Bon dia! Here is your news update for Monday, 7 July.
Weather Alert
The heatwave scorching Europe has claimed at least two lives in the Valencia region and caused infrastructure damage, including burst water pipes in El Palmar. The AEMET meteorological agency warns that extreme heat may be followed by storms and even hail.
Two people die from heatstroke in Alicante and Castellón – El País
Heat causes burst pipes on two consecutive nights in El Palmar – Las Provincias
AEMET warns of storms, hail, and gales as temperatures soar – Levante-EMV
The increasing frequency of heatwaves is fueling political debate about how Valencia should adapt to climate change.
Climate shelters, awnings, or more gardens? Heat adaptation becomes political – Valencia Plaza
Politics in Valencia
The PSPV Socialist Party headquarters in Valencia was defaced with black paint, amid public anger over corruption allegations. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also came under pressure from the opposition Partido Popular during its national congress, with the possibility of early elections looming.
PSPV headquarters vandalized with black paint – Las Provincias
Latest updates on Spain’s political developments – El País
Socialist officials in Valencia accuse the regional PP of using corruption headlines to distract from its mismanagement, particularly in the delayed response to the October floods. New court testimony reveals that the Generalitat was warned about possible flash floods days before the disaster.
PP uses Ábalos posters to deflect from criticism over flood response – El País
Mazón’s government knew about flash flood risk five days in advance – El País
Flood Recovery
Nine months after October’s devastating floods, a new bridge over the Poyo ravine has been partially reopened to traffic.
New bridge to Torrent opens to traffic – Las Provincias
President Mazón met with victims’ families for the second time last week. While past meetings have been contentious, this time, families focused on infrastructure demands rather than calling for his resignation.
Mazón meets flood victims’ association for second time – El País
Meanwhile, coordination between regional and national governments remains poor. Separate, unaligned flood recovery plans have delayed implementation, and only a fraction of allocated funds have been spent.
Governments pursue separate reconstruction plans without coordination – Valencia Plaza
Only €292 million of €700 million flood fund has been spent – Levante-EMV
Changing City & Development
Housing Crisis
Mayor María José Catalá has dismissed claims that tourism is driving Valencia’s housing crisis. She insists the problem lies in a lack of public housing, not short-term rentals.
Catalá: “It’s perverse to link tourism to housing shortage” – Valencia Plaza
Trash Troubles
A recent city cleanliness survey ranked overflowing garbage containers as the second most pressing issue for residents — just behind unaffordable housing.
Valencia ranks poorly for street cleanliness – Levante-EMV
Youth Travel Controversy
Valencia youth criticized the phased rollout of the Móbilis 30 card, which offered free transport until 1 July. Confusion and delays sparked backlash on social media.
Free transport for under-31s ends as Móbilis 30 launches – Levante-EMV
Crime & Public Safety
Authorities are searching for the driver of an Audi A4 involved in a high-speed crash caught on camera. The video shows the vehicle forcing another car to flip dramatically.
Civil Guard hunts Audi driver after highway hit-and-run – Las Provincias
A chemical spill in Alcàsser caused a lockdown and led the DGT to warn drivers to seal windows to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
Toxic gas leak from truck forces lockdown in Alcàsser – Las Provincias
History & Memory
Archaeologists are using DNA testing to identify three possible Civil War victims discovered in a mass grave in Riba-roja.
Three Civil War-era bodies found in Riba-roja mass grave – Las Provincias
In Other News
Awa Fam, a rising basketball star born in Valencia to Senegalese parents, shares her dreams of playing for the national team — and the WNBA.
? Awa Fam: “My dream has always been the national team and WNBA” – Las Provincias
The San Fermín Festival begins Monday in Pamplona, featuring nine days of celebration and the famous daily running of the bulls.
Pamplona kicks off nine-day San Fermín festival – Las Provincias