Sarkozy backs 'united Spain' amid Catalan independence bid
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy appealed for a "united Spain" in Barcelona as campaigning wrapped up for a regional election in Catalonia framed as an indirect vote on independence.
Scottish leader warns Cameron a year after vote
Scotland's First Minister warned that a united Britain was "on borrowed time" unless Prime Minister David Cameron devolved more powers to Edinburgh.
1.4 mn people at Catalan independence demo: city police
Some 1.4 million people joined a march demanding independence for the Catalonia region from Spain, Barcelona city police said.
Catalan leader vows vote can steer 'political future'
Catalan leader Artur Mas kicked off campaigning for a regional election billed as an indirect poll on independence from Spain by urging voters to determine their "political future".
Catalans to hold mass rally in push for independence from Spain
Catalan separatists hold a massive rally in Barcelona in favour of independence that will kick off campaigning for a regional election billed as a de facto referendum on secession from Spain.
Catalonia head says parliament majority enough to secede from Spain
Catalonia's president vowed to begin seceding from Spain if pro-independence parties win a majority of seats -- not votes -- in regional parliament elections set for later this month.
Vietnam marks 70 years since declaring independence from France
Vietnam's president urged further modernisation of the armed forces in the face of growing maritime territorial disputes as the nation celebrated 70 years since it declared independence from France.
Malaysia PM criticises upcoming demonstration
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak criticised organisers of a weekend protest demanding his ouster, saying the timing and venue of the demonstration would clash with independence day parade rehearsals.
Pakistan foils Independence Day bomb plot: military
Pakistani security forces said they had foiled a plot to bomb Independence Day celebrations in Karachi after arresting a Taliban gang in the city.
Catalonia to hold Sept 27 elections in fresh independence challenge
The leader of Spain's wealthy Catalonia region signed a decree calling early parliamentary elections on September 27 which he has said will act as proxy vote on independence.
Catalonia poised to call early election as proxy independence vote
Catalonia is poised to call on Monday an early regional election that will serve as a proxy vote on independence from the rest of Spain, raising tensions with the central government in Madrid.
Spain raises pay before elections, warns on Catalonia
Spanish public workers will get a one-percent pay rise next year, trumpeting the country's economic recovery a few months ahead of a general election.
Kazakhstan celebrates Independence Day
Kazakhstan is celebrating its Independence Day on December 16.
Kazakhstan marks Day of the First President
1st December is the Day of the First President in Kazakhstan. Today, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev spoke about the larger meaning of this day for the entire nation.
Leader of Spain's Catalonia region says he wants early polls on independence
The head of the regional government of Spain's Catalonia region, Artur Mas, said he wants to hold early elections centred on independence.
Thousands protest in Spain over Western Sahara
Several thousand people demonstrated in Madrid iin support of independence for the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
Catalonia weighs early election after symbolic independence vote
The head of the Catalan government held talks with other senior politicians on whether to hold early elections in the Spanish region after a symbolic weekend independence vote.
Catalan independence opponents uneasy after vote
Luis Guevara hoped politicians in Catalonia would turn their focus to the economy after Sunday's symbolic independence referendum.
Two million defiant Catalans vote on breakaway from Spain
Two million Catalans turned out to vote on independence from Spain in a symbolic ballot, defying challenges from the Spanish government.
'Catalanism' promotes differences from rest of Spain
Catalonia has promoted its language and popular culture since the 1980s, cultivating a sense that it is different from the rest of Spain which has now turned to separatism.