Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin Aug 1
TOP STORIES: "Hundreds evacuated from their Spanish homes as more worrying wildfires grip the country" & "Spain prepares for once-in-a-lifetime trio of eclipses"
There’s jubilation in the UK after the Lionesses beat Spain to win the Euro 2025 final last weekend. Understandably, the mood in Spain is much more muted, but that may have more to do with the fires still ravaging large swathes of the country.
Luckily, there is a new legal modification in the government that should make some people (namely, new parents) happy, plus plenty to look forward to for stargazers. Here’s your Editor’s Roundup Weekly Bulletin for the first day of August 2025:
Fire on the mountain
Spain is once again engulfed in summer flames, with wildfires currently blazing through parts of the northwestern peninsula, including Extremadura, Ávila and Galicia. While authorities are cautiously optimistic in places, the overall picture is far from reassuring, and is yet another unwelcome reminder that the country’s tinder-dry summers, steep terrain and gusty winds make for an annual inferno that few regions escape.
In Las Hurdes, Cáceres, the fire that erupted on Tuesday has already consumed more than 2,600 hectares of woodland, much of it stubbornly difficult to reach. While the eastern and southern flanks are coming under control, the Avellanar area remains problematic, according to firefighters. It’s the sort of landscape that seems tailor-made for fire to flourish and fire crews to flounder.
Sumamos esfuerzos, multiplicamos resultados 💪
— UME (@UMEgob) July 31, 2025
🎥Así ha sido el trabajo conjunto de unidades de la #UME y del @PLANINFOEX en una línea de defensa próxima a la localidad de #Avellana en el #IFCaminomorisco 🔥 #Cáceres pic.twitter.com/hquomrOEFv
Around 300 people were evacuated from their pueblos, with residents of Cambrón, Dehesilla, Mesegal, Huerta and part of Caminomorisco now allowed to return, while those from Robledo and Avellanar must wait it out a little longer.
Up in Ávila, in the forested slopes of the Barranco de las Cinco Villas, things have been rather more dramatic. The fire there has burned at least 2,200 hectares and triggered lockdowns in Mombeltrán and El Arenal, two picturesque towns that would, under different circumstances, be welcoming hikers and holidaymakers right now rather than soot and ash.
Fire officials have now secured the perimeter of the blaze, though acknowledge that “there is still a lot of work ahead”. The fire is thought to have been started intentionally, which would be appalling if not depressingly familiar. Over 500 people and 200 vehicles are tackling the blaze, made all the harder by the steep terrain, thick vegetation and unhelpful winds.
Defendiendo viviendas en zona de interfaz urbano forestal de #ElArenal, efectivos de #BomberosAV han rescatado también a una familia de una de las fincas, poniéndola a salvo en el pueblo
— Emergencias Ávila (@EmergenciaAvila) July 30, 2025
Dos dotaciones de #BomberosAv han permanecido esta noche en #IFCuevasdelValle trabajando pic.twitter.com/VvX4AwoU69
Meanwhile in Galicia, the northwestern outpost of A Cañiza in Pontevedra is dealing with its own smaller, but still serious, ordeal. The fire there has left 300 hectares scorched so far, and residents of the town of Valeixe were temporarily evacuated. The episode marks Galicia’s most significant fire of the year so far, and it’s still ongoing.
With fires also active just over the border in Portugal, the Iberian Peninsula seems to be locked into yet another sweltering and destructive summer. As Spain braces for more dry heat and unpredictable winds, firefighting teams continue their gruelling efforts as they try to hold the line against a force of nature that unfortunately seems to have become an annual visitor.
This eclipses everything else…
If you live in Spain or spend any time here, you probably already know how spoiled we are when it comes to stargazing. Shooting stars, meteor showers, brilliant full moons and crystal-clear skies are pretty much part of the deal.
But something truly extraordinary is on the way. In fact, it’s going to put Spain right at the centre of the global astronomy map.
Over the next three years, Spain will play host to not one, not two, but three spectacular solar eclipses. And the government is already gearing up for what could become one of the biggest astronomical tourism events in modern Spanish history.
The headline act arrives on August 12, 2026. On that day, Spain will witness its first total solar eclipse in more than 120 years. The last time it happened was way back in 1905. This time, Spain is not just getting a glimpse. It is actually one of the best places in the world to see it.
According to Spain’s National Geographic Institute, the eclipse will sweep across the Arctic Ocean, touch Greenland and Iceland, then travel across the Atlantic before entering the Iberian Peninsula. The shadow will pass right over cities like A Coruña, León, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca. Much of North America, Europe and parts of Africa will get a partial eclipse, but Spain will be in that rare sweet spot where the magic happens in full.
As if that weren’t enough, a second total solar eclipse is due on August 2, 2027. This one will be visible from a smaller section of Spain, mainly covering Cádiz and southern Málaga.
Even so, it will be the only country in Europe to catch the full effect. The eclipse will begin over the Atlantic, sweep through the Strait of Gibraltar and then continue along the North African coast all the way to Egypt and the Indian Ocean.
The third and final event in this once-in-a-lifetime trilogy happens on January 26, 2028. This time it will be an annular eclipse, where the sun creates a glowing ring of fire around the moon. It will be visible at sunset from most of Andalucía, southern Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, parts of Madrid, Aragón, Murcia, Valencia, Catalonia and the western Balearic Islands.
With so many eyes expected to turn toward the sky, the Spanish government is taking things seriously.
An Interministerial Commission has already been set up to manage what they are calling the ‘Eclipse Trio 2026 2027 2028’. The reason is simple. Hundreds of thousands of eclipse chasers are expected to descend on the country, especially in areas where the events will be total. That means major pressure on transport, hotels, public services and local infrastructure.
It is a once-in-a-century opportunity for tourism and science lovers alike. But it is also a massive challenge.
For now, though, all you really need to do is mark your calendar and get ready to look up. Spain’s skies are about to put on a show that is truly out of this world.
Leave to be parents
Spain has taken another meaningful step towards supporting new parents by extending paid parental leave from 16 to 17 weeks for both mothers and fathers. The changes, which are effective immediately from July 31, 2025, reflect both a response to EU pressure and a broader effort by the Spanish government to improve work-life balance and family wellbeing.
Under the new Royal Decree-Law, all working parents, with employed, in the public sector or self-employed, are now entitled to 17 weeks of paid leave following the birth of a child. Six of those weeks must be taken immediately after birth, full-time, while the remaining 11 can be spread out in a more flexible manner up until the child’s first birthday.
In addition, two further weeks of paid leave have been introduced for childcare, which may be taken part-time or full-time in weekly chunks until the child turns eight. Single-parent families, recognising the double-duty they perform, receive 32 weeks in total: 28 for birth and care, plus four for ongoing childcare.
This generous package, financed entirely by Spain’s Social Security system at 100% of the base salary, replaces the previous setup of 16 weeks’ paid leave plus eight unpaid weeks for parental care. While the eight unpaid weeks remain unchanged for now, the inclusion of two paid weeks marks a small but tangible improvement, especially for families balancing work demands with early childhood needs.
It’s worth noting that this expansion is partly a result of Brussels tapping its foot. Spain would have started racking up hefty daily fines for not complying with EU directives on parental leave and gender equality, a situation that has now been resolved with the passage of this legislation.
For new parents, this development is more than a bureaucratic box ticked; it represents valuable time to bond with their children without financial penalty. While the measure falls short of the coalition government’s earlier pledge of 20 weeks’ paid leave and full payment for parental care time, it’s a commendable leap forward.
Spain may not yet rival Estonia’s impressive 62 weeks of paid parental leave, but it’s edging closer to a more balanced, inclusive model of family support, one that affirms the importance of those early months without punishing people for embracing parenthood.
Murcia
As of July 2025, buying a house in Murcia has become marginally cheaper, at least in terms of the tax burden. Thanks to Law 3/2025, property transactions in the Region will be subject to slightly less taxation, with the Property Transfer Tax being reduced from 8% to 7.75%.It’s hardly a revolution, but for those purchasing resale properties, especially foreign buyers, it’s a welcome nudge in the right direction. Similarly, Stamp Duty on VAT-subjected property transactions has been cut from 2% to 1.5%. Such adjustments are being cheerily presented as part of Murcia’s grand plan to attract investment and reduce fiscal pressure for homebuyers.
For younger buyers, the reduced 5% property transfer tax rate still applies, but now with a more generous age ceiling of those aged “40 or under” as opposed to the previous definition of “under 40”. This little change might seem insignificant until you consider just how many 40-year-olds don’t feel the least bit young, but will gladly accept any tax break going.
In addition, they are introducing a regional tax rebate that serves to counteract the central government’s tax on the mega rich. Officially known as the ‘Solidarity Tax on Major Fortunes’, it is an attempt to extract a little more from those with pockets so deep they don’t know where they end, but in response, Murcia’s wealth tax laws have been tweaked so that residents can offset their obligations, thereby avoiding the charming experience of being taxed twice for the pleasure of being affluent.
The other major arm of this grand fiscal plan is a wealth (excuse the pun) of new income tax deductions for your IRPF, so that the tax breaks are for the common Joe Bloggs as well as the filthy rich. As of this tax year – so when it comes time to do tax returns in 2026 – pet owners can get money back for vet bills; people over-65s may deduct the full amount spent on gym memberships, yoga and Pilates classes; and anyone who contributes to social cooperatives or enterprises can benefit from a deduction of up to €4,000 in an attempt to encourage social responsibility.
Not everything, however, is about tax and property. Sometimes, progress is measured in square metres of retail space. This September, Cieza will unveil its latest monument to commercial ambition: the Los Olivos shopping centre.
With over 30 retailers spread across 26,000 square metres, this retail park promises everything from sushi to gym memberships, plus yet another branch of Pepco. Its grand opening is scheduled for September 11 and will feature a flamenco show and a drone display, if you fancy going along.
Elsewhere in the Region, the long-suffering RM-332 road between Mazarrón and Puerto de Mazarrón is finally getting its long-promised facelift. The first stretch, measuring 3.7 kilometres, is being widened into a dual carriageway at a cost of €27.5 million, with an additional €2.5 million allocated for land expropriations or, as it’s more politely known, “progress”.The full project will eventually span nearly 10km and cost over €60 million, all in the name of easing congestion, improving road safety and making summer traffic jams in the area just a little bit less hectic.
To health, now, and measles – that scratchy spectre of school days past – seems to be making a rather unwelcome comeback. In Murcia, seven cases have been reported since early 2024, compared with just one in 2023. Two of those were local infections, the rest imported.
While no large-scale outbreak has occurred yet, the authorities remain on high alert. The measles vaccine remains the only effective barrier, and Murcia does at least boast one of the country’s highest vaccination rates, so that’s largely what’s keeping the disease at bay. Keep vaccinating your children!
Meanwhile, over by the Mar Menor, swimming was once again banned at certain beaches this week, this time at Playa de la Gola and Playa Paraíso, after worrying results from water quality tests forced lifeguards to raise the red flags on Wednesday and Thursday.
Cartagena Council has confirmed there’s no sign of a sewage problem, and pointed to the likely culprit being storm-driven “maritime discharges” from the Mediterranean Sea although this was not confirmed. Instead, a fresh test that gave more positive results allowed both beaches to be reopened with green flags flying this Friday.
And finally, in more uplifting news, Murcia capital has introduced a Canine Fire Unit, combining heroism with wagging tails. Three dogs – a Belgian Malinois, a Labrador and a promising puppy – are now part of the city’s emergency response team.Trained to locate missing persons in disasters or collapsed buildings, these four-legged saviours can reach places humans and machinery cannot, proving once again that dogs truly are man’s best (and occasionally most life-saving) friend.
Taking place in Murcia this weekend, apart from guitar god Carlos Santana performing live in the capital this Friday night (which if you haven’t got tickets by now, I’m afraid you’re too late), there is the Berrock rock festival in aid of charity being held in the tiny Alhama village of El Berro on Saturday, a craft market featuring loads of clay pots in Bullas on Sunday and plenty more throughout the whole month of August!
See our EVENTS DIARY for more events and activities coming up soon in the Region of Murcia:
Spain
This week has brought some heartbreaking news from Spain’s northeastern coast. On Tuesday evening, two British brothers aged 11 and 13 drowned at Platja Llarga beach in Salou, Tarragona. Their father, who also entered the water, was rescued alive but sadly the boys could not be saved.
The authorities have yet to determine exactly how the boys got into trouble.
On that very same day, a 54-year-old German tourist also drowned at a beach in nearby Cambrils.
Tragically, the summer is proving deadly on Catalonia’s beaches this year, with 16 people losing their lives so far, five more than during the same period last year.
Drivers in Spain are facing their own mounting challenges on the road. The Spanish motoring scene has been turned upside down lately with a string of new regulations including carpooling rules, potential limits on how many vehicles a household can own and fees for non-residents using certain roads.Now Brussels is adding fuel to the fire with a new proposal that could shake up the used car market next year. The European Union wants to crack down on older vehicles by expanding what counts as an end-of-life car. This means cars could be labelled as waste and forced off the road earlier than before.
The change aims to protect the environment and promote a circular economy, but it could hit Spain’s booming used car market hard. With new cars getting more expensive, many people rely on used vehicles for affordable transportation. The worry is that some perfectly good cars may be scrapped just because they are older or do not meet new standards.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but all signs point to these changes arriving within the next twelve months. If the proposal moves forward, it would fundamentally alter the used car landscape across Europe. The secondary market that millions of drivers depend on for affordable transportation could shrink dramatically overnight.
Off the roads and back at home, the little things we do every day are adding up too. Charging your phone overnight might seem harmless, but experts from Spain’s Organisation of Consumers and Users have a warning. That bad habit can increase your electricity bill by up to 10% each year across the average household.
While a single phone charge uses a tiny amount of power, leaving chargers plugged in constantly drains what’s called ‘phantom energy’. This adds up when you consider all the gadgets plugged in around the house.On top of that, charging overnight repeatedly can slowly wear down your phone battery and even cause overheating if done improperly.
Spanish tech experts suggest charging during the day and avoiding charging all night. They also recommend using certified chargers and keeping your battery between 20% and 80% charged for best health. Making small changes like this can save money and extend the life of your devices.
For those enjoying the great outdoors with their furry friends in this fine weather, there is a hidden danger lurking in Spain’s parks and green spaces. Blue snail bait, known as Babosil, is being spread without warning signs in many areas and it is deadly to dogs.
Just a small lick or nibble of these blue pellets, which contain a poisonous chemical, can cause serious symptoms including tremors, vomiting, seizures and even respiratory failure. This is especially dangerous in spring and summer when more people are out walking their dogs.
It seems it’s being spread in gardens, parks and green spaces up and down the country, not maliciously, just thoughtlessly.
Concerned pet owners are sharing warnings widely after viral videos and messages from communities like Doguify highlighted the risks. The app has even created a real-time hazard map that lets dog walkers report threats like snail bait, broken glass or suspicious items so others can avoid them.
Alicante
It is unquestionably good news that waiting times for surgery have been coming down in the two hospitals serving the southernmost area of Alicante province, the Vega Baja del Segura.
The health department of the government for the Valencian Community has reported better than average results for both Vega Baja hospital in rural Orihuela and Torrevieja hospital, based on figures for the first half of this year up to June 30.
While the average wait for an operation across the whole Valencia region is 80 days, at Vega Baja it is 77 days, and at Torrevieja just 56. At Vega Baja there has been a significant drop from 108 days in December. Approximately half of the 1,610 patients due for surgery have been waiting for less than 90 days, while 462 have been waiting more than six months.
The figures vary dramatically by specialty at Vega Baja, with the shortest queue for general surgery and the longest for orthopaedic surgery and traumatology.
Meanwhile, Torrevieja hospital is more consistent across specialties, with even shorter waits for general surgery and significantly better results for orthopaedic surgery and traumatology.
Only 10 of the 25 healthcare area departments across the Valencian Community performed better than Torrevieja, including Dénia, Marina Baja and Elche-Crevillente (Vinalopó) in Alicante province.
There is still room for improvement at Vega Baja, where major extension works are still underway and due to be finished by the end of this year.
Nevertheless, it is one thing to be waiting for surgery and another thing entirely to get on the waiting list in the first place.
Coastal communities like Orihuela Costa where 30,000 residents rely on a single overwhelmed health centre.
Orihuela city council actually turned down the previous regional government’s offer to extend the existing centre, insisting that only a new, second centre would suffice, but as yet no funding has been allocated or date set for the project.
Hopefully most readers are in better health and therefore still able to enjoy a glass of the excellent value, full-bodied wines that Alicante province has to offer.
If so, then the Alicante Wine Route (Ruta del Vino) offers authentic experiences that combine gastronomy with spectacular natural landscapes and cultural heritage.
The route spans 16 municipalities all over the province and involves more than 75 businesses, including wineries, restaurants and rural guest houses.
And this year a concerted effort has been made to make these excursions more accessible for disabled people, with detailed information on their website.
Primarily, these experiences enable participants to appreciate specialities of Alicante’s Protected Denomination of Origen (DOP), which are primarily renowned for reds using the Monastrell variety of grape, sweet white Moscatels using the Muscat of Alexandria variety (believed to be one of the oldest genetically unmodified vines still in existence), and the coveted semi-sweet red Fondillón, which is unique to the Alicante DOP and was the first wine to have its name and category recognised by the EU.
The wine route combines these delightful tipples with perfectly paired traditional local dishes, which are distinctive to each particular area, prepared by the finest chefs, from hearty rural fare inland to fish-based dishes inland, only using locally sourced, premium ingredients.
And if a single-day excursion is not enough, there is a variety of charming rural accommodation available. Moreover, the region’s privileged climate makes wine tourism possible all year round, making each trip different to suit your needs.
And finally, the coastal town of Guardamar del Segura has become one of the first to adapt some elements of its fiestas to the recently passed national Animal Welfare Law.
Although fireworks are an integral part of festivities in Spain, particularly in the Valencian Community, their widespread and sometimes indiscriminate use can be distressing for both pets and wildlife, as well as for people with autism or other neurodivergent conditions.
That’s why, in a display of praiseworthy consideration, the first parades of Guardamar del Segura’s Moors and Christians fiestas last weekend did not involve any pyrotechnics for the first time, a move which was applauded by local animal welfare groups, not to mention pet owners! If only more places were that considerate…
Andalucía
There was sad news in Málaga this week after the body of a missing British man was found just metres from his home in Nerja.
88-year-old Vic, a former university professor and expert in corrosion engineering, vanished on Tuesday July 22 after a routine trip to the barber on Calle Jaén. He told his wife he would catch a taxi or bus back to their house in Fuente del Badén, but never arrived. His family raised the alarm the next day, and missing persons posters quickly went up around the town.
Later that same day, hikers came across Vic’s body in an area of wasteland near his home. Although close to the house, the spot is rarely visited by locals, which may explain why it took time to find him. Police confirmed there were no signs of violence and all his belongings were intact, suggesting he may have suffered a heart attack. A post-mortem will be carried out to confirm the cause of death.
Vic, who taught at UMIST in Manchester and worked on major international projects including the Channel Tunnel, was an active member of the Nerja History Group. In a tribute, the group said, “Today would have been Vic’s 88th birthday and he wanted us to celebrate, not mourn… We send our deepest condolences to Basma.”
Just a few days earlier, emergency services were called to the nearby town of Vélez-Málaga after a suspected gas cylinder explosion caused a serious house fire.
The blaze broke out around 10.30am in a home on Avenida de Las Naciones. Residents reported heavy smoke and a loud bang, believed to have been caused by a bombona butane gas canister.Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control, but a 64-year-old man suffered burns in the incident. He was taken to the Hospital de la Axarquía for treatment. No other injuries were reported.
Incidents like this are a sobering reminder to check the condition of gas bottles and connections regularly, especially during the summer months when higher temperatures can increase the risk of accidents.
And lastly, if you’re after something more relaxing, you might want to pay a visit to one of Andalucía’s most overlooked natural wonders: the hot springs of Zújar in Granada.
Tucked away by the Negratín reservoir near Baza, this open-air thermal pool has been soothing weary bodies for over 2,000 years. In fact, the Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote about its healing waters, which still bubble up from deep underground at around 40ºC.
The pool itself is around 30 metres long and 12 metres wide, with clear turquoise water rich in minerals thought to help with everything from joint pain and skin conditions to cardiovascular and endocrine issues.
As the Junta de Andalucía explains, “Since 1928, the mineral-medicinal waters have been declared and are indicated for various pathologies; rheumatological, bronchopulmonary, excretory apparatus, mouth diseases, endocrine and metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological and gynaecological.”
It’s a peaceful spot, especially at sunrise or sunset, and access is completely free. To get there, head to the village of Zújar and follow signs to the Baños. Just past the restaurant of the same name, a dirt track leads down to the pool’s edge.
If you fancy something more structured, the nearby Balneario de Zújar offers spa treatments using the same thermal waters. Meanwhile, the surrounding Negratín reservoir, part of the Granada Geopark, offers kayaking, paddleboarding and even archery, all within driving distance of the Castril and Cazorla natural parks.
It’s a perfect day out for nature lovers, offering a peaceful glimpse into the quieter side of Andalucía.
You may have missed…
- Swimming banned on Lanzarote beach due to presence of blue dragons.
Swimming was temporarily banned on the Playa de Famara beach in Teguise, Lanzarote, this Monday following the sighting of several stinging blue dragon sea slugs! - The Spanish town with an ingenious new way to make people pick up their rubbish.
As anyone who has ever been to Spain will know, litter on the floor is an unsightly problem in many Spanish towns... except in one. A small town in northern Spain is leading a national trial of a bottle and can return scheme that’s seen locals of all ages racing to cash in and clean up. - British tourist breaks his back diving into Spanish pool.
A 23-year-old British man was taken to the Intensive Care Unit in a serious condition this week after diving headfirst into a pool from a height of approximately 1.2 metres at a hotel in Ibiza. - House prices in Spain still rising fast… with one region up 37%!
House prices across Spain are continuing their upward trend, with new figures showing an average year-on-year increase of 6.7% in May 2025. While the national rise has slowed slightly compared to previous months, eight autonomous communities have seen double-digit increases, led by Murcia where prices have surged a staggering 37%. - Will Spain’s new emergency lights lead to traffic fines?
The new V-16 beacons which will soon be obligatory for all cars in Spain to carry are digitally connected to the DGT, but could that inadvertently mean they will be able to track driver information… and find out when someone is speeding?!
And that’s all we’ve got for you this week. Thanks for reading and we’ll be back next week.
Happy weekend 
