Stories from Madrid · Spain

Analysts are monitoring loan loss provisions for BBVA.

Investors are anticipating resilient financial results from BBVA, which is benefiting from currency tailwinds and lower costs. The bank is also seeing a resilient trajectory for net interest income. However, concerns remain regarding loan loss provisions for the institution.

Vitor de Aldaban made an eight-hour statement to the Supreme Court. He admitted to being a member of a criminal gang. The statement was recorded in Spain. The group reportedly includes individuals identified as Ávalos, the number two, and Sánchez, the number one.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing scrutiny following allegations involving Aldama. Media outlets like El Mundo and El País are analyzing the credibility of claims regarding cash and potential connections to criminal activity.

Child protection officer Sara El Jairi reported the reopening of a website that facilitates pedophilia and pimping crimes two weeks ago. The site has reportedly changed its name but maintains the same functionality.

An extreme-right activist, Vito Kiles, is facing a complaint for aggression against Begoña Gómez, the wife of the Spanish President. The incident allegedly occurred at a restaurant where the activist attacked Gómez.

Aldama alleges that former Finance Minister María Jesús Montero issued a clear order to the Tax Agency to defer a debt owed by one of her companies. The minister is expected to address whether certain actions, such as arranging a meeting regarding hydrocarbons for a specific individual, were taken as an individual. Observers are watching to see if the minister will distance himself from his former advisor or support him during the proceedings. The testimony is expected to clarify the level of distance the former minister maintains from advisor Ábalos. The PSOE party has requested authorization from the Supreme Court to address what they describe as defamation against the Socialist Party. Party members expressed that they are currently in a particularly unjust situation. The organization issued a statement denying that 500 euro notes were ever delivered.

Aldama has alleged that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was aware of various irregularities within the ministry previously led by José Luis Ábalos. Businessman Víctor de Aldama claimed during an eight-hour statement that Caldo treated Spanish President Pedro Sánchez with familiarity. The lawyer for the former advisor to Ábalos contested this, stating that 27 intercepted phones showed no calls to the president's number. Aldama responded to this claim by saying he was being mocked. Prosecutors are reportedly receiving secret evidence regarding the case. The source noted that previous claims by the defense labeling the allegations as fabrications have been met with solid evidence. Evidence has been presented to the anti-corruption prosecutor's office regarding the Aldama case.

An investigation revealed a corruption mechanism where cash was transported in envelopes and backpacks. Aldama explained that the funds were obtained from companies awarded public contracts by the Ministry of Transport.

A 28-year-old man named Pon Ferrada is described as the largest cyber fraudster in Spanish history. The suspect's frequent movement was a calculated tactic to remain difficult to track. Spain is experiencing over 1,000 computer fraud incidents per day.