Spain

Now that Scotland has voted to stay in the U.K., attention is turning to another separatist movement. Emboldened by the peaceful Scottish referendum, Catalans are planning a vote in November.

The granddaughter of a taxi driver, Letizia Ortiz is an ex-TV anchor and a divorcee, and will be the first commoner ever to grace the Spanish throne. She's also more popular than her in-laws.

From a powerful short story in the New Yorker to a major motion picture, Annie Proulx's Brokeback Mountain now takes the stage in Madrid as a new opera, composed by Pulitzer winner Charles Wuorinen.

Spain's banking system is officially marking the end of its reliance on bailout loans from Europe — only the second eurozone country to do so. Although the banking system may be on surer footing, the overall economy — with youth unemployment pushing 60 percent — still has a long way to go.

The cashier found the winning $6.3 million ticket last year and turned it in. He could claim the jackpot if authorities don't find the person who purchased it.

Spanish born Francisco Goya was primarily seen by his mid-18th and early 19th century contemporaries as a masterful court painter for the aristocracy.…

Cochinillo asado has appeared in literature throughout history, from Cervantes to Hemingway. The prized piglets featured in the dish are slaughtered after about a month, when they still weigh less than 10 pounds.

The Tomatina Festival, the famous free-for-all in which partiers pelt one another with ripe tomatoes, was held in Bunol, Spain, Wednesday. The big party was a bit smaller this year — for the first time, the town sold tickets for 10 euros (about $13.25) to be part of the huge food fight.

Known for its sparkling turquoise waters and white sand, Spain's Mediterranean beaches are developing a new reputation — for a growing number of jellyfish. Scientists blame overfishing and, possibly, climate change for the spike in stinging invertebrates.

Tensions over fishing rights and border checks are driving a newly escalated dispute between Spain and Britain over the status of Gibraltar. In recent weeks, Spain has insisted on performing comprehensive border checks that slow traffic to Gibraltar.