Spain News

ETA peace conference called for May 4: mediator

By AFP

Bayonne - An international conference to support the peace process in the Basque region is to be held in France in early May, a mediator said Monday, as separatist group ETA prepares to disband.

Thousands rally for ETA prisoners in Basque city

By AFP

Bilbao - Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Bilbao in northern Spain on Saturday, urging better conditions for jailed members or collaborators of ETA just weeks before the Basque separatist group is due to disband.

No economic risk for Spain from Catalan dispute: IMF

By AFP

Washington - The is no current risk to Spain's solid economic growth from the separatist crisis in the country's Catalonia province, a senior International Monetary Fund official said Friday.

Basque separatists ETA apologise in step to disbandment

By AFP

Bilbao - Basque separatist group ETA asked forgiveness from its victims for the first time Friday for the "pain" caused by its decades-long campaign of violence, in a penultimate step towards disbandment.

Basque separatist group ETA apologises for 'harm' it caused

By AFP

Madrid - The Basque separatist group ETA apologised Friday for the "pain" and "harm" it caused during its decades-long campaign of violence, and appealed to its victims for forgiveness."We have caused a lot of pain, and irreparable harm.

France, Britain, US want to regain 'prestige' with Syria strikes: dissident

By AFP

Madrid - Far from "saving Syrians from brutality", the United States, France and Britain were likely only trying to regain international "prestige" when they attacked Bashar al-Assad's regime, prominent Syrian dissident Yassin al Haj Saleh told AFP.

Catalan parliament speaker opposes new elections

By AFP

Geneva - The speaker of the Catalan parliament said Wednesday that new elections were not in the region's "interest" while Spain persists in blocking a new president from taking office.

Trolleys bring relief for Moroccan 'mule women'

By AFP

Ceuta - It's a form of hard labour that has provoked an outcry -- Moroccan women bent double, overburdened by goods approaching or exceeding their own bodyweight.

Inflated CVs, dubious degrees: Spain in 'mastergate' scandal

By AFP

Madrid - Inflated CVs, degrees that may or may not be real... a scandal over how Madrid's leader obtained a law diploma has swept up other politicians in what has become Spain's "mastergate".

Italian judge orders release of seized migrant rescue ship

By AFP

Rome - An Italian judge ordered the release Monday of a migrant rescue ship, impounded since last month as part of an investigation in which three NGO officials are accused of aiding illegal immigration.

'Drug flats' blight the heart of Spanish cities

By AFP

Madrid - A decade after Spain's property bubble burst, dozens of vacant apartments in Madrid and Barcelona city centres have turned into "drug flats", to the dismay of local residents who complain of abandoned syringes and frequent brawls.

Massive march in Barcelona against jailing of separatist leaders

By AFP

Barcelona - Hundreds of thousands of people marched in Barcelona on Sunday to protest the jailing of nine Catalan separatist leaders facing trial on "rebellion" charges.

Another trade war looms with US... on Spanish olives

By AFP

La Roda De Andaluc - The US flag still flutters next to others in front of the AgroSevilla factory, the world's biggest exporter of black olives based in southern Spain.

Spain gives Germany new Puigdemont info for extradition

By AFP

Madrid - Spanish prosecutors have handed over new information to Germany they hope will back their demand to extradite former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont on rebellion charges, the justice minister said Friday.

Catalan separatist Rovira aims to rebuild life in Switzerland: report

By AFP

Geneva - Catalan separatist Marta Rovira, who fled Spain last month to escape charges over the region's breakaway bid, said in an interview published Thursday she planned to settle in Switzerland for good.

Saudi crown prince in Spain as warship sale mooted

By AFP

Madrid - Saudi Arabia's crown prince held talks Thursday with Spain's king and prime minister in Madrid, the last stop of his global diplomatic charm offensive to try to project a new liberal image for his conservative kingdom.

Spain court rules proposed Catalan leader must stay in jail

By AFP

Madrid - Spain's Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a request by Catalonia's pro-independence presidential candidate Jordi Sanchez to be let out of jail and sworn in as regional head.

Saudi crown prince meets Spain king as warship sale mooted

By AFP

Madrid - Saudi Arabia's crown prince held talks with Spain's King Felipe VI on Thursday during an official visit to the country which coincides with negotiations to sell Spanish warships to the oil-rich kingdom.

Saudi crown prince arrives in Madrid on last stop of global tour

By AFP

Madrid - Saudi Arabia's crown prince arrived in Madrid on Wednesday on the last stop of his global diplomatic charm offensive in a bid to project a new liberal image of his conservative kingdom.

Court probes Catalan independence activists for 'terrorism'

By AFP

Madrid - A woman was arrested Tuesday for "rebellion" and "terrorism" in a probe of pro-independence activists in Catalonia who have staged protests such as road blockades, the interior minister said.

Argentina will not recognize Venezuela vote: Macri

By AFP

Buenos Aires - Argentina will not recognize the result of next months' Venezuelan presidential election, which is being boycotted by the main opposition parties, President Mauricio Macri said Tuesday.

Court probes Catalan independence activists for 'terrorism'

By AFP

Spain PM's party in hot water over Catalonia, fresh scandal

By AFP

Madrid - With key elections looming next year, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative party is in hot water as it is criticised for its handling of the Catalan crisis and a fresh scandal tarnishes its image.

Catalonia's Puigdemont may stay in Berlin while on bail

By AFP

Berlin - Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who was arrested in Germany on a Spanish extradition request but released on bail last week, was Monday allowed to stay in Berlin while the case is heard.

Catalan ex-minister confident Scotland will reject Spain's extradition demand

By AFP

Edinburgh - Former Catalan minister Clara Ponsati, who is wanted for her role in last year's independence bid, said on Sunday that she is confident Scottish courts will reject Spain's extradition demand.

Second attempt to make jailed Catalan activist regional president

By AFP

Madrid - A jailed Catalan pro-independence activist was on Saturday proposed as the new regional president for a second time despite a failed first attempt.

Barcelona's Senegalese street vendors present own clothing line

By AFP

Barcelona - Senegalese street vendors staged a fashion show Friday in Barcelona to present their own clothing line of "legal clothes made by illegal immigrants", the slogan of their new campaign to get off the streets.

Spain mulls appealing Puigdemont extradition ruling to EU court

By AFP

Madrid - Spain's public prosecutor's office said Friday that it may appeal a German court's decision to reject the extradition of Catalonia's ousted separatist leader Carles Puigdemont to the European Court of Justice.

Greece to try Spanish rescuers for 'migrant trafficking'

By AFP

Madrid - Three Spanish firefighters will stand trial in May in Greece for allegedly trying to help illegal migrants enter the country via Lesbos where they were taking part in sea rescue operations.

Puigdemont urges dialogue with Madrid after leaving German jail

By AFP

Neum - Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont called for immediate "political dialogue" with Madrid to resolve the row over the region's independence bid as he left a German jail on Friday.