by using CCTV.

ARRESTED: The acuused man and (inset) the scissors used

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

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

By Alex Trelinski

won 73 singles titles including 23 Grand Slams. She said in 2022 that she was

RAFA’S FINAL FAREWELL

across the court screens featuring all of his successes at Roland Garros. Towards the end of the emotional ceremony,

Serena’s latest win

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, WRITES

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.

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.

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 man-

aged to swipe her ﬂ at out from under her. The ﬁ rst 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 ﬂ og 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 ﬂ at?

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.

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.

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!

CHARLIE MULLINS

Nadal was joined on court by his great rivals Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Sir Andy Murray.

Beach death

AN 82-YEAR-OLD German tourist died on Cala Millor beach from a heart attack.

The incident took place on Tuesday morning, when the man suddenly collapsed on the shoreline in front of the beach’s lifeguard tower.

Resuscitate

Lifeguards immediately tried to resuscitate him with CPR, administering oxygen, and using a deﬁbrillator.

Personnel from Marsave Mallorca SLU continued resuscitation eﬀorts for 35 minutes, until paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, they were unable to revive the holidaymaker, who was accompanied by his wife.

BEST MATES: Jude

HEY, JUDE!

REAL Madrid star Jude Bellingham has been spotted letting his hair down in Ibiza alongside his younger brother Jobe and celeb Wayne Lineker.

The football ace enjoyed drinks and good vibes at O Beach Ibiza, with the venue sharing snaps of the pair on its Instagram story. Wayne Lineker also posted a pic with Jude and pals, captioning it: “We’re just happy to be here.”

Bellingham, 20, has rocketed to fame since his senior debut aged 16 and his record-breaking €103 million move to Real Madrid in 2023.

In his ﬁrst season, Bellingham was the club’s top league scorer, helped them win the league title and the Champions League, and was voted La Liga Player of the Season.

Left stranded

A WAVE of flight delays and cancellations threw travel plans into chaos at Palma de Mallorca Airport, as severe thunderstorms in Northern Europe triggered widespread air traffic control restrictions.

More than 100 flights were affected on Sunday alone, with easyJet-travellers among the hardest hit.

Passengers faced hours-long queues, scarce rebooking options, and frantic scrambles for hotel rooms.

EasyJet cancelled several flights and delayed many more, citing the ripple effect of weather-related airspace closures across the continent.

The airline said it offered hotel stays and meal vouchers, but the volume of affected passengers overwhelmed ground teams.

Boy saved Big plans afoot

LIFEGUARDS saved the life of a 5-year-old British boy after he got into difficulties in a Santa Ponsa hotel swimming pool.

The incident happened around noon last Friday at the unnamed hotel on Avenida Jaume I. Prompt action from the lifeguards saved his life as they took him out of the water.

Ambulance

They then performed CPR on the youngster, who regained consciousness.

Paramedics arrived with an ambulance and verified that he was out of danger. The boy was then taken to the Quiron Palmaplanas Hospital for a full examination.

Blackout claim

THE recent massive blackout across the Iberian Peninsula came just a week after Spain launched what some insiders call a risky ‘green energy experiment’, a report claims.

According to the conservative ABC and The Daily Telegraph, Spain’s socialist government ordered the national grid operator, Red Eléctrica, to sharply boost renewable energy use as part of its plan to phase out nuclear power by 2027.

At the blackout on April 28, renewables reportedly made up 72.66% of the energy supply - up from 56% last year - with a government target of 81% by 2030.

Crippled

The power cut crippled hospitals, transport, and communication networks for hours.

Government oﬃcials strongly deny any “experiment” was ordered, calling such claims “false” and “irresponsible” while the investigation continues.

The outage sparked political ﬁre, with critics arguing Spain’s green push compromised grid stability. U.S. Senator Steve Daines warned it showed renewables can’t replace reliable fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, energy ﬁrms Iberdrola and Endesa are demanding clear answers from Spain’s grid operator on the blackout’s cause.

Foreign car crackdown

One-vehicle-per-property rule proposed to curb summer traﬃc

By Alex Trelinski

MALLORCA is considering limiting non-resident foreign property owners to just one vehicle per household.

This measure, announced by Llorenç Galmes, President of the Consell de Mallorca, seeks to alleviate the island’s severe congestion, particularly during the peak summer months.

The proposed regulation would allow non-resident property owners to register a single vehicle, provided it is also registered for car tax at that address.

This initiative mirrors a similar regulation in Ibiza, where a daily vehicle cap has been implemented to control trafﬁc ﬂow.

In Ibiza, as of June 1, 2025, a

daily limit of 20,168 vehicles has been enforced, including 16,000 rental cars and 4,108 tourist vehicles. Resident vehicles are not included in the scheme, where visitors to the island have to get a permit. This measure aims to reduce road congestion and preserve the island’s natural beauty.

In Mallorca, the situation is equally

Galmes annonced the review that could see new regulations in 2026

pressing. A 2024 study revealed that the island’s road network is operating beyond its capacity, with an excess of 93,599 to 122,397 cars during the high season.

In 2023, 324,623 vehicles entered through the ports of

Palma and Alcúdia, representing 40% of all vehicles circulating on the island.

On peak days in August, the roads supported 1.3 million journeys, including over 75,000 rental cars.

The proposed law also in-

Brit youngster in pool tube rescue

A BRITISH boy, 4, suﬀered a traumatic experience after his hand got stuck in the suction system of a Mallorca hotel swimming pool because there was no safety grill.

The incident happened last Sunday at the Hotel Zaﬁro in Can Picafort.

The Cronica Balear news portal reported that lifeguards had complained about the missing protective grill but no action had been taken.

The youngster had to endure a 30-minute rescue as the pool was emptied of water and tubing had to be sawn oﬀ by a ﬁre crew.

The Santa Margalida Policia Local and Guardia Civil have taken statements from hotel staﬀ and eyewitnesses.

The boy’s hand was sucked into the tubing by virtue of the suction system’s pressure.

His parents along with lifeguards tried to keep him calm as they waited for emergency services to arrive.

The pool had to be emptied of water before ﬁreﬁghters used tools to cut the ground around the tubing before deploying a radial saw to free him.

A protective helmet and ear plugs were given to the boy during the procedure.

Medics said he had suﬀered no serious injuries to his right hand. His family have been staying at the hotel since the previous Tuesday.

cludes measures to tax vehicles that do not pay taxes anywhere in the Balearic Islands.

The draft bill is scheduled for debate in the Consell de Mallorca on June 13, before being passed to the Mobility Commission for further processing.

Galmes has urged all political parties to support the measure, stating: “To vote against is to vote against the will of the Mallorcans, that is, against the future of this land.”

PLAYA de Palma will see up to €300 million of improvements over the next decade.

Some 35 projects will be part of a general plan, with some already underway or in the process of advertising tenders. Palma’s mayor, Jaime Martinez, unveiled the proposals aimed at improving the area’s appearance and providing better services.

The biggest initiative will be a €80 million overhaul of the Playa de Palma promenade covering 80,000 m2.

Improvements are also pencilled in for the Avenida and Plaza de las Meravelles,

Bicycles

Martinez - hosting a news conference in the plaza - said the projects were not ‘set in stone’ and changes could be made after consulting residents and local associations.

Other plans include increasing the number of BiciPalma stations to 13 - oﬀering bicycle hires and shares. The council also wants to set up park-and-ride areas next to the motorway. There will also be a move to modernise accommodation as well as eliminating illegal tourist lets.

Other sectors for investments include sustainability, mobility, sports, and cultural events.

Boat owners’ sinking feeling

THE Balearic government is ﬁghting back against the increasing number of people renting out their boats via specialised websites similar to AirBnB.

The Spanish Government waived the requirement of the need for recreational pilots (on motor boats up to ﬁve metres in length with a maximum power of 15 hp), to hold qualiﬁcations, in January 2024.

This meant private boat owners are able to commercially operate their boats for up to three months per year.

As a result, private boat owners are renting out their boats for up to €1,500 per day.

Yet with waiting lists for boat moorings, and one of the highest accident rates in Spain, the Balearic Government has issued a decree prohibiting the chartering of private boats. Boats from the mainland or foreign ports will also have to prove regular charting activity in the islands to operate legally.

Bellingham and friends with Wayne Lineker

CAR BAN: Llorenç

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

17 YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

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,

Scan to ﬁnd out more

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.

Marking the day

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.

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.

THE Balearic Islands celebrated World Environment Day on Thursday through a variety of activities aimed at highlighting the importance of preserving mother earth. One of the most signiﬁcant events was an open house at the Aula de la Mar in Palma.

The public was invited to visit the centre and learn about every day actions they can take to better look after their natural environment. Visitors were invited to participate in ongoing projects for clearing marine waste, an issue specifically relevant to the islands.

“Every eﬀort, no matter how small, helps preserve our natural environment,” Regional Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment Joan Simonet said.

Values

“We need to claim the values of nature, conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and combat climate change.”

The Menorca Wildlife Recovery Center is open on Sunday, welcoming all visitors to learn about the animals that are being rehabilitated. People can sponsor the animals, with proceeds going towards the protection and care of wildlife across the islands.

World Environment Day has been celebrated annually on June 5 since its establishment by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972.

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

€250 won’t ﬁx a broken system

A €250-a-month rental subsidy may sound like help, but for young people in Mallorca, it’s a drop in the ocean.

With one-bedroom flats in Palma going for over €1,000 and even single rooms costing €450, this support barely scratches the surface.

This is not just a housing crisis - it’s a cultural eviction. Locals, especially the young, are being priced off their own island by a tourism-driven housing market that favours profit over people.

Entire neighbourhoods have been hollowed out by short-term lets on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.

The Balearic government’s response - licence freezes, tax hikes, and limited penalties - is a timid swipe at a system in freefall. Without hard limits on tourist rentals and restrictions on non-resident buyers, these policies are Band-Aids on a gaping wound. Young locals are stuck living with parents, pushed inland, or forced to leave the Balearics entirely. The €250 bonus feels more like political theatre than real help. Meanwhile, protests grow louder. Unless bold steps are taken - more social housing and a complete rethink of the tourism model - the island will continue to become a place only the wealthy can afford.

This isn’t just an economic crisis. It’s a moral one. Who gets to live here? Who gets to stay?

Mallorca doesn’t need token relief. It needs radical change.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

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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.

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

about

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

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.

It was a genuine victory for the from

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.

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.

VANDALISM AND VIOLENCE - FAKE NEWS!

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.

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

to walk back to the taxi rank around the corner, out 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.

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

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.

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

LOOKING FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES?

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Stub it out

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.

MEASLES ALERT

HEALTH authorities in Spain are grappling with a number of measles outbreaks.

As of late May, the total number of conﬁrmed cases has reached 251 so far this year.

Several more have been imported from outside the country.

Notably, only 2% of the conﬁrmed cases had documented vaccination histories.

The health ministry has activated surveillance and alert protocols, including contact tracing and oﬀering vaccinations to susceptible individuals.

Authorities emphasise the importance of vaccination, especially for travelers and residents in aﬀected areas, to prevent further spread of this highly contagious disease.

Visitors to Spain are advised to ensure their vaccinations are up to date and to be vigilant for symptoms such as fever, cough, and rash.

Early detection and isolation are key to controlling the outbreaks and safeguarding public health in these popular tourist destinations.

At your service

SPAIN'S government has approved a Royal Decree that allows owners of service dogs to take them into all public spaces.

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.

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....

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

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.

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

would not sting like this did.

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. ‘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%).

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 ****.

David, via OP website

Ignore the haters

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 10 tears the

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 jellyﬁ sh, be aware that beach lifeguards are also ﬁ rst aiders and can help.

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.

BUSINESS

LOOKING FOR THE LATEST MONEY RELATED STORIES?

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Moneybags Yamal

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.

His base salary alone is estimated at €30 million- 10 times his previous pay.

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

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

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

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-

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.

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.

AS SIMPLE AS A CUP OF COFFEE

YOU may have run across an unfamiliar term in Spanish taxes called usufructo Although usufructo is not as complicated as splitting the atom, it may seem that way to us expats in Spain. And it does involve splitting: in this case an asset. The word comes from Latin - usus fructus - and means ‘the use and/or enjoyment of a fruit’.

In Spain, usufructo is important in the following taxes:

● Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas)

● Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre Patrimonio)

● Inheritance Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)

In the United States, we only encounter usufructo in taxes collected in Louisiana. That’s because Louisiana’s tax laws are based on Spanish and French heritage.

In the UK, unless we create a trust (eg, life interest trust or interest in possession trust) to mimic the characteristics of usufructo, there is no direct equivalent.

So, for us expats to understand the concept, let’s relate it to a visit to a coffeehouse. When you walk into your local Starbucks or

Costa Coffee, there’s a sign that indicates the price of each type of coffee.

Think of these prices like the value of a house - determined either by its appraised value, the purchase price, or its value declared on Spanish taxes - that’s equivalent to full ownership.

But you could also have partial ownership of the house. It’s as if we could split our Starbucks or Costa Coffee serving into components: the cup and the coffee, the cup itself, and the coffee.

Here is the term for each component in Spanish:

● Pleno dominio = the cup and the coffee

● Usufructo = only the coffee

● Nuda propiedad = only the cup

And imagine that the price of the coffee was based on whether it was just a seasonal offering or whether the coffeehouse always serves that type of coffee. If it were a seasonal offering (usufructo, temporary), the formula for valuing the coffee is 2% multiplied by how many years it’s offered in Starbucks or Costa Coffee - with a minimum of 2% and a maximum of 70%.

June 6th - June 19th 2025

IN THE MONEY Boss quits

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

If it were offered permanently (usufructo, lifetime), the coffee would be more highly valued by younger coffee drinkers because they would have more years to enjoy drinking the coffee.

In this case, the formula for valuing the coffee is 1% multiplied by the difference between 89 and the age of the coffeehouse customer - with a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 70%.

If someone wanted to know the value of just the cup itself - that is, the bare ownership of the asset - simply subtract the value of the coffee (the usufructo) from the price listed on the sign: the coffee and the cup (full ownership). Now, let’s apply what we know to a will in Spain. The widow might inherit lifetime use of

the house (the usufructo), whereas the children may be bequeathed the house itself.

The widow’s taxes would be based on the value of a lifetime usufructo, and the children would be taxed on the value of the nuda propiedad. Years later, once the widow passes away, the children’s ownership interest would become pleno dominio.

That’s a good place to end our analogy. There’s no need to add cream or sugar to the explanation.

SWEET DREAMS: Jamie’s haul highlights supermarket war

Gpt

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 conversation

By Michael Coy

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 away.

Roman

Today, the tranquil ruins of Acinipo offer a glimpse into Roman urban life, with its remarkably well-preserved theatre overlook-

ing sweeping countryside. From archaeological ﬁnds and Roman writings, it’s clear that this was one of the key settlements 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.

A guide to the romantic city of Ronda, that has been on the map for 2,000 years

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.

The surrounding villages still carry Arabic names - Benaojan, Benadalid, Farajan - echoes of their African origins. The language, too, carries traces of that history. Listen closely, and you’ll hear Arabic embedded in the local Spanish: phras- es 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 thousand years. Minarets still rise above courtyards, and several Moorish houses remain intact. After a long and bitter

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

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olic 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 enforcing the conversion of all Muslims to Christianity. The Moriscos (converted Muslims) resisted ﬁercely, and a series of uprisings followed throughout the Serrania. Ronda became a key base for suppressing

made Ronda a stronghold.

“

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.

In 1571, the remaining Moors were formally expelled. Yet, for years after, some held out in the high moun-

After a long and bitter struggle, the Catholic Monarchs conquered Ronda in 1485

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.

tains, protected by the terrain that had always

“

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!

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CLIFF’S EDGE: The city sits next to the Tajo gorge, which is spanned by the Puente Nuevo (above)

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A big welcome

THE mountain town of Puigpunyent welcomed both residents and visitors as it launched its annual ecological, artisan, and peasant fair, marking the transition from May into June with a vibrant celebration of local culture.

Found in the Tramuntana range just 15 kilometres from Palma, the town opened the fair with a crowd-pleasing display by the Castellers de Tramuntana, whose human towers signalled the start of the festivities.

Towers

Now a much-loved tradition, the fair promotes sustainable living, local craftsmanship, and environmental awareness. One of the standout attractions was the traditional herb workshop, a cornerstone of the event since its inception.

The weekend’s festivities culminated in a colourful parade on Sunday, where singers, puppeteers, and Gegants dancers ﬁlled the streets, accompanied by the music of the Xeremiers. The Galilea Dance School also joined the celebration, delighting the crowd with a performance of traditional folk dance.

DIG THAT!

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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.

“The preservation is insane – skulls like this just don’t survive,” said lead re-

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

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-

SMART FUNERAL CHOICES

WE understand that there may be cheaper funeral plans available elsewhere. However, we encourage you to ask potential providers the following important questions to ensure you are making a well-informed decision:

1. Does the plan include IVA (Value Added Tax)?

Unlike some countries where funeral services are tax-exempt, in Spain, IVA (Im-

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.

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.

Bones

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.

funeral plan in Spain

puesto sobre el Valor Añadido)—equivalent to VAT—is often applied to various components of a funeral service. This can signiﬁcantly affect the ﬁnal cost. Ensure you clarify whether the quoted price includes IVA or if it will be added separately, as this could mean an unexpected 21% increase in certain cases.

2. Is the price ﬁxed permanently, or is it subject to inﬂation-based increases?

Some funeral plans lock in the price at today’s rates, protecting you from future inflation. Others may have clauses allowing periodic adjustments based on rising costs. Ask whether the plan is guaranteed to remain fixed or if there’s a possibility of future price increases, which can undermine the financial predictability you’re seeking.

3. If you pre-pay, are your funds protected in a trust?

Our mission is to make the process of planning a funeral, in Spain, as easy and stress-free as possible. We are committed to providing affordable funeral plans with the highest quality of care and support.

out of business. Make sure to ask who manages the trust, and whether there is regulatory oversight.

4. What is the total interest if you choose

to spread the cost over time?

Our team of experienced

Many providers allow you to pay in installments, but this often comes with interest or administrative fees. Request a clear breakdown of the total amount payable, including how much of that is interest. A low monthly rate can sometimes mask a much higher overall cost.

and

important to ask whether the plan covers repatriation or transportation within Spain—or even back to your home country. Limited geographic coverage could result in unexpected out-of-pocket expenses for your family.

6. Do they provide Englishspeaking assistance at the point of contact?

A key element of ﬁnancial security in prepaid funeral plans is whether your money is placed in a legally protected trust or insurance-backed fund. This ensures that your funds are safeguarded and only used for your funeral, even if the provider goes

5. Will the plan cover you if you pass away in another part of Spain or even another country?

Some funeral plans are regional, while others offer national or international coverage. If you travel frequently or might relocate, it’s

In difficult times, communication is crucial. While many funeral providers in Spain advertise English-speaking staff, that may only apply during office hours. Confirm whether emergency or after-hours assistance is also available in English, particularly if your next of kin do not speak Spanish. Lack of immediate translation support can make a stressful time even harder.

PRINT: Found of Neanderthal

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.

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

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.

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.

Scans

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.

Hotel chiefs say poor planning risks huge queues and ruined holidays.

Aehcos president Jose Luque warned: “Without action, these new rules could cause chaos and damage Spain’s reputation.”

Move over Sevilla

Spain's new fourth-largest city is an unsung gem

AN Aragon city built on the foundations of Romans, with more than 2,000 years of history, is now Spain’s fourth-largest city. 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.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

CHAOS LOOMS ‘NO FREE BAR

GETTING BIGGER: Zaragoza has overtaken Sevilla

By Samantha Mythen

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

Act honourably (4,3,4) 8 Prophet (4)

Replied (8)

Swiss gnomes’ home? (6)

Tony, Emmy and Oscar (6)

Gold, silver and bronze (6)

Like Romeo and Juliet (2,4)

Widespread outbreak (8)

Tablet (4)

Romulus nips out, more or less (4,2,5)

1 “Dr. Livingstone, ---?” (1,7) 2 Animal’s den (4) 3 Join (6) 4 Old Iran (6) 5 US national sport (8) 6 “Father of Modern Philosophy” --- Descartes (4)

--- man, a periodical prisoner (2-3-3) 13 Extremely hard (8) 15 Biblical strongman (6)

No mice chewed over what you make (6)

Tube carrying a ﬂuid (4)

Four noggins (4)

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 -

it’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 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.”

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.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

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SPRING brings with it a sen-

sory 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 nec- tar seriously.

THE BEES

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.

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By Dilip Kuner

Locals don’t just

KEEPING BUSY:

SCAN SCAMMERS

As World Bee Day passes, Dilip Kuner takes a look at these tiny - but essentialinsect superheroes

drizzle it on 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.

Flavour

Bees never stop in their quest for pollen, ﬂying 500 km in their lifetime to make just 1/12 teaspoon of honey each

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

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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 the effort of scanning it. Now that’s truly unforgivable. If you want to stay ahead of cyber threats, AnyTech365 offers expert help to keep your devices secure—so you can scan with conﬁdence. And the best part? Take advantage of the exclusive offer just for Olive Press readers, so you can enjoy a worry-free online experience today!

29th

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

BEES KNEES

without warning. It’s been happening for centuries, but in recent years, it appears to have become dramatically worse.

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 masquerading as the real thing.

Taste

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

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

supporting a centuries-old craft. 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 plate driz-

About 80% of the honey consumed here is imported from China

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.

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.

zled 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.

Food

Supporting bees means supporting biodiversity, agriculture, and a whole lot of good food.

OP Puzzle solutions Quick Crossword

Across: 7 To be sure, 8 Rook, 9 Chess, 10 Toilets, 12 Range, 13 Zoning, 15 Ofﬁce, 16 Stent, 17 Leipzig, 19 Scold, 21 Trip, 22 Vanished.

Down: 1 Mother-of-pearl, 2 Helsinki, 3 Fur, 4 Lemon zest, 5 Oral, 6 Fortune-teller, 11 Genevieve, 14 No excuse, 18 Pope, 20 End.

THE GOOD STUFF: Not only are bees vital for pollinating crops, but they produce delicious honey and useful beeswax

TASTY TREAT:

The Spanish love honey on torrijas

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.

SAVED THEN CUFFED

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.

A DOG’S WORST FRIEND

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.

ICE WEBB: Ice circles a distant star, as spotted by the James Webb telescope (below)

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.

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