Latest Spanish News In English
World news in brief: justice efforts in Libya, deadly attacks in Ukraine and dozens of deaths since the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-26 02:55:00“There is new momentum towards justice in Libya, and we now turn to the first trial to be held before the Court in this situation,” Nazhat Shameem Khan told the ambassadors.
She said the arrest of suspected war criminal Khaled El Hishri by German authorities in July is “a clear example of the momentum we are building.”
Mr. El Hishri is allegedly responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, rape and sexual violence, committed in Libya’s notorious Mitiga prison from February 2015 until at least early 2020.
He is expected to be transferred to the ICC soon.
A clear message
“For too long, crimes committed in detention centers in western and eastern Libya have been a no-go zone for accountability,” Ms. Khan said.
Mr. El Hishri’s case sends “a clear message: those responsible for the suffering inflicted in Libya are mistaken if they believe they are still beyond the reach of justice.”
In addition, work continues towards the arrest and transfer of other fugitives, including Osama Elmasry Njeem and Saif Suleiman Sneidel, accused of committing war crimes.
Ms. Khan noted that “based on the progress we are currently seeing, I firmly believe there is an opportunity for us to demonstrate collective success based on the partnership between Libya, this Council and the ICC.”
This progress was made “despite the unprecedented headwinds facing the Court.”
She stressed that “coercive measures and acts of intimidation against the ICC, civil society and other justice partners serve no one other than those who wish to benefit from impunity in Libya and in all the situations we address.”
UN humanitarian office condemns latest attacks in Ukraine
The United Nations Aid Coordination Office (OCHA) reported large-scale attacks in the Ukrainian capital and several regions between Monday and Tuesday morning.
At least seven civilians were killed and 20 injured. Residential buildings, a nursery school and a playground were also damaged.
The attacks have further disrupted electricity, heating and water supplies, which already pose a challenge for Ukraine. Authorities reported that parts of Kharkiv remained without power and water.
More than 50,000 people in Kyiv and Chernihiv regions faced emergency outages. Across the country, more than 100,000 consumers remain without electricity following the latest wave of strikes.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters that humanitarian partners continue to scale up their services to combat gender-based violence nationwide. By the end of October, nearly 360,000 women and girls had received support from 100 organizations.
Matthias Schmale, UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine sentenced the “continuing pattern of massive civilian damage” caused by the strikes and reiterated that civilians are protected by international humanitarian law.
At least 127 civilians killed in Lebanon since ceasefire agreement
Nearly a year after the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) continues to face increasing attacks from the Israeli army, spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said Tuesday.
In one of the most recent and deadliest attacks over the past week, at least 13 civilians were killed and at least six injured in the Ein El-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp.
“All of the deaths we documented following this strike were civilians, raising serious concerns that the Israeli military attack may have violated the principles of international humanitarian law on the conduct of hostilities,” Mr. Al-Kheetan warned before calling for a prompt and impartial investigation into the strike.
Israeli military attacks have led to the deaths of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement came into force on November 27, 2024.
Thousands of people displaced
The strikes also destroyed civilian infrastructure and hampered reconstruction efforts and attempts by displaced people to return home.
More than 64,000 people, mostly residents of southern Lebanon, remain displaced in other parts of the country.
Israel has started building a wall across Lebanese territory that makes 4,000 square meters inaccessible to the population, thereby affecting people’s right to return to their land, Al-Kheetan said.
“All internally displaced people must be able to return to their homes, and reconstruction must be supported, not hindered.
Half of UK novelists believe AI is likely to replace their work entirely
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-26 05:30:00DISCLAIMER OPINIONS: The opinions of the authors or reproduced in the articles are the ones of those stating them and it is their own responsibility. Should you find any incorrections you can always contact the newsdesk to seek a correction or right of replay.
DISCLAIMER TRANSLATIONS: All articles in this site are published in English. The translated versions are done through an automated process known as neural translations. If in doubt, always refer to the original article. Thank you for understanding.
DISCLAIMER PHOTOS: We mostly used photos images that are readily available online, from free sources, or from the people promoting the news. If by any chance it happens that we have used one of your copyrighted photos, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will take it down without question. We do not make profits as this is a not for profit project to give voice to the voiceless while giving them a platform to be informed also of general news, and it is completely free.
Roundup: Chelsea thrashes Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen stuns Man City in Champions League
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-26 00:00:00LONDON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chelsea claimed a convincing 3-0 win at home to FC Barcelona in the fifth round of matches in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday to strengthen its claim for a top-eight finish in the league phase.
Enzo Fernandez had a sixth-minute effort ruled out for a prior handball for Chelsea, but the home side kept on pressing and was rewarded in the 27th minute, when Ferran Torres' clearance from Marc Cucurella's inswinging cross bounced back off Jules Kounde into the net.
Barcelona's night got worse just before halftime, when Ronald Araujo scythed down Cucurella and was sent off for a second yellow card.
Estevao doubled Chelsea's lead in the 53rd minute with a powerful shot into the roof of the net, and Liam Delap sealed the win with 20 minutes to go.
Elsewhere, fellow Premier League outfit Manchester City slipped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Alex Grimaldo put Bayer ahead after 23 minutes against a much-changed City when he finished off a crisp counter-attack with a smart finish. Patrik Schick netted Leverkusen's second in the 54th minute.
Newcastle United took an early lead away to Marseille, seeing its high press rewarded after just six minutes when Anthony Gordon touched on a cross for Harvey Barnes to score, but two early second-half goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned things around for Marseille.
Aubameyang's first goal came just 18 seconds into the second half after Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope was caught a long way off his line.
Borussia Dortmund won 4-0 at home to a Villarreal side that remains winless in this season's tournament.
Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring in first-half injury time with a close-range header, before scoring again early in the second half, with goals from Karim Adeyemi and Daniel Svensson ending a miserable night for Villarreal.
Ole Didrik Blomberg flicked home a 27th-minute corner to give Bodo/Glimt the lead at home to Juventus, but goals from Lois Openda and Weston McKennie gave the Italian side the lead.
It looked as if Sondre Brunstad Fet's 87th-minute penalty would save a point for Bodo/Glimt, before Jonathan David decided a frantic game with a last-minute winner for Juventus.
Goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek made three excellent saves from Athletic Club forward Robert Navarro to save a point for Slavia Prague in a 0-0 draw, while Scott McTominay's goal and an own goal from Marko Jankovic saw Napoli win 2-0 at home to Qarabag.
Samuel Dahl's powerful shot from the edge of the area and Leandro Barreiro's excellent finish on the break saw Benfica win 2-0 away to Ajax, which has lost all five of its Champions League games this season.
Promise David's 57th-minute goal saw Union Saint-Gilloise edge Galatasaray 1-0.
Sterilization Plan for Stray Cats Across Orihuela Municipality announced
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-25 17:10:40ORIHUELA (25 November 2025) 'The City of Orihuela has officially launched its Stray Cat Sterilization Plan, targeting feral and unowned feline colonies throughout the municipality, including urban areas, villages, and the coast. The initiative aims to control cat populations, improve neighborhood coexistence, and promote animal welfare.
City Councillor for Health, Irene Celdrán, explained that the plan uses the CER method (Capture, Sterilize, Return), recognised as the most ethical and sustainable approach for managing feral cat colonies. Participating animals will receive veterinary care, microchip identification, vaccination, and deworming, ensuring their health and well-being.
The program will be rolled out in phases across Montepinar, Orihuela Costa, the city center, and surrounding districts. Each day, five cats will be captured, sterilized, and returned, with participation from municipal staff and authorised volunteers from local animal organisations, including Colonias Felinas Orihuela, Gatitos 7 Vidas, and Protectora Oriolana.
The contract covers 640 cats (320 males and 320 females), costs €131,348, and is expected to last up to 15 months. Celdrán emphasised that the initiative seeks responsible coexistence, public health, and animal welfare, while also urging residents to avoid abandoning pets, feed cats responsibly, and report new colonies to the municipality.
Summary: Orihuela has begun a comprehensive sterilization program for stray cats, combining population control with veterinary care, community involvement, and public awareness to promote animal welfare and healthier neighborhood coexistence.
Orihuela launches Christmas Season with Festive Lights Ceremony
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-25 17:17:45ORIHUELA (25 November 2025) 'Orihuela officially launches the Christmas season with the annual lighting of the holiday lights, set to take place on Thursday, 4 December, and Friday, 5 December at various locations across the municipality. The announcement was made today by Rocío Ortuño, Councillor for Festivities, during a press conference attended by Vicente Pina, Councillor for Education, who shared details about the city’s Christmas Story contest.
Ortuño highlighted that “Christmas in Orihuela kicks off with a series of activities we will announce in the coming days, but everything begins with the lighting of the lights—a moment eagerly awaited by families.”
On Thursday, 4 December, the festivities will begin in Orihuela Costa at 6:00 p.m. in front of the Town Hall, featuring performances by a choir and the inauguration of the municipal Nativity scene.
On Friday, 5 December, from 5:00 p.m., there will be a festive tour along different streets to “reveal the magic of Christmas in Orihuela.” The main lights ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. in Glorieta Gabriel Miró, where the winning story from the Christmas Story contest will be read aloud. Pina explained that the contest jury will select the winner from submissions by local schools, and the chosen story will be shared with all schools and read publicly during the event.
Councillor Ortuño concluded by inviting all residents to join the celebrations, saying, “Just step outside and feel the Christmas spirit in Orihuela.”
Alicante Mayors’ Salaries Revealed: Orihuela Mayor Vegara Takes Third Spot in Provincial Rankings
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-25 17:04:24ALICANTE (25 November 2025) 'A new report from the Ministry of Finance highlights stark differences in mayoral salaries across the province of Alicante, with some leaders earning six-figure sums while others receive no pay at all.
The Public Administration Salary Information Report (ISPA 2025), based on 2024 data, shows that mayors of large cities take home the highest salaries, while dozens of small municipalities operate with part-time or unpaid positions. In fact, official statistics reveal that some mayors in Alicante did not receive a single euro for their work last year.
At the top of the provincial salary list is Luis Barcala (PP), mayor of Alicante, earning a gross salary of €84,169.97, making him one of the highest-paid mayors in the Valencian Community and well above the provincial average. Following him are:
Rubén Alfaro (PSOE), Elda ' €68,544
Pepe Vegara (PP), Orihuela ' €66,236
Marcos Zaragoza (PP), La Vila Joiosa ' €65,713
Pablo Ruz (PP), Elche ' €65,221
Other notable salaries include:
Pachi Pascual (PP), San Vicente del Raspeig ' €64,882
Bernabé Cano (PP), La Nucía ' €64,800
Toni Francés (PSOE), Alcoy ' €62,873
Fulgencio Cerdán (PSOE), Villena ' €62,825
Juanjo Berenguer (PP), El Campello ' €60,000
Part-Time and Unpaid Mayors
Mayor of the Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolon, is understood to receive an annual Gross Salary of €38,284.63 although he is not on an exclusive dedication regimen to the Mayor’s office and reported to be receiving a further €35,861.42 for his role as a member of the Valencian Community parliament.
The contrast with smaller towns is striking. Many small municipalities legally do not allow full-time dedication, leading councils to offer reduced or symbolic salaries. Several mayors—including those of Almoradí, Benasau, Millena, Planes, and Gorga—received no compensation, while others earn less than €500 per year.
Differences in employment levels also explain the gap: medium and large cities concentrate full-time mayors, while small towns rely on part-time or voluntary leadership.
Above Average Salaries in Major Cities
Salaries in Alicante’s main cities are well above both regional and national averages. The average salary for Spanish mayors is approximately €23,800, far lower than figures in the province’s largest municipalities. At the national level, the highest-paid mayor remains José Luis Martínez-Almeida (PP), Madrid, with a gross annual salary of €111,000.
The ISPA report allows citizens to consult the salaries of all mayors in Spain, including the type of dedication—full-time, part-time, or none—for each municipality.
Summary: The latest Finance Ministry report exposes large salary disparities among Alicante mayors, with top officials in major cities earning more than triple the national average, while many small-town mayors work unpaid or part-time.
Weekly departures from Alicante with Costa Cruises starting April
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-25 06:26:47Costa Cruises is fast-tracking its expansion in the Port of Alicante, announcing the launch of its first-ever homeport operations in the city beginning this spring. Starting 15 April, the cruise line will introduce a new Mediterranean itinerary aboard the Costa Pacifica, featuring alternating weekly embarkations and disembarkations between Alicante and Valencia.
According to the company, the move “consolidates Costa’s presence in both cities and opens new access options for passengers joining our Mediterranean routes.”
Early Trials Become Full Launch
Originally, Costa had planned just three trial calls in June to evaluate passenger demand and the capacity of Alicante’s maritime terminal—similar to the test operation scheduled by Fred. Olsen for next October.However, strong projections and strategic interest have led the company to bring forward full homeport operations months earlier than expected.
A No-Flight Mediterranean Holiday
The new eight-day cruise offers passengers the convenience of boarding directly in Alicante or Valencia, depending on the week. To make the alternation seamless, Costa will also operate a free shuttle bus linking the two cities whenever embarkation or disembarkation takes place at the opposite port.
A Route Through Mediterranean Icons
The itinerary includes a curated mix of cultural capitals and coastal gems:Rome, La Spezia, Savona, Marseille, and Palma, along with the vibrant Mediterranean coast of Spain and France.Each stop, Costa says, is designed to showcase “the rhythm, heritage, and lifestyle of Southern Europe.”
Aboard the Costa Pacifica
Launched in 2009 and accommodating around 3,780 passengers, the Costa Pacifica blends a music-themed ambience with Italian design. Onboard features include:
521 balcony cabins
9 pools and whirlpools
6 restaurants and 11 bars
A panoramic spa and sea-view relaxation areas
Live shows and entertainment on every deck
Costa highlights the ship’s “sound-inspired design” as a signature element that accompanies guests throughout the voyage.
A Boost for Local Tourism
With weekly departures from April, the company sees this as “an ideal opportunity to rediscover some of the most iconic destinations in Spain, France, and Italy while enjoying the ease of embarking directly from the Valencian coast.”
Costa Cruises—headquartered in Genoa and part of the Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise group—operates a fleet of nine ships, all sailing under the Italian flag. Its global routes span the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, and beyond, including “World” and “Grand” cruises connecting multiple continents.
Vega Baja Faces Record €31 Million Landfill Bill for 2026
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-25 06:18:08The Vega Baja is bracing for a record-smashing €31.7 million bill next year just to haul away its rubbish. That’s 204,000 tons of waste heading to twelve landfills across five provinces—and it could climb even higher thanks to skyrocketing transport costs and a lack of local treatment facilities.
Residents will feel the pinch, paying roughly €151 each just to get rid of their garbage. With no permanent recycling or composting plants in the region, most waste is residual and non-recyclable, meaning it has to be trucked long distances to landfills in Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, Almería, and even Cuenca. On top of that, municipalities face a €20-per-ton tax on non-recyclable waste.
Torrevieja and Orihuela are the biggest culprits. Torrevieja alone dumps over 50,000 tons and will fork out €8.1 million for transport and taxes—plus €25 million for its collection contract. Orihuela isn’t far behind, with €7.4 million in waste-related costs. Other heavy producers include Pilar de la Horadada, Guardamar, Rojales, Almoradí, and Callosa de Segura.
Dolores is the exception: its door-to-door collection and efficient organic recycling cut waste volume by 40%, saving money and reducing landfill trips.
The region’s recycling efforts are otherwise almost non-existent. Only 500 tons of organic waste will be separated at the source in 2026—a measly 0.2% of total waste—far short of EU requirements. Meanwhile, rising waste volumes, taxes on non-recyclables, and reliance on distant landfills have sent the budget soaring from €20 million in 2024 to €31 million in 2026.
Some relief is on the horizon: the Vega Baja Sostenible Consortium is building five mobile and three permanent eco-parks, with permanent facilities in Torrevieja and Orihuela expected by 2026. These parks aim to recycle household waste more efficiently and reduce dependence on far-off landfills.
Francisco Cano, president of the Consortium and mayor of Formentera del Segura, will meet with municipal leaders in December to finalize budgets. But until permanent facilities come online and recycling rates improve, Vega Baja’s trash problem—and its €31 million price tag—shows no signs of slowing.
Opposition Challenges Hiring Process for Orihuela Cultural Manager
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-25 16:55:24ORIHUELA (25 November 2025) 'Opposition members on the Board of Orihuela Cultural S.L.U. have formally appealed the process to select the company’s new Manager, claiming the hiring rules lack transparency and may favour a specific candidate.
Representatives from PSOE, Cambiemos Orihuela and Ciudadanos argue that the requirements published on 5 November are too restrictive, limiting academic qualifications, excluding private-sector cultural experience, and offering no clear evaluation criteria. They have asked for the process to be suspended, and the rules rewritten to allow fair competition.
The opposition has also filed a complaint accusing the company’s management of repeatedly refusing to provide essential internal documentation, which they say violates board members’ legal rights.
They warn that these problems reflect a wider pattern within the current PP'VOX local government, including selective recruitment and reduced transparency. The groups say their goal is to ensure equal opportunities, protect public resources, and prevent Orihuela Cultural from becoming an organisation marked by favouritism.
Local Residents Prioritise Ideas for Rio Segura Restoration and Recreation
PUBLISHED: 2025-11-25 16:58:51ORIHUELA (25 November 2025) 'Orihuela held the third participatory meeting of the Refluye Mi Río project at the María Moliner Municipal Library, bringing together residents, local organisations, and community stakeholders to prioritize proposals for restoring the Segura River and enhancing its social and recreational use.
The session focused on reviewing the draft Carta de Recomendaciones (Recommendations Charter), developed from previous workshops, interviews, and an online survey. Participants discussed initiatives aimed at ecological restoration, improving the river’s environmental quality, and integrating the river into daily life, including creating interpretive routes and organising cultural, leisure, and sports activities along the river.
Citizen input helped refine and validate the Charter, which will serve as a guiding reference for future projects along the Segura River and throughout the Orihuela municipality. The project will continue with additional activities, including the public presentation of the Recommendations Charter in mid-December.
Refluye Mi Río is part of Orihuela’s broader governance and communication plan, which also includes a city-wide online survey. The initiative is supported by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO) under the EU NextGenerationEU Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR).
For more information and to participate, residents can visit www.orihuelarefluyemirio.es.
Sponsors
