Spain

GENEVA -- The World Health Organization says the global risk from the omicron variant of the coronavirus is "very high" based on early evidence, warning of the possibility of future surges with "severe consequences."

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that his country hopes to increase defense cooperation with NATO ally Spain through the purchase of a second aircraft carrier and possibly a submarine.

MADRID (AP) -- The Spanish Navy has started helping farmers on the volcanic island of La Palma to reach their lava-surrounded banana plantations by sea, Spain's Defense Ministry said on Thursday.A scale 5 earthquake overnight offered a reminder that the eruption on the island of 85,000 is continuing strong despite scientists recording lower overall seismic activity levels during the past week, Spain's National Geographic Institute said.

CUMBRE VIEJA EXCLUSION ZONE, Canary Islands (AP) -- A child's swing. A fountain in a courtyard. A tray of glasses abandoned under the duress of escape. All will disappear as a blizzard of dark ash blows from a volcano on La Palma island and drifts to the ground inch by inch, foot by foot.

MADRID (AP) -- Authorities on the Spanish island of La Palma are telling people who live near an erupting volcano to stay indoors because of a heavy fall of ash that has forced the cancellation of flights and school classes.