Chávez’s absence sparks speculation
The recently re-elected Venezuelan president hasn't been seen in three weeks
Hobbits take over Madrid subway
Tolkien characters barge their way on to Metro map to promote new movie
Pope Benedict XVI's new digital image bears a Spanish stamp
A Madrid-based agency is behind an advertising campaign for the Vatican
Fraud squad denies authorship of accusation against Artur Mas
Document accusing Catalonia premier of Swiss cash stash not issued by police, statement says
Healthcare workers hold surprise protest in Senate
Strike renewed against privatization plans for hospitals
Desperation leads immigrants to chance cruel sea in toy boats
The number of people risking dicey, but cheap, crossing is on the increase
Jobless claims rise for fourth straight month to reach record levels
Ranks of unemployed swelled by non-professional carers
Catalan government says it will not apply PP’s education law
Education ministry’s bill states that studies must be offered in both Spanish and local language “in balanced proportions”
Opposition praises sacking of general who slammed Catalan separatists
Officer used editorial in military publication to criticize premier Artur Mas’ drive for independence
Regions to receive less than they asked for from bailout fund
Central government to hand over four billion euros less
Government garners 1.2 billion euros from tax-dodger amnesty
Administration had targeted revenues of 2.5 billion Late rush sees figure rise considerably
US jury convicts would-be male model of veteran journalist’s murder
Carlos Castro's gruesome killing occurred after he asked to end the pair’s love affair
Bankia loses a quarter of its market value in one fell swoop
Strict terms of European bailout for nationalized bank spook investors in worst-performing stock
Derby tests two-horse Liga theory
Atlético travels to the Bernabéu ahead of Real Madrid for first time in 17 years
Government will not compensate pensioners for inflation impact
Consumer price index rose annual 2.9 percent in November, almost three times the official target Poorer seniors to get two-percent rise next year
This week’s movie releases
Ang Lee brings bestseller Life of Pi to the big screen
Feel the rushes: extreme sports cinema to crash Bilbao
The fourth Mendi Film Festival parachutes into the Basque capital
Regional poverty drops to lowest level in three decades
"Current poverty and indigence rates are the lowest for three decades," says report
FARC negotiators "confident" Washington will pardon top rebel
"Simón Trinidad" was extradited to the United States following his 2004 capture in Ecuador
Aguirre handed task of hauling Espanyol out of mire
Relegation-threatened Barcelona club turns to seasoned Mexican after Pochettino’s departure
Mas seeks allies for parliament as 2013 budget augurs gathering storm
ERC offers hand but with veto over cutbacks, while Socialists turn down pact
Spain to vote in favor of UN observer status for Palestine
Rajoy backs two-state solution as Israel warns Madrid it could become sidelined in future peace negotiations
Health workers strike over privatization
Two-day stoppage to protest Madrid regional government's plans for hospitals
F1 fallout from 2012 season
Team principals from Ferrari and Red Bull debate a thrilling year of wheel-to-wheel racing
Pro-Spain Ciutadans group demands Mas step down as regional premier
ERC offers to support next year’s referendum but uncertain about coalition
Movie director José Luis Borau dies at 83
Zaragoza-born filmmaker directed key 1970s work ´Furtivos’ and threw himself into a host of other projects
Catalan premier Mas falls short of absolute majority for sovereignty plan
CiU leader says right-to-decide referendum process will still go ahead Leftist-nationalist ERC rises to second place
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