Stories from Madrid · Spain

Agents from the Civil Guard's Central Operative Unit (UCO) testified that evidence, including devices and audio recordings, cannot be manipulated and are authentic. The agents identified Ávalos and Aldama as the leaders in the investigation. The testimony was delivered in court.

Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev failed to reach the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters tournament. He lost in three sets to Italian player Luciano Broccesi. In the women's bracket, player Andreeva advanced to the semifinals after defeating a representative of Cabolli. Medvedev lost with a score of 3-6, 7-5 in a match lasting 50 minutes. The match included a decisive break in the sixth game where Medvedev lost his serve after leading 40-0.

A new decree regarding tenant rights in Spain entered into force on April 28. The regulation allows tenants to exercise their right to an extension by communicating their intent to the landlord.

Bank financing in Spain increased by 12 percent in 2025, according to reports on the country's economic growth. Mortgage credit specifically saw an increase of up to 22 percent during the same period. Financing in Spain remains nearly one percentage point cheaper than in other Eurozone countries for mortgages. Credit granted to Spanish families increased by almost 5%.

Isabel Díaz Ayuso will preside over the Government Council of the Community of Madrid starting at 9:30 AM today. The session follows her presentation of a new institutional portal for the Regional Administration. This new portal incorporates SOL, an artificial intelligence avatar designed to respond to citizen inquiries. Madrid regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso is scheduled to begin a 10-day trip to Mexico. This marks her third international trip in 2026. The visit occurs two years after her previous trip to the country. The event follows the decision by the Ministry of Defense not to authorize a military parade for a second consecutive year. Isabel Díaz Ayuso is projected to maintain her absolute majority in the Madrid regional elections, with 68 to 69 seats, a slight decrease from the current 70.

Residents and neighborhood associations in Arganzuela are demanding the Madrid City Council respect previous agreements and find an alternative location for the EMT Museum. They have raised over 6,000 euros of their 10,000 euro goal within five days.

Madrid currently holds the number one position in rankings for both speculative and real estate investment. Rita Maestre of Más Madrid criticized Mayor Almeida's legacy regarding housing rights and municipal communication. Maestre noted that 60,000 individuals are currently applicants for housing through the municipal housing company. The opposition party plans to request further actions from the government regarding these housing figures. The report follows discussions regarding housing availability and municipal challenges in the city. Critics have questioned the accuracy of housing supply announcements compared to the number of applicants. Mexican nationals rank first among these investors, followed by Argentines in second place. The group also includes investment from Colombians.

Spanish authorities are reportedly interested in the property assets of Jerry Hutch, according to reports from the Irish Times. The investigation into Hutch's assets is a lead story in the Irish Times this morning. The Irish Daily Mirror also covered the development.

A new rule could allow officials to issue a red card to players who cover their mouths during discussions with rivals. The rule change is being discussed in the context of recent player conduct. FIFA announced new rules for the upcoming World Cup to address discriminatory and inappropriate behavior. Footballers who cover their mouths during verbal confrontations with opponents will receive a red card. Additionally, players will be red carded if they leave the field to protest a referee's decision. The announcement aims to curb misconduct during matches. The rule specifically targets verbal interactions during matches. New regulations propose using red cards to punish players who insult officials or engage in verbal confrontations. This rule is set to be implemented starting with this year's World Cup. The decision follows an announcement by the International Football Council.

Banco Santander reported record profits of 5.455 billion euros for the first three months of the year. The bank released the results in a statement this morning. The report follows discussions regarding the energy crisis impacts in Europe caused by the Middle East. The bank previously ended December 2025 with a positive result of nearly 904 million euros. Banco Santander has reported record profits for the first quarter, with revenue increasing by 19.6% year-on-year to 5.38 billion euros. Net profit rose by 41.6% to 1.335 billion euros, with earnings per share at 2.91 euros. The bank's board approved a cash dividend of 2.42 euros per share in March. Both revenue and profit reached new quarterly highs. Banco Santander reported strong first-quarter financial results, with revenue reaching 5.538 billion yuan, a 19.6% increase year-on-year.