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English Edition Dear readers, As the second week of 2018 comes to an end, there's still no sign the situation in Catalonia is any closer to being resolved. Ousted Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont insists he can be sworn in remotely and is pressuring the pro-independence Republican Catalan Left to support his bid. With less than a week to go before the January 17 constituent session of parliament, the race is on to decide who will be Catalonia's next regional premier. Meanwhile, Spain is preparing for another frosty weekend after last week's dramatic cold front drew the country to a standstill. Over 240 Spanish soldiers were called in to rescue thousands of vehicles trapped by snow on a stretch of the country's AP-6 freeway, after being stranded for up to 18 hours. This comes as Spain overtakes the United States to become the second-most visited destination in the world, just behind France. But while Spain may be popular with tourists, it has been criticized for discriminating against 'chiñoles' – a term used to describe the children of Chinese migrants in Spain. For more news, including the disappearing act of Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias and the surprising ruling that awarded damages to thieving cashiers, see the stories below.     Regards, Melissa Kitson The Spanish Supreme Court. / ULY MARTÍN Catalan crisis Jailed Catalan independence leaders admit October referendum was illegal Reyes Rincón / Fernando J. Pérez Madrid Ousted interior chief and activist tell Supreme Court they will give up seats in regional parliament if unilateral route is pursued Puigdemont pressures ally to support his bid to be sworn in from Brussels Camilo S. Baquero / Anabel Díez / Juan José Mateo Barcelona / Madrid ERC seeks legal advice on the matter while Madrid says it will ask Constitutional Court to block the unprecedented move Zoido and de la Serna on Monday. / V.S. AP-6 crisis Spanish government under fire over freeway chaos J.J. Gálvez / Miquel Alberola Madrid Socialists call for resignation of traffic chief after 3,000 cars were stranded on AP-6 toll road during weekend snowstorm CRIME Madrid teen Diana Quer was strangled, autopsy confirms El País Madrid Report rules out claim by suspect José Enrique Abuín that he accidentally hit her with his car in August 2016 A tourist in Barcelona. / Albert García TOURISM Spain overtakes US to become second most-visited country in the world Nahiara S. Alonso Madrid Tourism industry estimates over 82 million visitors arrived in 2017 while the forecast for next 12 months is also very positive Journalist Susana Ye. / EL PAÍS Immigration 'Chiñol': the dilemma of being second-generation Chinese in Spain Sara Rosati Madrid The children of migrants from the Asian powerhouse complain they suffer racism from childhood onward The train car in a warehouse in Almazán (Soria). / J.R. Spanish history Nobody wants to restore Franco's train Lorenzo Calonge Almazán The carriage in which the Spanish dictator traveled to meet Hitler in 1940 is still awaiting restoration because of a lack of funds A scene from 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.' / El Deseo Culture Madrid according to Pedro Almodóvar Pablo León Madrid New guidebook to locations used in director's movies offers unique view of Spanish capital Pablo Iglesias addressing Congress in November. / J.R. SPANISH POLITICS Disappearing act: Where is the leader of Spain's far-left Podemos party? José Marcos Madrid Pablo Iglesias has not been seen in public since December 20, and has yet to comment on Catalan election outcome Luis Hernando Redondo in Madrid. / INMA FLORES The New Arrivals "I was told I had to disappear or they would find me and kill me" Laura Delle Femmine Madrid Luis Hernando Redondo describes life on the run from Colombia to Venezuela and finally to Spain Cartoons El Roto El Roto El Roto cartoon, January 11, 2018 Opinion It is not the drivers' fault A modern state must know how to avoid or mitigate emergencies caused by weather conditions, and this did not happen Catalan farce Carles Puigdemont's demands to become a virtual president must be urgently defused Thanks readers! Sign up for more newsletters from EL PAÍS » You have received this communication because you have registered with EL PAÍS and you have subscribed to the ENGLISH EDITION editorial newsletter. If you believe you have received this message due to an error or you want to stop receiving this bulletin at the email address tworaho.mail18@blogger.com, you can unsubscribe. In addition, you can change your preferences by accessing your profile. At any time you can exercise your rights to access, rectify, cancel or object via post by writing to EDICIONES EL PAÍS, at the following address: Miguel Yuste, 40. 28037; or by writing to PROMOTORA DE INFORMACIONES, S.A. (PRISA), at the address Gran Vía, 32 - Madrid 28013, writing on the envelope: "DERECHOS LOPD" and including a photocopy of your identity card or passport and explaining your request.