Catalans defiant as Madrid prepares to act

Madrid

CATALAN President Carles Puigdemont defended his region's claim to independence as the Spanish government signalled it will move ahead with the process of suspending self-rule this week.

In a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Mr Puigdemont said his focus for the next two months will be dialogue and called for a face-to-face meeting as soon as possible, insisting the ref…