Sam Jones

The small Spanish mountain village of Somosierra is preparing for as many as 2,000 visitors to watch the total solar eclipse on 12 August, despite having only 93 residents and 400 official registration slots. The council is coordinating with police and civil protection authorities, recruiting volunteers, and arranging training on eclipse safety, parking, water and crowd management. Local businesses hope to benefit from the influx, while Spain is positioning a series of upcoming eclipses as a major opportunity for astrotourism; the first event is expected to bring 446,000 additional visitors and €342m in tourism revenue nationwide.

An estimated 50,000–60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta enclave within 24 hours, overwhelming the territory and leaving at least 57 people dead. Spanish authorities said that most migrants had since returned to Morocco, with no onward route to mainland Spain or the wider Schengen area. Italy announced a temporary suspension of free-movement arrangements with Spain by air and sea, likely involving targeted checks on non-EU nationals, while citing national security and border protection. The European Commission said internal Schengen controls can be reintroduced only temporarily and as a last resort under strict legal conditions. Spain’s Pedro Sánchez rejected calls to suspend the country from Schengen, while leaders including Donald Trump, Donald Tusk and others criticized Spain’s migration management. France offered solidarity and strengthened controls on its border with Spain; Slovakia opposed suspending Spain and offered practical assistance.

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has repeatedly warned that climate change is killing people, damaging ecosystems and destroying homes, businesses and livestock. He renewed that warning as wildfires consumed more than 180,000 hectares in Spain during the first seven months of 2026. Although most Spaniards view the climate emergency as a serious threat, the opposition People’s Party and Vox reject Sánchez’s proposed state pact and attribute the fires primarily to poor land management and inadequate firefighting. Climate scientists instead cite the combination of rural abandonment, dry vegetation and increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. AEMET also debunked a Vox politician’s allegedly official document used to cast doubt on human-driven climate change.

EU interior ministers will hold an urgent meeting on Tuesday after more than 50,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, where at least 67 people died. Spain says most arrivals have returned to Morocco and has deployed soldiers, police and a 500-metre floating barrier. The crisis has exposed divisions within the EU, with Italy and some other countries criticizing Madrid and suggesting suspension of Spain from Schengen arrangements, while France rejected that idea. Pedro Sánchez accused critics of relying on disinformation and argued that Spain deserved European solidarity. EU officials are also examining possible Russian disinformation, border-management failures and the role of alleged trafficking networks, although migration experts say the causes are more complex.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU had supported Spain from the beginning of the Ceuta border crisis and stressed that nearly all arrivals had returned to Morocco, with none reaching mainland Spain or the wider EU. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez accused some European countries, particularly Italy, of responding selfishly and called for an urgent meeting of EU interior ministers. Italy temporarily suspended Schengen arrangements with Spain, while France rejected suspending Spain and emphasised cooperation. The coverage also reports rising deaths from a Russian attack on Ukraine, Ukrainian strikes on a Russian-linked cargo ship, severe wildfires in France and Spain, drought-related risks to Hungary’s Paks nuclear plant, and heightened security at Hamburg Pride.

At least 57 people died after as many as 50,000 to 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s enclave of Ceuta within roughly 24 hours, overwhelming the city and leaving thousands, including unaccompanied children, without shelter. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez blamed human-trafficking networks and announced reception, registration and expedited-expulsion measures, along with additional police and military deployments. More than 48,300 people reportedly returned voluntarily to Morocco. The crisis triggered emergency EU consultations and sharp criticism from Italy, Sweden and Finland, while France and other European leaders expressed solidarity with Spain. Morocco blamed criminal organisations and said its cooperation with Madrid remained intact, while Spain’s opposition parties demanded a tougher response. жы

Spain is deploying 60 armed-forces personnel and 30 additional Guardia Civil officers to Ceuta after an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people entered from Morocco by swimming, wading through the sea and allegedly scaling the border fence. Spanish authorities have not confirmed the total, while reports say Moroccan security forces used tear gas and water cannon and that nine bodies were recovered. Ceuta’s president, Juan Jesús Vivas, called for a national emergency as reception facilities were already overwhelmed, but Madrid rejected that designation and promised an immediate response in cooperation with Morocco and international authorities. The episode has revived memories of the 2021 border crisis, followed a Spanish Supreme Court ruling on returns at sea, and prompted Italian calls to suspend Spain from the Schengen area, which Madrid condemned as political demagoguery.

Residents of El Morro, near Navas del Rey west of Madrid, returned after a wildfire evacuation to find homes destroyed, gardens scorched, cars burned and electricity still cut off. Some families escaped major damage, while others lost their houses and remained in shock. Residents credited firefighters, protective walls and luck for limiting losses, but described the devastation as unprecedented and feared that increasingly severe wildfires are becoming a recurring reality across Spain.

France and Spain remain on high alert as a new heatwave and strong winds threaten to reignite wildfires despite overnight progress. Spain’s interior minister described the next three days as particularly difficult, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the next 12 hours would be decisive for a major fire near Madrid, which was later declared technically stabilised. Fires also affected Greece, Turkey and other European countries, with two firefighters killed in Crete and hundreds of thousands of people evacuated or confined since the previous week. Severe smoke pollution, drought and water shortages are worsening the crisis, while EU officials and experts called for stronger long-term prevention measures, including improved early-warning systems, forest management, grazing and wetland restoration.

A Guardian correspondent reflects on a decade reporting from Spain and Portugal, arguing that climate disasters once considered exceptional have become a regular feature of life across Europe. The Iberian Peninsula’s increasingly severe wildfires, floods and heatwaves are linked to rapid warming, with examples including Portugal’s 2024 fires, the deadly Valencia floods and the 2017 Portuguese fires. Accounts from journalists, officials and survivors illustrate the human cost and widening inequalities of extreme weather. The piece concludes that continued denial and political point-scoring are obstructing preparation for a future in which today’s disasters may seem comparatively mild.

Wildfires in France and Spain have forced about 375,000 people from their homes as firefighters struggle with extreme heat, strong winds and unpredictable fire behavior. The Gironde blaze near Bordeaux has burned about 42,000 hectares, destroyed at least 240 homes and prompted the evacuation of nearly 260,000 people, while fires in Spain have led to 116,000 evacuations and at least one death. French authorities deployed thousands of firefighters, military personnel and police, but warned that the fire remained highly volatile and had generated a fire-induced thunderstorm. Fires near Madrid were coming under control, though a new blaze near Valencia exceeded local extinguishing capacity. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, linked the crisis to the climate emergency, while officials warned that the 2026 wildfire season could set new records across Europe.

Wildfires in France and Spain have forced more than 300,000 people from their homes, including nearly 260,000 in France and more than 90,000 in Spain. Fires around Madrid showed signs of containment, but Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez warned that difficult hours remained, while new evacuations were ordered near Valencia. In France, the Gironde blaze near Bordeaux burned about 42,000 hectares and destroyed at least 240 homes, prompting the evacuation of roughly 55,000 people; further evacuations took place in Landes, Var and other regions. Thousands of firefighters, military personnel and police are battling the fires with international assistance. Officials linked the escalating risk to heat and the climate emergency, while Sánchez also warned against social-media misinformation about the fires.

Wildfires in France and Spain have forced about 267,000 people to evacuate, including 197,000 near Bordeaux and 70,000 west of Madrid. Spain declared a national emergency after fires worsened amid heat, drought and strong winds, while one person died near Valencia. France deployed 1,500 soldiers and specialist equipment, including aircraft, helicopters and drones. The EU is sending additional firefighting aircraft and providing emergency mapping. A major fire has also continued for 11 days in Scotland’s Cairngorms national park, prompting evacuation concerns and criticism of the Scottish government’s response.

Residents evacuated from Robledo de Chavela, Valdemaqueda and nearby towns describe apocalyptic skies, rapidly advancing flames and frantic escapes as wildfires spread west of Madrid. About 87,000 people in central Spain were evacuated or ordered to shelter, while an emergency sports centre in Las Rozas provided food, water and psychological support. Scientists linked the severity of the fires to climate breakdown and dry vegetation, while evacuee José Celaya blamed successive governments for neglecting rural land management and allowing vegetation to accumulate.

More than 200,000 people were evacuated or ordered to remain indoors as severe wildfires spread across France and Spain amid extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds. In France, more than 110,000 people fled the Cap Ferret peninsula and about 31,000 were evacuated near Biscarrosse, while tens of thousands of hectares burned and EU firefighting support was requested. Spain declared its first wildfire-related national emergency after fires near Madrid and Ávila threatened more than 63,000 people, with authorities warning that the blazes were approaching or exceeding firefighting capacity. Both countries reported record-breaking fire activity, and scientists linked the increasing frequency and severity of such events to climate change. Spanish authorities also arrested one person and investigated another over alleged machinery use that may have sparked a fire.

Severe wildfires forced the total evacuation of France’s Cap Ferret peninsula and displaced tens of thousands elsewhere in south-western France, while fires near Madrid and Ávila threatened to merge and led Spain to declare a national emergency. France and Spain activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, prompting the deployment of water-bomber aircraft. Spanish officials and scientists linked the exceptional fire conditions to extreme heat, dry vegetation and the climate emergency, while the far-right Vox party disputed that connection. The live coverage also reported a Russian strike killing people in Kyiv and Sloviansk, Romania’s shooting down of a drone that entered its airspace, a split in Poland’s Law and Justice party, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cabinet reshuffle amid political scandals and poor poll ratings.

Nearly 1.8 million people gathered in Madrid to celebrate Spain’s 1-0 World Cup final victory over Argentina. After arriving at Barajas airport, the team met King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before parading from Moncloa to Plaza de Cibeles. The celebrations were largely peaceful despite intense heat, and Spain’s political leaders and postal service joined nationwide tributes to the team’s second men’s World Cup triumph.

Spain’s World Cup-winning squad returned to Madrid to a planned royal reception, meeting with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and a major open-top bus parade. King Felipe VI praised the team’s resilience and said the victory belonged to all of Spain. The live coverage also reported that Italy is considering Pep Guardiola as its next head coach after his departure from Manchester City. Much of the day focused on tributes to Kevin Keegan, who died aged 75 after battling stage-four cancer; former clubs, football bodies and players remembered his achievements with Liverpool, Hamburg, Newcastle, Manchester City and England. The BBC also substantially widened its World Cup final audience advantage over ITV.

Spanish newspapers celebrated Spain’s victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final as more than a sporting achievement, describing it as a rare moment of collective emotion and national pride. El País and El Mundo praised the team’s diversity, teamwork, work ethic and connection with the public, while ABC contrasted Spain’s conduct with Argentina’s alleged thuggish behavior. Marca highlighted Spain’s superior possession, chances and defensive record, and La Vanguardia argued that the team cut through the tournament’s celebrity-driven distractions to demonstrate the central value of football.

Spain won the 2026 World Cup by defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute after a cross from Pedro Porro was headed back by Nico Williams. Spain controlled possession and created most of the chances, while Argentina adopted a disruptive defensive approach and were reduced to 10 men when Enzo Fernández was dismissed. Spain's victory completed an unbeaten tournament in which they conceded only once, while Rodri won the Golden Ball and Pau Cubarsí was named young player of the tournament. Lionel Messi, appearing in what was likely his final World Cup match, ended the tournament as a runner-up. The final also drew criticism for its slow, physical football and the politically charged, extravagant presentation ceremony involving Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

David Sánchez, brother of Spain’s prime minister, received a nine‑year ban from public office after being convicted of administrative misconduct linked to a 2017 job created by a socialist‑led council in Badajoz. He was acquitted of influence peddling, while several co‑defendants were also banned and former Extremadura PSOE leader Miguel Ángel Gallardo received an 18‑year ban. The case adds to broader corruption allegations surrounding Pedro Sánchez’s family, including upcoming proceedings against his wife, Begoña Gómez. Opposition leaders framed the conviction as part of a pattern of misconduct, while government figures argued that the judiciary is being used politically and expressed confidence that higher courts will overturn the ruling.

Mariano Rajoy faces backlash in Spain and France after claiming the French national football team lacks French players, prompting leaders including Pedro Sánchez and several French officials to denounce the remarks as racist. French political figures emphasise the nation’s diversity and citizenship-based identity, drawing parallels to recent racist attacks on Kylian Mbappé. The French football federation is urged to pursue legal action, while Spanish and French leaders call for rejecting racism as the countries prepare to meet in the World Cup semi-final.

A British resident of Los Pinos in Almería described her narrow escape from a fast‑moving wildfire that killed at least 12 people in southern Spain. Forced to evacuate her home with a friend and two dogs, she narrowly avoided driving into advancing flames after making a critical turn on a mountain road. Local officials reported that many victims appeared to be foreigners caught by the fire’s rapid spread, while some residents who ignored evacuation advice died when leaving too late. Regional authorities warned of severe destruction as emergency crews continued to battle the blaze.

The United States and Iran traded escalating military strikes after Donald Trump declared the ceasefire over and warned of further attacks. US strikes hit Iranian coastal cities in response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the strait of Hormuz, prompting rising oil prices and renewed regional instability. Iranian, Israeli, Kuwaiti and Lebanese developments added to heightened tensions, while statements from international officials reflected concern over the deteriorating security situation. The NATO summit in Ankara featured Trump’s combative remarks, threats of additional military action and suggestions of reinstating a blockade of Iranian ports, underscoring a rapid deterioration in regional diplomacy.

President Trump used the Nato summit in Ankara to criticise Spain and the UK over limited support in the Iran conflict, reiterate threats to cut trade with Spain, and restate his desire for US control of Greenland. He suggested Ukraine could receive a licence to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors and said the US might buy Ukrainian drones, while acknowledging limited US stockpiles. Trump claimed Iran’s military had been largely destroyed and signalled further strikes were possible. European leaders emphasised Nato unity, with Spain, Denmark and EU officials pushing back against Trump’s comments. Discussions also highlighted defence spending, air‑defence needs and ongoing negotiations over the Russia‑Ukraine war.

Spain’s People’s party and Vox reached a new coalition agreement enabling the PP to continue governing Andalucía after losing its majority. The deal includes Vox’s “national priority” policy, rejects central government immigration plans and aims to reverse historical memory legislation. PP leaders framed the pact as a path to regional stability, while PSOE officials warned it signaled deeper ideological alignment between the PP and far-right positions. The outcome increases the likelihood that the PP may rely on Vox nationally after Spain’s next general election.

A Venezuelan security guard, Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, was rescued alive after spending eight days trapped beneath the collapsed Galerías Playa Grande shopping centre following two powerful earthquakes that killed thousands. International rescue teams, led by Chilean firefighters and supported by specialists from several countries, tunneled through unstable debris and aftershocks to reach him, sustaining contact and providing water and nutrients. Hopes for additional rescues are diminishing, though families continue to wait for news. Widespread destruction has left many homeless and in need of aid, and the World Food Programme has appealed for emergency funding to support hundreds of thousands affected by the disaster.

Spain and France are preparing for another heatwave with temperatures expected to reach up to 44C in southeastern Spain after an exceptionally hot June caused more than 2,000 excess deaths across both countries. Meteorological authorities warn of increased wildfire risks, while health agencies report sharp rises in deaths and medical emergencies among older people. French officials note that heat-related deaths may exceed last year’s total, and wildfires continue to burn in southern France. Growing demand for affordable air-conditioning units has triggered chaotic scenes at supermarkets around Paris. Scientists attribute the severity of the heatwave to human‑driven climate change.

A valuable Joaquín Sorolla painting accidentally left on a Seville street by its owners was recovered after Andrés Hurtado picked it up, believing it to be discarded but keeping it for its frame. After using AI tools and an auction house to identify it as an original Sorolla, he contacted police when he saw theft alerts. Authorities returned the €150,000 artwork to the family, who promised him a small reward. Another recent case involving a misplaced Picasso is noted as a similar incident.

Four Venezuelan police officers were arrested after being filmed looting cash from a collapsed building in La Guaira as rescue operations continued following two powerful earthquakes that killed nearly 2,000 people. Volunteers reported limited government presence, alleging that some security forces blocked aid and commandeered supplies. Senior officials dismissed civilian anger as misinformation, while political tensions grew as acting president Delcy Rodríguez sought to consolidate power. International rescue teams and local volunteers continued searching amid severe resource shortages, with satellite data indicating far greater destruction than official estimates.

Satellite analysis indicates nearly 58,870 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed after two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela, far surpassing official estimates. The disaster killed at least 1,943 people, injured more than 10,000, and left tens of thousands missing as overwhelmed health facilities face elevated risks of disease outbreaks. International search and rescue operations involving 27 countries are under way, while public frustration grows over slow and insufficient local response. Reports from residents and rescuers describe widespread structural devastation throughout La Guaira, with urgent needs for machinery, medical support and accurate casualty tracking.

Monaco prosecutors opened an attempted assassination investigation after a parcel bomb injured Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Iermolaiev, his wife and child, prompting a cross-border manhunt. Authorities ruled out terrorism and identified the suspect as having fled into France. The live coverage also reported extreme heat records in Hungary and Slovakia, EU moves to restrict duty-free steel imports, US–EU tensions over the next high representative for Bosnia, and Spain’s major immigration regularisation scheme, alongside reports of fortified Russian civilian vessels in the Baltic and rising heat-related deaths in France.

Spain’s government received more than 1 million applications from undocumented migrants and asylum seekers seeking residence and work permits under a new regularisation scheme, double initial expectations. Pedro Sánchez argued the programme is essential to address economic and demographic challenges, while the opposition People’s party and Vox criticised it as harmful to public services or politically motivated. Regional PP governments have challenged the scheme in court, which may consult the EU’s top court. Sánchez also defended broader pro‑migration policies and announced a €500m integration plan aimed at improving migrant inclusion and social cohesion.

A 4.6‑magnitude aftershock shook Caracas and La Guaira as Venezuela continued rescue efforts after twin earthquakes that killed more than 1,700 people and left tens of thousands missing. Emergency shelters overflowed, infrastructure remained fragile, and disrupted services deepened the humanitarian crisis. International teams, including UN agencies, US Marines and rescuers from 27 countries, provided aid, repairs and search support. Survivors described worsening living conditions, while authorities struggled to manage looting and slow relief distribution. The US doubled its aid package to $300m as estimates suggested millions require shelter, sanitation and health services.

Spain aims to shift from its traditional beach‑focused tourism model by promoting inland and lesser‑known regions, supported by €3.4bn in EU funding. Tourism minister Jordi Hereu says visitor numbers may reach 100 million but insists growth can be managed sustainably through diversification, deseasonalisation and tighter regulation of tourist accommodations. The strategy highlights cultural and natural attractions beyond coastal areas and seeks to reduce overtourism pressures, address climate impacts and strengthen year‑round employment. Local authorities, particularly left‑leaning ones, are pushing stronger controls as Spain works to balance economic gains with environmental and social stability.

France faces a severe heatwave with temperatures expected to exceed 40C, prompting Emmanuel Macron to urge heightened vigilance and care for vulnerable people. Météo‑France has issued orange alerts across most of the country and warned that conditions could rival the deadly 2003 heatwave. Transport disruptions, school schedule changes and reduced nuclear output at EDF plants are expected. Spain and Germany are also experiencing extreme temperatures, with meteorological agencies issuing heat warnings and advising precautions as high temperatures and potential storms persist across western Europe.

Pedro Sánchez enters a politically turbulent week as multiple investigations target his family and associates. His wife, Begoña Gómez, faces charges of influence peddling, embezzlement and misuse of public resources, while a judge investigates former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero over alleged irregularities linked to the Plus Ultra airline bailout. The conservative People’s party has intensified calls for a snap election, framing the unfolding cases as a national embarrassment, while Sánchez rejects the pressure and pledges to serve out his term.

Police discovered jewellery valued at more than €1.3m in José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s office safe, prompting Spain’s Audiencia Nacional to open a tax fraud and smuggling investigation. Zapatero, already under scrutiny for alleged influence‑peddling linked to the Plus Ultra airline bailout, denies wrongdoing and plans to cooperate with the judge. His spokesperson retracted an earlier lower valuation of the jewellery and said it partly came from inheritance and travel. The case emerges as Pedro Sánchez’s administration faces several unrelated corruption probes.

Pope Leo XIV’s light‑hearted admission that he personally supports Real Madrid sparked irritation among Barcelona fans during his visit to Spain. The comment, made to journalists en route to the country, was amplified when he toured Real Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium and accepted a personalised shirt from club president Florentino Pérez. While the pope later urged harmony during a Catalan-language address in Barcelona, supporters of FC Barcelona criticised the appearance of taking sides in a historic football rivalry. The visit also included a brief meeting with musician Bad Bunny, adding further public interest to the tour.

Pope Leo XIV warned Spanish lawmakers that the world faces a profound spiritual and cultural crisis marked by violence, polarization and mistrust, urging diplomacy, adherence to international law and a rejection of rearmament. He devoted much of his address to migration, calling for safe legal routes, protection of migrants and efforts to address root causes such as conflict, inequality and the climate crisis. His remarks arrived as Spain regularizes hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants, drawing opposition from the far-right Vox party. He also reaffirmed church teachings on the sanctity of life and addressed the need for justice and reparation for survivors of clerical sexual abuse.

Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Spain aligns closely with Pedro Sánchez’s pro‑immigration agenda, drawing attention to migrant rights and contrasting sharply with the hardline stance of the far-right Vox party. The pope’s engagements with migrants and vulnerable communities underscore humanitarian priorities shared with the Spanish government, while Vox’s resistance drives further political polarization and influences the conservative People’s Party. The visit boosts Spain’s international profile and offers Sánchez a temporary reprieve from mounting corruption cases involving his family and party figures. Attention is expected to center on the pope’s message rather than ongoing political scandals.

Silvestre Indias Carvajal, a municipal clerk from Feria, was taken and executed by Francoist forces in 1936, leaving his family without answers for nearly nine decades. His descendants experienced generational trauma and decades of silence as the Franco regime concealed mass graves and democratic Spain initially offered no support. Historical memory laws passed from 2007 onward enabled the exhumation of a well near Feria, where archaeologists recovered disarticulated remains of 20 victims and identified one thigh bone as Silvestre’s. His family finally recovered and buried his remains in 2023. Current political efforts in Extremadura by conservative and far‑right parties to dismantle regional memory laws have raised fears that future exhumations and identifications may be undermined, leaving many families without closure.

Swimming horseshoe whip snakes have begun moving from Ibiza to nearby islets, accelerating the decline of the endangered Ibiza wall lizard. Researchers confirm the invasive snakes, introduced unintentionally through imported olive trees, now cover most of the island and are expanding to surrounding islets, where unique lizard populations have already disappeared. Conservation efforts, including a captive breeding programme at Barcelona Zoo, offer limited hope as snake numbers continue to grow. Urban areas currently provide the safest refuge for remaining lizard populations due to human presence and road mortality affecting the snakes.