Two of the best teams in Europe meet on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid have the best home record in Spain this season, and FC Barcelona are the best team on the road.
The Catalan Parliament rejected a law proposal on Catalonia’s independence three days after the popular consultation process on the issue ended with a clear “yes”. This civil society voting was not an official referendum and it was not organised by public powers. It took place over the course of 18 months, and Barcelona closed the process on Sunday. 21% of the electoral census turned out (885.000 citizens) and 90% of the voters backed Catalonia’s independence from Spain. Members of the Catalan Government cast their vote, including the President.
The Catalan capital unveils the first fast recharge point for electric cars within Spain and one of the first in Europe. This technology enables recharging 50% of the battery in only ten minutes and costs around 5 euros. This innovative recharge point joins the other 178 already existing in the city.
The doctor who brought to life the first test-tube baby in Spain publishes a book about the evolution of assisted reproduction techniques. She criticizes the “lack of control” of the Spanish Government.
The Catalan Government is cutting the Healthcare System’s expenditure by 10% because the public deficit needs to be drastically reduced this year. Health professionals started protesting last week because they fear a worsening of services and working conditions. The Catalan Minister for Health, Boi Ruiz guaranteed basic health services, but the protests continue.
An exhibition devoted to Miró’s work opens on Thursday in London. It is the first time in 50 years that a large number of paintings by the Catalan artist are displayed in the United Kingdom.
Valentí Mongay, President of Garraf’s ‘Slow-food’ and coordinator of the 'Km 0' initiative, has said that by reducing the number of intermediaries, there would be more affordable quality products available, that would be respect seasonal products. He also explain the ‘Flavour Ark’ initiative to preserve local species.
FC Barcelona made it into the semi finals of the Champions League without having to suffer for it by winning 1-0 away to Shakhtar. A Messi goal before the break banished any fears of the Ukrainians putting together a comeback.
Catalan language is taught abroad, mainly in university. Last year 1,252 applicants took the language tests held in 76 cities throughout 32 countries.
The arrival of 5,000 UK students for a five-day festival has put the Catalan coastal town of Salou back in the spotlight. Last year, ‘Saloufest’ had several episodes of drunken behaviour and wild parties on the streets, which caused major disturbances. An ongoing debate has taken place over the past year over how best to combine the five-day festival with Salou’s reputation of a family tourist resort.
In order to attain liquidity and taking into account the difficulties getting money from the international markets, the Catalan Government is selling 2.7 billion euros worth of treasury bonds. These will be bought by citizens at bank branches. One-year bonds have a 4.25% interest rate while for two-year bonds it is 4.75%. At the end of the first day of sales, 29% of the bonds were sold. The measure was already taken last October by the previous Government and the totality of the bonds were sold quickly.
‘Haití, 34 segons després’ (Haití, 34 seconds later) includes unpublished photos, documentaries and restoration projects. The exhibition wants to commemorate the earthquake victims as well as picturing the drama behind and the reconstruction efforts.
Despite the 5-1 lead from the first leg, Pep Guardiola continues to preach caution: “in football and in sport as a whole, anything can happen”, whilst stressing the importance of Tuesday’s game :”we are on the verge of reaching the semis for the fourth year on the run”.
Barça came from behind to take three vital points and beat Almeria 3-1 at the Nou Camp tonight with a goal from Thiago and two from Messi, one a penalty, that send them to the Bernabeu next week with an 8 point lead.
Catalonia’s International Tourism Fair is currently taking place and will run until this Sunday. Barcelona broke all records in 2010 regarding visitors. 7.3 million tourists visited the Catalan capital and there were 14 million hotel nights booked by visitors. The Catalan Minister for Business and Employment, who is in charge of tourism, expects 2011 for Catalonia to be “exceptional”.