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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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Telegram Founder Durov Slams Spain’s Proposed Social Media Curbs as Censorship

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Telegram founder Pavel Durov has criticised proposed social media restrictions in Spain, saying they amount to censorship and excessive state control. In a message to Telegram users, Durov warned that plans by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to restrict access for under-16s and tighten hate speech laws would force platforms to collect user data and remove content to avoid prosecution.

Durov said the proposed legislation, which would criminalise algorithms seen as amplifying harmful content, could allow governments to control what users see online. Calling the measures a step “toward total control,” he accused authorities of using safety concerns as a pretext to silence critics. His remarks echoed criticism from Elon Musk, who has also condemned the Spanish government’s proposals.

Spain’s government defended the plans, arguing they are needed to protect minors and curb misinformation. Sanchez’s office accused Durov of abusing his control over Telegram by sending mass messages to Spanish users and spreading propaganda. The proposals are part of a broader European push to regulate social media, following similar debates in countries such as Britain, France and Greece, and Australia’s recent ban on social media use for children under 16.

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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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Six European Economies Push to Advance Stalled EU Projects

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Ministers from six major European economies, including Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, pledged to take the lead in advancing projects stalled by the EU’s slow decision-making processes. The virtual meeting followed criticism from the Trump administration over the EU’s lengthy deliberations, with leaders emphasizing the need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and defense capabilities amid geopolitical uncertainty. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil described the group as a flexible coalition, open to additional countries joining in the future.

While no concrete decisions were made, the ministers agreed to focus on key areas such as creating a capital markets union, enhancing the international role of the euro, coordinating defense investments, and securing critical minerals through joint purchasing and trade partnerships. The discussions underscored the growing emphasis on European sovereignty in light of global challenges from the U.S., Russia, and China. Officials stressed that the initiative would allow faster progress on crucial projects without requiring unanimous agreement from all 27 EU members.

The move reflects a broader push within Europe to adopt a “two-speed” approach, enabling smaller groups of countries to act independently on policy areas where consensus is difficult. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French leaders have long advocated for this strategy to accelerate economic and strategic initiatives, including trade deals and energy policies. Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domański noted that Europe must act faster to respond to ongoing economic and geopolitical changes, signaling a shift toward more agile and pragmatic decision-making within the EU.

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Spain to Grant Legal Status to 500,000 Undocumented Migrants

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Spain’s government has unveiled a draft decree to provide legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants, in a bid to accelerate integration and support key economic sectors. The measure targets those who have lived in the country for at least five months by the end of 2025 and have no criminal record, as well as asylum applicants. The permit will initially be valid for one year, extendable up to five years for children, and could lead to citizenship after 10 years—or sooner for Latin American nationals and refugees.

The decree is expected to benefit around 500,000 people, primarily from Latin America, strengthening Spain’s approach to migration based on human rights, social cohesion, and economic growth. Migration Minister Elma Saiz emphasized that Spain’s openness to migrants has helped fuel employment in sectors such as hospitality and care, contributing to lower unemployment and robust economic performance relative to other European nations.

While the decree can be enacted by the cabinet without parliamentary approval, it faces potential political opposition. Conservative leader Alberto Nuñez Feijoo has pledged to reverse the policy if his party wins the next election. The initiative follows citizen-backed campaigns supported by hundreds of rights groups and the Catholic Church, aimed at regularizing undocumented migrants who now account for a significant portion of Spain’s non-EU population.

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Spain Cuts Speed on Madrid-Barcelona Line After Track Fault

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Spanish rail authorities have temporarily reduced the speed limit on a section of the high-speed line between Madrid and Barcelona after a crack was detected on the track 110 km west of Barcelona, between Alcover and l’Espluga de Francolí in Catalonia. Transport Minister Óscar Puente confirmed that the fault does not endanger trains, but the affected section will operate at 80 km/h until further notice, down from the usual 300 km/h.

The move follows several recent speed reductions on Spain’s high-speed network, including temporary cuts to 230 km/h on other parts of the Madrid-Barcelona line and sections of the Madrid-Valencia route. These adjustments come amid ongoing investigations into the Adamuz crash in Andalusia, which killed 45 people earlier this month due to a track weld failure, highlighting safety concerns across the network.

Meanwhile, local Rodalies services in Catalonia continue to experience severe disruption after multiple incidents, including a trainee driver’s death. Political opposition has criticized years of underinvestment, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to appear before Congress on February 11 to address the rail crisis.

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Spanish Prosecutors Drop Investigation Into Julio Iglesias Sexual Abuse Allegations

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Spanish prosecutors have dismissed an investigation into sexual abuse allegations made against legendary singer Julio Iglesias, citing a lack of jurisdiction. Authorities ruled that Spanish courts were not competent to investigate the claims because the alleged incidents took place outside Spain and involved complainants who are neither Spanish citizens nor residents. The women also had no connection to Spain through travel or employment with the singer.

The complaints were filed earlier this month by two former female employees who alleged that Iglesias created a coercive and abusive environment while they worked at his properties in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic in 2021. The case was submitted to Spain’s national court, which handles crimes committed abroad, with support from advocacy groups including Women’s Link Worldwide and Amnesty International. These groups argued the alleged acts could amount to human trafficking and sexual violence, involving vulnerable workers dependent on their wages.

However, prosecutors concluded that the principle of universal jurisdiction did not apply in this case and said the countries where the alleged incidents occurred had the authority to investigate the claims themselves. Iglesias, 82, has strongly denied the accusations, calling them “absolutely false” and expressing sadness over the allegations. The globally renowned artist, who has sold more than 300 million records, is also the father of singer Enrique Iglesias.

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Spanish Train Drivers Call Nationwide Strike After Deadly Derailments

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Spain’s largest train drivers’ union, SEMAF, has called for a nationwide strike, demanding stronger safety assurances following a series of deadly rail accidents that have shaken the country. The move comes after one of Europe’s worst recent train crashes near Adamuz in southern Spain killed at least 42 people, along with two additional derailments this week that claimed the life of a commuter train driver near Barcelona and disrupted regional services.

SEMAF said it would seek criminal accountability from those responsible for rail safety, revealing it had warned infrastructure operator Adif months earlier about severe track wear on the Adamuz stretch. According to the union, potholes, uneven tracks, and damaged overhead power lines had caused frequent breakdowns and raised safety risks on several high-speed routes. Authorities are continuing recovery efforts at the Adamuz site, where rescuers are still searching for possible remaining victims.

Transport Minister Oscar Puente acknowledged the emotional toll on train drivers but urged the union to reconsider the strike, noting that two of the recent derailments were caused by extreme weather rather than track conditions. Adif has since imposed additional speed limits and ordered inspections after drivers reported poor track conditions, while storms and safety checks have triggered widespread service suspensions, leaving commuters across regions like Catalonia scrambling for alternatives.

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EU Lawmakers Consider Legal Challenge to Mercosur Deal

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EU lawmakers are set to vote on Wednesday whether to refer the European Union’s free trade agreement with Mercosur—comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay—to the EU Court of Justice. A legal challenge by 144 lawmakers could delay the deal by up to two years and potentially block its implementation. The agreement, the EU’s largest-ever trade pact, still requires approval from member states before taking effect.

Opponents, led by France, argue the deal will increase imports of cheap beef, sugar, and poultry, threatening domestic farmers. The legal challenge seeks a court ruling on whether the pact can be provisionally applied before full ratification and whether it limits the EU’s ability to enforce environmental and consumer health standards. Court opinions typically take around two years to be delivered.

Supporters, including Germany and Spain, stress the pact’s importance in offsetting trade disruptions caused by U.S. tariffs and reducing dependency on China by securing access to critical minerals. They also note that Mercosur governments are growing impatient after decades of negotiations, making timely EU approval crucial.

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Deadly High-Speed Train Collision Kills 39 in Southern Spain

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At least 39 people were killed and more than 120 injured after two high-speed trains collided late Sunday near Adamuz in Spain’s southern Cordoba province, marking the country’s deadliest rail disaster since 2013. One train derailed before crashing into an oncoming service, with around 400 passengers believed to be on board the two trains operated by Iryo and state-run Renfe.

Rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location, accessible only by a single-track road, delaying ambulances and heavy equipment. Survivors described scenes of chaos and severe injuries as emergency crews worked through the night. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez cancelled an international trip to visit the site, while authorities opened a DNA identification centre for victims’ families as the death toll was expected to rise.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though railway officials said human error was unlikely. One train reportedly lost a wheel before derailing, and the second train collided with either the rear carriages or debris on the track seconds later. The track had been renovated last year at a cost of €700 million, renewing scrutiny of infrastructure reliability on Spain’s extensive high-speed rail network.

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