The number of Catalans who support regional independence fell to just under 42 per cent, a poll showed on Friday, carried out before Spain's top court jailed nine separatist leaders.

New polls show decline in support for separate Catalonia

Barcelona was bracing Saturday for a weekend of fresh protest, with large rallies by independence supporters and a counter-demonstration by Catalan "remainers" as the backlash over Spain's jailing of separatist leaders rumbled on.

Activists gear up for weekend of mass protest in Barcelona

Violent clashes escalated in Barcelona late Friday, as radical Catalan separatists hurled rocks and fireworks at police, who responded with teargas and rubber bullets, turning the city centre into a chaotic battleground.

Violence escalates in Barcelona after 500,000 separatists rally

Tensions are mounting in Catalonia where pro-independence lawmakers have been sabre-rattling against Madrid as Spain's top court prepares to rule on the fate of 12 separatist leaders over a failed 2017 independence bid.

Catalonia tense ahead of verdict in separatist leaders trial

Catalan activist groups burned tyres and tried to block highways across northeast Spain on Thursday as part of a day of protests against the trial of 12 separatist political leaders for their part in a declaration of independence in 2017.

Catalonia protesters burn tires, block highways over separatist trial

At the helm of the hugely divisive trial of Catalan separatist leaders, Supreme Court judge Manuel Marchena is performing a difficult balancing act, alternating firmness and leniency in live proceedings.

At Catalan separatist trial, judge Marchena walks tightrope

Catalonia's separatist president on Tuesday nominated an administration without jailed and exiled former ministers who backed its independence push, paving the way for Madrid to end its direct rule over the northeastern region

Catalan president forms government without jailed, exiled ministers

German prosecutors said that they were preparing an application to extradite former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to Spain on charges linked to his role in the campaign for the region's independence.

German prosecutors want to extradite former Catalan leader

Thursday's regional election pits leaders of the wealthy northeastern region's separatist movement against candidates who want to stay part of a unified Spain.

Campaigns go silent ahead of knife-edge Catalan vote

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy convened his cabinet to adopt the first measures to govern Catalonia

Catalonia crisis escalates, Spain's Senate approves direct rule over region

Laliga,?the most important of the Spanish league, will be incomplete without FC Barcelona.

Will FC Barcelona exit Spanish football league?

Catalan leaders sign independence declaration but put it on hold

Catalonia's leader Carles Puigdemont said the region won the right to break away from Spain

Catalan leader threatens independence after winning 90% of vote