Xenophobic parties such as ‘Plataforma per Catalunya’ and ‘Vía Democrática’ are growing in the Left-Wing bastions near the Catalan capital. They are still very marginal but for the first time they could win some seats in Barcelona neighbouring towns.
FC Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola gave Jose Mourinho’s comments about him short shrift at tonight’s pre-match press conference. Guardiola also insisted that Barça would go into the game at the Real Madrid’s Bernabeu: “proud to defend style of play”. Besides, Guardiola confirmed Iniesta's injury.
FC Barcelona took another step towards the league title tonight with a 2-0 win over Osasuna thanks to a goal in each half from Villa and Messi which leaves them 8 points ahead at the top of the table with just 15 left to play for.
The Catalan firms have their headquarters in Barcelona. Gas Natural Fenosa is Spain’s sixth largest company and Criteria Caixa the seventh according to the magazine. In the ‘Forbes’ Global 2,000 List, which ranks the 2,000 world’s largest companies, Gas Natural occupies 269th place and Criteria Caixa 322nd.
Catalan tradition dictates godfathers to offer a “Mona de Pasqua” to their godsons or goddaughters for Easter Monday. The cake goes with a chocolate sculpture or figurine, which in some cases are true masterpieces. Chocolate houses, chocolate trains or popular cartoons made out of chocolate are some of the creations that top the cake. Catalan patissiers expect to sell 660,000 “mones” this year, although smaller ones due to the economic slowdown.
The NGO and Barcelona's ‘Hospital Clínic’ have helped decrease HIV/AIDS from 90% to 14% in India’s Anantapur District. Both organisations renewed their agreement for another four years. The combined efforts of both organisations have provided health coverage to 90% of HIV infected patients, similar to the rate registered in a developed country.
Barcelona’s famous church designed by Antoni Gaudí was attacked on Tuesday morning by a mentally-ill person, who set fire to the crypt's sacristy. No people were injured and the 1,500 people in the church at the time were evacuated immediately for safety reasons. There are no structural damages and in less than a week the area will be completely restored. Security will be strengthened.
A Cristiano Ronaldo goal in the first half of extra time decided the Spanish Cup final. Barça had plenty of chances, but Real Madrid finished up 1-0 winners.
Kenneth Rogoff, currently professor at Harvard, predicts that Spain has a “high chance” of being rescued by the European Union. He also ads that, if it were not rescued, even France could fall.
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid go head to head tonight (21.30) in the Copa del Rey final in Mestalla. Barça are seeking their second trophy of the season, while Madrid will look to end their poor run against the Catalans.
The Catalan restaurant came second in the ‘S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards’, organised by British Restaurant Magazine, with Copenhagen's ‘Noma’ topping the list.
The economic crisis that has dragged on since 2008 has led many young professionals to create their own businesses. Such is the case of four Catalan entrepreneurs in new technologies, all of whom have built their own companies in recent months.
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will play again on Wednesday, now it's time for the Spanish Cup final. In the final, Guardiola is not planning to change the approach he has faithfully stood by since taking over as manager. He considers the opportunity to play the final against Madrid to be “a gift”.
The Catalan scientist Jordi Sunyer is developing a research study on how children’s brains are affected by air pollution. The hypothesis is that pollution diminisihes children’s capacities to learn.
During the first three months of 2011, housing prices dropped by 4.5% compared to the same period in 2010. The end of fiscal advantages for property purchase is the main reason behind this drop. The average square metre price in Catalonia is now set at 2,145.2 euros. These prices have not been seen since early 2006 and represent a 14% drop compared with the historic maximum in 2008.