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• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticizing the European Union's lack of solidarity regarding Ceuta. • Sánchez claims that this lack of support is fueled by "prejudice, misinformation and attacks" intended for political gain. • The move highlights growing tensions between Spain and EU leadership over the management and security of the Spanish exclaves in North Africa.

• Approximately 60,000 migrants reportedly stormed the Spanish exclave of Ceuta on the North African coast, sparking a diplomatic crisis. • Italy has responded by formally suspending Schengen cooperation with Spain and closing its maritime and air borders as of Friday. • France and Italy have agreed to reinforce shared land border controls, while Finland and Denmark have threatened to sever Spain from the EU's free-travel area.

• Thousands of unauthorized border crossings into Spain's North African exclaves, Ceuta and Melilla, have triggered a migration crisis. • The surge in crossings has provided the conservative opposition with political ammunition to criticize Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's migration policies. • The situation has raised significant concerns that Morocco may be weaponizing migration to exert political pressure on the Spanish government.

• French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that France will not seek Spain's removal from the Schengen visa-free travel zone following a mass border crossing crisis in the enclave of Ceuta. • The statement follows accusations from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who slammed some EU nations, including Italy, for "selfish" and "polarising" responses to the influx of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco. • Sánchez argued that calls to suspend Spain from the Schengen area were fueled by "prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest" rather than factual necessity.

• The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Spain's controversial amnesty law for Catalan separatists does not violate European Union law. • The decision provides a significant legal victory for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who granted the blanket pardon to secure necessary parliamentary support after the 2023 national elections. • This ruling clears a major legal hurdle for pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont, potentially allowing him to return to Spain after years of exile.

Pontiff’s resolve to highlight plight of migrants has aligned him with Spanish PM, whose inner circle and party are mired in corruption allegationsWhile Pope Leo XIV isn’t due to touch down in Madrid until 10.30am on Saturday, his presence in the Spanish capital is already verging on the ubiquitous.The smiling, avuncular face of the first US pontiff greets visitors from posters, from the sides of buses, from commemorative travel cards and even from the digital screens on the metro system, where it flickers up between adverts for sun cream and banking deals. Continue reading...