Far-right loses speed in Spain regional election
Spain's conservative opposition Popular Party won another regional election on Sunday, with the far right advancing less than expected and the governing Socialists improving on previous results.
The vote in the rural Castilla y León region northwest of Madrid followed polls in Extremadura and Aragón, where the scandal-hit Socialists suffered heavy defeats.
With 98 percent of votes counted, the Popular Party, in power there for nearly four decades, won 33 seats in the 82‑member regional parliament, official results showed.
The Socialists secured 30 seats, while far‑right Vox won 14, a smaller number than anticipated.
The Popular Party will need to negotiate with Vox to try to form a regional government, with an eye on the 2027 general election, where polls suggest they could command a majority against the party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Spain, Argentina 'Finalissima' clash cancelled
The 'Finalissima' clash between Euro 2024 winners Spain and world champions Argentina set to take place on March 27th in Qatar has been cancelled, UEFA said on Sunday.
The European football governing body said in a statement that it was "not possible to reach agreement with Argentina" over an alternative date and location, required because of the Middle East war affecting the region.
"It is a source of great disappointment to UEFA and the organisers that circumstances and timing have denied the teams of the chance to compete for this prestigious prize in Qatar," said UEFA in a statement.
The Finalissima pits the latest Copa America winners against the European championship winners, with Argentina winning the inaugural edition by beating Italy in 2022 at Wembley in London.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup with his country in Qatar later that year.
The match against Spain would have been the first time the Argentine - who is widely considered to be the best player of all time - had faced teenage star Lamine Yamal, whom many consider his successor at Barcelona.
Second fastest ever women's marathon time set in Barcelona
Fotyen Tesfay ran the second-fastest race in women's marathon history as she triumphed in Barcelona on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Ethiopian completed the 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometres) in 2 hours 10 minutes 53 seconds in what was her first ever competitive marathon.
Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich set the record in 2024 in Chicago but is currently serving a three-year suspension for doping which annulled her results from March 2025 onwards.
"Today was fantastic - not what I was expecting, but it is good," said Tesfay.
"My plan was to attack the world record but today there was a lot of wind, I was not able to push in the last part of the race.
"Today I did not succeed, but in the next marathon I would like to try for the world record."
Tesfay came in nearly eight minutes quicker than Kenyan runner up Joan Jepkosgei Kiplimo, while Ethiopian Zeineba Yimer finished third.
New build properties in Spain are 43 percent more expensive
Last year new build homes in Spain cost 43 percent more than those that were previously owned.
According to a new report from appraisal firm Tinsa, new-build apartments increased in price by an average of 10.4 percent in 2025.
The average price per square metre for newly built apartments reached €2,567 in 2025, 17 percent above the 2007 peak.
With additional reporting from AFP
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