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☆ FIFA suspends Spain soccer chief Luis Rubiales amid row over kiss with Women’s World Cup winner
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —FIFA has provisionally suspended Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish soccer federation, from “all football-related activities” over his kiss with Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso. Hermoso said the kiss was unwanted and she and the entire World Cup-winning squad have refused to play while Rubiales remains president. Rubiales said the kiss was consensual and the federation has been sticking by him, threatening legal action against Hermoso and others. World soccer’s governing body FIFA said Rubiales was initially suspended for 90 days and banned Rubiales and the Spanish football federation from contacting Hermoso, who described refusing requests to issue a statement to “alleviate the pressure” on Rubiales. While addressing the assembly for nearly 30 minutes, he described the kiss as “mutual” and spoke of “unjust” campaigns and “fake feminism,” sparking further criticism.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Hermoso, Hermos, “, ” Rubiales, ”, Pedro Sánchez Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Spain, Spanish, Hermoso, England, Spain’s, ” CNN, UEFA Locations: Spanish, Rubiales, Sydney, Australia, Hermoso

☆ Spanish soccer president refuses to resign despite kissing a player on the lips at Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Facing his possible removal from office, the president of the Spanish soccer federation refused to resign Friday despite an uproar for kissing a player on the lips without her consent after the Women's World Cup final. The president of Spain's women's league, Beatriz Álvarez, told Spanish state broadcaster RTVE that she was not surprised because Rubiales' "ego is above his dignity." The only relevant institution to remain silent has been European soccer body UEFA, for which Rubiales is a vice president. Rubiales, who led the Spanish players' union for eight years before taking over as federation president in 2018, is currently heading the UEFA-backed bid to host the men's World Cup in 2030. "The speech by Mr. Rubiales before the general assembly of the Spanish soccer federation is absolutely incompatible with representing Spanish sports and with the values of an advanced society like Spain's," Spain's Higher Council for Sports said.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Luis de la, Hermoso, Relevo.com, Alexia Putellas, Ballon, Yolanda Díaz, Díaz, Spain's, Beatriz Álvarez, Álvarez, Pedro Sánchez, Queen Letizia, Sofía, Iker Casillas, Borja Iglesias Organizations: Spanish Royal Football Federation, Spain women's, football team's, La, —, Spanish, Spain, England, men's, Luis de la Fuente, Associated Press, RTVE, UEFA, FIFA, Higher, of Sports, Court, Sports, Council, Rubiales, Real Betis, Spain's Locations: Spain, Madrid, BARCELONA, Spanish, Sydney, Australia, Barcelona, Portugal, Morocco, Ukraine, Spain's, Netherlands, Vilda

☆ Spanish federation chief refuses to resign over kiss scandal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Speaking at an RFEF emergency assembly on Friday, Rubiales complained that "false feminists" were "trying to kill me". He described the kiss as a "little peck" that was "spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual". Rubiales, 46, said in his speech that Hermoso was the one who initiated physical contact by lifting him off the ground by his hips. Criticism of Rubiales's behaviour has built throughout the week of the incident which occurred while the players were being handed their medals after they beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. As players filed past, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and planted a kiss on her mouth.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, peck, Yolanda Diaz, Diaz, Hermoso, Queen Letizia, Fernando Kallas, Inti Landauro, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, Socialists, Labour, England, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Sydney, Australia

☆ Luis Rubiales: Spain's RFEF president refuses to resign after fierce criticism for unwanted kiss on Jennifer Hermoso
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales has refused to resign from his position as Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president following a week of fierce criticism after video showed him placing an unwanted kiss on a star player of Spain’s winning Women’s World Cup team. “It was a spontaneous kiss … It was spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and with consent, which is the key. This is the key to all of the criticism, of all of the campaign which has been mounted in this country: that it was without consent. She’s the one who picked me up in her arms and she pulled me into her body. While acknowledging he needed to apologize for his actions, Rubiales described calls for his resignation as a “witch hunt.”More to follow.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Spain’s, Rubiales, ” Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso –, “, Pedro Sánchez, ”, ” Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Noe Llamas, Hermoso, TMJ, Jenni, ‘, ’, peck, excusing Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Royal Spanish Football Federation, La Roja, Spain’s, England, Spain’s Association of Professional Soccer, FIFA Locations: Spain, Sydney –, Spanish, “

☆ FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA president over Jenni Hermoso kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish FA who kissed Jenni Hermoso after the country's Women's World Cup victory on Sunday. In a statement, FIFA reiterated "its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary." Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), kissed the forward on the lips during the medal ceremony following the team's 1-0 win against England in Sydney. Hermoso initially said on social media she "didn't like" the kiss but a statement on her behalf was later released by the RFEF in which she described it as "spontaneous". FIFPRO later came out in support of Hermoso and requested FIFA open an investigation into Rubiales.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Rubiales, Pedro Sanchez, FIFPRO Organizations: FIFA, Spanish FA, Royal Spanish Football Federation, England, Spain national Locations: Sydney

☆ Spanish federation chief to quit over kiss scandal - report
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The incident sparked outrage within and outside Spain, with many, including government ministers, demanding his resignation. The favourites to succeed Rubiales are Pedro Rocha, head of the Extremadura football federation, and Pablo Lozano, head of the Andalusia federation, the source said. Rubiales, who played for several lower league clubs in Spain, finished his playing career in 2009 with Hamilton Academical in Scotland. There was also a mutiny within the Spain women's squad last September, when a large group of players demanded that long-standing coach Jorge Vilda be sacked. The RFEF backed Vilda and he cut 12 of the 15 players involved in the dispute from his World Cup squad.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Spain's, Cadena, Rubiales, Hermoso, Pedro Rocha, Pablo Lozano, Angel Maria Villar, Julen Lopetegui, Jorge Vilda, Fernando Kallas, Charlie Devereux, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales REUTERS, Rights, Cadena Ser, England, Sunday, Reuters, Extremadura, Hamilton Academical, Association of Spanish, Spanish, Spain, World, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Sydney, Andalusia, Scotland, Saudi Arabia

☆ Jennifer Hermoso: Spanish women footballers' union vows to fight 'machismo and sexism' after World Cup kiss controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Tara Subramaniam David Close Florencia Trucco | Tara Subramaniam | David Close | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

On Monday, Rubiales admitted he had “made a mistake” by kissing Hermoso after she collected her winners’ medal. Rubiales embraces Hermoso just before video showed him kissing her after Spain's World Cup victory over England. Imago/ZUMA PressThe controversy comes against a backdrop of ongoing unrest between Spain’s players, coach Jorge Vilda and the football federation. However, the football federation backed Vilda, who has himself become embroiled in a controversy surrounding the World Cup final after video emerged of him appearing to inappropriately touch a female staff member during the match. CNN has reached out seeking comment from Vilda, the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the staff member.

Persons: Jennifer Hermoso, “ machismo, “, Luis Rubiales, ”, TMJ, ” FUTPRO, Rubiales, Hermoso, ” Rubiales, Pedro Sánchez, Victor Francos, Jorge Vilda, Spain’s Organizations: CNN, country’s, ” Spain’s Association of Professional Soccer, Royal Spanish Football Federation, England, Spanish, of Sport, ZUMA Locations: England

☆ FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA chief Rubiales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee informed Luis Rubiales, President of the Spanish Football Association, today that it is opening disciplinary proceedings against him based on the events that occurred during the final of the Women's World Cup," it said in a statement. "The events may constitute violations of article 13 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code." Rubiales, who initially called his critics "idiots", issued a video apology late on Monday, but it failed to quell the uproar . Acting Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz called for Rubiales' resignation because "without any doubt (he) attacked a woman". Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Christina Fincher and Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Rubiales, Yolanda Diaz, Hermoso, FUTPRO, TMJ, Rohith Nair, Christina Fincher, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish, England, Spanish Football Association, Liga, National Sports Council, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Bengaluru

☆ Luis Rubiales: President of Spanish government's sports council says it will take action against RFEF chief if federation doesn't
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The president of the Spanish government’s High Council of Sport (CSD) says he will take action against Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales if the soccer body fails to do so. Speaking to the “El Larguero” program on Spanish outlet Cadena SER later on Tuesday, CSD president Victor Francos said the council is willing to get involved after receiving three formal complaints about Rubiales’ actions. “We have been very clear with RFEF on the need to open the procedures established by the Sports Law,” Francos said. In a statement announcing the extraordinary general assembly, RFEF said it has opened “the internal Federation processes in relation to integrity.”Rising criticismFrancos’ comments come amid increasing pressure on Rubiales. “The apologies made by Mr. Rubiales are not enough.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, RFEF, Jennifer Hermoso, Spain’s, Victor Francos, ” Francos, “, Miguel Ángel Galán, Rubiales, Hermoso, Pedro Sánchez, ” Sánchez, Yolanda Díaz, Cuca Gamarra, Irene Paredes Organizations: CNN, Spanish, of Sport, Spanish Football Federation, Spain, England, El, Cadena, Sports Law, Spanish government’s Ministry of Culture, National Training Center of Football, Committee, Partido Popular, ABC Locations: Rubiales, Spain

☆ Spain’s victorious Women’s World Cup stars receive royal welcome on return to Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Spain’s Women’s World Cup heroes received a royal welcome on their return to Madrid, with Queen Letizia once again in attendance for the celebrations, as she was in Sydney for the final. Spain's players received a hero's welcome on their return to Madrid. The World Cup heroes eventually arrived at the Madrid Río Park, where a stage had been set up for the team to celebrate. Carmona, who scored the match-winning goal in the Women’s World Cup final, was told soon after the final whistle that her father had passed away. The team has a photo taken with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Persons: Queen Letizia, Pierre, Philippe Marcou, Olga Carmona, Carmona, Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno, Vicco, Pedro Sánchez, Manu Fernandez Organizations: CNN, Getty, Spanish, Spain’s Locations: Madrid, Sydney, AFP, Moncloa

CNN —The burned bodies of 18 people were found as wildfires ripped through Greece on Tuesday and countries across Europe sweltered under yet another extreme heat wave. As dozens of wildfires scorch Greece, other parts of the region are suffering under intense heat, as Europe’s summer of extremes continues. Red heat warningsAs parts of Greece and Spain burn, temperatures are reaching record levels in other parts of Europe. These regions are all experiencing very high temperatures, with some pushing above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Savona, in the northwest, saw an all-time record high of 39.1 degrees Celsius (102.4 Fahrenheit) on Monday.

Persons: Yiannis Artopios, Nikos Gioktsidis, “ I’ve, I’ve, Spyros Bakalis, Alexandroupolis, Dimitris Alexoudis, Artopios, Pedro Sánchez, –, MeteoAlarm, Igor Ferreira, Montbel, Alain Pitton, Aurélien Rousseau, Maximiliano Herrera, Martin, Rousseau, MeteoSchweiz Organizations: CNN, Reuters, Emergency Management Service, Firefighters, Getty, European Union, country’s, BFMTV, Puy St, Northern Locations: Greece, Europe, Athens, Alexandroupolis, Prodromos, AFP, Thrace, Cyprus, Romania, ANMA, Rhodes, Tenerife, Canary, Spanish, Spain, France, Drôme, Haute, Loire, Rhône, Puy, Italy, Savona, Switzerland, Swiss

☆ Spanish king nominates conservative Feijoo for premiership bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Spain's King Felipe on Tuesday nominated the leader of the conservative People's Party (PP), Alberto Nunez Feijoo, to face a parliamentary vote for prime minister, according to lower house speaker Francina Armengol. No single party or bloc earned an outright majority of seats in the snap general election. Earlier on Tuesday, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that he believed his Socialist party would be able "to gather the parliamentary support needed" to form a government. Her appointment was seen as a nod to smaller regional parties, whose support Sanchez would need in a potential bid should Feijoo fail. If no candidate secures a majority within two months of the first vote, new elections have to be called.

Persons: King Felipe, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Francina, Feijoo, Feijoo's PP, Pedro Sanchez, Armengol, Esquerra Republicana, Sanchez, Pietro Lombardi, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Mark Porter, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: People's Party, Socialist, Sanchez's Socialists, ERC, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Balearic, Catalonia

☆ Spain soccer: Rubiales' apology over unsolicited kiss not enough - PM Sanchez
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The incident - which happened as Luis Rubiales handed the women's team gold medals after they beat England 1-0 in the final on Sunday - sparked outrage within and outside Spain, with many, including ministers, demanding Rubiales' resignation. "We've seen his apology and that's not enough, he must be much clearer and convincing in apologising," Sanchez told a news conference. Sanchez said the federation was not part of the Spanish government, which lacked the power to appoint or fire the federation's president. As criticism mounted, Rubiales issued a video apology late on Monday, after initially calling critics "idiots". "Surely I was wrong, I have to admit," Rubiales said in the video statement sent by the federation.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales, Juan Medina, Jenni Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, We've, that's, Sanchez, Hermoso's, Inti Landauro, David Latona, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain's, Moncloa, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Rights, England, YouTube, Equality Ministry, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Spanish

CNN —Video has emerged that shows Spain head coach Jorge Vilda appearing to inappropriately touch a female staff member during the Women’s World Cup final between Spain and England. Then, as Vilda turns his head away from the group embrace, his left hand drops down to her chest. Despite Spain’s World Cup success, Vilda’s tenure as head coach – he was appointed in 2015 – has been hugely controversial. The video clip comes against the backdrop of unrest between Spain’s players, Vilda and his coaching staff and the RFEF, which led to 12 of Spain’s biggest stars missing the World Cup. However, the RFEF backed Vilda, and all but three of the 15 players who sent letters missed out on Spain’s triumphant World Cup campaign.

Persons: Jorge Vilda, Spain’s Olga Carmona, Vilda, –, Spain’s, Luis Rubiales, “, Jennifer Hermoso, ” Rubiales, Pedro Sánchez, Sánchez Organizations: CNN, La Roja, England, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish, Cadena, FIFA Locations: Spain, England, Spanish

☆ Luis Rubiales: Spain's prime minister says football federation president's apologies for kissing Jennifer Hermoso are 'not enough'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Alex Hardie Claudia Rebaza | Alex Hardie | Claudia Rebaza | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“The apologies made by Mr. Rubiales are not enough. I even think that they are not appropriate and that, therefore, Mr. Rubiales needs to continue to take steps to clarify what we all saw,” added Sánchez. Spain's national team met the country's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, at Madrid's Moncloa Palace. Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales has admitted he "made a mistake." His excuses serve absolutely nothing,” Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s acting second deputy prime minister and leader of the Sumar party, said in a press conference.

Persons: Pedro Sánchez, Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Sánchez, Rubiales, ” Sánchez, “, ”, Juan Medina, –, “ I’ve, we’ve, Hermoso, Irati Vida, It’s, AFE, Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s, Cuca Gamarra Organizations: CNN, Spanish, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Association of Spanish, Spain's, country's, Reuters, of Sports Merit, England, Twitter, FIFA, Cadena COPE, Law of Sport, Partido Popular Locations: Spain, Spanish

☆ Spain fans celebrate historic World Cup victory
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Fans in Madrid watch Spain v England - WiZink Center, Madrid, Spain - August 20, 2023 Spain fans celebrate after winning the World Cup final REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Jubilant Spain supporters cheered loudly and waved flags after their team beat England 1-0 in Sydney on Sunday to win the Women's World Cup for the first time. "(They've made) history, finally women's soccer and women's sport is starting to get attention. Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the ninth edition of the Women's World Cup was the first to be held in the southern hemisphere. Olga Carmona's goal put La Roja, as the Spanish women's team are known, ahead in the first half and they created the majority of the clearcut chances in the match. "As a soccer fan I'm super happy that Spain is the best in the world again," said engineer Jorge Martin, 33.

Persons: Violeta Santos Moura, They've, Raquel Chamochin, Olga Carmona's, Mercedes Guzman, Jorge Martin, Letizia, Princess Sofia, Pedro Sanchez, Jorge Vilda, Elena Rodriguez, Michael Gore, Jessica Jones, Ed Osmond Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Spain, England, WiZink, Rights, Real Madrid Basketball, Reuters, La Roja, Spanish, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Madrid, Spain, Sydney, Australia, Japan

☆ Spanish Socialists' candidate elected speaker with support of Catalan groups
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Francina Armengol was appointed speaker after winning 178 votes in the 350-seat parliament. The candidate of the conservative People's Party (PP) won just 137 votes, while far-right Vox, which is in coalition with the PP in several Spanish regions, voted for its own candidate, Ignacio Gil instead of the PP's. Her candidacy for the speakership was seen as a nod to Catalan, Basque and Galician parties. CONCESSIONS TO SEPARATISTSERC leader Gabriel Rufian told a news conference that while the party had supported the Socialists' candidate for congressional speaker, that did not imply support for the formation of a Sanchez government. More hardline separatist party Junts also struck a deal in principle to back Armengol, according to state broadcaster TVE.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez's, Francina Armengol, Ignacio Gil, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Sumar, Esquerra Republicana, Armengol, Gabriel Rufian, Junts, Sanchez, Carles Puigdemont, Inti Landauro, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Angus MacSwan, Aislinn Laing, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Spanish Socialist Workers ' Party, PSOE, Spain's Socialists, People's Party, Socialists, Vox, Catalonian, ERC, TVE, Thomson Locations: Madrid, MADRID, Catalan, Spain, Catalonia, Balearic, Basque, Galician, Belgium

☆ Spain's acting PM Sanchez says he will seek investiture vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

"I will ask for parliament's confidence to form a progressive government," Sanchez said in a address to the legislators of his Socialist Party. He said his party, which won the second-highest number of votes in the general election held last month, will first seek to clinch the lower house speaker position on Thursday. Sanchez, who first took power in 2018, has ruled since early 2020 thanks to a minority coalition with a far-left party. The conservative People's Party won more seats than the Socialists, but did not secure an outright majority and faces an uphill battle as it so far lacks enough support to form a government, as does Sanchez. Reporting by Inti Landauro, editing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Sharon SingletonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Violeta Santos Moura, Sanchez, Inti Landauro, Andrei Khalip, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Spain's, Socialist Party, PSOE, Rights, People's Party, Socialists, Thomson Locations: Getafe, Spain

CNN —Not many would have predicted it before the tournament kicked off, but Spain became the first team to book its place in the Women’s World Cup final on Tuesday. Spain’s women had never progressed further than the last-16 before this year but are now just one win away from lifting a first ever World Cup trophy. “To the final!” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. World Cup winner and Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta took to social media to call the players “giants” after their victory against Sweden. Despite the noise surrounding preparations for the World Cup, the Spanish players have showed no signs of being bogged down and are now one step away from sporting immortality.

Persons: Roja, Pedro Sánchez, “, ”, Andrés Iniesta, Dani Ceballos, Garbiñe Muguruza, Carlos Alcaraz, let’s, Molly Darlington, wasn’t, Antonio Banderas, –, Salma Paralluelo, Olga Carmona’s, Paralluelo, Phil Walter, ” Paralluelo, we’ve, “ We’ve, Jorge Vilda, Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas – Organizations: CNN, Sweden, Spain’s, Tuesday’s, ”, Real Madrid, Reuters, Spain –, Getty Locations: Spain, Spanish, Barcelona, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand

☆ Spain reaches Women's World Cup final for the first time with a stunning win over Sweden
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Spain created more history at the Women’s World Cup, shocking favorite Sweden to reach the final for the first time thanks to a dramatic 2-1 win in Auckland, New Zealand. Competing at just its third World Cup, Spain is now within a game of winning the sport’s biggest prize having never before progressed beyond the round of 16. Sweden may have had the pedigree – only the US has appeared in more World Cup semifinals – but Spain had the creativity and the stardust. “To the final!” Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, while Spain’s men’s World Cup winner Andrés Iniesta called the players “giants.”Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas wrote on social media: “Bravo!!! With the opening goal, Paralluelo – who had scored the extra-time winner against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals – became the second-youngest player to score in a Women’s World Cup semifinal and also sparked a dull contest into life.

Persons: Salma Paralluelo, Rebecka, Olga Carmona, Paralluelo, we’ve, “ We’ve, La Roja, Hagen Hopkins, “, Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s, Andrés Iniesta, Antonio Banderas, Phil Walter, Jorge Vilda, Vilda, Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas, Putellas, Carmona, Aitana Bonmati, wasn’t, Alba, Fridolina Rolfö, Cata Coll, Paralluelo –, –, Blomqvist’s, de grâce Organizations: CNN, La, Sweden, Getty, Twitter, Spanish, Alba Redondo Locations: Spain, Sweden, Auckland , New Zealand, Australia, England, Sunday’s, Netherlands

☆ At mass grave exhumation, daughter of Spanish Civil War victim seeks closure
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Juan Medina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I want to know where he is because I have never known," Navacerrada told Reuters this week at the cemetery of Colmenar Viejo where two mass graves have been found. A total of 108 civilians, many associated with leftist parties and unions, were executed and buried at the Colmenar Viejo cemetery between April and December of 1939. The exhumation of the first mass grave started last year with the financial support of Spain's leftist government and led to finding the remains of 12 people. Spain transitioned to democracy following Franco's death in 1975 but the legacy of his four-decade fascist dictatorship still divides Spanish society. Reporting by Juan Medina Additional reporting and writing by Joan Faus Editing by Frances KerryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benita Navacerrada Lopez, Facundo Navacerrada Perdiguero, Francisco Franco, Read, Navacerrada, exhumations, Pedro Sanchez, Vox, Luis Perez Lara, San Sebastian de los Reyes, Juan Medina, Joan Faus, Frances Kerry Organizations: Science Society, Reuters, Socialist, People's Party, Vox, Thomson Locations: Colmenar, VIEJO, Spain, Madrid, Colmenar Viejo, Spanish, San Sebastian

Spain's Socialist leader and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, salutes his supporters during the general election, in Madrid, Spain, July 23, 2023. Spain has a sticky diplomatic relationship with Morocco over issues including migration, airspace, territorial waters, customs and land borders. Madrid said it regarded Rabat's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara as "serious, credible and realistic". Moroccan media first reported - and welcomed - Sanchez's choice of holiday destination. The site praised Sanchez's closeness to Morocco "although many Spanish politicians reproach him for it", contrasting his stance to that of his political rivals in Madrid.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Nacho, Spain's, Sanchez, Podemos, Idoia Villanueva, Villanueva, Miguel Tellado, Vox, David Latona, Angus McDowall, Aislinn Laing, Nick Macfie Organizations: Socialist, REUTERS, Sanchez's Socialists, Polisario, Twitter, People's Party, Onda, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Spanish, Algeria, Polisario, Moroccan, London

☆ Ukraine has tested its allies' patience with its military strategy and demands
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The phrase "whatever it takes" has become a mantra often repeated at public gatherings of allies assessing the war and the military needs of Ukraine. Most recently, tensions have emerged over Ukraine's military strategy and demands on NATO. And by threatening to boycott the summit, Zelenskyy had played a risky strategy, Shea noted, potentially setting the meeting up for failure. The key thing is to manage that [discrepancy] and prevent it doing lasting damage, and I think the Vilnius summit at least managed to prevent it doing lasting damage." Ukraine's military strategy — and the symbolic value it has put on fighting for every piece of Ukrainian territory — has sometimes collided with its allies' military perspective and pragmatism.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Gitanas Nauseda, Pedro Sanchez, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Joe Biden, Giorgia Meloni, Jens Stoltenberg, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ben Wallace, Ludovic Marin, didn't, Zelenskyy, Washington, Biden, Jamie Shea, Shea, Beata Zawrzel, wasn't, they're Organizations: Spain's, Joe Biden Italy's, NATO, NATO Summit, Getty, Ukraine's, Kyiv, Britain's, AFP, Washington Post, CNBC, White, Ukraine, Emerging, LITEXPO Lithuanian, Center, Nurphoto, Bakhmut, Libkos Locations: Ukraine, Vilnius, Lithuania, Kyiv, Russia, U.S, Washington, London, United States, Soviet, Donetsk

☆ Catalan kingmaker tells Spain's Sanchez not to take support for granted
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Joan Faus | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File PhotoBARCELONA, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Spain's Socialists (PSOE), seeking to form a government after a hard-fought national election, should not take the support of Catalonia's separatist parties for granted, one of their leaders said on Wednesday. "It is Pedro Sanchez who has to make the moves to get support," Aragones said. To renew its support, ERC wants further talks, to cut the region's contributions to the national public finances, and to take control of local train services. Junts is demanding a referendum on independence and an amnesty for all separatists facing legal charges related to the failed 2017 independence bid. Aragones said the two parties' leverage could help obtain a referendum and amnesty, but also concessions in financial or cultural issues.

Persons: Pere Aragones i Garcia, Sarah Meyssonnier, Pere Aragones, Pedro Sanchez's, Sanchez, Pedro Sanchez, Aragones, Junts, Joan Faus, Charlie Devereux, John Stonestreet Organizations: of, Entrepreneurs de France, Paris, Paris Longchamp Racecourse, REUTERS, Spain's Socialists, PSOE, ERC, Socialist, People's Party, Thomson Locations: of Catalonia, Paris Longchamp, Paris, France, Spain, Catalan

☆ Spanish Socialists lose seat, after expat vote count, making it harder to form government
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Graham Keeley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Counting of votes from over 233,000 Spaniards living abroad handed one seat in Madrid to the PP that had been awarded to the Socialists in the initial vote count, the PP and Socialists said on Saturday. To form a government, an absolute majority is needed in a parliamentary vote in the 350-seat Congress. This meant Sanchez only had to persuade Junts to abstain, to be voted back into power with a simple majority. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the PP leader, is still determined to try to form a right-wing coalition. Sumar leader Yolanda Díaz called on all "progressive forces" to support Sanchez.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Juan Medina, Sunday's, Esquerra, Junts, Sanchez, EH, Vox, Pablo Simon, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Feijoo, Pedro Rollan, Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, Graham Keeley, Alvise Armellini, Frances Kerry Organizations: Socialist, REUTERS, Spain's Socialists, Reuters, ERC, Socialists, Vox, Union of, Canarian Coalition, Basque Nationalist Party, Galician Nationalist Bloc, UPN, Canaries, PP, Carlos III University, Italian, Repubblica, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, BARCELONA, Catalan, Basque, Junts, Catalonia, Spanish, Rome

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