The two bars in Mollerussa that rejected the new smoking law have since banned smoking
They decided to abandon the protest after health authorities implemented a financial penalty.
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Catalan ski resort Baquèira Beret aims to attract one million skiers within three years
The ski resort is one of the most popular in the South of Europe, with more than 120 kilometres of ski slopes. Skiing is one of the main economic activities in the area of Vall d'Aran, in north-west Catalonia.
Barcelona airport saw an increase of 6.5% in passenger traffic last year
Barcelona-El Prat Airport had 29.1 million passengers, which means that Barcelona’s is Europe’s 9th airport. Girona airport saw a decrease of 8% in passenger traffic and Reus airport one of 16.7%.
Dalí museums receive 8% more visitors in 2010
The Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol (in the Costa Brava interior land) recorded the biggest increase with 21% more tourists than last year. The most visited museum was the Theatre-Museum Dalí in Figueres, in the Alt Empordà County, near the French border.
Catalan film 'Pa Negre' wins 14 nominations at the Goya Awards
The movie has also been nominated 15 times for the Catalan Gaudí Awards, in Barcelona. 'Pa Negre' (Black Bread) is a film adaptation of a novel with the same title by Emili Teixidor.
Unbeaten record equalled
FC Barcelona's win against Real Betis on Wednesday evening took their run to 27 matches without defeat and that equalled the club record held by the side in the 1973/74 campaign.
Central Catalonia mines become the first producer of thaw salt in Southern Europe
During the last few winters, snow and ice have paralysed Central Europe for days and sometimes weeks. Lorries from all over Europe transport up to 60,000 tons of salt a month from Súria (Bages County) to spread on roads throughout the continent. The mines have tripled production in the last 2 years and are the largest of Southern Europe.
The world’s top cell phone trade fair will attract 55.000 people to Barcelona
The Mobile World Congress will be held in the Catalan capital for the seventh time. It will take place between 14th and 17th of February and will bring have an economic impact of 200 million euros on the city. Visitors are predicted to occupy 30,000 hotel rooms, 25% higher than last year. However, Barcelona could lose the Mobile World Congress’ organisation contract as the current one ends and other cities put forward their candidature.
No quarter given (5-0)
Lionel Messi crowned his triumph in winning the Ballon d'Or this week by hitting a stunning hat-trick as FC Barcelona took a huge stride towards a place in the Copa del Rey semi finals with victory over Real Betis.
The Mediterranean railway corridor, linking Algeciras with Stockholm, must be a European priority
Politicians and businessmen from Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia and Andalucía participated today in an event pushing for the so called Mediterranean Railway Corridor for freight and passengers. They push the European Union to declare it a European priority, an axe that would vertebrate Europe, from Gibraltar to the Baltic Sea. However, participants criticised that the Spanish Government has yet to show its commitment to building freight railway with European-standard width that would connect Andalucía, Valencia and Barcelona to Central Europe. Besides goods, the corridor should also count with a high-speed train connection for passengers.
A 110-meter-high tower is Telefonica’s new headquarters in Barcelona
The tower is located beside the sea in the first number of Diagonal Avenue in the Forum area. It will host the company’s I+D centre and will bring together all the Telefonica offices from around the city.
Catalan airline company Vueling transports more than 11 million passengers in 2010
It is a record figure for the company and represents a 35 percent increase in passengers since 2009. Vueling plans to offer 10.5 million seats for the 2011 summer season, almost 7% more than the same period in 2009. The company plans to open new bases in Amsterdam and Toulouse to foster its international growth.
Barça ready for Betis after Messi's Ballon d'Or
Barça receives Betis in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey (22.00 pm) two days after being the main attraction at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich. Leo Messi will be sharing the trophy with fans before kick off.
Thousands of skiers enjoy the Catalan Pyrenees this Christmas two-week holiday
Catalan ski slopes attracted thousands of tourists this holiday season. Between the 24th December and the 9th January, heavy snow and pleasant weather conditions ensured an increase in visitors compared to this time last year. Ski-resorts in the Pyrenees contribute greatly to the tourism industry in Catalonia.
Spanish Government rejects proposals to protect mortgage holders who cannot pay their debt
The Spanish Vice President for Economy Elena Salgado refused the idea proposed by three Catalan parties to allow mortgage holders end their debt by returning their house to the bank. This measure already exists in the US and other countries. In Spain, a country with a high unemployment rate, many people are not able to afford to pay their mortgage. However, at the moment, debt does not disappear when banks execute mortgages and take away the house. Salgado wants to keep the current system in order not to harm the banks and thus the recovery, but at a high social price.