Spain

November 4, 2024 9:00 PM

Spain deploys 7,500 troops to flood zone where anger rises at slow help

Spain is deploying 7,500 troops to its eastern region hit by devastating floods, the government said on Monday in the face of rising discontent over the response to the catastrophe that has killed at least 217 people. The army sent about 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean up streets and protect shops and properties from looters. A further 2,500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told state-owned radio. A warship carrying 104 marine infantry...

November 4, 2024 1:06 PM

Protests over Spain flood response interrupt king’s visit to stricken Valencia suburb

Hundreds of residents of a Valencia suburb badly hit by last week's deadly floods protested on Sunday during a visit by Spanish King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with some throwing mud at them. Chanting "Murderers, murderers!" they vented pent-up anger over what has been widely perceived by local residents as tardy alerts from the authorities about the dangers of Tuesday's flooding, and then a late response by the emergency services when disaster struck. "Please, th...

November 1, 2024 8:51 AM

Spain grapples with devastating floods as death toll surpasses 150

A devastating storm that hit Spain, has resulted in a mounting death toll of more than 150, according to a report by CNN. Spain's deadly storm has claimed 155 lives, with Valencia experiencing its heaviest rainfall in 28 years. Residents were trapped in basements and lower floors. The country's eastern and southern regions often see autumn rain, but this year's downpour was unprecedented. Most of the deaths occurred in Valencia, which is located along the Mediterranean coast and is home to more...

October 22, 2024 6:16 PM

Spain’s airlines see winter sales boost due to Middle East conflict

Airline operators in Spain expect to sell 12% more seats this winter than a year earlier as travellers look to steer well clear of conflict zones, the head of Spain's airlines industry group (ALA) said on Tuesday. Tourist destinations such as the Canary Islands will see more flights as some airlines re-route planes from Israel and other destinations in the Middle East, ALA President Javier Gandara told a press conference in Madrid. For the winter, "there have been a number of changes in airlin...

October 9, 2024 3:07 PM

Spanish olive trees find new home on Hungary’s slopes as climate warms

Wine maker Csaba Torok, who grows olives on Hungary's warm southern slopes near Lake Balaton, believes his trees from southern Europe have found a successful new home as Europe's climate gets warmer. Torok, 55, got his first three small olive trees from Spain around 2008. Two froze to death the first winter but one survived, prompting Torok to buy around 200 more over the years to plant in his vineyard on Hegymagas, a volcanic butte formation with sunny slopes, ample rain and rich soil. "I see...

August 13, 2024 1:19 PM

Wildfire fanned by gales menaces Athens suburbs as residents flee

Greece's worst wildfire this year spread into the Athens suburbs on Monday, forcing hundreds of people to flee as it torched trees, homes and cars and choked busy roads with smoke and ash. The government called for help from fellow EU members to tackle the fire that was burning out of control for a second day, fanned by gale force winds that pushed it from the wooded hills north of the city. Firefighters said flames, threatening apartment blocks, schools and businesses, had reached the deepest...

September 16, 2024 6:13 PM

Paraguay becomes 100th member of International Solar Alliance

Paraguay has become the 100th country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a full member. The South American nation officially handed over its Instrument of Ratification to the ISA in New Delhi on Wednesday. The ceremony took place during a meeting between Paraguay's Ambassador to India, Fleming Raul Duarte, and Abhishek Singh, Joint Secretary of Economic Diplomacy and States Division at India's Ministry of External Affairs. Singh, who serves as the Head of Depository for the ISA, ...

June 6, 2024 3:05 PM

Spain to intervene in South Africa’s Gaza genocide case at World Court

Spain will request to intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel's actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice, its foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Thursday. Spain follows Ireland, which also announced it would intervene in the case. "We are doing it because of our commitment to international law, in our desire to support the court in its work and strengthen the United Nations, supporting the role of the court as the maximum legal entity in the system," Alb...

June 5, 2024 5:36 PM

Spain tightens protections for children on smartphones

Spain announced measures on Tuesday to ensure parental controls on smartphones by default as part of new steps to protect children from the harmful effects of social media. The government will also criminalise the creation of "deepfake" AI-generated images involving sexual content and the sharing of pornographic material with children, Justice Minister Feliz Bolanos told reporters after a cabinet meeting. The age of data protection consent would be raised from 14 to 16 and a digital restrainin...

May 28, 2024 10:46 PM

Spain, Ireland and Norway recognise Palestinian statehood

Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised a Palestinian state on Tuesday, prompting an angry reaction from Israel, which has found itself increasingly isolated after more than seven months of conflict in Gaza. Madrid, Dublin and Oslo said they sought to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. The three countries say they hope their decision will spur other European Union countries to follow suit. "It's the only way of advancing toward what everyone re...