Spanish PM apologises to voters after MP resigns over corruption allegations

Pressure grows for snap election as judge finds ‘firm evidence’ of Santos Cerdán’s possible role in kickbacks

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has apologised to voters but ruled out a snap election after a senior member of his Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) resigned hours after a supreme court judge found “firm evidence” of his possible involvement in taking kickbacks on public construction contracts.

Sánchez, who became prime minister in 2018 after using a motion of no confidence to turf the corruption-mired conservative People’s party (PP) out of government, is already contending with a series of graft investigations relating to his wife, his brother, his former transport minister, and one of that minister’s aides. All deny any wrongdoing. A former PSOE member was recently implicated in an alleged smear campaign against the Guardia Civil police unit investigating the corruption allegations.

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Exclusive: Top U.S. official warns of mass casualty retaliation by Iran – Axios

  1. Exclusive: Top U.S. official warns of mass casualty retaliation by Iran  Axios
  2. Trump says Israeli strike on Iran ‘could very well happen’ and warns of possible ‘massive conflict’ in Middle East  CNN
  3. Trump says he doesn’t want Israel to attack Iran but strike ‘could very well happen’  The Times of Israel
  4. Israel considering military action against Iran in coming days: Sources  ABC News
  5. Israel is poised to launch operation on Iran, multiple sources tell CBS News  CBS News
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Syria asks women to dress modestly on beaches but says bikinis still allowed

Women advised to cover up on public beaches, prompting concerns about freedoms under new government

Syria’s government has asked women to wear “burkinis” or more modest swimwear while visiting public beaches this summer, although it later clarified there will be no legal consequences for those who wear bikinis.

A government directive on Tuesday asked women to wear a “burkini or swimwear that covers more of the body”, and loose-fitting clothing when out of the water. The decree also asked men not to be shirtless when not swimming.

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Families hid in attics during ‘race motivated’ disorder, says chief constable – BBC

  1. Families hid in attics during 'race motivated' disorder, says chief constable  BBC
  2. Northern Ireland 'racist' riots target immigrants in Ballymena  NBC News
  3. Filipino families flee Northern Irish home after night of anti-immigrant violence  Reuters
  4. Anti-Migrant Rioters in Northern Ireland Set Homes, and Then a Refuge Site, Ablaze  The New York Times
  5. Northern Ireland burns for a third night, police unleash water cannon  Yahoo
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