Madrid - Indian President Pratibha Patil arrived Monday in Madrid for the first-ever official visit of an Indian head of state to Spain.

Patil was welcomed at Madrid airport by a delegation headed by Science and Innovation Minister Cristina Garmendia.

The four-day visit was described by diplomats as opening a new phase in political, economic and cultural relations between Spain and India.

Madrid  - Dinara Safina made tennis history for herself and her family when she officially climbed to the world number one position in the women's rankings on Monday.

Safina, 22, is at the top for the first time. Her brother Marat Safin led the men's rankings for nine weeks in 2000, making them the first brother-sister act to be number one in the singles rankings.

Madrid  - Real Madrid kept up the pressure on Spanish leaders Barcelona on Saturday, with a 1-0 win away to lowly Recreativo Huelva.

The tight win leaves in-form Real six points behind Barca, who earlier on Saturday won 1-0 in Getafe.

"We had to win tonight, in order to prevent them (Barcelona) from escaping," said Real goal scorer Marcelo.

Real have won 15 of their last 16 league games thanks to the defensive solidity given to them by coach Juande Ramos, who took over from Bernd Schuster in December.

Madrid - A handsome 1-0 win away to Getafe on Saturday stretches Barcelona's lead at the top of the Spanish Liga to nine points.

Barca's 12th away win, a new club record, leaves Lionel Messi and company nine points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who are away to lowly Recreativo Huelva later on Saturday.

Barca have won their last six league games without conceding a single goal.

"It was another good game by us," said playmaker Xavi. "We are enjoying our football and our results are excellent."

Madrid  - Spain's King Juan Carlos was received with republican protests when visiting a mining region in Asturias in the north, the daily El Mundo said Friday.

The monarch had to bear with flags of Spain's 1931-36 Second Republic, shouts of "long live the republic" and loudspeakers playing the republican anthem on his way to visit a coal miners' training centre in Sama de Langreo on Thursday.

Madrid  - A debt-ridden construction entrepreneur kidnapped the manager of his bank office in southern Spain to pressure him for a loan of 50,000 euros (65,500 dollars), El Pais reported Friday.

The Belgian national living in Marbella approached the manager in a parking lot near the bank on Tuesday, the daily reported.

He pointed a pistol at the man, saying hired killers would hurt his family unless the manager arranged for him to get the loan and gave him his car.