Each Real Madrid v Barcelona Clasico is about more than just football, with both superclubs having deep roots within Spanish and Catalan society. But this week’s two Clasicos in four days have even wider resonance than usual, given the current mix of legal and political issues directly and indirectly involving both clubs.

Investors experienced a very strong year during 2017, writes David Holohan.

Here's all you need to know.

A Spanish judge has ordered that four prominent members of the Catalan independence movement should remain in custody, including the vice-president of the ousted regional government.

The prime ministers of Spain and Belgium have held talks over their testy bilateral relations as ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four secessionist allies prepare for an extradition court appearance in Brussels.

Catalonia's ousted leader has vowed to prolong the fight for independence from Spain and urged the European Union (EU) to speak out over the jailing of Catalan officials in a rebellion case.

The current crisis in Catalonia is just one of a number of separatist issues being looked on with disfavour and alarm in Europe’s corridors of power, writes John Lloyd    

Hundreds of thousands of Catalans took to the streets of Barcelona to voice their opposition to the region's declaration of independence.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Irish people planning to visit Spain to be prepared to adjust their travel plans at short notice if necessary.

A Spain senate commission has approved the government's proposal for taking over the running of the country's powerful Catalonia region to stop its push for independence.

The leader of Spain's secession-minded Catalonia region says he has decided against calling a parliamentary election that might have defused tension with the Spanish government.

Latest: The president of Catalonia arranged and then hastily cancelled an official address today amid speculation that he might back off a full independence bid by calling a snap election.

Mr Rajoy said he hopes the measures planned, including the sacking of Mr Puigdemont's government and curtailment of the Catalan parliament's powers, will be brief.

Catalonia's government is appealing against plans by Spain's central authorities to directly run the troubled north-eastern region.

Spanish government bonds and stockmarkets are not panicking over Catalonia because any secession by the region would have limited effects on Madrid’s finances and economy, a leading analytical firm has said.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has said Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's attempt to "humiliate" Catalonia is an "attack on democracy".

Spain's prime minister Mariano Rajoy has said he wants the country's senate to give him direct power to dissolve the regional Catalan government and call an election as soon as possible.

The Spanish government is preparing to activate a constitutional article to take control of the Catalonia region in a bid to stop a rebellion from separatist politicians.

Spain's King Felipe VI has spoken out forcefully against Catalonia's independence drive, saying all Spaniards must respect each other and the law.

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy said his government will announce specific measures tomorrow to take control of the Catalonia region, now that an agreement has been reached with the country's main opposition parties.

Spain is to hold a special Cabinet meeting at the weekend to activate measures to take control of Catalonia's semi-autonomous powers after the region's leader threatened to explicitly declare independence if no talks were offered.

Catalonia's leader has called for dialogue with Spain and a meeting with the country's prime minister, complying with a Monday deadline to respond to a request from the central government to state explicitly whether he had declared independence.

Thousands of Catalans who want their region to remain in Spain marked the country's national day today, marching through Barcelona waving both Spanish and Catalan flags and shouting "I am Spanish".

Update - 5.43pm: The Spanish government has given Catalan leaders a Monday deadline to clarify whether independence has been declared, an official said.

Spain's prime minister has described this month's referendum in Catalonia as part of a strategy "to impose independence that few want and is good for nobody".

Spain's two main parties have agreed to renegotiate laws governing autonomy amid Catalonia's independence bid, Madrid's opposition leader said.

Spain's prime minister Mariano Rajoy has formally asked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to clarify whether independence has been declared, saying that is needed before he can decide what steps to take.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique says he is ready to stand down from Spain duty if he is deemed a "problem" by national team coach Julen Lopetegui or the Spanish Football Federation as a result of his support for Catalan independence.

Spain's central government and regional Catalan authorities argued on Saturday over who controls the regional police force that is considered key to the success of a planned independence vote for the north-eastern region.

IN a little over a week the old, divisive force at the root of so much European catastrophe will march again.

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has rejected calls by Catalan officials for negotiations on a referendum on the region's independence, saying the law does not allow it.

Spain's state prosecutor is investigating more than 700 Catalan mayors for cooperating with a referendum on independence that has been suspended by a court.

Spain's top court has preventively suspended the call for a referendum on Catalonia's independence after accepting an appeal by central authorities in Madrid, according to media reports.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has told the country's National Court he did not know anything about the ruling Popular Party's accounting practices when a corrupt scheme allegedly helped fund it.

Portugal has declared three days of national mourning after 61 people were killed in raging forest fires.

French President Emmanuel Macron has promoted his pro-European views in a series of meetings with leaders of The Netherlands, Spain and Estonia in Paris, with Brexit negotiations due to start next week.

Thousands rallied in Madrid on Saturday to support a no-confidence vote against conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy brought by the far-left Podemos party.

The Taoiseach has urged European leaders to “break out of the bubble of politics”.

Spain's Princess Cristina has been found not guilty of being an accessory to fraud, but her husband was convicted and sentenced to more than six years in prison.

Gardaí are to increase co-operation with Spanish police in a bid to tackle the escalating gangland violence in Dublin.

An election in Northern Ireland could clash with Brexit negotiations, the Taoiseach has warned.

US president Barack Obama has joined European leaders to discuss security and economic challenges as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

Spain's Parliament has voted to approve acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy's bid to form a new minority government, putting an end to the country's 10-month political deadlock.

Spain’s liberal newcomer party Ciudadanos (Citizens) agreed yesterday to back acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in a confidence vote, but the support is not enough to end an eight-month political stalemate.

Spain's conservative Popular Party has signed a deal with the business-friendly Ciudadanos party that could pave the way for the formation of a new government and avert a possible third round of elections.

Spain’s interim prime minister may end an eight-month legislative stalemate today. His party is considering an offer of support for a new government, in exchange for political reforms.

Hundreds of people joined family, friends and members of Spain’s bullfighting world for a funeral mass for bullfighter Victor Barrio who was fatally gored in a bullring this past weekend.