Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Move to ban short-haul flights within Spain inches closer, Real Madrid's new English signing impresses with Spanish skills, renewed rail disruptions and more news on Friday June 13th.
More disruptions on Spain's rail network
High-speed train services departing from Madrid's Chamartín station were suspended on Thursday due to a ‘power failure’ caused by the derailment of a train entering the station, according to ADIF. The disruption affected trains travelling along the Levante corridor including Albacete, Cuenca, Alicante, Valencia and Murcia, and services were gradually restored on lines heading north (Galicia, Asturias, Castile and León and Cantabria) through the afternoon. The company advised passengers travelling to Valencia, Alicante or Murcia to avoid travelling to Chamartín and that these trains will instead depart from Atocha station. The incident affected the three railway companies, state railway Renfe, as well as Ouigo and Iryo. ADIF estimates a total of 18,000 passengers were reportedly affected on Thursday. Services are expected to resume on Friday.
Barcelona named second most cosmopolitan city in Europe
Barcelona is the third most 'cosmopolitan' city in Europe, new figures show.
According to data from Via Empresa on foreign born population in major cities around Europe, more than 1 in 3 residents (35 percent) in the Catalan capital are now foreign born, the third highest rate on the continent.
In first place was London, with 37 percent, followed by Brussels at 35 percent.
Move to ban short-haul flights within Spain inches closer
Spain's plan to ban short-haul flights is getting closer to reality.
The Sustainable Mobility Law, which is currently being finalised in the Congress of Deputies, will now include a provision to "promote the reduction of flights lasting less than 2.5 hours for which there is an alternative by rail," except in cases of connections with international routes, according to the agreement reached by the governing PSOE and Sumar coalition.
In February 2024, Sumar already had the Ecological Transition Commission urge the government to reduce these flights through a non-binding proposal, but now the proposal will be included in law.
Alexander-Arnold impresses with Spanish skills at Real Madrid presentation
England and ex-Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold officially joined Spanish footballing giants Real Madrid on Thursday, impressing many by addressing the crowds in Spanish at his official presentation.
"Thank you so much to President Florentino Perez and Real Madrid for this opportunity," he said. "Signing for a club like Real Madrid doesn't happen every day. I'm very happy and proud to be here. I'm eager to show the club and the fans what I can do."
The player said joining Madrid was a "dream come true" and he will join England teammate Jude Bellingham in the capital.
Trent Alexander-Arnold speaking in fluent Spanish at his Real Madrid unveiling 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/vgxJZU7c3J
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 12, 2025
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