Catalonia's Parliament Declares Independence From Spain

Catalonia's regional parliament passed a resolution declaring independence from Spain. The speaker of parliament, Carme Forcadell, announced the measure was approved with 70 votes in favor of independence, 10 against and two blank ballots among those cast. Most opposition lawmakers had left the chamber in protest, moments before the vote on October 27. After the result, separatist supporters erupted outside the parliament building in Barcelona while lawmakers sang Els Segadors, the national anthem of Catalonia. Minutes later, the Spanish Senate approved a measure authorizing Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to rule Catalonia directly from Madrid. (Reuters)