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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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Spain Moves to Cap Room Rents and Curb Seasonal Leases to Tackle Housing Crisis

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Spain’s government will introduce tougher rental rules in the coming weeks, including caps on room rents and stricter limits on seasonal leases, as it tries to rein in soaring housing costs. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the new decree will deepen state intervention in the rental market, which has come under strain from a severe housing shortage and a booming tourism sector.

The plan includes a 100% income tax rebate for landlords who renew leases without increasing rents, alongside rent controls in areas classified as under heavy pressure. It will also limit the total rent charged for individual rooms so it cannot exceed the price of renting a whole apartment, a move aimed at stopping landlords from inflating prices through shared housing.

Seasonal rental contracts will face tighter conditions and penalties if they are used to replace long-term leases, a practice critics say worsens housing insecurity. While regions will be responsible for enforcing most of the measures, some, such as Catalonia and major cities like Madrid, have already begun imposing similar limits as Spain grapples with a housing deficit estimated at about half a million homes.

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Five Spanish Citizens Freed in Venezuelan Prisoner Release

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Spain confirmed that Venezuela has freed five Spanish citizens, including Venezuelan-Spanish human rights activist Rocío San Miguel, in a move amid Caracas’s ongoing political upheaval. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the group — also comprising Andrés Martínez, José María Basoa, Ernesto Gorbe and Miguel Moreno — is set to return to Spain with embassy support, a decision Madrid called a “positive step.” San Miguel, a lawyer and prominent critic of the Venezuelan government, had been detained since February 2024, drawing international condemnation.

The releases came after Venezuela’s National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez announced that a “significant number” of foreign and Venezuelan prisoners would be freed, framing the gesture as part of efforts to seek peace following recent turmoil. Yet rights groups and families of detainees reported that many Venezuelan political prisoners remain behind bars despite the announcement, with continued uncertainty outside detention centers.

The broader context involves heightened tensions after U.S. forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation, prompting political shifts in Caracas. Opposition figures have long demanded the release of political detainees, while human rights organizations estimate hundreds remain imprisoned for their activism or dissent.

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Spain’s Catholic Church Signs Deal to Compensate Abuse Victims

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Spain’s Roman Catholic Church has reached an agreement with the government to compensate victims of sexual abuse by clergy members. The new accord allows the government to manage compensation for cases where legal action is no longer possible due to the statute of limitations or the death of the accused, expanding access for victims. Justice Minister Félix Bolaños described the move as addressing a “historic, moral debt” to survivors.

Under the agreement, victims can submit their cases to a new agency within the justice ministry, which will coordinate with the ombudsman’s office to propose reparations. The Church must approve these proposals, which can be symbolic, psychological, or financial, with the institution responsible for execution. The arrangement ensures greater oversight and transparency compared to the Church’s previous internal reparation scheme, which faced criticism from victims and advocacy groups.

The move follows widespread complaints and research suggesting that hundreds of thousands of Spaniards have suffered abuse by Church figures, with cases documented as far back as the 1940s. Similar redress programs in European countries offer financial compensation ranging from €6,000 to €63,000 per victim, providing a reference for potential payouts under Spain’s new system.

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