UCO searches PSOE headquarters and properties of senior Socialist officials in the SEPI case
The Guardia Civil's Central Operative Unit (UCO) entered the PSOE's headquarters on Calle Ferraz in Madrid and inspected properties linked to senior Socialist officials, as part of an investigation into an alleged illegal financing network directed by Audiencia Nacional judge Santiago Pedraz. The operation, backed by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, targets Leire Díez, Vicente Fernández Guerrero — former SEPI president — and Antxon Alonso for alleged malfeasance, embezzlement, influence-peddling and criminal organisation, pointing to the injection of opaque funds into the party's accounts. The PSOE stated all investigated payments are justified and audited, while the PP demanded immediate elections and ERC warned it would call for a vote if illegal financing were proven. Sumar described illegal financing as a 'red line' for the government's continuity.
Zapatero charged in the Plus Ultra case: judge postpones his testimony by two weeks
Audiencia Nacional judge José Luis Calama accepted jurisdiction to investigate former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in the Plus Ultra case, granting a two-week postponement of his testimony as a suspect at the defence's request. UDEF reports describe a financial network that allegedly channelled hundreds of thousands of euros to Zapatero through companies including Análisis Relevante, Gate Center and Thinking Heads, and point to an offshore entity in the British Virgin Islands with $653,874 blocked. The judge adopted the UDEF scheme in a ruling describing Summer Wind as an instrumental company, and found that €15.9 million of the first €19 million of the Plus Ultra bailout was transferred to a money-laundering network. The Spanish government defended the bailout as legally compliant and ruled out further reviews.
Teachers' strike in Catalonia: new strike day and negotiations without agreement
The unions USTEC, Professors de Secundària, CGT and Intersindical called a new general teachers' strike across Catalonia, with rallies in Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Tarragona and other towns, while the Conselleria d'Educació i FP presented a new salary proposal at the fifth sectoral negotiating table. The department offered a flat salary supplement of around €40 for all teachers and compensation for unpaid six-year increments, but unions deemed the offer insufficient against their demand of €478–544 extra per month. The meeting ended without agreement, and three strike-calling unions announced they would not sign point-by-point agreements until consulting their members. Meanwhile, the cancellation of school trips and camps by more than a thousand teaching staffs affects 70% of camp bookings, putting over 300 leisure-sector jobs at risk.
Jonathan Andic temporarily steps down as Mango vice-president as investigation into Isak Andic's death advances
Jonathan Andic announced he is temporarily stepping down as vice-president of Mango's board of directors to focus on his defence, after the Mossos d'Esquadra concluded there was a physical struggle between father and son at the point on the Collbató route from which Isak Andic, the chain's founder, fell on 14 December 2024. The judge stated in the remand order that there is active and premeditated participation by Jonathan, while the defence, led by Cristóbal Martell, is preparing an expert report to contest the Mossos' terrain analysis and argues the death was entirely accidental. The defence paid bail of one million euros and relies on a video showing Isak Andic suffering a fall three months before his death at Mútua Universal de Barcelona. Toni Ruiz, who acquired a 5% stake in Mango, takes over as company president.
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Israel announces a body to manage the 'voluntary departure' of Gaza's population
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed the government's intention to implement the voluntary emigration plan for Gaza and announced the creation of a specific body to manage it. The UN Satellite Centre reported that more than 80% of Gaza's structures have been damaged since the offensive began, and Gaza's Health Ministry reported more than 72,800 Palestinian deaths in Israeli attacks since the start of the war, in a territory of around 2.1 million people.
Pope Leo XIV publishes encyclical 'Magnifica humanitas' on the human condition and artificial intelligence
Pope Leo XIV published the encyclical Magnifica humanitas, described as a document on the human condition, the relationship between person and world, and human dignity, in which he warns that artificial intelligence must remain ordered towards the common good and justice. Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah attended the presentation and declared that interacting with AI is more a human and religious question than a technological one. The encyclical comes in the context of preparations for the pope's visit to Spain, which will include Barcelona, Madrid and the Canary Islands, with a papamobile tour of Barcelona and a meeting with 80 prisoners at Brians prison.
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Political executions in Iran: at least 45 cases in 2026 according to Amnesty International
Amnesty International reported 45 politically motivated executions in Iran in 2026, while the UN verified at least 32 political prisoners executed since 28 February. Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, arrested during the 2022 protests over Mahsa Amini's death, was executed without prior notification to his family or lawyers, and his body was not returned to relatives. Iran's judiciary chief declared courts would not yield to external pressure, while Amnesty International had reported more than 2,100 executions in Iran in 2025.
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Catalan government approves programme contract to turn the Tax Agency into Catalonia's treasury, with full income tax management by 2029
The Catalan government approved the programme contract to transform the Catalan Tax Agency into Catalonia's own treasury, with the goal of fully managing income tax by 2029, one year later than President Salvador Illa had announced. The measure represents a step towards Catalonia's fiscal autonomy, though the one-year delay from the initial timetable has drawn political comment.
Catalan Parliament validates two urgent decree-laws on dependency and public transport
The Catalan Parliament validated Decree-Law 4/2026 on urgent measures in the field of dependency (Resolution 769/XV) and Decree-Law 5/2026 on urgent measures regarding interurban road passenger public transport (Resolution 770/XV). Both regulations, published in the DOGC, take immediate effect upon parliamentary validation.
Floods in France: seven dead and orange alert in eight departments
French authorities activated an orange alert in eight departments due to flooding, which caused seven deaths, including five by drowning, according to Prime Minister Maud Bregeon.
Bill on imprescriptibility of clerical sexual abuse stalled in Congress
The bill on the imprescriptibility of sexual abuse offences committed by members of the Catholic Church is stalled in the Congress of Deputies. Victims fear the reason is that the government does not want to upset the Church during the pope's visit to Spain, and that bishops have asked the Executive not to advance the bill this legislature so as not to jeopardise the extrajudicial reparation agreement reached in January, which provides for compensation payments without judicial redress.
Council of Ministers approves Spain's shortlist of candidates for the European Court of Human Rights
The Council of Ministers approved Spain's shortlist of candidates for the position of judge at the European Court of Human Rights and ordered its submission to the Council of Europe's Advisory Panel of Experts, as set out in Order PJC/513/2026 published in the BOE.
Audiencia Nacional upholds conviction of Indulleida executives for €3.8 million fraud in European agricultural subsidies
The second section of the Audiencia Nacional's Criminal Chamber dismissed the convicted parties' appeals and upheld the sentence against Indulleida's former director and current CEO for defrauding €3.8 million in European agricultural subsidies. The ruling confirms one year in prison for both executives, fines of three million euros each and for the company, a three-year ban on receiving public subsidies, and a joint obligation to repay €2.1 million plus interest to the Spanish Agricultural Guarantee Fund.
Pilar Calvo enters Junts primary race for the Barcelona mayoral candidacy
Junts MP and party National Council president Pilar Calvo announced her candidacy in the Junts primary for the Barcelona mayoral race, with the backing of Míriam Nogueras. Calvo joins Jordi Martí Galbis and Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas as confirmed candidates, while Josep Rius withdrew. Junts will announce its mayoral candidate on 21 June 2026, the date of the primaries, with the candidacy submission deadline on 1 June.
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Catalan Parliament debates the 2026 Generalitat budget in various committees
Several Catalan Parliament committees — Health, Business and Labour, Research and Universities, Language Policy, Justice and Democratic Quality, and Sports — scheduled sessions to debate the 2026 Catalan Government Budget Bill, with government appearances to report on the content of their respective departments.
Alexia Putellas announces she is leaving FC Barcelona after 14 seasons
Alexia Putellas, FC Barcelona women's captain and two-time Ballon d'Or winner, announced her departure from the club after 14 seasons and 38 titles, declaring 'I have been and will always be a culer.' The announcement coincides with the departures of other players including Torrejón, Mapi and Ona Batlle, at a time when Barça women have just won their fourth women's Champions League by defeating Olympique Lyonnais in the final.
Body found in Àger may be former Durro mayor Enric Plaza, missing since late April
The Mossos d'Esquadra and Catalan Fire Service participated in the extraction of a body found in Àger in an advanced state of decomposition, which may be identified as Enric Plaza, former mayor of the EMD of Durro, who disappeared at the end of April 2026. The body was transferred to the Lleida Institute of Legal Medicine for identification, while the investigation remains open.
Catalan government approves second Pla de Barris call with potential spending of over €300 million
The Catalan government approved the second Pla de Barris call, which co-finances urban regeneration projects at rates of 50% to 70% depending on municipality size. Councillor Sílvia Paneque stated that spending could exceed €300 million depending on the approval of the 2026 budget.
Spain formalises supply of telecommunications and security equipment to Ukraine and Moldova
The Subdirectorate General for Infrastructure and Security Means Planning and Management formalised the contract for the acquisition of telecommunications, IT, protection equipment and vehicles, and their subsequent transport for delivery to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, under an emergency procurement declaration.
Spain football squad for the 2026 World Cup announced with no Real Madrid players
Luis de la Fuente presented the Spain squad for the 2026 World Cup, which includes eight FC Barcelona players and nine Catalans — among them Joan Garcia, David Raya, Pau Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo — but no Real Madrid players. Pablo Fornals and Carlos Soler were excluded because they cannot play alongside Pedri, identified as the central piece of the plan. King Felipe VI presented the squad announcement video.
Chemical intoxication at the UEC in Tàrrega: seven people affected by toxic fumes
Seven people were intoxicated by toxic fumes produced by an accidental chemical mixture at the Shared Schooling Unit (UEC) in Tàrrega. Two of those affected were transferred to the Arnau de Vilanova hospital in Lleida and five were treated at the primary care centre in the capital of Urgell.
Heat wave in Spain: extraordinarily high temperatures for late May
AEMET declared that temperature readings were 'extraordinarily high' for the time of year, with values close to 30 degrees Celsius across Spain. Meteocat stated that the temperatures were typical of the dog days of summer, the hottest days of the year.
New PSC councillors in Ripoll: Paco Morillo and Jorge Iglesias take office amid controversy
Paco Morillo and Jorge Iglesias took office as PSC councillors in Ripoll, replacing Enric Pérez and Anna-Belén Avilés, who were dismissed by the PSC leadership. Mayor Sílvia Orriols (Aliança Catalana) accused them of not having been democratically elected and called them 'strikebreakers' due to their UGT union ties, while Iglesias addressed the plenary in Spanish and said he would do his best to learn Catalan. The plenary rejected budget objections filed by Morillo.
ADIF tenders works for the electrification of the Ronda-Algeciras line
ADIF announced the tender for the construction of the overhead contact line and associated systems for the Ronda-Algeciras line, as well as works to restore services affected by the electrification of the Bobadilla-Algeciras line on the Ronda-Algeciras section. It also published an error correction for flood drainage improvement works on the Madrid-Valencia line in the municipality of Benifaió.
Agreement between the Government Delegation against Gender Violence and Cantabria for a telephone support service for victims
The Government Delegation against Gender Violence published the agreement with the Autonomous Community of Cantabria for the provision of a telephone information, support and legal advice service on violence against women.
Girona FC relegated to Segunda División and LaLiga to activate relegation aid mechanism
Girona FC was relegated to the Segunda División, and LaLiga will activate the relegation aid mechanism for the club. Mallorca will receive €18.5 million and Oviedo €9 million in relegation aid. The Girona club now faces uncertainty over coach Míchel's continuity and squad planning for the second-tier season.
Call for school canteen and transport grants for Ceuta and Melilla for the 2026/2027 school year
The Secretary of State for Education called for grants to cover school canteen and transport services for pupils enrolled in publicly funded non-university schools in Ceuta and Melilla for the 2026/2027 school year.
Forced retirement of two magistrates and special services status for a third, decreed by the CGPJ
The Standing Committee of the General Council of the Judiciary declared the forced retirement of magistrate María Dolores Muñoz Salvatierra and magistrate Ángel Márquez Romero, and placed Santiago Ezequiel Marqués Ferrero, a member of the Judicial Career, in the administrative situation of special services.
El Celler de Can Roca warns of a fraudulent website impersonating the restaurant
El Celler de Can Roca issued an alert via social media warning of the existence of a fraudulent website impersonating the restaurant that does not correspond to its official channels.
Selection process for the Justice Administration's Procedural Management and Processing Corps: final lists and exam venues
Orders PJC/514/2026 and PJC/515/2026 approved the final lists of admitted and excluded candidates for the selection processes to access the Procedural Management and Administrative Corps and the Procedural Processing and Administrative Corps of the Justice Administration, and fixed the exam venues. The Processing Corps process is for internal promotion and was called by Order PJC/1550/2025.
Creation of the Democratic Memory Chair at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili
The Secretary of State for Democratic Memory signed an agreement with the Universitat Rovira i Virgili for the creation of the Democratic Memory Chair, published in the BOE. In parallel, the agreement with the Institut Municipal de Cultura de Barcelona was extended for the exhibition project 'La generació del canvi. Els estudiants contra Franco'.
Ignacio Sola Barleycorn appointed director of the Centre for Legal Studies
Royal Decree 417/2026 ordered the dismissal of Laura Cambero Valencia as director of the Autonomous Body Centre for Legal Studies, and Royal Decree 418/2026 appointed Ignacio Sola Barleycorn as the new director of the same body.
Military procurement: the Army tenders ammunition, drones, ballistic vests and defence equipment
The Logistics Support Command's Economic Affairs Headquarters announced several military equipment tenders, including 7.62 x 51 mm tracer cartridges, stun grenades, 4.60 x 30 mm cartridges, ballistic protection vests, JTAC laser designators and special shaped explosive charges. Additionally, maintenance of Class I micro rotary-wing RPAS Skydio systems and a portable X-ray system were tendered, and the purchase of an advanced life support ambulance for the Zaragoza Defence General Hospital was formalised.
Updated case distribution rules for the Administrative Chamber of three High Courts of Justice
The CGPJ Standing Committee published the agreements of the High Court of Justice of Andalusia, Ceuta and Melilla on the distribution of matters between sections of the Málaga Administrative Chamber, of the High Court of Justice of Madrid on updated general case distribution rules for its Administrative Chamber, and of the Governing Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Castile and León on the modification of its Administrative Chamber's distribution rules.
Public job vacancies called across multiple municipalities and state bodies
Numerous municipalities and public bodies across Spain — including Getxo, Palma, Fuenlabrada, Torrent, Carmona, Coslada, Inca and the Diputació de Tarragona — published calls to fill civil service and employment posts in the BOE. In parallel, the Nuclear Safety Council, CIEMAT and the Directorate General of the Civil Service called vacancies for specialist staff.