In a square outside the government palace in Barcelona, an announcer told the crowd that Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is firing Catalonia’s regional government, dissolving its parliament and calling for a new regional election on Dec. 21. The news was greeted with loud jeers and whistles. Still, the thousands who came to celebrate Catalonia’s … Continue reading
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Catalonia’s regional parliament will hold a debate this week on Spain’s plan to take direct control of the northeastern region — a session many fear could become a cover for a vote on declaring independence. Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has asked parliament to debate and vote on how to respond to … Continue reading
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain’s confrontation with its independence-seeking region of Catalonia intensified Monday when a judge ordered the leaders of two pro-independence groups jailed while they are investigated on possible sedition charges for organizing demonstrations before the region’s disputed secession vote. The jailing of Jordi Sanchez and Jordi Cuixart, the heads of grassroots organizations … Continue reading
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Thousands waving Catalan independence flags rallied Thursday in support of regional acting President Artur Mas who was being questioned at a Barcelona court for holding a symbolic referendum on secession from Spain. Some 400 pro-independence mayors and independence party leaders joined Mas and his government councilors as he walked parade-style to … Continue reading
BERLIN (AP) — Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz spent time online researching suicide methods and cockpit door security in the week before crashing Flight 9525, prosecutors said Thursday — the first evidence that it may have been a premeditated act. As the browsing history on a tablet computer found at Lubitz’s apartment added a disturbing new … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 