MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Javi Garcia said Thursday that he is returning to Spanish champions Real Madrid after one season at Osasuna as a much improved player.

MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Spain's second-largest bank BBVA on Thursday cut its economic growth forecast for Spain for this year and the next and predicted unemployment could surpass 14 percent by the end of 2009 in the eurozone's fourth largest economy.

CINCINNATI, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal has slammed the ATP for a hardcourt tournament schedule which is taking its toll on the players.

MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - The Palestinian Authority does not think that peace talks will be hit by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to step down, Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said Thursday in Spain.

MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Spain's top oil group, Repsol, reported Thursday that net profits during the first half of the year rose by 24.1 percent to 2.1 billion euros (3.3 billion dollars) as record high crude oil prices offset a drop in production.

MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish inflation picked up speed in July to a new record high of 5.3 percent in July over the same time last year due to soaring fuel and food costs, according to a preliminary estimate published Thursday by national institute INE.

In June, 12-month inflation was 5.1 percent and in May it was 4.7 percent.

MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Spanish Telecommunication firm Telefonica said Thursday its second quarter net profit dropped 20.2 percent to 2.05 billion euros (3.2 billion) from the same period last year when its results were boosted by a large one-time gain.

MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Striker Roberto Soldado has left Real Madrid for top flight Madrid suburbs side Getafe, who unveiled him officially on Thursday.

Soldado, 22, has signed a four-year deal with Getafe paying out four million euros for his services.

Soldado failed to break through in the Real first team last season after returning from a loan period with Osasuna.

MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - A one-month old baby died in northeastern Spain after his parents left him by accident in a buggy in the trunk of their vehicle, police said Thursday.

MADRID, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - Manchester United's Portuguese striker Ronaldo is still dreaming of Real Madrid, despite his club's total opposition to his leaving, Spanish sports daily AS reported on Thursday.

Ronaldo's agent Victor Mendes has, according to AS, been in contact with Real to pass on the message that the player still harbours ambitions of playing at the Bernabeu.