Over 10,000 Catalan Castellers unite in Valls to build human towers together
Valls experienced one of the most spectacular and unique Catalan events. Over 57 groups came together to build traditional human towers
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Busquets extends contract till 2015
Barça midfielder Sergio Busquets this morning signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2015. The deal also includes the chance to extend the contract based on games played in its final season.
The savings bank Unnim is studying ways of becoming a bank
In reaction to the latest announcement from the Spanish Government, the savings bank Unnim is studying ways of becoming a bank. The financial institutions is waiting for the Spanish Government’s new rules for the financial entities regarding their solvency and their “core capital”.
Catalan Police help break up a ring of international criminals
Catalan Police assisted the investigation of an international criminal ring this week. The criminals were involved in money laundering and the financing of cannabis plantations. It is estimated that the group could have spent about 3 million buying properties in Catalonia’s Costa Brava.
Catalan fashion doubles its presence at the Bread & Butter fair
Despite the financial crisis, six well-known Catalan brands showcased their products at the most important urban fashion fair of the year, the Bread & Butter trade fair in Berlin.
YouTube incorporates Catalan after nearly a year of internet outcry
The most popular video site on the internet is finally navigable in Catalan. The head of the popular campaign tells CNA how he achieved this goal.
CNA debates the internationalisation of Catalonia
The former president of Catalonia Jordi Pujol, the scientific Jordi Camí, the macroeconomist Jordi Galí, the entrepreneur Ferran Soriano and the architect Benedetta Tagliabue will discuss priorities for internationalising Catalonia. The panel debate will take place on Tuesday 25 January, at 19.30, at the MACBA Auditorium in Barcelona.
The British Bankers Association thinks small savings banks models such as the Catalan are "problematic"
The chairman of BAA Angela Knight urged savings banks to reconsider their strategy and find diverse ways to finance themselves. The insisted that narrowing the market to a single territory is increasing their exposure to the economic context.
Sant Pau Hospital will expand its research facilities with 17,000 square metres
The Sant Pau Hospital in Barcelona will have 2 new buildings in 2014 dedicated to biomedical research. The new space will be of 17,000 square metres. The new buildings will be integrated into the daily activities of the university health centre. Then, at a second phase, the space for research will reach 28,000 square meters.
Some Spanish Police agents ask to be taught Catalan
A Spanish police trade union has complained to the government for not teaching Catalan to police agents. While money is being invested in simultaneous translation in the Senate, there is no way to help police stationed in Catalonia integrate socially, claims the police union CEP.
The Catalan Parliament will reduce its budget by 9.5% in 2011
The President of the Catalan Parliament Núria de Gispert presented the Chamber’s austerity plan today. Staff will be reduced by 10% within the next 4 years, official duty cars by 50% and the scheduled enlargement plan will be put on stand by.
Catalonia warns Madrid that a “point of no return” might be reached in the relationship with Spain
Since the Spanish Deputy Minister for Budget threatened to intervene in Catalan budgetary affairs and in response to the recentralisation debate, the Catalan President, Artur Mas, sent a public warning to the Spanish Government and politicians in Madrid. Mas emphasised that “a point of no return” might be reached if the Spanish State puts obstacles on the Catalan Government’s financing. He also threatened that, if Spain takes action, Catalonia will react.
CatalunyaCaixa earns 448 million euros from the sale of its stake in Repsol
The Catalan savings bank owed the 1.63% of the oil company Repsol. By selling all its stakes, it earned 448 million, which represents a profit of 186 million euros. The financial entity made this operation to increase its core capital, in order to be ready for the banking stress test.
The Catalan Government’s budget will be 10% smaller in 2011
The President of the Catalan Government Artur Mas said that his Cabinet would reduce the Government’s budget for 2011 by 10% in order to cut public deficit. Speaking at the Catalan Parliament today, Mas accused the Spanish Government of not having paid 1.000 million euros last year as agreed. “It is very easy to cut their own deficit by creating deficit to other administrations”, he emphasised.
From now on the Catalan language will be used in the Spanish Senate
For the first time in the post Franco era, Catalan, Basque and Galician will be spoken at the Spanish Territorial High Chamber’s plenary sessions. Although the languages will still be banned in the Government’s control sessions at the Senate, from now on they will be allowed in the Senate’s regular plenary sessions. Although these languages are official in many parts of Spain, up till now, only the Spanish language was permitted to be used in the Senate. Using these other official languages in Spanish-level institutions like the Senate is an historic claim from a wide range of Catalan society.