Madrid - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Monday gave his backing to Spain's aspiration to attend an economic summit in Washington, to which Spain has not been invited.

The presence of one of the world's biggest economies at the economic summit in mid-November would be "very useful" for the international community, Barroso said at a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during a visit to Madrid.

Madrid - Fans of Spanish football giants Barcelona are confident that their team can stay top of La Liga for the rest of the season, according to an online poll organized by Catalan daily Sport.

Sport asked its readers, most of whom are Barca fans, the question "Will Barca maintain the lead until the end of the season.'"

By Monday afternoon, 71 per cent of readers had voted "yes", with only 29 per cent voting "no".

Madrid - During her 33 years as queen, Sofia of Spain had been known for her gentleness and discretion.

But at the time of her 70th birthday, the Greek-born wife of King Juan Carlos stunned the country with a sudden outburst of outspokenness, reigniting a debate about the role of the monarchy.

The queen opened up to journalist Pilar Urbano, whose book "The Queen Up Close" was published just ahead of Sofia's birthday on Sunday, and continued sparking controversy on Monday.

Madrid - A Spanish prime minister considered declaring a war against neighbouring Portugal to stem the spread of communism in the final year of General Francisco Franco's 36-year dictatorship, the daily El Pais reported Monday.

Carlos Arias Navarro, Franco's last prime minister, met with US deputy secretary of state Robert Ingersoll in Jerusalem in 1975, the daily quoted US national archives as revealing.

Arias Navarro expressed concern over the establishment of a leftist government in Portugal following the 1974 Carnation Revolution, which toppled prime minister Marcelo Caetano's authoritarian government.