MURCIA NEWS

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.. 15/05/2026

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.. 15/05/2026

Panoramic lift officially presented in Puerto de MazarrónGreat views over the Bay of Mazarrón from this new urban facility alongside the Rihuete beach The Mayor of Mazarrón, Ginés Campillo, has finally visited the new panoramic lift on the seafront alongside the Paya del Rihuete to inaugurate.. 15/05/2026

Hundreds checked as San Javier seizes 55 electric scooters in new crackdownPolicía Local say dozens of scooters have already been removed for failing to meet new legal requirements Electric scooter users in San Javier are being urged to make sure their paperwork is in order after Policía Local removed 55 vehicles.. 15/05/2026

Spain sees surge in racist social media posts as more than 1,000 hateful messages appear every dayNew figures show most abuse targets North Africans and Muslims, while campaigners push for stronger action online More than 105,000 racist and xenophobic messages were detected on social media in Spain during the first three months of 2026, according.. 15/05/2026

Fourth measles case confirmed as Alcantarilla outbreak investigation continuesThe latest case involves an adult woman linked to earlier patients, while authorities say the source of infection is still unknown Health authorities in Murcia have confirmed a fourth case of measles linked to the outbreak detected in Alcantarilla.. 15/05/2026

Murcia's Northwest Ring Road cuts traffic jams by more than half in first weeksNew figures show major improvements around Espinardo and the A-7 after long-awaited road fully opened in March Murcia’s long-awaited Northwest Ring Road is already making a noticeable difference for drivers across the metropolitan area, with new.. 15/05/2026

New nocturnal illumination for Lorca castleThe complete extent of the old defensive wall now stands out over Lorca during the hours of darkness Lorca castle has unveiled a new LED illumination system which has transformed the image of the “Fortress of the Sun” by night, shedding light.. 15/05/2026

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