Catalans renew bid for independence

For a fourth consecutive year hundreds of thousands of pro-independence Catalans are gearing up to rally today to break away from Spain, kicking off a fresh secession bid in a push to carve out a new European country.

After the central government rejected efforts by separatists to hold an independence referendum, Catalan politicians are now heading towards a September 27 regional parliamentary election with candidates staking out positions for or against an independent Catalonia.

The northeastern region of 7.5 million people is marked by fierce pride in Catalan language and traditions.