300/2017 • 23, DECEMBER 2017 WEEKEND ISSUE
DAILY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Catalonia votes while split on secession from Spain Polls have shown a tight race between pro-independence parties and those that want to remain in Spain
Uncertainty about the outcome — and the color yellow — are marking election day.
Yellow has undoubtedly become the color of the season among Catalan separatists. Abel Perez, an engineer, wears a thick yellow ribbon pinned on his back. He supports the release of theCatalan pro-independence leaders who were jailedfollowinga contested referendum on October 1on whether Catalonia should secede from Spain. Abel refers to those behind bars as "political prisoners" who are in jail "for defending the mandate given by the people." The Catalan National Assembly (ANC), one of the leading proindependence civil society organizations, called on its supporters to wear yellow ribbons as a symbol of protest demanding the release of the imprisoned secessionist leaders. "We had never sold that much yellow cloth," says Lola, the owner of a fabric and sewing goods store in downtown Barcelona. "Many look for yellow scarves; if they cannot find them, then they buy yellow wool from us and make them." Ahead of Cataloniaʼs regional election on Thursday, candidates from the leading proindependence parties have been among the first to embrace the color trend. With yellow now representing the pro-independence political forces, the Spanish Electoral Commission has forbidden banners of this color in public places near the voting stations on election day. The Election Commission also has barred the staff at the polling stations from wearing the color yellow on ribbons and scarves, as
they must keep "absolute neutrality" throughout the vote. The predominant overarching theme of the December 21 election campaign is the struggle between the roadmap to independence and the continuation of national unity in Spain. Topics related to economics or social rights have been scarce;education and the use of Catalan as the primary language of instruction have been the exceptions, and when these topics came up, they were mostly addressed regarding the effect of independence on these issues. Spanish Prime MinisterMariano Rajoy called for the regional election as he triggered Article 155of the Spanish Constitution, sacking the Catalan government and taking direct control over the highly autonomous region. At first, many Catalan secessionists had called the election "illegitimate" — an imposition from Madrid. But now, as university physics student Marta Cervello puts it, "in this election we must show once again we want our republic and that we reject Article 155." Europe Catalonia votes while split on secession from Spain Polls have shown a tight race between pro-independence parties and those that want to remain in Spain. Uncertainty about the outcome — and the color yellow — are marking election day. Anna Gumbau reports from Barcelona. Yellow has undoubtedly become the color of the season among Catalan separatists. Abel Perez, an engineer, wears a thick yellow ribbon pinned on his back.
Car drives into pedestrians in Melbourne
Philippine ferry capsizes with 251 people aboard
UNICEF: 220,000 children threatened by mines in Ukraineʼs east
Senior UK minister Damian Green resigns
At least 19 people have been injured after a man intentionally drove into pedestrians. Police have said there is no connection with terrorism "at this time." A car intentionally plowed into pedestrians at one of Melbourneʼs busiest intersections on Thursday, injuring at least 19 people. The white four-wheel drive hit the pedestrians at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth Street around 4:45 p.m. local time (0645 UTC/GMT), Victoria Police said in a statement. The intersection is next to Flinders Street Station.
A Philippine ferry carrying over 250 passengers has capsized off an island south of Manila. Reports suggest at least four people have died as rescue efforts remain ongoing. The Philippine ferry sank off the countryʼs eastern coast on Thursday after being caught in a heavy storm and choppy waters, coast guards said. Officials said that at least four passengers had died in the accident, while between 40 and 88 remained unaccounted for, according to varying media reports. The remaining passengers had been rescued.
In Ukraineʼs war-torn east, 220,000 children are at risk of injury or death by explosives littering the territory. They have caused scores of deaths, and left many children with "lifelong disabilities," says UNICEF. According to areport by the UN childrenʼs agency, UNICEF, published on Thursday, 220,000 children living ineastern Ukraineare at severe risk of serious injury by landmines and other deadly explosives littering the territory. These landmines and other explosives have caused scores of deaths and have left many children with "lifelong disabilities."
UK Prime Minister Theresa Mayʼs most senior minister has resigned after an inquiry found he had made misleading comments about pornography found on his computer. It is a serious blow for an already isolated premier. First Secretary of State Damian Green has resigned amid allegations pornographic material was found on his computer in the House of Commons in 2008. "I regret that Iʼve been asked to resign from the government following breaches of the Ministerial Code, for which I apologize," Green said in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday.