Lionel Messi received Spain's most prestigious sports award on Friday in recognition of his glittering career and his work for disadvantaged children's access to health and education.

Authorities said 250,00 people marched through central Madrid on Saturday demanding protection for the Spanish state pension scheme, one of the hot topics in a parliamentary election next month.

As Spanish city dwellers struggle with affordability and politicians call for people to move to 'Empty Spain' as a solution, we look at how the Basque Country managed to avoid the problem of poor population distribution decades ago.

The EU must urgently investigate the role of social media during protests in member states including France, European lawmakers demanded Friday, adding that Brussels should be prepared to block access "as a last resort".