Spanish economy shows strongest expansion since crisisJanuary 29, 2016 - 14:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Official figures show the Spanish economy grew by a strong 0.8 percent in the fourth quarter compared with the previous three months, the Associated Press reports. The National Statistics Office said Friday the economy grew 3.2 percent for all of 2015, its strongest expansion since before its economic crisis started in 2008. Spain only emerged from recession in late 2013. It's now one of the European Union's fastest growing economies but still has a 21 percent unemployment rate, the second highest in the 28-nation bloc after Greece. Acting conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had hoped the recovery would help him be returned to office in last month's election. His Popular Party won most seats but lost its parliamentary majority and must now clinch support from other parties to stay in power. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |