Spain's Catholic Church has reached an agreement with the government to compensate victims of sexual abuse by clergy, aiming to address past failures and expand access to justice, including cases beyond the statute of limitations. The new system involves a government-managed process where victims can seek symbolic, psychological, or economic reparations, with the Church responsible for executing these reparations. This move follows global trends of addressing historical abuse within the Church and is seen as a moral and moral debt repayment.
Argentina secured their first win of the 2026 United Cup in Perth by defeating Spain 3-0, with key victories from Sebastian Baez and Solana Sierra, as they aim to advance out of the group stage for the first time.
The article highlights upcoming vintage luxury train routes launching in 2026, including a Spanish route on the restored Al Andalus train from Seville to Madrid, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to the Amalfi Coast with cultural experiences, and the revival of the historic L’Orient Express with restored art deco cabins, offering travelers immersive and opulent rail journeys across Europe.
Cecilia Giménez, the Spanish woman famous for her well-intentioned but widely mocked restoration of the 'Ecce Homo' fresco, has died at age 94. Her attempt to restore the deteriorated painting of Jesus Christ in Borja, Spain, resulted in a cartoonish version that became an internet sensation and turned her small town into a tourist attraction. Despite the controversy, she was celebrated as a passionate lover of painting.
Over 3,000 migrants died attempting to reach Spain by sea in 2025, a significant decrease from the previous year due to tighter border controls, but the routes have become more dangerous, with increased shipwrecks and new migration pathways emerging, highlighting ongoing human rights concerns and inadequate rescue efforts.
Spain's €22.4bn wine industry faces a critical need to attract 22,600 young workers due to an aging workforce and rural depopulation, compounded by climate challenges and a lack of entrepreneurial culture among youth. Industry leaders emphasize modernizing vineyards, promoting sustainability, and telling the sector's story to secure its future.
The Els Enfarinats festival in Ibi, Spain, features revelers engaging in a playful battle using flour, eggs, and firecrackers, as captured in a series of photos by AP.
The falling price of cocaine has led drug traffickers to reuse narco-submarines instead of sinking them, as market saturation reduces profitability. Spanish police have observed increased activity of these semi-submersibles, along with a rise in synthetic drug laboratories across Europe, indicating evolving trafficking strategies amid changing market conditions.
Raytheon Technologies has secured a $1.7 billion contract to supply Spain with four Patriot air and missile defense systems, which are highly effective against aircraft and missiles. The deal highlights ongoing international orders for Patriot systems, with additional sales to Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and support for Ukraine's defense. The Patriot system is a key component of global missile defense, developed by Raytheon and deployed worldwide.
Spain's ruling Socialists suffered a historic defeat in the Extremadura regional election, losing ground to the conservative Popular Party and far-right Vox, amid corruption scandals and internal controversies, signaling challenges for the party's wider prospects.
Spain's feminist government led by Pedro Sanchez faces political challenges due to sexual misconduct scandals within his party, which are eroding support among women voters and threatening upcoming regional elections, despite the government's efforts to promote gender equality.
Spain's ruling party, PSOE, faces a crucial regional election in Extremadura amid recent corruption and harassment scandals involving its members, which could signal a broader political shift favoring the conservative PP and Vox across Spain.
Early snowfall occurred in New York with significant accumulations due to a cold front, while southern Spain was hit by Storm Emilia, causing a tornado in Málaga that damaged Christmas lights and resulted in substantial damages, highlighting diverse weather events across regions.
Spain plans to establish a national network of climate shelters in public buildings to protect people from intense heat, as part of broader efforts to combat the increasing frequency and severity of heatwaves and climate-related disasters, following a record hot summer and devastating wildfires in 2025.
Spain fined Airbnb 75 million dollars for advertising unlicensed tourist rentals that lacked proper license information, amid ongoing efforts to address the country's housing affordability crisis. Airbnb plans to challenge the fine and is working to comply with new registration requirements.
