BARCELONA (Reuters) - About 22,000 people protested in Barcelona on Saturday, in the latest demonstration to demand lower housing rental prices and better living conditions.
Housing has become a major issue in Spain as it struggles to balance promoting tourism, a key driver of its economy, and concerns over high rents due to gentrification and landlords shifting to more lucrative, short-term tourist rentals.
The price of rentals signed in the second quarter of 2024 in Barcelona was almost 70% higher than in the same period of 2014, data from the Catalan Housing Agency shows.
"We are spending half our wages in rent ... This must stop!," said Carme, 28, a spokeswoman for a tenants union.
Smaller protests were held across Catalonia, and in Burgos, Asturias in north Spain and Jerez de la Frontera in the south.
The government announced a crackdown on short-term and seasonal holiday lettings in July and plans to investigate listings on platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com to verify if they have licences.
Demonstrations have been held this year in Madrid, the Canary Islands and Malaga, where seasonal hospitality workers struggle to find accommodation, with many sleeping in caravans or even their cars.
China’s Ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, stated that China is eager to be seen as a partner rather than a rival to the European Union, emphasizing the need for collaboration amidst shifting global dynamics and U.S. trade policies, which he described as "unilateral economic abuse."
Pope Francis has approved the first step towards sainthood for Antoni Gaudi, the modernist architect behind Barcelona's "Sagrada Familia" basilica, the Vatican said on Monday.
President Xi Jinping met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday, calling for stronger strategic cooperation as China and Spain mark the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Spanish lawmakers have approved a plan to relocate thousands of underage migrants from overcrowded youth centres in the Canary Islands and other outposts to mainland regions, aiming to ease pressure on areas facing high migration flows.
Spain’s Economy Minister, Carlos Cuerpo, is pushing the EU to expand financial aid for industries hit by U.S. tariffs. Spain recently unveiled a €14.1 billion support package and aims to secure broader EU countermeasures as trade tensions escalate between the U.S. and Europe.
Italy’s government is facing internal doubts over whether its plan to meet NATO’s defense spending target of 2 percent of GDP will satisfy NATO and the European Commission, despite publicly maintaining confidence in its budget strategy.
The Kremlin said Thursday it has no talks under way with Washington or European capitals to revive Russian gas flows via Ukraine, leaving TurkStream as Moscow’s only pipeline route into Europe.
A 30-nation NomadMania delegation began a three-day tour of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and East Zangezur on Thursday to survey post-war reconstruction and promote the region as a dark-tourism destination.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised the strong cultural and historical bonds between Iran and Azerbaijan, expressing optimism for deeper cooperation ahead of his upcoming official visit to Baku.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least nine people and injuring 70, including six children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
China launched its Shenzhou-20 mission on Thursday, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. The successful liftoff marks its 15th crewed flight as Pakistan eyes sending the first foreign astronaut on a future mission.
Italy’s government is facing internal doubts over whether its plan to meet NATO’s defense spending target of 2 percent of GDP will satisfy NATO and the European Commission, despite publicly maintaining confidence in its budget strategy.
The Kremlin said Thursday it has no talks under way with Washington or European capitals to revive Russian gas flows via Ukraine, leaving TurkStream as Moscow’s only pipeline route into Europe.
A 30-nation NomadMania delegation began a three-day tour of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and East Zangezur on Thursday to survey post-war reconstruction and promote the region as a dark-tourism destination.
Azerbaijan’s Azercosmos launched the two-day Space Technology Conference 2025 in Baku on Thursday, pulling in 400 delegates from 35 countries to tackle satellite connectivity, Earth observation and investment in Central Eurasia’s growing space sector.
Italy’s government is facing internal doubts over whether its plan to meet NATO’s defense spending target of 2 percent of GDP will satisfy NATO and the European Commission, despite publicly maintaining confidence in its budget strategy.
The Kremlin said Thursday it has no talks under way with Washington or European capitals to revive Russian gas flows via Ukraine, leaving TurkStream as Moscow’s only pipeline route into Europe.
A 30-nation NomadMania delegation began a three-day tour of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh and East Zangezur on Thursday to survey post-war reconstruction and promote the region as a dark-tourism destination.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has praised the strong cultural and historical bonds between Iran and Azerbaijan, expressing optimism for deeper cooperation ahead of his upcoming official visit to Baku.
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