
Spain’s official unemployment advanced for a third month in March, deepening the divide between peripheral economies struggling to recover from the financial crisis and Germany’s booming labour market. It was the worst record for Spain since 1996.

Spain’s longstanding claim over the sovereignty of Gibraltar looked destined to continue into the next generation of Spanish politics as the heir to the Spanish throne, the Prince of Asturias, used a state dinner for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to reiterate Spain’s desire to ‘progress’ on Gibraltar.

The Socialist Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, says he will not seek a third term in the country’s general election next year. Spain is in the midst of a deep recession. At 20% it has the highest unemployment rate in the Euro zone.

Moody's risk ratings agency on Thursday downgraded the ratings of 30 Spanish banks, a direct consequence of its decision earlier this month to downgrade indebted Spain's sovereign rating.

Uruguayan fish industry instructors, technicians and professionals concluded this week a twenty day training course sponsored by Spain’s Ministry of environment, rural and marine affairs, on board the Spanish scientific research vessel Intermares.

Spanish towns neighbouring with Gibraltar have said they want to improve cooperation and day to day communications with the Rock. Isabel Beneroso president of the Mancomunidad de Municipios (Commonwealth of municipalities) visited Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana, the second PSOE politician to call within the space of a week.

Moody's Investors Service on Thursday slashed Spain's sovereign debt rating by a notch to Aa2 with a negative outlook, saying it was uncertain about the country's ability to improve its finances.

The number of people out of a job Spain, which has the highest unemployment rate in the industrialized world, rose further in February reaching a 15 year high, the Labour ministry said Wednesday.

The Spanish embassy is closely following the difficulties faced by Spanish fishing companies in the port of Montevideo, some of which have decided to stop operating in Uruguay.

UK and Spain's foreign ministers reaffirmed Thursday their commitment to the Tripartite Forum (UK/Spain/Gibralar) for Dialogue following a bilateral meeting in London, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.