Morocco Hails UN Resolution on Western Sahara for Sending Firm Signal to Rebels

 A new UN resolution on Western Sahara has sent a firm message to the separatist Polisario Front that it should not aspire to change the status quo in the region, the Moroccan envoy to the UN said.

Puigdemont privately says Catalan independence push is 'over'

Catalonia's former leader Carles Puigdemont was caught privately telling a colleague that the push for the region's independence bid from Spain was over.

Catalonia crisis: Economy minister puts cost at €1bn

Spain's Economy Minister Luis de Guindos has put the cost of the Catalan independence crisis at around €1bn (£890m; $1.2bn).

He told Spanish radio that it was due to the slowdown in the Catalan economy after the unauthorised independence referendum on 1 October.
 (BBC)

Iraq's victory over ISIS overshadowed by growing crisis with Kurdish region

The hard-won victory in 2017 over the terror group Islamic State (IS) by Iraq is overshadowed by a growing conflict with the Kurds following a controversial independence referendum.

Catalonia's Pro-Independence Parties Seen Losing Majority in Election: Poll

Catalonia's pro-independence parties were seen losing their parliamentary majority in the regional election on Dec. 21, an official poll showed on Monday.

Iraqi Supreme Court rejects Kurdish independence referendum results

The Iraqi Supreme Court on Monday threw out the results of the Kurdish independence referendum held in September.

Iraq's Kurdistan Says to Respect Court Decision Banning Secession

Iraqi Kurdish authorities said on Tuesday they would accept a court decision prohibiting the region from seceding, signaling a new phase in efforts to restart stalled negotiations over its future.

Catalogne: la Cour constitutionnelle espagnole annule la déclaration d'indépendance

La Cour constitutionnelle espagnole a annulé mercredi la déclaration unilatérale d'indépendance de la Catalogne adoptée le 27 octobre par le parlement régional, a annoncé une porte-parole.

Strike for ousted Catalan leaders fails to gain traction

A general strike in Spain Wednesday to protest the jailing of former Catalan officials -- including leader Carles Puigdemont -- failed to gain traction.

Spanish poll suggests only 33.5 percent of Catalans would back independence

According to a poll published Monday just over a third of Catalans would vote for independence from the rest of Spain if a referendum were to be held now.

Catalan parliament declares independence during a secret vote on Friday afternoon

The Catalan parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain.

Spanish PM secures key opposition support for plans to sack Catalonia gov't

The Spanish government has already begun planning to take political control from Catalonia, as the leader of the densely populated region continues to go forward without making his full intentions clear.

Catalogne: Poutine critique le "deux poids deux mesures" des Européens

Le président russe Vladimir Poutine a qualifié jeudi la crise catalane d'"affaire intérieure" à l'Espagne tout en s'en prenant à la politique de "deux poids, deux mesures" des Européens face aux velléités d'indépendance des peuples.

Catalan leader refuses to clarify independence stance

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has failed to clarify whether or not Catalonia plans to break away from Spain, and has instead called for talks.

Juncker does not want Catalonian independence

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said he does not back Catalan independence, fearing others may follow the same path.

Spanish PM calls for clarification on Catalan declaration of independence

The Spanish government held an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the unilateral declaration of independence announced on Tuesday by Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont, who immediately placed independence on hold and demanded talks.

Catalonia suspends its declaration of independence, seeks dialogue

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont says the region will suspend its declaration of independence to allow for dialogue with the Spanish government over a peaceful separation.

Catalogne: les abords du Parlement bouclés pour "raisons de sécurité"

La police a fermé, "pour raisons de sécurité", l'accès au parc qui entoure le Parlement catalan à Barcelone, d'où le président régional Carles Puigdemont pourrait unilatéralement proclamer l'indépendance de la Catalogne mardi soir.

Katalanisches Regionalparlament will trotz Verbots aus Madrid tagen : Medien

Das katalanische Regionalparlament will das Verbot des spanischen Verfassungsgerichtes ignorieren und doch am Montag über eine Unabhängigkeitserklärung entscheiden. Dies meldet Bloomberg am Freitag unter Berufung auf einen katalanischen Politiker.

Arab League Secretary General says no to a Kurdish state

The Arab League has taken a clear position on the Kurdish call for independence.