Catalonia

Barcelona is implementing strict anti-tourism measures, including a proposed €24 tax on short-stay cruise passengers and a doubled hotel guest tax, to address overcrowding and resident anger. Locals have protested with water guns and slogans like 'One more tourist, one less resident,' demanding economic changes as the city aims to cap annual visitors at 16 million.

Spain's national soccer team, historically influenced by Catalan players from FC Barcelona, has become a unifying force as regional separatist tensions in Catalonia and the Basque Country have waned. The current World Cup squad features more players from these regions than other parts of Spain, with no Real Madrid representatives, highlighting soccer's role in overshadowing political divisions.

The European Union’s top court ruled that Spain’s 2024 amnesty law for the Catalan independence movement does not breach EU law, allowing it to proceed with limited exceptions. The ruling permits Spain to address terrorism-related prosecutions and financial claims tied to the independence movement, except in cases involving intentional serious human rights violations or EU financial interests. The court emphasized that amnesties are generally a national prerogative under EU law.

Three off-duty Toronto police officers have been charged with sexual assault in Barcelona. The alleged assault occurred on May 13 in a taxi with a sex worker. The incident may increase pressure on the Toronto police force.

Jonathan Andic, son of Mango founder Isak Andic, was arrested in Spain over his father's death in a mountain ravine near Barcelona in 2024. Isak Andic died after falling 100 metres while hiking with his son. The Catalan police are questioning Jonathan in connection with the incident.