Demonstrators block a highway during a general strike in Borrassa, near Girona, on Wednesday, after a worker's union called for a general strike throughout Catalonia. While many smaller stores left their shutters closed, most larger shops and businesses in the region appeared to be open as normal. The central government in Madrid called the election last month after assuming control of Catalonia following its parliament's unilateral independence declaration. "(EU Commission President Jean-Claude) Juncker welcomes mayors, governors ... but he doesn't want to meet me," Puigdemont told Belgian Daily De Standaard. For some Catalans who ignored Wednesday's strike -- called by the CSC union and supported by civic groups Asamblea Nacional Catalana (ANC) and Omnium Cultural -- that moment is already overdue.

Source: Bangkok Post November 08, 2017 11:48 UTC