Stories from Madrid · Spain

Real Madrid issued a statement saying Kylian Mbappé is expected to return to action by mid-May following an injury. His return is considered positive for both Real Madrid and the French national football team.

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is meeting with Spanish politicians in Madrid almost daily. Gonzalez was previously evacuated from Caracas on a Spanish military aircraft following threats of imprisonment and death.

Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez left the pitch with an injury during the Champions League semifinal first leg against Arsenal. Commentators described the player's entry as very violent, noting a heavy collision or charge during the play. The incident involved a collision that could have resulted in a red card given the player already had a yellow card. Julian Alvarez scored a penalty in the 44th minute during the match. The Arsenal goal was scored by Victor. The match results leave the qualifying group open, with the final determination expected in London next week. The manager stated that the contact was clear and criticized the need for multiple reviews to overturn the penalty. Argentinian striker Julian Alvarez became the first Los Colchoneros player to score 10 goals in a single Champions League edition. Alvarez converted a penalty in the 41st minute following a video review.

Approximately one million rental contracts are affected following the Congress's rejection of the Housing Decree Law. Data regarding the impact was provided by the Sumar party. The decision follows the legislative defeat of the decree in the Spanish Congress.

Businessman Víctor d'Aldama provided testimony on Wednesday regarding a scheme involving commissions for public works. He detailed how cash was delivered in exchange for contracts. The testimony was heard by José Luis Ávalos and Coldo García.

A witness in the mask procurement corruption case has accused Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of involvement in a hierarchy of corruption. The witness's claims reportedly exceed the previous findings of the UCO investigation.

The Instituto Cervantes announced on Wednesday the incorporation of the legacy of Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. The initiative includes receiving personal objects from the author at the institute's Madrid headquarters.

Spain has issued a message recommending that tourists purchase airline tickets as early as possible. International airfares are expected to rise further in the coming months.

Artificial intelligence is projected to destroy 2.3 million jobs in Spain over the next decade. The study is the first to measure the real impact of AI within the country. According to the report, all analyzed scenarios show a negative balance between jobs destroyed and jobs generated. The worst-case scenario specifically identifies a potential loss of 2.3 million positions. A report from the Funcas financial studies director Francisco Rodríguez indicates that artificial intelligence could impact employment in Spain. Under a pessimistic scenario, the technology could destroy approximately 3.5 million jobs. An optimistic scenario estimates the destruction of around 700,000 positions. Technological progress is expected to lead to a process of creative destruction affecting the workforce.

The Spanish government is bringing a constitutional reform to Congress to protect abortion rights. The statement has prompted political discussion regarding his long-term governance plans. The Spanish Congress rejected amendments from right-wing and far-right parties aimed at removing abortion protections. All parliamentary groups except IPP and BOX voted to shield abortion rights within the Constitution. Equality Minister Ana Redondo defended the right to abortion during the proceedings. Redondo stated that while freedom is not in doubt, the ability to exercise it under safe and equal conditions is essential. The project faces opposition from the People's Party (Partido Popular). The reform aims to codify abortion within the Magna Carta. The measure is currently undergoing the legislative process.