Good morning!
Here’s your news update to kick off this holiday week. ???
Surprise Royal Visit
The Royal Family made an unannounced visit on Sunday to Catarroja, Picanya, and other parts of Valencia affected by recent floods. The King, Queen, and Princesses came without any fanfare or politicians in tow, engaging directly with local residents.
?? Read more about the visit in Las Provincias.
Christmas Lottery Winners
The Christmas lottery brought a sprinkle of luck to Valencia on Sunday, with some winners in flood-affected areas. While the largest prizes were won elsewhere, there was a notable surge in ticket purchases and sharing in disaster-hit regions.
?? Details in Las Provincias.
Transport Update
Good news for commuters! Metrovalencia announced that the section connecting Paterna and Liria on Line 2 will be fully operational again starting Tuesday, December 24.
?? Check the Metrovalencia website for more updates.
Weather Alerts and Air Quality Concerns
- Strong Winds and Rain: AEMET has issued an orange alert for strong winds and heavy rain, particularly in the Castellón area.
?? Details on the weather alert via Las Provincias. - Saharan Dust: Valencia City Council has reactivated an air quality warning as Saharan dust blankets the city.
?? Learn more from Las Provincias. - Ski Season Begins: Nearby ski resorts are benefiting from the temperature dip.
?? Check out Cadena Ser for more.
Flood Recovery
- Emergency Unit Reinstated: Generalitat President Carlos Mazón is reinstating the emergency unit dismantled before the floods, following criticism.
?? Coverage in El País. - Labor Shortages: A lack of construction workers, electricians, and renovation specialists is slowing recovery efforts.
?? Full story in El País. - New Platform to Help: A new platform, Reconstruim, aims to match businesses with much-needed specialists.
?? Visit Reconstruim for more information. - Expert Insight: Valencia Plaza features an interview with Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, an LSE professor and disaster recovery advisor, on how Valencia can rebuild more effectively.
?? Read the interview on Valencia Plaza.
Best Almuerzo of 2025
The Cacau d’Or 2025 has been awarded to Casa Baldo for its spectacular bocadillo: a sweet-and-savory combination of chicken, tortilla, melted brie, and orange-honey dressing.
?? Discover more about this award-winning dish in El País.
That’s all for now! Stay safe and enjoy the week ahead.