Two million defiant Catalans vote on breakaway from Spain
Two million Catalans turned out on Sunday, Nov 9, 2014, to vote on independence from Spain in a symbolic ballot, defying challenges from the Spanish government.
Voters of all ages lined up around the block, some applauding, as polling stations opened after weeks of tense legal wrangling with Spanish authorities.
But Justice Minister Rafael Catala dismissed the vote, which was staged by volunteers, as "fruitless and useless".
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Obama warns Iran nuclear deal may not be reached
The United States and Iran held high-level talks in Oman on Sunday, Nov 9, 2014, as the deadline for a nuclear deal loomed closer, but President Barack Obama warned there may be no agreement.
US Secretary of State John Kerry met Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Gulf sultanate, seeking to resolve key disputes that have left the West's negotiations with the Islamic republic close to deadlock.
An interim accord expires on Nov 24 but Iran and world powers have for months been unable to hammer out what a comprehensive, long-term accord would look like.
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Mexican president condemns violent protests after attack on palace
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Sunday condemned violent protests over the apparent massacre of 43 students after demonstrators set fire to the door of his ceremonial palace in Mexico City on Saturday night.
Tens of thousands of Mexicans have taken to the streets to protest the government's handling of the case of the missing students, and on Saturday night protesters in central Mexico City set fire to the door of the National Palace.
"It's unacceptable that someone should try to use this tragedy to justify violence," Pena Nieto told reporters at the airport in Anchorage, Alaska, where he was en route to China. "You can't demand justice while acting with violence."
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Football: Swansea stun Arsenal as Newcastle soar
Arsenal missed the chance to go fourth in the English Premier League after Swansea came from behind to beat the Gunners 2-1 with two late goals at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, Nov 9, 2014.
Victory saw south Wales club Swansea leapfrog Arsenal into fifth place as Arsene Wenger's side suffered only their second league defeat of the season following their loss to leaders Chelsea.
Earlier, Newcastle United's impressive revival continued with a 2-0 victory away to West Bromwich Albion that took them into the top half.
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Tennis: Federer in the groove, Nishikori downs Murray
Roger Federer was back in the groove at the ATP World Tour Finals as the six-time champion defeated Milos Raonic 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), while Japan's Kei Nishikori made a dream debut with a surprise 6-4, 6-4 victory over Andy Murray on Sunday, Nov 9, 2014.
Federer last won the prestigious season-ending event at London's O2 Arena in 2011 and the world number two looks in the mood to add another title to his collection on the evidence of a powerful performance, featuring 24 winners, that avenged his loss to Raonic in the Paris Masters quarter-finals last month.
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