Jul 25, 2026, 03:00 AM UTC

Uncontrolled wildfires spreading across western Madrid and eastern Ávila have burned nearly 20,000 hectares, prompting Spain's Ministry of the Interior to declare a state of national emergency.

The blazes, which threaten to merge, have forced the evacuation or confinement of tens of thousands of residents in affected municipalities, including Villa del Prado, San Martín de Valdeiglesias, and Burgohondo. Emergency services have deployed extensive operations, though extreme weather conditions continue to hinder containment efforts. Regional officials described the situation as an unprecedented disaster, while central government representatives warned that conditions remain critical.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Spanish government requested additional firefighting aircraft from the European Union to reinforce local emergency teams.

Sources: El Mundo, Marca

Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have voted to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from his position following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female subordinate.

In total, 82 of the 125 member states voted to dismiss Khan, citing "serious misconduct and serious breach of duty." Khan was placed on administrative leave last month ahead of the decisive vote. The action follows an earlier decision by Khan to voluntarily step aside to defend himself against the claims raised by a female staff member.

Sources: Morgunblaðið

Venezuela has officially initiated its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Acting President Delcy Rodríguez instructed Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia to notify UN Secretary-General António Guterres of the nation's "firm and irrevocable decision" to exit the tribunal.

The announcement marks a further step in the country's detachment from international judicial oversight. Venezuela has previously been under investigation by the Hague-based court regarding alleged crimes against humanity and political repression. Under the Rome Statute, a state party's formal withdrawal takes effect one year after the official notification is received by the United Nations.

Sources: Die Zeit

Galician Regional President Alfonso Rueda is set to maintain power without requiring coalition partners following recent polling projections in Galicia. The ruling People's Party (PP) retains strong public backing and could gain up to two additional parliamentary seats, securing more positions than all opposition left-wing parties combined.

Meanwhile, the nationalist Galician Nationalist Bloc (BNG) has seen its momentum stall after reaching historic highs in previous elections. The Socialist Party (PSOE) continues to record historically low support levels, failing to capitalize on opposition sentiment. The results reinforce the conservative party's long-standing electoral dominance in the northwestern Spanish region.

Sources: El Mundo.

Spain is confronting its hottest summer on record, enduring 50 consecutive days of extreme temperatures and three distinct heatwaves since early June. Daily temperatures across large parts of the country have consistently surpassed 40 degrees Celsius, remaining well above historical averages.

Beyond the environmental strain, the prolonged heatwave is increasingly disrupting business operations and threatening economic productivity. Companies are implementing emergency measures, including heat-monitoring devices and altered working schedules, to safeguard workers and mitigate lost hours. According to trade credit insurer Allianz Trade, Spain ranks among the European nations most vulnerable to heat-induced economic losses as reduced labor capacity and operational disruptions mount.

Sources: El Mundo.