Spain seizes Catalonia finances to block independence referendum
(WorldNews Europe)

The Spanish government has taken control of Catalonia’s finances in an attempt to block a banned independence referendum due to be held in the autonomous region early next month. The government has taken over the payment of essential services and public workers’ salaries in Catalonia to prevent the money from being spent on the referendum. Catalonia’s regional government challenged the measure in the country’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, but according to a court spokeswoman, the move was “in force” and would not be suspended while judges rule on its legality. A protester holds a symbolic electoral ballot box...