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Electron microscope image of the bacterium that causes diphtheria. Photo: Sanofi Pasteur / Flickr

Unvaccinated boy dies from diptheria in Spain

A six-year-old boy from Catalonia whose parents chose not to have him vaccinated has died, almost a month after he became the first child to contract diphtheria in Spain in almost thirty years. READ

Benicassim takes place from July 16th - 19th. Photo: Jose Jordan/AFP

What's on in Spain: July 2015

From bull running to beach festivals, The Local rounds up some of the best events in Spain this July. READ

Tunisia terrorist attack

At least 27 people are dead after a terror attack on a Spanish-owned hotel in Tunisia. Photo: riu.com

Spanish hotel targeted in Tunisia terror attack

At least 27 people were killed by gunmen in an attack at the popular beach resort of Sousse in Tunisia on Thursday at a Spanish-owned hotel. READ

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias live-tweeted the ordeal. Photo: Pablo Iglesias/Twitter

Spain's lefties snap selfies in stuck elevator

Barcelona's radical new mayor, Ada Colau, was trapped in a city hall lift on Friday morning along with Podemos leader, Pablo Iglesias, who live-tweeted the unfolding drama. READ

Photo: Shutterstock

Spain population drops with exodus abroad

The population of Spain fell for the third year running in 2014 as people left the crisis-hit country to seek a better future elsewhere. READ

Extras from Game of Thrones during filming last year in Osuna. Photo: AFP

Spaniards in frenzy to be Game of Thrones extras

Spain is in a frenzy of anticipation ahead of auditions for extras in Games of Thrones scenes to be filmed on location this summer. READ

Jeremy Clarkson's latest scandal involves Spain. Photo: Stefan Heunis/AFP

Spain fights back over Jeremy Clarkson jibe

The Spanish Embassy in London has hit back after the former Top Gear host wrote a scathing review of a Spanish car, that included plenty of his usual "stereotyping". READ

Private lodgings have overtaken hotels in Spain. Photo: Christine Mahler / Flickr

Spain home stays now more popular than hotels

Private home rentals have surpassed the number of hotel beds on offer in Spain for the first time, thanks to popular online services such as Airbnb, a study published by Spanish tourism sector body Exceltur showed. READ

Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin, CEO of Wanda, which is eyeing a Madrid investment worth billions of euros. Photo: Isaac Lawrence/AFP

Chinese property giant eyes Madrid investment

Chinese property giant Wanda is considering another big investment in Madrid worth billions of euros but will face strict conditions from the city's new left-wing council, a councillor said on Thursday. READ

Video

Archive photo: A. Arrizurieta / AFP

Two Spaniards die after being gored by bulls

GRAPHIC FOOTAGE: Two men have died after being gored by bulls in two separate incidents during Spain’s San Juan fiesta. READ

Features

Gallery

Photo: Tinnyaw/Flickr

Top ten tricks to survive the Spanish summer

Summer is officially here and the mercury is rising - for those of you who can't get to a beach, The Local offers you our tips on keeping cool in the city. READ

My Spanish Career

Stephanie Schulz settled in Valencia four years ago. Photo: Agustin Millan

'Valencia is the perfect place to live and work'

In the latest instalment of My Spanish Career, The Local meets Stephanie Schulz, a German living in Valencia where she gives guided tours of the city. READ

Gallery

King Felipe celebrates one year on the Spanish throne on June 19th. Photo: Gerard Julien/AFP

In pics: King Felipe's first year on the throne

As King Felipe celebrates one year on the Spanish throne, The Local takes a look at what he has been up to during his first 12 months as Spanish monarch. READ

Passeig del Born in Barcelona. Photo: 1997 / Wikimedia Commons.

Six Spanish streets you have to walk down

To mark World Sauntering Day on Friday (yes, that is a real day), The Local counts down six of the loveliest streets to stroll down in Spain. READ

Top from left: Queen Letizia, Ana Botin, Mireia Belmonte. Bottom from left: Ada Colau, Amaya Valdemoro, Sister Lucia Caram. Photo: AFP and Wikimedia Commons.

Women shaping Spain: The top 100

Ada Colau, the new left-wing mayor of Barcelona has stormed into the latest list of Spain's most influential women and she is in good company; the Queen, a nun and an Olympian also make the list. READ

More News

A demonstrator calls for the release of Gen Karenzi Karake court in London. Photo: Justin Tallis / AFP

Rwanda blames war crime arrest on racism

Rwandan President Paul Kagame launched a furious attack on Western countries on Thursday after the arrest in Britain of the country's intelligence chief on the request of Spain. READ

The Local List

Detail of the Capricho de Gaudi in Comillas. Photo: Chris/Flickr

Five Gaudí gems you've probably never heard of

We’ve all heard of the Sagrada Familia, Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s breathtaking opus that towers over Barcelona, but some of his best designs remain relatively undiscovered. READ

The luxury villa belonging to Helen and Len Prior was demolished in 2008 Photo: AUAN

Expat homeowners win victory over demolitions

New legislation will protect thousands of homeowners across the Spanish costas whose properties are threatened with demolition after falling foul of planning laws. READ

Animal rights activists have launched a petition against Nancy, a doll who cares for dolphins. Photo: change.org

Charity wants recall of 'cruelty to dolphins' doll

A Spanish animal rights charity is demanding that 'Nancy the dolphin trainer' doll be recalled from toyshop shelves, because it "promotes the exploitation of animals". READ

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy meets with President Barack Obama in Washington in 2014. Photo: Mandel Ngan / AFP.

Spanish approval of USA has tripled in a decade

Nearly two-thirds of Spaniards said they had favourable opinions about the United States - the highest level in 15 years. But Spaniards also expressed the least amount of confidence in President Barack Obama among west European countries, according to a new poll. READ

The Spanish government has rejected a proposal to declassify thousands of Franco-era documents. Photo: AFP

Franco-era secrets to remain secret, says govt

The Spanish government has blocked the declassification of archives dating from the Spanish Civil War and subsequent fascist dictatorship of Francisco Franco arguing that it is of low importance. READ

Spain's central bank has raised 2015 growth rates to 3.1 percent. Photo: Dominique Faget/AFP

Bright outlook for Spain as growth forecast raised

Spain's central bank on Wednesday raised its 2015 economic growth forecast for the country to 3.1 percent, strengthening the outlook for recovery in the eurozone's fourth biggest economy. READ

Commuting could be a lot less bother with a hover. Photo: Lexus

Barcelona to test 'Back to the Future' hoverboard

The future is here already - or at least the one imagined for Marty McFly - with the development of a real life hoverboard that will be tested in Barcelona this summer. READ

The body will be exhumed from a grave in Soria. Archive photo: Shadowrave / Freeimages.com

Aristocrat to be exhumed for DNA paternity test

A judge has ordered the exhumation of one of Spain’s most notable aristocrats to determine whether a woman who claims part of his inheritance is really his daughter. READ

Rufus enjoying one of Spain's dog friendly beaches. Photo: Fiona Govan

Woof! The top ten dog-friendly beaches in Spain

Costa del Sol may have just banned dogs from its beaches, but there are still some sandy corners of Spain that will welcome man's best friend. Here are ten of the best. READ

Read older articles »

From our other editions:

Graz tragedy

Three people are thought to have been killed and 34 injured in Graz. Credit: EPA/Elmar Gubisch

Three dead as car rams into crowd in Graz

A four-year-old boy is reported to be one of the three people killed when a man deliberately drove his car into crowds of shoppers in Graz on Saturday afternoon. READ

One solution for those offended by neighbours' noise: ear plugs. Photo: AFP

'Oh God — I'm coming': noise row goes public

A neighbour in a housing complex in the canton of Aargau was so annoyed by a couple’s noisy love-making he went public with his discontent in a bid to embarrass them into making less of a racket at night. READ

Photo: DPA.

Germans say US doesn't respect freedom: poll

Germans are more negative about the United States than the rest of Europe, but still largely support Americans' efforts to fight Isis, according to a new poll. READ

The "Hottentot Carousel" at Djurs Sommerland. Photo: Everyday Racism Project DK

Danish theme park rejects racism charge

A 20-year-old attraction in Djurs Sommerland suddenly became a hot topic this week after a group accused it of being racist and many others rushed to defend it. READ

The American embassy in Paris. Home to a secret roof top spying station, if claims are to be believed. Photo: AFP

US embassy in Paris is 'home to secret spy nest'

Reports in France suggest the US spied on French presidents from a secret spy nest on the roof of its embassy in Paris, which stands just a stone's throw from the Elysée palace. READ

One of the most shocking food crimes posted on the Facebook page. Photo: Degrado Italo-Americano/Facebook

Italo-American cuisine mocked on Facebook

Italians have taken to Facebook to express their horror and disbelief at some of the most shocking dishes passed off as Italian in America and beyond. READ

Video

A screen grab from RFSU's video. Photo: Screen grab

Is this the worst summer job ever?

A nineteen-year-old in Norway has been hired by a sexual health charity to play a giant penis who surprises passers-by by spraying them with golden confetti. READ

Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev/RIA-Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

'Russia rehearsed invasion of Sweden'

Claims that thousands of Russian soldiers took part in a huge military exercise which simulated a takeover of the Swedish island of Gotland earlier this year have caused jitters in Sweden. READ

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