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Eighth Storm Claims Life in Spain as Extreme Weather Batters Iberian Peninsula

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A 46-year-old woman has died in Barcelona after being struck by debris from a warehouse roof torn off by powerful winds, as the eighth major storm of the year swept across Spain and Portugal, according to officials. The woman succumbed to her injuries in hospital early Friday. Repeated bouts of heavy rain, strong gales, snow, and thunderstorms have caused widespread damage, forcing mass evacuations and disrupting daily life across the Iberian Peninsula.

Spain’s Agriculture Minister Luis Planas described the succession of storms as “truly extraordinary,” warning that authorities must assess whether such events could become more frequent. Around 14,000 hectares of farmland—including berries, citrus fruits, and olives—have already been damaged. Data from AEMET shows Spain has received 38% more rainfall than average since October, heightening concerns over infrastructure resilience and agricultural losses.

In Portugal, authorities in the historic city of Coimbra warned of possible severe flooding along the Mondego River, with up to 9,000 residents at risk of evacuation as reservoirs neared capacity. Schools and universities were closed, and similar measures were taken in parts of southern Spain, including Andalusia, where thousands have already been displaced. Forecasts also warned of intense rainfall in areas such as Grazalema, underscoring the continued threat of flooding and landslides.

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Storm Marta Batters Spain and Portugal, Farmers Warn of Severe Crop Losses

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Farmers in Spain have reported catastrophic damage to crops as Storm Marta swept across the Iberian Peninsula, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and flooding. Large swathes of farmland have been submerged, particularly in southern regions such as Andalusia, where growers warned that vegetables including broccoli, carrots and cauliflower have been destroyed. The storm follows a series of extreme weather events in recent weeks that have already left soils saturated and vulnerable.

The severe weather has taken a deadly toll, with a snowplough driver killed in northern Spain after his vehicle plunged down a mountain slope, and a man drowning in Portugal. Authorities said at least five people have died since storms began hitting the region last week. More than 11,000 residents have been evacuated in southern Spain, hundreds of roads have been closed, and rail services in Portugal have faced major disruptions. Preliminary estimates from Portugal’s agriculture ministry put damage to farming and forestry at around €750 million.

Weather agencies warned that conditions could worsen, issuing orange alerts for heavy rain, snow and hazardous coastal conditions. Rising river levels, particularly along the Guadalquivir in Andalusia, have prompted evacuations and raised fears of landslides and ground instability. In Portugal, emergency services have deployed more than 26,000 rescue workers, while authorities postponed voting in several towns due to flooding, as Spain and Portugal brace for further impact from Storm Marta.

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Europe and NW Africa Hit by Floods and Freezing Cold

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Weeks of persistent wet and cold weather have caused widespread disruption across Europe and north-west Africa. Storm Leonardo forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with emergency services and the military assisting residents. In Portugal, the government extended a state of emergency as heavy rain continues, while Storm Marta is expected to bring additional rain, strong winds, and mountain snow to the region.

Southern Europe has experienced record rainfall, with areas like Grazalema in Spain receiving 672mm in just 36 hours, nearly equal to London’s annual rainfall. Flooding has closed over 100 roads and disrupted high-speed rail services, while north-west Africa has seen severe rain and evacuations, especially in Morocco, where more than 140,000 people have been displaced due to overflowing rivers and full dams. Authorities continue to warn residents in flood-prone regions to leave immediately.

Meanwhile, Scandinavia and the Baltic have been gripped by extreme cold due to a persistent high-pressure system over the region. Lithuania recorded -34.3°C, while northern Sweden experienced its second coldest January on record. This high-pressure area has blocked milder Atlantic weather, leading to ongoing floods in southern Europe and freezing temperatures in the north. The pattern is expected to continue, with the possibility of cold air spreading further west, bringing frost, ice, and snow to other parts of Europe.

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Storm Leo Batters Iberian Peninsula, Authorities Brace for Floods

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Spanish and Portuguese authorities are preparing for the impact of Storm Leo, which has brought torrential rains to the Iberian Peninsula just a week after Storm Kristin caused widespread damage. In southern Spain’s Sierra Grazalema, rainfall is expected to reach levels equivalent to a full year’s precipitation, prompting class suspensions and travel warnings across affected areas.

The storm has raised concerns over flooding, especially as the ground remains saturated from January’s record rainfall. Emergency services in Andalusia have deployed personnel, aircraft, and helicopters to monitor flood-prone zones, stabilize landslide areas, and provide rapid response to evacuations. Around 3,000 residents in high-risk zones such as Grazalema, Campo de Gibraltar, Ronda, and Jaen have already been evacuated.

In Portugal, the national Civil Protection Service has raised its preparedness to the highest level, deploying up to 3,000 armed forces personnel and 42 inflatable boats to protect flood-prone sections of major rivers. Authorities have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, close day centres, and cancel outdoor activities as the storm progresses.

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Portugal Faces Likely Early Election as Confidence Vote Looms

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Portugal’s parliament is set to vote on a motion of confidence in Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s minority centre-right government on Tuesday, with rejection all but certain. The move comes amid opposition criticism over Montenegro’s past involvement in a consultancy firm now run by his sons. With the centre-left Socialists and far-right Chega vowing to vote against him, a failed motion would push the government into a caretaker role, leaving President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to decide on a potential mid-May election.

Analysts predict another inconclusive result if fresh elections are held, as recent polls show little shift in voter preferences since the tight March 2024 election, which Montenegro’s Democratic Alliance (AD) won by just 1,500 votes. The AD currently holds 80 seats in the 230-seat parliament, narrowly ahead of the Socialists’ 78, raising concerns about continued political instability. Many voters, fatigued by frequent elections, express frustration over the lack of clear leadership.

Experts believe the only viable path to stability is a rare centrist alliance between Montenegro’s Social Democrats and the Socialists, a scenario last seen in 1983-1985. Political scientist Adelino Maltez warns that without such a pact, Portugal risks enduring further deadlock and uncertainty, with no single party securing a strong mandate.

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McCann suspect raped woman at knifepoint, trial told

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Hazel Behan, a woman who claims to have been raped by the man suspected of Madeleine McCann’s murder, gave chilling testimony in court. She recounted feeling an indescribable fear when awakened by a masked intruder. Christian Brückner, the prime suspect, denies involvement in both cases. The trial in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, focuses on unrelated sex offense charges against Brückner, alleged to have occurred in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.

Behan, a former holiday rep in Praia de Rocha, vividly described the night of the assault in June 2004. She walked home alone after an argument with her boyfriend and was attacked in her apartment. The assailant, dressed entirely in black and armed with a knife, subjected her to a prolonged ordeal, including rape and filming parts of the assault. Behan endured physical and emotional trauma, and despite years passing, she still suffers from panic attacks and requires medication.

The trial also highlighted Behan’s disappointment with the Portuguese police’s handling of her case. She recalled feeling neglected and mistreated during the investigation. Years later, upon seeing Brückner’s photo in a news article, Behan recognized him and decided to come forward, linking her assault to his previous convictions.

Behan emphasized the profound impact the attack had on her life, stating that she no longer feels like the carefree person she was before. Brückner’s defense team maintains skepticism about the case’s foundation and is challenging the charges.

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Portugal’s debate over colonial and slavery reparations resurfaces

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The Portuguese government has firmly rejected the notion of offering reparations for the country’s involvement in transatlantic slavery and colonialism, despite recent remarks by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa suggesting otherwise. President de Sousa acknowledged Portugal’s historical wrongdoings, including acts of violence and exploitation, but refrained from specifically addressing the issue of slavery. Instead, he proposed taking full responsibility for the past through alternative measures such as development aid and debt forgiveness.

However, the government swiftly issued a statement asserting that there is no concrete plan or program for reparations, maintaining continuity with the stance of previous administrations. While there have been discussions within the government about returning looted items from colonial times, the official position remains unchanged. The current Minister of Culture, who previously served as the director of a national museum housing artifacts from former colonies, has expressed support for the idea in the past.

Despite the government’s stance, anti-racist groups and left-wing political parties have reignited the debate surrounding Portugal’s colonial legacy in recent days. They advocate for acknowledgment and redress of historical injustices, including slavery and colonial-era abuses. President de Sousa, with his personal family ties to colonial governance, emerges as a significant figure in advocating for a nuanced understanding of Portugal’s colonial past, countering narratives minimizing its impact.

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Luís Montenegro: Centre-right leader invited to form minority government

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Portugal’s recent snap elections resulted in a fragmented parliament, with the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) emerging as the leading party but falling short of a majority. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has invited Luís Montenegro, a center-right politician, to form a minority government. However, with only 80 seats secured by the AD, alliances are necessary to pass legislation.

Montenegro’s appointment as prime minister follows consultations with party leaders and a refusal to collaborate with the far-right Chega party, despite their record gains. The rejection of Chega underscores the complexities of coalition-building in Portugal’s current political landscape, which faces its most fragmented parliament since the end of dictatorship.

As Montenegro assumes the role of prime minister, he confronts the challenge of navigating a divided parliament and securing support either from the Socialists or Chega to pass crucial legislation. His reluctance to divulge detailed strategies for forming a majority underscores the uncertainties surrounding the future governance of Portugal.

The premiership transition marks the departure of Antonio Costa, who led Portugal as Socialist party leader but resigned amid corruption allegations. Despite Costa’s departure, the issues that shaped voter discontent, such as low wages and rising rents, remain pertinent, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the country’s leadership.

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McCann suspect in German trial for unrelated sex offences

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Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, recently appeared in a German court for unrelated sex offenses. He faces charges of rape and sexual abuse dating back to between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal. Brückner, who is already serving a seven-year sentence for rape, denies any involvement in Madeleine McCann’s case.

The trial was postponed due to allegations that a lay judge had posted radical views on social media. Brückner has never been formally charged in the McCann case, but German investigators identified him as a suspect in 2020. The charges he currently faces are for offenses unrelated to Madeleine’s disappearance.

Brückner’s lawyer has criticized the charges, but the trial continues in Lower Saxony, Germany. Brückner has a history of convictions in Portugal, including rape and theft. Although initially not closely investigated in Madeleine’s case, Brückner’s connection to it has brought him under scrutiny.

He is currently serving a prison sentence and the outcome of this trial may affect his incarceration beyond his current sentence.

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2030 FIFA World Cup: A Global Tournament Spanning Six Nations on Three Continents

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FIFA has confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will be hosted across six countries spanning three continents. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are set to co-host the tournament, with the opening matches taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to commemorate the World Cup’s centenary. This decision is expected to be ratified at a FIFA congress next year.

The choice of co-hosting the tournament across multiple continents has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about its impact on fans, the environment, and human rights. FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, emphasized the unique global footprint this approach would create, uniting Africa, Europe, and South America.

This proposal signifies a significant change for the World Cup, as teams may find themselves playing in two different seasons due to the hemisphere switch. If approved, Morocco will become only the second African nation to host a World Cup. Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will also qualify automatically as co-hosts.

In addition to the World Cup announcement, FIFA revealed that only bids from countries within the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation would be considered for the 2034 finals. This led to Saudi Arabia announcing its bid for the 2034 tournament. The deadline for prospective hosts to express interest is October 31.

FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup across three continents has raised concerns about sustainability and climate impact, given the significant air travel and emissions associated with such a large-scale event.

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