Tag Archives: Spain

MNA International Desk: The Spanish government said on Saturday it would do whatever was needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic and warned that “the worst is yet to come” after the national toll surpassed 1,300 deaths and reached close to 25,000 cases. The second-worst outbreak in Europe showed no sign of slowing as the death toll jumped by more than 300 from the previous day. Intensive care units are filling up in some hospitals. “We have yet to receive the impact of the strongest, most damaging wave, which will test our material and moral capacities to the limit, as well ...

MNA International Desk: Coronavirus cases in Spain have risen by 1,500 to more than 5,700, public health officials say, reports The BBC. Spain is the worst affected country in Europe after Italy, which has more than 15,000 cases. The news comes as the Spanish government meets to declare a national state of emergency, for only the second time in its recent history. On Friday the World Health Organization (WHO) said Europe was now the “epicentre” of the pandemic. Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures, community mobilisation and social distancing to save lives. Several European ...

MNA Sports Desk: Isco scored a hat-trick as Spain hammered an Argentina side without Lionel Messi 6-1 in a friendly on Tuesday, while Brazil defeated Germany 1-0 in their first meeting since the 2014 World Cup. Gareth Southgate’s England were denied victory over Italy at Wembley after the visitors were awarded a disputed late penalty in a 1-1 draw following consulation with the video assistant referee. Spain underlined their status as chief contenders at this year’s World Cup in Russia as they extended their unbeaten run under Julen Lopetegui to 18 matches in sensational fashion in Madrid. Diego Costa bravely ...

MNA International Desk: Spain’s Constitutional Court has annulled Catalonia’s unilateral declaration of independence, which the court described as “a serious attack on the rule of law”. The Catalan parliament should note that the right to autonomy “is not and can not be confused with sovereignty,” the court said on Wednesday, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais. Catalonia’s regional parliament declared independence on October 27.  The declaration followed the disputed referendum on October 1 that was ruled illegal by Madrid. According to the Catalan government at the time, 90 percent voted in favour of independence, but turnout was less than 50 ...

MNA International Desk: In one of the most momentous days in recent Spanish history, Spain fired Catalonia’s regional government and dissolved its parliament Friday after a defiant Catalan declaration of independence that flouted the country’s constitution. Lawmakers in the Catalan parliament voted to unilaterally declare independence, prompting the swift crackdown by the Spanish government, which also called an early election in the region. Hours after Catalonia’s secession move, the Spanish Senate granted the government special constitutional powers to stop the wealthy region’s move toward independence. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative government then called an urgent Cabinet meeting late Friday, ...

MNA International Desk: Spain’s government defiantly rejected calls for mediation Wednesday over Catalonia’s push for independence, which the country’s king warned was endangering national stability. As the European Union urged dialogue to ease the standoff between separatists in the northeastern region and Madrid, Catalan leaders said they could unilaterally declare independence as early as Monday. The tone of the crisis sharpened with Catalonia’s president denouncing the king’s intervention and Spain’s government rejecting any possible talks. “The government will not negotiate over anything illegal and will not accept blackmail,” said a statement from Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s office. The dispute is ...