67 h. ago Spain’s rewilding of Iberian lynx at risk after lobbying by hunters and farmers

Regional governments bow to pressure from agricultural industry, often amplified by far-right Vox partyOnly last year it was hailed as a conservation success story: the Iberian lynx, which had been close to extinction, had sprung back to life thanks to a two-decade-long effort to expand the population.Now, however, that progress is at risk after several regional governments in Spain acceded to pressure from farmers and hunters to block the reintroduction of the species into the wild. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Seven restaurants to sample Spain’s hottest new chefs – without blowing the budget

The country is home to some of the world’s best modern cuisine, and these trailblazers serve inventive dishes at affordable pricesSince 2002, Spain’s gastronomic year has kicked off at Madrid Fusión, a jamboree where top chefs from all over the world show-cook, share dishes of rarefied ingredients and outline new culinary concepts. Wrapping up the three-day event is the crowning of Spain’s best young chef (often a duo) or “revelation”. This year’s seven candidates ranged from restaurants as far afield as Galicia in the north-west to Tenerife, Seville and Madrid. Most cook at intimate spaces with few tables, and offer ingredients and cooking techniques you would be hard-pushed to find on a British menu without breaking the bank.We start in Galicia, with the winners of the best emerging chefs for 2025. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago 10 reasons to visit Spain in 2025: new holidays, hikes and cultural highlights

From villas in Galicia and walks in La Gomera, to a new parador near Madrid and a horse fair in Jerez It is easy to avoid big resorts in the Canaries – the smaller islands have a handful of little towns with rural hotels dotted around. Hikers love lush La Gomera, with walks through the laurel forests in the Garajonay national park and along dramatic terraced hillsides overlooking the Atlantic. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago From wildlife in Andalucía to an alternative camino in Galicia: readers’ travel tips on unsung Spain

Our tipsters share their favourite seafood haunts, pristine beaches and under-the-radar citiesThe city and the province of Jaén can be overlooked by tourists heading to nearby Granada or Córdoba. That’s a shame, given that they are filled with Renaissance architecture, including a magnificent cathedral, and renowned as one of the homes of olive oil. Thanks to its historic position between Christian Castilla and Muslim Granada, the city is surrounded by castles. I recommend staying at the Parador de Jaén. It sits at the top of the hill of Santa Catalina next to the castle, and the views from its rooms towards the Sierra Morena mountains are unparalleled. Felix Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Lionesses find recipe for Euro 2025 success with ‘English’ performance | Tom Garry

One game does not fix everything but Leah Williamson and Millie Bright were delighted with team’s grit against SpainWhile Wembley was rejoicing at the sight of England putting the ball in Spain’s net, there were two people noticeably not joining in with the celebrations. Sarina Wiegman had reacted to the Lionesses’ goal by making her way urgently down to the touchline for a detailed conversation with her captain, Leah Williamson, clearly relaying some key tactical details.Such a sight is not uncommon in top-level sport, but on Wednesday night it felt particularly indicatory of England’s focus, determination and steadfast resolve to win. Their committed performance in the 1-0 Nations League triumph was one of a side fixated on nothing but victory, high levels of work rate, concentration and, perhaps above all, grit. The centre-back Millie Bright had another description for it: “Proper English.” Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Bengaluru Meta employee moves to London, highlights difference in tech culture: 'So happy to...'

Bengaluru Meta employee moves to London, highlights difference in tech culture: 'So happy to...'  Moneycontrol

Politics

7 d. ago Grace Clinton shows a glimpse of England’s future and helps banish ghosts against Spain | Jonathan Liew

Midfielder is rich in potential and opened the doors against world champions to offer her team a dizzyingly high ceilingThe final whistle blows and players gather in the centre circle. Enmities are buried and old bonds reforged, pleasantries and shirts are swapped. Chloe Kelly is wrapped in the shirt of Leila Ouahabi. Likewise Jess Park and Laia Aleixandri. Sixty yards away, meanwhile, Grace Clinton is already on her lap of honour. She has resolved, with her characteristic speed of thought, that this shirt is going nowhere.And if this was a game that seemed to arrive wreathed in ghosts of the past – Sydney, the pain, the bitter aftermath – then somehow it ended on a more optimistic, forward-looking note. This is an England team that have spent the past 18 months in varying states of entropy, labouring against the sort of opponents they should be swiping aside with a flick of the hand, torn between the Plan A that no longer works and the Plan B that does not yet exist. Continue readi...

Politics

7 d. ago Win over Spain a reminder England ‘can compete with the best’, says Wiegman

Wiegman: ‘It was an absolute team performance’Jess Park scores first-half goal in 1-0 win at WembleyThe England head coach, Sarina Wiegman, said her team “reminded themselves they can compete with the best” with their victory over the world champions Spain at Wembley.Jess Park’s second senior England goal, and her first since her debut in November 2022, gave the European champions a 1-0 victory on a night when they produced one of their best performances since the 2023 World Cup final. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Park grabs winner as England hold on for Nations League victory over Spain

England’s gutsy, industrious and confident performance against Spain perhaps mattered more than the result, but boy did they need a big win too.It’s fair to say the past few months have not been easy for Sarina Wiegman’s side, the context around two wins from five games since their Euros qualifying campaign a little lost, but a win over World Cup holders Spain to put them level on points with Portugal in their Nations League group lifts a pressure that perhaps shouldn’t be there. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago The Guardian view on Spain: a progressive beacon in dark times | Editorial

Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist-led government has welcomed immigration and boosted public spending, with stellar resultsCoverage of this week’s seismic election result in Germany focused on the disturbing rise of the far right, and chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz’s warning that Europe can no longer rely on the United States for its security. But for European progressives, there was also a third depressing takeaway: the comprehensive rejection of Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic party, which recorded its worst postwar result.Across the continent, centre-left parties have been exiled from the corridors of power, while the radical right has fuelled anxieties over immigration and economic stagnation to extend its influence. There is, however, one startling outlier to this dismal trend. Last year, Spain recorded the highest growth of any major country, at 3.2%. This was achieved under a Socialist-led coalition government that has welcomed high levels of immigration as a driver o...

Politics

8 d. ago Spain unleashed! Pups, plaster casts and pigeon painters – in pictures

Despite losing his studio contents in the recent Spanish floods, Ricardo Cases has a new solo exhibition that demonstrates his eye for an arresting image Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago TUI expands Spanish routes to two major hotspots as Ryanair scraps 12

While rising aviation levies are pushing some airlines to cut popular EU flight routes, TUI is doubling down on Spain holiday offerings ahead of summer 2025

Politics

2 w. ago Why is Spain’s economy booming? Thanks to migration – which proves xenophobia doesn’t pay | María Ramírez

With Spanish GDP growth leading Europe last year, diversity is making us richer – not only financially but culturally, tooThe world’s fastest growing major advanced economy last year was most likely Spain. According to preliminary official data for 2024, Spain’s GDP grew by 3.2%, almost five times the eurozone average and more than the US, which did pretty well too. In December, the Economist ranked Spain first among 37 mostly wealthy countries based on five indicators: GDP, stock market performance, core inflation, unemployment and government deficits. Forecasts for 2025 look good.Why is Spain doing so well? One key reason is immigration. Recent population flows, particularly but not only from Colombia, Venezuela and other Latin American countries, as well as Morocco, have boosted domestic demand and rejuvenated the workforce. According to the main labour national survey, nearly 90% of new jobs were filled by workers of foreign origin or dual nationality. Unemployment is at its low...

Economics

2 w. ago Project helps Spain’s flood survivors restore family photos – in pictures

In the days after flash floods killed more than 200 people in Valencia last year, volunteers and students sifted through the wreckage for photos belonging to families who had survived the disaster to see what could be saved Continue reading...

Events