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Spanish PM to propose recognition of Palestinian state

Sánchez added his voice to a chorus of other European leaders and government officials who have said that they could support a two-state solution…reports Asian Lite News

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Saturday that he will propose that Spain’s parliament recognizes a Palestinian state.

“I will propose granting Spain’s recognition to the Palestinian state,” Sánchez said. “I do this out of moral conviction, for a just cause and because it is the only way that the two states, Israel and Palestine, can live together in peace.”

Sánchez added his voice to a chorus of other European leaders and government officials who have said that they could support a two-state solution in the Middle East as international frustration grows with Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories.

Sanchez also posted his plan on the X platform.

French President Emmanuel Macron said last month that it’s not “taboo” for France to recognize a Palestinian state. British Foreign Minister David Cameron said that the United Kingdom could officially recognize a Palestinian state after a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Sánchez said that his position on the conflict in the Gaza Strip is much like his country’s support for Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion more than two years ago.

He stressed that Spain demanded “respect for international law from Russia, and from Israel, for the violence to end, the recognition of two states, and for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.”

His comments at a rights conference in the city of Bilbao came as aid shipments were headed for Gaza amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a new international willingness to work around Israeli restrictions.

Five months after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage, Israel’s military has battered the territory, killing more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

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Spanish police arrest 14 suspected Pakistani jihadists  

A similar anti-terror operation was carried out by the Spain’s national police last month where the police caught four suspected jihadists, reported Euro Weekly News…reports Asian Lite News

Police in Spain arrested suspected 14 Pakistan-origin individuals and busted a suspected jihadist network based in the country, Euro Weekly News reported.

The arrests were made as part of an operation initiated by Spain’s General Information Commissioner’s Office after the anti-terrorist alert level was raised in the country following Hamas’ attack on Israel a month ago. Spanish Security Forces redoubled surveillance on suspects in order to avoid possible attacks, Euro Weekly News reported.

All of the detainees were of Pakistani origin and are said to have lived in Catalonia, Valencia, Guipuzcoa, Vitoria, Logrono and Lleida, according to Euro Weekly News, the largest English newspaper in Spain.

Police sources confirmed the arrests to La Razon, a local daily.

Those arrested will be reportedly produced in court on Wednesday (local time)

Euro Weekly News reported that it is believed that these individuals formed a network in which jihadist messages and a high degree of radicalisation were transmitted online.

David Atherton, a journalist at The European Conservative posted on social media app X stating that these 14 Pakistani jihadists are linked to Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) an Islamic extremist political party in Pakistan.

“In Spain 14 Pakistani jihadists have been arrested for terrorist activities. They lived in Catalonia, Valencia, Guipuzcoa, Vitoria, Logrono & Lleida. They are linked to Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan an Islamic extremist political party in Pakistan,” he said.

A similar anti-terror operation was carried out by the Spain’s national police last month where the police caught four suspected jihadists, reported Euro Weekly News.

Those four suspects were arrested in the Granada municipality of Huetor-Tajar, Cubelles in Barcelona, and Madrid, for ‘proselytism and jihadist recruitment’, the Spanish weekly said.

Reportedly, among those arrested was a man named “Caliph” who authorities said was the “creator and administrator of several groups in which he tried to indoctrinate young people in the jihadist creed.”

A married couple who had apparently been brought together after joining one of these online social media groups was also among those held, Euro Weekly News reported. Adding to this, the fourth suspected jihadist was said to have been an ‘indoctrinated’ individual. (ANI)

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Working Groups to Boost India-Spain Engagement

India and Spain agreed to intensify engagement through increasing high-level visits and exchanges…reports Asian Lite News

The seventh India-Spain Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) were held in Madrid on Monday, during which the two sides undertook a comprehensive review of their bilateral relations and agreed to intensify engagement through Joint Working Groups.

The meeting was co-chaired by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, and Luis Manuel Cuesta Civis, the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, and Cooperation of Spain.

“The two sides expressed satisfaction at the enhanced bilateral engagement between the two countries. They undertook a comprehensive review of all aspects of the bilateral relations, including political, economic, and defence cooperation, trade relations, tourism, and cultural ties. The two sides expressed satisfaction on enhancing the diplomatic presence in each other’s countries through the proposed opening of new consulates in Bengaluru and Barcelona, which will provide a boost to bilateral trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts,” the MEA said in a statement.

India and Spain agreed to intensify engagement through increasing high-level visits and exchanges, and revitalizing bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Working Group on Defence, Security Policy Dialogue, and the CEOs Forum, the MEA stated. .

During the meeting, several regional and global issues of mutual interest such as the situation in Ukraine, Latin America, BRICS, the Indo-Pacific, cooperation in multilateral fora, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and UNSC reforms were also discussed.

The Spanish side also congratulated India for the successful conduct of its G20 Presidency. While, the Indian side commended Spain for its leadership as the President of the Council of the European Union.

Both sides acknowledged the importance of maintaining regular engagement through the mechanism of the FOC. The next round of consultations will be held in India on mutually convenient dates, the MEA added. (ANI)

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Wildfires force over 12,000 people to evacuate Spanish island

Firefighters battle a wildfire in Cebreros, Castilla y Leon, Spain, on July 21, 2022. (Junta de Castilla y Leon/Handout via Xinhua/IANS)

The blaze broke out on Wednesday in a mountainous national park around the Mount Teide volcano – Spain’s highest peak – amid hot and dry weather…reports Asian Lite News

Thousands of Tenerife residents have been evacuated as a wildfire deemed “out of control” by officials rages on for the fourth day, Al Jazeera reported.

According to preliminary estimates, more than 26,000 people had been evacuated by Saturday afternoon in the Canary Islands, up from 4,500 on Friday. Eleven towns are presently affected.

The Atlantic island has a population of approximately one million people and is a popular tourist destination.

The archipelago of seven islands is located off the northwest coast of Africa and southwest of mainland Spain. The islands are 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Morocco at their closest point.

As per the Al Jazeera, the fire flames lit up the night sky overnight and helicopters were seen dropping water on areas close to home where smoke billowed into the air.

The report revealed that some 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) have been burned so far with a perimeter of 50km (30 miles).

The fire was at a scale never been seen before in the Canary Islands, Tenerife Council President Rosa Davila told reporters. She said the priority was to “protect people’s lives”.

The blaze has not destroyed any homes so far, she added, citing the fire brigade.

While the two popular tourist areas of the island have so far been unaffected and its two airports have been operating normally.

The fire is blazing in the steep mountain area with pine trees making it harder for the firefighters to access the location.

The blaze broke out on Wednesday in a mountainous national park around the Mount Teide volcano – Spain’s highest peak – amid hot and dry weather.

The Canary Islands have been in drought for most of the past few years, just like most of mainland Spain. The islands have recorded below-average rainfall in recent years because of changing weather patterns impacted by climate change, reported Al Jazeera.

Scorching heat and dry weather this year have contributed to unusually severe wildfires in Europe, including in Spain’s La Palma Island in July, and Canada. Blazes on Hawaii’s Maui Island earlier this month killed more than 110 people and wrecked the historic resort city of Lahaina.

Scientists have said climate change has led to more frequent and more powerful extreme weather events.

European Union officials also blamed global warming for the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Europe, noting 2022 was the second-worst year for wildfire damage on record after 2017. (ANI)

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Spain’s historic quarterfinals in Women’s World Cup

Bonmati’s early opener in the match was canceled out by an own goal from Laia Codina, but Alba Redondo restored Spain’s lead and Bonmati scored again to make it 3-1….reports Asian Lite News

Aitana Bonmati played an important role with a brace and two assists as Spain swept past Switzerland 5-1 here on Saturday to reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.

Bonmati’s early opener in the match was canceled out by an own goal from Laia Codina, but Alba Redondo restored Spain’s lead and Bonmati scored again to make it 3-1.

Codina then made up for her error by scoring her team’s fourth before the break, and Jennifer Hermoso made it 5-1 in the second half in front of 43,217 fans, a new record crowd for a football match in New Zealand, Xinhua reported.

After the terrible 4-0 defeat to Japan in group stage, the 25-year-old Bonmati has vowed to try her best in the campaign.

“I’m here at the World Cup and I want to win. I don’t care if we play badly, just as long as we win. Sometimes you play well and keep the ball, but it’s not enough. We’re going to compete, stop the opposition from scoring goals, and we’ll take it from there,” Bonmati said before the match against Switzerland.

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Popular Party wins Spain polls but lacks majority

The winner will have three weeks to formally constitute their government, and King Felipe VI will meet party leaders to designate a candidate…reports Asian Lite News

Spain’s centre-right Popular Party (PP) has won the election as the vote count is nearly completed, according to El Pais, a Spanish-language daily newspaper.

Spain’s most uncertain national election, held for the first time in the middle of the summer witnessed the centre-right PP winning the election, while the governing Socialist Party (PSOE) resisted with a better showing than polls predicted. Despite the victory, the right-wing bloc falls short of a clear majority, making it more difficult to form a government.

The PP and far-right Vox together now have 169 seats, while the PSOE and Sumar (a grouping of 15 small leftist parties) obtain a combined 153. The PP is in the lead with 136 seats out of 350 in the Congress of Deputies (the absolute majority is 176 seats), followed by the PSOE with 122. Vox secures 33 and Sumar, 31. The rest of the seats are shared out between smaller regional parties, including some from Catalonia and the Basque Country, according to El Pais.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has claimed victory for the left with almost 99 per cent of votes counted, despite the result showing a hung parliament and the People’s Party winning the most seats.

“We have won more votes, more seats and a higher percentage than four years ago,” Sanchez told supporters.

According to the Interior Ministry, the turnout was four points higher than in 2019 at 70.33 per cent.

Spaniards voted on Sunday. Along with 208 of the 265 seats in the upper house, all 350 seats in the lower house of parliament will be up for election. In contrast to the upper house, where voters can select up to three regional senators, voters for the lower house must choose a party rather than a single candidate.

The winner will have three weeks to formally constitute their government, and King Felipe VI will meet party leaders to designate a candidate.

While Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the leader of the right-wing PP, is heavily favoured in the polls.

A potential PP-Vox government would represent a significant rightward shift for another EU member, continuing a recent trend in Sweden, Finland, and Italy.

However, nations like Germany and France are worried about the potential impact of the change on EU immigration and climate policies, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)

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PMs of Spain, Italy focus on areas of agreement

Spain is preparing to take over the rotating six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1…reports Asian Lite News

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni met here on Wednesday for talks that covered migration, energy supply and the European Union’s (EU) rules on public debt.

Sanchez stopped over in Italy’s capital on the last leg of his international tour that took him to China last week and to Cyprus and Malta earlier this week.

Spain is preparing to take over the rotating six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU on July 1.

Sanchez’s talks with Meloni at Rome’s Palazzo Chigi are notable because the two leaders come from opposite sides of the political spectrum. However, the two leaders found common ground as their countries are two of the EU’s most common landing spots for asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East.

Talking to journalists, Sanchez praised the EU’s recent decision to make the development of a common policy on migration a priority. “It is a step forward that illegal migration has been recognized as a European problem and not just one for Italy or Spain.”

“Italy and Spain are in sync on the fact that Europe has the necessity to deal with certain delicate topics that need an immediate and effective solution … which, particularly for Italy but also for Spain, is the topic of migration,” Meloni said.

Spain and Italy already collaborate on energy supply under the leadership of Meloni’s predecessor, Mario Draghi. On Wednesday, Sanchez and Meloni called for reforming Europe’s energy markets to cushion the blow from supply problems, such as the one caused by the cut-off of Russian natural gas and petroleum.

The leaders also called for EU policy on financial stability to be reformed.

Sanchez said Spain will focus on the “reindustrialization” of Europe’s economies during its EU Council Presidency in order to make the bloc more competitive globally.

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Spanish Foreign Minister hails India’s effort  

Speaking further about the meeting, Jose said that he addressed issues like terrorism, cyber security, and climate change and also mentions the economic and global effects that the ongoing conflict had on the World…reports Asian Lite News

Hailing India’s effort in calling for peace amidst the Russia-Ukraine war, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno said that India is doing a great job when it comes to bridging the gap between the West and Russia and he hoped that peace will be maintained within the principles of United Nations Charter.

“India is doing a great effort to bring us together, to do the most, to allow us to express all points of view and I hope that we will all be united around peace and peace within the principles of the United Nations charter”, said the Minister in response to ANI. When asked about his expectations of the joint statement post the meeting, the minister said that he doesn’t think that Russians are in the mood of doing it.

“The speech that I have heard and seen from the Russian Foreign Minister, I don’t think that Russia is ready to accept an acceptable statement. A statement that calls for peace and justice, for peace within the principles of the UN Charter. So, it is up to them but I don’t think that they are in the mood of doing it”, he said.

Speaking further about the meeting, Jose said that he addressed issues like terrorism, cyber security, and climate change and also mentions the economic and global effects that the ongoing conflict had on the World.

“We have also claimed that this war has an economic, social, and global effect and of course. Spain is eager to help all countries that are suffering from the security and energy crisis. We have large development funds to make sure that all that we are doing for Ukraine, as long as it’s needed is not to the detriment of Africa or Latin America”, said the Minister.

“I have addressed some of the global phenomena like Terrorism and cyber security, climate change. We need multilateralism, we need G20. Right now the war in Ukraine is not only a threat to Ukraine but it’s also a threat to multilateralism and to the basic principles of the multilateral world”, he added. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Spain passes Europe’s first paid ‘menstrual leave’ law

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Spain passes Europe’s first paid ‘menstrual leave’ law

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a televised address in Madrid, Spain, Oct. 23, 2020. (La moncloa/Handout via Xinhua)

The legislation entitles employees experiencing period pain to as much time off as they need, with the state social security system — not employers — picking up the tab for the sick leave…reports Asian Lite News

Spain’s parliament has approved a law granting paid medical leave to women suffering severe period pain, becoming the first European country to advance such legislation.

The law, which passed by 185 votes in favour to 154 against, is aimed at breaking a taboo on the subject, Spain’s left-wing government has said.

Menstrual leave is currently offered only in a small number of countries across the globe, such as Japan, Indonesia and Zambia.

“It is a historic day for feminist progress,” tweeted Equality Minister Irene Montero, who says the move is a step toward addressing a health problem that has been largely swept under the carpet.

The legislation entitles employees experiencing period pain to as much time off as they need, with the state social security system — not employers — picking up the tab for the sick leave.

As with paid leave for other health reasons, it requires a doctor’s approval, though the length of sick leave is not specified in the law.

About a third of women suffer from severe menstrual pain, according to the Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society.

“Periods will no longer be taboo,” Montero said after the law was initially approved by the cabinet in May 2022.

“No more going to work with pain, no more taking pills before arriving at work and having to hide the fact we’re in pain that makes us unable to work.”

But the legislation created divisions among both politicians and unions. The CCOO, one of Spain’s main trade unions, welcomed the move as a major “legislative advance” to recognise a problem that has been “ignored” until now.

But the UGT, Spain’s other main union, warned it could stigmatise women in the workplace and indirectly hinder their “access to the labour market”, a stance echoed by the main right-wing opposition Popular Party (PP).

Menstrual leave was part of a broader law that also bolsters access to abortion services in public hospitals, a right that remains fraught with difficulties in a country with a strong Catholic tradition.

Less than 15 percent of abortions performed in the country take place in public hospitals, mainly because of conscientious objections by doctors.

The new legislation also allows minors aged 16 and 17 to have an abortion without parental permission, reversing a requirement introduced by a previous conservative government in 2015.

Spain, a European leader in women’s rights, decriminalised abortion in 1985, and in 2010, it passed a law that allows women to opt freely for abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy in most cases.

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Modi briefs Spanish PM on India’s G20 priorities

Prime Minister Sanchez extended full support to India’s initiatives under its G20 Presidency and the two leaders agreed to remain in contact…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had a telephone conversation with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez wherein he briefed him about India’s priorities for G20 Presidency.

“Glad to speak with Prime Minister of Spain @sanchezcastejon. We discussed ways to further strengthen our growing bilateral relationship. Look forward to continuing our close cooperation as part of India’s G20 Presidency,” tweeted PM Modi. Briefing his Spanish counterpart he said that India’s priorities for G20 Presidency are oriented towards working to promote oneness based on the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam (One Earth, One Family, One Future), read Prime Minister’s Office press release.

Responding to it, Prime Minister Sanchez extended full support to India’s initiatives under its G20 Presidency and the two leaders agreed to remain in contact.

Earlier Sanchez tweeted, “I have just had a fruitful conversation with the Prime Minister of India,

@narendramodi. I have reiterated Spain’s support for the Indian #G20 presidency and we have agreed to continue strengthening our bilateral relations, especially in the areas of economy and trade.”

The leaders discussed a number of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest. They reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives and expressed satisfaction at the recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation in defence, economic and commercial sectors. They agreed to collaborate on issues such as digital infrastructure, climate action, clean energy transition and sustainable development, added the release.

Earlier, Jose Manuel Albares, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, visited India on June 15, 2022. This was his first official visit to India. It was one of the first high-level visits to India from Spain.

During his visit, Albares held talks with his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar. Both foreign ministers reviewed the bilateral relations. At the same time, both also committed to add new depth and content to the relationship.

Spain remains one of those countries with which India’s relations are still in the process of development. While India has close engagements with the European Union (EU), France, Germany and the United Kingdom, its relations with Spain are yet to reach that level.

It is important to consider the reasons for the relatively underdeveloped nature of the India-Spain relations as also how India and Spain could find common ground to strengthen their ties.

To strengthen their relations, India and Spain would need to find common ground at the bilateral level and also at multilateral levels as the emerging world order is a unique mix of continuation of the old order and emergence of the new simultaneously.

China’s actions are directed at creating a China-centric order challenging the United States and other democratic nations. At the same time, the Russia-Ukraine war is pushing Europe towards becoming a theatre for conflict between major world powers.

Recently, India and the EU have resumed talks for a free trade agreement (FTA). India also concluded a trade pact with Australia in April and with the UAE in February. India and Spain could consider similar agreement to boost their bilateral trade. (ANI)

Khajuraho to host G20 Culture Working Group meet

The first Culture Working Group meet, under India’s G-20 Presidency, will be held in Madhya Pradesh’s temple town Khajuraho from February 22.

Officials of the Ministry of Culture said that India’s G20 Culture Track is predicated on the idea of ‘Culture for LiFE’ – an environmentally conscious lifestyle as a campaign for sustainable living.

The CWG will evolve through four meetings in four historic cities of India and steer the G20 discourse on four priority areas. India’s CWG will reflect the emergence of culture as a prominent theme on the global stage, it will adopt culture to renew multilateral and multicultural cooperation at all levels, and will aim to forward this ideal and inform future global cultural policies and initiatives.

An ancient city, Khajuraho is known for its majestic temples and elaborate sculptures. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khajuraho’s monuments were constructed by the Chandela Dynasty between 950-1050 AD. The aesthetic of the Nagara-style architecture, ornamented with the intricate and detailed sculptures, acts like a window into the socio-cultural practices of the time. According to historical records, there were 85 temples in the temple site in Khujaraho, covering 20 square km, in the 12th Century AD. However, today, only 25 of these temples – scattered throughout a 6 square km area – have survived.

Officials said that as a part of the meeting, there will be an exhibition titled “Re(ad)dress : Return of Treasures” at the Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre (MCCC), which will be inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Culture and Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy.

The delegates from the G20 countries will get to experience cultural programmes including the Khajuraho Dance Festival. They will also get to visit the Western Group of Temples along with a tiger safari at the Panna Tiger Reserve.

India assumed the G20 presidency on 1 December 2022, articulating the theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One Earth. One Family. One Future’, which aims to foster, celebrate, and incorporate the diversity of cultural traditions amongst the member states while striving towards holistic living and creating a pro-people planet.

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