MURCIA SOUTH WEST

Cruise ship recovers five bodies off the coast of Cabo de PalosPolice are investigating whether the victims were passengers on a migrant boat found adrift near Cartagena earlier this week Crew members on board the Sapphire Princess cruise ship made a grim discovery late on Tuesday April 21 when they spotted five.. 22/04/2026

Ryanair is bringing in earlier check-in times across Spain and beyondThe Irish budget airline has confirmed changes to its check-in closing times at all airports in its network Ryanair has announced a shake-up to its check-in process that means some passengers will need to arrive at the airport a little earlier than.. 22/04/2026

Spain's endangered 'sad duck' makes a comeback after €6.37m wetland rescue projectWetland restoration across Murcia, Alicante and Andalucia has helped nearly quadruple breeding numbers since 2021 Often described as Spain’s “sad-looking” duck thanks to the dark markings around its eyes, the marbled teal is starting.. 22/04/2026

Local taxes in Spain: Everything property owners need to knowIBI, Plusvalía, waste collection fees and more – a practical guide for anyone who owns property in Spain If you own property in Spain, you'll know the feeling: a letter arrives (or sometimes doesn't) and you suddenly discover.. 22/04/2026

Where to find electric car charging points in Spain using this live mapA simple online map shows thousands of charging locations across Spain and helps plan longer journeys If you drive an electric car in Spain, knowing where to charge it can feel like a bit of a guessing game. And no motorist wants to feel lost when.. 22/04/2026

Caravaca prepares for the largest annual fiestas of the north-west of MurciaThe Moors, Christians and Wine Horses fiestas take over Caravaca in the first week of May The Town Hall of Caravaca de la Cruz is now busy putting the final touches to the preparations for the annual Fiestas de la Vera Cruz (click here for programme).. 22/04/2026

Águilas sets new record for blood donations in 'donate for art' campaignA total of 187 people donated blood during the event held at the Infanta Doña Elena Auditorium, with 54 first-time donors taking part Águilas has once again proven the strength of its community spirit following a record-breaking turnout.. 22/04/2026

La Manga businesses demand urgent shake-up of beach rules and tighter jet ski controlsWith summer just around the corner, businesses want to see an end to the '50-metre rule' and a much firmer hand with jet skis in the Mar Menor Business owners in La Manga are calling for an urgent rethink of beach rules, warning that.. 22/04/2026

Spain air travel row grows as airlines deny fuel crisis while others warn of shortagesConflicting messages leave travellers unsure whether to book their flights to Spain now or wait as fuel costs surge Airlines and aviation experts are sending very mixed signals right now, leaving holidaymakers in Spain unsure whether they should be.. 22/04/2026

Queues, confusion and pressure as Spain's migrant regularisation opens nationwideApplicants face long waits and system issues while councils warn of strain on local services  Spain’s new migrant regularisation process has begun with scenes of long queues, technical problems and growing pressure on local services, as thousands.. 21/04/2026

Cabo de Palos lighthouse makeover begins with new viewpoints and improved accessMajor €467,000 project aims to make one of Murcia’s most iconic coastal spots safer, greener and easier to enjoy Work has officially begun to transform the area around the Cabo de Palos lighthouse, with a €467,000 investment set to improve.. 21/04/2026

Murcia's Carlos Alcaraz named World Sportsman of the Year at the 2026 Laureus AwardsThe tennis prodigy from El Palmar was awarded for the 2025 season, which saw him return to world number one and win both Roland Garros and the US Open Carlos Alcaraz was named World Sportsman of the Year on Monday night April 20, at the 2026 Laureus.. 21/04/2026

Get paid to recycle: Spain is finally introducing its long-awaited deposit return schemeThe new deposit and return scheme for drinks cans and plastic bottles will be rolled out across Spain in November Spain is finally catching up with much of Europe by introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers, and not before time.. 21/04/2026

Summer artisan market confirmed for Plaza Bohemia in La MangaThirty stalls have been approved and the market will focus entirely on handmade crafts and jewellery during the summer months The Cartagena City Council has approved a plan to turn its iconic Plaza Bohemia in La Manga into a dedicated artisan market.. 21/04/2026

Three dead and two survivors rescued from drifting migrant boat off Cartagena coastAuthorities are investigating whether more dead bodies may have been tossed in the sea after the vessel was found adrift for up to 20 days The dangers of crossing the Mediterranean have once again come into sharp focus after a small migrant boat carrying.. 21/04/2026

Spain sees early surge in measles cases as experts warn of spring spread riskOver 100 infections already recorded this year, with vaccination key to preventing further outbreaks Spain has reported 101 measles cases in the first two months of 2026, making it the second most affected country in the EU so far this year. &.. 21/04/2026

Could Spain's Mediterranean coast face powerful tsunamis in the future?Research from Murcia highlights ancient tsunami evidence at Cape Cope and warns that rising sea levels and coastal development could increase future risk Research conducted in the Region of Murcia suggests that a future tsunami along the Mediterranean.. 21/04/2026

Spain petrol station workers announce strike during busy May bank holidayDrivers across Spain could be stuck with empty tanks on key dates over the long weekend Drivers heading off for the May bank holiday in Spain could face disruption at petrol stations after unions confirmed strike action that will hit both the start.. 21/04/2026

Child abductions in Spain rise sharply over the last decadeOfficial figures show a 73% increase, with 2023 recording the highest number of cases Child abductions in Spain have risen by around 73% over the last 10 years, according to the annual missing persons report produced by the National Centre for Missing.. 20/04/2026

Murcia holds massive land reserves but housing bottleneck remains despite thousands of planned homesStudy reveals over 350,000 potential homes but only a small fraction ready for construction as demand continues to rise The Region of Murcia is sitting on one of the largest housing development potentials in Spain, with enough land identified to theoretically.. 20/04/2026