Latest Spanish News In English
Inside Spain: What would it be like with fewer immigrants?
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-28 09:15:04Thereâs this hilarious and very telling skit by Spanish comedian José Mota thatâs doing the rounds on social media.
In it he plays a Spanish Prime Minister who is discussing with his cabinet members the immediate deportation of all of Spainâs immigrants, just as Vox actually proposed last year.
âOkay, so the plan is to kick them all out,â Mota says.
âHang on, not the Colombian lady that cares for my parents, because what would I do otherwise?â one cabinet member exclaims.
âThe immigrants that take care of the elderly can stay,â the Spanish premier says, âbut all the rest - out!â
âWhat about the waiters?â another politician asks, âI have a restaurant which canât survive without staffâ.
âThe ones in hospitality can stay, but all the rest out,â Mota repeats.
The gag continues until the Spanish PM gives a press conference informing reporters that his government will kick out all immigrants âexcept for those working as carers, those who pay taxes, those working in hospitality, the builders, the footballers, the ones working under the table so we can pay them less, the migrants working in the fields, the ones setting up restaurants with cheap tasty food, the bachata dance teachersâ¦â
So what would actually happen to Spain if there was a drastic reduction in immigration?
This is the question that a new report by the Spanish governmentâs National Office for Foresight and Strategy (ONPE) attempted to answer for the first time this week.
The report calculates the impact of reducing migration flows by 30 percent until 2075.
Experts analysed various indicators - from population and labour, to taxes and welfare - and the outlook was grim on all fronts.
To begin with, the Spanish population would shrink to 40 million inhabitants rather than the current 49 million. Thatâs 15 million fewer people than if migration stayed as it is now.
The majority of this lost population would be people of working age. This would mean that Spain's potential workforce would drop from 33 million in 2075 to 24 million, barely two million more than it has now.
Agriculture, hospitality, education, and healthcare would be hardest hit, four sectors which are fundamental to Spain's productive fabric.
This population loss would cause the closure of 220,000 farms, approximately 30 percent of the total operating in Spain. And with less production, a rise in the price of fruits and vegetables would be a given.
Something similar would happen in the hospitality industry. The ONPE estimates that 89,000 bars could disappear without migrant waiters and other staff who represent a significant portion of the workforce in this sector.
In terms of healthcare, 64,000 specialists would cease to exist. Despite the potential population decline, doctors would still have to treat on average 4 percent more patients. Without the current rates of immigration, the number of caregivers would also be 28 percent lower.
This is particularly worrying keeping in mind Spainâs increasingly aging population, with more than 2.7 million elderly people expected to require daily care by 2075.
The impact on education in Spain would also be catastrophic, resulting in 50,000 fewer classrooms - 32,000 in primary schools and another 18,000 in secondary schools.
READ ALSO: The myths surrounding Spain's mass regularisation of migrants
As for the macroeconomic data, the most obvious effect would be on Spainâs Gross Domestic Product, which in 2075 would be 22 percent lower than if immigration continues at the rate of recent years, according to the ONPE report.
Logically, fewer workers would mean smaller contributions to the Spanish Social Security pot.
So whereâs the money going to come from to pay for all those pensions? From the pockets of those who would get to stay in Spain, of course. Each worker would have to contribute approximately â¬2,000 more each year.
Spain would have to increase its corporate tax revenue by 14 percent or its VAT revenue by 6 percent.
So there you have it. Even though many in Spain long for the old days where the only surnames youâd hear would be DÃaz, RodrÃguez and GarcÃa, an España without enough new blood to work and pay taxes would clearly be weaker.
You only have to look at what happened to âEmpty Spainâ to realise that.
READ ALSO: Foreigners give 'Empty Spain' a new lease of life
Most dangerous roads in Spain revealed as Easter exodus brings millions back on the road
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-28 09:05:14The 2026 Easter holidays have filled the roads from the biggest cities with cars full of families heading to the coasts for some rest and relaxation during Spainâs first big holiday of the year since Christmas. Many hours of negotiating curvy motorways, bottlenecks in traffic and answering âAre we nearly there yet?â The danger of a prang or sudden hard brake on a long drive is at its highest during what the Spanish refer to as âoperación salidaâ.
A major new report highlights alarming black spots where accidents cluster far above national averages. For a driver, itâs good to know on which roads to be at oneâs most attentive.
295 kilometres flagged for extreme danger
Analysis by Automovilistas Europeos Asociados (AEA) has identified 295 kilometres of conventional roads and dual carriageways across 67 routes in 45 Spanish provinces where drivers need to be on the lookout. These stretches recorded an average danger index at least ten times higher than the national average between 2020 and 2025. Authorities counted 1,752 accidents resulting in 2,497 victims in those zones alone. The statistics go to show some serious safety challenges despite overall improvements in Spanish road infrastructure. Conventional roads continue to pose particular threats compared with high-capacity motorways.
Kilometre zero of A-77a tops the accident league.
Data singles out kilometre zero (the start) of the A-77a dual carriageway in Alicante as the single most incident-heavy location on Spainâs state road network. Officials logged a shocking 93 accidents and 141 victims there over the five-year period. No other stretch matches this raw volume of crashes and injuries.
Nearby sections follow closely in severity. Kilometre 17 of the T-11 near Tarragona saw 79 accidents and 113 victims, while kilometre 15 on the same route recorded 85 crashes and 103 people affected. Kilometre 12 of the A-55 near Mos in Galicia also ranks high, with 57 accidents and 95 victims. But, Alicante Province is still not the worst place to drive in Spain.
Asturiasâ roads show the highest relative risk.
Certain conventional roads stand out for their extreme danger index rather than sheer numbers. Stretches at kilometres 55 and 59 on the N-632, linking Villaviciosa and Gijon in Asturias, register a peril level 167 times above the national average. Such elevated ratios signal serious design or usage problems that demand urgent attention.
Toll motorways harbour hidden dangers.
High-capacity toll roads also feature worrying black spots. AEA researchers pinpointed around 100 motorway sections with danger indices at least double the national figure of 4.4. These areas produced 502 accidents and 846 victims, mostly minor in outcome.
Particularly notable remains kilometre 17 of the AP-41 toll motorway in Toledo province. Its danger index reaches 74.3, exceeding the national benchmark by a factor of 16. Heavy traffic volumes combined with specific layout issues likely contribute to repeated incidents.
Call for urgent action on persistent black spots
Experts at AEA compiled the findings using the official Mean Danger Index drawn from state road data for 2020-2025. The organisation urges drivers to exercise extra caution in identified zones while pressing regional and national authorities to eliminate longstanding hazards through targeted engineering works, improved signage, and speed management.
Spain maintains strong overall road safety records in Europe, yet these concentrated high-risk pockets reveal where further investment could save lives. Motorists benefit from staying alert, respecting limits, and planning routes around known trouble areas.
For those unaccustomed to driving on Spanish roads, they may appear hair-raising to some drivers, but they are far from the most dangerous in Europe in 2026.
Most dangerous countries to drive in Europe
Top 10 European Countries with Highest Road Fatality Rates (approx. 2024 data, deaths per million inhabitants)
Serbia â' 78. Tops lists as Europeâs most dangerous for driving overall. High rates reflect busy rural routes and challenging highways like the Ibar Highway.
Romania â' 77 (2024) / around 68 (preliminary 2025) â' Frequently ranks among the worst in the EU, with poor road quality in many areas contributing to elevated risks, especially on rural stretches.
Bulgaria â' 74 (2024) / around 71 (2025) Consistently high, with southeastern regions showing particularly elevated local rates well above the EU average.
Greece â' around 64. Has seen some increases or fluctuations, placing it in the upper levels of riskier European nations.
Croatia â' around 62â'67. Groups with other high-rate southeastern countries in both EU and broader European assessments.
Portugal â' around 60. Appears in extended high-risk groupings for southern Europe.
Italy â' around 51. Higher than the EU average despite advanced infrastructure in parts of the country.
Other notable higher-than-average countries include certain yearsâ data for nations like Latvia, Lithuania, or Poland, though they generally fall below the top cluster. Non-EU countries such as Montenegro or Moldova sometimes show elevated rates in broader WHO or global statistics, but comprehensive pan-European comparisons focus heavily on the above.
Whenever, wherever? Bitter row erupts in Madrid over planned concert residency at âShakira Stadiumâ
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-28 09:00:00A BITTER political row has broken out in Madrid over a series of planned late summer concerts by international superstar artist Shakira.
The Colombian singer is set to descend on the Spanish capital for a nine-day residency in September to bring an end to her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour, a 103-show strong live run that has already raked in more than â¬360 million in revenue.
She is set to perform on September 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 7, and October 2, 3 and 4 at the so-called âShakira Stadiumâ in the cityâs Villaverde district, a temporary pop-up venue designed solely for the singerâs shows.
But the string of gigs â' and choice of arena location â' has provoked a rift between the central government, Madridâs regional authorities and local residents.
The governmentâs delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martin, wrote to city mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida to formally request that he abstains from authorising large-scale events at the venue until safety for attendees can be guaranteed.
In a letter sent on Monday, he urged the conservative Partido Popular (PP) mayor to âreconsiderâ his position, citing ârecent precedentsâ that have cast doubt on the siteâs ability to ensure accessibility, mobility and safety are effectively in place.
READ MORE: Shakira: âI was publicly burned at the stake by the Spanish tax authoritiesâ
These include issues at the MadCool music festival and a concert by popular British musician Harry Styles, both previously hosted there.
Madrid struck back robustly, with the regional minister for housing, transport and infrastructure accusing Martin of being a âpawnâ of prime minister Pedro Sanchez.
âI guarantee that these concerts will take place, and they will do so with all the necessary safety measures â' some of which fall under his responsibility,â said Jorge Rodrigo.
Caught in the crossfire are local residents living nearby, who have alerted the government to apparent serious structural failures at the site.
âItâs the wrong location, without proper access, and it only works by shutting down the entire industrial estate â' something taxpayers pay for, not the venue itself,â said Gema Martin, an activist with Stop MadCool.
She added: âThe so-called stadium is just a metal structure that will likely amplify noise. Noise limits will be exceeded, as always, and neither the council nor the promoter will do anything about it.â
But the Shakira residency is set to get ahead anyway, with Live Nation â' organisers of the gigs â' stressing that they believe the venue âworks very wellâ.
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
2 bedroom Flat for sale in Cotobro â' ⬠675,000
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-28 09:01:20Facing southeast and located on the first floor of a beachfront building on the quiet Cotobro Beach, with a huge terrace and very pleasant views⦠The promenade is very charming and ideal for walking or cycling, 2.5 km from the centre of Almuñécar. As we enter the building, we immediately notice that this block, despite its age, or perhaps because of it, is going to offer us a very special flat. The interior of the property: on entering, to the right, there is a bathroom with shower and next to it a small single bedroom. On the opposite side is the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and⦠See full property details
Cotobro, Granada
Click here to read more News from The Olive Press.
What to do in Malaga during Holy Week: new musical, gourmet hamburgers and free tours
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 14:05:09Thursday and Friday The Philharmonic Orchestra at Teatro CervantesThe Philharmonic Orchestra is performing this Thursday and Friday as part of the 2025-26 season programme. The recitals start at 8pm and feature Easter Oratorio, BWV249 by Johann Sebastian Bach and Requiem, K.626 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Ticket prices range from 12 to 36 euros.Friday to Sunday Tarzan: The MusicalIn Victorian London, the Porter family gathers to hear the legend of Tarzan - the boy raised by gorillas in a magical and mysterious jungle. Isabella, the wise nurse and shaman who has cared for Jane since her childhood, narrates this story full of magic and secrets. When William Clayton announces the possibility of returning to the island that marked their destiny, Jane, Archi and young Charlie embark on an adventure full of challenges and discoveries.This is how Tarzan: The Musical starts. The musical is coming to Sohrlin AndalucÃa from 27 to 29 March and then again from 10 to 12 April. The performances are at 8pm on Friday, 5pm and 8.30pm on Saturday and and 5pm on Sunday. The duration of the show is two hours and tickets start from 45 euros.Friday Flamenco in SohoThe Flamenco en el Soho cycle welcomes Manuel Lombo this Friday, with his show Piano y Voz, which offers an intimate experience. It starts at 8pm, with prices from 30 euros up.This weekend ConcertsMalaga-born singer Pablo López comes to Teatro Cervantes this weekend with El niño del espacio and performances at 8pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday. Ticket prices range from 24 to 90 euros. Malaga band Lord Malvo is performing at La Cochera on Friday, presenting their second album, Cuánto Cuesta. LÃder J is performing at La Trinchera on Friday; Ãngel Stanich Band on Saturday; and Compota de Manana on Sunday. Paris 15 is hosting Paula Mattheus on Friday and Samuraï on Saturday.Until 5 April The Champions Burger in MarbellaThe La Caridad estate in San Pedro Alcántara is hosting the All Star tour of The Champions Burger - the largest gastronomic event dedicated to gourmet burgers in Spain. The event takes place until 5 April, bringing together more than 15 hamburger restaurants touring the country, in addition to local offers. The opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 6pm to midnight and Friday to Sunday from 12pm to midnight. More detailsFriday Record-breaking torrija in Cuevas de San MarcosCuevas de San Marcos is looking for a new record-breaking torrija (French toast), with a 15-metre-long torrija, five more than last year. Paseo Federico GarcÃa Lorca is hosting this event at 5pm. More detailsUntil 5 April Ajobacalao Route in Vélez-MálagaVélez-Málaga's Ruta del Ajobacalao pays tribute to one of the most representative and traditional dishes of the town's gastronomy. The event is taking place until 5 April, including a prize of 200 euros for the best ajobacalao and a special mention for the best dish. More detailsSaturday Open Day at the PompidouThe Pompidou centre is celebrating its eleventh anniversary on 28 March with an open day. Visitors will be able to visit the temporary exhibition AM CB. Annette Messager and Christian Boltanski, which brings together some 30 works by two artists whose creative relationship has left a mark on contemporary art. There will be guided visits at 12pm, 1pm, 5pm and 6pm. There will also be 'flash' visits to the semi-permanent collection To Open Eyes. Miradas de artista at 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 6.30pm. The exhibition takes visitors on a sensory journey through the 20th and 21st centuries, establishing connections between works from different periods, techniques and cultural contexts. In the Espacio Joven, children can enjoy La casa mágica and Juego de volúmenes, in 30-minute rounds from 12.30pm to 2pm and from 5pm to 7.30pm. Visitors will also be able to discover The Interpreter on the main staircase, created by urban artist Imon Boy for MAF-Málaga de Festival 2026.Saturday Tenmood Weekend at the Miramar hotelThe Gran Hotel Miramar is hosting the Tenmood fashion show on Saturday, bringing together established designers (such as Jesús Segado, Susana Hidalgo and Antonia Galiano from Malaga) and emerging talents and professionals from the sector. More detailsThis weekend Alessandra GarcÃa at CánovasAlessandra GarcÃa will pay a tribute to her career at Teatro Cánovas on Friday. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets are 20 euros. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday La Pasión in CasarabonelaOnce again, this year Casarabonela is hosting La Pasión inside the church of Santiago Apóstol at 8pm on Palm Sunday, Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday. The donation to attend is 12 euros, 15 if purchased at the box office on the same day.
Granada province's water supply guaranteed for at least two years
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 13:54:58In the first week of February, heavy rains left unusual images all over Granada province. The storms had many negative consequences. Fields flooded, bridges and roads destroyed, residents isolated and evacuated from their homes for safety reasons or due to damage to their houses. Those affected are now processing the aid they are entitled to, to be able to move on and the authorities are working to repair the affected infrastructure. But there is another, more positive side to these days of heavy rain: the end of the drought and the guarantee of water for at least two years and even three in many areas.The province's reservoirs are at around 65 per cent of their capacity, almost double the level of a year ago and data shows that water is not going to be an issue in the coming months; the endless grey days have their positive effects.Related story estandar No No Malaga waters: committee to declare end of drought for provincial countryside after five-year crisisThe drought reports of the Guadalquivir Hydrographic Confederation (CHG), the basin to which most of the province belongs, clearly show the evolution that has taken place. If we compare the situation on 30 January with that of 28 February, the differences are evident. Almost the entire basin is now at a normal level What does this mean? That three years' supply is guaranteed. However, despite everything the CHG has not reached the green level that indicates that everything is under control. It is in what the Confederation calls \"pre-alert\", a term which, despite how it sounds, is not excessively worrying. These are the Vega Alta, Vega Media and Hoya de Guadix. The CHG explains that this designation, the second step of four (the first being the best situation), means that the service is guaranteed for at least two years. What is more, it asserts that the melting snow of ice on the Sierra Nevada will also bring water to the area and therefore back to normal levels. Only the Hoya de Guadix would remain yellow. Even so, its situation is much better than at other times, despite being an area which traditionally suffers from drought.The forecast is that when the snow and ice on the Sierra Nevada melts, the guarantee will be three years.What are the real effects of this improvement in water resources? One of the most important will be for farmers. Last year in the Vega de Granada they had to prohibit the second crop because the water shortage meant that the authorised discharge allocations, i.e. the water allowed to be used for irrigation, were low. Now, pending the first meeting (which will probably be in April), everything indicates, according to the CHG, that there will be no restrictions for the countryside.Just a year ago alerts and even drought emergencies dominated the map. and the entire confederation was in a pre-alert situation and in the case of La Hoya, the driest area of the province, it was in emergency, i.e. there were not enough resources to cope with the demand.What is happening in the Guadalquivir basin is also being repeated in the Mediterranean basins, including other areas of Granada such as the Alpujarra, the Lecrin Valley and the Coast. There, a couple of weeks ago, the drought commission also decreed a situation of normality. So, it seems that in 2026 the lack of water will not be a problem to worry about.La Hoya de Guadix, the driest area in the whole basin. Despite the rains, in the Hoya de Guadix area the situation is in pre-alert. The melting snow and ice will take the Vega Alta out of this warning, but not this other area. This time last year La Hoya was in emergency. What is happening? The atlas of desertification in Spain drawn up by the Spanish National Research Centre (CSIC) and the University of Alicante, with the support of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Ecological Transition, shows that this is a particularly arid area. Rainfall is lower. This creates a spectacular landscape, but also a drier climate than in other parts of the province. In the data of the historical series it can be seen that only in March 2019 (the first year in which the record can be consulted) the situation of water shortage was better than the current one.
Spain Easter: traffic authorities forecast 17 million journeys during Semana Santa
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 12:03:56Spain's traffic authority (DGT) forecasts that there will be more than 17 million long-distance road journeys this Easter. This great national exodus officially starts at 3pm on Friday, 27 March, and lasts until midnight on Monday, 6 April - a public holiday for the Balearic Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Navarre and Valencia.To manage the flow of vehicles, the DGT has set up a special operation in two phases. The first involves the first weekend, from this Friday afternoon until midnight on 29 March (Sunday), with a forecast of 4.3 million road journeys. The second phase runs from Wednesday, 1 April, to Monday, 6 April.According to the DGT, safety is the central focus of this operation, especially after 27 people died in 26 road accidents in Spain last Easter. The main focus is on motorcyclists, as eight of the deaths last year involved motorcyclists. The DGT urges the population to follow traffic rules at all times.Among the technological innovations of 2026, the consolidation of the V-16 beacon light stands out. Since 1 January, it has been mandatory to use this flashing light in the event of an incident to warn other road users. Its importance lies in its connectivity, as the DGT 3.0 platform receives an average of 2,700 incident reports daily through these devices, allowing for virtual alerts to other drivers via navigation systems and road message signs.The 011 information hotline has also recently been upgraded with artificial intelligence and natural language processing capabilities. These improvements allow for the automatic transcription of calls, the identification of common non-technical terms and the analysis of the user's emotional state to optimise the service. The system now provides assistance in Spanish, English, Catalan, Galician and Basque and has expanded the subcategories of incidents to include fires and floods.Regarding enforcement resources, the DGT has the full availability of its traffic management officers. Compliance with traffic regulations will be monitored using fixed and mobile speed cameras, cameras to check for seatbelts and mobile phone use and aerial surveillance of the roads daily.To ease traffic flow at the busiest points, authorities will set up reversible and additional lanes using signs and cones. Although these measures improve overall circulation, the DGT acknowledges that drivers travelling in the direction that loses a lane may see them as a disadvantage, so it has strengthened alternative routes, which are available on its website.Additionally, roadworks will be suspended, sporting events will be limited and lorry traffic will be restricted on specific sections of road and at specific times. The DGT calls for the early planning of trips, which can benefit from the traffic authorities' official channels @informacionDGT and @DGTes, the radio and television news bulletins, which provide updated information. The most important traffic advice remains: do not consume alcohol or drugs before driving, respect speed limits and avoid distractions such as mobile phone use.
Vélez-Málaga asks for more Police and Guardia Civil following recent crime wave
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 13:50:44Vélez-Málaga town hall on the eastern Costa del Sol has called on the central government to urgently reinforce the National Police and Guardia Civil presence following the wave of burglaries in recent weeks in the villages of Almayate and Valle-Niza . The motion, which was passed at a full council meeting on Thursday 26 March, calls on the State to increase the number of staff, as well as provide more material resources for the security forces, in the face of a situation which, according to the town hall, has generated \"fear and alarm\" among the population.The deputy mayor of Almayate and Valle-Niza, Jesús MarÃa Claros, said during the meeting that in recent weeks there have been \"constant burglaries\" in the area, to the point that \"there are families who do not feel safe even in their own homes\".Among the measures proposed, the town hall has requested additional resources including adequate vehicles, as well as the use of helicopters and drones to improve control of the area. \"Without these tools, the police cannot act with the speed and coverage that the situation requires,\" said the mayor, Jesús Lupiáñez. The call comes against a backdrop of growing neighbourhood concern in these western parts of the municipality, where there have been reports of burglaries in homes and agricultural land. In recent weeks, residents have called for greater police presence and deterrent measures to prevent further crime.
Benejúzar Extends Free Telecare Service to All Residents Over 75 Living Alone
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 17:44:42Benejúzar Town Council has announced the expansion of its telecare service to all residents aged over 75 who live alone in the municipality and are not covered by Spainâs dependency care system.
The measure is intended to strengthen social support for older residents by creating a faster, more preventive and more accessible local assistance network for those who do not require permanent care.
Under the scheme, eligible residents will be able to access the telecare service free of charge. The council says the initiative is designed to improve both safety and quality of life, while promoting personal autonomy and allowing older people to remain in their own homes with greater confidence and peace of mind. The programme also aims to combine social and health support through a broader, more integrated approach focused on wellbeing, independence and companionship.
Social Welfare Councillor Paula GarcÃa Ortuño said the measure marked an important step towards ensuring that no older person living alone feels unprotected. She said the council wanted elderly residents to know they could rely on a free and effective service in the event of any incident, adding that their peace of mind and safety were a priority. She also stressed the importance of prevention and of providing resources that allow people to continue living at home with dignity, autonomy and confidence.
The telecare system works through equipment connected to the userâs telephone line, allowing direct contact with a response centre at any time of day, 365 days a year. The service is activated simply by pressing a button carried by the user. Once alerted, a specialist team follows an established protocol to assess the situation and, if necessary, mobilise additional human or material resources.
The system is intended for older people who do not need continuous or in-person care, but who may require rapid assistance in situations such as falls, medical emergencies, domestic accidents, or episodes of distress and loneliness. In this way, users are able to request help immediately and receive support tailored to their circumstances.
Mayor Vicente Cases said the initiative reflected the councilâs wider aim of improving residentsâ quality of life, ensuring dignified and rapid care for those most in need, and strengthening local policies based on prevention, innovation and emotional wellbeing. He described telecare as a practical, accessible and adaptable resource that enables older residents to continue living at home more safely, actively and independently, while also giving reassurance to their families.
INSTALLATION OF AI TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON N-332 AT PUNTA PRIMA ROUNDABOUT SET TO CAUSE MAJOR DISRUPTION FROM MONDAY
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 17:50:41Not everyone is convinced the AI system will provide the answer. Some traffic and road safety experts have reportedly questioned its likely effectiveness, arguing that the real issue lies not only with the roundabout itself but with the wider structural limitations of the N-332 as it passes through Torrevieja.
Spainâs Easter holiday airport strikes: All you need to know as disruption starts TODAY
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 09:29:13HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to Spain for a well-needed break should expect travel disruption from today as thousands of airport staff prepare to launch industrial action.
Ground staff and baggage handlers from two major companies are set to walkout to coincide with the beginning of Semana Santa celebrations â' one of the busiest weeks of the year for travel companies with millions of locals and tourists passing through Spainâs airports.
Staff belonging to Groundforce have called an indefinite strike from today, March 27.
The walkout impacts Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the select hours of 5am to 7am, 11am to 5pm and 10pm to midnight.
The General Workersâ Union (UGT) have also announced strike action on March 28 and 29, and April 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for around 3,000 workers employed by the Menzies group.
READ MORE: EXPLAINER: Why the worldâs biggest airlines are parking dozens of massive jets at a remote Spanish airport â' echoing the Covid-era shutdown
Union representatives say workers are furious over poor working conditions and the application of collective agreements for ground handling services.
Passengers are being warned to expect longer queues at check-in, delays to baggage loading and unloading, plus slower boarding â' all of which increase the risk of frustrating knock-on delays.
The government will enforce minimum service requirements to prevent a wave of cancellations, although this move is unlikely to prevent delays.
Holidaymakers are urged to check their flight status and arrive early, especially if travelling with check-in baggage.
Some of Spainâs busiest airports including Barcelona El-Prat, Sevilla, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid-Barajas, Malaga and Alicante are set to be most affected by the strikes.
The two companies involved also operate at several smaller airports including Zaragoza, Santiago de Compostela, Bilbao and key holiday hubs in the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands.
Click here to read more Spain News from The Olive Press.
Malagaâs favourite foodie son and Michelin-starred chef takes on his fourth restaurant in ancient building owned by a Genoa aristocrat
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 09:30:56MALAGAâs food scene has had an exciting boost after the cityâs favourite Michelin-starred chef stepped in to transform an 18th century hotel restaurant.
Dani Carnero, owner of award-winning La Cosmopolita, La Cosmo and Kaleja, has taken the reins at Balausta â' a beautiful space in historic Solecio Palace.
The charming building, just off Plaza de la Merced, was built in 1789 by Genoa aristocrat Felix Solesio, who commissioned the same architect who built Rondaâs famous new bridge.
READ MORE: UK pub giant Wetherspoon will open two new bars in Spain after âsuccessfulâ Costa Blanca debut
Carnero joined the team six months ago to train the restaurantâs existing chefs and help craft a new menu designed to âsurprise and delightâ.
The revamped offerings focus on shareable plates and inventive reinterpretations of classic Andalucian dishes.
Carnero â' whose restaurant Kaleja won its first Michelin star in 2022 â' promises the changes will honour tradition while injecting a âcontemporary sparkâ.
READ MORE: One of Madridâs best Japanese-fusion menu-del-dias â' of course The Olive Press had to try it out
âWe are united by our love for Malaga, for its cuisine, and for the way the dining table is understood here: as a place of gathering, emotion, and authenticity,â Carnero explained.
With a recently opened terrace Balausta t is poised to become a hotspot for both locals and visitors alike.
The menu currently showcases Andalucian classics with a modern twist, including delicate prawn croquettes and seabass tartare.
Click here to read more Food & Drink News from The Olive Press.
Why people in Spain are getting fewer divorces (even though they want to)
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 09:12:43In 2025, there were 84,424 divorces in Spain, 11.7 percent fewer than the previous year.
The Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and Valencia recorded the highest rates of divorce proceedings per 100,000 inhabitants, exceeding the national average.
In Spain there are several types of separation and the data in recent years suggests they are down across the board.
Court applications for contentious divorces fell by 24.7 percent last year. Separations where the parties could not reach an agreement also fell sharply, by 22.1 percent, and applications relating to disputes over child custody arrangements brought by unmarried couples decreased by 22.1 percent compared with 2024.
So, what's behind this trend?
Experts believe that the cost of living, and house prices in particular, could partly be behind the fall.
With divorces down 11.7 percent year-on-year, there's an emerging trend of couples staying together because they cannot afford to divorce and move out.
One man from Seville told Spanish outlet La Sexta that for him divorce after many years would mean âhaving to find a place to live, living on a student budget, sharing a flat or moving back in with your parents.\"
READ ALSO: How does shared custody after divorce work in Spain?
Lawyer Ãngeles Montes feels that divorce essentially means doubling expenses: âOne of the two has to leave the house, has to start paying rent, support themselves, pay spousal maintenance and child support\".
The Spanish Association of Family Lawyers (AEAFA), however, believes that the fall in legal proceedings for separations and divorces in recent years lie the MASC (Appropriate Means of Dispute Resolution), the new mandatory out-of-court mediation procedure for all couples who split up without reaching an agreement, as a prerequisite for going to court.
\"The imposition of these attempts at negotiation is leading to delays in the filing of claims,â says Ramón Quintano, a family lawyer in Girona and an AEAFA board member.
\"What is happening is that we aren't filing claims because we are engaged in negotiations, as required by law,\" he added.
Quintano points out that \"there had never been double-digit year-on-year changes in the number of family law cases,\" besides 2020 due to the closure of the courts during the Covid pandemic.
READ ALSO: Property in Spain - What happens when there's a divorce?
\"But back then, all cases dropped, including those settled by mutual agreement. Now the courts are not closed, but you have to comply with a procedure that prevents you from filing a claim,\" he adds.
The MASC (Appropriate Means of Dispute Resolution) was established by law in 2025.
The aim was to reduce litigation and encourage settlements. That is why couples are now required to attempt to reach a solution between themselves or through a third party and provide documentary evidence of this before filing a court claim.
However, this procedural requirement has been the subject of complaints and disputes for months, particularly due to differing application criteria and its negative impact on childrenâs lives caused by delays in resolving divorces.
Quintano gives an example of how MASCs slow down the separation process and cause harm, citing the case of a client who wants to divorce and is claiming child maintenance, but cannot file for divorce immediately without going through the MASC process.
âShe is entitled to receive the maintenance, but payment will be backdated to the date the application was filed. As she has to send the mediation request to her partner, he has 30 days to respond and may, on the 29th, request an extension to secure a court-appointed lawyer, meaning the MASC process will begin several months late, during which time she will not receive child maintenance\".
Similarly, in these cases, fathers can sometimes go months without seeing their children.
The drawn out process, combined with the financial hit that comes with separation, seems to be putting many Spaniards off.
Spain's Economy Minister appointed new Deputy PM
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 09:26:51A career economist with experience in European institutions, Cuerpo, 45, is one of the highest-rated ministers in Sánchez's cabinet in opinion surveys.
Under his watch, the Spanish economy posted growth of 2.8 percent last year, one of the fastest rates in the European Union.
Montero, 60, who served as first deputy prime minister since late 2023 and as finance minister since 2018, will lead the ruling Socialist Party ticket in a May 17th election in Andalusia, Spain's most populous region.
READ MORE: Who will win Andalusia's elections and why does it matter for Spain?
Sánchez praised her as \"a fundamental pillar of this government\" and called her the best politician he has ever known.
The conservative Popular Party has governed Andalusia since 2019, when it ousted the Socialists from power in what had been their historical stronghold.
Sánchez, in office since 2018, appointed Arcadi España, 51, the current secretary of state for territorial policy, to replace Montero as finance minister.
EasyJet and Jet2 say holiday demand increase to Spain while Greece and Cyprus suffer impact of war in the Middle East
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 09:23:08The Iran conflict is causing a rise in tourist cancellations and a dive in new bookings in Cyprus and to a lesser extent other countries whose economies rely heavily on summer visitors. The U.S. and Israel launched âattacks on Iran on February 28, just as Cyprusâs tourism industry was reopening after winter. Then on March 2, as Iran launched a series of counter-strikes, a drone struck a British naval base on the island, triggering a wave of tourist cancellations.
The drop in bookings is the latest sign of the warâs broad fallout, from disrupted oil flows to mass flight cancellations and worsening economic outlooks worldwide. Daily cancellation rates for short-term rentals in Cyprus shot up from around 15% before the conflict to as high as 100% in the days after, â according to data from U.S.-based AirDNA, which tracks such bookings. That figure has since dropped, but remained around 45% by March 21. âGreece and Turkey saw slight rises in cancellation rates, too.
Cyprusâ Hoteliers Association has seen a near 40% drop in March bookings and a âsimilar reduction in April, the associationâs director-general, Christos Angelides told Reuters. âSince March 1 ⦠we have had a lot of cancellations coming through,â said Nicholas Aristou, commercial director at Muskita Hotels in Limassol, which runs two luxury hotels. He hopes that the slowdown does not continue into the summer months, when tourist visits âtypically pick up.
âWe have to protect the high season months to make sure we can turn things around by the time May comes along, otherwise the destination will be in trouble.â The war is hitting Cyprusâ growth expectations. This week, the Central â Bank of Cyprus cut its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.7% from 3.0%, based on an assumption that the conflict would last around two months.
Budget airlines like EasyJet and Jet2 say demand for Cyprus and Turkey has waned and that demand has shifted to western Mediterranean destinations like Spain. Savvas Orphanos, a souvenir shop owner in the central Ayios Andreas quarter of Limassol, sat alone among an array of pottery âand fridge magnets. When Reuters visited, a downpour worsened an already slow period. âUnfortunately as you can see our area is empty of tourists,â he said.
In Greece, where the economy runs on summer visitors, the impact is also being felt. Aegean Airlines, the countryâs biggest carrier, has seen a double-digit drop in summer bookings from Israel and Gulf states to Greece since âthe start of the Iran conflict, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
George Vernicos, secretary general of Greeceâs tourism confederation SETE, said that there has been a slowdown in pre-bookings, although that was partly offset by a rush to book flights before oil price rises impacted the cost of plane tickets. He said that there was a drop in demand from Greeceâs biggest markets in northern Europe and the United States. âWe are in a wait-and-see phase,â he told Reuters. âThere is a restraint but the year is still running positively, also because the momentum was âquite high before the war began.â
Changing weather holds Mallorca hostage
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 08:52:39Climate change is a serious matter which the tourist industry has got to take into account looking to the future. Travel companies are already reporting there are changing trends with more people heading to cooler climates during the increasingly hotter summer months in Southern Europe, like Mallorca.
But itâs not just the summer. This winter, while having apparently been slightly warmer than usual, has been devastatingly wetter for some parts of Spain and extremely windy in the Balearics, and this plays havoc with travel connections; it brings home the fact we live on an island.
Incidents of fog have caused flight disruptions and the wind has hit shipping. While travelling by ferry to the mainland is much less hassle than having to negotiate the monolith of Palma airport - no worries about luggage restrictions etc., just pack up the car - but it all depends on the weather.
The weekend before last I was due to sail from Alcudia to Barcelona on Saturday but due to heavy sea and wind, we set sail 36 hours later, so thatâs a day lost in hotels and skiing. That said, all involved compensated us with a free extra day. And coming back, most people had their heads over the side! Fortunately I slept through it all. But the changing weather patterns will have an impact on island life and business in the future.
Talks break down to prevent Easter rubbish collection strike in Soller
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 08:12:00A strike over Easter by Soller's municipal services company workers is looking ever more likely after negotiations on Thursday broke down.
The workers are employed by Soller 2010, a town hall entity, the president of which is the mayor. Waste collection is among the services that Soller 2010 provides.
Union representatives walked out of the Thursday meeting four minutes after it had started. There was a disagreement over the minutes, which the town hall group refused to sign, saying they were not an accurate reflection. This prompted the walkout.
The main sticking point is the demand for a 25% pay increase for 80% of the workers. The town hall believes this is unacceptable.
In a statement, the UGT union denounced \"a lack of respect, refusing to sign the minutes of the constitution of the negotiating committee, for which workers' representatives are designated, an essential step for reaching an agreement on the collective bargaining agreement\".
The union \"is still waiting\" for a financial proposal and \"hopes and trusts that the situation can be resolved through a change of course from Soller 2010\". Otherwise, the union considers it \"unlikely that a strike will not take place\". If it does go ahead, the strike will have a significant impact during Holy Week.
AI traffic lights are being installed at one of Orihuela Costa's most notorious roundabouts
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 00:00:00Date Published: 27/03/2026
AI traffic lights are being installed at one of Orihuela Costa's most notorious roundabouts
The Punta Prima roundabout handles 45,000 vehicles a day and has been a headache for drivers for years
The daily long queues and weaving cars at the Punta Prima roundabout on the N-332 are legendary at this stage and the traffic system here has been in need of some attention for years. The good news is that help is finally on the way, with the Spanish Ministry of Transport set to begin installation works on an AI-powered traffic light system at the roundabout from Monday March 30.
The roundabout, which sits at kilometre 52.8 of the N-332 on the border between Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, is one of the most congested pinch points on the Costa Blanca. According to Ministry of Transport figures, around 45,000 vehicles pass through this stretch of the dual carriageway every single day, and that number climbs significantly during Easter and the summer months.
Residents of RocÃo del Mar, SeñorÃo de Gomendio and Punta Prima have no other way onto the N-332, and the roundabout also takes in traffic from Las Olas and Escorpiones avenues, two of the area's busiest roads.
Queues regularly stretch back hundreds of metres in the direction of Torrevieja and marginally less in the other direction towards Orihuela Costa.
The project has a budget of â¬409,369 including VAT, funded through European money from Spain's Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
Rather than a standard traffic light setup, the system will use machine learning and artificial intelligence to monitor traffic in real time and automatically adjust the light cycles based on how busy things actually are at any given moment.
Detection cameras and traffic monitoring devices will be installed at each entry point to the roundabout, feeding data into a central AI control system that will effectively learn from experience and get smarter over time.
The Ministry has pointed out that the project isn't just about sorting out one troublesome roundabout. According to their statement, the aim is also to lay the groundwork for bringing intelligent traffic management systems to the wider national road network, so Punta Prima is essentially going to be something of a test case.
Drivers will need to bear with some disruption in the short term. Partial traffic restrictions will be in place from March 30 right through until the end of May to keep both workers and road users safe during the installation.
It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise to anyone familiar with the area that the works are starting just before Easter, arguably the worst possible time for a busy roundabout. Once everything is up and running though, the AI will have plenty of real-world traffic to learn from, especially with summer just around the corner.
Images: Ministry of Transport
article_detail
staff.inc.ali
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the weekâs news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95⬠for 48 Editorâs Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain
1 bedroom Flat for sale in Costa Adeje with pool – ⬠270,000
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 09:01:17Sells a beautiful apartment located in the coveted area of San Eugenio Alto, Costa Adeje. The property has been completely renovated and is sold furnished, ready to move in or rent. It has 50 m² built and 40 m² usable, functionally and brightly distributed. The highlight is its fantastic terrace with stunning ocean views, perfect for enjoying Tenerife's climate all year round. Located in a complex with an elevator, very popular with both tourists and residents, thanks to its proximity to all services: supermarkets, transport, restaurants and leisure areas. In addition, it has an active⦠See full property details
Costa Adeje, Tenerife
Click here to read more News from The Olive Press.
Spanish gang-rape victim, 25, dies by euthanasia after lengthy legal battle with her father
PUBLISHED: 2026-03-27 08:56:07A BARCELONA woman who sought euthanasia and fought off a long legal battle by her father, had her life ended on Thursday.
Noelia Castillo, 25, tried taking her life twice before her death by euthanasia- the second time after she was the victim of a gang rape.
The injuries she suffered from her second suicide attempt in October 2022- when she leapt from the fifth floor of a building- left her unable to use her legs.
Young woman wins âright to dieâ case following first euthanasia law challenge in Spain
Father goes to court to stop daughter ending her life in landmark challenge to Spainâs euthanasia law
Her case was the first to reach a Spanish court for consideration since Spain became one of the few countries to legalise euthanasia in 2021.
Noelia died shortly after 6pm Thursday at a hospital in Sant Pere de Ribes in Catalunya.
For a year and a half, Castillo pursued her right to die after her father put up a long legal fight following a Catalunya medical board approving his daughterâs request for euthanasia in 2024.
The body approved Castilloâs submission based on assessments that evaluated her condition as serious and incurable, and that she had severe, chronic and debilitating suffering.
Spain legalised physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in 2021 for long-suffering patients from incurable diseases and for people with unbearable permanent conditions.
The process for patients to get approval to die involves submitting two requests in writing followed up by consultations with medical professionals not previously involved in the case.
âAt last, Iâve managed it, so letâs see if I can finally rest now,â Castillo told Antena 3 TV in an interview that aired Wednesday, a day before her death.
âI just cannot go on anymore.â
âI simply want to go in peace and stop suffering,â she added.
âI canât handle this family anymore, I canât handle the pain, I canât handle everything that haunts me from what Iâve been through,â Noelia stated.
Noelia recalled during the interview that she entered foster care when she was 13 after her parents split, and accused her father of neglect, saying he ânever callsâ.
âWhat does he want me alive for, just to keep me in a hospital?â she asked.
Castilloâs father opposed her decision up until the end and was represented by the conservative Catholic organisation Abogados Cristianos.
Solicitor, Polonia Castellanos, said Castilloâs family was deeply disappointed with the outcome, and believed the Spanish government had abandoned and failed their daughter by allowing her to die.
âDeath is the last option, especially when youâre very young,â Castellanos said.
Click here to read more Barcelona News from The Olive Press.
Sponsors
