Spain celebrated its national day Thursday with a show of unity in the face of Catalan independence efforts, a day after the central government gave the region’s separatist leader a deadline to abandon his secession bid. To mark the national holiday, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and King Felipe VI attended a traditional military parade in central Madrid. Spanish unity rallyIn Madrid, cheering crowds lined the streets, waving red and yellow Spanish flags and some crying “Viva Espana!” as air force jets and helicopters swooped overhead. Rajoy has vowed to do everything in his power to prevent Catalan secession. Around 150 gathered to march against secession from Barcelona’s Plaza de Espana, flanked by Catalan police and waving Spanish and far-right nationalist flags.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 12, 2017 12:56 UTC