Buenos días! ? Here’s your news update to start the week.
Showdown in Court
A legal case in the Catarroja courts has escalated into a political showdown between the national government and Valencia’s regional Consell, with both sides accusing each other of mismanaging the flood disaster response. Las Provincias reports.
As political blame-shifting continues, the court is emerging as one of the most reliable sources for uncovering what actually happened. This week, the judge is expected to request more details on which officials authorized the delayed emergency alert. More coverage from El País and Onda Cero.
Major Fire Disrupts Central Valencia
A fire broke out at a bingo hall near Plaza España on Friday, forcing the evacuation of dozens of residents as smoke engulfed the area. Several people were treated for smoke inhalation, though reports indicate that the building did not suffer structural damage. Read more from Valencia Plaza and El País.
The fire also caused severe damage to water pipes, leading to temporary displacement of nearby residents. More details from Levante-EMV and À Punt Media.
New High-Speed Trains Coming to Valencia
Spain’s Transport Minister, Óscar Puente, has announced plans for a regional AVE high-speed rail network connecting major cities across the Valencian Community by 2027. El País has the details.
Ecuadorian Vote in Valencia
Thousands of Ecuadorians in Valencia cast their ballots in their home country’s presidential elections. Valencia served as one of the main polling centers for over 30,000 Ecuadorian residents. More from À Punt Media.
New Fallas Regulations for 2025
The Valencia Ayuntamiento has issued new regulations for this year’s Fallas festival, aimed at addressing noise complaints and ensuring events stay on schedule. Full details here.
Key changes include:
- Stricter penalties for falleros who fail to follow schedule guidelines. À Punt explains the sanctions.
- New rules on when and where hand-held fireworks can be used. Las Provincias has more.
- Special considerations for Fallas affected by flood damage. More here.
? For those hoping to watch the Mascletà from the Ayuntamiento balcony, a lottery for spots is open until Wednesday, February 12. Register here.
Valencia on Film
Valencia continues to be a popular location for film productions:
- A Spanish historical film, based on The Dinner and set during the Spanish Civil War, has been shooting at the Post Office and Ateneo buildings. See the film set transformation in Las Provincias.
- Netflix is filming the second season of Respira in Valencia, with scenes shot at the Port and Polytechnic Campus. More details here.
That’s all for today! Check back on Thursday for another news roundup and a preview of weekend events.