SPAIN
Cable theft delays trains
Thousands of rail passengers were hit with delays after the cable used in the signaling system of the high-speed line between Madrid and Seville was stolen at four locations, authorities said yesterday. The theft, which happened late on Sunday, affected dozens of trains traveling between Madrid and Andalucia, just as many people were returning home to the capital after a holiday weekend. Railway infrastructure company ADIF said on X that the high-speed train connecting Madrid and cities in the south was expected to resume service at about 9:30am from Madrid and in Seville, Malaga and Granada. State-owned railway operator Renfe said in a radio interview that services should return to normal by mid-morning yesterday. The cable theft took place at four points on the high-speed line in Toledo, ADIF said.
VENEZUELA
Protester dies in prison
A man detained during protests following President Nicolas Maduro’s controversial re-election last year has died in state custody, an opposition leader and a non-governmental organization (NGO) said. Lindomar Amaro, 27, was arrested for “inciting hatred, harassment, and possession of a weapon of war,” a military report said, and was being held in Tocoron prison, a maximum-security facility in the state of Aragua. The Venezuela-based Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners on Sunday said that Amaro died in prison on Saturday. “The reported cause was hanging inside his cell,” the NGO wrote on X, noting that Amaro had previously “attempted to kill himself.” Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who claimed the opposition’s victory in last year’s presidential elections, accused the president of responsibility for Amaro’s death. “This is one of the most horrendous crimes this regime has committed. Let no one doubt it: this death has ONE person responsible: Maduro,” Machado said on X.
CHINA
10 tourists die at sea
Four boats capsized in a sudden storm at a tourist spot in southwestern China, killing 10 people, state media said yesterday. More than 80 people fell into a river when strong winds hit the scenic area in Guizhou Province late on Sunday afternoon, China Travel Television (CCTV) said. The boats capsized after a sudden rain and hail storm on the upper reaches of the Wu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. In one video shared by state media, a man could be seen performing CPR on another person, while one of the vessels drifted upside down. Initial reports said two tourist boats had capsized, but state media yesterday said that four boats were involved. The other two boats had no passengers, and the seven crew members were able to save themselves, CCTV said.
KENYA
President fends off shoe
President William Ruto fended off a shoe thrown at him during a speech about the cost of living which has been a source of public anger, videos shared on social media showed. Ruto has been compelled to abandon tax hikes and invite opposition members into his Cabinet, but discontent remains high. At a rally on Sunday in Migori County, Ruto blocked the flying footwear with his arm and did not appear to be injured, according to three videos. “We have said we are reducing the price of fertilizer, true or false?” he said as the shoe bounced off him, kicking up a small cloud of dust. Minister of the Interior Kipchumba Murkomen said police had arrested three people, the Star newspaper reported.
FRAUD ALLEGED: The leader of an opposition alliance made allegations of electoral irregularities and called for a protest in Tirana as European leaders are to meet Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party scored a large victory in parliamentary elections, securing him his fourth term, official results showed late on Tuesday. The Socialist Party won 52.1 percent of the vote on Sunday compared with 34.2 percent for an alliance of opposition parties led by his main rival Sali Berisha, according to results released by the Albanian Central Election Commission. Diaspora votes have yet to be counted, but according to initial results, Rama was also leading there. According to projections, the Socialist Party could have more lawmakers than in 2021 elections. At the time, it won 74 seats in the
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the issue of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it. Samobor, near the capital, Zagreb, has become the first in the country to run a “Grandmother-Grandfather Service,” which pays 360 euros (US$400) a month per child. The scheme allows grandparents to top up their pension, but the authorities also hope it will boost family ties and tackle social isolation as the population ages. “The benefits are multiple,” Samobor Mayor Petra Skrobot told reporters. “Pensions are rather low and for parents it is sometimes
CANCER: Jose Mujica earned the moniker ‘world’s poorest president’ for giving away much of his salary and living a simple life on his farm, with his wife and dog Tributes poured in on Tuesday from across Latin America following the death of former Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. He was 89. Mujica, who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity, lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,” Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi wrote on X. “Pepe, eternal,” a cyclist shouted out minutes later,
CONTROVERSY: During the performance of Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael’s song ‘New Day Will Rise,’ loud whistles were heard and two people tried to get on stage Austria’s JJ yesterday won the Eurovision Song Contest, with his operatic song Wasted Love triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into yesterday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel — whose participation drew protests — on 357 and Estonia on 356. “Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose
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