site.news_by_theme Spain

More than 1,000 people marched through the streets of Madrid calling for official recognition of crimes committed during the era of dictator Francisco Franco, 40 years after his death.

Spain backed France's decision to let EU deficit obligations slide in order to step up spending on security in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

The outgoing head of the Catalan government, Artur Mas, failed again to garner enough support in the regional parliament to secure a new term following a September vote.

Catalonia may have voted to kick off a process towards independence but the wealthy region is far from breaking up with Spain, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy could actually benefit in upcoming elections.

Lawmakers in Catalonia officially kicked off a process to secede fromSpain by 2017, despite impassioned pleas against independence, in an unprecedented showdown with Madrid's central government.

Catalonia's pro-independence regional parliament is expected to launch a secession process in Spain's wealthiest region, in a showdown with the central government in Madrid.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a "unified" global response to prevent terrorism that puts respect for human rights at the "forefront".

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed to use "all political and legal means" to block a Catalan independence bid after separatist parties submitted a bill on secession to the regional Catalan parliament.

The Catalan regional assembly opened a new session dominated for the first time by a secessionist majority that has vowed to break away from Spain within 18 months.

Catalonia leader Artur Mas defended his ruling separatist Convergence party against graft allegations after a slew of arrests targeting current and former officials.

Spanish judges started questioning Catalan officials charged with breaking the law by holding a vote last year on their contested drive for independence from Spain.

Kazakhstani cycler Alexey Lutsenko of Astana Pro Team has won the Tour of Almaty for the second time.

Vincenzo Nibali of Kazakhstan's Astana Pro Team has won the 109th edition of the Tour of Lombardy (Il Lombaria) after an intense climb.

The European Commission warned Spain to scale back government overspending that is in violation of EU budget rules or risk an embarrassing reprimand ahead of December elections.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced that Spain's forthcoming general election will be held on December 20.

Catalonia's president Artur Mas accused the Spanish government of suing him because its "pride was hurt" by his bids to let his region vote on independence from Spain.

Separatists pushing to make Catalonia independent from Spain were on track to win an absolute majority of parliamentary seats in a regional election.

British actress Emily Watson, who starred in "Angela's Ashes" and "The Book Thief", was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the San Sebastian film festival in Spain.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy appealed for a "united Spain" in Barcelona as campaigning wrapped up for a regional election in Catalonia framed as an indirect vote on independence.

Captain of Kazakhstan's Astana Pro Team Fabio Aru has won the prestigious 2015 Vuelta Espana.