Spain marks 50th anniversary of Franco's death

Álvaro García Ortiz, Spain's attorney general, has been convicted in a controversial leak case. He is barred from holding the position for two years and must pay €10,000 in compensation.

Álvaro García Ortiz, Spain's attorney general, has been found guilty of leaking confidential information regarding a tax case involving businessman Alberto González Amador, who is linked to a prominent rightwing politician. As a result, García Ortiz has been banned from his position for two years, fined €7,300, and ordered to pay €10,000 in damages.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin are in Marseille following the murder of 20-year-old Mehdi Kessaci, linked to the city's drug-trafficking networks. The government views this incident as a turning point and is intensifying efforts to combat organized crime and drug-related violence.

Reports indicate that Donald Trump has attempted multiple times to pressure Kyiv into accepting a peace plan that heavily favors Russia. The proposed draft includes significant concessions from Ukraine, such as ceding territory in Donbas, reducing its military forces, and limiting U.S. military aid. Ukrainian President Zelensky has labeled these conditions as 'non-starters.'

Spain commemorates the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco's death with no official events, as Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urges the nation to learn from the past and protect the democratic freedoms lost during Franco's dictatorship. Franco's regime, which lasted from 1939 to 1975, followed a military coup that sparked a civil war. Sánchez emphasizes the importance of remembering the lessons of this dark period in Spanish history.

Brussels has expressed frustration at being excluded from a rumored US-Russia peace plan for Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell emphasized that any successful plan must include European involvement. Reports indicate the draft may require Ukraine to cede territory in the Donbas, reduce its military forces, and limit US military aid—conditions that Kyiv has labeled as unacceptable, raising concerns about European security and its role in the peace process.

Jazz musician and trumpet player Takuya Kuroda, currently on a European tour, discusses his career beginnings and recording process in an interview with FRANCE 24. Hailing from Kobe, Japan, Kuroda was inspired by Tokyo's vibrant jazz scene to move to New York, which he describes as a cultural melting pot. He attributes his genre-blending style, incorporating elements of funk and hip-hop, to jazz vocalist José James, who influenced him during his studies.

Toñi García, a resident of Valencia, Spain, experienced devastating floods on October 29, 2024, following severe storms that brought unprecedented rainfall to the Iberian peninsula. Despite the national alert system activating at 8:30 PM, floodwaters had already infiltrated the city. Scientists have linked these intense downpours to climate change, highlighting the growing impact of environmental shifts on weather patterns.