Week in News: Flying Flowers, Flight Fiasco, and Floating Luxury

Buenos días! Here is your news update for Monday, 28 July.

Housekeeping note: This will be the last news update for the summer. Pont de Valencia will take a break in August. See you in September!

Valencia’s annual Batalla de Flores closed the July fair with a riot of color and flying carnations.
Photo gallery from Las Provincias | Valencia Plaza gallery | Levante recap

A guerrilla artist sparked controversy by turning President Mazon into a movie villain in a spoof poster downtown.
News kiosts denounce “superbad” poster – Las Provincias

A diplomatic row erupted after 50 Jewish teens were removed from a Vueling flight at Valencia Airport.
The eviction of 50 Jewish youths sparks an international conflict – Las Provincias

The 9th protest against Mazon is planned for Tuesday, 29 July at l’Horta Sud’s flood “Ground Zero,” demanding accountability.
Ninth protest against Mazon planned – Levante-EMV

Flood victims are demanding an independent investigation from the Diputación into emergency response failures. Meanwhile, the Catarroja court investigation is probing whether the CHJ water authority failed to give timely flood warnings.
Flood victims demand an independent audit to “know the truth” – El País
Dana investigation supports thesis that CHJ did not give warning – Valencia Plaza

A vast 1,500-hectare green park has been proposed to protect Valencia from future floods and host cultural events. The proposal is to make it a recreational area for concerts and festivals.
The Consell presents a plan for urban parks as anti-flood defense – El País
Valencia to open “festival-drome” for major open-air events – 7TeleValencia

Activists want the Ricardo Tormo racetrack removed from Cheste’s floodplain. Meanwhile, the role of the nearby Cheste dam is being questioned for flood defense.
Local groups demand elimination of Tormo racetrack – Valencia Plaza
The Cheste dam, a project discarded – Las Provincias

Labour shortages are forcing Valencia’s farms to use innovative methods to find workers.
Farms turn to digital platforms to recruit seasonal labor – Valencia Plaza

Investment funds are under scrutiny for employing heavy-handed tactics to pressure tenants out of their homes.
Tenant resisting eviction finds her belongings thrown down the stairwell – El País

Noise complaints in the trendy Russafa neighborhood have led to the installation of special noise-absorbing street furniture.
Umbrellas to reduce noise in Russafa – 7TeleValencia

The Alameda spa remains shuttered due to bidding delays after a Legionnaires’ disease scare.
Alameda spa struggles in bidding process – Valencia Plaza

The historic fishermen’s market in Cabanyal remains neglected despite its heritage status.
La Lonja de Pescadores: the heritage jewel abandoned to its fate – Las Provincias

Birth rates are declining across three districts in Valencia, reflecting broader demographic trends.
The Community is running out of babies – Las Provincias

Port Saplaya beaches remain closed indefinitely due to ongoing contamination.
Beaches in Port Saplaya still closed: all the details – Valencia Extra

A new podcast highlights how the Mediterranean is warming 20% faster than the rest of the planet. In Spanish.
Samira Khodayar talks about the warming of the Mediterranean – Levante-EMV

A new Joaquin Sorolla museum is coming to Valencia, housing the second-largest collection of his works. That will include an immersive Fallas exhibit for visitors to experience all year.
Valencia will have the second-largest collection in the world – El País
An immersive cube to relive Fallas – Valencia Extra

Valencia’s 200-year-old botanical garden has some hidden gems.
Secrets of the Jardí Botànic – Las Provincias

A local shop sells nostalgic souvenirs that capture Valencia’s quirky past.
Pablo sells Valencia’s most original souvenirs – Valencia Plaza