Skip to main content
Archived edition · September 16, 2026 Today's news →

What's happening in Europe?

Flag of Spain

Spain

News summary for

Go to today →

Ceuta 🪖

Ceuta rocked by military abuse claims, leader clashes, corruption.

Spain is grappling with serious new allegations of military abuse against migrants in Ceuta, with dozens reporting beatings and mistreatment by patrolling personnel. This development has intensified the ongoing crisis in the autonomous city, prompting a heated exchange in Congress where Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo publicly accused each other of exacerbating the situation rather than seeking solutions.

Adding to the political turmoil, former minister José Bono faces accusations of using a company to illegally bill €675,000 for government contracts. Meanwhile, the national economy is seeing a significant rise in fuel costs, with diesel prices surging to negate government discounts and over 2,200 gas stations now charging more than two euros per liter.

Internally, the government coalition is divided over a new housing policy aimed at preventing investment funds from purchasing residential properties, with the PSOE abstaining on the proposed law. In Madrid, regional politics are also under scrutiny amidst reports of perverse incentives in the healthcare system to falsify waiting lists and President Isabel Díaz Ayuso skipping a university rectors' meeting to avoid protests over public university funding.

Top stories

Ceuta Crisis: Military Abuse Allegations and Political Confrontation

The humanitarian crisis in Ceuta has escalated with dozens of migrants reporting beatings and abuse by military personnel. This has fueled a sharp political confrontation in Congress, where Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused each other of prolonging the crisis. Government officials are also publicly criticizing Sánchez's handling of the situation, while local residents express concerns over crime and migrant dignity. Efforts are underway to relocate…

Madrid Healthcare and University Funding Under Scrutiny

The Madrid healthcare system faces scrutiny over alleged perverse incentives to falsify waiting lists, raising concerns about patient care. Concurrently, President Isabel Díaz Ayuso skipped a meeting with university rectors, avoiding protests regarding the underfunding of public universities. Furthermore, the Madrid government is reportedly attacking a surgeon who exposed a scandal at the Ramón y Cajal hospital.

Climate Change Adds Weeks of Extreme Heat to Summer

The summer of 2026 saw a significant impact from climate change, adding 30 days of extreme heat across Spain, with Madrid and Barcelona experiencing 41 and 19 extra days of high temperatures, respectively.

News sources