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Southern Europe faced a series of severe domestic crises in January. The most significant incident was a high-speed train crash in southern Spain that killed at least 39 people and injured over 150, marking the country's worst rail disaster in over a decade. This was part of a concerning series of rail incidents across Spain within a single week. Separately, a powerful storm named Kristin caused significant damage in Portugal, killing at least four or five people and leaving hundreds of thousands without power before moving into Spain. Italy also contended with severe weather, including Cyclone Harry, which caused an estimated $2 billion in damages, particularly in Sicily, while a major landslide in Niscemi prompted political controversy.
In a major policy shift, Spain's government approved a plan to grant legal residency to roughly 500,000 migrants currently living in the country without official permission. This 'extraordinary regularization' process was described as a 'migration model based on human rights' and contrasts with broader European trends of tightening immigration rules.
International relations were marked by regional tensions and expressions of solidarity. Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, spoke out about the conflict in Gaza, stating the world has 'abandoned' the children there. His comments coincided with a display of a giant portrait of a 5-year-old girl killed in Gaza in Barcelona, and a comparison drawn by Italian politician Tajani between Gaza and a recent attack in Iran.
A separate diplomatic issue arose between Italy and Switzerland following a deadly fire at a bar in Switzerland. Italian President Sergio Mattarella expressed national solidarity with the victims. Italian officials, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, expressed anger and indignation after a Swiss court released the suspect, Jacques Moretti, on bail, with Italy seeking to join the trial as a plaintiff.
5 topics | 196 sources
A high-speed train crash in southern Spain has killed dozens of people and injured many more. It is being described as the country's worst rail disaster in over a decade. This was followed by several other train incidents across Spain in a short period, including a commuter train crash in Barcelona and another fatal collision. The prime minister has vowed to investigate the causes of the accidents.
Spain's government has approved a surprise plan to grant legal residency to approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants currently living in the country. The policy, described as an 'extraordinary regularization,' goes against a broader trend in Europe of tightening immigration rules. This move will provide legal status to a significant portion of the unauthorized immigrant population in Spain.
A powerful storm named Kristin hit Portugal, causing significant damage and loss of life. At least four people were killed, and the storm left hundreds of thousands of customers without electricity as it caused power outages and landslides. The storm, which also brought snow to parts of Spain, is being described as an overnight tempest that has caused widespread disruption in Portugal.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the town of Niscemi to see a critical landslide situation. Officials warned the landslide could extend another 150 meters, and opposition politicians have called for the regional president to resign over the handling of the crisis. Separately, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, Meloni stated that Fascism was 'complicit' in the Holocaust. The Pope and Italian President Sergio Mattarella also spoke out against antisemitism on the same day.
Southern Italy is being hit by a wave of severe storms and cyclonic weather, causing significant damage. One cyclone, named Harry, is estimated to have caused around $2 billion in damages in the region. The island of Sicily has been particularly hard hit by the extreme weather. Separately, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has condemned Italy over the death of a man who was pinned to the ground by police.
2 topics | 32 sources
Jan 30
Pep Guardiola and others say the world has abandoned children in GazaManchester City manager Pep Guardiola said the world has 'abandoned' the children of Gaza and must not look away from the conflict. His comments came as a giant portrait of a five-year-old girl killed in Gaza was unfurled in Barcelona. Italian politician Antonio Tajani also made a statement, comparing the situation in Gaza to what he called a 'carnage' in Iran.