Euro zone first-quarter growth disappoints, puts pressure on ECB to act

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy grew much less than expected at the start of the year and inflation remained locked in the 'danger zone' below 1 percent, increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to ease monetary policy at its next meeting in June.

Christine Lagarde angers Spain with repeat prescription of austerity

Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund, has poured cold water on claims from the Spanish government that the recession is over and the country is on the road to recovery.

Recession-hit Spain holds huge Christmas lottery

MADRID (AP) — Champagne corks popped around Spain on Sunday as jubilant winners celebrated scooping up prizes in the country's famed Christmas lottery, the world's richest.

Spain to rescue its indebted regions with 15 billion euros

DUBLIN: The Spanish government is putting finishing touches to a new bailout plan for its highly indebted regions to settle 15 billion euros ($19.7 billion) of unpaid bills to suppliers, Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said on Saturday.

Spain rating risk driven by deficit, says Moody's

MADRID: The likelihood that Spain will miss its public deficit target this year leaves its sovereign rating at risk of slipping below investment grade, credit agency Moody's said on Tuesday.

Spain jobless rate hits new high in third quarter

About a quarter of working-age people in recession-hit Spain are unemployed, new figures have shown.

Market Rally Fades Over Spanish Bank Rescue

A key consideration in the Spanish bank rescue is how investors will judge the Spanish government’s solvency if it is required to add 100 billion euros of debt guarantees to its already strapped finances.

Spain's Leader Faces Doubts At 'Extreme Crunch Time'

MADRID—Six months after Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy won a parliamentary majority by promising to bring credibility and stability back to fiscally troubled Spain, doubts are growing over when and whether it's happening.

Spain forces banks to set aside €30bn

Madrid, Spain (TOE) - The Spanish government has announced a new set of financial reforms, particularly aimed at cleaning up country's banking system infested with bad loans.