Spain's government suffered a significant parliamentary defeat on January 27, 2026, as Congress rejected an 'omnibus' Royal Decree. The comprehensive legislative package, which included a 2.7% pension revaluation for 2026, public transport subsidies, and eviction protections, was voted down by opposition parties, impacting millions of citizens.
Spanish authorities are investigating a 38-year-old Chinese national, owner of a hair salon near Barcelona, for allegedly funneling approximately €600,000 in cryptocurrency to Hamas. The probe, which began in June 2025, uncovered at least 31 crypto transactions. The suspect has been released with restrictions.
Malaga's taxi community is in alarm after a series of armed robberies, including two in less than a week, targeting drivers in the Palma-Palmilla district. Drivers are demanding increased security measures and financial aid for surveillance cameras.
Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1, has advanced to his maiden Australian Open final after an arduous five-set semifinal win over Alexander Zverev. The thrilling match, lasting over five hours, saw Alcaraz overcome cramps to secure his spot in Sunday's championship match at Rod Laver Arena.
Spain's industrial sector is forecast to be the primary driver of job growth in 2026, contributing to an estimated 450,000 new jobs. This surge is expected to help reduce the national unemployment rate to around 10.2%, building on a positive economic trajectory.
Storm Kristin battered Spain on January 28, 2026, bringing hurricane-force winds up to 130 km/h, heavy snowfall, and torrential rain. The storm caused significant disruption, including flipped trucks, widespread power outages, road and rail closures, and evacuations, with red alerts issued across multiple regions.
Spain's government has approved a royal decree to grant legal status to approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants. The measure, bypassing parliamentary approval, aims to address labor shortages and demographic challenges, allowing eligible individuals to obtain work and residency permits.
Archaeologists have discovered imported Paleolithic stone blades from France at a site in central Spain, indicating the existence of long-distance social networks spanning 600-700 kilometers between 26,000 and 22,000 years ago. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the complexity of Ice Age hunter-gatherer societies.
A 19-year-old Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker, the Chariot Tide, carrying between 300,000 and 425,000 barrels of refined oil products, is adrift without power 60-80 kilometers off Spain's Costa del Sol. The incident, caused by a catastrophic mechanical failure, has raised significant environmental concerns, drawing comparisons to the 2002 Prestige disaster.
A 33-year-old British woman, identified as Victoria, was murdered in Alhaurín el Grande, Malaga, on Saturday, January 24. Her ex-partner, Juan A. R., has been arrested after reportedly surrendering to authorities. The incident is being investigated as a case of gender-based violence, highlighting concerns about the effectiveness of protection measures.
Air Europa has announced a new direct flight route from Guanajuato's Bajío International Airport to Madrid-Barajas Airport, marking Guanajuato's first direct air link to Europe. The agreement was finalized during FITUR 2026, with flights expected to commence in 2026.
Turkish authorities have requested the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with Spain's historic 9.9-ton cocaine seizure. The arrests follow a parallel investigation into the drug trafficking network, which saw 13 crew members, including four Turkish nationals, detained in Spain.
Spain has officially begun its co-presidency of the WestMED Initiative for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Western Mediterranean, a role it will hold from January 2026 through the end of 2027. The country aims to foster synergies across sea basin strategies and maritime sectors, working alongside Tunisia in 2026 and Algeria in 2027.
Spain's railway infrastructure manager, Adif, has temporarily lowered the speed limit for high-speed trains to 160 km/h on a 187-kilometer section between Barcelona and Madrid. This decision follows reports of track irregularities by train drivers and comes days after a fatal high-speed train collision in Andalusia that killed at least 41 people.
Manuel Naharro Gata of the Popular Party (PP) has been elected as the new president of the Assembly of Extremadura in a second round of voting. He secured the position with the support of his party's 29 votes, taking office in Mérida, Spain.
Spain has pledged €75 million in developmental support to Palestine over the next two years, including budget support and aid for UNRWA and humanitarian efforts. The commitment was made alongside a reaffirmation of Spain's role in mobilizing donor countries for the 'Emergency Alliance for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Government' fund, which aims to stabilize Palestinian finances amidst withheld tax revenues.
A 61-year-old Colombian man was arrested in Madrid's Usera district on Saturday, January 17, 2026, for allegedly stabbing his 50-year-old ex-partner in the neck. The victim, also Colombian, sustained serious injuries but is reportedly out of danger thanks to prompt police and medical intervention. The incident occurred in a park on Camino de Perales.
A 19-year-old man tragically passed away in Alicante's Playa de San Juan on Friday, January 16, 2026, after choking on a tangerine segment while walking with a friend. Emergency services attempted reanimation without success, and an autopsy will confirm the cause of death.
Spain's European Union-harmonised annual inflation rate decreased to 3.0% in December, down from 3.2% in November. The National Statistics Institute (INE) reported that core inflation remained stable at 2.6% year-on-year, holding above the European Central Bank's target.
Spain's CaixaBank has been hit with fines exceeding €30 million by Sepblac for anti-money laundering (AML) failings. The penalties are linked to a decade-old real estate transaction involving the sale of Madrid's Torre Foster, a deal inherited from the acquired lender Bankia. The bank has appealed the decision.
