Embattled Spanish PM Sánchez insists no prior warnings before Ceuta crisis

• Alphabet is positioning Google for a recovery in September following a challenging summer period. • The company has secured new AI models and strategic backing to enhance its technological capabilities and competitiveness.

• Former President Donald Trump is proposing changes to mail-in voting procedures that could significantly impact election outcomes in key states ranging from Florida to California. • The proposed shifts aim to restrict or alter how mail-in ballots are cast and processed, targeting specific vulnerabilities in current state-level voting laws.

• The Spanish government is facing a political crisis following a leaked report alleging that Moroccan forces actively assisted migrants in crossing the border into Ceuta. • Madrid has officially denied claims that it ignored prior warnings regarding an imminent breach of the border.

• A curated list of the top 25 concert tours scheduled for Europe in 2026 and 2027 has been released, featuring major artists across key cities. • Specific 2027 dates include performances in Kraków on March 27, Milan on March 30, Basel on April 1, Copenhagen on April 4, Oslo on April 6, and Stockholm on April 8.

• The European Union has launched an industrial policy plan to build AI infrastructure, prompting member states to invest billions in data center "gigafactories" to avoid falling behind technologically. • Of the 27 EU governments, 18 have pledged funding, with France, Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic committing €100 million each for smaller facilities.

• Spanish authorities have launched an investigation to identify who shot the oldest known Iberian orca. • Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to appear in Congress to address the ongoing Ceuta crisis following a report that sparked a political storm.

• Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called for EU solidarity and support regarding Spain's southern land borders during a Gymnich meeting in Wicklow. • Albares cited previous EU cooperation, such as the reception of Ukrainian refugees and the 2021 response to migrant surges in Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia.

• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has declared a new era for European security, warning of an increase in hybrid threats facing the continent. • The Spanish government is facing a political crisis following a leaked report that reveals Morocco's involvement in the Ceuta crisis.

• Israel's far-right candidate Itamar Ben-Gvir is facing legal scrutiny over a campaign video showing him waving a flag among bound activists on a Gaza-bound flotilla. • Noam Sohlberg, the Central Elections Committee chairman and Supreme Court Deputy President, ruled that the video constituted unlawful election propaganda.

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is facing a complex challenge in managing digitally-savvy Gen Z protesters who have used social media to organize large-scale demonstrations. • Following the conclusion of protests led by "Cockroach leaders" last month, activists, independent journalists, and opposition politicians report that the government is arbitrarily restricting social media accounts and removing critical posts.

• Over 20,000 ballots were rejected in Washington’s recent primary election because they arrived after the legal deadline. • This figure represents a significant increase in rejected votes compared to the 2024 totals, sparking concerns over systemic failures.