Soon after Catalonia’s parliament in Barcelona voted in favour of independence on Friday afternoon, its deputies began to sing the Catalan national anthem, Els Segadors as crowds danced outside. The senate in Madrid responded by triggering a never-before used article in the constitution, removing the region’s autonomy. The Catalan parliament was then dissolved and fresh elections called. After hundreds of years of rancour between the two sides, Spain is now entering unchartered territory. For some the crisis shows that the constitution is no longer fit for purpose, while others question the point of separation now. Madrid’s reaction has yet to play out, but here are some of the potential economic consequences of a split.

Planet Earth II finally lands this weekend. Based on five ocean habitats, the documentary makers promise a range of filming firsts including tusk fish who use rocks as anvils to get into clam shells as well coral groupers and reef octopuses communicating with each other to hunt. The series has won plaudits for its visually stunning filming but there’s a sad message too: about the depletion of these beautiful habitats.

Philip Pullman is back with his new book La Belle Sauvage. We take a look back at His Dark Materials, the trilogy that took aim at organised religion, cast the Catholic Church as a malevolent force, and explored real scientific concepts through imaginative inventions that brought them alive.

And in the UK the clocks go back on Sunday, meaning lighter mornings and darker evenings. Here’s why it causes good stress. Other great pieces this week include a look at the Brontës – was Emily’s Healthcliff black? And how did Branwell Brontë’s alcoholism impact his sisters’ writing. There was a great piece on Brexit and academic freedom and of course, last but certainly not least, the launch of our latest podcast on the Russian Revolution.

Have a great weekend.

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