Christian Science Monitor
Spain: A human-rights avenger no longer?
Madrid is trying to end Spain’s universal jurisdiction law, which proponents say has helped human rights victims find justice – but has also caused major diplomatic headaches.
Andrés Cala
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Christian Science Monitor
Delivering on election promise, Spain’s Rajoy proposes major abortion limitations
Under a bill expected to pass, Spain will allow abortion only in cases of rape or danger to the mother.
Christian Science Monitor
Families of Spanish journalists abducted in Syria break their silence
Two Spanish journalists kidnapped in September near Syria’s border with Turkey are believed to be held by an Al Qaeda-allied rebel group.
Christian Science Monitor
Spain turns corner, as its recession officially ends
The country’s unemployment also dropped for the second straight quarter. But experts warn that the majority of Spaniards will not feel the improvement any time soon.
Christian Science Monitor
Franco-fascism on the march in Spain: Is the government doing enough?
Critics say Spain’s fascist threat comes not from small groups like those set to march in Barcelona Saturday, but from the radical fringe that is part of Spain’s governing Popular Party.
Christian Science Monitor
Spain looks set to drop its fascist-inspired extra hour
More than 70 years after Franco set Spain’s clocks to sync with Hitler’s Germany, a Spanish parliamentary commission recommends realigning with the Brits.
Christian Science Monitor
After crash, Spanish officials defend lucrative train industry
Spain has pinned its hopes on high-speed rail to diversify its struggling economy.
Christian Science Monitor
Spanish government ‘will not be blackmailed,’ says impugned PM Rajoy
The ex-treasurer of Spain’s ruling party told a court today that he had delivered cash to the premier.
Christian Science Monitor
The Atlantic Axis express? Spain, Portugal launch new train
A faster train service between Porto and Vigo debuts today. Locals hope it will help unite the region.
Christian Science Monitor
As Spain’s people drift from Catholic Church, government cozies up
Spain’s conservative government is considering dramatic restrictions on abortion and has already increase the Catholic Church’s role in education, revealing a divided society.
Christian Science Monitor
Portuguese unions set stage for broad anti-austerity strike
Portugal’s two largest unions — some 20 percent of the country’s labor force — have signed onto a general strike to protest the government’s austerity policies on June 27.
Christian Science Monitor
Stash your cash in Switzerland? US and Europe push to make it harder
A Spanish court ruling and investigations spurred by whistleblowers are aimed at scaring tax evaders and raising revenue. One watchdog’s list could lead to some 300 billion euros in tax havens.
Christian Science Monitor
Star Spanish architect’s work draws praise — and costly repairs
Santiago Calatrava’s flowing, modernist projects are tourist attractions all over the world. But several have also been subjects of legal dispute over their need for repairs.
Christian Science Monitor
Could a weak Spanish doping verdict cost Madrid the Olympics?
Madrid is campaigning to host the 2020 Olympic Games, but that plan may be jeopardized by a court ruling that levied only minor sentences against a doping ring whose conduct outraged Spain.
Christian Science Monitor
In time of trans-Atlantic austerity, US opens another military base in Spain
With its already small defense budget hit hard by the economic crisis Spain is leasing several bases to the US in exchange for access to better technology, intelligence, and training.
Christian Science Monitor
More pain for Portugal? High court ruling threatens 2013 budget, recovery
Portugal’s Constitutional Court ruled Friday that a fifth of the government’s planned budget cuts were unconstitutional, in part because they were discriminatory and retroactive.
Christian Science Monitor
Madrid, Catalonia play down secret talks on independence
The Spanish prime minister and Catalonia’s regional leader met secretly last week to discuss improving Catalonia’s fiscal deal with Madrid in exchange for easing off its independence bid.
Christian Science Monitor
Cypriot bailout tax could have unintended casualty: trust in Europe’s banks
The EU raised serious doubts about its promise to guarantee citizens’ savings — a vital pillar of any financial sector — when it went along with a plan to levy small Cypriot depositors.
Christian Science Monitor
Push grows to blacklist Spain over digital pirating
More than 90 percent of downloaded music and 44 percent of software is pirated in Spain. Some trade associations want to see it blacklisted by the US, but Spain says it needs more time.
Christian Science Monitor
Upbeat Rajoy says Spain is on the mend, despite economic woes
During his state of the union address, Prime Minister Rajoy said while ‘reality is harsh,’ Spain’s economic recovery is certain. But the opposition – and the public – remain skeptical.
