Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy

Episode: Las 7 de Hoy por Hoy | Tres crímenes machistas en tres días de diciembre elevan el número total de mujeres asesinadas a 43 en lo que va de año
Host: Cadena SER (Àngels Barceló and team)
Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This news-driven episode delves into pressing societal issues in Spain, notably a tragic rise in gender-based violence with three femicides committed in as many days, bringing the year's total to 43. The show then transitions through key political developments, healthcare scandals, judicial investigations, scientific warnings, cultural news, and community stories. The tone remains urgent, reflective, and informative, prompting critical thinking and social awareness.

Key Themes and Discussion Points

1. Tragedy of Machista Violence: A National Crisis

[00:11–01:19]

• Three Femicides in Three Days:
  A woman was stabbed to death in front of her children in Torrijos, Toledo—the third such crime this week. The pattern echoes murders in Alicante and Torrejón de Ardoz.
• Victim's Circumstances:
  The Torrijos victim had sought advice from a local women's center but was not registered in the Biogen protection system and had not filed prior complaints.
• Impact and Response:
  Government involvement and calls for justice, with a minute of silence in the community.
• Statistics:
  • 43 women murdered by partners/ex-partners so far in 2025.
  • 1 in 3 women in Spain faces violence from partners/exes.
  • 2.6 million women have experienced physical/sexual violence by partners.
  • 25% suffer psychological violence.
  • ~2 million children live in homes affected by such abuse.

"Con esta última víctima son ya 43 las mujeres asesinadas por violencia machista en lo que va de año."
(Reporter 1, 01:14)

2. Underreporting and Institutional Failures

[01:40–02:15]

• Low Reporting Rates:
  Only 10% of sexual assaults are reported.
• Case Within the Socialist Party:
  Accusations of mishandling sexual harassment allegations against Paco Salazar, a former Moncloa advisor, with claims of internal stalling and disappearance of complaints.

"Solo se denuncian el 10 por ciento, una de cada 10 violaciones."
(Reporter 2, 01:40)

3. Healthcare Scandal in Madrid

[02:44–04:02]

• Corruption Allegations:
  The CEO of Ribera Salud, managing Torrejón's public hospital, steps down after audio leaks reveal instructions to reject patients for profit, which led to whistleblower firings.
• Political Fallout:
  The Ayuso government promises close monitoring.

"Ribera Salud despidió a cuatro directivos que se quejaron en el canal ético de la empresa de las órdenes de rechazar pacientes..."
(Reporter 2, 03:03)

4. Political Tensions and Investigations

[04:08–07:30]

• PSOE's Two Fronts:
  1. Resolving the handling of harassment complaints.
  2. Struggling to maintain support from Junts, who accuse the government of bad faith regarding previous agreements.
• Judicial Pressure:
  A judge orders exhaustive record-keeping on all cash payments by the PSOE from 2017–2024 to clarify internal party expenses, amid fears these details could leak.
• Further Judicial and Parliamentary Developments:
  • Meeting between Spanish and Moroccan leaders on agricultural, fishery, and anti-extremism agreements.
  • The Supreme Court reviews the indictments against Ábalos (former minister) over pandemic-era contracts.
  • Teresa Peramato is poised to be appointed as Spain's new Attorney General.

“Yo espero que todo ese cumplimiento de los compromisos restablezca la confianza que se ha perdido con Junts.”
(Radio Host 1, 04:52)

5. Regional and Social Updates

[07:47–09:28]

• Extremadura Elections:
  Campaign launches amidst legal issues facing the Socialist candidate, with the PP leading in the polls.
• Tragedy in a Valencia Dental Clinic:
  An unauthorized sedation procedure leads to the death of one child and hospitalization of another; arrests made.
• Local Governments and Social Enterprise:
  • Toledo company turns recycled textiles into pet beds, saving CO2 emissions.
  • Bilbao's art scene honors industrial heritage through creative exhibits.

"Una cama son dos kilos de textil reciclado. Eso equivale a las emisiones de CO en todo un año de una sola persona."
(Ariadna Burgos, 13:47)

6. Space, Science, and Global Concerns

[09:31–10:43]

• Satellite Swarms Threaten Astronomy:
  A NASA study warns that SpaceX’s Starlink and similar mega-constellations may make telescopes “blind”, imperiling science and planetary security by interfering with images from key observatories like Hubble.

“Es un problema muy grave, es dejarnos ciegos... vamos a perder posibilidad de observar.”
(Alejandro Sánchez, 10:20)

7. Stories from the Community & Culture

[11:02–14:50]

• A Giant Flag Inaugurated, Then Destroyed by Wind:
  Talavera’s oversized Spanish flag (cost: €60,000) is shredded by weather, prompting both local pride and bureaucratic headache.
• Challenges for Small Bookstores:
  Local bookstores struggle to compete for municipal contracts supplying public libraries.
• Art Exhibition Honors Industry:
  “Ars Ex Industria” in Bilbao traces 40 years of transforming factories into cultural landmarks.

"Nuestra memoria del trabajo también lo era."
(Javier Puertas, 14:24)

8. Literary Recommendation

[14:50–15:56]

• Featured Book:
  “Un largo camino” by Nobel Laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah.
  Explores themes of love, resilience, colonialism, and exile in 1990s Tanzania.

"Una novela luminosa que habla de amor y de resiliencia, con una mirada al colonialismo y al exilio..."
(Radio Host 2, 15:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gender Violence Statistics and Invisibility:
  "Cerca de dos millones de niños viven en hogares en los que han maltratado a sus madres."
  (Reporter 2, 01:39)

• On Institutional Apathy:
  "Nadie hizo nada y... acabaron desapareciendo las denuncias del portal."
  (Reporter 2, 02:00)

• On Local Irony:
  "Si ponemos este caso en un marcador, yo diría que en bandera de España uno y el viento, cero."
  (Ariadna Burgos, 11:57)

• On Small Business and Public Procurement:
  "No puedes decir... compra en el barrio... y luego haces dos pedidos solos."
  (Fernando Tarancón, 12:51)

Timestamps – Key Segments

• 00:11–01:19: Three cases of femicide; impact, statistics.
• 01:40–02:15: Underreporting and PSOE scandal.
• 02:44–04:02: Ribera Salud healthcare corruption.
• 04:08–05:13: PSOE's double crisis: harassment and Junts.
• 05:13–06:26: Judicial order for party finances.
• 06:38–07:30: Spanish-Moroccan summit; legal updates.
• 07:47–08:34: Extremadura elections; dental clinic tragedy.
• 09:31–10:43: Satellites threatening astronomy.
• 11:02–11:59: Talavera’s flag fiasco.
• 12:07–13:12: Local bookstores vs. big distribution.
• 13:19–13:50: Textile recycling and environmental impact.
• 13:55–14:39: Anniversary art exhibit on Basque industry.
• 14:50–15:56: Literary recommendation: "Un largo camino".

Summary

This "Hoy por Hoy" episode offers a panoramic and moving chronicle of national and local events, foregrounding the tragedy of gender-based violence and the institutional barriers impeding justice. It demonstrates the interconnectedness of political, judicial, and social domains, ranging from healthcare scandals and political impasses to acts of community resilience. The episode is punctuated by human stories and cultural highlights, ending on a note of hope and reflection—a hallmark of the show's commitment to critical, compassionate journalism.