Claim OwnershipSimple Spanish News: Stories at A2
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© Stanislav Piskunov
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Each day, we bring you real-world news, explained clearly and simply in Spanish at an A2 level. Listen, learn, and improve your Spanish while staying informed.
This podcast is brought to you by the LinguaSimplify app. Learn languages by reading real-world articles, simplified with AI to your level.
This podcast is brought to you by the LinguaSimplify app. Learn languages by reading real-world articles, simplified with AI to your level.
136 Episodes
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Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode explores the historic surge in Spain’s real estate market in 2025, with transaction volumes and prices reaching levels not seen in nearly two decades. Driven by strong demand and limited housing supply, the price per square meter climbed to record highs. While second-hand homes continue to dominate sales, new-build properties posted their strongest performance since 2011. We examine regional disparities, monthly fluctuations, and how fear of further price increases fueled a buying rush across the country.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines a symbolic demographic shift in Spain, where births rose by 1% in 2025 after a decade of steady decline. Despite this modest rebound, deaths still outnumbered births by more than 125,000, keeping the country in natural population decline. We explore the rise of late motherhood—particularly among women over 40—regional disparities between growing areas like Madrid and Murcia and shrinking regions such as Galicia, and the broader challenge of structural aging as deaths among those over 80 continue to increase.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode explores the push by General Seán Clancy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to strengthen the European Union’s defense autonomy through the real activation of Article 42.7, the EU’s mutual defense clause. The initiative aims to equip the bloc to respond to hybrid threats and crises below NATO’s intervention threshold. We examine Europe’s accelerated joint procurement of military technology, the goal of strategic complementarity with NATO, and why full military readiness will extend well beyond 2030.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines a report by Beyond Fossil Fuels questioning Big Tech’s claims that artificial intelligence will significantly reduce global emissions. While companies like Google highlight AI’s climate potential, the study argues that much of the evidence is anecdotal or lacks independent academic validation. We explore the growing energy demands of data centers, the environmental cost of generative AI, and whether projected carbon savings truly offset its expanding ecological footprint—or if the narrative risks becoming greenwashing.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines Cuba’s deepening systemic collapse, marked by severe shortages of fuel, food, and medicine that have pushed the country into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. We explore how growing social exhaustion and energy paralysis are eroding the legitimacy of President Díaz-Canel’s government, even amid state repression. As U.S. diplomatic and economic pressure intensifies, we discuss the uncertainty surrounding potential political change—and the fears of instability that accompany it.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode explores the structural transformation of NATO into what some call “NATO 3.0,” a shift aimed at placing greater responsibility for conventional defense on European nations. As the United States pivots strategically toward the Indo-Pacific, Europe is increasing military spending and expanding its role within NATO’s command structure. We discuss how the alliance seeks a new balance—strengthening European autonomy while preserving U.S. leadership in core strategic planning to maintain transatlantic unity.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s appearance before Congress following recent rail incidents in Adamuz and Gelida. Sánchez argued that Spain’s railway system remains among the most advanced in Europe, backed by sustained investment and declining accident rates despite rising passenger numbers. We break down his defense against claims of infrastructure obsolescence, the promise of thorough investigations and new safety protocols, and the broader debate over public trust in national transport safety.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 from Transparency International, which shows Spain slipping to 49th place out of 182 countries with a score of 55/100—a drop from previous years and below some countries with very different political and economic profiles.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines the stark differences in electricity and gas costs across Europe’s capitals in early 2026. While Western cities often show the highest nominal prices, the real burden—adjusted for purchasing power—is heavier in Eastern Europe. We break down how energy mix, infrastructure, and state subsidies shape these gaps, why prices remain above pre-crisis levels, and how lower-income households are hit the hardest.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode explores how European countries financially reward Olympic medalists—despite the International Olympic Committee offering no direct prize money. We compare generous systems in countries like Hungary and Poland—featuring large cash bonuses, lifetime pensions, and even crypto—with more fixed or modest schemes in Spain, Greece, and tax-free awards in Germany. Beyond cash, we look at scholarships, housing, and sponsorships that help secure athletes’ careers, and why success at Milan–Cortina 2026 could be a turning point for long-term financial stability.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode explores the public clash between Pável Dúrov, founder of Telegram, and the Spanish government over a new digital regulation bill. Dúrov accuses the administration of Pedro Sánchez of pushing censorship through mandatory user identification and criminal liability for platform executives. The government counters that the reforms are necessary to protect minors and society from harmful content and opaque algorithms. We unpack the privacy-versus-regulation dilemma, the technical uncertainty around age and identity verification, and what this dispute reveals about Europe’s escalating battle with Big Tech over digital sovereignty.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode explores the growing confrontation between Elon Musk and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after Spain proposed stricter digital laws. The reforms would hold social media executives criminally liable for failing to remove illegal or hate content, with a strong focus on protecting minors and limiting algorithmic manipulation. We examine how this dispute reflects a broader battle between governments and Big Tech over digital sovereignty, and why Musk’s platforms are facing increasing legal scrutiny across Europe.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines the political fallout following the tragic train accident in Adamuz. Opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo is demanding an investigation commission and the resignation of the transport minister, raising concerns over track maintenance and safety. The government, led by Minister Óscar Puente, defends its investment record and warns of misinformation campaigns while technical investigations continue to determine the true causes of the collision.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode breaks down Marco Rubio’s recent appearance before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee to explain Washington’s strategy toward Venezuela after the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Rubio defended the administration’s approach, saying the goal is a long-term transition to democracy and even cited Spain’s democratic transition as an example to follow. He clarified that the U.S. does not currently plan new military action, though the option isn’t entirely off the table if cooperation fails, and stressed the complexity of stabilizing Venezuela’s political future amid ongoing diplomatic and economic efforts.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode explores a historic milestone in Spain’s labor market as unemployment drops to 9.93% by the end of 2025. Driven by the creation of more than 600,000 jobs—mainly from the private sector—total employment has surpassed 22 million for the first time. We discuss the strength of growth in services and industry, the remaining regional inequalities, and why youth unemployment, despite improving, continues to lag behind the rest of Europe.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s defense of Donald Trump’s role in boosting the alliance and pushing European countries to increase military spending. Rutte argues that Europe’s security is impossible without U.S. support and rejects the idea of full strategic autonomy from America’s nuclear umbrella. We also discuss tripartite talks over Greenland to curb Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, and NATO’s call for flexible use of Ukraine aid to purchase U.S. weapons due to limits in Europe’s defense industry.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines Ukraine’s urgent appeal for stronger air defense as Russian attacks intensify with waves of drones, bombs, and missiles targeting civilian and energy infrastructure. We discuss the humanitarian impact on Kyiv, where thousands face power and heating shortages during extreme winter conditions, and the mass evacuations underway. The episode also looks at ongoing diplomatic talks in Abu Dhabi and why President Zelensky insists that protecting Ukraine’s airspace is essential for civilian survival.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines the unprecedented trade war between Ecuador and Colombia, sparked by border security tensions and disputes over cooperation against drug trafficking. We analyze President Daniel Noboa’s decision to impose 30% tariffs on Colombian goods, the swift retaliation by Gustavo Petro, and the escalation through energy and oil transport measures. As billions in bilateral trade are put at risk, experts warn that unilateral actions will ultimately hit consumers on both sides of the border.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode examines Donald Trump’s appearance at the World Economic Forum, where he doubled down on his proposal to buy Greenland from Denmark. Trump framed the demand as compensation for U.S. financial and military support to NATO, while sharply criticizing Europe’s energy policies and wind power. We explore the strong backlash from European leaders, rising tariff threats, and how this episode underscores a widening rift between Trump’s expansionist vision and Europe’s commitment to sovereignty and the current global order.
Try our LinguaSimplify app.This episode covers remarks by Gavin Newsom at the World Economic Forum, where he called on European leaders to take a tougher stance against Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland. We discuss growing transatlantic tensions, the EU’s promise of a firm and united response to potential U.S. trade retaliation, and Denmark’s clear message that while dialogue is possible on security and economics, sovereignty over Greenland is non-negotiable.
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