If South Sudan citizens finally vote for independence, the Spanish Government will respect it and recognise their independence. However, the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trinidad Jiménez, announced that Spain would not review its stance on Kosovo. The Balkan country declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 but Spain is one of the 5 EU Member States that still refuses to recognise it.
Two bar owners have publically declared their resistance to the new smoking ban after having lost many clients, they said. So they have decided to let customers smoke again and hope that other bars will do the same.
Leo Messi is the winner of the 2010 FIFA Ballon D’Or after taking the trophy for the second year on the run. Messi won 22,65% of the votes, ahead of teammates Andrés Iniesta (17,36%) and Xavi Hernández (16,48%).
After the Pope’s visit last November, the Sagrada Família will be open 4 Saturdays in a row along January. The measure seems to be a success among Barcelonans. The figure is four times the number of visits recorded on a normal Saturday.
The Spanish Government states “it’s good news but not THE news” it was waiting for. The Socialist Party, the People’s Party and most of the Spanish opinion leaders insist that ETA’s only way out is through its own total disarmament and dissolution. The President of the Basque Government affirmed that he “would not allow ETA to dictate Basque Country’s future”. However, he underlined that ETA’s statement means that the terrorist group acknowledges the inevitability of its demise. CiU and other Catalan parties are optimistic but prudent.
FC Barcelona have won at Riazor with goals from Villa, Messi, Iniesta and Pedro, three in the second half. That’s their ninth away win and takes them up to 49 points.
The annual January sales have commenced in Catalonia with discounts of up to half price. Traders hope to sell between 5 and 10% to make up for December's dramatic decline in consumption.
Florida has just inaugurated a brand new building that will unveil up to 2.000 works from the famous Catalan artist Salvador Dalí. After the Figueres museum, it is the second largest museum in the world dedicated to Dalí
Catalan Journalist Cristian Segura has been awarded for his Catalan novel,'El cau del conill' (The Rabbit's Burrow) while Alicia Giménez Bartlett picks up the Nadal Award for her book 'Donde nadie te encuentre' (Where nobody can find you)
Gas heater sales have increased by 200% reaching record figures. The new smoking ban has increased the number of bars and restaurants interested in out-door heaters.
During 90 passionate minutes at the San Mamés stadium in Bilbao, Abidal scored his first ever goal for FC Barcelonaqualifying the team for the quarter finals of the King Cup. FC Barcelona will meet either Getafe Football Club or Betis in the next round.
Wondering why all the children are excited and happy? The Three Kings have already arrived in Catalonia. Their presence has already created a magical atmosphere and on Wednesday night they will deliver gifts to every single house in the country.
The crisis will not stop Catalans from enjoying their traditional King cake on the 6th of January. The most important thing about this special King cake is not the taste, but rather the excitement of the treats that come with it.
Jordi Cuminal will have the task of communicating the government's activities to Catalan citizens. Communications is one of the most challenging departments, and was a serious test for his predecessor
Artur Mas, the newly elected Catalan president has a new plan up his sleeve. He will cut 23% of the high-ranking positions and reduce the number of political advisers. Public organisations and quangos will also be affected by this austerity measure. The government is forecasting a deficit of 7.800 million euros.