Latest news with #Madrid-based
Euronews
3 hours ago
- Business
- Euronews
Spain cancels contract for anti-tank missiles built by Israeli company
Spain has cancelled a deal to purchase anti-tank missile systems that were to be manufactured in Madrid by a subsidiary of an Israeli company in a bid to move away from Israeli military technology, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday. The decision will affect the license for 168 SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile systems with an estimated value of €285 million. The systems would have been developed in Spain by Pap Tecnos, a Madrid-based subsidiary of Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, local media said. "The goal is clear...a total disconnection from Israeli technology," government spokesperson Pilar Alegría told reporters, adding the government is studying "the effects of the cancellation." Israel's Defence Ministry referred questions on the decision back to Rafael, which declined to comment. Pap Tecnos has not issued a comment either. Spain approved the deal on 3 October 2023 four days before the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. That attack left around 1,200 people, most of them civilians, dead. Hamas took 251 people as hostages, and is currently still holding 58 in Gaza, of whom fewer than 24 are believed to still be alive. Spain's leftist government says it stopped exporting arms to Israel as of 2 October that year, but there where reports some shipments slipped through. Authorities argued at the time that the systems used by the Spanish forces were obsolete and should be replaced for up-to-date versions like those used by allied armies. Spain formally recognised a Palestinian state in May 2024 in a coordinated effort with Norway and Ireland. A month later, Spain became the first European country to ask the top United Nations court, the International Court of Justice, permission to join a case mounted by South Africa that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel strongly denies the charge. There has been growing concern in the west about the Israeli military offensive in Gaza which has to date killed 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry whose figures do not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Last week, Israel's Foreign Ministry accused French President Emmanuel Macron of being on a "crusade against the Jewish state," after he urged the international community to harden its stance towards Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza doesn't improve. "There is no humanitarian blockade. This is a blatant lie," the ministry said, defending its control over the flow of aid into the enclave. "But instead of putting pressure on jihadist terrorists, Macron wants to reward them with a Palestinian state. No doubt his national holiday will be October 7," the statement said, referring to the 7 October 2023 militant attack on Israel. During a three-hour televised interview earlier in May, Macron said Europe should consider sanctioning Israel over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands are thought to be now facing starvation. And last month, the UK government said it was suspending free trade negotiations with Israel and had introduced new sanctions on settlements in the West Bank as Westminster ramped up its criticism of the ongoing military operation in Gaza. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK's existing trade agreement with Israel remains in effect but the government couldn't continue discussions with an administration pursuing what he called "egregious" policies in the two territories. Those remarks followed a joint condemnation he issued on 19 May with Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that marked one of the most significant criticisms by close allies of Israel's handling of the war in Gaza and its actions in the West Bank. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has held talks with the leaders on France and Slovakia, with the war in Ukraine and a lasting peace deal for the country topping the agenda during both rounds of discussions. Meloni first received Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico who arrived at the prime minister's residence, the Chigi Palace, at around 4pm. According to a statement released by the Slovak government, the two leaders discussed the development of bilateral relations and the possibility of further cooperation in the field of energy. "I really appreciate the pragmatic approach of your Prime Minister. I really like your pragmatic way of dealing with issues," Fico told reporters following the meeting. "We focused on the war in Ukraine. The President of the Council was very interested in my position, since Slovakia is a neighbouring country, of course," he said. "We discussed the issue of repowering, that is, what will happen in Europe when all energy supplies from Russia will no longer reach the European Union." "I think there are countries in the EU that want to prolong this war with the idea that this is the way to harm Russia. I don't think this strategy works," Fico stressed. Fico is a divisive figure at home with his critics accusing him of being pro-Russia. In January, Fico threatened to cut financial aid for more than 130,000 Ukrainian refugees living in the country as part of a set of retaliatory measures against Kyiv over its decision to halt the flow of Russian gas through its territory to Slovakia. He has also said that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO, stopped military aid to Ukraine and criticised EU sanctions on Russia, all views which are largely at odds with the European mainstream. Fico and Meloni "discussed their support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and their commitment to the reconstruction of the country in view of the Ukraine Recovery Conference that Italy will host in July 2025," a joint government statement said. Later on Tuesday, Meloni welcomes France's President Emmanuel Macron to the Chigi Palace for talks which covered Ukraine, Gaza and relations with the European Union and the Trump administration. "Prime Minister Meloni is part of the collective format of the Coalition of the Willing. She was present in the meetings in Paris and London, Italy is an important partner," the Elysée Palace said in a statement released on Monday. That was a reference to a group of European countries spearheaded by Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer primarily to continue support for Ukraine's armed forces. The group is also working on the creation of a reassurance force that could be deployed to Ukraine as an additional security guarantee in a post-war scenario. In addition to Italy, the coalition also includes Germany, Denmark, Greece, Portugal and Romania among others. Italy's government said that both countries have "common positions" on many issues and expectations were high for productive talks but the leaders' opinions don't align on all issues. There have been differences of position regarding military support for Ukraine with Macron adopting a more aggressive stance while Italy has generally remained cooler. Macron has hinted at western boots on the ground in Ukraine while Meloni favours extending NATO's mutual defence agreement under Article 5 to Kyiv, an idea which hasn't found much support among allies. Meloni was noticeably absent from Macron's mid-May trip to Kyiv with Starmer and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz. And a week later she also didn't attend a working meeting of the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing in Tirana on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit. Tuesday's meeting and working dinner were expected to bridge some of those gaps and see discussions on economic cooperation between Italy and France, with Meloni hoping to find common ground with Macron on addressing migration and transatlantic relations.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tottenham Hotspur given hope as Atletico Madrid hit roadblock in midfielder talks
Atletico Madrid have been on the hunt for a new sitting midfielder for some time, and after the fleeting Arthur Vermeeren experiment, are back to the drawing board. It appeared they had found their man in the shape of Real Betis' and USMNT star Johnny Cardoso, but talks for the 23-year-old have slowed. Cardoso is seemingly keen on a move, and has agreed in principle to a deal with Los Rojiblancos on personal terms. Tottenham Hotspur were also keen on a move for Cardoso, and have a €25m buy clause on him, but so far Cardoso has not shown a willingness to move to London. As things stand, he is prioritising Atletico. Atletico Madrid unwilling to meet asking price However Atletico have run into some roadblocks of their own. Los Colchoneros felt they could get a deal done for Cardoso for somewhere around the €25m mark that Spurs would have to pay in the event they executed that clause. Yet Cadena Cope (via Santiago Narvaez) have explained that talks are more complicated than that. Betis are demanding €40m from Atletico for Cardoso, and as such, the Madrid-based side have begun to look at alternatives in the market. It is not ruled out that a content Cardoso remains at Betis next season either. Value for money with Cardoso? Image via Joaquín Corchero / AFP7 / Europa Pres It is not yet clear what the other alternatives are for Atletico, but at Cardoso's age and in his position, there is not a wealth of options, even if they do feel the price is disproportionate. Previously they had been most strongly linked with Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is out of contract, the previous midfielder they had that filled the position before Koke Resurreccion was moved into the role. That talk has cooled though, and it is not clear where his future lies.
Los Angeles Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Spain cancels contract for anti-tank missiles built by Israeli subsidiary
MADRID — Spain has canceled a deal for anti-tank missile systems that were to be manufactured in Madrid by a subsidiary of an Israeli company, in a bid to move away from Israeli military technology, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday. The decision will affect the license for 168 SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missile systems with an estimated value of $325 million. The systems would have been developed in Spain by Pap Tecnos, a Madrid-based subsidiary of Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, according to local press. 'The goal is clear...a total disconnection from Israeli technology,' government spokesperson Pilar Alegría told reporters, adding the government is studying 'the effects of the cancellation.' Israel's Defense Ministry referred questions on the decision to Rafael, which told the Associated Press it wasn't aware of the cancellation. Pap Tecnos, located on the outskirts of Madrid, did not comment. Spain approved the deal on Oct. 3, 2023, four days before an insurgent assault led by Hamas on southern Israel that sparked a devastating war in Gaza. Authorities argued at the time that the systems used by the Spanish forces were obsolete and should be replaced for up-to-date versions like those used by allied armies. Spain's leftist government says it stopped exporting arms to Israel as of Oct. 2, 2023, but there where reports some shipments slipped through. United States late last year opened an investigation into whether NATO ally Spain denied port entry to at least three cargo vessels reportedly transporting U.S. weapons to Israel. Spain formally recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024 in a coordinated effort with Norway and Ireland. A month later, Spain became the first European country to ask the top United Nations court, the International Court of Justice, permission to join a case mounted by South Africa that accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel strongly denies the charge. Medrano writes for the Associated Press. AP journalist Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel, contributed to this report.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
World Cup Winners Failed to Convince Antoine Griezmann to Join MLS Club
World Cup Winners Failed to Convince Antoine Griezmann to Join MLS Club originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The MLS will not have Antoine Griezmann as its new international star for another two years, as he has renewed his contract with Atlético de Madrid through the summer of 2027. LAFC attempted to sign him. Despite the efforts of fellow World Cup winners Giroud and Lloris to sway him, Griezmann turned down the MLS opportunity. Advertisement The love affair between Griezmann and Atlético dates back to 2014, when the Madrid-based club paid $34 million to Real Sociedad for the French striker. In his first season, Atlético won the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup, the Supercopa de España, and La Liga's Best Player award. Griezmann had an auspicious start with Atlético, but after years of competing in the Champions League and La Liga without major silverware, he left in 2019 to join Barcelona on a free transfer a year after winning the World Cup with France. The transfer did not go well for both sides, as Griezmann joined Barcelona at a tumultuous time for the Catalan club. He stayed for two years before returning to Atlético, which had just won the La Liga title with Luis Suárez as the main striker. In the summer of 2025, Antoine Griezmann was ready to become a free agent, and a move to LAFC to be reunited with his former France national team teammates Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris was an option. Advertisement According to the Spanish website Fichajes, both players were urging Griezmann to sign with the LA club, but the attempts were unsuccessful, and the striker renewed his contract until the summer of 2027. LAFC was looking to add another striker ahead of the Club World The LAFC joined Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders as the third MLS representative in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The tournament will take place in the United States and feature some of the world's biggest clubs, including the Champions League winner PSG, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Atlético de Madrid. This is the first time FIFA has organized a tournament like this, one that goes beyond the classic championship - that features only the winners from every continent. The main goal is to attract more people from the United States to soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the country. Advertisement LAFC has a history of impactful strikers, including Carlos Vela, Gareth Bale and now Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman is struggling to stay healthy in an advance stage of his career, and the club was hoping to sign Griezmann to help in the Club World Cup. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Real Madrid Now Has World's Most Expensive Midfielder
Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid boasts the world's most expensive midfielder according to expert ... More site Transfermarkt, as highlighted by AS. Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid boasts the world's most expensive midfielder according to expert site Transfermarkt, as highlighted by local newspaper AS. The Madrid-based outlet ran a report on the Uruguayan entitled 'Valverde, a new dimension', which details how with veterans Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez set to leave Madrid after the Club World Cup, Federico Valverde will only have Dani Carvajal ahead of him in the pecking order of first team captains. About to enter his eighth season in Los Blancos colors, Valverde is an undisputed starter likely to enjoy such prominence under Carlo Ancelotti's successor Xabi Alonso. He was the only player on the Italian's watch to exceed 5,000 minutes (5,029 to be exact) in playing time across 59 games in 2024/2025, which saw him finish way ahead of teammates such as Kylian Mbappe (4,607 minutes) and Jude Bellingham (4,346 minutes) in that respect. That was a season where we saw Valverde act as a Swiss army knife for his coach and play a number of positions for the Italian including pivot, midfielder, right back and right winger. With Trent-Alexander Arnold completing his long-awaited transfer from Liverpool before the weekend, its likely he'll no longer be required at right back and can perhaps concentrate on holding the fort but also getting forward in the centre of the park. Despite his more retreated position on occasion, Valverde was his team's leader with the most completed passes (3,122), passes to the final third (1,070) and interceptions (70). He was also second in tackles (95) and recoveries (257), third in robbing the ball in the final third of the pitch (24), fourth in blocks (15), fifth in shots (85) and sixth in shots on goal (29) while amassing nine goals and eight assists. This has contributed to a figure that AS says it 'everywhere all at once', and Valverde is expected to be a crucial to Alonso in 2025/2026 where the main mission will be With all this in mind, Real Madrid now boasts the world's most expensive midfielder in Valverde. Eighth overall on its list of the priciest footballers in the sport, he has since his value rise from $5.7 million (€5 million) to $148.4 million (€130 million).
