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Photo: AFP

Spain economy outlook 'better than expected' with GDP growth forecast

Spain's central bank on Tuesday raised its 2015 growth forecast for the country to 3.2 percent, further strengthening the outlook for recovery in the eurozone's fourth biggest economy.

Christmas 2015

Archive photo: AFP

Seaside town in southern Spain nets the big Christmas lottery win

The residents of Roquetas de Mar will be enjoying a very happy Christmas after their town landed El Gordo - the Fat One - in Spain's famous Christmas lottery.

Christmas 2015

Mantecados. Photo: Javier Lastras / Flickr Creative Commons.

Seven tasty traditional dishes to devour at Christmas in Spain

Spain has its own traditions when it comes to sweet and savoury festive fare. The Local explores seven of the most delicious.

Photo: AFP

Madrid banishes ghosts of Franco from its streets with name changes

Madrid City Hall has confirmed it will change the names of 30 streets in the capital that currently honour people connected to the regime of Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco.

50th anniversary

Film poster of the 1965 Dr Zhivago

On location in Spain: Ten amazing facts about film classic Dr Zhivago

To mark the 50th anniversary of the release of David Lean's romantic epic The Local reveals some little known facts about the film's links with Spain.

General election

Photo: Cesar Manso / AFP

Spanish PM offers dialogue with other parties to form government

Spain's beleaguered Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has offered dialogue to other political groupings in an attempt to form a government

Photo: AFP

Airbnb fined for offering lodgings without permits in Barcelona

Barcelona's left-wing city hall has slapped home rental websites Airbnb and HomeAway with fines for marketing lodgings that lacked permits to host tourists.

General election

Photo: AFP

Podemos insists 'Spain will never again be subordinate to Germany'

The head of far-left party Podemos, which came third in a general election, said Monday his priority is to defend Spain's sovereignty, saying the country will never again be subordinate to Germany.

Christmas 2015

Catalonia's Tió de Nadal. Photo: Josep Ma. Rosell/Flickr

The weird and wonderful Christmas traditions celebrated across Spain

From Catalonia's 'crapping log' to the Basque Country's very own version of Santa Claus, The Local guides you through the weird and wonderful world of Spanish Christmas.

General election

Photo: Jose Jordan / AFP

Seven reasons why forming a new government is mission impossible

Spain woke up on Monday to a new political era, one that promises uncertainty, possible parliamentary deadlock and even new elections.

Features

Christmas 2015

Photo: Jaime Reina / AFP

Ten magical ways to give your kids the best Spanish Christmas ever

What child wouldn't love the fact that in Spain you get to celebrate, not once, nor twice, but three times, during the festive period? Lisa Sadleir tells The Local how to get the best out of Christmas in Spain.

Two of the Number26 founders, Maximilian Tayenthal (l) and Valentin Stalf (r). Photo: Number26

The startup looking to revolutionize the Spanish banking experience

A German startup is offering Spaniards the chance to avoid the hassle of long queues and awkward opening hours of Spanish banks and do everything on a smartphone - and in English.

Photo: Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP

'We've missed you': King honours Jews banished during Inquisition

Spain's King Felipe VI has honoured Sephardic Jews who were banished more than five centuries ago during the Inquisition, after a law allowing dual citizenship for their descendants came into force.

The Local list

Photo: AFP

Ten brilliant ways to enjoy winter in Spain

Whether it is hearty stews, mountain vistas or shopping and culture, winter in Spain offers its own delights. Here is a look at ten of the best activities to enjoy in the cooler months.

Opinion

Photo: Simon Paulin/Imagebank Sweden

The end of the expat? Europe's cities fight for 'Inpats'

Mention expats and many minds are drawn to stereotypes of workers sent abroad for three years to live in a compound and sip gin. But today’s mobile professionals aren't posted overseas – they just get up and go, writes The Local's Managing Editor James Savage.

More news

General election

Rita Basaho who has become Spain's first ever black MP. Photo: Podemos

And the real winners of the Spanish general election are...women

Spain's parliament now has the most women in its history, after a record number of female candidates won seats on Sunday.

Photo: AFP

Spanish beauty queen claims crown at Miss World pageant in China

Spanish model Mireia Lalaguna was crowned Miss World 2015 after beating out 113 contestants from across the globe on Saturday night at a coastal resort city in south China's Hainan Province.

Christmas 2015

Photo: AFP

Surf's up: Dozens of Santas take to the waves in Barcelona

A fundraiser this weekend saw dozens of Father Christmas's take to the waves with their boards in Barcelona - all in aid of a good cause.

Luisa Isabel Alvarez de Toledo. Photo: Archive of Maes.es

Children of Spain's 'Red Duchess' win claim over disputed inheritance

The multi-million-euro fortune of Spain's "Red Duchess", which includes an Andalusian palace, has been divided between her three children and her widow after a legal wrangle.

General election

Photo: Cesar Manso / AFP

Rajoy will first try to form govt but deadlock could see new elections

Outgoing Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he will try to form a new government after his conservative Popular Party won the most seats in a general election on Sunday but lost its absolute majority.

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From our other editions

Photo: Damüls - Faschina Tourismus

Inexorable spread of Silent Night

When "Silent Night" was born in Austria almost 200 years ago, those present had little idea that the Christmas carol would one day be sung the world over, including this year by Miley Cyrus and some Swedish goats.

Fifa corruption scandal

Photo: Fifa

Swiss software caught Blatter-Platini payment

Fifa investigators used special software for financial watchdogs to catch the $2-million transfer that led to the ban on Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, a source close to football's Zurich-based world governing body said.

Central Duisburg. Photo: DPA

Woman sends thieves packing with one punch

When two robbers in Duisburg attacked a young woman late at night they probably thought they’d found an easy victim. But things turned out very differently to how they planned.

Aarhus University. Photo: IK's World Trip/Flickr

Deported African cleaner blitzes Danish uni exams

An international student at Aarhus University passed three exams in one day, all with the highest possible grade, after finding out he is to be deported from the country.