Catalonia Referendum: Tensions Rise Ahead of Vote

The regional government in the Spanish region of Catalonia is pressing ahead with preparations for a referendum this Sunday on independence from Spain. The Spanish government insists there won’t be one.

Also in the programme: international flight blockade to Iraqi Kurdistan to go into effect; and former Chinese construction worker wins prestigious pole-dancing prize.

Picture: People raise their fist and wave pro-independence Catalan flags during a campaign meeting for a banned independence referendum. Credit: Getty Images