December holidays in Kazakhstan
In December Kazakhstanis and permanent residents of the country will have 3 additional holiday.
Catalonia independence threat could benefit PM in polls
Catalonia may have voted to kick off a process towards independence but the wealthy region is far from breaking up with Spain, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy could actually benefit in upcoming elections.
Catalan parliament begins process of secession from Spain
Lawmakers in Catalonia officially kicked off a process to secede fromSpain by 2017, despite impassioned pleas against independence, in an unprecedented showdown with Madrid's central government.
Catalan parliament to vote on secession in showdown with Madrid
Catalonia's pro-independence regional parliament is expected to launch a secession process in Spain's wealthiest region, in a showdown with the central government in Madrid.
Spain PM vows to use 'all political, legal means' to block Catalan independence bid
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vowed to use "all political and legal means" to block a Catalan independence bid after separatist parties submitted a bill on secession to the regional Catalan parliament.
Catalan parliament opens with pro-independence majority
The Catalan regional assembly opened a new session dominated for the first time by a secessionist majority that has vowed to break away from Spain within 18 months.
Catalan separatists in court over independence vote
Spanish judges started questioning Catalan officials charged with breaking the law by holding a vote last year on their contested drive for independence from Spain.
Catalan leader slams lawsuit over breakaway vote
Catalonia's president Artur Mas accused the Spanish government of suing him because its "pride was hurt" by his bids to let his region vote on independence from Spain.
Separatists win absolute majority of seats in Catalan vote: exit poll
Separatists pushing to make Catalonia independent from Spain were on track to win an absolute majority of parliamentary seats in a regional election.
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.