MADRID (Reuters) - The number of migrants reaching Spain's Canary Islands on precarious vessels from West Africa has hit an all-time annual record with 41,425 arrivals between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30 of this year, Interior Ministry data showed on Monday.
The seven islands off northwestern Africa's Atlantic coast are struggling to absorb the surge in irregular migrants arriving on crammed, open-topped boats seeking better opportunities in Europe.
With one month of 2024 still pending, this is the second year in a row that the archipelago, a front line in Europe's struggle to curb migration, has seen a record number.
Mali, Senegal and Morocco were the top three nationalities of migrants reaching the Canaries, according to latest data until October from the European Union's border agency Frontex.
Seeking to revert the trend, Spain has asked Frontex to resume an air and maritime surveillance operation that had ended in 2018 in Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia.
Last year, 39,910 migrants arrived, surpassing the previous record in 2006.
Between January and October, the Canaries registered the fastest increase in arrivals by sea in the EU, even as illegal migrant arrivals in the bloc slumped overall, Frontex data showed.
China’s Ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, stated that China is eager to be seen as a partner rather than a rival to the European Union, emphasizing the need for collaboration amidst shifting global dynamics and U.S. trade policies, which he described as "unilateral economic abuse."
Pope Francis has approved the first step towards sainthood for Antoni Gaudi, the modernist architect behind Barcelona's "Sagrada Familia" basilica, the Vatican said on Monday.
President Xi Jinping met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday, calling for stronger strategic cooperation as China and Spain mark the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Spanish lawmakers have approved a plan to relocate thousands of underage migrants from overcrowded youth centres in the Canary Islands and other outposts to mainland regions, aiming to ease pressure on areas facing high migration flows.
Spain’s Economy Minister, Carlos Cuerpo, is pushing the EU to expand financial aid for industries hit by U.S. tariffs. Spain recently unveiled a €14.1 billion support package and aims to secure broader EU countermeasures as trade tensions escalate between the U.S. and Europe.
A 15-year-old boy killed a fellow pupil and wounded three others in a stabbing attack at a high school in the western French city of Nantes on Thursday before he was overpowered by teachers, police said.
“The EU will stand with Moldova in every step of the way until the very membership,” - stated Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission at her joint press-conference with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
In a significant development for Afghanistan-Russia relations, Zamir Kabulov, Special Envoy of the Russian President, held high-level talks with Taliban officials in Kabul, signaling a further warming of ties between the two nations.
Russia and Türkiye will hold consultations on the Middle East, including Syria and Palestine, on 25th April in Istanbul, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source speaking to TASS.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is nearing a defence deal with the EU to reset post-Brexit ties, even as his government courts a U.S. trade deal. Talks will culminate at a May summit, aiming to boost cooperation in defence, energy, and youth mobility.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
A 15-year-old boy killed a fellow pupil and wounded three others in a stabbing attack at a high school in the western French city of Nantes on Thursday before he was overpowered by teachers, police said.
“The EU will stand with Moldova in every step of the way until the very membership,” - stated Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission at her joint press-conference with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is nearing a defence deal with the EU to reset post-Brexit ties, even as his government courts a U.S. trade deal. Talks will culminate at a May summit, aiming to boost cooperation in defence, energy, and youth mobility.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly rejected claims that the Trump administration is considering lifting sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
UEFA has opened a new office in Istanbul to support the organization of major tournaments, including the 2026 Europa League final, 2027 Conference League final, and EURO 2032. President Ceferin praised Türkiye’s hosting record and ongoing collaboration.
A 15-year-old boy killed a fellow pupil and wounded three others in a stabbing attack at a high school in the western French city of Nantes on Thursday before he was overpowered by teachers, police said.
“The EU will stand with Moldova in every step of the way until the very membership,” - stated Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission at her joint press-conference with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
In a significant development for Afghanistan-Russia relations, Zamir Kabulov, Special Envoy of the Russian President, held high-level talks with Taliban officials in Kabul, signaling a further warming of ties between the two nations.
Russia and Türkiye will hold consultations on the Middle East, including Syria and Palestine, on 25th April in Istanbul, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source speaking to TASS.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is nearing a defence deal with the EU to reset post-Brexit ties, even as his government courts a U.S. trade deal. Talks will culminate at a May summit, aiming to boost cooperation in defence, energy, and youth mobility.
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