Spain

Spain eases visa rules to draw foreign students barred from US by Trump

Spain on Tuesday said it had approved expedited access to its universities for foreign students barred from entering the U.S. to study by President Donald Trump's administration. Students who can't…

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Spanish operation against migrant smuggling and drug trafficking across the Mediterranean

Europol has supported Spanish authorities (Policía Nacional) in a transnational operation against a highly-organised network involved in both migrant smuggling and drug trafficking between Spain and Morocco. Authorities believe the…

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Drug route from Costa Rica to Europe dismantled

n international operation coordinated on the European side by Europol has dismantled a transnational criminal organisation trafficking large quantities of cocaine from Costa Rica to Europe via Spain and Portugal.…

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Europe and Canada Gripped by Unseasonal Heatwave

Southern and central Europe are facing record-breaking heat this week, with temperatures in parts of Portugal and Spain nearing 40 degrees Celsius, raising concerns about crop damage and water shortages…

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Spain blocks more than 65,000 Airbnb holiday rental listings

Spain has ordered Airbnb to withdraw more than 65,000 listings for holiday rentals that violated existing rules from its platform as part of a general crackdown on a business blamed…

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No sign of cyberattack on grid operator during Spain’s blackout

Spain has found no indication of a cyberattack on its grid operator REE during the massive power outage that hit the country and Portugal on April 28, Energy Minister Sara…

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Post-blackout in Spain and Portugal, companies count the cost

As Spain and Portugal recovered from a major blackout, businesses began assessing the economic toll. Spain’s main business lobby, CEOE, estimated that the power outage would reduce GDP by 0.1%,…

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What could be behind the Iberian power outage?

The hunt has begun for the cause of a massive blackout across Spain, Portugal and parts of France that halted trains, bank machines and traffic lights, in one of Europe's…

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UPDATED: Spain, Portugal hunt for cause of power outage as electricity returns

Electricity had been restored to most of Spain and Portugal early on Tuesday after huge nationwide blackouts, although authorities were still trying to find out what caused the sudden outage.…

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Madrid plans to limit computer and tablet use in primary schools to two hours a week

The regional government of Madrid has unveiled plans to limit the use of computers and tablets in primary schools to a maximum of two hours a week in an effort…

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14 arrested in hit against money laundering gang in Portugal and Spain

Europol has supported a cross-border operation led by Spanish authorities and involving law enforcement from Portugal against the members of a criminal network, mainly Russian nationals, who provided money-laundering services…

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Spanish government breaks legislative deadlock with Catalan ally

Spain's minority government reached a deal with the Catalan separatist party Junts on Tuesday to approve several economic measures in parliament, ending a deadlock that had raised concerns over the…

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6 tonnes of cocaine and EUR 6 million seized in large drug sting involving Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama

The Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil), supported by Europol, has dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking network in an investigation involving Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. The suspects were allegedly…

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Spain’s PM Sanchez floats ban on non-EU citizens buying properties

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he would propose to ban purchasers from outside the European Union from buying properties, as the government seeks to curb rising housing prices, which…

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What Measures Are Being Taken for Non-EU Citizens in Spain’s Housing Crisis?

Spain is planning a raft of measures to address its brewing housing crisis, including an up to 100% tax on properties that non-European Union residents buy. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro…

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Spain plans 100% tax for homes bought by non-EU residents

Spain is preparing to introduce a tax of up to 100% on properties purchased by non-residents from outside the EU, including buyers from the UK. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described…

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Russian cargo ship’s owner says sinking in Mediterranean was ‘act of terrorism’

A Russian cargo ship that sank on Tuesday in the Mediterranean Sea was the target of an “act of terrorism”, according to the vessel’s owner. The Ursa Major sank while…

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Mysterious sinking of Russian cargo ship in Mediterranean Sea

A Russian cargo ship called 'Ursa Major' sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria and two of its crew are missing, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.…

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Spain probes holiday home platform in crackdown on tourism rentals

Spain has opened an investigation into an unidentified holiday apartment renting platform for failing to delete thousands of rental offers in another attempt to curb a business blamed by many…

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Spanish police bust gang that recruited Swedish and Danish minors as hitmen

Spanish police have dismantled a gang based in the eastern city of Alicante that allegedly recruited Swedish and Danish teenagers to carry out murders as hitmen. Police said on Wednesday…

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Airbnb urges Barcelona to reconsider crackdown on tourism rentals

Global holiday home rental company Airbnb has urged Barcelona's mayor to rethink a widening crackdown on short-term rentals, arguing that it only benefits the hotel sector while failing to address…

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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…

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UPDATED: Death toll in Spain’s floods rises to 205, among Europe’s worst storm disasters

Spanish rescuers opened a temporary morgue in a convention centre and battled to reach areas still cut off on Friday as the death toll from catastrophic floods rose to 205…

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What caused deadly floods in Spain? The impact of DANA explained

Catastrophic flash floods that have killed at least 95 people in Spain are caused by a destructive weather system in which cold and warm air meet and produce powerful rain…

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UPDATED: Several bodies found in flood-hit areas of southeast Spain

At least 90 people have been killed in flash floods sweeping the eastern Spanish region of Valencia following torrential rain on Tuesday that left roads and towns under water, local…

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Spain’s Malaga to ban new holiday flat permits in 43 neighbourhoods

Malaga will ban new short-term tourism rentals in 43 neighbourhoods of the city, the latest step taken by Spanish authorities to address residents' concerns that they are being priced out…

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Two Key Figures of Notorious Serbian Clan Arrested in Barcelona

The Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional), in collaboration with Europol and six other European partners, have arrested two senior members of the notorious Serbian " Clan", dismantling a key faction…

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Thousands protest in Spain’s Canary Islands against over tourism

Thousands of people protested in holiday resorts in Spain's Canary Islands on Sunday against over tourism which they say prices local people out of the housing market. Under the slogan…

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New study shows Christopher Columbus probably Spanish and Jewish

Famed explorer Christopher Columbus was likely Spanish and Jewish, according to a new genetic study conducted by Spanish scientists that aimed to shed light on a centuries-old mystery. Scientists believe…

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Unions in Spain to protest in push to reduce working hours

Trade unions will lead protests across Spain on Thursday in an effort to force an agreement between the government and the business sector over a reduction in working hours amid…

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Spain to host meeting of European and Muslim countries on Palestinian statehood

The foreign ministers of several Muslim and European countries will meet in Madrid on Friday to discuss how to implement a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Spanish and…

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Madrid to ban e-scooters for reckless driving and chaotic parking

Madrid will ban e-scooters rented through mobile apps after the city's three licensed operators failed to implement limits on their clients' circulation or control their parking, Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida…

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Court rules Seville council can cut off water supply to illegal tourist flats

A court in Seville in southern Spain has ruled that the city council is within its rights to cut off the water supply to illegal tourist apartments. Over the past…

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More than 47,000 people died in Europe last year due to heat

More than 47,000 people died in Europe due to scorching temperatures in 2023, with countries in the region's south hit the hardest, according to a report by the Barcelona Institute…

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Catalan separatist Puigdemont said to have left Spain

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont was on his way back to Belgium on Friday, having appeared at a rally in central Barcelona despite an outstanding warrant for his arrest in…

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Wanted Catalan separatist reappears in Spain then vanishes again

Former Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont defied an arrest warrant to appear at a rally in the Spanish city of Barcelona on Thursday after seven years of self-imposed exile, and…

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Extreme heatwave blankets Southern Europe

Extreme heat is blanketing Spain and parts of southern Europe as sea temperatures soar in parts of the Mediterranean. Spain is set to exceed 40C (104F) in the region near…

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Wildfires rage in Spain as heatwave peaks

Hundreds of firefighters backed up by waterbomber aircraft sought to contain two wildfires that have raged since Tuesday in eastern Spain, and much of the rest of the country is…

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Barcelona cannot absorb infinite tourism growth, needs curbs, mayor says

Barcelona cannot absorb an ongoing, unbridled growth in the number of tourists and has to impose restrictions so as not to become a "theme park" without residents, the mayor of…

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NATO appoints Spanish diplomat as southern envoy despite Italian ire

NATO confirmed on Tuesday the appointment of Spanish diplomat Javier Colomina as the military alliance's new envoy tasked with coordinating actions on its southern flank, a move that has caused…

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Thousands protest in Spain’s Mallorca against mass tourism

Thousands of anti-tourism activists protested in Spain's Palma de Mallorca on Sunday in the latest demonstration against a key industry for the Iberian nation. Carrying makeshift models of planes and…

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Malta participates in operation against international art trafficking leading to 85 arrests

The eighth edition of an operation against international art trafficking, codenamed ‘Pandora’, saw the involvement of customs and law enforcement authorities from 25 countries including Malta. Led by Spain (Guardia…

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Spain proposes tightening rules on media to tackle fake news

Spain announced measures designed to curb the spread of fake news, an initiative blasted by the country's conservative opposition as an attempt to censor critical media. "Without free media of…

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Spain warns workers of heat risks as summer’s first heatwave looms

Spain will suffer its first heatwave of the summer starting on Thursday, the meteorology service AEMET said, as the government kicked off on Wednesday a heat risk awareness campaign for…

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Thousands protest in Barcelona against over-tourism

More than 150 organisations and social movements took to the streets of Barcelona with some symbolically sealing off hotels and restaurant terraces. The demonstrations against tourist overcrowding that have already…

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Spain to crack down on holiday rentals

Spain's government announced a crackdown on Wednesday on short-term and seasonal holiday lettings amid rising anger from locals who feel priced out of the housing market. The government will investigate…

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Barcelona plans to shut all holiday apartments by 2028

Barcelona, a top Spanish holiday destination, announced on Friday that it will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein in soaring…

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Spain requests to intervene in South Africa’s Gaza genocide case against Israel at ICJ

Spain has requested to intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel's actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Thursday.…

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UPDATED: Spain to send Patriot missiles, Leopard tanks to Ukraine in $1.23 billion package

Spain plans to send Patriot missiles and Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of a 1.13 billion euro ($1.23 billion) weapon package announced last month, El Pais newspaper reported on…

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Ibiza – Latest Spanish hotspot to fight back against overtourism

The detrimental effects of tourism on Ibiza's local community cannot be ignored any longer. This weekend, impassioned activists will take to the streets to vehemently oppose the hardships imposed by…

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Tourism a boon for Spain’s economy but a bane for some locals

Fresh from a tour of Real Madrid's glittering Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital, Guadalupe Rebollo says a holiday in Spain with her 15-year-old daughter is a better deal…

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Spain permanently recalls ambassador from Argentina

Spain has said it is permanently withdrawing its ambassador from Argentina as a result of a growing diplomatic feud with the South American country’s radical rightwing president, Javier Milei. Milei…

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Spain demands apology after PM’s wife called ‘corrupt

Spain has demanded a public apology after Argentina’s president said the Spanish prime minister's wife was “corrupt”. Without directly naming her, Javier Milei made the remarks about Begoña Gómez, wife…

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Alcohol ban in Ibiza and Majorca

Tourists in parts of Majorca and Ibiza will face hefty fines for drinking alcohol on the streets as part of a crackdown in areas of "excessive tourism". The government of…

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Spain will not authorise calling of ships carrying weapons for Israel

Spain will not authorise ships carrying weapons for Israel to call at its ports, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Friday, after the country refused to let a ship…

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Spain tell mariners to stay close to the shore after orca attack

Officials in Spain are warning mariners after a killer whale was responsible for sinking a boat in the Strait of Gibraltar. Small vessels have been warned to stick to the…

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Spain’s Socialists hail ‘new era’ in Catalonia as separatist support dims in elections

Spain's Socialists won the biggest share of the vote in Sunday's Catalan elections, dealing a serious blow to more than a decade of separatist governance and the independence dreams still…

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