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In Catalonia, A Secessionist Takes Office And A Standoff Continues

Newly appointed Catalan leader Quim Torra (center) and other Catalan officials at Torra's ceremonial swearing-in on Thursday. Torra avoided promising to obey the constitution. Alberto Estévez /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Alberto Estévez /AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

In Catalonia, A Secessionist Takes Office And A Standoff Continues

Quim Torra, a Catalan separatist, is the new head of the restive region in Spain. For months, Catalonia and Madrid have faced off over Catalonia's bid for independence.

Ex-Catalan Leader Puigdemont Detained In Germany As Protests Erupt In Catalonia

Deposed leader of Catalonia's pro-independence party Carles Puigdemont photographed ahead of his lecture at the University of Helsinki, Finland on Friday. His lawyer said he was detained over the weekend after crossing into Germany. Markku Ulander/AP hide caption

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Markku Ulander/AP

The Two-Way

Ex-Catalan Leader Puigdemont Detained In Germany As Protests Erupt In Catalonia

After living for five months in self-exile, Carles Puigdemont could now be extradited to Spain where he faces up to 30 years in prison on rebellion charges.

From Exile, Puigdemont Abandons Pursuit Of Catalonian Presidency

Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont — seen here in December in Brussels, where he is in exile — said Friday he no longer will pursue his bid for a second term in office. Jasper Juinen/Getty Images hide caption

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Jasper Juinen/Getty Images

The Two-Way

From Exile, Puigdemont Abandons Pursuit Of Catalonian Presidency

The ousted leader said his party instead would nominate fellow separatist Jordi Sanchez for the job — but Sanchez currently is being held in a Spanish prison on sedition charges.

Memes, Video Games Mock Catalonia's Prolonged Deadlock With Spain

Demonstrators support former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont in front of the regional parliament in Barcelona on Tuesday. Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium to avoid arrest for leading a secession bid, is facing possible charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds and faces arrest if he returns from Brussels. Alex Caparros/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Parallels

Memes, Video Games Mock Catalonia's Prolonged Deadlock With Spain

Smartphone game apps "help us survive the sad, difficult, demoralizing reality of politics," says a Catalan illustrator who helped create a version of Donkey Kong making fun of Catalonia's crisis.

Catalonia's Puigdemont Is Put Forth For President, Despite New Calls For Arrest

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont arrives at Copenhagen Airport in Denmark on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. On the same day, his name was put forth to return as Catalonia's president. Scanpix Denmark/Reuters hide caption

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Scanpix Denmark/Reuters

The Two-Way

Catalonia's Puigdemont Is Put Forth For President, Despite New Calls For Arrest

Spain had rescinded its European arrest warrant when it became clear Belgian authorities would not cooperate. As a court considered a new warrant, Carles Puigdemont was proposed as Catalonia's leader.

Catalan Separatists Back Puigdemont, Reviving Prospect Of Independence Push

Ousted Catalan President Carles Puigdemont speaks at a press conference in Belgium last month, after a snap election in Catalonia gave pro-independence factions a slim majority in the regional parliament. Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Catalan Separatists Back Puigdemont, Reviving Prospect Of Independence Push

Fugitive former leader Carles Puigdemont says he'd likely govern from abroad if he's re-elected. He says he would do so remotely by a video link; a stand-in could read his speeches in parliament.

Spain Withdraws International Arrest Warrant For Catalan Separatist Leader

Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont (center) is seen in Belgium last month, where he has been living in exile since October. On Tuesday, a Spanish judge withdrew the international warrant for Puigdemont's arrest. Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Spain Withdraws International Arrest Warrant For Catalan Separatist Leader

Carles Puigdemont and four other former Catalan ministers have been fighting extradition from Belgium. But national warrants remain, meaning the five will face detention if they return to Spain.

Ousted Catalan President Turns Himself In To Police In Brussels

Ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont has turned himself in to police in Brussels, following an international warrant for his arrest over Catalonia's attempt to secede from Spain. Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

The Two-Way

Ousted Catalan President Turns Himself In To Police In Brussels

The former leader of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, turned himself in on Sunday, along with four ex-ministers. A Belgian judge will decide whether to extradite them to Spain.

Judge In Spain Issues International Arrest Warrant For Catalan President

A banner reading "Freedom to political prisoners" hangs from City Hall in Barcelona as a protester waves a Catalan pro-independence Estelada flag during a demonstration on Friday to protest the detention of Catalan officials. Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Judge In Spain Issues International Arrest Warrant For Catalan President

Carles Puigdemont, the separatist leader of Catalonia, is in exile in Belgium after his government declared independence from Madrid.

Separatist Catalan Leaders, Now In Brussels, Deny Seeking Asylum Abroad

Catalonia's deposed leader, Carles Puigdemont (center), speaks at a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday with other members of his dismissed government. Aurore Belot/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Aurore Belot/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Separatist Catalan Leaders, Now In Brussels, Deny Seeking Asylum Abroad

Catalonia's ousted leader, Carles Puigdemont, said Tuesday that he and several ministers left "to avoid the threats." Hours later, a Spanish judge summoned them for interrogation in a sedition probe.

For Some Catalan Officials, Coming To Work This Monday Was An Act Of Defiance

Some people unfold a Spanish flag as another man waves a Catalan pro-independence flag in front of the Catalan government headquarters in Barcelona on Monday. Spain enters uncharted and potentially perilous territory today as Madrid moves to take over the running of Catalonia, in response to the region's parliament unilaterally declaring independence. Lluis Gene /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Lluis Gene /AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

For Some Catalan Officials, Coming To Work This Monday Was An Act Of Defiance

Police escorted some members of the Catalan government out of their offices, as the ongoing crisis over Catalonia's independence claim continues to create uncertainty.

Catalan President Says He Has 'Mandate' For Independence, Calls For Talks With Madrid

Supporters of Catalan independence wave Catalan flags as they drive with tractors through the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona on Tuesday. Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Catalan President Says He Has 'Mandate' For Independence, Calls For Talks With Madrid

Regional leader Carles Puigdemont emphasized the importance of dialogue in a major speech. More than a week ago, the region voted for independence from Spain, in a referendum Madrid considers illegal.

Catalonia To Hold Referendum In October On Leaving Spain

President of the Catalan regional government Carles Puigdemont (center) announced a referendum for independence from Spain on Friday in Barcelona. Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Catalonia To Hold Referendum In October On Leaving Spain

The Spanish government, however, said the vote will not happen "because it is illegal." The region held a largely symbolic independence vote in 2014, which passed overwhelmingly, but turnout was low.

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