The lawyer for fugitive former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont says that he is being held by German police.

Catalonia's fugitive ex-leader has dropped a political bombshell, unexpectedly announcing that he is temporarily withdrawing his bid to get back his old job as president of Catalonia.

Fugitive Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has denied he is giving up, following the publication of text messages in which he reportedly said the Spanish government has won the battle in Catalonia.

Your lunchtime news bulletin.

Three backers of Catalonia's independence have sought to secure release from jail for their role in the region's push to break from Spain which triggered the country's worst political crisis in decades.

Here's all you need to know this lunchtime

Here's your morning news bulletin...

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.

A Supreme Court judge in Spain is to review jailing orders against eight former members of the ousted Catalan government and two pro-independence activists.

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.

The jailed leader of the main grassroots group pushing for Catalonia to become independent from Spain has resigned his post and will run as a candidate in the December 21 regional election.

The ousted president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, claims Spain has disregarded democracy.

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.

Ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has criticised the passivity of European politicians in denouncing the prosecution of dismissed secessionist officials.

A Spanish union representing Nestle workers is pushing back against calls for a boycott of Catalan products, saying that punishing a major employer in the region with separatist ambitions could backfire on the country’s economy.

Ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and four close separatist allies have regained their freedom at the end of a tumultuous week that started when they surrendered in Brussels to face possible extradition to Spain for allegedly plotting a rebellion.

I have friends in Barcelona, and when we go there, a must-see with them is the traditional dances and music outside of the parliament building on the square.

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    

Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has described the imprisonment of several of his former Cabinet members in a probe over the region's push for independence as "a serious mistake".

THE Catalan separatists may be too busy preparing to defend their assertion of independence in the Spanish courts — despite the absence of their leader, Carles Puigdemont — to look to Northern Ireland for lessons from that never-ending danse macabre of relentless conflict as tactic.

Ousted Catalan government members and legislators have arrived at Spanish courts in Madrid to face possible charges of rebellion for having declared the region's independence.

One of Ireland's senior Government members says he believes in Catalan independence, but it has to be peaceful.

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

The crisis in Catalonia has gathered a dangerous momentum. 

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

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.

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.

Spain cut its economic forecast for 2018 as the costs of the Catalan crisis begin to mount.

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.

Catalonia's leader has until 9am Irish time to announce whether he really has declared independence or not.

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".

LAST year’s Brexit vote in the UK provoked a mixture of shock and awe in Brussels but, as soon as they had picked themselves up off their marble floors, leading EU politicians, bureaucrats and policy makers were quick to announce that the community of nations still had a glorious future, remaining strong, resolute, economically powerful and united.

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.

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Spain's government has approved a decree making it easier for companies to move their official base out of Catalonia.

Spain's Constitutional Court has ordered Catalonia's parliament to suspend a planned session next week during which separatist lawmakers wanted to declare independence.