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King Felipe and Officials Face Hostile Crowd in Flood-Hit Valencia Region Amid Rising Death Toll
Spain’s King Felipe VI faced a hostile reception from residents in Paiporta, near Valencia, during a visit to the flood-ravaged region where more than 200 people have died following devastating storms. Residents, angered by what they called an inadequate response to the natural disaster, booed, shouted insults, and threw eggs at the monarch as he arrived with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Valencia regional governor Carlos Mazón to show solidarity with affected communities.
The visit was part of a series of appearances by national and local officials aiming to assess the damage and reassure the public amid mounting frustration. However, tensions quickly escalated when, after posing briefly for photos, the royals and officials faced shouts of “murderers” and “do more.” Some in the crowd surged forward, prompting King Felipe to open an umbrella as makeshift protection. Despite the security personnel’s efforts to contain the situation, Felipe lowered his umbrella at one point to listen to a resident who confronted him, remaining composed as police struggled to hold back the crowd.
The recent floods, now confirmed to have claimed 214 lives, have brought severe damage to communities across the Valencia region, leaving many in grief and struggling to rebuild. One of the latest victims identified was a 70-year-old woman whose body was discovered more than 12 kilometers from her home. With the death toll continuing to rise, local frustration has grown, largely focused on what residents describe as a slow and poorly coordinated emergency response.
Prime Minister Sánchez has acknowledged the public’s anger, stating over the weekend that the crisis represents “the worst natural disaster in the country’s history.” In an effort to ramp up relief efforts, Sánchez ordered an additional 5,000 troops to aid in the clean-up and salvage operations, emphasizing the government’s commitment to supporting flood-affected areas.
Addressing the criticisms directly, Sánchez admitted that the official response had fallen short. “I know there are severe problems and shortages,” he said, adding, “There are collapsed services, entire neighborhoods buried under mud, and people still desperately searching for missing loved ones. I know we have to do better, and we are committed to giving our all.”
Despite assurances from officials, frustrations have continued to simmer as many affected residents remain without access to their homes, and essential services are still struggling to resume in the hardest-hit areas. Local leaders, meanwhile, are working with national agencies to coordinate aid distribution, assess infrastructure damage, and address immediate shelter needs for those displaced by the disaster.
As relief operations continue, Spain’s government faces mounting pressure to address not only the current crisis but also to take proactive steps to prevent similar disasters in the future. For now, residents in the Valencia region are left to pick up the pieces, with many hoping for faster and more comprehensive assistance as they work to rebuild.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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