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

Spain to experience 35C Indian summer heat this week 

Despite autumn being just two days away, Spain will experience an Indian Summer this week, what’s called un Veranillo de San Miguel in Spanish. 

Temperatures around 10C above average for this time of year are expected, reaching peaks of up to 35C in Madrid, Seville, Córdoba, and Badajoz.

In other parts of the country such as Valencia, Alicante, Málaga and the Balearics the mercury will hover around 30C.

Fortunately, night-time temperatures will be more pleasant than during this summer, with lows ranging between 17C and 18C, resulting in cool nights.

Fifth anniversary of La Palma volcanic eruption

This weekend marked five years since the volcanic eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on Canary island of La Palma, one of the most destructive natural disasters in recent Spanish history. 

Nearly 7,000 people were evacuated as the lava covered more than 1,200 hectares, destroying roughly 2,988 buildings, including some 1,345 homes. 

The eruption lasted for 85 days until December 13th, making it the longest on record in La Palma.

Five years on, many of the thousands of palmeros who lost their properties have still not been rehoused in the new homes they were promised.

Spanish civil war drama ‘The Black Ball’ wins at Toronto festival

Spain’s “The Black Ball,” a gay rights drama set during the country’s civil war, won top prize Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The ambitious epic, known as “La Bola Negra” in Spanish, stars Miguel Bernardeau, along with Penelope Cruz and Glenn Close, weaving the stories of three gay men across different eras in Spain.

The Toronto win gives the film, directed by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, a creative duo affectionately known as “Los Javis,” an early boost in the race for recognition at the Oscars, where the festival’s People’s Choice Award has proved a useful bellwether.

Speaking to reporters earlier this month, Ambrossi, who used to be in a relationship with Calvo, called “The Black Ball” “a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community” of the past that fought for human rights and an “epic gay drama for everyone.”

Unlike festival prizes bestowed by Cannes and Venice, the Toronto People’s Choice Award is selected by public audiences. Any movie in the festival’s official lineup is eligible, unlike the curated “in competition” shortlists used elsewhere.

Early inspiration for the movie came from the unpublished play written by Federico García Lorca, a poet who was executed by fascist forces at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.

UK digital bank Monzo to launch in Spain

Monzo has launched its operations in Spain by opening a waiting list for users interested in opening a current account.

The bank, which has over 16 million customers in the UK, is preparing a phased rollout, with general availability for Spanish residents expected later this autumn.

The company will operate in Spain as a bank with a European banking license and will soon have a fully operational Spanish IBAN . From that point on, it will allow customers to carry out the usual transactions associated with a bank account, such as receiving income as well as managing payments and direct debits.

Atlético Madrid beat Real Madrid in tense derby clash

Atlético Madrid edged 10-man Real Madrid 2-1 in a La Liga derby clash on Sunday to leave Jose Mourinho’s side trailing leaders Barcelona by six points.

Dean Huijsen was sent off early in the second half for Los Blancos before Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David’s goals earned Diego Simeone’s Atletico victory, with Antonio Rudiger pulling one back late on.

Atletico rose to second, five points behind Barca and one ahead of Real Madrid, who chalked up a second defeat of the campaign.

The game hinged on Huijsen’s red card early in the second period, for pulling down Giuliano Simeone in the box which led to a penalty, tucked away by Grimaldo to set Atletico on their way.

Real Madrid were unhappy about challenges from Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-in in the first half which Mourinho said should have been red cards.

“They were two clear red cards… the difficulty we had after (Huijsen’s red) with 11 (players) against 10, well imagine 50 minutes with 11 against nine,” Mourinho grumbled.

With additional reporting by AFP.