Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain: programme, events and media coverage
Pope Leo XIV has begun his official visit to Spain — the ninth papal visit to the country and the fourth foreign trip of his pontificate, which began on 8 May — with stops in Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands. Kings Felipe and Letizia received him at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport, and RTVE will deploy around 660 professionals, 17 mobile units and 170 cameras to cover the events. During the visit, the Pope will meet with victims of clerical abuse in Spain, in a meeting organised by the Spanish Church, with no details to be released until after it takes place. Leo XIV will deliver twelve speeches and five homilies throughout the trip, and is scheduled to visit Brians 1 prison, Montserrat and the Sagrada Família, where he will bless the tower of Jesus Christ.
US-Iran tensions: drones shot down and nuclear negotiations
The US Central Command (Centcom) declared that its forces shot down four Iranian drones launched towards the Strait of Hormuz, deeming them an immediate threat to commercial navigation. Donald Trump ordered an offensive against Iran and introduced changes to the draft nuclear agreement under negotiation, demanding more guarantees on Iran's nuclear programme, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and permanent limits on uranium enrichment. Iran maintains pressure capabilities through control of the strait and the use of drones against Western interests.
Network to destabilise judiciary case: Santos Cerdán and Gaspar Zarrías charged
Santos Cerdán and Gaspar Zarrías have been charged with forming part of an alleged network aimed at destabilising judicial proceedings affecting the PSOE and Pedro Sánchez. The case file, which has been made public, contains audio recordings, meetings, messages and names pointing to the heart of power, and identifies Leire Díez as an alleged member of the network, who reportedly spoke with public officials including Guardia Civil commanders to halt investigations. Separately, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been charged in the Plus Ultra case. The Guardia Civil reportedly identified 'The One' as Pedro Sánchez.
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Ukrainian drones attack Saint Petersburg during International Economic Forum
Ukrainian drones attacked various neighbourhoods of Saint Petersburg. The attack occurred while the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, which opened on Wednesday 4 June 2026, was under way.
General strike in Catalonia's education sector: demonstration and rejection of pre-agreement
Catalonia's education sector held its second general strike, with a demonstration on Passeig de Lluís Companys in Barcelona where unions counted 90,000 attendees and the Guàrdia Urbana counted 15,200. Teachers rejected the pre-agreement signed by the majority unions and the Government, demanding that those in the classroom decide what is negotiated. The number of students with specific educational support needs (NEAE) in Catalonia has reached 387,422 in the 2025-2026 school year, triple the figure from seven years ago, a fact cited by demonstrators as evidence of pressure on the system. A further strike is planned for Tuesday.
Catholic Church abuse cover-up: two archbishops and three bishops of Lleida investigated
El País has published an investigation identifying two archbishops and three bishops of Lleida for allegedly covering up cases of clerical paedophilia for decades. The analysis reveals that 94 high-ranking Catholic Church officials in Spain allegedly covered up abuse complaints, across a total of 1,622 cases.
Jonathan Andic case: investigation into Isak Andic's death at the Feixades trail
Jonathan Andic is charged with the alleged homicide of his father, Isak Andic, founder of Mango, who died after falling into a ravine on the Feixades trail in Collbató. The Mossos d'Esquadra are seeking witnesses to the fall and have requested information from six telephone operators about phones connected to antennas in the area at the time of the incident. The investigating judge is Raquel Nieto, of the Martorell court.
Nitrate contamination in tap water across 118 Catalan municipalities
Nitrates are present in tap water across 118 Catalan municipalities, originating mainly from industrial livestock farming and agricultural fertiliser runoff. Nearly half of the springs in Osona and Lluçanès are contaminated, and the situation is not receding despite measures taken by the Administration. Nitrate contamination of aquifers is a persistent problem affecting public health across several regions.
Debate over use of Catalan during papal visit and open letter to the Pope
FC Barcelona, Òmnium Cultural, the ANC, the Xarxa d'Entitats Cristianes and other public figures signed an open letter published in La Vanguardia asking the Pope to address Catalans in Catalan, arguing they are 'good Christians'. The blessing of the tower of Jesus at the Sagrada Família was conducted in Spanish, drawing criticism, with various voices arguing it should have been done in Gaudí's language. Pope Leo XIV is, however, expected to speak more Catalan than initially planned during his visit to Catalonia, according to the Conferència Episcopal Tarraconense. The Bishop of Tarragona has led the defence of the Catalan language before the Holy See.
Generalitat implements forest firebreaks to prevent megafires in Catalonia
The Generalitat is felling forests in Tarragona as part of a new forestry strategy to prevent megafires, and is implementing a project to delimit 14 territorial strips across Catalonia to prevent fire from jumping between massifs. The Government has defined Priority Protection Perimeters (PPP) as areas with a high risk of forest fires and continuous forest mass where large fires can occur.
Inipro case: possible ruling before the 2027 municipal elections
The Inipro case, which has been in the instruction phase for more than a decade and allegedly links the PSC to possible irregular financing from the Social Services area, could have a ruling before the 2027 municipal elections. The trial has been scheduled on the eve of those elections.
Traumatology waiting lists in the Girona Health Region: 170-day average
The Girona Health Region has an average waiting time of 170 days for a first traumatology appointment, with 11,317 patients on the waiting list. Between January and April 2026, 10,536 traumatology visits were completed. These figures highlight the care pressure on the specialty in this region.
Generalitat 2026 budget: Catalan public sector and omitted allocations for ZEPA farmers
The public sector in Catalonia employs 389,100 people, 10% of the total employed, and the Generalitat has a projected budget of 50,000 million euros for 2026. The Agriculture and Territory departments have omitted from the budget a seven-million-euro allocation to compensate farmers in bird protection zones (ZEPAs), which cover 14,000 hectares of dryland in Lleida.
Prosecution appeals ruling over death of three motorcyclists on the C-12 at Alfés
The Prosecution has appealed the ruling by the Lleida Court that sentenced the driver responsible for the death of three motorcyclists on the C-12 at Alfés to a fine of 5,400 euros. The Court considered the driver's negligence to be less serious, rejecting the Public Prosecutor's request for a prison sentence.
New Clínic hospital in Barcelona: progress on the Urban Master Plan
The Generalitat's delegate in Barcelona, Pilar Díaz, has stated that studies and work to make the new Hospital Clínic a reality are progressing 'very swiftly', with monthly meetings of the consortium and the Urban Master Plan (PDU) advancing adequately. The existing executive project is being modified to adapt it to the Clínic's arrival and to meet the needs of the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu.
CE Sabadell qualify for Segunda División promotion final
CE Sabadell defeated Real Madrid Castilla 3-0 in the second leg of the Segunda División promotion semi-final, overturning a 2-0 first-leg defeat. The Nova Creu Alta registered nearly 12,000 spectators at full capacity. Goals came in minutes 31, 32 and injury time, scored by Priego (two) and Astals. Sabadell will face the winner of the Vila-real B vs Zamora tie in the final, with Vila-real B currently leading 2-0.
Real Madrid presidential election: Florentino Pérez and Riquelme
Florentino Pérez has presented his candidacy for the Real Madrid presidency with a 'Decálogo de derechos del socio' and announced the signing of Luís Figo, who was at the time a Barça player. Riquelme, meanwhile, has promised to sign Haaland and, if he fails, to personally pay the annual membership fee for all Real Madrid members; his appearance on El Hormiguero attracted 20 million viewers. Florentino has stated that if he wins, he has agreed the most expensive signing in the club's history (150 million euros).
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Feminismes en Revolta: 1976-2026 conference in Barcelona
The Feminismes en Revolta: 1976-2026 conference will be held on 12, 13 and 14 June 2026 at the Fabra i Coats venue in Barcelona, with 140 activities and the participation of 175 collectives. The event marks the 50th anniversary of the Primeres Jornades Catalanes de la Dona and calls for action against the rollback of feminist rights in a context of far-right growth. The Diputació de Barcelona has inaugurated a travelling exhibition on the 1976 conference at the Espai Francesca Bonnemaison, open until 25 June.
Serious chemical poisoning of a 20-year-old by pesticide in Tamarit
A 20-year-old suffered serious chemical poisoning from a highly toxic pesticide at the workplace. Emergency services received the alert via the 112 emergency number, which requested the collaboration of the Huesca Provincial Fire Service at the Tamarit Health Centre.
2026 FIFA World Cup: groups and notable national teams
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, brings together national teams from around the world in already-defined groups. Group L includes England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama, while Portugal — with Cristiano Ronaldo and under Robert Martínez — is in Group K. Uzbekistan makes their World Cup debut with Fabio Cannavaro as coach, and the Democratic Republic of Congo participates for the first time since doing so as Zaire in 1974. Thomas Tuchel has excluded Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold from the England squad.
Girona FC: Quique Cárcel press conference on the club's future after relegation
Girona FC sporting director Quique Cárcel held a press conference to address the club's situation following relegation, warning that the squad will not be finalised by 15 July. Cárcel announced that the first priority is to confirm the head coach, and stated that Stuani has earned the right to decide his own future.
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Catalonia wins four of Spain's five Double Gold medals at Grenaches du Monde 2026
Catalonia won four of the five Double Gold medals awarded to Spain at the Grenaches du Monde 2026, held in Argelers de la Marenda. The Catalan wines awarded Double Gold are La Basseta 2021, Perinet 1194 2019, Pla dels Àngels 2025, Ànima L'Avi Arrufí 2023 and Flor de Morca 2024. Garnacha has more than 163,000 hectares planted worldwide, with nearly 90% concentrated in Spain and France.
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Rise in notarised donations in central Catalonia in 2025
Notarised donations in central Catalonia increased by 140 transactions (16.09%) in 2025, according to the statistical summary published by the Col·legi Notarial de Catalunya. The percentage of property transactions with a mortgage in central Catalonia also rose by three points compared to 2024 and by nearly five points compared to 2021.
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Lamine Yamal named LaLiga MVP and highest-valued player
Lamine Yamal has received the LaLiga EA Sports best player award (MVP) and the CIES Football Observatory ranks him as the player with the highest market valuation in the world.
Nàstic de Tarragona appoints Tomeu Nadal as sporting director and Xisco Campos as coach
Nàstic de Tarragona has appointed Tomeu Nadal as sporting director and Xisco Campos as head coach for the upcoming season.
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Cardona commemorates the centenary of potash salt mining
Cardona has launched a programme of tribute events for the centenary of the start of potash salt mining, which shaped the town throughout the 20th century. Mayor Lluïsa Aliste described the date as decisive for the municipality's history, and the director of the Cardona Historical Archive, Andreu Galera, highlighted that a very important part of today's town is heir to that era.
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Baxi steps down as main sponsor of Bàsquet Manresa; Kids&Us takes over
Baxi has transitioned from main sponsor to co-sponsor of Bàsquet Manresa, with Kids&Us taking over as main sponsor for the upcoming season. Baxi's general director, Joan Blanch, expressed nostalgia for eight years at the helm of the team's name and stated they are leaving calmly but must go through a period of mourning.
Earthquakes recorded in various parts of the world
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded several earthquakes in geographically dispersed areas, including Alaska, Hawaii, the US Virgin Islands, Texas, Japan, Peru, Papua New Guinea, Colorado, Tonga and Wyoming. None of the earthquakes has been associated with reported casualties or significant damage.