History
1736 newsThe page turns scattered updates into useful context for people who live in Spain, visit Spain or follow Spanish affairs from abroad.
Julián García Vargas dies after shaping Spain's modern Defence and Health
Julián García Vargas, a pivotal figure in Spain’s transition era, has died. He led the reduction of compulsory military service and drove major reforms in the health system, leaving a legacy that still shapes Spanish institutions.
Julián García Vargas dies after shaping Spain's defense and health reforms
Julián García Vargas, who led major reforms in Spain's defense and health sectors, has died at 81. His tenure saw the reduction of compulsory military service and the implementation of key health laws. His influence extended beyond government into the private sector and national foundations.
Rafael Azcona's century finds Spain facing his old problems
Rafael Azcona would have turned 100 on October 23. A Madrid exhibition returns to his films, cartoons and ideas, many of which still fit Spain's housing pressure and social conflicts.
Forgotten vans that shaped Spanish roads
Citroën C15, Nissan Vanette, and others once ruled Spanish streets. Their fading presence marks a real shift in how Spain moves and remembers its working vehicles.
UK minister says Argentina cannot retake Falklands
Britain says Argentina lacks the military capacity to seize the Falkland Islands and that the UK can defend them. The warning came after Javier Milei renewed his sovereignty claim at the UN and called for negotiations over the islands.
Classic cars turn Salamanca’s plaza into a living museum
Salamanca’s Plaza del Concilio de Trento filled with classic cars as the Rally del V Centenario de la Escuela de Salamanca brought automotive history to the streets. Locals and visitors stood face to face with vehicles that once ruled Spanish roads.
Madrid buries the M-30: From green dream to hidden highway
Madrid’s M-30 started as a utopian green belt in 1929. War, dictatorship, and car culture turned it into Spain’s first full ring road, now hidden beneath the city and reshaping its landscape.
MINI vs Fiat 500: Which small car truly shaped Europe?
The MINI and Fiat 500 changed how Britain and Italy moved. Both became icons, but their original stories took very different turns. Which one really set the standard for small cars?
Granada takes La bola negra onto Spain's Oscar 2027 path
Plaza Nueva, the Carrera del Darro and Lorca's Granada all appear in La bola negra, Spain's international feature submission for the 2027 Oscars. The Javis used the city's streets, gardens and historic sites to build the film's world.
Eduardo Rodríguez Rodway was Triana's last surviving founder
Eduardo Rodríguez Rodway died at 81 on 26 September 2026. His death ends Triana's original story and leaves behind a sound that joined Andalusian roots with modern rock.
China sends two pandas to Atlanta in latest diplomatic gesture
China will send two giant pandas to Atlanta Zoo after Xi Jinping announced the move before Donald Trump. The deal brings back a long-running part of Beijing's foreign policy.
Eduardo Rodríguez 'Rodway' dies at 81
Eduardo Rodríguez 'Rodway' died on 26 September 2026 at Hospital Universitario de Puerto Real in Cádiz. He was the last surviving member of Triana's original line-up and helped shape Spanish rock with flamenco and Andalusian influences.
DNA returns 25 victims from Cuelgamuros to their families
DNA testing has identified 25 victims in the Cuelgamuros crypts. Their remains are returning to families after decades without answers, while researchers continue work on 602 bodies from 21 locations.
Cuelgamuros exhumations reveal unexpected majority of Francoist requests
More than half of exhumation requests at Cuelgamuros come from families of Francoist soldiers, challenging assumptions about Spain’s Civil War memory. A small forensic team works under pressure to identify remains amid delays and controversy.
La Bola Negra turns Granada into Lorca's unfinished story
La Bola Negra reaches Spanish cinemas on 25 September 2026 as Spain's submission for the 2027 Oscars. Its story moves from Granada to Cantabria and Sierra Nevada across three periods: 1932, 1937 and 2017.
San Simón memorial honours Francoist prisoners and those who helped them
Families in Redondela honoured prisoners held on San Simón and San Antón. The ceremony also recognised women who risked punishment to help them survive.
Audi Sport quattro S1 reignites lost passion for true performance
The Audi Sport quattro S1, once driven by Walter Röhrl, brings back the wildest days of Audi. As the brand tries to chase lost excitement with new concepts, this Group B icon shows what today’s models are missing.
Olive oil is still the real gold of the Mediterranean
For more than two thousand years, olive oil has been more than just food in the Mediterranean. Its story runs from ancient Roman trade to today's global markets, shaping land, tradition, and even suspicion. Its influence keeps growing.
Bats Trace Their Deepest Roots to Europe
A major study places the first bats in Europe about 65 million years ago. It also suggests that powered flight and echolocation appeared almost at the start of their history.
La bola negra rewrites Spanish history through a queer lens
La bola negra, directed by Los Javis, has become a flashpoint after wins at Cannes and Toronto. The film digs into Spain’s past and present, weaving queer stories across generations, and will represent Spain at the Oscars.
Diego Ruiloba eyes another Rally Villa de Llanes win with Lancia
Diego Ruiloba and Ángel Vela are back at the Rally Villa de Llanes, this time with Lancia Corse España. The team wants to take the podium again and mark Lancia’s comeback on Asturian roads.
La bola negra brings Lorca's unfinished work to the screen
La bola negra reaches Spanish cinemas on 25 September. Los Javis connect Lorca with queer identity and a family's buried memory across three timelines.
Volkswagen Golf G60 changed the game for hot hatchbacks
The Volkswagen Golf G60 shocked the 1990s with its raw acceleration and unique supercharger. This special edition outpaced many sports cars, mixing daily practicality with punchy performance that still stands out decades later.
Rare Messerschmitt draws crowds at Pontevedra classic car event
A 1957 Messerschmitt, one of the world’s rarest bubble cars, stole the show at Pontevedra’s classic vehicle meet. Owner Manuel Abal brought it from Finland and plans a full restoration. The event also put a spotlight on unique Spanish motocarros.
Valladolid Motor Vintage brings rare classics and collectors to the city
On October 4, hundreds of classic cars and motorcycles will line Valladolid’s main streets as Motor Vintage returns. The event welcomes vehicles built before 1997 and celebrates the people who keep Spain’s automotive history alive.
Vintage rally brings rare prewar cars roaring to life in Langreo
Engines from another era thundered through Langreo as 35 pre-1945 cars tackled the Cisvial circuit. The international rally fused competition with luxury travel, drawing collectors and enthusiasts from across Europe.
Critical weather decision shapes new D Day film release
A new film explores the tense hours before the Normandy landings. The story centers on a high-stakes weather dispute that could have changed the course of World War II. The director avoids spectacle, focusing on ethical dilemmas and human responsibility.
Critical weather decision shaped the fate of D Day in new film
The film 'Tiempo de victoria' reveals how a single weather forecast nearly changed the date of D Day. The suspenseful drama shows the immense pressure on Allied leaders and the pivotal role of meteorologists in World War II.
Renault 5 and Fiat Panda spark a new electric rivalry in Spain
Renault 5 and Fiat Panda once defined affordable mobility in Spain. Now their electric successors are set to compete again, reviving a decades-old rivalry with new technology and familiar nostalgia.
SEAT faces uncertain future as Volkswagen shifts focus to CUPRA
SEAT, once the engine of Spanish mobility and ambition, now stands at a crossroads. As Volkswagen restructures and bets on CUPRA, the fate of SEAT hangs in the balance, raising questions about Spain’s industrial direction.
Madrid Moves Ahead with Thyssen Expansion at Palacio de Hielo
Spain’s government and Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza have agreed to a major expansion of the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. The project includes a €90 million renovation of the Palacio de Hielo to house contemporary art, but key heritage spaces remain at risk.
Patricio Guzmán and the Enduring Power of La Batalla de Chile
Patricio Guzmán, the acclaimed Chilean director, has died at 85. His documentary trilogy La Batalla de Chile remains a defining work on Chile’s turbulent history. Guzmán’s films shaped the country’s memory and global perception.
Rare Cars Take Over MadRing Circuit at Spanish Grand Prix
Nearly sixty rare cars, from hypercars to historic prototypes, filled the MadRing circuit during the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. CarDesign.es organized an exhibition that set a new standard for automotive events in Spain.
Patricio Guzmán dies in Paris at 85 after shaping political documentary
Patricio Guzmán, the acclaimed Chilean documentarian behind La batalla de Chile, has died in Paris at 85. His films chronicled the fall of Allende and Pinochet’s rise. The news triggered tributes from Chile’s leaders and cultural figures.
Thirteen Biscuter Microcars Turn Zamora into a Moving Museum
A fleet of thirteen Biscuter microcars rolled into Zamora for a unique gathering that blended automotive heritage, local cuisine, and the spirit of active aging. The event offered rare sights, personal stories, and a reminder that passion for the road knows no age.
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