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Paradise in peril Page 6
Lawyers, Guns and Loadsamoney
Rock off Tommy
PLEDGE: Tommy Robinson has been causing headlines with him now drawing Gibraltar into the row of his alleged Spanish move
Page 15
Anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson flip flops between a decision to move from UK
FAR right extremist Tommy Robinson says he will be ‘moving to Gibraltar’ after weighing up a permanent move to Spain following an alleged arson attack. The EDL co-founder, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, shared the announcement on a social media platform while climbing to the top of the Rock in flip flops on Monday night. In the video, the 37-yearold said:
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“My fat little legs got me to the top of this in sliders. Moving to Gibraltar, stick that in your f*cking s*it paper.” The anti-immigration figurehead previously announced that he was ‘fleeing’ the UK after arsonists allegedly attacked property owned by his wife and left his family feeling ‘unsafe’. Extremist Robinson, who has been banned from Twitter, Instagram and Facebook following racist rants, has been hinting for weeks a b o u t making a permaALL AREAS COVERED nent move through videos 4G UNLIMITED posted to INTERNET Russia’s VK platIDEAL FOR
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form. In a recent livestream, filmed at posh Marbella sports club Manolo Santana Racquets Club, Robinson revealed he had secured places at local schools for his three children but was still ‘in the process’ of finding a permanent place for them to live. The Brexit supporter, who has vocally opposed immigration into the UK, went on to say that he is looking at permanently relocating his family, ‘which is pretty hard to do, especially with COVID’. In another video he contradicted himself, pledging to return to the UK. Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said: “Let me just clarify something for the record. I am not moving abroad or anywhere permanently. “I’ve just had family issues and location issues to deal with. My family not me, that will free me up for the work that I do.” He added: “For all your snowflakes I will be back in the UK very soon, on the streets of England, doing what I
do.” The 37-year-old admitted many had been “triggered” when he was said to be considering leaving the UK, given his previous anti-immigrant diatribes. The rabble-rouser, who does not understand Spanish, previously stated that if a person “does not speak our language, he should not be in the United Kingdom.” Now his hints at moving permanently to Gibraltar have been met with backlash from appalled locals. Taking to Twitter one user said: There is no place for the far right or the far left in Gib. So please #TommyRobinson , do us all a favour and go away. #Gibraltar” Another agreed: “Nobody in Gibraltar is going to welcome you with open arms. We’re the dirty foreign people you hate. F*ck off, Tommy Robinson. Or maybe it’s better if I tell you in Spanish, seeing as you hate multiculturalism so much. Vete a toma por culo.” A third wrote: “We embraced refugees during the Civil War. We rejected Franco. Many of us marched in a show of anti-racism on July 4. “Our history is nothing without anti-fascism. See page 5 - 14 Tommy Robinson is the worst of the English farright and we don’t want imperialist crap in Gibraltar again.”
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NEWS IN BRIEF Fuel finds THE Policia Nacional seized nearly 3,000 litres of petrol at different locations around La Linea in just the first two days of August, severely hurting hashish smuggling efforts.
Burglars jailed LOCAL men Kyle Lopez, Jamil Medhurst and Nabil Medhurst El Habali were sentenced to two months in prison for burglaries in Wellington Front properties last month.
Attack dog A MAN who used his dog to attack his mother during arguments has been arrested in La Linea after she was found to have been bitten at least three times.
Heading for trouble UK national Riyen Lea got seven months in prison for violently attacking two women and trying to headbutt police officers in Gibraltar.
August 5th - August 18th 2020
Secret world A glimpse inside some of Spain’s biggest drug lords’ lairs
HIDDEN underground tunnels and stashed bales of hashish have been discovered after the largest raid on drug smugglers’ homes near Gibraltar. Two leading figures are still on the run after the raids on the Narcoville in El Zabel raided by elite police units a month ago. One of them is Gibraltar’s Gareth Mauro (pictured right), whose fellow clan members were arrested in the police raids. Now the Olive Press can reveal more about Narcoville which has hit Spanish national headlines. Police recently found secret un-
derground tunnels to transport drugs or money if one of the houses was about to be raided. The luxury houses - illegally built - have no numbers and are surrounded by metres-high
Finders not keepers A MAN from Cadiz is facing up to three years in prison after digging up ancient treasure near Jerez de la Frontera. Police became aware of the metal detectorist’s golden haul when he began posting photos of the loot online. The treasure trove included Phoenician gold jewellery dating back to 1,200BC. Experts estimate the earrings are between 2,500 and 3,200 years old. When police searched the man’s home in Villamartín, Cadiz they discovered many more pieces including ancient gold coins, a stone bust of a woman, a bronze lion, Roman weights and a bronze axe amongst many other items.
History, adventure and romance. That’s just the setting.
LUXURY: The lair of Spain and Gib’s drugs lords walls, making them only visible is passing by, with police and journalists among the most from the air. The ‘drugs estate’ covers four regular visitors. square kilometres and homes It was recently revealed an come equipped with high tech Algeciras musician used the cameras keeping an eye on who home of a drug smuggler as the setting for a music video released last year. Flamenco reggaeton star Canelita released the video 10 months ago and it has got ten million hits. It was filmed in the home of drug clan leader Jesus Heredia, who was recently arrested while he was having breakfast in Chiclana. Recent searches revealed 52 bales of hashish weighing 1.5 tonnes hidden underneath the base of a shower with bundles of cash hidden in a toilet and under the sink. Police believe up to 80% of the homes in El Zabal have been built using illegal funds.
People smuggler arrested THE owner of a fishing boat allegedly used to smuggle 32 migrants across the Straits of Gibraltar has been arrested by the Policia Nacional. All the illegal immigrants, that included six children, paid €1,400 each to be taken to the Spanish mainland. The arrested man, with initials AK, 35, who is now awaiting trial in prison after being charged with organising the whole journey from Northern Morocco.
Migrants
Police sources pointed out that the ‘patera’ wooden boat was only equipped to carry a maximum of 10 people. “It is clear how these criminal groups have no respect for the lives of the migrants when they travel in such precarious conditions,” said the Policia Nacional. “This is highlighted by the fact there were even minors among the smuggled passengers.” In a separate incident, three migrants tried to paddle to Spain in a kayak.
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August 5th - August 18th 2020
SUMMER OF FUN
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The stars have fled to Ibiza for the summer
BUNS OF STEEL: Love Island star’s Georgia (left) stays loyal to her jetsetting lifestyle
REAR VIEW: Georgie Shore star Charlotte Crosby stuns in sultry holiday snap
DOUBLE TROUBLE: Dele Alli and James Maddison toasted the end of the season with a break in Ibiza
THE biggest names from the world of sport, music and reality TV have proven that nothing can stop them from having fun in the sun. Celebrities from the A-Z list jetted to Ibiza in a bid to heat things up this summer after a glum start to 2020. Caprice, Rita Ora, Rebekah Vardy and former Boris Becker WAG Lilian de Carvalho were all among the stars soaking up the rays on the famous party isle. Of course the celebs weren’t shy splashing snaps of their luxury trips across social media. Posing poolside, Love Island gals Georgie Steel, Arabellla Chi, Kaz Crossley and Elli Brown all wowed fans with pictures of them sunning themselves on the White Isle. Fellow reality star Charlotte
Crosby, from TV series Georgie Shore, claimed she nearly “snapped my back in actual half” trying to take a sultry shot of her tanlines at Ibiza’s Bless Hotel.
Boys on tour
Meanwhile England football stars Dele Alli, James Maddison and Jake Grealish have all been spotted enjoying the end of the Premier League season with beers and a bevy of beauties during their Ibiza break. Despite their worldwide fame, all the celebrities will have to quarantine for two weeks when they fly back to the UK.
SUNS OUT: Rita Ora strikes a pose on the White Isle
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NEWS
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August 5th August 18th 2020
Truth seeker
UK judge to investigate early retirement of police commissioner A JUDICIAL inquiry will be held to find out why the former Commissioner for Police Ian McGrail was forced to retire after just two years in the post. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo (pictured) said in parliament that the government ‘will not seek to cover up anything’ in the inquiry to be held by a top UK judge. The announcement
By John Culatto
came after McGrail’s lawyers called for an independent inquiry into his own retirement on July 28. Despite agreeing to it, Picardo said ‘the Government does not consider that it is necessary to convene an inquiry’. “We do not agree at all with the
Health protest PROTEST: Health workers unhappy THE Gibraltar Government will talk with unions after a 300-strong demonstration was held outside St Bernard’s Hospital. The workers tried to put across their concerns that health bosses were putting them under too much pressure. Trade union Unite said fear and mistrust were causing low morale amongst health workers. They said that an increasing focus is being placed on punishing staff rather than supporting them and improving the level of care. “There is a need for an objective and proper standard of clinical governance,” responded Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. “I am willing to engage with union concerns at the earliest opportunity as I have on all other matters.”
statements made by those representing Mr McGrail about the effect that his retirement and the circumstances of it might have for Gibraltar,” said Picardo. “In fact, we consider that the opposite is the case. “The Government is satisfied that all aspects of that matter have been entirely proper and based on the legal advice received.” The inquiry called by McGrail puts into question the decision of the Government, Governor and Gibraltar Police Authority. Picardo said that despite ‘the public curiosity, rumour and tittle tattle’ he felt it was ‘contrary to the public interest’ to express why McGrail had retired. The Chief Minister hinted that this was because it concerned ‘the recent incident at sea resulting in the death of two Spanish nationals’. “This issue, obviously, has significant political and diplomatic connotations outside of Gibraltar,” added Picardo. “No one can fail to see that or doubt that.”
Hacking COVID BLOCKCHAIN experts from around the world will take on some of the health, economic and social issues created by the pandemic. The Post-Covid Hackathon is being organised by private companies with Gibraltar Finance and will start in mid-August. It will bring together over 200 industry experts to create open-source solutions using blockchain technology.
Digital
The possibility of using digital token economies will also be looked at with the rise of Cryptocurrency during the global crisis. Minister for Digital and Financial Services Albert Isola said: “I am excited and look forward to seeing the dynamic solutions that will arise from this initiative.” One of the organising companies is Consilium, which moved its home base from London to Gibraltar last year. The first Hackathon events will be officially launched on August 10.
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Keep on talking
TWO of the committees set up to find a way for Gibraltar to work with Spain from January 1 met at the Garrison Library. The committees were set up by the Memorandums of Understanding signed by the UK, Gibraltar and Spain. They concern law enforcement, including police and customs and the environment in a different group. Officials from the UK, Spain and Gibraltar were present at the meetings. The Gibraltar delegation was led by Attorney General Michael Llamas for both committees. The law enforcement meeting included the Commissioner of Police Richard Ullger and the Collector of Customs John Rodriguez. Chief Scientist Liesl Mesillo headed the Gibraltar delegation in the environmental committee and will hold the chair for the first six months.
Muzzle threat Compulsory mask wearing not ruled out
WORKERS who do not wear masks in closed spaces like shops and restaurants could get a £100 on-thespot fine. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced the measure as he said public health advice was that Phase 6 restrictions would continue ‘for the moment’.
Restrictions He said that the government could introduce compulsory public mask use in the future for all Gibraltarians. “I hope that taking firm
Mozzie menace GIBRALTARIANS have been warned to protect themselves from the tiger mosquito. This latest airborne threat adds to that of the more common Culex mosquito which bites in the evening and night. The Asian Tiger Mosquito has been known to transmit Dengue Fever and Chikungunya, although these diseases are not present in Gibraltar.
MASK UP: Fabian Picardo refuses to rule out enforcing mandatory regulations By John Culatto
action at this time will prevent further restrictions having to be imposed in the
It breeds in still water collected in plant pot dishes, tyres and barrels. “Persons should check their vicinity for small water containers and empty them out,” said the Gibraltar Government’s Ministry of the Environment. “These mosquitoes are very determined biters. “They fly silent, slow and low and usually bite the lower limbs so wearing socks and long trousers is useful.” Although there is no evidence that mosquitoes can spread COVID-19, people travelling to areas with Zika, Dengue or Chikungunya are advised to warn the authorities.
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August 5th - August 18th 2020
future,” said Picardo “I understand how hard this will be for everyone. “But it will not be lost on us that the many countries that have unlocked have had to revert to some sort of lockdown because of the rise in numbers. “That is precisely what we want to avoid here.” A 2am curfew will now be enforced by the RGP at restaurants and bars, after reports they were finding social distancing difficult. Picardo warned young people ‘to be careful’ when they are socialising in Gibraltar and Spain as nightclubs and bars are hotbeds for getting the virus.
The STOP COVID-19 Gibraltar app has been downloaded by half of Gibraltar, with everyone else encouraged to do so. The Chief Minister revealed that when a vaccine became available, Gibraltar would have access to the NHS stocks.
Curfew “We must stay conscious that there is once again community transmission of COVID-19 in Gibraltar,” concluded Picardo. “Please reflect that it is better to lose a summer in your life than to lose your life for a summer.”
Perfidious Spain GIBRALTAR has been aware all along of Spain’s ‘underhand tactics’ to persuade US members of Congress not to back the Rock over the years, the government has said. However, these same senators have gone on to defy the Spanish pressure and continued their support for Gibraltar. “We have made it clear that these various Spanish tactics have been counterproductive,” said the Gibraltar Government. “Various Congressmen have made it utterly clear that they will refuse to be dictated to by Spanish officials and that they will continue to visit Gibraltar whenever they wish. “So as to counter these underhand tactics, the Government of Gibraltar has provided well over one hundred briefings to Congressional offices and to those of the Trump administration.” Members of Congress, the Appropriations Committee and the American Chamber of Commerce have visited Gibraltar so they could see the reality themselves. One of the frequent visitors is Congressman George Holding who first presented the Resolution that supports Gibraltar’s right to self-determination.
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R C O ST
OPINION
NEWS FEATURE
Paradise
Some things never change THE campaign by Spain to make life difficult for Gibraltar on the world stage has never let up and now it is coming to light. Ever since the Fascist dictator General Franco started his campaign at the United Nations in the 1960s, the Spanish diplomatic machine has tried to harm Gibraltar’s opportunities to get global support. That the Spanish government still considers Gibraltar a British colony when in fact it is a mixture of migrants from all over the Mediterranean united in a singular identity is a slur in itself. This latest attempt to pressure US Members of Congress is therefore no surprise. While extreme-right politicians from Vox push for more forceful means to get Gibraltar back, the rest of the Spanish political spectrum continues to carry out that mission more subtly. Gibraltar does well to defend itself against these attacks from a massive diplomatic machinery. For Spain, trying to reverse history seems to be the only goal rather than understand that they need to modernise and respect Gibraltar to get its trust. This is especially relevant as the 2006 constitution states clearly that the UK supports Gibraltar’s right to self-determination. The recent post-Brexit talks are a sign that is beginning to happen. US president John F. Kennedy said: ‘We would like to live as we once lived, but history will not permit it.’ Maybe it is time for Spain to see the world how it really is as opposed to how they want to see it. The Spanish colonies in Northern Morocco only show that Spain is entirely happy to have territories in foreign lands, so why cannot they accept Gibraltar’s own nationhood? Time will tell whether Spain after Brexit will learn to live with the consequences of history or continually fight to reverse the nationality of a land that dates back further than the USA itself.
I
T’S one of the last unspoiled paradises along the Cadiz coastline. A four-kilometre crescent of soft white sand and Caribbean blue water, fringed by a scattering of beach bars and surf schools.
Until now, this little piece of heaven has managed to dodge the scheming plans of humans. But that could soon change as the wildlife haven is under threat from property developers plotting to build 60
houses and a 240-room hotel along its pristine shore. This February, revised plans were approved by Tarifa town hall for ‘Montevaqueros’. Due to be completed in Spring 2025, the project by Valdeva-
queros Pueblo SL has sparked outrage ever since it was originally approved in 2012. Demonstrations attended by 20,000 protestors prompted legislative change that completely forbid the building of
Torture by red tape Lydia Spencer-Elliott finds out what Brexit really means for Brits trying to stay legal in Spain and becomes ensnared in bureaucratic horror story
SUPPORT: JFK snubbed Franco
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By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
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HERE are certain things in life that simply don’t make sense: Donald Trump’s speeches, tomatoes being a fruit and the fact that Beyonce still hasn’t divorced Jay-Z. But nothing leaves me more completely flummoxed than the Spanish bureaucratic system. I thought I empathised with the frustrations of immigrants in Britain. But like childbirth or being kicked in the balls, you can never fully understand the pain until it happens to you. To permanently live, work and eat patatas bravas in Spain, expats must have a TIE residence card, which automatically assigns a foreigner’s identity number (N.I.E) alongside it. In 2019, 365,967 Brits officially registered in Spain. But since the UK collectively gave EU membership the boot, our VIP pass through the paperwork maze has been ripped from our self-entitled clutches and red tape has become an instrument of torture to garrot us with. First I visit Estepona police station, but in the current corona climate, walk-ins are a no-go. Online, the only appointments available are in Ronda, so I accept my fate and fill up the car with petrol. It becomes apparent on arrival that Manuel from Fawlty Towers has left the hospitality industry and taken up a position processing immigration paperwork. Here, ‘I know nothing’ isn’t an excuse but a solemn promise. Every person has the memory of an Alzheimer’s patient, the personality of a door knob and the attitude of Lauren Cooper. Bothered? They are not.
CROSSROADS: Expats left struggling with Spanish red tape With a deadpan glare, Manuel tells me to go to Malaga. When I enquire as to why, his reply stings: “Because you chose Brexit,” he claims. I assure him, I did not. Anyway, isn’t Britain in the transition period until December 31? “Please leave my office,” he says. Of course, the trouble began in England. Somewhere amongst the onslaught of debates and negotiations, I had been sold an optimistic lie: Brits could break up with their European partners, keep the perks of a multinational relationship and live our merry lives while taking back control of our country - whatever the hell that really means. This type of lie is called an ‘informational cascade’. In other words, it is repeated so many times it is spoken into existence. The lie
gains credibility, yet it is actually an avalanche of misinformation. And, in the Comisaria de Policia, there’s a stick of reality dynamite ready to blow it to smithereens. When I call the office in Malaga, they tell me to go back to Estepona where my quest began. And so, the bureaucratic tumble dryer starts up again, hurtling me round in circles while bashing my head against the sides with a Catch-22. There is no semblance of sanity to this procedure and it progresses at the speed of a three-toed sloth; a snail moves faster. Alas, it is already time to face the consequences for our country’s democratic choice. When looking in at the EU members club from outside in the cold, it is clear life is going to get a lot tougher for Brits wanting to remain abroad.
www.theolivepress.es
August 5th - August 18th 2020
in peril
7
As plans for a hotel fronting the beach biosphere reserve of Valdevaqueros rear their ugly head yet again, Lydia Spencer-Elliott heads to Tarifa to take a closer look
‘homes or any other type of constructions, buildings or facilities,’ apart from those relating to conservation or education. Undeterred by public outcry, the developers re-submitted their proposal, scaled down from the original plans for a 1,400-room hotel and 350 homes. This 90% decrease in DETERMINED: Tarifa residents fight to save Valdevaqueros the buildable area has been promoted as a ‘benchmark for ecological urbanization’. But locals remain less than con- Los Alcornocales. Construc- so-called ‘LISTA law’, passed cion will also affect the nearby during lockdown, allowed dozvinced. “Even if they want to disguise Rio Vaya, where wildlife such ens of previously banned deit as sustainable, their project as flamingos rest on their mi- velopment projects to begin is doomed to failure. It’s clear- gratory route from the Sahara. up and down the Andalucia Tarifa mayor coast. ly illegal because Juan Andrés Gil Claiming that it will blend endangered bats has been ac- aesthetically with the environand other wildlife It is not cused by those ment, the Montevaqueros delive on that land,” against the proj- velopment consists of low-rise, says Noelia JuraMarbella and ect of pushing low-density buildings with tourdo of the protest it should not plans ahead de- ist facilities and public amenigroup Salvemos Valdevaqueros. look like it say spite their nega- ties. But residents are more tive environmen- concerned with preserving the “Building on protestors tal impact. Eco- area than profit or commercial grassland where nomic downturn growth. bats hunt jeopin the town has “It is absolutely outrageous ardises the entire colony no matter how many prompted the relaxation of that these plans have been homes they build. Tarifa is an construction restriction laws approved,” says Jurado. “They attraction for its nature. It is in order to grow tourism and just aren’t in the public internot Marbella and it shouldn’t increase employment levels est. Salvemos Valdevaqueros in the area. It comes as the has collected tens of thoulook like it.” The heavily protected beach has a high ecological value and is home to endangered horseshoe bats and lesser mouse-eared bats, amongst other wildlife. Listed by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, the land joins together two natural parks: El Estrecho and
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sands of signatures, received hundreds of messages from supporters and sent mass emails to the Junta de Andalucia government. From people inside and outside Andalucia, support for the cause has been overwhelming.” Refusing to be defeated, protestors have taken their objections to the European Union. Aside from wildlife preservation, residents are concerned by the overpopulation that more homes in the area could bring. “Tarifa’s infrastructure is already hugely stretched,” a local business owner told the Olive Press. “Traffic, water, sewage issues … the area simply can’t handle any more people.”
e at the Olive Press like to think we are at the forefront of English language investigative journalism in Spain. And we are glad to see that the mainstream British media seems to agree with us. When they need to find out more about what is affecting visiting Brits and the expat population in Spain, the Olive Press is more often than not the first source they talk to. Over the past few weeks our reporters have been called on by such publications as The Daily Mail, The Sun, Mail on Sunday and The Daily Telegraph to investigate and delve deeper into the hot topics of the day. Editor and owner of the Olive Press, Jon Clarke together with Digital Editor Laurence Dollimore have broken some of the biggest stories about Madeleine McCann in recent weeks. Where they led, not just the British press but also media outlets world-wide have followed. They tracked down prime suspect Christian Brueckner’s former best friend to the Andalucian town of Orgiva, identified his former home in Portugal and uncovered sensational details about his ex-girlfriend and their life together. TV too has recognised the authoritative nature of our journalists. Sky News turned to our News Editor Dilip Kuner (above left) when they needed first hand reaction to the news that returning UK holidaymakers would have to self-isolate for 14 days. We at the Olive Press recognise there is only one reason we are respected so much by the British press – and that is the quality of our staff. We hire professional journalists and give them the chance to do what they do best – dig deep to get to the heart of the matter. And so we are delighted to introduce our latest two recruits. Kirsty McKenzie (above right) is a talented and committed reporter who has many years experience on the Daily Record in Scotland. Lydia Spencer-Elliott (left) is at the start of her career but already has experience as an intern with The Times, Sky and Reuters. We wish them a big welcome as the latest in a long line of quality journalists to work at the Olive Press.
The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are: pledge not to cancel flights to and 1- Ryanair from Spain after announcing mass losses (20,464) right leader Tommy Robinson flees 2- FarEngland to set up new life as immigrant in Spain (19,665) - Maddie McCann prime suspect Christian 3drove Brueckner filmed laughing and joking as he through Spain just weeks before little girl vanished (19,519)
in Spain’s Benidorm is set for 4- Leadingaeyesore massive makeover (13,717) Spain sees worst COVID-19 figures in EU as 5-more than 1000 test positive for second day in a row (13,456)
THREATENED: Flamingos could soon face construction disruption as the bulldozers move in to start a property scheme
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LA CULTURA
8
what’s on
W
atercolour tribute
VISIT the Frontline Workers Exhibition at the G.E.M.A.Gallery from 25th August where striking portraits of hospital staff, chefs, police and other key workers will be on show.
O
ver and out
ROCK Sailing Gibraltar will be running a VHF short range course at Ocean Village on August 9 for all those interested in radio communication on the high seas.
H
ead space
FIND your zen without leaving your home with Namarta Gulraj’s Zoom meditation class on August 10 from 1-2pm. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/ycx3lwq2
G
uitar guys
MUSICAL duo O.L.L.I Live will be playing on the atmospheric terrace at Piccadilly Garden Bar every Wednesday night.
August 5th - August 18th 2020
Back in the saddle…
T
WELVE years ago I was in full preparation for the Andalucian Endurance Raid Riding Championships. Artensana, the Arabian purebred mare I’d been training for almost two years claimed the silver medal at the prestigious event. However, I wasn’t the jock and the week prior to the championships was the last time I sat in a saddle. A blue line on a home pregnancy test ended that dream, launching me instead into the adventure of a lifetime. Motherhood. However, before I knew it my baby boy was blowing out candles for his 11th birthday. Not such a baby anymore. I felt the urge to pick up the reigns of my former passion. I started by writing about horse riding holidays in Andalucia, home of the Spanish purebred, for the Olive Press. It opened unexpected new doors. Paddock Paradise, one of the riding centres I contacted for
Working together EXPERTS from Gibraltar have helped to uncover prehistoric tracks discovered in Coto Donana national park in south-west Spain. The tracks are believed to have been left by animals more than 100,000 years ago during the Late Pleistocene age. The Gibraltar Museum has worked with scientists from the universities of Lisbon, Sevilla, Huelva, Coimbra and Barcelona to reveal the animals that made them. The discovery was made after a storm brushed away the sand to reveal the unique find at the bottom of the ‘El Asperillo’ cliff in Donana Park. “These have been ascribed to ancestral wild cattle, known as aurochs, red deer, wild boar, straight-tusked elephant, wolf, and to geese and wading birds,” said the Gibraltar Museum. “The scientists have interpreted the trampled surface to have been related to puddles of shallow water in between dunes, similar to present day examples in the Doñana National Park.” Their combined research has just been published online in the international journal, Quaternary Science Reviews. Connecting with the evidence found in Gibraltar, scientists believe the whole area between Gibraltar and Portugal was full of animal life during that time. “Doñana is a place close to my heart and one which I have spent many hours observing its rich wildlife in habitats which were once on our own coastal shelf,” said Minister for Culture and the Environment John Cortes. “I am proud that this work has involved Gibraltarian scientists as it is a reflection of the high regard that they are held in. The research continues in Doñana with further discoveries possible.
KIM CLARK
the feature, generously invited me to spend a day with them and go riding. I’ve always been horse-mad. Just ask my parents who had to deal with me asking for a pony for Christmas ever since I was about three. So, the only one feasible answer was YES PLEASE! And so I found myself making my way to Ronda, best-known for its spectacular setting atop a deep gorge spanned by a stone bridge. What I didn’t count on was my GPS signal disappearing as I arrived in the atmospheric mountain town.
After a 12-year horsey hiatus, endurance rider Cristina Hodgson gets back in her stride in the mountains of Ronda
Panic
After a 10-minute panic driving around in circles, streaming with sweat (I do more than glow) at the thought I wouldn’t make it to the riding centre on time, I did it the old-fashioned way and asked a complete stranger for directions… I picked my target with calculation, an old man who no doubt knew the town like the back of his hand and would indicate more precisely than any top-of-the-range Sat Nav, with a bit of town history thrown in for good measure. And he didn’t disappoint! Thanks to my new friend, I learned that English painter David Bomberg lived and worked in Ronda in the 1950s, producing some of the finest landscapes of Spain;
HELLO: Cristina makes a new friend as she returns to the saddle that the 5,000-year-old cave paintings near Ronda are an absolute must-see; and that the mountains around Ronda
were a popular hide-out for 19th century bandits. I also got excellent directions to the Ronda- Algeciras road (A-369) and my exit to gallop galore, keeping a keen lookout for modern-day bandits, just in case. I soon found myself amid a Mediterranean forest, with spectacular views of the Tajo river and romantic Ronda beyond. I had reached my destination and it was instantly clear why Paddock Paradise is so-named. A place where horses live in freedom, unencumbered by horseshoes, and are ridden without bits, spurs or whips, it’s also Utopia for equines. Fernando Roman and his brother Juan, the humans behind this animal haven where most HAPPY: A beaming Cristina rekindles her love for horses of the horses have been
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rescued from the slaughterhouse, took me for a tour of the extensive grounds. At the paddock, the horses are allowed to reconnect with their natural habitat, in an environment where calm and silence reign. However, I started to seriously regret boasting about my Raid Riding credentials, because after 12 years out of the saddle, there was every chance I would lose my seat … especially as a rip across the backside of my super tight riding jocks, purchased pre-maternity figure, was also on the cards... Thankfully, pants and seat remained intact. It turns out that horse riding is just like riding a bike - something you never forget. The two-hour trek through dense Mediterranean forest, the silence barely broken by the sound of horses hooves, will also stay with me forever.
10
LA CULTURA
Resurrecting By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
I
F Braveheart taught us anything, it’s that a rebel with a vendetta against the English monarchy must be fearless, persistent and pretty nifty with a sword. In the mountains of 16th-century Ireland there existed such a man; a warrior with determination, valour and Spanish soldiers on his side, who lost his life in the pursuit of freedom. The story of ‘Red Hugh’ has huge importance for Spain and the northern city of Valladolid, where he was believed to be buried in the chapel grounds of a Franciscan convent. But when the monastery was leveled in 1836, the convent and the bones of Red Hugh were not there. Now, archeologists are searching for the skeleton of the eight-toed Irish rebel beneath a branch of Banco Santander in the city centre. The red-headed rebel was born into the powerful O’Donnell dynasty in County Donegal and fought valiantly for control of his nation against Queen Elizabeth I. But, rather than a Mel Gibson historical fiction epic, the chieftain’s bravery in the Nine
Years’ War would be immortalised by the 1960s Disney film - The Fighting Prince of Donegal. Based on the novel Red Hugh: Prince of Donegal by Robert T. Reilly, the film depicts the Irish leader’s ascension to the throne after the death of his father. Like all good heroes, the fictional Hugh successfully multi-tasks his preparation for battle while simultaneously courting his love interest, Kathleen McSweeney. Some critics thought the tale was predictable and simplistic, others embraced it as unostentatious fun. Whatever the reception, one fact remains indisputable: the reality was more grisly than Disney audiences could have stomached.
Warning
At just 15 years old, Red Hugh was kidnapped by the English army and imprisoned in Dublin Castle. His abduction served as a warning to the O’Donnell clan: if you rebel against the English monarchy you will face the consequences. But after five years of captivity, he escaped with help from a loyal friend of his father. The journey home during a bleak Irish winter nearly cost the renegade his life. Red Hugh recovered from severe fatigue, but lost his two big toes to frostbite. The chieftain was quick to begin invasions to reclaim Irish land that had been commandeered by the English in his absence. As a fellow Catholic territory fighting to rid itself of protestants, Spain’s King Phillip III supported the effort and sent boats of warriors to Kinsale. When Spanish ships docked at County Cork, English troops surrounded the armada and killed hundreds of men in a bloody battle. A persuasive nego-
tiator, Red Hugh ventured to Spain after the siege to plead with the king to continue his support and send further soldiers to Ireland. But the mission proved fatal. Before help could be granted, Red Hugh mysteriously died a few miles from the city. Some said an infection killed the 29-yearold warrior, others claimed he was poisoned by a British spy.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
P
anem, it is 64 years before The Hunger Games trilogy and the country is still rebuilding following its bitter war with the districts. Eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow, the future tyrannical president of Panem, comes from an influential family that has fallen on hard times. With their fortune almost gone they are surviving on good name alone. On the morning of the reaping for the tenth annual Hunger Games, Snow hopes to regain glory by mentoring the winning tribute, however, when he is given the female tribute from district 12, he realises that the odds are not forever in his favour. Snow must do everything in his power to climb the ladder of success at all costs. Collins proves she is a master of world building and character development in this long- awaited Hunger Games Prequel. €24.90 The Bookshop San Pedro, www.thebookshop.es
His body was taken to the royal palace in Valladolid with pomp and ceremony. A four-wheeled hearse drove the corpse to its resting place, surrounded by guards, state officers and flaming torches to signify admiration. As a mark of respect, the king honored Red Hugh with a special burial in the Chapel of Wonders - a Franciscan convent where explorer Christo-
Train of thought BBC TV viewers got a taste of Spanish culture when former UK Secretary of State for Defence Michael Portillo launched his latest programme. Sporting his trademark colourful clothing, he travelled to Spain for the first episode in a new series of Great Continental Railway Journeys. It was a deeply personal journey for Portillo. He carried with him a copy of Bradshaw’s guide book, from 1936 – the year that the Spanish Civil War erupted and most travellers to the country were volunteer soldiers or war reporters. He stopped in Salamanca, where Portillo’s father, Luis, worked as an anti-fascist law-
TRIP: Michael Portillo yer before seeking asylum in Britain. There he was shown his father’s secret political file before he headed off to Madrid and Aragon. Here he explored and shared with viewers different aspects of Spanish culture.
Do you have a what’s on?
Red Hugh
Send your informa tion to newsdesk@theolivepr ess.es
August 5th - August 18th 2020
The bones of a fearless Irish chieftain could be entombed beneath a branch of Banco Santander in northern Spain
HERO: Red Hugh is regarded as one of
LEGEND: Archaeologists are trying to find Red Hugh who has been remembered in statues (left)
pher Columbus would be buried a century later. Now, nearly two centuries after his remains were reported missing from the site, the dig for answers and the true location of his burial chapel continues beneath a street in Valladolid where 16 skeletons have been unearthed.
Relatives of the rebel have offered DNA samples to help identify which belong to the chieftain. Archeologists will also have to study the height, sex, and age of each skeleton for clues - unless one is discovered with two toes missing. An escapologist even in his
afterlife, Red Hugh has become an Irish symbol of Gaelic resistance. The discovery of his bones could finally confirm whether infection or English cunning brought the chieftain to his suspicious demise in Spain.
11
Ireland’s greatest heroes
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12
PROPERTY
August 5th - August 18th 2020
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FOR the price of a luxury home on the up-market Spanish costas and islands you can buy a whole village in the charming northern region of Asturias. Granted the price tag is still a substantial €1.87 million, but it could be seen as something of a bargain having been reduced by 21% from €2.37 million. Being sold through property portal Idealista, it has been for sale for more than two years . The village has a 1,115m2 built area, of which 950m2 are usable and the total area it covers is 130,000m2. Surrounded by fields, forests, mountains and with views of the Picos de Europa mountain range, El Mortorio has 12 buildings, eight of which are rural cottages. There is also a traditional granary and more than 20 building plots. Each cottage has two to four bedrooms with a living room, kitchen and dining room. They were renovated between 1995 and 2004, have private access, individual heating and more than half of them also have a fireplace. It is currently being run as a hotel.
VISTAS: Breathtaking city skyline is just one of the advantages of Madrid
Spanish city is the best place for working Brits in lockdown MADRID has been named the best place for Brits to move post-lockdown to save money. The Spanish capital beat the likes of Istanbul, Warsaw and Budapest to claim the title of the place to work from remotely during the pandemic. The study by CIA Landlord revealed the best cities to move post-lockdown to save on expenses while still earning your current salary and living abroad in a similar time zone.
Marvellous Madrid! Researches weighed up a variety of cost and popularity factors to highlight the best place to work from home. Madrid soared into first place thanks to low prices for Airbnb, transport - and post importantly - pints. With an extremely high amount of annual tourists, cheap flights and a low cost of living – Madrid comes out on top as the best location to move to for remote working
based on a variety of cost and popularity reasons. Despite its relatively high rent for a 1-bed (£895), flights to and from the Madrid from London will cost you nothing short of a £46 return. Meanwhile, Monaco was ranked officially the worst city to relocate to for remote working due to high rent costs of £3,499.
OP QUICK Crossword Across 7 Skirt worn by ballerinas (4) 8 Having ability (8) 9 Average (3) 10 Heap (4) 11 South American boa (8) 12 Leaf box for drinkers who don’t use bags (3,5) 14 Woman’s dress (4) 16 Stuff (4) 17 Surprised (8) 19 Burn without flame (8) 21 Boozer (4) 22 Wane (3) 23 Lackadaisical (8) 24 Lasting power (4)
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BUSINESS
August 5th - August 18th 2020
Travel restrictions will lead to catastrophic decrease in seasonal employment By Lydia Spencer-Elliott
SPAIN’S unemployment rate could soar by 2.3 million if countries such as the UK and Norway continue to impose quarantine on people returning from holiday resorts, a new study has revealed. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has estimated that, globally, 76.4m people could lose their jobs as a direct result of travel restrictions. Seasonal employment in Spain represents a total of 15% of the GDP in the summer months but, with increasing numbers of holiday-
GRIM: Poor conditions
Slim pickings
FURIOUS UN officials have demanded Spain improve living conditions for seasonal farm workers before somebody dies. Three fires erupted and injured four people in worker shanty towns near Huelva last week. Troops were deployed on Saturday, July 25, to build a migrant camp after concerns were raised by local officials. Mostly without running water, electricity or sanitation measures, the current workplace accommodation is squalid and a breeding ground for COVID-19. The Spanish defence ministry hopes that the army logistics team will be able to prevent possible coronavirus outbreaks in settlements made vulnerable by fires.
Jobs misery beckons BLEAK PROSPECTS: Unemployment in the tourism industry is set to soar
makers reluctant to travel to popular hotspots such as the Costa del Sol and the Balea-
Profit pandemic SANTANDER has reported a €11 billion loss for the second quarter and blame COVID-19 for the sharp drop in revenue. According to the bank, the sharp exchange rate devaluation amidst the pandemic has distorted a year-on-year comparison of the figures. European operations decreased by 8% due to less banking activity overall and pandemic regulatory changes affecting the income from Santander Consumer Finance in the UK. Wholesale banking business in Europe has, however, increased its net fee income by 58%.
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rics, many hotel, restaurant and hospitality workers will find themselves surplus to requirements. Under this ‘worst case scenario’, the WTTC estimate there would be a 62% decrease in GDP compared to 2019. This reduction would represent a financial loss of more than €8.7 billion to Spain’s tourism industry. These figures are backed up by research and statistics from Exceltur, Spain’s Alliance for Tourism Excellence. At the very best, the WTTC expects restrictions to be lifted by autumn but, according
to Spanish economist Nadia Calviño, this will require a new tourism model to be put in place. Calviño hopes that the rebirth of the tourism industry will create a ‘modernisation’ of the Spanish economy. “The process should allow growth over a long period of time without generating imbalances such as those carried out in the past and achieve more inclusive and sustainable growth,” she said. Currently, anyone returning to the UK from Spain must self-isolate at home for 14 days.
13
Chain reaction RECOGNITION by a major Blockchain advisory group could help Gibraltar continue growing its economy after COVID-19, the government claims. Despite the gloomy forecast as Gibraltar sails into an unwanted Brexit and unexpected post-pandemic recession, its finance minister is remaining upbeat. Gibraltar Finance recently announced it is becoming a member of the International Association of Trusted Blockchain Applications (INATBA). INATBA is a global forum to lobby European authorities to increase the use of DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) at every level of public life. Minister for Financial and Digital Services Albert Isola believes this will serve to promote Gibraltar as a business hub. “In Gibraltar, we are committed to maintaining our status as a leading hub for blockchain innovation in the global sphere,” said Isola. “Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, we believe that we can work with other INATBA members. “Together we can create the best possible environment for users of DLT to grow and thrive.”
14
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
Nutty for acorns
JOSE Pizzaro, the esteemed Spanish chef currently working at his eponymous restaurant in London, is determined to get acorns on the UK menu. “I make a rosca, a sort of honeyed doughnut, with acorn flour” he told The Independent. “The flavour’s amazing, and it’s naturally gluten free. I’m working on a version of a marron glace…” It is no surprise that Pizzaro is an acorn enthusiast. Extremadura, where the chef grew up, is a province best known for its wild oak forest.
Wild
But Pizzaro will be squirelling his nuts to the UK from the upmarket Andalucian Iberico ham makers Cinco Jotas in Jabugo, Huelva. Andalucian acorn season has been delayed this year due to lack of rainfall. But when it begins, Pizzaro has plans to ship a huge order of acorns from quercus ilex or Mediterranean oak trees over to the UK. Currently, Spain possesses half of the entire world’s stock of this type of acorn. After the nuts travel 1,325 miles from Jabugo to Pizzaro’s restaurant in Liverpool Street, let’s hope he rustles up something tasty.
August 5th - August 18th 2020
Grape Expectations Cordoba’s DO Montilla-Moriles kicks off Europe’s harvest season and it could be a vintage year
By Cristina Hodgson
COVID-19 aside, 2020 is looking like a very good year for Spanish wines. The weather has smiled on the vineyards of Montilla-Moriles, one of Spain’s 68 DO wine regions and always one of the first in Europe to bring home the harvest. Although centred around the cities of Montilla and Moriles, the region extends through 15 other municipalities often referred to as the Empire of Pedro Ximenez, where winemaking dates back to Roman times. The first pickings will be early white varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo and Moscatel, which produce the first musts for making young wines, followed by the native Pedro Ximenez grapes. The quality is expected to be ‘excellent’ thanks to the ‘generous rain in spring, togeth-
GOOD YEAR: Vineyards have thrived
er with the high temperatures these last few weeks’, says Juan Manuel Centella, President of the Viña de Asaja Cordoba sector.
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‘This has favoured a good and advanced ripening of the grape,’ he added. A scarce and localised presence of diseases and pests has also allowed for optimum quality of the grapes. The expected crop is estimated to be 20% less than the previous season, which
closed with 55 million kilos of white grape. September will mark the culmination of the work in the vineyards which is usually celebrated with a riotous harvest festival. The Fiesta de la Vendimia, declared a Festival of Regional Interest, is one of
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OP Puzzle solutions Across: 7 Tutu, 8 Talented, 9 Par, 10 Pile, 11 Anaconda, 12 Tea caddy, 14 Gown, 16 Cram, 17 Startled, 19 Smoulder, 21 Alky, 22 Ebb, 23 Careless, 24 Legs.
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Down: 1 Mutineer, 2 Supercomputer, 3 Strand, 4 Sleazy, 5 Unforgettable, 6 Deed, 13 Dot, 15 Wreckage, 17 Sudden, 18 Arrest, 20 Meat.
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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
August 5th - August 18th 2020
15
Lawyers, Guns and Loadsamoney S
URELY it was a typo. Or yet another shameless attempt at clickbait. But something in the headline just didn’t ring true: Spanish Shipwreck Found - Treasure Worth $20 Billion! While the discovery of yet another Spanish shipwreck was plausible, $20 billion – a number that exceeds the GDP of many countries – seemed inconceivable. I did the math: $20 billion equals 20,000 million! From what I know about Spanish shipwrecks, even $20 million sounds like an exaggeration. But in fact, the Spanish galleon San Jose, sunk in 1708 and recently discovered off Columbia in South America, is regarded as ‘the Holy Grail of all shipwrecks’ for its incredible sunken treasure. Although this is not so much a story about the booty or the naval conflict involved. It’s more about how these battles, once waged by gunships on the high seas, are now fought by
Three centuries after the British blew it out of the water, the booty battle for Spain’s most valuable treasure ship has shifted from the high seas to the high courts. Jack Gaioni reports.
lawyers in the high courts. In June of 1708 the San Jose set sail from Cartagena, Columbia, with a cargo whose value exceeded Spain’s annual income. The gold, silver and emeralds aboard, mined by slaves in Spain’s colonies, was vital funding for its expensive War of Spanish Succession against the British. So bountiful was San Jose’s cargo that, had it arrived safely, it might have changed the course of Spanish history. The British knew this and had other ideas. They viewed the San Jose as a ‘bank vault with sails’ and ventured to capture the ship and ‘appropriate’ its treasure for English coffers.
HIDDEN DEPTHS: Wreck contains tonnes of priceless treasures
British Commodore Charles Wager and crew, armed with pistols, swords and knives tried three times to board the ship and were repelled. Wager then fired a cannon blast across the bow of the San Jose as a warning to surrender. That one mis-shot scored a direct hit on the ship’s gunpowder store.The galleon exploded and went down with 600 Spanish sailors and all of its treasure. For the following three centuries it has rested on the floor of the Caribbean, 16km off the Columbian coast. Then in 2015, the US-based Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute ‘officially’ discovered it, identifying the wreck in 600 metres of water via a hightech robotic submarine. The bronze cannons, engraved with unique dolphin images, were proof positive that it was indeed the San Jose. And yet, 300 years after the gun-battle at sea, and five years after the ship’s discovery, the modern-day battle over its valuable cargo has just begun. Columbia claims the cargo is theirs. After all, it had set sail from a Columbian port and was found in their territorial waters. Columbia’s president considers it an important part of his country’s cultural heritage.
SUNKEN GALLEON: Divers inspect a wreck in their search for treasure
The US salvage company, how- there are some legal preceever, is claiming ‘finders’ keep- dents. ers’. They make the case that In a similar case (2007), the the entire discovery was only American firm Odyssey Maritime made possible through their Exploration made an interesting own due diligence and funding. discovery. About 160km off the Indigenous groups from Peru, coast of Portugal, they manColumbia and Bolivia are also aged to salvage a ‘sizeable but staking a claim since their an- undetermined’ quantity of silver cestors mined the minerals as coinage from the wreckage of slaves. a Spanish frigate, the Nuestra Enter Spain, whose legal team Señora de las Mercedes. claim ‘not-soThey transportfast’ - there was ed her back to no entity known Tampa, Florida, Spain cites as Columbia for further asinternational when the San sessment. Not Jose went down. long after, the maritime law It was then part Spanish governto claim the of the Spanish ment challenged Empire. Furtherthe ownership of treasure more, Spain is the silver within citing Internathe US district tional maritime court system. A law which states that if a wreck bitter five-year court battle enis proved to be a warship, the sued but ultimately the courts cargo remains the property of ruled against Odyssey and the its country of origin (i.e. Spain). $357 million worth of silver Columbia has countered with was returned to Spain, where assertions that the ship was it remains under the auspices on a commercial, non-military of the Museum of Underwater venture. Archeology. Complicated? No doubt, but In yet another Spanish ship-
DRAMATIC: A depiction of the British attack that sent the San Jose and its cargo to the bottom of the sea
wreck wrangle, the courts ruled another way. In 1622 the Spanish treasure ship Señora Atocha sank somewhere between the Florida Keys and Havana, Cuba. It was heavily laden with copper, gold, silver, gems, indigo and, perhaps its most valuable cargo, tobacco. Once again, an American maritime salvage company identified and recovered some of Atocha’s booty. Spain, the State of Florida and even Cuba all claimed title, trying to force Treasure Salvors into a contract, giving them a 25% finders’ fee but no more. The salvage firm demanded full recompense and for eight years the case was adjudicated in international maritime law courts, state courts and even the US Supreme Court. Ultimately, the finders were awarded the rights to the entire treasure. Granted, legal rights to Spanish shipwrecks can get confusing. When there are over 1,000 documented Spanish ships wrecked en-route home from the New World, the stakes can be pretty high.
Coins
International law covers a spectrum of legal precedents making questions of ownership, national sovereignty, and finders’ fees even more speculative. Are the salvage companies pirates or archeologists? Are they plundering for profit or playing an important part in Spain’s cultural heritage? These questions are for the courts to decide. Recently, beachcombers along the east coast of Florida, armed with nothing more than handheld metal detectors, found a few Spanish coins which had washed ashore. The coins have been valued at $7,000 - a modest sum when compared to the San Jose treasure but not bad for a day at the beach. Florida’s law states that if the coins were found on dry land, the possession goes to the finders. If the coins were found in the water - even one centimetre of water - then they might be property of Florida or Spain or Cuba ... The beachcombers aren’t saying. My advice? Call a lawyer.
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CATALAN Dragons player Israel Folau has outraged fans after not taking the knee for the Black Lives Matter movement when playing against St Helens in Sunday’s Super League rugby match.
Sky-high scrap TWO men have been arrested after a fight broke out on a flight from Amsterdam to Ibiza. Tension rose between passengers, one topless, after several drunk men refused to wear facemasks.
Stitch in time CLEANING staff at the Ministry of Justice have been awarded the Cross of San Raimundo de Peñafort after turning the basement of the government building into a hand sewn face mask workshop.
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Dirty Minks
Brits on top
Spain may have a reputation for being a country full of passion and fiery lovers. But it seems that when it comes to bonking, it is the Brits that come out on top. Prudish Brits have defied expectations as new stats reveal that
Latin lovers not the lotharios they are made out to be couples in the UK are having the most sex in Europe. To collect the data BettingTips4You.com asked 2,729 adults in a relationship from
11 countries how often they slipped between the sheets. British lovers claimed to get randy around 12 times a month. Germany came next, with 11 sessions a month followed by the Netherlands This is Spain’s most ‘handsome’ man 2020 and Belgium Manuel Romo, from Extremadura, has been named the most on nine. handsome man in Spain. The 24-year-old has won the title of Meanwhile Mister International Spain 2020, after entering the beauty competition held in Castellon, on July 24. latin lovers Contrary to the ruling of the competition, a poll held by El limped beHuffington online revealed that 96% of 3009 voters, dishind with agreed with Romo being the best looking man in Spain. couples from The 6 foot 3 beauty pageant winner wore a national cosItaly, Spain tume, a gold swimming speedo, and an evening outfit for the and France categories in the competition. admitting Romo has a degree in Administration, Business management, that they did and law, and is currently living in Portugal. the horizontal In an interview with ¡Hola! he said his new title gives him a tango just two chance to be an ’ambassador for the 21st-century man, who to four times cares for himself on the outside but also on the inside.’ a month.
Who’s looking good?
The average love-making session for Brits was said to last around 19 minutes, with 15 per cent saying they usually did the dirty after drinking alcohol. Over a quarter of respondents said they preferred to bonk before breakfast, while some 21 per cent said they preferred sex before going to sleep. Of those who preferred sex in the morning some 36 per cent said it was because it set them up for the day and 38 per cent said it was because they were too tired in the evening. Spokesman John Pentin said: “Surely, this survey dismantles the myth of the Latin countries being hot-blooded lovers. “The EU should be worried that with Brexit they are losing the best-performing sex country in the whole continent!”
SCIENTISTS have begun research to see if humans can catch coronavirus back from Minks after an outbreak in a farm in La Puebla de Valverde during the height of the virus. At the time, 14 employees tested positive for COVID-19, with two others becoming infected after the operation was closed down. Currently researchers say it is “plausible” that some workers caught the virus back from minks but are uncertain of the extent of the threat. Over 92,000 minks were killed at the farm in Aragon as approximately nine out of 10 of the animals had contracted the virus.
Teen surprise TRAFFIC cops who pulled over a driver found he was a 13-year-old barely able to peek over the steering wheel. Alicante Policia Local agents got early morning reports of a car driving erratically around the Lo Morant park area of the city and intercepted the vehicle.