SPAIN

Leading ratings agency says there is no cause for alarm unless situation deteriorates substantially.

Spanish judge sends 8 Catalan ministers to jail over involvement in independence declaration. Arrest warrant issued for Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont who is in Brussels.

After Spain dissolved the Catalan government, its leader Carles Puigdemont called for mass civil disobedience.

Organisers say the march's goal is to defend Spain's unity and reject "an unprecedented attack in the history of democracy."

Spain took formal direct control of Catalonia on Saturday, dismissing the region's defiant separatist government, including Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont.

Spain took direct control of Catalonia on Saturday, firing the region's defiant separatist government a day after Catalan lawmakers passed a declaration of independence for the prosperous northeastern region.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dismissed the regional government, setting the stage for early elections.

A Spanish worker at a branch of German retailer Lidl has brought them to court after they sacked him for working too many hours.

Spain's interior ministry did not name the suspect, but described him as a 52-year-old "already convicted for his involvement in the terrorist organisation al-Qaeda".

The Butcher of Majadahonda, Bruno Hernández Vega, was jailed for killing his aunt and a tenant before using an industrial meat grinder to dispose of the bodies.

Spain has announced an unprecedented plan to sack Catalonia's separatist leaders led by Carles Puigdemont.

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy moves dissolve the regional Catalan government and call an early election.

Spanish government rejects Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont's threat to declare independence unless talks are held.

British currency rises against major crosses for second successive session as Prime Minister Theresa May heads to Brussels.

Hurricane Ophelia's winds fanned more than 140 wildfires across northern Spain and Portugal, killing three in Galicia and six in Portugal.

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont does not declare immediate independence from Spain in landmark speech, proposing instead to engage in more dialogue with Madrid.

French government called on Spanish and Catalan government to engage in talks as tensions mount in wantaway region.

Spain's prime minister has said he will take legal measures to stop Catalonia becoming independent, despite recent ballot result.

Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has said in a Spanish documentary that on independence, if Madrid does not respond positively, "we will do what we have come here to do".

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has vowed that his government will not allow Catalonia to break away from the rest of the country after referendum.

"Shall We Talk?" slogan inspires mass rallies as threat of Spain splitting inspires brings thousands onto streets of Madrid and Barcelona