Bon Dia! ?? Here’s your Thursday news update.
A weekend post will be out shortly.
Weather Alert
The Aemet meteorological agency has issued a yellow alert for strong winds in the Valencian Community. Temperatures are expected to be higher than normal for January, with the possibility of showers. Read more on Las Provincias. Emergency services have also been placed on high alert due to the increased risk of forest fires fueled by strong winds. Details from À Punt.
Flood Recovery
Political tensions continue to affect flood recovery efforts in the region. Valencia’s regional government is requesting additional funds from the federal government to accelerate recovery efforts. More on Las Provincias.
Beach cleanups are proceeding at uneven speeds, with urban beaches receiving more attention than others. Valencia Plaza reports on the disparities. The Ayuntamiento of Valencia has criticized the federal government for delays in addressing the cleanup. À Punt has the story.
Secret Passages Revealed by Floods
Flood cleanup efforts have uncovered a network of underground tunnels and shelters dating back to the Spanish Civil War in Paiporta. Some homes had to be evacuated due to the risk of collapse after the floods expanded these structures. Levante has the full story.
50 Years Since Franco’s Death
On Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez launched the first in a series of events commemorating the death of Francisco Franco, Spain’s military dictator from 1939 to 1975. In his speech, Sánchez highlighted the importance of Spain’s transition to democracy and warned against the growing influence of far-right movements across Europe, including a controversial tech billionaire. Read more in this Reuters report.
Medical System Under Strain
Hospitals across Valencia are struggling to cope with a surge in respiratory infections, including Covid-19 and RSV. Waitlists for hospital beds and emergency services have been reported. Read more on Levante.
Crime and Corruption News
A police captain in Betera is under investigation for allegedly tipping off drug dealers. El País reports. This comes on the heels of a a Guardia Civil captain at the Port of Valencia recently arrested for aiding drug traffickers. Details on Las Provincias. In an unrelated incident, 940 kilos of cocaine were seized at a truck loading facility in Alfafar. Levante has the story.
Wealth and Poverty Map of Valencia
Valencia Plaza has published a visual report on the city’s growing wealth inequality, highlighting the richest and poorest neighborhoods. Explore the report here.
New Life for Nou Mestalla
After nearly 16 years of delays, construction has finally resumed on the Nou Mestalla stadium. More on what to expect from Las Provincias.
That’s all for today. Check back for happenings and events this weekend!