Barcelona Clashes
Riot police clashed with pro-independence Catalan protesters in Barcelona yesterday while other activists burned tyres and tried to block highways across northeast Spain as part of a day of protests against the trial of 12 separatist leaders.
Near the Plaza Catalonia railway station in downtown Barcelona, police in riot gear used batons against a large group of mostly young protesters after some of them hurled stones at the police. No arrests or injuries were reported.
Called by a small pro-independence union but without the backing of larger unions, the one-day strike was not widely followed although it generated several protests.
Public transport in Barcelona was slower than usual but most shops remained open.
Post Brexit Airline Deal
The government yesterday welcomed a provisional European Union deal meant to mitigate the impact of a hard Brexit on airlines.
The Industry Minister Reyes Maroto said “We have obtained seven months to avoid any problem,”
Spain’s national flag carrier Iberia is majority-owned by Britain-based Anglo-Spanish group IAG.
Maroto was referring to a provisional deal reached in Brussels to ensure, among other things, that companies can continue to provide scheduled flights for seven months after the date of application of post-Brexit air traffic regulations.
Iberia carries 19 million passengers a year and is a major employer in Spain with almost 17,000 workers.
Franco’s Remains
The Pope will force the abbot of Valley of the Fallen to support Franco’s reburial.
The Vaticans secretary of state Pietro Parolin has written to Spain’s deputy Prime Minister to lend support for removing the former dictator´s remains.
Parolin said the Benedictines who control the burial site will be forced by the Church to obey the decision.
Parolin said: “The Church does not oppose the exhumation of the mortal remains of General Franco.
Pedro Sanchez’s government has pledged to move the tomb but discussions over the exhumation of the fascist leader’s remains have divided Spain.
Football
Six Celtic fans were arrested yesterday after violent clashes in which fans threw bottles, drinking glasses and chairs at officers.
The Scottish club’s fans arrived in Valencia to support Celtic in the second leg of the Europa League round of 32.
But Celtic’s Europa League campaign came to an end for the second successive season as they bowed out.
Valencia 1 Celtic 0