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16.04.2025

16.04.2025Day Bolaños Faced the Judge as Madrid Fell to Arsenal

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Spain for 16.04.2025.

It displays 105 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

16.04.2025Day Bolaños Faced the Judge as Madrid Fell to Arsenal
Minister Bolaños testified for two hours before Judge Peinado regarding the hiring of Begoña Gómez's assistant, maintaining the process was legal and that he neither contracted nor supervised her. The investigation continues the political-judicial saga surrounding the Prime Minister's wife.

US-Spain relations deteriorated as Washington demanded Spain increase NATO defense spending and eliminate the "Google tax" following Economy Minister Cuerpo's Washington visit, which yesterday had been portrayed as opening doors to negotiation on tariffs. Reports showed Trump's tariffs causing a historic 12.3% collapse in North American exports, with the WTO warning of a 1.5% global trade decline if fully implemented.

By evening, media attention shifted to Real Madrid's Champions League match against Arsenal, which ended in a disappointing 1-2 defeat, eliminating Madrid from the tournament. The match featured controversial VAR decisions and saw Mbappé leave injured.
16.04.2025

01:35Spain Seeks Trade Tariff Compromise in Washington

The newspapers report extensively on Spain's diplomatic efforts with the US amid Trump's trade war. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo met with US Treasury officials, conveying Europe's desire for a "balanced solution" to tariffs, with Washington showing willingness to negotiate despite making no promises (El Confidencial, El País, RTVE, El Periódico). The conflict escalates as China orders its airlines to halt Boeing deliveries (20minutos). Domestically, labor union CGT alleges serious violations of flood protocols during the DANA disaster (El Salto), while nepotism accusations emerge regarding Tragsa company hiring practices (La Razón). In sports, Barcelona advanced to Champions League semifinals despite losing to Borussia Dortmund (La Vanguardia).
04:09
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06:02

06:03Minister Alegría Stands Firm Against Right-Wing Sexism

The newspapers report on Spain's delicate position in the US-China trade war, with Economy Minister Cuerpo's US visit revealing Spain's attempt to balance relations (El Confidencial, El País). Political coverage focuses on sexist attacks against Minister Pilar Alegría from right-wing parties, with government solidarity against this "machismo" (El Plural, infoLibre). Other topics include the Mediterranean's vulnerability to climate change (El Salto), elderly Spaniards having higher incomes than European counterparts (El Periódico), and FC Barcelona advancing to Champions League semifinals despite losing to Dortmund (La Vanguardia). Legal cases continue against government figures, with Minister Bolaños testifying about hiring practices and investigations into the President's wife (RTVE, Público).
06:45
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11:16Judge Peinado Interrogates Bolaños While US Demands NATO Spending Increase

The newspapers report on Judge Peinado's return to Moncloa to question Minister Bolaños regarding hiring practices connected to Begoña Gómez, the Prime Minister's wife (RTVE, El Confidencial, El Plural). Her assistant reportedly testified about using university positions as leverage. US-Spain tensions emerge as the US Treasury demands Spain increase NATO defense spending and remove the "Google tax" following Economy Minister Cuerpo's visit (El País, 20minutos). Other coverage includes a 19-year-old student from Terrassa being arrested for directing a cybercrime network (El Periódico) and Catalonia's audiovisual language policy irritating Trump (La Vanguardia).

13:50Bolaños Defends Legality of Hiring Gómez's Assistant Before Judge Peinado

The newspapers report on the ongoing judicial inquiry involving Prime Minister Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez. Minister Bolaños testified for two hours before Judge Peinado, maintaining that the hiring of Gómez's assistant was legal and that he neither contracted nor supervised her (RTVE, Público, infoLibre, El Español). The assistant reportedly testified about leveraging university positions (El Confidencial). Meanwhile, financial news reveals record profits for major banks and stock operators reaching $37 billion, their best performance in over a decade (El Mundo). The Council of Europe criticizes Spain for failing to implement anti-corruption recommendations for high officials (El Periódico), while the EU adds Morocco, Colombia, and Tunisia to its "safe countries" list for migrant returns (20minutos).
17:51

17:53Trump Tariffs Trigger Historic North American Export Collapse

The newspapers report extensively on Trump's trade policies and their global economic impact. Trump's tariffs have caused North American exports to fall by a historic 12.3% (El Confidencial) while the WTO warns global trade could drop 1.5% if tariffs are reactivated (El Periódico). Some companies are profiting from these tariffs (El Mundo). Meanwhile, the US is pressuring Spain to increase military spending and remove the "Google tax" following Treasury Secretary's meeting with Economy Minister Cuerpo (El País). Domestically, judicial matters continue with Minister Bolaños testifying he wasn't involved in hiring Begoña Gómez's advisor (infoLibre, RTVE), while a judge has criticized Valencia's regional government for its DANA flood response (Público).
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18:43
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19:25

19:44Real Madrid-Arsenal Locked in Champions League Stalemate

The newspapers report extensively on the Real Madrid-Arsenal Champions League match currently underway, with headlines noting a 0-0 score, VAR controversies, and a penalty saved by Courtois (El Confidencial, El Mundo, Libertad Digital). Political coverage continues around Minister Bolaños testifying he was not involved in hiring Begoña Gómez's advisor, maintaining the process was legal despite Judge Peinado's investigation (RTVE, La Razón, infoLibre). Other stories include the Prosecutor's Office investigating potential heritage destruction risks at Barcelona's La Masia (El Periódico) and allegations that Galicia's PP government spent €17.8 million on advertising in friendly newspapers (Público).
20:43

21:36Real Madrid Crashes Out Against Arsenal

The newspapers report on Real Madrid's disappointing 1-2 defeat to Arsenal in European competition, with headlines emphasizing the team's poor performance and coach Ancelotti facing criticism (El Confidencial, El Mundo). Social tension continues in Mataró's Cerdanyola neighborhood, with a week of disturbances analyzed through five key factors (El Periódico). The pension system debate continues with analysis of both positive and negative aspects of what one outlet calls "the great pension lie" (Libertad Digital). Meanwhile, coverage continues of Minister Bolaños testifying he wasn't involved in hiring Begoña Gómez's advisor (El Español, infoLibre, La Razón, RTVE).