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

Heavy rain cancels 30 flights at Barcelona airport

Up to 30 flights were cancelled and 40 delayed due to heavy rain at Barcelona's El Prat airport on Thursday.

According to reports from Catalan press citing Aena data, the cancellations hit flights destined for Lisbon, London, Menorca, Paris, and Milan, among others.

The Catalan regional authorities have enacted a special emergency plan and asked residents to exercise extreme caution in light of forecasts of continued heavy rain.

Spain rules out return of military service

The Spanish government has ruled out the possibility of bringing back military service, known as la mili in Spain, following news that Germany would reintroduce a form of voluntary military service.

Speaking to Europa News, sources from the Ministry of Defence denied any plans for a similar move in Spain. Defence Minister Margarita Robles has previously rejected the idea in the past.

Spain outlawed national service in 2001 during the Aznar government.

Senior burglar arrested in Málaga

Spanish police have arrested an 81-year-old woman in Málaga for her alleged involvement in five burglaries of tourist flats in the Andalusian city.

The suspect reportedly took advantage of her "physical fragility" to enter buildings without arousing suspicion and then picked the locks of properties.

The woman was finally caught inside a tourist flat by the occupant himself, who alerted the police. Following her arrest and appearance in court, she has been remanded in custody.

Operation Return kicks off

Spain's so-called 'Operation Return' kicks off on Friday afternoon, with millions set to take the roads and motorways while returning home from summer holiday.

The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) officially launches 'Operation Summer Return' from 3 p.m. on Friday and it will continue until midnight on Sunday.

More than five million journeys are predicted in that time, with most taking place in stages from tourist and holiday areas in the direction of large cities. An increase in traffic is also expected at border crossings as foreign tourists return home.