Basque MPs gathered today to vote on a hotly-contested plan that would turn their troubled region into a virtually sovereign state – the stiffest challenge to the Spanish government since the Basque country gained broad autonomy 25 years ago.

Written off in recent months as possibly moribund after a string of arrests and thwarted attacks, the Basque separatist group Eta demonstrated today it’s still capable of spectacular violence.

Powerful explosions rocked three Madrid rail stations today – just three days before Spain’s general election – killing at least 131 rush-hour commuters and wounding more than 400 in what officials called the deadliest attack ever by the Basque separatist group ETA.

A string of powerful bomb explosions rocked three Madrid railway stations today just days before Spain’s general election, killing at least 131 rush-hour commuters and injuring hundreds more in what officials called the deadliest attack ever by the Basque separatist group ETA.

Spaniards are being urged to turn out for demonstrations against Eta after a policeman was killed by a car bomb.