¿Qué? – The Spanish News Podcast

We are on a (summer) break

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:12:00 +0200

Season 5 of the ¿Qué? podcast is coming to an end a little earlier than we expected. Thanks to you all for listening and we'll be back in September!

S05E08: New spike in coronavirus infections and the fallout from Cuba protests

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 19:15:00 +0200

This week, we discuss the ongoing rise in Covid-19 cases, in particular among young people, and we also examine how protests by Cuban citizens have been putting the central government in a tight spot

S05E07: Delta strain in Spain and the debate over bilingual education programs

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 14:23:00 +0200

This week on our Spanish news podcast, we discuss the rise of the delta coronavirus strain in Spain, the spike in infections among young people and what regions are doing to curb contagions.

S05E06: Coronavirus update and interview with Bremain in Spain chair

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 09:12:00 +0200

This week, we discuss the spread of the delta variant and the progress of the Covid-19 vaccination drive, and speak to the MBE recipient, Sue Wilson, about the work her organization does to protect the rights of UK citizens living in the country.

S05E05: A tragedy in Tenerife and Sánchez's hallway chat with Biden

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:53:00 +0200

This week on our Spanish news podcast, we look at the tragic case of Anna and Olivia, two little girls who are thought to have been murdered by their father in Spain’s Canary Islands, and discuss the broader problem of gender violence in Spain.

We also explain how an announced “bilateral meeting” between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and US President Joe Biden turned into a hallway chat that lasted less than a minute.

S05E04: How Spain’s autonomous regions have handled the pandemic

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:43:00 +0200

We discuss how complicated the coronavirus crisis has been in the country due to the powers of the regional governments

S05E03: Spain's Covid vaccine campaign, and Brexit advice for Britons

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:05:00 +0200

This week we take a look at Spain's ongoing Covid-19 vaccine campaign, and also consider some of the changing rules and regulations for UK nationals traveling to or living in the country

S05E02: Travel after Brexit and Catalan politics

Thu, 27 May 2021 09:49:00 +0200

This week we discuss the changes to the coronavirus restrictions on travelers from the UK, and look at the new Catalan government, which has made securing clemency for the jailed leaders of the 2017 breakaway bid a priority

S05E01: Picking up where we left off

Thu, 20 May 2021 17:47:00 +0200

After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Simon Hunter and Melissa Kitson are back with a brand new series

We are on a break

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 18:46:00 +0200

Things are a little complicated for everyone right now, so we will have to take a little break with our podcast. But fret not, we'll be back with you as soon as possible! Stay safe and thanks for listening.

S04E10: UK ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott discusses the coronavirus crisis

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 07:02:48 +0100

We also catch up with Chris Dottie, the president of the British Chamber of Commerce, and Martin Makepeace, the president of the British Association of San Antonio, Ibiza

S04E09: Coronavirus lockdown in Spain

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 16:37:00 +0100

This week we talk about the state of alarm aimed at slowing the spread of Covid-19, and interview some of our podcast heroes about how they are managing under the new restrictions

¿Qué? S04E08: The coronavirus in Spain and an alleged assault in the Big Brother house

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 14:48:00 +0100

This week we talk about how Covid-19 is affecting Spaniards, and discuss a court investigation into the alleged abuse of a ‘Gran Hermano’ contestant

S04E07: EL PAÍS SEMANAL’s feature article on ‘Why I vote for Vox’

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 14:45:00 +0100

This week we talk to Guillermo Abril, the journalist who wrote a recent feature based on interviews with supporters of the far-right party, and which left no one indifferent

S04E06: The trial of Willy Toledo and a plan to crack down on Franco apologists

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 12:41:04 +0100

This week we examine how a Spanish actor and activist ended up in court for a Facebook post, and consider the limits of free speech in Spain

S04E05: Poverty in Spain and the 33-year pension scam

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 11:59:00 +0100

This week, we discuss a UN expert’s findings on the serious levels of inequality in the country, and discover how a social worker managed to collect a deceased man’s Social Security payments for more than three decades

S04E4: The coronavirus quarantine in Madrid and drama at Barajas airport

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 12:49:06 +0100

This week we speak to EL PAÍS correspondent Jaime Santirso, who was evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan last week, and recount the drone sightings and emergency landing in the Spanish capital on Monday

S04E3: Brexit and rock-bottom rents in Madrid

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 13:42:26 +0100

This week, we discuss how Brexit will affect Britons living in Spain, and why some tenants are able to pay as little as €7 a month for an apartment in the capital

S04E2: A new Catalan trial and Vox’s idea for a parental veto

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:06:00 +0100

This week we discuss the latest trial covering the 2017 events in Catalonia, and examine far-right Vox’s plan for a so-called “parental pin.”

S04E1: New government in Spain, and failed heist at French palace

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 17:11:08 +0100

This week we talk about Pedro Sánchez being voted back in as prime minister, and the unlikely story of an infamous spanish ram-raider who was hired by the Chinese mafia to steal precious artworks.

S03E12: The effects of the UK general election, and Spain’s dwindling bars

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 11:23:00 +0100

This week we talk to Britons in Spain whose lives will be affected by the reelection of the Tories at the recent polls, and examine the initiatives aimed at keeping local watering holes open in deserted parts of the country

S03E11: ‘El Pequeño Nicolás’ and a grisly cocaine crime

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 15:48:59 +0100

This week we discuss Spain’s most notorious alleged fraudster, and examine the death of Marta Calvo, whose body was dismembered and disposed of by a man she met online

S03E10: Scuffles in Congress and Spain’s ‘narco-submarine’

Fri, 06 Dec 2019 14:19:47 +0100

This week we discuss the antics that happened inside Spanish Congress when newly elected lawmakers were sworn into their roles, and talk about the first “narco-submarine” caught in European waters off the coast of Galicia

SO3E9: Vox controversies and Mar Menor disaster

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 11:33:09 +0100

This week we discuss the far-right party's denial of gender violence, and why thousands of fish washed up dead in Europe's largest saltwater lagoon.

S03E8: Spain's general election and the PSOE-Podemos deal

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:58:53 +0100

This week we discuss -what else?- the results of Sunday's repeat poll and the surprise agreement between Pedro Sánchez and Pablo Iglesias that paves the way for a coalition

S03E7: Pre-election debate and the #MeToo movement in Spain

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:10:42 +0100

This week we discuss the jousting of Spain’s five prime-ministerial candidates on Monday night, and examine the Spanish feminism movement.

S03E6: Spain’s ‘stolen babies’ network and R&D challenges

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 17:33:00 +0100

This week we discuss the death of Doctor Vela, the first person to go to trial in relation with irregular adoptions during the Franco era, and ask why the Spanish science sector is lagging behind those of other countries

S03E5: Catalan street protests and the exhumation of Franco

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 18:28:00 +0200

This week we discuss last week’s disturbances in Catalonia after the Supreme Court ruling, and the long-awaited exhumation of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco from the Valley of the Fallen

S03E4: Supreme Court ruling on jailed Catalan secession leaders

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 15:55:59 +0200

This week we discuss the verdict from one of the most politically relevant trials that Spain has seen in recent years, and the protests it has sparked across Catalonia

S03E3: The Spanish company that spied on Julian Assange

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 10:21:00 +0200

This week we discuss the exclusive reporting from EL PAÍS about the security firm that was monitoring the WikiLeaks founder, and also examine the journalistic issues thrown up by a grisly crime in the north of Spain

S03E2: The Catalan independence drive and exhuming Franco

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 12:36:00 +0200

This week we discuss events surrounding the second anniversary of the referendum in Catalonia, and the latest in the ongoing tug of war over the remains of the Spanish dictator

S03E1: New elections and Brexit

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 16:44:39 +0200

This week we discuss why Spain is heading back to the polls for the fourth time in four years, and look at the Spanish government’s demand for reciprocity in the conditions for migrants after the UK leaves the EU

2x12: Farewell interview with ambassador Simon Manley

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 11:22:27 +0200

The outgoing British ambassador to Spain covers Brexit, digital diplomacy and just how Spanish he is after six years in the role

2x11: Spain’s political stalemate deepens

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 15:14:43 +0200

In the season finale we discuss the ongoing efforts by the Socialists and Podemos to hammer out a governing deal, and also look at the U-turn Madrid City Hall has been forced to make on the Madrid Central low-emissions zone

2x10: Madrid suspends fines in low-emissions zone

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 09:35:16 +0200

This week we discuss the controversial move by the new right-wing council in the capital, as well as examining a bungled assassination attempt by two Spanish women

2x09: New ruling in the Running of the Bulls rape case

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:05:25 +0200

This week we discuss the Supreme Court’s decision on Spain’s most infamous sexual assault trial, and also examine the ongoing stalemate on the Spanish political scene

2x08: The end of Madrid’s low-emissions zone?

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 15:27:00 +0200

This week we discuss plans by the new mayor of the capital to ditch a scheme aimed at reducing pollution, and also examine an app that was used to spy on Spanish bars

2x07: Why does Franco remain in the Valley of the Fallen?

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 12:13:31 +0200

This week we discuss the Supreme Court ruling that temporarily suspended the exhumation of the Spanish dictator, and talk about how much guests are expected to give at weddings in Spain

2x06: Catalan independence trial comes to a close

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 15:47:11 +0200

This week we discuss the public prosecutor’s closing arguments in the 'procés' case, and also examine the possible ramifications of a tragic suicide in Madrid

2x05: Fallout of the May 26 election results

Fri, 31 May 2019 14:43:00 +0200

This week we discuss the winners and losers of the local, regional and European polls on Sunday, and how the outcome could affect future governing deals in Spain

2x04: Chaos in Congress and vibrator prizes

Thu, 23 May 2019 13:19:00 +0200

This week we discuss the antics that took place during the inaugural session of the lower house, and talk about the outrageous award pack given to a women’s squash team in Spain

2x03: New clocking-in system and Pedro Sánchez’s hero moment

Thu, 16 May 2019 13:56:00 +0200

This week we discuss a new law that makes it mandatory for all businesses in Spain to keep track of worker schedules and how Pedro Sánchez handled a protester who appeared at the mortuary chapel for Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba

2x02: Election fallout and controversy in Mauthausen

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:48:00 +0200

This week we discuss the early talks between Spain’s political parties as they seek to form a government, and examine a memorial service at a Nazi camp that took an unexpected turn

2x01: Results of the Spanish election

Thu, 02 May 2019 13:48:15 +0200

This week we discuss the outcome of Sunday’s vote and how it has changed the political landscape of Spain

Ep.12: What’s going to happen at the Spanish elections?

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 11:03:29 +0200

This week we discuss the upcoming date that Spaniards have at the polling booths, and also, in the last episode of our first season, mention a few stories we didn’t have time for...

Ep. 11: British migrants protest Brexit in Madrid

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 14:44:48 +0100

We discuss the demonstration against the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in Madrid and look at why an expert ham cutter caused a scandal on social media.

Ep. 10: Who broke into the North Korean embassy in Madrid?

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 13:06:00 +0100

This week we discuss a curious incident involving a diplomatic mission in Spain, which may or may not have involved the CIA, and also remember the tragic killing of Carlos Palomino. More info at elpais.com.

Ep. 9: Feminists on the march

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 16:16:00 +0100

This week we discuss the success of the Spanish demonstrations for Women’s Day, and we pose the question, is Spain politically incorrect?

Ep. 8: What the rise of far-right party Vox means for Spain

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 10:09:00 +0100

Journalists from the EL PAÍS English Edition discuss the emergence of the group, and also examine a controversial bus that is denouncing “Feminazis” in Spain

Ep. 7: Supreme Court trial of Catalan separatist leaders

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 16:36:00 +0100

Journalists from the English Edition explain the charges facing 12 pro-independence defendants and why this case is the most important in Spanish history

Ep. 6: Will Franco be removed from the Valley of the Fallen?

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:12:00 +0100

We look at the government’s plans to exhume the remains of the Spanish dictator from the controversial monument north of Madrid.

Ep. 5: The Spanish right gets out to protest

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 12:10:00 +0100

In the fifth installment of our audio series, journalists from the English Edition probe the causes behind a demonstration aimed at throwing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez out of office

Ep. 4: Another fine mess for Pedro Sanchez

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:45:00 +0100

In the fourth of our audio series, we examine the delicate position of the Spanish prime minister, and consider the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.

Ep. 3: The Julen Roselló tragedy

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 13:43:00 +0100

Journalists from the English Edition of EL PAÍS go over the facts of the rescue mission in Málaga that began when a two-year-old fell down a borehole.

Ep. 2: What Brexit means for Brits in Spain

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 11:27:00 +0100

Simon Hunter and Melissa Kitson discuss the effect of the UK's exit from the EU, and also the controversy over a selfie-snapping devil.

Ep. 1: Villarejo: the A Team of the Spanish police?

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 11:40:00 +0100

Our journalists at El Pais in English explain who José Manuel Villarejo is, and why everyone seems to be afraid of him