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[1/3] The border fence between Morocco and Spain's north African enclave Melilla is seen along a road, December 11, 2014. Bilateral trade rose to 17 billion euros in 2022, making Spain Morocco's biggest trade partner. The disputes underscore Spain's dependence on Morocco to control migration by Moroccans and sub-Saharan Africans seeking to cross the European Union's southernmost border. Some observers say the drop in migration could prove temporary and that Spain remains too dependent on Morocco. For a sustained fall in migration, Spain needs more cooperation with Morocco when it comes to repatriating illegal Moroccan migrants, said Blanca Garces, senior researcher in migration at the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs.

☆ Spain church machete attack suspect was 25-year-old Moroccan, police confirm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] People observe a moment of silence a day after a 25-year-old Moroccan suspect attacked two churches, in Algeciras, Spain January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Marcelo del PozoMADRID, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The suspect in a machete attack on two churches in southern Spain in which one clergyman was killed and another seriously injured is a 25-year-old Moroccan man who was due to be deported from the country, police said on Thursday. A police source denied local media reports that the suspect had been under surveillance by security operatives in the days or months before the attack. The man was not in Spain legally and his deportation process began in June last year and was ongoing, the source added. According to a High Court ruling, the perpetrators were linked to Al Qaeda and the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group.

☆ At least one dead, several injured in machete attack at southern Spain churches
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( David Latona | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] A body covered in thermal blanket is seen at the scene of a stabbing incident at a church in Algeciras, Spain January 25, 2023 in this screen grab from a video. The man attacked clergymen at two different churches - San Isidro and Nuestra Senora de La Palma, around 300 metres (1,000 feet) apart - just after 8pm on Wednesday evening in downtown Algeciras, a spokesperson for the city said. Jose Ignacio Landaluce, the mayor of Algeciras, has declared a day of mourning in the city for Thursday and a rally outside Nuestra Senora de La Palma church at midday. Earlier on Wednesday, two people were killed and several others injured when a 33-year-old stateless Palestinian man attacked them with a knife on a regional train travelling between Kiel and Hamburg in northern Germany, authorities said. Reporting by David Latona, Belén Carreño and Aislinn Laing; Editing by Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Messi headlines shortlist for FIFA Best Men's Player award
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Messi, along with his Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, were among the 14 players shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, the world governing body said on Thursday. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist. Sarina Wiegman, who led England to last year's European Championship title, is joined on The Best FIFA Women's Coach shortlist by Chelsea's Emma Hayes and Germany manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Aston Villa's Martinez are among the nominees for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. FIFA also announced an 11-player shortlist for this year's Puskas Award for the "most beautiful" goal of the year, with Mbappe's spectacular volley against Argentina in the World Cup final among the nominees.

☆ Real Madrid slump to 2-1 defeat at Villarreal as Moreno shines
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - LaLiga - Villarreal v Real Madrid - Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain - January 7, 2023 Villarreal's Gerard Moreno scores their second goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Pablo MoranoJan 7 (Reuters) - Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal on Saturday after a goal and assist from striker Gerard Moreno, giving leaders Barcelona a chance to move ahead in the title race. Real stay second, level on 38 points with Barca who visit fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday, while Villarreal's third straight league win moves them up to fifth spot. Yeremy had the best chance of the first half after he was played through on goal by Moreno, but Thibaut Courtois was quickly off his line to block the shot. Madrid grew into the game following Villarreal's goal, with Benzema and Vinicius continuing to orchestrate the champions' attacking efforts. Moreno converted after Madrid's protests had calmed down, sending Courtois the wrong way to put his side back in the lead.

☆ LaLiga file charges over abuse of Vinicius Jr, outline further measures to 'eradicate' racism
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 3 (Reuters) - LaLiga on Tuesday said it has filed charges relating to the racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr to the "relevant judicial, administrative and sporting bodies", adding that it will step up efforts to identify such abuse in the future. Vinicius appeared to be subjected to abuse at the Jose Zorrilla stadium in Valladolid as he walked past fans after being substituted in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Real Valladolid last week. After videos on social media showed fans shouting abuse and throwing objects at him, Vinicius accused LaLiga of continuing to do nothing about racist fans at matches. "LaLiga has also asked the Valladolid Magistrates' Courts to transfer the complaint to the Public Prosecutor's Office for Hate Crimes so that it can participate in the case." In the statement, the league said it would increase efforts to "eradicate any kind of violence, racism or xenophobia inside and outside stadiums".

☆ 'Fat One' lottery spreads Christmas cash and joy across Spain
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The top prize, known as "El Gordo" (The Fat One), rewarded many winners across several regions, as the same number was sold multiple times. As Spain, like other European countries, faces a cost-of-living crisis and stagnating wages, the Christmas lottery draw has taken on added significance. Commotion erupted in the theatre when Perla, a Peruvian-born unemployed mother of two sitting in the theatre, realised she had a winning El Gordo number in her hand. [1/5] People celebrate winning numbers in Spain's Christmas lottery "El Gordo" (The Fat One), in Madrid, Spain December 22, 2022. The best-selling ticket, dubbed "decimo" (tenth), costs 20 euros and its holders can earn 10% of the prize money awarded.

☆ Brazil leave the World Cup after another debacle
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

DOHA, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Brazil chalked up another disappointing World Cup performance as they exited the tournament in a stunning quarter-final defeat on penalties at the hands of Croatia. It was their second consecutive loss in a World Cup quarter-final, their fourth in the last five tournaments at the same stage. What was supposed to be redemption for the Paris St Germain forward, however, was instead transformed into his third World Cup nightmare. At Russia 2018, injuries again hampered his World Cup dream. Brazil will have to wait four more years to try to win a record-extending sixth world title, and their first since 2002.

☆ Arias in the throes of war: Ukrainian companies crowned at 'Opera Oscars'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( David Latona | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Two Ukrainian opera houses were awarded this year's "Opera Oscar" for offering up mellifluous cadenzas and virtuosic trills amid power cuts and artillery blasts on their country's territory - allowing audiences to evade, if only for a few hours, the war outside. In recognition of their "outstanding work in challenging circumstances", the opera theatres in the Ukrainian cities of Lviv and Odesa jointly clinched the Company of the Year prize at the International Opera Awards ceremony held on Monday in Madrid's Teatro Real. The jury celebrated their "courage and resilience for continuing to perform despite the dangers and depredations unleashed by the war." Samoan tenor Pene Pati bagged the Opera Magazine Readers' award, the only one decided by popular vote instead of a jury. Soprano Sabine Devieilhe and baritone Stephane Degout, both French, won Female Singer and Male Singer, respectively.

☆ Paqueta illness gives Brazil another selection headache
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Five-times world champions Brazil could be without midfielder Lucas Paqueta for their next World Cup Group G game against Switzerland on Monday. The World Cup favourites trained behind closed doors at the Al Arabi Stadium on Saturday and coach Tite gave no clue about team selection in his news conference on Sunday. The versatile 21-year-old forward played in Neymar's position in three practice games in Turin before the World Cup. "I believe that Neymar and Danilo will play again in the World Cup," said on Sunday. "I believe we will be able to count on them in the World Cup again."

☆ Analysis: Tite's courage pays off as Brazil forwards deliver
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The answer came in an impressive 2-0 victory over a strong and organised Serbia team who did not make it easy for Brazil and frustrated them in a goalless first half. Tite's decision to start Vinicius Jr. alongside Neymar, Richarlison and Raphinha should not have been a surprise as the Brazil coach has been much more inclined recently to unleash his talented young forwards together. Thinking that he would leave Vinicius on the bench was an assumption of those looking at the 61-year-old manager’s past rather than his present. Though Richarlison scored a brace, Vinicius was arguably the best player on the pitch, creating most of Brazil´s chances. Brazil sent a clear message to their World Cup rivals.

☆ Odds-on favorite Brazil face strong Serbia in World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Brazil are keeping their cards close to their chest under the spotlight of being the odds-on favorites as they prepare to face Serbia in their World Cup Group G opener on Thursday. The pressure is on as Brazil aim for a record extending sixth title with a squad loaded with talent but full of young players, with 16 of them making their World Cup debut. Paring the young guns with an in-form Neymar have made Brazil a juggernaut, winning 37 of the 50 games played since their 2018 World Cup quarter-finals loss to Belgium in Russia. They conceded 19 goals in this World Cup cycle, finishing 33 of those 50 matches with a clean sheet. Serbia have never moved past the group stages at the World Cup since the breakup of Yugoslavia but will be looking to seize momentum in a strong Group G that also includes Switzerland and Cameroon.

☆ South Korea sweat on Son ahead of opener with wildcards Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Group H also includes Portugal and Ghana, meaning Son's unrelenting threat and firepower against an uncertain Uruguayan defence will be vital for South Korea to pick up some crucial early points by negating Uruguay's attacking flair. South Korea coach Paulo Bento has imposed a team gag order on discussing Son's state of World Cup readiness, hoping to keep Uruguay's strategists in the dark. Among 13 debutants will be Real Madrid's versatile midfielder Federico Valverde and Manchester United's Facundo Pellistri, who link up with Tottenham's in-form Rodrigo Bentancur in a midfield for which Uruguay's squad has plenty of depth. Coach Diego Alonso sees the yawning age gap as a boon and believes Uruguay could even win this World Cup, as they did in 1930 and 1950. That could be a tall order and commentators have noted frailties at the back that South Korea could exploit, particularly in the centre, while there is no word yet on whether Barcelona's Ronald Araujo is available after undergoing thigh surgery.

☆ EXCLUSIVE Soccer-Brazil's Vinicius wants to use football for greater good
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"Neymar went through so much as a young player, having to play at such young age and with a lot of pressure. So he is the one that makes sure today that everything is easier for the new generation," Vinicius told Reuters in Turin on Thursday, where Brazil are training before flying to Qatar on Saturday. Well spoken and mature for his years, Vinicius welcomes the pressure that comes with the responsibility of being the face of Brazil's new generation. "This new generation has learned a lot from the old generation," Vinicius said. "When you start to become an important player, rivals come after you harder.

☆ Climate activists who glued themselves to Goya frames in Madrid released from custody - court
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MADRID, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Four people who were detained after two climate activists glued their hands on the frames of two iconic paintings by Francisco de Goya at Madrid's Prado Museum to protest global warming have been released from custody, a Spanish court said on Monday. The four remain under investigation for alleged crimes against the historical-artistic heritage. Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Inti LandauroOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Alves makes Brazil World Cup squad, Firmino left out
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Brazil have included 39-year-old defender Daniel Alves but left out Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino in their 26-man World Cup squad which was named by coach Tite on Monday. After leaving Barcelona at the end of last season, Alves went to Mexico to try to keep his dream of playing in his fourth World Cup with five-times champions Brazil. Alves has been working on his recovery with the Barcelona academy medical and technical staff over the last few weeks. According to Tite, Alves' long history with Brazil and leadership qualities in the changing room were valuable but not the main reason he got a spot in the squad. The squad and Tite will gather on Nov. 14 at Juventus' training facilities in Turin, where Brazil will hold a five-day training camp before flying to Doha on Nov. 19.

☆ Activists glue themselves to Goya paintings in Spanish climate protest
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Climate protesters from Extinction Rebellion stick themselves to Goya's paintings "Las maja naked" and "La maja ropa" to alert about the climate emergency in Madrid, Spain November 5, 2022 in this picture obtained from social media. Climate activists glued themselves to the frames of two world-famous paintings by Spanish master Francisco de Goya in Madrid's Prado museum on Saturday, the latest in a string of protests targeting artworks across Europe. A man and a woman attached themselves to Goya's "La Maja Vestida" (The Clothed Maja) and his "La Maja Desnuda" (The Naked Maja), and painted "+1.5 C" on the wall between the two works, video footage showed. Groups of climate activists have mounted a series of similar protest in recent weeks in the build-up to next week's COP27 climate change conference in Egypt. "We condemn the use of the museum as a place to make a political protest of any kind," the gallery added.

☆ Sheep take over Madrid's streets as they head for winter pastures
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Violeta Santos MouraMADRID, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Sheep replaced cars on the streets of Madrid on Sunday, as shepherds following ancient herding routes led their flocks through the centre of the Spanish capital to southerly pastures for winter grazing. Locals and tourists lined the route and watched as thousands of sheep walked through the city, the bells around their necks providing a noisy soundtrack. The annual event was revived in 1994 as part of Madrid's annual Fiesta de la Trashumancia, after the Spanish parliament recognised the traditional routes shepherds used to herd their livestock. Onlookers took pictures and videos on their phones, while some children held out tentative hands to stroke the sheep. "It was crazy that there were so many sheep, I've never seen anything like it.

☆ Benzema, Putellas win Ballon d'Or awards for best soccer players in the world
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Summary Real Madrid's Frenchman Benzema voted best men's playerBarca's Spain midfielder Putellas picks up women's awardpep Guardiola's Manchester City chosen as Best ClubPARIS, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Real Madrid's France forward Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award for the best men's player in the world on Monday, while Barcelona's Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women's award for a second time. Benzema had a stellar season with Real, scoring 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions as he helped guide them to a LaLiga and Champions League double. His 15 goals in the Champions League guided Real to a record-extending 14th title. Putellas, who was also named FIFA Best Women's Player earlier this year, was top scorer in the Champions League last season with 11 goals and scored 18 in the Primera Division. However, the teams in the Champions League final lost out on the Best Club award, which went to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City who won a fourth Premier League title in five years.

☆ London, Paris, Frankfurt and beyond: CNBC names Europe's best hotels for business travel
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-04 | by ( Monica Buchanan Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

CNBC Travel and the market data firm Statista today release a ranking of the "Best Hotels for Business Travelers" in Europe. FrankfurtSofitel Frankfurt Opera JW Marriott Hotel Frankfurt Best Western Premier IB Hotel Friedberger Warte Le Meridien Frankfurt Steigenberger Airport Hotel FrankfurtSofitel Frankfurt Opera Source: Sofitel Frankfurt OperaThe Sofitel Frankfurt Opera is on Opera Square, or the Opernplatz, near the city's famed opera house. ParisLe Bristol Paris Les Jardins du Faubourg Kimpton - St Honore Paris Pullman Paris Center-Bercy Le MeuriceLe Bristol Paris Source: Le Bristol Paris | Claire CocanoGuests of Le Bristol Paris can count President Emmanuel Macron as a neighbor — Elysee Palace, the official residence of France's president — is just steps away. StockholmGrand Hotel Stockholm Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel Stockholm Hotel At Six Bank Hotel Lydmar HotelGrand Hotel Stockholm Source: Grand Hotel StockholmTying for No. ViennaPalais Coburg Hotel Residenz Hotel Sans Souci Wien The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna The Harmonie Vienna Grand Hotel Wien This grand hotel built in 1845 is the former home of Austrian royalty.

☆ Catalonia seeks Spain's agreement for new independence referendum
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Joan Faus | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Spain's Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has favoured dialogue with Catalonia to rebuild relations after a chaotic unilateral bid for independence in 2017 plunged Spain into its worst political crisis in years. It remains, however, staunchly opposed to independence and has hitherto ruled out a legal referendum. A similar proposal by Catalonia in 2012 was firmly rejected by the then conservative government in Madrid. The wealthy northeastern region held a referendum five years later despite a ban by the courts, and issued a short-lived unilateral independence declaration. Catalan government head Pere Aragones told the regional parliament that for another referendum, Catalonia needed Madrid's buy-in.

☆ Prado lists artworks seized during Spanish Civil War, eyes restitution
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Spain's Prado Museum on Tuesday published a list of 25 artworks seized during the 1936-39 civil war and under Francisco Franco's dictatorship, and announced a research project that could lead to the works being returned to their legitimate owners. Among the works are paintings by 17th century Flemish artist Jan Brueghel the Younger and Spanish impressionist Joaquin Sorolla, according to the list. The findings of the research, to be led by senior professor and expert on cultural heritage and the Civil War Arturo Colorado, are expected by early 2023. More than half a million people died during the Spanish Civil War and an estimated 150,000 were killed later in repression by Franco's 1939-75 dictatorship, historians estimate. One of the capital's most famous landmarks, the Prado contains over 7,000 of the world's finest paintings and other works of art.

☆ Europe's severe drought is unearthing ancient artifacts from 'Spanish Stonehenge' to Emperor Nero's bridge
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-17 | by ( Paola Rosa-Aquino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Receding water levels due to drought in Europe are unearthing old sites and artifacts. Since early 2022, Europe has experienced an extended period of unusually high temperatures and severe lack of rainfall. From megalithic monuments to ancient bridges, sites and artifacts continue to be unearthed by the 2022 drought in Europe. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty ImagesIn late July, receding water levels in Spain's Valdecanas reservoir dropped to 28% percent of its capacity, revealing the Dolmen of Guadalperal, dubbed "Spanish Stonehenge," Reuters reported. In June, receding water levels due to the intense drought resurfaced a sunken shipwreck of a World War II-era barge.

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