MURCIA NEWS

San Javier puts the brakes on new building in La Manga with a one-year moratoriumThe pause on new permits is the first step towards permanently banning residential development on undeveloped land along the 15km strip San Javier Town Council has approved a one-year moratorium on new land subdivision and building permits in La Manga.. 15/05/2026

Murcia calls for inspection of Russian shipwreck amid nuclear fearsThe regional government wants answers after new reports raised questions about the cargo aboard the Ursa Major The Regional Government of Murcia is demanding an immediate inspection of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major, which sank off the coast near Cartagena.. 14/05/2026

Los Canales pools set to reopen this summer in CartagenaThe Ayuntamiento is preparing a new access fee as it gets ready to run the sports and leisure complex from mid-June A familiar summer favourite is set to return in Cartagena, with the swimming pools and sports facilities at Rafael de la Cerda Park, better.. 14/05/2026

Murcia police arrest two Irish nationals in international drug smuggling operationInvestigators in Murcia and Valencia found cocaine, heroin and marijuana hidden inside household appliances Two Irish nationals have been arrested in the south of Spain after Guardia Civil officers uncovered what investigators describe as a sophisticated.. 14/05/2026

Spain electricity and gas bills set to rise again as VAT returns to 21% in JuneThe end of temporary tax reductions is expected to push up household bills across Spain again from next month Households across Spain are set to feel another hit to their finances from June after the government confirmed temporary VAT cuts on electricity.. 14/05/2026

More rain and falling temps this weekend: Murcia weather forecast May 14-17Next week’s weather forecast looks substantially drier, but for this weekend some rainstorms are expected Murcia weather forecast, Friday May 15   Over the course of this weekend in the Region of Murcia, the weather forecast according.. 14/05/2026

San Javier launches its first ever local bus service with beach routesMore than 40 bus stops are planned for San Javier’s beaches, residential areas and the town centre San Javier is preparing to launch its first-ever urban bus service in a move local officials say will completely transform public transport across.. 14/05/2026

Bouncing back: Jumilla swimming pool getting ready for summer, rebuilding after fireJumilla’s popular summer pool complex has undergone a €66,000 makeover after fire damage left fencing and trees destroyed Jumilla’s open-air municipal summer swimming pools, located alongside Avenida de la Libertad (click here.. 13/05/2026

Cartagena cracks down on dog poop with fines of up to €1,500Officials in Cartagena are handing out bags and water bottles as part of a new push to keep the streets clean Cartagena City Council has launched a new campaign aimed at tackling one of the city’s most common complaints, dog poop and urine left.. 13/05/2026

Two more minor earthquakes recorded overnight in TotanaSmall earthquakes were recorded in the early hours, with two light tremors measuring 1.6 and 2.0 reported by Spain's National Geographic Institute Two minor earthquakes were felt during the early hours of Wednesday May 13, in Totana, according.. 13/05/2026

Cartagena rolls out beach improvements ahead of the summerAssisted bathing service to launch at Cabo de Palos for the first time, and a dog washing station is planned as Cartagena prepares for the summer The Levante beach in Cabo de Palos will have an assisted bathing service for the first time this summer.. 13/05/2026

Pilar de la Horadada murder probe after man allegedly killed friend and dumped his bodyThe suspect allegedly tried to make the killing look like a hit-and-run after a violent argument at his Costa Blanca home A 53-year-old man has been arrested in Pilar de la Horadada after allegedly beating a friend to death with a wooden stick and.. 13/05/2026

The little-known airport fee many travellers still missWhat departure taxes are, where you may be asked to pay them separately and how to avoid a last-minute shock Most travellers assume the price on their ticket is the final amount, but there is one charge that often slips under the radar: the airport departure.. 13/05/2026

Drivers in Spain face tougher ITV tests under sweeping EU reformsThe new rules will bring stricter inspections to Spain and could even allow motorists to get an ITV abroad Drivers in Spain could soon face a very different, and possibly more stressful, ITV inspection as the European Union moves ahead with plans.. 13/05/2026

Major fire breaks out at La Manga beachside restaurantEmergency services received more than 20 calls after flames tore through the restaurant beside Isla del Ciervo in La Manga A fire broke out at around 8.28am at a restaurant near the Cavanna Beach area, causing a huge plume of smoke to rise up into.. 13/05/2026

Iberian lynx comeback continues as 31 kittens born in Spanish breeding centresThe species was once on the brink of extinction but is now expanding into new areas of Spain Just over 20 years ago, the Iberian lynx was on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 100 animals left in the wild across the Iberian Peninsula.  .. 13/05/2026

Corvera Airport records double-digit growth in flights during AprilThe Region of Murcia International Airport welcomed more than 97,000 passengers in the first four months of 2026 Murcia International Airport in Corvera continued its strong run of growth in April, handling more than 97,000 passengers during the month.. 13/05/2026

Spain's wildfire season off to worrying start as burned land more than doublesMore than 16,000 hectares have already gone up in flames across Spain by the end of April Spain has already seen more than 16,300 hectares destroyed by wildfires in the first four months of 2026, according to new figures released by the Ministry for Ecological.. 12/05/2026

Could your fingerprint replace your bank PIN? The new payment trend arriving in SpainFaster checkouts, fewer passwords and a new way to pay that could soon become the norm The days of trying to remember your bank card PIN every time you pay for shopping could eventually be numbered. A growing number of banks and technology companies.. 12/05/2026

Brand-new bridge in Torre Pacheco hits trouble days after openingDrivers are being warned to slow down after a section of road near the IFEPA roundabout began to sink Residents in Torre Pacheco are already voicing frustration after the town’s long-awaited new AVE bridge developed problems less than two weeks.. 12/05/2026