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In Catalonia, the PP would get its best results in history, and could become the second most voted party in the territory, a position disputed with the Centre-Right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU). The Socialist Party, which has won the Spanish elections in Catalonia for the last 32 years, might still win, but it will be a close battle with the CiU and the PP. A major surprise in Catalonia cannot be completely ruled out. In any case, on the contrary to previous elections and as it seemed some weeks ago, votes in Catalonia might not change the final results and the PP’s absolute majority would not depend on its Catalan supports.

The 50th edition of one of Europe’s most important nautical trade fairs came to an end having “exceeded” initial expectations “despite the complex economic situation”, said the show Director. The organisation has highlighted the preservation of trust in the exhibition, as the number of exhibitors only dropped by 5%. This year’s edition focused on boat innovation and engine efficiency to attract a public economically undermined by the crisis.

FC Barcelona and Benfica are the only two leading clubs in Europe who remain unbeaten since the start of the season. Guardiola’s team has indeed remained unbeaten since 30th April, when they went down in the Spanish League against Real Sociedad.

Theatre director Calixto Bieito, who has developed his career in Catalonia, presented a new play in Freiburg based on the masterpiece‘The great theatre of the world’, by Calderón de la Barca, one of Spain’s best theatrical writers from the 17th century. The show is the first spectacle from the Barcelona International Theatre project, promoted by the production company Focus. The show follows the original work from Bieito’s previous production.

The Spanish Government decided that five members will be appointed by Catalan administrations and the business community, and four others will be nominated by the Spanish Airport Authority (AENA). However, decisions will be taken with a two third majority. It will decide on airport taxes, routes and other strategic aspects. 29.5 million passengers passed through Barcelona El Prat Airport in the first ten months of 2011, a figure already higher than that registered for all of 2010.

The 18th edition of ‘L’Alternativa’ presents a strong programme despite economic difficulties. The event has consolidated itself as an example of cinema that “formulates questions and is not complacent”, according to its director, Margarita Maguregui

Catalan companies like Rieju, Gas Gas or Ossa are showing off their products and latest 2-wheel models at the Italian fair to emphasize Catalonia’s relevant position within the international motorbike development and production sector

A very serious Barça didn’t allow themselves to be surprised by Hospitalet, and stayed on course for the next round of the Spanish Cup, with a goal from Iniesta (min 42). Tello and Rafinha make their debuts with FC Barcelona’s first team, which was without all its South-American international players.

Eurofragance is a Catalan company that belongs to a very specific economic sector: the fragrance market. Specialising in producing scents for food and bathroom products, this company with its headquarters in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area exports 90% of its products. Its creations can be found around the world but especially in the Middle East and emerging markets

Ramon Navarro has published a new book that aims to “clearly” describe the results of three generations of research about the origins of Christopher Columbus

The Catalan energy company reduced its debt to 54.4%, thanks to disinvestments. Gas Natural Fenosa ended the first nine months of the year with a net profit 0.3% lower than that in the same period in 2010. However, taking into account the effect of the disinvestments, the net profit increased by 11.6%.

The last ‘SCImago Institutions Ranking’ classified the 3,000 best research institutions in the world. Harvard University tops the ranking, but the Catalan institute, is ranked second in Spain and among the best European research centres. Catalonia, and in particular Barcelona is consolidating its position as a biomedical science centre at international level.

Next November 20th, Spaniards will vote for the new Spanish Parliament. They will elect one of the lists running in their province, which is their constituency. Catalans will thus elect the lists running in the four Catalan provinces. Therefore, they will not directly elect Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba (PSOE) or Mariano Rajoy (PP), but their party candidates in Catalonia, as well as parties only running in Catalonia, such as the Centre-Right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU), the Left-Wing Catalan Independence Party (ERC) or the Catalan Green Socialist Coalition (ICV-EUiA).

Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque has called up 8 Barça players for the friendlies against England and Costa Rica . FC Barcelona manager, Josep Guardiola, will be able to call on them for this week’s Spanish Cup tie against the modest Hospitalet.

In-Edit 2011, Barcelona’s International Music Documentary Film Festival ended its ninth edition after eleven days of showings that gathered 54 national and international new releases and around 30.000 spectators. ‘Next Music Station: Morocco’, a documentary produced by Al-Jazeera and directed by Fermín Muguruza, has been this year’s National Prize winner. The International Prize was for ‘Last Days Here’, about the life of Pentagram’s singer, Bobby Liebing. Another great surprise was the presence of musician Michael Nyman, author of many Hollywood soundtracks.