Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Monday

Sánchez backs Palestinian leader after US cancels visa

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has expressed Spain's solidarity with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, following the United States' refusal to grant him a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in New York.

In a message on X, Sánchez described the US decision as "unfair" and stressed that Palestine has the right to be heard at the UN and in all international forums.

Sánchez said he had held a direct conversation with Abbas on Saturday to convey his government's support. The Spanish government has, along with Ireland and Norway, been a world leader in championing the Palestinian cause and formally recognised the Palestinian state in xxx.

READ ALSO: IN DEPTH - Why does Spain support Palestine?

Valencia holds tenth protest since floods

Locals in Valencia again took to the streets over the weekend to call for the resignation of regional President Carlos Mazón due to his handling of the deadly floods in October 2024 that killed 228.

For the tenth time since the Dana, locals demonstrated 10 months on since the disaster. "Behind these ten months lie 334 days of pain and people who should not have died," protestors told the Spanish press.

The demonstration brought together 2,000 people, according to figures from local government, in Valencia's Plaza de la Virgen.

Spain to reach 2% of GDP in defence spending for first time

NATO estimates that Spain will reach 2 percent of GDP in defence spending, a first for the country.

However, Spain remains among the allies that allocate the lowest proportion of their GDP to defence.

Defence Minister Margarita Robles told the EFE news agency that Spain will "without a doubt" fulfil its commitment to invest in defence with other NATO countries, even if Spain's budget for next year is not approved in Congress.

This follows US President Donald Trump publicly threatening to punish Spain with trade measures for not committing to spending 5 percent of its GDP on defence.

READ ALSO: Is Spain's Nato defence spend really as low as Trump claims?

Heavy rain forecast in Catalonia and Balearics

Northeast Catalonia is on alert for rainfall of between 40 and 50 litres per square meter in one hour, with an orange level for significant risk as a result of these storms forecast for Monday. Winds of 70km/h and some hail are also expected in the region.

People in Mallorca and Menorca can also expect plenty of rain today - up to 20 litres/sqm - as the archipelago will be on yellow alert.