- Scientists say world's largest coral found near Solomon Islands
- Sculptor Gormley hopes art can be bridge to China despite curbs
- UN nuclear chief in Iran to 'reach diplomatic solutions'
- Israel face France in Paris football match under tight security
- Beijing's fears after Trump fills key posts with China hawks
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil's Supreme Court
- South Korea exam sees record number of re-takes after medical reforms
- Asian markets mixed as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin above $90,000
- Pumas seek historic win over 'hurt' Irish
- Advantage Martin as MotoGP reaches gripping climax in Barcelona
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil Supreme Court
- Mike Tyson, 58, back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
- Hunger in G20 host Brazil is Lula's unfinished fight
- Biden, Xi arrive in Peru ahead of face-to-face at Asia-Pacific summit
- Mysterious diamond-laden necklace fetches $4.8 mn in Geneva auction
- Lawmakers clash, protesters arrested in wake of Amsterdam violence
- Global diabetes rate has doubled in last 30 years: study
- Six Israeli troops killed, deadly strikes in Lebanon
- US envoy says Mexico's 'hugs not bullets' strategy failed
- Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women's Champions League
- Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account, Ruud misses last four chance
- Another clean sheet for Onana as E. Guinea, I. Coast qualify
- From 'Little Marco' to 'Mr Secretary': Rubio shows Trump China push
- Sri Lanka president eyes parliament win in snap election
- Spain flood epicentre braces for fresh deluge
- New York drought conditions fan flames, spur water saving
- Football 'world order' is changing, says Brazil coach
- Maiden century by Varma gives India unbeatable series lead
- Buy now, pay later: Latin America pressured by Chinese online shops
- Republicans complete power takeover with House majority
- Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals
- Trump victory signals golden era for crypto industry
- 'First Buddy': Musk takes unusual star role with Trump
- Workers stage walkout at US maker of Fallout video game
- England will not change 'DNA' against South Africa, says Slade
- Sri Lanka beat New Zealand to go 1-0 up in ODI series
- Biden, Xi to meet in Peru on Saturday: US official
- Spurs coach Popovich suffered 'mild stroke', says NBA team
- Spain flood epicentre under highest alert for fresh rain
- Turkey scrubs up its baths to keep hammam tradition alive
- 'Very humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus seethes over climate cash fight
- 'Welcome back': Trump, Biden shake hands in White House
- Tech's green wave hits choppy waters
- Fernandes hopes Amorim can 'change the energy' at Man Utd
- Trump, Biden shake hands in White House, vow smooth transfer
- Gatland battling 'pain' during tough Wales rebuild
- COP29 fight for climate money 'humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus
- McIlroy aims for glory on happy hunting ground in Dubai
- Spain evacuates thousands in fresh flood alarm
- US death row inmate stages jazz protest for release in London court
Sahara desert dust coats swathes of Spain
A mass of hot air from the Sahara desert dumped dust on large parts of Spain including Madrid on Tuesday, colouring the sky orange and coating cars and streets.
People used hoses to wash down the dust in the centre of the capital where a brown film covered windows in apartment buildings.
Haze created by the hot air is driven across the Mediterranean Sea by powerful winds called "la calima". The phenomenon is common in Spain, and especially the Canary Islands, off Morocco.
But the latest episode was "extraordinary", greatly reducing visibility over swathes of the country, said Ruben del Campo, spokesman for the state weather agency AEMET.
Cities from Granada in the south, Madrid in the centre and Leon in the northeast, were affected.
Dust was forecast to continue to arrive in "large quantities" during Tuesday and Wednesday and later reach up to the Netherlands and Germany, the spokesman said.
Air quality in Madrid and the nearby cities of Segovia and Avila was "extremely unfavourable", according to local authorities.
Storms in the Sahara create ground wind gusts which lift sand and dust into the air, the weather office said in a video posted on Twitter.
The smaller particles are suspended in the air due to the temperature difference between the ground and the hot air above. The wind then blows the particles north.
J.Bergmann--BTB