Tag: spain

Week in News: Heatwave, Political Vandalism, Trash Woes, and Bulls on the Run

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

Valencia News: Blackout Inquiry, Rising Homelessness, and Weekend Brawl Turns Deadly

Buenos días! Here’s your news roundup for Monday, 5 May.

Nationwide Blackout and Energy Concerns

This Wednesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is expected to address parliament about the cause of last week’s nationwide blackout.
A Punt – Sanchez to explain blackout

In the meantime, Iberdrola has announced scheduled electricity cuts this week for maintenance. A full list of affected areas and times can be found here:
Las Provincias – Iberdrola announces temporary electricity cuts

The New York Times has reprinted a moving editorial by Spanish journalist Paco Cerdà about how Valencia came together during the blackout:
New York Times – Spain in the dark is safer than elsewhere with power

A new study urges Spain to expand its electric grid’s storage capacity and reconsider plans to phase out nuclear energy.
Valencia Plaza – FEDEA warns against closing nuclear plants

More than half of Valencia’s electricity comes from outside the region, prompting calls to reassess local energy production and resilience.
Las Provincias – Valencia’s energy dependency

Politics in Valencia

President Carlos Mazón traveled to the United States to promote Valencian business, but his visit drew controversy when a giant billboard in Times Square criticized his handling of the October flood disaster.
El Pais – Compromis sends a message to Mazon via Times Square

Mazón also announced a cultural deal to bring 100 works by Valencian painter Joaquín Sorolla from the US to Valencia in a special exhibition—though the cost could reach several million euros.
Levante – Operación Sorolla

Meanwhile, the investigation into the October flood continues. Here’s a useful overview of the main figures and charges involved in the Catarroja case:
Valencia Plaza – Who’s who in the DANA court case

Flood Recovery

The flood significantly altered the course of the Turia River, which remains at risk due to accumulated silt and debris.
Levante – The dangers of the Turia after the DANA

A recent study found that the most damaging floodwaters on 29 October came from downstream of official water gauges, possibly delaying early warnings.
Valencia Plaza – The flows of the Poyo came downstream of water meters

Housing Shortage

Valencia is seeing a shift from tourist apartments to a new trend called “flex living”—short-term housing designed for digital nomads and young professionals.
Las Provincias – Boom in ‘flex living’ creates 3000 new homes

One notable example: a former drug hub in El Grao is being converted into a high-end flex-living complex.
Levante – A drug supermarket transforms into flexliving

Changing City

The number of homeless encampments in the Turia River park has surpassed 100 and continues to grow. More than half are now camped under bridges between Puente Real and Puente Glorias Valencianas.
Las Provincias – Homeless exceed 100

In a related case, the trial of a homeless man accused of murder and attempted assault in the Turia River park ended with a ruling of mental unfitness. Prosecutors seek a 25-year sentence in a psychiatric facility.
Levante – Riverbed killer deemed mentally unfit

Separately, the city has ordered the closure of four restaurants near the Marina’s Veles e Vents esplanade, citing expired licenses and a rethinking of future use for the space.
Levante – Four restaurants closing at the Marina

Spain’s Chinese community is also undergoing a shift: facing competition from online retail, many are closing traditional bazaars and transitioning to the service sector.
Las Provincias – The Chinese community says adiós to bazaars

Crime and Corruption

A violent brawl between clans in Nazaret over the weekend resulted in one death and several injuries. Police say the dispute began over loud music.
Las Provincias – Fear, pain, and revenge at dawn in Valencia

A new phone scam is targeting WhatsApp and Bizum users in Valencia. Be cautious with suspicious messages requesting private information for voting in online competitions or unexpected requests for transfers.
Las Provincias – Massive scam on Bizum

In Oviedo, three children were rescued from a home where they were allegedly confined for years by their parents, reportedly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Euronews – The house of horrors

Climate and Environment

Due to extreme fire risk, Valencia’s city council has activated water cannons in the El Saler forest area to keep vegetation damp and prevent wildfires.
Las Provincias – El Saler water cannons deployed

A man has been sentenced to nine months in prison for deliberately setting fire in the protected Dehesa nature reserve.
El País – El Saler arsonist convicted

To prepare for rising summer temperatures, the city is rolling out a network of “climate refuges”—shaded outdoor spaces designed to stay below 27°C even during extreme heat.
Valencia Plaza – What are climate refuges?

Public Information Campaign

The city council is relaunching its public awareness campaign for the 010 phone/text service. Residents can use it to request municipal services without visiting the Ayuntamiento in person. Although the service is already available, only a quarter of residents currently use it.
Valencia.es – Promotional campaign for 010