Barcelona firefighters put out blazes during protests on Wednesday. Photo: Robert Marquardt/Getty Images
Barcelona's streets were ablaze Wednesday night, as police and protesters clashed after thousands turned out for a third day to rally for independence from Spain, Reuters reports.
The big picture: Peaceful protests against Spain’s Supreme Court sentencing of 9 Catalan separatist leaders this week to 9–13 years in prison for charges including sedition erupted into violence, with reports of riot police firing tear gas and activists throwing petrol bombs and torching cars, per the Guardian.
A car ablaze on Barcelona's streets. Reuters reports that "police charged at protesters and fired foam projectiles" in some places. Photo: Pau Venteo/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesRiot police fire rubber bullets at the protesters. Photo by Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty ImagesFires are lit in the street amid clashes with police. Photo: Andrea Baldo/LightRocket via Getty ImagesA barricade is set alight in a Barcelona street. Photo: Robert Marquardt/Getty ImagesA peaceful march in Barcelona protesting police arresting 51 people across Catalonia over Tuesday night over the pro-independence protests. Photo: Carles Palacio/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThe BBC reports riot police in Barcelona fired tear gas at protesters, who tried to storm Spanish government offices on Tuesday. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty ImagesProtesters try to remove barriers during a rally in Barcelona. Protests also took place in the Catalan cities of Tarragona and Girona. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty ImagesProtesters film a fire outside the Spanish Government Delegation in Barcelona. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty ImagesA candle-lit vigil for the imprisoned Catalan separatists in Mallorca Street near the Spanish Government Delegation in Barcelona. Photo: Alex Caparros/Getty ImagesA protester shouts during a rally in Barcelona. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty ImagesProtesters carrying a Catalan pro-independence "Estelada" flag through Barcelona's streets. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty ImagesProtesters burn garbage containers a day after thousands of pro-independence activists clashed with police at Barcelona's main airport, El Prat. Photo: Lluis Gene/AFP via Getty ImagesSpanish police and protesters clash outside El Prat airport in Barcelona, which protesters stormed on Monday, per the BBC. Photo: Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images
Countries where novel coronavirus cases are falling may be hit with a "second peak" if they relax restrictions too soon, World Health Organization emergencies chief Mike Ryan warned during a briefing Monday. "We're still very much in a phase where the disease is actually on the way up," he added.
By the numbers: Almost 5.5 million people have tested positive for the virus as of Monday, and more than 2.2 million have recovered. The U.S. has reported the most cases in the world (over 1.6 million from 14.6 million tests). The U.K. is reporting over 36,900 deaths from the coronavirus — the most fatalities outside the U.S.
Public health: Officials are urgingAmericans to wear masks over Memorial Day.
Economy: New York stock exchange to reopen its floor on Tuesday — White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett says it's possible the unemployment rate could still be in double digits by November's election — Charities refocus their efforts to fill gaps left by government.
A LATAM air attendant aboard one of the company's planes in March. Photo: Kike Calvo/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
LATAM Airlines Group SA said in a statement early Tuesday the firm and its affiliates in in the United States, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S.
Why it matters: Latam is Latin America's largest airline and its shareholders include Delta Air Lines. CEO Roberto Alvo noted in the statement the coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on the airline industry.