Valencia Launches Aid Program to Combat Illegal Squatting
The Valencian regional government has launched a “Comprehensive Anti-Illegal Squatting Plan” to provide both legal and financial support to homeowners whose properties have been illegally occupied.
Under the plan, eligible homeowners or usufructuaries can receive up to €500 for legal consultation fees and up to €1,500 for repairing property damage. Applicants must own a home in the Valencian Community and have been registered as residents there for at least one continuous year at the time of application. Required documents include proof of ownership, a police report, and relevant invoices. The application deadline is September 10.
The initial budget for the project is €250,000, which can be increased to €750,000 based on demand. The government has also established a “Service Office for Victims of Squatting” to provide free comprehensive services and preventive advice to affected residents.
Government Adjusts Fuel Subsidies to Tackle Inflationary Pressure
To counter rising diesel prices, the Spanish government has announced it will activate its “anti-crisis shield” mechanism in September, significantly increasing the tax rebate for diesel from the planned 5 cents per liter to 20 cents.
This adjustment was triggered because diesel prices rose by 15.7% year-on-year in July, according to data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), surpassing the government’s 15% automatic activation threshold. In contrast, gasoline prices increased by 7.3% over the same period, failing to meet the trigger point; therefore, its subsidy will be reduced to 5 cents per liter in September as planned. Fluctuating energy prices are a major driver of inflation, with data showing that Spain’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 3.6% year-on-year in July.
Business News: Shein Price Hike and Spanish Super Cup Relocation
In the business world, Chinese fast-fashion e-commerce giant Shein has announced it will raise its product prices in the European market to partially offset the cost of new tariffs implemented by the EU. Since July 1, the EU has imposed a fixed €3 tariff on parcels valued at up to €150 from outside the bloc. In a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Shein stated that the new measure could have a significant impact on its European operations. Europe is Shein’s largest market, accounting for over 32% of its global revenue in the first quarter of this year.
In sports, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on August 13 that the 2027 Spanish Super Cup will be held for the first time in Istanbul, Turkey, at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. The move is due to a scheduling conflict, as the original host, Saudi Arabia, will be hosting the AFC Asian Cup at that time. Istanbul becomes the seventh overseas host for the tournament, following Riyadh, Jeddah, Tangier, Marrakech, Beijing, and Geneva.
World News: Major Earthquake in Colombia and Japan-Russia Diplomatic Tensions
Internationally, the 72-hour “golden window” for rescue efforts has passed following the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10. As of August 13, the earthquake has resulted in 265 deaths, 3,494 injuries, and nearly 500 people missing. In the hardest-hit city of Cali, 80 buildings have collapsed, and rescue teams continue to search in locations where signs of life are suspected.
Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions between Russia and Japan have escalated. On August 13, Russian President Putin made his first presidential visit to Iturup Island, part of the disputed Kuril Islands territory under Russian control. The visit drew a strong protest from the Japanese government, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi calling it “absolutely unacceptable” and reiterating that the four southern Kuril Islands are Japan’s “inherent territory.” The territorial dispute, a legacy of World War II, has long prevented the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty.
