Spain sees slight increase in first quarter jobless rate

Spain's high unemployment rose slightly in the first quarter, official data showed Thursday, a reminder in an election year of the challenges the country faces as it seeks to cement a fragile economic recovery. The jobless rate rose to 23.78 percent, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), up from 23.7 percent in the previous quarter. The increase is a blow for Spain's conservative government as it prepares for municipal and regional elections next month and general elect