Thanks to this purchase, Sabadell United Bank, the US branch of the Catalan Banc Sabadell, significantly increases its size. Lydian Private Bank has assets worth 1,607 million dollars, client deposits of 1,224 million dollars and loans worth some 383 million. Sabadell is particularly strong in Florida, where it already has its US headquarters.
Barça has won its official trophy, the Joan Gamper, thanks to an emphatic win over Napoli. The home side performed brilliantly, and showed how extensive the squad is. Cesc, Keita, Pedro and Messi (2) scored the goals.
Catalonia consolidates its position as the first tourist destination within Spain, with 26% of all visits. International tourism within Catalonia increases in July by 5.1% compared to last year.
The FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell addressed the audience at the 32nd Supporters Clubs Congress. He looked back on the 2010/11 season and spoke positively about all of the sporting activities at the club. He explained why FC Barcelona did not file a formal complaint against Mourinho and he asked for a cooling down for everybody’s sake.
Barça and Napoli meet tonight (20.30 local time) in the 46th edition of FC Barcelona’s official trophy, the Joan Gamper, in honour of the club's founder. Both teams could meet again this season in the Champions League.
The Spanish Government temporary reduces the VAT on new flat’s purchase, asks the largest and profitable companies to advance money from their corporate tax, and obliges doctors to prescribe generic drugs and not brands. With all those measures, the Spanish Government expects to get 4,900 million extra euros until the end of the year.
The new Barça midfielder stresses that Xavi still has lots of years left, and that he can see himself "playing and winning with Xavi……my best years are starting now", and Guardiola "will get the best out of me".
The OBS performs a repertoire of Italian Baroque music. The concert was held at Santa Maria’s Cathedral, in La Seu d’Urgell, in the Western Catalan Pyrenees, next to Andorra.
A grant allocated to the poorest, which is supposed to be their only income, was not paid regularly on August 1st as the Catalan Government changed the payment method. The official explanation is that the change was taken to avoid fraud and be able to ensure the sustainability of this grant system. From now on, the 37,000 beneficiaries will have to personally go the bank with a pay check that will be sent to them. In mid-August, most of the beneficiaries had already received the money. The opposition has heavily criticised the Government, which has recognised errors but stressed that many people were getting money without meeting the conditions. 500 beneficiaries and social workers protested on Thursday in Barcelona.
65 students with 22 different nationalities participate in a music festival in Solsona, Central Catalonia. It is the 10th edition of this International Academy which, this year, focuses on improvisation and music popularization.
French farmers have been protesting against their difficulties by destroying fruit and vegetables from Spain once they entered France to supply European markets. After last weeks angriness and frustration, Catalan farmers decide to answer back by offering, for one hour, their apples and pears for free to all the cars coming from France and explaining in four different languages the reason for their action.
The neighbourhood of Gràcia launches into its week long festival, with its famous decorations occupying streets and squares throughout the area. The CNA talked to residents of Carrer de Progrés about their 'Intergalactic' themed street.
FC Barcelona were proclaimed Champion of the Spanish Super Cup after beating Real Madrid 3-2 at the Camp Nou, and 5-4 overall over the 2 legs. Iniesta and Messi (2), with a goal right at the death, were the home team scorers.
The Castellers de Vilfranca, a group of Catalan tower-makers, will go to Mumbai to show-off their human towers that have earned them an international reputation. In addition, they will also get a first hand experience from a similar Indian tradition and discover new techniques. Catalan human towers have been declared a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Each year, thousands of seasonal workers come to Lleida's fields to work picking fruit; most of them are Muslim and thus have to work during Ramadan. They claim that, despite the Ramadan being tough, this year it has been made a little easier thanks to the weather, there is "less heat than last summer" they say.