Trial of Catalan separatists begins in Madrid
A sensitive trial against a dozen Catalan separatist politicians and activists got underway today in Spain’s Supreme Court amid protests by pro-independence supporters and a highly volatile political environment.
The defendants are being tried on rebellion and other charges stemming from their roles in pushing ahead with a unilateral independence declaration in October 2017. The declaration was based on the results of a divisive secession referendum that ignored a constitutional ban.
The trial, arguably Spain’s most important in four decades of democracy, began as the future of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s minority government hinges on last-minute negotiations with Catalan pro-independence parties to back his 2019 budget. Mr. Sanchez could be forced to call an early election if the Catalan separatists, whose support brought the Socialists to power last year, don’t change their current position of voting against the prime minister’s spending plan tomorrow. A debate in the parliament’s lower house began today.
The separatists want Mr. Sanchez to agree to talks on self-determination for their region, but the government argues that the country’s constitution doesn’t allow it.
Tensions between regional and central authorities peaked with the 2017 breakaway attempt but the conflict has been festering ever since. The 7.5 million residents of Catalonia remain divided by the secession question.
Pro-independence protesters briefly blocked highways and roads today before the trial began at Spain’s Supreme Court in Madrid. Former Catalan Vice-President Oriol Junqueras, the regional parliament’s former Speaker Carme Forcadell and the other 10 defendants weren’t expected to testify on Tuesday, but they sat on four benches in the middle of the courtroom. They sat facing a seven-judge panel headed by Supreme Court magistrate Manuel Marchena, who moderates proceedings.
Swachh Shakti 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitating women associated with the ‘Swachhta’ campaign from across the country.
Narendra Modi launched 'Swachh Shakti 2019 programme', in Kurukshetra. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and BJP leader Uma Bharti were also present.
Protests against Citizenship Bill
Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) activists burn an effigy in protest against Citizenship Amendment Bill, in Guwahati, on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2019.
Guwahati saw protests against the Citizenship Bill. The Bill has created a furore in Mizoram as well and kicked up a storm in the northeast. Indigenous people of the region are afraid that identity would be lost if the Bill was enacted.
Landslides hit Jammu-Srinagar NH
A driver clears snow his vehicle at Banihal, some 120 kms from Srinagar.
Fresh landslides struck several places along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which remained closed for the seventh consecutive day.
A massive snow-clearance operation is underway to restore the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which remained closed for vehicular traffic for the third consecutive day. Authorities are hopeful of clearing the debris and making the road traffic-worthy by this afternoon.
Modi inaugurates development projects in Haryana
PM Narendra Modi felicitating students at Kurukshetra at Haryana on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of six development projects in Haryana on Tuesday.
Chandrababu Naidu on protest march in Delhi
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu taking part in a protest march from Andhra Bhawan to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu went on a protest march with his supporters in Delhi. The Chief Minister held a day-long fast on Monday demanding special status for his state.
Protests outside Parliament house
Punjab Congress MPs displaying a replica of Rs 15 Lakh Cheque while protesting at the Parliament house in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Punjab Congress MPs displaying a replica of ₹15 Lakh Cheque while protesting at the Parliament house in New Delhi on Tuesday.
40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution
Children wave Iranian flags during a ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, at the Azadi, Freedom, Square in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Hundreds of thousands of people poured out onto the streets of Tehran and other cities and towns across Iran, marking the date 40 years ago that is considered victory day in the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Protests, violence in Haiti
Protesters chant anti-government slogans during a protest demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Protesters are angry about skyrocketing inflation and the government's failure to prosecute embezzlement from a multi-billion Venezuelan program that sent discounted oil to Haiti.
Read more here.
17 killed in massive fire at New Delhi hotel
The Hotel Arpit Palace where a fire broke out in the morning at Karol Bagh area in New Delhi on Tuesday, Febriary 12, 2019
A massive fire broke out at a central Delhi hotel on Tuesday morning, killing at least 17 people, hospital sources said. Six people were also injured, they said.
The fire broke out at Hotel Arpit Palace on the Gurudwara road in Karol Bagh at 4:35 a.m. Twenty-four fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
(With inputs from Agencies)
