Spain PM’s shock election call brings unruly coalition to heel
May 30, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's snap general election call breaks apart the coalition he built with the far-left United We Can party, marking a line in the sand with a movement born from grassroots activism whose electoral fortunes have nosedived.
Spanish prime minister calls early general election after battering in regional vote
May 29, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday called an early general election for July 23 in a surprise move after his Socialist party took a serious battering in local and regional elections.
EL PRAT DE LLOBREGAT, Spain (AP) — Where once the population of Barcelona drank mostly from its rivers and wells, Spain’s second city now relies upon a labyrinth-like mesh of green, blue and purple pipes inside an industrial plant to keep it from going thirsty amid a prolonged drought.
Spain swings right in local and regional elections
May 28, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain's conservative opposition Popular Party made significant gains in Sunday's local and regional elections, offering a dire assessment of public feeling towards the ruling left-wing coalition ahead of general elections in December.
Spanish Socialists under pressure in key regional elections
May 26, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain goes to the polls on Sunday for local and regional elections seen as a bellwether for a national vote in December, with the conservative Popular Party steadily gaining ground on the ruling Socialists in key regions.
Spain’s Melilla exclave rocked by alleged vote tampering scheme days before elections
May 24, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain’s north African exclave of Melilla has been rocked by an alleged mail-in vote-buying scheme just days before the city goes to the polls in nationwide local elections.
Mohamed Ahmed Al-lal, an official of the city’s government, was fired by its top municipal authority on Wednesday, a day after he publicly acknowledged that he was among 10 people who had been arrested by police for their alleged involvement in an attempt to tamper with Sunday's election.
MADRID (AP) — Repeated racist insults against Brazilian soccer star Vinícius Júnior have unleashed a heated debate in Spain about tolerance for racism in a society that is becoming rapidly more diverse on and off the field.
MADRID (AP) — It’s not as if Madrid was short on world-ranking galleries with the likes of the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía, among others.
But next month, Spain is set to unveil what is touted as one of Europe’s cultural highlights of the year with the opening in the Spanish capital of The Royal Collections Gallery.
Animal rights activists protest octopus farm plans in Spain
May 21, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Animal rights activists gathered Sunday in Madrid to protest plans for the construction of an octopus farm in Spain, saying there are no respective laws in the country and the European Union to guarantee the welfare of the animals in captivity.
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May 17, 2023 GMTPGA Championship Tee Times
May 16, 2023 GMTThursday-Friday
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May 16, 2023 GMTChampions League Glance
May 16, 2023 GMTPGA Championship Tee Times
May 16, 2023 GMTThursday-Friday
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden commended Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for his country's collaboration with the United States and Canada to establish migration hubs in Latin America where asylum seekers fleeing poverty and violence in their home countries can apply for protection.
Spain’s Supreme Court upholds 135-year child pornography sentence of teacher who changed name
May 12, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain's Supreme Court on Friday upheld the 135-year prison sentence of a British teacher and nanny who created and distributed pornography of children in his care after changing his name and country following previous convictions.
Spain announces exceptional drought measures worth $2.4B
May 11, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — The Spanish government announced 2.2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) worth of drought response measures Thursday, including funding for urban water reuse and further aid for struggling farmers.
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May 10, 2023 GMTSeville to host Billie Jean King Cup finals in 2023 and 2024
May 10, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — The Spanish city of Seville is to host the Billie Jean King Cup finals for the next two years, the International Tennis Federation said Wednesday.
It will be the sixth time that Spain will stage the event, and the first since 2008.
Spain plans to ban outdoor work in extreme heat
May 10, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain says it plans to ban outdoor work during periods of extreme heat.
Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz told reporters Wednesday that the government will modify legislation covering occupational risks to prohibit outdoor work when the state weather agency, AEMET, issues red or orange alerts.
French expert in Russian history wins Spanish award
May 10, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Ninety-three-year-old French historian Hélène Carrère d’Encausse, an eminence in Russian and Central Asian history, has won Spain's Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences, prize organizers said Wednesday.
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May 9, 2023 GMTSpanish Civil Guard raid illegal wells amid drought
May 9, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain's Civil Guard said Tuesday it had arrested 26 people in raids on illegal wells in the Andalusia region, as part of a widening crackdown on unauthorized water use amid a prolonged drought.
Top Spanish court considers far-right challenge to LGBT law
May 9, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain's Constitutional Court said Tuesday it would consider a legal challenge lodged by the far-right Vox party against a new law extending rights for transgender teenagers and encouraging tolerance for sexual diversity in schools.
Spain women’s race apologizes for food processor gift
May 8, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — The organizers of a women's running race in Spain apologized on Monday after the winner was offered a food processor to take home, sparking accusations of sexism.
The seven-kilometer (more than four-mile) Carrera de la Mujer (Women's Race) issued a statement on Twitter saying it hadn't considered the kitchen appliance — donated by a sponsor — would have sexist implications.
Spain records hottest and driest April on record
May 8, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Drought-stricken Spain says last month was the hottest and driest April since records began in 1961.
The State Meteorological Agency, known by the Spanish acronym AEMET, said Monday the average daily temperature in April was 14.9 degrees Celsius (58.8 Fahrenheit), that is 3 degrees Celsius above the average.
Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican culture, not independence
May 5, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — American bars and restaurants gear up every year for Cinco de Mayo, offering special deals on Mexican food and alcoholic drinks for the May 5 holiday that is barely celebrated south of the border.
Anti-Muslim Twitter feed in Spain: ‘A recipe for disaster’
May 5, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The person who operates the Twitter account claims to be an Islamic fundamentalist living in Spain, empathizing with violent extremists and longing for the days, more than six centuries ago, when Muslims ruled the country.
Spain expresses backing for Colombia peace plan
May 4, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Thursday gave his full backing to Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s peace plan aimed at reaching a cease-fire with the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla organization.
Italian philosopher Ordine wins prestigious Spanish award
May 4, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Italian author and philosopher Nuccio Ordine has won Spain’s Princess of Asturias award for communication and humanities for 2023.
Prize organizers said Thursday that Ordine, who teaches literature at Calabria University, was chosen for “his defense of the humanities and his commitment to education and the values rooted in the most universal of European thought.”
Spain’s Juan Carlos I offers cautionary tale for Charles III
May 4, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — A playboy past that was once brushed under the carpet, a popular son whose telegenic family threatens to eclipse his own star, and endless leaks about his private life: Spain’s Juan Carlos I can empathize with the lot of Britain’s Charles III.
Colombia’s Petro urges Spain to lead EU on climate change
May 3, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro began a state visit to Spain on Wednesday to seek support for his peace plan for the South American country while urging for greater action against climate change from Europe.
Spain is 1st Black woman to lead South Carolina Democrats
April 29, 2023 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Christale Spain, a longtime party operative, was elected Saturday as chair of South Carolina's Democratic Party, becoming the first Black woman to lead the organization in what will be the Democrats' leadoff presidential voting state in 2024.
Spain bans ‘dwarf bullfighting’
April 27, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain's parliament on Thursday banned “comic” bullfighting events featuring dwarves dressed in costumes, in a decision applauded by disability rights groups but condemned by the few surviving performers.
Spain swelters in temperatures more typical of summer
April 27, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain's national weather service said temperatures would “reach values typical of summer” across most of the country, with a high of 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) forecast Thursday for the southern Guadalquivir Valley.
In Spain, Brazil’s Lula stands his ground on Ukraine war
April 26, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with Spain's prime minister Wednesday for talks aimed at making progress on an intercontinental trade deal, but his differences with the European Union on the war in Ukraine remained evident.
Meryl Streep wins Spain’s Princess of Asturias award
April 26, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Meryl Streep has won one of Spain’s most prestigious awards in the arts for her long career of acting excellence, the jury of the Princess of Asturias awards said Wednesday.
The jury said that in her nearly five decades on screen, Streep has “developed a brilliant career that given life to full and complex feminine characters which inspire reflection and a critical spirit in the spectator.”
Brazil’s Lula visits Spain with Mercosur deal on agenda
April 25, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Spain on Tuesday on the second stop of a European tour aimed at resetting relations and making progress on a long-delayed trade deal between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur.
Spain pleads for EU crisis funds as drought hits farmers
April 25, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain is requesting emergency funds from the European Union to support farmers and ranchers amid extreme drought conditions in its agricultural heartlands, Agriculture Minister Luis Planas said Tuesday.
Today in History: April 25, Union fleet captures New Orleans
April 25, 2023 GMTToday in History
Today is Tuesday, April 25, the 115th day of 2023. There are 250 days left in the year.
Lobby group launched for lower-ranked European soccer clubs
April 24, 2023 GMTEuropean clubs feeling left out of soccer's politics and marginalized by wealthy Champions League teams launched a new lobby group on Monday.
The Union of European Clubs met in Brussels with about 40 clubs – including six from Spain, five from England and four from Germany – and claiming to complement and not be a rival to the established European Club Association.
Spain exhumes fascist party founder from Madrid mausoleum
April 24, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — The body of José Antonio Primo de Rivera, the founder of Spain's fascist Falange movement, was exhumed from a Madrid mausoleum on Monday and transferred to a city cemetery.
The fascist political leader was executed by Spanish Republicans in November 1936, after Gen.
Swiatek books semifinal with Jabeur in Stuttgart
April 21, 2023 GMTSTUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Top-ranked Iga Swiatek rallied to beat Karolina Pliskova 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 for a place in the Porsche Grand Prix semifinals on Friday.
Swiatek hadn’t played since last month in the Indian Wells semifinals because of a rib injury but began her clay season on Thursday with a convincing win over Zheng Qinwen.
Europa League Glance
April 20, 2023 GMTAjax (Netherlands) 0, Union Berlin (Germany) 0
Spanish PM, EU slam irrigation plan for drought-hit wetlands
April 20, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain’s Prime Minister and the European Union’s environmental chief on Thursday slammed a plan by right-wing lawmakers to expand water rights for farmland around some of Europe's most important wetlands amid a prolonged drought.
Spain’s Sánchez warns drought now a major national concern
April 20, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain’s prime minister warned lawmakers Wednesday that the acute drought afflicting the southern European country has become one of its leading long-term concerns.
Spain’s Barcelona faces drought ‘emergency’ in September
April 18, 2023 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Authorities in Spain’s parched northeast warned Tuesday that Barcelona and a wide surrounding area that's home to some 6 million people could face even tighter restrictions of water use in the coming months.
Spain frees up ‘bad bank’ houses to ease housing crisis
April 18, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spain’s leftist coalition government on Tuesday approved a plan to make available around 50,000 houses for rent at affordable prices as part of measures aimed at curbing soaring rents and house prices.
Spain’s leader apologizes to victims of sexual consent law
April 16, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Sunday apologized to the victims of a government-sponsored sexual freedom law passed last October that was aimed at increasing protection for women, but inadvertently allowed hundreds of convicted sex offenders to have their sentences reduced.
Young people drive bullfighting’s resurrection in Spain
April 16, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Álvaro Alarcón plays out the moment when he will enter Madrid's Las Ventas bullring for his final challenge as a “novillero,” or apprentice bullfighter.
The 24-year-old has been training in the dusty countryside outside the Spanish capital, and his skintight suit, delicately woven with beads and gold embroidery, is back from the tailor.
Spanish industry kicks off EU green hydrogen race
April 15, 2023 GMTPUERTOLLANO, Spain (AP) — In Spain, the dream of an emissions-free future for heavy industry starts with a rugged Castilian hillside covered in solar panels, and ends with an ice-cold beer. When the beer will be available, and how much it will cost, depends on an intervening rollout of green hydrogen.
Minister: Spain supports North Macedonia’s bid to join EU
April 14, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Spain backs North Macedonia’s bid to join the European Union, the country's foreign minister said Friday.
José Manuel Albares Bueno announced his country's support during a West Balkan tour that began Friday as he met with his North Macedonian counterpart, Bujar Osmani, in the capital of Skopje.
Spain: Court releases man charged with sending letter bombs
April 14, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — A Spanish magistrate on Friday ordered the conditional release of a man charged with terrorism for sending six letters containing explosives to high-profile diplomatic and government targets.
Europa League Glance
April 13, 2023 GMTAjax (Netherlands) 0, Union Berlin (Germany) 0
Drought will cause crop failures in Spain, farmers warn
April 13, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Drought now affects 60% of the Spanish countryside, with crops like wheat and barley likely to fail entirely in four regions, the main Spanish farmers' association said on Thursday.
Spain’s long-term drought is causing “irreversible losses” to more than 3.5 million hectares of crops, the Coordinator of Farmers' and Ranchers' Organizations (COAG in its Spanish acronym) said in a new report.