Leaked internal document warns of serious shortcomings in Murcia fire serviceA leaked report signed by six senior officers claims staff shortages, ageing vehicles, outdated equipment and long response times are putting increasing pressure on Murcia's fire service An internal report backed by six of the ten senior officers.. 14/07/2026

Spain launches a new crackdown on drink and drug driving this week, and the numbers behind it make sobering readingAlcohol was present in 28% of all traffic accidents in 2024, and deaths involving drunk drivers rose 9% in a single year The DGT has launched a new week-long campaign targeting alcohol and drug use behind the wheel, running from Monday until Sunday July.. 14/07/2026

Bin charges in Murcia could soon depend on how much rubbish YOU produceThe regional government wants to improve recycling rates by encouraging councils to introduce bin charges based on the amount of waste households produce, rather than a fixed annual fee The way households pay for their rubbish could change in the.. 13/07/2026

Summer of 2026 in Spain set to be the most expensive on record for cooling your homeHouseholds across Spain are feeling the pinch as air conditioning use collides with record electricity prices Staying cool this summer is costing Spanish households more than ever before. Back to back heatwaves have pushed demand for air conditioning.. 13/07/2026

Read the July edition of Home & Living magazine online nowWelcome to July and this month's issue of Home & Living In this edition we celebrate the very best of summer living. As always, our aim is to provide practical advice, fresh ideas and engaging articles that are useful in everyday life. From.. 13/07/2026

A hundred firefighters bring Mazarrón weekend wildfire under controlAround 20 residents and holidaymakers in Bolnuevo had to be moved to safety Life in Mazarrón has returned to normal after a forest fire that broke out in the Sierra de Las Moreras on Saturday July 11 was declared extinguished by around midday.. 13/07/2026

Spain's wildfires have already burned through more than 50,000 hectares this year, nearly 40% of the entire EU totalWith multiple blazes still active across Catalonia, Cádiz and Huelva, the scale of the crisis is growing by the day Spain is burning, and the numbers are stark. Wildfires have scorched 50,384 hectares across the country between January 1 and July.. 10/07/2026

Finnish adventurer's solar boat sails 6,000km to anchor off MazarrónThe Helios 11, built by hand in plywood and fiberglass, ran the entire journey to Murcia without a drop of fuel Mazarrón had an unusual visitor this week, and it certainly wasn't hard to spot. The Helios 11 dropped anchor in the bay just.. 10/07/2026

Top tips for driving in Spain during a heatwaveHere’s how to keep cool in the car when the temperature cranks up... In scorching temperatures, which we are seeing more often in Spain in summer now, it’s often not enough to simply blast the air con. This kind of heat not only effects..

One in four drivers in Murcia gets behind the wheel while taking medication that affects their drivingA new study reveals a largely invisible road safety risk, and the over-55s are the group most likely to be affected Most drivers are well aware of the dangers of drink-driving or using a mobile phone at the wheel. But a new report suggests there's.. 10/07/2026

Spain braces for second nationwide train strike day as summer holiday exodus beginsMinimum services of up to 75% will be in place on commuter and high-speed trains across Spain The Railway Union is pressing ahead with a second day of strikes on Wednesday July 15, timed to land right in the middle of one of the busiest days of the.. 10/07/2026

Three towns in the Region of Murcia among the cheapest places to rent anywhere in SpainA new study by property portal Idealista found that average rents in the Region of Murcia's most affordable municipalities start at just €7.20 per square metre a month Property prices in the Region of Murcia have been making headlines.. 10/07/2026

Spain's points-based driving licence turns 20: Has it actually cut road deaths?From nearly 4,500 deaths a year to under 1,800, the points licence has reshaped driving culture across Spain Spain's points-based driving licence system has just turned 20 and it's fair to say it's come a long way from its rocky start... 10/07/2026

Spain's sick leave bill has tripled in a decade and now costs an estimated €33 billion a yearThe number of episodes has risen 84% since 2017, mental health cases are the fastest growing category, and the debate about what is driving it has become deeply political Spain's sick leave problem has landed firmly in the political spotlight. Opposition.. 10/07/2026

Murcia has the longest dependency care waiting times in Spain, with an average wait of 551 daysNew national figures show the region lags far behind other communities If you or someone you care for is waiting for dependency support in Murcia, the latest national figures will not make comfortable reading. The region has once again been confirmed.. 09/07/2026

Murcia fast-tracks law introducing fines of up to €1 million for arsonists and wildfire offencesThe proposed changes to Murcia's Emergency and Civil Protection Law would increase the maximum fine from €600,000 to €1 million After bringing in its Affordable Housing Decree-Law this week, the Murcia regional government is already.. 09/07/2026

Petrol prices jump 5.6% in Spain as VAT reduction disappearsDespite a new discount introduced on July 1, fuel costs have shot up right across Spain Drivers in Spain had got pretty used to watching fuel prices fall week after week in the run-up to summer, so this latest jump has caused a bit of a sting. Petrol.. 09/07/2026

Murcia photo of the month July 2026Here’s the July image of the month taken by the Los Alcázares Digital Camera Club (LADCC)   July 2026 has certainly been a sporting month to remember with huge global events taking place - football’s World Cup, tennis at.. 09/07/2026

Historic Lorca prison €1.8m restoration moves ahead with new language school plannedTwo Murcia companies have won the contract to restore the protected former prison, creating a new home for Lorca's Official Language School alongside spaces for community and cultural events Lorca's historic former prison is a step closer.. 09/07/2026

The best places in Spain to experience the 2026 total solar eclipseMillions will look skyward on August 12 as Spain experiences its first total solar eclipse in more than a century On August 12, 2026, Spain will become one of the most sought-after destinations on the planet for eclipse chasers.   For the.. 09/07/2026