Lauren Frayer

Catalans are voting in what the Spanish government considers an illegal referendum on independence. At polling locations around the country, police clashed with pro-separatists.

The Spanish government has stepped up efforts to prevent the Catalan independence referendum, with police seizing millions of ballots, and trying to seal-off schools where Sunday's voting is planned.

Many separatists say their Catalan language is what makes them feel most different from the rest of Spain. The language was prohibited during years of dictatorship, but now it's ubiquitous in schools.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price says he will pay back part of the cost of his charter flights. Also, more NFL players may protest Trump's national anthem comments.

Catalonia's independence referendum is scheduled for Oct. 1, but polls show as many as half of Catalans don't favor it. "For business owners, independence is a loaded issue," says a Catalan winemaker.

Spain has arrested Catalan separatists and confiscated ballots, ahead of a planned independence referendum in its northeast region of Catalonia that Madrid says is illegal.

Up to a million Catalans used their national day to rally for independence from Spain, ahead of an Oct. 1 secession vote — which Madrid vows to halt, but hasn't said how.

In Spain, the region of Catalonia celebrates its national day on Monday. Millions are likely to use the holiday to rally for independence, ahead of a referendum calling for full independence from Spain.

Catalan separatists are arguing that Spanish police failed to keep them safe. Spain's king was booed at a vigil for victims in Barcelona. An independence referendum is scheduled for Oct. 1.

Police in Spain's northeast region of Catalonia are being criticized for not doing enough to prevent last week's terror attack. More than a dozen people were killed in a van attack in Barcelona.

Turkey hosts about 3 million refugees from Syria and most work in jobs off-the-books for little pay. A government plan to bring them into the formal market has barely taken hold.

Turkey and Germany have been close allies — around 3 million Turks live in Germany. But in recent months a rift has developed, and it's complicated by Turkey's ongoing purge following a failed coup.

Over the past year, Ankara has expropriated nearly 1,000 Turkish companies — from carpet makers to a popular brand of baklava. They're accused of having ties to organizers of last year's failed coup.

Turkey continues its purge and crackdown following last year's failed coup attempt, this time with a mass trial of nearly 500 defendants.

Nearly 500 people — mostly military officers — went on trial Tuesday, charged with trying to overthrow the government in last year's failed coup. Ankara has detained some 50,000 people since then.

In Turkey, which is in a state of emergency, the purge continues. Seventeen journalists are on trial amid the government's broader crackdown on the media.

After a disastrous June election in which her party lost parliamentary seats, many wonder how long the prime minister will stay in office. The opposition says May is heading a "zombie government."

Some Crawley residents who want to see Britain out of the European Union doubt if politicians will ever make Brexit a reality. Others worry the town could face labor shortages if immigrants leave.

A series of acid attacks in London has highlighted a growing problem in Britain with this form of horrific violence. Two teenage boys were arrested Friday, accused of splashing acid into people's faces in five separate attacks Thursday night across northeast London.

London's famed Borough Market was the site of a terror attack last month. Upscale restaurants say tourist bookings are down, but locals are packing the market in a show of solidarity.