A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday

Spain’s general strike begins

Spain’s first general strike since 2012 begins today, Wednesday November 11th, over the housing crisis and ahead of a snap general election at the end of the month.

The walkouts are expected to impact several sectors, particularly public transport, where minimum service levels have been set. Hospitals and health centres, shops, restaurants and pharmacies could also be affected.

In contrast to the ruling Socialist government, which supports the industrial action, the right-wing opposition PP and Vox have attacked the mobilisation, arguing that it is driven solely by ideological rather than labour-related motives.

READ ALSO: What to expect from Spain’s general strike on November 11th

Police officer dies after backpack bomb in Oviedo

A police officer died and another was seriously injured when an explosive device inside a backpack detonated on Tuesday morning in the Villafría neighbourhood of Oviedo in Asturias.

Officers responded to the scene after receiving a report of a shooting in which a 17-year-old girl was injured.  When they arrived, they found a backpack in the entrance of a building containing an explosive device, which then detonated, killing a canine unit officer.

Another officer from Spain’s bomb squad (TEDAX) was hospitalised and is in a critical condition, having to have his leg amputated due to his injuries.

Police are searching for the shooter and person who planted the explosive device. 

Authorities investigate alleged sexual abuse by 11-year-old boy at León school

Spanish police are investigating an alleged case of sexual abuse committed by an 11-year-old boy against several girls, reportedly aged 3 and 4, at the CRA Emilio Alonso public school, located in Carbajal de la Legua in Castilla y León. 

Newspaper ABC reported that the civil guard opened an investigation after receiving a complaint about alleged “touching of several minors”. Up to five families have reportedly filed complaints with the school.

The reported events allegedly took place during a bus journey from Carbajal to Lorenzana. 

Former Real Madrid star Raul to coach Oviedo

Former Real Madrid striker Raúl González was appointed as coach of Spanish second-division side Real Oviedo this week.

“Oviedo have reached an agreement to hire Raúl.. as the new first-team coach until June 2028,” said the Asturian side in a statement.

Oviedo, who were relegated from La Liga last season, dismissed coach Julian Calero earlier Monday with the team ninth in the table.

“My way of understanding football is with respecting the talent (in the squad) but asking for unconditional effort,” said Raúl in a video published by the club on social media platform X.

“The team has to fight from the first minute to the last for victory so the fans are proud of them.”

Raúl, 49, previously coached Real Madrid’s reserve side from 2019 to 2025.

As a player, Raúl won six La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, before joining Schalke, Al Sadd and the New York Cosmos.

The striker was also a regular for Spain, making 102 appearances and netting 44 goals with La Roja.

With reporting from AFP and Esme Fox.