catalonia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Catalan holiday tradition involves a log that's fed scraps of food for several weeks leading up to Christmas. Then, it's beaten with a stick and implored to poop out a Spanish nougat called turrón.

Catalonia declared independence in October, only to see Madrid fire its leaders and strip their power. Tensions show no sign of fading away, with pro-secessionist groups once again in control.

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.

Spanish authorities took the politicians into custody after Catalonia, a formerly semiautonomous region, declared independence from Spain. Catalan's former president remains in exile in Belgium.