14/05/2012 | Argentina

EU to lodge suit against Argentina with WTO, reports say

The European Union has agreed to file a trade suit with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over Argentina's import restrictions, a senior Spanish government source said today.

15/05/2012 | Argentina

Repsol says starts legal process over YPF seizure

Spanish oil major Repsol said today it had taken the first step in a process to pursue legal action against Argentina for seizing energy firm YPF.

24/04/2012 | Argentina

Spain to fight for YPF 'fair compensation', willing to maintain good relations with Argentina

Spain's Industry Minister José Manuel Soria said today the Spanish government wants to sustain “good relations” with Argentina but vowed to do everything in their power to assure a “fair compensation” for the expropriation of shares held by Spain-based oil energy company Repsol.

04/05/2012 | Argentina

'Spain needs to accept Argentina's sovereign decision,' Pichetto

The head of the Senate's Victory Front bloc Miguel Angel Pichetto today stated that “Spain needs to accept the sovereign decision made by Argentina,” in reference to the expropriation of oil and gas giant YPF, which last night was approved by a wide majority in the Congress.  

14/05/2012 | Argentina

Gov’t expresses 'concern' over Spanish bio fuel trade restrictions

The government expressed “great concern” today over the Spanish decision to ban bio fuel “not produced within the European Union” from the country.

20/04/2012 | Argentina

CFK assures Spain's biodiesel imports restriction will not affect the country

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner minimized Spain’s decision to reduce the biodiesel imports as a retaliation over the expropriation of YPF and called for “tranquility” after assuring that Argentina “is in condition to absorb” that production in the domestic market.

20/04/2012 | Argentina

Randazzo rules out that Gov't analyzes other expropriations

Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo assured that it is not in the government’s plans to expropriate other companies, after the nationalization of the 51 percent that Spain’s Repsol had in YPF.

23/04/2012 | Argentina

Aníbal Fernández: 'We won't pay what the main responsible for looting YPF says'

Kirchnerite Senator Aníbal Fernández assured today that the government “will pay what YPF truly worth, and not what Repsol’s chairman [Antonio Brufau] wants.”

11/04/2012 | Argentina

YPF shares plunge in Buenos Aires and New York ahead of announcement

Shares in Argentina's biggest energy company YPF plunged 5.6 percent in Buenos Aires today while the company's US-listed shares were 5 percent lower in New York.

17/04/2012 | Argentina

‘The real success of the 15M is that it changed people’s minds’

By Ana Patiño.- Spaniard Stéphane Grueso assured that a new way of protest has appeared after the Tahrir, 15M and Occupy Wall Street movements, and despite their “little” concrete achievements, the change in the people’s minds has showed that it is in fact a success.

20/04/2012 | Argentina

Spain retaliates against Argentina restricting biodiesel imports

In what can be understood as a first measure of retaliation against Argentina, on its decision to expropriate YPF, Spain is about to approve restrictions on biodiesel imports from the South American country.

07/10/2011 | Argentina

Top Spanish matador gored through head by bull

One of Spain's most popular matadors, Juan José Padilla, was gored through the head by a bull during a bullfight in Zaragoza in a grisly incident highlighting the danger of the traditional spectacle at a troubled time in its history.

16/03/2012 | Argentina

De Vido lashes out at Spanish minister for YPF comments

Planning Minister Julio de Vido lashed out at Spanish Industry Minister José Manuel Soria by saying though oil company YPF is run by Spanish investors it should not be considered an asset of the European country. Previously, the Spanish official affirmed that the company’s interests “were those of Repsol and Spain.”

21/03/2012 | Argentina

Gov't rejects Repsol-YPF's dividend reinvestment plan

During a crucial Repsol-YPF board meeting held at the oil giant offices in Puerto Madero, government officials rejected a proposal brought by Repsol CEO Antonio Brufau to recapitalize the company by returning last two years dividends to shareholders.

14/01/2011 | Argentina

Spanish Police assures it knew the plane carried 944 kilos of cocaine

Spain's Interior Minister and Vice-President Afredo Pérez Rubalcaba announced that the Spanish Civil Guard was informed about the plane carrying 944 kilos of cocaine to Barcelona’s airport before it landed. The sons of former Argentines brigadier-generals, Gustavo and Eduardo Juliá and Matías Miret, remain arrested.

18/02/2011 | Argentina

Court urges US, Uruguay for information on Juliá case

National Court sent two exhorts to the United States and Uruguay in order to obtain information linked to the leasing contract of the plane that the brothers Gustavo and Eduardo Juliá used to transport 944 kilograms of cocaine, which were discovered in Barcelona, Spain, on January 2.

28/07/2011 | Argentina

Repsol Q2 falls on weak upstream

Spain's Repsol YPF SA said today adjusted net profit fell 7.3 percent in the second quarter of the year due to the loss of production in Libya and strikes at its Argentine division.

06/01/2011 | Argentina

Three Argentines detained in Spain with 900 kilos of cocaine

Two sons of a retired Argentine brigadier were detained when they arrived at Barcelona’s El Prat airport in a private plane from the Argentine company Medical Jet with more than 900 kilos of cocaine, according to sources from Spain’s police.

07/01/2011 | Argentina

Cocaine trafficking into Spain 'linked with PAMI', Ocaña

Ex-Health Minister and ex-manager of PAMI healthcare, Graciela Ocaña revealed that the air company, Medical Jet, which tried to enter over 900 kilos of cocaine into Spain yesterday was contracted by PAMI for medical flights. The Medical Jet firm is owned by the Juliá family.

07/01/2011 | Argentina

Drug trafficking: Spain's Justice to define judicial situation of three Argentines detained

A Spanish Judge will unveil within the next hours the judicial situation of the three sons of former brigadiers of the Argentine Air Force detained with 944 kilos of cocaine at Barcelona’s El Prat airport five days ago.

16/05/2012 | World

Greece euro exit could hit Spain, Italy, Zoellick assures

A decision by Greece to leave Europe's common currency zone would raise big questions about the impact on Spain, Italy and other euro zone countries with big debt loads that are undergoing structural reforms, the head of the World Bank said.

17/05/2012 | World

Moody's downgrades four Spanish regions

Moody's rating agency downgraded today the ratings of the Spanish regions of Catalunya, Murcia, Andalucia and Extremadura. The investor’s service agency informed the downgrading was due to their poor fiscal performance last year and the “low probability that the regional governments will be able to meet the 2012 deficit target set by the central government.”

21/05/2012 | World

Spain says economy to likely slump in the second quarter

Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said economic activity would likely slump by another 0.3 percent between April and June, further fuelling doubts about the country's ability to get a grip on in its finances and nurse an ailing banking sector back to health.

09/05/2012 | World

Spain takes over Bankia to combat crisis

Spain took over Bankia, the country's fourth biggest lender trying to dispel concerns over the government's ability to clean up the financial sector four years after the banks were hit by a property market crash.

10/05/2012 | World

Repsol profit rises without YPF, company lawyers study expropriation

Spain's oil major Repsol said today its lawyers are studying the legality of Argentina's expropriation of 51 percent of YPF from the group as high oil prices boosted quarterly profit growth at Repsol even without its majority stake in YPF.

11/05/2012 | World

Spain accepts independent banking sector audit

Spain agreed to commission an independent audit of its financial system today, trying to dispel market concerns that a state-funded bank bailout, set to be approved by the cabinet, could strain public finances to breaking point.

07/05/2012 | World

'Who can now trust a country that takes such decisions?,' Rajoy says over YPF

Spain’s President Mariano Rajoy considered that the expropriation of YPF oil and gas giant led by the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and backed by a large majority of the opposition blocs, has to do more with Argentina’s weakness than Spain’s current fragility.

07/05/2012 | World

Repsol warns oil giants to sue if they join YPF, British paper

Spain-based energy group Repsol has sent letters to oil majors including Exxon, Chevron and ConcoPhillips warning it would sue if they try to invest in YPF or its assets, according to British newspaper The Financial Times.

09/05/2012 | World

Spain to demand banks recognize more losses

Spain will demand banks set aside another 45 billion dollars against loans to the ailing building sector, financial sources said, raising the possibility more public cash will be needed to rescue the country's lenders.

27/04/2012 | World

Spanish economy in 'huge crisis,' says Foreign Minister

Spain's sickly economy faces a "crisis of huge proportions", Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said today, as unemployment hit its highest level in two decades and Standard and Poor's weighed in with a two-notch downgrade of the government's debt.

30/04/2012 | World

Denmark's Noma wins World's Best Restaurant third time

Danish restaurant Noma was crowned the world's best restaurant for the third year in a row in an annual list, beating out top eateries in Spain, Brazil, Italy, the United States and elsewhere.

07/05/2012 | World

Spain calls LatAm countries to guarantee legal security

As today the national government put into force the YPF expropriation law, Spain’s Vice President Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría said that Latin American countries to assure legal security during a meeting of Iberian countries’ ministries.

19/04/2012 | World

Spain lobbies for US support against YPF expropriation

Spain will discuss a joint response with the United States to Argentina‘s forced nationalization of the YPF oil company, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said today.

23/04/2012 | World

YPF: Spain urges Argentina 'to solve this in a friendly way or obey international courts'

Spain’s Foreign Ministry José Manuel García-Margallo urged Argentina to solve in “friendly manner” the plans to expropriate a controlling 51 percent stake in YPF by seizing most of Repsol's shares, or to obey what the international courts might rule on the matter.

23/04/2012 | World

EU rejects Spain's request to leave Argentina out of negotiations with Mercosur

A member of the European Union assured it is not possible to negotiate an agreement between the EU and Mercosur without Argentina, as the Spanish Government planned after the country’s decision to expropriate YPF.

18/04/2012 | World

Spain wants EU complaint with WTO on Argentina

Spain will ask the European Union to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization against Argentina for seizing control of energy company YPF, which is majority owned by Repsol, a high-ranking government source said today.

18/04/2012 | World

Spanish king apologises for Botswana elephant hunt

Spain's King Juan Carlos I hobbled out of a Madrid hospital and apologised for making an elephant-hunting trip to Botswana - a jaunt that has caused outrage in a country suffering from an economic crisis.

19/04/2012 | World

France, Spain clear bond auction hurdle

France and Spain sold all the bonds they wanted at auction today, though for Spain the cost was rising yields, indicating growing concerns the government will not be able to tame its deficit.

17/04/2012 | World

YPF: Spain expresses 'profound unease,' warns of 'consequences'

An incensed Spain threatened swift economic retaliation against Argentina on Tuesday after it unveiled plans to seize YPF, the South American nation's biggest oil company which is controlled by Spanish energy group Repsol.

18/04/2012 | World

Repsol's Brufau: 'Argentina will have to pay a fair price'

Repsol group’s chairman Antonio Brufau assured today that the Spain-based energy group “believes in Justice and not in demagogy."

18/04/2012 | World

YPF stock transactions resume in New York, shares plunge 32.7%

On Wednesday, shares of Argentina’s biggest energy company Repsol-YPF plunged 32.7 percent in Wall Street after transactions resumed following three days of suspension.

16/04/2012 | World

Spain: 'We'll defend the interests of Spanish companies in Argentina'

The Spanish government warned today that Spain will give "the most suitable answer" to Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's announcement on YPF expropiation.

16/04/2012 | World

YPF: Spain says Argentina's decision is 'discriminatory, arbitrary'

The Spanish government condemned Argentina’s announcement over the expropriation of YPF, calling it a “discriminatory” and “arbitrary” decision, and stated that it will adopt any measures deemed necessary to defend the interests of Repsol and every other Spanish company.

17/04/2012 | World

'Argentina's decision endangers friendship with Spain,' Spanish Minister

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo warned today that “Argentina has just shot itself in the foot” as the expropriation of YPF energy company might lead to “a break-up with both Spain and the international community.”

12/04/2012 | World

Spanish Industry Minister issues YPF warning

Amidst the cross-fire between the Argentine government and Repsol-YPF oil giant, Spain’s Industry Minister José Manuel Soria, assured today that “any sign of hostility” against Spanish companies “will be considered as a hostile sign against Spain and its government, and will bring consequences.”

14/04/2012 | World

YPF: Spanish media assures gov't could boycott Argentine meat, soy imports

Following a day of meetings and warnings against Argentina, Spanish media today assured that Mariano Rajoy’s government  was analysing commercial retaliation if the Argentine government decides to advance on nationalising petrol giant YPF. According to newspaper El Mundo, the Spanish government will boycott Argentine soy and meat imports.

15/04/2012 | World

Support for Spain's PM falls as austerity bites

Support for Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy fell sharply in April after his government announced deep spending cuts and health and education reforms to fight the sovereign debt crisis, an opinion poll showed.

30/03/2012 | World

Spain presses on with austerity package despite protests

Spain announced deep cuts to its central government budget today as it battles to convince European partners and debt markets it can rein in its budget deficit.

10/04/2012 | World

Iran cuts oil to Spain ahead of nuclear talks

Iran has cut oil exports to Spain and may halt sales to Germany and Italy, Iran's English-language state television reported, in an apparent move to strengthen its position ahead of crucial talks with world powers later this week.

12/04/2012 | World

Rajoy: 'Spain will not be rescued, the alarm is unjustified'

Spain's government will pass health and education reforms later this month, in the country's latest measures to cut spending and meet difficult deficit reduction targets, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in Warsaw today.

25/03/2012 | World

Spain's PM denied symbolic austerity boost in local vote

Spain's centre-right People's Party won a regional election in Andalucia but did not secure the outright majority it expected, depriving Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of a symbolic boost to help him push through harsh spending cuts.

28/03/2012 | World

Italy’s Monti downplays Spain contagion risk

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti today played down the risk that economic troubles in Spain would spread to the rest of Europe and said he believed the euro zone debt crisis was nearly over.

29/03/2012 | World

Spaniards strike against labour reform

Spanish workers angry at a labour reform the government calls an "unstoppable" necessity staged a general strike, bringing factories and ports to a standstill and igniting flashes of violence on the streets.

20/03/2012 | World

Spanish minister vows to defend Repsol’s interests in Argentina

Adding fuel to the quarrel between Argentina and Spain for disagreements over Spanish investors administrated YPF, Spanish Industry minister of José Manuel Soria vowed today to defend his national’s interests.

23/03/2012 | World

Spain committed to deficit targets, says Economy Minister

Spain is fully committed to meeting its deficit targets and any comparisons to Greece are "total nonsense," Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said today.

24/03/2012 | World

Italy PM Monti says worried about contagion from Spain

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti expressed concern about Spain's public finances and said it would not take much to reignite the euro zone debt crisis and revive the risk of it spreading to Italy.

07/03/2012 | World

Argentina regain FIFA's Top 10

The football national teams of Argentina, Brazil and Netherlands escalated in the FIFA ranking published on Wednesday. It is still headed by Spain, current champion of Europe and the World.

12/03/2012 | World

Eurozone okays Greek aid, demands deeper Spanish deficit cut

Euro zone finance ministers gave their final approval to a second bailout for Greece and turned their fire on Spain, demanding it aim for a tougher deficit target this year in order to get back on target in 2013.

20/03/2012 | World

Moody's: ‘Spain's fiscal outlook remains challenging’

Rating agency Moody's said today Spain's fiscal outlook remained challenging despite recently softened deficit targets.

25/02/2012 | World

Spanish treasure lands after 200 years

Coins worth nearly half a billion dollars finally arrived in Spain on Saturday after lying in a sunken warship for more than 200 years and following a five-year legal battle between the Spanish government and a salvage company.

29/02/2012 | World

Thousands of Spanish students protest against cuts

Tens of thousands of students took to the streets of Spanish cities to protest against government spending cuts that have left many classrooms without heating.

05/03/2012 | World

EU's Barroso says sure Spain will honor commitments

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said today he was confident Spain would fulfill its EU budget discipline commitments despite setting itself a softer 2012 deficit target than originally planned.

20/02/2012 | World

Italy, Britain urge more EU focus on growth

Italy, Britain, the Netherlands and nine other countries called for Europe to shift its focus from tough budget cuts towards measures to create growth as the region looks headed for its second recession in three years.

22/02/2012 | World

UK expresses condolences

Amidst the mounting tension between Argentina and the UK over the Malvinas Islands sovereignty, David Cameron’s administration expressed its condolences to Argentina over the train accident that killed 50 people and injured over 600. Spain and Mexico also sent similar messages.

25/02/2012 | World

Spain king's son-in-law in court on fraud charges

The king of Spain's son-in-law appeared in court on charges of fraud and embezzlement in a case which threatens to tarnish a royal family credited with steering the country from dictatorship to democracy.

13/02/2012 | World

Moody's warns it may strip France, UK and Austria's Aaa rating

Rating agency Moody's warned it may cut the triple-A ratings of France, the United Kingdom and Austria, while it downgraded the ratings of Italy, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta.

14/02/2012 | World

Moody's warns it may downgrade France, Britain

Rating agency Moody's said today it downgraded six European nations including Italy, Spain and Portugal, citing growing risks from Europe's debt crisis, and warned it may cut the triple-A ratings of France, Britain and Austria.

19/02/2012 | World

Hundreds of thousands march in Spain against reforms

Hundreds of thousands of people protested across Spain Sunday against reforms to the labor market they fear will destroy workers' rights and spending cuts they say are destroying the welfare state.

09/02/2012 | World

Spain's crusading Judge Garzon disbarred for 11 years

Spain's Supreme Court disbarred crusading Judge Baltasar Garzon for 11 years for illegally recording defence lawyers' conversations with clients, which may effectively end his career in international human rights trials.

13/02/2012 | World

Spain Court throws out bribery case against Garzon

Spain's Supreme Court threw out a bribery case against crusading human-rights judge Baltasar Garzon on Monday, after he was disbarred last week in a separate case for illegally taping suspects.

13/02/2012 | World

Fitch, S&P downgrade Spanish banks

Fitch ratings agency has downgraded the main financial entities of Spain – Santander, BBVA, Bankia and Caixabank – due to the recent downgrade of the country’s debt. Meanwhile, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment (BICRA) over Spain’s banking sector to group '5' from group '4.'

30/12/2011 | World

Spain says deficit bigger than expected, unveils tax

Spain's new government said the public deficit for 2011 would come in at 8% of gross domestic product, well above a target of 6%, and announced income and property tax hikes and a civil servant wage freeze in response.

27/01/2012 | World

Fitch downgrades five eurozone countries

Rating agency Fitch carried out its threats and downgraded the ratings of five countries in the eurozone including Spain, Italy, Belgium, Cyprus and Slovenia. Ireland ratings where reaffirmed, informed the agency.

06/02/2012 | World

Moody's considers Spain’s restructuring plan to be ‘positive’

A move by Spain to restructure its banking sector could help banks regain access to market funding and reestablish investor confidence, Moody's Investors Service said today in its Weekly Credit Outlook.

19/12/2011 | World

New Spanish leader pledges deep crisis cuts

Spain's incoming Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy took aim at his country's economic woes Monday, promising deep spending cuts at all levels of government while offering tax breaks for companies.

21/12/2011 | World

Spain's Rajoy sworn in as Prime Minister

Mariano Rajoy was sworn in as Spain's new prime minister today and was due to name a team which will need to strike a balance between reviving the stagnant economy and cutting the public deficit.

21/12/2011 | World

Spain's Rajoy names cabinet of insiders

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy named a cabinet of mostly close advisers charged with reviving the sluggish economy while slashing spending to reassure investors the euro zone's No. 4 economy can stay solvent.

07/12/2011 | World

Germany pours cold water on EU summit hopes

Pessimistic comments from EU paymaster Germany and new figures exposing deepening stress among Europe's banks dented financial market hopes of a turning point in the euro zone's debt crisis at a summit this week.

12/12/2011 | World

Euro zone fiscal pact fails to restore confidence

A European summit deal to strengthen budget discipline in the euro zone failed to restore financial market confidence, forcing the European Central Bank to step in again gingerly.

15/12/2011 | World

S&P downgrades credit of 10 Spaniard banks

Standard and Poor’s (S&P) rating agency has downgraded the credit rating of ten Spaniard banks, Bankia, CaixaBank, Banco Popular, Banco Sabadell and Bankinter among them.

21/11/2011 | World

Spain new premier refuses to reveal plans

Prime Minister-elect Mariano Rajoy resisted pressure to disclose his plans for rescuing Spain from economic disaster, keeping anxious Spaniards and impatient investors on edge following his election triumph.

29/11/2011 | World

Spain's government says Franco's remains should be moved

Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco's remains should be removed from a controversial monument outside Madrid, a commission named by the outgoing Socialist government recommended.

03/12/2011 | World

Spain's Rajoy says crisis needs new economic policy

Incoming Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called on all Spaniards to work together to overcome the debt crisis and promised a new economic policy to deal with unemployment that is more than double the European Union average.

19/11/2011 | World

Spain to decide on Zapatero's successor

Spaniards are expected to throw out the Socialists they blame for a disastrous economic situation in an election Sunday and to vote in a center-right party likely to dole out more bitter medicine in the form of public spending cuts.

20/11/2011 | World

Centre-right roars to victory in Spain election

The opposition People's Party (PP) won a crushing victory in Spain's election on Sunday as voters vented their rage on the ruling Socialists for the worst economic crisis in generations. 

20/11/2011 | World

Spain's Socialists concede loss in parliamentary election

Spain's ruling Socialists conceded loss to the center-right People's Party in the parliamentary election, Socialist party spokesman Jose Blanco said on television.

16/11/2011 | World

Spain ‘Indignants’: a movement without a leader, formed by leaders

By Ana Patiño.- Nowadays we can see plenty of massive pacific protests across the world, as the “Indignants” of New York who camped at Zuccotti Park, or the march for “Global Change” held on October 15 known as the 15-O.

17/11/2011 | World

Spanish, French borrowing costs climb, contagion builds

Spain and France struggled with government bond auctions today, throwing into sharp relief the threat of larger euro zone economies succumbing to the debt crisis that began in Greece and is already lapping at Italy's shores.

17/11/2011 | World

Greek protests as France, Spain face squeeze

More than 30,000 Greeks took to the streets of Athens in a protest rally that marked the first public test for a new national unity government that must impose painful spending cuts and tax rises if the country is to escape bankruptcy.

20/10/2011 | World

ETA separatists end armed struggle in Spain

Spanish Basque armed separatists ETA have called an end to 50 years of armed struggle, the band said in a statement published in Basque language newspaper Gara.

28/10/2011 | World

Spain unemployment hits 15-year high

Spain's unemployment hit a 15-year high in the third quarter with little hope new jobs will be created any time soon by a battered economy that remains at the forefront of investor concerns about Europe's debt commitments.

07/11/2011 | World

Socialist tries to gain points in Spanish election debate

Spain's Socialist candidate for prime minister, lagging badly in polls, tried to paint his conservative rival as a threat to the welfare state in a televised debate that was not expected to save the Socialists from a Nov. 20 election rout.

08/10/2011 | World

Rajoy's agenda still a secret after Spain conference

Spain's opposition leader Mariano Rajoy, likely to win next month's general election, concluded a three-day party conference by calling on Spaniards to help overcome the crisis but stopped short of presenting a concrete agenda

13/10/2011 | World

S&P downgrades Spain by one notch on weak growth outlook

Ratings agency Standard and Poor's downgraded the long-term credit rating of Spain by one notch, knocking the euro down by a third of US cent as it followed hard on the heels of a similar downgrade by Fitch last week.

18/10/2011 | World

Moody's cuts Spain by 2 notches, sees funding risks

Moody's Investors Service cut Spain's sovereign ratings by two notches, saying high levels of debt in the banking and corporate sectors leave the country vulnerable to funding stress.

26/09/2011 | World

Spain's PM dissolves parliament before elections

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero dissolved parliament, but pledged more measures to tackle Spain's economic crisis before a November election that is expected to hand power to the conservative opposition.

05/10/2011 | World

Spain enthralled by wedding of 85-year-old duchess

One of Europe's wealthiest aristocrats, the 85-year-old Duchess of Alba, wedded a civil servant 24 years her junior in a Seville palace today after overcoming opposition from her children and Spain's royal family.

07/10/2011 | World

Fitch cuts Italy, Spain ratings, outlook negative

Fitch cut Italy's sovereign credit rating by one notch and Spain's by two, citing a worsening of the euro zone debt crisis and a risk of fiscal slippage in both countries.

19/08/2011 | World

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates World Youth Day

Pope Benedict XVI met with teachers and university professors today at the historic San Lorenzo de Escorial Monastery, on the second day of his visit to Spain and warned against a utilitarian focus in education, which he considered to conduct “science without limits,” and to be “totalitarianism”.

20/08/2011 | World

Pope says priests must live saintly lives

Pope Benedict said today Roman Catholic priests must live saintly lives and men should only enter the priesthood if they were convinced they could live by all the Church's rules, including celibacy.

20/09/2011 | World

Spanish teachers strike over education cuts

Thousands of teachers, parents and schoolchildren marched through Madrid in protest against spending cuts in education, as Spain fights to avoid being dragged into a euro zone debt crisis.

16/08/2011 | World

Pope to face protests over Spain trip costs

While thousands gather in Madrid at a lavish welcome offered to Pope Benedict for a Roman Catholic youth festival this week, protesters are planning to march to complain over its cost at a time of economic hardship.

17/08/2011 | World

Thousands rally in Spain against cost of Pope visit

Thousands of protesters marched in Madrid against the cost of the Pope's visit to Spain this week at a time of growing public anxiety and economic hardship in the country.

18/08/2011 | World

Pope arrives in Spain for visit in the midst of protests

Pope Benedict XVI arrived today in Spain begging a four-day visit to Madrid to attend World Youth Day, a congregation of more than one million Catholics that the pontiff is expected to use to reaffirm the importance and influence of his church among younger members of society, said the News York times today.

29/07/2011 | World

Spain’s Zapatero calls November election, four months early

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced an early general election in November, four months early than scheduled, looking to capitalize on a slight upturn in opinion poll ratings.

29/07/2011 | World

Moody's threatens Spain rating cut

Rating agency Moody's put Spain on review for a possible downgrade today, adding to concerns that a Greek rescue package has done little to halt the spread of Europe's debt crisis.

02/08/2011 | World

Italy under fire in widening euro debt crisis

Financial market pressure on Italy intensified, sucking Europe's second biggest debtor nation deeper into the euro area danger zone and prompting emergency consultations in Rome and among European capitals.

07/07/2011 | World

Spain festival twins bullfights with food fights

Spain's world famous annual San Fermín festival may have bullfighting as its centrepiece but the carnival atmosphere also lures unorthodox fans given to food fights, singing and dressing up.

11/07/2011 | World

Spain PM calls for rapid solution to Greek problem

The euro zone must find a rapid solution to the Greek debt problem to slow the spread of falling confidence through the euro zone, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said.

12/07/2011 | World

Spain's Socialists narrowly survive budget test

Spain's minority Socialist government survived a preliminary budget vote in parliament, but analysts still expect an early election.

19/06/2011 | World

Tens of thousands march against Euro Pact in Spain

Tens of thousands of Spaniards abandoned their customary quiet day with families and friends on to march against the so-called "Euro Pact" and the handling of the economic crisis.

22/06/2011 | World

Spanish Congress to amend reforms as protests persist

Spain's parliament will amend the Socialist government's wage reform bill, meant to make the economy more competitive, after voting today to open debate on the reform, as activists protested outside the legislature.

07/07/2011 | World

Suspect in 1997 Spanish king plot arrested

British police have arrested a suspected member of the Basque separatist group ETA wanted in connection with a plot to assassinate the King of Spain in 1997, authorities in both countries said today.

30/05/2011 | World

Spanish 'indignants' spark wave of European protests

Spaniards protesting over the handling of the country's economic crisis vowed to keep their tents in central city squares this week, as a wave of similar protests spread to other major European cities.

10/06/2011 | World

Spain arrests Anonymous members over Sony hack

Spanish police arrested three suspected members of the so-called Anonymous group today on charges of cyber-attacks against targets including Sony Corp's PlayStation Network, governments, businesses and banks.

15/06/2011 | World

Spain protesters try to block Barcelona parliament

Protesters tried to block today the entrance to Barcelona’s local government, news agencies reported.Over 400 police were called to Ciutadella park to ensure protesters would not enter the premises.

20/05/2011 | World

Spain government rethinks ban as youth protests grow

Tens of thousands of Spaniards angry over joblessness protested for a sixth day in cities all over the country, and the government looked unlikely to enforce a ban on the demonstrations, fearing clashes.

21/05/2011 | World

Spaniards stage mass protests into polling day

Thousands of Spaniards filled city squares and camped out across the country to protest against government austerity before regional elections which are likely to deal a blow to the Socialist government.

23/05/2011 | World

Spain: protesters to remain camped in central Madrid

Spanish protesters stay camped in Madrid ´s Puerta del Sol. The tents and tarps were still in place after the elections, but the crowd was smaller and analysts said the momentum of the movement will be hard to maintain. But demonstrators have vowed to continue to protest this week.

11/05/2011 | World

Quake rocks southern Spanish city, at least 10 deaths confirmed

A rare earthquake rocked the small town of Lorca in the southern Spanish region of Murcia causing houses to collapse, damaging historic churches and public buildings and killing at least ten people.

12/05/2011 | World

Hundreds queue for food after Spanish earthquake

Hundreds of people queued for food aid in the Spanish town of Lorca and wandered the streets wrapped in blankets after an earthquake killed eight people and injured more than 120. Thousands of residents of the town slept on the street overnight.

19/05/2011 | World

Spain bans jobs protests over election weekend

Spain's electoral oversight body ruled that jobs protests which young people are staging across the country would be illegal over the coming election weekend, but some demonstrators said they would defy the ban.

10/03/2011 | World

Moody's cuts Spain rating, cites higher bank costs

Moody's downgraded Spain's sovereign debt rating by one notch and warned of further cuts to come due to fears that bank restructuring will cost more than twice what the government expects.

10/03/2011 | World

Moody's cuts Spain rating on higher bank costs

Moody's downgraded Spain's sovereign debt rating by one notch and warned of further cuts to come due to fears that bank restructuring will cost more than twice what the government expects.

02/04/2011 | World

Spanish PM says will not stand in 2012 elections

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, his popularity hammered by the euro zone's highest jobless rate, said he would not seek a third term in 2012 elections his Socialists are expected to lose.

21/12/2010 | World

Portugal faces rating cut, Spanish debt costs rise

Portugal was put on notice that its credit rating could be cut and fellow euro zone debtor Spain had to pay more to issue new debt, suggesting the currency bloc's crisis will rage unabated in 2011.

08/02/2011 | World

Spain to legalize immigrants with underage children born in the country

Spain’s government will grant legal status to illegal immigrants who have underage children born in the country, according to a draft of a new bill presented in Madrid.

24/02/2011 | World

Spain's Zapatero to visit Tunisia interim government

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will travel to Tunisia on Sunday and meet the interim government, the government said in a statement, the first world leader to do so.

10/12/2010 | World

Spanish official says Kirchner couple 'regrettable,' questions handling of farming crisis

Spanish newspaper El País released a new batch of leaked US diplomatic documents, in which high-ranking officials in the Spanish government harshly criticized several Latin American leaders, including the Kirchners.

14/12/2010 | World

Spain eyes extending air traffic state of emergency

Spain's government proposed extending a state of emergency to Jan. 15 to ward off the possibility of air traffic controllers paralysing airports with a wildcat strike over the Christmas and New Year holiday.

16/12/2010 | World

IMF chief: Spain to avoid wider debt woes

Spain will ward off the worst of a European debt crisis without needing a rescue and there is no threat to the euro currency's existence, the head of the International Monetary Fund said.

01/05/2012 | Latin America

Morales announces expropriation of REE shares in Bolivia

Bolivian President Evo Morales announced the expropriation of the Red Eléctrica Española (REE) shares at an power transmission company in Bolivia and ordered the Army to take over the firm's headquarters.

02/05/2012 | Latin America

US, EU 'concerned' over Morales' expropriation

Evo Morales Government’s decision to nationalize the main power transport company that was in hands of Red Eléctrica Española (REE) generated claims from Spain, but United States and the European Union showed their “concern.”

03/05/2012 | Latin America

IMF assures there is no nationalization 'trend' in the region

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) affirmed that it does not see a trend in South America toward state nationalization of private companies despite moves made by Bolivia and Argentina in recent weeks, a spokesman said today.

02/02/2011 | Latin America

Cuba to free four more political prisoners

Cuba will soon free four more political prisoners and send them to Spain as it continues to clear jailed opponents from its prisons, the Roman Catholic Church said.

31/05/2011 | Latin America

Spain orders trial for priest killings in El Salvador

Spain's High Court ordered 20 soldiers from El Salvador to be put on trial for the killing of five Spanish and one Salvadoran Jesuit priests during the Central American country's bloody 12-year civil war in 1989.

27/04/2012 | Latin America

Spain urges CFK to return to ‘the path of international legality’

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo urged today President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to go back to “the path of international legality.” The official also said Spain sees no viable deal between the Euroean Union and the Mercosur until Argentina complies with the international investment rules.

30/04/2012 | Sports

Olympics: Argentina's basket team rivals defined

Argentina's national basketball team will face the US in the groups' round at the London 2012 Olympics, while Spain will play against Brazil, according to the draw held in Río de Janeiro.

08/05/2012 | Sports

Spain's Puyol almost certain to miss Euro 2012

Spain defender Carles Puyol will almost certainly miss Euro 2012 after he sustained an injury to his right knee that his club Barcelona said requires arthroscopic surgery and will sideline him for around six weeks.

09/05/2012 | Sports

Argentina move to 9th place at FIFA ranking

Argentina’s national football team advanced from the tenth to the ninth place at the FIFA World ranking, headed by World Cup holder Spain, the organization reported.

08/04/2012 | Sports

Spain, US to meet in Davis Cup semi-finals

Holders Spain clinched a Davis Cup semi-final berth at home to the United States when David Ferrer cruised to a 7-5 6-3 6-3 victory over Austria's Juergen Melzer to give the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead.

10/04/2012 | Sports

Messi, Ronaldo change national teams

A curious campaign of a mobile phones company in India showed Lionel Messi wearing Brazil’s national football team shirt number 10, while Cristiano Ronaldo wears Argentina’s 7.

25/04/2012 | Sports

Bayern stun Real in shootout to set up Chelsea final

05/03/2012 | Sports

Barcelona to appeal Piqué red card

Barcelona will appeal against the red card shown to Gerard Piqué in Saturday's La Liga match against Sporting Gijon, a club spokesman said.

21/03/2012 | Sports

Figo owes Spain 2.4 million euros in unpaid taxes

Former World Player of Year Luis Figo has been ordered to pay around 2.4 million euros in income tax to the Spanish government from his time as a Barcelona player, the country's supreme court ruled on Wednesday.

27/03/2012 | Sports

Ferrer back in Spain team for Austria clash

Top-ranked Spain have world number five David Ferrer back in the side for their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final at home to Austria next month, captain Alex Corretja announced.

23/01/2012 | Sports

Spain federation takes no action on alleged Pepe stamp

The Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) will take no action against Real Madrid defender Pepe for his alleged stamp on Barcelona forward Lionel Messi's hand in Wednesday's King's Cup quarter-final first leg.

09/02/2012 | Sports

Spanish league halts talks with players' union

The Spanish football league (LFP) has broken off talks with the players' union (AFE) on a wide-ranging agreement covering wages and working conditions, the LFP said, raising the prospect of another strike disrupting the La Liga calendar.

14/02/2012 | Sports

Spain has a problem with doping says minister

Spain has a problem with doping in sport and the government will move quickly to bring its laws into line with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines to combat it, the country's new sports minister said.

29/11/2011 | Sports

'The team will be defined on Friday'

Argentina’s tennis captain Modesto “Tito” Vázquez affirmed that he still has doubts about how the team will be formed for the final of the Davis Cup against Spain that will begin on Friday at Sevilla.

02/12/2011 | Sports

Ferrer beats Del Potro, complicates Argentina's Davis Cup dream

03/12/2011 | Sports

Argentina cling on in Davis Cup with doubles win

12/11/2011 | Sports

Lampard heads England to victory over Spain

England claimed a memorable and unlikely 1-0 win over world champions Spain thanks to a headed goal from Frank Lampard and some resolute defending during the closing stages of a hugely entertaining friendly at Wembley Stadium.

18/11/2011 | Sports

‘Tito’ Vázquez confirms team for Davis final

Argentina will travel to Spain to play the final of the Davis Cup with five players: Juan Martín del Potro, David Nalbandian, Juan Chela, Juan Mónaco and Eduardo Schwank, team’s captain Modesto “Tito” Vázquez announced.

23/11/2011 | Sports

Argentina remains tenth in FIFA's Top 10

Argentina’s national football team remains in the tenth place in FIFA’s world ranking, which is now headed by Spain, followed by Netherlands, world champion and runner-up.

30/09/2011 | Sports

Del Potro focused in Davis Cup final

Juan Martín Del Potro announced he will not play at the Tokyo and Shanghai tournaments in order to reach to the final of the Davis Cup against Spain in the first weekend of December in good shape.

01/10/2011 | Sports

Argentina beat by Spain in Roller Hockey finals

The Argentine roller hockey team lost 5-4 to Spain in the finals of the 14th Roller Hockey World Championship, which was taking place in the San Juan province.

17/10/2011 | Sports

Bilbao beat Osasuna to ease pressure on Bielsa

Athletic Bilbao continued their fledgling revival after a poor start to the campaign when Iker Muniain, Igor Gabilondo and Javi Martinez struck in a 3-1 La Liga win at home to 10-man Osasuna.

16/09/2011 | Sports

Nadal trounces Gasquet in Davis Cup semi opener

Spanish world number two Rafa Nadal showed little sign of post-US Open fatigue when he thrashed France's Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-0 6-1 in the opening singles rubber of their Davis Cup semi-final.

21/09/2011 | Sports

Argentina in the edge of FIFA's Top 10

Argentina’s national football team dropped from the ninth to the tenth place in FIFA’s world ranking, which is now headed by Spain, who removed Netherlands from the top.

22/09/2011 | Sports

Spain puts squeeze on cash-strapped clubs

Financially-troubled Spanish clubs will no longer be able to escape relegation by going into administration after the government agreed a change in the law.

28/08/2011 | Sports

Ronaldo grabs hat-trick in rout of Zaragoza

Cristiano Ronaldo picked up where he left off last season with a superb hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to a crushing 6-0 win at Real Zaragoza in their opening La Liga match.

29/08/2011 | Sports

Uruguay's Forlán to leave Atlético for Inter

Diego Forlán is to leave La Liga club Atlético Madrid after four seasons and will join Serie A side Inter Milan, the Uruguay striker announced.

08/09/2011 | Sports

Nadal and Murray race through to US Open quarters

Spain's Rafa Nadal and Briton Andy Murray made up for lost time by demolishing their fourth round opponents in straight sets at the US Open today to remain on course for a blockbuster semi-final showdown.

30/07/2011 | Sports

Cycling Classics king Gilbert wins in Spain

Belgian Philippe Gilbert won the San Sebastian Classic with a devastating late lone attack that underlined the Belgian's status as this year's King of the one-day Classics.

30/07/2011 | Sports

World champions Spain face France in World Cup

World champions Spain will face former world champions France in their campaign to qualify for the World Cup finals in Brazil in 2014 following the gala preliminary round draw.

10/08/2011 | Sports

Torres and Piqué suffer injuries in Spain friendly

Fernando Torres and Gerard Piqué had to be substituted with injuries in the first half of Spain's friendly against Italy.

30/04/2011 | Sports

Del Potro achieves Estoril final

Argentine tennis player Juan Martín Del Potro -- the 2009 U.S Open champion -- reached the final of the Estoril Open by overcoming Uruguay's Pablo Cuevas 6-2 7-6 and will now face Fernando Verdasco.

10/05/2011 | Sports

Ronaldo scores another hat-trick as Real romp past Getafe

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick to lead Real Madrid to a 4-0 home win over Getafe, denying leaders Barcelona the chance to win the La Liga title without kicking a ball.

11/06/2011 | Sports

Contador confirms he will ride Tour de France

Three-times Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has confirmed he will ride in next month's showpiece race, ending speculation the Spaniard might skip the event.

16/04/2011 | Sports

Spain's Nadal and Ferrer reach Monte Carlo final

Spaniards Rafa Nadal and David Ferrer will lock horns again in the Monte Carlo Masters final after the claycourt conquistadors sealed contrasting victories in their semi-finals.

22/04/2011 | Sports

Copa del Rey tournament attracts record audience

More tan 14 million Spanish football fans watched Real Madrid’s glory over Barcelona with their 1-0 victory, in the final match of the Copa del Rey tournament last Wednesday, making the match’s transmission the most-viewed between both teams in history.

24/04/2011 | Sports

Sevilla, Atlético boost Europe bids with wins

Sevilla and Atlético Madrid improved their chances of playing in next season's Europa League when they beat Villarreal and Levante respectively in La Liga to open a four-point gap from eighth-placed Espanyol.

08/02/2011 | Sports

Guardiola to extend Barça contract to June 2012

Barcelona have secured the services of Pep Guardiola for one more season after their spectacularly successful coach agreed to extend his contract with the La Liga champions to the end of June 2012.

15/02/2011 | Sports

Contador free to race again after ban lifted

Alberto Contador is free to compete again after Spain's cycling federation (RFEC) lifted his one-year doping ban but the Tour de France champion still faces the threat of possible appeals by two global bodies.

13/04/2011 | Sports

Spain turn down Copa America invite due to tight calendar

World and European champions Spain have turned down an invitation to play in this year's Copa America due to their busy timetable, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said.

12/12/2011 | Entertainment

Argentine actor Alberto de Mendoza dies at 88

Argentine actor Alberto de Mendoza died at the age of 88 after being hospitalized various days at the Clínica de la Luz in Madrid, Spain due to a severe respiratory condition.

31/07/2011 | Entertainment

Chef Ferran Adria reconstructs Spain's El Bulli

Ground-breaking chef Ferran Adria held El Bulli's last supper this weekend, closing the doors of his three Michelin-starred Spanish restaurant for another reinvention, that of El Bulli itself.

12/08/2011 | Entertainment

Glenn Close to get lifetime award at Spanish festival

Actress Glenn Close will receive a lifetime achievement award at the San Sebastian film festival in Spain next month for a career that has shocked, delighted and moved audiences for more than 30 years, organizers said.

18/08/2011 | Entertainment

Sunsplash reggae festival opens, Marley family performs

Europe's largest reggae festival Rototom Sunsplash opens its gates today in the Spanish resort of Benicassim, where over 200,000 fans are expected over 10 days of Jamaican-inspired music headlined by leading members of the Bob Marley dynasty.