Autonomous community of Spain with a distinct language and national identity
Champagne’s harvest has moved earlier this year due to record heat and drought, with producers starting in mid-August instead of mid-September. Grapes show higher sugar and risk to acidity; producers are adapting by earlier picking, night harvesting, and exploring irrigation research. Yields are expected to fall, but quality remains crucial as climate pressures accelerate.
Pogačar has maintained the red jersey lead at the Vuelta a España after another day of movement in the general classification. Brendan Brennan wins a stage amidst a sprint by Wout van Aert and late-stage reshuffles, while weather forced cancellations and neutralizations on other stages.
Japan faces continued extreme rainfall in Ishikawa and Toyama as rivers overflow and evacuations continue. Weather warnings remain at Level 5 with hundreds of thousands urged to shelter; power outages and landslides are reported amid rising rivers and flood conditions.
Barcelona has cancelled a World Cup tribute amid concerns about the moment and aims to unite fans. President Laporta condemns police violence after clashes over a Catalan independence flag as the club prepares for a 10pm BST kickoff against Athletic Club.
The folding hand fan, abanico, has become a daily companion during Western Europe’s heat waves, with Spaniards adopting it as a practical and cultural symbol. The piece traces its European journey from Portugal’s trade routes to Velázquez’s era, Madrid’s production hub, and Valencia’s flourished craft.
Spain's constitutional court has cleared the final legal barrier to the return of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont by confirming the 2024 amnesty covers the charge of misuse of public funds. Puigdemont left Spain in 2017 after the failed independence bid; Catalonia's politics, demographics and voter priorities have shifted substantially since then.
Protests across Spain over housing affordability have intensified after the eviction of an 87-year-old Madrid woman. Parliament rejected emergency housing measures, prompting speculation that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez could call a snap election as protests surge in multiple cities.
Independent and other outlets show supermarket wines and champagnes now offer value and quality. Experts say brands from Lidl, Aldi and Co-op compete with specialist labels, with awards underscoring growing confidence in supermarket sparkling and cloudy wines.
Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare for a high-stakes Clasico as Mourinho returns to Real Madrid. Barca lead La Liga, Mbappe and Yamal star, while the Ballon d’Or ceremony looms. The match could reshape the title race and signal whether the Clasico remains football’s biggest fixture.
A nationwide 24-hour general strike is under way in Spain, backed by the two largest unions and housing activists. Protests target soaring rents, evictions, and housing policy, with high participation in sectors like auto, ports, and waste. Schools and transport are disrupted as a political debate intensifies ahead of the November 29 election.