Spanish judge says Britain must respect Ecuador’s decision to grant asylum, but Foreign Minister Hague says his government’s only obligation is to extradite WikiLeaks founder

PEOPLE

UK government reigns from Spain

Patricia Tubella London

Frosty relations between David Cameron and Nick Clegg on hold under Iberian sun

WILDFIRES

Gomera park chief believes fire is work of arsonists

María Sosa Troya Madrid

Ongoing blaze was attempt to wipe out one of Europe's great natural wonders, says official

NUCLEAR POWER

The Garoña nuclear plant, located near Burgos, is the oldest of its kind in Spain. / CLAUDIO ÁLVAREZ

Energy reforms leave Garoña investment up in the air

Rafael Méndez Madrid

New taxes on atomic energy threaten the extension of the plant’s life

PROFILE: Hervé Falciani

Hervé Falciani is a French-Italian computer analyst who secretly copied data on thousands of clients from files at HSBC bank. / VALERY HACHE (AFP)

Whistleblower or common criminal?

Manuel Altozano / Martin Delfín Madrid

The ex-HSBC employee is accused of stealing thousands of clients' bank records. Now in a Spanish jail, he is waiting to see if he will be extradited to Switzerland to face charges

FINANCIAL CRISIS

Spanish banks face up to bailout with worst bad-loan ratio

Álvaro Romero Madrid

Non-payment of credit reaches an unprecedented 9.4 percent in June, according to Bank of Spain

INVESTOR CONFIDENCE

Stock market recovers levels last seen in April

Alejandro Bolaños Madrid

Borrowing costs ease as Spain's risk premium falls below 500 points for first time since July 4

SOCIAL PROTEST

Laborers set off on their first of a series of marches in Andalusia to call attention to high unemployment in the region. / JULIO PÉREZ (EFE)

"Robin Hood" mayor leads laborers on "anti-unemployment" march

Ginés Donaire Jódar 1

Coalition of leftist Andalusian forces wants government to turn over unused land and a guaranteed income for destitute

WILDFIRES

Environment minister: “No errors” made in Canaries fire response

El País Madrid

Arias Cañete reacts to criticism of state action over devastating blaze Government argues budget cuts not to blame for situation

La Gomera loses 11 percent of its surface area to devastating blaze

El País Madrid

Over a thousand Canary island residents still unable to return to their homes as regional leader calls for “justice”

Catalan cuts hamper firefighters’ efforts to stamp out blazes

El País Madrid

High-risk season hit by lack of funds as land affected by wildfires triples the 2011 total

TOURISM INDUSTRY

Foreign vacationers make up for fall in domestic demand

Carmen Sánchez-Silva Madrid

Experts in the sector expect August hotel occupation to reach 80 percent

RETAIL

The new standardized uniforms for employees of El Corte Inglés. / CARLOS ROSILLO

Suits you: El Corte Inglés ends uniform gender discrimination

Alejandra Agudo / Esther Tejedor Fernández Madrid

Male salesclerks could wear what they wanted while women had to don pant suits -- until now

HEALTH CUTS

Five rebel regions pledge to go on treating migrants

El País Madrid

Andalusia among those defying plans to end universal healthcare

Cracks show in PP over government's plans for healthcare

El País Madrid 1

Galicia party chief questions fee for immigrants

CONSEQUENCES OF PUBLIC PROTESTS

A police officer outside Congress earlier this week. / CARLOS ROSILLO (EL PAÍS)

Congress remains under police siege despite empty capital streets

F. Javier Barroso Madrid

Protests lull during vacation month but residents complain over ongoing blockade

RACISM

Antisemitic expression on rise in Spain, says report

Jorge Marirrodriga

Websites, blogs, forums and social networks enjoy "complete impunity in Spain"

Más información

Olinga gives Málaga good cheer

Real held by Valencia as Athletic and Betis share eight at San Mamés

Málaga players mob 16-year-old goalscorer Fabrice Olinga. / MIGUEL RIOPA (AFP)

FEATURES

ECONOMY

Capital flight: IAG, which owns Iberia and British Airways, has announced contingency plans to deal with a possible euro breakup. / CARLES FRANCESC

Preparing for a worst-case euro scenario

Miguel Ángel García Vega

Firms are reorganizing to limit the damage in the event of European monetary breakup

BRAIN DRAIN

The medics seeking life abroad

Elena G. Sevillano / María R. Sahuquillo Madrid

With healthcare spending being cut back in the name of austerity, growing numbers of Spanish professionals are looking for work in other parts of Europe

TOURISM

This summer is a record one for the ice chest, according to people in the hospitality sector who say that most beachgoers, like this family in Málaga, are in picnic mode. / JULIÁN ROJAS

Getting away from it all... on the cheap

Lluís Pellicer / Raquel Vidales

The crisis keeps getting worse, and the tourism sector may be feeling the pinch — but there are still ways for cash-strapped Spanish families to take a break and enjoy the summer sunshine

DRIVING