MADRID (AP) — A Spanish judge jailed Catalonia’s top lawmaker Thursday in a rebellion probe stemming from an independence declaration, but set Carme Forcadell’s bail at 150,000 euros ($175,000) and ordered her passport to be confiscated as the investigation continues. Forcadell is speaker of the regional parliament where separatist lawmakers passed a declaration to proclaim … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — The Latest on the Spain-Catalonia political crisis (all times local): 3 p.m. A Spanish official says that the government respects and obeys decisions taken by judges, after he was asked about the jailing of former Catalan officials in an investigation related to their push for secession. Government spokesman Inigo Mendez de … Continue reading
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain moved Monday to put Catalonia’s secessionist leaders on trial for alleged crimes that carry maximum sentences of decades in prison, and some of the ousted government figures went to the Belgian capital, where an official said they might be able to request asylum. As Catalonia spent its first working day … Continue reading
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) — The crisis over Catalonia’s quest for independence escalated Thursday, as Spain’s central government prepared the unprecedented step of stripping the wealthy region of some of its self-governing powers after its leader refused to abandon secession. In his latest display of brinkmanship, Catalan President Carles Puigdemont sent a letter to Spanish Prime … Continue reading
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Catalonia’s leader on Monday called for international mediation and for the European Union “to stop looking the other way” in the region’s bid to secede from Spain, a day after a violent crackdown by Spanish police trying to block referendum voting. Carles Puigdemont also said that he would file a complaint … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is accusing former campaign rival Hillary Clinton of “propping up book sales with false and reckless attacks.” White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says she’s unsure if President Donald Trump will be reading “What Happened,” Clinton’s account of the 2016 campaign. She says the president is “pretty well-versed on … Continue reading
MUNICH (AP) — Sergio Garcia opened his first event in Europe since his Masters win by shooting a 6-under 66 to lie one stroke off the lead at the BMW International Open midway through Thursday’s first round. Thomas Detry (65) was in the lead, with Joost Luiten (66) tied with Garcia. Garcia opened with six … Continue reading
How does a leading neo-Nazi website that has railed against Hispanic immigrants expand its audience beyond a loyal base of U.S. white supremacists? By publishing a Spanish-language edition, of course. The Daily Stormer — infamous for orchestrating internet harassment campaigns by its “Troll Army” of readers — recently launched El Daily Stormer as a “news … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — Some Spanish parents are having their children boycott weekend homework in November, saying they get too much. The CEAPA federation of 12,000 parental associations says the “No to Homework” campaign aims to encourage more family time between parents and children. It also argues that the homework system is outdated and doesn’t improve … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — Spain is about to pass 300 days without a government. But guess what? Few Spaniards seem bothered by that as the country’s economy roars ahead. Spanish cities are boasting of packed cafes and restaurants, thriving fashion shops and art galleries, plenty of tourists. The overall impression is of a bustling, vibrant country. … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — Spain’s political impasse looks set to continue for some time. The leading opposition Socialist party says that it’s up to its federal committee to decide whether to change the party’s stance against allowing acting Premier Mariano Rajoy of the rival Popular Party to form a minority government. Javier Fernandez, caretaker Socialist leader … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — A passenger train derailed Friday in Spain’s northwestern Galicia region, killing at least four people and injuring 47 others who were taken to hospitals, authorities said. The accident occurred at 9:30 a.m. (0730 GMT) in Porrino, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northwest of Madrid, the Galician regional government said. The regional government’s … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — Nudists have lost a seven-year legal battle for access to a popular tourist resort beach on Spain’s southwestern tip. The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the Spanish Federation of Naturism against local government legislation prohibiting nudists to use beaches within the historic port city of Cadiz. The federation had argued that … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 