Leire case: UCO investigates pressure on the Civil Guard and searches Tubos Reunidos
The Unidad Central Operativa (UCO) of the Civil Guard carried out a search and entry operation at two premises of Tubos Reunidos, authorised by Audiencia Nacional judge Santiago Pedraz, as part of the secret phase of the Leire case investigation into alleged SEPI involvement in channelling commissions. The UCO has asked judge Pedraz for a tax authority report covering all PSOE and PSC bank movements in 2024 and 2025, and has requested proceedings related to an alleged network aimed at sabotaging judicial cases affecting the PSOE and the government. UCO agents stated that intercepted messages show Pedro Sánchez was aware of Leire Díez's allegedly criminal conduct. The PP has demanded the resignation of Civil Guard director Mercedes González and the calling of general elections.
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Salvador Illa's Generalitat budget passes first parliamentary examination
The Salvador Illa government's budget of nearly 50,000 million euros has passed its first parliamentary examination in the Parlament de Catalunya. Final approval is expected in July 2026, ending the extension of the 2023 budget that has been in force until now.
Teachers' strike in Catalonia: teachers reject pre-agreement and mobilisations continue
Catalan teachers rejected in a binding consultation the pre-agreement reached between the Departament d'Educació and the main unions UGT, CCOO and Aspepc, which included a salary increase of 400 euros over three years and 6,413 new staff posts by 2030. USTEC and CGT did not sign the deal, and a general strike was called for today with further stoppages planned until the end of term. The Departament d'Educació stated it intends to apply the salary improvements and staffing reinforcements regardless. The Salvador Illa government had committed 2,000 million euros over four years to reverse declining school performance, with an additional 726 million to negotiate with unions.
Pope Leo XIV's official visit to Spain: preparations, logistics and planned events
Pope Leo XIV will make his first official visit to Spain, with events planned in Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria and Tenerife on 9 and 10 June. The Ministry of Transport has prepared a special operation including extra trains and airspace reservation for security forces, and the central government expects crowds exceeding one million. RTVE and TV3 will provide coverage, and EL PERIÓDICO will publish a special edition. Leo XIV will travel in a Mercedes-Benz G 500 (W463) — the same vehicle used by Benedict XVI — transported to Spain by the Air Force and National Police.
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Trial in Badajoz over irregular hiring of David Sánchez: key witnesses testify
The Audiencia Provincial de Badajoz held the first sessions of the trial against David Sánchez, Miguel Ángel Gallardo and eleven others for alleged irregular hiring at the Diputació de Badajoz. David Sánchez, brother of the Prime Minister, was the first defendant to testify and stated his post was not 'an office with a counter', while his lawyer Emilio Cortés evaded questions about the selection process. Miguel Ángel Gallardo, former president of the Diputació and former secretary-general of the Extremaduran PSOE, testified 'absolutely not' as the second witness.
Spring 2026 is the warmest on record in Catalonia in 113 years
The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (Meteocat) has confirmed that spring 2026 is the warmest on record in Catalonia, with a temperature anomaly exceeding +1 ºC across more than 95% of the territory and above +2 ºC in areas such as La Noguera, the Vall d'Aran and the Garraf massif. At the Observatori Fabra it is the warmest spring in 113 years, and at the Observatori de l'Ebre the fourth warmest in 122 years of data. The season was also dry across more than 60% of Catalan territory.
Investigation into Isak Andic's death: Mossos deduce Jonathan Andic scouted the location four days before
The Mossos d'Esquadra have deduced that Jonathan Andic drove to Montserrat and walked to the exact spot where his father Isak Andic fell, four days before the fatal fall. Investigators consider this prior reconnaissance a indicator of premeditated crime. Jonathan Andic is under investigation for the death of the Mango founder.
Leo XIV reorganises Vatican finances and publishes first encyclical on artificial intelligence
Pope Leo XIV has signed the motu proprio Coniuncta capellà, reinforcing the role of the APA — the Vatican's property and financial management body founded in 1967 — and suppressing the Donations Commission created by Francis. He has also published his first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, dedicated to artificial intelligence, dated on the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum. Archbishop of Tarragona Joan Planellas noted that Leo XIV used Catalan for the blessing of the Torre de Jesús of the Sagrada Família, and sources from the Seminari Major Interdiocesà highlighted the excellent relations among Catalan bishops.
Death of Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis, aged 56
Marjane Satrapi, author of the autobiographical graphic novel Persepolis, published more than 25 years ago, has died at the age of 56. Satrapi had previously declined the Légion d'Honneur offered by Emmanuel Macron.
Càritas Diocesana de Barcelona: 48,000 of the 63,525 people assisted in 2025 lacked decent housing
Càritas Diocesana de Barcelona's 2025 annual report reveals that the organisation assisted 63,525 people, of whom 48,000 lacked decent housing. More than 30,000 of those assisted lived in sublet rooms, and 13% had no roof over their heads.
Lleida court sentences driver to a fine — not prison — for the death of three motorcyclists at Alfés
The Audiencia de Lleida has sentenced the driver who caused the death of three motorcyclists on the C-12 at Alfés to an 18-month fine at a daily rate of 10 euros, well below the 6 years of imprisonment sought by the prosecution and the 9 years requested by the private accusation.
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Catalan government promotes new natural parks and expands effective management of protected spaces
The Catalan government is working to create the Parc Natural de l'Albera and the Parc Natural del Montsec, while the Parc Natural de Muntanyes de Prades is in public information phase with approval expected by end of 2026. An inter-administrative strategy has added 114,000 hectares to effective natural space management, and the government has published the first subsidies for Xarxa Natura 2000 management. Catalonia aims to effectively manage more than 80% of protected natural spaces by 2030, in line with the Kumming-Montreal Agreement.
Ministry for Ecological Transition funds Tordera II desalination plant and defers Foix project
The Ministry for Ecological Transition has announced the financing of the Tordera II desalination plant using its own funds and a bank loan, and has deferred the Foix desalination plant project.
Use of Catalan during the papal visit: pressure from Catalan bishops and language debate
Archbishop of Tarragona Joan Planellas has lobbied for Catalan to have a greater presence than initially planned during Pope Leo XIV's visit to Barcelona. Sources from the Seminari Major Interdiocesà confirmed that Leo XIV already used Catalan for the blessing of the Torre de Jesús of the Sagrada Família. Segre revealed that Pope Francis once asked aloud whether he should speak Catalan to members of the Montserrat confraternity, and that Cardinal Omella responded with a firm no. The debate over Catalan's presence at papal events has generated public controversy.
Florentino Pérez appoints José Mourinho as Real Madrid manager
Florentino Pérez has appointed José Mourinho as Real Madrid manager. Since leaving the club, Mourinho has managed Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, AS Roma, Fenerbahçe and Benfica, winning only one league title in London in thirteen years.
Sentence convicts Salou businessman for death of a lorry driver on the A-2 due to maintenance negligence
The Audiencia de Tarragona has sentenced a Salou businessman to prison for the death of a lorry driver from Tarragona on the A-2 following a tyre blowout. The ruling states that the accident was not the result of an unforeseeable circumstance but the consequence of a series of negligences related to lorry maintenance.
Lleida Pyrenees snowmelt contributes five times the capacity of the Rialb reservoir
Snowmelt from the Lleida Pyrenees has contributed a water volume equivalent to five times the capacity of the Rialb reservoir. The Rialb reservoir is above 95% capacity and Canelles above 85%, approaching its fifth total fill in history.
Girona city council plans to expand regulated parking from 2,300 to 13,000 spaces
Girona city council plans to approve the creation of green, blue and orange parking zones across much of the city, expanding regulated parking spaces from the current 2,300 to around 13,000. The proposal, based on a study carried out four years ago, will eliminate most free parking in various neighbourhoods and create a new orange zone for vehicles from outside the city.
Trial in the Inipro case in Tarragona: 9 defendants and 47 witnesses over irregular social services contract
The Audiencia de Tarragona has scheduled trial dates for the Inipro case, with 9 defendants and 47 witnesses. The case originates from an internal audit by the Institut Municipal de Serveis Socials (IMSS) of Tarragona that flagged an irregular contract extension to the company Iniciatives i Programes (Inipro).
Sexual crime complaints in Lleida: 71 in the first quarter of 2026
The Interior Ministry's crime balance records 71 sexual crime complaints in the province of Lleida in the first quarter of 2026, of which 27 involve sexual assault with penetration. In the city of Lleida, 31 sexual crime complaints and 20 rape complaints were registered.
Primavera Sound 2026: storm cancels Bad Gyal, Massive Attack and Doja Cat concerts
A storm forced the cancellation for safety reasons of the Massive Attack, Doja Cat and Bad Gyal concerts at Primavera Sound 2026, along with those of Mac DeMarco and Alex G. A screen fell in the main stage area due to the storm. Doja Cat reacted emotionally in an Instagram live from her hotel room, and the festival announced the rescheduling of Alba Farelo without prior notice.
3-year-old girl falls from fifth floor in Lleida and is transferred to Parc Taulí hospital
A 3-year-old girl accidentally fell from a fifth-floor flat on Carrer la Parra in Lleida's Barri Antic. She was evacuated to the Arnau de Vilanova hospital and subsequently transferred to the Parc Taulí in Sabadell. The Mossos d'Esquadra opened an investigation and determined the fall was an accident.
Garraf Tunnels structural works nearing completion and gauge change on southern corridor
The structural reinforcement works on the Garraf Tunnels are nearing completion after almost three months. The southern corridor plans include a gauge change from Castelló to Tarragona and the definitive Garraf works.
Catalan railway law amended: new penalty regime for damage to rail infrastructure
The DOGC has published Law 7/2026 of 4 June, amending the 2006 railway law and establishing a specific penalty regime for conduct that damages or deteriorates railway infrastructure in Catalonia.
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Junts in Barcelona: four candidates vie to head the list for the municipal elections
Jordi Turull has confirmed that Junts has no shortage of candidates in Barcelona but rather a surplus, with Jordi Martí, Pilar Calvo, Glòria Freixa and Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas all vying to head the list. Candidates must secure the endorsement of at least 20% of party members to enter the race.
Journalist Josep Maria Cadena has died at the age of 90. Cadena served as deputy editor of the newspaper Avui and was known for his declaration 'I never sold out'.
Generalitat budget and planning: Urban Planning Commission approves Torreblanca masterplan and Illa announces major works
The Generalitat's Urban Planning Commission has approved the masterplan for the Torreblanca industrial estate in Lleida. Salvador Illa has announced a major works plan to accelerate strategic infrastructure over six years, including the intermodal railway station at the Torreblanca estate. Lleida mayor Fèlix Larrosa informed government delegate Sílvia Paneque that before summer they will present the Mariola urban improvement plan and measures to remove Cappont's flood zone designation.
Conselh Generau d'Aran demands safety improvements on the N-230
The Conselh Generau d'Aran is demanding that the State put forward the N-230 safety improvement project, that it be kept informed of ongoing studies, and that controls be tightened to enforce restrictions on heavy vehicles on the 71-kilometre stretch between Sant Orenç (Sopeira) and Bausen.
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Argentina at the 2026 World Cup: Messi leads the squad and the group includes Austria, Algeria and Jordan
Leo Messi leads the Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup, drawn into Group J alongside Austria, Algeria and Jordan. Franco Mastantuono has been excluded from the squad, while Nico Paz is one of the new faces. Jordan will make their World Cup debut, and Algeria returns after missing the last two editions.
Reus city council cedes land to New Art Centre to create a 20,000 m² digital art park
Reus city council has ceded two adjacent plots to the New Art Centre de Reus, which will expand to 23,000 square metres and transform 20,000 square metres into an outdoor digital art park called 'New Art Land'. The project will include a large artistic installation integrating existing carob and olive trees as the main entrance to the complex.
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France in Group I of the 2026 World Cup with Norway, Senegal and Iraq
France, strong favourites in Group I of the 2026 World Cup, will face Norway — returning to a World Cup after 28 years — Senegal and Iraq, who qualify for the first time in 40 years. Kylian Mbappé is France's most decisive player, with the team managed by Didier Deschamps.
Valls: 3,800 of 4,000 tickets for the 12 August total solar eclipse already issued
Valls city council has reported that 3,800 of the 4,000 tickets for the total solar eclipse festival, scheduled for 12 August, have already been issued within two weeks of going on sale.
DOGC legislation: subsidies for the promotion of Catalan and Aranese literature abroad
The DOGC has published four resolutions opening subsidy calls for the publication abroad of illustrated works, the mobility of Catalan and Aranese literature authors, the translation of literary works in Catalan and Occitan, editorial production of translations, and the external promotion of Catalan and Aranese literature.
Nàstic de Tarragona: Pablo Alfaro will not continue as manager despite saving the club from relegation
Pablo Alfaro will not continue as manager of Nàstic de Tarragona's first team, despite having prevented the club's relegation to the fourth tier of Spanish football. Sporting director Tomeu Nadal has opted for a different direction.
Three Puigdelfí solar photovoltaic plants submitted to public information process in Catalonia
The PSFV Puidelfí I (1.20 MW), PSFV Puigdelfí II (4.16 MW) and PSFV Puigdelfí III (2.50 MW) solar photovoltaic plants have been submitted to public information processes for prior and construction administrative authorisations, environmental impact assessment and specific action authorisation on non-developable land. All three plants include underground 25 kV evacuation infrastructure.
Mossos fine 134 drivers for speeding in Vilanova de la Barca
The Mossos d'Esquadra have fined 134 drivers for speeding on the C-13 through Vilanova de la Barca, where the limit is 50 km/h. Two vehicles were travelling at 121 and 138 km/h and their drivers have been referred for criminal charges.
Rail disruption on R3 line between La Garriga and Torelló and incident on RG1/R11 line
Rail service on the R3 line has been disrupted between La Garriga and Torelló, with alternative road transport in operation. On the RG1/R11 line, a tree on the tracks between Caldes de Malavella and Girona has forced single-track operation at Fornells and Riudellots stations, with possible delays.
Fire in a shop in central Tàrrega with no injuries
A fire broke out in a shop on Avinguda de Catalunya in Tàrrega, originating behind the counter. Residents of the building were confined due to smoke accumulation in the stairwell. Fire brigade, Local Police, Mossos and SEM responded to the incident, which caused no injuries.
Three sommeliers from the Costa Brava and Girona feature in Spain's Top 100 Sommeliers
Matthew Wheeler (Gammarus), Laura Tejero Oliu (Divinum) and Cyril Vermeulen (Celler de Can Roca) have been ranked in the Top 100 Sommeliers Spain, at positions 26, 46 and between 51 and 100 respectively. Vermeulen has also been included in the Top 5 promising sommeliers.