Catalan parliament defies Madrid pressure, works on independence declaration

Catalan secessionists were working today towards a unilateral declaration of independence from Spain that could be adopted next week in defiance of a court order and increased economic pressure from Madrid.

Turkish FM insists on 'time limit' for KRG

A time limit should be set up for the northern Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) to reconsider from their “mistake” of holding an illegitimate referendum, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday.

Catalan vote illegal : Spain's King Felipe

Spain's King Felipe VI has condemned organisers of Catalonia's independence referendum for having put themselves "outside the law".

European Commission says Catalonia vote was illegal

The European Commission declared on Monday that referendum vote for independence in Catalonia, Spain, was illegal.

Turkey halts flights to northern Iraq, issues travel warning

Turkey has issued a new travel warning to Turkish nationals after Turkey’s consulate in Arbil announced that Turkish airline companies will halt flying to northern Iraq after 6:00 p.m. on Friday Sept. 29 until further notice at the request of Baghdad, following a referendum for independence held by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

En attendant Godot: French president asks Kurd leader to delay region poll

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday asked Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani to postpone next week’s controversial referendum on Kurdish regional independence.

Iraq’s Kurdish parliament approves September 25 independence referendum

Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region's parliament approved a plan to hold a Sept. 25 referendum on independence, ignoring Iraqi, Iranian and Turkish opposition as well as U.S and Western concern that the vote could cause new conflicts in the region.

Spain summons Catalan mayors over independence vote

Spain's state prosecutor has ordered a criminal probe of all 700-plus Catalan mayors who have backed an independence referendum, as Madrid seeks to block the separatist vote it deems illegal.

Catalan independence rally: Thousands gather in Barcelona

Thousands of Catalans are thronging the streets of Barcelona to mark their national day - the "Diada" - and show support for an independence referendum.

KRG to maintain plan for holding independence referendum: Official

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will maintain their plan to hold a referendum on independence on Sept. 25, despite a U.S. request to postpone it, a high-ranking Kurdish official told Reuters on Aug. 12.

Challenges remain after Mosul liberation: UN envoy

The path to conclusively defeat Daesh is fraught with difficulties despite a major victory in Mosul, the United Nations' special envoy on Iraq said Monday.

Venezuelan President Urges Peaceful Conduct of Opposition’s Referendum

The opposition’s referendum will question the legitimacy of the National Constituent Assembly, called by Maduro, and the need for the elections in Venezuela. However, the country's National Electoral Council said that results of the referendum will not have legal force as only the electoral authorities have the right to hold such events. The opposition in response referred to Article 71 of the constitution, which allows holding consultative surveys.

Scotland puts second independence referendum on hold

Scotland has delayed plans for a second referendum on independence until there is "sufficient clarity" on Britain's departure from the European Union.

Monitor says Turkey's referendum was not genuinely democratic

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe election monitor said Turkey's referendum was not impartial and instead favored President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid "limitations on fundamental freedoms."

AK Party hails outcome of Turkey's referendum

Officials from Turkey's ruling party have congratulated their people for the outcome of a referendum to amend the constitution and grant the presidential office new executive powers.

Scotland makes formal request to UK for new independence vote

Scotland’s first minister formally requested a second referendum on independence on Friday, declaring that Scots have the right to exercise their right of self-determination.

Scottish parliament backs bid for new independence referendum

The Scottish parliament has backed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's bid for a new independence referendum, further complicating Britain's political situation just as years of talks on the terms of Brexit were about to begin.

Erdogan: Dutch acting like Nazi remnants and fascists after FM flight block

The Turkish president on Saturday said the Dutch were acting like Nazi remnants and fascists after the government of the Netherlands denied landing permission for a plane carrying the Turkish foreign minister.

Turkish FM says ‘racists’ like Wilders won’t prevent him from going to Netherlands

Turkey’s foreign minister has said he doesn’t care about “fascists and racists” like Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, and says they won’t prevent him from meeting with Turkish citizens. Wilders earlier called for a ban on Turkish officials campaigning in the Netherlands.

Italian PM Renzi vows to resign after referendum defeat

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced his resignation hours after learning he had suffered a crushing defeat in a referendum on constitutional reform.