First Run News

BARCELONA, Spain — These days, the city of Barcelona wears two hats. And not too comfortably. On the one hand, Barcelona is a global city, a former host of the Olympics, and the home of one of the world’s most famous soccer clubs, F.C. Barcelona.

BARCELONA — The escalating confrontation over Catalonia’s independence drive took its most serious turn on Saturday as Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of Spain announced he would remove the leadership of the restive region and initiate a process of direct rule by the central government in Madrid. It was the first time that Spain’s government had moved to strip the autonomy of one of its 17 regions, and the first time that a leader had invoked Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution — a broad tool intended to

BARCELONA — The escalating confrontation over Catalonia’s independence drive took its most serious turn on Saturday as Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of Spain announced he would remove the leadership of the restive region and initiate a process of direct rule by the central government in Madrid. It was the first time that Spain’s government had moved to strip the autonomy of one of its 17 regions, and the first time that a leader had invoked Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution — a broad tool intended to

As President Donald Trump faces criticism over his comments to the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, the families of the fallen say their conversations with past American presidents attempting to offer condolences sometimes drew their grief into sharp relief. Trump called Myeshia Johnson Tuesday in an effort to console her. According to Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., Trump told the widow that her husband, who died in an Oct.

Former President Barack Obama made his much-anticipated first post-presidential appearance on the campaign trail Thursday, speaking at events for Democratic gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia before elections there next month. Appearing at a rally in Richmond, Virginia with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ralph Northam, Obama commented on the political climate in the country. “Folks don't feel good right now about what they see, they don't feel as if our public life reflects our best,” Obama said.

White House Donald Trump found himself in the midst of a controversy over his alleged comments to the widow of a fallen soldier and claims about former presidents' attempts to reach out. Kelly, whose son, 1st Lt. Robert M. Kelly, was killed in action in 2010, described the process of alerting a fallen service member's family about their death and transporting their body back to the United States.

Senate Republicans passed a budget late Thursday night, setting the stage for the GOP's ultimate goal of tackling tax reform later this year. The measure is estimated to add $1.5 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years, and contains about $4 trillion in spending cuts. “We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to replace America’s failing tax codes,” Senate Majority Leader the Senate floor after the bill was approved. The Senate’s pl

The TAKE with Rick Klein After a week of flags and phone calls, and rather typical flare-ups in the era of Trump, some voices from the past and present sought to bring a hush to the noise. Two former presidents, from much different background and persuasions, urged a path forward that drew on the best American traditions.

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain, the sometimes cantankerous, often charming and eternally irrepressible Republican from Arizona, has never minced words.

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories In the 1967 mayoral election, the future and image of Boston seemed at stake — and they were.   The deaths of four soldiers this month have sparked wider debate about the civilian-military divide in the United States.