Audiencia Nacional, Spain's top criminal court, has shelved an investigation into the alleged hacking of ministers' phones with Pegasus spyware after Israel refused any cooperation concerning the case.

Audiencia Nacional, Spain's top criminal court, has shelved an investigation into the alleged hacking of ministers' phones with Pegasus spyware after Israel refused any cooperation concerning the case. Judge José Luis Calama said the court had decided to provisionally close the case “due to the complete lack of legal cooperation from Israel, which has not responded to the rogatory commission...and has prevented the investigation from going ahead”. In June 2022, Calama sent a formal request to the Israeli government asking for information about the software made by the Israeli firm NSO Group. He also called the company's chief executive officer to testify as a witness in the case. However, after the Israeli government did not answer the request for assistance, sent four times, the court stated "it probably never would". “All that remains is a possible diplomatic channel capable of promoting compliance with the obligations derived from international treaties,” it said. It was in May last year that an investigation into the matter was started after the Spanish government informed that the spyware was used to target top politicians of the country. WATCH | Explainer: What is Pegasus spyware? How does it hack into your phone to spy on you? × Who did the spyware target? According to Citizen Lab, a Canadian cybersecurity watchdog, the phones of more than 60 people linked to the Catalan separatist movement had been tapped using Pegasus spyware after a failed independence bid in 2017. Similarly, the phones of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, defence minister Margarita Robles, and agriculture minister Luis Planas were targeted. Authorities informed that Sánchez's phone was bugged on five occasions between October 2020 and December 2021. Despite thorough investigation, it could not be determined who was behind the attacks. The Pegasus controversy Nearly two years ago, Forbidden Stories along with Amnesty International and a consortium of journalists from 17 news outlets across the world first exposed Pegasus and its use by various governments across the globe. Pegasus infiltrated phones to vacuum up personal and location data and surreptitiously control the smartphone’s microphones and cameras. Read more: Pegasus snooping: US blacklists spyware maker NSO Group for maliciously targetting journalists The company is also being sued by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for allegedly targeting some 1,400 users of its encrypted messaging service WhatsApp with its spyware. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Spain shelves Pegasus spyware investigation which targeted PM Sanchez among others. Know why

A fishing vessel carrying approximately 200 migrants from Senegal, which had been missing for almost two weeks now, is not yet found and the initial belief by the rescue service that the lost boat has been located turned out to be incorrect, reported Reuters. This comes after a reconnaissance plane deployed during the search efforts identified a boat located 71 miles (114 km) south of Gran Canaria. It lead the rescue service to believe it could be the missing vessel. However, reports stated that it appears to be a separate one.&nbsp;

After further investigation, the rescue team discovered 86 individuals on board. The officials said that they need to make additional inquiry to determine the origin of the newly-found boat.

The boat is currently being towed towards Gran Canaria, the report said.&nbsp;

<h2>Missing fishing vessel&nbsp;</h2>

According to Migrant Aid Group Walking Borders, the fishing vessel carrying around 200 people, along with two other boats, one transporting approximately 65 individuals and the other with an estimated 50 to 60 individuals, had been missing for roughly two weeks since their departure from Senegal in an attempt to reach Spain.

The families of the estimated 300 migrants on these three boats have not received any recent updates regarding their location.

<h2>What did the Spanish officials say?</h2>

The Spanish officials earlier said that they have found what might be a fishing vessel from Senegal with about 200 migrants on board which was reported to be missing nearly two weeks earlier. The Salvamento Maritimo, earlier on Monday, said that they were looking for a boat “that left Senegal with around 200 people on board”.&nbsp;

“The plane has found a boat and it is possibly the one we were looking for because from the air, it could have around 200 people on board,” a spokeswoman for the Spanish coastguard told AFP.

Meanwhile, the official also told Reuters that&nbsp;it was “possible” that it was the missing vessel. She added that a rescue ship is on the way and it would take about two-and-a-half hours to reach the location.

This comes after the Spanish officials had said that there was one official alert in place for the boat with 200 passengers while its plane was also lookout for any other vessels in distress.&nbsp;

“With the plane, we have been searching a very wide area south of Gran Canaria and Tenerife but we haven’t found it,” the Spanish coastguard spokeswoman had told AFP, earlier.&nbsp;Three boats carrying hundreds of African migrants have been reported to be missing&nbsp;in the waters off the Canary Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.&nbsp;

According to the humanitarian organisation Walking Borders, the fishing boat embarked from Kafountine, a coastal town in southern Senegal, which is approximately 1,700 kilometres (1,057 miles) away from Tenerife.

<img alt="Google Map " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9aae6673-0ae5-4969-a5fe-2225c5bfcf4a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2811%29_10.png" />

Approximate location from where the migrant boat reportedly went missing | Map not to scale | Google Maps

<h2>Canary Islands missing boats: Who all are missing?</h2>

Spain's Efe news agency reported&nbsp;that the group has mentioned the presence of numerous children on board the biggest of three boats. In total,&nbsp;the said boat is reported to have been boarded by nearly 200 individuals from Kafountine with the intention of reaching the Canary Islands.

The two other similar boats, each carrying dozens of individuals, were said to be&nbsp;missing.

Efe was informed by Spain's maritime rescue service that an aircraft has joined the search efforts.&nbsp;Details related to the other two boats are limited.

Helena Maleno from Walking Borders, quoted by Reuters news agency, stated that one of the boats has around 65 people on board, while the other is carrying up to 60 individuals. This brings the total number of missing people across the three boats to more than 300.

<h2>Boat tragedies near Spain</h2>

The latest case of boats going missing in the Atlantic comes after one of the most tragic migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, where an overcrowded trawler sank off the coast of Greece.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/titanic-sub-and-greek-migrant-ship-an-orwellian-reminder-that-some-deaths-are-more-equal-than-others-608439">Titanic sub and Greek migrant ship: An Orwellian reminder that some deaths are more equal than others</a>

At least 78 casualties have been confirmed, but the UN has reported that up to 500 individuals are still unaccounted for.

The route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is considered one of the most perilous for migrants due to the powerful Atlantic currents and the use of rudimentary dugout fishing boats that are vulnerable to capsizing.

Also watch |&nbsp;Greece boat tragedy: WION speaks to families of Pakistani victims caught in shipwreck

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According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in 2022, a minimum of 559 people lost their lives at sea while attempting to reach the Spanish islands. The death toll for 2021 reached 1,126.

The IOM cited Spain's Interior Ministry, stating that irregular arrivals in the Canary Islands totalled 15,682 individuals in 2022, representing a 30 per cent decrease compared to 2021.

"Despite the year-to-year decrease, the number of people undertaking this perilous route since 2020 remains high compared to previous years," the IOM said.

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A fishing vessel carrying approximately 200 migrants from Senegal, which had been missing for almost two weeks now, is not yet found and the initial belief by the rescue service that the lost boat has been located turned out to be incorrect, reported Reuters.

A fishing vessel carrying approximately 200 migrants from Senegal, which had been missing for almost two weeks now, is not yet found and the initial belief by the rescue service that the lost boat has been located turned out to be incorrect, reported Reuters. This comes after a reconnaissance plane deployed during the search efforts identified a boat located 71 miles (114 km) south of Gran Canaria. It lead the rescue service to believe it could be the missing vessel. However, reports stated that it appears to be a separate one. After further investigation, the rescue team discovered 86 individuals on board. The officials said that they need to make additional inquiry to determine the origin of the newly-found boat. The boat is currently being towed towards Gran Canaria, the report said. Missing fishing vessel According to Migrant Aid Group Walking Borders, the fishing vessel carrying around 200 people, along with two other boats, one transporting approximately 65 individuals and the other with an estimated 50 to 60 individuals, had been missing for roughly two weeks since their departure from Senegal in an attempt to reach Spain. The families of the estimated 300 migrants on these three boats have not received any recent updates regarding their location. What did the Spanish officials say? The Spanish officials earlier said that they have found what might be a fishing vessel from Senegal with about 200 migrants on board which was reported to be missing nearly two weeks earlier. The Salvamento Maritimo, earlier on Monday, said that they were looking for a boat “that left Senegal with around 200 people on board”. “The plane has found a boat and it is possibly the one we were looking for because from the air, it could have around 200 people on board,” a spokeswoman for the Spanish coastguard told AFP. Meanwhile, the official also told Reuters that it was “possible” that it was the missing vessel. She added that a rescue ship is on the way and it would take about two-and-a-half hours to reach the location. This comes after the Spanish officials had said that there was one official alert in place for the boat with 200 passengers while its plane was also lookout for any other vessels in distress. “With the plane, we have been searching a very wide area south of Gran Canaria and Tenerife but we haven’t found it,” the Spanish coastguard spokeswoman had told AFP, earlier. Three boats carrying hundreds of African migrants have been reported to be missing in the waters off the Canary Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. According to the humanitarian organisation Walking Borders, the fishing boat embarked from Kafountine, a coastal town in southern Senegal, which is approximately 1,700 kilometres (1,057 miles) away from Tenerife. Approximate location from where the migrant boat reportedly went missing | Map not to scale | Google Maps Canary Islands missing boats: Who all are missing? Spain's Efe news agency reported that the group has mentioned the presence of numerous children on board the biggest of three boats. In total, the said boat is reported to have been boarded by nearly 200 individuals from Kafountine with the intention of reaching the Canary Islands. The two other similar boats, each carrying dozens of individuals, were said to be missing. Efe was informed by Spain's maritime rescue service that an aircraft has joined the search efforts. Details related to the other two boats are limited. Helena Maleno from Walking Borders, quoted by Reuters news agency, stated that one of the boats has around 65 people on board, while the other is carrying up to 60 individuals. This brings the total number of missing people across the three boats to more than 300. Boat tragedies near Spain The latest case of boats going missing in the Atlantic comes after one of the most tragic migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, where an overcrowded trawler sank off the coast of Greece. Also read | Titanic sub and Greek migrant ship: An Orwellian reminder that some deaths are more equal than others At least 78 casualties have been confirmed, but the UN has reported that up to 500 individuals are still unaccounted for. The route from West Africa to the Canary Islands is considered one of the most perilous for migrants due to the powerful Atlantic currents and the use of rudimentary dugout fishing boats that are vulnerable to capsizing. Also watch | Greece boat tragedy: WION speaks to families of Pakistani victims caught in shipwreck × According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in 2022, a minimum of 559 people lost their lives at sea while attempting to reach the Spanish islands. The death toll for 2021 reached 1,126. The IOM cited Spain's Interior Ministry, stating that irregular arrivals in the Canary Islands totalled 15,682 individuals in 2022, representing a 30 per cent decrease compared to 2021. "Despite the year-to-year decrease, the number of people undertaking this perilous route since 2020 remains high compared to previous years," the IOM said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Search continues for missing fishing vessel carrying 200 migrants, suspected boat turns out to be different

As gun violence across the globe is on the rise, countries take different actions to match the fight against firearms. In a five-year collaborative operation by the UK's National Crime Agency and Spain's Guardia civil, more than 700 Firearms have been seized in the United Kingdom across the country.

UK's National Crime Agency and Spain's Guardia Civil come together, seize more than 700 firearms

A 5,000-year-old skeleton, which was discovered in a tomb near Seville, Spain, in 2008, along with an ivory comb, a crystal dagger, a flint dagger inlaid with amber, an ostrich eggshell and an elephant’s tusk and believed to be that of man, has now turned out to be a revered woman of her times. 
 
On the basis of the analysis of the pelvis bone, initially, a specialist identified the skeleton as a “probable young male” who died between the age of 17 and 25. The remains, which were dubbed the “Ivory Man”, started being researched by a team of European archaeologists, who called it a “spectacular” find.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-understood-ancient-shrimp-like-creature-as-predator-says-new-research-613102">Scientists understood ancient shrimp like creature as 'predator', says new research</a>

Almost a decade later, a new molecular method was used by researchers in 2021 to confirm the gender of the skeleton as part of a broader study on its discovery. However, the results left them in shock as the “Ivory Man” turned out to be a woman. 
 
“This came as a surprise. So, this actually forced us to rethink everything about this site,” stated study author Leonardo García Sanjuan, a professor of prehistory at the University of Seville. 
 
The researchers discovered more about the woman and the society she lived in. “In the past, it was not uncommon for an archaeologist to find (remains) and say, ‘OK, this individual has a sword and a shield. Therefore, he’s a man.’ Of course, deeply mistaken, because it assumes that in the past gender roles were the way we conceive them today,” said García Sanjuan. 
 
“This technique, we think, is going to open up an entirely new era in the analysis of the social organisation of prehistoric societies,” she added.

<h2>New method to find the gender of skeletons</h2>

The latest method to determine the gender of old bones, which was first used in 2017, involves analysing tooth enamel, which contains a particular type of protein with a sex-specific peptide called amelogenin, which can be identified in a lab. 
 
Speaking about the latest method, Bioarchaeologist Rebecca Gowland, a professor at the University of Durham said, “It’s being used more and more now. It’s exploding a little bit, which is exciting. We are testing the limits… and seeing how far back in time we can go.”

WATCH |&nbsp;Aliens: Are we looking in the wrong place?

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She further added that the method can be used on both childhood and adult teeth and is particularly useful for the latter. “That’s because it’s impossible to tell the sex of children’s skeletons until they go through puberty,” she said.

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A 5,000-year-old skeleton, which was discovered in a tomb near Seville, Spain, in 2008, along with an ivory comb, a crystal dagger, a flint dagger inlaid with amber, an ostrich eggshell and an elephant’s tusk and believed to be that of man, has now turned out to be a revered woman of her times.

A 5,000-year-old skeleton, which was discovered in a tomb near Seville, Spain, in 2008, along with an ivory comb, a crystal dagger, a flint dagger inlaid with amber, an ostrich eggshell and an elephant’s tusk and believed to be that of man, has now turned out to be a revered woman of her times. On the basis of the analysis of the pelvis bone, initially, a specialist identified the skeleton as a “probable young male” who died between the age of 17 and 25. The remains, which were dubbed the “Ivory Man”, started being researched by a team of European archaeologists, who called it a “spectacular” find. ALSO READ | Scientists understood ancient shrimp like creature as 'predator', says new research Almost a decade later, a new molecular method was used by researchers in 2021 to confirm the gender of the skeleton as part of a broader study on its discovery. However, the results left them in shock as the “Ivory Man” turned out to be a woman. “This came as a surprise. So, this actually forced us to rethink everything about this site,” stated study author Leonardo García Sanjuan, a professor of prehistory at the University of Seville. The researchers discovered more about the woman and the society she lived in. “In the past, it was not uncommon for an archaeologist to find (remains) and say, ‘OK, this individual has a sword and a shield. Therefore, he’s a man.’ Of course, deeply mistaken, because it assumes that in the past gender roles were the way we conceive them today,” said García Sanjuan. “This technique, we think, is going to open up an entirely new era in the analysis of the social organisation of prehistoric societies,” she added. New method to find the gender of skeletons The latest method to determine the gender of old bones, which was first used in 2017, involves analysing tooth enamel, which contains a particular type of protein with a sex-specific peptide called amelogenin, which can be identified in a lab. Speaking about the latest method, Bioarchaeologist Rebecca Gowland, a professor at the University of Durham said, “It’s being used more and more now. It’s exploding a little bit, which is exciting. We are testing the limits… and seeing how far back in time we can go.” WATCH | Aliens: Are we looking in the wrong place? She further added that the method can be used on both childhood and adult teeth and is particularly useful for the latter. “That’s because it’s impossible to tell the sex of children’s skeletons until they go through puberty,” she said. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

5,000-year-old skeleton is of 'Ivory Lady' & not 'Ivory Man', Spanish scientists find

Since the United States&nbsp;announced that it would send the controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine for the first time amid Kyiv’s counteroffensive, it has drawn opposition and criticism from its allies in Europe, the United Nations, and international organisations. Meanwhile, Kyiv, on Saturday (July 8), welcoming Washington’s decision said that cluster bombs would be used for retaking Ukrainian territory and vowed not to use them in Moscow.&nbsp;

<h2>About cluster munition</h2>

Cluster munitions have been widely denounced for killing and maiming civilians as they typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets which had targets indiscriminately over a wide area, threatening civilians. Additionally, some of the small bomblets do not explode when deployed and can pose a danger for years after a conflict ends.

<h2>How different countries reacted to US’ decision</h2>

The announcement of sending Ukraine cluster munitions&nbsp;as&nbsp;part of an $800 million security package, was made on Friday and announced by US President Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan. “We recognise that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance,” said the White House official.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-are-cluster-bombs-which-us-is-set-to-provide-to-ukraine-why-it-is-facing-opposition-613067">Explained | What are cluster bombs which US is set to provide to Ukraine? Why is it facing opposition?</a>

He added, “This is why we’ve deferred the decision for as long as we could.” Subsequently, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-defends-decision-to-provide-cluster-bombs-to-ukraine-says-they-are-running-out-of-ammunition-613291">Biden</a> also defended his decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine, calling it a “very difficult” one.

Germany

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the country, as a part of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/germany-opposes-sending-cluster-munitions-to-ukraine-foreign-minister-613349">opposes</a> Washington’s decision.&nbsp;

Baerbock told reporters, “I have followed the media reports. For us, as a state party, the Oslo agreement applies."&nbsp;She made the statement in reference&nbsp;to the CCM, which was opened for signature in the Norwegian capital in 2008.&nbsp;

The CCM bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions. The US, along with countries like China and Russia, is not a part of the treaty which bans the bombs in more than 100 countries.&nbsp;

United Kingdom

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on Saturday, also announced Britain’s opposition to sending cluster munitions to Ukraine in line with the CCM, while reiterating support for Kyiv. “We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion,” said the British PM.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-cluster-munitions-to-targeting-schools-researchers-accuse-russia-of-war-crimes-in-ukraine-458172">From cluster munitions to targeting schools: Researchers accuse Russia of war crimes in Ukraine</a>

Spain

Similarly, the Spanish defence minister, Margarita Robles, on Saturday also said that cluster bombs should not be sent to help Ukraine. Spain is also a signatory of CCM, in line with which, it has also banned cluster munitions. She went on to reiterate Spain’s support for Ukraine.&nbsp;

“Spain, based on the firm commitment it has with Ukraine, also has a firm commitment that certain weapons and bombs cannot be delivered under any circumstances,” said Robles. She added, “No to cluster bombs and yes to the legitimate defence of Ukraine, which we understand should not be carried out with cluster bombs.”&nbsp;

Canada

Canada also expressed its opposition to Washington’s decision and reiterated its commitment to the Oslo agreement. “We do not support the use of cluster munitions and are committed to putting an end to the effects cluster munitions have on civilians – particularly children,” said the Canadian government.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cluster-munitions-would-be-useful-for-ukraine-pentagon-612628">Cluster munitions would be useful for Ukraine: Pentagon</a>

It added, “Canada is fully compliant with the Convention and we take seriously our obligation under the Convention to encourage its universal adoption.”&nbsp;

<h2>United Nations</h2>

The spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the UN chief also opposed the move and that he “does not want there to be continued use of cluster munitions on the battlefield.”

<h2>Rights groups, organisations fume&nbsp;</h2>

In a series of statements, several international human rights organisations have criticised Washington’s decision and raised alarm about how it would affect civilians’ lives.&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch said that “transferring these weapons would inevitably cause long-term suffering for civilians and undermine the international opprobrium of their use.”&nbsp;

Similarly, Amnesty International said that the Biden administration should understand that “any decision enabling the broader use of cluster bombs in this war will likely lead to one predictable outcome: the further death of civilians.” It added, “Their (cluster munitions) transfer and use by any country under any circumstances is incompatible with international law.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-provide-ukraine-with-cluster-munitions-confirms-white-house-613271">US to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, confirms White House</a> 
 
“This is a death sentence to civilians over the long term. There are people who have not yet been born who will fall victim (to cluster bombs),” said Baptiste Chapuis of Handicap International, as quoted by AFP.&nbsp; 
 
Vice-chair of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munition Coalition Governance Board, Paul Hannon said, “The Biden administration’s decision to transfer cluster munitions will contribute to the terrible casualties being suffered by Ukrainian civilians both immediately and for years to come.” 
 
He added,&nbsp;“Russia and Ukraine’s use of cluster munitions is adding to Ukraine’s already massive contamination from explosive remnants and landmines.”&nbsp;

Director of the US-based Arms Control Association, Daryl Kimball, said that Washington’s decision would be “escalatory, counterproductive, and only further increase the dangers to civilians caught in combat zones”.&nbsp;He added, “Cluster munitions will not differentiate a Ukrainian soldier from a Russian one.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-mulls-giving-ukraine-lethal-weapons-that-white-house-once-described-as-aiding-war-crimes-612905">White House to give lethal weapons to Ukraine that it once flagged for ‘war crimes’</a>

Kimball also spoke about how the effectiveness of cluster bombs is “significantly oversold” and while its impact on civilians is “widely acknowledged,” it is “too often overlooked”.

<h2>Ukraine responds to criticism&nbsp;</h2>

Amid criticism, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov took to Twitter and welcomed US’ decision and said it would help in the “de-occupation of our internationally recognised territories” and vowed that the munitions would not be used in “officially recognised territory of Russia.”

“Our position is simple - we need to liberate our temporarily occupied territories and save the lives of our people,” said Reznikov. He also spoke about how the munitions would help save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and that Kyiv will keep a strict record of their use and exchange information with its partners.

<h2>US decision on cluster bombs for Ukraine shows ‘weakness’: Russia</h2>

Russian Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in a statement, said that the US decision to send cluster munitions is an “act of desperation and shows weakness against the backdrop of the failure of the much-touted Ukrainian counteroffensive.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-adds-russia-to-its-list-of-shame-over-ukraine-war-heres-why-607614">UN adds Russia to its ‘list of shame’ over Ukraine war: Here’s why</a>

She added, “The latest ‘miracle weapon’ which Washington and Kyiv are betting on, without thinking about the grave consequences, will have no effect on the special military operation,” referring to what Moscow officially calls its campaign in Ukraine. 
 
The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman also went on to warn that the decision by Washington showed&nbsp;an “aggressive anti-Russian course…aimed at prolonging the conflict in Ukraine as much as possible”.

Zakharova also went on to call Kyiv’s promises to use the controversial munitions responsibly “not worth anything”.&nbsp;Notably, Russia&nbsp;has also been accused of using&nbsp;cluster munitions in Ukraine.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Cluster Munition Monitor&nbsp;reported that the cluster munitions were&nbsp;actively being used&nbsp;by Russia in August last year.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Since the United States announced that it would send the controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine for the first time amid Kyiv’s counteroffensive, it has drawn opposition and criticism from its allies in Europe, the United Nations, and international organisations.

Since the United States announced that it would send the controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine for the first time amid Kyiv’s counteroffensive, it has drawn opposition and criticism from its allies in Europe, the United Nations, and international organisations. Meanwhile, Kyiv, on Saturday (July 8), welcoming Washington’s decision said that cluster bombs would be used for retaking Ukrainian territory and vowed not to use them in Moscow. About cluster munition Cluster munitions have been widely denounced for killing and maiming civilians as they typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets which had targets indiscriminately over a wide area, threatening civilians. Additionally, some of the small bomblets do not explode when deployed and can pose a danger for years after a conflict ends. How different countries reacted to US’ decision The announcement of sending Ukraine cluster munitions as part of an $800 million security package, was made on Friday and announced by US President Joe Biden’s National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan. “We recognise that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance,” said the White House official. ALSO READ | Explained | What are cluster bombs which US is set to provide to Ukraine? Why is it facing opposition? He added, “This is why we’ve deferred the decision for as long as we could.” Subsequently, Biden also defended his decision to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine, calling it a “very difficult” one. Germany German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that the country, as a part of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), opposes Washington’s decision. Baerbock told reporters, “I have followed the media reports. For us, as a state party, the Oslo agreement applies." She made the statement in reference to the CCM, which was opened for signature in the Norwegian capital in 2008. The CCM bans the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions. The US, along with countries like China and Russia, is not a part of the treaty which bans the bombs in more than 100 countries. United Kingdom United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on Saturday, also announced Britain’s opposition to sending cluster munitions to Ukraine in line with the CCM, while reiterating support for Kyiv. “We will continue to do our part to support Ukraine against Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion,” said the British PM. ALSO READ | From cluster munitions to targeting schools: Researchers accuse Russia of war crimes in Ukraine Spain Similarly, the Spanish defence minister, Margarita Robles, on Saturday also said that cluster bombs should not be sent to help Ukraine. Spain is also a signatory of CCM, in line with which, it has also banned cluster munitions. She went on to reiterate Spain’s support for Ukraine. “Spain, based on the firm commitment it has with Ukraine, also has a firm commitment that certain weapons and bombs cannot be delivered under any circumstances,” said Robles. She added, “No to cluster bombs and yes to the legitimate defence of Ukraine, which we understand should not be carried out with cluster bombs.” Canada Canada also expressed its opposition to Washington’s decision and reiterated its commitment to the Oslo agreement. “We do not support the use of cluster munitions and are committed to putting an end to the effects cluster munitions have on civilians – particularly children,” said the Canadian government. ALSO WATCH | Cluster munitions would be useful for Ukraine: Pentagon It added, “Canada is fully compliant with the Convention and we take seriously our obligation under the Convention to encourage its universal adoption.” United Nations The spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the UN chief also opposed the move and that he “does not want there to be continued use of cluster munitions on the battlefield.” Rights groups, organisations fume In a series of statements, several international human rights organisations have criticised Washington’s decision and raised alarm about how it would affect civilians’ lives. Human Rights Watch said that “transferring these weapons would inevitably cause long-term suffering for civilians and undermine the international opprobrium of their use.” Similarly, Amnesty International said that the Biden administration should understand that “any decision enabling the broader use of cluster bombs in this war will likely lead to one predictable outcome: the further death of civilians.” It added, “Their (cluster munitions) transfer and use by any country under any circumstances is incompatible with international law.” ALSO READ | US to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, confirms White House “This is a death sentence to civilians over the long term. There are people who have not yet been born who will fall victim (to cluster bombs),” said Baptiste Chapuis of Handicap International, as quoted by AFP. Vice-chair of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munition Coalition Governance Board, Paul Hannon said, “The Biden administration’s decision to transfer cluster munitions will contribute to the terrible casualties being suffered by Ukrainian civilians both immediately and for years to come.” He added, “Russia and Ukraine’s use of cluster munitions is adding to Ukraine’s already massive contamination from explosive remnants and landmines.” Director of the US-based Arms Control Association, Daryl Kimball, said that Washington’s decision would be “escalatory, counterproductive, and only further increase the dangers to civilians caught in combat zones”. He added, “Cluster munitions will not differentiate a Ukrainian soldier from a Russian one.” ALSO READ | White House to give lethal weapons to Ukraine that it once flagged for ‘war crimes’ Kimball also spoke about how the effectiveness of cluster bombs is “significantly oversold” and while its impact on civilians is “widely acknowledged,” it is “too often overlooked”. Ukraine responds to criticism Amid criticism, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov took to Twitter and welcomed US’ decision and said it would help in the “de-occupation of our internationally recognised territories” and vowed that the munitions would not be used in “officially recognised territory of Russia.” “Our position is simple - we need to liberate our temporarily occupied territories and save the lives of our people,” said Reznikov. He also spoke about how the munitions would help save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and that Kyiv will keep a strict record of their use and exchange information with its partners. US decision on cluster bombs for Ukraine shows ‘weakness’: Russia Russian Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in a statement, said that the US decision to send cluster munitions is an “act of desperation and shows weakness against the backdrop of the failure of the much-touted Ukrainian counteroffensive.” ALSO READ | UN adds Russia to its ‘list of shame’ over Ukraine war: Here’s why She added, “The latest ‘miracle weapon’ which Washington and Kyiv are betting on, without thinking about the grave consequences, will have no effect on the special military operation,” referring to what Moscow officially calls its campaign in Ukraine. The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman also went on to warn that the decision by Washington showed an “aggressive anti-Russian course…aimed at prolonging the conflict in Ukraine as much as possible”. Zakharova also went on to call Kyiv’s promises to use the controversial munitions responsibly “not worth anything”. Notably, Russia has also been accused of using cluster munitions in Ukraine. The Cluster Munition Monitor reported that the cluster munitions were actively being used by Russia in August last year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Several nations, rights groups and UN oppose US move to send cluster bombs to Ukraine

As gun violence across the globe is on the rise, countries take different actions to match the fight against firearms. In a five-year collaborative operation by the UK's National Crime agency and Spain's Guardia civil, more than 700 Firearms have been seized in the United Kingdom across the country.

Heavy rainfall battered the Spanish city of Zaragoza on Thursday, leaving multiple arterial streets flooded and vehicles submerged in water. An orange rain alert was also issued for the city. Emergency service personnel, who responded to the floods, did not report any injuries.

Spanish city of Zaragoza submerged by heavy rainfall & flash floods

Spain holds El Chupinazo to mark the opening of San Fermin festival

Spanish farmers revving for change have taken to the streets on tractors in Madrid to protest against the lack of government funding to battle the effects of prolonged drought in the country according to the country's environment ministry this year's spring was the hottest and second driest Spain has seen since records began in 1961.nasa scientists have predicted that droughts and floods will become more frequent and severe as the planet warms and climate changes.

Spanish farmers drive tractors into Madrid to protest against lack of funding to fight droughts

Pro-animal rights activists protest against bullfighting in Spain

The European Union's General Court on Wednesday (July 5) stripped the leader of Catalonia's failed bid for independence from the legal immunity he had as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) as he faces legal procedures in Spain.

The decision is a blow for Carles Puigdemont, who lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium, because it could pave the way for him to eventually be extradited to Spain, as Spanish authorities have requested for the past six years.

He fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution following a short-lived declaration of independence that prompted Madrid to take direct control of the wealthy region.

In its ruling, the Luxembourg-based court rejected the appeal filed by Puigdemont and backed the European Parliament's decision to waive his immunity and that of two other self-exiled Catalan separatist MEPs, Toni Comin and Clara Ponsati.

"The Parliament cannot adopt decisions to defend immunity which produce binding legal effects with regard to the Spanish judicial authorities," the court said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-claims-ukraine-attacked-moscow-with-at-least-five-drones-611688">Russia claims Ukraine attacked Moscow with at least five drones</a>

Puigdemont said on Twitter the three MEPs would appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

"We will defend our fundamental rights until the end," he tweeted.

In January, Spain's Supreme Court dropped sedition charges against Puigdemont after a reform of the country's penal code abolished the crime.

However, he still faces charges of disobedience and embezzlement, which carry jail terms of up to eight years. Sedition carried a maximum jail term of 15 years.

Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena said he would submit a new extradition request to Belgian authorities for Puigdemont to face trial on the lesser charges, depending on the EU courts' rulings.

Spain's previous attempts to have Puigdemont extradited during his stays in Germany, Belgium and Italy have failed.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-social-media-responsible-for-fueling-the-riots-in-france-611206">&nbsp;Is social media responsible for fueling the riots in France?</a>

Spain amended its penal code last year to remove the old sedition law under which some separatist politicians were sentenced to up to 13 years in prison after Catalonia's failed 2017 bid for independence. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez later pardoned those convicted over the events.

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The European Union's General Court on Wednesday (July 5) stripped the leader of Catalonia's failed bid for independence from the legal immunity he had as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) as he faces legal procedures in Spain.

The European Union's General Court on Wednesday (July 5) stripped the leader of Catalonia's failed bid for independence from the legal immunity he had as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) as he faces legal procedures in Spain. The decision is a blow for Carles Puigdemont, who lives in self-imposed exile in Belgium, because it could pave the way for him to eventually be extradited to Spain, as Spanish authorities have requested for the past six years. He fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution following a short-lived declaration of independence that prompted Madrid to take direct control of the wealthy region. In its ruling, the Luxembourg-based court rejected the appeal filed by Puigdemont and backed the European Parliament's decision to waive his immunity and that of two other self-exiled Catalan separatist MEPs, Toni Comin and Clara Ponsati. "The Parliament cannot adopt decisions to defend immunity which produce binding legal effects with regard to the Spanish judicial authorities," the court said. Also read | Russia claims Ukraine attacked Moscow with at least five drones Puigdemont said on Twitter the three MEPs would appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union. "We will defend our fundamental rights until the end," he tweeted. In January, Spain's Supreme Court dropped sedition charges against Puigdemont after a reform of the country's penal code abolished the crime. However, he still faces charges of disobedience and embezzlement, which carry jail terms of up to eight years. Sedition carried a maximum jail term of 15 years. Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena said he would submit a new extradition request to Belgian authorities for Puigdemont to face trial on the lesser charges, depending on the EU courts' rulings. Spain's previous attempts to have Puigdemont extradited during his stays in Germany, Belgium and Italy have failed. Also read | Is social media responsible for fueling the riots in France? Spain amended its penal code last year to remove the old sedition law under which some separatist politicians were sentenced to up to 13 years in prison after Catalonia's failed 2017 bid for independence. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez later pardoned those convicted over the events. WATCH WION LIVE HERE :

EU court strips Catalan separatist leader's immunity as MEP

A sperm whale found dead on Nogales Beach in La Palma, Canary Islands, last month may have been worth&nbsp;$500,000 after scientists found a valuable treasure hidden in its entrails.&nbsp;

Antonio Fernández Rodríguez, head of the institute of animal health and food security at the University of Las Palmas, while conducting the autopsy of the whale found that the large mammal had died due to a suspected digestive problem.&nbsp;Rodríguez found something hard stuck inside the animal's colon, which ultimately proved to be the cause of its death.&nbsp;

“What I took out was a stone about 50-60cm in diameter weighing 9.5kg.&nbsp;The waves were washing over the whale. Everyone was watching when I returned to the beach but they didn’t know that what I had in my hands was ambergris," said&nbsp;Rodríguez.&nbsp;

It is estimated that less than one per cent of sperm whales are capable of secreting ambergris. The lump&nbsp;Rodríguez held in his hand was worth over $500,000. While mostly excreted, sometimes, as in the case of the whale in La Palma,&nbsp;ambergris grows too big, rupturing the intestine and killing the whale.&nbsp;

After the autopsy,&nbsp;Rodríguez confirmed that&nbsp;sepsis caused by the ambergris killed the whale. The institute is now looking for a buyer who can purchase the&nbsp;ambergris, the funds for which would go towards helping victims of the volcano that erupted on La Palma in 2021.

“The law is different in every country,” Fernández said. “In our case, I hope the money will go to the island of La Palma, where the whale ran aground and died.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-whales-help-store-planet-heating-carbon-emissions-544848">WATCH |&nbsp;WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions</a>

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<h2>What is&nbsp;ambergris?</h2>

Generally called whale vomit,&nbsp;ambergris is derived from&nbsp;old French words&nbsp;'amber' and 'gris', roughly translating to grey amber.&nbsp;

A whale produces this solid waxy substance as a form of vomit which fishermen often find floating in the sea. Whales usually survive on eating large quantities of squid and cuttlefish. However, most of it cannot be digested and is vomited out. Some of it remains in the digestive tract and over the years, and binds together to form&nbsp;ambergris.&nbsp;

It is called Treasure of the Sea or Floating Gold as perfume companies use the&nbsp;ambrein alcohol extracted from ambergris to sustain scent.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/whales-can-help-fight-the-climate-change-scientists-say-544934">Also read |&nbsp;Whales can help fight the climate change, scientists say</a>

The commodity's rarity is why it is banned in some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. In India, the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 prohibits the possession and sale of ambergris.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A sperm whale found dead on Nogales Beach in La Palma, Canary Islands, last month may have been worth $500,000 after scientists found a valuable treasure hidden in its entrails.

A sperm whale found dead on Nogales Beach in La Palma, Canary Islands, last month may have been worth $500,000 after scientists found a valuable treasure hidden in its entrails. Antonio Fernández Rodríguez, head of the institute of animal health and food security at the University of Las Palmas, while conducting the autopsy of the whale found that the large mammal had died due to a suspected digestive problem. Rodríguez found something hard stuck inside the animal's colon, which ultimately proved to be the cause of its death. “What I took out was a stone about 50-60cm in diameter weighing 9.5kg. The waves were washing over the whale. Everyone was watching when I returned to the beach but they didn’t know that what I had in my hands was ambergris," said Rodríguez. It is estimated that less than one per cent of sperm whales are capable of secreting ambergris. The lump Rodríguez held in his hand was worth over $500,000. While mostly excreted, sometimes, as in the case of the whale in La Palma, ambergris grows too big, rupturing the intestine and killing the whale. After the autopsy, Rodríguez confirmed that sepsis caused by the ambergris killed the whale. The institute is now looking for a buyer who can purchase the ambergris, the funds for which would go towards helping victims of the volcano that erupted on La Palma in 2021. “The law is different in every country,” Fernández said. “In our case, I hope the money will go to the island of La Palma, where the whale ran aground and died.” WATCH | WION Climate Tracker: Whales help store planet-heating carbon emissions × What is ambergris? Generally called whale vomit, ambergris is derived from old French words 'amber' and 'gris', roughly translating to grey amber. A whale produces this solid waxy substance as a form of vomit which fishermen often find floating in the sea. Whales usually survive on eating large quantities of squid and cuttlefish. However, most of it cannot be digested and is vomited out. Some of it remains in the digestive tract and over the years, and binds together to form ambergris. It is called Treasure of the Sea or Floating Gold as perfume companies use the ambrein alcohol extracted from ambergris to sustain scent. Also read | Whales can help fight the climate change, scientists say The commodity's rarity is why it is banned in some countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. In India, the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 prohibits the possession and sale of ambergris. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Floating gold' worth $500k found in dead whale in Canary Islands

As Spain reels under a massive drought crisis, climate activists have targeted golf courses around the country to discourage the ‘waste’ of water that is used to maintain the field. CNN reported that activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) Spain, along with other climate groups, plugged up holes in at least 10 golf courses around the country, including those located in Madrid, Valencia, Ibiza and Navarra. Some of them filled the holes with cement while others planted seedlings.

Protesters were also carrying posters and placards with phrases such as: “Alert: Drought! Golf closed for climate justice” and “water is a common good.”

In a statement, the XR climate group said the motive of their campaign was “to denounce the waste of water in the context of one of the worst droughts that Europe has suffered.”

<h2>Why climate activists are targeting golf courses</h2>

According to climate activists, the water resources being used to maintain golf courses can be put to better use in a country where farmers are struggling due to the ongoing drought crisis. In a video message, Extinction Rebellion claimed “golf in Spain uses more water than the cities of Barcelona and Madrid combined”. The group also claimed that one hole of a golf course requires 100,000 litres of water every day to maintain the field around it.

XR further claims that only 0.6 per cent of the country’s population plays golf, which doesn’t justify the use of massive amounts of water for maintenance.

Watch:&nbsp;Explainer: Climate change and volcanic eruptions

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XR was quoted by CNN as saying that it wanted to point out the “cynicism of continuing to allow this type of elitist leisure while Spain dries up and the rural world suffers millions in losses due to the lack of water for their crops.”

<h2>‘Part of a larger fight against richest 1 per cent’</h2>

The activists have also pointed out that their anti-golf drive is a part of their larger fight against the richest 1 per cent of Spain. They also made it clear that they will also target the use of private jets and polluting cars by those elites.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-hits-record-land-sea-temperatures-as-climate-change-fuels-2023-extremes-611641">Also read:&nbsp;World hits record land, sea temperatures as climate change fuels 2023 extremes</a>

The statement by XR read, “The rich and their leisure activities that waste essential resources are a luxury that we cannot afford.”

<h2>Drought crisis in Spain</h2>

According to Ricardo Torrijo, a spokesperson for AEMET, the Spanish national weather service, Spain has been facing a prolonged drought since the end of 2022. The situation has worsened in recent months, with March experiencing only 36 per cent of the average monthly rainfall, marking it as the second driest March of the century.&nbsp;

The trend continued into April, which has the potential to become the driest month ever recorded in Spain.

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As Spain reels under a massive drought crisis, climate activists have targeted golf courses around the country to discourage the ‘waste’ of water that is used to maintain the field.

As Spain reels under a massive drought crisis, climate activists have targeted golf courses around the country to discourage the ‘waste’ of water that is used to maintain the field. CNN reported that activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) Spain, along with other climate groups, plugged up holes in at least 10 golf courses around the country, including those located in Madrid, Valencia, Ibiza and Navarra. Some of them filled the holes with cement while others planted seedlings. Protesters were also carrying posters and placards with phrases such as: “Alert: Drought! Golf closed for climate justice” and “water is a common good.” In a statement, the XR climate group said the motive of their campaign was “to denounce the waste of water in the context of one of the worst droughts that Europe has suffered.” Why climate activists are targeting golf courses According to climate activists, the water resources being used to maintain golf courses can be put to better use in a country where farmers are struggling due to the ongoing drought crisis. In a video message, Extinction Rebellion claimed “golf in Spain uses more water than the cities of Barcelona and Madrid combined”. The group also claimed that one hole of a golf course requires 100,000 litres of water every day to maintain the field around it. XR further claims that only 0.6 per cent of the country’s population plays golf, which doesn’t justify the use of massive amounts of water for maintenance. Watch: Explainer: Climate change and volcanic eruptions × XR was quoted by CNN as saying that it wanted to point out the “cynicism of continuing to allow this type of elitist leisure while Spain dries up and the rural world suffers millions in losses due to the lack of water for their crops.” ‘Part of a larger fight against richest 1 per cent’ The activists have also pointed out that their anti-golf drive is a part of their larger fight against the richest 1 per cent of Spain. They also made it clear that they will also target the use of private jets and polluting cars by those elites. Also read: World hits record land, sea temperatures as climate change fuels 2023 extremes The statement by XR read, “The rich and their leisure activities that waste essential resources are a luxury that we cannot afford.” Drought crisis in Spain According to Ricardo Torrijo, a spokesperson for AEMET, the Spanish national weather service, Spain has been facing a prolonged drought since the end of 2022. The situation has worsened in recent months, with March experiencing only 36 per cent of the average monthly rainfall, marking it as the second driest March of the century. The trend continued into April, which has the potential to become the driest month ever recorded in Spain. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Climate activists plug up holes in golf courses across Spain amid massive drought

Carlos Alcaraz's astonishing rise to the top of men's tennis is a sporting miracle, according to one player perfectly placed to run the rule over the Spanish phenomenon ahead of Wimbledon. Veteran Feliciano Lopez watched the rise to greatness of fellow Spaniard Rafa Nadal at close quarters.

Nadal, the currently-injured 22-time Grand Slam champion, is in the final throws of his illustrious career, but with impeccable timing, Spain has produced a player who has already shown himself capable of filling the void.

The 20-year-old Alcaraz won the Queen's Club grass-court title in scintillating fashion last week in what was only his third event on the surface -- moving the reigning U.S. Open champion back to the top of the ATP rankings. He will be seeded number one at Wimbledon and while Lopez still regards reigning champion Novak Djokovic as the favourite, he believes with Alcaraz anything is possible.

"I call him a miracle," three-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lopez told Reuters at his farewell event in Mallorca this week. "Spain is not a big powerful tennis country compared to others and it's crazy to see one great like Rafa about to end his career and then this kid from Murcia arrived.

"Winning a Grand Slam aged 19, being world number one. It's astonishing."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-players-face-mental-torture-at-wimbledon-says-sports-psychologist-610741">Tennis - Players face 'mental torture' at Wimbledon, says sports psychologist</a>

Even Nadal took a while to adjust his clay court game to grass before winning the title in 2008 and 2010.

If anything, Alcaraz's style is more suited to the lawns. He has a natural sliced backhand when required, volleys confidently, can launch huge serves and as for his forehand, it will leave burn marks on the hallowed Wimbledon lawns.

Alcaraz said the biggest challenge was learning to move on grass, but he erased those worries at Queen's, winning 10 successive sets and saying he already felt like he had been playing on the surface for 10 years.

He reached the fourth round on his debut last year, losing to Jannick Sinner, but it would be a major surprise if he did not go well past that stage this year.

<h2>'Carlos will win the Wimbledon'</h2>

"I think he has the skills to be a great grass court player. He has great hands and moves really good and the movement on the grass is key. Not many players move the way he moves," Lopez added. "Before Queen's he had played only six matches on grass but he's so gifted and the gifted players can adjust quickly than the rest of the human beings."

Lopez believes Alcaraz's fearless approach will serve him well at Wimbledon.

"Of course, he will have nerves, as we saw in the French against Djokovic. But he has the ability, like the truly great players, to survive and find a way. It's not only his tennis and his physical strength, but he's brave enough to challenge the best players in the game at such a young age."

While Lopez is not entirely surprised by Alcaraz's fast transition to grass, others are.

"I never thought that Carlos Alcaraz was going to be able to get used to grass so fast," seven-time Grand Slam champions Mats Wilander told Eurosport. "For him to get this equation right seems incredible to me.

"To me, Alcaraz has already shown that he can win Wimbledon."

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Carlos Alcaraz's astonishing rise to the top of men's tennis is a sporting miracle, according to one player perfectly placed to run the rule over the Spanish phenomenon ahead of Wimbledon.

Carlos Alcaraz's astonishing rise to the top of men's tennis is a sporting miracle, according to one player perfectly placed to run the rule over the Spanish phenomenon ahead of Wimbledon. Veteran Feliciano Lopez watched the rise to greatness of fellow Spaniard Rafa Nadal at close quarters. Nadal, the currently-injured 22-time Grand Slam champion, is in the final throws of his illustrious career, but with impeccable timing, Spain has produced a player who has already shown himself capable of filling the void. The 20-year-old Alcaraz won the Queen's Club grass-court title in scintillating fashion last week in what was only his third event on the surface -- moving the reigning U.S. Open champion back to the top of the ATP rankings. He will be seeded number one at Wimbledon and while Lopez still regards reigning champion Novak Djokovic as the favourite, he believes with Alcaraz anything is possible. "I call him a miracle," three-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lopez told Reuters at his farewell event in Mallorca this week. "Spain is not a big powerful tennis country compared to others and it's crazy to see one great like Rafa about to end his career and then this kid from Murcia arrived. "Winning a Grand Slam aged 19, being world number one. It's astonishing." ALSO READ: Tennis - Players face 'mental torture' at Wimbledon, says sports psychologist Even Nadal took a while to adjust his clay court game to grass before winning the title in 2008 and 2010. If anything, Alcaraz's style is more suited to the lawns. He has a natural sliced backhand when required, volleys confidently, can launch huge serves and as for his forehand, it will leave burn marks on the hallowed Wimbledon lawns. Alcaraz said the biggest challenge was learning to move on grass, but he erased those worries at Queen's, winning 10 successive sets and saying he already felt like he had been playing on the surface for 10 years. He reached the fourth round on his debut last year, losing to Jannick Sinner, but it would be a major surprise if he did not go well past that stage this year. 'Carlos will win the Wimbledon' "I think he has the skills to be a great grass court player. He has great hands and moves really good and the movement on the grass is key. Not many players move the way he moves," Lopez added. "Before Queen's he had played only six matches on grass but he's so gifted and the gifted players can adjust quickly than the rest of the human beings." Lopez believes Alcaraz's fearless approach will serve him well at Wimbledon. "Of course, he will have nerves, as we saw in the French against Djokovic. But he has the ability, like the truly great players, to survive and find a way. It's not only his tennis and his physical strength, but he's brave enough to challenge the best players in the game at such a young age." While Lopez is not entirely surprised by Alcaraz's fast transition to grass, others are. "I never thought that Carlos Alcaraz was going to be able to get used to grass so fast," seven-time Grand Slam champions Mats Wilander told Eurosport. "For him to get this equation right seems incredible to me. "To me, Alcaraz has already shown that he can win Wimbledon." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Wimbledon 2023: Feliciano Lopez hails 'miracle boy' Carlos Alcaraz, touts him to fill compatriot Nadal's shoes

Researchers in Spain are aiming to trick nature by developing an artificial womb for premature babies after the experiments on animals were successful in keeping the foetuses alive for 12 days.&nbsp;

The tests showed that the artificial placenta prototype of the womb recreated a protective environment using a translucent container made of biocompatible material inside which the foetus' lungs, intestines and brain can continue to develop.

The placenta prototype is further connected to an amniotic fluid circulation system that keeps the foetus isolated from exterior stimuli but available for ultrasound controls and monitoring.

As per the latest figures released by the World Health Organization, nearly 900,000 premature babies died worldwide in the year 2019.&nbsp;

The babies that are born after six months of pregnancy or less are considered extremely premature and are also at high risk of death or disability.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-find-why-there-is-giant-hole-in-indian-ocean-where-earths-gravity-is-at-weakest-610337">Scientists find why there is giant ‘hole' in Indian Ocean, where Earth’s gravity is at weakest</a>

"We try to develop a system that allows us to keep a foetus outside its mother but still in the foetal conditions: that it continues to breathe through the umbilical cord ... that we can feed it through the umbilical cord, that it lives surrounded by fluid at a constant temperature," project head Eduard Gratacos said in a conversation with news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>Human trial expected in a few years</h2>

The team has previously conducted its pre-clinical studies with lambs, where they were successful in achieving a 12-day foetus survival.

The team now plans to test the artificial womb with pigs before proposing its human trial in a few years.

"The highly-complex project spans many different specialities of medicine and requires engineers of different types. It's a challenge, it's extremely delicate to achieve this, to trick nature to make this possible," Gratacos said.

Another group of scientists at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia managed to keep animal foetuses alive for 28 days.

Kelly Werner, assistant professor of paediatrics at Columbia University, told the Science Media Centre that the Spanish team's positive results must be rigorously tested in clinical trials on humans to check for safety and side effects.

"Although it is an exciting development, the artificial placenta is not intended to replace a natural placenta," Werner said. "That is, despite these advancements, we still should make every effort to support maternal health and decrease risk factors that lead to preterm birth."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Researchers in Spain are aiming to trick nature by developing an artificial womb for premature babies after the experiments on animals were successful in keeping the foetuses alive for 12 days.

Researchers in Spain are aiming to trick nature by developing an artificial womb for premature babies after the experiments on animals were successful in keeping the foetuses alive for 12 days. The tests showed that the artificial placenta prototype of the womb recreated a protective environment using a translucent container made of biocompatible material inside which the foetus' lungs, intestines and brain can continue to develop. The placenta prototype is further connected to an amniotic fluid circulation system that keeps the foetus isolated from exterior stimuli but available for ultrasound controls and monitoring. As per the latest figures released by the World Health Organization, nearly 900,000 premature babies died worldwide in the year 2019. The babies that are born after six months of pregnancy or less are considered extremely premature and are also at high risk of death or disability. Also read: Scientists find why there is giant ‘hole' in Indian Ocean, where Earth’s gravity is at weakest "We try to develop a system that allows us to keep a foetus outside its mother but still in the foetal conditions: that it continues to breathe through the umbilical cord ... that we can feed it through the umbilical cord, that it lives surrounded by fluid at a constant temperature," project head Eduard Gratacos said in a conversation with news agency Reuters. Human trial expected in a few years The team has previously conducted its pre-clinical studies with lambs, where they were successful in achieving a 12-day foetus survival. The team now plans to test the artificial womb with pigs before proposing its human trial in a few years. "The highly-complex project spans many different specialities of medicine and requires engineers of different types. It's a challenge, it's extremely delicate to achieve this, to trick nature to make this possible," Gratacos said. Another group of scientists at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia managed to keep animal foetuses alive for 28 days. Kelly Werner, assistant professor of paediatrics at Columbia University, told the Science Media Centre that the Spanish team's positive results must be rigorously tested in clinical trials on humans to check for safety and side effects. "Although it is an exciting development, the artificial placenta is not intended to replace a natural placenta," Werner said. "That is, despite these advancements, we still should make every effort to support maternal health and decrease risk factors that lead to preterm birth." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Spanish researchers aim to trick nature by creating artificial womb for premature babies

Researchers in Spain are trying to "trick nature" by creating an artificial womb for extremely premature babies after tests on animals kept foetuses alive for 12 days. Their artificial placenta prototype recreates a protective environment with a translucent container made of biocompatible material inside which the foetus' lungs, intestines and brain can continue to develop. It is connected to an amniotic fluid circulation system that maintains the foetus isolated from external stimuli but accessible for ultrasound controls and monitoring.

Spanish researchers aim to 'trick nature' with artificial womb

Areas of southern Spain such as Seville and Cordoba have registered temperatures of up to 44 Degrees as the country experiences its first heatwave of the summer.

Up to 44 Degree Celsius recorded in Spain's first summer heatwave

A total of 350&nbsp;migrants were rescued from&nbsp;five separate vessels, on Thursday (June 22), near Spain’s Canary Islands, said officials, as per news agency AFP. This comes a day after more than 30 migrants were feared dead after their inflatable dinghy sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands on the same route, said two migrant charities.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened on Thursday?</h2>

Officials in the Canary Islands on Thursday said that night emergency services had assisted 114 migrants in two separate boats, as per Reuters. They also said that a total of 53 people were taken to Lanzarote, another Spanish island, while 61 migrants, including a baby and his mother, were taken to a hospital in Gran Canaria.

Images and videos from the rescue operations show some migrants covered in red blankets arriving at the Arguineguin port in Gran Canaria as the rescue workers help people including children disembark.&nbsp;

According to the emergency services, on Thursday morning, a third boat was spotted by the coast guard with some 54 people on board who were also taken to Lanzarote. Later in the&nbsp;day, another boat with 59 migrants, including three children, on board arrived in Arguineguin, reported Reuters citing TV footage.&nbsp;

<h2>More than 30 feared dead after dinghy carrying 60 sinks</h2>

This comes a day after Walking Borders and Alarm Phone, as per BBC, said that the dinghy was carrying around 60 people. According to Spanish authorities, emergency services found the bodies of a minor and a man and rescued 24 other people, however, it was not immediately clear how many people were on board.&nbsp;

According to BBC, Helena Maleno Garzon&nbsp;from NGO Walking Borders, said that 39 people, including four women and a baby, had drowned. Meanwhile, Alarm Phone said 35 people were missing. As per reports, the boat sank about 160 kilometres off the coast of Gran Canaria on Wednesday.&nbsp; 
 
Spanish rescue service ship, the Guardamar Calliope, said that the boat was only an hour’s sail away but they did not aid the boat since Moroccan officials had reported dispatching a patrol boat that arrived on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

It was 10 hours after the dinghy was first spotted by a Spanish rescue plane, reported the news agency. The incident has since sparked criticism from migration-focused organisations. The Spanish Maritime Rescue received a distress call on Tuesday evening and promptly dispatched a plane from the Canary Islands to locate the boat.&nbsp;

However, Moroccan authorities took charge of the rescue operation, and a merchant ship in the vicinity also responded to the alert, eventually assisting in rescuing the 24 survivors. The Canary Islands have witnessed a sharp increase in migrants this month.&nbsp;

The Spanish archipelago’s migration lawyer Loueila Mint El Mamy said, “Numbers were falling so far this year, but there was an increase this month that surprised everybody. Only in June, close to 2,000 people have arrived,” as per Reuters.&nbsp;

According to data from the United Nations International Organisation for Migration, at least 559 people, including children, died in 2022 on the route typically used by migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to reach the Canary Islands.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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A total of 350 migrants were rescued from five separate vessels, on Thursday (June 22), near Spain’s Canary Islands, said officials, as per news agency AFP. This comes a day after more than 30 migrants were feared dead after their inflatable dinghy sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands on the same route, said two migrant charities.

A total of 350 migrants were rescued from five separate vessels, on Thursday (June 22), near Spain’s Canary Islands, said officials, as per news agency AFP. This comes a day after more than 30 migrants were feared dead after their inflatable dinghy sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the Canary Islands on the same route, said two migrant charities. What happened on Thursday? Officials in the Canary Islands on Thursday said that night emergency services had assisted 114 migrants in two separate boats, as per Reuters. They also said that a total of 53 people were taken to Lanzarote, another Spanish island, while 61 migrants, including a baby and his mother, were taken to a hospital in Gran Canaria. Images and videos from the rescue operations show some migrants covered in red blankets arriving at the Arguineguin port in Gran Canaria as the rescue workers help people including children disembark. According to the emergency services, on Thursday morning, a third boat was spotted by the coast guard with some 54 people on board who were also taken to Lanzarote. Later in the day, another boat with 59 migrants, including three children, on board arrived in Arguineguin, reported Reuters citing TV footage. More than 30 feared dead after dinghy carrying 60 sinks This comes a day after Walking Borders and Alarm Phone, as per BBC, said that the dinghy was carrying around 60 people. According to Spanish authorities, emergency services found the bodies of a minor and a man and rescued 24 other people, however, it was not immediately clear how many people were on board. According to BBC, Helena Maleno Garzon from NGO Walking Borders, said that 39 people, including four women and a baby, had drowned. Meanwhile, Alarm Phone said 35 people were missing. As per reports, the boat sank about 160 kilometres off the coast of Gran Canaria on Wednesday. Spanish rescue service ship, the Guardamar Calliope, said that the boat was only an hour’s sail away but they did not aid the boat since Moroccan officials had reported dispatching a patrol boat that arrived on Wednesday morning. It was 10 hours after the dinghy was first spotted by a Spanish rescue plane, reported the news agency. The incident has since sparked criticism from migration-focused organisations. The Spanish Maritime Rescue received a distress call on Tuesday evening and promptly dispatched a plane from the Canary Islands to locate the boat. However, Moroccan authorities took charge of the rescue operation, and a merchant ship in the vicinity also responded to the alert, eventually assisting in rescuing the 24 survivors. The Canary Islands have witnessed a sharp increase in migrants this month. The Spanish archipelago’s migration lawyer Loueila Mint El Mamy said, “Numbers were falling so far this year, but there was an increase this month that surprised everybody. Only in June, close to 2,000 people have arrived,” as per Reuters. According to data from the United Nations International Organisation for Migration, at least 559 people, including children, died in 2022 on the route typically used by migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to reach the Canary Islands. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Five boats with over 300 migrants rescued near Spain’s Canary Islands in a day

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Around 36 migrants are feared dead after a rubber dinghy carrying more than 60 people sank off the coast of Morocco on Wednesday. Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO, said that only 24 people have been rescued by Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service while the remaining were still missing. An Associated Press report confirmed that the dead bodies of a man and a child were retrieved from the waters.&nbsp;

Helena Maleno Garzon, the head of Spanish migration NGO Caminando Fronteras, said in a statement that the boat had been begging for help for 12 hours in Spanish waters. “Europe's border policy is what happened in Greece, Italy and Spain. It's torture and death," she wrote.&nbsp;

<h2>Boat made distress call on Tuesday</h2>

The Spanish Maritime Rescue received a distress call on Tuesday evening and promptly dispatched a plane from the Canary Islands to locate the boat. The vessel was found approximately 70 kilometres (44 miles) off the African coast and 160 kilometres south of the Canary Islands.

According to an unnamed spokesperson from the Spanish Maritime Rescue, the plane crew reported that the boat did not show any immediate signs of sinking, and there was no information available regarding the time or cause of the boat's sinking.

Watch:&nbsp;Greece boat disaster: Up to 500 people still missing says UN

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Morocco took charge of the rescue operation, and a merchant ship in the vicinity responded to the alert, eventually assisting in rescuing the 24 survivors. The bodies of the child and the man were discovered separately on Wednesday, with the Spanish helicopter finding the child's body and the merchant ship locating the man's body.

<h2>NGO raises concerns over rescue efforts</h2>

Helena Maleno raised concerns about the delay in assisting the migrants. In a tweet, she stated that the migrants were left without help for 12 hours and claimed that a total of 39 people, including four women and a baby, had died. However, these figures have yet to be officially verified.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-boat-tragedy-pakistanis-were-singled-out-to-go-below-deck-says-report-606011">Also read:&nbsp;Greece boat tragedy: Pakistanis were singled out to go below deck, says report</a>

This incident marked the second tragedy involving migrant boats attempting to reach Spain within two days. The previous day, a pregnant woman's body was found on a migrant boat carrying over 40 individuals near the Canary Island of Lanzarote.

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Around 36 migrants are feared dead after a rubber dinghy carrying more than 60 people sank off the coast of Morocco on Wednesday. Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO, said that only 24 people have been rescued by Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service while the remaining were still missing.

Around 36 migrants are feared dead after a rubber dinghy carrying more than 60 people sank off the coast of Morocco on Wednesday. Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO, said that only 24 people have been rescued by Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service while the remaining were still missing. An Associated Press report confirmed that the dead bodies of a man and a child were retrieved from the waters. Helena Maleno Garzon, the head of Spanish migration NGO Caminando Fronteras, said in a statement that the boat had been begging for help for 12 hours in Spanish waters. “Europe's border policy is what happened in Greece, Italy and Spain. It's torture and death," she wrote. Boat made distress call on Tuesday The Spanish Maritime Rescue received a distress call on Tuesday evening and promptly dispatched a plane from the Canary Islands to locate the boat. The vessel was found approximately 70 kilometres (44 miles) off the African coast and 160 kilometres south of the Canary Islands. According to an unnamed spokesperson from the Spanish Maritime Rescue, the plane crew reported that the boat did not show any immediate signs of sinking, and there was no information available regarding the time or cause of the boat's sinking. Watch: Greece boat disaster: Up to 500 people still missing says UN × Morocco took charge of the rescue operation, and a merchant ship in the vicinity responded to the alert, eventually assisting in rescuing the 24 survivors. The bodies of the child and the man were discovered separately on Wednesday, with the Spanish helicopter finding the child's body and the merchant ship locating the man's body. NGO raises concerns over rescue efforts Helena Maleno raised concerns about the delay in assisting the migrants. In a tweet, she stated that the migrants were left without help for 12 hours and claimed that a total of 39 people, including four women and a baby, had died. However, these figures have yet to be officially verified. Also read: Greece boat tragedy: Pakistanis were singled out to go below deck, says report This incident marked the second tragedy involving migrant boats attempting to reach Spain within two days. The previous day, a pregnant woman's body was found on a migrant boat carrying over 40 individuals near the Canary Island of Lanzarote. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Over 30 migrants feared dead as dinghy carrying 60 people sinks off Morocco coast

In Pics | Flamingos disappear as Spain's largest wetland dries up

Spain ramps up wildfire defences after last years' wildfires

Archaeologists unearthed a six-inch 'stone penis' on May 19 when they were excavating an archaeological site in the Ría de Vigo estuary of northwestern Spain. The artefact appears to be some kind of tool.&nbsp;

Reports have mentioned that the object was found by&nbsp;archaeologists working with Arbore Arqueoloxía, which is an archaeology cooperative.&nbsp;

It was discovered at Torre de Meira (Tower of Meira), which is a site of a medieval fortress in the municipality of Moaña. The site is atop a hill overlooking the Ría de Vigo.&nbsp;

Revolts against Spanish nobility raged in the Ría de Vigo at the end of the 15th century, which resulted in the destruction of most castles, including the Tower of Meira, which was demolished in 1476.&nbsp;

Now, archaeologists are working to find the ruins of the tower more than 500 years later. Some of the findings were stunning discoveries, including the stone penis. There can be differences of opinion, but the researchers believe that the tool was likely used to sharpen weapons.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/incredibly-rare-roman-tomb-excavated-near-london-bridge-station-604086">'Incredibly rare' Roman tomb excavated near London Bridge station</a>&nbsp;

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(Image: The phallic stone discovered in Torre de Meira. Credit: Árbore Arqueoloxia S. Coop.Galega)

Darío Peña-Pascual, an archaeologist with Arbore Arqueoloxía, told Live Science in an email, "It is an interesting object because it is unusual and because it materialises the symbolic association between violence, weapons and masculinity, an association that we know existed in the Middle Ages and that is present in our culture today."&nbsp;

Such sharpening stones are easy to identify "as they still hold traces and marks of the materials they sharpened," Peña-Pascual said further, adding that in this case, "the object retains traces of wear on one side compatible with its use as a sharpening stone".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/martian-landscape-on-smartphone-new-map-of-mars-created-from-data-collected-by-nasa-604423">Martian landscape on smartphone? New map of Mars created from data collected by NASA</a>&nbsp;

Such tools are quite common in prehistoric, Roman or Celtic sites, but it is less common to find them in medieval Europe, which has a surprising factor for the team of archaeologists. The researchers have wondered about the exact meaning of such tools.&nbsp;

The archaeologist said that this object "materialises the symbolic association between violence, weapons and masculinity. An association that we know existed in the Middle Ages and that is also present in our culture today".&nbsp;

<h2>2,000-year-old Roman 'sex toy'</h2>

Earlier this year in February, it was found that experts were previously wrong when they mistook an ancient object for a textile tool, which apparently was something else. They believed that the object found at a Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall was used for sewing, but now new theories have emerged&nbsp;suggesting that the object may have been a second-century sex toy.&nbsp;

According to the study published in the journal Antiquity, researchers unearthed the object in 1992 in a ditch at the Roman Fort of Vindolanda, near Hadrian’s Wall. The region was once marked the Roman Empire’s northwest frontier, in northern England. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/what-was-once-thought-to-be-a-textile-tool-may-be-a-2000-year-old-roman-sex-toy-564104">Click here to read the full story</a>.&nbsp;

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Archaeologists unearthed a six-inch 'stone penis' on May 19 when they were excavating an archaeological site in the Ría de Vigo estuary of northwestern Spain. The artefact appears to be some kind of tool.

Archaeologists unearthed a six-inch 'stone penis' on May 19 when they were excavating an archaeological site in the Ría de Vigo estuary of northwestern Spain. The artefact appears to be some kind of tool. Reports have mentioned that the object was found by archaeologists working with Arbore Arqueoloxía, which is an archaeology cooperative. It was discovered at Torre de Meira (Tower of Meira), which is a site of a medieval fortress in the municipality of Moaña. The site is atop a hill overlooking the Ría de Vigo. Revolts against Spanish nobility raged in the Ría de Vigo at the end of the 15th century, which resulted in the destruction of most castles, including the Tower of Meira, which was demolished in 1476. Now, archaeologists are working to find the ruins of the tower more than 500 years later. Some of the findings were stunning discoveries, including the stone penis. There can be differences of opinion, but the researchers believe that the tool was likely used to sharpen weapons. Also read: 'Incredibly rare' Roman tomb excavated near London Bridge station (Image: The phallic stone discovered in Torre de Meira. Credit: Árbore Arqueoloxia S. Coop.Galega) Darío Peña-Pascual, an archaeologist with Arbore Arqueoloxía, told Live Science in an email, "It is an interesting object because it is unusual and because it materialises the symbolic association between violence, weapons and masculinity, an association that we know existed in the Middle Ages and that is present in our culture today." Such sharpening stones are easy to identify "as they still hold traces and marks of the materials they sharpened," Peña-Pascual said further, adding that in this case, "the object retains traces of wear on one side compatible with its use as a sharpening stone". Also read: Martian landscape on smartphone? New map of Mars created from data collected by NASA Such tools are quite common in prehistoric, Roman or Celtic sites, but it is less common to find them in medieval Europe, which has a surprising factor for the team of archaeologists. The researchers have wondered about the exact meaning of such tools. The archaeologist said that this object "materialises the symbolic association between violence, weapons and masculinity. An association that we know existed in the Middle Ages and that is also present in our culture today". 2,000-year-old Roman 'sex toy' Earlier this year in February, it was found that experts were previously wrong when they mistook an ancient object for a textile tool, which apparently was something else. They believed that the object found at a Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall was used for sewing, but now new theories have emerged suggesting that the object may have been a second-century sex toy. According to the study published in the journal Antiquity, researchers unearthed the object in 1992 in a ditch at the Roman Fort of Vindolanda, near Hadrian’s Wall. The region was once marked the Roman Empire’s northwest frontier, in northern England. Click here to read the full story. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

What was the actual use of this six-inch 'stone penis' in medieval Spain?

Spain seems to find no respite. Eyewitness records shocking visuals.

Heavy rain floods roads in northern Spain

As the election campaign heats up in Spain, Forensic Scientists have started exhuming bodies of 129 victims of the Spanish Civil War. The bodies will be exhumed and the process involved unearthing the bodies of the people.

Spain: Election campaign heats up | Exhumation of 128 victims of Spanish war | WION

The bodies of 128 Spanish Civil War victims are being exhumed in Spain by forensic scientists from the General Francisco Franco Mausoleum near Madrid. The process is gruesome because it involves disturbing bodies of people who were moved from other parts of Spain after the 1936–1939 war and reburied without their families' permission.

Spain: Corpses exhumed from former mausoleum of dictator Franco

In Pics | Spain begins exhumation of 128 civil war victims from Franco mausoleum

Prehistoric paintings, which were present in hard-to-reach caves, were discovered by archaeologists in Spain in the east of the country with the use of drone technology.

With the help of drones, researchers were able to gather evidence of never-before-seen cave paintings which date back to 5,000- 7,500 years ago, as per a statement issued by a team at the University of Alicante, Spain. The findings of the archaeologists were published last month in the Spanish scientific journal Lucentum.&nbsp;

The project made it easy to inspect the areas which could otherwise be reached only by “opening complex access routes climbing,” read the statement.

The team stated that they were able to find their first results in just a few days after they started flying the drones in a quarry in the Penàguila municipality in Alicante.

“This area is well known for housing numerous groups with prehistoric art,” stated lead author Francisco Javier Molina Hernández, who is also an archaeologist at the University of Alicante, in the statement.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/archaeologists-find-7000-years-old-road-submerged-under-water-591407">Archaeologists find 7,000-year-old road submerged under water</a>

“The result was the discovery of a new site with prehistoric cave paintings of different styles, which we believe will be very relevant for the investigation," he added.&nbsp;

The site was then visited by the climbers and its existence was verified by a huge number of painted figures in different styles, which includes stylised human figures and animals such as goats and deer which appeared to have suffered injuries by arrows, as per the statement.

Hernandez, whom the Spanish press has christened as “Indiana Drones”, worked with two other archaeologists, Ximo Martorell Briz and Virginia Barciela, who were part of the research.

<h2>Researchers explore new heights</h2>

Researchers decided to use drones because “on many occasions, we have risked our lives to access cavities located in rugged geographical areas,” Molina said while speaking to CNN.&nbsp;

“Many other caves have never been inspected because they are located in inaccessible areas,” he stated.&nbsp;

The researchers stated that the finding is among the most significant Neolithic rock art sites which have been discovered in recent decades in the Valencia region, due to the large number of figures observed.

WATCH |&nbsp;An ancient restaurant unearthed by archaeologists in Iraq

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“Secondly, the discovery of new cave paintings in this type of cave indicates that prehistoric man developed sophisticated means of climbing, perhaps by means of ropes or wooden scaffolding,” Molina said.

"They may have taken these risks to reach certain caves due to their relation to the sunrise or visual control of certain territory," he stated.

"Next up, the team plans to use more powerful drones to take higher quality images and expand their research to other areas of Spain, Portugal and other parts of Europe," Molina stated. &nbsp;

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Prehistoric paintings, which were present in hard-to-reach caves, were discovered by archaeologists in Spain in the east of the country with the use of drone technology.

Prehistoric paintings, which were present in hard-to-reach caves, were discovered by archaeologists in Spain in the east of the country with the use of drone technology. With the help of drones, researchers were able to gather evidence of never-before-seen cave paintings which date back to 5,000- 7,500 years ago, as per a statement issued by a team at the University of Alicante, Spain. The findings of the archaeologists were published last month in the Spanish scientific journal Lucentum. The project made it easy to inspect the areas which could otherwise be reached only by “opening complex access routes climbing,” read the statement. The team stated that they were able to find their first results in just a few days after they started flying the drones in a quarry in the Penàguila municipality in Alicante. “This area is well known for housing numerous groups with prehistoric art,” stated lead author Francisco Javier Molina Hernández, who is also an archaeologist at the University of Alicante, in the statement. ALSO READ | Archaeologists find 7,000-year-old road submerged under water “The result was the discovery of a new site with prehistoric cave paintings of different styles, which we believe will be very relevant for the investigation," he added. The site was then visited by the climbers and its existence was verified by a huge number of painted figures in different styles, which includes stylised human figures and animals such as goats and deer which appeared to have suffered injuries by arrows, as per the statement. Hernandez, whom the Spanish press has christened as “Indiana Drones”, worked with two other archaeologists, Ximo Martorell Briz and Virginia Barciela, who were part of the research. Researchers explore new heights Researchers decided to use drones because “on many occasions, we have risked our lives to access cavities located in rugged geographical areas,” Molina said while speaking to CNN. “Many other caves have never been inspected because they are located in inaccessible areas,” he stated. The researchers stated that the finding is among the most significant Neolithic rock art sites which have been discovered in recent decades in the Valencia region, due to the large number of figures observed. WATCH | An ancient restaurant unearthed by archaeologists in Iraq “Secondly, the discovery of new cave paintings in this type of cave indicates that prehistoric man developed sophisticated means of climbing, perhaps by means of ropes or wooden scaffolding,” Molina said. "They may have taken these risks to reach certain caves due to their relation to the sunrise or visual control of certain territory," he stated. "Next up, the team plans to use more powerful drones to take higher quality images and expand their research to other areas of Spain, Portugal and other parts of Europe," Molina stated. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Drones used to discover pre-historic cave paintings in Spain

According to reports, Spain will generate more than half of its power from renewable sources this year.

Spain to generate over 50% of power from renewables in 2023

Spain is on the brink of a historic achievement, as the nation is poised to surpass all major European economies by generating more than 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. As per a forecast by energy research firm Rystad Energy, Spain's commendable progress in the green energy sector places it firmly in the lead in the race to reach this remarkable milestone.

Over the past decade, Spain has made substantial investments in renewable energy infrastructure, setting the stage for its current position as a global leader. The early deployment of onshore wind power has been crucial, with wind farms now accounting for more than 20 percent of the country's total power output. Moreover, the development of photovoltaic solar technology in recent years has complemented Spain's renewable energy landscape, solidifying its status even further.

The Spanish government's ambitious targets have also played a pivotal role in driving the nation's green energy revolution. With an aim to increase the share of green power in electricity generation to an impressive 74 percent by 2030, Spain is setting a precedent for other European nations to follow. As the country prepares to exceed the 50 percent renewable energy average this year, it positions itself ahead of major counterparts such as France, Germany, Italy, and the UK.

Spain has successfully phased out coal-fired generation, with natural gas now serving as the primary source of its fuel-powered output. This transition has resulted in a significant reduction in Spain's carbon footprint. However, recent developments have posed challenges to Spain's renewable growth. In 2022, a government decision to cap the price of natural gas used in power generation led to a temporary increase in fossil fuel-based output. This decision, while boosting Spanish exports to neighboring France due to a wider cost differential, raised concerns about potential disruptions to the growth of renewables.

Talking to Bloomberg, Fabian Ronningen, a senior analyst at Rystad Energy, warned&nbsp;that continuous power exports to France could potentially hinder further renewable growth in Spain this year. Nevertheless, the country's transition from being a net energy importer to a net exporter has marked Spain as a significant player in the global energy market. Its rising prominence presents new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships within the renewable energy sector.

EU's Climate Superheroes Assemble

This notable accomplishment further reinforces the European Union's ambitions to combat climate change and diminish its dependence on fossil fuels from Russia. Through a provisional agreement reached earlier this year, negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council set the stage for a significant elevation in the EU's renewable energy targets. By 2030, the EU strives to secure 42.5 percent of its energy from renewable sources, possibly exceeding that target and reaching 45 percent.

A collective effort by EU member states is crucial in achieving the bloc's ambitious climate change goals, including a legally binding aim to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

The European Commission estimates that an additional €113 billion ($123 billion) investment in renewable energy and hydrogen infrastructure will be required by 2030 to achieve these ambitious goals. This substantial investment will drive the energy transition, create new job opportunities, and bolster Europe's position as a global leader in the clean energy sector.

 
(With Agency Inputs)&nbsp;

Spain is on the brink of a historic achievement, as the nation is poised to surpass all major European economies by generating more than 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.

Spain is on the brink of a historic achievement, as the nation is poised to surpass all major European economies by generating more than 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. As per a forecast by energy research firm Rystad Energy, Spain's commendable progress in the green energy sector places it firmly in the lead in the race to reach this remarkable milestone. Over the past decade, Spain has made substantial investments in renewable energy infrastructure, setting the stage for its current position as a global leader. The early deployment of onshore wind power has been crucial, with wind farms now accounting for more than 20 percent of the country's total power output. Moreover, the development of photovoltaic solar technology in recent years has complemented Spain's renewable energy landscape, solidifying its status even further. The Spanish government's ambitious targets have also played a pivotal role in driving the nation's green energy revolution. With an aim to increase the share of green power in electricity generation to an impressive 74 percent by 2030, Spain is setting a precedent for other European nations to follow. As the country prepares to exceed the 50 percent renewable energy average this year, it positions itself ahead of major counterparts such as France, Germany, Italy, and the UK. Spain has successfully phased out coal-fired generation, with natural gas now serving as the primary source of its fuel-powered output. This transition has resulted in a significant reduction in Spain's carbon footprint. However, recent developments have posed challenges to Spain's renewable growth. In 2022, a government decision to cap the price of natural gas used in power generation led to a temporary increase in fossil fuel-based output. This decision, while boosting Spanish exports to neighboring France due to a wider cost differential, raised concerns about potential disruptions to the growth of renewables. Talking to Bloomberg, Fabian Ronningen, a senior analyst at Rystad Energy, warned that continuous power exports to France could potentially hinder further renewable growth in Spain this year. Nevertheless, the country's transition from being a net energy importer to a net exporter has marked Spain as a significant player in the global energy market. Its rising prominence presents new opportunities for collaborations and partnerships within the renewable energy sector. EU's Climate Superheroes Assemble This notable accomplishment further reinforces the European Union's ambitions to combat climate change and diminish its dependence on fossil fuels from Russia. Through a provisional agreement reached earlier this year, negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council set the stage for a significant elevation in the EU's renewable energy targets. By 2030, the EU strives to secure 42.5 percent of its energy from renewable sources, possibly exceeding that target and reaching 45 percent. A collective effort by EU member states is crucial in achieving the bloc's ambitious climate change goals, including a legally binding aim to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. The European Commission estimates that an additional €113 billion ($123 billion) investment in renewable energy and hydrogen infrastructure will be required by 2030 to achieve these ambitious goals. This substantial investment will drive the energy transition, create new job opportunities, and bolster Europe's position as a global leader in the clean energy sector. (With Agency Inputs)

Spain's Renewable Energy Triumph: Spearheading Europe's Clean Energy Transition

Spain has logged its hottest spring ever in the last 60 years of recordkeeping, as average temperatures remained generally two degree&nbsp;Celsius above the usual, reported the national weather agency on Wednesday. &nbsp;

This year, the country also experienced its second driest-ever spring on record, leaving behind the one it faced in 1995, stated the AEMET agency as the prolonged drought hit the country's key agricultural sector.

In 2022, Spain had its hottest year on record and now it is expected to become one of the worst-hit countries of the European Union in terms of climate change.

According to AEMET, the average temperature was "14.2 degree&nbsp;Celsius (57.5 degrees Fahrenheit), which was 1.8 degree&nbsp;Celsius hotter" than normal.

That is "extremely hot, exceeding 1997 -- the hottest spring up to now -- by 0.3 degree&nbsp;Celsius," it added.

"The spring of 2023 was the hottest spring on record in Spain," AEMET stated while speaking about the three-month period that began in March.&nbsp;

The country in late April had battled a major heatwave as local temperatures shot up to 20 degree&nbsp;Celsius above average, increasing the drought.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/spain-to-launch-app-for-wives-to-track-if-husbands-are-doing-household-chores-593818">Spain to launch app for wives to track if husbands are doing household chores</a>

In the month of May, temperatures remained slightly higher than average and then dropped below the average in the month's second half as it received heavy rainfall that helped in cooling down the weather but couldn't alleviate the drought.&nbsp;

"Until almost mid-May, there was no rain," stated AEMET spokesman Ruben del Campo.&nbsp;

"With the rains in the second half of May, the situation has eased a little."

However, the drought, "which is measured over the longer term, has not been resolved," he added.&nbsp;

"How long it would continue would depend on the levels of rainfall later in the year," he stated.&nbsp;

"In this hydrological year so far, we've seen a 20 per cent shortage in rainfall so for that to be resolved, it would need to rain 20 per cent more (than usual) in autumn," Campo further added.&nbsp;

<h2>Hot and hotter&nbsp;</h2>

In the last few years, Spain has been facing more heatwaves and rainfall has been increasingly scarce and irregular.

AEMET forecasters last year recorded "35 days of record-breaking heat when temperatures were above the seasonal average", del Campo stated.&nbsp;

"That's one record every 10 days," he added.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Flash floods strike Spain | WION Climate Tracker

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Last month, AEMET stated that Spain had recorded its driest start of the year since it began making such records in 1961, as the country received less than half the normal amount of rain in the first four months of 2023.

As per experts, some parts of Spain are experiencing their driest phase in 1,000 years, as the ongoing drought has forced some farmers not to sow crops this year.

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Spain has logged its hottest spring ever in the last 60 years of recordkeeping, as average temperatures remained generally two degree Celsius above the usual, reported the national weather agency on Wednesday.

Spain has logged its hottest spring ever in the last 60 years of recordkeeping, as average temperatures remained generally two degree Celsius above the usual, reported the national weather agency on Wednesday. This year, the country also experienced its second driest-ever spring on record, leaving behind the one it faced in 1995, stated the AEMET agency as the prolonged drought hit the country's key agricultural sector. In 2022, Spain had its hottest year on record and now it is expected to become one of the worst-hit countries of the European Union in terms of climate change. According to AEMET, the average temperature was "14.2 degree Celsius (57.5 degrees Fahrenheit), which was 1.8 degree Celsius hotter" than normal. That is "extremely hot, exceeding 1997 -- the hottest spring up to now -- by 0.3 degree Celsius," it added. "The spring of 2023 was the hottest spring on record in Spain," AEMET stated while speaking about the three-month period that began in March. The country in late April had battled a major heatwave as local temperatures shot up to 20 degree Celsius above average, increasing the drought. ALSO READ | Spain to launch app for wives to track if husbands are doing household chores In the month of May, temperatures remained slightly higher than average and then dropped below the average in the month's second half as it received heavy rainfall that helped in cooling down the weather but couldn't alleviate the drought. "Until almost mid-May, there was no rain," stated AEMET spokesman Ruben del Campo. "With the rains in the second half of May, the situation has eased a little." However, the drought, "which is measured over the longer term, has not been resolved," he added. "How long it would continue would depend on the levels of rainfall later in the year," he stated. "In this hydrological year so far, we've seen a 20 per cent shortage in rainfall so for that to be resolved, it would need to rain 20 per cent more (than usual) in autumn," Campo further added. Hot and hotter In the last few years, Spain has been facing more heatwaves and rainfall has been increasingly scarce and irregular. AEMET forecasters last year recorded "35 days of record-breaking heat when temperatures were above the seasonal average", del Campo stated. "That's one record every 10 days," he added. WATCH | Flash floods strike Spain | WION Climate Tracker Last month, AEMET stated that Spain had recorded its driest start of the year since it began making such records in 1961, as the country received less than half the normal amount of rain in the first four months of 2023. As per experts, some parts of Spain are experiencing their driest phase in 1,000 years, as the ongoing drought has forced some farmers not to sow crops this year. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Spain experiences 'hottest spring on record' in 60 years

The issue of sexual abuse scandals in Catholic Churches continues to make headlines. The&nbsp;latest probe by the Spanish Catholic Church into such cases has unearthed even more grim details, reported Reuters. The investigation report identified as many as 728 alleged abusers, clergy and non-clerical staff, and 927 victims, over eight decades since the 1940s.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/indian-scientists-discover-62-plants-that-can-live-without-water-in-western-ghats-599626">Indian scientists discover 62 plants that can live without water in Western Ghats</a>

The spokesman for the Spanish Bishops' Conference, Jose Gabriel Vera, said, "We acknowledge the harm caused" and added, "we want to help all victims...to accompany them in their healing."

<h2>El Pais newspaper reports into child abuse by priests</h2>

Spain's Catholic Church came under fire after El Pais newspaper unravelled disturbing details of the institution's abuse of hundreds of children by members of the clergy.&nbsp;

As per the report, there were at least 1,237 victims who suffered sexual abuse by the Church priests. However, it suggested that the number could run into thousands. According to the paper, the earliest case of ongoing paedophilia in the Catholic church is from 1942 and the most recent one is from 2018.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-2611-attack-accused-tahawwur-rana-challenges-extradition-to-india-599609">US: Mumbai 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana challenges order of his extradition to India</a>

The allegations concern 31 religious orders and 31 of the country's some 70 dioceses.&nbsp;

<h2>Spain's ombudsman launched inquiry&nbsp;</h2>

In order to tackle the ongoing malice that plagued the Church, Spain’s ombudsman last year set up an independent commission to look into the sexual abuses by the Catholic church. It included the collected testimonies from 445 victims.&nbsp;

After the probe by the newspaper that exposed the ugly face of Spain's catholic church, the country's parliament on 10 March 2022 opened the first official investigation headed by Ombudsman Angel Gabilondo.&nbsp;

Watch | Hollywood star Bruce Willis' daughter Tallulah talks about her father's daily battle with dementia

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"We want to know what went wrong in the selection of candidates for the priesthood, what went wrong during their training...what has led a person who decided to give himself to God, to give himself to sexual abuse," Vera said, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

Many European countries are suffering from the menace of child sexual abuse at the hands of the Catholic clergy for decades now. Many lawsuits have been filed pertaining to these cases, and many investigations also involve the horrifying testimonies of the survivors which then become the ground for further investigations.&nbsp;

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The issue of sexual abuse scandals in Catholic Churches continues to make headlines. The latest probe by the Spanish Catholic Church into such cases has unearthed even more grim details, reported Reuters.

The issue of sexual abuse scandals in Catholic Churches continues to make headlines. The latest probe by the Spanish Catholic Church into such cases has unearthed even more grim details, reported Reuters. The investigation report identified as many as 728 alleged abusers, clergy and non-clerical staff, and 927 victims, over eight decades since the 1940s. Also Read | Indian scientists discover 62 plants that can live without water in Western Ghats The spokesman for the Spanish Bishops' Conference, Jose Gabriel Vera, said, "We acknowledge the harm caused" and added, "we want to help all victims...to accompany them in their healing." El Pais newspaper reports into child abuse by priests Spain's Catholic Church came under fire after El Pais newspaper unravelled disturbing details of the institution's abuse of hundreds of children by members of the clergy. As per the report, there were at least 1,237 victims who suffered sexual abuse by the Church priests. However, it suggested that the number could run into thousands. According to the paper, the earliest case of ongoing paedophilia in the Catholic church is from 1942 and the most recent one is from 2018. Also Read | US: Mumbai 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana challenges order of his extradition to India The allegations concern 31 religious orders and 31 of the country's some 70 dioceses. Spain's ombudsman launched inquiry In order to tackle the ongoing malice that plagued the Church, Spain’s ombudsman last year set up an independent commission to look into the sexual abuses by the Catholic church. It included the collected testimonies from 445 victims. After the probe by the newspaper that exposed the ugly face of Spain's catholic church, the country's parliament on 10 March 2022 opened the first official investigation headed by Ombudsman Angel Gabilondo. Watch | Hollywood star Bruce Willis' daughter Tallulah talks about her father's daily battle with dementia × "We want to know what went wrong in the selection of candidates for the priesthood, what went wrong during their training...what has led a person who decided to give himself to God, to give himself to sexual abuse," Vera said, reported Reuters. Many European countries are suffering from the menace of child sexual abuse at the hands of the Catholic clergy for decades now. Many lawsuits have been filed pertaining to these cases, and many investigations also involve the horrifying testimonies of the survivors which then become the ground for further investigations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Spain's Catholic church probe reveals 728 priests abused children over eight decades

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